Category Archives: Eastvale Front Page

Breaking News Stories from Eastvale and surrounding communities.

New Eastvale Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem Selected

By City of Eastvalenew-council

Eastvale– At the December 14, 2016 Special City Council meeting, Todd Rigby (District 1), Joseph Tessari (District 2), and Brandon Plott (District 5) were sworn into office as Eastvale Council Members. The Council appointed Joseph Tessari as the new Mayor of Eastvale and Clint Lorimore as the new Mayor Pro Tem. Both Tessari and Lorimore will serve a one (1) year term in their respective positions.

“It’s a privilege to serve the City of Eastvale. I am proud and honored to be selected by the City Council to serve as Mayor. I will do my best to maintain the continued growth and prosperity of our community,” said Mayor Tessari.

Mayor Pro Tem Lorimore stated, “I’m honored by the support of my colleagues to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. I look forward to working closely with everyone in the coming year and want to extend a warm welcome to our newly elected councilmembers.”

Residents are invited to meet their new Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Council Members at the first Eastvale City Council meeting of the New Year on January 11, 2017. The City Council meeting will be held at Rosa Parks Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.: 13830 Whispering Hills Drive, Eastvale, CA 92880.

City Hall encourages all Eastvale residents and visitors to register for e-notification on the City’s website: http://www.EastvaleCA.gov. This is a free email notification service that allows subscribers to receive emails from City Hall regarding the latest news, announcements, events, agendas, job posting, RFPs, and more. Subscribers simply register their email address and choose which type of updates they would like to receive from City Hall. The City of Eastvale can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Eastvale Council Members and staff wish you a safe and happy holiday season and prosperous New Year!

91 Project Near Completion

By City of Eastvale placed-8b066a15-9e92-41c7-b2d5-1e482479d5e5

The 91 Project is now 91 percent complete! Work is continuing full speed ahead, with major milestones expected to be reached in early 2017.

The new westbound Maple Street off-ramp is nearing completion, and the Maple Street bridge is projected to return to two-way travel later this month.

The eastbound Serfas Club on-ramp, which has been closed since September 2015, is expected to reopen in February.

These dates are subject to change, based on weather and other factors.  Last month, crews completed the removal of the support structures of the Lincoln Avenue bridge. Work is continuing to widen the bridge over the 91.

Nighttime closures of eastbound 91 at Interstate 15 will continue through January for ongoing construction of the Express Connector from eastbound 91 to southbound 15 and from northbound 15 to westbound 91. Crews will be removing support structures on this flyover structure, which measures 3,700 feet long and 70 feet tall.

Also early this year, crews will coordinate restriping of travel lanes on the 91 and on city streets. Additional work will continue along Frontage Road, Wardlow Road and Pomona Road. Please watch for intermittent closures and detour signs.

 

Sheriff Station Commanders Promoted

Courtesy City of Eastvale

Sheriff Stan Sniff has appointed 2 new Chief Deputies on December 22, 2016, to fill existing vacancies created by recent retirements within the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Captain Cheryl Evans was appointed to Chief Deputy and will oversee Corrections Operations, which consists of jail facilities in Blythe, Indio, Banning, Temecula and Riverside. She has served in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for 22 years.

Chief Deputy Cheryl Evans began her law enforcement career in 1991 with the Corona Police Department, where she volunteered as a Reserve Police Officer. After joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, she worked in the Corrections Division assigned to the Blythe Jail, and later, patrol at the Blythe Sheriff’s Station, now known as the Colorado River Station.

In 1997, Chief Deputy Evans transferred to the Moreno Valley Station, where she worked patrol, traffic, and the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) team. In 2003, she promoted to the rank of Corporal within the Moreno Valley Station. In 2004, Chief Evans was promoted to the rank of Investigator within the Moreno Valley Station and later transferred to the Special Investigations Bureau, assigned to the Central Homicide Unit.

Chief Deputy Evans was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2005,and transferred to the Perris Station. Her assignments while at the Perris Station included supervising patrol, traffic and the field training program.

In 2009, Chief Deputy Evans promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and returned to the Moreno Valley Station where she held assignments in patrol, administration, and the detective bureau. In 2012,she transferred to the Personnel Bureau.

In 2014, Chief Deputy Evans was promoted to the rank of Captain by Sheriff Stan Sniff and assigned to the Coordinated Custody Management Unit (CCMU). In 2015, she was assigned as the commander of the Robert Presley Detention Center (RPDC) and most recently, as the commander overseeing Court Services East.

Chief Deputy Evans possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master’s degree in public administration, both awarded from California State University, San Bernardino. She is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute(SLI).

Chief Evans lives in the city of Riverside with her husband and five-year-old son.

Captain Jason B. Horton was appointed to Chief Deputy and will oversee West Field Operations which consists of the Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley and Perris Sheriff’s Stations, the Special Investigations Bureau (SIB), as well as the Sheriff’s Media Information Bureau (MIB). He has served in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for 23 years.

Jason B. Horton joined the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1989 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Sheriff’s Riverside Station, which is now replaced by the Jurupa Valley Station. In 1993, he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff and attended the 125th Basic Peace Officers’ Academy.

Upon academy graduation, he was assigned to the Southwest Detention Center. He later completed assignments at the Hemet, Perris and Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Stations. While in field operations, Horton was promoted to the ranks of Senior Deputy Sheriff and Corporal and held collateral assignments as a Field Training Officer (FTO), Special Enforcement Team (SET) member, and School Resource Officer (SRO).

In 2004, Chief Deputy Horton was promoted to Sergeant and worked in the Corrections Division, and later at the Ben Clark Training Center (BCTC) and Perris Station. While in Perris, he worked on the transition of the city of Menifee becoming a sheriff’s contract city.

In 2009, Chief Deputy Horton was promoted to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, he held assignments at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility (SCF), Jurupa Valley Station, and the Special Investigations Bureau (SIB). While in Jurupa Valley, Horton worked on the transition of the cities of Eastvale and Jurupa Valley becoming sheriff’s contract cities.

Chief Deputy Horton was promoted to Captain in 2013 by Sheriff Stan Sniff and served as the Coordinated Custody Management Unit (CCMU) Commander. In April 2014, he was transferred to the Jurupa Valley Station as the commander and as chief of police for the cities Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and Norco.

Chief Deputy Horton holds a Bachelor’s Degree from California State University San Bernardino in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree from the University of Redlands in Management. He is a graduate of Class 214 of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership course (SLI). He has served as an academy instructor for 16 years, teaching topics in law, supervision and defensive tactics.

