Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
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.
By Jennifer Iyer | jiyer@scng.com | Redlands Daily Facts
March 31, 2018 at 10:00 am
Opponents of the large-scale Harmony housing development are expected to make their case against the project in court this week. A hearing is set for Friday, April 6.
By Kristina Hernandez, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 09/16/16 – 7:34 PM PDT |
HIGHLAND >> Three public interest groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the city of Highland over its approval of the controversial Harmony housing project.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016 – 10:30 a.m.
The Highland, California City Council has either lost its mind or is waiting for a big political payday.
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 06/25/16 – 5:14 PM PDT |
HIGHLAND >> The City Council meets Thursday to start its review of the proposed Harmony master-planned community.
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 06/18/16 – 6:04 PM PDT |
It’s official. The cities of Highland and Yucaipa will hold district-based elections in November.
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 05/24/16 – 6:23 PM PDT |
HIGHLAND >> The city has achieved much in the past year, Mayor Larry McCallon said at the State of the Community address on Tuesday, but fiscal uncertainties mean there are still some challenges ahead.
By Neil Nisperos, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Posted: 05/12/16 – 5:30 PM PDT |
HIGHLAND >> The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District and East Valley Water District announced Thursday a joint $2.65 million purchase of 14 acres of land in Highland that will serve as the location of a wastewater treatment plant that will put back millions of gallons of purified water daily into the local groundwater supply.
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 03/10/16 – 6:16 PM PST |
HIGHLAND >> The Highland City Council has approved plans for the Mediterra residential development.
Sunday, May 24, 2015 – 01:00 p.m.
California water agencies are at it big time
Using the drought as a driving force. Water suppliers are hammering away at rate increases in every shape or form possible.
Friday, February 6, 2015 – 01:00 p.m.
For decades, government failure after government failure has fallen on the Inland Empire.
Local officials for more than twenty-five years couldn’t see San Bernardino’s steady decline in progress. The city’s coffers were plundered to the point where redevelopment funds had to be essentially stolen to support the local governments general fund. When those funds were taken away by Governor Jerry Brown, the city filed for chapter 9 bankruptcy.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 – 09:30 a.m.
Here’s some area election results of note.
In San Bernardino, voters dumped charter reform Measure Q. The measure would have removed wage-setting provisions from the city charter to collective bargaining. The city’s police and fire unions easily tubed the measure. The result is a blow to novice Mayor Carey Davis and backers, who put very little effort in support of the measure.
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 10/12/14, 7:29 PM PDT |
Cities across the state have been voluntarily complying with the California Voting Rights Act of 2001—while others, such as the city of Highland, are forced to consider changing their election system to avoid potentially costly litigation.
Political Whispers
August 23, 2014
The City of Highland has decided, under threat of litigation, to place a measure on the November Ballot that requests the voters of Highland to determine whether or not they want the City Council broken into district representation.
Published: Aug. 1, 2014 – Updated: 10:15 p.m.
Inland resident and long-time East Valley Water District board member Kip Sturgeon died this week. He was 50.
To read story by Janet Zimmerman in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 07/24/14, 11:37 AM PDT | Updated: 46 mins ago
HIGHLAND>> Voters in November will have an opportunity to decide if they want to elect City Council members by district.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014 – 10:00 a.m.
Here’s some new flowing across the transom Tuesday morning, in case you missed it!
Inland Cities budget woes ease
Several Inland Empire cities are facing a less dicier budget picture in their upcoming fiscal years.
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 06/09/14, 6:19 PM PDT |
HIGHLAND>> The City Council is considering placing an initiative on the November ballot that would split up the town into council districts, in reaction to legal threats made by activists.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 – 12:00 p.m.
Some ominous business activity is raising questions over the actual health of the East San Bernardino Valley business climate.
By Rick Rojas
January 20, 2014, 9:28 p.m.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators said Monday that a teenage boy who was shot by a deputy in Highland had charged toward officers wielding a hammer, later telling an officer as he was given medical treatment that he wanted to die.
August 15, 2013; 05:45 PM
San Bernardino County and the city of Highland have agreed to pay $8.5 million to residents who contended the agencies were responsible for flood control failures that buried a Highland neighborhood with mud and debris in December 2010.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Published: 04 September 2012 – 08:23 PM
A master-planned community proposed for eastern Highland is sparking excitement among officials eager for high-quality growth but raising eyebrows among those reluctant to exchange brushy foothill territory for a small, self-contained community.
To read story by Jan Sears in The Press Enterprise, click here.
BY DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
STAFF WRITER
dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 29 April 2012 05:28 PM
The Highland City Council voted this week to renew a paramedic tax that has been in place, unchanged, longer than Highland has been a city.
