Ontario News Press_3/3/2025 by Beacon Media News

San Bernardino officials report on homeless efforts at roundtable

By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com

San Bernardino County officials and members of local faith-based organizationsgatheredearlier this month for a roundtable discussion on efforts to increase housing, add shelter beds and enhance outreach efforts to help house people experiencing homelessness.

District 5 Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. hosted the Feb. 20 meeting with leaders from the city of San Bernardino’s faith-basedcommunity, county officials announced Wednesday. The roundtable also featured officials from the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services and the Community Development and Housing Department, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.

Representing the faithbased community were pastors and leaders from Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Grace Chapel, 16th Street Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, Mary’s Mercy Center, Faith Advisory Council for Community Transformation, Ecclesia Christian Fellowship’s Angels of Hope program, Our Lady of Hope, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church and the San Bernardino Community Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Baca’s opening remarks highlighted the challenges of addressing homelessness and noted the county’s

investment in affordable housing.

“San Bernardino County is committed to creating shelter beds and supporting affordable housing,”

Baca said. “For example, in Rialto, the county provided $2.1 million as a gap fill to fund the construction of the Rialto Metroview affordable housing community. Additionally, we’re in the process of adding 30 beds to our Kern facility in Muscoy, which serves our justiceinvolved population aiding them with reentry into society. The challenge we face is that it takes time to develop affordable housing and add more shelter beds. It can take five to ten years to complete one project.”

During Tran’s remarks, she echoed her commitment to addressing homelessness and spoke about the challenges of addressing the issue.

“For cities like San Bernardino, we are absolutely committed,” the mayor said. “San Bernardino makes up the largest number of homeless in the county, and we are taking action to address this issue. It’s not an easy fix, and it is a slow process. But with partners such as the county and faith community we can get there.”

CDH Director Carrie Harmon and OHS Chief Marcus Dillard followed Baca and Tran’s openers with an update on efforts to decrease homelessness while increas-

ing shelter beds and affordable housing in the city.

Harmon shared details about her experience working with homeless veterans and the support she received from the faith-based community.

“Twenty years ago, when I was working with Veterans Affairs, there were hardly any shelters in Southern California,” Harmon said.

“When I had a veteran who was ready for treatment and needed a safe place to stay for the night, I would go to churches, and they never turned any of our veterans away. Not only did my veterans get a place to stay for the night, but they also

AutoNation settles consumer protection lawsuit in Riverside, other counties

Anational seller of used vehicles, AutoNation Inc., will pay $650,000 to counties throughout California to settle a consumer protection lawsuit filed by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies, it was announced Wednesday.

AutoNation reached an agreement that was certified Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Along with Riverside County, district attorney’s offices in Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Ventura counties joined in the civil action that was filed last year.

“Our office is committed to holding businesses accountable for any violations of consumer protection laws,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. “We will work diligently to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and the laws are followed.”

AutoNation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors said the suit stemmed from the company’s

Teachers urged to apply for $500 grants for class projects

Riverside County teachers with innovative ideas for class projects were encouraged Tuesday to apply for grants through the North Island Credit Union Foundation’s spring Teacher Grant program.

Ten grants of $500 each will be awarded to area teachers in April.

The grant program is available to full-time teachers in Riverside and San Diego counties, or credit union members teaching in California, looking to fund special learning opportunities for their students. Projects must have clearly defined learning objectives tied to students’ academic needs, display creativity and benefit a significant number of

OUR 2025 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran speaks about addressing homelessness at a roundtable discussion Feb. 20. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County

Thousands of UC workers go on mulitiday strike

By City News Service

Nearly 60,000 University of California workers represented by a pair of unions were on strike Thursday for the second day in a row amid continuing contract negotiations, with both unions alleging unfair labor practices and the university accusing them of spreading misinformation and failing to negotiate in good faith.

Roughly 37,000 UC service and patient care workers represented by AFSCME Local 3299 will take part in a two-day strike that started Wednesday at 7 a.m. with picketing at all 10 UC campuses, including UC Riverside, UCLA, UC Irvine and UC medical facilities statewide.

“Instead of addressing the decline in real wages that has fueled the staff exodus at UC medical centers and campuses at the bargaining table, UC has chosen to illegally implement arbitrary rules aimed at silencing workers who are raising concerns while limiting their access to union representatives,” AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant said in a statement announcing the strike. “UC’s blatantly illegal actions are interfering with

workers’ free speech. It’s time the university started listening to us and engaging in constructive negotiations rather than intimidation tactics. That’s why workers will exercise their legal right to strike.”

The union’s contract with the university expired in 2024, and negotiations on a new deal have been ongoing for the past year.

Meanwhile, roughly 20,000 UC health care, research and technical professionals represented by University Professional and Technical Employees, UPTE-CWA Local 9119, launched a three-day strike Wednesday, also impacting all UC campuses and medical centers. UPTE’s contract expired at the end of October, and negotiations have been ongoing for eight months, according to the union.

Dan Russell, UPTE’s statewide president and chief negotiator, said in a statement the university “has refused to engage in meaningful dialogue or provide substantive counterproposals to nearly all of UPTE’s proposals.”

“We are forced to strike due to UC’s persistent unfair labor practices, blowing

the whistle as patient and research advocates on a staffing crisis that threatens patient care and critical research — all while the university funnels billions into capital projects and inflates top salaries by 40%,” Russell said. “UPTE members will not allow UC to drag out negotiations indefinitely, and we have made it clear that we are more than willing to withhold our labor if that’s what it takes to make UC take our concerns seriously. Instead of engaging with us, UC is silencing the very whistleblowers fighting for our patients.”

UC officials issued a statement saying the university is “disappointed” in the unions’ decision to strike.

“Both unions have chosen to focus their energy on strike preparation and amplifying misinformation rather than negotiating in good faith,” according to the university. “We have offered each union meaningful, wage increases, health care premium reductions, and other offers to directly address the issues they’ve indicated are important to their members.

“In addition, we have also continuously bargained

in good faith and are disappointed that AFSCME and UPTE remain unwilling to do the same. UPTE, who began strike preparations the same month contract negotiations began, failed to attend the most recent bargaining session and

declared an impasse before responding to our offers.

AFSCME has not responded to the university’s proposals or counterproposals since May 2024.

“While both AFSCME and UPTE may say they want UC to return to the

table, the successful resolution of these contracts depends on their willingness to engage in productive bargaining. The university will do everything possible to ensure strike impacts on patients, students, faculty and staff are mitigated.”

Pet adoption bonanza in Riverside County runs through this week

By City News Service

All canines, including puppies, will be available to take home without adoption fees through Saturday in Riverside County as part of an effort to free up space at the county’s four shelters, which are operating over capacity.

