Category: Inland Empire

Flowering fruit trees, blooming wildflowers and beautiful warm, clear and sunny days marked the first day of spring 2025, which officially arrived at 2:01 a.m. Thursday, March 20, in the Northern Hemisphere. This comes after a chilly last few weeks of winter that brought storms to Southern California and snowfall to the local mountains. Hikers enjoy the weather and landscape of Chino Hills State Park on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) A bee looks for pollen in a poppy flower at Chino Hills State Park on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) A family carries their child while visiting a look-out point in Chino Hills State Park on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Green grass covers the landscape of Chino Hills State Park on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Hikers enjoy the weather and landscape of Chino Hills State Park on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) A cyclist rides through Chino Hills State Park on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Photo by

Nearly 700 condominium complexes around California have been placed on a “mortgage blacklist” that has created a headache for owners looking to sell their properties and, in many cases, forced them to lower their asking price. The list — reported on by The Orange County Register in 2023 — is maintained by Fannie Mae, a government-sponsored entity that doesn’t issue loans itself, but with its sister company Freddie Mac buys up nearly half of all home loans and bundles them to sell to investors. Inclusion on the blacklist can make it nearly impossible for buyers to get a conventional loan — the kind that Fannie buys and guarantees, which tend to be cheaper than other mortgages and require lower down payments. Fannie’s list has been growing in recent years, as it looks to protect itself from taking on mortgages for properties that it considers to be underinsured, dilapidated, or lacking sufficient reserves. Also see:  Buying a condo? Fannie Mae blacklist has 438 Southern California communities In January 2024, business screeched to a half for real estate agent Larry Spiteri when Fannie Mae blacklisted the majority

My March 7 column on Gene Hackman’s French, er, San Bernardino connection prompted a question from reader and Berdoo native Tim Brock. Tim was surprised to read here after Hackman’s death at 95 that his Jan. 30, 1930 birth took place at Ramona Maternity Hospital. He’d always believed the actor was born at St. Bernardine’s. (However, St. Bernardine’s didn’t open until 1931.) Tim asks where Ramona Hospital was and if the building still stands. According to a timeline on Wikipedia, the 42-bed Ramona Maternity Hospital opened in 1910. The Spanish Colonial Revival building stood at Fourth Street and Arrowhead Avenue. By 1932, two years after Hackman’s birth, losses during the Great Depression almost closed the hospital for good. The bank foreclosed. But a consortium of doctors, plus one dentist, bought it back. In 1938 Ramona reorganized as a nonprofit and got the name San Bernardino Community Hospital. Lovely as the building appeared, at least in a vintage postcard from its heyday, the two-story layout had its drawbacks as a medical facility: There was no elevator. To deliver, “expectant mothers were carried upstairs on gurneys,” Community

The year 1924 was one of great optimism in the country. The economy was doing well, the stock market was rising, and transportation gains were affecting not only the wealthy class of Americans, but also the burgeoning middle class. These innovations needed to be shown off to the traveling public, and in the days prior to radio, TV, and the internet, the best way to do that was to take them on tours crossing the country and showcasing to all the new abilities. Riverside, still one of the wealthiest cities in the country, was a prime stop for at least two of these shows. The first occurred Aug. 28, 1924, when Riverside was visited by the 10 millionth Ford. The Model T Touring car had been built in June, and pulled off the line for special consideration. The Ford Motor Company planned a coast-to-coast tour by the Model T, along the Lincoln Highway, showcasing the auto’s capabilities. Once that trip was done, the car went up and down the Pacific Coast. On the evening of Aug. 28, a parade was held for the Model T

Tower Agency real estate broker James Monks is offering Riverside residents up to $4,000 in cash prizes for helping beautify neglected yards throughout the city. Monks created the “Riverside Good Neighbor Project” to encourage community members to identify and improve yards in need of maintenance. “Just take the before picture and knock it out,” Monks said. “Do the work and find someone who’s deserving. Just jump in and help them out, whether it’s junk removal or tackling three to four feet of weeds.” The idea came from Monks’ experience with property renovation projects, where he noticed improvement at one house often inspired neighbors. “We saw a lot of it when we were doing flips,” Monks said. “We would get an ugly house. It’s overgrown, full of junk in the yard, and we turn it around in a month and it’s a great thing for the neighborhood. Two or three more people start fixing up their places, so we’re trying to do it just for the aesthetic of the neighborhood, not for profit.” The contest requires participants to obtain homeowner permission, take before photos, complete the

Collins Aerospace will receive the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce’s 2024 Business of the Year award at a ceremony March 20, 2025, recognizing the company’s economic contributions and community involvement. The Chamber will honor the aerospace manufacturer, an RTX business, during its 125th Inaugural Celebration where several hundred business and community leaders are expected to attend. The Riverside facility, which opened in 1952 as Rohr, Inc., employs more than 700 people and generates millions in economic benefit annually, according to Chamber documents. Collins specializes in aerospace and defense products, including advanced structures and systems for commercial and military sectors. Beyond its business operations, the company has strengthened its community presence through educational partnerships. Collins recently donated $25,000 to Riverside Unified School District’s new Casa Blanca Elementary School to support its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. “The vision is for Collins Aerospace employees to be onsite in the trenches with our staff and students,” said Bernie Torres, principal of Casa Blanca Elementary. “With the help of Collins Aerospace, we will be developing future scientists, engineers and mathematicians here in our Casa Blanca community.” Since

