Five Things You Need to Know Today

COOLER TEMPS: We’re supposed to cool today, but meteorologists are still predicting a sunny day. The high was expected to be near 78 degrees. By nightfall, some clouds will move in. Temperatures were expected to dip to 53. And unlike some of the low desert area, which is facing some strong winds.

LITTLE AMIGOS: If you have a little amigo, aka. a young child, this might interest you. El Torito in San Bernardino has a deal that might help you out if you need to grab a quick mid-week meal out. Children 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays. And all children’s meals include an ice cream sundae for dessert. El Torito is at 118 E. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino

COPS & JOCKS: If you’re looking for an activity for next weekend, you can come out to The Cops-N-Jocks football game Feb. 19. The game features local law enforcement, including San Bernardino County Sheriff’s, which provide police services for Loma Linda. The event will be a full-contact game between The Inland Empire Enforcers and the Ventura County Hogs, that has players from Ventura and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Departments, California Highway Patrol, and Oxnard and Ventura Police Departments. Admission is a $5 donation. Children under 12 are free. Proceeds benefit the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital. Tickets are available at Redlands High School’s North Campus Office, Room 441.

SHOUT OUT: Our fair city was mentioned by popular Los Angeles Time columnist Steve Lopez in “Talk Back.” The story takes a look at those pesky red light cameras that Loma Linda Patch has covered. Lopez talked to Susan Novacoski, a registered nurse who was shocked about the high cost of  red-light camera tickets. "They're dinging every single person then can," Novacoski told Lopez. She'd been hit with a $556 fee for allegedly running a red light in Loma Linda.

“Novacoski didn't recall running a light but didn't want to have to lose a day of work proving it,” Lopez wrote in the Feb. 10 article, “As a widow with a teenage daughter and a full-time job at ‘a short-staffed hospital,’ she said, ‘I do not have a lot of time to play Perry Mason," he wrote. According to Lopez, Novacoski reluctantly decided to pay $219 to Ticketbust.com. In fact, Loma Linda has since gotten rid of all its cameras because of complaints by citizens. Novacoski said that didn't do her any good. She's still out $219 for a violation she claims she didn't commit, and she struck out after wasting hours trying to get Loma Linda to cover that cost or at least give her an apology.

DOG PARK: I recently received an e-mail from a reader regarding the condition of the dog park following the floods and mudslides. “The fence is standing, but barely,” the reader said. “It's OK for dogs that don't jump or are overly active but my corgi/terrier mix would be running up that hill if we let her!” I posed this question to city officials last week and am working to get an answer. But if anyone else has concerns about the park, please let me know.