“With 949 total dogs in our care, it is urgent that we find homes for adoptions and foster,” Department of Animal Services Interim Director Dr. Kimberly Youngberg said. “As we move into spring, we are seeing more pets entering the shelter than we have resources to save, and that’s why we are asking for our communities’ help.”

The agency is waiving all adoption fees, though basic license fees are still required during the promotion, which ends on March 8. License costs generally range from $12 to $25 for altered pets.

Youngberg said the current goal is to locate

homes for at least 150 dogs. She said many of the impounded pets are likely runaways who simply got lost.

“We are working hard to reunite pets with the families that love them,” Youngberg said. “We are making 2025 the year that lost pets return home!”

Visitors are welcome to view prospective pets at the Blythe Animal Shelter, San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms and Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley.

In addition to outright adoptions, some sheltered animals are available to foster. That involves taking the dogs home and nurturing them in an environment where they can thrive outside of cages, officials said.

“The pets most in need of foster care are larger dogs, those with medical needs, and those with behavioral

challenges,” according to the Department of Animal

Services.

The agency is in the early stages of a reformation initiated last year by the county Board of Supervisors.

A lawsuit filed in August, spearheaded by Rancho Mirage-based Walter Clark Law Group, is seeking a permanent injunction against the Department of Animal Services’ euthanasia programs. Clark called it a “ground-breaking case” that’s predicated on the 1998 Hayden Act. That legislation, authored by then-state Sen. Tom Hayden, D-Santa Monica, states in part, “no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home.”

One nonprofit organization has alleged the county has the highest pet “kill rate” in the nation.

In September, the board hired Austin, Texas-based Outcomes for Pets LLC Principal Adviser Kristen Hassen

to rectify problems within the agency.

Earlier this month, the supervisors approved the Executive Office’s selection of Mary Martin to head the department following a nationwide executive recruitment drive. Martin, who is expected to take over in the next month, currently serves as assistant director for Dallas Animal Services of Texas.

She will fill the spot left vacant by the exit of Erin Gettis, who faced a barrage of criticism, almost going back to when she took the helm in 2021. Gettis is now an administrator at the Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley.

More information about pets ready to be adopted is available at rcdas.org/ adoptable-pets.

To report a lost or stray pet anywhere in the county, officials asked residents to use petcolovelost.org.

Union members and supporters rally Wednesday at UCLA during the two-day statewide strike on University of California campuses. | Photo courtesy of United Farmworkers/X

| Photo courtesy of Riverside County Animal Services/Facebook

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RData

shows inflation’s negative effect on the diets of low-income earners

By Michael Howerton, Northwell Health via Stacker

ising inflation at the supermarkethas changedtheway Americans buy food, altering family menus and daily diets as shoppers stretch their dollars to feed their families. Higher food prices hurt those with lower incomes the most, limiting access to healthy food and impacting longterm health.

In particular, the price of healthy foods has surged. One study from the University of Warwick found that Americans pay 40% more for fruits and vegetables due to enormous fixed costs in supplying them to markets, resulting in less consumption of these healthier foods. A 2022 national survey by the Cleveland Clinic found that the perceived high cost of healthy food was the biggest barrier to a healthier diet, with nearly half, 46%, of respondents saying so.

The result is that Americans are compensating by eating too many sugary and ultra-processed foods — which tend to be cheaper and more durable — and not enough fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-rich whole foods. Despite government programs encouraging and subsidizing healthy foods, the problem is only growing.

“There’s evidence that inflation continues to shape food choices, particularly for low-income Americans who prioritize price over healthfulness,” Constance BrownRiggs, a registered nurse and nutritionist specializing in diabetes care, told Stacker.

2 scored an average of 58 out of 100, which is hardly encouraging.

“It has become increasingly clear that diet-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, liver disease, some types of cancer, and dental caries [cavities], pose a major public health problem for Americans,” the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans report found. Adults over 60 did a bit better, averaging a score of 61.

According to the International Food Information Council’s 2024 Food & Health Survey, at least 3 in 4 American consumers cited price as a key driver of food purchases; however, just over half, 55%, of low-income households ranked healthfulness as a top factor. In contrast, the healthfulness of food purchases only became more important than the price for those households earning $100,000 or more.

“These results highlight the disparity in how income influences food priorities,” Brown-Riggs said, adding that higher food prices often increase food insecurity. “These shifts increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.”

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Healthy Eating Index reflects this need for better-quality American diets. The most recent index found that Americans above the age of

Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to examine how rising prices for healthy foods impact low-income families, using data from the USDA’s Healthy Eating Index.

Americans aren’t eating enough whole foods

While several factors contribute to the quality of American diets, rising prices are a meaningful component. With the cost of goods rising across the economy, consumers must make difficult choices regarding necessities like food.

The USDA estimates that 18 million households experienced food insecurity in 2023, an increase of 1 million households since 2022. About 3.2 million families with children under 18 had to reduce or skip their meals altogether. With increasing costs at the cash register, everyday healthy foods may be too expensive for millions of Americans. As a result, many are skimping to fill their shopping carts, but more affordable foods can sometimes come at a higher cost to their long-term

health.

When cost is a factor, more people opt for these processed foods, which tend to be cheaper, have longer shelf lives, and produce a short-term feeling of being full due to containing higher carbohydrates, Aimee Aristotelous — nutritionist and bestselling author of nutrition books like “Almost Keto” and “The Whole Food Pregnancy Plan” — told Stacker.

“These items are convenient, calorie-dense, widely accessible, and marketed aggressively,” Aristotelous said. Cheap and easily available items like this include breakfast cereals, pasta, deli meats, ultra-processed snack foods, sugary beverages, shelf-stable and frozen meals and packaged desserts.

“The health implications of these processed foods are dire, as most consist of empty calories that offer little nutrition,” Aristotelous added. In other words, she said, the average American diet, when cost-conscious, lacks sufficient whole foods.

Local and state governments work to improve food access Government-funded programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — better known as SNAP and WIC, respectively — are two primary food assistance programs that provide low-income Americans with resources to purchase healthy food. Many use these benefits to buy fruits, vegetables, meat,

poultry, fish, dairy products, bread and cereals, eggs and baby foods and formulas.

Many local programs also try to alleviate some of the burden of high prices at the cash register. For instance, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation invests in food outlets like groceries, food co-ops and farmers markets in urban and rural communities nationwide to support healthy food distribution. Another example is New York City’s Green Carts program, which works to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in its neighborhoods.

As much as these advocacy and subsidy programs help, the downward trend in healthy eating is pervasive. Inflation makes shopping for healthy food harder but not impossible. It’s about habits as much as price tags.

“An effective way to allocate more money to healthy foods is to eliminate empty-calorie foods and beverages from the grocery list,” Aristotelous said. “Soda, packaged desserts and chips are actually quite expensive in comparison to other nutritious selections.”

