SB American News Week Ending 5/19

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“A Man In Debt is So Far A Slave” -Emerson

NEWSPAPER A Community Newspaper Serving San Bernardino, Riverside & Los Angeles Counties Volume 52 No. 4

May 13, 2021- May 19, 2021

Mailing: P.O. Box 837, Victorville, CA 92393

Office: (909) 889-7677

Email: Mary @Sb-American.com

Website: www.SB-American.com

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance those of whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)

NAREB Urging Policy Makers To Upgrade Black Homeownership To Priority Status

Nation’s First Bill to Extend Victim Services to Survivors of Police Brutality By Ken Epstein | Post News Group

National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) convenes 2021 Spring Policy Conference with specific policy recommendations that support the growth of Black Homeownership National News

The California Senate’s Committee on Public Safety this week unanimously passed SB 299. Authored by Senator Connie Leyva (SD-20), which would extend services to victims of police violence and expand eligibility for survivors of homicide victims.

Washington, DC – May 10, 2021 – Burdensome student loan debt, home appraisal bias, disparate mortgage lending pricing, historic discriminatory federal policies still adversely affecting the growth of Black homeownership, and the overarching societal effects of the pandemic are subjects of 2021 Spring Policy Conference to be convened by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) May 12-13, 2021. This year’s sessions are framed by the conference theme, “Increasing Black Homeownership: Are Current Housing Public Policies a Boost or a Hindrance?”. “NAREB is taking a deep dive into government policies, legislative initiatives as well as private sector lending practices that jeopardize the ability of Black Americans to purchase a home. Our goal is not merely to discuss, but to advance the NAREB agenda to Build Black Wealth through Homeownership. It takes consistent, focused advocacy and sharing with public officials how systemic impediments to homeownership can and should be eliminated,” said Lydia Pope, President-Elect, National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). Conf ir med elected and appointed officials scheduled to speak include: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chair,

Lydia Pope President-Elect, National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; U.S. Congressman Al Green (D-TX); U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV); U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI); the Honorable Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Mark Calabria, Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Bruce Dorpalen, Executive Director, National Housing Resource Center. Among the noted housing policy experts and industry leaders

speaking during the two-day conference are: William Michael Cunningham, economist, Creative Impact Research; Michela Zonta, Senior Policy Analyst, Housing Finance and Policy, Center for American Progress; Ron Busby, President/CEO, US Black Chambers, Inc.; Sasha Hewlett, Director, Secondary & Capital Markets/Residential Policy, Mortgage Bankers Association; Natalie Maderia Cofield, Asst. Administrator, Office of Women’s Business Ownership, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Dwight Alexander, Sr. Vice

President, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Advocacy strategies are the threads connecting all of conference sessions. Whether regulatory or legislative obstacles interfering with the growth of Black homeowners, NAREB, along with its allies are prepared to push for proposals for change. Specifically, NAREB’s policy agenda includes: the establishment of a national down payment assistance fund; the reform and standardization of the payment calculation for school loans in mortgage underwriting for FHA, VA and the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) financing, and the elimination of Loan Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs) and riskbased pricing. As President-Elect Pope remarked, “the State of Housing in Black America, which we track every year requires our vigilance, transparency, and a focused action agenda to raise our current homeownership rate from 45.1% to be on par with the non-Hispanic White rate of 73.8%. Black homebuyers deserve the opportunity. Our communities will benefit and the nation will reaffirm its promise of the American Dream of homeownership for all of its citizens.”

Supporting small farmers and local economies by feeding the hungry State/Government News LYONS, NEBRASKA – Across the country, states have been increasingly innovative in finding ways to integrate the goals of eliminating hunger and strengthening local food systems, according to a white paper released recently by the Center for Rural Affairs. “Hunger and the Local Economy: Integrated State-Level Approaches to Food Access,” authored by Nathan Beacom, senior policy associate for the Center, explores the role of local grocery stores, gives examples of

state policies designed to make food more accessible, and offers lawmakers recommendations on ways to address the broader causes of food access and food insecurity in rural areas. “Food access policy can also be economic development policy; these goals work hand in hand,” Beacom said. “A strong local food system means more employment, better jobs, a stronger economy, and more access. This kind of win-win policy addresses the immediate needs, as well as the underlying causes of food

insecurity.” Among the recommendations offered is expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks program. Offered in 28 states and funded privately and publicly, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries use these incentives to buy fresh produce. The program matches vouchers up to $20 for $20 of SNAP funds. “Double Up Food Bucks has been successful in changing the diets of SNAP users, increasing the amount of fresh food they eat, and, ultimately, leading to the

better health outcomes that are predictive of better life outcomes,” Beacom said. “At the same time, the program supports local retailers and local producers by channeling SNAP funds toward them and doubling their impact.” Other recommended actions for states to consider include supporting farm to school programs and offering tax credits for the development of cooperative food ventures. The white paper is available at cfra.org/publications.

The California Senate’s Committee on Public Safety this week unanimously passed SB 299. Authored by Senator Connie Leyva (SD-20), which would extend services to victims of police violence and expand eligibility for survivors of homicide victims. “It is unacceptable that in order to receive assistance through the Victim Compensation program, police reports and the opinion of police would carry such heavy weight in the application for compensation when the injuries were sustained as a result of police actions,” Senator Leyva said. “SB 299 will improve access to vital resources for victims of police violence as they recover from the physical and emotional injuries caused due to the actions of police or—in the cases of individuals killed by police—be able to bury their loved ones with dignity and respect,” he said. “Just as the state’s Victims Compensation program can use evidence beyond police reports for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking, so too do victims of police violence deserve similar recognition of their circumstances so that they can get fair access to the help they need.” Police reports and opinion can also prevent families of homicide victims from obtaining compensation, without any recourse or due process. Families in shock at a violent loss then struggle to bury their loved ones. SB 299 would, for the first time, expand eligibility to make sure survivors of homicide victims are not denied based on the contents of inaccurate, unfair or biased police reports. “We cannot continue to let the police decide who is a ‘deserving’ victim,” says Youth ALIVE! Director of Programs, Kyndra Simmons. “This has prevented many survivors and victims, including victims of police violence, from accessing the resources and support meant to help them heal.” “Qualifying for victim compensation was life-changing for me after my son Jordan was killed,” says Tonya Lancaster,

trauma survivor and Youth ALIVE! client. “I want to see that support for everybody who needs it.” Under existing law, victims of limited types of crimes are eligible to receive compensation from the California Victim Compensation Board’s Restitution Fund. That compensation can cover a range of needs spanning medical expenses, burial expenses, wage and income loss and much more. SB 299 would extend this eligibility to include incidents in which an individual sustains serious bodily injury or death as a result of a law enforcement officer’s use of force, regardless of whether the law enforcement officer is arrested for, charged with, or convicted of committing a crime. This would ensure that survivors of police violence and loved ones of those killed by police are no longer dependent on either a police report documenting the victimization, which is often elusive, or the opinion of involved police when assessing a victim’s responsibility. “We cannot tolerate treating victims of police violence with any less care and compassion than we extend to other crime victims,” said Controller Betty Yee, California’s chief fiscal officer. “We must work toward a just, fair, and peaceful society, and this expansion of victim compensation is one small step in that work.” “”Advocacy for victims must include all victims and survivors, regardless of who caused the harm. That’s why my office started a first-in-the-state program in 2020 to ensure that our Victim Services Division compensates victims of police violence like any other victim,” said San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin. “Unlike victims of other crimes, victims of police brutality are commonly denied access to victims compensation funds to cover burial costs, medical expenses, lost income, therapy and more,” said Prosecutors Alliance Executive Director Cristine Soto DeBerry. “No one should have to continued on page 3

May 13, 2021

Page 2 COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/ADVERTISING

Children’s Defense Fund Preparing to Open Summer Freedom Schools By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

“Freedom Schools are not just culturally responsive, but we invest in young people – developing their sense of self-agency that they can make a difference in their home, their community and in the world,” expressed Dr. Wilson, who is expected to discuss Freedom Schools further, and the most recent CDF State of America’s Children 2021, during the NNPA’s annual summer convention in June. The Children’s Defense Fund has always lived by the motto that children are the future. As young people of color are the majority of youth in America, the nonprofit organization is ramping up its Freedom Schools program. Dr. Starsky Wilson, the president and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), said the schools incorporate “the totality of CDF’s mission by fostering environments that support children and young adults to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves and in their families, schools, communities, country, and the world with hope, education, and action.” Dr. Wilson noted that students in the program are known as scholars. “By providing K-12 scholars

with rich, culturally relevant pedagogy and high-quality books that deepen scholars’ understanding of themselves and all they have in common with others in a multiracial, multicultural democratic society, CDF Freedom Schools programs further empowers scholars to believe in their ability and responsibility to make a difference while instilling in them a love of reading to help them avoid summer learning loss,” Dr. Wilson remarked during a live appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s morning breaking news program, “Let It Be Known.” Recent Freedom Schools’ surveys found that 65 percent of scholars liked to read, while 81 percent enjoyed talking about what they read.

