What’s new: RTA hiring 50 bus drivers; Doctor of Nursing opens at Cal State SB

Riverside Transit Agency is hiring bus drivers and will host a hiring fair Saturday, March 7 at its Hemet facility.

RTA says it needs 50 drivers to operate its fleet of mid-size buses under 40 feet long.

The starting hourly wage is $26.27 and it comes with a benefits package that includes health, dental and vision insurance coverage, CalPERS retirement, paid holidays and sick days and basic life insurance.

Here’s what job applicants need to bring to the event:

—Valid and nonrestricted Class C driver’s license

—DMV driver’s history printout issued within the last 30 days. (Get that online history printout a DMV kiosk.)

On Saturday, walk-ins will be welcome for onsite assessments. RTA says qualified applicants could get a same-day job offers.

To apply online, visit: Governmentjobs.com/careers/riversidetransit.

To learn more about RTA, visit: www.riversidetransit.com.

Address: 700 Scaramella Circle

Recycle art exhibit coming to Morongo Basin

Artists in the Morongo Basin are invited to participate in the 20th annual recycle art exhibit at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum.

The “Wondrous Waste: 2026 Recycled Art Exhibition” takes place March 21 through May 9.

Art can be dropped off between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. March 11-14 at the museum. Submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until gallery space is full, according to the museum staff.

The complete set of art submission rules and regulations can be found on the Museum’s website, hidesertnaturemuseum.org.

For more information, contact Charlie Rossow, coordinator of museum collections and exhibits, at 760-369-7212.

Doctor of Nursing opens at Cal State SB

Cal State San Bernardino is launching a Doctor of Nursing Practice program this fall with an eye on expanding nursing roles as the region struggles with a shortage of primary care providers.

The program is designed to prepare registered nurses who already have a bachelor of science in nursing degrees for family nurse practitioner certification.

“This is a rigorous BSN-to-DNP program designed to prepare registered nurses for family nurse practitioner certification and to assume the highest levels of professional practice upon graduation,” said Renee Chastain, professor of nursing and founding director of the DNP program.

An FNP is a nurse who provides primary care for patients of all ages, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications and managing ongoing health conditions. The DNP takes that a step further. Considered the highest clinical degree in nursing, it prepares nurse practitioners for advanced patient care and leadership roles aimed at improving healthcare systems.

“The Inland Empire has poor access to health care and healthcare professional shortages,” Chastain said in a university statement. “The graduation of FNPs significantly enhances the quality of health care in communities struggling with limited access to care due to a shortage of providers.”

Applications are being accepted for the inaugural cohort, which will serve as a pilot year for the program. The portal closes in June.

The initial cohort will include up to 16 students, the university said, with future cohorts expanding to as many as 24 people.

The first year will serve as a pilot before the university becomes eligible to apply for accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Find out more online at csusb.edu/nursing.

U-Haul goods now at High5 in Redlands

Benny Phan, owner of High5 Indoor Playground in Redlands, is now a U-Haul provider.

The facility at 811 Tri City Center will offer services like U-Haul trucks and moving supplies, according to the company.

Business hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Customers can reserve moving products by calling 909-425-9188 or go to uhaul.com/Locations.

High5 Indoor Playground is an indoor play space for children.

Complex converting to workforce housing in Victorville

Golden Sands Apartments, a 120‑unit apartment complex in Victorville, is being converted to workforce housing.

The property sold in recent weeks for $21 million to Aspen Real Estate Financial LLC in a partnership with the Housing Authority of San Bernardino County and the California Affordable Housing Agency.

The seller was Hanes Golden Sands Apartments LP, according to CBRE.

The housing authority, through a 40‑year lease and equity sharing structure, will operate the property with affordable rent levels for local households. The county was not required to spend any money for the purchase.

“Golden Sands is the second property CBRE’s Cray Carlson has sold to us in partnership with the Aspen Group that supports our mission to preserve and expand attainable housing options for families in San Bernardino County,” Rishad Mitha, deputy director for the Housing Authority, said in a statement. “Golden Sands Apartments is well positioned to provide long‑term stability for residents and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the local area.”

AREF will establish a reserve fund to support lease payments and operating expenses during recessionary periods, according to the firm. AREF also will donate all equity and future upside to the housing authority, which also gets 100% of the property’s cash flow.

On the move

Tony Gawne is the new chief information officer at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. He has 26 years of experience as a senior technology executive and spent 11 years as chief technology officer for Chickasaw Nation.

Keegan Chetwynd as the new museum curator at March Field Air Museum, which is next to the March Field Air Reserve Base in Riverside. Previously, he spent six years as the museum director at the Military Aviation Museum, in Virginia Beach, Va. In that role, Chetwynd supervised day-to-day operations of the museum.

The business briefs are compiled and edited by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items to sgowen@scng.com. High-resolution images can also be submitted. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.