San Bernardino County Update SBCounty.gov

The County Update publishes once a week on Fridays and also as needed to share important news and resources.

Quick Read: Click on a headline below to go straight to the story.

In Today’s Update:

• Featured Video: News Now, monthly video news program

• County breaks ground on newest Santa Ana River Trail segment

• No Snow Play on the Roadway campaign: A message from Public Works

• Head Start Preschool Program accepting applications for preschool, home visiting services

• Workforce Development: On-the-Job Training helping Redlands company address labor needs

• Photo-based artist, Fred Brashear, Jr. Handle with Care exhibit to open at County Museum

• Kessler Park to host free Fly a Kite Day event with Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

• Animal Care launches ‘Adopt a Sweetheart, Find Your Furever Love’ free animal adoptions

• Pet of the Week

• Jobs of the Week


Featured Video: News Now monthly video program

San Bernardino County is excited to announce the launch of News Now, a monthly video news program as part of its ongoing outreach efforts. This episode features the H.O.P.E. Team success story, the 2022 Year-in-Review, More to Explore Regional Parks segment and a Community Calendar.

The program will highlight each month’s top three County Government stories in a news magazine format for the public.  You can watch it News Now and on the County’s social media channels.


County breaks ground on newest Santa Ana River Trail segment

County breaks ground on newest Santa Ana River Trail segment
Left to right, Director of San Bernardino County Regional Parks Beahta Davis, California Coastal Conservancy Executive Officer Amy Hutzel, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, Third District, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Joe Baca, Jr., Fifth District, and San Bernardino County Chief Operating Officer Luther Snoke.

The Santa Ana River Trail took a major step in its march from the mountains to the sea on Tuesday when Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe and Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. broke ground on the newest segment, which will run from San Bernardino into Redlands.

The ground we are breaking today signals that we are getting very close to completing this magnificent 110-mile project,” Rowe said during a ceremony at the northern end of California Street in Redlands, which will mark the eastern end of the trail’s Phase III.

Above, Kathy Behrens, the president of the Redlands Conservancy and a member of the recreational cycling team Redlands Water Bottle Transit Company, says she is very excited about the newest portion of the trail and looks forward to future phases.

If the weather cooperates, the 3.8-mile segment of the trail will be complete in August. It will then be possible to walk or bicycle on a trail along the river from a spot north of California Street, through all of San Bernardino and Colton, and nearly to the western end of Riverside. It picks up near the Orange County line and runs to the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach.

When completed, the Santa Ana River Trail will be the longest multi-use trail in Southern California. San Bernardino County Regional Parks is responsible for the creation, operation, and maintenance of the 22 miles of trail that will be located within our county.

“This project shows that San Bernardino County and our many partners have made the quality of life in our communities a top priority,” Baca said.

Regional Parks Director Beahta Davis said funding for Phase III came primarily from two sources: $6.9 million dollars of state Proposition 84 grant funding provided by the California Coastal Conservancy, and $1.1 million in federal Active Transportation Program grant funding.

“This aligns with the commitment our county’s leaders made when they adopted the Countywide Vision and launched the Vision2BActive campaign to promote a healthy and active community,” Rowe said.

To view more photos, or for more information about the Santa Ana River Trail, visit San Bernardino County Regional Parks.


No Snow Play on the Roadway campaign: A message from Public Works

No Snow Play on the Roadway campaign: A message from Public Works

As snow blankets our beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, we want to remind you when visiting the mountains to stay safe and No Snow Play on the Roadway.

During this winter season, snow play on the roadway will be greeted by fines of up to $150 or more, tow-aways, and other sanctions.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies will be out in force during and after winter storms to actively enforce no snow play on the roadway regulations.

Snow play on the roadway is illegal in San Bernardino County mountain communities for very good reasons, most of them related to safety.

Narrow mountain roads can become dangerously crowded during and after winter storms as motorists stop to deal with snow chains, vehicle breakdowns, and minor accidents. Invisible patches of ice make it impossible for drivers to stop in time to avoid hitting the cars in front of them, a child whose sled has shot out onto the middle of the road, or guard rails positioned over high and steep cliffs.

Public safety agencies have banded together to invest communicating the message of “No Snow Play on the Roadway” in a marketing campaign echoed in radio, billboard, and social media campaigns to urge visitors to the snow to do so safely and respectfully.

So, while residents throughout Southern California are welcome in San Bernardino County’s beautiful mountains, the County urges everyone to pay attention to no-parking signs, be prepared for hazardous driving conditions, play only in designated recreation areas, and be considerate of those who live in these communities. The price for not doing so will be steep.

For those who plan on visiting the local mountains this weekend, the County continues to urge visitors to be safe, smart, and polite.

Here are some additional ways to be prepared for your visit:

Carry tire chains, but do not stop in the roadways to put them on. Chains are not a convenient option for motorists when ice and snow are present, they are required.

