Ontario News Press_5/12/2025

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Toni Atkins to receive Harvey Milk award in Palm Springs

Worker falls during construction at UC Riverside, requiring rescue

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MONDAY, MAY 12- MAY 18, 2025

NO. 223

VOL. 9,

San Bernardino County previews 2025–26 recommended budget

Pretrial proceedings start for ex-mayor, developer accused in bribery scheme

By Staff

By City News Service

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na budget workshop Tuesday, San Bernardino County executives briefed the Board of Supervisors and public on risks, long-term strategy and other points of fiscal concern. County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke and Chief Financial Officer Matthew Erickson also spoke about five-year financial forecasts and proposed general fund investments amid the current climate of market volatility, uncertainty surrounding future state and federal funding and the risk of natural disasters such as wildfires. According to a county statement, Snoke and financial managers are using a “measured, stability-first approach” as they craft a spending plan with the challenge of funding essential services while attempting to maintain the flexibility needed to respond during times of financial uncertainty. “We’re focused on striking the right balance — using funding wisely while still investing in areas where growth makes sense,” Snoke said in a statement. “Our goal is to maintain, and ideally strengthen, essential services like public safety, human services, and parks and recreation, without stretching resources that could be vital if unexpected challenges arise.” As a buffer against

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retrial motions continued Wednesday ahead of jury selection for the trial of one-time Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and a real estate developer, stemming from an alleged scheme to buy off the mayor to ensure his support for the businessman’s projects. Pougnet, 62, and John Elroy Wessman, 86, were criminally charged for the first time in 2017. They were indicted by a Riverside County grand jury two years later, along with Coachella Valley real estate developer Richard Hugh Meaney, 59. All the felony charges against Meaney were later dismissed. However, he pleaded guilty to a reinstated misdemeanor count of financial conflict in a government contract. Meaney is free on bond and is slated for sentencing in June. On Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Samuel Diaz ruled on motions from the prosecution and defense, one of which concerned the process of seating a jury. Both sides agreed

San Bernardino County supervisors discuss the 2025-26 budget. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County

possible future funding curtailments and economic uncertainty, officials are considering adding an additional $74 million to the county’s reserve fund. The proposed move targets “flexible spending areas” such as upgrades to city facilities or infrastructure that can be paused if revenues decline or more pressing needs come up, officials said. Snoke and Erickson’s five-year forecast projects conservative 3% growth in property tax revenue in the upcoming fiscal year, well below the 10-year average of 6.7%. The forecast also predicts flat sales tax revenues, “prompting restraint in new program

development.” The forecast includes “strategic investments” that include $208 million to support county employee salaries through 2030, up to $55.7 million for services such as foster care and in-home supportive services for disabled and elderly residents and $8.7 million set aside for possible impacts on jails related to Proposition 36, which stiffens penalties on property and drug crimes. “There are many uncertainties right now, but we’ve positioned ourselves to be financially strong as an organization,” Erickson said in a statement. “That See Budget Page 27

strength comes not just from our current fiscal strategy, but from years of careful planning and guidance from the Board of Supervisors.” A $2.1 million proposed outlay aims to address illegal cannabis grows, snow play violations and illegal dumping. For 2025–26, the proposed budget calls for $205.2 million in general fund investments, including $15.6 million in ongoing spending for new departmental initiatives and one-time payouts for infrastructure, land use services and facility repairs and upgrades. “From an infrastructure

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Real ID era begins; travelers urged to arrive early for airport security By City News Service

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he long-awaited Real ID requirement took effect at airports across the country Wednesday, but while authorities urged passengers to anticipate some security-screening delays and arrive early for their flights, there were no reports of any excessively long lines or impacts at Los Angeles International Airport. Jason Pantages, the Transportation Security Admin-

istration federal security director at LAX, told reporters Wednesday morning there had been “no operational impacts” at the airport caused by the requirement being implemented. “No excessive wait times,” Pantages said. “We’re continuing to educate the public that moving forward if you’re going to travel on an aircraft throughout the United States, you have to

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