Chief Deputy Horton is the fourth generational member of his family to serve in law enforcement, which started with his great-grandfather being a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He and his wife Jacqueline have four children and reside in Riverside.

 

First annual SilverLakes College Showcase event

By  Lelani Kroeker of SilverLakes  

Over 250 college coaches from around the country and representatives of the U.S. National Team Scouts were on hand to evaluate aspiring female soccer players for scholarship and national team opportunities. Photo courtesy: Lelani Kroeker

Over 250 college coaches from around the country and representatives of the U.S. National Team Scouts were on hand to evaluate aspiring female soccer players for scholarship and national team opportunities.
Photo courtesy: Lelani Kroeker

NORCO– Several thousand young female soccer players descended on SilverLakes, the newly minted 130-acre soccer facility in Norco, California, for the three day SilverLakes’ College Soccer Showcase, November 25-27, 2016. The young athletes participating in this signature event hoped to seize the rare opportunity to have their athletic prowess assessed by college coaches from around the United States. The annual College Soccer Showcase is focused on welcoming college coaches as well as U.S. Soccer youth national team scouts, to evaluate the skills and abilities of aspiring young female soccer players as they look to earn scholarship offers and invitations to attend U.S. youth National Team camps. More than 2,500 players from more than 140 teams, including some of the top clubs from the Western Region, were on-hand for this unique event.  A highlight of the showcase was an All Star Game between the Canadian Whitecaps and USA All Stars.

“We are incredibly excited to host this first-of-its-kind showcase event for young women at SilverLakes. The participation by high-level coaches throughout the country, including among others, Stanford, Texas A&M, Cornell, North Western, UCLA, Cal Berkeley and the thousands of young women was incredible to see. It is often difficult for youth players looking to take their game to the next level to gain access to key coaches who will enable them to fully realize their abilities and play at the collegiate level. Our first annual College Soccer Showcase has already succeeded in providing this access and it is our hope that this experience will be a ‘game changer’ for these young people,” said R.J. Brandes, President, SilverLakes.

As SilverLakes continues to build a full offering of programs and events to fulfill its mission to empower young athletes to reach their full plans to add an event for men’s soccer in the near future.  The competition for more than $2.7 billion in athletics scholarships granted annually by the NCAA Divisions I and II schools is extremely competitive and often comes down to demonstrating an athlete’s skill to a select few, and hard to access, coaches and recruiters. SilverLakes hopes to tear down the barriers for student athletes by convening showcase events, such as the November 25-27, 2016 opportunity.

 

Check the Air Quality Before You Burn: Season began Nov 1

By City of Eastvale  burn-season

The South Coast AQMD’s Check Before You Burn season began Tuesday, November 1, and will continue through February 28 of 2017.

While residential burning has not yet been restricted this season, please watch for no-burn alerts in your AirAlerts subscription emails or by one of the other methods listed below.

Check Before You Burn is a program designed to protect public health and reduce wintertime fine particle pollution in our region.  During this time, residents are prohibited from burning wood in their fireplaces – both indoors and outdoors — on days when air quality is predicted to be poor.  This restriction applies to all residents of Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.  A ‘No-Burn Alert’ will be issued by SCAQMD one day in advance of any no-burn day that is declared.

This fall and winter season, check the status of your air quality before you burn wood or any other solid fuel.  If you already receive the AirAlerts daily forecasts or real-time air quality alerts, you will automatically receive the special action day alert notices.  New subscribers can join at  www.airalerts.org.  You can also get the daily burn status by calling the SCAQMD’s 24-hour toll-free information line at (866) 966-3293, or by checking online at www.aqmd.gov, or by downloading SCAQMD’s app available for iPhones and iPads and for Android smartphones.

For more details about the Check Before You Burn program and alternatives to wood burning, please visit http://www.aqmd.gov/healthyhearths.

Thank you for helping to keep our air clean!

 

Eastvale Military Needs Your Help

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale has officially begun administrating the Military Banner Program (MBP) as of September 14, 2016.

The Program honors Eastvale residents that are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces as well as their immediate family members (spouse, parent, legal guardian, grandparent, child or sibling).

Eligibility for the program is as follows:

  • The serviceperson is a current Eastvale Resident. Residency must be verified with a recent bill, driver’s license, or other form of I.D. listing a current Eastvale address.
  • The serviceperson is of immediate family of a current Eastvale resident. Residency must be verified with a recent bill, driver’s license, or other form of I.D. listing a current Eastvale address.
  • The serviceperson must be serving on active duty. For the intention of MBP, active duty is defined as 12 months of continuous service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • The serviceperson must have a minimum of six months of active duty service remaining at the time of application.

The City of Eastvale is no longer accepting Military Banner Applications for the November 2016 Installation. The city will however send a notification of the next application period in early 2017.

Any resident or business wishing to send donations to the program can send them to:

The City of Eastvale

ATTN: Military Banner Program

12363 Limonite Avenue, Suite 910

Eastvale, CA 91752-3667

To learn more about the program, visit http://www.bitly.com/eastvalemilitarybanner.com

Eastvale Residents May Receive Reports For New Walmart Construction

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale has compiled an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for residents to inform them of new construction taking place on Limonite Avenue. The report addresses the constructions impact on traffic, noise and green house gases.

The development project will house a commercial retail center with a Walmart being at the center of construction. The retail center will also consist of a fast-food restaurant, gas station, rain water collector, and other various shops.

The EIR will be available to the public for a 45-day period from October 3 until November 17. Residents can receive a printed copy at Eastvale City Hall in the Planning Department on 12363 Limonite Ave, Suite 910 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Residents can also receive printed copies at the Eastvale Library and the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder. The EIR is also available online and can be downloaded on the City of Eastvale’s webpage at www.eastvaleca.gov/city-hall/planning/environmental-documents/walmart-project

Questions, comments, and concerns regarding the EIR should be submitted to Eastvale’s Planning Director, Eric Norris, no later than 5 p.m. on November 17. Written comments can be mailed to the City of Eastvale Planning Department at 12363 Limonite Ave, Suite 910, Eastvale, CA 91752 and emails may be sent to enorris@eastvaleca.gov.

How you can benefit from SARH as an Orthopedic Patient

Staff Reports

Photo courtesy: San Antonio Regional Hospital

Photo courtesy: San Antonio Regional Hospital

Upland- San Antonio Regional Hospital has been selected by Blue Shield of California to participate in the Blue Distinction Specialty Program as the Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. To be recognized by the Blue Distinction Center, healthcare facilities must showcase how they deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community. SA has demonstrated expertise in total knee and hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions.

