Thanks to the unwavering support of over 60 local sponsors and volunteers, the event remained entirely free for families, continuing its tradition of bringing the San Jacinto Valley together through shared joy, outdoor fun, and unforgettable memories.

Tournament Results

Age 6–10 Category:

1. 1. Kaylie Tugado
2. 2. Aiden Mounphoxay
3. 3. Isabella Grace
4. 4. Trenton Meredith
5. 5. Chevelle Schmitz
6. 6. Michael Church
7. 7. Hailey Nunez
8. 8. Margot Lobby
9. 9. Grayson Brown
10. 10. Brayden Pfadt

Age 11–15 Category:

1. 1. Alfonso Paez
2. 2. Aiden Paez
3. 3. Sean Rowe
4. 4. Allisyn Turner
5. 5. Wyatt Dudley
6. 6. Aiden Vannortwick
7. 7. Katelyn Ruiz
8. 8. Bradley Wilson
9. 9. Logan Turkmany
10. 10. London Kuehn

Kaylie Tugado also took home the award for Biggest Fish, reeling in an impressive 7-pound catch! In addition to her trophy, she received four tickets to SeaWorld, generously donated by Steve and Dr. Kristie Dimemmo.

Community Leaders and Law Enforcement Step In

The event was attended by several local dignitaries, including Mayor Jackie Peterson of Hemet, who also captured memorable moments as a photographer, and Mayor Valerie Vandever of San Jacinto, who served as Master of Ceremonies. Hemet Councilman Tom Lodge was seen assisting with fish weigh-ins at the lakeside.

Judging duties were carried out by Captain James Burton of the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station and Captain Glen Brock of the Hemet Police Department, adding prestige and community pride to the competition.

Community Engagement and Activities

– The California Department of Fish and Wildlife provided 70 fishing rods and reels to young participants.
– Perris Valley Anglers Club and the Point Seekers Bass Club of Riverside each brought 11 members to assist the kids and offered expert guidance. The latter also had a bass boat display in front of the clubhouse.
– Boy Scout Troop 46 introduced over 150 children to BB gun safety and education through their dedicated tent — many shooting for the first time!
– A Drug-Free World booth handed out 239 educational booklets and shared real-life stories about the risks of substance use.

Food and Family Time

– Shamrock Foods kicked things off right after 7 a.m. check-in with breakfast snack bags for attendees.
– The Kiwanis Club of Hemet brought their grills and big smiles, cooking a delicious hamburger lunch for everyone after the fishing wrapped up.

Voices from the Community

 “We’ve been here every year, and my son has caught fish every time!”

“My grandson caught his first fish and hasn’t stopped talking about it!”

“We had a fantastic time. The food, the fishing — everything was perfect.”

“These events keep my grandkids away from gangs and drugs. They love it, and so do I.”

Special Thanks to the Gold Sponsors

This unforgettable event would not have been possible without the generous support of our Gold Sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to the Greater San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce, Soboba Foundation, Golden Era Productions, Shamrock Foods, SCOC Services, Steve and Dr. Kristie Dimemmo, Polly’s Pies, and Raising Cane’s. Your commitment to the children and families of this valley continues to make a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership and dedication to building a stronger community.

This day was made possible by the hardworking Fishing Tournament Committee, led by President Albert Kissinger and Vice President Michelle Meade, whose dedication, planning, and countless volunteer hours made this event a true success.

For more information contact the Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce.
www.gsjvchamber.com

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The session was the first of a quarterly event series targeted at spreading voter rights public information and clarifying details of the county’s voting system.

Members of the county’s voter registration team will be present to answer attendee questions.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the community to strengthen voter participation and ensure that every individual understands their rights and responsibilities as voters,” said City Clerk Brenda Pree in a statement.

Additional information can be found at www.palmspringsca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8239/23

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With the full support of their families, the young winners proudly received certificates of recognition from the Mayor, who expressed his admiration for their accomplishments. “It is an honor to stand before these young individuals today,” the Mayor said. “They represent the bright future of our community, and their dedication to pursuing positive, healthy activities like this fishing tournament is something we should all celebrate. These kids are not only enjoying the outdoors, but they’re also showing us the power of persistence, teamwork, and a love for nature. They hold the future in their hands, and it’s up to all of us to support and nurture their growth.”

