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By Patric Petrie — Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
 Angel Nolasco In July 1982, Ronald Reagan was president, the space shuttle Columbia was landing at Edwards Air Force Base following its fourth mission, and a southern California truck driver, frustrated in his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot, went airborne in the skies over San Pedro with the help of a lawn chair and 42 helium-filled weather balloons. Meanwhile, in the heart of Los Angeles’ downtown, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Park, the 36-piece band from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro played the National Anthem just before 80 Hispanic youth held up their right hands and were sworn into the Navy. Then they boarded buses heading south to San Diego to the Naval Training Center for boot camp. The special all-state, all-Hispanic, all-city recruit company, “Los Marineros” (The Sailors), was conceived as a way to commemorate the outstanding achievements of Hispanic members of the Navy – Mayor Tom Bradley even issued a proclamation calling the day “Navy Hispanic Heritage Day” – and the event was seen as a valuable recruiting tool and a way to stimulate interest in Navy careers within the Hispanic community. One future Sailor, Angel Nolasco, the first CONTINUED » |
 The School Board voted to approve the layoff of 17 more employees throughout the school district. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
The April 17, 2012 Fillmore Unified School District Meeting began a half hour later than usual. The School Board took the first half hour to attend the Fillmore High School’s (FHS) Art Show at the Memorial Building. Upon returning the Board approved the unpleasant task of teacher layoffs. The 45-day layoff notice will be sent out this week to 17 classified teaching services used throughout the District. Those receiving the notices will complete the present spring 2012 semester, but in fall 2012 they will work less hours or not be returning. These cuts were necessary due to lack of funds or the work was no longer needed. The schools affected by the cuts are: Piru Elementary, Mountain Vista Elementary, San Cayetano Elementary, Sespe Elementary, Fillmore Middle School, Sierra High School, and Fillmore High School (FHS). Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino showed ‘Smarter Classroom, Smarter World,’ a 1990 video produced at Blackstock Jr. High School in Point Hueneme, depicting the classroom of the future. The video started out by saying it was February 2012, but that was just a coincidence. Nishino has been promoting integrated networks for many years, and believes computers can improve learning. “How do we engage kids when they’re ready, not when we (the teachers) are ready?” Nishino stated. The integrated network is designed to meet each students’ needs by allowing gifted students to advance at their own pace, and allowing those students that need more time to grasp a concept the ability to slow the pace. FHS’s Speaker of the House, Sammy Martinez, made a brief appearance to announce the Mountain Vista Rally is in the works and a time and date will be announced soon. FHS’s 14th Annual Art Show was a huge success with about 300 attending during the two hour showing. The 500 art pieces are the work of students from Ms. Mitzenmacher’s art classes. The exhibits had a wide array of genres such as wood carving, quilting, sketches, acrylics and more. When asked how the show is coordinated, Mitzenmacher said everything is student-run and there is no judging, similar to an art gallery opening. Tatiana Lesario and Brook Alvary along with 23 other students started setting up at 8am Tuesday morning. Many of the pieces were for sale at modest prices. The first $10 of each sale is donated to replace the classroom art supplies with the remainder going to the student artist. Art student Francisco Ortiz, a senior at FHS, was proud of his sport themed acrylic painting. Ortiz said he showed an interest in art at the age of 10 and looks forward to attending College of the Canyons for an AA Degree in Art after he graduates. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
 Sunday, at approximately 8:30 p.m., County Engine 27 responded to a car fire on Fish Hatchery Road. Enlarge Photo  The female driver, without passenger, smelled smoke as she entered the roadway. Shortly after stepping out of the car it burst into flames. Enlarge Photo  The car was destroyed though the Department responded very quickly. Cause of the fire was unknown. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
 Google Maps Street View paid another visit to Fillmore Tuesday. Weaving its path through our city streets its cameras and satellite equipment (on the car’s mast) capture photos of every house and every address, which can be found on the internet anywhere in the world. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
 A fender-bender occurred last Thursday night at about 8pm, at A Street and Highway 126. Fortunately no one was injured. Unfortunately the BMW had a For Sale sign in the rear window. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, April 16th, 2012
