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AMERICAN

“A Man In Debt is So Far A Slave” -Emerson

NEWSPAPER A Community Newspaper Serving San Bernardino, Riverside & Los Angeles Counties Volume 52 No. 3

May 6, 2021- May 12, 2021

Mailing: P.O. Box 837, Victorville, CA 92393

Office: (909) 889-7677

Email: Mary @Sb-American.com

Website: www.SB-American.com

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 with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance those of whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)

President Biden to Unveil Ambitious ‘American Family Plan’

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In My Opinion

Dubbed “The American Family Plan” the proposal invests in children and families, helping families cover the expenses with which many currently struggle. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) President Joe Biden will unveil a massive $1.8 trillion federal investment plan that directly supports education, childcare, and paid family leave.

The President’s first address to Congress on Wednesday, April 28, comes one month after the administration proposed a nearly $2 trillion infrastructure plan geared toward helping America recover from the pandemic.

To raise the money for his latest proposal, President Biden plans to raise taxes on the wealthy.

“These are generational investments in our future, in the future of our families, and the future of our kids,” a senior administration official said during a call on Tuesday.

Dubbed “The American Family Plan” the proposal invests in children and families, helping

families cover the expenses with which many currently struggle.

It aims to lower health insurance premiums, cut child poverty, and produce a more significant, more productive, and healthier workforce in the future.

The American Family Plan will add at least four years of free education for every student and make transformational investments from early childhood to higher education so that all children and young people can learn and grow and gain the skills they need, the senior administration official stated.

Specifically, the plan would provide high-quality universal preschool to all 3- and 4-yearolds, two years of free community college to all Americans, and up to $1,400 in additional assistance to low-income students by expanding

the maximum Pell Grant.

It will invest in making college more affordable for lowincome students and students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other MinorityServing Institutions.

Under the plan, those institutions would receive grants to create or expand educational programs in high-demand fields.

“The plan will also invest in our teachers, improving teacher training and support so that our schools become engines of growth at every level,” the administration said “It will address teacher shortages, which have only gotten more critical in the context of the pandemic. It’ll improve teacher preparation and strengthen pipelines for teachers of color.”

The officials continued: “It will help teachers earn credentials in high-demand areas like special ed, bilingual education, and certifications that improve teacher performance.

And it will support programs that leverage teachers as leaders, such as high-quality mentorship programs for new teachers and teachers of color.”

Further, the plan will invest in the childcare workforce, funding childcare providers and their workers, ensuring a $15 minimum wage are in effect for early childhood staff, along with improved training.

The American Families Plan also tackles the nutritional needs of children by expanding the summer benefits to all eligible children nationwide.

That includes children who have free and reduced school lunches and breakfasts during the school year – and expanding that meal program to the summer on an ongoing basis.

According to the administration, this would reach an estimated 9.3 million children.

The plan would extend key tax cuts in the American Rescue Plan that benefit lower- and middleincome workers and families.

And these include extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits permanently to lower health insurance premiums and extend Child Tax Credit increases in the American Rescue Plan through 2025, making it fully refundable.

$6.2 Billion Cal Fund Will Shield Small Businesses from COVID-Related Taxes Bo Tefu | California Black Media

California lawmakers have approved Assembly Bill (AB) 80 legislation spearheaded by Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-Inglewood). The legislation will give a $6.2 billion tax cut to small businesses across the state that received loans under the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

California lawmakers approved

the bill, they say, to safeguard the financial future of small businesses as a supplement to the American Families Plan proposed

by President Joe Biden in March this year. AB 80, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom protects small businesses that received PPP loans from the federal government by ensuring that the loans will not count as taxable income. Expenses

Black Tax Payers in San Bernardino County Should Be Heard

covered by the federal funds are also tax deductible under this legislation.

State legislators passed a unanimous vote on the tax, “marking it as one of largest tax cuts in state history,” Burke said on Facebook.

“My bill will provide assistance to businesses who were financially harmed during the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing them to deduct all expenses paid for using forgiven PPP loans,” she said.

Small businesses play a key role in the economic recovery of the state especially since the state plans to reopen on June 15 this year.

“California’s small businesses have been hampered and hammered by this pandemic, and we are using every tool at our disposal to help them stay

afloat,” Gov. Newsom said.

Also, “This small business tax relief is exactly what is needed to keep businesses open so they can continue paying their employees,” he said.

Maria Salinas, the president of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, supported the state’s efforts to allow major tax cuts for small businesses that employ people from Black and Brown communities.

“We know that small businesses are what fuels the economy not only in Los Angeles but across the state of California and across this country,” said Salinas.

Despite small businesses receiving PPP loans to soften the financial blow of the pandemic, the tax bill also aims to remedy, “the tax burden that we saw in the continued on page 3

Margaret Hill These com ments were submitted for reading during the public comment period of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. They were not read aloud during the meeting. As a result, they are published here for your consideration.

I hope my open comment regarding the resolution you signed, stating that Racism is a Public Health Issues, is read at this morning’s Supervisors’ meeting.

I was told by the Clerk’s Office that my last statement presented was not read because you had a full agenda. I want to bring to your attention that statement was a racist one and I believe an incorrect one because you allowed three citizens, and you should have, speak three times, each, for a total of 27 minutes, but did not allow others the opportunity to be heard at all.

Please note that I live in this County and my house is not up for sale; therefore, the Black taxpayers in this county are asking you to support the Resolution or Revoke it based on how you feel you should represent all taxpayers.

I’m sure the non-Black taxpayers of this County are not aware that we are not represented in any of your offices except the office of Supervisor Baca. Your Task Force is made up of good people but that is not the answer.

Our request is easy. We want inclusion at all levels, beginning with your offices, and also remember us when you appointment those to serve on the Redistricting Committee.

Our request is reasonable and in spite of how you have treated us in the past, now is the time to correct that and make Blacks a worthy part of this County.

Perhaps your solution is not to employ Blacks, but I guarantee you it is not to do anything and continue business as usual.

Message From the Editor The San Bernardino County

Wire Published April 4, 2020, read in part,” While the Board of Supervisors continues to hold meetings to conduct essential business during the Covid-19 pandemic, public participation in the meetings will be electronic only in compliance with the governor’s executive order to stay at home. The changes in public participation will begin at the next Board of Supervisors meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2020, and will continue until further notice.

People who want to comment on specific agenda items, make general comments, or submit testimony for public hearings, and have those comments provided to each board member prior to the meeting, can send their comments and testimony to the Clerk of the Board by email . . . [Public comments] will be read aloud by the Clerk of the Board during the meeting, time permitting.”

Margaret Hill submitted an electronic statement in February and it was read during the public comment period.

The IE Voice and Black Voice News reached out to county spokesperson David Wert for clarification regarding the change in procedures relative to reading public comments submitted online. Wert advised, “Online comments were read aloud only during the pandemic when the public was not allowed to attend Board meetings and comment in person. Prior to that, the county did not offer an online comment option.”

He continued, “Once the public could return to the chambers and the two offsite video conferencing sites, and comment in person or via video conferencing, it was no longer necessary to read the online comments aloud. However, we kept that online submission process in place as an added convenience to the public and those comments are still provided to the Board members during and after the meeting and are part of the public record.”

May 6, 2021

Page 2 COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/ADVERTISING

Rare relatively unknown deadly breast cancer hitting young women and men

Publisher’s Corner

This article was originally published August 30, 2018 Gail Fry /Contributor

Due to the efforts of Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer, Inc. CoFounder and Chief Executive Officer Joshlyn Earls, the State of California has declared October 3rd, “Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Day” encouraging public knowledge of a deadly, aggressive and rare breast cancer.

In an interview with San Bernardino American News, California Senator State Senator Connie Leyva introduced the resolution to the California State Senate, explaining she first became aware of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) when approached

by Earls at a community event and recognized the urgency to raise awareness of the hard to diagnose aggressive deadly breast cancer that does not appear as a lump in the breast.

Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli, an expert in the field, shared his concerns that “many primary care providers are not very familiar with this disease” and many women/men and/or their healthcare providers mistake the symptoms as an “infection” and treat it with antibiotics instead of doing a biopsy. Cristofanilli further explained IBC appears as a rash on or near the breast instead of the recognizable lump most doctors and patients are familiar with.

Cristofanilli revealed IBC develops from “cells that line the milk ducts of the breast” and then “spread beyond the ducts” warning a misdiagnosis delays “proper treatment” and IBC progresses “rapidly, often in a matter of weeks or months” where the cancer can reach an “advanced stage” before being properly diagnosed.

The California State Resolution revealed IBC is “incredibly physically disabling” can occur “in men” with patients “getting younger and younger.” Both the California State Assembly and Senate viewed IBC as something Californians and the medical community urgently needed to be aware of passing the state resolution on May 29, 2018, and declaring October 3, as “Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Awareness Day.” Fighting 4 The Tatas Breast Cancer, Inc. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joshlyn Earls explained she founded the nonprofit 501 (c)(3) in October 2011 after she was diagnosed in May 2011 as having “high-grade infiltrating ductile carcinoma, stage IIIB” given “two and a half years to live” with her doctor explaining his prediction of her shorter life span was “because I am black.”

