Category: Inland Empire

Alex Rojas, the ousted general manager of the Central Basin Municipal Water District, is suing his former employer and petitioning a judge to reinstate him on the grounds that his termination did not comply with his contract or the district’s administrative code. Rojas’ attorney, Craig Missakian, asked for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the district from hiring a replacement for Rojas until the case resolves, but a judge denied the request this week, saying there isn’t enough evidence that such a hiring is forthcoming or that it would impact Rojas’ bid for reinstatement. The district has operated under an interim general manager since Rojas was fired in November and is still in the process of selecting a search firm to find its next leader. The merits of the rest of the case are not likely to come before the judge until this summer. The next hearing is currently scheduled for June, according to the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s website. In an interview, Missakian said Rojas should be returned to his former role due to water board’s failure to follow its own rules.

Casa Colina’s Outdoor Adventures and Wheelchair Sports Program, in collaboration with Triumph Foundation and The Perfect Step, will hold a Roll & Rally Sports Blast, a wheelchair sports event for people of all abilities, Saturday, March 15. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Claremont Club, 1777 Monte Vista Ave., Claremont. With the family-friendly Roll & Rally Sports Blast, these organizations aim to break barriers, promote adaptive athletics and showcase the possibilities for people with disabilities, according to a news release. In the morning session, participants can try wheelchair tennis, rugby and over-the-line baseball. The afternoon session, starting at 1 p.m., will feature a mini-tennis tournament, limited to 12 wheelchair users, who will each be paired with a standing player to compete in an up-down (wheels and heels) tournament. This format fosters teamwork and highlights inclusive competition. “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Roll & Rally Sports Blast to the community,” Lisa Hilborn, Casa Colina’s director of recreational therapy and the Outdoor Adventures and Wheelchair Sports Program, said in the news release. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for individuals

There is still a week of winter, yet our thoughts turn to green. We definitely didn’t see a white Christmas, but perhaps we should find more favorable results with a more attainable goal: a green St. Patrick’s Day. The fulfillment of the dream of a Green St. Paddy’s Day lies somewhere between a sentiment and an omen, maybe a harbinger. Late-season storms have given us a green St. Paddy’s, making our landscape wonderfully lush. It may not be a supernatural signal, but it is a rare peek, a little taste of the city we love at her most beautiful, a reminder that we live someplace special. We may live in a desert for most of the year, but for a few precious weeks, some well-timed rain can give us an enduring deep green landscape that rivals the rolling hills of Ireland. When the winter rains have done their work, our local trails reveal a different side of Riverside County that might make you forget you’re in Southern California altogether. This place greens up quite nicely. There are a few hikes around town where, when the

It was an older crowd than Mikel Jollett is used to. Jollett, 50, leads the indie rock band Airborne Toxic Event. Most of the people at the Hughes Community Center were well into their Medicare years. Jollett was speaking, not performing, on March 8 in support of his acclaimed memoir “Hollywood Park.” The Friends of the Claremont Library had chosen the 2022 book, about his abusive upbringing, part of it in the Synanon cult, for the city’s community read. Before more than 75 bookish people, Jollett gave warm, revealing and witty replies to questions from moderator Emily St. Martin, an editor from our Southern California News Group, and from the audience. Some of those questions dug deep, as people tried to peel back the layers of the prose and of Jollett’s coping mechanisms. Afterward, as he signed copies, an impressed Jollett was heard to remark: “You could tell they read the book.” We would expect no less from college-rich Claremont. My favorite moment during the Q&A was when a woman told Jollett that his song “Glory” helped her through tough times — sample lyric: “you were

The Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra, conducted by Greg Samuel, will present a concert for children 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Bridges Hall of Music on the Pomona College campus, 150 E. Fourth St., Claremont. The concert will feature “Casey at the Bat” by Randol Alan Bass, narrated by actor William Christian; “The Cowboys” overture by John Williams; music from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein; and “Fiddle-Faddle” by Leroy Anderson. In the program, the 85-member Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra will guide the audience through a musical experience featuring all of the instruments of the orchestra, and the concert includes audience participation and prizes for everyone, according to a news release. Admission is free. Before the concert, an eight-member string ensemble will perform in the lobby, beginning at 10:30 a.m. William Christian, who will narrate “Casey at the Bat,” has performed in theater, television and film, including appearing on the daytime TV drama “All My Children” as Officer Derek Frye for 15 years, for which he received an Emmy nomination. He has also appeared on “Good Girls,” “Hannah Montana” and “How to Get Away With

The Claremont Area Chapter and San Bernardino Valley Chapter of the Links Inc. are collaborating with Bethel AME Church of Fontana to host a Black Family Wellness Expo Saturday, March 15. The free community event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 16262 Baseline Ave., Fontana. The expo will include a food giveaway, speakers on health issues, raffles and a kids’ fun zone, plus food vendors and local business vendors, according to a news release. The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health will offer free COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and those who donate gently used adult-size T-shirts may receive free raffle tickets. For information about the Claremont Area Chapter of the Links, go to claremontarealinks.com. For information about the San Bernardino Valley Chapter, go to sbvclinks.org.

Authorities are investigating an attempted homicide after three people were shot Tuesday evening in Colton. At 5:59 p.m. on March 11, Colton Police officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1400 block of Veterans Way. Upon arrival, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers administered life-saving aid until Colton Fire Department paramedics took over. Two victims were transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition. A third individual, also wounded in the shooting, later arrived at the same hospital seeking treatment. On March 13th, Colton Police PIO Michael Sandoval said, “The victims are in stable condition. There have been no arrests. The Detectives are working the investigation and asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.” The Colton Police Department’s Detective Division has taken over the case. Investigators urge anyone with information to contact Sergeant Shawn McFarland at (909) 370-5000 or via email at smcfarland@coltonca.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the We-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or online at www.wetip.com. Continue Reading

San Diego-based canned tuna giant Bumble Bee Seafoods has known for years that fishing vessels in its supply fleet used forced labor but failed to stop the practice, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in San Diego federal court that’s believed to be the first ever to allege human trafficking against a U.S. seafood company. The plaintiffs, four men from rural Indonesian villages, allege they were promised good jobs on long-line tuna boats that are part of Bumble Bee’s “trusted fleet” but instead were subjected to physical abuse, deprived of adequate food and denied medical care. They allege they were ensnared in debt bondage and subjected to fees and paycheck deductions that left them destitute after months of excruciating labor and isolation at sea. One of the men alleged he was denied medical attention after hot oil from the ship’s kitchen splashed down his body, causing burns so severe that “he felt like his genitals exploded.” Another alleged he was ordered to keep working after a load of fish landed on him, gashing his leg to the bone and overflowing his boot with blood. Two

Downtown Riverside’s streets are packed with weekend party-goers as the city’s nightlife scene continues to bloom, but the evolution has left a noticeable gap for mid-sized live music venues. Live Nation’s management of the Fox Performing Arts Center and Riverside Municipal Auditorium has brought bigger acts more frequently, while investment along University Avenue has created a nightclub district that draws visitors from throughout the Inland Empire. The packed streets on weekend nights demonstrate how Riverside has become a destination for nightlife, attracting young people from well beyond city limits. Despite this growth, venues that once showcased local original music have dwindled. The Concert Lounge and MTL have closed, while Back to the Grind, Pixels, and Lake Alice host live bands less frequently than in previous years. The Hideaway Bar & Grill on Mission Inn Avenue books bands approximately twice monthly, maintaining some live music presence downtown. These shows suggest there remains an audience for live music in smaller settings. The newest addition to downtown’s music scene aims to help fill this gap. The Garden Room, located on the lower level of the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, provides space for acts

