Category Archives: News By City

Inland Empire: Straight Talk With Danice-January

DEAR DANICE AKIYOSHI:

My daughter has started hanging out with a group of kids at school who are dyeing their hair unusual colors. When I say unusual, I mean green and purple and blue. So far she has only put a small streak of color on her bangs. I have not said anything, but my husband has asked me to deal with it. These kids are all seniors in high school, and aside from this weird thing they’re doing with their hair, they seem like a nice group. Can you give me any pointers on how to handle it?
Janie

Hi, Janie:

If the kids seem to be in good order with their grades and other behaviors, then I would be careful about being excessively critical. Your daughter is a senior, so I’m assuming that she is close to age 18. This is a very tricky time for parents. Sometimes teens want to exert the power they think goes with the magical adult age of 18, yet they are far from being an adult in most cases.
If I were in your shoes, I would watch and wait. Allow your daughter a little elbow room and observe how far she pushes her desire for personal expression. Sometimes when parents are too rigid, a youngster in this age group will rebel or bolt, and then you have a new set of potentially dangerous problems. I’m hoping your daughter knows your ‘firm’ boundaries and won’t cross them. If she does, then it’s time for the serious sit down conversation. Many parents choose to tolerate bizarre hair styles and wardrobe fads, knowing that these things are not permanent. Whatever you do, please think your actions through. As I said, this is a tricky age group. They need a lot of support and positive feedback.

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi, Naturopathic Doctor, Coaching, Counseling

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi

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.

Eastvale: Create a Valentine’s Day to Remember

By Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR

Have you ever wondered what would really make your Valentine happy? You’ve tried the chaotic restaurant scene in the past, only to leave feeling uncomfortably full, tired, and stressed from the overcrowded restaurant and crazy parking lot.

This Valentine’s Day, show how much you care through actions instead of food. Skip the busy restaurant and store-bought chocolates. Instead, schedule some quality time with those you love. After all, it’s the time we spend together that creates memories, not high fat food and chocolates. If your loved one is feeling stressed, make time to snuggle up on the couch with their favorite movie. Or give them a back massage to relieve stress and aching muscles.

Maybe your Valentine would like a meal prepared for them. Consider making a romantic dinner for two at home with candles and flowers. Preparing meals at home empowers you to choose healthier foods and smaller portions. When you make the effort, your Valentine will feel the love in their heart and not on their hips. After all, food only lasts a second on the lips, but years on the hips.

Has your child already requested Valentine cards to pass out at school? If so, think about pairing the cards with healthier food options like pretzels instead of candy, or even non-food options like stickers or small toys. Providing non-food options will subtly show the next generation how we can celebrate without depending on food. Food should be used to fuel our bodies to keep them healthy and strong, as opposed to making emotional connections to temporarily improve our moods while permanently affecting our health.

The more you separate food from emotions, the happier and healthier you and your family will be. So give the gift of true love this Valentine’s Day and show your emotions through your actions instead of unhealthy food.

If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than local Eastvale resident, Nicole Gilles. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is dedicated to helping you achieve your health and weight goals. As a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Expert, and Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, Nicole is qualified to help you learn how to cope with emotional eating and learn to eat for your body’s individual needs. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members discover when to eat, how to eat, and how to lose weight and keep it off permanently. Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow!

Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at (909) 816-0977, or http://www.HandHnutrition.com; and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles. And see their ad on page XX for a special discount.

Walnut Valley: Governor Declares Statewide Drought

California Governor Jerry Brown

Gov. Jerry Brown declares statewide drought conditions during a Jan. 17 Press Conference in San Francisco. (Photo Courtesy: CA.Gov)

BY GLENN FREEMAN

Walnut Valley – On the heels of the driest recorded year in state history, Gov. Jerry Brown declared drought conditions in California. The statement came during a Jan. 17, 2014 Press Conference in San Francisco, where the Governor issued a State of Emergency, asking residents to conserve water.

“We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,” said Gov. Brown in a press release. “I’m calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”

State water officials reported that snowpack conditions are about 20 percent of normal average for this time of year, with river and reservoirs below their record lows, particularly in the State’s northern and central regions. The proclamation gives state water officials more flexibility to manage supply throughout California.
The Governor directed State agencies to use less water and hire more firefighters. He also expanded a public awareness campaign on water conservation at http://www.saveourh2o.org.

Metropolitan Water District (MWD), which provides water to nearly 19 million people in Southern California via 26 cities and water districts, released a statement supporting Gov. Brown’s declaration, asking users to take conservations measures.

“Lowering water demand in Southern California is a big reason why this region has sufficient supplies short term, but this drought is a wakeup call … to conserve every possible drop,” said Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

MWD has conservation tips available at its website, at http://www.bewaterwise.com.

Locally, the Walnut Valley Water District says water use is down in recent years.

“We’re supportive of the call for reduction in water usage and have always been about water efficiency. We’re buying 15% less water now than in 2006,” said general manager Mike Holmes.

Holmes also says the district encourages customers to visit their website (www.wvwd.com) for water conservation tips, as well as a program for getting up to 25 sprinkler nozzles for free.

The district serves approximately 100,000 customers in six San Gabriel Valley communities.

Walnut: Suzanne Students Join Connected Conversation with Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Suzanne Middle School Students

On Jan. 15, Alice Chen’s 8th Grade Language Arts students participated in a Connected Classroom Conversation with Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee, to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)

