By Raymond Mendoza
Eastvale – A recent Riverside County Superior Court ruling has Eastvale city government employees baffled after their city was denied debt forgiveness and use of Senate Bill funds after Jurupa Valley, Menifee and Wildomar had theirs granted.
The ruling came down from Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia on Monday, Nov. 30, stating that he did not have the authority to erase the city’s debt- thereby making the city financially responsible for nearly $5 million in unpaid bills.
The question of debt forgiveness and who would receive part of the beneficial $23.7 million comes from Senate Bill 107- which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown in September. The bill was created to provide relief for the debts of Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Wildomar and Eastvale since these cities were affected by the loss of vehicle-license fee revenue. Brown signed the bill which stipulated that Riverside County would provide these funds to the debt-ridden cities.
However, by March, Eastvale had already paid all of its outstanding debts. When Riverside County was in the process of providing accounting processes of debts owed by each of the aforementioned cities to the State Department of Finance, Eastvale was shown to not need the funds because it had already paid its debts.
As a result of hearing about the newly approved funds, Eastvale government officials stopped paying their bills for law enforcement and other Riverside county-provided services under the assumption that SB 107 funds would apply to them- resulting in nearly $5 million in unpaid bills.
Eastvale City Manager Michele Nissen stated that she was unable to comment on matters regarding the ongoing lawsuit, but that an appeal was filed last week.
Category Archives: News By City
Local Treatment Plant Reveals Odor Control Efforts
Photo courtesy: WRCRWA
WRCRWA hosts a treatment plant tour to showcase expansion effort.
By Emily Aguilar
Eastvale – On Dec. 12, Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority (WRCRWA) Treatment Plant showcased their expansion and odor control efforts to nearly 20 residents during an informative public tour.
The construction of new homes nearby has made controlling odors important for everyone living and working nearby. When the plant was originally built, the area was zoned for agriculture/industrial use and the plant was situated by a dairy and a green waste facility, according to plant officials.
In 2014, WRCRWA received $72 million to fund an expansion of the treatment plant. The expansion expects to increase the cleansing of 8 million gallons of water per day to 14 million gallons by 2017.
Officials say that the plant is undergoing state-of-the-art enhancements to minimize odors and to expand the facility to treat more water to provide long term water supply reliability in the region.
Throughout the tour, WRCRWA employees demonstrated how the fusion of natural elements and engineering will assist them in recycling water and eliminating unpleasant odors.
For example, in one section of the tour, an employee stated that the plant relies on UV light to help disinfect water.
The plant has currently set odor neutralizing mister systems over the tops of digesters and biosolid pipes that release a liquid fragrance to cover up the smell emitting from the sewage. Trees have been planted to create a windblock, and tarps around biosolid loading structures were installed in September. They are also looking into adding air blowers with ducts to better direct contained odors within the tarps to the carbon filters.
Plant employees are also sent out to the nearby neighborhood to check for odors that may be emanating from the plant.
Officials also noted that they are working on converting the digesters to a new, anaerobic process, which is a process that uses no oxygen, from an aerobic process, which uses oxygen. This change will ultimately help minimize odors as the converted digesters will be totally enclosed, officials said in a statement released in December.
Air scrubbers that date back to 1998 will be replaced as part of the expansion, which should be completed by the summer of 2017.
They also encourage the community to join them in future tours, which are held quarterly and provide an insightful look at the site’s operations and latest improvements.
WRCRWA also asks residents to contact them if they experience any foul odors coming from the plant.
During daytime working hours (M-F, 7 am – 4 pm) call 951-789-5189. Outside working hours and weekends, call 951-212-5288. For updates on expansion progress, visit WRCRWA’s webpage at http://www.wrcrwa.org.
Chino School Placed on Lockdown
Photo courtesy: Chino PD
Staff Reports
CHINO – A man who ran from police prompted one Chino Valley Unified School District school to be placed on lockdown Thursday, Jan. 7, Chino police said.
Larry Lopez, 46 of Chino, who was stopped for a minor traffic infraction on Thursday, was able to get away and was believed to have barricaded himself into his home on San Antonio Avenue near Rhodes Elementary school.
Around 10 a.m., Schafer and San Antonio Avenues were closed and Rhodes Elementary was put on lock-down while police tried to get Lopez to surrender, officials said.
