Category: Inland Empire

The opening of Fontana’s Sammy Hagar-associated concert hall has been set for this summer with the former Van Halen frontman playing the first show. Stage Red — a Sammy Hagar Venue will replace the former Center Stage Theater, which closed in August 2022. Hagar, also known as the Red Rocker, grew up in Fontana. The musician and songwriter was inducted to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen in 2007. Originally, the city planned to open the renovated theater in time for Memorial Day 2023. Opening day was pushed back to March 2024 but budget issues again delayed the theater’s debut. Opening day it is now set for June 15. The original timeline for the project was optimistic, according to Phil Burum, Fontana’s deputy city manager. Construction was slated to start in October, which Burum said would have allowed the city to meet the March opening date. The lowest bid for the project, however, was $2.6 million — $1 million over the anticipated budget. The City Council updated the budget, Burum said, and the city restarted the bidding process

Chaffey College theater students will present “Juanita’s Statue,” a comedic spin on the classic story of Don Juan, opening 7:30 p.m. April 11 in the theater on the college’s Rancho Cucamonga campus, 5885 Haven Ave. The play is a contemporary comedy with themes of self-love, gender fluidity and Latino culture, something that resonates with the 40 cast and crew members and the greater Chaffey community, according to theater arts professor Christa Havenhill, who directs the production. “I felt that it would really engage the students and the audiences, since 60 percent of our student population is Latino and we’re a Hispanic-Serving Institution. I felt like we needed to dive into the culture of our students, so that students, as well as the audience, would be excited about the show,” Havenhill said in a news release. The story focuses on Juanita, who disguises herself as a man to escape the wrath of her lover Ignacio’s father. Masquerading as the “new” Don Juan, Juanita moves through Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street, and the characters she encounters instantly fall in love with her/him. Havenhill said she used Olvera

High school students looking for summer volunteer opportunities are invited to apply for the city of Chino Hills’ 2024 Summer Volunteen Program by April 29. The city’s Community Services Department is looking for enthusiastic teens who want to volunteer their time in various summer recreation programs including mobile recreation, special events, summer day camp and youth sports. The Volunteen program will run from June 3 through Aug. 2. Applicants must be in grades nine through 11 as of fall 2024, reside in or attend a high school in Chino Hills and be available to volunteer a minimum of 10 to 25 hours per week starting June 3, according to a news release. Those who are selected and complete the program will receive a certificate of appreciation including total hours volunteered, a letter of recommendation and recognition at a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Participants will also be rewarded with a Volunteen Party at the end of the summer. Applications and program guidelines are available at chinohills.org/Volunteens. Completed applications will be accepted through April 29 or until the first 60 applications have been received. Applications must

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Riverside is conducting a criminal investigation into Olivet University in Anza and is up against a statute of limitation to file any criminal charges, according to a court document. Since at least April 2021, Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed it has been investigating allegations of money laundering, human labor trafficking and fraud at the private Christian college founded in 2004 by David Jang, a Korean Christian pastor and professor. Olivet University president Matthias Gebhardt, pictured here in 2022 (Photo by Angel Pena, Contributing photographer). Allegations of human labor trafficking at Olivet also surfaced in a lawsuit filed in Riverside County Superior Court in February by four former Olivet students, who name Jang and college President Matthias Gebhardt as defendants, along with five others who were all employees at the university or served on its Board of Trustees when the former students were enrolled. At Olivet’s request, the case was moved to federal court last month, and on Tuesday, April 2, attorneys on both sides jointly filed a stipulation in court proposing the

Hold those lighters aloft: Fifty years ago this weekend, 200,000 rock fans descended on Ontario for California Jam, a one-day music festival on the grounds of the Ontario Motor Speedway. The April 6, 1974 event — ticket price: $10 — had this concert lineup, in order of appearance: Rare Earth; Earth, Wind and Fire; the Eagles with guest Jackson Browne; Seals and Crofts; Black Oak Arkansas; Black Sabbath, led by Ozzy Osbourne; Deep Purple; and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. If you’re keeping track, that’s two names with “Earth,” two with “Black” and one with “Purple.” Plus one “Browne.” Imagine 200,000 people — essentially the entire present-day population of Fontana, and more than double a Coachella Festival weekend — gathering in Ontario for a rock festival. At the time, California Jam was said to have been the largest one-day gathering in state history. ABC Entertainment produced Cal Jam and aired highlights over four nights. Showbiz professionals put on this rock festival, not idealistic amateurs. There were no breakout stars or touchstone cultural moments. Some, like reader Ron Vander Molen of Pomona, fondly recall how Keith Emerson

Little League baseball is back in Hemet. Opening ceremonies and the first pitches of ball games took place Saturday, April 6. After years without Little League teams, players got back in action at Brubaker Park in the city. A Hemet Little League player hits the ball during a home run derby on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the opening ceremony at Brubaker Park in Hemet. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Sun/SCNG) A Little League player runs off the field on Saturday, April 6, 2024, during the home run derby at the opening ceremony event at Brubaker Park in Hemet. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Sun/SCNG) Little League players practice before their games on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Brubaker Park in Hemet. The season kicked off Saturday with the opening ceremony. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Sun/SCNG) Hemet Little League players wait for their turn in a home run derby on Saturday, April 6, 2024, during the opening ceremony at Brubaker Park in Hemet. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Sun/SCNG) The opening ceremonies for Hemet Little League at Brubaker Park on Saturday, April 6, 2024, also brought other fun