The City of Riverside plans to build nine new pickleball courts at Arlington Park as part of its effort to meet growing demand and revitalize a neglected area at the corner of Van Buren Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue. “The Riverside Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department designs recreational amenities that deliver innovative experiences and unite community members,” said Anthony Zamora, parks deputy director. “The future pickleball complex at Arlington Park exemplifies our commitment to fostering connections, encouraging active lifestyles, and creating an inclusive space for all residents.” The Arlington Park Pickleball Court Project will include two courts designed for tournament play with spectator bleachers. Plans also call for shaded waiting areas, drinking fountains with bottle fillers, and LED lighting for evening play. The City will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the project on March 26 from 1-3 p.m. This development is part of a broader effort to revitalize the Van Buren and Magnolia intersection, which has suffered neglect in recent years. While these municipal projects take shape, community-driven pickleball opportunities have already flourished. Riverside Pickleball organizes free play sessions at Shamel Park, located at 3650 Arlington Ave., on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings. The group provides instruction for

Scotland has the Loch Ness monster, Tibet has the yeti, and the Pacific Northwest has Bigfoot. Cryptozoology is the study of such creatures—legendary animals which may or may not be real. Riverside has its own cryptozoological species: the chupacabra. The Chupacabra The origin of the chupacabra is younger than I am. Reports of mysteriously killed livestock with all of their blood drained, vampire-style, first occurred in Puerto Rico in 1995. More reports followed, combined with sightings of a red-eyed, huge-fanged, giant lizard with spikes along its backbone. The sightings spread rapidly through the island and then to other parts of Hispanic America. A Puerto Rican comic named this creature “chupacabra” (= “goat-sucker”) after its blood-sucking habits. Tales of chupacabra sightings have since accumulated from throughout the Western Hemisphere, and even as far flung as the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, and Russia. The chupacabra’s notoriety inspired a 1997 episode of the TV show The X Files set in California and Mexico. (For fans, that’s season 4, episode 11, “El Mundo Gira”). The show’s description of the beast as a part of “ancient Mexican folklore” is erroneous in

City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance Tuesday, March 11, aimed at curbing rampant copper wire and scrap metal theft that has cost the city and local businesses millions in damages and repairs. The ordinance adds Chapter 5.85 to the Riverside Municipal Code and establishes strict regulations for junk dealers and scrap metal recyclers operating within city limits. “Our businesses and the city itself has seen an increase in theft of our copper wire and other copper piping and other scrap materials,” Councilmember Sean Mill said. “It’s costing millions both for private industry and for the city itself.” Mill spearheaded the initiative. Public Safety Concerns Mill emphasized the public safety concerns stemming from these thefts, noting a recent incident. “All the lights along Magnolia Avenue were out from Harrison to Jackson and it was completely pitch black,” he said. “It made it unsafe for everyone in the community.” Councilmember Philip Falcone noted the widespread impact of these thefts on city infrastructure, mentioning several areas with outages including Van Buren Boulevard and multiple parks. New Requirements The new regulations require junk dealers and scrap metal recyclers to obtain

The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce has announced John and Janet Gless as the 2024 Citizens of the Year. The longtime citrus farmers, agriculture policy, and community advocates will be honored at the chamber’s 125th inaugural celebration on Thursday, March 20. The Glesses, founders of the Gless Ranch Farmer’s Market and fruit stands, have been instrumental in preserving and promoting agriculture in Riverside for more than four decades. As pioneers of citrus farming in Woodcrest, the couple demonstrated the area’s agricultural potential in the 1960s. Their advocacy secured crucial water delivery from the Western Municipal Water District, laying the foundation for what would become a thriving farming region. Their successful ventures attracted Orange County investors seeking John’s expertise in planting and cultivation. “Gless Ranch has strived to be at the forefront of agriculture preservation in the greenbelt and Citrus State Historic Park through investment into state of the art techniques and equipment for grove care,” said Janet and John Gless in a joint statement. “Whether it be drought, pests or the many other challenges farmers face, modern farming requires advocacy at the local, state and national levels