Earls then began to question why her doctor predicted a shorter life span based on her race reaching out to nationally recognized cancer research organizations such as Surveillance Research Program and the National Cancer Registry.

In conducting her research, Earls explained several news articles she read while in treatment, researchers she personally spoke with and national breast cancer organizations suggested black women don’t go to the doctor, won’t follow up, won’t go into a clinical trial with one researcher telling her many black women don’t own a computer. However, in researching the subject Earls found the National Cancer Registry didn’t track deaths specifically attributed to IBC because IBC did not have a specific medical code leading Earls to question their claims of a shorter life span as to AfricanAmerican women with IBC. Erase IBC Board Member Patty Bradfield concurred with Earls citing the circumstances in her own daughter’s death where her death certificate indicated “cancer” as the cause of death instead of specifying IBC and confirming “there is no code for IBC” and questioning “how can you give me these statistics if you don’t have the actual numbers?”

Bradfield explained as to African American women/men, “the cultural differences in the black community in going to a doctor as opposed to a Caucasian going to a doctor is not as good” explaining IBC patients who delay going to the doctor “end up being stage IV, then their chances

of survival are even lower.”

Bradfield shared she was “appalled” when Earls shared her experience of starting a support group of 20 women where “she was the only black woman” and where she discovered the Caucasian women in the group “all of them had a muga test.”

Bradfield explained a muga test is done to determine “whether or not your heart is strong enough to take the chemo therapy drugs because they are very hard on your heart.”

The women in the group “all had the same doctor, they all had the same team” and “all of them had a muga test, except Joshlyn” and “I hate to say racist but it sure smacks of it” sadly reporting Earl’s now enlarged heart and questioning whether African American women may be treated differently by the medical community.

Bradfield expressed concern explaining “by the time you see it” a person with IBC is already at a stage IIIB so any misdiagnosis and/or delay in treatment can quickly develop into a stage IV. Bradfield shared that her own daughter did not seek medical help fast enough and died four years following her diagnosis.

Explaining her daughter was Caucasian, had gone to nursing school, and was fortunate that she went to a knowledgeable doctor.

Bradfield reasoned many women go to a dermatologist when they experience a rash or abnormality on their skin near their breasts, which can even look like a bug bite that a biopsy is needed to determine whether it is IBC and it should be “ruled out” early. Erase IBC website is at: https:// www.eraseibc.org/ Bradf ield recommended watching a documentary entitled “The Silent Killer: Inflammatory Breast Cancer” which can be viewed: https:// komonews.com/ archive/komo-newsspecial-reportinflammatory-breastcancer Fighting for the Tatas CEO Earls described the symptoms of IBC as swollen breasts that feel very heavy, are “angry red,” hurt like a stabbing pain and have an itch for which there is no relief and looks like a rash. Earls warned the cancer stays in your body and is “the fastest recurring breast cancer.”

“There are 17 or more different types of breast cancer and there are four stages,” Earl shared warning “the medical world doesn’t know what they are looking at” and “it is killing time” when it is

misdiagnosed as an infection.

“Inflammatory breast cancer is in the skin, it’s not a lump, it’s like a rash on your chest wall, it’s a rash and most people are looking for a lump,” Earls shared. Fighting for the Tatas’ website can be viewed at: http:// www.fighting4thetatas. org/ Earls explained IBC is “attacking women in their 20’s and 30’s” that “no one knows why” and describing the increase of the cancer in the younger generation as a “national health crisis” as women in their child-bearing age are being impacted while they believe they are “invincible.”

Ea rls emphasi zed t he importance of early diagnosis as IBC spreads rapidly and by the time it reaches a stage IIIB, 30 to 35 percent of the cancer has already spread to distant lymph nodes and/or organs according to Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli, “There is so little information about IBC,” Earls acknowledged warning, “Because IBC spreads so rapidly the patients don’t have a lot of time.”

On Saturday, October 6, 2018, Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer, Inc. is holding a “Breast Cancer Awareness Festival” at the Rialto City Park from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. featuring entertainment, vendors, a Decorate A Bra contest, a wall of ribbons representing those who died of breast cancer, an auction, a kid zone, a 50/ 50 raffle and free water and is seeking volunteers, interns (with intern credits), auction items and vendors for the event.

Both Earls and Bradfield view the next steps in raising awareness and preventing IBC deaths as developing an effective screening for the disease, enacting legislation requiring screening for the disease, requiring continuing medical education for medical professionals and recognition of IBC through a national awareness day while encouraging people to contact their federal and state representatives to express their concern and suggest solutions to prevent unnecessary IBC deaths Additional information on IBC can be found at the National Cancer Institute website at: https:// seer.cancer.gov/ with a fact sheet on IBC at: https:// www.cancer. gov/types/breast/ibcfact-sheet Two requests for comment by the San Bernardino American News regarding the statistics on African-Americans from the National Cancer Institute went unanswered as of press time.

Aguilar Announces Open Application Period for Restaurant Revitalization Fund State/Government/Business News San Bernardino, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that San Bernardino County restaurants are now able to apply for direct federal relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the $28.6 billion relief fund created by the passage of the American Rescue Plan. Eligible Inland Empire small businesses are encouraged to submit their applications through this link as soon as possible.

“Independent restaurants, breweries, wineries and other similar small businesses are essential to the fabric of the Inland Empire’s economy. These small businesses are job creators and hubs for our community, and we need to do all we can to support

them. I was proud to help pass the American Rescue Plan and push for this funding, and I’m confident that with these resources our region’s small businesses can come out of this pandemic stronger than ever,” said Aguilar.

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund will provide restaurants and other eligible businesses with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business. The relief does not have to be repaid, provided that the funds are put toward eligible uses by March 11, 2023. Visit SBA.gov/restaurants for more information.

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund application portal can be accessed at https://restaurants.

sba.gov/requests/borrower/login/.

Participating POS providers include Square, Toast, Clover, NCR Corporation (Aloha). Entities that work with Square or Toast do not need to register beforehand on the portal.

Entities eligible to apply: Restaurants Food stands, food trucks, food carts Caterers Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars Bakeries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts) Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross

receipts) Breweries a nd /or microbreweries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts) Wineries and distilleries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts) Inns (onsite sales of food and beverage to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts) Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products Aguilar serves as the Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for funding federal agencies and programs.

Clifton Harris Editor in Chief Investigative Reporter sbamericannews@gmail.com Mary Martin-Harris / Editor Clifton B. Harris / Audio Engineering Editor Legal /Display Advertising (909) 889-7677 The San Bernardino American News was established May 6, 1969. A legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation on September 30, 1971, case number 15313 by the Superior Court of San Bernardino County.

The San Bernardino AMERICAN News subscription rate is $58.00 per year.

The San Bernardino AMERICAN News is committed to serving its readers by presenting news unbiased and objective, trusting in the mature judgment of the readers and, in so doing, strive to achieve a united community.

News releases appearing in the San Bernardino AMERICAN News do not necessarily express the policy nor the opinion of the publishers.

The San Bernardino AMERICAN News reserves the right to edit or rewrite all news releases.

Black Chamber Black History Art Exhibit Goes Virtual

By Precinct Reporter News

In honor of Black History month, the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the San Bernardino County Museum is hosting its annual Black History Art Exhibit.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the fourth annual Black History Art exhibit is completely virtual. Use the link provided below to access the virtual exhibit. Themed “Inside The Line: Voices Of The Civil Rights Movement,” the exhibit features the work of Inland Empire

internationally renowned artist Charles Bibbs. His work depicts images of America’s broken promise to the African American Community, from slavery, the way to freedom, and the civil rights movement.

The exhibit is live and will be active for several months past the celebration of Black History Month. https://arcg.is/bi05a The post Black Chamber Black History Art Exhibit Goes Virtual appeared first on Precinct Reporter Group News.

Time period to file with Riverside County for unclaimed property tax refunds opens Property owners have until August 2 to respond Riverside County News Owners of residential or business property in Riverside County who have unclaimed property tax refunds may file to receive reimbursement starting today (May 3). The time period to file will run through August 2.

“This is a reminder to all residents to check the TreasurerTax Collector website to see if they are due for a refund,” said Treasurer-Tax Collector Matthew Jennings. “Don’t be caught short by the deadline. Our team is available to help residents through the process.”

Almost 600 refunds totaling more than $540,000 remain unclaimed. Most refunds stem from valuation reductions by the county assessor and are related to corrections or cancellations to the tax roll after taxes were already paid.

