News 24/7

Grand Terrace parents want kids to avoid test

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:20:05 -0800

Hoping to pressure the Colton school board to change the name of the new high school here, parents are opting their children out of a state-mandated achievement test.

Several parents in some of the Colton Joint Unified School District's highest-performing schools have signed waivers asking that their students not be tested.

The district could be penalized by the state if enough students don't participate in the test, officials said.

The parents' protest comes in response to the school board's decision in March to name the school after former trustee Ray Abril Jr., a longtime Colton resident.

The district asked the public to submit names for the new school, scheduled to open in fall 2011. Grand Terrace High School was the winner. Ray Abril or Ray Abril Jr. High School came in fourth place.

Two weeks ago, former trustee Tobin Brinker told the board that parents would opt their children out of the so-called Star Testing Standardized Testing And Reporting test program, which measures performance in English-language arts, math, science and history for grades two through 11.

Grand Terrace pushes for stimulus funds

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:18:15 -0800

Acting City Manager Steve Berry is in the nation's capital this week to make sure the city isn't left behind when federal stimulus dollars are divvied up.

Berry met Tuesday with representatives of Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, and Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, to discuss three of the City Council's top priorities.

Berry requested federal help for a proposal to bring a fiber-optic network from Loma Linda to Grand Terrace. He also sought support for technology partnerships at the city's new high school and pushed for funds to create a wilderness park on Blue Mountain.

Grand Terrace residents passionate about new high school name

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:12:40 -0800

What's in a name?

A lot, apparently, for many Grand Terrace residents.

The Colton Joint Unified School District asked the public to come up with names for the new high school in Grand Terrace.

District officials conducted a two-week campaign in early February to solicit names for the
campus, which is expected to break ground in April and open in 2011.

Grand Terrace fire displaces five Thursday

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:25:35 -0800

Five people were displaced from a Grand Terrace home early Thursday when a fire damaged it around midnight.

The fire to the single-story house at 12465 Pascal Avenue destroyed the garage, but the extent of the damage was not known by county fire dispatch officials.

Fire officials contacted the American Red Cross to assist the three women and two men who were displaced as a result of the two-alarm fire.

Firefighters had the fire under control at 12:37 a.m., said a county dispatch supervisor.
There were no injuries in the fire, and the cause was not known.

Grand Terrace mayor says city riding out recession

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:46:18 -0800

The country may be slogging through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, but city officials remain upbeat about the future.

In her annual State of the City address Tuesday, Mayor Maryetta Ferre said Grand Terrace is in good financial shape.

"We're moving forward with cautious optimism," Ferre told about 30 people at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at City Hall.

Grand Terrace launches economic stimulus

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:45:30 -0800

Forget Congress and President Obama.

The city is putting forth its own economic stimulus package.

Next week, the city will begin rolling out its own currency in the form of "GT Bucks."
The blue $5 bills can be used like cash at participating restaurants in town through June 1.

Grand Terrace approves church expansion

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:00:52 -0800

Seeking improved worship facilities, Calvary Deaf Church is building a new sanctuary and fellowship hall.

The Planning Commission recently approved the church's expansion and remodeling plans for its 2.3-acre property on Pico Street just west of Michigan Street.

The $1.4 million project, which does not require City Council approval, will include a new 5,320-square-foot fellowship and dining hall connected to a new 4,448-square-foot sanctuary.

Grand Terrace close to settling lawsuit Grand Terrace pushing to settle lawsuit holding up needed senior housing development

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:45:15 -0800

Grand Terrace is working to resolve legal issues surrounding the long-awaited senior housing project.

The City Council met in closed session Tuesday night and discussed a potential settlement of a 2005 lawsuit filed by a residents' group regarding the 120-unit apartment complex for low and middle-income seniors.

The council directed City Attorney John Harper to attempt to resolve an appeal in the case and enter into a final settlement agreement.

Grand Terrace Council to consider layoffs Tuesday

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:25:49 -0800

The Grand Terrace City Council will have a special meeting Tuesday night to consider laying off five employees.

Staff members are recommending cutting the full-time positions of maintenance supervisor and planning secretary and eliminating three positions in the city-run child care center.

The hours of two other positions in the child care center also would be reduced.
The city would save $205,737 per year with the layoffs and decreased work hours, according to a city report.

The layoffs are necessary because of the state budget crisis, officials said.

Like other cities, Grand Terrace fears that Sacramento might use local funds to balance a budget shortfall that could exceed $40 billion in the next 18 months.

"Fiscally, we are in good shape," said Acting City Manager Steve Berry. "We don't know what the state is going to do. If we don't do something now, it could be worse in a year or two."

City services such as police and fire protection are not being cut, Berry said.

The meeting is at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 22795 Barton Road.

stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com

Tight deadline for Grand Terrace high school

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:50:35 -0800

The clock is ticking on plans to start construction on a new high school in Grand Terrace.

Colton Joint Unified School District officials are finalizing negotiations with a lumber company that sits on the property where the high school is proposed.

The district is working to reach a settlement with the company, Inland Timber, for the land it acquired through eminent domain to build the school.

Drug search warrants in Grand Terrace net stolen gun, methamphetamine

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:36:00 -0800

A 42-year-old Grand Terrace man was arrested this week after authorities said they found a large amount of methamphetamine and a rifle in his home.

David Cross was taken into custody Tuesday at his home in the 12000 block of Arliss Drive on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale.

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies served three drug search warrants that day and found drug paraphernalia at a home in the 21900 block of Vivienda Avenue and a gun that was stolen in 1983 from a home in the 23200 block of Westwood Street.

No one was home when deputies found the stolen gun.

Colton school district picks officers for 2009

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:40:10 -0800

Next year, Marge is in charge.

At Thursday's meeting the Colton Joint Unified School District Board of Education picked its new officers for 2009.

Former Vice President Marge Mendoza-Ware was elected board president.

Colton schools looking for oversight volunteers

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:02:15 -0800

On Nov. 4, voters in the Colton Joint Unified School District overwhelmingly approved Measure G, a $225 million bond initiative to build and improve schools district-wide.
Now the Colton Joint Unified School District is seeking volunteers to serve on a citizens' bond oversight committee that will review expenditures made with Measure G funds.

"It's an opportunity for the community to actually get involved," said school board member Kent Taylor. "This is a committee which will hold the district accountable.

"We want to invite ones who have been vocal and those who haven't to be a partner with us in this journey to build new schools and improve our facilities."

TapouT signs agreement with Kids Headquarters

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:21:52 -0800

TapouT -- a Grand Terrace-based mixed martial arts apparel, gear and lifestyle brand -- announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Kids Headquarters to expand the current offering of children's apparel and provide new and exciting products to TapouT customers nationwide.

Under this relationship, Kids Headquarters will distribute children's activewear, sportswear, sleepwear, swimwear, outerwear and underwear. Available in sizes 0 - 20 for boys and girls, there will be extensive offerings of t-shirts, hoodies, shorts and even onesies, to create a noticeable increase in the offering throughout the youth category at all TapouT dealers worldwide.

Read more at The Bizz.

matthew.wrye@inlandnewspapers.com

Grand Terrace, Loma Linda partner on fiber network

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:37:50 -0800

Grand Terrace wants to be a technology partner with Loma Linda.

Officials are discussing a plan to bring Loma Linda's fiber-optic network to Grand Terrace.

Loma Linda launched its fiber-optic system four years ago. Through the Connected Community Program, more than 2,000 new homes and several major businesses in the city have access to high-speed Internet service.