Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Boeing Machinists Strike, Satellite Launches Could Be Delayed

LOS ANGELES Boeing Co. officials have not yet decidedwhether to scrub upcoming satellite launches or hirereplacement workers after machinists went on strike inCalifornia, Alabama and Florida, a company spokesman saidWednesday. About 1,500 workers joined the walkout that began at 12:01a.m. after last-minute talks broke down between their union andBoeing's Integrated Defense Systems unit that operates theDelta rocket program.

Leaders Chide Bush Proposal

Local forest and fire-safety leaders joined Rep. JerryLewis, R- Redlands, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., incriticizing a Bush administration proposal to meet HurricaneKatrina costs by cutting $500 million from wildlandfirefighting fund reserves. "Nationwide maybe they can do that, but here in SouthernCalifornia we have serious fire problems," said GeraldNewcombe, president of the Arrowhead Community Fire SafeCouncil and former San Bernardino fire chief.

Recall Organizers Ready for Battle

RIALTO The day after a citizens group handed recall papers to City Council members Ed Scott and Winnie Hanson, supporters of the city's Police Department were digging in for a long battle with city leaders, and a deeply torn council vowed to continue to do the people's business. The notices of intent to recall were served during acontentious City Council meeting Tuesday night, during whichangry residents jeered and booed city staff who defended the council's new contract with the San Bernardi...

Da Adds Staff to Public Integrity Unit

SAN BERNARDINO District Attorney Mike Ramos isexpanding a division of his office that specializes inprosecuting public corruption cases. Ramos announced Wednesday he has added a lawyer, twoinvestigators and a secretary to his Public Integrity Unit.

Upgrades Needed for Shipping Lines in I.E., Experts Contend

ONTARIO The growth of global trade is driving theneed for upgrades to the Inland Empire's transportationinfrastructure, according to experts at a trade conferenceWednesday. The event, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Area Chamber ofCommerce and the city of Ontario, brought business leaders fromaround California to discuss opportunities in overseas trade.

Meeting Ordered for Land Dispute

San Bernardino County supervisors will once again conductsettlement talks with developers who are suing the county, andthis time they may have some appraised land to barter with. Superior Court Judge Peter H. Norell ordered representativesof Colonies Partners L.P., all five county supervisors, countyChief Administrative Officer Mark Uffer and Director of PublicWorks Patrick Mead to meet on Dec. 21 and 22 for a mandatorytwo-day settlement conference.

States Would Bear Brunt of Costs

Under the president's new emergency plan, some state andlocal health agencies might not be able to afford flumedications or be able to provide health services should adangerous flu outbreak reach epidemic proportions. Scientists warn that the avian, or bird, flu virus that islargely limited to birds for the moment, could eventuallymutate into a strain that is easily spread from person toperson. Death rates could be high because people would have noimmunity.

Deadline Nears for Pomona Mayor Race

POMONA The deadline to file nomination papers for theJanuary special election to fill the city's mayoral post closesFriday with 14 residents already having taken out nominationpapers. Of the 14, only two had filed their final documents as ofWednesday afternoon.

Questions Remain About Body

SAN BERNARDINO The case of the dismembered manbecame slightly clearer Wednesday when he was identified, butnew elements seemed to make things still murkier. For years, he had been under the care of a conservator, butit was unknown why. The dismemberment apparently occurred athis home, but no one was arrested; no relatives could be found,and a cause of death still was undetermined.

Fighting to Keep the Hills

CLAREMONT A landowner has leveled the tops off twohills, dammed up a stream and bulldozed several spots forpotential homes in the hilly wilderness above Claremont duringthe past couple of weeks all without any permits. Jose Cuevas ignored strict city regulations that governnorthern Claremont's open space and even continued the workafter officials ordered him to stop, City Planner Lisa Prassesaid Wednesday.

Brothers in Custody After Shooting

DIAMOND BAR Two brothers remain in custody after areal estate agent was shot in what deputies are calling a caseof mistaken identity. John Steven Heesch, 29, of Diamond Bar was arrested onsuspicion of attempted murder while his brother, James HowardHeesch, 27, was arrested on suspicion of possession ofmarijuana for sale, said sheriff's Sgt. Ron Wilton.

Companies Leaving State Hurts but Not Too Much, Study Shows

We've all heard the dire news. Businesses are fleeing California in droves. Companies can't handle the state's costly and restrictive regulations and mandates, so they're leaving the Golden State in search of more business- friendly locales.

Changing Global Economy Influences America

ONTARIO - America's economy and business are going through some of the most rapid changes ever seen, the publisher of Forbes told more than 100 people at the Ontario Convention Center on Wednesday. In the past 10 years, technology has become so cheap that billions of people now are entering the world's economy for the first time, said Rich Karlgaard, Forbes publisher.

Man Suspected of Exposing Himself to Children

ONTARIO Police are seeking a man who has exposed himself to at least four teenage girls walking near schools, detectives said Wednesday. The man has not tried to make any physical contact with the girls, but police and school officials still urged students to take precautions.

Ontario Seeks New Report On Wal-Mart

ONTARIO The city will seek additional environmental analysis of a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter that has upset residents in the neighborhood close by. Ontario officials had long contended that the originalenvironmental impact report for the site, completed in 1997,was a sufficient assessment of the potential impact of thedevelopment.

Bonita Candidate Meet at Forum

Carjacking Suspect Will Face Murder Trial

RANCHO CUCAMONGA A carjacking suspect accused of dragging a man to death was ordered to stand trial for murder on Wednesday. Jose Luis Chichipa will return to West Valley Superior Court Nov. 10 to be arraigned.

Kennard Approved As Head of L.A. Airports

LOS ANGELES The City Council voted Wednesday to confirm the appointment of Lydia Kennard as head of the agency overseeing Ontario International Airport. Kennard previously served as executive director of LosAngeles World Airports, which also operates Los Angeles International, Van Nuys and Palmdale airports, from 2000 to 2003.

Felony Charges Filed in Dog Sex Abuse Case

RANCHO CUCAMONGA Prosecutors filed felony animal cruelty charges this week against a 39-year-old Ontario man accused of performing sex acts with a dog. Ubaldo Vasquez Huizar pleaded not guilty to the charge Tuesday in West Valley Superior Court.

Rembrandt Club Sets Speaker, Meeting

The Rembrandt Club will host a meeting at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Lyman Hall in the Thatcher Building at Pomona College. The guest speaker will be Sylvia Pauloo-Taylor, who will discuss "A Bird's Eye View of a Rewarding Crossword Puzzle Career." A tea reception will follow at the home of David Oxtoby and his wife.