Attending the Spirit of Peace Awards, held at the Annenberg Conference Center in Santa Monica, and receiving recognition during the ceremony for their vital roles in confronting the problems of youth violence in the Inland Empire were:  Margaret Hill; Sheila Futch (representing Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter); and Brenda Dowdy. Not shown are Kim Carter and Terrance Stone.

Photo: Coleman

By Dianne Anderson

Not many areas in the state have suffered the foreclosure housing bite like the Inland Empire.

To help ease the local crisis, the NID Housing Counseling Agency recently partnered up with the  San Bernardino Economic Development Agency and the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches to pave the way for  new low- to moderate-income buyers to get into their first home.

Over the weekend, certified HUD counselor Linda Jackson said the government-run Freddie Mac sponsored auction at the Riverside Convention Center was a huge success. Most everyone got the house they came to bid on.

As soon as customers recognize they may have problems paying their bills, they should contact SCE or The Gas Company to help avoid disconnections and fees that may be required to restore service.