Under California law, property tax refunds unclaimed for four years after the payment date – or one year after a requested claim form has been mailed back to a taxpayer by the county, whichever is later – may be transferred to the

county general fund by order of the Board of Supervisors. After Aug. 2, any unclaimed money shifts to the general fund and can no longer be claimed.

“Many of these residents may not even know they’ve overpaid their property taxes,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel. “Take a moment to look, and if so, file for your reimbursement.”

Filing instructions and a list of all unclaimed property tax refunds from tax year 2016 and prior are available on the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website at: http:// w w w.cou nt y t reasu rer.org / TaxCollector/UnclaimedMoney/ PropertyTaxUnclaimedRefund. aspx Completed claim forms and supporting documentation shou ld b e e m a i le d t o PropTaxUnclaimed@rivco.org or mailed to the following address.

Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector Attn: Property Tax Unclaimed Refunds P.O. Box 12005 Riverside, CA 92502-2205

May 6, 2021

Page 3 STATE/GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS

99 Cents Only Stores Set to Relaunch Brand Starting With Major Investment in Stores Throughout Greater Los Angeles The value retailer will soon have a new look and new experience beginning with more than 40 of its locations Business News

● Fresh produce offerings such as bananas, mangos, strawberries, avocados and much more ● A wide assortment of The 99 Store private label items, some of which have been recently rebranded ● Household items like name brand cleaners, paper products, and a variety of beverages and snacks COMMERCE, Calif. – As part of its customer-focused growth initiative, 99 Cents Only Stores today announced it will relaunch the company’s brand, beginning with a new 99 customer experience in many of the iconic Los Angeles neighborhoods the company has served for the past 39 years.

With almost 100 stores countywide, the 99 Cents Only Stores have become a beloved and heavily relied-upon staple within the community for name brand household products like groceries, cleaning supplies and seasonal favorites.

Shoppers should prepare to fall in love all over again. Now called The 99 Store, the company is elevating the visual appeal of

each location and providing an enhanced shopping experience for all of its customers.

“For nearly four decades, the 99 Cents Only Stores has been essential to the communities our shoppers live and work in -- our customers need reliable service and value more than ever,” said Barry Feld, CEO of the 99 Cents Only Stores. “We’re excited to kick off our renewed brand and our renewed energy in our hometown. We have a longstanding commitment to provide name brand products for a better value to our customers, and it’s only going to get better at The 99!”

Packed full of more value and more name brand products, these newly remodeled locations will be opening all summer long.

The store will continue to operate with safety standards for COVID-19 in place, which include signage to encourage social distancing, required face coverings for all customers and associates, plexiglass barriers at all registers, and adhering to government standards for limiting occupancy.

Additionally, the hour before regular store hours on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings are still reserved for shoppers 60 years and older, expectant mothers, and those with medical conditions.

Store features will include:

Aguilar Announces Community Project Funding Submissions for the Inland Empire State/Government News San Bernardino, CA—Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that his office has submitted 10 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests to the House Appropriations Committee. This targeted funding allows Members of Congress to advocate for a maximum of 10 projects that serve the needs of their communities. Recommended by the House Select Committee on Modernization, the CPF process allows Congress to reclaim its constitutional role over federal spending by recommending direct funding for local government and non-profit entities to complete specific projects within their districts. Below are the projects Rep. Aguilar submitted for fiscal year 2022, listed alphabetically by recipient:

Inland Empire. The City will also conduct outreach to underserved, underrepresented, and minority communities to bring diversity to STEM fields, including in space exploration and research.

City of Redlands City of Redlands Emergency Operations Center Improvement Project $850,000 The funding will help address operational and functional needs at the Emergency Operations Center and will ensure the facility is prepared to respond to any catastrophic events or natural disasters, including earthquakes and fires, in the Inland Empire.

City of Rialto

Proposed Recipient Project Name Requested Amount Summary Children's Fund, Inc. COVID-19 Response Expanded Mental Health Services $100,000 The funding will provide support for vulnerable and displaced children in the Inland Empire with appropriate, traumainformed mental healthcare at the Children’s Fund Child Abuse Forensic Assessment Center.

City of Rialto’s Body WornCamera Upgrade $700,000 The funding will support transparency in law enforcement by upgrading the city’s public safety body-worn camera system to be used by field (sworn and nonsworn) personnel. This project will build trust between Inland Empire residents and law enforcement, reduce use-of-force incidents, and simultaneously create a higher quality of evidence for law enforcement investigations.

City of Upland

City of Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Cucamonga Second Story and Beyond Project $1,000,000 The funding will develop STEM-related museum exhibits and educational programming for K-12 students to inspire the next generation of scientists in the

pedestrian friendly pathways, rehabilitating decayed public infrastructure, and increasing access to public transportation and will help the community’s small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Downtown Upland Main Street Economic Recovery and Revitalization Project $1,000,000 The funding will revitalize the historic Upland downtown district to support small businesses, including through creating

Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area Inc. Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Blitz Build $800,000 The funding will allow for the construction at least four homes for honorably discharged veterans in San Bernardino. The funding will provide veterans who served their country affordable housing options, and prevent veterans from becoming homeless.

KVCR Inland Foundation

Fut u re’s

Moving KVCR into the Future $900,000 The funding would be used for providing Inland Empire community college students with educational experience and workplace training in public radio and broadcasting through continuance of KVCR and its related student programming.

This funding will support KVCR’s development team, which will create programs to support students in the Inland Empire.

Mary's Mercy Center, Inc. Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (REACH) Project continued in next column

Aguilar Announces Community Project Funding Submissions for the Inland Empire...continued $300,000 The funding will create and implement a comprehensive wor k for c e d evelo p me nt program for Mary’s Mercy Center’s homeless transitional housing program participants.

In partnership with the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department, the REACH Project will utilize evidence-based workforce development programming and supportive services to provide homeless men, women, and women with children with the foundation needed to obtain and retain employment leading to transitioning to safe and stable housing and self-sufficiency.

SAC Health System Increasing Access to Healthcare Program $375,000 The funding will increase health center access to lowincome residents of San Bernardino County through the use of mobile healthcare. The medically underserved population is often unable to access care, lacks the resources to purchase medications, laboratory tests, and nutritious food, and this program will address the numerous barriers that Inland Empire residents face by bringing health care to the lowcontinued on page 4

$6.2 Billion Cal Fund Will Shield Small Businesses from...continued from page 1 differences between the federal and the state,” said Salinas.

According to state officials, in addition to the tax bill, California also legislated $2.5 billion in relief funds to support small businesses across the state earlier this year.

Eligible businesses can receive grants up to $25,000 to make up for financial loss incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tax relief bill comes at a critical moment in Gov. Newsom’s time in office as state officials prepare for recall efforts his Republican opponents initiated.

But the Governor remained optimistic.

“We're going to defeat the recall,” he said.

Despite the optimism, the state has validated over 1.6 million signatures exceeding the number of signatures required for California to move forward with a re-election.

“We're going to focus on getting people back to work,” said Gov. Newsom.

According to the California Association of Clerks and Elections Officials, a bipartisan government agency, a reelection could cost the state $400 million based on previous election data and the current economic factors.

“We're going to get this economy moving again and more important than anything else, we're going to get vaccines in people's arms so we can do all of that faster,” said Gov. Newsom.

Dr. Shirley Weber, the California Secretary of State, is leading efforts to prevent the projected fiscal setback expected

to be triggered by the prospective re-election. According to the Secretary of State’s office, there is an allocated time period for people to withdraw their signatures from recall petitions in their respective counties.

State economic strategy for American Families Plan State officials are combining federal and state initiatives to boost efforts to reopen by mid-June this year. The state is initiating programs to provide relief funds for individuals – some of them grants -- for small businesses and organizations, including $600 stimulus checks for Californians who have low incomes.

“Right here in California, our stimulus programs have provided tax relief for small businesses and money in pockets for struggling families, and we’ve expanded childcare and made community college free,” said Gov. Newsom.

According to state officials, relief programs have helped more than 40,000 small businesses and nonprofits across California so far.

“These strategic investments, which are complemented by President Biden’s American Families Plan, will bolster California’s equitable economic recovery and bring us roaring back,” he said.

State officials are set on achieving their goal to reopen and to restore job losses for small businesses and academic setbacks for schools across California.

California Black Media’s coverage of COVID-19 is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

May 6, 2021

Page 4 RELIGION/LIFESTYLE

Of Land and Nation Building community and safe places for ourselves By Anisah Muhammad, Contributing Writer, The Final Call

Dr. Ridgely Muhammad, manager of Muhammad Farms, walks in his neighbor’s cotton field.

(This is the first in an occasional series of articles spotlighting efforts of Blacks to do for self, to own and build their own reality and make their communities safe and decent places to live.)

When Virginia Muhammad first started community development in Boston, she built her first house, a two-family home, right next door to the home she owns.

“That was the taste, if you will.

That’s how I started. And it feels good. Actually, it feels wonderful.

