Sheriff & CASE Presenting Events For Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation (C.A.S.E.) are collaborating on four events to highlight the issue of human trafficking in our county.

"Educators, professionals, and experts will provide information that will save lives," said Deputy Greg Jones, community liaison for the department. "This information is pivotal in reducing and illuminating human trafficking in the County of San Bernardino."

Every Thursday throughout the month, the community is invited to attend these educational events. A special High Desert symposium is planned at High Desert Church on Jan. 12.

• Jan. 5 - Virtual Viewing of "Boys," highlighting male survivors of human trafficking.
• Jan. 12 - Human Trafficking Prevention Conference, planned from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at High Desert Church in Victorville.
• Jan. 19 - Human Trafficking Prevention Conference, planned from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Central Park, Rancho Cucamonga.
• Jan. 21 - Human Trafficking Awareness Walk, planned at 8 a.m. at 12271 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.

Register for the events online.

Wrightwood Residents Can Call Agencies Regarding Illegal Snowplay, Vending

The Wrightwood Community Services District is reminding its residents to call in concerns regarding illegal parking, illegal snowplay or illegal vending to the proper authorities rather than posting to social media accounts (which are not monitored by public safety/county agencies).

Snowplay is illegal in the village of Wrightwood. Legal snowplay/sledding is available at the Yeti Snowpark at Mountain High's East Resort.

Illegal Highway Parking

• Victorville California Highway Patrol - SB County: (760) 241-1186
• Antelope Valley California Highway Patrol - LA County: (661) 948-8541

Illegal Residential Parking, Trespassing

• Victor Valley Sheriff Dispatch - SB County: (760) 956-5001
• Palmdale Sheriff's Station - LA County: (661) 272-2400

Illegal Food & Retail Vending

• SB County Code Enforcement: (909) 884-4056
• LA County Illegal Food Vending: (626) 430-5500

Illegal Activities in Forest

• Angles National Forest Service Dispatch: (661) 723-3620
• San Bernardino Forest Service Dispatch: (909) 383-5651

For more information, please call the Wrightwood CSD at (760) 249-3205.

Sheriff's 'Operation Dust Devil' Results in 569 Contacts and 5 Arrests So Far

Thanks to additional funding from our San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has launched "Operation Dust Devil" to educate OHV riders on legal riding areas in our County, along with safe riding practices.

During the first week of Operation Dust Devil, deputies patrolled High Desert locations including Deep Creek, Hesperia Lakes, Summit Valley and the Cajon Wash. Deputies made 140 contacts, issued 21 California Vehicle Code citations, 25 San Bernardino County Code Enforcement citations, towed three vehicles, and made four arrests.

During the second week, deputies patrolled the Summit Valley, Phelan and Calico areas. Deputies made 230 contacts, issued 4 California Vehicle Code Citations, 16 San Bernardino County Code Enforcement citations, towed 1 vehicle, recovered 1 stolen vehicle, and made 1 arrest.

Additional contacts were made in Dumont Dunes during the New Year holiday weekend. Barstow Sheriff’s Station made approximately 199 educational contacts and issued 22 warning citations. Sadly, the California Highway Patrol investigated two fatal off-highway vehicle collisions at Dumont Dunes during the weekend.

If you own an OHV, please review safe and proper use of your equipment, and always use helmets and seat belts on designated off highway vehicle trails and open areas.

If you would like the team to assess a particular area regarding illegal riding, please email OHV@sbcsd.org

'Operation Consequences' Targets Locations Throughout the High Desert

Operation Consequences, another special project being conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, has continued focusing on targeted crime suppression operations in the High Desert.

Between Dec. 17-30, investigators served 22 search warrants in areas including Hesperia, Adelanto, Victorville and Apple Valley. During this time, personnel made 37 felony arrests, seized 55 firearms (23 unserialized ghost guns), and recovered illegal narcotics.

The operation includes personnel from the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division, Specialized Enforcement Division, and patrol stations, as well as California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County Probation.

