Photo credit: Buzz Olson Photography
Powerful Arctic Storm Brings Record-Setting Snow to First District
Last weekend’s powerful Arctic storm brought record amounts of snow to the First District. According to the National Weather Service, snowfall totals as of Sunday included 93 inches at Mountain High Ski Resort, 41-55 inches in Wrightwood, 6.5 inches in Pinon Hills, 6 inches in Phelan, 1 inch in Victorville and .3 inches in Apple Valley.
Special thanks goes to San Bernardino County’s Public Works Department and Caltrans District 8 crews, who have been working around the clock to clear snow from highways and residential neighborhoods. Since resources have been stretched thin across both the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountain communities, plowing priority is going to primary roads, while ensuring first responder access for secondary roads.
On Tuesday, our Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency (watch video) in our mountain communities due to the large amount of snow that has trapped some people in their homes and created a shortage of critical supplies such as food and fuel.
Mountain residents who have been unable to return home may access a temporary shelter at Redlands East Valley High School, located at 31000 E. Colton Ave. in Redlands. Residents with pets will also have access to boarding services.
A call center is operating weekdays from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at 909.387.3911 for residents to get information and assistance.
Seniors who are snowed in should call the Adult Protective Services hotline for assistance at 877.565.2020.
Our 911 emergency systems are fully operational for mountain residents. The San Bernardino County Fire Department is utilizing special snow vehicles to access snowed-in patients in medical need.
Currently, there is no estimate for when Highway 2 will open to public traffic. However, when it does, please remember that there is no snowplay on the roadway. The only legal snowplay areas are located in the Angeles National Forest, past Mountain High West Resort.
Snowplayers who are illegally parked on both sides of Highway 2 create gridlock for our first responders, making them unable to respond to life-threatening calls.
Once again, I’d like to thank all of our partner agencies — including Public Works, Caltrans, San Bernardino County Fire Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff, CHP, CalFire, County Office of Emergency Services and Southern California Edison — who have been working tirelessly to assist our mountain residents in need.
Our office is also here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 760.995.8100 or email Supervisor.Cook@bos.sbcounty.gov
Bear Valley Road & 2nd Avenue LLC Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony
Policy Advisor Christopher Porter was pleased to join Bear Valley Road & 2nd Ave. LLC in celebration of its Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce groundbreaking ceremony. The Victorville development will include a 76 gas station and several other anchor properties, including a large apartment complex.
Congratulations, and thank you for investing in the First District!
Sheriff’s Department Asking Public to Stay Away From Mountain Areas
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public to avoid our local mountain regions and allow road crews, first responders, and suppliers access to the limited number of roads that have been cleared.
Gas stations and grocery stores have reached critically low levels and cannot support any additional consumers at this time.
The Sheriff’s Department and County Fire have had to divert resources with several search and rescue calls for individuals engaged in non-essential travel in our mountains. The Sheriff asks that people respect the travel restrictions and road closures as they work with their partners to open access.
Barstow Veterans Home Rated 5 Stars from Centers for Medicare/Medicaid
Congratulations to our Barstow Veterans Home on receiving a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services!
According to the BVH, “more than 15,000 nursing homes are surveyed annually to see which facilities measure up to the highest standards of care possible.”
We appreciate your dedication to keeping our Veterans happy, healthy, entertained and loved!
San Bernardino County Resource Fair Planned for Eastern Mojave Residents
REMINDER! A San Bernardino County Resource Fair is planned on Wednesday, March 8, for residents living along I-40 in the Eastern Mojave Desert.
Participating departments include Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (issuance of birth, death and marriage certificates that occurred in San Bernardino County), Behavioral Health, Public Defender (Record Clearing), Transitional Assistance Department, Veterans Affairs and Workforce Development.
The event is planned from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the El Garces Historic Train Depot, located at 950 Front Street, Needles. Register for Resource Fair.
Mojave Water Agency Hosting Free Online Course, ‘From Seed to Salad’
The Mojave Water Agency is hosting a free online course on desert gardening beginning Tuesday, March 7. Titled “From Seed to Salad,” the 12-week class will teach you how to conserve water and garden your own foods like fruits and vegetables.
The class will run from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays through May 23 on Zoom.
Register here for the ‘From Seed to Salad’ online course.
No Drugs America Nonprofit Offering Free Classes on Substance Abuse
No Drugs America / No Drugs Kids is hosting a series of free substance abuse prevention meetings through its “A Way Back Intervention Program.” Free classes are held Wednesdays (ages 12-18).
