11/8/2017 Adelanto mayor pro tem arrested, facing federal charges http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20171107/adelanto-mayor-pro-tem-arrested-facing-federal-charges 1/4 By Shea Johnson Staff Writer Posted Nov 7, 2017 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 7, 2017 at 10:03 PM Wright faces two federal charges: bribery of programs receiving federal funds and attempted arson of a building affecting interstate commerce. ADELANTO — Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright faces federal charges he solicited and accepted a $10,000 bribe from an undercover FBI agent in exchange for using his political influence to assist and shield a supposed commercial marijuana transportation business, the Daily Press has learned. Wright, 41, is also accused of seeking the aid of an FBI informant to burn down his restaurant, Fat Boyz Grill, in order to collect $300,000 in insurance money, according to a sworn affidavit obtained by this newspaper. Arrested Tuesday, Wright is expected to appear in a federal court in Riverside on Wednesday, but is not anticipated to enter a plea, Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told the Daily Press. Wright faces two federal charges: bribery of programs receiving federal funds and attempted arson of a building affecting interstate commerce. The bribery charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to Mrozek, while the attempted arson charge yields a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and statutory maximum sentence of 20 years. Mayor Rich Kerr initially offered a tempered response, saying the city would not immediately presume Wright had done anything wrong, but he also hinted at a far stronger reaction. Adelanto mayor pro tem arrested, facing federal charges
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11/8/2017 Adelanto mayor pro tem arrested, facing federal charges
By Shea Johnson Staff Writer Posted Nov 7, 2017 at 12:01 AMUpdated Nov 7, 2017 at 10:03 PM
Wright faces two federal charges: bribery of programsreceiving federal funds and attempted arson of a buildingaffecting interstate commerce.
ADELANTO — Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright faces federal charges hesolicited and accepted a $10,000 bribe from an undercover FBI agent in exchangefor using his political influence to assist and shield a supposed commercialmarijuana transportation business, the Daily Press has learned.
Wright, 41, is also accused of seeking the aid of an FBI informant to burn downhis restaurant, Fat Boyz Grill, in order to collect $300,000 in insurance money,according to a sworn affidavit obtained by this newspaper.
Arrested Tuesday, Wright is expected to appear in a federal court in Riversideon Wednesday, but is not anticipated to enter a plea, Thom Mrozek, spokesmanfor the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told the Daily Press.
Wright faces two federal charges: bribery of programs receiving federal fundsand attempted arson of a building affecting interstate commerce.
The bribery charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison,according to Mrozek, while the attempted arson charge yields a mandatoryminimum sentence of five years and statutory maximum sentence of 20 years.
Mayor Rich Kerr initially offered a tempered response, saying the city would notimmediately presume Wright had done anything wrong, but he also hinted at afar stronger reaction.
Adelanto mayor pro tem arrested, facingfederal charges
“It’s still in its infancy stage. Until we get more information, we’re going to sittight and listen to the authorities,” Kerr said by phone, then: “We will takedecisive action, probably tomorrow sometime.”
The criminal complaint and Wright’s arrest stem from an official FBI probe,launched in June, into public corruption in the city.
“This is part of an ongoing investigation,” Mrozek said by phone.
Earlier this year, federal agents received information that Wright “may havereceived bribe payments in return for official acts,” according to the affidavit.“The official acts allegedly concerned rezoning of land for use in the developingmedical marijuana industry in Adelanto.”
Conversations between Wright, who at times was under surveillance, and anundercover agent and FBI informant were either recorded or reported by thoseinvolved in the probe.
It started on June 15, when an informant introduced an undercover agent toWright at his restaurant, located in the 11600 block of Rancho Road. Theoperative told Wright he was interested in purchasing commercial propertyoutside of the marijuana cultivation zone, at a reduced price, and then seeking tohave the Council re-zone the land in question for cannabis use in order to bolsterits value.
Wright allegedly responded that his vote must be purchased in a cash donationthrough a person who Wright identified, but who was not named in theaffidavit. It was the first time of several in which Wright and the undercoveragent would talk bribes, according to the FBI.
Ultimately, the two would come to terms on a deal that Wright allegedly vowedwould be accompanied by his assistance on accommodating the bogus businesson future zone expansions and protection from code enforcement.
The agent “then placed $10,000 dollars on a box being used as a table, made up oftwo stacks of $50 bills, and told Wright, ‘that’s for you, or your non-profit,whatever,’” according to the affidavit. “Wright responded, ‘my non-profit, yessir, thank you sir.’ Wright eventually placed the $10,000 in his pocket.”
11/8/2017 Adelanto mayor pro tem arrested, facing federal charges
Wright also allegedly sought a “stack” from the operative for each occasion hewere to curtail code enforcement.
The mayor pro tem left the meeting location with the bribe and drove directlyback to his restaurant, the FBI said.
Then in August, the FBI informant told agents that Wright had suggested a ploy:Get someone to burn down Fat Boyz Grill in order to collect on $300,000 ininsurance money.
The incident would, of course, have to appear to be an accident so Wrightrequested it be made to look like there had been an electrical problem, the FBIsaid.
Wright was also allegedly willing to pay for such a service.
A second undercover agent, acting as the “electrician” — Wright’s purportednickname for the arsonist-for-hire — met with Wright and was escorted aroundthe mayor pro tem’s restaurant building, which had three suites, two of whichwere under his control, according to the affidavit.
During this tour, the FBI said the mayor pro tem made notes of the sprinklersystem, electrical outlets and the fire station down the street.
“From the time (the fire) starts to the time they get here, it’s probably about fiveminutes,” he said, according to the affidavit.
The undercover agent agreed to perform the job, telling Wright it would cost$1,500. Three days later, on Oct. 6, Wright proved he was serious, flashing ablack wristband with a small zipper. The band, the FBI said, contained $1,500.The operative told Wright the job required another week to which thepolicymaker responded: ”(Expletive), I don’t have no excuse to be gone nextweek.”
