Incumbent Rancho Cucamonga Councilwoman Ashley Stickler has turned back a spirited challenge by a fellow Republican, Luis Cetina, achieving a victory that was in large measure engineered by her allies who are currently at the top of the San Bernardino County Republican Party.
Assisted by a coterie of political operatives closely associated with San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee Chairman Phil Cothran Sr., those handling Stickler devised a strategy aimed at dividing the Hispanic vote in Rancho Cucamonga’s District 1, and then executed upon it with flawless precisio

What to all appearances seemed a heavy-handed effort by the legal counsel to the Adelanto Elementary School District to tip the outcome of the race in that district’s Governing Area 1 in Tuesday’s election in favor of the incumbent failed, as the challenger in that contest, the district’s former superintendent, has scored a narrow victory in the combination of Tuesday’s polling place ballot casting and mail-in ballots received and tallied by the registrar of voters so far.
Former Superintendent Michael Krause’s victory over Christine Turner creates what promises to be an awkward circumstance, as he is now in a position to influence district policy, potentially in directions that the district board in the recent past resisted when he was in charge of the district’s administration and educational mission.
More pointedly, what is at stake is whether the law firm the district has used over the last several years to guide it in terms of legal advice and governing procedure will be able to remain in place after the attorney with that firm who is assigned to the district engaged in a bare-knuckled effort to prevent the election of the individual who is likely to prove the most knowledgeable member of the board with regard to educational issues, approaches and policies from a professional standpoint.
A question that yet stands is how civilly and cooperatively the other members of the school board will be able to accept Krause as a colleague and work toward improving the academic performance of the district’s schools. Three of those four board members earlier this year voted along with the board member Krause is to displace to suspend him from his role as superintendent before he and the district entered into a separation agreement in June. Continue reading →

San Bernardino, as the county seat and the county’s largest city population-wise and its oldest municipality, is a trendsetter in multiple respects. It is further distinguished by having the largest city council in San Bernardino County, consisting of seven council members elected to represent the city’s seven wards, capped by an eighth member, the mayor, who is elected at-large.
With what were only two exceptions – the cities of Needles and Colton – San Bernardino County’s other 21 cites and two incorporated towns had five-member councils. Needles, the county’s smallest city population-wise, has a council consisting of six council members and a mayor. Colton, until 2022, likewise had a seven-member council with a mayor and six council members. Two years ago, however, Colton, San Bernardino’s immediate neighbor to the west on is south side, transitioned back to being a five-member council.
San Bernardino, in accordance with the municipal charter that had been in place from 1905 until the 2016, held its elections in odd-numbered years. In 2016, it became the last county city to go to even-numbered year elections. In gubernatorial election years, the city elects its mayor and its First, Second and Fourth ward council members. In presidential election years, the city’s voters in the Third, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh ward choose their council representatives.
Under normal and most circumstances, the San Bernardino mayor does not vote on matters decided by the city council. The exceptions to this are on matters relating to the hiring or firing of the city manager and city attorney, along with appointments to city commissions. The mayor is authorized to vote in those cases where the vote of the council has ended in a tie. The mayor also holds limited veto power with regard to council votes that passed by margins of 4-to-3 or 3-to-2.
