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Monthly Archives: August 2014
Register now for the September Children’s Network Conference
Registration is open for the Sept. 24 and 25 Children’s Network Conference.
Now in its 28th year, the event is one of the Inland Empire’s premier training events for professionals in the fields of social work, mental health, juvenile justice, child development, child welfare, medicine, and nursing. The 54 workshops will highlight topic including autism, bullying, father involvement, domestic minor sex trafficking, school safety, internet safety, and youth suicide prevention.
Jeff Duncan-Andrade, Director of the Educational Equity Initiative at the Institute for Sustainable Economic, Educational, and Environmental Design (ISEEED) and Jennifer Rodriguez, a former Foster Youth and Executive Director of the Youth Law Center (YLC) will be the keynote speakers. Workshop and registration information can be found on the Children’s Network website http://hs.sbcounty.gov/CN
If you have any questions, please contact Children’s Network at (909) 383-9677.
County seeks more public input on renewable energy
The County wants to hear from you to help Land Use Services develop a renewable energy and conservation element for incorporation into the General Plan.
Land Use Services has created a public participation program called the San Bernardino County Partnership for Renewable Energy and Conservation (SPARC) and began collecting input online and in a series of three community workshops held around the county.
Many of you participated in round one of public workshops and now it is time for round two. This month, the County is hosting a second round of workshops where you can learn more about the County’s renewable energy plan and share your thoughts on the draft goals. The goals will guide development of the County’s Renewable Energy Element. Find the workshop closest to you:
- Yucca Valley – August 21, 6-8 p.m. Community Center, Yucca Room (57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284)
- Big Bear Lake – August 25, 6-8 p.m. Big Bear Fire Department #281 (41090 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315)
- Barstow – August 26, 6-8 p.m. First Baptist Church (1320 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311)
- Hesperia – August 28, 6-8 p.m. Hesperia Library (9650 Seventh Avenue, Hesperia, CA 92345)
- San Bernardino – August 29, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Covington Chambers, County Government Center (385 N. Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415)
A third round of public workshops is expected in the fall. Read what others are saying, share your own ideas now at www.SPARCForum.org, and plan to participate at one of the upcoming meetings.
An interactive website, www.SPARCForum.org, provides 24-hour public access to project information and opportunities to engage in all phases of updating the General Plan. SPARC Forum also provides access to people who cannot attend public workshops.
More about SPARC: The San Bernardino County Partnership for Renewable Energy and Conservation (SPARC) will provide a framework for renewable energy development while protecting communities and natural resources. Community input will help shape the drafting of a County General Plan Renewable Energy Element for consideration by the Board of Supervisors.
Questions? Visit www.SPARCForum.org or contact the County Land Use Services Department at (909) 252-5105.
Attend the Quakes game for Save Your Home SB County Night
Team Save will be at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes game on Sunday, August 17th.
It will be Save Your Home San Bernardino County night. Plus, Supervisor Janice Rutherford will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch!
Stop by the Team Save booth to get information on foreclosure prevention, credit counseling, down payment assistance and free legal assistance.
Spin the Prize Wheel for a chance to win tickets to a Quakes game. If you have any questions, contact Community Development and Housing at 909.387.4389.
Click here for more information.
First human cases of West Nile Virus in San Bernardino County
Two human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in the County of San Bernardino. These are the first confirmed human cases within the County this year. At this time last year, the County had a total of three confirmed cases and one death due to West Nile Virus. As of August 13, 2014, the California Department of Public Health has confirmed a total of 57 human cases and two deaths within the state due to West Nile Virus infection.
“We strongly encourage the public to be aware of the WNV activity in your area and take action to protect yourself and your family by taking appropriate precautionary measures,” said Maxwell Ohikhuare, M.D., County of San Bernardino Health Officer. “People over 50 years old should be especially cautious, as they are more likely to develop serious illness if they contract WNV.”
West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms of West Nile Virus may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms. However, some people may develop severe symptoms which can lead to brain inflammation or paralysis. The most effective way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.
County of San Bernardino citizens can protect themselves from mosquito bites by taking the following precautions:
- DAWN and DUSK – Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active.
- DRESS – Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts that are loose fitting and light colored.
- DRAIN – Remove or drain all standing water around your property where mosquitoes lay eggs (birdbaths, ponds, old tires, buckets, clogged gutters or puddles from leaky sprinklers).
- DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET. When using DEET, be sure to read and follow the label instructions.
- DOORS – Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes to prevent mosquitoes from entering the home.
The public can participate in the West Nile Virus surveillance program by reporting dead birds to the State West Nile Virus toll-free hotline at (877) WNV – BIRD (968-2473) or at www.westnile.ca.gov.
For more information on West Nile Virus, visit the Mosquito and Vector Control Program at www.sbcounty.gov/dehs, or call the Communicable Disease Section (CDS) at 1 (800) 722-4794. Continuous health information on West Nile Virus and other health topics can be found on the CDS Facebook page at http://www.facebook/CommunicableDiseaseSection .
Alabama to reopen to traffic by noon on Wednesday
The San Bernardino County Flood Control District, along with the City of Highland, the City of Redlands, the City of San Bernardino and the Inland Valley Development Agency, are happy to announce the upcoming reopening of Alabama Street between Highland and Redlands. Alabama will be open by noon on Wednesday, August 20, 2014.
