Local

SACRAMENTO, CA—- The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today announced special tax filing relief for Californians affected by recent wildfires. Because of the governor’s state of emergency declared on September 25 and September 28 and his recent executive order, taxpayers in governor-declared disaster areas are granted an extension to December 15, 2020, to file California tax returns on 2019 income and make any tax payments that would have been due between now and December 15.

“Californians affected by this historic wildfire season need the opportunity to focus on themselves, their families, and their properties,” said State Controller and FTB Chair Betty T. Yee. “I hope this extension provides a small measure of relief under very difficult circumstances.” 

With the addition of the California counties that received a disaster declaration in September, FTB now has extended the deadline for individuals and businesses to file and pay in the counties of Butte, Del Norte, Fresno, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Yolo. Any counties added later to the disaster area will be granted the same extension of time to file. This relief applies to various upcoming tax filing deadlines including the following: 

Individual filers whose previous tax-filing extension was set to end October 15. Because tax payments related to these returns were originally due on July 15, any payments associated with these filings are not eligible for relief. 

•  Business entities with a due date between now and December 15.

• Taxpayers who are victims of wildfires may claim a deduction for a disaster loss sustained in an area proclaimed by the governor to be in a state of emergency. For a complete list of all disasters declared by the governor, see the “List of Disasters” chart on FTB’s disaster loss webpage. Additional information and instructions are available in FTB Publication 1034, 2019 Disaster Loss: How to Claim a State Tax Deduction. 

Taxpayers may claim their disaster loss in one of two ways. They may claim the disaster loss for the 2020 tax year when they file their return next spring, or they may claim the loss against 2019 income on this year’s return. An amended return may be filed by those who already have filed this year. The advantage of claiming the disaster loss in the prior tax year is that the FTB can issue a refund sooner. 

Taxpayers claiming the disaster loss should write the name of the disaster (for example, Glass Fire) in blue or black ink at the top of their tax returns to alert FTB and to expedite any refund. If taxpayers are filing electronically, they should follow the software instructions to enter disaster information.

Disaster victims also may receive free copies of their state returns to replace those lost or damaged. Taxpayers may complete form FTB 3516 and write the name of the disaster in blue or black ink at the top of the request.

John Abad, former San Bernardino 7^th Ward City Council candidate endorsed Damon Alexander for San Bernardino City Council 7^th Ward. Mr. Abad pledged his support for Mr. Alexander in the general election, Tuesday November 3, 2020.

Candidate Alexander beat incumbent James Mulvihill by more than 150 votes for the lead in the top 2 spots in the primary, qualifying him for the general election.

Mr. Alexander believes “San Bernardino needs new leadership that will set the example, by rebuilding the City, restoring the trust and repairing the breach.”  

Damon has called the City of San Bernardino home for over 30 years. Candidate Alexander is married to his lovely wife Felicia Alexander. Together they have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Candidate Damon Alexander is a Marine veteran who served his Country proudly.

For more information about Damon Alexander, please visit his website at www.damonalexandercitycouncil.com.

PRESIDENT 

Joe Biden 

VICE PRESIDENT 

Kamala Harris 

US REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 8 

Christine Bubser 

US REPRESENTIVE DISTRICT 27 

Judy Chu 

US REPRESENTIVE DISTRICT 31 

Pete Aguilar 

US REPRESENTIVE DISTRICT 35 

Norma J. Torres 

US REPRESENTIVE DISTRICT 39 

Gil Cisneros 

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 21 

Kipp Mueller 

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 23 

Abigail Medina 

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 25 

Anthony J. Portantino 

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 29 

Josh Newman 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 33 

No Preference 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 36 

Steve Fox 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 40 

James Ramos 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 41 

Chris Holden 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 42 

Chad Mayes 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 47 

Eloise Gomez Reyes 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 52 

Freddie Rodriguez 

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 55 

Andrew E. Rodriguez 

COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION 

AREA C 

Laura Abernathy Mancha 

AREA E 

Alise Clouser 

CHINO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD 

Jody Moore 

FONTANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD 

Jason Barrett O’Brien 

RIALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD 

Stephanie Lewis 

SAN BERNARDINO CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD 

Dr. Margaret Hill 

Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers 

UPLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Sherman Garnett 

VICTOR VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD 

AREA 1 

Barbara Dew 

AREA 3 

Dr. Mina Blazy 

ADELANTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD 

AREA 1 

Christine Turner 

COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 

DISTRICT 5 

Joe Baca Jr. 

