Frank Hurtado, 46

Approximately one month ago, the victims in this case had a large amount of cash stolen from their residence by an unknown suspect. The crime prompted the victims to install a Wi-Fi enabled motion activated camera system in their home which operates with an application on the victim’s cell phone.

At approximately 0800 hours, on June 6, 2016, the victims received notification that motion was detected inside their home in the 500 block of Kensington Drive, Fillmore. Upon watching the live feed from the camera, the victims immediately recognized their neighbor, Frank Hurtado,46, inside their home. The victim immediately called the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived and determined an additional theft of money occurred.

After an investigation, detectives tracked down and arrested Hurtado for residential burglary on June 6th. Hurtado was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Bail was set at $150,000.00.

This crime may have gone unsolved if not for the use of modern technology which has become more affordable and easy to use. If you have any questions, or would like crime prevention tips, please contact the Fillmore police department.

Prepared by: Detective John Fox

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).

A wrong way driver on Highway 126 near Center Street, Piru, caused a head-on collision which killed him and took the lives of two Fillmore women. On Sunday, June 12th, at about 1:45am, Carlos Sanchez-Romero, 35 of Los Angeles, was driving eastbound in the westbound lane at a reported high rate of speed in a 2015 Kia Optima. He struck head-on a 2012 Toyota driven by Esmeralda Escobedo, 31, and her mother Maria, 53, both of Fillmore. All three were pronounced DOA at the scene. Highway 126 in that area was closed until shortly before 6am for accident investigation. The collision is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol’s Moorpark Area office. Any possible witnesses are encouraged to contact the CHO Moorpark office at 553-0800.

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) has launched a special Father’s Day promotion of $25 off adoptions of all big dogs (50 lbs. or over,) during the month of June. SPARC has too many large dogs being surrendered by owners and being brought in as strays, and needs to find homes immediately for as many dogs as possible.

“We’ve taken in so many big dogs in recent weeks that we urgently need the public to come and adopt them, as we are running out of space,” said SPARC’s executive director, Nicky Gore-Jones.

As a “No-Kill, No Excuses” shelter, SPARC provides low cost spay and neuter services for only $10 per animal, cat or dog, and urges the public to have their pets spayed or neutered to avoid the pet overpopulation problem currently inundating all shelters in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Anyone who would like to take advantage of the special Father’s Day promotion is encouraged to visit SPARC to meet the big dog of their choice, this week.

SPARC is a non-profit, 501C3 shelter that relies on the public for financial, adoption and volunteer support.

Fillmore, CA – As part of a national one-to-one technology initiative, Apple will soon put the latest iPads, Apple TVs and MacBook Air devices into the hands of every student and staff member at Piru Elementary School in the Fillmore Unified School District. Thanks to a competitive grant awarded in October 2014 by Apple ConnectEd, the oldest school in the District will officially become among the most technologically advanced. Piru Elementary was one of 114 schools nationwide and one of only 11 in the entire state of California to receive funding.

This is cause for celebration when the first of many Apple device rolls outs begins at a gala celebration at Piru Elementary on June 2 at 8 a.m. Local elected officials, administrators, site staff and students and parents will be on hand as Apple gives out MacBook Air devices to teachers and conducts the first of what will be more than 17 days of staff training over the upcoming school year.

“Our participation in the Apple ConnectED initiative will help us extend teaching and learning across every classroom and platform at Piru Elementary School,” said Dr. Adrian Palazuelos, Fillmore District Superintendent. “We are overjoyed to be a partner with Apple in this work and know that it will have tremendous benefit and relevance for our entire school community.”

Apple’s ConnectEd grant provide products, support and opportunities to schools that need them most. Every student at Piru Elementary will receive an iPad that each will use at school and home to integrate classroom learning on a daily basis. Every teacher and administrator will receive an iPad and MacBook Air. All classrooms on campus will be outfitted with upgraded/enhanced connectivity, Apple TVs and supplemental projectors where needed. In addition, Apple will provide all professional services, project management, ongoing professional development and any essential third-party application or component.

