Ignacio Gomez Lares Jr. was arrested last week following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation.

Along with the possession count, Lares was charged with transportation of drugs for sale, being a felon in possession of ammunition and sentencing- enhancing allegations of perpetrating a felony while on bail and possessing more than four kilograms of fentanyl.

Lares, who is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail at the Byrd Detention Center, was slated to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. David Ruiz, earlier this month, the agency’s Special Enforcement Team initiated an investigation at a residence in the 3000 block of Lakeview Drive, near East Rider Street, on the east end of the city. Sufficient evidence was gathered for procurement of a search warrant, which was served on Lares last Wednesday night.

“During the warrant service, deputies located over 50,000 counterfeit M-30 pills,” Ruiz said. “Lares was arrested without incident.”

The pills — also known as “blues” — were contained in multiple plastic bags confiscated by deputies. M-30s often contain fentanyl and other synthetic substances.

“Operations like this one are critical in addressing repeat offenders and deterring narcotic use,” Ruiz said.

It was unclear how long the alleged drug trafficking had occurred at the property.

Court records indicated that Lares has one prior strike felony, but the conviction wasn’t specified. There was also no information on the defendant’s previous arrest, for which he posted bond and was released from custody.

The post Perris Man ‘Found With Tens Of Thousands Of Fentanyl Pills’ Charged With Possession appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

In her 2026 State of the Judiciary address, Patricia Guerrero told lawmakers that while funding for trial courts has increased, the need for additional judges—particularly in Riverside and San Bernardino counties—remains urgent.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget includes $70 million in ongoing support for trial courts. Still, Guerrero emphasized that the funding alone won’t resolve the deeper issue of staffing shortages.

The impact of that shortage is already being felt. Between January 2023 and early March of this year, hundreds of criminal cases in Riverside County were dismissed due to overcrowded court calendars—437 misdemeanors and 57 felonies, according to Guerrero’s remarks.

A 2022 report from the Judicial Council of California underscores the scope of the problem. At the time, Riverside County was short 22 judges, while San Bernardino County faced an even larger gap of 30. No other county in the state came close; Kern County, for comparison, needed 11.

Local court officials say the situation hasn’t improved as much as the numbers might suggest.

While the governor’s office points out there are currently no official vacancies in Riverside County’s authorized judgeships, court representatives say that distinction doesn’t reflect the real demand.

Kareem Gongora, a spokesperson for Riverside County courts, explained that the state is referring only to funded and authorized positions—not the total number of judges actually needed to handle caseloads.

San Bernardino officials echoed that concern. Even with only one formal vacancy, court leaders say they still need dozens more judges to keep up. According to court spokesperson Brittany Cabrera, judges there are handling workloads about 18% higher than the state average, with each judge managing more than 3,100 cases.

There have been some recent appointments. Newsom named John Balla to the San Bernardino bench in late March, and has appointed three judges—Thanh Ngo, Mickie Reed and Michael Martin—to Riverside County since 2025.

But officials say those additions are not enough to close the gap.

To help manage the overflow, Riverside County has increasingly relied on temporary judges assigned through a state program. The approach has provided some relief, but it comes at a cost—roughly $3 million in the last fiscal year alone.

“Our judges and staff are managing sustained, high caseloads while demand for court services continues to grow,” said Jason B. Galkin, executive officer for Riverside Superior Court.

He noted that while temporary judges are helpful, they are only a short-term solution. “Additional judgeships are necessary to improve case processing and ensure timely access to justice,” Galkin said.

Riverside Superior Court Presiding Judge Jacqueline C. Jackson also welcomed the attention brought by Guerrero’s remarks, saying it highlights the ongoing need to better align judicial resources with the region’s growing population.

For now, the message from court leaders is clear: without more judges, the system will continue to struggle to keep pace.

The post Inland Empire Courts Still Strained by Judge Shortage, Chief Justice Warns appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

    In San Bernardino, the campus formerly known as Cesar E. Chavez Middle School has already begun removing visible references to its namesake. The school’s signage has been covered, and its website now temporarily identifies it as “Middle School #318” while officials review next steps.

    Elsewhere, several events that traditionally honored Chavez have either been postponed, renamed or canceled. In Riverside, where a bronze statue of Chavez stands along the downtown Main Street pedestrian mall and a community center bears his name, some local leaders are now calling for changes.

