 Local citizens who attended the Renaissance Awards Night were (l-r) Chief of Police Monica McGrath, Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Minjares, Mayor Rick Neal, Principal Russon Mesfun, Councilmember Diane McCall, Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino, and School Board Member Lucy Rangel. Photo by KSSP Photographic Studio. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 18th, 2013
A Celebration of Excellence
Fillmore High School recognized its academically distinguished students during Renaissance Awards Night on Wednesday. Students who earned 3.5 GPA and above received Certificates of Achievement during an event attended by various local leaders including Chief of Police Monica McGrath, Mayor Rick Neal, Mayor Pro Tem Luis Minjares, Councilmember Diane McCall, Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino, and School Board Member Lucy Rangel. Prior to the ceremony, honoree students were interviewed on what it took to be successful in the classroom. “I do my homework and I try to do my best. I do my absolute best in every classroom. Academics are important in my household. I have my parents’ support,” said Citlali Erazo. Kiana Hope added: “I try to make sure that if I don’t grasp something in class, I go back to learn what I didn’t get. I do my homework. I pay attention to what the teachers are saying; it’s important to listen to the teachers –to what they are saying. Academics are very important in my household.” Anthony Larin, another student scholar at FHS, was blunt: “I have goals. School is a stepping stone for long term goals you have in the future. After high School, I would like to go to university. I take things I learn in school and incorporate it in everyday things –popular culture, self-study”. Asked how they maintained their focus to stay motivated, Erazo said that she puts her phone on “airplane mode” in order to turn off all distractions. Hope quickly jumped into the conversation and proudly added that she, too, puts her phone on airplane mode. “I found out about airplane mode because I was trying to save the battery, and now I do everything on airplane mode.” In a reply to a question on what techniques the students used to master learning, Hope stated, “I know that I have to be successful here so that I can be successful in the future. If I don’t get something, I go to the internet, like U-tube for tutorials and Khanacademy.org. There is nothing stopping you from doing well. There are many resources out there that there are no excuses for failing.” Martin Ceja, a student scholar in his own right, earning a GPA of 4.5, had this to say: “My family never really pushed me to work hard. This was not good enough for me. I push myself. I try my hardest. If I don’t understand something, I try to get help. I take the initiative. As far as focus, the way my mom raised us –she was very strict. The Spanish culture, we are respectful with our elders. When I do homework, it’s very quiet. I may not be the coolest person. I don’t care; I’m here to get to college. I consider myself of average intelligence, --others see me as smart”. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 18th, 2013
 Sunday evening at approximately 7pm an accident occurred at Highway 126 and B Street. No further information was available at press time. Enlarge Photo |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, September 11th, 2013
 Housing Consultant Tom Figg is working with Community Development Director Kevin McSweeney to examine and resolve the City’s Housing Element problem. The September 10, 2013 Fillmore City Council Meeting centrally focused on two important items for the residents of Fillmore; transportation and housing. Other items discussed were Fillmore’s investment policy and payment obligations. Fillmore has contracted with Kevin McSweeney as Interim Community Development Director along with Housing Consultant Tom Figg, who has over 30 years experience in housing and community development working throughout Southern California and many towns in Ventura County, to examine and resolve the City’s Housing Element problem. The General Plan identifies that 5,816 residential units are planned for the City which will result in a population of 22,693 by the year 2020. There are currently 4,408 residential units in the City. Therefore, through the General Plan, the City of Fillmore has planned for the remaining 1,408 residential units for the year 2020. The required units have designated income levels that RHNA identifies as 160 very low income units and 112 as low income units resulting in 272 low income units that need to be planned for during the 2014-2021 Housing Element period. But, there are past low income unit requirements that have not been met. Because the City CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 11th, 2013
WHAT: Relay For Life is a fun and unique 24-hour event to increase cancer awareness in Fillmore and Piru while raising much-needed funds for the American Cancer Society’s programs and services. Teams formed by local businesses, community groups and individuals raise funds prior to the event. At the Relay, team members take turns walking or running around a track, relay-style and enjoy fun activities and entertainment off the track. WHEN: 10 am - Saturday, Sept 14, 2013 – 10 am - Sunday, Sept 15, 2013 WHERE: Shiells Park, Old Telegraph Rd & C St, Fillmore WHO: Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event, held in more than 4,800 communities across the country. In California, more than 300 communities will host Relay For Life events. Twenty-four (24) community members on thirty-five (35) teams are expected to participate in the event this year. WHY: Relay For Life celebrates those who have survived cancer, remembers those who have lost the battle and gives communities an opportunity to fight back against a disease that takes too much. Funds raised go to the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving research, advocacy, education and free support services. ABOUT: The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. Come for the ceremonies, come to participate, come to donate hair, come to support fundraisers, come to enjoy the entertainment, come to eat, come to visit or to see what Relay is about in our community! |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 11th, 2013
