San Bernardino Press_7/3/2025 by Beacon Media News

San Bernardino County destinations to celebrate Fourth of July Pg 02

July 03-July 09, 2025

Wildfires burning in Riverside County scorch over 3,100 acres

By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com

Twoactivewildfires in Riverside County on Wednesday have burned more than 3,100 acres, threatening thousands of structures and prompting evacuations.

The Wolf Fire in Banning grew to 2,414 acres by Tuesday morning, with firefighters achieving 40% containment, according to Cal Fire. The fire started Sunday just after 3 p.m. near Old Banning Idyllwild Road and Wolfskill Truck Trail.

Road closures and evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect for an area south of the 10 Freeway and east of State Route 79.

"Cooler temperatures and higher humidity (Monday) night allowed firefighters to secure the majority of Highway 243 and the

southern part of the fire that was threatening our forest,"

San Bernardino National Forest officials reported Tuesday.

Crews were contending with "steep, rugged terrain," according to the Riverside County Fire Department, which is affiliated with the state agency Cal Fire.

"Firefighters worked hard reinforcing current containment lines," Cal Fire reported Tuesday night. "Despite the steep and rocky terrain, the ongoing efforts of ground forces lead to increased containment.

Unburned pockets of vegetation inside the perimeter continue to burn, producing some smoke. The anticipated weather changes will make favorable conditions for ground forces improving and extending containment lines throughout

Kristi

Personnel fighting the blaze totaled 1,098 Wednesday morning, with 31 crews, 100 engines, 9 dozers and 15 water tenders, according to Cal Fire.

An evacuation shelter was established at Hemet High School, 41701 Stetson Ave., and a shelter for animals is at the county's San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave.

Three firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

No structures were damaged as of Wednesday morning, but 4,261 were threatened, Cal Fire reported.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Juniper Fire

The Juniper fire in Mead Valley had consumed 755 acres as of Wednesday morning, with containment

Noem secretly took a cut of political donations

By Justin Elliott, Joshua Kaplan and Alex Mierjeski, ProPublica

In 2023, while Kristi Noem was governor of South Dakota, she supplemented her income by secretly accepting a cut of the money she raised for a nonprofit that promotes her political career, tax records show. In what experts described as a highly unusual arrangement, the nonprofit routed funds to a personal company of Noem’s that had recently been established in Delaware. The payment totaled $80,000 that year, a significant boost to her roughly $130,000

government salary. Since the nonprofit is a so-called dark money group — one that’s not required to disclose the names of its donors — the original source of the money remains unknown. Noem then failed to disclose the $80,000 payment to the public. After President Donald Trump selected Noem to be his secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, she had to release a detailed accounting of her assets and sources of income from

called a likely violation of federal ethics requirements.

Experts told ProPublica it was troubling that Noem was personally taking money that came from political donors. In a filing, the group, a nonprofit called American Resolve Policy Fund, described the $80,000 as a payment for fundraising. The organization said Noem had brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

jumping from 30% to 95% from Tuesday, officials said. All evacuation warnings and orders were lifted.

The blaze damaged several rural structures after starting around 11:20 a.m. Monday south of Ann Way and Juniper Road.

Numerous engine and hand crews from Riverside County, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other agencies Tuesday were battling the fire that was moving at a moderate rate in light brush to the southeast, according to Cal Fire. Crews managed to stop the fire's forward progress and begin establishing containment lines.

"Firefighters worked throughout (Monday) night

See Wildfires Page 12

There is nothing remarkable about a politician raising money for nonprofits and other groups that promote their campaigns or agendas. What’s unusual, experts said, is for a politician to keep some of the money for themselves.

“If donors to these nonprofits are not just holding the keys to an elected official’s political future but also literally providing them with their income,

the night." Numerous air tankers

from throughout the state flew firefighting missions.

Wolf Fire flames engulf a hillside near Banning on Sunday evening. | Photo courtesy of @RandomNetNerd/X

Then Governor of South Dakota Kristi Noem speaking with attendees at The People’s Convention at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan. | Photo by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0

San Bernardino County destinations to celebrate Fourth of July

San Bernardino County has a variety of fun and safe options for you to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Celebrate with a fireworks show or visit a regional park for family-friendly activities.

Celebrate Independence Day at Regional Parks

San Bernardino County Regional Parks will be open on the Fourth of July. New park hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Park amenities include hiking trails, lakes, picnic shelters, tables with barbecue grills, playgrounds, splash pads, pool complexes and open spaces for group activities. Leashed pets are welcome. Regional Parks can be found at Calico, Cucamonga-Guasti, Glen Helen, Mojave Narrows, Mojave River Forks, Prado or Yucaipa. Park admission is $20 per vehicle and free for those camping. Camping reservations can be made online at www. sbcountyparks.com.

Lake Gregory’s 5th

By Staff

Annual Fireworks Extravaganza Show and Private Viewing Party

Join Lake Gregory for

its 5th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza Show on Saturday at 9 p.m. The show is free to attend,

but parking is $20 at the South Lot and San Moritz Lot (cash only). Pack your blankets and find a spot to watch the show.

If you’re looking for an extra special experience, Lake Gregory will host its 5th Annual Private Viewing Party just before the 9 p.m. Fireworks Extravaganza Show. The private viewing party includes reserved seating for the fireworks show, dinner, live music and a free raffle ticket for giveaway prizes.

Parking is limited and available on a first come, first served basis in the North Shore Lot. Drinks are also available for purchase. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the Fireworks Extravaganza Show starts at 9 p.m. General admission tickets are $75 per person. Children under the age of three are free.

The fireworks show will be held at 24171 Lake Drive in Crestline. For more information on both the free and ticketed event, visit https:// www.lakegregory.com/ events.

Indio police rescue teen who fell in canal while rescuing dog

By City News Service

Officersfromthe Indio Police Department rescued an 18year-old man Saturday who fell in a canal while trying to rescue his dog.

Officers responded to a report of a possible drowning around 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the canal near the intersection of Golf Center Parkway and Avenue 42. The initial call reported that a child may have fallen into the canal, but upon arrival officers located the 18-yearold man submerged in the water.

One of the responding officers immediately

entered the canal and pulled the unresponsive teen to the surface. The officer began administering chest compressions and the man eventually regained consciousness and became alert, police said.

Officers learned that the victim had fallen into the canal while trying to rescue his German Shepherd, who had also fallen in. Cal Fire personnel responded to the scene and successfully rescued the dog, who appeared alert and uninjured, according to Indio police.

The teen was taken

Indio police help an 18-year-old man out of a canal Saturday near the intersection of Golf Center Parkway and Avenue 42. | Photo courtesy of the Indio Police Departmtent/Facebook

Last year’s fireworks show in Lake Arrowhead. | Photo by Dave Card of Highland / San Bernardino County

States fear critical funding from FEMA may be drying up

By Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica

Upheaval at the nation’s top disaster agency is raising anxiety among state and local emergency managers — and leaving major questions about the whereabouts of billions of federal dollars it pays out to them.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency still has not opened applications for an enormous suite of grants, including ones that many states rely on to pay for basic emergency management operations. Some states pass on much of that money to their most rural, low-income counties to ensure they have an emergency manager on the payroll.

FEMA has blown through the mid-May statutory deadline to start the grants’ application process, according to the National Emergency Management Association, with no word about why or what that might indicate. The delay appears to have little precedent.

“There’s no transparency on why it’s not happening,” said Michael A. Coen Jr., who served as FEMA’s chief of staff under former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

FEMA’s system of grants is complex and multifaceted and helps communities prepare for and respond to everything from terrorist attacks to natural disasters.

In April, the agency abruptly rescinded a different grant program that county and local governments were expecting to help them reduce natural hazard risks moving forward. The clawback of money included hundreds of millions already pledged. FEMA also quietly withdrew a notice for states to apply for $600 million in flood mitigation grants.

On top of that, on June 11, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secre-

tary Kristi Noem began requiring that she review all FEMA grants above $100,000. That could slow its vast multibillion grants apparatus to a crawl, current and former FEMA employees said.

FEMA did not answer ProPublica’s questions about the missed application deadline or the impact of funding cuts and delays, instead responding with a statement from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin that Noem is focused on bringing accountability to FEMA’s spending by “rooting out waste, fraud, abuse, and working to ensure only grants that really help Americans in time of need are approved.”

The memo announcing the change arrived the day after President Donald Trump said he wants to begin dismantling FEMA at the close of hurricane season this fall.

All of this has left states — some of which rely on the federal government for the vast majority of their emergency management funding — in a difficult position. While Trump has sharply criticized FEMA’s performance delivering aid after disasters strike, he has said almost nothing about the future of its grant programs.

“It’s a huge concern,” said Lynn Budd, president of the National Emergency Management Association and director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, which houses emergency management. The state agency gets more than 90% of its operating budget from federal funds, especially FEMA grants. “The uncertainty makes it very difficult,” she said.

In North Carolina, a state hit hard by a recent natural disaster, federal

grants make up 82% of its emergency management agency’s budget.

North Carolina Emergency Management leaders are pressing state lawmakers to provide it with “funding that will sustain the agency and its core functions” and cut its reliance on federal grant funding, an agency spokesperson said.

A forced weaning off of federal dollars could have an outsize impact in North Carolina and the other states that pass on much of their FEMA grants to county and local agencies. Many rural counties have modest tax bases and are already stretched thin.

In May, ProPublica published a story detailing the horrors of Hurricane Helene’s impact on one of those counties, Yancey. Home to 19,000 people, it suffered the largest per capita loss of life and damage to property in the storm. Jeff Howell, its emergency manager, was operating with only a part-time employee and said that for years he had been asking the county commission for more help. It wasn’t until after the storm that county commissioners agreed with the need.

