HIGHLAND, CA— Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $2,500,000 of federal funding he secured for the Santa Ana River Enhanced Stormwater Recharge Project. This project will increase the amount of storm water from the Santa Ana River that can be captured and recharged from the Seven Oaks Dam. The water captured by this project in the San Bernardino Basin will help approximately 400,000 residents. With recent storms battering the Inland Empire, this project will play a key role in our region’s long-term drought resiliency and water-conservation efforts.

“Protecting our water supply is one of the most important issues we face as a region, state and nation,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “With the latest surge of storms, California’s drought has been cut in half, but this is not a sustainable solution to our drought. This project will benefit over 400,000 people in our region and play a key role in our long-term conservation and drought resiliency efforts.”

“San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District is excited to move forward with this critical water supply project as it demonstrates our commitment to collaboration, regional partnership, innovation, and perseverance in getting hard things done. This project is so unique because of its many integrated benefits; first and foremost it captures much-needed local stormwater during wet years for use during future dry years; it improves the long-term water quality of our groundwater; it supports and actually enhances endangered species habitat; and finally it serves as the foundation of our long-term climate resilience strategy for the upper Santa Ana River watershed,” said Heather Dyer, CEO/General Manager of the regional water agency which has been ensuring water supply to the area since 1954. “This is a generational investment in water infrastructure that will support the changing needs of our region’s population and environment for decades to come. I’m honored to be part of it,” she added.

“In a state like California where every drop of water is precious, cooperative management is essential. As a partner with San Bernardino Valley for more than five decades, Western Water is proud that our region is leading by example and working together,”said Western Water’s Board President Mike Gardner. “Local projects like the Enhanced Recharge Project are needed to capture and store more stormwater when we get it, so we can stretch our resources during longer, hotter and drier weather conditions.”

LONG BEACH, CA— Over 180,000 fans will watch in anticipation as world-class racers take to the streets of Downtown Long Beach in the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix, but they will also see some smaller wheels on the sidelines.

After a pandemic pause, Jehovah’s Witnesses are returning to the longest-running street race in North America with their mobile Bible-based literature carts.

“The pandemic halted our face-to-face ministry for a period of time, but we are so happy to be back reconnecting with people again,” said David Cohen, regional spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We enjoy sharing a positive message with people of all backgrounds, and the Grand

Prix is an exciting event with wide appeal.”

The event will take place April 14-16, where a variety of races will run throughout the weekend, finishing with a big-league IndyCar Series race. This year, more than 200 volunteers will share a positive Bible message at 30 literature carts stationed along the racing routes.

Volunteer Amanda Derby is revved up to return to the famed seaside circuit where some of the biggest names in the sport have taken the checkered flag, including legends Mario Andretti and the late Al Unsur. “It feels so good to get back out there to see smiling faces and share a smile,” she said.

Kicking people into high gear is what the Grand Prix is all about expressed Kefflyn Mathews, who has not only been a spectator for many years but also a local volunteer.

“It brings the community together and it’s a good chance for people to celebrate and enjoy life,” said Mathews. “It’s exciting to be back in person and let people know we have not forgotten about the community; we are still very active in sharing the Bible’s positive message. We are here for them.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses have incorporated mobile displays of Bible-based literature as part of their public ministry in the United States since 2011. First launched in major metropolitan areas worldwide, this practice rapidly gained momentum and has become a staple at rail and bus stations, airports, harbors, main streets and large events such as the Grand Prix.

“We thoroughly enjoy the city of Long Beach which hosts the Grand Prix. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding their conventions there for over 25 years, and we are very appreciative of the city’s support,” said Cohen.

To learn more about Jehovah’s Witnesses, their history, beliefs and activities, visit their official website jw.org, which features content in more than 1,000 languages.

NEW YORK (AP) — Saying she is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience of being arrested and incarcerated in Russia, basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024.

Griner was arrested last year at the airport in Moscow on drug-related charges and detained for nearly 10 months, much of that time in prison. Her plight unfolded at the same time Russia invaded Ukraine and further heightened tensions between Russia and the U.S., ending only after she was freed in exchange for the notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

A WNBA All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner had flown to Moscow in February 2022 to rejoin UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian women’s team she has played for in the off-season since 2014.

“That day (in February) was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share,” Griner said in a statement released Tuesday by Alfred A. Knopf.

“The primary reason I traveled back to Russia for work that day was because I wanted to make my wife, family, and teammates proud. After an incredibly challenging 10 months in detainment, I am grateful to have been rescued and to be home. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world.”

