Local

On November 19, the Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Sharon Wang, DO, MSHPE, FIDSA as the new county health officer, effective Nov. 21. Dr. Wang brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this vital role, where she will oversee public health initiatives and lead the county’s efforts in promoting health and wellness for all residents. Dr. Wang is the first woman to serve as the county’s health officer.

Dr. Wang graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed her training in Dietetics at Yale New Haven Hospital. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, where she graduated fifth in her class, while simultaneously completing her master’s degree in health education. Following her medical training, Dr. Wang completed an internal medicine residency and an infectious diseases fellowship at the University of California, Davis. She is dually board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

“Public health is a collaborative effort, and I look forward to working with our dedicated team and community partners to address the challenges we face and implement innovative solutions that enhance the well-being of our population,” Dr. Wang said.

Before her appointment as health officer, Dr. Wang served as the deputy county health officer, playing a pivotal role in guiding public health strategies and initiatives. Prior to that, she worked at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) where she became a highly respected specialist in infectious diseases, playing a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the antibiotic registry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Wang served as a key infectious diseases consultant for ARMC’s response and treatment program. She is known for her passion for teaching, leadership, teamwork and warm personality, having been recognized as the 2020 Physician of the Year at ARMC.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Wang join our team as health officer,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “Her extensive background in public health and infectious diseases will be invaluable as we continue to address the health needs of our community.”

Dr. Wang is eager to engage with the community and prioritize public health initiatives that will improve the health and well-being of San Bernardino County residents.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino City Unified School District’s (SBCUSD) Cajon High School held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 6, 2024, for its new Dental Pathway, which will provide students with a path towards both college and a career.

SBCUSD’s career pathways provide participating students with strong, high-quality academic instruction that is aligned with a particular career focus and includes the possibility of students earning both a high school diploma and industry certification. Pathways link academic instruction to real-world career skills so students can see the purpose behind their classwork and graduate both college and career ready.

The Cajon High School Dental Pathway, established through a generous grant, provides students with hands-on experience in dental care, preparing them for careers in the dental field.

“As a former Cajon student myself, it’s particularly exciting to witness the incredible growth and transformation in career and technical education over my 28 years in education,” said Cajon High Principal Dr. Christopher Jackson. “It’s inspiring to see how our school has evolved to offer pathways that prepare students for real-world success and help them find fulfillment in their future careers.”

This program equips students with essential skills in dental assisting, dental hygiene, oral health and patient care, offering both classroom instruction and real-world practice. The grant has enabled the school to enhance its facilities, provide state-of-the-art equipment and offer students access to professional mentorship and career development opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Cajon offers nine other career pathways, including five pathways certified Silver by the Linked Learning Alliance.

Cajon’s Silver-Certified Pathways include:

• Automotive Technologies
• Behavioral Health & Human Services
• IB Film Theory and Production
• Sports Medicine
• Theater Arts

For more information about Cajon High School, visit https://cajon.sbcusd.com/.

About San Bernardino City Unified School District:

The San Bernardino City Unified School District is California’s eighth-largest school district and is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for college, career and life. With a focus on equity, excellence and empowerment, the District serves a diverse student population in the San Bernardino and Highland communities. For more information about SBCUSD, visit www.sbcusd.com and follow the District @SBCityUSD on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY— San Bernardino County is putting out a call for volunteers to help with the official count of unsheltered individuals on January 23 to collect data that will be used to determine how federal resources will be allocated. As an added enhancement, a special focus for volunteers will be to offer supportive services to the unhoused community in real-time alongside multi-disciplinary county teams.

The annual Point-In-Time Count (PITC) provides a snapshot of the county’s homeless population, which enables officials to track progress toward reducing homelessness and ensure resources are being directed where they are most needed. The annual count is crucial for securing grant funding to assist individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The PITC also serves as an opportunity to mobilize county departments and partners to serve the most vulnerable populations in real-time.

“The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) is proud to team up with the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership (SBCHP) and our dedicated volunteers to collect critical data that will support efforts to address homelessness,” said OHS Chief Marcus Dillard. “We are deeply committed to ensuring that our homeless population has access to safe and stable housing. We also plan to provide supportive services to those we encounter during the PITC, just as we did last year.”

Using a web-based app, county employees, community groups, homeless service providers, stakeholders and volunteers will canvass cities, towns and unincorporated communities to count, survey and assist individuals whose primary nighttime residence is in a vehicle, park, abandoned building, transit center, riverbed or other unsheltered location. The information collected from the survey will be shared with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Individuals and organizations are highly encouraged to participate in the count. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have an Android or iOS smartphone to conduct the survey. Participants will be organized into groups and assigned to specific areas of the county. Walking will be involved, and personal transportation is required. Training will be available in person and virtually to ensure everyone is prepared.