BY KELLI GILE

Walnut —Suzanne Middle School students got a special lesson from Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee, on January 15. Teacher Alice Chen’s 8th Grade Language Arts class participated in a live Connected Classrooms Conversation to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., just days before the National holiday held in his honor.
Three classrooms from across the United States participated in the Google Hangout On-Air event. Each educator invited to participate is a member of Google’s “Connected Classrooms”.
“I was invited to join Connected Classrooms last fall when this community first launched. The invitation initially went out to Google Certified Teachers. Then it was opened up to other teachers as the program grew,” Chen explained. She is also a moderator for Connected Classrooms.
“Educators who want to be involved in this kind of project, they don’t specify which one, are welcome to sign up. Then, they’ll match you according to content and age appropriateness,” she explained.
Chen found out about the opportunity the day before the live conversation and was eager for her students to participate.
At 10 a.m., PST, moderator Dawn Engle introduced Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee to the Walnut classroom.
“She is a woman who exemplified the Peace Jam movement. In fact, she’s a Liberian Peace Activist and is responsible for leading a woman’s peace movement that helped put an end to the second Liberian Civil War,” she said.
After each class took turns introducing themselves to the honored guest, who was in New York during the event, Engle started the one-hour conversation by asking the Nobel Peace Prize winner “Why is so it important to honor the life and the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King at this time every year?”
“First, I think he is in a class all by himself,” Gbowee answered. “He really was a trailblazer and it’s important to celebrate him at this time. It’s a reminder that even the most difficult of challenges in the world we can overcome if we focus, if we preserve and if we do it non-violently,” she said.
She described Dr. King as being a change agent for his belief. He was willing to go all out, persevere, be consistent, focused, and not get distracted with the negativity. Dr. King started something at a time in the world when everyone felt it was not possible,” Gbowee said.
“He decided we’re going to do this and break this barrier,” she added.
“When I sit and think of Dr. King and the incredible work that he did, and at the end of the day, when we look back, there are a lot of things that have happened in this world beyond the Civil Rights struggle. We see other situations in the world, and people say, ‘If King could do it, I too can do it’,” she said.
“The most important thing that Dr. King taught us is we are the change that we hope to see. It is in each and every individual,” she added.
Two students from each classroom also asked questions. When it was their turn, Suzanne students, Kaitlin Garrett and Steven Sakamoto, stood next to the projection screen face-to-face with the international legend. 8th Grader, Kaitlin Garrett, asked the first question during the event.
“I really liked what [Gbowee] said about us being the change. And how we can start it and I thought it was really inspiring because it is very true. I think if one person starts it and everybody joins in, it continues on,” Garrett said.
Garrett said she plans to begin finding ways to become a change maker. “This will inspire me to start thinking about changes and how we can help the community,” she said
Gbowee shared several of her own experiences about making a difference through non-violent struggle.
She said she wrote her book, Mighty Be Our Prayers, to share that it doesn’t matter if your life has taken a downturn, you can be an agent of change. “No matter how hard you fall, you are not judged in this life by the magnitude of your fall, it’s your ability to rise up and stand tall,” she said.
She also advised the students to find their own passion and that they could be difference makers too.
“When I was growing up, I never thought about a Nobel Peace Prize. I always thought about how I could make a difference,” she said
“Dr. King said anybody can be great. Those who see problems can be great through service, be great through humility, be great through doing good and not expecting anything in return. That is the kind of greatness Dr. King talked about and that has guided my work,” she explained to the students.
The recorded broadcast will also be shown to Bishop Desmond Tutu, who is on the Peace Jam board. And the kids got to wave hello to him.
Gbowee concluded the conversation by offering a challenge to the students. “Dr. King was a great man in a class all by himself. He stepped out when no one thought it was possible. I think to the young people of the world, if you read the life and legacy of Dr. King, he was one ordinary person who decided to try to do the impossible and leave an extraordinary mark on the world. We all have a light in us. If we ever decide to tap into that light, we too, can make the impossible possible. And leave an extraordinary legacy,” she said.
“You have the light, you have the examples, and you have the platform. Step out and make big changes. I hope someday I will read about one of you from these three classrooms of the great work you have done,” she added.
The Connected Classrooms broadcast can be viewed at https://plus.google.com/events/ckfsc2s5dg1aqvglm1h4ha902uo.

Eastvale: Love in Action

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

By Pastor Dennis Morales

My son, Noah, has a very unique ability to make friends easily; a character trait from my wife, Michelle, for sure. When Noah enters his preschool classroom, I can’t help but notice all his friends coming to greet him enthusiastically. As his Dad, I get a glimpse into his heart every day. It’s an amazing joy to see him grow.

We were at a park one day and Noah overheard someone crying. He ran over and found a little girl had fallen off her tricycle, so he helped her up, put his arm around her, and told her simply “It’s ok, it’s ok.” This little girl was his new buddy for the rest of their time at the park.

I believe friendship is the launching pad for love. Proverbs says that, “A friend loves at all times,” (Proverbs 17:17). Friendship has such an effect on other important relationships in life. Research points out that friendly people live longer than the general population. Jesus spoke highly of both love and friendship. Jesus said loving one another is a mark of knowing Him. “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” (John 13:35).

As you read the famous 1 Corinthians 13 love chapter, we see words in our language that qualify as descriptors or adjectives. In the original Greek language, these words are action words. John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” God, with love in action, sent His Son. His Son actively loved by sacrificing His life for all mankind (John 3:16), so that we can have the hope of Heaven.

Calvary Crossbridge Eastvale meets Sundays, 11:30 a.m., at Clara Barton Elementary, 7437 Corona Valley Avenue, Eastvale; http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

Inland Empire: Is Anything Really Forever?

