Category: Inland Empire

California school districts are no longer allowed to enforce parental notification policies, requirements that could potentially disclose a student’s gender identity to their parent. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that prohibits districts from enacting what’s been dubbed parental notification policies, requirements for school employees to disclose information related to a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression to any other person — including a parent or guardian — without the student’s consent. With this decision, California became the first state in the nation to prohibit these types of mandates, commonly referred to as “outing policies.” The newly approved legislation, known as the “Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act,” or “SAFETY Act,” will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Assemblymember Chris Ward, D-San Diego, said the signage of this bill is a “significant step forward in ensuring that all students, regardless of their gender identity, have a supportive and safe environment to learn and grow.” “Politically motivated attacks on the rights, safety and dignity of transgender, nonbinary and other LGBTQ+ youth are on the rise nationwide, including in California,”

The storied Mission Inn reopened in 1992 and once again became Riverside’s biggest tourist attraction. (Or at least the largest: The hotel, opened in 1902 and expanded in stages, occupies an entire city block.) But for one of the few times in the past three decades, you can’t book a tour. That’s the aftermath of a bruising dispute that saw the nonprofit Mission Inn Foundation get booted from the property. Its last tours were May 31. Meanwhile, the hotel plans to start its own tours starting Sept. 5. What do you do in the meantime? You can still hear stories about the famed hotel. And the foundation’s docents are still the ones telling them. You’ll just be hearing them from the sidewalk. Seven days a week at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Mission Inn Foundation docents will lead a “Raincross Tour” of the hotel perimeter. Cost is $10. Tours began Monday. Curious, I showed up to the first one. The meeting place is the Main Street pedestrian mall near Sixth Street, close to the Eliza Tibbets statue and the hotel’s northwest corner. I

Summertime is Shakespeare time at Pomona College. RELATED: Ophelia’s Jump presents Midsummer Shakespeare Festival in Claremont The 10th Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival is underway at the Claremont college’s outdoor Sontag Greek Theatre. The star this year is “La Tempestad,” a bilingual version of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” The festival also includes performances of “The Knight of the Burning Pestle,” a 17th-century play by Francis Beaumont. Gabriela De Luna, left, and Stephen Diaz act out a scene from “La Tempestad,” a bilingual version of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the Sontag Greek Theatre at Pomona College in Claremont. The performance is part of the 10th Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival presented by Ophelia’s Jump Production and co-produced by Pomona College. (Photo by Stan Lim, Contributing Photographer) Guests watch “La Tempestad,” a bilingual version of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the Sontag Greek Theatre in the Pomona College in Claremont. (Photo by Stan Lim, Contributing Photographer) From left, Thandiwe McMillan, Gabriela De Luna and Stephen Diaz are seen Friday, July 12, 2024, in a scene from “La Tempestad,” a bilingual

Dr. Angelo Farooq, who represents Trustee Area 3 on the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education, announced Thursday that he no longer seeks reelection. Farooq, the district’s first Asian American school board member, says he will complete the remainder of his term on the board, which ends on December 13, 2024. “It has been incredibly meaningful to help empower our youth and contribute towards their promising futures alongside extraordinary employees, our Superintendent and colleagues on the board. Public schools are the foundation of every community, and I am looking forward to supporting the continued excellence of the district in my ongoing capacity as a proud father and Riversider,” said Dr. Farooq. Farooq was elected to the RUSD Board of Education in 2015 at the age of 31. During his time on the board, the district boasted the highest graduation rate in the County of Riverside, at 96%, and the highest of all 16 largest school districts in California. “Dr. Angelo Farooq has served with us during transformative periods in our district’s history. His dedication and vision have significantly advanced our mission to provide

What an experience it would have been to have been a guest at the Harrison family holiday dinner in 1916. I can only imagine hearing the family’s adventures working for Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institution or fighting in the Union Army in the Civil War or risking death fleeing slave masters to find freedom via the Underground Railroad. The family of William and Hannah Harrison, one of the first African American residents in San Bernardino, assembled for Christmas that year, reported the California Eagle of Dec. 30, 1916. Twelve members undoubtedly shared some of their remarkable tales of endurance and achievement as well as the intolerable experiences as slaves. It’s not often there are many recorded details of the experiences of a family of former slaves during and after the Civil War. The reason we really know about the trials and adventures of the Harrison family is from an article by J. Robert Smith of the Tri-County Bulletin, and published in the Sun newspaper on Oct. 30, 1947. Smith chronicled two generations of compelling experiences, from slavery to freedom for the elder Harrisons

