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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— CHINO, CA— A Chino Girl Scout who saved her friend from choking, a citizen who helped a deputy fight off an armed suspect in Loma Linda and a San Bernardino school principal who made sure the walk to school was safe for students were among 31 Safety Heroes honored today by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, the District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Department and County Fire.

“Safety Heroes are people who come along side law enforcement and emergency services to serve members of our community and help us keep our county safe,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “These selfless and courageous individuals volunteer to serve others on their own time. In doing this, they keep our county strong and ready to face whatever emergency may come our way. It is an honor to recognize them for their efforts.”   

Vision4Safety is a campaign of the Countywide Vision to bring people together to create safer neighborhoods, schools and workplaces in San Bernardino County. Last year, the Vision4Safety campaign asked the public to nominate Safety Heroes throughout the county who have made their communities safer by volunteering in emergency preparedness programs, leading neighborhood watch groups or stepping in to save a person’s life.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, Assistant Sheriff Lana Tomlin and Interim Fire Chief Don Trapp joined the Board of Supervisors in honoring the nominees who reside throughout the county from Barstow to Chino Hills. To read the nomination of each of the 31 Safety Heroes and their contributions to public safety and preparedness, click here.

For safety tips, information about after-school programs and links to safety programs offered by local sheriff, police and fire agencies, visit Vision4Safety.com.

The Countywide Vision was developed by the community in 2010-11 and adopted by the Board of Supervisors and the San Bernardino Council of Governments Board of Directors in June 2011 in order to create a roadmap for the future of San Bernardino County, which includes creating a safe community for all who live, work and play here. Vision4Safety is one of four public campaigns launched by the Countywide Vision Project which also includes Vision2Succeed, Vision2BActive and Vision2Read.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA—  Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital performed a robotic-assisted Nissen fundoplication surgery in July on a young patient, ridding him of lifelong painful reflux issues and further extending the hospital’s use of robotic surgery for children.

Edward P. Tagge, MD, pediatric surgeon at LLU Children’s Hospital and Victoria Pepper, MD, pediatric surgery fellow, performed the procedure.

Tagge said the robot surgical system allowed for a more precise, seamless surgery for the physician

and a better recovery for the patient.

“The robot provides improved dexterity, tremor filtration, greater degrees of freedom and improved optical magnification,” Tagge said. “Patients who undergo robotic-assisted procedures have more precise surgical procedures and potentially shorter hospital stays.”

The procedure involved wrapping the upper curve of the stomach around the esophagus.

The patient — 5-year-old Daniel Velasquez from Bloomington, California — was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux or GER a few months after his premature birth and soon developed severe gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. He went through hundreds of tests, medications, sleepless nights, food restrictions, allergies, near-constant burning throat pain and ear pressure discomfort. In his five years, he had never slept a full eight hours, regularly waking up from choking, coughing, snoring or pain.

Daniel’s mom, Natasha Velasquez, said her son had the life-changing operation within a week of having a consultation with Tagge. Her son is now pain-free.

“My son has been in and out of hospitals his entire life,” Velasquez said. “He’s had to suffer for five years, but now, in one short week, it’s all gone — his life is completely changed.”

LLU Children’s Hospital joins the ranks of the few pediatric hospitals offering fully-functional pediatric robotic surgery programs. Robotic-assisted surgeries performed at LLU Children’s Hospital have included cholecystectomy, complex inguinal hernia repair, urachal cyst excision, splenectomy, pancreatectomy and IBD bowel resection.

“We have now equipped our hospital to have another tool to serve our patients better,” Tagge said. “It won’t be used for every surgery, but now it’s an accessible tool to treat patients in the Inland Empire and beyond.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Inland Center, Macerich’s regional mall destination in the heart of Southern California’s fast-growing Inland Empire, today announced a series of important updates to benefit shoppers at the market-dominant property. 

A major component of the refresh is the complete update of the 53-year-old freeway pylon sign, located at the high-profile I-215 and Inland Center Drive exit. The new signage features modern graphics, new metal and stone veneer cladding, LED lighting throughout and the addition of individual sign panels promoting major anchors at the property. Updates at Inland Center, all expected to be complete in fall 2019, also include new comfortable furnishings in common areas, remodeled restrooms and more. 

