COLTON COURIER WWe e ee
Alder Square Breaks Ground, Adding 92 Affordable Homes in San Bernardino’s Arrowhead Grove
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San Bernardino Veterans Day Salute Adds Resource Fair, Honors Hometown Heroes With Special Challenge Coins
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Holiday Crashes Rise — Attorney Saloni Singh Warns Inland Empire Drivers: Don’t Rush Insurance Settlements
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By Manny Sandoval
Four candidates vying to be California’s next governor faced off at UC Riverside in a high-stakes forum that peeled back the political gloss and laid bare the urgency of a state in crisis. From health equity to housing, tax reform to homelessness, and how to navigate the Trump Administration, the 2026 contenders
didn’t hold back—and neither did the audience.
More than 300 Inland Empire residents packed into the auditorium for Health Matters: A Conversation with Our Next Governor, a nonpartisan forum hosted by a coalition of 11 health-focused foundations and livestreamed statewide by NBC4 and Telemundo 52. The November 7 event was
co-moderated by NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams and Black Voice News publisher Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, who led a rapidfire round of questions across five urgent topics: healthcare, taxes, the economy, homelessness, and federal-state relations.
Invited based on polling, fundraising, and
By Dr. G (Dr. Luis S González), community writer
The City of Colton Youth Council held its latest monthly meeting on Nov. 5, continuing a civic leadership program that introduces high school students to municipal operations, local history, and public service.
This month’s session focused on the Colton Police Department and featured a
presentation by Police Chief Anthony Vega, who spoke about the department’s role in the community and the responsibilities of law enforcement officers.
“The Youth Council is a terrific program that prepares our young community leaders for future growth and success in their careers,” said Vega. “This group of young leaders gives me hope for our future.”
The Youth Council consists of five stu-
dents from Colton High School: Ava Diaz, Samantha Sandoval, Kaitlyn Torres, Jasmin Lopez Herrera, and Leah Ornelas. Each student earned their place through demonstrated leadership skills, academic excellence, and teacher recommendations. The program was founded in 2016 by DrG, who continues to serve as its director.
Ava Diaz chaired the Nov. 5 meeting, an
Governor’s Forum (cont.)
- campaign activity, six candidates were asked to participate, but only four took the stage: Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services; Tony Thurmond, California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction; Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles Mayor and State Assembly Speaker; and Betty T. Yee, former State Controller.
Despite overlapping values, each candidate leaned heavily on personal history and policy pedigree to pitch themselves as the most prepared to lead California through its toughest challenges. And while no candidate dominated the stage, their distinct responses revealed key differences that could reshape the race ahead of the June 2026 primary.
Healthcare dominated the conversation early. All four promised expanded coverage, but only Thurmond offered a clear plan for a single-payer system. “We are going to make sure that we have single payer in this state under my administration,” said Thurmond, who recounted the death of his brother at 35 from a rare liver disorder after losing his job and health insurance. “That changes on my watch as your governor.”
Becerra, meanwhile, touted his national leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We pulled California and the country out of a pandemic with close to 700 million COVID vaccine shots in arms,” he said. “And not once did we charge Americans a dime.” He pointed to his negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to cut drug costs by up to 80% and vowed to be “California’s healthcare governor” because “I’ve done it, not just promised it.”
Yee emphasized regional equity, particularly in underserved areas like the Inland Empire. “We cannot have a one-size-fits-all health system,” she said. “Each region has unique needs. The IE, for example, needs a stronger healthcare workforce that can offer culturally competent care and address chronic illness.” As a daughter of immigrants and caregiver to her 102-year-old mother, Yee said she brings lived experience to a system in need of reform.
Villaraigosa took a more populist route, tying his health policies to the struggles of his mother, who had to quit her job to care for him following multiple surgeries as a child. “I never forgot that,” he said. “That’s why I pushed to expand MediCal as an Assemblymember and later helped launch the Healthy Families Program, the largest expansion of children’s healthcare since Medi-Cal.” But Villaraigosa also issued a stark warning: “I’m not going to sell you snake oil. It’s going to be tough to provide that care. But I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again.”
