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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Juneteenth, a national celebration of freedom and equity, has become San Bernardino County’s newest official holiday.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously proclaimed June 19 of each year as Juneteenth within San Bernardino County, encouraging all county residents to take time on that day to reflect upon the freedoms we enjoy and how each of us can practice and promote equity for all people.

The Board also formally granted County employees a corresponding holiday to celebrate Juneteenth and what the observance represents. June 19 falls on a Sunday this year, so County offices will be closed on June 20.

“This time of year holds special significance for San Bernardino County because it was on June 23, 2020 that the Board of Supervisors officially declared racism a public health crisis, added Equity as an element of the Countywide Vision, and established an Equity Element Group to address the underlying causes of disparities in various key aspects of community life,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman.

“The Board is committed to making equity a focus of everything we do,” Hagman said. “We look forward to continuing to work with our county team, community leaders, our residents, and those who invest in the county to build a prosperous and healthy community that creates opportunity and an outstanding quality of life for everyone.”

Juneteenth, a blending of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” marks the date in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas were informed the Civil War had ended and they were free. Although President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, countless Americans continued to be held as slaves for the duration of the war. June 19 has become the date that represents the end of slavery in the United States.

“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I encourage everyone to observe Juneteenth as a day to celebrate that race, ethnicity, heritage, or belief must never stand in the way of freedom,” Hagman said.

With the upcoming recognition of Juneteenth, also referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, the Victor Valley Museum is pleased to embrace the theme of diversity in the Wade in the Water: Art and Quilt Exhibition. Curated by artist Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, Wade in the Water will be on display June 1 through June 30, 2022, featuring twenty-five nationwide artists whose interpretations derive from African American Spirituals containing messages of freedom through mediums such as painting, photography, mixed media, dolls, and quilts. For more information visit https://fb.me/e/1OqhKSYFp.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— As the only Latino History Bee in the nation, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) event is truly unique and the student winners are among an elite group of who have proven that they value the rich culture and history of Latin America.

Last month, students in grades 6–12 from 11 SBCUSD schools competed in three rounds focused on different aspects of the Latino experience. Round one focused on Latino history. During round two, students identified Latino artwork, including the title, artist, and country of origin. New this year for round three, students presented a Latino-inspired dance, skit, monologue, or other performance.

This year’s judges included Dr. Barbara Flores, Dr. Scott Wyatt, Dr. Esteban Diaz, and Dr. Enrique Murillo.

The winners of the middle school division (grades 6–8) were:
1st Place—Alani Guzman, Richardson PREP HI Middle School
2nd Place—Sophia Williams, Arrowview Middle School
3rd Place—Katty Camacho, Arrowview Middle School

The winners of the high school division (grades 9–12) were:
1st Place—Elizabeth Bañuelos, Arroyo Valley High School
2nd Place—Crystal Tello, Arroyo Valley High School
3rd Place (tie)—Stephen Zermeño, San Gorgonio High School, and Valeria Ramirez, Arroyo Valley High School

“We are proud of the hard work that our students put in to prepare for the competition and their ability to perform under pressure,” said Multilingual Department Director Tex Acosta. “Their collective mastery of facts and knowledge of the Latino culture was impressive.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— “66ERS” is teaming up with Riverside Black chambers of Commerce, and Green Smilez Loving Care Foundation to present a community meet and greet tribute featuring the minor league baseball team who will pay a tribute to the 102nd year negro league, along with a recognition ceremony to the Black Excellence and Achievements of individuals and their businesses.

The “SB 66ers Negro League Tribute” Community Meet and Greet & Award ceremony event gives the community the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the talents of African American players during segregation. Their organized efforts became a successful business enterprise generating millions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs in the Black community.

The Negro league athletes were inspiring, and a grand success beating the odds, and representing the very best of the sport.

