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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Jorge Hernandez has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing a collision that killed two local disc jockeys in September 2009. Hernandez, 24, was driving under the influence of alcohol on the wrong side of Highway 118 near Rose Avenue at 5:36 a.m. Killed were David Garcia, 33, formerly of Fillmore, and Alex Estrada, 33, of Ventura. Garcia’s wife, Sonia, 26, was critically injured and remained in a coma for a month. The two popular disc jockeys had attended and just left a Relay for Life cancer walk in Fillmore, when the collision occurred. Hernandez pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, had no criminal record and accepted responsibility early, which Ventura County Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie took into account in sentencing. Hernandez was also ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution. Hernandez has two children, a 3-year old and a baby, who was born when he was in jail. |
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By Wanda Castel de Oro — Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
 Public Works Director Bert Rapp explained to city council that Two Rivers Park will need sod to replace the failed hydroseed. Two Rivers Sod “It has not grown as it should have grown,” stated Rapp, citing improper care by the contractor after seeding. He made it clear that the contractor was “absorbing [the] pain of the problem” financially. The contractor will pay $3,000 per day after April 15th if the sod is not “mowable” at one inch. Motion for sod passed 3-0. Two Boys & Girls Club sites close Tate thanked Santa Clara Valley Disposal, Big Brothers and Sisters, American Girl Scouts and the Fillmore School District for their involvement in helping the Club. She also announced that actor/activist Martin Sheen will be the keynote speaker at the Breakfast of Champions on Feb. 26. Anyone with questions or suggestion can contact Tate at 805-525-7910. Take Your Family to Dinner for the Club CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
February 1st
Monday, February 1 will be the Fillmore Lions Student Speaker contest. So now is the last chance t( enter and win $75 for winning and $25 for entering. The topic is "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE-HOW WILL IT AFFECT US?" The outcome of this debate will affect all of us for years to come. The winner of the Fillmore contest Feb. 1 will move on and compete for $21,325 in prize money and scholarships. Call Bill Edmonds at 524-4839 or see Mr. Josh Overton at the high school. All high school age youth who reside within the Fillmore High School District boundaries are eligible to compete. This includes home taught students as well as Fillmore residents who attend other high schools. This also includes foreign exchange students. Students who wish to enter may contact Bill Edmonds at 524-4839 or Josh Overton at the Fillmore High School drama room. Edmonds emphasized that this public speaking competition will be very worthwhile to the students and interesting to their parents and to the community. Public speaking competition will also look very good on college applications and resumes. Time is drawing short and students should start at once. It takes time to develop and practice a good speech. Act now. The contest will take place Monday, Feb. 1 beginning at 7:00pm at the Scout House at the end of Sespe. |
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By Carole Power — Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
The Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley has been working on a reorganization and revitalization strategy the last 3 months that has brought needed change and enhanced communication and partnerships throughout both communities of Fillmore and Santa Paula. In order to strengthen service delivery and to ensure stability, the Board has decided to temporarily suspend services at 3 sites effective January 31, 2010 and will continue operations at 2 sites in Fillmore and Santa Paula. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley are encouraging parents to send their children to the Clubhouses that will remain open: FILLMORE - Fillmore Clubhouse, 565 First St., 524-0456. SANTA PAULA - Las Piedras Clubhouse, 431 13th St., 933-3676. In order to cut expenses, the Santa Paula Clubhouse at 1400 Harvard Blvd. will be closed temporarily. This will also make room for a renovation project that has been funded through grants and collaboration with the City of Santa Paula. Construction includes a rebuild of the public restrooms on the outside of the building, a remodel and enlargement of the entry to the Clubhouse, updated wiring, and installation of heating and air conditioning. The 2 other closures at Rancho Sespe, CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
 The Los Padres National Forest mountains above Fillmore received a blanket of snow last week. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
