Deputy Andrew Nunez
1997 - 2025

The county continues to mourn the loss of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Nunez, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Monday, October 27, while responding to a domestic violence call in Rancho Cucamonga. Deputy Nunez served the county for six years with courage, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to protecting others. Colleagues remembered his steady presence, quiet kindness, and the deep sense of responsibility he carried into every call.

Beyond his uniform, Andrew was a devoted husband, father, son, and brother. He cherished raising his family in the county and was excited to welcome a new child into the world. He is survived by his expectant wife, his two-year-old daughter, his mother, and four siblings, each of whom knew him as a source of love, humor, and strength. 

In response to this tragedy, the Police Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) has established a support fund to assist his family. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the PORAC association for distribution to his family, helping ease their burden as they navigate this unimaginable loss. Visit porac.org for details.

May Deputy Nunez rest in eternal peace, and may his family feel surrounded by the love, respect, and support of the community he served with honor.

Support, Services, and Countywide Recognition for Veterans

On Veterans Day and throughout the year, San Bernardino County is proud to stand with those who stood for us. The county is home to more than 90,000 veterans, and ensuring they receive the benefits, services, and recognition they deserve remains a top priority. Over the past fiscal year, San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs assisted local veterans in accessing more than $88 million in new federal benefits, the highest amount of any county in California. For more information about veterans' services and benefits, visit va.sbcounty.gov or call 1-866-472-8387.

Government buildings across San Bernardino County are once again shining green as part of Operation Green Light, a nationwide effort to honor and support the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Through Veterans Day, select county offices will participate, including the Third District office in Joshua Tree. Residents, businesses, and community organizations are invited to join in this expression of gratitude by simply changing one light to green. 

In addition, this month's episode of the News Now video series underscores the county's commitment to supporting veterans. In the "District Minute" segment, Supervisor Rowe highlights monthly claims assistance available in Barstow and Joshua Tree, and reminds veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating to explore potential property tax exemptions. To watch the latest News Now episode, click here to visit the San Bernardino County YouTube channel.

To further honor those who have served, San Bernardino County Regional Parks will offer free admission on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, for all veterans and active-duty service members, including reserves and the National Guard. Participating parks include Cucamonga-Guasti, Glen Helen, Mojave Narrows, Prado, and Yucaipa Regional Parks, with free vehicle entry so families can enjoy the day together. Calico Ghost Town will also offer one free adult admission for veterans and active-duty personnel. Attendees must present a Military ID or DD-214 for entry. Please visit parks.sbcounty.gov for park hours, locations, and more details.

No-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic in
Honor of Veterans Day

San Bernardino County Animal Care is partnering with The Paw Mission to honor current and former service members this Veterans Day by providing free spay and neuter services for their pets. These services are also available to community members living in unincorporated areas of the county, helping ensure that more families and neighborhoods can access essential pet care. 

For community cats, the program includes free vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and ear tipping for identification. For owned pets, services include free spay or neuter procedures and a free rabies vaccine, with a limit of four animals per household. In both cases, the address where the cat is trapped or the pet resides must be within the San Bernardino County Animal Care service area. Residents can confirm eligibility by entering their address at animalcare.sbcounty.gov.

The free spay and neuter clinic will take place on Tuesday, November 11, at Sportsmans Park, located at 6171 Sunburst Street in Joshua Tree. Registration is now open through The Paw Mission's official website. A refundable $20 deposit is required to reserve each appointment. 

To learn more about each event, click on the underlined community name.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Needles
8:00 a.m. — El Garces on Route 66, 950 Front Street
Start the morning with a pancake breakfast, followed by a Veterans Day Ceremony honoring local heroes.

San Bernardino
11:00 a.m. — Court Street Square, 349 N. E Street
Following the ceremony, there will be a resource fair featuring organizations that provide services to veterans.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Big Bear Lake
11:00 a.m. — Community Church, 40946 Big Bear Boulevard
Hear remarks from Chief Petty Officer Gabriel Rodriguez- U.S. Navy and Staff Sergeant First Class Carmen Lozano- U.S. Army, Retired.

