Category Archives: Chino

CVUSD Seniors Perform Community Service

Photos courtesy of CVUSD Caitlyn Broad surrounded by Navy sailors and the goodie bags she made them

Photos courtesy of CVUSD
Caitlyn Broad surrounded by Navy sailors and the goodie bags she made them

Courtesy of CVUSD

As part of a literary unit on heroism, 12th grade students from across the Chino Valley Unified School District devoted several volunteer hours in community service over the winter break. Projects varied from volunteering at food banks and homeless shelters to cleaning up trails and parking lots across the city. Students were asked to “pitch” a proposal to a panel of their peers and suggest projects that would be classified as heroic. As part of a culminating experience which emphasizes effective oral communication, students prepared and delivered five-minute speeches sharing their experiences and addressing major societal issues.

Caitlin Broad, an Ayala High senior, traveled to the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach with 40 goodie bags she prepared as thank you gifts for active duty sailors. Caitlin’s experience was especially meaningful to her as she was escorted by her father and grandfather, who are both Navy veterans.

Another Ayala senior, Diane Eckstrom, relieved her relatives in the daily care of her 94-year-old grandmother and delivered a speech on the need for loving elder care.

Priceless Pets, a pet adoption and care facility in Chino Hills, was a favorite organization of the volunteers, who exercised and cared for the animals. Ayala senior Terrance Seki walked dogs for Priceless Pets as part of his volunteer experience.

Ayala High senior Jake Sears, who cleaned up litter at Chino Hills State Park, told his classmates, “It shouldn’t be that difficult to clean up after yourself.”

Ayala students Jacob Axton and Calista Ho worked at a local food bank.

Most of the students involved in the program said they did not believe their efforts should be labeled heroic but rather just the actions of responsible citizens.

The curriculum unit writers included this project as part of the District’s implementation of Common Core State Standards to create real world experiences to develop 21st century skills. Teachers were impressed with their students’ passion towards the less fortunate and their appeals to their classmates to do the little things to show care for their community.

Deputies Reassigned to Unincorporated Areas

Courtesy of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s request for one detective and six deputies to be reassigned to the Chino Hills Station to improve law enforcement services for the Mission Corridor. The area includes an estimated four square miles of unincorporated area adjacent to the cities of Montclair, Ontario, Chino, and Chino Hills. The reassignment began on Saturday, January 23, 2016.

This reorganization will give the community a higher law enforcement presence. “The deputies dedicated to the Mission Corridor will be able to respond to our citizens faster and will be able to increase pro-active patrol for our community,” Sheriff John McMahon said.

Prior to the shift in personnel, deputies from the Fontana Station were responsible for providing law enforcement services for the Mission Corridor. The once 40-minute drive from the Fontana Station will drop to a six-minute drive from the Chino Hills Station. The area will now have dedicated deputies who will be responsible for responding to calls for service and conducting investigations. Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman stated, “This change will allow the public to be served quicker and more efficiently. It is proof the County is putting public safety first.”

 

Active Shooter Training on High Alert

By Monique Valadez

CHINO – Residents and businesses alike are focusing on safety like never before following the tragic shooting last month at a San Bernardino county facility.
Last week, the city of Rancho Cucamonga, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the League of California Cities hosted a countywide active shooter training workshop, where nearly 200 law enforcement members, city officials, and businesspeople received training about how to handle such a crisis.  Also discussed was how well prepared we are as a community.

Chino PD was one of the agencies represented at the countywide training, and they say it’s critical to join forces and train collaboratively with other organizations.

“One of Chino PD’s main focuses when it comes to dealing with homeland security is education,” Chino Police Officer Ted Olgden said about the training last Wednesday. “It is equally as important to educate our personnel on active shooter situations and dealing with terrorism as it is the public.”

Chino officials said they plan to continue the training until all officers and personnel have completed the instruction. Preparing for any incident is a long-term endeavor.

“By consistently evaluating and updating our training content and methods, we can ensure that we are providing the public and personnel with relevant and useful information,” Olgden said.

For law enforcement, the recent heightened alert is just part of the job. Officers regularly train to prepare for worst case scenarios. The task at hand is to also educate the public for these situations.

“The other component of preparedness is again, education; providing the public with the knowledge and resources to respond and recover from an active shooter incident. Part of our training involves working with the school district and fire department to conduct drills/scenario based training, which is essential to ensure a unified response,” he added.

Olgden said that Chino PD has already initiated a Homeland Security workgroup to evaluate the department’s efforts related to terrorism activity, including focusing on education, prevention, detection and response.  He advises the public to be vigilant and aware of any potential threat or suspicious activity and report it to law enforcement personnel immediately.

