National Night Out in Rialto & the Inland Empire

09 Aug 2015 Leave a comment

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Well if you were unaware National Night Out the nationwide event to snuff out crime and to foster positive relationships between the community and Law Enforcement was on August 4th. Many cities locally took part in this years event but not as many as years past.

Rialto, Fontana, Grand Terrace, & San Bernardino all had National Night Out festival events this year. Cities like Riverside & Upland encouraged their communities to hold individual block parties and public safety personnel traveled from event to event.

On the large festival side Rialto came out as a top performer with the amount of items offered all in one area. Two of the biggest draws every year are the rides in police cars (no handcuffs required) and the Gourmet Food Trucks secured by Market Solution Services.

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Probably the best music all night was the live music preformed by All Star National Anthem Performer Alexa Capelli who not only sang the National Anthem see it here but also preformed some awesome music for the crowd (see her performances on our Youtube Channel). Once she began to sing the crowd came up to the stage Leslie Parks of Rialto said “I have never heard such a powerful voice in my life” and little Stephanie Ramirez age 8 said “one day I want to be as pretty as her and sing just like her”.

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Other awesome live performers brought by Lil Saint Productions were Elizabeth R Estrella and Christian Rapper Carl Fontaine. Rialto Police appear to spare no expense in putting this event together. We heard that the planning meeting was a all hands on deck type of feel.

Close on Rialto’s heels was the Lydo Apartments & ATAP After School Program that held the only large National Night Out program in San Bernardino August 4th. The San Bernardino program offered a lot of what Rialto offered and promised to step it up and put San Bernardino on the map.

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Other large events were in Grand Terrace, Montclair and Fontana. Fontana held their event at Fontana Park in the area known as Summit. They had vendors, food and Mc Gruff the Crime Dog. Kids got to get there face painted and take pictures with police officer and many different vehicles. See a great photo from Edward Ornelas below.

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Held on August 8th was the National Night Out event in Perris Ca. Perris Mayor Daryl Busch said residents will gain a new appreciation for law enforcement and public safety at National Night Out.

“It is a great, and I want to emphasize great, outreach effort on the part of our public safety folks to show all the varied aspects of their jobs,” Busch said. “Most people only see police on motorcycles or in patrol cars, but this event provide the chance to view the full spectrum of services they provide to our community.”

Perris officials we’re on hand to accept a plaque for their continuing support of law enforcement and public safety. The day’s activities included static displays, food and drink vendors, as well as games and jumpers for children. Taken from http://www.cityofperris.org/news/2015_stories/08-04-15_national-night-out.html

There were cities that went with the smaller block parties but Riverside had over 20 block parties going on all over the city. Upland also went the block party route and Councilwoman Carol Timm posted on Facebook pictures of her and public safety officials going from block party to block party.

Some remarked that it is vital that Upland gets in and around the community as the Pro Drug Lobby is currently working to attack the Ordnance that Upland has to ban Medical Marijuana shops in the city of Upland.

No matter what city your in one thing is true we need to stop fighting our Public Safety officers and we need to collaborate together to help make everyone’s life more enjoyable.

Video by rialto-now

School starts in Rialto with new superintendent Cuauhtémoc Avila at the helm

06 Aug 2015 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, City of Rialto, Colton, Crime, Currupt, Edgar Montes, Joe Baca Jr, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, San Bernardino, SB Sun, youth Tags: , , , , ,

Can one person really make a difference? Well, I guess it all depends on the person’s position and the scale of the change. In Rialto they made a change to the top level official in Rialto Unified School District, but what Rialto parents and community members are looking for may not happen right away if at all.

Credit RUSD twitter account

Credit RUSD twitter account

Rialto Unified has been full of scandals and challenges over the years. Some of them you can read about in the article Beau Yarbrough from The Sun Newspaper wrote about the Superintendent’s first day of school tour (a tour only some news media was informed about apparently) read his article here. What Beau’s article misses to point out is the rampant culture of abusive staff, the constant struggle between parents and local administrators, loss of thousands of dollars in local control funding to RUSD elementary sites and the issues that come with having schools that are policed by over taxed and dangerous cities like Colton and San Bernardino.

