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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- VICTORVILLE, CA— Marine Corps veteran Quintin Sherard has been living on the streets of Victorville since 2015, the same year that the County of San Bernardino’s Board of Supervisors approved a strategy to reduce its population of homelessness veterans.

The Board then supported the formation of the Homeless Veteran Community Planning Group (HVCPG) – a group of local agencies that pooled skills and resources to find permanent homes and provide supportive services for 401 homeless military veterans identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as living in the county. Five months later, each of the identified veterans had homes. Yet others, beyond those 401 veterans still needed help.

With an effective network and system in place, the HVCPG continued to prioritize homeless veterans. As a result, Mr. Quintin Sherard is now the 1000th homeless veteran to receive a permanent housing in San Bernardino County.

“Today we celebrate a milestone that exemplifies the success we can achieve through partnerships with a collective and committed focus to house our county’s homeless population,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, who also chairs the county’s Interagency Council on Homelessness.

“I applaud our county’s leadership and Knowledge Education for Your Success (KEYS), U.S. Vets, and LightHouse Social Service Centers who have helped to create a proven network that has now housed our 1,000th homeless Veteran into permanent supportive housing. Thank you for bringing our honored warriors to a place they now call home.”

Mr. Sherard first enrolled in the U.S. VETS Supportive Services for Veterans Families program in 2017, yet while the network was trying to find him housing, he secured a job as a truck driver and fell off the radar. When his employment abruptly ended and Mr. Sherard again found himself sleeping on the streets he reconnected with U.S. VETS and is now being housed through the Permanent Supportive Housing Program.

“The County of San Bernardino in partnership with the community made a promise three years ago to prioritize homeless veterans for housing. As Mr. Sherard moves into his new home today as the 1000th veteran housed by this initiative, he represents the continuing fulfillment of that commitment,” said Philip Mangano, former federal homelessness czar now working with the County’s CEO Office to implement the veterans initiative.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On June 27, 2018 Governor Brown signed the 2018-2019 California State Budget that included $1,705,000 be allocated to the city of Rialto for vital service equipment and disability access improvements at their facilities. Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino) successfully advocated for the funds to be allocated for the city of Rialto, during the budget negotiation process.

“With these funds the city of Rialto can update their emergency equipment and bring their city facilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “Furthermore, these funds will ensure the city of Rialto has adequate emergency equipment in the event of a large-scale emergency.”

The city of Rialto will receive:

Rialto Mayor, Deborah Robertson, reacted to the line item in the California State budget, “The allocation identified in the Governor’s budget will greatly assist with our emergency management program and upgrades to our traffic management system and ultimate data center.  Rialto appreciates the working relations with our State Representative Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes and looks forward to deployment of the funds.”

Darren Goodman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— UPLAND, CA— A 27-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Captain of the Chino Hills Police Department has been selected as Upland’s new police chief following an extensive search.

Darren Goodman, 52, is a strong advocate of community policing, and using data, technology and community partnerships to address crime and quality of life issues.

“Chief Goodman is a nationally respected, results-oriented law enforcement professional. We’re thrilled to have him lead Upland’s outstanding police force, and further establish our community as a hallmark of fair, humane and effective policing,” said Mayor Debbie Stone.

Goodman will take command on July 16.

“I feel very fortunate to be here, and as the new chief coming in, I’m looking forward to getting to know our officers and the community,” Goodman said. “Law enforcement, and how safe people feel in their community, is critical to the success of a city. I also know we can’t do it alone. Business, economic development, education – we’re all in this together.”

Goodman began his law enforcement career in 1991 as a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy. He has worked in a variety of assignments, including corrections, patrol, narcotics, emergency operations, regional gang enforcement, fugitive apprehension and SWAT. In 2013, he assumed command of the Sheriff’s Regional Training Center.

In Chino Hills, Goodman led efforts to reduce gaps between police-specific services and other service providers dedicated to public safety, such as public works, code enforcement, mental health services, and homeless advocates.

Goodman holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California (USC) and has completed his doctoral studies at USC’s Rossier School of Education. In 2015, he graduated Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in State and Local Government. He is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security; a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Public Safety Leadership Program; and an adjunct-professor at California State University San Bernardino.

Goodman lives in Riverside, California, with his wife Shana, who is a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The couple have four children.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— MORENO VALLEY, CA— Knee-length white coats, a trusted symbol of healing and science, were presented to new resident physicians on Thursday, June 28, as they embarked upon their years-long journey of medical residency training at Riverside University Health System.

Wearing bright white coats, the 30 resident physicians heard from physician leaders who emphasized that the field of medicine is not a trade but a calling, one whose members are held to the highest standards of trust and professionalism.

“You have answered the calling,” Dr. Roger Garrison, associate program director of Graduate Medical Education 125-year-old public teaching hospital in Moreno Valley. “With that white coat comes great responsibility.”

Chief residents from each program offered heartfelt words of advice, urging the new cohorts to lean on one other and take care of one another throughout their journey. Dr. Kellie Morris, chief resident of the Anesthesiology program said no matter what field they had chosen, the newly minted doctors would undoubtedly face death and sickness.

“These experiences may be trying for your soul, but what I challenge each of you to remember is what else you will see—health, happiness, trust and life,” Morris said, sparking laughter by also urging them to “eat when you can, sleep when you can…and pee when you can.”