The Joint Replacement Center at the Orthopedic Institute at SA offers patients a superior experience on many levels. The program not only incorporates best practices but also use a more streamlined, efficient approach to ensure the best outcome for an individual patient  while minimizing the recovery time.

Two previous patients, Patricia Bain and Alfredo Robles both agreed in saying they feel “restored” after having joint replacement surgeries that were performed by Jay Shah, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon. Patricia is a 59 year-old kindergarten teacher in the Chino Valley Unified School District, who had suffered for about 4 years with debilitating knee pain before she decided to have the knee replacement surgery. She states, “They prepared me really well. It’s a night and day difference from before surgery. The pain is really gone.” Before she had the actual procedure done, she also credited the San Antonio pre-op education and physical therapy for ensuring her successful outcome. As the other patient, Alfredo Robles had a similar experience at San Antonio. Her shared how he felt before surgery stating, “My knees and hips got so bad I had to use crutches just to hold myself up.” After Dr. Shah had completed two hip replacements and a left knee replacement on Mr. Robles in the span of a year, Robles says, “Normally, people like me don’t qualify for surgery, but I came in a wheelchair, and Dr. Shah said he wanted to try and help me. Now, I have a whole life. The doctors thought I would at least need a cane, but I’m walking with nothing. My neighbors can’t believe I’m up and walking.”

President and Chief Executive Officer, Harris Koenig, says, “Our patients benefit from a dedicated orthopedic team that involves many disciplines within the hospital, in addition to some of the finest orthopedic surgeons in the region, our registered nurses and physical therapists have special training to concentrate on patients who have undergone a joint replacement surgery. We have also added extra mobility aides on the floor to assist our patients in ambulating more often. This accelerates healing and recovery time. In fact, most of our knee and hip replacement patients go home within one to two days. Our Orthopedic Nurse Navigator is also a valuable part of the team, providing pre-surgery education and post-surgery follow-up, so our patients have a resource to turn to for questions or assistance, every step of the way.”

The Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped many patients with finding a quality provider for the specialty care of needs that include knee and hip replacement. According to San Antonio Regional Hospital, research has shown that facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients compared with their peers.

The Joint Replacement Center at the Orthopedics Institute at San Antonio Regional Hospital will be holding a special lecture series entitled Innovations in Joint Replacement Surgery. It will be from September through November, where you have a chance to hear from orthopedic surgeons about the latest options for shoulder, hip, and knee replacements. For information on how to attend, you may call (909) 920-6139.

 

Council Recap

By Tiana Goegebuer

The August 10th, 2016 City Council Meeting was attended by Council members Clint Lorimore, Adam Rush, and Richard (Dickie) Simmons, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Tessari and Mayor Ike Bootsma.

Natalie Diaz, the Student Liaison from Eleanor Roosevelt High School, kicked off the meeting by presenting her report to the Council. She discussed the quickly-approaching first day of school and back to school nights, as well as the progress of the STEM program at ERHS.

In the Public Comment section of the meeting, a representative of Dr. Augustine Ramirez Intermediate School commented on the construction taking place near the campus. He expressed his appreciation to the city for doing a great job working with the schools and construction companies to make after school pick-ups as smooth as possible.

Both items on the Consent Calendar (6.1-6.2) were approved 5-0.

There were no Public Hearings, so the topic moved to 8.1. The Council discussed making recordings of each meeting available to the public via YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud. Recordings of the meetings are currently available on the City website, but the new platform would allow listeners to toggle and listen to the portions of the meetings they would like to focus on, instead of having to listen to its entirety. Meaning, citizens who were unable to attend the meeting physically to would be able to hear the entire thing or just parts of it at their own discretion. The Council approved the use of YouTube as a platform to share the City Council Meetings 5-0.

The City Manager and Staff Members encouraged residents to attend Eastvale Day on September 10th at the LA County Fair. There will be an Eastvale Community Day parade at noon for which Eastvale Dignitaries will be in attendance, along with the 2016 Eastvale Community Hero, Jane Anderson. It was also discussed that the City had received a number of phone calls regarding the dead-end on Riverboat Drive, west of Hamner Avenue. The calls prompted the City to discuss looking into additional options that would alert drivers to the fact that it is not a through street.

The meeting ended with closing statements by the Council members.

The August 24th, 2016 City Council Meeting was attended by Council members Clint Lorimore, Adam Rush, and Richard Simmons, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Tessari and Mayor Ike Bootsma. The invocation was led by Pastor Ed Moreno from New Day Christian Church.

The Public Safety Commission updated the Council on their upcoming projects, which included updates on grant status, construction progress, and a few of the items on their agenda for the coming month. Next, Student Liaison Natalie Diaz gave her report on the events taking place in the local schools. She started by saying that “The school year is in full swing,” and then began listing some of the unique activities that each school will be hosting over the course of the next few weeks.

There were no Public Comments, so the meeting progressed to the Consent Calendar. Item’s 6.1 through 6.8 were all approved 5-0.

The meeting then progressed to the Public Hearings section of the meeting, and item 7.1, the Verizon Cell Tower Appeal, was presented. The applicant, Kevin Sullivan, a Verizon representative, presented the project and the information requested by the Councilmembers at the July 13th meeting. In a PowerPoint, Sullivan presented the design plans for a 50 ft. cell tower disguised as a palm tree that would be built on Grapewin Street. He discussed the improved coverage for Verizon customers that would be a result of the new facility, and said that the tower would not result in any material visual impact. At the request of the Council at the July 13th meeting, Sullivan also presented information on a few possible alternative sites for the facility. After Verizon evaluated the other locations, the conclusion was that from both a technical and planning standpoint, the Grapewin site was still the most effective and would cause the least impact to the surrounding communities. With that, Verizon asked that the City approve their requests to move forward with the project.

With the conclusion of the presentation, Mayor Bootsma opened the floor to comments from the public. Three citizens stepped forward one after another to state their support for the project, followed by three citizens who were opposed to it. Some of the concerns stated by those opposed included the possibility of the tower being a visual nuisance, that the antennas would not withstand the high wind speeds, and that there were better alternative locations available. Sullivan, representing Verizon again, addressed the concerns by saying that the structure would be sound and would look the way it was presented to the Council. After further questions and comments by the Councilmembers, the item was approved 3-2, with Simmons and Tessari voting against it.

