9/26/2019 San Bernardino County supervisors ask for alternatives to parcel tax - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190925/san-bernardino-county-supervisors-ask-for-alternatives-to-parcel-tax 1/3

By Martin Estacio Staff Writer Posted Sep 25, 2019 at 12:01 AMUpdated Sep 25, 2019 at 11:26 PM

Residents in some unincorporated county areas could see new tax measures onnext year’s ballot that, if passed, would help fund fire and emergency services.

Saying they wanted voters to weigh in on the issue, the San Bernardino CountyBoard of Supervisors on Tuesday directed staff to research alternatives to aparcel tax levied last October.

The tax was imposed following the Board’s 3-2 vote to expand a fire protectionzone, known as FP-5, under the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.

FP-5, which had already included several cities, was broadened to take in all ofthe county’s unincorporated areas, with a $157.26 tax on each parcel.

Fire officials said the revenue was needed to address a $29 million deficit andcontinue funding the same level of services.

Supervisors Robert Lovingood and Janice Rutherford, who voted against theexpansion, have said they believe it should’ve been decided by a majority ofvoters in the first place.

Rutherford called a protest process initiated before last year’s approval “flawed”on Tuesday.

“It’s difficult and complicated, and requires extra effort for people,” she said.“That’s why an affirmative ballot measure is the way to go.”

FP-5′s expansion came after mailers were sent out to affected landowners beforethe Board’s meeting to address it.

San Bernardino County supervisors ask for

alternatives to parcel tax

9/26/2019 San Bernardino County supervisors ask for alternatives to parcel tax - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

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If 25% of persons who owned at least 25% of the assessed value of land had sentback written protests, the matter would’ve gone to an election.

When the Board approved the expansion in October, county staff said theyreceived protests only good for about 3% of landowners. Residents at themeeting criticized the process and the tax being levied on all parcels, whichincludes vacant land.

Tuesday’s decision means that County staff and fire officials must presentdifferent options to the Board by Nov. 19 for generating about $26.7 million inrevenue, which represents the amount the fire district was expected to collectfrom the expansion from 2021 to 2022. The options chosen could end up as taxmeasures on the November 2020 ballot and apply mostly to those people withland not within a city.

Besides the annexed unincorporated areas the Board focused on, the fire districtalso collects revenue in the zone from FP-5 cities, such as San Bernardino, aswell as the community of Helendale. Altogether, FP-5′s total revenue along withthe expansion would’ve equaled about $41.5 million.

The Board’s direction on Tuesday came after a presentation from the County’sCEO and fire chief, who warned of drastic cuts to emergency services withoutrevenue generated by the tax.

SBCFPD Interim Fire Chief Don Trapp said nine to 17 fire stations could be shutdown.

Response times would also rise dramatically, with one region possiblyexperiencing an almost hour-long increase, he said. Some of the numbers werebased on the overall revenue of the fire protection zone being withdrawn.

Trapp said one of the reasons for the revenue stemmed from a “substantialincrease in the use of 911 and fire services as a ‘responder of first choice.’”

“Whether for homelessness, substance abuse, mental health, routine access tohealthcare, many people are calling 911 today for basic services,” he said. Morethan one-third of calls the department receives turn out to be non life-threatening, according to the chief.

9/26/2019 San Bernardino County supervisors ask for alternatives to parcel tax - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

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At least 11 attendees, most members of San Bernardino Professional FirefightersLocal 935, spoke in support of the parcel tax.

“Let’s be clear, a vote to eliminate FP-5 is a vote against resident safety,” said 935member, Kenneth White.

While the parcel tax remains intact, the members’ apprehension in light of apossible future without it was likely exacerbated by the Board’s decision in Juneto not approve a 3% increase, months after the tax was enacted. The fire districtwas allowed to ask for the maximum increase every year, pending the Board’sapproval.

CEO Gary McBride said on Tuesday that the 2020 measures could include adifferent parcel tax, a general purpose tax or a special purpose tax.

Martin Estacio may be reached at MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com or at 760-955-5358.

Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

9/26/2019 State of Education address in Victorville highlights partnerships between industry, education - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

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By Staff ReportsPosted Sep 25, 2019 at 12:01 AMUpdated Sep 25, 2019 at 10:17 PM

VICTORVILLE — San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools TedAlejandre lauded the High Desert on Wednesday for its partnerships forgedbetween education and industry that he said better prepare local students forcollege and careers.

Speaking to a crowd of educators, elected officials, community leaders andstudents inside High Desert Church in Victorville, Alejandre said thosepartnerships will positively impact the region’s “economic vitality.”

“Through the strong efforts of the Mountain Desert Career Pathways andMountain Desert Economic Partnership,” Alejandre said, “thousands of studentsfrom the region annually receive hands-on career technical education training tohelp position the area to be a viable economic engine for sustained growth andprosperity in the coming years.”

Alejandre’s praise highlighted his 5th annual State of Education address, aprogram that also recognized the Countywide Vision, as well as initiatives thatpromote wellness and positive school culture.

Alejandre congratulated San Bernardino County high schools for helping to raisegraduation rates above the statewide average for the first time since theCalifornia Department of Education established its statewide student identifier in2009.

Seven regional school districts, including Apple Valley Unified, HesperiaUnified, and Snowline Joint Unified, were recognized for producing graduationrates near or above 90% — figures that exceeded county and state averages.

State of Education address in Victorville

highlights partnerships between industry,

education

9/26/2019 State of Education address in Victorville highlights partnerships between industry, education - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

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“We are fortunate to have district leaders and teachers throughout the countyworking with private sector entrepreneurs to spur innovation so learning isengaging and relevant,” Alejandre said.

As an example, Alejandre pointed to Exquadrum Inc., which works with theDepartment of Defense on rocket manufacturing applications.

Exquadrum President Eric Schmidt, an alumnus of Hesperia High School, hasworked with local school districts to offer better educational and employmentopportunities for students and communities.

In addition to collaboration, Alejandre said “boldness” and “pushing limits” wereessential to educating High Desert students.

“We must pool our dreams and work collaboratively to push for transformativeinnovation in our schools now,” he said. “We must inspire innovation on aglobal scale, lest our students be left behind.”

Visit www.SBCSS.K12.ca.us to read Alejandre’s full speech and view photosfrom his addresses in San Bernardino and Victorville.

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

https://www.highlandnews.net/business/eastgate-air-cargo/article_86566176-de27-11e9-980d-bb2197c26e92.html 1/9

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Eastgate air cargoThe San Bernardino Airport Authority is now awaiting approval from the FAA beforecommencing construction on the Eastgate development at SBD.

Corey Evan Sep 23, 2019 Updated Sep 23, 20191 of 4

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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The San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) is moving forward with the �nal

steps toward commencing construction of the Eastgate development at San Bernardino

International Airport (SBD), following public information hearings on Aug. 8.

The project is intended to inject further activity at SBD and pave the way for future passenger

activity to possibly be established.

The 100-acre proposed site is southeast of the intersection of Third Street and Victoria Avenue.

The San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) is moving forward with the �nal

steps toward commencing construction of the Eastgate development at San Bernardino

International Airport (SBD), following public information hearings on Aug. 8.

The project is intended to inject further activity at SBD and pave the way for future passenger

activity to possibly be established.

The 100-acre proposed site is southeast of the intersection of Third Street and Victoria Avenue.

The project is designed to add one new tenant to SBD, with these amenities:

- A 658,500 square-foot sorting, distribution and o�ce building

- Two 25,000 square-foot maintenance buildings

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Layout of the Eastgate air cargo facility planned for the northern border of San Bernardino International Airport, alongStreet.

