Valley News - February 3, 2023

JDS Creative Academy to receive California Arts Council grant

TEMECULA – State arts agency, California Arts Council, awarded nonprofit JDS Creative Academy a $38,000 grant in support of their mission to provide an Arts Across California curriculum to other nonprofit organizations and educational programs. The California Arts Council grants totaled over $41 million and were awarded to arts/cultural education organizations and artists, to strengthen arts, culture and creative expression throughout California.

Area professionals take on Farmers Insurance Open

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

In the opening round all eyes were on Jon Rahm, last week’s American Express winner, who struggled to a 1-over 73 at Torrey Pines South, which has become one of his favorite courses. Sam Ryder, Aaron Rai and Brent Grant all shot 8-under 64 on the more forgiving North Course Wednesday, Jan. 25, to tie for the first-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Rosa Parks honored by free transit rides Feb. 4 in Riverside

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Transit agencies across the state announced in honor of Rosa Parks’ fight for civil rights that it will celebrate “Transit Equity Day” Saturday, Feb. 4, by offering free rides on Metrolink, Corona Cruiser, Banning Connect Transit, Riverside County Transit Commission buses and San Bernardo transit services.

Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber hosts MEGA Mixer at Storm Stadium

Lake Elsinore City Council meeting convenes on a somber note

began with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office

Fourth Quarter Statistical Update presented by Lt. Clark. The office had 4,063 calls for service in October, 3,423 in November and 3,539 in December. Total traffic citations were 420 in Oct., 549 in Nov. and 543 in Dec. DUI arrests numbered 10 in Oct., 17 in Nov. and 25 in Dec. Clark said they felt one reason for the increase in DUI arrests in Dec. was the grantfunded DUI patrols conducted that

see COUNCIL, page A-2

The Lake Elsinore City Council celebrates with Lake Elsinore Code Enforcement Manager Fred Lopez and his team as they are presented with the inaugural Jill Robinson Award from the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation. Valley News/Jovanny R. Huerta photo

Rains pose threat to the reopening of the Sylvan Meadows multi-use trail on the Santa Rosa Plateau

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Recent heavy rains have forced the closure of the previously reopened Sylvan Meadows multiuse trail at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve according to Reserve staff, but it should soon be reopened.

Staff and volunteers have been working to repair sections of the trail that have been waterlogged and several bridges and the surrounding areas. There was a possibility that Sylvan Meadows could reopen in the next few weeks once the repairs are completed and no further heavy rains delay the work.

Volunteer members of the Santa Rosa Plateau Educational Foundation

are helping the reserve staff monitor the trail that

The Cake Cottage displays sample of their baked treats for guests attending the

Mixer.

Crews at the Santa Rosa Plateau are working to repair sections of trail that have been damaged due to the recent heavy rains.

Menifee promotes Jonathan Nicks to deputy city manager

MENIFEE – Menifee announced the promotion of Jonathan Nicks to deputy city manager. This position has been vacant since July 2021 and has oversight of three departments as well as citywide operations.

Nicks is an experienced public servant with over 23 years of local government experience. He has served as Menifee’s Community Services director for the last five years overseeing parks, recreation, facility maintenance and solid waste and environmental services.

Nicks also served for nearly a year as the city’s interim Public Works director between August 2020 and May 2021. In his new role as deputy city manager, he will continue to

manage the Community Services Department, but will also assume new responsibilities in directing the city’s human resources and risk management.

“Jonathan has been a tremendous asset to the city of Menifee and has earned the trust of both our employees and the community,” city manager Armando Villa said.

“There is no doubt that Jonathan will excel in his new duties and will help continue to lead the city in the right direction.”

Before joining the city of Menifee, Nicks served as the deputy director for Orange County Parks and Community Services with oversight of a $120 million operating budget, a $30 million annual

capital improvement program and nearly 400 employees. Before that, Nicks was the Community Services and Public Works director for Placentia, where he also helped form the Placentia Community Foundation and served as the first executive director of the nonprofit that raises funds for community programs.

Nicks holds a master’s degree in public administration from California State University Long Beach, leadership certification from Chapman University and Smart City Certification from Pepperdine University. He is a member of the National Parks & Recreation Association, American Public Works Association,

California Parks & Recreation Society and the Municipal Management Association of Southern California.

“It has been a privilege to work for the city of Menifee these past five years, and I remain committed to delivering engaging community events and programs for our residents,” Nicks said. “As deputy city manager, I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that our city has the resources it needs to effectively serve the public.”

Nicks officially began his new position as deputy city manager Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Submitted by city of Menifee.

Murrieta City Council receives updates and and discusses 2023 goals at annual workshops

The Murrieta City Council and many of the city staff met for two days in a workshop setting to discuss the city’s 2023 goals, updates and its purposes at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort.

The two special workshops were presided over by Mayor Lisa DeForest, City Manager Kim Summers and City Clerk Chritis

McDonald began Thursday, Jan. 19, in the Murrieta Hot Springs Theater Room to discuss the council and the city departments goals, identify the goals and their core mission.

The second workshop Friday, Jan. 20, delved further into the goals for the city manager, Murrieta Fire & Rescue, adjacent cities enforcement processes, business retention and expansion, economic development strategic plan, public

works and engineering, Murrieta Money Match, the Public Information Office and the Triple bottom Line for economic development.

Members of the public were invited to view the workshops online or to attend in person. The discussion may be found at http:// Murrietaca.gov. Department updates are also available as offered by the department directors in the workshops.

Key goals were offered by the

city manager Summers who is seeking to refurbish the 17-yearold City Hall by refurbishing the paint and flooring, increasing the number of workstations by late March to provide a seamless service to the public in the short term.

The fire chief is looking to have the exterior concrete replaced and connect to the sewer system in Fire Station 1. He would like to see a dorm room and bathroom conversions to provide firefighters dorms

instead of barracks at Fire Stations 1 and 3 and the repair of concrete at the front and rear of Fire Station 2. He said he hoped to have these done by the end of summer.

The other goals for Murrieta city departments can be found on the video presentation given to those attending the workshops on the workshop online agenda links. Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

Unincorporated Communities Initiative to fund Valle Vista Library paving, Hemet Sheriff’s station cameras

Joe Naiman

Writer

Riverside County will be using Unincorporated Communities Initiative funding for the paving of the Valle Vista Library overflow parking lot and for cameras for the Sheriff’s Department’s Hemet station.

A 5-0 Riverside County Board of Supervisors vote Tuesday, Jan. 24, approved $75,000 for the parking lot paving and $100,000 for the cameras. The board action also directed the appropriate county agencies to initiate work on the projects.

COUNCIL from page A-1

month. The Parks Deputy stats reported 281 calls for service during the fourth quarter, 17 arrests and eight investigations. The use of Flock Cameras resulted in 13 arrests, 27 vehicles recovered and 11 investigations.

Clark reported that three community events held during the final quarter had been wildly successful with an overwhelming positive response from vendors and residents who attended. He thanked the council and city staff for their “incredible support” during the prior week and a half, stating that anything that was asked for was done.

The City of Lake Elsinore Code Enforcement Team was presented with the inaugural Jill Robinson

A November 2020, county board of supervisors meeting called for the creation of an Unincorporated Communities Initiative to improve the infrastructure and services provided to residents of unincorporated communities with an emphasis on disadvantaged unincorporated communities.

The program is funded through the Unincorporated Communities Fund which is allocated during the annual budget process.

A team of county Executive Office staff and department heads held 15 community meetings and conducted online surveys before presenting a needs assessment to

Award from the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation, a nonprofit organization that was formed “to promote best practices for the safety of Code Enforcement Officers throughout the United States; to provide a resource for officers; report incidents; provide up-todate training and to encourage a high standard of professionalism.” Foundation president Justin Edson said the national award was being presented “in recognition of your agency’s efforts to promote officer safety and mitigate risk by adopting policies, implementing training and prioritizing safety equipment to Code Enforcement personnel.” More information can be found at www.codeofficersafety.org.

Edson said, “I would also like to commend manager Fred Lopez

4.86 %

the county board of supervisors in May 2021. The fiscal year 20222023 budget includes $10,000,000 for the Unincorporated Communities Fund to be divided evenly between each of the five supervisorial districts. The funding for the library parking lot paving and for the sheriff’s cameras is from the Third District budget.

The $75,000 for the Valle Vista Library overflow parking lot paving covers an increase in construction costs. The work will include three inches of pavement over the existing base and a detention area to treat runoff from the new pavement. The Valle Vista Library has

for his leadership and support for this staff over the years. We hope that other agencies will follow the example of Lake Elsinore.”

Eight speakers took advantage of the one-minute public comments portion of the meeting before City Council Consent Calendar items 3-11 were approved unanimously after questions from a local resident were asked and answered by City Engineer Remon Habib about item No. 9, pertaining to the Terracina final map. Successor Agency Consent Calendar items 12-15 were approved, with Council Member Timothy Sheridan abstaining from No. 15.

A Public Hearing regarding the Ramsgate Development Agreement was called to order at 7:31 p.m. and one request to speak on behalf of the applicant was

a monthly average of 3,896 visitors but currently only has 26 standard parking stalls and two stalls meeting Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The paving project will add an additional 11,000 square feet of available parking space. The initial engineering estimate for the paving was $180,000, but the bids which were received were significantly higher.

The $100,000 for the Sheriff’s Department will purchase 34 Flock Cameras which will be installed by the Sheriff’s Department throughout unincorporated communities serviced by the Hemet station. Flock Cameras capture

granted. This was followed by a presentation from the City’s Planning Manager Damaris Abraham. She concluded her overview of the project by saying that staff recommends approval. Votes taken after the public hearing was closed at 7:36 p.m. were unanimous in favor of approval.

Several more members of the public were heard from before City Manager Jason Simpson was asked for his comments. He said, “I want to acknowledge the outpouring of support from the community over the last week. I specifically want to recognize city staff for their efforts in response to the voluminous amount of needs to our RSO and first responder families at the press conferences, vigil and in assisting our station as they get back on their feet. I’m very proud of all their efforts; they went above and beyond.”

City Council Member comments included some upcoming events of interest to residents. The Collier Ave./Minthorn St. resurfacing improvements will affect roadways from Feb. 6 through March 31. The Lake Elsinore Historical Society will launch the Ruth Atkins Speaker Series on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Center, 183 N. Main St. The free event will feature guest speaker Dr. Luke A. Nichter discussing President Nixon’s tapes and the history surrounding them. For more information, 951-678-1537.

Mornings on Main Farmers Market will return on Feb. 12 and be open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at downtown Main Street. Admission and parking is free.

Before adjourning the meeting, Johnson said, “We are heartbroken. Darnell served our city and this loss is hard, and hard to wrap our brains around. There is a lot of frustration and confusion and even anger.” She then shared a short

still images with date, time, and location which can be used during a criminal investigation and also assist in locating stolen vehicles and in alerting law enforcement of vehicles associated with Amber Alert, primarily child abductions and also when the victim is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, and Silver Alert, when an elderly or developmentally disabled individual is missing and is considered at risk, situations.

