Fillmore High school Senior Jorge Hurtado was awarded at $40,000 scholarship from Edison International on April 15th, 2015. Photo credit: Southern California Edison. A total of 30 high school seniors across Southern California Edison (SCE) have been named 2015 Edison Scholars and each will receive a $40,000 scholarship from Edison International, the parent company of SCE. As an energy company, Edison International and SCE recognize the skills needed for its future workforce and the country, and focus its educational funding on programs that prepare students to excel in the science, technology, engineering or math fields, also known as STEM. The graduating scholars, who live in or attend public or private high school in SCE’s service territory, plan to pursue college studies in the STEM fields. Under the $1.2 million Edison Scholars Program, each Edison Scholar will be awarded a $40,000 scholarship paid over four years. Recipients may also be eligible for summer internships at SCE after completing their second year of college. Dependents of Edison International employees are not eligible for the Edison Scholars Program. Since 2006, Edison International has awarded more than $5.3 million in scholarships to 490 students. Edison International’s support of charitable causes is funded entirely by Edison International shareholders and SCE customers’ utility bill payments do not fund company donations.

Fillmore Unified School District

The April 21, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District Board Meeting began with a recognition of those that participated in the Fillmore High School (FHS) Art Show along with two announcements and five agenda items requiring approval.

Of the four Art Show honorees to be recognized, Rosalind Mitzenmacher, who teaches art at FHS, was the only recipient in attendance. Mitzenmacher commented that although the Art Show is in its 17th year, this was the first time she has been recognized. Board Member Lucy Rangel, in recognition of Mitzenmacher's efforts stated, "She brings out the best in our students and provides a service they enjoy and learn."

Board Member John Garnica mentioned that not everyone who made the program a success could attend the meeting, but "...all that contributed to the Art Show would receive a certificate later on." Those to be acknowledged are honorees; Josh Overton-Drama and Glee Club, Greg Godfrey-Band, Lourdes Juarez-Ballet Folklorico.

During information/discussion Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos announced there will be a Joint City/School District Meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Fillmore City Hall. Palazuelos informed the Board there will be three FUSD items discussed; (1) Military Banners, (2) City Mobile App., (3) Joint Use Agreement with the City of Fillmore and FUSD.

A contract was approved CONTINUED »

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On April 9, 2015, at approximately 4:40 PM, emergency personnel with the Fillmore Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Fillmore Fire Department, Santa Paula Fire Department, American Medical Response, and Gold Coast Ambulance responded to a two-car, injury traffic collision at SR 126 (Ventura St.) and Santa Clara St., Fillmore. The collision occurred when one vehicle, driven by John Toy, 65 of Fillmore, attempted to turn left from southbound Santa Clara St. to eastbound SR 126 and was struck by the second vehicle, driven by Michelle Artran, 36 of Oxnard, as she drove westbound on SR 126. Mr. Toy was injured as a result of the collision and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Ms. Artran and her four passengers (Nahun Orizabal, 25, and Lissette Ochoa, 24, both of Oxnard; Margaret Brown, 55 of Ventura, and Yvonne Bucio, 18 of Santa Paula, were injured and trapped in the vehicle for a short time. Ms. Artran and two of her passengers were transported to a local hospital for treatment, while the other passengers were treated at the scene and released. The collision caused significant traffic delays in the area for about two hours. The investigation into the cause of the collision is being conducted by the Fillmore Police Department.
Prepared by: Sergeant Kevin Vaden

The April 14, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting had five agenda items however five presentations and two Public Comment speakers filled the majority of the two hour meeting.

The City of Fillmore was awarded the Platinum Tier Level Status by Southern California Edison (SCE) Energy Leader Partnership Program, presented by Anna Frutos-Sanchez and Sue Hughes.

Fillmore was honored for reducing its carbon footprint through its conservation practices. A check for $122,098.92 representing the cumulative rebates was paid to the City for completing its energy efficiency projects. Fillmore is the first city in Ventura County to receive the SCE Platinum Award. Hughes told the Council, "The Energy Leader Partnership Program helps cities raise community awareness of the importance and impact of saving energy and Fillmore has been a great partner and sustainability leader, retrofitting their own facilities to be more energy efficient as well as providing leadership in the community....It gives me great pleasure to present the Energy Leader Partnership Platinum Award to the City of Fillmore, in recognition of your outstanding energy efficiency achievements."

Since Fillmore began the program it has achieved 1,273,294 in kilowatt-hours, enough to power 121 homes for one year, resulting in the elimination of 878 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to removing 185 cars from the road.

Mark Lawler General Manager of the Ventura Regional Sanitation District (VRSD) presented an update on where the District is today. VRSD manages the 343 acre Toland Road Landfill and a state of the art solid waste processing facility that extracts methane gas for future energy purposes. The landfill processes 460,000 tons of trash each year.

Lawler explained that CONTINUED »

This is the final reminder and invitation to the Fillmore Flower Show, April 18th and 19th at the Senior Center in Fillmore, 533 Santa Clara Street. The theme this year is “Bursting with Beauty.” Anyone, young or old, who lives within the boundaries of the Fillmore Unified School District may enter into the competitive categories. However, others may enter just to display their beautiful blooms and plants. There is also a written composition category for youth. Brochures are available at several merchant locations as well as the library. Or, all information can be found on the website: www.fillmoreflowershow.com

The show is open to the public from 1:00 to 4:00 both Saturday and Sunday. Along with the colorful flowers and lovely plants, the ambiance will be enhanced by piano and guitar music throughout the afternoon. Put the Fillmore Flower Show on the list of things to do as participant or a spectator.

Schoolboard member John Garnica presents Piru Elementary School Principal Diana Vides with the Administrator of the Year award.

The April 7, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with recognizing four FUSD Staff and Student of the Year recipients. On the agenda, an update on the Federal Program Monitoring, and discussions on a new Mission Statement for FUSD.

The first to be recognized was Student of the Year David Cadena (who was not in attendance). Cadena, a senior at Fillmore High School (FHS), has been enrolled in every AP class starting as a freshman, and received a 4.0 GPA or higher for consecutive semesters. He was also an elected member of the Student Council and has received numerous awards for his academic and sports achievements.

Classified Staff of the Year was awarded to former FHS graduate Alfonso Martinez. Martinez has worked as a custodian for FUSD for nine years, previously at San Cayetano Elementary School and presently at Fillmore Middle School (FMS). Martinez, who coaches soccer at FHS, was recognized for his positive impact on his school community. School Board Member Scott Beylik spoke of his dedication and remarked that on rainy nights before the roof was replaced at FMS Martinez would drive to the gym at 2am to place buckets in the gym.

Certified Staff of the Year was awarded to Mary Allyn Garcia. Garcia who is presently teaching at Rio Vista Elementary School, has taught at Sespe, Mountain View, and San Cayetano Elementary School. She has four children who have all attended Fillmore schools, and her husband who is also a teacher. School Board Member John Garnica commented he has known Garcia for years and praised her leadership skills.

Administrator of the Year was awarded to Piru Elementary School Principal Diana Vides. Vides is a graduate of UC Davis and the credential program at CSUN. She is the recipient of the ConnectED Apple Award and coordinator for the migrant program.

The Federal Program CONTINUED »