Omnitrans to Offer Free Rides to K – 12 Students

Approximately 86 percent reported they read many different kinds of books, 100 percent reported wanting to go to college, 98 percent reported they could achieve their goals, and 89 percent said they believed they could make a difference. The CDF outlined the following behavioral benchmarks: Seventy-seven percent of scholars reported they were willing to listen to different opinions. Sixty-eight percent of scholars said standing up for what they think is fair. Sixty-three percent of scholars said that they could solve problems without yelling at others. Sixty-eight percent of scholars said that they know how to solve arguments without fighting. Seventy-nine percent of scholars said learning how to cooperate to solve problems. “Freedom Schools are not just culturally responsive, but we invest in young people – developing their sense of self-agency that they can make a difference in their home, their community and in the world,” expressed Dr. Wilson, who is expected to discuss Freedom Schools further, and the most recent CDF State of America’s Children 2021, during the NNPA’s annual summer convention in June.

Registration for the convention is free, and those interested can sign up at www.virtualnnpa2021. com. For the summer Freedom Schools program, CDF officials said they utilized the Houghton Miff lin Harcourt’s Reading Inventory to measure scholars’ reading achievement. They said 76.7 percent of scholars did not experience summer learning loss. While currently at a 60 percent parent participation rate, CDF is striving to increase this number by soliciting different workshop topic ideas that resonate with the community’s needs. “It’s absolutely critical that we are there for our children,” Dr. Wilson insisted. “We can’t fall into a trap. I had a mentor who heard me say that I work hard, so my sons don’t have to. “He told me that everything I had said was good except for the last part. He said, ‘the part about you work so hard, so they don’t have to. “Don’t set them up for failure like that because the reality is that you pushed through the struggle as far as you could, so you prepare them for the struggle.’” Click here for more information about the CDF’s Freedom School. https://www.childrensdefense.org/ programs/cdf-freedom-schoolsdc/

Publisher’s Corner

Clifton Harris Editor in Chief Investigative Reporter sbamericannews@gmail.com Mary Martin-Harris / Editor Clifton B. Harris / Audio Engineering Editor Legal /Display Advertising (909) 889-7677 The San Bernardino American News was established May 6, 1969. A legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation on September 30, 1971, case number 15313 by the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News subscription rate is $58.00 per year. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News is committed to serving its readers by presenting news unbiased and objective, trusting in the mature judgment of the readers and, in so doing, strive to achieve a united community. News releases appearing in the San Bernardino AMERICAN News do not necessarily express the policy nor the opinion of the publishers. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News reserves the right to edit or rewrite all news releases.

All SBCUSD Schools To Hold School Information Meetings This Month To Prepare Families For A Return To In-Person Learning Community/Education News

Submission Deadline for Press releases & Legal Advertising

Community/ Education News (San Ber nardino, CA) Beginning August 1, Omnitrans will offer kindergarten – 12th graders in its service area free rides on its fixed route service as part of a six-month Free Fares to School program, designed to enhance regional equity and welcome students back after a pandemic year. “We know that there is a measurable link between access to transportation, student attendance and graduation,” said CEO/ General Manager Erin Rogers. “Omnitrans wants to help build the next generation of success and ridership in our community by providing a safe, convenient transportation option for students.” Local students will simply show their student ID cards – which will be fitted with a program sticker – when boarding the bus to ride free

on all fixed routes, including sbX rapid transit service and Freeway Express routes. OmniRide Chino Hills microtransit customers will receive a 50% discount on its demand response service. Although the program is called “Free Fares to School,” students will be able to ride free anytime, enabling them to take part in extracurricular and community activities. The Free Fares to School program will continue through February 2022; if successful, the agency will seek approval and funding for a permanent program. Omnitrans serves 15 cities and unincorporated county regions in the San Bernardino Valley. For more information on Omnitrans routes and services, please visit www.omnitrans.org.

San Bernardino County Museum Association Presents the Annual Bucky Ball Community/ Education News The San Bernardino County Museum Association will host the 6th annual Bucky Ball, The Wonders of Science, as a virtual Facebook Live event, on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7 p.m. The live event will take place on the San Bernardino County Museum Facebook page. The Association is the fundraising 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the San Bernardino County Museum and high desert branch, Victor Valley Museum. The fundraising event supports the museum’s mission of regional cultural arts, history, and natural and earth sciences exhibits and programing. This is the second year Bucky Ball has been presented in a virtual format. This year, guests will

log on and experience engaging conversations celebrating the museum’s service to county families, and support for increasing the number of youth pursuing art and science education and careers. As the largest cultural and natural history center in the region, the San Bernardino County Museum plays a vital role in our children’s education. Named in honor of the science innovation of Buckminster Fuller, an engineer, poet, and environmentalist, the Association’s Bucky Ball event highlights the mission of the museum, as well as the museum’s iconic architectural dome, inspired by Fuller’s continued in next 2 columns

5 pm Monday Please email to : msbamericannews@gmail.com San Bernardino County Museum Association Presents the Annual Bucky Ball...continued geodesic domes, and visible from Interstate 10 since 1974. “This is our most important event of the year that garners support to extend the resources available to the Museum to meet the educational needs of our region,” shared Zack Tucker, the Association’s Executive Director. Museum Director, Melissa Russo said, “We are deeply grateful to benefit from the fundraising efforts of the San Bernardino County Museum Association. This long-standing partnership is a key part of the museum’s ability to develop excellent exhibits and programming. I look forward to a successful 2021 Bucky Ball and thank all the donors that appreciate the meaningful service the museum provides the community.” There is no ticket or fee to attend the virtual event, however guests are encouraged to consider donating or becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities include a $5,000 Platinum Sponsor, $2,500 Gold Sponsor, $1,000 Silver Sponsor, and $500 Copper Sponsor. Guests are also invited to participate in an online auction in which will bidding will take place Monday, May 17 through Thursday, May 20. The link to access the online auction is https://sbcmabuckyball. givesmart.com. For more information on donating or sponsoring, visit www.thesbcma. org, or call (909) 798-8624. The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional,

cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors. Established in 1952, the San Bernardino County Museum Association solicits, manages, and distributes funds, engages in programs, and advocates for the benefit of the San Bernardino County Museum and its mission. The SBCM Association achieves its mission by conducting fund development efforts on behalf of the Museum, including individual, corporate, and foundation contributions. Fur ther, the Association partners with the Museum to assist with developing deeper visitor engagement, enhancing stewardship and utilization of its collection, refreshing its facilities, diversifying sources of revenue, and building its organizational capacity. The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is preparing for students to return to class for in-person instruction during summer school and the 2021–2022 school year, and each of the District’s more than 70 campuses will host a School Information Meeting online this month. Each school will be sharing its own site-specific information about important new procedures, schedules, and other details that are vital to helping students and families make a smooth transition back to in-person learning. Families will learn much more in the coming weeks. High schools will hold their virtual meetings between May 17–24. All SBCUSD middle schools will hold an informational meeting on May 19, and elementary school meetings will be on May 20. SBCUSD has gone to great lengths to keep students and staff safe when they return in person to our schools. Every classroom has a new, hospital-grade air purifier, which not only protects students from COVID but also filters out allergens and other particles, making the indoor air cleaner and healthier during the COVID crisis and beyond. Traditional school fountains have been replaced with water bottle-filling stations that reduce contact with surfaces, and new cleaning and sanitizing routines will be followed by custodians. Schools will introduce new

safety routines for students, too. Mask wearing, temperature checks, and hand washing will be practiced at every school. And because each school is unique, each school will develop its own detailed plans with input from the school community. These plans will address things like new lunch procedures and changes to student drop-off and pick-up procedures. School Information Meetings will give families the chance to hear details and ask questions about the specific plans at each school. Every family will receive a message directly from their child’s school with the specific date, time, and procedures for the virtual meeting that will provide details about the precautions being taken at that school. Everyone who has a child in the District also has an opportunity to participate in a virtual Town Hall on Thursday, May 13, 6–8 p.m to learn more about the SBCUSD Virtual Academy that will provide an alternative to in-person learning at school campuses for families who prefer to continue in Distance Learning next year. Families can view the meeting live at youtube. com/SanBdoCitySchools. To actively participate in the Zoom meeting, families should register at bit.ly/townhallsb or call the Family Engagement Office at (909) 880-4057. Families can also submit comments and questions in advance by visiting www.sbcusd. com/comments, calling (909) 8804057 or texting (909) 353-3696.

