On Nov. 4, California voters approved Proposition 47, which reduces certain non-serious and non-violent property and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. The measure also allows certain offenders who have been previously convicted of such crimes to apply for reduced sentences. The anticipated long-term result would lessen prison overcrowding. Proponents argued that, if enacted, the…
At its Nov. 24 meeting, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors authorized the county’s Recorder office to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Fridays of Dec. 26, 2014 and Jan. 2, 2015. For other county agencies, these days will remain holidays. This action enables the county to collect $1 for recorded documents…
In October, the U.S. Forest Service proposed a plan to reforest a portion of the land, not within the wilderness area, burned during the Mountain Fire in July 2013. The agency requested comments on the proposal by Oct. 24. As of Oct. 29, only one comment had been submitted, according to San Jacinto Ranger District…
California voters easily approved Proposition 47, which reduces certain nonserious and nonviolent property and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. The measure also allows certain offenders who have been previously convicted of such crimes to apply for reduced sentences. In general, offenders convicted of misdemeanor crimes are punished less severely than felony offenders. The anticipated…
Riverside County’s preparedness for potential Ebola victims was the topic of last week’s Mountain Emergency Medical Services Committee meeting. Marie Weller and Dan Bates of the county’s Emergency Preparedness and Response agency described how the county is prepared to respond in case this emergency strikes locally. “As of now there are zero cases in Riverside…
In response to a proposal from Sheriff Stan Sniff, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved expenditures of about $384,000 to further evaluate using body cameras for sheriff’s deputies. In his request to the board, Sniff wrote, “The Sheriff’s Department recognizes the importance to stay current with emerging technology … [body video camera systems] are…
The California Health and Human Services Agency has launched its Open Data Portal (https://chhs.data.ca.gov/) to make access to non-confidential data collected by CHHS departments user-friendly. The Open Data Portal’s goals are to spark innovation, promote research and economic opportunities, engage public participation in government, increase transparency and inform decision-making. “Open Data” describes data freely available,…
The graphic images and scary rhetoric in the media about Ebola can be stressful enough for adults, but imagine what it is like for youngsters, especially those who cannot understand much of what is being said about the illness. “The constant coverage can be alarming for adults and downright scary for children,” said Dr. Christopher…
Unlike the choices for state offices, Riverside County voters and statewide voters concurred on the disposition of the six propositions on the November ballot. Half passed and half were defeated. Voters easily approved the water quality and bond, and the state budget propositions by nearly two to one margins. Nearly 59 percent of voters throughout…
Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone was elected to the state Senate last week. Stone’s last Board of Supervisors meeting is Nov. 25. He will resign his county position Nov. 30 and the next day, Dec. 1, will be sworn in as a state senator. Gov. Jerry Brown will choose Stone’s replacement for the…