The event will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at San Manuel Stadium, 280 S E St, San Bernardino, CA 92401. The event hashtag for social media posts is #66ersblackexcellencetribute. The community is encouraged to attend the event. Admission is $18.00. San Manuel Stadium will sell food and beverages. There will be merchandise for purchase and a small vendor marketplace.

The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The 66ers are based in San Bernardino, California, and play at San Manuel Stadium.

The Black chambers of commerce of Riverside Mission is to empower and inspire minority entrepreneurs, in their indigenous communities to be successful, partner with like minded individuals, companies, and nonprofit organizations to achieve that mission. We believe that our greatest opportunity to empower and inspire minority communities and businesses lies in cooperation and collaboration with the industries of tomorrow.

The narrative of African-American playing Professional Baseball has changed sports history. An enterprise of Black ownership launched and funded the Negro National League.

Black Baseball became known for showcasing a style of speed, daring play and showmanship. August 1945, Jackie Robinson shook the baseball world with his official announcement he integrated major league baseball playing for the Dodgers in 1947.

After Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier other major league team followed suit and eventually the Negro American league support was stretched thin. As of 2020 many of the founding Negro leagues baseball teams have been declared official major leagues with their players records and statistics counted in baseball’s record books.

Baseball fans around the world garner strong supporters of players, teams, and the BIG games.

The inner-city kids who play baseball in the community spend this time rising above their circumstances, baseball is where young people find a common purpose in the ball parks and in the stadiums.

It is important that the inland empire youth, and many who grow up in challenging neighborhoods with limited opportunities, be exposed to positive events like the 66ers Negro league tribute to honor the legacy of their ancestors and be empowered by the organizations that bring them resources. Public recognition and highlighting the achievements of local businesses and the people who serve, motivate, encourage, and inspire is the icing on the cake for this event. There will also be a fireworks display preceding the Baseball Game. This will be a Family fun event where all is welcome and your support very much appreciated. Purchase tickets at this link.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino has brought back its Military Street Banner Program to salute its hometown heroes. It is seeking the names of military personnel currently serving in the armed forces to honor with a banner to be installed on streetlights near the civic plaza, and then spreading throughout the city. There is no cost to participate in the program.

In addition to active-duty service members, reservists and veterans who reside in San Bernardino may also be honored with banners. Special Gold Star banners will be produced in memory of service members who died while serving.

“There is no amount of thanks that we can give San Bernardino’s military men and women to match our appreciation for their service to our country and community,” said Parks and Recreation Director Lydie Gutfeld. “This recognition let’s everyone know who among us has made the commitment to serve.”

All military street banner participants or living family members will be invited to a City Council meeting as part of a formal presentation and recognition by the Mayor and Council.
Service members or their families must submit an application along with Verification of Military Status (DD-214) and a color 5×7 image of the service person. An online application is available at City of San Bernardino – Military Banner Program Application (sbcity.org). Funding for this program is being provided by sponsorships, community donations, and city funds.

For more information, contact the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at 909-384-5233.

RIALTO, CA– Mayor Deborah Robertson welcomes the community to join the City of Rialto and American Legion Post 422 in honoring our American heroes on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Rialto Park Cemetery, 200 N. Willow Ave., Rialto. This event is emceed by Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott, Council Member Rafael Trujillo and Post Commander Armando Chavez. Council Member Andy Carrizales and Council Member Karla Perez will also be in attendance to greet and welcome our veterans.

The city is honored to have Keynote Speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Robert K. Furtick from Fort Irwin, CA. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kennerly Furtick is a native of Springfield, SC. In December of 2001, he was commissioned an Armor Officer through the ROTC program at Newberry College in Newberry, SC. He has served in various leadership and staff positions within both Cavalry and Armor Formations.