“We are non-judgmental and take solace in knowing that all of our participants know it’s about them and not about us,” says founder Frank Kelly. “We let them know if they make better decisions today, they will have fewer regrets tomorrow.”
Since 2019, the nonprofit has served over 2,000 participants. For more information, call 760.843.0701.
Death Valley National Park Seeks Input on Salt Creek Boardwalk Replacement
Death Valley National Park is seeking public input on the proposed replacement of Salt Creek Boardwalk.
Prior to its destruction from flash flooding in August 2022, the half-mile accessible boardwalk provided visitor access to view the endemic Salt Creek pupfish.
The National Park Service is asking the public for suggestions or concerns to consider in the design process. The comment period ends on March 25.
Bureau of Land Management Seeking Input on Project Near Red Mountain
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on a proposed exploratory drilling project on BLM-managed lands near Red Mountain and Johannesburg, in Kern and San Bernardino counties.
The 30-day public comment period ends on March 27. For additional information, please contact BLM Geologist Randall Porter at rporter@blm.gov.
City of Victorville Seeking Participants to Serve on Homelessness Task Force
The City of Victorville is seeking community members to serve on its Homelessness Solutions Task Force, which meets at 4 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.
The task force was formed to develop strategies, programs, funding sources, and policies to reduce homelessness in Victorville.
To apply for a vacant position, please submit the online application by 4:30 p.m. March 24. For more information, please call 760.955.5135.
VVTA’s Micro Link Bus Rides Are Free To Public Through March 31
Did you know? All rides are FREE on Victor Valley Transit Authority‘s new Micro Link bus now through March 31.
Micro-Link is a new micro transit pilot program serving South Victorville, North Victorville and Hesperia zone areas with on-demand transportation services. It operates from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. weekdays.
Schedule a ride via the Micro-Link app or by phone by calling 760.244.4000. Learn more at Micro-Link.
Help Keep Our Desert Beautiful with These Upcoming Community Cleanups
Can you help keep our High Desert clean and beautiful? Two community cleanups are planned in the First District this week.
Searles Valley Cemetery Association will be hosting a cleanup day at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Argus Cemetery. There will be doughnuts, coffee, juice and bottle water for volunteers to enjoy.
Town of Apple Valley will host a Neighborhood Cleanup on Saturday, March 4. This event is for citizens to dispose of trash and debris from their property at no charge. No hazardous waste (televisions, computers, paint, oil, batteries, tires, etc.) For more information, please contact Code Enforcement at 760.240.7560. or at the Code Enhancement website.
Apple Valley Legacy Museum Planning Weekend of Fun Beginning March 31
The Apple Valley Legacy Museum will be celebrating 8 years on the weekend of March 31-April 2. The event will include a porch sale, silent auction, raffle, museum visits, and a special Ho-Down on Saturday, April 1.
The Ho-Down will feature old-fashioned square dancing, live music, skits, and a chicken dinner. Cost is $15. Tickets are available at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum (located in the Historic Apple Valley Inn, Cottage 153) or by calling 760.985.1918.
Wrightwood Historical Society Hosting Walking Tour of Camp Cajon on March 11
Wrightwood Historical Society is hosting a walking tour of Camp Cajon at 11 a.m. March 11. The tour will include short walks up old Route 66 and historic Crowder Canyon.
Limited space is available for this tour, so please be sure to RSVP at wwhistoricalsociety.museum@gmail.com
Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association Planning Adventure Fest
Tickets are now on sale for the Mojave Road Adventure Fest, planned April 14-16 in Goffs.
Enjoy gold panning, cavern tours, overland workshops, blacksmithing, stamp mill demonstrations, Eastern Mojave Heritage Trail tours and a Saturday dinner.
Cost is $75 per person, which includes camping, three days admission and dinner. Children 12 and under are free.
The event will take place at the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association.
‘Arthropolooza’ Bugfest Arrives This Weekend at the Victor Valley Museum
Victor Valley Museum invites the community to celebrate all things creepy and crawly during “Arthropolooza: The Ultimate Bugfest” on Saturday, March 4.
Held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event will be filled with festivities that highlight arthropods. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free.
The museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Rd, Apple Valley. For more information, please call 760.995.8770.
Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.)
First District Offices:
Apple Valley Town Hall
14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, CA 92307
385 N. Arrowhead Avenue, 5th Floor,, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0110
909.387.4830
Supervisor.Cook@bos.sbcounty.gov
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