L T O N C O U R I E R WWe e eekkllyy
w w w i e c n c o m
Wells Fargo IE shares the fir st thing to do when seeking financial confidence
By Manny Sandoval
Colton's Carl Rimbaugh Girls Softball opened its bleachers and field for the new season on March 4th, with an exciting opening ceremony
The event was attended by local officials, including Mayor
F r a n k N a v a r r o ,
C o u n c i l m e m b e r s D r L u i s
G o n z a l e z , D a v i d To r r o ,
C o u n c i l m e m b e r J o h n
E c h e v a r r i a , a n d S a n
Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr
C o u n c i l m e m b e r J o h n
E c h e v a r r i a e x p r e s s e d h i s excitement about meeting the
female athletes and the local families who support them He also wished them a successful season and proudly declared, "Colton, the city to stay in and play in!!"
T h e e v e n t w a s f i l l e d w i t h music, food vendors, and hundreds of dollars in raffle prizes Hamburgers and hotdogs were
served by the vendors, while t h e s o f t b a l l p l a y e r s e n j o y e d meeting their fans and gearing up for the new season
Supervisor Joe Baca Jr took the opportunity to thank the Carl Rimbaugh board members for their efforts in bringing the
Sports cont next pg
a n g e F o u n d a t i o n ' s e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l B B O P C e n t e r b r i n g s S i l i c o n V a l l e y l e v e l t e c h a n d i n n o v a t i o n t o I E w o m e n
By Manny Sandovalw i t h Ti m e f o r C h a n g e F o u n d a t i o n E x e c u t i v e
Director Vanessa Perez
CSUSB taps into its own network of alumni to hire its next set of univer sity of ficer s
Ti m e F o r C h a n g e Foundation is proud t o a n n o u n c e t h e opening of its state-of-the-art
B l a c k a n d B r o w n O p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r P r o f i t
( B B O P ) C e n t e r o n M a r c h 15th, 2023
H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S
H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S
I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l e s @ i e c n c o m L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m
I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l e s @ i e c n c o m L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m
This revolutionary center is the first of its kind, providing an economic hub for lowi n c o m e , d i s e n f r a n c h i s e d w o m e n t o a c c e s s t h e resources, support, and information they need to become successful entrepreneurs
Founder Kim Carter, who w a s f o r m e r l y i n c a r c e r a t e d after falling victim to addict i o n , i s t h e d r i v i n g f o r c e b e h i n d t h i s p r o j e c t , a l o n g
After cycling in and out of prison, Carter realized just how little the system does to rehabilitate and support those who are trying to get back on their feet, especially women Now, she is using her experience to create a place where black and brown women can thrive and build generational wealth for their families
The BBOP Center is located at 599 N Arrowhead Ave in S an B er n ar d in o , o ff er s 1 4 offices, a cafeteria, shared workspaces, and a childcare center, and is open 16 hours a day to accommodate those
Sports
community together through softball He presented them with a certificate of recognition and a keepsake baseball, emphasizing the importance of sports in uniting communities
The Carl Rimbaugh Girls Softball League has been providing opportunities for young girls to play softball in Colton for many years The league has a long history of producing talented softball players who have gone on
to play at the high school and college levels
The opening day ceremony was a great way to kick off the new season and celebrate the sport of softball in Colton It brought together the community, local officials, and the athletes who will be competing throughout the season The event showcased the importance of sports in bringing people together and creating a sense of community
Colton Police Depar tment Holding
DUI Checkpoint Friday, March 17th
Community News
On Friday, March 17th, 2023, the Colton Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6pm-3am at an undisclosed location
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes
The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,”
Chief Henry Dominguez said “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired
drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety ”
Colton Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal
Drivers charged with a firsttime DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
T he San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Donates $300,000 to Suppor t Monter ey Par k Lunar New Year Shooting Victims
Community News
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) is providing a $300,000 grant to three organizations in support of victims of the Monterey Park Lunar New Year shooting The Asian American Educational and Cultural Resources Center San Bernardino, Chinatown Service Center (CSC) and Pacific Asian Counseling Services (PACS) will each receive $100,000 to support long-term trauma resulting from the devastating shooting