May 13, 2021

Page 3 STATE/GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS

Recession Proof CEO Marcus Barney reveals secrets to turning credit into cash By N. Ali Early

Recession Proof CEO Marcus Barney reveals secrets to turning credit into cash...continued

Federal Court Order a Win for CalSavers and All Californians...continued

on one flight and fly together from Atlanta to Miami. That way we [could] network and just really build that camaraderie amongst the family. Delta told us they didn’t have enough time. “So since Delta couldn’t accommodate us, what I did was I went out and got two Boeing 757s.” Packed with 300 people, including mentees, leaders and new prospects, Barney and

California law." Executive Director Katie Selenski reported that more than 10,000 employers have registered since the program launched on July 1, 2019 and 340,000 workers have enrolled. More than 140,000 individuals already have actively funded accounts amounting to nearly $68 million. "We’re not even halfway through our rollout and we’re already proving that when given an easy, automatic, portable option, workers across the income spectrum will save for their futures," Selenski said. Employers with more than 50 employees who do not offer a retirement plan must register for CalSavers by June 30, 2021. Employers with at least five employees have until June 30, 2022 to register. Learn more at www.calsavers.com. Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state's history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

company took to the friendly skies with an air of privacy and controlled fun that set the stage for a powerful conference. The three-day event welcomed Recession Proof advocates Floyd Mayweather, Rick Ross and “Earn Your Leisure” podcast hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings. “We laughed and we created content,” Barney recalls. “We continued on page 4

Federal Court Order a Win for CalSavers and All Californians After mastering the art of turning credit into cash while legally developing strategies that would support his immediate family, the former cellphone repairman and real estate investor developed a movement – Recession Proof – built to create wealth in the Black community. Born into homelessness and forced to fend for himself before he could legally rent a hotel room, Marcus “Him 500” Barney blossomed into a self-taught millionaire through hard work and dogged determination. After mastering the art of turning credit into cash while legally developing strategies that would support his immediate family, the former cellphone repairman and real estate investor developed a movement – Recession Proof – built to create wealth in the Black community. Whether Barney’s mentees absorb the gift that is Recession Proof totally depends on them. But make no mistake about it: The essential tools and financial resources provided during his widely popular sessions

are available to any and all entrepreneurs with the desire to learn. There are no gimmicks, fees or obvious signs of nepotism – just unadulterated wisdom learned from countless hours of study and an overwhelming desire to live a luxurious existence. Never in his wildest dreams did the 32-year-old Bay Area native think he would become a philanthropist. But there he was less than a month ago chartering two planes from Atlanta to his Miami-bound Recession Proof conference — all because Delta Airlines could not accommodate his 300 guests. “I contacted Delta because I thought it would be cool if we could just charter a plane,” he recalls. “I wanted us to all get

State/Government News SACRAMENTO – The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today affirmed the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California’s dismissal of claims by a group that sought to block the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program, a program designed to help millions of private sector workers in California prepare for retirement. "We are very pleased with the Court’s ruling," said California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who chairs the CalSavers Retirement Savings Board. "CalSavers is a simple solution to level the playing field for workers who for too long haven’t had access to workplace based retirement plans. There is no reason to deny millions of hardworking Californians access to this savings program when the alternative is to see them work until they are physically unable to, or suffer the hardships that come with

Aguilar Announces Availability of American Rescue Plan Funding for San Bernardino County Local Governments State/Government News San Bernardino, CA—Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that the US Department of the Treasury has made Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds available to state and local governments as outlined by the American Rescue Plan, which included $350 billion to help state and local governments navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Eligible municipalities can find more information and submit their request for funding here. Local governments will receive 50 percent of available funds beginning this month and the remainder in approximately 12 months. Smaller cities not yet listed will receive their funding directly through an allocation from the State of California. The following cities in the 31st Congressional District are now eligible to apply for Recovery Funds:

City/County Funding Available City of Colton $14,881,400 City of Fontana $50,257,113 City of Rancho Cucamonga $26,835,530 City of Redlands

$11,508,106 City of Rialto $29,373,105 City of San Bernardino $77,656,407 City of Upland $15,213,716 County of San Bernardino $423,455,955

“I helped pass the American Rescue Plan because our communities need relief. This funding will help us protect the jobs of our first responders and frontline workers and will allow local governments to continue providing essential services to San Bernardino County residents. I’ll continue working to deliver resources to the Inland Empire to help us come out of this crisis stronger than ever,” said Rep. Aguilar. The Department of the Treasury has laid out the following guidelines for how these funds can be used: Suppor t public health expenditures, by – among other uses – funding COVID-19

mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, mental health and substance misuse treatment and certain public health and safety personnel responding to the crisis; Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including by rehiring public sector workers, providing aid to households facing food, housing or other financial insecurity, offering small business assistance, and extending support for industries hardest hit by the crisis Aid the communities and populations hardest hit by the crisis, supporting an equitable recovery by addressing not only the immediate harms of the pandemic, but its exacerbation of longstanding public health, economic and educational disparities Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service during the pandemic; and, Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastr uct ure, improving access to clean drinking water, supporting vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expanding access to broadband internet. Rep. Aguilar serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for allocating funding for federal programs.

little to no savings." The lawsuit by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association sought to block CalSavers on the grounds that the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preempts CalSavers, making the program invalid. The Court rejected that argument, however, finding that ERISA does not preempt CalSavers: "We hold that the preemption challenge fails. CalSavers is not an ERISA plan because it is established and maintained by the State, not employers; it does not require employers to operate their own ERISA plans; and it does not have an impermissible reference to or connection with ERISA. Nor does CalSavers interfere with ERISA’s core purposes. Accordingly, ERISA does not preempt the continued in next 2 columns

elected to the position. The State Treasurer’s Office was created in the California Constitution in 1849. It provides financing for schools, roads, housing, recycling and waste management, hospitals, public facilities, and other crucial infrastructure projects that better the lives of residents. California is the world’s fifth-largest economy and Treasurer Ma is the state’s primary banker. Her office processes more than $2 trillion in transactions within a typical year. She provides transparency and oversight for the government’s investment portfolio and accounts, as well as for the state’s surplus funds. Treasurer Ma oversees an investment portfolio of about $126.7 billion, $34.5 billion of which are local government funds. She serves as agent of sale for all State bonds, and is trustee on outstanding debt of more than $93 billion. For more news about the State Treasurer’s Office, please follow Treasurer Ma on Twitter at @CalTreasurer, Instagram at caltreasurer, and on Facebook at California State Treasurer's Office.

Nation’s First Bill to Extend Victim Services to Survivors of Police Brutality...continued from page 1 start a GoFundMe page to cover the costs of burying a loved one lost to violence.” SB299 is co-sponsored by California Controller Betty Yee, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, Californians for Safety and

Justice, the Prosecutors Alliance of California, and Youth ALIVE! It will be heard next by the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The post Nation’s First Bill to Extend Victim Services to Survivors of Police Brutality first appeared on Post News Group.

May 13, 2021

Page 4 LIFESTYLE/RELIGION

Young Visionaries Celebrates 20 Years of Service in the Inland Empire

The State Of California And Focus On The Word Launch “Shot Of Faith”...continued

NEWS PROVIDED BY Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)

Baptist Church and president, Baptist Minister’s Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California. “As trusted advisors, it’s critical that we get the word out about the vaccinations and direct our parishioners to available resources as well as to medical experts able to answer the many questions that have arisen out of this COVID-19 pandemic.” Californians can visit MyTurn. ca.gov or VaccinateALL58.com, or call (833) 422-4255 to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated.

YVYLA and IEHP Team Members greet attendees at a "Pull-up and Pick-Up" backpack distribution event at IEHP's Victorville CRC in August 2020.

ABOUT FOCUS ON THE WORD, INC./LISA COLLINS Lisa Collins specializes in outreach to the faith community in Southern California. For the

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., May 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For two decades, Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy (YVYLA) has worked tirelessly to support at-risk youth, enhancing their potential for academic, economic and social success and striving to build safer, more equitable communities. YVYLA and IEHP Team Members greet attendees at a "Pull-up and Pick-Up" backpack distribution event at IEHP's Victorville CRC in August 2020. YVYLA and IEHP Team Members greet attendees at a "Pull-up and Pick-Up" backpack distribution event at IEHP's Victorville CRC in August 2020. Partners for more than 15 years, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and YVYLA have collaborated on several projects, events and initiatives. YVYLA is also an inhouse partner at the health plan's Community Resource Center (CRC) in Victorville, Calif., providing mentoring services and support to local youth. "Young Visionaries is blessed to be in partnership with IEHP," said Terrance Stone, YVYLA chief executive officer. "Since COVID-19 hit, we were able to pivot in community outreach engagement activities and serve over 20,000 families. We will

continue to work alongside our partners to serve our communities and remain open to partnering with all interested agencies to better support our neighbors." YVYLA has served more than 85,000 community youth through various events and activities focused on academic, employment, leadership and life skills development and more. YVYLA continues to develop new programs that emphasize social innovation and transformation. "You ng Visionar ies is extremely aligned with the community they serve we are very proud to host them as inhouse partners in our Victorville CRC," said Marci Coffey, IEHP community partnerships director. "Collaborations with trusted and well-respected organizations like Young Visionaries is a critical element to the work we do in our communities. In addition to filling in social gaps, these organizations often serve as a link or a bridge between a need and healthy lifestyle change. We congratulate YVYLA and we look forward to continuing our work to make the IE a better place, for all." To learn more about Young Visionaries and their upcoming 20 Year Anniversary Virtual Gala, visit http://yvyla-ie.org/.