At 11:37 a.m., the school district posted on their Facebook page that the school was placed on locked due to police activity in the area. Afternoon Kindergarten classes were cancelled.
Officers deployed a flash bang at the house at 1:45 p.m. in attempt to make contact with the suspect. Police broke into the house at 3 p.m. and found that Lopez had evaded them.
The school district posted regular updates on their social media pages to keep public informed. Parents were also notified by a phone blast message by the school’s Principal Dr. Freed. Updates were also posted on Facebook.
The lockdown was lifted at regular dismissal time of 3:20 p.m. Dismissal took place at Cypress Trails Park, next to the school.
Dr. Freed thanked parents for their patience and commended students and teachers for their outstanding cooperation with police.
“We did the best we could while working in partnership with Chino Police,” she said. “Every decision was made with the safety of students as the number one goal.”
Lopez was apprehended the next morning at his home on San Antonio Avenue. He was taken to the West Valley Detention Center and booked for felony evading and an outstanding prior warrant.
Create the Future of DB Parks
Jan. 21 Workshop Seeks Residents Input
Staff Reports
DIAMOND BAR– In a countywide effort to determine park and recreation needs, the city of Diamond Bar is asking residents to give their input in shaping the future of city parks during a public workshop Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
“We know that access to parks is so important to the health and quality of life of all communities. And, it is so important for all LA County residents to attend these meetings and tell us what they believe the priorities for park and open space should be,” the Park Needs Assessment Project Director for the County Department of Parks and Recreation Rita Robinson said in a press release.
Held at the Diamond Bar Center, city officials say that the workshop will help decision makers and residents better understand Diamond Bar’s nine parks and recreational facilities, as well as community programs and services. Diamond Bar Center is located at 1600 Grand Avenue.
Comments and suggestions gathered from the workshop will be submitted to the County of Los Angeles as part of a Countywide Comprehensive Park and Recreation Needs Assessment. The assessment period will run through February.
According to county officials, the assessment will identify need based on park acreage, park access, park use, park condition, and the number and type of park amenities available in communities.
“It’s absolutely critical that all residents across Los Angeles County have access to thriving, high quality parks. For the first time, this assessment will allow us to truly understand the park needs of every community within the county,” Robinson added.
A two-question online survey is available on the county’s website, http://www.lacountyparkneeds.org/survey, for those unable to attend the workshop.
A final report with findings and estimated costs from the assessment will be presented to the County Board of Supervisors in May.
Groundbreaking at Fire Station 31
Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography
City officials and CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department personnel take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking on Dec. 8 for Eastvale’s Fire Station No. 31.
By Emily Aguilar
The groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 31 made December 8 a special day in Eastvale. Although Eastvale already has one fire station on Hamner Avenue, the city decided that it would be best to build a second fire station on Chandler Avenue to serve the western portion of the city. Construction has already started and should be completed within the next year or so. Numerous guests, ranging from city officials to Cal Fire firefighters, were invited to commemorate the groundbreaking in a city that makes safety a “number one priority”.
The ceremony proved to be an event praising Eastvale’s “smart, progressive” steps toward public safety. A passionate Cal Fire Chief John Hawkins opened his statement by speaking about the recent terrorist attacks that have devastated the country. He stated that we as Americans must not “run fearfully” from cowards who want to deprive the country of peace. Chief Hawkins said that he regards Eastvale as a “lead horse” that leads its citizens towards safety, and he praised officials for caring deeply about those who inhabit the city. To conclude the speech, he stated that he and his workers feel like it is an honorable obligation to ensure that city residents receive the safety they expect and deserve. His speech was met with applause.
The city also received two certificates of recognition from Assemblyman Eric Linder and Senator Roth. Mayor Ike Bootsma took a moment to thank construction planning personnel, Cal Fire, and city members for working with the city to plan the construction of the fire station, emphasizing once again that it is the city’s obligation to attend to the “growing needs” of the community.
Photo by: City of Eastvale/JAB Photography
Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma and City Manager Michelle Nissen stand proudly next to a CAL FIRE engine truck at the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s second fire station.