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

inaugural Jill Robinson Award is given to Lake Elsinore for providing safety training, equipment and policies to promote the safety of its Code Enforcement employees. Valley News/Courtesy photo

video of some events that took place in Lake Elsinore following the senseless death of Calhoun, who lost his life “serving and protecting our community.”

Johnson said, “There are not any words that I can share that will make this any better and there are not any things that I can share that you probably haven’t heard.” She said that typically, elected officials are told not to make promises. “But we as a council promise that his legacy will live on, that this will not be in vain, the sacrifices will not be forgotten, and we are going to close tonight in his honor. Rest in peace. God bless the Calhoun family, you’re in our thoughts and prayers.”

With that, Mayor Johnson gaveled the meeting to a close at 8:08 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Lake Elsinore City Council and Successor Agency is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. For more information, www.lakeelsinore.org

The

Jonathan Nicks served for five years as Menifee’s Community Services director before being promoted to deputy city manager.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Joanne L. (Callahan)

O’Connell , 77 years old, was a 45 year resident of California originally from Stoughton, Massachusetts. Joanne passed away on Jan. 16, 2023. She, with her family, lived in Menifee, California since 2001.

She is survived by John J. O’Connell, husband of almost 60 years; three daughters, Julie Ann of Pembroke, New Hampshire; Dawn Marie of Milton, Florida and Michelle Leah of El Cajon, California. She had 10 grandchildren (one predeceased) and 14 greatgrandchildren. Joanne (Nana) was loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 or www. T2T.org.

MUSD board approves new middle school boundaries

Menifee Union School District Governing Board held its annual organizational meeting demonstrating the district’s growth and progress and approved new attendance boundaries for Kathryn Newport Middle School students.

“This is an exciting milestone on our journey to the opening of Kathryn Newport Middle School,” newly appointed Board President Morgan Singleton said at the Dec. 13 meeting. “I am grateful to the residents of Menifee who, through their generous support of Measure Q and Community Facilities District funding, made this possible for our students.”

With the opening of the new middle school in August, boundaries had to be reconfigured so as to determine which homes fall within the new school’s attendance area. To do so, the district convened a boundary committee. The committee consisted of district parents, teachers, classified staff, administrators, a member of the superintendent’s cabinet, a community organization member and a city representative. The district’s facilities department presented various options to the committee. Based on those options, the committee made a recommendation to the governing board.

Along with the approval of the new boundaries, the governing board also appointed Nicholas Stearns the new principal. Stearns will be at the helm for the opening of this much-anticipated school. He currently serves as the principal at Oak Meadows Elementary and will transition to his new role

The orange area depicts the boundaries for Kathryn Newport Middle School. Valley News/Courtesy image in February.

Superintendent Jennifer Root said, “Our staff has worked diligently to get us to this point

in MUSD’s history, and I am confident that we will make the start of Kathryn Newport Middle School a successful one.”

To learn more about Kathryn Newport Middle School, visit www.menifeeusd.org

ARPA funding allocated to Boys and Girls Club for Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse

Joe Naiman Writer

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Jan. 24, included allocating $1,800,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funding to the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest County for improvements to the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse in Lake Elsinore.

The supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize the use of ARPA funds for the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse Improvements project and to direct the county’s Executive Office to initiate the ARPA agreement with the Boys & Girls Club. The Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse is in the 16200 block of Grand Avenue.

The Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse is in Alberhill Ranch Community Park and comprises 5,500 square feet. Its past activities have provided high-quality youth development programs and services for children between the ages of 6 and 17 including before-school and after-school care, homework

support, educational camps during the school year and summer camps where healthy and nutritious snacks were provided daily.

In 2017, the clubhouse experienced extensive water intrusion which caused structural damage in multiple locations and created an unsafe condition for the youth members and staff. The clubhouse was closed in 2019 and its members and operations were relocated to Lakeland Village. The lack of access for youth deprived them of productive activities and affected not only the youth and their progress but also parents, including single parents and foster parents, with work responsibilities.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included $362 billion of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocations for eligible state, territorial, tribal and local governments. The funding addresses the public health emergency and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic and can be utilized for four eligible

categories: mitigation of negative economic impacts, premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work, provision of government services lost revenue would have eliminated, and necessary infrastructure investments including water, sewer and broadband. The county will receive $479,874,599 of it. The first installment of $239,937,299 was received in May 2021 and the second $239,937,299 installment was received June 6, 2022. The funds must be committed by Dec. 31, 2024, and spent by Dec. 31, 2026.

The ARPA funding for the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse will support the re-opening of the clubhouse after the necessary site and structural improvements are complete. The Boys & Girls Club of Southwest County will continue to operate the facility.

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

Single-engine plane crashes during forced landing in French Valley

City News Service Special to Valley News

A single-engine airplane crashed into a gully just southwest of French Valley Airport Friday, Jan. 27 as the pilot was maneuvering to make a forced landing at the field, leaving him and his passenger injured.

The crash happened about 8:30 a.m. along Sky Canyon Drive, near Borel Road, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and Riverside County Fire Department.

According to the FAA, the pilot

of the Cessna 210N Centurion, tail No. N4758C, was attempting to make an emergency landing on Runway 36 for reasons still under investigation, but apparently didn’t have the power or altitude to extend his glidepath.

The Cessna went down along a rocky slope in the canal and flipped onto its back before coming to rest, according to officials. No homes were in the immediate vicinity.

Both the pilot and passenger self-extricated from the wreckage. There was no post-crash fire, according to the fire department.

The victims were taken to a regional trauma center for treatment of minor injuries, officials said. The plane had reportedly originated from Long Beach, but no other details regarding the itinerary were available.

FAA records indicate the plane was manufactured in September 1979.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators were sent to the crash site that day and were expected to release preliminary findings on the accident in about a week.

remained officially closed until Friday, Jan. 27.

The remaining Plateau Reserve trails and Visitors Center on Clinton Keith Road in La Cresta have been closed to the public since the devastating Tenaja Fire raged through parts of the reserve and

took the outdoor stage several years ago. The stage has been rebuilt but the reserve will remain closed until Riverside County Parks and Recreation can declare it again open.

TRAILS from page A-1 awaiting the renewal of its native flora and fauna since the fire and a return of local wildlife. Recently, biologists planted the plateau’s streams and pools with the endangered California Red-Legged Frog eggs (Rana draytonii), hoping they will return in the years to come. The native grasses have been slow to return.

The Nature Conservancy, California Fish and Wildlife and Metropolitan Water District, with major interests in the reserve, are

Rob Hicks, Riverside County Parks and Recreation’s SRPER naturalist, recently reported they hoped to fully reopen the reserve hiking trails “soon” but no specific date was known. The reserves, nearly 9,000 acres, hold a number of endangered plant and animal species protected in California. Those include many Engelmann Oak trees (Quercus engelmannii). It also is the historical land of the Cahuilla Mission Indians and was once owned by Vail Ranch and later by Kaiser Corp. Land and MWD. Old adobes remain on the Reserve today.

funeral, but it doesn’t have to be painful to pay for it.

Sycamore Ranch

Spectacular “Classic California” estate above lovely Fallbrook. Sunsets here are amazing as are the inspiring western-facing panoramic views. Completely private and gated with a jaw-dropping resort-style pool and spa, this property is surrounded by other high-end estates. Five acres of useable land with several building sites for possible guesthouse, pool house or ADU’s. Income-producing blood orange, lime and avo trees. Built by custom builder Michael Pierce, beams & high ceilings throughout. Sold for $1,590,000

Ken’s Corner

We have been hard at work brainstorming ideas and formulating what new ADDITIONAL marketing avenues we will be implementing for this year. All of this in addition to what we currently do and also what Compass includes for your benefit. We love this question: What sets you apart from other realtors? Give us an opportunity and we will gladly show you! Your satisfaction is our number one goal.

AT YOUR SERVICE! – Ken

3120 Knottwood Way, Fallbrook

Welcome to this beautiful single-story home in the highly desired neighborhood of Sycamore Ranch! Offering stunning views of surrounding hills and avocado groves. Home to the Golf Club of CA. Recently remodeled kitchen w/walk-in pantry, Spacious center island, Quartz counters, Glass tile back splash, Light Gray Cabinets w/stainless appliances opens to Family room with cozy fireplace. Master Bedroom features retreat with built-ins and Plantation shutters. Private, serene backyard with Koi pond and water feature. New Roof, Fresh new exterior paint, Whole house water filtration system. Tesla Solar Electric net metering. Circular Drive w/RV Parking. Attached 3-stall garage, Plus 2 1/2-stall det. garage w/workshop. 1.05 acre usable lot permitted for ADU! Sold for $1,210,000

Sharon’s Corner

There is a lot of talk about what is happening with the real estate market. We are happy to share the latest data so you can make the BEST decision when buying or selling. How you approach the process will make a difference! Put us on your team – and we will have your back! We are waiting for your call!

LET’S TALK! – Sharon

If you or someone you know has lost a baby, please know that there are resources out there for you--you do not have to walk through it alone. Here at Hope, we offer counseling to anyone going through it, and we want to direct you to other resources as well. Please don’t grieve alone; we (and so many others) are here for you.

3993 Peony Dr, Fallbrook

Deputies save Christmas

Nico Melendez

Special to the Valley News

When tragedy struck Murrieta residents Thomas Roche and Susan Bush Sept. 4, the couple found hope, heroism and heartache with the passing of their 38-year-old daughter.

But at such a difficult time, they also had to find strength for their two granddaughters who had lost their father just four years earlier.

“Our 11-year-old granddaughter

called us to tell us her mom wasn’t breathing,” Bush explained. “The police arrived at just about the same time we did, and it was just a difficult scene.”

After the initial mourning, grandparents and grandchildren adapted to an unexpected new way of life and with the holidays looming they all knew it would be a difficult time.

Enter Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies from the Lake Elsinore station.

“Since our daughter lived in

Wildomar, it was the Elsinore deputies who responded,” Roche said. “Those ladies and men went way out of their way to help us.”

Shortly before Christmas, the deputies, led by an officer known only as “Deputy V” made it clear he had remembered the family and the loss the granddaughters had experienced.

“The story of our granddaughters stuck with them,” Bush said about the girls losing both parents within four years.

The deputies arrived to their house, set up a Christmas tree, had bags and bags of presents and brought back the Christmas spirit. “It was the best part of our Christmas,” Bush said near tears.

“It was beautiful to know how much the sheriff’s department cared for our girls,” said Abigail Bush, sister of the deceased. “The department made sure the girls got everything on their list. They did so much for our family on our hardest hour.”

“At a time when police are villainized and underappreciated, we had to share the story,” Susan and Roche said. “They went out of their way to help us and held these little girls. They truly became heroes to all of us and it’s something we will never forget.

