Riverside Art Museum Announces Resignation of Executive Director
Lawsuit Challenges Latino College Funding, Threatening IE’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions
5
TO REACH US HOW TO REACH US
Thousands Gather for Rialto’s 3rd Annual Juneteenth Jam Celebrating Food, Culture, and Community at Fergusson Park
By Denise Berver
Thousands of attendees packed Fergusson Park in Rialto on Thursday, June 19 for the 3rd annual Juneteenth Jam presented by Vickie Davis in partnership with the City of Rialto and Rialto Unified School District.
The high-energy community event featured live music, a car show, cook-off competition, vendors and even sporting events reflecting every aspect of the Food, Games, Culture and Community motto.
Food was well represented with both the cook off and a wide variety of food vendors keeping the huge crowd fed.
Offerings ranging from homemade banana pudding to southern fried specialties were selling out quickly as hungry crowds made their way through the food section of the park.
Games were in abundance as several Flag Football match-ups took place on the football fields on one end of the park while a Women’s 3 vs. 3 basketball competition and co-ed 3 point contest were keeping crowds entertained on the other. A skate park take-over rounded out the activities with skateboarders showing off their moves in Fergusson’s skating facilities.
A row of Black sorority and fraternities were represented, celebrating the companionship and comradery exemplifying both
Culture and Community. Live music brought the joyful crowd onto the dirt dance floor to line-dance in unison. Vettes out West displayed some of their customized Corvettes, multiple artists exhibited their artwork and a Miss. Juneteenth scholarship pageant winner was crowned. At the forefront of the festivities, Community was emphasized significantly with multiple vendors and organizations dedicated to sharing education and resources available to the community in the areas of health, education and empowerment. Rialto Unified School District Student Services Department was present to update families on educational pro-
Juneteenth Jam cont. on next pg.
Wins Two Emmy® Awards, Elevating Local Voices through Public Media
Winners from KVCR Public Media celebrate their Emmy victories for The Warehouse Empire and Inland
Community News
VCR Public Media, the Inland Empire’s PBS Television Station (Channel 24) and NPR Radio Station (91.9 FM), is proud to announce that it has won two Emmy Awards, a
remarkable recognition of the station’s commitment to telling meaningful, local stories that matter to our community.
The first Emmy was awarded in the Documentary category for our original short series, The Warehouse Empire.
Directed and hosted by San Bernardinobased filmmaker Sofia Figueroa, the powerful series examines the rapid growth of the warehouse and logistics industry across the Inland Empire. Through indepth reporting and firsthand community
KVCR Emmy cont. on
PHOTOS NOAH LOMON
Rialto’s Juneteenth Jam is filled with community engagement, activities, music, culture and more.
PHOTO KVCR
Inland Empire Community News • June 26, 2025 • Page A2 • Rialto Record
Juneteenth Jam (cont.)
- grams and opportunities, while the IE Black Women’s Collective area featured an area dedicated to showcasing Blackwomen owned businesses.
A special focus was placed on the importance of health with the Community Health Care Initiative covering all aspects of wellness spanning from mental health and meditation booths to free physicals offered by TriState Community Healthcare Clinics, reflecting Juneteenth Jam founder Vickie Davis’s beliefs that “Our health is our
RUSD (cont.)
- perspectives, The Warehouse Empire investigates the environmental, economic, and social impacts of this expanding sector, spotlighting issues often overlooked in mainstream media.
“As the director of The Warehouse Empire, I'm deeply honored that our series received an Emmy award. Our goal was to spotlight the powerful stories of Inland Empire residents and bring attention to how the growing warehouse and logistics industry is affecting frontline communities. With the support of PBS stations like KVCR, we’re able to elevate local voices and bring greater visibility to the challenges and resilience within our community.”
– Sofia Figueroa.
KVCR’s second Emmy was awarded in the Interview/Discussion – Short or Long Form Content category for an episode of its original series Inland Edition. The winning episode, Chris Burns: CEO, Boys Republic, features a heartfelt conversation with a leader making a profound impact on young lives in the region. Hosted by Joe Richardson, Inland Edition explores civic engagement through thoughtful interviews that give viewers insight into the people and issues shaping life in the Inland Empire.
“As the showrunner, producer, and editor of Inland Edition, I was truly enlightened by the depth of insight shared by the
most valuable asset and the most important investment any of us will ever make.”
