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Each Year, the National FFA Organization is proud to honor the FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. That honor, the American FFA Degree, is bestowed up on a select group of individuals for years of academic and professional excellence. The American Degree is the highest level that can be achieved as an FFA member. Attaining the American FFA Degree requires a solid commitment to agriculture and FFA, and is earned by less than one percent of FFA members.

Aaron Largen and Riley Wright, FFA members representing the Fillmore FFA Chapter in California were selected to join that exclusive list and were awarded the American FFA Degree at the 85th National FFA Convention & Expo. The convention is known as the largest student gathering in the United States and occurred October 24-27, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fillmore FFA Chapter is under the direction of Ag Advisor, Joe Ricards.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Writen by U.S. Attorney’s Office

October 26, 2012 - Southern District of California

Fourteen individuals were charged following a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-led investigation into the theft of over $1 million from Citibank using cash advance kiosks at casinos located in Southern California and Nevada. According to an indictment unsealed earlier today, the defendants stole the money by exploiting a gap—which required multiple withdrawals all within 60 seconds—in Citibank’s electronic transaction security protocols. FBI agents assisted by the Glendale Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department arrested 13 of the defendants in the Los Angeles area Wednesday and Thursday.

According to court documents, the alleged scheme worked as follows: defendant Ara Keshishyan recruited conspirators who were willing to open multiple Citibank checking accounts. He then supplied his co-defendants with “seed” money, which was deposited into the recently opened accounts. After the money was deposited into the checking accounts, Keshishyan and his conspirators would travel to nearly a dozen casinos, including the Morongo, Pechanga, San Manuel, Agua Caliente, Chukchansi, and Spa Resort casinos in California; the Tropicana, Wynn, Bicycle, and Whiskey Pete’s casinos in Las Vegas; and Harrah’s in Laughlin. When inside the casino, the conspirators, including Keshishyan, used cash advance kiosks at casinos in California and Nevada to withdraw (all within 60 seconds) several times the amount of money deposited into the accounts, by exploiting the Citibank security gap they discovered.

The indictment alleges CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

Some Agendized Items:

*El Dorado Mobile Home Estates Vesting Tentative Parcel Map for a Mobile Home Resident Ownership Conversion of an Existing Mobile Home Park.

*Request City Council to Adopt Resolution Authorizing the Acting City Manager, Finance Director and City Attorney to Examine Sales and Use Tax Records.

*Request City Council to Review and Approve the Executive Search Services Agreement for the City Manager and City Finance Director Positions.

*Receive and File – Comment Letter on County of Ventura Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Grimes Rock, Inc. Expanded Mining Facility Project.

SANDRA PELLA:
At this time, the city council has not sent out an RFQ to American Water. The council is acting in a prudent manner by entering into negotiations with American Water in an attempt to reduce maintenance and operational costs for the water treatment plant. Contracts are often negotiable, and considering the financial status of the city, the council is being proactive. The American Water contract was awarded in 2006, two years before the incumbents took office. Although incumbents Gayle Washburn and Jamey Brooks adamantly opposed the water treatment plant contract, they are now bearing the brunt of criticism for decisions made before they were elected, and the impact of those devastating decisions to the community. Four out of the five sitting council members favor negotiating the American Water contract, and if necessary, are open to RFQ’s from other vendors if an agreement can not be made.
The negotiations with American Water should be conducted in a respectful and business-like manner. It is proper business etiquette to allow the company holding a contract to make a proposal. American Water has serviced the city as agreed, and the action to negotiate is not a reflection on the company’s performance. They have also generously contributed chemicals to the community pool, and deserve to be commended for assisting the city with the cost of operating the pool. In its dealings with American Water, the council must be concise in communicating what amount of contract reduction is necessary, and allow sufficient time (perhaps 30 days), for American Water to either approve or disapprove the terms before considering other possible RFQ’s to competitive vendors.

GAYLE WASHBURN:
For clarification, there has CONTINUED »

James Alvarez Jr.

In September of 2012, a Thousand Oaks resident placed a personal advertisement on Craigslist, seeking male companionship in the unincorporated area of Piru.

The suspect and the victim exchanged text messages and e-mails then met in Piru late one evening. At the conclusion of their meeting, the suspect stole the victim’s cell phone and portable GPS unit and fled.

The victim reported the crime to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Fillmore Police Department detectives investigated the matter which led to the suspect being identified as James Alvarez of Fillmore. The victim later identified James Alvarez from a photo lineup.

