Scott Beylik, Program Chair, introduced speakers District Superintendent of Schools Christine Schieferle, FHS Principal Keith Derrick and FUSD Facilities and Bond Manager Chris Kline. Their presentation provided an overview of the upcoming construction of the new Fillmore High School athletic complex. Mrs. Schieferle talked about the input from community meetings, P.E. teachers, coaches, students, and visiting other high schools in preparation for what was needed in the new building. Mr. Derrick and Mr.
Kline each gave interesting descriptions from the presentation boards on location of the building, as well as the interior
and parking lot. The passing of Measure G is what has made this possible. It is a big project, and the anticipated completion date is Summer of 2025. Measure V facilities projects will continue with future upgrades to the FHS Library, Cafeteria, College & Career Center and new windows and air conditioning in the Arts Building. Additional projects across the district will include additional shade structures at school sites and air conditioning in the San Cayetano and Piru cafeterias.

Fillmore City Council meeting; Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023; 6:30 pm
Agenda Item 8A
Fire Chief Gurrola and Police Chief Malagon will provide an update on the people experiencing homelessness who are living in the Santa Clara River bottom and the recent court decisions which have limited the City's abilities to address the homeless while allowing the City to support and protect concerned residents. In addition, Scott Gillman, the Ventura County Behavioral Health Director, will explain what services are available for the homeless.

Scott Lee began the Fillmore Rotary meeting with the Lions Club history. The Fillmore Lions Club started in 1927, and the motto is “We Serve”. The original Lions Club started in Chicago in 1917. At their first convention Helen Keller was the speaker and from there the “Knights of the Light” began. Lions sponsor a guide dog training program and aid with blindness and diabetes around the world. They also have a Disability Park in Concord. Locally the Lions are in charge of our parades and have a fireworks booth to earn money for their projects. They also give scholarships and support the community in many other ways. This year they are sponsoring the 86th Annual Lions Club Student Speaker Contest. Steve McKeown spoke on another aspect of the Lions Club, the Scout House, located on Sespe Avenue, where they meet, as well as the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Fillmore Rotary is a charter member of the Cub Scouts, an active group. The Boy Scouts have a small number and are trying to recruit more members. The Rotary Club motto is “Service Above Self”. Both Clubs are working together to serve the youth and adults of Fillmore.

On Wednesday, February 15, at 1:00am, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office was involved in a westbound SR-126 pursuit from Hallock Drive, Santa Paula to Wells Road, Ventura. The 15-year-old female subject (of Fillmore) crashed into a guardrail near the Wells Road offramp. The subject was taken into custody by CHP-Ventura and arrested for DUI, felony evading, and reckless driving. Information credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On February 7th, 2023, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors accepted the donation of an Advanced Rescue Medevac (ARM) vehicle donated by Direct Relief to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

In January 2023, shortly after the devastating floods and rain throughout the Tri-Counties area, Direct Relief contacted the California Office of Emergency Services seeking to make a donation to purchase equipment which could be used in a wide range of rescue scenarios. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office had already been working with CalOES to find something similar. CalOES put Direct Relief in contact with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate our efforts.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura County Fire Department worked together and concluded the Lenco Advanced Rescue Medevac (ARM) was what would serve the citizens best. Direct Relief agreed and purchased the vehicle. On February 7th, 2023, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to accept the gift from Direct Relief.

The Lenco ARM is a fully armored vehicle. It has 36-inch run-flat tires, is 4X4, a turbo diesel engine, can drive through mud and water up to 44 inches deep, can endure direct flame for a short period of time, can climb 60-degree slopes and take winds up to 200 miles per hour. The vehicle also has a full medical interior, complete with onboard oxygen and a litter system like the equipment in an ambulance.

Because the vehicle is armored, it will be supervised and operated by members of the Sheriff’s SWAT team, but will have Ventura County Fire Department paramedics on board as part of the regular staffing for the vehicle. The purpose of the vehicle is to rescue citizens, officers and deputies in any kind of situation, whether tactical or natural disaster, and provide advanced life support to those victims until they are out of harms way and transport them to a safe location. No other vehicle in the county fleet has this capability.

Direct Relief is a world-wide humanitarian aid non-profit organization. Their mission is to improve the lives of people everywhere by providing lifesaving resources.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura County Fire Department are hosting an event for Direct Relief on February 21st, 2023, to say thank you and demonstrate the capabilities of the new vehicle. The media are invited to attend. Please contact Capt. Cameron Henderson for further details of the event.

Nature of Incident: Donation of New Armored Rescue Vehicle
Report Number: N/A
Location: 800 S. Victoria Ave. Ventura, CA. 93009
Date & Time: February 7th, 2023
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura County Fire Department
Prepared by: Assistant Sheriff Shane Matthews
Approved by: Assistant Sheriff Shane Matthews

Courtesy Jan Lee

April 15 and 16 are the dates for the Fillmore Flower Show for 2023. The theme is “Garden Treasures”. It should be a beautiful event again this year. Plan to enter some of the lovely treasures growing in your yard. If you go to fillmoreflowershow.org you will see all the rules to enter as well as the many divisions of plants and flowers.

The Flower Show committee, a group of volunteers who appreciate the garden treasures growing in the yards of the Fillmore community, has broadened the eligibility for youth this year. We want to encourage young people to go outside and discover the fun of growing, arranging and displaying plants and flowers. There are three divisions specifically for youth: Division IX Youth Arrangements, Division X Youth Composition and Division XI Youth Art, which is a non-competitive division. Ordinarily, youth must live within the boundaries of the Fillmore Unified School District to enter. But, starting this year, any youth may enter no matter where they live. Youth are age 3 up through 12th grade. All youth entries are FREE. Of course, youth may compete with the adults in any division.

At the Flower Show there will be a plant boutique where you can get some plants to grow in your garden. There will also be a table where children can participate in a gardening activity. While strolling around looking at the displays, you will be entertained by live music. From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday the Flower Show will be open to the public. Admission is free. See you there!