San Bernardino Press MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2014 - JANUARY 4, 2015
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Leondra Kruger Becomes Youngest Supreme Court Judge in 100 Years By JENNIFER SCHLUETER Last Monday, Leondra Kruger was unanimously approved as the youngest justice of the California Supreme Court in almost a century. The 38-year old had been nominated by Governor Jerry Brown in November, and will be sworn into office by him on January 5, along with Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, who was confirmed as justice in August. Cuellar will replace retiring Justice Marvin Baxtor and Kruger will fill Justice Joyce Kennard’s seat, who had retired in April. Kruger was appointed by California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye; Attorney General Kamala Harris; and Joan Dempsey Klein, “presiding justice of the second appellate district division three,” who rated her “‘exceptionally well-qualified,’ [which is] the highest ranking a judicial candidate can receive,” according to Courthouse News. Patch.com quoted former Assistant U.S. Solicitor General Benjamin Horwich, who had worked with Kruger: “She listens, she thinks, she listens, she thinks and then she listens some more.” Cantil-Sakauye, chair of the San Francisco-based court,
“called Kruger’s credentials ‘truly stellar,’” according the website. Following an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a law degree from Yale University, Kruger worked as an assistant law professor at the University of Chicago, and practiced privately. The website also reported that she then went to Washington, D.C., where she became “assistant to the U.S. solicitor general and acting principal deputy solicitor general,” and later deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. Kruger was born and raised in Glendale; however, has never practiced law in California nor been a judge. Thus, CantilSakauye questioned Kruger about these two lacking fields to which Kruger answered that her work with the Justice Department has exposed her to a variety of legal principles and that she hopes to continue learning and “draw on the expertise of her colleagues on the court,” as Patch notes. According to the LA Times, Kruger told California Attorney General Kamala Harris that she was excited “to have the op-
study by scientists from the San Bernardino County Museum. The Tule Springs site in the upper Las Vegas Wash has long been known to contain fossils of dating to the end of the Pleistocene Epoch – the “Ice Ages”. But most early studies in the region focused on finding proof of Ice Age humans. When this evidence never materialized, studies ceased, and the area lay fallow for
BBQ food truck goes brick and mortar By Vickie Vértiz
decades. Eric Scott, San Bernardino County Museum curator of paleontology and Kathleen Springer, the museum’s curator of geological sciences, recognized the paleontologic and geologic potential of the region. Over two decades, under permit from the Las Vegas District office of the Bureau
Many food trucks aspire to turn their businesses into permanent events. In San Bernardino, the steady flow of ravenous customers flocking to downtown farmers market and to food truck festivals convinced at least one owner to open a lasting space. According to the San Bernardino Sun, the owners of Smoke’em if you Got’em BBQ are planning a “downtown brick-and-mortar restaurant” to open next year. Owner Jeff McCurdy spoke to the Sun and said that the goal is to open in summer, although it’s not definite and they haven’t found the perfect storefront yet. “We’ve had huge success on food truck days,” McCurdy he said to the paper last week during the latest Third Thursday Food Fest. “And more and more people on regular Thursdays, so I think we could get a good mid-morning-to-late-lunch crowd down here.” Every Thursday, McCurdy and other vendors sell food at the Court Street Square for the San Bernardino Downtown Farmshare and Market, which is a partnership with Chris Peterson of the Smokey Pits BBQ. The paper also spoke to market staff manager Sandra Olivas who said that the event has gone on nearly every Thursday since July, with solid business results. The only exceptions include the next two Thursday which happen to fall on Christmas and the first day of the new year. Business really picks up on the third Thursday of every month, said the paper, “when
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Leondra Kruger
-Courtesy Photo
portunity to come back home” to California. “It is where I was born and raised and where my family still lives,” she added. On the seven member court, Kruger will be one of three Democrats. Additionally, she will be the only African American member. Her colleague Cuellar, a law Professor at Stanford University, who also went to Harvard and Yale, will be the only Latino justice. He grew up in a border town in Mexico and, according to several sources, legally walked across the border every day to attend school on a scholarship in Texas. After his father was granted green cards, Cuellar became a citizen in 1994.
County Museum Research Informs New National Monument America’s newest national monument was signed into law on December 19, 2014. Located north of Las Vegas, Nevada, the newly-designated Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is the first national monument in America dedicated to fossils from the Ice Ages, and the nation’s first such monument in an urban setting. The new designation marks the culmination of years of
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Over $285,000 in College Scholarships and Multiple On-the-Spot Acceptances at the 1st Latino College Expo In the midst of college application season, the National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) 1st Latino College Expo was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, December 13, 2014, where some lucky students got some big bucks to go to college. In conjunction with the event sponsors, US Army, US Bank, Toyota and La Opinion, NCRF and US Army/ROTC awarded six lucky students collectively with more than $285,000 in scholarship money for their college education. This money will be used for tuition, books, housing and monthly living expenses. UCLA graduate and US Army/ROTC Cadet Michael Aries, the recipient of a $123,202 scholarship, is planning to use this money to pay for his graduate studies at USC Keck Medical School in his pursuit of becoming an orthopedic doctor.
