High Desert journalists made a difference in the communities they covered in 2023. Here's how
At the heart of journalism is the idea that a functioning democracy needs accurate and timely information, without bias.
Journalism is a vital resource as it holds those in power accountable and records in history crucial events.
We at The Daily Press know that our coverage has the ability to change laws, expose corruption, save taxpayers money — or simply share updates on the celebrity eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.
In ways large and small, all are measures of impact. We're proud to share that work here, with our 2023 Impact Report. Thank you for trusting us with your stories.
-Sheyanne Romero, local editor
Snow storm traps San Bernardino mountain residents
In late February, San Bernardino County declared a local emergency after mountain residents found themselves trapped at home or unable to reach home due to several feet of snow that fell during a winter storm.
The declaration sought state and federal assistance to clear snow from mountain highways and neighborhood streets and to support other necessary work and services in mountain areas.
“Our team of state and local partners will continue working round-the-clock on a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to bring relief and resources to our residents while prioritizing the safety of all,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, whose 3rd District includes impacted mountain communities.
The historic storm covered the entire San Bernardino Mountain range from Forest Falls east to Wrightwood, which led to the National Forest Service issuing an emergency closure order and restricting mountain access only to residents and emergency crews.
At least 13 people died as a result of the powerful storm.
In March, county officials announced that nearly all routes in the San Bernardino Mountains were reopened for public travel.
The decision was motivated at least in part by the need of mountain residents to receive help from family, friends, and contractors coming from down the hill, and the impracticality of stopping every non-resident vehicle and assessing need on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis.
However, the message was not well received by some residents.
"Way too soon. Homes are collapsing now. The weather is terrible, and more to come," Jessica Marie posted to Facebook. "The poor mountain hasn’t had time to recover. People are still trying to dig out their homes and vehicles."
More: Winter storm halts newspaper delivery across High Desert
More: How much snow fell in the mountains and High Desert?
Silverwood Project continues to move forward
Under the hot August sun, an army of earth movers reconfigured hundreds of acres of land for Phase 1 of the Silverwood master-planned community in the Summit Valley area.
The Daily Press toured the Silverwood Project construction site that will one day consist of thousands of High Desert homes.
“Right now, we’re in the beginning stages of preparing the infrastructure for utilities, drainage, easements, water lines, and streets,” said Jackie Abbott, project coordinator for DMB Development.
The entire Silverwood project spans 9,366 acres for 15,633 dwelling units, 700,00 square feet of commercial space, and nearly 5,000 acres for parks and open space. The site lies north of Silverwood Lake, located on the West Fork Mojave River, a tributary of the river in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Silverwood General Manager John Ohanian told the Daily Press the project includes nine construction phases that will take about 20 years to develop.
More: Silverwood partners with local schools to teach students construction trades
More: Earth movers reconfigure land for Silverwood, former Tapestry, housing community in Hesperia
Frustrated protesters clash with deputies in Victorville, some arrested
In September, a 16-year-old girl was body-slammed by a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputy, during a Friday night Victor Valley High School football game.
The incident sent shockwaves through the community.
The deputy, as seen in video and based on witness statements, was trying to break up a fight when the girl lunged for the deputy's Pepper Ball gun. He grabbed her, lifted her, and threw her down. The deputy was punched by a boy, who was later arrested.
Priscilla Jeffers reported that her daughter, Faith, suffered traumatic injuries to her head and spine and was hospitalized during the encounter with a deputy. Jeffers told the Daily Press that her daughter has a long recovery ahead of her.
Following the incident, the community demanded answers from law enforcement.
Two days after the incident, roughly 40 protesters marched near the Victorville sheriff's substation. A protester using a megaphone asked for the name of the deputy who took down the girl. Others yelled "coward" at a deputy parked in a patrol vehicle near McArt Road.
"She is emotionally scarred more than anything," Priscilla said during the protest. "She has a lot of physical healing she needs to deal with."
As the protesters grew more frustrated, Victorville officers arrived and surrounded the growing crowd.
At some point, two officers detained a woman carrying a megaphone, pushing her onto the ground. Responding deputies had to push back the angry crowd while other deputies walked the handcuffed woman into a patrol car.
Officers also deployed pepper spray.
More: Frustrated protesters clash with deputies in Victorville, some arrested
More: Four people arrested after protest at sheriff's station in Victorville
More: Victor Valley High School brawl sends girl to hospital, boy arrested
Apple Valley Fire engineer dies in off-duty motorcycle wreck
Loved ones mourned the death of an Apple Valley Fire Protection District engineer, who died in an off-duty motorcycle wreck in December.
Jared Shepard was taken to a Menifee hospital after being seriously injured in a motorcycle practice run in Lake Elsinore. He was preparing for the Police and Fire Christmas Grand Prix Inland Regional in Wildomar, according to AV Fire Inspector Jennifer Eisenbrey.
Shepard's body was later escorted from the hospital to the Riverside County Coroner’s office, Eisenbrey told the Daily Press. Local and state fire agencies joined the procession, including Apple Valley Fire, Cal Fire, Riverside County Fire and Murrieta Fire departments.
In a previous interview, Shepard told the Daily Press that he was a supporter of raising money for those battling cancer. He often helped fellow firefighters by taking monetary donations from passing motorists along Bear Valley Road during “Fill the Boot” fundraisers.
More: Fallen Apple Valley Fire Engineer Jared Shepard escorted home
More: Apple Valley Fire Engineer Jared Shepard killed in off-duty motorcycle accident
Victorville Chevrolet High School Athlete of the Week poll makes its debut
In 2023, sports report Jose Quintero took on a new project designed to engage high school sports fans.
Daily Press readers can now vote for their favorite high school athletes through the Victorville Chevrolet High School Athlete of the Week poll.
And vote you did.
Athlete of the week accounted for hundred of thousands page views in 2023, and dozens of student athletes were recognized for their achievements on and off the field.
Each week, athletes are nominated by their coaches based on their performance. Readers have the opportunity to learn about the athlete before casting their vote.
In the week of Dec. 22, there were 17,994 votes cast in the Victorville Chevrolet High School Athlete of the Week poll.
Lucerne Valley’s Victoria Enright ended with 40.39% of total votes cast by Daily Press readers.
The soccer player received 7,267 votes, beating out 10 other high school athletes from across the High Desert.
To earn a spot on the ballot, Victoria made a highlight-worthy goal in a 9-0 victory over Summit Leadership Academy on Dec. 14.
Victoria took a corner kick for the Mustangs and scored an unassisted goal.
In the voting, Victoria beat out Excelsior’s Brayden Gilford, who finished with 36.91% at 6,641 total votes.
Brayden helped the Eagles to two victories and was named the team’s Player of the Week. He scored a goal in Excelsior’s 3-2 victory over ACE on Dec. 11 and then scored a goal with two assists in a 9-1 victory over UCSA on Dec. 13.
The weekly poll is posted at the newspaper's website, VVDailyPress.com. Polls close on Wednesday nights.
More: Vote for the Victorville Chevrolet High School Athlete of the Week
More: Lucerne Valley’s Victoria Enright is the Victorville Chevrolet High School Athlete of the Week
More: University Prep’s Ryan Reynolds is the Victorville Chevrolet High School Athlete of the Week
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Here's how our High Desert journalists made a difference in 2023...
