“I have a relative that’s not supposed to be here,” the unnamed caller told the dispatcher, according to a recording released by authorities. “He’s one of my cousins that’s been coming around, he’s on drugs and he’s threatening to kill us.” Police arrived that evening on Nov. 11, 2023, and found Valdez, 33, unarmed and lying in the driveway of the residence, where his mother lived. Exactly what happened next is under dispute — but Valdez ended up dead after being shot in the back of the head by a Fontana police officer. California In a case that revealed a string of racist text messages sent by Torrance police officers former cops Cody Weldin and Christopher Tomsic pleaded no contest to charges linked to a 2021 incident in which they spray-painted a swastika inside a vehicle While authorities have claimed that Valdez tried to grab the officer’s gun and taser his family alleges police unnecessarily escalated the confrontation “[An] officer basically shot an unarmed person in the back of the head and then lied to the family about it for a year or more,” said Bradley Yourist Isabel Valdez holds a photo of her with her son Jaime Valdez who was killed by a Fontana police officer in November 2023 Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Valdez’s mother and his two daughters are now suing the Fontana Police Department in federal court “I want justice for my son,” Isabel Valdez said in Spanish in between sobs “The officer who took his life [should pay] just like any other criminal would pay Just because he’s a police officer he shouldn’t avoid jail.” She claims the police stopped her from leaving her house after the shooting The family alleges officers said they would take Valdez to the hospital — but the autopsy report states that he died within seconds of being shot Valdez’s family didn’t learn of his death until the next morning The Fontana Police Department declined to comment In a social media post more than eight months after the shooting the department said the officer who fired the fatal shot had been “violently assaulted” and maintained that he and other officers who responded to the scene did nothing wrong Yanez could be heard before the shooting yelling at Valdez to “Let go of my gun,” according to California Department of Justice investigative records. The department, which launched an investigation two days after the shooting, declined to comment because the probe is ongoing. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department used DNA testing kits for months without realizing they were faulty. An internal investigation has been launched. Yanez told investigators that DNA testing would corroborate his claim that Valdez had “gotten ahold of” his gun after disobeying commands and getting into a struggle. But the DNA results from Yanez’s weapon came back inconclusive, state Bureau of Forensic Services records show, and Valdez’s family contends that the edited version of body-worn camera video from the confrontation released by authorities leaves several questions unanswered. Valdez’s family described him as a music lover and dedicated Los Angeles Dodgers and Dallas Cowboys fan. He had struggled with meth and heroin addiction, his family said in the lawsuit, which argues that when police found him lying in the driveway that evening he was unable “to follow commands because of his altered state from drugs and mental health problems.” Jamie Valdez’s family, from left: his sisters Rita Brandon and Angie Franco; one of his two daughters; his mother, Isabel Valdez; his other daughter; and his girlfriend, Yessenia Torres. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The edited body-cam video shows Yanez, who was hired by the Fontana Police Department in 2019, approaching Valdez, calling out repeatedly and receiving no response. Eventually, Valdez becomes alert enough to tell the officer he wants to “go back inside.” The officer replies, “You’re not supposed to be here though. … What’s up with you, dude?” They go back and forth for a few moments before Valdez tells Yanez to “Go knock on the door, bro.” “You’re gonna be put in [expletive] handcuffs if you keep talking to me like that,” Yanez responds, his words censored in the clip released by police. Photos of Jaime Valdez at a relative’s home in Pico Rivera on Feb. 7, 2025. Valdez’s family has filed a lawsuit against the Fontana Police Department over his death. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Seconds later, Yanez orders Valdez to keep his hands out of his pockets, then tells him to “put your hands behind your back, dude.” The video is then interrupted by an onscreen message from the Fontana Police Department: “The officer attempts to handcuff the suspect and he resists.” When the clip resumes, Valdez is still on the ground and can be heard telling Yanez to “chill” as the officer tries to put him in handcuffs. The video doesn’t provide a good view of Valdez at this point, but he can be heard saying “I’m not doing nothing to you, bro.” The sounds of a scuffle and a dog barking are audible before Valdez says, “You’re hurting me.” Yanez then repeatedly yells “put your hands behind your back,” before using his taser. “Put your hands behind your back,” Yanez yells twice more as Valdez screams in agony. The video cuts to a message from the police: “The officer and the suspect begin to struggle over the officer’s handgun and an officer involved shooting occurs.” Three gunshots can be heard back to back. “Send backup,” Yanez says over his radio. “I’m hurt.” Valdez’s family members say the police made false statements about the shooting and his condition. “They lied about everything,” his sister, Rita Brandon, told The Times. “They came and they told my mom that my brother was gonna be okay, that he’d been shot and he was on the way to the hospital, and the whole time he was outside in the driveway dead.” Yessenia Torres weeps while talking about her late boyfriend, Jaime Valdez, 33, who was shot and killed by a Fontana police officer in November 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The family’s lawsuit, filed in December in Los Angeles federal court, seeks damages for a list of alleged misdeeds, including denial of medical care, battery and negligence. The defense has filed a motion to stay the proceedings, with the next court hearing set for April 24. Michael Carillo, a lawyer for the Valdez family, said that “what immediately jumped out about the video to me is the immediate escalation of force that was totally unnecessary and led to the unreasonable use of force.” Carillo noted that Valdez was not physically imposing — only 5 foot 3 and 130 pounds. “Instead of de-escalating it, calling in a mental health unit or supervisor, the officer escalated and escalated and ultimately shot [him],” Carillo said. The coroner’s report stated that one bullet hit Valdez in the back of his head and the other two hit his left shoulder. Additional body-worn camera video reviewed by The Times depicts emergency personnel cutting Valdez’s clothing away as he lay in the driveway and performing chest compressions in an attempt to revive him before declaring him dead. Michael Carrillo, an attorney representing family members of Jaime Valdez in their lawsuit against the Fontana Police Department, holds a memorial shirt for the 33-year-old who was killed in 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The state Department of Justice is still investigating the shooting, as required by law when a police shooting victim is unarmed. Valdez’s teenage daughter — whose name The Times is withholding at the family’s request because she is a minor — said she sleeps every night with a digital picture frame that loops photos of him, along with a treasured video of the two of them playing when she was 4 years old. The girl’s biological father left when she was very young, and Valdez — whom she refers to affectionately as Jime — got together with her mother when she was 2. A year later, she started calling him dad. “I didn’t even know what a dad was until Jime came along. My sister didn’t come along until years later,” she said, referring to Valdez’s biological daughter as tears streamed down her face. “So it was always us two, so that was all I knew. Jime was my dad.” Connor Sheets is an investigative and enterprise reporter at the Los Angeles Times. World & Nation Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map - Dos Pueblos High School boys volleyball got defensive in their four set CIF-SS Division 4 second round playoff win over Fontana The Chargers had three players with double-digit digs and the team totaled 14 blocks as they won 25-15 Wyatt Silver had 14 digs and 4 blocks while Kawin Ramko added 12 digs and Nathan Vincent finished with 10 digs Noah Grant led the Chargers offensive attack with 19 kills while Ramko added 10 kills (Noah Grant added 2 blocks and 5 digs to go along with 19 kills Dos Pueblos plays at Crean Lutheran on Wednesday Mike Klan is the sports director for News Channel 3-12. To learn more about Mike, click here News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Terms of Service Privacy Policy Community Guidelines FCC Public File EEO Public File Report FCC Applications Do Not Sell My Personal Information A sprawling industrial facility in Fontana serves as the first North American manufacturing plant for ZM Trucks specializing in zero-emission commercial vehicles such as electric trucks and ground service equipment North America’s newest zero-emission commercial truck brand has chosen to locate it first North American manufacturing plant in the city of Fontana within San Bernardino County ZM Trucks leased a 210,000 square-foot facility located at 10271 Almond Ave to support the