By Jordan Rau, KFF Health News For hours, John Pernorio repeatedly mashed the call button at his bedside in the Heritage Hills nursing home in Rhode Island. A retired truck driver, he had injured his spine in a fall on the job decades earlier and could no longer walk. The antibiotics he was taking made him need to go to the bathroom frequently. But he could get there only if someone helped him into his wheelchair. By the time an aide finally responded, he’d been lying in soiled briefs for hours, he said. It happened time and again. “It was degrading,” Pernorio, 79, said. “I spent 21 hours a day in bed.” Payroll records show that during his stay at Heritage Hills, daily aide staffing levels were 25% below the minimums under state law. The nursing home said it provided high-quality care to all residents. Regardless, it wasn’t in trouble with the state — because Rhode Island does not enforce its staffing rule. An acute shortage of nurses and aides in the nation’s nearly 15,000 nursing homes is at the root of many of the most disturbing

Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worthy of your attention in the next week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about. City Council City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, July 16, in afternoon sessions at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. ( agenda ). The agendas include: Authorizing the $2.3 million purchase of a new fire truck . Authorizing the “Five Points Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project ” to upgrade crosswalks at La Sierra & Hole’s intersection, construct a 9,000 sq ft outdoor plaza, and construct 1.5 miles of sidewalk with $6.525 million in CalTrans funding and $709,000 of City funds. Authorizing $4.8 million in lease agreements for five service trucks, six dump trucks, and several other vehicles. Designating 2365 Eleventh St, the home place of Miné Okubo, an official City Landmark . The Okobus were sent to internment camps in 1942, and in 1946, Miné published the first book telling of

The Riverside Transmission Reliability Project, or RTRP, is a 230,000 Volt (230 kV) electric transmission line that will provide a second interconnection to the statewide electric grid for the City of Riverside. The line itself will be built, owned and operated by Southern California Edison. There will also be a new substation that will convert the 230 kV power to 69 kV and associated new and upgraded 69kV lines to distribute the power to RPU-owned substations around the city. These will be owned and operated by RPU. The project has been in the planning and permitting stage for over a decade and was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in March of 2020. That decision was appealed but the CPUC denied the appeal. The approved project will mix overhead and underground construction of the 230 kV transmission line. The primary issue raised in the permitting and appeal process was whether more, or all, of the line should be built underground. While recognizing some benefits of additional underground construction, the CPUC found that additional undergrounding would have a greater overall environmental impact than the

Redlands Police detectives arrested three suspects last week in connection to a home invasion robbery that occurred Sunday morning, May 12, in the 700 block of Concord Lane.  The victims were at home shortly before 1 a.m. when several masked suspects kicked open a rear door to the residence, setting off the home alarm, and confronted the residents. One of the residents attempted to fight off the intruders with a cane. The intruders went upstairs and woke the couple’s adult son, forcing him downstairs. The suspects fled the house after a few minutes without taking any property. One of the residents was injured when she tripped and hit her head while trying to move away from the suspects. She was transported to the hospital for treatment. Detectives conducted a thorough investigation and identified three suspects. On June 27 detectives responded to the City of Victorville where they located and arrested Victorville residents Derrick Thomas, 22, and Ryan Terrell Harvey, 31. On July 2, detectives located and arrested 25-year-old Rashawn Jamar Jefferson, of San Bernardino, during a traffic stop in that city.  All three suspects are

Bank of America announced it recently awarded its first round of grants for the year totaling $435,000 to 22 local nonprofits across the Inland Empire providing workforce development, health resources and other basic needs to individuals and families. Recent awardees include Goodwill Southern California for its Youth Program in San Bernardino, which places low and moderate-income teens in paid summer jobs and provides them with early career skills training; GRID Alternatives Inland Empire to provide green job skills training and placement in the renewable technology industry; One Future Coachella Valley for its college and career pathways program connecting underrepresented youth to career skills training and internships; and Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center to support no-coast mental health resources for cancer patients and their families. “Partnering with impactful local organizations to address important issues like youth workforce development, pathways to employment and health is part of our commitment to creating real change in the Inland Empire,” said Bansree Parikh, president, Bank of America Inland Empire. “Investing in nonprofits helps provide the resources and support needed to help build thriving communities long-term.” Other organizations included: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire; California University of Science and Medicine; Children’s

