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M O N D AY, M A R C H 06- M A R C H 12, 2023
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Snow, ice on roads impact SB National Forest, post offices, state tax deadline
Riverside paves way for retail cannabis vendors to open citywide
By City News Service
By City News Service
A
framework for permitting cannabis retail businesses throughout Riverside has been approved by the City Council, but the regulatory apparatus still awaits voter approval of proposed tax measures associated with the permitting process. “The long overdue decision to overturn the ban on cannabis retail was the result of a multi-year effort that included intensive community and stakeholder input,” Councilman Ronaldo Fierro said. “This is the first step in a pragmatic and sensible policy process that is centered around providing benefit and opportunity for all Riverside residents.” Tuesday night’s 5-2 vote in favor of the Cannabis Business Ordinance followed multiple public hearings and approval of the proposal by the Riverside Planning Commission on Jan. 19. Councilmen Chuck Conder and Jim Perry opposed the measure. Under the framework, a maximum 14 permits for storefront marijuana businesses will be allotted. The ordinance, however, provides for a potentially unlimited number of
| Photo courtesy of Caltrans District 8/Twitter
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an Bernardino National Forest rangers on Thursday advised the public that some parts of the forest will be inaccessible for several weeks as personnel work to clear roads and make infrastructure repairs necessary following the recent winter storms that walloped the region. “We are working to address public safety and to assess winter storm damages.” Forest Supervisor Danelle Harrison said. “Due to limited access and deteriorating conditions, it will be several weeks before the San Bernardino National Forest is fully operational.” Parts of the 660,000-acre forest have been heavily impacted by snowstorms that swept through last week and this week. Portions of the forest already had snow packs in excess of four feet when fresh snow fell Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. In the Idyllwild-Pine Cove area, more than six inches of new snow fell Wednesday. “With communities dealing with lack of power and lack of resources, visiting these mountain communi-
ties puts additional pressure on already scarce resources,” Harrison said. “Unsafe road conditions due to snow and ice, as well as warming temps, have created hazardous driving conditions, to the point where many roads remain closed. “If you have to travel to these communities, please be prepared with self-sustaining resources. If you find yourself stuck, there could be delays in receiving help.” Officials encouraged forest visitors to get information online from Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and other relevant agencies to confirm conditions before attempting travel at higher elevations. Postal locations reopen Post offices in Idyllwild and Mountain Center shut down because of heavy snowfall reopened for business Thursday. The Idyllwild Post Office at 54391 Village Center and the Mountain Center Post Office at 29470 Highway 243 were closed Wednesday afternoon when a winter storm rolled across the San Bernardino National Forest, generating blizzard-like conditions. According to the U.S.
Postal Service, officials decided to close both offices due to the winter hazards. The National Weather Service said that just over six inches of fresh snow fell in the area, following similar snowfall amounts recorded last week. The roof on a business in Idyllwild partially collapsed, and a pine tree toppled onto several mobile homes just west of Highway 243, during the snowstorm. No injuries were reported in either instance. The Idyllwild Snow Cam, mounted on a business in Idyllwild Town Center, elevation 5,479 feet, showed thick snow drifts but roadways open in the downtown space Thursday. State tax deadline extended California is extending the state tax filing and payment due dates to Oct. 16 for Californians impacted by this winter’s storms, aligning with the IRS, which previously extended the federal tax filing deadline to Oct. 16 for the same reason. “As communities across the state continue recovering from the damage caused by the winter storms, California
is working swiftly to help recovering Californians get back on their feet,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “The state is aligning with the Biden Administration and extending the tax filing deadline in addition to the tax relief announced earlier this year.” Last month, Newsom announced that those impacted by winter storms could claim a deduction for disaster loss, and extended filing and payment deadlines for individuals and businesses in California to May 15. The tax relief applies to nearly all of the state’s 58 counties, including Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Imperial County in the southeastern part of the state is not included. The relief applies to deadlines falling on or after Jan. 8, 2023, and before Oct. 16, 2023, including the 2022 individual income tax returns that would have been due on April 18 and the quarterly estimated tax payments that would have been due on Jan. 17 and April 18, 2023. California announced the extension Thursday. The IRS announced its extension in January.
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Inland Empire food bank hosts program for kids on reducing food waste, hunger By Joe Taglieri
Students enjoy the crop-planting event that is the finale of The Goodness In Food program. | Photos courtesy of Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino
An Inland Empire food bank is offering an interactive program this month for elementary school kids that aims to raise awareness about the need to reduce food waste and address hunger. Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino’s The Goodness In Food program features four Saturday sessions for children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. “The TGIF program teaches kids about nutrition education,” FARSB Program Coordinator Emily Saunders said. “As they learn, we will ask questions along the way. If they answer and participate, they will be awarded raffle tickets. See Food bank Page 23