(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA— Earlier this month, it was announced that the San Bernardino County Fire Department was being awarded $450,000 to purchase a new Type III Wildland Fire Engine. The decision to award the county fire department extra money to purchase the fire engine came from budget negotiations between Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino), the State Assembly and Governor Brown’s administration. 

The San Bernardino County Fire District, Serving the Cities of San Bernardino and Grand Terrace was in need to replace their aging Brush Engines. Brush Engines are first response units to San Bernardino and Grand Terrace as well as first response units to the State Responsibility Area’s (SRA) to protect life and infrastructure.

“We have seen a marked increase in the length as well as severity of our state’s fire season and our fire departments and first responders need to be equipped correctly and ready to respond at a moment’s notice,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “This Type III Fire Engine is one of the foundational pieces of our fire response infrastructure and ensures that our fire department can adequately respond when the need arises and that they can continue to serve the people of the 47^th Assembly District.”

San Bernardino, Grand Terrace and the surrounding cities and areas of the 47^th Assembly District are listed by Cal Fire as “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA (Local Response Areas)”. Brush engines or Type III Engines are specialized units that have a short wheel-base and high clearance to operate in off road Areas such as the Santa Ana River, Waterman Canyon, the wildland urban interface in Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and the SRA (State Responsibility Area’s). These units are also used in the states Master Mutual Aid Program.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA —- RIVERSIDE–Registration for the 20th annual Susan G. Komen Inland Empire Race for the Cure is under way at a reduced price of $25, but the discount ends July 13 and is the only one that will be offered.

The race is set for Sunday, October 14 at Town Square Park in Murrieta, marking the second year the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire affiliate will hold its race at that location. In recognition of the affiliate’s interest in establishing a long-term relationship with the City of Murrieta, the City Council voted this month to classify the race as a “signature event” and provide in-kind services.

The Council agreed to waive up to $5,000 in city permit fees, traffic and police assistance, set-up signage, marketing assistance and cleaning and trash pick-up as part of its partnership with Susan G. Komen Inland Empire.

“Not only is the City of Murrieta proud to host the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure for a second year, but we’re stepping up our support by making this a signature event,” said Mayor Jonathan Ingram. “Our City Council is committed to helping Susan G. Komen reach its goals, and I look forward to walking alongside many survivors on October 14.”

Sign ups for race registrants and teams are under way online at www.komenie.org, where donors also can make contributions. Registrants can call 951-676-7465 for help signing up. Last year’s event in the Murrieta Town Square drew about 3,000 attendees, included elected officials, breast cancer survivors and runners and walkers from across Southern California. The event raised nearly $320,000, and the goal this year is $500,000.

The affiliate keeps 75 percent of its net income in the community to help serve people in Riverside and San Bernardino counties; 25 percent goes toward the national Komen Grants Program, which funds breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

In Riverside and San Bernardino counties more than 2,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year.

Follow the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire affiliate on Facebook Susan G. Komen Inland Empire and or Twitter.

(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.

Kikkoman

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Kikkoman, an unsigned rap artist out of Orlando, Florida, is WHAT IT DO! So, check it out folks!

I was totally shocked when my mother’s auntie told me that my little wousin was an upcoming rapper based out of Orlando. I was like “Nah, really?” and they were like, “Really!” So, I looked Kikkoman and found it be the truth. My little cousin got bars for days. I’m so excited and happy that he’s pursuing his dreams.

Kikkoman will be performing this coming Friday, July 6, right here in San Bernardino at the Re-Up Festival. The event is featuring top artist such as: Chief Keef, Casey Veggies, Audio Push, Lil Debbie, Uno the Activist and many more. Tickets can be purchased online. Check out Kikkoman’s bio below:

Kikkoman is an Orlando raised rapper and song writer with a diverse style to reflect his diverse roots. This Black and Japanese artist has a unique sound that is able to enhance any generation of music, whether it be hip-hop, dirty south, dubstep, commercial or rock. With his lyrical flow and conscience soul, Kikkoman can turn any song into his own.

