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Riverside Independent_2/20/2025

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Riverside County Date Festival continues with demolition derby

CHP officers fatally shoot man suspected of throwing rocks at cars

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Thursday, February 20-February 26, 2025

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco declares run for governor By City News Service

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iverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco formally declared his candidacy for governor of California Monday in Riverside, pledging to bring a change of direction to the state. "I am running for governor because our beautiful state — which I absolutely love — is heading down the wrong track and has been for years. Everyone knows it, except those sitting in the Sacramento echo chamber," Bianco, a Republican, said in his campaign announcement Monday at Avila's Historic 1929 Event Center on Mission Inn Avenue. "For decades the party in complete control of our state government has tried the same failed ideas and implemented the same failed policies. Californians want leadership that actually cares about the cost of living — and leaders who will do something about it. We want homes we can afford. We want air conditioning when it's hot, not rolling blackouts. We want water for the crops and animals that feed us. We want the opportunity to achieve the California Dream, not be prevented from it because of red tape

A crowd of supporters and journalists listen to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announce his gubernatorial run. | Photo courtesy of Sheriff Chad Bianco/Facebook

and regulation from government. "We want honesty and transparency from our

elected officials. We want lower taxes and less government waste. We want sanity restored and common sense

to prevail," he added. Bianco, 57, was joined by his family, several area elected officials and several hundred supporters. A statement released prior to Monday's announcement said Bianco "faces the reality of California's failed public policies on a daily basis. He has been a strong voice for reforming state law to once again ensure public safety across California. Most recently, he was a leader and vocal advocate for Proposition 36, which overwhelmingly passed in November and has started to return common sense to criminal sentencing laws." During his speech Monday, Bianco used his support for Proposition 36 as a way to contrast himself with Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is barred from running for re-election because of term limits. "We knew it was going to succeed despite resounding support up and down the state," he said. "Governor Newsom opposed Prop 36. ... Those others running for governor opposed Prop 36." Bianco was elected See Bianco Page 27

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NO. 211

Report: Regional inflation rises over 2-month period

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By City News Service

nflation throughout the Riverside metropolitan area increased nearly 2% over the previous two months, pushed higher by rising costs across most sectors of the regional economy, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency's bimonthly report, posted Feb. 12, covering northwestern Riverside County, as well as the cities of Ontario and San Bernardino, indicated that the Inland Empire's Consumer Price Index was up 1.8%. BLS officials said that shelter costs, or property rents, were among the main drivers of price hikes in the months of December and January, climbing an estimated 2%. Food costs weren't far behind at 1.6%, "with higher prices in four of the six major grocery store food groups," according to the agency. The energy sector showed a modest uptick of 0.7% during the two-month period, data showed. Trending lower were prices categorized as miscellaneous See Inflation Page 14

Rancho Cucamonga unveils city's fastest EV chargers

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By Staff

fast-charging station for electric vehicles is up and running in Rancho Cucamonga, city officials announced. Four 200 kilowatt DC Fast Charger Electric Vehicle Charging Stations have been installed in the RC Sports Center's parking lot, 8309 Rochester Ave., as part of the EV Charging Station Hub. “We are thrilled to unveil this resource, which marks a significant step toward our city’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy,” Fred Lyn, deputy director of the city's See EV chargers Page 27

OUR SUMMER SCHOOLS, CAMPS, AND ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR 2025 IS COMING FEBRUARY 27TH!


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