Raised in the small agricultural farming community of Santa Paula, CA, Carlos Valdovinos is the first-born son of two Mexican immigrant farm workers. From a young age, watching his parents perform backbreaking work in the fields to provide for him and his siblings instilled a grit and perseverance that has served him well over the course of his life and career. Growing up in an immigrant family of humble means developed a desire and ability to value everyone with respect and dignity no matter the circumstances. As a migrant education student and despite being born in this country, Mr. Valdovinos did not learn to speak English until the 3rd grade. His formative years and family background have shaped his desire to be an educator and gives him a special understanding of the experience of second language learners and those that come from poverty and disadvantage. At a young age he understood that academic success would be the road to realize his dreams and honor his parents’ sacrifice. Mr. V, as his students fondly refer to him, has dedicated his career to being of service to students in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations through academic success.

After graduating high school, Mr. V went on to attend Ventura Community College, where he earned his associates of arts degree. He was then accepted to UCLA to complete his bachelor’s degree in Chicano Studies with a minor in Math Education. Mr. V. went on to earn two additional master’s degrees from UCLA. He earned his first master’s degrees and math teaching credential in 1999 and returned for his second master’s degree and administrative credential in 2002. Mr. V. started his career as a math teacher, a dean of discipline, and at the age of 32, Mr. V was one of the youngest assistant principals in LAUSD. His wide breadth of experience has helped honed his skills at being able to ascertain the pulse of a school and its community which helps him tailor his service and leadership. His favorite part of his job is working with youth because they keep him young at heart. He believes that there is nothing more important than being a positive influence on his students today because they will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. V’s philosophy on education is simple: “improve our communities, one student at a time.” Mr. V attributes much of his success to a couple high school teachers and one UCLA professor who took an interest in him beyond the scope of their role. Their advice and influence have been invaluable, and he honors them with his service to every student he serves. He knows that not all students’ dreams require college, but what he is certain of, is that all students’ dreams do require: hard work, determination, patience, and above all, a solid plan. His goal with every student is to help them forge a plan for success in whatever is “next.” It is his hope to inspire the students of Fillmore by playing a positive role in their lives, just as many educators had a role in his. As he prepares to begin his tenure at FMS, he is extremely grateful and humbled to be able to come back "home" to serve the Fillmore community.

On July 1, 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives conducted directed enforcement in the City of Fillmore and arrested a subject for various firearm, weapons, narcotics, and traffic violations.

On July 1, 2022, at approximately 2114 hours, SGU detectives made a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 800 block of Ventura Street while conducting directed enforcement in the City of Fillmore. (S) Joseph Ramos was the driver and owner of the vehicle. Detectives subsequently searched the vehicle and located an unregistered semi-automatic handgun, ammunition, a Billy Club, methamphetamine, and other narcotics paraphernalia. Ramos was arrested for various firearm, weapons, narcotics, and traffic violations.

On July 6, 2022, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple felony and misdemeanor charges against Ramos for the case. Ramos remains in Ventura County Jail custody with an upcoming court date and his bail was set at $100,000.00.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting West County communities from criminal street gang terrorism and reducing violent crime by actively investigating illegal firearm activities.

The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of illegal firearm activities in Ventura County. If you have any information about unlawful firearm activities in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, including in Fillmore, Saticoy, El Rio, and Ojai, please contact Detective Sergeant Beau Rodriguez at 805-767-0360.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Traffic Stop Results in Firearm / Narcotics Arrest

Report Number: 22-86795
Location: 800 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 7/1/2022 @ 21:14 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU)
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Ramos, Joseph Anthony, Fillmore, 23
Prepared by: Sergeant Beau Rodriguez
Approved by: Captain Victor Medina

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).

On Tuesday, July 12th at 6:24pm California Highway Patrol responded to reports of a single-vehicle accident on Highway 23/Chamberburg Road and Guiberson Road near Fillmore. CHP reported that one person was killed in the accident, according to reports the car may have crashed into the concrete ditch or over the bridge over the ditch. The crash blocked traffic in both directions. The lanes reopened after 7pm. No further information is available at this time and the cash is still under investigation.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is looking for two suspects in a takeover-style armed robbery of Fillmore’s La Unica Mini Market. Anyone with information should call the Fillmore Police at 805-524-2233.
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At approximately 7:45am, on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a reported robbery in Fillmore at La Unica Mini Market, in the 500 block of Old Telegraph Road. Reports were two men brandishing guns, and an unknown amount of cash was taken during the robbery. The suspects left in an unknown direction prior to the arrival of police officers. No one was injured. Police believe the robbery took place around 7am. First suspect was described as a white male, about 25 to 35 years of age, standing between six foot two and six foot five inches, and wearing a black mask and gloves, Nike tennis shoes and blue Levis; second suspect was described as a Hispanic male, also standing between six foot two and six foot five inches, and wearing a black mask, unknown shirt and blue Levi pants. Both were reported to have a black semi-automatic handgun. They are still at large at press time. Anyone with information should call the Fillmore Police at 805-524-2233.
Information credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.

Fillmore High School has announced its new principal, Keith Derrick. Full bio below:

Keith Derrick has been an educator in the Simi Valley, San Marino, and Pasadena Unified School Districts for the past thirty years, the last fourteen years serving as principal at Royal High School, San Marino High School, and Marshall Fundamental Secondary School (serving grades 6-12).

He has been an advocate for all students having equitable access to the most challenging high school academic programs. To that end, the schools he has served over the last fourteen years have received many honors.

• Awarded the California Civic Award of Distinction in 2021

• Awarded the “Exemplary Professional Development School Award” in 2021 for being part of the California Lutheran Professional Development Schools Network

• Awarded the California Civic Award of Merit in 2019

• Awarded the California School Board Association’s Golden Bell for Civic Engagement in 2019

• Awarded the California School Board Association’s Golden Bell for Equity and Access in 2018

• Recognized as a California Gold Ribbon School for the 2017 school year:

• Awarded the California Civic Award of Distinction in 2016

• Recognized as a California Distinguished School in 2013.

Keith holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree in political science. He has been married to his wife Victoria for twenty-eight years and have two children.