10/28/2019 The same areas of California keep catching on fire. What about limits on home building? - Los Angeles Times

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The same areas of California keep catching on fire. What aboutlimits on home building?

A home burns near a vineyard after the Kincade fire burned through the area near Geyserville, Calif. Fueled by high winds,the fire burned thousands of acres in a matter of hours and prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

By LIAM DILLONSTAFF WRITER

OCT 28 2019

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10/28/2019 The same areas of California keep catching on fire. What about limits on home building? - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-28/kincade-getty-fire-prone-neighborhood-limit-homebuilding 2/10

OCT. 28, 2019

3:20 PM

The wildfires engulfing California this month have burned some of the same areas where other

major fires have destroyed thousands of homes in recent years.

But while Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers have announced plans that could reign in

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and other utilities since this year’s blazes began, no one has formally

proposed robust limits on home building in areas at risk of wildfire.

On Sunday, residents of Coffey Park, a neighborhood in Santa Rosa that was leveled in the Tubbs

fire in 2017, received evacuation orders over the Kincade fire, which is currently ripping through

Sonoma County. The community has yet to see damage from the new blaze, but some areas burned

by the Kincade fire overlap with those affected two years ago — and fire officials fear the flames

could grow when Diablo winds return to Northern California later this week.

Many homes have only just been rebuilt in Coffey Park. But the burnt trees that surround them

serve as constant reminders of the Tubbs fire.

In June, the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies released a poll that showed that three-

quarters of California voters believe the state should restrain home building in areas at high risk of

wildfires. The poll, prepared for The Times, revealed bipartisan support for such restrictions after

deadly fires wiped out tens of thousands of homes across the state in the last two years.

“The voters think there should be limits,” said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Berkeley IGS Poll.

The Times is offering fire coverage for free today. Please consider a subscription to

support our journalism.

The survey revealed broad backing across party lines, demographic groups and all regions in

California for restricting growth in wildfire zones. Nearly 85% of Democrats support doing so

compared with 57% of Republicans and 72% of independent voters.

10/28/2019 The same areas of California keep catching on fire. What about limits on home building? - Los Angeles Times

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(Los Angeles Times)

10/28/2019 The same areas of California keep catching on fire. What about limits on home building? - Los Angeles Times

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At least 66% of respondents in every region backed the idea, including the non-Bay Area northern

section of the state. That includes the area surrounding Paradise, which was almost entirely

destroyed in last fall’s Camp fire and where many homeowners have said they hope to rebuild and

in many cases are doing so.

Overall, 37% of voters surveyed said they supported strongly limiting new home building in

wildfire areas, with an additional 38% saying they somewhat supported the idea.

Despite voters’ willingness to restrict growth in wildfire areas, Newsom and lawmakers have not

discussed the idea comprehensively, alongside other options to prevent destructive infernos. State

leaders have instead focused their discussions on utility companies’ financial responsibility for the

blazes, how to pay for damages from wildfires and cutting back vegetation and other ways to

manage the state’s forests. One bill that would have added extra restrictions on cities and counties’

ability to approve housing in high-risk zones was held in a legislative committee earlier this year.

Last year Ken Pimlott, the recently retired head of the California Department of Forestry and Fire

Protection, said that government should consider stopping home building in threatened

communities because of the substantial loss of property and lives.

But in an interview with the Associated Press this spring, Newsom rejected it.

“There’s something that is truly Californian about the wilderness and the wild and pioneering

spirit,” Newsom said. “I’m not advocating for” no building.

Stanford University’s Michael Wara, who recently served on a state wildfire commission, said the

scale of recent fires is influencing how Californians think about development, even those whose

property is safe.

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10/28/2019 The same areas of California keep catching on fire. What about limits on home building? - Los Angeles Times

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“They wake up and go outside and they can’t breathe and there’s ash on their car,” said Wara, who

directs the school’s climate and energy policy program. “It’s not something you read about in the

newspaper. It’s something you experience.”

(Los Angeles Times)

But Wara said any decision to limit growth in fire zones remains politically difficult. People who

own land or might want to build in those areas strongly prefer to maintain the status quo.

“This is an issue where there’s concentrated very powerful interests that have a lot to lose by

changing the rules,” he said.

10/28/2019 The same areas of California keep catching on fire. What about limits on home building? - Los Angeles Times

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It’s also possible that voters might support the idea for limiting growth but not the details of what a

plan might look like, said DiCamillo, the pollster. A recent Cal Fire report said 1 in 4 Californians

live in areas considered at high risk for wildfires, including in suburban Southern California and

the Bay Area.

People who live in parts of Marin County may not realize they reside in one of these zones when

answering that question, he said. “They’re probably thinking about all these rural areas.”

The online survey of 4,435 California voters took place June 4 to 10 and had an overall margin of

sampling error of plus or minus 2.5%.

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Liam Dillon

Liam Dillon covers the issues of housing affordability and neighborhood change across California

for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to this assignment, Dillon covered state politics and policy for The

Times’ Sacramento Bureau and wrote about local politics in San Diego and Southwest Florida.

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10/29/2019 Hiltzik: California fires show it's private enterprise, not government, that can't get things right - Los Angeles Times

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Column: California fires show it’s private enterprise, notgovernment, that can’t get things right

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Shopkeepers Sodhi Singh, left, and Navneet Singh prepare to close down their gas station and convenience store inHealdsburg in Sonoma County after the lights went out ahead of an expected high-wind event in the area of the Kincadefire. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

By MICHAEL HILTZIKBUSINESS COLUMNIST

OCT. 28, 20191:22 PM

Critics of public sector inefficiencies have long declared that “government should be run like a

business.”

A business such as, say, Pacific Gas & Electric?

The current wildfire crisis in California should serve as an object lesson in the folly of expecting

private enterprise to operate in the service of the public interest. It’s common to hear ordinary

taxpayers grousing about the DMV as a proxy for all that’s burdensome and irritating about

bureaucracy.

But the electricity shutoffs across the state, aimed at reducing the chance that a spark from utility

equipment will start a fire, are the handiwork of our private utilities, artifacts of their failure to

spend more money on their infrastructure rather than shareholder dividends.

Federal Judge William Alsup of San Francisco, who is overseeing PG&E’s probation after its

criminal conviction in connection with the 2010 gas line explosion that killed eight in San Bruno,

implicitly acknowledged as much in an order last January. In his order, Alsup tasked the company

to “remove or trim all trees that could fall onto its power lines” as well as “identify and fix all

conductors that might swing together and arc ... under high-wind conditions,” among other steps

that the company had been expected to take under existing law. Alsup observed that California fire

authorities blamed PG&E for 18 wildfires in 2017 and referred 12 of them for possible criminal

prosecution.

[We] reached new levels of reliability and won recognition from our industry for our emergency

response efforts.

ANTHONY F. EARLEY JR. IN 2015, WHEN HE WAS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PG&E

10/29/2019 Hiltzik: California fires show it's private enterprise, not government, that can't get things right - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-10-28/california-fires-private-enterprise 3/12

He wrote of the imperative to “protect the public from further wrongs” by PG&E and “deter similar

wrongs from other utilities.” Alsup further noted “PG&E’s history of falsification of inspection

reports.” PG&E argued that the order was so broad it would interfere with its operations.

In July, Alsup further criticized the company for spending on campaign contributions “even quite

recently” and distributing $5 billion in shareholder dividends prior to filing for bankruptcy. He

demanded to know why the company had made those expenditures instead of “replacing or

repairing [its] aging transmission lines ... and removing or trimming the backlog of hazard trees.”

PG&E replied that it engaged in the political process “to ensure that the concerns of customers,

shareholders and employees are adequately represented before lawmakers and regulators,” and

paid dividends to keep its shares desirable enough to allow it to raise money in the capital markets.

BUSINESS

Column: The hedge fund battle to control PG&E leaves us no one to root for

Oct. 17, 2019

PG&E isn’t the only private company to be charged with breaching its duty to public service,

although as the nation’s largest private utility its behavior stands out.

Nor is it the only private company to screw up. Within the universe of California electric companies

alone, there’s Southern California Edison, whose ham-handed management of an $800-million

refurbishment project at its San Onofre nuclear plant resulted in the permanent shutdown of the

plant as much as 20 years ahead of its proper retirement.

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PG&E shares have fallen to $4 from nearly $18 over the last two years. (Columns represent trading volume.) At that price,why shouldn’t California buy the company? (Yahoo Finance)

Then there’s Facebook, a Silicon Valley behemoth whose insensitivity to its responsibilities to its

users and society at large has become a byword. Earlier this month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-

Mass.), a candidate for president, labeled Facebook a “disinformation-for-profit machine.” Given

Facebook’s refusal to vet political ads for manifest untruths, not to mention its long history of

breaches of users’ privacy, who could argue her point?

Facebook plainly sees the path to ever greater profits as one in which it tramples over the public

interest; if its co-founder and chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, thinks he can get away with

bowing to the public interest by giving speeches without taking concrete action, he will do so.

Elizabeth Warren@ewarren

Facebook changed their ads policy to allow politicians to run ads with known lies—explicitly turning the platform into a disinformation-for-profit machine. This week, we decided to see just how far it goes.

98.9K 7:01 AM - Oct 12, 2019

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10/29/2019 Hiltzik: California fires show it's private enterprise, not government, that can't get things right - Los Angeles Times

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These cases point to our confusion over the proper role of government and private enterprise in

our economy. Simply put, private enterprise invariably pursues its self-interest. There’s nothing

wrong with that, within limits. The boundary line is where corporate self-interest conflicts with the

public interest, and one duty of government is to monitor that line.

In the case of companies operating within natural monopolies, such as power distribution or cable

television, government has a further responsibility to impose regulations to ensure that private

enterprise doesn’t cross over it. Facebook is a different matter: The issue Warren raised touches on

whether Facebook’s commercial footprint had grown so great that its impact on the public interest

was a matter for public concern. (She has called for the company to be broken up.)

Column: With stocks in California utilities dirt-cheap, why shouldn’t the state justtake them over?

Jan. 10, 2019

That’s why we have the Public Utilities Commissions and the Federal Communications

Commission, not that they always function ideally (far from it).

The public sector has another important role in the economy. That’s to make investments that are

needed in the community but that don’t directly offer an evident return to any given private

company or investor.

To take one notable example: Hoover Dam. The dam was conceived to serve several purposes — to

offer flood control and an irrigation supply for California’s Imperial Valley and to provide water

and generate electricity for growing markets in California, Colorado and Arizona, among other

places.

But electric companies didn’t want to pay for flood control and irrigation, and growers couldn’t

afford to build a power-generating dam. So the federal government had to step in to build the all-

purpose dam that eventually rose on the lower Colorado River — and that eventually produced

billions of dollars in profit for all those private enterprises.

