Category: Inland Empire

By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES — Union leaders and Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement Sunday to end a historic screenwriters strike after nearly five months, though no deal is yet in the works for striking actors. The Writers Guild of America announced the deal in a joint statement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies in negotiations. “WGA has reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP,” the guild said in an email to members. “This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who joined us on the picket lines for over 146 days.” The three-year contract agreement — settled on after five marathon days of renewed talks by negotiators WGA and the AMPTP — must be approved by the guild’s board and members before the strike officially ends. In a longer message from the guild shared by members on social media, the writers were told the strike is not over and no one was to return to work until

The world’s top professional cowgirls and cowboys are showing off their skills this weekend as the 24th annual San Bernardino County Sheriff’s P.R.C.A Rodeo returns to Glen Helen Regional Park. Rodeo-goers can enjoy bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing and team roping through Sunday, Sept. 24. The rodeo, which began Friday evening at the San Bernardino park, continues through the weekend. Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday and the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. On Sunday, gates open at 2 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 6 p.m. Steer wrestler Levi Rudd, from Chelsea, OK, competes on the opening night of the 24th annual San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Rodeo at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino on Friday, Sep. 22, 2023. The rodeo, which is one of the last scheduled for competitors to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December, concludes Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Bull rider Wylee Hurst, from Rigby, ID, rides Sea Smoke to a no score on opening night of the 24th annual San Bernardino

Baldwin Park’s former city attorney “knowingly and intentionally” assisted in a bribery and wire fraud scheme that funneled $70,000 in illicit payoffs to former Councilman Ricardo Pacheco to secure his vote on a cannabis permit, according to federal authorities. The new allegations against Robert Tafoya became public last week following the federal grand jury indictment of Tafoya’s longtime friend and alleged co-conspirator, former Compton Councilman Isaac Galvan. Tafoya has not been charged and is only identified as “Person 1,” an individual described in the indictment as “the city attorney for Baldwin Park from in or around December 2013 until October 2022.” Court filings, however, refer to Person 1 as a “co-conspirator” and suggest he assisted in at least two instances in which Pacheco sold his vote. Tafoya resigned as city attorney that same month after the Southern California News Group published details about other allegations against him contained in the unsealed plea agreements of Pacheco, a councilman from 1997 to 2020, and Gabriel Chavez, a former San Bernardino County planning commissioner who served as Pacheco’s middleman in the bribery scheme. Pacheco and Chavez each pleaded guilty

A controversial school board president in Perris whose colleagues twice attempted to remove him from office due to inappropriate conduct at public meetings is facing his second prosecution for driving under the influence of alcohol. Matthew Pierre Guevara Serafin, 31, president of the Val Verde Unified School District’s Board of Education, was arrested about 4:50 p.m. Aug. 27 on suspicion of DUI. Serafin was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta and released the following day after he was issued a citation, Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez said. Serafin’s arrest came a little more than a year after he completed probation on another DUI offense, court records show. Crash into parked car Sheriff’s deputies received the call at 4:20 p.m. and responded to a report of a vehicle colliding into an unoccupied parked vehicle on Redding Way near A Street in Perris. No injuries were reported, Gonzalez said. Citing the ongoing investigation, Gonzalez could not provide additional details on the accident, including Serafin’s blood alcohol level at the time of his arrest or if any other substances were in his system at the

By Jennifer Iyer | Contributing Writer In November, Perris voters will decide if distribution and industrial property operators with lots of large truck activity should pay more to fix the city’s roads. If approved, Measure A would establish a special business license tax of up to 10.7 cents per square foot per year, bringing in about $4 million annually. “Throughout the city the roads do get damaged,” Perris City Councilmember Malcolm Corona said. “Mostly it seems to be in the areas that are frequented by large trucks.” Engineers pegged the cost to fix those roads at about $4 million a year, said Corona, who introduced the idea of a tax to his colleagues. The city came up with a tax rate to cover those expenses. “We’re just asking them to pay their fair share,” he said. Members of the Inland Empire Chapter of NAIOP — Commercial Real Estate Development Association, oppose the tax, but representatives could not be reached for comment. In an argument against the measure written for official voter guides, an association representative called the proposal a “job-killing double tax.” The “tax will