“We’re very pleased that Macerich continues to invest in its Inland Center retail powerhouse property that means so much to our community,” said John Valdivia, Mayor of the City of San Bernardino. “The highly visible new outdoor signage, in particular, will showcase major destination and attractions at the property, which has been a vital part of our City for more than 50 years.” 

Newly elected City of San Bernardino Third Ward Councilman Juan Figueroa said “I fully support Inland Center’s efforts to enhance and update their presence, and appreciate the positive impacts it has had on the greater San Bernardino community for over five decades. As shopping centers evolve into their next iteration, and begin to introduce non-traditional offering and new experiences, we will continue to support our hometown retail destination. Specifically in the 3rd Ward, I’m encouraged and thankful of the mall’s investment in our community.” 

 Office of Mayor John Valdivia 

Arun Parmar, Inland Center’s Senior Manager, Property Management, added, “Inland Center is a vital part of life in San Bernardino and the surrounding communities and a top choice for successful retailers and brands. While the new outdoor signage certainly will appeal to shoppers, it also provides a tangible benefit to our retail and major partners that more than ever value prime placement and positioning at key properties, like Inland Center. Great experiences matter to shoppers and retailers today, which is why our refresh also includes welcoming new common area furnishings, remodeled restrooms and a variety of other amenity updates all of which will be complete in stages over the next three months. Construction on the I-215 freeway pylon sign is underway and is expected to be unveiled in August.” 

(SAN BERNARDINO, CA)— Assemblyman James Ramos delivers a $3 million check to Mayor John Valdivia and City Councilman Juan Figuroa of San Bernardino. The state of California issued the check as a result of Ramos’ advocacy! The money is earmarked for updating the City Plan for San Bernardino. Mayor Valdivia also presented The Assemblyman with a Resolution thanking him for his support. A series of community meetings will occur to facilitate creating the development document. Call the San Bernardino City Clerk for more information.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—- FONTANA, CA—- The Fontana Boxing Club will hold the Ring of Champs Boxing Show on August 10, 2019, at 1 p.m., in the Jessie Turner Center in Fontana, CA. This event is scheduled to hold 20 bouts of young amateur boxers and will showcase the work of the Fontana Boxing Club and the young boxers that are learning boxing skills, training in building self-confidence and self-discipline.

City Pride Magazine is partnering with the Fontana Boxing Club and Fighting 4 the Tatas to help promote the Ring of Champs Boxing Show. We are providing advertisement and media promotion and providing a special issue of City Pride Magazine that will be a souvenir program for the Ring of Champs Boxing show. This special edition will feature stories about the activities at the Fontana Boxing Club and the young people that they are helping to grow into champions. This edition will also feature Fighting 4 The Tatas Breast Cancer Awareness Organization and the work they are doing to alert the community of this dangerous health threat. We will also cover other important events and news in Fontana and the Inland Empire. 

We are offering business, community leaders and individuals an opportunity to join us and be a part of this great event. We are offering pages in the magazine/program where businesses can advertise and show their support for what these community organizations are doing. The advertisement will help support the activities of the Fontana Boxing Club and Fighting 4 The Tatas Breast Cancer Awareness Organization. 

Join us by getting a full-page ad for only $200 and ½ page ad for only $100. Cover page ads for front and back page is only $500. Please join us in our efforts to make this event successful and continue to provide these great services to our communities. Call City Pride Magazine at (424) 222-2296 or email citypridemag@gmail.com for more information on how you can participate. 

The Ring of Champs Boxing Show will be a great event for the entire community.. The cost is only $10 General, $20 Ringside and part of the proceeds will go toward Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Awareness. For more info on Fontana Boxing Club visit at 7893 Sierra Ave. Fontana CA or call (909) 997- 5724 or view www.fontanaboxing club.com

Aviation Electronics Mate 2nd Class Vinh Nguyen, from Orange County, Calif., right, and Aviation Electronics Mate 3rd Class Andrew Cancino, from San Bernardino, Calif., use a multimeter on an MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115). Rafael Peralta is conducting routine operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Isaacs/Released)

On Saturday, August 3, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation will be hosting its annual backpack giveaway

RIVERSIDE, CA—- (JULY 23, 2019) —- Summer is coming to an end! But before school officially starts, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation will be assisting parents with school supplies by handing out FREE backpacks at its 18^th Annual Backpack giveaway. The giveaway will be held at Castle Park located at 3500 Polk Street in Riverside from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Backpacks are given on a first come, first serve basis to K-12 aged students, so early arrival is highly suggested! This year foundation is partnering with City of Riverside, Riverside Unified School District, Cold Cutz Barbershop, Raceway Ford, Assemblymember Jose Medina, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, Castle Park, Riverside Police Department and Riverside Fire Department.

