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Happening in Upland is your weekly rundown of what’s going on around town—local news, community events, public safety updates, new restaurants, development, weather, schools, and the stuff Upland residents actually talk about.
Delivered with humor, honesty, and a very local point of view, this isn’t stiff broadcast news. It’s real, relevant information with personality. If you live in Upland or anywhere nearby in the Inland Empire, this is your weekly shortcut to staying in the loop.
JOLEEN: Welcome to Happening in Upland for Monday, October twelfth, twenty-twenty-six. I'm Joleen.
MARK: And I'm Mark. Today, a Metrolink tragedy halts traffic on Mountain Avenue, and the county settles a major jail death lawsuit.
JOLEEN: We've also got news on a new soda shop and a rainy forecast that's actually sticking around for once. Let's start with that collision in the heart of town.
MARK: Yeah, it wasn't a great start to the week last Tuesday morning. Just after eight a.m., a Metrolink train on the San Bernardino Line struck a pedestrian right here in Upland. The police had to shut down Mountain Avenue in both directions--northbound at Eighth and southbound at Ninth. I'm sure anyone trying to get to work was thrilled with that detour.
JOLEEN: Well, the traffic is the least of the worries there, Mark. It's such a heavy situation. Metrolink had to close the tracks entirely between Upland and Montclair for hours while they investigated. Train three-thirteen was the one involved. They haven't released much on the pedestrian's condition yet, but those incidents are almost never minor. It's a reminder of why we've gotta be so careful around those crossings.
MARK: You'd think the giant, loud, metal snake on tracks would be enough of a warning, but here we are. It feels like we're reporting on a track incident every other month lately. Between the construction on the bridges and the actual train traffic, Mountain Avenue is basically a gauntlet. If you aren't dodging a train, you're dodging a pothole or a detour sign.
JOLEEN: I know you're skeptical about the infrastructure, but it's really about the safety protocols. The police were out there for a long time trying to piece it together. It really disrupted the morning commute for hundreds of people on the San Bernardino Line. Hopefully, we'll get an update soon that isn't as grim as it looked. Moving to the legal side of things, did you see the news about the West Valley Detention Center settlement?
MARK: Oh, I saw it. One point seven five million dollars. That's the price tag for the county after an inmate, Adam Preston Adams, was killed by his cellmate back in twenty-twenty-three. The settlement just went through on Friday. It turns out the cellmate, Marco Antonio Lopez-Hernandez, had a history that probably should've signaled he shouldn't have been sharing a room with anyone, let alone someone who ended up dead.
JOLEEN: The details are pretty rough. The lawsuit basically argued that the jail staff failed to protect Adams. It's a huge payout, and it really shines a light on the conditions inside West Valley. One point seven five million is a lot of taxpayer money because someone didn't check a file or monitor a cell properly.
MARK: It's a lot of money for a mistake that seems entirely preventable. But hey, it's only the public's money, right? The county probably has a 'miscellaneous' budget for jailhouse fatalities at this point. It's just another day in the San Bernardino County legal system. Speaking of the public's money, it's Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day today. Don't go looking for your mail.
JOLEEN: Right, the post office is closed, but most state and city offices in the Inland Empire are actually open today. So if you were planning on skipping out on work by claiming it's a holiday, you might want to check with your boss first. Upland City Hall is up and running.
MARK: Standard government efficiency. 'We're closed for the mail, but we're definitely open to collect your permit fees.' It's a confusing day for everyone. Half the people are treating it like a Monday, and the other half are wondering why their Amazon package is late.
JOLEEN: Well, they'll have to deal with the rain too. Have you looked outside? We're actually getting some real weather. Tropical Storm Rachel's remnants are moving through Southern California today. The National Weather Service says we've got a seventy percent chance of rain right now.
MARK: It's about time. Though, in Upland, 'seventy percent chance of rain' usually means three drops on your windshield and a humidity level that makes your hair look like a dandelion. But today actually looks legit. We're expecting maybe a quarter of an inch. People here act like it's the end of days when the pavement gets damp.
JOLEEN: It's because nobody remembers how to drive! I saw a car hydroplane on Foothill this morning doing like twenty miles an hour. It's the 'remnants' of Rachel, but it's enough to make everything messy. The high is only sixty-three degrees today. That's a massive drop from the heat we've been dealing with.
MARK: Sixty-three. I might actually have to find where I put my one sweater. But don't get too comfortable in your wool socks, Joleen. By tomorrow, it's back to sixty-nine and sunny, and by the weekend, we're looking at the mid-eighties again. This town has weather whiplash.
JOLEEN: It really does. Enjoy the cozy rain while it lasts tonight. It'll drop down to forty-nine degrees. That's actually chilly! But you're right, Wednesday hits seventy-seven, and by Saturday, we're at eighty-six. It's like summer refuses to pack its bags and leave.