Of note is that San Bernardino is a heavily Democrat city. Of its 106,873 registered voters, 48,523 of them or 45.4 percent affiliate with the Democratic Party, while 24,401 or 22.8 percent are Republicans. Nearly as many, 22.6 percent of the city’s voters, have no party affiliation, and 9.2 percent are members of the American Independent, Green, Libertarian, Peace & Freedom or other more obscure parties. Despite the Democrats overwhelming advantage in terms of voter registration, four of the council’s four current members – First Ward Councilman Ted Sanchez, Third Ward Councilman Juan Figueroa, Fourth Ward Councilman Fred Shorett and Seventh Ward Councilman Damon Alexander – are Republicans. Second Ward Councilwoman Sandra Ibarra, Fifth Ward Councilman Ben Reynoso and Sixth Ward Councilwoman Kimberly Calvin are Democrats, as is Mayor Helen Tran.
While municipal elections are under California electoral law considered to be nonpartisan in nature, in San Bernardino County, party affiliation is a major factor in local politics.
In March, Figueroa, running for reelection in the Third Ward and Mario Flores, who had challenged Calvin in the Sixth Ward, emerged victorious, gaining a majority of the votes cast in their respective elections, thus avoiding the need to compete in this week’s run-off. Also in March, Reynoso lost his bid for reelection in the Fifth Ward when two others in the race, former Councilman Henry Nickel and newcomer Kim Knaus, garnered more votes than he did. Similarly, in the Seventh Ward, Alexander’s hold on his position on the council slipped away when former City Attorney Jim Penman and longtime community activist Treasure Ortiz finished second and first in the vote, respectively. In the November 5 run-off in the Fifth District, Knaus, with 61 percent of the vote, outpolled Nickel, with 39 percent of the vote. In the Seventh Ward, Ortiz, with 56 percent of the vote, prevailed over Penman with 44 percent of the vote.
In this way, the 4-to-3 advantage to the Republicans over the Democrats on the council reverses itself. In the Third Ward, the Republican Figueroa remains in place. In the Fifth and Sixth wards, the Democrats Reynoso and Calvin are being replaced by Democrats Knaus and Flores. The overall Republican-to-Democrat balance on the council is being changed in the Seventh Ward, where the Republican Alexander is to be supplanted by the Democrat Ortiz.
Taken together with Tran’s Democratic Party affiliation, the political leadership in the city will move convincingly into the Democratic camp at the second city council meeting in December, when Knaus, Flores and Ortiz will be sworn in, along with Figueroa, and Reynoso, Calvin and Alexander will make their exodus from the council dais.
Beginning during Franklin Roosevelt’s Administration, for three decades beginning in 1936 when New Deal Democrat Harry Sheppard was elected to represent most of San Bernardino County, San Bernardino County was a Democratic County. In 1966, with the election of Jerry Pettis to Congress and Ronald Reagan as governor, San Bernardino County went Republican. It has remained a GOP bastion ever since, even after 2009, when countywide the number of registered Democrats eclipsed the number of registered Republicans throughout the 20,105 square-mile county. The now-significantly more numerous Democrats are gradually beginning to become more politically assertive and starting to take control of the county’s various local governmental entities away from the Republicans, who have historically turned out to vote in far greater numbers than their Democratic rivals.
In this way, the San Bernardino City Council switching from reddish purple to blue purple in this election city cycle is seen as a harbinger of San Bernardino County’s political future.