Griner added that she also hoped her book would raise awareness of other Americans detained overseas, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia last month and accused of espionage; businessman Kai Li, serving a 10-year sentence in China on charges of revealing state secrets to the FBI; and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive imprisoned in Russia on spying charges. Around the time Griner was released, Whelan criticized the U.S. government for not doing enough to help him.

Russia has been a popular playing destination for top WNBA athletes in the offseason, with some earning salaries over $1 million — nearly quadruple what they can make as a base WNBA salary. Despite pleading guilty to possessing canisters with cannabis oil, a result of what she said was hasty packing, Griner still faced trial under Russian law.

Griner’s memoir is currently untitled and will eventually be published in a young adult edition. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In Tuesday’s press statement, Knopf said that the book would be “intimate and moving” and that Griner would disclose “in vivid detail her harrowing experience of her wrongful detainment (as classified by the State Department) and the difficulty of navigating the byzantine Russian legal system in a language she did not speak.”

“Griner also describes her stark and surreal time living in a foreign prison and the terrifying aspects of day-to-day life in a women’s penal colony,” the announcement reads. “At the heart of the book, Griner highlights the personal turmoil she experienced during the near ten-month ordeal and the resilience that carried her through to the day of her return to the United States last December.”

Griner, 32, is a 6-foot-9 two-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time All-American at Baylor University, a prominent advocate for pay equity for women athletes and the first openly gay athlete to reach an endorsement deal with Nike. She is the author of one previous book, “In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court,” published in 2014.

In February, she re-signed with the Mercury and will play in its upcoming season, which runs from May through September.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— As the country continues marking the 50-year anniversary of Title IX, which paved the way for women to finally pursue athletic and academic opportunities at the next level, close to 100 girls from high schools across San Bernardino and Highland gathered for the official kickoff of the newly formed Women’s Flag Football League, which was held on Friday, April 7 at the San Bernardino High School football stadium. The evening included a demonstration game with 12 professional female players and an appearance by the Los Angeles Rams, with the team providing team t-shirts, eye black, and USA Football flag belts to players.

The flag football league is part of San Bernardino City Unified School District’s (SBCUSD’s) Expanded Learning—Sunrise/CAPS program and was started in partnership with Athletes for Life (AFL) and former NFL Pro Bowl running back Greg Bell. SBCUSD is the first Inland Empire school district to launch a flag football program for high school girls.

In December 2022, the CIF Federated Council and the state of California elected to make flag football a sanctioned varsity sport for girls starting in 2025. SBCUSD is getting a leg up on the competition by starting its own flag football league for girls.

“We’re always looking for expanded learning activities that allow our students to experience new opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach to them,” said Expanded Learning Director Ann Pearson. “Team sports expose our students to various valuable lessons that will help them now and in the future.”

This summer, AFL will also host its 23rd Annual IAM GIFTED summer football camps with San Bernardino High School alum and Minnesota Viking running back Alexander Mattison, a former camp attendee. The camp is free for all local San Bernardino County youth ages 6 and up. For more information and to sign up to attend, please visit www.AthletesforLife.org or call Barbara Nelson at (888) 675-8884.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is proud to announce the return of one of its own, Mauricio Arellano, as the new superintendent of California’s seventh-largest school district. Arellano, a native of San Bernardino, attended District schools and returns on April 17 to lead SBCUSD as superintendent.

“We are thrilled to have Mauricio back in San Bernardino,” said Board of Education President Dr. Scott Wyatt. “His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we work to ensure that every student in San Bernardino and Highland has access to a quality education.”

Arellano’s career in education spans more than three decades, and he has held a variety of leadership roles in Southern California school districts. Most recently, he served as superintendent of neighboring Redlands Unified, where he oversaw significant improvements in academic achievement.

As superintendent, Arellano is responsible for setting a clear and compelling vision for SBCUSD, including goals and strategies for improving student achievement, creating safer schools, and engaging families and the community. The superintendent oversees the District’s budget, staffing, and facilities, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to support teaching and learning.

“I am honored to return to San Bernardino, the place where I grew up and went to school,” Superintendent Arellano said. “I am excited to work with our dedicated educators, staff, and community partners to provide our students with the best possible education and abundant opportunities for success.”

A reception to welcome Arellano and his family back to the community will be held on Tuesday, April 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Dr. Margaret Hill Community Room, located at 777 North F Street in San Bernardino.

Arellano was selected by the SBCUSD Board of Education in February 2023 in a unanimous vote following a comprehensive community engagement process and national search.

