By Mark Gutglueck
Another element of Councilman Alan Wapner’s campaign for mayor is vectoring attention to the pay-for-play ethos and graft that has infested politics and governance in Ontario for a generation.
Wapner has been in place on the city council since 1994. Over that more-than-three-decade-long period, he has proven to be the most generously financially endowed politician among all of San Bernarino County’s local elected officials, having received over $3.2 million in donations to his various political funds, primarily into his city council electioneering war chest.
With some exceptions, the list of the major donors to Wapner’s campaign fund represents a virtual who’s who of the entities which have obtained clearance from the City of Ontario for development projects or which have contracts for goods and/or services with or franchises granted by the city or the various governmental agencies/joint powers authorities Mr. Wapner represents or heads.
There is a widespread perception that donating money to Alan Wapner to assist him in perpetuating his political career is a requisite for those who have applications for approval of development projects being considered by the Ontario planning division, business owners who are seeking a contract with the city or those who are competing for a city franchise if they want the project approved, to obtain the contract or to be granted the franchise. Continue reading →

Despite the Morongo Unified School District being San Bernardino County’s largest school district geographically at 1,342.44 square miles, there are 17 other school districts in the county with a more substantial student enrollment.
With 11 elementary schools, two middle schools and three high schools, the number of students in the district had climbed to 8,005 at the beginning of the 2020–2021 school year, when in-class instruction had been suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and hit 9,301 by the end of that school year. Enrollment neared or eclipsed 10,000 before the end of 2021-22 and at the beginning of 2022-23, but has dropped of since. Prognostication suggest that by 2031, the number of students in the district will have attrited to approximately 6,821.
According to the district, student enrollment reached roughly 10,000 at one point but is down to around 7,300 now.
Schools within the district consist of Condor Elementary School in Twentynine Palms, located on the grounds of the US Marine Corps Base; Friendly Hills Elementary School; Joshua Tree Elementary School; Landers Elementary School; Morongo Valley Elementary School; Oasis Elementary School in Twentynine Palms; Onaga Elementary School in Yucca Valley; Palm Vista Elementary School in Twentynine Palms; Twentynine Palms Elementary School; Yucca Mesa Elementary School, which offers instruction from Kindergarten to the 8th grade; Yucca Valley Elementary School along with La Contenta Middle School in Yucca Valley; Twentynine Palms Junior High School, which was the original all purpose elementary, jurnior high abd high school in the town in the 1950s, as well as Twentynine Palms High School, Yucca Valley High School and Black Rock Continuation High School,
The Palm Vista, Landers and Morongo Valley elementary schools have fewer than 350 students each and at present are receiving in per diem reimbursements for those students’ daily attendance an amount of money from the state that in total is less than what it is costing the district to operate them.
SchoolWorks Inc., a consulting firm retained by the district, has suggested that the district close at least one and perhaps all three of the underattened schools as well as, perhaps, Friendly Hills. This would require that the district defray the cost of bussing students a considerable distance to the next closest campus, including six busses roughly 16 miles from back and forth from Landers to Joshua Tree six days a week.
Some parents, students and teachers at or associated with the schools tentatively targeted for closure have expressed opposition to the closure option.
In January, the district formed an enrollment advisory committee.
Between that committee, SchoolWorks Inc., Superintendent Patricio Vargas and other senior district staff, options on how the district should deal with the declining enrollment have been outlined. While campus closures are not the only solution, according to Vargas the most sensiblel way of approaching the matter is to contemplate the closure of at least one of the schools by August 2027 at the beginning of the 2027-28 school year with further closures to follow thereafter.
On April 9 at a committee meeting, Vargas broached this as “a gradual decrease in the number of schools and adjustment of busing routes.”
Vargas said the district could, if it chose, leave all schools in place and open, make some school attendance boundary changes and live with the enrollment in as many as eight of the district’s 11 elementary schools have their enrollment fall below 350 by 2031.