When the debate shifted to taxes and fiscal strategy, the candidates diverged more sharply. Becerra slammed the current tax system as favoring billionaires over working Californians. “Someone making $150 million is taxed at a lower effective rate than someone making $75,000. That’s broken,” he said. He vowed to modernize the tax code and redirect state resources toward healthcare, child care, and infrastructure. “Too much money is being misspent. We need to invest at the front door, not the emergency room.”
Thurmond echoed the need for tax reform—but from a progressive lens. “I
will provide tax breaks to working Californians so they have more money for gas, groceries, and rent,” he said. “But we’ll tax the ultra-wealthy—those with access to the most influence—to fund housing, mental health, and support for seniors and people with disabilities.” He proposed building 2 million units of affordable housing by 2030 and penalizing large employers who rely on Medi-Cal to cover their workforce.
Yee took a pragmatic approach, stating plainly that “we cannot borrow our way out of a looming fiscal crisis.” She supports targeted tax increases but insisted that reforms must be paired with a more efficient healthcare system. “We need to prove to Californians that we can deliver better access and affordability before we raise revenues,” she said. She also stressed the need to build economic resilience to withstand further federal attacks on safety net programs.
Villaraigosa rejected new taxes altogether, instead calling to “grow the pie” through business-friendly reforms. “California is the hardest state to do business in,” he said. “We need to reduce regulatory barriers, build infrastructure, and make it easier to build housing at all levels—market rate, workforce, and supportive housing.” As mayor, he noted, “we built more infrastructure than any other city in the U.S. during the Great Recession. That’s the kind of leadership we need again.”
The Inland Empire’s economic future took center stage next, with all four candidates agreeing the region has long been overlooked. Yee warned that the IE has been ignored in California’s tech and innovation planning. “It’s time we invest in high-quality jobs in manufacturing, clean energy, and healthcare right here,” she said. “We also have tools like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit that have been proven to lift people out of poverty. We must use what already works.”
Thurmond promised to make the IE the centerpiece of the state’s next economic chapter. “This region has the worst air quality in the U.S. and too many lowpaying, polluting jobs,” he said. “Let’s realign our institutions with high-growth sectors like biotech, which can create 600,000 jobs, and STEM, which has 85,000 unfilled roles.” He called for “grow-your-own” pipelines for teachers and healthcare workers and pledged to provide scholarships to keep local talent local.
Villaraigosa pointed to his track record. “I’ve always stood up for regions like the Inland Empire and the Central Valley,” he said. “We need all of the above: energy security, job creation, housing at every level.” He decried gas prices approaching $9 per gallon and called for pragmatic policies that balance climate goals with economic needs. “We need to build—and fast,” he said.
Becerra framed the IE’s challenges as a broader failure to reward work. “My father was a construction worker. My mother was a clerical worker. They bought a home, sent four kids to college, and retired with dignity—in California,” he said. “Today, young families can’t do that. If I’m governor, they will.” He pledged to expand down payment assistance and make UC access attainable for all students with strong grades. “We have to make homeownership and education real again.”
On homelessness, the candidates found consensus on the need for more housing
and accountability, but diverged in tactics. Thurmond took a systems-level approach, citing 240,000 unhoused students and a spike in senior homelessness. “If we don’t act, they will become the next generation of unhoused adults,” he said. He backed a $10 billion housing bond and said all supportive housing must include mental health and substance use treatment. “Without it, we’re just spinning in circles,” he said.
Yee emphasized prevention and data. “Once people become unhoused, it becomes exponentially more difficult and expensive to help them,” she said. “We’ve spent $24 billion on homelessness, and there’s no clear coordination or accountability between the state, counties, and cities. We need data, outcomes, and clear roles from shelter to homeownership.”
