NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

Voter Registration

The California Students Vote Project, created by Secretary of State Alex Padilla in 2016, is increasing outreach efforts to encourage voting among young adults.

According to Padilla’s office, adults between the ages of 18 and 24 are the lowest represented age group in the state. Voter turnout in this age group was only 27.5% during the 2018 General Election.

To register to vote, visit registertovote.ca.gov/?t=5.

Secretary of State Town Hall

Alex Padilla, California secretary of state, will participate in a virtual town hall with Riverside Community College District students Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.

G u i l l e r m o O c h o a , Telemundo 52 Morning News anchor, will moderate a discussion about access, equity and voter registration. The bilingual event will be streamed on Facebook.

To watch, visit https:// www.facebook.com/ RCCDistrict/live/.

To participate, register at https://bit.ly/3mSbkxZ.

MVC DREAM Act

Moreno Valley College will hold a webinar Oct. 8 from noon to 1 p.m. for students who may be eligible for the DREAM Act.

The session will cover the act’s requirements, eligibility and information from Student Financial Services.

To register, visit https:// www.mvc.edu/files/sfsworkshops.pdf.

To stay up-to-date on upcoming campus events, visit the Viewpoints c a l e n d a r l i s t e d a t viewpointsonline.org.

If you have events h a p p e n i n g i n t h e community that you want featured on the calender, send information about the event to viewpoints. news@gmail.com.

Correction

In our last issue, we incorrectly referred to the ASRCC vice president as Shauna Kimm and the former ASRCC president as Angel Conteras. Their correct last names are Kim and Contreras.

IMAGE COURTESY OF PIXY.ORG Riverside Community College District enrollment has dropped 13% this semester after seeing an increase during the summer 2020 term. District enrollment drops

RCCD leadership investigates which demographics are most impacted

CHLOE HUNTER

STAFF REPORTER

Enrollment at the Riverside Community College District has dropped 13% this semester.

It is the largest decrease in the district’s history.

Wolde-Ab Isaac, district chancellor, tasked a research group in the Educational Services and Strategic Planning Department with working on understanding the enrollment decrease. The district aims to identify which ethnicities are most affected and why students have not returned.

R e s u l t s a r e e x p e c t e d sometime next week.

“We are organizing a much better marketing system to encourage that segment of our population to come back,” Isaac said.

Jeannie Kim, Educational Services and Strategic Planning interim vice chancellor, did not

ANIELA RUSSO STAFF REPORTER

The Disability Resource Center is accommodating Riverside City College students with disabilities despite the campus closure.

Students with disabilities continue to learn how to navigate online resources. Remote learning has proven difficult for all students, but students with disabilities face more challenges.

Pamela J. Starr, director of the DRC, said that although the district has seen a drop in enrollment, the DRC has seen an increase in activity during the pandemic. respond after multiple requests for comment.

The chancellor said the team is working hard to better understand the situation so that the college can develop a plan to support students who have not re-enrolled. Isaac also indicated that there are still CARES Act funds available to help students with school finances and that there may be residual funds at the end of the year because so few students have applied for aid. He encouraged students to apply.

“We are really interested to find out who is affected and why might they be affected and how can we alleviate that burden from them,” Isaac said.

The California Community Chancellor’s Office reported S e p t . 2 4 t h a t s t a t e w i d e Community College enrollment has dropped by up to 7% this semester.

Isaac identified the closure o f c e r t a i n d e p a r t m e n t s , including athletics and fine

“Some services will remain remote to reach more students,” Starr said. “To continue to be more engaged and available, we are updating our website with links for scheduling and making more resource information available on our social media platforms.”

Lai Saelee, a secondyear student with a disability majoring in communications at RCC, enrolled in DRC services during the pandemic.

She is a single mother raising a two-year-old and four-year-old who are not able to attend daycare because of the pandemic.