For example, she said, $5 can buy a six-pack of CocaCola or a gallon of milk. It can purchase five pounds of bananas or a large bunch of broccoli, while a bag of chips could be the same price.

“Whole foods that are less expensive than many unhealthy processed foods include sweet potatoes,

| Photo courtesy of Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock/Stacker

DOGE gains access to confidential records on housing discrimination, medical details — even domestic violence

By Jesse Coburn, ProPublica

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has gained access to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development system containing confidential personal information about hundreds of thousands of alleged victims of housing discrimination, including victims of domestic violence.

Access to the system, called the HUD Enforcement Management System, or HEMS, is typically strictly limited because it contains medical records, financial files, documents that may list Social Security numbers and other private information. DOGE sought access, and HUD granted it last month, according to information reviewed by ProPublica and two officials familiar with the matter.

This is just the latest collection of sensitive personal information that DOGE has tried to access in recent weeks. It has also sought personal taxpayer data kept by the IRS and information on Social

Security benefit recipients, and it attempted to enter the Treasury Department’s payment systems. DOGE’s stated mission is to modernize government technology and cut excessive or improper spending. The administration of President Donald Trump has argued that DOGE needs “direct access” to such systems to eliminate “waste, fraud and abuse.”

DOGE’s data-gathering moves at some agencies have sparked forceful pushback, including lawsuits over alleged privacy violations and opposition from career officials who have resigned or retired following access requests. Judges have temporarily blocked DOGE from gaining access to records at the Department of Education, the Office of Personnel Management and the Treasury Department. And, faced with resistance, DOGE agreed to view only anonymized taxpayer data at the IRS.

Few records in the HUD system are redacted or anonymized, and many contain

deeply personal material about those who have alleged or been accused of housing discrimination. Domestic violence case files can list addresses to which survivors have relocated for their safety. Harassment cases can include detailed descriptions

information is mishandled or leaked.

The episode is one of many roiling HUD, where the Trump administration is reportedly considering a 50% cut to the nearly 10,000person workforce. The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, which combats housing discrimination, may see its roughly 500-person staff cut by as much as 76%, according to an unconfirmed projection circulating widely among HUD employees and viewed by ProPublica.

of sexual assaults. Disability cases can include detailed medical records. Lending discrimination files could feature credit reports and bank statements. The names of witnesses who offered information — in some cases anonymously — about landlords accused of discrimination are among the files as well.

HUD enforces numerous civil rights laws, including the Fair Housing Act and aspects of the Violence Against Women Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Such statutes collectively prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, disability and other characteristics.

HUD officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, voiced concern that DOGE’s access to HEMS could violate the privacy rights of discrimination victims and potentially put them at risk if their

Civil liberties advocates expressed alarm about DOGE’s access to the HUD data, saying it may violate the Privacy Act. “It’s difficult to see why a system dedicated to civil rights complaints would have any impact whatsoever on a department looking for inefficiencies in governmental spending,” said Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union.

Venzke suggested DOGE may use HEMS data as a basis for scaling back housing discrimination enforcement. “There is deep concern that DOGE is not there to identify government inefficiencies, but rather to shutter programs that the administration disagrees with,” he said.

John Davisson, director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which is suing DOGE and other federal agencies and officials over DOGE’s access, contended that the department had gained access to HEMS and systems like it “under the false pretenses of identifying fraud and abuse, when what’s really going on is DOGE is trying to gain control over these databases to direct the activities of federal agencies.”

Spokespeople for HUD, the White House and DOGE did not respond to requests for comment (including a question to DOGE about what it plans to do with HEMS). After this article was published, Kasey Lovett, HUD’s head of public affairs, emailed ProPublica and stated, “to be clear, DOGE does not have access to HEMS.” Lovett declined to provide on-the-record evidence for her assertion.

HUD’s Fair Housing office receives tens of thousands of housing discrimination allegations or inquiries annually and investigates — or assigns to state or local agencies — around 8,000 of them each year. Those investigations can last months or years and lead to financial settlements, compliance monitoring and policy reforms by landlords, mortgage lenders, local zoning officials and homeowners associations.

Access to HEMS is usually limited to Fair Housing staffers, HUD attorneys and auditors, and state and local investigators. However, DOGE requested entry, and HUD granted read-only access last month to Michael Mirski, who has a HUD email address and whom officials at the housing agency have identified in internal discussions as being affiliated with DOGE. Mirski did not respond to a request for comment. Update, Feb. 26, 2025: This article has been updated to include comment from HUD’s head of public affairs, which was provided only after the article was published. Doris Burke contributed research.

Republished with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. | Photo by F Delventhal CC BY 2.0

California children’s advocates speak out against impending immigration raids

By Suzanne Potter, Producer, Public News Service

California is bracing for large-scale immigration raids - and groups that advocate for children are speaking out against the climate of fear.

Recently an 11-year-old girl in Texas committed suicide after allegedly being bullied about her family’s immigration status.

Mayra Alvarez - the president of The Children’s Partnership, which is based in LA - said the sense of dread that a parent might be deported is extremely stressful and can lead to physical illness.

“That day to day worrying,” said Alvarez, “that leads to a host of health issues, everything from increased anxiety, and depression, to stomachaches, to behaviors that aren’t reflective of who they are.”

Almost half of California’s 9 million children have at least one immigrant parent. One in ten, or about a million children, have an undocumented parent. And one in five lives in a mixedstatus family.

California legislators passed Assembly Bill 699 to protect immigrant students, but schools cannot block Immigration and Customs

Enforcement from coming on campus if they have a court order.

The Trump administration has changed the rules to clear the way for immigration raids in sensitive locations like churches, hospitals, and schools - something Alvarez condemned.

“Immigration enforcement actions shouldn’t unnecessarily deter immigrants - again, many of those immigrants are parents of U.S. citizen children - from participating in those very essential activities,” said Alvarez, “dropping their

Inflation

lettuces, cabbage, carrots, squash, beans, lentils, quinoa, oranges, frozen berries, apples, canned fish, ground beef and poultry,” Aristotelous said. “Not only does it cut significant expenses, but drinking water as one’s primary beverage is also the most beneficial beverage option for wellness.”

Brown-Riggs offered two main tips for budget-friendly healthy meal planning: Buy in bulk and choose plantbased proteins. Nonperishable items like whole grains, beans, and frozen vegetables can be purchased in large quantities to save money over time. Plantbased protein sources, such as beans and lentils, as well as eggs and canned fish, are also available and are often more affordable than meat.

Beyond the prices on store shelves, healthy eating is a complex issue that requires attention — and not just on an individual level. As the American Heart Association pointed out, structural racism and neighborhood

segregation plays a role in what gets on people’s plates. These systemic issues have created “food deserts” and environments that often burden Black and Hispanic communities.

