The Future Farmers of America along with the students who attended the Navy Seal Challenge were presented at the May 20, 2014 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting. Other items were software analysis, computer/operations upgrades and a special program at Sierra High School.

Anna Morilli, Fillmore High School Dean of Students, introduced the Future Farmers of America Timmy Klittich, Jessica Manginelli, Hannah Wisart, Jaylene Ortiz, Macie Wokal and Chris Berrington. Each student carried with them various plaques given by political leaders in recognition of their achievement and importance to both the community and the country. Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino addressed the students stating, "We want to promote the future leaders of this country."

Next presented were Fillmore High School (FHS) students, Nick Bartels, Joshua Ruiz, Angel Velez, Matthew Hammond, Jessie Vasquez, Michael Castro, Donovan Mittchel and Terell Morales (not present), who participated in the US Navy Seals Challenge at US Navel Base in Coronado, California. This is an invitation only event and FHS was one of a few to receive the privilege. A short presentation showing much of what the participants endured, such as running three miles carrying sandbags, 70 pull-ups, and 300 sit-ups and push-ups. The students did an outstanding job and were told FHS students will be invited back.

Sierra High School teacher Laura Todis gave a report on the progress of the School Yard Habitat & Restoration Program. Students grades kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, 7th and high school are learning about the native plants, fish, birds and other living habitat that depend on the Santa Clara River. They visit the eight stations along the river and observe first hand how trash contaminates and endangers the natural habitat. Some attended the program last year and today can see how the drought has impacted water flow, which encouraged the students to conserve water. Todis informed the Board that the program is building skills important to the Common Core Standards.

During the Educational CONTINUED »

Memorial Day services will be held at the Bardsdale Cemetery on Monday, May 26th at 11AM. Featured speaker this year is Commander Michael J. Hammond, Retired, United States Navy. Commander Hammond has ties to Fillmore including his Uncle the Rev. Bob Hammond who will be giving the Inspirational Message. Michael is also the grandson of the late Reg Hammond and great grandson of George & Gertrude MacPherson all of Bardsdale. Commander Hammond graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1988 following in his father’s footsteps who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1966. He attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida and became a full-fledged “unrestricted” naval aviator in February 1990. Unrestricted refers to helicopter pilots since they are the only ones authorized to fly both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. He served several squadrons in San Diego and Hawaii, deploying aboard cruisers, frigates & destroyers, assigned all over the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf including a deployment as part of Operation Desert Storm. In total he amassed over 2000 flight hours over a lengthy career, During his last squadron tour he was sent to the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor Training Course in Fallon, Nevada, graduating with the first class of instructors for his type of helicopter. Six years later he was chosen to stand up his community’s first ever Weapons School and serve as Commanding Officer. In 2006, after relinquishing command he moved his family to Fairfax, Virginia where he served out the remainder of his naval career at the Pentagon. He and his family still reside in Fairfax, Va. and after 23 years of active duty service Michael retired in 2011. He continues to serve in the Department of Defense as a defense contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton. Michael is married to his wife Pam and has four children.
Special Music will be provided by the Bardsdale Methodist Church Choir. Also assisting in the service will be VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3409 and
Garcia Funeral Home. Flags will be placed on Veteran’s graves on Friday, May 23rd by the Boy Scouts and will be picked up on Tuesday, May 27th by the Bardsdale 4H. The
Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Scott Lee - President, Lynda Edmonds - Secretary, Rita Rudkin, Gabriel Asenas and Dick Diaz along with Cemetery Manager
Doug Basolo and his staff would like to invite the community to this special event.

City of Fillmore

04/29/14
Disturbance Music/Noise
400 Blk. 1st St.
800 Blk. 4th St.
Accident Non - Injury
900 Blk. 3rd St.
Theft
900 Blk. Blaine Ave.
Abandoned Vehicle
1100 Blk. Meadowlark Dr.
Battery
300 Saratoga St.
Vandalism
Bard St./ Saratoga St.
Search Warrant
700 Blk. Island View St.
04/30/14
Surveillance
301 B St.
Hit & Run Non - Injury
500 Blk. Sespe Ave.
Keep the Peace
300 Blk. Saratoga St.
Disturbance Music/Noise
800 Blk. 4th St.
Los Serenos Dr./Sierra Vista Ave. CONTINUED »

Ventura County, CA - Last week, the U.S. Forest Service unveiled an oil company’s proposal to hydraulically fracture eight oil and gas wells on federal public land in the Los Padres National Forest. The wells – located north of Fillmore in the Sespe Oil Field – would bring the total number of wells fracked in the Sespe to 18 in the last three years, making this the highest concentration of fracking along California’s central coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Along with the eight wells, the oil company – Seneca Resources Corporation of Houston, Texas – is seeking permission to construct nearly two miles of new pipelines, a 12,600-gallon tank, and other industrial facilities in this remote area.

“Like most of the wells completed previously in the Sespe Oil Field, the new wells would be hydraulically fractured as part of completing the wells for production,” states Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Ken Heffner in a letter to interested parties dated May 2, 2014.

