Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Jim Erwin
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 – 09:00 p.m.
The main stream media says one thing. But voters are saying something different.
By James Rufus Koren
Aug 13, 2018 | 4:00 PM
California’s high court has ruled that interest rates on consumer loans can be so high that they become “unconscionable” and, therefore, illegal — a decision that could call into question the validity of millions of loans and upend the state’s subprime lending market.
Friday, August 11, 2018 – 08:00 p.m.
What appeared to be a stoic Highland City Council, a majority of which appeared very unhappy, removed their rubber stamp of approval from the massive 3,600-home Harmony Project on Wednesday evening.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: August 2, 2018 at 3:56 pm | Updated: August 3, 2018 at 7:19 am
High Desert real estate developer and former Colonies corruption case figure John Dino Defazio has filed claims against San Bernardino County and District Attorney Mike Ramos seeking $20 million in damages, alleging malicious prosecution for perjury charges that were dismissed by a judge in January.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: July 30, 2018 at 5:19 pm | Updated: July 31, 2018 at 7:17 am
Vindicated public corruption figure Mark Kirk on Monday sued San Bernardino County and District Attorney Mike Ramos in federal court for $40 million, alleging malicious prosecution in perhaps the biggest and most expensive prosecutorial fiasco in county history.
By Adam Nagourney
July 30, 2018
FRESNO, Calif. — It is vigorously opposed by Republicans, including President Trump. It has been plagued by escalating costs and delays. Californians are mostly against it. And a central question — how is it going to be paid for — remains unresolved.
Sunday, July 29, 2018 – 07:00 p.m.
Speaking of painting a bullseye on one’s forehead
Former Superior Court Judge and Ontario politico Gus Skropos is making waves, threats, or signals, depending on how one wants to interpret it, that he might run yet again for a seat on the Ontario City Council.
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Bloomberg News
July 27, 2018
Consumer spending propelled U.S. economic growth to a 4.1% pace in the second quarter, the fastest since 2014, letting President Donald Trump claim a win for his policies even though most analysts see the high as temporary.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com and Scott Schwebke | sschwebke@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: July 27, 2018 at 10:22 am | Updated: July 27, 2018 at 11:00 am
Pornographic images of an underage Redlands High School student, seized from teacher Kevin Kirkland, were never examined by police before prosecutors negotiated a plea deal that allowed him to go free the day he was sentenced for sexually abusing four students, the Southern California News Group has learned.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: July 25, 2018 at 7:00 am | Updated: July 25, 2018 at 7:01 am
FedEx Express will begin operating daily cargo flights out of San Bernardino International Airport in October, under terms of a new 10-year agreement.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: July 20, 2018 at 10:46 am | Updated: July 20, 2018 at 6:20 pm
The head of the San Bernardino County elections office is out with about 110 days to go until the November election, but not before raising concerns about what he said was the county’s aging voter system, potential cybersecurity issues related to the office’s website and lack of staff.
Capitol Alert
The go-to source for news on California policy and politics
By Taryn Luna
tluna@sacbee.com
Published: July 09, 2018 – 05:16 PM
Updated: July 18, 2018 – 01:26 PM
The California Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of opponents of a plan to divide California into three, saying the measure should not appear on the November ballot.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: July 14, 2018 at 8:00 am | Updated: July 14, 2018 at 11:04 pm
In response to community protest, the city and an Upland developer have backed off their initial proposal to swap the Cabrillo Park soccer fields for a new sports complex in north Upland.brillo Soccer Fields
By Beau Yarbrough | byarbrough@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: July 12, 2018 at 4:02 pm | Updated: July 13, 2018 at 11:33 am
The Rev. Jesse Jackson called Thursday for the disbarment of San Bernardino County’s top gang prosecutor over vulgar, racist and sexist comments on social media that targeted, among others, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, former first lady Michelle Obama and someone shot by police.
By James Folmer
Editor Highland Community News
July 11, 2018
Harmony Specific Plan
San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Donald Alvarez has issued two rulings on the proposed Harmony master-planned community in east Highland.
Wednesday, August 11, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
The Hesperia City Council has filled the vacancy left by the unexpected passing of Russ Blewett.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com and Teri Sforza | tsforza@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: July 9, 2018 at 2:58 pm |
SAN BERNARDINO — A top gang prosecutor at the center of a political firestorm over a series of offensive social media posts has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of an administrative investigation.
Monday, July 9, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
Who’s President Donald Trump going to pick for the open seat on the U.S. Supreme Court? Well only he knows thew answer to that question.
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July 7, 2018
Critics of the Cadiz Water Project in San Bernardino County’s Mojave Desert have spared no bit of innuendo, propaganda, administrative interference, and plain old lies in a flailing effort to stop the project from providing clean, renewable water to 100,000 households in Southern California.
