The One Step a la Vez Program actually began in 2004 when 12 youth started advocating for a safe place for teens to go to get services and to hang out. From 2004-2012 other financial agencies sponsored the program, but in June of 2012 the California and Federal NonProfit status was granted.

The Mission: Serve the communities of the Santa Clara Valley by providing a safe environment for 13-19 year olds and preparing informed, empowered youth who are equipped with the tools to:

• Lead,
• Cultivate cultural awareness,
• Bridge the gaps of inequality, and
• Advocate for fair, just, and healthy individuals and communities.

The One Step a la Vez Program has five main components, all of which are coordinated to provide a fuller experience and support for youth in various stages of their academic, personal and professional lives.

The five components are:

• A relaxing and welcoming Drop in Center (One Step Center) with fixed hours in which the youth can get help with homework, tutoring, access to computers, fix themselves a snack, kick back with friends and participate in OSALV activities and classes.

• Referrals:
o Information about and referrals to Ventura County Behavioral Health services. This is in individual referrals to services for individual and/or family counseling, drug and alcohol counseling or presentations on behavioral health services.

o Referrals to other services, camps and programs that are available to youth, appropriate to the needs of the youth and with approval from the parents.

• Social Justice Committees.These committees give youth the opportunity to learn that they have the power and ability to improve their community.

• Academic, College and Career support: Staff works with youth to write scholarships, get into colleges or technical schools as well as providing tutoring and homework support.

• Transition support for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, either through incarceration or formal or informal probation. Staff works with youth in juvenile hall or on probation to develop a plan for success and then helps them accomplish their goals.

• Community Support Groups and Services: In order to provide a wider support for the youth, the OSALV Program also provides classes and support groups for parents such as Domestic Violence Support Groups and Services, Parenting Classes, English Classes, Individual Family Counseling, Classes on legal rights, computer use, Mental Health First Aide, National Association on Mental Illness family information and support group and any other support that the community requests. The services are provided by professionals in the field and OSALV provides the facility, interpreting and child care (if needed).

• All youth services are free. A minimal charge may be applied for parent workshops.

Adrian Mejia was chosen by his peers to be the 2014 Fillmore Explorer of the Year. He has shown excellent leadership skills and is a great asset to Explorer Post 2958.

Adrian is the son of Adrian Laura Mejia. He also has two siblings, Adael and Laura Mejia. He was born in La Barca, Jalisco, Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of five. He has been a resident of Fillmore since then. Adrian graduated from Fillmore High School in June 2013. He was a member of the Fillmore 2012 CIF State Championship team in Cross Country. Adrian is currently attending College of the Canyons and majoring in Criminal Justice and has a part time job at Domino’s Pizza.

Adrian became an Explorer in 2012 and he has completed over 400 hours of community service which includes: assisting with Lions Club of Fillmore Christmas Parades, Fillmore High School parades, May Festivals, Toy Drives, Toy Giveaways, traffic control for Rotary 5K Runs, Camarillo Air Shows, Ramona Days and Moorpark Safety Days.

He has competed in several Chandler and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office competitions and has usually placed 1st in their running events. At every competition, he is looked upon for guidance by his peers due to his leadership skills. He is a great example to every youth that with hard work and a great heart you may accomplish anything.

It is with great pleasure that the members of the Fillmore Fire Department announce the 2014 Fire Fighter of the Year, Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Panke.

Firefighter/Medic Panke was born and raised in Arlington Texas and graduated from Randolph High School in New Jersey. He graduated from the Middlesex fire academy in New Jersey in 1997. In 1999 he moved to California and began his carrier in EMS.

Chad is presently employed by AMR American Medical Response where he serves as a Clinical Education Manager. He has also held the positions of Field training officer and Field supervisor.

Chad joined the Fillmore Fire Department in 2007, right at the time Fillmore Fire was starting their Paramedic program. He has attended the Oxnard Truck Academy, MCI drills, and multiple burn events throughout Ventura County.

