Moreno Valley College Connects 21 High Schools to Public Safety Careers, New Bachelor’s Degree
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Assemblyman Ramos Honors Inland Empire Women Leaders, Names Marsha Olguin Woman of the Year
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Following the Council's vote on Tuesday, March 10, Rialto has achieved compliance with California Housing Element requirements, aligning the city’s long-term housing plan with state law. While some welcome the city’s recent compliance, others remain skeptical.
A Housing Element is a state-mandated section of a city’s General Plan that ana-
lyzes current and projected housing needs and outlines policies and programs to meet those needs across all income levels. California law requires local governments to update their Housing Elements roughly every eight years and submit them to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review and certification.
The Housing Element also identifies sites where housing can be built and details
strategies for preserving existing housing, increasing supply and improving affordability for residents.
Rialto’s current plan covers the state’s sixth planning cycle, from 2021 to 2029, and outlines how the city will accommodate housing growth required under the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), which allocates housing production targets to cities throughout Southern California.
National Orange Show Fair Art Exhibit Returns, Honoring Citrus History and Inland Artists
By Manny Sandoval
The 109th National Orange Show Fair will return to San Bernardino April 15-19, and one of its biggest attractions this year is an art exhibit that organizers say reflects both the fair’s citrus roots and the Inland Empire’s creative community.
The National Orange Show Fair will be held at 689 S. E St. and remains one of California’s historical state fairs, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Robyn Jutzy, the National Orange Show’s director of art and a board member, said the exhibit typically draws about 60 artists and over 100 pieces, an attraction that has drawn thousands of attendees since at least 1949–when the Fair held its inaugural All-Southern California Art Exhibit featuring 485 paintings.
“We have two categories,” Jutzy said. “We have an open category, which is anything they are inspired by, and then the citrus category.”
She said awards are given in both divisions, with first place receiving $700, second $500, third $300, and three honorable mentions at $100 each. This year, she said, the exhibit will also include a new best in show award.
Jutzy said the exhibit will be open throughout all five days of the fair and will feature not only contemporary entries, but also pieces from the Orange Show’s permanent collection.
“It dates back to the first show in the 1940s” Jutzy said, referring to the exhibit’s longrunning history and the organization’s efforts over the years to continue purchasing artwork.
That continuity, organizers said, is important because the art show is directly tied to the fair’s larger mission. The National Orange Show began in 1911 as a celebration of the region’s citrus industry, with a permanent (then 43-acre) San Bernardino site selected in 1923, which was purchased with funds raised by a bond issue.
PHOTO IECN
From left: Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott, Mayor Joe Baca Sr., and Councilmembers Karla Perez and Ed Montoya, Jr.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Robyn Jutzy, director of art and board member for the National Orange Show, and Patrick Garcia, board member and immediate past president, discuss plans for the 2026 National Orange Show Fair art exhibit in San Bernardino on March 4.
Yugo Shokunin Opens in Redlands With Japanese Fusion, Matcha Ramen and Katsu Fries
Affordable Housing (cont.)
- With compliance achieved, the city is now positioned to move forward with housing programs and development opportunities identified in the plan, which are intended to expand housing availability while supporting economic and community growth.
For Ana Gonzalez, executive director of Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ), the process took too long.
“This element is long overdue,” Gonzalez said to the Council during public comment. “It was supposed to pass in 2021.”
After public comment closed, Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott expressed his concerns regarding what he described as a “disturbing” litigious trend, citing 19 lawsuits filed by CCAEJ in the region.
“I find it disturbing that an organization goes around suing cities so they can get money out of them in settlements,” Scott said.
Gonzalez then disputed Scott's insinuation that CCAEJ profited from these lawsuits.
Inland Empire Community News (IECN) issued a request for comment to Scott, who did not respond at the time of publication.
However, IECN spoke with Gonzalez about the exchange, which she described as “a performative political tactic," in which he failed to address “the fact that the city failed to enforce state law.”
“The comment that really rubbed us [CCAEJ] the wrong way was that he said that we go after cities to get some benefit, in this case, a monetary benefit for ourselves—which has never been the case, and people can go look at our financials . . . available on our website,” Gonzalez said. “Anytime that we engage in litigation it is because either the city or developer has violated some type of state law.”
For Councilmember Edward Montoya Jr., the pressing concern centered on the potential for mishandled funds, public misunderstanding and how compliance may affect current residents.
“There’s going to be some obstacles our current residents are going to have to navigate through, pretty much whether they like it or not,” Montoya said in an interview with IECN, specifying issues such as parking, traffic, building density and increased dust and noise pollution from affordable housing developments.
Another concern for Montoya was the supposed affordability of the units on offer.
“New housing opportunities give options to our current residents,” Montoya said. “Will it be more affordable? I don’t know—it has the ability for some. At the same time . . . even though we’re building affordable units, they are not all so affordable.”
In Montoya's view, the public needs to appreciate that not every unit within a new complex is affordable. A complex may be marketed as affordable, despite there being a much smaller number of affordable units available to “those who are less fortunate,” he said.
