Candlelight Vigil for One Year Anniversary of Hit and Run Victim Kushan Bhandari

One year ago tonight, Kushan Bhandari lost his life crossing Big Bear Boulevard, after playing at the lake with his mother and brother.

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 30, 2010, 3:15pm – There will be a candle light vigil tonight at 8:20pm for Kushan Bhandari at the corner of Bartlett Rd, and Big Bear Blvd in Big Bear Lake.  The vigil is being held in memory of the 5 year old boy who passed one year ago after being struck by a hit and run vehicle on Lakeview Drive.  Last year a press conference was held to bring light to the situation, and to try and find the driver who killed Kushan Bhandari and injured his mother, Sujana, and brother, Kushal.  The driver still has not been identified, and according to Tiffany Swantek, Public Information Officer for the Big Bear Sheriff’s Department, no new information regarding the driver has been found.  Individuals with information about the fatal incident are encouraged to call the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at (909) 866-0100, Sheriff’s Dispatch at (909) 387-8313 or the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Caltrans Will Continue Roadwork on Big Bear Blvd/Hwy 18 Next Week

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 30, 2010, 3:10pm – Additional roadwork will be necessary on Big Bear Blvd/Hwy 18 in Big Bear Lake by Caltrans Maintenance crews to perform a crack seal project between China Garden and Pine Knot.  The work will take place Monday through Friday, August 2 to 6, 2010 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Lane closures will be in place with one lane available in each direction to motorists.  The median will be closed during work hours.  Motorists can expect short delays and may want to try to use alternate routes, if possible, during the roadwork.

San Bernardino County Residents Should be Vaccinated for Whooping Cough

San Bernardino County, CA, July 30, 2010, 12:15pm – In California, pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has reached epidemic levels with the rising number of cases in the state making this possibly the worst outbreak of the disease in over 50 years.  Pertussis is a bacterial illness spread through the air from person to person, through close contact with droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes.  The illness starts with cold-like symptoms that get more severe after one to two weeks.  Rapid coughing fits follow, that may have a whooping sound, lasting 6 to 10 weeks.  Public health officials are reminding San Bernardino County residents about the importance of getting vaccinated.  The adolescent-adult pertussis booster vaccine, called Tdap, is now recommended for anyone 7 years of age or older who is not fully immunized including those who are more than 64 years old.  Also, women of childbearing age as well as pregnant women and anyone who is in contact with pregnant women or infants should be vaccined.  Immunity from pertussis vaccine or disease wears off, so most adults are susceptible and should get immunized to protect themselves and their families.  Infants are especially vulnerable if they are not immunized or incompletely immunized as children under the age of 12 months have more serious illness from pertussis, and they are more likely to have complications and be hospitalized than persons in other age groups.  Children can get the first pertussis vaccination at 2 months of age but they aren’t adequately protected until the series of three shots is complete at 6 months of age.  There have been 1,496 cases of whooping cough recorded in California in the first six months of this year.  San Bernardino County has had 17 confirmed cases and one death since January.  Residents should contact their health care provider for vaccine information.  San Bernardino County Department of Public Health provides the pertussis vaccine in all its clinics.  For clinic locations and schedules call 1-800-782-4262 or visit the website at sbcounty.gov/dph.

