Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
WASHINGTON Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:14pm EDT
(Reuters) – The top U.S. communications regulator on Tuesday said he would use “every available power” to prevent Internet providers from restricting users’ access to any web content as he seeks to calm a consumer storm over his proposed new Internet traffic rules.
Sunday, February 2, 2014 – 06:55 p.m.
Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII by a blowout score of 43-8.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013 – 08:00 a.m.
InlandPolitics.com would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 – 12:00 am
Last Modified: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 – 7:41 am
So once again, California voters will find themselves at the vortex of the culture war.
Just as the state was ground zero for the years-long struggle over same-sex marriage, it now will be the battlefield as many of the same warriors clash over the legal rights of transgender students.
Monday, November 11, 2013 – 10:15 a.m.
A heartfelt thank you to the men and women, who have served to protect our great nation.
By Hugo Martín and W.J. Hennigan
October 31, 2013, 6:29 p.m.
Score one for the weary air traveler.
Ever-increasing baggage fees, vanishing leg room and invasive security screening measures have made air travel hellish for millions of passengers. Now the government is giving fliers more screen time with their gadgets.
Posted: Friday, August 30, 2013 3:54 pm | Updated: 12:24 pm, Sat Aug 31, 2013.
By ADAM ELMAHREK
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim could soon drop hometown Anaheim from its brand altogether, under a newly proposed lease.
Zimmerman and another man helped family to safety after SUV rollover, deputies say.
By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
6:40 p.m. EDT, July 24, 2013
George Zimmerman attorney Mark O’Mara told reporters Wednesday that a family Zimmerman helped rescue from an SUV crash in Seminole County last week backed out of a planned news conference due to concerns about being linked to the controversial former defendant.
July 05, 2013; 11:36 AM
The Children’s Fund, a nonprofit group that serves abused and neglected children across San Bernardino County, has received a $100,000 donation from longtime local homebuilder Jimmy Previti, president and CEO of Frontier Communities in Rancho Cucamonga.
To read contributed content in The Press Enterprise, click here.
June 28, 2013; 05:26 PM
Carole Beswick has been appointed chairwoman of the University of Redlands Board of Trustees, a post she will serve in for five years starting Monday, July 1.
To read story by Erin Waldner in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 – 04:45 p.m.
What a shock!
In the past hour, news sources have began writing about the sudden death of popular and gifted actor James Gandolfini.
Monday, April 29, 2013 – 08:30 a.m.
The Los Angeles Lakers were blown out of the NBA playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
Monday, February 4, 2012 – 08:00 a.m.
The Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49er’s 34-31 Sunday afternoon.
Sunday, January 6, 2013 – 07:00 p.m.
Hockey fans, including myself, are very pleased this evening.
December 19, 2012 – 08:25 a.m.
A little morning humor courtesy of the Mayan calendar.
For those readers who haven’t kept up, Friday is December 21, the day the world is suppose to end according to the Mayan calendar.
What’s still unknown is whether the earth’s demise will be the result of an asteroid impact, planetary collision or shifting of the magnetic poles.
By Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/13/2012 11:49:18 AM PST
Births and immigration drove slow to moderate population increases in San Bernardino County and California as a whole, new estimates show.
City plans to issue bonds to buy water rights from defunct housing project
October 31, 2012 6:40 PM
RENE DE LA CRUZ, Staff Writer
HESPERIA • The city of Hesperia signed a $31.7 million agreement to buy permanent water rights held by Ranchos Los Flores, LLC., according to a document obtained from the Mojave Water Agency on Wednesday.
Sunday, August 26, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the Moon passed away Saturday due to complications from heart surgery.
He was 82.
Armstrong, a member of the Apollo 11 space mission, stepped foot onto Earth’s only orbiting body on July 20, 1969.
By Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times
August 21, 2012, 1:06 a.m.
Southern California Edison announced plans to cut nearly one-third of its workforce at the troubled San Onofre nuclear plant, raising new questions about whether the plant will ever return to full operations.
Published: 02 August 2012 04:15 PM
WASHINGTON — Turns out, Olympic gold comes with a little green, and Inland Rep. Mary Bono Mack is pressing legislation to keep the tax man from taking a cut of Team USA’s hard-earned winnings.
To read story by BEN GOAD in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
Sunday, May 13, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Happy Mother’s Day from InlandPolitics.com.
By Kathleen Hennessey and Christi Parsons, Washington Bureau
May 9, 2012, 6:03 p.m.
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s decision to endorse same-sex marriage staked out a stance that carries uncertain political risks but one he said was rooted in the biblical admonition “to treat others the way you would want to be treated.”
