Vaccines now available to residents 16 and up; County moves into less-restrictive orange tier

I’m pleased to report that on Tuesday the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved eligibility for all residents ages 16 and up to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, effective immediately.

“We have the capacity to get it done, and it’s time we give everyone the opportunity to get vaccinated,” said interim Public Health Director Andrew Goldfrach. “We are ready to adjust our operations and facilitate more vaccinations.”

I’d like to commend our County for the progress we’ve made in getting the vaccines distributed. We have a huge amount of rural area to cover, unlike smaller condensed counties such as Los Angeles. In fact, at 20,105 square miles, we are the largest county in the contiguous United States! 

Several COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned in the First District this week at the following locations:

• Wednesday, April 7: Barstow Senior Center, 555 Melissa Ave., Barstow, CA 92311. One-Dose Appointment / Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Register here.
• Thursday, April 8: Helendale Community Services District, 26540 Vista Rd., Helendale, CA 92342. One-Dose Appointment / Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Register here.
• Friday, April 9: Trona Library, 82805 Mountain View St., Trona. One-Dose Appointment / Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Register here.
• Friday, April 9: Friendly Temple Church of God, 16570 E St, Victorville, CA. One-Dose Appointment / Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Call (760) 241-9900 for reservations.
• There are also several available appointments at Hook Community Center in Victorville and Hesperia Health Center in Hesperia today through Saturday for the Pfizer vaccine.
• Enrolled Veterans at VA Loma Linda Medical Center can walk in, or make an appointment for the Janssen single-dose clinic from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. today through Friday. Ages 18+. Call 909-825-7084 ext. 5085 to make an appointment.

San Bernardino County is continuing to focus on vaccinating individuals in our hardest-hit communities, including prioritizing skilled nursing facilities where new patients and staff continue to cycle through the units.

County moves into Orange Tier today

Today, April 7, San Bernardino County moves into the Orange Tier. Following are some of the changes you can expect:

• Restaurant capacity increases to a maximum of 50% or 200 people, whichever is fewer
• Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries can resume indoor service at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
• Bars without food service can reopen outdoors with safety modifications
• Museums, Zoos, Aquariums can increase indoor capacity to 50%
• Movie Theater capacity increases to 50% or 200 people, whichever is fewer
• Family Entertainment Centers & Bowling Alleys can resume indoors at 25% capacity – or at 50% if guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination, per the California Department of Public Health
• Amusement Parks capacity increases to 25% with in-state visitors only
• Outdoor Live Events with assigned seats can increase to 33% with in-state visitors only
• Indoor Retail can return to 100% capacity

Read more

Board Opposes Release of Violent Predators from Other Counties into San Bernardino County

During Tuesday's Board Meeting, Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe proposed a resolution opposing other county judges from placing dangerous predators into San Bernardino County.

Unfortunately, this has become too common of an occurrence, whereas San Bernardino County retains its offenders when it's time for release.

The resolution was prompted after an Orange County Superior Court judge ordered the release of sexually violent predator Lawtis Donald Rhoden into Twentynine Palms — not far from a school and a 13-year-old's residence. Rhoden's crimes include sexual assaulting and raping minors in three different states, including California's Los Angeles and Orange counties. Rhoden has no known ties to San Bernardino County. 

I strongly support Supervisor Rowe's resolution. The people of San Bernardino County resent being used as a dumping ground for violent offenders from other counties. There is a misconception that because we are a largely rural county, these offenders will be far removed from anyone they can harm. This couldn't be farther from the truth, and it's our duty as elected officials to protect our families and residents from these individuals.

I urge other County judges to stop this unfair practice and begin taking ownership and responsibility for their most violent members of society.

VETERANS

Poker Run to benefit Orenda Veterans Project

The Victor Valley Marine Corp League Detachment 1383 is hosting its 1st Annual Poker Run on Saturday, May 29. Proceeds will benefit the Orenda Veterans Project, Inc., supporting the veterans of San Bernardino County.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Victorville Harley-Davidson, located at 14522 Valley Center Drive, Victorville. Cost is $30 per rider, $15 per passenger and $5 for extra poker hand. All hands are due by 2:30 p.m., and the winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

ROUTE (71 miles):

1. Victorville Harley-Davidson, 14522 Valley Center Drive, Victorville
2. The Grind Coffee House, 12111 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley
3. Encompass Gifts Antiques, 23775 Lake Drive, Crestline
4. The Village Grind, 6020 Park Drive, Wrightwood
5. The Yodeler, 6046 Park Drive, Wrightwood

For more information, please contact Ramona Evey at (805) 418-0382. Register online at https://mclvv.org/

VA Loma Linda's CBOC has moved

The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System Victorville Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) has moved to a new location at 15632 Outer Bear Valley Road, Suite 104, Victorville, CA 92395.
For. more information, please call (760) 951-2599.

TRANSPORTATION

CalTrans to begin $2.2 million resurfacing project on I-15 from Hesperia to Mountain Pass

Beginning Thursday, April 8, Caltrans District 8 will begin work on a $2.2 million resurfacing project on Interstate 15 (I-15) from Hesperia to Mountain Pass, near the Nevada state line.

The project will feature bridge deck approach and departure resurfacing, side slope repair, joint seal replacement and removal of existing asphalt and installation of polyester concrete along the freeway.

