W e e k l y COLTON COURIER Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!
Vol 144, NO. 18
IECN
.com April 21, 2016
THIS WEEK Colton pa rents remember Decision on animal Gloria’s Corner and Words To ‘bea utiful boy who was ordinance Think About a lways smi ling’ postponed until May 17 J Colton Mourns Dominick Gallegos
A3 & A5
By Anthony Victoria
Come Out This Weekend for Care 4 Kids Run A8
oel and Charmaine Gallegos Friday evening recalled a young son who in their eyes, was just starting to grow up. The parents were just beginning to give a maturing child smaller freedoms and more responsibilities–opportunities that ended tragically earlier this week.
T
By Anthony Victoria
he Colton City Council on Tuesday evening decided to delay a decision to amend an existing municipal code to improve animal regulations and animal conditions.
Their only son, Dominick Gallegos, 12, collapsed and died on a Colton elementary school ground Tuesday afternoon; San Bernardino County Coroner’s officials ruled that the sixthgrade student at Ulysses S. Grant Elementary passed away from natural causes due to an enlarged heart.
Even as the family and community continue to question events surrounding the boy’s death, family members say that Dominick was a happy student Dominick cont. on next page
COURTESY PHOTO
Dominick Gallegos, 12, collapsed and died on the grounds of U.S. Grant Elementary School last Tuesday.
Community Comes Out For Car Wash Fundraiser for Dominick!
INSIDE ONE SECTION, 16 PAGES
A6 A11 A12 A4 A6 A10
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Fax: (909) 384-0406 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: sales@iecn.com
The issue will be revisited during the May 17 council meeting, after an ad-hoc committee deliberates with residents to address further concerns during their meeting on April 27. The meeting is schedule for 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
“If we’re going to do it right, let’s do it right the first time,” said Councilman Frank Navarro. “It’s not an emergency thing. We’ve had our current ordinance for years. We’re moving forward. We can’t expect the City of Colton to turn around and turn the page and be a whole new city by tomorrow. We have to assess everything we’re going to need to make this work.”
A10
Calendar Classifieds Legal Notices Opinion Calendar Sports
If approved, the entirety of Title 7 of the Colton Municipal Code will include provisions that prohibit the in-store and online sale of cats and dogs within city limits and requiring all dogs and cats to be spayed/neutered and microchipped, with exception to certified breeders. Pit Bull owners would be required to spay/neuter with no consideration for certified breeders.
PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
Charmaine and Joel Gallegos holding a portrait of their son Dominick Gallegos, 12.
Councilmember David Toro proposed the amendments to the municipal code to address the mistreatment of pets by residents and their wellness. Toro’s devotion to the well-being of animals has motivated him to create a non-profit organization to help pets find proper homes, as well as help residents register their pets Pets cont. on next page