The Sun (San Bernardino, CA)

Planners Find Downtown Sb Disappointing

SAN BERNARDINO - Exciting? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on who you ask. But "most disappointing" may be a rush to judgment about the city's downtown. That is what San Bernardino's mayor had to say about a Ventura- based planning publication that ranked downtown San Bernardino as the most disappointing among all mid-sized cities in California.

Floods Now Feared

FAWNSKIN - Firefighters still battling the Butler II fire had not only mop up but weather on their minds Thursday as high winds blew through the area and rain was headed toward them. The 14,039-acre blaze was 93 percent contained as of Thursday afternoon.

Officer Files Malice Claim

COLTON - A police detective has filed a claim against the city and Councilman Richard De La Rosa, alleging the official made malicious and defamatory accusations against him. Detective Wesley Bruhn's attorney said De La Rosa filed a "completely bogus" harassment complaint against Bruhn for refusing to support one of his decisions as a council member.

Weird Wintry Weather to Bring Chance of Rain, Snow

Update: Click here for the latest storm updates. Residents should keep their umbrellas handy at least through Saturday afternoon, when a freak early winter storm from up north is expected to move out of the area.

Strawberry Farm Will Make Way for New Developments

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Seventy-five townhomes, 22 homes and an office building will replace the strawberry farm on the northeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Grove Avenue now that the City Council has given the mixed-use project the green light. The council voted 3-1, with Councilman Dennis Michael absent, to approve the mixed-use development commonly referred to as the "Strawberry Project" on Wednesday. Councilman Rex Gutierrez dissented.

Officers' Names, Work Histories Ruled Public Record

The California Supreme Court expanded the availability of police records when it recently ruled officers' names and work histories are public record. In its Aug. 27 ruling, the court also ruled that salary information of government workers is also a matter of public record.

Marketplace Offers View of Exotic Animals at Fair

POMONA - Far away from the distractions of cows and roasted corn is the Family Marketplace where folks can be distracted at the Flower Power Park, America's Petting Zoo or the Family Marketplace Stage. One of the Marketplace's new features is Flower Power Park. Located in the center of the park is large pot with flowers that spout water.

19 Months Later, Young Jane Doe Id'd

The unidentified teen who was struck by several cars and killed as she ran across the 10 Freeway on Sept. 24, 2005, finally has a name and has been laid to rest. Samantha Bonnell, known as Jane Doe #17-05 for 19 months to the San Bernardino County coroner's office, was identified in April through dental records - after some dedicated investigating by her mother, Mary Weir.

Area Families Get Help From Food Program

Video: USDA Food Commodities Distribution On Monday morning, Mike Stokes walked up to Irene Welton's mobile home, rang the doorbell with one hand while holding groceries in the other.

6 Injured in Gold Line Wreck

HIGHLAND PARK - Less than a month after and only five blocks from a similar incident, a Metro Gold Line train and a vehicle collided at a rail crossing Friday morning, injuring six people, none of them seriously, officials said. Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Luis Inzunza said MTA investigators believe the driver of a small-sized sport utility vehicle might have crashed through the lowered rail guards at the crossing at Avenue 50 and Marmion Way just after 7 a.m., before cras...

Separate Office Hopefuls Team Up

REDLANDS - It's common knowledge that it's hard to unseat an incumbent during an election. Now, two candidates who are seeking different offices here are teaming up during their efforts to win elected office in November.

New Rules to Curb Air Pollution

San Bernardino County has the dubious distinction of having some of the nation's dirtiest air. But local officials are optimistic that a new agreement unveiled Friday will help the county shed that label.

Big Bear Lake Officials Mull Life After Wildfire

As the plush forest west of Big Bear Lake burned last weekend, Mayor Bill Jahn found himself in what would seem like an unusual position of encouraging tourists to still come to his resort community. During an interview broadcast on one of Southern California's biggest local TV news program, Jahn told viewers that they should still come to his town's Oktoberfest.

District Debate Lacks Conflict

CLAREMONT - In a debate Thursday evening at the Claremont Public Library, candidates for the city's November school board election seldom disagreed on district issues. Instead they delivered mostly safe, prepared answers to questions from the audience.

What's Green Is Golden for College Design Plan

PASADENA - What started as a class project looking at ways to build a house as a living, breathing organism has ended as an award- winning prototype constructed by four students at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. The school's Living Homes Studio's full-scale green design - which adapted new technologies and added a few quirky student touches - was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the agency's first-ever nationwide Lifecycle Building Challenge competition.