Item 8.1 was approved 5-0. The Council then moved to Item 8.3, which was a report on the Roadway Adoption Program’s progress. The program allows local groups, people, and organizations the opportunity to adopt local streets and keep them litter free over a 1-year time period. The responsibilities of the individual or group would be to remove litter 6 times per year and write a report after each clean-up event. After 2 successful clean-up days, the “owner” of the roadway would have their name placed on a recognition sign on that street. Councilman Simmons and a citizen expressed concerns that the program would be used as a commercial endeavor that businesses would use as an avenue for advertisement. The Council voted to approve the draft of the Program 4-0 (Tessari had to step out to take a phone call), as long as the staff looked into ways to prevent the program from being used for advertisements.

The next Item on the agenda, 8.2, opened a discussion about the future of the Eastvale Community Foundation, which recently had 4 officer positions vacated, leaving the Foundation unable to conduct business. As a result, the Council voted to suspend the Foundation, have the City staff take over the books as well as the military banner program, and cancel this year’s golf tournament, and it passed 5-0.

The meeting concluded with closing statements by the City Manager, City Staff, and the Councilmembers. It adjourned at 9:45.

Eastvale Holds Elections Nov 8

Staff Reports

Eastvale, CA – As many have claimed they aren’t going to vote in this November election due to the choice of candidates, the City of Eastvale will need you to go out and vote anyway, as three seats are up on the City Council.

The City Council previously took action at the April 27, 2016 City Council meeting to initiate the process of converting to by-district voting for the November, 2016 election. The Council approved Resolution No. 16- 09 initiating the by-district process, and District 2 and 5 are for the full term of four-years and a Councilmember from District 1 for a partial term of two-years.

Districts 1, 2, and 5 are up for election and there are eight residents who are vying for those seats. In District 1, which encompasses the north east side of Eastvale, from Cloverdale through the Ontario border, you have newcomers Mario Marroquin and Todd Rigby vying for a council seat. District 2, which covers the complete opposite of 1, encompassing the mid to north side of Eastvale, zigzagging from Schleisman, Scholar Way, through Citrus, Harrison, Chandler, ending by River Road at the Corona border, you have emcumbant Joseph Tessari against newcomer Bashar Madani. And finally in District 5, current Mayor Ike Bootsma is defending his seat against Raul Gutierrez, Robert Hetrick, and Brandon Wilson Plott. District 5 covers the west side of Walnut from Archibald Ave to the Chino border.

The City Clerk is the local elections administrator and coordinates with the County of Riverside in the conduct of Municipal elections. This includes, but is not limited to, the preparation of necessary resolutions calling for General and Special Municipal Elections and declaring the result of the election, the coordination of the candidate nomination process and the receipt and processing of initiative, referendum and recall petitions. Regular elections are consolidated with statewide elections, scheduled on the first Tuesday of November of even numbered years to fill expired City Council terms. All election services are provided according the California Elections Code, according to the city of Eastvale’s website.

City Council members are elected at-large for a four year term. Council Members serve “staggered” terms, meaning that either 2 or 3 seats are open for election every two years. Council Members receive $400 per month stipend as compensation for their service.

Qualifications for Candidacy. To qualify as a candidate for member of the City Council, you must reside and be registered to vote within the jurisdiction at the time nomination papers are issued. More specifically, you must be:

  • Be registered voters at their current residence in the City of Eastvale
  • Residing in the district in which they are running
  • A citizen of the United States
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Not disqualified from holding office by the Constitution or laws of the State of California.

To become a candidate, you must first be issued a Nomination Paper which specifies the office you are seeking. You must obtain the signatures of at least 20 and not more than 30 registered voters within the City of Eastvale. A number of additional forms are required to be filed.
The nomination period ran from July 18, 2016 through early August 12, 2016. Write-in candidates must file a statement of write-in candidacy, a nomination paper and a Statement of Economic Interests, as well as other forms, during the period of early September 2014 through late October 2014. Signatures and voter registration information on the nomination paper will be verified in the same manner as a regular nomination paper. Write-in candidates’ names donot appear on the ballot or in the sample ballot pamphlet.

Voter registration forms are available at all public libraries, post offices and City Hall. To receive a registration form by mail, please call the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office at (951) 486-7200 or the City Clerk’s office at (951) 703-4420. Completed registration forms can be hand-delivered to the Registrar’s office located at 2724 Gateway Drive, Riverside, CA 92507 or Eastvale City Hall located at 12363 Limonite Avenue, Eastvale, CA 91752 or dropped off in any U.S. mailbox. No postage is necessary. For additional voter registration information visit www.voteinfo.net. (most information courtesy of the City of Eastvale)

 

 

Help An Eastvale Resident Achieve Her Last Wish

By Racine Guajardo  

Photo courtesy: Karen’s GoFund Me : Karen Nordgren is asking for help in achieving her last wish since she was recently only given 6 months to 2 years to live.

Photo courtesy: Karen’s GoFund Me
: Karen Nordgren is asking for help in achieving her last wish since she was recently only given 6 months to 2 years to live.

Eastvale– Karen Nordgren, an Eastvale resident, suffers from a very rare primary immunodeficiency disorder (genetic) that causes constant ghastly respiratory infections. But she also suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is the biggest cause of the short term life that she given to live.

With no history of even smoking one cigarette, Karen’s lungs are out of control. In order for her to breath, she is on a high dosage of steroids that have lead to more health issues such as diabetes, liver failure, and congestive heart failure. It has also caused her side effects that have turned her hair a different color, given her a gap in her front teeth, and resulted to excessive weight gain.

Karen is doing everything to stay positive and live out every day as much as she can as her body is willing. Her life motto is after a Disney movie: “just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” She has spent a lot of time doing fun activities, making memories, and attending events with her youngest daughter and her family. In the last couple of doctor visits, one doctor has said she has 1-2 years left to live and another has said she has 6 months.

Her last wishes are to move up north to spend time and make memories with her oldest daughter. Given the circumstances, her plans to move and retire there are pushed to be in a more high urgency.

A GoFund me account was created to help Karen achieve her goal and she says, “If you have any questions about my campaign or diseases, please do not hesitate to ask. You have probably already guessed that I’m an open book. So very many people have touched my heart and soul during this life; I hope I have touched yours, too.”

The link to her GoFund me account is www.gofundme.com/karennordgren

Smart & Final Comes To Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale recently announced that they will be welcoming a Smart & Final Extra to the new shopping center that will built on the corner of Limonite and Sumner.  The Smart & Final groundbreaking will be in the next few weeks of August and the store is expected to open in fall of 2017.