Obama’s endorsement Wednesday, a milestone for the gay rights movement, was the first from a sitting president and a potentially powerful tail wind for a cause still struggling for electoral approval. It comes as the country remains divided over whether same-sex marriages should have the same recognition and legal standing as traditional ones, and six months before an election expected to be so tight it may hinge on small slices of votes in a handful of key states.
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.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 – 05:30 p.m.
Dick Clark, a legend in the music industry, died Wednesday at age 82.
Clark wass most known for his career-making American Bandstand television show that, for decades, appeared in hundreds of thousands of American households every Saturday on ABC.
The program showcased many legendary performers.
Later on, Clark became a widely-watched figure each New Year’s Eve.
He will be greatly missed.
By Kate Linthicum and Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
April 2, 2012, 9:31 p.m.
Billionaire developer Philip Anschutz is committed to the idea of an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles and is willing to buy a team himself in order to make the deal work, his top executive said Monday.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/31/2012 02:33:02 PM PDT
Photo Gallery: Animal Services Commission proposed
SAN BERNARDINO – Animal rights advocates applauded last week’s decision by the Board of Supervisors to direct the county’s administrative office to perform a feasibility study to create a framework to establish an Animal Service’s Commission.
At the very least, the decision, some say, opens a channel between those advocates and the county’s animal control officials, some of whom have come under scrutiny in the recent past over concerns about how animals are being treated at the county’s Devore animal shelter.
DEVELOPING STORY
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/20/2012 09:05:42 AM PDT
Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, has introduced a bill that would require video games rated for teens or mature audiences to carry a warning label alerting that games are linked to aggressive behavior. (Staff photo illustration)
Baca
Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, has introduced a bill that would require many video games to be packaged with a warning label.
Melissa Pinion-Whitt and Ed Castro, Staff Writers
Posted: 02/23/2012 09:44:39 AM PST
REDLANDS — The U.S. Postal Service’s mail distribution center here will remain open for the time being, making it the only at-risk center in the state to avoid closure.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 – 9:00 p.m.
In a clearly political overreaction, Clear Channel Communications has suspended KFI-AM 640 Los Angeles-based talk radio hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou for their pointed, but honest, comments over the death of singer Whitney Houston and her long-term drug addiction.
Ryan Hagen, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 02/15/2012 08:01:31 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO –Tony Trozera was the type of man who was always moving as he served up well-known dishes, banter and sober advice to his customers at The Mug, but he found time every Friday for the better part of three decades to place fresh flowers on the restaurant booth where his mother had always sat.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Created: 12/17/2011 04:54:29 PM PST
UPLAND – More than 100 children from low-income families were treated to a $200 shopping spree and much more as part of the 4th Annual Colonies Holiday Miracles event at the Colonies Crossroads Shopping Center.
By Chris Hawley Associated Press
Posted: 10/16/2011 08:57:16 AM PDT
Updated: 10/17/2011 12:22:48 AM PDT
NEW YORK — About 175 protesters who were part of a growing anti-corporate greed sentiment were arrested in Chicago early Sunday after they refused to take down their tents and leave a city park when it closed, somewhat of a contrast to demonstrators elsewhere, who have taken care to follow laws in order to continue protesting.
Thursday, October 13, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
As you open your pockets for the next natural disaster, please keep these facts in mind:
RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 02 October 2011 06:41 PM
Chad W. Firetag, at age 34, has gained a standing as an Inland-area defense attorney that most lawyers don’t reach until later in their careers — a reputation for connecting to jurors in court and as a sought-after legal brief writer.
By Mike O’brien
Last updated at 6:49 AM on 1st October 2011
Is Obama abandoning his bid for a second term in the White House and is giving Colonel Sanders a run for his money by opening a chain of fried chicken joints?
Now that’s change you can’t really believe in.
Friday, September 23, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
To view an immediate announcement on the impending crash of a NASA space satellite, click here: NASA Crash
Please keep in mind that as of this morning NASA has absolutely no idea as to when or where satellite debris will land.
Sunday, September 11, 2011 – 00:01 a.m.
In honor of those who lost their lives on a tragic day in American history.
Saturday, September 10, 2011 – 01:20 p.m.
An elderly man is stopped by the police around 1 a.m. and is asked where he is going at this time of night?
Sunday, September 4, 2011 – 12:45 p.m.
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old Texas rancher, whose hand was caught in the squeeze gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama and his role as our president.
