By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Two representatives of Caltrans – Emily Leinen and Horace Corey – addressed both the Lake Arrowhead and Crest Forest Municipal Advisory Councils at their August meetings.
The maintenance crew from the Burnt Mill yard will be working one to two days a week repairing potholes on Highways 18, 138, 189 and 173. In addition, they will be trimming trees in areas along the 189. The pavement rehabilitation project on Highway 330 will continue throughout the month with a target completion date of Aug. 30.
Leinen noted they will be repaving areas of the 138 and the 189 will be repaved. “We had to wait for it to go out to bid,” she said, adding the contractor was approved on Aug. 1.
“Get ready for a lot more roadwork,” Leinen said. “We know it’s frustrating.” She noted that Caltrans can hold traffic for up to an hour. “We don’t like to do that – we try not to hold for more than 20 minutes a side. Please be patient – we’ll get you through the best we can.”
When asked about the concrete structure being erected at the bottom of the 18, Leinen said that is a Clean California project – a gateway monument representing entry to the San Bernardino Mountains. “It will serve as a welcoming element,” she said. There is no date of completion as they are awaiting delivery of materials.
At the Lake Arrowhead MAC, Scott Rindenow asked Leinen if they would look into the design of the new wall put up across from the marina. When the mountain gets heavy rain, he noted, “it creates a waterfall and water spills onto the highway and travels down onto the Arrowhead Lake Association launch ramp and into the lake.” It’s not only water that spills over the wall, he said, but also mud and rocks.
“I’m concerned because rocks and debris flow into the roadway, making it dangerous for cars,” Rindenow said. Leinen said she would check with the team to see if something can be done to correct the situation.
At the Crest Forest MAC, Dr. Paul Sevillano, the Rim superintendent of schools, noted the district is fully staffed for the year. He referenced the bond the board of trustees approved to go on the November ballot. “We can’t advocate for the bond,” he said, “just provide the facts.” A master facility plan revealed $114 million in construction needs. A favorable vote on the bond would result in an average cost of $81 per year for homeowners.
Dr. Sevillano mentioned two programs that will be coming to the district: a revival of the adult education program, which they hope to have up and running by the 2025-2026 school year; and a preschool program, which would begin at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School and eventually be provided at all campuses and the district office. “We have identified a number of preschool students who don’t have services,” he said.
Both MACs heard reports from representatives of the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station, CHP, County Fire and the U.S. Forest Service.
In July, said sheriff’s Lt. Mauricio Hurtado, there were 1,644 calls for service and 189 reports taken. Year-to-date, there have been 10,215 calls and 1,041 reports. As the school year begins, the lieutenant reminded everyone about stopping for school buses. “Please be careful as people drop off and pick up their students,” he said. Capt. Craig Harris noted there is a hefty find for not stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights. “We want to keep the kids and bus drivers safe,” he said.
The new PIO for the Arrowhead CHP office, Devin Julien, introduced himself at the Lake Arrowhead MAC. He added to the Caltrans report, noting the Arctic Circle would be fully closed weekdays through Aug. 23 for rock scaling. “It’s important they do this,” he said, adding he was aware of two instances where cars were crushed by VW-sized boulders.
And CHP Lt. Nicolas King said that, for the first time in six years, they are getting trainees from the academy. He was encouraged by the new commissioner having sent out handwritten letters to former officers, asking them to return – and one did come back to the Arrowhead office.
The MACs each heard from one of the two new battalion chiefs. At the Lake Arrowhead MAC, BC Nathan Lopez said there had been 515 calls for service in the Lake Arrowhead area in July, 2,500 year-to-date. He reported on the drowning of a 19-year-old male that had taken place at Green Valley Lake. The lifeguard on duty, he said, witnessed the individual go under the water. “He made a textbook rescue in seconds,” Lopez said, adding there was an off-duty firefighter and a nurse on the scene. The man was transported to Mountains Community Hospital but passed away.
Lopez also reported that they had hosted a Firescope meeting, a statewide program that brings all the fire chiefs in the state together. In addition to discussing new policies and technology, they did some low-angle training. And Chief Jason Serrano and his three battalion chiefs met with staff from Mountains Community Hospital, putting together a drill to simulate evacuating the hospital in case of an emergency.
At the Crest Forest MAC, BC Jerren Grundy reported there were 180 calls in July in the Crest Forest area. He reminded folks of the residential assessment program, through which County Fire will visit your property and assess the fire danger. For more information on the RAP, call (909) 386-8400 or visit www.sbcfire.org.
There were several fires over the July 4th weekend, U.S. Forest Service BC Brian Grant reported. He thanked both County Fire and Cal Fire for working with them on putting them out quickly. “It’s been crowded up here for recreation across the forest,” Grant said. He added that the homeless population in the forest “is not as bad as last year but it’s still out there.” Law enforcement, he added, “has been out there in the evening, going through the forest and talking with the homeless and taking care of folks having campfires, which aren’t allowed.”
Reporting for Lake Gregory, Nathan Godwin said the warm temperature of the water is what led to the algae bloom. “The lake was over 80 degrees before July,” he said. “Hot water plus sunlight equals algae. We did everything we’re allowed to do and went to a caution level, which just means we’re seeing algae.”
The state water board, he said, tested for the type of algae and any toxins. “We never hit a detectable level of toxins,” Godwin said. Some small fish died; the state agencies said they didn’t know what had caused that. “My theory is that algae clogged their gills and they didn’t get enough air.” An autopsy was conducted on the fish but results had not yet been received.
In his supervisor’s report, Lewis Murray called voters’ attention to a measure on the November ballot raising the TOT (transient occupancy tax) from 7 to 11 percent. The intent of the measure, he said, “is to address impacts from tourism. More cars are wearing out the roads, more calls to the sheriff and CHP.”
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