Many residents are excited about the new addition to Eastvale.  However, many expressed that they wanted a Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, or Whole Foods to come to the city too.  The City of Eastvale was very active on their Facebook page, explaining that all of those stores were approached but they all said no and sited “lack of population density as a key factor”.

The City of Eastvale is working hard to take the residents’ suggestions in consideration but sometimes it takes time for those types of businesses to come to Eastvale.  “We try very hard to provide timely information,” said the city said in a comment on their Facebook page. “We hope our citizens understand that we hear their comments and suggestions and we try very hard to accommodate. Sometimes it takes years to put a deal together. City staff are working extremely hard to make Eastvale a great place to live, work, play and raise a family. Thank you again for your support and encouragement.”

Nonetheless, the city is very excited that the Smart & Final Extra will be joining the Eastvale family because it will provide the organic produce many Eastvale residents are looking for.

“All of the data and sales leakage reports show there is a need for additional grocers. Smart and Final Extra offers organic products/produce,” the City stated.

Smart & Final has been in business for 145 years and was founded in 1871 by Herman Hellman. Today, Smart & Final is a public company with over 8,000 employees working in more than 250 grocery stores in California, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho and Northern Mexico. Smart & Final is headquartered in Commerce, California. For many years, Smart & Final was known as “The Smaller, Faster Warehouse Store” — a place where restaurant chefs and businesses shopped for restaurant-quality products at low prices. Today, Smart & Final caters to the needs of individuals, families, restaurants and local businesses. Smart & Final offers both smaller convenient sizes and larger bulk sizes for a vast array of products. The Smart & Final Extra! concept is the company’s newest store concept and these stores are much larger in size (27,000 SF to 31,000 SF) and the store finishes and merchandising display are very appealing. Smart & Final Extra! stores provide a greatly expanded product selection in key categories, including fresh produce, organics, fresh meats, frozen foods, dairy, deli and grocery basics like cereal, yogurt, bread and snacks.

 

Eastvale Dances For Finley

Photo courtesy: @fifiandmo Instagram Finley ready to dance with the community at the 65th Street LIVE Concert in the Park in Eastvale.

Photo courtesy: @fifiandmo Instagram
Finley ready to dance with the community at the 65th Street LIVE Concert in the Park in Eastvale.

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Hundreds of community members gathered on July 29 at Harada Heritage Park for the 65th Street LIVE Concerts in the Park to dance for one special Eastvale resident: 3-year-old Finely Smallwood.

The Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) Parks and Recreation Department organized the event so the community can come together to help Finley raise money and awareness about Cerebral Palsy.

Finley was born 9 weeks premature and suffers from Cerebral Palsy. She loves to dance, but can’t move without help. Her parents, Christian and Jose Smallwood, received news that Finley is a great candidate for selective dorsal rhizotomy. The procedure may help her walk and even dance on her own someday; however, the procedure is not covered under their medical insurance. That is where the #DareToDanceChallenge was born.

The loving community joined together to take the #DareToDanceChallenge that Finley’s mother, Christina Smallwood and neighbor, Brittany Rodriguez, started. Many local residents were in attendance at the Concerts in the Park, including JCSD staff, local law enforcement agencies, CNUSD staff, and City of Eastvale staff members. Even a local cheer and dance group, Sinergy, provided a gift to Finley and cheered her on. Don’t Stop Believing, a Journey Cover Band that was performing that night, joined in on the challenge and danced while Meghan Trainor’s song, “Better When I’m Dancing” was playing between sets.

Trainor’s song is one of Finley’s favorites and was first featured in a silly video of Christina and Finley dancing. The #DareToDanceChallenge took off when the LA County Fire Department posted a video of the fire fighters dancing with Finley and Christina. KTLA picked up the story and the challenge went viral. Many have posted videos of themselves dancing, such as Perez Hilton, and contestants from the Bachelor TV Show. Even Disneyland has conducted events to support Finley.

Photo courtesy: JCSD Local Synergy cheer and dance team posed with 3-year-old Finley Smallwood and her mom Christina at the 65th Street LIVE Concert in the Park in Eastvale. The event was organized by JCSD so the community could dance for Finley and help raise money for her surgery.

Photo courtesy: JCSD
Local Synergy cheer and dance team posed with 3-year-old Finley Smallwood and her mom Christina at the 65th Street LIVE Concert in the Park in Eastvale. The event was organized by JCSD so the community could dance for Finley and help raise money for her surgery.

Participates of the challenge are asked to post a video of themselves dancing with the hashtag #DareToDanceChallenge. Then they have to tag a few friends to take the challenge. If those friends don’t post a video of themselves dancing in 24 hours, they must donate $20 to Finley’s campaign. However, of course you can dance AND donate too!

As of press time, the Smallwoods have raised $52,497 of their $60,000 goal. They almost have enough money to be able to afford Finley’s surgery, cost of travel expenses, and cover the cost of intensive therapy for Finley’s recovery after the surgery. But they haven’t reached their goal yet so you can still join in on the challenge!

JCSD recently posted their video of community kids dancing, JCSD staff dancing, and the 76th Street Live Concerts in the Park event (Facebook/JCSDParks). JCSD then challenged Corona Norco Unified School District, City of Eastvale, City Of Jurupa Valley, Jurupa Unified School District, and the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District to take the challenge.

Join us in dancing for Finley! “We Dare YOU Dare to Dance!”

Visit www.doyoudaretodance.com for more information about Finley’s story and how you can donate.

Photo courtesy: JCSD Local law enforcement and officials gave gifts to Finley and her mother Christina.

Photo courtesy: JCSD
Local law enforcement and officials gave gifts to Finley and her mother Christina.

Verizon’s Wireless Telecommunications Tower In Eastvale

By Valerie Gutierrez

Eastvale– Many Eastvale residents gathered at Rosa Parks Elementary on July 13 to voice their concerns about a future installation of a new 50-foot-high wireless telecommunications tower behind the Grapewin residential neighborhood.

The Verizon 50-foot wireless telecommunication tower, disguised as a “monopalm,” with ancillary equipment in a 17-foot by 19-foot lease area at 8306 Grapewin Street with an access easement on the adjacent parcel to the north of the project site has many Eastvale residents excite and others unhappy.

The applicant, Courtney Stenridge, from Verizon, provided a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting and discussed the benefits to the community, need of customers, and the elements of the site selection.

Bill Frescas, engineer from Verizon, discussed coverage areas that would be improved by the new tower and discussed the Radio Frequency Study performed by Hammett and Edison, an independent third party. Eastvale residents had their own comments regarding this study.