 Weather related accidents pile up. Sunday, at approximately 5 p.m., the driver of this car was eastbound when he lost control of his vehicle and dropped down a 25-foot embankment near Atmore Road off Highway 126. The car then clipped several lemon trees, destroyed a steel pipe gate, struck a paved work road, and proceeded down another 15-foot embankment, crashing into a creek. The car then spun around 90 degrees, narrowly missing a power pole, ending up wedged into a concrete culvert, inches away from a high-pressure natural gas pipeline. The driver suffered a few minor scratches to his hand. No passengers were involved. Enlarge Photo  Monday, early afternoon, this Honda Civic was involved in a two-car collision on Highway 126, also near Atmore Road. The car crashed over a ditch, through a heavy steel fence and approximately 100 feet into a lemon orchard. The other vehicle seemed to sustain minor damages. Cause of the accident was not available at press time. No serious injuries were reported. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
 After little more than a day’s rainfall the Sespe Creek begins to roar. The day before only a trickle flowed through a parched, boulder creek bottom. By afternoon of the second day, a U.S. Geological Services (USGS) team measured the flow under the Old Telegraph bridge traveling past a 12-foot deep area, at 10-feet per second. The next storm will greatly increase the flow. Enlarge Photo |
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By Carol Wilson — Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
 Fillmore Unified School District Fillmore Unified School District Trustees have learned that the district needs $2.2 million dollars to break even next year. Mike Bush, Assistant Superintendent for Business told the board at this weeks meeting that “We're dead with less.” He went on to say that it's expected that the state will take away at least $2.1 million dollars to help make up for the state budget deficit. Bush added that if the state takes the additional money, that means that the state will have cut the Fillmore school budget by 20 percent over the past three years. This equals $3.6 million dollars. Bush said the state budget is $19.9 billion dollars “Out of whack.” Board member John Garnica noted that California has the lowest credit rating in the country and he pointed out that California has dropped to last place in spending per pupil for education. Bush also brought to the board the issue of insurance costs for district employees. The district now pays all the costs of the HMO Blue Shield Access Plus and the staff members may choose to purchase a Blue Cross PPO plan. He suggested the district switch from the Access Plus plan to Blue Shield Net Value. This plan would save the school district $150 per month per employee. Bush said the plan has the same basic benefits and the same doctors as the Access Plus. The savings to the district would be over $500,000 dollars, Bush added. Human Resources Consultant Bev Jones said CONTINUED » |
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By Richard Durborow — Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Will Piru Charter School offer a true educational alternative? The answer is a resounding yes! Piru Charter School supports the Educating the Whole Child approach to learning that includes: using researched-based instructional strategies to increase student achievement, using a social-emotional development program that impacts the attitudes of children in a positive and profound way, and using aerobic exercise to focus, motivate, and invigorate students. This powerful three-step recipe for student success is a true educational alternative and will be the only school in Ventura to offer it! Lower class size in grades 4-6 to 24 students will mean that all students will receive more of the individual attention they need to successfully enter middle school, high school, and college. As educational material in mathematics, language arts, and the content areas becomes more complex, and as some parents are less able to help their students at home, it is educationally unsound to increase class size to THIRTY-TWO students in grades 4-6. Piru Charter School will be the only school in FUSD to offer this exciting and important student to teacher ratio! Keeping struggling students in core instruction, rather than having them sent to CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The National Weather Service has predicted that several large storms will bring significant amounts of rainfall to the county next week. As the storms approach, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation / Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind all residents of the dangers that can come with this type of weather. As the rain makes its way to the rivers and streams, please stay away from the moving water and be aware that the water can be an attractive nuisance to children. It only takes a small amount of water to wash away vehicles and cause drivers to lose control. As a preventive measure, do not attempt to cross moving water either on foot or in a vehicle. Remember that even normally shallow water crossings can become hazardous during heavy rains, as flows increase during these times. It is especially important to report any suspicious or dangerous activities in or around waterways over the following weeks. Prevention and early detection is key to avoiding possible tragedies, and in an actual emergency time is of the essence. |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Including Local Farming and Ranching Communities
