The Bardsdale Cemetery will hold it Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27th at 11AM.

Featured speaker this year is Carlos Martinez of Fillmore. Carlos has lived in Fillmore since 2007. He has done 2 tours of Iraq and a tour of Afghanistan. He is a graduate of Santa Clara High School where he played football. He joined the Army in 2004.and is presently a Sergeant, E5, When he is not deployed Carlos volunteers with Boy Scout Troop 406 and has helped them place the flags at the Cemetery.

The Rev. Bob Hammond will give the Memorial Service, special music will be provided by the Bardsdale Methodist Church choir.

Also assisting in the ceremony will be VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400 and Bob Thompson. The Boy Scouts will put out the flags on Friday, May 24th and they will be picked up by the Bardsdale 4H on Tuesday, May 28st.

The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Scott Lee, President, Lynda Edmonds, Secretary, Rita Rudkin, Gabriel Asenas and Dick Diaz would like to invite the community to this special event.

Stephen R. Stuart and Dave Burkhart discuss sewer bill payment options with council Tuesday night.

The Council is wasting little time in filling the vacant seat left by resigning Council Member Brian Sipes. They will be accepting applications for the City Council seat this week. The deadline to turn them in the application is May 29, 2013 at noon. A staff report will be written up and a decision by the Council will be made at a meeting on Friday, May 31, 2013.

There were less than 10 people in attendance at Tuesday's Fillmore City Council Meeting, a surprise considering an agenda item that could have a big impact on most City residents and businesses. That item was a workshop about placing future sewer service changes as an assessment on the tax roll for collection instead of being billed each month. The Sewer Ad Hoc Committee spent a significant amount of time on possible ways to cut costs and came up with a range of different ideas. The billing change was one idea proposed in an effort to help the City's cash flow and cut the drain on City staff, by eliminating monthly notices or water shut offs, which require City staff work hours. "The big issue," according to Stephen R. Stuart, Fillmore Building Official and Code Enforcement Officer, "is the unpaid service charges are a burden to the rest of the paying customers."

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The City Council has reached a legal settlement for the recovery of delinquent water and sewer bills owed from Orange Blossom Villa and Fillmore Convalescent Center---businesses operated by former Council Member Eduardo Gonzalez and his wife. The issue has been one that has frustrated the City Council as Gonzalez continued to face mounting delinquencies on his account, yet the City Council was sensitive to turning off water service to many elderly residents who lived at the facility and over 100 employees who would likely be unemployed if the business were to be shut down due to a lack of water and/or sewer service.

The settlement, agreed to by the City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting, was reached with the owner of the properties, Kenneth Dunton as Trustee of The Kenneth V. Dunton Trust, who in turn, leases the properties to Gonzalez for the businesses. Dunton told the City that he had been unaware of the delinquencies until the City brought it to his attention a few months ago. The agreement calls for Dunton to make an immediate payment to the City of $123,776.08 to cover all City billings that had not been paid by Gonzalez for water and sewer service through April 30, 2013, and that Dunton would accept responsibility for all water and sewer fees from May 1, 2013 for the Trust and for an anticipated new lessee for the property. Dunton had proposed, and the City accepted, that the City waive late penalties and interest accumulated on the account similar to an “amnesty” program that the City provided to all local residents and businesses earlier this year for those who were delinquent and wished to immediately bring their accounts current. For Dunton, this represented a waiver of $80,288.38 in penalties and interest, although all of the City’s “hard costs” are recovered by the City in the agreement. Additionally, under the terms of the agreement, Dunton will pay $2500 to the City to recover costs incurred by the City in the collection process.

“The City Council is pleased to have this issue behind us,” stated Mayor Rick Neal on behalf of the Council. “It is an issue which we all felt strongly needed resolution, yet there was a recognition that Mr. Gonzalez did not have the personal resources to fully pay what he owed to the City, and we had a major concern over the possible relocation of some of our most vulnerable residents if we forced the convalescent facilities into a possible bankruptcy. We greatly appreciate Mr. Dunton stepping in to offer a resolution to this dilemma. It brings to a closure one more issue that this City Council has been tackling on our road to economic recovery, and I am hopeful of other financial issues being favorably resolved in the near future.”
Rigo Landeros
Acting City Manager

Grad Nite Live had its 'Giant Yard Sale' which netted us $834 . We now will continue to sell our "Tri-Tip sandwiches, chips and a soda at SUPER 'A' MARKET (available week-ends only) The seniors are selling the tickets now until the 7th of June - Graduation is the 13th of June. We will be having a CAR WASH (watch for the date) also we will be selling LEIS at the Festival. We are $8.000 short, and the checks have to go out by the 25th. help if you can. thanks Mrs Chaney.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At about 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 20, 2013, a female was walking alone along Santa Paula Street, near Peck Road. A single male suspect confronted her, displayed a knife, and forced her into the nearby orchard. The suspect then sexually assaulted the female victim. The suspect was last seen running westbound on Santa Paula Road, toward Briggs Road.