The event saw families arriving in full support, and the pride and joy in the air were palpable as each winner was acknowledged. Parents, siblings, and relatives filled the City Council chamber, sharing in the pride of seeing their children recognized for their achievements. The young anglers beamed with excitement as they were honored by the city, and many shared how meaningful the recognition was to them.

“We are so proud of our children and grateful to the City of San Jacinto for recognizing their hard work,” said one parent in attendance. “It’s great to see the city taking time to support these kinds of activities. It’s not just about the competition, but about fostering a healthy lifestyle and sense of accomplishment in our youth.”

The Fall Fishing Tournament, held at the picturesque Golden Era Golf Course, was part of a larger initiative to encourage outdoor recreation and community engagement. Many local Community groups contributed to this event with the Greater San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor emphasized that activities like these help to instill values that will benefit the young participants for years to come, both personally and within the community.

“Today’s recognition is more than just an award,” the Mayor added. “It’s about building community spirit and supporting our future leaders. By investing in the next generation, we are creating a healthier, stronger, and more vibrant San Jacinto.”

The City of San Jacinto in tandem with the Greater San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce looks forward to continuing to support youth initiatives that promote both personal growth and community well-being.

For more information about upcoming community events, please visit the Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce official website at www.gsjvchamber.com

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“Election Observer Tours” start Tuesday and thereafter will be held every Tuesday and Thursday until Nov. 5, according to officials.

“We invite community members to engage with the democratic process and learn how their votes are counted,” Registrar of Voters Art Tinoco said. “Together, let’s ensure a fair, accurate and transparent election for all.”

The tours, which will facilitate a maximum of 20 people at a time, will be held at the agency’s headquarters at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside, generally from 11 a.m. to noon, or 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Office of the Registrar of Voters has been a lightning rod of debate for the past two decades, struggling to counter accusations of negligent chain-of-custody policies, inaccurate voter rolls and unsecured electronic ballot tabulations.

The office has also contended with re-occurring red ink on its budget and has been notorious for laggard vote counts, running sometimes weeks after election day.

Tinoco is the fourth registrar at the helm since 2006. He has made transparency one of his priorities in the current election cycle.

For more information on observer tours, residents were asked to make reservations by calling 951-486-7200.

Information regarding where to vote early and other considerations can be found at https://voteinfo.net.

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The school has undergone some changes since the previous school year with former preschool teacher Lenora “Ponie” Mojado now the Preschool Administrator. Instead of creating and implementing lesson plans, she is now busy going to meetings, setting up fundraisers, talking with parents and taking care of day-to-day operations.

“This change happened a couple of days before school started (on August 6). I had all my preschool classes ready to go and everything done, and they asked if I would like to take the position, and I said yes. This is a big step for me, and I’m excited about taking on this role,” Mojado said.

She served as the interim administrator during the final months of the previous school year and said it was hard doing the job while still teaching. “I would get pulled away from my class to let my aide, Alaina, handle the classroom. It wasn’t fair for her, and I appreciated her hard work and dedication throughout this transition,” she said.

She said the biggest challenge has been taking over the budget. But the benefits have already been noticeable and many. “The goals that I want in this role are for the children to have a fun, safe, learning environment; to mostly learn about their culture and how we come together as a community,” she said. “These children are the future of the Tribe, and it starts here at preschool. Their schooling and foundation start here, and I want the children to learn and grow from their preschool and kindergarten experiences.”

Mojado is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and she will be able to continue her studies while working in this position, a stipulation she made before accepting it.

The school no longer offers a “2s” class, which was usually pretty small. Mojado plans to use that existing classroom as a resource center for children that need extra support.

“I’m still trying to decide on the plans, but the future is looking bright at the preschool,” she said.

Current enrollment is at 50 and Mojado said they are finally fully staffed and even have a preschool assistant, Lilly Gutierrez.

Inside the entrance, each class has a posting board that shows at a glance what the lesson plan and schedule will be for the coming weeks as well as upcoming important dates and reminders. Also included is the daily lunch schedule.

Mojado said there will be new changes in preschool policies, which have been submitted to Tribal Council for approval. She said there are changes in teachers and teacher’s aides in the Pre-K and preschool rooms, but nothing too significant.