“Light this fire one more time”
Posted: 07/08/2011 11:02:56 PM PDT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – With a cry from its commander to “light this fire one more time,” the last shuttle thundered into orbit Friday on a cargo run that will close out three decades of both triumph and tragedy for NASA and usher in a period of uncertainty for America’s space program.
To read entire story, click here.
Monday, June 13, 2011 – 05:00 a.m.
Congratlations to the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, who defeated the Miami Heat on Sunday 105 to 95.
Supervisor Gary Ovitt
Posted: 05/29/2011 06:02:57 PM PDT
Memorial Day is a special day to honor those men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We celebrate those brave Americans whose patriotism and love of country is echoed in our history – from the American Revolution to the current military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Many paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Hartwig
A calling to serve
Hartwig set out to be a physician
Lori Consalvo, Staff Writer
Created: 05/22/2011 08:46:53 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – If you had asked Mark Hartwig what he wanted to be when he grew up, fire chief of the largest county in the continental United States would not have been high on his list.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, May. 17, 2011 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Saying you don’t need a gun to order a cheeseburger, a California lawmaker Monday pushed through the Assembly a crackdown on carrying unloaded handguns in public places.
Staff and Wire Reports
Created: 04/13/2011 07:47:11 PM PDT
The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday added another overnight controller at L.A,/Ontario International Airport as well as at 25 airports and a radar facility.
Monday, March 21, 2011 – 11:03 a.m.
Here is how one can help victim’s of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that has struck Japan.
Gary Richards, San Jose Mercury-News
Created: 03/05/2011 07:07:14 AM PST
With thousands of California drivers unable to renew their licenses before they expire because of glitches with the new high-tech format, the Department of Motor Vehicles HAS announced that temporary licenses would be sent out to all affected drivers and would be valid for 90 days instead of 60.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, May 7, 2010
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
When an entertainer arrives to perform at a nearby casino or a corporate executive flies in to visit a local company, San Bernardino International Airport officials are hoping they taxi up to the doorstep of the just-opened $20 million Million Air terminal.
The two-story general aviation facility that caters to the pilots and users of corporate jets sits in the middle of two large hangars — each about 26,000 to 35,000 square feet — that will be leased to businesses chartering aircraft and managing jets that owners wish to pay rent to park at the airport.
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 02/21/2010 06:02:00 AM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Mayor Don Kurth, the newest member of the City Council, has been busy welcoming the newest member of his family.
Nearly two years into a sometimes emotional adoption process, Kurth and his wife, Dee Matreyek, have succeeded in bringing home a baby girl.
“I think it’s fair to say we’re both having the time of our lives,” Kurth said.
I’m sure that is what the reporter who called me a little while ago regarding Former Assessor Bill Postmus’ and Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin’s early morning arrests was thinking. Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do believe this is just another attempt by a desperate district attorney to be re-elected and a governor-wannabe-again feeling the pressure from Meg Whitman.
Ramos will do anything to deflect from his own misdeeds. And time will prove these charges are as trumped up as the last ones.
One thing comes to mind here and that is something Postmus keeps telling me. He claims this whole corruption scandal is the result of Mike Ramos wanting to get at Jeff Burum. He thought Erwin would roll on Jeff the first time. If anything, their friendship seems stronger. I expect today’s event to strengthen it even more.
Read the rest of this entry »
11:10 PM PST on Friday, January 8, 2010
By JANET ZIMMERMAN
The Press-Enterprise
All work on a controversial plan to route 80 miles of electrical transmission lines through undisturbed desert near Joshua Tree National Park has been suspended as part of cost-cutting measures by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The utility’s board on Tuesday approved a 29-page budget amendment that included only one reference to Green Path North. The hotly debated project would move geothermal, solar and wind power from the Salton Sea area of the Imperial Valley to an electrical substation near Hesperia en route to Los Angeles.
Since deposed County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer has left it’s amazing what information is coming out of the woodwork. And at HSS it’s not looking good for Uffer-Appointees HSS Honchos Linda Haugan and Nancy Swanson. And a new name on the scene, HSS Fraud Chiefster Virginia Lugo.
Since the IE POLITICS story on massive internal fraud at HSS (TAD) a number of former and retired welfare fraud investigators have surfaced to share their opinions of why fraud detection and investigation is so ineffective at HSS. Apparently there are as many unhappy former fraud employees as are currently on staff.
This is their story:
News emerged this weekend related to a massive internal fraud, a portion of which was recently uncovered within the agency responsible for the delivery of San Bernardino County’s social services programs.
iePolitics has learned that hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds meant to provide aid for the disadvantaged has been illegally diverted by county personnel in an ongoing massive theft. It is believed that several schemes and abuses has been uncovered.
