Category Archives: Inland Empire

Riverside: Give BIG Riverside County

STAFF REPORTS

give-big-riverside-co            Riverside – On Thurs., Nov. 13, Give BIG Riverside County will host a 24-hour giving campaign to help raise money for your favorite charitable cause within the county. According to their website, BIG’s goal is to engage everyone who cares about their community to help raise $350,000 in just 24 hours.

Sponsored by many businesses including the Corona Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce, The Norris Group, and Bank of America, supporters of Riverside County non-profits can go online from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 13, and make a donation to the causes they care about.

In addition, one donation made each hour within the event has the opportunity to receive a “Golden Ticket”. By random selection, the Golden Ticket’s charity will receive an additional $250 donation.

For more information on this worthwhile event, visit GiveBIGriversidecounty.org

Eastvale: 2014 General Election Results For Riverside County

BY K.P. SANDER

Eastvale – Election results are in, albeit somewhat unofficially. Some citizens will be very happy; some not so much.

According to http://vote.sos.ca.gov, Republicans have seized the Senate, gaining full control of Congress, but there is still some processing to do. Approximately 66,000 Vote-By-Mail, 19,000 Provisional and 8,000 damaged ballots that require duplication must be processed. Also, only 176,828 out of 523,869 Vote-By-Mail ballots have been returned. Work on all of this begins Wed., Nov. 5, with updated results available at 6 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 6.

Here are some highlights of how things look now, according to the County of Riverside Registrar of Voters and voteinfo.net:

 

Governor: Edmund G. Brown (D) – 66.28%

Lieutenant Governor: Gavin Newsome (D) – 64.63%

Secretary of State: Alex Padilla (D) – 61.96%

Controller: Betty Yee (D) – 60.34%

Treasurer: John Chiang (D) – 66.28%

Attorney General: Kamala Harris (D) – 66.29%

State Supt of Public Instruction: Tom Torlakson – 50.82%

US Representative 42nd District: Ken Calvert (R) – 65.95%

 

Member, City Council of Eastvale

Adam Rush – 22.22%

Clint Lorimore – 14.34%

Richard Duran – 13.03%

 

CNUSD Measure GG: Bond Yes – 56.32%

 

Member, City Council of Jurupa Valley

Laura Roughton – 23.77%

Verne Lauritzen – 20.86%

Brian Scott Berkson – 22.65%

 

For more information and updates, visit http://www.voteinfo.net/.

 

 

 

 

San Bernardino: Woman Arrested For Unlawful Sex With Minor

STAFF REPORTS

 

Amy Corinne Bramlett

Amy Corinne Bramlett (Photo Courtesy: SBSD)

San Bernardino – The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBSD) has issued a news release that on Sept. 11, detectives assigned to the Specialized Investigation/Crimes Against Children Detail were contacted by the Highland Police Department regarding the investigation of an inappropriate relationship between a 17-year old male victim and a Program Manager at the Indian Springs High School in the City of San Bernardino. Detectives conducted an investigation and identified the suspect as Amy Corinne Bramlett, a resident of Highland.

Detectives learned the crimes were committed between the dates of January 2014 and June 2014, while Victim #1 was 17 years of age. These crimes took place in the 7200 block of Sunrise Court in Highland. Victim #1 was a former student of Bramlett.

On Sept. 12, further investigation led detectives to discover a second victim. Victim #2 was 16 years of age when Bramlett victimized him, also in the City of Highland.

On Sept. 14, Bramlett was arrested at a residence in the 3400 block of Parkside Drive in San Bernardino. She was booked into the Central Detention Center and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Bramlett was scheduled to appear in court on Tues., Sept. 16.

Detectives have released Bramlett’s booking photo as they believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to please contact Detective Lisa Guerra at the SBSD Specialized Investigations Division/ Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 387-3615. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

Liposuction Without The Suction

BY MICHAEL ARMIJO

 

Premier Body Sculpt Before-After

Premier Body Sculpt is located at 141 W. Foothill Blvd #5 in Upland. You can reach them at 1-(855) 8-SCULPT or visit their website at http://www.premierbodysculpt.com.

Upland – Body Sculpting is best described as an alternative way to lose body fat in specific areas that are hard to reach, including under the arms, love handles, inner thighs, or even the breast area on a man. The procedure seems to be relatively new, but it’s actually an old technique that is revised.