“The success of the annual count largely depends on city and community partnerships,” said Dillard. “I strongly urge the community to volunteer and help us make a meaningful impact in addressing homelessness.”

To register as a volunteer, please visit https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov/community-projects/point-in-time-count. For any questions regarding the PITC, please call 909-501-0617 or email Claudia Doyle at claudia.doyle@hss.sbcounty.gov.

OHS’s primary focus is to work with community and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, the private sector and all levels of government to create a comprehensive countywide network of service delivery to the homeless in San Bernardino County. OHS also supports the county’s Continuum of Care and Interagency Council on Homelessness. For more information about OHS and how it supports the county’s Homeless Strategic Action Plan, please visit https://homelesstohome.sbcounty.gov/.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber hosted a webinar on Nov. 14 to update Californians on the ballot counting process for the 2024 General Election.

California is home to the largest voting base in the nation with 22.5 million registered voters. According to the Secretary of State Office (SOS), about 70% of the state’s voters participated in the November Election. So far, 15.2 million votes have been counted, processed and verified. There are still roughly 0.8 million votes to go through the process.

Because California allows voters more time and opportunities to vote than most states, it typically takes longer to finalize the results.

Historically, it has taken the state the longest to finalize election results. Almost half of the uncalled house races this year come from California. As of Nov 14, the closest race is in the 45th Congressional District House race between Michelle Steel and Derek Tran. The two candidates are only separated by 58 votes with 93% of all votes counted.

“California basically makes sure that every vote counts,” said Weber. “We will receive our first actual count from all of the 58 counties on Dec. 6. After that, we have at least one week, which is until Dec. 13, when we will actually certify the state results. Then that becomes the official results for the election.”

If a recount is triggered in the 45th district, official results may take longer than the expected deadline.

The part of the ballot counting process that tends to prolong the official results involves verifying signatures and making sure individuals who obtained provisional ballots the day of the election are all eligible to vote, Weber said.

The SOS goes as far as finding individuals who neglected to sign their ballots so they can complete the process.

“The reason we do this is we respect every vote that comes in. California’s election process is designed with a core commitment to recognizing and basically accurately counting each and every eligible vote that comes into our office,” added Weber.  “This approach involves a series of rigorous checks and safeguards, including Signature verification machine audits and manual accounts. These measures assure that all votes — whether they are cast in person, cast by mail, or brought the same day registration — are accurately represented in our final count.”

While technology has helped expedite the counting process in some areas, as the voter base continues to grow in the state, additional manual support is needed. For example, vote my mail ballots have to be opened and counted by hand. By Oct. 18, 1.5 million vote-by-mail ballots were already submitted.

Voting over the internet is prohibited by California Law. This eliminates all possibilities of cyber tampering or electronic voter fraud.

The SOS office also does a hand count of one percent of all ballots before Dec. 13.  This is done to verify the fact there is a correlation between the hand counts and what the machines are counting. In addition, each machine is also tested before every election.

“Some people ask the question: ‘Why do we have to be so accurate?’ Lots of people are counting on your vote, and if we had some questions about it; you’d want us to be accurate you’d want us to basically go in and find out if that’s really a signature you want us to make sure that that is our ballot and that our ballot gets counted and we do our best to make sure that every Californian who is registered legally registered to vote will have their vote counted,” Weber emphasized.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Monday, October 7, leaders of San Bernardino Youth Baseball (SBYB) visited Guadalupe Field at Sal Saavedra Park on the City’s westside to see the demolition underway as part of a $1.8 million renovation of the baseball field.

SBYB League President Brandon Ponce and Vice President Albert Castillo were joined by City of San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, Council members Fred Shorett, Damon Alexander, and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., walking the semi- demolished field and imagining what the field will look like in just a few months.

“I am thrilled to witness the transformation of Guadalupe Field and Sal Saavedra Park,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. “This project is about more than just infrastructure; it’s about building a stronger community.”

The project at the 2.25-acre park will replace the baseball field, renovate the existing snack bar and press box, upgrade the lighting, replace fencing, install new bleachers, build a new scoreboard, and install new park amenities.

“Growing up and playing here, I know how much this field means to this neighborhood. I want to recognize the efforts of Brandon Ponce, and the San Bernardino Pony League, their advocacy helped make this vision a reality. We are grateful to the City of San Bernardino, Mayor, City Council, and all the city staff who made this project happen.” said County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., who secured $995,000 in funds for the project.

