As students across the Inland Empire return to the classroom, 600 children at Zimmerman Elementary in Bloomington started the school year with new backpacks and supplies thanks to San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., State
Assemblyman Robert Garcia, and a network of community partners.
The back-to-school giveaway, held last week, provided backpacks filled with notebooks, art supplies, and other essentials to every student on campus. The event brought together local leaders, including Zimmerman Elementary School Principal Nunez-Varias and Colton Joint
Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Miranda, along with employees from Bank of America, Molina Healthcare, Vituity Cares Foundation, and Walmart.
Volunteers from Bank of America’s Hispanic-Latino employee network played a central role, donating 1,200 note-
Community News
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center unveiled its new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 7, where ARMC Chief Executive Officer Andrew Goldfrach highlighted the facility’s key features.
Attendees had an opportunity to tour the new unit, which includes the first adolescent behavioral health emergency room in California. It offers separate care for adolescent patients, which is critical to providing a safe and supportive environment tailored to the developmental and emo-
tional needs of young people.
The facility also offers a variety of inpatient therapy groups to promote a comprehensive approach to healing for adolescents in need.
Establishing this new unit represents a significant investment in San Bernardino County’s mental health infrastructure and underscores ARMC’s commitment to improving access to care for adolescents. This project is a collaborative effort between ARMC, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Office, Project and
Facilities Management, Hallsta Inc. and others. Together, these organizations have created a state-of-the-art inpatient behavioral health facility that offers a beacon of hope for families in San Bernardino County.
ARMC is a 456-bed university-affiliated teaching hospital licensed by the California Department of Public Health, operated by San Bernardino County, and governed by the Board of Supervisors. It is ARMC’s mission, in an environment of learning and innovation, to serve our diverse community with high-quality, compassionate care.
Backpacks,
PHOTO STACY SCHWARTZ
Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. and Bank of America volunteers distributing school supplies to Zimmerman Elementary students in Bloomington.
COUNTY
ARMC staff, members of the Board of Supervisors, and local representatives participate
ceremony to celebrate the unveiling of the new Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit.
Backpacks (cont.)
- books and art supplies while also helping to stuff and distribute the backpacks. Supervisor Baca noted that such partnerships make a lasting difference for families in need.
Baca’s office regularly leverages public and private partnerships to support children and families. Last Christmas, Bank
of America partnered with his office for a toy drive that reached hundreds of households.
The school giveaway reflected the same spirit of collaboration, with Garcia, Baca, district leaders, and business partners uniting to ease the financial burden of back-to-school costs.
Border Agents Open Fire on San Bernardino Family’s Truck, Leaders Demand Transparency
By Manny Sandoval
Afederal operation in San Bernardino turned chaotic Saturday (and potentially unlawful) when U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents opened fire on a family’s vehicle, sparking outrage from state and local leaders and renewed debate over the limits of local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
According to San Bernardino Police Department spokesperson Chris Gray, officers were dispatched at 8:51 a.m. on Aug. 16 to Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street following reports of shots fired. Gray said responding officers encountered federal agents who reported being involved in an officer-involved shooting and that the suspect had fled in a vehicle.
The man later called SBPD dispatch, stating masked men had broken his car window, fired shots, and failed to identify themselves. Officers located the vehicle in the 1000 block of Mt. View Drive but left after determining the matter involved federal authorities.
“Under the California Values Act, California law enforcement agencies are prohibited from assisting federal officials with immigration enforcement, so our officers left the scene as the investigation was being conducted by federal authorities,” Gray said.
Gray added that SBPD was later called back around 1:12 p.m. when federal officials requested assistance with crowd control during an attempted arrest. Federal officials alleged the man had assaulted a federal officer, a violation of U.S. Code § 111.
“San Bernardino Police officers provided support with crowd control,” Gray said. “This was not an immigration-
related arrest, which would be prohibited under California law.”
The incident has since drawn condemnation from local officials.
“Our community has been shaken by a disturbing incident in which customs and border protection agents fired upon a family’s vehicle without clear warning or identification,” San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said. “While federal officials claim the agents acted in self defense citing an alleged attempt by the driver to harm officers – that explanation remains unverified and deeply troubling. … We call for a full and partial investigation, the release of all available footage and accountability if procedures were violated.”
State Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) said she has been in communication with San Bernardino city leaders and immigrant rights organizations.
“I am outraged by the violent attack that took place on San Bernardino community members this weekend, and demand that CPB and Department of Homeland Security provide evidence supporting claims of assault on a federal agent,” Reyes said. “Some public statements made by federal officials regarding this incident have been refuted by on-scene video and community testimony. Honesty and transparency will be critical.”
Federal officials have not released body camera footage or clarified whether a warrant was issued. Homeland Security said its agents fired in self-defense after being struck by the suspect’s vehicle.
San Bernardino Police Department officials said further questions should be directed to Homeland Security.
Earp Day Event Brings Local Spirit to the “Paseo” with Colton History
By Nick Zupkofska, community submission
For one special Saturday morning, all eyes were on the Paseo in downtown Colton for the First Community Earp Day event sponsored by CITYTALK w/DrG and the Historical Society of Colton. Over 175 people gathered at the “center” of town, dressed in western attire and ready to take a step down Colton memory lane. Families and friends, as well as local churches and organizations came early in costume and in full anticipation of children’s games, decorative artifacts, live animals, and a free pancake breakfast.
“This was the talk of the town,” said Carlos Araiza, President of the Colton Lions Club, who brought several members to provide the homestyle breakfast of pancakes and sausage for everyone, free of charge, during the first hour of the 9:00am event.
With western music flavoring the bustling activity the families were engaged in the wide array of children’s games which were part of each information booth, set up along the Paseo fence. The participants included Amazing Grace Church, Colton Woman’s club, Marsell Foster Family Agency, The Door Church, Girl Scout Troop, Faith Bible Missionary Church, Lions Club, Prophesy Church, Chamber of Commerce, Faithway Fellowship Church, Children’s Dental, 1Stop Print Shop, Brandi Eyestone and Debra Karr and Johnny, Tumbleweed Jim Strohm, The Four Amigos, CITYTALK w/DrG and the
Historical Society of Colton.
One of the highlights of this event that brought curious eyes to center stage was the presentation on panning for gold given by Mr. Jim Strohm, known as “Tumbleweed.” He gave an interesting talk on gold-panning including a hands-on demo of gold panning techniques with authentic equipment, mountainous soil samples and “real” gold. “The kids really loved this show,” exclaimed Reina Guerrero, who brought several of her girl-scout troop members to this event to participate. Another popular feature of the community event was the presence of two horses, who were brought in by Brandy Eyestone, a resident of Reche Canyon. Along with her neighbor Debra Karr and grandpa “Johnny,” this live-animal feature was a special treat for small kids and large kids alike. The horses were well-trained, and provided just the right atmosphere to complement the western Earp Day theme.
The entire event was focused on bringing the community together to celebrate our historical roots. When the City of Colton was established in 1887 the trains were creating a community of bustling life and townsfolk living in the area at the time, were served and protected by Virgil Earp, one of the famous (and notorious) members of the wild-west Earp family. This event was a very good way of bringing back to life our Colton history, which is of special interest to DrG and his CITYTALK w/DrG programs, now incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
For many DrG supporters, this type of gathering is fairly common for him, and somewhat expected. DrG always enjoys meeting with friends, and sharing fun times, great food and positive fellowship. As in typical fashion, DrG usually dresses up in one of his many costumes and loves taking pictures in order to create a photo-diary with the people who attend. This event was no exception, as DrG was dress in a period “lawman” outfit, including hat, vest, tie, jeans and a long jacket. Just about every attendee also dressed-up in western wear making this event a well-adorned community round-up.
The purpose of this gathering was not only to celebrate the western Earp theme, but planned in order to enjoy the company of good friends, good food, and good vibes. “Everything is positive,” said Debra Karr, who helped Brandi bring in the horses and set up the corral for a live presentation.
For those who know Dr.G, which are many in the community, know that he maintains close contact with the residents. He is available, likes to create interesting community activities, and is always willing to help as much as possible, including “rolling up his sleeves.”
Congratulations to Dr.G and his crew for putting together a positive community event. May he be blessed with good health, and may his service to the community continue to be a blessing to all those with whom he comes into contact.
PHOTO DR. G
by CITYTALK w/DrG and the Historical Society of Colton.