After securing a federal search warrant, two FBI agents visited Wright on Oct.17 at his restaurant, where Wright purportedly confessed to the arson plot and“agreed to cooperate with the FBI’s investigation into corruption in the city ofAdelanto.”
11/8/2017 Adelanto mayor pro tem arrested, facing federal charges
Wright also denied ever taking a bribe. But he did believe the second undercoveragent, who he understood to have told the FBI about the arson plot, was likelythe “snitch.”
It was the notion of a canary in the midst, according to the affidavit, which thensparked a seemingly threatening demand from Wright to an informant:“Whatever you do, don’t come back to you, and doesn’t come back to me, and Idon’t give a (expletive) what happens. I really don’t, but this (expletive) needs tobe cleaned up.”
Shea Johnson can be reached at 760-955-5368 or [email protected]. Follow
him on Twitter at @DP_Shea.
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By Shea Johnson Staff Writer Posted at 12:59 AMUpdated at 8:32 AM
At St. Joseph Health, St. Mary’s hospital in Apple Valley,a somber Wright sat on a hospital bed in a hallway wherehe didn’t appear to be getting treated at the moment. Hedidn’t look an agent in the eye, spoke quietly and tooklonger than usual to answer questions.
ADELANTO — Weeks before he was arrested to face two federal charges,Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright began, the FBI said, to contrive a strange plot:Hire someone to rough him up to the point where he loses his memory.
“So, how much is it going to cost to get my ass beat?” Wright, 41, reportedly toldan FBI informant during a recorded Oct. 23 conversation. ”(A)nd it needs tohappen quickly though. Beat to the point where I have memory loss, all the restof the stuff, they have to let me go ... I have a good-ass attorney.”
The unusual inquiry came six days after two FBI agents served a federal searchwarrant at Wright’s restaurant off Highway 395, Fat Boyz Grill, and confrontedthe policymaker over his alleged solicitation of an undercover agent to burn theplace down so he could collect on the insurance money.
As the heat on Wright intensified since June, the mayor pro tem appeared togrow more desperate, purportedly telling an FBI agent he even had put ashotgun in his mouth. According to a sworn FBI affidavit, he believed a plannedattack that would cause memory loss could shield him from pending criminalcharges.
As FBI pressure intensi�ed, so did Adelantomayor pro tem’s desperation
“What am I supposed to do?” he reportedly told an FBI informant with a lengthycriminal history dating back to 1995. “I am still underneath this federal bull[expletive].”
The assault would take place outside his restaurant in the pre-dawn hours; a ratwould be placed next to him to make it seem as if the assailant had been angeredhe talked to the FBI; $500 or $600 would be put in his pocket as compensation tothe paid attacker and to show signs of a robbery; and ”(t)hey gotta hit me in thehead.”
“I am going to lose at least three months of memory or more,” Wright told theinformant, according to the affidavit.
But might a staged assault be dangerous?
“I am not asking you to kill me,” Wright responded. “I am not asking you to beatme within an inch of my life.”
In the early morning of Nov. 3, a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy andCounty Fire personnel responded to the restaurant. Wright was lying on theground near a barbecue in the parking lot without visible injuries.
He’d tell authorities his assailant tried to steal an audio recording device on him,now broken, which agents provided to record conversations “in furtherance ofFBI’s public corruption investigation in Adelanto,” the affidavit said.
The suspect was a taller man who hit Wright over the right eye multiple timeswith an unknown object, he told an FBI agent who he requested, through thedeputy, come to the scene.
At St. Joseph Health, St. Mary’s hospital in Apple Valley, a somber Wright sat ona hospital bed in a hallway where he didn’t appear to be getting treated at themoment. He didn’t look an agent in the eye, spoke quietly and took longer thanusual to answer questions.
He told the agent he had been lying on the ground for two to three hours in thefreezing cold before help arrived at 7 a.m. and wondered why FBI surveillanceteams didn’t stop to intervene, although agents said there were none in the areaat the time.
11/8/2017 As FBI pressure intensified, so did Adelanto mayor pro tem's desperation
He was also robbed of $2,000 to $3,000 cash out of his pocket, according to theaffidavit. He always paid his employees in cash, he told an agent, and he routinelykept significant quantities of it around — apparently a habit he had learned fromhis mother.
Wright has told agents he did not accept a $10,000 cash bribe in return for
political favor.
He isn’t expected to enter a plea during an anticipated appearance in federal courtWednesday. He remained in custody Wednesday morning at West ValleyDetention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, jail records show.
Shea Johnson can be reached at 760-955-5368 or [email protected]. Follow
him on Twitter at @DP_Shea.
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PUBLISHED: November 7, 2017 at 12:00 pm | UPDATED: November 7, 2017 at 5:45 pm
An artist rendering of San Manuel’s coming 500-room hotel, 4,000-seat entertainment venue, expanded casino space and 2,200-stall parkingstructure. The expansion is expected to conclude in 2020. (Photo courtesy of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians)
San Manuel Casino will soon have new neighbors.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians on Tuesday, Nov. 7, announced plans to build a 500-room hotel, a 4,000-seat entertainment venue and
a 2,200-stall parking structure on 795,000 square feet of property adjacent to the existing casino.
Tribe of cials did not provide projected costs for the project, as it is still in the environmental and preliminary design phase.
Construction could begin as early as next year with a completion date in 2020.
The two-year project is expected to create approximately 1,400 construction jobs, San Manuel of cials said. About 1,200 will be hired to work
at the new sites.
“This is an opportunity for the Tribe to continue to remain vibrant in this market space,” San Manuel CEO Jerry Paresa said. “It’s a win-win for
the community. Not a lot of investment is going on in San Bernardino, and we have the opportunity to move the needle.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity.”
