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 After the Storms: Reporting Damage, Clearing Roads, and Staying Prepared
Now that the winter storms have passed through San Bernardino County, crews are addressing storm-related impacts and continuing efforts to keep roads safe and accessible. Residents can help by reporting potholes, debris, drainage concerns, and other issues on county-maintained roads using SeeClickFix, the County’s free reporting tool. Available via web browser or mobile app, SeeClickFix allows users to submit photos, provide detailed descriptions, pinpoint locations, and track issues from report to resolution. Download links and reporting information are available at dpw.sbcounty.gov.
This winter also marked the beginning of a strengthened five-year partnership between the Land Use Services Code Enforcement Division and Public Works, focused on improving storm response, especially in mountain communities. During snow events, improperly parked vehicles can block snowplows, delay emergency response, and prevent access to entire neighborhoods. Through proactive outreach and enforcement before and during storms, the County is working to ensure roads remain clear, response times improve, and residents can travel safely during critical weather conditions.
Even as storm cleanup continues, preparedness remains essential. Residents are encouraged to download Ready SB County, the official emergency preparedness app for San Bernardino County. The free app provides real-time alerts, evacuation maps, safety check-ins, emergency contacts, and preparedness resources. Learn how to use the app before, during, and after future storms by visiting prepare.sbcounty.gov.
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Asst. Chief Josh Pullen, Battalion Chief Jared Newcomer and Supervisor Rowe are pictured with: Top left-State Senator Kelly Seyarto; top right-Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez; bottom-Assemblyman John Harabedian
Third District Leaders Advocate for Wildfire Preparedness in Sacramento
Supervisor Dawn Rowe recently traveled to Sacramento with local fire service leaders Assistant Chief Josh Pullen and Battalion Chief Jared Newcomer to meet with members of the Inland Empire legislative delegation. Discussions with State Senator Kelly Seyarto and Assemblymembers Jeff Gonzalez and John Harabedian, and other elected officials focused on issues affecting San Bernardino County, particularly wildfire risk and emergency preparedness.
With mountain, desert, and foothill communities facing ongoing wildfire threats, the visit allowed state lawmakers to hear directly from local fire officials about current conditions, operational challenges, and resource needs. Bringing frontline perspectives into the legislative process remains a key priority for the Third District.
Strong collaboration between local and state partners is essential to improving coordination, strengthening preparedness, and protecting residents. Continued partnership ensures communities are better positioned to meet emerging challenges and stay safe.
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 Santa Ana River Trail Grows in
San Bernardino and Redlands
Supervisor Rowe joined county leaders, community members, and regional partners to celebrate the completion of Phase III of the Santa Ana River Trail, marking a major milestone in one of the region’s most significant outdoor recreation projects. The new 3.8-mile extension stretches from Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino to California Street in Redlands, creating 11 miles of continuous trail through San Bernardino and Colton. The project represents the transition point between the Fifth and Third Supervisorial Districts and moves the county closer to the long-term goal of a fully connected trail from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
Cycling enthusiasts rode in to attend the ceremony alongside representatives from the County’s Regional Parks and Public Works departments, the California Coastal Conservancy, and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. The new segment is a Class I bike path, fully separated from vehicle traffic, providing a safe and scenic space for residents and visitors to bike, walk, hike, and commute. County officials emphasized that the trail expands access to free outdoor recreation, supports local businesses along the corridor, and enhances overall quality of life for surrounding communities.
When complete, the 110-mile Santa Ana River Trail will extend from Mentone through Riverside and Orange counties to Huntington Beach. Phase III was supported by nearly $6.9 million in Proposition 84 funding from the California Coastal Conservancy, along with additional funding through the state’s Active Transportation Program. Planning is already underway for Phase IV-A, which will extend the trail east through to Orange Street in Redlands, with construction anticipated to begin in mid-2027.
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 Silver Valley High School
Students Make History
Before the 2026 King of the Hammers becomes a distant memory, there’s one more milestone worth celebrating in the Third District. Silver Valley High School in Yermo made history as the first high school automotive team ever to compete at the world-renowned off-road race in Johnson Valley. Competing in the Class 11 night race on Jan. 31, the student-built team finished ninth out of 26 entries, an impressive accomplishment on a national motorsports stage.