Gonzalez said the Council ultimately decides on and approves the details of any project, emphasizing the Council's need to practice due diligence.
While the Council has the authority to approve or deny housing projects, there are limits to their capacity to set the standard. The definition of affordable is established at the State and Federal level, based on a mathematical formula to the Area Median Income (AMI) of the county where the city is located.
According to the RHNA, the total development capacity of Rialto is 8,272 units, whereby 2,218 are marked for very low income, 1,206 for low income, 1,371 for moderate income and 3,477 for above moderate income.
Scott expressed worry regarding the small number of very low and low income units, given that almost half of the development capacity set by the RHNA is slated for above moderate income brackets, according to the slides presented to the Council by Director of Community Development Christina Taylor.
Further, To Scott and Montoya, that the standard is set at the State level is troublesome because it hamstrings local governance initiatives.
For example, the HCD sets specific income limits based on AMI according to five categories: acutely low income, extremely low income, very low income, lower income and moderate income. Local governments must use state-defined income brackets when drafting their Housing Elements.
Montoya also said there’s the potential to abuse affordable housing grants, citing examples of fraud, misuse and oversight issues in affordable housing programs, including a recent Los Angeles case where one developer, Shangri-La Industries, allegedly submitted fake bank records to secure and misuse $25.9 million in grants for a development in Thousand Oaks.
To protect against fraud while satisfying California’s Housing Element, cities must implement strict audit controls.
Be that as it may, Rialto residents will need to compromise on how commercial and residential projects are negotiated to meet the community’s needs, as some sites with existing businesses are marked for possible affordable housing developments.
“I welcome continuous collaboration with the commercial landlords and city staff to get a win-win for everyone,” Gonzalez said as she recalled how the Vista View Apartment fire victims were directly affected by the lack of affordable housing. She later told IECN that roughly half of the displaced families moved to nearby cities because they could not secure affordable housing in Rialto.
Mayor Joe Baca motioned for the Council to accept staff recommendations and amendments. Councilmember Karla Perez seconded the motion, and, with the exception of Councilmember Andy Carrizales who recused himself, the Council voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
“In support of very low income and low income housing—and not the taking away of any commercial properties—I vote aye,” Scott said.
Eisenhower High School Earns 2026 California Distinguished School Community News
The California Department of Education has officially designated Dwight D. Eisenhower High School as a 2026 California Distinguished School, a prestigious honor awarded to just 408 secondary schools across the state.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will formally recognize Eisenhower High School on Friday, April 24, 2026, during an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Representing the school at the event will be Rialto Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Álvarez, members of the Rialto USD Board of Education, and selected Eisenhower administrators and staff. The annual celebration honors schools considered among the best in California education.
The California Department of Education selects schools for recognition based on exemplary student outcomes. Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award has remained one of the state’s
highest honors, recognizing exceptional schools, districts, teachers and classified employees for their innovation, talent and success in supporting students.
For Eisenhower High School, the recognition continues its “Legacy of Excellence.”
“I am incredibly proud of the outstanding achievements of our dedicated staff and students,” said Eisenhower High School Principal Kristal Henriquez Pulido. “Being selected as a California Distinguished School is the highest honor a school can receive, and it reflects the extraordinary commitment, passion and hard work that define our school community.
“This recognition highlights the daily efforts our staff makes to support student success and shows who our students are: intelligent, hardworking and perseverant individuals who rise to every challenge,” she said. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our exceptional staff, supportive parents and the entire community for standing behind our
NOS (cont.)
- Patrick Garcia, a board member and immediate past board president, said the Fair has been making a stronger effort to reconnect more of its programming to that original purpose.
“That’s our mandate — to promote citrus and promote agriculture,” Garcia said.
That theme is expected to be visible throughout the exhibit, especially in the citrus category, which has historically featured paintings and other works inspired by orchards, fruit and the agricultural landscape that once defined much of the Inland Empire.
Garcia said the exhibit also helps make art more accessible to the public.
“During the exhibit, most of the pieces are for sale,” Garcia said. “At reasonable prices.” He said younger visitors in particular have increasingly shown interest in buying smaller works, helping introduce a new generation to the exhibit and to local artists.
This year’s show is also expected to include student artwork from San Bernardino City Unified, alongside works from the Orange Show’s own collection.
Garcia said that the expanded presentation will give visitors a broader view of artistic talent across the region.
panels along the grounds.
“The beautification of it is becoming so evident, which makes my heart happy,” Jutzy said.
For Garcia, the exhibit is also personal. He said some of his earliest Orange Show memories are of receiving free school tickets as a child and visiting the fair that was once even more visibly tied to the region’s citrus economy.
“That’s all you could see for miles,” Garcia said. “You’d drive through orange groves for miles and miles and miles.”
The goal, organizers said, is not only to showcase art, but to remind the community that the National Orange Show Fair remains deeply connected to the history that shaped San Bernardino.
The National Orange Show has since come a long way since its inaugural fair on March 6, 1911, when it was organized by the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce for a city of just 12,000 residents at Fourth and E streets.