Villaraigosa delivered one of the most sobering critiques of the state’s record. “We’ve spent billions—$850,000 per unit in some cases—and we haven’t moved the needle,” he said. He called for rental subsidies, home-stay support, and quicker, more cost-effective housing solutions. “We have to stop throwing money at things that don’t work. Compassion is essential, but we need order too,” he said, denouncing open drug use and encampments near schools and parks as “chaos.”
Becerra emphasized bureaucracy as a barrier. “Local governments can’t use multiple funding streams from HUD, HHS, and the VA because of red tape,” he said, referencing his time chairing the federal Interagency Council on Homelessness. “When I’m governor, we’re going to tear down that bureaucracy. The money’s there. It’s the system that’s broken.” He added that the state must do more to prevent homelessness in the first place by stabilizing housing and promoting homeownership for working families.
The final segment—how to deal with a second Trump administration—drew some of the most impassioned responses. Thurmond went straight for the jugular. “We sued his a** a dozen times and got back a billion dollars he stole from our state,” he said, referring to funding for migrant education and after-school programs. He also pushed legislation banning ICE from schools and hospitals. “People shouldn’t have to fear going to the doctor,” he said. “California will never stand down to that cruelty.”
Yee agreed, condemning increased federal funding for ICE and detention facilities—much of it spent in California. “We are a donor state, and our dollars are being used to hurt our own communities,” she said. But she also highlighted the need for limited federal cooperation on cross-border issues like pollution in the Tijuana River. “We’ll protect immigrant communities, and we’ll do it with a coalition of like-minded states,” she said.
Becerra highlighted his record of suing Trump over 120 times and winning most of those cases. “We preserved our values, protected our people, and kept our resources in California,” he said. But he also stressed that California must work with the federal government when possible. “ICE is not our enemy—but their raids are. We sued to stop them. At the same time, my agents were working with ICE, the FBI, and the DEA to bust sex traffickers and drug cartels. That’s what partnership looks like.”
Villaraigosa pulled no punches. “I’ve
been fighting for immigrants my entire life. I will not stand by and watch ICE terrorize communities, dressed like the Klan, pulling kids from their families,” he said. He condemned federal attempts to undermine due process, academic freedom, and the state’s values. “We have to fight—but we have to organize, too. That’s what Prop 50 was about—letting the people decide. We need a peaceful movement rooted in civil rights and voting rights.”
The event left many attendees inspired, but also hungry for deeper distinctions. Pastor Samuel Casey said he wished the candidates had addressed Proposition 13 reform and reparations for Black Californians. “If we’re going to fix California, we need to be bold. It's time to move past equity and focus on parity,” he said. “I want a governor who listens to the people and moves on their behalf.”
SCAN Foundation CEO Sarita Mohanty praised the candidates for sharing personal caregiving experiences but noted they failed to address a shocking trend: the highest growth rate of homelessness is among those 50 and older. “With one in five Californians set to be over 65 by 2040, we have to talk more about older adult care and community engagement,” she said.
Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera said he appreciated the candidates’ shared emphasis on housing and mental health but wanted more clarity on execution. “We all want to build more. But who’s going to swing the hammers? We need a plan to train that workforce,” he said. He also called for an IHSS-style program for child care and bolder support for the Latino immigrant community. “Fear is keeping people from going to the doctor or even to the store,” he said. “We need a governor who will fight like hell to change that.”
While few major contrasts emerged on policy, the forum made one thing clear: California’s next governor will face overlapping crises that require clarity, courage, and relentless execution. Who that person is—and whether they’ll truly deliver—remains up to voters. And if the crowd at UC Riverside was any indication, they’ll be paying close attention.
Youth Council (cont.)
- appointment tied to her current role as Youth Commissioner on the Colton Parks and Recreation Commission. The agenda included a welcome, the Pledge of Allegiance, a report on the Parks and Recreation Commission, a schedule of upcoming speakers, and Chief Vega’s guest presentation. Students also reviewed Colton’s history, discussed leadership and volunteer opportunities, and examined city publications.
