On October 21, 2017, Fillmore Patrol Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jose Castillo for vehicle code violations. During the traffic stop, deputies discovered two operational “zip guns,” including one that was loaded. A “zip gun” is a home-made firearm crudely constructed with miscellaneous parts. These types of firearms are extremely dangerous due to their lack of safety mechanisms and standard firearm parts such as a trigger. Zip guns can also be easily concealed or smuggled into restricted areas. A search of the vehicle also yielded methamphetamine and an unregistered shotgun.

Jose Castillo and his passenger, Gabriel Pavich, were arrested for narcotics and weapon charges. Pavich is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing any firearms. Castillo is being held in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail and Pavich was released on a bail bond.

Prior to Pavich’s release, detectives seized an illegal rifle from Pavich’s home in the City of Fillmore.

On the morning of October 28, 2017, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit and the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail executed a search warrant at Castillo’s residences in the City of Oxnard. An illegal AR-15 assault rifle, two illegal gun silencers, and evidence of illegal firearm manufacturing were located and seized.

Investigators believe that Castillo and Pavich may have manufactured or sold other illegal and dangerous firearms. Anyone with further information regarding this investigation or any gang and illegal firearm information is encouraged to contact Detective Erik Hernandez at 805-654-2856.

Nature of Incident: Illegal Firearms Manufacturing Arrest
Report Number: RB# 17-160989
Location: B Street at Second Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 21, 2017 4:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Station Deputies/ Sheriff’s Gang Unit /
Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Castillo, Jose
(S) Pavich, Gabriel
Prepared by:
Det. Erik Hernandez #4533
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis

At Tuesday night’s school board meeting Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees representative Scott Beylick recognized Martha Hernandez for her years of service to Fillmore Unified and public education.

Retirement Recognition: Martha Hernandez
The Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees recognized Martha Hernandez for her years of service to Fillmore Unified and public education. Mrs. Hernandez retired on November 1, 2017 and received recognition by the Board of Trustees as well as a special performance by Fillmore High School’s Mariachi Los Rayos. Congratulations to Martha Hernandez and best wishes on a well deserved retirement.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Spring 2017 Results
The Board received a report regarding the CAASPP Spring 2017 results. Information was presented by Assistant Superintendent, Micheline Miglis.

Start Dates for 2018-2019 School Year
The Board received information on the proposed start dates for 2018-2019 academic year. Information was presented by Director of Human Resources, Todd Schieferle. No action on this item “Information/Discussion” only.

Public Hearing on Initial Proposal from California School Employees Association Chapter #421
The Board held a public hearing on initial proposal from the California School Employees Association.

Approve Resolution No. 17-18-08 Authorizing the Filing of Application Documents Under the State School Facility Program
The Board approved resolution No. 17-18-08 to authorize the filing of application documents under the state school facility program.

Approve Resolutions No. 17-18-09 and 17-18-09 in support of Career Technical Education Facilities Programs Projects and Filing of Sector Applications
The Board approved resolutions No. 17-18-09 and 17-18-10 in support of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Transportation sector applications.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations and leaves.

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Submitted by the Fillmore Lions Club

Berenice Magana, a student at Fillmore Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

Berenice’s poster was among more than 50 entries in the contest. There are over 375,000 entries submitted world wide in the Annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest each year. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

The theme for this year was “The Future of Peace”

Berenices poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme. The judges were again impressed by the expression and creativity of the students’ art. It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. Fillmore Lions Club is proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions with other students and our city.

Miss Berenice Magana’s poster has advanced to face stiff competition through the district, multiple districts and international rounds of competition.

One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of US $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to the awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of US $500.

Runner-up students were Daniel Orozco and Nailea Torres. All participants are students in Mrs. Doris Nichols’ art class at Fillmore Middle School.

The Lions Club would like to thank the School Board and Mr. John Wilber for creating Mrs. Nichols class of the best artists in the school. This was wonderful since the judges had a more difficult time in the selection.

Mrs. Nichols is commended for her assistance in this annual event.

