Thursday, September 3 | Volume 40 No. 25

• COMPLIMENTARY
• Volume 40 No. 25
• Thursday
• September 3, 2026

Riverside Honors Community Icon Dell Roberts with His Own Day on 90th Birthday

RIVERSIDE, CA — For more than eight decades, Adrian “Dell” Roberts has called Riverside, California home. Now, the city that he has spent a lifetime serving has made sure his legacy will forever be part of its history. The City of Riverside officially pro claimed August 25, 2026, as Dell Roberts Day, celebrating Roberts’ 90th birthday and recognizing his decades of service as an educator, mentor, youth advocate and community leader. The milestone celebration was featured by ABC7 Los Angeles, which highlighted the impact Roberts has made on generations of Riverside resi dents. Roberts moved to Riverside when he was See "Riverside Honors..." page 8

Upland Unified Board Selects Dr. Shinay Bowman as Next Superintendent

Dr. Shinay Bowman

By Hannah Flanagan

Upland Unified School District will soon welcome new leadership, as the Board of Education has selected Dr. Shinay Bow man to serve as the district’s next superin tendent. Current Superintendent Dr. Lynn Carmen Day announced her retirement in August and will continue to serve through the end of the calendar year. Dr. Bowman, who has been with Upland Unified since 2018 and currently serves as Chief Academic Officer, brings more than two decades in public education to the district’s top leadership role. “Dr. Bowman has been a trusted and high ly effective leader in Upland Unified for many years, and the Board is confident she is the right person to lead our District into its next chapter,” Board President Mary

Locke said. “She brings a deep under standing of our students, schools, and community, along with a clear vision for academic excellence and a strong commitment to creating opportunities for every student. We are excited to see her build on the tremendous progress our District has made while continuing to move Upland Unified forward.” During her eight years with Upland Unified, Dr. Bowman has played a cen tral role in shaping the district’s aca demic programs and instructional prac tices. As Chief Academic Officer, she oversees curriculum and instruction, data and assessment, professional learn ing, and equity and access. She also serves as the instructional lead

See "Upland Unified..." page 7

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577 N. “D” Street, #112H San Bernardino, CA 92401

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Dolly Parton’s Gift to California’s Children: A Legacy Delivered One Book at a Time

By Reginald Scott Webb Jr. | California Black Media

Dolly Parton leaves a lasting legacy in the hearts and homes of California’s children through a lit eracy program that has delivered nearly 3 million free books across the state. Parton, the internationally cel ebrated singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. While millions world wide are remembering her music, films and unmistakable personal ity, California families are also honoring the “Book Lady” whose Imagination Library helped intro duce thousands of young children to the joy of reading. Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to provide chil dren from birth to age 5 with a free, age-appropriate book deliv ered to their homes each month. The program began in Sevier County, Tennessee, where Parton grew up in poverty, and eventually expanded throughout the United States and internationally, deliver ing 300 million books worldwide. California joined that effort af ter Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1183 into law on Sept.

See "Dollyl Parton..." page 7

FARSB Calls on the IE to Play Your Part this Hunger Action Month

RIVERSIDE, CA – This Septem ber, during Hunger Action Month (HAM), Feeding America River side | San Bernardino (FARSB) is joining the nationwide Feeding America network in calling on the Inland Empire (IE) community to Play Your Part. As the cost of es sentials like groceries and energy continue toput pressure on household budgets, everyone can take action to help ensure their neigh bors have access to the food they need to thrive. "Together we can end hunger," said Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America (shown right). "It takes people looking out for each other, especially now, asso many families are navigating dif ficult tradeoffs necessitated by high food prices. This Hunger Action Month, we're asking ev eryone to show up for their neigh bors facing hunger and play their part. Whether you give, volunteer, speak up, or support your commu nity in another way, your action matters.

When neighbors care for neighbors, we strengthen our communities." According to the latest data available from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, 48 mil lion people, including more than 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2024, the high est level since 2014. Of the com munities FARSB serves, we see food insecurity range from a low of 13.8% in Riverside County to a high of 15.6% in San Bernardino County. “Ending hunger is only going to happen if our entire commu nity acts together to create last ing change that addresses root causes of hunger,”said Vanesa Rangel-Mercado, Interim CEO at FARSB. “We invite anyone will ing to play a part in the solution to turn a single action into impactful, collective action this September.” People can get involved local ly by donating at FeedingIE.org/ hungeractionor through the ac tions below: • Give Food: Host a food drive to collect canned goods. • Give Funds: Donate funds or set up a peer-to-peer fundraiser to ask your community to donate to your fundraiser as a group. • Give Time: Register for a vol unteer shift at our Riverside ware house. • Give Voice: Advocate for hun ger-relief policies that boost our mission. Learn more about how you can take action by visiting: Feedin gIE.org/hungeraction.

