Why San Bernardino County coronavirus numbers appeared to fall but didn’t – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:48 PM
LOCAL NEWS • News Why San Bernardino County coronavirus numbers appeared to fall but didn’t
By JEFF HORSEMAN | [email protected] | The Press-Enterprise PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 4:42 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 4:43 p.m.
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Numbers duplicated in the state’s coronavirus database led to inaccurate statistics on new San Bernardino County cases and deaths being reported Wednesday, July 29, a county spokeswoman said Thursday, July 30.
On Wednesday, the county reported 24 additional deaths, 2,347 new cases and 8,044 more people tested — all of which would have been records. But the state database “somehow duplicated some IDs in the system, so some cases and deaths were duplicated,” spokeswoman Lana Culp said.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/why-san-bernardino-county-coronavirus-numbers-appeared-to-fall-but-didnt/ Page 1 of 4 Why San Bernardino County coronavirus numbers appeared to fall but didn’t – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:48 PM
The corrected numbers, posted Thursday, show the county had 31,688 cases and 403 deaths Thursday — both lower !gures than the day before. With the correct !gures, the county is reporting 1,726 new cases, eight new deaths and 5,591 people tested since Tuesday, July 28.
Even with the downward adjustment, the county set a new one-week record for cases — 5,503 in the past seven days.
Here’s a look at the latest coronavirus statistics from county and state data.
San Bernardino County
Cases: 31,688
Deaths: 403
Hospitalizations: 562 Wednesday, down from 608 Tuesday; suspected patients: 88 Wednesday, down from 102 Tuesday
Intensive-care unit patients: 176 Wednesday, down from 180 Tuesday; Suspected patients: 16 Wednesday, up from 12 Tuesday
Recoveries: 21,999
Skilled-nursing facilities: Residents: 1,335 Tuesday (last update); deaths: 194 Tuesday. Employees: 832 Tuesday
State prisons in San Bernardino County: 201 active in-custody cases Thursday
People tested: 243,485
To see a full list of community-by-community cases, click here.
Sta" Writer Nikie Johnson contributed to this report.
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/why-san-bernardino-county-coronavirus-numbers-appeared-to-fall-but-didnt/ Page 2 of 4 Citing data errors, San Bernardino County revises COVID-19 case tally - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA 7/30/20, 8:59 PM
Citing data errors, San Bernardino County revises COVID-19 case tally By Laine Henry, Palm Springs Desert Sun Posted at 5:43 PM San Bernardino County health officials on Thursday reported 863 new cases of COVID-19 and four additional virus-related deaths but revised data from Wednesday that showed a massive increase in cases.
The county said Wednesday it had added 2,347 cases — a huge jump — bringing the total number of cases countywide to over 32,000. Officials said at the time that the large increase was due to a backlog of data.
But then, on Thursday, they reversed course.
They said there had been 863 new cases on Wednesday and 863 on Thursday, and gave a revised total case tally of 31,688. A note on the county’s public dashboard cited an “error with the State’s database reporting system.”
With 31,688 confirmed cases of COVID-19, San Bernardino County continues to have the fourth- highest case total of any county in the state. It has 403 virus-related deaths.
The county currently has a 13% positivity rate, while the state’s guidelines advise that each county should strive to have a positivity rate under 8%.
About half the cases are among people under age 40. The cases are broken down by age as follows, according to health officials:
1,749 (5.5%) cases are among people ages 0 to 14
https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200730/citing-data-errors-san-bernardino-county-revises-covid-19-case-tally Page 1 of 5 Citing data errors, San Bernardino County revises COVID-19 case tally - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA 7/30/20, 8:59 PM
1,439 (4.5%) cases are among people ages 15-19
7,262 (23%) cases are among people ages 20-29
6,198 (19.6%) cases are among people ages 30-39
5,352 (16.9%) cases are among people ages 40-49
4,705 (14.8%) cases are among people ages 50-59
2,803 (8.8%) cases are among people ages 60-69
2,150 (6.8%) cases are among people older than 70
The ages for 29 cases (0.1%) are unknown
As of Tuesday, when the county last reported on hospitalizations, 35.1% of ICU beds were still available countywide and there were a total of 180 ICU coronavirus patients — one more than the day before. San Bernardino County also had 608 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, 13 more than the previous day.
On Thursday, the county projected 21,999 patients have recovered, with 498 new recoveries confirmed over the past day.
The county reported on Wednesday that 2,796 coronavirus diagnostic tests had been conducted in the past day. The county did not exceed its target of 3,288 tests a day in a 24-hour period.
The county’s revised numbers on Thursday decreased the High Desert’s case total by 75. There are 4,298 cases and 34 deaths in the High Desert.
Here is the list as of Thursday: https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200730/citing-data-errors-san-bernardino-county-revises-covid-19-case-tally Page 2 of 5 Citing data errors, San Bernardino County revises COVID-19 case tally - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA 7/30/20, 8:59 PM
Adelanto: 419 cases, 6 deaths
Apple Valley: 552 cases, 4 deaths
Baker: 6 cases
Baldy Mesa: 3 cases
Barstow: 108 cases, 3 deaths
Daggett: 1 case
Fort Irwin: 2 cases
Helendale: 30 cases
Hesperia: 997, 6 deaths
Hinkley: 5 cases
Joshua Tree: 33 cases, 2 deaths
Landers: 2 cases
Lucerne Valley: 14 cases, 1 death
Morongo Valley: 18 cases
Needles: 31 cases https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200730/citing-data-errors-san-bernardino-county-revises-covid-19-case-tally Page 3 of 5 Citing data errors, San Bernardino County revises COVID-19 case tally - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA 7/30/20, 8:59 PM
Newberry Springs: 3 cases
Oak Hills: 117 cases, 1 death
Oro Grande: 7 cases, 1 death
Phelan: 112 cases
Piñon Hills: 29 cases
Pioneertown: 1 case
Twentynine Palms: 24 cases
Victorville: 1,677 cases, 8 deaths
Yermo: 4 cases
Yucca Valley: 103 cases, 2 deaths
Here is the list of cases and deaths in the mountain communities:
Angelus Oaks: 2 cases
Big Bear City: 26 cases
https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200730/citing-data-errors-san-bernardino-county-revises-covid-19-case-tally Page 4 of 5 Citing data errors, San Bernardino County revises COVID-19 case tally - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA 7/30/20, 8:59 PM
Big Bear Lake: 35 cases
Blue Jay: 7 cases, 1 death
Cedar Glen: 4 cases
Crestline: 45 cases, 2 deaths
Forest Falls: 3 cases
Rimforest: 1 case
Running Springs: 18 cases
Sugarloaf: 5 cases
Twin Peaks: 7 cases, 1 death
Wrightwood: 8 cases
Total: 161, 4 deaths
Due to the error in San Bernardino County’s dashboard, the numbers for the previous day are unknown.
Daily Press Managing Editor Matthew Cabe contributed to this report.
Laine Henry is an intern at The Desert Sun. You may reach him at [email protected].
https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200730/citing-data-errors-san-bernardino-county-revises-covid-19-case-tally Page 5 of 5 7/31/2020 COVID-19 outbreak confirmed at San Diego gym operating illegally - Los Angeles Times
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CALIFORNIA
COVID-19 outbreak confirmed at San Diego gym operating illegally
San Diego County o cials confirmed Wednesday that a community COVID-19 outbreak had been linked to the Gym in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. (Sam Hodgson / San Diego Union-Tribune)
By MORGAN COOK
JULY 29, 2020 | 9:55 PM https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-07-29/covid-19-outbreak-confirmed-at-a-pacific-beach-gym-operating-in-defiance-of-health-order 1/8 7/31/2020 COVID-19 outbreak confirmed at San Diego gym operating illegally - Los Angeles Times
SAN DIEGO — An outbreak of COVID-19 was confirmed Wednesday at a popular San Diego gym that had been operating in defiance of the county’s public health order.
In response, San Diego County officials announced that they would step up efforts to protect workers and improve enforcement and contact tracing.
County officials had ordered the Pacific Beach fitness business the Gym to immediately close last week, Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer, said Wednesday. The Gym continued operating but is now closed.
“This was a perfect storm where we had to require the business to close, and then yesterday they were on our outbreak list,” Wooten said. “Last week, when we were trying to get them to close, we didn’t know they were on the outbreak list.”
The owner of the Gym did not respond to requests for comment.
To improve the speed and effectiveness with which the county can trace contacts amid an increase in cases and outbreaks, staff will ask the Board of Supervisors at its meeting next week to consider hiring more people for its COVID-19 tracing, compliance and enforcement efforts, officials said Wednesday. The county said it is also working to diversify the backgrounds of those it hires to better match the communities hit hardest.
Officials also announced that the county is updating its public health order, effective Thursday, to require employers to notify all employees if there is an outbreak of COVID- 19 in the workplace.
Supervisor Greg Cox said the county is working with cities and hammering out the details of how to form teams with law enforcement agencies that would work to ensure
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-07-29/covid-19-outbreak-confirmed-at-a-pacific-beach-gym-operating-in-defiance-of-health-order 2/8 7/31/2020 COVID-19 outbreak confirmed at San Diego gym operating illegally - Los Angeles Times compliance with the public health order. Cox said staff expected to present a proposal to the Board of Supervisors at its meeting Tuesday.
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Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said the county is doing what enforcement it can, but the new cases and outbreaks require more resources. So far, the county has issued three orders to close businesses and three cease and desist letters, he said.
“We recognize that we have to do more, we have to step up what we’re doing a little better, and we’re responding accordingly,” Fletcher said.
Cook writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. 7/31/2020 Serious COVID-19 cases surge in CA millennials, young adults | The Sacramento Bee
DW
CORONAVIRUS She’s only 27 — and COVID-19 nearly killed her. Why young adults need to take this seriously
BY SAWSAN MORRAR AND TONY BIZJAK JULY 30, 2020 02:17 PM , UPDATED JULY 30, 2020 06:51 PM 7/31/2020 Serious COVID-19 cases surge in CA millennials, young adults | The Sacramento Bee
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Kris Obligar was lying in a hospital intensive care bed, terrified and crying. She couldn’t breathe, and her condition was deteriorating fast.
Just hours after the 27-year-old Sacramentan had managed to walk haltingly into the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center on Morse Avenue in early July, doctors were telling her they possibly needed to perform an emergency tracheotomy on her – cutting a hole in her throat.
“I thought ... I might die,” the Sacramento speech therapist said. “My mind and body wet into panic mode.”
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She wished her mother could be there to hold her hand. But no family members were allowed by her side, not that day, nor any of the other 18 days she would spend in intensive care to treat her coronavirus infection, much of it in a drug-induced semi-conscious state on a breathing machine.
She is, perhaps, lucky. Although she spent weeks with a tube in her throat, the tracheotomy didn’t happen because her lungs responded to treatment. She’s recovering now, sequestered in an upstairs room of her sister’s Arden Arcade area home, but is still barely able to talk and gets winded when she walks up a flight of stairs.
She wants her story to be a lesson.
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Five months into the coronavrius pandemic, it’s still true that older people typically get worse cases and have far higher death rates from COVID-19. But it’s also clear that far more younger people are getting infected by the virus than their parents and grandparents.
In Sacramento County, the 20-29 age group has emerged as the most infected group, followed by those in their 30s. And in some instances, those cases have been life- threatening.
For Obligar, the events of the last month were as unexpected as they were horrifying. She doesn’t know where she caught the virus. But her parents got it at the same time. Ironically, it was Kris who ended up in intensive care, while her parents sat at home with mild symptoms worried for their daughter’s life.
Obligar, a speech therapist for children and California State University, Sacramento alumna, had been taking precautions. She would social distance with friends at the park, wear a mask to the store and elsewhere, and order takeout rather than sit at restaurants.
The worrisome days of early spring waned, though, and it appeared the virus was under control in Sacramento.
“The world began ‘opening up’ and so did I,” Obligar said. “I can’t give an exact moment in time, but I can tell you that it did come with being more lenient and open to going out.”
One day in early July, “I remember feeling short of breath and could do nothing to satisfy the lack of air. I didn’t officially know if I was ‘positive’ but I had all of the symptoms.”
Obligar was taken to the hospital via ambulance on the Fourth of July. She was tested inside a COVID-19 emergency room tent, but was sent home. Three days later, she returned with renewed breathing problems.
She was hooked up to oxygen, but was still unable to breathe. Within the six hours of being in the COVID unit, doctors sedated the panicked young woman, then inserted a tube down her throat, connected to a ventilator machine that would do the breathing for her.
Obligar spoke to The Sacramento Bee this week mainly through texts because her voice is hoarse and will take time to recover.
“Every day I was sedated felt like I was going to die.”
COVID-19 AND 20-SOMETHINGS
Most people who die from COVID-19 are elderly. Sacramento County statistics as of Thursday show that 91 of the county’s 126 deaths occurred among people age 70 and older. Only eight have occurred among people under age 50. https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article244533562.html? 3/11 7/31/2020 Serious COVID-19 cases surge in CA millennials, young adults | The Sacramento Bee There may be an explanation for Obligar’s more serious case. She has Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is considered among the handful of underlying conditions that can turn a case of COVID-19 into a nightmare. Also on the list of underlying health issues that have been linked to the worst cases: obesity, asthma, heart and lung conditions, hypertension, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. A recent UCSF study also found that smoking can cause someone to have a worse case of COVID.
Obligar said her diabetes is well managed. She is healthy and very active.
“I can’t say that it puts me more at risk of getting it, but I can say that it did put me in more danger when I fell ill, especially during the first stages,” she said. “With any sickness, diabetes can increase your instance of complications.”
While older people are more likely to have underlying conditions, some younger people do as well. In some cases, they may not be aware their health is compromised.
“Your housemates get the sniffles and you end up in the hospital,” Sacramento County health officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye said. “You may have hypertension and may not know about it.”
Diabetes is particularly prevalent. More than 34 million Americans have diabetes – about 1 in 10 – and approximately 90 to 95% of them have Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it, according to the CDC.
ANOTHER CASE OF COVID-19
The younger age groups include more working people, many in the service industry, who cannot afford to stay home. That puts them at higher risk.
But there is another reason, health officials say, that younger people are more likely to catch COVID-19. They socialize more, assuming that they are less likely to get a bad case.
Branko Zlatar, 23, of Sacramento, is blunt about the urge many young people feel to gather with friends at bars, clubs, beaches and restaurants. Otherwise, “it feels like my youth is being stolen from me. That is why people my age ignore it. I don’t want to waste time indoors when I should be out living life.”
That attitude cost him. He got COVID-19. He doesn’t know where, although he had recently been with friends in a crowded bar where someone reportedly had the virus. One day, he went to work coughing. His boss sent him home
“Once night-time hit, it hurt to breathe,” he said. “I had a headache. I was sweating. My lungs hurt with each deep breath. I thought I could actually die. This might be it.
“The next morning, I woke up. It didn’t hurt anymore.”