Op-Eds Public Safety
Rialto Unified School District is Charging Ahead with Purpose, Pride, and Confidence
By RUSD Board of Education President Dr. Stephanie E. Lewis
Our mission is clear: to elevate student achievement while nurturing a positive, student-centered learning environment that produces exceptional academic outcomes.
We are proud of the strides we are making in cultivating a vibrant, healthy workplace culture, one where students come first, and staff feel empowered and inspired to make a difference every day.
Thanks to the commitment of our extraordinary teachers and staff, and with the infusion of dynamic new leadership, Rialto USD is entering a new era marked by collaboration, innovation, and results. Every department across the District is energized and aligned, laser-focused on delivering excellence in education and ensuring the success of every student.
We are expanding services, building strong partnerships with families and local organizations, and deepening our ties within the community. As the largest employer in the City of Rialto, we take this responsibility seriously and are proud of the positive impact we’re making through thoughtful engagement and purposeful outreach.
Our recent accomplishments reflect the spirit and momentum driving our District:
•Dual enrollment opportunities are growing, with students earning college credit on-site at Rialto, Carter, and Eisenhower High Schools.
•Our Science and Career STEM program is thriving in partnership with the West Valley Water District.
•We now offer full-day Early Education programs and robust Expanded Learning programs, including tutoring across all grade levels and 24/7 online academic support.
•Our Parent and Community Ambassadors are more visible than ever at school sites, helping to strengthen homeschool connections.
•We are entering our third Family Literacy cohort with USC and launching our second Family Math project with UCLA.
In addition to academic expansion, we are investing in environments that support the whole child:
•A new, state-of-the-art two-story educational center is rising at Eisenhower High School.
•Our District’s Healing Garden is nearing completion, offering a restorative space for student well-being.
•Construction is underway for three new middle school gymnasiums, underscoring our commitment to student health, fitness, and wellness.
As we look to the future, we are preparing for the next generation of scholars, and seeking a superintendent who will lead us boldly and inclusively into what’s next. At Rialto Unified School District, students are the heart of everything we do. We invite visionary leaders to join us in continuing this upward trajectory, fueled by excellence, equity, and unwavering belief in the power of public education.
Dr. Stephanie E. Lewis, Board of Education President
San Bernardino Police Officers Assist Federal Agents After Officer-Involved Shooting, Crowd Forms During Arrest
By San Bernardino PD
On August 16, 2025, at approximately 8:51 a.m., San Bernardino Police Department officers responded to the area of Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street following reports of shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers encountered federal agents who advised they were involved in an officer-involved shooting and that the involved suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, the suspect contacted our dispatch center, stating that masked men had tried to pull him over, broke his car window, and shot at him. He reported that he did not know who they were and requested police assistance. Officers were able to locate the vehicle in the 1000 block of Mt. View Drive and made contact with the suspect. At that time, it was unclear what the suspect was wanted for. Under the California Values Act, California law enforcement agencies are prohibited from assisting federal officials with immigration enforcement, so our officers left the scene as the investigation was being conducted by federal authorities.
At approximately 1:12 p.m., federal officials requested assistance from our department due to a large crowd forming as they attempted to arrest the subject for assaulting a federal officer in violation of 18 U.S. Code § 111 –Forcibly assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers. Once it was determined that the subject was wanted for assaulting a federal officer, our officers responded back to assist when requested. San Bernardino Police officers provided support with crowd control.
Under the California Values Act, local law enforcement may assist federal officials when officer or public safety is at risk. In this case, federal agents requested assistance during a lawful arrest for assaulting a federal officer when a crowd created a potential officer safety concern. This was not an immigration-related arrest, which would be prohibited under California law.
Federal investigators are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting. For more details, please contact Homeland Security Officials.
Six Drivers Cited During
DUI Checkpoint Friday, Aug. 15
pected impaired drivers off roads.
By Redlands PD
Six people were cited for driving without a valid license or with a suspended license during a DUI checkpoint on Friday, Aug. 15.
A total of 259 vehicles passed through the checkpoint on Colton Avenue between New York and Texas streets between 6 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking sus-
To help keep our community safe, the the Redlands Police Department will have additional officers on patrol through Labor Day (Sept. 1) looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The additional efforts to prevent impaired driving are part of a national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Detectives Search Second Home in Missing Person Investigation
By Redlands PD
Redlands Police detectives on Tuesday served a search warrant on a second residence in connection with the disappearance of Emilio Salem Ghanem, a Nashville man last seen at a Redlands coffee shop more than two years ago.