Operation Consequences will continue over the next several months to curb violent crime, disrupt and dismantle targeted criminal street gangs, and locate and arrest criminals who are illegally possessing, manufacturing, and trafficking firearms.

New California Law Eliminates Fee For Veterans Designation on Driver's License

The California Department of Veterans Affairs is reminding eligible Veterans that a new 2023 law (SB 837) eliminates the $5 fee for obtaining a military “VETERAN” designation on a driver’s license or identification (ID) card.

This designation may grant Veterans access to certain privileges, benefits, or compensation without having to carry and produce a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).

Veterans must provide a completed Veteran Status Verification Form (VSD-001) (issued by our County Veterans Service Office) at the DMV to receive the veteran designation on your driver's license. For more information, please call our Hesperia Veterans Affairs office at 760-995-8010.

Volunteers Needed For County's Annual Homeless 'Point in Time' Count

Would you like to make a difference in our community with volunteer work? Consider participating in the County’s Point In Time Homeless Count on Jan. 26. This annual event focuses on canvassing encampments throughout the County to identify how many people are homeless while connecting them with resources. Register as a volunteer by Jan. 18.

For more information, visit https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov

DVL Planning Free Live Concert at VVC For Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Dreamers, Visionaries and Leaders — a High Desert nonprofit — will present a free live concert at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, in the Victor Valley College Performing Arts Theater.

The show will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a performance by singer Dorian Holley, followed by the return of its DVL Tribute Awards.

The tribute awards will recognize DVL honorees Sadie Patterson, Kim Carter, Dr. Alexa Jackson Jarrell, Cindy Bostick, Maria Okra and Tasha Champion.

For more information, please call 760-245-4271, ext. 2395, or 760-242-2487.

Mountain Desert Career Pathways Offering Nine CTE Scholarships

Mountain Desert Career Pathways has announced that applications are now open for the Oro Grande Foundation CTE Scholarship. 

A total of nine $4,000 scholarships will be awarded to current graduating seniors who are from an eligible MDCP district's CTE program. They must also complete a two-year pathway within an industry sector by the end of their senior year, earning a course GPA of 3.0 or better throughout their pathway. 

Scholarship applications are due by 11:59 p.m. March 3, 2023.

To apply, click here.

For more information, email mdcp@mdcareerpathways.com

High Desert America's Job Center Hosting Career Expo on Jan. 25

High Desert America's Job Center is planning its next Career Fair from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25.

Dozens of local High Desert employers will be present at the event, ready to hire! Dress to impress, and bring plenty of resumes.

The event will take place at 17310 Bear Valley Rd., Suite 109, in Victorville.

County Library to Host Mystery Event Throughout Month of January

Head to your local San Bernardino County Library branch for January's Mystery Event. Children who check out 15 items during the event can earn a mystery reward and an opportunity to win one of their grand prizes.

The next Mystery Event is planned from 4-6 p.m. January 10 at the Apple Valley Branch Library. Join the fun with crafts, games, prizes, and character visits!

Apple Valley Library is located at 14901 Dale Evans Pkwy, Apple Valley. For more information, please call (760) 995-8750.

'Old West Days' Event Arrives in Apple Valley Later This Month

Take a walk on the Wild West side during the San Bernardino County Museum's Old West Days, arriving on Jan. 21.

Guests can enjoy pioneer-themed activities suitable for all ages, along with a helping of history, cultural traditions, and artistry of the western American frontier.

Victor Valley Museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Rd., Apple Valley.(760) 995-8770. 

'Mosaics of the Mojave' Exhibit Opens Jan. 13 at Victor Valley Museum

The San Bernardino County Museum will debut "Mosaics of the Mojave" at Victor Valley Museum on Jan. 13.

Created in close collaboration with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the exhibit features an immersive experience with a native rock dwelling, voices of tribal youth, modern rock art and much more.

Victor Valley Museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Rd., Apple Valley.(760) 995-8770.