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Monthly Archives: January 2014
Probation makes arrests, seizes weapons and stolen property during compliance operation
The Probation Department conducted a multi-agency probation compliance operation in the City of Grand Terrace on Tuesday evening. The Sheriff’s Department also participated in the sweep.
The Probation Department conducts regular multi-agency compliance operations throughout the county. In these operations, every supervised offender within a specific city or geographic area is targeted for contact. The Probation Department accomplishes this by redeploying officers from throughout the county to focus on a target area.
Since the inception of AB 109, the Probation Department has prioritized scheduling these operations in cities with large populations of PRCS offenders, or on the basis of crime rates or other factors. However, the Probation Department is committed to ensuring public safety in every community throughout the county. With a total of only 44 probationers and PRCS offenders, Grand Terrace has one of the lowest populations of supervised offenders in San Bernardino County. Despite this, the Probation Department targeted Grand Terrace to ensure that all areas receive the benefits of a compliance operation.
Twenty six probation officers, including command and support staff, were deployed in three teams. Five deputy sheriffs participated. Of the 44 offenders residing in the city, 27 were identified for contact. The other offenders were determined to not need contact for various reasons. Twenty-eight home visits were made, resulting in contact with 18 offenders. Twenty-one residential searches were conducted, which resulted in the confiscation of two rifles, several knives or edged weapons, a small quantity of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a cache of stolen identification and credit cards. Nine people were arrested, including two non-probationers. The arrests were for new law violations, probation violations, or for active bench warrants.
Probation officers served an arrest warrant on Jessica Bruton, 25, in the 22000 block of Raven Way. Bruton was on formal probation for possession of stolen property, but a warrant had been issued for her arrest following a violation of her probation. Bruton attempted to flee the rear of the residence, but was arrested by probation officers in the back yard.
“Today’s Grand Terrace operation is an example of our desire to support cities that have had to contend with the impact of AB 109. Irrespective of the size of the community, our officers will conduct compliance sweeps to provide public safety services,” Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray Brown said. “This operation predominately targeted probationers. In addition to AB 109 offenders, we still provide supervision of adult and juvenile probationers and offer a wide range of rehabilitative services that prevent re-offense.”
TV show highlights duck stamps, artists at the County Museum
Television host Roger Martin of “Out and About,” aired a special on the County Museum’s federal duck stamp exhibit.
The exhibit showcases the work of artists who have won the annual Federal Duck Stamp competition including 2013 winner Adam Grimm, and his 7-year-old daughter, Madison Grimm, who coincidentally won the junior competition that same year.
Father and daughter are also interviewed about their artwork in the video along with County Museum Director Robert McKernan.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sponsors the contest each year and the money raised from the duck stamps benefits conservation programs.
To watch the video click here.
For more information about the federal duck stamp competition, visit http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/Info/Stamps/stampinfo.htm
County Fire battles three-alarm commercial fire in Fontana
Firefighters responded to a three-alarm commercial fire at the Fontana Recycling Center, located at the 14900 block of Slover Avenue in Fontana. Initial reports stated a bundle of cardboard was on fire to the north of the large butler building. Employees tried to put out the fire using fire extinguishers, however strong winds quickly spread the fire and employees were forced to evacuate.
Upon firefighter arrival less than 5 minutes later, the fire driven by 25 MPH winds gusting upward to 50 MPH, had spread to the butler building and several other bundles of cardboard and embers were blowing upwards to ¼ mile away, starting additional fires.
Firefighters quickly sprung into action putting out spot fires and aggressively attacking the fire utilizing all available resources. Explosions could be heard coming from a diesel storage container, moments later live power lines tumbled to the surface, hindering firefighting efforts. Firefighters continued to battle the blaze and extinguish numerous new fire starts. Embers started a spot fire on the other side of Slover Ave., catching vegetation on fire and putting that business at risk. Embers also caught fire to a wood fence to the back side of a residence. Firefighters kept the fire from spreading to the home. Firefighters were successful in saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in machinery, several buildings, vehicles and semi-tractor trailers, as well as construction equipment.
Be prepared for the next earthquake
Did you feel that earthquake in Fontana overnight? Last night’s jolt and the 20th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake is bringing earthquake preparedness and awareness to the forefront again.
How can you keep your family safe?
To commemorate the anniversary of the Northridge quake, the Southern California Earthquake Center and the Earthquake Country Alliance put together a virtual exhibit website with a variety of resources, animations, interviews and listing of events happening to help people remember and prepare for another quake.
The website also has a section highlighting three faults in San Bernardino County. Click on the map to see the ones closest to you at http://earthquakecountry.org/northridge/nearyou/.
Hazard abatement enforcement begins, County Fire offers free curbside chipping services
In an effort to provide greater fire protection for residents of the Crest Forest Fire Protection District and surrounding communities, the County Fire Department is offering a free wood chipping program. Residents that have property located directly adjacent to the national forest in this area are eligible for the program.
One of the most effective defensive tools against the threat of wildfire is to have “defensible space” around a home. Defensible space is an area surrounding a structure that has been cleared of excess vegetation, debris and/or any other flammable materials. Having good defensible space allows fire crews a chance to more effectively defend a structure against an oncoming fire.
County Land Use Services Department, Code Enforcement Division, began weed abatement inspections on January 13 and will continue until the perimeter of the district is complete. The teams are inspecting high hazard areas adjacent to the national forest boundary for defensible space compliance. Property owners will be contacted by mail if property improvements are needed. In the mailer, a flyer will be included which will contain more information about the chipping program.
Under this program, property owners will be able to have their wood debris chipped and re-distributed back onto their property. These wood chips are far less combustible, and transition from vegetation that supports burning into wood chips that help retard the growth of a fire. The cost of providing this chipping service is being incurred by the County Fire Department.