By M.R. Wainwright
In the aftermath of the 2024 general election, Helen Tran, Mayor of San Bernardino, finds herself isolated, her influence diminished, and her support base fractured. Her weakened position has left many residents and donors questioning her ability to lead, and her dwindling backing reflects a loss of confidence in her vision for the city. Once hopeful that Tran would bring meaningful progress, San Bernardino residents and city leaders alike have watched her administration falter, marked by missed opportunities, ineffective governance, and a disconnect from the community’s needs.
The election results only underscored Tran’s decreasing relevance. Her isolation became starkly evident with the decisive win of incoming Councilwoman-Elect Treasure Ortiz over former City Attorney Jim Penman, shutting down any hopes Tran may have had for a unified council under her leadership. Ortiz’s victory, alongside Kim Knaus’s election to the council, signaled a desire for fresh perspectives and highlighted Tran’s growing disconnect from a city in need of stronger, more cohesive leadership.
Further compounding her struggles was Tran’s involvement in the failed campaign of Dara Smith for County Assessor, a race marked by the support of out-of-town donors who seemed indifferent to local concerns. Smith’s loss delivered a resounding message that San Bernardino residents prioritize local interests over outside influence. Tran’s endorsement only reinforced perceptions of her as a mayor out-of-touch with the community, aligning herself with donors who did not reflect the city’s values.
The cracks in Tran’s support base have widened, with even her closest advisors beginning to quietly distance themselves. The failed recall efforts against her, disorganized and poorly executed, did more harm than good, highlighting her struggles to gain meaningful support within the city. Despite attempts to rally allies, Tran’s leadership missteps have become common concerns among her peers. With new council members like Knaus and Ortiz set to take office, Tran faces an increasingly isolated role as the council pivots toward San Bernardino’s future without her influence.
City Manager Rochelle Clayton’s recent decision to reach out directly to Councilwoman-Elect Ortiz and incoming Councilmember Knaus for individual discussions on the city’s future only underscores Tran’s diminishing relevance. The initiative, reportedly taken without Tran’s involvement, signals a new direction for San Bernardino—one that prioritizes collaboration and effective governance, distancing itself from Tran’s isolated administration.
Meanwhile, Tran’s standing with residents and donors is rapidly deteriorating, and fundraising records reflect a sharp decline in major contributions. Many large donors, once hopeful about her potential, are now withholding maximum contributions, with only token support remaining. For Tran, this lack of financial commitment paints a troubling picture, as even her backers appear hesitant to invest in her leadership. The growing disillusionment among donors suggests that, in the next election, Tran may find herself squarely in the crosshairs, with residents and funders alike seeking leadership that places the city’s interests first.
Recognizing her inability to deliver, Tran’s close advisors are quietly exploring new paths, seeking opportunities in neighboring cities like Rialto, where effective governance and collaboration seem more promising. Developers and donors, initially optimistic about Tran’s administration, are redirecting their support to campaigns and projects in nearby jurisdictions, viewing San Bernardino’s future under her leadership as incompatible with their goals. For Tran, this shift marks a devastating blow, as those who once supported her look elsewhere for effective leadership.
Tran’s failed association with the chaotic recall attempt only further alienated her allies, driving a wedge between her and remaining supporters. Poorly executed and mismanaged, the recall effort raised questions about her judgment and further damaged her credibility among donors. The failure of the recall not only backfired but also highlighted the disarray within her leadership, casting doubt on her ability to unify her base or rally support for future initiatives.
As the dust settles, it’s evident that Tran’s future as mayor is bleak. Her repeated missteps and fading influence depict a leader rapidly losing her grip on authority. With new council members ready to assume office, Tran finds herself sidelined, facing a political landscape that no longer welcomes her. As San Bernardino moves toward a new chapter under leadership committed to making tangible improvements, Tran is relegated to the role of spectator, watching as others work to achieve the progress she once promised but failed to deliver.
In sum, Helen Tran’s tenure as Mayor of San Bernardino has been marked by missteps, isolation, and now a clear message from the electorate: the city is moving forward—without her. Her term may go down as one of San Bernardino’s most profound missteps—a cautionary tale that a well-intended community leader can also easily become self-centered, becoming the very enemy they once aimed to remove from office.

