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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 24th, 2021
 Speaking at Fillmore Rotary last week was Simone Alex, the newest member of Fillmore City Council. As a young girl she participated in competitive figure skating and was heading toward the Olympics when an injury, at age 14, changed her plans. After some ups and downs in her life she decided to audition for a play and that turned her life around and gave her something positive to focus on. At age 29 her life changed again and she found she had a gift to share and encourage teenage girls and decided to dedicate her life to service. When asked what led her to Fillmore she said after living in Van Nuys for years she wanted to live somewhere quiet and peaceful. She said she has a “heart for people”, wants to know what Fillmore people want to improve, stay the same or do something different, and what is our vision? She likes the idea of keeping it small, but making it better. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 24th, 2021
 The Fillmore Library Expansion Project began back in October and workers are making major headway. Tractors and dozers are working to make ready for building the new study rooms, classrooms, meeting rooms and more. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 24th, 2021
 Pictured above and below is the soon to open Grocery Outlet at the corner of C and Ventura Street. Construction crews have made great progress on the building and seem to be working on the parking lot. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 24th, 2021
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office celebrates 37 years of giving back to the community though the annual Share-iff’s Toy Drive. This year the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Fire Departments in Ventura County to make the holidays brighter for those in need. As a Spark of Love partner, the Sheriff’s Office will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens in Ventura County. The toys can be dropped off at many local businesses, VCSO patrol stations or fire stations throughout the county. This year, the Sheriff’s Office is also partnering with Food Share in the fight against hunger in Ventura County by collecting non-perishable food items. Food Share will be providing boxes of food to families served thru this year's toy drive. Throughout the year, members of the Sheriff’s Office respond to calls throughout the county and encounter families who do not have the resources to provide their children with a traditional Christmas celebration and each year thousands of children experience a Christmas morning with no gifts to open. Fortunately, some of these families will be the recipients of gifts this holiday season, thanks to generous community donations made to the toy drive. All VCSO patrol stations will have boxes where staff members and the public can leave new, unwrapped toys or non-perishable food items from November 15th through December 17th. The station lobbies are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Toys and food collected will be delivered by deputies during the week prior to Christmas. Ways to Donate: 2. Bring your new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment to any participating business or fire station. 3. Donate online through the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association (VCPFA). All proceeds are tax deductible and will go towards buying toys from local, small businesses. 4. Purchase a gift from the Amazon Gift Registry. Nature of Incident: Sheriff’s Office to Kick Off Annual ‘Share-iffs’ Toy Drive |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 17th, 2021
 On Thursday, November 11th at 10am, over 50 cars drove down Central Avenue and in those cars, local Veterans from Fillmore, Piru, Bardsdale and surrounding areas all riding in style. Both classic and new cars participated. People gathered on Central Avenue waving American flags, showing their respect for our local Veterans. Leading the parade, Fillmore VFW 9637.Grand marshals for this year’s parade were Raymond S. Ponce, US Army Sergeant, Korea, and Lupe Sanchez Ybarra, US Army Corporal, Korea. After the parade everyone gathered at Fillmore City Hall for a ceremony. Enlarge Photo  Emma, wearing her Fillmore with Girl Scout Troop 6510 sash, Fiona, James, and William are all smiling with their flags. They walked up and down Central Avenue before the parade and handed out American flags to parade attendees to wave as the Veterans took their cruise downtown. Enlarge Photo |