The Forest Service will accept public comments on the three-page announcement until June 4, 2014. Then, officials state that they will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) and could approve the wells as early as next year. An EA is a concise, less-detailed analysis than a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Forest Service must prepare a full EIS for any proposal that may have a significant environmental impact, as well as for issues such as fracking that involve substantial controversy.
“Fracking eight wells and constructing two miles of pipeline in an environmentally sensitive area clearly warrants a full, thorough, and careful analysis in an EIR,” said Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Barbara that monitors fracking and oil drilling throughout the Los Padres National Forest. “There’s too much at stake to fast-track fracking in our forest.”

Hydraulic fracturing – commonly known as “fracking” – is a process whereby water, sand, and thousands of gallons of chemical additives are injected underground to break apart rock formations and stimulate the extraction of oil and gas. The technique has come under increasing scrutiny from scientists, regulators, and the public due to concerns with groundwater contamination, surface water pollution, water consumption, and public health. Hundreds of fracking chemicals are known to be toxic to humans and wildlife, and several are known to cause cancer.
Located approximately four miles north of Fillmore in Ventura County, the Sespe Oil Field is one of the oldest oil fields in California. Approximately half of the field’s oil and gas wells are located on land in the Los Padres National Forest. The other half are found throughout a patchwork of private land that is intermingled with the national forest land.

The lands in CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

The Fillmore City Council agreed on April 8, 2014, at their public hearing, to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or person(s) responsible for the death of Adrian Moreno.

During the first week of May, the Fillmore Unified School Teachers Association (FUSTA) also agreed to add an additional $2,500 to the reward. Adrian Moreno’s mother was a former member of this organization prior to his tragic death.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact Sgt. Todd Inglis at 805-384-4730. The reward will be paid within six months following the conviction of the suspect(s).

Nature of Incident: Adrian Moreno Homicide Reward Increased
Location: City of Fillmore
Date & Time: May 14, 2014
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department and Ventura County Major Crimes/ Homicide Division
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Adrian Moreno Fillmore 18
Prepared by: Captain Dave Wareham
Media Release Date: May 12, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Todd Inglis 805-384-4730
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

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).

Santa Paula Police Department

On May 8, 2014, at approximately 1705 hours, Santa Paula Police Officers were in the area of 200 block of E. Santa Maria St. when they observed a Ford Expedition traveling eastbound on Santa Maria St. at a high rate of speed. When officers made a u-turn to stop the vehicle, it became involved in a solo accident for unknown reasons striking two parked cars. Both occupants fled and were identified as Jacob Escobedo, age 28 a transeint of Santa Paula, and Natane Chapman, age 22 a transient from Fillmore. A search of the area of was conducted. Escobedo was able to escape custody and Chapman was taken into custody hiding in a storage yard. Recovered from the vehicle were a loaded rifle, a loaded revolver, and metal (brass) knuckles. The revolver was found to be stolen out of the City of Oxnard.

Escobedo is currently a felony wanted subject for violation of PROS for child endangerment and felony resisting arrest. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Escobedo is being charged with the following charges: gang member in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, felony hit and run with injuries, possession of stolen property, and possession of a loaded firearm. Chapman was medically cleared due to injuries she sustained in the accident and transported to Ventura County Main Jail on the following charges: convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of metal (brass) knuckles, possession of stolen property and had an active warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

To report to Crime Stoppers from anyplace in Ventura County: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Text “BUSTED” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Text “STOP” to CRIMES (274637) to start a new thread.

Nature of Incident: Traffic Accident / Convicted Felons in Possession of Firearms
Report Number(s): SG1400776
Location(s): 200 Block of E. Santa Maria St.
Dates & Times: 05/08/2014 at 1705 hrs
Unit Responsible: Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims City of Residence Age
Suspect - Jacob Escobedo, Transient - Santa Paula, 28
Suspect - Natane Chapman, Transient - Fillmore, 22
Officer Preparing Press Release: Sgt. Cody Madison #1018
Press Release Date: 5/9/2014
Follow-Up Contact:
Approved by: Commander Ismael Cordero #1038

The Fillmore Film Commission (FFC) joined the Fillmore City Council's May 13, 2014 meeting to review their prior year activities, and plans they have for the coming year. At the completion of the review, the Council heard two presentations, discussed two items of new business, and three items of continued business. The new business was acceptance of a large donation by the Fillmore Fire Department and proposed Public Works Projects. The continuing business was a Council consensus on a proposed Curfew Ordinance, along with weed abatement and a contract agreement.

The Fillmore Firefighters' Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit started by Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, received two large private donation grants of $100,000 and $125,000. Both grants are attributed to the diligent work of Patrick Maynard who did the research and submitted the paperwork.

The grant monies were used to donate 27 handheld Motorola radios with desktop and vehicle charge capability valued at $95,000 to the Fillmore Fire Department (FFD). Landeros informed the Council that such radios are constantly being upgraded. The new radios comply with the upgraded Federal Communications regulations being used throughout the county and will enable FFD to communicate with other agencies.

Also, 18 Self-Contained Breathing CONTINUED »

During the week of May 5 – 9, 2014 the 18th Annual Quest Rally travelled throughout California raising funds for
burn survivors and facilities that assist in burn recovery.

The Quest Rally stopped at the Fillmore Fire Department facility on Thursday, May 8th. “Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors” is a non-profit organization managed by firefighters and civilians who volunteer their services and are dedicated to assist those who have been affected by burn injuries.

The organization hosts several fund raisers throughout each year in which donations are received and distributed on behalf of each donor to local burn centers and foundations as well as burn survivors and their families.