Fillmore High School is proud to announce that senior student Isabella Palazuelos has been recognized as a National Merit Scholar.

The National Merit Scholar Program annually recognizes 16,000 students out of 1.6 million eligible students nationwide as semifinalists based on student performance for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude exam. Of those 16,000 students, only 15,000 are selected to receive a Certificate of Merit as a finalist. Finally, only 7,500 students out of the 15,000 finalists are granted scholarships that may include full college tuition. Miss Palazuelos was presented a Certificate of Merit from her high school principal on February 5, 2020 at Fillmore High School. Fillmore High School has not had a National Merit Scholar in recent memory.

Miss Palazuelos has applied to several prestigious universities, both in and out of California, and is expecting to receive notification of acceptance this spring. Isabella Palazuelos is a well-rounded student as she participates in several activities at Fillmore High School, which include: the Advanced Placement program; a medalist as part of the award winning 2020 Fillmore High School Academic Decathlon team; a three sport athlete (volleyball, water polo and swimming); the leader of the Fillmore High School Mock Trial team; Band and Jazz Ensemble; the Interact Club; MEChA; the Chess Club; and the Mentor Program.

Isabella is the daughter of Adrian and Julie Palazuelos and has three siblings in the Fillmore Unified School District: Olivia, grade 11; Nadia, grade 7; and Adrian Junior, Transitional Kindergarten.

Our sincere congratulations go out to Isabella Palazuelos!

Fillmore Unified School District

Public Hearing and Receipt of Initial Proposal
Public hearing and receipt of initial proposal of the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) to the Fillmore
Unified School District (FUSD) for reopener negotiations for the contract commencing on July 1, 2020 (Materials).

Network Infrastructure Update
The Governing Board received an update on the Fillmore USD network infrastructure.

Approval of the Second Interim Report through January 31, 2020, Including Amendments to the 2019-2020 Budget
The Governing Board approved the Second Interim Report.

Approval of Resolution No. 19-20-14 for Relief from Penalties for Piru Preschool Program Closure Due to Wear Main Repairs
The Governing Board approved Resolution 19-20-14.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, and leaves.

Gerardo Uribe, 39, of Santa Paula.

On February 10, 2020 at approximately 1247 hours, the Santa Paula Police Department received a call of a robbery that just occurred at the Metro PCS store located at 328 E Harvard Blvd. Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to the scene. Through the investigation it was discovered a suspect had entered the store, brandished a weapon at the clerk and demand the register be emptied. The suspect then fled the location.

On February 18, 2020 at approximately 1010 hours, the Santa Paula Police Department received a call of a robbery that just occurred at the Metro PCS store located at 919 E Main St. SPPD Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to the scene. Through the investigation it was determined a suspect had entered the business, brandished a weapon, went behind the counter and took money from the register. The suspect then fled the location. Responding officers were able to obtain video of the robbery as well as the suspect fleeing the scene.

SPPD Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Gerardo Uribe of Santa Paula. On Thursday February 27th 2020, the SPPD Detective Bureau, Special Enforcement Unit and VCSO Fillmore Detectives executed a search warrant on Uribe’s residence related to the robberies. Uribe, who was already in custody for a commercial burglary that occurred in the City of Fillmore, was arrested for the robberies at the Ventura County Main Jail.

Anyone with information regarding the robberies is urged to contact Detective Dan McCarthy at (805) 525-4474 x282 or dmccarthy@spcity.org.

Bob Crum

So disappointed that no one correctly described how I made last week's photo of the week. No problem. I'll treat myself to the scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream.

One day I was fine, the next my health ambushed. It started a few weeks ago as a chest cold but men don't go to the doctor for a mere chest cold. But incessant chest congestion and coughing grew worse over time like a cat sneaking up on a mouse ready to pounce. On Tuesday, 2/25/20, gasping for breath, I left denial in the parking lot and drove to the Santa Paula Hospital, the Hilton on the hill. Parked the truck and s____l____w_____l____y walked into ER gasping. I didn't make it to the counter, collapsing on a chair in the ER lobby. CODE BLUE!

Medical staff whisked me into the ER room and began to execute their much-appreciated expertise: EKG, blood was drawn for lab testing, chest X-Ray, an IV placed in my right arm, and a face mask applied to force oxygen into my lungs. Diagnosis: A debilitating case of pneumonia on top of COPD on top of asthma - proof that I don't get half-way sick!

A week later, I returned home. Because COPD is a chronic disease, recovery, to whatever degree, is likely going to be a long slog. Run-and-gun photojournalism waylaid, I'm considering turtles as subjects to chase. Furthermore, compromised lungs mean that I need supplemental oxygen provided by oxygen concentrators at home and when out and about. Obviously, my grizzly bear wrestling career is doomed. But I have my doctor's permission to continue with my photographic specialty: Mermaid boudoir photography.

Ill health does not prevent me from being creative. Last week's photo of the week, starry night roses, was a creative project. To create the photo, I clipped a rose from one of my rose bushes, put it in a vase, and put the vase in front of my TV. When the TV is off, the screen is black. I turned on the room's overhead lights to create a shadow of the rose on the TV. Yes, the dark rose on the right is a shadow. But the shadow was too dark. So I programmed my Canon 7D MKII 'real' camera for HDR (High Dynamic Range), fixed aperture at f/ll, shooting seven brackets in 1/3 stops. I then elected to have the seven shots combined in-camera to create the HDR image. Viola!

