Chino Hills: Unauthorized Curb Painter Alert

Staff Reports

Chino Hills – Some Chino Hills residents are receiving flyers indicating that street addresses are being painted on the curbs in their neighborhoods.

According to City officials, these street address painters have not been authorized by the City to paint street addresses on the curbs. The notices typically do not contain any contact information, nor do they have an approved business license to operate legally in Chino Hills. In some cases, the notices ask the resident to take action if they do NOT want the service. At other times, the notices ask residents to request the service by completing the form and taping it to the curb. Some notices request payment before the curbs are painted.

“It is illegal for these companies to paint the street address on the curb because curbs are City property,” said Ben Montgomery, Deputy City Manager. “Police and Code Enforcement staff make every attempt to stop this illegal activity. However, it can be very difficult to catch them in the act.”

Residents are under no obligation to hire curb painters and should not feel compelled to pay for any service they have not requested. Residents with questions may call Code Enforcement at (909) 364-2757.

There Is Beauty In Our Brokenness

Mark Lee NewBy Pastor Mark Lee

In 2002, a reality show involving dramatic home improvements debuted.  Every week, viewers would tune into ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover to watch as rundown residences were transformed into impressive works of art.  More often than not, the construction crew would have to completely demolish the existing building before an amazing new establishment could be built.

One of the key elements highlighted in each Extreme Home Makeover episode was the reason behind the home’s disrepair.  Even though the featured families were decent human beings, they had fallen on hard times.  Whether it was because of a natural disaster, a financial crisis, or a devastating illness, these unfortunate people had found themselves unable to make the necessary repairs.

In many ways, our lives are similar to home maintenance.  Usually, we don’t have a problem fulfilling our responsibilities, nurturing our relationships, and taking care of our personal needs.  But at some point, we also encounter times of crisis.  Whether caused by something beyond our control or the result of our own poor choices, our lives can suddenly and unexpectedly fall into disrepair.

While it is very hard to embrace these troubles, the reality is that hard times are often necessary.  Just as the construction team on Extreme Home Makeover has to tear down an existing structure before replacing it with a masterpiece, our personal and spiritual brokenness needs to occur before we can transform into stronger, more mature individuals,

Matthew 5:3 tells us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Although it is difficult to navigate a major crisis, there is always beauty in our brokenness.  Sometimes you have to tear down a shack before building a mansion.

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

New Life

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

The Ninth Ward in New Orleans is filled with contrasts.  The upper and lower Ninth Ward were one of the areas of the City that were the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina ten years ago.

Recently a team from our church spent a week helping with the ongoing rebuilding effort in New Orleans.  As we drove and walked through some of these neighborhoods, I noticed several things.

On some streets you might see empty lots where houses once stood.  The foundations and concrete steps might be the only things that remain.  There were also broken down homes that had been destroyed by the flood waters and abandoned by their owners.   Roofs had collapsed, windows were gone and vines weeds had taken over these homes.

But among the empty lots and abandoned homes, new houses are being constructed and older homes are being rebuilt. New life is emerging from the destruction and desolation of Hurricane Katrina.

I enjoyed meeting some of the people living in the Ninth Ward.  Each one had their personal story of how they survived the hurricane.  Some were remarkable.  Others were amazing.

These were friendly people who expressed their appreciation for the nationwide response to help rebuild their neighborhoods.  It was a privilege to have a small part in this ongoing effort.

The Bible is filled with amazing accounts of people who found new life and a second chance through the grace and love of God.  Even today, many people who have have experienced heartaches and hurricanes in their own lives have found help and hope in the pages of the Bible.

If you are going through a stormy season in your life, let me encourage you to dust off your Bible and read through the Psalms in the Old Testament and the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament.  These and many other books in the Bible are filled with words of hope and new life.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Eastvale: Shopping Area Special Enforcement

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Over a period of several weeks, the Eastvale Police Department received several calls from residents concerning vehicle burglaries and thefts in the shopping areas located in the area of Hamner Avenue and Limonite Avenue. In response to community concerns, the Eastvale Police Special Enforcement Team (SET) Officers worked closely with Eastvale Patrol Officers and Eastvale Investigators to begin several special enforcement operations in the shopping areas near Limonite Avenue and Hamner Avenue in the city of Eastvale.

Over a period of several weeks, multiple people were taken into custody for various theft and narcotic-related violations. Of those detained, two notable arrests occurred during this enforcement operation.

On June 18, plainclothes Officers witnessed a suspect breaking into a locked vehicle located in an Eastvale shopping center. Officers immediately took that suspect into custody.

On June 22, a suspect was arrested in an Eastvale shopping center for an arrest warrant. That arrest led Officers to a residence in Eastvale, resulting in the confiscation of a large amount of narcotics and the recovery of stolen property that was linked to a theft from a vehicle.

