February 24, 2023 County Update – Welcome to San Bernardino County

Touted as the toughest off-road race in the world, King of the Hammers combines extreme rock crawling and desert terrain racing in San Bernardino County’s own Johnson Valley. Thousands of race enthusiasts gathered at Dry Means Dry Lake to witness these extreme machines kick up dust during the weeklong event.

County crews serve the public during storms

San Bernardino County emergency crews have been on alert for much of the week as snow, wind and rain are expected to hammer our region well into Saturday.

Rain is expected to turn the heavy snow that fell earlier this week into potentially heavy runoff, posing a possible danger to areas below the El Dorado Fire burn scar. Rain amounts are forecasted at two and a half inches to four inches in the valley areas and three inches to eight inches in the mountains.

Residents are urged to use caution during the storms, and visitors are urged to exercise caution and courtesy once the skies clear. “No Snow Play on the Roadway” restrictions and penalties will be in full force once the snow begins to fall.

County Public Works yards activated operations crews on split 12-hour shifts on Tuesday and plan to work around the clock until the end of the storms. Public Works has equipment staged throughout the area for snow removal, which would begin once enough snow has accumulated enough to plow. On-call contractors have been on-tap to supplement Public Works forces for snowplows working in Blue Jay, the Big Bear area and Forest Falls.

The County Office of Emergency Services conducted a Flood Area Safety Task Force (FAST) meeting on Tuesday with all of the county’s first responders to coordinate safety activities for the storms.

County Public Works has been working with Caltrans to provide freeway messaging for mountain visitors to alert them of road conditions and chain requirements. Public Works is placing a mobile message sign at the U.S. Forest Service station near Bryant Street along SR38. Sign locations can also be found on the Caltrans webpage at Caltrans QuickMap.

The County’s operational area partners plan to have additional staffing available should it be needed. Public Works plans to send out storm reports and post road closures on its webpage.

Humans aren’t the only San Bernardino County residents who need protection from severe weather.

Long, thick fur is not enough to keep your pets safe and warm during winter storms. As temperatures drop, pets, like humans, can become very cold and even experience hypothermia. As you prepare for cold, foul weather, remember to use these few simple tips to keep your animals safe and warm:

Bring your pets inside. Keep them out of extreme cold temperatures and ensure they are kept in a nice, warm spot indoors.
Ensure your pets are microchipped and that all contact information is up to date. This will make it less challenging if pets go missing and can help you find your loved ones quickly.
Create a safe and comfortable space. Pets can feel more secure if they have a place to retreat to when thunder begins to roar.
Turn on some soothing music to draw out noises. This can help minimize the loud sounds. Occupy your pets with toys or treats to soothe their anxiety and stress.

For more tips and animal care related-resources, visit San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control.

ALERT: SR 210 freeway closure canceled due to rain

The 55-hour closure of SR 210 in Redlands scheduled this weekend has been canceled due to rain in the area.

A series of 55-hour freeway closures are scheduled on select weekends through April that will allow crews to safely perform paving operations on eastbound (EB) and westbound (WB) SR 210 at the on- and off-ramp junctures of the San Bernardino Avenue interchange. The work is part of the SR 210 Lane Addition and Base Line Interchange Project in Highland and Redlands.

55-hour directional closures will take place during weekends from Friday at 10:00 p.m. to Monday at 5:00 a.m., and are scheduled for the following dates*:

Friday, March 3 through Monday, March 6 (WB)
Friday, March 10 through Monday, March 13 (WB)
Friday, March 24 through Monday, March 27 (EB)
Friday, March 31 through Monday, April 3 (EB)
Friday, April 14 through Monday, April 17 (EB)

* Please remember construction is dynamic and the schedule is subject to change.

SBCTA hosted a webinar on Thursday, February 16 to provide an overview of the series of six directional 55-hour freeway closures on SR 210 in Highland and Redlands.

To learn more about the closures and detours:

Visit SR 210 Lane Addition/Base Line Interchange
Sign up for weekly construction alerts
Bookmark SBCTA’s interactive Google Map for real-time closure and detour information

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The SR 210 Lane Addition and Base Line Interchange Project is designed to provide increased traffic flow throughout this corridor. To eliminate the existing bottleneck and provide lane continuity, the SR 210 will be widened from Sterling Avenue to San Bernardino Avenue in the cities of San Bernardino, Highland, and Redlands, as well as an unincorporated portion of San Bernardino County. Base Line Interchange will also be widened from Buckeye Street to Seine Avenue in the City of Highland, which will include widening three of the four interchange ramps. As the SR 210 Lane Addition and Base Line Interchange projects aligned geographically and shared similar delivery schedules, they were combined for the design, right-of-way, and construction phases to save cost and expedite the schedule. In addition, pavement rehabilitation work was added through a cooperative agreement with Caltrans that includes new concrete pavement between 5th Street and Lugonia Avenue. Adding the pavement rehabilitation work during the Lane Addition and Base Line Interchange projects means one less project that the community will have to navigate around in the future.

Income eligibility increased for childcare financial assistance

A multi-ethnic group of daycare children sit close together on the floor, with their legs crossed and their arms around one another, as they pose for a portrait. They are smiling and enjoying their time together.

The Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) has increased income eligibility limits to help families pay for child care. CCRC is enrolling eligible children and families of two who earn a monthly income of $6,000 or less, families of three who earn $6,800 or less, and families of four who earn a monthly income of up to $7,900.

Child care is available all hours of the day, including weekends.

Families can select their own child-care provider, which may include a qualified family member, friend, neighbor, licensed child-care center or licensed family child-care provider.