“If you see something, say something!”

Don Lugo Alumni Honored

Courtesy of CVUSD

CHINO– Don Lugo High honored two of their most famous alumni Friday morning, January 15, during a rally on the Chino campus.
Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Leah O’Brien-Amico (Class of 1992) and former professional baseball player Chad Cordero (Class of 2000) accepted their framed sports jerseys during the rally. The jerseys will hang in the school’s front lobby at 13400 Pipeline Avenue.
O’Brien-Amico won Olympic Gold Medals in softball in 1996, 2000, and 2004. She is a two-time World Champion softball player (1998 and 2002) and a three-time National Champion (1993, 1994, and 1997) while at the University of Arizona. She was named one of the California Interscholastic Federation Top 100 Athletes for 100 Years in 2013.
Cordero was a first-round draft pick for the Montreal Expos and had his Major League Baseball debut in August 2003. He had 128 career saves and was named a 2005 National League All Star team member. He was named the National League Pitcher of the Month in June 2005, and led the league in saves that year. Following graduation from Don Lugo, he was a three-year starter for Cal State Fullerton, where he was named a two-time All American team member, and a three-time player for the Big West All-Conference Team.

Life After Lugo

Photo courtesy: CVUSD Brianna Smith Gunn (right), a 2008 Don Lugo High graduate, talks to Don Lugo seniors about her experience in the Army.

Photo courtesy: CVUSD
Brianna Smith Gunn (right), a 2008 Don Lugo High graduate, talks to Don Lugo seniors about her experience in the Army.

Courtesy of Chino Valley Unified

CHINO– Looking like she was addressing her police officers in a shift briefing, Chino Police Chief Karen Comstock told Don Lugo students that success is theirs if they just have the right mindset. Chief Comstock was among more than a dozen Don Lugo High graduates who spoke to seniors, juniors and sophomores on January 7 about going to college during the annual “Life After Lugo.”

Don Lugo counselors founded the event seven years ago “because they felt that giving students as much information about college as possible would ensure greater success,” said teacher Sophie Yu. She took over coordination of the event three years ago, when original coordinator Kathie Spaun transferred to Chino Hills High. This year, Ms. Yu increased the number of sessions a senior could take from two to three. “All presenters are Lugo grads and my goal is to have more career pathways,” Ms. Yu said.

“Commit yourself to a process of learning,” Chief Comstock said as she walked back and forth among students in the Don Lugo multipurpose room. “Even if you don’t want to go into college after high school, get into a learning environment…Success is all in your futures, if you want it,” she said “…You are from Chino; you’re from Don Lugo. We believe in you.”

Following introductions and the chief’s keynote speech, other Don Lugo High alumni spoke to small groups of students on a variety of college-related topics in different classrooms. Among the subjects discussed were campus life, military experience, engineering, networking, picking the right school, commuting versus dorms, studying abroad, personal finance, the AVID college preparation program, the Dream Act, and time management.

Brianna Smith Gunn, a 2008 Don Lugo graduate, said she managed a hotel for a while before going to college, and then joined the Army 4 ½ years ago. Although she is only 5-foot-3, she worked in corrections for the military at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp in Cuba, where war criminals and other high profile prisoners are detained. She said at least three of the approximately 30 students in the class she was addressing would go into the military, based on statistics kept on military service. She told the students that many soldiers have lost their lives to ensure the freedoms of Americans.

Don Lugo graduate Albert Perez, who said he was the first in his family to attend college, talked about how three-dimensional printing is used in the bio-medical engineering field he is studying. He passed around two of the items he has made with a 3-D printer: a Batman symbol, and the words “#1 Mom” with a heart symbol behind it. He also talked about the fun he had exploring a new city while attending college.

Graduate Elizabeth Cho said her parents are immigrants who didn’t go to college, so they had a hard time helping her when issues came up about her college experience. She told the Don Lugo students there are resources and people on college campuses that can help new students adjust. She also talked about overcoming the “imposter syndrome” in which students don’t feel like they belong at their college or that they are not “good enough” to be at the school. She said it was a culture shock for her to be attending prestigious Wellesley College in Massachusetts because of the more affluent students who attend that school, the long distance from her home in California, and the colder weather there. “You grow a lot,” she said of attending a college away from home. She concluded her comments by showing a video of students who have experienced culture shock in college. Among those shown were students who were the first in their families to attend college.

Other Don Lugo graduates who spoke included Megan Johnston, Janette Armenta, Joseph Green, Nick Flores, Jacqueline Dana Valera, Samantha Ochoa, Kendell Langrell, Randall Brakob, and Frankie Torres. A luncheon was held following the event, with muffins, cookies, and water provided by Ms. Yu’s brother-in-law.