The State Of California And Focus On The Word Launch “Shot Of Faith” Campaign Engages Black/African American Clergy and their Parishioners Providing Critical COVID-19 Information and Updates Lifestyle/Religion News SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In partnership with Focus on the Word, the State of California has launched “Shot of Faith,” a campaign designed to engage the Black/African American faith-based community and provide critical information about COVID-19 vaccine access, safety and equity. The statewide, multi-faceted campaign kicked off with a webinar with the Baptist Ministers Conference. In addition to webinars, the partnership includes town halls, pastor testimonials and vaccination pop-up sites. The virtual webinars and town halls will provide opportunities for Black/African American clergy and their congregations to meet with trusted medical experts and state representatives for answers to their vaccine questions and up-to-date information. Pastors will share their COVID-19 testimonials on ShotofFaith.org and across their social media platforms. “The State recognizes the influence and impact clergy and churches have within the Black/ African American community,” said Dr. Nadine Burke Harris,

California Surgeon General. “With their support, we know that we can envision a day when California reaches community immunity.” The campaign will be presented in phases throughout California. Phase 1 kicked off in March in Los Angeles County; Phase 2 will be in the Inland Empire and San Diego; and Phase 3 in Northern California. Pastors and churches involved in Phase 1 include Bishop Kenneth Ulmer of Faithful Central Bible Church, Dr. Michael J.T. Fisher of Greater Zion Church Family, Pastors Shep and Shalonda Crawford of ECM Ministries, Pastor George Hurtt of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Robert Douglass of Inglewood Ministerial Alliance. The campaign encourages the community to remain vigilant against COVID-19 by continuing to practice safe behaviors like wearing a mask correctly, washing hands, watching physical distance and getting vaccinated. “Educating the faith community is key,” said K.W. Tulloss, senior pastor of Weller Street Missionary continued in next 2 columns

past 20 years, Lisa Collins has consulted with politicians, local government officials and corporations on outreaching to the faith community with context specific assistance on a wide range of topics from media and messaging to community engagement. Ms. Collins has specific expertise in creating participative processes to galvanize faith leaders around issues and resources key to community and church empowerment. She has also consulted with churches on strategic planning, public policy engagement, initiative campaigns, i ndependent expendit u re operations and coalition building for more effective engagement.

Recession Proof CEO Marcus Barney reveals secrets to turning credit into cash...continued from page 3 [were] telling jokes, listening to music. We had a good time and it was … almost like a Soul Plane … and we got to travel in style.” Barney recently sat down with rolling out to discuss his business model that is actively creating Black millionaires. What is financial literacy, and why is it so important for Black people? When it comes to financial literacy, we have to understand that we’re behind the gun. When it comes to finances [and creating wealth], we’re behind the gun. Financial literacy is just understanding all financial aspects of the game. It starts with budgeting, then it goes into credit, and from credit understanding how to leverage credit, understanding how to invest, understanding how to build businesses and how to properly use and structure the funds. What do people gain by joining Recession Proof ? One of the biggest things is that you gain a community and a family of other entrepreneurs and other individuals [who] are looking to better their lives. [It’s about] having that community and family base as well as the information to several different businesses — not only on how to build [but also how to] raise your funding and raise capital for yourself. You learn how to become your own bank and find your own business ventures. What’s in it for you if you’re not getting anything on the front end? How does it work for you financially? One of my mentors taught

me, “Rookies monetize on the front end. Experts monetize on the back.” It’s not always about the up-front costs. It’s about the impact and the value that you add on the back end that impacts the community and that helps build the brand. When people can see on the back end that you really care, [that] you’re really pouring into the community, [that] this is something that’s real, everybody wins. … I lead my program with integrity. I lead it with honesty. I lead it with love. So when you look at my program and you look at every member in the program, that’s what they lead and build with. How did you build your business to the point where you could help other entrepreneurs? Did you know this would be the model you would use? I never planned on telling anybody. That was never my goal. My family didn’t know what I did. They couldn’t understand how I was able to live the life that I [did]. My goal was never to tell anyone. [My mentor], Eric Thomas, is the one who told me that “if you find a way to change your family trajectory and you don’t share it with another man, [you’re] selfish.” And when he said that, it resonated a little bit different. Me just having my daughter, looking at her [and] seeing how good it felt, I was proud to be a parent … and that is what sparked [in] me to even entertain sharing information with other people. The post Recession Proof CEO Marcus Barney reveals secrets to turning credit into cash appeared first on Rolling Out.

“Don’t Be Caught Off Guard!” By: Lou Yeboah

Lou Yeboah The prescription Jesus gives us is to stay awake at all times and pray. Watch and pray! Stay in step with the Holy Spirit, because a day is coming suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [Luke 21:34-36]. I tell you, there will not be time, as in the past, to get ready. If you do not respond swiftly and fiercely by repenting now, and receiving Jesus as your

Lord and Savior, you will suffer massive loss of life. You see, a major war is coming soon, and it will be massive. The players are in place and this coming war will be the birth pangs of the Gog-Magog Wars as foretold by God to the prophet Ezekiel. I tell you, you must prepare and prepare NOW! The ‘End Times’ are here and you must choose a side: heaven or hell. Above all, understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since continued in next 2 columns

“Don’t Be Caught Off Guard!”...continued the beginning of creation.” “But do not forget this one thing: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. I say, and I say again, don’t be caught off guard! I want you to know that the “End-Time Prophecies” intends to serve as a warning to all of humanity that things are about to end. It urges us to get out of denial, to wake up to the truth, and to look at our spiritual relations and actions. Speaking of this time, which is soon to take place, Jesus said, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” [Matthew 24:22]. I want you to know that God’s chosen nation is now back in the land of promise. Understanding that country’s position in the arena of the Middle East and world affairs is critical to understanding all other geopolitical realities. [Zechariah 12:2-3]. Yeah, I know, some people think we should avoid the frightening images of what the Bible says will take place in the last days, yet how can we ignore such an important element of the Bible, and the need to be prepared? We cannot ignore the truths about the future as Jesus tells us. This is a time to stay tuned and watch current events ever more closely. We have entered

a different world. Peace and security will never be quite the same. As the apostle Paul tells us in [Romans 13:11], “now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ As [Matthew 24:32-39] tells us, “Learn a lesson from the fig tree: When its branches become green and soft and new leaves appear, you know summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time is near, ready to come. I tell you the truth, all these things will happen while the people of this time are still living. Earth and sky will be destroyed, but the words I have said will never be destroyed. When Will Jesus Come Again? “No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not even the Son. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man comes, it will be like what happened during Noah’s time. In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married, until the day Noah entered the boat. They knew nothing about what was happening until the flood came and destroyed them. I tell you, don’t be caught off guard! The prescription, stay

Witness For Justice#1046

Justice, Equity, and Ordination Kimi Floyd Reisch “Justice,” in a biblical sense, means to “make right.” Advocating for justice was an important part of the prophets’ work and of Jesus’s ministry. Recognizing the growing need to train for justice ministries, many seminaries now offer programs highlighting racial, environmental, and LGBTQIA+ justice as vocations in service to the entire world as a parish. This is all holy and sacred ministry. Yet once out of seminary, many ministerial candidates in justiceminded denominations experience ordination processes that often do not treat them justly, largely because of two factors. First, many mainline Protestant denominations still primarily recognize ordained ministry as a call to pastor a single parish. Those called to the ministry of justice beyond parish walls often end up in a liminal space in the ordination process if their authorizing bodies do not recognize non-parish ministries. Those called to the ministry of justice within parish walls may also struggle to find support in the committees that determine their ordination, even as they lead their faith community in speaking as advocates on justice issues. Second, personal and societal biases impact the assessment of ministerial candidacy. In alignment with employment challenges outside of churches, LGBTQIA+ candidates and clergy – especially those who are gender-expansive – have a harder time finding a church job in comparison to heterosexual cisgender candidates and clergy. In the United Church of Christ, 32% of our churches are Open and Affirming; for LGBTQIA+ candidates who seek to serve in an Open and Affirming congregation, the potential field

for ordainable employment is reduced by as much as 70% before they even start looking. Changing the biases that ease the path to ordination for young, white, cishet, male candidates – but limit and discourage LGBTQIA+, nonwhite, or disabled candidates from ordination into parish and nonparish ministries – is a matter of justice. While it has been assumed that equality of access to ordaining bodies (such as Committees on Ministry) leads to equality of treatment for ministry candidates, a standard committee meeting does not come with a guarantee that every candidate will be treated the same by the committee. Equality of access does not guarantee that issues of bias – against an individual candidate's identity or a type of ministry – are being actively addressed by the committee. Our goal should not be equality of access but equity of experience, and equity is an important step toward the liberation that will come with the removal of systemic barriers. Justice work is holy work. As we consider what justice looks like, treatment of rising ministers – especially those called to nonparish justice ministry and/or those who are part of historically underrepresented groups – must be analyzed. We must create space for those who follow our still-speaking God into ordained ministry, for whom bias against employment become a barrier to serving God as a minister of word and sacrament. It might be that new possibilities for our ordination systems should be explored as part of our commitment to a just world. Kimi Floyd Reisch is the Program Minister of the Open and Affirming Coalition for the United Church of Christ.