“They realized how big a job it is,” said Howell, who has since retired.

But even large metropolitan counties rely on the grants. The hold upin opening the grant applications concerns Robert Wike Graham, deputy director of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management, which serves an area of 1.2 million people and is home to a nuclear power plant. The training and preparation FEMA grants help the agency pay for are critical to keeping the community safe in the face of a nuclear catastrophe.

Yet Graham said he has resorted to scouring social media posts and news reports for bits of clues about the grants — and the future of FEMA itself.

“We’re all having to be like, hey, what have you heard? What do you know? What’s going on? Nobody knows,” Graham said.

Trump is on his second acting FEMA administrator in five months, and the director who coordinates national disaster response turned in his resignation letter June 11. More than a dozen senior leaders, including the agency’s chief counsel, have left or

been fired, along with an unknown mass of its fulltime workers.

“Every emergency manager I know is screaming, ‘You’re screwing the system up.’ We’ve all been calling for reform,” Graham said. “But it’s too much, too fast.

Vulnerable to Political Shifts

Shortly after President Jimmy Carter created FEMA in 1979 to centralize federal disaster management, the agency began to dole out grants to help communities grappling with large-scale destruction. Over the years, its grants ballooned, especially after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, when huge new programs helped states harden security against this alarming new threat.

Today, FEMA operates roughly a dozen preparedness grant programs. Among other things, the money serves as a financial carrot to ensure that even spending-averse and tax-strapped states and counties employ emergency managers who help communities prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Former FEMA leaders

said states have been largely content to sit back and let the feds pay up. As a result, they said, the grants have created a system of dependence that leaves emergency managers vulnerable to ever-shifting national priorities and, at the moment, a president set on dismantling the agency.

Across the country, the percentage of state emergency management agencies’ budgets paid by federal funding ranges from zero to 99.4%, a 2024 National Emergency Management Association report says. A spokesperson declined to provide a stateby-state breakdown, so ProPublica canvassed a few. Wyoming tops 90%. Texas’ agency gets about three-quarters of its operational budget from federal funding. Virginia gets roughly 70%. South Carolina comes in around 61% federal funding for dayto-day operations. Most state emergency managers agree that their states need to depend less on the federal government for their funding, “but there’s got to be some glide path or timeline where we can all work toward the

This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

Members of the LAFD FEMA CA-Task Force 1 Swift Water Team assisted in the rescue efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. | Photo by LAFD CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

RETIRED COUPLE HAS

Buys T.D.s and Buys/Lends on Partial Interests

OVER 40 YEARS OF FAST FUNDING

goal,” Budd said.

Some states would need upwards of a decade to prepare for such a seismic shift, especially those like Wyoming that budget every other year, she added. Its Legislature is in the middle of budget negotiations for fiscal year 2027-28.

If emergency managers instead are scrambling, “the effects that we’re going to see down the line is a lack of preparedness, a lack of coordination, training and partnerships being built,” Budd said. “We’re not going to be able to respond as well.”

A key reason states have become so dependent on FEMA grants despite the risk of national political upheaval is that state legislatures and local elected leaders haven’t always prioritized paying for emergency management themselves despite its critical role. With FEMA’s grants, they haven’t had to.

W. Craig Fugate has seen reluctance to wean off FEMA grants from all levels of government. He served as FEMA administrator under Obama and, before that, as head of Florida’s emergency management division under then-Govs. Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist.

“My experience tells me locals will not step up unless they are dealing with a catastrophe,” Fugate said.

Because most of the preparedness grants require no match from state or local governments, he said, it strips away any motivation for them to do so — especially with other pressing needs vying for those dollars.

“The real question is how much of this is actually critical and

should be the responsibility of local governments to fund?” Fugate said. “Neither local governments nor states have been very forward in funding beyond the minimums to match federal dollars.”

Small-Town North Carolina

After Hurricane Helene, North Carolina’s Emergency Management agency commissioned a report that pointedly criticized the state’s “over-reliance on federal grants to fund basic operations.” Only about 16.5% of the state agency’s budget comes from state appropriations.

The report noted that this reliance had led to an inadequate investment by the state in its emergency management staffing and infrastructure.

A staff shortage at the agency “severely compromised the state’s response to Hurricane Helene.” Among other things, a lack of staff hampered the State Emergency Response Team’s ability to maintain a 24-hour operation that was supposed to support local and county officials who were overwhelmed by the massive storm.

North Carolina state Rep. Mark Pless, the Republican co-chair of the House Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery Committee, said the state’s conservative spending and $3.6 billion in reserves have “afforded us the ability to fund ourselves for preparedness” if FEMA suddenly yanks its grants.

But Democratic Rep. Robert Reives, the House minority leader, worried that any financial flexibility would dry up if planned and potential tax cuts in

the years ahead create a budget shortfall, as some have predicted.

In mostly rural Washington County, along North Carolina’s hurricane-prone coast, Lance Swindell is a one-man emergency management office. His county, home to 11,000 people, lacks a big tax base.

Like other emergency managers across the state, Swindell said he supports cutting FEMA red tape and waste, but “grant funding is a major funding source just to keep the lights on.”

One of the grants in the FEMA program that blew past its deadline for opening applications pays half of his salary. That grant can fund core local operations such as staffing, training and equipment. It is critical to local emergency management offices: Almost 82% of counties across the country report tapping into it.

Cuts to this particular grant under the Biden administration already reduced what North Carolina gets — and therefore what gets passed down the governmental food chain to people like Swindell. North Carolina was allocated $8.5 million in fiscal year 2024, down from $10.6 million two years earlier.

Looking ahead, Swindell is still waiting for the applications to open while wondering if FEMA will more drastically slash the grants — and, if so, whether his county could find the money to continue paying his full-time salary.

Mollie Simon contributed research.

Republishedwith Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Los Angeles

Duarte

Duarte celebrating summer with events all season

From Concerts in the Park to beloved annual events, it's time for summer fun in Duarte. The season kicks off with the 6th Annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Show on Thursday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Get to Upper Baseball Fields at Duarte Sports Park early to stake out the perfect spot for watching the fireworks and enjoy food trucks and vendors, live musical entertainment by Latin Soul Band, a beer garden, a variety of other vendor booths, and a family play area featuring mechanical rides, inflatables, and lawn games. The gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the Fireworks Show starts at 9 p.m. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 357-7931. You can find a full list of city events and event information on the Duarte Community Calendar at accessduarte. com/community/residents/ city-facilities-rentals/citycalendar.

Monrovia

Monrovia to celebrate July 4 with fireworks show

The City of Monrovia's renowned 4th of July Concert and Fireworks Show is scheduled to take place on Friday in Library Park. The event will feature live entertainment from Blue Breeze Band beginning at 7 p.m. Following the concert, a free 20-minute fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. Monrovia Public Library will be closed Thursday and Friday. Operations will return to normal Saturday. The Friday Night Street Fair & Market will be closed Friday. Old Town businesses will be open. Free parking will be available in the area. Spectators may reserve space in the park beginning at 6 a.m. The space reserved can be a maximum of 10-by-10 feet, which must be supervised at all times.

Long Beach

LA28 announces finalized sailing venue plan for 2028 Olympics

The Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28) announced Monday the finalized sailing venue plan for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. Sailing events will take place along the Belmont Shore coast in Long Beach as well as the Port of Los Angeles. The Olympic sport of sailing includes 10 medal events among Men’s, Women’s and mixed teams. For the 2028 Games, sailing events will be shared between Long Beach and the host city of Los Angeles. Long Beach’s Belmont Shore will stage four board events: Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing and Men’s and Women’s Kite. Meanwhile the Port of Los Angeles will host six boat events: Men’s and Women’s Dinghy, Men’s and Women’s Skiff, Mixed Dinghy and Mixed Multihull.

Pasadena

Caltech to host storytelling, reflection night following Eaton Fire

This summer, the community is invited to gather for Mariposa Night, a free, hour-long storytelling event produced by Leadership Pasadena, created in response to the devastating Eaton Fire. Held at Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium on Saturday, July 12, from 7 to 8 p.m., the free event will offer space for reflection, healing, and connection among those most impacted. Before the forum begins, attendees are invited to a pre-show gathering on the Beckman Lawn beginning at 5:30 p.m. The outdoor event will feature Altadenabased food trucks, live performances by local musicians, and informational tables hosted by Pasadena/Altadena organizations. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit https://www. caltech.edu/campus-lifeevents/calendar/maripo-

REGIONALS

sa-night or contact Kitty Cahalan at kcahalan@ caltech.edu.

Orange County

Self-proclaimed skinhead convicted for threatening pregnant Black woman in Fullerton

Tyson Theodore Mayfield, a third-strike self-proclaimed skinhead with a history of violence and committing hate crimes, was convicted June 23 of criminal threats and a hate crime for chasing an 8-month pregnant black woman from a Fullerton bus stop and threatening to kill her unborn child while hurling racist epithets at the woman. He now faces a maximum sentence of 38-years-to-life. On Sept. 17, 2018, Mayfield approached a pregnant black woman sitting on a bus bench in Fullerton and yelled racial slurs at her. The defendant clenched his fists and repeatedly threatened to make the victim “drop” her unborn baby. Jane Doe feared for her safety and pepper sprayed Mayfield. The defendant stole the victim’s backpack and walked away. Jane Doe contacted the Fullerton Police Department (FPD) who investigated this case but were not initially able to locate Mayfield. The victim returned to the bus bench and Mayfield approached her again, threatened to harm her, and used racial slurs. The defendant chased Jane Doe into a nearby café, where she remained until FPD located and arrested Mayfield. The defendant has multiple tattoos of symbols associated with white supremacy.