The proposed “monopalm” would be equipped with 12 panel antennas and one microwave dish Ground-mounted equipment at the base of the monopalm consisting of two equipment cabinets, one generator, and apparatus surrounded by a 6-foot-high block wall. The tower and the attached antennas will be designed to look like a palm tree. All ground-level equipment will be installed within the boundary of the lease area and screened behind a 6-foot-high split-face wall.

When the project was first presented on May 18, 2016, the Planning Commission considered the project for future development and voted 3-0 to continue the project discussion so that the entire Commission could be present to hear testimony and take part in the decision-making process. A month later, on June 15, 2016, Verizon came back to the Planning Commission with a new and developed project after in-depth research was done. However, the Planning Commission voted 3-1 to deny the project that they presented.

According to Planning Director, Eric Norris, Eastvale’s Planning Commission instructed Verizon to revise the plan that was denied and re-present it during the next meeting on August 24, 2016. The Planning Commission “Did not feel [that the City of Eastvale] would gain enough benefit from the [proposed] project,” said Norris.

Eastvale residents surrounding Grapewin Street have mixed reviews regarding the proposed project. Some are excited to finally get good coverage as they say they hardly have any cell phone signal/reception in that area. However, the majority of the residents expressed their worry about their family’s health concerns as well as their current view overlooking the Santa Ana River. After residents learned that Verizon had looked at seven other sites for a new cell phone tower, four which were on residential properties, they burst claiming that the tower was in their “residential backyard.”

During the meeting on July 13, Verizon explained that no material visuals impacts would be a problem considering that the area already consists of mature trees. The 50-foot monopalm would blend in with the existing trees, creating a site where the tower would not be visual. Verizon also claimed that the project site is 144 feet away from the nearest residents and that compared to other telecommunications towers that are approximately 75 to 90 feet high, this Grapewin tower will only be 50-feet high, taking residents’ concerns serious.

“About 50 to 60 residents showed up to cast their concerns,” said Norris. Many of those were well organized and prepared to make their voices heard.

Maintenance personnel will visit the site every four to six weeks to ensure the equipment is functioning properly and to perform regular and emergency maintenance via the access easement on the adjacent parcel to the north. Maintenance could occur at any time of the day or night. Among several of the many concerns pointed out by residents were as followed:

  • Visual nuisance with privacy of the 50-foot-high telecommunications tower.
  • Maintenance’s team on tower with bedroom views is unacceptable.
  • Verizon having 24 hours access to the tower glaring lights in the middle of the night.
  • Noises from generators as they maintain and service the tower.

Residents also came prepare to speak health concerns revealing that cell phone towers emit Radio Frequency radiation (RF). The cell phone industry’s stance is that RF that is in the non-heating range of the EMF spectrum. Eastvale residents explained to Council Members and Verizon that science had concluded that even low-level of exposure to RF is linked to many illnesses. Symptoms and illnesses include: headaches, memory and concentration issues, blood brain barrier leakage problems, heart problems, increase heart rates, increase stress hormone levels, nosebleeds, and increase in seizures among others.

Approximately more than two hours were spent on the night of July 13 discussing Verizon’s “monopalm” tower. Though no final decision has been made, Eastvale residents and city members urge local residents to attend the “August 24 meeting where the 50-foot-high plan will be presented back to the city council

Little Boys Are Superheroes In Disguise

   By Racine Guajardo  

 

Eastvale – “Carter pic2There is a Superhero inside all of us; we just need the courage to put on the cape.” Carter Forsyth at just 6 years-old, wakes up every day and puts on his cape to fight this debilitating disease in order to live the most normal life as possible and to be happy again.

Carter is an Eastvale resident that is one of 300,000 U.S. children suffering from Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). JIA is an autoimmune, inflammatory joint disease that presents with varying degrees of pain, swelling, stiffness, lethargy and a reduction or loss of mobility. Growth retardation is common in children with JIA, and this symptom is often exacerbated with medications typically used to treat the disease. Muscle weakness or loss, and osteoporosis are also possible conditions associated with JIA.

In an effort to find a cure for JIA, the Annual California Coast Classic bike ride will be held by The Arthritis Foundation and sponsored by Amgen. The 8-day bike ride will start on Sept. 24.

For last year’s ride, Team Carter, led by Carter’s “Papa” Jerry Davis, set a national fundraising record for the Arthritis Foundation. They raised over $210,000 and recruited 52 cyclist to join the team for the 525 mile ride, in which started in San Francisco and ended in Los Angeles. This will be the 3rd year in a row that Team Carter will be participating in the ride. The event is fully paid for by corporate sponsors such as Amgen and a few others, but 100% of the amount raised goes to research for better treatment and hopefully a cure one day, as well as provide education about the disease. The money raised also sends kids like Carter to a special summer camp with other kids who suffer from the disease.

There is not one treatment for JIA that works for everyone and most of them have heavy side effects when used long term, which may do even more harm to the patient’s body.

Carter is doing better than he was in the beginning of his treatments but recently, the treatments don’t seem to be working as well. The doctors are discussing other options which would include adding another medication to his treatment plan. He is now 6 years old and ev

Photo courtesy: Jerry Davis Carter Forsyth

Photo courtesy: Jerry Davis
Carter Forsyth

ery day is difficult for his family as they think of how heartbreaking it is that he will be on some type of treatment for the rest of his life, but most importantly that he will have to live in such pain.

In spite of his pain, Carter is a real warrior and rarely complains. His family believes he hides the pain as much as he can because he just wants to be a normal little boy and do the things boys his age like to do. He loves baseball and participated in t-ball and coach pitch this last year. His Papa says, “He’s actually really good and has a great swing. He told me he can’t wait until next season and that he is going to be on the All Star team.”

Recently, Carter made a fundraising video to post on the Team Carter For a Cure Facebook page for this year’s ride. He thought of what to say in his own words and he asked for people to “donate to Team Carter for The Arthritis Foundation so they can find kids sickness and so kids can be happy again.” Carter is one tough kid and he has a huge heart; he’s a real-life superhero. He wants to help other kids like him so they can all be happy again.

As usual, Jerry will be riding in the California Coast Classic in honor of his grandson Carter. “I’m just a grandpa that loves his grandson and I’m doing what I think any grandpa would do for his grandchild. I have 5 grandchildren and I’d do the same for all of them,” says Papa Davis.

For more information on where to donate to help Team Carter and other kids, you may visit: http://www.525m4Carter.com and visit this YouTube link to hear Carter’s personal message: http://youtu.be/4nfhIoDTvfY.