Thursday, September 3, 2026

League of Women Voters Seeks Nominations for 2026 Citizens of Achievement Awards

SAN BERNARDINO, CA--- The League of Women Voters of the San Bernardino Area is invit ing the community to nominate individuals and organizations for its 2026 Citizens of Achievement Awards and Civic Engagement Awards. Since 1975, the League has rec ognized local residents and orga nizations whose work has made a meaningful difference through out the community. The annual awards are designed to honor peo ple and groups who consistently contribute their time, leadership and service toward strengthening communities across the Inland Empire.

Community members are encouraged to nominate individu als or organizations they believe deserve recognition for their con tributions. Nominations must be submitted online no later than Fri day, September 18, 2026. The nomination form is available through the League of Women Voters of the San Bernardino Area website at https://my.lwv.org/cali fornia/san-bernardino-area/event/ nominations-citizen-achieve mentcivic-engagement-award. Those selected for recogni tion will be honored during the League of Women Voters of the San Bernardino Area’s Citizens of Achievement Reception on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Sterling Natural Re source Center, located at 25318 5th Street in Highland. Additional details about the reception will be announced at a later date. The League of Women Voters has worked since 1920 to improve government and encourage Amer icans to participate in decisions that affect their lives. The orga nization operates at the national, state and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues throughout all 50 states, Washing ton, D.C., the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. Formed from the movement that helped secure voting rights for women, the League continues to focus on expanding civic partici pation and ensuring people have a voice in their communities and government. The San Bernardino Area League is encouraging residents to take time to recognize Inland Empire individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to improve their communities by submitting a nomination before the September 18 deadline. For additional information, visit https://my.lwv.org/california/sanbernardino-area or contact [email protected].

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County Library Takes Families on a Wild Adventure at Galaxy Nights: Wildlife After Dark

California Black Civil Rights Leaders Mobilize to Defend Voting Rights

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

SAN BERNARDINO, CA---- Things got a little wild after dark as the San Bernardino County Li brary (SBCL) welcomed families to Galaxy Nights: Wildlife After Dark, transforming the Lucerne Valley Janice Horst Branch into an after-hours destination filled with live wildlife, science, star gazing and hands-on discovery. Held Saturday, Aug. 15, the event drew approximately 200 visitors from across the High Desert and beyond, with some traveling from as far as Pasadena to experience an evening designed to ignite curios ity and prove that learning doesn't stop when the sun goes down. “Galaxy Nights gives us an op portunity to reimagine the library and create experiences that spark curiosity in children and fami lies,” said Library Events Coor dinator Jenni McCormick. “Wild life After Dark brought learning to life by giving our community an opportunity to explore nature, sci ence and the night sky in a fun and memorable way.”

One of the evening's biggest at tractions came courtesy of High Desert Falconry, which intro duced guests to an extraordinary cast of creatures, including Ni codemus, a Eurasian eagle-owl; Blue Daba Dee, a blue-tongued skink; Ssspagetini, a Mexican granite kingsnake; and Saphira, a greenbottle blue tarantula. The encounters gave families an upclose look at wildlife while learn ing more about the animals and their unique adaptations. The exploration continued as budding scientists dissected owl pellets to discover what owls eat, while aspiring astronomers turned their eyes skyward to explore the night through high-definition telescopes. Interactive activities and entertainment throughout the library rounded out an evening where science, literacy and dis covery took center stage.