We were not able to be a part of this First Day of School tour with new Superintendent Cuauhtémoc Avila but at National Night Out we were able to speak with Scott Sparks, Principal of Eisenhower High School and some of the many staff from around the district. All  were ready to meet their students Wednesday morning. We asked Mr. Sparks if he was ready for the first day, he said with much enthusiasm that we’re ready and excited for the students. Eisenhower has been a shinning jewel for the RUSD. Mr. Sparks in his third year as Principal of Eisenhower High has been reaching out to the community to seek out the best learning experience for the students in his care. He is also lucky to have stories of concerned staff helping children outside of work hours. Like when Mark Steeter, a teacher at Eisenhower High School ended up saving a toddler’s life on his 30th wedding anniversary trip over  Memorial Day weekend.

One statement Beau got from new Superintendent Cuauhtémoc Avila was that he had changes but he wanted to move slowly. This isn’t sitting well with parents who are struggling. Many parents of special education students were looking for new Superintendent Cuauhtémoc Avila to make quick changes and help them get a proper education for their children.

It looks like we are in a wait and see pattern with new Superintendent Cuauhtémoc Avila. Only time will tell in we see positive changes and results for our students in Rialto Unified School District.

 

Should Election Candidates Be Responsible For Election Trash

26 Jul 2015 Leave a comment

One of the biggest problems with candidates with more money than they know what to do with is the pay people to place thousands of signs all over the city. The Baca family has prescribed to the election technique of the person with the most signs wins not the quality of work you do for the community. The problem with this is when you ask them why their signs are placed on private property without permission, attached to leasing signs or left up after the election to litter our city streets they say I didn’t put up the signs so I am not responsible.

Well I’m not sure about you guys but as we approach a presidential election year where here locally we will also be electing a Mayor, Two Council Members, City Clerk and other more regional elections the time is now to say candidates need to be more mindful about the placement of their signs and making sure they are removed in a timely fashion.

Video by rialto-now

What Does Assembly Member Brown Have To Hide?

14 Jul 2015 1 Comment

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Saturday July 11th at 10pm Coffee Nutzz on Foothill Blvd was full to the brim. Were they having an awesome sale? Releasing a new coffee flavor? No they were hosting Assembly Member Cheryl Brown’s Coffee with the Constituents. That’s awesome right? Well it was great for Andy the owner of Coffee Nutzz to open his business for this event what wasn’t so awesome were the shady ground rules Assembly Member Brown laid out for the community.

Here is the video of the shutting down of the media by a staff member:

On July 2nd Congresswoman Norma Torres held a event where people could get to speak with the congresswoman and speak to the congresswoman about issues important to them. We attended this event and it was odd everyone was pushed off into a large room and were taken into the Congresswoman one at a time. As I stood there in the room of people I knew and didn’t know I spoke to two of Cheryl Browns Representatives and asked them if the coffee event on July 11th will be this way and they said no. Well that turned out to not be true………. When I spoke to Congress Woman Torres I explained that I didn’t agree that one on one events like this were always the best course of action. Having an open discussion gives everyone and opportunity to hear and learn from each question and hear the given answer. She agreed that would be a good way to address people but she was holding this type of an event for people that wanted to speak to her about personal issues that were sensitive in nature. We both left the conversation happy and exchanged ideas and wisdom I left the experience with a new found respect for Congress Woman Torres.

So I arrived at Coffee Nutzz and saw a mixture of well known Rialto residents as well as a collection of people I have never met before. Cheryl Brown was working the room saying hello to people in attendance and it looked like the open forum that was promised. So as Cheryl Brown began to address the crowd I began recording the Assembly Members opening remarks to later post here and I got shut down by Daniel Garcia on of the Assembly Members legislative aides. According to this aide there was no recording allowed, so wait how were all the sleeping mothers and people who work nights and weekends supposed to be able to hear the words of the Assembly Member if nobody could make a recording of them? Then what happened next was an additional slap in the face she said she would be pulling people into special side meetings, wait what????????

