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Sponsors Needed for Mr. And Miss Cardinal City

One date in September, leading to one year of service for one Mr. Cardinal City winner and one Miss Cardinal City winner to represent San Bernardino High School (SBHS).

It may seem like Mr. and Miss Cardinal City are just about pageant night, but that is far from the truth. The September 24, 2022, pageant will be preceded by many days of preparation. The Mr. Cardinal and Miss Cardinal contestants will spend days practicing their opening number and hundreds if not thousands of hours performing community service before the big night. And although only one Mr. Cardinal City and one Miss Cardinal City will be crowned, they will each have a court to help them fulfill their duties.

The Mr. and Miss Cardinal City pageant is the brainchild of Jaime Rios, who wanted to bring positive attention to both SBHS, where he has worked for more than 20 years, and the entire San Bernardino community. He also wanted to empower the young men and women of Cardinal City, named for the school’s mascot. That is why the focus of the entire process is on academics, social skills, and community service.

“I am looking forward to attending the pageant to see the impact it makes on our student participants,” said newly appointed SBHS Principal Anna Sosa. “When I was a teacher, it was wonderful to see some of my students find their voice, build their confidence, and experience the value of giving back to the community.”

The school is asking local businesses and individuals to help make the pageant and the reign of both Mr. and Miss Cardinal City a success by donating time and resources. Any donations are welcome, from cash to bottles of water. To become a sponsor, contact pageant director and bilingual school outreach worker Jaime Rios at (909) 881-8217.

The pageant is set for Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 6 p.m. at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts, 780 North E Street in San Bernardino.

San Bernardino County Library: Friends of the Library BOGO Book Sale!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Support the San Bernardino County Library through the Friends of the Library as they offer a BUY ONE GET ONE BOOK SALE event. All proceeds made from the sale will be used to fund special events, materials, and programs at the library branches.

From August 22nd-28th, buy one book and receive a second book of equal or lesser value 50% off at the following branches:

  • Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library, 14901 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley | (760) 247-2022
  • Barstow Branch Library, 304 East Buena Vista, Barstow | (760) 256-4853
  • James S. Thalman Chino Hills Branch Library, 13180 Central Avenue, Chino Hills | (909) 590-5380
  • Crestline Branch Library, 24105 Lake Gregory Drive, Crestline | (909) 338-3294
  • Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center, 8437 Sierra Avenue, Fontana | (909) 574-4500
  • Hesperia Branch Library, 9650 7th Avenue, Hesperia | (760) 552-6050
  • Joshua Tree Branch Library, 6465 Park Blvd., Joshua Tree | (760) 366-1430
  • Lake Arrowhead Branch Library, 27235 Highway 189, Blue Jay | (909) 337-3118
  • Phelan Memorial Library, 9800 Clovis Road, Phelan | (760) 868-3053
  • Rialto Branch Library, 251 West 1st Street, Rialto | (909) 356-2570
  • Yucaipa Branch Library, 12040 5th Street, Yucaipa | (909) 790-3146
  • Yucca Valley Branch Library, 57271 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley | (760) 228-3244

In support of the Countywide Vision’s Vision2Read literacy campaign, this program will help to improve literacy among children, by inspiring an excitement to read, providing a variety of reading materials, and a special incentive.

The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision, by contributing to educational, cultural, and historical development of our County community.

For more information on the San Bernardino County Library system, please visit http://www.sbclib/org/ or call (909) 387-2220.

Three Schools in San Bernardino County Recognized with AVID Advocacy Awards

SAN BERNARDINO — Three schools in San Bernardino County were awarded Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Teacher Advocacy Awards.

“I applaud the three AVID school site teams that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in serving our students, their schools and communities,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “They are making an incredible impact on the lives of students to ensure success throughout their educational journey.”

The AVID College Readiness System assists first-generation college-bound students and aims to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and beyond.

The Teacher Advocacy Award recognizes and supports outstanding California AVID teachers and site teams each year. This awards program encourages the implementation of AVID schoolwide and allows for sharing of best practices and professional learning by awardees. Each site is awarded $10,000 to be used to further AVID implementation at their schools.

The three schools awarded a 2022 AVID Teacher Advocacy Award are:

  • Piñon Hills Elementary, Snowline Joint Unified School District
    • Site team members include Dr. Shannon Avery, Georgina Coonce, Angela Stepp, Nicole Lain and Diane Johnston.
  • Vernon Middle School, Ontario-Montclair School District
    • Site team members include Kim Tovar, I-Esha Scott, Bradley Diamond, Kristen Schneyer, Gilbert Correa, Michelle Araneta, Belinda Chicon-Brown and Regina Kranzer.
  • Sequoia Middle School, Fontana Unified School District
    • Site team members include Christine Clark, Lisa Hayes, Antonio Viramontes, Ryan Murphy and Tammy Devries.