Funding for the improvements came from both the San Bernardino City Council and County Board of Supervisors using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

By improving our parks, we create spaces for our children to play, learn, and grow,” added Tran.

“Thank you to Supervisor Baca and the San Bernardino Youth Baseball organization for their continued support of our youth and this important project.”

Construction is expected to be completed in late spring/early summer of 2025.

San Bernardino Youth Baseball (SBYB) and is affiliated with PONY baseball. It has been in existence since 1962 and holds games at Guadalupe Field.

Albunion “Al” Benny Jury, born August 22, 1941, in Waskom, Texas, was raised by his mother Gladys and stepfather Nathan Cook in San Bernardino, California. Known as “Butch” to family, Al excelled early in baseball, football, basketball, and track. He joined the 1953 Elks Yankees Little League champion team and was part of the first San Bernardino Gridiron Club team.

Al attended Burbank Elementary, Richardson Junior High, and Pacific High School, where he thrived in sports and academics. He became a four-sport athlete, won city championships in junior high basketball, was on the speech team, and served as President of the Black Student Union. After graduating in 1959, he attended San Bernardino Valley College.

At 16, Al began refereeing Little League games, guided by mentor Chuck Lewis. By 18, he was officiating college games and joined the PAC 8 conference before being hired by the NFL in 1978 as its youngest referee. Al officiated five Super Bowls, wore uniform number 106, and retired in 2004 after an injury, later serving as an NFL observer and earning the Art McNally Award in 2014.

In addition to his sports career, Al served seven years with the U.S. Postal Service and had a 28-year career as a California Highway Patrol accident investigator.

Al was most proud of his family with his wife of 63 years, Juanita. Together, they had three sons, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a great-great-granddaughter. Preceded in death by his parents and grandson Donnell Jr., Al leaves behind his wife, children, grandchildren, and a large extended family.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

On November 16, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), reported the first known case of clade 1 Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, in the United States.

However, the risk to the public remains low, according to the CDPH.

“This case was confirmed in an individual who recently traveled from Africa and is related to the ongoing outbreak of clade I mpox in Central and Eastern Africa,” reads a statement the CDPH released.

According to the DDPH, “The affected individual received health care in San Mateo County based on their travel history and symptoms. The individual is isolating at home and recovering.”

Public health workers are also conducting a contact tracing exercise and reaching out to people who have been in close proximity to the affected person.

“The mpox specimens from the traveler are being sent to the CDC for further laboratory testing,” the CDPH press release continues.

Californians can take a number of steps to prevent Mpox. Here’s more information:

Preventing Mpox Infection

It appears clade I mpox spreads in a similar manner as clade II mpox, through close (skin-skin), intimate and sexual contact. The identification of a potentially more severe mpox version in the United States is a good reminder for individuals who have certain risk factors to take preventive action, including:

• Getting vaccinated if you may be at risk for mpox. For the greatest protection, make sure you get both doses of the vaccine. Find mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS) near you.
• Taking precautions if you were exposed to mpox. Get the mpox vaccine before symptoms develop and consider avoiding intimate contact with others for 21 days. Watch yourself for symptoms and get tested if they develop.
• Preventing spread if you have been told you have mpox. Avoid contact with others until the rash is healed, clean and disinfect shared areas in the home, and notify people who may have been exposed.
• Talking to your sexual partner(s).
• Avoiding skin-to-skin contact with those who have a rash or sores that look like mpox.
• Not sharing items with someone who has mpox.
• Washing your hands often.
• Protecting yourself when caring for someone with mpox by using masks, gowns and gloves.

Visit the CDPH website to learn more about Mpox with Sexual Health Toolkits and a Campaign Materials Page.

Last week’s encampment cleanup will be followed by a two-week closure for additional cleaning, repairs, and maintenance.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — After weeks of outreach, the City of San Bernardino began a

two-day encampment cleanup of Perris Hill Park on Thursday, November 14. This marks the first encampment cleanup in the San Bernardino since a judge recently lifted an injunction preventing cleanups in the city.

“These past two days have been a big success, and I want to thank everyone involved,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. “We have compassionately cleared the Park and will be restoring it for use by our residents and families.”

At approximately 7:30 am on Thursday, San Bernardino staff began systematically reminding unhoused individuals that the 64.4-acre park on Highland Avenue was to be cleaned up for health and safety reasons and they would need to leave.