It feels wonderful to have a sense of accomplishment,” she told The Final Call. “But when you look at the greater scheme of things and you see how much more needs to be done, you see how important it is for all of us to get on the same page.”

She is one of many across the country who is carving out spaces for Black self-sufficiency and Black existence through land ownership.

Rebuilding Boston’s Grove Hall community Virginia Muhammad is a founding member of the Grove Hall Neighborhood Development Corporation (NDC) out of Boston,

Mass. It was founded in 1979 and is located in the heart and soul of the Black community in Boston.

“Our community was just like any other Black community in the United States of America. Our community was full of vacant land, full of blight and White flight and absentee landlords.

And so, as a result of that, any intelligent person would want to do something about it. Any intelligent person would not want to live under those conditions,” she said. “And so, in the city of Boston, in our community, the city of Boston itself was the largest slum landlord. They owned most of the vacant land and most of the blighted land. And so as a community, we would come together and challenge the city.

What are you going to do with all of these abandoned, boarded up buildings, and what are you going to do with all of this trashy land?”

Grove Hall NDC was formed from the dissatisfaction of the Black community. Different Black organizations united to form the board and Virginia Muhammad was chosen to be president.

She was and remains a leading

Aguilar Announces Community Project Funding Submissions for the Inland Empire...continued from page 3 income residents and improving health outcomes.

San Bernardino International Airport Authority San Bernardino International Airport Runway Repair Project $1,000,000 The funding will ensure the airport can conduct critical repair work at the airport’s main runway and will help revitalize the airport and create good-paying jobs in San Bernardino.

“I’m proud to support these projects because they meet the immediate needs of our community. From creating good-paying jobs and supporting workforce development, to expanding health care options and providing affordable housing to veterans, these projects will directly improve the quality of life for Inland Empire residents,” said Aguilar.

In addition to CPF requests, Rep. Aguilar’s office directly supported 11 transportation and infrastructure related requests by submitting them for consideration to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I): Proposed Recipient Project Name Requested Amount Summary City of Colton Reche Canyon Road Alignment $4,452,000 This project will realign and provide direct connection between Reche Canyon Road

and Hunts Lane at the Washington Street intersection to alleviate traffic congestion on the roadway.

City of Rancho Cucamonga Advanced Traffic Management System $1,000,000 This project will integrate technology to improve the flow of vehicle traffic and improve safety throughout the city.

City of Redlands Highland Avenue and Wabash Avenue Intersection Improvement Project $400,000 This project will construct a roundabout, with associated transportation elements, at the Highland Avenue/Wabash Avenue intersection to improve traffic flow and provide better pedestrian safety.

City of Redlands University Street and Brockton Avenue Intersection Improvement Project $600,000 This project will construct a four-way traffic signal, with associated signs and striping, at the University Street/Brockton Avenue intersection to improve traffic flow during the morning and evening peak hours.

City of Redlands Sustainable Mobility Expansion Project $1,756,630 This project will expand the availability of bike lanes in Redlands to decrease motor vehicle traffic and encourage continued on page 7

member of the Nation of Islam’s mosque in Boston, which backed the effort.

The first building Grove Hall NDC developed cost $1.2 million.

The community development corporation used a Black bank for financial resources and hired a Black general contractor, a Black architect and a Black surveyor.

“We got the job done. And we not only developed the building, it was a mixed-use building. Twelve families and two storefronts at the time. And we attracted another bank to be our tenant, and it was a success,” Virginia Muhammad said.

The Grove Hall NDC, along with other Black organizations, also built a $14 million shopping center, and the NDC has the largest stock of subsidized, affordable housing in the community.

“Our concentration is first our immediate community. And then we need to get the word out throughout not only the city but the state, and collectively come together and identify a section or a land in this country or elsewhere,” the developer said.

Many have already carved

out their own sections of land.

One of those people is Melody Muhammad.

From the city life to urban agriculture Melody Muhammad grew up in New York. She used to think if you ate apples off of trees, you might get sick. So when she started growing food, she was amazed.

Her journey started when she was delegated to go to Will Allen’s urban farm workshop in Milwaukee, Wisc., where she got certified as an urban agriculturalist. Afterwards, she returned to the urban community of Chester, Pa., and she, along with others, physically built a hoop house, which are small structures used for planting seeds.

“In that hoop house, we grew watermelons in and outside of it. We grew onions, we grew all kinds of vegetables, we grew callaloo, we grew tomatoes,” she said.

Melody Muhammad went from not knowing anything about agriculture to now having a master gardener certificate, a tree tenders certificate and training in beekeeping 101. Her inspiration came from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, whose words about land acquisition gave her a chill. She had always been passionate about real estate and had bought a few properties in Chester, but she wanted land.

“I ended up selling all of the houses that I had, except the one I live in. And I ended up selling jewelry. I ended up selling fur coats. I ended up raising money, saving money. And I’m telling you, it was a huge sacrifice, but the day continued on page 6

“Oh, My Dear, Sweet Mother Where Do I Even Begin?”

By: Lou Yeboah

Lou Yeboah As ‘Mother’s Day’ approaches, words cannot begin to express the gratefulness and appreciation I feel for you, neither can they define the thanks that I would love to give you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for being the first and most influential role model in my life. Thank you for your selfless sacrifice, and your pure, unconditional and eternal love. Your affection, your protection, your maternal kindness and your daily love rocked my life, a treasure of inestimable value.

By your life you taught me to trust God with everything. You confirm for me that no matter how big the problem may be, God is bigger. You live a life of trust, a trust that holds firm during the darkest night, a trust that hangs on in the roughest storm, a trust that keep climbing up the steepest mountain, a trust that refuses to give up, a trust that rejects defeat, and relishes a challenge, a trust that rushes to do God’s will, and a trust that replies on the Holy Spirit and rest in Jesus Christ.

And for this example of trust, we, your children, and grandchildren, thank you. We thank you for your unshakable example of trust and

devotion. A devotion we hope to live out. Happy ‘Mother’s Day’ to you my dear, sweet, amazing mother, I will always admire, appreciate, and love you!

To mothers, both biological and adopted, connected by blood and by experience, torn apart by circumstance and sometimes by choice. To those who have given life both in birth and in formation, to those who have lost life before birth and before old age, to those who have done what only mother's can do, to those who have been "the perfect mother," and to those who live with regrets. To those who are close to their children, and to those who feel like they are a million miles away, we bless you always, not just on “Mother's Day.” We would not be who we are and where we are if it was not for you. No, we haven't always done a good job of honoring you, thanking you, appreciating you.

We haven't always loved you as you have loved us. For that we ask for your forgiveness and grace.

But may we be people to honor and encourage and bless you from this day forward for whom God has made you. For "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." [Proverbs 31:10-29].

A woman of worth, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She rises while it is still continued in next 2 columns

“Oh, My Dear, Sweet Mother Where Do I Even Begin?”...continued night and provides food for her household. Her hands hold the spindle, and all her household are clothed in crimson. She reaches out her hands to the needy. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness her children rise up and call her happy.

Her husband, too, and he praises her. [Proverbs 31:25- 27].

Echoing the incredible words of Helen Steiner Rice and Abraham Lincoln ─ “A Mother's love is something that no one can explain. It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may for nothing can destroy it or take that love away. [Helen Steiner Rice]. ─ “All that I am and hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

[Abraham Lincoln].

For these reasons I pray, Lord God, bless every mother with the finest of your spiritual blessings today. Bless them with the grace of Your presence, and the honor they deserve for their tireless work and love. Fill them with your peace and mercy. Grant forgiveness for mistakes, for we all make them.

But let love cover all our memories with a blanket of compassion and joy. Confirm in her heart and spirit the work of her hands and the love that she has freely given to the children under her care. Let her rest in knowing that she has done all she can and that those she loves truly belong to you. Let her joy be contagious; let her passion be pure; and let her life overflow with all the blessings she deserves—not just on special days, but every day of her life. In Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen!

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL Mothers!

Witness For Justice#1045

Accountability First, Then Justice Bentley deBardelaben-Phillips “It's been too hard living But I'm afraid to die 'Cause I don't know what's up there Beyond the sky.

“It's been a long A long time coming But I know a change gonna come Oh, yes it will.”

Hauntingly compelling lyrics, a soul-stirring musical arrangement, and emotionally charged feelings, swaying between angst and hope, are beautifully belted out

by Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” This powerful hit song, which some describe as the “unofficial anthem of the civil rights movement,” has been disquieting my spirit ever since the Derek Chauvin guilty verdicts came in last week.

While the reasons for my spiritual distress are many, one word—one distress—undergirds this editorial: R-A-C-E, a.k.a. racism, a.k.a. America’s original sin.

Although I am cautiously encouraged by the presentday awakening to racism, I am wise enough to know that this sin’s grasp upon all citizenry, African-descended and non, has not yet yielded. Perhaps this is why Mr. Cooke’s spiritual has been ruminating in my soul.

