11/27/2019 Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today – San Bernardino Sun

NEWSCALIFORNIA NEWS Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today

Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service

By CITY NEWS SERVICE || [email protected] || PUBLISHED: November 27, 2019 at 5:56 am || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 27, 2019 at 6:01 am

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/cold-powerful-thanksgiving-storm-begins-hitting-southern-california-today/ 1/4 11/27/2019 Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today – San Bernardino Sun LOS ANGELES — A storm out of the Gulf of Alaska will slide into Southern California today — Wednesday, Nov. 27 — and unleash rain, snow and cold winds through Thanksgiving while causing rough seas and wreaking havoc on thethe region’sregion’s roads,roads, forecastersforecasters said.said.

A winter storm warning signifying an expectation of difficult travel conditions will be in effect in the San Gabriel Mountains from 4 a.m. today until 4 a.m. Friday.

Most mountain areas will get 6 to 12 inches of snow — including 3-6 inches in thethe Grapevine,Grapevine, whichwhich couldcould snarlsnarl InterstateInterstate 55 —— butbut upup toto 2424 inchesinches ofof snowsnow isis expected to accumulate at higher elevations.

Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service

The snow level will be at between 5,000 and 7,000 feet this morning but dip down to 3,000 feet tonight, according to the NWS.

“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” warned an NWS statement. “The hazardous conditions could result in temporary road closures. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages.”

A winter storm warning is also scheduled until 10 p.m. Friday in the Santa Ana Mountains, which spread across some of Orange County.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/cold-powerful-thanksgiving-storm-begins-hitting-southern-california-today/ 2/4 11/27/2019 Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today – San Bernardino Sun Total snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected between 4,000 and 4,500 feet, 6 to 18 inches from 4,500 to 5,500 feet, and from 1 to 3 feet above 5500 feet, said the NWS. Snowfall at lower elevations below 4,000 feet will be of 1 to 3 inches, mostly late Thursday through Friday.

Also forecast in the Santa Anas are strong southwest winds today, with gusts of 50 to 70 mph along the ridges and desert slopes.

“A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” urged the NWS.

Also in force in Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties — both inland and coastal areas — is a flash flood watch, from late tonight through tomorrow night.

A high wind warning will be in effect until 10 a.m. in the Antelope Valley … while a less serious wind advisory will be in force until noon in the Santa Monica Recreational area and the Santa Clarita Valley. Southwest winds of 35- 35 miles per hour gusting to 65 mph will blow across the Antelope Valley while winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph are expected in the Santa Monicas and the Santa Clarita Valley.

“Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for operators of high- profile vehicles,” according to an NWS statement. 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun

NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California

By NATHANIEL PERCY || [email protected] || DailyDaily BreezeBreeze PUBLISHED: November 26, 2019 at 4:40 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 26, 2019 at 9:10 pm

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 1/6 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun Officials with the California Department of Transportation spent Tuesday preparing the Cajon Pass for the upcoming winter storm by deicing the roadways. It was one of several measures around the region undertaken to prepare for the rain, snow and cold, authorities said.

Tanker trucks, filled with 4,000 gallons of water mixed with the deicing solution, traveledtraveled alongalong thethe middlemiddle laneslanes ofof thethe 1515 Freeway,Freeway, HighwayHighway 22 andand HighwayHighway 138,138, spraying the solution to make sure all lanes were covered, spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said.

The solution helps to keep the road temperature higher and it helps to break up thethe iceice andand snowsnow thatthat accumulatesaccumulates onon thethe roadway,roadway, sheshe said.said.

“When cars drive over, it helps break up the ice even more,” she said.

Officials were hoping to avoid having to close down the Cajon Pass, instead relying on escorts and traffic breaks during the heaviest parts of the storm, Kasinga said.

Officials planned to close a 13-mile stretch of Highway 2 between Grassy Hollow toto IslipIslip SaddleSaddle latelate TuesdayTuesday night,night, Nov.Nov. 26,26, untiluntil furtherfurther notice,notice, KasingaKasinga said.said. Motorists were advised to use the 15 Freeway or the 14 Freeway and connect with Highway 138 from the Los Angeles area.

Caltrans District 8 @Caltrans8

Just de-icing SB I-15 in the Cajon Pass! Please be patient as we work in the area! #Caltrans8

91 11:47 AM - Nov 26, 2019

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 2/6 The California Highway Patrol also warned that the 5 Freeway in the Grapevine area northwestnorthwest ofof LosLos AngelesAngeles couldcould bebe closedclosed byby heavyheavy snow.snow.

Potential detours were posted on the CHP Fort Tejon Facebook page and on Twitter. For updates check @CHPFortTejon on Twitter and @chpforttejon on Instagram.

CHP Fort Tejon @CHPFortTejon

POTENTIAL INTERSTATE 5 GRAPEVINE DETOURS

Please share this map of alternate routes of travel if the #Grapevine closescloses duedue toto snow.snow. WeWe areare expectingexpecting snowsnow onon thethe Grapevine starting this Wednesday.

252 4:49 PM - Nov 25, 2019

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This week’s storm, which officials said could bring heavy rain Wednesday and Thursday, was anticipated to bring one to two inches of rain through much of Southern California, as well as snow as low as elevations of 3,500 to 4,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather could affect upwards of an estimated 4.3 million local residents planning to travel more than 50 miles to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, according to the Auto Club of Southern California.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 3/6 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun Caltrans was also warning motorists traveling to higher elevations to have tire chains accessible.

In Riverside County, officials had cameras set up in four areas affected by wildfires in the last two years, said Jason Uhley, general manager of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

Emergency response agencies will have access to those camera feeds in order to provide immediate response to debris flows, mudslides and other weather-related emergencies, Uhley said.

Cameras were set up near the Holy fire, Cranston fire, Reche fire and Tenaja fire burn areas, he said.

The District also enhanced debris basins to collect potential debris flows in those burn scar areas, Uhley said.

“The cameras were set up in those areas deemed the largest threats,” Uhley said, adding the District has resources in place in case of mudslides or debris flows.

“Some of those areas are in their second year of healing, but we still expect when we have rain there’s going to be more runoff than normal,” he added.

Riverside County officials Tuesday also performed helicopter patrols in riverbed areas to warn those who are homeless about the upcoming storm in an effort to get them to safety, said Shane Reichardt, spokesman for the Riverside County Emergency Management Department.

Other fire departments, including in Los Angeles and Orange counties, were remaining in contact with the National Weather Service for updates on weather conditions.

“Residents need to remain alert,” said Ken Kondo, spokesman for Los Angeles County Emergency Operations. “They need to be prepared and they also need to be sure to monitor the current weather conditions because they can constantly change.”

Residents in Los Angeles County can do so by visiting ready.lacounty.gov, he said.

Also Tuesday, the storm prompted Los Angeles city and county officials to begin opening emergency 24-hour winter shelters ahead of schedule.

Both Winter Shelter Programs, which offer protection for homeless people during inclementinclement weather,weather, hadhad beenbeen scheduledscheduled toto openopen beginbegin Sunday.Sunday.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 4/6 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun “Temperatures are getting significantly colder and it is going to get significantly wetter,” said Councilman Mike Bonin, who introduced an emergency motion Tuesday to move up the city shelters’ opening date.

In Orange County, the Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton will operate on a 24-hour basis through Friday morning to provide shelter for the homeless during the storm, the OC Health Care Agency announced.

The armories are scheduled to resume regular operations Friday evening with operating hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

City News Service contributed to this story. 11/27/2019 Winter storm may be severe, town says to prepare | News | hidesertstar.com

http://www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_9a407db0-1087-11ea-b78a-cf8501583640.html

TOP STORY WEATHER ALERT Winter storm may be severe, town says to prepare

Nov 26, 2019 Updated 20 hrs ago

YUCCA VALLEY — The town of Yucca Valley’s Public Works Department has issued a storm warning for the upcoming storm system.

The National Weather Service predicts that Yucca Valley and the surrounding Morongo Basin will receive an estimated 1 to 3 inches of rain starting Wednesday morning, which is expected to turn into snow due to temperatures dropping into the freezing 20s at night. This winter storm is expected to last into Friday afternoon/evening, with freezing temperatures lasting through Saturday night.

Residents are advised to take precautions and avoid unnecessary travel when possible.

The Town Street Department is preparing to respond to emergencies, but all local motorists are advised to stay alert during the adverse conditions.

Depending on the storm severity, access to some local roads may be limited. Town resources will be directed to clearing primary roadways rst.

The town encourages drivers to slow down and drive safely during storm events, and to avoid major wash channels when owing water is present. Remember to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

Sandbags are available for residents to pick up at the following locations:

•Town’s Public Works Facility, located at 58928 Business Center Drive, Yucca Valley. Sand is also available here.

•Fire Station No. 41, located at 57201 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley.

•Fire Station No. 42, located at 58612 Aberdeen Drive, Yucca Valley. Sand is also available here.

•Fire Station No. 36, located at 6715 Park Blvd., Joshua Tree.

www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_9a407db0-1087-11ea-b78a-cf8501583640.html 1/2 11/27/2019 Winter storm may be severe, town says to prepare | News | hidesertstar.com As the ability to travel may be reduced over the next few days, residents are also reminded to keep a supply of necessary food, water and medications on hand.

If power goes out, close off unused rooms to consolidate heat and wear layered clothing.

Be sure to bring pets inside.

Never use generators, outdoor heating or cooking equipment indoors.

If driving is necessary, be sure to keep disaster supplies in your vehicle.

To learn more about emergency planning, including preparing for winter storms, visit FEMA’s website at www.ready.gov.

For more information, contact the town’s Public Works Department at (760) 369-6579.t

www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_9a407db0-1087-11ea-b78a-cf8501583640.html 2/2 11/26/2019 California braces for intense rain, renewing concerns about mudslides in burn areas - Los Angeles Times

California braces for intense rain, renewing concerns about mudslides in burn areas

The Kincade fire left charred grapevines in Geyserville in California’s Sonoma Valley a month ago. The region is under a flash flood watch as a storm prepares to unleash heavy rain across the state this week. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

By HANNAH FRY, RONG-GONG LIN II

NOV. 26, 2019 10:31 AM https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/california-braces-for-intense-rain-renewing-concerns-about-mudslides-in-burn-areas 1/9 11/26/2019 California braces for intense rain, renewing concerns about mudslides in burn areas - Los Angeles Times A strong storm that was poised to descend on portions of the state by midday Tuesday is prompting concerns about flash flooding and debris flows in recent burn areas.

The cold front, which originated in the Gulf of Alaska, was expected to reach the northern fringes of the San Francisco Bay Area around noon and push south into San Francisco by late afternoon. Most areas will see half an inch to 2 inches of rain. The heaviest rainfall will occur between 5 and 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters issued a flash flood watch from 2 to 10 p.m. for the portion of northern Sonoma County struck a month ago by the Kincade fire. The blaze charred nearly 78,000 acres and destroyed more than 370 homes in the region.

Meteorologists are warning of moderate to briefly heavy rainfall rates of a half-inch to three- quarters of an inch per hour, bringing the potential for flash flooding, rockslides and debris flows in the burn area. Officials urged residents to monitor weather reports and be prepared to take action if a flash flood warning is issued.

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The rain will likely hit the Central Coast by midnight before moving into Los Angeles County by sunrise on Wednesday. The storm is expected to dump one to two inches of precipitation in the coast and valleys, and up to three inches in the foothills and lower elevations of the mountains, said Kristen Stewart, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

“There’s likely going to be heavy rain for the morning commute in Los Angeles tomorrow, so people should be prepared for that,” she said.

The storm also brings the potential for debris flows in burn-scarred areas in Southern California, including the San Fernando Valley region affected by the Saddleridge fire and the Easy fire in Simi Valley.

There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms Thursday with brief pockets of heavy rain. Sustained precipitation could cause mudslides in burn areas, the weather service warned.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/california-braces-for-intense-rain-renewing-concerns-about-mudslides-in-burn-areas 2/9 Damage from wildfire prevents soil in recently burned areas from absorbing rainwater. Enough rain can lead to fast-moving flows that contain mud, debris, trees and boulders that can be several feet deep and deadly for those in their path. The devastation often comes without warning.

Such a scenario followed the Thomas fire, which charred more than 281,000 acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in 2017. Heavy rains in January 2018 led to devastating flooding in Montecito that blanketed the community in mud, destroyed homes and claimed at least 20 lives.

Flash flood watches will also be in effect from late Tuesday through Thursday evening for higher elevations in Southern California, including in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

“Locally heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding, with the greatest threat to steep terrain, especially in and below recently burned areas,” the weather service said. “Flooding of poorly https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/california-braces-for-intense-rain-renewing-concerns-about-mudslides-in-burn-areas 3/9 11/26/2019 California braces for intense rain, renewing concerns about mudslides in burn areas - Los Angeles Times drained and urban areas will also occur, presenting a hazard for motorists.”