San Bernardino Housing Department staff, Public Works crews, Police officers, Animal Services staff, City homeless outreach workers, and park rangers, along with City trash hauler, Burrtec, worked with the campers to identify items that could be disposed, items that they would take with them, and items that the city would temporarily store for up to 90 days.

Representatives from the Salvation Army and the San Bernardino City Unified School District were also on hand to assist.

“This is a high priority. We wanted to make sure that our first cleanup went smoothly, and it did,” said Acting City Manager Rochelle Clayton. “The cleanup only took two days, but this operation has been underway for over a month.”

In the weeks leading up to the cleanup, the City, along with its partners from the County of San Bernardino and area non-profits, held multiple outreach events at the park to connect individuals with local service providers. City homeless outreach staff were at the park daily for more than a month.

Due to the advanced outreach, a reduction in the number of tents prior to the cleanup was noticeable. More than thirty individuals were placed in programs including family reunification, drug
rehabilitation, transitional and permanent housing, and room and board assistance.

Shuttles were on site to transport people to local hotels and shelters or to nearby pharmacies to fill prescriptions. Some park residents called friends and family to come and help them move. Additional accommodations were provided to disabled individuals in need of special assistance.

Since the court injunction was ordered in January preventing the City from conducting cleanups, the number of people camping in Perris Hill Park dramatically increased, causing health and safety concerns for both people living in and visiting the park.

As a result, the City has announced that much of Perris Hill Park will be closed for approximately two weeks, between Saturday, November 16 and Monday, December 1
for additional cleanup, landscaping, maintenance, and repairs. The Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, tennis courts, and Senior Center will remain open.

San Bernardino Public Works crews also posted new signage stating Perris Hill Park operating hours, parking rules, and the City’s camping ordinances. The City will be enforcing these restrictions at the park following the temporary closure.

Perris Hill Park is the largest park in the City of San Bernardino at 64.4 acres. Among its features are the Perris Hill Senior Center, Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, Fiscalini
Baseball Field, the 1,800 seat Roosevelt Bowl, the San Bernardino YMCA, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking trails, and playgrounds.

“I’d like our residents to know that this is just the first park cleanup we are doing,” added Tran. “More will be coming soon.”

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media

California voters have rejected Proposition 33, which aimed to expand rent control protections by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. With nearly 95% of precincts reporting, 61.6% of voters opposed the measure, while 38.4% supported it. The proposition would have allowed cities to extend rent control to properties not previously covered, such as newer homes and units with new tenants.

The initiative, backed by labor unions and tenant advocacy groups, sought to ease housing costs for groups like seniors, low-wage workers, and veterans. However, it faced strong opposition from landlords, real estate developers, and property owners, who argued that it would worsen California’s housing crisis by discouraging new construction and lowering property values.

This marks the third failure of a similar measure, following two unsuccessful attempts in 2018 and 2020. Proponents of Prop. 33 raised $50.1 million, while opponents outspent them with $124.6 million.

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media

In the wake of the general election and Donald Trump winning another term as president, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Tony Thurmond is on a mission to protect public education in California.

On Nov. 8, Thurmond, members of the California legislature, educators, union leaders, and other elected officials expressed their concerns at a news conference about the possibility of the Trump Administration dismantling the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

“To tear down and abolish an organization that provides protections for our students is a threat to the well-being of our students and our families and of Americans,” Thurmond said.

Thurmond said losing $8 billion dollars in federal funding is at stake. During his campaign, Trump didn’t hesitate to take barbs at the DOE.

Closing the doors of the DOE could affect a range of scholastic programs such as Special Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), free lunch, federal grants for college students and Title I, a program that provides support to educate disadvantaged families.

Sen. Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward) and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), the chair of the Assembly Education Committee, spoke at the news conference held in the boardroom of the California Department of Education building.

Muratsuchi said, “We need to get ready now for what is going to start on Jan. 20 (2025).”

“It is the job of every teacher, every school board member, every principal, every elected representative in the state of California who believes in public education,” he said. “It is time for us to stand up to protect all of these kids. When we are facing a bully who is targeting our most vulnerable students, we all need to stand up.”

Trump has said that he prefers the Choice School initiative, a policy that provides parents and students the choice to use public funds to attend a school other than their district or local public school.

Thurmond and supporters of the traditional public school system are asking President-elect Trump and the U.S. Congress to continue federal supporting the funding of the programs.

Thurmond said he has started reaching out to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and in the California legislature to get in front of Trumps policy plans.

“I’m prepared to sponsor legislation that would call on the California State Legislature and the Governor to backfill that funding to preserve and protect that funding for the students of California,” Thurmond said.