10/17/2016 Beloved Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead could open next month

Long Beach Press Telegram (http://www.presstelegram.com)

Beloved Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead could open next month

By Jim Steinberg, San Bernardino Sun

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Lake arrowhead >> The long­closed but fondly remembered Santa’s Village may open early next month — but only on a limited scale.

Developers of the 153­acre Skypark at Santa’s Village, in the Lake Arrowhead community of Skyforest, have asked San Bernardino County to issue a temporary use permit to operate on the footprint of the former amusement park, which opened in 1955 — the same year as Disneyland — but closed in 1998.

“My hope is that we are allowed to open the village as everybody remembers it,” project manager Bill Johnson said Friday.

• Photos: A look back at Santa’s Village

San Bernardino County “is now in the process of asking county, state and federal agencies if they have any concerns” about granting the permit, said county spokesman David Wert.

“The county anticipates it will be able to decide whether or not to grant the permit prior to Nov. 1,” he said.

The environmental document for the entire project could not be completed and approved in time for the Christmas season, Johnson said, so the focus shifted to opening just the Santa’s Village portion.

“That way, we could give the community Santa’s Village when they want Santa,” he said.

The mountain biking, fly fishing, campgrounds and other additions that will make Skypark a year­around destination will be pursued as part of the environmental review process and become operational next year, Johnson said. Opening up Santa’s Village this season will “at least get us down the road and get some income coming in.”

• Related More: Developments at Santa’s Village

A management staff has been hired, according to Johnson, and crews are preparing Santa’s Village with fiber optics and cash registers. There is also work being done to bring some of the original 18 1950s­era structures into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Johnson said they anticipate the seasonal workforce will peak at about 300.

Delaying the work until Santa’s Village gets permission to open wouldn’t work, Johnson said. “It’s not possible to do all that work on a last­minute basis. We have to take the risk and gear up the park in the hopes we can open it.”

Economy in need http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/20161015/beloved­santas­village­in­lake­arrowhead­could­open­next­month&template=printart 1/3 10/17/2016 Beloved Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead could open next month “If this project doesn’t happen, it will be a tragedy for the mountain,” said Polly Sauer, executive director of the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce.

“The economy here is in trouble. Many haven’t recovered from the recession,” she said in a recent telephone interview. “This is like the Phoenix rising out of the ashes to have Skypark open.”

Approval of the full project is essential, Sauer said, adding that the failure of the original Santa’s Village showed a seasonal model won’t work.

As the work at the park is getting done, some nearby “Santas” are also preparing for what could be in store.

“I can’t wait to welcome kids into Santa’s house for the first time in 18 years,” said Bill Priest, a Lake Arrowhead resident, who plays Santa at mountain­area functions.

Priest says he will be training other Skypark Santas and working as a Santa there himself.

“I’m just waiting for a phone call,” he said.

Leaders at Rim of the World High School are looking forward to working with park officials.

Athletic Director Scott Craft said he will be working to develop and lead outdoor activities at Skypark, including snowshoeing, hiking and mountain biking. Stephanie Phillips, Regional Occupation and Career Technical Education programs coordinator at Rim high school, said she is working with Skypark officials to place students from various programs at the park.

Environmental concerns

A phased approach to opening Skypark is partially the result of requests from both the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Lahontan Water Quality Control Board. Both want more specific information about development remedies in the county’s preparation of an environmental document.

That report may have suffered a further setback when developers worked on a marshland area on the property without notifying the Lahontan and getting permits, according to Lauri Kemper, assistant executive officer at the South Lake Tahoe­based Lahontan.

An on­site meeting was held earlier this month with those two agencies, the county and the National Resource Conservation Service. The meeting was to discuss environmental issues, which need to be resolved before San Bernardino County can finalize the California Environmental Quality Act document, according to officials with the Lahontan and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Kemper said her agency “is still in an investigation stage” on what was done to the marshland and pond areas on the property. The agency and the developer need to “reach some agreement, which has yet to be developed.”

“Our staff was on site (Oct. 4) to inspect the site and meet with project proponent and contractor,” Kemper said. “Additional planting of willows and grasses are needed and a boardwalk is planned to protect the meadow and allow access by visitors, including environmental education.”

When a rock­lined channel was installed in Hooks Creek, a headwater stream in the Upper Mojave watershed, which originates on the property, it interfered with its natural flow, according to Patrice Copeland, senior engineering geologist with the Lahontan agency.

The result could cause the marshland to die, she said.

The project has the potential to “disrupt the watershed process and degrade the overall health of the watershed,” Jan M. Zimmerman, a Lahontan engineering geologist, wrote in a letter to San Bernardino County’s Planning http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/20161015/beloved­santas­village­in­lake­arrowhead­could­open­next­month&template=printart 2/3 10/17/2016 Beloved Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead could open next month Department last year.

Both Kemper and Jeff Brandt, senior environmental scientist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said they had few issues with the temporary use permit.

What’s next?

San Bernardino County has no estimate on when the environmental report might be completed to allow for the entire Skypark project to move forward.

“Things were looking good to go to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors by the end of this year, but then came the earth­moving issues, which created issues for state Fish and Wildlife and Lahontan,” Wert said in a statement. “At the very least it seems the EIR now has to be modified, so the county no longer has a time estimate.”

The National Resource Conservation Service has been working with Skypark for about three years to restore the property’s meadow area, according to Shea O’Keefe, a biologist with the agency.

The conservation service worked with the developers in the removal of thousands of logs, concrete, rebar, and chopped wood, she said. “It was really trashed” before the new group took over.

The federal agency has also completed engineering and design for re­establishing the water course and stream bank going through the meadow, some of which the Lahontan is objecting to now.

National Resource Conservation Service engineers also designed retaining structures to capture water runoff, O’Keefe said, since the runoff water contains oils and other substances that would harm the wetlands.

The last phase of the agency’s involvement with the project is to oversee the revegetation with native plants, Johnson, the project manager, said, the cost of which will be partially paid for by an Environmental Quality Incentive Program grant.

URL: http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/20161015/beloved­santas­village­in­lake­arrowhead­could­open­next­month

© 2016 Long Beach Press Telegram (http://www.presstelegram.com)

http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/20161015/beloved­santas­village­in­lake­arrowhead­could­open­next­month&template=printart 3/3 10/17/2016 Environmental hurdles halt Skypark

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Environmental hurdles halt Skypark

Mary Kay Bachman addressing those in attendance at the joint meeting of the Crest Forest and Lake Arrowhead Municipal Advisory Councils held October 6 (Photo by Gail Fry) Useful Links Friday, Oct 14, 2016 • Social Security By Gail Fry • Board of Supervisors Mountain residents expressed outrage and passed a petition at the October 6 joint meeting of the Crest • 2nd District Janice Rutherford Forest and Lake Arrowhead Municipal Advisory Councils about the delay of Skypark at Santa’s • 3rd District James Ramos Village’s opening caused by two state agencies, California Fish and Wildlife and Lahontan Regional • Animal Care & Control Water Quality Control Board. • Code Enforcement “I got some disturbing news yesterday, we have this wonderful Skypark Santa’s Village and I heard • Assessor everything was going ahead and all of a sudden yesterday things came to a halt,” Lake Arrowhead • Auditor / Controller­Recorder resident Mary Kay Bachman voiced, objecting to Lahontan or Fish and Wildlife possibly shutting down • Registrar of Voters this project. • County Parks Bachman decried the loss of two other development projects, Eagle Ridge and Church of the Woods, • Treasurer­Tax Collector “I’m wondering if this is our third strike, Santa’s Village” with the “loss of hundreds of jobs.” Bachman • Public Works read from a book entitled “Eco­Facists,” by Elizabeth Nixon, an investigative reporter, describing how “environmental radicals have taken over state and local agencies.” • Superior Court “There are very few folks in our community who wish to stop Santa’s Village,” Carol Banner accused, This Week's Highlights explaining, “These few are able to dictate the destiny of our community and our growth and progress.” Front Page “With the new attack by state agencies brought on by those very few we can only hope Skypark will ■ Environmental hurdles halt prevail,” Banner voiced, directing her comments at the Sierra Club and Save Our Forest Association Skypark (SOFA), cautioning “please folks back off” and “without growth our community will die.” ■ Missing woman found ■ County approves hospital and “SOFA is very much in favor of Skypark, we want nothing more than to see it happen,” SOFA park land exchange Treasurer Trudy Blank voiced, adding, “We just don’t want what happened to Eagle Ridge to happen to ■ Dustup at ALA Skypark, where is was environmentally unstable and had to be shutdown.” ■ Former Sheriff’s Deputy Found Guilty of Murder According to comments submitted by Lahontan, obtained by The Alpenhorn News, Lahontan is ■ Skypark opening balances on concerned about Skypark at Santa’s Village’s (Skypark) proposed plans for wastewater treatment environmental concerns systems. Top Stories Lahontan explained it “prohibits the discharge of waste from ‘new’ leaching or percolation systems in ■ Concert across America attracts the Deep Creek watershed at elevations greater than 3,200 feet above mean sea level,” and new is foes of gun violence “any system installed after May 15, 1975,” or “upgraded or significantly modified after May 15, 1975.” If ■ Every girl counts at MPH Skypark’s septic system is considered “new,” Lahontan explained, it would consider an exemption to ■ Car fire impacts Highway 18 this prohibition on a “case­by­case basis.” traffic ■ SCAQMD considers an increase Lahontan is requiring Skypark to develop and implement a “groundwater and surface water monitoring to vehicle registration fees and reporting plan” for “potential impacts that groundwater pumping may have on surface water flow in My Town Hooks Creek.” ■ http://alpenhornnews.com/environmental­hurdles­halt­skypark­p7572­155.htm 1/2 10/17/2016 Environmental hurdles halt Skypark Lahontan noted Skypark’s DEIR described conservation practices to restore Hencks Meadow and Homes still sought for Rebuilding Hooks Creek, but failed to include “details.” Day ■ Mountain Artists Studio Tour “A number of activities associated with the proposed Project have the potential to impact waters of the slated State” and “may require permits,” Lahontan concludes. ■ ‘Top Town’ Crestline to host Fall Festival California Department of Fish and Wildlife explained it is concerned Skypark’s DEIR is “inadequate” in ■ Women of Distinction nominees assessing “impacts to biological resources” and assessing its “enforceability of avoidance, minimization, announced by Senator Morrell and mitigation measures proposed by the County.” ■ 10th annual Pine Cone Festival held at Rim Nordic Fish and Wildlife identified “three special­status plant species” occurring “within the project site,” including silver­haired ivesia, Parish’s yampah and Laguna Mountains jewelflower and “focused Sheriff's Log sensitive plant surveys have not yet been conducted.” ■ Arrowhead Man Charged with Auto Theft and Parole Violation Fish and Wildlife observed Skyforest’s Habitat Assessment admits impacts may also occur “through the ■ Convicted Felon Arrested While introduction and spread of non­native plant species, trampling, and collection” occurring during Wandering the Streets with construction, post­construction and project operation, while questioning the County of San Bernardino’s Heroin proposed plan to reduce impacts “to a level less than significant.” What's up! ■ Alpen Calendar of Events – Fish and Wildlife expressed concern about the potential impact to the Southern Rubber Boa, observing October 13 to October 20 Skypark failed “to include a detailed and enforceable mitigation plan to offset potential impacts” in its Lady Cathy Myers DEIR, recommending the County apply for an “Incidental Take Permit” to reduce potential project ■ Her Ladyship Cathy Meyers delays should a Southern Rubber Boa be discovered onsite. ■ Pandoraz Clozet, an amazing discovery in Blue Jay

Share Like 2 Share Uncle Mott ■ See The Funny Little Clown submit your comments Keeping it Real ■ California’s new Use of Force database A View from the Right ■ Part IV: The Voices Behind the Confederate Flag­Bearers In the Kitchen with Cathy ■ My Blue Hawaii Kool Kids ■ Boys and Girls Club of the Mountain Communities

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http://alpenhornnews.com/environmental­hurdles­halt­skypark­p7572­155.htm 2/2 10/17/2016 San Bernardino County official charged in DUI had prior conviction, future in question

San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

San Bernardino County official charged in DUI had prior conviction, future in question

By Joe Nelson, The Sun

Friday, October 14, 2016

West Covina Councilman Mike Spence has battled alcoholism and drug abuse for more than 20 years, he said during a recent interview when confronted about a DUI he pleaded guilty to in 1998.

The revelations may place Spence’s future with San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, for whom he is chief of staff, in question.

Spence, 50, ran for 55th District state Assemblyman this year, but he came in third in the June primary. He has been candid in admitting to his alcoholism and use of methamphetamine and cocaine, and said he has attended 12­step programs including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

He has even admitted to having blackouts.

In February 1998, Spence pleaded guilty in West Valley Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga to one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, court records show.

