Celebrate Independence Day at These First District Festivals

On Monday, our nation will gather to celebrate Independence Day. Here in the First District, a number of community events, ranging from fireworks displays to 5Ks, are planned to honor the occasion. Here are a few:

• Victorville's 4th of July Freedom Festival will take place from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds. This free event is the biggest fireworks show in the High Desert, and will be accompanied by patriotic music simulcast on Kat Country 100.7 FM. The fireworks show, presented by the City of Victorville, will start around 9 p.m. The fairgrounds are located at 14800 7th Street, Victorville. For more information, call 760-955-5000.
• Apple Valley’s 24th Annual Fourth of July Freedom Festival will take place from 2-9 p.m. July 4 at Lenny Brewster Sports Center. Enjoy activities, food, vendors and a beer garden. Live music will be provided by Wally Pride from 2-4:30 p.m. and Charlie’s Angels Band from 6:30-9 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m., simulcast by Y-102 radio. Entrance and parking is free. Lenny Brewster Sports Center is located at 21024 Otoe Rd. In Apple Valley. For more information, please call 760-240-7880.
• The 25th Annual Fireworks Spectacular will take place at 5 p.m. July 4 at Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark. Enjoy live music from Carol-Lyn’s All Stars, bounce houses, inflatable waterslides and other activities. The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. and will be simulcast in the Sportspark and on KDUC 94.3 and 102.5 FM. There is no public parking for the fireworks show. Victor Valley Transit Authority will provide free bus services on the “Firecracker Express” to and from the event. Pickups will be offered at four locations at Dana Park, Stringham (Pitcher) Park, Barstow Jr. High and Barstow Community College. Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark is located at 2800 Mayor Katy Pkwy, Barstow. For more information, please call 760-256-5617. 
• A free Fourth of July 5k Run/Walk will take place at the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark on Monday in Barstow. Registration will begin at 7 a.m and the 5k Run/Walk will start at 7:30 a.m. Public parking is available at the Sportspark during the 5K Run/Walk. Pre-register online. For more information, please call 760-256-5617. 
• Mountain View Baptist Church in Hesperia is hosting an Independence Day Patriotic Event on July 3. The community is invited to attend this special event, which will include a BBQ, games and other activities. Guests are invited to wear their red, white and blue. There will also be a speech competition in which folks will be presenting their favorite famous American patriotic speeches. In the past, guests have recited Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give me Death," and other speeches. The church is located at 15131 Sequoia St, Hesperia. For more information, please call (760) 244-0770.
• The annual Apple Valley Firecracker Run will take place on Saturday, July 2, at Brewster Park. Check-in is at 6 a.m. and the race starts at 7 a.m. Pre-registration ends Thursday, June 30. Entry is $21 until June 30, then $25 on the day of the race. Brewster Park is located at 21024 Otoe Rd., Apple Valley. Register here.

Please remember that fireworks, including “safe and sane” items, are illegal in most of San Bernardino County and on all Bureau of Land Management public lands. Here in the First District, “Safe and Sane” fireworks are only allowed in City of Adelanto. To report illegal fireworks, call 760-956-5001 or click here. Victorville residents can report illegal fireworks anonymously here. Be sure to include the date, time, and specific location of the alleged activity. Photos and videos of incidents will aid in the investigation.

As we gather to celebrate Independence Day, please remember that fireworks can cause great distress to both pets and our military Veterans. Often, the loud pops remind combat Veterans of traumatic experiences they had on the battlefield, and one in five dogs go missing due to the explosive sounds. Please be considerate of our Veterans and four-legged neighbors when celebrating.

Happy Fourth!

Victorville Police Explorers Post 502 Takes First Place at National Competition

Congratulations to Victorville Police Department Explorers Post 502, who came in first place out of 26 teams competing at the 2022 Las Vegas ExCon Explorer competition. Well done!

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department to Enforce Waterways

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Marine Enforcement Unit is reminding boaters to drive sober and wear life jackets this Independence Day weekend. The department is participating in its annual Operation Dry Water enforcement, which educates the public on safe boating practices.

Planned July 2-4, the event focuses on reducing the number of alcohol and drug related incidents and fatalities on the water. Deputies will also be on heightened alert looking for individuals boating under the influence. The month of July sees the highest total number of recreational boating incidents nationally.

For more information regarding safe boating practices, visit the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways website.

Women's Self-Defense Training Offered by County Sheriff's Department

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is continuing its "Lady Be Aware" self-defense training on July 30, Aug. 27, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22.
The single-day training helps women develop the attitude, skills and knowledge to prevent them from becoming victims. To register, email Ladybeaware@sbcsd.org.

High Desert Veterans Resource Fair Planned Thursday in Barstow

The annual High Desert Resource Fair & Veterans Connection will take place from 1-4 p.m. Thursday at the Cora Harper Fitness Center in Barstow.