Police Dog Attacks Man In Eastvale

Staff Reports  Dog Attack Picture

Eastvale – An Eastvale resident was attacked by a former Police dog earlier this month, which resulted in the man being sent to the hospital and the dog being stabbed.

On Sunday, July 3, a 20-year-old resident saw a male German shepherd wandering loose along Ruby Giant Court. According to an animal control officer’s report and based on statements from witnesses, the man felt sorry for the dog and brought it a bowl of water. A City of Eastvale news release reported that the dog drank the water and then placed both its front paws on the man’s chest.

The dog then attacked the man by taking a bite out of his left bicep area and dragging the victim into the street. The man screamed for help so relatives and friends came to try to make the dog release the victim. The relatives began punching and kicking the dog in hopes that it would let go. When the dog would not release the victim, some of the men grabbed steak knives from inside the home and stabbed the dog until it finally let go. The victim was transported to a Corona hospital with injuries to his arm, left leg and ankle.

According to the city news release, the homeowner of where the attack occurred, an uncle of the victim, told Riverside County Animal Services Officer Will Luna that he and the other rescuers had “no choice but to start stabbing the dog in order to get the dog to stop attacking.”

The German shepherd was lying on the lawn area in front of the Eastvale home when Police officials and Officer Luna arrived. The dog appeared to look lethargic, according to reports. However, when Officer Luna approached the injured dog, it immediately sat to attention despite its injuries.

Then, Officer Luna immediately used his control stick to put a loop around the dog’s head. The dog did not attack him or fight the control stick.

“I walked him to my truck and, with one command, the dog, despite its injuries, leaped into one of my truck compartments,” Officer Luna said in a report. The city news release states that this is when Luna knew he was dealing with a police dog. “That dog must have recognized me and uniform and as someone of authority,” Officer Luna said. “He didn’t show any aggression toward me at all.”

The dog was rushed to an emergency animal hospital, but its wounds were so severe that the clinic staff members had to euthanize it.

When a microchip was discovered on the dog, it was confirmed that the dog was a retired K9 officer for the Los Angeles County law enforcement agency.

For tips on how to avoid being bit by a dog, visit http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/avoid_dog_bites.html.

Powerball Winners From Eastvale!

By Racine Guajardo

Eastvale– The holders of the winning Powerball ticket bought at a Chino Hills 7-11 have finally come forward!

Marvin and Mae Acosta, residents of Eastvale, have been announced as the third winners of the $1.6 billion Powerball lottery jackpot.

The original drawing was on January 13, and three tickets shared the jackpot. The other two have already claimed their money, one from Florida and one from Tennessee, but the third winner never came forward. Finally after 6 months of remaining a mystery, the Acosta’s came forward with their ticket before the 180 days of the draw date. Just like the other two winners, they opted for a one-time payment of $327.8 million before federal taxes.

The 7-Eleven store who sold the winning ticket is located at 492 Chino Hills Parkway and the store owner received $1 million.

California Lottery Director, Hugo Lopez, released a statement saying, “We finally know who our mystery winners are! It may have taken six months for them to come to one of our offices, but these winners did just what we tell all our winner to do- they read our Winner’s Handbook and then assembled a team of legal and financial advisers to help them make the most of this windfall and prepare them for their new life as lottery winners.”

The Acosta’s want to remain private as possible but have released the following statement, “We are thankful and blessed for the rare gift that has been placed in our care. We have engaged a team of advisers to educate and guide us through this process so that we can be good stewards of these new resources. While many decisions are still to be made, we have committed nearly all of this new resource to a Trust and to charities that are important to us. While we are very grateful for the wonderful wishes and encouragement we’ve received, it is not our intention to become public figures, and we ask for and appreciate privacy going forward. Thank you.”

A neighbor of the couple reported to ABC7 that the Acosta’s left last Friday without a word of where they were going or of their lottery winnings, but that is not confirmed.

Another neighbor, Emily Waithira, reported to Eastvale News that various news teams were outside the couple’s home on the morning of July 19. “[They’re] flooding our neighborhood!” said Emily. However, it is not confirmed if the Acosta’s were at the residence when the news teams were there. But Emily did say, “I am so happy for them!”

This article will be updated as more information is released.

West Nile Virus Found In Eastvale

Staff ReportsWest-Nile-WEB

Eastvale– The City of Eastvale recently reported that the first indications of West Nile virus in 2016 were detected in a sample of collected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes tested positive for the virus on June 15, according to the City of Eastvale.

“District staff will continue to canvass the area to look for and treat mosquito breeding sources,” a City of Eastvale news release stated.  “They will also post signs alerting residents of the detection of the virus along with preventative measures the public can take to keep from becoming infected with West Nile virus.”

The Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District have been routinely monitoring populations of adult mosquitoes and tests groups of adult female mosquitoes for the presence of mosquito-borne viruses.

Specifically, on June 17, 24 and 25, the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District performed adult mosquito spray treatments to lower the mosquito population that had been affecting recreational and residential areas along the Santa Ana River in the City of Eastvale.

The treatments were conducted between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. at the following locations: the Riverwalk Park, the bike trail next to the Santa Ana River, and Granja Vista Wetland located on Citrus Avenue between Riverwalk Park and Eastvale Community Park. Signs were posted prior, informing the public of the activities.

An approved mosquito treatment called Aqua-Reslin was used by the District, focusing on preventing mosquito breeding and killing mosquito larvae before they become flying adults. The Districts also have been working hard to use Integrated Pest Management Practices in the areas.

According to the District, due to the elevated trap counts, they decided that adult mosquito control via truck mounted ground fogger is the best means to control the current mosquito populations.

The District urges the public to conduct routine inspections on their properties for mosquito breeding sources.  Please look for any standing water around your home or neighborhood.  Remove the water source or contact the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District to inspect and treat the source.  Remember, mosquitoes can complete their lifecycle in just one week in a water source as small as a bottle cap.

Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District urges residents to take the following precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes:

  • Eliminate any standing water around your house and stock permanent ponds with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
  • Make sure all windows and door screens on your house are in good repair and tight fitting.
  • Wear protective clothing (long pants and long sleeves) or wear a mosquito repellant that contains DEET®, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR 3535 when outside.
  • Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn hours. This is particularly important for elderly and small children.
  • Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
  • Contact the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District to report standing water or mosquito activity.

An infected mosquito can bite any animal, but not all animals will become infected. The disease most often affects birds, but occasionally causes disease in other animals as well, such as horses.

