The Sheriff’s Office is providing a valuable resource to the community by setting up disposal bins for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which takes place this Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The event is a collaborative effort between local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration to encourage residents to properly get rid of their expired or unused drugs.

The goal is to keep these products out of the hands of children. Many household pharmaceuticals are sold and traded among teenagers, who often help themselves to their parents’ medications. The consequences of medications getting into the wrong hands and being abused can be deadly.

Preventing a tragedy CONTINUED »

Angel Nolasco

In July 1982, Ronald Reagan was president, the space shuttle Columbia was landing at Edwards Air Force Base following its fourth mission, and a southern California truck driver, frustrated in his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot, went airborne in the skies over San Pedro with the help of a lawn chair and 42 helium-filled weather balloons.

Meanwhile, in the heart of Los Angeles’ downtown, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Park, the 36-piece band from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro played the National Anthem just before 80 Hispanic youth held up their right hands and were sworn into the Navy. Then they boarded buses heading south to San Diego to the Naval Training Center for boot camp.

The special all-state, all-Hispanic, all-city recruit company, “Los Marineros” (The Sailors), was conceived as a way to commemorate the outstanding achievements of Hispanic members of the Navy – Mayor Tom Bradley even issued a proclamation calling the day “Navy Hispanic Heritage Day” – and the event was seen as a valuable recruiting tool and a way to stimulate interest in Navy careers within the Hispanic community.

One future Sailor, Angel Nolasco, the first CONTINUED »

The April 17, 2012 Fillmore Unified School District Meeting began a half hour later than usual. The School Board took the first half hour to attend the Fillmore High School’s (FHS) Art Show at the Memorial Building. Upon returning the Board approved the unpleasant task of teacher layoffs.

The 45-day layoff notice will be sent out this week to 17 classified teaching services used throughout the District. Those receiving the notices will complete the present spring 2012 semester, but in fall 2012 they will work less hours or not be returning. These cuts were necessary due to lack of funds or the work was no longer needed.

The schools affected by the cuts are: Piru Elementary, Mountain Vista Elementary, San Cayetano Elementary, Sespe Elementary, Fillmore Middle School, Sierra High School, and Fillmore High School (FHS).

Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino showed ‘Smarter Classroom, Smarter World,’ a 1990 video produced at Blackstock Jr. High School in Point Hueneme, depicting the classroom of the future. The video started out by saying it was February 2012, but that was just a coincidence. Nishino has been promoting integrated networks for many years, and believes computers can improve learning. “How do we engage kids when they’re ready, not when we (the teachers) are ready?” Nishino stated. The integrated network is designed to meet each students’ needs by allowing gifted students to advance at their own pace, and allowing those students that need more time to grasp a concept the ability to slow the pace.

FHS’s Speaker of the House, Sammy Martinez, made a brief appearance to announce the Mountain Vista Rally is in the works and a time and date will be announced soon.

FHS’s 14th Annual Art Show was a huge success with about 300 attending during the two hour showing. The 500 art pieces are the work of students from Ms. Mitzenmacher’s art classes. The exhibits had a wide array of genres such as wood carving, quilting, sketches, acrylics and more. When asked how the show is coordinated, Mitzenmacher said everything is student-run and there is no judging, similar to an art gallery opening.

Tatiana Lesario and Brook Alvary along with 23 other students started setting up at 8am Tuesday morning. Many of the pieces were for sale at modest prices. The first $10 of each sale is donated to replace the classroom art supplies with the remainder going to the student artist.

Art student Francisco Ortiz, a senior at FHS, was proud of his sport themed acrylic painting. Ortiz said he showed an interest in art at the age of 10 and looks forward to attending College of the Canyons for an AA Degree in Art after he graduates.