Students and teachers will have the opportunity to continue learning beyond the walls of the classroom with free mobile broadband services from AT&T.

“This grant is a very exciting opportunity and will have a tremendous impact on our students and community,” said Martha Hernandez, District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “This amazing technology will enrich the educational experience for our students by bringing an awareness of new fields of study and career opportunities.”

Not only that, these resources promise to launch students, parents and staff at Piru Elementary to the highest levels of global competence. Teachers and staff will become well-trained facilitators and experts at leveraging their new digital tools, enabling students to create their own knowledge and compete and succeed in an increasingly complex digital world and future economy.

“I am thrilled by this recognition from Apple and excited to embark on our journey to a different level of excellence,” said Diana Vides, Principal of Piru Elementary and author of the school’s ConnectED grant. “This funding will give my students access to the world at their fingertips, a wealth of knowledge and resources to my staff and amazing opportunities for our entire community.”

Visit http://www.apple.com/education/connectED/ to learn more about Apple and ConnectED.

Megan Luna-Baker has been named Fillmore Middle School Employee of the Year. Principal Scott Carroll is pictured with Megan.

My name is Megan Baker and I have been teaching at Fillmore Middle School for four years. I received my credential and Master of Science in Special Education at California Lutheran University. My dream was to come back to the Fillmore Unified School District and give back to the community that helped shape me into the person I am today.

I graduated from Fillmore High School in 2007. I remember during my Freshman orientation for high school that we were asked who do we want to be. My mission in life was to be known for love and compassion that knows no bounds. I thank my principal Scott Carroll and the staff at Fillmore Middle School for recognizing my love, compassion, and commitment to my students and presenting me with employee of the year at Fillmore Middle School. It is an honor to teach at FMS and for the Fillmore Unified School District.

Fillmore High School graduating senior, Alondra Ramos (right) is the recipient of the 2016 Rosie Torres Scholarship For Future Teachers. Michael Torres (left) recently presented the award at an on-campus ceremony.

Fillmore, CA — Alondra Ramos, a graduating Fillmore High School senior, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Rosie Torres Scholarship for Future Teachers. Members of the Torres family were on hand to present Ramos with the $1,000 scholarship at a June 1 award ceremony held on campus.

“At the center of every effective education system is the classroom teacher,” says Michael Torres. “We congratulate Alondra for her performance in the classroom and the dedication, hard work, and ambition she has demonstrated throughout her high school years. We wish her success as she embarks on her next goal to become part of the future generation of educational leaders.”

The Rosie Torres Scholarship For Future Teachers was established three years ago to provide college financial assistance to Fillmore High School graduating seniors with plans to pursue a career in early childhood education, elementary education or secondary education.

Rosie Torres devoted nearly 30 years to teaching in Fillmore Unified School District and touched the lives of hundreds of students throughout her career as an educator and community volunteer. Along with her family, she established the scholarship program to inspire the next generation of teachers and invest in Fillmore High School students who are committed to improving the lives of children.

Awards are determined based on academic performance, teacher recommendations and a written essay.
Ramos’ future plans are to attend Ventura College and the University of California, Santa Barbara to pursue a teaching credential, with a focus on mathematics.

Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola spoke at the May 10th council meeting on behalf of the acceptance of field inventory of properties requiring weed and rubbish abatement, instruction to the Fire Chief to notify those property owners, and adoption of the City Council resolution NO. 16-3530 declaring said properties to be a public
nuisance and setting a public hearing for abatement on June 14, 2016.

Gurrola acknowledged that weeds and rubbish can cause a nuisance, but more importantly a fire hazard. He brought forth the possible issues of who was on the list, but assured the Council that any misunderstandings would be resolved promptly. The motion to accept the field inventory was carried.