Inland Empire

The dad of a Riverside County teen fighting for his life at the hospital is wondering why anyone would shove his son toward a moving Tesla after a fight over a skateboard.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on February 24th, the arrests of 14 individuals who were charged in San Bernardino County Superior Court in connection with two hospice companies accused of stealing more than $4.2 million from the federal Medicare and state Medi-Cal programs. Based in San Bernardino County, New Hope Hospice, Inc. and Sterling Hospice Care, Inc. enrolled patients who were not terminally ill into hospice care, many of whom told investigators that they were enrolled without their knowledge or understanding of what hospice was. All of the arrested defendants face multiple felony counts including conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, insurance fraud, grand theft, and fraudulent insurance claims, with some defendants also facing charges related to identity theft, money laundering, and tax evasion. Two defendants remain at large.

Cannabis 21+, the premier family, women, veteran, and privately-owned licensed cannabis dispensary operator in California has expanded again opening its largest store yet in Palm Desert. This first of seven County of Riverside locations set to open in the next 18 months sets the bar very high, wowing visitors.

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) is leading efforts to bring home additional funding for local hospitals and providers battling surges in hospitalizations due to the Delta and Omicron variants. In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Ruiz urged the agency to quickly disburse the remainder of the Provider Relief Funds, allocated by Congress in COVID relief legislation, to hospitals and providers continuing to face pandemic-related hardships, such as staffing shortages. Ultimately, Ruiz’s efforts will help local hospitals and physician offices keep their doors open, preserving vital health care access for rural communities in the region.

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition event at the Maze Stone restaurant at Soboba Springs Golf Course, Feb. 17. With one carryover from January, eight local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life challenges. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.