Board OKs appropriations to balance agencies' budgets
Deputy who killed suspect using 'cowboy tactics' sentenced to year in jail
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Supervisors highlight growth, innovation at annual State of the County event
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IE, OC school districts ask US Supreme Court to ban trans athletes in girls sports By Joe Taglieri
By Staff
joet@beaconmedianews.com
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ore than 1,300 business, government officials and community members gathered for the 2025 State of the County last week for an update on a range of economic and cultural activities happening in San Bernardino County. The event Sept. 17 at the Ontario Convention Center featured presentations on topics such as workforce development, technology and innovation, entertainment and tourism, mining and natural resources and manufacturing industries. The 2025 event also featured student leaders from across the county who presented information on the top economic sectors and employers alongside the county supervisors. Kaine Koltoniuk, a student at Sultana High School in Hesperia, kicked off the event by introducing Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, the event's host. Her board colleagues showcased successful businesses and impactful workforce training by local colleges, and Rowe conducted interviews with local business and education leaders. A video presentation on key 2025 statistics spotlighted the 3 million annual visitors to Big Bear and Joshua Tree National Park and 9,559 new housing permits issued between January 2024 and June 2025. District 1 Supervisor Paul Cook, with assistance from D1 resident Kaine, provided an overview of mining and the natural resources industry in
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San Bernardino County officials assemble on the Ontario Convention Center stage during this year's State of the County event. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County
the Mojave Desert. “I’m proud to share that San Bernardino County is the largest mining county in California with more than 90 active sites,” Cook said. “Our county’s diverse mining industry is both an important and valued sector for our regional economy, while also providing a highly competitive resource advantage to our nation.” Cook singled out Colosseum Mine in the Mojave National Preserve, where gold was discovered in the 1860s. Mining continued in the area until 1939 and resumed in the 1980s and '90s. With Cook's backing, after years of inactivity the mine has recently been reactivated with plans to extract nearly $270 million in gold annually. Kaine talked about MP Materials Corp. in Mountain Pass, where the company operates the only mine in the nation that produces rare
earth materials, accounting for more than 10% of the global supply. MP Materials recently announced a publicprivate partnership with the U.S. Defense Department to accelerate the development of a complete, nationwide rare earth magnet supply chain. Kaine also discussed contributions to the local mining and natural resources industry from Castle Mountain gold mine and CalPortland Co.'s cement operation. A presentation by 2nd District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez showcased Fontana-based Crown Technical Systems, a success story in the local manufacturing sector and a leader in power distribution and protection systems. “Since 1996, they have been providing top notch control relay panels, medium
voltage switch gears, and enclosures, all playing a vital role in keeping our country’s infrastructure running smoothly,” Armendarez said. “Whether it’s utilities, college campuses, neighborhoods and businesses, Crown is helping deliver power where it’s needed the most.” Julius Freeman, a student at Etiwanda High School in District 2, highlighted KraftPal Technologies in Ontario. KraftPal makes sustainable corrugated cardboard pallets that use 80% less materials from trees and are 100% recyclable. The company works with client firms in the pharmaceutical, medical instruments, parts distribution and logistics sectors. Julius also spoke about efforts by Alger Precision Machining in Ontario and Yucaipa-based Sorenson Engineering Inc. to work with
See State of the County Page 15
chool districts in the Inland Empire and Orange County on Friday submitted documents to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of West Virginia laws prohibiting transgender students from being on girls sports teams. The Chino Valley, Temecula and Murrieta Valley unified school districts, the Perris and Placer union high school districts, the Orange County and Kern County boards of education along with charter school John Adams Academies filed an amicus curie brief that calls for the nation's highest court to take legal protections away from transgender athletes. “For nearly forty years Title IX allowed female athletes to thrive in their own competitions and protected girls in their locker rooms and bathrooms,” Erin Mersino, vice president of the Advocates for Faith & Freedom, which represents the coalition of school districts. “Title IX was a hard-won victory for women’s equality, built on recognizing sex-based differences — not erasing See Trans athletes Page 31
Desert Water Agency discusses priorities with international delegates By City News Service
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he Desert Water Agency hosted delegates from several Middle East nations in Palm Springs this week to discuss water sources and sustainability efforts, officials said Tuesday. Monday's meeting at 1200 S. Gene Autry Trail included 12 delegates from the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. The delegates came from Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Discussions focused on water delivery management best practices and sustainability priorities, including the importance of imported water and groundwater recharge, water sources, infrastructure and water quality. "Desert Water Agency takes pride in maintaining its vast distribution system, delivering safe and reliable water to our customers and ensuring a secure long-term supply for the region," DWA Regional Manager Esther Saenz said in a statement. "We appreciated the opportunity to share with See Desert Water Agency Page 17