Local Informant 01

05/26/2026

05.26.26
Banning , CA

Today, three filled signature boxes were delivered to the City of Banning to be tallied for the Sunset Crossroads referendum.

Each petition has to have a minimum of 1,900 valid signatures . The referendums submitted today had over 7,500 signatures all together .
This includes :

* Referendum against City Ordinance 1618- 2,538 signatures
* Referendum against City Ordinance 1619 - 2,530 signatures
* Referendum against City Ordinance 1620 - 2,525 signatures

The San Gorgonio Pass Alliance say’s, “ this effort was powered entirely by local volunteers , residents and community supporters throughout the city over the past 26 days. “

Under California law, the City now has up to 30 working days to verify the petition signatures. If certified as sufficient, the Sunset Crossroads matter must return to the Banning City Council, which then faces two options:

1. Repeal the ordinances approving the Sunset Crossroads development
2. Place the issue before Banning voters in a citywide election.

When the signatures are validated and a number is given , I will update . It can takes days or weeks .

Last picture from left to right -
Tara Hagye, Kathleen Dale, and Gerry Phelps. All three Co Founders of San Gorgonio Pass Alliance . Sharing with permission

Here is their website -
https://sgpassalliance.org

Also City of Banning Sunset Crossroads Specific Plan website along with the ordinances 1618,1619,1620
https://banningca.gov/762/Sunset-Crossroads-Specific-Plan

05/26/2026

05.26.26
Banning , CA

Today the City of Banning held the Sun Lakes Boulevard extension ground breaking ceremony. The ceremony was held at S Highland Home Rd and Sun Lakes Blvd at 10 am and was hosted by City council members and representatives.

The Sun Lakes Boulevard extension will close the gap from Highland Homes Rd all the way to Sunset Blvd . It’ll ease traffic from Highland Springs , enhance public safety, provide sidewalks and bike lanes for pedestrians.

Per the city’s website , the Estimated cost is 30 million with Funding from :

RCTC MARA - $13.5 million
WRCOG TUMD - $12.0 million
Local Funding - $4.5 million
Construction Period – 18 Months

If you’d like to read more on the project you can check out this link :
banning.ca.us/928/Sun-Lakes-Blvd-Extension

Or you can watch a YouTube video done by The City of Banning’s Mayor Richard Royce .

https://youtu.be/31ARTf8e6Ro?si=ILK4iqt9JD4qelDz

05/25/2026

Update , press release copy and pasted

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, homicide investigators were informed of human remains found in the Warner Springs, CA area near Highway 79 and Highway 371 (San Diego County). Homicide investigators and the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office responded to process the scene. On Sunday, May 24,2026, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office positively identified the human remains as Francisco Torres.

Based on the investigation and evidence gathered by homicide investigators, this case has been changed from a missing person investigation to a homicide investigation.
Homicide investigators have identified Arnett as a suspect in Torres' disappearance and death. No other suspects were identified in this case. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Hernandez at (951) 955- 2777 or Southwest Station Investigator Mills at (951) 696-3000.

05.15.26
Temecula , CA

Press release issued by RSO

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, about 7:00 a.m., investigators from the Southwest Station began investigating the disappearance of 61-year-old Frank Torres, a resident of Pauma Valley. Torres was reported missing by his family members on May 12, 2026. During the investigation, investigators located Torres’ vehicle abandoned near a local park in Temecula. Based on suspicious circumstances, investigators trom the Central Homicide Unit were notified and assumed the investigation.

Homicide investigators identitied 66-year-old Derek Arnett as a person who was wanted for questioning in Torres’ disappearance.

Investigators located Arnett in his vehicle in the area of Wolt Valley Road and Wolt Valley Creek Drive in Temecula. The vehicle stopped in a parking lot off of Pechanga Parkway. Believing Arnett may have a weapon, the Riverside Sheriff’s Emergency Services Team responded to assist. When deputies contacted Arnett, they noticed he had injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies attempted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.
Arnett was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.

Torres has not been located. The investigation is still ongoing, and no other information will be released at this time.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding Torres’ whereabouts or the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Hernandez at (951) 955-2777 or Southwest Station
Investigator Mills at (951) 696-3000.

05/24/2026

The coroners office has identified the person from this incident as Pauline Gayle Costi , 75 years of age from Mountain Center , CA .

04.30.26
Mountain center , CA

Today, a person brandished a firearm at firefighters at Fire Station 53 which is located at Mountain center just off Highway 74 .

Deputies were dispatched at 7:12 am and upon arrival learned that the person had negligently discharged the weapon . Deputies located the subject who was pronounced deceased at the scene from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

No additional reports of injuries .

05/22/2026

05.22.26
Banning , CA

Avoid Ramsey street from 12th thru 8th St as a police investigation is being conducted and the road is blocked off .

Preliminary information is a traffic collision was reported just roughly before 10:50pm Thursday night .

From pictures I took , I could see a wheelchair damaged , debris on the floor and possibly front end damage to a Banning Police vehicle . CHP is on scene . Unclear on any injuries. Information is preliminary and subject to change . Will update when further information is given .