    The reaction comes in a region deeply connected to Chavez’s legacy. In 1970, he signed the United Farm Workers’ first contract with a table-grape grower in the Riverside County desert—an early milestone in the labor movement he helped build.

    The San Bernardino City Unified School District announced Thursday, March 19, that it would temporarily remove Chavez’s name from the middle school “to allow time for thoughtful review” before the school board makes a final decision.

    In Riverside, public response has been mixed. Some residents passing the downtown statue declined to comment, while others questioned whether it should remain. Alanis Lopez, 22, said the situation highlights the risks of tying movements too closely to individuals.

    “I think that’s why we shouldn’t center movements around people,” Lopez said. “Maybe it’s better to recognize the farmworkers themselves rather than one person.”

    Gracie Torres, a Western Municipal Water District board member who is running for Riverside City Council’s Ward 2 seat, said the allegations were difficult to process and called for reconsidering how Chavez is publicly honored.

    “It hits close to home,” Torres said. “As a Latina, losing figures you grew up looking up to is painful. But it also gives us an opportunity to refocus on the people whose sacrifices made the movement possible.”

    Torres suggested that March 31, widely observed as Cesar Chavez Day, could instead be reframed as a day of service dedicated to farmworkers and immigrant communities.

    Several organizations have already begun making that shift. The Riverside Latino Network announced it would postpone its annual Chavez commemorative breakfast, originally scheduled for March 30.

    In a statement, the group’s president, Alex Cortez, acknowledged the broader labor movement Chavez helped inspire while emphasizing the need for reflection.

    “We are asking how to move forward in a way that honors the spirit of the movement while also acknowledging difficult truths,” Cortez said. “Our community still faces challenges, and focusing on education and future generations is one way we can continue that work.”

    The city of Riverside also pulled a planned proclamation recognizing Cesar Chavez Day from its March 24 City Council agenda. Instead, officials said the city will recognize United Farmworkers Day while gathering public input on whether to rename buildings or reconsider monuments tied to Chavez.

    At Moreno Valley College, a scholarship ceremony connected to Chavez’s name has been canceled, though recipients will still receive their awards, according to college officials.

    Cal Poly Pomona is also reviewing the future of its César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education. In a message to campus, university leaders said they plan to consult students, faculty and staff before making any decisions.

    In Pomona, longtime community organizers have already begun adjusting plans. The Latino and Latina Roundtable has renamed its annual breakfast event and removed Chavez’s name from the program.

    Organizer Jose Calderon said the moment should be used to confront broader issues while continuing the work of the labor movement.

    “We stand in solidarity with survivors and remain committed to the values of justice, dignity and respect,” Calderon said. “This is not about one individual—it’s about the resilience of the community.”

    Additional events planned for April in Pomona will now focus on healing, education and cultural traditions, with proceeds supporting student scholarships.

    At Cal State San Bernardino, organizers confirmed that the university’s annual Cesar Chavez Memorial Breakfast has been canceled for 2026. Professor Enrique Murillo Jr. said the decision was made after learning of the allegations.

    “The movement has never been about one person,” Murillo said in a joint statement with community partners. “It’s about the collective struggle and dignity of the people. We have to be willing to face difficult truths and center those who have been harmed.”

    As institutions across the region weigh next steps, many leaders say the focus is shifting toward honoring farmworkers broadly—rather than a single figure—while addressing the concerns raised in recent days.

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Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 20900 block of Verta Street around 9:50 p.m. Saturday to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.

Upon arrival, deputies located a woman, later identified as 56-year-old Guadalupe Laborin of Mead Valley suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Laborin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Laborin’s son, identified as 26-year-old Julio Garcia of Mead Valley, was also found at the scene suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the sheriff’s department. Garcia was also pronounced dead at the scene. The department did not indicate whether a firearm was recovered at the scene.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Central Homicide Unit assumed the investigation, which led them to believe that Garcia shot his mother, then himself.

No additional suspects were believed to be involved, and the motive of the shooting was unknown.

Anyone with additional information was encouraged to contact investigator Cook at 951-217-8847 or investigator Garcia-Flores at 951-210-1000.