CVFD Hires Six Firefighter/Paramedics

Photo Courtesy of CVFD (L-R): Nathan Brooks, Conner Buck, Charles Addie, Miguel Lopez, Matt Robertson, Blake Lemke.

Photo Courtesy of CVFD
(L-R): Nathan Brooks, Conner Buck, Charles Addie, Miguel Lopez, Matt Robertson, Blake Lemke.

Courtesy of the Chino Valley Fire District

 

The Chino Valley Fire District welcomed six new firefighter/paramedics to the Fire District family on January 10th. The new hires will fill vacancies left by promotions and retirements.

After completing an intensive four-week academy put on by Fire District personnel, the firefighter/paramedics will be assigned to work at one of the seven fire stations in the District.

“We are excited to bring these new firefighter/paramedics onboard. They underwent an extensive testing process that ensures we are hiring the best firefighter/paramedics for the community” said Fire Chief Tim Shackelford.

The new hires include Charles Addie, Nathan Brooks, Conner Buck, Blake Lemke, Miguel Lopez and Matt Robertson. Firefighter/Paramedics Addie, Brooks and Buck were all former Chino Valley Fire District Fire Explorers.

The Fire Explorer program requires participants to pass an interview, physical agility test, and to complete 20 hours of volunteer work each year at various special functions and community events.

Breaking the Barriers Workshop

Staff Reports

CHINO – Chino Police Department joins forces with the community in hosting a Breaking Barriers United Initiative Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at Valley Christian Church.
Workshop organizers say that the goal of the workshop is bring the community and law enforcement together for the purpose of promoting national change.

“Our mission is to restore the relationship between Law Enforcement Officers and Community Members by bridging the gap between them,” workshop organizers said in a statement.

Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in law enforcement scenario reenactments.

Valley Christian Church is locatged at 12410 Norton Ave. in Chino. The workshop is free and open to the public. For more details, please contact Chino Police Officer Ryan Tillman at 909.641.5229 or  Sergeant Rodney Lombard at 909.721.6524.

 

Chino School Placed on Lockdown

Photo courtesy: Chino PD

Photo courtesy: Chino PD

Staff Reports

CHINO – A man who ran from police prompted one Chino Valley Unified School District school to be placed on lockdown Thursday, Jan. 7, Chino police said.
Larry Lopez, 46 of Chino, who was stopped for a minor traffic infraction on Thursday, was able to get away and was believed to have barricaded himself into his home on San Antonio Avenue near Rhodes Elementary school.
Around 10 a.m., Schafer and San Antonio Avenues were closed and Rhodes Elementary was put on lock-down while police tried to get Lopez to surrender, officials said.
At 11:37 a.m., the school district posted on their Facebook page that the school was placed on locked due to police activity in the area. Afternoon Kindergarten classes were cancelled.
Officers deployed a flash bang at the house at 1:45 p.m. in attempt to make contact with the suspect. Police broke into the house at 3 p.m. and found that Lopez had evaded them.
The school district posted regular updates on their social media pages to keep public informed. Parents were also notified by a phone blast message by the school’s Principal Dr. Freed. Updates were also posted on Facebook.
The lockdown was lifted at regular dismissal time of 3:20 p.m. Dismissal took place at Cypress Trails Park, next to the school.
Dr. Freed thanked parents for their patience and commended students and teachers for their outstanding cooperation with police.
“We did the best we could while working in partnership with Chino Police,” she said. “Every decision was made with the safety of students as the number one goal.”
Lopez was apprehended the next morning at his home on San Antonio Avenue. He was taken to the West Valley Detention Center and booked for felony evading and an outstanding prior warrant.

Students Beat the Odds

Photo courtesy of Chino Valley USD

Photo courtesy of Chino Valley USD

Courtesy of Chino Valley Unified

Chino Valley – A foster youth who had to overcome much adversity is the first Buena Vista Continuation High student qualified to go straight to a four-year college from the high school, according to Principal Rigoberto Vasquez.

Steven Beadle, 17, of Chino, has been accepted at Cal State, Stanislaus, and has also applied to Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and Cal State Fullerton. Another Buena Vista student, Destiny Miguel,  also recently qualified to go to a four-year college. She and Steven were honored by the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education at its Jan. 7 meeting.

This month, Steven will take a Spanish class at Chaffey College’s Chino campus while still enrolled at Buena Vista. Steven plans to major in sociology or criminal justice at a four-year college and pursue a career as a police officer in Texas or Colorado. “I’m very passionate about public safety,” he said. “I’d like to help on the streets.”