Kindergarten teacher Laura Aldrete’s posted note welcomed families and let them know that the month would be spent getting to know the environment, teachers, staff and each other. They will also work on becoming familiarized with the routines and structures of the kindergarten class that is in session from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

With 18 students enrolled so far, each child has an individual desk with storage rather than a cubby and shared tables that the younger age levels still have. “It benefits the students’ personal space, helps them focus on learning at their desks and prepares them for elementary school,” Mojado said. Aldrete and Instructional Aide Elena Vega Castello answered questions from parents who toured the classroom.

“The first two weeks were challenging for all of us, but the kids got used to things very fast,” Aldrete said, adding that having individual desks makes a big difference, giving the children a lot more independence.

Pre-K teacher Ana Garcia, who has been teaching at the preschool for six years, is joined by Instructional Aide Alaina Adkins who worked in the preschool class with Mojado last year. The biggest change this year is there is only a morning class of 20 students for this age group of mostly four-year-olds. Garcia can use the afternoons for prep time now and it seems to be working.

“So far, we’re doing good as a team,” she said. “A lot of the students were at the school last year (with Alaina) so that’s been a big strength.”

Although the curriculum remains the same, Garcia is using a different approach by letting the children explore and learn. They will observe them as they do problem solving on their own. “My goal is to have them sitting at their own table places to get the idea of staying in place,” Garcia said. “My goal is to get them ready for kindergarten. I want them to learn and get familiar with letter sounds so when they get to kindergarten they are not struggling.”

The preschool class of mostly three-year-olds, which used to be Mojado’s class, is now led by teacher Julissa Garcia and Instructional Aide Jess Thompson. With a class size of 12, the focus will be on getting children accustomed to being in a school setting as well as learning skills such as letter sounds, formations and more.

They shared the importance of letting children bring family photos to post on the “Nokiiyam” (family in the Luiseño language) board “to help them feel represented in their learning environment while they are away from home.” There will be monthly family projects so families can interact with each other and the children can share with the class. The first project was an “All About Our Class” binder that contained a page on each child. They included photos of their favorite toys, movies, activities and family photos.

“We know parents are their first teachers so we’re all in this together,” Garcia told the parents who stopped by her classroom. “We will do observations and assessments on each student, but we don’t compare them in any way. All children learn at a different pace and in their own ways.”

Each of the three grade levels offered a theme that was carried throughout their classrooms that the teachers decided on. “It’s a good way for their creative sides to show,” Mojado said. “Everyone’s classroom came out fantastic, and it was great to see their classes come to life. I love the themes this year; the teachers worked so hard in their classrooms.”

Preschoolers were welcomed to their “groovy” classroom where “Good Vibes Only” is the retro-1970s theme. Pre-K students were greeted with a “Hello Sunshine” theme and told to “be kind, be brave, be you.” Those in kindergarten were told they “put the cool in school” and that each day “will be a good day.”

Many resources were available to parents as they walked the hallway. There were treats for the children such as coloring books and kinetic sand from the Department of Public Safety officers and puzzles and pencils from Soboba Fire Department personnel. Backpacks, tee shirts and placemats about healthy eating were offered by Hosea Jones of the CalFresh Healthy Living program for Riverside University Health System. Jessica Plumlee, with Tribal Family Partners, shared the free programs offered for families of Native children from pre-natal to kindergarten.

A spaghetti dinner was offered in the adjacent multipurpose room and most families met there to chat with others and share what they had just learned from their child’s teachers.

The post Soboba Tribal Preschool begins another school year appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

This year, MSJC also celebrates its 23rd anniversary as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Since earning this designation in 2001, the college has been committed to serving a vibrant community, with 52% of its students identifying as Hispanic—well above the 25% threshold required for HSI status. This milestone highlights MSJC’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

“Latine Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and significant contributions of the Latine community,” said Dr. Roger Schultz, MSJC President/Superintendent. “By embracing evidence-based practices and focusing on the unique needs of our Latino students, we contribute to a stronger, more equitable future for all. Our goal is to create a campus where every student, regardless of background, can thrive. By doing so, we do not just advance Latino student success—we enhance the educational experience for everyone.”

MSJC’s mission statement proudly states, “As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, we serve a diverse student population from various identities, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, life experiences, abilities, and educational needs that represent our community. MSJC is committed to learning and achievement through inclusive and culturally affirming environments that celebrate student voices and create space for self-exploration and growth.” Latine Heritage Month provides a unique opportunity to highlight this commitment.

MSJC will host various events throughout the month, including cultural showcases, educational panels, and community engagement activities, all designed to celebrate the cultural heritage and academic achievements of its Hispanic students and the broader community.