Upon visiting the Premier Body Sculpt Center in Upland, I was a bit skeptical about their amazing new technology actually working. The combination of Ultrasonic Cavitations and Radio Frequency was said to show amazing results without the inconvenience, pain and down-time of surgery. But the skepticism is over.

This non-invasive, liposuction technology works by using sonic energy and vibration to destroy and collapse fat cells, thereby facilitating the body’s natural process to metabolize and move fat out through the lymphatic system. Unlike liposuction – and for a fraction of the cost – results can be seen immediately with no bruising, swelling, or scars.

The best way to describe it would be: imagine getting a huge bag and placing small water balloons inside. Then imagine tapping the bag until the water balloons break. This same concept is applied to Body Sculpting. It liquefies the fat and then the body processes the fat through the urine. Sounds different, but the body processes fat this way, and the results are immediate, with further results seen throughout the week.

When I experienced Body Sculpting myself, all I had to do was lie down and sit up while the three step process was administered. The ultrasound radio frequency was a bit different, as sound waves emitted through my body. That’s what ultrasound is, an emission of sound waves. But this is at a higher rate, and this is how fat is broken down. And during the process, I could actually hear sound coming out of my ears. It took a moment to get used to, but eventually it didn’t faze me a bit.

When it comes to my health, I am on it. I need to know all the facts, the downsides, and the repercussions. I am a diabetic, so I always have some type of risk. But what gave me confidence was that the technician was an RN, BSN, and Aesthetic Specialist – who also worked in an emergency room at a local hospital (yes, I checked).

I could not find anything negative about the procedure and I did see results right away (the before and after pictures were amazing). I completed three sessions, and I am pleased with the results so far. I would go back to do more.

I recommend Premier Body Sculpting, and I also recommend you check out their website, watch the video, and make the best decision for yourself.

Premier Body Sculpt is located at 141 W. Foothill Blvd., #5, in Upland. You can reach them at (855) 8-SCULPT, or visit their website at http://www.premierbodysculpt.com.

 

Inland Empire: BWR Heating and Cooling

By K.P. SANDER

 

Brian Weaver

BWR’s Brian Weaver (Photo Courtesy: BWR Heating & Cooling)

Inland Empire – Are your air conditioning and heating units ready when you are? In this summer heat, it can be frustrating to not be able to cool your house down. And it’s not just your air conditioners; cooler temperature will be here soon enough. Is your heater ready to take the chill off your home and keep your family comfortable after sitting dormant all summer?

According to Brian Weaver, owner of BWR Heating and Cooling, maintenance is the key to keeping your heaters and air conditioners in top form and ready to meet your needs. You can actually save money in the long run by ensuring that your systems are proactively taken care of, and not waiting until they need to be repaired or even replaced.

“I am your local go-to guy for all your heating, cooling and whole house fan needs. Whether you need repair, replacement, or maintenance, we’ll be there for you,” says Weaver.

Established in 1998, BWR offers start-to-finish solutions for every project. Conveniently located in Norco and serving the Inland Empire, they also give back to the communities they serve.

BWR has sponsored local sports teams at both the recreational and high school levels. The company has also given donations to Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) in order to purchase needed equipment for their schools. BWR has also sponsored different events for the Norco Horse Week Rodeo, and been a participant in local parades. They recently donated a vehicle to the CNUSD Auto Shop program, so students can learn valuable hands-on repair and maintenance skills.

Whether your needs are residential or commercial, BWR provides installation, maintenance, upgrades and complete repair services on all makes and models. And don’t forget about duct cleaning. Dirty vents can cause dirt, pollen, dust – and even mildew – to circulate in your home and reduce efficiency; built up dryer vents can even become a fire hazard. BWR can clean your ventilation system and keep your entire system in working order.

BWR is a registered HERO (Home Energy Renovation Opportunity) contractor, and they are dedicated to providing the very best in products and services to help homeowners become more energy efficient and lower utility costs.

BWR now offers Quiet Cool (whole house fan systems) that can cool your entire house by up to 30 degrees. This system is more energy efficient than a traditional air conditioning unit, and works by pulling cooler air from outside indoors. Ask BWR if this system is right for you.

With the heat of summer still intent upon us, get cooled off, not ripped off, and call BWR today – they will not be undersold. You can reach them at 1-800-AC-REPAIR, (951) 377-6333, or visit bwrheatingandcooling.com for more information.