The government defines a food desert as an area with a poverty rate of at least 20% and where at least 33% of the population live more than 1 mile, or 10 miles in rural areas, from a grocery store. In these communities, residents often need access to public transit or a car and gas to reach their nearest supermarket.

This makes it even more expensive to find healthy foods as transportation is the second-highest household expense behind housing and has also undergone widespread inflationary increases. Research has found that fast-food restaurants and advertising for processed foods and beverages often proliferate in food deserts, making them an unhealthy but far more convenient and affordable

kids off at school, going to the doctor, going to church or other religious services.”

Advocates are praising local efforts to inform people of their rights and help parents make a plan in case a family member is detained by agents with ICE.

Disclosure: The Children’s Partnership contributes to Public News Service’s fund for reporting on Children’s Issues, Immigrant Issues, Mental Health, Youth Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, visit https:// www.publicnewsservice.org/ dn1.php.

choice.

Apart from individual financial support, efforts can also be made to mount larger initiatives, such as installing gardens at schools, incentivizing grocery stores to be set up in underserved neighborhoods, and education programs that inform people about the benefits of healthy eating.

“We need a huge effort from a lot of fronts,” prominent nutrition scholar Penny Kris-Etherton told the American Heart Association. “It needs to be across the board from multiple domains, and it really has to be intertwined.”

Data work by Elena Cox. Story editing by Carren Jao and Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.

This story originally appeared on Northwell Health and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. The article was copy edited and retitled from its original version. Republished with CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Photo by Fuu J on Unsplash

Anxiety mounts among Social Security recipients as DOGE troops settle in

By Eli Hager, ProPublica

President Donald Trump was asked at a press conference last month if there were any federal agencies or programs that Elon Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency wouldn’t be allowed to mess with.

“Social Security will not be touched,” Trump answered, echoing a promise he has been making for years. Despite his eagerness to explode treaties, shutter entire government agencies and abandon decades-old ways of doing things, the president understands that Social Security benefits for seniors are sacrosanct.

Still, the DOGE team landed at the Social Security Administration last month, with Musk drawing attention for his outlandish claims that large numbers of 150-year-old “vampires” are receiving Social Security payments. DOGE has begun installing its own operatives, including an engineer linked to tweets promoting eugenics and executives with a cut-first-fix-later philosophy, in multiple top positions at the Social Security Administration. Their first wave of actions — initiating the elimination of 41 jobs and the closing of at least 10 local offices, so far — was largely lost in the rush of headlines. Those first steps might seem restrained compared with the mass firings that DOGE has pursued at other federal agencies. But Social Security recipients rely on in-person service in all 50 states, and the shuttering of offices, reported on DOGE’s website to include locations everywhere from rural West Virginia to Las Vegas, could be hugely consequential. The closures potentially reduce access to Social Security for some of the most vulnerable people in this country — including not just retirees but also indi-

viduals with severe physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as children whose parents have died and who’ve been left in poverty.

The Social Security Administration, headquartered just outside Baltimore, has more than 1,200 regional and field offices — nearly a fifth of all of the federal government’s offices nationwide. There are 119,000 visitors to these brick-and-mortar facilities every business day. Many of them do not have high levels of computer and internet literacy and need someone to help them through all the legalese of a nearly centuryold social program with a wonky user interface. This is also where elderly people can apply for Medicare, which doesn’t have physical outposts of its own. And it’s where hearings are held — due process provided — for beneficiaries who believe that they have been unfairly kicked off of desperately needed assistance.

“It’s where people access government,” said Kathleen Romig, a longtime expert on the program at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities who recently served at the Social Security Administration in a temporary capacity.

In the event of more Social Security office closures like the ones that the Trump administration has begun pursuing — the president is broadly moving to close a range of offices and has even floated the idea of terminating every single federal lease — it is disproportionately poor people with lower levels of education who will become less likely to apply for and get help, research on past closures has found.

The White House press office did not respond to a request for comment. But in a recent Fox News interview, press secretary Karoline

Leavitt criticized “fake news reporters” for “fearmongering” about Social Security’s future under the Trump administration. She said that Musk is only going after fraud and waste in the program.

The roughly 15 million recipients of Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits — many of whom are severely disabled and destitute, or are orphans — are among the least politically powerful people in the U.S. Many told ProPublica that the distance to their closest Social Security office is already long, and that wait times to get a representative on the phone or a claim or an appeal processed can range from hours to years. Even before Trump was inaugurated, the agency’s staffing levels were at a 50-year low due to a decade of budget caps and cuts authored by congressional Republicans.

Several SSI and SSDI beneficiaries in rural areas told ProPublica that they have been watching with anxiety as Trump and Musk slash through federal agencies, knowing that any further office or staffing cuts to the Social Security Administration could be catastrophic for them.

Bryan Dooley, a 34-yearold with cerebral palsy who lives outside of Winston Salem, North Carolina, uses a wheelchair and struggles with speaking (he communicated with me through a caretaker). He said that his Social Security benefits, which he receives directly because of his disability and because that disability entitles him to a portion of his late mother’s Social Security, were mistakenly cut off several months ago. As he fights to get the assistance turned back on, he has been depleting his savings account trying to pay his mortgage.

“I really want to stay in the house where I lived with my mother,” he said. “Otherwise it’s a 24-hour care facility for me.”

Dooley, who works part time for a nonprofit called Solutions for Independence that helps others with disabilities, said that “we’re all watching” the developments at the Social Security Administration. If his local office were to be closed, he noted, he might have to coordinate with a caretaker or family member to take him 100 miles to Raleigh for administrative hearings on his benefits; scheduling appointments, already extremely difficult, would become almost impossible. “It would be a nightmare for all of us,” he said.

That nightmare is now on its way to becoming a reality in White Plains, New York, the site of one of the agency’s hearing offices on DOGE’s list of closures. According to a letter that New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand recently sent to the Social Security Administration, the White Plains office, which serves beneficiaries across seven counties, currently has more than 2,000 cases pending. Starting

in May, elderly and disabled people across the region will have to travel up to 135 miles to the next-closest office, which for some of them will be in another state.

“Does the Administration have plans to close additional SSA offices?” Gillibrand asked.

The Social Security Administration declined to respond to a detailed list of questions about DOGE’s recent efforts at the agency, including the 10 office closures and staffing reductions. A spokesperson did provide a brief statement on the White Plains situation, saying that the agency had been informed by the General Services Administration that the White Plains office’s lease would not be renewed and that there are no plans to replace the office. Many hearings will take place online through video and audio, the spokesperson said.

DOGE’s capture of the Social Security Administration began last month when Trump elevated to acting commissioner a lowlevel official named Leland Dudek.

