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 Celebrating Freedom and
the American Spirit
This Independence Day, we celebrate not just the birth of our nation but the enduring spirit of freedom that unites us as Americans. As fireworks light up the sky and we enjoy time with family and friends, let's take a moment to reflect on the values that make our nation strong: freedom, resilience, and unity. These ideals were hard-won and must be continually defended, not just by those in uniform, but by all of us in how we live, lead, and serve. I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and safe Independence Day. God bless America!
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 Stars, Stripes, and Celebrations in
the Third District
Communities throughout the Third District will mark Independence Day with parades, cookouts, fun runs, live entertainment, and fireworks displays.
July 3
NEWBERRY SPRINGS
Celebrate on the 3rd of July with kickball, live music, and fireworks.
Community Park, 30884 Newberry Road, Newberry Springs
3rd of July Celebration
July 4
BARSTOW
The day's events will start with a 5K run and conclude with fireworks at 9:00 p.m. Sessions Memorial Sports Park, 2800 Mayor Katy Parkway, Barstow
Barstow 4th of July events
BIG BEAR LAKE
Fireworks over the lake can be seen from the water, the shore, and around town. Fireworks start between 8:45 and 9:15 p.m.
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
GREEN VALLEY LAKE
The 4th of July Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. and will also feature a cake walk. Parade starts at the corner of Lakeside and Green Valley Lake Road.
4th of July Parade
HIGHLAND
The 4th of July parade starts at 9:00 a.m.; fireworks start at 9:00 p.m.
Parade route starts at Base Line & Church, ends at the Highland Family YMCA. Fireworks will be seen over Immanuel Baptist Church at 28355 Base Line.
LAKE ARROWHEAD
The Arrowhead Lake Association presents this annual summer highlight! Special aircraft flyovers will take place before the fireworks show at 9:00 p.m.
Fireworks Spectacular Over Lake Arrowhead
LUCERNE VALLEY
Independence Day events include a parade and a barbecue in the park. Parade route will run along SR-18 from Trade Post Road to Pioneer Park.
Independence Day Celebration
REDLANDS
Activities include a parade, live music, and fireworks at Moore Middle School.
4th of July activities take place at Sylvan Park, 601 N University Street.
The Fireworks Show will be held at Moore Middle School, 1550 E Highland Avenue.
TWENTYNINE PALMS
Events include games, prizes, music, family fun, food, and more.
Knott's Sky Park, 6701-6899 El Sol Avenue
4th of July Celebration
YUCAIPA
Free games and activities, select shopping vendors, and a fireworks show.
Yucaipa High School stadium, 33000 Yucaipa Boulevard
4th Of July Celebration and Fireworks Show
YUCCA VALLEY
Admission is free for family fun, a concert, and a fireworks show at 9:00 p.m.
Yucca Valley High School, 7600 Sage Avenue, Yucca Valley
4th of July Celebration Concert and Firework Spectacular
July 5
CRESTLINE - LAKE GREGORY
Jamboree Days kicks off with a parade at 10:00 a.m. and wraps up with fireworks over the lake at 9:00 p.m.
Jamboree Days
SAN BERNARDINO
San Bernardino Symphony plays patriotic music under the stars with fireworks too. Valley College Stadium, 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino
America The Beautiful Concert
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 Think Twice Before You Light!
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, San Bernardino County Fire reminds residents that most fireworks are illegal in the Third District. “Safe and Sane” fireworks are only allowed in Barstow, Colton, Grand Terrace, and Needles—and even in those cities, local restrictions may apply. Fireworks, including sparklers and fountains, are strictly prohibited in all unincorporated areas and most other cities. Fireworks that explode or shoot into the air are considered dangerous and are illegal in California.
With wildfire season already underway, the risk is exceptionally high. The County Fire Department and law enforcement will conduct enforcement operations to seize illegal fireworks and issue citations. Fines may reach up to $1,250 for a first offense, and authorities can hold property owners responsible for using fireworks on their premises. Call the anonymous tip line at 1-800-47-ARSON to report illegal fireworks, visit the Illegal Fireworks Reporter page, or scan the QR code in the above picture.
Instead of lighting your fireworks, residents are encouraged to enjoy professional, public displays. These shows are safer, legal, and just as dazzling. Let’s work together to keep our communities safe and fire-free this Fourth of July.
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 County Budget Strengthens Services Without Raising Taxes
Supervisor Rowe wrote the following editorial, which was initially published in The Redlands Community News and the Yucaipa News Mirror.
As stewards of public funds, county leaders face a fundamental challenge each year: How to meet growing community needs without compromising fiscal responsibility. This year’s budget strikes that balance. Earlier this month, my colleagues and I on the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a balanced budget, which strengthens key essential services while continuing to build a healthy reserve fund to weather times of economic uncertainty. This ensures both immediate impact and longterm stability for our residents.