Two-vehicle crash in Hemet leaves one dead Contract awarded for Viejo Drive drainage improvements

City News Service

Special to Valley News

A major-injury traffic collision in Hemet left one man dead, authorities announced.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Florida and Acacia avenues at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, according to the Hemet Police Department.

Upon arrival, officers found a gray Toyota Corolla off the south edge of Florida Avenue and a gray Toyota Tacoma within the eastbound lanes of Florida Avenue. Both vehicles sustained major damage.

An unresponsive man, identi-

fied as 30-year-old Hemet resident Steven Davis, was found in the driver’s seat of the Corolla. Authorities rendered medical aid, but Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Tacoma remained on the scene and provided a statement to officers before being taken to a hospital. The degree of that person’s injuries was not immediately known.

Investigators said Davis was traveling eastbound on Florida Avenue at an excessive rate of speed when he crashed with the Tacoma, which had made a left turn from the Royal Holiday Mobile Home Park at 4400 W. Florida Ave. onto

eastbound Florida Ave.

Witness statements, in addition to evidence at the scene, suggested that Davis was traveling at a minimum of 75 mph at the time of the crash, police said.

It was unknown if Davis was driving impaired, but investigators said they do not suspect the driver of the Tacoma was impaired.

The eastbound lanes of Florida Avenue between Promenade Drive and Cawston Avenue were closed for several hours.

Anyone with additional information about the crash is encouraged to contact Sgt. Gabriel Gomez at 951-765-3725.

Joe Naiman Writer

Jacobsson Engineering Construction Inc. was awarded the Riverside County contract to construct drainage improvements and gully erosion repair along Viejo Drive in East Hemet.

The county Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday, Jan. 24, to award the Palm Desert company a $716,347 contract. The action also approved an addendum to the plans and specifications and modified the project budget.

A deep erosion gully has developed in the 44900 block of Viejo Drive. The erosion has been caused by discharge of a corrugated metal pipe storm drain 24 inches in diameter which along with a drainage inlet was installed to collect runoff from the cul-desac on Viejo Drive and discharge it to a lined ditch on the slope. The erosion which has occurred over several years began when the lined ditch was undermined and washed out. The discharge onto the slope has caused the erosion gully to deepen and widen during cycles of stormwater discharge.

The improvements project will install approximately 175 feet of 24-inch reinforced concrete pipe to convey stormwater downslope and restore approximately 0.23 acres of the eroded gully area with suitable local and imported fill material. The improvements will include removal and proper disposal of debris and existing on-site unsuitable material, slope regrading, placement of subdrain, placement of soil reinforcement

geogrid layers to reinforce and stabilize the slope, construction of a concrete manhole, construction of a concrete stormwater energy dissipator, placement of rock slope protection, hydroseeding and netting on the final slope face and adjacent areas to provide protection from surface erosion.

On Oct. 25, the county supervisors approved plans and specifications for the project, authorized the advertisement for bids, set a Nov. 16 deadline for bids, and found the future work to be categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review.

A Nov. 10 addendum revised the estimated quantity of crushed rock for slope protection.

Five companies provided bids prior to the deadline. Jacobsson

Engineering Construction had the low bid of $716,347.25. Bert W. Salas Inc., which is based in Santee, had the second-lowest bid amount of $844,015.00.

The Jacobsson bid was $52,777 below the engineer’s estimate. The budget includes a 10% contingency, and the modifications increase funding for construction surveying and construction engineering and inspection by $20,000. Gas tax and Highway User Tax Account revenue derived from the sales tax on gasoline will be used to fund the work.

The construction is scheduled to begin later this winter and take approximately 2 1/2 months to complete.

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

Temecula Valley Museum presents new exhibit, Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked Women in California History

TEMECULA ─ Explore the rich and surprising history of women and tattoos in California at the Temecula Valley Museum’s newest exhibit, Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked Women in California History. The exhibit opened to the public Friday, Jan. 27.

While many may think of tattoos as a recent trend, inked women have a long history in California.

From the working-class tattooed ladies who performed in circus sideshows to the upper-class inked women who helped popularize the tattoo craze; visitors will discover the largely unknown history of women and tattoos through photographs, personal histories and artifacts.

The exhibit features a small selection of women’s clothing from the period from the museum’s archives. In conjunction with Tat-

tooed & Tenacious, the museum will offer Woman of Ink, a free discussion and demonstration Saturday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to noon, from local female tattoo artist, Melissa Freeman, who will share examples of her work and discuss her experience as a female tattoo artist today.

Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked

Women in California History will be on display through March 19. Museum hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Temecula Valley Museum is located in Old Town Temecula, 28314 Mercedes Street. For more information, visit http://TemeculaValleyMuseum.org or call 951694-6450.

Submitted by Temecula Valley Museum.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies brought a Christmas tree and gifts to two girls who lost both parents within 4 years.

February 3 – 9, 2023

MUSD children and families enjoy a Resource and Enrollment Fair in Menifee

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Hundreds of transitional kindergarten through 8th grade students and their families began their yearly enrollment at Menifee Union School District schools during a Resource and Enrollment Fair at the district office grounds Jan. 28.

The fair, hosted by the district at 29775 Haun Road in Menifee, invited more than 20 different resource groups to provide information on education, family health and services along with offering games, free raffles and fun for the children enrolling in the new school year.

Melinda Conde, MUSD director of student services said, “We wanted to provide resources for the community and for new enrollees, to provide for that and have fun.” And fun it was for the students who enjoyed playing games provided by the different vendors at their information booths. Even more exciting for the children were free raffles that gave away prizes including bicycles, scooters, footballs, a Razor and other items. Menifee Police Department

Explorers were on hand letting the children examine and honk the squad cars, receive stuffed toys and other small gifts.

For the parents, it gave them another opportunity to enroll their children into pre-kindergarten (transitional) through 8th grade in their neighborhood elementary and middle schools, including the new Kathryn Newport Middle School.

The enrollment period began on Jan. 16 for the 2023-2024 school year.

It was also a time for their children to have some preliminary health checkups at traveling mobile units including one from VCC Lake Elsinore Health Services that offers affordable health care for children and their families and offers Spanish speakers to help. VCC from San Diego recently opened a service center in Lake Elsinore. There were tables from different Riverside County Educational Services and the Department of Public Social Services to help parents with questions about the schools and other resources offered to their children. Many

San Jacinto Valley students honored in January

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to the Valley News

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course, Jan. 19. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life challenges. They do all this in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

January’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District schools are Valerie Barajas, Valerie Flores, Angelise Jones, Isabelle Lee and Kaylee Lopez. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for January are Emily Gates and Grace Truslow.

Hemet Unified School District

Valerie Barajas

Tahquitz High School’s band director Jeremy Pietsch nominated Valerie Barajas for being an outstanding student during the four years he has known her. She takes Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses and is one of his strongest musicians. He said she earns the highest place at all festivals the band performs at. As first chair in clarinet last year she participated in virtual concerts and was part of the first jazz album ever produced by the Tahquitz Titan musicians. Valerie is lead saxophone in the jazz band this year. She has played clarinet for six years and alto sax for three. She wants to attend Mt. San Jacinto Community College before transferring to a University of California school, with plans to become an elementary school teacher. Valerie said, “A life

lesson I plan to carry with me on my journey after high school is to focus on present moments and to not worry about things I cannot control.”

Valerie Flores

The Academy of Innovation’s top choice this month is independent study student Valerie Flores. Nominating teacher Linda Olsen described her as an excellent example of self-discipline as she utilizes the fully online option of study. Valerie said one of her greatest contributions to her community has been supporting the Ramona Bowl. She has been involved with the Summer Youth Theater productions, which benefit the nonprofit amphitheater association. She plans to attend California State University, Channel Islands in Camarillo but is undecided about a major or career. “I am interested in the idea of art and see myself likely being associated with it,” Valerie said. Virtual learning has been a good fit for her as she has worked hard to overcome serious sleep problems. Her mother Marie said her daughter is very creative and has a vivid imagination and has been illustrating and writing books and short stories since she

was six years old. Valerie said, “A significant life lesson I’ve learned is to rely on myself and trust myself. I want to be a highlight in the life of people, leaving a positive impression and fond memory for them to carry through their day.”

Angelise Jones

West Valley High School singled out Angelise Jones for being a dynamic student who has been singing for the past 13 years. She performed in musical theater at the school for the first time last year, the dance team this year, is part of the Tech Theater team, is a choir member and a Thespian officer for drama. Her nominating teacher Cheri Kehler, who teaches drama and dance, said, “It’s unbelievable that one person can accomplish all these things in one day and Angelise does this with grace and confidence and humility.” Angelise said experiencing bullying and racism while in middle school caused her to become anxious and paranoid and it wasn’t until her junior year of high school when she joined drama that she finally found somewhere she felt like she belonged. She wants to earn her bachelor’s degree in fine arts and return to West Valley. She said her

journey has taught her that, “you don’t always have to do things just to satisfy others; sometimes you just need to roll with the punches, pick yourself up and keep moving forward.”

Isabelle Lee

Hamilton High School selected Isabelle Lee for being a very kind, goal-oriented, natural leader. Diana Welty said Isabelle is one of the few students who stepped up to help her when she took over as ASB director and is consistently at every event. Isabelle said moving to California from Minnesota five years ago was a huge culture shock for her. She had attended an all-Hmong school in the past and was the only Asian student when she began attending Hamilton. She said she felt alone and scared but the students were very welcoming and her teachers motivated her to step out of her shell and pushed her to be who she is today. She does a lot of volunteering, especially after school, saying ASB allows her to connect with From the Heart, a nonprofit in Anza. Isabelle said, “My parents are my constant support and will always be there for me no matter how far I go from the nest.” The generosity

and kindness she has received from others has motivated her to become an elementary school teacher “and inspire younger kids to be kind to each other, no matter what their situation is.”

Kaylee Lopez

Hemet High School’s Kaylee Lopez was introduced by Assistant Principal Zach Taylor as an amazing artist. “I’m really proud and honored to be working in this community but I’m even more proud and honored to present Kaylee today.” Her art teacher Kari Howell said, “How do you talk about someone who is extraordinary? How do you talk about someone who faces adversity head on and keeps going?

It is rare to see anyone at any age emerge from aspects of their lives that would normally crumble a person but instead they rise above it and they thrive. It is rare to see someone so young have strength and conviction and to be an advocate for those who are in need and for those who cannot advocate for themselves. She uses her creativity in art to harness the attributes of the Victorian-era style detail and

see FAIR, page B-2 see STUDENTS, page B-2

Spanish Menifee Police Officer C. Perez and a Menifee Police Explorer hand out donated moose plushies to Nazario and Alma Garza’s children Leo, 6, Bernie, 4 and Samantha, 2 at the Menifee Union School District’s Resource and Enrollment Fair at district headquarters. Valley News/Tony Ault photo

Recipients of the Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month award for January are, from left, Isabelle Lee, Kaylee Lopez, Angelise Jones, Emily Gates, Valerie Barajas, Valerie Flores and Grace Truslow. Valley News/Blake Booth Photography photo

MUSD students and staff team up on television

Two students and two teachers representing Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary teamed up to win $5,000 on the Amazon television show “Play-Doh Squished.” This entertaining game show hosted by celebrity Sarah Hyland invites teams to compete in two physical challenges and a sculpture competition. MUSD Students

Rayden Isaiah Duson and Stephon “Prince” Pieters asked teachers

Alexander Friedrichs and Amy Runner to be on the studio stage with them. Together they formed the “Callie Superstars!”