On 4/9/12, a carjacking occurred in the city of Camarillo. The suspect used a knife to force the victim out of the vehicle. The suspect was unable to drive the vehicle away and fled on foot. The victim, an elderly female, received minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene. The suspect is still outstanding and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crime’s unit is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his early 40’s, thin to medium build, with short brown hair, between 5’10”-6’0” tall. The suspect did not have any facial hair. A newer dark blue, 4-door, KIA is related to this crime. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crime’s Detective Richmond at 805-384-4725. Also, 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 call is not recorded and the caller may remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Nature of Incident: Carjacking / 215 PC |
 Michael Cedarland (Above in gray shirt and blue shorts) inspect his SUV, after he crashed into Fillmore Starbucks on December 13, 2011. Cedarland’s apparent history of seizures has been brought into question. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
A report on the Starbuck’s crash which took the life of former Marine Sergio Mendez is completed and is at the District Attorney's Office for review, stated Sheriffs Capt. Monica McGrath on Monday, April 9th. No public release date has been obtained. Mendez’ aunt, Belen Burgos, who spoke with the FillmoreGazette publisher said the Department of Motor Vehicles has reported the crash as involving an injury but makes no mention of the fatality. She questioned why the fatality was not noted and if it would have affected Cedarland’s driver’s license status. Information has also surfaced about the possible medical history of Michael Cedarland, whose car crashed into Starbucks on December 13, 2011, killing Mendez. Following are excepts from CONTINUED » |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
 A Proclamation was awarded to the Sierra Club recognizing April 22, 2012 as Earth Day and was accepted by Patti Walker. Enlarge Photo  Community Development Director Kevin McSweeney presented the Council with an interpretation of the zoning ordinance regarding chickens. Enlarge Photo  Dr. Scott Barlow, who moved to Fillmore in December 2010 and has seven chickens, addressed the Council asking that they take into consideration those raising chickens in a responsible way and do not impact their neighbors. Enlarge Photo The two main topics brought before the Fillmore City Council this week were the proposed Volunteer Coordinator position and the zoning ordinance regarding chickens. There was also a proclamation presented to the Sierra Club and information on the VC Alert program. The City Council is looking for someone to work in a non-paid position as a Volunteer Coordinator. The position requires recruiting and assigning volunteers to clean the bike path, litter control, graffiti removal and event clean-up along with other tasks the City can no longer afford to maintain. City Manager Yvonne Quiring presented the Council with a list of qualifications and definition of the skills required. The list was three pages long and very extensive. The Council recognized this and agreed that the requirements should be adjusted to meet a non-paid position. Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation is willing to set up the program and have the person who organized the Martin Luther King clean-up day at Two Rivers Park assist with the recruitment of a Volunteer Coordinator. Mayor Gayle Washburn said she would prefer someone who could apply for grants, which takes some skill in doing. Councilmember Jamey Brooks cautioned the other Councilmembers that they may be expecting too much out of one person, especially for a non-paid position and that they might find someone who is a great coordinator but lacks the skill of grant writing. He suggested the two requirements not be put together and maybe a grant writer could volunteer their services separately. Councilman Eduardo Gonzalez asked CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
 At approximately 7:45 p.m. Sunday, a Honda Civic was struck by another vehicle, and the driver of that vehicle fled the scene. The driver and one passenger in the Honda were both taken by ambulance to a local hospital for observation. The extent of any injuries was not reported. A Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy told the Gazette that they had a description of the other vehicle and a search was underway to find it. Above, Fire Chief Rigo Landeros assists in recovering the driver of the Honda. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department At approximately 11:00am on Wednesday April 11, 2012, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services received a report that numerous Ventura County Residents had received a telephone notification advising there was a need to evacuate the area due to the threat of a tsunami. Ventura County is not under a tsunami watch, advisory or warning. The alert that was placed to area residents is inaccurate and appears to have originated from an outside source. The incident is currently under investigation. Nature of Incident: No threat of Tsunami to Ventura County |