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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 9th, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Sheriff's Office would like to remind residents of established locations throughout the county for persons seeking shelter from the heat. Updated lists are available at http://vcemergency.com/ City of Fillmore City of Moorpark Moorpark Active Adult Center City of Ojai City of Port Hueneme City of Santa Paula City of Simi Valley City of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks Goebel Adult Community Center Thousand Oaks Grant R. Brimhall Library Thousand Oaks: The Oaks Mall Newbury Park Branch Library |
 Mountain View Elementary celebrated the launching of a California Condor Cam on August 26th. The assembly included Condor exhibits, a stage production, above, and guests from the US Fish & Wildlife Service and a representative from Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s office. The cam, located at www.allaboutbirds.org, streams live from a CALIFORNIA CONDOR nest. Tucked into a cliffside cavity above the Sespe just north of Fillmore, a 4-month old condor nestling is pondering the world. It was made possible by the folks over at The Condor Cave, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Santa Barbara Zoo, and the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (WFVZ) (Camarillo Bird Museum). The Condor Cam is manned by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
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 Fillmore Unified School District Board Meeting introduced 14 of the 25 new school teachers to the District at Tuesday night’s meeting. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
2016 FUSD Summer School a Great Success
 The meeting began with recognition of Patriot Day and National Day of Service; and Remembrance by Education Services Director Stefan Cvijanovich. The September 1, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with two recognitions; the new teachers to the district by Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez and recognition of Patriot Day and National Day of Service; and Remembrance by Education Services Director Stefan Cvijanovich. During Information and Discussion, Fillmore Summer School Principal John Wilber gave a presentation on the success of this summer’s classes. Wilber presented the Board the accomplishments of this year's summer school session. The 20 days (June 16-July 14) included a total of 575 students with classes available for students from preschool to high school. There were 75 Special Ed students, 45 math, 120 credit recovery, 58 Migrant Program, 85 English learner, 100 kindergarten and 92 STEM summer. The attendance was excellent with 143 high school students earning a combined 730 credits. The nine Special Education classes included preschoolers to post-secondary students with ages ranging from 3 to 22 years. Wilber stated, "One of the neat things was the high school students helped out." Fillmore High School students served as peer tutors and received units of credits. All four elementary schools participated in the two hour Summer Kinder Boot Camp. The goal, "To get them ready for the first day of school," Wilber told the Board. The two week program had eight teachers serving the 100 students. The English Learner CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
 Saturday, at approximately 12:15 p.m., a two-vehicle accident occurred at Highway 126 and El Dorado Drive. A 2003 Volkswagen Jetta exited El Dorado and immediately collided with an eastbound Ford F-150 pickup. Major damage was done to both vehicles but, according to the Fillmore Station Twitter Account, the two drivers involved suffered only minor injuries. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
Five persons were indicted in May 2015 on grand theft and recycling fraud. The trial date for two of them, Belen Gonzales and Gonzalo Rodriguez, both of Piru, has been continued to November 23, 2015. This week, James Gonzales pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 14 months in jail, 22 months of supervised release, and $1.3 million restitution. Mendoza pleaded no contest to the felony charges and was sentenced to 10 months in jail, three years probation, and $250,000 restitution to the state. Suspect Adriana Rodriguez, 26 of Sylmar, remains at large. In May the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) announced the indictments of the five Californians on grand theft and recycling fraud charges in Kern County. CalRecycle and the California Department of Justice’s Recycling Fraud Team conducted an investigation spanning nearly two years that revealed a complex scheme involving out-of-state used beverage containers, 24 Southern California recycling centers, and $14 million worth of fraudulent California Redemption Value claims. In September 2013, after a referral from CalRecycle, DOJ Recycling Fraud Team investigators observed Rodriguez Recycling of Los Angeles County importing used beverage containers from Arizona. On April 16, 2014, DOJ Recycling Fraud Team agents traveled to Phoenix and witnessed a semi-truck being loaded with used beverage containers. The semi was followed to a dirt lot in Bakersfield, where the containers were off-loaded into a U-Haul truck and onto a 53-foot trailer. A man later identified as Mario Mendoza of Bakersfield then delivered two loads of containers to Sequoia Resources in Bakersfield. Mendoza was arrested. With assistance from CalRecycle, agents later learned the loads were claimed in the names of S&S Recycling, Ignacio Recycling, and Gonzalez Recycling, operated by James Gonzales of Bakersfield. CalRecycle held and denied payment for approximately $100,000 related to these claims. Evidence obtained through search warrants showed Sequoia Resources loaned more than $20,000 a week to Gonzalez Recycling with the expectation that Gonzales would bring back enough material to cover the cost within three days. Agents also determined that between November 2013 and April 2014, the center fronted roughly $1 million to Gonzales for the redemption of CRV containers. The investigation ultimately determined that Gonzalo Rodriguez of Piru (Ventura County) organized the fraud scheme and relied on his family to either directly operate or form associations with approximately 18 recycling centers in Southern California. Those centers redeemed an estimated $14 million in fraudulent material from the summer of 2012 to the summer of 2014. While the DOJ Recycling Fraud Team was investigating Rodriguez, CalRecycle conducted parallel administrative investigations and took actions on multiple recycling centers related to the criminal referral. As a result, CalRecycle terminated the program certifications of 20 recycling centers, four others voluntarily decertified from the program, and CalRecycle denied payment of $245,495 in handling fees. On March 31, 2015, a Kern County Grand Jury indicted Gonzalo Rodriguez, James Gonzales, Mario Mendoza and family members Belen Gonzales of Piru and Adriana Rodriguez of Sylmar. Source: calrecycle.ca.gov |
