Valley News - January 5, 2024

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Local News Temecula City Council selects Stewart as 2024 mayor, Kalfus as mayor pro tem

VISI T myvalleynews.com

Volume 24, Issue 1

Temecula rings in 2024 with annual New Year’s Eve Grape Drop

TEMECULA – The Temecula City Council unanimously selected 2023 Mayor Pro Tem James “Stew” Stewart to serve as mayor for 2024, during the city council meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The council also unanimously selected Councilmember Brenden Kalfus to serve as 2024 mayor pro tem, who assumes mayoral duties in the event of the mayor’s absence. see page A-2

Regional News Some laws that have gone into effect since Jan. 1 Marie Waldron Special to the Valley News A partial list of new bills passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor usually go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

People skate around the ice rink in front of Temecula city hall during the New Year’s Eve Grape Drop event, Dec. 31. See more photos on page A-6.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Some of the Valley’s history seen lost with the destruction of the Leonard Smohl Memorial Rock Home & Garden see page C-5

Listos California launches readiness campaign ahead of storm season

Julie Reeder Publisher

SACRAMENTO – Working to keep Californians safe this storm season, California is taking action to protect its communities by announcing an in-depth effort to ensure Californians have the life-saving information they need before, during and after this possible extreme winter season. see page B-6

INDEX Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1 Business ............................B-7 Business Directory .............B-7 Calendar of Events .............B-2 Classifieds .........................C-7 Education ..........................B-4 Entertainment ...................B-3 Health ...............................B-5 Home & Garden ................B-6 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-6 Opinion............................ D-6 Regional News ...................C-5 Sports ................................C-1

Lawsuit filed against TVUSD alleging First Amendment violations

A plaque displayed on a sidewalk at the location of where a boulder outcrop with carvings from farmers in the area over 100-years ago and Native American grinding slicks gives information about the historical significance of the rock that was removed during construction of the Phase 3 Clinton Keith Extension Project. The plaque is located near the north end of Los Alamos Road and Clinton Keith Road.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo Tony Ault Staf f Writer Perhaps paraphrasing Goodhart’s Law, “Wherever there is progress, a loss may be seen,” may well be

the case for the Leornard Smohl Memorial Rock or the Los Alamos Heritage Rock, once located at the intersection of Briggs Road and Los Alamos and Thompson Road in French Valley, now a highway

thoroughfare from Murrieta into French Valley and Menifee.

The large rock once bearing the name of “L. Smohl Murrieta, Cal” see ROCK, page A-5

Sandia Creek Drive bridge construction to restart June 2024

Sandra Jacobson, Ph.D. California Trout, Director, South Coast and Sierra Regions

The Sandia Creek Drive bridge replacement project over the Santa Margarita River two miles north of Fallbrook is anticipated to restart

construction in June 2024 with a new pivoted design arching over the river close to the existing structure.

What started as a fish passage project for endangered steelhead trout in the Santa Margarita River, led by CalTrout and funded by

state and federal agencies, is an important multi-benefit community project that enhances public safety by also eliminating the top flooding hotspot in the county.

If you’re a resident, commuter see BRIDGE, page A-2

A lawsuit was filed on Dec. 21, 2023, by Upneet Dhaliwal and Julie Geary, represented by the ACLU Foundation of Southern California and the First Amendment Coalition, against the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) Board of Trustees, its President Joseph Komrosky, and TVUSD. The case (No. 5:23CV-2605) alleges violations of the First Amendment, California Constitution, and the Brown Act. Since a TVUSD conservative majority was elected in 2022, there has been a constant effort in school board meetings to disrupt the members and the president. There have been school employees and members of the public who have been openly hostile and have attacked personally the school board members in meeting after meeting.

President Dr. Komrosky, challenged to come up with a system that allowed the public to have their say, but also allow the board to conduct their regular meetings, implemented a card system, much like a soccer match, whereby people were given a yellow card as a warning, or a red card if the person needed to be removed.

Dr. Komrosky stated regarding his warning system, and the lawsuit repeats, that “‘Disruptions will not be tolerated’ and that attendees who disrupt the meeting will be removed by the Board President or designee. A poster was created by the district with the card warning system explanations. The poster states that ‘Disruptions include’ a variety of forms of conduct, including ‘use of hate speech, obscenity, or similar conduct that disrupts or is likely to disrupt [the] meeting’ and ‘use of loud, see LAWSUIT, page A-4

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

LOCAL

Temecula City Council selects James ‘Stew’ Stewart as 2024 mayor, Brenden Kalfus as mayor pro tem TEMECULA – The Temecula City Council unanimously selected 2023 Mayor Pro Tem James “Stew” Stewart to serve as mayor for 2024, during the city council meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The council also unanimously selected Councilmember Brenden Kalfus to serve as 2024 mayor pro tem, who assumes mayoral duties in the event of the mayor’s absence.

Stewart was first elected to serve on the city council in 2016 and re-elected again in 2020. As a local business owner and resident since 1991, Stewart said, “From its humble beginnings to the vibrant, bustling city we know today, Temecula has become a shining example of opportunity, and I am deeply honored to accept the responsibilities as mayor.”

Stewart is a well-known advocate for public safety within the city, reducing traffic congestion and prioritizing prudent fiscal decisions. He is supportive of career and technical education workforce programs that can equip youth with skills to enter the job market, as well as preserving Temecula’s historical past and creating new traditions through events and activities that bring the community together.

“Temecula’s charm lies in its hometown welcoming atmosphere with over 40 picturesque parks, safe neighborhoods, beautifully manicured roadways and trails, community events, parades, an entrepreneurial environment and an abundance of amenities to enjoy anchored by historical Old Town, Vail Ranch, world class wineries and

James “Stew” Stewart will serve as mayor of Temecula for 2024.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

Brenden Kalfus was selected as mayor pro tem for 2024.

Pechanga,” he said. “It is this very essence that makes Temecula special, and as mayor I am motivated to preserve and enhance these qualities for every

for the Temecula Community Services District.

The new council positions were effective Monday, Jan. 1, for the calendar year, and council

resident, business and visitor.”

Council members Zak Schwank and Jessica Alexander were appointed respectively as 2024 president and vice president

committee and board assignments are anticipated to occur in early 2024.

Submitted by city of Temecula.

Menifee homeless liaison officer lends a helping hand MENIFEE – The Menifee Homeless Liaison Officer Rachel Hunter lended a helping hand to a homeless person, who recently completed a substance abuse treatment program and entered sober living.

In August, Hunter responded to a report of a homeless individual sleeping near a school bus stop.

“The individual, Ethan, explained he was on his way to Lake Elsinore but got lost, had been on the streets for months, and had a drug addiction,” Hunter said. “After talking with him, he explained he was on parole and wanted substance use treatment.”

The Menifee Police Department homeless liaison officer, with their partners the Riverside Unified Health System, Homeless Hous-

ing Opportunities, Partnership & Education Program, got him into a 30-day program. Ethan had a bicycle that the Hunter booked for safekeeping until he was out of treatment.

According to a Menifee Police Department news release, Ethan finished his 30 days and entered a 90-day program to continue treatment. After Ethan completed the program and graduated to sober living, he contacted the Hunter to retrieve his bicycle for transportation as he began to look for work.

Craig Cooper from Menifee Bicycles donated a bike lock for Ethan to use, and after he became aware of the poor condition of Ethan’s bike, he also decided to donate a new mountain bike for Ethan.

Temecula Valley Unified School District announces a Governing Board of Education Vacancy; It is now accepting applications for provisional appointment consideration.

For details, see the legal notice on page D-7.

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Cit y News Service News Special to Valley of killing Three men suspected man in Winchester a 78-year-old Friday, May 5. were in custody see page A-8

Regional News $1.1M paid to resolve ransomware attack on San Bernardino County

INO (AP) — A SAN BERNARD was made $1.1 million payment e attack to resolve a ransomwar county’s law on a California network, enforcement computer News Group Southern California reported.

Single copy pricing is now $2.00. the 48th Cupa Days for guests attendingA-4.

Singers perform Pal Atingva Kupa singers. See more photos on page as dancers as well

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INDEX ......... D-1 Anza Valley Outlook ..........B-6 Business .................. .............B-7 Business Directory .............B-2 Calendar of Events .......B-7 Classifieds .................. ...............A-8 Courts & Crimes ........C-4 Education .................. ...................B-1 Entertainment ......C-8 ..................

Faith.......... ............C-6 Health .................. ................B-5 Garden & Home ..............A-1 Local .................. ..... D-5 Opinion....................... ......B-8 Real Estate .................. ...................C-7 Regional News ..............C-1 Sports ..................

composition ivories with an original respectively. Lorena and a standard, dancers from Diane A. Rhodes News Hancock presentedof Menifee and Special to Valley Folklorico Got Talent Ballet performed a classic The annual Menifee’s dancers Jasmine Lliescu Esparza led singers, ballet number. Emanuel took event showcasing from all genres, a jazz combo and Grace Kyte at and musicians band Name in-person event vocals for the rock returned as an performing lead School’s Pending.

Liberty High a musical May 5. Hundreds The evening provided Luna arts theater on audience members storm as 10-year-old Joseph his of enthusiastic with by a wide variety huge applause were entertained two-hour show Jr. brought a Journey song and the rendition of of acts during brought the house Council Menifee. presented by Arts Gabby Nicoll, Hannah Butleroriginal composition down with an Singers were Hannah Butler “Ok, Ok.” Joseph Luna Jr., Ramos, Richard she titled rst launched by When it was fi (with guitar), J.R. Park and CharMenifee in 2011, Arts Council Ketcham, Christine a compe(duet), DeAndre Got Talent was reality maine Summers Woisin, Aryana Menifee’s popular the to similar tition, Pullen, Audrey Forys, David shows. ACM President Campos, Abishay Carpenter (with television r Colleen and MGT Coordinato the Mallery, Raymond Moroz, Benjamin Ackerman said she initiated guitar), Daniella Mona. page A-7 Cooper and AngelaJames Schaffer see TALENT, Menifee’s Got Talent, at the very first Pianists Aaron the having appeared Shawcroft tickled an original tune.

Hannah Butler, Rhodes photo and Barbara on May 5, performing Valley News/Diane A. returns to its stage

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Classic cars crui

Menifee homeless liaison officer Rachel Hunter, second from left, poses with Ethan, third from left, with his new donated bicycle from Menifee Bicycles.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Positions available on Old Town Local Advisory Committee TEMECULA - The city of Temecula invited interested residents to apply for the following positions on the Old Town Local Advisory Committee: one landowner within Old Town Specific Plan Area; one licensed architect and one Temecula resident at-large.

The city council will make appointments to these positions at a

public meeting in February 2024.

The term of each position will be March 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026.

The recruitment period for these positions is through Jan. 31. Applicants may apply online through the city’s website at http://TemeculaCA.gov. Supporting documents, if any, must be submitted together

with the application. Qualified applicants must be a resident of Temecula at the time the application is submitted.

Contact the city clerk’s office at 951-694-6444 for more information.

Submitted by the city of Temecula.

BRIDGE from page A-1

This restores the natural hydrology of the river, and removes the last barrier to steelhead passage between the ocean and headwaters 30 miles inland. Parking at the Santa Margarita Trail Preserve and access to trails will remain throughout construction. The Wildland Conservancy will continue to offer trail guidance.

The new multi-use trail crossing Sandia Creek Drive built last fall is very popular with trail users, and has enhanced safety features of activatable lights, signs and a crosswalk. The Project was developed in close review by the County San Diego, which will own and

maintain the bridge.

The Project re-alignment will be reviewed by many regulatory agencies through a permitting process, developed in collaboration with the Pechanga Band of Indians, and presented to Fallbrook Community Planning Group.

CalTrout will be holding public meetings in the next three months to inform residents of the new bridge construction schedule.

For more information on CalTrout projects, here and throughout the state, visit www.caltrout. org. CalTrout – Providing solutions to complex issues to benefit fish, water and people.

or visitor to the Santa Margarita Trail Preserve, you’ll see workers on site starting early summer as we position the new steel bridge to cross the river away from sensitive areas encountered at the original bridge alignment downstream.

Re-vegetation of cleared areas has already started and will continue alongside construction of the bridge. The existing road will stay operational until the new bridge is completed in June 2025, at which time the flood-prone aging concrete box culvert structure will be demolished.

s included photo May 6. The performance Valley News/Shane Gibson

s Got Talent es that Menifee’ Variety show prov

see page C-7

Hunter and the HHOPE partners delivered the new bicycle to Ethan Wednesday, Dec. 20. He was also offered a job.

“We are proud of Ethan and proud to serve this community,” Hunter said.

Submitted by Menifee Police Department.

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MyValleyNews.com

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January 5, 2024 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

A clearer picture of

LUNG HEALTH Area’s first to offer Ion® robotic bronchoscopy Early detection is one of the most effective ways to improve lung cancer outcomes.

To help catch the disease in its earliest stages, SOUTHWEST HEALTHCARE TEMECULA VALLEY HOSPITAL has become the first hospital in Southwest Riverside County to perform lung biopsies with the Intuitive® Ion® robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform.

Combining its ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable catheter and 4D imaging, Ion maps the constantly changing shape of the lung to pinpoint the lesion’s location with enhanced precision and efficiency.

By accessing previously unreachable parts of the lungs, pulmonologists are able to find cancerous cells sooner and can greatly improve patient outcomes.

To schedule a low-dose CT screening, speak to your primary care provider.

For more details, visit SWHtemeculavalley.com/lung

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Temecula Valley Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 242046204-2172379 12/23

31700 Temecula Parkway Temecula, CA 92592 951-331-2200

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

LOCAL

Nonprofit groups band together to help at-risk youth

From left, STEM Coach Bob and Dr. Mona Salomo-Davies, Give Back Scholars Jacori Neal, Clarissa Fears, Jaelin Neal, and Janice and Larry Bradfield, Beyond and Give Back attend the 5th annual Scholar Dinner hosted by Give Something Back.

Valley News/Courtesy photos Lynn K. Loyd Special to the Valley News Thanks to the efforts of Community Outreach Ministry co-founders Dr. Mona Salomo-Davies and her husband, STEM Coach Bob, the lives of thousands of children impacted by one or both parents in prison have been improved.

The Davies started the 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in 2000 and offer year-round STEM Mentor Protégé Workshops, Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration Workshops, and comprehensive community support referrals for at-risk chil-

dren in Riverside County. The dedicated team also works diligently to form partnerships with similar-minded organizations such as Give Something Back.

Give Something Back helps students attain success who face significant financial challenges and experienced barriers such as foster care, homelessness, or the incarceration of a parent, according to its website https://www.giveback. ngo. Part of the nonprofit group’s mission is to provide tutoring/academic coaching services to youth as well as financial assistance for college.

Where your monthly-recurring donations positively impacts our community by helping the Fallbrook Food Pantry feed more people!

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DO IT FOR HER 5K at Mount Palomar Winery

Participants will run through the vineyards and scenic hills at Mount Palomar’s breathtaking property, finishing with a post-race celebration featuring local vendors and Mount Palomar’s award winning wine!

6:30am Same Day Registration (based on availability) 7:00am Same Day Check-in 8:00am Race Starts Early bib pick up available at Mt. Palomar Winery Friday, January 19th & Saturday, January 20th

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Fallbrook Pop Warner Football

On Dec. 2, Give Something Back held its 5th Scholar Dinner that drew numerous teens with a minimum 3.0 GPA whose hard work yielded awards for both academic coaching and tuition assistance.

Award recipient JesiYah Neal had this to say about being a scholar in the Give Something Back program: “I am in the 10th grade at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore. I want to be an architect and I am very thankful about what Give Back is doing for me. One day, I would like to help others get a scholarship.”

Anthony Neal-Long, a 14-yearold in 9th grade at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore said he appreciates what the organization is doing to help him achieve his goal of becoming an electrical technician.

“I am studying to earn a certificate of completion to become a medical assistant,” said Fayth Ronzello, a student at the Health Staff Training Institute in Temecula. “My career goal is to become an ultrasound technician.

The staff at Give Something Back has helped me to build confidence to have a successful future. I am beyond thankful for my mentors and scholarship.”

JesiYah Neal, Anthony Neal-Long, Fayth Ronzello, Elijah O’Leary, Clarissa Fears, Dr. Mona and Coach Bob Davies.

Elijah O’Leary who is a senior at Tahquitz High School in Hemet is pursuing plans to become a professional photographer and said that “the Give Back Scholarship Award has meant so much to me. It helped me gain skills to become successful and I received encouragement and support.”

College freshman Clarissa Fears, a student at Mt. San Jacinto College at the Menifee campus was another award recipient. The business major is also an entrepreneur who owns My Screen Prints in Lake Elsinore. “I do screen printing on apparel and other products such as mugs, tumblers, puzzles, mouse pads, and much more,” Fears said. “I’m very grateful to receive the Give Something Back award. It means I’m able to gain more knowledge on how to run and sustain my business.”

Two alumni scholar’s Jacori and Jaelin Neal brothers are currently serving in the United States Navy.

Christine Brown, LCSW and Give Something Back Chief of Student

Programming, had the following to say about the two brothers who have made remarkable achievements over the years thanks to their collaborative efforts with Community Outreach Ministry.

“We are excited for both Jacori and Jaelin Neal to start this new chapter in their lives, but we will miss them being here. They will always be part of the Give Something Back family. We are exceptionally proud of both and look forward to seeing them again soon.”

Visit www.communityoutreachministry.org to see ways to donate to “STEM Mentor Protégé Workshops.” This workshop is helping the youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and to qualify students for Give Back.

Students as early as 8th grade may contact the ministry office 951698-7650, mobile 951-231-5515 or info@communityoutreachministry.org to learn about workshops or the Scholars Program.

Menifee police arrest alleged burglary suspects MENIFEE – The New Hub Pharmacy in Menifee was burglarized Sunday, Sept. 24, in a “smash and grab”style burglary when three masked suspects allegedly forced open an exterior door to the business, destroying the external security system and causing nearly $10,000 worth of damage, according to the Menifee Police Department. Once inside, suspects allegedly continued to vandalize the interior of the business and to steal numerous prescription medications. Patrol officers identified the involved parties, and through coordinated efforts from the Menifee Police Department, the Escondido Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the suspects were linked to nearly 50 similar burglaries spanning from San Diego to Ventura County. These suspects were allegedly responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in damage to related businesses and close to

$250,000 in stolen merchandise.

The suspects were found to be documented gang members from Compton with lengthy criminal histories and violent priors. Many of these alleged suspects were also found to be on parole or probation for gun offenses. Through the coordinated efforts of the Menifee Police Department, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the San Diego County District Attorney Office’s Organized Retail Theft division, numerous felony charges were brought against the alleged suspects, and warrants were obtained for their arrest.

Three separate locations were searched Tuesday, Dec. 12, and warrants were executed in Compton in a joint operation involving numerous other agencies. The collaborative effort resulted in the recovery of evidence from the series of commercial burglaries along with the recovery of several unregistered and unserialized firearms.

The search led to the arrest of the burglary suspects and an arrest for unrelated weapons offenses.

In total, this investigation resulted in the arrest of six documented gang members with violent priors and the recovery of numerous unlawful firearms, stolen prescription medication, evidence of narcotics sales and evidence potentially linking the subjects to several gang-on-gang-related shootings.

Commercial retail theft has a debilitating effect on local businesses and is on the rise statewide, according to the department. The Menifee Police Department said it is committed to coordinating its efforts with surrounding agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice.

If you have any information regarding similar incidents, contact Officer Robert Cultrera at rcultrera@menifeepolice.org.

Submitted by Menifee Police Department.

LAWSUIT from page A-1

without consideration of whether it actually disrupts or impedes a board meeting.

The disruptive behavior has been well documented with activists who are attacking and insulting members of the board directly, sometimes unrelated to the topic at hand, but what appears to be bullying, including insulting a director’s wardrobe, their intellect, or their looks. There has been name-calling, shouting, accusations, and grandstanding.

The card system was introduced as a way to warn people and try to conduct business in a contentious atmosphere with proponents of a recall present that was launched against Dr. Komrosky.

Plaintiffs Dhaliwal and Geary

are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, nominal damages, and attorneys’ fees. They request the court to declare the defendants’ actions unconstitutional and to enjoin them from future violations. The plaintiffs also seek an unconditional assurance from the defendants to comply with the Brown Act, California’s open meetings law.

