Redlands News: August 29, 2024
Search continues for missing elderly couple, garbage collection fee hike, Redlands Forum fall schedule released
HEADLINER
Police breach home at nudist resort in search for missing couple
Redlands Police search neighbor's home as Stephanie and Daniel Menard, along with their dog Cuddles, remain missing since Sunday
REDLANDS, Calif. – Redlands Police conducted a search operation on Thursday, Aug. 29, looking for a man who may be connected to a local couple who were reported missing Sunday.
Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel Menard, 79, were last seen at their residence in the 26000 block of Keissel Road around 10 a.m. on Aug. 24. The couple's small white Shih Tzu named Cuddles is also missing.
Redlands Police were following a tip they received that a person involved in the couple's disappearance was at Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort, Carl Baker, spokesperson for the city of Redlands, said during a press conference Thursday.
"We don't know where the subject is. He may still be inside or he may be somewhere else on the grounds," Baker explained. "We're certain that he has not been able to escape from the area. We were informed that he is inside the park, not necessarily inside his residence."
After several hours of failed attempts to contact the man inside his residence, police used a Tac Cat from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to break into the man's home. Baker said police searched the home using remote video equipment.
Aerial footage from KTLA shows the residence was destroyed during the raid by law enforcement.
The suspect home is right next door to the Menard's. His name and age were not immediately available.
As of Thursday evening, the couple and their dog remain missing. Baker told reporters that foul play is a possibility.
Authorities are particularly concerned for the couple's safety as Daniel Menard suffers from dementia and is diabetic.
The Menards' unlocked vehicle was found down the road from their home the same day they were last seen. Stephanie Menard's purse and both of their cell phones were located inside their home.
Detective Thomas Williams is leading the investigation. Anyone with information about the Menards' whereabouts is urged to contact the Redlands Police Department at (909) 798-7681 or Detective Williams directly at twilliams@redlandspolice.org.
Police are asking the public to reference case number 240032075 when providing any information related to the missing couple.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
NEWS BRIEF
♻️ Trash pick-up fees could be going up: After a month-long recess, the City Council returns to regular meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 3. One item on the agenda is a public hearing to consider an increase in solid waste utility fees. What you need to know ahead of the public hearing. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🏗 Vote on Live Oak Canyon Rd warehouse delayed: Yucaipa City Council votes 4-1 to delay discussion on a warehouse project off Live Oak Canyon Road to September 23, citing input from local property owners. Several members of the public made comments at the end of the meeting urging the City Council to deny the project. The 2-million-square-foot warehouse would be located just east of Redlands with access from Live Oak Canyon Road. Read more about the proposed development here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🔥 Redlands Fire Department ramps up wildfire preparedness efforts: A new wildfire detection camera will be installed in Live Oak Canyon, enhancing Redlands' early warning capabilities for the 2024 fire season. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to protect residents and property in high-risk areas. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🚔 Redlands Police announce DUI checkpoint over holiday weekend: Redlands police will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. the next day at an undisclosed location as part of their efforts to promote public safety during Labor Day weekend.
Staff Writer
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Redlands AAUW scholarship program fuels women's academic ambitions
Recipients share inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles to pursue higher education
By: JULIE FARREN
April Davis put her college career on hold in 2020 when personal issues delayed her studying from studying at Crafton Hills College for two years.
Davis, now 48 and a Highland resident, had studied at Chaffey College and was a stay-at-home mom to Syd and Annabelle, now 18 and 14, with her husband Edward, a teacher. She returned to Crafton Hills College in 2022 with a goal to receive her Associate of Arts degree in 2025 and pursue teaching Communications or American Sign Language.
David is one of five women who have received a boost through the 2024 Nancy Yowell Memorial Scholarship for continuing education from the Redlands branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Crafton Hills’ Honors Coordinator Judy Cannon has been a strong
supporter of Davis, an Honors student working at CHC’s Tutoring Center.
“It’s a wonderful support for students to know that organizations like this are out there,” Davis said.
The 248-member branch of AAUW was founded at the University of Redlands in 1947. Keita Wangari, a communications vice-president for AAUW and scholarship committee chair, said the Nancy Yowell Memorial Scholarship was started in 2012 in honor of the late member. The scholarship supports women who have had their higher education interrupted but have returned to earn their Associate’s Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, or Post Graduate Degrees.
This year's five recipients were honored at a dinner in June: Mayra Carranza, April Davis, Tabetha Johnson, Sabrina Salazar and Kari Lynn Scott.
Read more about their inspiring stories and how you can support the scholarship fund here.
Contributor
🍊 Redlands Forum announces fall season: The Redlands Forum, known for its diverse array of educational and cultural programs, has announced its lineup for the fall 2024 season. These no-cost events, held roughly twice a month, aim to foster discourse on a wide range of topics, reflecting the vision of its founders to bring people together for a better future. The fall season will feature a range of topics, including geography, environmental conservation, book discussions, and musical performances. Read the full schedule here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
🧘 New activities offered at Senior Center: The Joslyn Senior Center in Redlands is expanding its programming with new dance, meditation and yoga classes. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
SPORTS
🏐 Terriers vs. Riverside Poly: Visions of surf, sand and leis danced in the players' heads, but first the Redlands High girls volleyball team had to take care of business. Take care of business the Terriers did, defeating Riverside Poly 25-11, 26-24, 25-21 on Tuesday, Aug. 27 in a non-league match. The following day the team left for Hilo to play in the Kamehameha Labor Day Classic. Read more here.
John Murphy
Press Row
REV stadium needs more funding and other stories in sports from columnist and sports writer John Murphy:
John Murphy
UPCOMING
FINALLY
🛩 Fly in celebration at Redlands Airport
Some people shop, some enjoy car shows, and others fly. On Saturday morning, the Redlands Airport Association (RAA) invited both the local and flying communities to a pancake breakfast at Redlands Airport. More than 150 people attended the event.
This marks the 11th year that the RAA has hosted the breakfast, drawing aviation enthusiasts from across the region. The event provided an opportunity for friends to reconnect and for local residents to visit the Redlands Airport, located in the northwest corner of the city.
Shantell Sunderman
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