He took a coronavirus test the next day, but thought he probably had some other illness, not the virus. So while waiting for the test results, he went out again with friends. His test came back positive. Meanwhile, one of those friends tested positive. He felt guilty and posted a warning to friends on Facebook. He has since donated https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article244533562.html? 5/11 7/31/2020 Serious COVID-19 cases surge in CA millennials, young adults | The Sacramento Bee But younger people by far are more likely to catch the virus. While the huge majority of those cases are relatively mild, there are some worrying signs that virus’ effect on the body could be long-lasting.
It’s prompted some health officials to warn young adults that staying free of coronavirus is not just about avoiding passing it on to your parents, grandparents and other loved ones. It’s also about managing your own long-term health.
“I feel like most people think that having ‘2’ or ‘3’ in front of their age is a silver bullet and going to protect them, and that is simply not true,” said Dr. Vanessa Walker, a critical care physician at Sutter Roseville and medical director of Sutter’s regional electronic ICU system. “This isn’t an in-and-out thing, just out of work for a week, and back to business as usual.”
Some recent research suggests COVID-19 could affect more than the lungs on a long- term basis.
“We don’t know what the long-term outcomes will be,” said Walker. “This is going to be knocking out our young vibrant population for multiple weeks, with possible long-term health effects that we as as a society are going to be paying for down the road.”
CALIFORNIA CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES COVID-19 cases by age group compared to the percentage of the population that is in that age group.
Cases CA Population <5 2% 6% 5-17 7% 17% 18- 35% 24% 34 35- 25% 19% 49 50- 14% 13% 59 60- 5% 6% 64
A study published July 24 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 20 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 with no chronic underlying medical problems were still sick from COVID-19 three weeks after testing positive.
“COVID-19 can result in prolonged illness, even among young adults without underlying chronic medical conditions,” the CDC said in its report.
Two studies published this week in JAMA Cardiology found that some people who have recovered from COVID-19 show abnormal heart imaging findings.
Dr. Robert Wachter, chairman of the Department of Medicine at UC San Francisco, says that suggests young people who don’t take precautions could be risking longer- term health issues. “We are becoming increasingly aware of long-term consequences.” In a worse case scenario: “If you are 25, you have 50 or more years of higher risk with a damaged heart.”
UNDERLYING CONDITIONS, DIABETES
https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article244533562.html? 4/11 7/31/2020 Serious COVID-19 cases surge in CA millennials, young adults | The Sacramento Bee University Medical Center. “You have to sedate someone to put them on a ventilator. We sedate people pretty heavily, and they have to be in the ICU. There are risks of it in your wind pipe.”
It could have been worse for Obligar. Doctors talked about opening a hole in her neck directly into her throat. If her lungs hadn’t improved, she said, she would still be in the hospital today with a tracheotomy.
HUGGING RELATIVES
The COVID-19 pandemic risks have been a hard thing for many young people to get a grip on, given that older people are the hardest hit group.
For Micah Buchman, 30, a legal assistant in Sacramento, the virus seems real, but then again, “like a far away idea, like turning 80.”
She and friends gather most weekends at someone’s house to share dinners, watch movies and talk. “We hug,” she admitted. They don’t wear masks during their get- togethers. “It’s not really on our minds. I mean, we’re worried about our grandparents, and older people.”
Buchman, who wore a mask when she stopped to talk to The Bee this week outside a market, said she has been thinking a bit more about the virus lately. “It’s getting more serious. I thought it would blow over in a couple of weeks.”
Dr. John Belko of Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, laments the fact that messages about COVID-19 have been confusing and often associated with vitriol and politics.
“It does amaze me. Our society has become so polarized,” Belko said. “It used to be that people did what the right thing was for the common good. It is not just about you and your individual choice. It is for all of us. It amazes me the vitriol out there. After 20 years in practice, I should be cynical. H1n1, you could have a rational discussion.”
Tito Martinez, 26, of Davis, a climate change consultant, has come to some conclusions based on his reading of science. He is still willing to go out to outdoor restaurants and take his Corgi to the dog park. But when he does, he wears a mask, and believes it is a moral responsibility to be as concerned for others as he is for himself.
“I don’t want to feel guilty about the possibility of me making things worse,” he said this week while meeting up with his girlfriend and cousin for dinner. “I came from a STEM major. I don’t know if that’s why. I believe in science. I think it is effective to take precautions. You listen to authority figures who represent your ideals. The authorities at the CDC, I take them very seriously.”
Obligar, who was released from the hospital last week and called it one of the best days of her life, still has a ways to go toward recovery. It will be another month or more before her voice is back. She needs therapy for her throat. She finds it hard to walk and talk at the same time.
Her friend set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with the family’s medical bills. “Be an advocate, share Kris’ story. and WEAR A MASK,” the page read. “Please take this https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article244533562.html? 7/11 7/31/2020 Serious COVID-19 cases surge in CA millennials, young adults | The Sacramento Bee plasma, which, if it has antibodies, could be used by hospitals in treating others with COVID.
“I want people to know it is real,” Zlatar said. “A lot of people don’t take it seriously.”
Like Zlatar, Obligar does not know where she got the virus. It likely was, like many cases, passed from family member to family member, at a time when no one felt ill.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES COVID-19 cases by age group compared to the percentage of the population that is in that age group.
Cases Sacramento Population 0-9 4% 13% 10-19 7% 13% 20-29 22% 14% 30-39 20% 15% 40- 17% 12% 49 50-59 13% 12% 60- 9% 11% 69 70+ 8% 10%
ISOLATION, AN ICU, A VENTILATOR
Obligar says being on a ventilator, alone, in a drug-induced semi-conscious state, was as bad an experience as she has ever had.
“It is so difficult to describe the amount of isolation I felt in there,” she said. “I couldn’t hold my mom’s hand or say I love you to anyone before anything happened.” She said the kindness of her nurses helped immensely. “I had the best nurses I’ll forever be indebted to.”
Among patients who have been put on ventilators, she may have been lucky. When the virus first hit in March, health professionals moved quickly to hook the most ill patients to the breathing machines. But hospitals soon discovered that people they put on ventilators often died.
In the months since, hospitals have developed treatment protocols that rely on intermediate steps, including a new therapeutic drug called remdesivir that was not available to patients in March and April. That drug, as well as the steroid dexamethasone and convalescent plasma, now help strengthen weak lungs and are proving more successful than simply using a ventilator.
“In the beginning of this, especially in New York, everybody had a breathing tube and a mechanical ventilator and that apparently made worse the lung inflammation, and now we know that’s not the way to go about it,” said David Lubarsky, head of UC Davis Health, which operates the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. “We really changed our treatments.”
Being intubated and placed on a ventilator is a deeply disturbing experience for many patients.
“We don’t do that lightly,” said Dr. Dean Winslow, an internal medicine and infectious disease specialist who cares for COVID-19 patients at the Stanford https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article244533562.html? 6/11 7/31/2020 Serious COVID-19 cases surge in CA millennials, young adults | The Sacramento Bee seriously.”
Obligar is aware some young people don’t believe COVID-19 is a serious risk. She asks them to put themselves in her place three weeks ago.
“Are you ready to walk into an ER by yourself and not come out for two weeks?” she said.
To lie there, cut off from your family with a tube down your throat not knowing if you have a future.
“It may not take you or your family members where it took me, but is that worth the risk?”
RELATED STORIES FROM SACRAMENTO BEE
1 of 2
Kris Obligar, 27, looks out from the second floor apartment room in Arden Arcade where she is recovering in isolation after an intensive COVID-19 hospitalization, as seen from a drone Wednesday, July 29, 2020. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS [email protected]
TONY BIZJAK SAWSAN MORRAR https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article244533562.html? 8/11 7/30/2020 Sports world, like everything else, is devastated by coronavirus | Sports | fontanaheraldnews.com
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/sports/sports-world-like-everything-else-is-devastated-by- coronavirus/article_08c24280-d28b-11ea-b814-d7098fbd13b4.html Sports world, like everything else, is devastated by coronavirus
Commentary by RUSSELL INGOLD Jul 30, 2020
Fontana's Daniel Crisostomo, a member of Orange County SC, dribbles the ball on July 25 against Phoenix Rising FC in a USL Championship league game at Great Park in Irvine. Orange County won, 1-0. The coronavirus threat has not prevented league action from continuing. (Contributed photo by Jerry Soifer)
There are a million reasons why we should hate the coronavirus. It has caused terrible devastation throughout the world, resulting in sickness and death, while in icting major economic damage.
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/sports/sports-world-like-everything-else-is-devastated-by-coronavirus/article_08c24280-d28b-11ea-b814-d7098fb… 1/3 7/30/2020 Sports world, like everything else, is devastated by coronavirus | Sports | fontanaheraldnews.com One of the sad side effects of COVID-19 has been its effect on the sports world, from the professional level all the way down to young kids not being able to participate in their favorite activities because of the understandable health concerns.
For months, fans have been unable to watch their beloved athletes on TV.
Now, nally, Major League Baseball has started its season, and what happens? The Miami Marlins are forced to postpone several games because numerous players got infected.
Still, there is reason for optimism that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels will be able to make it through the season unscathed -- and they may actually thrive with the help of some superstar newcomers.
The Dodgers, aided by Mookie Betts, have a good shot at winning a World Series title that would somewhat make up for the crown that was unjustly denied them by the cheating Houston Astros in 2017. The Angels, meanwhile, are looking for big things from Anthony Rendon, who was a member of the Washington Nationals' championship team of 2019.
Adding to the sports excitement is the continuation of the NBA season, in which both the L.A. Lakers and Clippers are top contenders for the title. The NBA is smartly playing all of its games inside a bubble in Orlando, Fla., which hopefully will keep the coronavirus away (as long as the Clippers' Lou Williams stops going to strip clubs).
But when considering the football situation, it is very disconcerting that all of the NFL's preseason contests have been canceled, and some analysts are doubting whether games can be played at all in 2020.
Pro soccer, on the other hand, seems to be moving forward nicely with its MLS is Back Tournament.
Lower levels of pro soccer also appear to be rejuvenated following the coronavirus shutdown. The USL Championship league features the Orange County SC team, which has a player from Fontana, Daniel Crisostomo. He helped Orange County SC obtain a 1-0 win over Phoenix Rising at Great Park in Irvine on July 25.
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/sports/sports-world-like-everything-else-is-devastated-by-coronavirus/article_08c24280-d28b-11ea-b814-d7098fb… 2/3 7/30/2020 Sports world, like everything else, is devastated by coronavirus | Sports | fontanaheraldnews.com ----- BUT WHILE playing elds are apparently being allowed to be used for competition in the O.C., that's not the case in San Bernardino County, creating additional misery for local athletes who have been forced to the sidelines by this pandemic.
According to S.B. County health of cials, recreational team and youth sports of any kind, including purposes of conditioning, drills and exercise activities, are not permitted at this time due to safety precautions. As a result, Fontana's youth football and soccer teams which had been looking forward to fall competition are still stuck with nothing to do -- which is frustrating, but it's the wise approach considering the horror that COVID-19 can create.
The CIF Southern Section recently announced that the high school sports that were originally scheduled to begin in the fall have been delayed until December or January, which makes sense under the circumstances. The goal will be to have all of the prep sports seasons eventually take place at some point during the 2020-2021 school year, and we would be grateful for that.
In the meantime, all persons -- athletes and non-athletes, fans and non-fans -- need to do their best to triumph over the coronavirus. Wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and let's revive joyfulness and defeat the gloom.
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/sports/sports-world-like-everything-else-is-devastated-by-coronavirus/article_08c24280-d28b-11ea-b814-d7098fb… 3/3 7/30/2020 Wear face coverings and practice social distancing to help stop coronavirus | Opinion | fontanaheraldnews.com
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/wear-face-coverings-and-practice-social-distancing-to-help- stop-coronavirus/article_dadf0b12-d28c-11ea-b86f-434cfe92d351.html Wear face coverings and practice social distancing to help stop coronavirus
By FONTANA HERALD NEWS Jul 30, 2020
The horrible scourge of the coronavirus is continuing to have an awful impact on Fontana, and it's time for residents -- of all ages -- to do their best to stop this devastating plague in our city.
The number of con rmed COVID-19 cases has skyrocketed in Fontana during the month of July, mirroring a trend that has been seen in most of California and many parts of the United States.
We need to immediately slow the rate of infections and then completely eradicate this disease so that we can regain full control of our lives.
San Bernardino County remains on California's Monitoring List, which restricts our ability to continue reopening our economy or allow our schools to provide in-person instruction, said Curt Hagman, chairman of the county's Board of Supervisors.
“Getting off the list requires us to show tangible success in reducing new positive cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions — and that requires strict compliance with various public health mandates," Hagman said.
These mandates should be familiar to everyone:
• Wear face coverings when in public.
• Practice social distancing.
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/wear-face-coverings-and-practice-social-distancing-to-help-stop-coronavirus/article_dadf0b12-d28c-11ea-… 1/2 7/30/2020 Wear face coverings and practice social distancing to help stop coronavirus | Opinion | fontanaheraldnews.com These simple rules are annoying, but if we follow them faithfully, we will emerge from this crisis much sooner.
Fontana (and the county as a whole) had been making progress in " attening the curve" up until the end of May, but since then, there has been an explosion of cases and an apparent willingness on the part of too many residents to not adhere to the important health guidelines.
Recently, the county reported that private gatherings have been the overwhelming reason why the number of cases has increased so dramatically in the local area. Contact tracers from the county interviewed 319 people who were infected with COVID-19, and 228 of them -- 71 percent -- had attended a family gathering.
It is important to remember that large gatherings with friends and extended family members are still prohibited under the state's stay-at-home order, and so we must resist the temptation to be involved in these types of events. The safest option for a family get-together remains a virtual gathering using digital tools such as Zoom or Facetime.
"It is foolish to endanger the lives of those you love the most," county health of cials said.
Young people in particular need to heed this advice. The majority of con rmed coronavirus cases is coming from persons between the ages of 20 and 39, and 24.4 percent of the cases are between the ages of 10 and 19.
Now that we know the facts, let's all do our part. Anyone can get this disease, and so everyone should help stop its spread.
----- TESTING for the coronavirus is taking place inside the Jessie Turner Center, 15556 Summit Avenue in Fontana, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Testing is by appointment only. Appointments can be made by visiting sbcovid19.com.
