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Board appoints new fire chief, approves funding for power substation in Thousand Palms
Ex-deputy convicted of multiple
By City News Service
By City News Service
T
he Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed a new Riverside County fire chief and bid farewell to the man who has served in the top spot for the last five years. Supervisors also approved a funding agreement for a new power substation slated for construction in Thousand Palms, benefiting several communities served by the Imperial Irrigation District. The board voted unanimously in support of the appointment of Robert Fish, a Cal Fire firefighter for almost 35 years, to head the Riverside County Fire Department. He assumes the position previously held by Chief Bill Weiser, who is slated to officially retire on Dec. 31. "Chief Weiser exemplifies the best in Riverside County," Supervisor Jose Medina remarked during Fish's swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday morning in the County Administrative Center. "He's leaving the county fire department in very good hands. I look forward to working with you, Chief Fish." Fish recently served as deputy chief for East County Operations, managing a territory extending from Beaumont to Blythe, supervising Cal Fire operations in 10 of the 19 municipalities that contract with the county for emergency services. The county has contracted with Cal Fire for fire protection services since the 1940s. Fish was tentatively
Riverside County Fire Chief Robert Fish. | Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
selected by Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler earlier this year to lead the county fire department, after which he was vetted by a committee composed of two county supervisors, as well as officials from the Executive Office, who affirmed the choice. "I'm very proud of you to serve Riverside County," Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez said. "You grew up in Riverside County, and that's really important. You even graduated from Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, which is really exciting. When Chief Weiser was unavailable, you would step in and do a professional job. You'll be a great fire chief for Riverside County." Supervisor Karen Spiegel admitted she'd miss Weiser,
who had "done so much for the county." "But we've got to focus on the future," she said. "You have big shoes to fill, Chief Fish, but you're starting with a clean slate. I look forward to seeing where you're going to take us." Fish thanked the board for its decision and vowed that he would do "everything I can to lead as effectively as Chief Weiser has." Weiser, a firefighter since 1981, replaced Shawn Newman as fire chief in August 2020. During the chief's watch, several fire stations have been constructed and renovated. However, the county fire department's budget has See Fire chief Page 31
also swollen in that time, though by working with the Executive Office, cost overruns have been held in check. Weiser told the board he intends to remain in California in retirement. Thousand Palms substation Riverside County supervisors Tuesday approved a funding agreement for a new power substation slated for construction in Thousand Palms, benefiting several communities served by the Imperial Irrigation District. "When there are blackouts in the summer, there's no air conditioning. It's hot," board Chairman Manuel Perez said ahead of the 5-0 vote in favor of the Cook Street Substation Project. "It makes things tough. Advancing a new substation in the Thousand Palms area is important." The board voted to support the project with a promised $5.6 million investment via the newly established Coachella Valley Power Fund. The county committed an initial $250,000 Tuesday, drawn from the Unincorporated Communities Initiative account, which was established five years ago specifically to provide money for projects intended to uplift underserved or economically challenged areas. Further appropriations will be added to the power fund as the project matures. Its total cost was estimated
charges for stalking, harassing former lover
A
n ex-Riverside County sheriff's deputy who abused his authority and perpetrated felony and misdemeanor crimes while off-duty was awaiting sentencing Saturday following his conviction for stalking and more than a half-dozen other charges. An Indio jury deliberated two days before finding 34-year-old Alexander Ravy Vanny of Hemet guilty on Friday of the stalking count, as well as possession of child pornography, unauthorized use of protected electronic data, maliciously destroying a wireless device, witness intimidation, illicit eavesdropping, using a concealed camera to invade privacy, illegal use of a tracking device, interference with a traffic control device and possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order, with a sentenceenhancing allegation of perpetrating a felony while on bail. The panel, which deliberated until well after 4 p.m. Friday, hung 10-2 in favor of convicting Vanny of kidnapping, but with the deadlock, Superior Court Judge James Hawkins declared a mistrial on that charge. It was unclear whether prosecutors intended to retry the defendant on that count. Hawkins scheduled a status conference for Feb. 6, when the District Attorney's Office will announce whether to proceed with a retrial, or settle for sentencSee Ex-deputy Page 31
ing Vanny on the convictions, which may happen the same day at the Larson Justice Center. The defendant remains held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility. Deputy District Attorney Jess Walsh told jurors in his closing argument Tuesday that Vanny was unquestionably guilty across the board, engaging in criminal conduct during his final year as a sheriff's deputy, before being fired. At the outset of the trial, Walsh recounted the offenses involving the two principal victims, a former sheriff's Explorer scout identified only as "Leslie," and the defendant's one-time fiancee, a mother of two identified only as "Madeline." In the latter case, Vanny became obsessive, unable to cope with their split in the summer of 2024. After she went out on a date, the then-lawman secretly followed her and the man, whose identity wasn't disclosed, waiting until they were inside her Menifee residence, then setting up an audio device outside the bedroom window to record the sounds of her and the other man engaging in sex. After waiting a few moments, Vanny forced his way into the apartment and challenged the man to a fight, according to the prosecution. According to court papers, when Madeline