The successful event was truly a vibrant display of community kinship, bringing together families and people from all over the Inland Empire (and beyond) to commemorate the holiday marking the end of slavery in the US.
For more information visit @vickiedaviswellness.
San Bernardino Approves Budget Amid Backlash Over $5.2M Legal Fees, $2M Police Vehicles, $500K Tree Contract
civic leaders and public servants we featured. Receiving an Emmy is an incredible honor, but the real reward was learning firsthand how these individuals serve our communities every day. Our goal was to highlight the people behind the decisions that shape our lives—and I'm proud that Inland Edition resonated with viewers in such a meaningful way." – Brad Greenwell, Showrunner/Producer/Editor, Inland Edition.
“We are truly honored to have won two Emmy Awards for producing local content that resonates deeply with our community,” said Connie Leyva, Executive Director of KVCR and Executive Producer for both projects. “Our mission as the PBS station serving the Inland Empire is to provide high-quality, informative, and engaging programming that keeps our viewers informed and connected. This recognition affirms our belief that local storytelling matters – and that the Inland Empire deserves a strong voice in public media.”
These awards not only celebrate excellence in broadcasting but also reflect KVCR’s ongoing dedication to amplifying diverse voices and uncovering the real challenges and triumphs of the Inland Empire.
Whether it's through investigative documentaries or engaging local discussions, KVCR continues to fulfill its public media mission: to educate, inform, and inspire.
By Manny Sandoval
The San Bernardino City Council approved the city’s $348.7 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) through 2030 in a contentious meeting marked by talking over one another, disagreements, public outrage, and conflict of interest accusations.
The June 4 vote followed hours of heated debate, sparked first by Councilmember Theodore Sanchez’s lastminute recommendation to delay the hearing. Within minutes of speaking, Sanchez drew loud boos from the audience and was interrupted by shouts of "No!" led by former Councilwoman Kimberly Calvin and echoed by several dozen residents.
“The State mandates that we have one public hearing during a regularly scheduled meeting, which would be this. Then we could schedule and continue this in a special meeting,” Sanchez said. He cited unresolved staff concerns and major cuts to key services, including homeless encampment cleanups and tree removal. But the crowd was not having it. Mayor Helen Tran had to call for order.
Ultimately, Sanchez’s motion to delay was seconded by Councilmember Fred Shorett but failed. The audience erupted in laughter after Sanchez’s motion was voted down.
Council Spars Over Transparency
Councilmember Dr. Treasure Ortiz challenged Sanchez’s timing and commitment to transparency, stating, “We’ve had two workshops, and Councilwoman Knaus was diligent in going department by department asking questions. If you have questions about the budget Councilman Sanchez,
they should be asked in front of the public here tonight.”
Interim City Manager Bill Gallardo, who will be replaced by Eric Levitt on August 4, presented the budget. He said, “We have presented a balanced general fund budget. We have a recommendation to draw down reserves to invest in community infrastructure.”
Where the $348.7 Million Budget Is Going
The approved FY 2025-26 budget allocates:
$125.1 million to the General Fund
$84.7 million for Special Revenue Funds
$40.1 million for Internal Service Funds
$35.7 million for Enterprise Funds
$34.2 million for Capital Project Funds
$14.9 million for Debt Service Funds
$13.9 million for Permanent and Trust Funds
These figures are intended to support core services such as public safety, infrastructure, and community services, while also funding major capital improvements.
Legal Services: BB&K Under Scrutiny Public frustration grew during discussions on skyrocketing legal expenses—most notably the $2.5 million projected to be paid to law firm Best Best & Krieger (BB&K), which has held the city attorney contract since August 1st, 2018.
Ortiz disclosed that BB&K was charging the city roughly $211,000 per month. She added, “The city is spending nearly half a million dollars a month on legal services between BB&K and other outside attorneys—and that doesn’t include settlements.”
When Ortiz asked BB&K Attorney Albert Maldonado what the extra charges covered, he
cited labor and employment law, Prop 218, economic development, bankruptcy work, “and a number of other things that require expertise and a specialty.”
“Why are we being charged $1.5 million above our retainer?” Ortiz pressed.
Ortiz continued, “The cost we're paying BB&K sounds like nothing when you say one percent. But one percent of hundreds of millions is a lot.
And for one firm to go unchecked and question the council when we ask questions is irresponsible.”