The sites were nominated by their district director at Riverside, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino (RIMS) AVID.

Each of these three sites has been a model for the RIMS AVID region. They were showcased to visitors from other area sites and used for trainings.

At the elementary level, AVID includes implementing schoolwide strategies where all students are deliberately taught the structures to help them continue to be successful throughout their school experience.

At the secondary level, AVID students are enrolled in an AVID elective class where they are given support to navigate their most rigorous classes as well as access to AVID schoolwide strategies for all teachers and students to utilize.

Both utilize a collection of instructional strategies associated with the AVID College Readiness System to teach students skills in the areas of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading (WICOR).

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.

Rep. Aguilar Highlights Efforts to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for Inland Empire Seniors

SAN BERNARDINO, CA —Rep. Pete Aguilar joined local seniors to highlight the passage of the historic Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower the price of prescription drugs and cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. He wasjoined by representatives of the AARP California, SEIU Local 2015 and the California Alliance for Retired Americans.

“After decades of fighting, Congress finally passed a bill to lower the costs of prescription drugs for millions of seniors across the country,” Rep. Aguilar said.

In addition to cutting the costs of prescription drugs, the Inflation Reduction Act will invest $369 billion in clean energy tax credits to address the climate crisis and reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030. The Inflation Reduction Act also contributes $300 billion towards paying down the national debt, which economists say will help cool inflation.

The bill is fully paid for by closing tax loopholes, increasing tax compliance for the wealthiest individuals, implementing an excise tax on stock buybacks, and creating a 15 percent corporate minimum tax. The Inflation Reduction Act creates no new taxes on families making less than $400,000 per year or any small businesses.

President Biden is expected to sign the Inflation Reduction Act into law this week.

High School Students Invited to Join First District Advisory Council

High school students — Would you like to get involved in the community, but don’t know where to start? Looking to improve your college application? Considering joining our First District Youth Advisory Council!

Members of the Youth Advisory Council will work directly with me and my staff on issues that directly impact the youth of San Bernardino County. Members will attend regular monthly meetings and get involved in local volunteer and community service activities. They may also have the opportunity to present to the County Board of Supervisors.

Each month we explore a different topic with an engaging guest speaker. Subjects have included teen mental health, crime and education. All First District high school students are invited to apply, providing they can attend the monthly in-person meetings at our Apple Valley office. Teachers are encouraged to spread the word to their students.

For more information, please contact Samuel Shoup at 760-995-8100 or email Samuel.Shoup@bos.sbcounty.gov.

Peer Support Training Gives Students Tools for Suicide Prevention

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS), in partnership with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), provided a week-long suicide prevention training for university students.

“We can reduce the number of students impacted by mental health challenges when we provide support, resources and the necessary tools needed to ensure the well-being of all our students,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “I am incredibly proud of our community, education and government partners for their dedication to supporting the overall social emotional health of our students.”

During the week of August 8, CSUSB students experienced in-depth training on suicide prevention, leadership skills development and knowledge about mental health challenges.

“I think the biggest talking point here is to be there for somebody,” said CSUSB graduate student Ulises Velasco. “If you notice somebody looking down, you can be that one person that gets them out of their bad day or bad moment or those suicidal thoughts by giving them an ear and by lending them a shoulder to cry on. Everybody is capable of being that support buddy for somebody.”

Students were equipped with the fundamental knowledge and tools necessary to provide support to their peers in times of crisis. They will continue year-round learning with quarterly check-ins to provide updates, program shakeouts and booster training.

At the completion of the week-long training, students gained the ability to recognize early signs and symptoms of someone in crisis and were able to connect individuals to appropriate resources and available supports.

“I am really proud to be part of this group…and I want to actually help people that are in need of help,” said CSUSB student Elizabeth Bagley. “Trainings like this brings hope to people.”

Students who are exploring career paths in the mental health and public service sectors had the opportunity to learn about workforce development.

SBCSS developed this peer support training with the help of two CSUSB psychology professors to address mental health and peer support in our communities.

This training is partly funded through SBCSS, and the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, Inland Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.

Come to the Library Luau at San Bernardino County Libraries

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino County Library invites residents to the library for a Library Luau. Enjoy a variety of fun-filled crafts, a balloon artist, face painter, a special character visit, and more.

This event is another opportunity to celebrate and support the Countywide Vision’s literacy campaign, Vision2Read. Visitors should bring their library cards, as every 15 items checked out during the event earns visitors a lei and an opportunity drawing ticket for a chance to win awesome prizes. All activities are free and open to all ages.

