Police Chief Dave Wareham said that is officers have been reminding drivers in the school zones to ‘lookout’ for students. In the future, citations will be given to those who do not.

Three presentations were given at the August 18, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting; The Start of School Report, Adequacy to Delegate Assembly and a Quitclaim Ownership Interests regarding FUSD property.

The meeting began with a report by Superintendent Dr. Adrian E. Palazuelos, "The start of school has been months in the process.” He then commented on the many improvements to the district, stating most projects are completed or nearly completed. He also attended the Ventura County Fair and remarked on how well Fillmore Future Farmers of America, 4H and other students had done there, "We had a very good showing."

Todd Schieferle with Human Resources gave a Start of School Report, stating, "There were over 100 items to get through, but things are off to a good start. Most have been completed.....we had a very busy summer." Schieferle showed a PowerPoint presentation of the progress. Fillmore Middle School has new concrete and paint in the eating pavilion, Piru Elementary new asphalt and paint in the student drop-off area along with a new roof and new furniture; and San Cayetano Elementary has a new sidewalk and curb, new asphalt with a drain, new paint and new roof.

Also mentioned was a thank you to the City of Fillmore for signs placed in areas where children cross the street informing drivers’ school had started and to look out for students.

Fillmore Police Chief Dave Wareham, who was seated in the audience, stepped forward and commented that Fillmore Police had worked diligently the first two weeks "kindly" asking drivers to be on the lookout for students and obey the laws. He stated, "In the future they will start writing citations on those that do not." He spoke of collaboration between the Police/Sheriffs, City of Fillmore and FUSD, and ended with saying the door is always open when needing help.

School Board Member CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

What a spectacular day we had Saturday, August 8 at the unveiling of the new Active Adult and Community Center. With over 120 people in attendance throughout the day the Center was full of life and energy it has not seen in years. I want to thank Annette Cardona, Community Services Director for pulling everything together. In addition, our local VFW kicked everything off with a flag presentation, then Mayor Douglas Tucker welcomed everyone and introduced Ernie Morales, Active Adult Commission Chair who addressed the crowd in both English and Spanish letting everyone know this is your Active Adult Center. Mayor Tucker wrapped things up recognizing the ten area agencies and seven instructors offering programs at the Active Adult Center.

The Active Adult Center received a facelift prior to the grand opening with new paint, bathroom fixtures, furniture and polished floors. It looks like a brand new building. Please stop by the Active Adult and Community Center Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM and participate in one of our programs or just relax watching TV, reading a book or enjoying a cup of coffee. Our active adults will be impressed by the new look and programs being offered.

This is another example why Fillmore is the “Best Last Small Town.”

John Kelly, Vice President of TNT Fireworks

The August 1, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting had a number of items on the agenda, but the Council went into much greater discussion on two; the Chevron Works and the sale of fireworks in Fillmore.

Leslie Klinchuch, representative of Fillmore Works, addressed the Council regarding the use of the Chevron owned property just outside of the Fillmore's city boundary. Klinchuch stated Chevron has applied for a Conditional Use Permit from Ventura County and has elected to lease the land to Stion, a solar manufacturing company, who will be installing solar panels on 25.25 acres of the property. This is the first solar farm in Ventura County. She also stated the "green image" would give Fillmore a bonus. Originally Chevron presented a business park project when discussions began that would have provided hundreds of jobs to local residents.

The Council told Klinchuch they were very disappointed with the turn Chevron has taken. Mayor Douglas Tucker told Klinchuch the amount of hours invested in the project by both the Council and citizens of Fillmore were numerous and spoke of his disappointment with the property not being annexed to Fillmore stating "It's not annexed or in our sphere of influence, which creates problems for Fillmore."

Planning Department Kevin McSweeney told the Council the property is not in the Piru and Fillmore green belt and there was no request for annexation at this time, but he was confident that Fillmore would be notified from the County when needed.

The Council is CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

The first Fillmore School Board Meeting of the 2015/2016 school year focused on food services, the summer construction projects and a budget update.

Suzanne Stamp, Director Child Nutrition Services, gave a presentation on the meals served to students throughout Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD). FUSD participates in the National School Breakfast & Lunch Program which was established by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Breakfast Child Nutrition Act in 1966.

Breakfast and lunch are free to all students attending FUSD regardless of their family income. The District qualified for a federal program called Provision 2 back in August 2012, which allows schools to establish low income claiming percentages (when the threshold is met) and thus serve meals at no charge to all students (not just those that qualify) for a four year period.

Provision 2 option in the federal School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program allows for schools to reduce the paperwork and simplify providing school meals. It reduces application burdens and simplifies meal count and claiming procedures; schools do not have to collect or process school meals applications, keep track of meal categories, or conduct yearly verification. Verification, when needed, can include low family income and/or receiving a State entitlement such as SNAP (formerly known as food-stamps). Eighty-three percent of FUSD students fall into federal guidelines as low income which qualifies FUSD for Provision 2.