“In some ways a musical companion to Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech…, “A Change Is Gonna Come” is infused with defiance and courage,” writes Jeremy Helligar.

He continues, “The lyrics express a similar longing and hopefulness, a dream that must have felt near-impossible during the darkest days of the early 1960s.

For Black men to envision such a wonderful world must have seemed like the ultimate act of bravery at the time.”

Helligar further asserts, “The change Cooke sang about would come sooner than he probably anticipated, in the form of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed some four months after the song’s arrival. But how much did it really change? More than five decades later, we’re no longer banished to ‘separate but equal’ facilities, but race remains the single most divisive factor in a country that has never fully recovered from the scourge of slavery and the horrors of the postReconstruction Jim Crow era.”

This reality is deeply disconcerting to most Africandescended people, as well as to our countless allies, as we suffer trauma after trauma, generation after generation, under a racist system that often refuses to enforce our full human rights protections as provided under the Constitution and our numerous laws.

Violent acts motivated by racial bias have increased exponentially over the past five years in the U.S. The Washington Post has compiled one of the most thorough datasets available when it comes to fatal police shootings, pointing to racial bias in police killings. Since 2015, more than 5,000 police-involved shootings have been recorded, and Black Americans are murdered at a much higher rate than White Americans.

We must, and we will, demand accountability for the violent taking of the lives of our family members within the Africandescendant community, who did not have to die by bullets or knees on their necks. The guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin provides the African-descendant community, as well as the rest of the world, an opportunity to lean into a hope that white cops might be held accountable for the numerous murders of Black persons. To circle back to Sam Cooke’s song: A change is gonna come!

The time for an outcome of “not guilty” has ended for law enforcement. Last week’s guilty verdict is a step in the right direction. We will continue to demand accountability as we journey toward justice.

Sam! We can hear you singing at the top of your voice with a heavenly chorus of angels behind you. We, too, are singing with you and we won’t stop. “It’s been a long time coming. But I know a change gonna come.”

May 6, 2021

Page 5 LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004334 Date Filed: 04/26/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/26/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): ALL CARE RESOURCE SERVICES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 4755 N. GENEVIEVE ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 Name of Individual Registrant: ANIA RODRIGUEZ Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 4755 GENEVIEVE ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Ania Rodriguez, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, May 6, 13, 20 , 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003683 Date Filed: 04/08/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/08/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): BAMCIS INDUSTRIAL AND CLEANING SUPPLIES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 19230 CHESHIRE ST. RIALTO, CA 92377 Name of Individual Registrant: ALPHONSO CRUZ Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 19230 CHESHIRE ST. RIALTO, CA 92377 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: March 24, 2021 Alphonso Cruz, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004272 Date Filed: 04/23/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/23/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): WHOLESALE ACCESSORIES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 2601 N. DEL ROSA AVE. STE. 104 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 Name of Individual Registrant: GEOVANNI ABARCA GUZMAN Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 3329 N. STODDARD AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92405 Name of Individual Registrant: YESENIA MARTINEZ Residence Street Address: 3329 N. STODDARD AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92405 This business is/was conducted by: A Married Couple Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Geovanni Abarca Guzman, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004040 Date Filed: 04/19/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/19/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): PLANT ODYSSEE County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 1358 YUCCA DR. APT. N SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 Name of Individual Registrant: CHRISTY L. GRAY Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 1358 YUCCA DR. APT. N SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Christy L. Gray, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003415 Date Filed: 03/31/2021 Filing Expires On: 03/31/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): CAMP CEDAR CREST County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 33325 CAMP CEDAR CREST RD. RUNNING SPRINGS, CA 92382-7404 Mailing Address: PO BOX 26902 LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./ Reg.: INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL State of Inc./Org./ Reg.: California Inc./Org./Reg. No.: C0126840 Residence Street Address: 1910 W. SUNSET BLVD., SUITE 200 LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 Name of Individual Registrant: This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 4/18/1946 Ron Thigpenn, Chief Financial Officer, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003560 Date Filed: 04/06/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/06/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): SUMMERSPREP County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 248 E. WILSON ST. RIALTO, CA 92376 Name of Individual Registrant: LYNN SUMMERS Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 248 E. WILSON ST. RIALTO, CA 92376 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Jan 18, 2021 Lynn Summers, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003001 Date Filed: 03/23/2021 Filing Expires On: 03/23/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): PRO INTEGRITY PLUMBING County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 21931 BILOXI RD. APPLE VALLEY, CA 92307 Name of Individual Registrant: CHRISTOPHER L. IMSEN Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 21931 BILOXI RD. APPLE VALLEY, CA 92307 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Mar 16, 2021 Christopher L. Imsen, Sole Proprietor, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004484 Date Filed: 04/29/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/29/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): BLUEPRINT CONNECTION County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 2531 E. SMIDERLE LOOP ONTARIO, CA 91764 Name of Individual Registrant: ALEX G. YEUNG CHEN Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 2531 E. SMIDERLE LOOP ONTARIO, CA 91764 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Jan 01, 2020 Alex G. Yeung Chen, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: JAVEIL DEVORIA PEARSON filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. MELVANIE LEJAE ROBINSON Proposed name: to: MELVANIE LEJAE PEARSON b. TAJAH LARALLE ROBINSON to TAJAH LARALLE PEARSON THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 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: 5/14/2021 Time 9:00 a.m. Dept.: S-16 The address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino District-Civil Division 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210 A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: March 04, 2021 Lynn M. Poncin Judge Of The Superior Court

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004675 Date Filed: 05/04/2021 Filing Expires On: 05/04/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): INLAND VALLEY REAL ESTATE County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 2351 W. MAIN ST. BARSTOW, CA 92311 Name of Individual Registrant: RAVE NASSAR Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: UNIVERSAL DR, LLC State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 901 BERYL ST. SAN DIEGO, CA 92109 This business is/was conducted by: A Trust Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Mar 18, 2021 Rave Nassar, Trustee Of The Midnight Sky Trust Dated April 13, 2021, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 27 , 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003742 Date Filed: 04/09/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/09/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): 2030 TRUCKING County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 5840 CASSANDRA DRIVE SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 Name of Individual Registrant: EDGAR M. VARGAS Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 5840 CASSANDRA DRIVE SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Mar 01, 2021 Edgar M. Vargas, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003429 Date Filed: 04/01/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/01/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): LEO’S TRUCKING County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 839 W. 10TH ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92410 Name of Individual Registrant: LEONARDO A. ALVIZU Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 839 W. 10TH ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92410 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Apr 06, 2016 Leonardo A. Alvizu, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.

NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 2021.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVSB 2105800

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVSB 2106243 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: MICHAEL STYLES filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. MICHAEL STYLES Proposed name: to: MICHAEL ANTHONY STYLES THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall 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 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: 5/17/20 Time 9:00 a.m. Dept.: S16 The address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino District 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: March 11, 2021 Lynn M. Poncin Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

PETITION/PROBATE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JANIS E. GRIFFITH CASE NO: PROPS 2100462

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: JANIS E.

GRIFFITH

A Petition For Probate has been filed by: TERRI L. MCMAHAN in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. The Petition For Probate requests that: TERRI L. MCMAHAN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

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 petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: June 1, 2021 Time: 9 a.m.

Dept: S35P 247 West Third Street, Second Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0212 Central/Main 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.

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: Guay P. Wilson 14 N. Eighth Street Redlands, CA 92373 (909)793-2044 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DONALD M. CASALMAN aka DONALD MONROE CASALMAN aka DONALD CASALMAN CASE NO : PROPS 2100227

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: DONALD

M. CASALMAN aka DONALD MONROE CASALMAN aka DONALD CASALMAN

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: STEPHANIE C. CASALMAN in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: STEPHANIE C. CASALMAN 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 petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 06/21/2021 Time: 9:00 a.m.

Dept: S37 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 Central Justice Center 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.

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: Bryan C. Hartnell, Esq. Hartnell Law Group, A Professional Corporation 25757 Redlands Boulevard Redlands, CA 92373 (909) 796-6881 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, Correction May 6, 13, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MARY CRUZ OCHOA CASE NO : PROPS 2000835

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: MARY

CRUZ OCHOA

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: JESSEE OCHOA in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: JESSE OCHOA 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 petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 9/21/21 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept: S36P SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 San Bernardino District 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.

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: Eric N. Chung CHUNG & IGNACIO, LLP 8577 Haven Ave., Suite 306 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (909) 652-3022 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: NORA H. MCRUNNEL CASE NO: PROPS 2100343

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the

will or estate, or both of: NORA H.

NOTICE INVITING BIDS

MCRUNNEL

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: DANIELA M. PILKINGTON in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: DANIELA M. PILKINGTON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

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 petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: May 11, 2021 Time: 9:00 a.m.

Dept: S35P SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 247 West Third Street , 2nd Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0212 Central/Main 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.