This case highlights ongoing tensions over free speech and public participation in school board meetings, an issue that has gained national attention in recent years.

Obviously the goal would be for the public to be respectful, allowing the board to get through their long list of business, and allowing others to speak.

profane, or abusive language that disrupts or is likely to disrupt [the] meeting.’

According to the the plaintiff’s claim, President Komrosky and the TVUSD Board have adopted policies with their warning system that are unconstitutionally vague and overbroad, infringing upon their rights to free speech and public participation in the school board meetings.

The lawsuit further alleges that the TVUSD Board ratified Komrosky’s actions by adopting regulations governing “disruptive” conduct at meetings. This policy reportedly includes a list of conduct deemed “disruptive”

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January 5, 2024 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

LOCAL ROCK from page A-1 and a reverse swastika, was perhaps the hope of its carver as he left for military service in June, 1917 at the height of WWI, as a symbol of his hope for peace, according to historians. The reverse swastika, to the Native American tribes is a symbol of good luck, healing and peace. Smohl survived the war but not without injury. Evidence that part of the rock was used by the ancient Indians for grinding nuts and seeds was also seen on it.

Another set of initials on the rock was, “C.A.G.” and a birth date believed to belong to a Clifford Aaron Garinger who was born on September 9, in 1890 and lived in a home near the rock. It was a time before the City of Murrieta was created, with its population farming thousands of acres of rich soil linked by dirt roads and a railroad.

A boundary marker was also connected to the rock that archeologists may have missed.

Unfortunately, the rock was not designated as a historical site, thus allowing highway contractors to bulldoze down the rock on June 17, 2022 in order to make way for the widening of Briggs Road that connects with the Clinton Keith Road extension into Menifee and opening another way to for motorists to connect with French Valley on Highway 79 (SR79).

Now the only thing that remains is a memorial plaque, donated by the County of Riverside Transportation Department, located at the demolished rock site. Attached to the memorial are photos of the two rock faces that are no longer there, the survey medallion once affixed to the rock, a view of the intact rock, and a view of the rock.

One local historian, Valley News guest columnist and author, Rebecca Farnbach, who saw the Leornard Smohl Memorial Rock as a part of the Valley’s history, wrote a poem “Heaven Wept Today” about the official highway connection event.

“Heaven wept today While the bigwigs gathered under a tent under drizzling rain

To celebrate the success Of the completion of the project Connecting two roads together.

The ancient ones cried.

Modern progress erased their traces, The grinding stones that had stood for eons, The graffiti marking the passage of two young boys, A marker in the place in the universe.

An archeologist forgot to mention the huge rocks So earthmovers broken and displaced them.

It is progress.

‘It makes it possible for more cars to move more easily’ Few dignitaries noted the insignificant sign On the heap of broken boulders.

Heaven wept.

I did too.”

Rebecca Farnbach Historians Farnbach and Jeffery Harmon contributed to this article.

Motorists travel along the newly opened Phase 3 construction completion of the Clinton Keith Extension Project near Benton and Winchester Roads in Murrieta.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Motorists travel along the newly opened Phase 3 of the Clinton Keith Extension Project where traffic signals will be used in the future as development continues in the area.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

The rock in the midst of demolition.

“L. Smohl Murrieta, Cal” and a reverse swastika were carved into the rock back in June 1917.

Valley News/Courtesy photo Valley News/Courtesy photo

NOT ALL ITEMS ACCEPTED | MURRIETA RESIDENTS ONLY

MURRIETA CITY HALL - 1 TOWN SQUARE - MURRIETA, CA 92562 SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024 8 AM - 12 PM

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

LOCAL

Suspects in custody after officer-involved-shooting

LAKE ELSINORE - The Riverside Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit and Lake Elsinore Special Enforcement Team located two subjects on Dec. 31, in the Temecula area matching the description of the outstanding suspects who were suspected of being involved in a pursuit and officer involved shooting earlier in the day.

One of the suspects had injuries consistent with the deputyinvolved shooting which had occurred earlier in the day. They were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. There are no outstanding suspects. The identity of the suspects will not be released at this time. This is an ongoing investigation; no further details are available.

On Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at

1:09 p.m., a Wildomar deputy assigned to the Riverside Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Station located a stolen vehicle in the area of Cervera Road and Prairie Road, Wildomar. The deputy attempted a vehicle stop; however, the suspect failed to follow commands. The suspect vehicle made a U-turn and intentionally drove into the driver’s side door of the deputy’s vehicle, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The deputy’s vehicle became disabled as a result of the collision.

The two occupants of the suspect vehicle ran northbound on Prairie Road toward Cervera Road, entered a silver Chevy Impala with license plate CA 7WLX269, and fled the scene. Witnesses described the first suspect as a 27, 28-year-

old thin-build Hispanic male, approximately 5’9”. He was last seen wearing a green hat, a black hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans.

The second suspect was described as a 30-year-old Hispanic male approximately 5’3” or 5’4” heavy build. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and darkcolored jeans. He also has red lips tattooed on his right cheek.

The deputy sustained minor injuries during this incident.

The involved deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave according to department policy. The name of the involved deputy will not be released at this time. Investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the Riverside Sheriff’s Force Investigations De-

Stolen vehicle used to ram the Sheriff’s patrol car with the deputy inside is towed away. Suspects stole a second vehicle to escape.

Gilbert Gonzales Photography

tail will lead the investigation. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Riverside County Senior District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson or Riverside County Sheriff’s Master Investigator James

Dickey at 951-955-2777.

If you have any information on the suspects or vehicle, please contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099. If there is an emergency, dial 911.

Submitted by Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

EMWD approves resolutions requesting annexation of city of Murrieta maintenance yard Joe Naiman Writer

Murrieta owns 6.91 acres at the intersection of Fig Street and Adams Avenue. That land is not within the boundaries of a water or sewer district, and the Eastern Municipal Water District board meeting Wednesday, Dec. 20, included approval of two resolutions requesting annexation for that area.

The 4-0 vote, with Jeff Armstrong absent, approved the map and legal description of the land, authorized EMWD staff to distribute the necessary funding for the annexation processings and adopted the two resolutions requesting the annexation. The land will be concurrently annexed into Eastern, the Rancho California Water District and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. MWD approval will

thus be required, and one of the resolutions requests that MWD provide the terms and conditions for the annexation and accept the annexation of that land into the MWD boundaries. A jurisdictional boundary change will also require the approval of Riverside County’s Local Agency Formation Commission, and the other resolution requests that LAFCO initiate the annexation proceedings.

Murrieta is using the property

for a maintenance yard. The city has been utilizing a groundwater well, but that well is insufficient for ongoing needs and the city requested annexation to allow for municipal water service. The Rancho California Water District would provide the water service, and if sewer service is needed, Eastern would provide it.

Eastern will act as the lead agency for the annexation process.

Rancho Water is not a member of

MWD and receives MWD supply from the Western Municipal Water District. Murrieta will reimburse Eastern for fees incurred and will also pay the EMWD and RCWD annexation fees. MWD is expected to consider the annexation including terms and conditions in May 2024, and the timeline anticipates LAFCO action in November 2024.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com.

Regional Conservation Authority purchases 240 acres of Walker Canyon Property Tony Ault Staf f Writer

The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority recently acquired approximately 240 new acres of threatened and endangered species habitat to protect in perpetuity in Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore.

The Ecosystems Investment Partners purchased the property

for $1.44 million with state grant funding.

“For generations to come, Walker Canyon will be protected for habitat conservation and for the enjoyment of Lake Elsinore residents and surrounding communities,” RCA Chair and Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson said. “Adding this property to the MSHCP assembly is a tremendous milestone and illustrates

the regional and state dedication to the MSHCP. I’m proud of the meaningful progress the RCA has made to protect our natural habitat, including in the great city of Lake Elsinore. I am confident that RCA will build on this success.”

The properties are located east of Interstate 15, near Lake Street in Lake Elsinore within the MSHCP Proposed Core 1 conservation area. In recent years, this area has

received much attention for the California poppy super blooms due to the significant rainfall.

Proposed Core 1 has long been under pressure for development as the communities in the region continue to grow. When the MSHCP reserve system is completely assembled in Proposed Core 1, it will provide the wildlife linkages and healthy habitats essential to the survival of MSHCP-protected

species.

The EIP Walker Canyon property supports a mix of grassland, coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats.

California gnatcatcher, matilija poppy, Southern California rufouscrowned sparrow, Bell’s sparrow and coastal western whiptail will be protected by the RCA with the acquisition of EIP Walker Canyon.

Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

TEMECULA NEW YEAR’S EVE GRAPE DROP from page A-1

People view and take pictures inside an immersive illuminated Christmas ornament during the Temecula New Year’s Eve Grape Drop event.

A large illuminated cluster of grapes hangs from a crane above Town Square in Old Town Temecula ready for the new year’s countdown during the New Year’s Eve Grape Drop.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photos Ice skating aids wait to be used by young skaters during the Temecula New Year’s Eve Grape Drop event.

Oliver Diaz, 12, leaps into an inflatable slide for children at the Temecula New Year’s Eve Grape Drop event.

People skate around the ice rink under a large illuminated cluster of grapes during the New Year’s Eve Grape Drop event.

Local group B.A.M performs for guests attending the Temecula New Year’s Eve Grape Drop.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

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Section

COMMUNITY January 5 – 11, 2024

www.myvalleynews.com

Volume 24, Issue 1

Soboba Tribal TANF honors achievements and families

Judge Sunshine Sykes addresses guests at the Soboba Tribal TANF Program’s annual celebration of participants, Friday, Dec. 15.

Enjoying the Soboba Tribal TANF Program’s annual Honoring Ceremony and Traditional Family Gathering are, clockwise from bottom left, Monica Herrara, Art Lopez, Steven Estrada, Isaiah Vivanco, Geneva Mojado, Harold Arres, Michael Bentiste, Daniel Valdez and Judge Sunshine Sykes.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Special to the Valley News The Soboba Tribal TANF Program hosted its annual Honoring Ceremony and Traditional Family Gathering at the Soboba Springs Golf Course Friday, Dec. 15. A welcome and blessing was followed by a buffet dinner featuring many delicious options such as braised short ribs, roasted turkey and dressing and winter salad.

The Inter-Tribal Bird Singers performed a few well-received songs before keynote speaker Judge Sunshine Sykes addressed the audience with her inspiring and heartfelt words.

With miniature Christmas trees as centerpieces, families from all TANF sites gathered at dinner tables to enjoy good food and great company. Along with members from the Soboba site, others from the Riverside, Cahuilla and Santa Rosa TANF sites were in attendance. William Ramirez, who served as master of ceremonies, introduced guests and oversaw the many raffle prizes available.

The youngest children were given an opportunity to spend time in an arts and crafts room during Sykes’ speech. They made lastminute gifts for their friends and family such as decorative frames to be used for holiday photos and more. TANF staff supervised while Christmas music played, and children got to use all the glitter and stickers they wanted to create their crafts.

Sykes, who is a U.S. District Court judge appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, is a member of the Navajo Nation and serves in Riverside. Before being a federal judge, she was a state court

judge, also in Riverside. Between law school and becoming a judge, she worked with Tribes and Tribal members on issues affecting Indian people and Natives.

“It’s been great being here with you today and seeing all the happiness, love and joy that is within this room and all the successes from all of you here,” Sykes said.

“As many of you know, California has the largest Native population in the country and a number of these Tribes are found right here in Riverside County, yet it took until 2013 to have a Native American judge on the state court bench. It took until 2022 for the federal court to have a Native American judge in the entire state of California. My appointments to both the state and the federal court were historic. I was the first in each of those spaces. The first Native seated at a table that had historically never welcomed nor invited a Native to sit. And I mention this to demonstrate how much further we need to go to have equal representation in these spaces.

There are many of these spaces across the country in many careers and we can only achieve a seat at these tables through education, determination and resilience. All of these have been a large part of my journey to be able to stand here before you all.”

She shared that her maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather grew up on the Navajo reservation, each being the first in their family to speak English and attend any type of school.

“My great-grandmother spoke no English and herded sheep, living in a small hogan with no electricity and no running water,” Sykes said. “They lived their lives

traditionally until they were forced to attend Sherman Indian Institute which ironically was just a few miles away from my courthouse in Riverside.”

Her grandfather had told her how he was taken from his home, forced to cut his hair, forced to not speak his native language and forced to march to and from classes. But despite such trauma, she said her grandparents made a life for themselves and for her mother.

“My mother and father also grew up on the Navajo reservation and although they had me at quite a young age, they were both 17, they were still able to graduate high school and go onto college and get their bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” she said. “So it is possible to go to college and have children and make it through.”

Sykes had her first of four daughters while she was attending law school and admits it was a lot of work but doable.

“Unfortunately, my parents divorced when I was six and my mother traveled with me to Washington, D.C., to begin a career at the Bureau of Indian Affairs,” she said.

Her mother was relocated to Gallup, New Mexico, and Sykes said growing up there caused her to see many injustices.

“Gallup is a border town to the Navajo reservation, which like many other reservations, does not allow alcohol,” she said. “Due to this, Gallup has a lot of bars, alcoholism, poverty and racism.”

Sykes said it was those injustices that she saw and experienced that really drew her to the law and

Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photos

Judge Sunshine Sykes, left, congratulates Marggie Vargas and Chris Jorge, two of this year’s recipients of Advance Technical Institute’s Student of the Year award.

see SOBOBA, page B-4

Soboba Tribal TANF Program team members pose for a picture with this year’s Youth Leadership award winners, including from left, senior program specialist Annalisa Tucker, Abigail Arres, Zachary Guacheno and Regional Prevention Manager Harold Arres.

Guests are treated to dinner and raffle prizes at the Soboba Tribal TANF Program’s annual Honoring Ceremony and Traditional Family Gathering at Soboba Springs Golf Course.

Young children are invited to make holiday crafts in a separate room during the keynote speaker portion of the program with help from TANF staff members Xochi Smith Amador, at left, and Annalisa Tucker.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

Find something to do!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@ reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS Jan. 5 to Jan. 17 - Rotary Club of Murrieta inviting high schoolers to speak and vie for prize money in its Four-Way Speech Contest in the Rotary District 5330 competition. Must write about things we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH, Is it FAIR to all concerned?Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, January 17, 2024 for the Murrieta contest which will be held at 6 p.m. on January 31, 2024 at the Murrieta Valley Unified District Headquarters, 41870 McAlby Court, Murrieta. The entry application and contest rules can be requested by email at murrietarotary@gmail.com.

Jan. 5 - Winter Break activities at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Inland Valley at the Perris Valley clubhouse , 904 S. D Street and the Menifee clubhouse at 26301 Garbani Road in Menifee. Annual memberships open for $25 with weekly rates at $115 and the daily rate at $25. Call 951-940-5888 for Perris and 951-246- 8845 for Menifee.

Jan. 6 - Deadline to sign up for Valley-Wide Recration’s Winter Youth Basketball league. Team shirt included and awards after a 10-game season. Registration at the Menifee Gym, 28545, Menifee or at the Marion Ashley Community Center, 25625 Briggs Road, Menifee. PK to 12th grade. $65 to join. See gorecreation.org Phone 951-672-0507.

Jan. 11 - 4-5:30 p.m. Teen Bad Art Night at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road, Temecula. For grades 7-12. Pipe cleaners, buttons and felt, and an assortment of crafting materials and art supplies will be supplied. Limited to 25 participants.

Advance registration begins two weeks prior to scheduled programs and events.Please register at the library reception desk or by calling (951) 693-8900.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Jan. 5 - Sign up for the Murrieta City Hall Citizens Academy starting February, 3, 2024 and on Thursday nights through March 21. Limited to the first 25 to sign up. Hear from all the Murrieta City departments and the City Manager’s office about what they do and how they impact the community and the chance to meet community leaders. Special accommodations may be made for participants under the age of 18.

Early registration is encouraged. To sign up and for more information please visit https://www.murrietaca. gov/945/Citizens-Academy or call 951-461-6449.

Jan. 5 - 10 a.m. - p.m.Last day for the Temecula on Ice at Town Square Park, 41000 Main St. with a stateof-the-art ice rink, rental skates, Bobby skating aids, and its own radio station playing the best ice skating music! The Rink remains open rain or shine. Admission $20 to $25 includes skate rental. Bobby skating aid $10.

Jan. 13 – 6 p.m. The Traveling Wilburys tribute band will be stopping at the Historic Hemet Theater at 216 E. Florida Ave. in Hemet for an engagement kicking off the theater’s spring tribute band events. Call 951-859-5950 for tickets and information. See www.

HistoricHemetTheater.com Jan. 27 - 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Adult Art Workshop with Art Club middle schoolers at Menifee Public Library, 28798 La Piedra Road, Menifee Jan. 27 - 9 a.m. to noon 2nd annual 3K walk and mixer at Menifee Central Park, 30268 Civic Center Drive, Menifee. Registration free.

See blackchamberofcommerce. org or call Tolanda 888-466-7408 ext. 142 ONGOING – Riverside Transportation Commission is offering Park and Ride lots to connect with carpools, vanpools and transit systems in Beaumont at 600 E. Sixth Street in San Jacinto; at 501 S. San Jacinto Avenue and in Temecula at Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but not on weekends.

ONGOING – Line dancing classes are held Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Lake Elsinore/ Wildomar Elks Lodge, 33700 Mission Trail, in Wildomar across from

the Animal Friends of the Valleys.

Classes have a DJ with learning levels beginning to intermediate.

Have fun and exercise at the same time at $5 per lesson. Contact Joyce Hohenadl at 951-674-2159 ONGOING – Sun City Civic Association Monthly Square Dance sessions are held Sundays from 1:30-5 p.m. at 26850 Sun City Boulevard.

ONGOING – If you know a homebound older adult, resources in Menifee are available, including grab-and-go, cooked and frozen food for pickup. Courtesy pantry items and meals delivered with no contact. Three days of emergency food can be delivered immediately or restaurant meal delivery for those who don’t qualify for food assistance programs. Call the California Department on Aging at 800-5102020 for help.

ONGOING – The Riverside County COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program is accepting online applications for business grants up to $10,000 at http:// www.rivercobizhelp.org that can be used for employee retention, working capital, personal protective equipment purchases, rent or mortgage payments and paying vendor notices. Eligible businesses, including nonprofits, must be in Riverside County, with a minimum of one but less than 50 employees and operating for at least one year since March 1. For more information, call Riverside County Business and Community Services at 951-955-0493.

ONGOING – 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Temecula Winchester Swap Meet continues, 33280 Newport Road in Winchester. Saturdays and Sundays only. The small local swap meet is only 50 cents for entry, and anyone under age 10 is free admission. No dogs allowed.

ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Sunday, Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Village Walk Place in Murrieta. The Sunday morning farmers market at Village Walk Plaza is a place to buy fruits and veggies, gourmet food and crafts. Come to the center in the northwest corner of Kalmia/ Cal Oaks at the Interstate 215 exit in Murrieta.

ONGOING – Temecula’s Farm-

Crossword Puzzle Theme: Winter Fun

ACROSS 1. Mulligatawny and gazpacho, e.g.

6. Half of NFL 9. “Oscar” of sports 13. Relating to sight 14. Sargasso ____ 15. Dugout glider 16. Not fresh 17. First H in HRH 18. Face-to-face exams 19. *Ice fishing shelter 21. *”Polar” activity 23. *Type of Christmas tree 24. Diagonal 25. Tax return professional, acr.

28. Kind of cola 30. Diaphragm spasm 35. Scepters’ partners 37. Of two minds 39. ____ Jean Baker 40. *Rabbit’s winter one is white 41. Sheik’s bevy?

43. Type of dam 44. Butcher’s refuse 46. Etna’s emission 47. Secret disclosure 48. Stellar 50. Chap or fella 52. Diabetic ketoacidosis, acr.

53. A or O, to blood 55. Unit of electrical resistance 57. *Finger warmers 60. *Certain sleigh ride 63. Courtroom excuse 64. Gobbled up 66. Train runners 68. Land of taekwondo 69. “Caroline in the City” Thompson 70. Relating to Scandinavia 71. Not home 72. *Last winter mo.

73. Klondike river

DOWN 1. Acronym in a bottle 2. Chooses 3. Colorado’s neighbor 4. a.k.a. pilau 5. Like a longer route?