May 13, 2021

Page 5 LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004269 Date Filed: 04/23/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/23/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): STORAGE MAX OFFICE SUITES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 8333 E. FOOTHILL BLVD. RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730 Mailing Address: 2042 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100 IRVINE, CA 92612 Name of Individual Registrant: JOHN MINAR Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 2042 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100 IRVINE, CA 92612 This business is/was conducted by: A Limited Partnership Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Nov 30, 2018 John Minar, General Partner Of Bear Gulch Properties, LP, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004675 Date Filed: 05/04/2021 Filing Expires On: 05/04/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): INLAND VALLEY REAL ESTATE County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 2351 W. MAIN ST. BARSTOW, CA 92311 Name of Individual Registrant: RAVE NASSAR Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 901 BERYL ST. SAN DIEGO, CA 92109 This business is/was conducted by: A Trust Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Mar 18, 2021 Rave Nassar, Trustee Of The Midnight Sky Trust Dated April 13, 2021, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, Correction 13, 20, 27 , 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004272 Date Filed: 04/23/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/23/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): WHOLESALE ACCESSORIES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 2601 N. DEL ROSA AVE. STE. 104 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 Name of Individual Registrant: GEOVANNI ABARCA GUZMAN Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 3329 N. STODDARD AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92405 Name of Individual Registrant: YESENIA MARTINEZ Residence Street Address: 3329 N. STODDARD AVE. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92405 This business is/was conducted by: A Married Couple Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Geovanni Abarca Guzman, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004040 Date Filed: 04/19/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/19/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): PLANT ODYSSEE County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 1358 YUCCA DR. APT. N SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 Name of Individual Registrant: CHRISTY L. GRAY Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 1358 YUCCA DR. APT. N SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92404 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Christy L. Gray, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003415 Date Filed: 03/31/2021 Filing Expires On: 03/31/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): CAMP CEDAR CREST County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 33325 CAMP CEDAR CREST RD. RUNNING SPRINGS, CA 92382-7404 Mailing Address: PO BOX 26902 LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./ Reg.: INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL State of Inc./Org./ Reg.: California Inc./Org./Reg. No.: C0126840 Residence Street Address: 1910 W. SUNSET BLVD., SUITE 200 LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 Name of Individual Registrant: This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 4/18/1946 Ron Thigpenn, Chief Financial Officer, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003683 Date Filed: 04/08/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/08/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): BAMCIS INDUSTRIAL AND CLEANING SUPPLIES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 19230 CHESHIRE ST. RIALTO, CA 92377 Name of Individual Registrant: ALPHONSO CRUZ Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 19230 CHESHIRE ST. RIALTO, CA 92377 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: March 24, 2021 Alphonso Cruz, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004334 Date Filed: 04/26/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/26/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): ALL CARE RESOURCE SERVICES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 4755 N. GENEVIEVE ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 Name of Individual Registrant: ANIA RODRIGUEZ Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 4755 GENEVIEVE ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Ania Rodriguez, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, May 6, 13, 20 , 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210004484 Date Filed: 04/29/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/29/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): BLUEPRINT CONNECTION County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 2531 E. SMIDERLE LOOP ONTARIO, CA 91764 Name of Individual Registrant: ALEX G. YEUNG CHEN Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 2531 E. SMIDERLE LOOP ONTARIO, CA 91764 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Jan 01, 2020 Alex G. Yeung Chen, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003893 Date Filed: 04/14/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/14/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): COASTLINE TRUCKING County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 7202 GARNET ST. RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91707 Name of Individual Registrant: NANCY RICO Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 7202 GARNET ST. RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91701 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: April 06, 2021 Nancy Rico, Owner,declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 2021.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVSB 2106243 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: MICHAEL STYLES filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. MICHAEL STYLES Proposed name: to: MICHAEL ANTHONY STYLES THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 5/17/20 Time 9:00 a.m. Dept.: S16 The address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino District 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: March 11, 2021 Lynn M. Poncin Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVSB 2105800 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20210003742 Date Filed: 04/09/2021 Filing Expires On: 04/09/2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): 2030 TRUCKING County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 5840 CASSANDRA DRIVE SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 Name of Individual Registrant: EDGAR M. VARGAS Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 5840 CASSANDRA DRIVE SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Mar 01, 2021 Edgar M. Vargas, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE- IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: JAVEIL DEVORIA PEARSON filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. MELVANIE LEJAE ROBINSON Proposed name: to: MELVANIE LEJAE PEARSON b. TAJAH LARALLE ROBINSON to TAJAH LARALLE PEARSON THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 5/14/2021 Time 9:00 a.m. Dept.: S-16 The address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino District-Civil Division 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210 A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: March 04, 2021 Lynn M. Poncin Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021.

PETITION/PROBATE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JANIS E. GRIFFITH CASE NO: PROPS 2100462

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: JANIS E.

GRIFFITH

A Petition For Probate has been filed by: TERRI L. MCMAHAN in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. The Petition For Probate requests that: TERRI L. MCMAHAN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: June 1, 2021 Time: 9 a.m. Dept: S35P 247 West Third Street, Second Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0212 Central/Main If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: Guay P. Wilson 14 N. Eighth Street Redlands, CA 92373 (909)793-2044 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, 13, 20, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DONALD M. CASALMAN aka DONALD MONROE CASALMAN aka DONALD CASALMAN CASE NO : PROPS 2100227

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: DONALD

M. CASALMAN aka DONALD MONROE CASALMAN aka DONALD CASALMAN

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: STEPHANIE C. CASALMAN in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: STEPHANIE C. CASALMAN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 06/21/2021 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept: S37 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 Central Justice Center IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in

section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Bryan C. Hartnell, Esq. Hartnell Law Group, A Professional Corporation 25757 Redlands Boulevard Redlands, CA 92373 (909) 796-6881 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper April 29, Correction May 6, 13, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MARY CRUZ OCHOA CASE NO : PROPS 2000835

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: MARY

CRUZ OCHOA

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by: JESSE OCHOA in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that: JESSE OCHOA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 9/21/21 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept: S36P SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 San Bernardino District IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Eric N. Chung CHUNG & IGNACIO, LLP 8577 Haven Ave., Suite 306 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (909) 652-3022 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 6, Correction 13, 20, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: GERALD OLEN STAFFORD SR. CASE NO : PROPS 2100512

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: GERALD

OLEN STAFFORD SR.

A Petition for Probate has been filed by: DEANNA M. STAFFORD and BONNIE J. JOHNSON in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. The Petition For Probate requests that: DEANNA M. STAFFORD and BONNIE J. JOHNSON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The Petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person

files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: June 08, 2021 Time: 9 a.m. Dept: S35 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 247 West Third Street , 2nd Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0212 Central/ Main If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Guay P. Wilson 14 N. Eighth St. Redlands, CA 92373 (909)793-2044 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 13, 20, 27, 2021.

cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE 505 Buena Vista Ave., Rm 201, Corona, CA 92882 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): REESE LAW GROUP, Tristan P. Espinosa, Esq., #312481, 3168 Lionshead Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92010; 760/842-5850 (File No. 286831) DATE (Fecha): 8/27/2020, Clerk (Secretario), by Alma Djale, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served. 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3/21 CNS-3469135# THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN

YOUR CLASSIFIED AD GOES HERE CALL TODAY! (909) 889-7677

SUMMONS

NOTICE INVITING PROPOSALS

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): COC2003728 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): CHRISTOPHER BALDEON , and Does 1 to 10 YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): MERCURY INSURANCE COMPANY NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Ti e n e 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que

NOTICE INVITING PROPOSALS RFP 2020-20 Purpose of the Procurement and Period of Performance Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide unarmed security guard services at various Transit Center locations within VVTA’s service area. The resulting contract will be for three (3) years with two (2) one-year options for extension. All times mentioned in the RFP are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Obtaining the Request for Proposal (RFP) Document RFP documents may be obtained from VVTA, in person at 17150 Smoke Tree Street, Hesperia, CA 92345-8305, electronically at www.vvta.org/Procurement or via www. publicpurchase.com. Documents are also available via email request to cplasting@vvta.org. RFP’s requested by courier or via USPS mail shall be packaged and sent only at the Proposers’ expense. Proposal Due Date and Submittal Requirements Proposals must be received by 3:00 PM Thursday, June 17, 2021 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 13, 2021.

NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE INVITING BIDS Project No. 801 0087 Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation Program (FY 20/21) Bids shall be received electronically prior to 2:00 p.m., May 28, 2021 only in the City of Moreno Valley Bid Portal through PlanetBids. The link to register to become a prospective bidder and electronically bid on this project can be found at the following address: h t t p : / / w w w. p l a n e t b i d s . c o m / p o r t a l / p o r t a l . cfm?CompanyID=24660 The bid results will be available on the above website immediately following the time of bid deadline. PROJECT SPECIFIC SCOPE OF WORK The work to be done consists of furnishing all labor, materials, necessary tools and machinery, supervision and coordination, traffic control, and all utility and transportation services required for the reconstruction of access ramps, spandrels, local street pavement and shoulder repairs, slurry seal, pavement resurfacing, striping, permanent camera detector installations, and other related improvements on the 13 arterial/collector and 34 local street segments as included in the Plans and listed in the Bid Schedule. The project includes Base Bid work items and Additive Alternate Bid work items as shown on plans and Bid Schedule. All work must be completed within One Hundred Ten (110) Working Days for the Base Bid work items only and up to One Hundred Twenty (120) Working Days for Base Bid plus Additive Alternate Bid work items after the date of commencement specified in the Notice to Proceed to Fulfill Preconstruction Requirements. All bidding documents shall be downloaded electronically on the City of Moreno Valley Bid Portal through PlanetBids at the address shown above. There is no cost for downloading. For technical information relating to the details of this Project and bidding requirements, please submit all Requests for Information (RFI) via the “Questions and Answer” tab within the City of Moreno Valley Vendor Portal in PlanetBids. All RFI’s shall be submitted no later than May 21, 2021, by 2:00 p.m. Any RFI received after the date and time specified herein will not be considered. Dated: May 11, 2021 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper May 13, 2021.

May 13, 2021

Page 6 WORLD/LOCAL/ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

California’s Reparations Effort Takes Shape as Governor Appoints Five Members to Task Force Bo Tefu | California Black Media

Top: Lisa Holder, Rev. Amos Brown, Bottom: Don Tamaki, Dr. Cheryl Grills and Dr. Jovan Scott Lewis Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his allotment of five of nine representatives to the nation’s first-ever Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The state task force is being assembled to meet the mandate of the Assembly Bill (AB) 3121, a landmark legislation Gov. Newsom signed into law last September 2020 that aims to promote racial justice and equity. Earlier this year, Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) appointed two other members to the task force: Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena) and San Diego city Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) is tasked with appointing the two remaining members. AB 3121, which was authored by California Secretary of State Shirley Weber when she served in the state Assembly, mandates that the task force must submit written reports, “with a special consideration for African Americans who are descendants of persons enslaved in the United States.” The nine task force members will study the deep-rooted legacy of slavery and the expressions of systematic racism African Americans have encountered over centuries in the United States. The

legislation also calls for scholars assembled by the Regents of the University of California to draft a research proposal analyze how the state and country have benefitted from slavery. “California is leading the nation, in a bipartisan way, on the issue of reparations and racial justice, which is a discussion that is long overdue and deserves our utmost attention,” Newsom said. Ne w s o m s ele c t e d a n interdisciplinary team of academics, community leaders, and lawyers to spearhead the state’s effort. He said each member of the task force has, “an expansive breadth of knowledge, experiences and understanding of issues impacting the African American community is the next step in our commitment as a state to build a California for all.” The Black Leadership Council (BLC), a statewide organization of African American leaders in California, says it is “committed to ensuring reparations discussions can and will continue in California.” The group applauded Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), who is a member of the reparations task force, and other members of the California Legislative Black Caucus for keeping the issue “front and center” in California politics.

AB 3121 states that the task force is required to, “Identify, compile, and synthesize the relevant corpus of evidentiary documentation of the institution of slavery that existed within the United States and the colonies.” The task force also needs to choose, “the form of compensation that should be awarded, the instrumentalities through which it should be awarded, and who should be eligible for this compensation,” the bill reads. According to the bill, over 4 million African Americans were enslaved in the United States from 1619 to the year slavery was abolished in 1865. The bill focuses on, “Leveling the playing field in our society and ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at achieving the California dream,” according to Newsom. Newsom’s t a sk for c e appointments include four people of African descent and one Japanese American. They all have a credible track record of advocating for racial justice and equity in their respective communities. According to the legislation, Senate confirmation is not required for members of the task force, but they are eligible for a daily allowance for no more than ten meetings. Newsom’s appointees are:

· Dr. Amos Brown, 80, an award-winning civil rights leader and respected Bay Area pastor whose leadership journey started under the tutelage of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the 1960s. He protested alongside the Freedom Riders, a multiracial group of activists who fought segregation laws in the South during the Jim Crow era. He is also the current president of the San Francisco Branch of the NAACP and a Member of the organization’s board of directors. · Dr. Cheryl Grills, 62, is a clinical psychologist and professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Grills achieved international recognition for her research on racial trauma, healing, and implicit bias in the African American community. She also serves as a member of a few congressional caucuses and leads national COVID-19 initiatives focused on communities of color. · Lisa Holder, 49, is a trial attorney who owns a law firm in Southern California. Holder is well known as an advocate for racial and social justice with more than two decades of legal experience. · Dr. Jovan Scott Lewis, 38, is an economic anthropologist and geographer whose research includes reparations, race, and economic inequality in the U.S. and Caribbean. Lewis is the chair of the Department of Geography at the University of California Berkeley, where he also works as an associate professor. · Don Tamaki, 69, is an attorney best known for the Supreme Court case of Korematsu v. the United States. Tamaki overturned the conviction of Fred Korematsu who refused to be taken into custody during the imprisonment of Japanese Americans in World War II. The case boosted the Redress Movement, a social movement inspired by landmark court cases that shaped human rights for Japanese Americans. Tamaki is also the co-founder of ‘Stop Repeating History,’ an intersectional campaign that aims to create public awareness on reparations and racial equity. Once the team has a total of nine members, the task force will host its first meeting on June 1, 2021. The task force will also elect its own chair and vice-chair who will be supported by staff from the Office of the General Attorney of California.

Phillip Michael Thomas: Still Smooth at 70+

Local/Entertainment News

Best known as the cool, smoothtalking Detective Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs in the 1980s hit television series, “Miami Vice,” legendary actor Phillip Michael Thomas made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, with a career that spanned over four

decades. Thirty-six years after the premiere of the iconic show, fans of it still hold it in high esteem. Thomas was born in Columbus, Ohio, but grew up in San Bernardino, California. He is of African American, Native American, Irish, and German

descent. His father, Louis Diggs, was a plant foreman at Westinghouse. Thomas’s mother was Lulu McMorris. He and his seven half brothers and sisters had the surname Thomas, which was the last name of his mother’s first husband. As a child, he acted in his church’s theater group and, at age 15, while participating in the Pentecostal Delman Heights Four Square Gospel Church choir, became interested in ministry. He graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1967 and briefly worked as a janitor to save money for college. Thomas earned a scholarship to the predominantly black Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, where he studied religion and philosophy after high school.

After two years at Oakwood College, Thomas transferred to the University of California, Riverside. During this time, he auditioned for and won a role in the San Francisco cast of Hair, which began his acting career. Thomas ultimately quit school to pursue acting as a profession, appearing in several features during the 1970s – including the classic black musical drama Sparkle (1976). His big break came in 1984, when he landed a starring role in the popular television series Miami Vice alongside Don Johnson. And the rest, as they say, is history. The “Miami Vice” star is a father to eleven children, including a famous daughter, Imaj Thomas, who became a country singer. At five, the young Imaj featured continued in next 2 columns

Phillip Michael Thomas: Still Smooth at 70+... continued alongside her father in the movie “River Of Stone” and has since developed interests in other fields like visual art, humanitarian for world peace, writing and music. By the time Thomas began playing Tubbs on Miami Vice, the Ohio-born actor was in his mid-30s and had worked on TV, film, and stage productions. He had breathtaking ambitions — he’s actually the person responsible for coming up with the acronym “EGOT” (Winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar Award, and Tony Award–essentially all of the four entertainment awards). Thomas said he originally coined the term as a mantra mean... “Energy, Growth, Opportunity, and Talent” but acknowledged its double meaning as far back as a 1985 People profile. Thomas released two solo albums in the ’80s, and you can hear him perform songs on the

Miami Vice episodes “The Maze” and “Trust Fund Pirates.” He also composed music for a family musical in the ’90s. But Thomas’ acting career did not take off after Miami Vice went off the air. After appearing in TV movies in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Thomas took a role in the Italian TV production Detective Extralarge (1991). Following appearances in minor films, Thomas worked on another Italian TV show (We Are Angels, 1997). Outside of two appearances (four years apart) alongside Johnson in Nash Bridges, Thomas’, he did continue making appearances. “I’ve been in the entertainment business professionally since 1968,” Thomas says in a 2016 Interview. “…and I’m not going to retire. So I don’t know what tomorrow brings. But it’s a continuum.”