In a since-deleted LinkedIn post, Dudek

acknowledged that he had been surreptitiously feeding information to DOGE before his promotion. “I confess,” he wrote. “I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publicly accessible documents and explained them to DOGE… I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done.” He added: “Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.”

After Dudek was put in charge of the agency, he told staff that he hoped to reassure them that “our continuing priority is paying beneficiaries the right amount at the right time, and providing other critical services people rely on from us.” He also rebutted some of Musk’s claims regarding widescale Social Security fraud.

In a separate meeting, he told Trump administration officials and congressional staffers that one of his

| Photo by Alpha Photo CC BY-NC 2.0

Government workers speak out on DOGE demands

By Suzanne Potter, Producer, Public News Service

Federal workers said they are reeling after weeks of job cuts and a demand from Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency for workers to justify their jobs.

All federal workers received an email asking for five bullet points on what they accomplished last month.

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been given the unofficial power of overseeing the effort, said on social media failure to respond would be taken as a resignation and President Donald Trump reiterated the point at a news conference last week.

Dave, a worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs, who asked us not to use his real name, said it has been a stressful time.

“There’s definitely a fear, wondering if our work ethics are good enough to remain on staff,” Dave observed.

“Many of us have responded to the email. So we have followed directions, but it’s still that sense of microman-

agement that is making us feel very insecure.” Musk and the DOGE advisory group have claimed,

without offering proof, they have uncovered hundreds of billions of dollars in federal employee fraud, including

DOGE

paychecks issued to nonexistent workers. DOGE faces legal challenges from unions, businesses, and advocacy

groups. Amid an atmosphere of confusion, many agency managers appointed by Trump are advising employees not to comply with the email, citing privacy and security concerns.

Dave said as a person of color who joined the federal service after serving in the military, he is also concerned diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are being terminated.

“If two people walk into an office, one person was of color and the other person was not, they probably both have similar qualifications,” Dave noted. “But that person of color worked just a slight bit harder. There have been statistics that have proved in the past that they tend to favor their white candidates.”

Trump has claimed DEI initiatives intended to help people in less-favored groups succeed are themselves a form of discrimination.

new ideas is to “outsource” the jobs of Social Security Administration call center employees, The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 20.

Still, DOGE has proceeded more carefully with firings and layoffs at the Social Security Administration than it has at other agencies. Whereas aviation safety and nuclear security specialists, veterans affairs staff and firefighters, medical researchers and many others have all been forced out of their jobs by DOGE in recent weeks, it wasn’t until Feb. 20 that a much smaller number of recently hired or recently promoted Social Security staff started receiving emails saying that their jobs were not “mission critical.”

According to emails shared with ProPublica, these staff members had eight hours to decide if they wanted to request another job within the agency, likely at lower pay and in another city (such a job would not be guaranteed, and relocation expenses would not be covered).

These emails appear to have gone out largely to Social Security Administration policy staff and lawyers, including those who help administrative law judges write decisions in disability cases — decisions that may now take longer and potentially have more errors in them as a

result, one agency official told ProPublica. “Claimants will have adverse effects in terms of delay and also losing benefits that they might otherwise be entitled to,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Social Security disability cases already have huge backlogs at the hearing stage, often taking more than a year.

Still, notably, employees “serving the public directly,” like those in field offices, were spared from these layoffs, at least for now.

That said, staff at Social Security’s regional offices around the country were not listed as “mission critical,” reflecting a further misunderstanding on DOGE’s part of what disabled people in particular need from the agency, legal aid attorneys in multiple states told ProPublica. When a lowincome SSI or SSDI recipient has a problem that a front-line rep at a field office can’t explain or fix, or is just too overloaded with cases to deal with, it is regional staff who can help resolve the situation. When a person with an intellectual disability doesn’t understand why their benefits are being cut off or why they haven’t received notices in the mail about their case, regional staff can look through the

case file and figure out what to do.

Regional staff do not yet appear to have been affected by DOGE’s layoffs, but many are now feeling on edge. One regional team leader, who also spoke anonymously for fear of retaliation, said that “nobody knows how the RIF [Reduction in Force] is going to work” in the coming days, weeks and months. Offices could be closed at the same time that remote staff are ordered to return to an office, creating a situation in which some SSA employees will face multiple-hour commutes each way every day, all but forcing them to leave their jobs and thus stop serving beneficiaries.

“We think that’s the plan, so that they don’t have to explicitly do as many layoffs” at an agency as popular and heretofore untouchable as the Social Security Administration, said Jessica LaPointe, a council president for the American Federation of Government Employees. LaPointe represents Social Security’s field office and teleservice workers.

That’s not to mention the attrition that could result from the low morale that has been spreading across Social Security Administration employees’ Signal threads and blogs last month; the agency

is already the most overworked and demoralized of nearly any across the federal government, surveys of federal workers have found.

“And meanwhile the beneficiary ranks just keep exploding,” the regional team leader said. (The number of Social Security recipients has grown by over 13 million since 2010, as Baby Boomers surge into retirement.)

Even maintaining level staffing, several Social Security experts told ProPublica, would, in population-adjusted terms, amount to a major reduction in the program’s ability to provide benefits and services to its clients.

Martin O’Malley, a Democrat who was commissioner of the Social Security Administration from December 2023 to November 2024 and also previously served as governor of Maryland, told ProPublica that he believes last month marked just the start of what might be a long four years for Social Security. “The American people through a lifetime of work earn not only these benefits but the customer service necessary to process these benefits,” he said. “Their money went to that, too.”

Trump and Musk “are going to break the largest, most important social program in America,” O’Malley predicted — even if they have to do so gradually.

In recent years, the Social Security Administration along with the U.S. Digital Service were working to make it simpler for people with disabilities to apply for Social Security benefits. Officials conducted surveys of poor, elderly and disabled SSI applicants about what would make the process less burdensome, and they then began creating a simplified application — with plain-language questions and some pre-populated answers — that would eventually be available to complete on paper, by phone or online.

The goal was to reduce the time that applicants spend applying for benefits as well as the time that agency staff spend processing those applications. Or, in other words: government efficiency.

Yet these efforts have been slowed now that Trump has renamed the U.S. Digital Service the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency Service.

“In conversations with regular people about how Social Security could be more efficient, they usually say that they want more staff on the phone lines and taking appointments, and more office locations, so that they don’t have to wait 60 days after their spouse or parent died, or wait for months after developing a life-changing disability,”

said Romig of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Right now we’re hearing all these generalities about the government being too big, rather than a focus on individual people trying to access services from that government.”

Which of these philosophies the Social Security Administration adheres to for the remainder of Trump’s time in office will depend in part on which is embraced by Frank Bisignano, Trump’s nominee to become the permanent agency commissioner, who will replace Dudek once confirmed by the Senate. Bisignano’s attitude toward Social Security, its staffing, its regional and field offices, and its customer service hasn’t yet fully come into focus. He hasn’t yet been questioned at a confirmation hearing.