Call 1-866-67-4KIDS (1-866-674-5437) for more information or visit the CCRC website.

Code Enforcement office now open in San Bernardino

Code Enforcement is happy to announce they have moved to a new office location in San Bernardino. The new office is at 268 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 300, San Bernardino, located in the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector building.

Previously, the Code Enforcement office was located at 172 W. 3^rd St., San Bernardino. A move to a new office location had been planned to accommodate the growing Code Enforcement team, but a fire in June 2022 expedited the move.

A full range of Code Enforcement services are offered to the public at this new location, including information about the many programs Code Enforcement has to offer, including:

Code Enforcement
Community Clean-Up
llegal Dumping
Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement
Graffiti Abatement
Short-Term Rentals
Fire Hazard Abatement

In addition, a new customer service computer kiosk is available to the public. The kiosk can be used by customers to apply for various permits. There are also two meeting rooms in the lobby so customers can meet with Code Enforcement staff.

The new Code Enforcement office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-in service is available.

If you prefer, you can also reach the Code Enforcement Division via email at codeenforcementdivision@lus.sbcounty.gov or call 909-884-4056.

Other Code Enforcement office locations include:

Jerry Lewis High Desert Government Center

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Address: 15900 Smoke Tree St. Suite 131, Hesperia

Joshua Tree Land Use Services Office

Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Address: 63665 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree

Library celebrates classic characters, plus Storytime with the Supervisor

The San Bernardino County Library invites residents to celebrate the classics at the Library Classic Characters Events throughout the month of March. Enjoy an amazing experience of fun-filled crafts, face painting, balloon artists, and games. On Thursday, March 2, San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. will be reading beloved children’s books at the Rialto Branch Library at 12 p.m. and later at the Muscoy Branch Library at 3 p.m.

These events are another opportunity to celebrate and support the Countywide Vision’s literacy campaign, Vision2Read. Visitors are encouraged to bring their library cards to enter a drawing for an opportunity to win prizes with every 15 items checked out during the events. All activities are free and open to all ages. In addition, for every 15 items checked out between March 1 and March 11, customers will receive a stovepipe hat (various colors available while supplies last).

The San Bernardino County Library Classic Character Events will take place in the following locations:

March 2 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Rialto Branch Library – 251 W 1st St in Rialto
March 2 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Baker Family Learning Center Muscoy Branch Library at 2818 Macy St in Muscoy
March 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Sam J. Racadio Library & Environmental Learning Center at 7863 Central Avenue in Highland
March 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The James S. Thalman Library at 14020 City Center Drive in Chino Hills
March 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Library at 14901 Dale Evans Parkway in Apple Valley
March 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Lewis Library & Technology Center at 8437 Sierra Avenue in Fontana
March 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Hesperia Library at 9650 7th Avenue in Hesperia

For more programs, events, and additional information, please visit San Bernardino County Library or contact your local branch library.

The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision by contributing to educational, cultural and historical development of our County community.

For more information on the San Bernardino County library system, please visit San Bernardino County Library or call (909) 387-2220

Book collection of Dr. Margaret Hill Donated to Inghram Library

Left, First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen Scott and First 5 San Bernardino Commissioner Dr. Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers delivered over 100 books from the personal library of Dr. Margaret Hill to the Dorothy Inghram Library located in San Bernardino.

Over a hundred books from the library of Dr. Margaret Hill were recently donated to the Dorothy Inghram Branch Library in San Bernardino to continue her lifelong legacy of supporting literacy.

An educator for more than 50 years as well as a First 5 San Bernardino Commissioner before her passing in 2021, Dr. Hill supported efforts to improve literacy scores for students by making books available.

According to First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen Scott, who facilitated the donation, Dr. Hill was committed to improving literacy, especially for African American children. “She loved to read and had amassed a wonderful collection of books by African American authors on topics relevant to people of color,” Scott explained.

Previously, nearly 200 of Dr. Hill’s books were provided to the San Bernardino County library system in 2022.

Scott shared that Dr. Hill consistently encouraged reading throughout her legendary career. “Her extensive home library is a valuable donation to the African American community, and I sincerely thank the leadership of the Dorothy Inghram Library for their partnership in this recent endeavor,” Scott concluded.

Dorothy Inghram, the first black educator in San Bernardino County, and Dr. Hill were good friends and colleagues which makes this donation even more poignant. Inghram is remembered and honored by the library that bears her name, located on the west side of San Bernardino, in the heart of the African American community. This planned donation coincides with the national commemoration of Black History Month.

About First 5 San Bernardino

First 5 San Bernardino’s distinct purpose is to improve the lives of young children and their families by giving them the best possible start in life. For the past 23 years, First 5 San Bernardino has been working dynamically through strategic partnerships to promote, support and enhance the health and early development of children prenatal through age 5, their families and communities. Funded through the 1998 voter-approved initiative, California Children and Families Act (Proposition 10 tobacco tax revenues), First 5 San Bernardino has evolved into a system where stakeholders and services are integrated, coordinated and sustainable, and one that families experience as accessible, inclusive and equitable. For more information, visit First5 San Bernardino.

Pet of the Week: Nugget

Meet our Pet of the Week, Nugget (#A774559). Nugget is estimated to be a six-year-old neutered male, white Husky. He shows an interest in toys, but really enjoys the company of people. He is ready to be adopted at the Devore Animal Shelter.

Let the staff know you would like to meet ID A774559. 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 Facebook page.

We are hiring. Join an award-winning workforce

Jobs of the Week and other hiring events

San Bernardino County has jobs that will open on Saturday, Feb. 25.

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.

Featured Video: King of the Hammers