High Desert Commercial Real Estate Symposium Highlights Future Trends

Earlier this month, our office was pleased to be the presenting sponsor for the annual High Desert Commercial Real Estate Symposium at Victor Valley College.

This highly anticipated annual event featured guest speakers from Coldwell Banker Commercial, BNSF and Brightline West. Guests were also treated to economic updates from High Desert city managers, our San Bernardino County Economic Development Department and UCR Forecasting.

Some highlights:

• The High Desert made $1.1 billion in commercial and land sales in 2022.
• Industrial development continues in the High Desert, with increased land sales that accounted for 49.6 percent of all transactions last year.
• Retail development will continue, but at a slower pace. In 2022, retail development focused on in-fill locations in existing commercial buildings and lots.
• The office sector is stable, however a slowing economy could impact this.
• Investment sales are slowing due to low inventory and CAP Rates. CAP rates will increase as a result of leverage cost.
• The High Desert’s multi-family housing market is good, with a strong affordability index and long-term outlook for slow and steady growth. However, housing demand is outpacing supply and inventory remains tight, with a 2.2-5.2 percent vacancy rate.
• In Dec. 2022, the median price for a High Desert home was $390,000. The most affordable housing was found in Jess Ranch/Dell Web at a $260,000 average. The most expensive was found in Wrightwood with an average of $496,850.
• Rental rates will remain stable due to low inventory. Currently, there are 1,565 apartment units in the permitting or construction phase throughout the High Desert.

Thank you to all of the guest speakers who presented at this year's symposium. The future looks bright in the First District!

Local Assistance Center To Open at Camp Wrightwood This Weekend

San Bernardino County is planning to open a Local Assistance Center for Wrightwood Residents on April 1 & 2 at Camp Wrightwood.

Services available will include building & safety, insurance information, assistance for seniors, public health, tax and property resources, help for veterans, snow removal and reimbursement, advice on hiring contractors, behavioral health, help for small businesses, transitional assistance, employment assistance, legal services, general disaster aid, and more.

The Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Camp Wrightwood is located at 1401 Linnet Road, Wrightwood. For more information, please call 909-387-3911.

New Snow Response Grant Program Offering Assistance to Mountain Businesses Impacted by Snowstorms

On Tuesday, our San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a program to help mountain businesses impacted by this season’s snowstorms.

Mountain businesses and non-profits with 50 or fewer employees are eligible for a one-time $3,000 grant. Mountain businesses with more than 50 but fewer than 500 employees can receive $15,000 to assist with recovery from the recent snowstorms.

To qualify, businesses must have been in operation prior to February 27. They must also have a brick-and-mortar location with employees and customers in the affected San Bernardino County mountains. Funds are intended to help defray costs such as rent and utilities.

The application process is expected to go live in the next couple of weeks at https://snowinfo.sbcounty.gov/

High Desert African American Women Honored During Women's History Month

On Saturday, Community Liaison Paul Marsh joined the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and Marabou Creative Concepts in Education to celebrate National Women’s History Month.

“This was the first event of its kind in the High Desert, honoring African American Women of Distinction,” said Marsh.

The event, held at the Bear Valley Country Club in Victorville, was hosted by Dr. Fran Marabou Williams, Founder / Owner of Marabou Creative Concepts in Education, and Dr. Sarah ShaBazz, Section President for HDS-NCNW.

Honorees included:

• Sharon Cobb, Community Activist
• Dr. Lakieta L. Emanuel, Founder and CEO of High Desert Speech and Language Center, Inc
• Sharon Green, Founder and CEO of the Victor Valley Family Resource Center in Victorville
• Carla Hamilton-Yates, Assistant Principal in the Adelanto School District
• Maria Okpara, Trustee for the Apple Valley Unified School District, Area 4
• Lynette Atkinson Ramirez, Educator and Pastor
• Regina Weatherspoon-Bell, Founder of Dreamers, Visionary & Leaders

Proceeds from the event will support programs for women and girls participating in both organizations.

Congratulations to all of the award winners! 

'Operation Consequences' Continues to Focus on Illegal High Desert Operations

Between March 18-24, investigators with the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division, Specialized Enforcement Division, and multiple patrol stations, along with personnel from California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino County Probation, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations continued the targeted crime suppression efforts of Operation Consequences.

During the one-week period, which included a focused operation in the cities of Hesperia and Victorville, 31 search warrants were served in Adelanto, Victorville, Apple Valley and other locations.

Investigators made 24 felony arrests and seized 44 firearms, 22 of which were unserialized (ghost guns.) In addition, investigators located and seized over ten pounds of illegal narcotics to include, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

Operation Consequences will continue conducting targeted crime suppression operations and parole/probation checks in the High Desert.  There are currently 6,869 parolees at large in California and 456 parolees at large in San Bernardino County.

San Bernardino County Probation Hosting Applicant Workshop Saturday

San Bernardino County's Probation Department is hosting two Probation Officer Applicant Workshops on Saturday, April 1. Applicants can meet with a recruiter, learn about the hiring process, and practice the physical agility test.