He practices Krav Maga, a self-defense system developed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), that consists of a combination of techniques from aikido, judo, boxing, and wrestling, along with realistic fight training. He also recently took a ride-along with a Chino Police officer to get an idea what it would be like to work in law enforcement. Steven said he is driven to succeed because, as a foster child for the last three years, he has seen a lot of youth in that system fail. “I don’t want to be one of those,” he said. “They don’t take advantage of what they are given to help them.” He also said he’s learned to stay away from drugs, which he believes is often a downfall for youth in foster care.

Steven was behind on his coursework when he transferred to Buena Vista 18 months ago. He was a sophomore with only 158 credits towards the 225 needed to graduate. He is now at 206 credits. Although he is expected to soon have enough credits to graduate from high school, he plans to stay in school until June to make sure he has all the A-G credits required for the California State University system. Principal Vasquez said he believes Steven is the first BV student to qualify for a four-year college because courses taught at the school were not approved as college preparatory until a couple of years ago, when former counselor Anna Fierro-Purcell “took it upon herself to have all of our courses submitted and approved.” Fierro-Purcell is now an assistant principal at Chino Hills High. “As a result, Steven’s courses taken at Buena Vista are accepted now by Cal State and University of California universities,” Mr. Vasquez said. “Steven is the first, and we have an additional two students who may be accepted by late February or early March. Steven turned in his college application very early.”

Chino Valley Students March in 2016 Rose Parade

Photo courtesy: CVUSD

Photo courtesy: CVUSD
Chino High students Topanga Betke (left), August Decker-Curry, and Kayla Arcoverde were among the five Chino Valley Unified School District students who participated in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 as part of the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band.

A Rosy Beginning for the New Year
Staff Reports
Chino Valley – Five high school students from Chino Valley Unified School District celebrated the New Year in style – marching down Colorado Boulevard in the 127th Tournament of Roses Parade.

Don Lugo High School students Anthony Erroa (alto saxophone) and Alana Pineda (color guard) and Chino High’s August Decker-Curry (trumpet), Topanga Betke (tall flag) and Kayla Arcoverde (banner) participated in Southern California’s New Year’s tradition as members of the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band.
Over 600 high school students audition each year for the 200-plus spots in the band and pageantry, according to the pageant organizers.

After an intense audition and weeks of endurance training and practice, these students now have bragging rights as part of an elite group of performers that marched the famed six-mile route in Pasadena. The Pasadena City College Honor Band has participated in the Rose Parade since 1930.

“The students will have marched over 25 miles in rehearsal before they step on to the parade route on January 1,” the pageant website noted.  “This is one reason why the Tournament of Roses Honor Band looks and sounds as good at the end of the parade as they do at the beginning.”

Start New Year, New You at Clark’s

Staff Reports

CHINO – When it comes to health and nutrition, one size does not fit all. Just ask your neighborhood’s health and nutrition market, Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Market who strive to make lives better one customer at a time.
Clark’s equates success not with size but with integrity, responsibility and service.

“The cornerstone of Clark’s market position is to provide reliable scientific information for the consumer’s benefit in making educated and informed decisions resulting in vibrant health,” Clark’s website states.

Spanning three generations, Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Markets was founded in 1972 in Riverside by the Clark family patriarch, Jim Clark, whose vision of healthy living grew into what is today a 60 billion-dollar industry.

Today’s, Jim’s grandchildren have taken over the reins of Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Markets. Grandson Jeff Clark is president, his brother Bruce Clark is vice president of retail development, and their sister Tracy Clark is the director of finance.
Their newest location in Chino, 12835 Mountain Avenue (at corner of Mountain Avenue and Riverside Drive), boasts a large selection of organic, gluten free, grass-fed beef, vitamins and raw foods. They also carry an extensive collection of health and beauty production including, celebrity Suzanne Somers’ skin care and cosmetic line, “SUZANNE Organics.”

Clark’s puts an emphasis on connecting with the community through various in-store and local events.

With locations in Loma Linda, Riverside, Rancho Mirage, and now Chino, Clark’s Nutrition lives up to their motto, “Live Better …We Can Help!”They provide regular free lectures on various health related topics and make-up tutorials with professional make-up artists.

Customers will appreciate their knowledgeable and helpful staff. Clark’s employees undergo a comprehensive in-house training curriculum, and continuing their education “which is now accredited”.

So, for all your health and nutritional needs, look no further than Clark’s in Chino or any of their other I.E. locals. Clark’s is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Stop by for yourselves and experience Clark’s great customer service, knowledgeable staff, and affordable pricing. Whatever your health goals, Clark’s can help! Visit www.clarksnutrition.com.