To qualify, students in Silver Valley’s Automotive Career Technical Education (CTE) program spent more than a year building and preparing their own Volkswagen Beetle to meet Class 11 specifications. Along the way, they gained hands-on experience in fabrication, mechanical systems, diagnostics, motorsports operations, and even media and marketing, developing sponsor pitch decks and working directly with industry professionals. County Superintendent Ted Alejandre praised the effort as a powerful example of how CTE programs are preparing students with real-world skills and career-ready experience.
The historic run was made possible through strong industry partnerships, including title sponsor Sylvania Off-Road Lighting and build partner Slow Ride Garage, as well as support from three-time Class 11 Champion Blake Wilkey. Together, these partnerships helped place a student-built vehicle on one of the toughest race courses in the world, proving that talent, teamwork, and hands-on education can take Third District students all the way to the starting line at King of the Hammers.
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 Spring Cleaning, Desert Style
Residents across the Third District will have multiple opportunities to tidy up their communities on Saturday, February 28. In the High Desert, San Bernardino County Land Use Services Code Enforcement will host two free Community Cleanup events from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Newberry Springs Senior Center and the Daggett Community Service District. These events, open to residents of unincorporated areas, provide a convenient, no-cost way to dispose of household trash, bulky items, green waste, e-waste, and more.
In addition, two cities are encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and pitch in. The City of Needles will host a volunteer cleanup from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Third Street and J Street, providing bags, pickers, and gloves for participants. Meanwhile, Barstow’s Community Cleanup Day will take place from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark. Sponsored by Burrtec, the Barstow event invites families, service clubs, and local businesses to assist with litter removal and beautification efforts, with free volunteer t-shirts available while supplies last.
For more information about each event, including participation details and guidelines, please visit the links below:
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 Free Tax Help Available Through County VITA Program
Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when help is free. The San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department is offering Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services to help qualifying residents prepare and e-file their state and federal tax returns at no cost. IRS-certified volunteers provide safe, convenient, and trusted tax preparation for individuals and families with low to moderate incomes.
In-person VITA assistance is available at locations throughout the county, including Redlands, Barstow, Highland, Big Bear Lake, Loma Linda, Crestline, Grand Terrace, Mentone, and Twentynine Palms. Households with a combined earned income of less than $69,000 in 2025 may qualify.
To learn more about eligibility requirements or to schedule an appointment, call
1-877-410-8829 or visit the Transitional Assistance Department’s VITA webpage for full program details. Appointments are available through April 15.
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 Support Saturday Offers Child Support Assistance and Free Tax Preparation in Loma Linda
Residents are invited to attend Support Saturday, a helpful community resource event hosted by San Bernardino County Child Support Services, on Saturday, March 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at 10417 Mountain View Avenue in Loma Linda.
The event is designed to connect families with one-on-one support, including personalized case information, application assistance, and help navigating child support services. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet directly with child support representatives, access computers for quick application processing, receive guidance on case modifications, and enroll in services onsite.
In addition to child support services, the event will feature free tax preparation assistance from IRS-certified volunteers through the county’s Transitional Assistance program. Appointments are required for tax preparation and can be scheduled by calling 877-410-8829. Eligibility for tax services depends on income and family size.
For more information about Support Saturday, go to childsupport.sbcounty.gov and click on the Events Calendar.
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 Free Dental and Vision Care
Coming to Yucca Valley
Morongo Basin residents in need of dental and vision care will have an opportunity to receive free services when The Flying Doctors hosts a two-day community event at Yucca Valley High School on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. The event is open to both adults and children and aims to provide essential health services to community members at no cost.
Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis, and organizers emphasize that lines begin forming at 6:00 a.m. The first 150 adults and children in line each day will be eligible for free dental procedures, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions, while the first 50 individuals will receive complimentary eye exams and, if needed, prescription glasses.
In addition to dental and vision care, attendees can also take advantage of other free services such as hearing screenings, haircuts, and sports physicals, making the event a broad community wellness effort. Organizers ask that children be supervised at all times and note that appointments are not required.