Redlands Police, assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, served the search warrant on the home in the 57000 block of Forestry Road in Anza at approximately 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Eight people at the home were briefly detained and later released at the scene. There were no arrests.
Ghanem was reported missing shortly after he visited a Starbucks restaurant at 625 E. Redlands Blvd. on May 25, 2023. A rented Nissan Frontier pickup he was driving was spotted on surveillance video later that day in Grand Terrace.
Detectives later recovered the rental truck along with other evidence.
Ghanem had been a member of “His Way Spirit Led Assemblies,” a religious organization based in the City of Hemet. He left that organization shortly before his disappearance. Ghanem also worked for Fullshield, Inc., a pest control business owned and operated by the group. The business now operates under the name “Maxguard.”
The Anza residence, along with another residence in Hemet where police served a search warrant last week, are both connected with the group. Police recovered evidence at both locations in connection with the investigation.
Redlands detectives are also working with Claremont Police who are investigating the disappearance of another man connected with the group that was reported in 2019. Ghanem is described as a white male adult with hazel eyes and black hair, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 130 pounds. He was 40 years old at the time of his disappearance.
Feeding America to Bring Back TGIF this September
Community News
The Goodness in Food (TGIF) is back for September at Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB). The food bank’s child nutrition course aims to promote healthy eating habits, discuss the importance of gut health, and dive into the food cycle to showcase the effects of healthy habits on your overall health and wellness.
“TGIF aims to build community around nutrition education while empowering families to make healthy eating choices,” said Carolyn Fajardo, CEO of FARSB. “Being able to experience nutrition education at a palatable level, kids learn about health and wellness while being involved with food choices and meal preparation at home,” Fajardo continued.
TGIF is a four-week program that provides hour-long interactive lessons each Saturday in September, de-
signed for children in second to fifth grade. This seasonal program introduces various fruits and vegetables, explores the importance of eating healthy foods to support vital gut health, and provides attendees with handson learning activities. Preregistration is required to attend, and attendance is encouraged for all four weeks.
Each week, a new lesson will be taught about food and its relation to our health, with an emphasis on nutrition and health. During the month-long course, kids will get to discover nutritional choices to fuel their bodies by food bank staff and guest speakers from CBU, see a live cooking demonstration by guest chef, Kianna, of the Riverside Free Health Clinic (RFHC), and embark on a field trip to local partner Overflow Farms to harvest produce and experience the food life cycle from plant to plate.
Program Schedule:
Week 1: FARSB Learning Center, 4035 Trail Creek
Rd. Riverside, CA, 92505
Saturday, September 6th 9AM – 10AM
Week 2: FARSB Learning Center, 4035 Trail Creek Rd. Riverside, CA, 92505
Saturday, September 13th 9AM – 10AM
Week 3: FARSB Learning Center, 4035 Trail Creek Rd. Riverside, CA, 92505
Saturday, September 20th 9AM – 10AM
Week 4: Overflow Farms, 4850 Jurupa Ave. Riverside, CA 92504
Saturday, September 27th 3PM – 4PM
For more information and to sign up your child for the program, please visit: https://www.FeedingAmericaIE.org/TGIF
UC Leaders Respond to Legislators After Third State Audit Detailing Lack of Urgency and Accountability in Complying with Federal Law to Return Native American Remains
Community News
Legislators and tribal leaders questioned top University of California (UC) leaders after a third scathing state audit into why the UC system has made negligible progress since the passage of a 1990 law requiring universities to return hundreds of thousands of human remains and cultural items to tribes.
Members of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs listened to State Auditor Grant Parks report his findings into UC’s negligible progress in meeting a decades-old federal deadline. There was a UC audit undertaken in 2019, a second UC review in 2021 and a third review undertaken in 2024 and released in April. For the April report, the auditing team studied four UC campuses – Berkeley, Riverside, San Diego and Santa Barbara.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), chairperson of the Select Committee on Native American Affairs said, “It is long past time for our at ancestors to receive the respectful reburial they deserve. They should not be in boxes in shelves or on display as some sort of trophy. A new president started at UC earlier this month, and we expect that the university system will truly begin a new chapter in meeting this moral and legal obligation.”
