What it do with Lue

By Lou Yeboah

Living between the Tik and the Tok! What’s wrong with you? What is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away. [James 4:13-17]. Listen, God’s offer is only guaranteed for today. [2 Corinthians 6:2] says, “Now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” God has given you the opportunity to give your life to Him in this era of human history, but if you neglect it, the Lord could come any day as a thief in the night, and it would be forever too late. Living between the Tik and the Tok. What’s wrong with you? Don’t wait until it’s too late!

[Hebrews 12:17] says of Esau, “For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” The awful story of the rich man and the poor man summarized in two words: TOO LATE! The rich man in hell did everything that the poor man did on earth; however, he did them simply TOO LATE! Wake up! The time is short! [Romans 13:11-14]. How much time is left? We don’t know. That is a mystery that God holds in His hand, and He will not tell us. But what he does tell us in [Romans 13:11-14] it’s later than you think. Time is passing quickly! I tell you; the hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over the day is almost here.” Living between the Tik and the Tok while the supreme Event of history is around the corner! Jesus is standing at the very threshold of returning again! Get it together before your Tik-Tok runs out!

Like the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the wise had oil in their lamps. They didn’t wait till the bridegroom was near to start preparing, they were always prepared, get it together, because I tell you, the last days are not coming, they are already here. Repent Now Before It Is Too Late! Christ is not going to wait forever. For He says in [Genesis 6:3], “My Spirit will not always strive with man.” God appeals to you today, seek ye the Lord. Seek Him while there is yet time, for when He stands up and the temple is filled with smoke, it’s too late. The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and you are not saved. [Jeremiah 8:20]. How tragic! Living between the Tik and Tok!

Listen, you may be like the men of Athens who said– “we will hear thee again of this matter” go away – [Acts 17:32]. You may be like Agrippa, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” – [Acts 26:28]. I want you to know that everyone will give an account to God, no one will escape. God spared not the angels, God spared not Sodom, God spared not the old world which was destroyed in Noah’s flood and God will not spare this current world. Be sure of this one thing, God’s wrath and judgment is coming to this world. They will say peace and safety, they will be going about business as per usual, they will be marrying and giving in marriage, they will be eating, drinking, and partying. They will know not until the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. Maybe you just think you can live your life how you want now and worry about where you’re heading later or negotiate it when you get there. Well make no mistake, the Bible is very clear that there comes a time when it is too late to be saved. [2 Corinthians 6:2]– For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. When God stops dealing with you, it’s over. For there is a time for every unbeliever when it is too late. And only God knows the time, it is not for me or any man to say. But I can only imagine the sheer terror of realizing I have refused God one too many times. I want you to know that in Daniel, Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall. Judgment had been declared. It was too late. That night Babylon fell, and Belshazzar was slain. The Bible records his trembling, his fear, his knees smote together in terror. He found no place of repentance, he found no mercy, he found no grace. God was done with him forever. In Genesis, when the angels came to Sodom, judgment had already been declared. Their fate was sealed. The angels came to save Lot and destroy the city. All the inhabitants were dead men walking even before the angels arrived in Sodom. Symbolically, they desperately groped for the door in the darkness, but like the handle to the door eluded them, so had the door to eternal life been slammed shut for eternity. They were in the mist of darkness forever.

We see the longsuffering of God in Genesis with the story of Noah. Noah preached repentance, he warned of coming judgment, he warned the people of impending doom, the invitation to be saved and avoid judgment was extended for many, many years. But one day, the offer was withdrawn. There came a day when God shut him in. It was over, even before the raindrops began to fall before the fountains of the deep were broken up before there was any sign of the impending deluge. One can only imagine the icy hand of terror which took hold of their hearts as the rain fell and the water exploded up from underneath. They would no doubt have been hammering on the door of the ark, pleading to be let in. Fingernails began desperately clawing at the door. Noah, Noah, let us in! Noah, Noah, we believe you now! The door was shut forever. Eternal darkness, eternal punishment, eternal wrath awaited even as they were scurrying for higher land. The water covered the earth, the only people who survived were those in the ark. There would have been many that realized that Noah was right, but too late.

