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Authorities looking for a man who went overboard into Big Bear Lake

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:05:39 -0800

BIG BEAR LAKE - Authorities are looking for a man who reportedly went overboard into Big Bear Lake.
A cell-phone report of a man overboard came in at 3:25 p.m. Friday, said San Bernardino County Fire Dispatch Supervisor Tom Barnes.
"As of this time we're still unable to locate him," Barnes said.
The fire department is working with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the sheriff's department dive team, helicopters and boats to find the man.

Museum curator to host walk through cemetery

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0800

San Bernardino County Museum curator of history Michele Nielsen on May 8 will lead a gallery walk in Agua Mansa Pioneer Cemetery in Colton.

The informal event will start at 1 p.m. and is free.

Nielsen will discuss objects, current research, and photographs related to the cemetery and the region.

Over the coming year, renovation work will be conducted at the site, including outdoor kiosk exhibits and a bird-watching trail.

For more information on this event, call Michele Nielsen at (909) 307-2669, ext. 240.

California combats spread of swine flu

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:30:03 -0800

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Students and teachers have become ill. A few schools are even closing for fear the swine flu will take hold of their campuses.

These are the first signs of a state coming to grips with a disease that has affected thousands south of the border and threatens to spread to thousands more across America.

With 149 suspected swine flu deaths in Mexico -- where schools have been closed nationwide -- the disease has captured international attention, but California officials are trying to inform the public without causing a scare. While 48 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the United States and 13 in California, none have been fatal.

"So far, the disease has been fairly mild and like any influenza season, we expect this to last for weeks as we move along and find out more about this virus," said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, chief deputy director of the California Department of Public Health.

Gov't: Stern border enforcement not yet necessary

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:00:12 -0800

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration on Tuesday staunchly defended its "passive surveillance" policy on the emerging swine flu threat, saying that its measured, cautious border monitoring makes sense.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano declared that more draconian enforcement steps are not yet necessary, even as she acknowledged that officials "anticipate confirmed cases in more states." She reiterated President Barack Obama's stance that people are justifiably concerned but need not be alarmed by it.

Some 50 swine flu infections have been identified so far in the United States, but no deaths. In contrast, there have been over 150 deaths in neighboring Mexico, and Asian countries deployed thermal sensors at airports to screen passengers from North America for signs of fever.

Wanted parolee in Adelanto tries avoiding arrest by giving false names

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:45:43 -0800

A Stockton woman sheriff's deputies were questioning in a forgery investigation gave several false names to authorities before they discovered she was a wanted parolee.

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies arrested Anita Sanders, 47, on suspicion of false personation to a peace officer and violating parole.

Deputies questioned Sanders in the 18100 block of Poinciana Road at 2:20 p.m. Sunday. She gave them several different names and dates of birth. When a deputy obtained a photo of the woman under the name Anita Sanders, he confirmed her identity, sheriff's officials said.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

I-210 crash injures two; prompts freeway closure

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:00:57 -0800

A San Bernardino woman suffered major injuries in a rollover crash that forced the closure of the 210 Freeway this morning.

La Verne firefighters rescued the woman, who became trapped in her Ford Escort when the vehicle flipped on an embankment, said California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos.

The CHP shut down both sides of the 210 Freeway at Foothill Boulevard so a helicopter could land on the highway and fly the woman to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.

The crash was reported at 3:35 a.m. on the eastbound 210. Officers say an Upland man in a Toyota Avalon struck the woman's Ford Escort, causing both vehicles to veer out of control and overturn. The man received moderate injuries and was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center for treatment.

Officers issued a Sig Alert during the crash and shut down the three right lanes, Villalobos said. The Sig Alert was canceled at 5:03 a.m.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Cloudy, cool weather expected today in the I.E.

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:44:03 -0800

It's going to be a cloudy, cool day today with a slight chance of drizzle in the morning.

The National Weather Service said there would be a chance of drizzle before 11 a.m. The high temperature today will be near 69 degrees in San Bernardino and 68 in Ontario.

Forecasters expect some fog to roll into the area late this evening into Wednesday morning.

Temperatures will warm up slightly on Wednesday into the low to mid 70s.

Thursday will be in the low 80s, forecasters said.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Firefighters to take on cops in grappling cage match

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:50:57 -0800

They will grapple in a cage to determine whether firefighters or cops have the most grit.