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Location: Todd Road Jail, 600 S. Todd Road, Santa Paula, CA In anticipation of heavy rains expected to last through the weekend of January 23rd and 24th, the Ventura County Sheriff's Todd Road Jail facility began issuing sandbags on Friday, January 15th. The Jail initially had 3,000 sandbags filled and ready for immediate pick up on a 24-hour basis. To date, approximately 800 of those sandbags have been given out to the public. The Jail has the capacity to fill an additional 10,000 bags if significant flooding issues become a concern within the county. Members of the public and government agencies needing sandbags should go to the Todd Road Jail with a vehicle capable of transporting the sandbags. Further instructions will be provided via intercoms at the gate or public lobby entrance. Public notification of this assistance program was made through the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services and through the highly effective Farm Watch email network. Farm Watch is an email network administered by Captain Tim Hagel at the Sheriff's Santa Clara Valley Station. It is primarily designed to keep local farmers and ranchers informed of crime trends and other issues affecting rural areas of the county. In general, rural areas are impacted much more severely during heavy rainstorms. |
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By Anonymous — Monday, January 18th, 2010
MUD SLIDE ADVISORY WITH THE RAIN FORECAST FOR MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY JANUARY 22ND THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR MUD SLIDES ON THE HILLS ABOVE FILLMORE. Fillmore is forecast to receive 6 to 12 inches of rain by Friday January 22nd with periods of high intensity rainfall. The hillsides may become saturated increasing the possibility of mud slides. The current forecast from the National Weather Service for next week is: “At this time there should be one system on Monday, another one on Tuesday then the strongest storm on Wednesday/Thursday. Current rainfall projections continue to indicate 4 to 8 inches of rain for coastal and valley areas between Sunday and Friday...with 8 to 16 inches in the foothills and mountains. Local amounts over 20 inches are quite likely in favored coastal slope locations.” If this rain develops as forecast or intensifies, there is an increasing probability of debris flows from the hillsides above Fillmore. Debris flows occurred in 1993, 1998 and 2005. Debris flows typically come down during heavy rainfall and without warning. Everyone in the immediate vicinity of the steep hillsides should use caution. SAFETY MEASURES YOU CAN TAKE: FOR UPDATED INFORMATION VISIT: |
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By Anonymous — Monday, January 18th, 2010
City of Fillmore Fire Department |
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By Dick Diaz — Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
 U.S. Army Private Kenneth Fanning I received an email recently from the mother of a young man I have known for many years. She wrote, “I just wanted to let you know for your article that my son, Kenneth Fanning, has enlisted in the Army. He left November 16th for Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He is in Echo Company, 787th Police Battalion, 14th Military Police Brigade. Today, (December 12, 2009) Kenney turned 20! It is the first time he's been away for his birthday.” Being away for a birthday for the first time in twenty years is one of those sacrifices our young men and women, and their families make for us when they serve their Country by enlisting in the military. There will also be Christmases, Thanksgiving and many other birthdays that will be missed! Although some may think this is a small sacrifice, or not a sacrifice at all, but to a mother it is a reality that can cause her pause. Kenneth Fanning, now a United States Army Private, graduated from Fillmore High School in 2008. All of his K-12 education was within the Fillmore Unified School District. He started Kindergarten at Sespe Elementary School then transferred to San Cayetano Elementary School until the family moved to Piru where he attended Piru Elementary School. Kenneth also attended Fillmore Middle School and Fillmore High School. Kenneth and his family were very active in the Ventura County 4-H program where he raised and showed steers at the Ventura County Fair. For the last few years he was a member and the youth leader of the Santa Clara Valley Grange. Private Kenneth Fanning is the son of CONTINUED » |
 (l-r) Dave Wright, Sandy Campbell and Alisha Tipton with Mayor Patti Walker are the good Samaritans who were recognized at Tuesday night council meeting for assisting in a condominium structure fire on November 22. Enlarge Photo By Wanda Castel de Oro — Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
 Ventura City Councilmember Carl Morehouse Being a good neighbor was celebrated with a proclamation at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The night began with Mayor Patti Walker presenting the decree to three Fillmore citizens who assisted in a condominium structure fire on November 22, 2009 in the 200 block of Arundell Circle. The good Samaritans were Sandy Campbell, Dave Wright, and Alisha Tipton. The Proclamation, read by Mayor Walker, said in part, that the actions of the three individuals “reduced the impact of a lift-threatening” situation. Central to the evening’s agenda was the discussion of Senate Bill 375, a greenhouse gas initiative which builds upon AB32, California’s groundbreaking law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by urban sprawl. Morehouse began his presentation with the qualifier, “Whatever I say now, don’t kill the messenger,” which drew a laugh from Council. He went on to explain the team effort of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) with city councils and local government. SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning/policy organization, which represents six counties, 189 cities and more than 19 million residents. With a deadline of June 2012, Ventura County cities are CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