Today, the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. [Revelation 22:17]. Leaving the Tik-Tok behind!

 

By Manny Otiko | IVN

Fontana Mayor Aquanetta Warren was recently featured on the CBS show “Undercover Boss.” The show features CEOs secretly working as entry-level jobs in their companies.

During the show, Warren donned a disguise and portrayed herself as a new transplant from Los Angeles. She worked alongside Fontana city workers in the sewer, fire, police and parks departments.

Warren was shown helping to unclog drains, picking up trash in city parks, going on a ride-along with a police officer and using a firehose.

During her adventures, Warren learned of some of the challenges the city was facing such as providing services to homeless people and the challenges facing parks workers who sometimes work in a dangerous environment.

She also learned about the personal stories of the workers such as the Black police officer, who joined the police department to make a difference, and the parks department employee who was challenged with dealing with trash left in the park including underwear and condoms.
Warren said she was moved by her experience.

“I have been touched by the stories,” she said. She also said the experience gave her a different perspective on the challenges that workers face.

At the end of the show, Warren rewarded some of the city workers she encountered with gifts such as a $10,000 donation to the Black police officer’s honeymoon and scholarships for his children.

“Undercover Boss” likes to feature heart-warming stories. But according to some comments on the city of Fontana’s Facebook page, some residents were more cynical about the experience.

“Did she go undercover at one of the many warehouses in Fontana, that offers no benefits and only hires through staff agencies?” said a Facebook poster named Karen Elizabeth.

By Craig DeLuz | Special to California Black Media Partners

In the wake of the horrific mass shooting that took place in Sacramento, California, over the last week, politicians and media pundits have rushed to their soapboxes to proclaim, once again, that guns are the root of all evil and the cause of the recent violent crime wave that has gripped our nation. They share with whomever will listen, their prognosis for ending crime as we know it.

“We need more ‘common sense’ gun laws,” they say.

But there are a number of underlying truths that they will dare not share with the public. Because if they do, it will become clear that they and their policies are not the solution. They are, in fact, the root of the problem.

Here are just a few of those truths they will not dare share:

We do not have a Gun Violence problem. We have a Violence problem

Guns have been a part of the American lexicon since the very beginning. For generations, society had a healthy relationship with the second amendment. Firearms were given their proper respect as tools to be used to feed one’s family, defend one’s home or fight for one’s liberty. It is only recent generations that have concluded that violence is an acceptable way to address the myriad of issues confronting them.  The firearm is not the cause of this. In fact, it is not even the weapon of choice.

While it is true that 77% of homicides in 2020 were committed with firearms, 92% of all violent crimes do not involve firearms. The overwhelming majority of violent offenses – including robberies, rapes and other sex crimes – almost always involve other weapons or no weapons at all. And there is no doubt that the number of instances of all these offenses are increasing.

Guns are no more the cause of this violence than cars are the cause of drunk driving.

Gun control does nothing to reduce crime in general, let alone violent crime

There is a popular saying amongst statisticians, “There are lies, damn lies and then there are statistics.” Politicians and the media have been using all three to push their false narrative about gun control laws. They would have you believe that studies support the idea that the best way to reduce violent crime is to pass more gun laws. But nothing could be further from the truth.

A 2020 study done as a part of the RAND Corporation’s Gun Policy in America initiative, revealed that of the 27,900 research publications on the effectiveness of gun control laws, only 123 (0.4%) were found to meet a base level of academic rigor. They also noted that the only reliable conclusion one could get from those 123 studies was that there is zero evidence that gun control laws have any effect of violence in general or gun violence specifically.

The recent increase in violent crime is directly linked to “Smart on Crime” (read soft-on-crime) policies

Violent crime was at an all-time high in the early 1990s fueled by gangs and the drug trade. This led to federal, state and local initiatives aimed at stemming the tide. Tough-on-crime initiatives were enacted that included, among other things, increased policing and mandatory minimums for a number of crimes.

Crime (especially violent crime) would go on the decline for the next 20-plus years.