For more information about MSJC’s Latine Heritage Month events, please visit https://msjc.edu/hsi/latine-heritage-month.html.

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The children had surprise gifts for their moms, too. They decorated canvas tote bags and filled out questionnaires “All About Mom.” Preschooler Nadia said her mom’s name is “Mommy” and that she is really good at “everything.” A classmate of hers said their favorite thing about their mom is “when she gives me cookies.”

Pre-K students used colorful handprints in a circle to resemble a flower to which green stems were painted on. Inside was a jar candle decorated with a mosaic made from colorful tissue paper. Kindergartners colored flower pots that were printed on the totes and decorated plates that were put inside each one. Grandmothers received keychains with mini handprints on them.

Glori Lindsey said her daughter Avareign, 6, did a “berry good job” with all the gifts she made. “I love everything so much,” she said. Glori was able to spend some valuable time with her family, which also includes two sons, on the official Mother’s Day of May 12 at a resort in Palm Springs.

Celena Morillo and her daughter, Menyil Tohee, 5, enjoy everything the preschool has to offer. “I like all the different things they ask them to make; they are very creative,” Celena said. On Mother’s Day her family cooked her breakfast and then all her sisters came over for lunch and to spend time together outside.

Rosemary Morillo is great-grandmother to Avareign and grandmother to Menyil and shared the time with fellow grandmother Nancy Beltran. Another great-granddaughter of Morillo’s is Nehsoon Salas, 5, who filled in the blanks “All About My Mom” by saying if she could tell her mom one thing, it would be, “You are gorgeous.” The kindergartner’s mother Avelaka Gonzales said this is the first year her daughter has attended the preschool.

“She has learned so much about animals and plants and she’s having fun while she’s doing it so that’s the best part,” Gonzales said. On Mother’s Day she was treated to a spa day while Nehsoon and other family members cleaned the house for her.

Morillo, who offered a blessing before the brunch was served, said, “It’s always an honor to get together with all the mothers,” she said. She asked the Creator to bless all family members in attendance and reminded everyone to “cherish these moments with your young ones, as time goes by so fast.”

Preschool teachers and staff served up mini cold cut sandwiches, two kinds of salad, chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and pasta salad. There were also bags of chips and other crunchy snacks, a huge bowl of fresh berries and strawberry topped cupcakes and Rice Krispie treats. All of this was washed down with lemonade, bottled water or a refreshing strawberry drink.

Corryn Salgado-Flores enjoyed the morning with her daughter Love Salgado-Flores, 3, and son Ace Covington, 5, along with their grandmother Becky Flores. Corryn said she likes that the preschool offers her children a chance to learn their Native language. “They also get to go to school with a few of their cousins,” she said.

The event provided an opportunity for all siblings and relatives who are in different classrooms to be together to celebrate as a family.

Tribal Council Secretary Monica Herrera has two grandchildren who are students there; Pre-K student Palki and kindergartner Gabe who were with their mom, Alyssa Salgado.

“I like the themes they do every year; it’s always super cute,” Herrera said. “I love that the school does this to bring the community together.”

Cyndi Lemke, whose grandson Iggy Alcala is in the kindergarten class, had a great personal Mother’s Day. “All the moms came to my house,” she said. “All us ladies had snacks and watched movies while the guys made and served breakfast. It was also my birthday, so I got extra flowers.”

Soboba Tribal Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado said, “I came to celebrate with all these special moms.” Mother of two, she enjoyed her own Mother’s Day on May 12. “We had Sunday brunch at the casino, which was amazing.”

One of the newest moms in attendance was Daise Burton with her five-week-old son, Jobi, who has an older brother Joseph, 8, and an older sister, Loovi, 4, who is in Ana Garcia’s Pre-K class. The kids were joined by their “glamma” Dondi Silvas, who serves as Soboba Foundation President and Housing Specialist for Soboba Housing.

Sierra Mendez had a second son six weeks ago and was at the event with her four-year-old son, Kuyvaxish Mendez, who is in Lenora “Ponie” Mojado’s class. Sierra also has a stepdaughter, who is 10. She was pleased to be one of the lucky raffle prize recipients and chose a satin sleep mask and pillowcase set, sure to be well used in the future. Other choices were handbags and cast-iron pans.

