Category: Inland Empire

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Gil Navarro is seen Oct. 14, 2003, during his campaign for the San Bernardino City Unified School District board. He died Saturday, April 6, 2024, at age 81. (File photo by Greg Vojtko, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Inland Empire activist and student advocate Gil Navarro has died. Navarro, 81, died Saturday, April 6, at St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino, according to his family. Although he was a Navy veteran, Navarro had worked at the corporate office for Carl’s Jr. and for IBM, owned a taxes and bookkeeping business and a mailbox business and was a notary. But he is best known for his advocacy work. The longtime San Bernardino resident, who previously lived in Riverside, spent the past three decades holding public school districts and other local government agencies accountable across the Inland Empire. Though he often pushed school districts on policy or economic issues, he was most often seen fighting for the rights of individual students. “My eldest brother was the first one to get in trouble” in 1990, said his son, Joe Navarro, who is now president of the Jurupa school board. “Some

More than 650 student musicians from throughout San Bernardino County were selected to perform in three recent honor concerts. The concerts are sponsored by the Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in partnership with the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association. To qualify for a spot in one of the honor concerts, students audition in front of professional musicians. The students chosen for the honor concerts then have three rehearsals together before their performances, according to a news release. More than 300 student musicians performed during the Basin Honor Bands concert held Feb. 10 in Memorial Chapel on the University of Redlands campus. Directing the bands at that concert were retired music teacher Robert Barton, conducting the elementary band; music teacher Scott Bonner, conducting the middle school band; and Gregory Whitmore, conductor of the University Symphonic Winds at Cal State Fullerton, conducting the high school band. Nearly 200 students performed in the High Desert Honor Bands concert, held Feb. 24 at Oak Hills High School. Directors for that concert were retired music teacher Leonard Narumi, leading the elementary band; Dan Barilone, a U.S. Army School of

It’s rare that I attend a council meeting in Riverside, but I decided to show up Wednesday, given the situation. Post-election, three council members were leaving and three replacements would be sworn in. During the afternoon session came a few last blasts from regular critics. Contract extensions for City Manager Mike Futrell and City Attorney Phaedra Norton were on the agenda. Several speakers griped about transparency, backroom deals, timing, “optics” and lame-duck decisions. RELATED: Riverside’s new city council looks different. Will it matter? “There’s a reason some of you aren’t coming back to the council or didn’t go on to higher office,” one woman said tartly. Two of the outgoing councilmembers had had enough. “I definitely won’t miss this,” Gaby Plascencia said of the criticism. Ronaldo Fierro seemed to be beyond his last nerve. The extensions have been talked about for months, he said. Council members’ job is to make decisions up to their last meeting. Outgoing U.S. presidents pardon people — “not that this is like that,” Fierro hastened to say, thinking better of his own analogy. Fierro wondered aloud if there was a

Los Angeles County has passed two critical inspections necessary to potentially avoid the closure of two troubled juvenile detention facilities and the relocation of hundreds of youth in the county’s custody. Staff at the Board of State and Community Corrections, the regulatory body that oversees California’s prisons and juvenile halls, say the two county-run facilities, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey and the Barry J. Nidorf Secure Youth Treatment Facility in Sylmar, have come back into compliance with the state’s minimum standards after having repeatedly failed inspections over the past eight months. The agency’s inspectors now are recommending the board vote at its meeting Thursday, April 11, to reverse an earlier decision that would, if left unchanged, force the closure of both facilities on April 16. The board must make the final determination as to whether L.A. County has improved enough to avoid the shutdown. State support likely History suggests the BSCC is likely to support keeping the facilities open. The agency has forced the closure of only two juvenile halls in its 12-year history, but in those cases, which also involved Los Angeles County

Veteran San Bernardino County sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Bingham made one thing clear during an interview Wednesday at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga: he is not a member of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang. “It’s insane. One-hundred percent I am not a Mongols gang member,” said Bingham, 45, who was clad in a green jail jumpsuit and sitting behind a glass partition in the cell block at the jail he has been housed in since his April 4 arrest. During his arraignment Tuesday, April 9, in San Bernardino Superior Court, the Twentynine Palms man pleaded not guilty to 10 felony charges, including grand theft of a Remington 870 shotgun, allegedly stolen from the Sheriff’s Department, possession of a machine gun, a short-barreled AR-15 assault rifle, two projectile explosive devices and four gun silencers. He is being held on $240,000 bail and was ordered to return to court April 18 for a preliminary hearing. In his only interview with the media since his arrest, Bingham confirmed Wednesday he will exercise his right to have a preliminary hearing within 10 days of his arraignment. During