“I am always surprised that people don’t know about all the different types of events that are held here,” Garcia said. “Some people will ask me, ‘Do you guys still have the fair?’”
students and helping them reach this remarkable milestone.”
Eligibility is determined by metrics generated through the statewide accountability system for publicschools, the California School Dashboard (CSD). The 2026 California Distinguished Schools were determined using data from the 2025 dashboard. Schools need not apply for California Distinguished Schools, as every school’s data is automatically considered in alternating years.
“Being part of the Eisenhower High during this recognition is incredibly meaningful to me,” stated Katrina Behr, who has taught at Eisenhower for 10 years and served as the English Department Chair for four.
“Throughout that time, I’ve watched our staff work tirelessly to raise expectations and create meaningful learning opportunities for our students. This recognition reflects years of collaboration, dedication, and a shared belief in what our students are capable of achieving.”
Read the full story at IECN.com.
“It’s important to make sure people know about it, come see it and help nurture it,” Garcia said. “Because if you don’t get people in there, they don’t realize how special it is.”
Organizers said the exhibit will be displayed in the Orange Pavilion, one of the major event spaces on the fairgrounds.
Beyond the exhibit hall, Jutzy said visitors may also notice new art already taking shape around the Orange Show grounds.
Local muralist Christopher Mariscal is creating orange- and citrus-themed artwork on metal screening
For those who do attend this year, the answer will include more than carnival rides and food. It will also include a gallery rooted in citrus, community and a tradition that organizers say still matters.
Historical background for this article was sourced from The History of the National Orange Show, 1911–1964 by Kenneth C. Jones, edited by Dr. Ernest F. Garcia in 2013.
By CalMatters
WPockets of Unvaccinated Communities are Driving Measles Outbreaks, Including Riverside
hen a possible measles case is identified in California, a phone rings at the local health department and the clock starts ticking.
Laboratory workers need to process samples as soon as possible to confirm the case. And a public health nurse must call the patient to find out where they’ve been and who they’ve been in contact with recently.
If test results are positive, the communicable disease team has 72 hours or less to identify anyone who has been exposed and may be at high risk of infection or serious illness. Those people must quarantine or take a dose of a post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent spread. For the next 21 days nurses will monitor the group for symptoms.
Measles is the most contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection in the world, and California is fighting multiple outbreaks. In a room where one person is infected, nine out of 10 unvaccinated people will also contract the disease. The viral particles also linger in the air long after the contagious person leaves, risking exposure to those who enter the room up to two hours later.
“That’s ridiculously infectious,” said Dr. Sharon Balter, director of acute communicable disease control with Los Angeles County public health. “It balloons very quickly, and because measles spreads very fast we have to get on it right away. We can’t say we’ll wait until tomorrow.”
California has a high enough vaccination rate — about 95% of kindergarteners — to provide herd immunity against measles, but throughout the state pockets of unvaccinated communities drive outbreaks, experts say.
Shasta and Riverside counties are working to contain localized outbreaks. These are the first measles outbreaks in the state since 2020 and are happening at a time when health departments have less money and fewer staff than in recent years. In total, seven counties have reported a total of 21 measles cases this year, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Throughout the country, 26 states have reported measles cases since the start of the year, including a massive outbreak in South Carolina where officials identified nearly 1,000 cases, mostly among unvaccinated children. It is the largest outbreak since theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention declared measles eradicated more than 25 years ago.
“The United States is experiencing the highest numbers of measles cases, outbreaks, hospitalizations and deaths in more than 30 years, driven by populations with low vaccination rates,” said California Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan in a statement earlier this month. “We all need to work together to share the medical evidence, benefits, and safety of vaccines to provide families the information they need to protect children and our communities.”
Containment comes with high costs
Investigating any communicable disease is time-intensive and expensive. The first three measles cases reported in L.A. County this year cost an estimated $231,000, according to a health department analysis.
Why does it cost so much? Because a disease investigation often requires a legion of public health nurses, physicians, epidemiologists and laboratory scientists to follow-up with hundreds of contacts, Balter said.
That includes sometimes visiting homes or exposure sites. For example, a recent exposure at a daycare required nurses to wring urine out of used diapers to test babies for measles. County health workers monitored 246 people who had been exposed to those first three measles cases — and the work is ongoing.
On Feb. 19, the county reported its fourth measles case. All of them were related to international travel. Other cases in California also have primarily been related to travel either internationally or to states where there are outbreaks. An unvaccinated child in Napa County contracted measles in January after traveling to South Carolina.
Riverside County health officials reported one measles case where the child had not traveled recently, and Shasta County health officials suspect their first case could be related to travel in Southern California but are waiting for DNA testing for confirmation.
Orange County reported two travel-related cases this year.
Health departments have fewer resources, more cases
Local health departments rely heavily on federal funding to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, but last year, the Trump administration slashed nearly $1 billion of public health funding from California. This year it attempted to claw back another $600 million from California and three other Democratic states.
Pending lawsuits froze the cuts, but local health departments are treating the money as a lost cause because they cannot bear the financial risk if a judge eventually rules in favor of the Trump administration.