Students Beat the Odds
Photo courtesy of Chino Valley USD
Courtesy of Chino Valley Unified
Chino Valley – A foster youth who had to overcome much adversity is the first Buena Vista Continuation High student qualified to go straight to a four-year college from the high school, according to Principal Rigoberto Vasquez.
Steven Beadle, 17, of Chino, has been accepted at Cal State, Stanislaus, and has also applied to Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and Cal State Fullerton. Another Buena Vista student, Destiny Miguel, also recently qualified to go to a four-year college. She and Steven were honored by the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education at its Jan. 7 meeting.
This month, Steven will take a Spanish class at Chaffey College’s Chino campus while still enrolled at Buena Vista. Steven plans to major in sociology or criminal justice at a four-year college and pursue a career as a police officer in Texas or Colorado. “I’m very passionate about public safety,” he said. “I’d like to help on the streets.”
He practices Krav Maga, a self-defense system developed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), that consists of a combination of techniques from aikido, judo, boxing, and wrestling, along with realistic fight training. He also recently took a ride-along with a Chino Police officer to get an idea what it would be like to work in law enforcement. Steven said he is driven to succeed because, as a foster child for the last three years, he has seen a lot of youth in that system fail. “I don’t want to be one of those,” he said. “They don’t take advantage of what they are given to help them.” He also said he’s learned to stay away from drugs, which he believes is often a downfall for youth in foster care.
Steven was behind on his coursework when he transferred to Buena Vista 18 months ago. He was a sophomore with only 158 credits towards the 225 needed to graduate. He is now at 206 credits. Although he is expected to soon have enough credits to graduate from high school, he plans to stay in school until June to make sure he has all the A-G credits required for the California State University system. Principal Vasquez said he believes Steven is the first BV student to qualify for a four-year college because courses taught at the school were not approved as college preparatory until a couple of years ago, when former counselor Anna Fierro-Purcell “took it upon herself to have all of our courses submitted and approved.” Fierro-Purcell is now an assistant principal at Chino Hills High. “As a result, Steven’s courses taken at Buena Vista are accepted now by Cal State and University of California universities,” Mr. Vasquez said. “Steven is the first, and we have an additional two students who may be accepted by late February or early March. Steven turned in his college application very early.”
Winning Ticket Sold in Chino Hills
Photo courtesy of Facebook
7-11 clerk celebrates winning ticket
By Carol Heyen
CHINO HILLS– Lady Luck struck Chino Hills on Wednesday night, after it was announced that a winning Powerball ticket had been bought at the 7-11 convenience store on Chino Hills Parkway and Pipeline Avenue.
Chino Hills’ residents eagerly checked their tickets after it was announced that the winning ticket was bought in the city. Ashley Wagenhoffer, a Chino Hills resident, admitted to checking her tickets “more times than I’d like to admit.”
The winner has not come forward, but Chino Hillians were still cheering on their city. The 7-11 was swarmed by residents eager to celebrate the win with shop owners. The store will receive a $1 million bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The ticket, worth approximately $528 million, was one of three winning tickets sold for this week’s record $1.5 billion Powerball drawing. The other winning tickets were sold in Tennessee and Florida. This was the largest lottery prize ever offered in North America.
For every $1 in lottery sales, half goes to prize winnings, 40 percent goes to education and 10 percent goes to the retailers who sell the tickets and administrative costs.
Eastvale: Coyote Attacks on the Rise
Photo courtesy of Christopher Martin Photography
By Carol Heyen
EASTVALE-Coyote spotting has become commonplace in Eastvale and the Inland Empire. Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and wild rabbits for food, but they have seemed to acquire a taste for our pets the last few years.
As wild spaces are developed, coyotes are being pushed out of their wild habitats and into our backyards. Attacks that have resulted in severe injury or death to pet cats and dogs have occurred all around Eastvale in the last few months -near the River Trail, close to Harada, Vandermolen and Ronald Reagan Elementary schools, and in the Avonlea neighborhood.
Coyotes are opportunists by nature, and they will take advantage of every possibility for food that is presented. Coyotes are attracted to garbage cans, fruit trees (and the rodents who feed on the fallen fruit) and of course, our pets. What can you do to keep your beloved Fido and Fluffy safe?