The San Bernardino County Library Luau Events will take place in the following locations:

  • 6 and 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. The Running Springs Branch Library at 2677 Whispering Pines in Running Springs.
  • 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. The Newton T. Bass Library at 14901 Dale Evans Parkway in Apple Valley.
  • 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. The Lewis Library & Technology Center at 8437 Sierra Avenue in Fontana.
  • 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. The Sam J. Racadio Library & Environmental Learning Center at 7863 Central Avenue in Highland.
  • 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. The James S. Thalman Library at 14020 City Center Drive in Chino Hills.
  • 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. The Hesperia Branch Library at 9650 7th Avenue in Hesperia.
  • 27 from 42:30 to 4 p.m. The Lake Arrowhead Branch Library at 27235 Highway 189 in Blue Jay.

Special Luau Themed Paint Night Programs will take place in the following locations:

  • 2 and 9 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The Running Springs Branch Library at 2677 Whispering Pines in Running Springs.
  • 20 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Rialto Branch Library at 251 West 1st Street in Rialto.
  • 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The Yucca Valley Branch Library at 57271 29 Palms Highway in Yucca Valley.

The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision by contributing to educational, cultural, and historical development of our County community.

For more information on the San Bernardino County library system, please visit http://www.sbclib.org/ or call (909) 387-2220.

County Schools Invites Parents to Join Free Family Engagement Summit

San Bernardino County’s 2022 Family and Community Engagement Summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. September 21st to 24th at Cal State San Bernardino.

This free event, which provides parental support for their children’s college and career readiness, includes Continental breakfast and lunch. Past events have included numerous guest speakers and educational resources.

Register here

Elections ‘22: Prop 26 and Prop 27 Are Dueling to Make Sports Gambling Legal

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Joseph Thomas, an avid sports fan in the San Fernando Valley, is stretching his texting fingers, anticipating the legalization of online sports gambling in the Golden State.

The retail sales manager enjoys playing fantasy football and wouldn’t mind wagering up to $100 a month on his favorite NFL team or players via the online gambling company FanDuel.

“It is something to do that could make watching the games more exciting,” Thomas said.

On Nov. 8, California voters have a choice between two ballot initiatives to legalize and tax sports betting: Prop 26 would allow in-person-only sports betting at Native American tribe operated casinos and at four horse racing tracks in the state, while Prop 27 would allow major sportsbooks operators to partner with tribes in California to offer sports betting to gamblers age 21 or older whether the bettor is on tribal lands or not.

Kathy Fairbanks, speaking for the Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming, a coalition of California Indian tribes and tribal organizations and state and community partners that are proponents of Prop 26, said winning the support of every potential voter, including Black Californians like Thomas, is their goal before the November Election.

“We are reaching out to everybody — we want the support of all voters in California — but the Black community is very important,” she said. “The way we will communicate with them throughout the campaign is similar to the way we communicate with all voters, but a little bit different.”

The Yes on 26 campaign is advertising in all mediums and utilizing direct mail to reach voters. It is urging the coalition’s organizations like the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California, the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Los Angeles Urban League to ask their members to mark “yes” for Prop 26 and “no” for Prop 27 on their ballots.

California-Hawaii State Conference NAACP spokesperson Kristine Yabumoto said in an email to California Black Media (CBM) that the civil rights organization endorses Prop 26.

On Aug. 3, the NAACP branch filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber in Sacramento Superior Court seeking to remove its name from a No on Proposition 26 opposition statement that would be printed in the state ballot pamphlet. According to the organization the quote from a Los Angeles NAACP member gives the impression the NAACP opposes Prop 26. The lawsuit says the quoted NAACP member, Minnie Hadley-Hempstead, believes she had been misled into giving the quote.

Conference NAACP President Rick Callender said his organization is proud to support Prop 26. He is disappointed that Prop 27 supporters and those opposing Prop 26 would try to use the NAACP’s name deceptively.

“We are suing to have these dishonest statements removed from the ballot arguments, so it does not mislead voters,” he said.

As of press time, the coalition supporting Prop 27, had not responded to CBM inquiries.

Prop 27 is backed by major gambling companies including Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment, and WynnBet. Tribes such as the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, and Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians also support the initiative.

The proposition imposes a 10% tax on adjusted gross gaming revenue. 85% of the taxes goes toward fighting California’s homeless and mental health challenges. Non-gaming tribes get the remaining 15% of tax revenue.

Leo Sisco, Chairman of the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, said Prop 27’s approval would give tribes the economic opportunity to fortify their future for generations and protect tribal sovereignty.

“It is the only measure that will deliver hundreds of millions of dollars each year to help solve homelessness and address mental health in California,” Sisco said.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles President and CEO Elise Buik said that California needs to think big if the homeless problem is going to be solved.