Despite the flooding risks, officials are hoping the rain brings an end to the state’s fire season.

Much of California has been unusually dry so far this autumn, keeping fire danger high. Some of California’s most destructive recent fires have hit during November and December when normal seasonal rainfall has been absent, such as the Camp fire that ignited on Nov. 8, 2018, and destroyed much of the town of Paradise, killing more than 80 people.

And on Monday, a fast-moving brush fire erupted and was threatening thousands of homes in Santa Barbara County. The Cave fire was being pushed down from Los Padres National Forest toward communities in Santa Barbara and Goleta by powerful winds. The blaze swelled to more than 4,000 acres overnight, and crews were hoping they could keep flames away from nearby homes until the rains arrived.

“What’s working in our favor is we’re getting rain tonight,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Daniel Bertucelli. 11/27/2019 Big Bear Alpine Zoo move set for mid 2020 | Big Bear Valley News | bigbeargrizzly.net

http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/news/big-bear-alpine-zoo-move-set-for-mid/article_118b1bb0-10a5-11ea-bcaa- 7f246c271c48.html Big Bear Alpine Zoo move set for mid 2020

By Kathy Portie [email protected] 8 hrs ago 1 of 2

Big Bear Alpine Zoo curator Bob Cisneros is hopeful that the move to the new zoo location will take place in 2020. KATHY PORTIE/Big Bear Grizzly

Weather and funding have proven to be kinks in the timeline for the Big Bear Alpine Zoo relocation project. As another winter approaches, work is easing at the new location with landscaping and fine- tuning the exteriors and interiors the main work still to be done. www.bigbeargrizzly.net/news/big-bear-alpine-zoo-move-set-for-mid/article_118b1bb0-10a5-11ea-bcaa-7f246c271c48.html 1/2 11/27/2019 Big Bear Alpine Zoo move set for mid 2020 | Big Bear Valley News | bigbeargrizzly.net The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved the project in 2014. Construction began in 2016. According to a story in the Big Bear Grizzly in July 2017, construction was scheduled to be completed in spring 2018 with a Labor Day opening.

Nearly two years later and the new zoo is still in the construction phase.

The culprit, county officials say, is the weather. The past two winter seasons have seen heavy snowfall, said David Wert, public information officer for the county. “Another factor is when it will be safe to move the animals,” Wert said. “Some are older and have been in the same environment for years. We just can’t put them in the back of a truck.”

Wert said the county hopes to complete the project in the spring of 2020, but the exact timing will depend on the winter.

When completed the new Big Bear Alpine Zoo will be located on 5.6 acres at what is commonly known as the Moonridge Y — the intersection of Moonridge Road and Clubview Drive in the Moonridge area of Big Bear Lake. The property is divided by Rathbun Creek. The western half of the land will house the animals and buildings. 11/27/2019 Bear Valley Electric Service partners with local organizations to donate 152 Thanksgiving turkeys

Bear Valley Electric Service partners with local organizations to donate 152 SOUTHERN CA WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN Thanksgiving turkeys EFFECT FROM 4 AM WEDNESDAY TO 10 PM PST FRIDAY ABOVE 3000 FEET 11/27/2019 by Rhiannon Voest

Big Bear Lake, Ca. – Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES) continued its tradition of giving back to the community during the holiday season by partnering with local organizations to donate 152 turkeys to families and individuals in the Big Bear area. The Operation Gobble donation event took place on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at Big Bear Lake Elks Lodge #1787. “BVES’ annual Operation Gobble event is an important holiday tradition for our employees, and we appreciate all the organizations partnering with us to provide holiday meals for local families and individuals with limited resources,” said BVES Director Paul Marconi. This year, BVES partnered with the City of Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s oce, as well as the following organizations, to distribute 152 turkeys to local families: American Association of University Women-Big Bear Valley Branch, American Legion Post 584, Bear Valley Unied School District, Big Bear Elks Club, Big Bear Lions Club, Democratic Club of Big Bear Valley, the Hummingbird Project, Jah Healing Kemetic Temple of The Divine Church, Soroptomist International of Big Bear Valley, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The turkeys were distributed through holiday meal bags that included stung, yams, potatoes and vegetables. For additional information about BVES’ community partnerships and philanthropic activities, customers are encouraged to visit www.BVES.com or call 800.808.BVES. 11/27/2019 Bear Valley Electric Service partners with local organizations to donate 152 Thanksgiving turkeys

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https://kbhr933.com/current-news/bear-valley-electric-service-partners-with-local-organizations-to-donate-152-thanksgiving-turkeys/ 2/2 11/27/2019 Victor Valley Rescue Mission serves 'neighbors and friends' - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

Victor Valley Rescue Mission serves ‘neighbors and friends’ By Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer Posted Nov 26, 2019 at 5:43 PM Updated Nov 26, 2019 at 5:43 PM VICTORVILLE — It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood as volunteers with the Victor Valley Rescue Mission served nearly 2,000 meals and ministered to those in need.

The 13th annual Thanksgiving Banquet on Tuesday at Victor Valley High School in Victorville was an “afternoon of love” that included a free hot meal, live music, arts, crafts, a resource fair, haircuts and prayer, VVRM Director Bill Edwards told the Daily Press.

“The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day to help our neighbors and friends in the community,” said VVRM Community Relations Coordinator Dawn Quigg. “It’s such a blessing to see so many churches, civic groups and volunteers come out to help serve.”

Quigg said students from the VVHS Culinary Arts Department took a much needed year off from cooking, which allowed the VVRM’s Red Apron Society to prepare and serve the meals.

She also added that Todd Eves, owner of Out Of This World BBQ, arrived early to warm up the meals with his 40-foot long smoker/grill.

“This is the eighth year that we’ve partnered with Victor Valley High School to host our event,” said Edwards, as volunteers in the school’s cafeteria prepared for a flood of guests. “It takes a lot of sacrifice from students and staff to spend their holiday week helping us to provide meals and to demonstrate the gospel to those in need.”

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191126/victor-valley-rescue-mission-serves-neighbors-and-friends 1/3 11/27/2019 Victor Valley Rescue Mission serves 'neighbors and friends' - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

Standing at attention, a line of 16 food servers behind a counter waited to dish up plates of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole and rolls as workers in a backroom plated nearly 2,000 slices of pumpkin pie.

Much of the food for the banquet was donated by local businesses, including ICR Staffing and churches including High Desert Church and Oasis Community Church. About 175 local residents volunteered at the event.

Assigned to mashed potato duty, server Tammy Grebel was one of 20 volunteers from Victor Valley Community Church who volunteered their time at the banquet.

“It’s an honor and blessing to serve, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else today,” Grebel said. “Serving others is what we’re called to do.”

Davey and Debbie Lopes, who attend High Desert Church, stood next to stacks of pies, meticulously slicing each one.

“This is my opportunity to give back to the community,” Davey Lopes said. “I know what it’s like to be homeless, to live in a car and to be down and out. I also know what it feels like to have someone help you.”

Deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were also on hand to chat with guests, wait on tables and to serve pie.

While hundreds of children and adults enjoyed their meals, VVRM volunteer and VVHS employee Ramon Fraydealfaro worked to keep the area clean.

“My job here at the school is to clean the kitchen, cafeteria and bathrooms, and that’s what I’m doing here today on my day off,” Fraydealfaro said. “I’m here because the rescue mission is a great organization that is doing wonderful things for people who are less fortunate. Volunteering is the right thing to do.”

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191126/victor-valley-rescue-mission-serves-neighbors-and-friends 2/3 11/27/2019 Victor Valley Rescue Mission serves 'neighbors and friends' - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

The free event also included a health fair provided by the CNSA Nursing Program from Victor Valley College, with nursing students offering health services including free flu shots.

Some of the other vendors include the City of Victorville, Impact Christian Church, Victorville Library and the Holiday Inn.

For more information or to donate, visit www.vvrescuemission.org. Donations can also be mailed to Victor Valley Rescue P.O. Box 3060, Victorville, CA 92393-3060.

Reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, [email protected], Instagram@renegadereporter, Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191126/victor-valley-rescue-mission-serves-neighbors-and-friends 3/3 11/27/2019 Deputy injured after staged fight at Rancho Cucamonga jail – San Bernardino Sun

NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY Deputy injured after staged fight at Rancho Cucamonga jail

By ROBERT GUNDRAN || [email protected] || PUBLISHED: November 26, 2019 at 11:01 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 26, 2019 at 11:1611:16 pmpm

A staged fight between two women at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga left one female deputy injured, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The deputy was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released back to duty.

Authorities said the incident happened just before noon on Monday when the deputy was giving meals to inmates inside a housing unit in the jail. She saw twotwo womenwomen fightingfighting inin oneone ofof thethe areasareas ofof thethe housinghousing unit.unit.

She entered the cell to intervene, and was attacked once inside, officials said.

The deputy was attacked by 33-year-old Adeola Ade Ekisola until other deputies arrived to help her, a sheriff’s statement said. Authorities said 31- year-old Yesenia Alejandre was also involved in the staged fight.

The Sheriff’s Department said an investigation revealed that the fight between thethe twotwo womenwomen waswas stagedstaged toto lurelure thethe deputydeputy overover toto attackattack her.her.

Ekisola was placed in custody this month for child abuse, while Alejandre has been in custody since July for assault with a deadly weapon, the statement said.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/deputy-injured-after-staged-fight-at-rancho-cucamonga-jail/ 1/4 11/27/2019 Deputy injured after staged fight at Rancho Cucamonga jail – San Bernardino Sun The San Bernardino Count District Attorney’s Office will review the case and consider additional charges after the Sheriff’s Department finishes its investigation.investigation.

“The past two unprovoked attacked on two different female deputies are concerning,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “The efforts made by inmates to coerce deputies into their cell with thethe beliefbelief thatthat therethere isis aa medicalmedical emergencyemergency oror aa fightfight jeopardizingjeopardizing one’sone’s safetysafety isis dangerous.”dangerous.”

“Since realignment, county jail facilities are seeing inmates of a higher caliber and their potential to incite violence is greater,” officials said. “We don’t believe this problem is systemic throughout our jail facilities; however, it is a concern and is being monitored.”

Aimed at reducing prison crowding, California’s Prison Realignment Plan (Assembly(Assembly BillBill 109)109) inin 20112011 shiftedshifted responsibilityresponsibility forfor somesome inmatesinmates fromfrom thethe state to counties. Thousands of newly convicted defendants were sent to county jails, and some released inmates were relinquished to county probation officers rather than state parole.

This was the second instanceinstance ofof anan allegedalleged assaultassault onon aa deputydeputy atat thethe WestWest Valley Detention Center this month, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Two deputies and an inmate were also charged thisthis yearyear inin anan assaultassault onon another inmate that happened in 2018. 11/26/2019 Chicken-killing Newcastle disease returns, though numbers remain small – San Bernardino Sun

NEWSENVIRONMENT Chicken-killing Newcastle disease returns, though numbers remain small Turkeys also can be infected, but there's no health threat to humans if properly cooked.

The 18-month chicken-killing Newcastle disease epidemic appeared to be nearing thethe endend inin SouthernSouthern CaliforniaCalifornia untiluntil mid-Novembermid-November 20192019 whenwhen newnew infectionsinfections werewere foundfound inin SanSan BernardinoBernardino County.County. (Photo(Photo byby TerryTerry Pierson,Pierson, TheThe Press-Press- Enterprise/SCNG)

By MARTIN WISCKOL || [email protected] || OrangeOrange CountyCounty Register PUBLISHED: November 26, 2019 at 2:45 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 26, 2019 at 3:01 pm

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/chicken-killing-newcastle-disease-reverses-course-though-numbers-remain-small/ 1/4 11/26/2019 Chicken-killing Newcastle disease returns, though numbers remain small – San Bernardino Sun Just as the 18-month-old poultry-killing Newcastle epidemic in Southern California was dying out, three more cases have flared up in San Bernardino County.

After euthanizing 1.2 million birds in the region, the state Department of Food and Agriculture on Oct. 22 announced a “freedom of disease” phase of the eradication andand anan endend toto mandatorymandatory euthanasiaeuthanasia inin infectedinfected areas.areas. AtAt thethe time,time, therethere hadhad beenbeen nono infectionsinfections identifiedidentified sincesince Sept.Sept. 4 in4 in RiversideRiverside County.County.