The post Mother, Son Killed In Apparent Murder-Suicide In Riverside County appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The fatality occurred shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday on University Avenue, just west of Victoria Avenue, according to the Riverside Police Department.

Sgt. Ryan Hodge said the victim, whose identity was not immediately released, was attempting to cross University amid traffic and stepped off the sidewalk into westbound lanes as a 2011 BMW sedan approached at an unconfirmed speed.

The driver was unable to stop or swerve in time and plowed into the man, Hodge said.

The driver was unable to stop or swerve in time and plowed into the man, Hodge said.

The motorist, who wasn’t injured and whose identity wasn’t disclosed, stopped to wait for first responders.

Hodge said paramedics arrived in minutes to find the victim unconscious and gravely injured. He was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died less than an hour later.

Officers questioned the driver, who was determined not to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was not arrested.

The westbound side of University was shut down for several hours while a preliminary investigation was conducted.

The four-lane corridor has a pedestrian crossing at Victoria, where there’s a motel, gas station, liquor store and fast-food restaurant. But the point of impact wasn’t at the intersection, according to Hodge.

He asked anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Traffic Bureau detectives at 951-828-8720.

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Emergency crews responded shortly before 10:30 a.m. to Cable Airport, located at 1700 W. 13th Street, after reports that a plane had overturned near the end of the runway. When firefighters arrived, they found a single-engine Cessna flipped upside down, with the nose of the aircraft pressed against a fence while the tail extended onto nearby Dewey Road.

Authorities said the aircraft had been attempting to land but traveled beyond the runway before it could stop. The momentum caused the plane to tip over and come to rest on its roof.

Two people were on board at the time of the incident — the pilot and a female passenger described by officials as elderly. Both occupants were wearing seat belts and were able to exit the aircraft after the crash. While neither suffered serious injuries, the passenger was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for precautionary evaluation.

Fire officials reported no fuel leaks or fire hazards at the scene, which helped prevent the situation from becoming more severe.

Federal Aviation Administration records show the aircraft was a Cessna T210L registered in Mammoth Lakes. Flight information indicates the plane departed Mammoth Yosemite Airport earlier Wednesday morning before making stops that eventually brought it to Cable Airport in Upland.

Investigators have not yet determined what caused the landing to go wrong. Witnesses at the airport told authorities the pilot appeared to struggle while approaching the runway.

The incident remains under investigation as officials work to determine whether mechanical issues, pilot error, or other factors played a role in the crash.

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The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials say they say they are working closely with local, state, and federal partners to monitor the increase in tension at ICE facilities.

Sheriff Shannon Dicus issued the following statement on the department and its intentions, saying:

“With all the violence happening across the country, your deputies remain vigilant. Please partner with us and if you see something, say something, even threats on social media. We will respond in a significant manner to any extremist activity in this county.”

According to Dicus, the department has promised to take “proactive steps to ensure the safety and security of all residents, personnel, and detainees in and around the GEO Adelanto ICE Processing Center.”

The statement comes days after a man detained by ICE at a detention center in Adelanto died at an IE hospital.

Ismael Ayala-Uriba, 39, of Mexico, died after being detained by ICE at a privately owned and operated facility in Adelanto. According to an ICE statement, Ayala-Uribe was evaluated regarding an infection on Thursday and returned to his dormitory that day. He was taken to Victor Valley Global Medical Center at noon on Sunday and was slated for surgery. Instead, he died there early Monday.

Ayala-Uribe was listed as hypertensive and displayed abnormal tachycardia, according to the news release regarding his death.

“At 1:48 a.m., the Victor Valley Global Medical Center declared Ayala unresponsive and initiated lifesaving measures. He was declared deceased at 2:32 a.m. by medical staff. “The cause of death is still under investigation.”

It was not immediately clear when or where Ayala entered the United States. He was arrested in mid-August during an enforcement action at an undisclosed location and transferred to Adelanto on Aug. 22 for “immigration proceedings.”

The Adelanto facility, located in San Bernardino County, is a privately owned and operated immigration detention center run by the GEO Group, and can house up to about 1,900 total immigrant detainees, both male and female. The facility contracts with ICE to provide custody services, the Sheriff’s Department stated.

“The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department personnel are not assigned to immigration enforcement and are not assigned to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. However, the facility is in the city of Adelanto, which contracts with the Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement services.”