Chino Valley Ready for El Niño

Staff Reports

Chino Valley – As the first of many El Niño storms arrive in the southland, officials are helping residents to be aware of how to be prepared for the storms and their aftermath. Chino Valley residents have been hearing about the El Niño weather system since last year’s summer months, and now Chino Valley Fire District officials are saying that they have started a public awareness campaign to inform residents about El Niño. They have created an El Niño information page on their website and they have begun sending messages through social media.
“We want residents to take a proactive approach,” Chino Valley Fire District’s Public Information Officer Massiel Ladron De Guevara said.
El Niño storms in California caused economic losses of $2.04 billion in 1982-83 and $804 million in 1997-98, according to a recent report by the National University System Institute for Policy Research.
Chino Valley Fire, Police and Public Works are working together with county officials– along with local, regional and state partners – to make sure all safety issues throughout the county are being addressed, according to city officials.
Flash flooding and flows of mud and debris are a concern in the Chino Valley. Severe flooding on Euclid Avenue near Prado Regional Park; Pine Avenue by El Prado Golf Course; on Kimball at Rincon Meadows, and Schaefer Avenue between 4th Street and Central Avenue is expected.
Public safety officials are urging commuters to be cautious around potential flooding areas and to follow this simple advice by the National Weather Service: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard, according to the NWS. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream.
“A lot of people don’t know that an average car can float in as little as 12 inches of water and most cars can be swept away in 18-24 inches of moving water,” Ladron De Guevara said. “If you come across a water-covered road, do not attempt to cross it on foot or in a vehicle. Remember, ‘Turn Around Don’t Drown!”
Flood control channels and culvert crossings are being cleared in anticipation of heavy rains, and advance teams are advising homeless encampments to relocate, according to county officials.
Chino and Chino Hills residents can get up to 25 sandbags and sand at no cost.
Here is a listing of sandbag distribution locations:
Chino
Fire Station No. 67 (SANDBAGS & SAND AVAILABLE)
5980 Riverside Drive Chino, CA 91710; (909) 902-5267
For residential use only, not industrial. No limits on quantity. (Self-service: Residents must bring their own shovels).
Fire Station No. 63 (SANDBAGS & SAND AVAILABLE) 7550 Kimball Avenue Chino, CA (909) 606-2415
Chino Valley Independent Fire District Administration (SANDBAGS & SAND AVAILABLE) 14011 City Center Dr. Chino Hills, CA 91709; (909) 902-5260
Chino Hills
Fire Station No. 61 (SAND & SANDBAGS AVAILABLE) Residents only – Must have proof of residency. 5078 Schaefer Avenue Chino, CA 91710; (909) 902-5261
Fire Station No. 62 (SAND/SANDBAGS AVAILABLE – Bring own shovel) 5551 Butterfield Ranch Road Chino Hills, CA 91709; (909) 597-9062
Fire Station No. 64 (SAND/SANDBAGS AVAILABLE – Bring own shovel) 16231 Canon Lane Chino Hills, CA 91709; (909) 597-9064

Additional El Niño resources are available at http://www.chinovalleyfire.org and on the county website, http://www.sbcounty.gov/main/elnino.asp.

Chino P.D. Combating Package Theft with GPS Bait Packages

Photo courtesy: Google Images

Photo courtesy: Google Images

Courtesy of Chino Police Department

CHINO – Chino P.D. is utilizing GPS tracking technology in an effort to combat the growing concern of package theft from residences this holiday season.

Several bait packages equipped with GPS trackers have been placed at residential locations throughout Chino this week as an enforcement tool and proactive prevention measure. The device will notify police personnel when packages have been stolen and allow officers to locate suspects with a high degree of accuracy.

“We want these thieves to know we are stepping up our enforcement efforts to protect our citizens,” states Special Enforcement Team Sergeant Marotta. “We hope that through the use of tools such as this, we can both prevent these thefts and apprehend those who victimize our community members.”

If you have any information related to incidents of package theft or have been a victim of package theft in Chino and would like to report it, please contact Chino PD at 909.628.1234.

Vintage War Plane to Soar Over Chino Valley on Jan. 2

By Monique Valadez

Courtesy of Planes of Fame Museum Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the third most produced fighter plane of WWII. Photo of P-40

Courtesy of Planes of Fame Museum
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the third most produced fighter plane of WWII.
Photo of P-40

Chino – On January 2 look up to the skies for a special flyover by a vintage Curtiss P-40 Warhawk in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Flying Tigers, the 1st American Volunteer Group.

