Big Bear Lake, CA, December 8, 2014 – A community memorial service for City Clerk, Cheri Haggerty Lawrence and her baby Declan, who passed away on the night of Tuesday, November 25th, will be held Tuesday December 9, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in Hofert Hall at the Performing Arts Center located at 39707 Big Bear Blvd., in Big Bear Lake.

The Big Bear community, colleagues, and friends throughout the state mourn the sudden and tragic loss to the Lawrence family. Cheri is survived by her husband, Director of Public Works/City Engineer David Lawrence; children Aiden and Kaelee; and her parents, Bob and Peggy Frost. Cheri will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Cheri’s name to The Mom & Dad Project. For more information on donating, contact Tina Wade at (909)878-2326.

Big Bear, CA, January 8, 2015 – On January 6, longtime Big Bear Valley resident Dr. Ken Turney passed away. Dr. Turney, a local dentist and member of the Bear Valley Unified School District’s board of trustees for more than 35 years, touched many lives and was very passionate about the students in our valley.

According to Bev Grabe, school board president, “Dr. Turney invested much of his personal time researching how he could better serve students and create an environment wherein students could thrive.” She added, “The sudden loss of Dr. Turney is a shock, and he will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and the community as we all struggle through this difficult time.”

Dr. Turney was a father, grandfather, former fighter pilot, health care provider and dedicated public servant. Turney’s son works for the Big Bear MWD and his daughter-in-law is a teacher at Baldwin Lane Elementary.

Big Bear Lake, CA, March 2, 2015 – On Thursday, February 26 at 11:11 a.m., emergency personnel responded to a residential fire on Fox Farm Road in Big Bear Lake. During a search of the residence, firefighters located Puangmanee Neatherlin, a long-time resident of Big Bear Lake, known to her friends and customers as Pong, and removed her outside. She was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

A gathering in her memory will be held at Pong’s Restaurant on Wednesday, March 4, at 12:00 noon. Friends can join her family for a service and lunch of Pong’s favorites. To help with expenses, donations are greatly appreciated.

Big Bear News – Big Bear Lake, CA – Elected in 1994 and serving as the City’s tenth mayor from 1994 – 1998, Neal Hertzman, passed away Monday at the age of 92. He was heavily involved in the community away from the Dais, helping to organize Old Miners Days, serving on the Senior Center Board of Directors and serving in the Kiwanis Club of Big Bear Valley.

A mechanical engineer by trade, Hertzmann worked on several of the Falcon Missiles for Hughes Aircraft as well as the lunar unmanned soft landing spacecraft development that preceded the Apollo manned landings. Despite a successful career in engineering, Hertzmann always felt a call to serve his community. He served on the Palos Verdes Board of Education for eight years in the 1980s including twice serving as its president.

“Neal Hertzman loved Big Bear and the people of our Valley,” said Current Mayor Rick Herrick. “He taught me the art of patience and the ability to listen for inspiring ideas no matter where they sprang from. I will miss him, and more importantly, we will miss him. Neal, thank you for making our home in the sky a better place.”

Moving to Big Bear Lake to retire in 1988, Hertzmann was appointed to the Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power Board by 1993 and won election to the City Council in November of 1994. Immediately he was appointed by his colleagues as mayor, an honor that would be repeated for his next three years of service. In the 20-year anniversary and First 20 Years of Big Bear Lake publication, Hertzmann recalled the difficulty of his first council meeting as they were confronted with an appeal to a Planning Commission decision and, later that night, the departure of the City Manager.

“We had a good, hard-working council that always got along and treated each other with respect,” Hertzmann said in his autobiography in the publication. “Probably of most importance, the staff was improved tremendously through development and training of existing personnel or by hiring experienced new people. It is clear to me that the City is in much better shape now than it was when I joined the Council. I can only hope that this progress is continued for many years to come.”

Hertzmann served on a number of different boards and committees including four years on the Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority (two years as chair); Director of SANBAG (now SBCTA) for four years; Four years as the City’s representative on the League of California Cities, including one year as the Vice President of the Desert-Mountain Division; and more.

After leaving the council, Hertzmann didn’t slow down, being reappointed to the DWP board, serving as Vice-Chairman of the Discovery Center Gala 2000, serving as Vice President of the Old Miners’ Association and as Chairman of the Board of the Silent Valley RV Park.