During this operation, Eastvale officers arrested Michael Cole, 29, of Corona, for parole violation; David Arroyo, 19, of Riverside, for possession of a controlled substance and burglary; and Willie Abarca, 40, of Eastvale, for possession of a controlled substance for sales.

The Eastvale Police Department will continue to conduct traditional and plainclothes enforcement in areas where crimes are reported and where enforcement activities are deemed to be most effective.

Anyone with questions regarding these incidents may contact Lieutenant Scott Forbes at the Eastvale Police Department at (951) 955-2600.

Photo courtesy: City of Eastvale

Michael Cole

Michael Cole

David Arroyo

David Arroyo

Willie Abarca

Willie Abarca

 

JCSD Successfully Refinances Special Tax Bonds

Tax savings for approximately 3,600 homes in Eastvale

 

Staff Reports

Jurupa Valley – The Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) has completed a refinancing of $45,685,000, for Series A in special tax bonds for four Community Facilities Districts (CFDs), and a refinancing of $19,090,000 for Series B in special tax bonds for eight CFDs.

Many new communities, such as Eastvale, require the construction of infrastructure such as parks and public facilities, street lights, and connections to water and sewer systems. CFDs levy special property taxes paid by homeowners for the construction of such infrastructure.

The CFDs included in the Series A refunding were Nos. 18, 19, 22 and 39. The CFDs that were included in the Series B refunding were Nos. 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 14, 24, and 29. The average reduction in the residential annual tax bill will range between $53 and $251 per parcel for Series A, and between $16 and $185 for Series B.

This refinancing is estimated to save residents approximately $248,213 of annual debt service savings for Series A, and $145,301 for Series B. The total payments over the life of the bond in today’s dollars are equivalent to approximately $5,455,153 in savings for the property owners of these 12 CFDs. As a result of the lower debt service payments, the homeowners in the following 12 CFDs will have a reduced special tax levy beginning with the upcoming December 2015 property tax bill:

Courtesy of the City of Eastvale

Courtesy of the City of Eastvale

The refinancing of existing CFD bonds does not extend the original terms of repayment to maximize the total interest savings for each resident of the CFD. This refinancing reflects JCSD’s ongoing commitment to maintain the lowest cost financing available for the CFD debt. JCSD reviews the CFD debt on an ongoing basis and refinances existing debt when there is an opportunity for savings.

The current round of refinancing was preceded by $33 million of CFD debt that JCSD refinanced in 2013, and $97 million in 2014. Those two refinancings produced a total of $15 million of savings, and generated more than $1,110,000 in annual debt service savings for those 15 CFDs.

The total combined amount refinanced is approximately 60% of the total CFD debt outstanding, saving Eastvale residents a total of $20.5 million over the lifetime of the outstanding bonds.

If you have any questions, please call the JCSD Finance Department at (951) 685-7434 extension 115.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 08.15.15

2015-Aug15-Weekly-COVERThe Weekly News covers community news for Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: 2015-Aug15-Weekly-WEB

To Make Smart School Lunches…

…think like a kid

 

By StatePoint

Making school lunch can feel like a thankless job, but it doesn’t have to be a major chore. Here are some ways to make school lunches successful, not stressful:

Don’t Over-Pack:  Does your child come home with untouched food? For a distracted youngster, lunchtime flies by in an instant. By the time the bell rings, little Suzie has barely peeled the top off her yogurt. Keep portions kid-sized and don’t include more than four or five items in the lunchbox.

Think Food Groups:  Think of the lunchbox as a four-piece puzzle. The basic components are protein, grain, fruit/vegetable and dairy.  Try making lunch kebobs with cold cut slices and chunks of cheese (your dairy and protein groups), add a handful of grapes (fruit) and a bagful of popcorn (grain). Or pack hummus, carrots and wheat pita (protein, grain and veggie), along with applesauce (fruit) and a cheese stick (dairy). Olives or pickles add extra flavor without too much extra fat or calories.

Let Them Assemble:  Pack individual ingredients kids can assemble, which makes them feel like they’re more in control of what they eat. For example, include a half bagel with a container of shredded mozzarella, tomato sauce and some sliced olives or pepperoni slices so they can make their own pizza. Add a piece of fruit to round out the meal.

Pick Portable Foods:  Nothing’s worse than a lunchbox explosion. Whenever possible, opt for dry foods and tight lids. Pack trail mix, dried fruit, granola bars or snacks in single-serve cups, such as Pearls Olives to Go! black, ripe pitted or sliced olives. Such foods usually have the added advantage of not spoiling, which means they can be saved for afternoon snacking.