Victoria Rowell Stars In The AwardWinning Series, “The Rich And The Ruthless” Beginning Thursday, May 13 Series Has New Home For Season Four On BET Plus (BET+) Season Four Unveils In Its Entirety At Midnight PT Entertainment News

New York, NY, May 11, 2021 - Emmy nominated and 11-time NAACP Image Award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling author, Victoria Rowell and Days Ferry Productions, announce BET Plus (BET+) is the exciting new home for her hit series, THE RICH AND THE RUTHLESS Season 4, premiering May 13. Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on BET+. Season Four unveils in its entirety beginning at Midnight PT. Victoria Rowell is available for press interviews. Fan favorite THE RICH AND THE RUTHLESS is a behindthe-scenes, dram-com soap that follows the fictional story of the first black owned family sudser on broadcast television, stopping at nothing to stay in power. This critically-acclaimed Daytime Emmy-nominated series won Best Ensemble Cast and Best Lead Actress by the Independent Series Awards. The series stars Richard Brooks

(Good Trouble; Shameless), Victoria Rowell (Birdie), Alesha Renee (Kenan), Robert Ri’chard (Harlem), Chrystale Wilson (All the Queens Men), Michael Colyar (BET’s Hollywood Heartbreak), Dawnn Lewis (Star Trek; Lower Decks), Vivian Lamolli (All the Queens Men), Kristen Mako (The Big Rant), Bryton James (The Young & The Restless) and new talent Akilah Releford. Season 4 of THE RICH AND THE RUTHLESS is executive produced by Victoria Rowell in association with Days Ferry Productions, Carletta S. Hurt, Richard Brooks, Vanzil Burke and Jill Warner. Head Writer, Victoria Rowell. Writing Consultant, Victoria Christopher Murray. The Rich and the Ruthless Season 4 Trailer - 2:00 app.shift.io/review/607a0a3ae4 b0ddaf10f9308d/6f2d6579-92d94e9e-88cb-5207b64153b4 #TheRichandtheRuthless therichandtheruthless.com

Regional Centers Serving Californians with Developmental Disabilities Need Increased Funding to Hire Additional Staff to Ensure Delivery of Core Services World/Entertainment News Sacramento — Discussions on the State’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2021–21 must include prioritizing additional funding for the 21 regional centers that serve over 350,000 Californians with developmental disabilities. They are the official point of entry to the State’s service system. Current State funding directed to the regional centers is insufficient and as a result, statewide, regional centers are short 921 service

coordinators. The Association of Regional Centers Agencies (ARCA) urges the Budget Committees to increase funding with an additional ongoing allocation of $60 million annually. The 21 regional centers’ work begins, for many they serve, with the Early Start program that focuses on early intervention. Depending on a child’s needs, continued on page 7

May 13, 2021

Page 7 COUNTY/HEALTH NEWS/ADVERTISING

Part of the Vaccine “Wait and See” Crowd? This is for you By Kevin Seraaj

The U.S. government and the whole healthcare industry have a sketchy history of experimenting on people without their informed consent. Particularly black people. You see the news reports and you hear that infections are continuing to mount. And so, too are the deaths. You’re curious about the vaccine, and you think you might need to be safe rather than sorry, but you have chosen to instead adopt the “wait and see” approach. You think that maybe if you just hold out a little longer, and “wait on it,” you’ll either hear something that will change your mind– or you’ll breeze through this whole pandemic thing without

anything ever happening to you. After all, 98% of the people who get infected fully recover. Most people in the “wait and see” crowd prefer to wait because they are suspicious of the vaccine. The U.S. government and the whole healthcare industry have a sketchy history of experimenting on people without their informed consent. Particularly black people. So this skepticism is well deserved. In 1932, the Public Health

Ruben Studdard’s 130-lb Transformation: “Nobody can Shake My Opinion of Myself” National /Health News

After leaving The Biggest Loser ranch, American Idol veteran Ruben Studdard didn’t leave his hard work behind. He still has his eye on an at-home weight loss win, as well as a far more important prize: his health. When Studdard started the show, he weighed 462. He dropped 39 pounds on the ranch, and afterward lost 104lbs, but in an recent interview, he revealed that he’s now lost a total of 129 pounds. Studdard admitted that his four weeks on the ranch was the hardest part. “It was 10 times harder than I expected,” Ruben shared. “You know, it wasn’t the working out that was the hard part. It was all the other stuff that goes along with being on the ranch — not being able to talk to your family and that stuff. It’s very mentally challenging. Hopefully I can continue to keep that downward trend going.” And keeping up with the trend of losing weight he has. Now, it hasn’t been without its challenges of gaining weight then losing it again. But all in all Ruben is healthier than ever. This isn’t the first time the American Idol champ has shed a significant amount of weight. A decade ago, he adopted a vegan diet and lost 100 pounds, but wasn’t able to keep it off. This time, he feels things are different –

because he’s different. Studdard’s weight-loss and lifestyle changes have been crucial in managing his health – which is more important than ever before, given his recent diabetes diagnosis. “The only cure for that is diet and exercise,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been doing. The last time I lost weight, I was still young — I was 25,” Studdard explained. “And it really wasn’t as much for me as it was to prove people wrong. This is a lot different. I have a completely different set of circumstances now that affect the way I approach it for my life. So I have to take it a little bit more seriously — not a little bit, a lot more serious.” “My trainer Dolvett is amazing. The good thing about him is that he isn’t one of those people who does a job and walks away from it. He and I developed a friendship that I didn’t expect. … A lot of times people say, ‘Oh, we’ll keep up,’ but they don’t mean it. Dolvett has most definitely been true to form, guiding me through my process for the whole entire time the show went on. And it paid off.” Another positive is that he has a lot of support now. In addition to his friends from The Biggest Loser ranch, Studdard’s family has joined him in his weight-loss efforts. continued in next 2 columns

Service, working with the Tuskegee Institute, began t he i n fa mou s Tu skegee Syphilis Study— probably the most egregious example of the “physician do no harm” conundrum. Blacks were not told the problem was a general disease and were not given penicillin once it was developed as a treatment in the 1930s. Instead, doctors watched the disease progress and ravage their patients bodies for a period of 40 years.

Other examples exist, but this one cannot be disputed. Small wonder, then, that black people in particular, prefer to “wait and see.” And it might seem at first glance like a safe position to take, but the anecdotal evidence is clear: there are documented disproportionate rates of COVID-19 illness and death in black communities all across America. You can find them in the nearly 600,000 people who didn’t recover from their infections. “Wait and see” might be a better strategy if it were not for the healthcare inequities we face. C l e a r l y, t h e Tr u m p administration– with its constant dismissal of the virus as a hoax and a non-issue– did nothing to make healthcare equity in this pandemic was a priority. President Biden has taken a vastly different approach. But don’t take my word for it. Facebook.com/BlackDoctors. o r g a nd Yout u b e.c om / BlackDoctors.org. 7PM tonight. The post Part of the Vaccine “Wait and See” Crowd? This is for you. appeared first on The Orlando Advocate.

Ruben Studdard’s 130-lb Transformation: “Nobody can Shake My Opinion of Myself”...continued As Studdard continued along his at-home competition journey, he considered himself a winner where it counts. “I’m not disappointed, because I went into the house with one goal — to change the way I thought about healthy living, and I did that.” “Being on the “Biggest Loser” was definitely a time and place for a lot of self-reflection. To think about your accomplishments,

mistakes, all the things that have made you who you are; about being on a reality show to get your life together. Starting out, I was this wide-eyed, immature 23-year-old with a slight direction as to where I wanted to go.” At the end of the day, Ruben is still Ruben. “I just never let anything bother me, man. I know myself really well. Nobody’s opinion of me can shake my opinion of myself.”

Regional Centers Serving Californians with Developmental Disabilities Need Increased Funding to Hire Additional Staff to Ensure Delivery of Core Services ...continued from page 6 this work continues throughout childhood and into adulthood with an array of assessments, referrals, lifelong individual planning and case management, advocacy, vocational support, and much more. Regional centers strive to keep individuals with their families, but they also help with planning placement and monitoring for out-of-home care. Much of this work is accomplished by ser vice coordinators who manage staggering caseloads, working with families and individuals to provide the support and quality services that enable them to live fully integrated lives. These crucial staff provide a wide range of support that helps those served by the centers to overcome a variety of unique challenges. There is a crisis, however, because there are simply not enough service coordinators to sufficiently meet the growing demands regional centers face. “The State’s budget outlook for the coming fiscal year is vastly improved from where we stood in 2020 and it’s time to make new investments that help California’s most vulnerable, including people with developmental disabilities. The regional centers rely on significant State funding to connect the people we serve

with the comprehensive range of services they require to live full and integrated lives,” said Amy Westling, Executive Director, Association of Regional Center Agencies. “Our budget ask would allow short-staffed regional centers to hire more service coordinators who serve as the backbone of the important work we do.” Because regional centers lack adequate State funding, service coordinator salaries are startlingly low and unrealistic. Regional centers are budgeted salaries for service coordinators at just over $34,000 annually - only 52 percent of the actual cost of these core staff. The funding formula is extremely outdated and based on a 20-year-old adjustment. ARCA’s budget ask of an additional $60 million allocation would fill the gap and enable regional centers to hire the additional staff needed. This State funding ask also has broader implications for regional centers because of the interconnectedness of federal funds. Insufficient State funding impacts regional centers’ ability to receive federal dollars, which today provide over 40 percent of an average year’s funding for the $10 billion system. For more i nfor mat ion about ARCA and the regional centers, visit arcanet.org.