The Sheriff’s Department has increased patrols in the areas surrounding the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. SBCSD is actively monitoring potential threats in coordination with our federal partners, according to the statement. These measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution, and there is currently no direct threat to the public or the facility.

According to ICE, comprehensive medical care is provided “from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility. “At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergency care.” Following his death, ICE says they notified the Consulate of Mexico, as well as all responsible agencies.

Prior to his death, Ayala-Uribe told his visiting mother that he was ill, attempted to notify the guards who “didn’t believe him,” LA TACO reported.

To report emergencies, please call 9-1-1. For suspicious activity, please call the non-emergency numbers: Desert Dispatch – 760-956-5001 or Valley Dispatch – 909-387-8313. To remain anonymous, please contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com.

The post IE Sheriff Addresses ICE-Related Violence, Safety After Mexican National Dies In Custody appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Bryce Martinez, 35, of Yermo, along with his three children, Cole Martinez, 16, Trent Martinez, 15, and Sailor Martinez, 10, were pronounced dead at the scene of the May 4 rollover crash on Interstate 40, about 30 miles east of Barstow. The children were Barstow residents, according to the San Bernardino County coroner.

The crash was reported around 7:45 a.m. that day. The CHP said Bryce Martinez was driving westbound on the freeway in a 2012 Dodge Ram when he veered onto a dirt shoulder, causing the truck to roll several times.

While the crash cause remains under investigation, impairment is not believed to have contributed to the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.

According to a GoFundMe page established for the children’s mother, more than $25,000 had been raised for her as of early Monday afternoon.

“We have not fully come to understand what is in store for us and have not yet been provided with a final cost to prepare the children for final resting,” according to the GoFundMe page that is authored by the apparent partner of the children’s mother.

“I have been with Tamara since 2015 and through the years we were blessed with two more children, Peyton and Lynsey who we are helping navigate through their loss, as well. Tamara is not the kind of person who receives help well, it has taken her some time to allow us all to be there for her in the time of need. If you are willing to donate, please know how much she and the rest of us truly appreciate it,” the post reads.

The CHP asked anyone with information on the crash to call Officer Herrera at 760-255-5900.

The post Father, 3 Children, Killed In Inland Empire Crash appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Modesto Daniel Carpio of San Jacinto was arrested in the predawn hours Sunday following the deadly collision on the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona.

Along with murder, Carpio is charged with felony evading and engaging in an illegal speed contest.

The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail, was slated to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

“Illegal street racing is not just a crime — it’s a threat to every driver on the road,” CHP Capt. Sal Suarez said regarding the deadly crash. “This tragic loss underscores why the CHP remains committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who endanger lives through reckless behavior.”

At about 11:50 p.m. Saturday, motorists on the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway near Euclid Avenue in Ontario called 911 to report several freeway lanes obstructed by organizers of a street race, according to the CHP.

Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said patrol vehicles reached the location moments later, at which point Carpio was quickly identified as one of the alleged racers, prompting a patrol unit to signal him to pull over.

Jimenez said the defendant floored his Infiniti sports car, attempting to elude the unit, heading south into Riverside County via Interstate 15.

“Carpio accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph and transitioned onto the westbound 91,” Jimenez said. “While fleeing at high speed, the Infiniti collided with a semi truck hauling a trailer east of Lincoln Avenue. The impact forced the semi into a freeway sound wall and ejected the driver.”

The victim, 55-year-old Stephen Palacios of Rancho Cucamonga, was found in grave condition by Corona Fire Department paramedics. He was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died an hour later.

His passenger, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the same hospital. He’s expected to recover.

Carpio, who was alone in the Infiniti, was not hurt. He was taken into custody without further incident and booked into jail.

He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

There was no word regarding whether investigators had tracked down other participants in the alleged street race.

The post Street racer charged with murder in Inland Empire freeway crash appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Years later, out of prison and wanting a drastic change in his life, Bellozo turned to those shows for inspiration as he reinvented himself on social media as the star of “On the Tira” — a video series that’s part showcase of local landmarks, part investigative journalism and part hyperlocal news about fires and car accidents across the Inland Empire communities he’s lived in for most of his life.

