ALoma Linda University Children’s Hospital pediatrician is sounding the alarm on food access inequality in the Inland Empire, warning that policies, pricing, and geography are working in tandem to trap lowincome families in a cycle of poor nutrition and worsening health outcomes.
“There are 32 food deserts in San Bernardino County alone,” said Dr. Gabrielle Pina on Inland Insight, the Inland Empire Community News podcast. “Twenty-seven of them are majority Latino. And in places like Victorville, the nearest grocery store might be four miles away—not far by car, but a major obstacle if you're a one-car household relying on public transportation or walking.”
Pina, a pediatric hospitalist at Loma Linda University Children’s Health and lifelong Inland Empire resident, defines food deserts using the USDA standard: low-income commu-
nities where residents live more than one mile from access to affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Some families are spending up to 40% of their income on food—and that’s by federal definition of affordability,” said Pina. “If you’re earning less than 185% of the federal poverty line, which is about $48,000 a year, and you live in California, that’s not sustainable.”
Junk Food Replaces Nutrition Dr. Pina described how families in food deserts are forced to prioritize calories over nutrients. “A cheeseburger is $1. A bag of grapes or a head of lettuce? Often three times as much. The system is failing families, and the result is soaring rates of childhood obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes—even in elementary school-aged children.”
She added that mental health issues are deeply connected to food insecurity and diet. “A
Food Deserts cont. on next pg.
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By Manny Sandoval
On July 8, Grammy Award winner
IZ Avila launched his inaugural
“All Hands On Decks” program at Stage Red, guiding Boys & Girls Club members through an immersive crash course in music, production, and careerbuilding skills.
The Rialto native designed the workshop
around four core rotations. “One rotation is the DJ aspect — learning to blend songs and apply effects,” Avila said. “Another group focuses on stage presence, staying in tune with the audience and speaking to them. A third group is working on lighting and audio programming. The last group is learning show logistics — greeting guests and making sure everything runs smoothly.”
Avila added, “The program is comprehensive. It teaches kids all areas of production.”
Students will return for a second session as on-stage talent — running audio and stage services — and later, in phase three, learn invoicing and financial skills. “They’re learning business, financial liter-
PHOTO ANUAR FLORES
to right)
Publisher Denise Berver, LLUCH Pediatric
Gabrielle Pina, and IECN Publisher Manny Sandoval at the IMA Podcasting Studio on June 26, 2025.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL A Boys & Girls Club member focused on blending songs together and applying effects on July 8th.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren and Grammy Award Winner IZ Avila hyping up The Boys & Girls Club crowd at the “All Hands on Decks” program at Stage Red.
Food Desert (cont.)
- recent 2023 psychology study found that children with obesity are seven times more likely to experience mental health disorders compared to their peers.”
Processed Food Access Is Not a Solution
In many of these food deserts, Pina said, gas stations or corner stores are counted as grocery options. “That’s not real food access,” she said. “Those fruits and vegetables are not only overpriced, but they also don’t have the shelf life or nutritional quality of fresh produce from a full-service grocery store.”
She pointed to cities like Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Victorville as having multiple food desert tracts, each with different challenges but the same result: a heavy reliance on processed, high-sugar, high-sodium foods. “Children are being hospitalized for things like constipation from hot Cheetos, and some parents don’t even know how to begin introducing nutritious options.”
Public Health at Risk if Programs Are Cut
When asked about the federal and state safety nets that support these families—like SNAP, school breakfast and lunch programs, and after-school meals—Pina warned that these are often the first to be slashed during budget cuts.
“If you can’t contribute to the economy immediately, you’re not prioritized. That’s how our system works. So we’re seeing nutrition programs— programs that feed kids—on the chopping block,” she said. “And starving kids now do not grow into healthy, productive adults later.”
She noted that in states like Arizona, the elimination of summer school lunch funding a decade ago had catastrophic results, with pediatricians recording a surge in poverty and hunger. “When that safety net disappeared, children went without food all summer. That can permanently impact development and academic performance.”
Food Deserts and the Bigger Cultural Shift
Pina said the rise in food deserts reflects a larger breakdown in America’s food culture. “We used to grow our own food. We lived in multi-generational homes. Now we’ve moved into a hyper-independent culture that’s failing us, especially for families with children.”
She advocated for city-funded community gardens, better public transportation routes to grocery stores, and policies that incentivize grocers to open in low-access neighborhoods. “Farmers markets are great—but they’re often too expensive for the very communities they’re supposed to serve,” she said.
Tangible Solutions for Families
Pina offered real-life, practical steps that families can begin taking now, even without major resources. These include:
Swapping soda and chips for cuties, cucumbers, or snack-sized carrots.
Shopping weekly with your children and using digital ads to plan meals.
Making homemade alternatives to overpriced convenience foods, like Uncrustables or frozen lunches.
Introducing kids to healthy meal prep and letting them select one new fruit or vegetable each week.
Stocking pantry staples like whole wheat pasta and frozen bread to stretch meals.
Making overnight oats and other lowcost breakfast options to cut down on sugary cereals and pastries.
“If you don’t buy the soda, if you don’t buy the French fries, your kids will be forced to grab the cuties or carrots. And they’ll live. They will adapt. In two weeks, their cravings for sugar and salt will go down,” Pina said.
She added that cravings are often warning signs: Sugar often signals fatigue or stress, while salt cravings can be linked to dehydration. “Instead of grabbing a soda, your body might just need water. Or rest. Or time,” she said. “We need to listen to those signals.”
School Meals: Progress and Gaps
While school meals have improved, especially in elementary schools, Pina said there’s room for more reform. “Kids are now required to put fruit and vegetables on their tray. That’s a win,” she said. “But things like chocolate milk, fruit juices, and ultra-sweet smoothies—those are unnecessary. They’re loaded with sugar.”
