Hesperia shootout suspect pleads not guilty to 5 felonies
Victorville Daily Press
A 39-year-old Hesperia man allegedly caught on video in a shootout after trying to force entry into a victim’s home pleaded not guilty to five felonies Wednesday, including murder.
While court records show that prosecutors charged Erick Javier Contreras with murder, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Taylor Reynolds, of the Hesperia station, said Contreras is not accused of murder, but attempted murder.
An inquiry left with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office was not returned Thursday.
“In regard to his charges, it should be attempted murder for the incident,” Reynolds said in an email Thursday.
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Am I the only one who didn’t know about the wetlands in South Los Angeles? Last weekend I was invited to what I would call a curated park cleanup: Show up, pick up tools or garbage bags, dial into a conference call, and learn a little about the park through earbuds while you pick up trash no contact required.
I went because the cleanup was held in South Los Angeles Wetlands Park, a place I had never heard of, at 5413 S. Avalon Blvd. As wetlands go, this one is a convincing imposter, described in a 2012 media account as “carved out from the industrial tundra of South Los Angeles.”
Apple Valley man arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse
Victorville Daily Press
Authorities say they believe a 68-year-old Apple Valley man who was arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse might have other victims.
San Bernardino County Sheriff s Department deputies arrested George Mantooth on Jan. 14, a day after serving a search warrant at his home. If charged by prosecutors, Mantooth is expected to be arraigned in a Victorville courtroom Tuesday, booking records show.
Sheriff s officials said the investigation began on Jan. 12 after deputies at the Apple Valley Sheriff s Station looked into allegations of a girl being sexually molested.
Investigators identified an additional victim and allege that Mantooth raped her continuously from the age of 13 to adulthood.
Facing a looming deficit, Apple Valley seeks members for budget advisory committee
Victorville Daily Press
Two months after announcing budget-related cuts to services and staffing following the defeat of Measure O on the Nov. 3 ballot, Apple Valley officials are looking to increase community involvement in the town’s budgeting process.
The Town Council voted last week to create a Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee that will provide input in the review and recommendation process for Apple Valley’s annual budget, which faces a looming revenue deficit estimated at $4.5 million.
The 15-member committee will include Apple Valley’s five Town Council members and ten community members who will be appointed at a rate of two per councilor. Each community member must reside within Apple Valley or within its sphere of influence, town officials said in a statement.
Facing a looming deficit, Apple Valley seeks members for budget advisory committee [Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.]
Jan. 18 Two months after announcing budget-related cuts to services and staffing following the defeat of Measure O on the Nov. 3 ballot, Apple Valley officials are looking to increase community involvement in the town’s budgeting process.
The Town Council voted last week to create a Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee that will provide input in the review and recommendation process for Apple Valley’s annual budget, which faces a looming revenue deficit estimated at $4.5 million.
The 15-member committee will include Apple Valley’s five Town Council members and ten community members who will be appointed at a rate of two per councilor. Each community member must reside within Apple Valley or within its sphere of influence, town officials said in a statement.