VVTA to begin offering door-to-door service for senior vaccinations in Victorville, Apple Valley

County of San Bernardino has partnered with Victor Valley Transit Authority, Town of Apple Valley and City of Victorville to provide seniors with FREE door-to-door shuttle services to vaccination sites at Hook Community Center and Our Lady of the Desert Church.

To take advantage of this opportunity, seniors aged 65+ must book a vaccine appointment at Hook Community Center or Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church via  https://sbcovid19.com/vaccine/locations/. After making your appointment, just call VVTA at (760) 948-3030 to schedule a ride on the Vaccine Xpress!

The county continues to work with senior groups in our more remote regions to arrange mobile vaccines. Upcoming locations will include Trona, Needles, and Wrightwood.

COUNTY HOPES TO MOVE INTO RED TIER BY MARCH 22

During Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, San Bernardino County Public Health Director Corwin Porter shared encouraging news.

“Our current data is trending in the right direction,” said Porter. “Later this week we expect to get to 7 cases per 100,000. That’s good news. Once we get to the red tier, we have to be in that tier for two full weeks to stay in that tier. We project that around March 22 will be the magic time frame.”

Porter said that once San Bernardino County moves into the red tier, many of the current restrictions will be loosened. “Retail will be expanded, restaurants will allow indoor dining, and we’ll see gyms open inside with modifications,” he said. “The schools will also be able to reopen for grades 7-12, but it will be a district decision on how that looks.”

VACCINATION UPDATE

To date, over 375,019 San Bernardino County residents had been vaccinated. The county is waiting on news from the state about distribution of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“It’s a single dose and can be stored in a refrigerator,” said Porter. “Like Pfizer and Moderna, it helps the body temporarily make a spike protein. This triggers the immune system to learn to react defensively by producing an immune response.”

On Tuesday, the County announced that food and agricultural workers are now eligible for vaccines. Distribution sites include San Bernardino County, local pharmacies, state-run vaccine sites and private doctors. The state will allow those with severe disabilities to receive the vaccine through their personal providers beginning March 15. These individuals will not be vaccinated through the County sites since private doctors have access to each individual’s necessary medical records. School teachers and education staff are still encouraged to ask their schools if vaccine arrangements have already been made.

NEW APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

All vaccine appointments in San Bernardino County will soon be moving to the state's MyTurn system. To receive alerts about your eligibility, register at https://myturn.ca.gov.

VETERANS

VA Loma Linda offering COVID-19 vaccines to all Veterans ages 50 and up, and Veteran caregivers

The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System has announced that COVID-19 Moderna vaccines are now available for veterans 50+, veteran essential workers and caregivers.

Designated Veteran vaccination clinics operate Monday-Friday, by appointment or walk-in.

VA Loma Linda Medical Center: 11201 Benton St., Loma Linda, CA 92357. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m

Ambulatory Care Center (ACC): 26001 Redlands Blvd., Redlands, CA 92373. 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Make an appointment or simply walk in this week. Call (909) 825-7084 ext. 6212 or ext. 5085 for more information.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Victorville to welcome new fire chief this month

The City of Victorville will welcome its new Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong on March 29. Chief Armstrong brings 24 years of fire and emergency services experience to the department, most recently with the Rio Vista Fire Department in Solano County, California.

“I look forward to continuing the development of Victorville Fire and working with its skilled team of fire professionals to further establish a culture of excellence, inclusion and collaboration,” said Armstrong. “Central to our effort will be to make Victorville Fire a community-focused fire department.”

Armstrong is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer and Fire Marshal by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and holds certificates including Chief Officer and Fire Investigator II.

“Jeff is a proven fire services professional with the breadth of skills, leadership and experience needed to take our City’s fire department to the next level,” said Victorville City Manager, Keith Metzler. “Jeff is joining Victorville Fire at an exciting time. We will rely on his leadership to guide us through expansion of our fire and medical services including standing up Fire Station 315 with new revenue generated by Measure P.”

Fire Station 315 is located in Sunset Ridge Park at 12820 Eucalyptus St, Victorville.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF

Local Sheriff's deputy honored for saving lives

Congratulations to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Corie Smith, who received the Sheriff’s Lifesaving Award for two separate incidents showing extreme bravery and quick thinking during a time of need.

Following are the reports from the Sheriff's department:

On August 26, 2020, Deputy Corie Smith from Victorville Station responded to a stabbing call. When Smith arrived, he found a two-year-old lying in a pool of blood and bleeding profusely from multiple stab wounds in his chest and abdomen. Smith inserted his fingers into the boy’s stab wounds to stop the bleeding and held him until medical help arrived. Smith followed him to the hospital and helped comfort him until he was loaded onto an airship and flown to a trauma center. The two-year-old is alive and doing well thanks to Deputy Smith’s quick and selfless actions.