Armed with a cellphone, a blinged-out toy microphone and a large gold chain bearing his logo, Bellozo films himself delivering the news — at times admitting he’s unsure of the facts — with his memorable Chicano accent. Though he sometimes sounds like any reporter you can hear in mainstream media, Bellozo sprinkles his reports with Spanish and prison slang, often affectionately addressing his followers as “homie,” “foo” or “dog.” (“On the Tira” was inspired by some prison lingo we’ll get to later.)

In January, Bellozo recorded from his dashboard while he drove to cover the Clay fire in Riverside and marveled at the orange hue and large smoke plume ahead.

“Geez Louise!” he said, bringing to mind Howser’s tendency to blurt out in amazement. “Just wow, homie, Riverside is on fire!”

A few minutes later, he stood just feet away from the large brush fire wearing a yellow fire helmet branded with an “On the Tira” sticker. “Wow, just wow!” he said. Nearby, firefighters lined up to battle the blaze. He likened their job to urinating into a volcano, an analogy you definitely won’t hear on the evening news. And his fans love it.

“It’s the vato news anchor for me,” one person responded in the comments, followed by a clapping emoji.

In a region where local news has been severely diminished over the years, Bellozo’s videos are resonating with an audience totaling more than 200,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok.

In the comments, viewers often thank him for his work — some call him their favorite reporter.

“They connect with me because I remind them of somebody. I remind them of their dad. I remind them of their uncle. I remind them of their brother who was an addict,” Bellozo said. He’s 48, with a thin face, graying mustache and goatee that give him the weathered look of someone who’s done some time.

Elisa Galvan, who lives in Grand Terrace, started following Bellozo after he covered a fire near her work. Last month, she and several other followers joined him when he held a vigil and handed out donated goods at a homeless encampment where he’s been reporting on a woman’s death.

“He just wants the story, he wants the actual roots of the story and he’s good in asking those questions and he’s not scared,” Galvan said. “I haven’t seen anyone else like him. He’s a local and just reporting on everyday news.”

Bellozo’s coverage is far from traditional journalism — he’s handed money to a homeless woman after an interview, films promotional material for companies and mails free merch to first responders who have appeared in his videos.

“The old ways are out,” Bellozo said. “I try to do news, I try to be accurate now, I try to be funny. I try to be everything because something has got to work.”

The project comes at a time when the mainstays of local news across the Inland Empire — publications like the Press-Enterprise and San Bernardino Sun — have slowly been gutted, losing the reporters needed for substantive coverage, said Thomas Corrigan, a communications and media professor at Cal State San Bernardino.

“The four dailies in the San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario and Redlands communities, those papers just duplicate one another’s content,” Corrigan said. “When it comes to our news resources, it’s rather thin.”

The Inland Empire is not quite a news desert, Corrigan said, but a news mirage — an area that seems to have more substantive journalism than in reality.

“You can get lured into the feeling that your community is well-covered,” Corrigan said.

The region also has seen a rise in newsy social media accounts that have gained thousands of followers by posting user-submitted clips and sometimes sensationalized videos.

“As your audiences grow, there’s also a responsibility within this space to practice ethical news gathering and reporting practices,” Corrigan said. “My hope would be that folks who have built these audiences look to become folks who have those sorts of expertise.”

Bellozo was 12 years old when he was first locked up, having been caught sitting in a car his friends had stolen hours earlier. He spent most of his teens in and out of juvenile detention centers and as an adult was convicted of felony robbery, assaulting a correctional officer and other charges. He served a total of 23 years in jail and has tattoos up and down his arms, neck and chest, including the word “dopefiend” in cursive, as a reminder of his struggle with addiction.

“I thought he was never going to come out,” said Sonia Guilfoos, Bellozo’s longtime friend, whom he met in high school. “He didn’t get his life together, he kept getting more time.”

To keep his sanity, Bellozo began reading hundreds of periodicals and binged hours of educational content on PBS.

He especially loved watching “California’s Gold,” and took note of Howser’s retro attire, his contagious curiosity and folksy persona as he wandered the state highlighting its people and places.

During his last prison stint, Bellozo said, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. For two years, he was chained to his hospital bed without access to any form of entertainment, left to lay in pain and listen to the hum of medical devices. He realized he needed to make a change.

“God literally took my ability to move, so I had no choice but to figure out ‘what are you going to do?’” he said.