CITY OF ADELANTO CITY COUNCIL 

Jayshawn Johnson 

CITY OF BARSTOW 

MAYOR 

Paul Anthony Courtney 

CITY OF COLTON CITY COUNCIL 

DISTRICT 5 

John Eschevarria 

CITY OF FONTANA CITY COUNCIL 

DISTRICT 3 

Linda Richardson 

CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL 

Dr. Ken Stewart 

CITY OF MONTCLAIR CITY COUNCIL 

Tenice Johnson 

CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL 

DISTRICT 4 

Lynne B. Kennedy 

CITY OF RIALTO 

MAYOR 

Deborah Robertson 

CITY CLERK 

Barbara McGee 

CITY COUNCIL 

Stacy Augustine 

CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO CITY COUNCIL 

WARD 5 (RUNOFF) 

Ben Reynoso 

WARD 7 (RUNOFF) 

Damon Alexander 

CITY OF VICTORVILLE CITY COUNCIL 

Terrance Stone 

SB VALLEY MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

DIVISION 2 

Jonathan Lee 

EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Joseph Mays 

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MEASURES 

MEASURE J – CHARTER REVISION 

YES 

MEASURE K – SUPERVISOR COMPENSATION REDUCTION AND TERM LIMITS INITIATIVE 

NO 

CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO 

MEASURE S (EXTENSION TO MEASURE Z PASSED IN 2006 

NO 

*** This slate addresses our picks for the County of San Bernardino 

Local City Measure
NO on Measure S in San Bernardino, would not raise taxes so the Mayor can pay for sexual harassment lawsuits and give tax dollars to employees who work for the city but do not live in the city. Currently, only 10% of the employees working for the city are Black and only 5% are working in the police department. Only 8% of the sworn police officers live in the city and the city has never hired a Black as chief of police in 115 years. Blacks makeup 13.8% of the city population and pay taxes.

PROPOSITIONS
NO on Prop 14 taxpayers will be on the hook for $5.5 billion in bonds aimed at reviving the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), a program created in 2004 to boost stem cell research.

NO on Prop 15 would leave California’s Prop13 tax rules intact which is a benefit to older Black homeowners.

YES on Prop 16 would be a giant step to help undo the results of long-standing institutionalized race and gender discrimination that have been key to economic and social inequality. This would put California back in step with Federal Laws governing Equal Opportunity in Employment and Access into Educational Institution of Higher Learning.

YES on Prop 17 would make it legal for people to vote while on parole for a felony conviction.

YES on Prop 18 would make it legal for people who will turn 18 in time for the general election to vote, even while still 17, in that year’s primary.

NO on Prop 19 currently, a parent or grandparent can bestow their low tax rate while passing on a rental home or vacation property. That feature would be eliminated under Prop. 19.

NO on Prop 20 is being bankrolled by the state’s prison guards union and they are trying to keep the prisons full to protect their jobs. Plus it will be unjust to Blacks and Hispanic people by adding stiffer penalties for those who violate the terms of their parole three times and require DNA samples be taken from people convicted of misdemeanors.

NO on Prop 21 some say it could make a dent in homelessness a problem that is a crisis in our community. However, rent control does not work, as some have found out.

YES on Prop 22 is about Independent thinking people who use their cars and cell phones to work when they want to depending on their personal life situation. A yes vote also will provide new benefits such as healthcare and minimum wages. Plus we have a lot of Black people who love working for themselves.

NO on Prop 23 would mean at least one physician would have to be on-site at an operating dialysis clinic and add more expense to those who need the service.

NO on Prop 24 would expand and add to California’s two-year-old law on consumer data privacy and create another layer to an already confusing system.