“A senseless tragedy such as this affects us all, but especially those in the Asian community,” says Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians “We selected these three organizations who we felt could best support the emotional healing required after such a horrific incident ”
The Asian American Educational and Cultural Resources Center is the only nonprofit agency in San Bernardino and Riverside counties focusing on providing services and programs for Asian-Americans in the Inland Empire CSC is an organization with established
healthcare services that provides mental and behavioral health assistance to AAPI communities in the L A region PACS provides culturally sensitive and language-specific social service needs to the AAPI community The organization delivers resources with case management, counseling, mental health services and basic needs
“We have worked on a strategy for long-term support and connected with organizations we feel will provide mental and behavioral health support by victims and their families The long-term process of recovery is the most important,” says Valbuena
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of selfgovernance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic, and cultural development
BBOP
with 9 to 5 jobs
This center also includes the BBOP Business Academy, a 12week high-touch, a high-access program designed to give black and brown women access to the tools, strategies, and support required to build a strong foundation capable of taking innovative ideas to market
“The curriculum for the BBOP Business Academy is designed to provide women with everything they need to build, grow, and scale their businesses This includes access to mentors, coaches, support staff, and an attorney who can offer guidance on procurement and other important decision-making processes One of the most crucial aspects of the program is access to capital, which has been a barrier for many entre-
preneurs in underserved communities,” said Perez
Carter explains, "By giving them access to capital that has been denied, limited, and hard to come by, we are creating an economy that works for them
We are making it tangible by connecting women to the resources they need to funnel, finance, and gather investment " The BBOP Business Academy is available to women nationwide, and enrollment is open to anyone who wants to take advantage of this opportunity "You can register online and be connected to mentors, coaches, and support staff," explains Perez "While a majority of the program’s cohort will be living in Southern California, interested women across the country will be able to access online resources too "
The BBOP Center and Busi-
ness Academy have been made possible by the support of angel investors who share Carter's vision of creating a place where underprivileged communities can flourish "We've been able to find investors willing to take a chance that we can recreate Silicon Valley," explains Carter "It's part of the inspiration and motivation for us Why can't we have that here?"
The BBOP Center is a gamechanger for black and brown women in underserved communities It provides them with the resources, support, and information they need to become successful entrepreneurs and build generational wealth With the opening of this center, the Time For Change Foundation is changing lives and creating a brighter future for all
For more information, visit timeforchangefoundation org
Upsets to look f or in r ound 1 of March Madness
By Caden HendersonThe NCAA basketball championship bracket has been revealed and the basketball world is ready for a weekend full of madness, as the journey to the NCAA title begins Looking for an upset to pick on your bracket or want to find Cinderella before the ball begins? Look no further, here are the top upset matchups to look out for in the round of 64
South Region:
9 West Virginia over 8 Maryland: Many may say a 9 over 8 isn’t an upset but I do Bob Huggins has led his team through a tough conference so don’t be too surprised if West Virginia moves on
12 Charleston over 5 San Diego State: High seed mid majors are always subject to upset but when you add in an elite 12 seed that they’re facing, the upset watch is on high alert Charleston has elite depth and that could carry them to a huge win over SDSU
10 Utah State over 7 Mizzou: This game has a very good chance of ending in the high 80’s or 90’s A
Community News
The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) Urban and Community Forestry Program announced today that the application period for the Green Schoolyard Grants program is now open
In total, $117 million is available for educational and traditionally underserved communities throughout the state to help lessen the impacts of climate change and provide nature-based solutions where California’s next generation often needs it most
Following public comment opportunities and stakeholder discussions last year, applicants are invited to apply by April 14, 2023
Specific details about the application process can be found by browsing the Urban and Community Forestry Grants Program webpage or contacting CAL FIRE program contacts for more information
Two different grant options are available for interested communities, providing a full spectrum of resources for project management
These include options for planning grants to design and plan projects, and then implementation grants to make planning come to life
