By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Twins!Twins!Twins!
The Class of 2009 is one of the largest graduating classes ever with 281 seniors. This year at Fillmore High School graduation you may be seeing double. In the past you might have had one or two sets of twins graduating at Fillmore High, but this year you will have six sets of twins wearing the royal blue graduation gowns and walking through the arches. Among these students you will fi nd two sets of boy twins, David and Michael Watson with plans to attend BYU, and Joshua and Giovany Robles. The three sets of girl twins, Nicole and Jessica Aguilar Alba, Ivonne and Noemi Magana Garcia and Claudia and Sonia Rincon (not pictured). The one set of a brother and sister are Erica and Serfin Quilo. All fi ve sets will be attending Ventura College. Commencement ceremonies will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 7 pm at Fillmore High Football Stadium. Enlarge Photo |
By Margie Bartels — Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Twenty farms expected, over 350 join
Difficult economic times seem to bring out the best, and the worst, in people. News stories appear daily about the “random acts of kindness” people are moved to perform for others who are struggling. Some stand in line for hours at job fairs, willing to take any job so they can support their family. Others, however, decide that crime is the way to go. Regular reports appear in the newspaper about gang activity in Fillmore; rural areas have experienced their share of crime as well. Farmers have seen an increase in theft of equipment and fruit, as well as graffiti “tagging” and trash dumped on their properties. Packinghouses and oil companies out in the country have been hit too. To address these problems, Captain Tim Hagel, Fillmore’s police chief for the last fourteen months, has initiated a Farm Watch program. Capt. Hagel, a member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for 22 years, understands very well the problems farmers face, as he farms with his brother 40 acres of avocados at the top of Grimes Canyon Road. Capt. Hagel oversees 27 officers who cover a territory of 455 square miles, including the farmlands from Wells Road to Magic Mountain, and from the summits of Balcom Canyon and Grimes Canyon Road to Gorman, including upper Ojai. He started Farm Watch when he arrived in Fillmore; he sees it as more than just a task force assigned to investigate rural crimes—“I was looking for the next level of connecting us,” he said. Recognizing that farmers are for the most part very private and independent sorts, but who readily help their neighbors in time of need, he decided the best way to connect rural folks was by an email newsletter and a telephone and email reporting system. The response to this program has been astonishing; he expected maybe twenty farms would participate. “I never thought that we would get up to 350” members to sign up, he said, adding that this list includes other law enforcement and county agencies and political representatives who are interested in what is happening out in the country. This program is unique, not just in Ventura County, but in the whole state. CONTINUED » |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Our nation’s veterans were honored on Monday, May 25, at Bardsdale Cemetery in a ceremony with opening remarks from Supervisor Kathy Long. Presentation of Colors by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fillmore Post No. 9637; Pledge of Allegiance by Scout Troop #406 and Cub Scout Troop #3400; Special Music by Bill Bartels and Pam Torres. The Memorial Day message was presented by Colonel George Compton, US Army, Retired. His military awards include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Bronze Stars and the Air Medal and the Purple Honoring our Veterans Heart. Placing of Wreath by William Brunet; Placing of Bouquet by Gold Star Wives; Memorial Service by Rev. Bob Hammond, Dayspring Anglican Church; Reading of the Names of Those Who Died in the Service of our Country by VFW Commander Jim Rogers; Volly by Honor Guard, VFW; Taps by Bob Thompson. The cemetery board gives special thanks to Boy Scout Troop 406 and Cub Scout Troop 3400 for placing the flags, and the Sespe 4-H for collecting the flags. Enlarge Photo |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
An investigation by the Fillmore Police Gang Unit of two incidents of gang violence in the City of Fillmore led to the service of five search warrants at homes in the cities of Fillmore and Moorpark. The searches led to the arrest of four suspects involved in the two incidents, and two subjects were arrested on unrelated drug charges. The District Attorney’s Office, Santa Paula Police and Sheriff’s Gang Unit assisted in the warrant service. The investigation of this incident began on February 28, 2009, when at about 9:00 P.M., at least four Fillmore gang members were attending a family party at a hall located in the 500 Block of Second Street, in Fillmore. The gang members exchanged words with a guest (victim) at the party and subsequently battered the victim. On Thursday, May 21, Francisco Torres 18, Fillmore, and two juveniles were arrested for felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, battery and street terrorism. Torres was booked at the Main Jail, with bail set at $100,000. The two juveniles were lodged in juvenile hall pending further proceedings. Suspect DeAnza Espinoza 19, Fillmore, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and booked at the Main Jail. His bail was set at $10,000. The search warrants were served in the 600 Block of Via Rodeo, 300 Block of McNab Ct, 300 Block of D St. and 700 Block of Del Valle in Fillmore. CONTINUED » |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
2019 hrs: FILLMORE: S091460820 - Fight in Progress / 300 Block A Street, FI. RP advised that two subjects were fighting in front of the location. Josue Martinez 25 years and Rene Hernandez 38 years began fighting today. Martinez suffered a head laceration from being hit with a large rock by Hernandez. Hernandez was also struck with a large branch by Martinez. Martinez and Hernandez were both arrested for Felony 245 PC Battery and transported to jail 09-12995 2330 hrs: FILLMORE: S091460943 - Observation Arrest / King Street and Howard Street, FI. Deputy Rodriguez (6A21) observed a vehicle that matched the description of a hit and run suspect vehicle from earlier in the day. The driver, Oscar Arevalo 33 years old was arrested and booked in jail for Felony 12020 PC - Possession of a Billy. Club and Misdemeanor Hit and Run 09-012989. Courtesy of Fillmore P.D. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
Boy Scout Troop #406 marched in Saturday’s May Festival Parade. This year’s parade had about 40 entries. Enlarge Photo |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
Continued
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By John Garnica — Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
To the Editor of the Fillmore Gazette: |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
“The District is aware of the allegations raised in the May 14 issue of the Gazette. Please rest assured that a full investigation is underway; however, because the article is directed at one or more District employees, at this point the investigation must be regarded as a confi dential personnel matter”. |
A crowd gathers to watch the attempted rescue of Denise Arredondo, of Piru, Saturday. Denise drowned after wading into the lake while on a family picnic. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
On Saturday, May 16, 2009 at about 3:10 P.M, a nine year-old female [Denise Arredondo] Piru resident drowned at Lake Piru. |