She pointed out that many kids’ favorite snacks—fruit snacks, hot Cheetos, Takis, red-colored drinks—contain Red Dye 40, which has been linked to hyperactivity. “We need more policies that reduce these additives,” she said. “But only if we replace them with affordable alternatives.”
A Return to the “We” Pina, who lives in a multi-generational household, emphasized that parents and communities have power to shift habits. “Every family win—like a child trying a new vegetable—is a step forward. Celebrate that. This isn’t about being perfect; it’s about trying,” she said.
“We need to exit the mindset of ‘I’ and return to the mindset of ‘we.’ That’s how we build communities that thrive—not just for today, but for future generations.”
Listen to the full episode now on YouTube: @InlandInsightPodcast
All Hands on Deck (cont.)
- acy,” said Avila. “Fontana Unified will then pull students who have completed the ‘All Hands on Decks’ program—who have been added to the Performance Club to DJ, operate lights, audio — it’s a way to retain talent and get them paid for their skills within the district.”
Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren praised the program’s impact, sharing her own experiences growing up in South Central Los Angeles. “I played piano and violin for churches,” Warren said. “My parents always said the more my siblings and I were involved in arts and music, the better chance we had at making it in life.”
She added that Fontana Unified’s continued investment in the arts helps keep stu-
dents off the streets, pointing to figures like Blink 182’s Travis Barker as examples of what’s possible.
Fontana Unified School District Board President Adam Perez emphasized the importance of engagement. “Programs like this are so engaging for our students. Our goal is to get kids excited and looking forward to going to school,” Perez said. “All it takes is one class to change someone’s life and this could be it.”
The program is scheduled to expand to the Rialto Unified School District next, with long-term goals of incorporating professional artist partnerships and paid student gigs. For now, Avila said the experience is “revitalizing” for students. “This program is academic in a different way.
By Manny Sandoval
Fifteen young women took the stage at Whitmer Auditorium on June 29, competing for the titles of Teen Miss and Miss Colton 2025 during the city’s fifth annual pageant hosted by the Rotary Club of Colton.
After a spirited evening of competition, Yaisa Meza was crowned Miss Colton 2025. A Grand Terrace High School graduate and current freshman at Cal State San Bernardino, Meza also serves her community as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Gonzales Community Center.
Aubree Gonzales, a Colton High School student and ASB president, earned the title of Teen Miss Colton 2025. Gonzales also holds leadership roles as president of the National Honor Society and is a varsity cheerleader.
“We’re incredibly proud of each of these young ladies,” said Erlinda Armendariz, Rotary Club President and Miss Colton Pageant Director. “Their grace, intelligence, and commitment to Colton’s future made this year’s pageant unforgettable.”
The event brought together a packed audience of family members, local officials, business leaders and visiting royalty. Contestants entered the pageant at no cost, thanks to community sponsors including Assemblymember James Ramos and his wife Terri, CR&R Environmental Services, Sayaka Japanese Restaurant, The Royal Gents Organization, Inland Valley Insurance, and several members of the Colton City Council.
“We’ve always believed in removing barriers to access,” said Armendariz. “With the support of our sponsors, every contestant had an equal opportunity to represent our city with pride.”
Also crowned were Miss Colton Princesses Eriyah Delfin and Charlize Flores, and Teen Miss Colton Princesses Kaitlyn Torres and Melissa Walker.
Miss Congeniality: Susan Galvan (Miss), Aubree Gonzales (Teen)
Photogenic Award: Susan Galvan (Miss), Kailani Muth (Teen), selected by photographer David Card
Before passing their crowns, outgoing royalty Miss Colton 2024 Reyna Perez and Teen Miss Colton 2024 Mia Perez delivered farewell messages. They were joined on stage by Princesses Aurora Calderon, Jennifer Puga, Yaiza Meza and Sienna Fernandez, each receiving certificates of recognition from elected officials and dignitaries including Assemblymembers James Ramos and Leticia Castillo, Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., and Prince Ogidikpe on behalf of Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes.
The evening concluded with the crowning of Reyna Chavez, Miss Colton 2024, as the 2025 Miss Colton Ambassador—an honorary title that recognizes her continued dedication to community service and leadership.
Yaisa Meza and Aubree Gonzales Crowned at 2025 Miss and Teen Miss Colton Pageant
PHOTO ERLINDA ARMENDARIZ
From left, Eriyah Delfin, Miss Colton Princess; Charlize Flores, Miss Colton Princess; Yaiza Meza, Miss Colton; Aubree Gonzales, Teen Miss Colton; Kaitlyn Torres, Teen Miss Colton Princess; and Melisa Walker, Teen Miss Colton Princess.
Op-Eds Public Safety
Broken Promises: How Trump’s Policies Stripped Immigrants of Their Rights
By Bianca Zamora, Arroyo Valley High School Student
Everyone has opinions on the government we now live under. Ever since Trump took office, things have changed. Whether people believe those changes are for better or worse is up to each person to decide. However, one thing that’s hard to ignore is how immigrants are treated. They’re being dismissed and stripped of their rights. Policies from the Trump administration have made it harder for immigrants to build their lives here, often without considering their backgrounds or contributions. Many immigrants are labeled as “aliens” or seen as threats, even when they are innocent.
This issue in our society and government isn’t just political—it’s also social and deeply affects families. The idea of pushing immigrants out has led to serious consequences, including families being torn apart. This applies both to families already in the United States and to those trying to enter.