Neighboring cities and the Inland Valley Humane Society have released a list of strategies to help:
- Securing garbage in tightly-closed containers
- Removing sources of water
- Locking pets inside at night
- Trimming shrubbery, as to not give the coyotes any hiding places
- Never let your dog off-leash in wild areas – Coyotes sometimes hunt in packs and have been known to lure dogs into ambushes
Other common-sense measures include not trying to tame the coyotes (or any other wild animal), and keeping your dog on a short leash while walking. Never leave small children or pets alone in your yard- coyotes can easily jump a 6-foot wall or fence, and there have been many dogs and cats in Eastvale and the surrounding areas that have been attacked while in their own backyard.
Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk. They will be even more active in the next few months as they will need to find food and water for the pups that will be born this spring. If you come in contact with a coyote, raise your hands above your head, making yourself seem as large as possible, and shout loudly or throw something, like a rock, to scare it off. Garden hoses, air horns, pepper spray and whistles are also good deterrents, according to the Indefinitely Wild website.
If coyotes are afraid of human contact, and they don’t have any readily-available food or water sources, they may stay away from our neighborhoods. Until then, be vigilant to keep your pets and families safe.
Mt. SAC Spring Registration Begins
By Mike Taylor, Mt. SAC
WALNUT– Online registration for Mt. San Antonio College’s spring semester credit classes began Jan. 13. Classes begin on Monday, Feb. 22.
All credit students must register for classes online through the My Mt. SAC Portal at my.mtsac.edu. New students must submit an admission application online. For students who do not have computer access, computers and assistance are available in the Student Services Center during business hours. The Admissions Office is open now Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Before registering, new students are required to activate their personal Mt. SAC portal account through the My Mt. SAC Portal at my.mtsac.edu. Instructions on how to do this, along with a username, are sent to the new student’s email address the student used when applying to the college. Through the portal.mtsac.edu, students will be able to view their registration date and time but will not be allowed to register before their assigned time. New students must also sign up for their assessment tests at the Assessment Center. Appointments can be made at www.mtsac.edu/assessment, by calling (909) 274-4265, or in person at the Assessment Center.
Students are urged to prepare for assessment testing by reviewing the information available on the Assessment Center webpage.
In addition, new students must also sign up for the required new student orientation session before registering for classes. For more information about required orientation sessions, call the Mt. SAC Counseling Department at (909) 274-4380.
The enrollment fee is $46 per unit for California residents, and all fees are due upon registration.
For more registration information, call the Mt. SAC Admissions & Records Office at (909) 274-4415, or visit www.mtsac.edu
Tips from Deputy Myers
Deputy Myers
How to prepare for emergency situations
By Deanna Myers
We all have ups and downs in our lives. But, the beautiful thing about the New Year is you get a fresh new slate to build on what you have already achieved and revise things that may not have worked out. This idea can also be used when thinking about the safety of your family. Whether your family is big or small, there should be conversations about how to handle different situations.
Communicating with your loved ones regarding what to do in an emergency situation is a great practice to get into. The more practice and open conversation you have, the better prepared everyone will be when faced with an untimely event. For example, do the members of your family know what to do if they are involved in a car accident? Do they know what information needs to be exchanged? Do they know who their insurance provider is? Do they need a police report or not? These were questions that often were asked of me when responding to crashes. The answers are simple- you are required to “Exchange information” Okay, what does that mean? Talk with the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information (including policy numbers), make/model/year of the vehicles involved, and when and where the crash took place. As for needing a police report – Did you know they are NOT required by your insurance providers? Also, if your vehicle can be moved out of the roadway into a safer place to talk with the other party involved, it is OK to do so? When you are involved in a minor traffic collision, your insurance company will investigate the collision and determine who is at fault. A report taken by law enforcement is literally a statement of the information provided by both drivers involved-nothing more.
Everyday incidents such as traffic collisions are not where the conversation should stop with your family. Pertinent emergency information is always good to review. Some of these things include, but are not limited to the following: phone numbers, not just listed in a cell phone but memorized, because sometimes a cell phone gets damaged and you don’t have access to the information in them; addresses of family or close friends; doctors names; medications being taken; escape routes from your home in an emergency; the true uses of 9-1-1; and the non-emergency number for law enforcement. Knowing who to call when you need help is priceless.
Deanna Myers is the Volunteer and Programs Coordinator for the Jurupa Valley Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that services the Eastvale Police Department. She has been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for about eight years, and most recently was assigned to patrol within the City of Eastvale before moving into her current position, where she is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch program for the City of Eastvale.
