Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
By Veronica Rocha
May 29, 2015
Moments after she refused to identify herself to a Barstow police officer, Charlena Cooks, then eight months pregnant, found herself on the ground in handcuffs.
YEAR IN REVIEW
By Staff Reports
Posted Dec. 27, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
It certainly was a year to remember, and for some maybe one to forget. There was nothing boring about 2014, though.
SHEA JOHNSON
STAFF WRITER
Posted Dec. 20, 2014 @ 8:39 pm
Updated Dec 20, 2014 at 8:59 PM
In general, city managers top the pay scale among city employees, and a report released this week by outgoing state Controller John Chiang indicates that the top brass in and around the Victor Valley and Barstow regions are not an exception to this trend.
MIKE LAMB
STAFF WRITER
Posted Oct. 12, 2014 @ 2:31 pm
Updated Oct 12, 2014 at 2:44 PM
BARSTOW — Local government agencies would lose some property tax revenue if land being targeted for an Indian casino is put into a trust for development, but one Barstow City Councilman says that shouldn’t be a concern.
SHEA JOHNSON
STAFF WRITER
Posted Sep. 3, 2014 @ 12:56 pm
Updated Sep 3, 2014 at 4:03 PM
SAN BERNARDINO — Former Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor battery charge, ending four years of criminal proceedings drawn out by attorney changes and ongoing investigations.
CRIMINAL COURTS
After long delays, sexual battery case looms next week
SHEA JOHNSON
STAFF WRITER
Posted Aug. 25, 2014 @ 4:42 pm
Updated Aug 25, 2014 at 4:58 PM
Delayed for years by attorney changes, ongoing investigation and scheduling conflicts, the misdemeanor sexual battery trial for former Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez is expected to finally get underway next week, the case’s prosecutor said Monday.
May 03, 2014 7:09 PM
MIKE LAMB, STAFF WRITER
BARSTOW • A Bureau of Indians Affairs official in the Pacific Regional office says the comment and review process for the proposed $160 million casino and resort off Lenwood Road could take two years or longer.
April 18, 2014 7:34 PM
MIKE LAMB, STAFF WRITER
BARSTOW • A proposed $160 million casino and resort off Lenwood Road near Interstate 15 has been cleared of any major negative impact on the environment by the U.S. Department of Interior.
City could be on hook for $1.5 million if proposal falls apart
March 09, 2014 4:54 PM
Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
BARSTOW • City leaders plan to meet with Gov. Jerry Brown’s office later this month regarding a proposed $1.5 billion aluminum production facility that the developer says could create at least 2,000 highly-skilled manufacturing jobs.
Plant may employ 2,000 people
March 04, 2014 9:20 AM
GEOFF FISK, STAFF WRITER
BARSTOW • The City Council on Monday night voted 5-0 to approve the framework of a development agreement that would bring a $1.5 billion aluminum production facility and as many as 2,000 high-skilled manufacturing jobs to the Barstow area.
December 21, 2013 3:51 PM
Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
The average city worker’s salary was lower than the state average in four of five local cities and towns last year, according to data recently released by the California State Controller.
July 12, 2013 5:59 PM
Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • Trial was delayed once again in the case against Joe Gomez, the former Barstow mayor accused of misdemeanor sexual battery.
Mayor, councilman to meet with governor’s office
June 19, 2013 6:47 PM
Brooke Self, Staff Writer
BARSTOW • City officials will travel to Sacramento to attend meetings with Gov. Jerry Brown’s office and the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indian Tribe on July 2 to continue discussions about the Barstow Casino Project.
By Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times
November 2, 2012, 6:34 p.m.
BARSTOW — Vicky Davis pulled in a hundred grand a year installing high-end corporate phone systems until the recession hit and work dried up. Now she’s racing to find a job before she drains her retirement savings.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - 11:30 p.m.
Could more Inland cities be on the road to municipal bankruptcy?
The answer is yes.
June 25, 2012 5:10 PM
KATIE LUCIA, Staff Writer
BARSTOW • County court officials say they are looking at closing the Barstow courthouse among other options as they brace for “staggering” funding cuts from the state.
Under the proposed state budget, California Superior Courts in San Bernardino County could see a projected $21 million in cuts for the fiscal year beginning July 1. That’s a fifth of their current operating budget, according to Court Executive Officer Stephen Nash. The cuts would include a one-time reduction of between $14 and $15 million to the court’s reserve — slashing more than half of the $27.5 million currently saved in the fund.
Friday, May 18, 2012 - 09:45 a.m.
San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry has received the endorsement of the Barstow Police Officers Association in his reelection bid.
April 15, 2012 3:02 PM
KATIE LUCIA, Staff Writer
BARSTOW • As local governments explore ways to cut costs, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is offering a solution Barstow leaders say they won’t buy: contract police work to the sheriff.
