W e e k l y COLTON COURIER Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!
Vol 145, NO. 9
THIS WEEK
Gloria’s Corner and Words To Think About
Runner’s dreams may be dashed by DACA uncertainty
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By Anthony Victoria
A3 & A5
Business and Services Directory A7
PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
San Bernardino Valley College cross country runner Erubey Camacho.
rubey Camacho’s path towards receiving a top class education has been a daunting task, and may only become more challenging as the nation faces an immigration upheaval. At 2-years-old Camacho was brought to the U.S. by his Mexican parents, who left poverty and violent stricken Sinaloa in search of a better life. “Practically, all I know is the United States,” he said. “I’ve grown to love the stores, the people, and the area. I love this place.” Now as a 20-year-old Colton, the gifted San Bernardino Valley College cross-country and track athlete faces the likelihood of Runner cont. on next page
Lawyer hoping to bring more resources to City
African American high school seniors encouraged to apply for NBG scholarships A12
INSIDE ONE SECTION, 16 PAGES
Gloria’s Corner Words To think About Legal Notices Opinion
A3 A5 A8 A4
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Fax: (909) 384-0406 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: sales@iecn.com
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By Anthony Victoria
ttorney Soheila Azizi is hoping to link up with several community organizations and business entities to assist Inland cities in addressing social and economic issues. Known as the ‘People for Peace and Prosperity’ movement, Azizi intends on making the City of Colton its pilot location--citing the area’s commitment to transparency and accountability as a factor. “It’s a hyper localized setting,” Azizi said of Colton. “The people are warm and sophisticated. They are not afraid to ask questions, and I like that.” The purpose of ‘People for Peace and Prosperity’ is to provide legal consultations to individuals seeking advice in multiple areas. Azizi was inspired by the Charter for Compassion, created by Karen Armstrong and the Council of Conscience in 2009, Azizi cont. on next page
Attorney Soheila Azizi.
PHOTO/SOHEILA AZIZI
IECN
.com
February 16, 2017
Tax event at SBVC to serve low income community at no cost
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By Anthony Victoria
f you’re looking to do your taxes at no cost, make sure to stop by San Bernardino Valley College on Saturday for the Cal EITC 4 Me Community Resource Fair. Regional director Blanca Lopez said Cal EITC advocates are focusing on helping poverty stricken Inland Empire residents gain a “financial boost.” “We want people to know,” she said. “A lot of times people who make under $4,000 are not obligated to file. They don’t know that if they do file they can possibly receive some sort of credit back. About 50,000 households didn’t claim EITC last year. We want this money to benefit residents in areas like Arlanza and Colton, where a cluster of low income people live.” Key points to remember: Qualification and Description Eligible sources of earned income from: W-2 wages. Salaries, tips. Other employee compensation subject to California withholding. Note: For Cal EITC, earned income does not include income from self-employment. Both your adjusted gross income and earned income (defined above) may be up to: Maximum Income Limit $6,717 if there are no qualifying children. $10,087 if there is one qualifying child. $14,161 if there are two or more qualifying children. Your investment income, such as interest, dividends, royalties, and capital gains cannot exceed $3,471 for the entire tax year. You may file as: Filing Status Single. Married/Registered Domestic Partner (RDP) filing jointly. Head of Household (HOH). Note: Married/RDP Filing separately status may not be used. Your qualifying child must meet three criteria: Relationship – Is the taxpayer’s child, stepchild (whether by blood or adoption), foster child, sibling or stepsibling, or a descendant of any of them. Residence – Had the same principal residence as the taxpayer in California for more than half the tax year. Certain exceptions apply. Age – Child must be younger than the taxpayer and either a) under the age of 19 at the end of the tax year, or b) under the age of 24 if a full-time student for at least five months of the year. A permanently and totally disabled child may be included at any age. The child only qualifies for one return. If the child can be claimed by more than one taxpayer, the child’s qualification goes to: The parent. If more than 1 taxpayer is the child’s parent, the parent with whom the child lived for the longest time during the year, or if the time was equal, the parent with the highest adjusted gross income (AGI). If no eligible parent claims the child, the individual claiming the child, if the individual’s AGI exceeds the AGI of any parent eligible to claim the child. If no taxpayer is the child’s parent, the taxpayer with the highest AGI. Residency Your principal residence must be in California for more than half the tax year. Age If you do not have a qualifying child, you (or your spouse if you file a joint return) must be between 25 and 65 years old at the end of the tax year. Lopez said residents interested in filing their taxes should call (909) 347-1255 to make an appointment. For more info go to http://caleitc4me.org/.