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/wear-face-coverings-and-practice-social-distancing-to-help-stop-coronavirus/article_dadf0b12-d28c-11ea-… 2/2 How Inland Empire cities are embracing temporary outdoor dining during coronavirus – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:55 PM
THINGS TO DO!RESTAURANT REVIEWS + FOOD • News How Inland Empire cities are embracing temporary outdoor dining during coronavirus
Caprice Restaurant and Bar busser Kai Alari of Redlands sets a table as guests with reservations wait to be seated for dinner in the middle of State Street on the first night of the outdoor dining event in Redlands on Thursday, July 9, 2020. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
By FIELDING BUCK | [email protected] | The Press-Enterprise PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 8:12 a.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 1:42 p.m.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/how-inland-empire-cities-are-embracing-temporary-outdoor-dining-during-coronavirus/ Page 1 of 7 How Inland Empire cities are embracing temporary outdoor dining during coronavirus – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:55 PM
Customers at Roberta’s Village Inn in Old Town La Verne are used to sitting in vinyl turquoise booths, or on turquoise stools at an old-fashioned lunch counter. That’s not possible at the moment, so they’re sitting in the street.
And they’re liking it, according to owner Francisco Ramirez.
“Sometimes I think they want to be outside,” he said in a phone interview.
For weeks now, the idea of moving restaurant dining rooms outside has been "oated as a lifeline amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Hungry? Sign up for our weekly food newsletter The Eat Index and !nd out about the latest restaurant and brewery happenings in the Inland Empire. Subscribe here.
The concept has been picking up speed since Gov. Gavin Newsom shut down restaurant dining rooms for the second time in Southern California on July 1.
Four cities in the Inland Empire have closed streets for restaurant tables and a !#h is considering it.
“It’s a nice novelty that gives people a chance to experience something they haven’t done before,” said Eric Scherer, head of the Community Development Department for La Verne, a city in eastern Los Angeles County.
On July 2, La Verne inde!nitely closed D Street in its Old Town area to create space for restaurants. It’s also letting personal services move out outdoors since Newsom permitted it on July 20.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/how-inland-empire-cities-are-embracing-temporary-outdoor-dining-during-coronavirus/ Page 2 of 7 How Inland Empire cities are embracing temporary outdoor dining during coronavirus – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:55 PM
There was already planning in place to close D Street when Newsom acted, but restaurants weren’t that interested in the period a#er Memorial Day when they were allowed to use their dining rooms, according to Scherer. He said in a phone interview that some didn’t feel their sta$s could take on the extra work.
Ramirez’s sta$ are putting more mileage on their feet going in and out of the restaurant, he said. And they have additional duties related to the pandemic, such as constantly wiping down tables and having to deliver salt, pepper and condiments since multi-use containers aren’t allowed to sit out.
Other restaurants include Lordsburg Taphouse & Grill, which serves beer and burgers, and Cafe Wang, a Chinese fusion restaurant.
Street dining lends itself to cities with walkable downtown areas, like La Verne and Upland in San Bernardino County, which has closed Second Street east of Euclid Avenue for dining. Participating restaurants include Rescue Brewing Company, Paulie’s Pizza Pub, and Coterie Tea and Eatery.
Most cities don’t attempt it, including nearby Claremont, which has a quaint section called the Village. Claremont is encouraging restaurants to use spaces such as parking lots for outdoor dining.
Cities throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties are o$ering temporary permits for outdoor dining, o#en expedited or without fees. Some provide guidance but don’t require permits.
Some cities, such as Riverside, launched their programs weeks ago. Others acted more recently, such as Grand Terrace, which approved a relief fund on Tuesday, July 28, to help restaurants set up outdoor dining.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/how-inland-empire-cities-are-embracing-temporary-outdoor-dining-during-coronavirus/ Page 3 of 7 How Inland Empire cities are embracing temporary outdoor dining during coronavirus – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:55 PM
Cities are helping with COVID-19 relief programs in both counties, such as San Bernardino County’s COVID-19 Business Compliance Partnership, which provides $2,500 grants to small businesses. Riverside County has a program with $10,000 grants for small businesses.
Temecula, in southwestern Riverside County, tried closing Old Town Front Street to cars between Second and Fourth streets in late June, but the city council voted on July 14 to reopen it a#er merchants complained that their businesses dropped as much as 75%. The city is letting restaurants and retailers use on-street parking spaces and sidewalks as long as there’s space for pedestrians.
The number of participating restaurants has grown to about 24, according to Christine Damko, the city’s economic development manager. Participants include Devilicious Eatery and Taproom and Baily’s Old Town.
“I would say it’s turning out to be a success,” she wrote in an email.
It’s also working out in Redlands, according to city spokesman Carl Baker. The city in San Bernardino County is closing portions of State and Fi#h streets in Redlands for dining 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
The city contacted merchants along the tree-lined streets before launching the program and didn’t meet any opposition, Baker said in a phone interview. It was supposed to kick o$ Fourth of July weekend, but the governor’s pullback delayed the launch for a week.
Participants include The State, a gastropub, and Living Root Cellar, a vegan cafe.
Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains is also experimenting with street dining. Last weekend it shut Pine Knott Avenue for restaurants and merchants and allowed them to set up in parking spaces on Village Drive, which remained open.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/how-inland-empire-cities-are-embracing-temporary-outdoor-dining-during-coronavirus/ Page 4 of 7 How Inland Empire cities are embracing temporary outdoor dining during coronavirus – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:55 PM
The city hasn’t decided the future of outdoor dining or, at press time, whether it would take place this weekend.
City manager Frank Rush called the results mixed. Fewer restaurants participated than he expected, but, he said, “I think people enjoyed the chance to spread out a little bit.”
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/how-inland-empire-cities-are-embracing-temporary-outdoor-dining-during-coronavirus/ Page 5 of 7 7/31/2020 These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining – Press Enterprise
THINGS TO DORESTAURANT REVIEWS + FOOD • News These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining 7/31/2020 These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining – Press Enterprise
Restaurants Kaz Ramen and Mongolian B.B.Q. in Grand Terrace have outdoor dining set up on the sidewalk for customers during the coronavirus pandemic on Monday,, July 27, 2020. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
By FIELDING BUCK || [email protected]@scng.com || TheThe Press-EnterprisePress-Enterprise PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 8:09 a.m. || UPDATED:UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 8:10 a.m.
Dining tables are popping up all over the Inland Empire in places where people never expected to see them, including parking lots.
Thatʼs because cities throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties have loosenedloosened theirtheir regulationsregulations onon restaurantsrestaurants thatthat arenʼt allowed to use their dining rooms becausebecause ofof thethe novel coronavirus pandemic..
News is essential. Only 99¢ to start. SEE OFFER https://www.pe.com/2020/07/30/these-inland-empire-cities-have-allowed-more-outdoor-dining/ 2/8 7/31/2020 These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining – Press Enterprise
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Restaurants are being allowed to serve guests on sidewalks, in parking lots, and sometimes even in streets.
Here is what Inland Empire cities are doing to encourage temporary outdoor dining, according to city officials and city websites.
Riverside County
Banning: SeveralSeveral restaurantsrestaurants onon RamseyRamsey StreetStreet havehave permanentpermanent oror temporarytemporary outdoor dining. They include the The Station Taphouse Bar & Grill, Papaya Bay, Mexican Food 1987, Farmerʼs Fresh Burgers, Grammaʼs Country Kitchen, and Reynaldoʼs Restaurant. Farmʼs House, the red building with the giant rooster at the Highland Springs Avenue freeway exit, is near Ramsey and also has temporary outdoor dining.
Beaumont: WithoutWithout aa downtowndowntown district,district, thethe citycity isis encouragingencouraging restaurantsrestaurants toto use sidewalks and parking lots within their shopping centers for outdoor seating. The city is considering helping them by purchasing barricades and shade structures. 7/31/2020 These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining – Press Enterprise Subscribe here..
Calimesa: TheThe citycity isis encouragingencouraging outdooroutdoor diningdining andand expandedexpanded diningdining areasareas withwith an expedited permit process, according to its website.
Corona: TheThe citycity isis allowingallowing expandedexpanded diningdining onon sidewalkssidewalks andand privateprivate propertyproperty such as parking lots.
Eastvale: TheThe citycity offersoffers aa no-feeno-fee temporarytemporary useuse permitpermit toto helphelp restaurantsrestaurants andand other businesses set up outdoor operations in common areas of private property, such as parking stalls. No business has requested public street closures for outdoor business purposes, according to Planning Manager Jason Killebrew,
Hemet: TheThe citycity councilcouncil recentlyrecently votedvoted toto allowallow expandedexpanded diningdining inin parkingparking lots.lots.
Idyllwild: SeveralSeveral restaurantsrestaurants inin thisthis unincorporatedunincorporated mountainmountain communitycommunity havehave decks or patios and some are using them, according to Edmund Yang, owner of Restaurant Gastrognome. Others are just doing takeout. Yang said in a phone interviewinterview hehe hasnʼthasnʼt seenseen expandedexpanded outdooroutdoor diningdining spaces.spaces.
Jurupa Valley: TheThe citycity councilcouncil votedvoted onon JulyJuly 1717 toto allowallow outdooroutdoor diningdining onon privateprivate property.
Lake Elsinore: TheThe citycity launchedlaunched aa programprogram calledcalled DineDine OutOut LELE toto helphelp restaurants set up in shopping center common areas, parking lots or pedestrian areas wide enough to allow foot traffic and social distancing.
Menifee: BusinessesBusinesses onon NewportNewport RoadRoad andand inin CherryCherry HillHill PlazaPlaza havehave beenbeen approved for temporary outdoor dining permits on private property. They include Archibaldʼs Drive-Thru, Mernaʼs Cafe & Grill, Carnitas Express, and Texas Roadhouse.
Moreno Valley: TheThe citycity approvedapproved anan emergency measure in mid-June toto allowallow restaurants to use as much as 50% of off-street parking for dining areas and temporarytemporary signage.signage.
Murrieta: TheThe citycity hashas adaptedadapted itsits parkingparking requirementsrequirements toto allowallow restaurantsrestaurants toto convert private parking spaces to dining. It doesnʼt require permits, but it asking businesses to follow its guidelines on such matters as table spacing.
Norco: TheThe citycity isis permittingpermitting outdooroutdoor diningdining onon privateprivate propertyproperty suchsuch asas parkingparking lots.lots.
Perris:: TheThe citycity isis issuingissuing temporarytemporary permitspermits forfor outdooroutdoor andand sidewalksidewalk diningdining adjacent to restaurants and 15 feet away from street intersections. 7/31/2020 These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining – Press Enterprise Riverside: TheThe citycity createdcreated whatwhat itit callscalls itsits TemporaryTemporary OutdoorOutdoor FlexFlex SpaceSpace PermitPermit Program, allowing outdoor dining on private property and in alleys, sidewalks and plazas. One of those areas is the Main Street Pedestrian Mall where businesses such as the Lobby, a new cocktail lounge, are providing service.
Temecula: TheThe citycity isis encouragingencouraging restaurantsrestaurants toto useuse privateprivate parkingparking lotslots andand common areas for dining. It tried closing Old Town Front Street to automobiles to allow for foot traffic and dining, but merchants protested.. OldOld TownTown stillstill hashas expanded outdoor dining in parking spaces and on sidewalks.
Wildomar: ClintonClinton KeithKeith RoadRoad isis aa centercenter forfor outdooroutdoor diningdining withwith restaurantsrestaurants using or expanding patios, according to Economic Development Director Kimberly Davidson. Restaurants include Tresinoʼs Fresh Italian, Angeloʼs Brick Oven Pizzeria, The Hive Grill; Sushi Ka, and Dennyʼs.
San Bernardino County
Big Bear Lake: ThisThis mountainmountain citycity hashas experimentedexperimented withwith closingclosing PinePine KnottKnott Avenue to automobiles and allowing restaurants to set up tables there. At press time,time, itit hadnʼthadnʼt decideddecided whetherwhether toto gogo forwardforward withwith thethe program.program.
Chino: TheThe citycity listslists somesome restaurantsrestaurants atat oror nearnear GoldenGolden PalmsPalms PlazaPlaza asas havinghaving temporarytemporary outdooroutdoor dining,dining, includingincluding TheThe VintnerʼsVintnerʼs Tavern.Tavern.
Chino Hills: TheThe citycity isis issuingissuing temporarytemporary permitspermits forfor outdooroutdoor diningdining patios.patios.
Colton: TheThe citycity isis issuingissuing specialspecial eventsevents permitspermits forfor restaurantsrestaurants toto setset upup outdooroutdoor dining on private property such as parking lots.
Crestline: ThereThere isis aa concentrationconcentration ofof restaurantsrestaurants withwith patiospatios onon LakeLake DriveDrive inin thisthis mountainmountain community.community. TheyThey includeinclude ToniʼsToniʼs Kitchen,Kitchen, StockageStockage GrubGrub && Whiskey, and the Crestline Cafe. In the nearby community of Blue Jay on Highway 189, Billʼs Villager has set up sidewalk dining. In Skyforest, LouEddieʼs Pizza has moved a lot of its business onto its decks.
Fontana: TheThe cityʼscityʼs temporarytemporary outdooroutdoor operatingoperating permitpermit allowsallows restaurantsrestaurants toto create outdoor seating areas using sidewalks and parking spaces when safe to do so.
Grand Terrace: TheThe citycity councilcouncil approvedapproved aa relief fund to help restaurants set up outdoor dining.. SomeSome restaurants,restaurants, includingincluding KazKaz Ramen,Ramen, MongolianMongolian B.B.Q.B.B.Q. andand Woodyʼs Classic Grill have already set up outside dining.
Highland: TheThe citycity isis inspectinginspecting approximatelyapproximately sevenseven restaurantsrestaurants thatthat havehave setset upup outdoors for such issues as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 7/31/2020 These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining – Press Enterprise Lake Arrowhead: RestaurantsRestaurants inin thethe unincorporatedunincorporated communitycommunity areare offeringoffering outdoor dining. Some in Lake Arrowhead Village, a shopping center, are using common areas on the property for dining, but not parking spaces.
Loma Linda: RestaurantsRestaurants havehave beenbeen offeredoffered thethe abilityability toto useuse adjacentadjacent parkingparking spaces and sidewalk areas for outdoor dining, but most are using existing patios.
Montclair: TheThe citycity isis workingworking withwith restaurantsrestaurants toto facilitatefacilitate outdooroutdoor dining.dining.
Ontario: TheThe citycity isis expeditingexpediting permitspermits forfor outdooroutdoor andand sidewalksidewalk dining.dining.
Rancho Cucamonga: TheThe citycity createdcreated guidanceguidance forfor restaurantsrestaurants toto setset upup diningdining areas in parking lots.
Redlands: TheThe citycity isis encouragingencouraging restaurantsrestaurants toto setset upup tablestables inin parkingparking lots.lots. ItIt recently began closing State Street to automobiles so that restaurants can set up tablestables Thursday through Saturday evenings..
Rialto: TheThe citycity isis allowingallowing outdooroutdoor operationsoperations ofof restaurants,restaurants, retailretail andand servicesservices such as nail salons. They can use patios or take as much as 50% of on-site parking spaces and must not obstruct pedestrian traffic.
San Bernardino: TheThe citycity willwill workwork withwith anyany businessbusiness thatthat wantwant toto setset upup temporarytemporary patios,patios, citycity managermanager TeriTeri LedouxLedoux saidsaid inin anan email,email, butbut thatthat mostmost restaurants are on Hospitality Lane and already have patios.