When I spoke to Assembly Woman Brown I explained that I didn’t agree that one on one events like this were always the best course of action. Having an open discussion gives everyone and opportunity to hear and learn from each question and hear the given answer. Mrs. Brown was very rigged in her position and would not even entertain the option that an open forum would benefit anyone else. Of course it didn’t help that I had issues with Mrs. Browns Local Staff and their lack of ability to help bring resolution to a range of given situations. I decided well into the conversation that my time and Mrs. Brown’s time was being wasted so I posed for a photo that a staff member took and exited stage left.

After to talking to others about the event they too were wondering why it wasn’t a more open forum type of event.

Video by rialto-now

Dedicated City Administrator Gets A Well Deserved Recognition

01 Jul 2015 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Barbara A. McGee, Chief Mat Fratus, City Clerk, City of Rialto, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Edward J. Carrillo, Grace Vargas, Inland Empire, June Hayes, Lillie Houston, Mike Story, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, Shawn O'Connell, youth

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A large group of city officials, elected officials, community members and family gathered at the Johnson center meeting room to honor Mike Story city of Rialto City Administrator for his recognition of Mr. Story’s dedication to the community of Rialto.

Story after story was told about the Rialto Man of Distinction award recipient and they all spoke to a man of high moral character and a work ethic that never made Mr. Story feel like he was too good to help out his fellow city employee. Mayor Deborah Robertson spoke about Mr. Story and his dedication to making sure that Frisbee Park host site for the Rialto Jazz Fest be kept looking nice. Something very odd happened at this event that you would not normally see. Elected official after elected official gave Mr. Story the credit for bringing Rialto into a functional balanced budget something not all cities can say in todays climate.

As each speaker came to the podium a slide show played in the background showing Mr. Story in his various roles around Rialto. Many of the speakers spoke of Mr. Story wearing many different hats in his employment with Rialto and looking at the pictures he has worn a lot of aprons too!!!!

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Mike story speaking to Greta Hodges long time Rialto resident and chair of the Friends of Rialto K9 Association.

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Mike Story speaking with City Councilman Shawn O’Connell both men were smiling and having a good conversation. Councilman Shawn O’Connell spoke about Mr. Story’s character and dedication to being ethically balanced. Councilman Shawn O’Connell also spoke to Mr. Story being a person that works to make sure that city government is transparent and fair.

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Mr. Story with Councilman Shawn O’Connell and Fire Chief Matt Fratus prior to the event beginning. Rialto Fire Chief Matt Fratus said he is newer to rialto but having worked in other cities under a lot of other city administrators that Mr. Story’s character makes working for the community a lot easier.

So next time your out and about say hello to Mr. Story and tell him how thankful you are that he is working so hard to make Rialto a better place to be.

Mike Story Is One Of Six Men Of Distinction Chosen By Assembly Woman Brown

30 Jun 2015 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Ca, City of Rialto, Inland Empire, Mike Story, Rialto, Rialto, Sunrise Church, youth Tags: , , , , ,

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Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) has chosen six outstanding men to be recognized for their dedication to activism and community leadership.

The honorees have been selected based on their achievements and reputations as respected role models who contribute their time and energy to make a positive difference in the 47th Assembly District.

The 2015 Men of Distinction include: San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, 6th Ward; Paul Rasso, Chair of the Colton Parks and Recreation Commission; Rialto City Administrator Michael Story; James McNaboe, a community volunteer and veterans advocate; Pastor Samuel J. Casey, New Life Christian Church; and Larry Burgos, a lifetime community advocate based in Bloomington.

Well its about time that Mr. Mike Story gets his due with this awesome recognition of being an outstanding leader in Mrs. Brown’s District. The other five men are lucky to be included in Mr. Story’s company. Why do we say this?

