San Bernardino Press MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2014 - AUGUST 24, 2014
sanbernardinopress.com
VOLUME 1, NO. 16
$1.9M awarded to local nonprofits to ease The plight of homeless veterans Recording by Vickie Vértiz Academy remembers Robin Williams By Terry Miller
-Photo by Terry Miller
A total of $1.9 million in funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) was granted to three Inland Empire nonprofits and nonprofit partnerships to assist low-income and homeless veterans. The three organizations are
Knowledge, Education for Your Success (KEYS) in San Bernardino, the Lighthouse Treatment Center in Moreno Valley, and the U.S. Veterans Initiative at the March Air Reserve Base. This is the second year that
KEYS was awarded support for their programs that not only help homeless veteran and their families, but other homeless families in San Bernardino. According Please see page 4
San Bernardino Unified Commission working to reduce city’s unemployment rate The San Bernardino City Unified School District’s (SBCUSD) Personnel Commission is actively working to reduce San Bernardino’s double-digit percent unemployment rate by recruiting for a variety of skilled and unskilled jobs. According to the City of San Bernardino’s website, the city has a labor force of 85,000. Only about 68,900 are currently employed, resulting in an unemployment rate of 18.9 percent. Since January, the SBCUSD Personnel Commission has been
making a steady dent in those numbers by filling 130 positions and seeking to fill dozens more. Not only is the Commission helping decrease the city’s unemployment rate, it is filling vital positions that directly benefit students, such as instructional aides and cafeteria workers. The Personnel Commission is a voter-approved organization that recruits and evaluates job applicants for SBCUSD classified positions in a way that promotes fair hiring practices. Classified positions do not require
Robin Williams, circa 1990, at Santa Barbara’s Biltmore Hotel at a special event honoring his comedic mentor Jonathan Winters – Photo by Terry Miller
a teaching credential, though some positions may require other credentials or certificates. “We are focused on our mission of employing the best, highest-caliber workers for the benefit of our 50,000 students,” said Commissioner Mike Salazar. “The bonus is that by putting people to work, we also have a positive impact on our local economy.” The Personnel Commission, under the direction of three
Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams apparently took his own life at his Northern California home Monday, law enforcement officials said. Williams was 63. Officials have confirmed that Mr. Williams hanged himself in his home Monday. “He has been battling severe depression of late,” publicist Mara Buxbaum told media outlets. “This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.” Coroner investigators suspect “the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia,” according
Please see page 2
Please see page 2
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SBU Commission working to reduce unemployment Continued from page 1
commissioners, works with the District to approve job descriptions. The Commission is responsible for recruiting and evaluating job applicants. Qualifying applicants are tested and ranked according to their results. Applicants may be asked to take multiple-choice, short answer, or hands-on tests. The top-ranked applicants are invited to interview for the position. “We have processed more than 10,000 job applications and tested for 40 different job categories,” provisional Personnel Commission Director Karen Hoch said. “We believe this will give community members hope, especially those who are unemployed or underemployed. We know that our students are more likely to succeed when they and their families are financially stable. Having a parent employed in a good job makes that happen.” Most of the 130 permanent positions filled since January include paid holidays, sick leave,
and vacation benefits. Many classified positions are tied to the school calendar, so parents can be off work when their children are on school breaks. Classified job categories include everything from instructional positions that provide direct assistance to teachers and students in the classroom to maintenance positions such as custodians and grounds keepers. Most positions require a high school diploma or GED, and some require a college education or industry certification. The variety of positions translates to employment opportunities for almost every eligible worker in the greater San Bernardino and Highland communities. Additionally, the District’s Adult School offers reasonably priced courses to prepare adults for these and other job opportunities. “Just as the District is working to make hope happen for students, the Personnel Commission wants to make hope happen
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for parents and recent graduates,” Hoch said. A current list of all classified job openings, is available online at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/sanbernardinousd/ default.cfm <http://agency.governmentjobs.com/sanbernardinousd/default.cfm> . Job seekers are encouraged to create a NeoGov account to receive email notifications of job openings. Free email accounts are available via Google (Gmail), Zoho mail, and Yahoo mail. All applications must be submitted online. The Personnel Commission allows applicants free use of computers at its office during regular business hours, Monday throughFriday. Free computer access is also available at the District’s Family Resource Center at 1525 West Highland Avenue in San Bernardino.