But the action starts inside the Planes of Fame Air Museum with a speaker’s panel discussion featuring aviation historians, impressive displays, and a rare movie screening on Saturday.

As part of the museum’s monthly Living History Flying Day, this year the P-40, the most advanced fighter in the US arsenal at the outbreak of WWII and of which over 13,000 would be produced by war’s end experts say, will be on display and perform a flight demonstration. The shark-faced nose art of the Flying Tigers remains among the most recognizable image of any individual combat aircraft or combat unit of World War II.

Starting at 10 a.m., distinguished aviation experts, historians and veterans will make up the speaker’s panel. Aviation Historian Kevin Thompson will moderate the discussion. The museum’s Founder Edward Maloney will also bring his expertise to the presentation and help moderate.

Author and Aviation Historian Mark Carlson will discuss his latest book, Flying On Film: A Century of Aviation in the Movies. The book will be available for purchase at the event.

Guests will also be treated to “Ways of the Warhawk” movie showing. The 35-minute black and white film was produced in 1940 by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation and provides an up-close look at the mighty P-40 aircraft.  According to museum officials, the film puts you in the cockpit to learn the controls and features of the P-40. Two screenings will be held at 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The Planes of Fame Air Museum is located at the Chino Airport, 7000 Merrill Avenue #17. The event is open to the public. The museum opens at 9 a.m.

Former Cheerleading Coach Pleads Guilty to Molesting Girls on his Squad

Photo Courtesy of San Bernardino County District Attorney Kristopher Bland

Photo Courtesy of San Bernardino County District Attorney
Kristopher Bland

Courtesy of San Bernardino County District Attorney

Chino – A Chino cheerleading coach was sentenced Friday to 18 years in state prison for molesting girls on his Pop Warner cheerleading squad.
Kristofer Bland, 34, of Chino pleaded “no contest” to 13 felony counts, including one count of sexual penetration on a minor age 14 and 12 counts of lewd act on a minor aged 14 or 15. The 13 charges involved three girls on his squad.
Bland was a cheer coach with the Chino Pop Warner league, a non-profit football and cheering organization for children ages 5-15.
“The defendant is a true predator,” said Deputy District Attorney Karen Schmauss, who prosecuted the case. “He used his position as a cheerleading coach to win the trust and compliance of the girls under his care. His influence was so strong that some of the children whom he molested continue to defend him, because they love him so much.”
The mother of one of the girls called Chino police in Feb. 2014 after overhearing her discussing part of what Bland had done to her. The 14-year-old told police that Bland had committed acts of molestation on her while giving her a ride home from cheer practice. He had also told her that he had molested two other girls on the squad.
Bland admitted to police that he molested the 14-year-old. He also admitted to molesting two 15-year-olds on the squad. The crimes were committed over a span of five months between Aug. 2013 and Jan. 2014.
During the investigation, Bland was charged with molesting six additional girls on the team, aged 12 and 13. However, those charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
At the time of his arrest, Bland was a private first class of the California Army National Guard in Azusa, working in intelligence analysis. His security clearance was pulled at the time of his arrest, and he will now receive a general discharge, other than honorable, according to his commanding officer.
The courtroom was packed with victims and their friends and family members, along with family members and supporters of the defendant.
The mother of the 14-year-old spoke at the hearing, stating, “I do not believe that he is sorry. I believe he is just sorry he got caught. Kristofer Bland is a sexual predator and threat to our community. I don’t know what the future holds for my daughter but I do know that as of today she will no longer be a victim of Kristofer Bland but a survivor of Kristofer Bland. She is the strongest and bravest person I know. I know she will not let this destroy her.”

Chino Valley Students Treated to Shopping Spree

Photo courtesy: CVUSD A Walmart employee checks out a student and his chaperones.

Photo courtesy: CVUSD
A Walmart employee checks out a student and his chaperones.