“I never claimed to be perfect,” Spence said in a recent telephone interview. “That was something that happened 20 years ago.”

On June 12, Spence crashed his rented Hyundai Accent into a utility pole near the intersection of Azusa Avenue and Cypress Street in Covina. Police determined he was driving under the influence of an illegal drug — methamphetamine. A toxicology report revealed there was no alcohol in his system.

Spence was charged Sept. 26 with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of a drug, a misdemeanor. He is scheduled for arraignment Thursday in West Covina Superior Court.

Per the terms of his 1998 plea agreement, Spence was ordered by Superior Court Judge Michael J. Welch to attend a county­approved alcohol program, pay a fine of $1,224, and serve three years probation. He was granted a restricted driver’s license allowing him to drive to and from work and to his alcohol treatment program, court records show.

In California, prior misdemeanor convictions older than 10 years are not alleged in a defendant’s new misdemeanor filing, according to Sarah Ardalani, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“That said, there were no prior previous convictions listed in the current misdemeanor complaint against Michael Spence,” Ardalani said in an email.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman said in a telephone interview he was unaware of Spence’s 1998 DUI conviction, and previously stated he was unaware of Spence’s longtime struggle with addiction. He http://www.sbsun.com/government­and­politics/20161014/san­bernardino­county­official­charged­in­dui­had­prior­conviction­future­in­question&template=print… 1/3 10/17/2016 San Bernardino County official charged in DUI had prior conviction, future in question said he did not meet Spence until 2007, during his campaign for state Assembly.

Hagman appointed Spence as his chief of staff when he was elected 55th District state Assemblyman in 2008, then kept him on as his chief of staff when he was elected Fourth District county supervisor in 2014.

“I do believe in people starting anew,” said Hagman, adding that Spence, in the 10 years he has worked for Hagman, has always been an exemplary employee.

“In the (state) Assembly, we’d do independent assessments of each office’s operations, and my office always came in at number one,” Hagman said.

Spence suffered severe injuries including a broken back, hip, femur, and ribs in his June 12 accident. He has been recovering ever since. He still claims to have no recollection of the day of his accident, and while he has admitted to having blackouts in the past, he could not say if his accident was a drug­induced blackout, as he has not been provided a copy of the accident report as he has requested.

“The hospital told me blackouts in car accidents happen all the time,” Spence said.

Spence’s admissions regarding his addictions have sounded an alarm with Hagman.

“It definitely raises concerns,” Hagman said. He said the county has good health benefits and other resources available, which he encourages Spence utilize.

“We wish him a speedy recovery, and to address those demons that he’s facing,” Hagman said. He said it is still too soon to say if he will retain Spence as his chief of staff.

Chronic drug abuse was partly attributable to the downfall of former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus, who became addicted to methamphetamine while serving on the Board of Supervisors, before he was elected county Assessor in November 2006.

“Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive drugs. It basically destroyed me as a person, both spiritually and morally, and I pray that Mike has reached his rock bottom and he’ll now be willing to get some help,” Postmus said in a recent telephone interview. “It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom in 2012 that I was able to really deal with my addiction and seek help.”

Now doing consultant work, Postmus said he has been clean and sober since 2012, and regularly attends a 12­ step program and helps others with their addictions.

Spence, a former ward bishop at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in West Covina, said his Mormon faith and support from his family, friends and church community is keeping him strong.

He said his recovery from his accident has been slow but steady. In recent weeks he was able to stop using a wheelchair and is now ambulatory.

Now, Spence just has to deal with his torn rotator cuff.

“I have one more surgery. I need to have my (right) shoulder repaired,” said Spence, concluding with the familiar 12­step program adage:

“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” he said.

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/government­and­politics/20161014/san­bernardino­county­official­charged­in­dui­had­prior­conviction­future­in­question

© 2016 San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com) http://www.sbsun.com/government­and­politics/20161014/san­bernardino­county­official­charged­in­dui­had­prior­conviction­future­in­question&template=print… 2/3 10/17/2016 BIG BEAR ALPINE ZOO: Flashlight Safari’s Continue October 21­22 — ROTWNEWS.com

<> ZOO: Flashlight Safari's Continue October 21­22 WILDFIRE: Smart Fire Off Highway 18 And Smarts Ranch Road Fully Contained

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Subscribe BIG BEAR ALPINE ZOO: Flashlight Safari’s Continue October 21­22

in For Your Information, Ticker / by Michael P. Neufeld / on October 17, 2016 at 12:01 am /

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Nobody knows better about what goes on after dark at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo than the owls. But each Friday and Saturday during the balance of October Flashlight Safaris will focus on animals that are hard to see by day but come alive by night.(File Photo)

http://rotwnews.com/2016/10/17/big­bear­alpine­zoo­flashlight­safaris­continue­october­21­22/ 1/8 10/17/2016 BIG BEAR ALPINE ZOO: Flashlight Safari’s Continue October 21­22 — ROTWNEWS.com By Michael P. Neufeld

Big Bear Lake, CA – Every wonder what happens at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo after dark? Grab your flashlight and join the after hours Flashlight Safaris. . .where the real adventures begin.

Each Friday and Saturday during the balance of October (weather permitting) the Big Bear Alpine Zoo will open its gates at 6:30 p.m. and start Flashlight Safaris at 7 p.m.

No one will be admitted after 7 p.m. so bring your own flashlight and dress warmly. . .then join the fun.

NIGHT TIME ADVENTURES

Many of the residents of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo are hard to spot during the daytime but come alive by night.

The Flashlight Safaris offer guests an opportunity to observe the sights, sounds and shadows of nature when the sun sets including the wolves and coyotes howling in total darkness. Come see how the mountain lions, bobcats, grizzly and black bears, and many other animals react to the night life.

Some daytime animals share the best of both worlds and remain active, even after dusk.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors (60+) and children from 3 to 10 years of age, and children under 3 years are free.

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is located at 43285 Goldmine Drive in Big Bear Lake and is operated by the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District.

For more information on the Flashlight Safari’s call (909) 584­1299.

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Tweet http://rotwnews.com/2016/10/17/big­bear­alpine­zoo­flashlight­safaris­continue­october­21­22/ 2/8 10/17/2016 County approves hospital and park land exchange

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County approves hospital and park land exchange

Friday, Oct 14, 2016

By Gail Fry At a September 27 San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors’ meeting, the board approved the transfer of 37,558 square feet of vacant land to Mountains Community Hospital District in exchange for the transfer of 37,557 square feet of land to County Service Area 70 D­1. In an interview with The Alpenhorn News, Mountains Community Hospital District (MCH) Chief Executive Officer Charlie Harrison explained, “When we bought the land, the property lines looked like a saw tooth, I don’t know why there were insets and protrusions, it wasn’t a nice property line.” “We had to give an easement to the county to give them access to MacKay Park,” Harrison recalled, explaining, “I thought, how are we going to do anything with these crazy property lines?” “Not a big deal, it took a long time to do it,” Harrison voiced, adding, “no money changed hands” that both parties “were very happy” to get “better property lines.” As far as what MCH plans to do with its land, Harrison explained, “Our goal would be to lease the land to a company that would operate an assisted living facility; it would fit into our mission and fill a void.” In January of 2009, MCH purchased an 11.2­acre parcel from Community Service Area (CSA) 70 D­1, the special district that maintains Lake Arrowhead Dam, for a sales price of $499,100. In October of 2010, CSA 70 D­1 sold a 12.8­acre parcel of land to the Lake Arrowhead Community Service District (LACSD) for one dollar, to potentially build its headquarters. At the time, the sale of land to LACSD for one dollar caused ruffled feathers at MCH, with MCH sending a demand letter to CSA 70 D­1 seeking a refund. When asked, Harrison confirmed, “We never got any money back.” CSA 70 D­1 used the $499,100 toward the costs of building MacKay Park, overlooking Papoose Lake, Useful Links because money from tax assessments can be used “only for the maintenance of flood protection works and facilities.” • Social Security • Board of Supervisors At MacKay Park’s dedication ceremony, held July 14, 2013, honoring long­time Lake Arrowhead • 2nd District Janice Rutherford resident Audrey MacKay and her grandson, Jeremiah MacKay, who gave his life in the line of duty protecting the community from the threat posed by Christopher Dorner, it was hard to miss the chain • 3rd District James Ramos link fence and “no trespassing, questions about this property, contact Mountains Community Hospital • Animal Care & Control District” sign along the path to the playground and shelter where the ceremony was held. Today the • Code Enforcement chain link fence and “no trespassing” sign remain along the path to MacKay Park. • Assessor The September 27 news release, from San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford, entitled • Auditor / Controller­Recorder “Land Swap To Benefit Community Recreation and Health,” claims the land exchange will help MCH • Registrar of Voters “grow its services while providing room for the community’s only park to expand.” • County Parks In response to questions by The Alpenhorn News, San Bernardino County Special Districts • Treasurer­Tax Collector Department (SDD) Director Jeff Rigney explained, “The revenue for the recent improvements and for • Public Works operations comes from leases we have been collecting over the past many years.” • Superior Court

According to records obtained by The Alpenhorn News, SDD has collected $15,990 from leases in This Week's Highlights fiscal year 2013/14, $28,230 in fiscal year 2014/15 and $22,424 in fiscal year 2015/16 totaling $66,644. Front Page Comparatively, an accounting of money spent on park improvements over the last three years indicates ■ Environmental hurdles halt the district spent $113,900 building a parking lot, a volley ball court, a dog park, a basketball court, a Skypark swing set, a memorial pathway, picnic shelters and fencing. Rigney explained, “CSA 70 D­1 (which has ■ Missing woman found both dam and park powers) has been providing the maintenance since the beginning and will continue ■ to do so.” County approves hospital and park land exchange ■ Dustup at ALA Share Like 0 Share ■ Former Sheriff’s Deputy Found Guilty of Murder ■ Skypark opening balances on submit your comments environmental concerns Top Stories ■ Concert across America attracts foes of gun violence ■ Every girl counts at MPH ■ Car fire impacts Highway 18 traffic ■ SCAQMD considers an increase to vehicle registration fees My Town ■ http://alpenhornnews.com/county­approves­hospital­and­park­land­exchange­p7570­155.htm 1/2 10/17/2016 Wildfires prove costly: Bluecut, Pilot fires land in top 10 of biggest blazes statewide this year ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

Wildfires prove costly: Bluecut, Pilot fires land in top 10 of biggest blazes statewide this year

Friday Posted Oct 14, 2016 at 4:53 PM Updated Oct 14, 2016 at 4:53 PM

By Jose Quintero Staff Writer Follow

One of the most expensive wildfires in U.S. history was fully contained last week, nearly three months after it was sparked by an illegal campfire, officials said.

The stubborn, drought-fueled Soberanes Fire in Big Sur erupted on July 22, burned for 83 days and charred 132,127 acres — an area about four times as large as San Francisco.

Data from the National Interagency Fire Center in September showed the blaze surpassed $200 million in firefighting costs, becoming the costliest to fight in U.S. history and putting it well past the previous high of $165 million established by the 2002 Biscuit Fire that burned in California and Oregon.

Through Oct. 8, Cal Fire and the United States Forest Service had reported a total of 6,441 wildfires throughout the state.

While unable to say if 2016 has been the costliest fire season the state has seen, San Bernardino National Forest Service spokesman John Miller said it’s safe to say August was one of the most expensive months locally regarding wildfires in recent memory.

That’s due to two of California's 10 largest wildfires this year that raged in the Victor Valley's backyard. http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161014/wildfires­prove­costly­bluecut­pilot­fires­land­in­top­10­of­biggest­blazes­statewide­this­year 1/3 10/17/2016 Wildfires prove costly: Bluecut, Pilot fires land in top 10 of biggest blazes statewide this year ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

The 36,274-acre Bluecut Fire is listed as the fifth largest fire in the state this year.

The blaze erupted in the Cajon Pass on Aug. 16. Erratic winds spread the fire quickly and carried embers up to 2 miles away, touching off new fires. At the peak of the battle to control the Bluecut Fire, 2,684 personnel were actively involved. The Bluecut Fire destroyed an estimated 105 homes, 213 outbuildings and more than 200 vehicles before it was declared fully contained on Aug. 23.

The Pilot Fire, which burned 8,110 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains and Summit Valley, is listed as the 10th largest fire in California this year.

The Pilot Fire began on Aug. 7 and by the end of the night spread to 1,500 acres, prompting a massive firefighting response from local and regional agencies. The blaze quickly resulted in over 5,300 evacuation orders for homes in the southeast Hesperia, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory and Crestline.

Last estimated figures, available from the San Bernardino National Forest Service, show the cost of the Pilot Fire at more than $16 million. More than $18 million was spent fighting the Bluecut Fire.