He graduated from San Bernardino High School and started his career in education as a bilingual elementary school teacher in the District more than 30 years ago. Arellano is the son of immigrant parents from Mexico who also worked in SBCUSD schools. He was a first-generation college student when he pursued his undergraduate degrees in sociology and Spanish at the University of California, Riverside. He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino.

ATLANTA, CA— (BUSINESS WIRE)– Fearless Fund and the Tory Burch Foundation opened

applications for the third cohort of the Women of Color Grant Program. The program will award 75 women of color-owned small businesses with $10,000 and $20,000 grants, access to a self-paced learning portal and peer-to-peer community networking.

Applications are open until Friday, April 28. To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit the Fearless Fund’s website at https://www.fearless.fund/tory-burch-foundation. Accepted grantees will be notified in July 2023.

While the number of women-owned businesses continues to rise, due to funding disparities, only 2% of women-owned startups generate $1 million in revenue; men are 3.5 times more likely to achieve this number. The Woman of Color Grant Program was created to help women of color entrepreneurs gain access to much-needed capital, and this year’s grant program marks another significant step in advancing women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and reducing racial inequalities.

About Fearless Fund

Launched in 2019, Fearless Fund invests in WOC-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level, or series A financing. Its mission is to bridge the gap in venture capital funding for female founders of color building scalable, growth-aggressive companies. The Fearless Fund team also runs The Fearless Foundation, a

501c3 organization with a goal to educate entrepreneurs through training, reduce racial inequities, and

empower African-Americans to gain access to capital, as well as the Get Ready Venture Program, a 12-

month training program for WOC business owners to acquire the needed training, mentorship, knowledge, and skills needed to gain access to capital. For more information on Fearless Fund, please visit www.fearless.fund.

About Tory Burch Foundation

The Tory Burch Foundation empowers women and women entrepreneurs in the United States by providing access to capital, education and digital resources: the Fellows Program has provided over

$1,200,000 in grants to help women grow their businesses; the Tory Burch Capital Program, powered by Bank of America has distributed over $95 million dollars in loans to nearly 5,500 women entrepreneurs; and each month, the Foundation’s Women of Color Grant program has deployed $2.2M funding in partnership with Fearless Fund; the Foundation provides online tools and digital education to more than 600,000 women and more than 12,000 women have created their business plans on the digital destination ToryBurchFoundation.org.

Source: Fearless Fund

CARSON, CA— Festival season officially kicks off with the 4th Annual Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival headlined by Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Lalah Hathaway. Festival organizers have announced the addition of The Family Stone (“Everyday People”) to this year’s lineup.  Additionally, award-winning journalist Roland Martin and comedian and actor Bill Bellamy have been announced as the event’s emcees.  The event will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at DignityHealth Sports Park (18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson, 90746). Doors open at 1 p.m.  Tickets are $50 and $75. To purchase, visit the AXS website.

Other performers include Marcus Miller, Down to the Bone, and Jazz in Pink. A second stage will also feature top international acts.

The day-long festival will include a curated marketplace featuring Black artists, art dealers, and galleries selling original paintings, limited edition prints, home decor, accent pieces, and gifts.

Since 2019, the Dymally International Jazz Arts and Arts Festival has used artistic culture to promote and inspire thought in honor of the late Mervyn Dymally, an internationalist who traveled to over 60 countries throughout his political career-promoting the exchange of cultures throughout the world. The Festival seeks to honor his legacy in bringing the best of jazz and jazz-influenced music, arts, and culture to Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, and surrounding communities.

The proceeds of the annual event benefit university programs such as the CSUDH Presidential Scholars and non-profit programs, The Dymally Fellows Program, and the African American Leadership Training Summit.

For more information, please visit csudh.edu/dymally-institute/jazz-and-arts-festival.

Over 50 cities to broadcast moving documentary centered on the disparities in Black maternal health produced by Women in the Room Productions

LOS ANGELES, CA— — New federal data reveals the unfortunate truth for Black mothers across the country – as the national maternal mortality rate rose during the pandemic, Black mothers are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than their white counterparts.

Viewers can learn more about these disparities – and experience moments of resilience and joy – by tuning in to select PBS stations during Black Maternal Health Week (April 10-17) to watch “Birthing Justice.” The powerful documentary goes behind the statistics and beyond the grief to amplify how Black women are taking control of their lives and transforming birth experiences for generations to come.

