Steven Cortez

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on August 4, 2015, Superior Court Judge Mark S. Borrell sentenced Steven Cortez (DOB 03/09/94), of Santa Paula, to serve 39 years in state prison for two counts of attempted murder. A jury convicted Cortez in June 2015 of two counts of attempted murder in violation of Penal Code section 664/187(a), street terrorism in violation of Penal Code section 186.22(a), and two counts of assault with a firearm in violation of Penal Code section 245(a)(2). The jury also found true special allegations that the defendant intentionally discharged a firearm during the commission of the crime, and that the crime was committed in association with the 12th Street Locos criminal street gang. Cortez and Santa Paula
gang members Christian Castaneda and Ricardo Magana were arrested in December 2014 after Cortez shot two victims as they walked on a street near their home in Fillmore. The crime was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Castaneda previously pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle,
and was sentenced on July 15, 2015, to serve 19 years in state prison. Magana previously pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a firearm and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12, 2015.

Adrian Cervantes, passed away on August 4th, 2015 in a tragic car accident. Anyone who knew Adrian knew he lit up the room with his smile. He was always positive in his demeanor and joking around with family and friends.

Adrian is survived by his young children, Ava and Andrew, his wife, Lisa, and his extended family.

Adrian will be truly missed to all those who knew him and he will forever live on in our hearts.

www.gofundme.com/bng3ye46

San Cayetano Elementary was able to replace its roof thanks to a grant from the State Allocation Board.
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Workers have been busy over the summer at San Cayetano and Piru Elementary Schools replacing roofs, asphalt and improving our play structures.

Applications for Emergency Repair funding were submitted to the State in 2008. Due to the many years of the State’s fiscal crisis the funds were not awarded. In October 2014 FUSD, the only Ventura County district to receive these funds, was granted $3,091,742 by the State Allocation Board. This represents 3.3% of the total funding that was distributed State-wide.

This grant was allocated to 2 schools:
San Cayetano - $1,764,393
Piru - $1,327,349

These funds can be used for repairs to roofing, asphalt, playfields, paving concrete sidewalks, communications / fire alarm systems, painting, windows, flooring, fencing and replacement of one portable classroom at each school.

Some of this repair work has been completed since the time of this application. The district is reviewing prior payments to show that this work was done so that the funding can be moved from one project at the site to another project at the same site. This will help with the current cost, as the allocated amounts approved were based on 2008 costs.

We’re in the final stages of finishing the roofs, striping the parking lots, raking the play areas and getting ready to welcome our students for the new school year.

San Cayetano and Piru Elementary Schools are located in Ventura County and is part of the Fillmore Unified School District.

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Congratulations to the 2015 Fillmore Little League Intermediate 50/70 boys’ baseball team for such an outstanding season of baseball. Back in 2014 Fillmore Little League introduced this new division to the local citizens and it has been a success to say the least.This latest team accomplished to not only represent the City of Fillmore very well during the regular season but go on to represent the entire District 63 in the state tournament in Sub Divisional play.Great job and kudos from the local Board and the District. This is Fillmores second District and Section Championship in a consecutive 2 year period.

• Regular season record 21 wins – 1 loss ,runs allowed 45 –runs scored 239

• All StarCalifornia District 63 Champions 2015

• All Star Southern California Section 1 Champions 2015

• Appearance in Sub Divisional State Championship 2015

Aaron Keith Setty made his debut in grand style on July 27th—he was born in his parent’s kitchen. That wasn’t the original plan.

Clif and Christina Setty had prepared to give birth to their third child in a hospital, just as his sisters Michelle, 7, and Christina “Teeny”, 4-years, had been.

But around midnight Christina started contractions. Nothing to worry about, she thought. Braxton-Hicks, she thought. She had had two other children and recognized early labor. So she slipped downstairs and started doing dishes, straightening up the house, thinking the birth would be hours away. “My mistake,” she said laughing, “I thought I had plenty of time.”

Then the contractions started increasing in intensity and coming closer together, three to four minutes. That was when Christina considered the possibility that their baby was going to be born—now.

She did what any woman would do; she called her mother in Los Angeles and said it’s time.

About that time Cliff came downstairs to see if everything was all right. Christina told him to bring down some towels and get ready to go to the hospital. That was when things went into overdrive. Her water broke, and then the contractions became "very quick, very intense." Clif called 911 and the baby started to crown. So with his cell phone wedged between his shoulder and ear, Clif caught his son as he entered the world on their kitchen floor. Aaron was 8.2 pounds, 21.5 inches long, born at 2:10 a.m.

They wrapped the baby in towels, cleared his airway and he start breathing. Fillmore Fire arrived in time to "clamp the cord and I cut it,” said Clif, "Then it was off to the hospital." Christina wanted to thank the paramedics “for keeping us calm.”

“I wanted a natural birth, but not this natural!”

As for delivering his own son, Clif said, "Not too many people can say that. It was scary at first, then exciting."

Mama and baby were taken to CMH where they were both pronounced healthy; Daddy and sisters followed in the family vehicle.

The Setty’s have lived in Fillmore since 2007. As of next month Cliff will have served in the US Navy for 16 years. His rank is E8 Senior Chief, Navy NMCB3 at Port Hueneme since 2000. Cliff has served in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Fuji Japan, Okinawa, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Christine served in the U.S. Navy from 1998 to 2003, an E5 Second Class Petty Officer. She was stationed with Port Hueneme NMCB5. While it the service Christina served in Kuwait, Spain, Japan, Okinawa, and Cuba.

When asked what they would advise another expecting couple who might find themselves in the same predicament, they said, "Have lots of towels and try not to panic!