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: Guay P. Wilson 14 N. Eighth Street, Redlands, CA 92373 (909)793-2044

NOTICE INVITING BIDS Project No. 803 0043 CORPORATE YARD MASTER PLAN IMPROVEMENTS Infiltration Trench Installation Bids shall be received electronically prior to 2:00 p.m., May 20, 2021 only in the City of Moreno Valley Bid Portal through PlanetBids. The link to register to become a prospective bidder and electronically bid on this project can be found at the following address:

http://www.planetbids.com/ portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=24660 The bid results will be available on the above website immediately following the time of bid deadline.

PROJECT SPECIFIC SCOPE OF WORK This project is to install two infiltration trenches within the City Corporate Yard property to treat storm run-off water with related grading and landscape work. The work to be done shall consist of furnishing all labor, materials, necessary tools and machinery, supervision, coordination for inspection, re-do any or all unaccepted work included in the contract, and all incidentals to complete the construction of the infiltration trenches, planting, and piping as shown on the plans complete in place.

All work must be completed within the Contract Time of Forty Five (45) Working Days after the date of commencement specified in the Notice to Proceed to Fulfill Preconstruction Requirements.

All bidding documents shall be downloaded electronically on the City of Moreno Valley Bid Portal through PlanetBids at the address shown above. The cost for downloading is $25.00.

For technical information relating to the details of this Project and bidding requirements, please submit all Requests for Information (RFI) via the “Questions and Answer” tab within the City of Moreno Valley Vendor Portal in PlanetBids. All RFI’s shall be submitted no later than May 13, 2021, by 2:00 p.m.

Any RFI received after the date and time specified herein will not be considered.

Dated: April 26, 2021 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 2021.

YOUR CLASSIFIED AD GOES HERE CALL US TODAY! AT (909) 889-7677

Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 2021.

Submission Deadline For All Legals & Classifieds is 5pm Mondays Upload legal and pay @ sb-american.com

May 6, 2021

Page 6 WORLD/LOCAL/ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

“Racially Profiled Man Launches Apparel Line Called “U Fit The Description” World/Local News

Millions of Californians Taking Advantage of DMV Services Without Visiting Office No need to wait in line or even leave home World/Local News Sacramento – A record number of Californians are avoiding a trip to a Department of Motor Vehicles field office by using the DMV’s online services or a self-service kiosk. Millions of customers have taken advantage of these convenient options, including:

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) -- Founded by Scott Johnson, U Fit The Description is an apparel line that aims to put the spotlight on social justice and equality by fighting against racism and inequality within the community.

Though the social injustice and discrimination by law enforcement gained limelight following George Floyd's assassination, the bigotry is deep-rooted within the nation and is not something new.

The motivation behind the brand dates back to 1987 when Scott and a few of his friends visited Ocean City, MD, for high school senior skip day. At the point of running out of coins to pay for metered parking, Johnson got a parking citation, and the ensuing events served as the greatest realization.

“My friends and I were all set to leave Ocean City and head home when I chose to go to the police station to find out where to pay the citation. Little did I know, there was a police BOLO “Be On The Lookout” with the description of 4 black men, one with a red shirt breaking into vehicles and vandalizing property. Upon going to the police station to ask about paying the citation, weapons were drawn promptly, and the 4 of us were ordered to get on the ground. At the point when the question was posed, what did we do? The reaction was "you fit the description" of a BOLO we have out,” says Scott. “That moment, those words became unforgettable, making me realize the bitter truth of this society. Yet, if I had never faced it, I would not have been able to consciously step up and

play my part to bring about social justice change.”

Scott thus chose to empower our youth and others to change the narrative. He comments, “U Fit The Description of a researcher, a doctor, an astronaut, a plumber, a transporter, an investor, an insurance agent, a construction worker, an athlete, an entrepreneur, but not of the description of the BOLO.” “You write the narrative of the description you fit.” You have control of your own narrative.

“U Fit The Description” has been created and will be utilized as a platform to help create change in social justice and bring equality to our community,” says Scott.

A portion of sales made by the company benefits youth scholarships and mentoring programs and is also utilized to

feed the less fortunate. Each dollar spent with U Fit The Description is used to make this world a better place, a place where social justice is all that matters.

Today, U Fit The Description, with its classic clothing collection, makes noise about its incredible mission, far and wide.

Learn more at UFitTheDescription.com About the Company: U Fit The Description, Inc. was founded by Scott Johnson as a social justice advocacy platform.

The company has a range of merchandise, whose sales are utilized to empower the youth and others in terms of scholarships, grants, and mentorship programs.

The company also provides food to people in underserved communities.

Of Land and Nation Building community and safe places for ourselves...continued from page 4 before Covid struck and we went into quarantine, I purchased seven acres, and it had four double wides on it,” she said. Double wides are three and a half bedroom and two bathroom ranch-style houses. She already has tenants in each of the four homes, which is helping her to take care of the mortgage. She also just purchased log cabins to put on the land, which is located in Robbinsville, N.C. “We purchased the hoop house.

We’re going to put the hoop house on it. And the first year, which is this year, we’re doing a two week summer camp, where we teach children how to do different aspects of agriculture, horticulture and survival skills,” she said.

“And moving along in the next five years, our goal is to have an agriculture prep school, where we build a school, and the children can physically live there, and then we of course are going to have horses and we’re going to have some sheep and chickens and all of those other things.”

Building a heaven Like Melody Muhammad, Michael J. H. Muhammad was an urban kid. He grew up a few doors down from New York in New Jersey. His father and grandfather would take him and his brothers camping, and they would travel to different areas and land across the country, but they didn’t grow up on a farm nor did they have acres of land. Still, that desire was already being cultivated.

One day in the summer of 2019, he told his wife, Anecqua, “I don’t want another child coming into this world and we are someone’s renter, and someone is considered our landlord.”

“I said I can’t do that again. I

said what, how can I call myself, how can you call yourself, how can we call ourselves gods in any facet when someone is a god over us? Landlord, being a lord of something that they own and we are to give to them. I said I can’t do it again. I can’t do this no more,” he told The Final Call.

They jumped out, got a real estate agent and looked for land.

Within two months, they were already in the process of getting a 22-acre property in Lehighton, Pa., that they’re on now. Initially, they only wanted one acre and simply wanted ownership without any neighbors around.

“Young couple just want to get something, and Allah (God) said, well you took that one step towards the desire, and I’ll take an additional 22 towards you, or 21 towards you, and He blessed us with 22 acres of land right at the end of December. I mean, right at the end of 2019,” he said. “So you’re talking about just two to three months before Covid really hit here in 2020.”

The 22 acres was owned by an older man whose wife had died in a car accident in 2012.

“He survived, she didn’t make it, so he was depressed.

He said this was me and my wife’s retirement home. We were going to live here until the end of our days, he said, and people have called us. Developers want this, but they want to spray the property with chemicals and we don’t believe in that,” Michael Muhammad recalled. “He said, but now you guys, you’re young.

You’re so young and you want to treat the property with care like we do, and you have vision for it. He said, you know what, this is yours.

He said you and your wife and your children, you can have this.

“We said, ‘Oh Allah, this man gave us heaven.’ He gave us his heaven, and Allah took someone else’s pain, I’ll say, and made it our pleasure and our reward and our blessing,” he said.

The property has a pond that has its own natural life, such as frogs and turtles. “Sometimes we wake up in the morning and look out of our bedroom window, because the pond is directly behind our window, and there’s 50 geese back there and ducks,” Michael Muhammad said.

He said the desire is to make the 22 acres into their own version of a state park.

“You come here and you walk around, we’re already working on things like that. You walk around the property. And you go to the pond, and you go fishing, because we’ll have fish by April in there.

There’ll be bass and there’ll be trout so the Believers can come here, sit on the lawn, and pull out a beach chair and fish for the first time. They can pull out their little inflatable tubes and go out into the water if they feel like it, or they can go on a horse and take a walk around a property or play with the sheep, or play with the goats or just sit in the grass or take a kite and fly it,” he said.

“Whatever they want to do, this is what we’re making this to be, a place where we are growing food, but also a place where the Believers can find some happiness in a place to get away from some of the stress that they may have where they are, until this inspires them to do the same thing for themselves.”

Michael Muhammad and his wife Anecqua also purchased a 16acre hay farm with another family, Sultan and Khadijah Muhammad, and he is finalizing 80 acres in

Arizona.

Just go get it Virginia Muhammad said she was inspired by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s words that land is the prerequisite to freedom and independence. “The earth is 196,940,000 square miles. And I say to us, we need to act like it,” she said.

When Melody Muhammad purchased her seven acres, her credit wasn’t the best, but she feels good.

“I feel like I’m going to be an example for other people. And I feel like Allah is going to allow me one day to be on that land to really reap the benefits and like be able to walk with my shoes off and just thank Him and thank Him and thank Him and watch the plants grow and watch the fruit trees grow and watch all of the vegetables grow and be able to invite people down there, so they can see it and then teach children all about camping and farming and all of that stuff that comes with it,” she said.