Upland: TheThe citycity hashas closedclosed downtowndowntown streetsstreets forfor outdooroutdoor dining.dining. ThereThere areare several restaurants participating on Second Street east of Euclid Avenue. Among themthem areare RescueRescue BrewingBrewing Company,Company, PaulieʼsPaulieʼs PizzaPizza Pub,Pub, andand CoterieCoterie TeaTea andand Eatery. Also restaurants adjacent to three city lots can use them. They include The Heights on Campus Avenue, Kishi and Spaggiʼs on Foothill Boulevard and Last Name Brewery on Porterfield Way. The city also offers grants for businessesbusinesses toto setset up outdoor dining, even in parking spaces..
Yucaipa: RestaurantsRestaurants onon YucaipaYucaipa BoulevardBoulevard nearnear YucaipaYucaipa HighHigh SchoolSchool havehave sought or received permits, including Hickory Ranch Steakhouse, which has set up tables in its parking lot.
Los Angeles County
Claremont: TheThe citycity hashas aa programprogram calledcalled ClaremontClaremont AlAl FrescoFresco thatthat encouragesencourages restaurants to set up dining in parking lots or on sidewalks.
La Verne: TheThe citycity hashas closedclosed aa sectionsection ofof DD StreetStreet inin OldOld TownTown forfor restaurants and service businesses toto operateoperate outdoors.outdoors. ItIt alsoalso encouragesencourages outdooroutdoor diningdining inin otherother 7/31/2020 These Inland Empire cities have allowed more outdoor dining – Press Enterprise Pomona: MerchantsMerchants inin thethe downtowndowntown areaarea aroundaround SecondSecond StreetStreet andand GareyGarey Avenue are taking to the streets and alleys through an initiative called Activate Pomona.. ParticipatingParticipating restaurantsrestaurants includeinclude thethe GreenGreen RoomRoom andand thethe MetroMetro Alehouse & Grill. Work harder, smarter to reopen California – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:56 PM
OPINION Work harder, smarter to reopen California
A sign regarding COVID-19 symptoms and social distancing is seen in front of The Original Pancake House in Norco on Friday, May 15, 2020 as the restaurant reopen after shutting down for more than a month because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press- Enterprise/SCNG)
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | [email protected] |
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/work-harder-smarter-to-reopen-california/ Page 1 of 6 Work harder, smarter to reopen California – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:56 PM
PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 3:45 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 3:45 p.m.
It’s not clear that state leaders knew back in early March, when Gov. Gavin Newsom !rst declared a state of emergency because of the deadly coronavirus and soon a"er locked down the state, how severe the !scal consequences from that decision would be.
They know now.
The state’s !nances have been deeply damaged by the unprecedented ban on operating “non-essential” businesses, as de!ned by an ever-evolving list of state edicts and regulations. The state budget approved by lawmakers and signed by Newsom is an exercise in wishfulness, built on the hope that the federal government will rush in with funding to support the state government in the style to which it is accustomed. That’s far from a sure thing.
Now some Democratic lawmakers are proposing a $100 billion state economic stimulus. Details remain elusive, but the centerpiece of the plan involves borrowing against future tax revenues to pay today’s expenses, according to the legislators who are leading the e#ort.
Assembly Budget Chairman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, said the state could sell vouchers or coupons that taxpayers could use later to pay their taxes, or could sell to other taxpayers. “Obviously we would have to juggle that with future revenue needs,” he admitted.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/work-harder-smarter-to-reopen-california/ Page 2 of 6 Work harder, smarter to reopen California – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:56 PM
Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, suggested that taxpayers would be able to prepay their taxes for 2024, which would give the state “a three-year runway to get back on our feet.” That’s an acknowledgment that the state is currently on another part of its anatomy, !guratively speaking.
The “stimulus” plan calls for accelerating the spending of money from already approved general obligation bonds, as well as borrowing against future revenue expected from the cap-and-trade program and the 2017 increase in the gas tax.
Treasurer Fiona Ma said it was too soon to say how much could be raised by implementing the tax-voucher idea, though she praised the plan in general as “out of the box” thinking. The gas-tax revenue would be out of the lock box, that’s seems certain.
The plan was met with immediate skepticism from the leader of a union that represents state workers. Bob Schoonover, president of SEIU California and SEIU Local 721, called it “chicanery,” criticizing the idea of borrowing “from future generations without demanding that today’s billionaires and powerful corporations step up and contribute.”
Why choose? Lawmakers may decide to rob future generations while also raising tax rates on the taxpayers who already contribute the largest share of revenue to the general fund.
Assembly Bill 1253 was amended this week into another tax increase on the state’s high earners. The bill would add to the state’s top marginal income tax rate, already the highest in the United States at 13.3 percent. AB 1253 imposes a 1 percent surtax on taxable incomes above $1 million, a 3 percent tax hike above $3 million, and a 3.5 percent increase on incomes higher than $5 million. It would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2020, and it has no sunset date.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/work-harder-smarter-to-reopen-california/ Page 3 of 6 Work harder, smarter to reopen California – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:56 PM
This tax increase was demanded by the California Teachers Association, which responded to the proposed legislation by complaining that it’s only a step in what they called “the right direction.”
There is no mix of borrowing and tax increases that can !ll the hole le" by shutting down the California economy. Lawmakers need to work harder and more creatively to reopen the state in a safe and swi" manner and be willing to cut back state government spending as necessary.
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/work-harder-smarter-to-reopen-california/ Page 4 of 6 7/31/2020 Ex-San Bernardino DA will oversee Vallejo police shooting
Solano DA announces special prosecutor will investigate Vallejo police shooting of Willie McCoy Vallejo officials had accused the DA of trying to evade investigation
By NATE GARTRELL || [email protected] || BayBay AreaArea NewsNews GroupGroup PUBLISHED: JulyJuly 30,30, 20202020 atat 6:386:38 p.m.p.m. || UPDATED:UPDATED: JulyJuly 31,31, 20202020 atat 3:533:53 a.m.a.m.
VALLEJO — The Solano County District Attorney announced Thursday that her of ce has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the controversial 2019 shooting of Willie McCoy by six Vallejo of cers, ending a back-and-forth between her and the state Attorney General as they both tried to avoid taking it on.
Michael Anthony Ramos, the San Bernardino County DA from 2002-18, will investigateinvestigate thethe FebruaryFebruary 20192019 shootingshooting asas aa specialspecial prosecutor,prosecutor, SolanoSolano DADA Krishna Abrams said in a public statement. In recent weeks, Abrams has tried to recuse herself from investigating the shooting, citing a lack of public trust, but the Vallejo interim city attorney had threatened legal action if she failed to take the case.
McCoy, 20, of Suisun City, was shot at 54 times by six Vallejo of cers outside of a Taco Bell drive-thru on Admiral Callaghan Lane on Feb. 9, 2019. Police were called to the scene because McCoy was unresponsive, with a gun in his lap. When he leaned forward, the of cers opened re, striking him more than 20 times. 7/31/2020 Ex-San Bernardino DA will oversee Vallejo police shooting Ramos made headlines in 2006 for criminally charging an on-duty of cer in connection with a shooting, though the of cer was acquitted at trial. Ramos charged San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Ivory Webb with shooting a 21- year-old man in Chino, after a police pursuit, and following a viral video of the shooting.
InIn 2016,2016, aa decadedecade afterafter WebbWebb waswas acquittedacquitted ofof attemptedattempted manslaughtermanslaughter charges,charges, Ramos told the Los Angeles Times that while people may march in thethe streetsstreets over police shootings, when they serve on juries, “they still have a high regard forfor peacepeace of cersof cers andand thethe dif cultdif cult jobjob theythey do.”do.” TheThe TimesTimes storystory sayssays thatthat Webb’s case was the only time from 2004-16 an on-duty cop was charged in connection with a shooting.
Ramos won re-election three times in a row in part thanks to tough-on-crime rhetoric. He is a vocal death penalty supporter, formed his of ce’s rst human traf cking unit, and supported gang injunctions. He was criticized for refusing DNA tests to verify two murder convictions that had been called into question.”
He was defeated in 2018 by incumbent Jason Anderson, a former defense attorney.
For weeks, Abrams and Attorney General Xavier Becerra have been trying to pass the McCoy and Sean Monterrosa cases onto each other’s desk. The city of Vallejo took an of cial stance on the issue, accusing Abrams of dereliction of duty and threatening her with trying to obtain a court order if she didn’t take the investigation on.
Abrams’ statement notes the disputes, and says that her of ce sought Ramos because of public calls of an “independent” look at the shooting.
ItIt isis unclearunclear ifif Ramos’Ramos’ probeprobe willwill laterlater taketake onon thethe JuneJune 22 shootingshooting ofof 22-year-old22-year-old Monterrosa by a Vallejo of cer, or the related possible destruction of the truck’s windshield,, whichwhich hadhad ledled toto twotwo high-rankinghigh-ranking of cersof cers —— LieutenantsLieutenants MikeMike Nichelini and Fabio Rodriguez — being placed on leave. Police Chief Shawny Williams has called for an FBI investigation into alleged destruction of evidence, but Nichelini’s attorney predicted the of cers will be cleared quickly.
Abrams’ announcement comes a day after Williams publicly announced he is launchinglaunching anan inquiryinquiry intointo whetherwhether of cersof cers inin thethe departmentdepartment threw parties and bent corners of their badges toto celebratecelebrate afterafter theythey killedkilled someone.someone. TheThe newsnews site Open Vallejo reported Wednesday that such a “secretive clique” of of cers existed within the department for years.
“Although it is disappointing the Attorney General declined our request to review the case, we are con dent that Mr. Ramos will provide a fair, comprehensive and independent review,” Abrams said. https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/07/30/solano-da-announces-former-prosecutor-will-oversee-sean-monterrosa-police-shooting/ 2/4 Judge OKs civil trial against San Bernardino County and former top prosecutors – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:50 PM
LOCAL NEWS • News Judge OKs civil trial against San Bernardino County and former top prosecutors A Rancho Cucamonga developer sued in 2018 after his acquittal in a public corruption case
Stephen Larson, the defense attorney for Colonies Partners co-managing partner Jeff Burum, speaks during a San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. (Stan Lim, San Bernardino Sun/SCNG)
By JOE NELSON | [email protected] | San Bernardino Sun PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 5:31 p.m.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/judge-oks-civil-trial-against-san-bernardino-county-and-former-top-prosecutors/ Page 1 of 6 Judge OKs civil trial against San Bernardino County and former top prosecutors – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:50 PM
A federal judge on Wednesday, July 29, denied a request by San Bernardino County to dismiss a lawsuit !led by a Rancho Cucamonga developer alleging malicious prosecution in a nearly decade-long public corruption case that ended in his acquittal.
While the court’s decision means the complaint by developer Je" Burum will likely be heard by a jury in September, the judge dismissed nearly all claims !led by others who were charged or implicated in the long-running Colonies investigation.
Burum’s attorney, Stephen Larson, praised the ruling by U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal.
“It’s a huge victory for Je" Burum and the Colonies Partners,” Larson said Thursday of Bernal’s ruling. “This was about the political ruin of Je" Burum.”
Burum !led his lawsuit about seven months a#er his August 2017 acquittal, which came at the end of a 10-month trial. In the complaint !led with U.S. District Court, Burum accused prosecutors of retaliation, falsifying evidence and malicious prosecution.
Prosecutors had alleged Burum conspired with top county o$cials to !x a $102 million settlement in 2006, in favor of Burum’s investor group Colonies Partners LP, to settle a longstanding legal dispute over %ood control easements at the developer’s Upland residential and commercial development, Colonies at San Antonio and Colonies Crossroads, respectively. Jeff Burum pictured during an The case ended in acquittal for Burum, former arraignment in San Bernardino Superior Court on August 19, 2011. GABRIEL LUIS county supervisor Paul Biane, and Mark Kirk, ACOSTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. former chief of sta" for former county supervisor Gary Ovitt. Prosecutors subsequently dropped all charges against former assistant Assessor Jim Erwin. Jurors described the trial as a “boondoggle.”
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/judge-oks-civil-trial-against-san-bernardino-county-and-former-top-prosecutors/ Page 2 of 6 Judge OKs civil trial against San Bernardino County and former top prosecutors – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:50 PM
Burum and the other former defendants maintained their innocence from the beginning, asserting the criminal investigation and prosecution was politically motivated. Burum alleges he was targeted for speaking out publicly against the %ood control litigation he waged against the county in 2002, which lasted four years until the controversial November 2006 settlement.
In a statement released late Wednesday a#ernoon, Larson said Bernal found “ample evidence supporting a trial on speci!c claims for First Amendment retaliation, fabrication of evidence, malicious prosecution, andconspiracy to deny civil rights, among others.”
In rejecting the county’s motion to dismiss Burum’s complaint, Bernal cited emails and statements from former District Attorney Michael Ramos and former Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman.
On July 30, 2011, Ramos wrote in an email that “[s]omething is not right, [Burum] still has in%uence.” On Aug. 23, 2011, Ramos stated, “Burum is feeling cocky and is spreading his political power around.” Ramos also referred to Burum as “Dr. Evil” and said that “Burum is . . . a dirty word.”
Hackleman wrote on Feb. 8, 2011, that he was “emotionally excited about going a#er these bastards,” referring to Burum and the other defendants and said he wanted to “absolutely ruin Burum as a political operator.”
Burum also accuses investigators of planting “false memories” in former county assessor and key witness Bill Postmus’ head in order “to pressure and manipulate him into giving false testimony against Burum.”
Postmus, an admitted methamphetamine addict, pleaded guilty in 2011 to criminal charges stemming from scandals involving the Assessor’s O$ce and the Colonies settlement, the approval of which was one of the last major actions he took as chairman of the Board of Supervisors before he transitioned to assessor following his election to that o$ce.
Bernal noted in his ruling that “Hackleman emailed Ramos and others, stating his belief that ‘we will need at least every pressure we can bring to bear on (Postmus) if we ever have any hopes of seeing him turn,’” and later stated that the overriding objective was to “absolutely ruin Burum as a political operator.”
Bernal decided to allow the evidence in and let a jury decide Ramos’s and Hackleman’s motives.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/judge-oks-civil-trial-against-san-bernardino-county-and-former-top-prosecutors/ Page 3 of 6 Judge OKs civil trial against San Bernardino County and former top prosecutors – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:50 PM
“A reasonable juror could conclude that individual defendants at the (Public Integrity Unit) and DA’s O$ce acted pursuant to ‘a longstanding practice or custom’ of retaliating against Burum or Colonies for protected speech activity,” Bernal said in his ruling.
Erwin, Biane, Kirk and Dino DiFazio also sued the county a#er they were acquitted or, in Erwin’s and DeFazio’s cases, the charges were dropped. Bernal dismissed claims by Erwin and DiFazio in their entirety but allowed claims by Biane and Kirk that investigators falsi!ed evidence by pressuring Postmus to provide false testimony to go forward.