The yet-to-be-named hotel will have between 15 and 17 oors, of cials said. Also, a resort-style spa and pool, high-end restaurants and retail
space. Some 55,000 square feet is being carved out for expanded gaming.
A new performance venue will offer an alternative to San Bernardino’s National Orange Show Events Center and Devore’s Glen Helen
Amphitheater.
BUSINESS
San Manuel to build new hotel, event venue, parkingstructure next to Highland casino
San Manuel announces new 500-room hotelPosted: Tuesday, November 7, 2017 5:27 pm
Meeting in a conference room at the San Manuel CommunityCenter on the reservation, San Manuel executives unveiledplans for a new 500-room hotel with additional casino,shopping and other amenities.
The addition will include a 4,000-seat performance centerwhere top entertainment will be featured.
The 2,200-space parking structure will serve the hotel,restaurant and entertainment venue.
CEO Jerry Paresa said there will be about 1,400 constructionjobs on the project, and about 1,200 permanent jobs upon completion, expected in 2020.
The Tribe is putting out a Tribal Environmental Impact Report (EIR), inviting comments from thesurrounding area, to be followed by the Draft EIR before construction begins.
“We have our own Tribal requirements for construction,” Paresa said. “They are similar to those for citiesand counties.”
The Tribal Environmental Impact report many be reviewed and comments made at .SanManuelTEIR.com
Marilyn Manson Defends Pointing a Fake Rifle at San Bernardino Crowd Following
Texas Massacre B Y K A R E N M I Z O G U C H I
POSTED ON NOVEMBER 7, 2017 AT 12:54AM EST
Marilyn Manson is defending his use of a fake rifle during a recent concert, calling
the act a part of his “theater.”
The singer, 48, performed a show at Knotfest Meets Ozzfest in San Bernardino, California, on Sunday, just hours after at least 26 people were killed during a morning service at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, when a gunman walked into the sanctuary and opened fire.
San Bernardino is also still healing after a mass shooting in December 2015, left 14 people dead.
“In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence, this was an act of theater in an attempt to make a statement about how easily accessible semi-automatic weapons are and how seeing them has become normalized,” Manson said in a statement to Variety.
RONIN 47/SPLASH “My art has always been a reaction to popular culture and my way to make people think about the horrible things that happen in this world. My performance was not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity,” he continued.
MAURICIO SANTANA/GETTY Manson, who was confined to a wheelchair due to injuring his leg in an onstage accident in September, pointed the prop rifle rigged as a microphone toward the audience while singing his song “We Know Where You F—ing Live.” The prop rifle featured a bright orange cap marking it as fake.
He concluded his statement: “The prop microphone I used on stage was handed to me with the approval of a police officer. My empathy goes out to anyone who has been affected by the irresponsible and reprehensible misuse of REAL guns.”
Manson’s Knotfest gig was the artist’s first concert since he was hospitalized and had to cancel nine shows after a stage prop crushed him mid-show.
89 adoptions finalized at special event in Ontario
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It's not often that anyone is excited to be sworn in before a judge, but the Ramos family was crying tears of joy before the hearing even began. (KABC)
By Rob McMillan
Tuesday, November 07, 2017 08:19PM
It's not often that anyone is excited to be sworn in before a judge, but the Ramos family was crying tears of joy before the hearing evenbegan.
"It means the world," said Gena Joy Ramos, standing next to her husband Sergio moments after their adoption of three siblings was madeofficial before a judge.
The hearing took place Tuesday inside a makeshift courtroom at the Ontario Convention Center.
"I've been waiting for the day to be called mom, and he's been waiting for the day to be called dad," said Joy Ramos. "And now we aremom and dad!"
But their family isn't the only one that got bigger on this day.
"It's definitely been a long journey, but worth it," said Vanessa Jones-Oyefeso, standing next to her husband Babtunde, holding herdaughter in her arms. "I can't really even put it into words, it's a really exciting thing. We're very thankful that she's part of our foreverfamily."
In all, 89 adoptions were finalized at an event called A Royal Celebration. It was the 20th year that San Bernardino County Children andFamily Services hosted the event.
After lunch, each family went before a judge in a makeshift courtroom. They were sworn in, and after answering three questions, theadoptions were finalized.
"By the end of the process, they're a family," said social service practitioner Patricia Santiago. "And it's a joyous thing to see."
Santiago was especially pleased to see so many adoptions of school-age children.
"We've always had a need for older children. Especially in this age, we always have more children than there are families," she added.
It worked out perfectly for the Ramos family.
"Well, we're not 20," joked Joy Ramos. "And I don't want to be 60 playing with a football."
Their three children are all siblings. The oldest is Priscilla, 8. When asked why she felt so happy, her answer was brief, but to the point.
"Because I'm being adopted."
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Related Topics: family adoption children feel good Ontario San Bernardino County
By Paola Baker Staff Writer Posted Nov 7, 2017 at 8:28 PMUpdated at 12:15 AM
VICTORVILLE — Measure K looks to be short of the two-thirds majority vote needed to pass asales tax hike meant to bolster fire and public safety services here.
Unofficial election night results showed 2,042 voters said “No” on Measure K, a half-cent salestax measure expected to raise $8.5 million yearly in revenue to supplement the city’s generalfund dollars. The funds would be used specifically for public safety services.
Over 62 percent of the 5,393 votes counted, so far, leaned towards the measure, but theyweren’t enough to close the gap and reach the two-thirds majority needed.
“We are pleased that Victorville residents will be spared the additional burden of an increasedsales tax, particularly given the recent jump in gas prices due to misplaced priorities by ourleaders in Sacramento,” Inland Empire Taxpayers Association (IETA) president Chris Mannsaid.
