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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013
10/15/2013 – 10/21/2013
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department 10/15/13 |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
Police asking witnesses or anyone with information to contact them
On Saturday evening, October 12, 2013 at approximately 10:05 p.m., a traffic collision occurred at Ventura Street where it intersects Santa Clara Avenue. Involved parties and witnesses said a blue 1998 Honda Civic was traveling south on Santa Clara Avenue and it entered onto Ventura Street directly into the path of a silver 2005 Chevrolet Malibu that was traveling west on Ventura Street. The Chevrolet Malibu’s front end collided broadside with the driver’s side door of the Honda Civic causing major damage to both cars. The Malibu came to rest facing the opposite direction on the roadway while the Civic left the road on the south shoulder of Ventura Street coming to rest against a chain link fence. The solo occupant in the Honda was 18-year Daniel Cordero from Fillmore and he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The driver of the Malibu, Gracie Wall of Fresno and her male adult passenger both sustained minor neck / back pain injuries. Both occupants of the Malibu declined being taken by ambulance to the hospital. Ventura Street was closed in both directions for approximately four hours for the investigation of this collision. Ventura Street traffic was detoured onto Santa Clara Avenue between Ventura Street and Mountain View Street. The preliminary investigation does not suggest that alcohol was a factor in this accident. The investigation into this collision is ongoing. The Fillmore Police Department encourages anyone that might have witnessed this collision to contact the station at (805) 524-2233. Nature of Incident: Fatality Traffic Collision 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). For full details |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
On Wednesday, October 9th at 10am, new military banners were installed. In October 2008, the Fillmore Unified School Board together with the City of Fillmore adopted a program to recognize the family members of Fillmore residents serving in the Military. The program is supported by our local Veterans of Foreign War and Up for Education 501C. If your family member or you have been discharged from the military, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 524-3701 or by email militarybanners@yahoo.com so that arrangements may be made to have your banner removed and then presented to you or your family. Banners will be removed approximately 3 to 4 times per year and you will be advised as to the dates and time. We continue to receive phone calls and correspondence from residents and neighboring cities regarding the recognition program and hope this has given you a sense of community support and pride. We thank you and please receive our utmost gratitude for your service to our country. City of Fillmore, FUSD, Up for Education – Virginia A. de la Piedra, Local VFW. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
A unanimous vote, 4-0, at last week’s Oct. 8th City Council meeting awarded a contract for the Fillmore Police Station and City Parking Lot to Asphalt Rubber Hot Mix Overlay Project to J & H Engineering General Contractors Inc. J & H submitted the lowest bid of $113,700 but the city projects the cost of the paving to be closer to $142,000. The Council had budgeted $190,000 for the Project. Councilmember Manuel Minjares missed the vote upon late arrival. In the vote, the Council authorized City Manger David Rowlands to sign the contract documents and approve change orders, if any, to a combined maximum of $12,000; and to authorize the budget adjustment as set forth in the fiscal impact section. An asphalt overlay of the 524 Sespe Avenue parking lot will expand the police station lot by approximately 45 feet. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
Good evening Dr. Nishino, Michael Johnson, Todd Schieferle, and School Board Members, Tonight we represent dedicated professionals that educate the students of Mountain Vista School under the administration of Mr. John Wilber. As a staff, we are committed to the students we serve. We continue to hold high expectations of ourselves and of our students. We are reminded daily of our task - to educate the future generation; those future adults who will be faced with different opportunities and challenges than we might have faced growing up. FUSD is in transition. As with any transition, problems become apparent and need to be resolved. First, Common Core curriculum is being written by Fillmore elementary teachers to align the eleven year-old Open Court program. Second, there is no ELD curriculum, yet Lesson Plans are being required. Clearly, these concerns need to be addressed immediately. Although we do have a professional duty to implement the curriculum, we question whether it is also our responsibility to write the curriculum we deliver. One can ask how is it reasonable to then spend additional hours rewriting our curriculum into lesson plan format. What is the limit to our professional day? While Mountain Vista teachers move forward with implementing Common Core this year, and continue to prepare our students for their future, there is an urgent need for curriculum support and training for the Mountain Vista Staff now. After all, “the future” sits before us everyday. Respectfully, |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