“These are not final costs as fire managers continue charging to both fires while they monitor them for hots spots that occasionally are detected,” San Bernardino National Forest Service spokesman Gregg Goodland said in an email. “They are the costs that were current as of when the incident management teams transferred command of the fire back to the Forest Service.”

Miller said the Pilot Fire used a San Bernardino County record of 746,156 gallons of fire retardant, a bright pink substance that reduces flammability of fuels or delays combustion. According to Miller, $3 is the average price per gallon for fire retardant.

Miller said 312,000 gallons of fire retardant were used for the first day of the fire alone.

The Bluecut Fire saw 499,336 gallons of retardant used, with 241,414 gallons used on the first day.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161014/wildfires­prove­costly­bluecut­pilot­fires­land­in­top­10­of­biggest­blazes­statewide­this­year 2/3 10/17/2016 Wildfires prove costly: Bluecut, Pilot fires land in top 10 of biggest blazes statewide this year ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

So far this year, the San Bernardino Airtanker Base has pumped a total of 3,425,469 gallons of fire retardant to support wildfires locally and throughout Southern California as part of mutual aid.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jose Quintero may be reached at 760-955-5332 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @DD_JQuintero.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161014/wildfires­prove­costly­bluecut­pilot­fires­land­in­top­10­of­biggest­blazes­statewide­this­year 3/3 10/17/2016 SUPERVISOR JANICE RUTHERFORD: Chief Of Staff Andy Takata Leaving Post — ROTWNEWS.com

TRAFFIC FATALITY: Cajon Pass Crash Claims<< TOP 25­Year­Old STORIES Man's >> Life

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Subscribe SUPERVISOR JANICE RUTHERFORD: Chief Of Staff Andy Takata Leaving Post

in News, Ticker / by Michael P. Neufeld / on October 16, 2016 at 12:04 am /

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Andy Takata, who currently serves as Supervisor Janice Rutherford’s Chief of Staff, will be moving on and his replacement — Philip Paule — is tentatively scheduled to start November 12. (File Photo)

http://rotwnews.com/2016/10/16/supervisor­janice­rutherford­chief­of­staff­andy­takata­leaving­post/ 1/8 10/17/2016 SUPERVISOR JANICE RUTHERFORD: Chief Of Staff Andy Takata Leaving Post — ROTWNEWS.com By Michael P. Neufeld

Mountain Communities – County Supervisor Janice Rutherford’s Chief of Staff Andy Takata has spent a great deal of time working with mountain residents and organizations during his tenure with the Second District Supervisor.

Takata attended countless meetings and events from Green Valley Lake to Crestline (and every community in between) and worked closely with Supervisor Rutherford and Field Representative Lewis Murray to address issues and concerns in the mountain communities.

The man who joined Rutherford’s staff on November 19, 2014 is moving on and his successor’s contract will be on the agenda of the Board of Supervisor’s meeting on Tuesday, October 18.

PHILIP PAULE

Philip Paule (Contributed Photo)

The person selected by Rutherford to be the new Chief of Staff is Philip Paule who is a resident of French Valley in Riverside County and is no stranger to Inland Empire politics.

He is a member of the Eastern Municipal Water District Board of Directors (Division 1). It’s a post he has held since 2007 and he has worked at various levels of government for more than 20 years.

Paule is a former State Assembly candidate and worked as a district director for Congressman Darrell Issa (R­ Vista/49) for several years.

BOARD ITEM

Paule’s contract is item Number 4 on the supervisor’s agenda with an effective date of November 12.

The contract calls for an annual salary of $127,546 with a benefits package of $97,489 for a total of $225,035, according to agenda materials distributed to the board.

http://rotwnews.com/2016/10/16/supervisor­janice­rutherford­chief­of­staff­andy­takata­leaving­post/ 2/8 10/17/2016 SUPERVISOR JANICE RUTHERFORD: Chief Of Staff Andy Takata Leaving Post — ROTWNEWS.com Staff services to members of the Board of Supervisors are provided through contractual arrangement as required by the County Charter.

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http://rotwnews.com/2016/10/16/supervisor­janice­rutherford­chief­of­staff­andy­takata­leaving­post/ 3/8 10/17/2016 County Assessor to speak at Barstow Council meeting ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

County Assessor to speak at Barstow Council meeting

Sunday Posted Oct 16, 2016 at 8:41 PM

By Staff Reports

The San Bernardino County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Bob Dutton will give a presentation at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 inside the Barstow City Council Chambers, 220 E. Mountain View St.

He will give a description of the assessment process, its history and the impact on the the county.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161016/county­assessor­to­speak­at­barstow­council­meeting 1/1 10/17/2016 While Trump warns of ‘rigged’ process, Padilla keeps faith in county officials | The Sacramento Bee

CAPITOL ALERT OCTOBER 16, 2016 6:44 PM While Trump warns of ‘rigged’ process, Padilla keeps faith in county officials

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http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics­government/capitol­alert/article108683802.html 1/4 10/17/2016 While Trump warns of ‘rigged’ process, Padilla keeps faith in county officials | The Sacramento Bee

BY CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO [email protected]

With Donald Trump’s deepening warnings about a “rigged” presidential campaign, and renewing doubts about the legitimacy of the democratic process, California’s election chief said Sunday that he has great faith in the state’s county election officials and its thousands of volunteer poll workers.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla said his office has issued advisories to county election officials outlining rules and responsibilities for polling place observers. He plans to deploy Election Day observers throughout the state to respond to issues as needed.

“I expect Californians will go to the polls on Nov. 8 and cast their ballots free from intimidation – our voters, poll workers, and democracy deserve no less,” Padilla said in a written statement to The Bee.

His remarks came after Trump wrote on Twitter Sunday that the election is “absolutely being rigged by the dishonest and distorted media pushing Crooked Hillary – but also at many polling places – SAD.”

The Republican presidential candidate previously told supporters they should travel to areas outside their own and “watch” on Election Day.

Appearing Sunday morning on ABC’s “This Week,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich advised Trump backers to monitor polling places to ensure the election is not “stolen.” Ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, another Trump supporter, said on CNN that there are places in the country, including Philadelphia and Chicago, where residents have been notorious for “stealing votes.”

“There have been places where a lot of cheating has gone on over the years,” he said. “Dead people generally vote for Democrats, rather than Republicans.”

The sowing of doubts in the system is stirring concern from voting-rights advocates and elections officials about voter intimidation. Padilla, in his statement, stressed that polling place observers must comply with the law.

“This means not interfering with the important work poll workers are engaged in and, just as importantly, not harassing or intimidating any voter exercising their right to cast a ballot,” he said.

Christopher Cadelago: 916-326-5538, @ccadelago

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics­government/capitol­alert/article108683802.html 2/4 10/17/2016 WikiLeaks: Podesta lamented that a Muslim, not a white man, named as killer in 2015 massacre | Fox News

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WikiLeaks: Podesta lamented that a Muslim, not a white man, named as killer in 2015 massacre Published October 16, 2016

FoxNews.com Top Hillary Clinton aides were upset a Muslim man was publicly named as the shooter in a 2015 massacre that left 14 people dead, and a longtime Clinton confidant even expressed regret that the terrorist wasn’t a white man, according to purported emails released by WikiLeaks on Sunday.

The emails were part of a trove of messages stolen from the gmail account of Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, who has had a long association with the Democratic presidential nominee and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. The email chain began on Dec. 2, when digital operative Matt Ortega forwarded a tweet from MSNBC host Christopher Hayes that named one of the shooters in the San Bernardino, Calif., attack as Sayeed Farook. Consultant Karen Finney forwarded the email to Podesta, commenting, “Damn.”

Podesta responded: “Better if a guy named Sayeed Farouk [sic] was reporting that a guy named Christopher Hayes was the shooter.”

Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, gunned down 14 people and injured 22 in a terror attack during a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center on Dec. 2. The attackers pledged their allegiance to ISIS before dying in a shootout with police later in the day.

But Podesta’s written lament of the shooter’s ethnicity underscores a long­running aversion in the Clinton campaign – and many in the Democratic party at large – to associating terrorist acts with any aspect of the Islamic religion.

In a 154­page debate prep book that was developed two months after the San Bernardino attacks, and also unearthed in the WikiLeaks document dump, topic 47 is devoted to “Should we call this Islamic terrorism?” Nowhere in the suggested seven­point answer does “Islamic terrorism” make an appearance. Instead, it’s suggested that Clinton call the enemy “radical jihadists.”

Predictions Map See the Fox News 2016 battleground prediction map and make your own election projections. See Predictions Map →

“Now, of course there are those who twist Islam to justify mass murder,” point three begins. “But we can’t buy into the same narrative that these barbaric, radical jihadists use to recruit new followers. Declaring war on Islam or demonizing the Muslim­ American community is not only counter to our values – it plays right into the terrorists’ hands.”

Point seven states: “Radical jihadists underestimate us. We won’t turn on each other or turn on our principles. We will keep our country safe and strong, free and tolerant. And we will defeat those who threaten us.”

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has made a concerted effort to note that Clinton and President Obama don’t use Trump’s preferred descriptive term, “Radical Islamic terrorism.” Obama held a lengthy press conference earlier this year to specifically address why he refused to link Islam and terrorism. But in the wake of the Orlando nightclub terror attack in June, and amid more Trump prodding, Clinton relented somewhat.

“Whether you call it radical jihadism or radical Islamism, I’m happy to say either,” she said at the time. “I think they mean the same thing.”

The latest email release was the ninth day this month that emails from Podesta's account were revealed on WikiLeaks. So far, about 12,000 of 50,000 alleged emails have been released.

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/16/wikileaks­podesta­lamented­that­muslim­not­white­man­named­as­killer­in­2015­massacre.print.html 1/1 10/17/2016 A new history?: Adelanto's rebranding proposal would be defining moment

A new history?: Adelanto's rebranding proposal would be defining moment

Sunday Posted Oct 16, 2016 at 9:46 AM Updated Oct 16, 2016 at 9:46 AM

By Shea Johnson Staff Writer Follow

ADELANTO — Shortly after three council members arrived on scene in late 2014, they began to carve out their niche: Shun convention, speak ultra-freely and do whatever it takes to grow the city.

The course they charted with an incumbent led to commercial medical marijuana, a controversial yet roseate proposition that the mayor recently said could fetch $1 million weekly. They also shrugged off flak, which would've been stickier if Adelanto were any other local municipality, as they backed a new jail near a high school, armed animal control officers and sparred with a since-departed minor league baseball squad.

Mayor Rich Kerr and Councilman John "Bug" Woodard, two-thirds of that new council majority, were political newbies. Councilman Charley Glasper had previously served from 2006 to 2010, including two years as the city's mayor. They joined incumbents Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright and Councilman Ed Camargo.

Soon, Kerr, Woodard, Glasper and Wright had formed the self-described "New Adelanto" leadership with a more cautious Camargo, assuming control of the city with a sense of bravado, positivism and, at times, naivete. Woodard recently

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20161016/new­history­adelantos­rebranding­proposal­would­be­defining­moment 1/4 10/17/2016 A new history?: Adelanto's rebranding proposal would be defining moment

recalled thinking of Kerr as a "redneck" in the beginning and joked that Kerr likely thought of him as "a damn hippie."

They've denied and so far have navigated allegations that the Council, sans Camargo, directed staff to fire certain employees and met in quorums during outside hours, although Kerr, Woodard and Wright were sued in a related matter last month by three long-tenured workers — two whom are no longer there.

Moving beyond internal discord, which has included turnover at top positions, the Council started announcing pending businesses, new entertainment options and long-awaited plans like a traffic signal at a dangerous intersection and even a pet project, a dog park.

The flurry of economic activity, so hectic that officials say they lose track and which has left short-staffed departments unable to keep up, is orchestrated under the umbrella of this "new Adelanto." The medical pot plan has garnered plenty of outsider attention, but the expected residual effects, city leaders say, will result in parks on the north side, hotels and restaurants along Highway 395 and more home developers calling.

The journey of "New Adelanto," irreversibly fixed to this Council, could potentially culminate in two years with a city name change, which may act as the stamp of sorts on the current tenure. The city leaders said last month they planned to send to voters in 2018 a ballot measure that would authorize amending the city charter and the switch. "Rancho Adelanto" is one possibility being kicked around.

"I think that's an idea that's kind of come along as things have rapidly progressed," Woodard said this week. "It's a natural progression of this isn't the same-old Adelanto anymore. This is something new, totally different."

Woodard is familiar with city name changes. He used to live in Grover City, a sparsely populated place in San Luis Obispo County with what he described as a "half-mile of beach." But in the early 1990s, voters approved re-naming Grover City to Grover Beach to capitalize on the small strip of Pacific Ocean and Woodard said real estate prices went up and residents believed it was more prestigious to live there. http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20161016/new­history­adelantos­rebranding­proposal­would­be­defining­moment 2/4 10/17/2016 A new history?: Adelanto's rebranding proposal would be defining moment

It's a similar premise here, where the current Council seeks to commemorate high hopes with a fresh start, essentially eradicating a stigma they say is buried deep in Adelanto's economic struggles: "A lot of it's psychological, perhaps."