Held by Barstow Community Coalition, this free event will offer a variety of resources on Veterans services, in addition to healthcare, mental health, education, employment and more. There will also be free health screenings, VA loan assistance, and a mobile mental health clinic for veterans.

The San Bernardino County Public Defender’s office will be on site to assist with expungement for some offenses, and the County's Assessor-Recorder office will provide copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates for a fee.

For more information, click here.

Hesperia's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site Changing Hours

Beginning August 1, Hesperia's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) will have new hours of operation. Residents will still be able to safely dispose of household hazardous waste at 17443 Lemon St. on Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join the Household Hazardous Waste team from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at AutoZone, 17115 Main St., Hesperia. Bring your used oil filters to recycle and exchange for up to a $15 oil filter voucher. 

For more information, please call 1-800-645-9228 or click here.

First District Partnering With Local Agencies to Provide Free Backpacks

My office is pleased to support the annual Drive-Thru Backpack Giveaway, planned from 8 a.m. until noon on Thursday, July 21. Open to all children pre-K to 12th grade, the event will include free backpacks (while supplies last), fresh food boxes, socks, face mass, books and much more. The event will take place at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, located at 14800 7th Street, Victorville.

There will be one backpack given per child/student and the child/student must be present to receive the backpack. Food boxes will be given to each carload while supplies last. ID (California Drivers License/California State ID Card) is required and food box distribution will be based on address on ID.

The entrance gate opens at 8 a.m. and is located on Plaza Drive, from Seventh Street. To get in line, enter from Seventh Street. All traffic attempting to enter the event via La Paz Drive will be redirected to the Seventh Street entrance to Plaza Drive. Register here.

Seniors Invited to 'Paint and Learn' Activity with High Desert Second Chance

On July 5, High Desert Second Chance is hosting a free paint and learn for seniors with Azusa Pacific University nursing students. Enjoy painting with friends while learning about healthy lifestyle habits. The event will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at 16666 Smoke Tree Street, Building B4, in Hesperia. Registration is required.

San Bernardino County Regional Parks Kicks Off Summer Programs

Summer has arrived, and County Regional Parks wants to celebrate the great outdoors by kicking off its swim season and summer schedule of activities. From movies in the park to arts & crafts, these activities are included with the $10 price per vehicle, or free to those already camping on site.

Mojave Narrows has splash pads that are open all day, and plans its annual "Summer Days" games and activities from 1-4:30 p.m. on July 28. Mojave Narrows will get another stock of catfish on June 30. Fishing permits are available at the park entrance. State license is available online.

Calico Ghost Town in nearby Yermo will hold movies in the park at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 2 with "Captain America" and on July 23 with "Home on the Range."

Lake Gregory Regional Park in Crestline offers swimming with an inflatable water park, splash pad and waterslides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit parks.sbcounty.gov.

Bureau of Land Management Seeks Desert Advisory Council Members

The BLM California Desert District is seeking additional applicants interested in serving on subgroups that assist the Desert Advisory Council, a citizen-based advisory committee that develops recommendations for the BLM on public land management issues.

Responsibilities include reviewing information, seeking input from the public and user groups on various programs, projects, and agency decisions, and providing recommendations to the Desert Advisory Council on the management of these areas. 

The Dumont Dunes subgroup needs four additional applicants with experience in education and outreach, volunteer and partnership development, safety, and a community representative. For more information, click here. 

Mourning Sun Children's Foundation to Host Bunkhouse Bash Fundraiser

Mourning Sun Children’s Foundation & Desert Valley Hospital are hosting a Yellowstone-themed Bunkhouse Bash on August 13. This adults-only event will feature live music and entertainment from Brad Johnson and the Killin’ Time Band. The event will take place at The Market at Town’s End. Tickets are $50 (dinner included). Proceeds go toward services for children who have lost a loved one. For more information, call 760-221-6181 or go to mourningsunchildren.org.

First District Communities Hosting Summer Concerts in the Park

The Apple Valley Sunset Concert Series continues from 6-9 p.m. this Thursday at the Civic Center Park Amphitheater with a tribute to Elvis! On July 14, Country band Southern Spirit will take the stage. Don’t miss Latin Express, a Top 40/Latin band, on July 21. For more information, please call 760-240-7880 or visit AVrecreation.org.

Victorville’s Concerts in the Park continues on July 8 with country band "The Silverados." The Silverados playlist includes hits from Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw. The band also mixes in classic rock hits from groups like The Beatles, Eagles, and Doobie Brothers. The concert will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. with food vendors, live music and the Victorville Sings contest. Hook Park is 14973 Joshua St. Victorville.

City of Hesperia's Bobcat Summer Concert Series will be held every Friday in August with performance times of 7-9 p.m. The Hesperia Days Music Festival will take place on Saturday, September 17. For more information, go HesperiaParks.com or contact the Recreation Office at 760-244-5488 extension 125 or 111.