The Colton City Council’s recent decision to approve modifications to the zoning entitlements for the Agua Mansa Logistics Center, located at 1400 and 1500 Agua Mansa Road and led by IDI Logistics, has ignited a firestorm of controversy among local residents and city officials. The modifications, which include changes to the street width and drainage plans for Agua Mansa Road, have raised serious concerns about public safety, infrastructure, and the city’s commitment to its citizens. In a contentious council meeting, Resolutions R-15-24, R-16-24, and R-17-24 were passed, allowing for a reduction in the originally required street dedication width from 90 feet to a 66-foot half-street width. This decision marks a significant departure from the city’s initial requirement for a full street right of way, a change attributed to what Development Services Director Heidi Duron described as a “staff error.” “The most the City can require the developer to dedicate is sufficient right-of-way to provide for a half-street width along their project frontage, which is 45 feet,” Duron explained. “The inclusion of the requirement for full-width improvements was a staff error.” The approved modifications entail constructing

The first action of the new Riverside City Council was to potentially reverse a move by the previous one. Riverside’s outgoing council voted Tuesday, April 9, to extend employment agreements with the city attorney and city manager. But hours later — after three new members were sworn in — the new council decided to reconsider the pacts at a future meeting. At the council’s afternoon session, a four-year agreement and an annual pay increase of about $49,500 for City Attorney Phaedra Norton won unanimous approval. And a three-year extension of City Manager Mike Futrell’s agreement was approved 6-1. Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell is seen during the Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Riverside City Council meeting. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Riverside City Attorney Phaedra Norton is seen during the Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Riverside City Council meeting. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Ward 4 Riverside City Councilmember Chuck Conder speaks from Washington, D.C. during the Tuesday, April 9, 2024, meeting. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Riverside City Attorney Phaedra Norton, left, talks with City Manager Mike Futrell during the Tuesday, April 9

Pasadena is appealing to the public for information related to recent thefts of bronze light poles. (Courtesy of City of Pasadena) Pasadena is appealing to the public for information related to recent thefts of bronze light poles, some of which have historical significance dating back to the 1920s. Approximately 11 bronze street lamp posts have been stolen in the last week, said Lisa Derderian, a city spokesperson. “Vehicles are used to intentionally ram the light poles, and then the entire pole is stolen by the suspects,” she said. Most of the recent incidents occurred along South Orange Grove Boulevard between Green and State streets. The first theft took place on Saturday, March 29, with the most recent occurring Monday night. Typically, they take place between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., Derderian said. The recent incidents are part of a trend that initially started with stealing copper wire, which prompted collaboration between Pasadena officials and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to offer rewards for catching the thieves. After the police made an arrest in connection with the copper wire thefts, the incidents appeared to

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy charged with possession of illegal firearms, explosive devices and grand theft in connection with the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang pleaded not guilty Tuesday, April 9, at his first court appearance on the charges. Shackled and wearing a green jail jumpsuit indicating he has been isolated from the general population at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Christopher Bingham appeared before Judge Colin Bilash in San Bernardino Superior Court. Bingham, 45, is charged with 10 felony counts, including grand theft of a Remington 870 shotgun — reportedly stolen from the Sheriff’s Department — and possession of a machine gun, a short-barreled AR-15 assault rifle, two explosive devices and four gun silencers. He is being held on $240,000 bail and was ordered to return to court April 18 for a preliminary hearing. San Bernardino County sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Bingham, arrested last week in connection with possession of illegal and stolen firearms and destructive devices and affiliating with the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang, appears at his arraignment before Judge Colin Bilash at San Bernardino Justice Center on Tuesday April 9

A half-hour presentation on what Riverside County does to safeguard elections did nothing to convince skeptics Tuesday, April 9, who gathered outside county headquarters before airing their grievances to the Board of Supervisors. “It’s ridiculous,” Diane Zimmerman told county supervisors. “You’re not getting rid of fraud. (The registrar is) not getting rid of fraud.” Their remarks — similar to what’s been said at recent board meetings — followed a presentation on the March 5 primary by Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco that addressed a number of concerns, including 31 ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but arrived too late to be counted. Tinoco certified the primary results, which his office delivered to the secretary of state by the Friday, April 5, deadline. The secretary of state has until Friday, April 12, to certify the statewide results. Kenny Snell speaks to protesters concerned about the integrity of Riverside County elections outside the Riverside County Administrative Center in downtown Riverside on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Protesters concerned about the integrity of Riverside County elections rally outside the Riverside

The nonprofit Riverside Arts Academy has set its annual fundraising gala for Saturday, May 4. The event, themed “Peace and Harmony,” is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barbara & Art Culver Center of the Arts, 3834 Main St., in downtown Riverside. The gala will include beverages, hors d’oeuvres, a silent and live auction and musical performances. Those sharing their talents will include the Riverside Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensembles, Mariachi Juvenil de Riverside and the Riverside Children’s Choir. A short film will feature highlights of the academy’s work and community awards also will be presented. Related Articles Local News | US Olympic water polo squad tops Australia in Long Beach Local News | New season for Riverside’s Fox to feature ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘The Book of Mormon’ Local News | Hemet Little League kicks off season Local News | California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside celebrates 30 years Local News | Cecil Murray, First AME pastor who calmed LA after ’92 Riots, dies at age 94 The academy offers an arts education program that focuses on music for youths between 7 and