 Over 175 motivated volunteers converged on the Fillmore High School campus last Saturday morning to work on a number of cleanup and beautification projects. Projects included rose pruning and fertilization, mulching, raking leaves, sweeping, weeding, shrub pruning, painting of lunch tables, library cleaning and straightening, and sidewalk gum removal. The event was co-hosted by Fillmore High School, the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Mentor Program, the Fillmore Lions Club and the Fillmore Morning Rotary Club. It was a great example of collaboration between school and community groups. Enlarge Photo  The event drew about 130 participants of the Walt Disney Corporation’s “Give a Day – Get a Day” community service campaign where preregistered participants can earn a Disneyland Pass for participating in community service at a predetermined service site. Many of the “Give a Day – Get a Day” participants were from out of town from as far away as Bakersfield, Thousand Oaks and Valencia. The remaining estimated 40 – 50 participants were local students and community members. January is also National Mentoring Month so the event fit perfectly with the Big Brothers- Big Sisters Mentoring Program. In fact, a number of mentors were observed working with their mentees at the event. Enlarge Photo  With the anticipated large turnout, preparation became the key to the success of the event. Norma Magana and Lynn Edmonds managed the registration of participants while Bill Dewey of the Fillmore Lions Club saw that there were plenty of worthwhile projects and the necessary equipment for the event. The Fillmore Lions Club donated 30 gum scrapers, plastic bags, gloves, and gardening tools, and fertilizer for the event. Gama Aguilar from the Fillmore Unified School District Maintenance Department also provide support by providing mounds of mulch, a roll off dumpster, gardening tools and a pressure washer. As a result of the outstanding service of the organizers and the volunteers, Fillmore High School students reported to a much more beautiful campus Monday morning. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Gerardo Rosales Villa was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Patricia Murphy to 22 years in prison for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and with gross negligence, which caused the deaths of Miguel Gallardo, Guillermo Aguiniga, Juan Gallardo, Raul Fletes, and Horacio Sanchez. The sentence was the maximum prison term possible for the crime. Villa was also found guilty of committing the crime after having been previously convicted of driving under the influence in 1999. The driving that led to the deaths of the five victims occurred during the early morning hours of September 13, 2008, on Guiberson Road , between Piru and Fillmore. While driving with approximately twice the legal limit of alcohol and with methamphetamine in his system, Villa drifted over the center line of the two-lane road and struck a utility pole. The pole tore through the vehicle, killing the five passengers instantly, while Villa survived virtually unharmed. The fatal collision was investigated by the California Highway Patrol. (Courtesy of Ventura County District Attorneys Office.) |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
 Saturday afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m. a single vehicle accident occurred in Grimes Canyon near the mining entrance. According to witnesses, a woman heading north lost control of her car and ended sideways across both lanes. A male driver following that vehicle attempted to avoid a collision, swerved onto the narrow, unpaved side of the roadway, overcorrected and rolled his Mitsubishi SUV twice before coming to rest upright. He suffered minor injuries due to the use of his seatbelt. His vehicle suffered major damage. The woman admitted causing the accident. Her car was unharmed. There were no passengers in either vehicle. Enlarge Photo |
 Above are some of the guns and drug paraphenalia recovered in the Santa Paula raid conducted on January 5th, 2010. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Shooting, street terrorism, drugs mar New Year
At 3:51AM Friday, January 1, 2010, Christian Cardoza, 25, of Fillmore, stated he was walking in the area of 4th Street, north Fillmore, when an unknown gang member, also on foot, shot him. Cardoza was transported to the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital emergency room with a single gunshot wound to the lower leg. He was reported in good condition. Fillmore Gang Unit had been on a gun seizure case all night in the same area and immediately responded. * * * Fillmore Deputies conducted a gang sweep on January 05, 2010. They had information that some Fillmore gang members were living in the 1000 Block of East Santa Paula Street in the City of Santa Paula. During the sweep the following two gang criminals were arrested with a stolen gun, drugs for sale and cash. 30 year old Frank Arias (Santa Paula) Felony Charges: 11378 H&S - Possession of meth for sale; 11370.1(a) H&S - Possession of a controlled substance with a firearm; 496(a) PC - Possession of stolen gun; 12021 PC - Possession of a firearm by a felon; 12021(d) PC - Unlawful firearm activity; 12020(a)(1) PC - Possession of a deadly weapon; and 12316(b)(1) PC - Possession of ammunition by felon. 18 year-old Rudy Damian Mora (Fillmore). Felony Charges: CONTINUED » |