The tax, $19 per residence and $38 per business, will raise about $351,000 in the fiscal year that begins July 1, City Manager Joe Hughes told the council Tuesday night.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
March 2, 2012 | 4:50 pm
California workplace safety officials have issued nearly $100,000 in fines against San Bernardino’s Patton State Hospital and the Central Coast’s Atascadero State Hospital, alleging in part that the state psychiatric facilities have failed to protect staff from patient assaults and have deficient employee alarm systems.
DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
STAFF WRITER
dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 19 December 2011 11:05 AM
The Highland City Council has canceled its Dec. 27 meeting.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 16 December 2011 03:49 PM
The Department of Transportation is taking back $10 million it promised the city of Highland to fund road improvements affecting San Bernardino International Airport, according to a Dec. 8 letter from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Highland’s public works director.
Friday, December 16, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, December 17, 2011 – 10:39 a.m.
A $10 million Federal Highway Administration grant to the city of Highland is no more.
Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 11/23/2011 01:20:36 PM PST
Highland residents can expect water rate increases.
In a 4-1 vote, the East Valley Water District board of directors on Tuesday approved increased sewer treatment charges between 16 percent to nearly 60 percent for some local commercial customers.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 11/08/2011 12:48:26 PM PST
In what is being called an unusual move, the San Bernardino County Grand Jury is refuting claims by San Bernardino International Airport officials that its audit on airport operations was riddled with errors.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/13/2011 11:56:05 AM PDT
Airport panelists on Wednesday talked about how to communicate with San Bernardino International Airport staff, but before setting policy, they decided it would be best to talk about it again later.
Cassie MacDuff
Cassie MacDuff
cmacduff@pe.com
Published: 07 October 2011 10:29 PM
The embattled San Bernardino International Airport Authority took some giant steps in the right direction last week, ordering a review of contracts with a controversial developer and promising to become more transparent.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 06 October 2011 04:52 PM
The public agency overseeing San Bernardino International Airport will review all of its agreements with the airport’s developer Scot Spencer at its Oct. 12 meeting during closed session and discuss whether to terminate parts of those agreements, said Tim Sabo, legal counsel for the San Bernardino International Airport Authority and the related Inland Valley Development Agency.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/05/2011 05:54:49 PM PDT
A committee of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) board will meet Thursday afternoon to discuss the selection process for a new interim director at the airport.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/03/2011 06:10:17 PM PDT
For years, civic and business leaders have doggedly worked to convert San Bernardino International Airport into a promising commercial venture and a major passenger airport.
And many steadfastly believe it’s getting there.
Spencer
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/30/2011 06:16:21 PM PDT
The airport developer at the center of a federal investigation said Friday he has no intention of stepping down.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/29/2011 06:08:54 PM PDT
It is too early to speculate on what steps the San Bernardino International Airport will take to find a new top executive, officials said Thursday.
By Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 09/28/2011 03:34:06 PM PDT
Donald L. Rogers, the executive director of San Bernardino International Airport Authority, announced his retirement Wednesday at a meeting of the authority’s board in Loma Linda.
11:04 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
A week after an FBI raid, Donald L. Rogers, executive director of the embattled public agencies that oversee San Bernardino International Airport, resigned Wednesday.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, September 26, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
The FBI raid on San Bernardino International Airport last Wednesday concerned enough people to pack the room where a special meeting of the airport authority board was held late Friday afternoon.
Sunday, September 25, 2011 – 11:30 a.m.
It was only a matter of time before federal officials descended onto the debacle involving the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base.
10:31 PM PDT on Friday, September 23, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Just two days after the FBI and others raided San Bernardino International Airport searching for evidence that could be tied to conspiracy, bribery, fraud and money laundering, officials with the two public agencies that govern the airport offered little comment at a special meeting held Friday afternoon to discuss it.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/23/2011 08:52:14 PM P
LOMA LINDA – No comment and the promise of another meeting.
That’s all the public got after airport panelists came out of a 90-minute closed session meeting Friday to address issues related to the FBI raid Wednesday at San Bernardino International Airport.
10:54 PM PDT on Thursday, September 22, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
PDF: FBI search warrant – S.B. airport
FBI and other investigators raided San Bernardino International Airport offices seeking evidence of bribery, theft, fraud, money laundering and more, according to a copy of a federal search warrant obtained Thursday from the lawyer for the two agencies that oversee development of the airport.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/22/2011 05:10:05 PM PDT
The FBI is investigating allegations of conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, theft of federal funds, and wire and mail fraud in connection with Wednesday’s raid at San Bernardino International Airport, according to a federal search warrant.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/22/2011 03:08:36 PM PDT
The San Bernardino International Airport Authority and Inland Valley Development Agency boards plan to meet jointly to address the FBI’s serving of seven search warrants at the airport and the Riverside home of airport developer Scot Spencer.
The meeting was called for by Josie Gonzales, who chairs the county Board of Supervisors.
Former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger
The following archived story is republished from the Press-Enterprise.