The victim sustained minor injuries, but did not require medical aid. The suspect was described as a white male, between 20 and 30 years old. He was about 5’7” tall with a medium build. He was wearing dark clothing, including a hooded sweatshirt.

In February, there was a similar incident in the same area. That suspect had been described as a Hispanic male, about 35 to 45 years old, with a large belly. At this point, Sheriff’s detectives have not ruled out the possibility the two incidents could be related.

Residents in the area are cautioned to be aware of any suspicious subjects in the area. Anyone having information about the assault or the possible suspect is urged to contact Detective Matt Delahuerta at 805-384-4740. In emergency situations, always call 911.

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).

Nature of Incident: Sexual Assault
Report Number: 13-11162
Location: Santa Paula Street at Peck Road, Unincorporated Area of Santa Paula
Date & Time: May 20, 2013 @ 9:00 a.m.
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Male Unknown 20-30
Deputy Preparing Media Release:
Sergeant Jeff Miller
Media Release Date: May 20, 2013
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Matt Delahuerta / 805-384-4740, matt.delahuerta@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Chris Dunn

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Nature of Incident: Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle
Report Number: 13-10557
Location: A Street and Old Telegraph Road, FiIlmore, Ca
Date & Time: May 13, 2013 / 9: 36 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department, Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Female Jogger, Fillmore, 68
Male Driver, Fillmoire, 40

On May 13, 2013, at approximately 9:36 A.M., deputies from the Fillmore Patrol Station and Fillmore Fire Department personnel responded to a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle in the area of A Street and Old Telegraph Road.

The initial investigation at the scene revealed the female pedestrian was jogging on the Old Telegraph Road bike path and was struck when she crossed A street. All lanes of traffic were shut down while sheriff deputies, paramedics from AMR and the Fillmore Fire Department attended to the scene and victim. The female jogger was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center in serious condition. Investigators from the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau assisted with the investigation. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Thousand Oaks Traffic Bureau at (805) 494-8271.

The Fillmore Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind drivers to pay attention while driving near crosswalks and to actively look for pedestrians crossing the street. Additionally, pay attention for other cars on the roadway that might be slowing or stopping for pedestrians.

Prepared by: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: May 13, 2013
Follow-Up Contact: Deputy M. Berg 805-494-8271
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

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).

Laura Todis displays the award she received at Tuesday night's School Board meeting.

With standing room only this week's Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting presented, Sierra High School's (SHS) science teacher Laura Todis the Teacher of the Year Award. Shortly after receiving the award Jewel Smith and Jeanette Schulz from the pharmaceutical company Amgen Inc. presented Todis with a second award for Excellence in Teaching Science. Each year nine teachers throughout the U.S. receive the Amgen award, which includes a $5,000 stipend each to both teacher and school. Cynthia Frutos, Principal at Sierra High School, stated, "She (Todis) sets high standards....she makes learning fun." Frutos repeated what students told her, “She makes me want to come to school every day, she makes me want to learn.” Amgen has given over $3 million in awards since 1992 when the program started. During the presentation, Michael Glen with California Fish and Wildlife sent a message to Todis stating, "Laura you are an exemplary teacher" and wished her the best.

Todis began her desire to teach while studying for her Masters in Environmental Science. For the past three years she has taught a class of about 80 students at SHS and attributes much of her skills at teaching to an internship in Oregon her first year. Todis does a great deal of hands-on teaching including a trip to Channel Island next week with 20-30 students. Future trips include the Santa Monica Mountains and a Condor Sanctuary in Ventura County.

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Can you believe it’s here? The current Board Members of the Association started talking about this evening two years back. In fact, they started working on this celebration back then. On June 15th, 2013, all the hard work of putting on this celebration will come together, as Alumni from across the country and California will make their way to the Veteran’s Memorial Building for an evening of Laughter, Good Food, and Memorabilia from 100 years of our beloved Fillmore (Union) High School.

The celebration starts at 3:00pm with “Social Time” in the Building, and Patio area. Inside, there will be beautiful Pictures hung of each Class starting with the first Graduating class of 1911. Did you know that the first class consisted of only 4 graduates? Mable D. Arthur, Mary E. Cummings, Sarah N. King, and Albert G. Wiklund.

Out on the Patio area you’ll be able to enjoy a cool drink and, and seek out that old friend from years past. Also, out on the Patio area will be Hors d’ oeuvres, (for the early arrivals) of Domestic and Imported Cheese Display with Crackers, and Garden Vegetable Display with Dip.