For example, many innocent immigrants from Venezuela are being accused of belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang for minor reasons. Some are sent to maximum-security prisons in El Salvador and denied contact with family. NBC News states, “Relatives of recently deported Venezuelan immigrants said they were anguished and shocked to discover their loved ones were sent to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador after they recognized them in a social media video.” This situation shows how people are being punished and isolated for something they didn’t do, simply because of where they’re from. It’s unfair and heartbreaking.
For immigrants entering the U.S., many parents are separated from their children. Their children are placed in different detention areas, often due to overcrowding. These children are housed in cold facilities with no emotional or physical support. In
some cases, they’re kept in these centers for weeks or even months, unsure of when they’ll see their families again. Parents struggle, not knowing where their children are or whether they’re safe.
They come for a better life, only to face worse conditions. During the first 100 days of Trump’s administration, many significant changes were made regarding immigration. These included efforts to end birthright citizenship, halt asylum processes, and cancel immigrants’ scheduled appointments. His time in office may not have been the start of all these difficult situations, but it did make them worse.
This issue matters to me because I come from an immigrant family. Knowing these things could happen to my loved ones terrifies me. I’ve seen firsthand how these policies affect fellow immigrants. They feel restricted and isolated, diminished both physically and mentally, and, most importantly, they live in fear.
They came here hoping for a better life but ended up living the opposite. Seeing this happen fills me with many emotions, especially anger and helplessness. I’m angered because immigrants are treated as if they don’t matter; it’s as if we are once again in a social hierarchy—a modern one.
Immigrants perform labor that other Americans choose not to, yet they are neither rewarded nor recognized for their hard work. Their sacrifice goes unseen. Above all, I feel helpless, because sometimes the only thing I can do is speak up, and that will only make a minor difference. One person alone can’t create instant change, so I remain angry and helpless.
Overall, immigrants are being maltreated in this country. It may not have started under Donald Trump, but it did worsen when he took office. So the question is: are immigrants allowed to be free in the land of freedom?
—Bianca Zamora, junior, Arroyo Valley High School, San Bernardino
Tips To Consider To Help You Stay Healthy During Summer Travel
By Dr. Amit Arwindekar, Medical Director at UnitedHealthcare Global
As the weather gets warmer and the end of the school year approaches, many California residents may be planning a vacation. While some prefer a staycation, 86% of Americans plan to travel out of state and 50% plan to travel internationally.
Everyone hopes their trip will go smoothly, but more than 1 in 4 Americans report getting sick or hurt on a vacation and 56% needed medical treatment as a result. To help you prioritize a healthy and safe trip, consider these tips:
Check-in with your primary care doctor before traveling. Schedule an appointment with your doctor prior to your vacation. At your visit, inform your doctor of your travel plans to see how best to support your health while traveling, including getting any recommended or required vaccinations. Before leaving, refill any prescriptions you might need while away and pack enough to last your entire trip. Check travel health information and recent travel notices for destinations abroad so you know what to expect when you arrive. If you haven’t had an annual wellness exam and preventive screenings recently, this may be a good time to make sure you are on top of any health concerns. Health
Traffic Stop Leads to Shipping Container Full of Illegal Fireworks
By San Bernardino PD
Atraffic stop by the San Bernardino Police Department officers led to the seizure of 10,000 pounds of illegal aerial fireworks and over $5,000 in suspected fireworks sale profits, following a search of the suspect’s vehicle and residence.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, SBPD officers conducted a traffic stop that led to the seizure of a significant quantity of illegal aerial fireworks, along with approximately $5,400 in cash.
The fireworks recovered were concealed throughout the vehicle and included large-scale aerial shells, along with other dangerous fireworks prohibited under California law.
Based on the findings from the traffic stop, officers conducted a search of the subject’s residence in Phelan, California. At the residence, they located a 25foot Conex shipping container packed
with thousands of pounds of illegal aerial fireworks. Officers also recovered a Draco AK-47-style assault weapon from inside the home.
The subject was arrested on multiple charges related to the possession and sale of illegal fireworks under California Health and Safety Code sections 12671 and 12677.
San Bernardino County Fire personnel and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad responded and assisted with the safe handling and removal of the explosives.
As Independence Day approaches, the San Bernardino Police Department reminds the community that illegal fireworks are not only dangerous but pose a significant public safety hazard.
This seizure highlights the Department’s commitment to keeping the community safe during this holiday weekend.
Redlands PD Says Slow Down
By Redlands PD
The Redlands Police Department is joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) safety initiative to educate the public about the dangers of speeding. Speeding Slows You Down is a high-visibility enforcement speed prevention campaign that focuses on the consequences of speeding — including tickets and fines — while urging drivers to slow down.
ing.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, Speeding endangers everyone on the road: In 2023, speeding killed 11,775 people. We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users. Learn about the dangers of speeding and why faster doesn’t mean safer.
To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving:
plans usually cover preventive care, which means you may pay $0 out of pocket for certain covered preventive services if you go to a network provider.
You may also consider options like virtual visits for non-emergency care. Virtual visits may be both cost-effective and more convenient. Talk to your health plan and doctor about virtual care options that might be available to you while traveling. Virtual care may help you quickly and affordably access needed care with a network provider while on the road.
Pack properly and make sure you have enough essentials. Prior to leaving home, check the weather at your destination and pack accordingly. Prepare a travel health kit with essentials like hand sanitizer, over-the-counter medications, sunscreen and bug spray. Remember to pack important items like prescription medications in your carry-on luggage in the event of an emergency, or if your checked bags get lost during travel.