Riverside County

City of Riverside

Riverside to host aerial fireworks show

Celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks display on July 4 at 9 p.m. at La Sierra Park (5215 La Sierra Ave.) or Mt Rubidoux (Mt Rubidoux Dr. at 9th St.). Admission will be free.

Corona

series kicks off July 7

The City of Corona is bringing back Movies in the Park, a series of outdoor screenings designed for the whole family. Throughout the summer, Promenade, Ridgeline, Stagecoach, and Spyglass Parks will transform into open-air cinemas, offering a movie experience under the stars. The series kicks off next week from July 7 to July 11 with “Transformers One.” Admission is free. For more information, visit coronaca.gov/news/moviesin-the-park-a-summer-offamily-fun-under-the-stars or call (951) 736-2241.

San Bernardino County

Equestrian Center hosts Children’s Equine Education Day

The Prado Equestrian Center is hosting a unique experience for kids ages 12 and under to spend a day on the ranch learning all about horses on July 13. Kids will have a chance to learn how to groom, feed and interact with a horse. Children will also

get to paint their own horseshoe to take home as well as a certificate of completion. A session is $35 for two hours. The Prado Park Equestrian Center is located inside Prado Regional Park. The Equestrian Center’s entrance is located at 16629 Johnson Ave., Chino. To reserve your spot, email pradoequestriancenter@gmail.com or visit their website at pradoequestrian.com.

Come ‘Chill with Us This Summer’ at the San Bernardino County Museum

This summer, beat the heat at the San Bernardino County Museum with activities and sweet frozen treats. Highlights include hands-on STEAM lab art activities, Cart talk Saturdays, picnic lunches and lawn games. The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student),

and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under are admitted free. Museum members receive a 50% admission discount. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to people with disabilities.

Corona Movies in the Park

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Shrub

A520071

Meet Shrub, a one-year-old French Bulldog at Pasadena Humane with a big personality and a stout, little body. He's goofy, affectionate and loves greeting everyone with his signature wiggly enthusiasm. He enjoys car rides, walks in the park, and sniffing everything in sight. He knows a few basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” loves treats, and is as playful as he is energetic. Shrub would do best in a home with low foot traffic, no other pets, and older children. He’s a lively, loving pup who needs a little guidance, consistency, and someone who understands how to manage his excitement. If you're ready to give Shrub the structure, fun, and affection he craves, he’ll reward you with loyalty, laughter, and a whole lot of love. Come meet this strong, silly sweetheart and consider making Shrub your new bestie

Petey A521603

Sweet Petey is a gentle, 12-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier at Pasadena Humane with a heart full of love and a personality that wins everyone over. He is affectionate, perfectly polite, and the kind of companion who is content with lounging on a nice bed or taking a leisurely walk by your side. He also knows basic commands and walks beautifully on a leash. Despite a little age-related stiffness, he’s a happy, resilient guy who enjoys good company and never lets anything dull his spirit. Petey’s ideal home is one where he can bask in the cozy comforts of his golden years. He's calm in crowded spaces, generally unfazed by other dogs, and housetrained. He'll quietly keep you company and when you’re not around, he’s a perfect gentleman – no barking, no chewing – just waiting patiently for your return. If you’re looking for a quiet, loving soul to share your home with, come meet Petey at Pasadena Humane. He's ready to bring warmth, loyalty, and a whole lot of love into your life.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines. Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

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Monrovia

June 18

At 2:51 a.m., an officer patrolling the 100 block of West Pomona saw a suspicious subject walking near a business after hours. The officer made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed the subject was in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

At 8:16 a.m., a caller in the 700 block of Oakglade reported a found backpack and mail scattered throughout the street. This investigation is continuing.

At 8:32 a.m., a resident walked into the MPD lobby to report his wooden flag had been vandalized. This investigation is continuing.

At 11 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Huntington regarding a male subject inside of a vehicle possibly in possession of a gun. Officers arrived, but the vehicle was gone. An investigation revealed a female subject was battered at a different location and ran to the restaurant after he threatened to kill her. This investigation is continuing.

At 2:23 p.m., a victim walked into the MPD lobby to report a domestic violence incident. The victim and the suspect were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

At 3:44 p.m., a theft was reported in the 1600 block of South Mountain. Officers arrived and made contact with a female subject. A computer check revealed she had warrants for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.

At 5:48 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of West Central reported a subject was attempting to gain entry into a garage. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. An investigation revealed the subject was not trying to gain access to the garage, but he was

found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and a computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

At 8:16 p.m., a domestic violence incident was reported in the 1700 block of Pilgrim Way. Officers arrived and made contact with the subjects. Both subjects had visible injuries. One of the subjects claimed the injuries were caused by a pet and the other subject claimed it was caused by the other female. That second subject was arrested and taken into custody.

At 8:26 p.m., a female subject walked into the MPD lobby to turn herself in on an outstanding warrant. A computer search confirmed the warrant. She was arrested, cited and released at the scene.

June 19

At 6:49 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of North Canyon requested a welfare check on a subject in an alley. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject. A computer check revealed the subject had warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

June 20

At 12:51 a.m., an officer patrolling the 1600 block of South Myrtle saw a subject in a park after hours and made contact with the subject. A computer check revealed he had four warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

At 1:13 a.m., while patrolling the 1600 block of South Myrtle officers saw a subject in a park after hours. A computer check revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.

At 1:56 a.m., an officer patrolling the 100 block of East El Norte was alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area. The vehicle was located with a large number of cats inside. PHS responded

BLOTTERS

to take custody of the cats. This investigation is continuing.

At 3:32 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 1300 block of South Shamrock. Officers arrived and learned that a bicyclist collided with a vehicle and sustained severe injuries. The bicyclist was determined to have been under the influence. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.

At 9:37 p.m., an officer patrolling the 700 block of West Huntington observed a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot. The officer made contact with the occupant of the vehicle and discovered the occupant was in possession of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

At 11:46 p.m., while patrolling the 300 block of West Huntington an officer contacted a subject who displayed symptoms of intoxication. It was determined he was unable to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

June 21

At 2:14 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Myrtle and Maple conducted a traffic stop on two bicyclists for vehicle code violations. A computer search revealed both subjects had outstanding warrants. They were arrested and taken into custody.

At 8:59 a.m., while patrolling the 300 block of South Myrtle officers made contact with a male subject. An investigation revealed he was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.

At 12:35 p.m., an employee at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington reported a theft that occurred on June 20. This investigation is continuing.

At 1:34 p.m., multiple callers reported a fight in progress in the 300 block

of South Myrtle. Officers arrived and made contact with two subjects, one of whom was intoxicated. The intoxicated male went to the hospital and was issued a citation at the scene. The other was arrested and later released from the jail with a citation.

At 8:46 p.m., officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 200 block of West Central. Multiple callers reported an argument between a male and female. Officers arrived and made contact with both subjects. An investigation revealed the male subject battered the female subject. He was arrested and taken into custody.

At 10:29 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Huntington and Shamrock. Officers arrived and made contact with the victim. An investigation revealed the suspect vehicle fled the scene. This investigation is continuing.

June 22

At 8:30 a.m., a victim in the 700 block of West Huntington reported equipment was stolen from his parked vehicle. This investigation is continuing.

At 12:56 p.m., a caller in the 100 block of North Magnolia reported receiving multiple calls from a subject restrained from contacting her. This investigation is continuing.

At 4:34 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 600 block of West Foothill. Officers arrived and discovered a solo driver collided into multiple parked vehicles. The driver was transported to a hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

June 23

At 7:49 a.m., while patrolling the area of Mountain and Evergreen an officer saw a vehicle in violation of vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. A computer check revealed the driver had a suspended license and a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and

taken into custody.

At 8:53 a.m., a resident in the 100 block of North Lincoln called to report his catalytic converter stolen. This investigation is continuing.

At 2:48 p.m., a loss prevention officer from a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain reported a grand theft that occurred on June 19. This investigation is continuing.

At 3:08 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Peck and Spanner. Officers arrived and made contact with the parties involved. One of the parties involved complained of pain and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

At 8:02 p.m., a caller in the 500 block of Myrtle reported a theft. This investigation is continuing.

At 10:57 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Mountain and Royal Oaks saw a vehicle in violation of a vehicle code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. A computer check revealed she had a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Arcadia

June 15

At approximately 12:51 p.m., an officer responded to Albertson’s, located at 298 E. Live Oak Ave., regarding a petty theft report. The officer determined an unidentified female stole various items before fleeing in a black Nissan Altima. The suspect fled eastbound on Live Oak Avenue.

June 16

At approximately 12:59 a.m., an officer responded to 24 Hour Fitness, located at 125 N. First Ave., regarding a vehicle burglary report. Sometime between 11:45 p.m. and 12:59 a.m., someone forced open the victim’s vehicle by unknown means and stole a wallet. The stolen credit cards were then used to complete fraudulent purchases.

June 17

At approximately 6:50 a.m., an officer responded to Hair Etc., located at 400 S. First Ave., regarding a commercial burglary. The officer discovered the front glass door had been smashed and the business had been ransacked. The loss is unknown.

June 18

At approximately 12:14 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 500 block of West Palm Drive regarding a residential burglary report. An investigation revealed two suspects smashed an upstairs window and ransacked the master bedroom. The suspects are described as two males, both with medium builds, wearing safety vests and carrying bags. The investigation is ongoing.

June 19

At approximately 2:15 p.m., an officer responded to Dynamic Active, located at 440 E. Huntington Drive, regarding a commercial burglary report. The officer discovered an unidentified suspect entered the business by unknown means and stole watches, electronics, and cash.

June 20

At approximately 12:10 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of West Las Flores Avenue regarding a burglary report. Sometime between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., unknown suspect(s) smashed a rear sliding glass door and unplugged the security cameras. No loss was reported but the bedrooms were ransacked. The investigation is ongoing.