She said unity is key, because you can’t do it all by yourself.

Michael Muhammad said if someone wants to acquire land, they just need to do it.

“But my bank account. But my job. But this. But that. Whatever that but is, that’s not Allah. We over-analyze something that He has already given success to,” he said. “He has already done all of the hard work. He has already gone out ahead of you, made relationships, made the doors open. It’s us that close them. So I would say to anybody that wants to do it, do it. There’s nothing stopping you but yourself.”

23 million online transactions in 2020, the most in DMV history More than one million virtual sessions for tasks that previously required an office visit More than 15 million kiosk transactions since debuting 10 years ago, including 3.5 million since the start of 2020 “When you think about the DMV, we want you to think about going online – not waiting in line,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said.

“We continue to incorporate new technology and service channels so we can meet customers when and where they want.”

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, the DMV quickly expanded its online services so customers could take care of more tasks without visiting an office – adding new online transactions and a redesigned website with a user-friendly layout focused on improving customer service by reducing clicks and highlighting the most popular services. From requesting a duplicate driver’s license, title or disabled parking placard to renewing a complex vehicle registration, motor carrier permit or commercial driver’s license, Californians now have a convenient online option that hadn’t been possible previously.

Customers can visit dmv.ca.gov/ online for a list of all available services and use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn about options to complete DMV tasks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all Californians can renew their driver’s license online as a temporary measure – even if the renewal notice states an office visit is required.

Some customers, including Californians applying for a REAL ID for the first time, still must visit a DMV office to complete their transaction – but they also can take advantage of DMV’s online services for a faster

office experience. By filling out the REAL ID application online and uploading their documents, customers can bring their confirmation code and documents with them to an office at their convenience, even the same day, for express service – no appointment necessary. Starting May 3, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require a valid passport or other federally approved document, like a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card, to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities and military bases. More information is available at REALID.dmv.ca.gov.

The DMV also now offers text message notifications at field offices so customers can easily monitor their place in line away from the office. In addition to technological enhancements, the DMV has implemented new health and safety protocols at offices to ensure customers who still must visit a field office do so in a safe manner. DMV offices cannot run at full capacity while these protocols remain in place, further underscoring the importance of using alternate service channels whenever possible.

The 364 self-service kiosks available in supermarkets and other convenient locations throughout the state are becoming an increasingly popular option.

With a few simple taps on the touchscreen, customers can instantly renew their vehicle registration, replace a registration card or sticker, request a driver or vehicle record, and pay a reinstatement fee for a suspended vehicle registration, among other transactions.

For registration renewals, customers need their renewal notice, most recent registration card or vehicle insurance program letter. Kiosks offer services in multiple languages and customers can pay by debit/credit card and, in some locations, cash.

In March, DMV kiosks processed more than 300,000 transactions for the first time – 50,000 more than in any previous month. The DMV plans to add more transactions on kiosks in the future.

Vaccine clinic at Hemet shopping mall set to open Wednesday, Alessandro location to close Friday New site at former Sears building will be operated by OptumServe World/Local News A new vaccine clinic begins operations Wednesday (May 5) at the Hemet Valley Mall, within the former Sears building. The clinic, which is being run by OptumServe, is located at 2200 W. Florida Ave and will operate from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Additionally, the clinic site at Alessandro High School in Hemet will be closing Friday.

“We are so thankful to the Hemet Unified School District for allowing us to use several of their campus sites for vaccine clinics,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of Public Health. “The district has stepped up when asked and been a great community partner and continues to do so.”

More than 1.6 million vaccine doses have been administered to Riverside County residents between the county operated clinics and those run by the community partners and providers.

“Riverside County continues to move vaccination opportunities into the Third District communities where they are most needed,” said Supervisor Chuck Washington, Third District Supervisor. “I encourage all Hemet / San Jacinto Valley residents to get vaccinated so we can keep each other healthy and fully reopen our schools and businesses."

The county offers three types of vaccines – Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson – at continued on page 7

May 6, 2021

Page 7 NATIONAL/HEALTH NEWS/ADVERTISING

Drink This At Night To Shrink Your Drink This At Night To Shrink Your Stomach Stomach While You Sleep National /Health News While You Sleep...continued

The one part of the body that nearly everyone complains about wanting to trim down is, of course, the stomach, the midsection aka your belly.

Getting rid of belly fat can prove to be difficult for many of us.

Most of us want to try to slim down our belly, but end up losing other parts of our body that we want to keep or vice versa.

However, have you ever heard that abs are made in the kitchen?

It’s true.

It’s what you eat that helps build up your metabolism and break down the fat around your midsection.

So whatever you’re putting in your body i Now there’s a way to slim it down while you sleep. Yes, while you sleep.

Your metabolism works fastest during periods of spontaneous growth, such as during infancy or adolescence.

9 Things that Happen to Your Body When You Drink Pineapple Water Additionally, because men generally have a naturally higher ratio of muscle to fat, their metabolisms are often faster than

those of women.

One simple way to speed up the metabolism and eliminate belly fat is to put into your body the very thing that does both of those.

And you could accomplish this best in drink form.

Using a unique blend of one cucumber, parsley or cilantro, one… … lemon, a tablespoon of grated fresh ginger, a tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice, and half a glass of water can begin to work wonders on your belly fat.

Cucumbers contain only fortyfive calories each, along with a high water and fiber content.

Parsley and cilantro are also low in calories, and high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to aid the body in counteracting the deterioration of stored food products.

Put all of these together and you will start to change your body’s reaction to added fat.

There are three main ingredients why this works: Lemon Lemons help to flush out toxins the body has collected over the course of the day.

Ginger Ginger prevents overeating and constipation. Various studies have also recognized ginger’s ability to speed up the body’s metabolic rate.

Aloe Vera Aloe Vera Juice works to stimulate one’s metabolism and steadies and decreases the body

mass index.

Because the metabolism slows down significantly during rest, it is best to consume this drink just before bed. Increasing metabolic rate during sleep aids in the calorie-burning process.

Pour a glass tonight. This coupled with a proper diet will help shrink the midsection.

Additionally, the drink will curb some of your appetite for the more fatty meals.

Aguilar Announces Community Project Funding Submissions for the Inland Empire...continued from page 4 sustainable transit.

City of Rialto Alder Avenue Improvements at SR-210 $2,500,000 This project will wide both northbound and southbound Alder Ave. to provide easier access and reduce traffic congestion onto SR-210.

City of San Bernardino Replacement of 2nd Street Bridge over Warm Creek $2,000,000 This project will replace a structurally-deficient and currently-closed bridge to reopen the roadway and ensure safety for travelers.

County of San Bernardino Little 3rd Street Improvement Project $2,560,000 This project will pave nearly 4,000 feet of currently unpaved roadway and construct nearly 6,000 feet of sidewalk to provide better vehicle and pedestrian safety.

Metrolink (Southern California Regional Rail Authority) Track Rehabilitation of the San Bernardino Line $2,000,000

This project will rehabilitate railroad tracks on the San Bernardino Line between Rancho Cucamonga and Montclair stations, as well as the two turnabouts between the stations.

Omnitrans “ I ” St r e et O p e r at i ng and Maintenance Facility Rehabilitation Project $2,000,000 This project will provide A DA- compliant buildi ng upgrades, expand parking space to accommodate a larger bus fleet, make safety improvements to the site and provide connections to charge electric vehicles.

San Bernardino County Transportation Authority West Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit - Phase 1, and ZeroEmission Bus Initiative $5,000,000 This project will implement a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service from the Pomona Metrolink Station to Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga by investing in infrastructure to reduce traffic and ensure access to charging stations for zero-emissions bus service.

Vaccine clinic at Hemet shopping mall set to open Wednesday, Alessandro location to close Friday... continued from page 6 its clinics. Those 16 and older are eligible to be vaccinated, although individuals 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and must receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Appointments are not required but encouraged. To make an appointment, click www. rivcoph.org/covid-19-vaccine Those needing assistance can call 2-1-1 or 951-358-5000.

The National Ban on Newport, Kool and Other Menthol “Squares” Has Political Roots in California...continued individuals.

“Banning menthol -- the last allowable flavor -- in cigarettes, and banning all flavors in cigars, will help save lives, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these deadly products,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock.

A higher percentage of Black adults who smoke began using menthol cigarettes (93%) — that’s more than two times higher than the number of White adults who did the same (44%), according to the CDC. The two top-selling mentholated cigarette brands in the United States are Newport and Kool.

AATCLC, Action on Smoking and Health, the American Medical Association, and the National Medical Association, which represents Black physicians sued the FDA last year for its failure to enact public health policy that protects the health and welfare of African Americans.

In August 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 793, making the legislation one of the country’s

strongest restrictions on flavored tobacco.