The City of Fillmore has sent a letter to the Department of Conservation in Sacramento strongly opposing the proposed expansion of the current aquifer exemption for the Sespe Oil Field. Following is the letter titled “Sespe Aquifer Exemption”:

Kelly Cassidy, 56, of Fillmore

On October 26, 2017, Fillmore Patrol Deputies responded to a call of a man shooting a gun in the air in his backyard. Deputies arrived at the home on Blaine Avenue and encountered a confrontational subject who was later identified as Kelly Cassidy. Cassidy refused to comply with officer’s directions and was confrontational, but was ultimately restrained and arrested. Deputies determined that Cassidy had fired a gun on his property in gross negligence. A handgun was located in Cassidy’s garage near where the shooting took place. Cassidy was arrested for PC 148(a), resisting arrest, HS 11550(e), under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a loaded operable firearm, and PC 246.3(a), discharging a firearm with negligence.

Cassidy had been the subject of a 2 month-long investigation involving illegal firearm purchases and sales and also illegal narcotic activity.

On October 31, 2017, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit and with the assistance of the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at Kelly Cassidy’s residence in the City of Fillmore. During the search, 12 firearms were seized, including several unregistered firearms or firearms registered to people living outside of Ventura County.

Detectives believe some of the firearms were illegally purchased or transferred.

Detectives also found approximately 60 pounds of marijuana and several illegal peyote plants were located and believed to have been a part of an illegal drug sales operation.

Cassidy was charged with additional firearm and narcotic statutes based on the contraband seized during the search warrant. He is being held in Ventura County Jail with bail set at $200,000.

Members of the public are reminded that it is illegal to buy, sell, loan, or transfer a firearm in the State of California without the assistance of a licensed firearms dealer and a Department of Justice background check.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation or any information on illegal firearms is encouraged to contact Detective Erik Hernandez at 805-654-3548 or email erik.hernandez@ventura.org

Nature of Incident: Illegal Firearm possession arrest
Report Number: RB# 17-168187
Location: 200 block of Blaine Avenue, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 26, 2017 10:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Station/ Sheriff’s Gang Unit/Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Cassidy, Kelly
Prepared by:
Det. Erik Hernandez #4533
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis

Bob Crum

It was the weekend of (S) Science, (T) Technology, (E) Engineering, (A) And (M) Math. Combined with a touch of Punk. A party of the other kind. A funtastic Festival.

Defining Steampunk is a challenge considering the many interpretations. For help, I called upon the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

“Steampunk is an inspired movement of creativity and imagination. With a backdrop of either Victorian England or America’s Wild West at hand, modern technologies are re-imagined and realized as elaborate works of art, fashion, and mechanics. If Jules Verne or H.G. Wells were writing their science fiction today, it would be considered steampunk.'”

Mechanics and gadgets, jewelry, weaponry and Victorian costumes prevalent at the venue. Machines from a running Model T dump truck to a Fairbanks & Morse magnificent engine that made a “popping” sound every three seconds. To round out the activities, participants were treated to a ride on the Fillmore & Western train pulled – of course – by the #14 steam-powered Baldwin iron horse.

Upon entering the land of STEAM on Main Street, downtown Fillmore, I was greeted by a magnificent machine. I circled it a few times before 'making' the photo. I was seduced to push 'the' button. Without warning, I was instantly thrust into a time-warp portal that transported me back to wherever-it-was in 1844. An interesting place where I was greeted by Colonel Deviance and his Aerial Bugler. I could return – I was told - to the present only if I played Kiss a Gundam in C sharp with the bugle! To my delight, I hit every note and promptly returned to the present. I wonder how many Fillmore residents we lost!

The Western and Victorian-themed costumes were masterpieces of creativity. Most impressive were the many jet-packs worn by both men and women. Many pieces of head gear included clockwork gears. One lady's hat clock gears actually rotated. Fascinating apparel and accessories.

