DUI Checkpoint Set To Take Place This Labor Day Weekend

The Arrive Alive anti-DUI campaign that began on August 1, 2010 is in its second month of operation. The second sobriety/driver license checkpoint for this campaign will be conducted on Sunday, September 5, 2010, in the unincorporated mountain area of San Bernardino County.  The CHP will be checking for drunk drivers, and to ensure that drivers have their driver’s license with them.  The CHP’s message this weekend is simple, if you want to “Arrive Alive” then don’t drink and drive.  So for those celebrating this holiday weekend, designate a sober driver. The CHP also encourages anyone to report suspected drunken driving by calling 9-1-1.

Lightning Strikes Cause 13 Small Spot Fires

Big Bear, Ca, August 26, 2010, 3:00pm - According to John Miller, Public Information Officer for the US Forest Service there has been 13 total lightning fires that have started since yesterday.  The most current are three spot fires called the Blue Sky Fire, and the Heartbreak #1 and #2 fire, that started due to lightening near Onyx Summit.  Thunderstorms and lightening is expected to continue into the night.  When lightning strikes occur the US Forest Service sends an aircraft to identify areas of smoke, and crews are sent to the scene to contain the small fires.   At this time all fires are less than 1 acre in size and generally are confined to a tree or a small area of vegetation.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns citizens about lightning strikes. “Positively charged lightning can occur near the edge of a cloud or strike more than 10 miles away – when people aren’t aware of the danger.”    According to the National Weather Service the vast majority of lightning injuries and deaths on boats occur on small boats with NO cabin. It is crucial to listen to the weather when you are boating. If thunderstorms are forecast, don’t go out. If you are out on the water and skies are threatening, get back to land and find a safe building or safe vehicle. The National Weather Service also advises “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.”

Mudslide in Forest Falls Closes Roadway

Forest Falls, Ca, August 25, 2010,  4:00pm – With heavy rains comes mud, as the residents of Forest Falls are experiencing today.  According to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Steve Robinson, “at 2:10pm today the road to Forest Falls was closed due to mud, trees and debris floating down the roadway.”  The road will open to residents shortly, however the road will be closed to non-residents until 7:00pm tonight.  According to Terry Kasinga, Public Information Officer for Cal Trans, Highway 38 is clear and open to all traffic.

School Bus Saftey

Big Bear, Ca, August 24, 2010, 3:00pm - With school back in session, school buses are once again out and about, picking up and dropping off children.  The Bear Valley Unified School District bus drivers would like to remind motorists of rules of the road concerning school buses.  BVUSD bus stops are located through out the valley, with some stops located on busy roadways such as Big Bear Blvd. and North Shore Drive. The law requires the driver of a school bus to activate the red lights at all times when stopped for the purpose of loading and unloading students. Motorists must stop on a two-lane road when a bus is stopped with red lights flashing, however, on a four lane divided highway, such as the Big Bear Blvd between Pine Knot and Stanfield, the opposing two lanes of travel do not stop. There will be times when you see a school bus in the process of loading or unloading students and the red lights will not be on. That is because there are some exemptions for the school bus in certain situations. We urge you to pass any bus pulled over with caution, as children can be unpredictable no matter how safe the situation. For more information, please call school transportation at 584-7658.

Delay in Budget May Impact Bridge Project

Big Bear Valley, Ca,  August 13, 2010, 12:00pm    On Wednesday August 11th, Caltrans released White Papers that highlight the negative economic impacts the budget delay is having on transportation projects statewide.  Included in this report is the Big Bear Bridge Project.   According to Jason Goldman, Chief Public and Legislative Affairs Officer for Cal Trans, District 8 “ If there is a delay it will effect every Cal Trans construction site statewide.”  The effects of the delayed budget are being felt as the California Transportation Commission meets this week.  Funding for transportation projects worth over $2.1 billion may either be deferred or delayed, as they are contingent on the approval of the state budget. “We don’t want the project delayed,” said Goldman “We want to keep everyone working; this situation is out of Cal Trans hands, and the department is at the mercy of state legislatures.”   Goldman also stated, “as things progress, Cal Trans will make sure people are updated.”

Early Morning Crash Claims One Life in Big Bear City

Big Bear City, Ca, August 11, 2010, 10:30am   According to the Big Bear City Fire Department and California Highway Patrol, at approximately 1:45 am on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, fire crews responded to the 300 block of Greenspot for a report of a vehicle accident into a house.  Upon arrival, a 2009 Pontiac G6 was found upside down between two houses with two occupants, Casey Steven Vargo, age 40, and James Passmoore, age 41, of Big Bear City.  One house was damaged as a result of the accident; with no injuries to the occupants of the house.  It took crews approximately 30 minutes to extricate the driver, Vargo; unfortunately he sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.  Passmoore, the passenger of the vehicle had no major injuries, and was not transported.  Both Vargo and Passmoore were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.  According to CHP Vargo was driving at an unknown high rate of speed when the vehicle hit a wooden trash bin along the east side of the road, became airborne before hitting the garage.  The cause of the collision is still under investigation.  Highway 38 was closed for approximately 4 hours, and has since reopened.  The Big Bear Lake Fire Department assisted with the rescue as part of the mutual aid system.

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.

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.

Detour At Big Bear Dam Now In Effect But Hwy 18 Remains Open

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 26, 2010, 3:07pm – As of last night, as part of the ongoing Big Bear Bridge Project, in order to aid in the construction efforts, a detour has been established directing traffic through Fawnskin on Hwy 38 beginning at the dam.  The California Department of Transportation and Flatiron Construction, Inc. has constructed the detour on State Route 18 just east of the Big Bear Dam as of 10pm last night and continuing through Friday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m.  The temporary detour is necessary to enhance the contractor’s ability to meet the major project milestone of opening the new bridge by December 15th.  It is important to note that Hwy 18, better known as the front grade, will remain open to both inbound and outbound traffic with the implementation of the detour through Fawnskin.  Residents and visitors will not be able to use Little Artic Circle to enter or exit the Valley but access t o all communities in the Big Bear area will be available with the use of the detour.  Motorists are encouraged to drive cautiously through the construction zone, or as Caltrans warns, Slow for the Cone Zone.

A Temporary Detour at the Big Bear Dam Will Reroute Traffic

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 21, 2010, 5:00pm – Just released today by Caltrans, as part of the ongoing Big Bear Bridge Project, in order to aid in the construction efforts, a detour will be implemented directing traffic through Fawnskin on Hwy 38 beginning at the dam starting Sunday, July 25th through the following week.  The temporary detour is necessary to enhance the contractor’s ability to meet the major project milestone of opening the new bridge by December 15th.  The California Department of Transportation and Flatiron Construction, Inc. will construct the detour on State Route 18 just east of the Big Bear Dam beginning Sunday, July 25th at 10:00 p.m. and continuing through Friday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m.  It is important to note that Hwy 18, better known as the front grade, will remain open to both inbound and outbound traffic with the implementation of the detour through Fawnskin.  Residents and visitors will not be able to use Little Artic Circle to enter or exit the Valley but access to all communities in the Big Bear area will be available with the use of the detour during this construction activity.  Motorists are encouraged to drive cautiously through the construction zone, or as Caltrans warns, Slow for the Cone Zone.

Next Page »