At a county-city conference last month, San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops gave a presentation on the department’s goals, one of which was to replace city police departments with sheriff contracts, according to Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez, who attended the conference. There, Hoops discussed the cost savings of contracting with the county.
Oversight boards charged with navigating complex process
April 14, 2012 2:11 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
Two and a half months ago, they lost their battle against the state to keep redevelopment agencies alive.
Now, in a complicated, untested process that’s likely to take years, local government officials are members of a select group serving on new boards charged with overseeing the agencies’ demise.
February 09, 2012 3:47 PM
By SAM PEARSON, Staff Writer
BARSTOW • San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry talked about his accomplishments in office at a town hall meeting at Quigley’s restaurant Wednesday evening, telling Barstow residents he had made progress in creating greater transparency in government, completing key public works projects and cutting politicians’ salaries.
Derry, who is running for reelection to represent the county’s 3rd District — recently redrawn to include Barstow — said he would work with city officials to create greater synergies between county and city-run construction projects.
Monday, January 30, 2012 - 10:00 a.m.
Within all of San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate James Ramos’ negative baggage appears to be a glimmer of a motivating interest as to why the current millionaire chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is seeking the county post.
The Tribal chair, who is seeking to oust Third District Supervisor Neil Derry in June, may have a personal finance cause.
Repairs driving up price
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/10/2011 06:07:27 AM PST
Significant water rate hikes in San Bernardino and Los Angeles County cities since the beginning of the year has caused many angry ratepayers to speak up.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
[email protected]
Published: 07 December 2011 05:35 PM
SACRAMENTO – Seventy-two percent of voters oppose building off-reservation casinos, according to a new poll commissioned by a group of tribes that oppose plans for two such casinos in the Central Valley.
November 04, 2011 4:53 PM
KAREN JONAS
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • Nearly two years after Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez was charged with touching a woman inappropriately, his defense attorney said the incident was consensual at a hearing Friday morning in San Bernardino.
By Neil Nisperos Staff Writer
Posted: 09/09/2011 07:43:34 PM PDT
Barstow officials are opposing a San Bernardino County redistricting plan they say would dilute the city’s Latino vote and separate neighbors with similar political interests.
The county’s proposed plan would move Barstow from the 1st District to the 3rd District.
Base officials will only acknowledge future ‘restructuring’
August 16, 2011 5:32 PM
KAREN JONAS
Staff Writer
BARSTOW • Another 317 workers at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow will be laid off, according to Councilman Tim Saenz.
Regional redevelopment agency is $9.1 million short
August 02, 2011 8:44 AM
Brooke Edwards
Staff Writer
To keep all of the Victor Valley’s redevelopment agencies alive under a new state law, data released Monday shows local cities will have to revisit their strained budgets and come up with a combined total of nearly $29 million over the next year.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, August 1, 2011
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO - An impoverished San Diego County tribe has renewed efforts to open an off-reservation casino in Barstow, but the proposal faces opposition from at least one of the Inland tribes that helped scuttle an earlier casino deal five years ago.
Las Vegas train threatens Barstow
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/31/2011 07:03:01 AM PDT
BARSTOW - A proposed high- speed train that would link Victorville to Las Vegas could spell economic disaster for this High Desert city of 22,000.
Groups argue Los Coyotes have no ties to Barstow
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/30/2011 10:12:54 PM PDT
BARSTOW - San Bernardino County’s two American Indian tribes - both of which operate casinos - oppose a north San Diego County-based Indian tribe’s plan to open a $160 million casino here.
Mayor says project has 1,000 jobs
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2011 10:14:20 PM PDT
BARSTOW - A proposed $160 million casino will alleviate high unemployment, a high rate of welfare and high poverty level, Mayor Joe Gomez said Wednesday night at a public hearing hosted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Mitzelfelt
Supervisor recommends moving Barstow to 3rd District
July 21, 2011 8:44 AM
SARA MITCHELL
Staff Writer
BARSTOW • The mayor and city manager spoke on behalf of Barstow at Monday’s county redistricting workshop but Barstow’s district supervisor said it would be best to move the area to the 3rd District.
July 19, 2011 4:11 PM
SARA MITCHELL
Staff Writer
BARSTOW • Leaders of the proposed Indian casino in Barstow are appealing to a new governor, president and economic situation in their second attempt at the casino’s approval in a decade.
Report revives gaming plan in Barstow
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/09/2011 07:11:54 AM PDT
BARSTOW - An Indian casino proposed 10 years ago appears to be back on track with the completion of a draft environmental impact statement.