June 21

At approximately 8:03 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 800 block of West Duarte Road regarding a mail theft incident. An investigation revealed someone pried open the community mailbox and fled with stolen mail. The crime happened between June 20 at 6 p.m. and June 21 at 7:19 p.m.

ICE condemns new app that tracks agents in real time

By City News Service

U.S. Immigration and CustomsEnforce-

ment officials Monday condemned a newly introduced iPhone app that lets users anonymously report sightings of ICE activity in real time, warning it puts officers in danger.

The app, called ICEBlock, is modeled after Waze but for immigration enforcement. It allows users to pinpoint ICE locations on a map, add details about what they witnessed and send push alerts to others within a five-mile radius.

"In recent years, ICE has faced criticism for alleged civil rights abuses and failures to adhere to constitutional principles and due process, making it

crucial for communities to stay informed about its operations," according to a statement on the app's website.

Posts are deleted after four hours, and users can only report once every five minutes within their area to prevent spam, according to the website. Its slogan reads, "See something, tap something."

ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons called the app dangerous.

"Advertising an app that basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers' backs is sickening," he said in a statement. "My officers and agents are already facing a 500% increase in assaults."

Developer Joshua Aaron described ICEBlock as a

grassroots initiative to keep communities informed about ICE activity.

"When I saw what was going on in this country, I just really felt like I had to do something," he said in an interview with Time, referring to immigration enforcement raids following President Donald Trump's return to the White House. "The app is to inform, not obstruct. This is to have people avoid having that confrontation in the first place."

ICEBlock, which became available to iPhone users in April, is currently available only on iOS devices and, according to its website, stores no personal data, making it impossible to trace reports back to indi-

vidual users.

Trump's latest immigration crackdown sparked mass protests in Los Angeles, where he deployed the California National Guard and later the Marines without Gov. Gavin Newsom's consent. A court ultimately ruled Trump could keep control of the National Guard in the city.

At 3:19 p.m., a resident walked into the MPD lobby to report fraudulent activity on her credit report. This investigation is continuing.

At 11:30 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of Bradbury reported several subjects walking around checking doors and stole a package from a front porch. The subjects were gone prior to officers’ arrival.

OPINION

Monrovia Old Town report: ‘You’re welcome.’ – Thomas Jefferson

By Shawn Spencer shawn@girlfridaysolutions.net

People say we have plenty of coffee in Monrovia, but I am here to announce that soon, we will have another café. We all loved Sunday’s Old Town Bistro, but they decided to close up shop. Moving into their space at 520 S. Myrtle is Republik Coffee. They currently have a location in Pasadena and Burbank, so they must be doing something right. Their online menu shows the usual suspects as far as coffee goes. They also have breakfast burritos, tuna melts, French toast,

truffle mushroom brie toast, paninis, croissant sandwiches, avocado toast, bagel and lox and more. To give you an idea on the price point, a latte is $6.46, a breakfast burrito is $15.95, and their avocado toast is $17.32. The pictures of the plates look delish. You can see for yourself at republikcoffee.com. No update yet on an opening date, but the remodel seems to be progressing quickly. Welcome to Monrovia, Republik. Tomorrow is the 4th of July. Cue the flags, hot dogs, fun summer parties and fire-

works. Back in 1776, America gained its independence from the British Empire. Almost 250 years later, the day has become a display of patriotism and pride in our country. There is no better display than the one we have in Old Town. If you do not have plans, stop by Library Park for the patriotic party of the year. The live music begins at 7 p.m. and the firework extravaganza starts at 9 p.m. The crowds are expected to be big, so get there early to get a space. It’s a lot of fun and it never fails to get me a

wee bit choked up. Our city does an excellent job, and they go all out to make sure this extravaganza is just that — extravagant!

I was incredibly happy to go to the grand reopening of Canyon Park last week. What a spectacular job. Five years and approximately $24 million later, and we have a gorgeous park. You can see and feel the difference as soon as your tire hits the road into the park. Some of the enhancements include the picnic areas with charcoal-only BBQs, there is

a meditation platform and educational amphitheater, and a lookout area with viewfinders. The restrooms have been renovated, as was the nature center, Samson statue, greenhouse and so so much more. It is absolutely beautiful, and I cannot wait to spend time there. Canyon Park is now open to the public. Be mindful that on weekends, you need to have a free reservation, which you can make at cityofmonroviarecreation.org/CourseActivities.

Just a reminder that there

is no Friday Night Street Fair. However, our Saturday Farmer’s Market at Station Square will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get there early to beat the heat. But definitely go and support the wonderful vendors we have onsite. The Friday Night fair will be back on July 11. Wishing you all a safe and happy 4th of July. Enjoy time with family and friends. Our country might not agree on everything, but we are all blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. God Bless America!

| Image courtesy of ICEBlock via Apple App Store

UCI poll: Californians think state is on wrong track

By City News Service

Californians feel the state is on the wrong track by a two-toone margin, with both President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom unpopular, but with the governor regaining support in his clashes over Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, according to a UC Irvine poll released Wednesday.

"We're in a period where Californians are not happy about a lot of things, the state of the nation, the state of the state or their elected leaders," said Jon Gould, dean of UC Irvine's school of social ecology.

The poll also showed that former Vice President Kamala Harris is the most popular choice for governor to succeed the termed-out Newsom in 2026.

The pollsters conducted three separate surveys with two in the last week of May and another in the first week of June and then a follow-up during the last week of June.

The dissatisfaction with the state's direction varies according to partisan and demographic differences.

Among all Californians, 30% think the state is on the right track with 46% of Democrats agreeing with that assessment and only 18% of Republicans believing so. Among independents, 22% feel California is headed in the right direction.

The poll found that 60% of Californians put the state on the wrong track, including 46% of Democrats, 79% of Republicans and 64% of independents.

When broken down by ethnicity, 30% of whites believe the state is on the right track, 49% of Blacks, 22% of Latinos and 27% of Asians or other backgrounds. For age groups, the breakdown is 34% for Gen Z, 27% for Millennials, 28% for Gen X, 33% for Baby Boomers and 57% for the Silent Generation.

The biggest issue for

Californians is affordable housing, Gould said.

"They don't feel it's been adequately addressed," Gould said. "Democrats and independents are much more concerned about that than Republicans, which is an interesting phenomenon for Republicans who are not going to win in this state if they're not addressing housing affordability."

Since Orange County is among three of the most "purple" counties in the country in terms of split partisanship, the poll results can be seen as a view of the potential national mood, Gould said.

"What's happening in Orange County really becomes, I think, an example for the rest of the country and what happens when the left and right live next to each other and have to figure out ways to at least interact," Gould said. Last year, a school survey of Orange County found that "half of the residents over the last four years contemplated leaving the county despite (the fact that) 80% like living here," Gould said. "Above 70% said it was the cost of housing and the cost of living and nothing else came even close. ... Among home-

owners, 20% were worried about being foreclosed on in the next two years. Half of the renters were worried about being tossed out."

For Republicans, the dominant issue is law enforcement and crime "even though we're at a period where crime is relatively low," Gould said.

"The only issue on which we found Republicans and Democrats shared a similar perspective is no one prioritized road and bridge maintenance," Gould said. "That was not a high priority for anybody."

According to the poll report, "When asked about funding priorities for the state, 70% of Californians named housing. Indeed, 33% listed it as the top priority, mentioned almost twice as often as the next highest priority, health care."

The poll showed significant partisan differences in priorities. Republicans seem out of step with other Californians in their lower prioritization of housing and higher ranking of regulation relief, just as Democrats are outliers in their higher prioritization of health care and education and lower rank for law enforcement and public

The survey showed Trump is deeply unpopular in the state by more than a two-to-one ratio, which was the same "level of disapproval that was recorded before the federal government's involvement in Los Angeles and continues virtually unchanged since then. ... The only group that supported Mr. Trump was Republicans, where three-quarters of respondents gave the president their approval, although only 39% strongly approved of him."

Trump does best with whites and voters with a high school education or less at 41% and 42% respectively, according to the report.

Overall, 33% of Californians approve of him, and 64% disapprove, according to the report.

Among men, Trump's approval was at 39%, 28% for women, 41% for whites, 24% for Blacks, 30% for Latinos and 28% for Asians and others.

For Gen Z (those 29 and younger), his disapproval was 70%, 60% for Millennials, 61% for Gen X, 64% for Boomers and 69% for the Silent Generation.

For Newsom, residents

were "souring" on the governor in late spring, but the clash with Trump has boosted him.

"The overall point is that more people are feeling more favorable to Newsom since the dust-up between Trump and Newsom," Gould said.

In late May and early June, Newsom's approval rating was nearly as bad as Trump's, according to the report. Fifty-five percent of the state disapproved of him with nearly one-third saying they strongly disapproved.

During that period, 65% of Democrats and 52% of Blacks approved of him and residents older than 80 were "evenly split" on Newsom, according to the report.

Newsom is seeing a lift from Democrats and independents since his verbal battles with Trump over the illegal immigration crackdowns.

As for the race to succeed Newsom, while Harris has a commanding lead, many voters don't know who they would like to support.

A year ahead of the primary election, 40% of Californians are unsure of their choice for governor, according to the report.

The poll shows "there is no other candidate currently within striking distance. Indeed, the vice president even tops (former Rep.) Katie Porter in Orange County," where Porter served before an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate.

"When presented a binary choice between Harris and an unnamed Republican, 41% chose Harris, 29% the Republican, 16% were undecided, and 14% said they would not vote," according to the report. "Vice President Harris maintains an 11% net favorability rating among Californians, the highest of candidates tested. Many respondents had never heard of several candidates, including those who have run statewide before."