“CAL FIRE is delighted to be able to offer this un-
shootout certainly benefits the team on the upset hunt, so Utah State should look forward to this matchup
Midwest Region:
9 Auburn over 8 Iowa: Auburn has competed with the best of the best in the SEC, including the tournaments #1 overall seed Alabama Expect them to advance here
10 Penn State over 7 Texas A&M: There’s nothing scarier than a red hot team going into March, which is what Penn State is Texas A&M probably should be a higher seed, but now they’re stuck with this matchup and will be on upset watch
15 Colgate over 2 Texas: This could be this tournaments ultimate bracket buster Colgate can simply explode offensively and in a 1 game setting like this, it gives them a great chance to shock the college basketball world
West Region:
13 Iona over 4 UConn: Every year Iona is popular upset pick and this year is no different They ran away
with their conference title and face a UConn team not playing at its peak going into the tournament East Region:
12 Oral Roberts over 5 Duke: If you haven’t heard of Max Abmas yet, get ready to He led Oral Roberts on a Cinderella run 2 years ago and will look to do it again
Don’t get me wrong, Duke is playing some of its best basketball, but a first year coach combined with an elite offensive weapon on the opposite end could spell disaster
10 USC over 7 Michigan State: Two teams with a bit of a rollercoaster ride of a season will meet in this 7-10 matchup
USC’s offense is led by Boogie Ellis and, if he scores 25 or more, expect USC to run away with this game This matchup will be one of runs and whatever team ends hot will likely prevail
There are some of your upsets to watch for in round 1 The greatest weekend in college sports is upon us, so get ready for pure madness
precedented amount of funding and support for schoolyard greening projects,” said CAL FIRE’s State Urban Forester, Walter Passmore “Schoolyard trees and greening provide shelter from extreme heat and the impacts of climate change, as well as access to nature-based learning that is often not readily accessible in urban settings ”
This is the first time that CAL FIRE has secured and made funding available for improving nature and tree canopy cover on California K-12 public school campuses and nonprofit childcare facilities
California has approximately 10,000 public schools, the majority of which have very little tree canopy cover and a high degree of impervious surfaces
This leaves children, who are already disproportionately impacted by extreme urban heat, in even unhealthier environments than the surrounding urban areas
A lack of nature, exposure to extreme heat, and associated number of indoor-only days to avoid the heat do not only have negative effects on the physical activity and health of children, but to their mental health and wellbeing as well
“Extreme heat is more dangerous for the most vulnerable among us, including children,” California
Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said
“These grants will enable community-led efforts to protect California’s most heat-vulnerable students by replacing asphalt in school yards with shade trees, plants, and gardens Green schoolyards benefit kids’ physical and mental health, enable outdoor learning, and create habitat to help boost biodiversity ”
CONTACT: CAL FIRE DUTY PIO
(916) 651-3473 or calfire dutypio@fire ca gov
Green schoolyard grant projects include the planting of trees and other vegetation, converting pavement to green spaces, creating drought-tolerant natural areas on school grounds, and other activities that help connect children to nature while improving the immediate environment for students and improving accessibility to nature and nature-based learning
Projects are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve functionality of urban forests, arrest the decline of urban forest resources, address climate change resilience, improve the quality of the environment in urban areas and for underserved communities, and optimize cobenefits to school children and surrounding urban residents
Open auditions f or LifeHouse T heater’s original musical T he Hunchback of Notr e Dame
Community News
Open auditions for LifeHouse Theater ’s original musical, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” will be Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at LifeHouse Theater, 1135 N Church Street, Redlands
Auditions will be held by appointment and those auditioning must be at least 15 years of age Roles are open for men and women Men are especially encouraged to audition
Appointments can be made online at the LifeHouse Theater website at https://lifehousetheater com/upcoming-auditions/
Those auditioning are asked to upload a recent photo and a theatrical resume when making their audition appointment Those without a theatrical resume can list any performing experience they may
have had, though none is required to audition Appointments can be made the night of auditions as space permits
Auditioners should also bring their own sheet music in the preferred key, and be prepared to sing a short selection of about 16 measures
A pianist will be provided but will not be able to transpose any sheet music Auditions with CDs will not be accepted Those without sheet music will be asked to sing “Happy Birthday” with the accompanist