The event is made possible through partnerships with community sponsors, including the Morongo Unified School District and Healing California, working together to improve access to care and promote healthy communities. Details on the Flying Doctors visit can be found on the Morongo Unified School District Facebook page.
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These ongoing construction and improvement projects may impact your travel time.
Plan ahead and drive safely!
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I-15 Bridge Maintenance - Devore
Caltrans will be performing bridge repairs on Interstate 15 (I-15) on Saturday, February 28, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weather permitting. The work will require several closures, including the Devore Road on-ramp to southbound I-15, the northbound I-215 connector to southbound I-15, the southbound Kenwood Avenue on-ramp, the southbound I-15 truck bypass lane, and the southbound #3 lane near the Cajon Creek Bridge just north of Glen Helen Parkway. CHP officers will be on site for traffic control, and electronic signage will alert motorists to the changes.
Intersection Improvement Project - Yucca Valley
Work continues at the intersection of Yucca Mesa Road and Buena Vista Drive in Yucca Valley, with construction scheduled to run through March 31. Crews are on site daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the intersection remains open to one-way traffic with flaggers directing vehicles through the work zone. Truck traffic, including semi-trucks and oversized loads, is detoured via State Route 247 and State Route 62, while emergency access will be maintained at all times.
Intersection Improvement Project
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Have a Heart for Nursing - Joshua Tree
Saturday, February 28
The Copper Mountain College (CMC) Foundation invites the community to Have a Heart for Nursing on Saturday, February 28, at the Bell Center Gymnasium on the CMC campus in Joshua Tree. This lively fundraiser will feature an unforgettable performance by aerial artist Wish, food and beverages, and raffles, all in support of CMC nursing students. Proceeds will help offset the costs of exams, supplies, and certification fees as students pursue careers in healthcare. Tickets can be purchased online at donorperfect.net.
Walk on Blue Mountain - Grand Terrace
Sunday, March 1
Mark your calendar for the 18th Annual Blue Mountain Hike on Sunday, March 1, starting at 8:00 a.m. at the trailhead on Palm Avenue and Honey Hill Drive in Grand Terrace. This 3.24-mile round-trip hike features 1,092 feet of elevation gain and welcomes participants of all fitness levels. For more details or to learn about volunteer opportunities, email events@grandterrace-ca.gov or go to grandterrace-ca.gov.
St. Puppy's Day - Loma Linda
Sunday, March 1
St. Puppy's Day returns for its second annual community celebration on Sunday, March 1, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Fire Station #251 in Loma Linda. This family-friendly event blends pet adoption opportunities with community engagement focused on wellness, education, and togetherness. Community members are invited to meet local first responders and help celebrate a fun-filled day supporting pets and people alike. Use this link to get event details from Facebook.
Public Safety Appreciation - Highland
Tuesday, March 3 and Thursday, March 5
Highland residents are invited to pull up a chair and share a meal at the City of Highland’s Annual Public Safety Appreciation Potluck. Join local first responders for lunch on Tuesday, March 3, at the Highland Police Station (26985 Baseline) or Thursday, March 5, at Fire Station #3 (7649 Sterling Avenue, San Bernardino). Bring a dish to share and be part of a community tradition that celebrates those who keep Highland safe. Learn more at highlandca.gov or call 909-864-6861 ext. 203.
"Landers Quake" Movie Screening - Landers
Saturday, March 7
Step back into one of Southern California’s most unforgettable mornings at a special screening of "Landers Quake", featuring rare footage captured during the 1992 earthquake as it happened. The event takes place on Saturday, March 7, at 1:00 p.m., at Belfield Hall Community Center, 58380 Reche Road, in Landers. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Landers programs, and one lucky attendee will win an earthquake “go” kit. Call 760-449-4048 for more information.
Take a Hike - Yucaipa
Saturday, March 14
Lace up your boots for a special edition of “Take a Hike” on Saturday, March 14, at the Wildwood Mountain Bike Trail, 36699 Wildwood Canyon Road. The Yucaipa Trails and Open Space Committee is opening this bike-only trail to hikers for one day only, making this a unique opportunity you won’t want to miss. Locations are subject to change, so check the Yucaipa Trails and Open Space Facebook page or email bearpawranch@msn.com for updates.
To see more events taking place in the Third District, click here to visit our website.
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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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