On the show, the Callie Superstars explored the world of desserts and created all sorts of tasty treats using Play-Doh. Through their ingenious creation, “Sweet Rescue,” the Raiden and Stephon invented a story that took place in Menifee’s own

Wheatfield Park, where critters and creatures worked together to rescue a caterpillar friend. From colorful cupcakes and whimsical pies to playful cookies and realistic critters, the Callie Superstars presented an amazing Play-Doh sculpture. Friedrichs and Runner coached the students throughout the dessert-themed episode.

“In MUSD, collaboration is one of the core dispositions we wish

to instill in our students, and in this episode you see the excitement and creativity that comes with collaboration,” Superintendent Jennifer Root shared. “It is truly heartwarming to see MUSD teachers provide opportunities for collaboration every day, not just on TV.”

Out of the studio and back at MUSD, Friedrichs and Runner brought this same creative experience to the students in their classrooms. First, they all watched the show together. It was new to the students so they were really excited to see it. Then they formed teams, combining kids from both

classrooms. Each team had to create a story about Christmas and candy. They used cardboard and Play-Doh to build something to show their story. After five days, each team showed their building and shared their story to both classes. The students had so much fun.

After receiving recognition from the Governing Board, students Raiden and Stephon said they were going to use their winnings to buy school supplies for their teachers… and a Nintendo Switch, of course!

Submitted by Menifee Unified School District.

This VCC Health Services mobile health van from Lake Elsinore provides health screening and information on affordable health care during the MUSD Resource and Enrollment Fair. A food truck from Mira Loma was also available to visiting families during the event.

FAIR from page B-1

speaking education resources were available.

Parents learned that effective for the 2023-2024 school year, children who turn five years old between Sept. 2 and April 2 will be admitted to the new Transitional Kindergarten Program at Menifee Unified School District.

MUSD also provides Foster and McKinney-Vento Youth Services to serve the educational needs of

foster and homeless children. For information and direction to Menifee parents wishing to enroll their children at the various MUSD schools, call Student Success Services at 951-672-1851. Foster and McKinney-Vento Youth Services can be reached at 951-672-1851 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With schools dating back to the 1880s, the Menifee Union School District now serves nearly 12,000 students across 15 physical campuses and one digital campus. As a

SAGE Society to present ‘Fossils of the Inland Empire’

HEMET – The SAGE Society of Hemet will present “Fossils of the Inland Empire” at the Ramona Room behind Miller-Jones Mortuary Wednesday Feb. 15.

The Inland Empire has a long and rich fossil history. Tiny, three-toed horses roamed the hillsides 18 million years ago, while mastodons, mammoths and giant ground sloths lived here during the more recent Ice Age. This presentation will explore the variety of extinct animals that once roamed Hemet and beyond over a span of millions of years –from camels, to tapirs, to strange invertebrates.

Brittney Elizabeth Stoneburg is a vertebrate paleontologist and the collections manager for the Western Science Center, a natural history museum in Hemet. She studies extinct mammals and is passionate about all forms of scientific outreach and communication. Stoneburg said when she’s not hunting for fossils, she enjoys baking, playing video games and reading as many books as she can get her hands on.

Social time begins at 1:30 p.m., and the presentation will follow at 2 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. The Ramona Room at MillerJones Mortuary is located at 1501

Brittney Stoneburg is a vertebrate paleontologist and the collections manager for the Western Science Center, a natural history museum in Hemet.

Valley News/Courtesy photo W. Florida Avenue, Hemet. Parking is in the rear.

The SAGE Society of Hemet, which stands for “Search for Adventure in Greater Education,” provides a forum for people to engage in programs and activities of intellectual stimulation.

Submitted by SAGE Society

As part of the fun at the MUSD Resource and Enrollment Fair held at the school district’s headquarters Jan. 28, a free raffle gives away prizes to visiting children as well as providing valuable information on the school and community resources available. Valley News/Tony Ault photos California Pivotal Practices Award Winner, MUSD innovatively serves students from preschool

STUDENTS from page B-1

she meshes it with a really amazing modern Gothic edge.” Kaylee said one of her driving motivations since she was very young was to be creative and expressive. “Creating art doesn’t just allow me to become a better artist, but to raise my own self-esteem and to continue to impress myself with my skills,” she said. “I’ve always felt it was important to stay true to my creative passions rather than to acclimate to social norms and traditions. I’m an advocate for disability awareness. My little brother Jacob was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. It is crucial that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and our lives should be centered around unity and compassion for others. Growing up with an emotionally and physically absent father put the weight of parenting on my mom. She encouraged me to be myself and celebrate my uniqueness and go above and beyond when it came to my academic career.” Kaylee plans to attend Riverside Community College in the fall and pursue a career in cosmetology.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Emily Gates

San Jacinto High School Air Force Jr.ROTC is led by Emily Gates, who serves as unit commander to nearly 170 cadets. Lt. Col. Michael How ard prefaced Emily’s time at the podium by saying, “It’s our goal to teach students the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, to develop citizens of character,

through 8th grade. The Superintendent of MUSD Schools is Dr. Jennifer Root, and it is governed

dedicated to serving our nation and community. Only a select few, like Emily, will rise to the top because they internalize those values and turn them into actions.” Emily said that while all three core values are equally important, it is the second one that has resonated with her the most. “Since the beginning of my Jr.ROTC career, service before self has been at the forefront of who I am as a commander because I believe that in order for my unit to succeed, it needs a leader that’s willing to set personal matters aside and take the time to be there, listen attentively and take action.” Emily plans to attend a private military college in Vermont where she will major in criminology before commissioning into the Air Force as an officer Grace Truslow Mountain View’s Grace Truslow was nominated by Mrs. Ochoa who said that teachers at traditional schools get to know their students over time. “I just met Grace in August and I’m already so impressed with her,” she said, adding that Grace is spearheading an art project at the alternative high school and has joined ASB. She recently shared a butterfly tattoo she had gotten on the back of her neck with her teacher who said she found some quotes about butterflies that made her realize that Grace could not have made a better choice. “The butterfly is a beacon of light and hope that comforts and inspires us as we navigate through the complex mix of trials and triumphs that unfold in all of our lives. Just as the butterfly has to undergo different development stages to come out stronger and more beautiful than

by a Board of Directors. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

ever, you too must accept change and lose the parts of yourself that hold you back.” Grace feels her most significant contribution to her school and home has been her creative mind and inquisitiveness. She plans to attend a two-year college and then enlist in the military. She said she has gone through a lot this past year, starting with her and her younger sister being placed into the foster care system. “Although it’s been rough, I’m proud of myself for pushing through. Even though it’s been rough losing friends and family, I plan on making the best of the situation and the opportunities given me,” Grace said. “If there’s anything I’ve learned through the hardships, it’s that despite your shortcomings and disadvantages in life, if you keep pushing through, the end result will be worthwhile.”

Closing remarks

Zermeno asked all the honored students to stand and be applauded once more. “Know that your challenges have formed the amazing human beings you are today,” she told them. Hemet Unified School District Director of Secondary Education Nereyda Gonzalez said a recent school holiday honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “who inspired us to live in service to others. The students we heard from today are living that every day. One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ So, students, thank you for being the light that has inspired us today.”

For more information, www. studentofthemonth.net

Team Callie Superstars, on the set of “Play-Doh Squished,” consists of Amy Runner, Stephon “Prince” Pieters, Rayden Isaiah Duson and Alexander Friedrichs. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Some Play-Doh creations from Team Callie Superstars.

JDS Creative Academy to receive California Arts Council Creative Youth Development Grant

TEMECULA – State arts agency, California Arts Council, awarded nonprofit JDS Creative Academy a $38,000 grant in support of their mission to provide an Arts Across California c urriculum to other nonprofit organizations and educational programs. The California Arts Council grants totaled over $41 million and were awarded to arts/ cultural education organizations and artists, to strengthen arts, culture and creative expression throughout California.

Arts Across California is JDS Creative Academy’s solution to bringing the arts to communities that may not have the funds, the materials or instructors with the right qualifications. The grant will assist JDS Creative Academy in developing its hands-on curriculum so that other nonprofits a nd educational programs can deliver JDS Creative Academystyle arts classes to thousands of youth across California. JDS Creative Academy will create eight curriculums: Title-17 program-

ming, nonprofit setup, acting, script writing, “Being Seen in Business,” backstage production, art and musical theater classes. With this grant, JDS Creative Academy will also expand its in-person hands-on creative art classes and serve more underserved youth in the community at their studio in Temecula.

Creating an accessible place is already underway at JDS Creative Academy, with scholarships being offered for visual, performing, and digital arts classes. JDS

Creative Academy welcomes those in the community who are interested in scholarships to apply.

JDS Creative Academy is a staple in the Temecula Valley and has provided award-winning performing arts classes and digital-media career pathway opportunities for over 10 years. For more information about JDS Creative Academy and its endeavors, visit https://jdscreativeacademy org/giving/ or call JDS Creative Academy at 951-296-6715.

JDS Creative Academy is a nonprofit visual, performing and digital-arts education creative academy located at JDS Studios, off Diaz Road, in Temecula. The nonprofit organization was founded with passion by Diane and Scott Strand and continues to provide accessible arts education and video production services to Riverside County.

Submitted by JDS Creative Academy.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park to host older adults free this February

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Zoo Safari Park invited guests ages 65 and older to visit for free throughout February. During “Seniors Free” month, older adults may present their valid photo ID upon arrival and enjoy free admission to the Safari Park, where they can explore expansive habitats and connect with wildlife. The Safari Park’s 1,800 acres are home to conservation efforts with more than 3,000 animals representing over 300 species, and a botanical collection of more than 1.75 million plants, offering remarkable educational opportuni-

ties and fun for the whole family. By visiting the Safari Park, guests help support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in its mission to save wildlife worldwide and help create a world where all life thrives. The “Seniors Free” offer is valid only at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and only for February; parking is not included. San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido. For more information, visit https://sdzsafaripark.org/seniors-free.

