First District Public Safety Personnel Receive Lifesaving Awards

Our San Bernardino County Sheriff's and San Bernardino County Fire departments have been busy this month honoring several public safety personnel for their bravery and lifesaving efforts.

I would like to take the opportunity to highlight some of our First District heroes and thank them for their selfless and courageous service to our community!

• Mountain High Resort's Ski Patrol members Amando Hernandez, Joseph Valdez, Wyatt Benson, Rebecca Gilbert, Billie Davis and Jimmy Vu (pictured above) were honored with a Lifesaving Award by San Bernardino County Fire during this month's Wrightwood Community Services District meeting. Thanks to their quick thinking and training, they saved the life of a visitor who was having a seizure at the resort. 
• Apple Valley Station Deputy James Chapdelaine was honored for administering first aid to a stabbing victim, maintaining pressure on his neck until medical personnel arrived, and saving his life.
• Victor Valley Station deputies Michael Whitney, Veronica Stone, Andrew Collins and Robert Sanchez were honored for saving several adults and children stuck during a snow storm on "Gobbler's Knob" near Wrightwood.
• Hesperia Station Deputy Jonathan Campos was honored for administering CPR to an unresponsive man who overdosed on Fentanyl. When the fire department arrived, they administered Narcan and the man survived.
• CHP Pilot Officer Wes Cline, CHP Officer Alex Manciu, Sheriff's Air Medic Reserve Deputy Stephen Miller and Air Medic Dr. Robert Katzer were honored for their quick response administering medical aid and air transport to a man who was impaled by a tree branch near Kelso Dunes.
• Hesperia Station Deputy Elizabeth Holguin was honored for administering CPR to a suspected drug overdose victim. After receiving Narcan from fire department personnel, the man became responsive and ultimately recovered.
• Victorville Station Deputy Daniela Ramos was honored for saving the life of an unconscious woman who had overdosed on drugs. After two rounds of chest compressions, the victim regained a pulse and began breathing.
• Hesperia Station Corporal Eric Rose, Deputy Casey Allen, Deputy Jessica Aguilera, Engineer Mike Demoff, Deputy Jacob Hernandez and Deputy Dough Brimmer were honored for saving the life of CHP K-9 Sam, who was stabbed by a suspect hiding in a bush.

Thank you to all of the honorees! This recognition is well deserved, and we are so fortunate to have you serving our First District community!

Victor Valley Transit Executive Director Honored at Spring Conference

Congratulations to Victor Valley Transit Authority’s Executive Director, Kevin Kane, who received the “Wall of Excellence” award during CalAct’s Spring Conference Awards in Newport Beach.

Kevin received the award for his outstanding leadership in the public transportation sector.

“Kevin is a leader in public transit and has made significant contributions to the industry," said City of Clovis General Services Manager Amy Hance, who presented him with the award. "His ability to develop creative solutions to tough problems has set the standard for public operators throughout the state. He is generous with his time and knowledge, and is always willing to pitch in and provide assistance to others.”

Thank you, Kevin, for providing excellent service to the residents of the First District!

Victorville Prosecutor Deena Pribble Receives Award for Excellence

Congratulations to Deputy District Attorney Deena Pribble, a prosecutor in the Victorville Family Violence Unit, who recently received San Bernardino County’s Public Service Recognition Award for Excellence.

In addition to working in the courtroom to protect victims and punish offenders, Deena has fostered relationships with local domestic violence shelters and has provided four state mandated DV trainings for the Family Assistance Program. She also coaches the Oak Hills High School Mock Trial team and was the driving force behind Law Day at Oak Hills High School.

Congratulations, Deena! Thank you for all you do to protect victims' rights and inspire our students in the First District.

California Cadet Corps Holds 18th Brigade Pass in Review

Policy advisor Christopher Porter was pleased to join LTC Kenneth M. Cook-Askins, Jr. at the California Cadet Corps' 18th Brigade Pass in Review. Held in Oro Grande, the event celebrated the accomplishments of our High Desert cadets, who won awards at this year’s State Cadet of the Year and State Drill competitions.