Consequently, health departments closed clinics, terminated programs and laid off dozens of workers.
“What we can do with less is less unfortunately,” Balter said. L.A. county is facing a $50 million shortfall due to federal, state and local cuts and recently closed seven public health clinics.
Health departments are also confronting decreased public confidence: The high-profile questioning of vaccine safety and effectiveness by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has complicated public health’s struggle to contain the spread of preventable infections.
California Democratic leaders are aggressively fighting Kennedy’s direction. They sued to block the administration’s new vaccine guidelines, which stripped universal recommendation from seven childhood vaccines. They blame Kennedy and the Trump administration for “dismantling” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and stoking fears over debunked claims that vaccines cause autism.
The state also released its own vaccine guidelines and formed an alliance among four western states to share public health information and recommendations.
“Everything including the outbreaks, the financial
cuts, the questions from the federal government that are arising are making our work very difficult,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Orange County public health officer.
Twelve years ago, Orange County was the site of California’s largest measles outbreak in decades. An exposure at Disneyland from an unknown source infected 131 Californians and spread to six states, Canada and Mexico.
The outbreak, which lasted four months, spurred state lawmakers to pass some of the strictest childhood vaccine requirements in the country.
But even a single measles case requires “vast amounts of infrastructure” to contain, Chinsio-Kwong said. On average, the department identifies and monitors 100 exposed people per case.
Since the start of last year, Orange County has lost $22 million in federal cuts to public health. The department is trying to protect their communicable disease surveillance work, but it gets harder with every cut.
“We’re trying to prioritize our communicable disease control division,” health officer Chinsio-Kwong said. “There are a lot of different federal cuts, but we’re putting that as front and center: That has to be saved no matter what.”
Measles spread in unvaccinated groups
Six hundred miles north, Shasta County is grappling with its first measles cases since 2019 and the state’s largest outbreak of the year.
In late January, a sick child visited a health clinic in Redding with measles symptoms that laboratory testing later confirmed. Health officials interviewed 278 people and identified six locations where others were exposed: a restaurant, a church basketball game, a gym, a park, Costco and the clinic.
They also identified seven other cases among family members or neighbors who were in close contact with the child.
It can take 21 days from the time of exposure for measles symptoms to develop. On Feb. 19, just before the end of that period, health officials confirmed a ninth case.
That person didn’t recognize the symptoms and visited several places while contagious, including a school, a church service, a basketball game and a clinic, said Daniel Walker, a Shasta County supervising epidemiologist. Now, the contract tracing process has started over. The communicable disease team expects to interview even more people this time.
All cases have been among children who were unvaccinated or did not know their vaccination status.
“It’s a great time to get immunized, because you can’t know when you’re next going to be exposed…especially because we’re in an outbreak situation,” Walker said.
PHOTO ARIANA DRESHLER/CALMATTERS
Lab Assistant Abraham Jimenez loads blood samples for automated serology testing for measles immunity status at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health laboratory in Downey on Feb. 26, 2026.
Yugo Shokunin Opens in Redlands With Japanese Fusion, Matcha Ramen and Katsu Fries
By Manny Sandoval
Anew Japanese fusion concept is bringing bold flavors and familiar comfort to the Redlands Public Market, as Yugo Shokunin opened its doors in February with a menu designed to bridge cultures and tastes.
Located at 330 Third St. in Redlands, the restaurant operates daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, offering an approachable take on Japanese-inspired cuisine inside one of the city’s growing culinary hubs.
Led by Chef Daniel Kim and partner Kevin Seo, Yugo Shokunin focuses on delivering bold, crafted flavors while remaining accessible to a wide audience.
“Yugo Shokunin is Japanese fusion food,” Seo said. “It’s crafted, delicious, bold flavors, but accessible to the public.”
The opening marks an expansion for the team behind Shokunin locations in Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga, which focus on sushi omakase — a chef-driven dining experience. In contrast, Yugo Shokunin offers a more casual format tailored to the food hall environment.
Seo said Chef Kim’s deep roots in the Inland Empire play a central role in shap-
ing the restaurant’s menu.
“Most of his concepts in the area are Inland Empire-focused,” Seo said. “He truly understands the community’s flavor profiles and how to blend them in a way that resonates with places like Redlands, Rancho and Chino.”
That localized approach is reflected in dishes that combine familiar comfort foods with Japanese techniques and ingredients. The menu includes ramen, chicken karaage and katsu fries, all reimagined with layered, cross-cultural flavor profiles.
“We’re taking simple ingredients and more complex flavors like yuzu and tonkatsu and making them rich and creamy,” Seo said. “We have items like chicken karaage, which is essentially fried chicken, but we’re pushing those flavors closer to something like Nashville hot chicken — done in a Japanese style.”
Among the more distinctive offerings is the matcha tonkatsu ramen, which blends traditional pork broth with the earthy tones of matcha.
“It infuses the familiar notes of matcha into a pork broth ramen,” Seo said. “It’s a very creamy and rich dish.”
