Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 – 11:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 – 11:50 a.m.
It looks like Happy Holidays for two firms, courtesy of the Yucaipa Valley Water District (YVWD).
Happy to the tune of $750,000.
By William Cutting
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 – 12:10 p.m.
The City of San Bernardino, fairly and unfairly, is the subject of much comparison when it comes to analyzing how other cities do things in the region. Much maligned with the recent bankruptcy issues and plagued by rampant crime, poverty and a deteriorated economy, it is the easy punchline.
Monday, March 18, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
We’re definitely confused!
Back in 2011 former local Assemblyman Brett Granlund, a lobbyist with the Sacramento-based firm Platinum Advisors was attempting to convey to anyone that woould listen, at the time, that he had retired.
By Anthony York, Los Angeles Times
March 17, 2013, 6:36 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — Although many of California’s cities and counties have been struggling financially, putting off road repairs, cutting back library hours and reducing police patrols, there is one way in which they have not held back: hiring Sacramento lobbyists.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/11/2013 07:15:11 PM PST
A grass-roots citizens group has sued San Bernardino County and a Spanish broadcasting company over a 43-foot-tall radio antenna the Board of Supervisors approved for a ridegline overlooking Wildwood State Park in Yucaipa.
Wednesday, October 28, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
The years long saga over the installation of a Spanish-language radio tower in an unincorporated area adjacent to the city of Yucaipa is finally over.
November 27, 2012; 05:50 PM
Capping a long-running battle between open-space advocates and a local broadcaster, San Bernardino County supervisors voted Tuesday, Nov. 27, to allow a radio tower to be built near Wildwood Canyon Park in Oak Glen.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Published: 21 November 2012 – 03:50 PM
A long-running battle over a proposed radio tower near Wildwood Canyon Park in Oak Glen will go before the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Nov. 27, but opponents are not happy with the timing of the hearing.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/20/2012 10:18:50 AM PDT
San Bernardino County Planning Commission approved this morning a proposal from a Spanish-language broadcasting company that wants to erect a radio tower above Wildwood Canyon State Park in Yucaipa.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 18 January 2012 07:13 PM
A study of a proposed radio antenna near Wildwood Canyon State Park in Oak Glen states that the project should not have a significant impact on the scenic views of the park — a finding that opponents criticize as flawed.
BY DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
STAFF WRITER
dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 01 December 2011 06:25 PM
The Yucaipa City Council is renewing its objection to plans for a radio antenna on a hillside overlooking Wildwood Canyon State Park.
The council voted unanimously this week to send a letter to the San Bernardino County Planning Commission objecting to an application by Lazer Broadcasting Inc. to erect a 43-foot-high tower to broadcast a signal from Spanish-language radio station KXRS in Hemet.
BY DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
STAFF WRITER
dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 29 November 2011 01:50 PM
Dick Riddell, a 30-year Yucaipa resident who retired from an engineering firm to devote full time to local politics, has been reappointed to a 14th term as the city’s mayor.
BY DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
STAFF WRITER
dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 23 November 2011 06:25 PM
The Yucaipa City Council has agreed to refinance bonds that paid for flood control improvements in the Chapman Heights housing and commercial development.
Monday, October 31, 2011 – 10:45 a.m.
Just as the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association (SBCERA) ends two no-bid sweetheart contracts with two politically-connected consultants, two more no-bid contracts involving the same consultants emerge.
Friday, August 26, 2011 – 07:40 a.m.
When I read one of the stories in Friday’s edition of The Sun newspaper I had to roll my eyes.
One of the main stories in the paper thin publication was three democrat mayors endorsing a democrat tribal chairman for county supervisor.
Ramos
By Molly Davis Staff Writer
Posted: 08/25/2011 11:54:01 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Three local mayors lent their support Tuesday to James Ramos, who is running for San Bernardino County supervisor.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, May 5, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A proposal to build a radio antenna on a mountain ridge overlooking Wildwood Canyon State Park in Oak Glen got a step closer to winning approval from the San Bernardino County Planning Commission on Thursday, despite objections from neighbors and park supporters.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 19, 2011
By ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise
Seven years in the making, the Wildwood Creek Basin in Yucaipa is operational.
It is designed to capture storm water runoff, thereby helping protect downstream properties from flooding, and replenish the groundwater aquifer.
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/30/2011 02:19:33 PM PDT
YUCAIPA – Sitting in front of a wall with “In God We Trust” on it, the City Council could not come to a consensus about an agenda item on having an invocation, or nondenominational prayer, before each meeting.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, March 17, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A radio broadcaster seeking to build an antenna tower near Wildwood Canyon State Park in Oak Glen is revising the project once again in hopes of winning approval from San Bernardino County.
On Thursday, the county planning commission continued a hearing on the proposal until May 5 at the request of Lazer Broadcasting, Inc.
Sunday, March 13, 2011 – 05:30 p.m.
A Spanish-radio broadcaster fighting San Bernardino County over the placement of a 46-foot radio tower in an unincorporated area of Yucaipa has filed a lawsuit over a parcel of land adjacent to the site of a proposed radio tower.
By MOLLY DAVIS Staff Writer
Posted: 03/11/2011 03:56:28 PM PST
In response to Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies, Yucaipa is making moves in an attempt to counteract the effects of such a measure.
In an effort to protect the massive downtown development project that is under way, the Yucaipa City Council voted at a special meeting this week to take the RDA’s advice and transfer ownership of several of the agency’s properties to the city itself.
By CLAIRE M. TEETERS
and RACHAEL M. GUSTUSON
Staff Reporters
Published: Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:07 PM PST
San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry spoke to community members and city officials at a special joint town hall meeting of the Yucaipa City Council and Derry on March 1.
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.
By Molly Davis Staff Writer
Posted: 02/02/2011 08:03:59 PM PST
YUCAIPA – Parents of students at Yucaipa Elementary School may have to bear it, but they don’t have to grin.
As Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District officials defend the decision to close the 100-year-old school, parents are angry and saddened.
10:00 PM PST on Monday, January 24, 2011
By ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise
The Yucaipa City Council made numerous appointments Monday night.
There were multiple vacancies on the Yucaipa Planning Commission, the Trails and Open Space Committee, the Mobilehome Rent Review Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Michael J. Sorba and Ryan Hagen, Staff Writers
Posted: 11/03/2010 06:16:02 PM PDT
Anti-incumbent sentiments that reverberated across the nation on Election Day weren’t as strong locally, but still present as mayors and city council members in several cities across the region were unseated by challengers.
Budget deficits, high utility bills and joblessness weighed on the minds of voters as they headed to the polls Tuesday to decide on what course is best for their respective cities.
All his money has been from family
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/19/2010 08:28:03 PM PDT
YUCAIPA – City Council contender Greg Bogh is leading the field of candidates in fundraising, according to election campaign documents filed this month.
Council candidates were required to file campaign finance information Oct. 4, and they are required to file again Thursday.
10:31 PM PDT on Sunday, October 17, 2010
By ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise
Attracting new businesses to town and supporting existing establishments are key issues in the race for two seats on the Yucaipa City Council.
The incumbents, Allan Drusys and Tom Masner, are up against challengers Bobby Duncan Sr., Greg Bogh and Gregory Miner. A sixth candidate, Richard Frost, announced Friday he is dropping out of the race, although his name will still appear on the ballot. Frost said in a brief statement that he supports the incumbents.
The election is Nov. 2.
Nelson
10:58 PM PDT on Monday, October 4, 2010
By JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterprise
Just five city managers in California — and only one in the Inland area — earned more than Temecula City Manager Shawn Nelson in 2009, according to a survey.
Nelson, 51, earned $336,288 last year, an amount that includes his base salary, deferred compensation and other payouts, according to the survey released last month by the League of California Cities, an advocacy group for cities and towns. Nelson’s base pay is $291,571 a year, according to Temecula.
10:20 AM PDT on Wednesday, September 29, 2010
By ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise
The Yucaipa City Council will be sending a letter to the San Bernardino County Planning Commission opposing a proposed broadcast antenna tower that would be adjacent to Wildwood Canyon State Park.
The council voted 5-0 Monday night in favor of sending the letter.
Monday, September 27, 2010 – 9:20 p.m.
Last Updated: September 28, 2010 – 1:20 p.m.
On Monday night Yucaipa city government was at its best.
The matter involving a controversial Spanish-language radio tower took on an increasingly ugly tone, with allegations and daggers being hurled by various interests, including Mayor Dick Riddell.
By PE News
on September 27, 2010 10:10 PM
The Yucaipa City Council will be sending a letter to the San Bernardino County Planning Commission opposing a proposed broadcast antenna tower.
If erected, the tower would be adjacent to Wildwood Canyon State Park and would broadcast a Spanish radio station.
Sunday, September 26, 2010 – 4:00 p.m.
Monday evenings meeting of the Yucaipa City Council should be interesting.
Mayor Dick Riddell, who dispatched a letter to county officials lodging the city’s objection to a conditional use permit application by Lazar Broadcasting for a 46-foot broadcast tower on Lazar-owned property, has the racially-divisive matter coming before the city council to ask for their concurrence.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 – 08:30 am
Yucaipa Mayor Dick Riddell had a rough council meeting Monday night.
The subject of a controversial radio tower came up at Monday’s Yucaipa city council meeting, after about thirty or so people showed up over the city’s opposition to the installation of a transmission tower for Spanish-language radio broadcaster, Lazer Broadcasting.
Sunday, September 12, 2010 – 10:30 p.m.
More than just Politics is once again playing a role in the impending denial of a conditional use permit for a transmission antenna for a Spanish-language radio broadcaster.
Lazer Broadcasting has submitted new plans to San Bernardino County for the installation of a 44-foot antenna on a rural hilltop that will beam coverage into the San Bernardino Valley and also as far away as Hemet.
Lazer operates San Bernardino-based KCAL-AM, Big Bear-Based KXSB-FM, and Hemet-Based KSRS-FM.
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/17/2010 06:15:28 PM PDT
The school year began Monday for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District and the majority of its students are finding a different way to get to class.
The district – like many districts in California – slashed its budget when statewide education funding was cut drastically this year, eliminating bus transportation for general education students for the 2010/2011 school year.
10:52 PM PDT on Saturday, July 17, 2010
By ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise
Due to budget cuts, the Yucaipa-Calimesa school district will not provide transportation to and from school when classes resume in August.
The exception is busing for special education students.
Created: 03/22/2010 05:33:19 PM PDT
When the economy began to decline in 2008, investments through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System took a hit.
As a result, cities in the Inland Empire have been juggling losses in revenue while making sure they meet employees’ retirement obligations.
This is the status of pension obligations of some Inland Empire cities:
COLTON
CONTRIBUTION: $5.75 million in 2008-09
PENSION OBLIGATION BOND: $31.14 million
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION RATE: 19.498 percent fire, 20.052 percent police, 7.060 percent misc.
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATE: 9 percent fire, 9 percent police – paid by city. 8 percent misc. – city pays 4 percent.
VICTORVILLE • Councilman Ryan McEachron has called for a “forensic audit” of the city’s finances, investigating its books “to make sure that nothing was done wrong and that there were no criminal or fraudulent acts.”
In particular, McEachron asked during Tuesday’s council meeting for a third party to take a closer look at the city’s payroll and accounts payable records, plus all contracts the city has been involved in.