COLTON COURIER Weekly
June 18, 2026
Vol 154, NO. 30
Colton Chamber Installs Frank Aguilar as Former President Cites Tax Burden, Financial Strain
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Community Theater Is Alive at Redlands Theatre Festival With Musical ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ Pg. 3
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Frank Aguilar is sworn in as president of the Colton Chamber of Commerce during the organization’s June 11 installation ceremony at the Best Western in downtown Colton.
By Manny Sandoval
nerships with local government.
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Aguilar and incoming board members were sworn in during a ceremony at the Best Western in downtown Colton, where longtime President Brian Pilstrom, who led the chamber from 2005 until this year, was also honored for two decades of service. Pilstrom said one of his proudest accomplishments came early in his presidency,
he Colton Chamber of Commerce installed Frank Aguilar as its new president June 11, marking a leadership transition for the 120-year-old business organization as its longtime outgoing president warned that the chamber remains financially fragile and deeply reliant on city support, fundraising and stronger part-
Moreno Valley College Celebrates One of Its Largest Graduating Classes During 35th Anniversary Year
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Josie Gonzales, left, receives her Colton Chamber of Commerce member plaque from Chamber Director Christina Gaitan.
when the chamber was three years behind on its property taxes and at risk of losing financial footing. “When I came on board, they were three years in arrears on their property taxes,” Pilstrom said. “They couldn’t afford to pay them. I was able to do a few fundraisers and get them current.” Chamber of Commerce, cont. next pg.
Colton Rotary Teen and Miss Colton Pageant Returns July 12 With New Social Media Honor
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Redlands Community Hospital Opens Center for Radiation Therapy to Expand Cancer Care Pg. 5
PHOTO IECN The 2025 Miss and Teen Miss Colton titleholders are recognized on stage, as the Rotary Club of Colton prepares to host the 2026 Teen and Miss Colton Pageant on July 12 at Colton High School’s Whitmer Auditorium.
By Manny Sandoval Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
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he Rotary Club of Colton will host its sixth annual Teen and Miss Colton Pageant on Sunday, July 12, at Whitmer Auditorium at Colton High School. Doors open at 3 PM, and the pageant
begins at 3:30 PM. at the auditorium, 777 W. Valley Blvd. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
Contestants will be judged in four categories: interview, sportswear, evening gown and on-stage questions.
Eighteen contestants will compete this year in the Teen and Miss divisions, according to Erlinda Armendariz, president of the Colton Rotary Club.
“The winners of the pageant will reign for the next year, attending events around Colton and representing the city throughout the Inland Empire,” Armendariz said. Pageant, cont. next pg.