6. Grayish 7. ATM extra 8. Carpus, pl.

9. Bring home the bacon 10. Unforeseen obstacle 11. *Skier’s aid 12. Da or oui 15. Jenny McCarthy to Melissa McCarthy 20. Engagement, archaic 22. ____-di-dah 24. Onslaught 25. *Warming drink 26. Faculty members, for short

27. Behind a stern 29. *Frosty’s eyes 31. Type of hood 32. Apollo of “Rocky” 33. Inuit skin boat 34. *a.k.a. anorak 36. *Betelgeuse, e.g.

38. *Snow, in Italy 42. Lord’s estate 45. Lithuania’s neighbor 49. NaOH 51. Like a rosebush 54. Church song 56. Meow, alt. sp.

57. ___-in-the-dark 58. Milano moolah 59. Toe the line 60. Product of lacrimation 61. Michael Douglas’ dad 62. “The Sun ____ Rises” 63. *What clues #4 and #34 Down have in common 65. High affair 67. Barack Obama, pre-pres.

Answers on page B-6

ers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Riverside County Public Health orders, the farmers markets will be restricted to agriculture products only. Follow the Old Town Temecula Farmers Market on Facebook to stay updated. No pets allowed.

WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, NOTICES Jan. 5 - Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District invites the public to take a survey if they would like to see another recreation center and gymnasium. Take the survey at https://survey.zohopublic/zs/ BwCvs One respondent will receive a $50 gift certificate.

Jan. 5 ‘Shop Local” in Menifee! The City of Menifee do their shopping at the wide variety of businesses throughout the city for all their new years needs. From dining and entertainment to beauty and gift-giving, Shop Local Menifee has lined out 45 fun ways to shop locally See menifeebusiness. com/45days for an interactive calendar of ways to support local businesses Jan. 5 – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday - Sunday. Dorland Mountain Arts associate artists’ fine art exhibit at the gallery. Public welcome at 36701 Hwy 79 South Temecula.

See www.dorlandartscolony.org for more information.

Jan. 5 - City of Temecula Adult Sports Leagues Upcoming 2024 Winter / Spring Season Registration Packets Available Online Now. Offering Adult Softball, Kickball, and Basketball Sports Leagues.

Games are held on weekdays from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Build your team today. Different skill levels. For more League information, pricing, and to download Team Registration Packets for the various sports leagues, please visit TemeculaCA. gov/Sports.

Jan. 6 - Call to artists of Dorland Mountain Arts for three selections of the Alchemy of Art 2024 for the upcoming exhibitions beginning Jan. 13. Intake dates are Jan. 6 from 1- a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Art must be in excellent condition under 30 inches or 2 pieces over 30 inches and 1 under 30 inches. Must be associate art5 members. Send title / medium / price to reenierin@gmail.com by January 8, 2024 Jan. 9 - 9 a.m. Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange Small Business Workshop “Elevator Pitch.” Join us and learn how to present your product, company and yourself in a concise and professional manner. Register at bit. ly/3RDJF51. Workshops take place at TVE2, 43200 Business Park Drive in Temecula.

Jan. 17 - 9 a.m. Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange Small Business Workshop “Selling for Small Business.” This workshop will teach you professional selling skills and techniques to gain customers faster and grow your sales revenue more effectively. Register at bit.ly/3NpPksS. Workshops take place at TVE2, 43200 Business Park Drive in Temecula.

Jan. 18 - 9 a.m. Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange Small Business Workshop “Basics of Google Ads.” This workshop will discuss how to: Create a business account on Google; set up an ad campaign; improve performance; and measure success. Register at bit.ly/48gUkIj. Workshops take place at TVE2, 43200 Business Park Drive in Temecula.

Jan. 19 - 1-3:30 p.m. Free Family Business Workshop. The Riverside County Office of Economic Development and the California Baptist University Family Business Center would like to invite you to attend a free family business workshop.

CBU Family Business Center Director Dr. Keanon Alderson will present on Family Business Opportunities & Challenges and Solutions to Common Family Business Challenges. The workshop will take place at the Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange at 43200 Business Park Dr. in Temecula.

Register online at https://www. purplepass.com/#u72408/California_Baptist_University.html.

Jan. 23 - 9 a.m. Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange Small Business Workshop “CAL OSHA Recordkeeping.” Join us to learn the details and criteria needed to complete your business’s OSHA 300 logs and more. Register at bit.ly/3RCBupQ. Workshops take place at TVE2, 43200 Business Park Drive in Temecula.

Jan. 28 - 3:30-5 p.m. Knit and Crochet Club meets for teens through adults at the Menifee Public Library, 28798 La Piedra Road, Menifee.

ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely?

Help shop for the most needed items without leaving home as an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing.

All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area. For drop-off locations and packaging locations, visit http://www.milvet. org/military-care-packages.

ONGOING – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meeting meets the third Monday of each month at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth Street, in Temecula from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, email gaugustin206@gmail.com or join the meeting.

ONGOING – Sons of Norway/ Scandinavia meets at noon the first Saturday of every month, September to June, at the Heritage Mobile Park Clubhouse, 31130 S. General Kearny Road, in Temecula.

ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a $21.95 fee.

The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample tests, licensed instructor available to answer questions, DMV-approved certificate of completion with all lectures and exams completed from home. Designed for students and does not include behind-the-wheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-723-3880 or visit the city of Menifee to register at http://www. city of menifee.us.

ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m.

Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.

ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781-9326300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit http://www. foodaddicts.org.

ONGOING – The Murrieta Garden Club meets each month at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. Anyone who likes to garden or is interested in plants is welcome. Membership is $10 per year. Find more information about the monthly event or project on Facebook.

ONGOING – Temecula Valley Rose Society meets each month.

For more information and new meeting dates and places, visit http://www.temeculavalleyrosesociety.org.

ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit http:// www.va.gov/homeless.

ONGOING - The Dorland Scribblers meet the second Sunday of each month from 1-3 p.m. at 36701 Highway 79 South, Temecula, CA 92592. We welcome fiction, non-fiction, poets, memoir, and screenwriters. We host writing-craft discussions; attendees may read up to a five minute excerpt from their work for feedback / critique. RSVP at https://www.dorlandartscolony. com/sunday-scribblers.html

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January 5, 2024 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

ENTERTAINMENT

Fallbrook Propane Gas Company seeks artists

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Propane Gas Company, sponsor of the “Celebrate! Holidays & Family Traditions” art competition is calling for entries.

Any artistic medium may be submitted. Artwork should be no larger than 24 inches on any side.

See entry rules for more detailed information. Entries must be delivered to the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce by Saturday, Jan. 27.

In three categories, two-dimensional and three-dimensional cash prizes will be awarded in each for first place – $300, second place – $200 and third place – $100.

The photography category cash prizes are first place – $150, second place – $125 and third place – $100. Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce will award a cash prize of $100 for their “Chamber Pick.”

The entries in the competition will be on display at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce office, 111 S. Main Avenue, from Feb. 1-23.

The People’s Choice Award can be voted on during February at the Chamber office as well.

To register or request the Rules and Entry Form, contact Anita Kimzey at 714-222-2462 or email fpgcartcompetitions@gmail.com.

Rules and entry forms can be picked up at: Fallbrook Propane Gas Company; Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce; Green Art House at 1075 S. Mission Road, Suite D;

“Secret Ingredient” – Lori Beach, Temecula

“Ballet Folklorica II” – Diane Jansen, Fallbrook The Gallery; Fallbrook Art Association at 119 N. Main Avenue, or download online from http:// www.fallbrookchamberofcom-

Brunch to feature cooking demo and a talk on emergencies FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Women’s Connection has a fun program to start off the New Year, along with a brunch in the ballroom of the Beverly Mansion at the Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens.

Karen Houghton RN, BSN, will provide a cooking demonstration using a few of her favorite simple, plant-based recipes that are healthy and delicious, and she will give out samples. Her book will also be available for purchase.

Houghton is a health educator from Fallbrook. She has lectured on health and conducted vegetarian cooking classes in Southern California, as well as numerous locations in the United States.

She discovered the benefits of a healthy diet early in her life and decided that healthy food could be very tasty.

Her husband and sons have been the beneficiaries of her passion for making healthy food taste great! Houghton’s cooking show, “Naturally Gourmet,” has aired on DirectTV for several years.

Her illustrated cookbook, “Naturally Gourmet” is full of tasty recipes that are simple to make.

Responses to the TV shows and cookbook are very gratifying as her goal is to help people enjoy a healthy life to the fullest.

Guest speaker Cheryl Lynn Edmond is a former police dispatcher, noted speaker, leadership trainer

Valley News/Courtesy photos

merce.org.

Submitted by Anita Kimzey, Event Coordinator.

[Right] “Christmas Celebration” – Peter Sidlauskas, Escondido

Movie review: ‘Migration’ Bob Garver Special to the Valley News

Karen Houghton RN, BSN, will provide a cooking demonstration with plant-based recipes at the January Fallbrook Women’s Connection brunch.

Valley News/Courtesy photo and author; she asks: “911…What is your emergency?”

The cost per ticket is $30, cash or check, which includes a brunch prepared by The Grand Tradition, 220 Grand Tradition Way, located at the corner of South Mission Road and Grand Tradition Way near the Econo Lodge.

Free child care will be provided for younger children with reservations which are encouraged. To make a reservation, call Ginny at 760-723-3633 or email Fallbrookcwc@gmail.com. Event sponsored

by Stonecroft Ministries.

Submitted by Fallbrook Women’s Connection.

“Naturally Gourmet” is full of tasty recipes that are simple to make.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

With the holiday season coming to an end, I can only talk about what “made” a movie like “Migration” a relative hit, as opposed to talking about its future.

And that reason is that it was a “compromise” movie for families looking for a way to kill time together during the holiday break.

“Wonka,” while the biggest hit of the season, came out two weeks ago, so “Migration” probably gobbled up some business from families that had already seen it.

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” didn’t appeal to non-DCEU fans (and was terrible to boot). “The Color Purple” is better than all these movies (seriously, I highly recommend that one), but with its heavy subject matter, isn’t exactly fun for the whole family. The compromise was to take the kids to the animated duck movie.

The Mallard family make their home in a small rural pond. Father Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) teaches son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal) to fear the dangers of the outside world, but mother Pam (Elizabeth Banks) is pretty sure they can handle some adventure if they stick together. Her attitude rubs off on the kids, and they want to migrate to Jamaica for the winter, but Mack forbids it. He’s backed up by lazy slob Uncle Dan (Danny DeVito), who leads a sedentary, washed-out life. Uncle Dan’s bad example is enough to convince Mack that the family needs a vacation after all.

Mack reluctantly leads the family (including Uncle Dan) toward Jamaica, but they soon get stuck in a miserable rainstorm. Pam tries to play the “it’s all part of the adventure” and “we’ll laugh about this later” cards, as parents tend to do when things go wrong on vacation, but it’s clear things are off to a bad start. Things get even worse when a heron (Carol Kane) offers the family refuge in her home, and they have to spend the night in the home of a frightening predator. It turns out that the real predator is a fish that has swam into the flooded house, but it’s an unnerving experience all the same.

The family gets “lost” and ends up in New York City (though I have no idea where they started, so NYC could be south for all I know), where they befriend

Valley News/Courtesy photo local streetwise pigeon Chump (Awkwafina). She makes the inevitable joke confusing Jamaica the country with the Queens neighborhood once and then leaves it alone, which was a relief to me – I thought the characters would spend about an hour making that mistake.

Chump takes them to imprisoned macaw Delroy (KeeganMichael Key), who can give them directions to Jamaica, but they decide they can’t just leave him in his cage, they need to break him out so he can take them there himself. This angers his mute owner, who happens to be a chef that specializes in cooking ducks. The family spends the rest of the movie battling the chef, who has his own private helicopter so they can have a confrontation later at a duck farm (disguised an avian-friendly vacation resort for some reason, even though this isn’t “Wonka” and humans don’t need to con the ducks) and then further down the

coast in the third act.

“Migration” isn’t a particularly imaginative family film. It’s certainly cute and harmless enough that I don’t think anybody will truly detest it, even if they’re well outside the target audience. But it’s not the kind that I think parents will enjoy as much as their kids – save for the completely-plausible possibility that the kids find it dull too.

Grade: C “Migration” is rated PG for action/peril and mild rude humor. Its running time is 83 minutes, plus nine for the pre-feature animated short “Mooned,” which follows villain Vector (Jason Segel) after the events of 2010’s “Despicable Me.” I didn’t find the short funny, but I’m glad the franchise is keeping the character alive, as I thought he was funny in the first movie and would like to see him return for future installments.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

EDUCATION

Junior Ranger program open at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve

Tony Ault Staf f Writer

Riverside County Parks, The Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau and the Murrieta Public Library have teamed up to bring a Junior Ranger Program to the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve now open to young students.

TNEF members Marianne Lancaster, the foundation’s Nature Education Program Manager, volunteers Chris Rios and Kathy Blakemore along with County Parks interpreters began the new program in the local ecological reserve above Murrieta.

The Junior Ranger Program at the Reserve is designed to teach youngsters from the ages of 5 to 14 to join in the efforts to save the Plateau and the national parks and forests. The Junior Ranger Program will help forward the children’s education about the value and need of the environment in our natural world and the urgent need to protect it.

In that program the Junior Rangers earn badges for accomplishing certain activities to preserve and protect nature.

The program offers the youngest Rangers the Pathfinder Program, while older children have the Trail Blazers and Adventurers Program.

The Rangers are able to hike on the plateau with an interpreter or docent, learn about the many animals, plants and flowers found there and what they mean to our environment. They learn techniques and SOBOBA from page B-1 wanting to make a difference in the world, in her life and that of her family.

“So I decided to dedicate myself to my schooling to do the best that I could to get good grades,” she said.

She worked hard and attended Stanford University law school.

She gave back to her community by working for legal services agencies before, during and after law school.

“I wanted to help Native families and children, so I focused on the Indian Child Welfare Act and developed that expertise that I was then able to share with members

ways they can help protect those valuable resources in the future.

They will also be able to accomplish at-home tasks to fulfill badge requirements. There are textbooks available at the Murrieta Public Library at 8 Town Square in Murrieta for their use as well to help complete their badge requirements.

Many children signed up at TNEF Wildlife Day at the Plateau held in November and are now fulfilling their badge requirements. The Junior Ranger Program is open to all interested youngsters in the Valley.

Sign ups can be done in person at the Plateau Visitor Center, 39400 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta or by contacting info@srpnef.com.

Other TNEF Programs TNEF, in addition to offering the Junior Ranger program, is currently conducting an Environmental Education Pathway (EEP) pilot project, now beginning its 4th year, in Murrieta Valley Unified School District, one of the 10 school districts served by TNEF. The EEP involves progressively more exciting and advanced nature activities and studies beginning with the Third Grade Outdoor Education Field Trip / Third Grade Outreach programs and continuing through 12th grade.

Using two of the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve’s six ecosystems, Grasslands and Watershed as the outdoor lab, two tracks of geographically located feeder schools (elementary feeding into middle school and middle school feeding into high schools) participate in the program. This

of the legal community, not only in the Inland Empire but across the state, training social workers and judges to make sure they understood the importance of the Act and that they were following the law,” she said.

It was all those experiences that led her to be appointed by former Gov. Jerry Brown to the state bench in 2013 and then last year to her appointment by Biden. Of the more than 800 federal judges in this country, Sykes is one of only five that are Native American.

“During these experiences, I’ve always tried to stay grounded and remember who I am and where I come from,” she said. “I tell you my story so that you can hopefully

The joy of touching a living desert tortoise is evident for this little girl at The Nature Education Foundation Valley News/Tony Ault photo Family Wildlife Day at the Santa Rosa Plateau, Saturday Nov. 4, 2023. allows for tracking of students who potentially could participate in the EEP beginning in third grade through the 12th grade component.

The pathway is more than the location of the feeder schools.

Its five components are designed to provide progressively more advanced and impactful activities and learning experiences in a setting teeming with natural science.

More information about The Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau can be sought at its website at TNEF website https://the-nef.org or via email at info@srpnef.org or phone via 951-319-2998.

TNEF, a nonprofit foundation, accomplishes their mission through the hard work of dedicated volunteers, docents and teachers

with the help of many partners, from individuals and governments to local nonprofits and corporate donors and by using an inclusive and collaborative approach to program development. New members and volunteers to help conserve our environment are always welcome.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

see the ways in which your choices in life can have a direct impact on your family and all those around you. By choosing to further your education, you will be bettering the lives of your family, your community, your Tribe and most importantly, yourself.”

She told the parents to encourage their children to be the best that they can be and told all the students that just by being in school, many have overcome tremendous odds. She said there are many barriers in today’s society that Native people still face in pursuing education.

“But those barriers can be broken,” Sykes said. “We see that all around us as Tribes and Tribal

communities are controlling their own destinies through economic development, self-determination, traditions, ceremonies, language.

As I look around this space and I see all your faces, I see hope for our future. Through hard work, dedication and courage, I know we all can attain whatever goals that we set our sights on today.”

She quoted Wilma Mankiller, the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who was a community activist and organizer that helped establish education programs throughout Indian Country.

Mankiller said the secret of the success of Native people is that “we never, never give up.”

Sykes said, “Each of us carries strength, courage, determination, resilience and the power to adapt.

These are only some of the gifts given to us from our ancestors.

The ability to rise above and never forget the sacrifices of our ancestors and all they had to endure for us to be here today. Remember that each and every one of us has power within us; don’t be afraid to stand in it.”

The heart of the event was recognizing the accomplishments of those program participants who have worked hard toward reaching their goals in 2023. Several agencies and companies that partner with TANF gave out specific awards to deserving individuals.

One of those was Sylvan Learning, which offers tutoring. They gave out certificates of achievement to eight students that the tutors felt did an outstanding job this year with setting and meeting goals.

Regional TANF manager Angela Diaz and case worker Neysa Malvaez recognized adults from the Riverside, Cahuilla and Santa Rosa sites who have shown significant progress. From single mothers who are full time students to veterans and single fathers, all have shown great effort this past year. Others, who have chosen to return to school to further their education, were also singled out for their hard work and dedication.

Regional prevention manager Harold Arres and senior program specialist Annalisa Tucker from Soboba Tribal TANF presented Youth Leadership awards to Zachary Guacheno and Abigail Arres.

Tucker said, “I’ve had the privilege of watching them both grow and mature during the years they’ve been with the program.

I’ve been able to rely on them to help with younger members on trips and help bring up the younger generation. They are so helpful to us and we are so grateful to have them in our program.”

Advance Technical Institute,

another service provider for TANF programs, acknowledged nearly 20 students who have excelled this past year.

“We gather here tonight to celebrate your journey and to applaud you on this wonderful accomplishment you have done, not just for yourself but for your family,” George Cajas, founder and director of ATI, said. “Embarking on the pursuit of education, particularly as adult learners, is a commendable and great choice.

It’s a testament of your commitment to self-improvement and a clear indication of your belief and affirmation of the power of knowledge. Self-sufficiency, which is one of the TANF goals, is a quality you have developed and honed throughout your academic journey.

It’s not just about standing on your own two feet but about processing and possessing the strength and wisdom to navigate through life’s challenges with confidence and grace. You have demonstrated that learning knows no boundaries and that there’s always time to invest in yourself. Your family’s values have played a critical role.

Your family’s support, love and encouragement have been your backbone, giving you the strength to persevere when times are tough.

Take the time to express your gratitude to those who have stood by you and are here with you tonight.”

Cajas introduced the 2023 TANF participants being recognized and receiving a $50 check “symbolizing our institute’s investment in your future success.” From those, three were chosen to receive the 2023 Student of the Year award.

“This award is a testament to the institute’s commitment to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence and leadership qualities,” Cajas said. “This recognition not only serves to commend the current successes of these outstanding students but also aims to inspire and motivate all participants that are here tonight at this honoring event to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits and careers. The Student of the Year awards are a foundation of our institute’s tradition, symbolizing its core values and commitment to fostering an environment where exceptional talent, hard work and ambition are recognized and celebrated.”

The Student of the Year award is more than just a title. Each honoree received a check for $250 and a framed certificate to serve as a reminder of their hard work and dedication in making significant contributions to their communities. This year’s recipients included Chris Jorge and Marggie Vargas.

From Our Heart to Yours! Thank You.