MARK: yeah Summer is that guest that says they're leaving on Monday but is still on your couch on Friday eating your cereal. Speaking of things that won't leave, let's talk about the schools. Upland High actually got some good news recently. They've been ranked in the top fifty percent of California schools for the twenty-six twenty-seven school year.
JOLEEN: Top fifty percent sounds like a participation trophy when you say it like that, Mark! But it's actually solid. They're serving nearly twenty-eight hundred students now. Math proficiency is hitting that top half mark too. For a district that's been under a lot of pressure lately, it's a win.
MARK: It's a win, sure. But we're still looking at that two hundred and thirty-seven million dollar bond measure on the ballot. If they're doing so well, why do they need a quarter-billion dollars for 'modernization'? I suspect 'modernization' is code for 'we forgot to fix the roof for twenty years and now it's a swimming pool.'
JOLEEN: Oh, come on. The schools are old. Some of those buildings have been there since the city was basically just orange groves. If we want the kids to keep those rankings up, they can't be sitting in classrooms that smell like nineteen-seventy-four. Ten thousand students across fifteen schools--that's a lot of infrastructure to maintain.
MARK: I just wish the 'modernization' included a class on how to drive through a four-way stop. That would be money well spent. But seriously, the district is massive. Four hundred and twenty-three teachers trying to manage ten thousand kids? They deserve a medal, and probably a raise, but instead, they're getting a bond measure for new paint and HVAC systems.
JOLEEN: Well, if the bond passes, maybe they'll get better facilities for the sports teams too. Speaking of, did you catch the water polo score? The Upland JV boys played Rancho Cucamonga last Thursday. It's always a big deal when those two schools meet up, even at the JV level.
MARK: Water polo is the only sport where you can actively try to drown your opponent and people just cheer from the stands. It's brutal. I haven't seen the final tally on the JV game yet, but the rivalry is definitely alive and well. It's good to see the kids out there, even if the sport itself looks like a nightmare of leg cramps and chlorine.
JOLEEN: You're just not a swimmer! I think it's impressive. Now, let's talk about something you'll actually like--sugar. Screamers Soda just announced they're opening their first Southern California store right here in Upland. Have you heard of this place?
MARK: I have, and my insulin levels spiked just reading the announcement. It's one of those 'dirty soda' spots, right? They take a perfectly good Dr Pepper and ruin it with toasted marshmallow and vanilla. They call that one 'The Big Scream.'
JOLEEN: It sounds amazing! They have a 'Mega Scream' that's fifty-four ounces. Mark, that's almost half a gallon of soda. Can you imagine?
MARK: Fifty-four ounces. At that point, you aren't drinking a beverage; you're committing to a lifestyle change. Who is the target audience for fifty-four ounces of syrup? People who want to see through time?
JOLEEN: It's fun! And they're actually doing something good with the money. They're dedicating a portion of the proceeds to local youth centers that support kids in recovery from drugs and alcohol. So, you can feel a little better about your sugar rush knowing it's helping a local cause.
MARK: Well, that's actually a nice touch. I'll give them credit for that. If you're going to sell a drink the size of a car battery, at least use the profits for something meaningful. They're also doing a 'Scream Sampler' with four eight-ounce drinks if you can't decide which flavor of heart disease you want to try first.
JOLEEN: They have diet bases and sugar-free syrups too, grumpy! And dairy-free options. I'm definitely going to try the 'Tennessee Twist.' It's cola with peach and raspberry. They haven't given us an exact opening date yet, but it's definitely coming to town soon.
MARK: I'll stick to my black coffee and my skepticism, thanks. But I'm sure the line will be wrapped around the block. Anything that involves customized sugar is a guaranteed hit in this zip code.
JOLEEN: Speaking of things to do, there's a really cool historical event coming up this week. There's a tour of Bellevue Memorial Park over in Ontario. It's on the border, and it covers a ton of local history. It's one of those walking tours where you learn about the pioneers who built this area.
MARK: A cemetery tour. Nothing says 'fun weekend' like walking around looking at where the founders are buried. Are they going to explain why they designed the streets to be so narrow? Because I'd pay for that information.
JOLEEN: It's fascinating, Mark! You learn about the families whose names are on all the streets we drive on. It's not spooky; it's educational. David Allen over at the Daily Bulletin was just writing about it. It's a great way to actually feel connected to the place.
MARK: I feel connected to the place every time I hit a red light on Euclid. But if people want to go walk through a graveyard on a Saturday, more power to them. Just don't blame me if you bring home a ghost who's upset about the current price of real estate.
JOLEEN: Oh, please. If the ghosts are upset about real estate, they'll have plenty to talk about with the living. But if history isn't your thing, how about art? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for artists for the Upland Game Bird Stamp contest. This year, the star is the Sooty Grouse.