But cases of the virulent Newcastle disease were confirmed at two neighboring homes in west San Bernardino County on Nov. 15 and at a nearby feedfeed storestore onon Nov.Nov. 18.18. AA totaltotal ofof 387387 birdsbirds inin thethe areaarea werewere euthanizedeuthanized asas aa preventive measure and there are currently no mandatory euthanasia orders, according to the Department of Food and Agriculture.

“We have made significant progress … by identifying and clearing remaining pockets of disease, but this case reminds all bird owners in Southern California to remain aware of (Newcastle disease) signs, practice good biosecurity, stop illegal movement of birds from property to property, and report any sick birds immediately to the Sick Bird Hotline, 866-922-2473,” said State Veterinarian Annette Jones in a post on the Food and Agriculture website after the Nov. 18 case.

Of the 1.2 million birds euthanized in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, about 1.1 million were at commercial and industrial operations. Most of the remaining birds killed were pets or show birds.

While chickens are the most susceptible to the highly contagious virus, turkeys,turkeys, ducksducks andand pigeonspigeons alsoalso cancan bebe infected.infected.

Properly cooked poultry and eggs do not pose a health threat to people, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“In very rare instances, people working directly with sick birds can become infected,”infected,” accordingaccording toto thethe USDAUSDA website.website. “Symptoms“Symptoms areare usuallyusually veryvery mildmild and limited to conjunctivitis and/or influenza-like symptoms.”

While the latest cases are a setback in the eradication effort, there is no timetabletimetable forfor liftinglifting thethe quarantinesquarantines inin effecteffect forfor LosLos AngelesAngeles CountyCounty andand mostmost of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Bird owners are prohibited from moving birds within quarantined areas and from bringing birds into the areas.

Southern California’s most recent previous Newcastle epidemic was in 2002- 2003, when 3.2 million birds were killed.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/chicken-killing-newcastle-disease-reverses-course-though-numbers-remain-small/ 2/4 11/27/2019 Key market indicators up | Needles Desert Star | mohavedailynews.com

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/needles_desert_star/key-market-indicators-up/article_0b7fab1e-10af- 11ea-a9f8-33a074151c1c.html Key market indicators up

By ROBIN RICHARDS News West 16 hrs ago

NEEDLES — Industry advances, retail sales growth and increased demand for housing appear to be driving something of an economic renaissance in Needles.

The city released gures last month that indicate retail sales are not only growing but accelerating. Quoting gures from the state’s Department of Tax and Fee Administration, a market brief outlined by City Manger Rick Daniels compared rst and second quarter tallies for 2019 and 2018. Needles’ retailers sold $10.66 million in taxable product in the rst quarter of this year; up 8.2 percent over the rst quarter of 2018. The gains pushed Needles’ percentage growth to sixth out of 24 cities in San Bernardino County. The county, overall, experienced sales growth of 1.8 percent.

Those sales jumped to $12.82 million in the second quarter. The 13.5 percent growth in sales over the second quarter of 2018 pushed Needles to second place, Daniels reported.

There’s no doubt that growth in the local cannabis industry, especially under new state laws that allow adult recreational use, are driving the sales increases. Daniels reported 170,000 square feet of new industrial space has been built in the last 24 months for cultivation, processing and laboratory extraction. “Those businesses now generate over 400 direct jobs in the community,” he indicated; projecting 200 more jobs and another 80,000 square feet of space being realized in the next nine months.

According to Daniel’s analysis, all those new jobs are beginning to provide upward pressure on the local housing market in terms of units developed, number sold and dollars received. Admitting that new housing has been minimal: six single family residences in 2018, three in 2017; he pointed out:

• A 12-year average of 46 home sales per year increased to 58 in 2018 and is projected to reach 96 this year with 72 sales through Sept 9.

www.mohavedailynews.com/needles_desert_star/key-market-indicators-up/article_0b7fab1e-10af-11ea-a9f8-33a074151c1c.html 1/2 11/27/2019 Key market indicators up | Needles Desert Star | mohavedailynews.com • A 12-year average median home price of $69,900 increasing to $92,000 in 2018 and $96,750 this year.

Daniels reported residential developers are actively evaluating the market and that a developer that purchased 2.3 acres of city property downtown is planning a mixed-use building that will include approximately 92 apartments.

Daniels also pointed out that Arrowhead Credit Union’s takeover of Desert Communities Federal Credit Union, “… brings additional nancial opportunity to residents and businesses for lending and deposit services.” He described Arrowhead as a “$1.4 billion asset size institution with over 163,000 members and about 20 branch operations.”

Robin Richards

www.mohavedailynews.com/needles_desert_star/key-market-indicators-up/article_0b7fab1e-10af-11ea-a9f8-33a074151c1c.html 2/2 11/27/2019 Police continue to enforce California gun laws in Needles | | mohavedailynews.com

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/police-continue-to-enforce-california-gun-laws-in- needles/article_8c2d8b20-10c1-11ea-950a-8bcdd07c0fe4.html Police continue to enforce California gun laws in Needles

Nov 26, 2019 Updated 12 hrs ago

NEEDLES — San Bernardino County Sheri John McMahon met with Needles city ocials regarding their proposal to declare Needles a sanctuary city for gun owners. Sheri McMahon stated at the time, “We respect the Needles City Council’s right to identify issues they believe will be an economic benet to their city and for them to work with the legislature to change the law regarding carrying rearms. However, our deputies will continue to enforce California laws pertaining to rearms.”

www.mohavedailynews.com/police-continue-to-enforce-california-gun-laws-in-needles/article_8c2d8b20-10c1-11ea-950a-8bcdd07c0fe4.html 1/1 11/27/2019 Stadler and SBCTA sign contract for first hydrogen-powered train in US; FLIRT H2 - Green Car Congress

Stadler and SBCTA sign contract for first hydrogen-powered train in US; FLIRT H2 (https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/11/20191127- stadler.html) 27 November 2019 (https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/11/20191127-stadler.html) Stadler and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) have signed (https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/2019_1114_media%20release%20flirt_sbcta_en.pdf) the first contract to supply a hydrogen-powered train to run in the United States. SBCTA awarded the contract with an option to order four more vehicles in the future. The FLIRT H2 train is planned for passenger service in 2024.

Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train) is a passenger multiple unit (MU) trainset. The baseline FLIRT is an electric MU articulated trainset that can come in units of two to twelve cars with two to six motorized axles.

The hydrogen-powered FLIRT H2 vehicle is planned to be introduced in 2024 as part of the Redlands Passenger Rail Project (Arrow) (https://www.gosbcta.com/project/redlands-passenger-rail-project-arrow/), a nine-mile connector between Redlands and San Bernardino’s Metrolink station.

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/11/20191127-stadler.html 1/8 11/27/2019 Stadler and SBCTA sign contract for first hydrogen-powered train in US; FLIRT H2 - Green Car Congress

(https://bioage.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c4fbe53ef0240a4cb1206200d-popup)

Rendering of the SBCTA Arrow

The ordered vehicle consists of two cars with a power pack in between. This holds the fuel cells and the hydrogen tanks. The train is expected to have seating space for 108 passengers and in addition generous standing room. The FLIRT H2 is projected to transport passengers with a maximum speed of up to 79 mph (130 km/h).

Stadler and SBCTA started their partnership in 2017, when SBCTA ordered three diesel electric multiple unit (DMU) FLIRT trains.

International rail vehicle construction company Stadler is headquartered in Bussnang in Eastern Switzerland. Founded in 1942, it has a workforce of around 10,500 based in various production and more than 40 service locations. Stadler provides a comprehensive range of products in the heavy and urban transport segments: High-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and commuter heavy rail trains, underground trains, tram trains and trams.

Stadler also manufactures main-line locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger carriages, including the most powerful diesel-electric locomotive in Europe. It is the world’s leading manufacturer in the rack-and-pinion rail vehicle industry.

Serving more than 2.1 million residents of San Bernardino County, the SBCTA is responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi- modal transportation system countywide. The SBCTA administers Measure I, the half-cent transportation sales tax approved by county voters in 1989, and supports freeway construction projects, regional and local road improvements, train and bus transportation, railroad crossings, call boxes, ridesharing, congestion management efforts, and long-term planning studies.

Posted on 27 November 2019 in Fuel Cells (https://www.greencarcongress.com/fuel_cells/), Hydrogen (https://www.greencarcongress.com/h2/), Rail (https://www.greencarcongress.com/rail/) | Permalink (https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/11/20191127-stadler.html) | Comments (1) (https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/11/20191127-stadler.html#comments) 11/27/2019 Beloved sports editor, columnist Louis Brewster dies at 70 – Daily Bulletin

MOTORSPORTS Beloved sports editor, columnist Louis Brewster dies at 70 The longtime sports editor at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin was known nationally for his motorsports coverage

Louis Brewster tries to stay composed as he accepts the winner’s trophy from Hall of Fame driver John Force after Force won the Funny Car title at the 2006 Auto Club NHRA Finals at Fairplex in Pomona on Nov. 12, 2006. Force dedicated the win to Brewster’s son, U.S. Army Sgt. Bryan Brewster, who was killed earlier that year when thethe helicopterhelicopter hehe waswas inin crashedcrashed inin aa remoteremote areaarea ofof Afghanistan.Afghanistan. (Photo(Photo byby WillWill Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

By PETE MARSHALL andand LANDON NEGRI || [email protected] || PUBLISHED: November 26, 2019 at 9:53 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 27, 2019 at 6:03 am

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2019/11/26/beloved-sports-editor-columnist-louis-brewster-dies-at-70/ 1/6 11/27/2019 Beloved sports editor, columnist Louis Brewster dies at 70 – Daily Bulletin Louis Brewster, the leading veteran motorsports voice in the Inland Empire and beloved longtime sports editor of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, died near his Victorville home Monday due to complications from diabetes. He was 70.

Brewster wrote for the Bulletin and its predecessor, the Ontario Daily Report, for 41 years before retiring in 2017. He was one of the few remaining writers to have chronicled races at Ontario Motor Speedway, Riverside International Raceway and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, as well as NHRA events in Pomona.

“His passion for the job was unmatched. He opened a lot of doors,” said son Scott Brewster, who worked for the Daily Bulletin for five years. “It wasn’t easy being a Latino in journalism. He didn’t care what people thought. He was an inspiration for me that I carried into the rest of my life.”

That passion and affable personality reached every part of the Inland sports community, including high schools, colleges and of course, motorsports.

“He was like Norm from ‘Cheers,’” said Paul Helms, former Daily Bulletin columnist and current Cal State L.A. sports information director. “You walk into a press box with him and everyone was like, ‘Hey, Lou!’”

Brewster’s toughest personal loss came in May 2006, when his son Bryan – a U.S. Army Sergeant – was killed, along with nine others, in a helicopter crash near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Bryan Brewster was just 24 years old.

John Force, the NHRA’s 16-time champion driver and the man known as the face of drag racing, was a longtime friend. Force said he once received a picture of Bryan’s battalion – many wearing John Force T-shirts. Later, after Bryan’s passing, Force dedicated his victory to Bryan and presented Louis Brewster with the winner’s trophy from the NHRA Finals at Fairplex in Pomona in November 2006.

“Just trying to do something to lighten his heart,” Force said, “and let him know that we loved him.”

Brewster’s overwhelming love for family was evident, Force said, even when the two met more than 30 years ago.

“He was out there, and we talked about family,” Force said, “and you just couldn’t have those talks with other people.”

Brewster led the charge for sports coverage in the Inland Valley, whether it be high school sports or with his “Random Thoughts” columns, the lastlast ofof whichwhich appearsappears inin today’s Inland editions..

“I know how happy people were when they got mentioned in ‘Random Thoughts,’” Helms said. https://www.dailybulletin.com/2019/11/26/beloved-sports-editor-columnist-louis-brewster-dies-at-70/ 2/6 11/27/2019 Beloved sports editor, columnist Louis Brewster dies at 70 – Daily Bulletin Legendary Fontana and Kaiser football coach Dick Bruich was at the forefront of that relationship. Bruich and Brewster had been friends since 1975 when Bruich was an assistant football coach at Fontana and Brewster wrote for the Fontana Herald News. The friendship blossomed when Bruich became head coach in 1977 and they had remained close since.

“What I liked was the way he wrote stories,” Bruich said. “He accentuated the positive. He would say Fontana fumbled, but he didn’t need to say which kid. As a coach, I liked it. That was one of the things that really stuck with me.”

Even after he stepped down from full-time sports writing, Brewster continued to write the weekly Random Thoughts. And his loyalty to readers was still evident as his column began to appear in the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

“He was asking me about Riverside because I live in Riverside and he wanted to get Riverside stuff in there,” Bruich said.

Brewster’s sons served as ball boys for Bruich at Fontana and the families remained close.

“He was a great father and an even better grandfather,” Bruich said.