If you find a dead bird, particularly a dead crow or other corvid (e.g., jay, magpie, raven), please call 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) promptly. Also make sure you do not touch the bird. Dead birds will be submitted for testing for mosquito-borne viruses.

Contact the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District at 951-340-9792 with any questions or concerns. For additional information, you may also visit their website www.northwestmvcd.org

Any questions or concerns, you may contact the District at (951) 340-9792.

Here We Grow Again

By Tiana Goegebuer

Eastvale – Since it first became a city in October of 2010, Eastvale has grown immensely. An area that was once mainly known for dairy farms is now buzzing with shopping centers, beautiful parks, and great schools. The growth our city has experienced is not letting up any time soon either! Here are some of the new businesses, developments, and projects that are taking place or coming to Eastvale soon.

Walmart is still in the planning stages, but is said to be coming to the southeast corner of Limonite and Archibald Avenues in the near future.

The final map for the Providence Business Park, consisting of 14 new industrial buildings and located west of Archibald and south of Limonite, is being processed.

On the southeast corner of Schleisman Road and Scholar Way, the “Copper Sky at Eastvale” residential area is under construction.

A 99 Cents Only store is being discussed for the northwest corner of Hamner Ave. and the “new” Schleisman Rd.

The Chandler Catholic Church is set to be located on, you guessed it, Chandler St. The project is moving forward, and revised plans along with a formal application are expected by the city in the next couple of months.

On the northeast corner of Bellegrave and Hamner Avenue’s, the Goodman Commerce Business Park is going to accommodate professional offices with light industrial uses.

The Eastvale Marketplace is planned to be built on the corner of Limonite and Sumner Avenue, and is going to provide opportunity for many businesses to become tenants and join the community.

Vantage Point Church is in the planning process of starting to build its own sanctuary, church, and community buildings on Archibald Ave.

In addition to the above mentioned projects and more, it was recently announced that both Amazon and the Volkswagen Group of America will also be putting down roots in Eastvale soon. According to press releases shared on the city of Eastvale’s website, the Amazon facility will be “… approximately one million square feet in length and will… employ hundreds of full-time associates,” and the Volkswagen building will “create a state-of-the-art training facility” in the areas of “technical, collision repair and sales training.” For more information about the Volkswagen building, read the article on page 1.

Each new business and development adds to our city’s community in a big way and we are not going to stop growing any time soon!

 

Update: Many Protest In Eastvale

 

Photo by: Emily Aguilar Protesters hold signs and chant as the walk down Limonite in Eastvale.

Photo by: Emily Aguilar
Protesters hold signs and chant as the walk down Limonite in Eastvale.

By Emily Aguilar

Eastvale – In the mid afternoon on July 9, Hamner and Limonite had to be closed for a brief period due to a peaceful protest in Eastvale. Multiple Police Officers were found on the Limonite perimeters and just above them, a CHP helicopter was flying over the city. This was due to protesters who showed up on Limonite and Hamner to protest against police brutality and mistreatment against people of color.

Even before the protest began, many Eastvale residents were fearful about the event, due to the hype on social media.

However, the protest was defined as a peaceful protest, with Eastvale City Manager Michele Nissen confirming that no arrests were made, no use of force was utilized, no complaints were lodged with the Sheriff’s Department about officer conduct, no one was injured, no property was damaged and not even a rock or bottle was thrown by rally participants.

One counter protester even came out to the event, a former Vietnam veteran who wore a Blue Lives Matter shirt. The veteran told Eastvale News he chose to stand in solidarity with police officers. He expressed his gratitude for policemen who sacrifice their lives in order to keep the country safe, and prevent the country from “bringing on a revolution.”

But a revolution was not the goal for this protest, as event organizer, Dimario “Little John”, said the event was conducted to show unity. In response to those who state Black Lives Matter protestors are anti-police and disruptive, Dimario stated that he wants people to believe that the BLM protestors are “united” and “come together to fight against these constant recurrences.” He also defended BLM’s recent image by asserting that certain protesters, such as “the Dallas shooter,” are people who “come in with their own agendas,” and should not represent the entire movement.

Over fifty protestors– teenagers, parents, children, and grandparents of all races — arrived on the Limonite and Hamner corners at 1 pm. In response to the chanting protesters, drivers honked in solidarity and in disagreement. The protesters responded to negativity by wishing them a good day.

Photo by: Emily Aguilar

Photo by: Emily Aguilar

After an hour had passed, the protesters marched toward 7-11. On the way to 7-11, protesters chanted the following: “What are we? One! What do we want? Equality”, “no justice, no peace, no racist police”, and “Black lives matter!” All the while, police cars followed the protesters, ordering them to stay off the street and remain together. The protestors complied.

However, while on the way back from 7-11, some protesters broke away from the rest of the group and blocked the Hamner and 68th Street intersection. The blockade lasted a few moments, and most of the drivers cheered and honked in support. Because of the positive feedback from the 68th Street blockade, the protesters decided to block the Limonite and Hamner intersection. But that decision did not have the same positive response.

When some of the protesters went into the intersection and blocked traffic, quite a few drivers were angry and began to honk, some shouted profanity at them, and a few racist remarks were heard. But the protesters who strayed away chose to sat in the intersection or they chose to stand still, refusing to move at all.

Parents, adults, and teenagers begged the protesters to get off the street and listen to the police’s demands.

The stand-off continued for nearly 20 minutes. A line of policeman stood before the protesters, waiting for the protestors to move off the street. Drivers, still impatient, honked and yelled at the protestors, slowly driving around them. Sidewalk protesters continued to plead for them to get off the street. However, the street protesters only raised their arms and chanted “hands up, don’t shoot,” alluding to the Ferguson shooting in 2014, as a way of demonstrating that they did not want the policeman to attack.

After a total of 30 minutes, the protesters returned to the sidewalk as instructed. Captain Horton recently stated at the Eastvale City Council meeting that the street was shut down for a period of time after the encounter because the Sheriff’s Department felt it was acceptable. However, it was reopened for oncoming traffic and the rally was still considered a successful event.

The protesters came together one last time after the rally to reflect on the day’s events. Dimario expressed his plans to organize another protest in the near future, adding that he will make sure it is more organized.

Dimario also expressed that the purpose of the day’s events was to create unity. “We are all brothers and sisters,” he said. He added that he wanted the police to realize that “we’re not going to allow [police brutality] to happen out here…We’re here as a union; together as one.”

Before dispersing, the protesters held a group prayer before leaving, praying for the well being of all people of color and for the Eastvale policemen themselves.

This article was edited by editorial staff.