Preschool teacher Mojado has two sons; Mac is 10 and Eli is 8. She had spent Sunday with family at the Soboba Casino Resort’s brunch. “It was amazing; they had a buffet with different items,” she said. “Then I went shopping at Bath and Body Works and later I went to my sister’s house for family dinner. It was the perfect Mother’s Day of relaxing and shopping.”

She enjoyed giving out prizes at the raffle and said the mothers in attendance seemed to feel really appreciated and enjoyed the food they were served.

“My favorite part about working with children is they make me laugh and smile,” Mojado said. “We always joke around in my preschool class. I always make the children laugh and carry on a conversation. It’s always a fun time in the preschool room with all my little friends.”

Julissa Garcia is an Instructional Aide in the pre-kindergarten classroom. Celebrating Mother’s Day with her almost one-year-old son included going to dinner with her mother and aunt.

“My son and his dad also shared gifts and gave me a couple extra hours of sleep,” she said.

She enjoyed the feeling of togetherness at the preschool’s brunch.

“I liked seeing all of our children’s families show up for them and their reactions to the handcrafted gifts they made in class,” Garcia said. Her favorite part of working with the young children is “seeing them grow and progress each day and being given the opportunity to help foster lifelong learning.”

Preschool staff have already begun preparations for a Father’s Day luncheon on May 31.

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In Riverside, Ontario and San Bernardino, inflation is up about 1.4% in the last two months. Further hurting consumers, the price hikes are hitting a city with a 5.5% unemployment rate, which is higher than the national average.

Experts feel this rise is due to rising energy costs and the price of natural gas in the city.

Los Angeles wasn’t far behind, according to the report released by WalletHub that cited the Bureau of Labor Statistics, claiming the No. 9 spot on the list with cities like Miami, San Francisco and Seattle just ahead.

Nationally, inflation held at 3.4% in April, edging closer to the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%, though stagflation continues to hamper the economy.

Stagflation is an economic condition characterized by stagnant growth, high unemployment and high inflation. It presents a unique challenge because typical measures to combat inflation, such as raising interest rates, can negatively impact unemployment and growth.

Though many are hoping the economy begins to grow, many consumers are losing faith.

Experts predicted Tuesday that student loan rates will balloon to the highest they’ve ever been, hovering around 6.53% for undergraduate direct loans.

It’s been 16 years since rates have been this high for students, which includes hikes to both graduate and parent loans.

This, coupled with the record-high home loan interest rates, could mean the economy is headed towards recession, with debt fueling the growth for many Americans.

The Fed will look to lower interest rates next month, although many experts believe the rates won’t come down until 2025.

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Held this year at San Diego State University, DTI’s mission is to challenge Native youth to D.R.E.A.M., which is an acronym for Dedication, Responsibility, Education, Attitude, Motivation. The youth conference was started in 2007 by several Southern California Tribes and Tribal organizations. The dream began when local youth councils planned to organize a conference specifically for Southern California Native youth. After several planning meetings, the youth voted on a conference name and agreed to host the first ever Southern California Native Youth Conference on the Soboba Indian Reservation at Noli Indian School and the Sports Complex. The success of this conference marked the beginning of the Dream the Impossible Youth Conference becoming an annual event. Today there are more than 35 Tribes, Tribal organizations, and universities that contribute to the DTI Youth Conference.

Soboba Tribal TANF Program Regional Prevention Manager Harold Arres said he enjoyed listening to keynote speaker Assemblymember James Ramos, who talked about the resiliency of the Native people. Program Specialist Mayra Campos said a highlight to her was the number of youths that gathered for the event.

“This was my first year attending and I was amazed at all the different groups that attended from various areas. Everyone came together to participate and enjoy the event,” she said.

Ten breakout sessions were repeated throughout the day to provide students with the opportunity to attend three of their choosing. A variety of subjects were covered, including MMA is Not Just a Sport; Culture, Tribal Law, & Our Community Values; Stay Rooted in Indigenous Culture through Farming; and The Future of Native Filmmaking.

TANF member Reese Elliott, 16, learned about the difference between Western law and Indian Country law in a session facilitated by Dwight K. Lomayesva, Executive Director and co-founder of the American Indian Recruitment (AIR) programs that focus on serving underprivileged American Indians in education.

“My favorite part was being able to spend time with my friends and family and the Men’s Fancy and other dances,” said Reese, who also attended the filmmaking and Native Foods sessions. “What impressed me the most (about the SDSU campus) was the architectural design of the buildings. It really fascinated me.”