The grand jury of San Bernardino County has faulted Upland for its potholes. “Driving through and around potholes is a safety hazard in the community,” the grand jury opined, “and can often feel like driving through an obstacle course.” In this, the grand jury speaks for us all. If Upland is known for anything beyond tree-lined Euclid Avenue, it’s for bumpy streets. Some roadways are more akin to washboards. The president could legitimately refer to Upland as “one of those pothole countries.” The city might one day be considered part of the “axle of evil.” Unafraid to tackle the truly important issues, the grand jury investigated Upland’s potholes and issued a report in December. Its title: “When is a pothole a pothole?” Very philosophical. The report itself offers a more direct answer: “Potholes occur when cracks grow large enough to allow water to seep into the asphalt and break apart.” Jurors did give credit to Upland’s Public Works Department for diligence, saying its four-person pothole team was doing the best it could to keep up. But the report said employees didn’t appear to have enough

The highest-ranking independent judge at the California Department of Insurance has been placed on leave after ruling that the agency wrongly avoided public hearings when insurers were seeking to raise premiums. Chief Administrative Law Judge Kristin Rosi was removed from her post earlier this year, although department officials would not say why. She was the senior judge at the agency’s Administrative Hearing Bureau, which operates as an independent venue where insurers and consumers present evidence and judges decide how to resolve disputes over proposed rate increases, regulatory appeals and other issues. Rosi’s departure, which leaves the independent bureau with just one judge on staff, came months after she publicly accused state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara of violating state law in the way applications for rate increases are processed. It also comes as California faces an unprecedented challenge in the insurance market, which was reeling from a spate of policy cancelations even before 15,000-plus homes and businesses were destroyed in the Los Angeles County wildfires in January. The Department of Insurance, a sprawling agency that regulates some $300 billion worth of insurance policies issued in California

Pomona teacher Mireya Jimenez is known for her close ties to students. Consider what happened when Jimenez learned she had been named the California Association for Bilingual Education’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. “When (Jimenez) received the call, she put it on speaker so her kids could hear, and the room filled with their cheering and clapping,” Juan Ortiz, Pomona schools’ director of English learner and multilingual student programs, said in a news release. “She is deeply connected to her students and helps them take risks.” Jimenez’s 30 years at the Pomona Unified School District’s Westmont Elementary School has built that bond. Mireya Jiménez, maestra de sexto grado de español en el programa de inmersión bilingüe en la Escuela Primaria Westmont de Pomona, lee en clase el lunes 10 de marzo de 2025. La Asociación de Educación Bilingüe de California la nombró Maestra del Año 2025. (Foto de Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Mireya Jiménez, maestra de sexto grado de inmersión en español en dos idiomas, de la Escuela Primaria Westmont, saluda a un estudiante que ingresa a clase en Pomona el lunes 10

The Riverside City Firefighters Association’s Pipe and Drum Band will lead its 5th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl through Downtown Riverside on March 17, celebrating Irish and Scottish firefighting traditions with live music, food, and drinks. Founded in 2018 by Capt. Ben Hunt and a small group of local firefighters, the band draws inspiration from the centuries-old tradition brought to America by Irish and Scottish immigrants who joined firefighting ranks in the 18th and 19th centuries. The band’s powerful blend of bagpipes and drums has become a local symbol of pride and remembrance. “There’s something about the sound of the pipes and drums—it cuts right through you,” said Capt. Ben Hunt. “It’s a way to honor those who came before us and remind ourselves of the brotherhood we share.” The event, open to the public, kicks off at 6 p.m. at ProAbition, where attendees can enjoy live performances, food, and firefighter-themed merchandise. From there, the band will march through the streets of Riverside, making stops at two additional downtown venues. The Pub Crawl Route 6 p.m. – ProAbition: The night begins with the first round of performances, food, and merchandise