Enrique Patricio

This morning at 5:39 a.m., Headquarters Sergeant Jim Kenney was on patrol in the area of Faria Beach on Pacific Coast Highway. Sgt. Kenney noticed an older model van stopped on the shoulder with an inoperative rear taillight. When Sgt. Kenney attempted to detain the vehicle for the Vehicle Code violation, the van fled at a high speed southbound on Pacific Coast Highway and then onto southbound US 101. The van exited the 101 freeway and continued to flee eastbound on SR 126. Additional Sheriff’s units responded to assist in the pursuit, which reached speeds in excess of 85 mph. The van continued to South Hallock Road in Santa Paula where it purposely crashed into road closure gates. The driver, and only occupant, Enrique Patricio, ran from the van and into the river bottom intending to continue eluding law enforcement.

A Sheriff’s helicopter and two canine handlers responded to the area. At about 8:00 a.m., Patricio was reported by an anonymous resident hiding on the property in the 1600 block of Lemonwood Drive. Sheriff’s Deputies moved to that area and set up a perimeter. A short time later, the Sheriff’s helicopter spotted Patricio walking on Telegraph Road near Farris Drive. Patricio was quickly taken into custody by Sheriff’s Detectives, who had responded from the Fillmore Police Station to assist in the search. Follow-up investigation revealed the van had been reported stolen to the California Highway Patrol in Santa Barbara yesterday.

Patricio was arrested and later booked at the Pre-Trial Facility for auto theft, evading law enforcement, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

The length of the pursuit was 23.7 miles. No law enforcement personnel were injured nor vehicles damaged. Patricio sustained a minor laceration to his nose and was treated at the scene. The van sustained significant front end damage and was towed.

Nature of Incident: Stolen Vehicle and Pursuit Arrest
Report Number: 14-20776
Location: US 101 from Faria Beach to South Hallock Road, Santa Paula
Date & Time: September 11, 2014 0529 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Headquarters Patrol and Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Enrique Patricio Ventura 29
Prepared by: Captain Patti Salas
Media Release Date: September 11, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Captain Patti Salas, 805 797 6392
Approved by: Captain Renee Ferguson

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).

Enlarge Photo

Thank you all for coming to "Alumni Night" in downtown Fillmore this past Friday evening. What a special evening of catching up with old friends, and taking in a beautiful Summers evening in Downtown Fillmore on Cruise Night. A Great time was had by all!

Remember everyone, This Friday, Sept 19th is the Big Game with Santa Paula here at Fillmore Field, and it's PACK THE HOUSE NIGHT. The Alumni Association wants all the community of Fillmore to come out and support our local Students, and Student/Athletes at they play in the 104th meeting between these two schools on the gridiron.

Please call the High School at 524-6100 to verify if there are tickets left to be sold. We want everyone to wear Blue and White this Friday. There will be one last chance to get your Flashes gear this Thursday evening from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The Alumni Association will be at Central Station one last time before the big game with their Merchandise. Flashes T-Shirts, Sweaters, Caps. They will also be showing Old game Films of the Fillmore / Santa Paula Football games, dating back to 1968 on the big flat screen T.V's. So come out and support our Team, our Town, OUR COMMUNITY!!! GO FLASHES!!! Beat the Cardinals!!

City of Fillmore

08/26/14
Accident – Non Injury
B St./Ventura St.
Theft
300 Blk. Central Ave.
300 Blk. Blaine Ave.
Search Warrant
900 Blk. 4th St.
Trespass
200 Blk. Cook Dr.
08/27/14
Accident – Non Injury
500 Blk. Mountain View St.
Theft
600 Blk. Ventura St.
Keep the Peace
700 Blk. 4th St.
1000 Blk. Olive r St.
Burglary Vehicle CONTINUED »