Inland Empire: Search For Erin Corwin Over

STAFF REPORTS

Erin Corwin (Photo Courtesy: Nixle.com)

Erin Corwin (Photo Courtesy: Nixle.com)

Twentynine Palms – After an exhaustive eight-week search, the body of missing 19-year old Erin Corwin has been found.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has issued a statement that on Sun., Aug. 17, Corwin’s body was recovered from a mine shaft 140 feet below the surface at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Corwin, who was reportedly pregnant, and married to U.S. Marine corporal Jonathan Wayne Corwin, apparently left her home on Sat., June 28 heading for Joshua Tree National Park for the day. She never returned and her husband reported her missing on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, Erin’s Toyota Corolla was found.

Under investigation during the search was Christopher Lee, a former Marine with whom Erin was allegedly romantically involved. As a result of their contact authorities issued a search warrant for him. In a search of his home investigators discovered a destructive device and arrested Lee on felony charges – not related to Erin’s disappearance – for its possession. He was released two days later.

The search for Erin under what authorities called, “suspicious circumstances,” included the assistance of nearly 5,000 volunteer hours over approximately 300 square miles, including the areas of Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, Amboy, the local Marine base, and areas of the Bureau of Land Management. Sheriff’s authorities state that aerial searches identified more than 100 mine shafts and numerous bodies of water in the area and recruited the assistance of the Technical Cave and Mine Teams, specialized dive teams, and the County Fire Urban Search and Rescue Team. Using video equipment a body was located in an abandoned mine on federal property.

Once Erin was identified, Lee was arrested for her murder in Anchorage, Alaska that same night. An autopsy conducted on August 18 determined her death to be a homicide.

This investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information about Erin Corwin to contact the Sheriff’ Specialized Investigation Division at (909)) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com

Riverside: UPS Driver Accused of Stealing Guns

STAFF REPORTS

 

Riverside – A United Parcel Service driver was arrested on Fri., July 25, on federal gun trafficking charges for allegedly stealing dozens of guns going through the shipping company’s Ontario hub, and providing them to an associate who sold the weapons in underground transactions.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Curtis Hays, 36, of Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested without incident by special agents with the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). Hays was expected to be arraigned that same day in United States District Court.

The associate who allegedly sold some of the firearms – Dennis Dell White, Jr., 35, of Moreno Valley – will be summoned to appear in federal court for an arraignment in the coming weeks.

The 16-count indictment, which was filed on July 23, alleges that Hays stole a series of packages containing guns that were supposed to be delivered to the Turner’s Outdoorsman retailer in Rancho Cucamonga. The indictment also accused Hays of stealing jewelry and mobile phones that were supposed to be delivered to other retailers. This merchandise was also allegedly given to White.

Hays purportedly provided the firearms to White, who illegally sold the weapons to other individuals, and some of the guns were then sold to others. The firearms included 12-gauge shotguns and .45-caliber handguns.

Hays and White are charged with conspiracy; six counts of theft of firearms; six counts of receipt and possession of stolen firearms; and two counts of theft, receipt, and possession of goods in interstate commerce.

White is additionally charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The conspiracy count carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The weapons charges each carry a potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The stolen goods charges each carry a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison. And, if convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, White could face up to an additional 10 years in prison.

The investigation into the stolen firearms was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in conjunction with the Ontario Police Department.

The Weekly News Complete Edition 07.26.14

The Weekly News covers community news for Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link July26WeeklyAll  to access the complete July 26-Aug 1, 2014 issue in pdf format.

 

The Weekly News 07.19.14

The Weekly News covers community news for Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link July19WeeklyAll  to access the complete July 19-25, 2014 issue in pdf format

 

Fontana: Thompson Building Materials Can Supply Your Demand

STAFF REPORTS

Fontana – Whether it is business or residential, you can find the perfect fit for your next project at Thompson Building

thompson-building -materials

: Thompson Building Materials is located at 11027 Cherry Avenue in Fontana. They can be reached at (909) 350-3000. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit their website at http://www.thompsonbldgmaterials.com.

Materials. From full face to thin bricks, slate, flagstone or pavers, the Thompson’s Building Materials team has it all and will assist you in selecting the very best products for your needs.

