This week a park in Banning was vandalized, three middle school students were arrested on suspicion of rape, and the Beaumont High School wrestling team made it to CIF.
The teenagers were on suspicion of raping their Nicolet Middle School classmate. The girl told Banning Police Department officers that she was walking home from Roosevelt Williams Park Monday when the boys began to fondle her, grabbed her, and then forced her onto playground equipment. Two boys then held her down while the other raped her.
The suspects were interviewed at on Wednesday, and all admitted to the allegations. The boys are now being held at Riverside County Juvenile Hall, and the case will be handed to the Riverside County District Attorney’s office tomorrow. The DA will decide whether or not the teenagers are tried as adults.
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On Saturday, the wrestling team were in the first round of the 16-team Division 4 CIF Dual Meet Wrestling Championship, held at Redlands East Valley High School. The Cougars lost a 31-30 match to Quartz Hill, the champions of the Golden League.
“We just let it go,” Beaumont Head Coach Jason Lundbland said. “It wasn’t just one person or one thing. It was the whole team.”
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On Tuesday, the Banning City Council revitalization plans for East Ramsey Street, from Hargrave to Hathaway. The council also considered beautifying East Gate with new welcome signs, street lamps and benches, and improving the landscaping along the parkways. The council and public attendees also commented on the proposed replacements for the iconic stone “Welcome to Banning” and “Thank You, Please Come Again” monuments on East Ramsey Street.
“They’ve been a little bit overused and it’s time to change it,” said Duane Burk, public works director.
On Monday, visitors to in Banning were shocked to find on numerous buildings around the park and benches broken. Banning Community Services Director Heidi Meraz said that this type of vandalism is not rare.
“There isn’t enough Banning law enforcement to monitor the park on the weekends,” she said.
Additional reporting by Caesar Contreras, Vanessa Overbeck and T.D. Smith.