Seo said fusion cuisine is rooted in bal-
ancing familiarity with discovery, especially for diners trying something new for the first time.
“One of the most exciting things about fusion food is introducing new flavors in a way that still feels welcoming,” he said. “You take something recognizable and pair it with something new, and bring them together in a way that serves the community.”
Early demand during the restaurant’s soft opening reflected that balance. On a rainy day, ramen dishes quickly became customer favorites, while katsu fries — topped with chili oil and globally inspired spice blends — also drew strong interest.
“My favorite item right now is the katsu fries,” Seo said. “You’re taking traditional Japanese katsu and layering in new chili flavors. It’s like a flavor ball.”
The menu also features beef teriyaki made with skirt steak rather than more traditional cuts, offering a distinct texture and flavor.
“It’s actually made with skirt steak,” Seo said. “It’s really good — juicy.”
Beyond the menu, Seo said joining the Redlands Public Market was a natural fit for the team as they looked to expand
their presence in the region.
“We love the Redlands team here,” he said. “When we had the opportunity to bring another concept here, we said absolutely yes. We want to add energy to the hall and help create a more dynamic environment for everyone.”
Seo, who lives in Chino, said the Inland Empire’s strong sense of community continues to shape both the business and its approach to hospitality.
“It’s a very family-oriented place,” he said. “For me, family is everything, and community is a big part of that. You really feel that here.”
For first-time visitors, Seo recommends starting with familiar flavors before branching into more adventurous options.
“It’s a fusion menu,” he said. “Start with the proteins you’re comfortable with, then explore from there.”
Yugo Shokunin employs about 15 staff members and has recently held its official grand opening, with partners expressing optimism about continued growth.
“We’re ready to really burst out of the seams here,” Seo said. “We’re excited to welcome the whole community.”
La Bufadora Baja Grill Spotlights Rising Fuel Costs During Rep. Pete Aguilar Visit
Community News
Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA33) visited the La Bufadora Baja Grill food truck, a local, family-owned restaurant chain that has been impacted by the skyrocketing price of gas caused by Trump’s war in Iran. La Bufadora Baja Grill relies on their food trucks to serve customers throughout the Inland Empire. The higher cost of gas in San Bernardino County and the rising cost of other goods, thanks to Trump’s war with Iran and his chaotic tariffs, have put financial pressure on La Bufadora Baja Grill.
“From the gas pump to your favorite lunch spots, hardworking Americans are paying the price for Trump’s war in the Middle East,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar.
“For local restaurants like La Bufadora that rely on their trucks to serve their customers, higher gas prices mean lower profits. Small businesses and working people can’t afford to pay the price for Trump’s war with Iran. It’s time for the President to end this reckless conflict overseas and focus on bringing down costs for people here at home.”
“La Bufadora Food Truck prides itself on bringing the authentic taste of La Bufadora Baja Grill anywhere it is welcomed,” said Ruben Fuentes Jr., Administrative Coordinator, La Bufadora Food Truck. “With rising costs of oil, gasoline, diesel, and produce, increasing our prices without risking customer loyalty is becoming more difficult than ever. Our business is strictly mo-
bile, which is the only major difference from our brick and mortar locations around Southern California. Therefore, maintaining costs similar to those of the restaurants will not continue to be feasible if costs keep increasing. A heavy-duty, diesel-powered truck tows the food truck, and two premium-fuel generators provide power. Gasoline and diesel expenses alone have increased by more than $500 compared to last year. All our produce is delivered from our parent corporation's factory, and naturally, those delivery costs have also increased. If this negative trend continues, we will have no choice but to increase our prices. As a family-owned and operated business, we risk our livelihood by making these decisions.”
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Forest Falls Resident Rachael Gustuson enjoying chicken katsu fries at media day during the soft opening.
PHOTO AGUILAR’S OFFICE
Rep. Pete Aguilar meets with La Bufadora Baja Grill owners outside their food truck to discuss rising fuel and operating costs impacting Inland Empire food vendors.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Chef and co-owner Daniel Kim prepares fried rice over high heat at Yugo Shokunin.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
IECN co-publisher Denise Berver samples the matcha tonkatsu ramen.
Moreno Valley College Showcase Connects 21 High Schools to Public Safety Careers, New Bachelor’s Degree
By Manny Sandoval
Students from 21 high schools across the Inland Empire gathered March 12 at Moreno Valley College’s Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, where helicopters, horses, emergency vehicles and specialized teams turned career exploration into a hands-on introduction to public safety.
About 800 students attended the annual Ben Clark Education Center Public Safety Showcase, connecting them with professionals from CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and American Medical Response while giving them an up-close look at careers in law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services and emergency management.
But beyond the day’s demonstrations, college leaders said the event also highlighted something bigger: Moreno Valley College’s expanding role as a pipeline into public safety careers, including a forthcoming bachelor’s degree in emergency management that officials say will be transformative for the region.
Dr. Rudy Besikof, president of Moreno Valley College, said the showcase gives students an unusually direct and memorable introduction to the field.