Saelee said the process of registration was simple. The accommodations she needs were identified and implemented arts, as a possible reason for the enrollment decrease within the district. He said COVID-19 magnifies existing s o c i a l i n e q u a l i t i e s t h a t disproportionately affect people of color and suspects this is reflected in the demographics associated with the decrease.

T h e d i s t r i c t d o e s n o t expect a further decrease in enrollment and aims to exceed the target goal for mid-fall and spring enrollment. Full credit accelerated eight-week courses will be offered in October for students who missed fall enrollment.

“There will be a number of courses offered,” Isaac said. “We are trying to get as many people to take part in them.”

Twenty-six on-campus labs are operating district-wide and almost 2,400 Career and Technical Education students are taking face-to-face courses to qualify for credentials and licensing. Isaac said he hopes this information will encourage remotely.

“It was a difficult process at first, but staff like Diana Decastro and Keith (Coleman) have been very helpful,” Lai said. “I’m on track now.”

Lai expressed she prefers to be on campus and learns better in an in-class environment. Tutoring is available online, but she struggles with technology.

“I’m a hands-on learner,” Lai said. “I need to be present and learning. I’m overwhelmed and can’t wait to be back on campus.”

Many DRC students require a notetaker, but the center is struggling to provide this resource. Starr said they are working on the issue.

Disabled students face academic challenges that can more people to enroll.

“As soon as they finish these courses, all of these students are going to get jobs,” Isaac said. “And they are high paying jobs.”

Isaac said the enrollment decrease has not impacted the district’s budget, but that its mission, which caters to social justice principles designed to provide students with economic and social mobility, has been affected.

The chancellor argued that education is the best remedy to the current amplifications of racism and wealth inequality. He also encouraged solidarity and reminded that these times will pass in favor of a brighter future.

“We have to be able and our people (have) to be properly educated so they can have opportunities for the good jobs, for transfer, for a good career that will take them out of poverty and into prosperity,”

Disabled students face challenges Resource center sees increase in inquiries despite enrollment decrease

Isaac said. be compounded by mental health issues.

The DRC director added that they are working hard to respond to students in a timely manner.

Students already in DRC have a variety of options for resources remotely.

Drop-in hours for online counseling are available for counselors to support and assist students with disabilities.

The process of registration has been simplified, and s t u d e n t s a r e a l l o w e d t o email their documentation to make an appointment with a counselor.

Students can apply online at https://www.rcc.edu/services/ disablestudents/Pages/students. aspx.

3 State chancellor addresses enrollment, social issues Encourages voting, student participation in colleges’ discussions on race

JENNIPHER VASQUEZ

STAFF REPORTER

The head of the California Community College system discussed the diff iculties students are facing amidst the current social, economic and political climate during a student press conference Sept. 24.

Eloy Ortiz Oakley, California Community College’s chancellor, reported an enrollment decrease of up to 7% this semester and encouraged students to return in the spring.

He emphasized the need to keep students enrolled in classes and said the Chancellor’s Office is campaigning to ensure students are aware of support systems available to help them navigate online education.

“This is the time to get enrolled and stay enrolled,” Oakley said. “We want our colleges to be as open and as flexible as possible.”

Oakley also discussed the need for student input on current social crises including race and discrimination. Oakley would like to help students actively participate in efforts to diversify campuses.

“We have to take hold of this moment and make sure we do everything possible to change the direction of systemic racism in our system and in our ROLINDA ESPINOZA

STAFF REPORTER

T h e C o r o n a P o l i c e Department began putting to use a $51,000 grant awarded to them by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on June 9.

The ABC grant aims to reduce alcohol access for minors while creating a safer community in Corona.

“By keeping alcohol out of the hands of anyone under 21, it keeps the community safer as a whole,” said officer Maxwell Medeiros of the Corona Police Department’s Vice, Narcotics, Gang and Intelligence unit.

An recent impact inspection involved 20 different businesses in the city of Corona.

Officers spoke with the owners and employees of the stores as well as adequately checked the licenses of the businesses.