What is known about Bisignano is that he’s an experienced finance executive who oversees a $20 billion company. And that during his time as CEO of Fiserv, the paymentprocessing giant, his company generated savings by closing about a hundred locations and terminating thousands of employees, providing them with the opportunity to apply for other roles.

Republished with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Department of Veterans Affairs. | Photo by Jason Kuffer CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

File your DBA with us at filedba.com

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Kerry K. Killian, Kerry Katherine Killian, Kerry Killian

CASE NO.

30-2024-01426872-PR-LACMC

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Kerry K. Killian, Kerry Katherine Killian, Kerry Killian

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Jessica Lea Killian in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Jessica Lea Killian be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with limited authority . (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on 04/10/2025 at 1:30 in Dept. CM07 located at 3390 HARBOR BLVD COSTA MESA CA 92626

COSTA MESA JUSTICE CENTER.

NOTICE IN PROBATE CASES

The court is providing the convenience to appear for hearing by video using the court’s designated video platform. This is a no cost service to the public. Go to the Court’s website at The Superior Court of California - County of Orange (occourts.org) to appear remotely for Probate hearings and for remote hearing instructions. If you have difficulty connecting or are unable to connect to your remote hearing, call 657-622-8278 for assistance. If you prefer to appear in-person, you can appear in the department on the day/ time set for your hearing.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Petitioner In Pro Per: Jessica Lea Killian 1304 Santa Ynez Ave. #324

Chula Vista, CA 91913

Telephone: 619-995-5100

2/24, 2/27, 3/3/25 CNS-3868333# ANAHEIM PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

STACEY E. DARDEN

CASE NO. 25STPB01810

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in

the WILL or estate, or both of STACEY E. DARDEN. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by GERRY M. DARDEN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that GERRY M. DARDEN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/21/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner GREG LAWRENCE, ESQ. - SBN 82243 GREG LAWRENCE, ATTORNEY AT LAW 9854 NATIONAL BLVD., #216 LOS ANGELES CA 90034

Telephone (310) 839-8352 2/24, 2/27, 3/3/25 CNS-3898091# PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: LARRY KEITH KLEINBERG AKA LARRY K. KLEINBERG CASE NO. 25STPB01827

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of LARRY KEITH KLEINBERG AKA LARRY K. KLEINBERG.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by E. PAUL BRODSKY in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that E. PAUL BRODSKY be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

LEGALS

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/20/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 4 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

JONATHAN A. KARP, ESQ. - SBN 71423

THOMPSON COBURN LLP 10100 SANTA MONICA BLVD., SUITE 500 LOS ANGELES CA 90067

Telephone (310) 282-2500 2/24, 2/27, 3/3/25

CNS-3898784# BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF WILLIAM R. SANCHEZ

Case No. 25STPB01801

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of WILLIAM R. SANCHEZ

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Daniel William Sanchez in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Daniel William Sanchez be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on March 20, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 11 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner:

JEFFREY D CAVIN ESQ

SBN 164872

LAW OFFICES OF JEFFREY D CAVIN

251 E IMPERIAL HIGHWAY

STE 471

FULLERTON CA 92835

CN114452 SANCHEZ

Feb 27, Mar 3,6, 2025

MONTEREY PARK PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

SUSAN CAROL CHANDLER AKA SOOZIN KAROL CHANDLER

CASE NO. 25STPB01942

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of SUSAN CAROL CHANDLER AKA SOOZIN KAROL CHANDLER.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SHARON ELAINE ENGELHARDT in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SHARON ELAINE ENGELHARDT be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/28/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 99 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

In Pro Per Petitioner

SHARON ELAINE ENGELHARDT 615 HAMPSHIRE RD. APT. 351 WESTLAKE VILLAGE CA 91361 2/27, 3/3, 3/6/25 CNS-3899194# BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF EDDIE LEZAMA RUBIO aka MANUEL LEZAMA GOMEZ Case No. 25STPB02001

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of EDDIE LEZAMA RUBIO aka MANUEL LEZAMA GOMEZ

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by G. Mark Santa Anna in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that G. Mark Santa Anna be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on April 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 5 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

Attorney for petitioner: KRISTINE M BORGIA ESQ SBN276777

KRISTINE M BORGIA LAW CORP 3963 11TH ST STE 202 RIVERSIDE CA 92501 PH: (951) 823-5138 FAX: (760) 304-8735 CN114457

RUBIO Feb 27, Mar 3,6, 2025 ALHAMBRA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DAVID LEWIS MASSEY CASE NO. 25STPB01679

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of DAVID LEWIS MASSEY.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by VIRGINIA MAE BELL in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that VIRGINIA MAE BELL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/17/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA

90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

WEI C. WONG - SBN 116428 LAW OFFICES OF WEI C. WONG 716 SOUTH GARFIELD AVENUE ALHAMBRA CA 91801

Telephone (626) 289-9885 2/27, 3/3, 3/6/25

BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DONALD PAUL SERRATO CASE NO. 25STPB02041 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of DONALD PAUL SERRATO.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by KENNETH BOWER in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that KENNETH BOWER be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/27/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 62 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA

90012

Business: San Bernardino

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 62506277). /s/ Laticia Conerly. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on January 31, 2025 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250000932 Pub: 02/10/2025, 02/17/2025, 02/24/2025, 03/03/2025 San Bernardino Press

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20250000775 The following persons are doing business as: Bartley Precision, 32488 Avenue E, Yucaipa, CA 92399. Mailing Address, 32488 Avenue E, Yucaipa, CA 92399. Andrea Bartley, 32488 Avenue E, Yucaipa, CA 92399. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by:

a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 62506277). /s/ Andrea Bartley. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on January 27, 2025 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250000775 Pub: 02/10/2025, 02/17/2025, 02/24/2025, 03/03/2025 San Bernardino Press

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20250000166

The following persons are doing business as: Elite BioTransport, Inc., 3281 E Guasti Road Suite 700, Ontario, CA 91761. Mailing Address, 3281 E Guasti Road Suite 700, Ontario, CA 91761. Lee Delivery & Transportation Services, Inc. (CA, 10808 Foothill Blvd Suite 160-578, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730; Erick Hall Sr., Chief Executive Officer. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on January 8, 2025. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 6250- 6277). /s/ Erick Hall Sr., Chief Executive Officer. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on January 8, 2025 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious

Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250000166 Pub: 02/10/2025, 02/17/2025, 02/24/2025, 03/03/2025 San Bernardino Press

