The County this week celebrated the start of construction for the first true headquarters of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
“Thank you to the Board of Supervisors and everyone else involved for their support in bringing this project to fruition,” said County Fire Chief Dan Munsey. “This headquarters facility will benefit the residents of San Bernardino County, who we are proud to serve.”
Utilizing the former Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) building on South Tippecanoe Avenue in San Bernardino, the new headquarters will house for the first time under one roof the fire district’s Administration, Fire Marshal, and Training, Safety & EMS divisions. This will enable the County to terminate costly leases and allow the district to work more efficiently as it provides protection to residents throughout San Bernardino County.
“The Board of Supervisors is committed to investing in County Fire,” said Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., who attended the celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and announced that the headquarters site will eventually include a firefighters memorial and feature water and energy conservation features.
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District is a community-based, all-risk/full-service, premier fire, rescue and EMS department. Its jurisdiction encompasses 19,278 square miles of extremely diverse environments that stretch from the Los Angeles, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, and Orange county lines to the Colorado River, Arizona, and Nevada.
It provides services to more than 60 communities and all of the county’s unincorporated areas. The district operates 48 fire stations and seven paid-call/volunteer fire stations and has 1,060 employees, including more than 760 firefighters.
County Sheriff’s H.O.P.E. Team connects homeless in Highland encampments to resources
On Friday, Nov. 11, the Sheriff’s Community Service & Reentry Division, Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (HOPE) conducted a quality-of-life initiative in the city of Highland. The goal of the operation was to connect with unhoused residents and offer them services such as housing, medical and mental health treatment, and other social services.
During the operation, the H.O.P.E. Team located 30 encampments, spoke to 38 homeless individuals, 27 of whom were found to be chronically homeless. Six seniors and one veteran were also contacted. Thirty-seven were referred to assistance programs, 13 of whom received direct assistance.
Two individuals met the criteria for the county’s Project Room Key program and were provided placement at a local motel where they will work with service providers to end their homelessness.
The team was able to provide this focused outreach due to Senate Bill 170, which provided funding to the Sheriff’s Department to support ongoing operations of this nature. The H.O.P.E. team and other aligned resources will continue operations of this type throughout the county over the next several years.
If you know of someone experiencing homelessness who is in need of services, please contact the H.O.P.E. Team at 909-387-0623 or hope@sbcsd.org.
Ayala Park wins a 2022 American Public Works Association Award
Ayala Park won a 2022 American Public Works Association (APWA) B.E.S.T. (Building Excellence, Shaping Tomorrow) Award for Recreational & Athletic Facilities.
The relocated Ayala Park and new Community Center provides 200,000-square feet of facilities and services for the adjacent newly completed affordable housing complex, as well as the community of Bloomington. Also included in the complex is the County’s Bloomington Branch Library, which was completed in 2016.
The County entered into an agreement with a park developer to design and develop the project, which was funded by Community Development Block Grants, State Park grant funds, and Bloomington Recreation and Park District funds.
Park features include:
Programming for all ages (Dance, Sports, Cooking Classes and more)
New Veterans Memorial
Multiple playground areas
Exercise equipment
Lighted basketball court
Picnic shelters
Dog park
Restrooms
Zip line
Community Center features include:
Conference room
Event rooms (Capacity 238)
Multi-Purpose Room (Hybrid Room)
Warming kitchen
Indoor snack shop
For more information, or to plan your next trip to Ayala Park, call 909-562-0917 or 909-677-0066, or visit the Special Districts website. Ayala Park is located at 17909 Marygold Ave., Bloomington.
Property tax deadline: convenient ways to pay, including online
San Bernardino County property owners are encouraged to pay the first installment of their property taxes. The last day to pay without incurring a 10% penalty is Monday, Dec. 12. The Tax Collector’s Office offers many convenient ways to pay, including online, by phone, by mail, and in person.
“Property taxes fund key public services that enhance the quality of life for County residents,” said Auditor Tax Collector Ensen Mason. “I recommend taxpayers take advantage of ATC’s easy and secure online payment options at www.MyTaxCollector.com, and I encourage property owners to do what they can to pay their property taxes by Dec. 12 to avoid costly penalties as a result of late payments.”
Electronic payments are accepted online at www.MyTaxCollector.com, and by phone at (909) 387-8308 or (760) 241-8829, and can be made using a checking or savings account free of charge.
Mailed payments should be sent to SBC Tax Collector at 268 West Hospitality Lane, First Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0360. Only payments with a USPS postmark cancellation on or before Dec. 12, 2022, will be considered timely.
In accordance with Revenue and Taxation Code §2503.2(b), the San Bernardino County Tax Collector currently requires taxpayers who make an aggregate payment of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more per year to submit their payment by ACH credit or wire transfer. For the County’s bank account information, please contact the Tax Collector at (909) 387-8308 or email TCAccounting@sbcountyatc.gov.