Keep Snacks in the Car:  Kids always seem to want an afterschool snack. If home is a bit of a drive, keep snacks on hand. Nuts, trail mix, single-serve olive cups and fruit are better options for a ravenous child. Keep in mind, hungry kids are more likely to try novel foods they might otherwise be reluctant to try.

Get Input:  If your child is not eating enough, find out why. Ask your child to create a list of foods every few months, as tastes change and broaden. Add favorites to the rotation. Remember, just because your child eats a certain food at dinnertime doesn’t mean it will be a popular lunch item.

Get Cute:  If you’re feeling ambitious, cut sandwiches into shapes. Sliced cherry tomatoes or olives make easy eyes, buttons and mouths. A simple post-it note with a smiley face or “love you” will go a long way to brightening your child’s day.

Lunch isn’t rocket science, but creating meals children will love every day can get tricky. Simple strategies can help ensure kids return from school with empty lunch boxes and satisfied tummies.

For more tips, recipes and coupons, or to enter a lunch box promotion for a chance to win prizes, visit http://www.facebook.com/PearlsOlives.

Competitive Coverage To Meet Your Family’s Needs

Melanie Smith-Rice of State Farm Insurance in Norco.

Melanie Smith-Rice of State Farm Insurance in Norco.

Staff Reports

Norco – At the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office, 24-hour good neighbor service is at the forefront.  Smith-Rice is confident that she can meet your needs for all insurance and financial services, and promises to wow you with expert professional service.

A State Farm Agent since 1985 and a Corona resident since 1971, Smith-Rice understands the needs of the community and has worked hard to provide a palette of services that makes one-stop-shopping easy and affordable.  Along with Auto insurance, Smith-Rice provides Home Owners and Renters Insurance.

“A home is a big investment, so let’s make sure you have enough coverage at the right rate,” says Smith-Rice.  As well, protecting your personal property may be more affordable than you think.  “The average person has over $200,000 worth of stuff that is probably not covered under your landlord’s policy.  That’s where our State Farm Renters insurance comes into play,” she adds.

More important than the care of your property is the care of your family.  Along with Life Insurance, the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office can provide various types of health insurance, including Long-Term Care should you become unable to care for yourself.

And for the business owner, Smith-Rice says, “I understand the needs of a business owner like you.  Together we can help protect your business and plan a roadmap for your financial future.

As if all this weren’t enough, the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office can provide you with financial services such as Mutual Funds, Annuities, and even Banking (yes, Banking!), including Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, and Loans.

Don’t wait another minute to help ensure your family’s well being.  Call the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office today, and get peace of mind in return.  A staff of professional experts is standing by at (951) 734-5290, or Toll-Free at (888) 734-5292.  They are located at 2027 River Road in Norco, in the Stater Bros. shopping center at Second Street and River Road.

Pomona: Band Members Surprised

Pomona Unified receives $45,000 in donated instruments

Photo Courtesy: PUSD Seated in the center are Pomona Unified School District Board Member Frank Guzman, left, Superintendent Richard Martinez, Fairplex Vice President Dale Coleman and Board Member Dr. Roberta Perlman, who celebrated the new musical instruments, which were donated to the District’s middle schools and high schools by Live Nation and Fairplex on July 30.

Photo Courtesy: PUSD
Seated in the center are Pomona Unified School District Board Member Frank Guzman, left, Superintendent Richard Martinez, Fairplex Vice President Dale Coleman and Board Member Dr. Roberta Perlman, who celebrated the new musical instruments, which were donated to the District’s middle schools and high schools by Live Nation and Fairplex on July 30.

By Juliette Funes

Pomona – Nearly 100 band members from Pomona Unified’s high schools and middle schools were surprised with $45,000 in musical instruments – from oboes and saxophones to string basses and chrome chimes.  The students will be able to use their new instruments during their impressive performances, including their next big showcase at Pomona Day at the Los Angeles County Fair at Fairplex in September.

Thanks to a partnership between entertainment company, Live Nation, and Fairplex, more than 20 instruments were donated to band students at Diamond Ranch, Pomona, Garey and Ganesha high schools; and Fremont Academy, Lorbeer, Emerson and Simons middle schools, during a surprise ceremony on July 30 at Diamond Ranch High School.

“We are grateful to these two great partners for providing our students with this much-needed equipment, enabling us to bolster our music and arts programs and inspire students to pursue their creative talents,” said Board of Education President Andrew Wong. “We look forward to hearing the wonderful music they’ll be playing with these new instruments.”

The donation was made to underscore the importance of preserving music programs in public schools, according to Dale Coleman, a Pomona High School alum and Vice President of Business Growth and Development at Fairplex, who coordinated the donation.

Donated instruments include violins, bell stands, standard basses, clarinets and trombones.