Zachary Guacheno also attended the Native Foods and Tribal Law sessions and learned that many college campuses have programs designed for Native American students. He also enjoyed the session on MMA, hosted by Eddie and the Native Youth Foundation. They explained how MMA offers a unique blend of physical, mental and emotional benefits such as boosting confidence and reducing stress.

“I was impressed with how big the campus is and I like how it’s close to the beach,” Zachary, 17, said. He also enjoyed the organized cultural activities, games and College Fair offered during the lunch break from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Andrew Velazquez attended sessions that taught him more about filmmaking, tribal law and Native foods. The latter was presented by Blossom Maciel who has been teaching the art of traditional basketweaving and Native plant use for the past 19 years. She is committed to learning, teaching and passing on her rich cultural heritage to her family and community.

Andrew said he learned much about moviemaking by attending “The Future of Native Filmmaking” presented by Vision Maker Media, whose mission is empowering and engaging Native people to share stories. VMM introduced participants to the power of storytelling and filmmaking for Native communities. Andrew hopes to use the knowledge he gained in the future. “My favorite part was that we had multiple and actual movie supplies in front of us,” the 16-year-old said.

After the all-day conference, the group headed back home. For more information, please visit https://dticonference.org.

Campos said, “I hope the kids were able to accept the overall message of the conference. DTI is all about believing in yourself and aspiring to do great things. It is important for the Native youth to have confidence and self-love in order to dream big.”

Arres added, “I hope that the youth learned that anything is attainable in life.”

On May 5, TANF members were invited to an exclusive screening of the documentary “Pá’Čapa: A Mt. Rubidoux Story” at the Soboba Tribal TANF center in Riverside. It was presented by the film’s creators and co-directors Blossom Maciel and Rosy Aranda.

Pá’Čapa is Cahuilla for “where the water bends,” which can be seen along the three-mile recreational trail that looks down on the bending Santa Ana River. The site attracts upward of 1,000 visitors a day. Monuments and plaques on the mountain focus on colonial history. Through community engagement with Tribal communities, this documentary seeks to present the voices of cultural bearers to highlight how this is a sacred Native place.

Aranda and Maciel introduced the film by telling the youth a little about the process of how it came to be. “We encouraged them to continue to visit Pá’Čapa because it is a place where our ancestors were,” Aranda said.

Soboba’s Kimani Sanchez, 15, said from the film she learned that some roads that we drive on were once used by Native Americans to do trades.

After the screening, the group hiked Mt. Rubidoux, joined by the filmmakers. Aranda said it was a great feeling having the youth up there.

This was Kimani’s first visit to the mountain and she said there was a lot to see and it was beautiful. “The best part was making it to the top and being able to see little animals and an amazing view,” she said. “I plan to share the information I learned with my parents and my cousins who were not able to go on the hike.”

Anthony Salgado, 18, is from the Cahuilla Band of Indians and was surprised to learn that the people from Pá’Čapa were mountain Cahuilla. “Climbing was the best part,” he said about making his first hike there.

Kevin Estanislao from Soboba discovered from the film that Native Americans were the first residents of Riverside and plans to share all he learned with his friends. “I liked the scenery,” the 14-year-old said about the hike. “The best part was climbing the steps to the cross.”

May 5 was also the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. “It was a beautiful day for us to do that ‘walk of reverence’ on MMIW day. We all had shirts with the red handprint as we made our way to the summit,” Aranda said. “Stopping to discuss different parts of the mountain like the dynamite explosions in the rocks and seeing Big Spring Rancheria from above were a few highlights.”

The next opportunity for the public to view “Pá’Čapa: A Mt. Rubidoux Story” will be Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when it will be playing on a loop at the Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum at Lake Perris, 17801 Lake Perris Dr. in Perris.

“We feel there is a need to share this documentary locally so concentrating on schools, colleges, universities and museums in the surrounding area is our focus. We have had a positive response from everyone who has seen it; the support has been humbling,” Aranda said. “We know how important this piece of Riverside history is and spreading awareness is the start of a conversation that helps bring change.”

For more information, please email abbyroro63@yahoo.com and blossom_maciel@yahoo.com or visit Instagram at @pa.capa documentary, @earthyblossom, @nichil.rosy and @motherearthclan.