Courtesy of SBIAA

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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- Additional taxi lanes and aircraft parking apron for up to 14 planes

- Ground support equipment (GSE), parking and support areas

- Two separate GSE maintenance buildings.

- Approximately 2,000 employee parking spaces and 380 trailer stalls

- Two new driveways into the proposed project site.

- Two clear-span bridges crossing the city creek bypass channel

- Modi�cations at Third Street

- New security fencing, gates and a guard shack.

- New exterior lighting, including pole- and/or building-mounted lamps

- Air�eld lights and signage

- Land clearing, concrete demolition, excavation, embankment and grading

- Extending utilities and related infrastructure to the proposed project site.

- Storm water management systems

- Landscaping

According to SBIAA Executive Director Mike Burrows, Eastgate is 17 years in the making.

“[Eastgate] actually came into being back in 2002, as a potential site when we did our

agreements with our private development partner, Hillwood [Development Company],” said

Burrows to Highland Community News. “That started with the Inland Valley Development

Agency and that has produced a number of commercial industrial developments.

According to Mark Gibbs, director of aviation for SBIAA, the project is expected to generate

more than 3,000 jobs, with improvements to Third and Fifth Streets being put to the test as

tra�c increases at the intersection.

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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“Year one is projected to have 1,726 jobs… gradually increasing based on market demand, the

�ve year outlook is to be up to 3,880.”

Gibbs says those jobs are projected to be living-wage jobs.

“There are aviation jobs, not all of them obviously, because there’s a sorting and distribution

component to the air cargo facility,” according to Gibbs. “Aviation jobs generally demand a

higher wage than your typical warehouse job does. I’m con�dent you’ll see that with this

development as well.”

“We can say that in the scale of our relationship with Hillwood… At this stage it’s a Hillwood

project,” Burrows adds. “Hillwood is actively looking at tenants for this facility. But to fully

answer the wage question, we’ve gotta wait and see who has committed to occupy the

building.”

Burrows points out that in most Hillwood projects, the tenant was not known even to SBIAA

until closer to the projects’ completion. Nonetheless, previous Hillwood acquisitions have seen

an “immaculate track record” of �nding long-term tenants for previous SBD projects.

“At the end of the day it’s a market-based decision.”

Burrows says other areas of the airport, including existing buildings, were evaluated by SBIAA

as part of determining where to put this logistics project. No other area proved to be big

enough to accommodate the scope of the project.

“They assessed the entire base, which included portions of the airport including the site we now

call Eastgate,” according to Burrows. “This is something that we’ve all studied year over year and

it’s been designated as a site for future air cargo expansion for many, many years.”

Burrows points out that demand for air cargo capacity has increased signi�cantly since 2016.

“Just this last year we’ve added FedEx to our tenant community. During that process we had

continued some of the design work with Hillwood on potential uses and design layouts for

[Eastgate].”

Burrows’ initial estimates project an additional 12 �ights per day out of SBD when the tenant

�rst commences operations.

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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The project could have been completed at neighboring March Air Reserve Base or Ontario

International Airport, but would have left SBD’s growth in demand for air cargo services unmet.

The location of SBD is something the airport takes pride in, with two million people within a 30-

minute drive.

Burrows says SBD is also working closely with Omnitrans to align bus routes with jobs at the

airport.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to expand accessibility.”

Despite SBD’s proximity to Ontario International Airport (ONT), Burrows cites ONT’s progress

since cutting ties with Los Angeles International Airport as contributing to SBD’s progress.

“A healthy Ontario airport helps all of us; That’s a strong industry that keeps everybody

working.”

The Eastgate name ties into Hillwood’s ‘Alliance California’ brand, tying the name ‘gate’ into each

of their projects according to Burrows.

“Every project that they do is a ‘gate’; That comes from the history of Norton Air Force Base.

There were guard shacks at the entrance, there’s a gate you have to go through, and they

wanted to bring that heritage to everything that they did.”

The timing of the project is a result of data supplied to SBIAA by cargo carriers and companies

using SBD, said Burrows.

“It made sense to really get into detailed design and actually a project out for entitlement.

That’s what we did last year and we’re trying to complete that process this year.”

The cost of the project, an estimated $300 million, is being �nanced entirely by Hillwood. No

taxpayer dollars will be spent on the project, according to Burrows.

“It’s not taking precious resources from our cities or our communities, so they continue to

service their priority programs without carving out those resources to help o�set some o�-site

improvement or anything.”

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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The layout is designed to meet FAA advisory 150/5300-13A, as it pertains to airport design and

technical requirements.

A draft environmental assessment and draft general conformity determination were presented,

as submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA has designated the Inland Empire as non-attainment for ozone (O3) and particulate

matter 2.5 microns or less in size (PM2.5) and maintenance for particulate matter less than or

equal to 10 microns in diameter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO) and annual nitrogen dioxide

(NO2). As such, the FAA has had to evaluate the project’s compliance with EPA guidelines.

A general conformity determination (GCD) for the proposed project was required because the

total direct and indirect emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx),

and CO are above ‘de minimis’ emissions threshold levels speci�ed in the General Conformity

Regulations.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) says in its evaluation of Eastgate that

the project will comply with the Air Quality

Management Plan (AQMP), thus not exceeding emissions limits or violating National Ambient

Air Quality Standards. The location of the project was determined to not impact water quality

standards or groundwater storage.

Also built into the environmental assessment is noise pollution mitigation; Indian Springs High

School lies just three blocks away from SBD.

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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“That’s built into the process and we have mitigation measures in our environmental permits to

address that,” says Burrows.

The environmental assessment was mandated under the National Environmental Policy Act of

1969 (NEPA).

“We try to do everything in our power to do everything that [AQMD] ask us to do. That’s what

we went through with our CEQA process, and that’s why we got the feedback and mitigation

measures that we did, which are not small,” said Burrows. “They’re pretty substantial, so this

project I think you’ll �nd, when you see the details on it, has a myriad of… everything technically

and commercially available help mitigate air quality.”

Improvements to Mountain View Avenue at Interstate 10 are in progress to address the

anticipated increase in vehicle tra�c.

While air tra�c is naturally noisy, the environmental assessment �nds 16 residential dwelling

units and three non-residential noise-sensitive properties (the Norton Science and Language

Academy, Mill Center Park, and the Antioch Christian Center) �nd themselves within the FAA’s

Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) 65 contour. CNEL is used to measure how air tra�c

noise impacts communities surrounding airports.

SBIAA plans to acquire these residential properties and convert the land to compatible uses.

Otherwise the report states that noise impacts “would not be signi�cant.”

Burrows points out that city councils from every surrounding city have input on all aspects of

development in this and other projects at SBD.

“We don’t hide stu� from them; We say, ‘Look we want you to be part of the solution.’”

Among the project’s green solution are 700 megawatts (MW) of solar power, 160 vehicle

charging stations and all-electric ground support equipment when available.

SBIAA is working with the San Bernardino City Uni�ed School District (SBCUSD) and the

Generation GO program to establish internships at SBD. A similar program is in the works with

Redlands Uni�ed School District as well.

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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“You won’t �nd a bigger fan of internships than me, I used to be one; That’s how I started here,”

says Burrows. “We’ve kept an internship program every year since I’ve been around. It was

originally more focused on the university level… We’ve got employees that work here today that

came up through that program that have had jobs here for years.”

Despite the projected bene�ts of the project, some members of the community remain

unconvinced about Eastgate; Mario Vasquez of Teamsters Union Local 1932 is one of a handful

of union members advocating for a collective bene�ts agreement from SBIAA.