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10/29/2019 Hiltzik: California fires show it's private enterprise, not government, that can't get things right - Los Angeles Times

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Robert W. Taylor, a pioneer of the modern computer, dies at 85

April 14, 2017

The development of the internet followed much the same pattern. In the late 1960s, Robert W.

Taylor of the Pentagon’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (now the Defense Advanced Research

Projects Agency, or DARPA) perceived the need for a data transmission network that would be

independent of mutually incompatible technologies owned by IBM and other firms, which all tried

to squeeze profits out of their competing proprietary systems.

Meanwhile, the nation’s communications network was under the monopolistic thumb of AT&T,

which obstructed efforts to use its phone lines to transmit data.

The solution was to build a government network, which evolved into the internet. Once the

network matured, it was turned over to private companies, which by then could see quite a bit of

potential profit in data transmission, thank you very much.

That brings us back to the wildfires. PG&E, as recent events have made clear, hasn’t sufficiently

invested in its infrastructure for years, possibly because the company has not perceived a corporate

imperative to do so.

That’s not to say the company hasn’t paid lip service to the public interest. In 2015, its then-CEO,

Anthony F. Earley Jr., boasted that the company “took further steps to improve safety, reached new

levels of reliability, and won recognition from our industry for our emergency response efforts. ...

We strengthened the flexibility and resiliency of our system. And we sharpened our focus on

achieving these gains while maintaining the affordability of our service.”

Column: Ex-CEO Geisha Williams steered PG&E into bankruptcy, but still got abig raise

April 29, 2019

It’s proper to observe that at that moment, PG&E had gotten one huge wake-up call. The PUC had

slapped the company with a record $1.6-billion penalty in connection with San Bruno. The money

10/29/2019 Hiltzik: California fires show it's private enterprise, not government, that can't get things right - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-10-28/california-fires-private-enterprise 7/12

came out of its shareholders’ hides, reducing its profit that year to $874 million from more than

$1.4 billion the previous year.

Yet it’s doubtful that anyone, from regulators to ratepayers, ever became completely convinced that

the company had changed its ways. The subsequent fire seasons showed they were right to be

skeptical.

It’s true that government authorities deserve plenty of blame for the disaster, and the disastrous

performance of PG&E. They were the regulators, after all, and their record is one of indulgence

toward a serial violator of laws and rules.

That still leaves us with the quandary of how to chart a path forward. With PG&E currently in

bankruptcy, a battle for its assets (and soul) is being waged by Wall Street hedge funds.

As we’ve written, the eventual victor in this battle may pledge to honor the public interest, but

that’s not the way to bet, for when management’s choice boils down to investment in infrastructure

or another few pennies in dividends for shareholders, the financial incentives may tilt toward the

latter.

As we reported in January, the price of PG&E stock had fallen so low that buying the company

outright was theoretically affordable for the state of California, which had an overall budget of

more than $200 billion. Company shares were trading then at $17 and the whole company was

worth less than $9 billion. With the company now in bankruptcy, PG&E shares are now trading at

about $4 and the whole company could be had for just over $2 billion.

One argument against that move is that there’s no guarantee that state management would be

better than private management. That’s possible, but PG&E’s successive managements haven’t left

all that much room for lousier performance. Moreover, state ownership would at least place the

public interest ahead of that of shareholders, since there wouldn’t be any shareholders.

The fundamental lesson of the wildfires remains in place. A private company’s responsibilities to

the public interest will almost always take a back seat to the profit motive, unless it perceives that

its profits are directly dependent on the public interest. But such direct connection is rare. The

10/29/2019 Hiltzik: California fires show it's private enterprise, not government, that can't get things right - Los Angeles Times

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time may have come to turn over PG&E to government ownership, and see if its culture can be

changed.

BUSINESS

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Michael Hiltzik

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Hiltzik writes a daily blog appearing on latimes.com. His

business column appears in print every Sunday, and occasionally on other days. As a member of

the Los Angeles Times staff, he has been a financial and technology writer and a foreign

correspondent. He is the author of six books, including “Dealers of Lightning: Xerox PARC and the

Dawn of the Computer Age” and “The New Deal: A Modern History.” Hiltzik and colleague Chuck

Philips shared the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for articles exposing corruption in the entertainment

industry.

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10/29/2019 How Climate Change Could Shift California’s Santa Ana Winds, Fueling Fires - The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/climate/santa-ana-winds.html?action=click&module=Top Stories&pgtype=Homepage 1/3

How Climate Change Could ShiftCalifornia s̓ Santa Ana Winds,Fueling FiresBy Henry Fountain

Published Oct. 28, 2019 Updated Oct. 29, 2019, 10:19 a.m. ET

For centuries, humans have experienced the fierce, hot and dry winds that are fanning California’s recent spate of wildfires. Known asSanta Anas in the southern part of the state and Diablos in the north, they arrive regularly in the fall.

“They’ve been here since before we’ve been here,” said Janin Guzman-Morales, a postdoctoral researcher at the Scripps Institution ofOceanography at the University of California, San Diego. “It’s a natural process in this region.”

But the winds’ future in a changing climate is less certain. Recent research by Dr. Guzman-Morales and others suggests that as theclimate warms, the winds may become less frequent, especially at the fringes of their season in fall and spring.

MORE ON CALIFORNIAʼS WILDFIRES

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Maps: Kincade and Getty Fires, Evacuation Zones and Power Outages Oct. 25, 2019

That is not necessarily good news. Coupled with changes in patterns of precipitation that are also expected to occur as the climate warms,it may mean that California’s wildfire season will shift from fall into winter, with longer and more intense fires later in the year.

Currently, however, most of California’s worst wildfires occur in the fall, when vegetation is driest and the winds start to pick up. The SantaAnas have their origin east of California, in the Great Basin, the high desert that includes much of Nevada and the western half of Utah.

Cold and dry high-pressure air develops over the basin and circulates in a clockwise motion. The air spills into California, over the SierraNevada, and, because it is heavier than warmer air, it slides down the slopes. As it descends it becomes compressed and warmssignificantly, by close to 30 degrees Fahrenheit for every mile of lost elevation. Already dry, it becomes drier still as it warms up.

Traveling downslope, the air also picks up speed. In some places this acceleration is aided by the funneling effect of the air travelingthrough gaps in the mountains.

Smoke from fires in Canyon County, north of Los Angeles, last week. Gene Blevens/Reuters

10/29/2019 How Climate Change Could Shift California’s Santa Ana Winds, Fueling Fires - The New York Times

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All in all, what began as cold, dry, relatively slow-moving air becomes warm, bone-dry, fast-moving air, traveling at speeds approaching100 miles an hour in extreme cases and drawing more moisture out of already-dry shrubs and trees. In the face of this onslaught, even thesmallest bit of burning vegetation can quickly develop into a full-blown wildfire.

For more news on climate and the environment, follow @NYTClimate on Twitter

Because they start as zones of high-pressure air in the Great Basin, Santa Ana winds can be forecast. The ones that occur in the fall tend toget the most notice, because the fire risk is high. But Santa Anas are actually more active in the wetter winter months, Dr. Guzman-Morales said.

In her research, published this year, she and a colleague looked at how the winds would change over the 21st century under variousclimate models. Overall, they found that warming would weaken the high-pressure systems over the Great Basin and decrease thefrequency of Santa Ana events.

But the decrease would not be uniform from October to April, Dr. Guzman-Morales said. “It decreases more in the shoulder season,” shesaid. The winter months will still see significant Santa Ana activity.

The California Wildfires in PicturesNew York Times photographers are on the ground documenting the destruction and the fight to contain the fires.

Oct. 27, 2019

That could mean a later wildfire season, she said, as independent studies have shown that precipitation patterns in California will shiftwith warming: rains would most likely come later in the season. So a strong Santa Ana might occur in a relatively dry December, leadingto wildfires.

“The window for wildfires is expanding toward winter,” Dr. Guzman-Morales said.

Californians already have a sense of what this future might be like. In 2017, winter winds came late, and December was still relatively dry.Santa Ana winds fueled the Thomas fire, a huge wildfire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties that began on Dec. 4 and burned for morethan a month.

10/29/2019 How Climate Change Could Shift California’s Santa Ana Winds, Fueling Fires - The New York Times

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Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter.

Henry Fountain covers climate change, with a focus on the innovations that will be needed to overcome it. He is the author of “The Great Quake,” a book about the 1964Alaskan earthquake. @henryfountain • Facebook

A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 29, 2019, Section A, Page 19 of the New York edition with the headline: Warming Could Fuel Winter Fires

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10/29/2019 How you can prepare for wildfires - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-28/california-wildfires-how-to-prepare 1/5

CALIFORNIA

How you can prepare for wildfires

Flames tower above firefighters during the Carr fire in July 2018. (Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images)

By DORANY PINEDASTAFF WRITER

OCT. 28, 20194:31 PM

The best way to get through a wildfire safely is to prepare for it before it happens.

It’s a good idea to put aside supplies, make plans with loved ones and think through

arrangements for pets even if there’s no emergency threatening you.

“People underestimate how long it will take them to get what they need,” so it’s crucial to

prepare ahead of time, said Michele Steinberg, wildfire division manager at the National Fire

Protection Assn.

10/29/2019 How you can prepare for wildfires - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-28/california-wildfires-how-to-prepare 2/5

Her nonprofit encourages people to “think through disasters so that they don’t have to live

through disasters,” she said. When trying to narrow down what you need, she said, “ask

yourself: What would I take if I only had 10 minutes to get out of my house?” Making that

decision in advance can cut down on chaos and save time when an emergency does strike.

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Here are steps you can take to prepare for a wildfire in your area, according to the California

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and other experts.

In your house:

* Have a fire extinguisher handy and check its expiration date regularly. Make sure everyone in

the home knows how to use it.

* Know where your electric, gas and water main shut-off controls are and how to turn them off.

* Keep a list of emergency contact numbers near your landline (if you have one) or in another

easily accessible place.

* Get a portable, battery-powered radio or scanner to stay informed on fire updates.

* Keep a flashlight and a pair of sturdy shoes, such as hiking boots, near your bed in case of

power shut-offs and sudden overnight evacuations.

The Times is offering fire coverage for free today. Please consider a subscription

to support our journalism.

Make an emergency supply kit

It should contain:

* At least three days’ worth of water and nonperishable food. For each person, there should be a

gallon of water per day. Don’t forget food and water for pets.

* A map marked with at least two evacuation routes in case GPS isn’t working

* Prescription medications

* Extra clothes and batteries

* Flashlight

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* A first aid kit

* Passports, birth certificates and other important documents

* Moist towelettes and other sanitation supplies

* A whistle to signal for help

Bring the kit with you if you evacuate, or keep a duplicate in your car.

Prepare for the possibility of evacuation

* With the other members of your household, agree on an emergency meeting location outside

of the fire and hazard areas.

* Plan several routes to escape your home and leave your community, and practice them.