Chad has been instrumental in starting the county’s first Cardiac Arrest Management program and has trained every EMS and Fire agency in Ventura County on this program that is responsible for saving many lives. This program was designed to choreograph the way first responders provide aid to someone who is in cardiac arrest. To help put this into perspective, Seattle Washington has some of the highest recorded cardiac arrest survival rates in the United States, and since the Cardiac Arrest Management program was put into place, Ventura County survival rates are rapidly approaching those of Seattle, and in certain categories of cardiac arrest patients, Ventura County has a higher documented survival rate.

In addition to Cardiac Arrest Management, Firefighter/Medic Panke has been instrumental in the development and improvement of numerous other programs within the Ventura County EMS system, including multi-casualty incident training and response, prehospital sepsis recognition and care, and ongoing EMS education.

Firefighter/Medic Panke is well respected by his fellow firefighters and our EMS partners. His strong work ethic, can-do attitude, and willingness to learn have made him a valuable part of the Fillmore Fire Department team.

Firefighter/Medic Panke’s love and dedication for EMS, firefighting and his dedication to the City of Fillmore Fire Department made it easy for us to elect him to be our 2014 Fillmore Firefighter of the Year.

Alex Ortiz has been in the real Estate business over 9 years after being associated with Large Franchises decided to be independent and join American Dream Realty in 2014. Servicing the Ventura County area since 2004, I want to make my hometown your hometown. My clientele personally believe in my Integrity, Reliability, Professionalism and the expertise that I provide. I am a fulltime Bilingual agent and pride myself in helping all my families find the home of their dreams that fits their needs. I believe in maintaining that small town feeling with my attention to detail. I believe in investing in my community and am a proud sponsor of Fillmore Athletic Boosters, Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clara Valley Neighborhood for Learning and a proud resident of Fillmore.

A Proclamation went to Joemil Reguindin, District Liaison, California State Board of Equalization, for their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) which offers free income tax preparation in Ventura County for those with incomes less than $53,000. Pictured right, Mayor Douglas Tucker.

Tuesday's Fillmore City Council meeting contained three new business items and three proclamations on its agenda. The restructuring of the Fillmore Senior Center was the first agenda item, with a new web site developer and appointments to commissions the second and third items.

During Public Comments Donna Volker, past President of the Fillmore Senior Center (FSC) Board, Charlie Alvarez, a present Board Member, and Bob Stroh addressed the Council. All spoke of their displeasure over the loss of the Multipurpose/Senior Center Building lease. There were a number of accusations directed at specific Council Members and statements that letters from FSC Board Members to the City Manager David Rowlands had been ignored. Volker asked if any of the Council had visited the Senior Center during regular hours, then answered herself stating "No" adding they had only came during their Open House. She then accused Council Member Diane McCall of turning her back on her when Volker tried to speak with her. She also stated that Rowlands purposefully refusing to speak with her. Members of the Council expressed surprise at the accusations. Immediately after speaking the three walked out of the Council Chamber.

The Senior Center was the first agenda item. It addressed creating an Active Adult Commission (AAC) for the Center. This is the first step in establishing an oversight to the Center. The AAC's responsibility will be to advise the Council on the establishment and provision of services to seniors in the community. They will make recommendations on the best way to operate the FSC including programs, activities and policies with a goal of promoting and assisting seniors to maintain maximum health, well-being and independence.

A big concern of the Councils’ was adding layers of red tape to getting things done. Council Member Manuel Minjares told the other members he wanted quick decisions and questioned who should make the final decisions regarding the FSC. McCall agreed with Minjares adding she wanted the people to have a voice.

Mayor Douglas Tucker CONTINUED »

Pictured are the Cops Running for Charity team from a past run. Left sitting/standing are Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Tim Hagel, and Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Randy Pentis, Retired, each served as Fillmore’s Chief of Police. Stock photo.
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After years of running all over the world and burning through countless pairs of shoes, Cops Running For Charity has reached a major milestone. They will be running a marathon in Antarctica. This will mark the realization of a long-standing goal to compete in marathons on all seven continents.