Take care of your health during your vacation. Physical activity may help reduce stress and promote well-being. Plan to incorporate some form of activity during your vacation, such as sightseeing walks, bike rides or daytime hikes. Full Op-Ed
There are many reasons drivers choose to speed, but lateness, traffic, and a general disregard for others are the main culprits behind this risky behavior. Furthermore, speeding endangers you, your loved ones, and everyone else on the road. Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair, or in an area at night that isn’t well lit. Even advancements in vehicle safety and passenger protection cannot keep people safe from the dangers of speed-
Drivers
Give yourself plenty of time to safely arrive at your destination.
Adjust your driving accordingly. Speeding is tied to aggressive driving. If a speeding driver is tailgating you or trying to engage you in risky driving, use judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way.
If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by.
Summer EBT Program Now Available to Families
Employment Opportunities
Marketing Manager. Anlyz mkt data & consumer trends using statistical tools. Conduct rsrch, forecast demand, support strategic planning, & collab w/ int & ext teams. MBA req'd. $75,000/yr. Send resume to: E&K Sunrise Inc, 4010 Georgia Blvd., San Bernardino, CA 92407.
California’s Only Free Parent & Youth Helpline Faces Shutdown After $3M Budget Cut
By Manny Sandoval
Despite compelling research showing that 85% of callers to California’s Parent & Youth Helpline report improved emotional well-being after just one call, the $3 million needed to sustain the state’s only traumainformed, no-cost support line was slashed from California’s 2025 budget — putting the essential resource on the brink of closure.
“If funding isn’t restored, 18 million parents and youth across California will lose access to a lifeline that has proven to reduce stress and save lives,” said Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, President and CEO of Parents Anonymous Inc., which operates the helpline. “We have trained, master’s-level staff available 24/7 by phone, text, or chat, supporting people through everything from workplace harassment to suicidal thoughts.”
The helpline, launched in May 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis, is now at risk of being dismantled just as demand for emotional support continues to rise. The decision to defund the service, Pion-Berlin said, contradicts the state’s broader mental health promises.
“Our entire mental health system is overstretched and understaffed,” she said. “People wait months for care, but they can call us any time — we don’t hang up, and we don’t pass them around. This is proven, immediate help that works.”
Calls to the helpline surged 366% in a single night during recent Los Angeles-area wildfires, a reflection of how critical the service has become in moments of crisis. Yet, this year’s budget left Parents Anonymous with zero funding after a $2.35 million allocation last year.
“We asked for $3 million and even requested a multi-year commitment. Instead, we were told to go to the legislature,” Pion-Berlin said. “The Behavioral Health Services Fund that supports us doesn’t affect the state’s General Fund or the deficit. This cut won’t help balance the budget — but it could devastate families.”
The service is multilingual, offers free guided meditations, and is optimized for accessibil-
ity across devices. Counselors respond in 240 languages and address a wide spectrum of issues, including bullying, drug use, ICE-related fear, child abuse, etc.
According to newly published research led by Arizona State University, 85% of callers to the helpline reported improved mood by the end of their session. The analysis also showed that callers spoke less rapidly — a measurable indicator of decreased distress.
“Young people as young as six have reached out — afraid, alone, and unable to speak to their parents,” said Pion-Berlin. “We offer them a trusted adult when they have no one else.”
With no renewed allocation, Parents Anonymous will have to begin scaling back its services — including canceling five free weekly online and face-to-face support groups and laying off trained staff.
“I’m calling on foundations, philanthropists, and everyone who cares about families to support us,” Pion-Berlin added. “We’ve cobbled funding together for five years. But things that matter shouldn’t disappear just because people assume someone else will take care of it.”
The only remaining option to save the helpline is through the state’s trailer bill process, which allows limited revisions after the budget is signed. Advocates are urging immediate public outreach before the July 18 deadline.
Concerned Californians can contact and leave a message with:
Sen. Scott Wiener, Chair of the Senate Budget Committee: (916) 651-4011
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office: (916) 445-2841
“We don’t need another app,” Pion-Berlin said, referencing California’s recent $498 million contracts for underutilized youth mental health platforms. “We need human connection. You can’t replace that with a screen and ocean wave sounds.”
To learn more or donate, visit: caparentyouth.org.
By Dr. Bradley Jacoby, Chief of Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente Riverside County
With summer here, many families are left without the daily support of school cafeterias. To help bridge this nutritional gap, Kaiser Permanente Southern California is spreading the word that the Summer EBT program — also known as SUN Bucks — is now available to eligible families. This initiative provides $120 per eligible school-aged child to help families buy groceries during the summer months.
Summer EBT is a lifeline for families struggling with food insecurity — an issue that affects nearly 1 in 7 children in California, according to No Kid Hungry. In a region where the cost of living is high, this benefit can make a meaningful difference.
Access to healthy food is essential for children to thrive — physically, mentally and emotionally — especially during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. When kids miss meals, it doesn’t just leave them hungry, it can disrupt their ability to grow, learn and get essential nutrients their bodies need to be healthy. We see the effects of poor nutrition in everything from weakened immune systems to trouble con-
centrating on tasks.
Who’s Eligible?
Families may qualify if their children attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and meet income requirements for free or reduced-price meals. Most households already receiving SNAP, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal will be automatically enrolled.
Funds can be used at grocery stores, convenience stores and farmers' markets that accept SNAP benefits to purchase essentials like milk, bread, fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks. Benefits are issued on existing EBT cards or mailed as new cards.
It’s an important reminder that proper daily nutrition in childhood lays the foundation for lifelong health. It supports strong bones and muscles, helps regulate hormones and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
To check eligibility and apply, visit www.SummerEBT.org.
PHOTO KAISER
Community News
Live Oak Elementary School teacher Michelle Vazquez discovered her calling for teaching and advocacy at a young age, growing up in a family that ran a foster home for adults with special needs.