Property owners are responsible for cutting or raking the materials and having the debris placed curbside for chipping – as no haul away will be available. It is essential that all properties in the area be treated in order to provide the best level of protection. Consequently, if a property owner does not take advantage of the free chipping program in the time frame allotted, then they will be held responsible for the clean-up and removal at their own expense. Wood chipping is scheduled to begin in February; dates and locations to be announced.
It’s not a question of if, but when, the next wildfire will occur. With advance planning and preparation, you can dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your property. Visit www.sbcfire.org/fire_prevention_advice.aspx to learn how to make your home defensible against fires. The Ready! Set! Go! Personal Wildfire Action Plan gives you the tips and tools to successfully prepare for a wildfire.
For more information, call Land Use Services at 909-884-4056 or the Office of the Fire Marshal at 909-386-8400.
Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector recieves multiple awards for financial reporting
San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Larry Walker received two awards from the Government Finance Officers’ Association (GFOA) – the Award of Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting and a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Both awards were presented to Walker at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
“I am honored to receive both of these awards, and extremely proud of my staff for their hard work and dedication,” Walker said. This affirms my commitment to making the citizens of the County my priority by presenting the County’s financial information in a transparent, easily accessible, and understandable format.”
The Popular Annual Financial Reporting Awards Program was established in 1991 by GFOA. The Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Office has received this award for the 7 th consecutive year, recognizing its efforts to develop a high-quality popular annual report that is designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the general public.
The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945. The Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Office has received this award for the 25 th consecutive year. In part, this award is presented to state and local governments that prepare annual financial reporting exceeding the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), while also preparing comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure. Reports are reviewed by members of the GFOA staff and the GFOA’s Special Review Committee, comprised of individuals with expert knowledge of public-sector financial reporting.
The Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Office has made both reports accessible to the publicby posting a link to the website at www.sbcounty.gov/atc where content of the report can be reviewed cover to cover.
Museum open on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
The San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands, usually closed on Mondays, will be open on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Monday, January 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular museum admission fees apply.
Visitors will see exhibits about the cultural and natural history of inland Southern California and the southwest, including minerals and fossils, Native American artifacts, birds and mammals, and historical objects. Two special exhibits, “Through the Keyhole: the lock and key collection of Scott J. Klemm” and “Portraits and Views: The Redlands Photographic Studio 1897–1924” are included with paid museum admission.
First confirmed flu-related deaths in the County
The County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health has confirmation of its first two flu-related deaths this influenza season. “The families have our sincerest condolences,” said Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, Health Officer. Almost every state in the US has reported widespread geographic influenza activity.
“San Bernardino County like the rest of California has seen an accelerated increase in flu activity over the past few weeks. You can help prevent further spread of the flu by getting a flu shot,” stated Dr. Ohikhuare. It’s not too late to get a flu shot because it will still provide protection this flu season, which has yet to peak in California. A seasonal flu shot is recommended every year to all persons age 6 months and older, to help protect you, your family and the community from the flu. The flu is a caused by the influenza viruses and is easily spread from one person to another. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can lead to hospitalization and even death.
A seasonal flu shot is especially recommended for these high risk groups:
- People 50 years of age and older
- People who live in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- People of any age with chronic medical conditions (including asthmatics and diabetics)
- Pregnant women
- Home caregivers and health care workers
- Infants and children* age 6 months up to their 19th birthday
*Depending on previous vaccination history, children aged 6 months through 8 years may be required to receive two doses of influenza vaccine
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, prevent the spread of illness by following these steps:
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and/or mouth
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze. Alcohol- based hand sanitizers may be used if soap and water are not available
- Avoid close contact with sick people and stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others
- Contact your medical provider for treatment options
For information about community clinic locations and times, please visit the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health website at www.sbcounty.gov/dph, or call the Communicable Disease Section at 1-800-722-4794, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to find a location near you.
For San Bernardino County, it’s easy being green
San Bernardino County’s fleet of more than 2,000 public service vehicles have been chosen as one of the nation’s most environmentally friendly government fleets in the nation.
Among thousands of federal, state, county, city, school district, and other public agency fleets from Hawaii to Maine, San Bernardino County’s fleet ranked 40th in the Government Green Fleet Award program, it was announced this week. Other notable entries included the New York City Department of Sanitation, ranked at 42nd, the County of Riverside, ranked at 45th, and the City of Thousand Oaks, ranked at 50th.
Criteria for the awards included use of renewable and alternative sources of energy. It compared the total use of conventional versus renewable fuels such as BioDiesel & Ethanol, and non-renewable fuels such as propane and compressed natural gas. The program also considered green fleet sustainability, examining whether agencies will continue to budget and purchase green technologies.
So when you look up at our beautiful local mountains and can actually see them, you can give some of the thanks to the San Bernardino County Fleet Management Department.
Golf tournament to benefit Big Bear Alpine Zoo snow leopard exhibit
In late spring, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo will be accepting two snow leopard sisters from a zoo in the state of Washington. The two sisters are a bit over one year old, and are part of a captive breeding program aimed at propagating the endangered species.
The Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo will be sponsoring its inaugural Golf Tournament to benefit the Snow Leopard exhibit on February 7 at the beautiful Classic Club golf resort in Palm Desert.
The prime mission of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release as many animals as possible that are brought to the facility, and does so with over 85 percent of the injured or orphaned wildlife it comes in contact with. The zoo is actively working toward upgrading the exhibit which will likely be the permanent home for the two snow leopards as they cannot be released into the wild due to imprinting and permanent injuries to both animals including each losing an eye to disease.
For more information, click here: Golf Tournament