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A group of elementary school children from Los Amigos Elementary School in Rancho Cucamonga comes to the Friends of Upland Animal Shelter on Monday afternoons, part of the “Reading Buddies” program, to read to the dogs and cats at the shelter.

While some local shelter employees say they haven’t reached pre-pandemic numbers, adoption rates are lower and don’t match the high number of animals coming into shelters now, post-COVID. The dogs coming in are younger — between 1 and 3 years old — and the breeds, shelter employees said, are mainly German shepherds, huskies, and pit bulls — like Hazel.

In 2023, Friends of Upland Animal Shelter took in 1,835 animals, 934 of those were dogs, and one-third were under 5 months old. A report published in 2024 found the majority of those animals were brought in as strays.

That year 1,252 animals were adopted out, 47% of which were dogs.

In pre-pandemic 2019, the shelter reported 2,368 animals came into the shelter and 1,542 were adopted, more than half of those adoptions were dogs. In comparison, 2020  saw 1,540 animals come in, with 1,506 adoptions. Dogs were 33% of the adoptions.

In 2023, the number of stray dogs taken in by shelters nationwide increased 6% in the period from January to November, as compared to 2022, and that number is up about 22% from 2021, according to Shelter Animals Count, which surveys nearly 7,000 shelters nationally. 

“Most of our shelters are overrun with huskies, shepherds, and pit mixes or purebred pit bulls,” said Nikole Bresciani, CEO and president of Inland Valley Humane Society in Pomona. “The reality is, is that the large dogs are harder to place, especially those large dogs that have behavior issues.”

It’s a similar situation at the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Center, according to spokesperson Jennifer Camacho-Curtis. They too have seen an increase in larger dog breeds between the ages of 1 and 3, most brought in as strays, she said in an email.

The Rancho Cucamonga shelter has seen a similar trend in the numbers of animals coming into the shelter compared to what is being adopted out.

Friends of Upland Animal Shelter works with the Inland Valley Humane Society to try to move animals out of the shelters faster and to prevent overcrowding.

Inland Valley Humane Society is faced with a different challenge.

Animals will be adopted or moved to another shelter on Saturday and by the time the doors reopen Monday more animals will have been brought in, Bresciani said.

“No matter how many we push out we’re getting more than we can handle and they’re coming in at an alarmingly fast rate,” she said.

The low adoption rates and high intake rates have created a difficult situation where other shelters they work with have had less of an ability to take animals because their own facilities are at capacity, Bresciani said.

“It makes it frustrating … there were things that we used to be able to do to save more lives,” said Shelly Foglesong, vice president of Friends of Upland. At one time, she could pull animals from the Inland Valley shelter to ease overcrowding, but with Upland at or near capacity that ability has dropped.

It is really a perfect storm, Bresciani said, from unprepared and perhaps uneducated owners, to a drop in animals that have been spayed or neutered following a period of COVID restrictions on those procedures, and owners who are unable to keep their pets after their situations were affected by COVID.

The most common reason Foglesong said she’s heard for owners turning in their pets is lack of living situations where pets are welcome or affordable. The cost of procedures for pets has also been referenced as a hardship.

A poodle was surrendered with a broken leg, Foglesong said. They were offered options for CareCredit or payment plans and the owners chose to surrender the dog.

Despite steps shelters are taking to help with spaying and neutering to reduce overpopulation, Bresciani said, past restrictions during the pandemic caused a backlog.

People also got pets when they were feeling isolated during the pandemic.

The thinking was “I want this pet and I want it to be perfect and I want it now,” Bresciani said, when in reality “pets are like children” with a lot of energy and they also “don’t always do what you want them to do.”

Many shelters, including Inland Valley Humane Society and Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, provide options for training. Inland Valley also has an online rehoming service for owners unable to care for their pets.

Hazel was one of those brought to the Upland shelter as a stray in July 2023. The lack of space in the shelter has her living in one of the meet-and-greet spaces. The door has a paper sunflower with details about the brown and white pit bull terrier, who’s about 6 years old, along with a cheerful greeting.

“We usually put her in the rotations, the kids like seeing familiar faces,” said Sherrie Darrow, volunteer coordinator for Friends of Upland Animal Shelter.

For the children to see that not every animal gets adopted super fast, that’s a good lesson, Darrow said. Some animals, like Hazel, will be around through the school year. Other times they will see a puppy they’ll never see again because it’s gonna get adopted quickly.

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