"Our city's just been in a bad way for a long time, it's pretty nice to know (if) you got a good idea that's going to bring some jobs, you have an idea for this and that," Woodard said, "you don't have so much negativity between council members."

The Council has not-so-secretly sought to distance itself from past leadership. They've lobbed particular blame on a majority council prior to 2014 — Wright and Camargo were on the dais then — for Adelanto's fiscal emergency, saying leaders then were not creative and forward-thinking, and chastising that group for pushing forward an ultimately failed 7.95-percent user utility tax to balance a budget that remains $744,000 in the hole. Wright rejected the tax.

But former mayor Cari Thomas, who has found herself at times in the new Council's crosshairs, said she wasn't sure why these leaders are so adamant about underscoring their differences from the past.

"The solvency problem with the city was 40-plus years in the making," Thomas said, pointing to its incorporation in 1970 and Local Agency Formation Commission's warning that Adelanto couldn't sustain itself. "To say — the six years I was there, the four I was mayor — (the economic situation) was all my fault, is very short-sighted."

Thomas also agreed that groundwork had been laid over the past two years, but she said the Council's "impossible" promises to quickly affect change have gone unfulfilled. She also suggested, as she has before, that the Council operates too much in a silo.

"They're rogue. They don't care what regular cities do, they do their own thing," she said. "It is literally the epitome of a good 'ol boys club."

As for the proposed "Rancho Adelanto?"

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20161016/new­history­adelantos­rebranding­proposal­would­be­defining­moment 3/4 10/17/2016 A new history?: Adelanto's rebranding proposal would be defining moment

"It's asinine, it's ridiculous. You cannot change who you are. You don't get to wipe away ... years of history because you changed the name," she said. "You cannot move forward without looking back."

But for the Council, the re-branding is a necessary move, to keep pressing forward, to forge full-speed ahead at whatever the cost and without concern for detractors.

"This place has always been a gem, it just took the right people," Woodard said. "As long as I'm confident in what I'm doing, I'm pushing progress forward in my city, the rest of those people I could give two hoots about."

Shea Johnson can be reached at 760-955-5368 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @DP_Shea.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20161016/new­history­adelantos­rebranding­proposal­would­be­defining­moment 4/4 10/17/2016 With flyover, connectivity found in new national monuments

With flyover, connectivity found in new national monuments

Sunday Posted Oct 16, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Oct 16, 2016 at 3:43 PM

By James Quigg Chief Photographer Follow

PALM SPRINGS — As the plane climbed into the air from the Palm Springs airport toward Joshua Tree National Park, those inside could peer off in the distance at San Gorgonio Mountain, and the newly designated Sand to Snow Monument. The view looked over the open desert leading to Joshua Tree National Park.

This view and this flight was purposeful. The Mojave Desert Land Trust partnered with Ecoflight, a nonprofit touring group, to explain the environmental benefits of the Sand to Snow and Mojave Trails National Monuments and the recent Desert Conservation and Renewable Energy Plan that protects specific desert lands.

The flight circled Joshua Tree National Park, passing the Sand to Snow National Monument, with the Mojave Trails National Monument in the background, and finally skirted the Salton Sea and the Coachella Valley. The trip offered visual explanation of the ecological and geological forces shaping and transforming the desert and underscored the value of the recently created protection for these environments.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20161016/with­flyover­connectivity­found­in­new­national­monuments 1/3 10/17/2016 With flyover, connectivity found in new national monuments

The aerial views demonstrated the valuable connections being made throughout the area for wildlife and natural forces.

“Most people know Joshua Tree National park. But we don’t want Joshua Tree and other areas to become islands in themselves, these areas (the new national monuments) are the connective tissues,” said Fraizer Haney of the Mojave Desert Land Trust.

Sand to Snow now becomes the corridor between Joshua Tree and the San Bernardino National Forest. It allows wildlife to migrate and move free of human intervention.

“Think of it like the connective tissue in a person’s brain,” Haney added. Connectivity allows cougars, bighorn sheep, lizards, plants and even sand to move between areas as the population, food supply and environments naturally change.

“Sand dunes are dynamic they're always in motion,” Haney said. “The Coachella Valley was getting so highly developed that they would have prevented new sand blowing in.”

He also explained dunes have several species, like the Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard and Borrego Milkvetch, which are adapted to and depend on sand dunes.

“That's a landscape level protection. You cannot protect just a few miles, you have to protect an entire valley, the entire geographic feature.”

The creation of the national monuments, and the protection the DCREP offers, were critical to protecting these areas, Haney said.

“Sand to Snow crosses Highway 62 in two places. That's where development is most likely to occur, that’s where wildlife is most going to struggle to cross,” Haney said. “Wildlife is not going to move through existing communities but they will move through the little pockets of undeveloped areas between the communities.”

Wildlife protection is not the only advantage of the newly protected areas. Public use of these areas still holds the key to the success of the monuments, Haney said.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20161016/with­flyover­connectivity­found­in­new­national­monuments 2/3 10/17/2016 With flyover, connectivity found in new national monuments

“My number one goal is the communities around these national monuments will embrace them. It becomes part of the identity of the communities.” Haney said.

He pointed to the eco-tourism embraced by the communities surrounding Joshua Tree National Park, in hopes these monuments will develop economic growth based on protected lands.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20161016/with­flyover­connectivity­found­in­new­national­monuments 3/3 10/17/2016 McCartney’s surprise concert brings thousands to Pioneertown ­ Hi­Desert Star: News McCartney’s surprise concert brings thousands to Pioneertown By Stacy Moore, Hi­Desert Star | Posted: Thursday, October 13, 2016 5:44 pm PIONEERTOWN — This tiny community got its own version of Beatlemania when Paul McCartney announced he would play at Pappy & Harriet’s Thursday. The concert was announced at 10 a.m. on McCartney’s website and Pappy & Harriet’s social media accounts. Within hours, thousands of people were milling around the dirt lot and winding road by Pappy & Harriet’s, hoping to get one of the 300 tickets scheduled to go on sale at 6:30 p.m. First in line Tickets cost $50 each, cash only. First in line for the tickets to Paul As people continued to pour into Pioneertown, the venue’s McCartney's surprise concert are, from left, original plan not to allow anyone to line up until 3 p.m. Nate Stickney, Ryan O'Neal, Tim Wilson, wasn’t working. Jim Letourneau and Kelly Reilly. Some of the earliest people to arrive started to form their own line, and the first 300 people got markers indicating they would be able to buy their concert tickets when they went on sale. Some people got agitated when others appeared to be jumping in line, CHP Officer Ryan Swanson said. Swanson estimated around 2,000 people were waiting outside the saloon by 2 p.m. Trying to prevent worse traffic or disturbances, the CHP made an announcement telling everyone who hadn’t gotten one of the 300 markers to leave. First in line to see McCartney were Ryan O’Neal and Nate Stickney, co­workers at ESRI in Redlands. Stickney read about the concert in a workplace Slack message board. “I asked Nate if he wanted to go to lunch and he asked me if I wanted to go to see Paul McCartney instead,” O’Neal said. The men drove east and became one of the first few people to arrive. Kelly Reilly, one of the first four in line, had a shorter drive. She steered her golf cart over from her Pioneertown house. “I found out about it when somebody parked in my driveway,” she said. She asked what they were doing, and they told her they were there to see Paul McCartney. For Reilly, it was more than coincidence. “This is a miracle,” she said. “It’s on my bucket list. I’ll never forget it.” http://www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_6682db2e­91a7­11e6­a29e­f31d1a90a2ab.html?mode=print 1/2 10/17/2016 McCartney’s surprise concert brings thousands to Pioneertown ­ Hi­Desert Star: News Next to her was Tim Wilson, of Palm Springs, wearing a vintage Paul McCartney T­shirt. “I’ve been a fan since 1964,” he said. His wife found out about the surprise concert on Facebook around 10:30, and Wilson was in the car by 11. “I couldn’t think of anything more important to do today,” he said. “I called my boss and told him I wouldn’t be in.” He was especially excited about the venue. “Seeing him is cool. Seeing him in Pappy & Harriet’s is extra special,” Wilson said. Jim Letourneau, a snowbird from Calgary, Alberta, who is staying in Rancho Mirage was supposed to be on a bus to Arizona for a tour of water canals. He missed the tour bus and started looking for something else to do. “I was feeling bummed,” he said. Then he saw the concert announcement online. “I feel really lucky, really grateful,” he said. McCartney is in the area for the Desert Trip music festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio starring classic rockers like the Who, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. McCartney played Oct. 8 and will return Oct. 15.

http://www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_6682db2e­91a7­11e6­a29e­f31d1a90a2ab.html?mode=print 2/2 10/17/2016 Barstow surviving drought through banking, conservation ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

Barstow surviving drought through banking, conservation

Sunday Posted Oct 16, 2016 at 12:01 AM

By Mike Lamb

Follow

APPLE VALLEY — Senior Hydrogeologist Tony Winkel sifted through the pile of water well monitoring maps inside the Mojave Water Agency headquarters in Apple Valley.

His job is to make sure the MWA team has the data to make the right decisions as the agency maneuvers through Southern California's persistent drought. The MWA is a regional wholesale water provider created by High Desert voters in 1960 and it's governed by a seven-member board. It serves 4,900 square miles in San Bernardino County, including the Barstow area.

Winkel then walked past a room full of monitors displaying real-time well monitoring.

"These are monitoring wells for the Deep Creek area. You can see what's going on at the various water basins," Winkel said.

All the maps and electronic well monitoring can only provide historical and real- time water levels in the precious water aquifers under the Victor Valley and Barstow areas. But they can't predict when the drought will end.

MWA board President Beverly Lowry understood back in the 1970s that man couldn't predict Mother Nature. She said she knew the importance of banking water to get through the tough times.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161016/barstow­surviving­drought­through­banking­conservation 1/3 10/17/2016 Barstow surviving drought through banking, conservation ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

Lowry said Friday that's when she started lobbying Congressman Jerry Lewis and Jim Costa, then a state senator, for the funding to build a delivery system to transport California state water project water to the Victor Valley and Barstow area.

"It was a huge adventure. I was determined we were going to have it. I never let up," Lowry said.

The persistence of Lowry and MWA paid off in $43 million in federal grant money and $5 million in state funding. When the Mojave River pipeline reached Newberry Springs in 2004, it was complete. It gave the region better access to imported water.

In September, MWA was able to improve the efficiency of the pipeline into the Barstow area with the construction of a new $400,000 recharge site in Hinkley. A total of 780 acre-feet of water will be released into the Barstow area this calendar year for the purpose of banking the precious commodity.

Lowry said the program is essential. “Thanks to conservation and our water recharge program we’ve been able to endure this drought," she said.

MWA believes the groundwater recharge is an effective and practical solution to ensure a sustainable water supply. Also, it says the Mojave Desert’s geology provides an ideal environment to store water because of its permeable river sediments. These desert sediments made up of sand and gravel layers absorb water quickly and act as an underground reservoir.

"We need to get every drop we can in these basins," Lowry said.

That's because there are no guarantees there will always be water to buy if the drought persists.

"The water is very, very expensive," she said.

Before the Lenwood turnout was built, the water was stored in ponds and then it percolated back into the groundwater. But now the water flows directly into the Mojave river.

"It's so much more efficient," Lowry said.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161016/barstow­surviving­drought­through­banking­conservation 2/3 10/17/2016 Barstow surviving drought through banking, conservation ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

Director of engineering Darrell Reynolds said the efficiency starts with the MWA staff that makes decisions based on the data provided by Winkel and others on the team. Decisions are made to determine where water will be discharged.

"Where we deliver it is pretty much up the different groups of people here. They tell us how much and where," Reynolds said. "This particular year though, I don't think there is any replacement obligation down in Barstow. But the board wants to bank additional water down there. We have the water that is already banked in the Barstow area over and above the replacement water. This is just adding to it.

"It's like a big tub of water in the ground and it will not move very fast. It stays there quite awhile and people can take it out. It does migrate to some degree, but it moves pretty slowly."

Reynolds said right now the water under Barstow is above operational levels thanks to the water banking. But he said monitoring takes place constantly.

"If they find the levels keep dropping, dropping, dropping past operational levels, the water master has to do things to help sustain that."

Lowry insists conservation efforts need to continue.

"I don't encourage people to go back to wasteful days," she said. "Between the banking and the wonderful conservation plan, that is what has carried us through this drought. But we better hope for rain."

