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The Redlands City Council has approved the “Big Bear” Marathon, to take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026. According to its October 6 agenda, runners will start at 5:30 or 6 a.m., above the Seven Oaks Dam; half-marathoners will start at Mountain Home Village. Both will run down Highway 38, which course is entirely within Mentone’s zip code. However, the City Council’s agenda says “The final miles take runners through the streets of Redlands, all the while continuing a strong downhill slope to the finish line at the Redlands Sports Park.” Runners will turn North on Opal Avenue, in downtown Mentone, along San Bernardino Avenue to Dearborn. The description omits that Highway 38 runs through Mentone territory and is the only throughway from Mountain Home to Mentone’s end at Wabash. MM wonders if Redlands already considers all of Mentone to be in its city limits.

The description further states: “Highway 38 – valley of the Falls Dr/MP 4.95 to MP 9.50
○ Starting at the intersection of Hwy 38 and Valley of the Falls Dr. to MP 9.50 half
marathon runners will occupy the shoulder and the westbound lane from 6:00 to
6:45AM. A line of cones will be placed on the westbound shoulder line, and another
line of cones will be placed down the center line. From 6:00 AM to 6:45 AM
Westbound vehicles will be held in 15 min intervals at Valley of the Falls Dr. and
Hwy 38. At 6:00 AM one CI–IP officer will take the first train of vehicles Westbound
to the Pilot car system that begins at MP 9.50. He will then continue to his post in
Redlands. Beginning at 6:30 AM, TMI pilot cars will take the waiting Westbound
traffic to the Pilot car system. They will travel in the Eastbound lane until reaching the
officer at MP 9.5. If needed, TMI will use the Westbound lane and travel slowly
behind/alongside runners. This process will repeat itself every fifteen minutes until
6:45 AM.
“○ Beginning at 7:15 AM, all half marathon runners still on this stretch (if any) will be
instructed to vacate the westbound lane and run on the shoulder of Hwy 38 until they
reach the pilot car system at MP 9.5.
“○ All full marathon runners will remain in the westbound shoulder only (no lane
encroachment) once they reach the Valley of the Falls Dr intersection. The CHP
officer stationed at that intersection will verbally remind the full marathon runners to remain in the shoulder rather than the westbound lane beginning at that point.
“○ Runners will be in this stretch from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

“MP 9.50 (Marathon Mile 19) to Hwy 38 and Garnet St
“○ Starting MP 9.50, the Westbound side of the road will be closed to vehicular traffic.
Cones will be placed on the double yellow lines. A pilot escort operation will be
deployed in the Eastbound lane. Officers will be staged at MP 9.50 and Hwy 38 and
Garnet street for pilot car operation. For approximately four miles, runners will occupy
the entire Westbound lane. The lane will remain a full closure until the shoulder
widens at Garnet St.
“○ *PLEASE NOTE: The pilot car operation will be in effect from 6:00 AM to 12:00
PM. Their staging point will be MP 9.50 and the intersection of Garnet St and 38. The
slowest runner will be through the pilot car stretch by 12:00 PM.
“● Garnet St to Opal Ave
“○ The Runners will then occupy the shoulder and lane encroachment equal to 12 feet of
paved surface until turning right (North) on Opal Ave. While the runners are on the
shoulder and encroachment, East and Westbound traffic will be open. Cones will be
placed 12 feet from the Westbound paved edge to separate runners from traffic, and a
separate line of delineators will be placed in the middle of the road creating an East
and a Westbound lane.
“○ Runners will be in this stretch from 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM.
“● Opal Ave
“○ From 7:05 AM to 12:32 PM runners will occupy the Western most side of the road
(Southbound Traffic), up to 12 feet of paved surface. Cones will be placed 10-12 feet
from the Southbound paved edge to separate runners from traffic, and a separate line
of delineators will be placed in the middle of the road creating a North and
Southbound lane.
“○ TMI will close the Northbound lane of Opal Ave from Nice Ave to Hwy 38. This will
help eliminate Northbound acceleration lane traffic from crossing the runners path as
they cross Opal on Hwy 38. Closure will start from 6:50 AM to I PM .CHP will
manage the intersection.
“○ Runners will be in the section from 7:05 AM to 12:32 PM
“● East San Bernardino Ave from Opal Ave to Wabash Ave.
“○ From 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM runners will occupy the full Westbound lane. Cones will be
placed on the center line to separate runners from Eastbound traffic. Eastbound Traffic
will not be affected. Flaggers or staff will be placed at access points on the South side
of E. San Bernardino Ave to ensure traffic only turns East. An officer will be stationed
at Opal Ave and E. San Bernardino Ave to help runners turn West onto E. San
Bernardino and to detour vehicles away from Westbound travel on E. San Bernardino
Ave.
“○ Runners will be in the section from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.”

The Marathon is managed by the Brooksee Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Highland, Utah. The agenda further states: “According to the Brooksee Foundation, the anticipated attendance for the annual REVEL Big Bear Marathon event is approximately 3,000 attendees.”

