One hundred and thirty-two years ago this month, on the site of present day Fillmore, there was a hideous crime committed that shocked the entire state and received significant national media attention. In the early morning hours of March 24, 1877, under the cover of darkness, masked men shot and killed Thomas Wallace More the owner of Rancho Sespe. More and his three brothers owned substantial holdings in California. Most of the property was obtained by purchasing Mexican land grants that had been awarded to prominent Mexican families prior to California becoming part of the United States. Included in these holdings were Rancho Santa Paula y Saticoy, Rancho Lompoc, Rancho del Purisima, La Patera and Santa Rosa Island.

In the early 1850's Rancho Sespe was purchased in a administrator's sale from the family of Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo who had obtained it in a 1829 grant in return for his military service to Mexico. The terms of the purchase, and the resulting payment made by the Mores, was for all the property on both sides of the Santa Clara River from Mupu (Santa Paula) Creek to Piru Creek, and from mountain to mountain on each side. The area encompassed six square leagues which is approximately eighteen square miles. The Mores raised sheep and cattle on the ranch. After the end of the Civil War and the winding down of the California Gold Rush, many of the participants in those events, looking for a new start, opted to settle on and claim land in accordance with the Homestead Act of 1862. A number of those individuals ended up near the junction of Sespe Creek and the Santa Clara River quite near Thomas More's ranch house. A dispute soon arose between CONTINUED »

US Army Specialist Mark Thompson.
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United States Army Specialist (Promotable) Mark Thompson, 34 years, is about to deploy for his third tour in Iraq. Specialist Mark Thompson attended schools in Ventura, Camarillo and Oxnard before graduation in 2000. He participated in Water Polo and Year Book Photography while Camarillo High School. He enlisted into the United States Army on May 23, 2003 and completed his Army Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Advanced Individualized Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, Airborne Training at Fort Benning, Georgia returning again to Fort Eustis for Non-Destructive Inspection Certification. Specialist Mark Thompson is considering the United States Army as a career and reenlisted on March 19, 2007 for an additional six years. Specialist Mark Thompson is currently stationed with the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Bravo Company 615th Aviation Support Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas.

Specialist Mark Thompson has earned Military distinction by being awarded; two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Good Conduct Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal. CONTINUED »

Espeanza Hurtado the Mother of Alfredo Hurtado.
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(l-r) The family: son Lucas Thompson (2 yrs) held by father Mark Thompson, son Connor Thompson (11 yrs), Mother Sheryl Feldhans and brother David Thompson (21 yrs).
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On Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. eight more banners were installed on Central Avenue as part of the Military Banner Program. An enthusiastic and proud group of family and friends watched as City of Fillmore crews installed the Banners on the historic street lamp posts of Central Avenue. The eight young men and women are Senior Master Sergeant Michelle Hart (USAF), Second Lieutenant Christopher Gurrola (USAF), Airman First Class Ryan Hackney (USAF), Staff Sergeant Kevin Vest (Army), Petty Officer First Class William Foster (Navy), Specialist Mark Thompson (Army) Staff Sergeant Alfredo Hurtado (Army) and Chief Petty Officer Garrett Kendrick (Navy). The eight now proudly stand with the initial five already installed and six more have been ordered and will be installed in the near future.

The “Military Banner Program” is to honor the young men and women of our community who are currently serving in the military. The intent of the “Military Banner Program” is to recognize their service and the sacrifices they are now making and will make in the future to keep our Country safe. The “Patriotic Banners” that will be placed on Central Avenue on the light poles will be partially funded by the families of those currently serving and the remainder funded by grants. Each banner will have the name and branch of service of those young men and women from the Fillmore/Piru communities currently serving in the military. When the person named on the banner is no longer serving the banner will be given to the person named on the banner or to a family member.

The “Military Banner Program” is an effort begun by Fillmore School Board Member Virginia de la Piedra, in conjunction with the City of Fillmore, Fillmore Unified School Board, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9637 and the Fillmore Sunrise Rotary. It is similar to other programs begun by other cities including the City of Santa Paula.