MARK: The Sooty Grouse. It sounds like a bird that's spent too much time hanging out behind a barbecue joint. What is a Sooty Grouse, exactly?
JOLEEN: It's a stout-bodied game bird from the conifer forests. They have this 'low frequency boom' during courtship. The contest is open to any U.S. resident over eighteen. You have to submit your artwork between November second and December fourth. The winner gets their art on the actual state stamp.
MARK: A 'low frequency boom,' huh? Sounds like my neighbor's car at three a.m. I'm sure there's a very dedicated group of grouse-painters out there just waiting for this moment. It's a very specific niche. Do you have to include the 'low frequency boom' in the painting, or is it just the bird?
JOLEEN: Just the bird, Mark. Preferably in its natural habitat. It's a big deal for wildlife artists. And it's a nice change of pace from all the urban development news. Speaking of urban development, we should probably check in on the roads. The rain today is definitely going to mess with the construction on Foothill.
MARK: Oh, definitely. That Foothill Boulevard project is the gift that keeps on giving. They're still working on the medians and the landscaping. Every time it rains, they have a perfect excuse to add another week to the timeline. 'Sorry, the dirt got wet, see you in November.'
JOLEEN: It's not just the rain. They've been working on those medians for ages. But at least they're making progress on the lighting. It's going to look great once it's actually finished. It's just the 'getting there' part that's painful.
MARK: It's been 'getting there' since the Sooty Grouse was a chick. I'm convinced that construction is actually a permanent art installation meant to represent the eternal struggle of the suburban commuter. And don't get me started on the bridge projects. The Mission Boulevard bridge is a whole other nightmare that's scheduled to last until twenty-twenty-nine.
JOLEEN: Twenty-twenty-nine! I'll be an old woman by the time I can drive over that bridge without a detour. But hey, that's what happens when you live in a growing region. Speaking of growing, the real estate market is still doing its own thing. Have you seen the latest numbers?
MARK: I try not to, for my own mental health. But for October, we're seeing things stabilize a bit. The median price is still hovering in that seven-hundred-thousand-dollar range. It's not dropping like a rock, but it's not skyrocketing either. It's just sitting there, mocking everyone who doesn't already own a home.
JOLEEN: There's actually a bit more inventory than there was last month, which is good for buyers. But the interest rates are still making people's eyes water. It's a tough time to be looking, but Upland is still a high-demand spot. People really want to be here, even with the traffic and the fifty-four-ounce sodas.
MARK: Maybe the secret is to buy a house near a Screamers Soda. You can just use the sugar rush to power through the stress of your mortgage payment. Or you can just live in a tent in one of those new medians on Foothill. They're spending enough money on them; they should be comfortable.
JOLEEN: You're terrible. The medians are for plants, Mark! Not for your cynical housing solutions. Anyway, we've got a lot to look forward to this weekend once the rain clears out. The weather is going to be perfect for that Bellevue tour on Saturday. Sunny, high of eighty-six. Just enough heat to remind you why we live in California.
MARK: Exactly. Eighty-six degrees. Just hot enough to make you regret that one day of rain you spent complaining about the cold. It's the circle of life in the Inland Empire. We get one nice day of sixty-degree weather and then we're right back in the oven.
JOLEEN: Well, I'm going to enjoy the rain while it's here. I'm going to go home, make some tea, and listen to the drops on the roof. Maybe I'll even start sketching a Sooty Grouse for that contest.
MARK: I'd love to see that. Just make sure it looks 'sooty' enough. And maybe give it a little soda cup. That's a winning entry right there. 'The Grouse and the Mega Scream.' It's the ultimate Upland crossover event.
JOLEEN: You're ridiculous. But seriously, everyone, stay safe on the roads today with this rain. Don't be that person hydroplaning into a median because you forgot that water makes things slippery.
MARK: And if you're taking the Metrolink, check the schedule. They're usually back on track pretty quickly after an incident, but there could still be some residual delays. It's a good day to just stay put if you can.
JOLEEN: Agreed. Well, that's our look at what's happening around town this week. There's always something going on, even if it's just the weather keeping us on our toes.
MARK: Or the city council trying to figure out where that next quarter-billion dollars is coming from. But we'll be here to talk about it either way.
JOLEEN: That's right. If you have a story or something you think we should cover, we want to hear from you. You can always reach out to the show. We love hearing about the local hidden gems or even just your complaints about the potholes on Eighth Street.
MARK: Just don't send us any fifty-four-ounce sodas in the mail. The post office is closed today anyway, and I don't think my heart can take it.
JOLEEN: I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for joining us today for Happening in Upland. We'll be back next week with more news, more sarcasm, and hopefully, a little less rain and a lot more grouse art.
MARK: We can only hope. Stay safe out there, Upland.
JOLEEN: Subscribe to the show so you never miss an update, and invite your neighbors to listen too. You can contact us at upland at the happening network dot com. We'll return next week.