“Teamsters Local 1932 stands in solidarity with our coalition partners and residents organizing

for good jobs and clean air for neighborhoods around the airport,” said Vasquez. “This project

desperately needs high-level air quality impact mitigation guarantees and job quality standards

that can be implemented through a Community Bene�ts Agreement.”

Vasquez isn’t alone.

Inland Empire Community News published an article in July supporting the San Bernardino

Airport Communities Coalition (SBACC) in seeking a community bene�ts agreement. The article

cites ozone pollution related to warehouse developments a�ecting residents throughout the

Inland Empire as a chief concern in seeking such an agreement.

Burrows says the Teamsters’ demands are being weighed as part of the project, but has not

indicated when such an agreement would be rati�ed.

“All information and feedback received on the project is presently under review with the FAA.

We’re continuing to talk to (Teamsters) about a community bene�ts agreement. We’ve never

done one here and we’ve certainly adapted best practices among commercial airports and

that’s the discussion we’re having with them at this time.”

SBIAA is preparing its responses to public comment on the draft environmental study and

general conformity determination, and the �nal environmental assessment has been submitted

to the FAA. The �nal step is for the FAA to issue its decision about whether the project is ready

to begin construction.

The timetable for the FAA’s approval has yet to be determined, due to the high volume of

comments submitted at the public hearing and throughout the public comment period.

9/26/2019 Eastgate air cargo | Business | highlandnews.net

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Corey Evan

The public comment period ended on Aug. 19.

Redlands school trustee resigns; board must act quickly to replace him – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/09/25/redlands-school-trustee-resigns-board-must-act-quickly-to-replace-him/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social[9/25/2019 4:56:40 PM]

By JENNIFER IYER | jiyer@scng.com | Redlands Daily FactsPUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 2:32 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 2:33 pm

Redlands Unified school board member Ricardo Ruiz has resigned less than 11 months after he was elected to his first term.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Board of Education learned about its options to fill the vacancy, and agreed it was in the public’s interest to appoint a replacement instead ofholding a special election. An election, according to RUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, could cost the district up to $100,000.

Ruiz resigned Sept. 17 due to family health issues, he said.

In an email, Ruiz said his father-in-law has “a major health issue” which will “demand a lot of time” from his family, and he wants to be there for his wife.

Area 2 candidate, Ricardo Ruiz speaks during a Common Vision Coalition of Redlands get to Know the Candidate Forum in Redlands on Friday, September 21, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Redlands school trustee resigns; board must act quickly to replace him – San Bernardino Sun

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In his resignation letter, Ruiz expressed thanks for his time on the board.

On Tuesday, several board members and the superintendent said they would miss him.

“I think he did an excellent job with us,” said Jim O’Neill, who represents Area 5.

Ruiz was elected to the board in November 2018 to represent Area 2. The appointee will serve out the four-year-term until 2022.

Board member Patty Holohan, who represents Area 1, said she much preferred appointing a replacement as opposed to spending taxpayer money on an election. Theother board members agreed with her, and Arellano said he would prepare a resolution for them to vote on at the Oct. 8 school board meeting.

The board will have to move quickly, as it has 60 days to fill the seat, and the clock started ticking when Ruiz’s resignation was submitted to the San Bernardino CountyBoard of Education.

Arellano laid out how the appointment process will likely look. The RUSD board will first call for applications, with a window toclose quickly, perhaps around Oct. 18. Then a two-person screening committee will make sure applicants meet the criteriabefore the board holds a special open session meeting, perhaps on Oct. 24, to screen the applicants further and perhaps makea decision.

Applicants must live in Trustee Area 2, which is more or less centered around the 10 and 210 freeway interchange and includesparts of Redlands and Loma Linda. A map is available at redlandsusd.net/Page/1348.

Official information about the process will be available after the board’s Oct. 8 meeting.

9/26/2019 San Manuel tribe hosts California Native American Day celebration - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190925/san-manuel-tribe-hosts-california-native-american-day-celebration 1/2

By Garrett Bergthold Staff Writer Posted Sep 25, 2019 at 8:29 PM

SAN BERNARDINO — Indigenous people called the mountains, deserts andfoothills of San Bernardino County home well before the federal governmentrecognized the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in 1891.

Serrano Indians populated present day Big Bear, the southern Mojave Desert anddown to the foothills in San Bernardino since “time immemorial,” according tothe tribe. The Serrano creation story takes place in the pine forests near Big BearLake, where their creator Krukat died and was buried. The Serranos in that areacall themselves the People of the Pines, or the Yuhaaviatam.

On Friday, the fourth Friday of September, the San Manuel Band of MissionIndians will host a free public celebration for California Native American Day.

The event comes at the conclusion of a week’s worth of activities for teachersand students celebrating Native American heritage on the campus of CaliforniaState University, San Bernardino. Since 1999, the tribe has partnered with localagencies and the university to host a cultural awareness conference on thecollege campus.

Everyone is invited to “experience the distinctive cultures of California Indianpeople firsthand,” according to the organization’s website. From 6 to 9 p.m. onFriday, several aspects of traditional Native American heritage, including food,art and music, will conclude the conference.

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is one of the more than 100 federallyrecognized tribes in the state of California. In 1998, the California Legislaturepassed Assembly Bill 1953, establishing California Native American Day as anofficial day of education about the culture and heritage of about AmericanIndians in California.

San Manuel tribe hosts California Native

American Day celebration

9/26/2019 San Manuel tribe hosts California Native American Day celebration - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

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For more information, visit the tribe’s official website athttps://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov/ or the website of tribe’s annual CaliforniaNative American Day celebration at http://nativeamericanday.org/.

Garrett Bergthold can be reached at GBergthold@VVDailyPress.com or at 760-955-5368.

Follow him on Twitter at @DP_Garrett.

Grand Terrace increases number of dogs and cats residents can have at home – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...t-home/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise[9/26/2019 7:23:47 AM]

LOCAL NEWS

Grand Terrace increases number of dogs and catsresidents can have at homeCity leaders this week also implemented a rule requiring breeders obtain acity business license

Grand Terrace increases number of dogs and cats residents can have at home – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...t-home/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise[9/26/2019 7:23:47 AM]

By BRIAN WHITEHEAD | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino SunPUBLISHED: September 26, 2019 at 7:00 am | UPDATED: September 26, 2019 at 7:01 am

Grand Terrace is increasing the number of dogs and cats certain residents can have at home.

Three years after first broaching the issue, city leaders on Tuesday, Sept. 24, set a new limit of fourdogs, cats or combination of the two for those living in detached single-family houses on lots 20,000square feet or smaller.

Residents with lots larger than 20,000 square feet can have a maximum of five dogs, cats orcombination of the two.

Khali, a 5-month-old Golden Retriever, waits patiently while her owner Paul Fornelli types in the information for her micro-chip. Khaliwas donated to the Fornelli family and will be trained to be service dog. Long Beach Animal Emergency (LBAE), a part of PathwayVet Alliance, held an Adoption and Pet Loss Prevention Fair in Long Beach on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Long Beach Animal Controldonated free pet identification microchips to the first 100 pets in attendance, and doctors from LBAE provided free, on-site implanting.The registration of each microchip was free of charge through Found Animals, a non-profit organization focused on saving lost pets.Volunteers from Long Beach Animal Control???s Mobile Adoption Unit, Fix Long Beach Pets, I Stand With My Pack and Live LoveAnimal Rescue provided both dogs and cats available for adoption. Pet owners were also welcomed next door to Centinela Feed, afamily-owned provider of healthy pet foods and supplies. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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By

Grand Terrace increases number of dogs and cats residents can have at home – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...t-home/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise[9/26/2019 7:23:47 AM]

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The original cap of two dogs and two cats still applies to pet owners living in apartments, duplexesand condos.