 Kate English, newly appointed Executive Director of One Step a la Vez, receives a Proclamation from Mayor Douglas Tucker and the City of Fillmore for the Ventura County El Concilio Latino Leadership Award for outstanding service to youth granted to the One Step a la Vez Program. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
COMMENDING AND CONGRADULATING WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fillmore wishes to recognize One Step a la Vez who was presented the 2015 Latino Leadership Award at the 26th Annual Latino Leadership Awards Banquet on June 6, 2015; and WHEREAS, One Step a la Vez was formed in 2004 by 12 Latino youths who also chose the name, blending both languages to respect the dual heritage of the community; and WHEREAS, initially they provided after school mentorship through its relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County; and WHEREAS, the center is a welcoming environment where youth can come after school and meet with friends, play video games, read, complete homework, use the computer lab, make a snack, or just chat; and WHEREAS, participants have the opportunity to participate in educational excursions such as college tours, visit museums and stay busy with the different activities; and WHEREAS, One Step a la Vez also provides activities to youths in juvenile hall and offering classes and support groups for parents, including domestic violence, parenting, mental health, college and career counseling; and WHEREAS, individuals can get help with drug counseling, work experience and training in English-language, cooking and independent living skills; and WHEREAS, for their accomplishment and many other reasons, the City Council of the City of Fillmore, proudly recognizes One Step a la Vez. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Douglas Tucker, Mayor of the City of Fillmore, and on behalf of the Fillmore City Council, do hereby commend ONE STEP A LA VEZ and do hereby ask all those present to recognize their continued contributions to the community, and wish them continued success in future efforts. AUGUST 11, 2015. |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
 The proposed establishment of a Residential Property Presale Inspection Program brought a number of real estate agents including, Cindy Diaz-Telly with Troop Realty, to the Fillmore Council Chamber. The general concern expressed by several in attendance was that point-of-sale regulations would adversely affect the real estate market. The proposed Establishment of a Residential Property Pre-sale Inspection Program (RPPIP) brought a number of real estate agents and loan official to the Fillmore Council Chamber on August 25, 2015. The Council Meeting began with a presentation by Fillmore Police Chief Dave Wareham on crime data for first six months of this year, but it was the Inspection Program that created the greatest discussion. The goal of the RPPIP is to insure that houses, duplexes, apartments or condominiums sold in Fillmore meet building codes and are properly permitted. The Inspection would require the property owner or an authorized representative to obtain a residential building report from the City to identify observable items that fail to comply with the City's codes, rules and ordinances. This would be done prior to the sale of any residential real estate within the City. To sell the property the owner or their agent would be required to submit an application for the pre-sale inspection, pay a fee and then schedule an inspection to obtain a pre-sale occupancy inspection. No one would be allowed to sell or transfer any residential real property in the City without a valid Residential Property Report Certificate of Occupancy. The 31 items on the inspection list included legible address numbers, peeling paint, missing shingles, masonry free of cracks, weeds, lawn not to exceed 8", antenna/Dish/TV Tower, broken windows and a number of other items. About 15-20 real estate agents and brokers with the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors (VCCAR) along with lenders, came to the meeting to express their concerns with the proposal. Loan Broker Trinka Reynolds was first to address the Council. She informed them that 15-18 years ago the same item had been brought to the Council and was voted down. Reynolds continued by saying Fillmore already has laws on the books to protect the buyers and she did not agree with having greater oversight. Dennis Goldstein, 2014 VCCAR President spoke of the good practices and ethics within the real estate business adding, "Our goal is to have good quality housing" and informed the Council that a similar program had been tried in Thousand Oaks for a few years, but was abandoned because of problems it created. The present VCCAR CONTINUED » |
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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
Part 1 of 3
 The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association performed at this year’s Ventura County Fair, August 15 & 16th. Rodeo photos courtesy Bob Crum. Enlarge Photo |
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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
Part 2 of 3
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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, August 26th, 2015
Part 3 of 3
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