The new resident physicians are entering five different residency programs at the Moreno Valley-based teaching hospital, which annually sponsors a total of 116 resident physicians in Anesthesiology, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery. The programs vary in duration from three to seven years.

Annually, about 1,000 medical students and physician residents train at RUHS Medical Center through academic and graduate medical education affiliations with the schools of medicine at University of California Riverside, Loma Linda University and Western University.

New Riverside University Health System neurosurgery medical residents are flanked by program directors and, on the far right, Chuck Washington, chairman of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—RIVERSIDE, CA— The California Red Tails/Black Pilots of America hosted an Open House at the Riverside Municipal Airport on Saturday, June 23. The purpose of the open house was to refresh community awareness of the role and continuing involvement of Black pilots in the history of aviation in America.  

The event offered special guests and the community-at-large the opportunity to increase awareness of a range of aviation career fields, experience, education, training requirements and opportunities to network with private and commercial pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation mechanics.

Special guest of honor, Tuskegee Airman, Harlan Q Leonard, Lt Col., was present and consented to requests of persons honored to be photographed with him.

Omnitrans Director of Human Resources Suzanne Pfeiffer

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Suzanne Pfeiffer has joined Omnitrans as Director of Human Resources, bringing over 30 years of human resources experience in both the private and public sectors.  She fills a vacancy created by Marjorie Ewing, who is retiring after 19 years at Omnitrans.

Pfeiffer most recently served as Chief Human Resources Officer at C-TRAN, the public transit agency in Vancouver, Washington.  At Omnitrans, she will oversee a department of 11 employees and is responsible for the agency’s personnel policies, recruitment and training, benefits administration, labor relations and Workers’ Compensation management.

“I’m really excited to be here and look forward to continuing my career in transit at Omnitrans,” said Pfeiffer.

Prior to working in the transit industry, Pfeiffer held HR positions at Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, Antioch Unified School District, Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, and Attorney’s Title Insurance Fund, Inc.

Pfeiffer attained an MBA with an emphasis in HR from Columbia Southern University.  She earned a BA in Business Administration and Management with an emphasis in Personnel Administration from California State University – East Bay.  Her professional certifications include PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional) and CBP (Certified Benefits Professional).

Pfeiffer is also an adjunct professor for the College of Online and Continuing Education at Southern New Hampshire University teaching Human Resource and Organizational Development courses.

Pastor Owens

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA —- Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15, mark the First Pastor’s Anniversary Celebration for Dr. Michael Andrew Owens and Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church located at 1575 West 17th Street in San Bernardino.

Festivities commence Saturday, July 14 at 4 p.m., with a Musical and Ministries Tribute featuring the “Rays of Hope Combined Choirs” and Christian Arts Performances by youth in the areas of Mime and Liturgical Dance. On, Sunday, July 15, worship services with special guest ministers are scheduled for 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., culminating with a dinner and service at 4 p.m. in which Dr. J.W. Hardwick, President of the Western Baptist State Convention, will be the Keynote Speaker.

Dr. Owens’ tenure as the 29^th Pastor of this leading church in the City of San Bernardino, has been spirit-filled and energetic. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church is a civic minded, community-oriented, African American congregation with a historic legacy. Our ministry theme for 2018 is “Our Gifts for God’s Glory.” (1 Peter 4:10, 11). The entire community is invited to share in this celebration.

Dignitaries from around the country, state, and local officials will be on hand to participate and offer congratulatory remarks to our new Pastor for his leadership of this esteemed church.

“To God Be the Glory for the Things He Has Done” demonstrated by the early growth of the church under the ministry of Dr. Michael Andrew Owens.

If you would like more information, please contact the church office at (909) 887-2526 or email info@newhopembc.org.

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, June 16, at Anne Shirrells Park, the City of San Bernardino held its 4^thAnnual Juneteenth Freedom Festival.

Photo credit: John Coleman/Community Photographer 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes honored Jules Carvalho, Jr. as the 2018 Veteran of the Year for the 47th Assembly District today in the State Capitol.

Mr. Carvalho served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the “F” Company of the 5th Regimental Combat Team and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After his time in the military Mr. Carvalho joined the Military Order of the Purple Heart in 1968 and served in leadership roles ranging from Chapter Commander to the Department (State) Commander and as a National Junior and Senior Vice-Commander. He was named National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in 1986.

In addition to his service and leadership, he maintains memberships in various veteran organizations including: American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Carvalho’s primary interest is serving America’s combat wounded veterans with services and programs they need and so clearly deserve. 

In total, nineteen veterans were selected as finalists from throughout the community for the Veteran of the Year award which honors veterans of the 47^thAssembly District who have served our country, protected our freedoms and who continue to serve our community. “I congratulate Jules Carvalho, Jr. for his selection as the 2018 Veteran of the Year for the 47^th Assembly District. Jules served our country honorably during the Korean War and was seriously wounded on August 9, 1950. Jules was awarded the Purple Heart and has made it his life’s mission to help injured veterans. I’m proud to honor a good soldier, and a good friend,” said Assemblymember Reyes.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— PACIFIC OCEAN— Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Darion Payne, from San Bernardino, California, is selected as the Sailor of the Day aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is underway preparing for its next scheduled deployment.