A public hearing on the nearly 1,000-page federal document will be held July 27 at Barstow College.
June 14, 2011 3:03 PM
Tomoya Shimura
Staff Writer
The High Desert housing market in May mirrored that of Southern California overall, where median home prices saw the largest year-over-year drop in 20 months.
June 13, 2011 5:16 PM
Beatriz Valenzuela
Staff Writer
The economic woes that have plagued the state, county and Victor Valley cities could lead to reductions in specialized law enforcement teams.
Due to budgetary cuts, some members of local gang teams may be reassigned, according to those close to the program.
One in a series on the census and the changing complexion of the High Desert.
March 12, 2011 5:40 PM
Brooke Edwards
The Victor Valley has grown much more rapidly over the past decade than San Bernardino County or California overall, according to 2010 U.S. Census data released this week.
February 12, 2011 3:00 PM
By Natasha Lindstrom and Brooke Edwards, Staff Writers
Local leaders are blasting accusations that redevelopment agencies are ineffective at spurring jobs and construction, as Gov. Jerry Brown pitches dismantling the agencies in his proposed state budget.
Feinstein
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/03/2010 06:46:36 PM PST
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., sent a letter Friday to the state Water Resources Control Board calling for a review of the perchlorate groundwater contamination in Barstow.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/24/2010 06:33:51 PM PST
State and local officials on Wednesday lifted a drinking water ban in Barstow, but the county ratified an emergency proclamation and will continue monitoring the situation over the next 30 days while wells continue to be tested.
High levels of perchlorate, a toxic chemical used in rocket fuel, munitions and fireworks, were discovered Thursday after the Marine Corps Logistics Base near Barstow received results from tests taken from its water distribution system in August.
Investigators are testing wells to determine how high levels of perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, got into the region’s water supply. The crisis response has cost about $100,000 so far.
By Louis Sahagun, Los Angeles Times
November 24, 2010
State water officials launched an investigation Tuesday into how a chemical used in rocket fuel and munitions found its way into Barstow’s residential water supply, as costs to address the crisis mounted.
10:00 PM PST on Monday, November 22, 2010
By DAVID DANELSKI and LAURIE LUCAS
The Press-Enterprise
Barstow endured its fourth day of a water emergency Monday, but the city’s mayor said he expects all tap water to be safe to drink by Thanksgiving Day.
An advisory not to drink or cook with tap water — issued Friday after chemical contamination was found — remained in effect in the eastern part of the city, although restrictions had been lifted in areas to the west and north.
AV, VV government compensation details now posted on state website
November 22, 2010 3:38 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
Nearly 60 city and town employees in the Victor Valley made more than $100,000 in 2009, according to the state Controller’s new database on local government compensation.
State Controller John Chiang recently announced new salary and benefits reporting requirements for all California cities and counties on the heels of public outrage over salary scandals among city of Bell employees.
Toxin forces 40,000 to use bottled water
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/20/2010 09:49:14 PM PST
BARSTOW - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Saturday that providing drinking water to 40,000 residents whose drinking water may be dangerously contaminated was too much for local agencies to fully handle, prompting him to declare a state of emergency.
Golden State Water Co., which provides water to Barstow and surrounding areas, is distributing tens of thousands of bottles of water after discovering on Thursday that some wells contained levels of perchlorate - a chemical found in munitions, fireworks and rocket fuel that damages the thyroid - far above the state maximum.
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.
April 06, 2010 5:14 PM
JESSICA CEJNAR Staff Writer
BARSTOW • Officials with the local Republican caucus Monday night demanded that Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez resign his post, saying the mayor’s recent criminal charge has cast the city in a negative light.
Gomez thanked them for their comments, but refused to step down.
Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/22/2010 06:15:59 PM PST
BARSTOW - Barstow Mayor Joseph Dennis Gomez Jr. was charged with sexual battery on Monday, two months after a police officer’s wife reported that he assaulted her during a holiday party.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators have been looking into the Dec. 18 incident, which allegedly took place in an unincorporated area of the desert city.
January 26, 2010 11:29 AM
JESSICA CEJNAR Staff Writer
BARSTOW • Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez is being investigated by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office confirmed.
D.A.’s spokesperson Susan Mickey said that the district attorney’s office is reviewing a case involving Gomez, but no decision about filing charges has been made yet. The district attorney’s office received the case from the sheriff’s department Monday, Mickey said. Mickey said she could not comment on what the allegations were.
Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/25/2010 05:35:27 PM PST
BARSTOW - The District Attorney’s Office is deciding whether to charge Mayor Joe Gomez with sexually battering a police officer’s wife after a Christmas party.
The victim, who has not been identified, reported the alleged assault Dec. 18 to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department because the crime took place in an unincorporated area of Barstow.