Item #46 at yesterday’s Board Of Supervisors meeting
Adopt Resolution to Establish Weight Limit on Walnut Bridge at Zanja Ditch, in the Mentone area pursuant to County Code Section 52.0126(a).
Direct the County Road Commissioner to perform such acts as necessary to implement the terms of the Resolution. (Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Assistant Director, 387-7906)
Whew! When we read that the fire crossed the head of Mill Creek Canyon, our mind immediately turned to the fire tax that none of us likes. What would it take for the fire to come down into Mill Creek and into Mentone? While we don’t like more or unnecessary taxes, are we close enough to the wilderness to justify paying the tax in order to protect our homes or are we misunderstanding the reason for the tax? If we still lived in Crestline, for example, we could understand – having gone through two fire evacuations. Here in Mentone, not so much until the fire came so close. One usually thinks of big trees burning but in the San Gorgonio Forest it’s just chaparral, which we have around us.
It’s another reason not to allow building in the box canyon east of us, like Orange County wants to do. If you are a fan of old Westerns, like us, you remember how the cowboys captured their victims in box canyons, from which there was no escape. And there would be little-to-no escape for people living in that box canyon, if the present owner had its way in building and selling homes there.
According to the Daily Facts for August 4 and 5, “Overnight into Tuesday morning, the wildfire spread north across the head of Mill Creek Canyon and east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness, which has been closed since Aug. 2 because of the fire.”
The County Update is now publishing three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and also as needed, in order to share important news and resources in our battle against COVID-19 and to keep our economy running. We remain here for you. #SBCountyTogether
For latest Statistics and link to our COVID-19 Community Testing page, scroll to the bottom of today’s Update
All residents urged to get tested at convenient sites using easy-to-use nasal swabs
County Overcomes Testing Supply Shortage with New Supplier
Responding to a recent statewide shortage in COVID-19 testing materials, San Bernardino County has contracted with a new supplier to secure an adequate supply of test equipment and is now encouraging all County residents to get tested.
“Now that our testing capacity has expanded and stabilized, we hope that every resident, regardless of whether they have experienced any symptoms, will make an appointment to get tested,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “Testing is free, painless, takes only a few minutes, and can be obtained without a doctor’s prescription.”
The County is now offering testing with an appointment at 10 locations, using an easy-to-administer nasal self-swab. Results can also be expected in no more than 5 days, but usually within 72 hours. There is no cost to take the test, however County residents will be asked to enter insurance information when setting an appointment in order to assist taxpayers in recouping some of the costs associated with testing.
New supplier, improved nasal tests
The County’s new supplier is Fulgent Genetics, a Southern California-based genetics testing company that provides diagnostic testing for improved patient care. The company’s COVID-19 polymersace chain reaction (PCR) tests involve a relatively short nasal swab, which most patients consider much less uncomfortable than the longer “nasopharyngeal swabs” commonly used earlier during the pandemic. Fulgent collaborates with Healthvana, an HIPAA-secure information portal, to provide test results 3-5 days after testing.
The County has established testing sites In Fontana, Hesperia, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino and Victorville, along with the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. In addition, tests (and other services) are provided to underserved and vulnerable populations at County Health Centers in Adelante, Hesperia, Ontario and San Bernardino.
In addition, COVID-19 testing is being conducted at various state-run testing sites, as well as sites operated by private clinics, certain Rite-Aid Pharmacy locations, and HMO-operated facilities. State sites and private clinics may be using providers other than Fulgent, and testing methods vary at these other locations. Residents are encouraged to visit the County’s Testing Sites webpage to see all the County, state and private testing options, and to schedule an appointment.
Benefits of widespread testing
Public health experts believe that many of the people who carry the coronavirus do not know it, since they exhibit no symptoms of the disease (referred to as asymptomatic carriers). As a result, hundreds of thousands of infected people could be unintentionally spreading the virus to others.
“Increasing the number of people tested is essential to lowering the infection rate, getting the County back to work, and allowing recently reopened businesses to stay open,” said County Public Health Director Corwin Porter. “Testing gives us a better idea of community spread and the scope of infections, and helps us concentrate medical resources where they are needed most. And working in concert with our contact tracing team, we can better stop the spread of the virus.”
Expanded testing and lowering our positivity rate will help San Bernardino County get off the state’s Monitoring List and allow more flexibility in our reopening efforts.
