with Ontario Tower Buzzers
Hello Chino Chewies,
We had a lot of local news happen this past week, especially in the economic & development sector. I’ll save you the news until you scroll down to the Community Scoop, but many items made me grateful for Chino PD and other authorities working hard to keep our community safe.
thank you chino pd! also for legal purposes: im not the speeding hedgehog, just to be clear.
Also, we’re kicking off our in-person event series again with our monthly Dinner Club again TONIGHT, and I can’t wait to see what new friendships form 💚. We did Chino Valley this time, but it might also be fun to take it to Ontario or Walnut or Pomona I think, to explore other restaurants.
Let’s get into it.
Ontario Tower Buzzers Wrap Up a Memorable First Season
One season down, and the Ontario Tower Buzzers gave the Inland Empire plenty to remember.
In their inaugural year at ONT Field, the Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate clinched a playoff spot, welcomed more than 4,100 fans per game, and ranked No. 1 in attendance among all Single-A teams. ONT Field was even named 2026 Ballpark of the Year by BaseballParks.com.
But the baseball was only part of it. Between fireworks, live music, racing hot dogs, visits from Dodgers legends, and Maverick keeping the kids entertained, the Buzzers turned game days into something the whole family could get into.
Their playoff run may have ended earlier than fans hoped, but for a first season? They gave Ontario a pretty great start.
Now comes the hard part: waiting for season two.
See you back at ONT Field in 2027.
Do you want to continue seeing local sports recaps?
💡 We’re Looking for the Next Cohort of Community Sponsors
The Chino Chew is more than just a local newsletter — it’s what connects residents, online and in-person. We aim to bring culture to Chino Valley & beyond as it rapidly grows. The Chino Chew family is 25k+ strong across emails and social platforms.
More importantly, the Chew is free for everyone to read and enjoy, supported by Local Businesses that champion the community!
We’re looking for businesses to partner with us.
Some practicality: we work best with long-term, trust-based businesses (dentists, doctors, health memberships, home services, financial services) so that locals can trust who we recommend.
And being in front of our local readers works: Our roofing partner, Gorrocino Roofing, was able to land a job within 3 months of partnering with us and 5x their investment. Our real estate partners received motivated, valuable leads from our reader base. As an added bonus, every time we do new things (like hosting events), your business will be the first to be recognized as a sponsor.
Want to reach the Chino Valley community in a meaningful way? Send us an email & let’s chat: [email protected]
Here are some things that happened around us, in 60 seconds or less:
Business & Development
🔋 A proposed 400-megawatt battery energy storage facility on 13.89 acres near Benson, Oaks and Edison avenues is being appealed to Chino City Council after a 4–3 Planning Commission denial. Read more.
🏘️ East Chino could see updated development rules allowing smaller front-yard setbacks for homes with side-entry garages, homes facing loop roads, and added street parking on Amsterdam and Aguerre avenues.
🍽️ Six new restaurants have joined the Inland Empire dining scene, giving locals a fresh batch of spots to try. Read more
✈️ Rep. Norma Torres is pushing for more resources at Ontario International Airport as the FAA considers reducing its air traffic controller staffing target from 21 to 15. Read more
🚆 Montclair has sued the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority over its decision to defund the planned Metro A Line extension to the Montclair Transit Center. Read more
🐔 Chino Hills approved a second Chick-fil-A at the Biz Park development near Pomona Rincon Rd. and Soquel Canyon Pkwy. The project includes a 5,317 sq. ft. building and dual-lane drive-thru.
🛍️ The Shoppes at Chino Hills has a new owner. Stockdale Capital Partners says it plans to invest in the property and enhance the shopping center as it begins its next chapter.
Community
🛋️ Chino Hills residents can drop off bulky household items and appliances Sept. 26 from 8 AM–noon at The Shoppes overflow parking lot. Proof of residency required. Read more.
👮 Chino is considering a future Russell M. Miller Sr. Memorial Park honoring the Chino police officer killed in the line of duty in 2000. Read more.
🙏 Chino Hills marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a remembrance ceremony at Chino Valley Fire Station 6, home to a Twin Towers memorial honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters killed that day.
🤝 An Inland Empire nonprofit received grant funding to expand support for people in ICE detention and provide immigration-related assistance. Read more
🥎 Chino Police and Chino Valley Fire faced off in the inaugural Strike Out Childhood Cancer softball fundraiser at Ayala Park, with proceeds benefiting City of Hope Pediatric Cancer Center.
🔫 Chino Police tracked a suspect to San Diego after tools worth thousands were stolen from work trucks and a gun was allegedly pointed at a victim. The stolen property was recovered; a second suspect remained at large.
🛒 Two Ontario residents were arrested after allegedly stealing merchandise from the Stater Bros. on Riverside Drive and struggling with employees. Both were booked on $100,000 bail; no injuries were reported.
🚨 Don Lugo High School was briefly placed on lockdown Sept. 16 after a reported “swatting” call. Chino Police cleared the campus, found no credible threat and determined the call was a hoax.
Dinner Club Is Happening Tonight
Tonight is finally the NIGHT!!!
In a few hours, people around town will be sitting down for dinner with 4-5 people they’ve never met before.
They took the personality quiz. We did the matching, picked the restaurants, and made the reservations. They won’t even know where they’re going until today. All they have to do is show up and see where the night takes them.
We’re musing doing themed dinners in the future, like for Singles Only or for Parent’s Night Out! 🍷
And if you missed September but have been following along thinking, I kinda want to try this — we’re doing it again in October 15, right before Spooky Season.
Maybe we’ll see you at the next table.
Join us for Dinner!
Contract Distrofino for your global palate excursion.
Chino Hills Has a New Sweet Spot 🍪
There’s a new spot on our radar for anyone with a sweet tooth. Sweets Patrol is a Chino Hills–based small business making homemade desserts for everything from a random treat-yourself moment to a full party spread.
Their menu covers quite a bit: cookies, cake pops, cakesicles, chocolate-covered pretzels, Rice Krispy treats, sweet breads, chocoflan, and more. They also switch things up with different flavors — I’m usually a crunchy cookie type person, but Sweets Patrol specializes in gooey cookies. If you like soft cookies, this place is for you.
If you’re ordering for a celebration, they offer party packages along with custom touches like edible images, designed chocolates, and custom packaging. Or, if you just want a cookie, those start at $4 each or $42 per dozen.
Orders are placed through DM, with delivery available for an additional charge.
