Vol. 50 No. 22
September 19, 2019 - September 25, 2019
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or words or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)
Congressional Black Caucus Slams the Trump Administration for Refusing Temporary Status to Bahamians By LAWT News Service
Publisher’s Corner Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com Clifton Harris Editor in Chief Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
Sheriff's homicide detectives investigate murder at Victorville apartment complex Victorville Community News DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 14, 2019, at 7:16 p.m. INCIDENT: PC 187 - Murder LOCATION: 16100 Pebble Beach Drive, Victorville, CA VICTIM(S): Shane Walker, 45-year-old male, Victorville resident
Congresswoman Karen Bass (File Photo) As reported by NBC News, the Trump Administration has announced it will not provide temporary protected status to Bahamians who fled Hurricane Dorian. If granted, this status would have let Bahamians work and live in the United States until it is deemed safe to return to their home. Congresswoman Karen Bass,
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement in response: “There are thousands of Bahamian families who deserve the full unquestioning and unwavering support of the United States government during this difficult time,” said Chairwoman Bass. “Once
again, this lawless President is relenting our role on the global stage by refusing to assist those hardest hit by Hurricane Dorian. By granting temporary status to those displaced by the hurricane, those individuals would be allowed to work and live in the U.S. until it is deemed safe to return to their home. This is the same status
currently granted to over 300,000 people living in the U.S. from 10 countries, including victims of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake. This is a matter of life or death and this President is failing to lead.” This article originally appeared in The Los Angeles Sentinel.
Torres Named Omnitrans Director of Ensen Mason Announces Property Procurement Business News Tax Postponement Program
Art Torres, Omnitrans Director of Procurement San Bernardino, CA-Art Torres brings over 20 years of procurement management experience to Omnitrans as the transit agency’s new Director of Procurement. Torres was employed most recently as a Senior Manager in Contracts Administration at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit, Metro, where he gained experience working within Federal Transit Administration guidelines. “Omnitrans will benefit from Art’s vast experience in the government sector including his work on purchased transportation and construction contracts,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager P. Scott Graham. At Omnitrans, Torres will lead a department of 20 employees. The Procurement Department oversees the purchase of all goods and services for the Agency including preparation of bid documents, proposal evaluation, price negotiation,
contract award, and contractor compliance. The department also maintains and manages an extensive parts warehouse to support maintenance of the agency’s fleet of 178 buses. “In this profession, we are called upon to ensure that public funds are spent properly. It is a balancing act between getting the task done and doing it within the process,” said Torres. “As procurement professionals we are focused on the process, but we can’t lose sight that we are an internal service group supporting the rest of the organization to ensure we collectively achieve desired results.” Prior to working the public transportation industry, Torres held procurement management positions at the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside as well as at California State University, San Marcos. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Business Management Certificate in Purchasing and Materials Management from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Torres is a prior Board Member of California Association of Public Procurement Officials and was awarded a lifetime professional designation as Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) by the Institute for Supply Management.
SB County News
San Bernardino, CA — San Bernardino County AuditorController/Treasurer/Tax Collector (ATC) Ensen Mason announced today that the 2019-20 Property Tax Postponement Program is available to qualifying taxpayers through the State Controller’s Office (SCO). This loan program allows eligible homeowners, including low-income seniors and disabled individuals, to postpone the payment of their current-year property taxes on their primary residence at an interest rate of 7%. “Low income seniors, the blind, and disabled residents of San Bernardino County deserve all the assistance we in government can provide,” noted Mason. “Helping these residents remain in their own homes is a high priority for me, and I encourage all who qualify and are having difficulty paying their property taxes to sign up for this program as soon as possible. If my staff can help, please don’t hesitate to contact them at (909) 3878308.” Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2019, through February 10, 2020, and will be processed in the order they are received. To qualify, a homeowner must meet all of the following criteria.
E L I G I B I L I T Y REQUIREMENTS: Be at least 62 years of age, or blind, or disabled; Own and occupy the home as your primary place of residence; Have a total household income of $35,500 or less; Have at least 40% equity in the property; and Not have a reverse mortgage on the property. The interest rate for taxes postponed under the Property Tax Postponement Program is 7% per year. Postponed taxes and interest become due and payable when the homeowner moves or sells the property, transfers title, defaults on a senior lien, refinances, obtains a reverse mortgage, or passes away. Program participants must reapply each year and demonstrate they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Funding for the program is limited. Applications are immediately available at the Tax Collector’s Office located at 268 West Hospitality Lane, First Floor, in San Bernardino and online at www.sco.ca.gov under the Public Services tab. For more information, please visit the SCO’s website at www.sco.ca.gov. You may also contact the SCO by phone at (800) 952-5661 or by email at postponement@sco.ca.gov.
SUMMARY: On September 14, 2019, at 7:16 p.m., Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call of a possible traffic collision involving a motorcycle rider at 16100 Pebble Beach Drive in Victorville. Deputies and paramedics responded and discovered the motorcycle rider had been shot. Despite lifesaving efforts, the victim did not survive. Deputies secured the crime scene which encompassed a large area of the apartment complex parking lot. Homicide detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’s Department Specialized Investigation Division responded and assumed the investigation.
This is an ongoing investigation, investigative teams remain onscene. The suspect fled prior deputies arrival and remains outstanding. Detectives are working to identify and locate the suspect and any witnesses. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’s Department – Specialized Division at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com. Refer: Detective G. Moreno or Sergeant J. Steers Station:Specialized Investigation Division Homicide Division Phone No. (909)-387-3589 Case No. DR# 171908249 / H#2019-091 JOHN McMAHON, SheriffCoroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Doctor Says Bank Employees Called Police On Him When He Tried To Open Account ByAlyssa Brook An Atlanta doctor says he went to open up a bank account when a bank teller called 911 and police showed up. According to WSBTV, Anthony Onyegbula believed he was racially profiled. “Until it happens to you, you never know what it feels like,” said Onyegbula, who treats cancer patients in Henry County. He adds that he was suspected of being a criminal. “They said I was suspicious, I was wearing a hat, and they thought I wanted to rob the bank, and I was like, ‘What?’” Onyegbula said. The doctor said that he and his wife were at the United Community Bank on Eagles Landing Parkway. He adds that an employee called 911 while he stepped outside. 911 call: He went to the front door and he’s been on his phone, and, I, um, called from my phone to tell the employees to lock the front door. “I looked at the door and it said close at 4:30 and my time
say about 2:15, 2:10. I’m like what happened?” Onyegbula added. 911 call: He’s been on his phone out front. And we have no cars in the parking lot. He’s a walker. So, I feel like he’s up to no good. Onyegbula adds that he and his wife left to another bank and that’s when he realized the police had been called on him. “Here come the same police, came inside the bank, now it’s two of them, and they said they told the manager to clear the room, because they wanted to talk to us,” Onyegbula remembered. The police finally left without filing any charges. Onyegbula says that he has been left feeling embarrassed and doesn’t want to go out in public anymore. “I think they need training on (continued on page 6)
Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement Our Values: Treat all people with care, respect, honor, and dignity. Tell it as it is with love, truth and integrity. Promote the interests of advertisers and sponsors along their strategic interest for the betterment of the community and beyond. Speak truth to power. Our Mission: To continuously improve communication between all people of the world. Our Vision: To be the best community newspaper in our region and the nation. Provider of: A voice for the poor, the underserved, those that are marginalized, Positive and edifying news about people, places and businesses. Keep San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties informed about global trends while retaining the consciousness of local events and processes. Memberships and Associations: The San Bernardino American Newspaper is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, National Newspaper Association and addociated with California Black Media.