The Guns-N-Hoses submission fight grappling face-off is the latest inventive fundraiser to be hosted by the San Bernardino City firefighters.

All proceeds, which event planners estimate should be between $7,000 to $10,000, will benefit fallen firefighters and law enforcement officers.

"It's another way that we try to address the age old issue: who is better, cops or firefighters?" said firefighter Tom Rubio. "And if we can bring folks into the city for an event and it benefits a charity, then it's an even better good cause."

The June 20 show will be held at Adrenaline Combat Sports & Fitness in San Bernardino. About 1,000 people are expected to be sitting ringside when the hand-to-hand combat begins.

Charity hockey tournament nets cash for Children's Hospital in Loma Linda

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:27:16 -0800

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital scored a goal on Sunday.

The inaugural Ice Town Charity Hockey Tournament in Riverside netted $15,500 for the 277-bed hospital, which treats more than 100,000 sick and injured children every year.

A National Hockey League alumni team, consisting of Los Angeles Kings alumni and current TV and radio personalities, defeated a team of amateur champions, 11-10.

The money was raised from an auction of autographed jerseys after an Ontario Reign-Phoenix Roadrunners game in March. The Ontario Reign are the ECHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings.

stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com

Adelanto man found with stolen off-road vehicle

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:22:48 -0800

A 27-year-old Adelanto man riding a stolen off-road vehicle led sheriff's deputies on a short chase Saturday before being arrested, authorities said.

A deputy stopped Aron Gennaro Conley about 8 a.m. while he was riding on Jonathan Street near Holly Road and asked him to turn the off-road vehicle off. Conley instead hit the gas and sped off, starting a pursuit.

After the deputy caught up to him, she discovered the vehicle had been stolen from Las Vegas, Nv.

Conley was booked at the Victor Valley jail on suspicion of possessing stolen property. Bail was set at $50,000.

Seven arrested during Fontana DUI checkpoint

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:00:10 -0800

Fontana police arrested seven people and wrote 85 tickets during a sobriety and drivers' license checkpoint Saturday.

Police set up the checkpoint on Sierra Avenue south of Randall Avenue from 6 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.

Of the seven people arrested, three were held on suspicion of drunken driving and four had arrest warrants, police said. Police impounded 75 vehicles for various violations including driving without a license.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

SB motorcyclist killed in Riverside County crash

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:30:24 -0800

A 37-year-old San Bernardino motorcyclist died in a car crash in Perris on Sunday.

Kevin Henry Sparks was taken to Menifee Valley Medical Center in Sun City where he died at 4:05 a.m., Riverside County coroner's officials said.

Sparks, who was wearing a helmet, veered off the northbound 215 Freeway north of Highway 74 at 3:10 a.m. and struck a fence post in a dirt field. He was thrown from the bike.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Franciscans appeal order to release clergy records

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:03 -0800

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Attorneys for the Franciscan Roman Catholic religious order have appealed a recent California court decision requiring them to release private personnel files and other documents as part of a clergy abuse settlement.

Lawyers for the Franciscan Friars of California Inc. filed an appeal Thursday, the same day the documents were to be released. The appeal puts that on hold.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter D. Lichtman ordered the files' release on April 2, nearly three years after the Franciscans reached a $28 million settlement with 25 people who claimed sexual abuse.

Plaintiffs' attorney Tim Hale has said the previously undisclosed documents could reveal details about how long ago the Franciscans knew of alleged abusers and how they dealt with them.

- The Associated Press

100 pot plants found during Fontana home search

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:30:57 -0800

Police arrested a 32-year-old Fontana man Saturday after they found more than 100 marijuana plants and cultivation equipment inside a home.

Police served a search warrant at a home in the 13900 block of Hillcrest Avenue at 8:06 p.m. and found the pot-growing operation. Officers arrested Anthony Epolito on suspicion of cultivating marijuana and possessing the drug for sale.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

UPDATE: Death toll from swine flu reaches 149 in Mexico

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:28:43 -0800

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico's health secretary says the country is in "the most critical moment" of its epidemic.

The number of suspected swine flu deaths has increased to 149.

The country has canceled classes at schools nationwide and is warning the death toll could rise.

- The Associated Press