Submitted by San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Guests ages 65 and older can have free admission to the Safari Park in February. Valley News/San Diego Zoo photo

Movie Review: ‘Missing’

Bob Garver

Special to Valley News

It never found enough of an audience to warrant a review from me, but I really liked “Searching” back in 2018. I would have given it a grade of B, maybe an A- if I was willing to look past some outstanding questions. The taut mystery-thriller followed a father’s search for his missing daughter, with footage consisting entirely of whatever was showing on the father’s computer screen –everything from photos and simple web pages to complex chats and video calls. The performances were heartfelt, the story took some interesting twists and turns, the eventual villain was smart and believable, and the ending made sense. Now comes sequel-of-sorts “Missing,” another disappearance mystery featuring the same screenbased style. The performances are once again heartfelt and the story takes some interesting twists and

turns, and… that’s about the extent of my compliments.

June (Storm Reid) is a teenager whose mother Grace (Nia Long) goes on vacation for a week. She’s not thrilled that her mother is going on an extended trip to Columbia with her lame new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung), but whatever, party time! But once the party’s over and June goes to pick her mother up at the airport, things go awry. Neither Grace nor Kevin steps off the flight. Unable to reach either of them by any means, June soon files a missing persons report, but is frustrated by the FBI’s slow progress. She decides to track down her mother herself from her home in Los Angeles.

June has the advantages of being smart and computer-savvy, but she’s at a disadvantage because she doesn’t speak Spanish and can’t be physically present in Columbia. She hires local errand-runner Javi (Joaqium de Almeida) to do some investigating. He can’t get security

footage from the hotel, but he does find out that Kevin bought a padlock from a local hardware store. What was Kevin doing buying a padlock? Is this relative stranger in any way trustworthy? Will June ever see her mother alive again? There are many, many steps between answering the first question and the last.

For a while, “Missing” is just as compelling as “Searching.” The performances from Reid and de Almeida are just as urgent and desperate as the ones from John Cho and Debra Messing in the first film. The story takes a similarly twisty path, though it rarely swerves into the unbelievable until the final act. And then, in a single dramatic reveal around the 90% mark, the movie falls apart. Obviously, I want to avoid spoilers, but I will say that there is a villain in play, and this villain is just awful. It’s a terrible performance that doesn’t match the tone of the rest of the movie, and at no point did I be-

lieve that this character was smart enough to mastermind the plan that they had apparently been pulling off perfectly until that point.

“Missing” is yet another promising recent thriller that can’t quite stick the landing. I also wasn’t crazy about M3GAN turning into a bland killing machine or “The Menu” not taking more time to play with its “food” (by which I mean victims). I don’t want to take away from what this movie does right, which is a lot, but the viewing experience just plummets in the span of one clumsy shot. I still recommend the movie overall, as I’ve recommended plenty of mystery movies with great characters and setups that don’t always pay off with pleasing logic. Heck, I’ve counted 1985’s “Clue” among my all-time favorite movies, and that one has three disheartening endings. As for this movie, try to catch it soon, or you’ll be “Missing” out on a pretty good time.

Grade: B-

Valley News/Courtesy photo

“Missing” is rated PG-13 for some strong violence, language, teen drinking, and thematic material. Its running time is 111 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu.

Temecula’s annual celebration of American Black History features classical music royalty and more

The City of Temecula, Temecula Valley Museum and the Old Town Temecula Community Theater join the nation to recognize and commemorate Black Americans’ many achievements and contributions to our great country through focused programming in celebration of American Black History Month.

Old Town Temecula Community Theater

The community is invited to engage in the authentic, soulful and orchestral sound of The String Queens on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 pm at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main Street.

This dynamic trio creates stimulating musical experiences that inspire diverse audiences to love, hope, feel and imagine. With an array of repertoire spanning from the Baroque era to the Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100 Chart, TSQ will delight Temecula’s audience with a versatile program that will take listeners on an exhilarating musical journey through time through a multitude of musical genres.

Contributions from Black composers, conductors and musicians are not given much attention in classical music, past or present. Historically, classical music performances focused on a small circle of white male celebrities, ignoring female and non-white

composers who had fewer opportunities to establish professional careers. Black American classical musicians existed outside of the limelight despite the focus on European composers. Generations later, African American composers’ work began appearing on orchestral programs. Black opera singers gradually made headway during the same period, culminating in a breakthrough appearance by Black performers. To this day, less than 2% of musicians in American orchestras are Black, and 4% of conductors are Black, according to the League of American Orchestras, but they are a vital part of our American History. The celebration of Black History will also include the vocal sensation and Temecula resident, Sherry Williams: Then and Now on Friday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Sherry and her quintet of jazz legends share a glimpse of the 50-year musical journey that got her where she is today. Her signature smooth sound draws fans from near and far to share in the jazz experience that is Sherry Williams.

Tickets are on sale now for The String Queens and Sherry Williams: Then and Now. Tickets are available at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main Street, and online at TemeculaTheater.org.

For more information, please

The String Queens will perform at Old Town Temecula Community Theater on Saturday, Feb. 25. Valley News/Courtesy photos

contact the Ticket Office at 866-OLD-TOWN (866-6538696). The city thanks residents and visitors for their continued support of live performing arts in Temecula.

Temecula Valley Museum

The celebration of American Black History Month continues

at the Temecula Valley Museum with the display of another Emerging Artists Mural honoring internationally renowned social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass. This temporary public art piece celebrating Douglass and his connection to the found-

ing of Black History Month was created by 15-year-old artist Mya Hill, a Mission Vista Academy and Bigfoot Graphics art student. This original mural is exhibited at Sam Hicks Monument Park, 28300 Mercedes Street, through the month of February.

The Temecula Valley Museum also invites residents to view original early 1960s voting rights posters, including two featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on display in the Museum Rotunda. The museum will also celebrate Frederick Douglass and Black

see CELEBRATION, page B-5

Temecula resident and vocalist Sherry Williams will perform with her quintet Friday, Feb. 24 at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Rose Care FUNdamentals February, 2023

Frank Brines, Master Rosarian Special to Valley News

In Southern California, winter is usually short and sometimes confusing. Winter for some plant life is a time of withdrawal that precedes renewal. For roses it is necessary to help them in that process. Now is the time to perform a few procedures to help reset the hormonal clock and get them ready for a great year of rose blooms. That’s the main purpose for pruning.

According to experienced rosarians, the proper time for the major annual pruning is “late winter.” This has many meanings in an area like So Cal which has numerous weather zones. Bottom line: Prune late enough to avoid risking frost damage to the tender growth that will emerge as a result of pruning. After this pruning, you can usually expect a flush of blooms 8 to 12 weeks later, depending on the temperatures during that period — the warmer it is, the shorter the time to bloom. But all things being equal, if you prune in the latter half of February you will likely have blooms in mid- to late-April. If you want blooms for a specific date, count backwards approximately 10 weeks from that date. Pruning should be complete on this date.

In most of our region the last average frost date is mid March, so that means you’re probably safe pruning in mid- to late-February. It is always a gamble and the best advice is to watch the weather. If there is winter rain during January/ February, pruning can be held off awhile since these rains are cold making the ground colder and wetter than usual.

If you haven’t begun or finished pruning by now, don’t fear: There is still plenty of time to have blooms for rose shows or special spring events!

Classes of roses

Different classes of roses benefit from different styles of pruning. This month’s column presents pruning techniques that work well for the first five classes listed below. The rest have their own specific pruning needs but won’t be harmed by following the methods described here.

Hybrid Tea Roses (HT): You can think of these as “florist roses.” They are typically medium to tall (4-8 feet), with large buds borne on long stems with elegant high centers before opening, and 30-50 petals. If the blooms are consistently removed, most hybrid

teas will produce a new “flush” of blooms every six to eight weeks.

The ideal shape for a hybrid tea bush is an urn or vase shape.

Floribunda Roses (Fl): These are typically short to medium height (3-5 feet tall), bearing large clusters of flowers in a loose open style with 25-35 petals. They tend to bloom continuously through the growing season. The ideal shape for a floribunda bush is similar to a hybrid tea. They require less care and are ideal for beginner rose growers.

Grandiflora Roses (Gr): These are a subclass of hybrid teas but with floribunda features. They have elegant showy clusters of three to five blooms with nearly hybrid tea form and a constant bloom cycle like floribunda They tend to be larger and taller than hybrid teas.

Miniature Roses (Min): These most often have hybrid tea or Grandiflora flower form but are typically shorter and a bit more compact. True miniature roses grow between 15”-30” tall, whereas “miniflora” tend to be closer to the size of a floribunda.

Polyantha Roses (Pol): These are like floribunda but much shorter, with smaller, prolific blooms. They work well for edgings and hedges, and can be easily grown in pots. They are generally low-maintenance and relatively disease-resistant.

Shrub Roses: T hese tend to sprawl from 5’ to 15’ in every direction, producing abundant clusters of blossoms. There are many subcategories, including the “David Austin English Roses” and the “Iceberg” varieties. Pruning is relatively simple: First, inspect and clean out dead and diseased material from the center, then cut the shrub back to conform to the space you want them to fill by shortening canes and removing about one third of the growth.

Ground-cover Roses: Also called “landscape” roses, these are low-maintenance and well suited as space fillers. They sprawl outward but reach no more than three feet tall, are generally disease- and pest-resistant, and bloom continuously.

Climbing Roses: These are not a class, but more of a description — that is, there are climbing roses that are hybrid teas, Grandiflora, or floribunda They can’t actually “climb” like vines, but they produce long, sturdy, upright and sometimes arching canes which can grow up to 15 feet, going beyond a trellis, fences, arbors or

pergolas. They tend to produce more flowers on canes that have been tied to horizontal supports.

Useful tools for cleaning pruning tools include steel wool, WD40, a fine diamond file, rubbing alcohol and cotton balls.

helpful as first aid for punctures and scratches to your skin.)

Useful protective equipment when pruning roses are gloves with arm protectors, a hat, a kneeling pad and drinking water.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

Getting your pruning tools

ready

Before you prune, get your equipment in good order. Ideally, you will have these protective items: gloves with arm protectors, hat, water, kneeling pad and Band-aids. Also, assemble these cleaning supplies for your cutting tools: steel wool (0000), rubbing alcohol (70%), solvent (e.g., WD40), cotton balls, paper towels, or clean rags and fine diamond file. You will also need these cutting tools: bypass hand pruners, longhandled loppers and a hand-held pruning saw.

The standard hand pruner is good for cutting canes up to onehalf inch diameter; use your loppers or saw for anything thicker. Using your pruners on too large a cane can damage the cane and “spring” the pruner so it doesn’t produce a clean cut. Likewise, don’t overtax your loppers; the bigger the cane, the bigger your loppers need to be.

What does “bypass” mean?