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20256709363. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Serava, 1261 N Lakeview Ave Ste J #2030, Anaheim, CA 92807. Full Name of Registrant(s) Renes Trading LLC (CA, 1261 N Lakeview Ave Ste J #2030, Anaheim, CA 92807. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Serava. /S/ Mohammad Kiani, Managing Member. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on February 14, 2025. Publish: Anaheim Press 02/24/2025, 03/03/2025, 03/10/2025, 03/17/2025

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as E & D CLEANING SERVICES 83400 Gemini St Apt 7 A Indio, CA 92201 Riverside County Ana Maria Pardo, 83400 Gemini St Apt 7 A, Indio, CA 92201 Riverside County This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. Ana Maria Pardo Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 3, 2025

NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202501615 Pub. 02/24/2025, 03/03/2025, 03/10/2025, 03/17/2025 Riverside Independent

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. FBN20250001845

The following persons are doing

business as: Roof Now, 473 E Carnegie Dr, San Bernardino, CA 92408. Mailing Address, 473 E Carnegie Dr, San bernardino, CA 92408. EcoHome Specialties (CA 5843899, 19 E. Citrus Ave 201, Redlands, CA 92373; Jaron Gallagher, CEO. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 24, 2025. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 62506277). /s/ Jaron Gallagher, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on February 24, 2025 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. 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 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250001845 Pub: 03/03/2025, 03/10/2025, 03/17/2025, 03/24/2025 San Bernardino Press

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Sierra Pines Mobile Home Community 1601 N Sepulveda Blvd # 629 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Riverside County Mark Telesz, Trustee of the Joseph Sherman Administrative Trust, 1601 N Sepulveda Blvd Suite 629, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a trust. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on February 1, 2025. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. Mark Telesz, Trustee of the Joseph Sherman Administrative Trust Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 26, 2025

to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202502701 Pub. 03/03/2025, 03/10/2025, 03/17/2025, 03/24/2025

Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as JBI Commercial Openings 455 W La Cadena Dr Suite 11 Riverside, CA 92501 Riverside County JBI Group (CA, 455 W La Cadena Dr Suite 11, Riverside, CA 92501 Riverside County This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).) s. Benjamin Holloway, President Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 20, 2025 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202502354 Pub. 03/03/2025, 03/10/2025, 03/17/2025, 03/24/2025 Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as LHC REFERRALS 248 W Vereda Norte Palm Springs, CA 92262 Riverside County LEASKOU HIGGINS CORPORATION (CA, 248 W Vereda Norte, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed

one thousands dollars ($1000).) s. Benjamin Leaskou, President CEO Statement filed with the County of Riverside on February 25, 2025 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth

‘The Sound of Music’ is coming to Rancho Cucamonga

By Staff

Valverde Stage Productions Inc. brings to life the timeless magic of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical, “The Sound of Music,” at the Lewis Family Playhouse for eight performances, running from Friday, March 14, through Sunday, March 23. Ticket prices range from $39 to $71. This production portrays the heartwarming story of Maria, a spirited young governess who brings love and music to the von Trapp family. Filled with unforgettable songs like “The Sound of Music,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” this classic musical will captivate audiences of all ages.

An intimate 560-seat venue, the Lewis Family Playhouse is the crown jewel of the 89,000-square-foot Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. The complex at 12505 Cultural Center Drive is conveniently located off the I-15 at Foothill Boulevard, as a major anchor of Victoria Gardens. The Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 pm. For additional information or to purchase tickets for any of our performances, visit www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com or call 1-909-477-2752 or 1-877-858-8422.

Grants

students.

“Providing resources to help teachers and schools thrive and support students is an important aspect of the Foundation’s work,” North Island Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford said. “Our long-time teacher grant program provides those extra funds that enable our dedicated educators to bring creative new projects to their students. We encourage all our teachers to submit their ideas so we can support their great work.”

The application is available at ccu.com. The application deadline is March 28. Since the creation of the program in 2012, $205,000 in teacher grants have been awarded to benefit students across Southern California, according to the non-profit charitable corporation. The last grant program in the fall funded a wide range of projects, including starting an after-school computer science club, conducting plastic decomposition experiments, creating comic books and developing art therapy projects.

lack of compliance with California Vehicle Code regulations regarding registration transfers.

According to the civil complaint, AutoNation dealerships sometimes failed to comply with the 30-day window of notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles whenever a vehicle was sold and the registration transferred to a new owner.

“That same 30-day deadline applies to the certificate of ownership, known as a ‘pink slip,’” the DA’s Office stated. “These deadlines may be extended if the DMV returns an application to the dealer because it is missing information.”

Under the settlement, AutoNation agreed to rectify and enforce policies at its 42 dealerships in California so that registration and ownership documents are submitted on time.

“These include placing a ‘stop’ on the sale of used vehicles when they do not have title in hand, or a clear

path to getting it within 30 days; requiring that prior to any sale, a smog check or Vehicle Identification Number verification is performed as necessary; deferring sales commissions on the sale of any used cars that are not capable of timely transfer; having at least 10 employees at all times to process ownership transfers; and ensuring that a ... regional manager or higher is responsible for overall

compliance,” according to the statement.

The agreement stipulates the payment of $450,000 in civil penalties, $150,000 in investigative costs and $50,000 for programs supporting consumer protection laws. Of that total, Riverside County is slated to receive $100,000.

The settlement did not require AutoNation to admit wrongdoing, prosecutors said.

PSUSD Superintendent Tony Signoret announces upcoming retirement

By City News Service

Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent Tonatiuh “Tony” Signoret announced Wednesday he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Signoret — who holds a bachelor’s degree from Whittier College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Chapman University and a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne — has been working in education for more than 35 years, according to a statement from the school district.

After getting his start as a PSUSD teacher in 1992, Signoret became interim superintendent in 2023, and the “interim” was removed from his job title the following year.

“After 35 years in education, the time has come for me to make a difficult decision but one I feel is the right one,” Signoret said in a letter to staff and parents. “It is time for me to spend more time with my family at home, as well as my children that live across the country, Europe and my parents in Mexico. While I may be retiring from my official role, my relationship with my PSUSD family will remain strong.”

Signoret’s other PSUSD roles have included a bilingual teacher, assistant principal, principal and the district’s director of certificated human resources. He also served in the Desert Sands Unified School District for two years.

Two of his 10 children are enrolled at schools in the region.

“Throughout his tenure in the district, Dr. Signoret has served PSUSD with exemplary commitment,

leadership, dedication and devotion,” Board of Education President Sergio Espericueta said in a statement. “We are extremely grateful for his impeccable service and moving our district forward under his leadership.”

Members of the Board of Education will conduct a search for Signoret’s successor “shortly,” according to the district, with the hope of selecting a candidate by the end of June.

| Graphic courtesy of Lewis Family Playhouse

| Photo courtesy of Ben McLeod/Flickr (CC BY-ND-SA 2.0)

| Image courtesy of the California Credit Union

Tony Signoret. | Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Unified School District

Susie Coelho to receive star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars

By City News Service

Author and television personalitySusie Coelho will be presented with the 475th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars Friday.