$15 million in new taxpayer dollars to improve public safety at stake in the City of Victorville as one city councilmember is removed and another is facing criminal allegations Gail Fry Contributor

City Councilmember Rita Ramirez

Councilmember Blanca Gomez (Gomez), Documents published on the City of Victorville’s website reviewed by The San Bernardino American News, report the voters’ approval of the city’s Measure P during the November 3, 2020, election will take effect on April 1, and is anticipated to add $15 million annually to expand essential services and increase safety for Victorville’s growing population raised through a general one-cent increase in sales taxes collected on the sale or use of physical personal property sold at retail stores purchased within the City of Victorville. For instance, purchase of T-shirts, gas, soda, candy, all products sold at retail stores will be taxed an additional one cent and will be used to increase public safety. More information on this measure and its intent can be found at: https://www.victorvilleca. gov/government/measure-p1126#:~:text=Measure%20P%20

is%20a%20general,7.75%20 percent%20to%208.75%20 percent. Viewed as political maneuvers taken by the majority of the city council, on March 2, the Victorville City Council removed City Councilmember Rita Ramirez (Ramirez), a Democrat, after finding she had not resided within the City of Victorville for over six months and on August 17, 2020, the City of Victorville took action against Councilmember Blanca Gomez (Gomez), also a Democrat, reporting her for suspected fraud to the California Employment Development Department as to an unemployment claim. In reviewing California Attorney General Opinions and Laws regarding the eligibility of an individual to run for an elected position on a city council, it is the persons’ “domicile” that is required to be within the city’s jurisdiction that qualifies that person to hold an elected office for that city. California Elections Code Section 349(b) provides that a person can only have one domicile and it is the residence where they live, where they intend to remain, and if absent where they intend continued on page 8

FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Adolescents in Another Important Action in Fight Against Pandemic National/Health News Today, the FDA expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. The FDA amended the EUA originally issued on Dec. 11, 2020 for administration in individuals 16 years of age and older. “The FDA’s expansion of the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age is a significant step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “Today’s action allows for a younger population to be protected from COVID-19, bringing us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy and to ending the pandemic. Parents and guardians can rest assured that the agency undertook a rigorous and thorough review of all available data, as we have with all of our COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorizations.” From March 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021, approximately 1.5 million COVID-19 cases in individuals 11 to 17 years of

age have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children and adolescents generally have a milder COVID-19 disease course as compared to adults. The PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered as a series of two doses, three weeks apart, the same dosage and dosing regimen for 16 years of age and older. Additional Resources: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Let ter of Authorization Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering the Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers FDA Takes Key Action in Fight Against COVID-19 By Issuing Emergency Use Authorization for First COVID-19 Vaccine COVID-19 Vaccines Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Explained Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19: Guidance for Industry Development and Licensure of Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19: Guidance for Industry

May 13, 2021

Page 8 NATIONAL/POLITICAL NEWS

$15 million in new taxpayer dollars to improve public safety at stake in the City of Victorville as one city councilmember is removed and another is facing criminal allegations...continued from page 7 to return. California Elections Code Section 2021 provides if a person temporarily goes to another precinct in California, with the intention to return, he or she does not lose his or her domicile. California Elections Code Section 2031 provides that the claiming of a homeowner’s exemption on a property is not proof of a domicile if the person’s driver’s license reflects a different address. California Government Code Section 34882 requires a candidate to reside in and be registered to vote within the city’s jurisdiction. California Attorney General Opinion 88-791 cites a person’s address shown on their voter registration, address on their driver’s license, their mailing address, and utility bills can provide proof of domicile. Rita Ramirez, a diabetic, shared from early January 2019, and continuing today, she suffered a series of serious health issues, which lead to the amputation of her left foot, unhealed wounds on her right foot as well as a mild heart attack. Therefore, over the past two years, she has been in the hospital multiple times, stayed at physical rehabilitation centers for extended periods of time, and is now in a wheelchair. When the COVID pandemic was declared in March of 2020, Ramirez had just had her left leg amputated. At the advice of her doctors, in light of her surgery, healing of the open wound, and confinement to a wheelchair, Ramirez isolated herself in a house

she owns in 29-Palms, a house that also accommodated her use of a wheelchair. Ramirez explained the home was renting within the City of Victorville was shared by a roommate and would not accommodate her wheelchair. Ramirez told The San Bernardino American News that during March 2020, she contacted Mayor Gloria Garcia informing her that she was under doctor’s orders to stay isolated while rehabilitating and as a result would be remaining at her 29 Palms house. By July of 2020, Ramirez voiced left leg had healed. After that Ramirez explained she began to have similar problems with her right foot, and by December 2020, the doctors were considering whether to amputate her right foot also. Instead of amputation, Ramirez’ doctor was able to perform two surgeries saving her right foot, which is continuing to heal. Following the surgeries, Ramirez suffered a mild heart attack. Still in the hospital, on January 7, 2021, Ramirez contacted the city manager, the city clerk and texted the mayor to let them know that she was in the hospital and as a result unable to participate in the city council meetings. Ramirez explained that no one was allowed into the hospital, a requirement to set up the zoom meeting, and the hospital had poor internet reception. By February 2021, Ramirez was released from the hospital and returned to the 29 Palms house

to rehabilitate. Mid-February 2021, Ramirez informed the city manager of her weakened physical condition, and inability to participate in the city council meeting. The following meeting, Ramirez discovered her peers on the city council, Leslie Irving, Elizabeth Becerra, and Debra Jones, voted in favor of her removal from the city council based on her non-attendance at the meetings for 60-days. The majority of the council found her absence unexcused despite the fact that she was in the hospital. Ramirez explained how she officially rented a house in the City of Victorville as her legal domicile until the end of February 2021. Prior to her health problems, Ramirez advised she had made several offers to purchase a home in Victorville, however, due to her health status was unable to finalize the purchase of a home in City of Victorville. After her foot heals, Ramirez intends to move back to Victorville and run for re-election. Ramirez explained that she made promises to her constituents she intends to keep such as revitalizing the downtown, attracting jobs, establishing a university, and providing opportunities for the youth. “I lost my foot, but I did not lose my mind,” Ramirez declared adding “I am not willing to give up my life because I am now disabled.” On March 30, local businessman and Victor Valley Community College District

Trustee Joseph Brady (Brady), a Republican, published an opinion in the Daily Press urging the city to appoint former Planning Commissioner/former Mayor Ryan McEachron (McEachron), a Republican, to replace Ramirez. Brady cited the time wasted in holding a special election, while the City of Victorville has urgent issues to be addressed, the estimated cost to the taxpayers of a special election, which he estimates to be $850,000 and a four-member City Council that can lead to tie votes and inability to govern. On the city council for ten years, McEachron lost his long reign of power when Gomez defeated him in the November 2016 election. Since Gomez’ surprising defeat of McEachron, she has been the subject of a series of critical actions from her fellow city councilmembers, for instance, a censure in March 2017, for attending a Rialto City Council Meeting where sanctuary cities were discussed; a failed recall effort; a rebuke for her behavior at a council meeting; removal from a council meeting for reading a statement; as well as formal council disapproval over allegations she harassed city employees and violated city and state codes. On December 21, 2020, Gomez filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false arrest against the City of

Victorville, its city manager, several councilmembers, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and numerous other individuals. The lawsuit is pending. The latest of action taken by Victorville City Council directed toward Councilmember Gomez involves the appeal of Gomez’s award of benefits for 2020 as a “gig-worker” under California’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA). An official council memorandum dated August 5, 2020, claimed Gomez, “has never been an employee of the City of Victorville.” Gomez claims she is a “gig-worker” as she works multiple jobs and applied for benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), a program designed to assist those impacted by the pandemic that do not normally qualify for unemployment. Gomez told The San Bernardino American News that she based her claim on the income she lost from her other jobs due to the pandemic, and did not claim any lost income from her job as a city council member at the City of Victorville. A gig worker is an independent contractor or a person who is hired for contractual work that is usually for projects or for shorttime periods. In a decision mailed March 2, 2021, the Employment Development Department’s (EDD) Administrative Law Judge Stephen H. Tyler (Tyler)

explained “The issue in this case is whether remuneration payable to an individual constitutes wages for personal services payable to an employee.” Tyler pointed to California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1279(2)(c) which states, “For the purpose of this section “wages” includes any and all compensation for personal services whether performed as an employee or as an independent contractor (sic) but does not include any payments, regardless of their designation, made by a city of this state to an elected official thereof as an incident to public office …” “The claimant’s application indicated that she has ceased working, which is not the case,” Tyler found adding, “Benefits were received as a result of this misrepresentation.” Tyler noted no unemployment or disability taxes were withheld from her wages, therefore, Gomez is “ineligible for benefits.” Tyler concluded the City of Victorville could “consider investigating the claim (sic) as being fraudulent” reversing a prior EDD decision in Gomez’s favor noting Gomez’ earnings are not considered wages under the law because she is an elected official, thereby, Gomez was “disqualified for benefits.” According to documents obtained