The Fillmore High Alumni Association presents two upcoming Alumni Events. On Friday, September 19th they are hosting their annual “PACK THE HOUSE” night for the Fillmore/Santa Paula Football game at Fillmore Field, and they want the whole community to come out to the game and support our local student athletes as they compete in the 104th meeting between these two High Schools on the gridiron. To gear up for this great traditional game, they are also hosting “Alumni night” at Central Station this Friday evening Sept 12thin beautiful downtown Fillmore. The Alumni Association wants to paint the town Blue and White for Santa Paula week, so come out to Central Station this Friday between 5:00pm and 10:00pm and get your Flashes Game day wear. They will be there with their Flashes T-shirts, Ball Caps, Bling wear, and sweaters and hoodies. It’s also the last Cruise Night of the summer, so come out and see the beautiful classic cars parked along Central Avenue between Main Street and Sespe Streets. If you have a classic car that you would like to park and show the whole community, please enter from Main Street, and someone will help you find your parking spot. It’s the “Kick Off” to Santa Paula week, so come out and help the Alumni Association paint the town Blue! GO FLASHES!!

Local business owner Norma Amaro questioned the city council’s plans to restrict “Sandwich-Board” sidewalk advertising on Central Avenue.

There were four items on the agenda at the September 9, 2014 Fillmore City Council meeting. First was a budget adjustment for the Mountain View/Highway 126 traffic signal; then approval of supporting an increase in Medically Needy Only Beneficiaries; next a report on the status of the Fillmore Redevelopment Agency/Successor Agency; and last were discussions on what priorities to put forward to the Ventura Council of Governments.

The meeting began with Public Comments as three Fillmore business owners addressed the Council on the crackdown of advertising "bootleg/sandwich boards" signs discussed at the last Council Meeting. The business owners complained about the signage removed stating they all struggle to be successful and need signage. Some stated the ordinance prohibited signs but not banners and flags. Minjares responded later that banners are ok and the Council agreed to discuss the issue directly with the business owners on Central Avenue and Sespe Street.

Norma Amaro said the foot traffic on Central Avenue is less than it has been in the past, stating it might be due to less tourism and the question of the train continuing. She asked for better communication between the City and business owners which would dampen the gossip and everyone would be informed, adding.
"Before any decisions are made, talk to the business owners."

Another question Amaro raised was if the Council had considered the possible loss of foot traffic on Central Avenue if the Chevron project is built. She also asked if the Mayor had voted against keeping the train, to which he responded later that the train was not financially feasible.

The Council wants the light signal on Mountain View and Highway 126 as a priority project. The cost of design, construction management and construction of the signal was not included in the original FY 2014/15 Budget. The Council agreed to adjust the budget allowing the project to move forward. Willdan Engineering will handle design, manage construction, and submitting the plans to Caltrans for permits. Their contract is for $100,300 plus $15,000 to cover the cost of research and applying for grants to fund the project. The total cost is expected to be $547,730. Funding will come from the anticipated advanced payment of Transportation Development Impact Fees (DIF) for approximately 48 units Hearthstone will build, other DIF and grants from the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Active Transportation Program. At this time the grants have not been applied for.

The second agenda CONTINUED »

The small town of Piru experienced a little moving and shaking Sunday night, September 7th. At 9:10pm a 2.0 magnitude shook the tight-knit community. The epicenter was located 7 miles north of Piru. A second, stronger earthquake registering 3.7 on the Richter Scale struck at 9:19pm. The earthquake was felt over some of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

City of Fillmore

08/19/14
Burglary Vehicle
700 Blk. 4th St.
Vandalism
700 Blk. Edison Ln.
Found Property
500 Blk. Sespe Ave.
Abandoned Vehicle
1000 Blk. Elmhurst Ln.
08/20/14
Vandalism
200 Blk. Blaine Ave.
30 Blk. A St.
Fight
500 Blk. Central Ave.
Cruelty to Animals
100 Blk. Lora Ln.
Search Warrant
600 Blk. Via Rodeo
300 Blk. Burson Ln.
1100 Blk. Sespe Ave.
Keep the Peace CONTINUED »

FUSD Superintendent Adrian E. Palazuelos

At Tuesday night’s Board meeting, Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) new Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez described the District as being in "limbo" when asked where FUSD stands today regarding Program Improvement. This lack of a more defined definition is due to the recent change in adopting Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and eliminating the old tests used to document student progress.