The organization — along with the San Bernardino County Firefighters union, or Local 935 —spearheaded the measure’s opposition campaign. City officials promised funds generated by themeasure would be used to bolster fire services, but union president Jim Grigoli said there wereno guarantees of this.
“This could have easily been solved if (the city) signed a long-term contract with us, but theydidn’t,” Grigoli previously said. “And now we’re at the point that we can’t support somethingthat will leave our guys without jobs.”
But Mayor Pro Tem Jim Cox strongly denied this, stating the ordinance drafted by the city toput the measure on the ballot specifically stated the funds would be directly used to hire morefirefighters and replace aging equipment.
“I was pretty shocked when the County Fire union opposed us, because they provided us withthe list of things they needed. We complied, and to have them oppose it was just very shockingto me,” Cox said. “I still don’t understand it. It hurts.”
City officials have said current tax revenues can’t keep pace with rising contract costs — largelyattributed to Victorville’s agreement with the sheriff’s department — and that fire equipment isin need of upgrades or replacement.
“We really tried our best, and I think we did a good job at telling the public what Measure Kwas and how it would restrict what the funds would be used for,” Cox said.
With the measure apparently failing to gain the votes needed to pass, annexation into CountyFire’s service zone seems almost inevitable. Such a move would be accompanied by a $153yearly parcel tax on nearly 38,000 parcels in the city.
The parcel tax is subjected to a yearly 3 percent cost-of-living increase, which has equated to$36 in extra tax since 2008 when it was only $117.
Parcel tax revenue would be collected by County Fire, which would also assume assets andliabilities from the city including fire apparatus and facilities, as well as be responsible for capitalimprovements and service expansions.
The next round of results are expected to be released Wednesday afternoon.
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By Paola Baker Staff Writer Posted Nov 7, 2017 at 8:35 PMUpdated Nov 7, 2017 at 11:47 PM
BARSTOW — Voters here appeared to have decided against a sales tax hikemeant to bolster the city’s fire district services.
Measure J, a half-cent sales tax, was short of its two-thirds majority by a narrowmargin at the end of the unofficial election night results, with 609 residentsvoting “No” on Tuesday.
The last of Tuesday’s preliminary results released at 10 p.m. showed a slight edgeof voters backing Measure J, with 633 “Yes” votes tallied thus far.
“It’s a nailbiter, for sure,” Barstow Fire Protection District Fire Chief JamieWilliams said after the first results were released at 8 p.m. “We knew it would betight with mail-in ballots, but so far the vibe is really good.”
However, in a close race, the measure apparently failed to reach the thresholdneeded to pass: Out of 1,711 total votes and all precincts reporting, almost 65percent of voters approved the measure, in contrast to the 35 percent opposingit.
The measure would have imposed a half-cent sales tax throughout the city that’sexpected to generate an estimated $3.8 million a year, with residents paying anaverage of $47 a year, according to city officials.
The funds were meant to be earmarked for the Barstow Fire Protection District,which has been financially struggling for some time.
The measure was put to the ballot after the City Council approved a resolutionto do so in mid-April. The move came after several workshops were held in thehopes of finding solutions to the Barstow Fire Protection District’s bleeding
The measure was touted as a way for residents to maintain local accountability.City and fire officials both stated the measure would allow the BFPD to staylocal, while allowing residents to have their voice heard.
“We can’t necessarily rely on the county to make the best decisions for us,”Council member Rich Harpole said. “Measure J is the best solution for ourcommunity and it’s what we need to do to keep Barstow safe and strong.”
With Measure J seemingly defeated as of Tuesday night, city officials will now belooking at a limited set of alternatives to maintain fire services. The most likelyoption would be the City Council annexing the BFPD into the San BernardinoCounty Fire Department.
The region would then fall under the umbrella of County Fire’s FP-5 parcel tax,estimated to be about $150 for every parcel in the city. That tax would increase 3percent each year thereafter.
The San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters Union, or Local 935, wasopenly opposed to the sales hike, based on what union president Jim Grigolicharacterized as “derogatory comments” from Barstow firefighters againstCounty Fire.
“We are opposing it because the comments on the parcel tax makes us looks verybad,” Grigoli said.
City and fire officials have previously opposed a parcel tax, stressing howdifficult it could be to residents with a low or fixed income.
“We wanted to look at it as objectively as possible,” city spokesman AnthonyRiley said. “The city felt like this was the most equitable option.”
The next set of results are expected to be announced on Wednesday afternoon.
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The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a Chino homeowner’s report
that large chunks of ice crashed through his roof on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The incident happened on Harrington Court, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.
“Incidents such as this are extremely rare, but not unheard of,” Gregor wrote in an
email Tuesday.
The agency has not yet concluded whether the ice came from an airliner. He said
that the ice was clear, not blue, meaning that it could have formed on the outside
of an airliner from a leak in its galley. Blue ice would have come from an airliner’s
lavatory, he said.
“We are running radar replays to see which, if any, aircra� were �ying over the
area for a period of time before and a�er the homeowner says the incident
occurred,” Gregor said. “If we �nd aircra� were in the area, we will contact the
operators to advise them to check their planes for possible water leaks.”
A National Weather Service spokesman said it is unlikely that the ice was a result
of a weather phenomenon.
Meteorologist Brett Albright said large quantities of ice could form only if there
were an “intense updra�” of air capable of holding the ice alo�.
“That would be exceptionally rare in Southern California,” Albright said.
Such an updra� forms during thunderstorms, and there was no such weather in
the area at the time of the incident, he said.