6:00pm brings us the Welcome, and Greetings, from a few Board members, and then it’s time to enjoy a wonderful dinner presented by DJ’s California Catering. The Menu:
Entrée: Wood Fired Prime Angus Tri Tip with Creamy Horseradish Sauce and Fresh Tomato Salsa. Rotisserie Grilled Chicken – Breast, Wing, Leg, and Thigh Pieces. Penne Mozzarella Pasta (Vegetarian). Tossed Garden Salad with Italian, and Ranch Dressing. Grilled Vegetable Medley. Assortment of Freshly Baked Rolls with Butter, and Fresh Tomato Salsa.
Beverage: Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and Hot Tea Bar. Iced Water with Lemon.
Dessert: Drum Roll………………………………….Back by Popular Demand, Warm Peach, and Apple Cobblers with Vanilla Ice Cream.

After a wonderful dinner, we will have a short program with our guest speaker, The Chancellor from U.C. Merced, Dr. Dorothy Wilson Leland. She is a Fillmore High Graduate, from the Class of ’1966. We (Current Board members) could go on all night and talk, however, we realize that this special evening belongs to you. The great Folks who have supported the Organization for the past 100 years, and who have come from so far away to catch up with old friends, so rest of the evening is yours to enjoy through the night. Inside there will be music from the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, and out on the Patio you’ll be able to continue your socializing, and reminiscing of the good old days at Fillmore (Union) High School.

Be sure to print out a dinner reservation form here by visiting the Alumni website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com or call the Alumni Office, and they’ll mail one out to you. 805-524-0146. If you live in and around the Fillmore Area, you can always drop in at Patterson’s Hardware store in beautiful Downtown Fillmore, and pick up a dinner reservation form there.

Fillmore High Alumni Association: Onward, and Upward to the next 100 years!!!

Korea DMZ
Enlarge Photo

Korean AAV
Enlarge Photo

Photos and Story courtesy Cory Freeman

During the last month and a half the United States has been participating in the inter service international training exercise Ssang Young in South Korea. Members from the United States Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and Navy have been practicing scenarios in precaution for the event of a conflict arising on the Korean peninsula between the North and the South. Korean, Australian, and American troops worked in cohesion making preparations and executing actions to further strengthen interoperability between the nation’s militaries. The event was a success regardless of constant belligerent threats from Kim Jong Un leader of the Northern totalitarian regime.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 4/29/2013, patrol deputies from the Santa Clara Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a home invasion robbery on East Telegraph Road in the unincorporated community of Piru. The victim reported three suspects entered his residence, threatened him with serious bodily injury, struck him with a baseball bat and took property from him. As the three suspects ransacked the victim’s home for valuables, the victim was able to escape and seek help. The suspects stole electronics, prescription medications, and cash.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Gang Unit immediately joined the investigation with the Santa Clara Valley Station detectives. Through the course of the investigation, all three suspects were identified. Max Ziegler and Mendy Martin were arrested at a home in Santa Paula on the evening of 4/29/2013.

Sheriff’s investigators tracked the third suspect, Nick Crockett, to a motel in the city of Carpenteria. Crockett was identified and taken into custody without incident. Sheriff’s investigators served a search warrant on Crockett’s motel room and discovered evidence and property related to the home invasion robbery.

All three suspects were booked into Ventura County Jail for home invasion robbery with bail set at $100,000.

Nature of Incident: Home Invasion Robbery Investigation/ Arrest
Report Number: 13-9469
Location: 3500 block of East Telegraph Road, Piru
Date & Time: 4/29/2013 @ 4:40 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Nick Crockett, Ojai, 45
(S) Max Ziegler, Santa Paula, 21
(S) Mendy Martin, Santa Paula, 37
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Brian Slominski
Media Release Date: 4/30/2013
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Beau Rodriguez (805) 654-3541
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

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).

Jose “Froggy” Estrada. Photo courtesy Judy Fairall.

The Champ is here! On April 6th, at the Earl Warren Showground's in Santa Barbara, the M.M.A. 160lbs Champion Jose "Froggy" Estrada from Fillmore, went into the cage to fight Cota Taylor of San Luis Obispo, in a three round fight. This was a non-title fight. "A new year, and a new outlook for me," said Froggy. "I am ready to go -- ready to perform -- ready to make it my fight -- ready to put it down -- ready to put it all together. I want them to all know that Froggy is not done yet!” I don't know about you folks but it sounded to me that Froggy was ready two hours before fight time.

The Champ came in at an even 160lbs for the fight. With his training workouts six days a week at the West Coast Gym in Oxnard, three hours a day, Froggy was in tip top shape and looking forward to get into the cage.

Froggy was about to face his toughest completion yet in Taylor. He was seven wins and two losses in Muay-Thai fighting, and one win and no losses in M.M.A. fighting. "This is a big step up for me, but I know I am ready for him," said Froggy.

The Champ was focused in on this night. His Grandfather Rafael "Tata" Ramos passed away on February 2nd of this year, and "Tata" was on the Champ’s mind in a big way.

''He was a big part of my family’s life. We all miss him. Tonight this one is for ‘Tata’!"

Froggy not only had CONTINUED »