As is the case in nearby Loma Linda, Rialto and Colton, the limits also apply to residents who breedand foster animals in town. In a related move, city leaders implemented a rule requiring local breedersobtain a city business license.

The only exceptions to the hard caps on pet ownership concern residents living in the AgriculturalOverlay zone and residents who are temporarily caring for the dog or cat of an active service memberwho has been deployed or of a resident who is ill or deceased.

Caretakers already at the threshold for dogs and cats will have at least six months to rehome the petbeing watched over.

Councilman Bill Hussey voted against the changes. Councilwoman Sylvia Robles was absent from themeeting.

At the behest of community members who attended aworkshop earlier this year on the matter, elected officialsthis week revised the city’s animal control code to clearlydefine a number of terms, including “potentially dangerousdog,” “substantial physical injury,” “vicious dog” and “exoticanimal.”

Revisions also were made to have dog licenses run withthe term of the rabies vaccination certificate, rather than the

calendar year.

Rialto police, school district at odds over teacher’s suspected heroin use at school – Daily Bulletin

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Rialto police, school district at odds over teacher’s suspected heroin use atschoolPre-K teacher admitted to a district official that she used heroin and meth at school, but didn't tell that to police

Rialto police, school district at odds over…

Rialto police, school district at odds over teacher’s suspected heroin use at school – Daily Bulletin

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By JOE NELSON | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino SunPUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 5:47 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 6:47 pm

The Rialto Unified School District office in Rialto, CA., Friday, February 9, 2018. (Staff photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, The Sun/SCNG)

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Rialto police, school district at odds over teacher’s suspected heroin use at school – Daily Bulletin

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A former pre-kindergarten teacher in Rialto who reportedly admitted to smoking heroin in her classroom was never arrested or charged with a crime, largely becauseshe told police and school officials two different stories.

Shannon Adcock, who taught at Henry Elementary School, admitted to the lead personnel agent for Rialto Unified School District that she had “just smoked heroin” inher classroom while her students were at recess on March 7, 2018, according to district documents obtained via a public records request.

“She also told me that she had smoked heroin and took methamphetamines in her car when she arrived to school,” personnel agent Rhonda Kramer said in a letterdated June 1, 2018, to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which is investigating the incident.

Adcock, who according to the commission website still holds a valid multiple subject teaching credential and reading certificate, subsequently resigned from thedistrict, where she had taught since July 2002, district spokeswoman Syeda Jafri said.

Under the terms of her resignation agreement, signed in May 2018, Adcock waived her right to an evidentiary hearing and any future right to sue the district for,among other things, wrongful termination and discrimination.

Hunkered beneath sink

A school employee found Adcock’s students unattended during recess and checked her classroom, where they found Adcock hunkered at a cabinet under a sink andheard the sound of rustling tinfoil, according to a report by the employee, whose name was redacted from the document.

“She then stood up hastily stating that she was not doing anything,” according to the report, which noted that Adcock said three times that she wasn’t “doinganything.” Asked what was in her hand, Adcock said, “nothing,” and then placed the item in her purse, which was inside the cabinet, according to the report.

When Kramer arrived, Adcock confessed to her about her drug use and that she was an “addict and needed help,” according to Kramer’s letter to the statecommission.

“I informed her that based on this information I would have to contact the police since she was using drugs on the school campus and she was under the influencewhile supervising students,” Kramer said in her letter. “She became hysterical and tried to push me out of the way to get to her purse.”

Rialto police, school district at odds over teacher’s suspected heroin use at school – Daily Bulletin

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Told police she hadn’t used at school

School Resource Officers Agnes Watson and Charles Jones were called to the school, where Jonessecured Adcock in the parking lot while Watson spent more than 30 minutes searching her classroom. Shefound a hand-held torch and several pieces of rolled up aluminum foil in Adcock’s purse, but no drugs,Police Chief Mark Kling said.

The officers asked Adcock when she last used drugs, and she told them the day before, Kling said. “Shetold the district something different,” the chief said Wednesday in a telephone interview.

Watson and Jones concluded that Adcock showed no signs of being under the influence of drugs, such asconstricted pupils, drowsiness or slurred speech. Instead of pushing for a potential misdemeanor offense ofpossession of drug paraphernalia, Watson and Jones used their discretion, opting not to arrest Adcock andturning the matter over to the school district for an internal investigation, Kling said.

No police report

Neither Watson nor Jones wrote a report on the incident, but Kling on Wednesday provided the computer-aided dispatch report of the incident, which indicates Adcock told officers she never used drugs in school,and the last time she used was the day before at her home.

The report notes Adcock did not have drugs on her person and made no reference to a “hand-held torch”being found in her purse, only “lighters and a vape pen” and two pieces of aluminum with burn marks on

them.

Once Watson and Jones informed Kramer they would not be arresting Adcock, the teacher consented to a drug test. She was taken to Fox Occupational MedicalCenter in San Bernardino and tested. The results came back positive, according to Kramer’s letter to the state commission.

But a positive drug test does not necessarily mean Adcock used drugs in class that day, as narcotics stay in the system for weeks, said Kling, who added thatAdcock did admit to police, as she did with Kramer, she was a drug addict and needed help.

School district has no say

Rialto Unified Superintendent Cuauhtémoc Avila said in a statement Wednesday that he stands by Kramer’s version of events. “The District’s leading priority issafety. Our staff is expected to address all situations involving health and safety with urgency and professionalism. This case was no exception,” Avila said.

Jafri said law enforcement was notified of the incident in a timely manner, but the school district has no say in decisions related to arrest or prosecution, nor does itcontrol decisions by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing regarding credentials.

Berenice Oseguera, the investigator at the Commission on Teacher Credentialing who is handling the Adcock case, declined to comment.

Rialto police Officer Agnes Watson

Rialto police, school district at odds over teacher’s suspected heroin use at school – Daily Bulletin

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Adcock did not respond to multiple telephone calls seeking comment.

Accounts often vary

Asked about the inconsistencies in the school district and police department’s version of events, Rialto police Lt. Paul Stella said in an email, “It’s not uncommon forthere to be varying accounts of a recollection of what transpired when someone calls to report an incident versus what the officer(s) are factually faced with whenthey are on scene.

“In this particular case,” he said, “officers determined the appropriate response was to allow school district personnel to handle Ms. Adcock according to theirpersonnel rules, including requiring a drug test.”

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Kaiser Permanente and 85,000 workers reach tentative labor agreement – Daily Bulletin

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By KEVIN SMITH | kvsmith@scng.com | San Gabriel Valley TribunePUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 10:22 am | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 4:19 pm

After months of failed negotiations, Kaiser Permanente and a coalition of unions representing 85,000workers have announced a tentative agreement that could avert an unfair labor practices strike set tobegin Oct. 14.

The announcement, made Wednesday, Sept. 25, came as a relief to Georgette Bradford, anultrasound technologist at Kaiser in Sacramento.

“Reaching an agreement was not easy, it had lots of twists and turns, but in the end we accomplishedwhat we set out to do – reach an agreement that is good for patients, workers and our communities,”

Kaiser Permanente and an estimated 85,000 workers have reached a tentative labor agreement. If ratified, it would avert a strike thatwas scheduled to begin Oct. 14. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova/Daily Breeze)

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Bradford said in a statement.

The employees are represented by the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which includes SEIU-UHW and 10 other unions. If ratified, the labor agreement will provide annual pay increases andmaintain employee benefits while also creating a program to reduce the national shortage ofhealthcare workers.

Arlene Peasnall, interim chief human resources officer for Kaiser Permanente Health Plan andHospitals, said the healthcare giant values its employees and has a track record of working with labor“to improve the care and service offered to our members and patients.”