Search efforts are ongoing to locate a hiker missing nearly a month and last seen in the area of the Bridge to Nowhere and San Gabriel River north of Azusa, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “The search continues, and the next area of interest will be the reservoir downstream which will be searched methodically moving forward,” said Michael Leum, assistant director of the Community Partnerships Bureau/Reserve Forces Detail, which is the sheriff’s bureau that coordinates efforts involving civilian volunteers and search and rescue operations. Leum said the area of focus is about 5 miles of challenging terrain and wet conditions due to winter storms. “While efforts are constant and ongoing, there are more hours spent searching on the weekends when the volunteer (search and rescue team) members are available,” Leum said.  With the assistance of fellow rescue teams, outside agencies and specialists, @SDMLASD Mountain Rescue Team members continued their search of the Bridge to Nowhere trailhead and San Gabriel River for a missing hiker. See full story: https://t.co/FWyGo5Pfat pic.twitter.com/kfHJgscKYD — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) March 30, 2024 On March 9, 59-year-old Rona

California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside marked its 30th anniversary with a celebration of the region’s famous industry. A rainbow appears over California Citrus State Historic Park Friday, April 5, 2024, in Riverside during the 30th anniversary celebration. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) A couple arrives Friday, April 5, 2024, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) A park ranger reads an interpretive presentation as Riverside Swing Ensemble performs Friday, April 5, 2024, during the 30th anniversary celebration of California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Riverside Swing Ensemble performs Friday, April 5, 2024, during Citrus Fest, the 30th anniversary celebration of the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Those in attendance listen to Riverside Swing Ensemble on Friday, April 5, 2024, during the California Citrus State Historic Park’s 30th anniversary celebration in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) A couple listens to Riverside Swing Ensemble on Friday, April 5, 2024, during Citrus Fest, the 30th

Students at Pomona College occupied an administration building on Friday afternoon, refusing to obey college officials’ demands that they leave during a protest in support of Palestinians. Twenty people were arrested, according to the Claremont Police Department. The protest at Alexander Hall was organized by the student-led group Pomona Divest from Apartheid. More than 150 students were participating, as of late afternoon, about 50 of them on the steps of Alexander Hall or clustered around the entry, with the rest on the sidewalk. They chanted and clapped along. Among the chants:  “Stop the killing, stop the slaughter, Gaza has no food or water!” and “Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation!” A news release from Pomona Divest from Apartheid said that roughly 18 students entered Alexander Hall around 4:10 p.m. in response to the college’s removal of its Apartheid Wall. A statement from Claremont police said an estimated 30-40 protesters entered the building. “Pomona is taking down the wall,” read an afternoon post on the group’s Instagram account, @pomonadivestapartheid. It called for others to come join the effort. One student on scene during the

Students at Pomona College occupied an administration building on Friday afternoon, refusing to obey college officials’ demands that they leave during a protest in support of Palestinians. Nineteen people were arrested, according to the Claremont Police Department. The protest at Alexander Hall was organized by the student-led group Pomona Divest from Apartheid. More than 150 students were participating, as of late afternoon, about 50 of them on the steps of Alexander Hall or clustered around the entry, with the rest on the sidewalk. They chanted and clapped along. Among the chants:  “Stop the killing, stop the slaughter, Gaza has no food or water!” and “Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation!” A news release from Pomona Divest from Apartheid said that roughly 18 students entered Alexander Hall around 4:10 p.m. in response to the college’s removal of its Apartheid Wall. A statement from Claremont police said an estimated 30-40 protesters entered the building. “Pomona is taking down the wall,” read an afternoon post on the group’s Instagram account, @pomonadivestapartheid. It called for others to come join the effort. One student on scene during the

The Inland Empire Doll Club will present “Dolls Through the Ages,” its annual doll show and sale, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 13 at the Janet Goeske Center, 5257 Sierra St., Riverside. The event will offer a variety of dolls, toys and bears for sale, from antique to modern and including Barbie dolls and ball-jointed dolls. The club will provide free doll appraisals from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with a limit of two items per person, according to a news release. Doll repair will also be available, and there will be more than 50 sales tables and a snack bar. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children younger than 12. There is a $1 discount for seniors, members of the United Federation of Doll Clubs and those who bring a soft doll or toy to donate for the club’s charities. Free parking is available, and the center is accessible to the handicapped. The Inland Empire Doll Club uses proceeds from the sale to support various charities in the community. For information, call Judy at 951-264-2732.