Harris had the support of 24% of respondents, with businessman Rick Caruso next at 9%, Porter at 6%, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Mayor Antonio Villaraigoso at 4% and former Attorney General and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and GOP activist Kyle Langford at 2%. The poll found that 40% of voters were undecided on the next governor's race.

Among Democrats, Harris has 49% against Porter's 11% with the rest in single digits. Among Republicans, Caruso led with 27%, followed by Bianco at 10% and Harris at just 3% with 38% undecided.

Among independents, 52% were undecided with 13% supporting Harris and Caruso the nearest competitor at 8%.

"As we look to the next governor at this moment, Vice President Harris is a strong favorite," Gould said. "It may be just as much as she has great name recognition."

safety, according to Gould.

From left, President Donald Trump, Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris. | Photos courtesy of UC Irvine

San Gabriel City Notices

Public Notice: City Of San Gabriel Notice of Public Hearing Before the Planning Commission

You are invited to participate in a public hearing before the City’s Planning Commission. Members of the public may submit public comments by U.S. Mail addressed to Community Development Department, Attn: Public Hearing Comment, 425 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776, which must be received by the hearing date, or electronically using the online public comment form at http://sangabrielcity.com/PlanningComment, by 5:00 p.m. of the hearing date to be considered by the Planning Commission. The meeting will be broadcast on the City of San Gabriel’s YouTube channel at the link shown below:

Hearing Date: Monday, July 14, 2025 TIME: 6:30 p.m.

Location Of Hearing: Council Chambers located on the second floor of San Gabriel City Hall (425 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776) The meeting can be viewed live at: https://www. youtube.com/CityofSanGabriel

Project Address: 222 Winchester Place, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Project Description: The application, Project No. CUP23-015 is a request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a church in an existing commercial building. The project site is zoned C-1 (Retail Commercial).

Questions: For additional information or to review the application, please contact Marlon Cervantes, Associate Planner at (626) 3082806 ext. 4631 or mcervantes@sgch.org

Environmental Review: The project was reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, per Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 (Existing Facilities).

Project Address: 735 East Valley Boulevard, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Project Description: The application, Project No. CUP25-008 is a request to allow an arcade business, “Kawaii Klaws,” within the existing commercial building. The project site is located within the Valley Boulevard Specific Plan area, in the MU/T (Mixed-Use Transit Oriented Development) zone.

Questions: For additional information or to review the application, please contact Christine Song, Senior Planner at (626) 308-2806 ext. 4625 or csong@sgch.org

Project Address: 132 West Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Project Description: The application, Project No. CUP25-007 is a request for an amendment to Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 24007 to allow in-house auto repair to an existing used auto dealership business. The project site is zoned C-1 (Retail Commercial). Questions: For additional information or to review the application, please contact Christine Song, Senior Planner at (626) 308-2806 ext. 4625 or csong@sgch.org

Per Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge the nature of this proposed action in court, you may be limited to only raising those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Division at or prior to the public hearing.

SAN GABRIEL PLANNING COMMISSION

By Samantha Tewasart, Acting Community Development Director

Publish July 3, 2025

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-08

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONROVIA, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51179

RECITALS

WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 51179(a), the City is required to designate, by ordinance, Moderate, High, and

Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in its jurisdiction, within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Government Code Section 51178; and

WHEREAS, in March, 2025, the State Fire Marshal updated and established Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for Los Angeles County, California, including the City of Monrovia, and published a map showing those zones ("Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map"). The City has reviewed the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map and staff did not recommend including any additional territory in any zone; and

WHEREAS, on or about March 24, 2025, information concerning the State Fire Marshal's recommendation for the designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones was made available for public review and comment; and

WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Ordinance have occurred;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONROVIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

1. The facts set forth in the Recitals of this Ordinance are true and correct.

2. The City Council hereby designates the Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones as designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in the map , attached as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference, pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.

3. Exhibit A is hereby approved by the City Council and entitled “City of Monrovia Fire Hazard Severity Zones Dated March 24, 2025”.

4. Any and all provisions in any previously adopted City ordinances designating Fire Severity Zones within the City of Monrovia's jurisdiction are superseded by the provisions of this Ordinance.

5. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance, shall cause same to be published pursuant to state law, and shall post the notices required by Government Code Section 51179(g).

6. The Fire Chief or his designee shall transmit a copy of this Ordinance to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of adoption, pursuant to Government Code Section 51179(c).

INTRODUCED this 17th day of June, 2025.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 1st day of July, 2025. AYES: Councilmembers Belden, Jimenez, Spicer, Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Kelly, Mayor Shevlin.

/s/ Alice D. Atkins, MMC, City Clerk Publish Thursday, July 3, 2025

City of Monrovia Department of Community Development Planning Division planning@monroviaca.gov (626) 932-5565

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR)

TO: Agencies, Organizations, and Interested Parties: The City of Monrovia hereby gives notice that, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the City has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the project described below.

The Draft EIR is now available for public review and comment during a 45-day period beginning Thursday July 3, 2025 and ending Monday, August 18, 2025 in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15087. During this time, agencies and the public are invited to review and submit written comments on the content and adequacy of the environmental analysis.

PROJECT TITLE: 701 S. Myrtle Specific Plan and Development Project (General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Specific Plan, Tentative Parcel Map, and Conditional Use Permit)

PROJECT LOCATION: The proposed project is located at 701 South Myrtle Avenue, at the southwest corner of South Myrtle Avenue and Olive Avenue, in the City of Monrovia. The site lies just south of Old Town Monrovia, the City’s central shopping and dining district, and is located within the Old Town Extension District of the South Myrtle Avenue Corridor, as designated in the City’s General Plan. The project site consists of Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs) 8516-033-030 and 8516-033-031.

This project was originally referred to as the Monroe Specific Plan and Development Project in the Notice of Preparation (NOP) dated December 4, 2023. Following public outreach and refinement of project materials, the name was updated to the 701 S. Myrtle Specific Plan and Development Project. Minor updates to the project description, including adjustments to unit count and affordable housing mix, are fully analyzed in the Draft EIR.

APPLICANT: BGB Myrtle LLC

550 Hartz Avenue, Suite 200 Danville, CA 94526

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Monrovia has received a proposal to redevelop a 1.61-acre site located at the southwest corner of South Myrtle Avenue and West Olive Avenue with a five-story mixed-use building. The project would include 204 apartment units (including 20 affordable units), approximately 2,370 square feet of commercial retail space, and 2,782 square feet of indoor fitness center space. The project also includes 1.5 levels of underground parking with 329 parking spaces, private and public open space areas, and a mix of residential amenities.

To allow this development, the applicant is requesting a General Plan Amendment, Zoning Code Amendment, Specific Plan adoption, Tentative Parcel Map, and a Conditional Use Permit. The proposed 701 S. Myrtle Specific Plan would guide development and establish land use, design, and development standards for the site.

Note on Project Name and Unit Count: This project was originally referred to as the Monroe Specific Plan and Development Project during the environmental scoping process initiated in December 2023. Following public outreach and refinement of project materials, the name was updated to the 701 S. Myrtle Specific Plan and Development Project. The total number of residential units has also increased from 200 to 204 to accommodate additional affordable housing. These updates are fully analyzed in the Draft EIR.

The Draft EIR evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with the project, including traffic, noise, air quality, cultural resources, and more.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: The Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) evaluates the potential environmental effects of the proposed project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The analysis determined that all environmental impacts would be less than significant or reduced to less than significant levels through the implementation of feasible mitigation measures and compliance with applicable regulations.

Environmental issue areas where mitigation is required include: Cultural Resources; Geology and Soils; Hazards and Hazardous Materials; Noise; and Tribal Cultural Resources. No significant and unavoidable impacts were identified.

The Draft EIR, along with supporting documents and project plans, is available for public review during the 45-day comment period at the following locations:

• City of Monrovia City Hall, 415 South Ivy Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016; Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM–6:00 PM; Friday, 7:00 AM–5:30 PM

• City of Monrovia Library (Reference Desk), 321 S. Myrtle Av enue, Monrovia, CA 91016;Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 10:00 AM–8:00 PM; Thursday–Saturday, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM

• City of Monrovia Website;www.cityofmonrovia.org/your-gov ernment/community-development/planning/development-spot light

In accordance with Government Code Section 65962.5, the project site is not listed on any list of hazardous waste sites maintained by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control or other applicable agencies.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ACCEPTED: The City of Monrovia invites all interested persons and public agencies to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the 701 S. Myrtle Specific Plan and Development Project.

The 45-day public review period begins Thursday, July 3, 2025 and ends Monday, August 18, 2025. During this time, written comments

SAN GABRIEL SUN

ends Monday, August 18, 2025. During this time, written comments regarding the project and the environmental analysis in the Draft EIR may be submitted to the City of Monrovia by mail or email. The City will provide written responses to all comments received by the end of the public review period. Comments and responses will be included in the Final EIR and provided to the City of Monrovia City Council for their consideration.