He got out of prison on parole in 2015 and worked as a tattoo artist throughout the Inland Empire for several years. Then, in 2023, he created his first news-focused social media account — calling it Foo News Network, a mash-up parody of CNN, Fox News and foo, the Chicano slang term for friend — that was meant to serve as a meme page.

“I know how journalists talk, I know how they present a story,” Bellozo said, recalling his years watching them while imprisoned. “So I just said, ‘I could do that.’”

As he grew his viewership he started receiving news-related tips from residents, direct messages about incidents from first responders and video requests.

He began reporting on local incidents such as fires, graffiti and robberies — acquiring more than 145,000 followers over the next year. The pages also caught the attention of social media moderators, who said they infringed on copyrighted materials.

“Instagram and TikTok kept sending me emails warning me, ‘You’re getting these cease and desists,’ I was getting all these messages but I don’t pay attention to none of that,” Bellozo said. “So finally, I woke up one night, about 2 in the morning and I go to my Instagram and gone. Everything was gone instantly.”

He was devastated, especially financially — he had been bringing in thousands of dollars a month through a combination of ads that played before his videos, local sponsorship deals and TikTok’s influencer payment programs, he said. Yet he remained undeterred and overhauled his social media pages, calling the new pages “On the Tira” in honor of a popular prison slang term — “on the tier.”

In prison, he said, “it’s frowned upon to yell out your door. So, if you have to yell out the door for whatever reason, you always excuse yourself,” Bellozo said. “You make your statement, and at the end of whatever you gotta say, you say ‘Thank you, on the tier’ and the noise goes back up.”

He repeats the term throughout many of his videos as if asking his viewers to give him a moment of their time.

The first videos were a homage to the amiable, Tennessee-born Howser, with Bellozo wandering the Inland Empire and highlighting local gems such as the Rubidoux Drive-in Theatre in Riverside or the Pochea Indian village site in Hemet.

In a matter of months, he had rebuilt his following and then some. The social media accounts rapidly grew, according to Bellozo, because he put his face in front of the camera and told the news through his lens.

His most popular videos show him standing next to raging wildfires, interviewing first responders at car accidents or featuring local spots from Fontana to San Jacinto to Lake Elsinore.

In one clip — part of a series he calls “California’s Foos Gold” — he highlighted one of Riverside’s landmarks, the Trujillo Adobe, a 157-year-old structure predating the city’s establishment. Bellozo zoomed in on plaques, informational signs and nearby scenery while excitedly listing off historical tidbits about the Inland Empire’s early settlers.

“If you didn’t know this was here, you would never know, homie. But now you know,” he said, smiling to the camera.

The videos also can be funny. In one he is sock-checking firefighters — a social media trend where people show off how high their socks are to prove their Chicano cred.

In another, Bellozo stands yards away from a small fire and tells the audience he’s reporting from the Santa Ana River. He interviews a resident of a nearby homeless encampment who speculates that an improperly extinguished bonfire caused the blaze. Bellozo fist-bumps a smiling firefighter as he walks toward the charred remains of impromptu shelters and collected materials.

Then, the video cuts to a shot of Bellozo holding a large hose and battling a small flame with a fire captain behind him as if he were saving the day. The captain and Bellozo grin as they spray an ash-filled area.

Recently, Bellozo has turned his attention to covering the 2023 death of a woman nicknamed Sunny who lived in a homeless encampment in the community of Highland. He first learned about her death while reporting on a nearby brush fire. That’s where he noticed dozens of graffitied messages, all ranging in size, paying respects to her.

In the past few weeks, he has repeatedly visited the homeless encampment near State Route 330 to interview other homeless individuals about Sunny and their accounts of the killing. His coverage has gained traction, and his fans have sent him articles, photos and public records about the incident to help his reporting.

Bellozo said he knows that his past most probably would bar him from being hired at many jobs. For now, he is content building his own enterprise. He has been increasingly making money off businesses that advertise on his page and sometimes solicits them in his videos.

“I created something, dog,” he said. “That’s what I’m trying to show people, that I created something on just my phone.”

Hernandez is a freelance writer based in Riverside. This article is part of a De Los initiative to expand coverage of the Inland Empire with funding from the Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity (CIELO) Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation.

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