COLTON COURIER Weekly
September 05, 2024
Vol 152, NO. 37
City Council Approves South Colton Mural to Honor City’s Heritage and Deter Tagging, Nickelodeon Pizza Omitted
IECN.com
Turning Waste into Power with East Valley Water District’s Co-Digestion System Pg. 3
PHOTO ARTIST’S RENDERING
The South Colton mural rendering by Moreno Valley resident and Colton raised artist Antonio Martinez has been revised to omit the inclusion of Nickelodeon Pizza as recommended by its owner Gary Grossich.
By Manny Sandoval
T
he Colton City Council has unanimously approved the "South Colton" mural at 165 E. O Street, a project that aims to celebrate the community's rich cultural heritage while addressing a persistent issue of vandalism. The wall, which has been tagged six times in 2024 alone, will soon feature a vibrant mural designed to honor legacy businesses and local icons. The approval follows intense discussions
San Bernardino County Museum Unveils Registrar of Voters’ Voter Education Exhibit
about which businesses should be represented, particularly the inclusion of Nickelodeon Pizza. The mural, proposed by Eugene Valdez, will be painted on an existing six-foot block wall and includes symbols such as the Colton High School logo, boxing gloves, and Veterans Park Eagle. Initially, the mural also featured a tribute to Nickelodeon Pizza, a long-standing Colton business. However, this sparked debate during the July 23, 2024, Planning Commission meeting.
Planning Commission Vice Chair Gary Grossich recommended replacing the Nickelodeon Pizza logo with one from a business more representative of South Colton. "I appreciate the thought behind including Nickelodeon Pizza, but we should focus on businesses that are truly a part of South Colton," Grossich stated. Valdez, responsive to community feedback, expressed his willingness to make adjustments. "Art is subjective, and this process could go on indefinitely, but I'm Mural, cont. next pg.
Altercations Bring Abrupt End to Football Game Between Colton and Hueneme
Pg. 4
Groundwork Arts Unveils Students’ SIGNS OF COURAGE Public Art Installation
PHOTO PEPPER BOUGH
Colton’s game against Hueneme High was a frustrating experience that climaxed in a fight and an early finish.
Pg. 5
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By Josie Ramos, Pepper Bough Editor
W
ith 5:34 left on the clock during the third quarter of Friday night’s game between Colton and Hueneme High, the game was unexpectedly ended after a fight broke out involving players from both teams and a coach from Hueneme High School.
The incident was sparked midway through the third when, after a Colton punt, kick protector Mateo Barboza was taken off his feet in a head-first tackle by a Hueneme player. The Hueneme player stayed behind to taunt, leading to players from both teams storming the field. Witnesses on the scene allege that a coach from the Hueneme team placed one
Colton student-athlete in a chokehold and assaulted him. The student was rushed to the hospital after the altercation. He was released to parents and returned home. “Last night’s events were unfortunate, but completely preventable if the referees do a better job of managing that game,” said Colton head coach Ray Rodriguez. CHS Football, cont. next pg.