Vazquez credits her childhood for teaching her the importance of dignity, patience, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued. It’s a lesson the Resource Specialist Program (RSP) teacher has carried with her throughout her 16-plus years in education. That dedication helped lead to her recognition as Live Oak Elementary and Fontana Unified School District’s (FUSD) 2024-25 Teacher of the Year, as well as one of the 2026 San Bernardino Countywide Teachers of the Year. With the county recognition, Vazquez is now a finalist for the 2026 California Department of Education Teacher of the Year award.
“I would not be here if it wasn’t for every single person who has supported me throughout my teaching career,” said Vazquez, referencing her family and Live Oak El-
Planned
Community News
Iementary’s team of administrators, teachers, staff, and the SELPA department. “These awards truly mean the world to me. I am so humbled and honored just to be recognized. It is overwhelming to know people see my passion and heart for education.”
As an RSP teacher, Vazquez supports students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade who have learning differences and individualized education needs at Live Oak Elementary. She delivers both small-group and one-on-one instruction tailored to each student’s academic and behavioral goals, co-teaches in general education classrooms, and collaborates closely with fellow teachers, school administrators, and support professionals.
Vazquez also writes and manages Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and partners with families to ensure students receive the services and accommodations they need to thrive. Through it all, she strives to develop meaningful relationships with her students and help them gain confidence, develop self-advocacy skills, and foster a love for learning.
“Michelle’s ability to offer individualized attention and care is where she truly thrives, making a significant difference in her students' academic and personal growth,” Live Oak Principal Dr. Patricia Corral said. “She is an exceptional educator who consistently goes above and beyond to support her students and colleagues.”
Outside of Live Oak Elementary, Vazquez shares her expertise as the host of “Stepping into Special Education,” a podcast where she looks to empower special educators worldwide by offering practical strategies and support.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that teaching is rooted in connection and empathy. Every student has unique strengths, challenges, and potential. Our job as educators is to meet them where they are and help them grow,” said Vazquez. “There’s no greater joy than seeing a student’s eyes light up when they grasp something new, or watching them build the confidence to believe in themselves. Teaching is not just a job — it’s a calling. It requires passion, resilience, and a belief in the potential of every single child.”
Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties Statement on Federal Budget Bill "Defunding" Planned Parenthood
n response to the passage of H.R. 1, the Trumpbacked federal budget bill, Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC) President and CEO Krista Hollinger released the following statement.
“Congress, under the influence of President Trump, has passed a budget bill that effectively 'defunds' Planned Parenthood. Once signed, this means that Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (PPOSBC) will no longer be able to get reimbursed with federal dollars through the Medicaid program for all the essential health services we provide, simply because we provide abortion as a small but important part of our healthcare services.
“For PPOSBC, Medicaid exclusion means that we will lose roughly 50% of our revenue. As a result, we will be forced to make difficult operational decisions in order to maintain our mission and keep serving our patients.
“To be clear, federal Medicaid funds have never been used to pay for abortion care–this has been prohibited since 1977 under the Hyde Amendment. But Medicaid does cover birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screening, and primary care for thousands of our patients. The bill prohibits us from getting reimbursed for everything we do. So, instead of blocking people from abortions by defunding Planned Parenthood, Congressional Republicans just blocked their constituents from lifesaving cancer screening, birth control, and STI testing and treatment. “Defunding Planned Parenthood is not about balancing the country’s budget. This is a blatant attack on healthcare access for people who need it the most, and
a backdoor attempt to block people from accessing abortion. But we refuse to be bullied out of our mission and we are steadfast in providing lifesaving reproductive health services and access to abortion care that is safe and legal in the state of California.
“This fight is far from over, but we have difficult days ahead. At PPOSBC, we are looking at every possible budgetary solution to ensure that the 130,000 patients who rely on us for care every year can continue accessing the medical services they need. However, because we are losing the federal funding that makes up a large part of our financial foundation, we may have some hard choices to make. Your immediate support will help us keep showing up for the patients who have nowhere else to turn.”
PHOTO FUSD
Michelle Vazquez, an RSP teacher at Live Oak Elementary School, has been named Fontana Unified’s Teacher of the Year in 2024-25 and one of the 2026 San Bernardino Countywide Teachers of the Year. She moves on as a finalist for the 2026 California Department of Education Teacher of the Year award.