On any given Sunday, former fire chief Corey Comperatore could be found at his parents’ Pennsylvania home with his two Doberman Pinschers. “Corey was there every week doing yard work, climbing ladders, cleaning out their gutters. He was always helping others,” says former Menifee city Councilman Tom Fuhrman, Comperatore’s uncle. Fuhrman was shocked to hear that Comperatore, a former fire chief at the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company in Pennsylvania, was shot and killed at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday evening. Comperatore, the stepson of Fuhrman’s brother, was shielding his wife and two daughters with his body when the gunfire rang out at the rally. “He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired,” President Biden later said in a speech, extending his condolences to Comperatore’s family. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Comperatore “died a hero.” Fuhrman said half a dozen of his family members had been attending the rally. After he saw news of the attempted assassination on television, he called around, anxiously awaiting updates. At 10 p.m. on Saturday, Fuhrman’s daughter called him

The Toyota Arena has hosted hockey, rock concerts and graduations. This weekend, it was the site of a massive baptism. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are hosting the first of four summer conferences at the Ontario venue. One highlight was the baptisms of numerous faithful Saturday, July 13, in a portable pool on the arena floor. Preparations are underway for the baptisms on Friday, July 13, 2024, during the “Declare the Good News!” convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Toyota Arena in Ontario. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) The “Declare the Good News!” convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses was held this weekend at Toyota Arena in Ontario. Saturday, July 13, 2024, also included baptisms. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) A prayer is said on Saturday, July 13, 2024, during the “Declare the Good News!” convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Toyota Arena in Ontario. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Jehovah’s Witnesses elder member Jeff Williams delivers a sermon on Saturday, July 13, 2024, during the “Declare the Good News!” convention at Toyota Arena in Ontario. The weekend gathering was the first of four to be held at

Julia Morgan in 1904 became the first licensed female architect in California. Her great patron was newspaper plutocrat William Randolph Hearst, for whom she designed the grand Herald-Examiner building in downtown L.A. and the gaudy argument for tax reform known as Hearst Castle. Hearst’s mother, Phoebe, also steered work Morgan’s way. When the Young Women’s Christian Association needed an architect, she recommended Morgan, who went on to design more than 30 YWCAs, five of them in Southern California. The last of those, from 1929, is in Riverside. The stately Italianate building occupies half a block on a largely historic stretch of Mission Inn Avenue. It was a Y, with gym and swimming pool, for 38 years. With both those features removed, it’s been used as an art center for some 57 years and counting as the Riverside Art Museum. An exhibit at RAM, titled “3425 Mission Inn Avenue,” the museum’s street address, explores the history of the building. It’s a meta exhibit, RAM’s version of a coffee table book about coffee tables. But then, it’s a site of cultural significance to the community, stretching back

In my house, growing up, bagels were a hot topic. My dad was fond of saying that a decent bagel hadn’t been baked in America since 1963 (just after the last good American cannoli was made). It didn’t stop him from picking up bagels most weeks at our neighborhood bagel shop (a dozen plain, well-baked) and seeking out new sources of bagel supply that might help him chase down that elusive bagel dream, a bagel that lived up to the bagels of his youth. We were susceptible to bagel fads – for a while, the bagel shop offered something called “flagels” – flat bagels that had been squashed after shaping to maximize the crust-to-crumb ratio. And we were, following my dad’s lead, a bit snobby in our attitudes toward what we considered the systematic failures of vision in the bagel-industrial complex. To wit, most bagels were too big, too fluffy, not chewy enough, underbaked, underflavored, or worse flavored with goyische abominations like blueberries or cinnamon and raisins.  It’s a bagel, for crying out loud – let it be what it was, what it should be.