NO on Prop 25 is a risk assessment system that would replace cash bail and is biased because it uses a computer program that is inflexible to human special needs in this special time of need. Plus it will put Black-owned Bail Bond people out of business.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA— With the support and recognition of, Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Inc., California Senator Connie Leyva and Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes recently approved the Resolutions SCR-97 and ACH-94 declaring October 3 as Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Day in the State of California. The day encourages all Californians to learn about this rare and aggressive type of breast cancer and to support all people who are impacted.

Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Inc. is an organization educating and advocating on behalf of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), Triple negative (IBC) and Metastatic patients. It was founded in 2011 by IBC fighter Joshlyn Earls.

The impact of the Resolutions passing is monumental for this quick spreading disease, which affects both women and men. It is often diagnosed in women of younger ages and is often dismissed by doctors because they are too young to have breast cancer, not IBC.

As of October 2020, Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Inc., remains the only 501C3 in the state educating, advocating, and promoting on behalf of this lethal form of sub-breast cancer.

This fast growing, incredibly aggressive breast cancer gives the breast a swollen, inflamed appearance, (hence the name inflammatory) and appears as an infection. If you are diagnosed with it, you’re automatically at stage 3b or higher. This breast cancer, unlike other breast cancers, does not feel like a lump. It is hard to detect on mammograms, so many doctors don’t catch it until it’s too late.

According to Dr. Massiom Cristofanilli of Northwestern University, there are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 new cases of IBC diagnosed annually. This is the very reason why Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Inc., has chosen to be a symbol of strength for not only Black women and men in the Inland Empire, but for everyone fighting this deadly disease that often leads to a lonely journey while undergoing treatment.

Aside from Fighting 4 the Tatas essential services to patients, its advocacy and fundraising, the Black-led organization is monumental not only to the greater community, but to Black women and women of color as a whole; especially due to the implicit bias’ Blacks face in healthcare.

“As a Black woman undergoing treatment for IBC, it was a little degrading due to the lack of information and lack of my Doctors willingness to answer my questions,” Earls said.

She continues, “My experience consisted of not being given the same healthcare opportunities of my white counterparts. When it came to certain tests that my counterparts received, such as the MUGA Test (multi-gated blood-pool imaging), it was not given to me, but was given to them! I found out after my chemo.”

Earls found out from an associate that she should have been provided the MUGA test, which is given to determine whether or not a patient’s body can tolerate the chemo. After the fact, when she went to the doctors, she asked, “Well, do you want a MUGA test?” Joshlyn agreed and found out that she had an enlarged heart. Luckily, she lived.

Although COVID-19 has presented unprecedented times, Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer, Inc. remains resilient ahead of its Bling for the Tatas fundraising event on its Facebook Live which will be on Saturday, October 3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can follow them on Facebook here.

During the event, community members can assist the organization in raising funds to continue offering IBC, TTN and Metastatic patients counseling services, advocacy on behalf of the patients, educational classes, health and beauty items, emergency utility funding and more.

“When I was diagnosed in 2011 with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, I was given two and a half years to live…it’s such a lonely journey because no one understands,” Earl explains.

She continues, “I remember at one point placing an ad in a number of newspapers just to connect to another person who has undergone treatment for IBC. It’s so important for our organization to raise funds for this disease because our support services provide a space for patients to connect, understand, and receive accurate information regarding this deadly disease.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.fighting4thetatas.org.

---

About Fighting 4 the Tatas, INC.

Fighting 4 The Tatas is a grassroots, nonprofit 501C3 organization. The organization consists of cancer survivors, family members and supporters; it understands and address the difficulties that newly diagnosed patients encounter as they struggle with their treatment. Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Inc., was founded in 2011 during the personal journey of founder Joshlyn Earls. Her journey began with a visit to a chiropractor as a new patient. A digital scan was performed where its image caused concern to the chiropractor. He called Earls to inform her that she needed to see an internist immediately. After two different mammograms, ultrasound, and a needle biopsy, she was diagnosed with High Grade Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (Clinical diagnosis inflammatory breast cancer).

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized 36 California schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue-Ribbon School awardees,” said Secretary DeVos. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

The coveted National Blue-Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years. 