Cadet Will Simmons was also awarded $159,250. U.S. Army Major Badillo and Captain Ortiz presented both scholarships. Other scholarship awardees were Diego Garcia from Desert Hot Springs High School, who won the NCRF scholarship for $1,500.00; Anna Lopez from Firebaugh High School in Lynwood, who won $1,000.00 presented by General Manager Damien Mezzota of La Opinion. A’Lai’ja Moore from Firebaugh High School won $750.00 and Bree Terronez from Clovis North High School in Fresno won $500.00; both from NCRF. This inaugural event brought together a group of education recruiters and professionals knowledgeable about the application process, as well as financial-aid advisors who shared valuable information with parents and students on how to find money to attend college. Wall-towall students and parents flood-
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ed the LA Convention Center exhibit halls and meeting rooms to attend seminars for a chance to connect one-on-one with college representatives and career professionals who shared an array of information on booming majors, hot careers, leadership and finding money to pay for college. It was an opportunity for hundreds of students to get the 411 on how to get accepted to the college of their choice and how the DREAM ACT could help them pay for their education. There were sessions on how to prepare for college, at a time when many high school students are currently writing essays and filling out applications. Speaking at the Expo on the topic of Booming Careers included Rayna Plummer, Social Media Manager at CodeBlack Films; Lluvia Benitez, Accountant; Rossana Quesada, Entreprenuer; and Dr. Andrew Jones, Former Chancellor of Orange Coast College. On the topic of Hot Careers, panelist included Quincy Newell, GM/CodeBlack Films; Krystle Corrall,
Marketing NBC/Telemundo; Gina Travis, Chiropractor; Dr. Jashana Johnson, Psychologist; Darin Chavez, Attorney; Yesi Ortiz, On-Air Radio Personality and Marc Reyes, Pharmaceutical Sales. Some of the college recruiters were from UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Monterey Bay, Argosy, Tuskegee, Alliant International University, CSU Long Beach, Fisk University, Mt. Sierra College, University of La Verne, Paul Quinn and Biola University to name a few. Radio Hosts, Nautica de la Cruz from 102.3 KJLH and Cynthia Salinas from Mega 96.3 hosted the scholarship presentation and after show, along with Actor Noel G. and Rapper/Actress YoYo from Yo Yo School of Hip-Hop who voted on the talent competition. Students throughout Southern California came from Serra High School, Diamond Ranch, Manual Arts, Foshay, Chino Valley, Pathways, Highland High School, Dominguez High School and many more.
New National Monument Continued from page 1
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of Land Management, County Museum scientists discovered hundreds of new fossil localities and tens of thousands of fossils, including sabre-tooth cats, llamas, horses, and Columbian mammoths. The findings were so significant that the Bureau of Land Management set the area aside for conservation, and provided research and public outreach grant funds to the County Museum. The Museum carried out geologic investigations in partnership with the U. S. Geological Survey. Although the process of creating the monument will take years, visitors to the County Museum can come see fossils from the site already on display. More exhibits are coming soon. “As the
Museum’s Hall of Geological Wonders continues to open, the next stage plans to present fossils from the new monument and other Ice Age lakes and caves in the Mojave Desert,” said Scott. The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www. sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.
DECEMBER 29, 2014 - JANUARY 4, 2015 | 3
media Temporary Expanded Branch Hours during Feldheym Library’s Closure for Re-Carpeting
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Feldheym Central Library is scheduled to be closed to the public for approximately two weeks starting Monday, January 5th because of re-carpeting. The three branch libraries of the San Bernardino Public Library plan to offer expanded public service hours beyond their usual 20 weekly hours during that period. “The SBPL Board of Trustees knows how much the residents of San Bernardino value their libraries and asked staff to continue to provide the best public service we can during this project” said Ed Erjavek, Library Director. Library expanded branch service days and service hours starting Monday, January 5 during the Feldheym closure are as follows: Inghram (1505 W. Highland): Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 2 – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and closed Monday and Sunday. Rowe (108 E. Marshall): Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m.– 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and closed Friday and Sunday. Villaseñor (525 N. Mt. Vernon): Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed Friday and Sunday. Materials that are checked out may be returned to the book drop at Feldheym when it is closed, or any of the branch libraries. Feldheym, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2015, still has its original carpeting. Most of the funding for this project comes from an insurance settlement following a 2013 flood and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Almost all of the carpet in the 64,000-square-foot facility is to
be replaced. “This project will be a major upgrade for Feldheym,” Erjavek said. “We’d like to thank the Mayor and Common Council, City Manager Allen Parker, Public Works Director Tony Frossard, Brandon Mims of the City Manager’s office, Rick Moreno of City Facilities, the SBPL Board of Trustees and everyone else who has supported and contributed to this much-needed project.” All city libraries will be closed on Saturday, January 17th and Monday, January 19th because of the Martin Lu-
ther King Holiday. While regular hours at all libraries are scheduled to resume Tuesday, January 20, patrons are encouraged to check the library’s web site at www. sbpl.org or call 381-8201 for updates. The January 8th Library Board of Trustees meeting at 3 p.m. will move to Villasenor since Feldheym will be closed to the public. Further information including a wide range of electronic services and the ability to renew materials online are also available at the library’s web site.