Is Anything Really Forever?
BY MICHAEL ARMIJO

Originally published in August of 1998, this is the very first “Our Life” ever printed in The Weekly News, and the reason why we started publishing newspapers. It was after writing this story that we decided how short life was, and how important it is to do what you believe in. This story helped us realize what we believe in.
The hardest day of my life was a year ago in May. It was like every other morning with the exception that it was their anniversary. Mom and dad got up, went to brunch, went home, and then got into a little argument. My dad wanted somewhere to go to be by himself, so he went to check on his rental property that was recently vacant.
I got home that night around 9 p.m. and my wife told me my mother called. She said mom was wondering why dad wasn’t home yet, but it was like him to stay at his rental property and fix things. Mom wasn’t too worried, so I went to bed. A few hours later she called me again; “Your father still isn’t home yet, now I’m worried.” At a frantic pace, I went to his rental property and found his truck in the front of the house, which was completely dark. My heart raced and I was afraid to go in and find him lying there, so I called 911 from my cell phone.
LIFE MAKES A LEFT
I told the operator that I was afraid to enter the house by myself, I was afraid of what I might find. Four minutes later, the Sheriff’s Department arrived. The officer shined his flashlight on the front door and, since it was pitch dark, I didn’t even know it was wide open. We walked inside and there was my daddy, lying in the hallway, as still as can be. I yelled, “He isn’t moving? Why isn’t he moving?” The officer grabbed me and dragged me outside, calmed me down, and told me to wait while he checked what on was going on.
At that point, I tried to convince myself he was asleep on the floor or just passed out. I was in complete denial that he would be gone – and gone forever – until the paramedics came. They ran into the house in the hopes of helping a victim survive, but three minutes later, they walked out. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I knew one thing, I had to try to be responsible, I had to go home and tell my mom.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
When I told my brother and sisters the news of our father, I received a different reaction from each. But the strongest reaction embedded in my memory is the one from my mom. I called my sisters to help me tell mom about dad, but they lived so far away they couldn’t be there for quite some time. I knew I couldn’t let my mom wait that long, she was waiting for me to bring my father home. I knocked on my neighbor’s front door, but they couldn’t hear me from their back bedroom. It was at that time I realized that no one was around and I’m going to have to do this on my own, so be it.
It wasn’t the screaming or the crying that affected me so much; it was what my mother said. She was angry because she and my father had promised each other they’d leave this earth together. They made a pact. They had a deal. She was angry because he broke that pact. The deal was off. At that point, I admired how strong their love was; I admired how much they really loved each other. So much so, they not only discussed how they’d be together, but how they’d leave together as well. I never knew this, and it saddens me that I had to find out about it this way. I guess sometimes regardless of what this life gives you, and regardless of how much you think you know, you find out that you never know what to expect.
A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
Whoever said, “the hardest time after a death is the first year” was right. It has been interesting and difficult. Death really does something to people; it really makes them change. You hear things you never thought you’d hear; you see things you never thought you’d see. That first Thanksgiving, that first Christmas. The first time one of your parents isn’t at your son’s sixth grade graduation or your daughter’s recital. Your kid’s birthday parties, your son’s little league games. You sit there enjoying yourself and then sense that something’s missing. The first time I felt stressed and dad wasn’t there to tell me; “it’ll all work out ok,” that was my hardest. Dad wasn’t kidding when he told me: “there’s a first for everything.”
YOU NEVER KNOW
If there was one thing I’ve really had to push into my life it is to enjoy it. If one of my children gets out of line or has done something wrong, I talk about it. I don’t scream and yell, and I don’t smack them. I never send them to bed on a bad note, and whenever I leave, I always give them a hug and a kiss (something my 12-year-old son tries to avoid, but I force it on him). I do this because my father and I had the worst relationship in the world. And then one day, five years before he passed, for a reason only God may know, I confronted him with my feelings. We really opened up, laid it all on the table, and enjoyed ourselves. It took time for us to heal, but we worked on it, and in the end I had the fortunate opportunity to have a close and loving relationship with my dad. It was the fastest five years of my life.
We had fun, forgave each other, and told each other we loved each other. I am very fortunate to be able to say that I don’t have any regrets about our friendship. I always wanted more from life but he always told me to “stop striving for bigger toys and invest yourself in love, because you never know, son, you just never know.”
SOME THINGS ARE FOREVER
There’s something about seeing your parents in enormous grief that does something to a person. They’re your safety net in life, they’re the one thing you can bet your life on who’ll always take you back if you failed out there in the world. They’re the ones that you knew would love you forever, regardless of what you’ve done or where you’ve been. When that gets destroyed or damaged, you come to the realization that you’re definitely, and I mean definitely, on your own. Life becomes this big “do or die” situation. Ready or not, it’s time to grow up. You get kind of nervous that the encouraging source in your life is gone. The one who always said, “You can do it, you can do anything,” can only be heard from a distant memory.
It’s kind of like when you were in school; you’d walk into the class and find you were having a pop quiz. You felt this panic overwhelm you, and you’d try your hardest to remember what the teacher told you the day before. You had no warning, no time to prepare, the test is here and it’s now. You never anticipated this coming; it never even entered your mind. All you can do now is hope you were paying attention all that time, all you could do was hope you were a good student. Teacher’s not going to give you any answers today; you’re on your own.
And then someday, when life tests you and you see that big “A” across the top of that “life test,” you realize that what makes you a better person is to recognize that there are some things in life that you just have to believe in. Like the love you never knew your parents shared, some things really are forever.

Diamond Bar: Evergreen Elementary Announces School Spelling Champ

Spelling Champion Kelli Gile

Evergreen Elementary spelling champion, Thordar Han, will now concentrate of preparing for the regional contest. (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)

BY KELLI GILE

Diamond Bar— Thordar Han, a 5th Grade student, is Evergreen Elementary’s Spelling Champion! Jason Chen took Second Place honors, and Jason Kim earned Third Place during the school’s Spelling Bee, held on January 10.
All 4th and 5th Grade students participated in classroom competitions that narrowed the field of 200 students down to 18 finalists, who competed in front of their peers on the Multipurpose Room stage.
In the final round, Han won the school championship when she correctly spelled, “Monochrome.”
“When I heard the word, I knew how to spell it,” the 10-year-old said.
Han said she has always liked spelling and practiced with online tests for the competition. She is also an avid reader and likes to play the drums in the school band.
“It felt good,” she said about winning the Spelling Bee. The soft-spoken Diamond Bar student said she kept her excitement on the inside and shared the good news with her family when she got home from school.
Han will now represent Evergreen and compete in the 2014 Inland Valley Regional Competition that could lead to the ultimate competition at the nationwide contest in Washington, D.C.
4th and 5th Grade teachers, Lily Chang, Sally Choi, Shelby Coomber, Cathy Patterson, Lynn Otsu and Kris Kobzeff, coordinated this exciting activity for their students with help from volunteer, Bernice Bromberg, and support from the Evergreen Community Club.
“This is another great example of our dedicated staff and fabulous volunteers working together to create wonderful opportunities for our talented students,” said Principal, Carolyn Wills.
“Evergreen is rooting for Thordar in the next round of competition. Congratulations to Thordar, Jason Chen and Jason Kim! Great job,” she said.