Alternating lane closures are planned in both NB & SB directions between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays nightly and into Sunday mornings between Hesperia and state line. On and off ramps will be subject to closure between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. There will be NO northbound I-15 closures on Friday nights, and NO southbound I-15 closures on Sunday nights into Monday morning.

The project is expected to be complete in late Fall of 2021. Schedules may change due to inclement weather.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Blood Drive planned in Hesperia on Friday in honor of San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy

Hesperia Police Department is hosting a special blood drive in honor of Deputy Dustin Whitson from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Friday, April 9.

Deputy Whitson was shot during a call in Hesperia on March 23 by Robert Elvis Sparks. Whitson “continues to gradually improve,” the department said Tuesday, March 30. Sparks has been charged with five counts of attempted murder on a peace officer and one count each of grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon, the District Attorney’s Office said

Can you help with this Gift of Life? Walk in or make an appointment.

PUBLIC SAFETY

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month! The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Apple Valley Station is encouraging drivers to give the phone a break and focus on the road.

Throughout the month of April, the Apple Valley Station will have additional officers on patrol specifically looking for drivers who violate the state’s hands-free cell phone law. According to the 2020 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, more than 75% of surveyed drivers listed “Distracted Driving because of TEXTING” as their biggest safety concern.

• Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while behind the wheel. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free.
• If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over and park at a safe location. Drivers should silence their phones or put the phone out of reach, such as the glove box or trunk.

ENVIRONMENT

Community Clean Up Days planned for Saturday in Helendale and Apple Valley Lion's Park

Helendale CSD's Community Clean Up Day will take place from 8-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 10. Residents may bring large items, furniture, green waste, mattresses, tires without rims, electronic waste and general trash. Onsite document shredding will also be offered. Please enter the cleanup from Jordan Rd. The event will take place at 26540 Vista Rd. Masks will be required. 

The Apple Valley Code Enforcement Department will host a Neighborhood Clean-up Event for residents only at Lion’s Park on April 10. For the safety of the staff and public, masks are required. Items will be accepted free of charge at Lion’s Park on South Outer Highway 18 just east of Dale Evans Parkway from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until the bins have exceeded their capacity. No refrigerators, TVs or hazardous waste will be accepted at Lion’s Park. However, household hazardous waste can be taken to the collection facility at the Public Works yard at 13450 Nomwaket Road on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about the Code Enforcement Neighborhood Clean-up events visit https://www.applevalley.org/services/code-enforcement.

EDUCATION

Education and Workforce Readiness Summit kicks off today featuring Supt. Ted Alejandre

The Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce and Think Together will be presenting their inaugural Inland Empire Education and Workforce Readiness Summit at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7.

The event will bring together leaders in the business, education, and nonprofit sectors. The goal is to foster collaboration between sectors and create a dialogue on how to support local K-12 students in their preparation for future careers.

Participants will include:
• Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together
• Ted Alejandre, superintendent of San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
• Angelov Farooq, chairman at California Workforce Development Board
• Edwin Gomez, Riverside County superintendent of schools
• Edward Ornelas Jr., president and CEO of Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce

For more information, visit www.iechamber.org.

CAREERS

High school students can learn how to join the San Bernardino County Sheriff on April 14

Attention High School educators!

Are your students headed for a career in law enforcement? Do your students know what steps to take in entering the profession? If so, please have your juniors and seniors join the upcoming webinar, "The Application and Academy Process for the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department," planned for 9 a.m. April 14.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Department Deputy Jones will describe his background and then demonstrate how to navigate the SBCSD Academy application process. He will cover the following topics:

• How do you pursue a career in law enforcement, and in particular at the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department?
• What skills and abilities are desired by the SBCSD?
• What education/training is required for a career in law enforcement?
• How does content learned in school tie into work as a peace officer?

Register here

TAX COLLECTOR

Reminder: County property taxes due April 12

The San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector’s office is reminding residents that property taxes are due on April 12. The Tax Collector lobby is now open and accepting in-person payments. You may also submit your payments securely online by electronic funds transfer or by calling (909) 387-8308. For more information, or to make a payment, click here.

TRANSPORTATION

Caltrans seeks public comment for Brightline's Apple Valley to Rancho Cucamonga segment

The public is invited to submit comments regarding California Department of Transportation's proposal to assist XpressWest in the development of an electric high-speed passenger rail system from Apple Valley to Rancho Cucamonga that would run primarily along Interstate 15.

On March 29, the proposal for the Cajon Pass segment was announced, which will add 50 miles within the existing I-15 corridor right of way protected by a median barrier, ending with a station at Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink train station.

The 15-day Notice of Intent period ends at 5 p.m. April 13, 2021.  The public may submit comments in two different ways:

• Electronically by emailing david.matza@dot.ca.gov
• By mail: David Matza at California Department of Transportation, District 8 Office — 464 West 4th Street, 12th Floor, San Bernardino, California 92401.

FIRST DISTRICT FUN

Skyline Drive-In prepares to reopen on April 23

Back in the 1950s, California's warm climate and mild nights made drive-in movies a popular pastime. Sadly, these historic theaters are a dying breed, and there are just a few of them remaining in California.

Fortunately for us, there’s a drive-in theater located here in our own backyard — the Skyline Drive-In in Barstow This historic drive-in theatre has two screens showing current releases, and is scheduled to reopen on April 23.

Skyline Drive-In is located at 31175 Old Hwy 58, Barstow, CA 92311. For more information, call (760) 256-3333.

Photo: California's Outdoor Playground / Michael Kilgore⁠⁠

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