Compare your pruners to the image above: Bypass pruners have a sharp cutting blade with a curved outline (which slices through the cane) and a dull curved noncutting bar (which holds the cane in place during the cut). The sharp blade “bypasses” the non-cutting bar. This is in contrast to an “anvil” pruner which has a straight blade that comes down on a straight bar. Follow these steps to get your tools ready:

Clean all tools as thoroughly as you can with WD-40 and/or rubbing alcohol. During your pruning, cleaning with alcohol between plants can help prevent transmitting diseases. (Alcohol is also

Lubricate the moving parts with a little light oil (e.g., 3-in-1 oil), and make sure they operate smoothly. Sharpen each blade with a small diamond file (available at garden centers), trying as much as possible to match the original bevel of the blade. Every 100 cuts or so, swipe the file over the blade a few times to keep it sharp. If you notice that your pruners are crushing the stems and/or leaving a “tail” (a small strip of tissue sticking up from the cut) then it’s past time to sharpen them!

start with some gross pruning to bring the project down to size. I use loppers to cut every bush down to about 3-4 feet high.

Next, remove all the leaves from the plant and discard into your green waste bin. This removes diseased material and helps you see the plant’s structure clearly.

Use your hand pruners or loppers to remove canes that are twiggy, dead, passing through the center of the plant, or crossing (and in physical contact with) other canes; for those, remove the older cane.

Fine pruning

After removing all that stuff from the interior of the bush, you’re ready to do your fine pruning:

Prune each cane to a height that you feel comfortable with, likely between 12” and 24” tall.

When pruning a cane, make the cut above an outward-facing bud; this ensures that the stem grows away from the center of the plant. The cut should be at an angle, with the “back” edge of the angle at least the diameter of the cane; this allows enough space for a new cane of the same size to emerge.

Note: There are always one to three buds wherever there is a leaf. “Outward-facing buds” tend to be from 3” to 6” apart. If you prune lightly to moderately — that is, if you keep your canes a little longer rather than shorter — and then frost damages the tender young growth, you’ll still have some outward-facing buds to prune down to.

Common pruning tools include bypass hand pruners, long handled loppers and hand-held pruning saw.

Attempt to end up with a domed top to the degree possible so the plant will bush out in a pleasing, balanced manner.

Clean and feed

Clean the ground thoroughly of all rose debris and dispose of all materials in your green waste bin: Do not compost it!

Assess your irrigation system and make repairs while there is no new growth and before spreading mulch.

When gross pruning, orient your pruners or loppers so that the non-cutting bar is in contact with the portion of the cane that will be removed, and the cutting blade is on the side of the cut that will remain on the plant.

Gross pruning

For all cuts, orient your pruners or loppers so that the non-cutting bar is in contact with the portion of the cane that will be removed, and the cutting blade is on the side of the cut that will remain on the plant. This will make more sense when you are actually holding the pruners and getting ready to cut.

A word of caution when gross pruning: Look for the small nests of hummingbirds, as this is the nesting period for two varieties in our area. Also, if you discover praying mantis egg cases on any branches you remove, find a place to put the cutting where it will be undisturbed and the eggs can hatch so you benefit from the offspring.

In Southern California our rose bushes can grow quite large, so

Apply a dormant spray to the plants and the soil surface to ward off diseases/pests. Adding a horticultural oil can be beneficial as a surfactant. READ THE DIRECTIONS FOR BOTH CAREFULLY!

Apply 2 to 4 inches of composted mulch to cover the entire garden area, but leave about 6” clear around where the rose emerges from the soil.

Do your first feeding after about two to three inches of new growth has emerged. I recommend lower values of the three elements (e.g., Nitrogen [3], Phosphate [4],K Potassium [3]); note the slightly higher value for Phosphate which nourishes the roots.

Two weeks later, begin with heavier feeding every 2 to 4 weeks for great blooms. (We’ll cover feeding in future columns!)

Be sure to visit Rose Haven, located at 30592 Jedediah Smith Road (the cross street is Cabrillo Avenue) in Temecula, as well as the web site, www.TemeculaValleyRoseSociety.org . Spread the word and spread the joy of roses!

After removing unwanted material from the interior of the bush, you’re ready to do your fine pruning. Prune each cane to a height that you feel comfortable with, likely between 12” and 24” tall.

When pruning a cane, make the cut above an outward-facing bud; this ensures that the stem grows away from the center of the plant. The cut should be at an angle, with the “back” edge of the angle at least the diameter of the cane.

Rancho Water celebrates local students in art contest

TEMECULA – Seventeen kindergarten through fifth grade students from Temecula and Murrieta have won the 2022-2023 “Water is Life” Poster Contest hosted by Rancho California Water District. More than 5,000 students entered this year’s contest which focused on the importance of water and conservation.

The annual poster contest is held in the beginning of the school year and available to all teachers within the Rancho Water service area including public and private schools. This year, 21 schools and nearly 100 teachers participated in the event. Students from transitionalkindergarten through fifth grade are eligible, and up to three art pieces from each grade are chosen to move on to final judging. Winning students and their teacher receive a gift bag from Rancho Water and the chance to have their art placed in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California calendar for the following year. Students and their families were also honored at an awards

Fifth grader Amy Y.’s “Water is Life” poster was selected to move on for further judging at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Valley News/Courtesy photos

ceremony at the district.

“It is always fun to see what our bright students come up with for the ‘Water is Life’ theme, and the new ideas they have for communicating the importance of water conservation and drought,” Robert Grantham, general manager of Rancho Water, said. “We enjoy

partnering with our local schools for projects like this, and are excited to celebrate and encourage these aspiring artists.”

The complete list of winning students and their artwork can be found on the Rancho Water website at http://RanchoWater. com/poster.

Supervisors approve Siena CFD

Joe Naiman Writer

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a community facilities district (CFD) for the Siena development in Winchester.

The supervisors’ 5-0 vote January 24 adopted a resolution forming the CFD and authorizing the levy of a special tax, established an appropriations limit for the CFD, and declared the results of the election to form the CFD official. A developer who owns an undeveloped parcel may vote in favor of the CFD which will be binding upon subsequent property owners and Taylor Morrison of California LLC cast the sole vote in favor of the CFD. Siena would create 529 single-family residential units in Winchester east of Washington Street and south of Keller Road.

A community facilities district includes a special tax – sometimes known as mello-roos taxes due to the state legislators who created the option for services on new development to be funded by an annual assessment – to fund the services and/or infrastructure.

A Joint Communities Facilities Agreement stipulates the collection and distribution process for the taxes. If the 1% property tax is not sufficient to pay for maintenance, fire protection and other services a CFD may be formed for those services and that CFD would be perpetual. A CFD may also pay for infrastructure including capacity fees which are charged to developers to cover the new development’s share of existing infrastructure,and that assessment ends when the bonds are paid off. The CFD will also pay for the

reimbursement to government agencies for their staff time and other expenses to form the CFD, the cost to issue bonds, and the annual costs to administer the CFD.

The fiscal year 2023-2024 assessment for the Siena CFD will be $215 per taxable parcel for residential property and $1,813 per acre for multi-family residential and non-residential property, and the annual tax will be increased a minimum of 2% up to the cumulative percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers. The CFD will cover the costs of street lighting, traffic signal and stormwater operation and maintenance and will also cover administration expenses and necessary inspections.

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

Students whose artwork was chosen to move on for further judging at MWD are kindergartener Penny V. from Vail Elementary; first grader Preslee M. from Rancho Elementary; second grader Norah E. from Van Avery Preparatory; third grader Kara B. from Alamos Elementary; fourth

CELEBRATION from page B-3

History Month through facts and free crafts in the museum’s Art and Education Room. All are welcome.

The Temecula Valley Museum is located in Old Town Temecula at 28314 Mercedes Street. Museum hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org or call 951-694-6450.

American Black History Month presents the opportunity for us to celebrate our fellow Americans’ achievements which have led the fight toward equity in our communities and stand together to pave the way for continued progress for all. Please tune in to our social media pages as we look at Black

grader Meadow M. from Abby Reinke Elementary and Amy Y. from Rancho Elementary.

To learn more about Rancho Water, visit https://www.ranchowater.com/.

Submitted by Rancho California Water District.

Americans’ extraordinary story in our country, including enhancing our national life through civic leadership, military service, business, the arts, science, literature, sports and entertainment.

Temecula’s Celebration of American Black History is a collective celebration and remembrance of the many important contributions Black Americans have had in every chapter of our nation’s story. Please support the Temecula Valley Museum, Old Town Temecula Community Theater, and Temecula’s Community Services Department as we continue to grow this engaging, entertaining and educational celebration.

Submitted by the City of Temecula

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Second grader Norah E.’s colorful poster is a winner in the 20222023 “Water is Life” poster contest.

Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber hosts MEGA Mixer at Lake Elsinore’s Storm Stadium

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Hundreds of area business owners, medical personnel, attorneys, teachers, entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, city officials, transportation experts who are members of 10 southwest Riverside County Chambers of Commerce attended the first of the year Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce MEGA Mixer

Thursday, Jan. 26.

The many MEGA Mixer attendees at the Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium, home of the Storm minor league baseball team, were welcomed with glasses of wine from local vintners and found a luxurious inside-lighted limousine from LimoScene on display awaiting them, along with the friendly faces of the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber volunteers with sign-in sheets.

It was a dream come true for the chamber members who most enjoy meeting other members, learning about their businesses and organizations face-to-face plus all with delightful incentives like business card drawings, small gifts and food and drink tastings. Information brochures were available along the more than 120 tables filled with treats, games and informed personal conversations. It was a

time to invite. A time to brag. A time to meet up with old friends and acquaintances.

MEGA Mixer greeter and Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber President and CEO Patrick Ellis, dressed in his familiar blue blazer, explained,

“The purpose of the MEGA Mixer is, in my opinion, twofold. First is to show the working collaboration between chambers in this region and share ideas and thoughts about how they work well together on an overall basis…The second is to provide an opportunity for our businesses in the entire valley an opportunity to showcase themselves and to do it on a very large scale… This is a perfect venue for them in the Storm Stadium.”

The event was held in the large open-air, nearly fully filled, hallway above the thousands of comfortable seats surrounding the baseball field. The manicured green baseball field, considered one of the most beautiful in Southern California, is filled with fans during the baseball season, rooting for their favorite minor league team affiliated with the San Diego Padres.

Last year the January MEGA Mixer was held at Mt. San Jacinto College in Menifee. Ellis said the second Chamber MEGA Mixer is scheduled to take place on June 29

at the new Mt. San Jacinto College Temecula Campus’ second floor at 41888 Motor Car Parkway, Bldg. B in Temecula. He said the expo table pricing for members is $250 and $500 for nonmembers. The Chambers invited to the June

MEGA Mixer include Bonsall, Canyon Lake, Corona, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta/ Wildomar, Norco, Perris, San Jacinto and Temecula. Admission to the MEGA Mixer is a business card

Bushfire Kitchen selected as Menifee’s

MENIFEE – Menifee announced

Bushfire Kitchen as the city’s January Business Spotlight, a program that is a part of the Economic Development Department’s B3 Building Better Businesses program.