“I cannot think of anything more personal or meaningful than ensuring that one’s ancestral remains and belongings are given the respect and dignity they deserve. The University of California must do what is right - return these sacred remains and belongings to
California’s Native American tribes. I’m thankful to partner with Asm. Ramos on this effort, and for his leadership in advocating for California’s first peoples.” said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), chairperson of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
UC Office of the President Provost Katherine Newman, UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and repatriation coordinators from two UC campuses responded for UC. Yachi Yokut Tribe Chair Leo Sisco, Venturina Chumash and Sand City Mayor Mary Ann Carbone, Redding Rancheria Chair John Potter Jr., Amah Mutsum Tribal Band Chair Valentin Lopez and Tule River Tribe Chair Shine Nieto spoke on behalf of tribes.
Potter, who also spoke at a news briefing on the subject, said, “If you want to study an Indian, I’m right here. It takes money to do a lot of things but it should just take your heart. You hear the heart of these people crying from these shelves (shelves where universities store remains in boxes).”
Some key excerpts from the latest state audit released in April 2025:
“…it has been more than 30 years since the establishment of [the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)], and the university’s campuses still hold the remains of thousands of individuals, as well as hundreds of thousands of cultural items…”
• “This report concludes that the university lacks
the accountability and urgency needed to promptly return Native American remains and cultural items.”
• “The Office of the President has not effectively overseen the university’s compliance with NAGPRA, despite years of increased external attention” nor has it “ensured that campuses proactively search for undiscovered remains and items.”
• “The university does not know the full extent of its NAGPRA collections” and it “does not know how much work remains to achieve full repatriation and has not properly cared for all items it possesses”—including “one campus [that] has several outstanding loans of potential cultural items and…another campus [where] some potential cultural items were stolen in 2022.”
• “The university is not spending significant portions of [its] NAGPRA funding, including funding intended to support tribes with their repatriation expenses…We found that three of the four [investigated] campuses—Berkeley, Santa Barbara, and San Diego—[had] each repeatedly carried over these funds to the next fiscal year.”
• After citing “the pervasive weaknesses we observed in the Office of the President’s oversight of NAGPRA,” the auditor’s report suggested “the Legislature can regulate the university’s conduct through its power to control the funding appropriated to the university. Therefore, the Legislature should consider directly appropriating funding specifically for NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA compliance and including a set of conditions that the university must comply with in the use of those funds.”
PHOTO FARSB
Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is leading the fight against hunger in the Inland Empire by providing food access, emergency relief, education, and advocacy to families in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
State Water Board Member Tours San Bernardino County Septic to Sewer Projects
Community News
California State Water Resources Control Board member Nichole Morgan toured and praised two major San Bernardino County septic-to-sewer projects today — Arrowhead Farms in unincorporated San Bernardino and Arrow Route in unincorporated Fontana — both designed to improve water quality and public health.
Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said the projects demonstrate the county’s long-term commitment to protecting residents and local resources.
“These projects are an important investment in the safety of our communities, ensuring cleaner water and stronger infrastructure for the future,” Rowe said.
The Arrowhead Farms project, led by the San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, received $959,000 in Community Project Funding secured by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) to connect more than 250 residential parcels to municipal sewer service.
“This work not only improves infrastructure, it also builds confidence with state partners that San Bernardino County is ready to deliver on critical projects,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Joe Baca, Jr., whose Fifth District includes Arrowhead Farms.
The Arrow Route project will similarly replace aging septic systems with modern sewer infrastructure to support the county’s water quality and infrastructure goals.
“For many residents, this
will mean cleaner water, safer neighborhoods and infrastructure they can count on,” said Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, whose Second District includes the Arrow Route project area.
Morgan said the projects reflect strong alignment between local priorities and state funding opportunities.
“Projects like these are critical as we work to fully achieve the Human Right to Water through ensuring reliable access to sanitation for all Californians,” Morgan said. “I applaud the foresight of San Bernardino County in identifying and taking action on two critical projects. These two projects will benefit approximately 2,500 residents by providing reliable access to sanitation and improving water quality.”