Payments can be made in person at the Tax Collector’s Office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. For faster service, please bring a copy of your tax bill.
Discovering locally grown ingredients just in time for Thanksgiving
With the release of the 2021 San Bernardino County Crop Report by the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures, it is clear that agriculture is a critical economic component of the county.
The report includes more than 249 commodities, which totaled to $350,857,419 for 2021. Crop values fluctuate year over year based on production, market fluctuations and weather conditions.
So what does this mean for the consumer and foodie? It means that most likely locally grown ingredients will find their way onto your table this Thanksgiving, or in fact, for any other meal.
Of the 249 commodities, the top three products are milk ($112,451,000), cattle ($55,941,000) and eggs ($50,526,000). The list also includes indoor decoratives, ranked fifth ($18,127,000) and citrus, ranked ninth ($11,814,000). The report also includes other crops, such as vegetable crops, fruit and nuts and nursery products.
Right, a worker with JM Produce sets up his stand outside the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton for its Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Photo courtesy of ARMC staff.
A glimpse into locally grown crops can be found at any one our certified Farmers Markets throughout the county.
From eggs, vegetables and fresh cut flowers, Farmers Markets offer a wide variety of locally grown produce and one-of-a-kind handcrafted items.
Farmers Markets’ vendors vary from location-to-location. For a full list of certified markets, visit Farmer Market Locations.
The programs the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures administers are essential to protecting the county’s agricultural resources. To view the 2021 Crop Report, visit Crop Reports.
Running Springs Library recognized as organization of the year
On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Running Springs Chamber of Commerce named the Running Springs Branch Library as the 2022 Organization of the Year. Staff were recognized with a plaque, commended for their outstanding customer service, invaluable resources, and commitment to their local community through programs and services.
The Running Springs Branch Library staff proudly celebrated its accomplishments, attributing its success to the unwavering support and collaborative spirit of the 32-branch County Library system and ever-increasing program attendance and circulation of books.
You can check out the library’s array of programs, services and branch events by visiting its website at San Bernardino County Library.
Victor Valley Museum to Host George Air Force Base Exhibit in December
The Victor Valley Museum will host George Air Force Base: Commemorating Its Legacy 30 Years Later from Dec. 10 through Jun. 11. The High Desert has a long history of community dedication, honor, and service. George Air Force Base played a significant role in that history, and it continues to leave a lasting influence, even 30 years after its closure. This exhibit will commemorate the lasting legacy of the base and honor those who served. There will be an exhibit opening reception on Dec. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m.
General admission is $10 (adults), $8 (military or seniors), $7 (students), and $5 (children ages 6 to 12). Children 5 and under as well as Museum Association members are free.
Victor Valley Museum is at 11873 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Calico Ghost Town transforms into holiday fest with Santa, tree lighting
On Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Calico Ghost Town will transform into a holiday festival with a photo op with Santa, Christmas caroling and the annual tree lighting that is sure to amuse the merriest of little spirits in this picturesque Old West mining town.
Festival goers can sing along or simply listen to your favorite holiday melodies. There will be a reading of the favorite “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” contests for the whole family, crafts for kids, gunfights performed by our very own Calico Mountain Volunteers and The High D Boys will perform on Main Street Stage.
Browse specialty arts & craft shops for that hard-to-buy-for relative, neighbor or friend. Some shops will offer discounts for holiday shopping.
Santa arrives at 11 a.m. with a cheery “Ho! Ho! Ho!” for photos with the children and will light the Calico Christmas tree at 6 p.m. After the tree lighting, Lil’s Saloon will provide complimentary cookies and hot chocolate.
Calico will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices are $10 per adult, $5 children ages 4-11, and 3 years and under are FREE
Calico Ghost Town offers full and partial camping at the park. Reservations may be booked directly online at San Bernardino Regional Parks. Cabins and bunkhouses are also available. Please call 760-254-1123 to reserve.
Calico Ghost Town is located off I-15 at Ghost Town Road in Yermo, just 10 miles north of Barstow. For more information on our parks, visit San Bernardino Regional Parks.
Pet of the Week: Thriller
Thriller (A772385) is an agile 3-year-old unaltered male, red and white Husky. He is waiting for that special someone to give him a furever home. You can adopt Thriller from the San Bernardino County Animal Shelter in Devore.
For more information about animals in need of loving homes in San Bernardino County’s Big Bear and Devore shelters, please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care to see photographs of the animals awaiting adoption or call (800) 472-5609.
Process for Assessor/Recorder appointment
Applications for Assessor/Recorder will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Visit Clerk of the Board to view materials.
Jobs of the Week and Other Hiring Events
San Bernardino County has jobs that will open on Saturday, Nov. 19.
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.
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.
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.
More from
Agriculture/Weights & Measures, Animal Care, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector, County Fire, County Library, County Museum, Human Resources, Regional Parks, Sheriff's Department, Special Districts Department