A giant UPS airplane waits at the end of the runway for the Plane Pull to Benefit Special Olympics Athletes to begin at Long Beach Airport on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer) Aubrey Hernandez (age 4) helps her dad, Robert Hernandez, and their team, KP Spirit, pull the rope of that leads to the plane during the Plane Pull to benefit Special Olympics athletes at Long Beach airport on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer) Participants wear gloves to protect their hands while pulling on the large rope during the Plane Pull to benefit Special Olympics athletes. Long Beach Airport, September 23, 2023. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer) A giant UPS airplane sits on the runway at Long Beach Airport while the Special Olympic teams gather to participate in the Plane Pull to Benefit Special Olympics Athletes on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer) Leo Ramirez gives the Special Olympics oath at the Plane Pull to benefit Special Olympics athletes on September 23, 2023 at the Long Beach airport. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing

The Lakewood Center closed its doors early on Saturday night as hundreds of teenagers were involved in disturbances that spilled into the mall parking lots, where around 100 teenagers climbed on cars, lit fireworks and caused additional mayhem, authorities said. Group of teens force Lakewood Center Mall to close early after causing “disturbance” https://t.co/ag63lndqHa — KCAL News (@kcalnews) September 24, 2023 Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lakewood Station responded to the Lakewood Center at around 8 p.m. on Saturday night and found dozens of teens causing a disturbance in the area, said watch commander Sgt. Robert Martinez. Deputies began to try and separate the teens and send them home. Earlier, a social media post led about 300 juveniles to gather starting at 2 p.m. at the mall at Lakewood Boulevard and Candlewood Street, said Deputy Tracy Koerner of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. The juveniles came and went throughout the afternoon. There may have been a fight early on that was quickly stopped by deputies, Koerner said. The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station called for help from the Century, Norwalk and Pico Rivera stations to

The Lakewood Center closed its doors early on Saturday night after around 100 teenagers climbed on cars, lit fireworks and caused mayhem in the mall’s parking lot, authorities said. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lakewood Station responded to the Lakewood Center at around 8 p.m. on Saturday night and found dozens of teens causing a disturbance in the area, said watch commander Sgt. Robert Martinez. Deputies began to try and separate the teens and send them home. Social media videos from the scene show teens running inside the mall, with deputies standing inside stores ushering them outside. It’s unclear at this time why the teens gathered, or if any crimes had occurred. No arrests had been made and no injuries were reported. The center closed at 7 p.m., two hours earlier than the usual 9 p.m. closing time on Saturdays. Emily Holshouser | Reporter Emily Holshouser is an Los Angeles-based reporter who came to California from North Carolina in 2018. Emily began her career at the Cal State Northridge Daily Sundial, where she covered cops, protests, and utilities. She previously worked at

Temecula Valley Wine County is celebrating the grape harvest, which coincides with California Wine Month. At the Peltzer Farm and Winery, visitors stomped grapes Saturday, Sept. 23, which was also the opening day of the Peltzer Pumpkin Farm’s 27th season. RELATED: Why an author says Temecula Wine Country is a unique grape-growing spot Proceeds from the fourth Stomp Out Cancer event will benefit the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California. Hundreds of grapes are used for the Stomp Out Cancer fundraiser hosted by the Peltzer Farm and Winery in Temecula Valley Wine Country on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Noah Bronson, 1, sits on a pumpkin at the Peltzer Farm and Winery’s Pumpkin Farm’s opening day Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Temecula Valley Wine Country. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Buckets of grapes are used for the Stomp Out Cancer fundraiser hosted by the Peltzer Farm and Winery in Temecula Valley Wine Country on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) The Peltzer Farm and Winery offers train rides at its Pumpkin Farm’s opening day Saturday