  • Mike Story has been a fixture here in rialto for over 30 years and has touched many lives.
  • Mike has raised two awesome children and is still married to his awesome happy wife known as the first lady of Rialto.
  • Mike has worked his way through the city and has made every opportunity to make Rialto a better place to live, work and play in the areas he had control.
  • Mike led by example when times got tough and slashed his salary and benefits as a way lead by example and show everyone that he will work with us through the hard times.
  • No person has ever had a more open door policy than Mike, helping residents with little and big issues even after hours.
  • Mike is a conduit of information and resources. Are you having a hard time navigating the city offices? Mike is like a super powered tour guide to give you the access you need to find a quick response.
Portions of this article were provided by Ashley from Assembly Browns office.

Rialto City Public Works Department Targets Businesses & Schools

11 Jun 2015 3 Comments

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Inland Empire, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, RUSD, Shawn O'Connell, Water Tags: , , , ,

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Tuesday June 9th at the regular city council meeting Robert Eizenbiez and his staff laid out a confusing and hard to understand plan on how to deal with water restrictions sent down by Governor Jerry Brown. Mr. Eizenbiez a new Public Works Director to Rialto is new to his job here but not new to public service working in the largest California city to file for bankruptcy San Bernardino as an engenier and as an interim Public Works Director. City Council moved the public works presentation up to the June 9th meeting as they were waiting for over a month to hear why they should approve harsh regulations on the community of Rialto when no presentation has ever been made? Councilman O’connell said at a past meeting that he would like to see a healthy education component before they started attacking the community. Councilman Palmer wanted to see language like no watering during high winds and no watering after measureable rain for 48 hours better outlined and Councilman Scott wanted to know why we had a green lawn ordnance if we are now telling people not to water their lawns?

Very few of these questions were answered but we did learn that the city will be asking you to do their job for them and turn in your neighbors via a mobile app that could be located online. Rialto Public Works Department is touting awesome numbers in getting the message out to Rialto water customers their first workshop in March 2015 had 45 people the workshop had 70 people. Ron a local business owner who watched the meeting online said “So a city of 200,000 people an increase of 25 people shows success?” The Rialto Public Works presentation did say that people are calling about rebate programs but are saying the the rebates are too low and don’t provide enough to accomplish the goals that were set. Local marketing professionals and Political Activists say that the rebates are just there to get you to purchase new items you can’t afford. Anthony from Rialto Watch Dogs says “take the Weather based irrigation timers they only give you a $100 rebate yet a inexpensive unit that isn’t reliable will cost you $200 and that’s not including the other materials or labor to install the unit.” Even the Public Works presentation stated that rialto water customers are saying that the $350 max rebate for turf removal doesn’t do much.

Rialto Public Works Department also stated that they will be TARGETING Schools and Local Businesses in an effort to force the 28% water reduction that the Governor laid out in his latest drought plan. The public works Department Presentation says it will begin with education but they can and will levy fines of $100 to $500 for each offense in addition to monetary fines Rialto Water can install water restrictive flow device or shut off the water.

The city of Riverside has sued a state agency over water restrictions intended to combat the drought, claiming the rules are unfair because the city has ample groundwater supplies. The Southern California city argues it has been unfairly ordered to cut water use by 24 percent even though it has groundwater supplies for four years and does not rely on any imported water, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Fresno County Superior Court. Riverside, a city of 317,000 people, wants to be allowed to cut water consumption by 4 percent along with some jurisdictions in Northern California that rely on surface water supplies, the suit said. (http://abc7.com/news/riverside-sues-over-california-water-restrictions/776794/ )

Why does it appear that Riverside cares more about their residents than Rialto? Rialto’s City Attorney will attack a citizens right to FREE speech but not protect the communities right to not be unfairly attacked by over reaching legislation.

We made calls to Clarence Mansell the General Manager of Rialto Water Services & Robert Eizenbiez the Public Works Director for the City of Rialto. Calls to Rialto Water Services were not returned but Robert Eizenbiez did talk to us click here http://wp.me/p1Otmn-Da to see what he had to say.

Local people in the City of Rialto are kinda tired of rialto trying to build the plane while in mid flight. This means it seems like every project is thrown together and the community gets to suffer while they feel their way around ill conceived poorly planned ideas.

