MAC Meeting Success
The Crestline Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) meeting held on April 7, 2026, was a great success, with strong community engagement and meaningful discussion.
Members of the Mountain Bears showed up in force and made valuable contributions throughout the meeting. Carrie Folbear (Citizen of the year) highlighted the importance of County support and collaboration with the many nonprofits and dedicated volunteers serving our mountain communities. Sue Walker (MHC President) spoke about the impactful work of the Mountain Homeless Coalition and its vital programs supporting those in need. Holiday Heller (MBDC President) presented the MBDC survey results, along with recommendations for future speakers aligned with the community’s top concerns.
Randall Putz, current Mayor of Big Bear and candidate for California State Assembly District 34, offered insightful perspective on the challenges and opportunities we have to bring the attention and resources we need and deserve to our many rural communities across our vast assembly District.
Congressional District 23 candidates Karen Matthews (I) and Pat Wallis (D) also addressed attendees, sharing their commitment to understanding and advocating for the unique challenges faced by unincorporated “sky island” communities like ours.
Overall, the meeting reflected a strong spirit of collaboration and a shared commitment to improving quality of life on the mountain.
For more details- Click HERE
NO KINGS 3/28/2026
NO Kings Success
Crestline, California saw over 200 protesters take to the streets, raising “No Kings” signs and voicing their outrage at the current Republican leadership and Trump administration. Local groups, including the Resistance and the Mountain Bears Democratic Club, joined forces to bring the community together in a peaceful demonstration against what they describe as executive overreach.
Organizers estimate that more than 8 million people participated in over 3,300 “No Kings” protests across all 50 U.S. states on Saturday, March 28, 2026—potentially making it the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history. The movement extended far beyond U.S. borders, with protests held in international cities such as Paris, London, Lisbon, Munich, and Rome—largely driven by American expats—as well as events in Canada and Mexico.
Looks like the people of the USA and the world have spoken! A clear wave of rejection to the far-right, authoritarian, and nationalistic political ideology characterized by a dictatorial leader, strict centralization of power, suppression of opposition, and aggressive nationalism.
For FACEBOOK video Click HERE
For FACEBOOK pictures Click HERE
ICE - We are not immune
On March 31, 2026, our mountain community experienced
ICE
something very real—this was not a drill, and we are not immune. ICE agents came into Big Bear and detained one of our own, Armando Herrera Gonzales. This has deeply impacted his family and those who know him.
Right now, the Herrera Gonzales family is asking for help and support during this incredibly difficult time. They have shared a plea for assistance, and any support—whether through outreach, resources, or donations—can make a meaningful difference. Please, if you can, find it in your heart to reach out and support the family .
Our community has always come together in times of need—this is one of those moments.
Gofundme: Click HERE
Click for news report- ABC news 7
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (KABC) -- Three sisters in Big Bear Lake are now facing the gut-wrenching possibility of losing both their mother and father in a matter of days.
Not only is their 43-year-old mother in hospice after battling stage 4 brain cancer, but their father was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Armando Gonzalez, 49, is now facing deportation after living and working in the Big Bear community for more than 20 years.
"All I can say is he's innocent," said Adriana Gonzalez, 20. "He has no criminal record. He didn't do anything."
Adriana says her father works as a handyman and house cleaner, and was on his way to a job Tuesday morning when he was detained by ICE agents along Big Bear Boulevard.
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PAST EVENTS
International Women's Day
Click HERE for Facebook 2026 Rally Video
Mountain Bears Danced all Night
The Mountain Bears danced the night away at the 4th Annual Mardi Gras on the Mountain on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the historic San Moritz Lodge.
Guests enjoyed a festive Mardi Gras–themed soirée featuring unique tastings from SoCal craft breweries and wineries, live music that kept the energy high, authentic New Orleans fare, and an array of pop-up vendors — all under the roof of the gorgeous San Moritz Lodge. The celebration brought community members together for an unforgettable evening of flavor, music, and mountain magic.
February Featured Speaker: Randall Putz
Candidate For: California Assembly District 34
Topic: Bridging the Divide - Staying Safe and Sane in a Polarized World
February Featured Speaker: Randall Putz
Speaker Info: Randall Putz brings 17 years of proven experience in elected office and a lifetime commitment to service. He currently serves in his 3rd term as Mayor of Big Bear Lake, and is honored with statewide recognition for excellence in public service. As an area resident for 25 years, he has held leadership roles with a variety of local and regional agencies focused on public safety, education, transportation, conservation, and planning. Randy is a native Californian, father, small business owner, and community advocate who cares deeply about the future of our region. He stands for transparency, accountability, and fairness that honors labor and equity. In Sacramento he will continue to fight for the attention and resources we need and deserve, putting planet over profit, and people over billionaires.
Links: Candidate Website: https://putzforassembly.com/
All Social Media: putzforassembly
Crestline made the paper!
Rim of the World High School Students Protest
Locally- January 30th 2026, 100 of our local High School Rim of the World students joined in a nationwide protest against recent killings by immigration enforcement by walking out of school and protesting. Students across the country have reported stress and fear seeing families, friends and neighborhoods terrorized by ICE raids. Walking out was a "real life civics lesson" where their voices could be heard in a nonviolent way. We are so proud of our young people for exercising their constitutional rights!
Screenshot
January 25th,
In the wake of the horrific ICE shootings in Minnesota and the tragic murders of Alex Pretti and Renée Good, Crestline rose up. Over 70 residents gathered in the streets, holding anti-ICE signs and sharing voices of grief, anger, and resolve. Our mountain town has had enough—and we are no longer staying silent.
Both shootings occurred during an unprecedented surge of ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis as part of “Operation Metro Surge,” a large federal immigration-enforcement campaign. The deaths of Good and Pretti — ignited widespread anger because many locals and national observers see the force used as excessive, opaque, and unaccountable.
Looking back at 2025
The pursuit of happiness, love, friends, truth, integrity, learning from mistakes, pivot, embracing change, fighting for what is right, grace, listening, being bold.
Thank you all for joining us in this journey and sometimes nightmare called 2025. It has been a horrible year for our country but I can honestly say with all our new friends and fellow warriors it has also been an amazing year. Your passion and strength has been an inspiration.
To win the war we need to reinvent ourselves. We need to cut all the weights we have binded ourselves too. We need to sacrifice our personal agendas and actually listen to others' needs. Embrace democracy for all.