For more information or to be a sponsor or vendor, please email bhcriverside@hotmail.com.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA—-The public is invited to meet District Police officers and personnel during National Night Out at Davidson Elementary School on Tuesday, August 6, 5 to 8 p.m.

National Night Out is held each year by law enforcement organizations across the country so the public can interact with police officers in a friendly and positive way. The campaign was started in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, according to the association’s website.

“National Night Out is a great event for our District Police officers and the community. Most of the time, officers only get to interact with the public when something is wrong, like reporting a crime. This gives us all a chance to connect on a different level. The community can get to know us as people, not just cops, and officers are reminded that what we do helps the good, upstanding citizens in our community,” said Sgt. John Guttierez, an event organizer. “We hope to see many families and children come out to meet our dedicated officers and have fun.”

National Night Out is a free event held on the Davidson Elementary School playground, 2844 Davidson Avenue in San Bernardino. There will be food, beverages, and activities for children. For more information, please call (909) 388-6030 or follow District Police on social media @SBCUSDPOLICE.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Aaron Moore has joined Omnitrans as Director of the Special Transportations Services department. He succeeds current Director, Douglas Stanley, who will retire in August after a 30-year career at the transit agency.

For the past seven years, Moore served as the Mobility Manager and Consolidated Transportation Service Agency Director at Victor Valley Transit Authority in Hesperia, California.

“We are fortunate to have Aaron on board.  He brings tremendous experience in developing and managing successful special transportation programs in the region,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager P. Scott Graham.

At Omnitrans, Moore will lead a department of 14 employees. Special Transportation Services (STS) oversees contracts to deliver Access and OmniGo services and manages special programs for seniors and persons with disabilities such as travel training, volunteer driver reimbursement program, taxi/LYFT subsidy program, and paratransit eligibility certification. STS also develops partnerships with local governments, social services agencies, and private non-profits to provide funding assistance for programs that transport seniors and individuals with disabilities in the Omnitrans service area .

“My favorite part of the work I do in public transit is helping people and seeing the positive effects of the programs which I help to create and operate are having on improving the quality of life for people,” said Moore. “Though many served by our programs are from the vulnerable demographics, public transit has the potential to be a benefit to everyone in the community and also to the environment.”

Prior to working the public transportation industry, Moore held teaching positions at area high schools and churches. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, San Bernardino and a master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.  Moore also completed numerous transit certificate programs including a Transit and Paratransit Management Certificate from the University of the Pacific and a Managing Community Mobility Certificate from the National Transit Institute.

Beloved restaurant fires up the grill with refreshed look and feel

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Black Angus Steakhouse, the original American Steakhouse, announced today it will officially re-open the doors of its San Bernardino location on Monday, July 15^th. A mainstay in the area since 1979, the restaurant will reveal a renovation that is the second for the chain this year, giving the coveted 55-year-old steakhouse a 21^st century refresh.

“There aren’t a lot of restaurant chains with over five decades of history, but Black Angus wears it well,” said Chris Ames, CEO Black Angus Steakhouse. “As our customers evolve, we must evolve with them – paying homage to our roots but in a more modern way. Our newly renovated space will continue to offer a dining place that is at the border between casual dining and fine dining, a lively and approachable restaurant with booths that are home to family dinners, date nights, celebrations and more.”

Traditionally known for tall booths, a cozy bar, and western vibe, the Black Angus remodel will keep the original sensibility, but with larger windows, a lighter palette and more open floor plan. A spacious private dining room, a destination-worthy bar, and the comfortable lounge are new features that bring more cause to dine in for longtime restaurant-goers and new ones alike.

The Black Angus Steakhouse menu its guests know and love will return, including USDA choice, 21 day aged steaks, chops and prime rib. Guests can expect to see a revamped beverage program where flavors are highlighted in classic drinks, new brewery partnerships, trending flavors and robust wines.

The San Bernardino location will be open for both lunch and dinner and is located at 290 E. Hospitality Lane. To learn more about Black Angus Steakhouse, visit www.BlackAngus.com or follow Black Angus on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @BASteakhouse.