Mike Lamb can be reached at 760-957-0613 or [email protected]. You can also follow him on Twitter @mlambdispatch.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161016/barstow­surviving­drought­through­banking­conservation 3/3 10/17/2016 Chino opens water facility in south Ontario Monday

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (http://www.dailybulletin.com)

Chino opens water facility in south Ontario Monday

By Imani Tate, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Sunday, October 16, 2016

ONTARIO >> The city of Chino will host the ribbon­cutting ceremony to officially open the Eastside Water Treatment Facility in Ontario at 9 a.m. Monday.

The treatment facility, located at 7537 Schaefer Ave., will handle the significant increase in water demands from residential growth and development throughout the southeast section of the city of Chino. Its opening concludes 10 years of planning and two years of construction.

The city and developers Lewis Management Corp. and LS College Park partnered to design, fund and build the Eastside Water Treatment Facility. LS College Park is a limited liability company formed by developers Lennar Communities and Standard Pacific Homes.

The city put in $2 million of the $13.22 million needed to build the facility.

Eastside includes a 500,000­gallon water storage reservoir, a 4­million­gallon water storage reservoir, two pump stations, grandwater transmission pipeline for groundwater wells to the treatment facility and a treated water transmission pipeline to South Chino.

The new plant, will remove nitrates from two city­owned wells and make the tap water drinkable, city officials have said.

A second phase would double the facility’s capacity to accommodate additional growth and development when it happens. There’s no set timeline for the second phase, and its construction will depend on available funding, city officials have said.

URL: http://www.dailybulletin.com/government­and­politics/20161016/chino­opens­water­facility­in­south­ontario­monday

© 2016 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (http://www.dailybulletin.com)

http://www.dailybulletin.com/government­and­politics/20161016/chino­opens­water­facility­in­south­ontario­monday&template=printart 1/1 10/17/2016 Print Article: Sparks fly at debate over Measure L, the San Bernardino charter

Sparks fly at debate over Measure L, the San Bernardino charter By RYAN HAGEN 2016­10­14 16:59:12

Current and former San Bernardino leaders clashed Thursday in a televised debate over whether replacing the city charter would help or hinder economic development, corruption and the future of the city.

Measure L would replace the city’s charter – in place, with amendments, since 1905 – with a new one.

In broad strokes, that means the city would go from a modified version of a strong mayor form of government to a council­manager form; the positions of city attorney, city clerk and city treasurer would no longer be elected; and elections would shift from odd­number to even­number years, among other changes.

But what that means for the average citizen was the source of passionate disagreement.

“We need a new modern city charter that’s consistent with the broadly accepted best practices that successful cities all around us have been using for years,” said Susan Lien Longville, arguing in favor of Measure L. “We need to close the door on the old, cumbersome charter that helped pave the way down the road to bankruptcy.”

Former City Attorney James F. Penman disputed that the charter had anything to do with bankruptcy: The city thrived under it for years, and bad political decisions are to blame for squandering a budget surplus, he said.

What the proposed new charter would do, he said, is take power away from the people.

“It would change from a voter, citizen­friendly charter to a City Hall­runs­the­roost charter,” he said, referencing the first and 16th president of the United States in support of more elections.

Penman continued: “Abraham Lincoln said, ‘In leaving the people’s business in the hands of the people, we cannot be wrong. ... Are you going to leave the people’s business in your hands, the voters, or are you going to hand it over to someone hired by a politician?”

Longville partnered with Carey Davis, the city’s mayor, in an hourlong debate against Penman and resident Amelia Sanchez­Lopez, hosted by the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce.

Opponents of the proposed charter zeroed in on how the proposed new charter shifts power from being directly in the hands of elected officials — accountable to the people — to officials hired by the City Council who they say cannot as effectively combat corruption.

Proponents of the new charter say having those elected positions causes confusing lines of authority and encourages officials to act politically rather than give good counsel.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

San Bernardino reaches ‘momentous’ bankruptcy hearing

By Ryan Hagen, The Sun

Friday, October 14, 2016

RIVERSIDE >> The city of San Bernardino entered the final stage of its bankruptcy case Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, with a confirmation hearing the city and its thousands of creditors have awaited for more than four years.

The weight of the moment was apparent in the hearing, the first in a series that city officials expect will culminate in the city no longer being bankrupt by about March.

For the first time since shortly after the first bankruptcy hearing, in August 2012, nearly every seat in the courtroom was taken — half the room with San Bernardino’s attorneys, consultants and officials, the other half with attorneys who at various points challenged the city’s plans.

That plan, which includes paying certain creditors only one cent for every dollar they’re owed, was for the most part tentatively confirmed Friday.

• READ MORE: San Bernardino Bankruptcy

“This is a momentous day,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury said.

Jury ruled the city had met most of its requirements already and added that she does “not think the city should worry” that she won’t confirm the rest at a later hearing.

Jury reserved judgment on two substantial issues, which are related. One regards a major dispute between the city and the Big Independent Cities Excess Pool, which provides liability coverage for the city, and the other concerns possible lawsuits involving individual employees such as police accused of excessive force.

Those issues will be addressed beginning Nov. 15.

Paul Glassman, the city’s bankruptcy attorney, took a moment at the beginning of the hearing to mark the milestone of the first confirmation hearing.

“The very first hearing in this case back in August of 2012, I told the court that the day that the city entered Chapter 9 (bankruptcy) was a solemn day,” he said. “But since that day the city has come a long way down a difficult path and has made great strides forward, thanks to the efforts of a number of people, many of whom are in the courtroom today.

“I can now say that today is a promise and hope for a better future for the city.”

Jury praised the city for its progress and said she was convinced by the city’s financial models and declarations to show it could not afford to pay more than 1 percent of its debts to unsecured creditors, and she quickly ruled that the plan was feasible — since no one submitted arguments objecting to that. http://www.sbsun.com/government­and­politics/20161014/san­bernardino­reaches­momentous­bankruptcy­hearing&template=printart 1/2 10/17/2016 San Bernardino reaches ‘momentous’ bankruptcy hearing “Surprisingly, your honor, the aspect of a bankruptcy case that’s most often disputed is not disputed in this case,” Glassman said, regarding the plan’s feasibility.

The 1 percent payout didn’t sit well with attorney Duane Folke, who appeared in court Friday for the first time on behalf of Paul Triplett.

Another court determined that Triplett was entitled to $7.7 million after San Bernardino police in 2006 broke Triplett’s jaw, arm, ribs, leg, ankle and foot, leaving him comatose for three days, according to Folke.

As an unsecured creditor, Triplett would get $77,000 under the city’s plan.

“My client, unfortunately, given the fact that he’s facing blindness, cannot accept the settlement as it stands,” Folke said, showing the judge a poster­size photo of Triplett’s wounds.

Jury said she sympathized with Triplett, but saw no legal reason to argue he didn’t belong in the unsecured class of creditors, which overwhelmingly voted in favor of the plan. That leaves only the option of showing that experts the city hired were wrong when they argued, with extensive documentation, that the city couldn’t afford to pay more than 1 percent to its unsecured creditors.

“Here’s what stands between you and your ability to be persuasive to the court: You would need to employ a cadre of experts similar to those the city has employed, probably on the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, to refute the evidence that they have presented,” she said.

Other civil rights creditors, with different attorneys, have reached settlements for more than 1 percent but less than 100 percent of the amount they would be owed.

San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy protection Aug. 1, 2012, swamped by a deficit of more than $45 million — equivalent to 40 percent of the $112 million in revenues the city expects this year — and fearing it wouldn’t be able to make payroll unless a bankruptcy judge stopped creditors from collecting their debts.

That protection hasn’t been cheap: From 2012 until May 2016, the city spent $18.8 million on bankruptcy­ related expenses — attorneys and consultants — according to one of those consultants, Teri Cable of Management Partners.

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/government­and­politics/20161014/san­bernardino­reaches­momentous­bankruptcy­hearing

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http://www.sbsun.com/government­and­politics/20161014/san­bernardino­reaches­momentous­bankruptcy­hearing&template=printart 2/2 10/17/2016 10 Freeway ranked fourth deadliest in nation

San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

10 Freeway ranked fourth deadliest in nation

By Neil Nisperos, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Interstate 10, which cuts a wide swath through Southern California and on through six more states before ending in Florida, is the fourth deadliest highway in the nation, according to a new report.

But on the plus side, California’s portion is only the fourth worst of the eight states.

The report by ValuePenguin, a website that helps consumers make business and finance decisions, made its rankings based on the number of fatal crashes per 100 miles of roadway between 2011 and 2015.

During that time, the 10 Freeway averaged 54.5 fatal crashes per 100 miles coast to coast, the study found.

Report author Craig Casazza, research analyst for ValuePenguin, said he used data from the National Traffic & Highway Safety Administration’s fatality analysis reporting system to identify fatal accident trends. The NTHSA could not be immediately reached for comment.

Casazza also looked at the causes of the fatalities: Poor lighting conditions were involved with 35 percent of all fatal accidents on the 10, and about 25 percent of all fatal accidents on the highway involved a drunk driver.

In California, the freeway begins in Santa Monica at the coast where it’s called the Santa Monica Freeway until it hits the East Los Angeles interchange, where it becomes the San Bernardino Freeway to the Inland Empire.

Between the years 2011 to 2015, the highway had 1,342 fatal accidents in all. The 10’s stretch through Texas ranked the deadliest, with 424 accidents; Arizona was second, with 276; Louisiana was third, with 208 and California ranked fourth, with 186.

“Our ultimate goal is to present something fascinating,” Casazza said. “There are so many highways in the country. We want to show which ones are the most dangerous. It’s really open­ended what people might use it for. They may take a different highway at night, or they may be more aware of drunk drivers.”

The three highways more dangerous than the 10 in the last five years, according to ValuePenguin, are:

• State Route 99 near Fresno (62.3 fatal accidents per 100 miles)

• I­45 in Texas (56.5 fatal accidents per 100 miles)

• I­95 along the eastern seaboard, (55.1 fatal accidents per 100 miles)

If the study looked solely at total number of fatal crashes, the 10 would be No. 1, according to the report.

http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161016/10­freeway­ranked­fourth­deadliest­in­nation&template=printart 1/2 10/17/2016 10 Freeway ranked fourth deadliest in nation Hasan Ikhrata, executive director of the Southern California Association of Governments, which helps plan for growth and transportation in the region, said the numbers make sense because the 10 is one of the more widely used freeways in the country.

“It has huge usage, so obviously with that, there is always a risk,” Ikhrata said. “You would have more accidents so that’s one, and number two, more importantly, we really should invest more money in campaigns against drunk driving and the use of cellphones while driving because these kinds of issues cause a lot of accidents that could be avoided.”

The age of the freeway could also be a factor in its level of safety, Marcia Godwin, assistant professor of public administration for the University of La Verne, said.

“Interstate 10 replaced Route 66 as the mother road,” Godwin said. “It literally is the oldest of the east­west freeways, if you’re comparing it with the 60 and the 210, so the impression one gets driving through the eastern San Gabriel Valley and the western San Bernardino Valley is that the lanes appear to be a little narrower. Sometimes it’s hard to actually distinguish the lanes.

“And there are some design characteristics that may contribute to more crashes besides the slopes and the grades of the freeway.”

Ihkrata echoed the concern.

“Some of this is caused by design deficiencies,” he said. “These highways and freeways were designed in the ’60s through the ’80s and these deficiencies can be fixed by doing a few things differently. For instance, wider shoulders would mean much less curvature, and some of the entrances and exits have a short span. These deficiencies can be overcome with engineering solutions.”

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161016/10­freeway­ranked­fourth­deadliest­in­nation

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http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161016/10­freeway­ranked­fourth­deadliest­in­nation&template=printart 2/2 10/17/2016 A warning to those who want to misuse the Claremont city seal or logo

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (http://www.dailybulletin.com)

A warning to those who want to misuse the Claremont city seal or logo

By Liset Márquez, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

CLAREMONT >> To some, the city seal is simply an outline of branches of a tree.

But those in the know will tell you it’s an avocado tree. And not just any avocado tree.

“It’s an artistic representation of the avocado tree on Mountain Avenue and Foothill Boulevard,” Assistant City Manager Colin Tudor said.

Discussion about the city seal and logo came up Tuesday night when city leaders agreed to clear up language in its laws clarifying the proper use of the official city seal and logo.

The official city seal features an outline of an avocado tree with the words, “Claremont” and “California,” over an arch of the tree and 1907 written at the bottom. The city logo is an outline of the branches of an avocado tree.

The revised ordinance, which the council unanimously approved Tuesday night, now states it is unlawful for anyone to use the seal or logo without prior approval, or for any private or commercial purpose.

“Over the years, we have had organizations, businesses, and individuals use the logo without permission, which implies the city endorses the use,” city spokeswoman Bevin Handel said in an email.