production of a diverse portfolio of zero-emission products including electric commercial trucks terminal tractors and airport ground service equipment ZM Trucks is a subsidiary of ZO Trucks headquartered in Chuo-Ku ZM Trucks began site selection discussions with San Bernardino County in early 2024 the county’s economic development team facilitated introductions to city partners and supported the firm’s search for the ideal site by providing extensive market information as well as state of California incentive information targeting zero-emission vehicle manufacturing “San Bernardino County is an ideal choice for firms in search of an abundant skilled workforce and competitive business costs Our Economic Development team worked extensively with ZM Trucks to ensure they found the perfect site in the county to support their continued growth in the zero-emission vehicle sector We applaud ZM Truck’s work with the logistics industry to advance the industry toward carbon neutrality The county is proud to now be part of their success in producing zero-emission commercial vehicles in the U.S.,” said San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman who worked closely with ZM Trucks to locate their plant in San Bernardino County “Our new Fontana facility reflects ZO Motors’ commitment to the U.S market and sustainable innovation,” said Joost de Vries “This expansion allows us to deliver zero-emission solutions that lower total cost of ownership and drive long-term value for our customers.” According to a press statement ZO Motors has already announced its cutting-edge manufacturing plant in Cambodia which will be instrumental in supplying the Asian Pacific markets The addition of the Fontana plant underscores the company’s strategic commitment to scaling its operations in regional markets and to grow its global footprint Fontana was selected due to the proactive support received from the city and county ZM Trucks will benefit from operating in a newly constructed 2023 building I am thrilled to welcome ZM Trucks to our vibrant community,” said Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren “The establishment of ZM Truck’s North American manufacturing plant and regional headquarters marks an exciting chapter for both ZM Trucks and the City of Fontana This partnership underscores Fontana’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development and a shared commitment to advancing clean transportation solutions We are honored to be the cornerstone of ZM Trucks’ U.S operations and look forward to a long and successful collaboration The state-of-the-art facility is expected to begin production in the first half of 2025 ZM Trucks will have approximately 200 employees Projected production is 35,000 to 40,000 vehicle units per year Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money Information on COVID-19 Funeral Assistance through FEMA \u003ca href=\"/resources/funeral-assistance\"\u003eRead More\u003c/a\u003e Fontana created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories © 2025 John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals Inc. Made with love by funeralOne Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Mary was the beloved wife of the late John “Jack” Bailey and daughter of the late Anna (O’Neil) and Joseph Fontana of South Boston Loving mother of Jacqueline Grattan and her husband Frederick of Hanover William Bailey and his wife Maureen of South Boston John Bailey and his fiancée Ann Davis of Chelsea and Brian Bailey and his wife Fiona of Weymouth Mary was the cherished grandmother of Rose Mary was the loving sister of William and Sheila Fontana of Quincy Mary is also survived by many nieces and nephews Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Thursday from 8:30-10 AM in the Keohane Funeral Home Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday Services will conclude with interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day around the corner and so is a career opportunity with the Postal Service USPS is hosting hiring fairs in Redlands and Fontana on Thursday to help potential candidates complete their postal hiring profiles and applications The Postal Service is also proud to provide great career opportunities for veterans Join a diverse team with a variety of positions and advancement to maximize your skills and interests DRIVING REQUIRED: Applicants must have a valid state driver’s license and at least two years of unsupervised experience driving passenger cars or larger The driving must have taken place in the U.S or its possessions or territories or in U.S USPS personnel will be on-site to provide detailed information about the positions and help potential candidates through the application process step-by-step or tablet with a hotspot to receive assistance in applying for postal employment Starting pay starts at $19.33 depending on the position Applications are also accepted online at www.usps.com/careers so check back frequently for additional opportunities Accepting a position with the United States Postal Service is the first step to starting a long forward-thinking organization committed to delivering for the American people The United States Postal Service is an equal opportunity employer offering a fast-paced rewarding work environment with competitive compensation packages The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America restore long-term financial sustainability dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage products and services to fund its operations Copyright© 2025 United States Postal Service There are no statistics available for this player Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Bob Fontana is stepping down after 12 seasons on the Ankeny Centennial boys basketball sidelines The Jaguars will be without the only head coach they’ve ever known The Ankeny Fanatic was the first to report the news. Fontana spent 34 years as a head coach on the sidelines between Centennial He compiled a 474-300 overall record in over three decades as a high school head coach according to the IHSAA basketball record book He helped Centennial post winning records in the program’s first five years of existence including a 17-5 record in the Jaguars’ inaugural season and a 19-4 record the following season He led Centennial to two state tournament appearances in 2020 and 2023 The Jaguars finished the 2024-25 season with a 5-17 record after graduating the entire starting lineup – including Luke Winkel who was fifth in Class 4A in scoring – from last season Fontana’s legacy is cemented in Iowa high school basketball history He was named the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association’s coach of the year in 2000 and he received the John Wooden Legacy Coach of the Year award – which recognizes outstanding high school basketball coaches who embody the characteristics of excellence (This article was edited to add new information.) This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250424511976/en/ Fontana Forni Launches Elysia: Italian-Made Outdoor Modular Kitchens View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250424511976/en/ We’d like to share more about how we work and what drives our day-to-day business How we use your information depends on the product and service that you use and your relationship with us To learn more about how we handle and protect your data, visit our privacy center Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process. (VVNG.com) — The Fontana Police Department is urgently seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect involved in a deadly assault on a local business owner officers were called to Allstate Insurance at the 9700 block of Sierra Ave in response to an emergency it was discovered that an elderly business owner had been attacked with a deadly weapon The investigation revealed that the 79-year-old victim who had operated his business in Fontana for over 30 years was assaulted with a baseball bat by an intruder identified as 37-year-old Ronalee Barrett Stanberry The unprovoked attack occurred as the victim was opening his business Stanberry fled on foot and was last seen heading towards the 10 East freeway onramp at Sierra Ave Despite being immediately transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center the victim fought valiantly for his life but passed away due to his injuries on January 21st described as a transient with ties to Chino His most recent arrest occurred in Bakersfield Stanberry has numerous tattoos on his arms and distinctive tattoos above his eyebrows with the words “Active” and “Whiteboy.” Stanberry was last seen wearing a white with blue pinstripe USPS button-up shirt The Fontana Police Department is committed to bringing justice for the victim and his family We urge anyone with information about the whereabouts of Ronalee Barrett Stanberry to contact Detective Hart at (909) 854-8172 or dial 911immediately 📢 Stay connected with the High Desert’s largest news community 🔗 For more local news, visit VVNG.com we’re dedicated to keeping the Victor Valley informed with essential Our newsroom works tirelessly to bring you the latest stories that matter—news that fosters awareness If you value our reporting and want to see it continue local news accessible to everyone—because an informed community is a stronger community (VVNG.com) — Detectives from the Fontana Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit have arrested a 31-year-old San Bernardino man suspected of rape and potentially tied to multiple cases across Southern California Morales connected with several women on dating apps and communicated with them through Snapchat using the usernames thatboii_laloo and