With hundreds of choices and thousands of square feet of items to choose from, Thompson’s has nurtured special relationships with brick manufacturers and stone quarries throughout the United States, as well as Europe and Australia. Their goal is to supply the most unique and progressive products available.

Whether you are a builder, contractor, architect, designer, or homeowner, Thompson’s can not only help you with building and remodeling needs, but they also have a wide selection of plants in their nursery, custom and standard barbeque islands, and accessories to enhance your projects even more. Thompson Building Materials invites you to come and explore their facility to find the perfect materials specific to your demands.

Voted “BEST of the IE 2014” in Inland Empire Magazine, Thompson’s pursuit of excellence is their number one goal. They have genuine respect for each and every customer, and invite you to visit and see why they always say, “We supply your demand!” You’ll find it all at Thompson Building Materials and Garden Center.

Thompson Building Materials is located at 11027 Cherry Avenue in Fontana. They can be reached at (909) 350-3000. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit their website at www.thompsonbldgmaterials.com, and see their ad on page 19 of this publication.

 

 

 

 

 

Orange County: Newport Beach Lifeguard Drowns During Rescue

STAFF REPORTS

 

lifeguard-ben-carlson

Photo Caption: Fallen Lifeguard Ben Carlson (Photo Courtesy: L.A. County Fire, Lifeguard Division)

Newport Beach – With dangerous rip currents and ten to 12-foot swells, the conditions just off the coast of Newport were rather precarious for visitors on the 4th of July weekend. With over 100,000 people enjoying the sun and surf on Sun., July 6, the Newport Beach Lifeguard staff of about 80 had a busy day with over 200 rescues and 3,000 warnings issued by the time seasoned lifeguard, Ben Carlson, 32, dove from his rescue boat to help a distressed swimmer close to one of the main piers.

Reports say that at just after 5 p.m. when Carlson hit the water and valiantly tried to reach the unidentified swimmer, the strong current and huge swells overtook both of them and Carlson disappeared. Because of the conditions, fellow lifeguards were not able to reach Carlson, despite a frantic search.

Lifeguard authorities stated that 25 people from multiple agencies searched the water, 30 more scoured the shore, and a police helicopter looked from above. Carlson was finally found in the ocean at about 8 p.m., and was rushed to nearby Hoag Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The swimmer made it back to the shore and survived.

Carlson, who worked for the Newport Beach Fire Department, had 15 years of experience as a lifeguard. He was reportedly one of the strongest and fastest swimmers on staff, and had experience with big swells from years as a surfer. It is reported that Carlson also had additional skills as a rescue swimmer and driver of patrol boats.

Carlson was the first lifeguard to die in the line of duty in Newport Beach’s history. He was raised in the Inland Empire, attended the University of California, Irvine, and loved to surf and be in and around the water. Colleagues say being a lifeguard was his life’s goal. He was a true hero, doing what he loved best.

 

 

 

Killing Me Softly

BY PASTOR ROB NORRIS

 

Pastor Rob Norris, The Crossings

Pastor Rob Norris, The Crossings

I have become mute; I do not open my mouth (Psalm 39:9).

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. The husband realized he needed to be awakened early one morning to catch a business flight, but he didn’t want to be the first to break the silence. So he left a note on his wife’s side of the bed that read, “Please wake me at 5 A.M.”

By the time bright sunshine roused him the next morning, it was 9 a.m. Furious, he threw back the covers and shouted to his wife (who was nowhere to be found), “Why didn’t you wake me up like I asked you to?” That’s when he saw, stuck to the lamp on his bedside table, a note in her handwriting that read, “It is 5 a.m. Time to wake up.”

It doesn’t take much to make us angry and create emotional distance from each other. But it does take great, courageous effort to fight through the silence to a place of forgiveness and oneness. Isolation seems to offer us protection, a certain kind of self-preservation. There is a type of peace found in avoidance that appears much more appealing than the pain of dealing with reality.

Silence feels like a security blanket. But in fact, it is one of Satan’s most deadly disguises. The silent treatment is perilously deceptive and ultimately destructive.

When you find yourself tempted to square off against each other, retreating to your corners and refusing to give in, remember that Jesus could have given us the cold shoulder. He could have taken one look at our many, many sins and shortcomings and never sought to draw us out. May His reaching, redemptive love be our model and motivator. We serve a God who both seeks and speaks. Be sure you’re a spouse who does the same.