Corona Mail Theft Suspect Strikes Again
Staff Reports
Photo courtesy of Yorba Linda P.D.
– A Corona man was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on December 18, 2015, for being in possession of mail and packages from dozens of residents of Anaheim Hills, Diamond Bar and Corona. Some of the stolen mail included Christmas cards. The man was cited for the same type of theft two weeks prior, but was released after his sentence was reduced because of the Proposition 47 law. The man was not identified by police.
Proposition 47, passed in November 2014, allows many nonviolent crimes to be categorized as misdemeanors instead of felonies, thus reducing sentences for offenders. Crimes that are reduced include writing bad checks, petty theft, forgery, grand theft under $950, and some drug-related offenses.
Nominations Close Jan. 19 for 3 Walnut Council Seats
Staff Reports
WALNUT– January 19 is the deadline for people interested in running for city council seats in the spring election to submit nomination papers and get their names on the ballot.
The elections on April 12 will focus on three city council seats, currently held by Tony Cartagena, Eric Ching and Nancy Tragarz.
According to City Clerk Teresa De Dios, Ching and Tragarz have already pulled nomination papers. But there is still time for candidates to submit papers.
Nominating petitions must be filed at Walnut’s City Clerk office by Thursday, Jan. 19, at 5 pm. Candidate handbooks are available at the City Clerk’s Office inside City Hall. Cost is $25 to submit nomination papers and will take approximately 30 minutes to process. Members will serve a full four-year term, beginning April 2016 and ending April 2020.
The nomination period for these offices began on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015. Qualified candidates must be 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a registered voter residing within the Walnut city limits. All candidates are requested to make an appointment to obtain or return nomination papers by calling the City Clerk’s Office at (909) 595-7543, ext. 311.
If an incumbent does not file, the nomination period will be extended to Wednesday, January 20, 2016. If no one or only one person is nominated for an elective office, appointment to the elective office may be made as prescribed by the Elections Code of the State of California No. 10229.
The polls will be open on April 12 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Campaign statements will be posted on the City’s website: www.ci.walnut.ca.us.
Bootsma Named Eastvale Mayor for Fourth Time
Photo by JAB Photography
Staff Reports
Eastvale – The City Council has selected Ike Bootsma as its mayor and Joseph Tessari as its mayor pro tem for 2016.
Each December, the council selects a new mayor and mayor pro tem from among its five members. Bootsma, a retired cattleman, has served on the council since its incorporation in 2010.
The appointments to the one-year terms took effect immediately during the Dec. 9 council meeting.
In a city-issued press release, Bootsma said he is proud and honored to be selected by the city council to continue to serve as mayor.
“I look forward to working with the community for the best interest of Eastvale,” Bootsma added.
Tessari says he is honored to have been chosen as mayor pro tem and will do his best to maintain the growth and prosperity of the community.
Both mayors are to serve a one-year term in their assigned positions.
Eastvale residents are encouraged to meet their mayor and new mayor pro-tem by attending a regular City Council meeting held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 6:30 p.m. Council meetings are held at Rosa Parks Elementary, 13830 Whispering Hills Drive.
Snow Coming to Diamond Bar
Photo courtesy: City of Diamond Bar
Staff Reports
Diamond Bar – Snow days don’t come very often to sunny Southern California, but the city of Diamond Bar has solved this winter dilemma by bringing snow – nearly 100 tons of snow – into their own backyard with the annual Winter Snow Fest on Saturday, Jan. 16.
City officials say that over 100 tons of snow will be hauled from local mountains and dumped at Pantera Park for Saturday’s winter wonderland from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Snow revelers will enjoy sledding down one of four snow hills. There will be plenty of snow for making snowballs, snow angels and snowmen in a designated area. Other activities include arts and crafts, game booths, and photos with Flurry the Sledding Penguin.
Admission and snow play is free; the cost to play up to four games is $1 and the cost for unlimited sledding is $5. Only cash is accepted.
Local nonprofits will be operating a number of food booths selling a variety of savory fares, drinks and snacks, while local schools and youth performance groups will be providing nonstop entertainment on stage.