Please register for one of the following:

Section A: 8-10 a.m.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/441631831697

Section B: 10 a.m.-Noon
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/586173820677

San Bernardino County Probation Department Training Center is located at 9478 Etiwanda Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga. If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter@prob.sbcounty.gov

San Bernardino County's Animal Care Team Seeking Volunteers

San Bernardino County's Animal Care Team is seeking volunteers! If you have a love for animals and would like to help, this is a great opportunity. Volunteers must commit to 9 hours of service per month, and school programs are welcome. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt after serving 20 hours.

Learn more about the Volunteer Program by visiting animalcare.sbcounty.gov/volunteer

Tax Deadlines Extended to Oct. 16 For San Bernardino County Residents

Did you know? The tax deadline has been extended to October 16 for all storm-impacted taxpayers who reside or have a business in San Bernardino County. This includes:

• Individuals whose tax returns and payments are due on April 18, 2023.
• Quarterly estimated tax payments due January 17, 2023, March 15, 2023, April 18, 2023, June 15, 2023, and September 15, 2023.
• Business entities whose tax returns are normally due on March 15 and April 18.
• Pass-through entity (PTE) elective tax payments due on March 15, 2023 and June 15, 2023.

Residents will have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on federal income tax returns for the 2022 or 2023 tax years.

Millionaire Mind Kids Accepting Applications For Aviation Academy

The Millionaire Mind Kids Summer Aviation Academy will take place June 19-30. This popular free camp teaches future aviators the science of flying through flight simulators and field trips.

"My goal with MMK is to expose under-resourced students to high-interest experiences to spark their interest in STEAM careers, all while building their character and confidence," says MMK founder Delores Williams.

Millionaire Mind Kids is located at 15733 1st St, Victorville.

Learn more by calling (760) 240-4044 or visit them at https://www.millionairemindkids.org

Neighborhood Cleanup Planned For Unincorporated Apple Valley Residents

Our office is proud to partner with San Bernardino County Code Enforcement on a Neighborhood Cleanup for unincorporated Apple Valley residents on Saturday, April 8. The event will take place at Juniper Riviera County Water District, located at 25715 Santa Rosa Road, Apple Valley. For more information, please call Code Enforcement Officer Erin Aguero at 909-520-2689.

Hesperia residents are invited to take part in Shred Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 1. Bring your documents for free and secure on-site shredding. The event will take place behind Eagle Plaza, located at 15776 Main Street. For more information, click here.

Oro Grande and Snowline School Districts Hosting Job Fairs This Week

The Oro Grande School District is holding a Job Fair from 4-8 p.m. today, March 29. Positions include teachers, tutors, substitutes and more. Participants can speak with district personnel, submit resumes and apply directly for open positions. The Job Fair will be held in the District Conference Center located at 19900 National Trails Highway. For more information, please call 760-243-5884.

Snowline Joint Unified School District is having a job fair from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at the District office. Employment opportunities are available for the end of the 2022-2023 school year and for the 2023-2024 school year. District boundaries service areas from Adelanto, Victorville, Oak Hills, Phelan, Pinon Hills and Wrightwood. For more information, please call 760-868-5817.

San Bernardino National Forest Temporarily Closing Roads Until June 30

The San Bernardino National Forest has temporarily closed forest system roads to vehicles through June 30.

“District staff is currently working to determine to what extent damage has occurred, or if other obstacles, such as severe erosion cuts, rockslides, tree blowdown, etc. have impacted forest roads and infrastructure," the Forest Service said in an email. "These unknown obstacles are currently hidden under the blanket of deep snow. Due to the diligent efforts of Forest Service staff and many others, however, certain NFS Roads across the Forest have been cleared and can reopen, and we are seeking to make as much of the Forest once again accessible to visitors as possible.”

View the list of closures.

Victor Valley College's Music Department Hosting Free Spring Concerts This Week

The Victor Valley College Music Department is hosting its free Spring Concert Week beginning March 30. Head on over to the PAC to enjoy a variety of music from the school's talented bands and choirs!

At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, enjoy favorites like Benny Goodman's “Stompin' at the Savoy” and George Gershwin's “Summertime” performed by the Preludium String Ensemble, Jazz-Rock Combo & Studio Jazz Band. On Friday at 7:30 p.m., hear the Brass Choir, Flute Choir, Tuba Force, College Band and Symphonic Band play selections such as Grand Canyon Fanfare, Gaelic Rhapsody and the Finale from Respighi's “The Pines of Rome.”

Finally, Saturday and Sunday’s performances will feature the VVC Choirs and Orchestra in collaboration with Serrano and Sultana High Schools. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, contact Dr. Karen Miskell at karen.miskell@vvc.edu or 760-245-4271 ext. 2236.

Apple Valley Legacy Museum Celebrating 8th Anniversary with Hoedown

The Apple Valley Legacy Museum is celebrating its 8th anniversary with three days of fun on March 31, April 1 and 2. The event will include a porch sale, silent auction, raffle and museum visits. The headliner event is a hoedown on Saturday, April 1. Guests are invited to put on their hats and boots for some good ol' fashioned square dancing, live music, skits and a chicken dinner. Admission to the hoedown is $15. For more information, please call (760) 985-1918.