By Jennifer Iyer | jiyer@scng.com | Redlands Daily Facts
Published: July 6, 2018 at 6:34 pm | Updated: July 6, 2018 at 6:35 pm
A judge has ruled against Highland’s proposed 3,600-house Harmony development, partially siding with environmental and community groups that opposed the massive project in two related lawsuits.
By Teri Sforza | tsforza@scng.com and Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | Orange County Register
Published: July 6, 2018 at 5:59 pm | Updated: July 6, 2018 at 6:04 pm
The lead hard-core gang prosecutor in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is under investigation for a series of offensive rants on social media, triggering demands for his dismissal.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
InlandPolitics.com would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day.
Let’s be safe out there!
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 28, 2018 at 4:23 pm | Updated: June 28, 2018 at 10:52 pm
San Bernardino received $20 million from the state’s Strategic Growth Council on Thursday, June 28, for the development of affordable housing and market-rate units at Arrowhead Grove, a complex replacing the troubled Waterman Gardens.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: June 27, 2018 at 6:06 pm | Updated: June 27, 2018 at 6:07 pm
FedEx Express has announced it will extend its lease at the Ontario International Airport for at least another three decades, and it plans to make $100 million in improvements there.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 – 08:30 a.m.
It seems that well-know Los Angeles Attorney Stephen Larson, a former U.S. District Court Judge, who has made a name for himself in intellectual property and criminal white collar cases, has expanded his legal field of expertise.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com and Scott Schwebke | sschwebke@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 22, 2018 at 2:56 pm | Updated: June 22, 2018 at 8:03 pm
Joshua Polo earned a visit to the vice principal’s office at Redlands High School when, in a heated squabble with English teacher Laura Whitehurst, he called her a “whore.”
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com and Scott Schwebke | sschwebke@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 22, 2018 at 3:08 pm | Updated: June 22, 2018 at 7:49 pm
A top Redlands Unified School District official attempted to destroy evidence and obstructed the 2013 criminal investigation of a former teacher convicted of sexually abusing students, according to sworn statements and police reports supporting allegations in eight pending lawsuits against the district.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018 – 12:15 a.m.
Rancho Cucamonga Developer Jeff Burum appeared on The Robert Porter radio program, aired on KCAA-AM 1050 at 7 p.m. on Monday evening.
By James Folmer, Editor
Highland Community News
Jun 13, 2018 / Updated Jun 13, 2018
The Highland City Council approved five resolutions Tuesday night to set in motion the Nov. 6 vote on the Harmony housing project and to elect two council members.
Sunday, June 17, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
InlandPolitics.com would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Father’s Day.
Friday, June 2015 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, June 15, 2018 – 07:40 p.m.
A couple June 5 election losses in San Bernardino County surprised political onlookers, who expected different results.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 14, 2018 at 5:14 pm | Updated: June 14, 2018 at 5:32 pm
A political action committee in Colton led by cannabis activist and real estate developer Stephanie Smith has submitted more than 2,800 signatures from registered voters who favor the regulation and taxation of commercial cannabis in their city, according to the committee’s attorney.
By Mark Sherman
The Associated Press |
Published: June 11, 2018 at 10:24 am | Updated: June 11, 2018 at 10:24 am
WASHINGTON — States can target people who haven’t cast ballots in a while in efforts to purge their voting rolls, the Supreme Court ruled Monday in a case that has drawn wide attention amid stark partisan divisions and the approach of the 2018 elections.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com and Richard K. De Atley | rdeatley@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 7, 2018 at 5:54 pm | Updated: June 7, 2018 at 7:51 pm
A former county official who escaped conviction in the Colonies corruption case has filed a $25 million federal lawsuit accusing San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and other prosecutors of malicious prosecution, fabricated evidence and retaliation.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 6, 2018 at 7:08 pm | Updated: June 7, 2018 at 12:11 am
After 16 years, San Bernardino County has a new District Attorney – former prosecutor-turned criminal defense attorney Jason Anderson, whose narrow victory over incumbent Mike Ramos in Tuesday’s primary means he will assume office in January.
By Abbie VanSickle and Paige St. John
Jun 06, 2018 | 9:55 PM
As they poured millions of dollars into district attorney campaigns, New York billionaire George Soros and other liberal donors seemed poised for victory in California.
Opinion
By Lara Bazelon |
Published: June 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm | Updated: June 2, 2018 at 9:56 pm
On June 5, voters in San Bernardino County will head to the polls and decide whether to re-elect District Attorney Michael Ramos to his fifth term or replace him with challenger Jason Anderson, a former prosecutor in Ramos’ office who specialized in putting away child sex offenders. Anderson has also practiced law as a criminal defense attorney.
Sunday, June 3, 2018 – 08:00 a.m.
With just two days remaining until Election Day the contest for two seats on the San Bernardino County Supervisors is racing to the finish line.