Retired Hemet firefighter Scott Hudson will present “Eyes of Manhattan on 9/11 – The World Trade Center Through the Eyes of a Safety Officer” when the SAGE Society of Hemet meets 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the Ramona Room of the Miller-Jones Mortuary, 1501 W. Florida Ave., Hemet. Hudson, who was a safety officer for FEMA’s Urban Search & Rescue Team/Task Force 6 (Riverside), served on ground zero for 10 days immediately following 9/11. During that time, he had access to areas not always accessible to the media, according to a news release. In his presentation, he will show some of his photos from the aftermath of 9/11 and tell of his experiences working at ground zero. Hudson served more than 35 years in fire service roles, including as a damage controlman in the U.S. Coast Guard and as an engine and crash truck driver for the Norton Air Force Base Fire Department in San Bernardino. He also served 29 years with the Hemet Fire Department and has taught classes in fire technology, safety management and terrorism at Mt. San Jacinto College and the

One month later, the March 5 primary election is officially over in the Inland Empire. Primary votes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties took almost a month to count, a process drawn out by policies to ensure accurate results and make voting widely accessible. The results show a local electorate that showed up in relatively low numbers, but made choices that shook up city councils and perhaps set the stage for a mini-political dynasty. California’s secretary of state is expected to certify election results by April 12. Here are five takeaways from the Inland Empire’s primary. Lower than low Primaries tend to have lower voter turnout than general elections. California’s 2024 primary is no exception. Statewide, 35% of voters cast ballots on or before March 5, according to the secretary of state. Turnout was even lower in the Inland Empire, with just 30.8% of Riverside County voters and 26.2% of San Bernardino County voters mailing in a ballot or voting early or on Election Day. A number of factors could explain voter apathy. Before the primary, we pretty much knew Joe Biden and Donald Trump

Over 3,000 students from throughout California competed Friday, April 5, in the 57th Annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference. SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit, works with educators and schools to prepare and empower students to explore career opportunities in various trades. Students participated in 120 competitions, displaying their skills in multiple technical areas such as manufacturing, construction, barbering and robotics. Granite Hills High School students Aiden Walker Butler and Hayden Rice supervised by Judged Greg Gallagher use a simulator to wire a mechatronics system while competing in the 57th Annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference at Ontario Convention Center on Friday April 5, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Summit High School’s Selene Butalid and Kyara Ortego participate in the video competion during the 57th Annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference at Ontario Convention Center on Friday April 5, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) King High School’s Anastasia Niemeier and Owen O’Rafferty program a robot to complete a task during the 57th Annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference at Ontario Convention Center on Friday April 5, 2024. (Photo by

Three men who were arrested in El Monte last year with more than 1 million fentanyl pills each pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal narcotics charge, prosecutors announced. Florencio Camacho Allan, 29, Gerardo Gaxiola Patiño, 30, and 26-year-old Alex Valdez Oroz, all of Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court in Los Angeles to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. scheduled an August 13 sentencing hearing. The defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. The drug trafficking occurred between September 2022 to March 2023, according to the defendants’ plea agreements. At an unspecified date prior to March 7, 2023, a “drug broker” in Mexico connected the defendants with a prospective buyer for a transaction involving approximately 2 million fentanyl pills.  “The deal was to occur in the Los Angeles area and the buyer agreed to pay approximately 75 cents per pill,” prosecutors said. “As part of the deal, the buyer also agreed to first purchase a sample ‘box’ of approximately 10,000 fentanyl pills

Several students at Pomona College occupied an administration building on Friday afternoon, refusing to obey college officials’ demands that they leave during a protest in support of Palestinians. There were reports that some protesters were taken into custody, though police did not immediately confirm that. The protest at Alexander Hall was organized by the student-led group Pomona Divest from Apartheid. More than 150 students were participating, as of late afternoon, about 50 of them on the steps of Alexander Hall or clustered around the entry, with the rest on the sidewalk. They chanted and clapped along. Among the chants:  “Stop the killing, stop the slaughter, Gaza has no food or water!” and “Up, up with liberation. Down, down with occupation!” A news release from Pomona Divest from Apartheid said that roughly 18 students entered Alexander Hall around 4:10 p.m. in response to the college’s removal of its Apartheid Wall. “Pomona is taking down the wall,” read an afternoon post on the group’s Instagram account, @pomonadivestapartheid. It called for others to come join the effort. One student on scene during the late afternoon estimated that there

The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art has three events planned in April in conjunction with its “This is not a chair” exhibit, which runs through April 21. The first is “Maloof it off the Roof” 6-7 p.m. Saturday, April 6, during the April Art Walk. During the event, artists and furniture makers will provide a variety of “chairs” to be dropped from the museum’s roof with musical accompaniment. The performance event is based on tales that, as a young furniture maker, Sam Maloof would drop his chairs from the roof of his garage to test the strength of their joints, according to a news release. The second event is Jack Rogers Hopkins Film Night at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11. The museum will screen “Jack Rogers Hopkins: California Design Maverick,” a 30-minute documentary about the Modernist sculptor, in the Calaycay Gallery. Following the screening, there will be a discussion with Katie Nartonis, the film’s director, and Jim Rawitsch, executive director of the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts. The free program is held in conjunction with the Claremont museum’s “This is not