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Thursday, October 27 - November 2, 2022
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RIVERSIDE, CA
RivCo DA criticizes decision to dismiss over 200 criminal cases due to lack of available courtrooms JESUS REYES | CONTRIBUTED
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Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin is criticizing judges' decisions to dismiss criminal cases based on a lack of available trial courtrooms. According to the DA's office, since Oct. 10, Superior Court judges have dismissed over 200 cases countywide. The dismissed cases range from misdemeanors to felonies with many types of crimes, however, officials added that most of the cases involve domestic violence charges. "These dismissals are occurring in situations where the DA’s Office has witnesses gathered and has announced that it is ready to begin a jury trial, however, the Superior Court does not have a judge or courtroom available to hear the case. Rather than granting the prosecution a brief continuance
until a trial courtroom becomes available, judges have chosen to dismiss criminal cases and release the accused perpetrators who have been charged by the DA’s Office"- DA's Office The DA's office adds that California law permits prosecutors to refile dismissed felony cases one time. Dismissed misdemeanor cases cannot be refiled. “I assure you that we are doing everything in our power, advancing every legal argument, preparing every viable appeal, offering the court every possible solution, to keep our local judges from dismissing criminal cases,” Hestrin said. “These case dismissals are not justified and are not justice.” DA Mike hestrin The DA's office added that there is a backlog of more than 2,800 criminal cases in Riverside County as a result of the pandemic and the subsequent public health
THE ROBERT PRESLEY HALL OF JUSTICE BUILDING: "These dismissals come in situations where the prosecutor’s office has assembled witnesses and announced that they are ready to begin a jury trial, but the Superior Court does not have a judge or courtroom available to hear the case. Rather than grant prosecution a brief continuation until a trial courtroom becomes available, judges have decided to drop criminal proceedings and release the accused perpetrators, who have been charged by prosecutors." - The office | Courtesy Photo of localtoday.com
orders. The statewide pandemic orders for courtrooms ended on Oct. 7. The Constitution and California State Law guarantee a criminal de-
fendant with the right to a speedy trial, however, Penal Code section 1382 does not require a dismissal when good cause exists to continue a trial beyond the statutory
deadlines, the DA's office added. The California Appellate Courts have held that a backlog of trial cases caused by the pandemic is good cause to continue a trial.
NEW PORT OF ENTRY
California Governor Announces Binational Partnership with Mexico OFFICE OF GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM | CONTRIBUTED
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overnor Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a historic agreement that strengthens California’s partnership with Mexico and advances key border projects and initiatives. In Mexico City, state representatives and a delegation of regional leaders joined the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to sign the new Toll Revenue Sharing Agreement with Mexico which supports the construction of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry at the San Diego-Tijuana border. The new state-of-the-art border crossing facility will reduce wait times, curb greenhouse gas emissions, power economic growth and bolster binational trade along the busiest border region in the Western Hemisphere. “Mexico is one of California’s most important internation-
al partners and we share a deep bond that stretches back generations,” said Governor Newsom. “Our state is a national leader when it comes to international cooperation and smart, clean infrastructure investments that are critical to the U.S. supply chain. At a time when states are using the border as a wedge issue to divide people, California and Mexico are showing how cross-border agreements can strengthen our communities while growing our economy and bringing a host of shared benefits.” Congress member Scott Peters, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Assembly members David Alvarez and Chris Ward witnessed the signing of the Toll Revenue Sharing Agreement, which comes on the heels of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project receiving a $150 million INFRA grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the largest award nationally,
which will go toward the construction of the new border crossing facility and related transportation infrastructure. The new port of entry is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. “This new agreement, which I signed as a witness today, will bring economic prosperity to our cross-border region,” said Lt. Governor Kounalakis on Monday. “The Otay Mesa East Port of Entry is a vital link in our nation’s supply chain and in creating thousands of jobs. This historic revenue sharing agreement solidifies the joint commitment of California and the Government of Mexico to boosting trade and creating jobs.” U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar noted the significance of the signing on “California Day” with a local reception to recognize Caltrans, SANDAG, and local partners who have built the necessary supporting transportation infra-
