EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 63, NO. 17
January 29, 2026
San Bernardino Councilwoman Charged After Allegedly Recording Police Illegally; Arraignment Set for Feb. 19
IECN.com
Indivisible Riverside Protest Demands ICE Accountability, Questions Rapid Hiring After Citizen Shootings Pg. 4
Redlands Protest Over Alex Pretti Killing Presses City Council to Ban ICE Use of Property
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino City Councilwoman Dr. Treasure Ortiz speaks outside San Bernardino City Hall during an Aug. 12, 2025 press conference about her lawsuit against the city.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino City Councilwoman Dr. Treasure Ortiz speaks after being sworn in during a Dec. 18, 2024 City Council meeting at Feldheym Central Library.
riminal charges were filed Wednesday, Jan. 21, against San Bernardino City Councilwoman Dr. Treasure Ortiz in a case tied to allegations that she illegally recorded San Bernardino police personnel. Ortiz is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 19.
fied by the city as District Attorney Case No. 2026-00-0000627 — alleging a violation of Penal Code section 632(a). The city alleges Ortiz “intentionally and without the consent of all parties to a confidential communication, used an electronic amplifying and recording device, to eavesdrop and record communications with San Bernardino Police Department personnel.”
at Feldheym Central Library, shortly after 5 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Kim Knaus, stepping in for Mayor Helen Tran, asked City Attorney Albert Maldonado whether there were closed-session items to report. Maldonado announced “Treasure Ortiz v. City of San Bernardino,” and said the council, by a 5-0 vote, directed the city to issue a press release.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed the case — identi-
The city’s statement was released at the start of Wednesday’s City Council meeting
Councilman Fred Shorett made the
By Manny Sandoval
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Criminal Charges, Cont. on next pg.
San Bernardino Deploys 200+ for Point-in-Time Count After 8% Homelessness Increase in 2025
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Riverside Homekey+ Grant Deadline Extended to Feb. 24 as Reconsideration Push Sparks Heated Committee Clash Pg. 8 Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL A volunteer gathers hygiene kits at the NOS Center before deploying for San Bernardino’s annual Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 22, providing immediate supplies to unhoused residents.
By Manny Sandoval
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ore than 200 volunteers gathered at the NOS Center before dawn Thursday, Jan. 22nd and deployed across San Bernardino for the city’s annual Point-in-Time Count, a oneday survey used to help determine federal funding for homelessness programs and guide local decisions on services and shelter.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran addresses Point-in-Time Count volunteers at the NOS Center on Jan. 22, urging teams to “count every” person and listen to unhoused residents’ stories.
The count began at 6 a.m. and was expected to conclude at 10 a.m., with support from the San Bernardino Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as teams fanned out across the city. Nearly the entire San Bernardino City Council attended the early-morning kickoff, including Mayor Helen Tran and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., as organizers briefed volunteers on
safety, survey procedures and the distribution of hygiene kits intended to provide immediate aid to unhoused people. Baca thanked volunteers and said the count is meant to do more than generate a number — it’s intended to guide near-term action and connect some people with help the same day. “The most important thing about today is PITC, cont. next pg.