Maldonado pushed back by comparing BB&K’s current cost to previous firms, citing legal costs between $6.5 million and $8.8 million from 2015–2018.
Councilman Sanchez then spoke in response to Ortiz. He provided a hypothetical saying, “Let’s say, there is an elected official who decides to sue the city for $2 million and that individual goes into litigation with the city. Could that cost the city $100,000 in legal fees to fight?”
Sanchez was seemingly referring to Councilwoman Dr. Treasure Ortiz who recently sued the city, alleging police illegally ran her name through criminal databases and sought to sway the 2024 campaign. Ultimately, the claim was denied.
Sanchez continued, “I know we have in the past litigated cases in defense of the city that have cost us anywhere between $100,000–$300,000 dollars. These things happen and we get sued. In order to aggressively fight for the interest of the city, we have to be able to litigate this in a courtroom. That costs the city money.”
Full story at IECN.com.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
A San Bernardino resident listens as city councilmembers spar over transparency during the heated June 4 budget hearing.
Op-Eds
The Unrepresented Truth of Gender Equality
By Fernanda Ramirez, Arroyo Valley High School Student
Gender equality is something that is most of the time mistaken for thinking that a certain gender is better than the other. Gender equality is a big problem that society has faced for many years, and it faces society today. Gender equality relates a lot to feminism, and feminism is the belief that both women and men are created equal.
But unfortunately, people misinterpret it by thinking that women are better than men, which is not the case; women are not better than men, and men are not better than women. Both genders need each other equally because there are many things that women can do but men can't, and there are many things men can do but women can’t. The thought of women and men being equal is nice, and yes, we even each other out—we are like a balancing scale. Women and men need each other in different ways. Not only do men need women, but women also need men, and it is not a bad thing to depend on each other because that is what we were meant for.
Being a woman is a good thing, and being a man is a good thing; we need each other to survive. Neither men nor women can reproduce alone; both genders are needed to create life. In addition to living a happy life, you need parent figures in your life—coincidentally, and most of the time, they are a man and a woman. Women and men are equal to each other; we are like Yin and Yang. It's a representation of who we are as humans, and re-
gardless of gender, everyone should be able to decide what to do with their own lives. Gender is unimportant when it comes to basic human rights, opportunities, and responsibilities.
All men and women were meant to work together to make the world a better place, and putting each other down only makes things worse. When mentioning “putting each other down,” it means not giving basic human rights to each gender—for example, not giving women equal pay, discriminatory laws against women, lack of representation, etc. Though many issues follow women, there are also issues that men go through that are not represented enough—for example, men’s sexual assault is not represented, disrespect is not represented, etc. Many issues follow each gender, and all of those different things affect each gender in its own way.
So, how can we fix these problems? It is important to know that the first step to solving a problem is recognizing we have one. The problem we have now is that we believe one gender is greater than the other. It is known that some men believe women are better than men, and others believe that men are better than women. So, in the end, the only way to solve this problem is to understand that neither gender is better than the other; both genders should be able to work together because that is what we are meant for. Both genders are perfect in their own way, and both genders are needed by one another. Even though neither gender has the same capacities as the other, they still need each other to survive.
Our Police and State’s Rights in the Face of the Immigrant Witch-Hunt
By Matthew Leon, Arroyo Valley High School Student
Martin Niemöller, a poet and opponent of the Nazi regime during World War II, wrote in a poem:
“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— / Because I was not a Jew. / Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
The recent witch-hunting of illegal immigrants no doubt resonates with most of us Inland Empire residents. A study conducted by UC Riverside reveals that one in five of us are immigrants, and regardless of an individual’s stance on whether or not immigration is beneficial, the administration’s actions and fear-mongering of everyday people should be condemned.
President Trump, on April 28, consolidated his power using yet another executive order against so-called “dangerous illegal aliens,” which allowed ICE to establish a “naughty list” of sanctuary cities (cities which apparently do not currently do everything in their power to remove immigrants) and coerce them into complying with ICE’s policies using threats to funding. Complying with these regulations would mean sheriffs have to routinely hold prisoners with questionable citizenship status for ICE inspections.
The order also “ensures illegal aliens are not being favored over American citizens by directing the Attorney General to address state or local laws that unlawfully prioritize aliens.”