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CNS-3944442# PUBLISHED EL CHICANO 7/10/25 E-960
NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed b ds will be received in the Nutrit on Services Department of the San Bernard no City Unified Schoo Distr ct 1257 Northpark Bou evard, San Bernard no California 92407 on or before 11:00 a m , on August 7 2025 for PAPER GOODS FOR FOOD SERVICE under Bid No NSB 2025-26-6 Bid documents/addendum required for bidd ng may be secured at the above department or online at h t t p s : / / s b c u s d n u t r t i o n s e rvices org/?page=BidsandPro posals P ease call 909/8818000 for more information The Board of Educat on reserves the r ght to re ect any or al bids, and to waive any irregular ties or informalit es n any bid or in the bidding, and to accept or reject any items thereon Publicat ons of this Notice are July 10 and July 17, 2025 SAN BERNARDINO CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT By: Nutrition Services Department Lisa Falcone Admin Analyst CNS-3942088# PUBLISHED EL CHICANO 7/10 7/17/25 E-959
in the adm ssion or access to its programs SE HACE DEL CONOCIMIENTO AL PÚBLICO La Autor dad de Vivienda del Condado de Riverside cerrará la lista de espera del programa de Vales de Elección de Vivienda (HCV por sus siglas en inglés) para las s guientes poblaciones espec alizadas a part r del 1 de septiembre de 2025:
-Veteranos de las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos y Viudas de Veteranos
-Personas de Edad Avanzada Extrema (70 años o más)
PROBATE
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition you should either 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 delivery 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
on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 to wit: YEAR MAKE VIN LICENSE STATE 21 FORD
1 F T E R 4 E H 6 M L D 9 0 4 9 4 59548J3 CA
To be sold by: CERTIFIED TOWING, 1060 ONTARIO BLVD ONTARIO SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CA 91761 (10:00 AM)
Said sale is for the purpose of sat sfy ng lien of the aboves gned for towing storage labor materials and lien charges, together with costs of advertising and expenses of sale Clear Choice Lien Service, Inc P O Box 159009 San Diego CA 92175
CNS-3944321# PUBLISHED EL CHICANO 7/10/25 E-958
San Bernardino County Dept of Behavioral Health Request for Proposals (RFP) SUDRS Family Stabilization Rapid Re-Housing (RFP DBH #24-180) (ePro # DBHE25-ADMN-5838) San Bernard no County Department of Behaviora Health (DBH) which may also be referred to as the County or by DBH-Substance Use D sorder and Recovery Serv ces (SUDRS) is seeking proposals from interested and qualified organizations and agencies to provide a proposed plan for the provision of Rapid Re-housing services for any/all target populations to include eligible CalWORKS c ients as assessed and identified as eligib e for Fam ly Stabi ization services Fam ly Stabilization services help c ients that the County has ident fied as having a crisis which de-stab lizes their family Rapid Re-housing serv ces is a program within the Fam ly Stabilization program The Contract period wi l be for a five (5) year period beginning on October 1 2025 through September 30 2030 A proposal conference wi l be held via Teams on: Thursday July 24 2025 @ 2:00 PM (loca time) Please view the RFP in ePro for the Teams log n deta ls and the RFP contact informat on which can be accessed as detailed below The complete RFP document can be accessed via the County s on ne Electronic Procurement Network System ePro located at: https://wp sbcounty gov/purchasing/ In order to do business with the County you must be reg stered on the ePro system For ass stance contact Purchasing at (909) 387-2060 Once you access the ePro system you are able to view and print the RFP Have a copy of the RFP available to you dur ng the Proposal Conference Completed proposals are due on or before 4:00 p m loca time on Thursday August 14 2025
CNS-3945418# PUBLISHED EL CHICANO 7/10/25 E-962
Este c erre se debe a que e número de solicitantes en la lista supera la cantidad de vales disponibles que se anticipa estarán disponib es en un futuro cercano No se aceptarán nuevas solicitudes después de la fecha de cierre La lista de espera permanecerá cerrada hasta nuevo aviso La Autoridad de Vivienda anunc ará públicamente cualquier reapertura con antelación Para más información por favor comuníquese al 951351-0700 o visite www har vco org La Autoridad de V v enda no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nac onal, re igión sexo discapacidad o estado fam iar en la admisión o acceso a sus programas
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 DE154) 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
Petitioner: ANITA ANN ESPINOZA
4075 Jose Street Chino, CA 91710
Published El Chicano 6/26/25,7/3/25,7/10/25 E-951
CNS-3945605# PUBLISHED EL CHICANO 7/10/25 E-961 NOTICE
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER
ESTATE OF:
ARTHUR ESPINOZA CASE NO : PROVA2500477
To all heirs beneficiaries creditors contingent creditors and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate or both of: ARTHUR ESPINOZA
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by ANITA ANN ESPINOZA in the Superior Court of California County of SAN BERNARDINO THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that ANITA ANN ESPINOZA 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 unless 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
CITY OF BANNING
Invitation for Bids
Advertisement IFB # 24-090
Project: IFB 24-090 Lions Park Non-Potable Water
Irrigation Conversion & Fencing Bids due online only, BEFORE 4:00pm Local time on August 13, 2025, Visit the City s online bidding website for inquiries details instructions and bid openings at: \www banningca gov/bids
Published El Chicano July 10, 2025 E-963 San Bernardino County Dept of Behavioral Health Request for Proposals (RFP) Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) Services (RFP DBH #24-138) (ePro #DBHE25-ADMN-5874 ) San Bernard no County (County) through the Department of Behavioral Hea th (DBH) is seek ng proposals from interested and qualified organizations and agencies to provide a proposed plan for the provision of Crisis Stabi ization Unit (CSU) Services The Contract per od will be for a four (4) year and nine (9) month per od beginning on October 1 2025 through June 30, 2030 A proposa conference w ll be he d via M crosoft Teams on: Thursday July 24 2025 at 1:00 PM (local time) Please v ew the RFP in ePro for the Teams login details and the RFP contact information which can be accessed as detailed below The complete RFP document can be accessed via the County s online E ectronic Procurement Network System “ePro” located at: h ttp s://w p sb co u n ty g o v/p u rchasing/ In order to do business with the County you must be registered on the ePro system For assistance, contact Purchasing at (909) 3872060 Once you access the ePro system you are able to v ew and print the RFP Have a copy of the RFP ava lable to you during the Proposal Conference Completed proposals are due on or before 4:00 p m local time on Thursday August 14 2025 CNS-3944602# PUBLISHED EL CHICANO 7/10/25 E-956
(see Section 14411 Et Seq Bus ness and Profess ons Code) Pub ished 6/19,6/26,7/3,7/10/25 Published in Colton Courier C-508 Fictitious Business Name Statement FBN20250005656 Statement filed with the County C erk of San Bernardino 06/13/2025 The following person(s) is (are) do ng bus ness as: CAPA REALTY 619 E CORNELL DR RIALTO, CA 92376 County of Principal P ace of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Business mai ing address: 619 E CORNELL DR RIALTO CA 92376 Name: CARI C SOLANO This business s/was conducted by (a/an): INDIVIDUAL Registrant commenced to transact business under the fict tious business name or names isted above on NOT APPLICABLE By s gning, I declare that a l informat on n th s statement is true and correct A reg strant who dec ares as true any mater a matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the regis-
BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE
Trustor(s): HENRY CALDERILLA A WIDOWER Recorded: 3/2/2022 as Instrument No 2022-0081557 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of SAN BERNARDINO County California; Date of Sale: 8/5/2025 at 9:00 AM Place of Sa e: At the North West Entrance in the Courtyard of the Ch no Municipal Court ocated at 13260 Central Avenue, Ch no, CA 91710 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $461,845 35 The purported property address is: 1844 ALSTON AVE COLTON CA 92324 Assessor s Parcel No : 0160-371-20-0-000 NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidd ng on th s property lien you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automat ca y entitle you to free and c ear
using the file number assigned to this forec osure by the Trustee: CA-25-1006797-AB Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immed ately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civi Code If you are an "elig ble tenant buyer you can purchase the property f you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auct on If you are an "e igible bidder " you may be ab e to purchase the property f you exceed the last and highest b d placed at the trustee auct on
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE OWNEROCCUPANT: Any prospective owner-occupant as defined in Section 2924m of the Cal forn a Civil Code
is the last and highest bidder at the trustee s sale shall provide the required affidavit or declaration of e igibility to the auct oneer at the trustee s sale or shall have it delivered to QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION by 5 p m on the next business day fo lowing the trustee s sale at the address set forth in the below signature block NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE POST-SALE OVER BIDDERS: For postsale nformation in accordance with Section 2924m(e) of the Cal forn a Civ l Code, use file number CA-25-1006797-AB and call (866) 645-7711 or login to: http://www qualityloan com The unders gned Trustee disclaims any l ab lity for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown herein If no street address or other common designation is shown directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary w thin 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sa e If the sale is set aside for any reason inc uding if the Trustee s unable to convey t tle the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the mon es pa d to the Trustee This shall be the Purchaser s sole and exclusive remedy The purchaser sha l have no further recourse aga
How the Pandemic Rewired
Community News
As the world settled into pandemic life, students who graduated from high school during the COVID-19 crisis started new chapters of their lives in social and academic seclusion.
Many spent their senior year on Zoom, without homecomings, proms or graduations. They struggled to pass classes and navigate college applications. And they entered college with gaps in study skills and anxiety about social interactions.
They spent their first year of college — typically a time of discovery — in online classes or alone in dorm rooms. Now, some are graduating from college, while others simply gave up.
Across California students grappled with transitioning to college during the pandemic. The challenges were magnified in the Inland Empire, where only about a quarter of all adults hold fouryear degrees, compared to 37% statewide.
“I felt really lonely, and it was really, really stressful at that time,” said Maribel Gamez-Reyes, A UC Riverside student from Inglewood.
Holes in their education
Especially for students who are the first in their families to attend college, what should have been their moment of triumph became months of tension. Some questioned whether they even belonged on a college campus, said UC Riverside Dean of Students Christine Mata.
“During lockdown students weren’t able to bond and build connections to the institution, or even access support structures,” she said.
Their academic shortfalls and social isolation took a toll. UC Riverside found that math and writing skills were lower among the students who graduated from high school during the pandemic than for previous high school graduates.
In 2019, before COVID, about 13% of incoming freshmen entered UC Riverside at the lowest math level. In 2020 about 20% of freshmen — the class that lost nearly half its senior year to the pandemic — fell into the lowest math tier.
The 2021 class of high school graduates saw the percentage of low-performing math students tick up even more, to 22%. Those students had spent half their junior year and nearly all their senior year in remote learning.
Likewise, 25% of freshmen entered the university at the lowest writing level in 2019. In 2020 32% fell into the bottom tier. The following year 29% of incoming students started at the lowest writing level.
Math and English levels among incoming freshmen have improved in the past couple of years, university data show.
Grade inflation in high school contributed to those pandemic-era gaps, said Lesley Davidson-Boyd, associate vice president of California State University, San Bernardino. Some high school seniors graduated at the time with stellar grades but below-average test scores in math and English, she said.
“There were a lot of holes in their education,” she said. “There were vital pieces that were missing.”
The federal government sent schools billions in extra pandemic funding, but much of California’s higher education money was not spent on helping students
College — and Why Inland Empire Students Still Feel Left
catch up academically.
California received about $34 billion in pandemic aid to education, with about $10 billion of that dedicated to colleges and universities, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Of that, $4 billion was direct aid to students, for help with tuition and other college expenses. Institutions got $5.3 billion and spent some of that on technology to accommodate remote learning. But much of it went to replacing lost revenue, which administrators said backfilled losses from campus and dormitory closures, and enrollment declines.
Enrollment trends at Inland Empire colleges
Enrollment also took a hit at some California colleges and universities, including many Inland Empire campuses. While enrollment in the University of California system overall has climbed steadily since 2020, it remained flat at UC Riverside since 2020. In the decade before the pandemic, its four-year graduation rate climbed from less than 50% to 67%. But that slid to 60% for the class that started in 2020.
California State Universities’ enrollment numbers dropped during the pandemic, and while admissions finally started rebounding system-wide, it has continued to decline at Cal State San Bernardino from more than 20,000 in 2019 to less than 18,000 in 2024. Fouryear graduation rates at Cal State San Bernardino had nearly doubled, from about 13% in 2009, to 25% in 2019, before dropping slightly for the class that started during the first year of the pandemic, in 2020.
Enrollment at the California Community College system fell sharply during the pandemic, but has rebounded throughout the state, including the Inland Empire.
Adriana Banda: Playing catch-up Pandemic graduates who did go to college often played catch-up in their first year, trying to recover academic skills they lost during remote learning.