Putting troubles behind them
San Bernardino airport officials give no-bid contract for renovation to aviation insider with checkered past
08:55 PM PDT on Sunday, April 27, 2008
By JOSH BROWN
The Press-Enterprise
He spent four years in prison for bankruptcy fraud, oversaw a string of failed aviation ventures, and could be banned from the aviation industry altogether.
Morris
Thursday, September 22, 2100 – 08:00 a.m.
As federal agents were executing search warrants in an investigation into activities involving the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris was reportedly knocking down the door of The Sun / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspapers.
No, I’m not kidding.
10:18 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL and DUG BEGLEY, STAFF WRITERS
kpierceall@pe.com | dbegley@pe.com
Published: 9/21/2011 06:20 PM
FBI agents and other law enforcement officers raided the San Bernardino International Airport Authority office and storage units as well as a home and offices used by Scot Spencer, a convicted felon who was awarded two no-bid agreements in 2007 to build a commercial airport at the former Norton Air Force Base.
By Joe Nelson and Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 09/21/2011 10:02:16 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The FBI on Wednesday served search warrants at San Bernardino International Airport and the Riverside home of airport developer Scot Spencer.
Joe Nelson and Melissa Pinion-Whitt
Posted: 09/21/2011 10:02:16 AM PDT
The FBI served six federal warrants this morning at the Inland Valley Development Agency and the San Bernardino International Airport Authority in San Bernardino.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, September 9, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
When a grand jury report criticized inadequate oversight at San Bernardino International Airport, officials fought back with positive publicity.
Newspaper ads touted a study showing public and private investment at the former Norton Air Force Base has created 9,355 jobs, generated $500 million in payroll and produced $1.2 billion in economic activity.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, September 3, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
The quest to replace some 10,000 jobs that disappeared when the military abandoned Norton Air Force Base in 1994 is evident today in the corporate names attached to brand new warehouses, distribution centers and a corporate jet terminal.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/22/2011 03:38:25 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — Airport officials have submitted their formal response to a blistering Grand Jury report that second-guessed some of their decisions in the effort to turn the former Norton Air Force Base into a civilian airfield.
Sunday, August 21, 2011 – 09:00 a.m.
It would appear there are more secrets at San Bernardino International Airport that anyone could have ever imagined.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, August 15, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
Did a company affiliated with Scot Spencer, developer of San Bernardino International Airport, really have a deal to refurbish a plane for the Obama campaign in July 2008?
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, August 12, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
When the grand jury report on San Bernardino International Airport came out June 30, airport officials seemed more intent on discrediting the report than on what it revealed about some slipshod practices and weak oversight of the taxpayer-funded agency.
10:53 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
Staff Writer kpierceall@pe.com
The elected leaders overseeing San Bernardino International Airport voted Wednesday to agree to all but one of a civil grand jury’s 16 recommendations despite staff spending more than a month attempting to discredit the panel’s critical report that picked apart the oversight to develop the airport.
Authority to adopt some ideas from Grand Jury
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/10/2011 08:00:49 PM PDT
Airport officials adopted a series of responses Wednesday to several recommendations made by an auditor and published in a mostly negative Grand Jury report that questions how officials have handled the transformation of the former Norton Air Force Base into a commercial airport.
Tuesday, August 2, 1022 – 09:30 a.m.
In San Bernardino County politics nothing really ever changes in how the game is played. Only the players.
InlandPolitics.com has learned that the impending move of the Aviation Division fleet of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Departmen,t to the San Bernardino International Airport, may be used to aid embattled contractor Scot Spencer.
Sunday, July 31, 2011 – 11:45 a.m.
There’s more drama at the troubled San Bernardino International Airport.
On the heels of a scathing Grand Jury report questioning the airport management’s decision-making and expenditures comes another little bombshell.
Thursday, July 28, 2011 – 09:30 a.m.
InlandPolitics.com has learned that a study performed to evaluate the viability of the San Bernardino International Airport was actually commissioned and paid for by the facility’s governing authority.
10:22 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
Officials with the San Bernardino International Airport Authority spent nearly three hours Wednesday dismissing what they called errors in a civil grand jury report. Officials defended the price paid for used aviation equipment and refuted claims that the airport developer’s federal ban from aviation would affect airport operations.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/24/2011 02:47:35 PM PDT
Airport officials on Wednesday are expected to continue to chip away at what they say are factual errors in a Grand Jury report on their work at the former Norton Air Force Base.
Universities’ findings conflict with Grand Jury report
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/24/2011 09:12:10 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Efforts to transform the former Norton Air Force Base into a civilian airport and bring businesses to the surrounding area could reverse the devastating economic impact of the base’s closure on the region, according to a new report.
Sunday, July 24, 2011 – 09:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, July 25, 2011 – 06:05 a.m.