“We’ve got officers on horseback. We’ve got our demonstration jail open for students to walk through, as well as obstacle course opportunities,” Besikof said. “This is about as hands-on as a hands-on outreach event can be.”
He said the energy from students was evident from the moment they arrived.
“I’ve never been to a high school outreach event where students are lining up the way they did,” Besikof said. “Just the vibe has been incredible. Students have been asking me questions, stepping out of line to say hello. I sense a genuine desire to learn as I walk around here.”
One of the most significant developments highlighted during the event was Moreno Valley College’s forthcoming Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management, which officials described as a major step forward for both public safety education and economic opportunity in the Inland Empire.
Dr. Charles Wilhite, associate professor of emergency management, said the degree was designed after college leaders asked public safety employers exactly what they want future workers and leaders to know.
“We went to the people, the employers, and said, ‘What do you want your employees to know?’” Wilhite said. “And that’s how we built the program.”
Wilhite said the program was created to fill a major gap. According to Wilhite, most emergency managers need a bachelor’s degree, yet no college in California has offered that specific bachelor’s degree. Private options can cost between $50,000 and $100,000, while Moreno Valley College’s full four-year program is expected to cost about $8,500 before financial aid.
For the Inland Empire, he said, that affordability could open the door to stable, well-paying careers close to home.
“We need opportunities for people in the Inland Empire to get high paying jobs within the Inland Empire,” Wilhite said. “Emergency management starts at an entry level between $80,000 and $100,000 a year with a bachelor’s degree.”
The degree is designed for students entering emergency management as well as working professionals seeking advancement in fire, law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services and related public safety leadership roles. Wilhite said internships and direct ties to agencies will help students build the relationships needed to enter the field.
Besikof said the new program reflects Moreno Valley College’s broader mission to connect students to meaningful careers, not just short-term employment.
“We are the doorstep to opportunity,” he said.
Andrew Graham, Moreno Valley College’s enrollment service coordinator, said the showcase serves both students already involved in law academies, fire academies, cadet programs and explorer programs, and those encountering public safety careers for the first time.
“What gets me most excited about the showcase is that this is an introduction and an enhancement to what students are already experiencing,” Graham said.
Students rotated through law enforcement and fire-emergency services programming throughout the day, but Graham said one of the most important lessons is that public safety reaches far beyond the most familiar roles.
“A lot of people don’t understand that in the field of public safety, there are other careers,”
Graham said. “You even have civilian roles too. So there might be a secretary. We have a dispatch program. For firefighters, you might go into forestry, you might go into media.”
That message was echoed by John Beg, a CAL FIRE captain and fire academy coordinator, who said Ben Clark’s partnership model gives students access to working professionals, specialized equipment and direct workforce pathways.
“The resource availability that we open up with that cooperative agreement is phenomenal,” Beg said.
Beg said the goal is not simply to expose students to public safety, but to prepare them for employment.
“At the end of the day, our job here at the college is to make them ready at the end of this, and we want them to apply and get those jobs,” he said.
He said the field offers far more options than many students and parents may realize, including dispatching, mechanics, inspections, fire prevention and law enforcement roles within CAL FIRE.
“Anything that we consider to be in the compassion, empathy realm — nursing, doctors to a certain degree, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters — I don’t see this field of work diminishing much in the future,” Beg said. “I think there’s always going to be a need for us.”
Bob Fontaine, professor, Emergency Medical Services director and department chair for public safety programs at Ben Clark, said emergency medical services remain one of the clearest entry points into the field, especially for students pursuing fire service careers.
“When people call 911, 85% of the calls are sick people, injured people, car accidents,” Fontaine said. “It’s not structure fires.”
Fontaine said the EMS program is built around both technical preparation and the human side of the profession.
“We have three core values in our program,” he said. “That’s competent, compassionate, and character.”
At Ben Clark on March 12, that opportunity was not presented as an abstract promise. It arrived in the form of live demonstrations, working professionals and a clear message to Inland Empire students: public safety offers many paths, and Moreno Valley College wants to help them reach them.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Students gather around a law enforcement aviation officer for a closer look inside a helicopter, learning how specialized units support emergency response and public safety operations.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
A Riverside County Sheriff’s diver speaks with students about underwater search and rescue operations, highlighting specialized public safety career paths.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
A student interacts with Riverside County Sheriff’s mounted unit deputies, getting a close look at equestrian patrol operations and their role in community safety and crowd management.
PHOTO DENISE BERVER
Students speak with a CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department firefighter while exploring equipment and training pathways during a hands-on public safety demonstration.