With this, our very own police departments will become mere outposts for the administration's anti-immigration policies. And it must be recalled that the administration does not exactly have a reputation
for correctly identifying illegal immigrants. Andry José Hernandez, a gay Salvadoran hairstylist who sought asylum in the U.S., was allegedly deported because his tattoos—particularly a crown tattoo with his parents’ names on it—had a vague resemblance to those of Salvadoran gang Tren de Aragua members. This is just one man in a list of people wrongly sent to a Salvadoran prison without due process, especially considering the ongoing Abrego Garcia case. Is this really the standard we want our states to be coerced into cooperating with? The Salvadoran government and President Trump are abusing human rights loopholes to create a system where they can deport anybody even suspected of a certain heritage and send them elsewhere—places not subject to the U.S. Constitution.
Is this what we want our police departments to have to report to and work under? More importantly, does this blatant profiling sound like any other regime? It must be remembered: Auschwitz, the most notorious and largest concentration camp, was intentionally not built on German land.
If this is happening to Salvadoran immigrants on the basis that they may be related to gangs, what will be coming to Mexican Americans? What camps will they be sent to, considering that President Trump has squandered our partnership with the Mexican government?
Our people should refuse to work with such policies. Our police departments becoming puppets for the administration is only a step toward the Trump administration acquiring full power over the public. This is a slippery slope that most should want to stay far, far away from.
San Bernardino Man Fatally Shot in Colton; Police Investigating
By Colton PD
ASan Bernardino man was fatally shot early Monday morning in Colton, according to the Colton Police Department.
Officers responded to the 3600 block of Placentia Lane at approximately 5 a.m. June 16 following reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Kristian Gutierrez of San Bernardino, was pronounced dead at the scene by Colton Fire Department personnel.
The Colton Police Department’s De-
tective Division is investigating the incident, with assistance from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Scientific Investigations Unit. The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office also responded.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Isabel Jaramillo at ijaramillo@coltonca.gov or 909-3705142, or Sergeant Shawn McFarland at smcfarland@coltonca.gov or 909-3705140. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME or visit wetip.com. Refer to case number 25-03084.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Man Found Dead Inside Colton Mobile Home; Police Investigating
By Colton PD
Aman was found dead inside a mobile home in Colton on the afternoon of June 9, prompting an investigation by local police and forensic authorities.
At approximately 3:40 p.m., Colton police officers responded to the mobile home complex at 2250 West Mill Street to conduct a welfare check. After receiving no response from the resident, officers entered the home and discovered a deceased adult male inside.
The Colton Police Department’s Detective Division responded and assumed the investigation. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Scientific Investigations Division
assisted in processing the crime scene, and the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office also responded.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Jaime Ramirez at jramirez@coltonca.gov or 909-3705021, or Sergeant Shawn McFarland at smcfarland@coltonca.gov or 909-3705140. To remain anonymous, contact the We-Tip hotline at 800-78-CRIME or visit wetip.com. Refer to case number 25-02983.
This investigation also remains ongoing.
Free Composting Workshop Set
for June 28 at Louis Robidoux Parkland in Jurupa Valley
Community News
The Louis Robidoux Parkland and Pecan Grove (LRPPG) will host a free community workshop, “Composting 101,” on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at 5370 Riverview Drive in Jurupa Valley.
Presented in collaboration with the Riverside County Master Gardeners, the event will include an educational presentation and live composting demonstration aimed at beginners and seasoned composters alike. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m. to secure parking, seating, and take advantage of early giveaways provided by LRPPG and the UC Master Gardeners.
The first 15 community members to sign in will receive a free countertop compost container. In addition, all participants will be entered into a raffle for one of three backyard composting bins. Following the event, attendees will receive a digital resource packet covering materials discussed during the workshop.
“I am always excited about the events we host at LRPPG, but am especially looking forward to this upcoming workshop,” said LRPPG Site Specialist Lus Gomez. “These free events are an incredible opportunity to learn from expert Master Gardeners and to meet others in the community interested in sustainability.”
Throughout the event, guests will be able to speak directly with presenters and learn about other free workshops available through the Master Gardeners program in Riverside County. Light refreshments will be provided, along with branded stickers, bags, and keychains while supplies last.
In addition to the workshop, visitors are encouraged to explore several on-site features including LRPPG’s biodiversity and pollinator gardens, a bird blind wildlife observation area, the “AirBeeNBee” bee hotel, and Chronolog photo stations that allow visitors to contribute to time-lapse environmental monitoring.