What are your thoughts on this ordinance?  Comment below or email us at rialtonw@aol.com

Drive By Shooting Rocks North Rialto Neighborhood

01 Jun 2015 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Area Command, Ca, City of Rialto, Crime, Inland Empire, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, SCAT

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At 4:39 pm on Sunday over 20 shots rang out in the Cedar Park Greens community in the Flores Park Area. Residents who were trying to report the shots fired incident were given a high call volume message and 911 calls would not connect.

The shooting was on the east side of the multi housing community. This is the same community where the two dodger fans who beat up Giants fan Brian Stow lived. Cedar Park Greens is the nasty community everyone just pretends doesn’t exist until something bad happens said Eric a local resident that walks Etiwanda daily.

“It was pretty scary happened right behind my house. We were outside enjoying this beautiful weather, I thought it was fireworks at first, until something whizzed by my friends head. Lord help us all” said Sandra.

Last reports were that there were no victims located as yet. Multiple shooters and at least three vehicles. Helicopter found couple possible shooters. Police found empty shell casings in the street. Police were checking all hospitals as parties involved left the scene.

Reports are at least three shooters according to witness statements.

So far we know that multiple “victims” were shot at and fled the scene. At least one party called police to identify that they fled the scene after being shot at and police were in route to interview them.

Three separate series of gun shots rang out through the community. With the large problem with illegal fireworks in Rialto some people were unsure at first about what they were hearing. As of 9pm no reports of injuries or arrests have been made.

Major Brain Freeze Opened in Grand Fashion

28 May 2015 2 Comments

by rialto-now in Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Ca, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Ed palmer, In & Out, Inland Empire, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, youth Tags: , , , , ,

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Very few business owners open a new location quite like Peter & Linda at Major Brain Freeze. Major Brain Freeze owners make the whole day a party and an experience. They day started off with a ribbon cutting and there were representatives from the city, city council, assembly member Browns office, the chamber of commerce and police department.

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Part of the grand opening is the ribbon cutting but the best part is getting to meet the people behind the Frozen Yogurt creation. Peter & Linda franchise owners of two Waba Grill restaurants decided to take on the world of Frozen Yogurt and have never looked back. Rialto is their 4th location and when we asked them if there were plans for a fifth they said were just enjoying the right now but you never know what the future holds.

Peter the husband of the dynamic duo that is taking the Inland Empire Frozen Yogurt world by storm has roots here in Rialto. He lived here as a child and went to school here. The husband and wife team have worked hard to strategically position their restaurants in vibrant areas with high traffic. In addition to high traffic they are the only dessert option in the centers where they are located making Major Brain Freeze the obvious choice for the sweet ending to your meal.

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Major Brain Freeze is more than just a Frozen Yogurt shop its a visual masterpiece. It also reminds many of a retro candy shop with a wide variety of topping choices some customers can go a little overboard….. The owners are fine with that they say have a little fun. They also provide a good sized fresh topping bar as well as yogurt chips, shredded coconut and CANDY ANTS!!!!!!!!!!

We interviewed Andy Carrizales about this addition to the North Rialto Development pad. We asked Andy what he thought of Major Brain Freeze as a potential customer competitor. Andy said that his business Cones Creamery makes hand made Ice Cream and he thought it was good that Rialto residents have an option locally if they are looking for frozen yogurt.

We would like to welcome yet another great team of owners to the city of Rialto.

With so many options for your sweet treats it appears that Major Brain Freeze has taken one more city by storm……..

Major Brain Freeze Grand Opening

12 May 2015 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, davidsMarketing, Inland Empire, Josef (Joe) Britt, Rialto, Rialto, youth Tags: , ,

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Have you been to Major Brain Freeze in North Rialto? Well if you haven’t been there yet this Thursday will be the perfect time. The owners the “WABA KIDS” will be there all day with awesome giveaways, a ribbon cutting at noon and lots of fun and of course come try their frozen yogurt and expansive topping bar. Walking into their store is like entering a fun retro candy shop they have almost every candy topping imaginable.

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