Suspect: Hispanic male, medium build, short dark hair, between 5’10” and 6’0” tall.
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Suspect: Hispanic male, medium build, short dark hair, between 5’10” and 6’0” tall.
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On 4/9/12, a carjacking occurred in the city of Camarillo. The suspect used a knife to force the victim out of the vehicle. The suspect was unable to drive the vehicle away and fled on foot. The victim, an elderly female, received minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene. The suspect is still outstanding and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crime’s unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his early 40’s, thin to medium build, with short brown hair, between 5’10”-6’0” tall. The suspect did not have any facial hair. A newer dark blue, 4-door, KIA is related to this crime.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crime’s Detective Richmond at 805-384-4725. Also, 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 call is not recorded and the caller may remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Nature of Incident: Carjacking / 215 PC
Report #: 12-7814
Location: 400 Block of Carmen Road, Camarillo, CA
Date & Time: 4/9/12 @ 1140 hours
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Suspect: Hispanic male, medium build, short dark hair, between 5’10”-6’-0” tall
Victim: Elderly Female Unknown 38-45
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Detective Julie Novak, 805-388-5115
Media Release Date: 4/12/2012
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Brian Richmond, 805-384-4725
Approved By: Commander S. Decesari

A report on the Starbuck’s crash which took the life of former Marine Sergio Mendez is completed and is at the District Attorney's Office for review, stated Sheriffs Capt. Monica McGrath on Monday, April 9th. No public release date has been obtained.

Mendez’ aunt, Belen Burgos, who spoke with the FillmoreGazette publisher said the Department of Motor Vehicles has reported the crash as involving an injury but makes no mention of the fatality. She questioned why the fatality was not noted and if it would have affected Cedarland’s driver’s license status.

Information has also surfaced about the possible medical history of Michael Cedarland, whose car crashed into Starbucks on December 13, 2011, killing Mendez.

Following are excepts from CONTINUED »

A Proclamation was awarded to the Sierra Club recognizing April 22, 2012 as Earth Day and was accepted by Patti Walker.
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Community Development Director Kevin McSweeney presented the Council with an interpretation of the zoning ordinance regarding chickens.
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Dr. Scott Barlow, who moved to Fillmore in December 2010 and has seven chickens, addressed the Council asking that they take into consideration those raising chickens in a responsible way and do not impact their neighbors.
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The two main topics brought before the Fillmore City Council this week were the proposed Volunteer Coordinator position and the zoning ordinance regarding chickens. There was also a proclamation presented to the Sierra Club and information on the VC Alert program.

The City Council is looking for someone to work in a non-paid position as a Volunteer Coordinator. The position requires recruiting and assigning volunteers to clean the bike path, litter control, graffiti removal and event clean-up along with other tasks the City can no longer afford to maintain. City Manager Yvonne Quiring presented the Council with a list of qualifications and definition of the skills required. The list was three pages long and very extensive. The Council recognized this and agreed that the requirements should be adjusted to meet a non-paid position. Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation is willing to set up the program and have the person who organized the Martin Luther King clean-up day at Two Rivers Park assist with the recruitment of a Volunteer Coordinator.

Mayor Gayle Washburn said she would prefer someone who could apply for grants, which takes some skill in doing. Councilmember Jamey Brooks cautioned the other Councilmembers that they may be expecting too much out of one person, especially for a non-paid position and that they might find someone who is a great coordinator but lacks the skill of grant writing. He suggested the two requirements not be put together and maybe a grant writer could volunteer their services separately.

Councilman Eduardo Gonzalez asked CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At approximately 11:00am on Wednesday April 11, 2012, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services received a report that numerous Ventura County Residents had received a telephone notification advising there was a need to evacuate the area due to the threat of a tsunami.

Ventura County is not under a tsunami watch, advisory or warning. The alert that was placed to area residents is inaccurate and appears to have originated from an outside source. The incident is currently under investigation.

Nature of Incident: No threat of Tsunami to Ventura County
Report Number: N/A
Location: Sheriff’s Administration 800 S. Victoria Ave. Ventura, Ca.
Date & Time: April 11, 2012 11:45 a.m.
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services
Administrator Preparing Media Release:
Cynthia Elliott (805) 947-8054
Media Release Date:
Apr. 11, 2012
Follow-Up Contact:
Patrick Maynard (805) 947-8068
Approved by:
Capt. Don Aguilar

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 9-27-2010, at about 8:55 p.m. Ventura County Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to a reported carjacking at Alelia Ave. and Azahar St. in the unincorporated area of Saticoy. When they arrived, they spoke with the victim, a male pizza delivery driver. The driver stated he was delivering a pizza to an address in the 1200 block of Alelia Ave. As he was taking the pizza out of the trunk of his car, he was assaulted by three unknown male Hispanics. The suspects fled in the victim’s car before sheriff’s deputies arrived. The victim’s car was later found crashed and abandoned about a mile away. Investigators collected evidence from the scene and submitted it to Ventura County Sheriff’s Regional Crime Lab.