structure and have planned and developed the Otay Mesa East priority project over the last several decades. “California and Mexico share just 140 of the 2,000 miles of our border, but Cali-Baja punches far above its weight in terms of its contributions to our binational economy and family,” said Ambassador Salazar. “The Otay Mesa East Port of Entry is proof of the dynamism and creativity of our relationship and a symbol of the 21st-century border we want to create.” The State Route 11 Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project is a joint venture between SANDAG and Caltrans in collaboration with state and federal partners in the U.S. and Mexico to create a 21st-century border crossing for the San Diego-Baja California mega-region that will enhance regional mobility and fuel economic growth and binational trade. The proposed border improvements will provide fast, predict-
able, and secure border crossings by constructing a four-lane, tolled road connecting directly to a state-of-the-art Customs and Border Protection Land Port of Entry and a CHP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility. Governor Newsom’s approach to border policy recognizes the vibrancy of the border region and that safe cross-border movement of people and goods are essential for California, regional economies and the many residents who cross the border daily for school, family and business. The administration prioritizes safety, strengthening our economic ties, as Monday’s agreement does, and supporting humanitarian efforts that protect the health and well-being of arriving migrants and our border communities. California recently invested $477 million to support the state’s model COVID-19 response and humanitarian efforts at the southern border.
A Step in the Right Direction Cal Fire firefighters now better to Support Mental Health equipped to fight fires at night DIANE A. RHODES | CONTRIBUTED
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he annual NAMIWalks for the minds of America will take place Nov. 5 at Diamond Valley Lake Marina in Hemet. The scenic route itself brings a breath of fresh and relaxing air to participants and joining like-minded individuals who team up to support the nonprofit National Alliance on Mental Illness is a bonus. There are five chapters involved with this year’s event: Western Riverside, Temecula Valley, Mt. San Jacinto, Inland Valley in High Desert San Bernardino and San Bernardino area. Brenda Scott, Executive Director of the Mt. San Jacinto chapter for the past nine years, said she looks forward to sharing the day with supporters, both old and new. In 2020, the fall event had to be hosted virtually due to pandemic concerns, but many joined in the NAMIWalks Any Way You Can campaign. Last year, Diamond Val-
ley Lake allowed the organization to host a small amount of people there and about 40 people attended in person. Many continued to participate virtually. For those that enjoy supporting NAMI by walking, hiking or biking in their neighborhoods or wherever they choose, they will be able to do so again this year. There will be a livestream on NAMI’s YouTube page and hopefully on Facebook as well so everyone can feel connected. Guest speakers include representatives from Riverside and San Bernardino Behavioral Health. There will be vendors from both counties as well as resources for mental health. Individuals from Trauma Intervention Programs will be there to hopefully recruit volunteers and share awareness of their critical work. “TIP is working with RUHS and me on a committee that is called Suicide Prevention Coalition and my
See NAMI WALK on page A4
PHILIP PALMER | CONTRIBUTED
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he Fairview Fire in September killed two people and burned more than 28,000 acres and without the advances of firefighting technology, the situation could've been much worse. Being able to fight fire after the sun sets is not new, but for Cal Fire, having night-flying helicopters and night vision goggles is. "The night-flying helicopters played a significant role in the assistance to the ground crews to be able to save an unknown number of houses," said Joshua Bischof, Battalion Chief for Cal Fire's Hemet Ryan AirTech Base. Five of the 10 bases across the state now have the Cal Fire Hawk, a twin engine helicopter that flies faster and drops more water than the older choppers. In July, the pilots and crew in
FAIRVIEW FIRE: Five of the 10 bases across the state now have the Cal Fire Hawk, a twin engine helicopter that flies faster and drops more water than the older choppers. | Courtesy Photo of AirMed&Rescue Hemet all began training to use night vision goggles. They used those goggles and put them to the test for the first time while battling the Fairview Fire. Bischof explained the conditions were more in Cal Fire's favor. "The ability to, after dark, when those conditions are more
See CAL FIRE on page A2
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