“We may disagree at times, but we have always been able to work through our challenges to align oncommon goals,” she said.

Specifically, the agreement includes:

The workers’ national contract expired Sept. 30, 2018, and in December the National Labor RelationsBoard charged Kaiser with failing to bargain in good faith and wrongly tying collective bargainingnegotiations to a ban on political activity, including picketing the company.

Annual raises of 3% in each of the four years for workers in California, Oregon and southernWashington. In Colorado, Hawaii, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the rest ofWashington State, workers will receive raises of 3% the first year and 2% plus a 1% lump sum thefollowing three years.Full protection of retirement benefits for current and future employees, and expansion of retirementbenefits in Hawaii, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.A workforce development program to provide educational opportunities for thousands of workers toreceive a free education to help fill an expected shortage of hundreds of thousands of licensedhealthcare jobs with a culturally appropriate workforce. Kaiser will provide $130 million in funding forthe program over the four years of the contract.A ban on subcontracting and stronger restrictions on outsourcing.A committee to work through issues around technology to ensure patients receive personal care thatintegrates cutting-edge tools with quality, dedicated caregivers.An intensive joint effort to revitalize the worker-management partnership.

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Employees who had planned to strike ranged from optometrists, X-ray technicians and licensedvocational nurses to surgical technicians, phlebotomists and housekeepers, among hundreds of otherpositions. There are roughly 38,000 SEIU-UHW members working for Kaiser in California.

Workers with SEIU-UHW will vote Oct. 2-16 to ratify the contract and employees with the remainingunions are expected to follow a similar timeline, according to SEIU-UHW spokesman Sean Wherley.

“It’s been a difficult and challenging process, but they are pleased with how this contract will addressthe goals of ending ensuring safe staffing, building a workforce for the future, restoring a partnershipwith management and protecting good, middle-class jobs,” Wherley said.

More than 80,000 Kaiser workers prepare to strike Oct. 14

Labor unions sanction potential strike by Kaiser workers

Kaiser announces ‘last, best and final’ contract offer for 4,000 California workers

38,000 Kaiser workers in California vote to authorize a strike

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Home to the modern-day 15 Freeway, the Cajon Pass has presented challenges to travelers for centuries – San Bernardino Sun

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Home to the modern-day 15 Freeway, the Cajon Pass has presented challenges totravelers for centuries

Home to the modern-day 15 Freeway, the Cajon…

Home to the modern-day 15 Freeway, the Cajon Pass has presented challenges to travelers for centuries – San Bernardino Sun

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By NICK CATALDO | yankeenut15@gmail.com | The SunPUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 5:41 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 5:42 pm

Thousands of Southern California motorists travel along the 15 Freeway through the Cajon Pass each day. Many of them see this corridor which bridges the MojaveDesert with the San Bernardino Valley as nothing more than a necessary evil, potentially slowing them down as they hurry home from work or on their way to make a“killing” in Las Vegas … with little time to contemplate those who struggled through here in ages past.

The first known use of this “road” through the Cajon Pass began long before the arrival of the white man, when an old American Indian trail connecting a string of villagesstretched all the way from the upper Mojave Desert, through Summit Valley and Coyote (commonly known today as Crowder) Canyon, and then through Cajon Canyon.

When Father Jose Maria Zalvidea made a trip from Santa Barbara to San Gabriel looking for possible sites for future missions in 1806, he stopped at a Serrano Indianvillage in the Cajon Pass called Amoscopiabit, which was located near today’s Caltrans southbound truck scales at the junction of the 15 Freeway and Highway 138.

Remnants of John Brown Toll Road in Coyote Canyon, above a rocky stream bed, which was the Old Spanish Trail, near the modern-day 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County, California. (Imagecourtesy Nick Cataldo) SPONSORED C

Home to the modern-day 15 Freeway, the Cajon Pass has presented challenges to travelers for centuries – San Bernardino Sun

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The next documented visit in the area was in 1827 when 29-year-old Jedediah Smith followed this route on his second visit to California with the remnant of his fur tradingparty who narrowly escaped a Mohave attack while crossing the Colorado River near present-day Needles.

After following the Mojave River to what is now Oro Grande, the men struck directly south through a gap they could see in the mountains. Down they came along the trailthrough Coyote Canyon to Cajon Canyon before stopping in San Bernardino where the starving men killed three of the San Gabriel Mission herd of cattle.

During the 1830s and ’40s, long pack trains of mules, led by men like Ewing Young and William Wolfskill, making their way between Santa Fe and Los Angeles followedthis route which had become known as The Old Spanish Trail.

Working their way through this passage, the mule train caravans closely followed the footsteps of the fur trapping party of Jedediah Smith two years later.

Clomping through the Cajon Pass – known at the time as El Cajon de los Mexicanos – before arriving in Los Angeles during the fall, these traders brought blankets andmanufactured goods from New Mexico to be exchanged for Southern California’s much prized horses and mules. Then, after the transaction of goods at the annualrendezvous site at Politana (near today’s San Bernardino Valley College) during the spring, they departed for New Mexico along what has been nicknamed “the longest,crookedest, most arduous pack mule route in the history of America.”

During the late 1840s, the old caravan route also became known as The Salt Lake Trail as emigrant parties departing from Salt Lake rolled slowly along the Cajon … butnot before many of them having to be dismantled and dragged over the rocky streambed which runs through the Coyote Canyon. Future San Bernardino civic leaders,Sidney Waite and Sheldon Stoddard, recalled this harrowing experience while traveling with the Jefferson Hunt caravan, bound for the gold fields of Northern California.

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Home to the modern-day 15 Freeway, the Cajon Pass has presented challenges to travelers for centuries – San Bernardino Sun

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Musso & Frank’s in Hollywood is turning100. Here’s how it’s celebrating

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The next major group of travelers to ramble through the pass was a wagon train made up of 437 Mormons from Salt Lake destined to develop the future city of SanBernardino in 1851. This caravan followed the Salt Lake Trail as far as Baldy Mesa before detouring through the West Cajon Canyon after hearing about a longer, but lesssteep and rocky route developed by a Banning teamster named William T. Sanford a year earlier. Sanford’s Crossing was smoother than the trail through Coyote Canyon.However, it was 7 miles longer and so steep at one point that wagons had to be lowered with ropes.

The first bonafide wagon road through the Cajon Pass finally occurred when mountain man-turned-businessman John Brown saw the increasing volume of wagon trafficthrough the pass. With two partners in 1861, he took out a 20-year franchise from the state of California to build and maintain a toll road. Brown chose the old Salt Lakeroute through Coyote Canyon, but instead of dealing with the rocky streambed as the frustrated Hunt party barely conquered, he built his road up on the side of thecanyon above it.

As the city of San Bernardino became prominent as a supply, freighting and transportation center, a stage line and freight wagon company was established during the mid1870s by the Meyerstein Brothers, which hauled supplies by way of Brown’s road to the flourishing Panamint mining district out in the desert.

By the 1880s so many people were coming out to Southern California from the East Coast that there was fierce competitionbetween railroads seeking access from the east to Southern California and its seaports. Before long, the California SouthernRailroad (soon to be taken over by the Santa Fe and now known as BNSF) made its way through the Cajon Pass, closelyapproximating the course of the old trails, making their excursions a lot quicker.

After the Brown toll road expired, this forerunner to the modern day freeway was taken over by the county of San Bernardinoand by 1914 the old route was being paved for automobiles while becoming part of The National Old Trails Road.

Then beginning in 1926, when U.S. Route 66 was established, the new highway closely followed those earlier routes. Over theyears, the “Mother Road,” as author John Steinbeck called it, carried millions of travelers over the Cajon Pass until today’s 15Freeway was opened during the 1960s.