“The mission of the Alcohol Policing Partnership Program is to work with law enforcement agencies to develop an effective, comprehensive and strategic approach to eliminate the crime and public nuisance associated with alcoholic beverage outlets” ABC’s website states.

SCREENSHOT BY ERIK GALICIA | VIEWPOINTS Eloy Oakley, California Community College’s Chancellor, speaks at a student press conference via Zoom on Sept. 24. Oakley’s office has held meetings with student media throughout the pandemic.

communities,” Oakley said.

He called on staff and California Community College leaders to have an honest and open dialogue about race and ethnicity to find solutions that achieve advanced diversity among students and faculty alike.

O a k l e y a l s o b r o u g h t

The ABC works closely with police departments to provide training and enforcement strategies that assist in reducing alcohol-related problems in communities.

T h e C o r o n a P o l i c e Department has one year to send the awarded grant money to different operations for the cause.

Medeiros’ primary concern is minors’ poor judgment when consuming alcohol and proceeding to drive while attention to the efforts made by the Chancellor’s Office to promote action from federal and state government to support undocumented students. He said his office will continue to press for better protection.

“Students are encouraged to put forth their ideas, feelings and intoxicated. He insisted the grant is about keeping the entire city safe.

“When these individuals consume alcohol and get behind the wheel of a car, it puts the entire community in danger.” Medeiros said.

Medeiros said patrol officers come across alcohol-related crimes multiple times a day in Corona. Overconsumption of alcohol is a massive problem within the community, he said. solutions to college leadership about what’s going on and what you’d like to see moving forward,” Oakley said. “We will continue to support the increase in diversity of our students in California and set the stage as an example for the rest of the nation.” ERIK GALICIA | VIEWPOINTS

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that youth ages 12 to 20 are more likely to binge drink. Since minors have limited access, they are consuming less often than adults, but are more prone to binge drinking when they can. Problems related to alcohol that minors can face are injuries, impared judgment and increased chances for alcohol dependence later in life.

Based on reports between

O a k l e y e m p h a s i z e d the significance of voting in the upcoming election. He highlighted colleges’ efforts to inform students of how to register to vote.

“The only way we’re going to change the narrative moving forward is if each of us shows up and votes,” Oakley said. “Not just because of the presidential election, but who is going to represent you in Congress and the Senate in California.”

Oakley encouraged students to research information about the propositions on the ballot and focus on how those propositions, particularly Proposition 16, might affect them. The proposition aims to bring affirmative action back to public education and jobs in California. He emphasized the importance of being an informed voter.

T h e s t a t e c h a n c e l l o r explained colleges’ Student Services Offices and the state system’s Student Senate are actively encouraging students to vote.

Oakley also warned that students and colleges should expect the effects of COVID-19 to last for several years.

“We should expect to see impacts of COVID-19 through 2024,” Oakley said. “We will be living with this in some form or fashion for a while. What we told our colleges is that that is what

Grant aims to prevent underage drinking, driving Corona Police Department cracks down on establishments’ illegal liquor sales

A man walks into the 6th Street Liquor store in Corona on Sept. 29. The city has been enforcing laws in an attempt to reduce alcohol related dangers in the community.

they should be planning for.” 2006 and 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that, on average, alcohol is a factor in the deaths of 4,358 youths every year.

Officers will use enforcement operations in the attempt to curb teenage alcohol-related deaths.

Some of the different options include impact inspections at bars, restaurants and anywhere else that sells alcohol. Officers will go out to business owners and inform them of what to look for such as fake IDs or overservice.

Officers under the age of 21 will play minor decoys that attempt to buy alcohol. They will make arrests or educate the individual on the dangers of selling to minors in the event of a successful buy. The businesses caught in violation will also be set on a watchlist.

The grant was also awarded to Corona back in 2018.

“I was a part of that grant as well,.” Medeiros said. “It had a similar focus and we did very similar styles of operation. I saw it definitely had a positive impact on the community.”

