Politics & Government

The Year in Review: Significant News of 2012 on Redlands-Loma Linda Patch

A subjective, month-by-month roundup of Redlands-Loma Linda news from January through December.

The following is a subjective, month-by-month roundup of news from Redlands and Loma Linda, not to be confused with the most-viewed news reports of 2012.

Many of these reports appeared exclusively on Redlands-Loma Linda Patch.

In early January 2012 in Redlands, there was a vigil for Quinn McCaleb and Andrew Jackson, who were killed two years ago by a gunman near the Cinnamon Creek Apartments. A remembrance walk is planned this year, Saturday Jan. 5.

Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also in January, law enforcement agencies were investigating a string of break-ins at several schools in Loma Linda and Redlands.

And in January 2012, longtime Redlands Congressman Jerry Lewis announced his intent to retire after 46 years in office and 33 years representing the inland area.

Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In early February, a Beaumont juice plant executive detailed his concerns about an insect capable of spreading a disease that can kill citrus trees. The same insect was considered a threat to groves in Redlands and Loma Linda.

Also in February 2012, a man convicted of killing Ignacia Manriquez at Loma Linda University Medical Center was sentenced.

In early March, Redlands police announced arrests in the January 2011 killings of McCaleb and Jackson.

Also in March 2012, Third District candidate James Ramos scheduled a meeting in Grand Terrace to meet his potential constituents.

In early April, a Vietnam combat artist who lives in Beaumont was the featured speaker during an event at Jerry L. Pettis Veterans Administration Medical Center, sponsored by the Loma Linda Cultural Arts Association.

Also in April 2012, fundraisers were held in Redlands and Yucaipa for Beaumont High graduate Tynne Nichole Cheevers, who sustained severe injuries in a crash about April 9 on Interstate 10 west of County Line Road, according to CHP Sgt. Ed Casillas and Cheevers' supporters.

In May, Redlands firefighters and local Veterinarians rescued an injured horse on Interstate 10. An 18-year-old polo horse kicked out the side of the trailer she was being transported in and was bleeding severely from a leg wound when firefighters arrived, a spokesman for the fire department said.

Also in May, Redlands police examined emerging trends at an Inland Empire Gang Workshop in San Bernardino.

In mid-May, District Attorney Mike Ramos, a Redlands native, discussed how his upbringing influences his approach to his job as top law enforcement official in San Bernardino County.

In late May, Third District challenger James Ramos and incumbent Neil Derry traded blows over campaign mailers. This came after Derry, Ramos and candidate Jim Bagley met with Redlands-Loma Linda Patch to discuss their campaigns.

In the June 5 primary, voters eliminated Bagley and sent Derry and Ramos to a runoff in November. Voters in June also eliminated Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar from contention in the 31st Congressional District.

Also in June, the first-ever graduating class from Citrus Valley High showed pride and poise as they accepted diplomas before hundreds gathered at the Redlands Bowl.

In advance of the 40th anniversary of the Watergate break-in that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, Redlands-Loma Linda Patch published a report documenting a Redlands connection: Nixon's chief of staff during the White House turmoil, H. R. Haldeman, attended the University of Redlands in the 1940s.

In July 2012, economic development was a theme at the Redlands State of Community Luncheon. The event was presented by the Redlands Chamber of Commerce and First California Bank.

At the same event, Redlands Councilmembers Bob Gardner and Jon Harrison joined Mayor Aguilar in assuring lunch guests they had no concern of a San Bernardino bankruptcy 'domino effect'.

Also in July, more than 250 people attended a Redlands public hearing on the proposed Walmart Supercenter. The hearing was held at Citrus Valley High to accomodate the crowd. The development plan proposes a 256,614-square-foot retail and commercial center on 32.9 acres at San Bernardino Avenue and Tennessee Street, according to city records.

In August 2012, an assistant pastor involved in a dispute with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loma Linda surrendered to Redlands police. Lucan James Chartier joined Creation Seventh Day Adventist founding Pastor Walter McGill, of Guys, Tenn., at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino, according to inmate records.

Also in August, swimmer Tyler Clary, born in Redlands, won gold in London and set an Olympics backstroke record. Clary was born in Redlands on March 12, 1989, and he graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 2007.

Redlands Mayor Aguilar announced in August he would seek re-election to the Redlands City Council in November. "I look forward to engaging members of the public about my ideas that will continue to keep Redlands a special place to live and raise a family," Aguilar said in a statement.