Bear Valley Unified School District Students Return to School

Big Bear Valley, CA, July 29, 2010, 3:00pm – Next week on Tuesday, August 3rd, will be the start of the school year for students enrolled in the Bear Valley Unified School District’s 2010-2011 school year.  BVUSD operates under the guidelines for a modified-traditional school year calendar.  If you are new to the Valley or have not registered your child for school yet, school site personnel are available this week on Friday for registration.  Parents and students need to note that this year all of the schools will have a different start time than last year.  Questions may be answered by contacting the schools directly or visiting the District Office website at bigbear.k12.ca.us.  Bus route information can also be viewed on the transportation website at bigbearschoolbus.com.   Tomorrow, Friday, July 30th at the high school is “Freshman Friday” for all incoming freshman students from 3pm to 5pm.  The event is conducted by the Associated Student Body and is primarily for incoming freshmen for a tour of the campus but parents are welcome.  High School students will find out their class lists on the first day of school.  New this school year, for Big Bear Elementary School families only, the school will be implementing school uniforms known as learning clothes.  As a public school system, they are required to offer an opt-out policy, but, are encouraging parents and students to opt-in for the success of the new program.  Last spring, the school had surveyed families for their opinion on whether or not they would support a uniform policy and they received an 85% positive response.  Learning clothes are available at the Children’s Closet, the Hummingbird Thrift Store, Old Navy and Target.  Currently, the Children’s Closet is offering a 40% discount on learning clothes.  For BBES families in need of assistance with the purchase of learning clothes, clothing donations have been secured and a payment plan will also be offered.  This week the school will be selling some learning clothes for families in need at a reduced price as well as selling school T-shirts.  For more information visit the school’s blog site at bbes.edublogs.org.  BBES is also going to a no homework policy for all grades with the exception of nightly reading.  Therefore, students also will not need to have backpacks at BBES.  Big Bear Elementary will post student class list on Monday, August 2nd after 4pm.  Baldwin Lane Elementary School is holding a Kindergarten Visitation for kinders and their parents on Friday, July 30th from 2p to 3pm.  Their Back to School Night for parents only will be on August 5th from 6p to 7pm.  New at Baldwin Lane this year, all students and staff will join the 100 Mile Club promoting fitness with the kick off on Friday, August 6th at 2pm.  The school’s goal is to have all students and staff run, walk or jog 100 miles by the end of the school year.  Baldwin Lane Elementary will post student class lists after 5pm on Monday, August 2nd.  For North Shore Elementary School, kindergarten teachers will be contacting all parents of incoming kinders over the next few days to answer any questions families may have.  North Shore Elementary will be posting their class lists earlier than other schools.  Their lists will be posted sometime over this weekend.  At the Big Bear Middle School, 7th graders and their parents as well as students new to the school are welcome to attend an orientation on Monday, August 2nd at 4pm.  Seventh graders who attend will receive their full class schedule and have a chance to tour the school.  PE clothes and pre-payment for yearbooks will offered for purchase.  All students can preview their homeroom information beginning Monday, August 2nd after 4pm.  8th graders will receive their full class schedule on the first day of school.

Local Running Club, Running Amuck, Seeks Runners for Ragnar Relay

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 29, 2010, 15:00pm – Running Amuck, a local running club, is holding its monthly meeting at Nottingham’s tonight at 7:00pm, to discuss the upcoming Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas.  The Ragnar Relay is a 24-hour relay race through Las Vegas, and Running Amuck is looking for more team members.  Each team needs 12 runners, and four crewmembers to participate in the October 22nd-October 23rd 24-hour event.  Six locals have confirmed to participating in the Ragnar Relay, including:  Tracy Tokunaga, Big Bear Middle School Cross Country Coach, Michelle Russell and Toni Gerlette of Mountain Fitness Center, Ray Garcia, Helaine Cross, and Angela Meyers.  Confirmed crewmembers include Gavin Burke, Paul Burton, and Rich White.   Interested parties should come to Nottinghams with questions about the relay.  The cost to participate in the Ragnar Relay is $105.00 per person.  Running Amuck participates in fun running events including the Eco Mud Run, Women Running Wild, Palm Springs Half Marathon, and Snowshoe the Bear, and is open to runners of all levels.  For more information about Running Amuck and the upcoming Ragnar Relay contact Michelle Russell at 909-866-7020, or go online at runningamuck.shutterfly.com.

