Category: News

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

If you need to contact the Chamber for anything, here is their card. mm

HERE WE GO, AGAIN!

If you haven’t received this yet, hang on – you probably will.

It seems that, whenever Redlands wants to do anything that involves streets, they ignore their own and use Mentone’s and others, instead. What would happen if they scheduled this on some of Redlands’ streets, instead? What would happen if the route were to turn on Bryant and impact Yucaipa, instead? It wouldn’t happen in either community; of the three, only Mentone gets inconvenienced this way.

Mentone does not want to be in Redlands and does not need or want its streets, particularly its main thoroughfare, treated as though it were part of Redlands, for only Redlands’ benefit.

Other affected communities may have their say to the contrary but this one says Redlands: “stay out.” mm

Ariel Solis, the Senator’s aide, Senator Rosalicie Ochoa-Bogh provided this information to the Chamber: “I am reaching out to personally invite you and the rest of the chamber to the Senator’s Redlands and Mentone Town Hall happening on November 10^th at 6:30pm!

“We would be so honored if you attended. This town hall is fast approaching so please feel free to share this information to anyone who may be interested. If you or someone else has any questions, don’t hesitate to email me or give me a call at 909-335-0271.”

Since the location was not listed in the message, this writer called the number provided and elicited the information that the town hall will be held at the Redlands Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka, Redlands.