Congressman David Rouzer Tours San Bernardino County to Discuss Critical Infrastructure, Wildfire Response and Goods Movement
Congressman David Rouzer (R-North Carolina), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, toured San Bernardino County on Tuesday, Aug. 5, to view firsthand the regional infrastructure and wildfire-prone areas critical to California’s emergency response capabilities and the national supply chain.
The visit, hosted by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, emphasized the region’s role in supporting national logistics and goods movement and the critical need for investment in public safety infrastructure.
The tour included an aerial overview of major regional transportation projects over the I-10 and I-15 freeways, one of the nation’s worst bottlenecks, the Cajon Pass, and key corridors in the High Desert that are vital to the movement of goods and people, as well as burn scar areas and emergency access routes.
“This region plays a vital role in our nation’s supply chain and disaster response framework,” said Congressman Rouzer. “This visit provided insight into the
challenges and opportunities San Bernardino County faces in protecting lives and supporting the movement of goods across the country. As we work on the next surface transportation bill, I will take these priorities back to Washington to ensure areas like this are considered in legislative conversations.”
At the County Government Center, members of the Board of Supervisors met with the congressman to share their support for federal policies that streamline funding and accelerate project delivery.
“We were proud to welcome Congressman Rouzer and show him firsthand the importance of building resilient roads and bridges,” said Board Chairman Dawn Rowe. “We’re especially grateful to our congressional delegation, who consistently champion our area’s infrastructure needs in Washington, and to Congressman Rouzer for taking the time to see why this region must remain a priority in federal transportation policy.”
“We’re excited to collaborate with our federal partners for the sake of performance, safety, and long-term growth,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus. “The Sheriff’s Department remains committed to working closely with the Board of Supervisors to grow our region responsibly—because strong transportation networks
aren’t just critical for commuters and commerce, they’re essential for public safety and protecting lives in high-risk fire zones.”
County Fire Chief Dan Munsey led the public safety portion of the aerial tour, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ingress and egress in high-risk fire zones.
“When wildfires strike, seconds matter. The roads we showed Congressman Rouzer today are lifelines,” said Chief Dan Munsey. “Federal investments in infrastructure that strengthen emergency access will save lives, not just here, but in any community that depends on safe evacuation routes and fast response times.”
This visit is part of San Bernardino County’s broader federal engagement strategy to ensure upcoming surface transportation legislation reflects the needs of inland communities and goods movement corridors.
While the bill is still under development, San Bernardino County is working proactively to ensure future federal funding formulas, grant programs, and policy reforms, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) streamlining and statutory exemptions for emergency infrastructure, support high-priority projects throughout the region.
PHOTO SB COUNTY
California State Water Resources Board member Nichole Morgan, left, and Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.
Community News
PHOTO SB COUNTY
From left: San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus, Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman, First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.), North Carolina Congressman David Rouzer, Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., and San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey.
Viva La Boba Confronts Pride Flag Pushback Ahead of Redlands Ribbon Cutting Celebration
By Manny Sandoval
Despite soft launching in January, Viva La Boba celebrated the official ribbon cutting of its second location in Redlands on August 8, drawing city leaders and community members to the former Vans skate shop at 501 Orange Street.
Redlands Mayor Mario Saucedo, Councilmember Denise Davis, and the Redlands Chamber of Commerce joined owners Tansu Philip and David Friedman to mark the opening. Philip, a Redlands High School graduate, said the new location has rekindled longstanding ties.
“A lot of reconnecting has happened since the Redlands location opened, with teachers, classmates, and people I haven’t seen in years,” Philip said. “A lot of people stop by because it used to be the iconic Vans skate shop.”
But the path to opening wasn’t without obstacles. Philip said the business has faced ongoing backlash since development over a pride flag that flies high above the shop’s roof.
“We’ve had a lot of flack about the pride flag and someone successfully took it down twice before we even opened. We recently got fined by the city of Redlands saying we illegally put it up,” Philip said.
“Today, David (Realicore Real Estate Developer) climbed on the roof to snap photos and took those photos to the city, having to prove that we are not in violation of the city code.” This occurred as a result of Viva La Boba receiving a letter saying the pride flag is displayed illegally.
Philip said online reviews have also
reflected hostility. “We’re getting 1-star reviews because of the pride flag,” she said. “A few Yelp reviews have said, ‘Good boba but they need to get rid of the flag that promotes mental illness.’ It’s like, come on people, we’re not in Alabama; we’re in California.”
