The decrease in the number of new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Big Bear Valley is becoming ever more pronounced with only 3 new cases reported between March 27 and April 2. There have only been 18 new cases reported in more than a month.

Since the COVID-19 cases began appearing in the Big Bear Valley there have been a total of 2,640 cases among residents. Sadly, the deaths of 56 Big Bear Valley residents have been attributed to COVID.

On April 18, the City Council conducted a daytime budget workshop session in lieu of the regular business meeting. During this meeting, they received updates on several budget- related items including an overview of current and proposed Capital Improvements Projects.

For Fiscal Year 2021-2022, the Project efforts included 30 initiatives with a budget of a little more than $20 Million. Many of these projects have been completed and the remaining efforts will be completed during this upcoming construction season. The highlights of the FY 2021-22 project efforts includes:

Staff also presented an overview of the proposed projects for the next five-year capital improvement project listing. An overview of the proposed future projects includes:

and more...

The City will continue to explore assets and make improvements to enhance the quality of life for residents of the City of Big Bear Lake.

The construction of the Moonridge Corridor Improvements Project has resumed as of the week of April 18. Work began on this effort in the summer of 2021 and focused on the necessary underground utility adjustments. As work resumes for the 2022 construction, the focus will be on the overall corridor improvements, which entails a complete streetscape transformation.

In order to allow for safe and efficient construction activity, Moonridge is closed to through traffic between Elm Street and Clubview Drive. Elm Street, Rathbun Drive, Peregrine Avenue, and Clubview Drive are all accessible for detours during this activity. Additionally, all Moonridge Road businesses and residences remain accessible and folks are being asked to park along Rathbun Drive to access the area. Signs have been deployed throughout this area to provide for the detours as well as to indicate the temporary parking and access locations to the corridor.

City staff, aided by the team from Granite Construction Co, will be working to minimize the impacts and disruption during this construction period. Knowing that construction, by its nature, is disruptive and impactful, we thank you for your patience during this period. City staff will be available during the construction season to provide assistance with any construction related impacts.

To learn more about the project and to stay informed as the construction season progresses, please visit the City website, sign up for the project email list, follow us on social media, and be sure to listen to the Mountain Minute podcast. 

The City is excited to complete this long-awaited, transformational project this year. For more information visit the project webpage.

Former City of Big Bear Lake City Manager Frank Rush was presented with a certificate of recognition from San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe for his work at the City.

In a Twitter post, Rowe said it was a pleasure getting to know Frank and thanked him for all he's done for the City of Big Bear Lake.

Rush was named Best Public Official two years running in the Best of Big Bear Readers Choice Awards. He left the City of Big Bear Lake in March.

CalTrans crews will be closing the Article Circle, which is Highway 18 from the Dam to Snow Valley, during the weeks of April 25 and May 2.

Crews will be removing rocks to mitigate potential landslides amongst other maintenance activities and the work should take two weeks.

The hard closures will be daily, Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and will impact travel in both directions. Additionally, there will be a hard closure from 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 27 though 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Work will resume the week of May 2 with daily closures continuing from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through Friday, May 6.

Travelers will need to plan ahead and use alternate routes. Stay on top of roadwork in the Inland Empire and San Bernardino Mountains by visiting Caltrans District 8 and signing up for commuter alters. The City will provide updates through their social media channels and website.

California 23rd District Senator Rosalicie Ochoa Bogh has announced that she will hold office hours in Big Bear.

Bogh's field representatives will be available from 10 a.m. to noon on the fourth Tuesday of every month beginning on April 26 in the Chalet building on City Hall campus. This is to ensure that residents who need to reach the senator's office with concerns or issues have the opportunity to do so without leaving the Big Bear Valley.

This is the second elected state official holding hours on Big Bear Lake Civic Center's campus as representatives of 33rd District Assemblyman Thurston "Smitty" Smith holds office hours in the Chalet Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month.

We appreciate our elected representatives recognizing the need for a local presence to best serve our Big Bear Valley residents.

This project is critical to the future of the Big Bear Valley. For more information on the project, how it works and project updates, visit www.replenishbigbear.com/news.

Did you know that the original Big Bear dam, when completed in 1884, created the biggest man-made lake in the world at the time? The dam itself was also considered the eighth wonder of the world and a marvel of engineering. When the lake is low, the original dam is still visible. For more check out the Big Bear Valley Historical Society.

Thank you for checking out this issue of Elevation 6752', the official newsletter of the City of Big Bear Lake, CA! This newsletter is presented to keep you well-informed about the City's issues, projects, and initiatives, and is complemented by other public communications strategies as needed. The City Council, Planning Commission, City staff, and numerous others are all working hard to provide the highest quality City services, in a helpful and professional manner, and promote new public and private investment in our community - in order to enhance the quality of life and visitor experience - and we want to make sure you are well-informed about our efforts on your behalf!

The easiest way to stay-informed about the City of Big Bear Lake is to sign up for this email newsletter. It's easy to sign up - simply visit https://www.citybigbearlake.com/ and click on "Text & Email Notifications" in the top center of the homepage. Simply click on the link, enter your name and email address, and you're all set. Signing up will ensure you receive the new Elevation 6752' newsletter each month, and also any special communications from the City of Big Bear Lake for emergency situations, special events, and more.

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Please help us spread the word, and share this new City newsletter with your friends, family, other residents, property owners, frequent visitors, or anyone else who is interested in Big Bear Lake!