Congratulations to the following students, who placed at the state’s Individual Major Awards Competition at Camp San Luis Obispo. The competition consisted of an interview board process covering questions from the California Cadet Corps curriculum, oral presentation on a national topic, uniform inspection, written exam, drill and ceremonies marching assessment, compass and map reading assessment, and physical fitness test.

• C/SGT Ethan Humphrey, Riverside Preparatory School, 1st Place, State of California, Junior Division NCO
• C/SGT Jack Poulsen, Riverside Preparatory School, 2nd Place, State of California, Senior Division First Year Cadet
• C/SSG Cassidy Pritchard, Barstow High School, 1st Place, Senior Division NCO
• CFC Payton Harris, Summit Leadership Academy High Desert, 3rd Place, State of California, Junior Division First Year
• C/1LT Miguel Carbajal, Riverside Preparatory School, 3rd Place, State of California, Senior Division Officer

The following schools placed in the State Championship Drill Competition, held at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.

Riverside Preparatory School, Oro Grande:

• 1st Place Middle School Unarmed Squad, State of California
• 1st Place Middle School Unarmed Platoon, State of California
• 1st Place Middle School Color Guard, State of California
• 1st Place High School Individual Armed Drill Down, State of California
• 2nd Place High School Unarmed Platoon, State of California
• 3rd Place High School Armed Platoon, State of California
• 3rd Place High School Color Guard, State of California

Barstow High School

• 3rd Place, High School Unarmed Individual Drill Down, State of California

Well done!

Boy Scout Mahkai Shelton Builds Lending Libraries for Service Project

Thanks to Boy Scout Mahkai Shelton, who erected four lending libraries at Victorville's fire stations as part of his Eagle Scout service project. The lending libraries can be found at Fire Stations 312, 313, 314 and 315 in Victorville. What a wonderful project aligning with our Countywide Vision to promote reading and literacy!

Sheriff's Department Teams up with Multiple Agencies for OHV Education

This spring, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Off-Road Team collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Army Corp of Engineers, Hesperia Parks District, Hesperia Police Department, BNSF Railway, and the San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force to patrol off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas.

Team members educated OHV riders on the safe and proper use of vehicles, encouraged the use of helmets and seat belts, and emphasized the importance of using legal OHV trails and open areas.

Guidance was provided to over 2,000 riders. As part of enforcement efforts, 15 citations were issued, 459 warnings were given, 1 arrest was made, and 2 vehicles were towed. Deputies also provided medical aid to an injured motorcycle rider, who was transported to a hospital for treatment. 

Following are several resources provided by the Sheriff's department for safe and responsible OHV riding:

• San Bernardino National Forest - OHV Riding & Camping (usda.gov)
• Off-Highway Vehicles | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov)
• State Vehicular Recreation Areas (ca.gov)
• Off Highway Vehicles – Parks (sbcounty.gov)
• OHV Trails - Southern California Mountains Foundation
• California Trail Map

Free Class on Gulf War Exposures Planned Tomorrow via WebEx

Veterans are invited to join a free virtual class on Gulf War Exposures & Health Concerns on Thursday, May 12. The event will offer information on potential exposures, research findings, health effects, available resources and steps to manage symptoms. It will take place from 10:30 a.m. until noon via WebEx. For more information, click here.

County's Mobile ARC Unit Will Be at Victor Valley College Today

The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk (ARC) Mobile Unit will be providing the secure issuance of vital records copies (birth, death and marriage certificates) today at Victor Valley College. Residents interested in using the Mobile Unit service can schedule an appointment by visiting https://arc.sbcounty.gov/mobileunit/

Public Works Makes Improvements to Summit Valley Road in Hesperia

Your San Bernardino County Public Works crews have been busy chipsealing Summit Valley Road in Hesperia. This newly improved roadway will surely be appreciated by motorists traveling through the area.

Did you know? SeeClickFix is a free mobile app for Android and Apple that connects you with San Bernardino County Public Works to make reports on road issues, sidewalk issues, potholes and more.

Download it now at the following links!

• Google Play
• Apple App Store
• Website

Annual Green Waste Recycling Days Planned for Tri-Community in June

Attention Wrightwood, Pinon Hills and Phelan residents! Don't miss the Tri-Community Green Waste Recycling Days event planned June 3-5.  San Bernardino County Fire will be on site to offer their popular FREE chipping program. Residents are invited to bring cut brush and branches, limbs up to 15 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length. Pine needles and pine cones will be recycled. For more information, please call 760-249-3249.