Firefighters responding to an apartment fire found a person dead, the Arcadia Fire Department announced Monday. Arcadia firefighters and crews from Monrovia Fire & Rescue and the Sierra Madre Fire Department responded at 9:18 p.m. Sunday to a fire at an apartment building on Genoa Street between Santa Anita and First avenues.  Upon arrival first-responders observed light smoke coming from one of the building’s units, according to Battalion Chief Charles Tuggle from the Arcadia Fire Department.  “Fire crews entered the apartment and encountered heavy smoke conditions,” Tuggle said in a statement. “The main portion of the fire was in a bathroom, where a deceased person was located.”  Firefighters found the man dead on the floor, AFD Capt. Drew Prior told the Pasadena Star-News. Crews extinguished the fire within 15 minutes and confirmed that the blaze had not spread into adjacent units, Tuggle said.  The deceased person’s identity and cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Department.  There were no immediate indications of foul play, Arcadia police Lt. Kollin Cieadlo told the Star-News. The AFD and Arcadia Police Department are

You may recall the recent weird news that the Murrieta Police Department had to give up playfully obscuring suspect mugshots with Lego heads after Lego reprimanded them. This made national news, including the New York Post, Forbes, USA Today and the Washington Examiner (headline: “Murrieta police sent to Lego jail”). Now HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” has piled on. Oliver opened his March 31 show with a few jokes about police use of Legos. “Well, that is shocking for a number of reasons,” says Oliver. “One, that they were doing it, and two, that Lego was mad at them, because it is one of the most pro-cop toy franchises I’ve ever seen.” California police agencies since Jan. 1 have been barred from releasing photos of people arrested for non-violent crimes. The suspects haven’t even had their day in court, remember. Murrieta got creative by obscuring their faces with images of emojis, Shrek and then Legos, to generally positive reactions on Instagram. “But that’s not the police’s job at all,” Oliver asserts. “There is a reason they have mottos like ‘to protect and serve’

“Mean Girls,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Chicago” will headline the 2024-25 season at the Fox Performing Arts Center in downtown Riverside. The Broadway at the Fox in Riverside series, run by The American Theatre Guild, will also include a musical featuring songs from The Temptations as well as a magic show. “Starting with the premiere engagements of two Tony Award-winning productions, ‘The Book of Mormon’ and ‘Ain’t Too Proud,’ the Tony-award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, ‘Chicago’ and Tina Fey’s hit musical, ‘Mean Girls,’ this season will offer something for both current and new fans of Broadway,” Amy Hamm, president and executive director of The American Theatre Guild said in a news release. Here’s a look at the season’s highlights. “Mean Girls” — Dec. 30 and 31. Fey’s musical is a satire about teenage girls in high school. It was also a movie in 2004 and 2024. “The Book of Mormon” — Jan. 28 and 29, 2025. The musical was created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creative duo behind the animated “South Park,” as well as Robert Lopez. It follows

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The city of Rialto has settled for $800,000 a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the daughter of a man who died after suffering cardiac arrest at a post acute care center that firefighters refused to enter due to alleged coronavirus protocols. Rialto Fire Capt. Josh Gilliam, firefighter-paramedic Matt Payne, and fire engineer Mark Brady said they were abiding by state COVID-19 guidelines when they ignored pleas from staff to enter Rialto Post Acute Care Center just before 8 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2021, while responding to a 911 call. Joseph Angulo, 56, had been recovering at the center from injuries he suffered in a traffic collision when nursing staff found him unresponsive in his room and called 911. As the three firefighters stood outside the entrance, nursing staff inside the facility, assisted by Rialto police Sgt. Ralph Ballew, scrambled to push Angulo’s bed outside as a nurse sat atop Angulo performing chest compressions. The pandemonium was captured on Ballew’s body-worn camera. Once outside, Angulo was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where he died. Rialto Post Acute Care Center is a 170-bed, licensed skilled nursing

A couple hours into their school day Monday, April 8, Fontana students watched as the bright sunshine that greeted them that morning was muted a bit. Students at Shadow Hills Elementary School in Fontana watch the solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Cristina Reyes, a fifth grade teacher at Shadow Hills Elementary School in Fontana, shows students how to wear solar glasses before the solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) The moon’s shadow is cast down from a sunspotter device during the solar eclipse at Shadow Hills Elementary School in Fontana on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) The solar eclipse reaches its maximum coverage in Fontana on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Students at Shadow Hills Elementary School in Fontana watch the solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Cristina Reyes, a fifth grade teacher at Shadow Hills Elementary School in Fontana, passes out solar glasses to students