San Bernardino County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
US 95 / Havasu Lake Road safety improvement
A dedicated southbound left-turn pocket is planned at US 95 and Havasu Lake Road near Needles, mostly paid by an $788,000 federal grant with local reimbursement through SBCTA.
ARMC elevator modernization and ED/ICU expansion study
A change order trims $404,714 from the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center elevator project and pushes completion to November 2026, while a new $850,000 Jacobs contract kicks off a feasibility study for expanding the emergency department and ICU.
In-Home Supportive Services provider wage increase
A $1.19-per-hour raise for IHSS providers, submitted to the state for approval. It means better pay for the in-home caregivers who help disabled and elderly residents stay out of institutions.
Barstow-to-Needles OHV corridor funding
$250,000 was moved from an off-road race initiative to Hammerking Productions to plan an off-highway vehicle corridor between Barstow and Needles. Desert residents objected that public money is going to a private for-profit company and that riding corridors threaten the Mojave Trails National Monument.
LAFCO Barstow reorganization and tax sharing
The Board adopted the property tax revenue resolution for the LAFCO reorganization tied to the Barstow International Gateway rail project — annexations to Barstow, its fire district, and Odessa Water District, with detachments from county fire zones. Barstow officials praised the collaboration.
Baker Boulevard bridge and regional road projects
Big infrastructure day: the $23.2 million Baker Boulevard bridge replacement over the Mojave River was awarded, plus $1.1 million toward the Highway 95 project in Needles and a grant application for safety work on Arrow Route in Fontana.
Fuels Reduction Project
County Fire just finished clearing out heavy brush in North San Bernardino to keep your neighborhood safer from wildfires. It's a major preventive step to stop fast-moving flames before they threaten homes.
Election Preview
Get ready for the 2026 local elections! This guide breaks down the major races heating up across San Bernardino County and the High Desert so you know who is running.
Election Questionnaire
Want to know where Ward 2 City Council candidate Christian Shaughnessy stands before you vote? Check out this quick election Q&A to get the scoop on your local ballot choices.
Sports Tourism Development
San Bernardino County is investing in sports tourism by building a new stadium and bringing in a local team to draw in visitors and boost local business. It's a big play to get our region on the map and bring more entertainment options to town.
Public Transit Lawsuit
Montclair is suing the county transportation authority over the A Line extension, which could bring serious delays to your regional commute. This legal battle threatens to stall a major transit project that commuters are heavily relying on.
CARE Act implementation
San Bernardino County is rolling out the CARE Act to get court-ordered mental health care to people struggling on the streets. It's a major push by local and state leaders to tackle severe untreated mental illness.
Downtown Development
San Bernardino is leveraging city-owned properties to kickstart a new downtown business district. This move aims to breathe fresh life into local commerce and spruce up the area.
Countywide Unmanned Aerial Support Program Expansion
The Board of Supervisors discussed the expansion of drone programs across the Sheriff's Department and County Fire, highlighting how unmanned aerial systems improve first responder safety and emergency response times.
Kramer Junction Travel Stop Project Entitlements
The board approved land use amendments, parcel maps, and permits to build a commercial travel stop with fueling, restaurants, and truck parking in Kramer Junction.
Bloomington Condominiums Project and Residential Density
The board approved rezoning and entitlements for a 68-unit condominium complex on Banana Avenue in Bloomington, addressing state housing requirements.
Mayor Recall or Ballot Measure
A local push to put a recall measure against the San Bernardino mayor on the ballot was completely scrapped after residents rallied to show strong support for him. Instead of a messy political fight, the community decided to back their current leadership.
Law Enforcement Shooting
A San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy was involved in a shooting over in Riverside while hunting down a suspect. Details are still super sketchy, so we're waiting on investigators to drop more info.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Updates
The county updated its zoning and development code to streamline ADU and Junior ADU construction in accordance with state laws.
County Secession Movement
Local leaders are seriously looking into whether San Bernardino County could actually break away from California. If this happens, it's going to completely flip how your tax dollars are spent and how local government services are run.
Administrative Appointment
San Bernardino County just hired a new emergency services director to shake up disaster response and public safety. This fresh leadership could totally change how our community handles major crises moving forward.
Public Works Appointment
San Bernardino County just named Noel Castillo as the new Public Works Director to lead local infrastructure and engineering projects. He'll be the guy calling the shots on the roads and public buildings you use every day.