COLTON COURIER Weekly
November 13, 2025
Vol 153, NO. 48
California Governor Candidates Face Off in Inland Empire on Healthcare Access, Housing, $9 Gas, Billionaire Tax Breaks, and Trump
IECN.com
Alder Square Breaks Ground, Adding 92 Affordable Homes in San Bernardino’s Arrowhead Grove Pg. 4
San Bernardino Veterans Day Salute Adds Resource Fair, Honors Hometown Heroes With Special Challenge Coins
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL California Governor candidates Xavier Becerra (left) and Tony Thurmond (right) respond to a pointed question on whether they would support legislation to require billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes.
By Manny Sandoval
F
our candidates vying to be California’s next governor faced off at UC Riverside in a high-stakes forum that peeled back the political gloss and laid bare the urgency of a state in crisis. From health equity to housing, tax reform to homelessness, and how to navigate the Trump Administration, the 2026 contenders
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaks as former State Controller Betty Yee listens during a segment on healthcare equity and structural poverty.
didn’t hold back—and neither did the audience. More than 300 Inland Empire residents packed into the auditorium for Health Matters: A Conversation with Our Next Governor, a nonpartisan forum hosted by a coalition of 11 health-focused foundations and livestreamed statewide by NBC4 and Telemundo 52. The November 7 event was
co-moderated by NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams and Black Voice News publisher Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, who led a rapidfire round of questions across five urgent topics: healthcare, taxes, the economy, homelessness, and federal-state relations. Invited based on polling, fundraising, and Governor’s Forum, cont. next pg.
Colton Youth Council Tours Police Station, Engages with Chief Vega in Civic Leadership Program
Pg. 5
Holiday Crashes Rise — Attorney Saloni Singh Warns Inland Empire Drivers: Don’t Rush Insurance Settlements Pg. 8 Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
PHOTO DR. G From left: Officer Jacquelyn Albin, Ava Diaz, Leah Ornelas, Kaithlyn Torres, Jasmin Lopez, Herrera, and Samantha Sandoval at the Police Station.
By Dr. G (Dr. Luis S González), community writer
T
he City of Colton Youth Council held its latest monthly meeting on Nov. 5, continuing a civic leadership program that introduces high school students to municipal operations, local history, and public service. This month’s session focused on the Colton Police Department and featured a
presentation by Police Chief Anthony Vega, who spoke about the department’s role in the community and the responsibilities of law enforcement officers. “The Youth Council is a terrific program that prepares our young community leaders for future growth and success in their careers,” said Vega. “This group of young leaders gives me hope for our future.”
dents from Colton High School: Ava Diaz, Samantha Sandoval, Kaitlyn Torres, Jasmin Lopez Herrera, and Leah Ornelas. Each student earned their place through demonstrated leadership skills, academic excellence, and teacher recommendations. The program was founded in 2016 by DrG, who continues to serve as its director. Ava Diaz chaired the Nov. 5 meeting, an
The Youth Council consists of five stu-
Youth Council, cont. next pg.