During post-processing (editing), I lightened the shadow rose slightly and also brightened the background oh-so-slightly to accentuate the stars. You did notice the stars, right? Ahem, the stars are dust particles on the TV screen. Oh, 'tis so easy, and such fun, to fool the eye!

As a creative medium, photography is replete with a plethora of possibilities and options! Limitations exist only from a lack of imagination!

Recall a previous column whereby I discussed seeing an image in your mind before making the photo? Consider it a form of pre-visualization. Observe an object, in this case the rose, or scene and then experiment with various perspectives, always aligning the composition with your mind's image. It works, but it requires patience. Most photographers struggle with composition because they shoot too fast. Hence, they end up with so much crap that I call it 'shoot-to-delete' photography. Slow down and enjoy creating!

The photo of the week is another opportunity for a lucky reader to win two scoops of Baskin Robins ice cream. Yes, two scoops! Send an email naming the subject and how I made the photo. The first correct response wins! Hurry! Happy photoing!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Three Santa Paula residents were taken into custody for their role in a commercial burglary that occurred at the Domino’s Pizza restaurant in December 2019.

On 12/16/19, the Domino’s Pizza Restaurant in Fillmore was burglarized. When employees responded to the store to open it for business that day, they noticed the safe was open and cash was missing. An undisclosed amount of US Currency was removed. There were no signs of forced entry. It appeared someone with knowledge of the inner workings of the business was responsible for the burglary.

The investigation led to the recovery of vital surveillance footage. Through video images, detectives were able to identify the getaway vehicle and its owner. In addition, investigators obtained information which revealed an employee of the restaurant, Angelina Perez was involved in the crime. Investigators were able to collect intelligence that led to the identification of Gerardo Uribe and a male juvenile.

On 02/18/20, Perez and the juvenile were located in a vehicle in the city of Santa Paula. They were immediately taken into custody. Later the same day, investigators located Uribe in his vehicle in the city of Fillmore. With the assistance of patrol personnel, Uribe was apprehended as well. Perez and Uribe were booked in the Pre Trail Detention Facility for PC 459-Burglary and PC 182 (a)(1)- Conspiracy. The male juvenile was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center for probation warrant as well as PC 459-Burglary and PC 182 (a)(1)- Conspiracy.

Perez and Uribe remain in custody with bail set at $50,000.00

Nature of Incident: Domino’s Pizza Burglary Suspects Arrested
Report Number: 19-194750
Location: 529 W. Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 02/18/20 at 1600 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Investigative Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent - City of Residence – Age
S- Gerardo Uribe, 39, of Santa Paula
S- Angelina Perez, 19, of Santa Paula
S- Male Juvenile, 17, of Santa Paula

Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting Fillmore Chief of Police Garo Kuredjian spoke regarding the addition of a second School Resource Officer for the next 2.5 fiscal years. It was approved by Council.

Council Approves Second School Resource Officer

8-A At the February 11th City Council meeting members of the City Council requested the placement of a discussion regarding the possibility of having the agenda translated into Spanish on a future agenda. Councilwoman Lynn Edmonds stated that she would like the City Council to consider having the agenda translated, not the staff reports or other agenda items, and made available at each City Council meeting.

Three transcription services were contacted to determine costs. The average cost would be about $3,000 per year, not including staff costs.

Following discussion, council failed to pass this motion.

8-B Mid Year Financial/Budget Analysis and Fund Balance by Fund Submitted for review is the 1) Mid-Year Financial Report, which is the fiscal year to date through mid-year financial results, and the Financial Forecast through the remainder of the fiscal year for the General, Water, Sewer, Recreation, Community Pool and Street Funds; 2) a summary of the Fund Balance by Fund (Attachment A) starting with FY 2014-15 plus the forecast for the current fiscal year impact on fund balance and the ending fund balance; and 3) request to approve a Supplemental Budget Request.

It was reported that "The overall financial position of the City is stable. Property taxes are down , and sales tax revenue continues to decline. Fortunately development permit revenue is up and is currently offsetting the reduction in sales tax. However, development permit revenue is considered one-time revenue and therefore not a reliable source of revenue to meet ongoing expenses in future years."

8-C The City Council approved the addition of one (1) deputy sheriff position to the existing police services contract with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in order to add a second School Resource Officer (SRO) for fiscal years 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22.

8-E The City Council is being requested to approve a new contract with Owl Tek, LLC, to provide information technology and film permitting services. This contract will cover a two year time period. The City will have the ability to extend the term for two addition alone-year periods. The decision to exercise an option to extend the contract would require a contract amendment approved by the City Council and notice to Owl Tekat least 90 days before expiration.

FISCAL IMPACT: The base cost of this contract is for 32 hours of services for all services other than the film permitting work at $2,000 per month. Additional hours above the 32 base hours will require the approval of the City Manager and will be charged at a rate of $45 per hour.

The City of Fillmore has been utilizing Patrick Maynard to provide IT Consulting Services since August 15, 2015. Since then, Patrick Maynard is now part of a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Owl Tek. Owl Tek will continue to provide the City with computer desktop application support; server and work station administrative services; microwave network support; network administration services; assistance with email, security and backup efforts, channel 10 broadcast live streaming, telephone systems, physical security at City Facilities, film permitting, and any additional project that may be added by the discretion of the City Manager as needed for the City’s efficiency and business practice improvement.

Staff is recommending that the City Council: 1. Approve the contract for two years with Owl Tek, LLC, to provide consulting services as stipulated in the scope of work of the contract.

Council unanimously approved the recommendation.