Under Provision 2 CONTINUED »

Daniel Nuno

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Daniel Nuno (DOB 06/07/1982), of Fillmore, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder for killing Ricardo Gonzalez, a chiropractor from Oxnard. The jury returned their verdict after two hours of deliberation.

On August 9, 2012, Nuno armed himself with a loaded handgun and traveled to the home of Mr. Gonzalez’s mother in Fillmore. There, Nuno confronted Mr. Gonzalez as he stood in the driveway beside his elderly mother and four-year-old son. After a brief conversation, Nuno quickly drew his firearm, pressed it to Mr. Gonzalez’s head and fired a single shot that killed him. Nuno then fled the scene and disposed of evidence, including the murder weapon which was never found. Nuno was apprehended two hours after the murder by deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to eyewitness testimony identifying Nuno as the shooter, Mr. Gonzalez’s blood and DNA were located on Nuno’s clothing at the time of his arrest.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 27 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura.

Steven Cortez

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on August 4, 2015, Superior Court Judge Mark S. Borrell sentenced Steven Cortez (DOB 03/09/94), of Santa Paula, to serve 39 years in state prison for two counts of attempted murder. A jury convicted Cortez in June 2015 of two counts of attempted murder in violation of Penal Code section 664/187(a), street terrorism in violation of Penal Code section 186.22(a), and two counts of assault with a firearm in violation of Penal Code section 245(a)(2). The jury also found true special allegations that the defendant intentionally discharged a firearm during the commission of the crime, and that the crime was committed in association with the 12th Street Locos criminal street gang. Cortez and Santa Paula
gang members Christian Castaneda and Ricardo Magana were arrested in December 2014 after Cortez shot two victims as they walked on a street near their home in Fillmore. The crime was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Castaneda previously pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle,
and was sentenced on July 15, 2015, to serve 19 years in state prison. Magana previously pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a firearm and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12, 2015.

Adrian Cervantes, passed away on August 4th, 2015 in a tragic car accident. Anyone who knew Adrian knew he lit up the room with his smile. He was always positive in his demeanor and joking around with family and friends.

Adrian is survived by his young children, Ava and Andrew, his wife, Lisa, and his extended family.

Adrian will be truly missed to all those who knew him and he will forever live on in our hearts.

www.gofundme.com/bng3ye46

San Cayetano Elementary was able to replace its roof thanks to a grant from the State Allocation Board.
Enlarge Photo

Workers have been busy over the summer at San Cayetano and Piru Elementary Schools replacing roofs, asphalt and improving our play structures.

Applications for Emergency Repair funding were submitted to the State in 2008. Due to the many years of the State’s fiscal crisis the funds were not awarded. In October 2014 FUSD, the only Ventura County district to receive these funds, was granted $3,091,742 by the State Allocation Board. This represents 3.3% of the total funding that was distributed State-wide.

This grant was allocated to 2 schools:
San Cayetano - $1,764,393
Piru - $1,327,349

These funds can be used for repairs to roofing, asphalt, playfields, paving concrete sidewalks, communications / fire alarm systems, painting, windows, flooring, fencing and replacement of one portable classroom at each school.

Some of this repair work has been completed since the time of this application. The district is reviewing prior payments to show that this work was done so that the funding can be moved from one project at the site to another project at the same site. This will help with the current cost, as the allocated amounts approved were based on 2008 costs.

We’re in the final stages of finishing the roofs, striping the parking lots, raking the play areas and getting ready to welcome our students for the new school year.

San Cayetano and Piru Elementary Schools are located in Ventura County and is part of the Fillmore Unified School District.

Enlarge Photo

Congratulations to the 2015 Fillmore Little League Intermediate 50/70 boys’ baseball team for such an outstanding season of baseball. Back in 2014 Fillmore Little League introduced this new division to the local citizens and it has been a success to say the least.This latest team accomplished to not only represent the City of Fillmore very well during the regular season but go on to represent the entire District 63 in the state tournament in Sub Divisional play.Great job and kudos from the local Board and the District. This is Fillmores second District and Section Championship in a consecutive 2 year period.

• Regular season record 21 wins – 1 loss ,runs allowed 45 –runs scored 239

• All StarCalifornia District 63 Champions 2015

• All Star Southern California Section 1 Champions 2015

• Appearance in Sub Divisional State Championship 2015

Aaron Keith Setty made his debut in grand style on July 27th—he was born in his parent’s kitchen. That wasn’t the original plan.

Clif and Christina Setty had prepared to give birth to their third child in a hospital, just as his sisters Michelle, 7, and Christina “Teeny”, 4-years, had been.

But around midnight Christina started contractions. Nothing to worry about, she thought. Braxton-Hicks, she thought. She had had two other children and recognized early labor. So she slipped downstairs and started doing dishes, straightening up the house, thinking the birth would be hours away. “My mistake,” she said laughing, “I thought I had plenty of time.”

Then the contractions started increasing in intensity and coming closer together, three to four minutes. That was when Christina considered the possibility that their baby was going to be born—now.

She did what any woman would do; she called her mother in Los Angeles and said it’s time.