Brian RokosBrian Rokos writes about public safety issues such as policing,criminal justice, scams, how law affects public safety,�re�ghting tactics and wildland �re danger. He has also coveredthe cities of San Bernardino, Corona, Norco, Lake Elsinore,
Tags: investigation, Top Stories IVDB, Top Stories PE,Top Stories Sun
« SIX MEN ARRESTED IN LOCAL ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROW RAIDS TERRIER MIX FOUND IN 29 PALMS »
YUCCA VALLEY TO PUT COMMERCIAL CANNABIS PROPOSAL TO A VOTEBy Z107.7 News, on November 8th, 2017
More than 40 people got up before the Yucca Valley Town Council last night to give their opinions on what the town should do concerning a citizens’petition to permit commercial cannabis operations in town limits. Managing editor Tami Roleff was there during the marathon meeting and saysresidents will have the chance to vote on it themselves…
After listening to two hours of public comment on commercial cannabis operations last night, the Yucca Valley Town Council unanimously voted toorder an impact report and to hold an election next year to let the residents decide whether the businesses should be permitted in town limits.Speakers for the grow operations spoke about the jobs and revenue the grow operations bring. Raymond Navis who has written about 100 articles oncannabis cultivation, quoted the CEO of the Canndescent marijuana cultivation and manufacturing operation in Desert Hot Springs: “We have about35 jobs in our Desert Hot Springs facility, that number will grow to 75 by March. All have health benefits and stock options. Our current payroll is$100,000 per month and we anticipate it will double in the next three to four months.”
Other supporters said property values in areas with grow operations have skyrocketed, crime has decreased, and the investors use local residents andbusinesses to build and staff the operations.
Opponents countered that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, the operations would use too much water, and that Yucca Valley residents shoulddecide if the businesses should be permitted in town limits.
Council member Merl Abel summed up the feelings of the council. “As a council member, I have a real problem representing the community when Idon’t know what our marching orders are.”
The impact report will be presented to the council at the December 5 meeting, at which time the council will order a special election. It’s hoped theelection can be combined with the state election in June, 2018.
In other business, the council approved a contract with a company that will ensure that owners of short-term vacation rentals in the town are incompliance with town regulations. The council also set the permit fees for vacation rentals at $434 for the first year, with a slight discount forsubsequent years if there are no complaints.
It was a full house at the Yucca Valley Town Councilmeeting, as the council discussed the citizens’ initiative
to permit commercial cannabis operations in town limits.More than 40 people spoke on the issue at the meeting.
S H A R E T H I S :
November 8th, 2017 | Tags: marijuana, morongo basin, san bernardino county, yucca valley, yucca valley town council | Category: Featured, Local News, Top Story
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The marijuana-growing operation used advanced lighting, air conditioning, fans,
exhaust blowers and an air-�ltering system to control the climate inside the
residence — as well as the odor of marijuana, the release said. The unit also
discovered that modi�cations were made to the residence’s wiring to support an
indoor grow.
There was also evidence of extreme water damage to the residence, which the
release said could have been caused by an electrical short that caused an
explosion or a �re, the release said.
The investigation is ongoing and attempting to identify any suspects responsible
for the grow, the release said. Of�cials are also seeking to contact the property
owner.
Authorities ask that anyone with information on the incident to call the Sheriff’s
Department at 909-387-8400. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the
We-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or visit www.wetip.com.
Stephen RamirezSteve Ramirez writes about public safety issues includingcriminal justice and �res in Inland Southern California. Hepreviously covered high schools, college football and motorsports for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune since 1989. He's a big
fan of Buddy Holly and loves World War II movies. Follow Stephen Ramirez @SteveRRamirez
By Kevin Trudgeon City EditorPosted Nov 7, 2017 at 3:53 PMUpdated Nov 7, 2017 at 3:53 PM
ADELANTO — An open garage door led to the discovery of a large indoormarijuana grow here Monday morning, authorities said.
Deputy C. Porter with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Victor Valley Stationwas investigating an open garage door in the 11000 block of Everest Street atapproximately 9:50 a.m. when he found “items typically used during the indoorcultivation of marijuana,” authorities said.
Deputy Porter requested assistance from the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Divisionand members of the Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served a searchwarrant at the residence.
“Over 550 marijuana plants, in various stages of growth, and several pounds ofprocessed marijuana were found inside the residence,” sheriff’s officials said in astatement.
“The grow operation used advanced lighting, air conditioning, fans, exhaustblowers and an air-filtering system to control the climate inside the residence, aswell as the odor of marijuana coming from it.”
Authorities contacted Adelanto Code Enforcement after finding severalunpermitted building additions to the residence, according to authorities, andmodifications that were made to the electrical wiring to support the grow.
“An electrical short caused by the unpermitted electrical wiring most likelywould have resulted in an explosion or fire in the residential community causingpossible injuries to bystanders near the residence,” sheriff’s officials said.
Open garage door leads to discovery of 550-plant indoor marijuana grow in Adelanto
MET is continuing the investigation and is attempting to identify the suspect(s)responsible for the marijuana grow, as well as locate the property owner.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact theSheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at 909-387-8400. Callers wishing to remainanonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463 or visitwww.wetip.com.
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Grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 were awarded to: Coachella Valley
Volunteers in Medicine; CompassPoint which offers leadership training; El Sol
Neighborhood Educational Center of San Bernardino which offers depression
screening, counseling and treatment; Inland Behavioral and Health Services,
Inc., of San Bernardino; Planned Parenthood of the Paci�c Southwest in
Coachella for a youth leadership program; Reach Out of Upland which provides
paid internship opportunities for low-income and underserved student; Southern
California Public Radio for its coverage of healthcare issues; and Time for Change
Foundation of San Bernardino to help provide which provides accessibility to
safe, affordable housing for homeless women and children.
The grants were founded and funded by longtime Inland physician Dr. Guillermo
Valenzuela.