Reach Nick Cataldo at Yankeenut15@gmail.com and read more of his local history articles at Facebook.com/BackRoadsPress.

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Tags: 15 Freeway, history, local history, Top Stories IVDB, Top Stories Sun

Chino Hills deputies searching for man who ran away from station – San Bernardino Sun

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The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Chino Hills deputies are looking for a man who ran away from their station onWednesday night. (Photo courtesy of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department)

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Chino Hills deputies searching for man who ranaway from station

Chino Hills deputies searching for man who ran away from station – San Bernardino Sun

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By ROBERT GUNDRAN | rgundran@scng.com |PUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 11:21 pm | UPDATED: September 26, 2019 at 1:32 am

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was looking for a man who ran away from the ChinoHills station on Wednesday night.

Deputies said the man was initially being held for questioning at the station, but he left the area. Hewas believed to be in the Payne Ranch community.

The man was not believed to be armed nor dangerous, officials said. Still, deputies asked anyone whosees him to call 911.

The man’s name was not immediately released.

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3 arrested, 1 suspect still outstanding in Fontana shooting that injured 1 – Press Enterprise

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The Fontana Police Department is looking for a man suspected of firing a shot at Jack Bulik Park that injured a woman. (Photo

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3 arrested, 1 suspect still outstanding in Fontana shooting that injured 1 – Press Enterprise

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By ROBERT GUNDRAN | rgundran@scng.com |PUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 4:27 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 4:27 pm

Three people have been arrested in connection with a shooting at Jack Bulik Park in Fontana onTuesday evening that injured one woman.

Fontana police said the incident happened just before 5:30 p.m., when several people got into a fightat the park. During the fight, a suspect described as a 5-foot-8-inch, 240 pound man pulled out ahandgun and fired at other people involved in the fight.

That shot hit a woman. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and thenreleased, officials said.

Authorities said they believe everyone involved in the fight knew each other. Three of those people,two women and a man, were arrested Tuesday.

Michelle Pacheco, 36, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and battery withserious bodily injury. She was booked into the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center with a bail of$100,000.

Jocelyn Castro, 25, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and booked into theWest Valley Detention Center with a bail of $25,000.

Robert Castro, 19, was also arrested, police said.

Fontana police said the man who fired the gun had not been arrested as of Wednesday afternoon. Hewas last seen wearing black pants and a black shirt.

Anyone with information on the shooting can contact the Fontana Police Department at 909-350-7720or 909-854-8148.

courtesy of the Fontana Police Department)

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Man fatally shot in San Bernardino – San Bernardino Sun

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By ERIC LICAS | elicas@scng.com | Orange County RegisterPUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 3:38 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 3:40 pm

A man died after a shooting in San Bernardino on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and authorities were searching for a suspect or suspects.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired on the 600 block of East 9th Street at about 1:13 p.m., and found a wounded man, San Bernardino police Sgt. Gerald Beallsaid. The victim died before he could be taken to a hospital.

A description of any possible suspect was not available, and no arrests had been made as of 2:30 p.m. Beall said. However, police said there did not appear to be anyimmediate threat to nearby residents.

Authorities asked people to stay away from the area as detectives conducted a homicide investigation.

The victim’s identity and other details regarding what might led up to his killing were not immediately available.

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McStay family slaying: Lead defense attorney seeks withdrawal from case, delay of Merritt’s sentencing – San Bernardino Sun

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McStay family slaying: Lead defense attorney seeks withdrawal from case, delay of Merritt’s sentencing – San Bernardino Sun

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By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY | rdeatley@scng.com | The Press-EnterprisePUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 11:59 am | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 4:14 pm

The lead defense attorney for Charles “Chase” Merritt, convicted in June of slaying the four-member McStay family ofFallbrook, has filed a motion to withdraw from the case and asked to delay the scheduled Friday, Sept. 27, sentencing ofhis client.

Jurors recommended the death penalty for Merritt in the slaying of the wife and two young sons of business partnerJoseph McStay; they recommended life in prison without parole for his murder.

Co-defense counsel Rajan Maline said on Wednesday that he will not join the motion filed by attorney James McGee.

“Yes, Mr. McGee filed a motion to be relieved,” Maline said. “I do not plan to leave Mr. Merritt until justice is served, andthat means until he is free.”

The motion is scheduled to be considered during Friday’s hearing at the San Bernardino Justice Center.

Merritt, 62, was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of former business associate McStay, 40, his wife,Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3.

The family had recently moved to Fallbrook from San Clemente and disappeared in February 2010, with their bodiesfound in shallow graves west of the 15 Freeway near Victorville nearly four years later. Merritt was arrested and chargedwith their murders a year later.

Merritt, who lived in Rancho Cucamonga, and McStay worked together to sell large-scale water features; McStay foundcustomers, and Merritt assembled the works. Prosecutors said McStay was cutting Merritt out of the business because ofpoor performance. Merritt was also told he owed McStay nearly $43,000 shortly before the family disappeared, they said.

Defense attorneys said the outdoor water features business was growing, that McStay liked Merritt’s work, and thatMerritt’s prospects for continued collaboration with McStay were too lucrative to support the prosecution’s theory.

Charles Merritt, right, discusses his case with James E. McGee on Feb. 11, 2016. McGee was advising Merritt, and would later become lead counsel in thequadruple-murder case. (Kurt MIller, SCNG)

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9/26/2019 One injured, home damaged in Victorville fire - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

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By Martin Estacio Staff Writer Posted Sep 25, 2019 at 5:58 PM

VICTORVILLE — A structure fire injured one person and damaged part of ahome on Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze broke out at about 1:13 p.m. at a two-story residence in the 14600block of Oak Branch Road, Victorville Fire Department Chief Greg Benson said.

Firefighters reported a column of heavy, black smoke when they first arrived atthe scene.

A person was found to be suffering from smoke inhalation. The person receivedtreatment at the scene but declined to be transported, Victorville Cityspokesperson Sue Jones said.

Benson could not say whether the person was a man or a woman, or theircurrent condition. No other injuries were reported.

The fire was contained to the upper floor of the house where it caused heavydamage before VFD firefighters brought it under control.

The cause is still under investigation.

Martin Estacio may be reached at MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com or at 760-955-5358.

Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

One injured, home damaged in Victorville re

High-Speed Rail From Inland Empire To Vegas Could Be Reality In A Few Years – CBS Los Angeles

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/09/24/high-speed-rail-from-inland-empire-to-vegas-could-be-reality-in-a-few-years/[9/25/2019 4:54:01 PM]

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High-Speed Rail From Inland Empire To VegasCould Be Reality In A Few YearsSeptember 24, 2019 at 11:35 pmFiled Under: Brightline, High Speed Rail, High-Speed Rail To Vegas, High-Speed Train Project, Richard Branson, Victorville To Vegas, Virgin Group, VirginTrains USA

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High-Speed Rail From Inland Empire To Vegas Could Be Reality In A Few Years – CBS Los Angeles

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/09/24/high-speed-rail-from-inland-empire-to-vegas-could-be-reality-in-a-few-years/[9/25/2019 4:54:01 PM]

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A high-speed train traveling fromSouthern California to Las Vegas might be just a few years away.

Virgin Trains USA — backed by Fortress Investment Groupprivate equity funds — is proposing to build the rail line fromVictorville to Vegas mainly along the median of Interstate 15.

Virgin Trains USA is the same Florida-based passenger railroadcompany tapped last year to build the line, with a new name aftera branding deal with Richard Branson’s Virgin Group — a minorityshareholder in the company.