On July 11, 2020, Corie Smith from the Victorville Station responded to a call of a woman having a medical emergency. When he arrived, he heard a car engine running from inside the garage and saw an unresponsive woman in the driver’s seat. Smith made his way into the garage and the woman came to. In the woman’s lap was a one-year-old, and two small children were in the passenger’s seat. The temperature inside of the garage exceeded 140 degrees and inside of the vehicle registered around 93 degrees. Smith’s quick action led to the safe recovery of the three children.

Thank you, Deputy Smith, for your bravery and quick thinking!

RECREATION

OHV enforcement begins throughout Hesperia

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Hesperia Station is increasing its Off Highway Vehicle patrol and enforcement efforts throughout the city. Residents have been reporting property damage, trespassing issues, and OHV related collisions.

OHV enthusiasts are encouraged to seek legal riding opportunities available to them. Violators risk citation and impoundment of vehicles for failing to comply.

Information on legal riding areas can be found by contacting the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station OHV Team, or by visiting California State Parks and Bureau of Land Management web sites.

For information or questions, please call Sergeant R. Vaccari at (760) 947-1500.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY LIBRARY

County library celebrating Dr. Seuss Week

San Bernardino County Library is celebrating all things Dr. Seuss this week with fun and educational programs for the entire family! Be sure to pick up a craft kit at your local branch in Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Needles, Trona, Wrightwood or Phelan. And be sure to follow them on Facebook so you can join in the fun!

• Dr. Seuss themed crafts - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
  Seuss-tastic art project - 5:30 p.m. Thursday
• Each branch will also be hosting a virtual Dr. Seuss storytime.

PS: Don’t forget to sign up on Beanstack for Celebrating Dr. Seuss Week, and enter the secret codes following the digital programs to earn a chance to win a Seuss themed basket.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DA's office launches 'Justice Talks' podcast

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson and his team have launched a new podcast, "Justice Talks." The podcast is hosted by Public Affairs PSE Grace Underwood, Victim Advocate Ryan Isenberg, Deputy District Attorney Denise Yoakum and Rialto Police Officer Amanda DeLeon. 

The show will center around conversations about "crime, law enforcement, racial equality, and how it affects our local communities." Recorded versions of the show will be available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. 

SMALL BUSINESS

SBA Launching 'Emerging Leaders' Program

The SBA Orange County / Inland Empire District Office is seeking applicants for the 2021 SBA Emerging Leaders program.

The initiative, also dubbed the "Streetwise MBA," is described as a free executive-level series aimed at “accelerating the growth of high-potential small businesses in America’s underserved cities,” according to the SBA.

Over the course of 7 months, participants will work online with mentors, join specialized workshops and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and the financial community.

The application deadline is March 17 and classes begin in April. Apply now at https://interise.org/sbaemergingleaders/

TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE

Eligible families can self-prepare taxes for free

San Bernardino County's Transitional Assistance Department is reminding individuals or families with a 2020 Adjusted Gross Income of $72,000 or less that they can Self-Prepare and eFile your federal and state taxes for free.

Apply in English

Apply in Spanish

For tax return questions and guidance, please call 909-515-8715, or the IRS Taxpayer hotline at  800-829-1040.

FIRST DISTRICT FUN

Join a virtual tour of Mitchell Caverns in Essex

Have you been to Mitchell Caverns in Essex? Although the caverns are still closed to the public due to COVID, you can explore the Permian limestone cave through a unique 3D virtual tour.

Designated as a U.S. National Natural Landmark in 1975, Mitchell Caverns is located in Providence Mountains State Recreation Area.  The caverns gained popularity in 1934, when Jack and Ida Mitchell opened a resort here, which remained active through 1954.

As you explore the two main caves, El Pakiva and Tecopa, you'll discover formations including stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, lily pads, draperies, curtains and cave coral. The caves remain a cool 60 degrees throughout the year.

In addition to the caverns, other nearby activities include two 1/2-mile nature trails which offer breathtaking views of the landscape and a variety of unique desert plants.

Providence Mountains SRA is located 56 miles from Needles on Interstate 40, 116 miles east of Barstow, and 16 miles northwest of I-40 near Essex Road. For more information, please call (760) 928-2586 or visit them online.

STAY UPDATED!

Subscribe on YouTube

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Twitter