Hertzman no doubt left a lasting positive impact on the Big Bear Valley and will be sorely missed.

Big Bear News – Big Bear Lake, CA – UPDATE – March 3, 2022 / 3:41 p.m.: Through extensive investigation, deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station identified Daniel Eduardo Alvidrez as the suspect driver in a hit and run collision with a pedestrian that took place on February 25, 2022, in Big Bear Lake. 

Multiple businesses in the immediate area of the incident provided video footage in response to the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station’s request for public assistance. Deputies developed investigative leads from these videos and identified the suspect’s vehicle from surveillance obtained from Mountain Transit. On March 3, 2022, deputies contacted Alvidrez in San Bernardino.  Alvirdrez was interviewed and taken into custody without incident.  He was transported and booked into the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of hit and run with injuries.  Alvidrez is currently out of custody on a $50,000 bail bond with court procedures scheduled for April 18, 2022, at San Bernardino Justice Center.

The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station appreciates the assistance of local businesses who provided video surveillance that resulted in the arrest of Daniel Alvidrez.

Original Release: Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022, a 58-year-old female victim was struck by an unknown vehicle while walking in the intersection of Big Bear Boulevard at Knickerbocker Road.  The victim, who was initially treated by paramedics at the scene, suffered major injuries and was ultimately air lifted to a local medical facility for further treatment.

Deputies conducted interviews with available witnesses; however, the suspect vehicle has not been identified.  Deputies are conducting follow up investigation with surrounding businesses to determine if video surveillance is available. 

Public assistance is requested to determine the identification of the vehicle and driver that hit the pedestrian.  Anyone with information regarding this matter is requested to immediately contact the Detective Bureau of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at (909) 866-0100.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.   

Big Bear News – Big Bear Lake – The Big Bear Valley lost a beloved longtime leader with the passing of Big Bear City CSD Director John Green on August 29. Green was in the first year of his fourth term on the board and loved Big Bear, where he lived for more than 50 years. As part of his elected duties, Green also served on the boards of the Big Bear Fire Authority, Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency, and the Big Bear Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. Green also served as the Sargent at Arms of the American Legion Riders post 584. Tests are still confirming the cause of Green’s death, but his daughter Marie said at this time doctors believe that it could be Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare brain disorder only responsible for about 1 to 2 cases diagnosed per million people around the globe each year. Green is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Stacy, and his five children and two granddaughters. Services for Green will be held Sunday, August 6th at the Elks Club. To reserve your spot visit the Facebook page of the American Legion Post 584 Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear News – Big Bear, CA – Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District is hosting a free Easter Egg Hunt Eggs-travaganza this Saturday, April 19th from 10am to 1pm at Swim Beach located at 41218 Park Avenue in Big Bear Lake. This event is designated for children up through 8th Graders and their families. Come meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy fun outdoor games and giveaways.  Egg hunts will be tiered by age beginning at 10 am for littles up to 4 years old, 10:45am for TK through 2nd grade, 11:30am for 3rd through 6th graders and 12:15pm for 7th and 8th graders. 

They will also have a free Easter Egg Hunt, games and giveaways designed for special needs children, up to 18 years of age, and their families from 2pm to 3pm sponsored by the local Lion’s Club League. This event is wheelchair accessible.

These events are presented by the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District with support from Big Bear Mountain Resort, San Bernardino Animal Shelter, Mom & Dad Project, Rim Family Services, Soroptimist of Big Bear Valley, and Big Bear Alpine Zoo. For more information, call 909-866-9700 or visit www.bigbearparks.org.

On Sunday, April 20th, Big Bear Mountain Resort will host a free Easter Egg Hunt at Snow Valley Resort beginning at 9am for all ages. Bring the kiddos to search for Easter eggs and keep an eye out for the golden egg! After the egg hunt, stick around and take in the alpine views from the sun deck. Grab a bite to eat or sip a tasty beverage, and receive a free Scenic Sky Chair lift ticket with any purchase of $25 or more on-site during your visit.  Enjoy DJ Slipmatt and live music from 9am to 4pm!  Remember, a valid lift ticket or season pass is required for on-hill activities, including mountain biking and Scenic Sky Chair access.  Learn more at  https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/things-to-do/events/easter-egg-hunt.