He was born in Missouri in the 90’s. Briefly living in California and growing up in Florida has made him a music lover on all levels. Listening to entertainers which include DJ Quick, 50 Cent, 2Pac, Biggie, Bone Thugs and various other influential rappers, they have inspired him to take it to the next level.

Kikkoman has developed his own flavor. He made sure to focus on mixing and mastering a unique sound that no one in the music industry contains by adding a different twist. Kikkoman’s voice, marketable look and a stage presence will have you out your seats. He is something this industry desperately needs. So, let’s give the people what they’re waiting for! Kikkoman is Orlando’s next big Star.

Until next week! #Lueproductions

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— It has been seven months since marijuana has become legalized in California, as well as a few other states. Since it has been legal many have been joyous, while others have still been skeptical and have continued to raise questions and concerns. This is why it is important to have forums to accommodate people into better understanding the science and benefits behind cannabis. 

On Wednesday, June 27 at WeWork Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, modern-day political voice, cultural and legal expert, Dr. Christopher Metzler, participated in a one-on-one “Politics of Cannabis” discussion with Black Hollywood Live Executive Producer, Derrial Christon. Throughout the question and answer session they chatted on the medical, recreational and statutory components of cannabis. 

“[Tonight] is going to be a really good event,” Christon states on what attendees were in for. “Obviously the cannabis industry is booming and growing in several different markets It’s a money maker so people are now realizing that they need to label it differently than how it has been looked at before.”

The event was presented by Wise Owl Media Group and Jade Umbrella, and was very well attended. Attendees were able to mingle and network with each other, as well as partaking in sampling of Cannabis and hemp-infused food and drink supplements. 

“The people that are the closet to me are people in my family,” Dr. Metzler explains on what inspired him to get into the cannabis industry. “When I see family and friends suffering from illnesses and I see medication that is given to them that is not really helping but making the situation worst, I then have to look at what is freely available and what are the alternatives. I’ve done that and so I’m very very passionate about this topic.” 

In addition to educating the guests about Cannabis, the founders of MelixMJ also introduced their DNA kit. The Cannabis DNA report tests how genes influence Cannabis on one’s health through a saliva collection kit. Based upon individual results, certain products may be better tolerated or more effective for specific conditions. Genes help to determine how our bodies process and rest on cannabinoids and terpenes (different compounds in cannabis). This test is revolutionary for prescription of the right strain and right dose for flower, concentrates, edibles, topical, and THC to CBD ratios based upon one’s unique genetic expression.

This is just the first of many events that Dr.Metzler plans on doing. He will be rolling out more sessions across the country to start educating people about the benefits, science and how people can become more involved in the industry. 

If you missed the Los Angeles event, you can check out the interview below:

Stay connected @DrChrisMetzler on Twitter/Facebook/Twitter.

(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.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— You harlot…. you are just as treacherous as Israel sister Judah who went and played the whore. [Jeremiah 3:8-10]. I tell you, you are an embarrassment to God and the church.  You have trangressed against the Lord your God and have scattered your charms to alien deties under every green tree… says the Lord. [Jeremiah 3:8-13].

Tell me, what was the sin that got Sodom and Gomarrah utterly destroyed? What was the sin that got David’s kingdom taken away? What was the sin that led to Samson getting his eyes gauged out, put into prison, and then death? Tell me, what was it? You see, Jesus said in [Matthew 5:27-30] that, “You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery; but I  [Jesus] says, that whosoever looks at a woman [man] with lust for her [him] has already committed adultery with them in their heart.

Listen, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out an cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. [Matthew 5:27-30; Matthew 8: 8-9].

Understand that your eternal destiny hangs in the balance of whether you fight lust or settle down and live in it. I tell you, only if you repent, and show you’re repentance by brokeness, is there any hope that God can change you from what you are to what he desires for you to be.

Return, backslider, says the Lord; I will not cause My anger to fall on you for I am merciful, says the Lord; I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity “… for this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” [Ephesians 5: 3-6].

I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. [Galatians 5:16-17].