The district could, Vargas said, close Palm Vista, Landers and Morongo Valley elementary schools and reassign students to the closest campuses. This would entail the district adding eight bus routes, which would increase transportation costs by $3 million. The transportation cost increases would be matched or more than offset by savings from the school closures, Vargas said. Even with the shuttering of Palm Vista, Landers and Morongo Valley, he said three of the schools that would remain open would see their enrollments dip to below 350vy school year 2031-32.
The district could also, Vargas said, close Landers Elementary and bus those students to Yucca Mesa Elementary. This would require the addition of three bus routes with the maximum drive time for one such bus being 57 minutes, less than the current 72 minutes. This would put kindergarteners though 8th graders on the same buses as high school students. Six of the remaining ten elementary schools would see reductions in the number of their students to below 350 by 2031-32.
Another approach Vargas outlined would be for Morongo Valley Elementary to closs, with its students sent to Yucca Valley Elementary School. This would require the addition of two bus routes, in which the maximum trip time would drop from 67 to 56 minutes. Seven of the remaining ten schools would see an attrition to less than 350 students by 2031-32.
A contemplated move is the closure of Palm Vista, with the displaced students moved to either Oasis or Twentynine Palms Elementary. This would call for the addition of three bus routes, with students spending as many as 50 minutes going to school and 50 minutes returning home. Six of the district’s elementary schools would have fewer than 350 students by 2031-32 under this plan.
Some parents said that Vargas and other district officials were panicking needlessly and that state education officials, including those with the California’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, which advises school districts on fiscal matters and traces the mismanagement of education funding, said the Morongo Unified School District’s closing of campuses was not necessary.
Some community members, including at least one member of the committee, were skeptical of refusals by Vargas and a so-called facilitator with SchoolWorks Inc., Dr. Stella Kemp, to disclose bottom lines on carryovers from the current 2025-26 budget and the numbers under preparation for the 2026-27 budget.
-Mark Gutglueck

The San Bernardino County Behavioral Health Department is entering into an approximately $1.3 million contract with San Bernardino-based VARP, Inc. and expanded agreements with several community providers to increase access to substance use treatment and recovery services throughout the county.
The action includes an additional $800,000 in funding to support services for individuals referred by San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, bringing the total available funding for these services to $4 million. Providers receiving updated agreements include High Desert Child, Adolescent and Family Services Center, Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inland Valley Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services and Cedar House Life Change Center.
These services include early intervention, outpatient care and long-term recovery support, helping residents in need access treatment earlier and maintain recovery over time.
By increasing access to substance use disorder treatment and recovery services for individuals and families in need, the county is furthering the county’s wellness goals.
The San Bernardino County Public Health Department received an approximately $669,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program through February 28, 2027. Continue reading →

The musicians of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band and the Al & Jennifer Boling Family are proud to present a program entitled “Swing, Swing, Swing” on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert will be held at the Ontario Town Square on Euclid Ave. between “B” & “C” Streets in downtown Ontario. The Woodwind Celebration Ensemble will present a pre-concert recital at 7:00 p.m. The performance is free to the public.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair as the seating is limited.
The concert will feature songs from the “Swing” and “Jazz” eras, including “Let’s Dance,” “Leap Frog,” “Wood Choppers Ball,” “Caravan,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Stomping at the Savoy,” “Sentimental Journey,” Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood,” and more! The Show Band will have four accomplished guest performers returning to share the stage – Shelia Ruff, Loren Martinez, Peter Gutierrez and Homero Chavez.
The Colony High School Orchestra, under the direction of Michael Bachman, will perform with the Show Band for a special tribute to Jazz musician and composer Chuck Mangione.
Also featured will be Show Band solo musicians Steve Collins on Flugelhorn and Director Pat Arnold on vocal and tenor sax, along with the musicians of the Show Band. Continue reading →

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE
NUMBER CIVSB2607757
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner MIN KYOUNG LEE filed with this court for a decree changing names as follows: MIN KYOUNG LEE to KATIE MIN KYOUNG CHEON
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
Notice of Hearing:
Date: 05/08/2026, Time: 09:00 AM, Department: S29
The address of the court is Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino District-Civil Division, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this order be published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel in San Bernardino County California, once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing of the petition.
Dated: 03/27/2026
Leslie Zepeda, Deputy Clerk of the Court
Judge of the Superior Court: Joseph T. Ortiz
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026.

NOTICE OF HEARING
FAMVS901404
To: JORGE ENRIQUE RAMIREZ
Petitioner: Maria Eugenia Rosales
Respondent: Jorge Enrique Ramirez
A Court Hearing will be held as follows:
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Department B3
Barstow Superior Court
Barstow Court House
235 East Mt. Viw Street
Barstow, CA 92311
Maria Eugenia Rosales, In Pro Per
Stewart & Gray Rd Unit 12A
Downey, CA 90241
(760) 353-5723
ma.eugenia.rosales@gmail.com
Dated: March 25, 2026
Commissioner Jason S. Wilkinson
Jennifer Garner, Deputy Clerk, for the Clerk of the Court
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026.