Jerry Pulido is the Executive Director at Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service. He started as a volunteer because he wanted to help his community in any way possible. He became a Board Member and, two years later, President. Jerry is dedicated to helping his community find solutions to its challenges. “Riverside is home;” says Jerry, “that’s where I was born and raised. I am proud to be a Riversider.” What is your Mt. Rubidoux summit count (estimated)? 20. What is your favorite restaurant outside of Downtown or Magnolia Center? Zacatecas.  What is the most beautiful building in Riverside?  Heritage House.  What is your favorite Riverside small business? Classified Tattoo Supply. What is your favorite Riverside non-profit organization? Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service. The Festival of Lights: Every year on opening night or maybe on a Tuesday? Maybe on a Tuesday. What is your go-to sandwich in town? Backstreet.  What is your idea of a perfect weekend day in Riverside? Taking the family out for entertainment. What is your favorite spot for a date night? Regal Theaters. Do you call it the Galleria or Tyler

A San Diego man who has traveled to several Trump rallies was just 10 yards from the former president when gunfire rang out in what officials are now calling an assassination attempt. Blake Marnell, 59, was in the center of the first row of the audience facing Trump when he heard a noise that came from his left. “I was 10 yards away from where from where Pres. Trump was speaking and the rally had just started,” he said. “I turned left to see what it was; at first, I thought it was a prank. It seemed really close and nearby, and it was really loud.” Marnell, who was also in Newport Beach on June 8 when Trump visited a home on Harbor Island during a private fundraiser and in Las Vegas a day later, then watched as Secret Service agents came running onto the stage where Trump was standing. He knew the scenario was serious when he heard another series of shots. “I thought, this is gunfire,” he said. “I squatted down for about five seconds, but I was concerned about the president. I

A San Diego man who has traveled to several Trump rallies was just 10 feet from the former president when gunfire rang out in what officials are now calling an assassination attempt. Blake Marnell, 59, was in the center of the first row of the audience facing Trump when he heard a noise that came from his left. “I was 10 yards away from where from where Pres. Trump was speaking and the rally had just started,” he said. “I turned left to see what it was; at first, I thought it was a prank. It seemed really close and nearby, and it was really loud.” Marnell, who was also in Newport Beach on June 8 when Trump visited a home on Harbor Island during a private fundraiser and in Las Vegas a day later, then watched as Secret Service agents came running onto the stage where Trump was standing. He knew the scenario was serious when he heard another series of shots. “I thought, this is gunfire,” he said. “I squatted down for about five seconds, but I was concerned about the president. I

The Inland Empire 66ers are calling themselves “the Pickers” and sporting special uniforms this weekend as an homage to Redlands’ citrus heritage. The team gave a nod to Redlands as it faced the Modesto Nuts on Friday night, July 12, and would do so Saturday, July 13, at the city’s San Manuel Stadium, General Manager Joe Hudson said. Inland Empire 66ers outfielder Jorge Ruiz wears his special “the Pickers” uniform Friday night, July 12, 2024, as the team celebrates Redlands’ citrus heritage at San Manuel Stadium. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) The 66ers Jenrry Gonzalez, center, and the rest of the team celebrate the city of Redlands citrus heritage Friday night, July 12, 2024, by wearing custom uniforms branded as “the Pickers” during their home games this weekend at San Manuel Stadium. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Redlands Pickers ball caps, T-shirts and jerseys are for sale in the gift shop Friday night, July 12, 2024, as the 66ers celebrate the city of Redlands and its citrus heritage this weekend against the Modesto Nuts in San Bernardino. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Do you need a low stress way to include seven minutes of creative contemplation into your week? Consider this your helpful nudge towards a slightly more creative life. If it helps, come back every week for a quick hit of creative contemplation. Each week I’ll share a new nudge. It will include a Thing (T), a Place (P), and a Sense(S) for your focus, a TPS creative nudge. Welcome back from last week’s grab bag of creative tricks using chip clips. Did you rock a new line of Frito Lays inspired accessories? Perhaps there’s a symphonic creation of yours living in the cloud or shared in an Instagram Story . Even if  your singular creative accomplishment was finishing all the Fritos and hiding the evidence, congrats! You found a way to bring several minutes of creative contemplation and creation into your routine.  Ready for our next creative nudge? For this week’s selection, we’re turning our focus to a seasonal delight that’s abundant in Riverside right now: stone fruit. Nectarines, peaches, plums, and more are ripening and falling from trees, offering a bounty of creative possibilities.