Coelho will be honored during a 3:30 p.m. ceremony at 145 S. Palm Canyon Drive, according to a statement from the city’s Chamber of Commerce.

A prominent figure in Palm Springs for five decades, Coelho and her late husband, Sonny Bono, moved to the area in 1975. Coelho has since maintained a longtime Marrakesh Country Club residence.

Having started as a model in New York, Coelho’s switch to the opposite coast coincided with a new career as well, with a television resume that includes early HGTV makeover shows Surprise

Gardener and Outer Spaces. She has also been a regular contributor to The Friday Show, The View, Oprah and Fox Business.

She opened the celebrity resale boutique A Star is Worn and the Italian restaurant Bono’s with her namesake husband before launching Susie Coelho Enterprises, a “multimedia lifestyle brand” with partnerships including Target and QBC. Her latest venture is the creative-focused tech startup tech startup styleseekr.com, targeted at career advancement.

Coelho’s writing work includes four best-sellers with Simon & Schuster and a monthly lifestyle feature in Palm Springs Life Magazine. She is currently in the midst of a fifth book, a memoir about a trip to India where

she contended with Indira Gandhi’s journalism ban to secure an interview with “bandit queen” Phoolan Devi and her all-male prison gang.

Devi, who would eventually become the first lowercaste woman elected to India’s Parliament, is also the subject of a documentary that Coelho is producing.

In addition to her business career, Coelho sits on the board of the New York Film Academy 10-ARTS Foundation and has contributed to Eisenhower Medical Center, as well as other charitable groups. She is also a board member of Southern California-based nonprofit WriteGirl, a creative writing mentorship program for teenage girls.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by a community that has meant so much to

to nurturing its continued success and beauty for generations to come.”

Homeless

got a hot meal and a lot of love.

Harmon noted the faithbased community’s impact on the process of developing shelters and affordable housing.

“I think the faith-based community provides the pathway for someone’s dignity to be restored,” Harmon said. “I can bring millions of dollars together to build an apartment community or shelter, but community providers and the faith-based community play a vital role in breathing life into folks who have had a hard journey.”

Harmon then discussed the county’s current housing projects and the planned expansion of existing housing developments. One example is Pacific Village, a 28-bed interim housing facility in San Bernardino that received funding at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase II of the campus, funded with an $11.82 million state grant, is set to begin construction this summer.

“Phase II will include 58 permanent supportive housing units for individuals with a disability, an on-site substance-use treatment center with 16 beds and 32 recuperative beds for people who are leaving a hospital,” Harmon said.

CDH has also partnered with the county Housing Authority for Arrowhead Grove, a replacement for the Waterman Gardens housing community that served the city of San Bernardino for

more than 70 years before its demolition that began in 2016.

Harmon said her goal is to expand shelter capacity countywide with a focus on areas that have a shelter deficit and have a high number of unsheltered individuals.

Dillard shared that when he started as OHS chief two years ago, his focus was on expanding homeless outreach efforts, cultivating relationships with cities and service providers and investing in the county’s Coordinated Entry System, which connects people experiencing homelessness to housing resources. Currently, Dillard is working on solutions to place individuals into housing.

“We are getting ready to launch HUG, which is Housing the Unhoused Gateway,” Dillard said. “This program will allow individuals who are homeless to go through a portal and request help and a team will be dispatched to support them. In addition, we are adding kiosks in the community to allow individuals to request shelter beds and complete their certification for Medi-Cal benefits.”

Dillard also noted Encampment Resolution Funding from the state that will enable his office to begin homeless outreach work near San Bernardino’s Del Rosa Avenue. This project entails providing bi-weekly showers and laundry services while also securing 50 housing

units for people experiencing homelessness in that area.

After Dillard spoke, pastors and members of the faith-based community shared their experiences with the unhoused county residents and opportunities for collaborative efforts to address homelessness.

Pastor Ray Turner of Temple Missionary Baptist Church said local government and faith-based organizations should focus on preventative measures when addressing homelessness.

“We spend a lot of time, money and energy addressing the homeless problem, but have we taken time to interview some of the homeless individuals to find out how they got there in the first place?” Turner said. “We are seeing more people enter the streets daily, so we need to look at how we can identify those who are at-risk of becoming homeless and put more resources on that end.”

Diane Rundles, the county’s Assistant Executive Officer who oversees CDH and OHS, agreed and confirmed that the county is seeking measures to enhance services and develop programs to prevent homelessness. Harmon suggested churches collaborate with the county by identifying members of their congregations in need of resources, so the county can then connect them to the support they need.

John Andrews, the vice chancellor and director of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, said the narrative surrounding homelessness needs to change.

“As we see more people entering the streets, they can become demonized,” Andrews said. “As part of our responsibility as people of faith, our job is to present a different narrative. When you put a human face on a problem that’s affecting a lot of people, it makes individuals more compassionate and less inclined to demonize, which unfortunately is a real problem right now.”

Rundles said the county is actively working on a profile series to show the many faces of homelessness — those who may have lost their job and fell behind in rent, or older adults who can no longer work and don’t receive enough money from federal Social Security each month to

keep a roof over their heads.

Dan Flores, executive director of Mary’s Mercy Center, emphasized that community support is the ultimate solution to the homelessness crisis.

“You can put someone in a beautiful apartment and watch them either walk out or invite all their friends, and all of a sudden there’s eight or nine people living in that apartment, and it’s not so beautiful anymore,” Flores said. “You just housed them, but they’re still homeless, they’re just homeless indoors. This is because they have not changed those fundamental things about who they are.

“That only comes from community,” Flores continued. “When you give someone a door, you’re only furthering their isolation. At Mary’s Mercy Center, they must live in a community with 15 or 20 other people. They’re eating, praying and working together, which

builds a sense of community and ensures accountability.”

Baca concluded the roundtable discussion by going over some of the county’s milestones achieved in addressing the issue.

“Over the last few years, we’ve made significant progress,” Baca. “We will continue to do our part, but government can’t do it alone. We need the support of our faith-based groups and community partners to make a difference.”

Baca added that he hopes to host a larger symposium on homelessness in the future to continue exploring potential solutions. According to the 2024 point-in-time count, the most recent statistics available, 4,237 people were experiencing homelessness in San Bernardino County. More information about the county’s efforts to address homelessness is at sbchp.sbcounty.gov.

Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. hosts the roundtable discussion on homelessness in the county. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County

me for so long,” said Coelho in a statement. “To receive a star on the Palm Springs Walk of

the Stars is truly the capstone on my love affair with this city and my ongoing commitment

| Photo courtesy of Susie Coelho/Facebook