Representatives from the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, one of LRPPG’s partner organizations, will also be present to answer questions about the parkland’s conservation efforts and upcoming events.
The next workshop at LRPPG is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, and will focus on vegetable pickling. The event will be hosted in collaboration with the Master Food Preservers and will include demonstrations, raffle prizes, and additional resources.
For more information, visit www.louisrobidouxparkland.or g or check the event kiosk on site.
State Representatives Urge Redlands Unified to Abandon Discriminatory Draft Policies
Community News
Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) and Assemblymember Robert Garcia (D-Rancho Cucamonga) issued the following statements regarding their coauthored letter to the Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education. The letter urges the Board to abandon draft policies under consideration for approval.
Senator Reyes said, “The draft policies being considered by the RUSD Board – particularly those in the name of Title IX protection – are ironic, considering its recent and direct violations of that law.
Very urgent and costly issues of student safety persist at RUSD schools, and I urge the Board to abandon its ongoing publicity and political stunts and immediately pivot its attention toward solutions that will prioritize protection of our community’s children.”
Assemblymember Garcia said, “Every student deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported at school. These proposed policies threaten that feeling by enabling censorship, forced outings, and exclusion, especially
Riverside Art Museum Announces Resignation of Executive Director, Drew Oberjuerge After 13 Years
Executive Director Drew Oberjuerge (center) stands with Riverside Art Museum staff and board members following the announcement of her resignation, effective August 15, 2025. Oberjuerge leaves behind a 13½-year legacy of transformative leadership, including the creation of The Cheech and RAM’s receipt of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Community News
The Riverside Art Museum (RAM) Board of Trustees announces the resignation of Executive Director Drew Oberjuerge, effective August 15, 2025, marking a nearly 131⁄2 year tenure at the helm of this long-standing art institution. Under her visionary leadership, the museum has experienced remarkable growth and transformation, notably highlighted by the opening of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts and Culture (The Cheech), solidifying RAM’s role as a vital cultural hub in our community. This significant work culminated in RAM receiving the prestigious 2023 Museum and Library Service National Medal, the highest honor awarded to museums and libraries that exemplify excellence in service to their communities.
and vibrant exhibitions at the historic Julia Morgan building and The Cheech, a new executive director will inherit a strong foundation from which to lead us into our next phase of excellence."
“Drew Oberjuerge has been an outstanding leader for RAM,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “She has elevated RAM from an institution that was well respected in the city and region to a powerhouse with a national and international reach. She will leave RAM well positioned for future success, and we are grateful for her service to our community.”
for our most vulnerable youth. I urge the Redlands Unified School Board to pause, listen to the community, and commit to building an educational environment grounded in dignity, not division.”
In addition to these proposed policies regarding LGBTQ+ youth and content, in the last two years RUSD has had numerous incidents and reports of sexual assault and harassment of students by staff, hate speech among youth peers, and most recently, discriminatory acts targeting LGBTQ youth.
Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Senate District 29, which includes the cities of Colton, Fontana, Highland, Loma Linda, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.
Assemblymember Robert Garcia (D-Rancho Cucamunga) represents Assembly District 50, which includes the cities of Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Loma Linda, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, and San Bernardino.
“Drew believed in this project from day one,” said Cheech Marin. “She brought the heart, the smarts, and the hustle it took to make The Cheech a reality. I’m deeply grateful for her vision and tenacity—for helping create a lasting home for Chicano art that will inspire generations.”
Throughout her tenure, Oberjuerge, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and staff, spearheaded numerous initiatives that expanded exhibition offerings, increased community engagement, and significantly enhanced educational programs. Her unwavering commitment to the arts and her ability to inspire both staff and patrons have left an indelible mark on the organization.
"We are deeply grateful for Drew's dedication and passion for the arts," said Patricia Reynolds, President of the Riverside Art Museum Board of Trustees. "Her leadership has positioned the Riverside Art Museum as a leading institution in the region, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. With the establishment of The Cheech, our expanded art education programs,
Oberjuerge is leaving to serve as Executive Director of the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts in Rancho Cucamonga. In this new role, she will collaborate with foundation trustees, staff, and stakeholders to chart a new period of excellence and accessibility for the organization that stewards the historic residence and woodshop of Sam Maloof, one of the most widely recognized artists from Inland Southern California.