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FBI Investigation Says North Korea hacked Sony On Friday December 19, the FBI provided the media with an update on the status of their investigation into the cyber attack targeting Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). In late November, SPE confirmed that it was the victim of a cyber attack that destroyed systems and stole large quantities of personal and commercial data. A group calling itself the “Guardians of Peace” claimed responsibility for the attack and subsequently issued threats against SPE, its employees, and theaters that distribute its movies. The FBI has determined that the intrusion into SPE’s network consisted of the deployment of destructive malware and the theft of proprietary information as well as employees’ personally identifiable information and confidential communications. The attacks also rendered thousands of SPE’s computers inoperable, forced SPE to take its entire computer network offline, and significantly disrupted the
company’s business operations. After discovering the intrusion into its network, SPE requested the FBI’s assistance. Since then, the FBI has been working closely with the company throughout the investigation. Sony has been a great partner in the investigation, and continues to work closely with the FBI. Sony reported this incident within hours, which is what the FBI hopes all companies will do when facing a cyber attack. Sony’s quick reporting facilitated the investigators’ ability to do their jobs, and ultimately to identify the source of these attacks. As a result of the investigation, and in close collaboration with other U.S. Government departments and agencies, the FBI now has enough information to conclude that the North Korean government is responsible for these actions. While the need to protect sensitive sources and methods precludes them from sharing all of this information,
their conclusion is based, in part, on the following: •Technical analysis of the data deletion malware used in this attack revealed links to other malware that the FBI knows North Korean actors previously developed. For example, there were similarities in specific lines of code, encryption algorithms, data deletion methods, and compromised networks. •The FBI also observed significant overlap between the infrastructure used in this attack and other malicious cyber activity the U.S. Government has previously linked directly to North Korea. For example, the FBI discovered that several Internet protocol (IP) addresses associated with known North Korean infrastructure communicated with IP addresses that were hardcoded into the data deletion malware used in this attack. •Separately, the tools used in the SPE attack have similarities to a cyber attack in March of last year against South Ko-
rean banks and media outlets, which was carried out by North Korea. “We are deeply concerned about the destructive nature of this attack on a private sector entity and the ordinary citizens who worked there. Further, North Korea’s attack on SPE reaffirms that cyber threats pose one of the gravest national security dangers to the United States. Though the FBI has seen a wide variety and increasing number of cyber intrusions, the destructive nature of this attack, coupled with its coercive nature, sets it apart. North Korea’s actions were intended to inflict significant harm on a U.S. business and suppress the right of American citizens to express themselves. Such acts of intimidation fall outside the bounds of acceptable state behavior. The FBI takes seriously any attempt – whether through cyber-enabled means, threats of violence, or otherwise – to undermine the economic and social prosperity of our citizens.”
BBQ food truck goes brick and mortar Continued from page 1
food trucks come to the parking lot by Court and E streets” from eleven in the morning to two in the afternoon. Olivas also said that they’ve “had a pickup since the food trucks started, as people find out
we’re here every week.” For the city, still facing serious financial debt, the hope is that the food truck phenomenon, while waning in other cities, will lead to a revitalization of the downtown area. The Sun added that officials
are planning on building on the success of the food truck festival. Attendance at the events this fall topped approximately 1,000, people, even while “it competed with holiday parties and vacation.” “Now that we have this brand loyalty, what can we do with it?” said Mark Persico to the Sun. Persico is the community development director and food truck organizer for the city. “We [are] going to be talking about that with the sponsors in January. People realize now that there is a downtown with a lot to offer[…].” Persico added that despite the lower attendance at the event on Thursday, December 22nd, he told the paper he “was glad to see a higher percentage of people in casual attire, indicating that rather than coming from nearby government buildings they drove downtown to get lunch.”
The Sun also spoke to eaters like Redlands resident Tom Schumaker, who said he saw the food trucks after looking for somewhere to eat on a break from jury duty. “There [is] really not anywhere to eat, is there?” he said. “This is good, though — I [would] come back. More stuff like this and maybe San Bernardino can change.” Councilman Jim Mulvihill spoke to the paper and said that he is excited about the change the food trucks could bring to the city. “There [is] this reputation that downtown [is] not safe or there [is] nothing to do here,” he said. “But great events like this can make people see what there is. They can come downtown, go to the Regal Cinema ... and we can build from that.”