The Snow fire burns Sept. 17 in the hills just above Snow Creek Road north of Palm Springs as commuters drive past on Highway 111. The fire was sparked by a burning vehicle. Snow Fire scorches near Palm Springs

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOYCE NUGENT

STAFF REPORTER

The Snow Fire was ignited by a burning vehicle at around 2:30 p.m. Sept. 17.

By 7:30 p.m., the quick moving blaze had grown to 1,200 acres and evacuations were ordered for the small community of Snow Creek near Palm Springs.

The fire ballooned to 2,500 acres by Sept. 18. An evacuation order was issued for the Windy Point area.

T h e o v e r 1 0 0 - d e g r e e temperatures and gusts of up to 30 mph challenged over 200 firefighters, two helicopters and four air tankers .

“Air tankers are painting a red retardant line completely around the higher elevation to keep it boxed in so it doesn’t move forward downward into the Highway 111 corridor,” Cal Fire Captain Fernando Herrera told KESQ on Sept. 18.

The fire consumed 6,013 acres before the weekend was over and was only 20% contained.

Officials announced Sept. 23 that they expect full containment of the Snow Fire to by October 1.

The fire crews protected 450 homes and the evacuation orders were lifted.

TOP | Billings Flying Service utilizes both external mounted fire buckets and belly tanks for fire suppression Sept. 18. They currently hold contracts with Oregon and California and assist the United States Forest Service, Department of Interior, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Land Management with fire suppression.

LEFT | Smoke from the Snow Fire is seen just north of Palm Springs on Snow Creek Road on Sept. 18. The blaze burned between Cabazon and Whitewater in the San Jacinto Wilderness area.

BOTTOM RIGHT | Vehicles on HWY 111 drive by the hills blazing just north of Palm Springs on Sept. 17 while residents of the Snow Creek area evacuate.

BOTTOM LEFT | Billings Flying Service owns operates the CH-47D “Chinook” helicopters Sept. 18. The Chinook is one of the heaviest lifting helicopters in the industry today with the ability for lifts up to 26,000 lbs. It is ideal for fire suppression.

Fire damage at the Whitewater Preserve follows an intense blaze from an active fire season. The preserve is closed to the public until further notice.

JOYCE NUGENT | VIEWPOINTS

Whitewater fire damage estimated at $200,000 Full extent of devastation may be unknown for years

JOYCE NUGENT

STAFF REPORTER

The Whitewater Fire in the wildlife corridor between the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains near Palm Springs has incurred an estimated $200,000 in damages.

The Wildlands Conservancy spent upwards of $2.3 million over the past 10 years to transform the biodiversity of the landscape and provide educational programming to school-aged children.

The preserve, which is free to the public, is surrounded by the Bureau of Land Management’s San Gorgonio Wilderness area. It includes the year-round Whitewater River and a rich habitat that hosts two endangered bird species.

“What I am most worried about is the after effects of the fire,” said Lucas Wilgers, assistant preserve manager. “When the migratory birds come back to nest, they will look for the live, green, lush, tall willow canopy they left a year ago. They are instead going to find a bunch of short six or seven foot tall young willows and standing dead willows.”

Wilgers said he hopes the birds decide to nest in the area anyway, as places like the preserve are crucial to their survival. If the area is not to their liking, he said, the birds may not have the necessary energy resources to look elsewhere.

The wildlife includes bighorn sheep, mountain lions, deer, bears, coyotes, birds and many other indigenous animals that rely on Whitewater Canyon’s native vegetation. They may have trouble finding enough food to survive.

Restoration is necessary to reestablish structure and function and to protect and restore critical habitat, riparian areas, watersheds and many other attributes.

Wilgers recounted that Jack Thompson, Desert Preserves regional director, became aware of the Water Fire while surveying damage from the nearby Apple Fire when he saw a new dark plume of smoke. As flames engulfed telephone poles along the road, Thompson precariously drove between walls of fire to escape the inferno.

T h e f i r s t e n g i n e t h a t responded to Thompson’s call picked him up and drove into the canyon. Thompson and the engineer fought the fire until additional fire engines and a fire helicopter arrived.