* Pick a friend or relative who lives outside of the fire area to be a point of contact in case

household members are separated and communication systems are down or overloaded.

* Make sure your pets and large animals, such as livestock and horses, factor into your

evacuation plan.

A way to organize your thoughts

Emergency experts recommend thinking about “the six Ps” when considering what to prioritize

if you need to evacuate.

People and pets: These should be your first priority. If your pets are on a leash or in a carrier

or tank, emergency shelters in Los Angeles should let you bring them along.

Papers and phone numbers: Passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses and other legal

documents should come with you. If you have pets, pack proof that they’re up to date on

Getty �re erupts overnightGetty �re erupts overnight

10/29/2019 How you can prepare for wildfires - Los Angeles Times

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vaccinations. A list of essential phone numbers — including doctors, relatives, an out-of-state

contact, neighbors, coworkers, your insurance agent, your lawyer and your landlord — should be

there too in case your phone runs out of juice.

Prescriptions: If you need it for your health or survival, take it with you. This includes

prescription medication as well as eyeglasses, contact lenses and vitamins. If you have any

babies or toddlers, make sure to pack wipes, diapers and a stroller.

ADVERTISEMENT

Personal computers: Your laptop or desktop likely has a lot of important documents, photos

and files, and it may be crucial for staying in contact and accessing services if you lose your

home or have to be away for a long time. Don’t forget about your external hard drive.

Plastic: This includes credit cards, ATM cards, ID cards and insurance cards. It also includes

cash.

Pictures and personal items: It would be painful to lose albums, framed photos and other

irreplaceable memorabilia. But if packing these things will delay your evacuation, leave them

behind.

To stay updated on fires and evacuations in Los Angeles, you can follow the city’s Emergency

Management Department on Twitter @ReadyLA.

CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

Want to fireproof your home? It takes a village

Oct. 3, 2019

CALIFORNIA FIRES

Dorany Pineda

Dorany Pineda is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.

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With or without power, 3 San Bernardino schools will be open Tuesday after SCE shutdown – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/10/28/2-san-bernardino-schools-without-power-after-sce-shutdown/[10/29/2019 7:47:12 AM]

By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY | rdeatley@scng.com | The Press-EnterprisePUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 11:06 am | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 8:06 pm

Three San Bernardino City Unified School District schools were without power Monday morning, Oct.28, after Southern California Edison shut down power to the areas where they’re located and they willremain open for classes on Tuesday.

Linda Bardere, director of Communications at SBCUSD, said schools will remain open as usual onTuesday regardless of if power is restored or not.

“If the schools are without power, students will use pencils and books and things that don’t require theuse of technology,” she said.

The three schools without power Monday were Palm Avenue Elementary, North VerdemontElementary, and Chavez Middle School.

The schools stayed open Monday and instruction continued, school district spokeswoman Maria

NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY

With or without power, 3 San Bernardino schoolswill be open Tuesday after SCE shutdown

With or without power, 3 San Bernardino schools will be open Tuesday after SCE shutdown – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/10/28/2-san-bernardino-schools-without-power-after-sce-shutdown/[10/29/2019 7:47:12 AM]

Firefighters battle Getty fire ahead ofTuesday night’s strong winds

Fire risk ‘critical’ as season’s strongestSanta Ana winds arrive Tuesday night

Trucker who caused 2016 crash that killed13 people in Riverside County releasedfrom jail

Two small brush fires tamped down inSan Bernardino and Rialto despite‘howling’ winds

Power outage map: Where SouthernCalifornia Edison has cut electricity or isconsidering it

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Garcia said just before 11 a.m.

Parents were notified about the outage and they were told they do not have to pick up their childrenearly, she said. Student transportation and after-school programs are not affected.

SCE has been warning residents throughout SouthernCalifornia in recent days that their power could be shutdown due to high winds and the wildfire risks that comewith those.

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Tags: education, Power outage, Top Stories Sun, weather

Cal State San Bernardino to open Tuesday following power-related closure – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/10/28/cal-state-san-bernardino-closes-due-to-power-outage/[10/29/2019 7:47:23 AM]

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Cal State San Bernardino to open Tuesday following power-related closure

Cal State San Bernardino to open Tuesday…

Cal State San Bernardino to open Tuesday following power-related closure – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/10/28/cal-state-san-bernardino-closes-due-to-power-outage/[10/29/2019 7:47:23 AM]

By STAFF REPORT | |PUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 12:37 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 11:06 pm

The Cal State San Bernardino campus closed Monday, Oct. 28, after a Southern California Edison power outage, officials announced midday.

The outage was not part of a planned outage, according to campus officials, but could have been caused by high gusty winds.

The message sent to students, faculty and staff, said that students should leave campus first, followed by faculty and staff.

Three San Bernardino City Unified School District schools were also without power on Monday but the schools stayed open and instruction continued, according to districtofficials.

SCE has been warning residents throughout Southern California for several days that they may shut down power due to high winds and risk of wildfires.

Cal State San Bernardino is cancelling classes Monday, Oct 28, 2019, because of a power outage. (File photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

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Cal State San Bernardino to open Tuesday following power-related closure – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/2019/10/28/cal-state-san-bernardino-closes-due-to-power-outage/[10/29/2019 7:47:23 AM]

With prayer and watchful eyes, the Gettyfire couldn’t take the Brentwood home ofthe Sisters of St. Joseph

Here’s what San Bernardino InternationalAirport has in store for SBD Fest air showthis weekend

Here’s a list of upcoming street, laneclosures for work on the rail line betweenSan Bernardino and Redlands

As Rep. Katie Hill declares fight against‘revenge porn,’ Christy Smith, SteveKnight eye Santa Clarita seat

Claim against Riverside County allegesblame in disappearance and death ofCorona boy, Noah McIntosh

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The university posted on its official website on Monday night that the campus will reopen on Tuesday, and that all classes and business operations will resume.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the status of the three SBCUSD schools. The schools are open Monday, Oct. 28.

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Chicken-killing Newcastle epidemic nearly eradicated – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ng-newcastle-epidemic-nearly-eradicated/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-sbsun[10/28/2019 4:16:41 PM]

Tara Young holds an Ameraucana chicken, which lays blue eggs, in the family hen house in Norco on Wednesday, February 6, 2019. Norco is among areas

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Chicken-killing Newcastle epidemic nearly eradicatedNo new infections found since Sept. 4, enforcement staff cut in half.

Chicken-killing Newcastle epidemic nearly eradicated – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ng-newcastle-epidemic-nearly-eradicated/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-sbsun[10/28/2019 4:16:41 PM]

By MARTIN WISCKOL | mwisckol@scng.com | Orange County RegisterPUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 3:25 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 3:25 pm

After 17 months and 1.2 million euthanized birds, the chicken-killing Newcastle disease epidemic is likely nearing its endin Southern California.

No new cases have been identified since Sept. 4 and euthanasia orders have been lifted, according to the stateDepartment of Food and Agriculture.

On Oct. 22 the department declared the epidemic to be in its “Freedom of Disease” phase. While quarantines banningtransit of poultry in Los Angeles County and much of Riverside and San Bernardino counties remain in effect, inspectorsare now seeking final confirmation that the risk of infection is over.

“For the past 120 days, we have done intensive testing with the goal of finding any last pockets of disease,” saiddepartment spokesman Steve Lyle. “That testing was successful. Now we enter the final phase where we prove to thecommunity and the world that we have eradicated this disease.”

This so-called “assurance testing” is focusing on previously infected communities, with epidemiologists calculating thestatistical odds to determine the number of additional negative tests needed before declaring the epidemic over, Lylesaid. A specific timeline has not been announced, although the department has said it expects the final phase to take “afew months.”

Lyle noted that rather than searching for infected birds, “we are only testing birds to prove they are negative.” Somebackyard bird owners had grown resistant to allowing their birds to be tested out of fear that healthy birds would beeuthanized. That stemmed in part from earlier preemptive orders to euthanize healthy birds if they lived in infectedareas.

The last flock to be euthanized was Sept. 4 after a positive test in Riverside County, Lyle said.

While virulent Newcastle disease is highly contagious among birds, properly cooked chickens and eggs do not pose ahealth threat to people, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“In very rare instances, people working directly with sick birds can become infected,” according to the USDA website.“Symptoms are usually very mild and limited to conjunctivitis and/or influenza-like symptoms.”

quarantined for the chicken-killing Newcastle disease. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Chicken-killing Newcastle epidemic nearly eradicated – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ng-newcastle-epidemic-nearly-eradicated/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-sbsun[10/28/2019 4:16:41 PM]

150 more workers are being hired to wipeout chicken-killing Newcastle disease inSouthern California

Worried about their chickens, hundredscrowd Norco meeting on deadlyNewcastle disease

Deadly Newcastle disease promptsCalifornia to call for chicken-showcancellations

Chickens with Newcastle disease found at2 more commercial operations inRiverside County

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Fewer inspectors

The virus was first identified May 17, 2018, in a backyard flock of chickens in Los Angeles.

The first instance of an infection at a commercial operation where birds and eggs were farmed for sale was in Decemberin Riverside County. But the outbreak never spread to the Central Valley where the bulk of the state’s commercialchicken farms are located.

Of the more than 1.2 million birds — predominantly chickens — that have been euthanized, just over 1.1 million werelocated at 10 commercial operations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. About 120,000 others were pet andshow birds, including some game birds used for illegal cockfighting.

The disease has been identified on 260 premises in Riverside County, 142 inSan Bernardino County and 45 in Los Angeles County.

In March, the USDA approved $45 million in emergency funding to fight thegrowing epidemic. That allowed the number of personnel working on theproblem to double to 300 people, providing stricter enforcement ofquarantines and more thorough identification and inspection of homes withbirds.

That brought the budget for battling the disease to $72 million, although Lylesaid it is likely not all the money will be spent. Personnel is being reducedsteadily, with 140 people currently working on the issue as of last week, hesaid.

Southern California’s most recent previous Newcastle epidemic was in 2002-2003, when nearly $170 million was spent on eradication and 3.2 million birdswere killed.

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10/29/2019 Former fugitives sentenced to six years in prison for death of their 7-year-old son | News | hidesertstar.com

www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_f614b476-f9c1-11e9-a2f0-a7ea1e4e7d99.html 1/3

http://www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_f614b476-f9c1-11e9-a2f0-a7ea1e4e7d99.html

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Former fugitives sentenced to six years in prison for death of their7-year-old sonBy Jené Estrada, Hi-Desert Star Oct 28, 2019 Updated 17 hrs ago

JOSHUA TREE — Misty and Paul Warfox were on the run for nearly a year after their 7-year-old son,

Dylin Biscamp, died from heat stroke. The couple were facing charges of child abuse with

enhancements for causing great bodily injury resulting in death. Now, after being caught hiding out in

Azusa, the couple will serve six years in prison each.