Riverside: A Second Chance With DRC

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Riverside – For many repeat offenders who have spent much of their life in and out of the “system”, the Day Reporting Center (DRC) in Riverside is a breath of fresh air. With the implementation of AB109, many people who would be “parolees” are now the property of the Riverside Probation Department. This change is a positive step for many as they feel that the Probation Department offers more accountability and gives them more tools to succeed.
The DRC opened its doors in October 2012 as a “one stop shop” with multiple agencies under one roof to help with the AB109 Realignment. The DRC is comprised of Riverside County agencies and community partners working together to support the goals of those on probation and to help them toward integration back into the community.
According to Chief Mark Hake, Chief of Probation, “Many of our clients come out of prison without even having the basics like a GED, a license, or a Social Security card. The DRC provides an environment where obstacles and barriers are removed and together they derive a plan of accountability in order to help them succeed.” Providing these services helps give the clients hope and the basics needs to start the job search process. The center also offers mandatory counseling classes in parenting, anger management, basic computer education, and substance abuse education, to name a few.
Courtney Johnson, Senior Deputy Probation Officer, believes that one of the reasons that their center has been so successful is because they try to build up self-esteem and help clients find success. “We have them come in and interact with us and give them the tools to at least stay clean, stay hopeful and stay on track. We want them to be the father, son, grandpa or husband that they are meant to be.” And, it’s working. Calvin Smith, who is currently on probation and reports to the DRC, finds the goal setting to be the most helpful. “They help me set little goals which lead to bigger goals. You really have to crawl before you walk, but the goals teach you patience.” Kurt Gomer also finds the goal setting helpful. He said, “You make goals happen because I’m learning how to walk up the ladder slowly to get the top.”
In addition to helping get their client’s get back on their feet, the DRC also offers family counseling. For clients like Brian Frederick, who has been in and out of the system for 20 years, this has been the biggest blessing. “My family participates with me and the classes help me to relate better with my family and for us to get back on our feet and focus on being a real family.” The parenting classes are crucial since so much of their success is dependent on social activity and family ties. Chris Duffy, the Peer Support Specialist, feels that “Building these strong family ties and having a good, solid support system helps our clients be more successful.” The parenting classes are offered to the client and other family members, and offers a holistic approach to the healing of the entire family by also including addiction services, accountability and structure. “The hope is that all these elements will increase accountability and structure to avoid going back to their old ways,” says Duffy.
The DRC is the first center of its kind and was started in Riverside since the region has the greatest realignment population. The goal was to create a cost effective place where all the services could be handled under one roof. The goal is to open up more Day Reporting Centers in the eastern end of the county and one in the desert area. The main problem is that no one wants one of these centers in their community. Transportation issues are also a common problem. But for clients of the center and those that work so hard to make it successful, the need is there. At least three or four more centers are needed throughout the county so others can also experience the hope and success that they have seen here.

Eastvale: An Interview with Council Member, Bill Link

Eastvale Council Member Bill Link

Eastvale Council Member Bill Link

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge for 2014?

A. “I feel the biggest challenge in 2014 is to review the use of our vacant land and determine the best use of this land as defined by what our citizens need, as well as a long-term revenue stream for the city.”

Q: What is your number one goal for the City of Eastvale this year?

A. “My focus this year would be an economic development plan aimed at the financial sustainability of Eastvale for years to come. Everyone wants better law enforcement, fire protection, safety, and a great quality of life; these can only be achieved when the city has long-term financial stability. In years to come, with population increases and inflation, these services will cost more. I read a quote years ago, ‘What works today may not work tomorrow; evolution is mandatory’. I believe this applies to how we must handle the future needs of our residents.”

Q: What feels great about Eastvale to you?

A. “The great feeling I get about Eastvale revolves around our fantastic residents. They are more in tune with this community than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. They participate in community activities as volunteers with no anticipation of any reward other than the betterment of Eastvale. As an example, a few years ago I read on Yahoo Residents website that a mother of three wanted to take her children to the snow and she asked if anyone had snow clothes she could borrow. Within 20 minutes she had three different strangers offering to help. You will not find that anywhere else. Anyone who thinks about this a bit has to feel a little warm inside.”

Q: How long have you been here in Eastvale? What’s your history with the city?

A. “My lovely wife, Sharyn, and I moved to Eastvale in 2008 purely by accident. Our kids, who live in Chino Hills, had just given us a new granddaughter and like any grandparents we wanted to be closer to her. So one Saturday morning we left on an excursion in search of a home closer to our granddaughter and in our travels into different areas we stumbled upon Eastvale. My wife was driving, so it is obvious that at some point a wrong turn was to be made and we would be lost. We just turned into a track for the purpose of turning around when we saw an Open House sign and decided to take a look. Sharyn immediately fell in with the house and we put an offer in the next day. It was accepted and here we are.

Since moving to Eastvale, we have participated in many civic activities. The first thing we became involved in was the Cityhood Celebration, for which I was in charge of logistics, working with Al and Gina Nassar (the greatest event coordinators anywhere). Then I was appointed to the first Planning Commission right after cityhood, where I served for three years, two of which were as Planning Commission Chairman. On January 8th of this year I was appointed to the City Council to fill the remaining term of Kelly Howell, who had resigned. Kelly did a magnificent job. I can’t give her enough praise for her hard work and dedication. To be honest, she is the one that influenced me to apply for the City Council.

Sharyn has been active in many volunteer positions and is currently the Executive Director of the Eastvale Community Foundation. I’m so proud of her for all the unselfish giving of her time and efforts to make the foundation great.”

Eastvale: Jan. 28 Town Hall Meeting Recap

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale – The Eastvale Town Hall Quarterly Meeting was held at Ramirez Junior High on Jan. 28. Various departments and organizations came to give updates and answer questions for the community. Here is a brief recap of what information was presented.

Riverside County Sheriff Report/CALFIRE Update: Asst. Police Chief Michael Yates updated the public on various crime statistics in Eastvale. He stressed the importance of Eastvale being named one of the safest cities in California (FBI Report October 2013), noting overall community involvement.

Yates says Part One crimes have declined. In the time period from Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013, there were 28,982 calls, with 9,729 citations written, 43 DUI arrests, 128 injury auto accidents, 243 non-injury collisions, and zero fatal collisions. Police response time has been getting better, as well.

