2011 Year In Review

Big Bear, Ca, December 27, 2011, 12:00pm – The Big Bear Valley went through some changes in 2011.  Motorists experienced the closure of Highway 330 for the first quarter of the year followed by the road reopening along with the grand opening of the new Big Bear Bridge. Late February was a great month for snow, with snowfall lasting through May, making for a shorter summer. One of the founders of the City of Big Bear Lake, Dr. Davies passed, Bonnie Blue a local staple in the realty business also passed, along with Gary Antes of Big Bear City Glass.  Big Bear Choppers closed down, and KBHR moved into our new building.  The new Superintendent for the Bear Valley Unified School District proved that he would do anything for the kids of our valley when he ran 100 miles to help raise money for the track at Baldwin Lane Elementary School.  The Big Bear High School Football team made the record books by going into overtime eight times in their game versus Desert Hot Springs.  Kara Burks was named Miss Big Bear, and Gus Gonzalez as Man About Town.  The Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City Fire Departments began the merging process, and Big Bear City Community Services District saw two board members resign in one month, turning around the board dynamic.  City Council shifted the direction the city would go in regards to affordable housing, instead of creating affordable housing, they instead changed certain land designations.  Heather and Ted Devito won the Conquer the Bear series, less than a year after they had their first baby, and 15 year old Jordan Romero became the youngest person to summit all of the 7 Summits on Christmas Eve.  2012 brings the return of the Amgen Tour of California to Big Bear, the California State Mountain Bike Championships, more events, excellent snow, and new resolutions for valley residents to make.