The District Attorney’s O$ce, when asked to respond to Bernal’s ruling, comment on behalf of Hackleman and Ramos or reach out to them for comment, declined to do so.
“At this time, we have no comment to o"er regarding this case,” o$ce spokesman Mike Bires said in an email Thursday.
Less than a year a#er the Colonies criminal case concluded, Ramos, who served 16 years as the county’s top prosecutor, lost his bid for re-election to Jason Anderson, whose campaign was heavily funded by Burum and his supporters.
But the legal battle continues between Ramos and Burum.
“We look forward to questioning Mr. Ramos, other county leaders, and prosecutors in a public trial where their spiteful motivations and wrongdoing will be laid bare,” Larson said.
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/judge-oks-civil-trial-against-san-bernardino-county-and-former-top-prosecutors/ Page 4 of 6 7/31/2020 Community organizations to provide food to over 1,000 families | Community | highlandnews.net
https://www.highlandnews.net/community/community-organizations-to-provide-food-to-over-1-000- families/article_856bebf4-d2ba-11ea-8cf5-fb5cd82efc08.html Community organizations to provide food to over 1,000 families
Jul 30, 2020
Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes and other volunteers assist the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino Count families in need on Wednesday, July 22, at Arroyo Valley High School. Courtesy photo
California has emerged as the leader in the COVID-19 ght, not the leader in stopping this virus. California is now the leader in COVID-19 cases in the United States, surpassing New York. Helping to push the state toward achieving this bleak goal is San Bernardino County, which reported on Wednesday, July 22, 708 new cases of COVID-19 and four additional virus-related deaths. Con rming 25,775 cases of COVID-19 in the county — the fourth-highest case total in the state –– and 337 virus-related deaths, according to the County’s Dashboard.
This cyclical coronavirus experience has broken our state and local economy, recently causing the largest increase in unemployment claims in California in the last three months, leaving community stakeholders and coalition builders to pick up the pieces. https://www.highlandnews.net/community/community-organizations-to-provide-food-to-over-1-000-families/article_856bebf4-d2ba-11ea-8cf5-fb5cd82ef… 1/3 7/31/2020 Community organizations to provide food to over 1,000 families | Community | highlandnews.net rsthand the increased demand for food assistance and other vital services, and we are pleased to support this event with over 1,600 food boxes to assist families struggling to put food on the table during these unprecedented times,” stated Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, president and CEO of CAPSBC.
The community is feeling the direct impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. During the event, resident, Beatrice Guerra was asked what brought her out to the event, she stated, “Food is getting expensive, so these events are helping me to use the money I have to pay my other bills that are starting to pile up because of the impact COVID-19 pandemic has had on my nances.”
Resident Angel Huerta of San Bernardino lost his job because of COVID-19 and because of his medical condition it is hard for him to nd a job that does not put him at risk of contracting COVID- 19. He said he currently has no income and is in need of groceries because he did not bene t from the stimulus payments.
https://www.highlandnews.net/community/community-organizations-to-provide-food-to-over-1-000-families/article_856bebf4-d2ba-11ea-8cf5-fb5cd82ef… 3/3 7/31/2020 Community organizations to provide food to over 1,000 families | Community | highlandnews.net
On Friday, July 24, Assemblymember Eloise Reyes convened six organizations and groups of volunteers to distribute over 1,000 food boxes to community members in need. The drive-thru food distribution event took place at Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino and served over 1,000 families.
“This week’s unemployment claim report is concerning, and the 1,000 families that we distributed food to today reminds us of the need in our community,” said Reyes. “If we do not atten this curve, unfortunately, this is going to get worse. We have to do better.”
Partnership organizations included in the food distribution event: the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Nutrition Program, San Bernardino City Uni ed School District, Cal Fresh, San Bernardino Teachers Association and For The People Task Force.
“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, one-in-10 people in San Bernardino struggled to feed their families. Sadly, by the end of 2020, based on the projection by Feeding America, the number will increase by 50 percent, that is, one-in-6 families in our county may not have enough money to put food on the table. We are here to support and collaborate with our community partners who come together to nd a solution, bringing food access to everyone, so that they can keep their families healthy even in crisis,” said Yen Ang, DrPH, MS, MPH, RD, supervising public health nutritionist, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.
“Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) has a long-standing relationship working on poverty related issues with Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes. We are proud of the partnerships we have forged and honored to once again partner with her of ce, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Nutrition Program, San Bernardino County Uni ed School District, and the San Bernardino Teachers Association as we continue our commitment to serve our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past 55 years, CAPSBC has been addressing poverty and food insecurity in our communities and remains steadfast in our commitment to continue serving the needs of those impacted by this pandemic. We have seen
https://www.highlandnews.net/community/community-organizations-to-provide-food-to-over-1-000-families/article_856bebf4-d2ba-11ea-8cf5-fb5cd82ef… 2/3 7/30/2020 Fontana uses new approach to combat homelessness | Opinion | fontanaheraldnews.com
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/fontana-uses-new-approach-to-combat- homelessness/article_ce924b46-d285-11ea-a3c6-e 0c09b8b4d.html Fontana uses new approach to combat homelessness
By JANICE RUTHERFORD Jul 30, 2020
Last year, the City of Fontana began a different approach to addressing homelessness.
Rather than arresting the homeless and feeding the revolving door at the jail with a steady stream of destitute scof aws, the city began offering a helping hand.
Enter Eric Gavin and his organization: Open Door Community Partners.
After 25 years in the tech industry, Gavin changed gears and began using his thirst for data and research to tackle the homeless problems in his community.
He started in Upland in 2017. Thanks to his efforts, the city’s point-in-time homeless count dipped from 127 to 58 over a two-year period. He also learned what intervention methods worked best and discovered more local resources for the homeless.
Outpatient & Sober Living
Harmony Place ™ Open
In Fontana, he now works hand-in-hand with members of the Fontana Police Department Multiple Enforcement Team (MET), who have worked for years to assist and support Fontana’s homeless population, while maintaining quality of life for residents. It turns out that Open Door and Fontana’s MET were just what the other needed.
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/fontana-uses-new-approach-to-combat-homelessness/article_ce924b46-d285-11ea-a3c6-eff0c09b8b4d.h… 1/3 7/30/2020 Fontana uses new approach to combat homelessness | Opinion | fontanaheraldnews.com Gavin embraces the Housing First philosophy.
“Step one is let’s get you into housing, then we’ll deal with the other issues,” he said. “It’s important to treat it not as Housing ONLY, but rather to understand that once they are in housing that is just the beginning.”
He teamed up with Team Heart Ministries -- a nonpro t that rents low-cost rooms in single-family homes to homeless persons --to begin getting people off the street.
While many homeless persons receive Social Security or other government assistance, most cannot afford the market rate for apartments in the area, so low-cost living arrangements like those offered by Team Heart Ministries are critical, Gavin said.
Housing is an important rst step because it provides stability for the client, and it helps clients connect with social workers and others trying to help them overcome addictions or ensure they take medication to control serious mental health problems.
“Immediately, their morale goes up and they feel better, and most important, we know where they are,” Fontana Police Of cer Mike Hall said. “It’s amazing how much better a success we get when we know exactly where someone is at.”
Hall and Gavin are the go-to persons for homeless issues in the city because of their close partnerships with local service providers and their successful track record.
“We don’t have a bunch of hoops we have to jump through,” Hall said. “We can get things in motion in a matter of minutes or hours.”
Gavin praised the tenacity and dedication of San Bernardino County Behavioral Health professionals who have helped with recent cases like the mentally ill woman known for ashing passing motorists and dragging road kill on a leash. Once she started taking her medication, she was ready to begin rebuilding her life.
Gavin said he focuses his efforts on helping individuals who have documented ties to Fontana as their home rather than on transients passing through.
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/fontana-uses-new-approach-to-combat-homelessness/article_ce924b46-d285-11ea-a3c6-eff0c09b8b4d.h… 2/3 7/30/2020 Fontana uses new approach to combat homelessness | Opinion | fontanaheraldnews.com “We offer (them) help in terms of transportation if they need to get back to where they’re from,” Gavin said. “But, if you are a Fontana resident, we have a much broader program to help you get back on your feet.”
The new approach to addressing homelessness works better than arresting homeless individuals for misdemeanor crimes and taking them to jail, where they would get cited and released, Hall said.
“Where do you think they migrated to?” Hall asked. “Right back to the place they know best, and now we’re dealing with the same exact problem again … It makes no sense for our community.”
“This direct collaboration between police and social service providers like Open Door comes at a timely moment in history when we’re re-examining how we can maintain law and order and improve public safety while not holding our law enforcement agencies responsible for so many social service functions,” Gavin said.
(San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford represents the 2nd District, which includes part of Fontana. This article originally appeared in the Rutherford Report.)
https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/opinion/fontana-uses-new-approach-to-combat-homelessness/article_ce924b46-d285-11ea-a3c6-eff0c09b8b4d.h… 3/3 7/30/2020 Redlands assessed valuation surpasses the $10 billion mark | Business | redlandscommunitynews.com
https://www.redlandscommunitynews.com/business/redlands-assessed-valuation-surpasses-the-10-billion-mark/article_d2de1dd2-d286-11ea- af09-abfb8456277b.html
EDITOR'S PICK Redlands assessed valuation surpasses the $10 billion mark
By James Folmer Editor Redlands Community News Jul 30, 2020
The value of Redlands properties increased 5.3 percent to more than $10.2 billion last year, according to the annual Property Assessment Roll signed by San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Bob Dutton earlier this month.
The 2020 San Bernardino County Assessment Roll contains 815,482 taxable parcels valued at $247.9 billion, which is a 5.7% net increase as compared to the 2019 Assessment Roll, according to a press release.
The Assessment Roll re ects only reports ending on Jan. 1, 2020.
“I wanted to highlight this because there are unknown impacts, if any, of COVID-19 on property valuations in San Bernardino County that would not be re ective in this year’s annual assessment roll,” Dutton said.
Upon his signature, Assessor Dutton delivered the 2020 Assessment Roll to San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Ensen Mason.
https://www.redlandscommunitynews.com/business/redlands-assessed-valuation-surpasses-the-10-billion-mark/article_d2de1dd2-d286-11ea-af09-abf… 1/2 7/30/2020 Redlands assessed valuation surpasses the $10 billion mark | Business | redlandscommunitynews.com
“This year’s Assessment Roll for San Bernardino County is over $247 billion, which represents a 5.7% increase from the prior year,” Dutton said.
Redlands’ assessed valuation climbed by more than $510.9 million, from $9.7 billion on Jan. 1, 2019, to $10.2 billion on Jan. 1, 2020.
Ontario had the highest valuation at $29.5 billion with an increase of 7.4%.
How to check your property’s value
Individuals wishing to see their personal assessed values may visit the assessor’s website at sbcountyarc.org. The public can also call the assessor’s toll-free number at 1(877) 885-7654.
Local assessed valuations City Total % gain Highland $3,957,284,518 4.1% Loma Linda $2,412,552,349 3.8% Redlands $10,225,498,653 5.3% San Bernardino $16,296,056,728 5.6% Yucaipa $4,878,509,351 4.5% Incorporated cities $211,002,595,098 5.8% Unincorporated areas $36,960,974,490 4.7% County grand total $247,963,569,588 5.7%
James Folmer editor
https://www.redlandscommunitynews.com/business/redlands-assessed-valuation-surpasses-the-10-billion-mark/article_d2de1dd2-d286-11ea-af09-abf… 2/2 7/31/2020 Special tax for Yucaipa Paramedic program | Local News | newsmirror.net
https://www.newsmirror.net/news/local/special-tax-for-yucaipa-paramedic-program/article_03ed4870-d1d9- 11ea-bdaa-e70aa65c673f.html Special tax for Yucaipa Paramedic program
Michelle Lopez Jul 30, 2020
The Yucaipa City Council met on July 13, and an item on the consent agenda was recommended that city council adopt Resolution No. 2020-32, xing the special tax for scal year 2020/2021 for the Yucaipa Paramedic Program.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 1999/2000, the city assumed the responsibility for the provision of re protection and paramedic services. Up until that time, those services were provided to the community through a special district of San Bernardino county. As a result of that assumption of responsibility, the city’s re protection services are funded entirely by revenues generated from property taxes.
The Paramedic Program was always intended to be funded entirely through a Paramedic Special Tax (PST) approved by the voters initially in 1987. The original PST equated to an annual amount equal to $24 per individual dwelling unit and $35 per individual commercial unit.
With escalation of costs and the premise that the program was to be funded entirely by the PST, the voters approved Measure Y which was an increase to the maximum annual PST in 2004 to the current amount off $52 per residential dwelling unit, $78 per small commercial unit, $156 per large commercial unit (>10,000 square feet) and $78 plus $3 per bed over 26 for residential care facility.
https://www.newsmirror.net/news/local/special-tax-for-yucaipa-paramedic-program/article_03ed4870-d1d9-11ea-bdaa-e70aa65c673f.html 1/3 7/31/2020 Special tax for Yucaipa Paramedic program | Local News | newsmirror.net The 2004 PST was approved by the voters with no escalation clause. As a result, the PST per unit has not increased in 16 years. The total annual revenue is increased only by the number of new units assessed.
In 2004, the assessment amount would be suf cient to cover the estimated and escalating costs of the Paramedic Program for approximately 10 years or through 2014. Fiscal Year 2015/2016 was the rst year in which revenues were not suf cient to cover the annual expenses which left an annual de cit.
The annual projected de cit will continue to grow, as the increase in revenues is already not suf cient to cover the ongoing increases in expenditures.
On March 3, voters failed Measure E to levy a general Transactions and Use Tax of one-half percent increasing the total sales tax rate from 7-3/4% to 8-1/4% that would have generated approximately $2 million annually. Funds generated from the one-half percent sales tax would have been deposited and maintained in its own operational Special Revenue Fund with an appointed citizen oversight committee. Measure E was presented to the voters to address the Paramedic Program projected annual de cit of approximately $658,878, increase response times on emergency 911 calls, generate funds from Yucaipa visitors to bene t local residents, enhance police and re protection, increase local youth and senior services and fund other general services provided throughout the city like streets and parks.
Staff recommends that council set the FY 2020/2021 Special Tax rates at the maximum amounts allowable, consistent with the provisions of Measure Y as follows: residential dwelling unit at $52, small commercial unit at $78, large commercial unit (>10,000 square feet) at $156 and residential care facility at $78 plus $3 per bed over 26.