Alone, Thompson and the first firefighter on scene saved the Ranger Station Visitor Center, picnic areas and many large trees. Seventy acres were charred beyond recognition before the fire was fully contained.

The millions spent to extinguish a wildfire account for only a fraction of the total costs associated with a wildfire event. A full accounting considers long-term costs of the losses, including impacts to watersheds, ecosystems, infrastructure and

JOYCE NUGENT | VIEWPOINTS

The charred remains of the Whitewater Preserve will take years to regenerate, leaving vulnerable wildlife populations at risk. Birds may not find the resources necessary to survive when they return to the area.

the negative impact on plants and animals that may take years to recover from.

Wilgers developed a list of post fire priorities, which includes treating salvageable trees and reducing large concentrations of burned trees. The restoration plan also includes repairing damaged land improvements such as water pipes, fences and gates, and addressing public safety issues like flagging burned trees that may present a hazard due to falling limbs.

Although the landscape at the Whitewater Preserve may appear devastated following the fire, Wilgers said it will recover.

“We never want to turn people away from this place,” Wilgers said. “Unfortunately, sometimes we have to. We want people to know that whatever caused us to close our gates, fire, flash flood or crazy out of control pandemics, we always want to make this place as available as possible. We will always be here. We will reopen.”

The conservancy is asking for help. Volunteers are needed to help plant seedlings, repair infrastructure and remove burned debris. Funds are needed to purchase plants, seeds and hire professional help as necessary.

To volunteer, visit https:// www.wildlandsconservancy.org/ preserve_whitewater.html.

To donate, visit https://bit. ly/2HEZFSX.

Riverside vigil honors Ruth Bader Ginsburg Mourners bring candles and flowers to Historic Courthouse

ERIK GALICIA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A small crowd gathered at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse on Sept. 19 to pay its respects to a late Supreme Court justice considered a champion of women’s rights.

R u t h B a d e r G i n s b u rg died Sept. 18 from cancer complications at 87 years old. She served on the Supreme Court since her appointment by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Local mourners showed up, with candles in hand, and put together an altar at the top of the courthouse steps.

“She’s an iconic figure for women everywhere,” Moreno Valley resident Brielle Fierro said. “She’s definitely a woman to be cherished.”

Fierro, 23, is a social studies teacher at Valverde High School in Perris. She said she encourages her students who are interested in academia to follow women like Ginsburg.

Ginsburg was the second woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, after Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served until 2006.

The late justice wrote the opinion that struck down the Virginia Military Institute’s menonly admissions policy in 1996. She was also a staunch supporter of a woman’s right to choose.

“It is essential to woman’s equality with man that she be the decision maker, that her choice be controlling,” Ginsburg told COUNTY from page 1 meetings and events at either 25% capacity or 100 persons.

Phase 3 would have opened gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters and bars by Nov. 3.

Several hours of testimony replayed the effects of COVID-19 on people’s mental health and the countless small businesses hurt by the shutdown. Many called Gov. Gavin Newsom a “totalitarian.”

Scott Robertson, a small business owner, has owned a sports bar in Menifee for 50 years with his wife and has been threatened with shutting down completely.

Warnie Enoch, former Murrieta City Councilmember, said he got back into politics because of COVID-19 and its effects.

“I think we’ve had enough of this stuff,” Enoch said. “My two sons have businesses and have had to pretty much close down. Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart is doing great. It’s the small businesses that are hurt.

ERIK GALICIA | VIEWPOINTS Mallory Castorena, 30, of Riverside, kneels at the candlelight vigil honoring Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Riverside County His toric Courthouse on Sept. 19. Ginsburg died Sept. 18

the Senate before her appointment was confirmed. “If you impose restraints, you are disadvantaging her because of sex.”

Patricia Verwiel, 74, of Riverside, described Ginsburg’s legacy as a willingness to dissent.