Such fluid events pose many photography challenges. Rules of composition take on dual priorities. Compose a fascinating subject to reasonably fill the frame is generally the first and foremost priority. But there isn't a photographic rule that I don't often break. Sometimes it's a good idea to show the subject within the context of the surroundings. When time and circumstances permit, I'll shoot both perspectives just to eliminate 'should of' thoughts. During post processing, the best of the two photos is usually apparent and the final decision is made about which one to print or publish.

Shooting events like the STEAM Festival is stimulating. Activities included the bearded potter demo, steamy tech build challenge, Steamistas hosted make and takes, costume contest, beard & mustache competition, the Doctor Solar show, and music by Poplock Holmes All Stars on the Gypsy Wagon Stage.

But such events are also problematic because I capture photos in RAW file format with the camera in manual mode. While RAW image files permit a wider post processing latitude it does require constant and fast camera setting adjustments because everything is continually unfolding in different light! C'est la vie.

At such events, I prefer to capture candid photos. The County Fair is such an example where I seldom pose anyone. But there are times when a candid just isn't feasible. Necessity dictates appropriate action... step in and ask to pose the subject. In every instance when I asked someone to pose the response was: Yes... I'd be delighted. From jewelry to jet-packs - from elaborate attire to exotic accessories - every outfit a marvel of creativity that begged to be photographed. Oh such fun!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

[Submitted by Tom Ito, Fillmore High School Principal]

Last school year, Fillmore High School was recognized as being in the top 11% of the Washington Post’s “America’s Most Challenging High Schools”. Because the data is one year behind we were recognized for the 2016 school year. In the 2017 school year, Fillmore High School catapulted into the top 7% of eligible schools and will be receiving the same national award in 2018.

Longtime Washington Post columnist Jay Matthews explains how they arrive at the national rankings, “We take the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests given at a school each year and divide by the number of seniors who graduated in May or June. I call this formula the Challenge Index. With a few exceptions, public schools that achieved a ratio of at least 1.00, meaning they had as many tests in 2016 as they had graduates, were put on the national list.”

The top national ranking is not by chance as the students, teachers, counselors and administrators of Fillmore High School have worked very hard to create a college going culture. An increasing number of students have taken challenging courses each year and have worked diligently at keeping their grades up.

Another indicator of the positive change in academic culture at Fillmore High School is the sudden rise in the number of college eligible graduates. In the past several years Fillmore High School has ranked in the top third of Ventura County high schools in college eligible seniors, otherwise known as UC/CSU a-g eligible students. The future looks bright with the number of college eligible students sure to rise when the data from the classes of 2017 and 2018 are released. Our preliminary college eligibility calculations of those classes indicate that we could rank among the top five schools in the county.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Members of the Fillmore Citizen Patrol are trained volunteers who assist in meeting law enforcement objectives for normal daily operations as well as during times of disasters and emergencies. Members of the Citizen Patrol Team patrol the community in a white patrol vehicle with ‘Fillmore Police, Sheriff Citizen Patrol’ on each door. There are currently 11 volunteers who have served nearly 800 hours of their own time to the Santa Clara Valley Community last year.

Fillmore Citizen Patrol volunteers are a uniformed function of the Police Department that works in patrol, at the station, and at the resource centers. The extra eyes and ears in the community allow deputies to respond quickly to crimes in progress and intervene on emergency situations.

By utilizing volunteer groups for such basic yet needed tasks, Sheriff’s Deputies are able to spend more time on patrol and focus more on their primary task - keeping our community safe.

The Citizen Patrol also conducts other community service duties provided by the Police Department such as parking enforcement, towing abandoned vehicles, and vacation house checks. In addition to patrolling our community, Fillmore Citizen Patrol members assist with parades during the May Festival and Christmas, and assist with our local Fillmore/ Piru Relay for Life.

Recently, Citizens Patrol members teamed up with the Sheriff's deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Department to educate the youth of our community. Citizen Patrol members have made short presentations to students on safety. Citizen Patrol members are also involved in afterschool and programs to develop positive interactions between the youth of and law enforcement.

