Local

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Victor Valley Station recently welcomed new Phelan Posse members, Roger and Noanna Compton.

“We can already tell this husband-and-wife duo will be an asset to our team and we are excited to work with them,” said the department. “Welcome to the team!”

The Sixth Annual High Desert Pirate Renaissance Faire will take place this weekend at Hesperia Lake Park. Activities will include games, pirate battles, face painting and plenty of merry merchants selling their wares. The two-day festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. March 19, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 20. Hesperia Lake Park is located at 7500 Arrowhead Lake Rd., Hesperia. Single day tickets (ages 13-64) are $20, or $38 for the weekend. Seniors, military and first responders are $18 single day, or $32 for the weekend. Kids 12 and under are free with paying adult. Discounted tickets are available through the Faire’s website.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Steven Sims, right, from San Bernardino, California, both assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) air department, recover a simulated casualty during a mass casualty drill on the flight deck, March 4, 2022. Ford is in port at Naval Station Norfolk executing a tailored basic phase prior to the ship’s first operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Mattingly)

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— The 3-13-22 ETB Broadcast features two segments: An interview with Yung Muusik, produced by WSS News columnist, Lue Dowdy. The second segment features a conversation with Don Smith, a 25-year IE Housing advocate with the Rent Relief program ending on March 31st, evictions and foreclosures are eminent.

The Disneyland Resort celebrated soulfully during Black History Month this February. Guests in the Downtown Disney District discovered beautiful chalk art installations by Marcella “Marci” Swett, Disney Live Entertainment senior production artisan. Her art pieces honored African American heritage and history through dynamic visual storytelling.

“To be able to leave a mark by educating individuals on matters that they had no idea about, and to hear that they will share that knowledge with others is a wonderful experience,” Marci shares.

Elsewhere around the resort, guests experienced Celebrate Gospel in Disneyland park, a lively celebration of the rich legacy of gospel music, in addition to new menu items and jazz music featured at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. PULSE, the Business Employee Resource Group representing and advocating for the Black community, also brought more programming to cast members throughout the month and had a special meet-and-greet with Bruce W. Smith, Creator of “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” on Disney+.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently approved $2,500 to be disbursed to qualified businesses through the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant.

This grant is open to businesses and nonprofits with five or fewer full-time employees, gross revenues of less than $50,000 in the 2019 and 2020 tax years, and those who did not receive the California Relief Grant issued by Lendistry. Businesses must be located in San Bernardino County.

Applications will be open soon. For more information, please call 909-915-1706 or https://selectsbcounty.com/major-initiatives/microbusiness-covid-19-relief-grant.

Approximately 200 students from the High Desert, Needles, Trona and other regions are representing their high schools in the 8th Annual San Bernardino County Student Advisory Panel, which offers youth a chance to share their thoughts on community issues.

Each year, students share their thoughts on our Countywide Vision’s Community Vital Signs Transformation Plan. Topics include the economy, education, safety, and health/wellness. After the four weekly sessions, students offer their feedback and recommendations to elected officials and community leaders.

Four students from each high school in the county are invited to participate in the panel. For more information about the Student Advisory Panel, please call 909-386-2413.

VICTORVILLE, CA—- The High Desert has a Nothing Bundt Cakes location on Bear Valley Road in Victorville, and Policy Advisor Christopher Porter was there for the ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration. The bakery specializes in a wide variety of bundt cakes, including their signature bitesized Bundtinis. On behalf of the First District, we wish you all the best in your new business!

Desert/Mountain Children’s Center in Apple Valley is hosting “Parent-to-Parent Group Chats,” a FREE and interactive workshop for parents, caregiver and guardians to help build connections, create community, and learn new parenting tools. Topics include connecting with your child (infant to teen), self-care, establishing routines, and parenting tips. The next workshop will be held on March 16 and May 11. Register at https://sbcss.k12oms.org/52-203980.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— During this month’s First District Youth Advisory Council meeting, Superintendent Ted Alejandre gave students a brief overview of San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and some of the programs offered through the department.

Following the presentation, Superintendent Alejandre opened the floor for questions. Students shared several different concerns and offered suggestions for improvement.

Thank you to Superintendent Alejandre for the presentation. I’d also like to thank our Field Representative Samuel Shoup for his continuing hard work mentoring our students on the First District Youth Advisory Council.

For more information about the First District Youth Advisory Council, please contact Samuel Shoup at 760-995-8100