3030 Publishing’s Teacher of the Month Program As we end our first semester of the 2023/2024 where safety and empathy form the foundation school year, we would like to recognize a couple for learning. His devotion to student well-being of bright stars. At 3030 Publishing, we proudly is evident through the restorative circle that sets celebrate our Educators of the Month: Mr. the tone for the day, fostering honesty, routine, Josh Lepley and Dr. Sonal Patel, Ed. D. These and a supportive community. By creating a safe outstanding educators not only and comfortable space, Josh has raise the bar for teaching excellence transformed the learning experience. but also champion empathy, social Students who once hesitated to emotional learning (SEL), and seek help now confidently ask for equity in their educational journeys. support, enabling tailored resources Dr. Sonal Patel, Ed. D., an to aid their growth. exemplary figure in Digital Josh’s impact transcends the Learning and Computer Science classroom, deriving joy from the Education, embodies empathy continued growth of his students in her teaching ethos. Her vision beyond academics. His face lights goes beyond academic rigor, up when former students visit, emphasizing emotional intelligence sharing updates on their lives, and inclusivity. Dr. Patel’s approach interests, and aspirations. It’s a doesn’t solely focus on academic testament to the enduring impact Josh Lepley prowess; it fosters genuine a caring educator can have on a connections and understanding. student’s life journey.

She champions empathy within 3030 Publishing celebrates her programs, ensuring students these exceptional educators for excel academically while becoming their unwavering commitment to compassionate, socially conscious fostering empathy, promoting equity, individuals. and creating inclusive educational Her dedication to SEL (Social environments.

Their passion, Emotional Learning) and equity innovation, and dedication serve is vividly demonstrated through as an inspiration to educators an initiative engaging students in everywhere, reminding us that addressing global issues using education isn’t just about lessons; technology. Collaborating with Dr. it’s about nurturing hearts and minds.

Sharisa Chan, they guided hundreds Visit www.3030publishing.com to of students to apply computer see past winners and learn more science skills to tackle real-world about how we celebrate educators.

Dr. Sonal Patel challenges like homelessness. This If you know someone in education initiative wasn’t just about coding; leading in love and compassion that it became a canvas for nurturing empathy and should be recognized, please visit our website social responsibility. Dr. Patel’s commitment and click the tab that reads, “Educator of the resulted in solutions rooted in genuine empathy, Month,” then select “Nominate an Educator.” reflecting students’ technical proficiency and Here’s to Mr. Josh Lepley and Dr. Sonal profound social awareness.

Patel, Ed. D., our guiding stars in the galaxy of Josh Lepley, a Special Education Teacher at education – thank you for illuminating the way Heritage High School, cultivates an environment forward!

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January 5, 2024 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

HEALTH

Temecula Valley Hospital receives the 2024 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care TEMECULA – Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital was named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care by the Women’s Choice Award, America’s trusted referral source for the best in health care. The award signifies that Temecula Valley Hospital is in the top 10% of 4,728 U.S. hospitals offering heart care services.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women, causing one in three deaths each year – approximately one woman every minute. What’s often thought of as a “man’s disease” strikes more women than men and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.

“Heart disease is the leading killer of women,” Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award, said. “With such strong prevalence of heart disease in women, we want every woman to know where to find the very best heart care before she ever has an incident.”

The methodology used to select Temecula Valley Hospital as one of the Best Hospitals for Heart Care is unique in that it

evaluates the number of cardiac/ vascular services offered. Recognized hospitals must offer at least six of the following services: cardiac catheter lab, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac surgery, carotid stenting, coronary interventions, electrophysiology, vascular interventions, vascular surgery and coronary intensive care.

It also evaluates the 30-day mortality and readmission rates for heart attack and failure; patient recommendation ratings on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey and primary research about women’s healthcare preferences.

Temecula Valley Hospital is one of 526 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for heart care in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.

“We are delighted to placed in the top 10% in the nation for Best Heart Care,” Darlene Wetton, CEO of TVH, said. “At Temecula Valley Hospital we are dedicated to ensuring our patients have the best possible chance of survival when it comes to heart disease. It is an honor to be recognized for our commitment to caring for the

Temecula Valley Hospital is recognized as a top hospital for comprehensive care to treat heart disease, the Valley News/Courtesy photo nation’s leading cause of death for women. women in our community with a need for cardiovascular care. It also gives these patients peace of mind and confidence in mak-

ing TVH their choice for cardiac care.”

For a full list of the Best Hospitals for Heart Care, visit https://

womenschoiceaward.com/besthospitals-for-heart-care.

Submitted by Temecula Valley Hospital.

Temecula Valley Hospital receives the 2024 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Stroke Care of patients receiving Head CT scan results within 45 minutes, and cannot have received a rating of Worse than the National Rate for the Deaths from Serious Treatable Complications measure.

“Getting top care within the first three hours of a stroke is critical to preventing disability and improving chances of recovery,” Passi said. “Our award educates women about where they – and their loved ones – have the best chance to return to a full life following a stroke.”

Temecula Valley Hospital’s award signifies that it is in the top 3% of 4,728 U.S. hospitals offering stroke care services. Valley News/Courtesy photo TEMECULA – Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital was named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Stroke Care by the Women’s Choice Award, America’s trusted referral source for the best in health care. The award signifies that Temecula Valley Hospital is in the top 3% of 4,728 U.S. hospitals offering stroke care services.

According to the American Stroke Association, one in five women in the United States will have a stroke in her lifetime. Nearly 60% of stroke deaths, a “brain attack,” are in women, and studies show that women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for stroke even with the same symptoms present as men.

“Timely diagnosis and effective care are critical to preventing disability and improving chances of recovery from stroke. The time to identify your community’s leading hospital for stroke care is right now, not in the middle of a medical emergency when every minute is precious,” Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award, said. “We congratulate these hospitals and their dedica-

tion to education, prevention, and early intervention to reduce the devastating effects of stroke.”

The Best Hospitals for Stroke Care are hospitals that hold a Stroke Center Certification, recognizing centers that meet high standards for stroke care as determined

by The Joint Commission and/or Det Norske Veritas. Credit is given for certifications on a scale based on the degree of care available to the stroke patient.

It is the only award recognizing excellence in stroke care based on robust criteria that consider patient satisfaction and clinical excellence. The methodology used to select Temecula Valley Hospital as one of the Best Hospitals for Stroke Care is unique in that it evaluates Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems patient survey results along with primary research about women’s health care preferences.

Hospitals that meet the stroke center certification requirement, must then meet or exceed the following performance measures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: score in the top 80% of all hospitals in the percent

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Temecula Valley Hospital is one of 508 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for stroke care in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.

“Earning the top 3% for Best Stroke Care Designation is an outstanding accomplishment,” Darlene Wetton, CEO of TVH, said.

“This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of the team at TVH who are so passionate about providing comprehensive care to our stroke patients. Get-

ting advanced care within the first three hours of a stroke is critical to the patient’s outcome following a stroke. This award signifies that at TVH, stroke patients have a very strong chance at a positive outcome and ability to return to their best possible life following a stroke.”

For the full list of Best Hospitals for Stroke Care, visit https:// womenschoiceaward.com/beststroke-centers.

Submitted by Temecula Valley Hospital.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

HOME & GARDEN

Christmas tree recycling highlights composting in Riverside County RIVERSIDE COUNTY – The holiday season always ends with plenty of returns, and Christmas trees are no exception. Residents can return those natural Christmas trees to the ground they grew in by dropping them off at a Riverside County landfill to be recycled into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Through the free Christmas tree drop-off program, natural trees collected at the Badlands and Lamb Canyon landfills will be chipped and combined with other organic waste to make compost or mulch.

Recycling organic material is an innovative way to ensure that organic waste is diverted away from landfill burial, recycled and turned into a soil amendment.

Natural Christmas trees must be prepared for recycling by removing all decorations, lights, tinsel and tree stands. Flocked trees cannot be recycled through this program and need to be cut up and placed in

Numerous Riverside County locations will accept Christmas trees for Valley News/Courtesy photo free to be recycled into mulch or compost.

your regular trash container.

Other natural Christmas trees that are recycled at free drop-off sites, or at the curb, will be taken to local green-waste processors to be recycled into compost or mulch. Most trash haulers will collect Christmas trees curbside for two weeks after Christmas.

Place the prepared tree next to or inside the green-waste container on your regular pick-up day. Trees over four feet tall should be cut in half. Contact your waste hauler for more details.

For those without a curbside pickup program, several dropoff locations will accept up to three properly prepared residential Christmas trees for free through Jan. 6.

The locations include A Lua Wood Recycling, 18938 Mermack Ave., in Lake Elsinore; B P John Recycling, 28700 Matthews Road, in Romoland; El Sobrante Landfill,

10910 Dawson Canyon Road, in Corona; Riverside County Badlands Landfill, 31125 Ironwood Ave., in Moreno Valley; Riverside County Blythe Landfill, 1000 Midland Road, in Blythe and Riverside County Lamb Canyon Landfill, 16411 Lamb Canyon Road, in Beaumont.

For Burrtec customers, trees can be dropped off at Burrtec/ Coachella Transfer Station, 87011 Landfill Road, #A, in Coachella; Burrtec/Edom Hill Transfer Station, 70100 Edom Hill Road, in Cathedral City and Burrtec/Robert A. Nelson Transfer Station, 1830 Agua Mansa Road, in Riverside.

CR & R customers can drop off trees at 1706 Goetz Road, in Perris.

For more information, call the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources at 951-486-3200 or visit https://rcwaste.org/greenholiday-suggestions.

Submitted by Riverside County.

Listos California launches readiness campaign ahead of storm season SACRAMENTO – Working to keep Californians safe this storm season, California is taking action to protect its communities by announcing an in-depth effort to ensure Californians have the life-saving information they need before, during and after this possible extreme winter season.

As cooler months bring new interrelated challenges to our state, like floods, wind, power outages, mudslides, deep snow and cold temperatures, Listos California, a resilience initiative of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, has a series of resources in 13 languages on storm preparedness, response and recovery to ensure California families can stay safe.

“Winter Storms and climate extremes are a real threat to Californians. Cal OES is taking early action to protect our most vulnerable community members,” Nancy Ward, director of Cal OES, said.

“As uncertain weather heads our way over the holiday season, all Californians should remain vigilant and be prepared.”

In addition, Californians can sign up for the “Storm Season Safety” five-day text message course through Listos California to learn about what to expect this winter and how you can prepare to keep your family safe. This course is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Punjabi. Text “CAWINTER” to 20202 via SMS or visit https://arist.app/orgs/listoscalifornia/courses/0c2b194a-f809447a-993b-3aa1a05317b3 to sign up.

Upcoming winter weather In 2022-2023, California experienced more than a dozen atmospheric rivers, impacting nearly every community statewide. This intense deluge resulted in heavy rains, high winds, deep snow and significant flooding for millions of Californians. As the state looks to another impactful Storm Season, there is a predicted chance of an El Niño event developing during the 2023-2024 rainy season, including

possible heavy snows earlier in the season, with warmer rains later in the season.

El Niño occurs when unusually warm water temperatures along the equator results in areas of the U.S. experiencing severe weather.

It typically brings wetter-thanaverage conditions to California which can result in increased weather events like rain, flooding and snow, among others.

In the Resource Hub, which can be found at https://www.listoscalifornia.org/resources/?_resource_ topics=storm-season-safety, Listos California has developed helpful informational resources in 13 languages to spread the word on this season’s safety tips, including: flyers on preparedness, response and recovery tips for floods, power outages, high winds, cold temperatures, deep snow and mudslides/ debris flows; a “Quick Guide to Safety Before, During and After a Storm;” a palm card on finding safe shelter during a storm; onepager on safety/vehicle safety; dedicated web pages; preparedness resources at https://www. listoscalifornia.org/StormSeason/ and state’s efforts this storm season at https://news.caloes.ca.gov/ StormSeason.

The time to prepare is before the storm arrives to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Floods Flash floods can develop very quickly. Be ready to evacuate all people and animals to higher ground if ordered. Have emergency supplies packed in a “Go Bag.” Keep your car gas tank at least half full in case you are asked to evacuate. There may be traffic and delays.

Never drive around barricades or drive or walk through floodwater. It may be deeper than you think and can sweep you or your car away. Turn around, don’t drown.

Power outages Keep phone batteries fully charged and save your battery power by limiting phone use during an outage.

Cal OES initiative outlines comprehensive outreach and communications efforts to save lives this winter.

Valley News/Courtesy photo Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about any energy issues.

If you use electric medical and/or assistive devices, be sure to enroll in a medical baseline program to ensure you’re safe if the power goes off.

If your needs cannot be met during a power outage, plan with caregivers for transportation to a location with power.

High winds Flying debris can be a killer.

Stay indoors or in a sheltered location. Avoid driving if possible.

Secure any loose items outside that could blow away and cause damage or injury.

Do you have time to monitor: • City Council • School Boards • Water Districts • Planning Groups • Police Scanner • Fire Scanner • County Supervisors Meeting • The California Assembly • The California Senate • The Governor’s Office • Our Senators in DC and our Congressman?

Stay away from trees and power lines and never go near downed power lines. Avoid anything that may be touching a downed line, including tree branches and vehicles.

Cold temperatures Body temperature can drop to unsafe levels in cold temperatures. Stay indoors as much as possible. If you must go outside, dress warmly in insulating layers, gloves, scarves, socks and a hat.

Heat your home safely. Do not use stoves, camp stoves, generators or gas/charcoal grills for heat inside your home. The fumes are deadly.

Know where you will go if your home becomes too cold. You could go to a friend’s house, community center, shopping mall or public library. Check with county emergency officials about warming centers available near you.

Answers for puzzle on page B-2

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Deep snow Heavy snowfall can cause power outages and trap you in your home for days.

Gather food, water and medicine before a snowstorm.

If you must travel, let someone know where you are going so they know where to search for you in an emergency.

Mudslides Find out if your area is at high risk due to steep slopes and runoff, prior mudflows, floods or burn scars from wildfires.

Mudslides are dangerous even after the rain has stopped. Use caution and remain vigilant for days after.

Pay attention to weather reports and evacuate immediately if ordered.

Submitted by Cal OES.

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January 5, 2024 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

BUSINESS

What your banker wishes you knew heading into 2024: Three steps to avoid pitfalls and uncover business opportunities

Greg Martinez-Miller is the commercial banking leader for Wells Fargo in the Inland Empire.

Valley News/Courtesy photo Greg Martinez-Miller Wells Fargo In my 16 years as a commercial banker in California, there is an evergreen business opportunity that quickens my pulse and unleashes my inner optimist: the outlook for the new year. And 2024 is no different.

Sure, interest rates are at the highest since 2000. Global conflict is on the rise. Artificial intelligence feels like a bit of a wild card. None of that is within our control. But as business leaders in the Inland Empire, we can dictate how we prepare to take advantage of new opportunities in the year ahead.

And I have three simple axioms to help you do that. But first, let’s step back to hear what business leaders nationwide are thinking.

Recently, PwC released their Pulse Survey Results indicating that U.S. business owners express more optimism about the economy than a year ago and recession concerns have dropped by 18% since last October. Leaders, however, continue to reference concerns about rising costs, managing labor and resources, reducing risk and improving efficiencies.

These concerns merit attention, but from a banker’s perspective, 2024 could be the chance to develop a business plan that withstands economic headwinds.

Incorporating these three steps into your business plan can help better position your business for growth.

Don’t get sidetracked.

Identify what you can control, and what you can’t.

Too often, business owners bank on luck and pluck. They believe they can beat the market. That they can wait out the interest rate environment. Or that if they are strategic enough, it won’t apply to them.

Unfortunately, these predilections, while understandable, are often fruitless and always a distraction.

With current macroeconomic, political, and social conditions, there are many distractions.

These factors, however, are outside of individual control.

While it is important to be aware of the environment, it is even more important to avoid allowing it to distract from your focus. By acknowledging the external impacts

relevant to your business operations while focusing on product and practices, business owners can favorably position themselves by shifting their mindset to one of adaptability rather than one of playing defense.

Through focusing on the business at hand, providing quality products and services, improving the balance sheet and increasing efficiency, business owners may be better positioned to address the needs of their companies rather than staying in a constant reactionary mode.

Don’t delay action.

Engage in the present.

Growth, advancement and progression are all results of action.

And, after the pandemic-induced business hiatus, now is the time to take action.

While every business leader wants to maintain and execute their own plan and strategy, companies are better served when their management team is surrounded by trusted advisors.

Businesses should seek input from their accountants, bankers, attorneys and other trusted advisers to ensure decisions are made with the greatest consideration.

These advisers can also help business owners identify yellow flags and their potential implications.

In recent years, low interest rates and excess liquidity have made it easy to ignore inefficiencies or balance sheet deviations. Businesses

should consider taking decisive action to address any area that could be a risk to their capital, productivity or efficiency. The cost of doing business has increased and an income statement should not be considered the only indicator of a company’s health.

As companies position themselves to weather economic volatility, it is important that they regularly stress test possible outcomes and scenarios to ensure the viability of their business.

According to PwC nearly 50% of those surveyed cite the possibility of a reduced demand for goods or services as a top concern. Through regular stress testing businesses can address different scenarios in such a way that will allow for planning and action.

Inaction in today’s environment is potentially detrimental. Act now to make the most of your company’s potential.

Don’t ignore opportunity.

Blue skies are ahead.

For businesses heading into 2024, the opportunities to improve efficiencies and favorably position themselves will be considerable, especially through digitization, cash flow and capital deployment to grow the business. Here are some immediate fiscal management considerations: Digitize – Make choices that allow for the best allocation of resources and digitizing your cash flow management and payments process which

may allow you to put those people hours to growing your business; Improve Cash Flow – Strategically timing when money is going out and coming in can make a difference not only to your cash flow, but to potential interest earnings and Pounce on Growth – Companies that have been strategic and carefully maintained their balance sheets may reap the benefits with opportunities for acquisitions and growth.

In conclusion, seize the day.

As 2024 approaches, business owners have the chance to not only conduct business, but to excel.

During a time of economic uncertainty, this next year is certain to be pivotal for many businesses.

That can feel daunting, but those who stay focused, proactive and analytical can stack the odds in their favor.

Greg Martinez-Miller is the commercial banking leader for Wells Fargo in the Inland Empire.

Based in Ontario, Martinez-Miller leads a team of commercial relationship managers in Riverside and San Bernardino focused on middle market and mid-corporate companies, both privately held and publicly traded, across a wide variety of industries. He has been helping middle market companies in California succeed financially for more than 16 years. Contact him at Gregory.Martinezmiller@ wellsfargo.com.

EVMWD secures prestigious Polaris Awards for exceptional achievements in communication

LAKE ELSINORE – Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District has been honored with the highest distinction, the Polaris Awards, in three distinct categories by the Public Relations Society of America, Inland Empire Chapter, recognizing excellence in public outreach.

The prestigious Polaris Awards commend exemplary public relations endeavors that embody sound research, planning, implementation and evaluation, setting the highest standards in the Inland Empire.

“We are honored to receive this recognition once again,” Greg Thomas, general manager of EVMWD said. “Transparent and dedicated communication remains a cornerstone of our public service commitment, emphasizing our dedication to strategic outreach that enhances our customers’ experience.

It also highlights our exemplary employees and their commitment

to our core values, as without them and their outstanding efforts, the awards would not be possible.”

EVMWD secured Polaris Awards, the highest accolades in each category, for three programs: “The SCUUP” podcast under Audio/Visual Tactics, the “Septic to Sewer” Community Relations Campaign and Digital Tactics in social media for “Water Professionals Appreciation Week.”

It marks EVMWD’s 14th consecutive year of recognition by PRSA-IE. The district remains committed to providing outstanding communication to customers and the community. For more information, visit http://www.evmwd.com/ who-we-are/public-affairs.

EVMWD provides service to more than 159,000 water and wastewater customers in a 97-square-mile area in western Riverside County. The EVMWD

EVMWD is awarded the Polaris Award for achievements in communication, setting a high standard in the Valley News/Courtesy photo Inland Empire. team delivers total water management that powers the health and

vibrancy of its communities so life can flourish.

Submitted by Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District.

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Section

SPORTS January 5 – 11, 2024

www.myvalleynews.com

Volume 24, Issue 1

Chaparral’s Dedich, Murrieta Mesa’s Barrs help USC win Holiday Bowl

USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley accepts the Holiday Bowl trophy as the celebration begins.