 The Fillmore School District hired a contractor, Sunesys, to do some underground fiber optic work near the corner of Central Avenue and Highway 126. A sub-contractor hired by Sunesys to do some boring under the highway struck a 12-inch city water main on August 22, which caused extensive surface damage, making it necessary to replace a street light and electrical control box. Current work on the site involves replacing surface areas. Work is expected to be completed by September 20. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 11th, 2013
The Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau held its annual fundraiser at Piru Motorcross Park. Owner Kevin Keehl organizes this annual fundraiser for the benefit of the Bureau. This year $300.00 was raised. The Piru Motorcross Park is located 4375 Center Street in Piru and is open for motorcycle riders to enjoy on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on the park you can visit their website at www.pirumx.com or call the tract phone number at 805-521-0515. The Tourism Bureau works together with the cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru to promote the Heritage Valley and bring in Tourist revenue to local businesses. For more information on events and membership the office phone number is 805-524-7500. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, September 9th, 2013
Police asking puclic for information
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department A body was discovered by field workers in an orchard on Price Road in Somis Saturday morning. The unidentified man is believed to be in his early 20’s. Investigators are on scene collecting evidence, while volunteers from the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team are assisting with a search of the area. Although the death is suspicious, investigators are treating it as a homicide until the medical examiner’s office determines the cause of death. Anyone who was in the area late Friday night or early Saturday morning is asked to contact Detective Jose Lopez at (805)384-4723. Ventura County Crimestoppers 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). Nature of Incident: Major Crimes Detectives Investigating Suspicious Death |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 4th, 2013
 Robert Johnson, 72 of Fillmore, died Thursday ina head-on crash between Santa Paula and Fillmore. The crash occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Old Telegraph Road. Rigoberto Rodriguez, 27 of Santa Paula was driving south on Old Telegraph Road when he lost control of his truck and collided w89th the van in which Johnson was a passenger. Maria Elene Aguilar Melgoza, the driver of the van sustained minor injuries. Rodriguez had major head injuries and was taken to an area hospital. Isidoro Ortiz Ibarra, also a passenger in the van, had major injuries to his knees and arm. Emergency personnel from the Ventura County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments and the W.S. Forestry Service extricated the passengers from the van. Photo by Salvador Montelongo. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 4th, 2013
On August 29, 2013 at about 11:55 A.M., the Fillmore Fire Department and the Fillmore Police Department were dispatched to a report of a spill of Hydrochloric Acid in the 500 Block of First St. The incident unfolded when a private company was delivering the chemical to the city swimming pool. The pallet jack used by the company employee to transport the chemical from the delivery truck to the swimming pool, malfunctioned. The chemical spilled on the ground. The private company was able to contain approximately 150 – 180 gallons. It’s estimated that another 100 gallons flowed into the storm drain. At the time of this release, a specialized chemical clean-up crew was responding to assist with the clean-up. Fillmore High School is located near the spill and was secured for a short period of time. No students or faculty were injured. The company worker and a City of Fillmore worker sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Nature of Incident: Chemical Spill 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 4th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On Thursday evening, August 29 at about 6:30 p.m., a 3 year-old boy was hit by a passing truck on Third Street in Fillmore. Deputies from the Fillmore Police Department were notified about an hour after the collision when the boy was taken by his parents to the Emergency Room at the Santa Paula Hospital. The deputies investigating the collision were told the boy had followed an older brother who had gone across the street previously. The 3-year old ran out between two parked cars and into the side of a large white commercial type flatbed truck that had left the nearby citrus packing house on Third Street. The boy’s father was the first to come to the boy’s aid and the driver of the truck stopped and checked on the boy’s condition. According to the boy’s father, he mistakenly presumed his son was not seriously injured and dismissed the truck driver before obtaining any information and without summoning police or EMS. Shortly thereafter, the boy’s parents realized something was wrong and they took their son to the hospital where he was admitted with a serious head injury. Deputies from the Fillmore Police Station are still investigating this collision and will follow-up at the citrus packing house to locate the driver of the truck. At this time in the investigation, there does not appear to be any criminal or improper procedures committed by the truck driver. If you are the driver of the truck involved or you have any information about this collision, please call the Fillmore Police Station at 805-524-2233. The Fillmore Police reminds parents and the guardians of small children to teach and practice looking both ways before crossing a street. Do not allow small children to play unsupervised in proximity to streets, even if the roads are not particularly busy. Finally, both parents and anyone driving in residential areas need to be vigilant for hazards that might dart out between parked cars. Be aware the warm temperatures we have been experiencing increases the number of children and people outdoors. Nature of Incident: Injury Traffic Collision 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). |