Then in the 2010s, several states began instituting “Smart on Crime” policies that decriminalized a number of criminal offenses and let violent criminals out of prison. That wasn’t the intention of those who supported these policies. But that is, in fact, what happened.

Case in point: Back in 2018 Smiley Martin was sentenced to 10 years in prison for punching a girlfriend, dragging her from her home by her hair and whipping her with a belt. But, sadly, under California law, these are considered non-violent offenses, making Mr. Martin eligible for a reduced sentence under Proposition 57. So, instead of sitting in a jail cell serving the fifth year of a 10-year sentence, he was walking the streets of Sacramento with a modified automatic pistol.

This story is not the first. It is not even unique to Sacramento. Just a month earlier, three children and their chaperone were killed by their father who should have been in ICE custody. But under California’s Sanctuary State policy, David Mora Rojas, who was locked up for assaulting a highway patrol officer was released from police custody; set free to kill his children.

While the media and politicians deny the correlation and instead seek to blame guns; the increase in crime, especially violent crime, directly corresponds with the change in our criminal justice policies.

This is about race. But not in the way you think it is.

Gun control has always been about keeping “Those People” from being able to own firearms. Following the Civil War, southern states enacted ‘Black Codes’ making it illegal for newly freed slaves to own guns. In the 1870s, California would pass laws preventing the sale of firearms and ammunition to Native Americans (then referred to as Indians.) In the 1920s California acted again, prohibiting the sale of firearms to the “Chinese” or “Mexicans”. Then in the 1960s, California would pass the Mulford Act, eliminating the ability to openly carry loaded firearms in public as a way to disarm the Black Panther Party.

The truth is that the gun debate has always been rooted in racism. However, those who push these policies are the true victimizers.

Consider that the last gun case to be heard by the U. S. Supreme Court (McDonald v. Chicago) was brought by a Black man who simply wanted to be able to defend his home from the ravages of gang and drug violence. This underscores two very important, yet often overlooked truths:

• Policies that release habitual criminals into our neighborhoods lead to the victimization of people in those communities. These policies disproportionately impact people of color.

• Gun Control Laws only serve to restrict the ability of law-abiding citizens to own or possess firearms they may need to protect themselves and their loved ones. These laws also disproportionately affect people of color.

We are often told that young Black and Brown men are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. But it is rarely noted that young Black and Brown men are disproportionately the ones pulling the trigger. The sad fact is that people who seek to victimize others (Black, White, Latin, Asian, etc.) tend to go after people who look like them.

So, while it is noble to try and reduce the number of young Black men in our criminal justice system, we cannot ignore that in doing so, we have put Black men, women and children at risk of being their victims.

At the same time, we are limiting the ability of these very same folks to be able to defend themselves from the very danger we have put in their path.

To any objective observer, these truths are self-evident. Most of the media and political elite have proven themselves to be anything but objective observers. If we are to ever address the scourge of violence in our streets, it will only happen when we all come to grips with these and many other truths.

About the Author
Craig DeLuz is President of 2ANews Corporation and hosts a daily news and political talk show “The Rundown.”

By Lue Dowdy, LUE Productions

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. First 5 San Bernardino helps to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month at the ballpark by giving away 500 free tickets!

Grab the kiddos and join Children’s Fund for their 8th Annual, “Children are our future” Night at the ballpark! The evening will consist of free resources from several local community organizations, games, and other cool activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Visit the First 5 San Bernardino Facebook page to access the registration link or email Luecrita Dowdy, Community Engagement Specialist at LDOWDY@CFC.SBCOUNTY.GOV or call (909) 386-7706.

All tickets come with the following: entry to game, 1 hot dog or popcorn, and 1 soda or water.

Tickets are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Please register by Friday, April 15. There must be at least one family member who is age five (5) or under. Tickets are limited to five (5) per household. Tickets must be picked up on Monday, April 18 between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and/or 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets must be picked up on scheduled day and time.

Please report any abuse to the San Bernardino County Child and Family Services – Child Protective Services by calling (909) 384-9233 (In or Out of County/24 hours) or call 211. The address is 150 S. Lena Rd., #D San Bernardino, CA 92415.

