Helendale CSD Celebrates 15 Years of Serving the Community

Congratulations to the Helendale Community Services District, which celebrated its 15th anniversary last week. Our office was pleased to present a proclamation to the CSD in honor of this very special occasion.

Since its inception, the Helendale CSD has facilitated many valuable improvements in the community. This has included drilling new wells, meter replacements, sewer system and wastewater treatment plant improvements, and the establishment of an award-winning recycling center for landfill diversion.

The CSD also developed the first public park in Helendale, complete with playgrounds and sports fields. On top of that, the board regularly hosts special community events, including Concerts in the Park, gardening workshops, paint nights and more.

Congratulations to the CSD on 15 years of accomplishments! Thank you for your efforts to improve the quality of life and sense of community for Helendale's residents.

Did you know that the First District is home to four community services districts? They include Baker CSD, Phelan-Pinon Hills CSD, Helendale CSD and Wrightwood CSD. Community Service Districts are part of California Special Districts, which allow local communities to provide a new, or a higher level, of services to their residents. Examples of CSD services include street lighting, water and garbage services, fire protection, parks & recreation, sewer/wastewater management, and more. Each CSD has five directors on its board, who are elected to four-year terms.

Caring Circuit Institute Offers Employment Opportunities for Developmentally Disabled

Policy Advisor Christopher Porter joined the community in celebration of the Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Caring Circuit Institute. The Institute's mission is to provide value, love and employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. They are located at 13911 Park Ave., Suite 210​, Victorville.

On behalf of the First District, we wish you great success and thank you for providing the High Desert with such a very important resource!

Crumbl Cookies Celebrates Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting in Apple Valley

Policy Advisor Christopher Porter joined the Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce’s ribbon cutting and grand opening for Crumbl Cookies. Located in Apple Valley, the bakery specializes in a a rotating menu of freshly baked warm cookies each week.

Some of their recent offerings include the Waffle Cookie, smothered with maple syrup and buttercream frosting, and their Berries & Cream, a chilled strawberry and blueberry cookie topped with whipped cream and blueberry jam.

Apple Valley's Crumbl Cookies is located at 19179 Bear Valley Rd., Suite 10. For more information, please call (760) 503-4804.

County Fire Station 304 in Hesperia Welcomes New Water Tender

San Bernardino County Fire Station 304, located in the City of Hesperia, has welcomed a new water tender into service. According to the department, the new tender carries 1,800 gallons of water and can pump 500 gallons per minute!

Captain Jeremy Kern said that the unit's multi-use package will allow the tender to function on a multitude of fires. It has a remote joystick in the cab, allowing crews to stay inside while directing the flow of water, nozzle pattern and direction.

"While many of our areas utilize municipal fire hydrants, this new tender will help bring additional water to the scene when a hydrant isn’t nearby," said Kern. "The high ground clearance, four-wheel drive and rear locker will allow the vehicle to traverse rough terrain and make access like a Brush Engine or Brush Patrol." 

This new tender will be a wonderful addition to our public safety efforts in Hesperia, and the entire High Desert.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Hiring For Multiple Positions

Looking for work? The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is hiring for a variety of sworn, and non-sworn positions! 

Following are some of the department's current job openings and jobs that are open on a continual basis. 

Open Positions:
• Department Management Analyst I & II
• Department Management Analyst ll Trainee
• Deputy Sheriff Trainee
• Deputy Sheriff - Lateral
• Deputy Sheriff - Pre-Service
• Sheriff's Lieutenant
• Accountant III
• Office Assistant III
• Sheriff's Communications Dispatcher I & II
• Sheriff's Sergeant
• Help Desk Technician II
• Forensic Pathologist
• Sheriff's Fleet Supervisor

Go to SBCounty.gov/jobs to view the job descriptions and apply today!

County Sheriff, Code Enforcement Address Illegal OHV Riding in Oak Hills

Over the weekend, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department's Off Highway Enforcement Team and officers from San Bernardino County Code Enforcement met with Oak Hills residents about the influx of illegal OHV riding throughout the area.

There are several legal areas to ride in our region. Those areas include Dumont Dunes, El Mirage Dry Lake, Stoddard Valley, Rasor and Johnson Valley.

Deputies are increasing enforcement throughout the region, so please be respectful of private neighborhoods and property.

High Desert Keepers Hosting Cleanup in Adelanto This Weekend

Thanks to everyone who turned out to help High Desert Keepers with Operation Brawley last weekend! The group always appreciates volunteers!

High Desert Keepers is hosting a community cleanup this weekend, April 16-17, in City of Adelanto. Volunteers are needed to assist with the event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Meet at the corner of Aster and Auburn.  Lunch will be provided. For more information, please call 760-792-7399.

Local Animal Shelters Offering Special Adoption Rates This Week

Our San Bernardino County Animal Shelters are hosting a Pet Adoption Event in honor of Yanni, our unofficial shelter mascot.  Between April 9-17, all dogs are $25 and cats are $17. Please visit https://animalcare.sbcounty.gov to see the animals available for adoption.

Additionally, all dogs and cats are only $10 at Hesperia Animal Shelter through April 16. View available animals at 24petconnect.com

Fort Irwin Installs Watering System for Mojave Desert's Native Wildlife

National Training Center/Fort Irwin recently installed a new high-capacity watering system for desert bighorn sheep, mountain lions, quail, desert tortoises and other native wildlife. The 7,000-gallon guzzler will provide the animals with water for an entire year!

