Around Yucaipa: Weekly News roundup: March 24 Edition

Once again, it's been mostly quiet here in Yucaipa, even though crime rate is up (see below).

City News

March 22, Yucaipa News Mirror, "YC school district is recognized "

The Yucaipa-Calimesa school district was one of 30 California school districts to be recognized by the California Middle Grades Alliance and the California League of Middle Schools for the leadership and support of the YCSD programs for middle-grade students.

The certificate cited the YCSD Board of Education for its leadership in providing time, resources and opportunities for professional development to their middle-level schools, administrators, teacher and students. In his personal letter, Jack O'Connell thanked them for their commitment to education and inspired leadership that empowers middle school principals and teachers “to implement high quality education programs that result in children becoming successful students, highly trained workers and productive citizens.”

March 22, Yucaipa News Mirror, "City approves Seventh Street Park renovations and improvements"

Yucaipa City Council has approved the plans for "Phase II" and "Phase IV" of the renovation of the Seventh Street Park (map).

The primary aspect of Phase II is the redevelopment of the roller hockey rinks, located on the southern edge of the park. The council approved the recommendation of city staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission to convert the larger, unfinished roller hockey rink into covered and lighted basketball courts. The smaller roller hockey rink will be converted into a modular skate board park.

Construction of a dog park is also part of Phase II.

City staff must now formulate budget recommendations for the additional work, as well as for the work in Phase IV, which calls for the demolition of the concrete channel that runs through the park. The stream, Chicken Springs Wash, will be returned to a more natural condition as a grass-lined, “open bottomed” channel with natural rock “energy dissipaters” to maintain the structural integrity of the wash and to provide an enhanced aesthetic appeal.

March 22, Highland Community News, "Highland's crime rate up in '06"

The city of Highland reports a 2% increase in crime in 2006 compared to 2005.

The city of Yucaipa provides a better means of comparison with a population - 50,553 - and size - 27 square miles - similar to Highland. Like Highland, Yucaipa contracts with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department; San Bernardino operates their own police department.

In 2006 Yucaipa had a 13 percent increase in crime and a larger number of reports than Highland, with 6,902 part one and two crimes.

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report, based on 2005 statistics, the city of Highland ranked #20 in murder rate for cities with a population of 40,000 to 60,000. Yucaipa ranked #65. Detailed crime statistics are available from RAND California.

Also:

The agenda for the March 26 City Council Meeting is now available (pdf).
The Yucaipa-Calimesa School District has postponed it's decision on the proposed Inland Charter School until its April 10 meeting.
The Yucaipa-Calimesa School District is inviting suggestions for the name of the new elementary school (to be built at Cramer and Chapman Heights Road). Until April 18, you can send your suggestions to: Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Ted Alejandre, Yucaipa-Calimesa District Education Center, 12797 Third St., Yucaipa, CA 92399.
April 14 will be San Bernardino County Clean-Up day. You can take your excess trash or bulky items to the San Timoteo Landfill or to the corner of California St. and Avenue G from 8AM to noon (Yucaipa residents only). Call Yucaipa Disposal at 707-9125 for details.
Yucaipa City Council has approved funding for a study of the quality of pavement in the city.

Locals in the News

March 22, Redlands Daily Facts, "Bake sale and car wash planned to help girl with cancer of the eye"

Two-year-old Yucaipa resident Malia Hadley has been diagnosed with retinoblasma, an aggressive tumor of the retina (in the eye). Her parents want to get the word out about the disease and raise money for her care. To that end they held a bake sale yesterday and car wash today (3-6pm) at the Denny's at 1180 Alabama St. in Redlands. (I know, a bit too late for the weekly news roundup). Here is what to look for in your own children:

Symptoms of retinoblastoma include having a white pupil reflex, instead of a normal black pupil or red reflex. Other symptoms are a crossed eye, turning either towards the ear or towards the nose; a painful red eye; poor vision; inflammation of tissue surrounding the eye; an enlarged or dilated pupil; and failure to thrive.

For more information, see the American Cancer Society's detailed guide to retinoblastoma. My heart and good wishes go out to Malia and her family.

March 18, The Press-Enterprise, "Births with midwives on the rise in U.S."

Yucaipa midwife Karen Baker is extensively quoted (and photographed) in this midwife-positive article in the PE.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposes home birth. Its policy states that birth requires "standards of safety which are provided in the hospital setting and cannot be matched in the home."

Childbirth has become safer in the last 50 years because of improvements in medical technology, according to the group.

Midwife Baker disagrees.

Like other midwives, she comes prepared for emergency, carrying resuscitation equipment and medications to control hemorrhaging, among other supplies.

She said she doesn't hesitate to send clients to the hospital if necessary for such problems as fetal distress or difficulties after birth, which happens in about 3 out of 35 deliveries a year.