Grand Terrace
11:00 a.m. — Veterans Wall of Freedom, 21950 Pico Street
The Wall of Freedom will honor the military and welcome new inductees.

Loma Linda
11:00 a.m. — Bryn Mawr Veterans Memorial Park, 25541 Barton Road
Unveiling of a monument to honor World War II and Korean Conflict veterans.

Redlands
9:00 a.m. — Downtown Redlands to Jennie Davis Park, 923 W. Redlands Blvd.
Celebrate with a Veterans Day Parade through downtown, followed by a ceremony at Jennie Davis Park.

Twentynine Palms
11:00 a.m. — Freedom Plaza, 73551 Twentynine Palms Highway
A veterans resource fair and live music will follow the opening ceremony and presentation of colors.

Yucaipa
11:00 a.m. — Yucaipa Community Park, 34900 Oak Glen Road
This year’s keynote speaker is Staff Sergeant Lance Bradley, who served nine years in the United States Marine Corps.

Around the Third District

Top left: Supervisor Rowe recently visited the dedicated crew at San Bernardino County Fire Station 18 in Havasu Lake. The team's mission includes responding to boat incidents on the Colorado River and medical needs in Havasu Landing.

Bottom left: The visit to Havasu Lake included a ground tour of areas covered by the crew. In addition to responding to the needs of boaters, Station 18 also provides fire, rescue, and EMS services to the community of Havasu Lake, the surrounding highways, and to over 28,000 acres of tribal land.

Right: Supervisor Rowe stands with Yucaipa Rotary Club President Karen Swedlove after speaking at a recent meeting. In appreciation, the club donated a book in Supervisor Rowe's name to a local Yucaipa school. Learn more about the club and its involvement in the annual Yucaipa Christmas Parade at yucaiparotary.org.

Top-Supervisor Dawn Rowe, middle-Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, bottom-Assemblymember Greg Wallis

Flood Recovery and Insurance Guidance Shared During Town Hall

Last week, residents from across the Third District joined a virtual town hall with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Assemblymember Greg Wallis, and Supervisor Rowe to discuss ongoing mudslide recovery challenges and the broader insurance issues facing local homeowners. The panel guided residents dealing with recent debris flow damage and provided more precise explanations of which types of losses are covered under various insurance policies.

Supervisor Dawn Rowe opened the event by acknowledging the continued hardship and frustration faced by residents in communities affected by the El Dorado Fire burn scar. She emphasized the complex, multi-agency response needed to address debris-flow risks originating on federal land. She thanked Commissioner Lara and Assemblymember Wallis for their direct engagement with impacted neighborhoods. 

Speakers noted that standard homeowners' insurance generally excludes flood and mudslide damage unless the damage can be directly tied to a recent wildfire. Commissioner Lara stated that his office has already reminded insurers of this obligation and encouraged residents with denied claims to file a complaint for review. United Policyholders Executive Director Amy Bach advised homeowners to document all damage thoroughly, make only temporary repairs until an adjuster visits, review policy language closely, and consider flood insurance, particularly in burn-scar areas where future storms remain unpredictable.

Help is available for those navigating claims or seeking coverage guidance. Residents can contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or insurance.ca.gov, and access consumer recovery resources at uphelp.org. A recording of the meeting is available by clicking this Zoom link.

Why Car Seat Safety Checks Matter

Keeping children safe on the road begins long before the engine starts. While most parents do their best to install car seats correctly, nearly 75% are used or positioned improperly. Minor adjustments, such as harness fit, seat angle, or chest clip placement, can significantly impact a child’s safety in a crash. Car seat safety checks provide peace of mind by ensuring children are traveling as securely as possible.

Families can take advantage of this support at a free Car Seat Safety Check in Highland this weekend. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will walk parents through proper installation, check each seat for fit and safety, and answer questions one-on-one. Some families may even qualify for a new car seat at no cost. The event will take place Saturday, November 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Highland Police Station, 26985 East Baseline Street. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by emailing shfreeman@sbcsd.org or calling 909-848-7900.