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” opens Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 7:00 PM and will continue on weekends through June 25, 2023 Performances are Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM (except Opening Night) and 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM In addition to the weekend performances, there
will be a special weekday performance at 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 22, 2023
Cheer the courage of Esmeralda and Quasimodo as their heartwarming friendship and determination to do what is right transforms the people of 15th century Paris
Produced to critical acclaim at the Redlands Bowl, this musical rendition of the Victor Hugo classic is a moving portrayal of love and loyalty
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” will be directed by Jana Smith with choreography by Sanlyn Carter LifeHouse Theater is a service organization devoted to serving the Inland Empire through the performing arts For more information, call (909) 335-3037 or visit our website at www lifehousetheater com
Rep. Aguilar Announces Over $2.5 Million f or Infrastr uctur e Impr ovements to 3rd Str eet in San Ber nardino
Community News
Rep Pete Aguilar an-
nounced $2,560,000 for critical safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements to Little 3rd Street in San Bernardino This funding will create sidewalks, upgrade roads and ensure the safety of young children and families in this commu-
nity
“As a father, the safety of young children in our community is always at the top of my mind,” said Rep Aguilar “That’s why I secured $2,560,000 to convert this dirt path into a sidewalk for kids in the area to safely walk to school every day I look forward to working closely with our local elected officials to secure more funding for our region ”
“San Bernardino County is very grateful for this federal funding for Little Third Street,” said Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr , whose Fifth District includes Little Third Street “This funding will pave roads and install sidewalks, making the neighborhood safer for pedestrians and greatly improving this unincorporated area of the County ”
By Manny SandovalIn today's uncertain economic climate, it's more important than ever to have a solid financial plan
Wells Fargo can help with a wide range of products and services to meet anyone's banking needs, including checking and high-yield savings accounts, advice and guidance around credit, and more
According to Natasha Mata, region bank director of the Inland Empire, "We focus our attention on what each customer's individual needs are Our economists predict a modest recession and in today's environment, many customers are coming to us for advice "
This is why Wells Fargo is committed to tailoring conversations and providing personalized solutions to help its clients achieve savings goals
With 107 branches across the Inland Empire, Wells Fargo is easily accessible and you do not need an appointment; if a banker is not available, managers are always on hand to assist
But where should you start?
"Write down your budget and
understand where your money is going," Mata advises
"Putting it on paper allows you to see in black and white where you are in your finances " From there, you can prioritize your expenses and give every dollar a job
Wells Fargo also offers online spending trackers and limit alerts on cards, so you can stay on top of finances and avoid overspending
Mata reminds us that "every dollar is important to think about when it comes to tracking goals "
In celebration of America Saves Week, which was Feb 27 - Mar 3, Wells Fargo still encourages everyone to do a financial check-in and commit to saving successfully Mata adds, "No matter where you are, it's important to simply start and pay attention to your finances You'll get closer to your savings goals faster than you know "
Visit WellsFargo com or the nearest branch to learn more about how Wells Fargo can help you achieve financial confidence in today's economic climate
In today’s volatile economic climate, Wells Fargo says IE r esidents can do “this” to wor k towards financial confidencePHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Natasha Mata region bank director of the Inland Empire encourages residents in the region to stop by their local Wells Fargo branch to discuss goals and a strategy with a personal banker for free
Humane Society of San Ber nardino Valley hosting Vir tual Walk f or the Animals
Communtiy News
The Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley (HSSBV) will be hosting their Annual Walk for the Animals in a virtual format this year via facebook on Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am
This virtual event will be free to attend by joining the HSSBV Walk for the Animals event page on facebook (https://www facebook com/hssbv) Participants will be walking in their own local parks and neighborhoods with their pets and are encouraged to share photos and videos as they do! There will also be fun content posted to the page during the hours of the event including an appearance by Jeff Pope from The Jeff Pope Show on Hot 103 9, video from Purple Easel featuring information on the HSSBV Pet Your Paint fundraiser, special sales and offers from online vendors and more!