On Monday, November 4, a majority of the association representing Chaffey College’s faculty registered a vote of no confidence against Chaffey College President Henry Shannon and two of the institution’s senior administrators.
The Academic Senate, representing the community college’s faculty – professors, teachers, lecturers, lab supervisors, instructors and adjunct professors – debated with regard to official action to be lodged against Shannon and associate superintendents Lisa Bailey and Alisha Rosas over the course of multiple meetings in September, October and this month before committing to taking the no confidence vote.
At issue was discontent with regard to hiring and promotional practices at the college, together with concern about decisions on conferring tenures or placing professors on tenure tracks, actions about which the faculty has been given no say. Some faculty members have alleged, and it now appears a majority of their colleagues have come to believe, that favoritism, cronyism and nepotism have tainted both hiring and policy decisions made by the college administration going back several years.
Shannon has led Chaffey College since 2007. Bailey has been associate superintendent of business services and economic development since 2013. Rosas, the who began at Chaffey in 2015 as the director of marketing and public relations, in 2020 promoted to associate superintendent for student services and strategic communications. Continue reading →

By M.R. Wainwright
In the aftermath of the 2024 general election, Helen Tran, Mayor of San Bernardino, finds herself isolated, her influence diminished, and her support base fractured. Her weakened position has left many residents and donors questioning her ability to lead, and her dwindling backing reflects a loss of confidence in her vision for the city. Once hopeful that Tran would bring meaningful progress, San Bernardino residents and city leaders alike have watched her administration falter, marked by missed opportunities, ineffective governance, and a disconnect from the community’s needs.
The election results only underscored Tran’s decreasing relevance. Her isolation became starkly evident with the decisive win of incoming Councilwoman-Elect Treasure Ortiz over former City Attorney Jim Penman, shutting down any hopes Tran may have had for a unified council under her leadership. Ortiz’s victory, alongside Kim Knaus’s election to the council, signaled a desire for fresh perspectives and highlighted Tran’s growing disconnect from a city in need of stronger, more cohesive leadership.
Further compounding her struggles was Tran’s involvement in the failed campaign of Dara Smith for County Assessor, a race marked by the support of out-of-town donors who seemed indifferent to local concerns. Smith’s loss delivered a resounding message that San Bernardino residents prioritize local interests over outside influence. Tran’s endorsement only reinforced perceptions of her as a mayor out-of-touch with the community, aligning herself with donors who did not reflect the city’s values.
The cracks in Tran’s support base have widened, with even her closest advisors beginning to quietly distance themselves. The failed recall efforts against her, disorganized and poorly executed, did more harm than good, highlighting her struggles to gain meaningful support within the city. Despite attempts to rally allies, Tran’s leadership missteps have become common concerns among her peers. With new council members like Knaus and Ortiz set to take office, Tran faces an increasingly isolated role as the council pivots toward San Bernardino’s future without her influence. Continue reading →

In July, in response to the City of San Bernardino’s application for a $26 million grant to cover the cost of constructing a comprehensive and full-service homeless shelter, the State of California came across with $17 million.
The following month, however, interim City Manager Rochelle Clayton, who had informed Mayor Helen Tran of the no-strings-attached funding from Sacramento but had kept from the city’s seven council members that the money was to be forthcoming, declined the state’s offer.
At this point, the members of the city council having learned of what occurred within the last few days, the question remains why Clayton did not take the final steps to actuate the grant.

FBN 20240009169
The following entity is doing business primarily in San Bernardino County as
TMR TAX SERVICES 11223 JOSHUA CT FONTANA, CA 92337: TINA M ROMAN
Business Mailing Address: 9036 MISSION BLVD #1006 RIVERSIDE, CA 92509
The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUAL.
The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A.
By signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
/s/ TINA M. ROMAN, Owner
Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 10/10/2024
I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/Deputy J2523
Notice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on October 18 & 25 and November 1 & 8, 2024.

FBN 20240009075
The following entity is doing business primarily in San Bernardino County as
UNA MORDIDITA 16060 ATHOL ST FONTANA, CA 92335: JESSICA A RENTERIA
Business Mailing Address: 16060 ATHOL ST FONTANA, CA 92335
The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUAL.
The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: OCTOBER 1, 2025.
By signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
/s/ JESSICA A RENTERIA, Owner
Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: October 8, 2024
I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/Deputy K3379
Notice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on October 18 & 25 and November 1 & 8, 2024.

Continue reading →

The Sentinel at 6:42 p.m. today, November 5, was notified that “hundreds” of California State University Students were casting provisional ballots at the polling precinct located at the CalState Alumni Center.
The clear insinuation contained in the report was that the lion’s share of those voting at that precinct are students, many of whom are not registered to vote in San Bernardino. Most of those voting at the Alumni Center, it was said, are Democrats.
Running in the Fifth Ward in today’s November 5 race, are Kim Knaus and Henry Nickel, the two-top finishers in the March Primary. Both outdistanced the incumbent Ward 5 councilman, Ben Reynoso, who defeated Nickel in a run-off in 2024. Nickel held the Ward 5 post since 2014, when he prevailed in a special election following the 2013 resignation of then-Councilman Chas Kelley. Nickel, a Republican, was reelected in 2015 and had his term expanded to 2020 when the city switched to even-year elections.
Nickel was the top vote-getter in the 2020 primary election, but was defeated when Reynoso, a Democrat activist, cleverly moved to register Cal State San Bernardino students prior to the November 2020-run-off election. Though local elections in California are by law non-partisan, in San Bernardino County, party affiliation is a major factor in virtually all elections.
This year, Knaus, who secured stronger Democratic Party backing than did Reynoso, was able to achieve a first-place finish in the primary, while Nickel, pulling much of the traditional GOP vote, managed to capture second.
It appears that Knaus has now taken a leaf out of Reynoso’s book, and is seeking to solidify her lead in the Fifth Ward by nailing down the college student vote.
CalState San Bernardino lies within San Benardino’s Fifth Ward. The campus includes multiple dormatories.