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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 14th, 2013
08/6/13 |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
Well it's that time again, when the school bell rings on August 15th and classes begin. Tuesday's Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting was the first of the 2013-2014 school year and with it came some changes. Those changes include 20 new certified staff members and new principals. Fillmore Middle School has hired six new teachers in various subjects: math, physical education, special education, language arts and two in history. Fillmore High School has a new Vice Principal, Joann Dabbs and San Cayetano a new Principal, Trisha Gradies, along with five new teacher; Kelly Sebek 1st grade, Marie Enriquez k-1st, Lucy Sevenson, Alisa Mitchel, Gaby Lopes, Special Education Severally Handicapped. Adding to the lineup is the new Secretary/Executive Assistant Irma Mendez who moved here from San Diego to be part of FUSD staff. Another new face at the board meeting was the new Student Representative/Speaker of the House Kiana Hope, a senior at Fillmore High School. Hope informed the Board that freshman orientation went smoothly but there were less Student Ambassadors to help with the orientation and more freshman students participate this year than had in the past. One of the biggest changes to the district is the opening of the new school, Rio Vista Elementary. The new school begins with 530-550 students and 25 classrooms: three kindergarten, one music, one science and 20 for 1st through 6th grades. About 60 of the new students will have transferred over from Sespe Elementary due to new school boundary lines. The new Principal, Victor Torres, has taught from elementary grades to high school. His resume includes Granada Hills High School along with working in Palmdale at a turn around school as an assistant principal and today is also a board member at Castaic Unified School District. The School Budget is not as healthy as once believed stated Assistant Superintendent Earl Davis and is still a work in progress. Davis informed the Board of the difference in funding from what Governor Brown had originally proposed saying the bill..."went through a rush with 25 transitional bills that followed....like peeling an onion, what was promised is not as much as once believed...part of the increase was money we were already getting” adding that the expected increase will be over a long period of time and depend on the State economy and budget. He then cautioned stating, "We do not want to add things that in the long run the money isn't there." Reducing class size and the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) out of Sacramento was discussed. Class reduction goals began in 1996 under Governor Pete Wilson when the state was enjoying a budget surplus. The goal was to reduce class size in early grades (k-3rd) to 20 students. But the state budget in recent years has unraveled the program, which gave a generous subsidy of more than $1,000 per student, with schools contributing part on the money if class size was maintained under 21 students. In 2009 the California Legislature gave districts the right to raise class size to over 25 student and still get 70 percent of the subsidy they had been receiving. The Federal Stimulus dollars helped keep the program afloat for a few years, but those dollars have long since dried up and Gov. Brown is proposing to eliminate the protected funding for the program. Fillmore Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino told the Board it was another unfunded mandate by the State and that if FUSD could bring the class enrollment down by one student the District could qualify for the additional funding, but the District may be in no position to make those adjustments without jeopardizing other needed items. Under the new formula, district receive the bulk of their funding based on average daily attendance in four grade spans which recognize the generally higher cost of education at higher grade levels. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office LCFF works out per student per year: k-3rd grade $6,845; 4th-6th grade $6,947; 7th-8th grade $7,154; 9th-12th $8,287. If a district reduces class size and qualifies the base adjusted increase would be 10.4% for K-3rd and 2.6% for 9th-12th grades. But for school districts with 50% or more English Language learners enrolled the increase generates a 50% adjustment in the rate according to the Legislative Analyst's report (http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2013/edu/lcff/lcff-072913.aspx). But as Nishino stated, "It's an unfunded mandate" so there is no guarantee the funds will come through. Board Member Lucy Rangel questioned why the sports fees have doubled this year. She was not given a direct answer but was told the students could fundraise and that she would be receiving an informational report on school policy from staff in the future to answer her question. State policy states that no child shall be required to pay or turned away for not paying. Nishino responded, "We need to know where the money goes" adding that the law comes first then the school policy. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
 A very large Pine-variety tree fell on this Dodge truck and a car Wednesday, July 31st at 10pm. A pedestrian reported hearing a cracking sound and seeing the large limb break at its base. The tree is on the Fillmore Baptist Church property at C and First Streets. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
07\30\13 – 08\05\13
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department 7\30\13 |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
July 30, 2013 at approximately 6:53 pm, a motorcycle traveling approximately 65 miles per hour westbound on Main Street at Saratoga Street collided with a Honda Civic that was making a left turn from Saratoga Street onto eastbound Main Street. The collision occurred in the intersection causing the driver (29) and passenger (29) of the motorcycle to be ejected. The driver of the motorcycle was wearing a helmet and sustained moderate injuries. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. The passenger on the motorcycle, 29-year-old Francisco Andrade, of Fillmore, was not wearing a helmet, sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver (24) of the Honda Civic sustained minor injuries and was transported to Santa Paula Hospital for treatment. The other passengers in the Honda Civic did not sustain any injuries. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death. At this time the cause of the collision is under investigation. The Fillmore Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to call the Fillmore Police Department at 805-524-2233. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