Friday, June 1, 2018 – 09:30 a.m.
Another day and it’s another political mailer calling out the unethical conduct of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Monday, May 28, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
Wishing everyone a safe Memorial Day holiday.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: May 25, 2018 at 5:57 pm | Updated: May 25, 2018 at 5:59 pm
The Upland City Council on Tuesday, May 29, will consider reprimanding Councilwoman Janice Elliott for misconduct and violating the trust of her colleagues, according to the city.
Saturday, May 26, 2018 – 07:30 p.m.
With just nine days remaining until Election day, a new political mailer has landed against four-term incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
IE Business Daily
May 26, 2018
The Ramos campaign appears to be panicking. No not Mike Ramos for District Attorney (whose reelection campaign is a basket case), but Supervisor James Ramos’ campaign for the 40th Assembly District.
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted May 26, 2018 at 8:35 AM
HESPERIA — As the community continues to mourn the loss of Mayor Russ Blewett, the city is working through the difficult task of moving forward without him.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: May 22, 2018 at 7:21 pm | Updated: May 25, 2018 at 10:37 am
The race for Second District San Bernardino County Supervisor heated up Tuesday, with candidate and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, accusing his opponent, incumbent Supervisor Janice Rutherford, of vandalizing about a dozen of his campaign signs.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: May 24, 2018 at 2:28 pm | Updated: May 25, 2018 at 1:50 am
Adelanto voters on June 5 will decide who should fill the City Council seat formerly held by Councilman Jermaine Wright, who is facing federal bribery and arson charges.
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted May 23, 2018 at 9:44 AM Updated May 23, 2018 at 4:58 PM
HESPERIA — The community is mourning the unexpected passing of Mayor Russ Blewett.
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted: May 22, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Updated: May 22, 2018 at 5:44 PM
SPRING VALLEY LAKE — Two weeks before the statewide primary election, two San Bernardino County District Attorney candidates were making last-minute pushes to appeal to voters. It’s officially a nonpartisan seat, but both found a responsive audience inside the Country Club here Tuesday.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 22, 2018 at 3:28 pm | Updated: May 23, 2018 at 4:07 pm
The Inland Empire’s political past and present will clash in the June 5 primary for the 35th Congressional District.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 21, 2018 at 4:41 pm | Updated: May 22, 2018 at 11:45 am
A congressman from Redlands serves for decades on Capitol Hill and rises to become chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
By Alexei Koseff
akoseff@sacbee.com
Published: May 19, 2018 – 11:38 AM
Updated: May 20, 2018 – 10:15 AM
Only a quarter of applicants passed the California bar exam in its most recent sitting, the State Bar of California announced this week, a record low for the test that lawyers must successfully complete to practice in the state.
By Jordan Graham | jgraham@scng.com | Orange County Register
Published: May 18, 2018 at 5:38 pm | Updated: May 21, 2018 at 11:32 am
The tit-for-tat political attack ads between two Democratic congressional hopefuls suddenly disappeared from the web this week in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ed Royce. So did their intraparty mudslinging websites.
Friday, May 18, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
Another mailer hitting San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has dropped in voter mailboxes.
Thursday, May 17, 2018 – 11:00 p.m.
The battle between San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth is flooding voter mailboxes.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: May 15, 2018 at 5:37 pm | Updates: May 15, 2018 at 7:14 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos calls his challenger in the June 5 primary election a “puppet” — handpicked by his deep-pocketed adversaries he says are trying to “buy his office.”
By Deepa Bharath | dbharath@scng.com | Orange County Register
Published: May 15, 2018 at 4:47 pm | UpdatedD: May 15, 2018 at 7:18 pm
RIVERSIDE — A judge in Riverside County granted a motion Tuesday to overturn the state’s End of Life Option Act, which allows terminally ill Californians to end their life, legally, with a lethal drug.
By Romy Varghese
May 14, 2018 – 8:30 AM PDT
As California’s cities flounder under the rising cost of public pensions, they shouldn’t expect the state to extend a hand.
Monday, May 14, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos takes the brunt of yet another negative political mailer calling into question his mismanagement of his agency.
Friday, May 11, 2018
A rebellion is taking place at the heart of the San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association (SBCPAA), the group that includes about 300 County Deputy District Attorneys, Public Defenders and Child Advocate Attorneys over the union leadership’s decision to support embattled district attorney Mike Ramos for re-election.
By Richard K. De Atley | rdeatley@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 10, 2018 at 4:05 pm | Updated: May 10, 2018 at 4:50 pm
A once high-profile criminal case has ended quietly for Scot Spencer, a former airline executive whose 2013 charge of conspiring to steal $175 million in public funds while doing work at San Bernardino International Airport put a spotlight on the facility’s management.