Courtesy of CVUSD

Chino – Smiles, grins and laughter came easy for 100 Chino Valley Unified School District students and their parents as they were treated to a police escort, a shopping spree, visit with Santa, crafts and snacks during the annual Make A Child Smile event on Dec.15 at Walmart in Chino.
The students, selected by their schools for the field trip, pressed their noses against the glass of school bus windows as Chino Police motorcycle officers whizzed by, stopping traffic as the caravan of buses was led to the store by two Chino Valley fire engines.
The students were greeted at the store by dozens of waving Walmart employees, Chino Valley Independent Fire District firefighters, Chino Police officers, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies, Highway Patrol officers, Cal Fire officials, other first responders from various departments around the Chino Valley, and Chino Valley Unified School District employees. Santa was among the first to shake the students’ hands as they disembarked.
“We’re like celebrities!” one child yelled as he arrived at the store.
Each child, accompanied by a parent or volunteer, was paired with first responders or community volunteers and a Walmart employee and allowed to shop for $150 in items. Gift cards for the purchases were provided by Chino Valley Fire Foundation. Some students chose large gifts like bicycles. Others picked out clothes, shoes and small toys. Some students said they were shopping for holiday presents for their entire family.
Nearly a dozen volunteers, including members of the Chino Hills 55+ Club, bagged up the items so they’d be safe for the bus trip back to the schools.
The students were also treated to snacks inside a tent, crafts, two areas of man-made snow, and a formal photo with Santa courtesy of School Portraits by Adams Photography in Chino.
The event is hosted by Chino Valley Fire Foundation.

Photo courtesy: CVUSD A student and her family member have their photo taken with Santa, a Chino Police officer, and a Walmart employee at the annual Make A Child Smile event at Walmart in Chino.

Photo courtesy: CVUSD
A student and her family member have their photo taken with Santa, a Chino Police officer, and a Walmart employee at the annual Make A Child Smile event at Walmart in Chino.

Chino Valley Fire gives toys to Children’s Hospital

Courtesy of the Chino Valley Fire District (L-R) front row: Child, Public Information Officer Massiel De Guevara, Junior Firefighter Vincent, child receiving care at Children’s hospital middle row, Firefighter/Paramedic Shane Stocking, Firefighter Jason Farnsworth, Fire Inspector Alvin Cuna. Far back, Firefighter/Paramedic Tommy Kavanaugh

Courtesy of the Chino Valley Fire District
(L-R) front row: Child, Public Information Officer Massiel De Guevara, Junior Firefighter Vincent, child receiving care at Children’s hospital
middle row, Firefighter/Paramedic Shane Stocking, Firefighter Jason Farnsworth, Fire Inspector Alvin Cuna.
Far back, Firefighter/Paramedic Tommy Kavanaugh

Courtesy of Chino Valley Fire District

Chino – Off duty Firefighters, Fire District staff, and Junior Firefighter, Vincent Dominguez, visited Children’s Hospital Los Angeles on Dec. 22, 2015 to deliver toys to children receiving care.  Jr. Firefighter Vincent is a 7-year-old former patient of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he fought and beat cancer.  He received his Chino Valley Fire District uniform and junior firefighter badge on June 20, 2015, while still undergoing treatment.

During a recent toy drive for Chino Valley children where Jr. Firefighter Vincent was volunteering his time, he approached our firefighters with the idea of going to the children’s hospital to deliver toys to children that are currently fighting cancer.  He wanted to visit with hospital staff and to brighten the day of some of his friends that are still in the hospital, as well as any other children that have come in since he was able to leave the hospital.

The Chino Valley Fire Foundation provided $1,300 for foundation members and firefighters to purchase several toys, art supplies, sports equipment, electronic devices and gift cards that were distributed on Dec. 22. Items were delivered to dozens of children that morning.  The smiles on their faces were priceless.

The Chino Valley Fire Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting life, safety, and welfare of the public through educational programs, direct assistance, and financial support of charitable organizations, victims of tragic events, and injured firefighters.

Social Media Leads to Arrest of Chino Burglar

Staff Reports

CHINO– Social media helped Chino Police catch an accused burglar on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Yvess Emmanuel Ibarra-Vega, 20, of Pomona, was arrested and charged in a series of robberies – including two that occurred at Doublz restaurant in Chino.
On Nov. 11 and Dec. 3, Doublz restaurant, located at 4750 Riverside Drive, was robbed by an unknown male armed with a handgun.
On Dec. 14, Chino Police posted surveillance footage of the suspect on Facebook in hopes of getting the word out about a robbery that occurred at Doublz.

Pomona police officers contacted Ibarra-Vega on Dec. 15 based on several leads related to a string of seven armed robberies in Pomona. According to detectives, information was received that the suspect was possibly linked to the Chino robberies. The information provided to Pomona police officers was the Chino police department’s Facebook post requesting assistance in identifying the suspect.

While in custody, Ibarra-Vega confessed to the Doublz robberies in Chino. Ibarra-Vega is in custody at a Los Angeles County jail facility on multiple robbery charges.

Epoh Sushi is Fresh and Affordable

Epoh Sushi is located at 5536 Philadelphia St., Suite D, Chino 91710, and can be reached at (909) 627-8862 or www.epohsushi.com.