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores, and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13. While we regret not having the opportunity to celebrate in person, given the current situation regarding COVID-19, we will celebrate the 317 public and 50 non-public school honorees in the ways that we are able, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.

Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

The following California schools were recognized:

City, School Name, District San Diego, Adobe Bluffs Elementary School, Poway Unified School District
Los Angeles, Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School, Alliance for College Ready Public School District
Alameda, Amelia Earhart School, Alameda Unified School District
Alta Loma, Carleton P. Lightfoot Elementary School, Etiwanda School District
Long Beach, Charles Kettering Elementary School, Long Beach Unified School District
Rancho Cucamonga, Coyote Canyon Elementary School, Central Elementary School District
Fountain Valley, Ethan B. Allen Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District
Belmont, Fox Elementary School, Belmont-Redwood Shores School District
Danville, Green Valley Elementary School, San Ramon Valley U.S.D.
San Ramon, Hidden Hills Elementary School, San Ramon Valley U.S.D.
Bermuda Dunes, James Monroe Elementary School, Desert Sands Unified School District
San Marino, K. L. Carver Elementary School, San Marino Unified School District
Fullerton, Laguna Road Elementary School, Fullerton Elementary School District
Hesperia, LaVerne Elementary Prep. Academy, LaVerne Elementary Prep. Academy
South Pasadena, Marengo Elementary School, South Pasadena Unified School District
Costa Mesa, Mariners Christian School, Santa Ana Unified School District
Thousand Oaks, Meadows Arts & Technology Ele. Sch., Ventura County Office of Education
Santa Barbara, Montecito Union Elementary School, Montecito Union Elementary S.D.
San Diego, Monterey Ridge Elementary School, Poway Unified School District
Monterey Park, Monterey Vista Elementary School, Garvey Elementary School District
La Crescenta, Mountain Avenue Elementary School, Glendale Unified School District
San Diego, Park Village Elementary School, Poway Unified School District
Temecula, Pauba Valley Elementary School, Temecula Valley U.S.D.
Sacramento, Phoebe A. Hearst Elementary School, Sacramento City U.S.D.
Tustin, Red Hill Lutheran School, Pacific Southwest District – LCMS
Rancho Cordova, Riverview STEM Elementary School, Folsom-Cordova U.S.D.
Felton, San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School, San Lorenzo Valley U.S.D.
San Diego, Silver Gate Elementary School, San Diego Unified School District
Solana Beach, Solana Vista Elementary School, Solana Beach School District
Long Beach, Tincher Preparatory School, Long Beach Unified School District
Irvine, Vista Verde Elementary School, Irvine Unified School District
Downey, Ward (E. W.) Elementary School, Downey Unified School District
Thousand Oaks, Weathersfield Elementary School, Conejo Valley Unified School District
Inglewood, Wilder’s Prep. Academy Charter Middle, Inglewood Unified School District
Los Gatos, Yavneh Day School, Los Gatos School District
San Francisco, Yick Wo Elementary School, San Francisco Unified School District

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Starting in the month of October, First 5 San Bernardino will hold its annual literacy campaign tour bringing awareness to the importance of reading with and to your child. Every year, these events are held for preschoolers throughout the County of San Bernardino. In partnership with CHAN Community Health Action Network, CCRC Child Care Resource Center, El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, LISTOS California For All, San Bernardino County Library, and Victory Outreach Church, First 5 San Bernardino will conduct four literacy drive-thru events taking place in the cities of Barstow, Fontana, San Bernardino, and Victorville.  Due to the pandemic, First 5 San Bernardino redesigned the format of events for safety.

Preschoolers will receive a bag containing three different book titles, and a healthy snack, along with other resources. One of the goals of First 5 San Bernardino is to help build home-based libraries and to ensure that all children have library books available to them.

The events are free and open to the public but registration is strongly suggested as only 500 bags will be handed out at each site. For more information please visit the First 5 San Bernardino website at www,first5sanbernardino.org or call 909.386.7706.