LTC Furtick’s first assignment as a Major was as the Squadron Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 3-16 CAV, 316th CAV BDE. Upon completion of this assignment in 2013, he was reassigned to Fort Irwin, CA where he was assigned to 1st Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Here he served as the Senior O/CT for the Regiment and later as the Squadron Executive Officer. He was then reassigned as the Chief of Protocol for the National Training Center. LTC Furtick completed his duties at NTC and in 2015, was reassigned to the Office of Program Management – Saudi Arabia National Guard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a Battalion Advisor. In 2016, he was then assigned to the Department of the Army G-3/5/7 as an Operations Officer in the Army Operations Center. In August of 2018, LTC Furtick was reassigned to 8th US Army, Camp Humphreys, Korea as the Aide De Camp to the Commanding General.

Following his 8th US Army assignment, LTC Furtick assumed command of the 1st Squadron of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, CA on 24 June 2020, and he is currently serving as the Squadron Commander.

The city is also honored to have Veteran Speaker, Colonel Gilbert Roldan (Retired). Colonel Gilbert Roldan served 38 years of Honorable Service in both the United States Marine Corps (Active Duty) and the United States Army (Reservist). He entered the service in 1982 as a Private in the Marine Corps where he served as an Infantryman. He retired from the service as a Colonel in 2021 where his last assignment was Chief of Staff for the 40th Infantry Division. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Colonel Roldan also served as a Law Enforcement Officer for both San Diego and Los Angeles County. He retired with 30 years of law enforcement service.

The San Bernardino Valley Young Marines will conduct the Flag Folding Ceremony, Color Guard by the NJRTOC from Rialto High School, 21 Gun Salute by the Riverside Army Recruiting Company, poem readings by Rialto residents Nancy Burch and Joseph Raden, “Taps” by echo buglers, “Amazing Grace” by Bagpiper Stephen, Bomber Airplane flyover and after the program, attendees are invited to a picnic lunch at Margaret Todd Park across from the Cemetery. Military Vehicles displayed by the Inland Empire Military Vehicles Preservation Association.

Please come out to honor, salute and remember all those who served this great nation.

SACRAMENTO, CA— In a historic event, Governor Gavin Newsom gathered with legislators, patients, the California Medical Association, watchdog groups, Consumer Attorneys, and patient advocate groups to sign AB 35, which represents the long-awaited modernization of California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, known as MICRA.

For almost 50 years, Californians who have been victims of medical negligence or medical malpractice have been limited on their recourse because of the MICRA law, which was signed into law in 1975 by then Governor Jerry Brown. The intent of the law was to stop the rising costs of medical malpractice insurance and increased complaints of physicians leaving the profession. It limited a victim’s non-economic recovery to $250,000 without regard to the egregiousness of the injury even if it resulted in death.

“Advocates and stakeholders have been fighting for years to update the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act. This year they have succeeded. For almost five decades, families and patients have complained that they are not equitably compensated for their pain and suffering because of a limit put in place 47 years ago – without adjustment for inflation, that changes today,” said Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes. “Today is a historic day, the signing of AB 35 into law signals to all Californians that our state will continue to put equity and justice first.”

“For decades, medically injured patients suffered from both the pain of being wrongfully injured and the unfairness of a system that severely restricted their access to justice. With Governor Newsom’s signature on AB 35, a 50-year battle, led by injured patients and their families to restore justice to California’s MICRA law, is finally resulting in a better outcome. This historic agreement will ensure patients are more fairly compensated when their rights have been violated,” said Craig M. Peters, President of CAOC.

Families and patients have not given up and have continued the fight to increase these limits. With success, AB 35, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes along with Senator Tom Umberg was passed by both houses with bipartisan support and signed by Governor Newsom. Beginning on January 1, 2023, AB 35 will usher in a new period of increased recovery for pain and suffering for the next 10 years with a cost-of-living adjustment thereafter.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday and other education advocates around the state are encouraging college students to apply for financial assistance through the Californians for All College Corps program.