Louis Brewster Jr. was born June 12, 1949 in Pharr, Texas. He grew up in Texas, then San Bernardino and Fontana and graduated from Fontana High School in 1967 and actually began writing for the Fontana Herald News as a high schooler. He went on to study at Chaffey College and in Louisiana.

He worked at the Valley Morning Star in Harlingen, Texas, where he met his wife, Linda.

He lived in Fontana from 1984-2002, where he had an extended family of local children, the “Tangelo Street kids” before moving to Victorville.

Starting at the Daily Report in 1976, Brewster became well-known in motorsports circles. Jim Short, another veteran motorsports reporter in the area at the Press- Enterprise, knew Brewster for more than four decades. They were competitors and friends.friends.

“It was a friendly competition,” Short said. “He worked the phones. He knew a lot of people and he could call on the latest hot rumor. He really enjoyed the process of reporting. He surprised me several times with stuff he came up with.”

Later, Brewster became sports editor when the Daily Bulletin was formed in a merger between the Daily Report and Pomona Progress-Bulletin.

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2019/11/26/beloved-sports-editor-columnist-louis-brewster-dies-at-70/ 3/6 11/27/2019 Beloved sports editor, columnist Louis Brewster dies at 70 – Daily Bulletin “He was responsible for letting me become the sports columnist when the two papers merged,” Helms said. “I owe everything to him.”

“For 10 years, I worked with him,” said former Daily Bulletin sports editor Jim Gazzolo, who now lives in Lake Charles, La. “But more importantly, ever since I met him, he’s been a friend. He helped a young family start out, both in the business and inin life,life, andand II alwaysalways appreciatedappreciated thatthat andand appreciatedappreciated hishis sonssons forfor everythingeverything theythey diddid forfor meme andand mymy family.”family.”

When Auto Club Speedway – then California Speedway – opened in 1997, Brewster extensively covered the track’s construction and subsequent opening. It was a perfect fit with NASCAR and open-wheel racing coming to his hometown.

Auto Club Speedway President Dave Allen, who met Brewster when Allen started at the track 20 years ago, appreciated him.

“I always enjoyed my conversations with him,” Allen said. “He was opinionated but always had a good idea what was going on. He had a great sense of humor and he could be edgy at times. The thing I respected most about him, he had ways of getting information,information, butbut hehe waswas fairfair andand hehe waswas supportivesupportive ofof whatwhat wewe did.”did.”

Later, Brewster became sports editor of both the Daily Bulletin and San Bernardino Sun while continuing his duties covering local sports and motorsports.

“Louis Brewster was a wonderful journalist, a great sports editor who absolutely lovedloved thethe communities,communities, andand particularlyparticularly thethe athletes,athletes, thatthat hehe andand hishis departmentdepartment covered,” said Frank Pine, executive editor of the Southern California News Group. “In the many columns that he wrote and in the section he edited for decades, Louis touched many lives in the Inland Valley and well beyond.

“He was also an award-winning, nationally recognized motorsports journalist with a longlong historyhistory ofof distinguisheddistinguished coverage.”coverage.”

“He wrote a different type of story, from the heart,” Force said. “This is a huge loss. The loss of people, especially writers who know our sports, know where to take us and to get the word out about us … this is a really tough deal.”

Brewster’s long-standing sources in the Inland Empire made him a father figure, of sorts.

“He was a wonderful friend and just a good person to know,” Pine said. “He made everybody around him better. He always had something clever to say.”

InIn additionaddition toto hishis wifewife ofof 4545 years,years, Linda,Linda, sonson ScottScott andand grandsongrandson LouisLouis Bryan,Bryan, LouisLouis Brewster is survived by his mother Sara, brothers Bob, Rick and Dave Brewster and sisters Liz Allen and Ruth Herr. https://www.dailybulletin.com/2019/11/26/beloved-sports-editor-columnist-louis-brewster-dies-at-70/ 4/6 11/27/2019 Beloved sports editor, columnist Louis Brewster dies at 70 – Daily Bulletin A public service and viewing will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday at Ingold Funeral and Cremation in Fontana.

Perhaps Brewster summed up his journey best with the final line of his final column.

“On a personal note: We celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, a national holiday,” he wrote. “In reality, for this old writer, every day is a day of thanks to those who have aided me in the last 24 months, especially with my wife Linda, son Scott, and grandson Louis Bryan.” 11/27/2019 San Bernardino and Bakersfield ranked among the worst California cities for LGBTQ residents

San Bernardino and Bakersfield ranked among the worst California cities for LGBTQ residents

Hosted by Larry Perel Nov. 26, 2019 California

Downtown Bakersfield Photo credit: Bobak Ha'Eri

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign releases their Municipality Equality Index, which assesses each city on how inclusive their laws, policies, and services are to LGBTQ residents. The city is scored between 0-100, with 100 being ideal, and zero representing the most disparity between straight and queer residents.

This year, California cities scored 50-100. There’s not a correlation with city size, but the lowest scores are in rural areas such as Fresno, San Bernardino and Bakersfield.

Laura Diven, the LGBTQ Legal Director for California Rural Legal Aid, says that her group is seeing an increased need for protections for the transgender community, primarily transgender women and young people. She says that she recently took on the case of a transgender woman who was asked to leave a bar because of her status.

“I think the issue is animus toward the LGBTQ community. I think it's important to remember that people live in rural communities for a reason. There are these close personal relationships that most rural communities have, and it includes tight social, economic, religious work, communities,” Diven says. “Many people ask, ‘If it's so bad, why don't you leave?’ And the truth is people have deep ties to person and place. I don't think the solution is to leave rural communities, but rather to grow these communities and increase inclusion and solidarity.”

Credits

Host: Larry Perel

https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/kcrw-features/san-bernardino-and-bakersfield-ranked-among-the-worst-california-cities-for-lgbtq-residents 3/10 11/27/2019 San Bernardino City Council eliminates speaking time limits - Inland Empire Community News San Bernardino City Council eliminates speaking time limits By Manny B. Sandoval - November 26, 2019

On November 6, in a 5-1 vote, San Bernardino City Council elected to eliminate speaking time limits during city council meetings.

City Manager Teri Ledoux said, “On February 6, 2019, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-23, Amending the Rules on Decorum of City Council Meetings to Set Forth Time Limits for Elected Official Comments and Deliberation.”

iecn.com/san-bernardino-city-council-eliminates-speaking-time-limits/ 1/3 11/27/2019 San Bernardino City Council eliminates speaking time limits - Inland Empire Community News

The recommended time limits were set at five minutes per council member.

“The people here elected us to speak our minds and have a robust discourse on the issues facing the city. Initially, I voted to limit ourselves to five minutes. I’m willing to admit that I made a mistake and that’s why I brought this item back up,” shared Councilman Theodore Sanchez.

Although Sanchez originally voted for the time constraints, he said he feels that city issues, especially important issues should not be constrained.

“I hope the councilmembers can understand that we can only truly vet out the entirety of issues at hand if we have robust conversation that is not limited to five minutes per councilmember. So today I am asking council to vote to resend that five minute rule,” concluded Sanchez.

Councilman Figueroa was displeased with the item being a topic on the agenda.

“This issue is quite frustrating to me because our city is currently dealing with students almost getting hit by vehicles, churches getting broken into, homeless issues, public safety issues and many other issues in the city and this item is a priority of city council at this time? We’re using staff time to discuss time limits when we should be focusing our time and efforts on solving serious issues in the city,” Figueroa said.

Like Sanchez, Councilmember Sandra Ibarra also had second thoughts regarding the item.

“I, too, voted for the time limits earlier in the year. As you all know I don’t really use the five minutes. The only thing I have requested publicly is that I am allowed to speak when I try to get your attention,” said Ibarra.

“If we are going to have a robust conversation I ask that we do not cut each other off like at the last meeting. If I have questions regarding a contract to city staff, I want to be able

iecn.com/san-bernardino-city-council-eliminates-speaking-time-limits/ 2/3 11/27/2019 San Bernardino City Council eliminates speaking time limits - Inland Empire Community News to ask these questions for the audience watching at home. So today I will be voting to remove the time limits,” concluded Ibarra.

A motion was made by Sanchez and a second was made by Councilman Fred Shorett to eliminate the five minute speaking time allocation. For more information, visit http://www.ci.san-bernardino.ca.us/.

Manny B. Sandoval

Manny B. Sandoval is passionate about reporting on local politics, with much ethical regard. Sandoval holds a Bachelor of Art's Degree in Communication from California State University, San Bernardino. He is passionate about giving back and using his voice to recognize non-profit organizations around the Inland Empire. Sandoval is quite typical, he loves going to the gym, hikes, he loves music, writing (of course), talking, his family and friends, learning, but most of all, he loves coffee. He has a background in reporting, announcing, audio production and public relations.

iecn.com/san-bernardino-city-council-eliminates-speaking-time-limits/ 3/3 11/27/2019 The perpetual drip of frivolous spending – San Bernardino Sun

OPINION The perpetual drip of frivolous spending

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD || [email protected] || PUBLISHED: November 27, 2019 at 1:45 am || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 27, 2019 at 1:461:46 amam

The recent 6-0 Riverside City Council vote to share occupancy tax money with thethe MissionMission InnInn isis bothboth generous-spiritedgenerous-spirited andand aa wealthwealth transfertransfer thethe citycity cancan illill afford.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/the-perpetual-drip-of-frivolous-spending/ 1/4 11/27/2019 The perpetual drip of frivolous spending – San Bernardino Sun The story takes a bit of unraveling to appreciate how we got here, but it’s a good illustration of collateral damage when government injects itself into a market situation.

In May, the council approved a plan to at least double the convention center’s size, build an amphitheater, add 376 hotel rooms, add housing and offices and build a five-level parking structure. Its members didn’t give a price tag but say they’llthey’ll finishfinish allall thisthis byby earlyearly 2023.2023.

Then in June, the city’s top finance officer shared a dire fiscal forecast — three years of using reserves to stay in balance culminating in, essentially, insolvencyinsolvency atat somesome pointpoint inin 2023,2023, rightright aroundaround whenwhen thisthis downtowndowntown upgradeupgrade isis expectedexpected toto bebe done.done.

For the upgrade, the city will have to spend more taxpayer money to generate more external revenue from greater convention business.

It will also potentially injure existing businesses, most notably the Mission Inn, by giving breaks to potential competitors. To ameliorate that blow, the council voted Nov. 5 to send the Mission Inn $4 million over 20 years.

The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights event brings in around $130 million in visitor spending each year, so the city’s gesture is understandable, if a bit paltry in that context. But what’s the overarching public policy in this action? And what other existing businesses also may suffer because of Riverside’s desire to generate more revenue through more and bigger conventions? Will thethe citycity supplysupply somesome taxpayertaxpayer largesselargesse forfor them,them, too?too?

Many cities, not just Riverside, seek convention business as a way to bring in outside money to generate jobs and economic activity. They feel that residential property taxes don’t generate the income they want for operations.

So it is for Riverside, beset by more than $1 billion in bond debt and more than $500 million in unfunded pension obligations.

That’s going to take a lot of conventions. And in the meantime, it ought to limit spending to essential services. Failure to do so ultimately puts Riverside taxpayerstaxpayers atat risk,risk, allall soso Riverside’sRiverside’s politicianspoliticians cancan patpat themselvesthemselves onon thethe back.back. 11/27/2019 Why do nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties get so little funding? – San Bernardino Sun

LOCAL NEWS Why do nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties get so little funding? Two groups launch "Inland Empire: Changing the Narrative" to attract philanthropic investment

Anna Jaiswal, center, who dances at Unity Fest at Redlands Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, is a performer with the Bollywood Dancers, part of the nonprofit organization Music Changing Lives. The nonprofit learned how to tell its story by surveying participants and telling their stories in print and in video. This is part of thethe adviceadvice containedcontained inin aa report:report: InlandInland Empire:Empire: ChangingChanging thethe Narrative,Narrative, thatthat foundfound IEIE philanthropic donations amounted to only a fraction of those received by nonprofits in LA and Orange counties. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

By STEVE SCAUZILLO || [email protected] || SanSan GabrielGabriel ValleyValley Tribune PUBLISHED: November 27, 2019 at 8:00 am || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 27, 2019 at 8:01 am

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/why-do-nonprofits-in-riverside-and-san-bernardino-counties-get-so-little-funding/ 1/7 11/27/2019 Why do nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties get so little funding? – San Bernardino Sun

Music Changing Lives was humming along fine but something was missing.