For Adriana Banda, pandemic education was a lonely exercise in perseverance. Desert Hot Springs High School offered students the chance to go back in person on limited class schedules, with social distancing precautions, but some of Banda’s family members faced medical risks, so it was a “no-brainer” to stay home and learn remotely, she said.
“I had to learn on my own,” said Banda, now 22. “I honestly didn’t learn much that year. I was just trying to get through high school.”
For years she had looked forward to senior milestones — prom, grad night, a senior sunset gathering and weekends with friends — but she watched them fall away as COVID-19 persisted.
“Having all of my senior experiences taken away from me was really disappointing and discouraging,” she said.
Banda plodded through Zoom classes and graduated high school in 2021. She became the first in her family to go to college when she enrolled at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus.
“Transitioning into college was honestly really hard, especially after coming from a year of remote learning,” she said. “I think during that year I lost the foundational skills I had in school.”
Professors expected high-level work but didn’t always help students struggling with pandemic learning loss, she said.
“The professors didn’t really capture
the idea that these students might need more help and support, because of the fact that they weren’t learning in a regular environment for the past year and a half,” Banda said.
“I had a six-month gap because I didn’t know exactly where to start, and I didn’t have the guidance because nobody in my family was in college.”
Katie Honeycutt, a San Bernardino Valley College student who dropped her classes to take a job
The social disruption was even worse: “I’m naturally a shy person, so transitioning from a year full of almost no social communication to being back in the classroom and having to make these relationships and friendships work was really, really hard.”
Getting a campus job at the social services office got her out of her shell. In that role she had to engage with other students but noticed many weren’t receptive.
“People just generally weren’t comfortable having regular conversations anymore,” Banda said. “They would avoid eye contact and get nervous.”
Banda is scheduled to graduate in spring 2026 and plans to pursue a master’s degree and a career as a hospital social worker. The tough lessons of the pandemic will guide her work, she said.
“Seeing how much people genuinely can struggle, and how limited help is, going into social work I’m going to keep that in my head,” she said. “I’m always going to try to the best of my ability to help people.”
Bringing back campus life
Reestablishing campus culture and student life might seem like a lower priority than boosting academic performance in the wake of the pandemic, but university leaders say they’re intertwined. Without connections to classmates and professors, students feel less committed to college.
“Students don’t have the will to stay in school if they don’t feel connected to the campus,” Davidson-Boyd, of Cal State San Bernardino, said. “We saw a rise in dropout rates, and we know that doesn’t just have to do with academics, but connectability to campus as well.”
First year continuation rates for the campus fell, from almost 85% for students who started in 2019 to 78% for those who started in 2020 and 80% for those who started in 2021.
While universities typically encourage students to take a full course load and push through challenging classes, Cal State San Bernardino tried to keep students in school by making it easier for them to drop classes without penalties.
Most students who tried to withdraw from classes but couldn’t do so wound up failing anyway. After two failed classes, many gave up, Davidson-Boyd said: “This was a way to give them an out so they feel like they have more agency over the process.”
Even after pandemic restrictions loosened, campuses continued virtual instruction for some classes and kept dorms at reduced occupancy.
“During lockdown students weren’t able to bond and build connections to the institution, or even access support structures,” Mata said. “They remember being lonely. They were trying to figure out college and it wasn’t what they thought it would be at that time.”
That disengagement hindered attendance and participation during and after
the pandemic, Davidson-Boyd said.
“A lot of our students who are failing classes, it’s not that they don’t understand the content,” she said. “They’re just not showing up. Professors are saying that when students are in class they’re not engaged in the same way.”
Cal State San Bernardino reinforced study skills through summer programs for some incoming students, with primers on writing fundamentals and “how-to college math,” she said. And the university introduced a freshman course with tips on identifying their interests, participating in campus events and even asking instructors for help.
Maribel Gamez-Reyes: College application panic
Maribel Gamez-Reyes’ senior year at St. Mary’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic High School in Inglewood, was a marathon of Zoom classes and digital homework.
She struggled with virtual math lessons, and spent so much time online she needed a new glasses prescription for eye strain.
Meanwhile her friendships faded, and lively, campus-wide assemblies she looked forward to were cancelled.
“That was disappointing,” said GamezReyes, now 21. “It was overwhelming, because I realized I wasn’t going to experience all that, and there was this lingering fear because I didn’t know what to expect.”
College applications triggered panic attacks, she said, even with online help from her high school counselor and English teacher.
“I was literally overthinking every decision I was making.”
Gamez-Reyes was excited to be admitted to UC Riverside, but life on campus sparked more stress. The first semester most of her classes were online, which kept her confined to her dorm room and took the joy out of her favorite subject, English. One of her few in-person classes was a math course, but it was held in a large lecture hall and required students to wear masks.
“I had so much anxiety about coming here,” she said. “But even then I tried to push forward because it was my first choice.”
Her mom kept her grounded. “My mom never went to college, and she was very proud of me for going to college … She said, ‘I know you’re scared and you don’t know people, but you have to try.’”
Gamez-Reyes started small. She chose a residence hall known for its social life, with an open layout that encouraged students to hang out in the hallway or lounge.
She eventually found her niche at the college newspaper, the Highlander, first as a contributing writer and then as arts and entertainment editor, where she oversaw coverage of books, fashion, movies and concerts. She made friends in the newsroom and met people while covering live events. She is scheduled to graduate this year and plans to pursue a PhD program in English.
“I’ve found these spaces where I feel really comfortable, and I’ve excelled overall,” Gamez-Reyes said. “Even though I didn’t get to experience some of these exciting moments in high school, I’m experiencing that now.”