The Fire and Paramedic Departments set goals to pursue grants for paramedic staf ng and related equipment while continuing to work on solutions for city council consideration to address the program de cit. In the FY 2020/2021 paramedic expenditures are expected to exceed related revenues by approximately $551,198. Anticipated salary savings will reduce this projected annual budgeted de cit amount somewhat. Through FY 2015/2016, actual annual revenues had been suf cient to cover actual expenses. In those years when paramedic revenues exceeded paramedics expenses soon after Measure Y passed, those funds were set aside in a paramedic fund balance.
https://www.newsmirror.net/news/local/special-tax-for-yucaipa-paramedic-program/article_03ed4870-d1d9-11ea-bdaa-e70aa65c673f.html 2/3 7/31/2020 Special tax for Yucaipa Paramedic program | Local News | newsmirror.net That fund balance has been used to balance the paramedic budget every year since 2015/2016. It has now been depleted and the General Fund is not subsidizing the paramedic budget. Consequently, the city council authorized an allocation in the amount of $706,515 from the Fire Services Fund Balance in FY 2020/2021 adopted budget to cover any actual de cit in FY 2020/2021, if necessary.
Councilmember Greg Bogh motioned to move for approval of this item. Councilmember Bobby Duncan seconded and it passed 5-0.
Supporting documents are available for public view on the city of Yucaipa website at yucaipa.org.
Michelle Lopez Reporter
https://www.newsmirror.net/news/local/special-tax-for-yucaipa-paramedic-program/article_03ed4870-d1d9-11ea-bdaa-e70aa65c673f.html 3/3 Newsom’s jobs task force should look to Inland Empire energy project: Paul Granillo – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:57 PM
OPINION • Opinion Newsom’s jobs task force should look to Inland Empire energy project: Paul Granillo
ORG XMIT: TINY21ripH.jpg ( 04/10/08, Eagle Mountain, Metro ) A school bus from Eagle Mountain School passes by its football field that was once green. (The Press- Enterprise/Rodrigo Pena)
By PAUL GRANILLO | |
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/newsoms-jobs-task-force-should-look-to-inland-empire-energy-project-paul-granillo/ Page 1 of 5 Newsom’s jobs task force should look to Inland Empire energy project: Paul Granillo – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:57 PM
PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 3:06 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 3:06 p.m.
As the Governor’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery seeks to create opportunities for Californians in underserved communities, a clean energy project in the Inland Empire that gives new purpose to an old mine could hold the answer.
Located in the Coachella Valley region of Riverside County, the lands near Eagle Mountain were once home to magnate Henry Kaiser’s iron ore mine, a site now scarred from decades of digging. The proposed construction of a pumped energy storage facility at the site has given the abandoned mine a chance for new life. It would use water to store electricity for times when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing to provide a reliable, renewable source of energy to a million homes and businesses across the state.
This project has been stringently vetted through a near decade-long environmental review process, will support the state’s renewable energy goals and is !lled with economic promise through the creation of thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars of revenue generated for the Coachella Valley. In short, it can be a real game changer.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/newsoms-jobs-task-force-should-look-to-inland-empire-energy-project-paul-granillo/ Page 2 of 5 Newsom’s jobs task force should look to Inland Empire energy project: Paul Granillo – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:57 PM
The entire state is experiencing a recession due to the global pandemic, but right now, more than ever, the Inland Empire needs jobs. Locally, the unemployment rate in the Coachella Valley region has increased by almost 200 percent from March to April reaching 15.3 percent according to data from the Employment Development Department. In some communities like Desert Hot Springs, the unemployment rate has reached a staggering 23.5 percent. It almost matches the estimated 24.9 percent unemployment rate felt during the Great Depression.
Eagle Mountain will help boost our region’s prosperity by supporting more than 15,000 high-paying jobs with health and pension bene!ts across numerous trades during the six-year construction and engineering phase. Young workers will be able to take advantage of apprenticeship programs and workforce training that can transform their lives and long-term employment prospects.
The project will also support new jobs at welding shops, machinery shops, housing, food services and more. From construction and engineering alone, the project will contribute nearly $1.7 billion in income to California households and businesses and generate $328 million in state income tax and $15 million in sales and use tax revenue.
Once the project is fully operational, Eagle Mountain will support 460 permanent jobs, creating sustained economic stimulus for the region. During operations, the project will pay an additional $25.5 million in annual income taxes and $19 million in local property tax payments.
With the promise of thousands of jobs and millions in revenue, the Eagle Mountain Pumped Storage Project must move forward to give our region’s economy a chance to bounce back from COVID-19 while supporting broader state clean energy goals. I urge Gov. Newsom, Tom Steyer and the rest of the task force to help us move this vital project forward.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/newsoms-jobs-task-force-should-look-to-inland-empire-energy-project-paul-granillo/ Page 3 of 5 Local governments can crack down on pension spiking, California Supreme Court rules – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:51 PM
NEWS • News Local governments can crack down on pension spiking, California Supreme Court rules The argument that 'one person’s pension spiking is another person’s expectation of a promise' failed to persuade the court
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/local-governments-can-crack-down-on-pension-spiking-california-supreme-court-says/ Page 1 of 8 Local governments can crack down on pension spiking, California Supreme Court rules – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:51 PM
(iStockphoto)
By TERI SFORZA | [email protected] | Orange County Register PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 11:12 a.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 4:02 p.m.
In a widely anticipated ruling, the California Supreme Court said Thursday, July 30, that local governments can, indeed, crack down on “pension spiking” by public workers without running afoul of the law — but appeared to slam the door on broader, systemic reforms to the system.
The Deputy Sheri!s Association of Alameda County had argued that statewide pension reforms adopted in 2013 — forbidding such spiking — could not be applied to existing workers because local agreements blessing end-of-career pension sweeteners were already in existence. “One person’s pension spiking is another person’s expectation of a promise,” argued an attorney for the sheri!s association in May.
On that point, the court disagreed.
“(W)e hold that the challenged provisions … meet contract clause requirements,” said the Supreme Court decision. “They were enacted for the constitutionally permissible purpose of closing loopholes and preventing abuse of the pension system. … Further, it would defeat this proper objective to interpret the California Rule to require county pension plans either to maintain these loopholes for existing employees or to provide comparable new pension bene"ts that would perpetuate the unwarranted advantages provided by these loopholes.”
The California Rule is the elephant in the room in pension reform. It grew out of legal challenges to the public pension system over the years, and holds that the pension promises in place the day a public worker was hired are set in stone. Pensions can be adjusted upward, but never downward.
Because pension payments are calculated based on a worker’s highest year of earnings, some public employees were able to in#ate their pay in their "nal year or so of work, o$en by taking lump sum cash payments for their unused vacation or sick time. That practice was halted with the 2013 law.
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Reformers had hoped the court would use this case to strike down the California Rule, or conclude that it allows broader adjustments to pension formulas going forward. They didn’t get that.
‘Sticking with current landscape’
“The California Rule is upheld,” said Steven Berliner, partner with the law "rm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.
“The court’s basically sticking with the current landscape. They’re saying, ‘This change is OK because it’s closing a loophole that was distorting the system.’ But if you were to say, ‘We’re cutting this bene"t because local governments are Michael Hogue color going bankrupt and we need to relieve them of this burden,’ I illustration of man using don’t think that would hold up under this ruling. That’s not a rulers and checklists to change eliminating a loophole. That’s cutting the pension measure difference between a pension and bene"t in place when people were hired. And that’s not 401(k). The Dallas Morning allowed under the California Rule.” News 2006
There are pluses and minuses in the ruling for public workers, union representatives said.
“The decision unequivocally upholds the California Rule, and, in doing so, protects the retirement security of California public servants, including the nurses, doctors, "re"ghters, EMTs, respiratory therapists and many other public employees working on the front lines to protect Californians during the pandemic,” said a statement from Ted Toppin, chair of Californians for Retirement Security, a coalition of 1.6 million public employees and retirees.
“The decision does seem to undermine the retirement security of Alameda County sheri! deputies. Their employer and retirement system made a promise to them that the Court decision now allows them to break. That is unfair and unfortunate. If public employers make a pension commitment to their workers, they should keep it,” Toppin said.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/local-governments-can-crack-down-on-pension-spiking-california-supreme-court-says/ Page 3 of 8 Local governments can crack down on pension spiking, California Supreme Court rules – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:51 PM
Those promises for more generous retirement bene"ts were made by elected o%cials in the halcyon days a$er 1999, when retirement systems were “super-funded,” governments halted payments, and actuaries said sweetened bene"ts would cost next to nothing because earnings on investments would Jim Penman, city attorney essentially pay for them. for San Bernardino answers questions The actuaries were wrong. Pension payments have been Tuesday July 11, 2012 during eating up more and more public budgets, leaving less money a press conference to discuss the city’s for things like parks, libraries, roads. impending bankruptcy. (Rick Sforza/Staff For example, Anaheim paid $30.5 million to the California Photographer) Public Employees Retirement System to cover worker pensions in 2008. That soared to $50.9 million in 2013, and ballooned to $88.1 million in 2019-20, according to CalPERS valuation reports.
In Long Beach, annual pension payments more than tripled from 2008 to 2020, from $42.3 million to $137.3 million. In San Bernardino, they grew from $12.6 million to $38.7 million. In Riverside, from $23.1 million to $73.5 million. And so it goes for agency a$er agency throughout California.
Unfunded liabilities
By o%cial counts, California’s public retirement systems owe workers $352.5 billion more than what they have. And that assumes a rosy rate of return on investments that some consider unrealistic.
Former Democratic Assemblyman Joe Nation, now a professor at Stanford University’s Institute for Economic Policy Research, uses a much lower rate of return to calculate that pension hole. His PensionTracker pegs it at more than $1 trillion.
It’s a dark day for taxpayers, critics contend. Fort Worth Star-Telegram 2003 “By cra$ing a narrow ruling that sidesteps the fundamental #aws with the notorious California Rule, the California Supreme Court seems hell bent on forcing California taxpayers to bear the excessive costs of unsustainable pension payouts for state and local government employees,” said Carl DeMaio, a reformer from San Diego, in a statement.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/local-governments-can-crack-down-on-pension-spiking-california-supreme-court-says/ Page 4 of 8 Local governments can crack down on pension spiking, California Supreme Court rules – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:51 PM
“Because the California Rule remains untouched in this decision, taxpayers will continue to face legal hurdles that could prevent them from modifying or reforming excessive and unsustainable government pension payouts. The result will be higher taxes, less services, and potential insolvency in California’s cash-strapped state and local government pension systems.”
State Sen. John Moorlach was warning about these issues years before they pierced the public consciousness.
“It was petty for these employee groups to assume that an abusive loophole would be allowed based on the theory it was immune from future legislation,” Moorlach said by email. “I believe the Court was correct in that the California Rule was not in play in this regard, and that a bene"t of similar value did not have to be provided.”
But it still leaves open the concern of how reforms — such as scaling back pension formulas for future, not past, work, which reformers say are necessary to keep pension systems solvent — move forward.
“It may have to be litigated, should the state Legislature ever approve another piece of legislation similar to but greater than that of PEPRA (the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013), that provides the critical systemic reforms,” Moorlach said. “It would appear that without clear direction from the State Supreme Court on the California Rule, that … plan sponsors may "nd themselves in Chapter 9 Federal Bankruptcy Court proceedings to modify pension plans.” Sen. John Moorlach, R- Costa Mesa
Reformer cause for hope
Reformer Pete Constant, a self-described “eternal optimist” and CEO of the Retirement Security Initiative, sees cause for hope.
“The court said that the public interest is powerful in deciding if reforms are reasonable or not,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that they did, as usual, make a very narrow ruling and were very explicit in saying, ‘We’re not giving a blanket answer here — there will be speci"c answers for speci"c situations.’
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/local-governments-can-crack-down-on-pension-spiking-california-supreme-court-says/ Page 5 of 8 Local governments can crack down on pension spiking, California Supreme Court rules – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:51 PM
“But by denying the requirement for o!setting a reduction in bene"ts with a corresponding "nancial advantage, I think they le$ the door open. The most important part is they’re not saying the vested rights doctrine, the California Rule, is impenetrable.”
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Teri Sforza | Reporter Teri Sforza is one of the lead
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/local-governments-can-crack-down-on-pension-spiking-california-supreme-court-says/ Page 6 of 8 Brush fire in Cajon Pass at 10% containment – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:52 PM
NEWS!CRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY • News Brush fire in Cajon Pass at 10% containment
A brush fire west of the 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass on July 29, 2020, prompted the closure of local roads. (Courtesy of San Bernardino National Forest)
By BRIAN ROKOS | [email protected] | The Press-Enterprise PUBLISHED: July 29, 2020 at 6:14 p.m. | UPDATED: July 29, 2020 at 10:16 p.m.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/29/brush-fire-in-cajon-pass-prompts-road-closures/ Page 1 of 4 Brush fire in Cajon Pass at 10% containment – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:52 PM
A brush !re burning west of the 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass on Wednesday, July 29, prompted a temporary miles-long closure of a road that parallels the highway but was not threatening any structures, the San Bernardino National Forest said.
“Fire!ghters are making good progress,” a Twitter message from the San Bernardino National Forest said about 6:45 p.m.
The Brook !re had burned 185 acres and was 10% contained as of about 7:45 p.m.
Cajon Boulevard had been closed between Keenbrook and Cleghorn roads. Also, Lytle Creek Road had been closed at Glen Helen Boulevard to all but local tra"c.
Both roads had reopened by about 9 p.m., the San Bernardino National Forest said in a tweet. “Fire crews will remain on scene overnight,” the tweet said.
No evacuations had been ordered.
The cause of the !re was under investigation.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department and the Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit were assisting.
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/29/brush-fire-in-cajon-pass-prompts-road-closures/ Page 2 of 4 Here’s how University of Redlands plans to start fall semester remotely – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:54 PM
LOCAL NEWS • News Here’s how University of Redlands plans to start fall semester remotely
A man jogs east bound along Colton Avenue on the University of Redlands campus on a warm sunny morning in Redlands on Thursday, April 23, 2020. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
By JENNIFER IYER | [email protected] | Redlands Daily Facts PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 3:21 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 3:23 p.m.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/heres-how-university-of-redlands-plans-to-start-fall-semester-remotely/ Page 1 of 5 Here’s how University of Redlands plans to start fall semester remotely – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:54 PM
The University of Redlands has announced it is pushing back plans to o!er in-person classes and is instead starting fall learning remotely this year due to the state of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter to the university community on Wednesday, July 29, President Ralph W. Kuncl and his cabinet said the move could be temporary.
“We will continue o!ering classes remotely until state and county guidance indicates we can pivot and bring students back to our campuses, at which point we will begin the process of reintroducing in-person and hybrid experiences with all necessary safety protocols,” the letter reads in part.
The university has received money to help students from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act, passed by Congress in March. The institution is eligible to receive about $1.7 million and as of July 5 had distributed about $1.4 million. The money is allocated through grants to help with housing, food, technology upgrades and transportation.
Instruction begins Aug. 26 for the College of Arts and Sciences. Business, education and theology schools will follow shortly a"er.
The university has invested in more technology, and “in contrast to the spring semester, faculty have had time to plan ahead and adapt their teaching to approaches tailored to a virtual format” the letter reads.