Joey242599 Authorities said that after arranging to meet in person Morales sexually assaulted one of the victims inside his vehicle He is now being investigated as the suspect in multiple sexual assault cases throughout San Bernardino and Orange Counties Fontana PD said Morales has been living in his vehicle and has stayed at various locations across Southern California which has raised concerns that additional victims may be out there Detectives are urging anyone who may have information related to this case, or believes they were victimized by Morales, to contact Detective Baker at (909) 854-8014 or via email at LBaker@fontanaca.gov No further information was immediately available weeks after winning her first European Championship gold the Italian has a record 11 short track medals - including two 500m titles - from five Olympic Winter Games Fontana has been racing internationally in both disciplines this season. She spoke to Olympics.com at December's ISU Short Track World Tour stop in Seoul having competed over 1500m at the ISU World Cup Speed Skating round in Beijing just two weeks previously. "Mentally, it's helped me a lot because it's a new challenge," she said about her new experience. "Maybe not with the stress I have in short track, because obviously I have expectations there, but everything is a bit new in long track and I'm in a growth phase. "I know that I'm not at my best yet and I'm taking everything in a positive way, even if things may not be going very well." Arianna Fontana: Why the Olympics are the love of my lifeWith 11 medals from five Games Arianna Fontana is the most decorated short track speed skater in Olympic history and Italy's most successful Winter Olympian The 31-year-old puts it down to looking after her body over the years and her "fire" to win And she says Milano Cortina 2026 would be "the perfect way to end my career" There are several differences between the two styles of speed skating One is made clear by the name itself - short track takes place on an oval with a lap length of 111.111m compared to 400m for a long track event And while short track sees up to four athletes jostle for position in a heat the longer version of speed skating sees athletes race independently - except for scheduled crossovers - against the clock but logistical issues brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in her abandoning those plans "Certainly the short track is perhaps a slightly more dynamic race," she remarks "It has multiple races and you have to be continuously ready for multiple rounds That's the part I still find a little difficult - how to manage that situation." Italy’s Arianna Fontana is the most decorated female short track speed skater in Olympic history Get to know her and her journey to the top with the help of the people who have believed in her From the Start and that is where her ambitions lie in the longer format specifically the team pursuit where two teams of three skaters race on opposite sides of the oval over six laps "The goal is certainly to qualify the women's pursuit team for the Olympics for the first time," Fontana reveals "The other girls on the Italian team are also very strong and having the Olympics at home means a lot for them too With just over a year to go before Milano Cortina 2026 time is not on Fontana's side as she steps up her dual discipline ambitions she is trying her hardest to get up to speed in her new sport as well as return to her short track peak "What I'm doing with the races is trying to understand how to best manage short track and long track and then training to be ready for the Olympic season." If you are the site owner (or you manage this site), please whitelist your IP or if you think this block is an error please open a support ticket and make sure to include the block details (displayed in the box below) so we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue Your browser is ancient! Upgrade to a different browser or install Google Chrome Frame to experience this site Press Contact: Robert Gonzalez Email: rgonzalez@teamsters1932.org Calif.) – Public sector workers in City of Fontana represented by Teamsters Local 1932 have voted to ratify a new contract marking a significant win for the dedicated workers who maintain and enhance the city’s infrastructure and public services such as parks This contract is a major step forward in recognizing the vital role Teamsters play in moving Fontana forward These significant improvements come after months of negotiations and strong advocacy by City of Fontana Teamsters “I feel proud voting yes on this contract because we were able to secure medical coverage for retirees which will be a game changer for myself and my family when I eventually begin to plan for retirement,” said Russell De La Fuente a City of Fontana Teamster and shop steward I have seen significant improvements in my salary This contract ensures that we can continue to support our families while serving the community we love.” “Our Fontana public works Teamsters are the backbone of the city and facilities are safe and well-maintained for everyone to live This contract not only rewards their hard work but also ensures they have the resources and protections they deserve Teamsters Local 1932 represents more than 15,000 workers across the Inland Empire. For more information, visit teamsters1932.org. But it admitted this weekend it is still not sure where and when that will happen “The market is extremely important to NASCAR,” said Dave Allen There’s some things within the sport that need to get sorted before we can make some strategic decisions as it relates to what we’re what we’re going to build Allen spoke before Sunday’s Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway where Christopher Bell notched his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win by holding off a hard-charging Denny Hamlin on the final restart with two laps to go With the exception of 2021, when the schedule was hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, NASCAR has run at least one race in Southern California every year since 1997, when Auto Club Speedway opened on the site of the old Kaiser steel mill in Fontana. That streak will end this year. Sports NASCAR remains dedicated to racing again in Southern California reconfigured race track in Fontana will be ready Auto Club Speedway, which has been torn down, played host to its final race in 2023 while the Clash at the Coliseum run on a temporary half-mile track installed atop the Coliseum’s football field did not return this winter after three years NASCAR had hoped to race on a half-mile oval being built on the site of the former Fontana speedway the former president of Auto Club Speedway We still retain enough land to build a half-mile oval if we chose to do that “But we still need some time to sort some things out and figure out if that’s the right thing to do.” In the meantime, NASCAR is embracing concepts outside traditional race tracks. The series debuted a street race in Chicago in 2023 and has reportedly considered racing on the streets of San Diego as well “We’re always looking for new opportunities,” Allen said “We’re always looking for either new markets or things that we can do different in a market that we’re already [in] Ten days after the final race in Fontana, NASCAR reportedly sold 433 of the 522 acres that comprise the venue’s footprint to Ross Perot Jr.’s Dallas-based Hillwood Development company and CBRE Investment Management for approximately $569 million The site is being converted into a logistics facility and industrial park with 6.6 million square feet of warehousing spacing “The land and the cost of doing business, when you have a facility like we had in Fontana, it’s very, very challenging,” Allen said. “At the end of the day we’re a for-profit company and we have to make decisions that are good for the business so we can keep it going.” The closing of Irwindale Speedway leaves a massive void in the Southern California racing scene, which has seen a string of race track closures over the decades. The ideal solution, Allen said, is the original one. NASCAR retained approximately 90 acres of Auto Club Speedway’s massive footprint, including the main grandstands, front straight, pit road and pit road suites. Those were all to be incorporated into the new short-track venue. “The plan is to be there. But if opportunities come up, we’re open to anything,” Allen said. “If you had 300 acres and wanted to build a racetrack and be a partner with us, then we would listen. So I think it’s keeping the property warm and being able to do different things with it. And you adjust depending on the market and needs of the market. “We’re kind of just in a holding pattern.” Kevin Baxter writes about soccer and hockey for the Los Angeles Times. He has covered seven World Cups, five Olympic Games, six World Series and a Super Bowl and has contributed to three Pulitzer Prize-winning series at The Times and Miami Herald. An essay he wrote in fifth grade was voted best in the class. He has a cool dog. High School Sports Dodgers Fontana and Thompson Earn CSC Academic All-District HonorsTo be eligible for the award recipients must achieve a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher and must either play in 90% of their games during the season or start in at least 66% of games The 2024-25 Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their performances both on the court and in the classroom Buford started in all 34 games for the Monarchs this season and earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors Tennessee finished second in the conference and 32nd in the country with 78 steals She led the Sun Belt with 2.44 steals