Wrightwood Fire Station to Receive $1 Million For New Engines, Tenders

Great news! San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has been awarded $1 million in state funding to purchase water tenders and brush engines for the community of Wrightwood.

Through our state budget requests, this funding was included in the recently passed 2022-23 budget.

These special fire engines are smaller, more maneuverable, and better able to operate in mountainous or off-road terrain. 

“In terms of fire safety, this is a huge step forward for the community,” said San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Dave Corbin. “The water tender will enhance our ability to get a water source into an area that doesn’t have a water source a lot quicker. That will be a tremendous asset to us in those areas.

"The brush engine, with a shorter base and typically four-wheel drive, will increase our ability to proactively fight wildland fires," Corbin added.

Team Cook Prepares for High Desert Backpack Giveaway at Fairgrounds

My office was pleased to provide monetary support for this Thursday's Drive-Thru Backpack Giveaway at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds.

Our team has been busy assisting the Victor Valley Rescue Mission and partner agencies with the preparation of backpacks for the event. Many members of our team will also be on hand Thursday to assist with the distribution of Pre-K to 12th grade backpacks for families in need.

So wonderful to see our community come together for such a great cause!

Community Joins Assistant Fire Chief Dave Corbin's Retirement Celebration

District Director Kimberly Mesen was pleased to join the San Bernardino County Fire department in celebration of Assistant Chief Dave Corbin's retirement. Corbin has served the County for 33 years, most recently as Assistant Chief of the North Desert (Division 5). 

Chief Corbin's last day is July 29th. He will be followed by Battalion Chief Kelly Anderson, who will continue oversight of fire, rescue and emergency medical response in communities including Wrightwood, Hesperia, Phelan, Adelanto, Silver Lakes/Helendale, and Spring Valley Lake.

Congratulations, Chief Corbin! Wishing you all the best!

Victorville Investigator James Wilson Named DA's Officer of the Year

Congratulations to San Bernardino County District Attorney's Senior Investigator James Wilson, who was named the department's 2021 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year!

Wilson is currently assigned to the Victorville office as part of the District Attorney's Family Violence Unit.

"Senior Investigator Wilson is known as a tenacious and caring leader who shares his knowledge and experience with younger investigators daily," said DA Jason Anderson.

Preschool Services Department Seeks Community Representatives

The San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving as Community Representatives on the Head Start Policy Council for the 2022-2023 program year. Applications will be accepted through August 5, 2022.

According to the Federal Head Start Act, membership of the Policy Council must consist of parents of currently enrolled children, community representatives drawn from former Head Start parents, the private community, civic and professional organizations, and others who are familiar with resources and services to low-income preschool age children and families.
Apply now.

Backpack Giveaway Planned in Phelan on Friday for Tri-Community Students

Students in Phelan, Pinon Hills and Wrightwood are invited to join the Gigafy Phelan Backpack Giveaway from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, July 22. The event will take place at the RACE Communications Office at 4280 Phelan Road in Phelan.

Each child must be present with an adult to receive one backpack, which will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please call 877-722-3833.

County's Junior Fair Board Seeks Students to Serve for Two-Year Term

The San Bernardino County Junior Fair Board is seeking high school students from San Bernardino County to apply for membership.

During the year, Junior Fair Board members visit service groups (Kiwanis, Lions, Elks, Rotary, etc.) and give presentations about the fair and the Junior Livestock Auction.

Youth wishing to serve on the board should submit an application along with letters of recommendation. After the applications are reviewed, prospective members are interviewed by the advisory panel. Once selected to be on the Junior Fair Board, members serve a two-year term. Apply at SBCFair.com

The new national suicide prevention hotline, 988, debuted over the weekend. It offers an alternative to calling 911 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.

Congress designated the new 988 dialing code in 2020. It is operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and provides 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

City of Victorville Hosting Its Free Dump Day on Saturday

City of Victorville's free dump day is this Saturday, July 23rd. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the former Victor Valley Junior High School on Forrest Avenue at 8th Street. For a list of acceptable items and more information, call (760) 955-8615 or visit VictorvilleCA.gov/DumpItRightVV.

Supercharge Your Marketing with the Small Business Development Center

Join the Orange County-Inland Empire Small Business Development Center for a free workshop series on supercharging your business with paid advertising.

Over five weeks, you will learn from digital marketing experts how to launch ads, analyze and track analytics and adjust through lead generation statistics to maximize your marketing dollars. 

Learn how to utilize paid advertising on digital and social platforms such as TikTok, Nextdoor, Google, Instagram, and Yelp.

Session Overview:

• August 3: How to Reach Local Customers with Nextdoor Paid Ads
• August 10: Instagram Paid Advertising – How to Place Ads for More Revenue
• August 17: Grow Your Sales with Google Paid Ads
• August 24: Why Pay for Advertising on TikTok
• August 31: Yelp – Pay to Play is Worth It?

Sign up for one session or all at the link below.

Artist Barbara Gothard to Speak at the Victor Valley Museum on July 30

Save the date for Saturday, July 30, when artist Barbara Gothard talks about her exhibition, "Contradictions - Bringing the Past Forward," at the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley.

The show honors the legacy of 23 African American homesteaders who settled in the far eastern Mojave Desert in 1910. The event will also feature Mojave National Preserve Archaeologist David Nichols. 

The event will run from 1-4 p.m. at Victor Valley Museum, 11873 Apple Valley Rd, Apple Valley. For more information, please call (760) 995-8770.

Fort Irwin National Training Center Hosting Final Box Tour on August 5

Fort Irwin National Training Center will host its final Box Tour of the year on August 5. 

Visitors can experience first hand how America’s warriors prepare for deployment. During their training at the NTC, units must interact with role players, terrorist cells, insurgents, criminal networks, civilian authorities and military forces.

According to NTC, that preparation is done through "NTC's villages and culture, the austere environment, terrorists, insurgents, local populace, government officials, and the most technologically advanced and elaborate training facilities in the world."

This tour is free to the public. Once the tour is full, the registration will close. All dates are subject to change, closure or cancellation. 

Register here.

Calico Ghost Town to Host 'Movies in the Park' on Saturday

Although it's not technically in the First District anymore, who doesn't love a visit to Calico Ghost Town in Yermo? This weekend, the park is celebrating National Cowboy Day with a showing of "Home on the Range" in the campground amphitheater.

Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. The movie begins at dusk, but if you come early, there will be plenty of family games to enjoy! And popcorn, while supplies last!

Calico Ghost Town is located at 36600 Ghost Town Road. For more information, please call 909-387-2757.