Over the next two year, 6,500 California students who qualify will receive stipends of $10,000 each year to pay for college expenses. In return, the students will be required to participate in community service projects tackling issues related to climate change, education, food insecurity and more.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in January that the state was investing $146 million in the work service effort that his office says would help low-income students graduate on time and with less debt. Selected students will also receive academic credit for the work they do in their communities.

“Students are graduating with crippling debt. This service and career development program helps create a debt-free college pathway while promoting service. If you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we are going to help you pay for college,” said Fryday.

Fryday, who Newsom appointed in 2019 to oversee volunteering, civic engagement and service initiatives in California, was speaking at the launch of the “College Corps” program in Merced earlier this month.

Officials from the University of California Merced, California State University Stanislaus, and California State University Fresno joined Fryday at the kickoff event.

“This is a win-win-win: Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful impact on your community,” Fryday continued.

Universities across the state will collaborate with local government, community service organizations and non-profits to assign students to projects that are priorities in their region.

The College Corps program is being launched at a time Newsom is initiating several programs organized to address skyrocketing inflation as Californians recover from economic challenges brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 12, Newsom announced an $18.1 billion package with relief funding in tax refunds, childcare assistance, a minimum wage increase, help with utility bills, health insurance subsidies, stimulus payments for health care workers, and more.

“We enacted the most comprehensive economic stimulus program in the nation last year, getting billions in immediate relief to millions of Californians. But many folks are still struggling, especially with high costs due to inflation, so we’re leveraging this historic surplus to get money back into the pockets of Californians,” said Newsom when he announced the relief package.

“This inflation relief package will help offset the higher costs that Californians are facing right now and provide support to those still recovering from the pandemic,” the governor continued.

The College Corps program requires students to complete 450 hours of community service over the course of the school year to receive the funding.

“The College Corps initiative is not only an important way for California to show that it values the efforts of our students, but also another significant advancement in helping more students complete college without financial stressors that can follow them into their early careers,” said Juan Sánchez Muñoz, University of California Merced Chancellor.

Here is the link to apply.

PACIFIC OCEAN— Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Ryan Barnes, from Chino Hills, Calif., performs maintenance on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

June 7, 2022, is Primary Election Day in California.

On the ballot are candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, State Board of Equalization, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate and State Assembly, as well as candidates for local elected positions.

There are two contests for U.S. Senate on the ballot. One is for a full six-year term ending Jan. 3, 2029. The other is for the remainder of the term that Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) has been serving in place of V.P. Kamala Harris that ends Jan. 3, 2023.

Mail-in ballot voting has been underway since the second week in May. Assembly Bill 37, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, requires the state to send vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots to every registered voter in the state. The law applies to all elections held after Jan. 1, 2022.

Ballots are sent 29 days before the election, which was May 9 for the primary. For the November General Election, voters will start receiving ballots Oct. 10.

A majority of California voters live in counties that have adopted the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) system. In 2016, Senate Bill 450 created the VCA, an election model that expands voters’ options for how, when and where they can cast their ballots in an attempt to provide more accessible voting options. VBM ballots are provided with a postage paid return envelope. For a ballot to count in the upcoming primary election, it must be postmarked on or before election day and received by June 14, 2022. It can also be dropped off in-person to a secure ballot drop box, a voting location or county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on June 7, 2022.

The VCA is an optional law. Counties elect if they want to adopt it. In 2018, five counties adopted the new law: Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento and San Mateo. In 2020, nine additional counties changed their election models to the VCA: Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Los Angeles, Mariposa, Orange, Santa Clara, and Tuolumne. In 2022, the number of counties that have transitioned to the VCA grew to 28 with the addition of Alameda, Kings, Marin, Merced, Riverside, San Benito, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Ventura, and Yolo counties.

In VCA counties, early in-person voting begins as early as May 28. Voters can vote at any county vote center instead of being assigned to a neighborhood polling place. The vote centers are open four to ten days prior to the election, including weekends. They serve as one-stop shops with accessible voting machines – venues where voters can drop off their VBM ballot, receive a replacement ballot, register to vote, and get help with voting material in multiple languages.