In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing demand for county services. Whether it’s ensuring rapid emergency response times, supporting mental health and addiction recovery programs, maintaining safe roads and bridges or investing in youth and senior services, the needs are real and growing. Despite these challenges, the budget we’ve passed does not raise taxes. Instead, it reflects a disciplined, prudent and value-driven approach to budgeting.
I’d like to highlight a few of the priorities from this year’s budget.
The Office of Emergency Services (OES) is enhancing preparedness by reorganizing volunteers and strengthening emergency communication systems. By improving training, we ensure that local communities are better prepared for future disasters. The county is also updating emergency communications to ensure reliability and ensure prompt and useful notifications.
Secondly, this budget prioritizes funding for public safety. We’ve provided funding to strengthen the implementation of body worn cameras by the Sheriff’s Department. By equipping deputies with cameras to record interactions with the public, we increase accountability and transparency and assist in evidence collection.
The budget also provides essential funding for targeted crime suppression operations through “Operation Consequences.” This strategic law enforcement program reduces violent crime, drug trafficking and gang-related activity across our county. Since this program began in November 2022, more than 1,400 search warrants have been issued, leading to nearly 2,000 arrests. Additionally, law enforcement has seized thousands of illegal weapons, dangerous narcotics and fentanyl.
Lastly, it’s crucial to mention the importance of maintaining a healthy reserve. Reserves aren’t just numbers on a balance sheet. They keep our county resilient in the face of emergencies and economic downturns. Wildfires, floods, and health crises have shown us how quickly circumstances can change. A well-funded reserve enables us to respond without delay, without borrowing, and without compromising the services people depend on.
This year’s budget is a promise kept to our community: That we will govern responsibly, invest wisely and protect the future while serving the present. As your supervisor, I’ll continue to stay focused on the priorities important to upholding our county vision. From our valleys, across our mountains, and into our deserts, we envision a county that is a destination for visitors and a home for anyone seeking a sense of community and the best life has to offer. Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve.
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 Around the Third District
Top left: Supervisor Rowe joined Yucaipa Mayor Jon Thorp at Flag Hill Park for a Flag Day ceremony, where she delivered remarks honoring the enduring symbolism of the American flag and the generations who have defended our nation’s freedom.
Top right: At a recent celebration in Lytle Creek, Kenny and Kendy Phillips were recognized as the 2025 Hometown Heroes. Supervisor Rowe joined community members in applauding the couple’s years of service, which included emergency response and Meals on Wheels, animal advocacy, and local journalism.
Bottom: Donning a hard hat and holding a shovel, Supervisor Rowe took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the Pacific Village Campus Expansion in San Bernardino. The upcoming facility will provide substance use disorder treatment, recuperative care, and permanent supportive housing for vulnerable residents.
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 On-The-Go Health Mobile Clinic
Now Serving Needles
San Bernardino County’s On-The-Go Health mobile medical clinic is now bringing vital healthcare services directly to residents in Needles. The clinic is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Transitional Assistance Department at 1090 E. Broadway St. Services are available to Medi-Cal patients and those who have applied. No insurance is required to receive care.
The mobile clinic offers a wide range of primary and urgent care services, including annual physicals, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, pregnancy testing, and chronic disease medication refills. Urgent care services include testing for urinary tract infections and STIs, treatment for colds and flu, rash evaluation, and minor wound care. Organizers recommend making an appointment to help reduce wait times and welcome walk-ins as space allows.
If you need help applying for Medi-Cal, click here to visit Coverage Care or call 1-800- 722-4777 and press 5 for Mobile Clinic Appointments. To learn more about this and other public health services, visit dph.sbcounty.gov. San Bernardino County Public Health is committed to making healthcare more accessible, right where you live.
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 San Bernardino County Deputy Honored for Heroic Train Track Rescue
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Anthony Castaneda has been awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal for saving a young child just moments before a freight train collided with a vehicle in Redlands. The dramatic rescue occurred on September 20, 2024, while Castaneda was off duty and driving behind an SUV that became stuck on railroad tracks as the crossing arms came down. Inside the SUV were a mother and her two daughters, ages 2 and 5.
As the mother exited the vehicle to retrieve her toddler from the back seat, she placed the child beside the car—still in the path of the oncoming train—before reaching back inside to help her older daughter. Sensing the imminent danger, Castaneda sprang into action. He ran about 50 feet to the SUV, grabbed the toddler, and carried her to safety just five seconds before the train struck the vehicle. Meanwhile, the mother successfully rescued her older child, and no one was injured in the collision. Watch the dramatic rescue video here.