At the time of the crime, James Alvarez was already a fugitive from justice, having an active warrant charging him as a felon in possession of a firearm, in addition to several other misdemeanor warrants. Alvarez was considered armed and dangerous. Based on the Craigslist investigation, Detectives knew Alvarez had returned to the Fillmore area.

On October 16, 2012, CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On October 21, 2012 Fillmore Police patrol deputies went to the 100 Block of Cook Drive in the city of Fillmore to conduct a probation search of a residence belonging to Mark Anthony Perez. During a search of the residence, deputies found a shotgun and ammunition where Perez had access. Perez is a convicted felon and a narcotics registrant who is prohibited from possessing firearms. Also arrested in the residence was John Glen Roberts for an outstanding misdemeanor domestic violence warrant. Both were arrested without incident.

Mark Perez was booked for 29800(a)(1) PC (felon/addict with a firearm) and 30305(a)(1) PC (felon with ammunition). He was booked into the Ventura County Jail – Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Perez posted a $50,000 bail bond.

John Roberts was booked into the Ventura County Jail – Pre-Trial Detention Facility with bail set at $10,000.

Nature of Incident: Probation Search Leads to Arrest of Felon with a Firearm
Report Number: 12-23661
Location: 100 Block of Cook Drive, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 21, 2012 @ 3:00 PM
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police Department - Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Mark Anthony Perez, Fillmore, 39
(S) John Glen Roberts, Fillmore, 37
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: October 22, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre (805) 524-2235
Email: anthony.aguirre@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

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).

Deputy Anthony Biter

The Thousand Oaks Police Traffic Bureau is investigating an injury traffic collision involving an on-duty Thousand Oaks Police Motor Officer that occurred on Wilbur Road north of St. Charles Drive in the City of Thousand Oaks. Marcia Obrien was driving her vehicle south on Wilbur Road. Deputy Biter was riding his police motorcycle north on Wilbur Road in the #1 traffic lane. Obrien entered the left turn lane at the location in preparation for a left turn into the driveway of the Center Oaks Plaza shopping center. Obrien then turned left across the northbound lane of Wilbur Road as Deputy Biter was approaching. Deputy Biter’s motorcycle collided with the front end of Obrien’s vehicle causing Deputy Biter to lose control of his motorcycle. Deputy Biter was then ejected from his motorcycle. Deputy Biter was transported to Los Robles Hospital via ambulance for his injuries. Obrien was not injured during the collision. The cause of the collision is still being investigated. At this time alcohol / drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision. Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is encouraged to call the Thousand Oaks Traffic Bureau at (805) 494-8271.

Councilmember A. Eduardo Gonzalez recused himself from voting on delinquent water bills, during Tuesday night’s Council meeting.

The October 23, 2012 Fillmore City Council Meeting had only two items on the agenda, delinquent water accounts and appointing a temporary employee; but the public comments seem to go on and on. Many of those who stepped up to the podium during this time basically repeated the same dislike of Martin Farrell, owner of The Fillmore Gazette, as they have done at almost all council meetings for months. Some used the podium as a campaign tool to show their grasp of Fillmore’s financial history and former Council Member Patti Walker spoke of how unfair and damaging it was for a newspaper to reveal that a council member owed an outstanding water bill of $95,000 to the City and asked those in support to standup to “tyranny”. Over an hour and a half of speakers address the Council as the political drama continued.

Some in attendance had come to the scheduled public hearing on El Dorado Mobile Home Estates vesting tentative parcel map for ownership conversion, but it was postponed until Friday, November 2nd 6:30p.m. Fillmore City Hall, due to parties involved not being able to attend until that date.

Only one of the two items on the agenda went into any real discussion and that was the Water Utility Bill Cycle and Delinquent Accounts. Before this item was discussed Council Member A. Eduardo Gonzalez made a statement admitting he has a large outstanding water bill. He said he and his wife have discussed the issue and decided not to declare bankruptcy adding, “I am not going to run away from this. I’m not going to hide away. I’m going to make every effort to pay for it.” Gonzalez stated that he has not asked for a deduction or reduced amount on the bill. Later a man who had been sitting in back of the room stepped up to the podium and asked Gonzalez, “Are you a respectful man?” and then repeated it and asked again. To which Gonzalez answered, “Yes.” The man just looked at him and turned around and walked out of the chambers.

When the water bill CONTINUED »