While o#cials anticipate the state will require residence halls to stay closed for the time being, exceptions are possible for some international students, and for those who do not have adequate access to housing o! campus.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/heres-how-university-of-redlands-plans-to-start-fall-semester-remotely/ Page 2 of 5 Here’s how University of Redlands plans to start fall semester remotely – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:54 PM
As for sports, the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has canceled fall conference competition for high-contact sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and water polo. Bulldogs participating in lower-contact sports such as cross country, tennis and swimming, could be allowed to compete if the state advances to the next stage of its reopening plan.
Some details for the fall are still being worked out, the letter reads.
Information: redlands.edu
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/heres-how-university-of-redlands-plans-to-start-fall-semester-remotely/ Page 3 of 5 9 rabid bats found in San Bernardino County – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:48 PM
LOCAL NEWS • News 9 rabid bats found in San Bernardino County
By EMILY RASMUSSEN | [email protected] | Long Beach Press- Telegram PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 6:19 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 6:19 p.m.
Nine rabid bats were found in three cities in San Bernardino County, health o!cials said Thursday, July 30, as they urged the public to be cautious of the animals.
Four of these cases were con"rmed in the past two weeks. Three bats were from Rancho Cucamonga, two from Fontana and two from Apple Valley, said Lana Culp, a spokeswoman for the county’s Department of Public Health. It was unclear where the other two bats came from.
Health o!cials asked individuals to protect themselves and their pets from rabies, which can be deadly for humans and animals.
“Rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms begin,” Dr. Erin Gustafson, the county’s interim health o!cer, said in a Thursday statement. “It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible for any animal bite or possible rabies exposure.”
The timeline for the other "ve reported cases of rabid bats, which occurred before the four discovered in the past two weeks, was unclear.
The most common wild animals to carry rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes, the county said. Domestic animals such as cats, dogs and cattle are frequently reported to contract the virus as well, though it is rare with vaccination. https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/9-rabid-bats-found-in-san-bernardino-county/ Page 1 of 4 9 rabid bats found in San Bernardino County – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:48 PM
To prevent exposure to rabies, health o!cials recommend these tips:
Do not touch, feed, harass or provide shelter for unfamiliar pets, wild or stray animals Vaccinate pets against rabies, and get them spayed or neutered Don’t let pets roam free Keep trash cans tightly covered and avoid storing food outside Bat-proof homes by sealing small openings and closing unscreened doors and windows Teach children not to approach unfamiliar animals and to tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal Seek immediate medical attention if exposed to or bitten by an animal Report bites or scratches from a domestic or wild animal to animal control agency Report dead bats immediately to the animal control agency Don’t try to touch or con"ne stray or wild animals
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/9-rabid-bats-found-in-san-bernardino-county/ Page 2 of 4 Huge coronavirus GDP collapse equals $17,000 per Southern California household – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:49 PM
BUSINESS • Explainer, News Huge coronavirus GDP collapse equals $17,000 per Southern California household US drop an economic loss of $13,500 per household
The Aero Theatre is closed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as the marquee says All Events Postponed Stay Safe See You Soon in Santa Monica on Thursday, April 30, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
By JONATHAN LANSNER | [email protected] | Orange County Register PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 3:20 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/huge-coronavirus-gdp-collapse-equals-17000-per-southern-california-household/ Page 1 of 5 Huge coronavirus GDP collapse equals $17,000 per Southern California household – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:49 PM
The historic, coronavirus-linked drop in the nation’s gross domestic product translates to economic destruction of $17,000 per Southern California household, according to one analysis.
The GDP math tracking the national and regional economy can be daunting to understand even without an unprecedented wallop from business shutdowns designed to !ght the COVID-19 pandemic.
But with the help of StratoDem Analytics, the second quarter’s record-smashing GDP drop — a decline of 33% on an annualized basis — can be put into simpler terms. Before coronavirus, the biggest drop was a 10% dip in 1958.
The data cruncher took this spring’s gigantic national losses and translated the trend into localized results based on the region’s historic business patterns and industry concentrations.
Start with the nation’s value of goods and services created, provided, bought and sold. StratoDem says this output fell by $1.7 trillion in the second quarter vs. the previous three months. That three-month dip is on par with Canada’s entire economic production for 2019.
The U.S. drop approximates an economic loss of roughly $13,500 per household, according to StratoDem. That’s less business done per family — not a personal loss of income, compensation or investments.
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Compare that decline with the four counties covered by the Southern California News Group where a total of $111 trillion of economic output was lost in the April to June period. That quarterly loss is roughly what Ecuador produced in 2019.
Or, you can see the region’s economic damage as being roughly $17,000 per household.
Why is SoCal’s per-household dip larger than the national average? “Primarily because that region generates higher-value economic activity than many other parts of the US,” says StratoDem analyst James Chung.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/huge-coronavirus-gdp-collapse-equals-17000-per-southern-california-household/ Page 2 of 5 Huge coronavirus GDP collapse equals $17,000 per Southern California household – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:49 PM
At the county level, according to StratoDem, losses for the springtime quarter:
• Los Angeles County: $68 billion lost or $18,900 per household. That three-month loss equals roughly what Bulgaria produced in all of 2019.
• Orange County: $25 billion of lost economic activity or $22,400 per household. Or a year’s output in Honduras.
• San Bernardino County: $9.3 billion lost or $13,400 per household. Or Rwanda.
• Riverside County: $8.7 billion lost or $10,600 per household. Or Haiti.
“The bright spot is that the region has decent level of economic diversi!cation and didn’t get hit as hard as other regions that had heavier concentration of reliance on tourism and cyclical manufacturing,” Chung said.
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/huge-coronavirus-gdp-collapse-equals-17000-per-southern-california-household/ Page 3 of 5 Extra $600 in jobless aid set to lapse as talks deadlock – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:49 PM
NEWS!POLITICS • News Extra $600 in jobless aid set to lapse as talks deadlock
President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows talk before Trump speaks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Washington. Trump is en route to Texas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
By ASSOCIATED PRESS | PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 3:03 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 3:04 p.m.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/extra-600-in-jobless-aid-set-to-lapse-as-talks-deadlock/ Page 1 of 6 Extra $600 in jobless aid set to lapse as talks deadlock – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:49 PM
By ANDREW TAYLOR | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A deadlocked Senate on Thursday le! Washington for the weekend without extending a $600-per-week expanded jobless bene"t that has helped keep both families and the economy a#oat as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the country.
Friday’s expiration of the $600 jobless bene"t sent Republicans controlling the Senate scrambling to respond. Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell made a procedural move to make it easier to reach a potential compromise next week that would extend the bonus unemployment bene"t while talks on a broader COVID-19 relief measure grind on. But ahead of late-night talks at the Capitol, the outlook dimmed.
“I’m not very optimistic that we will have any kind of an agreement on a comprehensive bill in the near future,” said White House chief of sta$ Mark Meadows. He said he even doubted a deal could be struck next week.
But Democrats have so far rejected a piecemeal approach, saying the next relief bill needs to move as a complete package. Any short-term jobless bene"ts extension of less than $600 per week is likely to be a nonstarter with them.
Talks on the relief bill are at a standstill with few reasons for optimism despite sweeping agreement among Washington’s top power players that Congress must pass further relief in coming days and weeks.
President Donald Trump is eager for another bill, and it’s also a priority for GOP allies like McConnell, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer. Democrats hold a strong negotiating hand, with Republicans badly divided over their own proposal.
Raising the stakes, a bleak government report released Thursday said the economy shrank at a 33% annualized rate in the second quarter of the year, a stark reminder of the economic damage a%icting the country as lawmakers debate the size and scope of new relief.
“This jarring news should compel Congress to move swi!ly to provide targeted and temporary assistance to unemployed Americans, employers, and state and local governments, and liability protections for businesses who follow public health guidelines,” said Neal Bradley of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the powerful business group.
https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/extra-600-in-jobless-aid-set-to-lapse-as-talks-deadlock/ Page 2 of 6 Extra $600 in jobless aid set to lapse as talks deadlock – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:49 PM
But bipartisan talks have yet to reach a serious, productive phase. Democrats are playing hardball, insisting on a package that’s far larger than the $1 trillion-plus measure unveiled by McConnell on Monday. Thursday brought more tit-for-tat.
“They won’t engage. Period,” McConnell said as he opened the Senate. “The Democrats are saying, my way or the highway.”
In an interview late Wednesday, he showed a willingness to consider some Democratic priorities, like additional food aid. He also said extending the additional jobless bene"ts was urgent and made clear that he’s standing behind Trump.
“The economy does need more help. We have divided government. We have to talk to each other,” McConnell said on the PBS NewsHour. “And we have to try to get an outcome.”
Schumer continued his daily fusillade against McConnell and Republicans controlling the Senate, noting that McConnell “refuses to go in the room” and join the talks in person, instead transferring ownership of the talks to Meadows, along with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who has been a key architect of previous accords.
“We’re trying to negotiate,” Schumer said. “Who’s holding things up?”
In an earlier piece of legislative theater, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., sought unanimous stand-alone Senate approval of a conservative GOP plan to sharply cut back the $600 per week unemployment bene"t to $200, saying that the current amount discourages people from returning to work. Democrats countered with a plan to extend the $600 bene"t through January. Both ideas predictably failed, as did an e$ort by Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., to extend the $600 bene"t for just one week.
Pelosi was dashing back to Washington a!er having traveled to Atlanta for the funeral of Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights icon. Pelosi’s o&ce announced a meeting for Thursday night with the White House negotiators.
Other stark di$erences remain between the $3 trillion proposal from Democrats and $1 trillion counter from Republicans. Money for states and cities is a crucial dividing line as local governments plead for help to shore up budgets and prevent deeper layo$s as they incur COVID-19 costs and lost tax revenue in shutdown economies.
Democrats proposed nearly $1 trillion for the local governments, but Trump and Republicans are resisting sending the states and cities more cash. Instead, the GOP o$ers states #exibility to use $150 billion previously allotted for the virus on other needs. https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/extra-600-in-jobless-aid-set-to-lapse-as-talks-deadlock/ Page 3 of 6 Extra $600 in jobless aid set to lapse as talks deadlock – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:49 PM
It’s clear that Democrats are trying to push an advantage in the negotiations because Republicans are so split over the prospect of additional government spending. Among the issues sure to gather momentum is a Democratic demand for a 15% increase in food stamp bene"ts.
Trump has dismissed the GOP bill as “semi-irrelevant” since it leaves out so many Democratic items.
Trump appears worried about the expiration of the $600 unemployment bene"t boost as well as an expiring federal eviction moratorium on millions of rental units, potentially sending households into devastating turmoil.
Trump has bristled at one provision of the GOP bill — he said his Republican allies should “go back to school and learn” a!er they balked at $1.7 billion for FBI headquarters. Trump wants the FBI’s central building to remain in Washington, across the street from his Trump International Hotel. If the FBI moved its headquarters, the site would become prime real estate for a competing hotel.
McConnell has rejected the FBI funding request — added to a $300 billion-plus appropriations package in private talks between Meadows and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Richard Shelby, R-Ala. — since it is unrelated to virus relief.
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
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https://www.sbsun.com/2020/07/30/extra-600-in-jobless-aid-set-to-lapse-as-talks-deadlock/ Page 4 of 6 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
< https://calmatters.org/> MENU
BREAKDOWN: MENTAL HEALTH < HTTPS://CALMATTERS.ORG/CATEGORY/HEALTH/BREAKDOWN-MENTAL- HEALTH/>
Why Californians with mental illness are dropping private insurance to get taxpayer-funded treatment
BY JOCELYN WIENER < HTTPS://CALMATTERS.ORG/AUTHOR/JOCELYN-WIENER/> JULY 31, 2020
Teresa Pasquini looks into the foyer of her home on March 12, 2020, where her son once attempted suicide before being discovered by his younger sister. According to Pasquini, this moment remains an important marker for her family in seeking care for her son’s schizoaffective disorder. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 1/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
PART 6 Mental health care outcry targets Kaiser — and state regulators < https://calmatters.org/projects/mental-health-care- outcry-targets-kaiser-california-parity-regulators/>
PART 7 “We’ve lost our compass.” For California’s most visible mentally ill, is a return to forced treatment a solution — or a false promise? < https://calmatters.org/projects/mentally-ill-forced- treatment-conservatorship-california-debate/>
PART 8 Breakdown: California’s mental health system, explained < https://calmatters.org/projects/breakdown-californias- mental-health-system-explained/>
There’s an open secret among those who care for people with serious mental illnesses.
Judy Bracken first heard it a few years ago from a hospital social worker: If Bracken wanted her adult son, who has schizoaffective disorder, to receive long-term mental health treatment, she should get him off her private insurance, UnitedHealthcare, and onto the public system for low-income people in Contra Costa County.
Lucinda Chiszar figured it out when she tried to take her then 10-year-old son, who was insured by Aetna, to the only nonprofit agency in Merced County that offered the intensive wrap-around services the county’s behavioral health services said he needed.
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 3/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
“Oh, you’re not on Medi-Cal?” someone at the agency asked. “We can’t help you.”
Other families say they hear it whispered by well-meaning caseworkers, or even directly from the health plans themselves.
In dozens of interviews, families, attorneys, judges, therapists and public officials agree: People with serious mental illnesses often do better dropping private insurance and qualifying for taxpayer-funded treatment.
It seems counterintuitive.
“If someone was to develop lung cancer, it’s hard to imagine that one of the other insurers would say, ‘You’re going to need to get on Medi-Cal to get that paid for,’” said Dr. Tom Insel, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, who has advised Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Such stories provide further fodder for the debate about how to best enforce the state and federal parity laws < https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-care-parity/> that guarantee patients equivalent coverage for physical and mental health treatment.
They also reveal the limits of those laws. In many cases, commercial insurers aren’t legally required to offer the intensive mental health services available through Medi-Cal. This open secret exposes troubling questions: What should private insurance cover? What should the state — and thereby taxpayers — pay for? Who’s responsible for ensuring people with serious mental illnesses get the treatment they need?
Counties that administer Medi-Cal are tired of it. “We’ve let the private commercial plans off the hook pretty significantly,” said Michelle Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California. “It’s time for a come-to-Jesus conversation.”
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 4/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
As the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn puts increasing pressure on people’s mental health, she said counties have seen more privately insured individuals seeking crisis services.
The insurance industry denies there’s a problem.
Mary Ellen Grant, spokesperson for the California Association of Health Plans, said she surveyed the commercial plans represented by her organization and none were familiar with the phenomenon.
“We’re not aware of any existing evidence that long-term mental health care needs are better served by county mental health agencies, nor in which counties this alleged trend is happening,” she said.