“Music is a passion of these students and it such an important fabric of society and our culture,” said PUSD Superintendent Richard Martinez. “We are honored to be the recipients of this generous donation of instruments, many of which are unique and expensive, but essential for our band programs to continue growing and thriving.”

Foddrill Construction Corp.

Foddrill Logo BLACKwGOLDFounded in 1993, Foddrill Construction Corp. is a family owned business focused on providing excellence, safety, quality, and integrity with the highest degree of work ethic and customer service. Click on this PDF file for more information: Foddrill Brochure v6

Diamond Bar Council Recap

By Natalie H. Kim

Diamond Bar – Mayor Steve Tye began the Aug. 4 City Council meeting with a presentation for Diamond Bar’s own Alex Morgan, a Diamond Bar High School graduate, 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, and a member of the 2015 US Women’s World Cup Championship team.

Morgan’s “talent and determination took her from Diamond Bar’s park fields to the Olympic soccer fields,” Tye said, and announced that the Council has been in touch with Morgan and are currently planning a celebration with her in person. In the meantime, over 60 banners will be placed around the City in her honor, with special photo opportunity places for citizens to take pictures of themselves next to the banners and spread the hashtag, #DBLovesAlexMorgan over social media.

James DeStefano, the Diamond Bar City Manager announced that in the month of June, the Walnut Valley Water District reduced water use by 29%, exceeding the governor’s mandate that water use be reduced by 25% from 2015 through February 2016. Although specific numbers have not yet been released for Diamond Bar, DeStefano was able to determine through the City’s water bill that water reduction is at 55%.

Pui-Ching Ho, manager of the Diamond Bar Public Library, then addressed the Council to announce several educational events, including a workshop on using the library’s online learning programs on Aug. 19, and a workshop on new ways to store and file pictures on their phones or other devices on Aug. 29.

Afterward, the schedule of future events was read, announcing the last two Concerts in the Park/Movies Under the Stars. Aug. 5 will feature Cold Duck (70s Top 40) and Alice in Wonderland from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and Aug. 12 will feature Surfin’ (Tribute to the Beach Boys) and Finding Nemo, also from 6:30 to 8 p.m.  Both events will be held at Sycamore Canyon Park, 22930 Golden Springs Drive.

The Planning Commission Meeting on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. is facing cancellation due to lack of quorum. The Traffic and Transportation Commission Meeting will occur on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m., in the Windmill Community Room, and the next City Council meeting will occur on Aug. 18.

The Council approved all items on the Consent Calendar, including the minutes from the City Council meeting on July 21, the Planning Commission meetings of May 26 and June 23, and the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of June 25; ratification of check register totaling $954,300.44; and Treasurer’s Statement for the month of June 2015. The Council also adopted a resolution to support the Inland Valley Humane Society’s goal to eliminate euthanasia of healthy and adoptable dogs and an ordinance to expedite the permit process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

The Council concluded the meeting with reports and comments, and adjourned with plans to meet again on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the AQMD Auditorium at 21865 Copley Drive.

Orange County: Officers Arrest Bank Robbery Suspect

Photo Courtesy: SAPD Alleged Bank Robber, Dia Chanh Diep, 43

Photo Courtesy: SAPD
Alleged Bank Robber, Dia Chanh Diep, 43

Staff Reports

Santa Ana – On Tues., Aug. 4, at approximately 4:57 p.m., a male Asian suspect entered the Bank of America located at 102 W. 4th Street in Santa Ana.  He presented the teller with a note, which stated he had a gun and demanded money. Out of fear for her safety, the teller provided the suspect with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The suspect fled the location on foot.

With the assistance of Orange County Sheriff’s Air Support, “Duke,” the suspect was located and Officers were directed to the area of 600 W. Santa Ana Blvd.  When the Officers arrived, they were lead to a possible suspect by a security guard. The suspect was ultimately located and detained.

The suspect was positively identified during a field show-up as Dia Chanh Diep, 43, a transient. Money believed to have been taken in the robbery was located with the suspect.

Robbery Detectives and the FBI were both notified and assisted in the investigation. The suspect was arrested for bank robbery and booked at the Santa Ana Police Jail.

Photo Courtesy: SAPD Alleged Bank Robber, Dia Chanh Diep, 43

Photo Courtesy: SAPD
Alleged Bank Robber, Dia Chanh Diep, 43

Photo Courtesy: SAPD Alleged Bank Robber, Dia Chanh Diep, 43

Photo Courtesy: SAPD
Alleged Bank Robber, Dia Chanh Diep, 43

Corona Animal Shelter Moving

Help “Clear the Shelter” before the move

 

Photo Courtesy: Innercirclecorona.com

Photo Courtesy: Innercirclecorona.com

Staff Reports

Corona – The Corona Police Department is proud to announce the “soon to be” opening of the NEW Animal Shelter in the City of Corona. This new facility will be located at 1330 Magnolia Avenue, and will offer a larger amount of space, shelter, and kennels that are needed to better support the growing City.
This shelter will provide an increase in the overall total of dog kennels – including the number of public-view kennels – and it will also provide true isolation kennels for sick dogs and segregated secure kennels for aggressive dogs.