 

By Antonio Ray Harvey| California Black Media

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) added another member to its roster last week.

Former Suisun City Mayor Lori D. Wilson, a Democrat, was sworn into office April 6 to represent the 11th Assembly District. Wilson won a special election following the resignation of former Assemblymember Jim Frazier, also a Democrat.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve our communities in the State Assembly,” Wilson said in a statement. “From constituents who need help with state services, to challenges like rising homelessness, climate change, and keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe, I promise to work every day to deliver results for our communities, and to be a relentless advocate for every person who lives in our district.”

Wilson was the lone candidate on the ballot for the special election. She will serve out the remainder of Frazier’s current term, which ends on Dec. 5, but she must clear another hurdle to continue serving voters in the 11th District, an area stretching from the Bay Area to the Sacramento Valley, covering East Bay cities like Antioch, Pittsburg, Fairfield and Walnut Grove.

Wilson is on the ballot in the Democratic primary election on June 7. The first Black female mayor to serve in Solano County, Wilson will run for re-election to serve a full, two-year term. She has one challenger for the seat.

“Lori Wilson is competent and capable. She has the knowledge and the skills to make a difference in the Legislature. Her integrity and consistency are her greatest assets,” said David C. Isom, Vice President, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.

Shortly after she was sworn into office last week at the State Capitol, a day after the special election, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) appointed Wilson as Assistant Majority Whip.

Rendon also appointed her to the Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, the Appropriations Committee, the Banking and Finance Committee, and the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.

K. Patrice Williams, a Solano County businesswoman, community leader and advocate said Wilson’s hard work on the campaign trail paid off.

“Today was epic in so many ways because of 26,293 votes in a special election,” she posted on Facebook. “Mayor Lori Wilson is now Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson. We sent Lori to the Capitol with people power. Congratulations to Lori and US!”

In Southern California, nonprofit director and businesswoman Tina Simone McKinnor, 58, and Lawndale Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles, 55, will face off in a run-off special election in June for the vacant 62nd District Assembly seat.

Both Black Democratic candidates, Mckinnor and Pullen-Miles were the top-two finishers in the special primary held on April 5, 2022, to replace former Assemblymember Autumn Burke, who resigned in February.

As of April 8, McKinnor was leading with 11,190 votes (39%) to Pullen-Miles’ 9,918 votes (35%). Nico Ruderman and Angie Reyes, both Democrats, trailed with 3,781 (13%) and 3,765 (13%) votes, respectively.

The CLBC currently has 11 members, including Wilson. The other members are Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), chair; vice chair Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles); and Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove), Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) and Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles).

 

By Wallace J. Allen IV and C. Dixon

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- About 150 enthusiastic residents attended a Mayoral Candidate forum on April 11, 2022 at the Woodward Leadership Academy Campus, located on Baseline Ave. in the middle of San Bernardino’s 6th Ward. Of the (7) seven candidates running for office there were (5) five in attendance. Incumbent John Valdivia, Henry Nickel, James Penmen, Dr. Treasure Ortiz and Helen Tran. (Missing were Mohammad Khan and Gabriel Jarimilo)

The forum, moderated by Channing Hawkins, Esq. maxed out seating capacity leaving standing room only for a group of concerned citizens eager to hear and meet the candidates. The candidates were presented with a list of questions prior to the forum as well as questions generated at the event by the very vocal, but polite attendees… However, there were two notable short examples of emotional outbursts… One from past 6th Ward councilman Rikki Van Johnson and the other from the sitting 6th Ward councilwoman Kimberly Calvin. Both incidents were quickly and politely handled by the moderator, Channing Hawkins.

The Northwest Project Area Committee hosted the very smooth moving event, that lasted about two hours as planned. “We are happy with what we think was a successful event for our concerned voters”, said Charlene Dixon, the Chair of the organization.

The NWPAC team provided the community guests with water and chips as they left with a better understanding of who each candidate is and what they need to make an informed choice at the ballot box on June 7, 2022.