Petitioner or Attorney:
JONI I BAHENA Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino San Bernardino District – Civil Division 247 West Third Street San Bernardino CA 92415-0210
PETITION OF: JONI I
BAHENA FOR CHANGE OF NAME ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE - CHANGE OF NAME
Case Number: CIV SB 2604131 TO ALL INTERESTED
PERSONS: Petitioner:
JONI I BAHENA filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: JONI I BAHENA to Proposed name: JOHNNY I
BAHENA THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause if any why the petition for change of name should not be granted Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing
NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: 4/07/2026 Time: 8:30 AM Dept: S25
The address of the court is: same as noted above (To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court s website To find your court’s website go to w w w c o u r t s c a g o v / f i n dmy-court htm )
A copy of this Order to Show Cause must be published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation printed in this county: RIALTO RECORD
Dated: 2-26-2026
GILBERT G OCHOA Judge of the Superior Court
Published Rialto Record
3/5 3/12 3/19 3/26/26 R-500
EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FAMILY DIVISION CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA ***
Case No J-25-361748-P1 UNITY No 1531059 Department I Courtroom 7 In the Matter of the Parental Rights as to I J M Jr A Minor TO: Christine Marie Mattheson and Javier Mendoza YOU AND EACH OF YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Motion for the Termination of Parental Rights regarding the abovenamed child has been filed in the above-entitled Court The Motion for Termination of Parental R ghts is set for a hearing at Family Court D vision located at 601 North Pecos Road Las Vegas, Nevada, 891012417 on the 8th day of April, 2026 at 10:30 AM Christine Marie Mattheson and Javier Mendoza are required to be present at this time If Christine Marie Mattheson and Javier Mendoza fail to appear, their parental rights may be terminated
DONELLA ROWE Chief Deputy District Attorney
Nevada Bar No 10432 Juvenile Division 601 North Pecos Rd Ste ADG 470 Las Vegas NV 89101 (702) 455-5320
E-mail: Done la Rowe@ clarkcountydanv gov Attorney for the State of Nevada
CNS-4019017# PUBLISHED RIALTO RECORD
3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26/26 R-506
NOTICE Extra Space Storage on behalf of itse f or its aff liates L fe Storage or Storage Express will hold a public auction to satisfy Extra Space's lien by se ng personal property belonging to those individuals listed be ow at the location ind cated 14750 Foothi l Blvd Fontana Ca 92335, Apri 7, 2026, at 10:00 am Geremy Edwards; Asya Downey; Ashton Cotton The auction will be isted and advert sed on w w w s t o r a g e t r e a s u r e s c o m Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may resc nd any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property CN125359 04-07-2026 Pub ished R alto Record Mar 19 2026 R-515
petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/30/26 at 9:00AM in Dept F2 located at 17780 ARROW BLVD , FONTANA, CA 92335
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should 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
NOTICE OF PUBLIC LIEN SALE
Pursuant to the Ca ifornia SelfServ ce Storage Facil ty Act, (B&P Code 21700et
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JAMES A TAYLOR AKA JAMES ARTHUR TAYLOR SR CASE NO PROVA2600142 To all heirs beneficiaries creditors, contingent creditors and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate or both of JAMES A TAYLOR AKA JAMES ARTHUR TAYLOR SR A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by PATRICE LASHAWN TAYLOR in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that PATRICE LASHAWN TAYLOR 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 not grant the authority A HEARING on the
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 DE-154) 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 Attorney for Petitioner PAUL HORN, ESQ - SBN 243227 PAUL HORN LAW GROUP PC 11404 SOUTH STREET CERRITOS CA 90703 Telephone (800) 380-7076 BSC 228115 CNS-4018061# PUBLISHED RIALTO RECORD
3/5, 3/12, 3/19/26 R-501
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF BULK SALE (SECS 6104, 6105 U C C ) Escrow No 932600598 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to cred tors of the w thin named seller that a bulk sale is about to be made of the assets described below The names and business addresses of the seller are: R&J RESTAURANT LLC A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 1155 W RENAISSANCE PKWY STE 500 RIALTO CA 92376 AND 10877 FOOTHILL BLVD, STE 110 RANCHO CUCAMONGA CA 91729
The ocation in California of the chief executive off ce of the seller(s) is: 30025 ALICIA PARKWAY #224 LAGUNA NIGUEL CA 92677
As listed by the seller, al other business names and addresses used by the seller within three (3) years before the date such list was sent or de ivered to the buyer are: SIMPLY INNOVATE LLC
The names and addresses of the buyer are: RED PHOENIX GROUP LLC 5300 BEACH BLVD #110-507 BUENA PARK CA 90621 The assets to be sold are described n general as: FURNITURE FIXTURES EQUIPMENT LEASES INVENTORY OF STOCK IN TRADE SMALLWARES LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, FRANCHISES LICENSE and are located at: 1155 W RENAISSANCE PKWY STE 500 RIALTO CA 92376 AND 10877 FOOTHILL BLVD, STE 110, RANCHO CUCAMONGA CA 91729
The business name used by the seller at that location is BLAZE PIZZA The ant c pated date of the bulk sale is APRIL 7 2026 at the office of: COMMONWEALTH LAND TITLE COMPANY 4400 MACARTHUR BLVD SUITE 800, NEWPORT BEACH, CA
Petitioner or Attorney: ALEJANDRO VALDEZ
Superior Court of California County of San Bernardino San Bernardino District –Civil Division 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210
PETITION OF: FOR CHANGE OF NAME AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE - CHANGE OF NAME Case Number: CIV SB 2512214 TO ALL INTERESTED
PERSONS: Petitioner: ALEJANDRO VALDEZ filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: ALEJANDRO VALDEZ to Proposed name: ALEXANDER ANTHONY VALDEZ
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing NOTICE OF HEARING
Date: 04/30/26 Time: 8:30 am Dept: S22 Room: S22
The address of the court s: same as noted above (To appear remotely check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court s website To find your court s website go to www courts ca gov/findmy-court htm ) A copy of this Order to Show Cause must be published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: RIALTO RECORD Dated: OCT 21 2025 GILBERT G OCHOA Judge of the Superior Court Published Rialto Record 3 / 1 2 , 3 / 1 9 , 3 / 2
Ramos Honors Inland Empire Women Leaders, Names Marsha Olguin 45th District Woman
of the Year
Community News
On March 16th, Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) recognized San Bernardino Marsha Olguin as “Woman of the Year” for the 45th Assembly District which he represents and 11 other women leaders from cities in his district.
