Inland Empire

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) has been sounding the alarm on the need for a vaccine distribution plan that prioritizes and implements health equity for months – long before a vaccine was even approved for use in the United States. On January 2, 2021 during the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee entitled, “No Time to Lose: Solutions to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in the States,” Rep. Ruiz laid out continued challenges facing communities like the East Valley in getting vaccines.

The San Jacinto Unified School District recently honored the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, the Soboba Foundation and a Soboba Tribal Member. At its Jan. 19 school board meeting, Deputy Superintendent Sherry Smith, on behalf of the district’s American Indian School, Family and Community Liaison Delia Vazquez and the Board of Trustees, presented the recognition certificates.

The City continues to move towards its goal of becoming more sustainable by announcing the addition of three alternative vehicles and four electric vehicle charging stations. With the assistance of grant funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Review Committee (MSRC) and AB 2766 Subvention Funds, the City of Hemet purchased a CNG Dump Truck, two Nissan Leaf 100% electric vehicles, and four electric vehicle charging stations. The grant funds totaled $126,919.

With so many sports programs canceled because of the pandemic, having Inter Tribal Sports offer a Cross Country season this year was like a breath of fresh air – literally. About 25 Tribal Members from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians signed up to be part of the team that will compete in upcoming meets at various local reservations.

Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California will be the outside administrator tasked with ramping up coronavirus vaccinations, which to date has been slow, stilted and plagued by confusion, the state health agency said in a statement Wednesday.