The meeting concluded with a behindthe-scenes tour of the Colton Police Station, led by Officer Jacquelyn Albin. Students visited different divisions, explored the station facilities, sat inside a police cruiser, and briefly entered a holding cell.
“I really liked the tour as it was a glimpse into what our officers do in everyday life and how they protect our community,” said Kaitlyn Torres, a Youth Council member.
Since launching its current session in August, the Youth Council has explored various topics including youth leadership, community services, and the operations of the Colton Fire Department.
San Bernardino has been selected as one of six U.S. cities to join a new national cohort aimed at making it cheaper, faster and simpler to start and grow small businesses by cutting unnecessary red tape.
The city, represented by Mayor Helen Tran and the Economic Development Department, will participate in the inaugural Regulatory Justice Initiative: Expanding Access to Small Business Opportunity cohort, a program of the Mayors Innovation Project in partnership with Cities Work at the Institute for Justice.
The six cities were chosen through a national competitive application process. In addition to San Bernardino, the cohort includes Hartford, Connecticut; Honolulu, Hawaii; Laredo, Texas; Rochester, Minnesota; and Thornton, Colorado.
“Mayors know that small, local busi-
nesses are the heart and soul of their communities, but in many places, regulatory roadblocks and outdated procedures often complicate the process for entrepreneurs,” said Katya Spear, managing director of the Mayors Innovation Project. “We’re thrilled to work with these cities and their committed leaders to provide support and analysis to reduce regulatory barriers and expand opportunities for entrepreneurship.”
The initiative is designed to help forward-thinking municipalities rethink regulations that may unintentionally slow down or discourage entrepreneurs, particularly those with fewer resources or less access to legal and technical support.
At a time when building local wealth and supporting neighborhood-serving businesses is a priority in cities like San Bernardino, the Regulatory Justice Initiative will provide participating municipalities with expert guidance on how to streamline rules, modernize permitting and licensing processes, and remove un-
necessary administrative hurdles.
Powered by Cities Work’s legal and regulatory expertise, the cohort will engage city teams in expert-led workshops, peerto-peer exchanges, and one-on-one coaching and analysis focused on their local regulatory environment. “Participating cities will walk away from this cohort with an analysis of their city’s regulatory environment, tailored regulatory reform recommendations, and a detailed implementation strategy,” said Jennifer McDonald, director of Cities Work.
The cities selected for the inaugural cohort are:
Mayor Helen Tran and the Economic Development Department at the City of San Bernardino, California; Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and the Department of Development Services at the City of Hartford, Connecticut; Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Office of Economic Revitalization at the City of Honolulu, Hawaii; Mayor Victor Treviño and the Office of
Economic Development at the City of Laredo, Texas; Mayor Kim Norton and the Department of Community Development at the City of Rochester, Minnesota; and Mayor Jan Kulmann and the Office of Economic Development at the City of Thornton, Colorado.
For San Bernardino and the other participating cities, the initiative is expected to result in clear, actionable recommendations that can be folded into ongoing economic development and small business support efforts. That includes looking at how long it takes to secure permits, how complicated licensing processes are, and whether existing codes or procedures may be unintentionally outdated or duplicative.
Residents, advocates, and local leaders interested in similar work are encouraged by the organizers to explore Cities Work’s “Barriers to Business” toolkit, which offers guidance on how communities can identify and reduce regulatory burdens for small businesses.
Alder Square Breaks Ground, Adding 92 Affordable Homes in San Bernardino’s Arrowhead Grove Revitalization
San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. and San Bernardino Councilmember
ground on Alder Square, the next phase of the Arrowhead Grove affordable housing redevelopment, during a Nov. 4
Community News
Alder Square, the fourth phase of an ambitious re-imagining of a 1940s public housing development, will deliver 92 high-quality affordable homes for families and individuals earning 30% to 80% of the area median income.
National CORE, the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) and their partners broke ground Nov. 4 for the new community, which is expected to open in mid-2027 as part of the multi-phase Arrowhead Grove redevelopment program launched in 2012.