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Black voting rights advocates in California convened virtually Aug. 28 after a federal court tem porarily blocked new U.S. Postal Service restrictions on mail bal lots, a ruling civil rights leaders described as an important but temporary victory ahead of the November election. The restrictions are tied to Presi dent Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14399 and the Postal Ser vice’s “Ballot Mail for Federal Elections” rule. Among other requirements, the rule calls for election officials to use a federal portal and comply with new standards for federal ballot-mail en velopes. A federal judge issued a 14-day temporary restraining or der blocking key provisions while the court considers a request for a preliminary injunction. Rick Callender, president of the California-Hawaii State Confer ence of the NAACP, said the dis pute is part of a broader challenge to mail-in voting and warned against allowing the Postal Ser vice to interfere with states’ ad ministration of elections. “The bottom line here is that the postal office should deliver bal lots, not decide who receives one or which votes do not count,” Cal lender said. “We're going to fight this attack at every point; at the mailbox, on the voter rolls and in the protection of personal data.” The postal dispute comes as California is already engaged in an other federal legal battle over vot er information. In United States v. Weber, Secretary of State Shirley Weber refused to provide the fed eral government with the state’s full, unredacted voter-registration list, citing privacy concerns and state and federal law. The League of Women Voters of California, the NAACP and the ACLU inter vened in that case in support of California. A federal judge dis missed the lawsuit in January, and the U.S. Department of Justice ap pealed.

To read more, visit westsidestorynewspaper.com.

Thursday, September 3, 2026

City of Riverside Approves Veteran-Focused Technology Workforce Program

Applied Technology Lab to connect military veterans and underserved residents with opportunities in emerging technologies

RIVERSIDE, CA — August 26, 2026 — The City of Riverside has approved a Memorandum of Un derstanding (MOU) with the In stitute for Veterans & Emerging Technology Skills (iVETS) and STEMWORX to build a sustain able pipeline for military veter ans and underserved community members transitioning into hightech, emerging fields. The initiative aims to support Riverside's growth as a regional hub for applied technology and artificial intelligence (AI) while expanding equitable access to high-paying technology careers. “This strategic partnership es tablishes a clear bridge for our service members and residents into the high-growth technology economy,” said Alan Stanly, Chair of the iVETS Board of Directors.

“By combining specialized ap plied technology training with a unique workforce execution and deployment strategy tailored to veterans, Riverside is paving the way for sustainable economic de velopment.” The partnership builds on work force development work begun in San Bernardino. Enterprise Tech nology Alliance, Inc. (ETA), a San Marcos, California-based technol ogy company and direct employer focused on AI, logistics technol ogy, and software, has worked with local universities and city leaders to bring technology jobs to the Inland Empire. Together, the three organizations provide a full opportunity lifecycle: training through iVETS, workforce de ployment through STEMWORX, and direct employment through

ETA. iVETS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will operate an Applied Technolo gy Lab focused on emerging tech nologies such as AI and quantum computing. Through the lab, iV ETS will deliver hands-on train ing tailored for military veterans and underserved communities, preparing participants for highdemand careers through three- to six-month micro-certifications aimed at specific jobs, with work force deployment managed by STEMWORX. To root the mis sion locally, iVETS and the City of Riverside are exploring mu nicipal space options within city limits. Rather than incubating new start ups, the initiative equips existing and incoming employers with lo cally trained talent keeping jobs in the community and ensuring that local businesses, and com panies considering a move to the region, have ready access to talent trained to their specific needs. The program is also coordinating with the City to prioritize clean energy strategies, environmental stew ardship, and ethical AI practices for the community. iVETS and STEMWORX will execute this vision as separate organizations operating at arm's length — a structure that ensures transparency, regulatory compli ance, and a focus on delivering measurable public benefit. Target operational planning and techni cal specifications are set to be fi nalized for Fall 2026.

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Turning Tragedy to Healing: California’s Firefighters Burn Institute Expands Its Mission Across the State

More than five decades ago, a tragedy at a Sacramento ice cream parlor exposed a critical gap in the region’s ability to care for people suffering from severe burns. Today, that trag edy remains part of the origin story of the Fire fighters Burn Institute (FFBI), a Sacramentobased organization whose work has grown into a statewide network of burn care, recov ery, prevention and education. In 1972, a jet attempting to take off from Sacramento Executive Airport crashed into a crowded Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, killing 23 people and leaving many others with burn in juries. Among those killed were Sacramento firefighter Gene LaVine and eight members of his family. At the time, Sacramento did not have a spe cialized burn treatment facility, meaning se verely injured patients had to be transported elsewhere for care. The tragedy prompted then-Sacramento Fire Department Captain Cliff Haskell to act.