On 9-30-2010, the investigation led to the identification of a 13 year old male gang member as a suspect in the crime. He was arrested for carjacking and street terrorism and lodged into juvenile hall. Over the next two days, gang investigators served five search warrants and arrested three additional suspects. They included 20 year old Sergio Alvarez, 19 year old Jose Puga, and 19 year old Isaac Burciaga. At the time, investigators did not have enough evidence to file charges with the District Attorney against Burciaga and he was released.

Over the next year and a half, Alvarez, Puga and the 13 year old male were convicted of robbery for the events of 09/27/2010. Puga was sentenced to two years in state prison, Alvarez was sentenced to three years, and the juvenile was committed to juvenile hall.

In March 2012, gang investigators were notified that Isaac Burciaga’s DNA was found on evidence collected from the victim’s abandoned vehicle. Based on the new information, investigators had enough evidence to charge Burciaga with carjacking. On 3-29-2012, investigators located Burciaga as he left a residence in Fillmore. He was arrested and booked for carjacking.

On 4-2-2012, the District Attorney’s Office filed multiple charges against Burciaga that include carjacking and robbery. He remains in custody at the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility in lieu of $155,000 bail.

Report Number:10-23648
Locations: Alelia Ave. & Azahar St., Saticoy
Date & Time: 9-27-2010 through 4-2-2012
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit
(S)uspects, City of Residence Age
(S1) Burciaga, Isaac Saticoy, CA 19
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Bill Schierman
Media Release Date: 4-5-2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Bill Schierman (805) 654-2856
Approved by: Captain Patti Salas, WCPS, Headquarters

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A 43-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man suffered serious stab wounds during a possible domestic dispute inside their Fillmore residence Friday at 3pm, 1100 block Los Serenos Drive.

Maria de Los Angeles Rangel was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple stab wounds, and the man, identified as her husband Tomas Perez, was transported to Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, where he underwent surgery for stab wounds. The couple was found by one of their daughters, who came to the residence and discovered them both in a bedroom. She called 9-1-1.

Authorities said Friday that the incident appeared to be domestic violence and that there were no outstanding suspects.

Investigators remained on scene for several hours.

Donation car wash this Saturday 8am, April 7, @ Jiffy Lube in Fillmore, all proceeds go to the children of Maria de Los Angeles Rangel, Art Tellez 24 Brianna Tellez 19, Vanessa Perez 15, Cynthia Perez 13, and Tommy Perez 8.

All inclusive enchilada dinner, desert, and 12oz drink @ La Fondita, will be held Friday April 13 from 5-8 pm.

For tickets, questions, or detailed information regarding fundraisers contact Art or Alle at 805-914-9873.

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Tuesday night’s Fillmore Unified School Board Meeting (FUSD) focused on Transitional Kindergarten, the English Language Learners (ELL) Pacing Guide Task Force and changes to Advanced Placement class requirements.

This fall FUSD is implementing a two year program called Transitional Kindergarten (TK) for children whose 5th birthday falls between September 2nd and December 2nd.. What this means is students who attend a TK class will have a year of preparation before attending kindergarten in the 2013-2014 school year. Those students’ whose birthdays qualify them for TK, along with those who have not had any preschool, will be scheduled for a basic school readiness screening and the results will be discussed with the parents.

Not all FUSD elementary schools will be providing TK. For those children whose home school does not provide TK an exception is made allowing them to enroll in a school that will offer TK; transportation will not be provided and once they start kindergarten they must enroll in their home school.

A lottery will CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 26, Chief Randy Pentis officially began his first day on the job for the City of Thousand Oaks. Pentis succeeded Jeff Matson as Chief of the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

Pentis grew up in Newbury Park and attended Conejo Valley schools. He’s spent most of his 30-year career in the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department serving the citizens of Thousand Oaks in patrol, investigations, and special enforcement.