“I am humbled that our Foundation’s grants are being awarded to groups that play
such a critical role in improving the health, spirit and future opportunities of
women and families in need across the Inland Empire,” Valenzuela said in a news
release. “The support, services and care these organizations provide to the Inland
community are absolutely vital and provide life-changing bene�ts.”
Help Highland police identify thiefHighland PD | Posted: Tuesday, November 7, 2017 11:36 am
On Thursday Oct. 22, 2017 at approximately 2:24 p.m., a Hispanic male entered the McCleaners on BaseLine and Boulder Avenue in Highland and asked to pick up his dry cleaning.
As the clerk was attempting to locate his name, he started to un-plug the credit card machine. The clerkattempted to pull it back but the suspect yanked the cord out of her hand and ran out with it.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, thin build with a blue and gray New York Yankee’s baseballcap. The clerk could not describe his tattoos, only the letter “D” on his left hand.
Anyone with information regarding this crime or has had similar crimes of this nature occurring in their city,please contact the Highland Police Station.
11/8/2017 With veteran cop as interim police chief, Upland seeks to regain footing – Daily Bulletin
Lt. Marcelo Blanco takes a photo of Doug Millmore, rst row in suit, with city of cials andother well-wishers after Millmore’s appointment as interim Upland police chief wascon rmed by the City Council. (Photo by David Allen)
Millmore is interim police chief and was hired by the interim city manager, Marty
Thouvenell. Interim is de nitely the way to go in Upland. The two old friends won’t
have much overlap, though: Thouvenell plans to be done before year’s end while
Millmore may be around until spring.
His mission, he told me, is to “stabilize the department through the transition” and
assist in the recruitment and hiring of a new chief. He also wants to ll vacancies in
the depleted ranks and will “review management practices, policies and procedures”
to recommend changes.
Basically, he will right the ship.
Johnson’s departure hasn’t been characterized as a ring or a resignation, but clearly
the relationship wasn’t working out and he had to go.
Hired in March 2015, Johnson had a softer touch with homelessness than many
liked, including Thouvenell, himself a former Upland police chief, who stepped in to
bring some order to Memorial Park. And Johnson had a Jeff Sessions-like approach
to marijuana, with a surprising degree of personal involvement: He led at least two
raids on dispensaries and he con scated pro-marijuana campaign signs.
A ght with members of his senior command staff led to an overwhelming no-
Powered by 'Bonding Experience': Mother Helps Daughter Deliver Baby at SoCalGas Station
"It was a bonding experience. It was amazing. I delivered mygrandson!"
By Tony Shin
A mom-to-be realized that she wouldn't make it in time to the hospital and had no choice but to give birth at thegas station. Thankfully, the baby's grandmother was there to help with the delivery. Tony Shin reports for theNBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017. (Published Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017)
An Inland Empire woman gave birth at a SoCal gas station early Monday morning, but instead of panicking, shestayed calm and delivered a healthy baby boy thanks to a lot of help from her mom.
"I think as a mom your job is never done ... you're always protecting your kids," Kaylee Atkins said.
Atkins confirmed that statement on Monday morning, when she went to Kaiser Hospital in Fontana because shethought she was about to deliver her son Rex.
"They told me I wasn't in labor so my mom took me to her house," she said.
Oh, Baby! Newborns Who Couldn't Wait for Hospital
Special Delivery: When Baby's on the Way and Can't Be Stopped
But within an hour of getting back to her mom's Crestline home, things started happening fast.
The pair got back in the car to head back to the hospital, but Atkins knew she "was not going to make it."
Her mom, Tracey Holt, also had a feeling they didn't have much time.
Updates: Download the NBCLA App
"She's telling me she's getting sick so she's opening the car window and screaming out the car window," Holtsaid.
Rex wasn't waiting any longer so Holt pulled over at a Shell gas station, which was closed at the time. It was ascary situation for any pregnant woman, but Atkins says she wasn't worried because her mother is a nurse.
"I had the best qualified person there to help me," Atkins said.
Free or Cheap Things to Do in Los Angeles
Holt went into "nurse mode" and "kept the patient calm."
"I got out of the car, I laid down on that ground and started pushing. He was out within seconds of me gettingout of the car," Atkins said.
Holt wiped off Rex's mouth, nose and back and placed him on his daughter's chest. That's when the ambulanceshowed up.
Cindy Crawford Slashes $10M Off Malibu Estate Price Tag
It was Holt's first time helping anyone deliver a baby.
Atkin's 4-year-old son Troy couldn't be more pleased to have little Rex in his life.
"I'm really happy to have a brother," Troy said.
Eyes of the Homeless Reveal Stories of Heartache, Hope
And he's happy to have a mom and grandma who proved that it doesn't matter what age you are, when you're amom you're always protecting your kids.
"It was a bonding experience. It was amazing. I delivered my grandson. It was just awesome!" Holt said.
Published at 4:36 PM PST on Nov 7, 2017 | Updated at 9:33 PM PST on Nov 7, 2017
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By Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer Posted Nov 7, 2017 at 12:11 PMUpdated Nov 7, 2017 at 12:11 PM
VICTORVILLE — After years of no new development in one industrial park district, a multi-tenant office is being constructed.
A crew recently broke ground and began construction on the one-story, 14,000-square-footindustrial flex building that sits on 1-acre on the northwest corner of Tamarack Road and ParkAvenue in Victorville.
The building is comprised of eight units, each 1,700 square feet with the ability to merge twosuites with a removal of the demising wall. The units are primarily designed for warehouse use,with an accessory office and roll-up doors that can be accessed via the alley way.
The new building will be situated across the street from the Boot Barn and B & B Cycle on ParkAvenue, and Desert Star Wholesale on Tamarack Road.
Based in the High Desert, Kursch Group Commercial Real Estate is handling the leasing of ofthe property that is located south of Palmdale Road and east of Amargosa Road.