The new site will greatly increase security and improve the kennel layout, as it is designed to reduce noise and stress for impounded dogs, and have a larger space for an indoor cattery for feral cats. Inside, the new facility will have a much larger lobby to improve foot-traffic flow and eliminate crowding. In addition to these benefits, ease of access will be greatly enhanced as it is located near the Magnolia off-ramp of the I-15 freeway.
The City is excited about the new animal shelter, as this location will bring many benefits to the growing community.  They will begin operations at the new shelter on Aug. 24, with a formal “Grand Opening” scheduled for Sat., Sept. 12.  More information will soon be available regarding the grand opening festivities and schedule of events.
In preparation for the move, the shelter will be participating in a very special adoption event. Sat., Aug. 15 is “Clear the Shelters Day,” a national event sponsored by NBC Television. By adopting one of the great shelter pets at the current facility (located at 608 Harrington St.), you can help “Clear the Shelter.” They are also extending this one-day event and making it a week-long event through Sat., Aug. 22. Furry friends will have their bags packed, ready to move in with their new families.
Additionally, with the move to the new, larger facility, the Corona Animal Shelter will be expanding their Animal Services Volunteer Program. They are looking for people who are interested in volunteering their time in positions such as Adoption Support and Socialization Volunteer, Reception and Phone Support Volunteer, Maintenance Volunteer, Clerical Volunteer, and Rescue Coordinator. Visit www.discovercorona.com, and click on City Departments/ Police Department/Volunteers for information on how to apply and become a member of this committed team.

Diamond Bar: Locals Join Teach For America

Recent grads and career-changers commit to teach in high-need communities for educational equity

 

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Teach For America announced recently that two Diamond Bar locals have been accepted into the organization’s 2015 teaching corps.

Teach For America is a national nonprofit working to expand educational opportunity for students in low-income communities. Corps members commit to teach in high-need urban or rural public schools and become lifelong advocates for educational equity.

The Organization’s newest members are Jenifer Ford and Megan Fu. Ford is a 2004 graduate of Diamond Bar High School and a 2008 graduate of Whitworth University. Fu is a 2011 graduate of The Webb School and a 2015 graduate of UC Berkeley.

In our country’s lowest-income communities, just six percent of students will graduate college by the time they’re 25. Ford and Fu join a network of 50,000 corps members and alumni working alongside parents, principals, and communities for positive change.

“It is with incredible excitement we welcome this group of remarkable and diverse corps members,” said Elisa Villanueva Beard, co-CEO of Teach For America. “They join a group of 50,000 leaders who have raised their hand to be part of ensuring every child has access to an excellent and equitable education.”

Over the past 25 years, thousands of talented individuals have launched or continued careers in social justice through Teach For America. Hundreds of corps members and alumni have been honored as teachers of the year by their school, district, county, or state. More founders and leaders of entrepreneurial education organizations started careers with TFA than from any other organization or company. Alumni have gone on to become leaders in politics, school systems, nonprofit work, advocacy, and more. Together, they form a nationwide network helping to expand and strengthen the movement to give all kids access to a great education.

 

Teach For America works in partnership with communities to expand educational opportunity for children facing the challenges of poverty. Founded in 1990, Teach For America recruits and develops a diverse corps of outstanding college graduates and professionals to make an initial two-year commitment to teach in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the movement to end educational inequity. In 2014-15, 10,600 corps members taught in 50 urban and rural regions across the country, while more than 37,000 alumni worked across sectors to ensure that all children have access to an excellent education. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

The Hope For America

Pastor Ed Moreno

Pastor Ed Moreno

By Pastor Ed Moreno

As I’ve watched the news the last several months, it just seems like there are an increasing number of violent crimes, and that the moral decay in American society is steadily escalating.

Add to that the fact that most people seem to have lost their feel for the truth and have no problem lying, deceiving, cheating, stealing, etc.  And all of this, along with corruption at the highest levels of government and business, seem to be resulting in the unraveling of America at its very foundation.

And it dawned on me that this is what our Founding Fathers said would happen if we as a nation did not have morality and religion at the center of our government and educational system.  And by morality and religion they meant Christianity and the morality espoused by the Bible.

Well, as we all know, the God of the Bible and the Bible itself have been systematically removed from the halls of government and from our public schools, and the troubles predicated are increasingly coming about.

As John Adams said, in speaking to our military concerning the importance of Biblical principles in American society, “We have no government armed with power which is capable of contending with human passions (that are) unbridled by morality and religion.  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It (our Constitution) is wholly inadequate to the government of any other kind of people.”