After a pandemic hiatus, the California Botanic Garden is bringing back its in-person Things That Go Bump in the Night event, scheduled Oct. 6 and 7 at the Claremont garden. For the evening event, guests are encouraged to bring flashlights to explore the nocturnal worlds of plants and animals at booths and stages that will be scattered throughout the garden. There will be interactive activities and shows; opportunities to connect with live animals and make creepy crawly crafts; guided tours; and food trucks, according to a news release. Partners and exhibitors include Pomona Valley Audubon Society, Wild Wings of California bird rescue, Guardians of the Wolves, SoCal Bat Working Group, Without a Box improv and scientists from Harvey Mudd College and UCR. Things That Go Bump in the Night runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6 and 7, and advance ticket purchases are recommended, because the event could sell out. Adult admission is $12 for California Botanic Garden members and $16 for nonmembers. Tickets for students with ID, seniors and children ages 3 to 12 are $8 for members, $12 for nonmembers. For tickets

It’s the Cheech Marin collection, take two. For the first year of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture, nearly 100 pieces were on display on the Riverside museum‘s main floor. Almost all of them were from the comic and actor’s donation of 500 works from his collection of Mexican American art. Titled “Cheech Collects,” the exhibit was left up a full year rather than the anticipated six months because first-time visitors kept coming. Now, The Cheech has a fresh show, titled “Cheech Collects: Anniversary Edition.” On view through May 12, 2024, it’s got 86 pieces, 22 of which are holdovers from the original show and 64 of which are new. “A lot of pieces, this is the first time they’ve been on display,” Marin said during a first-anniversary event in June. One recent acquisition that he singled out was 2022’s “Agárate Papa” (Hang On, Dad). It hilariously blends modern and classical styles by placing a donkey piñata in a pastoral countryside that Marin described as “a John Constable landscape,” referring to the 19th century English painter. Of artist Francisco Palomares, Marin said:

The Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization will host the 2023 Inland Empire More Than Pink Walk Oct. 8 at Town Square Park in Murrieta. Previous walks have drawn more than 2,000 people to the event that celebrates breast cancer survivors and honors those who have died from the disease. The walk also raises funds for research and support services for breast cancer patients, including financial assistance, screening and diagnostics and patient navigation services. “We are excited to have the community join us this year at the More Than Pink Walk to make a difference in our fight against breast cancer in our community,” Jill Eaton, executive director for Inland Empire Susan G. Komen, said in a news release. “Continuing to support individuals going through breast cancer in our community is critical to our mission and it is clear that our services are needed as the demand increases.” Breast cancer survivors and those living with metastatic disease, caregivers, family members and loved ones will come together at Town Square Park at 7 a.m. when the event site opens. The opening ceremony begins at 8 a.m.

Jonathan Williams, CEO and president of the Battleship USS IOWA Museum, is among those who will urge a move to reposition the World War II battleship farther south on San Pedro’s waterfront as plans get finalized for how to better connect attractions along the water. (Courtesy Photo by John Mattera) 6/9/12 – The USS Iowa made its final tow from the outer berth to Berth 87. Built in 1940, the USS IOWA served our country for over 50 years. The World War II battleship will be permanent museum, opening to the public on July 7, 2012. Photo by Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer The USS Iowa made its final tow from the outer berth to Berth 87. Built in 1940, the USS IOWA served our country for over 50 years. The World War II battleship will be permanent museum, opening to the public on July 7, 2012. Photo by Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer How do you move a World War II battleship? Not easily. Or cheaply. Still, a move for the Battleship USS Iowa has been actively talked about and planned for several years and

They’ve been walking on air for weeks. But less than a month after bringing home the Little League World Series championship, the young All-Stars from El Segundo embarked on a journey that would take them 1,000 feet above their hometown. “You’ve done many things before, but this is probably better than a few of them, I think,” Louis Lappe, the star player of the storybook squad, said shortly before the ride, “because it’s like going on the plane, but like a luxury plane.” Brody Brooks, another star on the team, said his parents had already asked him to take photos during the ride. “It’s pretty unique,” he said. “It’s definitely way bigger in person than I thought it was, just like, looking up.” On Friday afternoon, at least eight players and three of their coaches from El Segundo Little League boarded the Goodyear Blimp, a semi-rigid airship operated by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The blimp took off from the company’s Airship Base in Carson. From there, it headed over the Hawthorne Airport and flew towards the southside of the Los Angeles International Airport