None of the unauthorized uses has been for any scam or to purposely deceive anyone, but the city wanted to change the language to prevent these kinds of uses, she said.

“Since we are in the digital age, it is very easy to scan or take the logo from a city publication or website,” Handel wrote.

Tudor told the council Tuesday night that when the city adopted the seal Oct. 9, 1973, it didn’t have sections within the municipal code which “allows us to take enforcement action” should the logo or seal be misused.

Under the revised ordinance, the logo and city seal can be used on city letterhead and its business cards, website, marketing and publications.

“Protecting the use of the logo for official city­use ensures it will not be used inappropriately, for commercial purposes unrelated to the city, or is used to mislead the public,” Handel said.

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

CCC crews caravan from San Bernardino to Louisiana to help flood victims

By Doug Saunders, The Sun

Friday, October 14, 2016

SAN BERNARDINO >> Six crews from the California Conservation Corps are journeying from San Bernardino to Louisiana for a monthlong cleanup effort from August floods that nearly crippled the region.

The 79 volunteers, a combined total from the San Bernardino, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Pomona, San Diego and San Luis Obispo centers, departed in a 13­vehicle convoy Friday morning from the San Bernardino center on a three­day trek to their destination, Baton Rouge.

Once there, the young corps members will assist others in the cleanup.

One of the corps members, Yolanda Westbrook, 23, is originally from Louisiana and is excited to return to help people in need.

• Video: CCC district director briefs corpsmembers before they leave to help flood victims

“This is a chance to go there and help those in desperate times,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to be there when someone is down and help them with whatever they need.”

The volunteers will spend the next month living at an emergency camp set up at the Louisiana National Guard’s Gillis W. Long Center in Carville.

Twelve of the crew members participating are from the San Bernardino area.

Rene Lopez, 22, of San Bernardino says this is an opportunity of a lifetime to help those who are dealing with the disaster.

“I joined the corps to align myself and do something to help others and our environment,” he said. “This is my opportunity to be part of something larger than myself and making this world a better place by helping others.”

At least 13 people died and thousands lost everything they own in the catastrophic flooding in August, according to a recent American Red Cross report.

“The devastating flooding in Louisiana has forced thousands of people from their homes with just the few things they could take with them,” a Red Cross news release said.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards recently said the flooding has resulted in an estimated $8.7 billion in damages.

Another corps member, Indian Springs High School graduate Guadalupe Mondragon, 19, of San Bernardino, said she is excited to travel to help those in need. http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161014/ccc­crews­caravan­from­san­bernardino­to­louisiana­to­help­flood­victims&template=printart 1/2 10/17/2016 CCC crews caravan from San Bernardino to Louisiana to help flood victims “I know there’s so much devastation from the flooding, but this is a chance for me to give back to others who really need us at this point in their lives.”

Funding for the work — muck and gut buildings, remove carpet, drywall and flooring in many flood­ravaged homes — is provided through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.

In 1976, the California Conservation Corps — created by then­Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. — was modeled after the original Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. It is now the oldest and largest conservation corps in operation.

Typical corps projects include landscaping and park development; park maintenance and restoration, including park, campground and picnic area development/renovation; and shade structure construction, disabled access to recreational facilities and tree planting.

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161014/ccc­crews­caravan­from­san­bernardino­to­louisiana­to­help­flood­victims

© 2016 San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

KISS members­owned Rock & Brews restaurant opens in Rancho Cucamonga

By Neil Nisperos, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Sunday, October 16, 2016

RANCHO CUCAMONGA >> Since its quiet opening last Monday in Rancho Cucamonga, the family­friendly Rock & Brews bar and grill, has attracted scores through its doors into a colorful dining floor with classic rock videos playing the hits and the pictures of music legends lining the walls.

The 9,900 square foot Rock & Brews restaurant, located across from Victoria Gardens at the Foothill Crossing shopping center on Foothill Boulevard, is the brand’s eighth in California. New locations have recently opened at the Crossings shopping center in Corona and at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in Highland.

Among many menu items, the restaurant features craft burgers, steak, barbecue chicken, fish, and a selection of 64 beers.

“We do about 28 rotating brews that are local,” said Erik Babajko, operations manager for the restaurant. “We have a handful of Rancho Cucamonga breweries on right now. ... We want everybody to have a rock and roll experience while they’re here.”

The spacious interior is filled with decor that pays homage to classic rock artists. A Yellow Submarine play structure for kids and a dog­friendly patio with a fire pit area are also featured.

The restaurant is partly owned by KISS lead singer Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons, who have been visiting their local Inland Empire locations in recent months. A grand opening for the Rancho Cucamonga location at 12225 E. Foothill Blvd. is tentatively scheduled for sometime in January, according to franchise partner Jon Mesko, who also owns and operates Rock & Brews restaurants in Buena Park, Corona and Redondo Beach.

“People come in and think they’re going to get bar food and they’re surprised when we wow them,” Mesko said. “We have great burgers, pizza, wings and salad. We have some really surprisingly great items.”

KISS fan Daniel Diaz, 44, who visited his hometown Rock & Brews location for the first time Saturday, was enthusiastic about the atmosphere and food.

“I absolutely love it,” Diaz said. “It’s a breath of fresh air because now you actually have a place that has real rock music and they have the old posters and stuff like that. You actually have good music.”

Scott McMullin, 22, of Fontana, was also trying the place out for the first time Saturday with friend and fellow Fontana resident Gerson Garcia, 22.

“I love this music,” McMullin said. “It’s a perfect atmosphere.”

Garcia said he’s a big fan of classic rock. http://www.sbsun.com/business/20161016/kiss­members­owned­rock­amp­brews­restaurant­opens­in­rancho­cucamonga?source=most_viewed&template=p… 1/2 10/17/2016 KISS members­owned Rock & Brews restaurant opens in Rancho Cucamonga “I love the theme,” Garcia said. “I love craft beer and I love the selection. Everything seems pretty good so far.”

The bar and grill restaurant also serves sports fans, as well. On Saturday, the restaurant played host to a number of Dodgers’ fans, wearing jerseys and hats, who were there to watch the playoffs game between the Chicago Cubs.

Carlos Castillo, 55, of Fontana, was wearing a Dodgers jersey and was with his family at the restaurant for the first time Saturday.

“We’ve been to the one in Buena Park and we love that one,” Castillo said. “We’re always there. This new one here in Rancho is real close to home. We love this one. I think it’s going to do well.”

Grand opening activities for the new location in Corona, 3550 Grand Oaks, is set for Tuesday. Celebration activities will include a ribbon cutting and private luncheon at 1 p.m. hosted by Simmons and Stanley for more than 100 veterans and active military members.

An evening event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. will include a special presentation by Stanley and Simmons, a sampling of Rock & Brews’ food and two drinks per person for $100. VIP tickets to the event are available for $200 per person and will include a private reception from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., a photo opportunity with Stanley and Simmons and unlimited drinks. Tickets for the Corona event can be purchased at http://rockandbrewscorona.eventbrite.com. Space is limited.

A portion of proceeds from the evening event will benefit the local charity Guitars for Vets.

The Corona restaurant is located at 3550 Grand Oaks in Crossings at Corona.

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/business/20161016/kiss­members­owned­rock­amp­brews­restaurant­opens­in­rancho­cucamonga

© 2016 San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

Despite lots of construction, Southern California rents hit all­time

Southern California apartment rents hit all­time highs this summer after rising steadily for at least 4­1/2 years.

By Jeff Collins , [email protected]

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Shilpa Desai thought Orange County rents would be cheaper.

The 33­year­old pediatrician and her husband had been living in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo Arts District, where rents reach nearly $3,000 a month. Surely, Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle would be economical by comparison – especially since there are so many apartments under construction there.

“But that’s not driving the rents down,” Desai said of all the new building. The two­bedroom she and her husband rent for more than $2,000 a month at the Stadium Lofts is “much lower than what I was paying in L.A., but not as low as I expected.”

Despite having about 10,800 new apartments under construction in Orange County, and 25,000 new units in the works in Los Angeles County, rents continue to climb throughout the region.

The average asking rent for an Orange County apartment hit $1,781 a month this summer, following 61/2 years of steady hikes, according to Reis Inc. In the past 41/2 years alone, rents are up 14.3 percent, or $223 a month. In Los Angeles County, the average asking rent hit $1,676 a month, rising nearly 18 percent over the past 41/2 years, Reis reported. In the Inland Empire, rents were up 17 percent to $1,239.

For all three metro areas, rents are at all­time highs.

“These new properties coming online don’t have that much impact on the middle­ and lower­end product because that is so vast,” said Greg Willett, chief economist for RealPage, which owns apartment tracker MPF Research. “There’s no way you’re going to lose tenants from the middle­ to low­end to the high­end (apartments).”

Southern California isn’t alone. Apartment rents increased in all 79 major U.S. metro areas Reis tracks. The average for all 79 metros was $1,271 a month, up 19 percent over the past 4 1/2 years.

Orange County rents were the ninth highest among the top 79 U.S. cities, trailing metro areas such as New York, San Francisco, Boston and Silicon Valley. Los Angeles County had the 12th highest rent among large U.S. cities; the Inland Empire ranked 23rd out of 79.

To afford the average Orange County apartment, a tenant needs to earn at least $71,000 a year, assuming an affordable unit costs no more than 30 percent of a renter’s gross pay.

In L.A. County, the minimum annual income to afford an average unit is $67,000; in the Inland Empire, it’s just under $50,000.

http://www.sbsun.com/lifestyle/20161015/despite­lots­of­construction­southern­california­rents­hit­all­time&template=printart 1/3 10/17/2016 Despite lots of construction, Southern California rents hit all­time More renters

Job growth and low homeownership rates are key reasons why apartment vacancies remain low, Willett said. Additionally, demographics plays a role. Millennials, or 19­ to 35­year­olds, are the biggest portion of the population, and as they move into homes of their own, they tend to rent.

And since millennials are delaying marriage and waiting longer to have children – key triggers to becoming homeowners – they are expected to continue renting for years to come, economists say.

As a result, Southern California vacancy rates ranged from 2.6 percent this summer in the Inland Empire, to 3.5 percent in Los Angeles County and 3.6 percent in Orange County, according to Reis. The national vacancy rate – based on the top 79 metro areas – was 4.4 percent.

In most places, a vacancy rate of 4 percent or less is considered full.

“Renters are going through so much. It’s such a nightmare,” said Hugo Gonsalez, manager for Nextrent.com, a Santa Ana rental listing service. “In 16 years, I’ve never seen such a shortage of properties.”

Renters scrambling

Renters said they had no trouble finding an apartment in Anaheim’s Park Varidian complex, where rents start at $1,700 a month for a studio and top $2,300 a month for a two­bedroom, two­bath unit.

But there’s still some sticker shock after realizing how much it costs for a unit with underground parking, a pool, gym, business center and weekly cooking demonstrations, said Rashelle McCarroll, 26, who moved there in May after four years exploring the West in a 37­foot travel trailer.

“For a two­bedroom, it was expensive,” McCarroll said of the apartment she shares with her husband, a utilities lineman, her 31/2­year­old son and Bochy, a chocolate Labrador. “It’s pricy, but I like the people, the (nearby) park, and I like all the restaurants around here.”

But it’s a scramble to find a rental for tenants seeking a more affordable price, landlords say.

NextRent’s Gonsalez said he only has about 10 two­bedroom listings for under $1,500 a month.

“We used to have hundreds of them,” he said. And when a desirable unit pops up, there are at least 30 applicants. “That’s why the landlords are having a field day.”

Property owner Rachel Oronoz said she got nine or 10 calls a day on her two­bedroom Fullerton apartment in August. It rented for $1,400 a month in just a few days, but she continued to get calls for about a month.

Landlord Ken Clements, 73, of Temecula, also got swamped with calls for his one­bedroom “honeymoon cottage” in Buena Park that he listed for the bargain price of $1,250 a month. He rented it out on the first day, but continued getting five to 10 calls a day for more than a week.

One property manager said he’s getting “crazy money” for a Garden Grove one­bedroom unit with old carpet and outdated appliances after dropping the price to $1,400 a month. He said he got more than 100 calls for that unit, one of three vacancies out of 950 apartments he manages.

“I think it’s one of the worst times (for renters),” said Gonsalez. “Now, the incomes have risen. But whatever income they’re getting, it hasn’t risen as much as rents.”