Participants are encouraged to create their own fundraising page leading up to the event and collect donations in support of their walk A free gift is earned for supporters who raise $100 or more in donations (while supplies last) To get started visit https://hssbv org/Upcoming-Events to create your own personalized fundraising page!
In addition to these awesome activities, the HSSBV will also be hosting the annual Pet Contests on their facebook page with public voting the week before the event Winners will be announced during the Walk
After working up an appetite walking with your pets, head over to Jose’s Mexican Food in San Bernardino or Redlands after 2:00 pm with your special HSSBV flyer which can be printed at https://hssbv org/Upcoming-Events 15% of your purchase will be donated back to the HSSBV as part of the Walk fundraiser!
The HSSBV is excited to announce our updated Fall event, Santa Paws Pet Photos & Holiday Boutique, will now be combined with the historically in person walk event
This event, Winter Wonderland Walk & Santa Paws Pet Photos will combine all of the traditional Walk elements with the popular Santa Paws Pet Photos & Holiday Boutique and be held on site Saturday, November 18th More details coming soon
All proceeds from this event benefit the HSSBV programs and services, including our low cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic, as well as our Humane Education and Cruelty Investigation programs
For more details on the HSSBV Virtual Walk for Animals please visit www facebook com/hssbv, www hssbv org or call (909) 386-1400 ext 224
Community Action at Inland Valley Development Agency: Residents demand f air r elocation and justice f or neighbor s at risk of displacement at March 8 meeting-cancelled by IVDA
Community News
Residents near the airport have expressed concerns about a just plan for relocation for over 2,000 residents at risk of being displaced in the Airport Gateway Specific Plan (AGSP) in San Bernardino and will speak up on March 8th, 2023, 2:30PM-5PM at the Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA)
Residents want answers and a clear plan for support with relocation in the midst of a housing crisis, in a city that recently declared a state of emergency of homelessness
“These people are trying to come in and make us homeless This airport is trying to kick people out with no relocation to help others, what are we gonna do? This is a good neighborhood,” said Mike,a local resident of the airport area
Residents are demanding clear information and to be notified, some have not received notice that their landlords have chosen to sell because they are renters and not owners Additionally, business owners in this area have felt harassed and forced to sell and like they have no other choice
The IVDA has failed to authentically engage community and residents: “We want to ensure the Inland Valley Development Agency hosts more opportunities for residents to engage IVDA staff and ask questions related to the project
The AGSP Open House Meeting held January 12th was a meeting that was inaccessible to non-English speakers and did not give attendees consistent answers to their questions There needs to be more opportunities for residents and business owners to engage and ask questions about the project,” Brenda Huerta Soto, Community Organizer with The People’s Collective for Environmental Justice (PC4EJ)
The AGSP project is in a community where a federal judge labeled the expansion of logistics in this community as environmental racism, and this is only going to exacerbate environmental and health concerns
The Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) is proposing the Airport Gateway Specific Plan (AGSP) - a redevelopment project north of the San Bernardino International Airport that would rezone over 9 million square feet to mixed-use industrial uses in the City of Highland and City of San Bernardino over the course of the next twenty years
Over 9 million square feet of warehouse development
Thousands of diesel trucks into the area
2,500 residents possibly displaced
Less than 500 ft from schools
Community News
Two Cal State San Bernardino alumni became the first to directly join the university police force after graduating from the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’s Academy, following their recruitment as CSUSB undergraduates to join the department
Raudel Garcia-Reynoso, 28, and Victor Rodriguez, 26, joined other sheriff ’s deputy and police cadets at the graduation ceremony for the 230th Session of the SBCO Sheriff ’s Basic Academy, held March 9, at the Sunrise Church in Rialto, said John Guttierrez, acting chief of the Cal State San Bernardino Police Department