The Fillmore Citizen Patrol has also awarded numerous scholarships to students within our community. For 2015 & 2016, scholarships totaling nearly $7000 were awarded to 8 Fillmore High School students. If you are interested in joining Fillmore Citizen Patrol, are 21 or over and live in the community of Fillmore or unincorporated areas of Piru and Bardsdale, please contact the Fillmore Police Station or Citizen Patrol Member Lisa Hammond at 805-524-2233.

Prepared by: Citizen Patrol Member Lisa Hammond
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

[Article Written By Jerrold Ridenour]

Good morning, I'd like to introduce you to a family-friendly event that is debuting next weekend in Historic Downtown Fillmore.

But first a quick backstory.

I have been a character performing at Steampunk conventions and events , Poplock Holmes at your service, a quick talking, fast rhyming Chap Hop MC (That's Victorian Hip-Hop) and have been at the center of the Steampunk subculture the last half decade. When they added art to STEM education a light bulb flickered. Steampunk literally is artistic interpretation and practical, creative applications of STEM technology. Instantly the vision of a pop up museum/circus celebrating the rich history of STEAM in America, specifically at a location where an old Steam train could be ridden and Steam engines be brought in and cranked on. A place with a historic feel where a Steampunk town could pop up with all of it's old world skills and craftspeople.

So I'd like to introduce you to The Steam Festival coming to Fillmore, Ca. November 4th and 5th. There will be Steampunk music, vendors, workshops, a scavenger hunt with STEAM lessons, Steampunk art installations with prizes for the scavenger hunt and other contests that help you explore the imaginative Steampunk environment. There is also a free field trip Friday for local schools to get a preview of the event and experience 5 demos (one for each STEAM facet) to experience through a visceral learning experience firsthand the practical applications of STEAM in the real world.

When the train comes to town it brings with it all sorts of colorful entertainers, contraptions & crazy spectacles to behold. The festival is one part science fair and one part traveling circus, “The STEAM Festival” sets up a world which co-exists in the old Train and Steam museums that dot the west coast. This time it’s in historic Fillmore, California. There are activities and adventures at every turn. A stage is brought in for the musical entertainment. A curated ensemble of Steampunk music create a festive atmosphere that will be live broadcast online and via AM radio signals by Steampunk Podcast professionals “Dreadfully Punk”. There will also be a vendor alley where patrons can grab their own goggles, top hat or any number of goodies and gadgets from unique vendors. Steam Machines will run at the Steam Engine and Machine display, a scavenger hunt will send children to all corners of the festival grounds to learn interesting S.T.E.A.M. facts as they complete their quest, and of course the museum will showcase their splendid Steam powered equipment. While all this fantastic fun is unfolding, there will be educational panels about items of historical significance like Antique Cameras, Antique Musical Instruments like the Theremin, Improvisation workshops, Junk build-offs, and more fun workshops at “The STEAM Festival”

There is a lot to see, learn, feel and experience at the first annual tri-fecta of Steam, The Steam Festival. Please visit www.thesteamfestival.com and feel free to call/email with any questions. Thank you!

Bob Crum

Long ago I bought my first camera while in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Okinawa. A 35mm film point and shoot gem. A delightful camera sufficient for my needs at that time. But not without quirks. The film counter seldom accurate. Exposure mostly a matter of luck. Were it not for bad luck, I would not have had any. Tempted often to toss it out of the RB-47 at 30,000 feet.

I brought that camera home and used it until the film advance lever jammed. At that time, Konica introduced their Autoreflex T which used an external light meter cell to set the lens diaphragm automatically for proper exposure. At least a better exposure than me skinny dippin'down at the creek. So I bought model T.

As cameras got better I bought into the Canon system... AE-1 and A1 cameras. State of the art film cameras all.

Which brings to mind that some still think “film” is the only true photography. Digital not authentic. Purists think photos printed from film have that “look” about them that isn't duplicated with digital processing. In a word: Pooey!

For decades I had a love/hate relationship with film photography. You load a roll of film and invoked a higher power for help. Select Tv or Av mode ('auto' if in doubt), mash the shutter button, and pray. No way to know the results until the film was processed and prints made. But I digress.