 On July 24, 2013 three Military Banners were installed. David Lomeli (Army), Ashley VanWinkle (Airforce), Nicholas Paz (Navy). If you have a family member in the military and would like to have a banner installed please contact Virginia De La Piedra for infomration. Enlarge Photo |
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By Mark Ortega — Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
 Fillmore High Alumni Association Besides the fourteen scholarships awarded to members of the 2013 graduating class from Fillmore High, the alumni association has also awarded 19 $1000 Continuation Grants to former Fillmore High graduates who are continuing their education at universities, colleges or technical schools. Receiving these grants for the 2013-2014 school year are: Anthony Chavez, 2010 graduate who is attending U.C. San Diego, majoring in Political Science; Corey Cole, 2011 graduate who is attending Concordia University in St. Paul, MN, majoring is Physical Education and Elementary Education; Sean Conaway, 2007 graduate, attending B. Y. U. majoring in Business Management; Amy De La Piedra, 1993 graduate attending Moorpark College working for her Registered Nursing degree; Vincent Ferguson, 2009 graduate, attending Cal State Channel Islands, majoring in Mathematics; Jaymee Harter, 2009 graduate, attending Cal State Northridge, majoring in Public Health Promotion; Chloe Keller, 2011 graduate, attending Cal State Channel Islands, majoring in Liberal Studies; Jaynessa Lopez, 2012 graduate, attending Cal Lutheran, majoring in Biology; Kelsey MacDonald, 2010 graduate, attending San Diego State, majoring in Public Health; Kellsie McLain, 2010 graduate, attending U.C.L.A., majoring in American Literature;Moneh Magdaleno, 2010 graduate, attending Vanguard University, majoring in Psychology with a Religion minor; Roberto Munoz, 2012 graduate, attending Grinnell College, majoring in Psychology; Mariah Perez, 2011 graduate, attending Cal State Bakersfield, majoring in Criminal Justice; Grace Simon, 2011 graduate, attending Cal State Northridge, majoring in Communications Disorders;Troy Spencer, 2011 graduate, attending Cal Lutheran, majoring in Accounting; Karissa Tarango, 2011 graduate, attending Cal State Northridge, majoring in Psychology; Jenna Wilber, 2012 graduate, attending Westmont College, majoring in Liberal Studies; John Wilber, 2012 graduate, attending Ventura College, major undecided; Riley Wright, 2011 graduate, attending Cal State Channel Islands, majoring in Liberal Arts. Upon enrolling for the fall term at the school of their choice, recipients are to send proof of enrollment at the school, along with a short note letting the Scholarship Committee know how the first few weeks of college have gone for them. At this time, one half of their grant will be sent. The second half will be sent upon their enrolling for the second semester. |
 Taurie Banks with horse Tribal King and the many awards. Photo by Jeff Kirklan Photography. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 31st, 2013
Taurie Banks, of Fillmore, returned home from the 2013 Pinto Horse World Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with two World Championship titles and three Reserve Championships. Riding the Black and White Stallion, See En Magic, Owned by Sue and Richard Fleczok of Simi Valley, she won the Open First Level Dressage. She received a World Championship Buckle, Ribbon and a World Championship Jacket. See En Magic Went on to make the Top Ten with a Sixth Place in Open Hunters Over Fences and Fifth Place in the Open Jumpers. He also placed Fifth in the Open Hunter Hack. “I am so happy with Wizard (See En Magic)!” Banks said. “It has been a lot of work to get here, but Wizard was amazing. He really showed he trusted me in the ring, and relaxed, and gave me his best! I didn't know we had won, but it felt like a World Championship Ride!” She went on to add, “In the jumping, he was so relaxed and easy to ride. I really was able to enjoy the whole World Show experience”. Sue Fleczok, owner of See En Magic stated, “I am so glad that we found Taurie. She has the patience and the ability to read the horses, and work with them through any issues they might have.” Taurie also rode her American Paint Horse Stallion, Tribal King, winning the OpenWestern Dressage Level 2 World Championship Title and Reserve Champion. “This is a fairly new discipline in horse sports and I am very excited about it's future.” Taurie said. “My horse and I pushed ourselves to compete in the highest levels currently offered for Western Dressage and it paid off! Tribal King is such a supple, and flexible horse, he makes these harder tests a lot of fun.” Tribal King also won Reserve World Champion in the Open English Dressage Second Level the day before, and was Reserve World Champion in the Open Jumping, missing the World Championship title by just a few seconds. He also placed Fifth in the Open Working Hunters. “This was an amazing experience!” Taurie gleamed. “I had the opportunity to ride two amazing horses, in three completely different disciplines. My goal was to try and make the Top Ten in all my classes and I came home with Five Champion and Reserve Championship Buckles, and all my rides were in the Top Seven.” Tribal King was also awarded Reserve Show Champion for the Open Hunter Type Horses for the entire two week show, even though he only competed for three days. Taurie would like to thank Richard and Sue Fleczok for the opportunity to ride See En Magic and support they have shown in making this show a possibility. She would also like to thank her amazing, hard working groom, Bailey Brantley, who made sure the horses needs were always taken care of. Taurie Banks is the Owner and Trainer at Kings Corner Training Stables in Fillmore. For more information about Taurie and her horses, riding lessons or summer camp, please contact her at www.kingscornerstables.com or call (805) 727-3444. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 24th, 2013
 Fugitive Andres Rene Rodriguez, 28 of Oxnard. Fillmore Sheriff Department was out in force Saturday night in the Los Serenos track. Fugitive Andres Rene Rodriguez, 28 of Oxnard, wanted for homicide, was reported in the area. Sheriff’s officers followed up on the lead. He was not captured. Rodriguez is wanted in an Oxnard shooting, and the shooting death last week of Angela Bryant, 33, of Santa Paula. Bryant was found in her home Wednesday night with a gunshot wound to the head. She later died at Ventura County Medical Center. Santa Paula Police and Oxnard police are also involved in the investigation. Rodriquez has a long criminal history in Ventura County and has warrants out for his arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 24th, 2013
 On Saturday, July 20, at 1:55 p.m. a collision occurred between a Dodge Ram 150 and a Chevrolet Cobalt at the intersection of HIghway 126 and Central Avenue. No injuries to report at time of press. Enlarge Photo |