SB 793 bans the sale of a flavored tobacco product or a tobacco product flavor enhancer in California.

“Big Tobacco has targeted and profited from Black communities with marketing for minty menthol cigarettes and as a result, smokingrelated illnesses are the number one cause of death among Black Americans,” Newsom said in a written statement regarding the FDA’s actions.

After the FDA’s announcement to propose product standards within the next year to ban menthol as a “characterizing flavor” in cigarettes, Cohen said she understands that the Tobacco industry will keep fighting.

In San Francisco, R.J. Reynolds spent nearly $12 million to overturn the city’s anti-flavored tobacco law.

“We know that the industry will try to meddle, undo and interfere.

It’s not over,” Cohen said. “But it is a big giant step forward to save the lives of African Americans who die from tobacco-related disease.”

continued in next 2 columns

The National Ban on Newport, Kool and Other Menthol “Squares” Has Political Roots in California Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media Anti-tobacco advocates celebrated news last week that the Biden administration is making swift moves toward the complete elimination of flavored menthol cigarettes in the United States.

On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new rules intended to ban mentholated tobacco products like Kool, Newport, Salem and other cigarette brands in a few years.

But just five years ago, some supporters of the FDA’s decision say, any ban on menthol cigarettes seemed like an impossible feat -even at the municipal level.

In 2016, Malia Cohen, currently the only African American member of the California Board of Equalization, was then serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. At the time, Cohen, inspired and informed by local anti-tobacco movement leaders like Carol McGruder, introduced legislation to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the city.

McGruder is the co-founder and co-chair of the San Franciscobased African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC).

“I am ecstatic, relieved and happy knowing that there is still a lot of work ahead, but our federal government is going to defend the health of our community,” McGruder told California Black Media (CBM). “It should have been done a long time ago but we’re happy that they are finally making the right decision.”

By then, McGruder had been working for years to spread the

word that tobacco products are partly responsible for killing 40,000-plus Black people each year in the United States.

In June 2017, Cohen’s colleagues voted unanimously to approve her bill. She made the case to them that companies disproportionately marketed f lavored tobacco products and menthol vapes to Black men, women and children, and other people of color.

“I knew if we had a victory, it could start something big.

But I did not know just how far it would go,” Cohen told CBM. “After our ordinance passed in San Francisco, 75 other cities in California passed similar bans.”

Cohen said she felt humbled hearing news of the FDA announcement, adding that she introduced the initiative to honor the memory of her grandmother who started smoking cigarettes at about 14 years old and eventually died of emphysema.

“I am incredibly pleased. I am incredibly proud. Today’s announcement is personal and very exciting. It’s very profound,” she said.

Created to inform the direction of tobacco control policy, practices, and priorities, McGruder says she and the AATCLC work at the intersection of public health policy and social injustice.

Over the years, AATCLC has been in the trenches assisting various municipalities across the country in passing legislation to remove the deadly products out of Black communities.

At one time in her life, McGruder says she thought it was wonderful to see companies like

Kool and Newport support events like jazz festivals that featured artists such as Marvin Gaye at the Oakland Coliseum.

That was until she learned that Big Tobacco’s sponsorships, giveaways and financial support were part of a “master plan,” she said, to keep Black people hooked on their products.

Today McGruder and others in the tobacco-control movement have been putting pressure on the FDA to take extreme actions to reduce tobacco addiction and curb deaths.

“We know that when the industry sells a product that kills your customers you constantly recruit new ones,” McGruder said. “We don’t want another generation of our Black children to be addicted to mentholated products.”

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Menthol is a substance naturally found in mint plants, such as peppermint and spearmint. It gives a cooling sensation but is highly addictive in nicotine. Seven out of 10 African American youth between ages 12 and 17 who smoke use menthol cigarettes, according to the CDC. The action by the FDA, the agency stated, will reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+

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continued in last 2 columns

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May 6, 2021

Page 8 COUNTY/POLITICAL NEWS

Many Black Renters, Hit Worst By COVID, Remain in Dark About Billions in Relief Funds Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

California is in the process of rolling out a massive billiondollar rental relief program. It is designed to help people who fell behind on their rent due the global coronavirus pandemic recover.

But many renters, including Black Californians who lease residential property, may not know about the state’s new CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program or they may not have details on how to apply for the available assistance. Other advocates say some renters could simply be confused because there are multiple rental relief programs at the county or city level to help renters.

One of the many factors that may complicate the confusion and low awareness in communities about the state’s rental relief program is the fact that the state is under-investing in the public awareness campaign, say some critics who have been following the state’s rollout of rental assistance. Typically, they say, state-run awareness campaigns are executed by public relations and advertising agencies. They then create and deploy campaigns to let state residents know about taxpayer-funded, governmentadministered programs created

to benefit the target audience.

A number of people watching the state process that awarded Prosio Communications, a Roseville firm, the $3.2 million contract to get the word out to Californians about rental relief, say the winning firm slashed its media budget by more than half to submit the lowest bid to win the contract.

A total of eight companies applied that is scheduled to begin in June and end in December. All of them proposed budgets of about $4 million, unlike the wining contractor.

“The bidding process was troubling on several fronts, but here are some examples,” said one source who spoke to California Black Media but asked to remain anonymous. “First, the company that won the bid did not cut their own fees. Instead, they slashed the money that the federal government provided – that’s taxpayer money -- to inform people of this critical help.”

The source said even though the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) allotted $6 million for public awareness, Prosio’s budget for outreach to Californians has been dwindled down to a mere

$2 million.

“There is no way on earth, $2 million could successfully inform Californians about this program.

There’s just no way in a state of 40 million residents,” the source said.

The federal government has so far authorized $25 Billion to support rental assistance programs in states across the country. Of that money, California is expected to receive $2.6 billion.

A total of $1.5 billion will go directly to the state and another $1.1 billion will be allocated to counties and cities with populations of 200,000 people or more.

Black renters accounted for the highest number of Californians -- about 23 %, of Golden State residents last July -- who could not pay their rent on time, according to a UCLA report.

Black renters also had the highest rates (29%) of being behind on housing payments in general due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among homeowners with a mortgage, Black households also had the highest rates of missed or partial payments at 22 %, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS).

“An estimated 1.5 million California families, front-line workers and low-wage earners are behind on their rent due to the economic fallout of this pandemic,” said California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH)

Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramirez.

“They have accumulated significant debt and their landlords are struggling to meet their financial obligations,” Ramirez continued. “The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program will be a lifeline to renters and landlords.

It clears accumulated rental debt, keeps families hardest hit housed and will lead to a more equitable economic recovery."

California has the highest number of people in the country who are housing insecure.

According to Tenants Together, a renter advocacy organization, more than 22 million people are renters, about 55% of the population, in a state where about half of its residents live at or near the poverty line.

Among Black Californians, 3 in 5 Black people live in renter households, according to the California Budget and Policy Center. Of that number, about 6 in 10 Black individuals are classified as “housing cost-burdened” – that is households that spend 30 % or more of their income on a rent or mortgage.

According to Ramirez, since the state launched the rental assistance programs, there has been an underrepresentation of minority applicants.

Adding to the state’s housing woes, is the unavailability of affordable homes and an enduring homelessness crisis, the worst in the nation.

The average price of a home in California is more than seven times higher than the average income.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the homeless population in Los Angeles -- where the twin crises of homelessness and housing affordability are worst in the state -- has gone up 13% over the course of a year. Reports indicate that there have been about 41,000 homeless people in Los Angeles.

State housing officials say the rental program is designed to provide California residents in select cities with income-based financial relief by paying landlords the money owed.

"The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program will reimburse landlords up to 80 % of an eligible renter’s unpaid rent accrued between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, if they agree to forgive the remaining 20 %," said Kimberly Brown, a spokesperson for HCD. “Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive 25% of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

Paying this 25% by June 30, 2021 can help keep you in your home under the extended eviction protections in SB 91."

During a recent HCD webinar, speakers came together to discuss various plans and proposals in the Legislature aimed at solving California’s housing crisis.

Gustavo Velasquez, director of the HCD, believes it is the duty of the California Legislature to set the standard for housing issues. However, according to Velasquez, local partners are the greatest weapon in the state’s war on homelessness.

"As elected leaders, local agency staff and local government officials, you are really the most important partners in California in addressing this unsustainable housing crisis," Velasquez said in the webinar. "The state can set the standards but success or failure ultimately rests on the local level in communities that are struggling today to meet the housing demands of so many."

Brown detailed some of the qualifications for rental relief through the program.

"For all applications received, the state will first review and commit funds to applicants who are eligible and meet the priority requirement having income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) to ensure those most in need receive assistance," Brown stated.

Brown told California Black Media how many applicants have applied for the program.

"So far, there have been 48,175 applications submitted," Brown said. Another 96,000 applications are in progress, according to the BSCH. Get more information on the California rental assistance program.