Joe Naiman Writer SAN DIEGO – The University of Southern California football team, which won the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl at Petco Park in San Diego Friday, Dec. 29, included Chaparral High School graduate Justin Dedich and Murrieta Mesa High School graduate Kyon Barrs. Dedich and Barrs are both seniors. Dedich was the Trojans’ starting center during the 2023 season and Barrs was a nose tackle. The Trojans concluded their year by defeating Louisville in a 42-28 game.

“Just excited our team came together and got the ‘w’ today,” Dedich said.

“We came out here, we did what we had to do,” Barrs said. “I’m

proud of my guys.”

Dedich and Barrs both played in all of USC’s 13 games during the season, which resulted in an 8-5 record including a 5-4 performance in PAC-12 play. As an offensive lineman, Dedich has no individual statistics, but the Trojans gained 4,329 passing yards and 1,741 rushing yards during the season for a total offense of 6,070 yards, or 466.9 per game. Barrs, who was the Trojans’ nose tackle when Bear Alexander was being rested, had seven solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles for a total of 18.

During his Chaparral High School days, Dedich was a goalkeeper on the Pumas’ soccer team as well as an offensive lineman and defensive lineman on the football team. In 2016, Cal-Hi Sports named him

to the all-state junior first team for football. As a senior in 2017, he was on the all-CIF first team, the USA Today all-California first team and the maxpreps.com all-American second team.

Valley News/David Canales photo Dedich graduated from Chaparral High School a semester early and enrolled at USC for the spring 2018 semester. The Trojans opened their 2018 season at home against the University of Nevada, Las

Vegas. Dedich had some plays as a blocking back in that 43-21 Trojans victory but saw no other game action that year and was able to see HOLIDAY, page C-2

Murrieta native, Kyon Barrs, celebrates with teammates after USC beat Louisville 42-28 in the 2023 Direct TV Holiday Bowl.

Valley News/David Canales photo

A Murrieta Mesa graduate in 2019, Kyon Barrs gets ready for action in the 2023 Direct TV Holiday Bowl.

Valley News/David Canales photo

Former Chaparral standout, Justin Dedich (right; 57), and USC teammate, Jonah Monheim (79), team up on a pass play to protect QB Miller Moss at Petco Park, the site of the 2023 Direct TV Holiday Bowl. Valley News/David Canales photo

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

SPORTS

Area alumni help their college football programs wrap up Bowl season JP Raineri Spor ts Editor As the New Year settles in, the 2023 holidays are now behind us, which also means the college football season is wrapping up as well. In fact, this upcoming week will highlight the national championship games as Bowl Game season is officially over.

Whether it was an overgrown Pop Tart popping up out of a giant toaster, a life size bowl of Frosted Flakes, or the Duke’s Mayo jar running up and down the sidelines, the games were exciting, and a fantastic way to showcase a handful of former high school standouts. Plus, it marked the end of a compelling year in the sport of college football. Especially that Orange Bowl game for FSU fans, right?

All the action got underway Saturday, Dec. 16, and will run w w w . m y v a l l e y n e w s . c o m

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all the way through the College F o o t b a l l P l a y o ff N a t i o n a l Championship Monday, Jan. 8, as the crown for a national title winner gets placed for the 2023 season. The scores, and remaining schedule below pick up after December 23, since last week’s Valley News issue featured those games. Combing the rosters for area players is a bit of a daunting task, so if you know of area alumni that were missed, please email sports@reedermedia.com with details.

Tuesday, Dec. 26 Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit, Michigan Minnesota - 30, Bowling Green - 24 First Responder Bowl, Dallas, Texas Texas State - 45, Rice - 21 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Phoenix, Arizona Kansas - 49, UNLV - 36 Wednesday, Dec. 27 Military Bowl, Annapolis, Maryland Virginia Tech - 41, Tulane - 20 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Charlotte, North Carolina West Virginia - 30, North Carolina - 10 Holiday Bowl, San Diego, California Southern Cal - 42, (No. 15) Louisville – 28 *This game featured local alumni Justin Dedich (Chaparral, 2018) and Kyon Barrs (Murrieta Mesa, 2019). A full article can be found on the front page of this week’s sports section.

Texas Bowl, Houston, Texas (No. 20) Oklahoma State - 31, vs. Texas A&M - 23 Thursday, Dec. 28 Fenway Bowl, Boston, Massachusetts Boston College - 23, (No. 24) SMU - 14 Pinstripe Bowl, The Bronx, New York Rutgers - 31, Miami (Fla.) - 24 Pop-Tarts Bowl, Orlando, Florida (No. 25) Kansas State - 28, (No. 18) N.C. State - 19 Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, Texas (No. 14) Arizona - 38, (No. 12) Oklahoma – 24 Former area players: Leviticus Su’a - LB, Freshman, Perris, Mater Dei HS Friday, Dec. 29 Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida (No. 22) Clemson - 38, Kentucky - 35 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas (No. 16) Notre Dame - 40, (No. 19) Oregon State - 8 Former area players: Tavis Shippen - DL, R-Sr., Murrieta, Vista Murrieta HS Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tennessee Memphis - 36, Iowa State - 26

University of Wyoming linebacker Easton Gibbs (28), a product of Temecula Valley High School and pictured here against Ball State in 2023, helped the Cowboys win the Arizona Bowl Saturday, Dec. 30, with three total tackles.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Former Vista Murrieta graduate Tavis Shippen (94), who also played at MSJC, was part of the Oregon State team that fell to Notre Dame in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Friday, Dec. 29, in El Paso, Texas.

Valley News/Courtesy photo Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas (No. 9) Missouri - 14, (No. 7) Ohio State - 3 Saturday, Dec. 30 Peach Bowl, Atlanta, Georgia (No. 11) Ole Miss - 38, (No. 10) Penn State - 25 Music City Bowl, Nashville, Tennessee Maryland - 31, Auburn - 13 Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens, Florida (No. 6) Georgia - 63, (No. 5) Florida State - 3

Arizona Bowl, Tucson, Arizona Wyoming - 16, Toledo – 15 Former area players: Wyoming: Easton Gibbs - LB, Jr., Temecula, Temecula Valley HS Monday, Jan. 1 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl (score will be posted after article goes to print) No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama in Pasadena, California College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl

(score will be posted after article goes to print) No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas in New Orleans, Louisiana Monday, Jan. 8 College Football Playoff National Championship Game (score will be posted after article goes to print) Houston, Texas 7:30 p.m. | ESPN JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

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QB Miller Moss passes for 372 yards and 6 TD’s to lead USC to a 42-28 victory over Louisville in the 2023 Direct TV Holiday Bowl Friday, Dec. 29.

Valley News/David Canales photo

A 2018 Chaparral graduate, now a senior for USC, Justin Dedich looks to stop the blitz of a Louisville defender during the 2023 Direct TV Holiday Bowl at Petco Park.

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HOLIDAY from page C-1

at the University of Arizona and played in 11 games as a freshman in 2019, five games in 2020, and 10 games including seven starts in 2021. He had 33 tackles including five sacks in 2021 and was on the all-conference second team.

In 2022, Barrs had 12 starts with Arizona and made 39 tackles. He transferred to USC for his senior year.

Other than in 2020 and 2021, the Holiday Bowl has been played in San Diego since 1978. The games were initially played at what was originally San Diego Stadium, and the Bowl was first played at Petco Park in 2022.

“Just a huge honor to play,” Dedich said.

obtain redshirt status for that season to preserve four years of eligibility.

In 2019, he was a center in seven USC games, including as a starter in two of those.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association decided that the 2020 season, which was affected by the coronavirus outbreak, would not count against any player’s maximum seasons of eligibility, and Dedich played two games at center that year including one as a starter.

USC was 4-8 in 2021 and the Trojans were not invited to a bowl game, but Dedich appeared in all 12 games as a center or guard and started four games as the Trojans’

left guard.

USC had 14 games for the 2022 season including the PAC12 championship game and the Cotton Bowl, and Dedich played in all of those games except the home game against Arizona State.

In 2022, Dedich started 11 games at right guard, one at left guard and one at center. He was chosen as an all-conference player at the honorable mention level.

During his high school career, Barrs had 180 tackles including 12 1/2 sacks, and he made 90 tackles as a senior. In 2018, the Rams were third in the Southwestern League standings and the league’s coaches gave Barrs all-league recognition.

Barrs began his college career

“God is good. I’m just happy to be out here in San Diego,” Barrs said.

The team offensive statistics for USC included 443 yards of total offense with some lost yardage on kneel downs to run out the game clock. Quarterback Miller Moss threw for 372 yards, including six touchdowns, which set a Holiday Bowl record and a USC bowl game record, and the Trojans added 71 rushing yards on 19 carries. Barrs had three solo tackles and two assisted tackles. Article contributions made by Valley News Sports Editor, JP Raineri.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com.

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January 5, 2024 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

SPORTS

Local riders ready as Monster Energy AMA Supercross Celebrates 50th Anniversary 2024 Season kicks off at Angel Stadium in Anaheim

Local professional motocross riders, like Temecula’s Haiden Deegan, pictured here winning in 2023 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, will return in the New Year as round 1 of the 17-race Supercross series kicks off Anaheim Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

Valley News/David Canales photo JP Raineri Spor ts Editor ANAHEIM – The world’s most competitive off-road motorcycle racing series returns home to Angel Stadium of Anaheim Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Local professional riders will once again grace the track as round 1 of the 17-race Supercross series kicks off. Anaheim is part of the 31-event SuperMotocross World Championship series stretching from January to September and 2024 marks the 50th anniversary season of Supercross racing in America. This year’s opener will be the 81st race held at Angel Stadium as Supercross visits multiple times a year.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974.

The series will harbor premier Class Athletes like defending champion, Chase Sexton; Twotime champion, Eli Tomac; Twotime champion, Cooper Webb; 2018 champion, Jason Anderson; Tw o - t i m e P r o M o t o c r o s s champion, Ken Roczen (GER); 2023 SuperMotocross World Champion, Jett Lawrence (AUS);

Reigning 2023 Eastern Regional 250cc Class champion, Hunter Lawrence (AUS); Reigning MXGP World Champion, Jorge Prado (ESP); plus fan favorites, Malcolm Stewart; Adam Cianciarulo; Aaron Plessinger; Dylan Ferrandis (France); and Justin Barcia.

As the 2024 season opener looms, the chatter has been shared among a top group of racers all in contention for a title run in the new year. Arguably one of the most competitive fields in history is headlined by defending 2023 Supercross champion, Chase Sexton, who enters Anaheim with a new look as he joins Aaron Plessinger on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. The target will be on Chase and his #1 plate all season long, but expectations will be high when the gate drops on Jan. 6.

New to the 450cc Class, rookie sensation Jett Lawrence looks to build off his momentum after taking the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship crown this past fall and the $1 million cash prize. Look for Jett and Chase to push each other to the top of the leaderboard this season.

The unbreakable Eli Tomac will make his highly anticipated return to racing in Anaheim after rupturing his Achilles at Round 16 of the 2023 Supercross season, rendering him inactive for the rest

of the year. The devastating injury cost Eli a Supercross title to Chase Sexton and eliminated his chances at the first SMX title.

Big news out of Spain this off season as the defending MXGP World Champion has announced he will try his luck in the United States and compete in

the first three rounds of the 2024 Supercross season. Anaheim 1 will be Jorge Prado’s first-time racing Supercross in a stadium, but the young Spaniard cannot be ignored as a contender in the premier class after claiming his first Motocross World Title in 2023.

There are four defending Supercross champions lining up in Anaheim looking to add to their collection of titles in 2024.

Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac lead the charge but on their heels is two-time champion, Cooper Webb, and 2018 champion, Jason Anderson. Webb enters 2024 with a fresh look and new bike, hoping the Yamaha machine can set him back on the path of winning.

Anderson extended his contract with Kawasaki for 2024 after an extraordinarily successful 2022 season and eventful ’23, he will be out for revenge in the new year.

A plethora of racers will be vying to crack the podium and top-5 finishes, all of which can be on the top step on any given night. Ken Roczen of Germany is coming off a stellar fall after taking second in the SuperMotocross World Championship. Hunter Lawrence, brother to Jett, moves into the 450cc Class after taking the 250cc crown in Supercross and Motocross in 2023, he’ll look to have a big rookie year.

Aaron Plessinger, Malcolm Stewart, Adam Cianciarulo,

Dylan Ferrandis, Justin Barcia, and Christian Craig are all expected to compete for valuable points and podium positions as they build toward the coveted SuperMotocross Playoffs and Final in September.

Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit www.monsterjam.com, www.

SupercrossLIVE.com, and www. feldentertainment.com for more information.

The SuperMotocross World Championship is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

Send your local sports tips to sports@reedermedia.com.

The 31-event SuperMotocross World Championship series, stretching from January to September of 2024, will kick off in Anaheim.

Valley News/David Canales photo

Futsal Club of Temecula wins regional tournament Joe Naiman Writer The Girls 2010 team of Futsal Club of Temecula won the championship of the United States Youth Futsal regional tournament December 8-10 at Miramar College in San Diego. The Southwest Regional Championships tournament had a round-robin format. The Temecula girls lost their first game but won their ensuing three matches. “ T h e y s h o w e d c h a r a c t e r, personality on the court. The preparation mentally, physically, it helped them achieve those three winning games,” said coach Carlos Basso, who is also the technical director of Futsal Club of Temecula.

Basso moved from San Diego to Temecula in 2000, and the Temecula‑Murrieta Soccer Club added Basso to the organization’s staff that year. That club eventually became the Hawks Soccer Club, and Basso coached there for 20 years. In 2020 the Hawks and the Legends Football Club merged to become Legends Temecula Valley.

Basso coached one year with the Legends before joining City SC Temecula.

Futsal differs from indoor soccer in terms of number of players (five on each team), surface (a harder floor), ball size (smaller), and out of bounds designation (lines rather than walls or boards).

Basso also co-founded Futsal Club of Temecula, which has a strategic partnership with City SC Temecula.

Futsal Club of Temecula players and coaches with their regional championship trophy.

Valley News/Courtesy photo “All these players who are playing futsal, they’re bringing success on their outdoor teams,” Basso said. “It helps them with their soccer IQ, first touch, speed of play.”

Jacques Ladouceur, who has lived in Murrieta since 2002, co-coached the Girls 2010 team Basso coached. In futsal five players from each team including the goalkeeper are on the pitch at a time. The Futsal Club of Temecula team had ten players at the regional tournament.

Makenna Mitchell was the leading scorer for Futsal Club of Temecula in the Southwest Regional Championships.

“She stood out for the whole tournament,” Basso said.

Games are won by outscoring

the other team, so players who don’t place the ball into the net also contribute to victories. “They all helped us achieve the success.

The whole squad did an incredible job,” Basso said.

The December 8 loss was followed by two December 9 victories. Futsal Club of Temecula clinched the championship with a 4-3 win over Southern California Blues, which is based in San Juan Capistrano.

“A very exciting match. Very tactical. Some amazing goals,” Basso said.

The tournament matches were 22 minutes and utilized a running clock. The score was 3-3 before Futsal Club of Temecula scored the winning goal with approximately five minutes left.

Temecula’s Futsal Club participated in the Southwest Regional Championships tournament.

Valley News/Courtesy photo “Long preparation to get to the level,” Basso said. “They’re learning to play the proper futsal, learning the rotations and the movement, and we ended up scoring some important goals to reach the championship.”

The regional tournament championship qualified Futsal Club of Temecula for the USYF

national championship tournament July 6-9 in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kansas. “The girls will be ready for the national championship in July in Kansas City,” Basso said.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

SPORTS

Temecula Pony All-Stars recognized by City Council

The Pony 14U All-Star team from TYB was recognized by the Temecula City Council Tuesday, Nov. 28, for being the Southeast Region Pony District Champions.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Coaches from Temecula Youth Baseball’s 2023 Pony 14U All-Star team, which won the Southeast Region Pony District Championship over the summer, were recognized by the Temecula City Council Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

JP Raineri Spor ts Editor

history. The Temecula Youth Baseball League was incorporated in 1993 and is a member of PONY Baseball, Inc. Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 14, 2024, for Spring assessments. Please remember that the Temecula Youth Baseball League is always seeking managers.

All interested parties can email playeragent@temeculapony.com

Pony District Championship over the summer of 2023.

The Southeast Region Pony District Championship included six teams – Temecula (TYB), Valley Wide, French Valley, Murrieta, Moreno Valley Red, and Menifee. Temecula defeated French Valley 14-3 in the first round of semi-finals in the tournament on June 24, then turned around and

Temecula Youth Baseball’s 2023 Pony 14U All-Star team was recognized by the Temecula City Council Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the City Council Chambers. Members of the team, along with their coaching staff, were honored after winning the Southeast Region

defeated Valley Wide 15-7 in the second round of semi-finals the very next day. That win catapulted Temecula to the Championship game later that same day.

The TYB Pony All-Star team won the Championship round by defeating Moreno Valley Red, 106. It was a great win for the local team that had made it the furthest for the program in their 30-year

with any questions. As with any league, if they do not get enough managers, it would mean that kids will not have a team to play on during the upcoming season. Visit www.temeculapony.com for more information about the league.

Send local sports tips by email at sports@reedermedia.com.

New subscription and single copy pricing effective Jan. 1, 2024 due to increased printing and postage costs.

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January 5, 2024 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

REGIONAL NEWS Highway Updates

Increased traffic expected on the state’s highways and freeways this winter Tony Ault Staf f Writer

The California Department of Transportation and the California Highway Patrol in the new year are requesting the record number of motorists expected to travel the state’s freeways and highways to be especially alert in the construction areas with the increased highway projects underway.

T h e t r a ff i c f i n e s i n t h e construction areas are increased throughout the state with additional CHP patrols on or near the construction sites, especially during the winter and spring months.

The CHP will also be enforcing the new traffic laws that went into effect January 1, that all motorists should be familiar with.

This past week some Caltrans projects were delayed because of the rainy weather but are continuing throughout southwest Riverside County. This week drivers should be aware of the following Caltrans and Riverside County Transportation projects.

Murrieta/Wildomar Caltrans alerts the public that night work will be taking place near Murrieta and Wildomar, from Murrieta Hot Springs Road to Bundy Canyon Road, weather permitting. Daytime work is set from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the week. Nighttime operations are planned from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. starting Wednesday, on Friday, Jan. 5. Friday work will end Saturday morning at 8 a.m.

Ensuring progress both day and night to enhance efficiency, commuter access remains during daytime work on I-15 North and South from Murrieta Hot Springs to Bundy Canyon Road. Work performed includes upgrading facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act standards as well as curbs and gutters. Please note, various lane and ramp closures will occur in the project zone. Watch for signage alerting motorists of upcoming lane closures and construction zones. Drivers should anticipate traffic delays and planahead for the day.

Hemet Major Caltrans work is continuing in the Hemet area. It includes work on the $3.4 million emergency project to remove and replace culverts, perform rock scaling and install safety measures at culverts in both directions on State Route 74 in Hemet. Total project area is on SR-74 from just east of View Lane to just east of Strawberry Creek Bridge.

The project length is 6.4 miles.

The project at Blackburn Road is nearing completion. Crews may be conducting striping operations and hydroseeding the area for plant growth and erosion control.

Weather permitting.

The hours of operation Jan. 5 and beyond are tentatively from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control with flagging operations will be in place for motorists.

Expect delays up to 15 minutes.

Be advised: A second project at Strawberry Creek has a separate traffic control as mentioned below.

CHP will be on scene to assist with traffic control and safety.

Strawberry Creek Bridge Outside of Hemet at the Strawberry Creek historical bridge leading up to Mountain Center work includes pouring the eastbound abutments along with upgrades with slab overlay, new guardrail systems on the bridge, bringing lane and shoulder widths up to current standards and construction of new retaining wall. The Strawberry Creek Bridge active construction zone work is Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and possibly on weekends. Construction schedule subject to materials availability and weather conditions. Traffic control: Temporary traffic signals are in place at each end of the bridge with k-rail, making the bridge single lane access only.

The signal will remain in place 24/7 throughout the project schedule with one way/single lane traffic control. Caltrans warns do not proceed if the light is red. Wait times at the signal are approximately 5 minutes. No wide loads or oversized vehicles will be permitted at bridges.