per game and was also second in the league with 122 free throws made and 136 assists including setting a new career high of 32 points in a Feb 20 win over Sun Belt champion Arkansas State the communications major earned a 3.51 GPA and is being considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-American ballot Fontana also played in all 34 games for the Monarchs She finished the season with 284 points (8.4 ppg) and led the team in blocks with 27 Argentina native scored in double figures 14 times and helped lead ODU to an 81-65 win at Coastal Carolina on Feb Fontana earned a 3.92 GPA while working towards a master’s degree in cybersecurity Thompson appeared and started in all 34 games for the Monarchs Alabama native also added 161 rebounds (4.7 rpg) Thompson scored in double digits 17 times and had two double-doubles She pulled down 11 rebounds with 10 points at Marshall on Feb 13 and finished with 15 points and 10 boards against Georgia State in the Sun Belt Championship on March 7 the junior sports management major earned a 3.67 GPA For the complete list of honorees, click here The next Classics Up Close concert will feature the work of the She Loves Me and Fiddler on the Roof writers May 12 Proceeds will benefit the Off-Broadway company and its programming Bock and Harnick's Broadway collaboration lasted for more than 50 years beginning with The Body Beautiful in 1958 with later collaborations including Tenderloin, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, Baker Street, The Apple Tree The May 12 performance will be followed by a cast Tickets are available at SymphonySpace.org. For sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected] Gail Kriegel's new play follows a family affected by mental illness The Tony-winning Best Musical continues at the Walter Kerr Theatre Noah Himmelstein will direct Matthew Puckett's original musical Neumann is the Tony nominated choreographer behind Hadestown and Swept Away one Tony winner is playing the trumpet while the other is channeling Madame Rose Due to the expansive nature of Off-Broadway Thank You!You have now been added to the list Blocking belongson the stage,not on websites Our website is made possible bydisplaying online advertisements to our visitors Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you “That first win was such an important moment to me that I feel like it’s equal to my win at Homestead to win my seventh championship It’s just as big in my eyes and in my heart." The remaining wins were deliberated and decided upon by a small panel - Considering the lofty heights the combination of driver it's hard to fathom the humble aspirations the duo harbored at the start.  For a partnership that would eventually yield a NASCAR Cup Series record-tying seven championships when Johnson reflects on a career in which he's piled up 83 victories so far good enough for a share of sixth on the all-time list he still sites that first one as the biggest one.  “That first win was such an important moment to me that I feel like it’s equal to my win at Homestead to win my seventh championship,” Johnson said in a recent phone interview with HendrickMotorsports.com “It’s just as big in my eyes and in my heart." HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS 40 WINS: Kyle Larson gets Indy redemption in Brickyard 400 Johnson's first trip to victory lane didn't come in a crown jewel race nor did it lead to a championship 24 team) Robbie Loomis stopped me on pit road and said you’ll always have a job for the rest of your life,’” Knaus said he just meant once you win a race in the Cup Series your opportunities just always seem to be there I’ve been very fortunate to be able to stay here at Hendrick Motorsports the entire time.” there are several aspects that stick out about that day at Auto Club Speedway in the spring of 2002.  HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS 40 WINS: Jeff Gordon wins Winston Million in 1997 California would finish with nearly every important mark at the 2-mile which was demolished after the final NASCAR Cup Series event there in 2023 His six wins and 980 laps led there are tops late-race strategy call to keep Johnson on the race track while others pitted It was reminiscent of the way Jeff Gordon won his first race with Ray Evernham making a late call for two tires instead of four in the 1994 Coca-Cola 600 Strategy notes weren't all the duo took from the No The car Johnson drove at Auto Club that day was the same car Gordon took to victory lane at both Michigan International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway the year prior.  HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS 40 WINS: See our list of victories so far! "I knew I would have time but I knew I’d buy more time if I won a race and to be able to win in my rookie season and get my first in at California with it being a hometown track – I had so many friends and family in the stands – and I took so much confidence leaving there I knew I’d have a little time but that win kind of solidified my place in the sport and at Hendrick Motorsports along with Hendrick Motorsports owner and CEO Rick Hendrick and had influence in bringing Johnson to the Cup Series The promotion was a surprise to some as Johnson had only scored one victory in 72 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts.So perhaps all of that offers some insight into the pressure Johnson felt early in that first season although initial returns were encouraging right from the start Johnson had already registered six top-10 showings including a seventh-place run the week prior at Talladega Superspeedway.  RELATED: See William Byron's Valvoline paint scheme for 2024 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS 40 WINS: Dale Earnhardt Jr. snaps skid at Michigan HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS 40 WINS: Kyle Larson delivers win No. 500 for engine shop (VVNG.com) – A mother from Victorville is seeking support for her family after her son tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Fontana on February 19 died after his Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe collided with a diesel truck at approximately 2:30 p.m near the intersection of Slover and Cherry Avenue was rushed to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries shortly after the crash He had been on his way to work at the time of the crash has started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and to support his family She wrote a heartbreaking message on the fundraising page sharing the deep pain of losing her only son: “My name is Christina Martinez and I’m the mother of Ignacio Perez was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident He was on his way to work when the accident occurred He recently was married approximately 3 weeks ago come this Friday He was a beloved father to 2 amazing special needs boys He was a loving brother to 4 sisters: Alycia Hug your children tight & tell them you love them.” expressing the profound loss of his best friend: “I’ve been up all night thinking of you and listening to your voicemails We were supposed to go bike shopping when I got cashed out from my case and go ride We would talk almost every single day bro!” Lizaola said he watched Perez grow up from a teenager to a grown man and said he always did right by his family He described him as his greatest supporter in music and in life emphasizing how he always pushed him to do better Ignacio’s family and friends are grieving the loss of a man who was known for his kindness Those wishing to help the Perez family during this difficult time can donate via the GoFundMe page here As the family processes this heartbreaking tragedy offering support and prayers during this incredibly difficult time https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ignacios-family-after-tragedy 2025 at 12:44 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Bobby Fontana is a candidate for the Ward 4 seat on the Elmhurst City Council IL – Bobby Fontana is one of two candidates for the Ward 4 seat on the Elmhurst City Council Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire: Email: ward4bobby@gmail.comWebsite: ward4bobby.com Does anyone in your family work in politics or government MS in Interdisciplinary Engineering w/ Specialization in Global Management & Leadership (Purdue University)BS in Electrical Engineering (Purdue University) Previous or current elected or appointed office: The single most pressing issue facing the city is _______ my goal is to emphasize the strengths of Elmhurst which I believe can be boiled down to two main areas: a thriving downtown and a welcoming community is the first thing that makes Elmhurst such an attractive place to live There are always things to do and places to go I will make responsible fiscal decisions to ensure that we maintain an active and thriving downtown I quickly realized that our community is truly special My family and I are extremely thankful for the friendships we have made and the support that we have given and received during our time in Elmhurst I will encourage community mingling through events and open spaces to continue to build the bonds that make our community so strong We are all very fortunate to live in such a dynamic and fulfilling town and with that comes excitement for new opportunities & improvements while also presenting new challenges What I see as one of the most pressing issues for Elmhurst is navigating how to prioritize and pursue these opportunities & challenges in a reasonable and responsible manner that the atmosphere is hospitable to businesses and individuals and that our residents feel that their thoughts and concerns are being heard