For more information on the project, call Jeremy Schmidt at 760-983-2383 orwww.kurschgroup.com.
Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa [email protected], Twitter
@DP_ReneDeLaCruz and Instagram @reneraydelacruz.
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Industrial park area in Victorville sees new development
As taxpayers, we all pay for veterans bene ts. The Veterans Affairs Department is the second largest federal agency in the U.S. government,
behind only the Defense Department, with over 340,000 employees and a 2015 budget of almost $164 billion. Included in the budget is over
$95 billion allocated for mandatory programs such as disability compensation and pensions and $56 billion for medical care.
Needs for vets
There are six areas for the needs of veterans and the military highlighted in the 2013 report by Serving Those Who Served: Education,
employment, family and community, legal/ nancial/housing, mental health and physical health.
You can read the whole report here.
Effective support
The same report also notes there are three services the government does not provide support for: Bereavement services, connections with
other veterans, emergency funds
Sources: National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, Wallethub.com, The Associated Press, CharityWatch, Charity Navigator,
“Serving Those Who Served: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Assisting Veterans and Military Families, ” by Thomas Meyer, PhilanthropyRoundtable
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
SPONSORED CONTENT
Watch What Happened When These 347 People Became U.S. Citizens
By DoubleTree by Hilton
There's nothing like a warm welcome. On September 14th, 2017 Hilton Double Tree did just that by welcoming 347 new...
Kurt SnibbeKurt Snibbe is a visual journalist for Southern California News Group. Snibbe has won several medals in internationalgraphics competitions and was a staff cartoonist for ESPN.com. Snibbe began with The Orange County Register in 1997, leftin 2008 and returned in 2013.
Follow Kurt Snibbe @KurtSnibbe
Tags: infographic, military, Top Stories Breeze, Top Stories IVDB, Top Stories LADN, Top Stories LBPT,Top Stories OCR, Top Stories PE, Top Stories PSN, Top Stories RDF, Top Stories SGVT, Top Stories Sun,Top Stories WDN, Veterans
PUBLISHED: November 8, 2017 at 8:28 am | UPDATED: November 8, 2017 at 8:47 am
File photo by Rodrigo Pena, Contributing Photographer
Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-La Quinta, brought up environmental problems stemming from thedecay of the Salton Sea in making the case for legislation he’s co-sponsoring with Sen.Cory Booker, D-N.J.
We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightfulconversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove anyinformation or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive,
“We heard from residents of the Imperial and Coachella valleys, and understand the
urgent need to improve air quality and maintain valuable habitat,” State Water
Board Member Joaquin Esquivel, said in a statement. “We are going to be
monitoring the restoration work closely, and have identi ed cumulative milestones
necessary to protect public health and the environment.”
Kim Del no, California program director for Defenders of Wildlife, called for more
immediate action.
“Certainly, a sense of urgency is good, but we won’t be able to wave a piece of paper
at the dust clouds, or the dead or absent wildlife,” Del no said in a statement.
“Fourteen years ago when the State promised to address the problems at the Sea,
2018 seemed like plenty of time to protect and restore the Sea. Now we’re two
months away from the deadline and impending disaster, and it’s time to get some
shovels in the ground and a lot more money dedicated to the Sea.”
Jim SteinbergJim Steinberg is a national-award winning environmental writer.He also covers medical and healthcare issues, drones and aviation,military and the cities of Fontana and Rialto.
Follow Jim Steinberg @JamesDSteinberg
Tags: environment, Top Stories IVDB, Top Stories PE,Top Stories RDF, Top Stories Sun
California City Proposes Drone Rules After Rashof IncidentsRecent events involving unmanned aerial vehicles are prompting Oceanside officials toconsider new rules around the devices.
BY PHIL DIEHL, THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE / NOVEMBER 3, 2017
(TNS) -- Oceanside agreed this week to set some rules for flying drones in public places,the result of recent incidents, including one that injured a beachgoer.
“We just want to establish some protocols so we can be sure people are safe,” police Lt.Aaron Doyle told Oceanside City Council members at a meeting Wednesday.
The rapid spread of remotely piloted aircraft has some cities looking for ways to controlthem. Poway was one of the first cities in the area to set limits in 2015, and San Diegoadopted its regulations in April. The Federal Aviation Administration also setsregulations for drones, but those rules are administrative and can’t be enforced by localpolice.
Oceanside’s proposal would require operators to get a permit before flying drones overthe beach, the pier and a few other places. Among other restrictions, it would requiredrones to remain within the operator’s line of sight, outside the flight path of anyoccupied aircraft, and only operate during daylight.
Oceanside City Council members unanimously supported the proposal, which would beeffective 30 days after a second presentation to the council expected later this year.
Three incidents over the summer prompted Oceanside police to request the ordinance,Doyle said.
A drone fell onto a beachgoer causing minor injuries in July after the pilot lost sight ofhis flying machine and it crashed into a palm tree near the city pier, he said. Anothernarrowly missed a young girl on the beach in August after the operator lost control.
Perhaps the most serious problem occurred in June, Doyle said. City and countyfirefighters were battling an 85-acre blaze near the border of Oceanside and CampPendleton. Crews in aircraft delivering water drops on the fire spotted a drone in theirflight path, and all aerial operations had to cease for about one hour until it was gone.
Not only does the delay hinder firefighting efforts, but a mid-air collision between aremotely operated drone and an occupied aircraft could have tragic results, withfatalities and extensive property damage, the lieutenant said.
The proposed ordinance also prohibits drones over occupied schools, or to transmitvisual images or audio recordings of anyone who has a reasonable expectation ofprivacy.
Drones must remain within the line of sight of the operator without the use ofbinoculars or other vision-enhancing devices, and cannot approach any closer than 25feet to any person but the operator or an assistant.