And as Founding Father Noah Webster wrote, “The moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all of our civil constitutions and laws.  All the miseries and evils which men suffer from – vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war – proceed from despising and neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”

The internal restraints of the American citizenry are missing because, by and large, they don’t know what the Bible or what the God of the Bible says, and they do not have the Holy Spirit within to help them restrain their impulses and passions.

The only hope for America is for the American church to make the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19, 20) their top priority.  For only those who accept Jesus will receive the Holy Spirit, and only the Holy Spirit can change the condition of people’s hearts.

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.  They are located at 7155 Hamner Avenue, at Schleisman Road, next to the Fire Station.  For more information, call (951) 278-8367, or visit http://www.newdaycc.net.

Pomona: PUSD’s Camp Imagination Inspires

Photo Courtesy: PUSD Diamond Point Elementary 3rd Grader, Jacob Oliva, presents his Camp Imagination project: a functional, three-dimensional model of the game Minecraft made out of recycled materials.

Photo Courtesy: PUSD
Diamond Point Elementary 3rd Grader, Jacob Oliva, presents his Camp Imagination project: a functional, three-dimensional model of the game Minecraft made out of recycled materials.

By Juliette Funes

Pomona – 3rd Grader Walter Adling’s cardboard robot stands over two feet tall, with a long, long neck, a see-through brain and a transparent stomach filled with a rainbow of popsicle sticks and yarn.

“Its insides are made of infinite cherries,” Walter said.

Walter’s robot is one of dozens of toys created by students this summer at Pomona Unified School District’s first-ever Camp Imagination, a unique program in which 100 incoming 3rd Graders from Diamond Point, Roosevelt and Washington elementary schools were challenged to let their imaginations reshape recycled materials.

“Students used their own creative instincts to find solutions to real-world problems, and though they were guided along the way, they were engaged in college-level work that involved research, innovation and collaboration to make their projects come to fruition,” Board President Andrew Wong said.  “I’m proud of all of our students, teachers and staff members who helped make this inventive pilot program a success.”

The literacy intervention program, which ran from June 15 to July 2, helped struggling readers to become engaged learners by promoting creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

It was inspired by the short film, “Caine’s Arcade,” which tells the story of a 9-year old East Los Angeles boy who, over his summer vacation, built an elaborate arcade out of cardboard and recycled materials in his father’s used auto parts store.

At Pomona Unified, students worked in small groups to strengthen their literacy skills, using such programs as Accelerated Reader, exploring scientific concepts and incorporating iPad technology for some of the projects, which ranged from three-dimensional Minecraft to life-sized playhouses.

“Programs that incorporate STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and make learning fun are critical to ensuring students are inspired to pursue these concepts as they move forward in their academic careers,” said Diamond Point teacher, Jorge Sanchez, who helped develop the curriculum along with the schools’ principals and teachers.

As part of the project, students also wrote business plans, created their own poems and songs, and made iMovies documenting their experiences.

“A lot of students were having so much fun that they didn’t realize they were learning reading, writing, collaborating, thinking critically and journaling,” said Janice Lim, a board member of the Pomona Unified Partners in Learning (PUPIL) Foundation, which helped fund the program and provided Camp Imagination T-shirts to students.

The support of the foundation – which promotes state-of-the-art student learning opportunities in STEM – has played an important role in increasing programs like Camp Imagination at Pomona Unified.

“The camps encourage hands-on exploration and enable our students to develop critical thinking skills, resourcefulness, empathy, perseverance, teamwork and other 21st-century skills” said Superintendent Richard Martinez. “We hope to continue to explore STEM design concepts and academic rigor through this project-based format, and I want to thank PUPIL for their support in our efforts.”

Chino Valley Scam Alert

Staff Reports

Photo Courtesy: CVFD This is an official Chino Valley Fire District Uniform

Photo Courtesy: CVFD
This is an official Chino Valley Fire District Uniform

Chino Valley – The Chino Valley Fire District wants to alert business owners of unsolicited companies claiming to be sent to their businesses by the Fire Marshal, Fire District or a Fire Inspector.  These unsolicited companies claim that they are being sent on behalf of the local fire agency to perform an inspection or survey of the business.  The unsolicited companies target fire protection equipment, systems and other areas related to fire safety.

Fire inspections in Chino and Chino Hills are conducted by Fire District personnel.  All Chino Valley Fire District personnel who perform fire and life safety inspections wear an approved uniform. The uniform has a badge clearly displayed above the left front pocket and a Fire District patch on the left upper sleeve of their uniform shirt.  Businesses are encouraged to request a business card from anyone who claims to be at their business to conduct an inspection or to call the Fire District at (909) 902-5260 to verify an inspection by Fire District personnel.