Please send written comments to: City of Monrovia Community Development Department

Attn: John Mayer, Planning Division Manager 415 South Ivy Avenue Monrovia, CA 91016

Email:planning@monroviaca.gov

FUTURE PUBLIC HEARINGS: No public hearing is scheduled at this time. Public hearings before the Monrovia Planning Commission and City Council will be scheduled at a later date to consider the proposed project and related entitlements. Separate public notices will be issued in accordance with applicable laws when hearing

If you challenge this application in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered

Este aviso es para informarle sobre una junta pública acerca de la propiedad indicada mas arriba. Si necesita información adicional en español, favor de ponerse en contacto con el Departamento de

If you require additional information, please contact John Mayer at

Probates Notices

VAL RODRIGUEZ

Case No. 24STPB12020

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of VALENTIN RODRIGUEZ, JR. aka VALENTIN RODRIGUEZ aka VAL RODRIGUEZ

AN AMENDED PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Valerie Michele Rodriguez in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE AMENDED PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Valerie Michele Rodriguez be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE AMENDED PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the amended petition will be held on July 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 99 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate

be held on August 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 5 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issu-ance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: DARRELL G BROOKE ESQ SBN 118071

THE BROOKE LAW GROUP PC 525 S MYRTLE AVE STE 204 MONROVIA CA 91016

CN116828 PRINCE Jun 26,30, Jul 3, 2025 MONROVIA WEEKLY

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Yijian Zhang CASE NO. 25STPB06811

Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

Attorney for petitioner:

JUSTIN A SHIAU ESQ SBN 229097

ATHLON LEGAL APC 14 N FAIR OAKS AVE STE 503 PASADENA CA 91103

CN117919 RODRIGUEZ Jun 26,30, Jul 3, 2025 EL MONTE EXAMINER

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF LILLIAN J. PRINCE Case No. 25STPB05081

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of LILLIAN J. PRINCE

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Jodi Critz, also known as Jo A. Critz in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Jodi Critz be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will

Edward C. Ip (SBN 233048)

Law Offices of Edward C. Ip & Associates, APC 4424 Santa Anita Ave., Ste 201 El Monte, CA 91731

Telephone: (626) 228-0638 6/26, 6/30, 7/3/25 CNS-3941701# ARCADIA WEEKLY

NOTICE OF AMENDED PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: KEYRAN ALBERT HETHERINGTON CASE NO. 25STPB04925

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of KEYRAN ALBERT HETHERINGTON.

AN AMENDED PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JESSICA KELLY in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE AMENDED PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JESSICA KELLY be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE AMENDED PETITION requests the decedent's WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Yijian Zhang

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Jiangxia Zhou in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Jiangxia Zhou be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with full authority . (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on 07/22/2025 at 8:30 am in Dept. 29 located at 111 N. HILL ST. LOS ANGELES CA 90012 STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner:

administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 07/31/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 79 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 07/25/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

Attorney for Petitioner

DANIEL B. BURBOTT - SBN 279759 GAUDY LAW INC. 267 D STREET UPLAND CA 91786

Telephone (909) 982-3199 7/3, 7/7, 7/10/25 CNS-3942975# DUARTE DISPATCH

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DOLORES JULIET TINOCO

CASE NO. 25STPB07245

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of DOLORES JULIET TINOCO.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by EDWARD M. TINOCO in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that EDWARD M. TINOCO be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to

9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

ELVIN ZULETA 11 LA TORRE DR POMONA CA 91766

7/3, 7/7, 7/10/25 CNS-3943857# ROSEMEAD READER

Public Notices

Attorney for Petitioner

SUE C. SWISHER - SBN 243310

LAW OFFICES OF SUE C. SWISHER

20955 PATHFINDER ROAD, SUITE 100

DIAMOND BAR CA 91765

Telephone (909) 843-6490

7/3, 7/7, 7/10/25

CNS-3943345# DUARTE DISPATCH

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

NUBIA HILDA SANCHEZ

CASE NO. 25STPB07071

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of NUBIA HILDA SANCHEZ.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by ELVIN ZULETA in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that ELVIN ZULETA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 07/23/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 29 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

ria JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Pub. June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 2025 ARCADIA WEEKLY ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITION OF Sherin Cheikosman FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 25PSCP00308 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 400 Civic Center Plaza Pomona, Ca 91766, East Judicial District TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Sherin Cheikosman filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. OF Sherin Cheikosman to Proposed name Sherin Lopez 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reason for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should

Firefighters reach 50% containment of Lake Fire in San Bernardino County

By Staff

Despite winds over the weekend and dry conditions, a wildfire in southwest San Bernardino County was nearing 50% containment Tuesday with its forward rate of spread halted, Cal Fire reported.

The Lake Fire had scorched 483 acres since it was reported just before 5 p.m. Saturday in the area of Highway 173 and Cedar Springs Dam Trail, near the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area north of Hesperia that's currently closed to the public.

"Crews continue to focus on strengthen -

ing control lines in areas where the fire is still active," according to Cal Fire's latest update released Tuesday evening. "The forward rate of spread is stopped."

Evacuation orders and warnings had been issued for areas near the 138 and 173 highway, Summit Valley Road and Arrowhead Lake Road, but those are now lifted, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

San Bernardino National Forest officials temporarily closed trail closure of two sections of the Pacific Coast

Wildfires

to strengthen containment lines, and will continue their work throughout today," according to a fire department update Tuesday morning.

Mandatory evacuations were issued for residents north of Rocky Hills Road, south of Orange Avenue, west of Forrest Road and east of El Nido Road before the order was lifted later Monday.

The now-lifted evacuation warnings were for areas north of Eucalyptus Avenue, west of Highway 74, east of Post Road and south of Ellis Avenue.

A center for evacuees was established at Citrus Hill High School, 18150 Wood Road in Perris.

Two outbuildings were reportedly destroyed in the fire, but no homes.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment.

Personnel involved in the firefight Tuesday totaled 165, including six hand crews, 15 engines, four water tenders and two bulldozers. On Wednesday just 15 crews and five engines remained.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, the fire divided into two heads pushing to the southeast and crossing into

PSPD chief issues warning after reports of ICE activity

Reported immigration enforcement activity in Palm Springs prompted Police Chief Andy Mills to issue a statement as fears grew in the community Tuesday.

A Facebook user posted Tuesday that alleged federal agents were behind an Albertsons store at Vista Chino and Sunrise Way on Monday and allegedly detained "an entire gardening crew."

Mills said he was informed of individuals without uniforms or identification who appeared to be federal officers within the city.

Trail between Silverwood Lake and Interstate 15 along Highway 138.

"Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions," according to Cal Fire.

On Tuesday, 10 crews, three helicopters, 54 engines, two bulldozers and four water tenders were battling the blaze.

It was unclear how many structures the fire threatened.

No injuries or damaged structres were reported.

The fire's cause was under investigation.

"After multiple calls, eventually a supervisor with ICE — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) confirmed they had a team working in Palm Springs," Mill said in a statement Monday. "The vehicles used had no outward marking designating team as law enforcement. Because there are no

uniforms or identification, the agency's identity was unclear."

Mills advised residents to call 911 if they encounter individuals claiming to be law enforcement so officers can respond to verify their identity.

"Please do not run, flee, or resist federal agents in

the performance if their duties. Violence against law enforcement is unacceptable," Mills said.

Social media users voiced concerns about staying indoors and potentially canceling Fourth of July plans, while others called for greater police presence in the community.

CHP's Fourth of July enforcement campaign starts Thursday

CGood Hope, while winds were at 10 to 15 mph with 20 mph gusts, officials said. But by 4 p.m., firefighters stopped the entire blaze's forward spread.

Five Cal Fire air tankers departed the area by 4:30 p.m.

Two water-dropping helicopters remained overhead, making targeted drops, mostly on minor spot fires that were cropping up outside the primary blaze.

Firefighters from Corona and Cal Fire's Tuolumne-Calaveras, San Bernardino and San Diego units assisted Riverside County firefighters.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

aliforniaHighway Patrol officers will be ramping up patrols on state highways and roads across Riverside County beginning Thursday to catch drunken and drug-impaired drivers as part of the agency's annual Fourth of July weekend crackdown.

The statewide "maximum enforcement period" will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday and conclude at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, during which all available officers will hit the streets for targeted patrols.

"Reckless driving and speeding have deadly consequences," CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. "It's every driver's responsibility to make safe choices behind the wheel. Let's work together to prevent tragedies by always

designating a sober driver and keeping our roads safe for everyone."

During last year's Independence Day maximum enforcement period, officers arrested 1,336 motorists on suspicion of DUI statewide, compared to 1,224 arrests that occurred during the 2023 campaign, according to the CHP.

Forty-nine people were killed in crashes within the CHP's jurisdiction during the 2024 Fourth of July weekend. That figure was 68 the year before.

Officers from the Beaumont, Blythe, Indio, Riverside and Temecula CHP stations will deploy on Inland Empire freeways, highways and unincorporated roads for this year's effort.

Duryee said officers will take a zero tolerance approach to any roadway actions that put other drivers at risk, but speeding will be a major focus.

A two-day enforcement action by the CHP in early June netted over 12,000 speeding citations statewide, according to the agency.

"Every additional mile per hour reduces a driver's reaction time and increases the severity of the crash," Duryee said previously.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and multiple municipal police departments throughout the county will be carrying out saturation patrols through the holiday weekend to snare DUI suspects and other scofflaws.

By City News Service

Smoke from the Lake Fire fills the sky above a crew of firefighters. | Photo courtesy of the San Bernardino National Forest/X

| Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Police Department/ Facebook

Riverside County Animal Services ‘desperately’ needs fosters, adopters

By Staff

RiversideCounty

Department of Animal Services needs immediate adopters and fosters to create space at all shelter locations to care for pets impacted during fire season. All adoption fees are waived, and available supplies will be given to foster families, while supplies last.

The department is currently operating at 230% capacity for dogs, with more than 1,000 dogs in the shelter system. While the situation is most critical for dogs, the cat population is now over 300, exceeding capacity for cats for the first time this year at 125%, most notably at the Coachella Valley location.

“The Fourth of July holiday marks the busiest time of year for lost dogs

entering shelters nationwide—and with wildfires already affecting parts of Riverside County, the situation is even more urgent,”

RCDA officials said in a statement. Officials say that without immediate support, they will not have the space to safely and humanely house the expected influx of pets.