 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Four distinguished young men were presented to society on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the beautiful campus of California State University. The 55th Annual Beautillion Ball was no disappointment to a packed house of spectators as each young man was introduced along with their courts. Elegance, excitement, and suspense were thick in the air as the Knights and their courts performed dances with precession for their guests.

The Keynote speaker was Dr. Anthony Blacksher, faculty chair of sociology at San Bernardino Valley College with concentration in Africana Studies. He is the son of late Anthony and Lisa Blacksher, where he spoke truth, life and history into the young men as well as shared his spoken word through his poetry.

The evening concluded with the swearing in of our newest Sir Knight Kuzari Jelani Akinlana Osonduagwuike was dubbed Sir Knight, receiving over $10,000.00 in scholarships and awards for the prestigious title. Additionally, Kuzari received $6,000.00 for the Social Lites, Inc., Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leadership Memorial Award, and $1,500.00 for the Lisa Blacksher-Owens Memorial Award. Cumulatively, Sir Knight Kuzari was awarded over $18,000.00 and received countless gifts for college expenses to allow him to pursue his dream to become a Documentary Producer for the big screen.

Syrano Ware and Talmadges Hughes lll were both awarded 1st Runner – ups with receiving $2,000.00 each, MacBook laptops and accessories. Syrano Ware also won the Social Lites, Inc., Lisa Blacksher-Owens Social-Lites Memorial Awarded of over $1,500.00, in addition to other gifts of his choosing for his college education.

Talmadges Hughes lll was awarded 1st Runner up receiving an additional $1,000.00 for the Social Lites, Inc., Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leadership Award, and $500.00 for the Social Lites, Inc., Lisa Blacksher-Owens Social-Lites Memorial Award, in addition to other gifts of his choosing for college expenses.

Freddie Fletcher received over $1,000.00 for the Alumni Award and the Social Lites, Inc., Lisa Blacksher-Owens Memorial Award. Each young man received a host of Resolutions and Proclamations by local mayors and dignitaries.

As we conclude our ceremonial event, our work is NOT over. With your help, we are seeking our next black and brown young men to set on the path toward higher levels through their education. The Social Lites program is a non-profit (501c3) program that created the Beautillion Program. It was started in the Inland Empire out of concern for the future and survival of the young black and brown men in the community in which they live and serve. This program is designed to help young men who are seniors in high school prepare for college through the solicitation of ads, leadership development, accountability, responsibility, etiquette, attire for all occasions, spiritual growth, public speaking, and community service.

If you know any boys or young men 6 yrs old to 1st year in college who aspire to improve with their educational aspirations. Please reach out to us so that we can bring them into the program. If you would like to donate to our cause, we appreciate all contributions. To date, we have we have given out approximately 2.5 million dollars in scholarships to our college bound young men.

For more information, please call chairperson, Sheri Lewis at (909) 320-0799 or co-chairperson, Elsie Paulino (951) 205-8823 or publicity chairperson, Marlene Davis at (909) 709-5502.

 

Senate has confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Jackson was confirmed 53-47. Three Republican senators — Mitt Romney (Utah), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Susan Collins (Maine) — joined all 48 Democrats and two independents in voting to confirm Jackson to the nation’s highest court.

Jackson, 51, will become the Supreme Court’s 116th justice and the first Black woman ever to sit on its bench.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the nation’s first woman, first Black person, and first Asian American to hold that office, presided over the historic vote.

“In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, never has a Black woman held the title of justice,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a speech before the vote. “Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first, and I believe the first of more to come.”

Jackson watched the vote unfold with President Joe Biden at the White House.

Jackson will take her seat when Justice Stephen Breyer retires this summer. She will be the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, and the sixth woman.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The Sacramento Police Department (Sac PD) has made two arrests in the mass shooting that happened in the early hours of April 3 in downtown Sacramento.

Brothers, Dandrae Martin, 26, and Smiley Martin, 27, are in SAC PD custody.

Dandre Martin was booked Monday for felony assault and illegal firearm possession charges, according to Sac PD. Charges against Smiley Martin, who was hospitalized after sustaining injuries during the shooting, are for possession of a firearm by a prohibitive person and possession of machine gun.