Below are some precautionary measures that businesses can take:

  • Business owners should ask for proof of a proper license before anyone services their fire extinguishers, sprinkler system or alarm system.  Refuse fire protection services if proper identification is not provided. Have fire protection companies leave any parts that have been replaced.
  • Ask for identification of anyone requesting to perform any type of inspection.  CVFD personnel carry a Fire District ID card and business cards.
    • Always obtain an estimate for services or work that needs to be performed.
    • Do not pay upfront for any services rendered and do not pay with cash. Never sign a blank invoice.
  • Fire extinguishers should be inspected and serviced annually by a licensed technician. Be sure to record the date of the previous service, the quantity and size of your extinguishers, and the purchase dates.
  • Record the dates of the fire sprinkler, fire alarm, and special fire protection system installations and services.
  • Be cautious of service companies that show up “UNSOLICITED”.
  • Educate employees on business owner rights and fraudulent practices. Post this information where your employees have access to it (e.g. at the front desk or employee break room).

If you are in doubt or have any questions, contact the Chino Valley Fire District at (909) 902-5260, or visit our website at www.chinovalleyfire.org.

Inland Empire: Two Arrested For Murder Of Toddler

Staff Reports

Photo Courtesy: SBSD Darron Daniels, 20, arrested for murder

Photo Courtesy: SBSD
Darron Daniels, 20, arrested for murder

Photo Courtesy: SBSD Maurice Kelley, 25, arrested for murder

Photo Courtesy: SBSD
Maurice Kelley, 25, arrested for murder

Highland – On Wed., July 29, at approximately 8:28 p.m., Deputies from the Highland Police Department responded to a report of shots heard in the 7400 block of McKinley Street, in Highland. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, Daniel Munoz, 4, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, responded to the scene and are conducting the investigation.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Investigators identified a person of interest – described as a Hispanic male, early 20s, 5’8” to 5’11, 160-180 pounds – and are asking anyone who may have been in or around the area to contact investigators. Investigators are also looking for a 1990s, 4-door Toyota Camry, white in color with black bumpers on the front and back.
During the course of the investigation, Detectives served search warrants and conducted numerous witness interviews. As a result, Investigators arrested Darron Daniels, 20, and Maurice Kelley, 25, for one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Daniels and Kelley were booked at the Central Detention Center, in San Bernardino, where they are currently being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective Justin Long or Sergeant Trevis Newport, Homicide Detail, at (909) 387-3589, or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (909) 387-8313. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

Eastvale Council Recap

Photo By: Emily Aguilar

Photo By: Emily Aguilar
The WRELP Group awards Eastvale for achieving the Gold Level in energy efficiency.

By Emily Aguilar

Eastvale – The July Council meetings for the City of Eastvale covered an array of topics, ranging from future construction sites, upcoming events, and special recognitions.

The first meeting on July 8 began by introducing Gilmar Tenes, an Eastvale resident who recently became a volunteer as a Code Enforcement Officer.  Tenes has completed his certification, and looks forward to working with the City.

Next, Jeff Sims of the Western Municipal Water District presented a plan to expand waste-water generation to keep up with the many new neighborhoods in Eastvale. Sims also spoke of air quality management to create an “industrialized Febreze system” with specialized neutralizers that will reduce odor.

During Public Comments, Manjee Dhiman-Rios of the 88impact Foundation announced upcoming events such as “Breakfast with our Heroes” on Sept. 11, and the “Walk with a Hero” walk-a-thon on Nov. 7, at American Heroes Park. The proceeds will be distributed to local families and charities. Dhiman-Rios also mentioned the “Women Behind the Badge” event, recognizing women who served or supported law enforcement. Later, Eric Henry from the Foundation took the microphone to award City Manager, Michele Nissen, for her public service.

Moving onto New Business Items, the Council motioned three items. The first was a potential cell tower to be located next to the Fire Station at the northeast corner of Chandler Street and Selby Avenue. While there is currently only one provider willing to assist in the process of creating the tower, the Council emphasized their willingness to work toward beginning construction in the near future. The next item motioned was the approval of adding Chapter 110.4, Title 110 to the Eastvale Municipal Code permitting residents to install small solar energy systems. Lastly, the Council motioned the passing of relocating the proposed Emergency Operations Center to a local area, which was decided to be at City Hall.

The City Manager’s Report walked the Council through the City’s dedication to improving the condition of its streets.  The resurfacing was recently completed on Hellman Ave. to Chandler St. and River Road; and on Schleisman Road.  Certain parts of other upcoming street projects will be funded by CDBG.