By California Water News Daily
May 8, 2018
California Water News Daily survey shows support for investor projects facilitating more drinking water
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 – 11:15 a.m.
The campaign to unseat four-term District Attorney Mike Ramos continues on, with a new political hit mailer to voters highlighting Ramos’ inability to follow state law when it comes to filling out campaign finance and economic interest disclosure forms.
By Richard K. De Atley | rdeatley@scng.com and Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 8, 2018 at 9:20 am |
FBI agents on Tuesday raided Adelanto City Hall and the home of the mayor in a widening corruption probe into the High Desert town’s dealings with marijuana businesses.
By Bradford Richardson
The Washington Times
Monday, May 7, 2018
The least-watched prime time program on Fox News drew more viewers than its most-watched counterpart on CNN.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 – 01:45 p.m.
A local political action committee (PAC) is continuing to expose the ethical lapses, mismanagement and incompetence of San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos.
By IE Business Daily
May 5, 2018
The race for 2nd District County Supervisor is the most contentious election campaign in San Bernardino County (outside of District Attorney Mike Ramos’ disastrous reelection bid.)
By Benjy Egel
begel@sacbee.com
Publiahed: May 04, 2018 – 10:01 AM
Updated: May 04, 2018 03:44 PM
The Golden State is getting even richer.
California is now the world’s fifth-largest economy, according to data released Friday morning by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its 2017 Gross State Product was $2.747 trillion, surpassing the United Kingdom’s $2.625 trillion Gross Domestic Product.
By Joe Garofoli
Published: May 2, 2018
Updated: May 2, 2018 – 5:51pm
The California Republican Party convention begins Friday in San Diego, and the expectations for the weekend are — if we’re being polite — modest. If we’re being real, they’re lower than dirt.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – 04:30 p.m.
The questionable handling of child molestation cases within the Redlands Unified School District by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has emerged in the campaign to unseat the four-term incumbent.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
A new month brings a new political mailer in the heated race for San Bernardino County District Attorney.
Monday, April 30, 2018 – 09:00 p.m.
It’s never pleasant to take an endorsement away from any politician or candidate for office. I know because years ago I had to do it.
In my case it was former County Supervisor Jerry Eaves at the time.
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted Apr 29, 2018 at 8:16 AM
Congressional races throughout California promise to be particularly interesting this year as the state has positioned itself as a key bulwark against the Trump administration.
Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 10:45 a.m.
It’s a rocky Spring for San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman.
Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
The union representing San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies has launched a website targeting Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: April 27, 2018 at 12:31 pm | Updated: April 28, 2018 at 12:21 am
Sentencing for former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was delayed again Friday after his attorney filed a motion to withdraw Postmus’ 2011 guilty plea to corruption charges, claiming Postmus was addicted to drugs, under duress and coerced by investigators.
Friday, April 27, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
As expected, incumbent San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford is starring at the possibility of looking for a private sector job in December.
Friday, April 27, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
It’s been tough sledding on the money front for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos in his bid for a fifth term in office.
Capitol Alert
The go-to source for news on California policy and politics
By Angela Hart
ahart@sacbee.com
April 25, 2018 – 08:00 PM
The two major Republican candidates in the race to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown are battling for second place to make the November runoff, while Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has strengthened his lead, according to a new poll from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
A political mailer supporting Attorney/Law Professor Jason Anderson for San Bernardino County District Attorney has hit the streets.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com | Redlands Daily Facts
Published: April 24, 2018 at 7:37 am | UpdatedD: April 25, 2018 at 12:04 am
After a heated five hours of public testimony, the Upland City Council directed its attorney to file a supporting brief in a coastal city’s lawsuit against California’s controversial sanctuary state law.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: April 23, 2018 at 9:07 pm | Updated: April 25, 2018 at 12:04 am
Debate over California’s sanctuary state law is accelerating through San Bernardino County this week, with Yucaipa on Monday, April 23, joining Hesperia in formally coming out against the law.
Monday, April 23, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
A local political action committee (PAC) funded by local business owners set to oust incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has now launched a website.
By Ryan Hagen | rhagen@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: April 21, 2018 at 7:01 am | Updated: April 21, 2018 at 9:09 pm
Riverside City Council members were explicit in their warning when they voted in February to extend then-City Manager John Russo’s contract: If we don’t show strong support, staff members will see us as unsupportive and unstable.
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 19, 2018 at 5:04 PM
Updated: Apr 19, 2018 at 5:04 PM
VICTORVILLE — The city’s contract for law enforcement services will rise to $25.4 million next fiscal year, up more than 6 percent over the current year despite identical staffing levels.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
April 20, 2018 at 7:16 pm
California’s campaign finance watchdog agency has fined an Inland water district official $36,500 for multiple infractions, including failing to close a legal defense fund tied to his fight to serve on two elected bodies at the same time.