Category: San Bernardino

By Denise Berver The San Bernardino Hispanic Chamber of Commerce celebrated Women’s History Month at its monthly meeting on March 20, at Las Patronas restaurant on Highland Avenue. The event featured a panel of accomplished women who shared personal stories and advice with a full house, focusing on the theme of women’s empowerment. Maribel Santa Cruz, property manager at Studio D, served as master of ceremonies and introduced each speaker by highlighting their professional achievements and their connection to the evening’s theme. Topics ranged from financial literacy to achieving work-life balance, with each speaker offering heartfelt insight intended to inspire the audience. Speakers included poet and San Bernardino Valley College professor Guadalupe Ortiz; actress and producer Dr. Luisa Lopez; Mrs. International and founder of nonprofit True Colors Carla Marquez; social media influencer and Las Patronas owner Iris Yazbek; and Karen Diaz, CEO of LTL Financial Group. Veronica Corona, chair of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, was in attendance to show support for the San Bernardino chapter, which was established in 2024. Representatives from Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes’s office presented each speaker with a Certificate

Competitive fighting game fans are in for a thrilling showdown this Friday, March 28, as San Bernardino Valley College’s Film Department hosts Wolverine Fight Fest 4, an in-person Tekken 8 tournament designed to unite gamers from across the region. The event runs from 1 to 6 PM in room MC-142 and is open to the public. Entry is $15, with a $5 discount for those who bring their own PlayStation 5 and monitor. Attendance is capped at 35 players. “Every time someone signs up, it adds to the prize pot,” said Aiden Estrada, an SBVC film student and tournament organizer. “In the past, we’ve seen pots reach up to $400.” The base prize pool starts at $100 and will grow with each registration. Spectators can catch the action in person or via livestream at Twitch.tv/SBVCFTVM. Parking is free in Lot 11. Estrada, whose favorite fighting game is Street Fighter 6, said the event is about more than just competition. “The energy is high, and it’s all about meeting new people,” he said. “Everyone’s always nice and chill. You make new friends and learn more about

City Clerk Genoveva Rocha is set to depart San Bernardino, marking another high-profile exit from City Hall as the city grapples with ongoing leadership instability. Rocha, who has served as city clerk since August 2020, has accepted a position with the City of Vernon in Los Angeles County. At the March 19 San Bernardino City Council meeting, (BB&K) City Attorney Albert Maldonado confirmed Rocha’s departure and announced that Chief Deputy City Clerk Telicia Lopez will step in as acting city clerk effective April 5, coinciding with Rocha’s final day in office. “There was a motion from Councilman Shorett and a second by Councilwoman Knaus, and a unanimous vote to appoint Telicia Lopez as acting city clerk,” Maldonado stated, emphasizing the council’s swift action to fill the vacancy. Lopez Appointed Acting City Clerk Lopez, a longtime city employee, has worked for San Bernardino since September 2005 and currently serves as Chief Deputy City Clerk. Before assuming her current role, she was the Business Registration Manager, overseeing regulatory processes for local businesses. In 2023, Lopez earned $100,900 in base pay, with total compensation, including benefits, reaching $166,208.

On Monday, March 17, 2025, defendant Ryan Turner Jr. (22) of San Bernardino, fled Victorville sheriff’s deputies in an alleged stolen vehicle, resulting in a pursuit that claimed the life of Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. Prosecutors from our Office of Traffic Safety Unit (OTS) and Investigators from our Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene of the accident and have been conducting a concurrent investigation with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). Additionally, District Attorney Jason Anderson assigned a Deputy District Attorney from our Major Crimes Unit to join the OTS Unit in prosecuting this case. On March 19, 2025, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has filed the following charges against Defendant Turner. Count 1 PC 187 – Murder Count 2 VC2800 – Evading an Officer Count 3 VC10851- Driving or taking a vehicle without consent The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be added. Defendant Turner is scheduled to be arraigned at Victorville Superior Courthouse, March 20, 2025, at 8:30am in department V9. Continue Reading

Michael Segura has been appointed executive director of the Garcia Center for the Arts, stepping into a role that he says represents both a new beginning and a continuation of the legacy established by Ernest Garcia, the center’s late founder and namesake. With plans to strengthen arts advocacy, expand creative entrepreneurship, and develop sustainable funding for local artists, Segura is focused on ensuring the Garcia Center remains a driving force in San Bernardino’s cultural revitalization. Segura, who began his tenure on Feb. 27, 2025, has been involved with the Garcia Center since its earliest days. A longtime community organizer and artist, he was among the first to help revitalize the space when it was still known as the Culture Center. “Before it was even the Garcia Center, Ernie invited us—San Bernardino Generation Now—to be part of this vision,” Segura said. “I was a volunteer helping to bring the space to life. I’ve seen it go through its phases, and as a practicing artist, I was fortunate to receive studio space from Ernie, which allowed me to build my portfolio and get into my master’s program.”