Pantera Park is located at 738 Pantera Drive. As a reminder, dogs (except registered service animals) and other pets are not permitted. For more information, call 909-839-7000 or visit www.diamondbarca.gov/wsf.
El Niño: Eastvale Preparedness
Photo courtesy: City of Eastvale
By Valerie Gutierrez
Eastvale – After several months of preparations for El Niño by local agencies, Southern California received the first storm of the year rattling the region causing strong winds, flooding, mudslides and road closures.
Although the city of Eastvale is being responsible for maintaining the storm drains, channels and ditches clean for sufficient water to flow by, the city did receive minor flooding due to heavy rainfall.
“We were out in the field during the storm to monitor and learn firsthand what the affects would be,” Eastvale’s Deputy City Engineer Joe Indrawan said. “We observed where actual water accumulates and we are taking proper measurements by adding catch basin inlets to eliminate these issues in the future should it happen again.”
City officials also point out that they worked together with the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) to ensure that James Huber Park and Harada Park, which temporarily hold excess stormwater, were properly cleaned and functional.
During this potentially strong El Niño, in the event of minor flooding, Eastvale residents may protect their homes by securing them with sandbags.
The city’s Public Information Officer Daniella McClister says that sandbags will be available for residents to pick up at Fire Station No. 27 located at 7067 Hamner Ave.
Reminders for those needing sandbags:
- Residents picking up sandbags must show proof of Eastvale residency by providing a valid ID and recent utility bill.
- Sandbags will be distributed per household in rolls of ten bags.
- Sandbags are self-service only.
- Available while supplies last.
The city started their emergency preparedness since June 2015, according to the city’s Senior Administrative Analyst Tamar Irwin.
Irwin mentioned that the city has undertaken several preparedness activities including multiple meetings with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Corona-Norco Unified School District and city of Chino to name a few.
McClister says that all city personnel is FEMA and NIMs trained in the event that the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) needs to be activated.
“Some staff, council and commissioners are CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trained,” McClister added.
CERT is a program that teaches citizens how to approach an emergency or disaster situation by bringing the community together to help one another. The next free CERT Training will be held on Jan. 29-31.
Chino Valley Students March in 2016 Rose Parade
Photo courtesy: CVUSD
Chino High students Topanga Betke (left), August Decker-Curry, and Kayla Arcoverde were among the five Chino Valley Unified School District students who participated in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 as part of the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band.
A Rosy Beginning for the New Year
Staff Reports
Chino Valley – Five high school students from Chino Valley Unified School District celebrated the New Year in style – marching down Colorado Boulevard in the 127th Tournament of Roses Parade.
Don Lugo High School students Anthony Erroa (alto saxophone) and Alana Pineda (color guard) and Chino High’s August Decker-Curry (trumpet), Topanga Betke (tall flag) and Kayla Arcoverde (banner) participated in Southern California’s New Year’s tradition as members of the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band.
Over 600 high school students audition each year for the 200-plus spots in the band and pageantry, according to the pageant organizers.
After an intense audition and weeks of endurance training and practice, these students now have bragging rights as part of an elite group of performers that marched the famed six-mile route in Pasadena. The Pasadena City College Honor Band has participated in the Rose Parade since 1930.
“The students will have marched over 25 miles in rehearsal before they step on to the parade route on January 1,” the pageant website noted. “This is one reason why the Tournament of Roses Honor Band looks and sounds as good at the end of the parade as they do at the beginning.”
Coyote Attacks on the Rise
Photo courtesy of Christopher Martin Photography
By Carol Heyen
DIAMOND BAR-Coyote spotting has become commonplace in Diamond Bar and the Inland Empire. Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and wild rabbits for food, but they have seemed to acquire a taste for our pets the last few years.
As wild spaces are developed, coyotes are being pushed out of their wild habitats and into our backyards. Attacks that have resulted in severe injury or death to pet cats and dogs have occurred all around Diamond Bar in the last few months, including near Pantera Park, off of Brea Canyon Road, and close to Golden Springs Drive.
Coyotes are opportunists by nature, and they will take advantage of every possibility for food that is presented. Coyotes are attracted to garbage cans, fruit trees (and the rodents who feed on the fallen fruit) and of course, our pets. What can you do to keep your beloved Fido and Fluffy safe?