1 of 2

Misty Warfox waits for her sentencing hearing at the Joshua Tree Superior Courthouse Monday. She will serve a six=year senin state prison in Frontera.

Jene Estrada, Hi-Desert Star

10/29/2019 Former fugitives sentenced to six years in prison for death of their 7-year-old son | News | hidesertstar.com

www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_f614b476-f9c1-11e9-a2f0-a7ea1e4e7d99.html 2/3

Dylin's mother, Misty Warfox, 37, and stepfather, Paul Warfox, 43, appeared in the Joshua Tree

Superior Court Monday morning for their sentencing hearing. The couple had taken a plea deal with

the district attorney’s o�ce the month prior and pleaded guilty to all charges.

At the time of their initial arrest, the family was living in a homestead without running water or gas.

Holes gaped in the walls. Paul Warfox said he had taken Dylin and a couple of his other stepchildren

to gather �rewood in the Johnson Valley OHV recreation area on July 25, 2018. The Warfoxes said

Dylin passed out on the trail; court documents said Paul Warfox returned the boy to the house and

the family took a nap.

Several hours later, as Dylin’s conditioned worsened, the family called a friend for help. Friends

responded to the scene, which was deep in the desert, and began to drive Dylin to the hospital. His

condition continued to worsen; court documents said he vomited and had seizures.

They called an ambulance and Biscamp was taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center to be treated for

possible heat stroke, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

He was pronounced dead on arrival, and sheriff’s investigators were called to the hospital, where

they determined the child’s death was a homicide.

“By the time I got there it was too late,” Dylin’s paternal grandmother, Katherine Gonzalez, said. “I truly

don’t know what happened that day last year.”

Both Misty and Paul Warfox were arrested after Dylin’s death. In their �rst hearing on Aug 8, 2018,

the court determined they were not �ight risks and released them with their promises to appear for

their next court date 20 days later. Instead, the couple �ed and were on the run for nearly a year until

they were caught in Azusa.

Paul Warfox was arrested for burglary April 21 and received a 180-day sentence. After serving his

time, he was turned over to San Bernardino County. Misty was arrested on her outstanding warrant

on July 14, according to the Azusa Police Department. Azusa police said she was going by the name

of Misty Walker when they found her.

Gonzalez spoke to Judge Rodney Cortez at the Warfoxes’ sentencing hearing Monday morning.

She said she cannot understand why the parents did not immediately call 911 after seeing that Dylin

was in distress.

10/29/2019 Former fugitives sentenced to six years in prison for death of their 7-year-old son | News | hidesertstar.com

www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_f614b476-f9c1-11e9-a2f0-a7ea1e4e7d99.html 3/3

“The reason they gave the court was they were afraid to lose the other children,” she said. “As if

Dylin’s life didn’t matter.”

If they were really afraid of losing their other children, she remarked they wouldn’t have run.

Cortez agreed and said he was astounded at how preventable this tragedy was.

“Had Mr. Warfox or Mrs. Warfox treated Dylin as a child who needed protection, this wouldn’t have

happened,” he said.

Cortez said he recognized that the couple were mourning their own loss through the court

proceedings, but he believed that by running, they were prioritizing self-preservation over their other

living children.

“It just shows what the motivation was that day,” he said. “There is no excuse for that, but there is a

consequence for that.”

Cortez said he would go along with the district attorney’s plea bargain and sentenced both Paul and

Misty Warfox to two years in prison for child abuse followed by four years in prison for corporal

injury to a child causing death. They will each face a total of six years in prison followed by three to

�ve years of parole.

Gonzalez was dismayed.

“Six years is all they’re gonna get,” Gonzalez said. “That boy’s gone.”

She said she did not agree with the sentencing and said that, if it were up to her, they would be in

prison for the rest of their lives.

“This little boy had dreams,” she had. “He had dreams of becoming a Marine and that will never be

ful�lled.”

Damien Guerrero, in prison for 2003 killing of Kelly Bullwinkle near Redlands, is recommended for parole – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...-for-parole/?utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow[10/28/2019 11:51:39 AM]

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Damien Guerrero, in prison for 2003 killing ofKelly Bullwinkle near Redlands, is recommendedfor parole

Damien Guerrero, in prison for 2003 killing of Kelly Bullwinkle near Redlands, is recommended for parole – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...-for-parole/?utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow[10/28/2019 11:51:39 AM]

By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY | rdeatley@scng.com | The Press-EnterprisePUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 11:37 am | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 11:38 am

Parole has been recommended for Damien Guerrero, the Highland man sentenced in 2008 for his rolein the killing of Redlands teen Kelly Bullwinkle 16 years ago.

The recommendation from a Board of Parole Hearings panel was made after a suitability hearing forGuererro, now 35, on Oct. 24.

The proposed decision becomes final within 120 days from thedate of the hearing, and the board’s legal division is required toreview all tentative parole grants.

Bullwinkle, an 18-year-old freshman at Crafton Hills College, was

L-R Damien Guerrero listens to his attorney Brent Romney during sentencing hearing early Friday, August 22, 2008 in SanBernardino. Guerrero, who earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was sentenced to 15-years-to-life in the slaying of KellyBullwinkle. (Greg Vojtko/The Press-Enterprise)

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Damien Guerrero, in prison for 2003 killing of Kelly Bullwinkle near Redlands, is recommended for parole – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...-for-parole/?utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow[10/28/2019 11:51:39 AM]

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last seen on Sept. 13, 2003, leaving her job at Baker’s Burgers inRedlands.

Investigators said Guerrero, then 19, and co-defendant KinzieNoordman, 20, lured Bullwinkle to San Timoteo Canyon south ofRedlands, shot her, and buried her in shallow grave.

Guerrero pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Bullwinkle’sslaying in 2008 after jurors in his 2005 trial deadlocked at 11-1 fora first-degree murder conviction. He was sentenced to 15-years-to life, with five years credit for time served after his arrest.

A different 2005 jury convicted Noordman of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to 45 years tolife in state prison.

Bullwinkle, Guerrero and Noordman had attended Redlands East Valley High School together.

Guerrero and Noordman claimed Bullwinkle’s slaying in San Timoteo Canyon south of Redlands wasa prank gone wrong. They said they dug the shallow grave the day before, as part of the plan to scareBullwinkle.

Police said Guerrero and Noordman intended to hoax theirfriend because Bullwinkle had discussed her former

Kelly Bullwinkle (Courtesy)

Damien Guerrero, in prison for 2003 killing of Kelly Bullwinkle near Redlands, is recommended for parole – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...-for-parole/?utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow[10/28/2019 11:51:39 AM]

Parole hearing moved up 18 months forman who killed Redlands teen KellyBullwinkle

Damien Guerrero pleads guilty to murderof Redlands student Kelly Bullwinkle

Damien Guerrero pleads guilty to murderof Redlands student Kelly Bullwinkle

Kelly Bullwinkle murder featured onLifetime’s ‘I Killed My BFF’

Moreno Valley man found in car had beenfatally shot

1 dead after San Bernardino liquor storeshooting

Man convicted of kidnapping, killingwoman who was found shot dead in SanJacinto

Homicide detectives investigating SanBernardino shooting that left man dead

San Bernardino resident shot to death

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relationship with Guerrero with Guerrero’s new girlfriend.

Guerrero claimed in 2005 testimony that he had a .25-caliber handgun, which fired accidentally as he pulled thegun from his pocket. The round hit Bullwinkle in the head.She survived, but fell to the ground, he said.

Guerrero dropped the gun, and Noordman told him to shoother again, he said. He refused and said Noordman pickedup the gun and fired at Bullwinkle’s head, killing her.

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Tags: Breaking news, court, homicide, Top Stories PE, Top Stories RDF, Top Stories Sun

10/29/2019 Green Tree Boulevard extension closer to construction - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191028/green-tree-boulevard-extension-closer-to-construction 1/2

By Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer Posted Oct 28, 2019 at 4:04 PM

VICTORVILLE — Barring obstacles, the third phase of a multi-million dollarroadway project connecting Victorville to Apple Valley will begin in July 2020.

The City of Victorville announced that it has received the necessary permits andpermissions needed from BNSF for the Green Tree Boulevard extension projectthat would include an overpass constructed over the BNSF railroad tracks andwash adjacent to tracks.

The nearly one-mile project will connect Yates and Ridgecrest roads inVictorville, located near Mojave Narrows Regional Park and Spring Valley Lake,with the intersection of Hesperia Road and Green Tree Boulevard, also locatedin Victorville.

With construction and improvements to the Green Tree Boulevard andHesperia Road intersection, the estimated cost to extend Green Tree Boulevardis $45 million. The city will be responsible for 49% of the project’s overall cost,with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority providing the rest.

The SBCTA will loan up to two-thirds of the funding — estimated at $12.5million — for the city’s share, with the city paying back the agency in roaddevelopment impact fees, the city reported.

The city will also receive funding from the Town of Apple Valley and the countytotaling about $4.8 million. An additional $4.2 million from federal funds willalso assist the project.

The Green Tree Boulevard Extension is considered Phase III of the Yucca LomaRoad/Yates Road/Green Tree Boulevard Transportation Improvement Project.

Green Tree Boulevard extension closer to

construction

10/29/2019 Green Tree Boulevard extension closer to construction - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191028/green-tree-boulevard-extension-closer-to-construction 2/2

Phase I of the overall project included the construction of the Yucca Loma Bridgeover the Mojave River, which connects Apple Valley to Victorville. This phasealso included the widening and improvement to Yates Road in Victorville, whichskirts the north end of SVL.

This portion of construction involved the Town of Apple Valley and the Countyof San Bernardino.

Phase 2, dubbed the Yucca Loma Road Widening Project, expanded the roadwayfrom two to four lanes on the stretch from Apple Valley Road to Kasanka Trail.It also provided other improvements and a traffic signal at Yucca Loma andHavasu roads in Apple Valley.

In May 2017, the Yucca Loma Bridge was opened, with Phase I and II of theproject completed. Since that time, many have applauded the partial completionof the project for the addition roadway that connects Bear Valley Road and theSVL area to Apple Valley.

Others have voiced frustration over the uncompleted project that has increasedtraffic congestion near SVL and for commuters driving eastbound on BearValley Road as they attempt to turn left onto Ridgecrest Road.

Reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227,

RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com, Instagram@renegadereporter, Twitter

@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

Here’s a list of upcoming street, lane closures for work on the rail line between San Bernardino and Redlands – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ne-between-san-bernardino-and-redlands/?utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow[10/28/2019 3:54:37 PM]

Old rail tracks in Redlands will soon begone, and no, you can’t have the ties

Construction begins for rail connectingRedlands to San Bernardino

Funding setback won’t slow 210 Freewaywidening between Redlands and SanBernardino

Over the next 5 years, here’s howRedlands plans to improve traffic androads

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By JENNIFER IYER | jiyer@scng.com | Redlands Daily FactsPUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 3:29 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 3:33 pm

As construction work on a 9-mile rail line connecting Redlands and San Bernardino steams ahead, more street and laneclosures at the tracks have been announced for the week of Oct. 28.