Many marijuana grow houses have been successfully shut down, said Yates. In 2013, 27 houses were shut down with a total of 46 houses in Eastvale overall. The Sheriff’s Department has been extremely successful with the help of the community in identifying and taking these houses down. At one point, they were seeing two houses per week, but they have seen a steady decrease over the past few weeks.

A new trend in crime in Eastvale is “fishing.” Yates says this typically involves young groups of kids out at night between midnight and 3 a.m., walking through neighborhoods checking to see if car doors are unlocked. They simply walk by and lift the handles. If cars are open, they quickly grab loose change, computers, phones, etc., and move on to the next vehicle. The money is often used to buy alcohol and drugs, as the amount of change adds up rather quickly, said Yates.

CAL/FIRE stressed the importance of fire safety, especially in the dry, drought conditions that we are currently facing. Of all the calls they have received in 2013, 72.3% were medical and 2.6% were fire related. The medic squad has taken 27 responses since it came into operation in the latter part of 2013. This has taken some of the load off of the fire engines. When the second fire station at Selby/Chandler opens, this will reduce the call volume even more, according to fire officials.

eastvale, jcsd

Ric Welch of JCSD addresses the community during the Jan. 28 town hall meeting in Eastvale. (Jennifer Madrigal)

Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD): Ric Welch of JCSD announced that Eastvale Community Park will be opening March 8. Welch also said the district has added more recreational classes for mature adults and is forming a citizen’s advisory board to receive input from residents.

Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD): The state has changed how school districts get their funding and it is now connected to local control. Money must now be tied to a local plan with community engagement. A committee with 32 people has been formed to look at relevant data (student achievement, attendance, climate of school, etc.) to establish guidelines.

CNUSD is still considering the feasibility of the “Geo Bond.” A survey was done last year and the district is still looking at the details and what the plans will be for the communities. It is important to note that Yorba Elementary School in Eastvale will be completed with or without the bond. However, the district still needs more schools, because more growth is expected in Eastvale over the next seven to ten years. The “Geo Bond” for Eastvale would most likely be used for technology, infrastructure, and safety, as well as another elementary school and possibly an alternative high school. CNUSD will be doing another public survey and hopes to make a decision early to mid-summer on whether or not to proceed with bond. If they do proceed, this bond would be on the ballot for the November election season.

Senator Roth’s Office: Roth’s office says the senator is still fighting for our funds from Vehicle License Fees (VLF). Last week, Roth was able to gain the support of Assembly Speaker John Perez. Roth’s office has decided to change the bill by splitting it into two separate parts with hopes of making it easier and more cost effective. One part of the bill is now called SB69 and will deal with the recently incorporated cities like Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, and Wildomar. The other part of the bill will deal with annexations. The hope is that this new method will focus more on assisting new cities now. It also makes the bill more cost effective, which will make it more appealing to the governor. Roth’s office is optimistic that this is a step in the right direction.

Bill Newberry also shared that Roth has been nominated as “Legislator of the Year” for all the work he has done for Riverside County.

State Assembly Office: Assemblyman Eric Linder will be backing up Senator Roth on the Vehicle Licensing Fee issue. However, Linder’s office is focusing on AB 1438 – a bill concerning sex offenders. Currently, a sex offender can apply for a certificate of rehabilitation, and if they are successful, they do not need to register as a sex offender. AB 1438 seeks to remove this for offenders who violate children. The Assembly is also working on the surplus from Prop 30. They are hoping to have funds allocated more toward education and to put the rest away for a “rainy day” fund.

Leal Specific Plan: Asst. Planning Director Cathy Perring spoke to the public about the development of the Leal property. The property was originally part of a general plan for mixed-use, with retail, offices, etc. Although the land is not owned by the city, they are working with the Leal family to prepare a plan that will guide development. The city has asked for the public’s opinion and ideas for what the land could be used for. Please go to www.lealspecificplan.com to submit ideas and vote by February 7. The ideas will be presented to the City Council at the February 26 meeting, with action on a vision plan expected at the March 26 meeting.

Goodman Commerce Center: Goodman Birtcher is a real estate company that owns, develops and manages property. They will be investing $250 million in the City of Eastvale. The Goodman Commerce Center will be opening in Eastvale in conjunction with Lewis properties. Over the last two years, they have been meeting with constituents, planning staff, etc., on how to develop the 200 acres located in the “pan-handle” of Eastvale. The property is adjacent to the I-15 freeway off Cantu-Galleano and Bellegrave.

Some of the land will be used for industrial purposes with direct freeway access for trucks. This will limit trucks on our roads and prevent more traffic issues, according to Birtcher. The south 25 acres will be a business park and will have employee pathways and trails, which will be more visually pleasing and add to the landscape of the area. There is also a retail/commercial component of about 45 acres. It is currently zoned for a hospital, hotel, etc. Currently, this is in the conceptual stage, but it could be a draw for major retailers.

An Environmental Impact Report has been started and Goodman also plans to widen Hamner Avenue by three lanes, as well as build and maintain landscaping in that area. The commerce center has the ability to generate as many as 2,500 – 4,600 jobs to our area, according to Birtcher.

Chino Desalter Expansion Project: Joseph Blume and Cindy Miller of the Chino Desalter Authority/Butier Engineering Inc., spoke about the project, which will bring more drinking water to the cities of Eastvale, Ontario, Corona, and Norco. This part of the project, which involves placing a 30-inch diameter pipeline through Eastvale, is part of an overall expansion project of the CDA’s water treatment plant and delivery system. Once completed, expansion will provide 10 million gallons of drinking water per day to the communities. Construction is expected to start on Mississippi Drive in Eastvale and run north along Hamner Avenue to Riverside Drive. Hamner will stay open, although there will be some delays. However, no detours are expected. They also plan some night construction, using flag men, and will be working during the holiday season (Thanksgiving 2014 thru Jan. 1, 2015). There also may be some water shutdowns, but the plan is to use phasing limits in construction to keep inconveniences to a minimum. The project is expected to be completed by February 2015.

Riverside Animal Control: Mark Visyak, Animal Control Officer, spoke to the community about 2013’s statistics. In 2013, there were 1,463 calls overall. The breakdown of these calls consisted of: impounds (346), returned to owners (24), dead animal retrieval (167), citations (85), requests for patrol (329), assists to the fire department (2), assists to code enforcement (1), assists to the police (11), investigations for bites, barking, etc. (107), and lots of opossums.