Hemet’s SR-74 corridor improvement project Caltrans is continuing work on this corridor improvement project.

The project will repave and rehabilitate 49 lane miles, install Traffic Management Systems, upgrade curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways to ADA standards, enhance bike lane signage and striping, and upgrade 29 bus pads within the project parameters.

Weather permitting.

Work zone is from Winchester Road to Fairview Avenue in Valle Vista for a project length of 11.2 miles. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Caltrans notes the Eastbound and Westbound outside lanes may be closed from Winchester Road to Fairview Ave. for “bus pad” construction. Also the EB and WB inside lanes may be closed from Winchester Road to Sanderson Avenue for trenching of new underground fiber optic lines.

There are some continuous lane closures: EB from Lyon Avenue to Gilbert Street – The outside lane will remain closed, through this area, during construction of the ADA ramps, curbs and gutters for safety of the public and the crews.

Other work throughout the construction zone includes pothole repairs and the trenching for a new underground fiber optic line.

When working on driveways, entry areas with more than one driveway access will close only one driveway at a time and direct traffic to other accessible entry points. Entry areas with single driveway access will be constructed in two phases, closing one-half of the driveway at a time, to keep entry access open at all times. Motorists should watch for the detour signs to take them to their location inside the driveway areas. Sidewalks and pedestrians will also be affected during ADA curb ramp construction.

Aguanga/Anza Caltrans continues work on the $5.2 million slurry seal and rumble strips maintenance project on State Route 371 from Aguanga through Anza. Crews are performing striping operations on SR-371.

Work is taking place from the junction of State Route 79 and SR 371 to the junction of State Route 74 and SR-371.

One-way traffic control will be in effect for striping operations.

Caltrans notes motorists should not pass the pilot vehicle as the recently striped roadway needs to be set. Wednesday through Saturday - 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Weather permitting. There may be intermittent, short term closures for equipment relocation. CHP says speed limits are reduced throughout the construction zone.

They will be on scene to assist with traffic control and safety The project is expected to be complete by late winter 2024.

Banning/Yucaipa Caltrans is continuing work on the $4.9 million project of the installation of Zero Emissions Ve h i c l e C h a rg i n g S t a t i o n s (ZEV) on Interstate 10. Weather permitting. Crews will be striping at all locations including the east and westbound Whitewater rest areas on the I-10. Hours of operation: Work is from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. No lane or ramp closures are expected but may take place intermittently to move equipment into the rest areas. The new ZEV charging stations will utilize a portion of the existing parking lot. Use caution when around the work area.

Lake Elsinore Caltrans is still working on SR-74 at the Riverside border to Monte Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore. Crews will perform work in various locations throughout the project zone.

Weeknight closures may still be warranted with one-way traffic control with escorts from 8 p.m. to 9:59 p.m. During the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the route will be closed to through traffic.

Residents and commuters will need to utilize the alternate routes to go around the closure each night at 10 p.m. Work will take place nightly, east of the County line on SR-74, Tuesday through Friday. Residents on Tenaja Truck Trail or west of Tenaja Truck Trail, including the Ortega Oaks RV Park

and Campground and The Candy Store, will be directed to Lake Elsinore, and will not be given access to go through to Orange County during the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Residents at Long Canyon and Decker Canyon will be directed to Lake Elsinore and will not be given access to go through to Orange County during the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists are advised they may experience long waits and delays due to construction operations. Wait for the designated escort through the construction zone and should obey all posted signs and traffic instructions, including the escort, as CHP will be on location and citing any offenders. Residents will be escorted in and out of the construction zones from their designated areas of access.

San Bernardino Mountains In the event of winter snow motorists, Caltrans crews will be much busier to keep the mountain roads open. Meanwhile, Caltrans is still continuing work on State Route 38 to repair embankment, slopes, clear drainage and significant structural damage sustained by Tropical Storm Hilary. Crews have been in the area performing excavation, water diversion, rip rap and embankment fill work.

SR-38 from East Jenks Lake Road to Rainbow Lane is currently re-opened with one-lane flagging operations in place. This reopening is subject to change, both weather and material dependent.

Weekly flagging occurs from Monday through Friday from 6 am to 4 pm. Drivers should expect delays as one-lane flagging will occur at various points to allow crews to continue repair work, including work at the Santa Ana River Bridge. Please adhere to roadway signage and slow for the safety of crews and public.Because of the changing weather traffic flows may be delayed and held up to 30 minutes or longer. Repair work is expected to continue through spring 2024.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

Some laws that have gone into effect since Jan. 1 Marie Waldron Special to the Valley News A partial list of new bills passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor usually go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. Here are just a few: Business-related laws • California’s hourly minimum wage will increase to $16 for most workers on Jan. 1 and to $20 for fast food workers in April.

Wages for healthcare workers will increase gradually to $25 by 2033 • Employers will be prohibited from asking about an employee’s prior or current off-site cannabis use • Employees will now be entitled

to a minimum of five paid sick days each year • Retailers will be required to have a gender-neutral toy section • Manufacturers will be required to provide consumers and repair shops with parts or instructions to repair devices valued over $50 • Hidden fees will have to be disclosed, including for hotels, short-term rentals and food delivery services.

Firearms-related laws • New restrictions will be placed on concealed carry permit holders, despite the recent Supreme Court ruling • An 11% tax will be placed on firearms and ammunition

Criminal penalties • Child sex trafficking will now be defined as a serious felony, allowing life sentences for repeat offenders • Prison sentences for those trafficking over a kilo of fentanyl will be enhanced • The statute of limitations to receive damages for victims of childhood sexual assault will be eliminated • Penalties for those using swastikas or other hate symbols at schools, religious institutions, cemeteries and other locations will increase Others • Local jurisdictions will no

Author of AB 587 issues statement on Federal court decision to deny Elon Musk’s motion for preliminary injunction SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), author of Assembly Bill (AB) 587, issued the following statement regarding U.S District Judge William B. Schubb’s denial of X Corp.’s motion for a preliminary injunction regarding AB 587: “I am pleased that the Court denied Elon Musk’s motion and held that he is unlikely to succeed in this lawsuit. As we have repeatedly emphasized, Assembly Bill 587 is a pure transparency measure that simply requires Twitter and other companies to be upfront about if and how they are moderating content. It in no way requires any specific content moderation policies — which is why it passed with strong, bipartisan support. If Twitter has nothing to hide, then

they should have no objection to complying with this law.”

AB 587 was first introduced in 2021 but took nearly two years to pass in the face of fierce opposition from major social media companies. The bill ultimately secured bipartisan support and passed the Legislature after an intense grassroots lobbying effort by more than 80 civil rights and civic organizations.

California AB 587, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, imposes new requirements on social media companies. Key details of this law include content moderation policies and semiannual reporting.

Social media companies are required to publicly post their content moderation policies.

This includes policies related

to hate speech, disinformation, harassment, and extremism​​​​​​.

These companies must also semiannually report data on the enforcement of these policies.

This includes submitting detailed reports to the California Attorney General​​​​​​.

AB 587 specifically targets social media companies, defined as persons or entities that own or operate one or more social media platforms, with gross revenues exceeding $100 million.​​ This legislation represents a significant step toward increased transparency and accountability for social media platforms, especially concerning how they handle sensitive content and user interactions.

longer be able to ban cruising • Landlords will only be allowed to charge one month’s rent as a security deposit • Counties will have more leeway to put those suffering from severe mental illness into treatment or temporary psychiatric holds For better or worse, these are just a few new laws for 2024. The Legislature returns to Sacramento

Jan. 3 – many more are on the way.

Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R- Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the cities of Poway, Santee, portions of the City of San Diego, and most of rural eastern and northern San Diego County.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • January 5, 2024

NATIONAL NEWS

GOP governor who vetoed transgender bills received over $40,000 from children’s hospitals supporting sex change procedures

Rep. Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, who recently vetoed trans bills, received thousands of dollars from donors who perform sex change operations on minors. Valley News/Governor.ohio.gov photo Kate Anderson Contributor, The Daily Caller Republican Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio received thousands of dollars in donations from donors who provided transgender medical services or opposed efforts to ban the procedures for minors.

DeWine vetoed House Bill 68 on Friday, which would have prohibited

doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors and banned boys from competing in girls’ sports, just hours before the deadline. A review of donations from 2018 to 2023 found that the governor received $40,300 from the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA), Cincinnati Children’s, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and ProMedica Children’s Hospital, all of whom support transgender medical care.

OCHA donated $10,000 to the Mike DeWine and Jon Husted Transition Fund on Dec. 28, 2018, and another $10,000 on Dec. 7, 2022, according to the report. A transition fund allows candidates to spend donations for “transition activities and inaugural celebrations,” according to Ohio’s campaign finance handbook.

Cincinnati Children’s, an affiliate of OCHA, donated $300 on Dec. 15, 2022, to the fund and ProMedica, another affiliate of OCHA, also donated $10,000 in December 2018, according to the reports. Nationwide Children’s, a third affiliate with OCHA, donated $5,000 in December 2018 and another $5,000 in January

2023 to the transition fund.

The governor’s office referred the Daily Caller News Foundation back to DeWine’s comments on the bill and his veto. DeWine said last week that he was visiting hospitals that provide transgender procedures to hear families out on both sides of the issue but did not elaborate on which hospitals he went to.

Nick Lashutka, president of the OHCA, testified against House Bill 68, arguing that the bill “strips away” the rights of parents and their transgender children, according to The Guardian.

“These youth existed before we established our gender clinics, and they will exist if our clinics are forced to close,” Lashutka said.

A spokesperson for OCHA reiterated to the DCNF that DeWine visited with “clinicians and patient families of Ohio’s children’s hospitals.” The spokesperson also included a statement from Lashutka on the governor’s veto.

“We are thankful for Governor DeWine’s thoughtful approach in thoroughly researching the issue of gender-affirming care and vetoing Sub HB 68 today,” Lashutka said.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the Governor, the Ohio General Assembly and relevant state agencies to ensure Ohio’s youth have access to the critical care they need while also addressing concerns raised during debate on HB 68.”

Cincinnati Children’s has a Transgender Health Center that works with patients from five to 24 years old, according to the hospital’s website. The center’s frequently asked questions section explains that patients can get puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones with family consent and does not list an age limit.

Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney, the hospital’s chief of staff, also testified against House Bill 68, claiming that the impact of the bill would be “felt deeply and dangerously.”

Nationwide Children’s THRIVE Gender Development Program lists “management of gender-affirming medications, inclusive sexual and reproductive health care, menstrual management and other affirming interventions” as well as “fertility preservation options, puberty blockers or gender-affirming medicines” as services they provide,

3,000 doctors take legal action against Transgender Mandate

Jacob Burg The Epoch Times

A group of 3,000 doctors are suing the Biden administration to avoid being forced to give children ‘gender-affirming’ care, including hormone therapy drugs and surgery.

The 3,000 doctors and medical professionals are suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over a mandate that broadens the term “sex” in federal civil rights statutes to include “gender identity” and “sexual orientation.”

The group argues that the rule, among other things, forces physicians who see Medicaid patients or receive federal funding to provide “genderaffirming” care to children who want to transition to the opposite sex.

This includes prescribing hormone treatments and puberty blockers and performing surgery such as removing girls’ breasts.

The doctors challenging the rule say it will force them to provide that kind of treatment, even if they think it’s medically wrong for the patient or if it goes against their religious beliefs. That makes it unconstitutional, they say.

As such, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit on behalf of the American College of Pediatricians, an adolescent care obstetrics and gynecology doctor, and Catholic Medical Associates.

The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 26, 2021, asks the court to block HHS from penalizing doctors for refusing to provide gender-altering treatments to children for any reason.

The case initially was dismissed by a lower court when the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a motion claiming that it would honor doctors’ constitutional right to refuse such treatments.

However, ADF attorney Chris Schandevel said his clients worry that a dismissed case could mean DOJ officials could reverse the department’s stance at any time.

So he’s seeking an injunction to specifically prevent HHS or any other federal agency from disciplining doctors who refuse to give children such treatments for any reason.

The 6th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati heard oral arguments on the case on Dec. 6.

The appellate court has jurisdiction over federal appeals from cases originating in Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, and Ohio.

The court’s decision could take up to three months. If denied, plaintiffs could seek review from the U.S. Supreme Court.

By Order of the President The HHS mandate in May 2021 followed an executive order issued four months earlier by President Joe Biden. The order expanded the interpretation of “sex” beyond a person’s biology, to include a person’s declared “gender identity” or “sexual orientation.”

“Every person should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear, no matter who they are or whom they love,” President Biden’s order states.

“Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom,

the locker room, or school sports.

“Adults should be able to earn a living and pursue a vocation knowing that they will not be fired, demoted, or mistreated because of whom they go home to or because how they dress does not conform to sex-based stereotypes. People should be able to access healthcare and secure a roof over their heads without being subjected to sex discrimination. All persons should receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.”

Federal agencies indicated that this interpretation would extend into discrimination clauses in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). And that could require doctors to provide treatment to children and adults who identify as transgender and want to undergo a “transition” to a new gender identity, Mr. Schandevel said.

The mandate could apply to any health care providers who receive federal money, such as those accepting patients on Medicaid or with ACA health insurance coverage, also known as Obamacare.

This “gender-affirming” care would extend to pediatric services and potentially bring about disciplinary action for physicians refusing for any reason to provide that care to children, Mr. Schandevel said.

The DOJ filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on July 19, 2022, claiming that the HHS hasn’t mandated that healthcare providers “perform all kinds of gender transition services, even providers who have religious objections” and that the lawsuit begins on a “false premise” by suggesting that such a mandate exists.

HHS attorneys assert in the motion that their interpretation of President Biden’s executive order means “sex discrimination extends to genderidentity discrimination.”

But, they write, this doesn’t indicate that doctors opposed to providing gender-altering treatments “fall within the scope of unlawful gender-identity discrimination, and HHS has consistently affirmed that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and other religious defenses may be raised, on a case-by-case basis, to a charge of discrimination.”

But for Mr. Schandevel and the doctors he represents, that’s not enough.

“Outside of the courtroom, in their public statements, the administration has given every indication that they plan to enforce this gender-identity mandate as broadly as possible,” he said.

“They have given every indication that they plan to come after doctors, like our doctors, that we’re representing in this case.”

Mr. Schandevel cites a notice dated March 2, 2022, from the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that invites patients and parents to file complaints with the OCR if they feel they have been denied “genderaffirming” care.

“As a law enforcement agency, OCR is investigating and, where appropriate, enforcing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act cases involving discrimination on the

basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in accordance with all applicable law,” the notice reads.

“This means that if people believe they have been discriminated against in a health program or activity that receives financial assistance from HHS, they can file a complaint.”

Mr. Schandevel said that doctors who ADF represents shouldn’t have to just take the DOJ at its word and just hope that it won’t violate the doctors’ rights.

“We should be able to get a court to say that their rights are protected,” He said.

“Our doctors have every reason to fear that if they say no, that they’re not going to [perform a sexchange operation] that the federal government is going to try to take away their federal funding based on that conscientious practice of medicine.”

Concerned Pediatricians Pediatricians represented by Mr. Schandevel are wary of “genderaffirming” care for children for reasons beyond personal convictions, he said.

D r. Q u e n t i n Va n M e t e r, a pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist with five decades of experience, said he read “the broad medical literature across the spectrum on the subject” and came to a decision that he can live with his code of medical ethics.

Dr. Van Meter contended that the research used to validate pediatric gender-altering treatments is often “cherry-picked”—researchers make conclusions that don’t support the data collected.

Proponents of helping children try to alter their gender identity argue that access to such childhood procedures lowers the rate of suicide among minors who identify as transgender.

They often cite a 2020 study, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, that purportedly establishes that link.

A 2019 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry studied the same phenomenon—the alleged lowered risks of suicide for children receiving “genderaffirming” care.

In that study’s conclusions, researchers argued that children receiving gender-altering procedures have much higher levels of anxiety and mood disorders before treatment than other children. They wrote that these procedures, such as hormone blockers or surgery, lowered the need for anxiety and mood care once the child received treatment affirming a new gender.

However, that study drew ire from other researchers, who sent letters to the journal’s editors challenging the statistical methodology employed in the study.

“Upon request, the authors reanalyzed the data,” according to a correction published by the American Journal of Psychiatry on Aug. 1, 2020. “The results demonstrated no advantage of surgery in relation to subsequent mood or anxiety disorder-related health care visits or prescriptions or hospitalizations following suicide attempts in that comparison.”

Dr. Van Meter said he believes that “the scientific validity of what they’re basing their treatment protocol on is based on so little valid science that it must cease and desist immediately.”

The Swedish Approach Dr. Van Meter also pointed to recent changes to the official position of the governments of Sweden and Norway on the issue.

Sweden, which has had broad tolerance for the LGBT community, recently reversed its previous official position on “gender-affirming” care for minors through its National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW), saying “the risks outweigh the benefits at this point.”

“Uncertain science and newly acquired knowledge means that the National Board of Health and Welfare now recommends restraint when it comes to hormone treatment,” a translation of the NBHW announcement reads.

The Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services created “a literature review in which all relevant studies on the effect and safety of hormone treatments have been reviewed.”

The agency wrote that “it appears that it is not yet possible to draw any definite conclusions about the effect and safety of the treatments based on scientific evidence.”

The announcement cited the department head of the NBHW, Thomas Lindén, as saying, “The conclusion is that very little knowledge has been gained about the effects and safety of the [pediatric ‘gender-affirming’] treatments since 2015.”

When releasing its guidance on pediatric “gender-affirming” care in 2015, the NBHW emphasized the need for rigorous clinical work to justify the prescribed treatment plans for children experiencing gender dysphoria.

Gender dysphoria, according to the American Psychiatric Association, “refers to psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex assigned at birth and one’s gender identity.”

It continues, “Though gender dysphoria often begins in childhood, some people may not experience it until after puberty or much later.”

The Swedish agency wrote that in seven years, the clinical work didn’t actually justify these treatment protocols.

After compiling studies on gender identity and the start and stop of treatment, “it is not possible to determine how common it is for people who undergo genderaffirming treatment to later change their mind about their gender identity, cancel the treatment, or regret it in some aspect,” the NBHW report stated.

The NBHW also acknowledges that some patients who have been identifying as transgender try to reverse the changes as part of a “detransition.”

Mr. Lindén said, “For the group that regrets or cancels a started treatment, there may be a risk that the treatment has led to poorer health or quality of life.”

according to its website. The hospital does not note the age a patient must be to receive care from the program.

In 2021, ProMedica created an LGBTQ+ Patient and Family Advisory Council to educate healthcare providers on how to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ community, according to the Buckeye Flame, a local media outlet. The hospital said that the council was part of a larger goal to better include transgender patients and help refer them to medical facilities that can provide them with any care that ProMedica cannot.

A ProMedica spokesperson told the DCNF that the donations took place under “different leadership in place at the time.”

Cincinnati Children’s and Nationwide Children’s did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience.

Based on the research, the NBHW’s “overall conclusion is that the risks of puberty-inhibiting and gender-affirming hormone treatment for those under 18 currently outweigh the possible benefits for the group as a whole.”

The Swedish board now recommends pediatric genderaltering care only in “exceptional cases.” It still emphasizes the importance of taking gender dysphoria seriously and giving children psychiatric treatment and suicide prevention care while determining the best long-term treatment plan.

‘When ideology takes over science’ Although Sweden has reassessed its medical recommendations and emphasized evidence-based medical practices, some in the U.S. medical industry are working to prevent doctors from discussing the risks and benefits of pediatric gender-altering procedures, Dr. Van Meter said.

“There has been no debate— no debate allowed; it has been squashed,” he said. “Those of us with the contrary opinions have actually not been allowed to be published, except in very relatively obscure medical journals.”

Some doctors and researchers with undecided opinions on the topic of pediatric “gender-affirming” care are afraid to question its merits for fear of losing their jobs, their ability to publish research, and, in essence, their careers, he said.

“The journals are in lockstep with this right at this point in time. It is a scary circumstance when ideology takes over science. And it just should not happen,” Dr. Van Meter said.

“My fear is that tens or hundreds of thousands of kids are going to have interventions which will harm them irreparably in the meantime.

And my heart goes out to those families. Most kids are just going to the wrong place, and having the wrong things done.”

Many children who identify as transgender are suffering mental health crises, he said. It’s important to provide “compassionate care” for those experiencing an “incongruence of their gender identity and their biological sex,” he added.