“It’s been an honor to serve as the Executive Director of the Riverside Art Museum, working with so many good-hearted people over the years to innovate our institution,” says Oberjuerge. “I know that the future of the Riverside Art Museum, inclusive of The Cheech, is bright! I look forward to taking what I learned at RAM to the Maloof to strengthen another Inland Empire anchor institution to benefit our region’s communities.”
The Board of Trustees has begun the search for a new Executive Director and will soon appoint an Interim Executive Director to manage day-today operations until a permanent replacement is selected. The Riverside Art Museum remains committed to its mission of enriching the community through the arts and will continue to thrive in the years to come.
PHOTO RAM
Tennessee Lawsuit Challenges Latino College Funding,
By Cal Matters
Alawsuit filed by Tennessee’s attorney general — and joined by the group that led the effort to overturn affirmative action — is challenging federal funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), threatening the future of student support programs at most Inland Empire colleges and hundreds of campuses across California.
The lawsuit, backed by Students for Fair Admissions, argues that the U.S. Department of Education’s funding programs for HSIs are discriminatory and unconstitutional because they target a specific ethnic group. Filed in federal court, the case takes aim at a decades-old law that allocates funding to colleges and universities where at least 25% of undergraduate students identify as Latino, and a substantial share come from low-income backgrounds.
California has the largest number of HSIs in the country — 171 out of the 615 nationwide — including most of the state’s Cal State and University of California campuses. In the Inland Empire, nearly every major college is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, including Cal State San Bernardino, where 72% of undergraduates are Latino, and Riverside Community College, where 68% of students identify as Latino.
“These are not just statistics — these are young people
facing systemic barriers that have persisted across generations,” said Dr. Wolde-Ab Isaac, chancellor of the Riverside Community College District. “We are serving the underserved. Our populations are educationally and economically underserved. This is a system failure.”
The lawsuit contends that Tennessee colleges are being unfairly excluded from federal support simply because they don’t meet the 25% Latino enrollment threshold. “They also serve needy, low-income students of all ethnicities,” the complaint states. “But under the statute, they get no HSI money because they lack enough members of one particular ethnic group. So all students at these schools suffer.”
Dr. Isaac disagrees. His district, which includes three campuses and more than 59,000 students, receives between $3 million to $4 million annually through HSI grants — less than 1% of its $300 million budget — but funding that he says plays a vital role in offering scholarships, tutoring, science and technology labs, and mentoring programs.
“We have the most dynamic, the most diverse, the most vibrant population of any [college district], and we have a much bigger share of poverty in our areas,” Isaac said. “We have so many young kids compared to any place else and yet those opportunities are not there to help them unlock those talents.”
The HSI program was created by Congress in 1992 to
address disparities in college access and completion among Latinos. National studies have shown Latino students are more likely than their white peers to be firstgeneration college attendees and to face linguistic, cultural, and economic barriers. In 2023, the Department of Education allocated $418.8 million in grants and assistance to HSIs across the country.
Inland Empire educators and advocates say that cutting this funding would disproportionately harm a region where high school enrollment is rising, yet college-going and graduation rates remain among the lowest in the state.
Dr. Isaac said that even if HSI funding were eliminated, his district would continue offering the same services. “That is part of our mission,” he said. “But removing federal support sends the wrong message — that helping underserved students succeed is somehow unfair.”
The lawsuit is the latest challenge from Students for Fair Admissions, which successfully sued Harvard and the University of North Carolina in a Supreme Court case that ended race-conscious admissions nationwide in 2023.
Now, the group’s newest legal battle threatens to upend another pillar of educational equity — and its outcome could reshape how federal funding is distributed to the colleges serving the nation’s largest and fastest-growing student population.