Eastvale Community Foundation: The foundation announced it will start selling Eastvale decals for cars as a way to help raise money. It was announced that the Youth Scholarship Program is back. Applications will be available at Eastvale City Hall beginning Monday, Feb. 3 through May 1, 2014.

The next Eastvale Quarterly Town Hall Meeting will be held in March, with date and location to be announced.

Three Men Charged in Colby Fire

STAFF REPORTS

Glendora – Three men were recently charged in the United States District Court with illegally setting a campfire above Glendora that erupted into a destructive wildfire, known as the Colby Fire, perpetuated by the Santa Ana wind conditions.
Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint that charges the three men with unlawfully setting timber afire, a felony offense that carries a possible five-year prison term. Clifford Eugene Henry, Jr., 22, of Glendora, Steven Robert Aguirre, 21, a transient, and Jonathan Carl Jarrell, 24, also a transient, were taken into custody by local officials last Thursday after the fire started and turned over to federal authorities.
The Colby Fire started on the morning of January 16. By that evening, the fire had consumed more than 1,700 acres of federal, state, local and private lands. The fire had also destroyed five residences, damaged 17 additional structures, and resulted in injuries to one civilian and two firefighters.
Henry, Aguirre and Jarrell were detained by Glendora Police Officers after they were seen escaping the fire. During interviews with Glendora Police and personnel with the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Arson Investigations Unit, all three defendants admitted to playing a role in the starting of a campfire that started the Colby Fire after wind blew burning paper into the brush in the hills above Glendora, according to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint.
A United States Forest Service fire investigator has determined that the origin of the Colby Fire was at a point near a fire ring built by Henry, Aguirre and Jarrell; the cause of the fire was embers from the campfire that set dry grass adjacent to the campfire ring afire. Both the campfire ring and the origin of the fire are clearly located on Federal lands within the Angeles National Forest.
The investigation is being conducted by the United States Forest Service, the Glendora Police Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Chino: Crime Report, City of Chino

STAFF REPORTS

Chino – Police Officers arrested a third suspect wanted in connection with the New Year’s Eve shooting that left one man dead and another seriously wounded.
According to the City of Chino, Francisco Orozco, Jr., 22, a resident of Chino, was arrested without incident near the border of Mexico on Jan. 20, 2014 and was transported to the West Valley Detention Center by Chino Police Detectives. He was booked on a warrant for murder, and joins two other murder suspects already in custody.

The victims, Robert Sanchez, along with a second male, were shot at approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, in the 12800 block of Benson Avenue. Sanchez was transported to the Chino Valley Medical Center, but died there as a result of his injuries. The second victim was hospitalized, and has since been released.

On Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, Angel Edwardo Valenciana, 24, a resident of Los Angeles, was arrested by Police Officers in Grand Island, Nebraska, in connection with the New Year’s Eve shooting. The City of Chino states that Police Officers are working to extradite Valenciana back to California.

David Colomo, 19, a resident of Bell Gardens, was also arrested near the border of Mexico on Jan. 11, 2014. He was transported to the West Valley Detention Center and booked on a warrant of murder.

In another incident, the City of Chino reports that a truck driver was killed at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 when he stepped out of his semi-truck onto Euclid Avenue and was struck by a car.

The City of Chino states in a news release that the initial study by Chino Traffic Investigators determined Wilson Iraheta, 55, a resident of La Puente, parked his Peterbuilt truck and trailer in the center median of Euclid Avenue, where he was preparing to unload in front of Nature’s Best warehouse. Iraheta exited the driver’s door onto Euclid Avenue and was struck by a 2002 Subaru Station Wagon, driven by Karen Lockie, 69, a resident of Rancho Cucamonga. Lockie showed no signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

And, finally, the City of Chino reports that a suspect is in custody following an attack of a Chino High School student at approximately 1:17 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. The 16-year-old male victim was struck on the head with a hammer. He was airlifted to a local hospital and is in critical condition.

Chino Police Officers arrested suspect, Gregory U. Richmond, 48, a resident of Chino, who fled after the attack. He was arrested without incident in the 5800 block of Riverside Drive a short time later, and was booked on charges of attempted murder.

The attack took place on the sidewalk across the street from Chino High School. The high school, along with Walnut Elementary, remained in lockdown until the suspect was in custody.

These investigations are all ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Chino Police Department at (909) 628-1234.

Are We Making Food A “Four-Letter Word”?

By K.P. Sander

Eastvale – They say, ‘You Are What You Eat’, but what if I don’t want to be Potassium Bromate? What if Butylated Hydroxyanisol gives me the creeps (after all, “butylated” sounds like “mutilated”)? In today’s world of high technology and instant gratification, have we microwaved ourselves into a toxic nightmare of diseases, obesity and unhappiness? These are questions I’m willing to find the answers to.

The artificial sweeteners, preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers that have been added to our foods for decades have fattened not only corporate pocket books through prolonged shelf lives and disguising cheaper, sub-standard products, but they have fattened us up as well. They have created maladies in our bodies including Alzheimer’s, cancers, diabetes and heart disease, and have contributed to emotional disorders in our children – even health concerns for our pets. A hundred years ago, when you grew your own food and fast food was a chicken on the run from the chopping block, these diseases were rare, and even non-existent. But with the initiation of processed foods in the second half of the 20th Century, the health of people everywhere has taken a turn for the worse.

And, are the poisons ingested in our bodies the only cause for concern? Is there more social anxiety prevalent because of social media? By involving more people into our lives via technology, are we becoming more anti-social by hiding behind it? Look around you. The majority of people walking around (and yes, even driving around) aren’t paying attention to where they are going because they are completely focused on their phones: texting, Facebooking, Instagramming.