 Dashing out in front of starting line Fillmore’s Camilo Torres who placed 2nd in the Mt. SAC Course this past Friday; the Flashes boys’ team had 8 individual qualifiers in their race advancing the team into the CIF SS Division 4 Finals. Photos Courtesy Coach Kim Tafoya. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 17th, 2021
 Fillmore’s Andrea Laureano on her way down Reservoir Hill at the 2021 CIF Prelims Andrea finished 57th with a time of 23:47.4. Enlarge Photo On Friday, November 12th, the Fillmore boys and girls Varsity cross country teams traveled to Walnut, California to compete on the legendary Mt. SAC Course. Thirty eight teams in three heats of the boys and forty two teams in the girl race, also divided into three heats competed to finish among the top 16 teams to advance into next week's CIF Southern Section Division 4 Finals. In first race of the day for the Flashes, the boys toed the start line along with 12 other teams. This race featured 3 ranked teams, and 8 individual qualifiers. Leading the Flashes was team Captain Camilo Michael Torres. Camilo ran at the front, as he has throughout the season and finished in second posting a time of 15:53.8. Camilo was followed by Joshua Estrada 25th in 17:49.1, Nicholas Hurtado 30th in 18:00.9, Kobe Lizarraga 33rd in 18:06.6, Diego Ramirez 41st in 18.30.2, Eduardo Vigil 50th in 19:00.1, and Angel Laureano 65th in 19:49.1. Earning a berth in the Finals, teams had to finish among the top 5 teams in their heat, or be the fastest 6th team. Fillmore captured 6th place in their heat. Then came the long wait for the final heat to finish in order to compare times for the fastest sixth place. Fillmore boy squeezed out a victory over the other 2 sixth place teams by a margin of 2 seconds. The girls followed. This race also featured 3 ranked teams and 7 individual qualifiers. The Flashes were led by Niza Laureano 26th in 21:40.0, followed by Nataly Vigil 35th in 22:17.1, Athena Sanchez 41st in 22:49.4, Diana Santa Rosa 46th in 23:12.3, Andrea Laureano 57th in 23:47.4, Monique Hurtado 58th in 23:48.2, and Angelica Herrera 65th in 24:28.0. As a team in this heat, the girls finished in 8th. After a fine year, the girl’s season ended on Friday. Next Saturday, the boy’s team returns to Mt. SAC to compete in the SS CIF D4 Cross Country Championships. In order to advance and compete in State Finals they must finish in the top 7. The race start time is 8:05. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 17th, 2021
 Fillmore Fire Department is proud to announce their newest Fillmore firefighters and firefighter paramedics! They are sworn in as the Department’s 9th Academy Class. Their six month probation period will include field and classroom training, written and manipulative exams, and a final test. Courtesy Fillmore Firefighters Instagram page. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 17th, 2021
 Every year, the Lion’s Club International holds a poster contest to promote world peace. The Fillmore Lion’s Club selects one poster submitted by a local student to be entered into the regional contest. Katelyn Villegas, a student at Fillmore Middle School, was chosen to represent Fillmore with her winning poster. When asked to define the significance of her poster, Katelyn said, “Together we will create a brighter future for the world.” She got a certificate and $50. The other finalists were Faith Marcelino and Maria Vargas who each received certificates and $25. Thank you to Ms. Doris Nichols, art teacher at FMS, who every year encourages middle school students to create beautiful and meaningful works of art. Also, congratulations to all the students who entered peace posters. There were many excellent posters. As always, Fillmore is proud of our students and teachers. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 17th, 2021
 In front of Fillmore City Hall crowds of Veterans along with residents came out to show their respect to our Hero’s at the Veterans Day Ceremony. Each military branch was recognized. In attendance were speakers John Munoz of Fillmore who spoke about helping fellow veterans, and Deej Fuentes of Camarillo who spoke of her service in the Marines. Also in attendance for the ceremony were the Fillmore Police and Fire Departments, Fillmore City Council, Fillmore VFW Post 9637 and more. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, November 17th, 2021
 On Thursday, November 11th, before the Veterans Day Parade, a pancake breakfast was held for Veteran’s and their spouses to enjoy at the Fillmore-Piru Veterans Memorial Building. Inside, walls were decorated with signs from Fillmore students. One of the signs read “Thank You for Your Service!” from the 3rd graders at Mountain Vista. Enlarge Photo |