Motorists must carry chains or other legally compliant traction devices. The San Bernardino Mountain regions have Caltrans-permitted and trained chain installers available during periods when chains are required. Motorists are urged to drive carefully and use turnouts to allow faster traffic to pass.

Stock vehicles with water, snacks, blankets, a charged cell phone, flashlight, and a full tank of gas before visiting the mountains. Safe winter driving tips and chain control information. Check out Caltrans’ “Quick Map” for current road conditions and chain requirements at Caltrans QuickMap. For real-time traffic, download the Quick Map app on iTunes or Google Play.

Heavy fog is common on mountain highways. Motorists are reminded to be alert, slow for weather conditions, and use headlights while driving. Avoid travel during storm events and check road and weather conditions before you travel. Motorists should anticipate delays and longer travel time.

Be courteous. The mountains are a full-time home to thousands of people. Visitors should carry their trash with them or use one of the dumpsters located along State Highways 18 and 330, which are generously provided through a partnership between the County, Caltrans, and Burrtec.

Park only in areas clearly designated for parking. Illegally parked vehicles, especially those blocking roads or snow plows, will be quickly towed away.

Law enforcement will be present in greater numbers and will actively enforce laws concerning driving, chains, parking, roadside play, and littering.

For more information about the campaign or other resources and information, visit Public Works.


Head Start Preschool Program accepting applications for preschool, home visiting services

Head Start Preschool Program accepting applications for preschool, home visiting services

Preschool Services Department (PSD) is accepting applications for part- and full-day preschool and home visiting services.

PSD provides education, resources, socialization, comprehensive services, and support to families with children 5 and younger as well as pregnant mothers.

Whether you need help with nutrition, mental health, oral health, transportation, housing, finances, parenting skills, or help paying utilities, Preschool Services can help with direct services and referrals.

PSD is education-driven with educational programs for families and a research-based and developmentally appropriate curriculum individualized for each child. The curriculum, methods used, and environment meets Head Start, California State, and Community Care licensing standards.

Each PSD preschool site offers resource fairs annually featuring our community partners that provide health, safety, financial, educational, and nutritional services. Call for dates and locations.

For more information, call 1-888-KIDS-025 or visit our website at Preschool Services.

Employment Opportunities with Preschool Services Department (PSD)

Looking for an opportunity to change people’s lives? Come work for Preschool Services! PSD is hosting a recruitment fair to streamline the application process. Interviews are by invitation only, so applications must be submitted by February 10.

PSD is continuously recruiting employees for the following positions:

  • Clerk
  • Custodian
  • Food Service Worker
  • Office Assistant
  • Program Generalist
  • Teacher Aid
  • Teacher

For job information, visit Job Opportunities or call the job line (24 hours/7 days) at (909) 387-5611.


Workforce Development: On-the-Job Training helping Redlands company address labor needs

Workforce Development: On-the-Job Training helping Redlands company address labor needs
Above, Eric Goodman, President of Mountain View Services Inc. at the company’s Redlands headquarters and distribution center.

As the only private employer in California that delivers both food and medical supplies to intermediate care facilities across the state, Mountain View Services Inc. in Redlands has been busier than ever since the early days of the pandemic.

That would be a challenge even with full staffing, much less the 20 job openings Mountain View has been unable to fill due to a labor shortage that is impacting businesses large and small across California and the nation.

That would be a challenge even with full staffing, much less the 20 job openings Mountain View has been unable to fill due to a labor shortage that is impacting businesses large and small across California and the nation.

My payroll is actually higher than if we were fully staffed because of all the overtime we’re paying,” said Eric Goodman, President of Mountain View, which has been providing supplies to healthcare facilities for 35 years.

With the support of the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department, Goodman hopes to chip away at the vacancies he now has while also providing career-advancement opportunities for the company’s loyal employees. At a recent meeting of the county’s Workforce Development Board (WDB), Goodman highlighted the initial success he has had with the department’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) program, which pays up to one-half of an employee’s salary while being trained for a new position.

As a result of OJT, Goodman was able to train two employees for higher-paying positions, keeping them both at Mountain View.

“I have an employee who has been with me for 10 years, a single mother of two living at home with her parents. It was a situation where she was going to have to seek out other employment,” he said. But thanks to OJT, he was able to train her for a higher-paying position, which “worked out great” for both the employee and the company.

“On-The-Job Training has become an extremely popular resource for the growing number of businesses that call San Bernardino County home,” said Dawn Rowe, Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

It’s also one of many programs and services available to employers through WDB and its Business Services team.

“We see our work as a partnership that goes beyond simply filling a position, but creating opportunity, transforming lives and helping the company and their workers succeed,” said William Sterling, WDB Chair.