I’m guilty of all of it, but I can’t remember the last time I truly felt full of health and vitality and just plain old GOOD. I wake up to caffeine, drive-thru when I’m rushed, crack open a can of high-fructose corn syrup for energy, and text instead of call. But I, for one, don’t want to find myself looking a heart attack (or worse) right smack in the face, knowing I contributed directly to it. I’m going to educate myself, read more labels, and avoid ingredients I can’t pronounce or know to be toxic. I’m going to buy more organic foods and less processed foods. I’m going to consider an apple and a handful of almonds as “fast food”. And I’m going to contribute to my general well-being by participating in some actual face time with those I love. I’m guessing my fitness routines will be enhanced, my body and mind will feel better, and my relationships will benefit.

I don’t want “food” to become a four-letter word to me, like “sodium nitrite”. I want it to be a source of joy and nourishment. I want to associate food in the ilk of other four-letter words that I used to describe things that contribute to my well being. Words like good, glad, hale, well, wise…and love.

Tips to Help Prevent a Burglary

LEAFF Law Enforcement and Fire Protection

L.E.A.F.F. Eastvale

By LEAFF

Eastvale – In light of a few residential burglaries that have occurred in the city and the repercussions of AB109, 12 basic steps to prevent your house from being burglarized can be taken.

1. Perform routine tasks and clean up the outside of your property on a regular basis to show you are occupying your home. Empty your mailbox on a regular basis, collect old newspapers from your driveway, and pick up discarded trash that has landed in your yard.

2. Install timed lights or leave a radio or television playing if you are traveling or will be absent from your home for long periods of time. You may want to enlist a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your property and to collect your mail while you are traveling away from home.

3. Lock all your doors, windows, garages, and sheds when you leave your home to make it difficult for burglars to enter without attracting the attention of others. Test your locks durability by trying to open your doors and windows from the outside. Install sturdy deadbolt locks on your doors to prevent thieves from breaking in easily. If you have double front doors, use bungee cords to connect the door knobs to prevent thieves from kicking the door in. Remove the red knob tied to the string on your garage door track lock. This prevents hooking the knob and unlocking your garage door.

4. Make your doors and windows visible to the neighborhood and to the street. Cut away tree branches or high shrubbery that can hide burglars when they are breaking and entering your home.

5. Store your valuables away from windows or doors where they can easily be seen from the outside. You may want to hang privacy curtains over windows to make it difficult for others to see inside. Close shutters, blinds and pull curtains to prevent thieves from peering into your house.

6. Hide or destroy any outside trash that may advertise your personal belongings to the rest of your neighborhood. For example, you may want to break down or destroy boxes that contained valuable, expensive electronic devices you may have just purchased, such as a large television or stereo system.

7. Leave spare house keys with trusted friends, family, or neighbors instead of placing them outside on your property. Burglars may be familiar with common hiding places for spare keys.

8. Park your vehicles inside a closed garage to make it difficult for burglars to determine if you are home or not.

9. Install a home alarm system to deter burglars and to alarm authorities if there is a break-in. Consult with your home insurance provider to seek discounts for alarm systems. Place home alarm signs in the front yard to alert burglars that your home has an alarm.

10. Stray away from routine schedules to make it more difficult for burglars to predict when you will be absent from your home.

11. Only use fully shielded neighbor-friendly lighting that is equipped with motion or infrared detectors. Don’t create a nuisance or safety hazard with glaring lights that impair vision. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design recommends, “Lighting that does not create glare, light trespass, or deep shadows. Lighting only has potential to act as a deterrent if witnesses are present and can counter-productively attract attention to a target and assist a burglar. FBI statistics demonstrate that the majority of residential break-ins occur during daylight hours.”

12. Alter your outside landscaping to make it difficult for burglars to navigate your property without being seen or heard. You may want to surround your windows or home with loose gravel, stones, or rocks that will make noise when stepped on. Place plants or shrubbery under your windows or on your property that are difficult to navigate around, such as rose bushes with lots of thorns.

Walnut Valley: WVUSD to Honor Classified Employees

Walnut Valley Unified School District

Walnut – The Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) will honor the monthly 2013 Cornerstone Award recipients during the 15th Annual Class Act Gala on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Pomona Valley Mining Company.

Twelve classified (non-teaching) employees received this award for providing outstanding service to the District.

Congratulations to the following honorees:

January: Margaret Wong, School Office Manager, Evergreen Elementary
February: Sharon Liu, Instructional Aide-I, Bilingual/Bicultural, Maple Hill Elementary
March: Laura Morris, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, C.J. Morris Elementary
April: Shelley Patton, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Maple Hill Elementary
May: Lorraine Gomez, Health Clerk, Suzanne Middle School
June: Yenny Ong, Food Service Worker-II, Quail Summit Elementary
July: Monica Cazares, Accounting Assistant-II, Child Care Program
August: Patricia Acevez, Office Assistant/Health Clerk, Vejar Elementary
September: Patti Malatacca, School Office Manager, Quail Summit Elementary
October: Maria Cabrera, Instructional Aide-II, Vejar Elementary
November: Marilyn Higa, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Evergreen Elementary
December: Gale Taylor, Library Media Technician-II, South Pointe Middle School

The Classified Employee-of-the-Year will be announced at the culmination of the program, sponsored by the WVUSD Personnel Commission and Walnut Valley Educational Foundation.

Tickets are $25 for Adults. For reservations, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 595-1261, by January 24.

The Pomona Valley Mining Company is located at 1777 Gillette Road in Pomona.

Diamond Bar: Hotel To Replace Honda, DB Bans MJ

By Ariel Carmona, Jr.

Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council approved several resolutions at the Jan. 21 meeting dealing with crucial development decisions in the City, including a proposal to establish a zoning district for the possible construction of a hotel at the site formerly known as the Honda Dealership, and an emergency ordinance amending the City’s Municipal Code prohibiting the operation and establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in order to comply with Federal laws, among other items.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, the Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 1(2014), which would establish a new overlay zone district to promote and facilitate the development of a prominent site, which was formerly the location of the Honda Dealership and a Burger King drive-thru restaurant, located across the 60 Freeway off-ramp, in a manner staff reports describe as, “Consistent with the City Council’s adopted goals and objectives since 2009.”

The City’s Staff Report to the Council specified the City’s plans for redevelopment, including specific plans to revitalize the Burger King and Honda property areas, “In a way that provides the greatest net benefit to the community.” The staff determined, based on the criteria set forth in the Council’s goals and objectives, that the highest and best use for the overlay would be a hotel.