Live it:   What, if anything, drives you into silence? Discuss what your spouse should do when you are silent.

Pray: That God will show you both what you should do if one or both of you becomes silent.

The Crossings meets Sundays, 10 a.m., at River Heights Intermediate, 7227 Scholar Way, in Eastvale. For more information call (951) 847-6836, or visit http://www.atthecrossings.com.

 

 

Corona Woman Arrested Again For Fraud

Staff Reports

Corona – A Corona woman, who is already charged with a $15 million bank and bankruptcy fraud, was arrested on Tues., July 1, on a new charge.

According to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Carolyn Marie Jones, 51, of Corona, Chief Executive Officer of a high-end denim jean company, was arrested by Special Agents with the United States Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to a criminal complaint issued on June 30 by a federal judge.

According to the criminal complaint, which includes wire fraud, Jones scammed two Georgia men in an investment scheme.  The complaint states that Jones convinced the men to invest with her, but spent the money on her own personal expenses. Jones, who was out on bond pending a September 23 trial in the bank and bankruptcy fraud case, was prohibited from soliciting money from investors while awaiting the trial.

According to the 19-count indictment returned by a grand jury in September 2013, Jones was the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Decisions, Inc., which sold denim jeans marketed under the labels of Privacywear and PRVCY Premium.  According to the indictment, Jones obtained a $15 million business line of credit from Union Bank, using fake financial statements and fake tax returns, as well as providing the bank with a Social Security number that belonged to someone else.  Jones also hid a previous bankruptcy and felony record from the bank.  The indictment further states that Jones defaulted on the $15 million loan after a year, causing Union Bank to file a lawsuit in state court.  When Union Bank tried to seize the contents of the Diamond Decisions warehouse, Jones caused the company to file for bankruptcy and hid assets from the bankruptcy trustee.

Jones faces a maximum statutory sentence of 489 years in federal prison on the bank and bankruptcy fraud indictment.  Jones also faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years on the wire fraud complaint.

The charges in the complaint and indictment are the results of an investigation conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office states that a complaint and an indictment contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

 

 

 

 

Riverside County: “Cool Centers” To Escape The Heat

THE CITY OF EASTVALE

 

Eastvale – The Community Action Partnership of Riverside County is coordinating Cool Centers to provide drop-in sites for vulnerable individuals, seniors, the disabled, and others in need of temporary relief from the heat. Cool Centers will open to the public, in affected areas, when the Riverside County Department of Public Health issues a “Heat Warning”. Watch or listen for the “Heat Warning” on your television, radio, and local newspaper.

 

Keep Cool and protect your health when it’s hot outside by following these guidelines:

  • Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, or use an umbrella for shade.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing.
  • Slow down; rest in the shade or a cool place when possible.
  • Never leave a child, elderly, disabled person, or animal alone in a vehicle.
  • Check on your friends and neighbors who are elderly, have medical conditions, or are at higher risk for problems when it is very hot.
  • If you do not have an air conditioner, use a fan, make sure your windows are open and visit a Cool Center.
  • Take a cool shower or bath.
  • When it is hotter than 90° visit a friend that has air conditioning in their home, or a place with cooler temperatures like a mall, a library or a senior center.
  • Turn on your air conditioner.

 

You are also at risk if you have certain medical conditions, take medication for high blood pressure, have a mental health condition, have been using drugs or alcohol, or have had a previous heat-related illness.

 

For Cool Center locations, hours and tips on how to protect yourself from heat related illnesses, please contact the Summer Energy Crisis Hotline, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (888) 636-8676; TTY (951) 955-5126; or call 2-1-1, 24 hours a day. You can also visit www.capriverside.org.

Straight Talk With Danice

BY DANICE AKIYOSHI, N.D.

 

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi, Naturopathic Doctor, Coaching, Counseling

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi

Dear Dr. Akiyoshi: 

I’m a 25-year old, healthy female, and I decided to stop dating eight months ago. I don’t know if I’m attracting the wrong type of man, or if I’m too conservative. I need several dates before I can make a decision about intimacy. I became tired of men insinuating there was something wrong with me because I don’t want to follow their time frame. My mom is pressuring me to meet the contractor who is remodeling her kitchen. She says he’s a nice man, but they all seem like nice men at first. I want to say yes, because I trust my mom, but if it doesn’t work out I don’t want it to affect her kitchen.

