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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Dr. Brian Haynes, Vice President of Student Affairs at California State University San Bernardino spent the afternoon on Sunday, March 11, at the San Bernardino Boys and Girls Club dialoguing with the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Knights and participants of the Beautillion program on the value of education, his personal journey in going to college and how higher education opened doors of opportunities for him. 

Haynes encouraged students to pay attention to deadlines in submitting applications for admission to desired colleges and/or universities, filing for financial aid, living on campus at a minimum for the first year of college and getting involved with the University/College of choice clubs and organizations. Haynes is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. which focuses on education, community service and brotherhood.

The 51st Beautillion program will commence on March 24, 2018 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Donna Little-James at 909-528-9793 or co-chairperson, Mrs. Bridgette Shaw at (909) 648-6165 or publicity chairperson, Mrs. Twillea Evans-Carthen at tevanscarthen@yahoo.com.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Twelve North Carolina State University (NC State) students are spending a week with GRID Alternatives Inland Empire (GRID IE). As part of GRID’s Solar Spring Break program, college students from multiple universities will travel across the country to bring clean, renewable energy to families and help them significantly reduce their electric bills. The NC State students will be installing four solar electric systems in addition to learning more about the renewable energy industry in the Inland Empire. Later in the week, on March 8, they will be celebrating with a few of the 2,700 job trainees and volunteers GRID IE has trained during GRID’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration event.

Since its inception Solar Spring Break has grown expeditiously from six teams in 2014 to 19 teams nationwide in 2018, coming from diverse universities and colleges such as University of Michigan, California State University East Bay, Duke University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This program takes an interdisciplinary approach by providing an opportunity for passionate students to combine sustainability, community development, and renewable energy technologies education.

Leslie Jones and Lou Yeboah

By Lou Yeboah

Mr. Leslie Jones. We could never thank you enough for your service, and your commitment to this country [Vietnam War]. Your noble qualities of service to family, community, country, and God have not gone unnoticed and live on through your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren I know.

Although, the country celebrate Veterans Day once a year; we at Westside Story Newspaper believe that one be given recognition, honor, at any given time. So with that being said, we honor you not only as a Veteran but as a Hero. Thank you!

Mr. Leslie Jones has been living in California for over 40 years. He was married to his beloved wife Ms. Helen Jones for over 35 years. He is a long time member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Jesse Hamilton

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Jesse Hamilton, a student at Provisional Accelerated Learning (PAL) Charter Academy in San Bernardino, turned heads as he competed in the Rivals combine this weekend.

The combine was a two-day event hosted in Los Angeles. Athletes from all over Southern California and across the country came to compete for an opportunity at a football scholarship. The top athletes were asked to come back for a second day competition which consisted of additional tryouts, which measured their speed and versatility in a multitude of skill drills. Hamilton was among the top athletes who got the second day call back. He had the best shuttle time out of 2,000 athletes.

Jesse is an 11th grader at PAL Charter Academy and a student ambassador. He also plays basketball and has led his team to the second round of Inland Empire Athletic League (IEAL) playoffs. PAL Academy High School doesn’t have a football team as of yet; however, Dwaine Radden Sr., CEO of the school said, “We are applying to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for small schools this year, and it looks favorable.”

Radden, is a former High school coach and is also a Minor League Hall of Fame coach of the California Raiders, a Minor league team in San Bernardino, which headed Nationally ranking for years. He is excited about bringing football to the PAL Charter Academy High school.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes hosted a Woman of the Year luncheon last weekend to honor and celebrate the 2018 Woman of the Year finalist from her district. The luncheon was held at the Don Day Neighborhood Center in Fontana.

In total, fifty-two women were nominated from the community for the 2018 Woman of the Year award which recognizes local women for accomplishments in their respective fields and for their dedication to improving the lives of others in conjunction with Women’s History Month.

Nominees came from a variety of different backgrounds ranging from educators and community advocates to county employees, students, business owners and heads of local non-profits.

“In the current political climate it is more important than ever to lift up the amazing women in our community. These women exemplify courage, dedication and determination to build a better quality of life for our community, and to face the challenges that are put in front of them,” said Assemblymember Reyes.

On Monday, March 12 Assemblymember Reyes honored one of the 24 finalists as the 2018 47th Assembly District Woman of the Year. The award was be presented to the Woman of the Year at the State Capitol.

The 2018 Woman of the Year Finalist for the 47th District included: Ana Carlos – Bloomington; Yesenia Gonzalez – Bloomington; Jessica Sutorus – Colton; Neli Gutierrez – Colton; Nina Torres – Colton; Victoria Mendoza – Colton; Lori Sanchez – Colton; Gloria Martinez – Fontana; Tamika Casey – Fontana; Mary Sandoval – Fontana; Denise Ferris – Grand Terrace; Rose Keller – Grand Terrace; Arlene Garcia – Muscoy; Suzanne Schaeffer – Muscoy; Lea Michelle Cash – Rialto; Joshlyn Earls – Rialto; Abigail Medina – San Bernardino; Cynthia Frazier – San Bernardino; Diana Z. Rodriguez – San Bernardino; Dr. Deanna Stover – San Bernardino; Dr. Jean Peacock – San Bernardino; Gigi Hanna – San Bernardino; Lieutenant Shelisa Williams – San Bernardino; and Tamara Ellison – San Bernardino.