The company hopes to start construction its Las Vegas line in2023 and said it would take about three years for the project to becompleted.

Trains would be able to carry up to 600 passengers and reachspeeds of up to 150 miles per hour — covering the 180-miledistance in 90 minutes.

Virgin Trains USA said the rail line would infuse about $50 milliondollars per year into the San Bernardino economy.

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Feds sue Ryder, a MoVal shipping firm, for racial harassment – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...ssment/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise&utm_medium=social[9/26/2019 7:26:45 AM]

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Feds sue Ryder, a MoVal shipping firm, for racialharassmentThe lawsuit seeks monetary relief for employees and a plan to correct andprevent future discrimination.

Feds sue Ryder, a MoVal shipping firm, for racial harassment – Press Enterprise

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By JACK KATZANEK | jkatzanek@scng.com |PUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 3:48 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 3:51 pm

The operator of a Moreno Valley trucking and logistics depot and the staffing agency that recruits itsworkers have been sued by a federal agency alleging racial harassment and retaliation.

According to a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 25 by the U.S. Equal Employment OpportunityCommission’s Los Angeles office, black employees at Ryder Integrated Systems’ Moreno Valleyfacility “were subjected to ongoing and unwelcome harassment based on their race.”

Irvine-based Kimco Staffing Services, which recruited workers for Ryder, was also named in thelawsuit.

According to the EEOC lawsuit, workers at the facility regularly referred to black coworkers with racialslurs and epithets. When one of the black workers complained to her superiors, no corrective actionwas taken.

That employee was fired within days of making the complaint. According to court documents, thesepractices at the Globe Street facility have been ongoing and unchecked since at least 2016.

Ryder and Kimco representatives did not reply to requests for comment.

“Under federal discrimination laws, it is the responsibility of both the staffing agency and theemployers to which they assign staff to stop and address reported harassment,” Rosa Viramontes, theEEOC’s Los Angeles district director said in the statement. “Retaliation against workers who reportharassment is illegal, and it’s our job to fight this misconduct.”

The lawsuit seeks monetary relief for a class of employees as well as enforcing a plan to correct andprevent future discrimination. Efforts to reach a settlement without filing a lawsuit were unsuccessful,the EEOC said.

This is the second case accusing an Inland Empire logistics operator and its staffing agency of racialharassment and retaliation filed in the last four months. In May, the agency filed a suit againstCardinal Health and AppleOne about the situation at an Ontario medical supply warehouse.

According to an EEOC lawsuit, black employees at Ryder Integrated Systems’ Moreno Valley facility “were subjected to ongoing andunwelcome harassment based on their race.”. (Photo from Ryder System)

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9/25/2019 Costco shooting: LAPD officer won't face charges in killing of Kenneth French - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-09-25/costco-shooting-lapd-officer-wont-will-face-charges-in-killing-of-intellectually-disabled-man 1/11

CALIFORNIA

Costco shooting: LAPD officer won’t face criminal charges;LAPD releases security video

By RICHARD WINTON, COLLEEN SHALBY, CINDY CARCAMO

SEP. 25, 20194:35 PM

Riverside County prosecutors on Wednesday announced they would not file criminal charges

against an off-duty Los Angeles police officer who fatally shot an intellectually disabled man in

June during a confrontation in a Costco store in Corona.

Dist. Atty. Mike Hestrin said prosecutors presented the case Sept. 9 to a Riverside grand jury of 19

people, which compelled testimony from witnesses inside the crowded warehouse store.

Costco shooting captured on security camerasCostco shooting captured on security cameras

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9/25/2019 Costco shooting: LAPD officer won't face charges in killing of Kenneth French - Los Angeles Times

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Ultimately, the grand jury decided no charges were warranted against the off-duty officer, Salvador

Sanchez, in the fatal shooting of Kenneth French, 32.

The district attorney’s office presented incriminating as well as exculpatory evidence to the grand

jury, which California prosecutors are required to do, and Hestrin said his office solicited questions

from an attorney who represents Sanchez, a patrol officer in the Los Angeles Police Department’s

Southwest Division.

Hestrin could file charges despite the grand jury’s decision but said he would not do so because the

minimum number of jurors — 12 of the 19 — didn’t find evidence to indict.

He rejected the idea that Sanchez, as a law enforcement officer, received special treatment. “I stand

by the decision of the grand jury,” Hestrin said.

French was killed in a food-tasting line June 14. His parents, Russell and Paola French, were

wounded in the gunfire.

In the weeks following the deadly encounter, sharply different accounts of the interaction emerged.

David Winslow, an attorney for Sanchez, said his client was getting a sample when he was attacked

and briefly knocked out by French.

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“He was shopping with his wife and 1½-year-old at Costco,” Winslow said. “His son was in his

arms, and he was feeding his son some samples when, within seconds, he was on the ground and

woke up from being unconscious and he was fighting for his life.”

Corona police also said the assault, which was captured on Costco security cameras, was

unprovoked and led the officer to fire his 9-millimeter pistol.

Investigators with the district attorney’s office said no words were exchanged before French

accosted Sanchez.

“There was no previous altercation. ... There was no inadvertent bumping. The officer [carrying his

child] was hit in the head,” Hestrin said.

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Costco shooting captured on security camerasCostco shooting captured on security cameras

9/25/2019 Costco shooting: LAPD officer won't face charges in killing of Kenneth French - Los Angeles Times

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During a news conference Wednesday, Hestrin played a portion of a low-quality surveillance video,

but the images were grainy and it was hard to decipher what was happening. The recording shows

French, wearing a striped shirt, being pulled along by a male family member in a dark shirt. The

two men become entangled and fall to the ground, and a woman is seen approaching them.

Sanchez is barely visible in the far-left frame.

Prior to the confrontation between Sanchez and French, prosecutors said there was no previous

interaction between the two.

“It was out of the blue and unexpected,” Hestrin said. “The officer was hit in the back of the head

while holding a child in his hands.”

Ira Salzman, another of Sanchez’s attorneys, said his client had been vindicated.

“My client was assaulted and attacked, and what he did was excusable and reasonable under the

law,” Salzman said. “It is a terrible tragedy. We have two sets of parents trying to protect their

child. Sal had no choice but to use deadly force to protect his young son and himself from assault.”

The district attorney’s analysis determined 3.8 seconds elapsed between when Sanchez was

knocked to the ground and when the first of a total of 10 shots were fired. The gunfire cannot be

seen in the video.

The LAPD released a statement Wednesday afternoon, along with the video, saying that its

administrative investigation is ongoing despite the decision by the Riverside County district

attorney’s office.

“A court order barred the department from releasing that video, however, that stay order was lifted

today and we are now able to release it to the public,” the statement reads.

9/25/2019 Costco shooting: LAPD officer won't face charges in killing of Kenneth French - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-09-25/costco-shooting-lapd-officer-wont-will-face-charges-in-killing-of-intellectually-disabled-man 5/11

Russell French, left, and his son Kevin leave a news conference in Corona. French was wounded in the Costco shooting. (MelMelcon / Los Angeles Times)

After the LAPD’s investigation is complete, the statement says, the police chief “will make a

recommendation to the Board of Police Commissioners, who will determine whether Officer

Sanchez’s decision to use lethal force was within department policy.”

“The department continues to express its deepest sympathies to the French family,” the statement

says.

The decision against prosecution capped a three-month investigation into a case that sparked

debate about the use of deadly force by law enforcement and prompted worry among families of

developmentally disabled children.

9/25/2019 Costco shooting: LAPD officer won't face charges in killing of Kenneth French - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-09-25/costco-shooting-lapd-officer-wont-will-face-charges-in-killing-of-intellectually-disabled-man 6/11

Civil rights attorney Dale K. Galipo, who is representing the French family, acknowledged that

French pushed the officer but said the exchange wasn’t a justification for the shooting.

