 Attorney General Bonta Joins County Roundtable on Illegal Cannabis
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other state officials joined members of the Board of Supervisors, Sheriff Shannon Dicus, and District Attorney Jason Anderson at a roundtable on Tuesday to discuss state and local law enforcement efforts against illegal cannabis cultivation.
“Illegal cannabis continues to generate crime and violence across California,” said Curt Hagman, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “Our sheriffs have done a tremendous job to fight this problem, especially in the rural desert areas of San Bernardino County. We appreciate the chance to meet and share our concerns with Attorney General Bonta and for state officials to visit the county to see our illegal cannabis problem for themselves.”
The roundtable discussion featured an update on Operation Hammer Strike, a major enforcement effort by the Sheriff’s Department, which recently completed a full year of operations that have eradicated an estimated $1 billion in illegal cannabis. State law enforcement officers often coordinate and work closely with local agencies, especially on environmental issues caused by illegal cannabis.
Illegal cannabis farms frequently use illegal pesticides such as carbofuran, which can kill wildlife and pollute groundwater. The County’s Code Enforcement officers are also enforcing a recently enacted abatement ordinance, that removes the tons of equipment for illegal grow sites and tries to restore the natural landscape.
In attendance of the roundtable was Hagman, Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Dawn Rowe, Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., Nicole Elliott, Director of the Department of Cannabis Control, Chuck Bonham, Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and representatives from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Following the roundtable, Attorney General Bonta and the other state officials toured the illegal cannabis sites in the High Desert by helicopter flown by the Sheriffs Department.
Stay Cool! Last Chance for a Swim at the County’s Regional Parks
The Labor Day holiday marks the end of summer and swim season at Regional Parks after a hot and busy three months. For this final weekend of swimming, Glen Helen will only be open on Sunday, September 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yucaipa swim complex will be open Saturday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The swim season opened on Memorial Day weekend and has offered a cool and fun escape for many residents, families and campers seeking refuge from the hot summer days these last few months.
Director of Regional Parks Beahta Davis said, “This season has been a busy one at Glen Helen and Yucaipa Regional Park swim facilities, and we hope you are able to get away from the heat and cool in our pool one last time this summer. Thank you so much for spending part of your summer with us at San Bernardino County Regional Parks.”
The pool is first, come, first serve and reservations are not accepted. We do advise guests arrive early. Lines for the pool entrance begins to form as early as 7:30 a.m. when the parks gates open, and once the wristbands are sold out, the pool will reach capacity and new arrivals will not be allowed inside the pool area.
“If you can’t get out to one of our swim facilities, please keep in mind that our splash pads located at Cucamonga-Guasti, Mojave Narrows and Prado Regional Parks are also open and available to keep you cool through this heatwave,” said Davis.
Davis also said next year, Glen Helen swim complex is scheduled to open three new waterslides and a new splash pad and looks forward to seeing everyone next summer.
Park and swim facility admission fees are separate. The park entry fee is $10 per vehicle at each park for the holiday weekend. Yucaipa swim complex entrance fee is $17 for all day pool and waterslides. Glen Helen swim complex admission fee is $12 (the waterslides are closed this season due to construction). Must be at least 48” to ride the slides at Yucaipa.
For more information about Regional Parks and all its amenities, including events and camping, visit parks.sbcounty.gov, email parks@parks.sbcounty.gov, or call 909.387.2757.
Giddy Up for the Sheriff’s Rodeo Sept. 23-25
The 23rd Annual Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo is coming to Glen Helen Regional Park on Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 25. Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and the rodeo starts at 8 p.m. Gates open at 2 p.m. Sunday, and the rodeo starts at 6 p.m. We invite you to come early, visit one of our many food vendors, grab a seat, and relax before the start of the rodeo.
The world’s top professional cowboys and cowgirls will perform bareback and saddle bronco riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and team roping. Also performing will be Professional Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison, https://www.facebook.com/JJHarrison811/.
Tickets are $25 on Friday, $30 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. For children 4 to 6 years old, tickets are $5 (free on Sunday); children 3 years old and under are free each night. Parking is $10. Tickets are currently available on the website at www.sheriffsrodeo.com and will be available for purchase at the venue.
Saddle Up for a Western Event at the County Libraries
The San Bernardino County Library invites residents to mosey on over to the library for our Western Events. Enjoy a variety of fun-filled crafts, balloon artists, face painters, and more. Be sure to bring a camera, as Woody and Jessie will also be there.
This event is another opportunity to celebrate and support the Countywide Vision’s literacy campaign, Vision2Read. Visitors should bring their library cards, as every 15 items checked out during the event earns visitors a cowboy hat and an opportunity drawing ticket for a chance to win awesome prizes. All activities are free and open to all ages.
