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
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Korean AAV
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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’!"

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David Morales, 33 of Fillmore, was sentenced this week to 25 years to life after being convicted of first-degree murder in an attack on his sister in 2010. He was convicted on March 12, 2013.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Morales on September 15, 2010 at his family’s apartment complex in the 200 block of Sespe Avenue, Fillmore. Deputies arrived at 6:01 p.m. and subdued Morales after a brief struggle as he attempted to flee the area. The victim, Maricruz Morales, 20, was immediately treated at the scene by Fillmore City Fire and taken to Ventura County Medical Center via American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance where she was pronounced deceased. The assault took place inside a residence after a family dispute. Morales was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on murder charges.

He used a variety of objects in the attack, including a curtain rod and a hammer to crush her skull. The jury also convicted Morales of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury on a second victim, his mother Roselia Morales. Morales attempted to choke her, then grabbed her hair, punched her in the head and threw her against a wall. He was sentenced to an additional four years to be served consecutively. The crimes were witnessed by neighbors who confronted Morales and attempted to help the victims during the assault.

Morales’ lawyer Claudia Bautista told the jury that he acted in the heat of passion after he was cursed at and hit with a broom and candle holder. Prosecutor Rebecca Day said there was no evidence that he was provoked.

Testimony at David Morales’ hearing showed that he became enraged when he learned that his mother and sister had packed all the family’s belongings for the move to a new apartment and he was told he could not move with them.
In 2006, he ate his mother’s parrot, according to court records. He was convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Tuesday's Fillmore City Council Meeting was the first meeting since Council Member Eduardo Gonzalez turned in his resignation. Council Member Brian Sipes was not in attendance leaving the dais with only three members. That is just enough to have a quorum. The meeting began with a presentation by Assistant Capt. Chief Bill Herrera and recognition of all those who helped with the Goodenough Fire. Also addressing the Council was Leslie Klinchuch regarding the Chevron Project and Roger Campbell announcing the upcoming Honey Festival and BBQ Cookoff. Other agenda items included replacing the vacant Council seat, finances, weed abatement, road pavement and possible revenue for the Water Treatment Plant.

An item of concern was what to do about the vacant Council seat left by the resignation of Council Member Gonzalez on April 15, 2013. Fillmore Municipal Code does not include procedures for filling vacancies or holding special elections, therefore the City must follow the requirements of the Government Code which states within 60 days after a vacancy the Council may appoint someone or wait until the next regularly established election date. The Council decided to appoint someone and not wait for an election. One of the reasons for doing so was the cost. To put it on the November 5, 2013 ballot as a Special Election would cost $23,000 and the person elected would have a term of only one year. If the Council appoints someone immediately there would be very little cost, excluding the time donated to interviewing. The appointment would be for a year and a half. The interview process consists of 8 questions (two from each of the present Council Members) and could take place as early as April 30, 2013 when a Special Meeting is being held to consider a new City Manager. The concern with having an appointment quickly is to assure there will be enough Council Members present to have a quorum at each meeting should one or more of the present members are absent.

Council seat applications CONTINUED »

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A play written and directed by Josh Overton is coming to the Sespe Auditorium, April 26, 27, 28th, May 3rd and 5th, May 10, 11, and 13th. It will be presented by the Sespe Players and the Fillmore High School Drama Club. “Totally Rad 2! Camp Bigfoot!” will be the big comeback play for Overton; more about that later.

Show times for the play are, Friday and Saturday shows 7pm: Sunday shows 2pm. Tickets will be on sale at the door or from the cast members and Sespe Players. The cost is $5 for students, $7 for adults; and the great bargain of $15 for every show to watch over and over again.

The play is based at a summer camp in 1988. The cool bright clothes and the huge hair will all be there of the 80’s and the music of the 80’s will be so rad! The young and not so young will all enjoy the musical written and directed by Overton. “This show drove me to be healthy as quick as I can,” stated Overton. After a long, hard, painful, battle with Cancer in August of 2012, Overton is back cancer free and working at what he loves best, Theater Arts.

“It was good to have a deadline to have a script; to have everything done in a certain time. It motivated me to get as healthy as soon as I could. The Theater and the high school group of young people at Fillmore High School are the reasons I wanted to get back to work and get healthy again,” said Josh. “I feel good right now. I am tired, but no more than any other show.”

The cast and crew have been working long, hard hours to bring Fillmore and Ventura County the best show possible. You all need to come and see what happens when a bunch of high school age kids show up for summer camp in 1988. Come and get to know Sophie the shy girl, and Eddie the Bigfoot loving nerd. Find out how cool Michael is and, how much Kim has a crush on him. Come and meet the wacky and funny camp counselors, Chas and Mags. They will introduce you to the bad kid, Kenny. And you may even find out why they call it Camp Bigfoot!

The music will take you back in time along with the over-the-top clothes and HUGE hair. This is one you’ll regret missing folks. Overton’s comeback play is one of, if not the best play he has written. “I need to say thank you to my Incredible wife Inger and my great kids, Ian, and Erin. Inger has always been my rock and my biggest fan, but this past year, more than any other. Inger has had to sacrifice and keep our family solvent.”

“I am more fortunate than anyone can imagine that I can still devote so much time away from my family to do this show, all because Inger supports me unquestioningly.”

Many thanks need to be said: Anthony Leal for all the hard work you have done to make this show work. To Tim Overton and his crew, this show would never work without you guys; Assistant Directors Lisa Munoz and Jessica Givan, and Director of Choreography Hannah Faith, the cast hopes we do you all proud.

So Fillmore come on out and have a great time! Get a babysitter for the kids under 5 years, make it a date night with a loved one or a friend. This is cheaper and better than any movie out there right now, and it’s live and done by hard working Fillmore loving people. I will say this Dude, It will be so Totally Rad man! And look out Fillmore, Bigfoot is out there. He has been seen around town, FOR SURE!

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If you could not find a parking space downtown last weekend, Thomas the Tank Engine is to blame!

Whenever the bright blue engine with the forever smile rides the rails into town, Fillmore quickly gets populated by a throng of young'uns from all parts of Southern California.

But can't blame the kids! Thomas the Tank Engine is soooo lovable... what with a huge beguiling grin and that oh-so unforgettable 'toot-toot'. That pervasive 'toot-toot' is not unlike the 'It's a Small World' tune playing in your head forever after a visit to Disneyland.

There's no denying that Thomas the Tank Engine is the epitome of charm. Accordingly... an often heard refrain upon disembarking after a train ride with the infamous Thomas the Tank Engine is: 'No Johnny, we cannot take Thomas home with us'. And Johnny sobs... hoping the tactic with soften mom and dad's disposition. Doesn't work. Dad justifies the 'no' by explaining that their boat trailer is just too small for Thomas.

But if you think the love affair is just between Thomas and kids... think again. Lots of grandparents are also seen swooning over Thomas. On the train... giggly grandparents wax nostalgic as Thomas nimbly propels them down the tracks. It's true... nostalgia is never out of style in Fillmore.

If you missed toot-toot... er... Thomas the Tank Engine last weekend... fret not! The big, blue choo choo will be rambling up and down the tracks again this weekend. All aboard!!!

Toot-toot!