Neighboring cities and the Inland Valley Humane Society have released lists of strategies to help.
• Securing garbage in tightly-closed containers
• Removing sources of water
• Locking pets inside at night
• Trimming shrubbery, as to not give the coyotes any hiding places
• Never let your dog off-leash in wild areas – Coyotes sometimes hunt in packs and have been known to lure dogs into ambushes
Other common-sense measures include not trying to tame the coyotes (or any other wild animal), and keeping your dog on a short leash while walking. Never leave small children or pets alone in your yard- coyotes can easily jump a 6-foot wall or fence, and there have been many dogs and cats in Diamond Bar and the surrounding areas that have been attacked while in their own backyard.
Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk. They will be even more active in the next few months as they will need to find food and water for the pups that will be born this spring. If you come in contact with a coyote, raise your hands above your head, making yourself seem as large as possible, and shout loudly or throw something, like a rock, to scare it off. Garden hoses, air horns, pepper spray and whistles are also good deterrents, according to the website Indefinitely Wild.
If coyotes are afraid of human contact, and they don’t have any readily-available food or water sources, they may stay away from our neighborhoods. Until then, be vigilant to keep your pets and families safe.
Eastvale City Council Report
By Emily Aguilar
The city council heard lots of ideas from a range of sources — from students to professionals — during its regular council meetings in December. The agenda included several commission appointments as well as a request to amend a section of the Ranch at Eastvale’s Specific Plan to create more street space.
To begin the evening, Eastvale Community Foundation’s Sharon Link previewed a few events that residents can look forward to in 2016, such as the State of the City event to be held on Tuesday, April 5. Link also stated that the Annual Sponsorship Drive will begin in January, and that applications are now open to those interested in being a sponsor.
Next, a Public Safety Commission representative stated that they are looking at distributing safety liaisons throughout the school district. They also wanted to recognize Student Resource Officer Deputy Chad Thompson, who apprehended a homeless man asleep on a CNUSD campus in late 2015.
The council then took a moment to recognize local boy and girl scout troops for their contributions and active participation in the community. The council also awarded John Canvot, who has diligently worked to improve Eastvale’s growing communities.
After the small award ceremony, the council moved on to appointing a new mayor and mayor pro tem; Ike Bootsma and Joseph Tessari were unanimously selected. The council also announced their appointments for the Planning Commission, which included Karen S. Patel, Howard Feng, Daryl Charleson, Larry Oblea, and Bill Van Leeuwen. The council then announced the appointees for the Public Safety Commission: David Flores, Anwer Khan, Christopher Hook, Sean Parilla, and Christian DeCosta. These appointments were motioned for approval. The council then announced their regional appointments, including the Western Riverside Council of Governments, Regional Conservation Authority, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Southern California Association of Governments, and Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District. Each member also stated which sub-committee they would appoint; which included the Eastvale Finance Committee, School Committee, Economic Development Committee, Eastvale Parks Commission, City Hall Relocation Sub-Committee, I-15 Interchange Design Committee, Fire Station Design Committee, and the Library Committee. These appointments were motioned for approval by the council.
Julia Sung announced the upcoming events that local schools will be able to look forward to before the end of the school year. One of the events mentioned was Eleanor Roosevelt High’s Winterfest, which was held on December 12. She also mentioned that River Heights Intermediate School (RHIS) is asking for donations to fund their Positive Behavior Program — a program that awards students for good behavior, such as earning good grades.
For the Public Comment section of the evening, Wives of Law Enforcement and Firefighters (WOLFF) representative Dani Medrano presented Mayor Bootsma with a plaque to honor the city’s dedication in respecting and protecting those who make it an obligation to keep the city safe. Afterwards, RHIS ASB leader Catherine Green asked if people were willing to make donations to support the school’s Adopt a Soldier Campaign. The campaign is centered on mailing gifts to soldiers currently serving in Iraq, and the ASB committee is eager to bring joy to those who continue to defend the country.