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OCCUPANT: Any prospective owner-occupant as defined n Section 2924m of the California Civil Code who is the ast and highest bidder at the trustee s sa e shal provide the requ red affidavit or declaration of eligibi ity to the auctioneer at the trustee's sale or sha have it delivered to QUALITY LOAN SERVICE
CORPORATION by 5 p m on the next business day following the trustee's sale at the address set forth n the be ow signature block NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE POST-SALE OVER BIDDERS: For postsale information in accordance with Section 2924m(e) of the California Civil Code, use fi e number CA-25-1009441-NJ and call (866) 645-7711 or login to: http://www qualityloan com The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown here n If no street address or other common designat on s shown, directions to the location of the property may be obta ned by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Not ce of Sale If the sa e is set aside for any reason including if the Trustee is unable to convey title the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee This shal be the Purchaser s sole and exclusive remedy The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee the Beneficiary the Beneficiary s Agent or the Beneficiary s Attorney If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy you may have been released of personal liabil ty for this loan in wh ch case this letter is intended to exerc se the note holders right s aga nst the real property only Date: QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION 2763 Camino Del Rio S San Diego CA 92108 619645-7711 For NON SALE information on y Sale Line: 916-939-0772 Or
PROBATE has been filed by GABRIELA AIDE ARAIZA in the Superior Court of California County of SAN BERNARDINO THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that GABRIELA AIDE ARAIZA 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 un ess 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: 07/10/25 at 9:00AM in Dept F2 located at 17780 ARROW BLVD FONTANA CA 92335 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 de ivery 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 JAMIE M FRENZEL - SBN 300322 THE LEGACY FIRM OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, P C 31630 RAILROAD CANYON RD STE 10 CANYON LAKE CA 92587 Telephone (951) 244-6633 CNS-3933922# PUBLISHED RIALTO RECORD 6/12 6/19 6/26/25 R-236
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: YOLANDA ARAIZA CASE NO PROVA2500404
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of YOLANDA ARAIZA A PETITION FOR
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE S SALE Trustee
ed sa e may not immed ately be ref ected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web s te The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the schedu ed sale NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civ l Code If you are an "el gib e tenant buyer you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction If you are an e igib e b dder
T S No 135599-CA APN:
0128-631-44-0-000 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE S SALE
the amount of the ast and h ghest bid and the address of the
Second you must send a written notice of intent to
b d so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee s sale Third, you must subm t a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee s sa e If you think you may qualify as an eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder you should consider contact ng an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediate y for advice regard ng this potent al right to purchase A4844955 Published Rialto Record 06/12/2025 06/19/2025 06/26/2025 R-237
NOTICE Extra Space Storage on beha f of tself or ts affiliates Life Storage or Storage Express will hold a pub ic auction to satisfy Extra Space s ien by se ling personal property belong ng to those ind viduals listed below at the location ind cated: 15713 Valley Blvd Fontana Ca 92335 On July 09 2025 at 10:30 AM Lester Thompson; Ruth Hernandez; Thomas Cato; Ricardo Vargas; Juliette Rosales; Phill p Avila; Eduardo Rodriguez; Greg West; Isabel e Perez-Reyes; Maria Luisa Ramos; Monique Jouen; Chr stopher Escobar; Derr ck Maldonado The auct on w ll be listed and advertised on w w w s t o r a g e t r e a s u r e s c o m Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced fac lity in order to comp ete the transaction Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may resc nd any pur-chase up unti the w nning bidder takes possess on of the personal property
Morales; Kenyard Bilal; Jetson E izalde; Yvonne
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 5/31/2023 UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER On 8/5/2025 at 9:00 AM, CLEAR RECON CORP as duly appointed trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 5/31/2023 as Instrument No 2023-0131391 of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of San Bernardino County State of CALIFORNIA executed by: MEHDI ALI AND FARZANA REHMATI, HUSBAND AND WIFE COMMUNITY PROPERTY WITH RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE; AT THE NORTH WEST ENTRANCE IN THE COURTYARD OF THE CHINO MUNICIPAL COURT, 13260 CENTRAL AVENUE CHINO CA 91710 all right title and nterest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: MORE COMPLETED DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 261 N VINE AVE, RIALTO, CA 92376 The undersigned Trustee discla ms any liabil ty for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation if any shown herein Said sale will be held but without covenant or warranty express or implied regarding title possession condition or encumbrances inc uding fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publ cation of the Not ce of Sa e is: $553,330 40 If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Dec aration of Defau t and Demand for Sale and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell The undersigned or its predecessor caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction You will be b dding on a lien not on the property itself Placing the h ghest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior ien If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for pay ng off all liens senior to
the l en being auctioned off before you can receive clear title to the property You are encouraged to nvestigate the existence priority and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder's office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee beneficiary trustee or a court pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public as a courtesy to those not present at the sale If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed and if applicable the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (855) 313-3319 or visit this Internet website www clearreconcorp com, using the file number assigned to th s case 135599-CA Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale NOTICE TO TENANT: Effect ve January 1, 2021, you may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the Ca ifornia C vil Code If you are an eligible tenant buyer ” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction If you are an “e igible bidder ” you may be ab e to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale you can call (855) 313-3319, or visit this internet website www clearreconcorp com using the file number assigned to th s case 135599-CA to find the date on which the trustee s sale was held the amount of the last and h ghest bid and the address of the trustee Second you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale Third you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee s sale If you think you may qualify as an eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder ” you should cons der contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate profess onal immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase FOR SALES INFORMATION: (855) 313-3319 CLEAR RECON CORP 3333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 225 San D ego, California 92108 Published Rialto Record 6/26,7/3,7/10/25 R-246
Rose Foundation Awards Research Grant to UC Riverside to Tackle Port Pollution and Advance Clean Air Solutions in San Pedro
Community News
The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment has awarded a $3.5 million grant to the University of California, Riverside (UCR), launching a groundbreaking research initiative to address dangerous air pollution in San Pedro and surrounding neighborhoods near the Port of Los Angeles—areas long referred to as part of the “diesel death zone” due to the health impacts of port-related emissions.