According to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, the only full street closure this week is at TexasStreet in Redlands between Stuart Street and Oriental Avenue. The road will continue to be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.daily through early November.

Some daytime activity for the Redlands Passenger Rail Project won’tcompletely close roads, but could cause delays. This work will take place,from west to east, at Richardson Street in San Bernardino, and in Redlandsat Nevada Street, Alabama Street, Colton Avenue, Tennessee Street andUniversity Street.

Other work along the tracks isn’t planned to close lanes, but bridge work atthe Santa Ana River will bring construction vehicles to Waterman Avenue inSan Bernardino. There could also be extra construction traffic betweenOrange and Sixth streets in Redlands.

Two more roads, Seventh and Church streets, are expected to close duringthe day beginning Nov. 5. Detours will be in place.

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LOCAL NEWS

Here’s a list of upcoming street, lane closures for work onthe rail line between San Bernardino and Redlands

Here’s a list of upcoming street, lane closures for work on the rail line between San Bernardino and Redlands – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ne-between-san-bernardino-and-redlands/?utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow[10/28/2019 3:54:37 PM]

Future of Redlands transit villagedevelopment in hands of votersRail service, dubbed Arrow, is expected to begin in early 2022.

Information: gosbcta.com/project/redlands-passenger-rail-project-arrow

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Here’s what San Bernardino International Airport has in store for SBD Fest air show this weekend – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...eekend/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise[10/28/2019 3:54:47 PM]

LOCAL NEWS

Here’s what San Bernardino International Airporthas in store for SBD Fest air show this weekendThe annual two-day celebration of aviation promises fun for the wholefamily

Here’s what San Bernardino International Airport has in store for SBD Fest air show this weekend – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...eekend/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise[10/28/2019 3:54:47 PM]

By BRIAN WHITEHEAD | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino SunPUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 3:41 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 3:42 pm

San Bernardino’s annual two-day celebration of aviation returns this weekend to San BernardinoInternational Airport.

Scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, thefifth annual SBD Fest air show will have aerobatic performances and a car show, freestyle BMXdemonstrations, food vendors, live entertainment, raffles and activities for children.

And for the fourth year, the SB Strong Public Battle of the Badges Tug-o-War.

Catherine Pritchett, the airport’s director of administration and air show administrator, said in a newsrelease that event offers visitors a chance to relive nostalgic memories of air shows previously held at

SBD Fest in San Bernardino will have aerobatic performances by the Patriots Jet Team, the Red Bull Air Force, Rob “Tumbling Bear”Harrison and others. (File photo) R

Here’s what San Bernardino International Airport has in store for SBD Fest air show this weekend – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...eekend/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise[10/28/2019 3:54:47 PM]

Actors, actresses reenact 1918-19 flu’simpact on Corona

Ghost Walk Riverside delivers literaryscreams downtown

Cardboard regatta part of athleticscelebration at University of Redlandshomecoming

Museum’s oddities, ‘the spooky, theweird,’ delight in Redlands

This church is offering its hard-wonknowledge to anyone providing wintershelter in Redlands

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the former Norton Air Force Base and “share the excitement of aviation with future generations.”

In addition to a weekend of festivities, SBD Fest also is running a Socktober sock drive to benefithomeless and foster children in San Bernardino Unified School District’s A.T.L.A.S. program.

Guests who bring two pairs of new and unused socks to the main gate will receive a free generaladmission ticket.

SBD Fest also will raffle off a custom-made SBD Fest Fender guitar to raise money for the award-winning music performance program Teen Music Workshop, which recently had a trailer andthousands of dollars of music equipment stolen.

Two of the program’s bands, Alive in the Lights and Soul Points, are expected to perform when thegates open both days.

SBD Fest sponsors include SBD International Airport,Stater Bros. Markets, Unical, San Bernardino’s Parks andRecreation Department and others.

For information, visit sbdfest.com.

If you go

What: SBD Fest air show

When: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3

Where: San Bernardino International Airport, 190 Victoria Ave., San Bernardino

Tickets: $10 for adults 13 and older; $5 for military veterans, family of active military and seniors 65

San Bernardino ranked 13th ‘most dangerous’ US city, 10 Southern California cities make make ‘safest’ list – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ampaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR1XEBgRw3Cb6UMev6NML-yRpikAzpJFKCYdg6p_JTu_Tr6s8oHHim3Zivk[10/28/2019 1:19:00 PM]

BUSINESSHOUSING

San Bernardino ranked 13th ‘most dangerous’ UScity, 10 Southern California cities make make‘safest’ listMurrieta No. 3 and Thousand Oaks No. 8, according to 24/7 Wall St.’srankings.

San Bernardino ranked 13th ‘most dangerous’ US city, 10 Southern California cities make make ‘safest’ list – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ampaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR1XEBgRw3Cb6UMev6NML-yRpikAzpJFKCYdg6p_JTu_Tr6s8oHHim3Zivk[10/28/2019 1:19:00 PM]

By JONATHAN LANSNER | jlansner@scng.com | Orange County RegisterPUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 9:20 am | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 12:31 pm

Lots of folks try to measure what city is “safest” to live in, and by one new measurement, it’s Irvine.

The 24/7 Wall St. website ranked the 50 safest U.S. cities among those with 100,000 people based onthe FBI’s latest crime stats and demographics figures such as population growth, income and poverty.

Top-ranked Irvine was one of 10 Southern California cities to make the Top 50. And when youcompare the safety rankings with local housing prices, it’s no surprise that these safe cities are alsoamong the nation’s priciest places to buy a residence.

Brooklyn Bruce, 3, of Irvine looks out the top hatch of the Irvine Police department’s SWAT armored vehicle during the SpooktacularFun Days at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine on Sunday, October 14, 2018. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange CountyRegister/SCNG)

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San Bernardino ranked 13th ‘most dangerous’ US city, 10 Southern California cities make make ‘safest’ list – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ampaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR1XEBgRw3Cb6UMev6NML-yRpikAzpJFKCYdg6p_JTu_Tr6s8oHHim3Zivk[10/28/2019 1:19:00 PM]

Here is a look at the 10 SoCal cities on the safest-city list and a snippet of 24/7 Wall St.’s analysis.Plus, we’ve added some housing-cost info from my trusty spreadsheet using Zillow figures: medianvalue of a single-family home as of September and how that ranks among the 400 largest citiesnationwide; and the five-year price increase, plus how than gain ranks among the 400.

And Southern Californians do pay up to be safe. The median house value in these 10 cities is$659,850 vs. $265,500 in the 400 largest cities nationwide …

1. Irvine: “The low prevalence of crime may have been a big draw for the large influx of residents whomoved to Irvine over the past decade. From 2009 to 2018, the population of Irvine grew by 33.6%,more than five times the 6.6% national growth rate.” An Irvine home costs $994,300 — No. 12nationally — up 15.52% in five years, 27th smallest gain of the 400.

3. Murrieta: “Adjusted for population, there were just 80 violent crimes per 100,000 Murrietaresidents, less than one-fourth the national violent crime rate of 369 incidents per 100,000Americans.” Murrieta homes cost $446,800 — No. 86 nationally — up 25% in five years, 90th smallestof 400.

8. Thousand Oaks: “While Thousand Oaks is one of the safest cities in the country, in November2018 a mass shooting took place there that left 13 dead, including the gunman.” A Thousand Oakshome costs $761,700 — No. 27 nationally — up 20% in five years, 54th smallest of 400.

9. Glendale: “Just 99 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents in Glendale, the fourth-lowest rateof any city with a population of at least 100,000 in California and the ninth-lowest nationwide.” AGlendale home costs $945,400 — No. 14 nationally — up 30% in five years, 130th smallest of 400.

15. Orange: “Just 113 violent crimes reported per 100,000 city residents, far less than the nationalviolent crime rate.” An Orange home costs $725,000 — No. 30 nationally — up 26% in five years,

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San Bernardino ranked 13th ‘most dangerous’ US city, 10 Southern California cities make make ‘safest’ list – San Bernardino Sun

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Inland industrial property market nearingplateau, studies suggest

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94th smallest of 400.

19. Temecula: “Just 6.8% of residents live in poverty, and 3.5% of the labor force is unemployed,compared to the national poverty rate of 14.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.9%.” Temecula homescost $484,200 — No. 74 nationally — up 24% in five years, No. 81st smallest of 400.

25. Santa Clarita: “Just 135 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents in 2018, far less than thecorresponding national rate.” A Santa Clarita home costs $594,700 — No. 46 nationally — up 28% infive years, 120th smallest of 400.

Sign up for The Home Stretch newsletter and its new Bubble Watch edition. Get a twice-a-week serving of hot housing news from around the region! Subscribe here.

31. Corona: “In 2018, there were 155 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents in the city, farless than the national violent crime rate.” A Corona home costs $510,600 — No. 67 nationally — up24% in five years, 78th smallest of 400.

40. Simi Valley: “The city was one of 19 mid- to large-size cities nationwide with no criminalhomicides reported in all of 2018.” A Simi Valley home costs $593,000 — No. 47 nationally — up 26%in five years, 93rd smallest of 400.

45. Torrance: “Just 1,838 property crimes reported for every 100,000 people in the city in 2018, wellbelow the national rate of 2,200 per 100,000.” A Torrance home costs $860,900 — No. 21 nationally— up 24% in five years, 76th smallest of 400.

The rankings also looked at “most dangerous” cities and only one from Southern California made thatdubious list: San Bernardino at No. 13 with 24/7 Wall St. noting the city’s 1,333 violent crimes forevery 100,000 people, more than triple the national rate. That helps explain the city’s $301,700median home value, No. 171 among the 400 largest cities.

PS: 24/7 Wall Street quoted John Roman, a researcher at the University of Chicago, on the long-termtrend: “If you are under the age of 40, you’ve never been safer than you are today … Growing citiestend to grow because they’re perceived as safe and that safety compounds in a virtuous cycle. Safeplaces get safer.”

10/29/2019 See’s Candies store coming to Apple Valley - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191028/sees-candies-store-coming-to-apple-valley 1/2

By Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer Posted Oct 28, 2019 at 3:52 PM

APPLE VALLEY — As the holiday shopping season approaches, See’s Candieshas announced they’ll open a store in the Jess Ranch Marketplace on Bear ValleyRoad.

The See’s Candies store will be located between Apple Valley Cleaners andDenny’s, and just across from Bed Bath & Beyond, all located at the shoppingcenter in Apple Valley.

