EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 63, NO. 03
October 23, 2025
San Bernardino Touts Progress at 2025 State of the City, Sidesteps Carousel Mall as Unity Quickly Unravels By Manny Sandoval
F
ramed by bird songs from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and ceremonial introductions by City of San Bernardino Public Information Officer Jeff Kraus, city leaders took to the stage on Oct. 14 to deliver the 2025 State of the City address inside the freshly restored California Theatre.
IECN.com
State of the Inland Empire Economy: 60% of Logistics Jobs Face Automation Pg. 3
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL From left: Councilmember Fred Shorett, Mayor Pro Tem Juan Figueroa, Councilmember Theodore Sanchez, Mayor Helen Tran, and Councilmembers Kim Knaus, Mario Flores, and Dr. Treasure Ortiz stand on stage at the California Theatre.
UBS Advisor Urges Early Budgeting as Families Turn to 529 and Coverdell Plans for College Costs
The two-hour event offered a public display of unity and progress, staged within the city’s 97-year-old downtown landmark, recently renovated with $6.8 million in public funds. With its gleaming gold accents and red velvet curtains, the venue underscored a theme echoed throughout the night: San Bernardino is working to reestablish pride—visually, economically, and politically. But while the speeches outlined recent gains in housing, public safety and infrastructure, they also left several longstanding issues unaddressed and delivered few new announcements. Mayor Helen Tran opened the event by calling the city’s for-
ward movement a “team effort,” pointing to a projected increase in police staffing. “In 2025, San Bernardino will have more police officers than we’ve had since 2012,” she said, calling public safety the foundation of a healthy city. Councilmember Juan Figueroa praised the city’s transition to a council–city manager form of government as a turning point, highlighting the hiring of Eric Levitt as a professional leader tasked with implementing the Council’s vision. “We have made great strides to leave behind the divisions of the past,” Figueroa said, “and focus instead on the work that truly matters—building a stronger, safer and more vibrant city for everyone.” He pointed to capital improvements and safety measures in the Third Ward, including new stop signs, restriped streets, and park enhancements. Rather than list achievements, he said, “These are visible signs of progress that our residents can see, touch and take pride in.” State of the City, cont. on next pg.
Fontana Kaiser Workers Strike Over Patient Care, Staffing in Historic Nationwide Healthcare Walkout
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PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Registered nurse Celina Zumaya (center) joins fellow Kaiser Permanente Fontana workers in a spirited show of unity during day two of the statewide healthcare strike.
By Manny Sandoval
H
undreds of Health care workers gathered outside the Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center on Wednesday, Oct. 15, marking day two of a multi-day strike over patient care, staffing levels, and contract negotiations. The strike, which began Tuesday and is expected to continue through Sunday, Oct. 19, is part of a broader action involv-
ing more than 8,600 workers across the Inland Empire and tens of thousands nationally. Participants at the Fontana site included members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) and United Steelworkers Local 7600. Among them was Maria Arevalo Ramirez, a union representative from Fontana, who said the protest was motivated by more than just
wages. “We’re not just striking for ourselves,” she said. “We’re striking for our patients, future nurses, and the future of healthcare.” Arevalo Ramirez also noted that workers are not being compensated while on strike. “We are taking a leap of faith, not just for ourselves, but for our patients,” she said. Kaiser Picketing, Cont. on next pg.