Over one hundred young men gathered for a leadership conference at UC Riverside’s Bourns Technology Center on Iowa Avenue, where they participated in workshops focused on personal development and career pathways. Students from across the city arrived by bus for the 2025 Young Men’s Conference, which provided resources and guidance aimed at their future success. The event featured five breakout groups emphasizing networking, personal development, communication skills, action planning and establishing mentorship relationships. Sessions highlighted various college and career opportunities available to the high school students. Felix “Coach” Bobo, delivered the keynote address, encouraging participants to challenge themselves. He talked about how doing what you love is not the same as doing whatever you want to do. “Greatness doesn’t happen in the comfort zone,” Bobo said during his speech. “Love is more than a feeling. I love to give these talks but I also love shoes and staying in bed and watching Netflix. If love was just about feeling, I’d be at home in bed.” The conference included both competitive and collaborative activities. In various sessions, students participated in LEGO building challenges and Mario Kart

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. was killed in a March 17 crash while responding to assist in a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle, authorities confirmed. The suspect, identified as Ryan Turner, has a history of fleeing law enforcement and reckless endangerment, according to the Rialto Police Department. The fatal collision occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m. at the intersection of Seneca Road and El Evado Road. Officials said Deputy Cuevas was driving a patrol SUV when he collided with another vehicle while en route to assist in an active pursuit of Turner, who was driving a stolen vehicle. The impact caused extensive damage and knocked down live electrical wires. Cuevas was pronounced dead at the scene. Suspect’s Criminal History and Prior Pursuits Turner, a repeat offender with an extensive criminal record, had previously led Rialto police on a high-speed chase on January 29, 2024, that also resulted in a crash. During that pursuit, Turner was seen driving a reported stolen vehicle and fled at speeds exceeding 90 mph on surface streets, recklessly weaving through Rialto and San Bernardino. At the intersection of Foothill

Barstow is one of the cities name-checked in the song “Route 66”: “…Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.” A museum in Barstow devoted to the famous highway opened on July 4, 2000 at the Harvey House, the landmark 1911 train depot. The museum held a 1964 red Mustang convertible and a 1915 Model T along with many vintage photos, newspaper pages, road signs and a telephone switchboard, all meant to evoke 20th century Americana and the roadway’s influence on the desert. In 2005, according to a Desert Dispatch newspaper column, some 10,000 visitors from 25 countries stepped through the museum’s doors. Last July, though, the museum abruptly closed. After 24 years of handing out maps and answering questions, curators Deb and Ken Hodkin said they were ready to retire, according to a post on the Desert Way blog. The Hodkins dispersed the collections and gift shop items to area museums. With Route 66’s centennial coming up in 2026, a milestone with decided tourism potential, something had to be done. And so, nine months after the museum closed, a new owner has stepped forward. Brendan O’Brien — not

In response to our recent  Neighbor of the Week feature on Claudia Rodriguez, who set out to visit all 149 of Riverside’s Cultural Landmarks, an accomplishment she now proudly claims, several readers asked if there was a list of all local markers. Historical Marker Database (HMDB) is a free user-editable online resource cataloging over 100 registered historical sites within just 10 miles of Downtown Riverside. Whether you’re planning a Sunday drive or an exploratory expedition from your couch, the HMDB provides detailed information about each marker including its location, historical significance and often photographs. Five Must-See Historical Markers in Riverside The Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree Possibly the most famous of our markers, where Arlington and Magnolia meet at one of the busiest intersections in town. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree planted by Eliza Tibbets herself started the whole citrus industry in Riverside. The Booker T. Washington and Frank A. Miller Tablet The newest of the markers and the one that inspired this little guide. You can find it near the very top of Mt. Rubidoux; this marker commemorates the walk to the top by Booker T. Washington and Frank A.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. has been identified as the deputy killed in a March 17 crash while responding to assist in a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle, authorities confirmed. The crash occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m. at the intersection of Seneca Road and El Evado Road, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Officials said Deputy Cuevas was driving a patrol SUV when it collided with another vehicle, causing extensive damage and knocking down live electrical wires. The Victorville Sheriff’s Station confirmed that Deputy Cuevas was en route to assist in an active pursuit of a stolen vehicle when the crash occurred. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is leading the inquiry into the cause of the collision. The driver of the second vehicle, a woman, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition has not been disclosed. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department released a statement honoring Cuevas’ service and sacrifice. The San Bernardino Police Officers Association also extended condolences, recognizing the deputy’s dedication to the community. Authorities have closed Seneca Road and

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was killed Monday morning in a crash while responding to assist in a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle, authorities said. The collision occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m. at the intersection of Seneca and El Evado roads, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Officials said the deputy was driving a patrol SUV when it collided with another vehicle, causing extensive damage and knocking down live electrical wires. The deputy, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle, a woman, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Her condition has not been disclosed. The Victorville Sheriff’s Station confirmed that the deputy was en route to assist in an active pursuit of a stolen vehicle when the crash occurred. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is leading the inquiry into the cause of the collision. Authorities have closed Seneca and El Evado roads for the remainder of the day while investigators process the scene and clear debris. The San Bernardino Police Officers Association expressed condolences

My teacher Mrs. Peterson asked her fifth-grade class what they hoped to do as adults, and not surprisingly most of the boys wished to be baseball players. Yes, I was one of them, but that dream was dashed in later years by problems hitting a curveball. Today, I have the joy of watching vicariously as my grandson C.J. Culpepper, a graduate of Rancho Cucamonga High, works his way through the minor leagues as a pitching prospect of the Minnesota Twins. I want him to get a shot, and hopefully a long career, in the majors, though it’s a rare few who ever get even a taste of the big leagues. And once there, it often doesn’t last very long – like the case of “Moonlight” Graham of “Field of Dreams” film fame who played only one inning or former Dodgers Manager Walter Alston who had but one at-bat in the majors. With the start of the baseball season this week, I thought I’d look up the major league statistics for Inland Empire ballplayers of the past who made it to the big leagues, but only