and carefully considered I have included a PRIORITY SCORE in my “Key Takeaway” section of many issues below I state my priority of the situation as a score from 1 (highest priority) to 5 (lowest priority) It is my hope that identifying items in this way will show where I will dedicate my attention and give confidence that I will contribute to an effective What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post I understand that everything is a trade-off and that all aspects of decisions must be considered carefully I dedicate myself to understanding all relevant aspects of an issue and seek to determine the best path forward based on the data available I believe the city government has generally done a very good job maintaining the safety I don’t plan on advocating for sweeping changes but instead understand the value of incremental improvement I strive to find ways to make things a little better than when I found them As a father of young kids (grades 3 & K) that plans to raise them in Elmhurst over the coming decades I value long-term planning and understand the challenges and opportunities that many families with school-age children are facing I value the opinions of my neighbors in the fourth ward I intend on being an alderman that can be trusted to make reasonable responsible decisions that reflect the needs and desires of my constituents What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job I work as a systems engineer for a company that designs complex satellite systems The nature of these systems requires that I work across many teams to solve difficult problems Priorities and trade-offs are the name of the game and I regularly need to justify and make difficult decisions I have taken on both a technical leadership role on my program and a people leadership role within my organization so I am practiced in building consensus and trust in complex situations I served as the Vice President of the Homeowners Association at the last place I lived Several members of the HOA (including the president) were attempting to pass new overreaching rules that would require homeowners to actually undo some improvements they had already made to their homes Though I myself was not directly affected by these new rules I led a coalition against the proposal and was successful in limiting the HOA rules to the minimum necessary set · The city government’s taxes are just about right · There will be some challenges with potential upcoming projects so we must time-phase projects accordingly to keep the tax burden stable One of the aspects that drew us to Elmhurst was the relatively low property taxes when compared to similar towns in the area it is important that we make responsible fiscal decisions when planning for the future and any tax increase should be closely scrutinized There are several potential upcoming projects (e.g. train station) that are under consideration that would pose challenges to our existing tax rates One of the levers that we have to meet these challenges is time-phasing expenses so that we maintain a stable This may result in delays to lower-priority projects but will result in better overall tax health for our city we first need to specify what part of property taxes an alderman (as part of city government) has control over Less than 10% of every dollar in property taxes goes to the city government far behind the roughly 75% that goes to the school district while the city government is not the primary driver for property tax rates I nonetheless take very seriously the responsibility to ensure that every tax dollar is put towards truly necessary expenditures that reflect the needs and wants of my neighbors in the fourth ward How do you feel about the downtown apartment and condo development in recent years · I am generally in favor of the balance achieved between generating business for the downtown area while limiting overcrowding & traffic · I recommend taking time to assess impacts (both expected and unexpected) of recent developments This issue relates to one of the strengths of Elmhurst – our thriving downtown In order for our community to have this outstanding epicenter we must ensure that there are sufficient numbers of people frequenting downtown to support all of the great businesses found there The recent condo developments are a way to get more people in that area while limiting impacts to other aspects of town many condo residents are train commuters (or non-commuters) with low school burden this doesn’t necessarily mean that more is always better There has certainly been a surge in condo development over the past decade and I think it is important that we measure the impacts to ascertain if the results align with the intent We should measure both the good impacts (e.g. driving additional business) as well as the bad (e.g. I am generally satisfied with the balance achieved in recent years Yet we need to ensure we are intentional and fully informed when deciding whether to pursue additional development in the future What is your view of the city's maintenance of its infrastructure · There are two main pieces for city infrastructure – roads & water There is a dedicated question to water rates below · Current maintenance & repairs of roads seem to be timely and effective The city has generally been doing an admirable job of maintaining and repairing its roads which is one main portion of city infrastructure I will save specifics on the water side of things for the water rate question below My goal when it comes to roads is to keep doing what has been working an effective reporting system that can be used for residents to quickly and efficiently communicate repair needs (roads or otherwise) to the city City staff have demonstrated the ability to be timely in their response to fixing reported issues I have noticed that many are not aware of the Elmhurst Connect app I will communicate resources and processes available to our residents we should ensure that everyone knows how to use it Has the city done a good job in handling stormwater issues · The city’s stormwater mitigation plan has done much to resolve city-wide stormwater issues · We need to continue to execute the remaining pieces of the plan · Priority Score [1-5]: 4 (low; finish executing the plan) the city’s stormwater mitigation strategy has changed the stormwater issue from a major city-wide problem to more localized issues There is still work to complete before the strategy is concluded Even as the city-wide issues are being mitigated it is important that we continue to have policies and programs in place that allow homeowners to limit and respond to local stormwater issues Examples include water mitigation requirements for new construction and cost-sharing programs for on-property water detention pits on existing properties What is your assessment of the police department's performance · I am grateful to the police department’s excellent work in keeping our community safe · Priority Score [1-5]: 1 (public safety is critical; no planned action regarding police department) I commit to continuing to make public safety a top priority for our city The fact that Elmhurst has recently been recognized as one of the top ten safest suburbs in the U.S is something that should not be overlooked While there are several contributors to this achievement the Elmhurst Police Department are first and foremost in deserving recognition I do not see the need for any changes specific to the police department · There are several serious issues with the current police station · I support a new police station with a funding plan that limits impact to taxes The current police station faces many issues Primary issues include concerns with safety there are secondary issues pertaining to inefficiencies in layout and old systems I recommend reading the 2024 report detailing the issues with the current building The relatively small cost savings (~8%) of renovating the station do not justify the issues that would persist with a renovated building Building a new police station is a high priority for me and we should intelligently plan for rebuilding the station in a way that fits into our current budget situation and limits the impact on property taxes A recent proposal by the finance committee funds the construction of a new police station with an estimated increase of ~$40 per household per year in property taxes This is a reasonable solution with a relatively small impact Delaying planning for a new station will only result in a more critical need in the future that is more disruptive to the city’s financial picture I am open to a small increase in property taxes to avoid what will be a much larger impact should we defer the planning of a new station The current proposal by the finance committee includes an estimated increase of ~$40 per household per year in property taxes I consider this to be a reasonable proposal What is your view of the city's decision last year to raise water and sewer rates by 28 percent · Maintaining our water safety is a critical need that requires immediate attention · Unfunded requirements placed on the city required drastic measures to be taken in 2024 · I support limited application of progressive water rates to mitigate the rate increase on low-usage households Elmhurst’s water treatment facilities and water mains are aging and require renewal This would be a challenging but achievable problem under normal circumstances but adding to the issue are unfunded requirements placed on the city to make improvements to our water treatment The city made the hard decision last year to deal with the issue directly with a large increase to water rates These projects are crucial to the quality of our water and that