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/lifestyle/20161015/despite­lots­of­construction­southern­california­rents­hit­all­time http://www.sbsun.com/lifestyle/20161015/despite­lots­of­construction­southern­california­rents­hit­all­time&template=printart 2/3 10/17/2016 Business Interests Hold Sway on Cities’ Homeless Policies ­ WSJ

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http://www.wsj.com/articles/cities­adopt­homeless­policies­pushed­by­downtown­business­interests­1476544016

U.S. Business Interests Hold Sway on Cities’ Homeless Policies

Commercial-property owners work with local officials to create and enforce new laws aimed at homeless

Police officers looked on as homeless people in March gathered their belongings as they leave a camp around a small park near the Denver Rescue Mission in downtown Denver. PHOTO: DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/ASSOCIATED PRESS

By JOE PALAZZOLO and ALEJANDRO LAZO Oct. 15, 2016 11:06 a.m. ET

As U.S. cities struggle to address rising homelessness, they increasingly are turning to policies pushed by commercial-property owners that ban people from sitting or sleeping on sidewalks and begging for money.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/cities­adopt­homeless­policies­pushed­by­downtown­business­interests­1476544016 1/5 10/17/2016 Business Interests Hold Sway on Cities’ Homeless Policies ­ WSJ Business improvement districts—groups of commercial property owners who pool their resources to revitalize their neighborhoods—have worked with some city councils to create and help enforce new laws targeting public conduct in busy commercial districts. In Denver, Berkeley, Calif., and Portland, Ore., for example, BIDs have campaigned to prohibit people from sitting or lying in public rights of way, and even sued to reverse policies that encouraged tent cities and homeless camps.

City lawmakers and officials who manage BIDs defend the arrangements, arguing the ordinances target discourteous or even dangerous conduct that prevents everyone from enjoying shared space. The homeless and their advocates say the policies amount to an effort to push the poor out of the sight of customers and tourists.

“To them this is about creating a shopping-mall environment,” said Paul Boden, executive director of the Western Regional Advocacy Project, a homeless-assistance nonprofit. “If you think about shopping malls, you don’t think about homeless people in the hallways.”

Business improvement districts RELATED COVERAGE formed in droves in the U.S. over the

Denver’s Businesses Take Active Role in Homeless Policies past three decades, usually by petition, as cities revitalized their downtowns, hoping to lure back businesses and customers who long ago fled to the suburbs. They typically spend their pooled funds on security, landscaping, cleaning and maintenance.

The growth of BIDs—at a rate of about 3% a year, experts estimate—coincided with a rise in ordinances that advocates say disproportionately affect the homeless. And many of the ordinances have passed in fast-growing cities with rising homeless populations, they said.

A 2015 study of 187 cities by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty found that more than 60 cities had laws banning public camping and about 100 prohibited sitting or lying in public places—increases of 60% and 43%, respectively, since 2011.

Another 2015 survey by researchers at the Policy Advocacy Clinic at University of California, Berkeley, School of Law found California cities with more BIDs had a higher number of ordinances targeting conduct associated with homelessness.

“The more BIDs there are in a city, the more anti-homeless laws it has on the books,” the researchers found, according to a forthcoming report on the survey.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/cities­adopt­homeless­policies­pushed­by­downtown­business­interests­1476544016 2/5 10/17/2016 Business Interests Hold Sway on Cities’ Homeless Policies ­ WSJ The head of the Downtown Berkeley Association, a BID, led a 2012 campaign to ban sitting on sidewalks in the city’s commercial districts. That campaign failed at the ballot box, but last year, the Berkeley City Council passed an ordinance regulating public camping that arose from proposal by the association, city and BID officials said.

The Portland Business Alliance has backed ordinances regulating the use of sidewalks, as well as state legislation that would prevent Oregon lawmakers from interfering with local sidewalk policies. Meanwhile, homeless advocates pushed for state legislation that would create a homeless Bill of Rights, including the right to rest, but the measure was narrowly defeated.

The Obama administration has taken a dim view of the trend. The Justice Department weighed in on the side of homeless people in Boise, Idaho, over sleeping and camping bans in an August 2015 brief filed in federal court. The brief argued that laws prohibiting people from sleeping outside even when shelters are full may violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Other groups are challenging such ordinances in court.

A federal lawsuit filed by nine homeless individuals in August accuses Denver officials of trying to “clear the city of ‘undesirables’ for purposes of economic development.”

A spokeswoman for Mayor Michael B. Hancock said Denver strives to be “as compassionate as possible” to the homeless, focusing its efforts on refer them to social services. “The city’s practice is to first try and connect people to services and treatment, and if that doesn’t work, people are given notice, usually multiple times, before any enforcement action is taken,” said Jenna Espinoza, the spokeswoman.

The nonprofit Downtown Denver Partnership manages the city’s BID, which comprises 420 property owners, and was formed in 1992 to maintain the city’s showpiece commercial strip downtown, the 16th Street Mall. The tree-lined pedestrian corridor features shops that include Gap and Banana Republic, as well as outdoor cafes, restaurants and renovated buildings.

For more than a decade, beginning in 2000, the Downtown Denver Partnership prodded the city to pass and enforce laws that restrict panhandling and prohibit sitting on sidewalks downtown in the daytime.

The Downtown Denver Partnership returned to city council with another request in 2012: a ban on unauthorized camping, making it illegal to use a sleeping bag or other covering to sleep in public. The ordinance passed by a vote of 9-4. http://www.wsj.com/articles/cities­adopt­homeless­policies­pushed­by­downtown­business­interests­1476544016 3/5 10/17/2016 Business Interests Hold Sway on Cities’ Homeless Policies ­ WSJ The BID’s involvement didn’t end with that vote. Staff for the Downtown Denver Partnership now regularly contact Denver police to intervene with men and women camped out in doorways, on steam grates and on sidewalks, according to emails provided by the police department in response to a public information request.

Gabriella Blanco, president of a Denver property-management company, reached out to the Downtown Denver Partnership in June for help. Homeless people were camped outside the downtown offices of one of her tenants, blocking the entrance.

“This is happening all day and we kick them away and more show up. And they threaten people when asking them to leave,” Ms. Blanco wrote in a June email to the partnership’s Charlie Hunt, described on the BID’s website as its “eyes and ears” on the street.

About 45 minutes later, Mr. Hunt emailed Lt. Kevin Edling at the Denver Police Department about Ms. Blanco’s tenant.

Lt. Edling said he could help. “We have arrested around 12 parties in the last 6 days for failure to abide by a lawful order of a police officer; all of which were in violation of the City’s Sit & Lie ordinance,” he wrote in an email. “You have to call the police and report crime when you see it.”

The Denver Police Department works closely with outreach workers, who often help give the homeless information on shelters, day centers and other services, including help on getting them into permanent housing.

“Arresting people is not our objective, by any means,” said Sonny Jackson, a spokesman for the department. “As an agency, it is our objective to connect them with services.”

He added, “Homelessness is not a crime, and we don’t want to criminalize it. No matter what station in life you are in, you need to be treated with respect and dignity.”

But homeless advocates say that too often the proper services simply don’t exist, making the citations more punitive than helpful.

“People are asked to move on but there is nowhere to go,” said John Parvensky, president of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The police just move “people along so they don’t violate the ordinance.”

Write to Joe Palazzolo at [email protected] and Alejandro Lazo at [email protected]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/cities­adopt­homeless­policies­pushed­by­downtown­business­interests­1476544016 4/5 10/17/2016 Print Article: Cities go different ways on homelessness problem

Cities go different ways on homelessness problem By SAL RODRIGUEZ 2016­10­14 16:23:48

With more than 4,000 homeless adults and children counted earlier this year during the annual Point­In­Time Homeless Count and Survey, most of whom are unsheltered, the region has considerable room for improvement.

This past week, the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside held very different discussions about the problem.

On Monday, the San Bernardino City Council discussed a proposal to revive discussions over a planned men’s homeless center.

In July, the City Council approved a plan by Mary’s Mercy Center to build long­term housing for homeless men in the city.

Completely privately funded, the project was to provide drug and mental health treatment in a city where most of the homeless population consists of men with few avenues for help.

At the time, the council approved the plan, then inexplicably reversed itself on Aug. 1, with Councilmembers John Valdivia, Bessine Littlefield­Richard, Henry Nickel and Benito Barrios, who initially supported it, voting against it.

Monday’s proposal was simply to bring the issue back for discussion, apparently with the backing of Barrios, who didn’t show up to the meeting. Also missing were Littlefield­Richard and Valdivia.

“We have to own our homeless problem here in town,” said Councilman Fred Shorett, in support of the project.

Nickel, the lone opponent attending the meeting, argued the city would “bear the cost of all the residual responsibilities that come with a facility of this sort.” But as Councilman Jim Mulvihill noted, “The costs of homelessness are going to exist whether this is built or not.”

Ultimately, the council voted 3­1 to put the project on the calendar, which failed to pass as there needed to be a minimum of four votes.

By denying this project, the council majority is condemning dozens of individuals to avoidable suffering. Perhaps someday Barrios, Littlefield­Richard, Nickel and/or Valdivia will get it right.

More positively, the following day, the Riverside City Council held a daylong workshop on homelessness in which the city carefully and thoroughly reviewed the state of the homeless problem, what the city and region are doing about it and what more can be done.

It was the sort of workshop more governments, including Riverside, should have more often on more issues, where various ideas and approaches were presented, many of which merit consideration and support.

Mayor Rusty Bailey would like the religious community to step up and offer temporary housing to the homeless when possible.

Councilman Mike Gardner liked the idea of homeless court and alternatives to jail for the homeless. “There’s no room and it doesn’t really help,” he said. http://www.pe.com/common/printer/view.php?db=pressenterprise&id=815890 1/2 10/17/2016 Print Article: Cities go different ways on homelessness problem City Manager John Russo explained to the council that much of the problem can be attributed to the abdication of the state in dealing with mentally ill individuals, those with substance abuse problems and related issues. “The solution is going to come here locally,” said Russo.

Less productive were claims by Councilman Paul Davis that homelessness is “mostly” a matter of choice.

“How do you house a drug addict?” he asked, seemingly unaware that most drug addicts aren’t homeless and that conflating homelessness and drug addiction doesn’t make sense.

Fundamentally, the problem of homelessness requires carefully targeted approaches from government and the public itself.

Criminalization of mental illness and drug addiction serves no one. Likewise, waiting for the government to solve everything only prolongs our problems.

Sal Rodriguez is a staff columnist. He may be reached at: [email protected]

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http://www.pe.com/common/printer/view.php?db=pressenterprise&id=815890 2/2 10/17/2016 LA County eyes private firm for expansion of care for mentally ill inmates | 89.3 KPCC

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is set to consider a motion Tuesday that would hire a private firm to manage the expansion of care for medium­security inmates with serious mental illness.

County Department of Health Services Director Dr. Mitchell Katz proposed that the supervisors approve a two­year, $5.6 million contract with Liberty Healthcare Corporation to augment existing mental health services for that category of inmate.

Under the contract, Liberty would hire a mix of county and private mental health workers to beef up the staff at the Pitchess Detention Center North Facility in Castaic. Currently that facility treats an average of 65 "Moderate Observation Housing level" inmates who have been transferred from the overcrowded Twin Towers jail in downtown L.A. Under Liberty's management that number would grow to 320, according to a Sept. 20 letter Katz sent to the board.

Inmates designated for Moderate Observation Housing "cannot be housed in the general population because of their mental illness," said Katz. They "are often on psychiatric medications and are expected to require a full array of mental health services and services for treatment of co­occurring substance use disorders."

The mental health services currently provided by county staff at Pitchess have prompted "very positive feedback" from inmates and L.A. County Sheriff's Department employees at the facility, he wrote.

The Castaic facility has more space, including outdoor areas, noted Dr. Mark Ghaly, the Department of Health Services' director of community health and integrated programs.

The contract would enable Liberty to hire 10 to 15 employees from the private sector, along with 10 to 12 county workers to staff the operation, he said.

The hope is that after the contract ends in Nov. 2018, the county would fully take over the program, said Ghaly. The county turned to Liberty to get the effort off the ground because a private firm can hire and deploy staff much more quickly than government, he said.

Liberty Healthcare provides an array of management and clinical services for the public sector in 31 states, the District of Columbia and Bermuda, according to its website. "These include psychiatric services management to hospitals, statewide networks ... residential treatment centers ... correctional facilities, nursing and veterans homes, and long­term care facilities," it says.

The firm has contracted with San Bernardino County "to provide comprehensive mental health and programming services to their four correctional facilities," according to Katz. http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/10/17/65435/la­county­eyes­private­firm­for­expansion­of­care/ 3/7 10/17/2016 La Nina could spell dry winter ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

La Nina could spell dry winter

Sunday Posted Oct 16, 2016 at 4:33 PM Updated Oct 16, 2016 at 4:33 PM

By Matthew Cabe Staff Writer

Temperatures in the waters of the Pacific Ocean dropped recently, prompting the Climate Prediction Center on Thursday to reissue a La Nina watch that was canceled in September.