Continue reading →

By Mark Gutglueck
City officials in Big Bear Lake have gone into crouch and are remaining tight-lipped in the face of recurrent accusations that the accommodationist policy of its [community development] department has subjected some residents to the risk of asbestos exposure.
Over the last six months, the city’s building and safety department has found itself second-guessed the Air Quality Management District, which has shut down some demolition projects that had been given permits by the city. The AQMD took that action because of suspicion or determination that there was asbestos or asbestos containing materials contained in structures that were either being demolished or within the walls, ceilings, floors, siding, framework for appliances or serving as insulation and that the city had either failed to identify or require in the permits a protocol or process for keeping asbestos fibers from becoming liberated and airborne.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring, fibrous, fire-resistant and heat-resistant minerals used for insulation, strength, and fireproofing in building materials. It becomes hazardous when damaged or disturbed, releasing microscopic fibers into the air that can be inhaled. These fibers lodge in lungs, causing fatal diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestiosis years after exposure. Asbestos was heavily used in construction and manufacturing from the early 1900s through the 1970s for fireproofing and insulation. A scientific determination of the danger of asbestos was made in 1970 and the Environmental Protection Agency declared it a carcinogen [cancer-causing] agent in 1975. While restrictions with regard to its use began in the 1970s and continued incrementally thereafter, particularly a 1977 ban on spray-on fireproofing applications, it was not completely phased out of all products until the Environmental Protection Agency’s comprehensive ban on chrysotile asbestos in March 2024. Continue reading →

In what appears to be a forced exit, Stone James, who had served as Twentynine Palms city manager over the last 24 months, tendered his resignation on Thursday, April 9.
James’ official departure will be effective on June 8, though sources say his duties as city manager beyond fully orienting whoever is to succeed him in an interim capacity have drawn to a close.
James was previously the economic development director for Cathedral City, a position he had filled since 2017. His was hired to serve as city manager in Twentynine Palms in March 2024 to replace interim City Manager Larry Bowden, who had been filling that spot since October 2023 when the previous City Manager, Frank Luckino, accepted an offer to serve as the city manager of Desert Hot Springs.
James’ forte in seeking out and encouraging local investment and economic development was perceived positively by the city council at the time of his hiring and for sometime thereafter, but was less well received by some city residents who saw a downside to certain economic advances, such as the conversion of what were traditionally residences into short-term rental units for vacationers, which exacerbated an already existing housing shortage and pushed the cost of housing to a point that resulted in some families being priced out of the community. Continue reading →

By Anthony Serrano and Mark Gutglueck
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ legal effort to convince a judge to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at forcing the United States Forest Service to prevent water from being diverted from near the top of the west San Bernardino Mountains for use as commercial drinking water has triggered an unanticipated, unintended and, from the tribe’s point-of-view, unwanted examination of the tribe’s water entitlements near the base of the mountains on its non-reservation investment property known on the grounds surrounding the historic Arrowhead Springs Hotel. Rulings in that lawsuit expected to be made later this year will potentially have a bearing on who controls or can claim ownership to a significant portion of the water and the water rights in the San Bernardino Basin.
Over the last four decades, there has been steadily increasing tension between environmentalists and entities who have gained access to water flowing in a canyon above the 5,000-foot level in the San Bernardino Mountains. Environmentalists maintain the displacement of that water is wreaking intensive ecological damage within the canyon. It is their further contention that the diversions by the corporate predecessors to those capturing the water now have been taking place in defiance of both federal and state law since the late 1920s based upon a fraudulently-drawn up document substituting water drafting rights further down the mountain at a spot closer to the 2,000-foot level as the basis for the illegal conscription of the water.
Since shortly after the San Manuel Tribe, also known as the Yuhaaviatam Nation, purchased the Arrowhead Springs Hotel in 2016, the succession of companies bottling the water originating in the canyon high up in the San Bernardino Forest have been providing a portion of that diverted water to the tribe. It is for that reason that the Yuhaaviatam Nation relatively recently became involved in the litigation relating to the water. Continue reading →

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the Town of Apple Valley has emerged at the forefront on the most recently forming opposition by local jurisdictions to the remedies to the homeless crisis being imposed on high across the state by legislators and bureaucrats in Sacramento.
At the April 14 town council meeting, the council and top town administration gave expression there rejection of Senate Bill 866, a proposal by State Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) which would mandate strict reporting requirements for cities with regard to their homeless populations and efforts to provide permanent housing or sheltering for them, even if those jurisdictions are not receiving funds from the state to overcome the proliferation of those living on their streets.
For years, local government officials have decried Sacramento’s imposition of what what have been labeled as “unfunded mandates,” demands or requirements that counties, cities, towns or smaller agencies undertake action, invest in or initiate programs or meet requirements for which the smaller governmental entities receive no money or assistance in carrying out.
Those orders from the governor or legislature have ranged over a number of topics and touched on myriad issues, in may cases, locals have charged, attempting to micromanage governmental activity and authority in ways that are not in keeping with or are downright antithetical to the values of those living in the communities being ordered about. Continue reading →