“It’s my privilege to host this tribute to the women of the 45th Assembly District. This is a small sampling of the many distinguished women in the district. They demonstrate what it means to live a life of service and contribute in a wide array of ways to ensure thriving communities. I thank them all. This year we selected Marsha Olguin as the District 45 Woman of the Year for her “dedication and public service in the city of San Bernardino, including the most vulnerable. Marsha’s compassion and commitment to the community is shared without question and is strengthened by the love from her family and faith.”
The district honorees, in addition to Oguin, were recognized at a luncheon over the weekend. They are:
San Bernardino
Marsha Olguin, 2026 District 45 Woman of the Year
Marsha is the Director of Mary’s Table, overseeing food distribution and outreach services to the homeless after rising through leadership roles at Mary’s Haven and Mary’s Table. A San Bernardino native, she also served 18 years with the County and has taught catechism at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for 20 years.
Daisy Esparza
Daisy Esparza is a first-generation Cal State San Bernardino graduate who began her career with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools while still a student. She now serves as a Homeless Education Program Specialist, helping develop systems and partnerships that support youth experiencing homelessness and foster care across the county.
From Rialto
Shelia Futch
Sheila “Umbaji” Futch is a volunteer and mentor known for empowering youth through leadership programs and community initiatives in Rialto and San Bernardino. A U.S. Air Force veteran and substitute teacher, she continues to support students through programs like Toastmasters, Umoja-Tumanini and mentorship at Bob Murphy Community Day School.
Juanita Chan-Roden
Juanita Chan-Roden has served the Rialto community for 23 years as an educator and advocate for STEM, environmental learning and school gardens. She helped lead the Green Ribbon Schools initiative to state and national recognition while also transforming playground space into food forests to address food insecurity.
From Fontana
Samantha Moreno
Samantha Haylee Moreno is the founder and CEO of Thundar, Lightning & Peace, a nonprofit she launched at 16 to support veterans with trauma and which has since impacted hundreds across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles regions. While pursuing her degree at UC Berkeley, she plans to attend medical school and continue serving veterans through healthcare.
Corporal Katie Clark
Kathryn “Katie” Clark began working for the City of Fontana in 1996 and joined the Fontana Police Department in 2007, later serving in patrol, vice operations, the Detective Bureau and as a field training officer. Now a corporal, she has also served in cold case homicide investigations and continues to mentor new hires while serving on the department’s Honor Guard.
From Highland
Melissa Morgan
Melissa Morgan is the Public Services Manager for the City of Highland, where she oversees public and volunteer services within the Public Works Department. Since joining the city in 2004, she has played a key role in strengthening community programs and improving service for residents.
Caitlin Cifuentes
Caitlin Cifuentes is a 25-year-old community leader, former championship boxer and collegiate athlete who now serves youth across San Bernardino County. Through her work with probation-connected programs, Highlanders Boxing Club and Iron Youth Services, she provides mentorship, emotional support and structured programming for young people facing significant challenges.
From Redlands
Edwina Thomas
Edwina Thomas is a Program Coordinator with Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, where she leads trauma-informed initiatives that support youth and families across San Bernardino County. She is also the founder of Yummy Snacks Treats and Goodies, combining entrepreneurship with service to underserved communities throughout the Inland Empire.
Nora Pulskamp
Nóra Pulskamp, a member of the Navajo Nation, serves as the first Tribal Liaison and Director of Native Student Programs at the University of Redlands. She helped establish the Čañaam Center and has dedicated her work to advancing Native higher education, healing and cultural empowerment.
From Mentone
Jan Forrester
Jan Forrester is a retired fundraiser and longtime Mentone resident who remains active through the Mentone Chamber of Commerce and other local initiatives. She supports community cleanups, public art, film festival sponsorships and new chamber events including its first pub crawl/poker run.
Becky Gidcumb
Becky Gidcumb has taught science in the Redlands area for more than 20 years, including 16 years with the AVID team at Citrus Valley High School. She now also serves on the executive board of the Redlands Teachers Association, advocating for both educators and students.