The little town of Piru, population about 1,000, has lost a $672,000 arrangement for a bike path on farmland. The contract was canceled several weeks ago when county officials tried but failed to reach an agreement with critics of the planned path. Piru Neighborhood Council and several farm interests expressed concern and opposition on public safety issues, possible pesticide exposure and crop contamination. Supporters of the project said the concerns were without merit. Contractor R.C. Becker and Son Inc., of Santa Clarita, was awarded the bid, and was on hold while county officials tried to come to an agreement with those opposing the path. The decision to cancel the contract was approved without opposition. Becker and Son will submit a settlement to compensate the company for expenses. A $1 million federal grant would have paid for the project. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
On Thursday October 24th, the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce will host a "get together" at Wm.L. Morris Chevrolet Dealership in the Showroom along with Chevron. Chevron representatives Leslie Klinchuch and Bill Almas will do a presentation updating the community on the "Fillmore Works Project". This is the project east of Pole Creek. For those of you that have any questions or concerns we urge you to attend. This is a free event and will start at 5:30 pm and end at 6:30 pm. A no host bar along with refreshments will be provided. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
 City of Fillmore The State Board of Equalization has allocated $21.1 million to Fillmore resulting from a resolution of the sales tax revenue dispute between the Cities of Livermore, Lathrop, and Industry. In dispute was tax revenue sharing generated by Owens & Minor which has a sales office in Fillmore and distribution centers located in other cities. According to former Simi Valley City Manager Mike Sedell, advisor to the City of Fillmore, the City will keep about $500,000 of this allocation. According to Fillmore’s new City Manager David Rowlands, “The city received all of the BOE (Board of Equalization) funds, but the city will need to repay MTS/Owens & Minor over several years. Per the contract with MTS until approximately 2025 the city keeps 15% of the sales tax generated by O&M, the other 85% is paid to MTS and MTS shares some portion of that with O&M.” Rowlands continued, “We haven’t finished our calculations yet. However, Fillmore received $13,936,174 from the BOE on October 4, and expects to retain about $500,000 after payments to other involved local agencies and MTS/Owens & Minor. An additional $5.4 million is due to the city from the BOE in FY 2014-15 (Triple Flip amount).” This money will, according to Rowlands, reestablish Fillmore’s normal tax income flow; our cash flow “...will be more consistent. The settlement payments to San Joaquin County and Industry are made from MTS and O&M’s share of the proceeds.” Fillmore is expected to receive between $500,000 and $750,000 from O&M per year in sales tax revenue, according to Rowlands. He added, “We will begin to have a healthy budget.” Rowlands emphasized that a top priority is replenishment of the city’s reserve funds. New capitol projects are being planned, including street paving which has been long neglected by necessity. [EDITORIAL COMMENT: The final outcome of this fiercely-debated Owens & Minor sales tax plan is a strong vindication of former City Manager Roy Payne and the many other honest, dedicated council members and city staff who created and defended it. These good people endured years of insult and slander to promote a plan which will greatly benefit our city for decades to come. Congratulations to those who stayed the course!] |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
District Attorney Gregory I). Totten announced today that Eric Gabriel Suarez (DOB 9/6/84) of Oxuard, Cimitrio Ambris Cervantes (D013 5/5168) of Mission Hills, and Fernando Ambris Cervantes (DOB 6/22/66) of Santa Paula were arrested in a multi-agency crackdown on store owners who pay cash to recipients of government food assistance benefits. Suarez and Cimitrio Cervantes have been charged with felony grand theft and welfare fraud. Suarez is also charged with trafficking more than $150,000 of government benefits and stealing more than $200,000. Fernando Cervantes has been charged with misdemeanor welfare fraud. This case was the result of ajoint investigation by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Secret Service. CaLFresh and the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provide nutrition assistance benefits to eligible, low-income individuals and families. It is illegal for a store owner to redeem these food assistance benefits for cash. Trafficking in SNAP and CalFresh benefits occurs when a merchant pays a welfare recipient cash for these government benefits. The operation targeted markets in both Ventura and Fillmore. It is alleged that from October 2010 to February 2013, Eric Suarez trafficked in government benefits while working at Avenue Mini Market in Ventura. It is alleged that beginning in early 2012 to May 2013, Cimitrio and Fernando Cervantes trafficked in government funds by exchanging Electronic Benefit Transfer (ERT) benefits for cash while working at Victor’s Market in Fillmore. Eric Suarez and Cimitrio Cervantes were released on $10,000 bail and both will be arraigned on October 8, 2013, in courtroom 12 at 9:00 a.m. Fernando Cervantes was released on $5,000 bail and will be arraigned on January 2, 2014, at 8:15 a.m. in courtroom 10. Misdemeanor welfare fraud charges have also been flied against 25 additional defendants fbr illegally selling their food assistance benefits for cash, in lieu of arrests, letters have been sent directing those defendants to appear on October 22, 23, and 24, 2013. for arraignment. Additional misdemeanor charges will be filed in near future against other individuals for similar conduct. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