Denny’s owner Cynthia Villaneuva told the Daily Press she’s excited about hernew neighbor and expects to be a regular customer of the popular candy store.She also confessed her love for See’s “Bordeaux” chocolates.

A See’s Candies employee told the Daily Press the new Apple Valley location is a’trial store,” the store should open next month and employees have been hired.

See’s Candies chocolate shops were founded over 90 years ago upon Mary See’sbasic principle of “Quality without Compromise.” the store’s chocolates andcandies manufactured in company-owned factories located in Los Angeles andSouth San Francisco.

See’s Candies has more than 200 chocolate shops, including a location at the Mallof Victor Valley in Victorville.

Reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227,

RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com, Instagram@renegadereporter, Twitter

@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

See’s Candies store coming to Apple Valley

University of La Verne considering closure of its law school in Ontario – Daily Bulletin

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...m_medium=social&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[10/29/2019 7:38:03 AM]

LOCAL NEWS

University of La Verne considering closure of itslaw school in OntarioThe Board of Trustees is expected to take up the matter in November

University of La Verne considering closure of its law school in Ontario – Daily Bulletin

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...m_medium=social&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[10/29/2019 7:38:03 AM]

By STEVE SCAUZILLO | sscauzillo@scng.com | San Gabriel Valley TribunePUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 5:31 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 5:33 pm

The University of La Verne is considering whether to continue operating or close its law school, whichis located in downtown Ontario.

On Oct. 18, the private university’s Board of Trustees voted to ask both the administration and thefaculty to report back and provide recommendations on whether the law school should continue toexist.

“The board is looking at all options. Those options include continuation of the college,” universityspokesman Rod Leveque said in an interview Monday, Oct. 28.

The fate of the ULV College of Law rests in the hands of the Board of Trustees, which will take up thematter at its meeting on Nov. 18, Leveque said.

Devorah Lieberman, President of President of the University of La Verne, gives the Keynote Address during the 68th Commencementceremony on Friday June 13, 2014. The university’s college of law, located in Ontario, is being studied for possible closure. Adecision is expected Nov. 18. (File Photo by Keith Durflinger/San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

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University of La Verne considering closure of its law school in Ontario – Daily Bulletin

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...m_medium=social&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[10/29/2019 7:38:03 AM]

Does La Verne appreciate this TV-inspired joke? Why, Shirley

Hear this: Verizon building 60-foot celltower in Old Town La Verne to stopdropped calls

New center for wellness and researchopens at University of La Verne

University of La Verne marks 50 yearshelping adult learners, some far from LaVerne

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Ad ad-hoc committee of nine faculty members and the school’s administration is digging into theCollege of Law’s finances, talking to faculty members, alumni and current students. Their reports willbe completed by Nov. 15.

“Their role is to look at the mission and finances, in order to look at all the options regarding the futureof the college (of law),” Leveque said.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, ULV Provost Jonathan Reed addressed a crowd of about 200 current lawstudents who gathered in a meeting hall at the College of Law, located at 320 E. D St. in Ontario. “Itwas an opportunity to explain to students what is going on,” LeVeque said.

Reed, as well as Kevin Marshall, interim dean of the College of Law, reassured students that nodecision has been made. They also explained that if a decision is made to close the law school, theuniversity will provide enough law faculty to teach the necessary courses so current students canfinish their juris doctorate degrees, according to an article in the college newspaper, Campus Times,by student journalist Layla Abbas.

The Board of Trustees wants to examine whether theCollege of Law can continue financially and as a programaccredited by the American Bar Association. The ABA inMay approved a new standard for accreditation thatrequires 75% of a law school’s graduates who take the barexam to pass it within two years. Previously, the ABA hadgiven a school five years to reach that goal. The changecould make it more difficult for law schools that fall short tokeep accreditation.

University of La Verne considering closure of its law school in Ontario – Daily Bulletin

https://www.dailybulletin.com/...m_medium=social&utm_content=tw-ivdailybulletin&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[10/29/2019 7:38:03 AM]

The College of Law was established in 1970. It did not achieve full ABA accreditation, however, untilMarch 2016. Before then, too few students passed the bar exam, necessary for becoming a lawyer.

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Steve ScauzilloSteve Scauzillo covers environment, public health and transportation for the Southern California NewsGroup. He has won two journalist of the year awards from the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club andis a recipient of the Aldo Leopold Award for Distinguished Editorial Writing on environmental issues.Steve studied biology/chemistry when attending East Meadow High School and Nassau College in

New York (he actually loved botany!) and then majored in social ecology at UCI until switching to journalism. He alsoearned a master's degree in media from Cal State Fullerton. He has been an adjunct professor since 2005. Stevelikes to take the train, subway and bicycle – sometimes all three – to assignments and the newsroom. He has twogrown sons, Andy and Matthew. Steve recently watched all of “Star Trek” the remastered original season one onAmazon, so he has an inner nerd.

Tags: Colleges, Education, higher education, law, Top Stories IVDB, Top Stories SGVT

10/29/2019 Planning board to consider shelter's relocation - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191028/planning-board-to-consider-shelters-relocation 1/2

By Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer Posted Oct 28, 2019 at 12:01 AMUpdated Oct 28, 2019 at 9:15 PM

VICTORVILLE — The Planning Commission has scheduled a special meeting todiscuss an agenda item that includes a temporary warming shelter inside theVictor Valley Transportation Center in Old Town.

During Wednesday’s meeting, High Desert Homeless Services will explain itsplan to move its warming shelter from the San Bernardino County Fairgroundsto the city-owned Victor Valley Transportation Center building located on thecorner of D and Sixth streets in downtown Victorville.

The plan to open the shelter hinges on the commission’s approval of aconditional use permit with an environmental exemption. The permit wouldallow a temporary warming shelter with a maximum of 80 beds at the center,which is served by Amtrak, Greyhound and the Victor Valley Transit Authority.

The building was also home to the shuttered Renee Allen’s Mac & Cheeserestaurant.

Should the commission approve HDHS’ request, the downtown warming shelterwould operate from November to March 2020, when the temperature reaches 40degrees or lower, and during inclement weather.

“If we’re denied the CUP, then we’ll have to rely on plan B, which means usingthe Doris Davies building at the fairgrounds when it’s not being used by otherevents,” HDHS Executive Director Jimmy Waldron told the Daily Press.

Waldron said using the Doris Davies building would mean some nights withouta warming shelter.

Planning board to consider shelter’s relocation

10/29/2019 Planning board to consider shelter's relocation - News - vvdailypress.com - Victorville, CA

https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191028/planning-board-to-consider-shelters-relocation 2/2

Last year, the warming shelter operated inside the Doris Davies building and onthe campus of Trinity Lutheran Church, located about a mile apart from eachother in Victorville.

In 2017, the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow provided two military tentsthat served as temporary shelter at the fairgrounds. In July of that year, a firedestroyed a building at the fairgrounds that was used as the warming shelter.

“We’d use the tents, but the property on the east end of the fairgrounds is proneto flooding,” Waldron said. “If the city approves us, we’d set up bunk beds insidethe transportation center, which is probably double the size of the Doris Daviesbuilding.”

Waldron said the new shelter location would include separate sleeping quartersfor men, women and families.

“We’d set up the shelter with bunk beds, probably 15 beds for men, 15 forwomen and these rest for families,” Waldron said. “But it all comes down to CUPapproval.”

The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled at 5 p.m. on Wednesday atVictorville City Hall,14343 Civic Drive. For more information, visitwww.victorvilleca.gov.

Reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227,

RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com, Instagram@renegadereporter, Twitter

@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

Inland industrial property market nearing plateau, studies suggest – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ies-suggest/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social[10/28/2019 11:31:04 AM]

BUSINESS

Inland industrial property market nearing plateau,studies suggestSome say the warehouse industry might take a monent to catch its breath

Inland industrial property market nearing plateau, studies suggest – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ies-suggest/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social[10/28/2019 11:31:04 AM]

By JACK KATZANEK | jkatzanek@scng.com |PUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 10:53 am | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 10:53 am

The push to build and find tenants for warehouse properties in the Inland Empire continued at a briskpace in the third quarter, but some industry executives suggest the sector might be ready to take abreak.

Reports on recent industrial real estate activity from several commercial real estate brokers andinvestment companies indicate vacancy rates are continuing to decline and the rents for propertiesare on the rise.

External factors, including trade disputes with China and the political cloud hanging over the nation,could cause the market to level off in the coming months, if only temporarily.

An industrial condo in Desert Hot Springs — part of a larger complex used for indoor cultivation of cannabis — has been sold for$7.76 million, according to NAI Capital, a commercial real estate broker. The buyer was Ten Tree Properties, which purchased theproperty from Snyder Interests. NAI Capital represented both sides in the transaction. (Courtesy of NAI Capital)

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Inland industrial property market nearing plateau, studies suggest – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ies-suggest/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social[10/28/2019 11:31:04 AM]

Troubled LuLaRoe cutting 167 jobs,closing Corona warehouse

Rancho Cucamonga steel mill cuts 110

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A report by NAI Capital suggests the market could be transitioning to slower growth in the second halfof 2019. While there are numerous projects being built in the region, the amount of space warehouseusers are leasing was at its lowest level since 2011, the report said.

J.C. Casillas, NAI Capital’s vice president for research, marketing and communications, pointed outthis is not an uncommonly high number. In the third quarter of 2018, 38% of newly delivered space didnot yet have a tenant.

He added that it’s not unusual for the logistics industry to pause and assess the big picture.

“It’s just kind of taking a breather,” Casillas said. “Some look at a little slowdown as a negativeconnotation, but it’s really not bad news. There may be a change of pace, but the market may just betrying to catch its breath.”

The NAI report said the market said 13.7 million square feet have been built this year, but almost one-third has yet to be leased. Casillas said that’s not alarming as 38% of 2018’s new inventory wasavailable at the end of the third quarter.

Casillas said some cities are taking a look at traffic and other issues, looking to balance the jobs newwarehouses bring with the impact of traffic, pollution and other density issues.

However, steadily increasing rents will put pressure ontenants to make a decision. Mike McCrary, managingdirector of the Ontario office of developer JLL, said that inthe coming months, rents could rise 2 to 15 cents persquare feet. For a tenant looking for an 800,000-square-

Inland industrial property market nearing plateau, studies suggest – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...ies-suggest/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social[10/28/2019 11:31:04 AM]

jobs as it quits scrap metal, meltingpolice-seized guns

Status Update: Office park sells for $41.7million; Farmer Boy’s returns to its rootsnear Perris

Slushie maker ICEE to exit Ontario forTennessee, cutting 127 jobs

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foot facility, waiting to make a decision could mean an extra$120,000 per month.

“It becomes a pure math equation,” McCrary said.