The City Council’s agenda further notifies that: “In the weeks leading up to the event, all residents and businesses located in the surrounding areas will receive an EDDM (Every Door Direct Mailer) postcard in the mail. This mailer explains all traffic control plans, delays, and other issues in relation to the event. It also lists our contact information and invites the public to reach out with questions or concerns.” MM wonders if any of Mentone’s questions or concerns about using its main ingress/egress would make any difference, such as switching the race to inconvenience Yucaipa, instead. MM

Three portions of Mentone’s historic area are being sold and apparently developed, MM learned recently. Redlands’ Resolution No. 8748 referenced connecting water and sewer to seven parcels, bordered on the north by Florence Avenue, on the south by Nice, and on the west by Turquoise Avenue. The registered owners, who are nameless in County records, give an address in Menifee, CA.

Another apparent development is north of Mentone, bordered by Opal on the west, Topaz on the east and abandoned “Carlsbad” and “Baden” streets on the south and north, respectively. These parcels are east of the Redlands Municipal Airport. The County Assessor’s records provide no name for ownership and a Los Angeles address. “Redlands’ 1956 annexation of Mentone territory went up Wabash to what is now the south side of the Redlands airport runway; then Redlands proceeded east through Mentone’s Section 7 and annexed Mill Creek almost to Bryant in Yucaipa. The ‘strip’ Redlands used in order to take over that part of Mentone was illegal in length and width, according to then-existing law,” provided attorney Joyce Caraway.

According to the Redlands Community News’ Facebook page, Redlands is selling “some of its surplus property” – the somewhat-triangle-shaped area between Mentone Boulevard and Mill Creek Road, measuring 4.67 acres and bordered by Amethyst on the west – to Sartin Properties, LLC, located in Redlands, for $300,000. In the Purchase and Sale Agreement, Sartin promised to retain it as agricultural because of its zoning. One realtor objected to the low sale price of the property, stating that each acre “in that area” should go for “$80,000 to $100,000.” The City Council approved the sale for the agreed amount. MM

The Redlands Bicycle Classic, scheduled for April 8-11, apparently will bypass Mentone. According to its website, at least three of the four races will go up through Oak Glen, down Sand Canyon to Dearborn and then over to the Sports Park on San Bernardino Road, bypassing Mentone’s main road, Highway 38.

MM reached out to the organization earlier in March, as to whether the fourth race will impact Mentone, but was ignored. As to the main races, Mentone residents can apparently breathe a sigh of relief that their ingress onto the two-lane Mill Creek/Mentone Boulevard, especially on Saturday, April 11, will not be impeded by bicycles/riders and bystanders/well-wishers.

Other upcoming events include:

“Cowboy Bingo” on May 8, from 12-4, at Mill Creek Cattle Company to benefit Angel’s Closet at Redlands East Valley High School, and Casino Night, September 17, at Mill Creek Cattle Company. More Casino Night details will be forthcoming.

According to a recent Redlands City Council agenda, the City is in escrow with the Sartin family on a parcel of land between Mill Creek Road and Mentone Boulevard, bordered by Amethyst and Garnet. The latter party plans to develop it – despite its statement in the contract of sale that the land would remain agricultural. This provides more Redlands city limits east of Mentone’s downtown.

“Redlands cannot annex all of Mentone, unless it comprises less than 150 acres,” stated Joyce Caraway, who assists C.O.M.E.T. in its quest to keep Mentone out of Redlands. “By law, the entire Mentone area must be annexed, if anything,” she added. “If the entire Mentone area is over 150 acres, Mentonites can vote to stay out of Redlands. However, Redlands’ demanded annexations nibble away at Mentone’s borders and decrease Mentone’s total area, year by year. If 50% of the property’s owners object to annexation, by law LAFCO has to deny Redlands’ demand, ” she concluded. MM

Mentone Matters previously reported the closing of Wilbur’s Power Equipment in October 2025. From Emmerson-Bartlett Mortuary’s website:

“Wilbur Earl Purvis

“April 12, 1934 — February 9, 2026

“Mentone

“Wilbur Earl Purvis went home to be with the Lord on February 9, 2026, with his beloved wife of 71 years by his side.

“Wilbur was born on April 12, 1934, in Springfield, Missouri, to Earl and Delpha Purvis. He was the youngest of six children. At three years old, his family moved to Mentone, California, where he would spend the rest of his life building a legacy that will live on for generations.

“He attended Crafton Elementary, Redlands Junior High, and Redlands High School. Not long after, he married the love of his life, June and raised three children together.

“Wilbur served in the Air Force Reserve and worked at Norton Air Force Base and March Air Force Base. From the time he was young, he had a natural gift for mechanics and a love of fixing engines. In 1963, he turned that passion into Wilbur’s Outboard Motor Repair, later known as Wilbur’s Outdoor Power Equipment. Side by side Wilbur and June owned and operated the business for over six decades, serving their community together until its closing in October 2025.

“Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, his beloved son, Thomas E. Purvis, and his son-in-law, Harry Leest.

