COLTON COURIER Weekly
September 19, 2024
Vol 152, NO. 39
Colton Youth Council Relaunches with High School Leaders at the Helm lessons in Colton history and civic service to students who have shown potential as future community leaders. "This is a wonderful opportunity for these students," said Brenda Uriarte, mother of council member Genesis, who attended the public meeting on September 4.
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Genesis, appointed as the council's chair due to her role as the Youth Commissioner on the Colton Parks and Recreation Commission, successfully led the meeting’s agenda. The session featured a welcome, a pledge of allegiance, a report on the Parks and Recreation Commission, a schedule of guest speakers, and a presentation by Dr. Luis González, a retired Colton High School teacher who spearheaded the Youth Council’s creation.
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"We’re off to a good start," said Youth Council Member Sebastian Tabares, reflecting the optimism of the group. PHOTO CITY OF COLTON
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(L to R): Sienna Fernandez, Sebastian Tabares, Genesis Rodela Uriarte, Elizabeth Hernandez, Kaeley Diaz, Dr.G Council Member and Advisor.
dormant due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Dr. G (Dr. Luis S González), community writer
F
ive standout students from Colton High School have been selected as members of the newly reestablished Colton Youth Council, a program designed to develop leadership skills and civic engagement among young residents. The Youth Council, originally founded in 2016, was revived last week after being
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The new council members include seniors Genesis Rodela Uriarte, Sienna Fernandez, Elizabeth Hernandez, Sebastian Tabares, and Kaeley Diaz. Each of the students has a proven track record of academic excellence and leadership within their school programs. The goal of the Colton Youth Council is to provide leadership training and offer
The City of Colton is eager to see the continued growth of the program and the impact these student leaders will have on the city’s future.
San Bernardino to Install 580 Solar-Powered Streetlights as Fencing Comes Down at Carousel Mall By Manny Sandoval
L
ast week, the San Bernardino Police Department held its monthly Small Business Watch meeting at Studio D in downtown San Bernardino, unveiling significant city initiatives to address public safety and urban revitalization.
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The key takeaways included the integration of solar-powered streetlights across the city and the long-anticipated acquisition of the blighted Harris Building, marking pivotal steps toward a safer, more illuminated downtown.
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Jeff Kraus, the City of San Bernardino’s Public Information Officer, emphasized the city’s plans to replace copper-wired streetlights with solar-powered alternatives, a critical upgrade in combating copper theft—a rampant issue in the region.
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The Youth Council plans to meet monthly, with the next session scheduled for the first Wednesday of October. Upcoming meetings will feature guest speakers, including the city manager, police chief, and community services director. Through these sessions, students will gain insights from local leaders and have opportunities to volunteer in the community.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
The fencing surrounding the perimeter of the former Carousel Mall site being taken down at 11 AM on September 10th, 2024.
"Three weeks ago, the City Council approved $1.5 million for the purchase of streetlights," said Kraus. "We have
between 1,500 and 1,800 streetlights throughout the city, and a lot of them do not work due to copper wire theft. It’s out of control. Our Public Works Director likes to say, 'We’re so tired of supplying copper thieves with their inventory.' But this funding will go toward replacing the streetlights with solar-powered alternatives." Kraus detailed that the cost of replacing a solar-powered streetlight head is around $3,000. The $1.5 million allocation will enable the installation of approximately 500 new lights, with an additional $250,000 Department of Energy grant adding 80 more, for a total of 580 new solarpowered streetlights. “These upgrades will not only improve visibility for drivers but will also help pedestrians feel safer while walking around," Kraus added. The monthly Small Business Watch meeting also brought updates on the city’s successSB City News, cont. next pg.