Porter cautioned, however, that a negative test result should not be seen as permission to stop being cautious.
“Regardless of your test results, you still need to avoid gathering with people outside your immediate household.” Porter said. “You also should continue social distancing, continue wearing a face covering whenever in public, and diligent washing of your hands. Expanding our testing is an essential step in our war against COVID, but we’ve already seen what can happen if we relax prematurely.”
County Libraries Now Open for Summer with Limited Hours
Most San Bernardino County libraries have begun opening their doors with limited library services and modified hours. Although COVID-19 conditions are continually evolving, locations in the High Desert, Chino, and more will be operational Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with some variations for some locations.
Libraries have implemented a variety of safety measures, including temperature testing for all employees, installation of sneeze guards at all service counters and removal of some furniture to ensure proper social distancing. In addition, computer sessions have been reduced to one hour and face coverings are required for all employees and visitors.
The move to reopen comes as San Bernardino County libraries is featuring an online Summer Reading Program. Students can use their library card to register on Beanstack, an online tool for facilitating reading programs and begin logging in their reading progress for reward badges and potential prizes. Programs are organized into several age categories, with an adult program also available for participation.
County libraries also offer program kits to library card holders for weekly crafts tutorials hosted on Facebook Live. Participants follow along online and are provided with instructions and materials in a prepackaged kit available for pickup at their open local library. Patrons are also strongly encouraged to visit the County Library website to place items on hold, use self-checkout, and have access to all available eContent such as audiobooks, eBooks, and magazines.
Don’t Wait! County Offering Free Face Masks to Nonprofits
The County is now providing complimentary disposable face masks to help 501(c)3 organizations throughout San Bernardino County.
To obtain free masks through the County’s Purchasing Department, please email a request to vendor@pur.sbcounty.gov. In your email, share documentation designating your organization as a 501(c)3 non-profit, along with the number of masks needed for your organization. The Purchasing Department will contact you when the complimentary disposable masks may be picked up.
Mask are available as supplies last, so don’t delay. The County is also asking that our County nonprofits only request what they need so we can help as many as possible.
15 Jail Inmates and 11 Sheriff’s Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
Fifteen County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Three inmates are at the West Valley Detention, two are at the High Desert Detention Center, eight are at the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, and two are at the Central Detention Center.
A total of 232 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Many of the inmates are only experiencing minor symptoms of the virus. The infected inmates are in isolation, being monitored around the clock, and are being provided with medical treatment. One hundred and eighty-six inmates have recovered from the illness.
All inmates continue to be provided with face coverings, cleaning supplies, soap, and are urged to wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day. They are routinely reminded of the need to practice social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Eleven department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating at home. A total of 152 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19. One hundred and thirteen (113) employees have recovered from the virus; other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks.
Latest Stats
32,230 Confirmed Cases
(up 1.7% from the previous day)
409 Deaths
(up 1.5% from the previous day)
248,086 Tested
(up 1.9% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobiletab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
For all COVID-19 related information, including case statistics, FAQs, guidelines and resources, visit the County’s COVID-19 webpage at http://sbcovid19.com/. Residents of San Bernardino County may also call the COVID-19 helpline at (909) 387-3911 for general information and resources about the virus. The phone line is NOT for medical calls and is available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions about social services, please call 211.
The above text came directly from San Bernardino County. To learn which libraries are reopening, click here. Mentone is listed. – MM
MM received the following comments about the new straight-ahead arrow on the corner of Wabash and the Boulevard:
Saw it last Saturday, the 18th, when someone waited at the red light in the lane at the limit line. No one was approaching from the South so I honked to let them know it’s legal to make a right turn on a red in California, after coming to a complete stop. They flipped me off and went straight when the light turned green. That’s when I noticed the new straight arrow added to the turn arrow. Not calming if you are trying to go North on Wabash and guy in front is going straight. Oh well, I’ll get used to it.
– Kelly Kieswetter
A few weeks back I was rolling westbound on Mentone Blvd aka SR-38 in my M-1 Tank and General Public observed that CalTrans had added the through arrow. Don’t know if it calmed me down any though, just got me more riled-up at those State guys anyway… they promised us that CalTrans would put in the street lights on the Blvd between Wabash and Crafton and that was over five years ago!