About that time Cliff came downstairs to see if everything was all right. Christina told him to bring down some towels and get ready to go to the hospital. That was when things went into overdrive. Her water broke, and then the contractions became "very quick, very intense." Clif called 911 and the baby started to crown. So with his cell phone wedged between his shoulder and ear, Clif caught his son as he entered the world on their kitchen floor. Aaron was 8.2 pounds, 21.5 inches long, born at 2:10 a.m.

They wrapped the baby in towels, cleared his airway and he start breathing. Fillmore Fire arrived in time to "clamp the cord and I cut it,” said Clif, "Then it was off to the hospital." Christina wanted to thank the paramedics “for keeping us calm.”

“I wanted a natural birth, but not this natural!”

As for delivering his own son, Clif said, "Not too many people can say that. It was scary at first, then exciting."

Mama and baby were taken to CMH where they were both pronounced healthy; Daddy and sisters followed in the family vehicle.

The Setty’s have lived in Fillmore since 2007. As of next month Cliff will have served in the US Navy for 16 years. His rank is E8 Senior Chief, Navy NMCB3 at Port Hueneme since 2000. Cliff has served in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Fuji Japan, Okinawa, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Christine served in the U.S. Navy from 1998 to 2003, an E5 Second Class Petty Officer. She was stationed with Port Hueneme NMCB5. While it the service Christina served in Kuwait, Spain, Japan, Okinawa, and Cuba.

When asked what they would advise another expecting couple who might find themselves in the same predicament, they said, "Have lots of towels and try not to panic!

Daniel Nuno will stand trial for murder.

Daniel Nuno, 33 of Fillmore, will stand trial on charges he shot and killed Ricardo Gonzalez, 41 originally from Fillmore, on August 8, 2011.

A jury was sworn in Monday, July 27th, to hear the murder trial.

In 2012, Nuno allegedly shot Gonzalez in the driveway of Gonzalez’ mother’s home. He has been charged with first-degree murder with special allegations that he used a firearm to commit the crime. Nuno has pleaded not guilty.
According to Gonzalez’ mother, Irene, 77, Nuno walked up to Gonzalez and shot him in the face in front of her and Gonzalez’ then 3-year old son.

Gonzalez was a chiropractor in Oxnard and was picking up his son from his parent’s home.

According to Irene, Nuno had been to the Gonzalez home twice earlier in the day looking for her other son, Eric Gonzalez. Nuno and Eric were involved in a drug arrest in the past according to the Ventura County Star. She said Nuno said something in English to Ricardo which she didn’t understand, but he responded he would loan him money the next day. That is when Nuno pulled out a gun, shot Gonzalez and drove away. The defense has raised issues about her ability to have clearly seen the shooter.

Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Mauricio Chavez, 20 of Fillmore, was arrested on a July 1st Search Warrant at a residence in Fillmore. The charges were possession of a gun by a prohibited person and possession of a Billy Club.

While incarcerated, deputies arrested Chavez for attempted murder and street terrorism in connection with the June 23rd shooting of two victims in Ventura. The shooting took place in the 300 block of West Ramona Street in Ventura.

Just before 4 p.m. officers responded to a shooting call and found a 9-year old girl suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound to her leg. Shortly after, deputies discovered a second shooting victim, a man in his mid-30’s, in the 300 block of West Park Row. Deputies believed he was shot in the same location as the girl and fled on foot.

Both victims were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies are working to identify more suspects.

Attending the police reunion were (l-r) Elmo Sheeran, Paul Glanville, Duke Bradbury, Kim Garret, Tony Morales (arms crossed), Mark Trimble and Max Pina. Organizers of the event were Ernie Gutierrez, Duke Bradbury, Max Pina, Tony Morales. Fillmore Explorers came out to help serve the dinner. What a great event!
Enlarge Photo

A police reunion took place at Brett Park, Piru, on Saturday, July 25th. The reunion has been in the works for about 18 months. Fillmore Police Department was well represented by the following officers: Duke Bradbury, Mark Dominguez, Dave Foster, Paul Glanville, Tom Jones, Larry Matthews, Manuel Martinez, Frank Michael, Tony Morales, Max Pina, Sr., Dwayne Steel, Mark Vest, and Jess Zavala. Dispatchers Nathali Bagaso, Gloria Cardona, Lani Farr, Melinda Little and Maria Rangel also attended. Many FPD members are still working in law enforcement or a related field. Some are retired and 33 have passed away, about six in the last eighteen months. Besides FPD attending, there was Santa Paula PD, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies, and CHP from the Ventura office (Fred Baskin who helped get radar enforcement on SR-126 from Santa Paula to Interstate 5). There were about 50 people in attendance, family, associate members, and most important our volunteers who helped with serving BBQ and music. Law enforcement from Oxnard PD, Ventura PD, and Simi Valley PD have showed interested in future reunions. An interesting note is that Larry Carpenter started as a reserve office with Fillmore, then regular officer, reaching a rank of Sergeant. He then transferred to the Ventura County Sheriff’s
Office, where he became the top law enforcement officer in the county.