Ranchero Road Corridor Project Begins Today in Hesperia

The Ranchero Corridor project begins today, May 11! Plan ahead and expect delays through the duration of the 18-month construction. Road work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays. Detours will be posted onsite with intermittent delays and/or road closures. For more information about the project, click here.

Victor Valley College's High Desert Community Job Fair Takes Place Today

Victor Valley College is hosting a Community Job Fair from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. today, May 11, outside the Student Activities Center.

Held in partnership with Goodwill Southern California, High Desert Chamber of Commerce, San Bernardino County Workforce Development, and Victor Valley News Group, the job fair will feature more than 100 local employers and resources.

Interested job applicants should arrive in professional attire with plenty of resumes on hand. For more information, please contact Melina Rodriguez at 760-245-4271, ext. 2271, or email melina.rodriguez@vvc.edu

Countywide Educator Recruitment Fair Planned This Saturday

Looking for a career in education? Join the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools for the annual Countywide Educator Recruitment Fair on Saturday, May 14. The event takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dorothy Inghram Learning Center in San Bernardino.

For more information, contact Enjoli Gomez at (909) 386-9561. Register here.

Desert Mountain Education Center to Host Parent-to-Parent Group Chats

Desert Mountain Education Center in Apple Valley is hosting “Parent-to-Parent Group Chats,” a FREE and interactive workshop for parents, caregiver and guardians to help build connections, create community, and learn new parenting tools. Topics include connecting with your child (infant to teen), self-care, establishing routines, and parenting tips. The workshop will be held at 10 a.m. today. For more information, contact Krystal Sandoval at (760) 955-3576. Register here.

Encore High School Film Students Are Statewide Finalists in Contest

Congratulations to Encore High School students Luke Jones, Trinity Kissler, Preston Poutre, Aidan Rahder and Howard Chase, whose film, "Pulling Strings," is a statewide finalist for mental health matters in the Directing Change Program and Film Contest. The film uses puppets to bring attention to teen mental health awareness and suicide prevention. 

Watch the video and vote here!

Rock'n Our Disabilities Hosting Autism Support Group Twice a Month

Rock'n Our Disabilities Foundation has partnered with High Desert Autism Support Group to host in-person parent support groups twice a month. The groups meet at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information, call (760) 998-2241 or visit https://rocknourdisabilitiesfoundation.org/

Free Propane Recycling Event Planned in Victorville Saturday

Head over to Victorville's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday to receive a free reusable 1-pound propane cylinder! 

High Desert residents will receive a free reusable cylinder when you bring an empty 1-pound propane cylinder for exchange, or sign a pledge to no longer use single-use cylinders. One reusable cylinder per household is provided while supplies last.

The City of Victorville's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is located on Loves Lane behind the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds. Learn more.

Greater High Desert Chamber Hosting 'Ignite High Desert' in Hesperia on May 19

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 $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

Helendale CSD Kicking Off Concert Series with Gypsy Dreams

Helendale CSD will host its first Concert in the Park this Saturday, May 14, featuring Fleetwood Mac tribute band Gypsy Dreams. The CSD will also have food vendors, a beer garden, and classic cars on display from The Sunsetters. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. at Helendale Community Park, located at 15425 Wild Road in Helendale. For more information, please call 760-951-0006.

'Walk the Blocks' Street Fair Planned Saturday in Old Town Victorville

Old Town Victorville is hosting a "Walk the Blocks" street fair this Saturday. Enjoy local shopping, bounce houses, vendors, live music and art displays. For more information, call (760) 843-7003, ext.153, or email oldtownvictorville@gmail.com

Victor Valley Museum Planning Cosmic Nights Experience on Saturday

Victor Valley Museum will host its next Cosmic Nights event on Saturday in partnership with the High Desert Astronomical Society. Guests are invited to set up portable lawn chairs and blankets for extended viewing. The event runs from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. outdoors, weather permitting. Museum galleries will be open during the event and regular admission applies.

The museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley. For more information, please call (760) 240-2111.