Before shots were fired, there was a gap in time when the officer declared he was a police officer,

and French’s father stepped between the two men.

French was normally calm, but he had had a recent change in medication that might have affected

his behavior, Galipo said.

The attorney has said French was nonverbal and suffered from schizophrenia.

In August, a Riverside County Superior Court judge blocked the release of the surveillance video

that was unveiled Wednesday.

The Times requested a copy of the video from inside the store in late June, citing both California

public records laws and Assembly Bill 748, which requires government agencies to produce video

and audio recordings of critical incidents involving police that result in death or great bodily injury.

That request was denied by the city, and The Times appealed the decision.

Judge Eric Keen wrote in a ruling July 22 that releasing the video would substantially interfere

with an ongoing criminal investigation into the case. The order originally barred Corona and Los

Angeles police from releasing the video for one year from the date of the shooting.

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Student dies 9 days after campus fight at Moreno Valley Landmark Middle School – Daily Bulletin

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin[9/25/2019 4:56:16 PM]

Fight at Moreno Valley middle schoolleaves one student hospitalized with‘significant injuries’

By BEAU YARBROUGH | byarbrough@scng.com and RICHARD K. DE ATLEY | rdeatley@scng.com |Inland Valley Daily BulletinPUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 1:02 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 4:24 pm

The 13-year-old boy whose head hit a pillar during what authorities called an attack by two otherstudents at Moreno Valley Landmark Middle School has been pronounced clinically dead.

The boy, identified as Diego, was hospitalized after the Sept. 16 incident and died from his injuries,according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

“Preparations by Diego’s family are underway for organ donation to transform this tragedy into the giftof life for other children,” the agency said.

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BREAKING NEWS Student dies 9 days after campus fight at Moreno Valley Landmark MiddleSchool September 25, 2019 at 4:24 pm N

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Student dies 9 days after campus fight at Moreno Valley Landmark Middle School – Daily Bulletin

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2 arrests in Landmark Middle School fightin Moreno Valley that left student criticallyinjured

Suspects in assault at Moreno Valley’sLandmark Middle School are honorsstudents

Moreno Valley parents pull kids from classto protest school assault

The decision to pronounce Diego dead was made Tuesday night, Sept. 24.

The Moreno Valley Unified School District said it will provide counselors and support personnel atLandmark to help any student, employee or family member cope with the grief.

A planned community meeting scheduled for Thursday evening was cancelled, and the district willinstead hold a remembrance ceremony for Diego at the school.

The incident prompted outrage over purported bullying at the school and fear from students’ parents.Administrators have said the two students arrested in connection with the attack on Diego werehonors students and face assault charges.

The two students remained in custody Wednesday at Riverside County Juvenile Hall. They faceprosecution for the assault; officials have not said if the charges against the two have been increasedbecause of Diego’s death.

“This is a life-changing tragedy for everyone involved, including the staff and students at LandmarkMiddle School,” Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez said.

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Student dies 9 days after campus fight at Moreno Valley Landmark Middle School – Daily Bulletin

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin[9/25/2019 4:56:16 PM]

3 arrested, 1 suspect still outstanding inFontana shooting that injured 1

McStay family slaying: Lead defenseattorney seeks withdrawal from case,delay of Merritt’s sentencing

7-hour standoff ends with man arrested,AR-15 found in Pomona

Grand jury: No indictment in CostcoCorona shooting by off-duty LAPD officer;surveillance video released

Showers, thunderstorms possible today inInland Empire

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If a student exhibits violence against another student, “when we find out something, we address it,” School Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora said at a wednesday afternoon news conferenceoutside the school.

“We will make sure the appropriate support, the appropriate consequences, the appropriate measuresare taken. … Whenever we learn something, we do something,” he said.

There are 33,000 children in the district, he said, “each ofthem mean a great deal to each of us.”

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends andschool community as they cope with this devastating loss,”the school district said in a statement released earlierWednesday.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Bringing back redevelopment would be the wrong move for California – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...for-california/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_campaign=socialflow[9/26/2019 7:25:38 AM]

OPINION

Bringing back redevelopment would be the wrongmove for California

Bringing back redevelopment would be the wrong move for California – San Bernardino Sun

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By HOWARD HUSOCK |PUBLISHED: September 25, 2019 at 4:51 pm | UPDATED: September 25, 2019 at 4:52 pm

California’s high housing prices are fundamentally a supply problem. Of course, that hasn’t preventedstatewide rent control—a counter-productive idea that will lead to still lower housing turnover, reducedinvestment in maintenance, and far less new construction.

To this bad idea we should add yet another: the revival of local redevelopment authorities. Though it’sbeing pushed in Sacramento in the name of public financing for “affordable” housing, the approach isboth expensive and wrong-headed.

Local redevelopment authorities’ history goes back to the 1940s, when they were conceived as a wayto combat so-called urban “blight”—which often meant the use of eminent domain powers to wipe outfunctioning, if modest, low-income, often minority communities to clear the way for subsidized middle-

(Photo by David Crane, Daily News/SCNG)

Bringing back redevelopment would be the wrong move for California – San Bernardino Sun

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class development.

State subsidies for that generation’s progressive vision led to widespread displacement of low-incomehousing and businesses through the power of eminent domain—and misunderstood the essential factof urban life that today’s “blight” can be tomorrow’s historic district. Or, as Jane Jacobs said, newideas need old buildings (with cheap rent).

This time around, the authorities—with the power to use public financing to subsidize housingconstruction—are being pushed as the way to help localities meet state affordable housing goals.

This at least reflects a modest understanding that only supply will help meet growing demand. Butnew housing for low-income residents is in fact extremely costly. As the federal GovernmentalAccountability Office has found, the median per-unit cost of such housing is $326,000 in Californiawith such projects in the state going as high as $606,000 per unit. Using redevelopment authorities tosupport such housing would be yet another costly burden imposed on the Golden State’s stressedlocal tax bases.

Legacy costs for retiree pension and health care has already hollowed out local services, includingpublic safety. Diverting a shrunken local tax base to public financing for housing is the wrong way togo.

California’s housing shortage will not be solved byexpensive public subsidies to locate low-income

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Bringing back redevelopment would be the wrong move for California – San Bernardino Sun

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An ethical double standard

Can freedom be found in seasteading?:John Stossel

Climate hysteria drives the extinction ofcommon sense

Gavin Newsom provides a lone legislativesession mystery

California’s pension debt cannot beignored

households in affluent municipalities. Instead, the “Yes InMy Backyard” (YIMBY) movement needs to find a formulathat can persuade local planning officials to permitadditional construction. That would require incrementalzoning changes to clear the way for smaller, denserhousing, including small multi-family structures and smaller-lot single-family homes.

Density has always been the secret to affordability. Thosewho can see this will have to convince local governmentsthat zoning needs to be modestly relaxed—an approachthat would make way for young families to have access tostarter homes, and for local teachers, police and firefighters

to live in the localities they serve. Costly subsidies to build a small number of low-rent homes for afortunate view will not address the state’s persistent housing shortage.

But state subsidy (through tax-exempt bonding) and eminent domain power cannot substitute for alocal electorate that actually welcomes some new housing construction. Zoning has always been, andremains, a fundamentally local power. If local voters are to permit new construction—ideally the“missing middle” of small, often multi-family structures—they will have to be convinced that doing so isnot only in the interest of newcomers but in their own interest as well. California awaits politicalleadership that can do that.

Howard Husock is the vice president for research and publications at the Manhattan Institute.

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