The San Bernardino County Library Western Events will take place in the following locations:
- 13 - 4 to 6 p.m., Newton T. Bass Library, 14901 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley
- 14 - 4 to 6 p.m., Sam J. Racadio Library & Environmental Learning Center, 7863 Central Ave., Highland
- 22 - 4 to 7 p.m., Hesperia Branch Library, 9650 7th Ave., Hesperia
- 27 - 4 to 7 p.m., Lewis Library & Technology Center, 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana
- 29 - 3 to 5 p.m., Phelan Branch Library, 9800 Clovis Rd., Phelan
Special Western-Themed Paint Night Programs will take place in the following locations:
- 17 - 1 to 3 p.m., Running Springs Branch Library, 2677 Whispering Pines, Running Springs
- 23 - 4 to 5:30 p.m., Yucaipa Branch Library, 12040 5th St., Yucaipa
- 24 - 2 p.m., Yucca Valley Branch Library, 57271 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley
A Tribute to the County’s Fleet Management Director Ron Lindsey
The County Family is mourning the sudden loss of Fleet Management Director Ron Lindsey.
“I and my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors are devastated by Ron’s sudden passing over the weekend,” said Chairman Curt Hagman. “Our hearts go out to his wife Nan and all of Ron’s loved ones, especially his Fleet Management team. I wish Ron’s family my deepest condolences, he has left a lasting impression on our county and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know him.”
The way in which Ron approached the world and his job serve as an example to us all. Ron was always friendly, eager to help, and took care of his employees, all while constantly building upon his department’s status as one of the nation’s leading fleets. San Bernardino County Fleet Management has been named the nation’s best fleet twice in the past six years, including this year, and they are routinely named one of the 100 best fleets in North America.
Ron discussed his team’s success in a video produced in May of this year.
A resident of San Bernardino, Ron was appointed Fleet Management Director in 2017 after we successfully recruited him back from the City of Anaheim, where he served as fleet operations superintendent from 2012 to 2017. Prior to that, Ron worked in San Bernardino County from 2005 to 2012, serving briefly as Fleet and Stores Manager before promoting to Fleet Services Manager in 2006.
READ MORE
 September is Workforce Development Month
In recognition of the critical role workforce development services play in supporting a thriving environment for workers and employers, September has been declared Workforce Development month.
Throughout the month, the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board (WDB) will share through @SBCWorkforce information about the efforts and dedication of many people and organizations involved in workforce development activities.
They will highlight valued partners and workforce employees who have helped businesses, workers, and the community benefit from workforce resources to advance their careers, grow their businesses, and ensure their future economic prosperity.
WDB will share information about the services available to all residents and businesses in the county, including employee recruitment, business retention programs, the latest on in-demand skills, growing industries, and labor market trends, as well as a free Human Resource hotline and live business development webinars, which are also recorded and uploaded on YouTube.
We will kick off #wkdevmonth with a Job Fair at the Inland Center Mall on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. Follow us @SBCWorkforce to find out more.
More than 300 Animals Adopted During August’s Clear The Shelters Event
August’s Clear the Shelters pet adoption campaign ended on Wednesday with 366 animals being adopted, including 194 cats, 156 dogs, nine others (reptiles) and seven livestock going to new homes.
NBC4’s Tony Shin spent a day at the San Bernardino County Animal Shelter in Devore highlighting some of the adoptions.
San Bernardino County Animal Care has participated in the annual adoption event spearheaded by NBCUniversal owned Television Stations every year. Animal shelters throughout San Bernardino County participated in the national adoption effort.
During the Clear the Shelters campaign in August, pet adoptions were $20. All pets came spayed/neutered, microchipped, and received most vaccines. The Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF) nonprofit organization sponsored the pet adoption fees for dogs/cats adopted during the month-long campaign.
For more information about dogs, cats, and other animals awaiting adoption, visit animalcare.sbcounty.gov/pets/ or call (909) 386-9820. The Devore Animal Shelter is located at 19777 Shelter Way in Devore.
Reader Survey: Give Us Your Feedback on the County Update
Let us know what you think of the weekly County Update and tell us what kinds of stories you would like to read about in this reader survey.
It only takes a couple of minutes to complete the survey and it will help us improve so we can keep bringing a lively update to our readers. Thank you!
 Job Openings and Hiring Events in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County has jobs that will be opening on Saturday, Sept. 3
We encourage you to apply and share these job openings with those who may be interested in them. Recruitments listed are subject to final department approval. Check sbcounty.gov/jobs for the most up-to-date recruitments.
For all COVID-19 related information, including case statistics, FAQs, guidelines, and resources, visit the County’s COVID-19 webpage at http://sbcovid19.com/. Residents of San Bernardino County may also call the COVID-19 helpline at (909) 387-3911 for general information and resources about the virus. The phone line is NOT for medical calls and is available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions about social services, please call 211.
|
|