Mr. Schandevel said that the scientific impasse on childhood gender-altering procedures presents a unique opportunity for American doctors and for organizations that support those treatments for children, such as the Academy of American Pediatricians (AAP), to consider a change of policy.

Officials at the AAP declined to comment.

“I think the European countries are learning from their own mistakes, which is good and smart,” Mr. Schandevel said.

“But we here in the U.S. have an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others and to reverse course before we harm hundreds of thousands of poor kids.”

Reprinted by permission of the Epoch Times. Copyright 2024.

To subscribe, go to subscribe.

TheEpochTimes.com.

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Anza Valley Outlook • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • January 5, 2024

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Section

WITH CONTENT FROM

January 5 – 11, 2024

Wishing Our Readers a Very Happy New Year!

Your Source For Reputable Local News www.anzavalleyoutlook.com

Volume 24, Issue 1

from Anza Valley Outlook

2023: A year in pictures

Anza Valley was a flurry of news and happenings during 2023. This collection of pictures summerizes this interesting year. From fires, weather, celebrations and life events, the Anza Photos by Diane Sieker, Chris Peters, and GeriLyn Blanton Melin Valley Outlook has been there over the years to document the news. See the highlights and full sized photos starting on page D-3.

Kids of Anza toy giveaway serves local Anza Baptist Church families holds indoor living nativity

Serenity Wagen, left, holding her daughter Alice Simonsen, with Russell Kitchen and Neil Fredberg stand with Grace Simonsen and her new Christmas bicycle at the Kids of Anza gift giveaway Thursday Dec. 21 Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo at the Anza Community Hall.

Diane Sieker Staf f Writer The Kids of Anza presented their annual Christmas toy giveaway Thursday Dec. 21, at the Anza Community Hall. Dozens of

families arrived to receive gifts for children of all ages, from infants to teens. Sports equipment, bicycles, learning toys, electronics, plush toys and more were provided by KOA. “I want to give the big shoutout

to Russell Kitchen and his helpers with Kids of Anza,” said Anza mother Dixie Fletcher. “Times are hard for us all and without the organizations up here to help us see TOYS, page D-5

Shepherds are awakened and prepare to follow the Star of Bethlehem at the indoor living nativity presented by the Anza Baptist Church Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo Friday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 24.

Diane Sieker Staf f Writer The Anza First Southern Baptist Church presented an indoor living nativity titled Emanuel, God With Us, Friday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 24. The event was held at the church, illustrating and celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus.

The actors - including animals Scooter the miniature donkey and Barbara the Babydoll sheep - were featured in different scenes during the play.

Piano and violin music accompanied soloists as well as caroling by actors and audience. see NATIVITY, page D-3

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Anza Valley Outlook • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • January 5, 2024

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pantry the second Saturday of every month at the AEC office, 58470 Highway 371, from 10:3011:30 a.m. All are welcome. CalFresh application assistance and free community health services are also available. Bring your own reusable bags to take food home. Volunteers welcome. For more information, contact the AEC office at 951-763-4333.

Friends of Anza Valley Community Library – Anza Valley Community Library is located at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road. The library is open to the public, but not during school hours. Hours are 4-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday through Wednesday.

Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at www.hamiltonbobcats.net/apps/ events/calendar.

Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit www.hamiltonmuseum. org. Find them on Facebook at “Hamilton-Museum-and-RanchFoundation.”

Backcountry Horsemen Redshank Riders – Meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Locations change, so please contact Mike by email at stumblinl55@gmail. com or by calling 951-760-9255.

Health, exercise, resources and recovery meetings Fit after 50 – 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free.

Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn at 951751-1462 for more information.

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting – 6 p.m. Every Tuesday at Shepherd Of The Valley Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Open participation.

Ve t e r a n s ’ G a t h e r i n g Mondays – 9-11 a.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39075 Contreras Road in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and other difficulties.

Call John Sheehan at 951-9236153. If you need an advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.

The Most Excellent Way – A Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8-10 a.m.

Program is court approved; child care is provided. Transportation help is available. The group meets at 58050 Highway 371; the cross street is Kirby Road in Anza.

AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m.

Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.

Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-4226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of

MDR

BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-551-2826.

Free Mobile Health Clinic – Open every third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is needed.

Uninsured may only be seen in the Anza Community Hall’s parking lot or inside the hall.

Medication Assistance and Treatment for Opioid Dependence – Get treatment for heroin addiction. Transportation to the clinic is provided. For more information, contact Borrego Health’s Anza Community Health Center, 58581 Route 371, Anza. For more information, 951-763-4759.

Food ministries F.U.N. Group weekly food ministry – Deliveries arrive by noon Thursdays at the Anza Community Hall. To order a paid box and help feed those who can’t afford to pay, drop off payment and cash donations by Thursday at 1:30 p.m., to ERA Excel Realty, 56070 Highway 371 in Anza. Pay inside or drop off during the day in the red box outside. To drop it off, put name and request on an envelope with payment inside. A $30 box has about $100 worth of food and feeds six people. Half boxes are available for $15. Food is delivered once a week to those who cannot find a ride. For more information, call Bill Donahue at 951-288-0903.

Living Hope Christian Fellowship Community Dinner – Dinners at 1 p.m. are held the last Sunday of the month at the Anza Community Hall. All are welcome. Donations of time, money, etc. are always welcome.

Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m.

The food bank hands out food the last Friday of the month until the food is gone. The clothes closet will be open too. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a non-denominational nonprofit.

All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-7635636.

Bible Studies The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Anza’s Sunday Sacrament is at 10 a.m.; Sunday School is 11 a.m.

Priesthood/Relief Society meets at noon; Wednesday, Boy Scouts gathers 6 p.m. and Youth Night is 7 p.m. For more information, call Ruiz at 951-445-7180 or Nathan at 760-399-0727. The Wednesday Genealogy/Family History Class, 5-8 p.m., is open to the public at 39075 Contreras Road in Anza.

Native Lighthouse Fellowship – 10 a.m. The group meets the first Saturday of the month, and breakfast is served. All are welcome to fellowship together at the “Tribal Hall” below the casino in Anza. For more information, call Nella Heredia at 951-7630856.

Living Hope Bible Study – 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, Anza.

All are welcome. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 951-763-1111.

Anza RV Clubhouse – 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of the Month, Pastor Kevin officiates at 41560 Terwilliger Road in Anza.

Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the fourth Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m.

Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.

Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m. Saturday Men’s Study meets weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza.

For more information, call 951763-4622.

Anza First Southern Baptist Church – Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6 to 12 grade) meets for games and Bible study.

Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School and a Seniors’ Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza.

For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www.anzabaptistchurch.com.

Clubs Anza Valley VFW Post 1873, Capt. John Francis Drivick III Post – The Ladies’ and Men’s Auxiliaries are located at 59011 Bailey Road in Anza. Mail P.O. Box 390433. Request monthly newsletter and or weekly menu by email at vfw1873anzaca@gmail. com. For more information, call 951-763-4439 or visit http:// vfw1873.org.

High Country 4-H Club – 6:30 p.m. Meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month, except February, at Anza Community Hall. 4-H Club is for youth 5 to 19 years old offering a variety of projects. High Country 4-H Club is open to children living in the Anza, Aguanga and surrounding areas. For more information, call Allison Renck at 951-663-5452.

Anza Valley Artists Meetings – Meetings at 1 p.m. are the third Saturday of each month at various locations. Share art, ideas and participate in shows.

Guest speakers are always needed. For more information, call president Rosie Grindle at 951-928-1248. Find helpful art tips at www.facebook.com/ AnzaValleyArtists.

Anza Quilter’s Club – 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, in Anza.

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Anza Valley Lions Club – The Anza Valley Lions Club has been reinstated and is open to all men and women who want to work together for the betterment of the community. The group is working on securing a new venue for meetings. Meetings and events are posted on the Anza Lions Club of Anza Valley Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LionsofAnzaValley. For more information, email president Greg Sandling at President.

AnzaLions@gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary.AnzaLions@ gmail.com.

Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 59 is looking for new members of all ages. For more information, call squadron commander Maj. Dennis Sheehan from the Anza area at 951-403-4940. To learn more and see the club’s meeting schedule, visit www.squadron59. org.

Fire Explorer Program – 6 p.m. The program meets every second, third and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fire Station 29 on state Route 371 in Anza. Call 951-763-5611 for information.

Redshank Riders – 7 p.m.

Backcountry horsemen meet at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Anza, the second Thursday of each month. Visit www. redshankriders.com or call Carol Schmuhl for membership information at 951-663-6763.

Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the first Thursday of the month at the Anza Community Hall, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon.

Contact Carol Wright at 951-7632884 for more information.

Organizations Te r w i l l i g e r C o m m u n i t y Association – 6 p.m. Second Monday of the month at VFW Post 1873, 59011 Bailey Road, in Anza. Potluck dinner open to all.

For more information, call Tonie Ford at 951-763-4560.

From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries – Noon.

Monthly luncheon and guest speaker are held the second Saturday of each month. The $5 charge covers lunch at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. From the Heart helps the area’s neediest children and invites all women and men to join in their mission.

Donate or help with the rummage sales twice a year to raise funds for the cause or other events. For more information, call president Christi James at 951-595-2400.

Anza Community Hall – 7 p.m.

General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. Single memberships are $30 and include discounts to events for one person and 1 vote in elections and meetings.

Family memberships are $50 and include discounts for a family up to 5 members and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Business memberships are $50 and allows an employer to receive discounts for up to 5 people, including themselves, and includes 1 vote on elections and meetings. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Mail membership to: Anza Community Building Inc. at P.O. Box 390091, Anza, CA 92539. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. For more information, call 951-2824267 or email achageneral@ g m a i l . c o m o r v i s i t w w w. anzacommunitybuilding.org.

Anza Civic Improvement League – 9 a.m. meets the first Saturday of each month at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The league maintains Minor Park and the Little Red School House, which are both available to rent for events. No government funds are allowed; the membership pays the bills – $10 a person, $18 family or $35 business membership. For more information, visit www. anzacivic.org.

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January 5, 2024 • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • Anza Valley Outlook

ANZA LOCAL

2023: A year in pictures Diane Sieker Staf f Writer January An extraordinary Santa Ana wind event pummeled the Anza Valley as well as most of Southern California Thursday, Jan. 26. Very few people escaped the harsh gusts which attained speeds of up to almost 50 mph in some local areas. Palomar Mountain Lookout recorded speeds of 83 mph, Aguanga 39 mph, Anza 45 mph, Anza Southeast 41 mph and Red Mountain at 39 mph.

February The storm system that pushed through Southern California Thursday, Feb. 23 into Tuesday, Feb. 28, produced periodically intense wind, rain and snowfall combined with below-average freezing temperatures. Dogs and puppies frolicked, while

sheep, alpacas and other outdoor animals, mystified by the new snow, apparently also enjoyed themselves as the animals’ owners snapped pictures.

March The Anza Community Hall hosted a delicious spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit the Hamilton High School Band and Color Guard’s 2023 Music Leadership Camp trip to Troy University in Alabama later in 2023. Guests received a spaghetti dinner with garlic bread, salad, desert and a beverage in the Hall Friday, March 24. Friends and neighbors, parents, staff and students came together for good food, lively socializing and performances by the band members themselves, while contributing to a great cause. see 2023, page D-4

Violent wind gusts bring down a large pine tree at the Cahuilla Indian Reservation during the Santa Ana Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo wind event Thursday, Jan. 26.

Sheep Saki, front, Stacey and Bodie and this alpaca wonder why the grass disappeared during the winter storm Thursday, Feb. 23 in Anza.

Hamilton High School staff and students serve buffet food to patrons at the Hamilton School Band spaghetti dinner fundraiser Friday, March 24 at the Anza Community Hall.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

NATIVITY from page D-1 Well-known seasonal music favorites were performed.

Several scenes were reenacted, culminating in the birth and celebration of the Newborn King.

Light refreshments were provided for guests after the presentation.

For more information about the Anza First Southern Baptist Church, please visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ anzabaptistchurch. To reach them by phone, please call (951)7634937.

The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com.

Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus are accompanied by their donkey during the manger scene at the indoor living nativity presented by the Anza Baptist Church Friday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 24.

The Angel gives Joseph instructions at the indoor living nativity presented by the Anza Baptist Church Friday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos Dec. 24.

Apostle Paul actor sets the scene for the indoor living nativity presented by the Anza Baptist Church Friday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 24.

All come to worship the Newborn King at the indoor living nativity presented by the Anza Baptist Church Friday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 24.

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Anza Valley Outlook • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • January 5, 2024

ANZA LOCAL

Chaos seems to ensue as children are released upon the hunt area at Anza’s annual Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo Community Easter Egg hunt Saturday, April 8.

Sale Faleano joyfully marches with his classmates to the gymnasium at the Hamilton High School commencement ceremony, held at the school Tuesday, May 30.

Lil’ Miss Anza Days Haddie Magana, left, Junior Miss Anza Days Emily Lanik, Teen Miss Anza Days Ananna Lopez, Miss Anza Days Kayleen Collins, Ms. Anza Days Alana Firth holding Wee Miss Anza Days Scarlett Hogue are introduced to the cheering crowd at Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo the Miss Anza Days pageant Thursday, June 22.

The Hemet Jeep Club gives a powerful patriotic showing at the Anza Days parade Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo Saturday, July 1.

2023 from page D-3 April Over 30 civic groups, businesses and churches, plus countless volunteers, united to present Anza’s annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at the Lions Club of Anza Valley’s Minor Field gymkhana arena Saturday, April

8. The yearly free event attracted hundreds of visitors to hunt eggs, enjoy free food, play games and shop craft and gift vendors. The Easter Bunny, Hamilton Bobcat, local firefighters and sheriffs arrived to mingle with the crowds.

May Excited family, school staff and friends watched as the Hamilton

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

High School Class of 2023 walked across the stage to receive their diplomas Tuesday, May 30. The Commencement took place at the Garry Packham gymnasium at the school, which was packed to capacity.

June The Miss Anza Days pageant attracted a record number of lovely

and talented contestants, all vying for the cherished title of Wee, Li’l, Teen, Junior, Miss or Ms. Anza. Winners were announced Thursday, June 22 at the event at Minor Park in Anza.

July The annual Anza Days festivities were once again entertaining, exciting, colorful and fun combination of events put on by local civic organizations and a great number of volunteers Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1.

August From The Heart Christian Women’s Ministries held their annual Backpack Giveaway Saturday, August 12. Throngs of students and their families crowded the gym at the Hamilton High School to receive loaded backpacks, new shoes, socks, clothes, haircuts and even free vaccinations. The traditional event to assist local students with a headstart to their school year served over 250 children.

“We passed out over 250 pairs of shoes and packages of socks plus backpacks, not including the ones we gave to the different schools, so probably around 350 altogether,” said organizer Christi

James. “There were 50 haircuts given, several free phones, dozens of children’s books and T-Dap vaccines for those who needed them.”

September The second annual Goldie Fest extraterrestrial celebration was held Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Destination Place in Anza.

Vendors were on hand offering gifts and Goldie merchandise, as local mystic Jackie Cope gave tarot card readings. Unidentified Flying Object followers, paranormal fans, alien aficionados and stargazing enthusiasts attended the free event that celebrated Anza’s very own UFO, Goldie. The event featured talks from guest speakers Wil Wakely and Rupert. They discussed UFOs, sightings, alien abductions and more.

October The Highland fire roared through Aguanga starting Monday, Oct. 30 and blazed over 2,487 acres, destroying 13 structures and damaging three more. The fire was 100% contained Sunday, Nov. 5, according to Riverside County fire officials. see NOVEMBER, page D-5

This young student is thrilled with the new book she received from the Friends of the Anza Valley Community Library at the From the Heart Backpack Giveaway Saturday, August 12.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

The Highland fire roars through Aguanga starting Monday, Oct. 30, blazing over 2,487 acres, destroying Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo 13 structures and damaging three more.

As the sun sets, Goldie appears and walks silently under the stars at the Second Annual Goldie Fest celebration Saturday, Sept. 16.

Anza Valley Outlook/Chris Peters photo

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January 5, 2024 • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • Anza Valley Outlook

ANZA LOCAL

Cindy Watson helps decorate the Anza Community Hall for the From the Heart annual Holiday Dinner Anza Valley Outlook/GeriLyn Blanton Mellin photo Saturday, Nov. 18.

NOVEMBER from page D-4 November The From The Heart Christian Women’s Ministries hosted their annual Holiday Dinner Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Anza Community Hall, raising over $2,000 for their Christmas toy giveaway slated for next month. Over 678 children

signed up this year. Meal and raffle ticket sales combined with large donations helped make the event a success.

December A cheerful Yuletide ambience descended on Anza as a holiday celebration took place at the Anza Community Hall Saturday, Dec. 2. The culmination of the hard

work and organizational talents of many non-profit charitable organizations, the annual Anza Christmas Tree Lighting attracted hundreds of residents. Vendors offered holiday-themed wares and a wide variety of food, free snacks were served, arts and crafts were created and Christmas decor twinkled inside the Hall. Santa,

Nic and Miranda Monteleone with their two children, left, Walmart manager Rebecca Sovocool, Jessie Page and Alex Garcia check out of the store with over $2,000 in toys purchased for KOA children from Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos donations collected by Garcia, Saturday, Dec. 16.

Santa and Mrs. Claus spend quality time with many of Anza’s children at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Anza Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo Community Hall Saturday, Dec. 2.

Mrs. Claus and a busy battalion of elves made important appearances to gather intel on good little boys and girls.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com.

Piles of toys are organized to be given to children and their families at the KOA Christmas gift giveaway Thursday Dec. 21 at the Anza Community Hall.

[Right] New toys for all ages are donated to the KOA Christmas gift giveaway Thursday Dec. 21 at the Anza Community Hall.

KOA founder Russell Kitchen, Alex Garcia and Jessie Page show off some of the toys purchased and donated to Kids of Anza Saturday, Dec. 16.

TOYS from page D-1 parents out, Christmas wouldn’t happen for a lot of the people in our community. Seeing the joy on our babie’s faces made this Christmas such a wonderful and blessed day.”

Local welder Alex Garcia, assisted by Nic Monteleone, raised over $2,000.00 for the cause.

Accompanied by Jessie Page and

Nic and Miranda Monteleone, he went to Walmart in Temecula to purchase toys Saturday, Dec. 16. Guided by Walmart manager Rebecca Sovocool, they made quick work of filling four shopping carts with gifts and checking out successfully. The toys were delivered to KOA founder Russell Kitchen for the giveaway event.

“Kids of Anza were able to

support so many families this year at our annual toy drive,” said Kitchen. “We had a record number of kids on this year’s list. The smiles on so many faces made the efforts so worth it. We would like to give a big special thanks to Alex Garcia for raising over $2,000 for KOA.” Families gathered for the event at the Anza Community Hall and waited patiently for KOA staff to distribute their bags of toys.

Many donors made the day a great success.

“We would also like to thank Lanik Enterprises and the Anza Boys and Girls Club along with an awesome donation of toys from Santa Rosa Indian Reservation and Cahuilla Hotel and Casino. We appreciate the Cahuilla Mountain Market hosting a donation bin this year. I would like to thank a couple of anonymous donors, Anza Valley Hardware and Anza’s Napa Auto Parts store. Without all of them this would have never been such a success,” said Kitchen.

The effort by all those that donated money or new, unwrapped toys made Christmas extra special for many of Anza’s local children this year.

To learn more about the Kids of Anza, visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KOA-kids-ofAnza-1871218979808102/.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com.

LET THE SAVINGS ADD UP!

Local merchants, like High Country Mercantile, are teaming up with the Anza Electric Cooperative to offer you discounts. Just take your Co-op Connections Card wherever you go. Pull it out anywhere you see a Co-Op connections sticker, and say hello to savings!

The card is yours. The savings are yours. All because you’re a member of Touchstone Energy cooperative. And we’re always looking out for you.

To learn more, visit www.anzaelectric.org

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Anza Valley Outlook • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • January 5, 2024

ANZA LOCAL

Living Free Animal Sanctuary dog of the week: Meet Athena

Athena is a 3-year-old German Shepherd mix. Appropriately named after the Greek goddess, Athena carries an essence of beauty and wisdom. Athena was found by a veterinarian abandoned and left tied to a post. Through the combined efforts of multiple parties, Athena eventually made her way to Living Free. We can never know her circumstances before that, but we do know now that despite what happened, Athena remains kind and loving.