“He leaves behind his devoted wife, June; his daughters, Diana Leest and Beverly (Dale) Snyder; his sister, Bernice; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

“His hands built and repaired many things in this life — but his greatest work was the family he loved so deeply. He was an amazing husband, father, and grandpa/papa. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

“Services will be held at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel 703 Brookside Ave. Redlands, CA 92373 February 28th, 2026 at 11am 

“To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilbur Earl Purvis, please visit our flower store.

“Memorial Service

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Starts at 11:00 am (Pacific time)

Add to Calendar

Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel FD#698

703 Brookside Ave, Redlands, CA 92373”

Mentone Matters appreciates Emmerson-Bartlett’s permission to republish their obituary. Many condolences to June and the rest of the family. mm

Mentone Matters is always interested in local news, so send it to MentoneMatters@aol.com. Thank you. MM

Angel’s Closet provides for the underserved High School students. mm

Happy Thanksgiving! mm

According to the Yucaipa News-Mirror,

“Mentone International Film festival draws global talent

“The Mentone Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 International Film Festival on Nov. 8–9, celebrating films from around the world in an event that doubled in attendance from previous years.

“Film blocks began at noon each day, kicking off with the crime drama “Obsession” From music videos and French and Italian films to short films highlighting the preservation of Indigenous culture, the festival attracted more than 70 attendees eager to explore the global world of short filmmaking.

“One notable winner was director and writer Pat Battistini, creator of the Ms. Rossi series. The festival featured “Ms. Rossi 3: Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob,” a short comedic Italian film in which the title character finds herself in a series of humorous misadventures. While Battistini was unable to attend, he remains a well-known favorite at Mentone’s film festivals.

“Angie Grisafe-Delarosa, representing the Mentone Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the event’s success.

‘This festival has taken a giant leap forward this year. Many of the film directors and actors responded and they attended. The public attendance, though still a bit scant, doubled from the past years,’ Grisafe-Delarosa said.

‘The Portuguese American Club gave us the opportunity to make an intimate theater atmosphere with curtains and soft lighting. The celebrities, Trish Cook, for one, executive producer of ‘Forsaken’ starring Kiefer and Donald Sutherland; ‘The Humanity Bureau’s’ Nic Cage; Kathy Garver (Cissy on ‘Family Affair’); Emjay Anthony (‘Chef’ and ‘Bad Moms’), and many other recognized filmmakers.’

“The Orange Reel Award Winners are as follows:

• Animal: “Wolf Mountain” — Tom Porter

• Animation: “Figure Fighter Falky” — Anthony Guardado Rayme

• Comedy: “Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob” — Pat Battistini

• Christian: “Emmanuel” — J.A. Williams

• Crime: “Obsession” — Sara Troudt

• Drama: “Nice to Meet You” — Kim Acquarelli

• Drama: “Nice to Meet You” — Dare Taylor

• Family Friendly: “Elf Off the Shelf”— Sara Troudt

• Horror: “The Spoiled” — James E. Morley III

• Indigenous: “Boojara” — Hugh Sando

• Short: “Amazing Otters” — Tom Porter

• Long: “Stop the War on Wildlife” — Randal Massaro

• Music: “Walk With Me Through the Fire” — K.K. Hammond

• Romance: “Ram’s Head” — Casey Lee Ball

• Student (Redlands East Valley): “Terror of Weswick Beginning” — Jesse Marcoux

• Sci-Fi: “Eclipsed Hearts” — Brian Shakti

• Women Centered: “Jade Earrings of the Last Empress” — Marlin Darrah

• Second Award – “Women Centered: Jade Earrings of the Last Empress” — Lin Zuo

• Distinctive Music Video: “Time Traveler” — Paul Gervasi

• Documentary: “When Help Isn’t Enough” — Jason Simpson

• Second Award – Documentary: “When Help Isn’t Enough” — Shannon Buckley

• Special Recognition: City of Lake Elsinore — “When Help Isn’t Enough”

• Best Photo: “Whiskey Bar” — Alycia Estwick

• Outstanding Achievement – Mobile Filmmaking: “Alone” — Allison Eva Whelan

“As the final credits rolled, with laughter and applause for films across the globe, the festival proved that the love of film can turn any corner of the world into stages for imagination.”

MM was unable to attend the Festival due a conflict and thanks the News-Mirror for use of its 11/13/2025 article.

According to Ariel Solis of the office of Senator Ochoa-Bogh, SNAP stops as of November 1. She added that the Senator’s website gives “resources to fill in until the federal government opens up again: Homepage | Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, which details “community resources like food banks to help ease this financial burden.” mm

At the COMET/Chamber meeting on Tuesday, 10/28, Scott Ward from Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s office shared that Yucaipa has a no-kill shelter “situated just over the hill. It’s Yucaipa Animal Placement Society or YAPS and can be reached online at:

https://www.yaps.org/

Here’s the link for information on the county’s spay/neuter voucher program: https://animalcare.sbcounty.gov/animal-sterilization-assistance-program/.

The vouchers cover $200 for dogs and $100 for cats,” he concluded. mm