Bushfire Kitchen has an interesting origin sotry. The restaurant was first founded in 2012 by two cousins, Clive and Brandon Barwin. Clive brought his technical skills and knowledge of the business world as an entrepreneur to the table, while Chef Brandon’s expertise in flavors and redefining classic food was invaluable. The two now have a total of five locations and arrived in Menifee as a key member of the local culinary scene in 2019.

The Barwin cousins knew they wanted to offer healthy choices and high-quality ingredients at affordable prices, and 10 years later, the cousins have held true to that vision.

Bushfire offers redefined American comfort food classics that never use preservatives, food coloring, flavor

enhancers or GMOs. The restaurant makes almost everything from scratch. The ingredients used are locally produced when possible, and the meat is raised humanely while being antibiotic free. Additionally, it was important to the Barwin cousins that their menu be inclusive and accommodate vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free preferences.

Bushfire said it is committed to their customers and the communities they reside in, and their genuine care for others is shown through their various outreach and partnership endeavors. Bushfire Kitchen regularly supports Menifee’s local schools and nonprofit organizations, partners with the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce and business community and runs in-store fundraisers and monthly events.

“Our residents and visitors alike benefit from Bushfire Kitchen’s see BUSHFIRE, page B-7

Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

or $1. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Events & Program Manager Kimberly Niebla at kim@mwcoc.org Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

January Business Spotlight

Jude Eranimus, third from right, director of operations at Bushfire Kitchen, accepts the January Business Spotlight award from Menifee City Council members and Economic Development Director Gina Gonzalez, right. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Employees from Bluewater Grill in Temecula serve chipotle blackened swordfish to guests attending the MEGA Mixer at Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium, Jan. 26.

The 2022 league championship trophy for the Lake Elsinore Storm minor league baseball team is displayed at the event.

Stacy Buchanan Hartfiel, relationship manager for Bellevue University talks with guests during the MEGA Mixer networking event.

People tour the variety of businesses and organizations during the all chamber MEGA Mixer networking event.

Vicky Smith, volunteer for Jacob's House provides information to guests at the all chamber MEGA Mixer.

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

Feb. 17 – 5-6 p.m. Critter Encounters at Kahoots Feed and Pet, 31789 Temecula Parkway #3,Temecula. Close encounters of the wild kind! A local animal rescue with an assortment of fun and friendly rescued animals. Meet and learn all about their beloved exotic animals. A fennec fox? A tegu? An owl? Who knows who you might meet!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Feb. 4 – 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shop Temecula Farmers Market at Old Town Front Street and 6th Street in Temecula year round every Saturday for local produce and vendors.

Feb. 4-March 3 – 2-4 p.m. Dorland Arts Colony “Harmony 2023” artwork show of Dorland Artists at the Dorland Community Arts Center, Highway 79 in Temecula. Artwork for sale. Call 951-302-3837 or see www.dorlandartscolony.org for more information.

Feb. 4 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Taste of Soul & Black Business Expo in the Southern Inland Empire at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St., Murrieta. Follow Sankofa Forever On.

Feb. 4 – 12-4 p.m. Nomad Neighbors Love Local Market at Vail Ranch HQ, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Local shopping, good vibes, family fun, live music, good grub & delicious drinks. With 25+ local small businesses. events@ vailhq.com.

Feb. 11 – 8 a.m. Menifee bulky item community collection event at Mt. San Jacinto College. Free.

Accepted Items: Appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers), limit 3 per vehicle. Air conditioners, barbecue grills, bundled branches, bagged green waste accepted. Also on Saturday, April 22 at Kabian Park at 8 a.m. Proof of residency is required. If you are unable to attend this event, you can schedule up to four free bulky item curb pickups each year by calling Waste Management at 800-423-9986.

Feb. 11 – 8-10 a.m. Menifee Moves Community Walk at La Ladera Park, 29629 La Ladera Road, Menifee. An all family community walk with pets welcome. See Cynthia Nemelka, Hello Menifee.

Feb. 18-19 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 2023 Eastvale Lantern Festival, celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in Eastvale with food, shopping and cultural performances. Held at 7447 Scholar Way in Eastvale.

ONGOING – The city of Menifee offers in-city or out-of-city special event vendor applications online or at Menifee City Hall to apply for signature and other special events. Contact Menifee City Hall, 29844 Haun Road, 951-672-6777, or online at businesslicensing@

cityofmenifee.us

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 – Sun City Civic Association Monthly Square Dance sessions are held Sundays from 1:30-5 p.m. at 26850 Sun City Blvd. in Sun City.

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 800-510-2020 for help.

ONGOING – The Riverside County COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program is accepting online applications for business grants up to $10,000 at 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 Farmers 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 are allowed.

WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, NOTICES

Feb. 9 – 5:30 p.m. ZOOM meets Voices for Children. Learn to be an advocate for children or a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) trained by Voices for Children. Takes 10-15 hours per month. Join Zoom at www.speakupnow.org/vol or recommend a friend at www. speakupnow.org/reco

Feb. 9 – 4:30-6 p.m. Attend Mighty Me for Adults 18+ Performing arts and dance every Thursday for adults with mental and physical disabilities. The program is free and is designed for all abilities and capabilities. It is located at the Menifee Community Services Department, 29995 Evans Road, in Menifee.

Feb. 7 – 1 p.m. A Conversation about Racial Healing with speaker Richard D. Gordon, poet, author and playwright. Join us for our Member’s Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at the Lake Elsinore History Museum, 183 North Main St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. (Use the Heald Street entrance on the right side of the building.) Visit our website: www.lakeelsinorehistoricalsociety. org for more information.

Feb. 11 – 6 p.m. Valentine’s Day Til’ Death Do Us Part sip and shop event at 24771 Washington Ave, Murrieta. A $25 entrance fee will provide a complimentary drink ticket and a souvenir Valentine’s Day cookie. Waiting for you is our To Die For photo op for that pictureperfect moment and 15 of Made Local’s unique vendors, ready with custom gifts and desserts, games and other entertainment. For further details regarding the event, send us an email at events@madelocalmarket.org. Follow #madelocalmarket, #simplymadelocal, #valentinesday2023, #sipnshop, #sipandshop.

Feb. 15 - 8-10 p.m. Menifee Business Assistance Program and consultation on free Zoom Webinar on-site training. Webinar Zoom Meeting ID: 811 6549 2354. Register at www.cityofmenifee.us/ sb1383

April 4 –Save the date. Miller Jones Menifee Memorial Park and Mortuary, in partnership with the city of Menifee and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1956, will bring the replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall to the city Tuesday, April 4, under escort and parade. Volunteers may be needed. Contact Miller Jones Mortuary or cbollinger@ cityofmenifee.us

ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely? Help shop for most needed items without leaving your home! This is 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 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 6th 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. A potluck lunch is followed by a cultural program and short business meeting. Please come and enjoy company with fellow Scandinavians. Call 951-309-1597 or 951-849-1690 for more information.

ONGOING – Noon to 1 p.m. Attend Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce’s weekly business briefing via Zoom or watch live on Facebook every Wednesday. Registration required at https://bit. ly/MWCBizBriefing. The chamber business briefing is an opportunity to hear from city, county and business leaders about current and relevant business information.

ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a $21.95 fee. The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample test, 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 www.city of menifee.us

BUSHFIRE from page B-6

commitment to high quality liba-

tions and fresh, locally sourced ingredients for their delicious, healthy menu” Gina Gonzalez, economic development director for Menifee, said. “We are thankful for their maverick spirit in providing a unique experience in Menifee and integrating themselves in the fabric of our community through ongoing outreach and partnership efforts.”

For more information about Bushfire Kitchen, visit http://bushfirekitchen.com. To view their Business Spotlight video, visit https:// youtu.be/30TCehrMsHc

The Menifee Business Spotlight is a free business recognition program to create awareness for the variety of local businesses and their contributions to the Menifee community. Chosen applicants, who are nominated by the community, are honored during a special presentation at a city council meeting and receive a free 30-second

ONGOING – 10 to 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 781-932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-3210170 or visit 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 www.temeculavalleyrosesociety.org

ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information.

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

professional video developed by the Economic Development Department showcased on the city’s business website at http://www. menifeebusiness.com.

The Menifee Business Spotlight is part of the Economic Development Department’s B3 Building Better Businesses program, which aims to showcase local businesses that go above and beyond the call of business, foster pride in Menifee’s thriving business community and promote diversity in Menifee’s local economy.

Nominations are encouraged to recognize businesses in Menifee that contribute to the betterment of the Menifee community. Apply by visiting http://www.cityofmenifee. us/BusinessSpotlight.

For more information on the Business Spotlight program, or other resources available to Menifee businesses, please contact the Economic Development Department at econdev@cityofmenifee.us Submitted by city of Menifee.

Review of all things Real Estate

gage interest rates of 3% which will save them a lot of money over buyers who purchased in October 2022 when prices were “softer” but interest rates were up to 7.3%.

The good news is the market is steadying, interest rates are sliding down around 6.3% and prices have leveled off, so unless people purchased in the last half of 2022 they will be okay (unless there is a full blown recession then all bets are off).

Bob Hillery CR Properties

I read the following article and I’m not surprised given the level of “craziness” in the real estate market the last 2.5 years. Buyers were in a frenzy to purchase homes and were willing to remove their contingencies (protections) with the submission of their offers. Once the offers were accepted (always above list price and in competition with multiple other offers) buyers were happy that they “won.”

Buyers made their purchase decisions based on their own assumptions/motivations and now 75% are unhappy (which is not surprising considering buyers had to make real estate purchase decisions in less time than most of us take to buy a pair of shoes).

But here’s another point of view, buyers who bought at the height of the market purchased with mort-

Buyer’s remorse is rampant among pandemic purchasers

Melissa Dittman Tracey Contributing editor for Realtor Magazine

A large crop of unhappy homeowners is emerging after having time to settle in with their hasty pandemic purchase in the last couple of years. Buyers at the time were bidding up home prices to beat out fierce competition, and many waived the home inspection or appraisal to get the house they wanted. But now they may regret the extremes they went to for a home: More than three-fourths of U.S. homeowners who purchased in the prior year expressed regret about their decision.

The top reasons for their regret:

feeling like they overspent by 30% or rushed the homebuying process at 26%, according to a separate survey from Hippo. About half of recent home buyers surveyed said that homeownership is more expensive than anticipated; too much maintenance and upkeep, and they compromised too much for their home.

The ultra wealthy are having regrets too. About a quarter of luxury buyers who purchased a home in the last two years say they are not satisfied with their property because of lifestyle changes, property size, remote location, lack of neighborhood amenities or a return to full-time office work.

Many homeowners surveyed said that knowing what they know today, they would’ve bought a different home at 64% or waited longer to buy at 63%. Further, more than a quarter of homeowners said that selling their current home has become a bigger priority for them.

