W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD
Vol 23, NO. 25
February 13, 2025
Two RUSD Educators Honored as History-Social Science Educators of Excellence
IECN.com
First Pediatric Partial Heart Transplant in Southern California at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Pg. 4
PHOTO RUSD
Celebrating Excellence! Eisenhower High School teacher Michael Martinelli and Kolb Middle School teacher Helen Johnson (center) were honored as History Social Science Educators of Excellence by the Inland Empire Council for Social Studies. They were joined by family, colleagues, and Rialto USD leaders at the awards ceremony on February 6.
By IECN Staff
T
Dennis Wilson, Army Veteran and NASA Engineer Who Helped Touch the Moon, Remembered for His Service and Legacy
wo outstanding educators from the Rialto Unified School District were recently recognized for their dedication to history and social science education. Helen Johnson of Kolb Middle School and Michael Martinelli of Eisenhower High School were honored as History Social Science Educators of Excellence for 2024-2025 by the Inland Empire Council for Social Studies (IECSS).
The educators were honored during a ceremony on February 6 at the Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center alongside other distinguished educators from San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The two RUSD teachers were supported at the ceremony by RUSD Board of Education President Dr. Stephanie Lewis, Board Member Evelyn Dominguez, and Acting Superintendent Dr. Edward D’Souza along with family and colleagues.
History teacher at Kolb Middle School, is known for her ability to connect historical events to students' lives today, inspiring them to think critically about history’s role in shaping society, according to Kolb Middle School Principal Tina Lingenfelter. Through interactive lessons — such as student-created Declarations of Independence and multimedia-based learning — she fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Helen Johnson, an eighth-grade U.S.
RUSD, cont. on next pg.
San Bernardino Councilmember Theodore Sanchez Faces Recall Over Misrepresentation and Inaction By Manny Sandoval
Pg. 4
A
recall effort led by The People of San Bernardino targeting Ward 1 City Councilmember Theodore Sanchez is gaining traction, with organizers citing misrepresentation, inaction, and obstruction of legislation as primary reasons for his removal. The campaign has already surpassed the initial signature requirement and is preparing for the next steps toward a special election.
Riverside Healthcare Inland Empire Community Newspapers Workers Demand Office: (909) Answers on 381-9898 Potential Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Medicaid Cuts in DC Advertising: sales@iecn.com
“We have all the signatures we need and exceeded the amount,” said Arthur Anderson, executive director of The People of San Bernardino. “We needed 60 signatures, and we have over 100.”
Pg. 5 Legals : iecnlegals@hotmail.com
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino Ward 1 Councilman Theodore Sanchez addressing the crowd at the 5th Street Gateway ribbon cutting in April 2024, ahead of the recall efforts.
Sanchez, first elected in November 2018, is currently serving his second term, representing a ward of approximately 20,000 residents. However, he secured re-election in 2022 with fewer than 1,000 votes, a
statistic that recall proponents say reflects a lack of genuine community support. “He keeps getting elected because of the fliers voters receive in the mail,” Anderson said. “Nine out of ten doors I knocked on signed the recall petition. When I meet with business leaders and community coalitions, they tell the same story—Sanchez doesn’t respond, and when he does, it’s just to talk, with no action.” For Anderson, the recall effort stems from a larger issue: who Sanchez is truly serving in office. “The only people who have positive views of him are the ones funding his campaign,” Anderson claims. Concerns Over Business Neglect and Political Ties Residents and business owners in Ward 1 have expressed frustration over unaddressed Recall cont. on next pg.