11/8/2017 California City Proposes Drone Rules After Rash of Incidents
Drone Impeded California Firefighting Efforts(http://www.govtech.com/public-safety/Drone-Impeded-California-Firefighting-Efforts.html)
Proposed LAPD Drone Policy Draws Public Ire(http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Proposed-LAPD-Drone-Policy-Draws-Public-Ire.html)
Delivery Drones Get Test Run in Las Vegas(http://www.govtech.com/fs/automation/Delivery-Drones-Get-Test-Run-in-Las-Vegas.html)
Also, the ordinance requires a pre-approved, one-time city permit to operate a droneover the beach, the pier, the City Hall complex or police and fire stations. The cost of thepermit is expected to be about $150, but Councilwoman Esther Sanchez said the amountshould be less.
Some beautiful videos have been made with drones over Oceanside’s pier, mission andbeaches, Sanchez said, and she wants to encourage people to make more of them. Postedon the internet, the videos can boost the city’s image and help attract tourists to thearea.
Councilman Jerry Kern said the cost of the permit should be enough to recover the city’scosts for regulating the activity, and that the amount can be adjusted later, if necessary.
“The technology is moving so rapidly, we’re playing catch-up,” Kern said.
The proposed regulations should not prohibit the average person from flying dronesthey receive as gifts or buy for hobbies, Councilman Jack Feller said.
“This does not prohibit a guy who gets a drone from flying it in his cul de sac,” Fellersaid.
Violators of the ordinance could be subject to fines of $1,000 for each violation, andcould have their drone impounded as evidence.
By BILL HEDRICK |PUBLISHED: November 7, 2017 at 6:30 pm | UPDATED: November 7, 2017 at 6:34pm
File photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNGChildren walks past the classrooms at Central Elementary School in RanchoCucamonga before the start of school on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015.
OPINION
Reform Prop. 13 to increaseCalifornia’s investment in publiceducation
GOP tax bill would end deduction for wildfireand earthquake victims — but not recenthurricane victims
By Jim Puzzanghera
NOVEMBER 7, 2017, 2:50 PM | REPORTING FROM WASHINGTON
he House Republican tax bill would eliminate the deduction for personal losses from wildfires,
earthquakes and other natural disasters, but keep the break for victims of the recent severe
hurricanes.
If the bill becomes law, the deduction would disappear next year, but would be available for victims of the
massive wildfires that struck Northern California last month — as long as they can figure out their uninsured
losses and include them on their 2017 tax return.
Santa Rosa resident Mark Sharp sifts through the remains of his charred home in search of his wife's wedding band on Oct. 20. (Luis Sinco/ Los Angeles Times)
PUBLISHED: November 7, 2017 at 2:25 pm | UPDATED: November 7, 2017 at 5:24 pm
FILE PHOTO
A room with High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights use for the flower stage of marijuanaplants at The Reefinery in Van Nuys on Thursday, Aug 24, 2017. (Photo by EdCrisostomo, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
NEWS
L.A. County leaders don’t want legalpot shops to take overneighborhoods. Here’s what they’redoing
FBI unable to break into Texas church gunman's cellphone
By Matt Pearce and David Pierson
NOVEMBER 7, 2017, 1:55 PM
he FBI has been unable to access the phone of the Texas church gunman, officials said Tuesday, voicing their frustration with the tech industry
as they try to gather evidence about Devin Kelley's motive for killing 26 churchgoers in a small town outside San Antonio.
“With the advance of the technology and the phones and the encryptions, law enforcement — whether that’s at the state, local or federal level —
is increasingly not able to get into these phones,” Christopher Combs, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio bureau, said in a televised news
conference.
Combs declined to say what type of phone Kelley had, “because I don’t want to tell every bad guy out there what phone to buy.”
The revelation came as investigators continued to scour the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, where Kelley fired hundreds of rounds and left
behind 15 empty 30-round ammunition magazines after his attack Sunday.
The FBI’s refusal to identify the manufacturer of the phone stands in contrast to its public feud with Apple in the aftermath of the San Bernardino shooting
in 2015 that left 14 people dead.
In that case, investigators wanted access to gunman Syed Farook’s iPhone 5C, hoping the device would provide information about possible accomplices or
terror networks.
Apple defied a court order to help crack the phone’s pass code, arguing it would set a precedent that would compromise the security of billions of
customers.
The FBI eventually paid a private firm $1 million to circumvent Apple, gaining access to Farook’s phone and dropping its lawsuit against the tech giant.
The tension between law enforcement and the tech industry over encryption remains as high as ever.
Maria Durand, left, and her daughter, Lupita Alcoces visit 26 crosses representing the victims of the massacre at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas. (Larry W. Smith /EPA/Shutterstock)
FBI Director Christopher Wray said last month that federal agents were still seeking access to 6,900 mobile devices.
“To put it mildly, this is a huge, huge problem,” Wray said. “It impacts investigations across the board -- narcotics, human trafficking, counter-terrorism,
Earlier in the month, Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein called on tech companies to build “responsible encryption” that would allow access only with
judicial authorization.
Tech companies are wary of such requests. The government, particularly the National Security Agency, has proven to be vulnerable to hacking. And if U.S.
law ultimately compels companies to provide so-called backdoors to their devices, fears abound that undemocratic countries such as China will do the
same.
“Even if you solve the trust problem with the government, you then have a problem with where to draw the line” with other countries, said Robert
Cattanach, a former Justice Department attorney who specializes in cybersecurity for the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney.
Cattanach said it was likely the FBI did not name the maker of Kelley’s phone because it appeared unlikely that Kelley had accomplices. There was a
greater sense of urgency with Farook because of concerns he might be acting on behalf of a terrorist group.
“You can’t go to a judge and argue there’s a future threat like in San Bernardino,” he said. “So what are you going to do? Public shaming didn’t work with