The Ventura County Sheriff's, Fillmore Search and Rescue Team, rescued a dog on Thursday after it became stranded 150ft over the side of a cliff. City firefighters arrived on scene first and found some good Samaritans attempting to rescue the dog on their own. The firefighters were concerned for the safety of the good Samaritans and decided to notify the Sheriff's Department. The situation was evaluated by members of the Sheriff's Search and Rescue unit, and a decision was made to activate the Fillmore Search and Rescue Team and have them take the lead in the rescue. Seven members from the Fillmore Search and Rescue Team responded to the scene. Once on scene team member N. Brown immediately jumped into action and rappelled 150ft over the side of the cliff. After two tries the frightened dog was eventually brought to safety and returned to his worried owner. The Fillmore Search and Rescue Team is comprised of highly trained volunteers who donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to trainings and call-outs. Additional members are currently in Lake Arrowhead assisting the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept in their search for a missing hiker. |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
At the October 8, 2013 Fillmore Unified School Districts (FUSD) Board Meeting a presentation was given by Art Teacher Doris Nichols and teacher Josh Bricker on the Fillmore Middle School NASA Program conducted after school during the summer break. The 20 day 10 exercise course provided students with a non-traditional classroom environment that reinforced the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students were given questions and problems requiring them to find their own solutions, both individually and in groups of four, through a hands-on empirical process. With real world constraints such as time, weight to power ratios, questions of sustainability/waste management concerns and a finite amount of materials (everything they used was recycled material and had to fit into a small cup by the end of the day) requiring budget restraints, the students were forced to develop creative solutions to the types of problems NASA engineers face daily. They learned how to use gravity to aid travel, how to insulate with weight considerations and thermo design along with design and use of a solar oven and how to control its temperatures. One exercise required the students to design a propulsion system forcing them to engineer and design a space craft containing a specific list of essential elements; finding the volume of their craft to ensure the essential payload would fit, weighing their space craft, testing the rockets and an understanding of drag and aerodynamics. From the activities students CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 9th, 2013
 Friday, at 2 p.m. a two vehicle accident occurred in the Super A parking lot. A female driver, traveling perpendicular to the parking lanes, crashed into a parked van causing moderate damage to both vehicles. No injuries were reported and the cause of accident was not reported. Enlarge Photo |
 Over $100,000 worth of breathing apparatuse was donated to the Fillmore Fire Department by the Fillmore Fire Foundation. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros and Fillmore Fire Foundation President Scott Beylick formed the foundation in 2010. The current board members are Scott Beylick (President), Mike Bush (Treasurer), Bill Morris, Mike Richardson and Scott Klittich. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
Fillmore Fire Foundation recently purchased 18 new breathing apparatuses and extra air bottles and donated them to the City of Fillmore Fire Department. The cost of this new equipment exceeded $100,000. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros and Fillmore Fire Foundation President Scott Beylick formed the foundation in 2010. The current board members are Scott Beylick (President), Mike Bush (Treasurer), Bill Morris, Mike Richardson and Scott Klittich. This 5 member board volunteers their time and helps raise donations for equipment, firefighter training, safety prevention programs and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. If you wish to make a tax deductible donation to the Fillmore Fire Foundation, Inc. please send your donation to Fillmore Fire Foundation, P.O. Box 331, Fillmore, CA. 93015. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
 A two vehicle accident occurred last week at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 126 in the early afternoon. One vehicle suffered light damage, the other moderate front end damage. No serious injuries were reported. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
Two loaded rifles and methamphetamine packaged for sale
 Rodrigo Jasso Ortiz, Oxnard, 36 During a bar check, a Sergeant Aguirre contacted Ortiz sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of the Sespe Saloon. Aguirre discovered Ortiz had a loaded rifle on the seat next to him. Upon further investigation, the Sergeant discovered Ortiz had a second loaded rifle concealed under his seat and approximately one ounce of methamphetamine packaged for sale in the vehicle. Ortiz was arrested for several weapon and drug charges and was booked into the Ventura County Jail. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine was $2,800.00. Nature of Incident: Narcotics Arrest 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). |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