Despite the slow absorption of new warehouses, NAICapital put the overall vacancy rate for Inland properties ata low 4.5%. Lee & Associates estimates vacancies at 3.7%.Newmark Knight Frank estimated the vacancy at 3% andsaid it has been under 5% for 26 consecutive quarters.

NAI Capital said that slow trade negotiations with Chinacaused a 2.4% decline in cargo activity at the ports of LosAngeles and Long Beach in August from a year earlier, a month when retailers usually ramp up ordersin preparation for the holidays.

Also, analysts say tariffs on steel and aluminum have made new facilities more expensive, and thosecosts are being passed on to tenants.

NKF reports the average asking rent is 66 cents per square foot, up from 63 cents in the third quarterof 2018. That means a company with a relatively small facility of 250,000 square feet is paying$165,000 a month. “Tenants with leases up for renewal may be in for sticker shock when they seetoday’s rents,” NKF’s analysis said.

JLL executive McCrary said the Inland Empire market is going through a transition because supplyand demand have migrated east, to Riverside, Moreno Valley, Redlands and other cities at least 15miles from the Interstate 15 corridor.

McCrary said when the distribution industry first discovered the Inland Empire, the focus was on landnear Ontario International Airport. Now there is virtually no vacant space there.

“But in 25 years, this is the first time the vacancy rate in the west region has been below 3%,” he said.“Now the development community is building to the east.”

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10/28/2019 NIGHT HOIST RESCUE OF INJURED HIKER IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK SATURDAY | Z107.7 FM

z1077fm.com/night-hoist-rescue-of-injured-hiker-in-joshua-tree-national-park-saturday/ 1/2

An injured hiker was rescued in Joshua Tree National Park via night-hoist rescue Saturday. According

to Sheriff’s reports, Sergio Betancur, a 23-year-old resident of Burbank, was hiking with friends in the

Wonderland of Rocks area between Barker Dam and the Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree National

Park when the group began hiking off trail through the area’s large boulders. Betancur fell while

attempting to jump from one large rock to another, suffering a serious, but non-life threatening injury

to his leg. Betancur’s friends hiked to the park entrance and called 911. Members of the San

Bernardino County Fire Department and Joshua Tree National Park Rangers responded, hiking with

Betancur’s friends back to the accident scene. Emergency responders assessed Betancur’s injuries

and determined that he needed to be hoisted out. A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department

patrol helicopter was called to assist. Sheriff’s patrol helicopter 40 King 3 arrived at the location andPrivacy - Terms

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NIGHT HOIST RESCUE OF INJURED HIKER INJOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK SATURDAY

OCTOBER 28, 2019 | Z107.7 NEWS | LEAVE A COMMENT

10/28/2019 NIGHT HOIST RESCUE OF INJURED HIKER IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK SATURDAY | Z107.7 FM

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assessed the situation. The helicopter crew conducted this operation at night and utilized night vision

equipment. Betancur was secured into a rescue harness, hoisted from the rock, and transported via

helicopter to a landing zone where he was transported by Morongo Basin Ambulance at

approximately 7:30 p.m. to Hi-Desert Medical Center.

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Two small brush fires tamped down in San Bernardino and Rialto despite ‘howling’ winds – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...wling-winds/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social[10/28/2019 4:43:56 PM]

By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY | rdeatley@scng.com | The Press-EnterprisePUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 4:41 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 4:41 pm

Two small brush fires that broke out near each other in San Bernardino County were quickly knockeddown by firefighters who remained on alert with a red flag warning for the Inland area until Mondayevening.

The fires both broke out Sunday evening and were a short distance from each other, almost “in astraight line,” San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesman Jimmy Schiller said Mondaymorning.

The first, in the 2300 block of W. Base Line Street in the Rialto area, was reported around 10 p.m.Sunday and burned just over an acre before county and Rialto firefighters got the upper hand; thesecond fire in the 1000 block of Terrace Road in San Bernardino broke out about 30 minutes later.

The Terrace Road fire briefly threatened some homes, Schiller said. “The winds were howling and

NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY

Two small brush fires tamped down in SanBernardino and Rialto despite ‘howling’ windsThe cause of the fires, a short distance from each other, was underinvestigation.

Two small brush fires tamped down in San Bernardino and Rialto despite ‘howling’ winds – San Bernardino Sun

https://www.sbsun.com/...wling-winds/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=tw-sbsun&utm_medium=social[10/28/2019 4:43:56 PM]

Power outage map: Where SouthernCalifornia Edison has cut electricity or isconsidering

Here’s what the Getty fire looked likeduring the Monday morning commute

Maps: Evacuation areas for the Getty firein the Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and

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there was one strike team ordered to defend homes,” he said, but the team was withdrawn when thefire’s progress was stopped. It burned about two acres, he said.

Schiller said both fires were taken care of within 90 minutes of being reported. The cause was underinvestigation. He said fire investigators were checking to see if the Terrace Road fire was caused byembers from the Base Line Street fire to its north, or started separately.

On Monday, at least three strike teams were on standby at a staging area in Devore, on watch with ared flag warning issued for San Bernardino and Riveside County mountains, valleys and passesthrough 6 p.m. Monday due to northeasterly Santa Ana winds.

The National Weather Service San Diego office forecast winds will reach gusts as fast as 65 mph inthe Cajon Pass.

In addition to the strike teams in Devore, “every hand crew that can be staffed up is staffed. We areready for whatever the wind throws at us,” Schiller said.

Another red flag warning for the area is effective from 11 p.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.

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Claim against Riverside County alleges blame in disappearance and death of Corona boy, Noah McIntosh – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...intosh/?utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[10/28/2019 1:34:54 PM]

By DAVID DOWNEY | ddowney@scng.com | The Press-EnterprisePUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 1:12 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 1:14 pm

In a likely first step toward a lawsuit, a claim has been filed against Riverside County seeking anundisclosed amount of money in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of 8-year-old Noah McIntosh, the Corona boy who authorities have said suffered extensive abuse.

Torrance attorney Carly L. Sanchez filed the claim on behalf of Noah’s estate and his sister Thursday,Oct. 3, records show.

“The county of Riverside dropped the ball in investigating thisabuse and failed to take appropriate action,” Sanchez saidMonday, Oct. 28. “And, unfortunately, Noah lost his life.”

In a statement, Riverside County officials said Monday they are“broken-hearted when there is an occurrence in which a child orat-risk adult is harmed. The county is committed to understanding

LOCAL NEWS

Claim against Riverside County alleges blame indisappearance and death of Corona boy, NoahMcIntosh

Claim against Riverside County alleges blame in disappearance and death of Corona boy, Noah McIntosh – Press Enterprise

https://www.pe.com/...intosh/?utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-pressenterprise&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com[10/28/2019 1:34:54 PM]

the circumstances surrounding that injury or death to ensure thehighest safeguards for our most vulnerable. Protecting childrenand at-risk adults from harm is one of the most important roles ofthe county – if not the most important.”

The statement also says that, since May, county officials havemade many changes in the Department of Public Social Services.

The changes include better safeguards, more training for social workers, expanded audits for high-riskcases and stronger contracts with foster family agencies.

The changes followed an independent review of claims and lawsuits from the past decade.

By law, the county has 45 days to decide how to respond to the claim. If denied by the county, alawsuit could be filed and Sanchez said she intends to file one. It was not immediately clear Monday ifthe county had already acted on the claim or, if not, when it would do so.

Noah was born with bladder exstrophy, the claim states, and was incontinent. The claim contends thatthe boy’s father “used this as an excuse to abuse Noah.”

Noah was reported missing by his mother in March of this year, police said. In the two years before hewent missing and presumably died, the department’s social workers investigated reports that the boyhad his hands zip-tied behind his back and was dunked in cold water, and went to school withoutpants, according to county records obtained through a public records request obtained in August.

A claim has been filed against RiversideCounty in the case of Noah McIntosh, 8. Anattorney alleges that the county “droppedthe ball” in investigating alleged abuse ofthe boy, who is presumed dead. His fatherwas arrested and pleaded not guilty.(Courtesy of Doug Godfrey)

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Claim against Riverside County alleges blame in disappearance and death of Corona boy, Noah McIntosh – Press Enterprise

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Social workers dismissed 2 years ofabuse claims for slain Corona boy

Mother and father of missing Corona boyarrested, police ask public’s help in findingthe 8-year-old

Missing 8-year-old Noah McIntoshhonored at Corona vigil

Father charged with murder of missing 8-year-old Noah McIntosh of Corona

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Investigators found those reports to be unsubstantiated or inconclusive and kept him with his father,Bryce McIntosh. McIntosh, a 33-year-old Corona resident, has been charged with the boy’s torture-murder and with child cruelty, the records state. He has pleaded not guilty.

Riverside County social workers checked on the boy at least three times before Noah disappeared,according to the county documents. There was also at least one contact with a police officer duringthat time and, according to court documents, earlier investigations in Orange County.

Evidence gathered in the case showed McIntosh bought acid and other caustic chemicals as well as alarge plastic trash barrel around the time Noah went missing, authorities said.

As early as 2013, the claim alleged, the county began receiving reports from people who asserted thatNoah was being mistreated.

“In 2013, there were reports that Noah had an adult-sizedhand print on his buttocks and a black eye,” the claimalleges. “Noah reported that his father spanked him in thestomach. By 2017, the referrals that DPSS receivedregarding the McIntosh family were much more alarming.Noah reported that his father handcuffed his feet and handswith zip ties and dunked him under cold water whileblindfolded when he urinated in his pants.”

The claim asserted that the boy also was made to sit incold water for hours at a time·while handcuffed to abathtub, and was forced to eat a laxative and sit in soiledpants.

Sanchez said damages are being sought for Noah’s siblingbecause “his sister was left in that home as well, toexperience the things that she experienced.”

This story will be updated.

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Amid recession fear, many California cities are fiscal peril – Press Enterprise

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A map created by the state auditor’s office ranks cities by fiscal health. Green is low risk, yellow is moderate risk and red is high risk.

OPINION

Amid recession fear, many California cities arefiscal peril

Amid recession fear, many California cities are fiscal peril – Press Enterprise

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By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | opinion@scng.com |PUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 at 4:43 pm | UPDATED: October 28, 2019 at 4:43 pm

These editorial pages have been waving the warning flag about the financial threats facing Californiacities because of the overly generous retirement benefits that cities have granted to their publicemployees. Trouble signs are everywhere, as cities are cutting services to pay their escalating tabs tothe California Public Employees’ Retirement System.

State lawmakers have largely looked the other way, but perhaps they will take notice now thatCalifornia’s well-respected State Auditor Elaine Howle released a report this month detailing thefinancial situation in the state’s 471 cities. More than half of them are in at least a moderately riskysituation, with 18 of them at high risk for financial distress.

