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Assistance center opens in Elsinore to aid Airport Fire victims
Riverside’s fright night tours return next month for Halloween season
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VISIT HEYSOCAL.COM
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23- SEPTEMBER 29, 2024
VOL. 8,
NO. 190
San Bernardino County moves from wildfire response to recovery efforts
Consultant hired to fix defects in Riverside County Animal Services’ operations
By Joe Taglieri
By City News Service
joet@beaconmedianews.com
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inding and fixing deficiencies in the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, including reducing the annual kill rate of sheltered pets, will be the job of a consultant hired by the Board of Supervisors at a potential cost of $2.69 million. Austin, Texas-based Outcomes for Pets LLC was authorized by the board in a 4-0 vote Tuesday to begin work immediately scrutinizing animal services’ operations and recommending steps to correct problems that have caused the agency to come under fire. “We are committed to doing everything we can to increase our live outcomes for Riverside County’s pets,” Supervisor Manuel Perez said Wednesday. “This partnership will allow us to see the areas where we’ve done well, the areas we need to continue to build up and support, as well as the areas we need to transform.” Supervisor Kevin Jeffries expressed qualms about the expenses tied to the consulting agreement, which is set to run from now to Dec. 31, 2026, complaining they appeared to be “very, very” excessive, and the consultant probably wouldn’t “address my underlying concern” that the Department of Animal Services is unable to handle “all of the contracts” with cities that contribute to the “overflow” of abandoned pets into county shelters.
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s containment of the Bridge Fire and Line fire steadily increases thanks largely to cooler, more humid weather last week, officials in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties are beginning to focus on recovery efforts. The Bridge Fire and Line Fire combined have consumed about 94,000 acres in both counties, destroying many homes in Wrightwood and properties in Running Springs, San Bernardino county officials reported. Firefighters from throughout the county and the state have achieved significant containment of both blazes, and many evacuated residents have been able to return to their neighborhoods. “San Bernardino County has entered the recovery phase of the dual emergency with plans to open Local Assistance Centers ... jointly with Los Angeles County to assist residents impacted by the fires,” according to a county statement. A local assistance center is a one-stop-shop that provides information to individuals, families and business owners on available services and assistance from government agencies and nonprofits. Services available at the two assistance center locations — the Fairplex in Pomona and California State University, San Bernardino — will include information on and assistance with processing insurance claims, proper property cleanup strategies, assistance replacing vital records, navigating the repair and rebuilding process, and other resources for community recovery. Residents should bring appropriate documentation relevant to the impact on their property, if available. “We are pleased to team
See Animal Services Page 27
Riverside County authorities arrest 12-, 13-year-old for separate school threats By City News Service
Center. You’ll find helpful recovery resources, including supports for debris removal and rebuilding permits. Recovery is a long road, but our County stands tall and ready to help.” An assistance center took place Friday at the Pomona Fairplex and two more are scheduled at California State University, San Bernardino on Sept. 21 from See Fire recovery Page 28
See Threats Page 27
Firefighters battle the Bridge Fire. | Photo courtesy of Cal Fire/Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
up with Los Angeles County to offer needed support to our residents who have suffered unimaginable loss from the Bridge and Line fires,” San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors chair Dawn Rowe said in a statement. “The resiliency of our residents and the heroic efforts of firefighters from San Bernardino County and throughout the state have been an inspiration to us all. Because of their courage we can now
enter the recovery phase of these disasters.” LA County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement, “Mobilizing recovery support for Bridge Fire survivors quickly is critical. My heart goes out to everyone that is struggling with loss. It can feel overwhelming and it’s common to not know where to start. I encourage anyone who has been impacted by the Bridge Fire to visit our LA County Local Assistance
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12-year-old boy suspected of making criminal threats against a middle school in Jurupa Valley was taken into custody Wednesday. The 5000 block of 42nd Street underwent a thorough investigation on Sept. 12 around 9:45 a.m. by a Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station school resource deputy regarding a criminal threat, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Additional evidence led investigators to respond to the suspect’s residence in Moreno Valley on Wednesday, where a search was conducted but no weapons were located. The boy was booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of criminal threats, and the investigation remains ongoing. “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office takes all threats of school violence seriously and encourages all members of our community to report any online threats or suspicious activity to law enforcement or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center to prevent any planned acts of violence against our communities,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.