Haskell began fundraising with the Sacramen to Area Fire Fighters, Local 522, with the goal of creating a specialized burn unit in Sacra mento. Those efforts led to the founding of the Fire fighters Burn Institute in 1973 and, shortly af terward, the opening of the UC Davis Medical Center Regional Burn Center in January 1974.

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Thursday, September 3, 2026

Haitian-American Advocate Farah Larrieux Appeals to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin as TPS Protections End

Inland Empire Women’s Business Center Highlights Small Business Empowerment Grant Opportunity

Haitian-American communica tions strategist and community advocate Farah Larrieux is calling on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to consider the human im pact of ending Temporary Protect ed Status for Haitian immigrants. In a recorded video message, Lar rieux speaks directly about the un certainty facing Haitian families and longtime U.S. residents who have relied on TPS protections for years. She raises concerns about family separation, the future of American-born children and the dangers many Haitians could face if forced to return to Haiti. Larrieux is also personally con nected to the issue. She has been a prominent voice in immigration advocacy, working with commu nity organizations, meeting with members of Congress and speak ing through local, national and in ternational media. Her work has focused on immigration, human rights, social change, economic development and foreign policy. A longtime leader within the Hai tian-American community, Lar rieux has also served with several civic and advocacy organizations, including the NAACP, Florida Rising and the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Her message urges federal lead ers to look beyond immigration policy and consider the families, workers and communities affected by the decision. Watch Farah Larrieux’s full mes sage to DHS Secretary Mark wayne Mullin at westsidesto rynewspaper.com.

Continued from page 2

Dolly Parton’s Gift to Children

30, 2022. Authored by state Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and co-authored by then-Senate President pro tempore Toni At kins (D-San Diego), the bipartisan legislation created the statewide Imagination Library program. California committed approxi mately $68 million over five years to support the expansion, making the books available at no cost to participating families regardless of income. The program began expanding statewide in June 2023 with the goal of serving children in all 58 counties by 2028. California also became the first state to offer fam ilies a fully bilingual English-to- Spanish book option.

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The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is encouraging local entrepreneurs and small business owners to explore a new funding opportunity through the Small Business Empowerment Grant. The organization, which works to connect business owners with resources and opportunities that support growth, is directing in terested applicants to review the grant information for details on eligibility, requirements, applica tion deadlines and how to apply.

Business owners who need assistance with the application process can also contact the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center for support. The IEWBC team is available to answer questions and help guide applicants through the process. Small business owners are en couraged to review the opportu nity and apply if their business meets the qualifications. For more information and appli cation assistance, visit iewbc.org.

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Upland Unified Board Selects Dr. Shinay Bowman as Superintendent for the District’s 15 school prin cipals, providing coaching and support to strengthen instructional leadership across Upland Unified. Her connection to the district also extends beyond her professional role, as Dr. Bowman is an Upland Unified parent whose three chil dren graduated from Upland High School. Her tenure has coincided with sig nificant academic growth and the expansion of programs designed to provide students with opportunities to succeed in college, ca reers, and life. In her leadership role, Dr. Bowman has worked closely with Dr. Carmen Day, the Board of Education, District ad ministrators, educators, and staff to advance Upland Unified’s com mitment to “Creating Excellence for All.”

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CLASSIFIED / LEGAL SECTION

Continued from the front page

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE - CHANGE OF NAME CASE #: CIVSB2623677 P E T I T I O N E R O R AT T O R N E Y: LY N E T T E ANN CURRY, 495 E. ERD ST., APT O-8, SAN BER NARDINO, CA 92410 Telephone: (909) 4864-376 E-Mail Address (OPTION AL): currylinda235@gmail. com SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO STREET ADDRESS: 247 WEST THIRD ST., SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92415 M A I L I N G A D D R E S S : SAME BRANCH NAME: SAN BERNARDINO PETITION OF: LINDA ANN CURRY TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner LINDA ANN CURRY has filed a petition with the clerk of this Court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: LINDA ANN CURRY to Proposed name: LINDA LYNETTE ANN CURRY THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indi cated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person ob jecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 10/07/2026

Time:

8:30 A.M.