“We are ready to support families and pets impacted by the fires, but we desperately need action from the community to prepare for even more pets coming into our shelter seeking safety and care,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin.

“We are at our limit, and we need support from anyone who can help to immediately make space in our overcrowded shelters.”

All shelters will be open

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. All locations will be closed for the holiday on Friday, reopening on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding Blythe).

Shelter locations:

- Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter at 6851 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92509.

- San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at 581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto, CA 92582.

- Coachella Valley Animal Campus at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, CA 92276.

- Blythe Animal Shelter at 245 S Carlton, Blythe, CA 92225. Visit www.rcdas.org for more information.

Ontario to host upcoming community clean up day

By Staff

Ontario residents are encouraged to participate in cleaning up and discarding junk in their neighborhoods on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ontario Municipal Service Center (1425 S. Bon View Ave.).

Residents can dispose of old furniture, appliances, carpet, green waste, lumber, mattresses, passenger car tires, and scrap metal. This event is free for Ontario residents; proof of residency will be required. For more information, visit OntarioCA.gov.

Palm Springs brings back gift card program for summer

By City News Service

Palm Springs' "Love Local" digital gift card program will return Monday to encourage residents to shop at participating businesses.

Starting July 7, residents can purchase a digital gift card with a maximum value of $300 per person, and the city will contribute an additional 50%. While the gift card itself has no expiration date, the bonus funds will expire Oct. 31, 2025.

"Our local businesses are the heart of our community and deserve our support, especially during the slower months," said Mayor Ron deHarte. "This program is a great way to rally around them, keep dollars in our neighborhoods and remind everyone that shopping local makes a difference."

The cards can be used at more than 100 participating stores in Palm Springs.

The program originally

launched during Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week, which ran from May 19 to June 8.

"We know summer can be tough for local businesses. Encouraging everyone to shop and dine local is one way we can say thank you to our favorite local spots," said Wayne Olson, the city's chief economic development officer.

Participating businesses and more information can be found at LoveLocalPS.com.

| Photo courtesy of Yiftee

| Photo courtesy of Riverside County Animal Services / Facebook

Starting a new business? Go to filedba.com

Monterey Park City Notices

CITY OF MONTEREY PARK

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF PROPOSED SOLID WASTE REFUSE RATES

TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held before the City Council on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Monterey Park City Council Chambers, 320 W. Newmark Ave. regarding the proposed solid waste refuse rates. Revenue generated is for the management, administration and enforcement of the solid waste franchise agreements with the City’s haulers – Ware Disposal and Athens Services. Following the public hearing, the City Council may adopt the proposed solid waste refuse rates in accordance with applicable law.

At anytime before or during the public hearing, any person or organization may file a written statement with the City Clerk, of his or her opinions with respect to the proposed rate. Any person or organization desiring to be heard will be given an opportunity to do so at the public hearing. The proposed solid waste refuse rate study can be found at the following link: https://www.montereypark.ca.gov/552/ Solid-Waste-Recycling-and-Organics-Waste. If you have any questions regarding this hearing, please call the Public Works Department at (626) 307-1320. Note that any appeal of a decision made following a public hearing may be limited to the issues raised by evidence submitted before or during the public hearing.

Publish June 26, 2025, July 3, 2025 MONTEREY

Glendale City Notices

Ara Amyan, Art Design

ZONE: “R1R” - (Low Density Residential Zone), Floor Area Ratio District III

LEGAL DESCRIPTION/APN: Lot 8, Tract No. 22757 (APN: 5659-024-008)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The applicant is proposing to demolish an existing single-family residence and construct a new single-family residence and requesting a standards variance to allow access to the proposed residence from an adjacent site. GMC Section 30.32.130(B) (1) requires driveways leading to required parking be located on the same lot as the parking. Off-site access to the subject site has existed since the site was developed in the 1950's. No changes to this access is proposed.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION

The project is exempt from CEQA review as a Class 3 “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures” exemption pursuant to Section 15303 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the project is the construction of a new single-family residence.

PUBLIC HEARING

The Planning Hearing officer will conduct a public hearing regarding the above project at 633 E. Broadway (Municipal Services Building) Room 105, Glendale, CA 91206, on JULY 16, 2025, at 9:30 AM or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the hearing is to hear comments from the public with respect to zoning concerns. The hearing will be held in accordance with Glendale Municipal Code, Title 30, Chapter 30.43.

The meeting can be viewed on Charter Cable Channel 6 or streamed online at: https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/management-services/gtv6/livevideo-stream . For public comments and questions during the meeting call 818-937-8100. City staff will be submitting these questions and comments in real time to the appropriate person during the Planning Hearing Officer Hearing. You may also testify in person at the hearing if you wish to do so.

If the final decision is challenged in court, testimony may be limited to issues raised before or at the public hearing.

The staff report and case materials will be available a week before the hearing date at www. glendaleca.gov/agendas.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: If you desire more information on the proposal, please contact the case planner Roger Kiesel in the Planning Division at RKiesel@glendaleca.gov, or (818) 937-8152, or (818) 548-2140. The staff report and case materials will be available before the hearing date at www.glendaleca.gov/agendas.

Any person having an interest in the subject project may participate in the hearing, by phone as outlined above, and may be heard in support of his/her opinion. Any person protesting may file a duly signed and acknowledged written protest with the Director of Community Development not later than the hour set for public hearing before the Hearing Officer. "Acknowledged" shall mean a declaration of property ownership (or occupant if not owner) under penalty of perjury. If you challenge the decision of this project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Glendale, at or prior to the public hearing. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, please notify the Community Development Department at least 48 hours (or two business days) for requests regarding sign language translation and Braille transcription services. When a final decision is rendered, a decision letter will be posted online at www.glendaleca. gov/planning/decisions. An appeal may be filed within 15 days of the final decision date appearing on the decision letter. Appeal forms are available at https://www.glendaleca.gov/ home/showdocument?id=11926

Dr. S. Abajian, The City Clerk of the City of Glendale Published July 3,2025 GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF SEAN MICHAEL

MURPHY

Case No. 25STPB07042

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of SEAN MICHAEL MURPHY

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Robert Murphy in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Robert Murphy be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on July 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 2D located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

THE BURBANK FIRM L C 2312 WEST VICTORY BLVD STE 100 BURBANK CA 91506 CN118109 MURPHY Jun 30, Jul 3,7, 2025

BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF MICHAEL JOHN DELBARIAN aka MICHAEL J. DELBARIAN

Case No. 25STPB07072

To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MICHAEL JOHN DELBARIAN aka MICHAEL J. DELBARIAN

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Joy E. Delbarian in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Joy E. Delbarian be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take

many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on August 6, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 5 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issu-ance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

8827 W. OLYMPIC BLVD. BEVERLY HILLS CA 90211-3613 CN118120 DELBARIAN Jun 30, Jul 3,7, 2025 BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: TERRI DANIELS

CASE NO. 25STPB07209

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of TERRI DANIELS.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by PAUL CONNORS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that PAUL CONNORS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent's WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 07/25/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

Attorney for Petitioner

RUSSELL M. OZAWA - SBN 272268

LAW OFFICES OF RUSSELL M. OZAWA 3655 TORRANCE BLVD. SUITE 300 TORRANCE CA 90503

Telephone (626) 499-4500

6/30, 7/3, 7/7/25

CNS-3942581# PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: NANCY PERKINS

CASE NO. 25STPB06593

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of NANCY PERKINS.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SAMUEL ALBRECHT, LPF in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SAMUEL ALBRECHT, LPF be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 07/17/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 5 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

Attorney for Petitioner CHRISTINA MCGONIGLE, ESQ.SBN 239264 MCGONIGLE & HUNSAKER, LLP 701 S. PARKER ST., STE. 2600 ORANGE CA 92868 Telephone (714) 955-5380 BSC 227056 6/30, 7/3, 7/7/25 CNS-3943092# BELMONT BEACON

ORDER

written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 08/25/2025 Time: 8:30AM Dept: T. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the day set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Burbank Independent DATED: June 13, 2025 Roberto Longoria JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Pub. June 19, 26, July 3, 10, 2025 BURBANK INDEPENDENT ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITION OF Vu, Minh Huy & Vu, Dang Khoa, a minor by and through Guardian Ad Litem, Nguyen, Thi Le Huyen FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 25NNCP00463 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 150 West Commonwealth Ave, Alhambra, Ca 91801, Northeast Judicial District TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Vu, Minh Huy & Vu, Dang Khoa, a minor by and through Guardian Ad Litem, Nguyen, Thi Le Huyen filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. OF Vu, Minh Huy to Proposed name Vu, Junior Huy ; Present name b. OF Vu, Dang Khoa to Proposed name Vu, Johny Khoa 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not

to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on May 5, 2007. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. (Entity) Statement filed with the County of Riverside on June 4, 2025

NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202507088 Pub. 06/26/2025, 07/03/2025, 07/10/2025, 07/17/2025

Riverside Independent FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20250005368

The following persons are doing business as: MCRE Property Management, 4562 La Deney Street, Montclair, CA 91763. Ceja Property Services Inc (CA, 4562 La Deney St, Montclair, CA 91763; Martin Ceja, President. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino

This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on June 9, 2025. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that

all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Martin Ceja, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on June 9, 2025 NoticeIn accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250005368 Pub: 06/26/2025, 07/03/2025, 07/10/2025, 07/17/2025 San Bernardino Press

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20250005985

The following persons are doing business as: VELVET RENTALS, 2139 e 4th st , Apt 3, Ontario, CA 91764. Mailing Address, 2139 e 4th st , Apt 3, Ontario, CA 91764. Joseph Saravia. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to

Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Joseph Saravia, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on June 27, 2025 NoticeIn accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250005985 Pub: 07/03/2025, 07/10/2025, 07/17/2025, 07/24/2025 San Bernardino Press

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Integrity Backflow Testing 3239 El Nido Ave Perris, CA 92571 Riverside County Leobardo Becerra, 3239 El Nido Ave, Perris, CA 92571 Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on June 30, 2025. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and

Statement filed with the County of Riverside on June 30, 2025 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202508156 Pub. 07/03/2025, 07/10/2025, 07/17/2025, 07/24/2025 Riverside Independent

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

The following fictitious business name House IX Motors 11801 Pierce St Suite 200 Riverside, CA 92505, County: Riverside; Business Address: 11801 Pierce St Suite 200 Riverside, CA 92505, Riverside County. Riverside County, has been abandoned by the following persons: House Ix LLC

Palm Springs ShortFest announces festival winners

By City News Service

More than a dozen award winners were honored with cash prizes totaling $30,000 at this year's Palm Springs International ShortFest, organizers announced Monday.