is something that should not be taken for granted The increase in water rates allows for funding the projects in bundles which will mean the elevated rates will remain as the projects execute in phases city council has ensured that the major increase is behind us and we now have rates that will enable us to execute the necessary changes to our water infrastructure There is currently a consideration to implement progressive water rates (where water rates increase as households & businesses use more water) to help manage the cost challenge for residents but recommend that it be limited in nature It should be used only to ensure that all residents have access to affordable water that meets a baseline need Over-application of progressive rates may result in heavier users (including families with children) seeing further increases to their bills Restraint in the policy’s application will be crucial to its success Should the mayor and aldermen take political contributions from city contractors or those with zoning or other matters before the council · I do not believe changes need to be made as long as political contributions are transparent to voters I must say that I am fully self-funding my campaign and taking no donations whatsoever I understand the necessity of fundraising when running larger campaigns As long as voters can determine where political contributions to a candidate have come from I think that prohibiting such contributions would become more problematic than the current status quo voters can make the determination on whether or not they trust their candidate to make quality decisions based on where their funding originates Should the city allow video gambling or recreational marijuana sales in town · I do not believe it would be to the city’s benefit to have recreational dispensaries in our downtown or commercial hubs but am open to dispensaries outside of these areas · I am against allowing video gambling in town · I do not plan on taking action regarding this issue unless the community desires it Elmhurst’s thriving downtown is one of our city’s strengths and its approachability and family-friendliness are key contributors to its success We need to carefully consider how we present our downtown and commercial hubs to the residents of Elmhurst and neighboring communities I believe that allowing video gambling in town would be a detriment allowing recreational dispensaries downtown or in our commercial hubs would have a negative impact to the appeal of those areas I am open to considering allowing dispensaries outside of downtown and other commercial hubs but I would need to be convinced that this was truly a desire of our residents We also need to consider the nature of diminishing returns regarding dispensaries where the positive economic impact from new dispensaries gets smaller and smaller as more locations are opened This means that the economic impact of allowing dispensaries in town would likely be low I consider this issue to be a low priority Should the city do anything to make housing more affordable in town · Options to make housing more affordable without simultaneously making Elmhurst a less desirable location are limited · I support making use of best practices used by communities facing similar challenges I appreciate that many folks want to live in Elmhurst It is what makes our town so dynamic and our communities so entwined One of the great cultural aspects of our communities is the mix of homes that you will find walking down many of our streets It is common to find old homes next to new ones we have 80-year-old homes (mine was built in 1941) next to new construction and it gives a unique feel to our neighborhoods I have heard concerns regarding overdevelopment expressed within my community with some preferring renovation to new construction New development is necessary and healthy for a community but existing housing and renovation also contribute to the unique and beneficial culture described above One area the city should explore is to look for ways to incentivize renovating homes without punishing development Examples could include cost-sharing programs for revitalizing aging systems within older homes To do what we can to maintain affordability the city is engaging Homes for a Changing Region This is a free program that provides suggestions based on best practices discovered by other communities facing similar challenges I look forward to seeing the suggestions that come out of this program Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions My wife and I quickly concluded that this was the best place we’ve ever lived I knew we were lucky enough to be coming to a place with an active downtown What I didn’t fully realize was the quality of the community that we were entering but I now realize that a key enabler of building strong communities within our town are the various opportunities to mingle with your neighbors which is less common but certainly not rare each of which is not unique in its own right but comes together to form something truly special I’m talking about things like the Prairie Path where people can be active together Events like Rock the Block and the Craft Beer Fest where residents can have fun Programs like Elmhurst Princesses that create cherished father-daughter bonds including spaces where neighbors can run into each other and simply talk One of these such spaces is the green space located between Third and Schiller Streets in the fourth ward vocal support from our community to maintain this area as open space I have witnessed the benefits that this area has to the surrounding community: from a safe thoroughfare for walking kids to school to an area for kids to run around and play with their friends; from a quiet place to enjoy nature to a place to walk your dog with more interesting scents than the oft-used sign poles and fence posts; from a place for gentle sledding and snowman-building shaded spot that you can go interact with your neighbors without having to spend money I pride myself on looking at all aspects of an issue before determining a preferred path and I just don’t see the estimated value of selling the space as measuring up to the countless beneficial experiences that are had each day within the community We will need to find a long-term solution on how to keep and maintain the green space going forward so that it is not a regular candidate for sale I have stressed the importance of priorities please go to ward4bobby.com where you can take a 30-second survey to let me know your personal priorities for our town It also contains useful information on my campaign as well as my contact information Thank you for your consideration for Fourth Ward Alderman Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company. Both seniors set new career highs in scoring as they finished with 21 points each and Fontana matched her career bests with 11 boards and four three-pointers made Argentina native also recorded three blocks and had one steal with one assist Kelsey Thompson chipped in 11 points with five rebounds and four assists while En’Dya Buford finished the night with eight points The Chanticleers (21-7, 11-6 Sun Belt) led 20-18 at the end of the first, but the Monarchs (17-13, 9-8) took over with a 30-point second quarter. After CCU’s Kristin Williams made three free throws to put the hosts up 27-23, Sarah Hammack Fitzgerald went 1-for-2 at the line and Thompson hit a jumper to put ODU ahead Nearly two minutes later, Hama’ya Fielder knocked down a three from the right wing to even the game at 33-33. After a bucket by Coastal’s Anaya Barney, Cunningham went 1-for-2 at the line, Mariah Clayton converted both of her free throws and Fielder sank another shot from the perimeter to made it a 39-35 Monarch lead A Savannah Brooks layup trimmed ODU’s lead to 43-39 but Fontana made a three-pointer and Clayton added two free throws with one second left as the Monarchs led 48-39 at the break Old Dominion carried that momentum into the second half. Another two deep balls from Fontana and one by Simaru Fields pushed the lead to 20 Neither side scored for over two minutes late in the quarter but Thompson earned a trip to the charity stripe and made both of her shots and a Cunningham layup beat the buzzer as ODU took a 70-48 advantage into the final 10 minutes Coastal Carolina put together an 8-0 run midway through the fourth to trim ODU’s lead to 73-60 with 4:28 left in the game Dawson Jemerson scored a basket to make it 75-62 with just over three minutes remaining but the Monarch defense held the Chants scoreless until the final 20 seconds when Emilia Tenbrock completed an and-one opportunity to round out the scoring The Monarchs held the lead for nearly 25 and a half minutes and shot 27-for-69 (39.1%) from the floor) and turned 11 Coastal turnovers into 19 points ODU concludes the regular season this Friday at Georgia Southern Tipoff at Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center is scheduled for 5 p.m This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page « Back AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Fontana offering the city's fastest upload and download speeds by a mile AT&T Fiber includes equipment for free and doesn't automatically raise your rates after a year or two fiber internet is available to 20% of Fontana households AT&T Fiber is the only fiber provider in the city.  Spectrum is Fontana's cheapest internet provider offering plans starting at just $30 per month for 100Mbps download speeds AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Fontana with upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps.  AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Fontana It offers the fastest speeds and customer-friendly perks like free equipment and unlimited data Plans start from $55 and go up to $245 a month for the 5 gig plan there is a huge downside: data from the Federal Communications Commission shows that AT&T Fiber is currently available to only 20% of Fontana residents This means if you're not part of that 20% you're not going to be able to get the best ISP their speeds are slower and more prone to congestion compared with cable or fiber Matt Gush/Getty ImagesHow to find internet deals and promotions in FontanaThe best internet deals and top promotions in Fontana depend on what discounts are available during a given time but we look frequently for the latest offers.  such as T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time run the same standard pricing year-round.   For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide to the best internet deals.  Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed service and performance vary by connection type For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page offering the city's fastest upload and download speeds by a mile AT&T Fiber includes equipment for free and doesn't automatically raise your rates after a year or two AT&T Fiber is the only fiber provider in the city.  Spectrum is Fontana's cheapest internet provider with upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps.  which is made up of six libraries across Macon is governed by an agreement signed in 2013 heated debates in Macon County about the need for a politically “neutral” library resulted in the county commissioners proposing a new regional agreement for the Fontana Regional Library System the issue will return to the commissioners’ desks as they review a new version of the regional agreement at their monthly meeting Macon County Commissioners sent a new proposed regional agreement to the other two counties in November 2023 The agreement needed to be approved by Swain and Jackson Counties boards of commissioners as well as the Fontana Regional Library Board in order to be changed The local libraries in Western North Carolina make books available to patrons but also offer many more services such as access to computers Much of the debate about the regional agreement focused on what would happen if the regional library system was to be disbanded. These discussions came to a head in  April 2023 when Macon County commissioners voted on whether or not to leave the library system “It was unanimously agreed that the regional agreement is beneficial to all three counties and their citizens but improvement is needed in the areas of parental empowerment and governance of the Fontana Regional Library System,” Chairman Paul Higdon said Higdon said the new agreement would focus on giving parents greater ability to set restrictions over what materials their minor children can check out and reevaluating the structure and authority of the local library boards and the regional board Children under the age of eight are not allowed to be in the library without supervision under the library’s safe child policy Anyone under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian sign to receive a library card Jackson and Swain County leaders discussed the agreement over the last year In January 2024 Jackson County commissioners expressed concerns about some of the changes in the regional agreement They also discussed whether changes should be made without directly discussing the document with the other two counties and the Fontana Regional Board Commissioner Todd Byson recommended at the January meeting that the three counties meet together “I don’t know how we do this but wouldn’t it be smarter if we could have like a joint meeting or something with the county Because if we pass something here and then we send it back it’s just going to drag on and on and on,” Bryson said Jackson County Attorney John Kubis told the county commissioners that he had met with the Swain County attorney to go over the agreement He said they agreed that all parties should be present to discuss the regional agreement Representatives from all three counties and the FRL were invited to a joint meeting on May 29 Kubis said that it was not a public meeting. Each commission sent just two commissioners, keeping any board from forming a quorum, Smoky Mountain News reported.  Jackson and Swain County Commissioners approved an updated version of the agreement Jackson County Commissioner Mark Jones said that he had previously not been in support of the new revision but that he was happy with the changes that had been made It’s a meeting in the middle to do what is best for our counties and the surrounding counties,” Chairman Mark Letson said the Fontana Regional Library Board approved the new version of the regional agreement that was sent by Jackson and Swain Fontana Library Board Chair Margaret Carton shared the new draft at the meeting “It's been a process and I think it really started to move forward more rapidly when all three counties got together Tracy and I all got in a room together and walked through the agreement,” Carton said at the meeting Carton also thanked Regional Library Director Tracy Fitzmaurice for her work at the meeting in a video shared with BPR by a community member and confirmed in the board's minutes then the library system would continue to operate under the current agreement The amended agreement states that the agreement needed to be reapproved because it had been a decade since it was signed The document automatically rolls over if it is not updated the regional agreement rolled over and is good for another decade until 2033 The board approved the revised resolution unanimously What does the new amended regional agreement say One of the most significant amendments in the document was who could be appointed to the Fontana Regional Library Board board members were chosen directly from each county library board who are appointed by county commissioners In the revised document sent by Macon County county commissioners will also directly appoint the regional board members There was not a requirement for previously serving on the local library board The version on the agenda removed the ability to appoint members from the community at large The new document also reinstates public comment with no less than 3 minutes allowed per speaker The comment period will be limited to 30 minutes It removed the previous stipulation by Macon County that the board chair would have to answer direct questions in the meeting In March 2023 the Fontana Regional Library board ended public comment at its meetings The board said that public comment was not required in its by-laws after heated public comments at their meetings “We feel that we have a lot of things to do and actually we are a governing board and we just need to move forward without the public session,” then-Board Chair Ellen Snodgrass said in the meeting “Because we can’t address public comment but we can address written correspondence,” Fitzmaurice explained The agreement states that the facilities of each library are owned by each respective county but the resources and equipment inside the library are owned by the Fontana Regional Library System (with the exception of the Hudson Library in Highlands) It also updates the language around disbanding the three county partnership to allow two counties to agree to leave the system The November 2023 draft regional agreement sent by Macon County also updated the mission of the library and how much each county would fund the library Here’s how the revised agreement amends that: “Each county will pay the Fontana Regional Library an adequate amount of money necessary for the Fontana Regional Library to carry out its primary mission of providing the public of Jackson and Swain counties with excellent service and convenient access to resources for their educational These funds will allow the Fontana Regional Library to pay for library materials and for operating expenses for libraries within that county Funds from each county will also be used to contribute to joint operations.” This article has been updated for accuracy Portrait of Antonietta Gonzales (around 1595) by Lavinia FontanaCourtesy of Rob Smeets Old Master Paintings One of Europe’s first professional women artists the Bolognese painter Lavinia Fontana was known for her empathetic portraits of women and children She sensitively depicted Antonietta Gonzales a rare genetic condition that causes excessive hair growth Antonietta’s father Petrus had been a figure of fascination from childhood in the courts of Henry II of France and the Duke of Parma and his children were bestowed on European nobles as curiosities In the portrait Antonietta holds a letter identifying her as the ward of Isabella Pallavicini which surfaced from a French collection in 2023 is believed to be the prototype for a copy in the collection of the Château Royal de Blois It was acquired by Japan’s National Museum of Western Art from Rob Smeets Old Master Paintings Bronze Age Peebles Hoard© National Museums Scotland In 2020 a metal detectorist stumbled across a buried collection of Bronze Age artefacts near Peebles in the Scottish Borders The Peebles Hoard was excavated and analysed by experts from National Museums Scotland (NMS) and the Treasure Trove Unit revealing more than 500 bronze and organic pieces dating to around 1000BC-800BC Among the artefacts that have been identified so far are two rattle pendants that would have hung from a horse or wooden vehicle—the first known examples in Scotland consistent with ancient objects in Denmark Germany and Poland—and a sword still in its wooden scabbard will fundraise for further research and