She emphasized the broader purpose of Viva La Boba as a community gathering place. “As Americans, we don’t have many ‘third spaces’ — a safe place outside of home, work, or school,” Philip said. “It’s more of a European thing, but we want to create that here in Redlands.”
The Redlands shop was developed by David Friedman of Realicore Real Estate Group after a two-year process. The owners plan to host community events including comedy nights, open mic music, scrapbooking clubs, indigenous keychain workshops, and paint-and-sip gatherings.
In addition to fostering community, Viva La Boba offers a wide range of colorful specialty drinks.
Among the standouts are the IE Sunset, a raspberry lemonade layered with butterfly pea tea and fruit jellies; the lavender-infused Moon Milk Tea; and the chamoy-rimmed Mangonada. Smoothies, fruit teas, and classic milk teas round out the menu.
Philip and Friedman emphasized that Viva La Boba remains committed to its San Bernardino roots, while the Redlands expansion reflects the same blend of inclusivity, creativity, and community focus that defined their first shop.
Riverside Moves Forward with New Sports and Entertainment Complex Proposal on Site of Former Ab Brown Sports Complex
Community News
The City Council voted unanimously today (8/19) to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Riverside-based GCS Development to transform 56 acres of city-owned land in the Northside neighborhood into the Riverside Sports Complex & Entertainment District, a groundbreaking destination set to redefine community recreation and economic growth in the region.
GCS Development of Riverside envisions a Master Plan for a professional, multi-use stadium, six soccer fields, and an indoor sports and game complex as part of the first phase. The future phase is planned to include housing, retail and community spaces including a central park featuring family-friendly amenities, walking/jogging trails, bike paths, playgrounds, and a dog park.
“This project provides recreational opportunities that Riverside and our greater region have never had,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “It will create a dynamic destination that will energize our local economy and make Riverside the premiere hub for sports and entertainment.”
The site formerly housed the Ab Brown Sports Complex, an 18-field soccer facility that was home to the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 47 from 1985 to 2018. The site, vacant since 2018, is now poised for a comeback, creating economic opportunity and breathing new life into the com-
munity in alignment with the Northside Specific Plan’s goals.
The Riverside Sports Complex & Entertainment District would inject life into the property, create economic opportunity for the Northside and meet the vision and goals of the Northside Specific Plan and the City’s General Plan.
Separate from the Riverside Adventure Center, already under review through the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement approved in February 2025, the Sports Complex and Entertainment District will serve as a complimentary powerhouse driving growth and opportunity in the Northside and throughout the city.
The Riverside Adventure Center includes a public park, a recreational adventure center and a mixed-use commercial complex, including a grocery store, hotel and conference center, housing and restaurants.
“The promise of pairing the Sports Complex and Entertainment District with the Riverside Adventure Center represents a generational opportunity in the Northside area and the entire city,” Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Conder said. “We are honoring our rich sports history while launching Riverside into the future.”
Riverside’s Sports Complex and Entertainment District, a multi-billion-dollar vision, is the future of multi-sport entertainment, urban living and e-sports, positioning Riverside to become the Inland Empire’s ultimate sports and entertainment destination.
Highlights of the concept plan for the Sports Complex and Entertainment District include:
A 5,005-seat (expandable to 15,000 seats) stadium for soccer, rugby, football and lacrosse.
A 108-room stadium hotel to accommodate visitors.
Riverside Live, an indoor/outdoor venue for festivals and concerts making the district a year-round cultural destination.
A 130,000-square-foot sports complex for pickleball, padel and other court games.
Six soccer fields, including two fullsize multi-sport fields and four youth-
sized soccer fields.
1,100 residential units, including 25 percent affordable units. 193,000 square feet of retail space for shopping and dining.
A central park and dedicated dog park for community enjoyment.
3,498 parking stalls, along with approximately 100 EV charging stations.
The exclusive negotiating agreement lasts for one year, with the option of a six-month extension. If the City and GCS Development reach agreement on terms, those would be included in a disposition and development agreement that would be voted on by the City Council.
PHOTOS TANSU PHILIP
Tansu Philip (center) celebrating the ribbon cutting with friends in August 2025, wearing Viva La Boba merch.