Pictures taken at 1:07 am 05.22.26

Family has ID the victim as Hector . This is his Gofund me

https://gofund.me/290c5cd1b

—————

Press release attached

On May 21, 2025, at approximately 2244 hours, Banning Police Department notified California Highway Patrol - Indio Dispatch Center of a
traffic crash involving an on-duty Banning Police Department patrol vehicle and a pedestrian. Preliminary investigation revealed, an on-duty
Banning Police Officer was traveling westbound on Ramsey Street, west of 8th Street. A male pedestrian in a wheelchair, was traveling
southbound across the westbound lanes of Ramsey Street when he was struck by the patrol vehicle. The force of the impact caused the
pedestrian to land in the eastbound lanes of Ramsey Street and came to rest in the #2 lane.

The Banning Police Officer remained on scene and rendered aid to the pedestrian until he was relieved by AMR and Banning Fire Department personnel. AMR transported the pedestrian to
Desert Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The identity of the pedestrian is yet to be confirmed.

The cause of this crash and the presence of drugs or alcohol are still under investigation.
Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner case 2026-03869.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact the investigating officer, Officer R. Espinosa at the California Highway Patrol San Gorgonio Pass Area office .

05/22/2026

05.21.26
Fontana , CA

Press release copy and pasted from SBCO Fontana Station .

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department - Fontana Station, worked closely with law enforcement partners throughout Southern California to investigate and arrest members of an organized South American residential burglary crew believed to be targeting homes using camouflaged surveillance cameras, WiFi jamming devices, and other sophisticated burglary tools.

The investigation began following a residential burglary reported on April 22, 2026, in the San Antonio Heights an area of unincorporated Upland. Through surveillance footage, investigative leads, and extensive information sharing between multiple law enforcement agencies, detectives identified several suspects connected to the crime.

During the investigation, detectives discovered the suspects were allegedly using fraudulent license plates, WiFi and signal jamming devices, camouflaged wireless cameras, and other tools designed to disable residential security systems and monitor homes prior to committing burglaries.

The investigation led to the arrests of Jesus Velez-Hernandez, 35, Sergio Paez-Cuervo, 38, Javier Pulido-Ramirez, 41, and Akksel Cadena-Diaz, 29, all citizens of Colombia. Search warrants served in Los Angeles County resulted in the recovery of stolen property, burglary tools, electronic jamming devices, and surveillance equipment believed to be connected to additional residential burglaries throughout Southern California.

Investigators are releasing information about the methods and equipment used by these crews to help educate residents, identify additional victims, and assist law enforcement agencies investigating similar crimes.

Three suspects are currently in custody in Ventura County. The fourth suspect was booked at the West Valley Detention Center and is being held without bail.

Case # 032601003

05/21/2026

Footage from the Bluff IC is on my YouTube .

Link here :
https://youtu.be/XXtesWDNMfU?si=kxGJq07Ac4a1Y39z

Footage from the Bain IC is here :

https://youtu.be/PbA8SK_E5uQ?si=bz5ADAUWQ2ILTUBz

Enjoy

05.20.26Banning Bench , CA Reported vegetation fire at 1:56 pm off Hillside Rd and Gilman street at the Banning Bench . The forward rate of spread was stoppe...

05/21/2026

05.20.26
Banning , CA

Arson suspect arrested
Banning PD media release copy and pasted

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at approximately 4:45 pm, Banning Police Officers began an investigation into a subject who started fires to the front of the Banning Police station and the rear of Banning City Hall. The investigation identified 40-year-old Kenneth Baker, as the subject who started both fires. Both fires remained small and were put out by Police and City of Banning staff members. The investigation also showed that Baker also attempted to start a third fire to the front of the police station, but was unsuccessful, attempted to disable the vehicle access gate to the station, and attempted to place a metal compressed gas tank in the vehicle driveway to the station.

Baker, who is a member of the city’s homeless population, was located in the area of 4th Street and Ramsey Street. He was placed under arrest without incident and later transported to Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. Baker was booked for violation of two counts of 451 (c) PC - Arson, 644/451 (c) PC - Attempted Arson, and 18740 PC - Possession of a Destructive Device. Reference booking #202624104.

This was an excellent example of a well-executed investigation by the Patrol Division and Homeless Liaison Officers, who were able to quickly identify and arrest the person responsible for the arsons. The Banning Police Department would like to thank the City of Banning staff member who was able to ensure the fire set by City Hall did not grow or cause any additional damage.

Reference Banning Police Department case # 26-935.

05/21/2026

05.20.26
Cabazon , CA

Reported commercial vehicle fire into the vegetation at 1:39pm off Lemon Street and Esperanza in Cabazon .

Air and ground crews made good progress and forward rate of spread was stopped at 3:28pm. The fire burned 14 acres , destroyed one outbuilding and 4 vehicles.

Pictures where submitted by followers of the page .

Lemon IC

05/20/2026

05.20.26
Banning Bench , CA

Reported vegetation fire at 1:56 pm off Hillside Rd and Gilman street at the Banning Bench .

The forward rate of spread was stopped at 2:59pm per CALFIRE and the fire burned 6 acres .

Cause of fire is under investigation.

Bluff IC

YouTube link :

https://youtu.be/XXtesWDNMfU?si=7FMcEiGekGPVaypq