Program Improvement (PI) is what the California Department of Education designates a school or district that does not make Adequate Yearly Progress. Individual schools throughout the FUSD have been in PI for several years, but last year was the first year the whole District fell into the category.

According to Hernandez, "FUSD is required to provide an end of year summary (to the State) to highlight strategies and actions implemented during the 2013-14 school year including a description of local evidence used to determine effective implementation." She went on to explain the testing normally given at the end of the spring semester was not conducted due to the tryout testing for CCSS, leaving no testing data to present the State on the 2013-14 school year status. When asked what exactly that meant Hernandez responded, "Right now we're in limbo....we're in the status we were last year."

Board Member Tony Prado asked if there was data on the different grades. Hernandez answered, "It's the District that's in IP...this is due to many years of declining scores" and explained there is no data on specific grade levels. When asked what plans they have going forward she informed the Board, "We want to target our weaknesses."
Newly hired Superintendent Adrian E. Palazuelos interjected, stating the English Language Learners (ELL) need a great deal of improvement in learning English.

"We need to have designated ELL time...It took some time to get into this (PI), it will take time to get out.
Regarding the time frame the District is looking at to present the data on progress that the State requires, Hernandez said, "We need to do it in the next three months."

Just after the meeting began Superintendent Palazuelos described some goals and improvements he hopes to implement going forward. But those goals come with a big price tag; improving FUSD's internet technology infrastructure and upgrading software. "We want all students to have full access to the new software.....bridge together all our data systems and give access to every student" he told those in attendance. The main goal Palazuelos described was full wifi access throughout FUSD. Whether the funds will be available to achieve those goals is a big question.

Associated Student Body Representative Irma Torres announced Food Day is Thursday, September 18th to help raise money for school clubs; Thursday, September 4th, Fillmore Gym will be Girls' Volleyball team vs. Louisville; Saturday Cross-Country will race at Mount San Antonio College; the Santa Paula vs. Fillmore football game will be in town on September 19th; Homecoming Week begins September 29th thru Homecoming Parade and game time on October 3rd.

On November 7, 2013 The Complaint of El Dorado Estates (Plaintiff-Appellant v. City of Fillmore (Defendant-Appellee was submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. El Dorado, a mobile home park owner located in the City of Fillmore alleged that the City interfered with an application for a subdivision of its seniors-only mobile home park by causing unreasonable delays and imposing extralegal conditions because of a fear that subdivisions would lead to El Dorado opening the Park to families. El Dorado's complaint was dismissed for lack of standing. The court concluded, however, that El Dorado had Article III standing where El Dorado suffered a concrete and particularized, actual, injury, in the form of added expenses caused by the City's interference of the application. Accordingly, the court reversed and remanded for further proceedings. Dtd. September 2, 2014. See Judge Richard R. Clifton’s Opinion here: http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2014/09/02/12-55549.pdf

Sean Morris

I, Sean Morris, am announcing my candidacy for Fillmore School Board 2014.

I am a lifelong resident of Fillmore and graduated from Fillmore High School. I am married to Veronica Morris and we have two children attending Fillmore Schools.

I have served on several non-profit boards and am currently President of the Rotary Club of Fillmore. I have been involved in community literacy projects, volunteered in my children’s classes, coached and served with many teachers and parents, including the District’s Reconfiguration Committee during Superintendent Jeff Sweeney’s tenure.

My experience with our community through my work with the parents, administration, teachers, and students, is that we have an incredible human resource to achieve great things. Our district has not performed to its fullest potential and we need everyone to be involved on a consistent basis in order to become a distinguished center of learning. I will bring energy, listening skills and a desire to work with everyone to make Fillmore Unified School District a point of light for every student in our community.

My vision is for excellence in teaching, community support, and facilities which will lead to positive growth and academic achievement in our children. I would love the opportunity to speak with any parent, parent group, teacher, school staff, business leader, Fillmore Council Member and school administrator to gain more insight and express my views. Learn more or contact me by visiting Morris4SchoolBoard.com.

Morris for School Board 2014