5 FIRST 5 TIPS on building home-based libraries:

• 1.    Choose the right spot. Create a special space where books are kept and read. Make sure the lighting is good and seating is comfortable.
• 2.    Put books within reach. Use low, sturdy shelves so your child can safely select the books on her own.
• 3.    Be Thrifty – look for deals. Books can be expensive. Checkout your local library as they may have a free book day.
• 4.   Let them guide you! Pay attention to what types of books your child is interested in. Take turns on selecting.
• 5.    Collect! Stack up on books from your local yard sales, dollar store, book swapping with others, or asking for books as an alternative gift idea.

Michael Lorenz, a 22-year veteran of the Ontario Police Department who moved up the ranks from patrol officer to deputy chief, has been unanimously confirmed as the City’s new police chief, effective immediately.

Chief Lorenz, who joined the department in 1998 after graduating from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department academy, has worked a variety of assignments during his tenure, including narcotics, gang violence suppression, field training and SWAT.

His promotion was ratified Tuesday night by the City Council.

“With his experience, leadership skills and knowledge of our community, Mike Lorenz is an ideal choice to lead our Police Department into the future. We are fortunate, once again, to be able to promote from within our organization and maintain the consistency that has made OPD a model for local law enforcement,” said Mayor Paul Leon.

Lorenz replaces Derek Williams, who had previously announced his retirement as police chief after 29 years with the department. Like Lorenz, Williams had served as deputy chief before his appointment to the position of Chief in 2018.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Ontario family—we truly achieved excellence through teamwork. I have no doubt that Chief Lorenz will carry on, and even improve, the high standards of service at the Ontario Police Department,” said retiring Chief Derek Williams.

“I appreciate Chief Williams’ years of service to our city and look forward to working with Chief Lorenz in continuing OPD’s long legacy of exceptional policing and service to the community,” said Ontario City Manager Scott Ochoa.

Lorenz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from California Coast University. Prior to attending the police academy, he served four years in the United States Air Force.

At OPD, he has held leadership positions in patrol operations, East Area command, SWAT/crisis negotiations, COPS/MET, and the gang suppression and K9 units. He also served as captain in the field operations unit.

“Throughout my career, I’ve benefitted from the extraordinary examples set by my predecessors, and it’s an honor to be able to build on the great work they’ve done on behalf of the City, our residents and businesses,” Lorenz said.

Sacramento-The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) is dismayed by the decision of the Kentucky grand jury’s decision to limit indictments in the Breonna Taylor case to former officer Brett Hankison on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.  Two other officers involved in Taylor’s death escaped prosecution. As Hankinson’s charges stem from his firing into neighboring apartments, this indictment neither acknowledges nor vindicates Breonna Taylor’s death and reflects a legal system that shields officers from real accountability.

The CLBC stands with the family of Breonna Taylor and our brothers and sisters who are in pain now. We encourage transforming our anger and pain into electoral energy and intentional activism for genuine reform. Breonna’s sister, Juniyah Palmer, called on us to “Speak. Protest. But do not resort to violence. We demand change. We demand reform. But we do not need for our community to get hurt, we need for our community to get justice.”

The CLBC will continue its own work on police reform.  We had some success in recent years, but there is still work to do and it will not be easy. Let’s resolve together to make California safer for everyone.

POMONA, CA— Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today released a Congressional report prepared by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties outlining key ways a full Census count is vital for Inland Empire residents.

Data collected by the Census is used to determine how much funding the district receives for critical services like education, medical care, foster care, roads, public transit, and job programs.  Census data also helps local governments enhance public safety and prepare for emergencies.

Inland Empire households can fill out their Census forms right now—in the comfort of their own homes—by going online at https://2020census.gov/, calling 844-330-2020, or filling out the forms they received in the mail.  The 2020 Census has only 12 questions and does not ask about citizenship.

“This new report makes one thing clear – Inland Empire residents benefit tremendously from a full census count, and it’s entirely within our power to do so,” Rep. Torres said. “Even a 1 percent undercount will mean we lose nearly $500,000 in federal school funding for low income students, and nearly $200,000 in federal funding for job training and career counseling. As we face a public health crisis and global economic downturn, it is crucial for our community to secure the funding we are entitled to for critical services like education, medical care, and job programs.  These dollars maintain our quality of life in the Inland Empire, so do your part – make sure you’re counted!”

Click here to read the full report.