Both Garcia-Reynoso, who was born and raised in San Bernardino, and Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Whittier, will now join the campus police department The two CSUSB graduates served as community service officers while students, and each has a bachelor ’s degree in criminal justice, Guttierrez said And like 80 percent of the CSUSB student body, both are first-generation college students
“Both of these outstanding individuals served the campus community with a service-oriented mindset,” Guttierrez said Garcia-Reynoso and Rodriguez
are the first to join university police as a result of a partnership with the department and the university’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said Guttierrez, who added that the partnership will help the department grow and maintain its ranks
The need for the partnership came as a result of staff shortages
Like other police agencies, the CSUSB Police Department has experienced some of the same historical challenges in recruiting officers that includes the high attrition rate in law enforcement, the decreasing pool of police candidates, relatively low compensation and the continuing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, Guttierrez said
To help bridge the gap, the department looked within the university, which ultimately led to the partnership with its School of Criminology and Criminal Justice to recruit CSUSB students and connect their major to their career field, Guttierrez said
“This new career pathway helps the department recruit and build a diverse workforce that is reflective of the campus community, develops the culture of the organization, and allows us to hire the best and the brightest to serve in our community,” Guttierrez said
Loved ones lost to substance use disorder
r emember ed at CSUSB
Community News
Along Coyote Walk and in the Anthropology Museum at Cal State San Bernardino, the campus community remembered loved ones who died because of drug overdoses and became more aware of the dangers of substance use disorder
Along with representatives of the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, students, faculty, staff and the community participated in Black Balloon Day on March 6, started by Diane and Lauren Hurley, who lost their family member – Greg Tremblay, aged 38 – to an overdose on March 6, 2015
Black Balloon Day tables were set up along Coyote Walk (behind the John M Pfau Library) and in the Anthropology Museum in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences building During the event, the university community and area residents wrote messages to loved ones lost to an overdose
The messages were attached to black balloons at both locations, with the number of bal-
loons creating a visual representation of the number of people whose lives have been touched by overdose deaths
The personal messages attached to each balloon were read by passersby to help them personalize the statistics about overdose deaths and remind all that an overdose can happen to anyone
Each Black Balloon Day, more and more people – nationally and internationally – are using black balloons to remember the lives of those lost to overdose This is done to honor the lives of loved ones, to spark conversation, and to raise awareness about overdose deaths
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 136 people die every day in the U S from an opioid overdose
Locally, the number of overdose deaths in the Inland Empire has risen dramatically Between 2019 and 2020, drugrelated overdose deaths jumped a staggering 89 percent in San Bernardino County and 50 percent in Riverside County This is largely driven by accidental
overdose and drug poisoning through fentanyl In 2018 there were 30 fentanyl deaths in San Bernardino County In 2019 that number rose to 74, and in 2020 to 227 In 2021 there were 309 fentanyl overdose deaths in San Bernardino County
The Black Balloon Day was presented as part of the CSUSB Anthropology Museum’s INTO LIGHT exhibition, which shares the stories of 41 individuals who lost their lives to a drug overdose or drug poisoning
INTO LIGHT was started by Theresa Clower, who lost her son Devin Bearden to fentanyl poisoning One unique INTO LIGHT exhibition is being mounted in each state, featuring stories specific to that state
INTO LIGHT’s California exhibition is on display through June 10
The museum is open to the public and admission is free Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a m -5 p m and weekends and evenings for groups, by request, by calling (909) 537-5505