Visit the Highland Police on Facebook for more information.

Supporting the Next Generation of
Fire Service 

Our region is home to young men and women stepping forward to serve, protect, and lead in the fire service. Programs like the Crafton Hills Fire Academy and the Redlands Fire Department Explorer Program are training tomorrow’s firefighters today, providing hands-on instruction, physical conditioning, and real-world experience. These students and explorers represent the future of public safety, and they need support from the communities that they will someday serve.

On Saturday, November 15, you can support Crafton Hills College Fire Academy at their car wash fundraiser from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Waba Grill parking lot, located at 33492 Oak Glen Road in Yucaipa. Proceeds will help cover licensure costs for recruits, ensuring these future first responders have the certifications they need to serve our communities and residents. Event information is available on Facebook.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, November 19, the Redlands Sunrise Rotary Club, Redlands Fire Department, and Falconer of Redlands will host an all-day Pack the House lunch and dinner fundraiser benefiting the Redlands Fire Department Explorer Program. This program gives young people the opportunity to train alongside firefighters, gain emergency response experience, and build the foundation for a future career in public safety.

Together, these events provide a meaningful way to help build a stronger, safer tomorrow, one young firefighter at a time.

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These ongoing construction and improvement projects may impact your travel time. Plan ahead and drive safely!

Sign Installations at Various Locations in
San Bernardino County

Caltrans is continuing to install new message signs across several major highways in San Bernardino County, including I-10, SR-18, SR-38, SR-210, SR-247, and SR-330. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Drivers should expect intermittent daytime lane closures and traffic control at various points along these routes now through Friday, November 14. 

Sign Installation Project

Alpine Zoo Wild Lights - Big Bear Lake
 Begins Thursday, November 6

The Alpine Zoo Wild Lights is transforming Big Bear into a glowing winter wonderland with nearly 2 million sparkling lights. Visitors can stroll beneath the 100-foot Great Pine, explore the Dark Sky Grove, and enjoy hot cocoa while taking in the holiday magic. The event runs Wednesday through Sunday, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., until January 4, 2026, at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Visit bigbear.com for more information.

Yucca Valley Film Festival
Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 9

The 7th Annual Yucca Valley Film Festival returns this weekend to the Yucca Valley Community Center. This festival remains one of the Morongo Basin’s most celebrated annual arts events. Guests will enjoy film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, and a special masterclass with actor and director James Morrison. The full schedule of events is available at yuccavalleyfilmfestival.com.

Mentone International Film Festival
Saturday, November 8 - Sunday, November 9

The Mentone International Film Festival returns this weekend at 1133 Crafton Avenue in Mentone. This event brings independent filmmakers, producers, and audiences from around the world together. The weekend features a red-carpet gala hosted by Cody Renee Cameron (Sons of Anarchy), plus autograph signings, and surprise guests. Learn more at the Mentone Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Top Town Fall Festival - Crestline
Saturday, November 8

The Crestline Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Top Town Fall Festival on Saturday, November 8, in Top Town at Crest Forest Drive and State Route 138. This free, family-friendly event will feature bounce houses, kid-friendly crafts, artisans, face painting, and local shopping. Enjoy a Beer Garden hosted by Lake Arrowhead Brewing Co. and live music from The Phillbillies. Event details are available here.

Turkey Trot - Barstow
Saturday, November 15

Lace up your running shoes and get into the Thanksgiving spirit early at the Turkey Trot 5K Medal Series and Fun Run on Saturday, November 15, at the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sports Park at 2800 Mayor Katy Parkway in Barstow. Race kicks off at 8:00 a.m. on the day of the event. Limited-edition series medals will be available while supplies last. Register now by using this link.

Grand Terrace 47th Birthday Celebration
Wednesday, November 19

To see more events taking place in the Third District, click here to visit our website.

Have an event coming up that you would like us to publish? Please send details to Supervisor.Rowe@bos.sbcounty.gov

For more information visit: https://bosd3.sbcounty.gov

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