CEO Josiah Bruny wanted to grow the Redlands nonprofit, whichwhich exposesexposes underprivileged kids to music and the arts. So he met with Funders Alliance of San Bernardino & Riverside Counties last year and began putting into practice a toolkittoolkit developeddeveloped byby thethe AllianceAlliance andand 20/2020/20 Network,Network, anan Upland-basedUpland-based publicpublic affairs firm, so nonprofits in the Inland Empire can attract more donors and grow.

Through surveys of the kids and their parents, Bruny touted a new narrative in brochures and in a video produced with the California Endowment that told stories of hope — namely that troubled kids expressing their feelings through art isis powerful.powerful.

As a result, the nonprofit is expanding. In January, it will open a new youth innovationinnovation centercenter inin RiversideRiverside thatthat willwill featurefeature silk-screeningsilk-screening andand roboticsrobotics asas wellwell as the arts.

“It taught me how to better tell my story to a funder,” Bruny said.

Inland Empire nonprofits pull in fewer dollars

The report entitled: “Inland Empire: Changing the Narrative,” a self-help makeover of the twin counties’ image, was distributed to hundreds of nonprofits and government groups in 2019. The data they uncovered was shocking: IE nonprofits receive a fraction of the donor money given to their counterparts in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Nonprofits in the IE receive about $25.55 per capita, as compared to the state average of $262.99. Orange County gets $132.98 per capita, and L.A. County $245.05.

“We get one-tenth the amount in the state. The IE lags significantly behind,” said Steve Lambert, partner with 20/20 Network.

Part of the reason is the young age of the IE as a region, said Randall Lewis, executive vice president of the Lewis Group of Companies and a philanthropist in thethe areaarea whowho supportssupports educationeducation forfor underprivilegedunderprivileged children.children. HeHe servesserves asas co-co- chair of the San Bernardino County Alliance for Education.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/why-do-nonprofits-in-riverside-and-san-bernardino-counties-get-so-little-funding/ 2/7 11/27/2019 Why do nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties get so little funding? – San Bernardino Sun “Some of the best and well-funded not-for-profits have been around a long time and these tend to be in areas that have had large populations for a long time,” Lewis said in an email. “Almost by definition, growing areas (like the IE) are newer and younger, so they don’t have as many institutions with a long history of success and fundraising.”

An image makeover needed

Lambert, an ex-Chicagoan who moved to the IE more than two decades ago, saw a bigger problem. Too often, outsiders view the Inland Empire as a dusty desert linedlined withwith warehouseswarehouses surroundedsurrounded byby soot-spewingsoot-spewing dieseldiesel truckstrucks insteadinstead ofof aa place of natural beauty, affordable homes and unlimited potential.

When he first landed at Ontario International Airport, he reveled in the glorious mountain views and later became impressed by the can-do attitude of the people. Helping nonprofits boost their sagging budgets started with an abrupt attitude shift.

“We are our own worst enemy when describing ourselves,” Lambert said during a presentation to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority in September. “We need to re-position that IE brand to one of strength.”

After interviewing 250 people, conducting focus groups, surveys and hosting a brand confab at the Redlands Bowl during the past two years, the Alliance and 20/20 drew up a one-page cheer sheet and a comprehensive tool kit they shared with 11,000 IE-based nonprofits and dozens of government-based services.

One by one, these entities learned to shake off negative imagery. They “owned” theirtheir region,region, consistingconsisting ofof RiversideRiverside andand SanSan BernardinoBernardino counties.counties. EvenEven thethe namename “Inland Empire” was spoken with pride. And most of all, they crafted new pitches, better grant applications and story-telling videos. Soon, they started to see more money pour in.

Philanthropic foundations have increased their investment in the Inland Empire over the past several years, from $61.3 million in 2013 to $115 million in 2016, Lambert said.

While a lot came from outside the region, the IE nonprofits still lagged far behind thethe restrest ofof California.California. SoSo hehe tooktook thethe reportreport andand toolkittoolkit onon thethe road.road.

Training the nonprofits

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/why-do-nonprofits-in-riverside-and-san-bernardino-counties-get-so-little-funding/ 3/7 11/27/2019 Why do nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties get so little funding? – San Bernardino Sun Susan Gomez is CEO of the Inland Empire Community Collaborative,, aa nonprofitnonprofit thatthat aggregatesaggregates otherother nonprofits.nonprofits. TheThe organizationorganization helpshelps 7474 othersothers withwith budgets,budgets, marketing and yes, fundraising.

Initially, she said the materials from the Alliance-20/20 report didn’t have hooks forfor smallsmall nonprofitsnonprofits toto grabgrab onto.onto. “There“There waswas somethingsomething tangiblytangibly missingmissing aboutabout thethe wayway theythey werewere goinggoing toto rollroll outout thisthis toolkit.toolkit. II don’tdon’t wantwant toto gogo toto aa trainingtraining forfor fourfour hourshours ifif II don’tdon’t leaveleave withwith somethingsomething II cancan use.”use.”

So, the IECC designed a curriculum, conducting seven workshops in San Bernardino and Riverside counties in September and early October. Tackling the tensiontension betweenbetween thethe twotwo countiescounties waswas jobjob No.No. 1,1, GomezGomez said.said. SomeSome desertdesert communities in Riverside County did not want to be included in the IE circle, and sometimes nonprofits in one county or the next didn’t see eye-to-eye.

“We started to talk about what is best for the whole region,” she said.

Using the 20/20 toolkit, she brought together developers, banks, foundations and nonprofits. Slowly, the workshops began to erase some of the IE stereotypes many brought to the meetings.

A different narrative

“It was exciting to see, especially from some of the developers,” Gomez said in an interviewinterview onon Wednesday,Wednesday, Oct.Oct. 23.23. “They“They hadhad saidsaid theythey werewere reluctantreluctant toto comecome toto thethe IEIE becausebecause theythey heardheard itit waswas notnot aa safesafe placeplace toto live.live. ButBut theythey foundfound theirtheir actual experience was a different one.

“A lot of us (nonprofits) began talking about the positive things in the IE, instead of just hearing about the shootings in San Bernardino,”,” GomezGomez said.said.

“Changing the Narrative” began as a pushback against a 2008 Irvine Foundation report, whichwhich characterizedcharacterized IEIE nonprofitsnonprofits asas weak,weak, withwith poorpoor managementmanagement practices.

A lack of nonprofit management could have been the result of inadequate funding.funding. TheThe reportreport fromfrom “Changing“Changing thethe Narrative”Narrative” sayssays 67%67% ofof thethe IEIE nonprofitsnonprofits have budgets of under $25,000. Many need funds but don’t have the personnel to go after grants.

“Instead of us waiting for a funder, we said we need to be the change agents and identifyidentify thethe brightbright spotsspots inin ourour communitiescommunities thatthat theythey werewere notnot talkingtalking about,”about,” Gomez explained.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/why-do-nonprofits-in-riverside-and-san-bernardino-counties-get-so-little-funding/ 4/7 11/27/2019 Why do nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties get so little funding? – San Bernardino Sun For example, Gomez and others worked with the Young Visionaries Youth Academy inin SanSan BernardinoBernardino thatthat neededneeded aa vanvan toto transporttransport kidskids toto andand fromfrom after-after- school programs.

Their grant application basically said they didn’t have enough money to buy a van and transport the students.

“We said, ‘Let’s frame this in a different way: If we had a bus there would be 52 more kids with access to after-school programs to do their homework, which ultimately will help them in school and keep them off the streets,’” Gomez said.

High needs, low donations

Within the two-county region, there are 25 colleges and universities, 56 school districts with 832,000 K-12 students. Every day, 120 people move to the region because they choose to, according to the 20/20-Alliance report.

The population is predicted to grow from about 4.5 million today to 7 million by 2050. Ironically, more services will be needed and government can’t always fill thatthat need,need, saidsaid Lambert,Lambert, aa formerformer editoreditor atat TheThe SunSun andand InlandInland ValleyValley DailyDaily Bulletin newspapers in San Bernardino County.

“We have high poverty rates and challenges. So the nonprofits are up against it,” said Lambert. “Nonprofits are there to transform lives.”

Telling their stories

More importantly, the toolkit and other resources were used to tell the story of children who come to Music Changing Lives..

By using artistic endeavors as a creative force, the nonprofit fills a void in a young person’s life that may have been occupied by gangs or drugs, Bruny said.

“We are changing the narrative that said kids are lazy or kids are not involved civically. We are showing that these kids care about their community and want change,” he said.

Even the IECC began putting into practice the best practices from the Alliance- 20/20 report and toolkit.

This fall, the nonprofit aggregate began getting more work, a sign that donors wanted to help its group of nonprofits. This year it received a $1 million contract, adding $1 million to its revenues as compared to $10,000 five years ago, Gomez said. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/why-do-nonprofits-in-riverside-and-san-bernardino-counties-get-so-little-funding/ 5/7 11/27/2019 Why do nonprofits in Riverside and San Bernardino counties get so little funding? – San Bernardino Sun But while she still wants to boost the nonprofit community, her heart remains with the smaller organizations in her collaborative trying new ways to attract new dollars, such as the Young Visionaries Youth Academy. The IECC helped shape the nonprofit’s funding application earlier this month using the toolkit.

“I hope they get their van,” Gomez said.

Inland Empire By the Numbers

11,000: NumberNumber ofof nonprofitnonprofit organizationsorganizations$25.55: PerPer capitacapita foundationfoundation spending on nonprofits$115 million: AnnualAnnual contributionscontributions fromfrom philanthropicphilanthropic foundationsfoundations toto IEIE nonprofitsnonprofits asas ofof 20162016 –– anan increaseincrease ofof 85%85% fromfrom 20132013 ($61.3($61.3 million) 11/27/2019 Yucaipa voters will see a half-cent sales tax on the March 2020 ballot – San Bernardino Sun

LOCAL NEWS Yucaipa voters will see a half- cent sales tax on the March 2020 ballot

By JENNIFER IYER || [email protected]@scng.com || RedlandsRedlands DailyDaily FactsFacts PUBLISHED: November 26, 2019 at 6:20 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 26, 2019 at 6:21 pm

A growing deficit in Yucaipa’s paramedic program funding has led the city to bring a sales tax before voters.

On Monday, Nov. 25, the City Council unanimously agreed to put a half-cent sales tax on the March 3, 2020, ballot.

Mayor Bobby Duncan said he wanted to be clear “all we’re doing tonight is deciding do we want to put this on the ballot and let our constituents, let the city of Yucaipa, decide if they want the tax.”

In the 2019-20 fiscal year, which began July 1, the city’s paramedic services are expected to cost $1,736,378, which is $658,878 more than proceeds from the property tax assessment designed to fund the service.

Greg Franklin, assistant city manager, said the numbers went “a little upside down,” in the 2015-16 fiscal year, but “the deficit continues to escalate.”

The city expects about $2 million to be generated by the sales tax measure.

Yucaipa Fire Chief Grant Malinowski said the number of calls for service is continuously going up, from about 5,000 when the city incorporated in 1999, to an estimated 8,150 calls this year. Without adding resources, he said, the response time will also keep going up, from 5 minutes and 14 seconds in 1999 toto 55 minutesminutes andand 5858 secondsseconds now.now. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/yucaipa-voters-will-see-a-half-cent-sales-tax-on-the-march-2020-ballot/ 1/4 11/27/2019 Yucaipa voters will see a half-cent sales tax on the March 2020 ballot – San Bernardino Sun “Every minute in delay of treatment is a 10% decrease in survivability for any critical care call,” Malinowski said, calling it an industry standard.

With the growth of the city, increased residential and commercial units, visitors and a possible hotel, the need will only keep increasing, Malinowski toldtold thethe council.council.

Though no members of the public spoke at the meeting, a research consultant hired by the city to look into funding the program said after polling, it looked likelike residentsresidents preferredpreferred anan increaseincrease toto thethe salessales taxtax overover anan increaseincrease toto property taxes.

G. Gary Manross with Strategy Research Institute said only 8% of Yucaipa residents polled were dissatisfied with their service, and only 22% said they would rather cut back on service than pay more.

“A sales tax is much fairer than a property tax,” said Councilman Dick Riddell. “It’s spread out over a larger bunch of people.”

Councilman Greg Bogh said he did not like the idea of another sales tax.

“I came in adamantly opposed to the sales tax,” he said. “If my colleagues thinkthink thatthat it’sit’s importantimportant thatthat wewe putput thisthis toto thethe voters,voters, II willwill changechange mymy mindmind on that. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I’ll let the voters decide.”

A unanimous decision was required to put the measure on the ballot.

The council also approved a contract to spend $49,200 on outreach and education to give facts about the measure and do some promotion of city events. 11/27/2019 Feeding the homeless in a safe environment | Editorial | avpress.com

https://www.avpress.com/opinion/editorial/feeding-the-homeless-in-a-safe-environment/article_48579a84- 0a-11ea-9e6c-f3df198e5b4a.html Feeding the homeless in a safe environment

Nov 26, 2019

In an eort to ensure the safety of those distributing and receiving food donations, an ordinance will be sent to the Lancaster City Council.