“With the groundbreaking of Alder Square, we’re proud to continue building that momentum and delivering high-quality, affordable housing that uplifts the entire community," HACSB Executive Director Maria Razo said. “This next phase deepens our commitment to residents and the future of San Bernardino.”
Arrowhead Grove is transforming the 38-acre Waterman Gardens public housing development, opened in 1943 in the heart of San Bernardino, into a modern community. Previous phases – Valencia Vista (2016), Olive Meadow (2017) and Crestview Terrace (2021) – already have delivered more than 300 high-quality homes.
“I’m so proud of the work we’ve accomplished through our stellar partnership with HACSB,” National CORE
President Michael Ruane said. “I’m excited to see what we will accomplish together for the residents of San Bernardino with this next phase of development.”
Alder Square will consist of six, three-story gardenstyle buildings and a one-story community center with resident services offices. The mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will include 14 mobility-accessible apartments and 10 hearing-accessible apartments.
Each home will feature electric appliances, in-unit washer and dryer and water-efficient fixtures. Onsite solar panels will offset energy use and support electric vehicle charging stations.
Community amenities will include a swimming pool, picnic area, children’s play area, community garden, dog run, recreational space, shaded landscaping and parking. The property emphasizes walkability and sustainability, with drought-tolerant landscaping and pedestrian pathways linking residential buildings, open spaces and community areas.
“Every family deserves access to safe and affordable homes,” said Joe Baca Jr., fifth district supervisor for San Bernardino County. “Arrowhead Grove is a testament to what can be accomplished when we come together with a shared commitment to restoring dignity and opportunity for our residents. I want to thank National CORE and the Housing Authority for their continued partnership and dedication to transforming lives
Flores
in our community.”
Funding for the development is being provided by the County of San Bernardino, the City of San Bernardino, Hudson Housing Capital, Capital One, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, HACSB and the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program.
“Arrowhead Grove is a true best practice – a success story,” San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said. “We are proud to partner with National CORE, the county and others to help provide 92 additional affordable housing units for our residents.”
In addition, the development received a $7.1 million AHSC grant to invest in community improvements, including bikeways, bus service and bus stop improvements, urban greening and improved sidewalk upgrades with high visibility crosswalks. The AHSC program is administered by the California Strategic Growth Council.
“Alder Square goes beyond just building 92 affordable homes, it connects people to opportunity,” said Lisette Anzoategui, program manager at the Strategic Growth Council. “Alder Square shows what’s possible when housing, transportation and climate investments work together, connecting people to jobs, schools and new community amenities that improve lives far beyond a front door.”
San Bernardino Veterans Day Salute Adds Resource Fair, Honors Hometown Heroes With Special Challenge Coins
By Denise Berver
The City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department hosted their Annual Veteran’s Day Salute on Saturday, November 8th at Court Street Square in Downtown San Bernardino. For the first time, this year’s event was expanded to include a Veteran’s Resource Fair highlighting no-cost services available for Veterans.
Organizations including the San Bernardino Veteran’s
Chamber of Commerce, Arrowhead United Way and DAV Chapter 12 handed out hygiene kits and provided information to Veterans regarding access to programs including assistance with food, housing and mental health resources.
Following the presentation of colors by the San Bernardino Police Department Honor Guard, San Bernardino City Unified School District Board Member Felicia Alexander gave a brief history on the origins of Veteran’s Day before the 2025 City of San Bernardino Hometown Heroes were recognized.
This year’s honored Veterans included Dorothy Norman - United States Army, Tech Sergeant Allen Seymour – United States Air Force, Staff Sergeant Elsie M. Fallin-Paulino – United States Army, and Staff Sergeant Ching Lee Trechard – United States Army.
Acknowledging the local heroes in attendance, a special 2025 Veteran’s Salute Challenge Coin – a military token traditionally representing unity, identity and camaraderie - was also presented to Veterans in the audience in appreciation for their service.