“It could provide hundreds of millions each year in funding for proven solutions that help people experiencing homelessness come off the streets and into housing with supportive services,” Buik said

Fairbanks said Prop 27 would have a negative impact on tribes and all of the state. She said online gambling companies have no effective way to prevent youth from using their apps or websites to place bets and that the proposition does not guarantee funding to tribes.

Over 50 Indian tribes oppose Prop 27 and are supporting Prop 26, which allows roulette and dice games at tribal casinos.

Fairbanks said Prop 26 extends the promise California voters made to tribes in 1998 when they authorized tribes to have gaming in the state.

“Tribes have been able to lift themselves out of poverty,” she said. “They’ve built casinos. They contribute annually to jobs, wages, and taxes in California. Proposition 26 will continue that and expand that by introducing in-person sports betting in a responsible manner.”

Tribal casinos annually employ over 150,000 Californians, generate $12.4 billion in wages, and have a $26.7 billion economic impact. They pay $5.1 billion in taxes and revenue sharing to federal, state, and local governments. Prop 26 will grow those figures, its supporters argue.

“Tribes will continue what they have been doing, which is sharing the prosperity,” Fairbanks said. “Sharing it with their tribal members; sharing it with their local communities; and sharing it through contracts tribes negotiate with the state.”

Fairbanks said polling Yes on 26 conducted suggests that voters are skeptical of online gambling and worry about underage gambling.

“Voters believe tribes have done a good job of being the only people in California, who can do Nevada-style gambling,” she said. “The casinos are well run and responsible. If you want to do sports gambling, look at Prop 26 as the more responsible vote. You can do it in-person to your heart’s content.”

 

‘The Mandela Act’ Aims to Set Clear Definition of Solitary Confinement in CA Prisons

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus and Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, has proposed legislation that would restrict prisons from holding people in solitary confinement, or all-day isolation for more than 15 consecutive days and no more than 45 days total, in a 6-month period.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2632, a.k.a ‘The California Mandela Act’, would prohibit the practice entirely for persons belonging to a “special population,” including pregnant women, persons with a developmental disability or a serious mental disorder, and individuals under 25 and over 60. It would also establish the procedures and reporting requirements for segregated confinement.

Last week, the Senate Appropriations committee sent AB 2632 to the suspense file.

Bills meeting the committee’s suspense threshold, i.e., the cost of a bill is determined to be $50,000 or more to the state’s General Fund or $150,000 or more to a special fund, are often placed on the suspense file after committee testimony is taken and not passed directly to the Senate for a vote. Instead, a vote-only suspense hearing will be held prior to the deadlines for fiscal committees to hear and report bills to the Senate Floor.

The bill will either move on to the Senate Floor for further consideration or be held in committee.

If the bill passes the Legislature, California would be the first state to ban the practice in private immigration facilities. Since 2017, 14 other states have limited or ceased the practice for certain groups.

“Rehabilitation is lost once you put someone in a solitary confinement setting,” said Holden in a press release. “Our constitution prohibits torture, and I believe that the use of prolonged solitary is wrong, both morally, and also with respect to the rehabilitation of individuals in jails and prisons.”

The bill is named after Nelson Mandela who was famously detained in solitary confinement for 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment in South Africa. In 2015, the United Nations also named its standards of imprisonment after Mandela and deemed any period of isolation beyond 15 days torture.

Opponents of AB 2632 argue that suspending solitary confinement would complicate housing decisions and lead to dangerous living conditions for detainees and staff.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports the bill would necessitate a one-time cost of $775 million to double the programming space at each institution and a one-time cost of up to $512 million to expand exercise yards by approximately 50%. CDCR also reported the increase in custody staffing required to implement the bill across its 31 institutions would cost about $200 million annually.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reports ongoing costs of about of $3.8 million would be incurred to establish 25 new permanent positions to assess CDCR facilities in accordance to AB 2632 and report the findings to the Legislature.

AB 2632 is estimated to add millions in operating costs to the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Department of Justice, and county jails.

However, a recent fiscal report titled “The Cost of Solitary Confinement: Why Ending Isolation in California Prisons Can Save Money and Save Lives” drafted by the Immigration Defense Advocates and Berkeley Underground Scholars highlights potential savings from implementing the Mandela Act. The report used figures from the 2016 state budget and cost estimates from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It predicts savings between $60 and $300 million, while impacting more than 150 facilities in the state.

“The Mandela Act builds on the decades of work done by detained individuals, activists and organizers to shed light on the darkness that is solitary confinement and allows for constructive alternatives. This bill promotes accountability, safety, and human decency and I hope others will see that too,” said Holden.