Fatal Traffic Collision On the night of August 07, 2014, driver #1 and three passengers were eastbound on 5th street in a compact vehicle while driver #2 and two passengers were northbound on Arrowhead in a small pickup truck. Based on information obtained at the scene, it appears as though driver #1 failed to stop for the red light. Both vehicles met in the intersection of 5th / Arrowhead where the front of vehicle #1 struck the driver’s door of vehicle #2. The force of the collision caused vehicle #2 to roll over at least once before coming to rest on its wheels. Driver #2 (Cordova) was transported to ARMC where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The remaining six occupants involved in the collision were also transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to severe. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
Robin Williams Continued from page 1
to a statement from the Marin County, California, Sheriff’s office. Hundreds of thousands of tributes and a makeshift memorial at his Hollywood star mark the end of one of the most illustrious comedic careers in history. The Recording Academy, based in Santa Monica released this statement of Williams’ death. “Five-time GRAMMY® winner Robin Williams was a prolific actor and stand-up comedian who literally did it all: television, film, theater, and live performances. After gaining fame in his breakout role of Mork in the television show “Mork & Mindy,” Williams became a household name. His improvisational skills and comedic timing were unmatched, and he quickly established himself as a larger-than-life presence on screen and on stage. His roles in classic movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, and Jumanji showcased his comedic chops, while his versatility
was reflected in dramatic films such as Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, and Good Will Hunting, which earned him an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor. Although Williams is most recognized for his film and television work, he has receivedGRAMMYs for Best Comedy Recording three times, Best Recording for Children, and Best Spoken Comedy Album. Additionally, his heart matched his expansive talent, as he often gave generously — both financially and personally — to a number of worthwhile causes throughout his life. Our entertainment community has lost an immense talent, a true inspiration, and a creative genius, and his remarkable legacy will forever be immortalized in his vast and impressive body of work. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, and his countless fans around the world who will continue to honor his memory through laughter.”
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Holden’s bill to recognize President Obama in high school textbooks passed The California Legislature has given overwhelming, bi-partisan approval to Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to encourage California schools to teach the story of President Barack Obama’s trailblazing election. Today’s vote in the Assembly on concurrence in language changes was approved unanimously – 73 to 0. Last Thursday the Senate overwhelmingly approved AB 1912. The bill now goes to Governor Brown for signature. AB 1912 asks the State Board of Education and the Instructional Quality Commission to include the significance of President Barack Obama’s election in the state’s history and social science standards for grades seven to twelve. “The election of President Barack Obama is a significant part of history and should not just be a mere footnote within textbooks,” said Assemblymember Holden. “This bill would create an opportunity for our children to learn about the historical significance of electing our first African-American President. Children need to understand that for years intimidation and physical violence prevented millions of African Americans from voting and alienated them from the electoral process, making the 2008 election of President Obama even more noteworthy.” California has not updated its standards for nine years due largely to the state’s fiscal crisis. The State Board of Education is expected to review instructional materials during the 2015-2016 school year.
LASD seeking help in identifying a suspect for lewd acts upon a child The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Special Victims Bureau is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the adult male Hispanic suspect pictured here. The suspect is wanted in connection with a child pornography investigation involving an unknown 11-year-old victim. If you recognize the suspect in the attached photograph, you are asked to call the Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-LASD (5273) or you may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477) or Text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES) to anonymously provide your information.
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Mandatory “kill-switches” for smartphones to prevent theft? by Jennifer schlueter With our smartphones being worth up to $700, $800 or even more, they have become favorable objects for thieves. Black market resales for stolen phones are lucrative for robbers, especially overseas, where American smartphones are more expensive. According to Consumer Reports, smartphone thefts in the US have almost doubled from 2012 to 2013 making them the leading property crime. Major cities in California are highly affected by this epidemic. In San Francisco and Oakland, cellphones were a target in 65 percent or rather 75 percent of all robberies in 2013, estimates the San Francisco city district attorney’s office. Oakland police data reveals that in the first half of this year over 80 percent of armed robberies involved mobile devices. Los Angeles has seen a 12% increase in cellphone thefts last year, reports NBC.