As of early October, ocean-surface temperatures fell to approximately 30.4 degrees — or minus 0.9 Celsius — which Derek Schroeter of the National Weather Service characterized as a moderate drop but enough for the CPC to reissue the watch.

“Right now, it’s pretty much on the fringe of being a La Nina,” Schroeter told the Daily Press. “It’s all about having the (minus) 0.5 degrees Celsius threshold for three months before you can call it a La Nina event.”

Between July and September, the average temperature stood at 31.1 degrees — minus 0.5 Celsius — according to Schroeter, with September seeing a slight drop to just under 31 degrees.

“During September, the conditions started trending toward the La Nina conditions and they’ve continued into October,” Schroeter said. “The drop in temperature in October prompted the Climate Prediction Center to re-issue the La Nina watch.”

There is now a 70 percent chance La Nina will develop during fall and a 55 percent chance it will develop this winter, according to data released by the CPC, which Schroeter said could result in the continuance of dry conditions throughout Southern California.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161016/la­nina­could­spell­dry­winter 1/3 10/17/2016 La Nina could spell dry winter ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

“The general picture is La Nina brings wetter conditions to the Pacific Northwest down to Northern California while bringing drier conditions to Southern California.”

Generally, what produces El Nino and La Nina phenomenons — warmer surface-water temperatures for El Nino; colder temperatures for La Nina — results in opposite effects. El Ninos tend to bring more storms and precipitation to Southern California, which was the expectation with last year’s “Godzilla” El Nino.

But a series of high-pressure systems off the coast of California pushed the jetstream north, according to Daily Press weather spotter Tom Fracasso, thus rendering El Nino a bust in Southern California despite it being one of the warmest on record.

Conversely, La Nina phenomenons tend to result in more precipitation in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, according to Schroeter, who said that’s what was puzzling about the “Godzilla” El Nino.

Last year’s precipitation pattern was more typical of a La Nina event,” Schroeter said, adding that current conditions in the Pacific Northwest could produce up to 20 inches of rainfall over the next week.

“There’s other influences,” he said. “Moisture from Typhoon Songda is contributing, as well, and enhancing the energy of the storms in the Pacific Northwest. (The typhoon) is not connected to La Nina. It just happens to be there at the same time.”

So while the potential for high levels of precipitation exist elsewhere, Schroeter said Southern Californians should expect more of the same dry conditions to persist as the state nears a sixth year of drought.

Fracasso said those dry conditions should be expected in the High Desert, as well.

“What happens in Southern California extends from the coast to the mountains to the deserts,” he said, adding that last year’s disappointing El Nino proves that nothing is written in stone with regard to weather.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161016/la­nina­could­spell­dry­winter 2/3 10/17/2016 La Nina could spell dry winter ­ News ­ DesertDispatch.com ­ Barstow, CA

“History showed us last year that even though we had one of the strongest El Ninos on record we still received well below average precipitation,” Fracasso said. “In other words, weather is not an exact science ... The state dumped hundreds of million of dollars in preventative measures, and the precipitation never materialized (in Southern California).”

What that shows, according to Fracasso, is that research into El Nino and La Nina phenomenons is still in the “infancy stage.”

“We really have to look another 50, 60, 70 (or) 80 years ahead from now to see what La Nina and El Nino do to our atmospheric currents,” Fracasso said.

Meanwhile, precipitation continues to be virtually nonexistent in parched Southern California, where expectations for a wet winter are low.

“We’re off to a real bad start this water year due to an extremely inactive monsoon season in July, August and September,” Fracasso said. “Since the new water year started on July 1, here in Phelan we’ve only received a trace of precipitation. Last year saw 2.3 inches (of precipitation) during the same period.”

Matthew Cabe can be reached at [email protected] or at 760-951- 6254. Follow him on Twitter @DP_MatthewCabe.

http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20161016/la­nina­could­spell­dry­winter 3/3 10/17/2016 New California law to allow marijuana ‘honey oil’ labs

San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

New California law to allow marijuana ‘honey oil’ labs

The idea is to establish “a safe, regulated environment,” says city manager in Coachella, where a “cannabis industrial complex” is to be built

By Ali Tadayon, The Press­Enterprise

Sunday, October 16, 2016

At least five explosions at marijuana extraction “labs” have been reported in Riverside and San Bernardino counties in 2016, causing injuries as serious as third­degree burns.

The labs have operated illegally — and often times dangerously — in homes, garages and other facilities throughout the state as the demand for the strong marijuana byproduct known as wax or honey oil has risen. In an effort to deter people from running the labs under dangerous conditions, and to provide a framework for legitimate marijuana manufacturers, a law was recently signed that allows the extraction process under certain conditions.

“It kind of takes that industry out of people’s garages,” said Coachella City Manager David Garcia, whose office helped draft the bill. “It continues to make (unlicensed extraction) illegal but also (allows) a safe, licensed process to be in place.”

AB 2679, which will go into effect in 2018, spells out strict protocols for operating an extraction lab and says patients, pot identification cardholders, caregivers, collectives and cooperatives will not face state criminal sanctions if they follow the new rules.

The regulations include having a licensed engineer certify the system, ensuring the system doesn’t allow highly flammable solvents to escape, and following local ordinances.

Since ordinances in most of the Inland Empire that outlaw the sale of medical marijuana also outlaw the manufacturing of medical marijuana, licensed labs would be permitted only in Cathedral City, Coachella and Adelanto. Operating a lab without obtaining a license and following the new regulations would result in the same fines and punishments that were in place before the law was passed.

Garcia said Coachella officials endorsed the bill after issuing a permit to Irvine­based cannabis branding firm Cultivation Technologies Inc. to build a 6­acre, $24 million “cannabis industrial complex” in the city. In addition to cultivation and testing facilities, the complex will feature a 9,000­square­foot manufacturing facility where wax will be made, according to the company’s website.

The facility’s proposed closed­loop, food­grade extraction system would fall in line with the new law’s regulations, Garcia said.

“It establishes a safe, regulated environment for the manufacturing of cannabis­related products,” Garcia said.

The new law does a few other things, including authorizing a University of California research program to study marijuana’s effects on motor skills. Also, agencies that issue medical marijuana­related licenses will have to include additional information on denials and complaints in their annual reports. http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161016/new­california­law­to­allow­marijuana­honey­oil­labs?obref=obinsite&template=printart 1/3 10/17/2016 New California law to allow marijuana ‘honey oil’ labs Why wax?

John “Blue” Whinnery, owner of the Orange County­based medical marijuana delivery service Pat’s Legacy, said wax, also known as honey oil, hash oil, shatter and dab, has become more and more popular among his customers over the past five years.

“It’s kind of like concentrated orange juice,” Whinnery said. “It’s at its strongest form.”

For medical marijuana patients with chronic pain, “hitting a dab” can provide instant relief, he said.

“It’s like taking a shot of Motrin,” he said.

Labs often use solvents to extract the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, from dry marijuana. The process produces a gooey residue that contains a highly concentrated dose of THC and is widely popular at medical marijuana dispensaries.

Dangers of extraction

Though extraction labs are illegal in most of the Inland area, firefighters deal with explosions semi­regularly. One person was killed and two were critically wounded in an explosion in November 2014 in the San Bernardino­area community of Muscoy.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Capt. Scott Slumpff, who works in the hazardous materials division, said most of the honey oil lab explosions he has responded to have utilized butane as a solvent to strip marijuana buds of their THC.

Butane that escapes from the system in liquid or gas form can be ignited by a stove’s pilot light, a water heater or even a light bulb, Slumpff said.

Many explosions occur as a result of handling chemicals in an unsafe, non­lab environment such as a house, Slumpff said.

The new law requires systems that use solvents to be closed­loop systems so fumes don’t escape during the process.

Still a problem

Though the new law is aimed at making wax manufacturers operate more safely, Capt. Greg White, an arson investigator with the Riverside Fire Department, thinks illegal labs may still pose a problem for law enforcement.

“I still think there will be the want to manufacture the product illegally,” White said. “The licensing and all the requirements are good, though.”

Slumpff urges people who plan on extracting wax to do so in a controlled environment.

“We don’t condone this,” Slumpff said. “We just hope that people who do these things take precautions and do it safely.”

Extraction rules

AB 2679 establishes rules to manufacture medical marijuana products commonly known as wax or honey oil. Collectives and cooperatives must adhere to local ordinances.

http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161016/new­california­law­to­allow­marijuana­honey­oil­labs?obref=obinsite&template=printart 2/3 10/17/2016 New California law to allow marijuana ‘honey oil’ labs Their manufacturing systems may be solventless, or may use nonflammable, nontoxic solvents. Systems that use other solvents must meet the following requirements:

•Use a closed­loop system that will prevent off­gassing.

•Use solvents that are recognized as safe pursuant to the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

•Have a licensed engineer certify that the system was commercially manufactured, is safe for its intended use and was built to codes of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.

•Have a certification document that includes the unit’s serial number and is signed by a professional engineer.

•Receive and maintain approval from local fire officials for the closed­loop system, other equipment, the extraction operation and the facility.

•Adhere to state and national fire protection standards.

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161016/new­california­law­to­allow­marijuana­honey­oil­labs

© 2016 San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20161016/new­california­law­to­allow­marijuana­honey­oil­labs?obref=obinsite&template=printart 3/3 10/17/2016 Newport seeks to balance pension costs and city services ­ Daily Pilot Newport seeks to balance pension costs and city services

By Hannah Fry

OCTOBER 14, 2016, 4:22 PM

ith Newport Beach's unfunded employee pension liability expected to soar to to $315 million in 2017, city leaders are walking a tightrope in their efforts to pay down the debt while maintaining W a high quality of life for residents. The city's Finance Committee on Thursday reviewed a staff proposal to ramp up annual and discretionary payments to the California Public Employees Retirement System to help pay off the city's growing unfunded pension obligations.

The city's unfunded liability, which reached $276 million in 2015, is projected to climb to $315 million in 2017, according to a city staff report. The unfunded pension liability is the difference between the amount the city owes in retirement benefits and the money it has set aside to fund them.

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Each year, city staff looks for ways to more quickly pay down the city's unfunded liability compared to what the state recommends. In the coming months, the Finance Committee will be tasked with making a recommendation to the City Council about how much Newport should contribute to the liability in the next budget.

http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily­pilot/news/tn­dpt­me­pensions­20161014­story.html 1/3 10/17/2016 Newport seeks to balance pension costs and city services ­ Daily Pilot "This is our biggest nut to crack," said Finance Committee member Patti Gorczyca.

The challenge lies in that the city is responsible for paying down the liability, but the amount of debt fluctuates annually based on CalPERS investments, making it difficult for city leaders to get their arms around the issue, officials have said.

The California Public Employees Retirement System is expected to receive a 7.5% annual return on its pension investments. However, in 2015 the investment earned 2.4%, which resulted in Newport's liability growing from $252 million in 2014 to $276 million.

In 2016, the investment fund again performed poorly, earning a 0.6% return, which officials say will further increase the city's unfunded liability to more than $300 million.

Staff on Thursday suggested the city begin paying on the 2016 investment loss during the 2017­18 fiscal year and pay down the two­year losses over a 20­year period rather than a 30­year schedule in an effort to save money on interest.

Staff also recommended the city make one­time payments to pay down the debt faster and consider budgeting for higher annual payments into the system in years they can afford it.

If approved, the proposal would require the city to pay $5 million more to the state agency in the first year, but would result in a $69 million savings over 30 years, according to city staff.

Several committee members on Thursday emphasized that the city needs to balance paying off its unfunded liability with maintaining quality of life services that residents expect.

Councilman Keith Curry, who also sits on the Finance Committee, said Thursday that major reforms to the CalPERS program are needed at the state level to help local municipalities get a handle on the issue.

"Chasing the unfunded liability number is a fool's errand," he said. "The real issue we need to focus on is our affordability. I don't think this is a solvable problem at the municipal level."

Rising unfunded pension liabilities isn't a new issue for Newport Beach.

City leaders have taken steps to mitigate rising pensions costs over the past several years, including establishing lower benefit formulas for new hires, having employees pay more of the pension costs and reducing staff by nearly 100 employees.

The City Council approved a fresh start payment plan in 2014, which increased the amount of the city's annual payments to the fund, allowing them to get caught up after 19 years. In theory, the move allowed the city to pay the pension costs in a more timely fashion with less money going to pay off interest.

Finance Committee member and City Council candidate Will O'Neill said while the city has taken proactive steps, there is more work that needs to be done. http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily­pilot/news/tn­dpt­me­pensions­20161014­story.html 2/3 10/17/2016 Newport seeks to balance pension costs and city services ­ Daily Pilot

"More money toward this issue necessarily means less money is available for services to our residents," he said. "We risk our fiscal house going up in flames if we take our eyes off this front burner issue." [email protected]

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN

Copyright © 2016, Daily Pilot

This article is related to: Pensions

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