Dept: S33 The address of the court is the same as noted above. A copy of this ORDER to Show Cause must be pub lished at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county (specify newspa per): WESTSIDE STORY NEWSPAPER Date: AUGUST 18, 2026 Sign: JOSEPH T. ORTIZ, JUDGE OF THE SUPE RIOR COURT wss 26-021 9-3, 9-10, 9-17, 9-24-2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS N A M E S TAT E M E N T : FBN20260007494. The fol lowing person(s) is(are) do ing business as: WESTSIDE S T O RY N E W S PA P E R , EMPIRE TALKS BACK, CALIFORNIA ROUTE 66 MARATHON, 577 North "D" Street, S#112H, San Bernardino CA 92401. Busi ness Mailing Address: 577 North "D" Street, S#112H, San Bernardino CA 92401 . County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BER N A R D I N O . N u m b e r o f Employees (Optional): N/A. This business is conducted by: A CORPORATION. Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: W J ALLEN MULTIMEDIA PRODUC TIONS, 577 North "D" Street, S#112H, San Ber nardino CA 92401. State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA. Inc./ Org./Reg. No. (Optional): N/A Registrant commenced to transact business: JAN 16, 2009. By signing, I declares all information in this state ment is true and correct. Signature: /s/ WALLACE J ALLEN. Printed Title of Person Signing: CEO. Date: 08/11/2026. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on 08/11/2026. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original state ment on file in my office. COUNTY CLERK DEP UTY SAN/K6677

DANCE WITH SUBDIVI Riverside Honors Community Icon

NOTICE – IN ACCOR

SION (A) OF SECTION

Dell Roberts with His Own Day

17920. THIS FICTITIOUS N A M E S TAT E M E N T GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE

ON WHICH IT WAS FILED just nine years old and has re-

IN THE OFFICE OF THE C O U N T Y C L E R K E X mained deeply connected to the CEPT, AS PROVIDED IN S U B D I V I S I O N ( B ) O F SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH I N T H E S TAT E M E N T PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESI DENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSI community ever since. During the ceremony, he reflected on the 81 years he has spent in the city and expressed his enduring love for the place he has long called home. “I love the city. I love the school system,” Roberts told those gath

NESS NAME STATEMENT

MUST BE FILED BEFORE ered for the celebration, adding

THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATE MENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF FICTI TIOUS BUSINESS IN VIO LATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR C O M M O N L AW ( S E E SECTION 14411, ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFES SIONS CODE). Run Dates: 8-13, 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-2026 WSS# 26-020 that while no community is perfect, he remains proud to be a part of Riverside. The Riverside City Council Chambers was filled with fam ily members, friends, former students, elected officials and community leaders who came together to honor Roberts. Mayor become a longstanding commu nity tradition. The recognition drew honors from leaders and organizations throughout the region, includ ing the Riverside Branch of the NAACP, California State Sena tor Sabrina Cervantes, State As semblymember Corey Jackson and Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medina. Speakers reflected not only on Roberts’ accomplish ments, but also on the personal in fluence he has had on generations of educators, elected officials and community advocates. Medina, who met Roberts more than 30 years ago while work ing as a new teacher at Riverside

Patricia Lock Dawson formally proclaimed the day in his honor, recognizing a lifetime of service that has touched education, rec reation, civil rights, youth devel opment and civic engagement throughout the city. Roberts spent decades working with young people, including a Polytechnic High School, de scribed just how closely Roberts’ story is connected to the community he has served. “The history of Riverside and the history of Dell Roberts are so much interwoven,” Medina said during the celebration. For Roberts, however, the cel

38-year career with the Riverside Unified School District. His roles over the years have included educator, coach and assistant princi pal. He also helped establish the Black Student Union at Riverside Polytechnic High School and con tinued mentoring young people and supporting families long after retiring from the school district. His commitment to Riverside extends far beyond the classroom. Roberts has served as president of the Bordwell Park Advisory Board and has played an instrumental role in the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation alongside his wife, Carmen Rob erts. He has also been a driving force behind Riverside’s annual Black History Parade, which has ebration was about more than titles and accolades. Surrounded by the people whose lives he has influenced, he expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowl edged his wife, Carmen, who has worked alongside him throughout much of his community service. The celebration served as an opportunity for Riverside to honor a leader whose impact can be seen throughout its schools, neighbor hoods, youth programs and com munity institutions. And while Roberts celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by those who love and respect him, River side gave him something that will extend well beyond the milestone. Every August 25 will now carry his name.

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