Epoh Sushi is located at 5536 Philadelphia St., Suite D, Chino 91710, and can be reached at (909) 627-8862 or http://www.epohsushi.com.

By Michael Armijo

Chino – As a sushi connoisseur, I am very particular when it comes to sushi. I’ve had some bad experiences, so I was pleasantly surprised when a group of us went into Epoh Sushi in the Chino Town Center on Philadelphia near Central Ave.

“I recommended this place because of the freshness and the quality of the fish” said fellow connoisseur, Ben Cortes. “And the specials are great, especially the lunch specials.”

Since there was a group of us, we all ordered a dish and shared, so I was able to sample several items.

The albacore sushi was tender and fresh. It had a delicate flavor that you could savor. The soup, called Sukiyaki, was a smorgasbord of several kinds of fish that created a delicious blend of flavor that lit up your taste buds. The “half and half” chicken and beef bowl, which featured chunks of beef instead of the traditional shredded beef, boasted with tender and seasoned cuts that melted in your mouth. And the surprising part was the rice. I am not a “rice guy,” but it was flavorful and soft, but not mushy. I even took the leftover rice home, something I’ve never done with rice before.

One of my new, all time favorites has to be the Yellowtail Collar. It was baked, crispy on the bottom, and meaty. The Collar was just delicious.

They have daily lunch specials, and their dinner prices are reasonable as well. The lunch specials range from $7.95 to $9.95. From the sushi bar, specials run from $10.95 to $12. And the Rice Bowls run from $6.95 to $11. For dinner, the entrees and the specials start out at $16. For a complete menu with prices you can sign onto http://www.epohsushi.com.

They also have a unique program called a “”membership.” It costs nothing, all you do is fill out a card and supply your email. The membership includes a 10% off each visit discount and you get a free meal on your birthday! I signed up as my birthday is in January, so I’ll be celebrating it there!

I could go on and rave about the food but we all know price is always a factor. I used to believe “you get what you pay for” but Epoh Sushi gave me more for my dollar, and for my taste buds.

Epoh Sushi, 5536 Philadelphia St, Suite D, Chino, CA 91710, (909) 627-8862. www.epohsushi.com.  Open Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

 

Chino’s Welcomes Christmas at Annual Parade

Photo by: Monique Valadez Chino High School Marching Band brings holiday cheer to Chino's Youth Christmas Parade.

Photo by: Monique Valadez
Chino High School Marching Band brings holiday cheer to Chino’s Youth Christmas Parade.

By Monique Valadez

 

CHINO – Thousands of early risers lined the city streets to celebrate the official arrival of Christmas in Chino with the annual youth Christmas parade Saturday, complete with school marching bands, hot rods carrying elected officials, decked-out floats and Santa Claus. More than 90 floats and hundreds of festive walkers and troops joined in the annual “A Christmas in Toyland” themed parade, which travels from along Riverside Drive and then right on Central Avenue to end at City Hall.

Local youth sports volunteer Dawn Jerry served as this year’s grand marshal and was recognized by the city council as the 2015 Chino Sports Legends Award recipient earlier this month.

“I’ve walked and participated in Chino’s parade for many years and now to be honored at the parade is the cherry on top,” Jerry said. “I have had the honor and privilege to coach a lot of kids in Chino.”

“It’s people like Dawn that make Chino so special and unique,” said Mayor Dennis Yates. “Her tireless work with our kids solidifies why Chino has received the “100 Best Communities for Young People” multiple times.”

Also in the parade were representatives from the church community, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
“We felt it was important for us to join in the parade since our church was one of the first churches in Chino. The parade just brings the whole community together,” Rev. Edmund Gomez of Chino’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Church said. “It’s a longstanding tradition in Chino even the church community participates in the parade.”

Photo by: Monique Valadez Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez cruises in a Ford Model T at Chino's Christmas Parade.

Photo by: Monique Valadez
Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez cruises in a Ford Model T at Chino’s Christmas Parade.

Rounding out the field of entries were units and representatives from dance schools and activity centers, local businesses, nonprofits, civic groups and community organizations.

Politicians, including Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez, San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman and Senator Connie Leyva, cruised in the parade as well.

“It’s a good way to spread good cheer throughout the community,” said Pomona’s Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez, as he hopped inside the vintage Ford car to roll down the parade route.

The parade was followed by the annual craft fair at the city’s civic center plaza. The fair included carnival rides, community performances, a vendor area, food, children activities and of course, a special visit from Santa.

Photo By: Monique Valadez Ben Midlik and Adam Valadez from Pack #205 get ready to march.

Photo By: Monique Valadez
Ben Midlik and Adam Valadez from Pack #205 get ready to march.