The winners of the 31st annual short-film festival were revealed during an awards brunch at the Renaissance Hotel, 888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.

Each winner received a cash prize, and the following five short films will be eligible for submission to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar consideration: -- "Retirement Plan"

(Ireland), directed by John Kelley, received $5,000 for best of the festival; -- "Budo" (Sweden), directed by Amanda Aagard and Alexander Toman, received $1,000 for best animated short; -- "Shanti Rides Shotgun," directed by Charles Frank, received $1,000 for best documentary short; -- "Medusa," directed by Sarah Meyohas, received $1,000 for best live-action short 15 minutes and under; and -- "Susana" (Mexico/ USA), directed by Amandine Thomas and

Gerardo Coello Escalante, received $1,000 for best live-action shoer over 15 minutes.

Additional cash prizes were awarded in categories such as student shorts, documentary, comedy, and international short.

This year's festival jurors included Caroline Lindy, director of "Your Monster," Manuel Betancourt, FilmWeek critic, Sola Fasehun, founder of the Diversity and Inclusion Film Festival, Lauen Botchan, coordinator at New Line Cinema and Cooper Raiff, director of "Cha Cha Real Smooth."

Political donations

that’s new and disturbing,” said Daniel Weiner, a former Federal Election Commission attorney who now leads the Brennan Center’s work on campaign finance. ProPublica discovered details of the payment in the annual tax form of American Resolve Policy Fund, which is part of a network of political groups that promote Noem and her agenda. The nonprofit describes its mission as “fighting to preserve America for the next generation.” There’s little evidence in the public domain that the group has done much. In its first year, its main expenditures were paying Noem and covering the cost of some unspecified travel. It also maintains social media accounts devoted to promoting Noem. It has 100 followers on X.

In a statement, Noem’s lawyer, Trevor Stanley, said, “Then-Governor Noem fully complied with the letter and the spirit of the law” and that the Office of Government Ethics, which processes disclosure forms for federal officials, “analyzed and cleared her financial information in regards to this entity.” Stanley did not respond to follow-up questions about

whether the ethics office was aware of the $80,000 payment.

Stanley also said that “Secretary Noem fully disclosed all of her income on public documents that are readily available.” Asked for evidence of that, given that Noem didn’t report the $80,000 payment on her federal financial disclosure form, Stanley did not respond.

Before being named Homeland Security secretary, overseeing immigration enforcement, Noem spent two decades in South Dakota’s government and the U.S. House of Representatives, drawing a public servant’s salary. Her husband, Bryon Noem, runs a small insurance brokerage with two offices in the state. Between his company and his real estate holdings, he has at least $2 million in assets, according to Noem’s filing. While she is among the least wealthy members of Trump’s Cabinet, her personal spending habits have attracted notice. Noem was photographed wearing a gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch that costs nearly $50,000 as she toured the Salvadoran prison where

her agency is sending immigrants. In April, after her purse was stolen at a Washington, D.C., restaurant, it emerged she was carrying $3,000 in cash, which an official said was for “dinner, activities, and Easter gifts.” She was criticized for using taxpayer money as governor to pay for expenses related to trips to Paris, to Canada for bear hunting and to Houston to have dental work done. At the time, Noem denied misusing public funds.

Noem’s personal company, an LLC called Ashwood Strategies, shares a name with one of her horses. It was registered in Delaware early in her second term as South Dakota governor, around 1 p.m. on June 22, 2023. Four minutes later, the nonprofit American Resolve Policy Fund was incorporated in Delaware too.

American Resolve raised $1.1 million in 2023, according to its tax filing. The group reported that it had zero employees, and what it did with that money is largely unclear.

In 2023, the nonprofit spent only about $220,000 of its war chest — with more than a third of that going to Noem’s LLC. The rest mostly went toward administra-

tive expenses and a roughly $84,000 travel budget. It’s not clear whose travel the group paid for.

The nonprofit reported that it sent the $80,000 fundraising fee to Noem’s LLC as payment for bringing in $800,000, a 10% cut. A professional fundraiser who also raised money for the group was paid a lower rate of 7%.

In the intervening years, American Resolve has maintained a low public profile. In March, it purchased Facebook ads attacking a local news outlet in South Dakota, which had been reporting on Noem’s use of government credit cards. Noem’s lawyer did not answer questions about whether the group paid her more money after 2023, the most recent year for which its tax filing is available.

The nonprofit has an affiliated political committee, American Resolve PAC, that’s been more active, at least in public. Touting Noem’s conservative leadership under a picture of her staring off into the sky, its website said the PAC was created to put “Kristi and her team on the ground in key races across America.”

Noem traveled the country last year attending events the PAC sponsored in support of Republican candidates.

American Resolve’s treasurer referred questions to Noem’s lawyer. In his statement, Noem’s lawyer said she “did not establish, finance, maintain, or control American Resolve Fund. She was simply a vender for a non-profit entity.”

While Noem failed to report the fundraising income Ashwood Strategies received on her federal financial disclosure, she did provide some other details. She described the LLC as involving “personal activities outside my official gubernatorial capacity” and noted that it received the $140,000 advance for her book “No Going Back.” The LLC also had a bank account with between $100,001 and $250,000 in it and at least $50,000 of “livestock and equipment,” she reported.

The fact that Ashwood Strategies is Noem’s company only emerged through the confirmation process for her Trump Cabinet post. South Dakota has minimal disclosure rules for elected officials, and Noem had not previously divulged that she created

a side business while she was governor.

Noem’s outside income may have run afoul of South Dakota law, according to Lee Schoenbeck, a veteran Republican politician and attorney who was until recently the head of the state Senate. The law requires top officials, including the governor, to devote their full time to their official roles.

“There’s no way the governor is supposed to have a private side business that the public doesn’t know about,” Schoenbeck told ProPublica. “It would clearly not be appropriate.”

Noem’s lawyer said South Dakota law allowed her to receive income from the nonprofit.

Do you have any information we should know about Kristi Noem or other administration officials? Justin Elliott can be reached by email at justin@ propublica.org and by Signal or WhatsApp at 774-8266240. Josh Kaplan can be reached by email at joshua. kaplan@propublica.org and by Signal or WhatsApp at 734-834-9383. Republished with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

A scene from John Kelley's short film "Retirement Plan." | Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs International Film Society

Riverside County board imposes thousands of liens

for delinquent trash bills

By City News Service

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to impose special assessments totaling $4.16 million on thousands of Riverside County property owners' tax bills to collect unpaid trash collection debts.

In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on Department of Environmental Health Director Jeff Johnson's request to apply the liens.

According to Johnson's staff, 6,955 residents in unincorporated communities owe the county's four waste haulers for rubbish pickup and disposal services in 2024. Amounts in arrears range from a low of $150 to a high of $10,300 per customer, according to the special assessment roll.

Johnson sought approval for the assess-

ments to be tacked onto delinquent payers' annual property tax obligations.

The environmental health director noted that "regular removal of solid waste from residential properties is a basic sanitation practice that protects both the environment and the public."

"The mandatory collection of solid waste and the payment for the collection is critical," he said.

The hearing Tuesday provided an opportunity for ratepayers to argue their cases against assessments and offer specifics about mitigating circumstances, to the extent they haven't been able to meet some obligations. However, no one requested to speak.

In the past, petitioners presented appeals to the board based on the fact they

oversee their own waste disposal and shouldn't be on the hook for the waste haulers' costs. Sometimes, properties are also under lease, and the owners aren't responsible for paying trash disposal charges.

Former Supervisor Kevin Jeffries often pointed out instances in which haulers were charging for services never rendered, failing to regularly pick up garbage but still charging as if they had been.

With the board's imposition of the special assessments, an additional $82-per-parcel charge can be applied to delinquent bills to cover the cost of public noticing and county staff time. Officials said residents may avoid the supplemental charge by paying their bills in full on or before July 25.

Law firm launches free ride program for Independence Day safety

To help prevent crashes over the Independence Day holiday, Walter Clark Legal Group will cover the cost of sponsored cab and rideshare trips in the Coachella Valley this Thursday and Friday. The program will run from 10 p.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday. It reimburses up to $50 for a one-way ride home taken via spon-

sored taxi, Uber or Lyft in the Coachella Valley, El Centro, Victorville, Banning, Beaumont, Yucca Valley and Morongo Basin, according to the law firm.

"Our top priority is to save lives and keep our communities safe during high-risk holidays," said Walter Clark, founder of the law firm. "The Safe Ride Home Program is a small but meaningful way to

prevent tragedies caused by impaired driving."

Officials said the program will be limited to one-way rides taken from a residence or hotel within the designated cities, and it will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis while funding lasts. Participants must be 21 or older, have a valid driver's license and register at walterclark.com/holiday.

| Photo by YuriAcursPeopleimages/Envato

| Photo courtesy of Waste Management