That’s particularly disturbing given that a boisterous economy has kept stock-market returns highenough to gloss over growing liabilities. If recession hits — and former Gov. Jerry Brown wouldalways remind us that it always occurs eventually — some cities could face insolvency. That wouldcreate pressure on the state’s general-fund budget and for tax increases, which is the last thing highlytaxed California needs in an economic downturn.

Benefits for retiring public employees, of course, are the main stress on municipal budgets. “Howlesaid that 337 out of 471 cities have not saved enough money to pay for future retiree health benefits,”the Associated Press reported. “Nearly half of the cities are not saving enough money to pay pensionbenefits in five years. She also said she was alarmed to see some cities borrowing money to pay forpension obligations.” We recently opined against the pension-obligation-bond trend, which allowscities to borrow money to help meet current obligations.

Several Southern California cities — Compton, San Fernando, San Gabriel, Maywood, Monrovia, S

Amid recession fear, many California cities are fiscal peril – Press Enterprise

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Labor unions and businesses must uniteto fix PAGA: Tom Manzo

Californians should favor dam expansionplan: Tom Campbell

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Vernon, West Covina and La Habra — rank among the 18 at high risk. Most of them are relativelysmall, but 425,000-population Oakland and 110,000-population Richmond in the San Francisco BayArea are on that list. The plight of larger cities makes the problem harder for the state to ignore.Perhaps it’s time for California lawmakers to pay as much attention to this problem as they pay towardtrivialities such as banning shampoo bottles offered by hotels.

The state auditor deserves much credit for putting togetherthis thorough and important information, which can beaccessed at https://www.auditor.ca.gov/. The site includesan interactive state map, which makes it easy to click onone’s home city and see a risk ranking for a variety ofcategories including liquidity, debt, financial reserves,revenue trends and retirement obligations. The auditoreven called out Compton for its lack of financialtransparency.

The state hasn’t done much to deal with this crisis, but atleast it’s providing good data that will, as Howle toldreporters, “trigger discussions and decision-making thatbetter prepares cities to be able to respond without cuttingservices.” The League of California Cities spokespersontold CalMatters that it’s a “data dump that’s void of context

and analysis.” That’s an inappropriately defensive response that downplays the seriousness of theproblem — one that even many of the league’s member cities have been warning about for sometime.

How many more warning flags do state lawmakers need? California officials should addressretirement-obligation costs now, while the economy still is humming, rather than wait until after a crashprecipitates a full-blown crisis.

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10/29/2019 A budget deficit looming, L.A. agencies asked to save $100M - Los Angeles Times

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CALIFORNIA

A deficit looming for L.A., city departments are asked to find away to save $100 million

A budget report asks Los Angeles city departments to come up with ways to cut spending or find new sources of revenuebecause of an expected budget deficit. (Richard Vogel / Associated Press)

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10/29/2019 A budget deficit looming, L.A. agencies asked to save $100M - Los Angeles Times

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By DAKOTA SMITHSTAFF WRITER

OCT. 29, 20195 AM

Los Angeles City Hall, facing a potential triple-digit deficit largely tied to recent labor agreements

with the city’s police, fire and other unions, could soon implement a sweeping savings plan.

The City Council’s budget committee on Monday voted to support a plan that would order city

departments to come up with $100 million this fiscal year.

In a report released last week, the city’s budget chief, Rich Llewellyn, outlined projected deficits of

$200 million to $400 million in the coming years, if the city does nothing.

Llewellyn’s report asks city departments to come up with immediate plans to reduce costs or find

new revenue sources equal to 3% of what they were given in this year’s budget. The Los Angeles

Police Department, for instance, which has a budget that tops $1 billion, would be forced to find

$50 million in savings this fiscal year.

Under Llewellyn’s plan, which now heads to the full City Council, city departments must submit

proposals for “ongoing expenditure reductions” to position departments to “curtail spending with

minimum impact to service levels.” The reductions could come from scaling back hiring, the report

states.

“Obviously, a projected deficit of this amount is sobering,” said City Councilman Paul Krekorian,

chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee. However, he suggested the expenses from the

new labor agreements were anticipated because of the ongoing negotiations with unions. The city

doesn’t budget anticipated pay increases into its yearly spending plan, he said.

Maria Gutierrez, a finance specialist with the city’s budget office, told council members that

economists are projecting a recession in 2020 or 2021. If growth dips in the 2% to 3% range in the

coming years, as expected, “the city’s revenue will be inadequate,” she said.

The city’s predicted deficit also could be exacerbated by additional pending labor agreements,

changes to pension liabilities or the cost of major construction projects, she said.

10/29/2019 A budget deficit looming, L.A. agencies asked to save $100M - Los Angeles Times

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The proposed belt-tightening comes despite current-year budget assumptions of above-average

revenue growth of 6.1%, according to Llewellyn’s office.

The city has roughly $419 million available in a special savings fund and some of that can be used

for emergencies. Gutierrez told the committee that her office recommends not dipping into the

fund to cover the projected deficits.

Employee costs are routinely the biggest driver of city expenses, and this year the city signed off on

several agreements that provide year-over-year raises. Pay increases and bonuses that are part of

the new three-year contract with the city’s firefighters’ union, for instance, will increase costs by

nearly $100 million, according to Llewellyn’s office.

Llewellyn’s savings proposal doesn’t apply to the city’s proprietary departments, which include the

Department of Water and Power, the port and airports.

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10/29/2019 Opinion: Automation is likely to eliminate nearly half our jobs in the next 25 years. Here's what to do - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-10-29/opinion-automation-is-likely-to-eliminate-40-of-jobs-in-the-next-25-years-heres-what-we-can-do-a?f… 1/7

OPINION

Opinion: Automation is likely to eliminate nearly half our jobs inthe next 25 years. Here’s what to do

Automated robots building a Chrysler in Sterling Heights, Mich. (Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

By RAMESH SRINIVASAN

OCT. 29, 20193 AM

A recent study from Oxford University estimated that as many as 47% of the jobs in developed

nations will vanish in the next 25 years as a result of automation. These losses will be in both

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10/29/2019 Opinion: Automation is likely to eliminate nearly half our jobs in the next 25 years. Here's what to do - Los Angeles Times

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white- and blue-collar jobs. As a nation, we are completely unprepared for the upheaval this will

create.

Decades ago, an increase in productivity and profit would have meant a rising quality of life for

workers, but no longer. Automation can bring astonishing increases in productivity, but the

increases in profit it brings currently benefit only a small minority. The vast majority of the spoils

of automation have gone to investors and the executive classes who exert outsized economic power

on our politics and markets — and therefore on our lives. This has left working people poorer, less

secure and less powerful than ever. That trend will accelerate unless we act.

Today’s new technologies are not designed to make workers’ lives easier, less dangerous or more

engaging. Their purpose is to enrich corporate coffers by eliminating many workers and squeezing

more out of those who remain. Amazon, for example, is famous for its high-tech warehouses. Many

functions have been automated, and the workers who remain are heavily monitored with new

technology that can track everything from how many breaks they take to how many boxes they scan

an hour. The technology can also generate warnings and even terminations for those deemed not

sufficiently productive. In return for working in such rigid and grueling situations, one analysis

found, Amazon warehouse workers make a median wage of $28,466 a year, while the company’s

CEO, Jeff Bezos, makes $8,961,187 an hour.

This is a stark example, but speaks to an astonishing trend. In the United States, the top one-tenth

of 1% of the population earns nearly as much as the bottom 90% of the population combined; its

three richest people hold more wealth than the bottom 50% of the country. Across the world, seven

people or families have wealth equivalent to the entire bottom half of the population, almost 4

billion people. The looming tidal wave of automation will only exacerbate this staggering inequality

— unless we act.

Envisioning a future that protects the vast working and middle class from calamity will require

creative solutions. Imagine, for example, if Facebook paid its users for the data they currently

contribute for free. In 2018, Facebook generated $55.8 billion in revenue with a business model

designed to profit from its users’ data, their posts, comments, photos and likes.

Or what if companies had incentives to use technology for their workers’ benefits rather than to

eliminate jobs, monitor and squeeze profit from workers and users. In Europe, automation has

10/29/2019 Opinion: Automation is likely to eliminate nearly half our jobs in the next 25 years. Here's what to do - Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-10-29/opinion-automation-is-likely-to-eliminate-40-of-jobs-in-the-next-25-years-heres-what-we-can-do-a?f… 3/7

traditionally been viewed as a way to improve working conditions. Swedish mine workers, for

example, now use joysticks to control machinery in mines from the comfort and safety of a control

room above ground — and they have held on to the generous benefits and wages they enjoyed

before. How have they achieved this? Largely through the power of worker councils, employer-

funded bodies that sit on the supervisory boards of European companies and have a significant say

in the introduction of new technologies.

We also need to revisit the gig economy. Already, 36% of U.S. workers earn their living as contract

labor. Gig work offers the seductive chance to fit work in when and where it’s convenient. But the

price for this perk is painfully high: Gig workers often do not receive a living wage, healthcare,

education or retirement benefits. Minimum wage laws do not adequately protect them, with some

studies estimating they make less than 4$ per hour, yet they are forbidden to unionize. And to top

it all off, they will probably be among the first workers replaced by robotic systems.

Places as diverse as Germany, Britain, the United States and Kenya are beginning to rethink these

inequities of power. One way is through a grass-roots innovation called the “platform co-op,” which

already generates more than $2.36 trillion in revenue across the globe. What are these

cooperatives? Think Uber, if Uber drivers owned significant equity in the company. Think Spotify,

if the music-streaming service was owned and run by musicians, record labels and fans instead of a

few ultra-rich Swedish guys. There are abundant models for this, including Fairmondo, a German

digital selling platform that operates much like eBay — except that the sellers on the platform are

also its owners.

Another potential way of addressing the coming job loss is through basic income policies, which

are already being tested in Stockton, Calif., as well as in Sweden, Finland and Spain. Under such

programs, monthly sums are paid to citizens whether they work or not. These initiatives could be

funded, at least partially, by the companies responsible for eliminating jobs and threatening

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10/29/2019 Opinion: Automation is likely to eliminate nearly half our jobs in the next 25 years. Here's what to do - Los Angeles Times

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worker security. Companies need to adhere to a social contract and acknowledge their

responsibility to the country and its people.

Going forward, we will need a wide range of ways to address automation and the job loss that will

accompany it. We should start with a “digital bill of rights” that includes a commitment to create

technologies that serve the greater good and to rethink citizens’ roles within technology and work.

As individuals trying to fight for our jobs and dignity, we are helpless. But as a collective, we can

come together to design and engineer a future in which technologies serve us all.

Ramesh Srinivasan is a professor of information studies and design at UCLA and directs the UC

Digital Cultures Lab. He is the author of “Beyond the Valley: How Innovators Around the World

Are Overcoming Inequality and Creating the Technologies of Tomorrow.” @rameshmedia

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Letters to the Editor: A Utah boot maker’s touching story of grief anddevotionOct. 29, 2019

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