Logistically, running in Antarctica requires much more planning than their previous trips abroad. Just getting there will be an adventure in itself. The group will travel from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires, and then on to Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego. From there, the men will board a Russian icebreaker that will take them across the Southern Ocean via the Drake Passage on a four-day journey to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Despite it being summertime in the southern hemisphere, the race will take place in sub-freezing temperatures on ice-covered roads linking scientific research stations along the peninsula. Race organizers will have their hands full ensuring runners are adequately equipped for the difficult conditions during the race.

For years, CRFC has been making its mark in major running events throughout the world, including a multi-day run in the Sahara Desert, a marathon on China’s Great Wall, as well as events in Iceland, Siberia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Easter Island, Patagonia, Ireland, and numerous major marathons in the United States.

All of their events fulfill multiple goals for the group. They raise thousands of dollars for local medical charities, they promote physical fitness, and they enjoy the camaraderie of sharing their travels and adventures throughout the world.

The Antarctica team will consist of Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Tim Hagel, Ojai Chief of Police Captain Dave Kenney, Sergeant Frank Underlin Ret., Captain Paul Higgason Ret., and Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Randy Pentis Ret.

The team has raised more than $300,000 for organizations such as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, ALS, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Ventura County, Camarillo Hospice, and Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The idea of starting CRFC started on the back of a cocktail napkin more than ten years ago. The team’s motivation can be summed up by a quote from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

For more information about the team and how you can help support their charities, visit www.copsrunningforcharity.com or contact Commander Tim Hagel at (805)947-8189 or retired Commander Randy Pentis at (818)661-8540.

Nature of Incident: Cops Running For Charity To Run On Seventh Continent
Location: Antarctic Peninsula
Date & Time: Mar. 9, 2015 @ 9:00 am
Unit(s) Responsible: Cops Running For Charity
Prepared by: Sgt. Eric Buschow
News Release Date: Feb. 12, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Eric Buschow (805)947-8129
eric.buschow@ventura.org
Approved by: Cmdr. Tim Hagel

City of Fillmore

01/21/15
Search Warrant
200 Blk. 4th St.
700 Blk. 4th St.
400 Blk. River St.
Battery
700 Blk. Ventura St.
Robbery
500 Blk. Main St.
Narcotics Violation
500 Blk. Via Rodea
Prowler
800 Blk. Hume Dr.
01/22/15
Theft Vehicle
300 Blk. Dove Ct.
1000 Blk. Oliver St.
Search Warrant
1000 Blk. Howard St.
200 Blk. Waterford Ln.
200 Blk. 4th St.
500 Blk. Saratoga St.
Brandishing
E St. / Ventura St.
Disturbance Noise
900 Blk. Foothill Dr.
Theft CONTINUED »

There has been a longstanding rift between the City and the Senior Center over a facility rental contract. And despite months of discussions, with both sides stating their case, the problems between the Fillmore Senior Center Inc. (FSCI) and the City of Fillmore has only grown wider. The latest problem is a threatened lawsuit led by FSCI President Patti Walker, if the Center’s rental contract with the City is not renewed.

And with almost $130,000 already paid out in settled claims by two now former employees for “harassment suffered by Board members at the center” the City has taken action to correct the inappropriate environment.

Rental Contract:
The rental contract involves the Multipurpose Building/Senior Center which belongs to the City as a result of the dismantling of all former Redevelopment Agencies assets as required by the State. To oversee the asset disposal process the County of Ventura created an Oversight Board. Members of that Board are Walker, Dr. Mike Bush, Shannon Godfrey, David Keebler, Janice Turner, Vice Chair Jeff Burgh and Chair Rick Neal.
Back on November 18, 2014, during a City Council Meeting's closed session, the FSCI rental agreement was discussed. Those discussions resulted in a letter dated November 20, 2014 informing FSCI "....(T)he City's financial situation has improved such that the City is now able to provide new services to residents. Some of these new services include the expansion of park and recreation classes including classes for seniors. For this reason, and because some of the City-sponsored activities and classes being held at other venues have outgrown their current location, the city desires to retake full time possession of its multipurpose building......the City hereby gives FSCI notice of termination of the two agreements effective July 1, 2015."