According to public records, the younger Martin has an outstanding arrest warrant in Riverside County for violating two terms of his probation related to a domestic violence arrest in 2014.

His older brother, Smiley Martin, was granted early release last year from a 10-year prison sentence for domestic violence and assault with great bodily harm — despite opposition from Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert.

Schubert said Martin assaulted his girlfriend who he had been “encouraging” and “assisting” to work as prostitute.

“He located her hiding in her bedroom closet and hit her repeatedly with a closed fist on the face, head, and body, causing visible injuries,” Schubert wrote in a letter opposing Martin’s release. “He then dragged her out of the home by her hair to an awaiting car. After he put her in the car, he assaulted her with a belt.”

Six people died from the shooting. The 12 wounded individuals who survived the incident suffer from minor to critical gunshot wounds. They are all in stable condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

“We want to thank the community for the overwhelming assistance that has been provided. To date, we have received over 100 videos and/or photo files provided through the community evidence portal. We continue to encourage the community to use the community evidence portal to directly provide the department with photos and videos,” Sac PD said in a statement Apr. 4

As the investigation progressed, Sac PD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and other detectives served search warrants at three residences in an area that has yet to be disclosed. At least one handgun reportedly related to the shooting has been recovered.

The shootings that have made headlines across the state and around the world happened in an area near the California State Capitol known for its restaurants and bars, a popular after-work hangout for politicians, staffers and other government workers.

Around 2:00 a.m., Sac PD officers responded to the sounds of shots fired in the busy part of downtown around 10th and K Streets, four blocks east of the Golden 1 Center where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play. Over 100 rounds were reportedly fired into a crowd.

The deceased are Sergio Harris, 38; Melinda Davis, 57; Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21; Johntaya Alexander, 21; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and 29-year-old DeVazia Turner.

Stevante Clark, a Sacramento activist, told California Black Media two victims, Harris and Turner, were related.

Clark said he was with Harris’s wife Leticia Harris when a Sac PD Captain, at Clark’s insistence, told her about her husband’s death. Clark said Mrs. Harris was “out there all (Sunday) morning,” trying to get information.

“This is so sad. It breaks my heart” Clark said. “This is community violence.”

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office will be “reviewing all related evidence in this investigation” to determine appropriate charges, the Sac PD stated.

On the afternoon of Apr. 3, Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester said a “stolen handgun” was recovered at the scene. Sac PD stated after the arrests that the weapon had been “inspected and found to have been converted” to a gun “capable of automatic gunfire.”

Sunday’s mass shooting is the second in Sacramento in under two months. On Feb. 28, five people were shot and killed after a man opened fire at a church in the state’s capital. The man shot and killed his three children and a man who was with them before taking his own life.

No link has been established between the mass shooting and organized crime, but gang activity has been on the rise in Sacramento.

In November 2021, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the results of a multiagency investigation into Sacramento-based criminal street gang activity that resulted in a number of arrests.

Gangs in the area are allegedly responsible for a series of violent crimes, including homicides. A total of 26 individuals were arrested, and more than 125 firearms were seized by state agents.

Most of the firearms confiscated were assault weapons, including “ghost guns.”

Ghost guns are un-serialized and untraceable firearms that can be purchased online and assembled. They are often sold through “ghost gun kits.”

Lester did not provide details of the stolen handgun used in Sacramento’s most recent shooting, but the SAC PD chief said a semi-automatic, high-velocity weapon was used.

“What happened is the biggest and most recent example of what we all know,” Lester said at a news conference hours after the deadliest shooting in the city’s history. “Gun violence is truly a crisis in our community, and it has increased not only here in Sacramento but across the nation.”

Do you have a special talent you’d like to share with the community? The San Bernardino County Fair is seeking competitive entries for categories including fine arts, wood carving, photography, ceramics, cooking, and much more! Deadline to apply is April 15. The fair will run May 28-June 5 at the Fairgrounds in Victorville. Learn more and apply here.