Besides gear limitations, creativity was greatly limited. I bought an enlarger and made a darkroom in the garage. Spent hours burning and dodging in the dark lit only with a red light attempting to create a photo. Many sheets of photo paper wasted in the process. Not even a little do I miss the ghastly odor of developer and fixer.

Back to the present and landscape photography specifically. Whether in Av (Aperture priority) mode or Tv (Shutter Priority) mode, float the ISO and proper exposure is less of a problem with today's cameras. What's left? The all important composition!

Too often, the biggest problem I see with up and coming photographers is that they don't stop long enough to ask: What is it I am shooting and why? What is the image subject and meaning? Too often too many think a great photo magically happens when the shutter release button is pressed. Au contraire. A digital camera merely records data... the photographer makes the photograph. Remember?

Which brings me to “style”. A photographic style can be applied somewhat by camera programming but style comes alive when imparted during photo processing. Yes, the dreaded post processing! But digital photography opens up a world of creative possibilities that couldn't even be dreamed of with film photography. Key word: Creative. Creativity is a photographers adrenaline!

One of the recurring questions I receive is whether the Photos of the Week are straight from the camera or processed. Straight from the camera? I always record photos in RAW (300ppi) mode. But a RAW image is only data. Like film or yore, it has to be processed.

Photo editing is a topic I have yet to address. Will do just as soon as I can present it in an interesting manner. Oy, the demands of a photography columnist are exasperating!

This week’s Photo of the Week: The handsome Great Pumpkin of Fillmore. Rumor is that the Headless Horseman lusts for this charming head. The clock ticks. Will the Great Pumpkin ride into midnight on a black horse?

Send your comments, questions or suggestions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

Video courtesy Fillmore Fire Department.

Chris Theisen, General Manager for the Ventura Regional Sanitation District spoke first in the Presentations part of Tuesday’s regular meeting. Unfortunately a camera malfunction forced this reporter to leave before hearing the discussion. His remarks will be reported in a later edition. However, a last minute fix permitted some photos.

SESPE AQUIFER EXEMPTION:
The Seneca Oil Company is seeking to have the Sespe aquifer removed from the Safe Drinking Water Act which would permit it to extend its fraction operations closer to Fillmore’s large aquifer. Approximately 40 opponents of the Seneca proposal attended Tuesday’s meeting and urged that the Council send a strong letter to the Environmental Protection Agency condemning such a move.

The Council unanimously agreed to send such a letter. Each member spoke out against Seneca’s plan, arguing that fracking so close to the city’s aquifer could have catastrophic consequences leading to an eventual contamination of the aquifer.

Councilmember Diane McCall recalled an old Western adage, “We fight for whiskey. We kill for water.” That statement metaphorically sums-up the determination of the Council and city to halt any attempt by Seneca Oil to extend its fracking operation closer to our aquifer.

The Council will send a strong letter to the EPA opposing such a move.

A meeting of citizens concerned about the proposal by the State of California to remove a Sespe aquifer from the Safe Drinking Water Act was held at 421 Sespe Ave. last Saturday. The meeting was attended by approximately 40 persons. The aquifer is not presently used for city drinking water but is approximately two miles from the city’s main aquifer. This is an area into wishes to extend its activity, which would include the process of fracking. Many Fillmore citizens fear that this process (forcing water down into oil deposits) could cause leakage into our aquifers, contaminating the water, which could not be purified. This group recommends a review of https://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/induced/myths.php

Fillmore Police Chief Dave Wareham and Ari Larson representing the Rotary Club of Fillmore attended the Rotary Master PRLS (District 5240) training in Oxnard from Friday, October 20-22, 2017. The classes provide valuable leadership training that participants can apply to both their Rotary and business careers as well as use in their personal lives. Fillmore Police Chief Dave Wareham received his graduation certificate. For questions regarding the Rotary Club of Fillmore please contact Cindy Blatt 805.906.4114