First presented in July 2018, before the Lancaster Criminal Justice Commission, the ordinance went before the Lancaster Homeless Impact Commission on Thursday morning. The Commission voted unanimously to send it to the City Council, according to a report in the Sunday edition of the Antelope Valley Press.

The goal of the ordinance is to move food distribution events o sidewalks and other public property, where it may obstruct the free ow of pedestrian and vehicle trac and pose a safety threat. However, it has another purpose, as well, to ensure that garbage and trash left on public property, after the distribution, is disposed of.

A third reason for the ordinance is to ensure that those distributing food have or obtain a valid permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Health and they comply with all applicable state and county food safety requirements, including those for nonprot charitable, temporary food facilities.

While this may seem like a harsh ordinance, it makes sense. Moving food distribution indoors would not only create a safer environment for all involved, but would also get those seeking food out of the elements, whether it’s cold or heat. In addition, the trash would be disposed of properly and not left outside, to y away carried by the wind, to another part of the city (or someone’s yard), where it will likely bake away in the hot sun or sit there indenitely, unless someone picks it up and throws it away.

At least one person was not pleased with the ordinance, claiming it was their First Amendment Right to distribute food to those experiencing homelessness.

https://www.avpress.com/opinion/editorial/feeding-the-homeless-in-a-safe-environment/article_48579a84-0ffa-11ea-9e6c-f3df198e5b4a.html 1/3 11/27/2019 Feeding the homeless in a safe environment | Editorial | avpress.com But wouldn’t it make sense to get a valid permit to do so? That person stated, “We share food because there’s a need for it. If the City and the county were doing their job and they were able to cover everybody, there wouldn’t be a need for me and other people here and other organizations to so it.”

She said she provides food to people experiencing homelessness, who live ve miles out in the desert.

“We get calls from people that are hungry that cannot get to the center where we can go,” she said in the Sunday AVP report.

Perhaps there would still be a way to help those in the desert. Instead of taking the food to those who can’t go to the center, how about taking them to the food?

We can see both sides, but it does seem much safer to have a permitted food distributor that is adhering to all safety requirements of distributing food, than the way it’s being done now.

The ordinance seems to be a step in the right direction in helping the homeless population. It’s not just about food — though that is a major issue. It’s about helping them out of their current living situation and into a better way of life, by linking them to other social services, as well as helping them transition into housing and gain employment.

https://www.avpress.com/opinion/editorial/feeding-the-homeless-in-a-safe-environment/article_48579a84-0ffa-11ea-9e6c-f3df198e5b4a.html 2/3 11/27/2019

L.A. could have 30 new homeless shelters, but the county is refusing to pay for them

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/homeless-shelter-funding-county-city 1/11 By BENJAMIN ORESKES, DOUG SMITH

NOV. 26, 2019 9:10 AM

It took months to get off the ground, but Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s plan to build a homeless shelter in every City Council district has taken off.

Nine are now open with a total of more than 500 beds. And, after some resistance, 14 of 15 council members have committed to having at least one shelter in their district — everyone but Councilman John Lee in the West San Fernando Valley.

In all, 30 shelters are in some stage of development for a total of 2,300 new beds, including about 900 that the city plans to fund from other sources.

But the unanticipated success of Garcetti’s A Bridge Home program has put the city at odds with Los Angeles County over who should pay for it, leaving further expansion of the shelter program in

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/homeless-shelter-funding-county-city 2/11 11/27/2019 L.A.'s new homeless shelters at risk in city-county fight - Los Angeles Times doubt at time when residents have become increasingly frustrated with an explosion of homeless encampments.

County officials agreed in 2018 to provide $50 per night toward homeless services for 600 beds, using funds from the Measure H countywide sales tax. But Garcetti also was counting on the county to pick up the tab for an additional 800 beds — an added cost of about $14.6 million per year — for a total of 1,400 beds. The mayor said he thought of it as an expansion of the initial agreement.

County officials have balked at the mayor’s request, though, saying that money from Measure H has already been committed to other things.

In an Oct. 29 letter to Garcetti, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas forwarded a county staff report suggesting that giving the city money for additional beds would require the county to divert money budgeted for homelessness prevention, outreach and rapid rehousing.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/homeless-shelter-funding-county-city 3/11 11/27/2019 L.A.'s new homeless shelters at risk in city-county fight - Los Angeles Times Ridley-Thomas, in the letter and in an interview with The Times, suggested he would be open to discussing the issue further with the mayor, but both city and county officials have acknowledged that the city likely would have to look elsewhere for money.

The county, in its staff report, suggested that funding for shelters could instead come from a state homelessness grant, totaling about $117.5 million over three years. The city already has a plan for that money, though.

Under that plan, which was released Friday, the city hopes to use $50 million to build and operate eight shelters, and another $25.8 million for prevention and diversion programs. Those shelters and programs would have to be scaled back, however, without Measure H funds from the county, an official in the City Administrative Office said.

The county staff report also pointed out that the city would face annual operating costs of nearly $42 million after it stops receiving Measure H funds in three years under the initial agreement with the county. That makes it inadvisable for the city to expand its shelter program any further, the report found.

Garcetti launched A Bridge Home in April 2018, saying he wanted a 100-bed shelter in each of the 15 City Council districts, for a total of 1,500 beds. He and other government officials say the shelters will be used temporarily, for people to get off the street before moving on to permanent housing.

Initially, only a few council members suggested potential sites for shelters in their districts. Despite that slow response, the mayor used about $50 million from the state and another $30 million from

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/homeless-shelter-funding-county-city 4/11 11/27/2019 L.A.'s new homeless shelters at risk in city-county fight - Los Angeles Times city coffers to begin building the shelters anyway. Then, as public concern over homelessness began to grow, council members began to line up behind the mayor’s program.

The nine shelters that have opened so far have a combined 519 beds. If all 30 shelters are completed, the city of L.A. will add more than 2,300 beds to its inventory.

Four of those shelters are downtown in Councilman Jose Huizar’s district. Councilman David E. Ryu’s district will also have four, two in Los Feliz and two in Hollywood,

Three districts will have three shelters each: Councilman Joe Buscaino’s, in Watts, San Pedro and Wilmington; Councilman Curren D. Price Jr.'s, in Historic South-Central and Vermont Square; and Councilman Gil Cedillo’s, all in Westlake. The City Administrative Office is currently not recommending one of the Westlake sites.

Three other council districts will have two shelters: Councilman Paul Krekorian’s, in North Hollywood and Van Nuys; Council President Herb Wesson Jr.'s, in Westlake and Harvard Heights; Councilman Mike Bonin’s, in Westwood and Venice; and Councilman Mitch O’Farrell’s, in Hollywood.

The remaining shelters will be in Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Sylmar, Pico-Robertson and Chesterfield Square.

The squabble is a rare sour note in an otherwise cooperative relationship worked out three years ago, as the City Council placed Proposition HHH, a $1.2-billion bond measure for homeless housing, on the ballot and the county Board of Supervisors followed by putting Measure H on the ballot.

Both Proposition HHH and Measure H were based on an understanding that, if they passed, the city would supply capital funds to build apartments and provide federal vouchers to cover the rents, and the county would pay for services for formerly homeless tenants.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/homeless-shelter-funding-county-city 5/11 11/27/2019 L.A.'s new homeless shelters at risk in city-county fight - Los Angeles Times The measures did pass, and the deal, eventually formalized in a memorandum of understanding, reflected a new era of city-county cooperation crafted by Garcetti and Ridley-Thomas, then chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

In an interview Friday, Ridley-Thomas downplayed the rift, saying the city and county are “in what can be described as unprecedented in terms of the relationship of collaboration.”

But he said the request for new funds has to be balanced against other demands, including its commitment to pay for services at what will be thousands of permanent supportive housing units opening over the next few years with help from Proposition HHH.

“There are 88 cities in the county of Los Angeles,” Ridley-Thomas said. “We have an obligation to deal with the homeless crisis throughout those cities. We are seeking to be as attentive to those requests and concerns as possible.”

This latest back-and-forth comes as pressure on L.A.'s shelter system increases with the arrival of winter weather. With three-fourths of the area’s 60,000 homeless people living outdoors, mostly in encampments of tents, the county has acknowledged that more interim housing beds are sorely needed. Since the beginning of 2018, county officials have added about 2,700 temporary shelter beds.

Still this is widely agreed to not be enough.

Both the mayor and the supervisors downplayed the dispute as a minor wrinkle in a relationship that involves intense dialogue daily over the intricacies of managing hundreds of millions of dollars of homelessness funds.

Joel John Roberts, chief executive of PATH Ventures, which operates several shelters for the city and county, said the relationship between the two bureaucracies is stronger than ever. In the past, this sort of squabble would regularly occur in the open.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-26/homeless-shelter-funding-county-city 6/11 11/27/2019 L.A.'s new homeless shelters at risk in city-county fight - Los Angeles Times “It was always public and they would bash each other,” said Roberts. “The fact that they have this very professional detailed request, I think it’s impressive. I don’t see this as a fight. I would hope it would continue that way in the future.”

Times staff writer Dakota Smith contributed to this report. 11/27/2019 Los Angeles Times - eNewspaper

7 L.A. shelters will open as rain nears

That’s 271 beds for the homeless. The City Council has voted to enlist more facilities.

A HOMELESS man carries his belongings in plastic bags in mid-February as heavy rains hit Los Angeles. (Francine Orr Los Angeles Times) BY EMILY ALPERT REYES Los Angeles government officials declared Tuesday that they would open up some emergency shelters ahead of schedule and rapidly set up new ones as incoming storms threaten to drench homeless people this week.

The newly announced efforts will provide hundreds of additional beds for people trying to escape the cold and wet weather in coming days.

https://enewspaper.latimes.com/desktop/latimes/default.aspx?edid=446b3359-9598-4277-aa0d-874b67f1d62a 1/3 11/27/2019 Los Angeles Times - eNewspaper

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which was not slated to launch its winter shelter program until December, announced Tuesday morning that it would open seven of its sites in the next few days, providing 271 beds. None were open during the last round of storms that soaked the city, leaving homeless people chilled and wet on the streets. With storms expected again in the coming days, city, county and homeless authority officials “saw it was necessary to open these shelters immediately to help as many of our most vulnerable residents as possible,” Peter Lynn, the agency’s executive director, said in a statement. In addition to opening up some winter shelters early, the agency said it would make an additional 100 emergency beds available through its “interim housing portfolio” on Wednesday and Thursday nights this week. A spokesman later said LAHSA would offer up an additional 100 beds at Athens Park, bringing its total to 471. On the heels of the Tuesday morning announcement, the Los Angeles City Council voted to direct city agencies to open up additional emergency shelters in the coming days, possibly using city facilities such as recreation centers. Councilman Mike Bonin said he wanted them to spring into action the same way that they set up evacuation centers during wildfires or other natural disasters. As the rains descend on Los Angeles, “it’s going to be wet. It’s going to be cold. And people will die as a result,” Bonin said, urging council members Tuesday to back the emergency motion from him and Councilman Paul Krekorian. “It’s an embarrassment that anybody dies on the streets of Los Angeles,” Bonin added in an interview after the vote, citing statistics that three homeless people die every day on L.A. streets. “It’s even more scandalous if it happens on Thanksgiving.” Late Tuesday, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the city was setting up at least 500 additional beds at facilities including city recreation centers and a community church, which will be open starting Wednesday morning for people in need. A Garcetti aide said the shelters will stay open a few days or until the rain ends. The county will fund services at the shelters, according to the mayor, and Recreation and Parks employees will staff them alongside outreach and homeless service professionals. “The weather we’re expecting this week could be life-threatening for our homeless neighbors,” Garcetti said in a written statement. “There’s no time to waste — we have to do everything in our power to bring people inside now.” The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors chimed in with the calls for action at its Tuesday meeting, unanimously passing a motion directing the homeless services authority to “expedite the immediate launch of the winter shelter program.” Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas suggested they also explore using schools that were closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Local activists who assist homeless people have also been trying to gather tarps, tents and blankets for people exposed to the rain. The United Way of Greater Los Angeles said it was offering up “mini grants” for groups gathering such donations. https://enewspaper.latimes.com/desktop/latimes/default.aspx?edid=446b3359-9598-4277-aa0d-874b67f1d62a 2/3 11/27/2019 Los Angeles Times - eNewspaper

Chris Ko, its managing director of homelessness and strategic initiatives, said such donations were crucial in light of the shortage of shelter space, as well as the fact that some people will not go to shelters. “It’s not that they don’t want to come inside, but they don’t want to [abandon] their most important belongings” in order to go inside, Ko said. Venice homeless activist David Busch, who is part of the Venice Equity Alliance, said he was upset that police were telling people to take down their tents on a recent morning despite chilly temperatures. Doing so, Busch argued, would leave people more vulnerable to health problems. Far more people live on Los Angeles streets than existing shelters could possibly accommodate: The latest count tallied more than 44,000 homeless people who lack shelter across Los Angeles County, including more than 27,000 in the city of L.A. Times staff writer Doug Smith contributed to this report.

https://enewspaper.latimes.com/desktop/latimes/default.aspx?edid=446b3359-9598-4277-aa0d-874b67f1d62a 3/3 11/27/2019 When it comes to wildfires, should California be more like Australia? – San Bernardino Sun

NEWS When it comes to wildfires, should California be more like Australia? Australia has studied fire extensively and crafted policies intended to reduce fatalities and make homes safer. The country also explicitly shares fire chores with homeowners, who are expected to help or get out of the way.