Walker Letter:
On November 26, 2014 CONTINUED »

A traffic signal pole was knocked down by a Ford F210 Pickup truck as the result of an collision with a Chrysler PT Cruiser.
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On Friday, February 13, 2015, at approximately 5:38pm, Fillmore Deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at the intersection of Ventura Street (SR126) and “C” Street. The accident included two vehicles, a Ford F250 pickup and a Chrysler PT Cruiser. The driver of the Ford Pickup, Robert Gamble, was traveling westbound on Ventura Street and the Driver of the PT Cruiser, Harrison Terry, was traveling eastbound preparing to make a left turn (North) onto “C” Street. As the two vehicles entered the intersection they collided head on. The Ford Truck continued Westbound colliding with the traffic control light pole on the corner, taking the pole down. Due to the significant injuries, Traffic Investigator Sr. Deputy John Popp was called to the scene. Terry and his two passengers were transported to VCMC for injuries ranging from minor to major injuries. Gamble was uninjured. Parties Involved: Gamble, Robert Santa Maria Unk. Party Involved: Terry, Harrison Santa Paula 75. Victim: Unknown
Name. Santa Paula 81. Victim: Unknown Name. Santa Paula 58. Prepared by: Dave Sparks / Sergeant

Assistant FUSD Superintendent Martha Hernandez presented the Board a Local Education Agency (LEA) Plan Revision. Each LEA is required to develop a plan on how Title I (U.S. Dept. of Education) monies are to be spent.
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Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos announced during the February 17, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) meeting that the American Dream Foundation (ADF) has awarded the District $7,500. ADF is a non-profit out of Ogden, Utah whose mission statement reads, “To assist in the personal and economic improvement and development of disadvantaged individuals.” Norma Sandford-Perez was instrumental in obtaining the gift and will be overseeing its distribution.

Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez presented the Board a Local Education Agency (LEA) Plan Revision. Each LEA is required to develop a plan on how Title I (U.S. Dept. of Education) monies are to be spent. Under Title I "(S)chools must focus Title I services on children who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet State academic standards. Schools enrolling at least 40% of children from low-income families are eligible to use the funds for school wide programs designed to upgrade their entire educational programs to improve achievement for all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students."

FUSD qualifies for the low-income and lowest-achieving requirements for Title I. The District has been in Program Improvement for three years. The goal of Title I funds is to upgrade the instructional programs, which have to be identified in the plan. Hernandez presented the Board with the plan, along with 40 others who are part of the District Leadership Team.

Next, Palazuelos gave an update on the repair/replacement of the fire alarm system at Fillmore Middle School (FMS). The fire alarm system has not been in working order at FMS for at least a month, but there has been and will remain a fire watch until fixed. Sammy Nigrete is watching the school during the day, the custodians have evening watch and a staff member has the nights. The company doing the work, Simplex, arrived on campus February 16th with all the components and the infrastructure repair will be complete by next week.

Water contacting the low voltage wiring was cited as the cause of failure. Palazuelos told the Board, "We're still determining the root cause." Insurance covers all costs including the fire watch hours, minus the deductible.

The District has hired a new Technology Technician, bringing the number to four. Three will maintain the District Office and one will support the Fillmore High School campus.

Board Member Sean Morris addressed the proposal on the new housing in Piru. Construction had not yet begun. Morris mentioned that Ventura County has possibly given builders a pass on paying Development Impact Fees (DIFs) to encourage low income housing construction, which may cause funds shortage for education. DIFs are what cities use to build schools for children who will reside in the new homes. The Board agreed to investigate if the County plans to wave the fees, preparing a plan to have them reconsider.

Finally, students from Fillmore High School will receive workshop training on how to teach elementary students basics about biology and educate them about the River Restoration Project this Saturday, February 21st. Also, the Drama Club will be selling t-shirts to raise money for their upcoming play "Halls of Horror", opening March 13th.