 

I’m Nervous

 

Dear Nervous:

 

I agree that you should be able to trust your mom’s opinion, but just about anyone can present themselves as a good individual for a short period of time. The real key is when a person can offer decent behavior for a long period of time. This is where your struggles come into play. You are young, and people in your age group are often not fully mature yet. However, years added to someone’s age does not necessarily guarantee maturity. When the time feels right to you, accept dates with people who interest you. Take your own car, and meet in a place where you feel comfortable. Choose a location where unwanted advances won’t happen. If the guy is willing to continue this way until you are comfortable, then you can branch out to other types of dates. As for your mom’s contractor, I would wait until her kitchen is finished.

 

Good luck,

 

Danice Akiyoshi ND

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She has a great passion for alternative healing and has over 20 years of experience in this field. She provides a form of energy psychology called The Emotion Code, where she helps people literally get rid of their emotional baggage. She also offers personal coaching services relating to all types of issues and concerns. This is a letter she received from an anonymous reader. To send a question to Danice, email her at straighttalk@candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com.

 

Inland Empire: Crash Victim and Teen Raise Awareness for Teenage Depression

BY TIANA GOEGEBUER

In a story of forgiveness and partnership, the victim of a violent car crash has united with the teen that crashed into him. Together, they are working to help other teens who are battling depression.

In 2012, Inland Empire teenager, Luke Maxwell, drove a van head-on into an oncoming vehicle in Temecula. The crash was not an accident. Maxwell, who was 16 at the time, was attempting to commit suicide. He had been silently suffering from severe depression for years, and had decided that he was “done with life” when he woke up that morning. Following the crash, the teen was hospitalized and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Lenny Ross, 53, was the driver of the vehicle Maxwell crashed into. Surprisingly, he was not angry with the teen. After finding out that Maxwell was only 16 and that he had been trying to commit suicide, Ross said that his heart really went out to the boy.

Not long after the crash, the two men met face to face in a coffee shop. According to Maxwell, the first thing he did was give Ross a big hug and say that he was so sorry. The teenager immediately felt the compassion Ross felt for him, and knew that Ross did not want to hurt him, but help him to heal. That feeling of forgiveness and acceptance was significant in Maxwell’s recovery.

Together, Ross and Maxwell have a new mission in life: to raise awareness for teenage depression and help those who are battling it. Maxwell has now posted videos about teenage depression, and maintains a blog. He says that he knows he made a huge mistake, but that he is trying to make the best out of it by helping others.

Maxwell’s teen depression support group meets the first Saturday of each month (except the July 4th weekend) at 10 a.m., St. Martha Catholic Church, 37200 Whitewood Road, in Murrieta. The group is open to all teens 13 to 17 years of age who are struggling with depression, self-harm, and related issues.

 

 

Staying Out Of The Negative

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

BY NANCY STOOPS

Do you see the glass as half full or half empty? Do you focus on the good in your life or on what’s wrong? Do you take the time to count your blessings each and everyday?
We all have things that go wrong in our lives, but I believe we create our own energy based on what we focus on. I mean, if all we see is the negative and can’t seem to find the positive, then I think we will be pretty negative.
Stop what you’re doing for a moment and do this little exercise with me. Take a piece of paper and fold it in half. Write down all the negatives in your life on one side, but write a positive thing to negate the negative thing on the other side. Now decide how you want to live your life and which side of the paper you want to focus on.
I believe everything happens for a reason. Each and every trial life offers us also teaches us a lesson, if we take the time to see and learn it. Don’t make the negative the focus of your life; learn the lesson and move on.
Good and bad times are going to come and go. We must learn to be victorious through the bad times and celebrate the good. We must also learn to stop taking the good times for granted. Take control of your life and help yourself learn to create positive energy by focusing on the good. Learn to trust in yourself and have faith that you will find your way through the negative things that come your way. Make the decision to invest your energy in the good in your life and if you do, life will be good and you’ll be very happy.

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients. She is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members. Nancy conducts free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger. For more information about any of these services, feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727. You may also e-mail Nancy at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net.