Already heating up as a hot election contest for June 2012 is the race to represent the Third District on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
11:59 PM PDT on Saturday, July 23, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
When asked why control of most of San Bernardino International Airport was handed over to a convicted felon — sent to prison for taking kickbacks for secretly managing an airline in bankruptcy — those overseeing the former Norton Air Force Base’s conversion into a commercial airport gave two reasons.
Administrator’s Note: Finally, The Sun newspaper covers this issue, ever so scantily. The Press-Enterprise has been all over this $150 million and growing ordeal. One can only cover for San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris so long.
Purchases of used equipment cited
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/23/2011 07:10:41 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Hasty decision-making and slack financial oversight led airport officials to spend millions on used equipment when new equipment could have been bought at a cheaper price, according to a Grand Jury report.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 – 06:00 p.m.
The Lewis Group of Companies strike again and more questions come forth!
This time it’s a large parcel of land, owned by the Orange County Flood Control District, and located in the City of Highland sphere influence.
09:07 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 19, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
A civil grand jury is urging San Bernardino International Airport officials to double-check a questionable legal settlement with the airport’s developer in order to recoup nearly $1 million in taxpayer’s money.
The report also questioned the value of the plane put up as security for most of the settlement, based on FAA title records.
Agency happy with results
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/17/2011 11:04:20 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – A developer who was banned from the aviation industry has received millions of dollars for projects at San Bernardino International Airport, according to a Grand Jury report.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, July 17, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
A developer and his consultants painted a loosely defined landscape of hiking trails, parks, open space, at least one school and as many as 4,000 houses in easternmost Highland last week to City Council and Planning Commission members.
Sunday, July 17, 2011 – 11:30 a.m.
A scathing report the San Bernardino County Grand Jury dropped the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) back on June 28 will most likely have an unintended consequence.
Neil Derry
Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 07/16/2011 07:13:16 AM PDT
For those who have tracked my concerns regarding San Bernardino International Airport (SBIA) there are few surprises.
During my years as a San Bernardino City Council member, I stated clearly that I did not believe that the creation of a commercial passenger airport at the former Norton Air Force Base was the best, highest use for that property for the immediate future.
10:28 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 13, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
Eleven jet bridges, five baggage carousels and hundreds of seats, all hand-me-downs from American Airlines’ JFK terminal, are a key issue between San Bernardino International Airport officials and a civil grand jury.
Report questioned management
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/13/2011 07:59:18 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Airport officials on Wednesday continued to push back against a scathing Grand Jury report that casts doubts on whether they are properly managing the transformation of the former Norton Air Force Base.
Morris: SBIAA will address report
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/12/2011 08:56:38 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Airport officials on Tuesday slammed the San Bernardino County Grand Jury’s report that called into question the effort to bring commercial flights to the city.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, July 9, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino International Airport officials, in reaction to a critical civil Grand Jury report, say agreements given to key airport developer Scot Spencer were not profitable even though he made $2.06 million in fees as of March.
09:58 PM PDT on Friday, July 8, 2011
The Press-Enterprise
Staff of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority may discuss the most recent San Bernardino County civil Grand Jury report at the next SBIAA board meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Loma Linda City Hall, according to the next agenda.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
The Highland City Council has approved a spending plan that is balanced without layoffs or cuts in service and includes $155 million in planned public improvements over the next five years.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, June 11, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
A proposed Highland spending plan is being balanced without layoffs or cuts in services and includes $155 million worth of planned public improvements over the next five years.
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/25/2011 05:55:21 PM PDT
No charges have been filed against a sheriff’s deputy who allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old female Explorer, officials said Monday.
Ramos
12:30 AM PST on Sunday, March 6, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
James Ramos is a busy man these days.
He is in his second two-year term as chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, leading the tribe as it works to expand its businesses and develop its reservation.
Companies likely to retain current workers
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/27/2011 08:14:31 PM PST
People can begin to feel some relief after recent reports suggest that layoffs have declined for now.
Economists agree that businesses are less likely to make staff cuts, while unemployment figures are not expected to drop.
Mayors Pat Morris, Pete Aguilar, Larry McCallon, David Zamora and Rhodes Rigsby
Posted: 02/26/2011 07:09:41 AM PST
As the mayors of five cities in the heart of the east San Bernardino Valley, it is our collective responsibility to ensure we make the strategic investments required to rebuild our regional economy and ensure its vibrancy and sustainability for the 21st century. Our highest priority has been modernizing our region’s transportation infrastructure to ensure our valley is economically attractive to businesses, jobs and residents.
By Jesse B. Gill Staff Writer
Posted: 02/25/2011 05:24:31 PM PST
HIGHLAND – The city will soon make the switch from paid-call reserve firefighters to volunteer firefighters.
The City Council voted Tuesday evening to establish a volunteer unpaid firefighter reserve program.