“Birthing Justice is the film I wish I had before I started a family,” said Allyson Felix, 11-Time Olympic Medalist, co-founder and president of Saysh and executive producer of “Birthing Justice.” “It takes an in-depth look at the horrifying statistics of giving birth for Black women and unpacks the complexities of changing these outcomes. It was important for me to share my story alongside other powerful accounts so that my daughter and her generation won’t face these same issues.”

Viewers in over 50 cities across the country can access the documentary by tuning in to their local PBS station the week of April 10. See the list of air dates here in addition to information on how individuals and communities can host their own “Birthing Justice” watch party.

After watching the documentary, viewers can use this thought-provoking discussion guide, provided by The Opportunity Agenda, a social justice-oriented, nonprofit communications community, to empower conversations about Black maternal health with friends, family and community members.

“Birthing Justice” is produced by Women in the Room Productions, a comprehensive media company that drives social impact for women and people of color through storytelling and community. Support for the film was provided by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Missouri Foundation for Health, Meadow Fund, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and others.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is hosting a public hearing for its draft Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three-Year Integrated Plan, which includes fiscal years 2023/24 through 2025/26.

The public hearing will be held during the regularly scheduled Behavioral Health Commission Meeting on Thursday, April 6, from noon to 2 p.m. The meeting will also be held in person with 1st District Commissioner, Pastor Mark Graham, at 12920 Topsham Bay, Apple Valley. To view the Webex meeting info and all in-person locations, visit www.westsidestorynewspaper.com.

For more information, please call (800) 722-9866.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Easter arrives on Sunday, and the First District is hopping with several fun family activities this weekend! Here’s a guide to a few:

• The Town of Apple Valley’s annual Bunny Run takes place from 7-10 a.m. Saturday at the James Woody Community Center. All registered runners receive a custom medal and race bib. The first 50 registered will receive a free shirt. For more information, please call (760) 240-7880.
• The Town of Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the 58th Annual Easter Egg Hunt/ Eggstravaganza from 9:30 a.m. until noon Saturday at the James Woody Community Center. For more information, please call (760) 240-7880.
• The City of Victorville’s annual Spring Festival and Egg Hunt takes place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Hook Park. The event will include an egg hunt for children ages 3-9 (bring your own baskets), local food and craft vendors, display booths and an inflatable KidsZone.  Admission, parking, and the KidsZone are free. For more information, please call (760) 245-5551.
• The Silver Lakes Association will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt for Helendale residents from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Photos with the Easter Bunny begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a life-size Candy Land game at 9 a.m., and egg hunts at 11 a.m. For more information, call (760) 245-1606.
• Phelan’s Easter Egg Hunt will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Serrano High School football field. Bring your Easter baskets to enjoy a variety of children’s games. The hunt begins at 10 a.m. for children ages 2-10. There will also be Easter gift basket raffles at the hunt. For more information, please call (760) 868-3291.
• Hesperia’s Easter Egg Hunt will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Hesperia Community Park. Guests can enjoy free bounce houses, pictures with the Easter Bunny, craft and vendor booths, and food trucks. Please bring your own basket. For more information, visit  com.
• High Desert Second Chance will host its annual Walk Through Easter event from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. Enjoy free family fun, a classic car contest, vendor giveaways and more. Partner agencies include Victor Valley Rescue Mission, Rock’n Our Disabilities, Rockabilly Mafia Dolls, Feeding America Riverside/SB, C.H.A.N, Victorville Friendly Smile, and Dream Lounge Apple Valley. For more information, please call 442-267-4444.
• The community of Wrightwood will celebrate Easter with a free Egg Hunt on Saturday at Hollis M. Stewart Children’s Park. This event is open to four age groups and begins at 10 a.m. The park is located at 6059 Pine Street in Wrightwood. For more information, please call (760) 249-3205.
• Trona residents can celebrate Easter with two fun family events this Saturday. The Trona Elks Lodge will host a children’s Easter Party and Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., followed by an Easter Egg Hunt and Movie on the Rocks hosted by Searles Valley Off-Road, TIS General Store and SBC Wireless from 3-7 p.m. at Great Falls. For more information on the Elks event, please call (760) 372-5849. For more information about the Movie on the Rocks event, please call (760) 372-5420.
• Calico Ghost Town will host its annual Easter “Eggtravaganza” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event will include egg hunts, photos with the Easter bunny, gunfighter shows, games, activities, and live entertainment from Twinkle Time, the High-D Boys and BillyBunnies. Admission is $15 for adults (12 and older), $10 for youth (ages 3-11), and children under 3 years old are free. For more information, please call 760-254-1123.