MM noticed on Monday, July 20 that the former right-turn-only lane at the corner of Wabash and the Boulevard (westbound) now sports a straight-ahead arrow! Instead of one lane going to three, now two lanes go to three lanes.
Many drivers have been observed going straight in the lane, despite the lack of an arrow. CalTrans had promised to paint the arrow approximately 2 years ago at a MACA meeting, at Mentone’s request.
At the time, Caltrans also stated that it would put a similar arrow eastbound, which would result in drivers cutting in front of other straight-ahead drivers where Circle K is located. “CalTrans had made only one straight-ahead lane for ‘traffic calming,’ ” said Steven Rogers, P.E., in a discussion among Mentonites.
Op-Ed
Finally! This writer has spent a few hours on the corner where the arrow is painted now, and observed as many as 19 vehicles, including buses and large RVs, waiting at the light. “Traffic calming,” indeed!
No wonder Boulevard traffic has been so heavy over the years. We asked for the straight-ahead arrow at least three years ago and were promised that it would be done at least two years ago.
Apparently the pandemic has given CalTrans the time or money or impetus or lack of traffic or whatever it took to get the work done. Thanks, CalTrans! It’s nice to see something we need getting done.
MM wishes to take a poll: when did you discover the new arrow had been painted? That is, how long ago? Just checking to see how long it took.
50 years ago today the first Mentone parade and BBQ was held at the park and the train station. It was celebrating the Mentone Hotel from 50 years before where people who had TB would come to recover. The whole thing was the brainchild of Eddy Walker. As I remember, a dump truck won 1st prize as “best entry”. I don’t remember whose dump truck was, but my guess would either be it belonged to either Charlie Sewell, or Larry Jacinto, because they had the nicest dump trucks in town. Unlike the later (and last) parade, this one did not end in a riot.
Here’s a thought: turn off the TV, grab your phone and a neighbor and take a leisurely stroll around the block or wherever you hear and see the illegal fireworks in the cool evening (take a flashlight for after dark). Either you will catch them in the act or they will see you and stop – at least for a while. Maybe take two turns around the block. Organize your ‘hood into citizen patrols. Call in what you see and take a picture if you can, to help the Sheriff.
On old topographical maps, it shows that the former Southern Pacific Railroad branch line (that went through Crafton and ended at Greenspot) passed right by Lockheed’s Grand Central Rocket Company property.
I was wondering, please, if this now-abandoned Southern Pacific line actually served Grand Central Rocket Co. back when the facility was new in the 1950s — or was the Southern Pacific track already abandoned in this particular area by that period?
On a separate subject, are there any good photographs of Mentone’s Universal-Sanitary, later called Universal-Rundle during its heyday in the ’50s-’60s?
Thank you very much, Isobel D.
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Concerned residents in San Bernardino County continue to report the use of dangerous and illegal fireworks in many jurisdictions. While San Bernardino County Fire officials follow up on these reports, the lack of evidence of reported violations often hinder investigations. In order to issue citations or make arrests, County Fire officials must have definitive proof of suspects engaged in illegal activity. This criminal act carries a fine of $1,250 for the first offense with the possibility of arrest.
To aid investigations into these dangerous activities, the San Bernardino County Fire Office of the Fire Marshal has created a new tool called The Illegal Fireworks Reporter to report any use or sale of illegal fireworks in San Bernardino County. Residents may make an anonymous report by accessing this platform through a QR code distributed throughout the county, as well as through links on SBCFire.org.
With the help of concerned residents, fire investigators and law enforcement will be able to respond and conduct investigations that will increase community safety and reduce the risk of damage or serious injury in San Bernardino County communities.
“The Office of the Fire Marshal takes the illegal use or sale of illegal fireworks very seriously,” stated Fire Marshal Mike Horton. “The Illegal Fireworks Reporter tool will allow us to partner with our residents more effectively to reduce these dangerous activities. I’m very proud of the men and women at the Office of the Fire Marshal who continue to find innovative solutions to keep our communities safe.”
To make an anonymous report, residents may visit https://bit.ly/SBCoReportFireworks. Be sure to include the date, time, and specific location of the alleged activity. Any photos and videos of incidents will aid in the investigation of alleged violations. Photos and videos may be included in the submission of each report.
Partnering with residents continues to be a one of the most effective tools in community risk reduction. San Bernardino County Fire thanks each resident for doing their part to keep our county safe.