The San Bernardino County Human Services System, commonly referred to as HSS, administers the county’s various social services programs such as general assistance, Medi-Cal, and welfare. Annually, Hundreds of millions of dollars pass through HSS and into the hands of the needy who legitimately qualify for assistance.
Staff Report
Posted: 11/27/2009 05:46:15 PM PST
Several local cities were listed on the 2009 City Crime Rate Rankings, a new survey of national crime statistics released recently.
Chino Hills was ranked as San Bernardino County’s safest city and the 13th safest place in the country, according to a Publishing house CQ Press release that came out Monday.
Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/26/2009 06:13:52 AM PST
ADELANTO – The new faces coming to the sheriff’s Adelanto station aren’t new to law enforcement. In fact, they aren’t even new to the High Desert.
Thirty-five patrol deputies, detectives and other employees from the Victor Valley sheriff’s station about nine miles away will be coming to Adelanto under a plan that will save the city more than $400,000 per year.
The article carried in yesterday’s Sun and published on this blog titled “Officials rework Renaissance Rialto”, addresses the move to renegotiate the agreement for the “Renaissance Rialto” project for the redevelopment of the Rialto Airport and adjacent areas. The agreement is between the City of Rialto and Lewis-Hillwood Rialto Company, LLC. The city has basically agreed to spend all of its Redevelopment Agency money to aid an influential wealthy developer and campaign contributor.
The price, a cool $10.9 million.
The developer apparently wants to unwind the current purchase agreement, which has the group committed to millions of dollars in investment. The angle is to get the value of the real estate as close to zero as possible.
That’s right, a big fat zero.
Michael Kane
November 12, 2009
RUTH STRINGER: Counselor from Hell
Who or what is “evil” or “venal” is obviously a matter of personal opinion. So let’s look at the dictionary definitions and set a yardstick to measure some of our more important appointed public officials:
EVIL. (Defined): morally wrong or bad; immoral due to actual or imputed bad conduct or character; the wicked or immoral part of someone or something; anything causing injury or harm.
VENAL. (Defined): willing to sell one’s influence; bribable, corruptible.
Now let’s look at some of those high-level County officials and see how they measure up to the challenge to demonstrate integrity, act honestly, perform competently and truly serve the public interest to the exclusion of their own.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/28/2009 06:45:58 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Big changes are said to be in store for the National Orange Show Events Center.
The Lewis Group of Companies – the development firm behind such projects as Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga and Sierra Lakes in Fontana – is scheduled to announce plans today for a major project at the center.
But the Lewis Group and Events Center management would not reveal any details Monday.
“It’s all going to be explained tomorrow (Tuesday),” Events Center general manager Dan Jimenez said.
My original analogy was “Walk softly and carry a big stick”. What an understatement.
I also said Lewis Pacific Partners has quietly become a major player in politics. Yet, another understatement.
Because in actuality, Lewis Pacific Partners has been a major player all along. Throwing cash around like candy in a kindergarten playground.
The focus? Political subdivisions targeted for the groups current and future projects.
A more in-depth review of major donor and political action committee reports reveals Lewis Pacific Partners and Affiliated Entities funded an astounding total of $3,124,162.12 in contributions reported on-line between 01/01/2000 and 06/30/2009. The contributions were directed to candidates, ballot measures, and political action committees. There is undoubtedly more contributions disclosed in manually paper filed reports.
Lewis Group of Companies buys land at bankruptcy auction
Matt Wrye, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/04/2009 08:00:53 PM PDT
The Lewis Group of Companies’ real-estate fiefdom just got bigger.
The Upland-based firm, owned by Lewis Operating Corp., announced this week that it has bought 800 single-family home lots in Reno, Sparks and Dayton, Nev., for about $6.5 million in a bankruptcy auction.
“The Nevada market has challenges just like the rest of the country, so we expect it will take a few years to sell all the lots,” Randall Lewis, executive vice president of the firm, said Monday. “We’re already getting phone calls from some of the local home builders expressing interest.”
The phrase “Walk softly and carry a big stick” means something in politics and also when your Lewis Pacific Partners, and their affiliated entities.
Playing in the world of politics and staying off the radar screen is hard to do these days, especially with all of the electronic disclosure / reporting mechanisms and such. The Lewis Group appears to have quietly climbed the donor ladder, doling out varying sums across the state. Beneficiaries of their generosity range from California League of Cities PAC to state, county, and city officials, where the companies do business.