Alabama has been closed seven times since 2003 for damage to the roadway caused by storm flows from City Creek. The project started in November of 2013 and consisted of construction of two 48-foot-wide by 169-foot-long arch culverts at City Creek; roadway widening and paving; concreted rock slope protection, and the installation of new electric, gas and communication lines. The project was completed on time and under budget. The completed project meets the FEMA-approved 100-year flood capacity and the water-carrying capacity of the road crossing is now increased by more than 600 percent.
The project was completed at a construction cost of $2,350,010. More than 95 percent was funded by grants from the Federal Highway Administration and the state Office of Emergency Services. The remaining costs were shared by the San Bernardino County Flood Control District, the City of Highland, the City of Redlands, the City of San Bernardino and the Inland Valley Development Agency.
Thanks to the improvements, a recent storm passed freely through the new arch. The reopening of Alabama will be great news to the 12,000 motorists who have come to rely on this thoroughfare each day.
More information is available by calling the San Bernardino County Flood Control District at (909) 387-7920.
Firefighters battle early morning market fire
At 1:49 a.m. Wednesday, dispatch received a call from a citizen who said they could see smoke on the north side of Lake Arrowhead near the area of Highway 173 and Yosemite Road.Story Time at the Victor Valley Museum
On Sunday, August 17, it’s Story Time from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley. Special guest storyteller Iris Gutierrez will read three storybooks aloud, all with a “family” theme. As part of the event, children and their parents can participate in a craft activity and take home something they have made themselves. Story Time and activities are included with paid museum admission.
Story Time is scheduled once each month on a Sunday afternoon at the Victor Valley Museum. The September session, with guest storyteller Valerie Emick, is September 21 with the theme, “Dog Days.”
The Victor Valley Museum is a branch of the San Bernardino County Museum located at 11873 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 (adult), $4 (senior or military), and $2.50 (student). Children under 5 and San Bernardino County Museum Association members are free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.
The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669.
Volunteers needed to help Mt. Baldy community cleanup efforts
In response to the recent flash floods that hit parts of San Bernardino County and specifically the Mt. Baldy community, Inland Empire United Way is working with the San Bernardino County Fire Office of Emergency Services and San Bernardino County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to coordinate cleanup efforts tomorrow, 
Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10.
Volunteers are needed to shovel and remove dirt, mud, and general debris. The work needed to be done involves hard physical labor, so volunteers must be in good physical shape and 18 years of age or older. If you are interested in volunteering you must register online at www.handsoninlandempire.org and follow the link titled Emergency Mt. Baldy Cleanup. People interested in volunteering may also dial 211 or call 1-888-435-7565 for more information.
County crews continue cleanup
The County’s Department of Public Works and County Fire Department have been busy helping to restore order to various county communities following Sunday’s floods and debris flows.
Mt. Baldy, Forest Falls, and Oak Glen were hit the hardest. County Public Works Crews have cleared Mt. Baldy Road of debris, and a loader and grader are staged in the area in case additional work is needed. Some reports hold that thunderstorms might return as soon as Sunday.
In Forest Falls, crews were able to open Valley of the Falls Drive, even though cleanup in the community is expected to last at least through August 22. Crews are also expected to spend two more weeks cleaning up in Oak Glen, where at least four major storm culverts were completely blocked. Oak Glen Road is now open.
County Fire Hand Crews have been in Mt. Baldy and Forest Falls helping residents dig out from the mud and debris. County Fire also brought in equipment to start clearing driveways of mud and debris.
The desert areas of the county are suffering as well, with Barstow Heights and Big River the hardest hit. Public Works crews were also dispatched to Helendale, National Trails Highway, and various earthen flood control channels.
Keep up to date on road closures by visiting Public Works’ award-winning website at http://www.sbcounty.gov/dpw/
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors ratified a declaration of local emergency signed Monday by County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux. If the governor concurs, the county’s cleanup costs will be eligible for reimbursement and low-interest loans might be available to residents who lost property.
Primary care services expanded in the High Desert
The Department of Public Health is holding a grand opening at the Adelanto Health Center to celebrate its relocation to a new building.
The grand opening will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at 11336 Bartlett Avenue, Suite 11 Adelanto CA, 92301. Residents are encouraged to come and learn about services provided at the health center and get a chance to meet First District Board of Supervisor Robert A. Lovingood.
The Adelanto Health Center, recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration as a federally qualified health center, was originally a school-based clinic located at the Westside Park Elementary School in Adelanto. The Health Center was recently relocated to a larger, more accessible building on Bartlett Avenue. Clinical services at the new building began April 1, 2014. Along with the Hesperia Health Center, also operated by the Department of Public Health, it is one of only two federally qualified health centers fully serving the High Desert region.
“This larger, more accessible site will allow the department to expand access to preventive and primary care services for the uninsured and underinsured residents,” stated Dr. Meaghan Ellis, Chief of Community Health Services/Health Center Director.
The Adelanto Health Center provides an array of primary care, mental health, and dental services. Services include health screening, referral services, immunizations, management of acute and chronic diseases, and preventive health education. The Adelanto Health Center also provides other services, including Every Woman Counts and reproductive health services.
For more information or to access public health services contact the Department of Public Health at (800) 782-4264 or visit our website at www.sbcounty.gov/dph.