The Tick fire destroys some structures early Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, as it jumps the 14 Freeway in Canyon Country. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

By CALMATTERS || PUBLISHED: November 27, 2019 at 8:23 am || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 27, 2019 at 8:24 am

As California casts about for new approaches to its wildfire crisis, officials could do worse than look to Australia, firefighting’s acknowledged superstar.

That fire-prone country has turned disaster into a laboratory. While not perfect, Australia has studied fire extensively and crafted policies intended to reduce fatalities and make homes safer. The country also explicitly shares fire chores with homeowners, who are expected to help or get out of the way.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/when-it-comes-to-wildfires-should-california-be-more-like-australia/ 1/6 11/27/2019 When it comes to wildfires, should California be more like Australia? – San Bernardino Sun

The two locales have some key things in common: a similar climate, many of the same plants and trees strewn across often-arid landscapeslandscapes —— andand residentsresidents bedeviledbedeviled byby wildfireswildfires thatthat areare worseningworsening asas climateclimate changechange resetsresets seasonalseasonal norms.norms. AA largelarge swathswath ofof Australia has been plagued by brutal heat and withering drought; wildfires there, as here, rage for much of the year in 80% of the country.

California leads in at least one way: with the depth of its “toolbox,” the machines and equipment it employs during fires. Australia can’t come close to the squadron of helicopters, large tankers and other aircraft that California dedicates to firefighting. Not even the U.S. Forest Service has anything like it.

Other differences: Nearly 60% of California’s forests are managed by the U.S. government. Australia has neither vast government land ownership nor a federal fire service. And Australia’s owner-saving-his-property approach may not work well in areas of California dotted with seldom-visited vacation homes.

But California might find lessons in several key Australian policies, particularly the principle of shared responsibility that underpins them.them.

Focus on self-reliance

Australia’s view is that government and citizens should work together to keep people safe and homes and property protected. The country has an extensive network of volunteer fire brigades, and not just in rural areas. The service that covers Sydney is staffed by 70,000 volunteers, making it the world’s largest volunteer fire agency. These cadres work alongside paid professionals in a cooperative culture and with an intimate understanding of fire.

The system fosters self-reliance and, critically, provides the tools for homeowners to protect themselves and their property when expecting firefighters’ help is not realistic.

Advice to the public pulls no punches. A government statement about fires that have been raging near Sydney recently has a brutal honesty that for U.S. agencies would be unthinkable: “There are simply not enough fire trucks for every house. If you call for help, you may not get it.”

Australian officials were confident that trained amateurs could withstand what “normal” fires could throw at them until a horrific series of blazes on a single day in 2009 that left 173 dead. The event, known as Black Saturday, shook the nation and its fire professionals, who realized that wildly unpredictable blazes had redefined the norm.

“Even very well prepared people died in that fire — the wind blew doors open, broke windows, you could hardly stand up outside,” said Justin Leonard, Australia’s leading wildfire researcher at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the national research institution. In the chaos, people panicked despite their training.

“Conditioning people to the reality of what they are going to see is the absolute key to (preparing) them,” he said.

After Black Saturday, officials tweaked perhaps the best-known feature of Australia’s approach to wildfire: a shelter-in-place option, which teaches residents to either learn to protect themselves and their homes from fire or leave well before the threat becomes acute.

Australians are drilled to pay attention during extreme fire weather and, like Californians, to heed evacuation calls. But officials also traintrain residentsresidents extensivelyextensively toto fireprooffireproof theirtheir homeshomes andand educateeducate themthem aboutabout whatwhat toto expectexpect andand whatwhat toto dodo ifif theythey choosechoose toto staystay putput asas flamesflames advance.advance.

Each of Australia’s eight states operates independent fire services, which conduct training at a community level. Across the country, well-presented information is available online and in television and radio announcements.

For volunteers, training is constant, and they in turn help prepare neighbors. Such training falls to local authorities in California, and stops well short of preparing homeowners to fight fires.

State officials are aware of Australia’s policy, but “we haven’t discussed it in depth,” said Scott McLean, spokesman for the state firefightingfirefighting agency,agency, CalCal Fire.Fire. HeHe saidsaid CaliforniaCalifornia firefightersfirefighters maymay directdirect homeownershomeowners toto sheltershelter inin placeplace whenwhen evacuatingevacuating isis tootoo dangerous. As an alternative, in last year’s Camp Fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise, crews established refuge areas in parking lotslots andand otherother largelarge openopen spaces.spaces.

The preparation fostered by Australia’s training can help curtail panic, reduce deaths and contain property damage. But the stay-and- defend choice has become riskier as the nation’s fires have become more frequent and more dangerous, just as they have in California.

After Black Saturday, the Aussies devised a new “catastrophic” threat level, which has been applied to parts of the country in the recent fires.fires. WhenWhen inin place,place, itit meansmeans homeshomes cannotcannot bebe safelysafely defendeddefended and all homeownersand all homeowners areare warnedwarned toto leaveleave endangeredendangered areas.areas.

Fire officials in California may already be taking a page from Down Under, shifting to a shared-responsibility message. They are increasinglyincreasingly talkingtalking aboutabout residentsresidents inin fire-pronefire-prone areasareas asas “partners.”“partners.” HomeownersHomeowners needneed toto taketake a greatera greater role inrole in helpinghelping themselves,themselves, theythey areare beginningbeginning toto say.say. FireFire officialsofficials areare eveneven startingstarting toto echoecho theirtheir AustralianAustralian counterparts,counterparts, admittingadmitting thatthat California’sCalifornia’s wildfirewildfire problem is so acute that the people in the red trucks aren’t going to save everyone. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/when-it-comes-to-wildfires-should-california-be-more-like-australia/ 2/6 11/27/2019 When it comes to wildfires, should California be more like Australia? – San Bernardino Sun

“It’s about responsibility,” McLean said. “Property owners need to understand they are responsible for defensible space, and the public needs to heed advice and evacuate.”

Burying the power lines

As bitter recent experience in California has shown, the responsibility for many of Australia’s most dangerous fires can be laid at the feetfeet ofof powerpower companies.companies. NearlyNearly 80%80% ofof wildfirewildfire deathsdeaths inin AustraliaAustralia sincesince 19501950 havehave beenbeen inin blazesblazes startedstarted byby powerpower lines,lines, accordingaccording toto Simon Dunstall, a scientist studying utility-caused fires at the national research institution.

Two decades ago, Australian states required new high-voltage power lines to be buried underground. When the country was considering that mandate, a report to Parliament put the cost at five to 13 times more than that for overhead lines — as much as $50 billion in that 1997 reckoning.

In California, where authorities have ordered power providers to make their equipment less fire-prone, the bill for burying lines today isis farfar higher,higher, withwith utilitiesutilities estimatingestimating moremore thanthan $2$2 millionmillion aa mile.mile.

In Australia, state governments have paid a portion when privately owned power companies upgrade their equipment or put wires underground. In the state of South Australia, for example, local government absorbs a third of the cost.

Using research to craft policy

California is brimming with world-class research institutions that have been comprehensively studying wildfires for decades. Cal Fire and other agencies, as well as the U.S. Forest Service in California, have platoons of fire scientists cranking out reports suggesting actions that could keep people, property and landscape safe.

But fire legislation is famously fraught with disagreement and argued over by parties with deep economic interests, and compromise, thethe engineengine ofof law-making,law-making, doesdoes notnot alwaysalways create consequentialcreate consequential policy.policy.

Experts say the key to Australia’s success in addressing wildfires is its ability to respond after a disaster, learn from it and quickly amend even long-standing policies. Fire research is well integrated into education and preparedness efforts. The nation has been studying fire statistics and fire models for more than 60 years, and fire policy is based on that research.

When an issue of surpassing public importance occurs, officials convene a Royal Commission to investigate. The Black Saturday fires ledled toto a commissiona commission report thatreport that examinedexamined thethe causescauses ofof wildfireswildfires “of“of aa scalescale andand ferocityferocity thatthat testedtested humanhuman endurance.”endurance.” ThatThat pivotalpivotal event brought changes in fire policy the next year.

California has no such commission, although authorities here are examining decisions, including errors, made during the fires that killed about 100 people in 2018, hoping to improve warnings and evacuations.

The best-laid plans….

Even with attention in both hemispheres trained on making homes and communities safer, good work can easily be undone. Dave Winnacker, chief of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District in the San Francisco Bay area, said he’s seen people conscientiously clear trees and brush from around their homes only to line sidewalks and driveways with wooden fences.

“I tell them it’s like a wick leading to your home,” he said.

In Australia, one city council in the Sydney suburbs required homeowners to maintain wooden fences to achieve a specific aesthetic look,look, LeonardLeonard said. Hissaid. His researchresearch groupgroup demonstrateddemonstrated thethe firefire riskrisk thatthat posedposed andand mademade theirtheir findingsfindings public.public. TheThe council,council, andand othersothers with similar policies, dropped the requirement. 11/27/2019 Los Angeles Times - eNewspaper

Levy would aid the war on wildfires

A proposed increase in L.A. County parcel tax would fund hiring and new equipment. BY MATT STILES The Los Angeles County Fire Department plans to ask voters for more money next year, as commanders scramble for more resources to respond to increasingly destructive wildfires and a growing volume of medical calls. A proposed parcel tax, which the L.A. County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider next week, would collect an estimated $130 million a year from most residents in the department’s 2,300-square-mile jurisdiction — a sprawling area that runs from Malibu to Pomona and includes the county’s beaches. Department officials say the extra revenue would be used to hire more firefighters and paramedics, and to finance equipment and infrastructure improvements for new communications technology. The department’s 911 software, for example, dates to the 1980s, with outdated tools for mapping cellphone calls. New fire stations have opened in recent years, but others need repairs. And its fleet of fire engines is aging, officials say. “The primary objective of the ballot measure, if approved by the voters, is the primary mission of the department: To get more boots on the ground, so they can do their jobs, and for me as the fire chief, and my administrative team, to provide them with the equipment and technical tools they need to do their jobs,” Chief Daryl Osby told The Times from the department’s hilltop headquarters in East Los Angeles. The parcel tax would collect 6 cents per square foot in most places where the department offers service. The 4,600-person department currently has 174 stations throughout the county and lifeguard posts along 70 miles of shoreline, covering dozens of cities and more than 4 million residents.

It would not apply to cities with their own fire departments, such as Culver City, Pasadena or Los Angeles.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to decide next week whether to put the tax on the March ballot.

https://enewspaper.latimes.com/desktop/latimes/default.aspx?edid=446b3359-9598-4277-aa0d-874b67f1d62a 1/2 11/27/2019 Los Angeles Times - eNewspaper

Supervisor Janice Hahn, the board chair, whose district stretching from Marina del Rey to Diamond Bar has at least 12 cities covered by the department, said the additional funding is necessary. “There is no better investment than investing in the men and women who could save your life, whether that is in a fire or a medical emergency,” said Hahn. “When you call 911, you want enough firefighters and paramedics on duty — and you want them to have the modern equipment they need to save your life.” The department is a special district with a $1.2-billion budget that comes primarily from property taxes, contracts for service and fees — not the county’s general fund. So despite the supervisors’ support, they can’t allocate the additional resources fire commanders say they need. There were roughly 330,000 medical calls last year, up from 205,000 in 2008 — a 60% increase. The growth in calls has outpaced population change, as the residents the department serves age and others newly insured under the Affordable Care Act have become more willing to seek medical attention. “All the calls have gone up. But by far the largest increase has been the increase in general medical calls,” said Clayton Kazan, an emergency physician who serves as the department’s medical director. To meet a steady increase in demand, and commanders say they need an additional 10 fire engine companies and 20 to 25 paramedic squads — which means hundreds of new employees. The strain on the department also shows in its payroll, where overtime spending has increased by more than 40% in the last eight years, according to records maintained by the California State Controller’s office. Department officials say they have to ask or require firefighters to work extra shifts, especially during wildfire season. Larger overtime budgets continue to worry local policy makers — especially after the Woolsey fire last year exposed limitations in the state’s system of gathering neighboring departments to help one another. “My focal point is really focused on the need,” said Osby, the fire chief. “We do need more firefighters and paramedics. We do need up-to-date apparatus and communications systems and equipment. That will enable our firefighters and paramedics to execute their mission more effectively.”

https://enewspaper.latimes.com/desktop/latimes/default.aspx?edid=446b3359-9598-4277-aa0d-874b67f1d62a 2/2 11/27/2019 Don’t let China trade flap shut down local electric-bus jobs – San Bernardino Sun

OPINION Don’t let China trade flap shut down local electric- bus jobs

By R REX PARRIS || PUBLISHED: November 25, 2019 at 2:03 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 25, 2019 at 2:03 pm

My hometown of Lancaster is helping to make California a leader in the fight against climate change. Just 70 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, we’re on the way to getting all our energy from renewable sources. We’re a hub for cutting-edge energy research. We even built America’s first green minor league baseball stadium.