conservation Abyssinian Queen (2024) by YatredaCourtesy of the artists The Toledo Museum of Art used the cryptocurrency USD Coin to acquire an NFT from the family artist collective Yatreda the museum’s 2024 digital artist in residence Yatreda makes digital work that evokes a longing for the past Abyssinian Queen is part of a series of four NFTs that was displayed in the museum’s Ethiopia at the Crossroads exhibition it imagines the journey of a queen from the Abyssinian Empire carried by her people in slow-motion monochrome has likened the group’s blockchain-based art to “carving our legends into digital stone” gallery3 March 2020Top five museum acquisitions of the monthOur pick of the latest gifts and purchases to enter international museum collections—from a pot by an African-American slave to the earliest depiction of Highland dress After more than two years of heated debates Jackson and Swain counties have a new agreement for their regional library system Macon County became the last signatory to a new agreement for the Fontana Regional Library System already signed by leaders from Swain and Jackson counties The new agreement outlines protocols for public comment Almost exactly a year after Macon County Commissioners sent an updated agreement for the regional library system to be reviewed by the other county boards the agreement made its way back to Franklin It was a quiet commission meeting with only three public speakers in total and only two who mentioned the library Macon County resident Scott Base spoke about the need to move forward with the neighboring counties All we’ve got to do is put Macon County on there and let’s get this done for the next 10 years,” Base said “We didn’t get everything that we asked for but I think we got a lot and I think the changes that they made to what we asked for were pretty reasonable I think we can move ahead with this and get this behind us.” Matt Holland with Macon County Young Progressive Voters was clear there was no discussion from commissioners Commissioner Danny Antoine spoke as the liaison to the Macon County Library to recommend that commissioners sign the new agreement I would like to make a motion to enter into the terms of that agreement,” Antoine said The new agreement sets up a regular mechanism for public comment at all Fontana Regional Library Board meetings The new agreement also reinstates public comment with no less than 3 minutes allowed per speaker The agreement removed the stipulation by Macon County in Nov 2023 that the board chair would have to answer direct questions in the meeting Amendments to the library board’s policies will now be approved by all three county commission boards - as well as the library board Macon County’s previous revision removed the library as a voting party but that was removed in the approved agreement If a participating local government wants to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library System “in accordance with NCAC 07 02I .0308” it must give written notice on or before July 1 to the Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees If a government removes itself from the system its library resources will revert back to the library system while the county-owned buildings and property will remain with the county There are some exceptions to these rules for fixtures purchased by local Friends of the Library organizations as well as for the Hudson Library in Highlands which owns all of its resources and property as a nonprofit UPDATE AT 12:55 PM — The incident is now being investigated as a fatal traffic accident (VVNG.com) — A SigAlert was issued on Wednesday morning following the overturn of a big rig on the westbound 210 freeway in Fontana The incident occurred around 9:26 am on January 8 on the transition road from the 210 to the southbound I-15 freeway California Highway Patrol (CHP) incident logs report that the semi overturned resulting in the driver becoming trapped inside San Bernardino County Fire units responded to the scene and confirmed that extrication was necessary to safely remove the driver from the cab SB County Fire said extrication was complete and a single patient was transported to a local trauma center in “grave condition” obstructing both lanes of the transition road CalTrans was called to establish a hard closure to facilitate the situation A SigAlert was officially issued for the westbound 210 to southbound I-15 connector as well as for the southbound I-15 to eastbound I-210 connector; the duration of the closure is currently unknown CHP received reports of a second tractor-trailer overturning in the same vicinity the driver was able to self-extricate without sustaining any injuries The California Highway Patrol Inland Division is conducting the investigation into these incidents believed to have been painted between 1580 and 1590 Courtesy of Strawberry Hill House & Garden An exquisite oil on copper miniature recently attributed to the 16th-century Italian artist Lavinia Fontana is to go on display this week at Strawberry Hill House It marks a remarkable and unexpected return of the work to the historic home it left nearly 200 years ago which depicts a noblewoman in gold-embroidered finery against a blue background was discovered last year at an auction in Texas by Nick Cox the founder of the UK dealership Period Portraits It was offered unattributed as part of a group but certain aspects led Cox to believe it was by Fontana the Bolognese painter widely considered Europe’s first professional woman artist and acclaimed for her richly detailed portraits of noblewomen and religious scenes was the similarity of the sitter’s costume to those in the artist’s large-scale painting The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon the National Gallery of Ireland’s curator of Italian and Spanish Art who organised a major survey of Fontana’s work in 2023 “Upon receiving photographs of the painting I immediately recognised a number of characteristics associated with Fontana’s portraiture and her clothing and accessories (including the ornate sprig-like hairpin decorated with pearls that appears in so many of her portraits of women),” Brady tells The Art Newspaper “I was able to confirm my views [when examining] the work in person: the brushwork is consistent with her manner in painting miniatures on copper using tiny parallel strokes to model flesh tones skilfully applied impasto to imitate the texture of lace and embroidery.” The curator adds that it “appears to originate from the final decades of the 1500s” and is “one of a substantial group of portrait miniatures painted on copper executed by the artist from the early phases of her career“ Fontana was introduced to the medium by the Flemish painter Denys Calvaert Walpole, as well as the author of the first Gothic novel The Castle of Otranto (1764), was an avid art historian, and paperwork shows he had attributed the work to the Italian painter Bronzino, a contemporary of Fontana. He ascribed the sitter, meanwhile, as Bianca Capello, the Grand Duchess consort of Tuscany and wife of Francesco I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Like his attribution to Bronzino, Walpole’s claim that the work—which left the collection in 1842—depicts Capello is likely untrue, says Silvia Davoli, Strawberry Hill’s artistic director. It presumably derives, according to Davoli, from Walpole’s “obsession” with the drama of Capello’s life: a noblewoman from Venice, she became Francesco de' Medici’s mistress, married him, then died from suspected poisoning by Francesco’s brother, Ferdinando. “The story had all the Gothic elements to appeal to his imagination,” Davoli continues; indeed, the character Bianca in The Castle of Otranto is believed to have been named after Capello. Capello is also connected to Walpole's invention of the word serendipity, related to the writer's finding a fleur-de-lis—a Medici symbol—when researching Capello’s coat of arms, an unexpected nod to her connection to the family. A drawing of a cabinet owned by Horace Walpole created by the architect and antiquary John Carter in around 1790. The Fontana miniature is shown in the bottom right Cox, meanwhile, is working with a researcher in Rome to look into the sitter, and “hopes to reveal” the results by the time the London exhibition closes. Cox says he is hoping to find an institutional buyer for the portrait, which he explains he has ascribed a value to. “Let's see whether that would be matched by an institution and then they're most welcome to have it,” he says. Would Strawberry Hill House be interested in acquiring it? “We would love to,” Davoli says, adding that an appeal has been launched to try to raise the funds. “Usually I’m more keen on furniture and bigger paintings, but in this particular case, the object is really charged with an important narrative event, and it can help us visualise aspects of Walpole’s collecting and taste and interests, which are important for the story of Strawberry Hill.” preview27 April 2023How Lavinia Fontana went from ‘prospect’ to first professional woman artistAn exhibition of the 16th-century Italian painter at the National Gallery of Ireland tells the story of her unique circumstances and reveals the results of a recently restored work news16 December 2022‘We went from having two Cézannes to three’: x-ray of still life painting reveals hidden portraitOn a hunch a conservator at the Cincinnati Art Museum had an early Cézanne still life scanned using x-ray imaging which showed a painted-over portrait by the Modern master news23 November 2015The least studied aspect of a closet liberal: Jonathan Brown on GoyaSet in the context of their times Goya’s portraits finally get the attention they deserve