A Better Way Offering Free Classes for Victims of Domestic Violence

A Better Way is offering free domestic violence victim impact classes at 1 p.m. Wednesdays via Zoom.

The nonprofit is also offering a peer support group from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Wednesdays. These classes are open to anyone who has been or is currently a victim of domestic violence and needs support.

Learn more about the classes and support groups by calling 760-955-8010.

If you are a victim of domestic violence needing advice or assistance, call their hotline 24/7 at 760-955-8723. In an emergency, always call or text 911 first.

Green Tree Extension Project to Close Portions of Hesperia Road Through July

Victorville's Hesperia Road, between Sunset Drive and Coad Road, will be closed through July 8 for construction on the Green Tree Extension Project. 

Shoulder access will not be available, and lanes will be narrow. The traffic signal at Green Tree Boulevard will flash red and stop signs will be in place.

This important roadway project will extend Hesperia Road over the BNSF railroad tracks via a 600-foot-long bridge. When complete, Green Tree Boulevard will connect to Ridgecrest and Yates roads just north of Spring Valley Lake. 

Expect delays during construction, and use alternate routes if possible. For more information, please call (760) 955-5158.

High Desert America's Job Center Hosting Industrial Mechanic Job Fair

San Bernardino County Workforce Development and Victor Valley College are teaming up to present an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Job Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 14. 

Registered employers include Mitsubishi, Rio Tinto, Arden Companies, Robertson's Ready Mix, UFI, Tree Island Wire, Amazon, CEMEX and CalPortland.

Please register here. The event will take place 13313 Sabre Blvd., Suite 2, Victorville.

All Library Cardholders Can Now Visit California State Parks for Free!

Did you know? If you're a San Bernardino County Library cardholder, you can now "check out" a free vehicle day use pass to more than 200 of our California State Parks! Each library will receive three passes, good for one vehicle with up to nine passengers. The pass may not be used for boating, camping or special events.

San Bernardino County library locations in the First District include Apple Valley, Adelanto, Trona, Hesperia, Phelan and Wrightwood. (Passes will be available at all California public libraries). Learn more here.

Silverwood Lake SRA Considering Guided Kayaking Tours This Summer

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is seeking public input on possible docent-led kayak tours this summer (bring your own kayak). The park is seeking information on community interest, the best times and days for tours, your experience level, and what kind of information you would like to learn on the tours. The survey will be open through May 1.

Silverwood Lake is located at 14651 Cedar Circle in Hesperia. For more information, please call (760) 389-2281 or visit them online.

California Route 66 Museum Seeking Volunteer Docents and Cashiers

Are you a fan of Route 66 history? Do you enjoy meeting new people from around the world?  The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville is seeking volunteer docents and cashiers. These are non-paid positions with on-site training. 

The museum's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. To learn more, call (760) 951-0436 or email cart66musm@gmail.com

Ignite High Desert Promises a Fast-Paced Night of Inspiration and Ideas

Tickets are now on sale for Ignite High Desert, a fun and inspirational night of motivational speakers from across the region. 

This year’s event will feature 21 speakers, who promise to share a fast-paced night of “ideas, inspiration, humor, and maybe even a tear or two.” 

The cost to attend is $20 before April 19, $25 before May 18, and $30 at the door. It will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Victor Valley Christian Church in Hesperia. 

Tickets are available through the Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce at https://www.ghdcc.com/events/details/ignite-high-desert-3450

High Desert to Celebrate Easter With Festivals, Egg Hunts and More

Easter will be celebrated this Sunday, April 17, and the First District is planning several fun family activities to honor the occasion.

City of Victorville will host its annual Spring Festival on April 16 at Hook Park. Visitors can enjoy egg hunts (for kids 3-9 and special needs families), a kids zone, carnival games, visits with the Easter Bunny, vendors and more. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 14973 Joshua Street. For more information, call (760) 245-5551 or visit them online.

Hesperia Recreation and Park District will host its Kids Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. April 16 at Hesperia Community Park, located at 10200 Datura Road. In addition to the egg hunt, guests can enjoy bounce houses, carnival games, car show, vendor booths, food trucks and photos with the Easter Bunny. For more information, call (760) 244-5488 or visit them online.

Town of Apple Valley will host its Bunny Run 5K and 10K beginning at 7 a.m. on April 16, followed by the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Eggstravaganza. The event will include fun activities, food, games and more. The event will take place at the James Woody Park and Community Center at 13467 Navajo Road. For more information, call (760) 240-7880 or visit them online.

Burning Bush Church will host a Community Event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16. All are welcome to enjoy free bounce houses, games, food, music, covid testing (with a free gift card for everyone who tests), vaccinations (with free food from a food truck), a photo booth, and vendors. For more information, please call (760) 241-6221 or visit them online.

Calico Ghost Town’s Easter Celebration returns to Yermo on Sunday, April 17. Guests can enjoy photos with the Easter Bunny and a special pancake breakfast with eggs and bacon at the Calico House Restaurant. Learn more by calling 760-254-1123 or visit them online.  

High Desert Second Chance is hosting its annual Easter Event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Enjoy free family activities, giveaways and prizes, and a classic car show and contest. The event will take place at 16666 Smoke Tree Street, Building B4, Hesperia. Public parking is available on Chestnut, C Avenue and Smoke Tree streets. For more information, call 442-267-4444.

The Wrightwood Property Owners Association will host an Easter breakfast and Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. April 17. The event will feature an appearance by San Bernardino County Fire Station 14. All activities will take place on Wrightwood Elementary School's upper field. For more information, visit http://wwpoa.org/ or call 818-588-5286.