Athena wants nothing more than her own person or family.

She loves being around people more than anything else. Although

we’ve assured her that she will not be abandoned again, we can tell that memory still plagues her.

If you’re looking for a dog with a kind soul and a loyal companion, Athena is the dog for you. We can assure you that she will love you with all of her heart.

Living Free is a nonprofit animal sanctuary whose primary mission is to rescue dogs and cats whose time is up at public shelters. Living Free Animal Sanctuary is located on 155 acres in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild. A diamond in the rough, the property is home to a kennel-in-the-round, Give Life Park, catteries and protected

Hi, I’m Athena! open-air “catios,” breathtaking scenery and wide open fields for the wild mustangs and rescued burros to run free.

Open by appointment.

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo For dog adoptions, call 951321-9982, for cat adoptions, call 951-491-1898, and for all other inquiries, call 951- 659-4687.

To book a tour, visit www.

living-free.org/visit-us. Living Free is located at 54250 Keen Camp Road in Mountain Center.

Riverside County urges residents to report stolen food benefits RIVERSIDE COUNTY – Customers who receive CalFresh food assistance and believe their benefits were stolen electronically between Oct. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2023, may be eligible to receive retroactive benefits.

Electronic theft occurs when benefits are stolen or taken from an Electronic Benefits Transfer card balance because of skimming, cloning, scamming or similar fraudulent methods. If a CalFresh customer has tried to buy food with their benefits and noticed their balance is at zero or less than what they previously had after their last purchase and has not lost their EBT card, they may have experienced electronic theft.

CalFresh customers may be eligible for retroactive benefits even if they were denied replacement benefits in the past, already received partial replacement benefits or never filed a replacement request. Customers who no longer receive CalFresh may also be eligible for replacement benefits

due to electronic thefts occurring between Oct. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2023.

To receive a replacement for stolen benefits during this period, CalFresh customers must report the stolen benefits at their nearest Self Sufficiency office, online at http://BenefitsCal.com or by calling 877-410-8827. Reports should be made no later than Feb. 29, 2024.

“We’re aware this is a growing problem that has impacted individuals and families’ ability to put healthy food on the table. We hope to reach everyone impacted to compensate them for their losses,” said Assistant Director Allison Gonzalez, who oversees the Self Sufficiency Division at the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services. “If you believe your food benefits were stolen, please report to us as soon as possible.”

Since early 2023, data shows EBT theft has increased in Riverside County. From January

through September, EBT thieves stole more than $3 million in food benefits and cash assistance from county residents.

“EBT theft is impacting us all, not just here in Riverside County, but statewide and across the country,” Chief Shawn Ferris, who leads the Special Investigations Unit at DPSS, said. “We are taking a proactive approach and want our customers, as well as the public, to be aware of how widespread this issue is and ways they can protect themselves.”

For the past two years, a DPSS specialized team has removed more than 200 illegally installed cameras on ATMs and point-ofsale terminals countywide. The team also works with partnering agencies to arrest suspected thieves and investigate EBT theftrelated crimes.

Prevention tips include customers changing their EBT card PIN a few days before their benefits are loaded onto their cards.

“It’s important customers know

Investigators with the DPSS Special Investigations Unit find an illegally installed skimming device at an ATM in Riverside County. Skimming devices are used to capture account information and commit EBT Valley News/Courtesy photo theft. that thieves are striking typically during the first few days of the month when benefits are loaded onto EBT cards,” Ferris said.

Additional prevention tips include securing your EBT card account number and PIN. Also, look for suspicious devices on point-of-sale machines at stores

and at ATMs. Customers may also download the new ebtEDGE app, which allows users to access account information, change their PIN, and review/block out-of-state and online purchase.

Submitted by Riverside County Dept. of Public Social Services and CalFresh.

OPINION Editor’s Note: Opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Valley News & Anza Valley Outlook staff. We invite opinions on all sides of an issue. If you have an opinion, please send it as an e-mail to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, or fax us at (760) 723-9606. Maximum word count 500. All letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number. The Valley News & Anza Valley Outlook reserves the right to edit letters as necessary to fit the publication’s format.

Don’t be fooled by smear campaigns

Julie Reeder Publisher For many community members balancing family, work, sports, church, and various other commitments, attending school board meetings may not be a priority. However, for parents in TVUSD District 4, there is an election coming up and a recall against your TVUSD Board President.

Relying solely on information from activists at your doorstep, or posts on Facebook or Instagram doesn’t give you the whole story, or even the truth. They may tell you Dr. Komroski is

an “extremist” but with a little research, my guess is that the policies they have implemented would seem mainstream to you.

It’s the recall proponents who seem more to be the extremists.

There’s nothing better than actually attending or watching the meetings for yourself.

As publisher of The Valley News for more than two decades I’ve watched Temecula Valley School District grow from its inception, including the city and surrounding schools, which continue to thrive Contrary to claims that the schools are underperforming, they are sought after for their academic excellence, even by families from neighboring towns.

So, what’s happening with TVUSD? President Komrosky, a veteran, tenured professor, and former healthcare worker, has been targeted by radical activists, despite fulfilling his promises to parents in the 4th District.

He reports tactics ranging from alarmism and fear-mongering to outright lies and accusations.

These recall activists, both local and from outside Temecula, claim to protect children, but from whom?

Ultimately from you - the parents.

The activist teachers and the Political Action Committee (PAC) behind the recall seem to oppose informing parents about significant decisions affecting their children’s health and mental welfare, such as students changing their gender which could include starting life-altering hormones.

A Northern California mother won a lawsuit against her school district for facilitating her daughter’s gender transition without parental knowledge.

The daughter, now content as a woman, supports her mother’s actions.

TVUSD is safeguarding the district by tightening policies, yet faces accusations of extremism, racism and homophobia.

I’ve attended the meetings myself and these accusations are not true.

E ff o r t s t o d i s c r e d i t D r.

Komrosky, including baseless claims about his personal life and professional integrity, have failed. They went after his job as a tenured professor and they failed.

They went after his doctoral thesis by claiming it was plagiarized, which it wasn’t, and the recall extremists even resorted to lies

Make realistic resolutions for the new year

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna Special to the Valley News

Making a New Year’s resolution is one thing. Remaining resolute and seeing them through is quite another. It’s important to make them realistic and attainable.

Every January we start a new recruit fire academy. The first order of business is to review all academy policies and standard operating procedures. Understanding policies and training on them repeatedly provides recruits with a sound foundation in safe and consistent operations before learning basic firefighting skills.

In addition to learning policies, our recruits develop “integrity agreements.” Integrity agreements are like policies, but they are more

personal in nature. The recruits develop them as a team, but they own them as individuals.

Like policies, these agreements hold recruits accountable for actions on and off the training ground. We tell them, “If you don’t live up to the agreements, you have no one to blame but yourself. You own them; they are custom-made by and for you.”

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow,” according to Albert Einstein.

Integrity agreements are certainly a useful tool for integrating new firefighters into the fold, instilling in them department values while setting them up for success. But they are not just for rookies. Why not make a good start in 2024 by developing your

personal integrity agreement?

Here are a few easy ideas to get you started that will be of value throughout the year: Respect yourself.

Respect for yourself first and have respect for others next. If you do not respect yourself, you certainly won’t respect others.

Be positive.

Cultivate a positive attitude. If your attitude is negative, you will not succeed. Support and help each other. Firefighting is a team effort and so is life. No one can do it alone – no one.

Here comes the judge; do not judge.

There is an old saying, “When you spot it; you got it.” What you dislike in others is often something you do not like inside

about domestic abuse. He says, “None of that is true!”

They targeted Danny Gonzales, resulting in his resignation after attacks on his family and business.

He finally quit after they went after his 7 year old son. Then the last straw was when they conspired to cost him construction contracts with Disney. Valley News came into files showing that the plan to hurt Gonzalez’s business was hatched starting with a PTA leader. Is this what the PTA is up to these days? Hurting people’s business and trying to get them fired?

Attending board meetings for the past year, I’ve witnessed the activists protecting inappropriate content in schools and supporting keeping secrets from parents.

The Escondido School District faced a lawsuit from teachers who refused to deceive parents.

Similar reports have emerged from other districts about training teachers to withhold information from parents.

Dr. Komrosky and his board majority are dedicated to representing parents and ensuring students’ health and safety.

As for Critical Race Theory (CRT), it can be presented as a theory in class, rather than fact,

avoiding racial shaming based on skin color, which is racist.

TVUSD also implemented a flag policy, adhering to California Ed Code’s mandate for U.S. and California State flags in classrooms, and eliminating politically motivated flags.

Dr. Komrosky emphasizes his commitment to student welfare and parental rights, challenging political pressures from higher authorities, even if it is the Governor.

After attending thousands of public meetings over 30 years, I can attest to the unprecedented rudeness, bullying, and divisiveness exhibited by recall attendees.

I’ve never seen anything like it actually.

If you wish to avoid manipulation, consider all perspectives. Watch meetings online or attend in person. I think you will find that your school board president is committed to education, health, safety, transparency, and parental participation - not political extremism.

If I were in his district, I’d support his reasonable and pragmatic approach and reject the recall activists.

yourself. Give grace and learn a little patience for both you and others.

Gossip is for insecure people; do not gossip.

If you have an issue with someone or something, the only one who can do something about it is yourself and the other person.

Go to that person and discuss it with them, not others.

Own your mistakes.

If you make a mess, clean it up. When you spill milk, what do you do? You clean it up. And if you don’t, it gets harder to clean up the longer you wait. The same goes when you make a mess with another person. Clean it up and say I’m sorry. Do not wait too long or you risk creating permanent damage. Pride jeopardizes even

the deepest relationships.

As you see, these are simple, day-to-day agreements. They work for firefighter recruits, but they apply to everyone, regardless of the job or the position you hold or better yet, the amount of time you have on the job. Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin.

Beginning makes the conditions perfect.

Happy New Year!

Sam DiGiovanna is a 35-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as fire chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale.

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January 5, 2024 • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • Anza Valley Outlook ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK LEGAL NOTICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317367 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CONGRUENT DIGITAL 32823 Fermo Ct, Temecula, CA 92592 County: Riverside Real Integrated Marketing, LLC, 32823 Fermo Ct, Temecula, CA 92592 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company This LLC is registered in the state of CA Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 9-15-2018 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Brian A. Jensen, Sole Member Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/05/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4006 PUBLISHED: December 15, 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317707 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JACK IN THE BOX #175 12477 Heacock St, Moreno Valley, CA 92553 Mailing address: 41760 Ivy St Suite 201, Murrieta, CA 92562 County: Riverside Restaurant Leadership Group, LLC, 41760 Ivy St Suite 201, Murrieta, CA 92562 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company This LLC is registered in the state of DE Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 07.09.2018 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Dawood Beshay, Managing Member Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/13/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4008 PUBLISHED: December 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317708 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JACK IN THE BOX #5394 27030 Fir Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92555 Mailing address: 41760 Ivy St Suite 201, Murrieta, CA 92562 County: Riverside Restaurant Leadership Group, LLC, 41760 Ivy St Suite 201, Murrieta, CA 92562 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company This LLC is registered in the state of DE Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 07.09.2019 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Dawood Beshay, Managing Member Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/13/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4009 PUBLISHED: December 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317710 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: ALEX TOWING 494 N Scovell Ave, San Jacinto, CA 92582 County: Riverside Rodolfo Alejandro Contreras, 494 N Scovell Ave, San Jacinto, CA 92582 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 11-15-2002 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Rodolfo Alejandro Contreras Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/13/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4010 PUBLISHED: December 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 2024

TVUSD Announces Governing Board of Education Vacancy Now Accepting Applications for Provisional Appointment Consideration On December 15, 2023, Board of Education trustee Danny Gonzalez resigned his position, effective immediately.

The resignation creates a vacancy on the Temecula Valley Unified School District Board of Education. The Board met on December 18, 2023, and approved a provisional appointment process to fill the vacant position. The term of the provisional appointment will expire in November 2024. At that time, the appointed candidate may seek election to fill the remainder of the trustee’s term through November 2026.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317763 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: RMJ LANDSCAPE & DESIGN 83565 Glendora Ridge Ave, Coachella, CA 92236 County: Riverside Romeo -- Martinez, Jr, 83565 Glendora Ridge Ave, Coachella, CA 92236 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Romeo -- Martinez, Jr Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/13/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4011 PUBLISHED: December 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202318013 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: PHARAOH’S PYRAMID 56461 Hey 371 Unit A, Anza, CA 92539 Mailing address: PO Box 390462, Anza, CA 92539 County: Riverside Veraison Enterprises LLC, PO Box 390462, Anza, CA 92539 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company This LLC is registered in the state of CA Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious name listed above I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Edward Wall, Managing Member Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/19/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4015 PUBLISHED: December 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317588 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EVOLUTION PMU 27476 Ynez Rd, Temecula, CA 92591 Mailing address: Via Azul, Murrieta, CA 92563 County: Riverside Davina Lauren Stein, 565 Gladiola St, Hemet, CA 92545 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Davina Lauren Stein Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/11/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4018 PUBLISHED: January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317578 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: MANDALAY TECHNOLOGIES 43725 Asti Court, Indio, CA 92203 Mailing address: 43725 Asti Court, Indio, CA 92203 County: Riverside David B Lanagan, 43725 Asti Court, Indio, CA 92203 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on JULY 15, 2021 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: David B Lanagan Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/11/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4012 PUBLISHED: December 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202318130 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: NERDY TAVERN 60945 Yucca Valley Road, Anza, CA 92539 County: Riverside Colt Kristopher Dawes-Vollmer, 60945 Yucca Valley Road, Anza, CA 92539 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious name listed above I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Colt Kristopher Dawes-Vollmer Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/21/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4017 PUBLISHED: January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317859 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: V-H PICKLEBALL 74401 Hovley Lane East #2218, Palm Desert, CA 92260 County: Riverside Austin Scott Valdivia-Hildago, 74401 Hovley Lane East #2218, Palm Desert, CA 92260 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 10/19/2023 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Austin Scott Valdivia-Hildago Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/14/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4013 PUBLISHED: December 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202318138 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. JUGGERNAUT MOTORSPORTS RACING 2. JM RACING 79860 Brewood Way, Indio, CA 92203 Mailing address: PO Box 5581, La Quinta, CA 92248 County: Riverside Jaime Jehu Rivas-Gonzalez, 79860 Brewood Way, Indio, CA 92203 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious name listed above I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Jaime Jehu Rivas-Gonzalez Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/21/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4019 PUBLISHED: January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024

CHANGE OF NAME

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case Number: CVSW 2309929 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS Petitioner: THI TRAN and THANH TRAN Filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: DOANH NHAN TRAN Proposed Name: BRIAN TRAN THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 2-8-2024 Time: 8:00 A.M. Dept: S101 The address of the court: Southwest Justice Center, 30755-D Auld Road, Suite 1226, Murrieta, CA 92563 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Valley News/Anza Valley Outlook Date: 12-4-23 Signed: Belinda A. Handy, Judge of the Superior Court LEGAL: 4007 PUBLISHED: December 15, 22, 29, 2023, January 5, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317834 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: RICKS AUTOMOTIVE CENTER 41419 Pear Street. Ste #8, Murrieta, CA 92562 County: Riverside CRK, Inc., 41419 Pear Street. Ste #8, Murrieta, CA 92562 This business is conducted by a Corporation This Corporation is registered in the state of CA Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 1/01/2022 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Kellie Teresa Knapp, Treasurer Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/14/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4014 PUBLISHED: December 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 19, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202318028 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: DAISY DEW CLEANING SERVICE 36125 Creighton Ave, Apt. 27304, Murrieta, CA 92563 County: Riverside Alexandra Chambers, 36125 Creighton Ave, Apt. 27304, Murrieta, CA 92563 This business is conducted by an Individual Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 12/02/2023 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Alexandra Chambers Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/20/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4021 PUBLISHED: January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202316049 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SMOKE & DREAMS VAPE AND SMOKE SHOP 27515 Ynez Rd, Temecula, CA 92591 Mailing address: 12112 Severn Way, Riverside, CA 92503 County: Riverside RC Enterprises LLC, 12112 Severn Way, Riverside, CA 92503 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company This LLC is registered in the state of CA Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 02/01/2022.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Romeo Vides, Managing Member Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 11/01\/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 3994 PUBLISHED: November 10, 17, 24, December 1, 2023 Republished: January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024 Registrant’s name in publication did not match fictitious statement.

The District is now accepting applications from qualified persons who would like to be considered for appointment. Applications are due Friday, January 26, 2024, by 4:30 p.m. Qualified candidates must be: A California registered voter residing in the boundaries of Temecula Valley Unified School District Trustee Area Two – (It is your responsibility to confirm that you reside in Trustee Area Two). To review the trustee area map, go to https://www. tvusd.k12.ca.us/Page/24980. Area 2 is listed in green.

At least 18 years of age Not disqualified by the constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office Not an employee of the Temecula Valley Unified School District Available on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. to attend the Board meeting and participate in the public interview process If a TVUSD employee applies and is selected to fill the position, their employment would be terminated upon being sworn into office.

Application packets are available at the Temecula Valley Unified School District Office at 31350 Rancho Vista Rd, Temecula, CA, or the application may be accessed online at the 2024 Board Appointment website, https://www.tvusd.k12.ca.us/ Page/27981.

Application packets are being accepted from 7:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the District Office at the above address. Completed application packets must be delivered to the District Office in person, by mail, or by e-mail and must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024. Completed application packets may be attached to an email and sent to Lená Anocibar lanocibar@tvusd.us no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024.

Applicants must be available for interviews to be conducted by the Board at a public meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

For more information on this vacancy, please visit the 2024 Board Appointment website, https:// www.tvusd.k12.ca.us/Page/27981 or contact the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Lená Anocibar, (951)506-7904.

Published December 29, 2023, January 5, 2024

SUMMONS SUMMONS FILED 08/24/23 CASE NUMBER: CVSW2307044 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: Steven Whitaker, Dr. Nataliya Whitaker, Bogdana Whitaker, and Burnt Valley Land and Cattle LLC, A Texan Limited Liability Company YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: Augustin Pavel, Sr. NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Selfhelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you.

If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), the California Courts Online Self-help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

The name and address of the court: Southwest Justice Center 30755-F Auld Road, Murrieta, CA 92563 The name, address and telephone number of the plaintiff’s attorney is: John P. O’Connell, Attorney at Law, 42434 Business Park Drive, Temecula, CA 92590; 951587-8390 DATE: 08/24/23

by Janice Randle, Clerk of the Court LEGAL #: 4016 Published: December 29, 2023, January 5, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202317320 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. TAENGKAEW LLC 2. THE VEGAN SPOT TEMECULA 3. THE VEGAN SPOT MURRIETA 4. VEGAN SPICE 5. VEGAN SPICE TEMECULA 6. CHIANGMAI SPA 7. CHIANGMAI THAI MASSAGE & SPA 8. TAENGKAEW BUSINESS CONSULTING 9. TAENGKAEW CONSULTING 10. BANGKOK THAI MASSAGE & SPA 11. BANGKOK THAI SPA 12. TAENGKAEW REAL ESTATE 31363 McCartney Drive, Winchester, CA 92596 Mailing address: 39525 Los Alamos Rd, Ste C #298, Murrieta, CA 92563 County: Riverside Taengkaew LLC, 31363 McCartney Drive, Winchester, CA 92596 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company This LLC is registered in the state of CA Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name listed above on 12/05/2023 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).)

Registrant: Saroj Taengkaew, President Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 12/05/2023 NOTICE—IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4020 PUBLISHED: January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024

D-8

Anza Valley Outlook • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • January 5, 2024

Enjoy a mix of comedy by the acclaimed Chiefs of Comedy® and music by the nation’s top tribute bands.

Shows start at 1PM in the Events Center JAN UARY SHOWS

JANUARY 9

Eagles Tribute

by Heartache Tonight

JANUARY 16

Jimmy Buffet Tribute

by Coral Paradise

Must be 21 or older.

For tickets visit the Pala Box Office or call (800) 514-3849 11154 HWY 76, PALA, CA 92059 | 1-877-WIN-PALA palacasino.com.

Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Hotline (800) 426-2537

JANUARY 23

Dean Martin Tribute

by Andy DiMino