Wrightwood Residents Reach Out to Recognize 'Unsung Heroes'

Wrightwood Residents Reach Out to Recognize 'Unsung Heroes'

As the community of Wrightwood recovers from the recent blizzard, it's important to recognize all of the unsung heroes who went above and beyond to help their neighbors in need.

Laurey Aydelotte, a Wrightwood resident since 2004, reached out to our office to praise these community members. "Friends with snow removal equipment quickly stepped up to help some of our trapped residents," said Aydelotte. "This included Sadie Albers, John Kearn and Jeremy Norman of Hesperia. Residents were helping each other get food, pick up medicine from various pharmacies, and other essentials."  

Renee Olson, a lifelong Wrightwood resident, echoed Aydelotte's comments. She and friends Dionne Burns and Julie LaFever enlisted the help of local teens to assist seniors who were unable to clear the large amounts of snow. "There were so many great kids who helped shovel seniors' driveways throughout the neighborhood: Cade LaFever, Alexia and Sienna Burns, Cameron Coombs, Cash Littlefield, Ethan Olson, and Devun Moore," said Olson. "I'd also like to recognize Owen Todhunter and the Serrano High School Explorers, who dug out several driveways. It was definitely a group effort!"

Wendi Swanson, another longtime Wrightwood resident, agreed. "Everyone worked together to help seniors on our street, clearing their berm or at least a foot path in case of emergency," she said. "I know neighbors helped me and I helped them. It was true Wrightwood cohesion." 

Do you know an unsung hero (heroes) who helped out during the blizzard? Let us know (and include a photo if possible) and we'll recognize them in an upcoming social media post!

In related news....

San Bernardino County is now offering up to $500 in reimbursement to residents and business owners to cover snow removal costs on private driveways, walkways, and roads. Snow removal costs incurred between February 22 - May 1, 2023 are eligible. Claims for reimbursement must be submitted by May 10, 2023. Residents may submit multiple invoices up to $500, but the invoices must be uploaded as one photocopy or photo in a single claim.

Additionally, on Tuesday the Board unanimously voted to waive up to $5,000 in County plan review and permit fees for property owners looking to repair or rebuild structures damaged or destroyed by the historic snowfall. Information is available at https://snowinfo.sbcounty.gov or by calling 909-387-3911.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department is requesting damage reports for residential and commercial buildings that sustained structural damage from the 2023 Winter Storm. If your home or business sustained moderate to major damage, please report damages at https://bit.ly/3LfRmM5

San Bernardino County Sheriff is reminding storm-impacted residents of California Penal Code 396 PC, which prohibits price gouging after a state of emergency has been declared. If you have been a victim of price gouging, please contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-8313.

The Internal Revenue Service has extended its May 15 tax deadline to Oct. 16 for Storm Disaster Area taxpayers only. This includes 2022 individual income tax returns due on April 18, as well as various 2022 business returns normally due on March 15 and April 18. Eligible taxpayers will have until May 15 to make 2022 contributions to their IRAs and health savings accounts. For more information, please call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.

Storm-related questions and concerns can be directed between 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. to our County hotline at 909-387-3911.

Thanks to San Bernardino County Public Works and Caltrans District 8 for improving access to our Wrightwood school bus routes this week! All routes returned to normal operations on Monday, March 13.