Unregistered voters who miss the close of registration on May 23 will be able to conditionally register to vote at any vote center and cast a provisional ballot through the end of Election Day.

When California policymakers and election officials proposed the Voter’s Choice Act most proponents applauded its benefits, including lowering election administration costs, providing greater convenience and flexibility for voters, and the potential to improve voter turnout.

Recently, California Secretary of State (SOS) Shirley Weber released a report on the implementation of VCA during the 2020 Primary and General Elections.

Key findings of the report include:

VCA counties had higher voter registration rates in the state. The 15 VCA counties accounted for about half of the state’s registered voters in both elections.

Many VCA counties experienced a higher voter turnout compared to their non-VCA counterparts. Turnout in the 2020 General Election across racial groups showed White voters had a higher overall turnout than their non-White counterparts. The voter turnout gap for Black voters was 5.2 points, and AAPI voters had a turnout gap of 4.3 points.

Black and AAPI voters turned out at similar rates as the VCA counties’ average, and Latino voters used in-person voting most among all races and ethnicities.

Use of vote-by-mail ballots was the primary choice of voting in the 2020 elections. More voters chose to return their ballot by drop box than by mail. Use of drop boxes decreased after the age of 45 in the Primary Election and age 35 in the General Election.

Voters in VCA counties cast a ballot in-person at a higher rate than voters in non-VCA counties in the General Election (55.1%). For the Primary Election, that number was 46.6%.

In the General Election, voters aged 46-55 voted in person most compared to all other age groups. In both the Primary and General Elections, voters aged 66+ voted in-person least.

VBM ballot rejection rates in VCA counties were similar to VBM ballot rejections statewide. Voters aged 18-25 had the highest ballot rejection rate. Ballot rejection rates decreased as voter age increased in VCA counties.

VBM ballots were rejected (69.3%) mainly due to not being received on time during the Primary Election. But General Election VBM ballots were mainly rejected due to non-matching signatures (56.09%).

Provisional ballot use decreased significantly between the Primary and General Elections.

There were no confirmed instances of voter fraud in both the Primary and General elections in 2020.

SOS’s Recommendations based on the report findings:

Share best practices from counties that have high voter registration rates with counties that have lower registration rates.

Reduce ballot rejection rates through increased voter education.

Continue to work with counties to ensure drop box locations are accessible and convenient to the public.

Increase outreach and education about early in-person voting and other voting options available in VCA counties.

Increase targeted outreach efforts to engage young voters (18-25).

“We have taken away every excuse a person can possibly have as to why they won’t vote,” SOS Weber said recently. “People realize this is going to be easy and it’s comfortable.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Saturday, May 14th, 2022, over 150 youth from San Bernardino County joined Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. for a day of fishing and fun at Glen Helen Regional Park’s Lake. The lake was filled with trout the day before the youth came to fish. Children from ages eight to sixteen were in attendance and they spent the day learning how to fish by professionals. The day was made possible by the support of San Bernardino County Probation, Bass Pro Shops, California Fish and Wildlife, San Bernardino County Libraries, San Bernardino County Fire, San Bernardino County Museum, San Bernardino County Agriculture, San Bernardino County Airports, Preschool Services, First 5, Children’s Network, Friends of Regional Parks.

“Fishing with these youth was something that I will always hold dear to me. These kids got to have a fun day outdoors, and we got to highlight the exciting recreational opportunities that Glen Helen has to offer, all while providing mentorship opportunities. This day would not have been made possible without the support and mentorship of all our sponsors, partnering agencies, and volunteers. Fun days like this are made to teach the youth in our community that they can always grow and learn that there is a lot more to life. Their opportunities are endless, and we use these events to remind our youth that they have great potential that should not go unrecognized.”-Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.