“No matter patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels,” Verwiel said, quoting author I can’t believe you guys let it go on this long.”

Only a few commented in opposition to Hewitt’s proposal.

Dolores Green, CEO of the Riverside County Medical Association, called in and stressed the need to remain vigilant.

“We prematurely took the step earlier this summer to reopen the economy which ultimately and activist Barbara Ehrenreich, during her characterization of Ginsburg. “Dissent, rebellion and all-around hell raising remain the true duty of patriots.”

Verwiel urged young people to follow this example during the political argument that will result from Ginsburg’s replacement.

Although Democrats called MATHEW ACOSTA | VIEWPOINTS resulted in a surge (and) having to re-shut down in two short weeks,” Green said.

Elizabeth Madson, who has been unemployed for six months due to COVID-19, urged the board to reject the attempt to reopen so quickly.

“I desperately want and need to return to work,” Madson said by phone. “But not at the expense for a nomination to be made after the presidential election, President Donald Trump nominated judge Amy Coney Barret on Sept. 26.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-K.Y., said Sept. 18 that the upper house will vote on Trump’s nomination.

“It’s completely hypocritical of other people’s lives and long term health.”

Board members warned the public that the state could penalize small businesses that reopen without authorization.

“We cannot stop the state investigators and state licensing boards from coming and yanking away your business licenses from you,” Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said.

Disobedience to the state in the attempt to reopen businesses prematurely could result in state issued licenses, such as Alcohol and Beverage licenses, being pulled and businesses being shut down.

The board debated whether or not losing state funding and services would be worth the risk.

“When we make a decision to pursue a certain path, it could have a very significant cost and impact for this county,” Jeffries said. “And I’m ok with that as long as we know what we’re in for and what services we’re going to have to cut. What programs will be eliminated when we lose $20 million, $60 million (or) whatever the number is.” for Republicans to consider nominating someone 45 days before the election,” said Leslie Grafstrom, 72, of Riverside. “Especially when so many of them were against that during (Barack) Obama’s presidency.”

Grafstrom, like many others at the downtown vigil, said there is not much that can be done to stop the confirmation of a conservative judge due to the Republican control of the Senate.

But some in the crowd argued Democrats can stop the confirmation by convincing four Republican senators to break ranks.

S a m S t a g e r , 4 9 , o f Riverside, called for antiTrump Republicans, such as The Lincoln Project and 43 Alumni, to pressure the Senate majority. The two organizations are political action committees that have worked to prevent Trump’s reelection.

“We need to apply pressure,” Stager said. “All we need is four or five Republicans to block this and (Sen.) McConnell won’t have the votes.”

Those in attendance at the vigil urged the public to keep fighting no matter what comes from Trump’s nomination of Barret.

“People like (Ginsburg) leave big shoes to fill,” said Zach Cryder, 27, a Riverside City College graduate. “She represented always fighting against what’s wrong. Don’t be apathetic. It’s gonna be hard but we have to keep trying.”

Candlelight vigils were held at courthouses across the country

Hours of public comments urge county to reopen businesses faster

Supervisor Jeff Hewitt listens through over seven hours of public comments Sept. 22. He proposed bypassing state’s reopening plans.

Sept. 19.

George A. Johnson, Riverside County CEO, has calculated that upwards of $656 million will be at risk if the county is not in alignment with the state. This includes a $56 million grant from the CARES Act.

Spiegel also noted that all veterans affairs are 100% state funded.

S u p e r v i s o r s C h u c k Washington and Victor M. Perez opposed the plan due to the worry that Hewitt’s proposal would actually result in backtracking. They said they are content with the speed Riverside County is reopening at as it moved into the red tier.

“Our neighbors in Orange County were able to move on to the next tier with compliance to the state guidelines,” Perez said. “What’s at risk here is state revenues up to $700 million. I prefer that we stay the course.”

The goal is to finalize the language, clarify which businesses are in which phases, and identify possible financial cuts to social services.

“We’re darned if we do and darned if we don’t,” Perez said.