Missing Person, Jan Heyes, Has Been Found Safe in Malibu

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 29, 2010, 12:09pm – The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station has informed KBHR as of this morning that the missing person, Jan Heyes of Big Bear Lake, has been located in Malibu and is fine.  Local authorities are working with law enforcement in Malibu on the case.  Ms. Heyes had left her home in Big Bear Lake on July 18, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. and had not been seen or heard from since.  Her husband reported her missing on July 21st.  Yesterday, Big Bear Sheriff’s investigators, following standard operating procedures, conducted an area check near her home off of Lowe Street near Boulder Bay with the assistance of approximately 20 volunteers from Search and Rescue, Posse members and Citizens on Patrol.  Additionally, yesterday, Sheriff’s Aviation conducted an extensive aerial search of the mountain areas in search of Ms. Heye’s Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Again, the missing person, Jan Heyes has been found and more details will be made available soon.

Mom and Dad Project’s Preview Week Ends Today

Big Bear City, CA, July 29, 2010, 11:20am – Today is the final day for the Mom and Dad Project’s preview week for parents of children aged infant through teen.  Come out and preview the classes offered through the Mom and Dad Project including Music and Movement, Nature and Outdoors, Read to Me, Leap into Literacy, Toddler Tumbling, Nutrition and Cooking and more plus there will be special visits from Pediatrician Dr. Rocha and Pediatric Dentist Dr. Brown.  The Mom and Dad Project is located at 1221 East Big Bear Blvd in Big Bear City next door to Lippy’s Country Store at the intersection of Big Bear Blvd and Hwy 38.  Bear Valley Community Healthcare District, First 5 San Bernardino and Arrowhead United Way sponsor the Mom and Dad Project.

CHP Announces New Program “Arrive Alive On State Routes 18, 38, 138, and 330”

Running Springs, CA, July 28, 2010, 3:44pm – The California Highway Patrol is serving up a warning about a year-long enhanced enforcement effort to reduce the number of fatal and injury collisions related to driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs on State Routes 18, 38, 138, and 330.  The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office are collaborating with the CHP to provide enhanced anti-DUI law enforcement roving patrols within their jurisdictions of our local mountain area highways.  The baseline comparison year is 2008 and showed 70 injuries and four fatalities resulting from DUI-involved fatal and injury reportable collisions on State Routes 18, 38, 138, and 330.  From 2005 to 2007, there were 12 victims killed and 143 victims injured in DUI-involved reportable collisions on the same routes.  The grant kicks off August 1, 2010, and ends July 31, 2011.  The officers and deputies will enforce all traffic laws with a special emphasis on the apprehension of drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  This includes people speeding and making unsafe passes or turns.  Officers will also strictly enforce the use of seat belts and child passenger restraints.  Funding for the “Arrive Alive on State Routes 18, 38, 138, and 330” DUI Corridor Grant project is provided by a grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Local Committee Reports Valley Impact Results of Amgen Tour of California to City Council

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 28, 2010, 3:30pm – Members of the Amgen Tour of California local organizing committee reported to the Big Bear Lake City Council on July 12th, with a presentation of the Stage 6 finish in Big Bear Lake.  Rick Bates of the Events Resource Office and Rick Shoup of the Resort Association reported to the Council that an estimated crowd of 10,000 was present at the Snow Summit finish.  While the crowds were expected to be larger, the drop of Lance Armstrong from the race the day before may have kept up to 20% of spectators away.  A survey done by the Events Resource Office reported that 36.5% of the spectators were first time visitors, and that 45.3% stayed at least one night in Big Bear, and that 76.3% of visitors shopped during their stay.  The survey also reported that the event had an estimated economic impact of $1,518,800 estimating that each person who attended spent a median amount of $200 each.  Race day coverage on the Versus network was seen in over 200 countries, with over 2 million spectators watching.  “The coverage on the Versus network will have a long term impact,” said Shoup, “ A lot of people saw Big Bear, and had no idea there was a place like that an hour and a half from Los Angeles.”  Television coverage of the Big Bear Climb was also seen on major Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs news programs.  Bates has received the request for proposal for the 2011 Tour of California, and expressed that he hopes to see the Amgen Tour of California return many years for another Big Bear Climb.

Next Page »