For Mountain View Services, success, or failure, can have far-reaching impact. The company provides 500 intermediate care facilities with food, medical and other supplies. These facilities serve clients who rely on those supplies to get through life. Many are immunocompromised or otherwise unable to leave the facility.

The company is funded through Medicare and Medi-Cal providers, which limits what it can charge the care facilities and, therefore, what it can pay employees. With the pandemic and inflation, “the cost of everything has gone through the roof,” Goodman said.

Most of the company’s openings are in its warehouse, and, because of the funding restrictions, most are at minimum wage. Even if it were feasible to raise wages, many employees would resist for fear of losing state subsidies and health care benefits.

“It makes it really tough,” Goodman said.

In the meantime, he said he will continue to seek the support of programs such as OJT.

“We understand that we provide a service that people rely on every single day. It’s important to us and it’s important to the people we serve, and we’re committed to continuing to make people’s lives better,” Goodman said.

For more information, visit Workforce Development.


Photo-based artist, Fred Brashear, Jr. Handle with Care exhibit to open at County Museum

Handle with Care exhibit to open at County Museum

The San Bernardino County Museum is delighted to present Handle with Care, by local Southern California photo-based artist Fred Brashear, Jr.

Handle with Care, a special project of the MexiCali Biennial program, Land of Milk and Honey, researches and explores the use of the Opuntia, a genus in the family of Cactaceae that includes the prickly pear cactus (nopal), as an alternative resource in the struggle against climate change.

By exploring the historical, cultural, and biological uses of the cactus, alternative ideas for its use present themselves to help mitigate the effects of weather-related phenomena due to climate change.

The exhibit opens tomorrow, Feb. 4 through May 14, 2023. An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is sponsored by both the Land of Milk and Honey and the San Bernardino County Museum Association.

Light refreshments and a nopal tortilla demonstration will be available. All visitors will receive complimentary admission for the two hours.

San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

For more information, visit Handle with Care Exhibit Opening Reception.


Kessler Park to host free Fly a Kite Day event with Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

Kessler Park to host free Fly a Kite Day event with Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

Build a kite, pick a kite or bring your own, Kessler park will host a free kite event with Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All ages are welcome.

The event will be sponsored by Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.’s office, Regional Parks and Special Districts. To register for this free event, visit the Special Districts registration page. Kessler Park is located at 18401 Jurupa Ave., Bloomington.


Animal Care launches ‘Adopt a Sweetheart, Find Your Furever Love’ free animal adoption

Animal Care launches ‘Adopt a Sweetheart, Find Your Furever Love’ free animal adoption

San Bernardino County Animal Care, in partnership with the Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF), invites you to find your perfect match during the “Adopt a Sweetheart, Find your Furever Love” FREE pet adoption event now through Feb. 14, 2023. Adopted pets come with a microchip, spay/neuter and most vaccines.

During the month of January 2023, Animal Care and ARFF sponsored a free pet adoption event where 76 animals found furever homes, which more than doubled the number of adoptions in January 2022.

With such a successful event, Animal Care and ARFF are excited to bring FREE pet adoptions just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Your Furever Love is waiting. Limit of two free adoptions per family. To view available animals at the Devore and Big Bear Animal Shelters.


Pet of the Week: Fabio

Pet of the Week: Fabio

Meet Fabio (#A775044). This cute little guy just melts your heart with his smile and is bursting with love and affection.

He is estimated to be a 2-year and one-month old, unaltered male, black and tan Shepherd, and he needs a loving permanent home. Fabio is available for adoption at the Devore Animal Shelter.

For information about animals available for adoption in San Bernardino County’s Big Bear and #Devore shelters, please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care to see photographs of the pets awaiting adoption or call (800) 472-5609. To donate to assist animals at the shelter, visit Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF)


San Bernardino County Human Resources

We are hiring. Join an award-winning workforce

A collage of people posing for the camera in professonal dress attire with a video play button in the middle.

Jobs of the Week and other hiring events

San Bernardino County has jobs that will open on Saturday, Feb. 4.

We encourage you to apply and share these job openings with those who may be interested in them. Recruitments listed are subject to final department approval.

Check Job Opportunities for the most up-to-date recruitments.


A purple box with the words Monkey Pox Information on it. there is a vial of medicine with a needle on an angle at the top.

For all monkeypox-related information, including case statistics, FAQs, guidelines, and resources, visit the County’s monkeypox webpage at wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/monkeypox. Individuals who are interested in the vaccine may complete the Monkeypox Vaccine Interest Form

A teal box with the words COVID-!9 Vaccine Information on it and a injectable needle on the left.

For all COVID-19 related information, including case statistics, FAQs, guidelines, and resources, visit the County’s COVID-19 webpage. Residents of San Bernardino County may also call the COVID-19 helpline at (909) 387-3911 for general information and resources about the virus. The phone line is NOT for medical calls and is available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions about social services, please call 211.

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