“The Carnegie Medal honors individuals across the U.S. and Canada who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree to save others,” said a spokesperson for the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. “Deputy Castaneda’s quick thinking and courageous response exemplify true heroism, and his actions ensured a family was spared from tragedy.”
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 Click here to have The Rowe Report sent directly to your email.
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These ongoing construction and improvement projects may impact your travel time.
Plan ahead and drive safely!
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SR-138 Closure
State Route 138 (SR-138) near Silverwood Lake is closed from Old Mill Road to State Route 173 due to the ongoing Lake Fire. Caltrans crews are assessing fire damage within the burn scar and preparing for emergency repairs. Please use alternate routes and avoid the area until further notice.
SR-138 Closure
SR-247 Shoulder Widening Project
Caltrans continues its pavement and shoulder widening project on State Route 247 (SR-247) near Yucca Valley. Work will pause during the 4th of July holiday weekend, but is expected to resume next week. During construction, lane closures and traffic flagging are in effect, with pilot vehicles guiding drivers through active zones. Expect up to 20-minute delays near Reche Road and Aberdeen Drive.
SR-247 Shoulder Widening Project
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  Big Bear Lake
It’s official: Big Bear Lake is the best lake in the United States, according to a recent USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice poll. And if that weren’t enough, it also claimed the #3 spot for best lake in the nation for water sports.
Big Bear Lake has long been a year-round escape for outdoor enthusiasts, and now the rest of the country is catching on. Whether reeling in rainbow trout on a summer morning, skimming across the surface on a jet ski, or enjoying a peaceful paddle in a kayak, Big Bear offers an unbeatable combination of natural beauty and recreational variety.
A man-made marvel with roots stretching back to 1885, Big Bear Lake holds more than 70,000 acre-feet of water. It features two public boat launches, multiple marinas, and rental options for everything from canoes to pontoons. The area also boasts swimming coves, hiking trails, scenic picnic spots, and paddleboarding.
Big Bear Lake is a popular destination year-round and has the national recognition to prove it. Plan your visit at City of Big Bear Lake and VisitBigBear.com.
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Summer Science Fun - Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Thursday, July 10
Summer Science Fun is featured every Thursday at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley. Kids can enjoy hands-on exploration, nature-themed activities, and a new science topic each week. Participants can view nature through binoculars and microscopes while staying cool under shady trees and in the air-conditioned Nature Center. The Events section at bigmorongo.org has complete event information.
HHW Collection - Lucerne Valley
Saturday, July 12
Lucerne Valley residents are invited to safely dispose of household hazardous waste on Saturday, July 12, at the Lucerne Valley Fire Station, 33269 Old Woman Spring Road (enter through the gate on Ladera Road). Accepted items include antifreeze, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, medical needles, electronic waste, oil and filters (up to 15 gallons), and latex or oil-based paint (up to 15 gallons). Please note that trash and other non-listed items will not be accepted. Learn more at sbcfire.org/hhw.
East Mountain Festival - Angelus Oaks
Saturday, July 26
The East Mountain Emergency Preparedness Festival on Saturday, July 26, will feature emergency response agencies, preparedness resources, and valuable safety demonstrations. Throughout the day, enjoy food vendors, kids’ activities, giveaways, and live entertainment. The Angelus Oaks Fire Safe Council hosts the festival at the Oaks Restaurant in Angelus Oaks and provides details on Facebook.
  Retired Undersheriff Horace Boatwright
1963 - 2025
Retired San Bernardino County Undersheriff Horace Boatwright died peacefully at home on Friday, June 25, after a courageous battle with cancer. Surrounded by his loving wife, children, and friends, Horace leaves a legacy of leadership, service, and groundbreaking achievement. As the first African American Undersheriff in San Bernardino County history, he rose with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the community he served for over 33 years.
Horace’s career began after eight years in the U.S. Air Force and a security post at the Victor Valley Mall, where his interactions with deputies sparked a calling. From there, he joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1990, working in corrections, patrol, investigations, public affairs, and executive leadership. Along the way, he mentored countless deputies and modeled what it meant to be a principled and compassionate law enforcement officer. He often reminded others to treat people with respect and believed deeply in making a positive daily impact.
Though Horace never imagined a future in policing, he embraced the responsibility to help shape what law enforcement could be. His influence lives on with those he trained, guided, and inspired. We are grateful for his service to the United States and San Bernardino County.
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San Bernardino Office
385 N. Arrowhead Ave., Fifth Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415
909-387-4855 |
Joshua Tree Office
63665 Twentynine Palms Highway
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
760-366-1488 |
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