An update on the construction of a new City Hall facility was provided.  Project design is set to be completed this December, with the expectation that the building will be completed by March 2017. Other announcements brought up included construction on the Goodman Commerce Center and the opening of a new pizza restaurant in the Eastvale Gateway Shopping Center.

Before the meeting ended, the Council welcomed Joan D. Roberts as the new director of JCSD, who was described as a dedicated leader.

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The July 22 Council meeting began with excitement as the City was awarded with the Gold Tier Participation Plaque. The award was presented by WRELP (Western Riverside Energy Leadership Partnership), a group that collaborates with gas companies and Edison to work toward the conservation of energy. Eastvale partnered with WRELP in 2014, and quickly rose to the Silver level in its efforts to conserve energy.  Eastvale then jumped from Silver to Gold – an accomplishment made in just a year. WRELP’s Tyler Masters stressed that the City must continue its efforts in spite of its accomplishments.

Next, Deputy Deanna Myers from the Eastvale Police Department was introduced.  She will be in charge of Crime Prevention, Safety, and Neighborhood Watch. Also, the Eastvale Community Foundation announced they have set up four new banners to recognize local citizens who have given their service to the military; also, they are looking to place new banners recognizing other individuals who have served their country.

Julia Sung was not present to give the Student Liaison Report.

For the Public Comments section, Hari Dhiman – who recently became President of the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce – spoke about the evolution of the Chamber since 2010, and his goal of reorganizing and expanding for the benefit of the community. Board meetings will now be held on the second Friday of each month, and networking meetings will be held the third Thursday of each month.  The next speaker was Jeremy Hutman, a representative of CaliforniaFIRST, a group dedicated to sustainable energy management.

The Council motioned to approve all the items from the consent calendar, including the regular meeting minutes from the June 24 and July 8 meetings, and ordinances on Recreational Vehicle Parking and Solar Panel Regulations.

Moving on to New Business, the Council approved the purchase of a 2015 Ford Focus Electric as the new City Hall vehicle, the redesigning of the ShopEastvale website, and the preparation to select an alternate council member to represent the Economic Development Committee in the event neither Mayor Bootsma nor Councilman Rush can fulfill the obligation.

The City Manager Report stated that the median cost of Eastvale homes has increased to $480,000. Council will discuss the possibility of placing a stoplight at the intersection of Sumner Ave. and 68th St.  And finally, for the time being, a Public Library cannot be built near the future City Hall due to a lack of available space.

It was also mentioned that in the past month, the Eastvale Police Department received more than 1,000 phone calls – half of those calls were regarding car thefts. A DUI/License Checkpoint was initiated on July 17 at Archibald and River Rd.  36 field sobriety tests were conducted, and 7 citations were written for unlicensed drivers.

The meeting ended with Council Communications, where the City staff was complimented for taking the initiative to lower their flags for the victims of the Chattanooga Shooting. Mayor Bootsma then took the microphone to address cigarette regulations for public places, such as parks; the topic was referred to the Public Safety Committee.

The meeting adjourned with plans to meet again on Wed., Aug. 12, at Rosa Parks Elementary.

Back To School Safety Reminders

Photo Courtesy: SBSD

Photo Courtesy: SBSD

Staff Reports

Southern California – For 23 million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding on the bus, but with approaching or leaving the bus. To help children arrive safely, it is essential that adults know the traffic safety rules.

When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, slow down and watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school but may not be thinking about getting there safely. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing or congregating near bus stops. Most importantly, be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
Obey the school bus laws: Yellow Flashing Lights indicate the school bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles. Red Flashing Lights indicate the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off. When on a residential street, motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move before they start driving again.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, here are some good safety tips for the many children who ride school buses to and from school daily:
• The Danger Zone is a 10-foot wide area on all sides of a school bus- an area where small children are in the most danger of being hit. In order to be safe around a school bus, students should stay 10 feet away from the bus while waiting for, or after exiting, the bus.
• Never cross the street behind a school bus.
• Take five giant steps from the front of the bus before crossing the street so the bus driver can see you.
• Before boarding, or after exiting the bus, always stay within the bus driver’s sight.
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s ok to board the bus.
• Use the handrails to avoid falls.
• If you leave something near the bus, never return to the bus to get it. The driver may not see you and may begin moving the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, do not pick it up. Instead tell the bus driver and follow the driver’s instructions.
• Stop, Look, and Listen for cars before crossing the street.
It’s important for parents to teach children to follow these common sense practices to make school bus transportation safer:
• Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
• Stop at the curb or edge of the road.
• Stop and look left, then right, then left again, before you step into the street.
• If you see a car wait until it goes by. Then look left, right, and left again until no cars are coming.
• Never dart out into traffic.
• If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the road always walk Facing traffic, so you can see any car that might go out of control.
“Our children are the future so let’s all work together to insure their safety,” stated Sheriff John McMahon.