MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2015 - FEBRUARY 8, 2015
riversideindependent.com
Californians Can Soon Vote on Death with Dignity by nick kipley Having once failed in the polls, voters in the State of California will soon be able to decide again whether or not a patient of a terminal disease can electively end his or her own life under new, “Death With Dignity,” legislature. The measure, which has seen various revisions from the time it has been up for debate in 1992, 2005, and 2007, is gaining in support after 29-year-old Brittany Maynard, a California resident, moved to Portland in order to electively end her life, which she succeeded in doing on the 1st of November, last year. Oregon, Washington and Vermont have voted into their state legislation the right for a patient of an end-stage terminal disease to take a deliberate overdose of a heavy sedativehypnotic—typically a mixture of barbiturates—slip into a coma and die peacefully. Maynard had been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer whose prognosis indicated irreversible physical and mental
- File photo by Terry Miller
scarring if she were to undergo even the most successful treatment. Even worse, it was feared that, after months of these personality-altering treatments, the radioactive waves would fire through her skull and kill her. “I considered passing away
in hospice care at my San Francisco Bay-area home. But even with palliative medication, I could develop potentially morphine-resistant pain and suffer personality changes and verPlease see page 2
Almost Three Years After Popular Student’s Killing, Police Investigation Still Active On February 23, 2012, a well-liked Riverside student was shot by an unidentified suspect lust outside his home in Riverside’s eastside community. Lareanz Simmons, a Poly High School freshman who was just 14 years old, died as a result of his injuries. Lareanz had no gang affiliation and was a popular, caring kid who gave back to
his community through his work with the Junior ROTC program. The Riverside Police Department’s Homicide Unit is currently investigating new leads recently received in the case and will continue to pursue the new developments that have come to the attention of the handling detectives. All new leads are given priority with the investigation.
The Riverside Police Department is asking for the continued assistance from the public and wants to remind anyone with information to please contact Riverside Police Detective Tillett at 951-353-7105, Detective Medici at 951-353-7104 or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact We Tip at 1(800)78-CRIME or 1(800) 782-7463.
VOLUME 2, NO. 5
Latino Network Awards Outstanding Women On March 6, 2015 the Latino Network, also known as “La Net,” will host their 18th Annual Celebración de la Mujer Awards, or Celebration of Women Awards Luncheon. The awards recognize the community contributions and achievements of Latina women in the Inland area. The Riverside Latino Network is looking for nominations for its annual awards that are due February 11, 2015. Each March, the event recognizes “outstanding women who have demonstrated a spirit of commitment to their communities,” said the Latino Network website. The Latino Network prides itself on being a place where issues that affect and impact the Latino community in Riverside can be discussed and dealt with. California and the surrounding areas provide a vehicle for the dissemination of information and the sharing of resources. Honorees from 2014 included Hispanic Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce President, Linda Gonzalez. Linda Gonzalez was a 52-year-old Bloomington resident when she received the honor. Gonzalez is president of MAS Auto and Truck Electric of the Inland Empire and serves on the board of directors of the West Valley Water District, reported the The Press Enterprise. “It’s our time,” Gonzalez told the Enterprise last March. “Finally, people are acknowledging our community and our culture.” Please see page 4