“Any future reuse of the land would require a hotel to be the anchor use,” said Greg Gobman, Community Development Director. “And, any secondary uses on that site would be limited to those prescribed in the Development Code,” he added.
City staff told the Council that a world-renowned consultant took several factors into account to determine what would be the most optimal use of the property. According to the report, two major, mutually exclusive projects have been approved next to the Honda site: The Industry Business Center (IBC), and an NFL Stadium. Under the IBC scenario, a business park including office and industrial space would be built out, while the stadium project would include an ancillary office, medical and retail uses. Neither option would include a hotel.

The staff concluded that based upon the analysis of the consultant, the highest and best use of the Honda property is one with a hotel anchor, with project-specific characteristics dependent upon other factors. “The Honda site itself is literally set aside from the rest of the City. That’s also true figuratively in that its physical isolation and its prominent location at the convergence of two freeways is where we see 200,000 vehicles passing by each day, and in addition to this site being located right at existing and future on/off ramps, there is tremendous opportunity to develop this site in ways that really are not possible elsewhere,” said Gobman.

After hearing feedback from a resident opposing the proposed hotel development option, the Council weighed in on the issue. “I think the opportunity there is to capture the between $600,000 and $1 million in transient occupancy taxes, so I think it makes sense to take that action on this property,” said Mayor Pro Tem, Steve Tye.

In other actions, the Council voted 5-0 to adopt an emergency ordinance prohibiting the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in the City. Previously, the City’s code permitted one use, but City Manager, James DeStefano, said that code may be in conflict with Federal law. He pointed out that the City does not have any dispensaries currently operating.
According to staff reports made public by the City, the conflict between State and Federal laws has led to many Southern California cities, including Whittier, San Dimas, Fullerton, and other cities in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, to place restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries, as a permitted land use or place a moratorium on the establishment of such a use.

In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, which enabled seriously ill patients to legally possess, use, and cultivate marijuana for medicinal purposes under State law. Subsequently, SB420 was enacted by the State Legislature to clarify the scope of the Act, and to allow local jurisdictions like Diamond Bar to adopt and enforce rules and regulations consistent with the Act.

The emergency ordinance prohibits the establishment or operation of what the City deems retail marijuana dispensaries for a period of 45 days and ultimately provides the City time to adopt an ordinance permanently prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries as a permitted use under the City’s zoning laws.

During the subcommittee reports part of the meeting, Mayor Carol Herrera said that with a lot of people being out of work, there was a minor rash of burglaries during the holiday season. “We are intersected by two major freeways, so we are a relatively easy target,” said Herrera. “I have said before that we have an outstanding Sheriff’s Department that is on the alert to watch out for all of you”, she added. Herrera said officers noticed burglary tools and merchandise in a vehicle during two recent traffic stops. “That’s further evidence that our Sheriff’s Department is doing an outstanding job looking out for the homeowners, and for all of us.”

The next meeting of the Diamond Bar City Council is scheduled for Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m., in the Government Center South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Main Auditorium, located at 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar.

Diamond Bar: Dr. Jeffery W. Lowe Passes Away

By Michael Armijo

Jeffrey Lowe

Jeffrey Lowe (Photo Courtesy of SB County Sheriffs Dept/Chino Hills)

Diamond Bar – Dr. Jeffrey W. Lowe, a long time Chiropractor and Community Activist, passed away at 48 years old on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 of apparent heart failure.

Dr. Lowe held his practice in the Albertsons shopping center on Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue for almost 20 years. He was the current President of the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Booster Club, former Diamond Bar Rotary President, past board member of the Diamond Bar Chamber of Commerce, and a San Bernardino County Sheriff Reserve Deputy for over 20 years, in the patrol and homicide division.

Dr. Lowe was born in Montebello, California and grew up in La Habra, where he graduated from La Habra High School in 1983. From there, he went on to get his Bachelor’s Degree in 1992 from the Los Angeles Chiropractic College.
He was described by his peers as a “giver, family man, compassionate individual, special, caring, and a loving man.”

“Jeff always made me feel special and beautiful,” his wife, Kim Lowe said. “I am so very proud of all his accomplishments.”
“He was an excellent partner, neighbor, and friend,” said fellow Deputy Mike Kreeger. “Laughter and friendship are both words that describe Jeff well, as he loved to laugh.”

I write this story, as a reporter, but more importantly, as a personal friend to Jeff. I will always miss his infectious smile, his servant’s heart, warmth-filled hugs, and compassionate element of being a healer, brother, giver, deputy, friend, and leader.

Dr. Lowe was married in 2005 to his wife, Kim, and has been a Chino Hills Resident for over 20 years. He is survived by his step-daughter Robin, grandmother Nana, parents Ron and Karen, sister Kellee, brother-in-law Paul, and nephews Dylan, Karissa, and Sydney. On his wife’s side, he is survived by his brother-in-law Larry, his wife Edenna, and his three nieces Lilly, Tori, and Violet.

Eastvale: Quarterly Town Hall Meeting Reminder

The Eastvale Quarterly Town Hall Meeting will be held at 6:30 on January 28th, 2014 at Augie Ramirez Intermediate School located at 6905 Harrison Avenue, Eastvale, California 92880. Doors open at 6:00.
A variety of topics and updates will be covered including:
City Update by Mayor Ike Bootsma, Waterline Project, CALFIRE update, Leal specific plan, Animal Control update, CNUSD update and more. The meeting will close with public comments and open forum as time permits.

Eastvale: RCSD Conducts Probation Sweep

By: Staff Reports

According to a Riverside County Sheriff Department Press Release, on Thursday, January 23, 2014, deputies assigned to the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team, assisted by the Riverside County Gang Taskforce and Probation Department, conducted a probation compliance sweep on persons residing within the city of Eastvale. During this operation, compliance checks were conducted at 30 residences, resulting in three felony arrests. During this operation, deputies seized narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia.

All three subjects were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center and have been identified as:
1.Cynthia Gomez, 23-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation
2.Anthony Rodriguez, 32-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and violation of probation
3.Ashly Hawkins, 20-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of heroin, under the influence of a controlled substance, and violation of probation