09/24/2013 – 09/30/2013
City of Fillmore 09/24/13 |
 The suspect was described as a white male, between 50 to 60 years old, approximately 5’10” tall with a heavy build. The suspect was wearing a baseball style cap, black jacket, black gloves, white shirt, white pants, black tennis shoes, and he was in possession of a dark colored backpack. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, October 1st, 2013
On September 30, 2013, at approximately 0803 hours, a suspect armed with a handgun entered the Rabobank located at 470 Arneill Road in the city of Camarillo. The suspect brandished the handgun at bank employees before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect was described as a white male, between 50 to 60 years old, approximately 5’10” tall with a heavy build. The suspect was wearing a baseball style cap, black jacket, black gloves, white shirt, white pants, black tennis shoes, and he was in possession of a dark colored backpack. Anyone with information regarding this robbery is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant John J. Gleason at (805) 384-4727. If you wish to remain anonymous, Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and criminal complaint against persons responsible for crimes such as this one. The caller may remain anonymous and the call is not recorded. The number for Crime Stoppers is 800-222-TIPS (8477). Nature of Incident: Bank Robbery |
 Councilmember Diane McCall swears in her daughter Caitlin McCall as the Student Representative to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Caitlin is excited to serve Fillmore in her new capacity on the Commission. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
Tuesday's Fillmore City Council Meeting centered around an update on the Fillmore Business Park and some budget items, along with a proclamation and an employee recognition. Roy Payne, former Fillmore City Manager and now a consultant, presented the Council a request from land owners of the Fillmore Business Park (FBP) asking to get the project back on track and moving forward. The land owners/developers, Perry Ranch, Sespe Creek Properties and Coe Property, together own 55 acres (61%) of the 90 acre footprint of the project. When completed their portion is anticipated to create 962,000 square feet of office space and over 2,365 jobs to the Fillmore area; the completion of all 90 acres will provide 1.3 million square feet of office, industrial and warehouse space and potentially 3,000 jobs. The property owners are requesting an update by the City on previously approved items and an agreement on the Development Impact Fees (DIF) and other fees and asking that those fees be paid as the project progresses. This is known as "pay as you go" and is a crucial element to the owners/developers, partially determining whether the project will be economically feasible. Jack Maxwell, owner of 18.5 acres that are adjacent to the FBP, addressed the Council asking to please get the project moving because he is interested in selling some of that land to potential owners who may want to start a business close to the park. City Planning Department CONTINUED » |
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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
Story and photos by Bob Crum
The Fillmore & Western Railway recently obtained a faux steam engine from Disney Studios that was used in the Lone Ranger movie and it's already been put to work. The assignment: Advil commercial. Location. Sespe Creek. According to the production company, Gandy Dancer hauled in 3,889,425 pounds of 33-foot rail, bars, tie places and ties from Blythe, Calif. An additional 60,429 pounds of bolts, washers, and other track parts came from Kansas City, Mo., and 402,000 pounds of ties and spikes from Stockton, Calif. The result was a five-mile loop of single- and double-track line in the Rio Puerco desert. Another mile of track, for the many mining scenes, was built near Creede, Colo. Meanwhile, in Sun Valley, Calif., in northern Los Angeles County, a machine shop built two train-sets complete with two faux steam engines. For ease of movement, the rolling stock was built in the same fashion as shipping containers, in that they could be lifted on and off their chassis' and onto flatbed trucks for highway transport. The two locomotives had hydraulic hoses connecting them to the tenders, where a pair of 1,000 hp Cummins diesel engines supplied power. Both trains were operated from a computer inside the cab. Even so, a real locomotive engineer was in the cab to control the braking system. In case of an emergency, he could override the computer. Movie special effects produced all the smoke and steam there is to see in the film. The trains were designed for speeds of up to 30 mph. An EMD SW1500 diesel was used to move the cars during shooting when the steam engine was not part of the scene. The meticulous attention paid to the railroad scenes is typical of the entire production effort.” Back to the present. I captured these images while the train was waiting to be called for the next run. Heard tell the train was to run over the star of the commercial. Whew... talk about a huge headache for Advil to remedy! This will be one interesting commercial to watch... with a couple of Advil and a glass of water handy. And don't forget the band aids! |
