At the MACA meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, the CHP officer stated that “it’s that time of year again,” meaning that proms are coming up and the CHP’s program to warn students about drinking and driving will be held on April 3-5, 2020 at Redlands East Valley High School in Mentone. The program takes 20 students, who act the part of having been drinking and involved in an accident, complete with helicopter taking the “injured” to the hospital, he added.
Other news he provided was that during January there were seven collisions in Mentone, at least one alcohol-related, and one was a hit-and-run. Also, on December 29, an officer was sitting on the Boulevard with his radar gun when someone sped downhill (Ed.’s note: “surprise!”) and the officer activated his lights and siren, preparing to make a U-turn to pursue the speeder. At that same time, said the office, someone decided to pass the Patrol car, crashing into it.
The CHP officer also provided the non-emergency number for the CHP: 909-428-5400, for non-life-threatening events. Officers will come right away. Of course, if you see a reckless driver, please use 911.
He also reported about a wrong-way driver on the 210 the night before: a woman who apparently was under the influence made a u-turn in the median somewhere about Cherry in Fontana and officers pursued her to Greenspot, where they utilized a pit maneuver and finally took her into custody.
The radar trailer audience members had been asking for has been available occasionally to catch speeders, he added. Only three vehicles can tow it from the headquarters in Muscoy and they can’t leave it out all day. It is used primarily for commuter traffic on the Boulevard.
An audience member reported that he sees many cars coming down the Boulevard early in the morning – 5-7 a.m., talking on their phones. The officer replied that it takes community pressure – in other words – more than one resident – to get action.
Another audience member asked about paper license plates; the officer said they can be run as to whether they belong to that vehicle or not and if they see an older vehicle with paper plates they may stop it for information as to whether it belongs to that vehicle or not.
Other MACA news:
Leonette DiMuro reported that a Mentone Incorporation Committee has been set up to study both the feasibility of a Community Services District, in which Mentone would stay incorporated but be more of an entity than it is now. DiMuro is the chair of the committee, which will also study how to incorporate when Mentone is removed from Redlands’ “Sphere of Influence.” She solicited “bullet points” of reasons why Mentonites like to live here. Readers may submit theirs to michael_dimuro@juno.com.
Angie DeLaRosa stated that the Assembly is soliciting nominations for “Distinguished Woman” of the community. She has the forms at Noteworthy Realty, 191 1 Mentone Boulevard. And, she added, Adopt-A-Highway is scheduled four times a year, the next three in April, July and October.
The western movie to be filmed in Mentone was mentioned again; interested persons – from actors to behind-the-scenes work, in short, anybody and everybody – can apply at Mentonefilmfestival.org, under “Contact us.”
The Chili Cookoff will be moved from August to the 133rd anniversary of Mentone’s first development map being filed on June 13, to celebrate the anniversary as well as tasting everyone’s chili. The chilis are submitted in crockpots and, as usual, there will be prizes awarded. Sandals Church, 1325 Amethyst, will host the event, with sufficient parking and inside restrooms. More information will be available in future months.
MACA – Mentone Area Community Association – meets the second Tuesday of every month except December at 6:30 p.m. in the Mill Creek Cattle Company, in Diamond Jim’s Saloon. Parking is available behind the Saloon if the front parking lot is full. All residents are welcome to attend and learn what’s going on in their community and ask questions. MM