ONTARIO, CA – U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres met with superintendents from the Fontana Unified School District, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Ontario-Montclair School District, Pomona Unified School District, and the Chino Valley Unified School District to discuss strategies to prevent gun violence in schools. In light of the tragic high school shooting in Parkland, Florida last week, Torres and the superintendents focused on the importance of providing students with support and encouraging community involvement.

“As the nation continues to grapple with yet another tragic school shooting, we are struck by the courage and activism of the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The meetings with our local superintendents were an important opportunity to ensure that children throughout the district have the support and encouragement they need to take action in their own communities,” said Torres. “Our kids should feel empowered to make their voices heard and engage with their elected officials. This is a powerful moment to work alongside our superintendents and teachers as they proactively forge a path forward to enact change.”

Torres represents California’s 35th congressional district and is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Last year, she introduced the Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act to require a federal firearms licensee to report the sale of two or more long guns, including semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15 and the AK-47, within a five-day period.

Senator Toni Atkins

By Manny Otiko, California Black Media

This month, State Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) will become the first woman to lead the California Senate. She will replace former Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) who is running against Dianne Feinstein for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Before being elected to the State Senate, Atkins worked as director of clinic services at Womancare Health Center and served as a city council member and mayor of San Diego.

She was later elected to the State Assembly eventually serving as the first female speaker. Atkins was elected President pro Tempore by the Senate Democratic Caucus in January and will officially take office on March 21.

Atkins was elected President pro Tempore by the Senate Democratic Caucus in January and will officially take office on March 21.

“Leading this great State Senate and our united and always productive Caucus at this crucial moment in history is an extraordinary opportunity and a great responsibility – and I believe every senator has a vital role in building a brighter future for the Californians we represent,” said Atkins.

Atkins, who represents the 39th District in the San Diego area, grew up in Virginia, the daughter of two blue-collar parents. She cites this as one of the reasons why she has supports affect policies such as universal healthcare coverage. Atkins also supported the state’s first Earned Income Tax Credit.

As Speaker of the House, she also helped prevent the University of California from implementing a 27 percent fee increase. She has also authored SB 2, which provides permanent budget funding to address affordable housing, which is a major issue for many Californians.

“Homelessness has become a humanitarian crisis in many areas of California, and my home city of San Diego has been hit hard. There’s far too much suffering on our streets,” said Atkins. “SB 2 will help by providing desperately needed funding for permanent housing with supportive services to stabilize people who are living with significant medical or mental-health issues.”

As leader of the State Senate, Atkins will have her hands full dealing with the #Metoo movement, which has raised national awareness about sexual harassment. Democratic Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) has already resigned due to the scandal, and Senator Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) is currently under investigation for sexual harassment.

“Our first priority is to create a safe working environment for our employees, and accepting Tony Mendoza’s resignation is consistent with that goal. Going forward, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that our zero-tolerance policies on sexual harassment are backed up with strong enforcement in order to guarantee that all employees are protected,” said Atkins.

CARSON, CA- Newly established non-profit, Majestic Hearts, announces its existence. On Saturday, February 24, at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). Majestic Hearts is an organization for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, whose mission is to convert victims into survivors. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for its shelter and counseling programs.

The launch event introduced Majestic Hearts to close friends, family and the public. The celebration opened with live performances from Saxophonist Keschia Potter, who’s performed alongside celebrities like Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Lady Gaga, to name a few. She and her band set the tone for the event playing music from Potter’s newly released album “Rebirth of the Soul.”

Hosted by comedienne Chelley Chelle of LesTalk Radio, the event took on a humorous turn as Chelley Chelle lightened the seriousness of the topic with her comedy performance. Poetess/artist Estee “E dot” Marie delivered two spoken word pieces, “Love Is” and “Beautifully Made.” Both poems spoke to the subjects of domestic violence, sexual assault, self-worth, royalty and love.

By Madlen Grgodjaian, California Black Media

Day’s before the close of Black History month, a bit of black history was made atop the ranks of the California Highway Patrol.

Governor Jerry Brown swore in Warren Stanley, a CHP officer of over three decades, as the California law enforcement agency’s commissioner during a Feb. 26 ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

Stanley is the first African-American ever to lead the CHP. The man of law said he is very humbled to be appointed to his new post by Brown.

“I’m going to do everything I can everyday to make the state of California a little bit safer and a great place to live,” Stanley said.

The new CHP commissioner has held every rank in the department including field training officer, lieutenant of the Border Division Investigative Services Unit, commander of the CHP Academy, and deputy commissioner.