On Aug. 5, NASA announced 'We Are Wheels Down on Mars'. Tyler Nordgren, a University of Redlands professor of astronomy and physics, helped design Curiosity's sundial, a tool that allows calibration of camera and video exposures on the surface of Mars.

On Aug. 11, Pastor Walter 'Chick' McGill was released from jail 30 days after his arrest in Loma Linda. McGill said he fasted 30 days, taking only water, fat-free milk, and juice from oranges since his arrest July 13 at Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Aug. 25 was 'Welcome Home from London' at Redlands Shooting Park for Kim Rhode, who won gold in the Summer Olympics on July 29 and gave a tearful thank you to supporters in Redlands on national television.

On Aug. 29, Redlands-Loma Linda Patch reported how a mother's prayers were answered when her severely injured daughter awoke from a coma. Nine-year-old Genny Shepler fell 30 to 35 feet next to Big Falls in Mill Creek Canyon four weeks ago and sustained a skull fracture that put her into a coma. She has been transferred from Loma Linda University Medical Center to a rehab hospital in Orange.

In late August and early September, Redlands delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., checked in with readers via Redlands-Loma Linda Patch.

Also in early September, San Bernardino County sheriff's Capt. Steve Dorsey told the Loma Linda city council there were increases in from 2010 to 2011.

On Sept. 16, volunteers and generous customers at car washes helped pay for the funeral of Amber Ann Muschwitz, 18, of Redlands, who was fatally struck by a car in Highland while walking home Sept. 12, 2012. She was a member of Citrus Valley High's first-ever graduating class.

In early October, a woman boxer named Kaliesha West, who works at Loma Linda University Medical Center, defeated Christina Ruiz of San Antonio, Texas, to become International Female Boxers Association Super Bantamweight champion before vocal supporters at the Finish Line Sports Grill in Pomona.

On Oct. 19, RHS defeated REV 41-37 for the 2012 Smudge Pot and football bragging rights in Redlands. Redlands East Valley had won five Smudge Pots in a row, but Redlands High held on to win and improve to 7-1 for the 2012 season.

On Nov. 1, crews at March Air Reserve Base loaded So Cal Edison trucks to fly east to aid recovery efforts in a multi-state area slammed by Superstorm Sandy. Seventy to 80 Southern California Edison trucks and their crews were scheduled to fly to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y., about 60 miles north of Manhattan, Air Force and Edison officials at March ARB said.

On Nov. 6, voters went to polls in Redlands and Loma Linda and helped James Ramos Defeat Neil Derry to become 3rd District supervisor, re-elected Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar and former Councilmember Pat Gilbreath, and local Democrats applauded and wept for President Barack Obama's victory over Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

In late November, an Inland Empire woman announced she is seeking sponsors for a 545-Mile SF-to-LA Ride to End AIDS. Breanna "Breezy" Rondilone, 22, of Riverside, describes herself as a 22-year-old vegan cyclist, activist, musician and organizer.

In early December, the British supermarket corporation that owns Fresh & Easy grocery stores in California announced it is likely pulling out of the U.S. market, which could mean it will sell its stores, including the vacant one in Loma Linda.

Konrad Bolowich, economic development director for Loma Linda, said he's disappointed any time a business is less than successful, but there's been a lot of interest in the vacant Fresh & Easy store's prime location, at Redlands Boulevard and Mountain View Avenue.

Also in December, Redlands-Loma Linda Patch profiled Todd Jeremi Jackson Jr. The Redlands 9-year-old started playing basketball before he turned 4 and has developed into a two-sport phenomenon, according to his father and coaches with Redlands YMCA and Inland Empire Jr. All American Football.

On Dec. 10, the City of Redlands announced Fire Capt. Richard Sessler was named the department's Firefighter of the Year for 2012. Sessler's professional experience includes seasonal firefighting in the San Bernardino National Forest Mountain Top District and work with the Del Rosa Hotshots, an elite team of wildland firefighters based just north San Bernardino.

A few days before Christmas, the Sheriff's Department announced arrests of five suspects in an October string of alleged chemical bombings in Yucaipa. "The reported explosions caused several victims to suffer property damage while others narrowly avoided sustaining personal bodily injury or worse," deputies said.

A recurring theme during the last months of 2012 was City of Redlands preparations for quasquicentennial celebrations in 2013. Initiatives include commemorative calendars and special badges for police and firefighters, which the public safety workers paid for themselves.

What news did we leave out? What news did Redlands-Loma Linda Patch fail to cover in 2012? What would you like to see more of in 2013?

Follow Redlands-Loma Linda Patch on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for the free daily newsletter here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Redlands-Loma Linda