Commercial mental health plans have been providing comprehensive coverage for severe mental illness “We’ve let the private for decades, Grant said, and some commercial plans off the hook plans have begun to provide wrap- pretty significantly. It’s time around services, in-home crisis for a come-to-Jesus intervention and intensive conversation.” therapeutic behavioral programs. — MICHELLE CABRERA, COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTORS “There’s a lot of great work that ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA they’re doing,” she said. “And I don’t think it’s helpful to say county mental health plans are providing better services than commercial health plans, because commercial health plans are doing their best.”
And, yet, many insist that’s exactly what’s happening. Los Angeles attorney and psychotherapist Meiram Bendat says he’s seen, through cases he’s taken on, that insurers not only know about the issue — which he likens to “patient dumping” — but sometimes actively encourage it. He calls the practice prevalent, “simply inexcusable” and, in his view, against the law.
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 5/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
“It is not something that regulators in California are actively looking into,” he said. “As a result, they are not protecting the interests of the taxpayers and are allowing the insurance companies to enrich themselves by pawning off their most severely compromised and sickest members to the public welfare system.”
Some mental health services that counties provide, including wrap-around programs and case management, aren’t legally required to be offered by commercial health plans.
But Mary Watanabe, deputy director of health policy for the state Department of Managed Health Care, said state law usually requires commercial plans to cover medically necessary early psychosis intervention and residential treatment. She emphasized that patients who think they are being denied necessary treatment should file a grievance with their health plans and contact the department’s help center to request an independent medical review < https://dmhc.ca.gov/FileaComplaint.aspx> .
“It’s really Medicaid and Medicare that back up the commercial sector and allow them to have the profit margin that they have.”
— DR. JOE PARKS, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
No one keeps data on how often people feel forced to abandon private plans because the public system for poorer patients provides better options. But Dr. Joe Parks, medical director of the National Council for Behavioral Health, calls it “a national issue.”
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Dr. Parks says private insurance historically hasn’t been set up to offer case management, help with transportation and other services to help people navigate to needed treatment.
“If you get old and sick or disabled and sick, then you leave commercial insurance,” he said. “It’s really Medicaid and Medicare that back up the commercial sector and allow them to have the profit margin that they have.”
Many people with serious mental illness don’t intentionally decide to drop off of commercial insurance. Rather, the illness itself — especially if it’s inadequately treated — can lead them to lose their jobs, which then lands them on Medi-Cal.
But for some families and individuals, deciding to leave commercial insurance can be agonizing.
To meet Medi-Cal’s strict income eligibility requirements, families with children younger than 18 sometimes consider leaving their jobs or even relinquishing custody, advocates say.
Parents with children 18 or older often can just drop them from their private plan to make them Medi-Cal eligible. But that may entail giving up relationships with providers they’ve known for years, and forgoing easier access to specialists who treat other complex medical conditions.
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 7/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
And then there’s the question of shame.
Teresa Pasquini in her El Sobrante home on March 12, 2020. Pasquni has spent the last 20 years advocating for her son’s care after he began showing symptoms for schizoaffective disorder as a teenager. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
Teresa Pasquini, a Contra Costa County mother whose adult son has schizoaffective disorder, moved him off of Kaiser Permanente in 2010 after years of fighting to keep him on it. By then, Pasquini said, her son had attempted suicide multiple times. On many occasions, she’d hidden in the back bedroom, calling 911 in a whisper, waiting for authorities to handcuff her son to keep him, and his family, safe. Doctors said her son needed to be in a locked residential facility — but his private insurance didn’t cover a long-term stay, so the county had to pick up the cost, she said.
“It’s traumatic to reread the desperate emails I was sending to Kaiser, the county, the conservator, literally begging, ‘What can we do? We don’t want to drop his private insurance, we don’t want to dump his care on the state and county,’” she said. “I gave up my career. We were paying outrageous amounts of money. We were trying everything. So we felt we had no choice.”
Suzanne Tavano, Contra Costa’s behavioral health director, said families have been making such decisions for decades.
“We’re used to it,” she said. “We expect it.”
People regularly call her agency and ask if they should drop private insurance to get into county programs. “Even with very good insurance, that continuum of care isn’t there for the most part,” she said.
Privately insured people have been treated in the county’s first-episode Judy Bracken and her son, Ryland. Bracken said she was was told by a social worker that her son psychosis program, though Tavano could receive the care he needs if she dropped him is reluctant to broadcast that, given from her private health insurance. Photo courtesy limited space. Others with private of Judy Bracken insurance come into the county’s costly crisis stabilization unit, she
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 8/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
said, or get help via the county’s mobile crisis response team.
“We’re not going to turn people away,” she said.
But spending more on insured people leaves less to spend on people who are on Medi-Cal or uninsured and very low-income, she said.
Other counties facing similar demand restrict their offerings.
Solano County initially accepted people with private insurance into their early psychosis program — until the program was “inundated,” and didn’t have adequate room to serve people with Medi-Cal. The county then restricted it, said Sandra Sinz, the county’s behavioral health director, even though “we know if you don’t offer it, people aren’t going to get help.”
In 2014, plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente alleged they were told to take their sons off of Kaiser to get them into locked residential facilities. That suit settled in 2018. Kaiser continued to dispute some of the claims < https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/health-and- medicine/article223368950.html> .
Later that year, a Kaiser therapist in Solano County, who asked not to be named because she feared being targeted by management, received a message from the company that workers should not tell patients to drop Kaiser coverage and go onto Medi-Cal.
“People with severe mental illness absolutely pay the price,” she said. “They suffer. They absolutely get better care through county mental health.”
She hasn’t voiced that to patients, though.
“It’s not something I’ve said,” she said. “It’s something I think.”
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 9/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
“I gave up my career. We were paying outrageous amounts of money. We were trying everything. So we felt we had no choice.” — TERESA PASQUINI, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MOTHER
Stuart Buttlaire, regional director of inpatient psychiatry and continuing care for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, emailed that Kaiser “offers a full range of long-term, residential or inpatient treatment for members in need of more emotional or psychiatric help than is available in outpatient sessions.” These inpatient stays can range from days to a year or more, he said. He said Kaiser works closely with county mental health agencies through a “public-private partnership.”
It “might have been the case some years ago” that some families dropped commercial insurance to go onto Medi-Cal, Buttlaire said, but “federal parity laws are helping eliminate the need for this.”
Even those concerned about the private-public service gap acknowledge Medi-Cal is no panacea. County services vary < https://calmatters.org/projects/treatment-for-psychosis-and-other- mental-illness-differs-drastically-by-county/> , and they, too, face challenges.
A spike in demand for mental health services in recent years has left Medi- Cal and private insurance struggling to get the workforce and infrastructure they need.
Dr. Paula Wadell, medical director of the UC Davis Early Diagnosis and Preventive Treatment Clinic in Sacramento, said Medi-Cal offers many
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 10/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
services to her patients that those with private insurance can’t access.
“There’s kind of no way to win for families,” she said.
Once children on private insurance turn 18, clinic staff explain to their families the broader services the clinic provides to individuals with Medi-Cal. Many then elect to move their children onto Medi-Cal.
But once they drop private insurance, Wadell said, “it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.”
For example, a 2014 law requires doctors to submit a treatment authorization request to the state before giving anti-psychotics to kids on Medi-Cal. That can lead to delays in getting urgent medication that don’t happen for privately insured kids, she said.
Young people with complex medical problems — seizure disorders, for example — can find it more difficult to secure a neurologist or geneticist through Medi-Cal, she added.
Dr. Paula Wadell, medical director of the UC Davis Early Diagnosis and Preventive Treatment Clinic, provides care for children and young adults in her psychiatric practice. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
Katrina Gant, a San Bernardino County mother whose son was diagnosed with schizophrenia after high school, said she heard about a great residential program in the mountains nearby. It wouldn’t accept her private insurance — but it took Medi-Cal.
The catch: Medi-Cal patients had to wait nearly a year to get in. Instead, Gant’s parents sacrificed $8,000 a month for their grandson to attend.
“It was difficult, but to help my son they would do anything,” Gant said. Although her son remains with Kaiser, she plans to switch him to Medi-Cal — despite the waitlists.
https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 11/16 7/31/2020 Californians are dropping private insurance to get mental health treatment | CalMatters
So what can be done?
San Francisco Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener’s SB 855 < https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml? bill_id=201920200SB855> would require insurers to cover all medically necessary treatments for mental health and substance use disorders.
Dr. Henry Harbin, former CEO of Magellan Health, a managed behavioral health care company, said that some private plans lack the billing codes that allow payment for more complex mental health treatments. He’s working on developing a standardized billing code that first-episode psychosis treatment programs can use to bill commercial insurance, and says a similar initiative would do the same for crisis services.
Several California agencies that serve children have begun piloting partnerships with commercial plans. Marika Collins of Casa Pacifica, which serves children and families on the Central Coast and in Southern California, said her organization is working with Anthem and Kaiser to provide the same intensive mental health services to children with private insurance they’ve long provided to children on Medi-Cal.
“I’m just thrilled to say that we’ve done it,” Collins said. “I’m less quick to bash the health plans than I was three years ago. Some of them really get it.”
CalMatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics. This story was made possible by a grant from the California Health Care Foundation.
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https://calmatters.org/projects/california-mental-health-private-insurance-medi-cal/ 12/16 Print isn’t dead for these longtime newspaper subscribers – San Bernardino Sun 7/30/20, 8:54 PM
LOCAL NEWS • News Print isn’t dead for these longtime newspaper subscribers
Lorraine Stump, 93, of Upland has subscribed since 1948. (Courtesy of Sonja Stump)
By DAVID ALLEN | [email protected] | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin PUBLISHED: July 30, 2020 at 2:13 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2020 at 3:09 p.m.
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In writing July 5 about longtime newspaper subscribers, I quoted Wes McDaniel, who’s been reading The Sun since 1949, despite moves to Grass Valley and now Banning. That’s loyalty. I said he had the record to beat. (He agreed that someone likely could.)
I heard from a lot of folks, most of whom weren’t trying to top McDaniel but simply wanted to share their longstanding connection to whichever paper they take, from The Press-Enterprise to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, sometimes going back into childhood.
Lenore Goodale Boss tells me she was born in 1931 in Pomona. “When the a!ernoon Progress-Bulletin came, no one was allowed to read it until my father arrived home,” Boss says. “He sold life insurance. He read the obituaries with his pen knife handy. If the obits revealed a client of his, he excised it with his pen knife. We became accustomed to reading the paper with holes.”
“I have to tell you that between my father and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, I became a newsaholic,” says Valerie Franklin-Valdez, whose parents’ subscription likely started in 1954.
The family’s cocker spaniel would retrieve the a!ernoon paper and young Valerie would read it from front to back while watching “The Mickey Mouse Club” on TV. It wasn’t purely for self-improvement.
“I had to read the paper before dinner as my father had my sister and me bring a newsworthy item to the dinner table for discussion,” Franklin-Valdez says. What a great tradition.
In retirement Franklin-Valdez says she’s been known to phone the paper to complain about typos and that on their travels, her husband brings her a newspaper to read over co"ee.
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“I cannot imagine rising in the morning and starting my day without reading a paper,” she says.
Lowell Rice of Claremont says his family moved from Ashland, Kentucky, to Pomona in October 1953 and immediately began taking the Pomona Progress-Bulletin. “I’ve kept it up ever since,” Rice says, even though it’s now the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. “In fact, old habits are hard to break and I usually still call it the Prog.”
As a paying customer, Rice can call us whatever he likes. He has seniority.
Laura Davis Jaoui of Claremont is likewise continuing her parents’ subscription. “You’ve got me curious how long the subscription has lasted,” she muses. She thinks it’s been continuous since 1942, when her mother, Gladys, returned from New York City, where she’d gone to help with the war e"ort.
“Your column struck good memories,” says Donna Geeslin. “Used to be the Sun-Telegram: Sun in the morning and Telegram in the a!ernoon. My father worked for them as a linotype operator on the night shi!. They called him Doc because he was good at #xing the machines. He went to work in the ’40s … I still take the paper and live in Yucca Valley.”
“I’m not the longest,” Dan Hollingsworth says to begin his comments. But he has a vivid memory of being 9 years old in 1945 in Pomona and eagerly going out to the driveway for a particularly memorable edition: “I wanted to see the headline in the Prog saying the war was over.”
These days he lives in Murrieta and subscribes to The Press-Enterprise, which he and his wife have been taking for more than 60 years. “I gotta read something,” Hollingsworth explains with a chuckle.
Possible P-E sales slogan: “The Press-Enterprise. Because You Gotta Read Something.”
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Paul Hodges says his folks — who owned Claremont Bakery, now Some Crust, from 1944-1969 — took the Progress-Bulletin starting in 1944 when they moved to Claremont. They switched to the Daily Report for a year when they moved to Monte Vista — today’s Montclair — and then returned to both Claremont and the Prog in 1948.
“We still take it,” says the bakers’ son. Sweet.
Jim Manning has been taking The Press-Enterprise since 1962, which makes him a relative youngster in this discussion. He says he may have one distinction: When he moved here for college at La Sierra, he “immediately started getting both morning and evening editions of The Press-Enterprise.”
We should never have combined those papers. We missed out on one daily sale.
Lorraine Stump has been reading the Daily Report and its successor, the Daily Bulletin, since August 1948, when she and her late husband, Harvey, married. The Ontario woman is 93 and, says her daughter, Sonja, “spunky enough to feel competitive about readership years. She kept your July 5 column until she could tell me how long she has subscribed and could I let you know?”
Vaughn Brown, 94, has a scrapbook of Progress-Bulletin articles from his Pomona High days. So he was reading the paper as a teen, and he and his wife, Gwen, have been subscribing to the Prog, Daily Report or Daily Bulletin since they married in 1947. “Our 73rd wedding anniversary is coming up,” the San Antonio Heights man says matter- of-factly.
Beverly Engelauf’s parents were taking the Ontario Daily Report in the early 1940s until they moved to Rubidoux and switched to The Press-Enterprise. Engelauf has a clipping of her wedding announcement with her late husband, Vallie, from the Dec. 7, 1947 issue of the P-E.
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“We subscribed to it right away because I had to have a newspaper to read,” Engelauf tells me. “I’ve enjoyed the paper and I still do.”
Another satis#ed customer.
Inland Vignette
A!er 50 years in advertising, Curt Annett retires Friday from our newspaper group. The Iowa native was hired in 1970 for a group of weeklies in L.A. as a writer but, asked to drum up some advertising, found he was better at that. On the sta" of the L.A. Herald-Examiner when it closed in late 1989, Annett was hired by the Pomona Progress- Bulletin. That paper was about to merge with the Ontario Daily Report to become the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, where he’s stayed all these years. At 70, he decided it was time to relax, but he’s going to stay active with the Pomona Rotary Club. I bring that up mainly so the club can “#ne” him for having his name in the paper.
David Allen writes Friday, Sunday and Wednesday, at least until the days merge. Email [email protected], phone 909- 483-9339, visit insidesocal.com/davidallen, like davidallencolumnist on Facebook and follow @davidallen909 on Twitter.
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