UC Riverside’s Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) at the Bourns College of Engineering has been awarded the grant to lead this research project. As UCR’s largest research center, CECERT brings over 30 years of expertise in clean transportation, sustainable energy systems, and air quality innovation.
Nationally recognized for turning cutting-edge science into real-world impact, CE-CERT will work in close partnership with communities to investigate the impact of Ocean Going Vessels (OGVs) on near shore air pollution.
The research is focused on measuring and understanding the air pollution and health impacts caused by OGVs operating in and around the Port of Los Angeles by measuring emissions of up to 100 vessels using drones and on-board instruments.
Ground-based monitoring will complement these measurements, focusing on hazardous air pollutants such as carbonyls, PAHs, black carbon, and sulfates among others.
Backed by CE-CERT’s expertise in diesel emissions, goods movement, and advanced air quality modeling, this approach will allow researchers to directly trace pollution from freight operations to ithe nearshore communities. The long-term outcome is that the data generated will help implement mitigation strategies and enhance regulatory enforcement through innovative monitoring methods.
“This research will help close critical knowledge gaps and gives frontline communities and regulatory agencies the information they need to advocate for public health and make policy decisions relating to the impacts of port activities,” said Dr. David Cocker, lead researcher at CE-CERT.
“This grant represents a significant milestone in our mission to work with community litigants on implementing their goals for mitigation funding,” said Aiko Pandorf, Interim Executive Director of the Rose Foundation.
A Victory Decades in the Making
This initiative is rooted in a long and hard-fought environmental justice struggle. In 2001, the Port of Los Angeles approved construction of a terminal for China Shipping—one of its largest tenants—without first preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
In response, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), in partnership with community allies such as East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Coalition for Clean Air, San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners United, and San Pedro and Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, filed a lawsuit that led to a landmark settlement. The court sided with the plaintiffs, requir-
ing the Port to prepare a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Yet over the years, the Port repeatedly backtracked on its promises, prompting renewed legal action. In 2022, a trial court found a “profound violation of CEQA,” and by December 2023, the California Court of Appeal ordered immediate corrective measures.
In May 2024, the San Diego County Superior Court ruled that the lease between the Port and China Shipping must include enforceable pollution-reduction measures, including the use of cleaner cargo-handling equipment and Alternative Maritime Power, requiring ships to plug in at berth instead of burning diesel.
This led the parties to settle the remaining case issues which led to the creation of a mitigation fund, housed at the Rose Foundation, aimed at finding projects that would help reduce port-related air pollution.
This legal victory stands as a powerful testament to the tireless commitment of community-driven leadership in the fight for environmental accountability and justice.
"This project stands on the shoulders of a communityled legal battle that proves what is possible when community-based organizations join forces with residents to demand justice," said Jodene Isaacs, our Director of Grantmaking at the Rose Foundation. "Community partners are using settlement funds from the Port of Los Angeles to harness scientific research that can be used by regulators to shape a cleaner, more equitable future."
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
The Port of Long Beach on May 26th, 2025, shows a Coast Guard helicopter hovering over the port’s waters.