Forgiveness for a Price

Pastor Rob Norris

Pastor Rob Norris (image courtesy of Google Images)

BY PASTOR ROB NORRIS

1 Peter 4:8 says, “Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins.”

I don’t know anything at all about what caused it, what led up to it, or even what came of it. But I’m sure it was hard for people not to notice a full-page ad in a Jacksonville newspaper one morning that read: “Please believe the words in my letter. They are true from my heart. I can only hope you will give me the chance to prove my unending love for you. Life without you is empty and meaningless.” It was a full-page, $17,000 advertisement, and plea for forgiveness.

According to the ad’s author, his wife of 17 years had left him two weeks earlier. She was living temporarily with her parents in a gated community, beyond the reach of her husband. Even her cell-phone number had been changed to keep him from contacting her. But relatives told him that she had indeed seen the large display ad and had left the room crying.

I pray that they were able to work things out. But, again, not knowing the circumstances, this still goes to show you that marriage, unlike any other human relationship, is the joining of two hearts into one flesh. The pain of living at a distance, even temporarily, feels like a limb being torn away. We can’t think straight. We can’t enjoy ourselves.

This is why your marriage must be a place where mercy and forgiveness are regularly being asked for and extended. Given, received and embraced. None of us are able to always be everything our spouse wants us to be. Only through the power of grace and forgiveness can you live through seasons of disappointment – with yourself and with one another – and come out feeling united again. It might even save you $17,000 and even more heartache.

Live it: Is there anything between you two today? Is there anything that you need to ask forgiveness for, or forgive one another for, right now? Just do it.

Pray: Thank the Lord for His full forgiveness of our disappointments and for the ability to extend the same to each other.

Making Progress

Jennifer
BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Progress is advancing in some way. Progress is making changes to yourself and hoping that those changes make you a better person. Progress is inspiring. Progress is hoping against all odds and actually seeing it happen. I’m progressing in life. I’m changing things, myself, my situation, my outlook, my faith, my hopes, and my dreams. I’m trying to redefine my own reality and see things for how they actually are and what they can be, not what they will never be.

I’m faithful, but not patient. Yet I am faithful that I will learn to be patient and that I will be given the opportunities to advance both my patience and my courage. Evan (Steve Carell) in the movie, Evan Almighty, said something along the lines of, “We pray for courage. But God does not make us brave; he instead gives us the opportunities to be brave, thus making us courageous”. Progress means that while I may not be there yet, I am further than I was yesterday and that I am moving forward.

While I progress another year in my life, I look back and see how far I’ve come, and that pushes me on to aspire for something greater. We should never stop progressing, aiming, hoping or dreaming to be better than we were yesterday. Life is unique, in that one must always aspire to higher levels to avoid being mediocre. This has always been a fear of mine, mediocrity. I do not want to be mediocre, I want to be extraordinary and exact a change on this world. I need to make goals, checklists, recordings, or whatever it takes to keep myself accountable to what really matters.

The best advice I can give anyone in this regard is to really, seriously, hold yourself accountable. You are responsible for your happiness, success, etc. If you don’t like the path you are on, no matter how old or young you are, no matter what your fitness level is, your education or your financial situation, change it! Make progress, even if it just means you take one step toward being where you want to be. Just remember to progress.

Upland: Former Defender Sentenced to One Year

STAFF REPORTS

Upland – An Upland attorney was sentenced this week to one year and one day in federal prison for stealing $129,795 from the Social Security Administration (SSA) after her grandmother died in 2000.

Audrey Owens, 61, was a deputy public defender for Riverside County, retiring just last September. She pled guilty in March to two counts of theft of government property, admitting that she swindled the government for 12 years. On Mon., June 2, Owens was sentenced by United States District Judge, Virginia A. Phillips.

According to court documents, from June 2000 through August 2012, Owens fraudulently obtained Social Security benefits intended for her grandmother, who died in May 2000. After her grandmother’s death, Owens changed the address of a joint account she shared with her grandmother and continued to receive the dead woman’s payments.

Owens “devised and executed a plan to illicitly obtain significant amounts of SSA benefits intended for her deceased grandmother,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo filed with the court. “Indeed, within just one week of her grandmother’s death, [Owens] sprang her plan into action by immediately removing her father’s name off of the [grandmother’s] Kansas City account and changing the address of record to her own address in Upland. This allowed her to continue to receive SSA benefits, undetected, for over 12 years, totaling more than $129,000. She was only stopped when SSA began to suspect fraud – otherwise, the theft would have likely continued indefinitely and resulted in even greater losses.”

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations.