Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
It sure looks as if San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Member and San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate James Ramos’ campaign is pulling out all the stops in the final days running up to the June 5 primary.
Ramos is seeking to unseat Supervisor Neil Derry in the three-way contest.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/22/2012 04:00:23 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – High unemployment and a staggering number of people underwater on their mortgages continues to vex San Bernardino County, with no relief expected until late 2015, according to a budget report approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The county added 15,600 jobs in the first three months of 2012, but its unemployment rate, as of March, was still hovering at 12.7 percent, higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.4 percent and California’s unemployment rate of 11.5 percent.
Point of View
Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 05/22/2012 02:44:33 PM PDT
The people of San Bernardino County are tired of being unemployed or underemployed. They are tired of feeling like they just can’t get ahead. And they are tired of feeling like nothing is ever going to change.
There is a limit to what a county government can do to improve an economy that is subject to state, national and global pressures. But that doesn’t absolve us from working hard to make a positive impact in areas where we can make a difference.
BY MICHELLE L. KLAMPE
STAFF WRITER
mklampe@pe.com
Published: 21 May 2012 10:14 PM
A record number of California schools, including 31 in the Inland Empire, may not be able to pay their bills in the next couple of years, the California Department of Education announced Monday, May 20.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/21/2012 07:12:18 PM PDT
There’s no shortage of choices for San Bernardino County voters this election season when it comes to the First District supervisor’s race.
Seven candidates are vying for the seat vacated by Brad Mitzelfelt, who is making a bid for Congress after only one term in public office.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 21 May 2012 08:42 PM
For the first time in more than a decade, High Desert voters will choose from a field of candidates without an incumbent in the 1st District San Bernardino County supervisor race.
Seven candidates are vying to replace Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who is running for the 8th Congressional District seat, in the June 5 election.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Published: 20 May 2012 07:52 PM
You know that old political joke, “Vote early, vote often”?
Yeah, Riverside City Councilman Mike Gardner’s heard it. And he’s been hearing it more lately, after his first mailer in his mayoral campaign assured people their vote counts … on June 4. (The election is June 5.)
Sunday, May 20, 2012 – 03:30 p.m.
An interesting turn of events is unfolding in the taxpayer lawsuit filed by Upland lawyer Corey Briggs on behalf of two groups known as The Inland Oversight Committee and Citizens for Responsible Equitable Government.
Election 2012
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/19/2012 06:01:36 PM PDT
Things don’t appear to be slowing down one bit in the contentious race for San Bernardino County’s 3rd District supervisorial seat in the June 5 primary election.
Outspoken incumbent Neil Derry has sharply criticized one of his two opponents, former San Manuel tribal Chairman James Ramos, saying Ramos doesn’t have the political background to serve a constituency of roughly 407,000 people.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 05/18/2012 10:23:47 AM PDT
A reported drop in the Inland Empire’s unemployment rate to 11.7 percent would seem to signal an improving job market, but a closer look at the numbers shows the jobless rate dropped not because of a surge in hiring, but because the region’s work force shrunk.
San Bernardino and Riverside counties somehow lost some 24,000 people from their combined work force from March to April, according to government numbers released Friday.
Friday, May 18, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
The sauce pan is simmering in the race for San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor.
The three-way race consisting of Supervisor Neil Derry, Former Twenty-Nine Palms City Councilman Jim Bagley and Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos is heating up heading into the home stretch to the June 5th primary.
Supervisor: Attracting out-of-state business vital to the county’s growth
May 17, 2012 9:37 AM
RENE DE LA CRUZ, Special to the Daily Press
While it was billed as a State of County presentation, San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said his address Wednesday should have been titled “county of the state” because of Sacramento’s insistence on passing its responsibilities down to the county level.
Michael Scarpello
Posted: 05/16/2012 02:48:21 PM PDT
An effort to address the significant problem of provisional balloting resulted in the unintended consequence of many voters receiving their mail ballots several days before receiving their sample ballots.
Although very few voters cast their mail ballots before seeing the sample ballot, I understand why some candidates who placed candidate statements in the sample ballot are unhappy. I apologize for that, and I will correct this situation in time for the November election. However, please rest assured that this situation has not in any way compromised the election. All laws have been followed to the letter as the deadline to mail sample ballots is 10 days prior to the election, and these documents will have been delivered well before that time.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/16/2012 06:35:01 PM PDT
San Bernardino County voters need to know where their designated polling locations are come primary election time on June 5 and also be aware their ballots will look a little different, county Registrar Michael Scarpello said Wednesday.
A state law approved in June 2010, the Top Two Open Primary Act, requires that all candidates for a voter-nominated office be listed on the same ballot.
Head of ICR Staffing loans his campaign committee $150,000
May 16, 2012 9:09 AM
Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer
So far, the best financial friend for the campaigns of San Bernardino County 1st District supervisor candidates have been the candidates themselves.
The largest single campaign contribution for four of the seven candidates have been loans from the candidates themselves to their own campaign committees. It’s likely a reflection of lean financial times for political contributions: Only one of the seven men seeking to replace Brad Mitzelfelt as the 1st District’s representative on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors — businessman Robert Lovingood — has a campaign fund in the six figures.
Some demand refunds for $11K paid for candidate statements
May 15, 2012 9:10 AM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • Candidates in the June 5 election are irate that vote-by-mail ballots arrived at the doors of High Desert residents before the guides that include candidate statements — the carefully crafted remarks that cost candidates nearly $11,000 to file.
San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Michael Scarpello said by phone Monday the delay seems to stem from a delivery problem at the post office. He hadn’t heard complaints about the voter’s guides not arriving outside of the High Desert.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 – 04:50 p.m.
Here is some news reverberating across the transom this week.
Brown wants portion of Harris foreclosure settlement
You gotta love it.
California Governor Jerry Brown, in an effort to cobble together more money to blow, wants to steal hundreds of millions of dollars meant to help distressed homeowners. The dough, a part of a national foreclosure settlement obtained by Attorney General Kamala Harris, is meant for distressed homeowners.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/14/2012 07:54:53 PM PDT
A new way of distributing ballots to San Bernardino County’s registered voters has some candidates for office concerned about the delays.
With only 22 days to go before the June 5 primary, some voters still have not received their sample ballots and voter guides, but some have received their absentee ballots, officials said.
Posted: 05/14/2012 06:14:43 PM PDT
SBD Airport Services’ attempt to convince a federal judge to restore the company’s access to San Bernardinno International Airport’s fueling facilities has been postponed to June 18.
Staff report
Posted: 05/12/2012 03:07:54 PM PDT
Attorneys for the bankrupt SBD Airport Services will go before a federal judge Monday to contend that interim San Bernardino International Airport chief A.J. Wilson acted improperly when he cut off the company’s access to jet fuel.
The hearing is scheduled to take place Monday afternoon at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside.
Ryan Hagen, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 05/10/2012 11:09:14 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The results of the election for city clerk will stand, a Superior Court judge ruled Thursday, rejecting a claim by 15 voters whose ballots weren’t counted because of signature mismatches.
The trial had the potential to change the outcome of the city clerk’s race, in which Georgeann “Gigi” Hanna – a former public relations official and journalist who took office March 5 – gathered six votes more than Amelia Sanchez-Lopez, who heads the county Alcohol and Drug Services Administration.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/09/2012 11:28:12 AM PDT
A trial will begin again Thursday that could change the outcome of the San Bernardino city clerk’s race by forcing the registrar of voters to count mail-in ballots that he initially discarded because he said signatures on them did not match those he had on file.
May 09, 2012 3:26 PM
From Staff Reports
Editor’s note: This is one in an occasional series on the candidates running for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. The newly reconfigured 1st District includes the bulk of the Victor Valley, Fort Irwin and unincorporated areas surrounding Barstow. The election coincides with the presidential primary June 5.
The Daily Press asked the seven candidates vying for San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor to weigh in on this question, in 50 words or less: What is the most pressing issue within the purview of the Board of Supervisors and what is your take on it?
By PE Politics
May 8, 2012 11:52 AM
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has submitted to the California Secretary of State a list of delegates he hopes to be seated at this summer’s Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Inland Reps. Mary Bono Mack and Darrell Issa, both early Romney backers, are among the list of 172 potential delegates, as are former San Bernardino County Supervisor Clifford Young, Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren and a host of others. The list was posted today on FlashReport, a conservative politics blog.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 05/08/2012 02:23:12 PM PDT
Recent signs suggest the Inland Empire’s office market may be returning to health, but the market may be at least three years from a full recovery.
That’s the word from Lee Spence, a principle at DAUM Commercial Services branch in Ontario, who based his prediction on his firm’s analysis of companies gradually moving in to the many vacant offices of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 – 08:00 a.m.
San Bernardino County, Calif. – San Bernardino County’s budget woes are likely to worsen in the coming fiscal year as employee pension fund returns fail to not only deliver relief, but instead bring more pain.
The San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association (SBCERA) has, to date, only generated a 0.6% return for its 2011-2012 fiscal year.
Monday, May 7, 2012 – 10:20 a.m.
An interesting campaign depiction courtesy of the Internet.
Monday, May 7, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Out of the three hotly-contested races in San Bernardino County, the contest for Third District supervisor appears to be full battle mode.
The sign crew for Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos’ campaign was clearly expressing their unhappyness and frustration over the weekend.
Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 10:30 a.m
Ramos struggles through final candidate forum.
Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman and San Bernardino County Board of Supe’s candidate James Ramos showed up for the final candidate forum held at Copper Mountain College on Friday night.
Nothing changed.
Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.
Hats off to Asssemblyman Paul Cook (R-Ycca Valley) and Mayor Ryan McEachron (R-Victorville).
Both men have actually made it into voter mailboxes in the open 8th Congressional District.
Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
Signs of problems are once again emerging that indicate the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters office could be having logistical issues.
It would appear the county can’t escape election snafu’s regardless of who is at the helm.
Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/05/2012 07:10:57 AM PDT
BIG BEAR LAKE – Here’s what’s new at the zoo.
The latest development in the Moonridge Animal Park’s relocation project is an artist’s nearly complete 3D scale model of the new wolf enclosure.
Third District Supervisor Neil Derry has spearheaded the effort to push the relocation along.
Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 06:00 p.m.
You gotta love San Bernardino County politics.
The letter to the editor by San Bernardino attorneys Philip Kassel and Sanford Kassel, printed below, says it all.
Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 10:15 a.m.
State Senator Bob Dutton’s support of Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos was front and center Thursday night.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 04 May 2012 06:48 PM
Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, is backing San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales’ opponent in the June 5 election in a sign of increased tensions between the one-time allies.
In a campaign news release Friday, May 4, Baca took aim at Gonzales, accusing her of failing to “live up to Democratic principles by supporting candidates that were part of the county corruption scandal.” He also described her as having “lost touch with the everyday needs of families.”
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/04/2012 05:20:47 PM PDT
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Friday rejected a motion to dismiss a case against a High Desert developer accused of lying to the Grand Jury about his role in a political action committee.
Judge J. David Mazurek denied the motion filed on behalf of John Dino DeFazio, 52, of Apple Valley, who stands charged with six felony counts of perjury. A pretrial hearing is now scheduled for June 22.
Liset Márquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/03/2012 06:01:14 PM PDT
ONTARIO – A local senator may soon revive a bill aimed at helping this city gain autonomous control of the struggling LA/Ontario International Airport.
Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, created Senate Bill 446 in early 2011 in an effort to move discussions along between officials from Ontario and Los Angeles World Airports, which operates ONT under a 44-year joint-powers agreement.
By Guy McCarthy
May 2, 2012
The campaign for James Ramos, candidate for county supervisor in the Third District that includes Redlands and Loma Linda, released part of a letter Wednesday from the Fair Political Practices Commission stating his disclosure of economic interests are appropriate.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/02/2012 11:26:32 AM PDT
Document: Read the amended complaint (.pdf file)
An attorney who filed a lawsuit seeking reimbursement for taxpayers of the $102 million settlement made by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in 2006 with Rancho Cucamonga-based developer Colonies Partners LP has made slight amendments to his complaint.
Cory Briggs said he added some language to the complaint, which he filed in February in San Bernardino County Court, in order to fill in information that attorneys for the Colonies said was needed.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/02/2012 11:37:50 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDIN0 – The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and the county’s transportation planning agency on Wednesday adopted the first set of goals for a 20-year vision plan to improve the quality of life in the county.
During a special meeting at the Santa Fe Train Depot, the board met with officials from San Bernardino Associated Governments, or SanBAG, to briefly discuss the goals, targeting cradle-to-career success and establishing a business-friendly atmosphere in the county, before moving to adopt them.
Staff report
Created: 05/02/2012 05:11:18 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Brenda Chabot, executive director of the Republican Party of San Bernardino County, will speak on “Getting Out The Vote” on May 10 to the West Valley Republican Assembly.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 01:45 p.m.
A May surprise has popped up in the race to decide who will represent San Bernardino County’s Third Supervisorial District.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 10:30 a.m.
Fundraising two hotly-contested races for San Bernardino Board of Supervisors and U.S. Congress is still continuing at crawl this week, with many candidates concerned about collecting on previous commitments.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
The flap over the Form 700 – Statements of Economic Disclosure Forms filed by San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate and former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos in his various capacities as San Bernardino Community College District Trustee, State Board of Education Member and San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate, raise really one main question.
Ramos currently functions in all three capacities and recently surrendered his Tribal Chairman title.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 08:55 a.m.
Another Tea Party forum snubbed?
That’s the story coming out of Big Bear this morning.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/01/2012 07:42:52 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an action plan seeking $8.6 million in federal funds for housing and infrastructure projects consistent with the county’s Vision Plan.
The county’s 2012-13 annual Action Plan lists projects in need of funding. If awarded, the grants will be included in the county Department of Community Development and Housing’s budget for the next fiscal year, which the board will consider for approval at a future date.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 01 May 2012 07:30 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors approved an agreement Tuesday spelling out the review process for a controversial proposal to draw water from ancient aquifers in the Mojave Desert.
The agreement provides for county oversight of the $225 million project in the Cadiz Valley, about 40 miles east of Twentynine Palms, that would involve building 44 miles of pipeline to move surplus water from the Colorado Aqueduct to an underground basin the size of Rhode Island.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 05/01/2012 09:34:05 AM PDT
Inland Empire manufacturing remained in a growth pattern in April, but the pace of that growth slowed sharply from the previous month.
The region’s Purchasing Manager’s Index, compiled from a survey of San Bernardino and Riverside county manufacturers, registered at 52.9 in April.
Any number greater than 50 signifies growth.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/30/2012 05:26:19 PM PDT
View: Complaint
A complaint has been filed against San Bernardino County supervisor candidate and former San Manuel tribal chairman James Ramos, alleging that he failed to report his income and real property interests on state campaign disclosure forms.
The complaint, dated April 3 and received by the state Fair Political Practices Commission on April 12, alleges that Ramos failed to report on his form 700 Statement of Economic Interest a house he owns in Big Bear Lake and shares of stock in Pfizer Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and General Electric Co.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Published: 29 April 2012 08:19 PM
As the lone Democrat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for several years, Josie Gonzales has often endorsed and contributed funds to her Republican colleagues, a stance that has irritated some of her party cohorts.
On Thursday, the ill will was out in the open: the San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee voted on a resolution calling on Democrats to actively not support Gonzales in her bid for re-election as Fifth District supervisor in the June 5 election. Critics cited her backing of former Supervisors Bill Postmus and Paul Biane — both later arrested as part of the county corruption scandal — and said she had failed to help other Democrats.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 04/29/2012 03:43:13 PM PDT
The Inland Empire’s industrial real estate market gathered strength during the first three months of 2012 as vacancies decreased and asking rents increased, according to brokers’ data.
The numbers demonstrate the logistics industry remains a strength for the Inland Empire, but one industry on its own will not be enough to lift the area into overall prosperity after the past recession.
Sunday, April 29, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
Here’s some interesting factoids from across the financial and political transom:
First Quarter GDP Revised Lower
First quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was revised lower last week to 2.2%. The revised number was mainly supported by strong auto sales. A component that may not be sustainable looking ahead.
Why? Consumer spending has been outpacing non-existent wage growth.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/27/2012 04:24:06 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee won’t be endorsing the re-election bid of the lone Democrat on the Board of Supervisors, Chairwoman Josie Gonzales, citing her support for Republican candidates over the years, including former county Assessor Bill Postmus.
Friday, April 27, 2012 – 11:00 a.m.
It looks like Supervisor Neil Derry is hard at work cultivating votes.
It’s no secret that San Bernardino County’s Third Supervisorial District is fertile ground filled with conservative republicans, decline-to-state and independent voters.
The recent realignment of district boundaries has made the territory even more conservative.
Friday, April 27, 2012 – 08:50 a.m.
San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry picked up another important endorsement, in his quest for a second term, Thursday evening.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.
Here’s some interesting news on the transom this week.
Retirement savings plans under attack.
Yes, it’s finally happening. The feds are discussing the taxation of various retirement savings accounts to generate revenue. As their coffers dwindle, expect federal, state and local government to squeeze taxpayers.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 – 09:00 a.m.
The former leader of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has dropped his clean campaign pledge in his quest to unseat San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry.
Candidate James Ramos is telling mountain constituents he’s ended his desire to run a clean issue-oriented campaign and instead has went negative against Derry.
Draft report done; findings expected out in June
April 25, 2012 11:37 AM
Brooke Edwards Staggs, City Editor
VICTORVILLE • Three years after the Daily Press first reported that the San Bernardino County Grand Jury was investigating the city of Victorville, sources confirm a draft report of the citizen group’s findings is complete and will likely be released within the next two months.
City Manager Doug Robertson said he was recently given an opportunity to review the draft report. He was then asked to sign a confidentiality form on April 16, prohibiting him from discussing any of the report’s contents.
Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/25/2012 11:43:21 AM PDT
Take a drive along local freeways on any given day of the work week, and you might see signs of life – economic life.
Developments are popping up – housing and commercial.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/24/2012 06:12:19 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday rejected a proposal to discourage the hiring of illegal immigrants by requiring restaurants to inform customers if they use the federal E-Verify system.
Supervisor Neil Derry proposed amending the county health code to require restaurants to add a green or red overlay to their letter-grading window placards. A green overlay would indicate the restaurant uses the E-Verify system. A red overlay would mean a restaurant does not use the system.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – 12:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – 03:00 p.m.
In a Romper Room fashion, an embarrassing display of incompetence decended on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting just before noon on Tuesday.
Neither Chairperson Josie Gonzales nor County Counsel Jean-Rene Basle knew Robert’s Rules of Order or their own procedures regarding the conduct of voting among the boards members.
Gonzales is of no surprise. But Basle, a licensed and practicing attorney, is a another story.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 23 April 2012 06:12 PM
Restaurants in San Bernardino County would be required to inform customers if they perform immigration background checks on their employees under a proposal that will go before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
Supervisor Neil Derry is proposing to amend the county’s restaurant grading ordinance so that placards would be color-coded to indicate whether an establishment uses E-Verify, a federal database to check a person’s immigration status.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 04/23/2012 08:27:17 PM PDT
Rep. Gary Miller, R-Brea, and several other inland legislators are asking the Federal Housing Finance Agency to stay out of Southern California while testing a pilot program in which foreclosures would be sold in bulk to institutional investors.
Monday, April 23, 2012 – 03:00 p.m.
A lawsuit filed by an Upland lawyer to force San Bernardino County to recover $102 million it paid Colonies Partners L.P., in a 2006 settlement over a flood control land use dispute, appears to have hit a snag.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 22 April 2012 08:12 PM
SACRAMENTO — Throughout much of the past decade, California’s Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund has been a rare revenue bright spot for Riverside County.
Created by the agreements that legalized gambling on tribal lands, the fund has fostered grants to pay for police officers, medical services and other expenses to offset traffic and other consequences of having casinos nearby.
Michele Derry
Posted: 04/22/2012 07:04:10 AM PDT
I have stood by long enough while my husband is misrepresented by James Ramos and his gambling special interests. Enough is enough.
How can James Ramos, as a tribal chairman of a sovereign nation who receives over $200,000 a month as a tribal member through gambling profits, represent the interests of the average citizen of San Bernardino County?
Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/22/2012 04:07:38 PM PDT
A proposal designed to identify restaurants that screen employees for their immigration status will go in front of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, its author said.
Supervisor Neil Derry’s measure would amend the county’s restaurant letter-grading system as a way to identify businesses that use the federal E-Verify system.
Saturday, April 21, 2012 – 05:00 p.m.
Campaign money was barely flowing, during the January to mid-March reporting period, in the race to succeed San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, unless of course a candidate funded themselves.
Donnelly, Derry lag behind
April 19, 2012 5:18 PM
By SAM PEARSON, Staff Writer
Despite the advantages of incumbency, challengers are raking in more funds than the candidates they oppose in two High Desert races.
Both Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Jahn, who is seeking to defeat Assemblyman Tim Donnelly in the new 33rd Assembly District, and James Ramos, who stepped down from his post as Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Monday and continues to campaign against incumbent 3rd District Supervisor Neil Derry, have significant cash advantages over their rivals.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/20/2012 12:11:17 PM PDT
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Friday lifted bail for four defendants in the Colonies Partners corruption scandal, freeing them from having to pay an annual bond premium as the one-year anniversary of their arrest nears.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 20 April 2012 11:42 AM
A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge agreed Friday to lift bail for three former county officials and a developer facing corruption charges.
Judge Michael Smith agreed to allow the four men to remain free on their own recognizance as the case continues to remain in the pre-trial stage almost a year after the defendants were indicted.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 04/20/2012 10:52:11 AM PDT
The Inland Empire’s unemployment rate rose to 12.7 percent in March, with the region adding only 100 non-farm jobs. The rate was 12.5 percent in February.
Professional and business services registered the largest month-over- month drop in employment, falling by 2,900 jobs. Construction dropped by 1,200 jobs.
Friday, April 20, 2012 – 02:15 p.m.
San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry picked up another large endorsement Thursday night.
The conservative California Republican Assembly (CRA) has officially voted to endorse the first-term supervisor.
Thursday, April 19, 2012 – 10:15 a.m.
The former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has some bumps in the road ahead in his quest for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, according to sources.
James Ramos, who is challenging Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, is about to feel the baggage from underneath the train, all courtesy of his voting record on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees, where he currently serves as an elected member.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/18/2012 08:11:29 PM PDT
As Superior Courts around the state look for ways to grapple with staggering budget cuts in the next fiscal year, San Bernardino County officials say courtroom closures are one option being looked at here.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Apr | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
| |