Orange and yellow leaves on trees, pumpkins, scarecrows, corn fields, and bales of hay. These are some of the images that remind us of the change to the season of fall. The first official day of autumn for 2023, is Saturday, Sept. 23, and although the tree leaves have not all begun their transition from summer, many other signs of the change are apparent. Pumpkin patches are popping up in empty corner lots and bats, skeletons, and other Halloween decorations are beginning to adorn homes. Seasonal Adventures employee Louis Arganda, from Fontana, prepares to set up a fall cutout in Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Seasonal Adventures employee Benjamin Cleveland sets up pumpkin carts for visitors in Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. The seasonal attraction, which will sell pumpkins and host other family activities, opens to the public on Oct. 1, and will remain open daily until Halloween. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) A Seasonal Adventures employee prepares the lot for visitors in Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

Pomona, a city rich with history, on Friday celebrated a long-standing educational pillar in the community, Pomona Catholic High School. The school, established in 1898 and one of the oldest in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, celebrated 125 years of education on Friday, Sept. 21, with a special outdoor mass led by students and attended by Archbishop Gomez in the school chapel, a breakfast and campus tours for attendees. Originally named the Academy of the Holy Names, six Sisters from the Mother House in Oakland made up the teaching staff. The school also acted as an all-girls boarding school until a fire in 1927 forced it to relocate, and a new building was erected. Sister Julianna Vagnozzi, right, in prayer during the 125th-anniversary celebration at Pomona Catholic High School in Pomona on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The school holds the distinction of being the oldest Catholic high school in the Los Angeles diocese. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Students prepare for the start of the mass as they gather with church leaders at the 125th-anniversary celebration at Pomona Catholic High School in Pomona on Friday

Restaurants and other food vendors ordered to close and allowed to reopen by Riverside County health inspectors from Sept. 14 to Sept. 21. Del Taco, 102 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs Closed: Sept. 21 Reason: Insufficient hot water Pinzimini at The Westin Mission Hills Resort, 71333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage Closed: Sept. 19 Reason: Cockroach infestation Banquet kitchen at The Westin Mission Hills Resort, 71333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage Closed: Sept. 19 Reason: Cockroach infestation Employee cafeteria at The Westin Mission Hills Resort, 71333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage Closed: Sept. 19 Reason: Inability to properly wash and sanitize food contact surfaces Santorini Greek Food, 68375 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City Closed: Sept. 18 Reason: Insufficient hot water Updates since last week’s list: Starbucks at 2950 Pierce St., Suite N, Riverside, which was ordered closed Sept. 14 because of improper wastewater disposal and an inability to wash dishes and utensils, was allowed to reopen Sept. 14. Crusty’s Pizza at 2395 Hamner Ave., Norco, which was ordered closed Sept. 13 because of insufficient refrigeration, was allowed to reopen Sept. 18. This list is

Registration is open for the annual Hot Rods for a Cure car show, presented by Garage Rods, to be held 10 .am.-2 p.m. Oct. 7 at Cooper Regional History Museum, 217 E. A St., Upland. The show, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, is open to all hot rods, muscle rats, classics, stock, special interest vehicles, choppers, motorcycles, baggers and originals, according to a news release. “As a 10-year breast cancer survivor, I’m delighted to help organize this event that supports American Cancer Society programs of cancer research, education, advocacy and free patient services,” Jimmie Herrick of Upland, one of the event organizers, said in the news release. “Breast cancer hit me hard and changed my life, but I knew that when I was done with treatment, I was going to give back and help other women going through cancer,” Herrick said. “The Garage Rods community event is held in memory of my dear friend Laura Sanders, who supported Making Strides for many years here in the Inland Empire.” Vehicle entry fee is $35, all of which will be donated to the American Cancer