All items on the consent calendar were approved, so the council decided to listen to the Public Hearings. The first item, the consideration of the Leal Master Plan, was taken off the agenda list. The following item was a recommendation to repeal ordinance 859 and adopt a personal water efficient landscaping model for the new Eastvale homes. Because of California’s drought, the state requires every city to organize a water ordinance (a plan to regulate and retain water) by the end of the year. Cities failing to do so will have to adopt a state-organized water ordinance, which would not benefit the city because the plan would most likely not address personal conflicts the city needs to address when it comes to water usage. Eastvale’s water ordinance plan would apply to the development of landscape areas that are 2,500 square feet, and will include sprinkler and nozzle efficiency as well as less turf grass. The council motioned the idea. The final item was a request to amend a section of the Ranch at Eastvale’s Specific Plan. The Ranch will be located at Hellman and Limonite. It was asked that the Ranch’s design be minimized in order to create more streets in the area. The council approved the recommendation, which will ultimately reduce the plan from 2.2 million square feet to approximately 1.8 million square feet.
Following the Public Hearing, the council then changed focus over to the business items. The first item was a request for Eastvale to fund the reconstruction of the bridge over the Santa Ana River going into Norco via Hamner. The bridge, which was first built in 1939, is in need of being replaced as a result of its structural deterioration, hydraulic deficiencies, and its inability to support heavy traffic. The proposed bridge is set to include 4 to 6 lanes, sidewalks, multi-purpose lanes, and channel improvements to support the rising of water. Overall, Eastvale would have to pay a cost not exceeding $240,000 for the next three years. The idea, though necessary, did not sit well with the council, who agreed that they did not see the need to pay for a project Norco should be taking care of. After some discussion, the council decided to set the proposal aside and discuss it in the future during a joint meeting with Norco. Although this item was not motioned, the recommendation to approve an agreement for Fire Station No. 31 to execute testing laboratory services with Geocon West Inc. was approved.
Before concluding the meeting, the council members took a moment to share their committee reports: Adam Rush announced that on Dec. 4, Perris celebrated the inauguration of its first public transportation ride, and Clint Lorimore announced that California Gold would be hosting an event in Los Angeles on Jan. 7. Finally, the council members wished everyone happy holidays and adjourned the meeting.
Regular City Council Meetings: 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month
Location: Rosa Parks Elementary 13830 Whispering Hills Drive, Eastvale, CA 92880
Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra Delivers Holiday Magic
Photo by Michael Armijo
City of Walnut Mayor Bob Pacheco welcomed guests to an evening of “Holiday Magic” at Walnut High School Performing Arts Center.
By Monique Valadez
WALNUT – More than 200 members of the Walnut Valley Symphony & Master Chorale (WVSO) and the Diamond Bar High School Symphony Orchestra entertained its audience with a winter concert “Holiday Magic” Dec. 29 at Walnut High School Performing Arts Center.
Walnut city officials in attendance said that the WVSO and Diamond Bar High School truly provided a magical night and remain true to their mission to create a community tradition of maintaining and fostering music at the highest level of creativity.
The annual holiday concert, led by Conductor Sey Ahn, sought to ring in the holiday season with festive holiday music from Christmas carols to holiday stories.
The concert hall was filled with sounds from “The First Noel,” “Away in the Manger,” “O Holy Night,” and “A Merry Christmas.”
The audience was also enchanted with dramatic versions of “Ave Maria,” performed by Bess De Guzman-Valenzuela and “All Is Well” performed by Cristina Elise Pacheco, founding board member and director of the Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale.
“The pleasure of hearing the beautiful music [the WVSO] create makes our holiday period so special,” said Walnut Mayor Bob Pacheco, who is a WVSO board member and proud father of Soloist/Soprano Cristina Pacheco.
Guests were also treated to a special performance by the nationally-acclaimed Diamond Bar High School Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Steve Acciani. The Diamond Bar High School Orchestra recently won the National School Orchestra Finals at New York’s Lincoln Center and is composed of 9th through 12th grade student string players.
Diamond Bar city officials say that events such as this, which shine a spotlight on local arts and music programs and showcase our community’s young musicians’ talent, are of great value and importance as they contribute in a positive way to our quality of life.
Photo by Michael Armijo
Soprano Cristina Elise Pacheco, founding WVSO board member, performs “All Is Well” during the annual winter concert Dec. 29.
Eastvale Community News Complete Edition January 2016
The Eastvale Community News covers local news for Eastvale, Norco, Corona, and Chino. Click the following link to access the complete issue in pdf format: 2015-12-EastvaleNews-WEB
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