To participate in this recognition a family member of a currently serving military man or woman should contact: Virginia A. de la Piedra – School Board Member / Up for Education (805) 524-1732 FAX (805) 524-4154, or Email - militarybanners@yahoo.com

You will be required to complete a short form and provide the following information that will be used to administer the program: A “Military Recognition Form” must be completed by either the individual whose name will appear on the banner, or a family member. This form may be picked up at City Hall or you may call or email Virginia at the numbers listed above. The form asks for the name and branch of service of the currently serving military person to be recognized as well as some additional contact information. CONTINUED »

We have all heard stories of good coming from tragedy, and “Friends of the Library” began just that way. In December 1985, Fillmore residents Roberta Nelson and her husband Charles, a local veterinarian, lost their cherished adopted son John in a private plane crash during a blinding snowstorm, en route to a Christmas skiing vacation in Utah. In lieu of cards or gifts, Roberta, a kindergarten through second grade teacher for many years, and later, Curriculum Coordinator and Material Specialist at San Cayetano Elementary School, requested cash donations, to purchase books in John’s memory for the Fillmore Library. Honoring her son and reflecting her own interest in the betterment of the community, Roberta and a small committee began organizational efforts for the Fillmore Chapter of the Friends of the Library.

During the next four years, Roberta, Myrna Taylor, Judy Dunst, Betty Rubel, Helen Knight, Janine Rees, Mary Winterstein and Betty Hardison spent untold hours contacting librarians and chapter presidents for guidance. Rees and Isabel Galvan contacted local clubs, while County Librarian, Betty Cook, handled publicity and filed the Federal and State forms for tax exemption and non-profit status. The organizational committee met on April 19, 1989, elected its first official officers, and incorporated on March 20, 1990. CONTINUED »

The Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board and Fillmore City Council sat together in a joint meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. This was the first joint meeting of the two bodies since the Council changed over after the November 2008 election. Joint meetings had been scheduled earlier in the year, but were postponed on account of scheduling conflicts and lack of urgent business by mutual agreement. Tuesday’s agenda included forging a cooperative bond, planning community access to Fillmore High School’s all-weather track, directing City staff regarding traffic safety for Mountain Vista students, discussing the Military banner project, and status updates on the Water Recycling Project construction and the Fillmore pool.

After considerable discussion amongst themselves, the Board and Council made separate but coordinated decisions to proceed with a pilot program for community use of the FHS track. Interim City Manager Bill Bartels announced that the City would be opening up the Fillmore pool to individuals for adult lap swimming sessions sometime in April. To facilitate fee management, security, and statistical analysis of usage, the City has purchased a key card system with management software. Because a back path connects the pool to the FHS track, the key card gate could provide restricted access to the pool and track during adult lap swim. Members of a City-founded running club will receive key cards. Bartels and Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush are working together to iron out the details. The Board has decided that the pilot program will provide access to the track from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. because FHS is not using the track area at that time. The Board has a policy against allowing outsiders on the track during team practices, but agreed to reconsider that policy at a future Board meeting when coaches would be present to provide feedback. The Council directed City staff to investigate the community’s needs and include consideration of afternoon or evening accessibility in its proposal. Interested runners and walkers should contact Bartels. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Unit Responsible: Fillmore Gang Unit

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, Address, Age
(S-1) Juvenile, Fillmore, 16
(S-2) Juvenile, Fillmore, 17
(V-1) Adult, Fillmore, 22
(V-2) Adult, Fillmore, 49

On Sunday, March 22, 2009, at about 9:45 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 1000 Block of King St. in Fillmore to investigate the assault of two adult males. Deputies arrived to find that both victims suffered moderate to serious injuries from being kicked, punched and hit with a rock by the assailants. In the investigation, deputies discovered that gang members had attacked the two victims in two separate but related incidents. The first occurred in the 1000 block of King Street and the second followed in the 600 block of Lemon Way in Fillmore.

The Fillmore Gang Unit investigated the case, which led to the arrest of two juveniles who are known Fillmore gang members. Both juveniles were charged with battery resulting in serious injury, participating in a criminal street gang crime, and conspiring to commit a crime; all felony offenses. The two juveniles were lodged into juvenile hall.

The attacks are still under investigation and gang investigators expect to make more arrests in the case.