As a Republican mayor and a father of four, I know that creating green jobs is imperative to the future of our nation and not a partisan issue. During the depths of the Great Recession, Lancaster was struggling mightily. Crime and unemployment were significant issues in our small town. Thankfully, things began to change when BYD, which shared our vision, decided toto buildbuild anan electricelectric busbus factoryfactory here.here.

I’m proud that our partnership has brought nearly 1,000 green jobs to Lancaster, most of them paying good union wages thatthat cancan supportsupport families.families. Today,Today, unemployment,unemployment, crimecrime andand povertypoverty inin mymy hometownhometown havehave droppeddropped toto nearnear recordrecord lows.lows.

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/25/dont-let-china-trade-flap-shut-down-local-electric-bus-jobs/ 1/4 11/27/2019 Don’t let China trade flap shut down local electric-bus jobs – San Bernardino Sun

Sadly, special interests in Washington, D.C. are trying to destroy that progress. Capitalizing on our global rivalry with China, they’re trying to shrink the electric bus market and reduce competition by eliminating BYD. Backroom maneuvers inin CongressCongress onon behalfbehalf ofof otherother busbus makersmakers wouldwould banban AmericanAmerican transittransit agenciesagencies likelike Metro,Metro, Muni,Muni, LongLong BeachBeach TransitTransit andand LADOT from using federal dollars to purchase BYD electric buses simply because of the company’s heritage.

Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, BYD is privately held and publicly traded. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns nearly 10 percent of the company. BYD’s electric buses exceed all “Buy America” requirements, which stipulate that at least 70 percent of components come from U.S. sources. BYD has invested more than $250 million in the United States, including purchases from small businesses throughout California and in 39 other states.

None of which matters to the special interests singling out and seeking to close down their factory. Pressure from D.C. lobbyistslobbyists couldcould meanmean pinkpink slipsslips forfor nearlynearly 1,0001,000 hard-workinghard-working Americans.Americans.

Here in Lancaster and across California, BYD, called a “model employer” by the Los Angeles Times, has changed lives. Eighty-five percent of BYD’s hires have been minorities. I’ve seen how the plant focuses on creating jobs for veterans, single mothers,and people seeking a second chance.

That workforce has made it possible for BYD to sell buses to help more than 50 different customers in North America eliminate tons of carbon emissions. That’s why leading environmental groups condemn this effort to shrink the electric bus market. Several recently wrote to Congress: “This anti-competitive provision would result in higher prices, less innovationinnovation andand fewerfewer electricelectric busesbuses onon thethe roadroad —— settingsetting backback thethe nation’snation’s effortsefforts toto addressaddress thethe climateclimate crisis.”crisis.”

Targeting electric buses would also make it harder to reach California’s climate-change reduction mandates. A strong, competitive electric bus sector is critical to achieving state requirements to transition to zero-emissions bus networks and airport shuttles in the coming years, and to meeting state goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

That’s why I’m working with leaders across California to convince Congress to reject this transparent ruse to knock competitors out of the electric bus market.

R. Rex Parris is the mayor of Lancaster. 11/27/2019 OPINION | Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper - POLITICO

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OPINION | FOURTH ESTATE Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper If an out-of-town owner is gutting your local paper, think about who’s getting your money.

B y JACK SHAFER 11/26/2019 05:22 AM EST https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/journalism-you-should-cancel-newspaper-073850 1/8 11/27/2019 OPINION | Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper - POLITICO

Jack Shafer is P’s senior media writer.

t’s not a popular thing to say, but journalism may be approaching the I point where dedicated news consumers might take a hard look at their local newspaper and—in the interest of better journalism—cancel their subscriptions.

For much of the past week, media pundits have been reiterating their warning calls about the dire fate, and the value, of local news. Fueled by a bleak new study about “the hollowing-out” of local news from PEN America, and prodded by two recent newspaper company merger deals, the pundits have become as agitated as Extinction Rebellion activists. Their worries are buttressed by the newspapers industries' waning financial numbers.

Newspaper circulation has fallen almost in half from 1994 highs and advertising revenues have dropped from $65 billion to less than $19 billion in 2016. With dwindling payroll cash to dispense, publishers have cut newsroom employment by about half since 2008, and nearly every newspaper has shrunk its coverage footprint. For example, Peoria Journal Star journalists once reported from 23 counties. Today, just three. Some newspaper chains have reduced their print schedule to three or four days a week. To avert bankruptcy, the McClatchy chain has dropped the Saturday edition from all of its papers.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/journalism-you-should-cancel-newspaper-073850 2/8 11/27/2019 OPINION | Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper - POLITICO Meanwhile, most newspapers are charging more for less: Between 2008 and  2016, seven-day home delivery subscriptions at 25 big-market newspapers doubled, on average, and weekday single-copy prices tripled.

This collapse hasn’t gone unremarked. According to the New York Times, the newspaper apocalypse has caused a “national crisis.” Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan frets about a nation without local newspapers. Academics have charted the expansion of news deserts, communities where no newspaper is published. Nieman Lab’s Joshua Benton co-frets with Sullivan, as does Brookings Institution research analyst Clara Hendrickson, who has given her study a title—“Local Journalism in Crisis: Why America Must Revive Its Local Newsrooms”— that perfectly sums up the zeitgeist.

Every media guru has an idea to roll back the apocalypse. Nonprofit newspapers. Philanthropists to the rescue. Government subsidies. Ad tech subsidies. But everybody insists that readers—the end users, after all—must subscribe, subscribe, subscribe.

This advice applies most of all to America’s undersized, overpriced, and struggling local and regional newspapers, which desperately need the support of devoted subscribers. (The New York Times and Washington Post, which frame themselves as national newspapers, have bloomed with online subscription revenue as their smaller cousins have withered.)

But should we automatically renew all of our newspaper subscriptions? I mean, really?

It’s heresy for a journalist to ask readers to consider dropping their newspaper. Beyond the obvious self-interest, reporters and editors consider a subscription to your local newspaper as a paramount civic duty, a view shared by academics, politicians, and activists. Local reporters hold government and corporations accountable, the refrain goes. They keep an eye on school boards and polluters and their stories boost voter turnout. They uncover corruption. They knit the weave in the social fabric. They foster democracy!

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/journalism-you-should-cancel-newspaper-073850 3/8 11/27/2019 OPINION | Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper - POLITICO

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But when you pay for a newspaper, you’re also making a decision to send money to whoever owns it. And if you really care about local news, you might want to think twice about continuing your subscription to one of the 50-plus dailies operated by Alden Global Capital under the Digital First Media nameplate in Denver, Detroit, Long Beach, San Jose, Boston, St. Paul, and other smaller cities. Good journalism still gets done at these newspapers because reporters care. But less and less of it gets printed, because Alden owner Randall Smith and his right-hand man, Heath Freeman, don’t care about the news. As newspaper industry analyst Ken Doctor has amply documented, Alden is cannibalizing its papers for profit in a way that should repel subscribers.

Newsrooms have contracted everywhere, but few as dramatically as Alden’s. Deliberately starving its newsrooms and shriveling its news pages, Alden’s “milk-it business modes” is designed to extract the value of a newspaper over time until the day—poof!—their papers vaporize and Smith and Freeman climb into their Scrooge McDuck vault to count their riches. For example, in the 1990s, the San Jose Mercury News newsroom employed 440. By 2018, Alden had cut its newsroom headcount to 39. At Southern California’s Orange County Register, Alden reduced the newsroom from 180 journalists to about 70 in two years. The newsroom at the Denver Post once stood at 300-strong. Alden has shrunk it to about 75.

Charging more and more for a lesser and lesser product wasn’t a desperation strategy by a publisher struggling to survive: It was deliberate, and profitable. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/journalism-you-should-cancel-newspaper-073850 4/8 11/27/2019 OPINION | Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper - POLITICO The firm earned the highest margins in the newspaper industry as recently as 2017,or reports Doct . It’s a “st-mining” tactic (Doctor’s piquant phrase) tt signals the fact that Alden has little interest in investing subscriber dollars in journalism. And the Alden menace is expanding. Last week it purchased 25.2 percent of Tribune Publishing’s newspapers (the Chicago Tribune, the New York Daily News, the Baltimore Sun, and other dailies). Should it boost its stake, the Alden style could be inflicted on those newspapers next.

Alden isn’t the only bad moon on the newspaper horizon. At the beginning of the year, Alden bid on the Gannett chain, which forced the company into the arms of the GateHouse Media chain, resulting in a merger that produced the nation’s largest newspaper publisher. Wall Street didn’t much like the deal, cutting about $265 million from the combined companies value ( 7.5 percent of its total expense base) when the deal was announced in August. Both GateHouse and Gannett have experience in cutting staff and quality, and will rely on those skills at the 260-daily strong combined company called Gannett. The front office has pledged to reduce Gannett costs by $300 million a year in the next two years. At the same time, it will be paying 11.5 percent annually on the $1.8 billion five-year loan that secured the deal, making additional layoffs and cuts likely. Most Gannett papers are already losing circulation faster than average, reports the Boston Business Journal. If you read a paper in a Gannett or GateHouse city, an Aldenesque future may soon greet you.

As Time magazine co-founder Henry Luce once said, “The first duty of the press is to survive.” No true newspaper lover (that would be me) wants to punish owners for making money. The Chandler family ( Los Angeles Times), the Graham family ( Washington Post), the Ochs-Sulzbergers ( New York Times) minted profits and produced great newspapers at the same time. But owners who gut and depopulate their newsroom don’t deserve the financial rewards a newspaper lover can bestow.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/journalism-you-should-cancel-newspaper-073850 5/8 11/27/2019 OPINION | Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper - POLITICO

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Don’t ask what my breaking point would be if I lived in an Alden town, because I’m a newspaper dead-ender. But if you pay for a local paper and it provides you little value—and shows no sign of doing so in the future—you have every right to cancel.

As long as dead-ender subscribers continue to make Alden’s properties profitable, the company will have little incentive to improve its newspapers. The best that most Alden cities can hope for right now is the sale of their newspapers to local or better owners, as has happened to the Salt Lake Tribune, the Berkshire Eagle, and the New Haven Register. Perhaps something like organized subscriber strikes in Alden cities might weaken the company’s bottom line enough to persuade it to unload its papers to owners who covet both good journalism and profits. After all, Alden has no emotional investment in newspapers. Last year, it reportedly shopped all of its newspapers for sale. But pouring cold water on the idea that Alden might sell off more newspapers rather than the whole chain is a Michael Roberts story from last year in Westword that predicted the company would never sell the Denver Post in a standalone deal because it is too profitable.

Could a reader strike even be organized? Most newspaper subscribers hail from the senior side of the demographic divide. Seriously habituated to their newspaper, they keep subscribing no matter how flimsy it becomes. There’s also the chance that the strong medicine of a subscriber strike might kill the patients rather than leading to their revivification. But at the rate Alden and other big owners are driving their properties to hell, we’re approaching the point that no newspaper might be better than what they’re publishing. Maybe a few Alden papers need to die to make way for something new.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/journalism-you-should-cancel-newspaper-073850 6/8 11/27/2019 OPINION | Care About Journalism? Maybe You Should Cancel Your Newspaper - POLITICO

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Send your magical thinking about how to save newspapers via email to [email protected]. My email alerts read four newspapers a day. My Twitter feed scans the horizons for headlines. My RSS feed was kidnapped by CrowdStrike and is being held for ransom in Ukraine.

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