To fight these alarming numbers, State Sen. Mark Leno introduced a bill that would require smartphone manufacturers to install a “kill-switch” into their new, California-sold devices, which would make them inoperable if they fall into the wrong hands. Rightful owners would be able to lock their phones with antitheft software. According to CNBC, the bill exempts “smartphone models introduced before Jan. 1, 2015, that could not ‘reasonably be reengineered’ to incorporate the anti-theft technology” and excludes tablets. Should the bill become law, “manufacturers will have until July 1, 2015, to incorporate the theft deterrent, which users would be asked to turn on when they set up their new devices,” CNBC states. “Our goal is to swiftly take the wind out of the sails of thieves who have made the theft of smartphones one of the most preva-
lent street crimes in California’s biggest cities,” Leno’s statement reads. The CTIA, a trade association representing the wireless telecommunication industry, opposed the bill according to a statement by their vice president of external and state affairs, Jamie Hastings. “We urge the Governor to not sign this bill, since uniformity in the wireless industry created tremendous benefits for wireless consumers, including lower costs and phenomenal innovation,” said he. “State by state technology mandates, such as this one, stifle those benefits and are detrimental to wireless consumers.” However, the bill’s sponsor San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón says that “the manufacturers have indicated that they will implement this technology nationwide with passage of this bill, and with organized crime
rings shipping smartphones stolen in the U.S. overseas, passage of this legislation will have implications for public safety around the globe.” Samsung and Apple, along with other US mobile device manufacturers have already carried out antitheft measures and are continuously working on them. After prior denial and several revisions, the “kill-switch” bill was recently approved 27-8 by the California State Assembly and is now being reviewed by Governor Jerry Brown. Following Minnesota, California would be the second state to require a “kill-switch”. In May, the Midwestern state has passed a similar law. Minneapolis mayoral candidate Mark Andrew fell victim to two teenage robbers, who had beaten him down because he tried to prevent them from stealing his phone.
$1.9M awarded to local nonprofits to ease plight of homeless veterans Continued from page 1
to The Sun, KEYS expects to receive an additional grant for $1.5 million from Veterans Affairs this summer. The Sun reports that KEYS will combine the two grants to reach 300 of the 2,000 low-income or homeless veterans in San Bernardino County, according to Executive Director Maureen O’Keefe Hodge. The National Coalition for
Homeless Veterans (NCHV) website states that, “In addition to […] extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income, and access to health care, a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.”
In some cases “military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce, placing some veterans at a disadvantage” when they leave the military. Statistics from the NCHV indicate that, nationally, 51% of homeless men are white males, 51% of individual homeless veterans have disabilities, while 50% have serious mental illness, 70% have substance abuse problems, and 50% are age 51 or older, compared to 19% non-veterans. Their KEYS website claims that it works with the county Housing Authority, Community Action Partnership, local churches, and law enforcement to identify and assist homeless veterans and those with families. In 2013, the DVA award totaled $606,994 and KEYS managed those funds to serve 150 low income or homeless veterans and their families. In the coming year, KEYS has expanded their goal to serve an additional 150 individuals or families with the Vet-
erans Affairs grant of $1.5 million, O’Keefe Hodge told The Sun. In addition to the story available on the KEYS website, one recent example of success includes the placing a family of five who had been forced to live in a tent in the High Desert into a more permanent living situation. O’Keefe Hodge also mentioned that they were able to help another family, with eight members and two dogs, that were living on the street. “We believe that with the funds we’re going to make a huge impact in our county,” O’Keefe Hodge told The Sun. She added that 60 percent of the grant will be used to support veterans with nowhere to live and the remaining 40 percent will be used for preventative services such as career training and counseling. “Our goal is to end homelessness for veterans.” Veteran in crisis can dial the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans hotline for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1.877.424.3838.