“I’m very happy to be home,” said Pentis. As Pentis reflects on his past, he also looks to the future, “Going from Patrol in Newbury Park during the mid-1980’s, to becoming police chief, is a very humbling experience.

I’m honored for this opportunity and excited to get to work.” Pentis will focus the department on maintaining Thousand Oaks’ historically low crime rate and its standing as one of the safest cities in America.

He also intends to partner with Conejo Valley Unified School District on a variety of initiatives.

Proclamation well earned. Jack Stethem, left, and Victor Gongora receive a city Proclamation from Mayor Gayle Washburn on behalf of the Fillmore Lions Club for Non-Profit Organization of the Year, at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
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It was standing room only as the March 27, 2012 Fillmore City Council meeting began. Most of those in attendance came to voice their concerns over the continued operation of the Aquatics Center or were recipients of the 10 proclamations for various awards of the year. The main items on the agenda were the Midyear Budget Review and Adoption, along with the City declaring a state of fiscal emergency.

Finance Director Glenda Jay gave a thorough report of the City finances, starting with a graph depicting three years of deficit spending and continuing the presentation with more projections of future unmet expenditures. The 2011/12 General Fund saw revenue of $5 million and expenditures of $6 million, with 2012/13 expected revenue $4.7 million and expenditures $6.2 million. The expected deficit by 2013 is $1.5 million.

The bottom line is that Fillmore’s General Fund does not have sufficient revenue to support basic public safety services and further reduction in law enforcement is possible along with more layoffs and creating part-time positions. Other possibilities are; closing park restrooms during the week, change in trash service at parks, contract services (janitorial/custodian), safety tree trimming, no code enforcement and no street repair.
The City is grappling with the question of how much can be cut and still provide a safe town to live in. A couple of years ago, Fillmore increased the paramedic stipend because the City was having a hard time getting enough paramedic to staff the fire trucks. In July, as part of the budget reductions, the stipend was reduced by $25 per shift. The City is considering decreasing the stipend another $25 per shift as part of the next round of budget cuts.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring does not recommended that the City consider reducing paramedic service. The County is proposing to relocate the paramedic out of the Fillmore Station (27) as part of its own budget cuts. Also when there is heavy call volume in the West County, AMR Ambulance is moved to Santa Paula. If Fillmore were to discontinue paramedic service, it would have a two fold impact--first the County won’t have a paramedic on staff and/or AMR may be based in Santa Paula. Often, since by law the City needs three fire fighters to respond to a fire for safety, the paramedic makes up the third position on the truck.

Two of the largest expenditures that rely on the General Fund are recreation and the community pool. The projected Recreation Fund will receive $37,790 less in revenue than originally budgeted. Rental from the parks and community center is down and the revenue from the sports programs is less than expected. The cumulative deficit on June 30, 2012 is estimated to be $75,376 and the ongoing deficit is projected $25,000 annually.
The pool is projected to end the fiscal year with an operating deficit of over $77,000 and a projected cumulative deficit as of June 30, 2012 of $232,263. Closing the pool for three months and the increased advertising and concession stand efforts have not been enough to cover the shortfall. Mayor Gayle Washburn told those in attendance, “We’re going to do our best not to close the pool, but I can’t make any promises. It’s something we have no control over…we may not have a choice.” Councilmember Jamey Brooks presented a motion that the pool not be closed for the next eight months, to which Council Members Eduardo Gonzalez, Brian Sipes voted Yes and Washburn the only No vote.

The Council wants to pursue having businesses take sponsorship of the pool and other projects/operations to help cover costs. A motion was passed authorizing the City to put the effort forward in finding sponsors. There was also talk of having a Volunteer Coordinator in a non-paid position to help with organizing volunteers for various positions no longer provided by City workers. Another idea was to pursue more grants. This would require a 501c3 nonprofit to apply for the grant and the City to partner up. Fillmore Police/Sheriff Chief Monica McGrath has done a great job of obtaining grants and received a $140,000 grant just two weeks ago.

Another area where revenue has declined is from the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) which has been eliminated and the City has become the Successor Agency due to state requirements. The RDA provided $864,000 to pay for General Fund services which the City will no longer receive.

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