Another door to stability and success has opened. Time for Change Foundation unveiled its fourth emergency shelter, expanding its life-changing services for individuals and families in need. The grand opening, held March 15, brought together community leaders, including Mayor Helen Tran and 7th Ward Councilwoman Dr. Treasure Ortiz, to celebrate the milestone in the fight against homelessness. “This isn’t just about housing — it’s about restoring dignity, rebuilding lives and creating opportunities for lasting change,” said Vanessa Perez, executive director of Time for Change Foundation. “With this new shelter, we are opening more than doors; we are opening possibilities.” The event held special significance as it coincided with Dr. Kim Carter-Tillman’s 32nd sobriety anniversary — a full-circle moment for the foundation’s founder, whose journey from adversity to advocacy has inspired others to rebuild their lives. Time for Change Foundation’s newly opened emergency shelter provides safe, stable housing for families in need, marking a significant step in the fight against homelessness in San Bernardino. For more than two decades, Time for Change Foundation has worked to transform lives, offering more than just shelter — it provides

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) today named Eunice Abel, a youth advocate and undergraduate student, as 2025 Woman of the Year for Assembly District 45. Assemblymembers, including Ramos celebrated their honorees on the Assembly floor today. “Eunice is a tireless and steadfast advocate for young people in the Inland Empire and is dedicated to eliminating inequities,” Ramos said. “She is especially committed to addressing youth homelessness, a legislative priority for me since my election. Even at her young age of 22, she has built an exemplary record of positive action and contributions to our community,” Ramos stated. Abel, born in Aba, Abia, Nigeria, immigrated to the United States at 11 years old and navigated life as an unaccompanied minor throughout her childhood. She confronted countless obstacles, including unstable housing, poverty and difficulty in accessing an education. This struggle fueled her passion for advocacy and inspired her to become a youth homeless advocate. “This award is a testament to youth who are fighting to empower other youth, showing that our work is valuable and that standing up for others is not a waste of time,” Abel said.

The Aquinas High School boys basketball team etched its name into the record books on March 1st, capturing the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A championship with a hard-fought victory over San Dimas at Toyota Arena. The win marks the Falcons’ first CIF title since 2021 and the first under head coach Daryl Pegram. “This season has been all about consistent growth,” Pegram said. “At the beginning of the year, we set goals, and as the season progressed, we went on this incredible run.” Despite entering the playoffs with a 16-16 record, Aquinas battled through a challenging postseason, proving that early-season adversity helped prepare them for the championship stage. The Falcons finished second in league play behind Arrowhead Christian Academy but turned their season around when it mattered most. “We played a lot of Division 1 and 2 schools early in the year, and while we took some tough losses, it helped us get ready for league and the playoffs,” Pegram said. “Competing against high-level teams put us in a position to succeed when it counted.” Led by standout seniors Laron Hall and Malachi Jones, the Falcons

A bombshell legal complaint given to Inland Empire Community News exposes an alleged deep-rooted culture of corruption, manipulation of investigations, and retaliation within San Bernardino’s city government. The complaint, authored by former Acting City Manager Rochelle Clayton and exposed by a credible but anonymous source, details explosive allegations against top city officials, including document tampering, unethical hiring practices, intimidation, and the suppression of critical information. The document, which surfaced just hours before the Wednesday, March 5, 2025, City Council meeting, paints a damning picture of misconduct at the highest levels, alleging a coordinated effort by city attorneys, councilmembers, and senior officials to control investigations, silence dissent, and protect their own interests. Manipulation of Investigations & Document Suppression Hostile Work Environment Investigation: Clayton alleges that City Manager Charles Montoya instructed Deputy City Manager Suzie Soren to pressure investigator Jason Kravetz into finding damaging information against Lydie Gutfeld, former Director of Parks and Recreation, despite initial findings showing no evidence of wrongdoing. When no misconduct was found, Montoya allegedly redirected the investigation to scrutinize Gutfeld’s credit card transactions. Document Redaction & Tampering: The complaint alleges that City

Former San Bernardino Mayor John Valdivia is firing back at allegations made by recall organizer Arthur Anderson, calling claims that he accepted cash donations while in office “completely false” and “bogus.” Anderson, executive director of The People of San Bernardino, accused Valdivia of unethical fundraising practices during his tenure, linking him to ongoing recall efforts against Ward 1 Councilmember Theodore Sanchez. Valdivia, however, insists the accusations are baseless and warns they could have legal consequences. “That is completely false and bogus,” Valdivia said. “I’ve never even had a cup of coffee with him. I don’t know him. For him to make these false claims is open to libel, which I might explore.” While rejecting Anderson’s claims, Valdivia questioned why his name was being pulled into the controversy surrounding Sanchez’s potential removal from office. “The real issue is Ted Sanchez,” Valdivia said. “If [Anderson] has a bone to pick with Ted Sanchez, it shouldn’t be about Valdivia or [Councilman Fred] Shorett. This is a Ted issue, and Ted will face this giant in his district. To drag current or former elected officials into it is foul.”

Pic ‘N’ Save Bargains & Groceries (PNSBG) is making a highly anticipated debut to Southern California this spring. After nearly a decade since its acquisition by Big Lots, the iconic discount store Pic ‘N’ Save Bargains is being revived under new ownership and a refreshed concept, Pic ‘N’ Save Bargains & Groceries. Led by President and Founder Mark J. Miller (former CEO of the original Pic ‘N’ Save), along with a team of investors, PNSBG is bringing a unique, elevated shopping experience to familiar locations once occupied by 99Cent Only Stores. The newly reimagined Pic ‘N’ Save Bargains & Groceries will continue its legacy of offering quality, brand-name products at unbeatable prices. In addition to its core selection of home goods, general merchandise, and treasure hunt closeouts, the store will also feature a variety of produce including fresh milk, eggs, deli products, and groceries. This expanded range of offerings ensures that Pic ‘N’ Save Bargains & Groceries can meet all of its customers’ shopping needs in one convenient location. “While we’re bringing back the same commitment to unbeatable bargains, we’re also offering a wider variety