“With the insatiable buying frenzy and quick decisions being made, there were bound to be stories of regretful buyers who leaped too quickly into unknown environs,” Diane Hartley, president of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. “These buyers may end up staying in place and renovating, or they may be encouraged by rising inventory levels in their local marketplace this year and relist their current home for a profit. Others, if they

have the financial means, may simply choose to keep the home as part of their investment portfolio, convert it to a rental and make a lateral move to a different, more affordable market.”

But others may try to stick it out and remake the home into something they can be happier with.

Fifty-five percent of homeowners said they plan to make upgrades or home improvements to their home in 2023, according to the Hippo survey. They’ve budgeted an average of $11,173 for home improvements and upgrades this year.

Some of those home improvements may be needed: Homeowners say some of their home purchase regrets stem from unexpected repairs. They may have waived their home inspection and weren’t fully aware of what they bought into. More than half of homeowners said they have had something unexpectedly go wrong since they purchased.

The regret and the repairs are also affecting their happiness, the study finds. More than 60% said their mental health or their relationship with their partner has been affected, the Hippo survey found.

“Often, homeowner regrets begin to surface when unexpected issues and financial strain piles up,” said Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo.

“The bottom line is homeowners need help. The past year of

growing economic and financial instability has taken a toll on homeowners and their well-being. With rising costs of labor and materials, when one thing goes wrong, it brings a wave of anxiety and dread about what could go wrong next.”

But those who do fix up their home may find it will lessen their buyer’s remorse. The survey notes that 77% of respondents said completing home maintenance and repair tasks increased their sense of pride in homeownership and proved a motivation for them to stay.

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Local baseball player hits home run when faced with adversity

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Temecula native Gavin Johns fell in love with baseball when he was very young. He said the passion and love he felt when playing the game was different than what he felt with any other sport. He has always wanted to play professional baseball, and this past year he got the opportunity to do just that, playing shortstop in the Atlantic League for the Kentucky Wild Health Genomes. Johns’ stats for his 2022 pro ball season were .320 AVG, 225 AB, 31 RBIs, 1HR, 18 2B and 18 SB.

While it may seem as if Johns’ success came easy, his journey included many setbacks and challenges that he overcame with hard work, perseverance and a strong faith. While honing his skills on the field, Johns has also kept busy attending college and writing a book about his experiences on and off the diamond. “Laugh in the Face of Adversity” was recently launched with a book signing at Murrieta’s Dynamic Fitness HPK where Johns trains, as do many other amateur and professional athletes.

“The title of the book comes from my uncle Mike, my dad’s brother, who always told me and my brother growing up to laugh in the face of adversity,” Johns, 25, said. “He always said that life is going to throw you challenges and adversities and you have two choices, either give up and back down or fight and push through. The choice of the word ‘laugh’ has a double meaning of finding humor and positivity in each situation, and also to smirk with a humble confidence that you will overcome any challenge life hands you.”

He said the word adversity to him means a difficulty or opposition that comes your way and everyone experiences it at some point in their life.

Adversity challenges

“Whenever you are trying to achieve something big, there will always be adversity,” Johns said. “When you bear down and fight through that difficult time, that is what molds your character and helps you become stronger and tougher on the other side. It actually helps push you to achieve your goal.”

After graduating from Chaparral High School, Johns attended Yavapai Community College in Arizona where he won a National Baseball Championship, moved on to play at UCLA, then ultimately found his way to Tennessee Tech where he earned his master’s degree in Strategic Leadership

Rancho Christian’s Barefield wins 200th game

in 2021. He was named Man of the Year in his senior year. It is the highest honor bestowed on deserving scholar-athletes by Tennessee Tech Athletics. The criteria includes both athletic and academic accomplishments as well as additional areas such as community and campus involvement and public service activities.

Always give back

“Giving back to the community is very important to me because I wouldn’t be the person and baseball player I am today without different communities that helped mold me.

I am forever grateful and feel that it is my duty to give back and help the next generation,” Johns said.

“My parents and relatives have always been very involved in the community and they raised me and my brother Hayden to be very involved in the community as well.

I am thankful they instilled that in us because it is very important not to forget where you came from.”

The decision to write his autobiography began a few years ago when Johns began writing down some of his life experiences in a journal. A couple of his close friends recommended he write a book so during the past three years he has transitioned the journal notes into fleshed-out stories with more details culled from phone calls to friends, family and teammates to recount old memories and confirm all the facts were accurate.

Life’s setbacks

“There have been many setbacks in my life and doubters, and I believe they only made me tougher and stronger,” Johns said. “I was able to turn any negativity into energy and motivation to prove the doubters wrong. In addition, I have been blessed with a great support system of family and friends that encourage me so that I can achieve anything I set my mind to and work hard for. And my faith in God has helped me so much. In those (adverse) moments I definitely lean on Him to remind me of who I am instead of what other people tell me they think I am.”

He views his survival from a huge traffic accident several years ago to be a “true miracle from God.” After flipping his truck multiple times across the freeway, he walked away with no severe injuries although glass had shattered all over him.

“I don’t know how I am still alive today but I am thankful God kept me alive and moments like those really help me appreciate each day even more,” he said.

Johns said the main message the

see PLAYER, page C-2

Once finished, and before taking the reins with the Eagles, Barefield started a successful year-round developmental program and has spent several years working with some of the top youth basketball

programs in the country.

More than 10 years later, with Barefield in charge, Rancho Christian has had nothing but success. Not only has the program won countless league titles, been to the CIF Southern Section and State playoffs year after year, they have also sent a number of players to the next level. Of course, two of the top basketball players to ever come from the valley, Evan and Isaiah Mobley, who both play professionally in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, also played for Barefield. With a 76-62 win over Lynwood High School Saturday, Jan. 7, the

Rancho Christian Eagles gave head coach Ray Barefield his 200th career win. As of Thursday, Jan. 26, Rancho Christian sits atop the South Valley League standings at 5-0, and are 14-9 overall. Barefield’s win count is at 205, with five regular season games to go. Postseason prep basketball will get underway after brackets get released by the Southern Section offices of the CIF Saturday, Feb. 4. Visit http://www. cifss.org for more information.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com

Gavin Johns is best known for his longtime baseball career in Temecula and beyond, but he recently released an autobiography about his experiences with the sport and the game of life. Valley News/Courtesy photos

JP Raineri Sports Editor

In 2012, Rancho Christian High School went big when they hired Ray Barefield as the director

of basketball operations and player development. Barefield, a 1994 graduate of San Diego State University, where he played collegiate basketball, went on to play professionally in Europe.

Rancho Christian High School Eagles boys basketball coach Ray Barefield picked up his 200th career win with a 7662 win over Lynwood High School Saturday, Jan. 7. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Ray Barefield picked up his 200th career win as the head boys’ basketball coach for Rancho Christian High School with a 76-62 win over Lynwood High School.

Gavin Johns at bat for Tennessee Tech, where he was named Man of the Year in 2021.

Santa

Rosa

Academy uses pressure defense to defeat

Desert Christian Academy, 40-35 Rangers rule top of SVL standings

Sports Editor

The Santa Rosa Academy Rangers varsity basketball team won the home conference game Wednesday, Jan. 25, against Desert Christian Academy in Bermuda Dunes by a score of 40-35.

Santa Rosa Academy in Menifee (17-4) overcame a slow start, trailing 18-4 after one quarter of play. In the second quarter, the Rangers began to settle down and play better on

both ends of the court, shaving eight points off the lead going into the half.

After the half, Santa Rosa picked up the defensive intensity by applying full court pressure and crashing the boards for rebounds.

Century Castle’s defense and rebounding, and the hustle play of Andrew Aitchison, was the catalyst in the Rangers comeback.

Anthony Garlington’s 15 points and aggressive play on offense provided the scoring needed to secure the

victory.

The win moved Santa Rosa to 9-0 in South Valley League play, giving them a two-game lead over secondplace Desert Christian with three games to play. Santa Rosa is well positioned to win the league title as they wrap up against San Jacinto Valley Academy (0-8) and St. Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School (2-7). Article contributions made by Action Captures Media Group. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com

2023 Storm coaching staff officially announced

become a Minor League instructor with the San Diego Padres.

Jed Morris is this season’s hitting coach. Morris has been a Minor League hitting coach with the San Diego Padres since 2018 and was a Minor League Player from 20022008.

Another returning member of the Lake Elsinore Storm is Bench Coach, Jhonaldo Pozo. Pozo spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons in Lake Elsinore as a player before retiring and becoming a Minor League coach.

The complete list of the 2023 coaching staff is as follows:

Manager – Pete Zamora; Pitching Coach – Thomas Eshelman; Hitting Coach – Jed Morris; Bench Coach

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

The 2023 coaching staff has been officially announced, and there is a familiar face leading the way for the Lake Elsinore Storm’s 29th Minor League Baseball season.

Pete Zamora, after winning the Manager of the Year Award in 2019 with the Storm, is returning to help defend the 2022 California League Championship. Zamora spent 2020 managing the Double-A

book revolves around is that life is not always perfect but just because life is not perfect does not mean it has to keep you down.

“I believe this book will bring hope, inspiration and encouragement to everyone who is encountering a difficult time in their life whether it is related to sports, work or personal life,” he said. “The audience for this book is mainly young adults going through similar struggles as I have had but I believe all ages and backgrounds can get a lot out of reading this book from many perspectives.”

The book’s foreword was written by Alabama pastor Buddy Bell, who has been a mentor to Johns.

“Buddy and I met a couple years ago at a Christian college conference, and he has helped mold me into the man I am today,” he said.

Johns said the Tuesday, Jan. 10, book signing went very well and he received great feedback. He found the question-and-answer portion to be very insightful, and looks forward to hosting more events in the future.

When asked how he responds to failure in his sport he replied, “It is important to respond with high character and maturity because when you react negatively it not only affects you and your team, but it feeds the other team’s competitiveness.”

His favorite baseball memory is explained in a passage from

Missions which saw a 68-68 season, second-best in the Texas League South.

Thomas Eshelman will be this year’s Pitching Coach, he too spent 2022 in Double-A San Antonio but as a player where he had a 4.58 ERA. He was also selected in the second round of the 2015 draft by the Houston Astros. He appeared in Major League games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019, 2020 and 2021. He officially retired as a player this off-season and signed on to

– Jhonaldo Pozo; Athletic Trainer

– Josean Prieto; Strength Coach –Mark Spadavecchia; Performance Analyst – Charles King; Video Analyst – Kenny Kirkpatrick.

The Lake Elsinore Storm will open their 2023 season at home Thursday, April 6, versus the Visalia Rawhide. For ticket information, visit http://www.stormbaseball.com

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com

“Laugh in the Face of Adversity” that said, “And I was up to bat with an 0-1 count. The pitcher was a side-arm pitcher, he threw a slider, and I hit a 2-run home run over the right center field wall to put us ahead 4-2. We ended up closing them out and winning 5-2 to win the National Championship, and we got to dogpile on the field.”

Assisting Johns at the book signing table was his good friend Alesia Denby, a shortstop on the Fresno State softball team.

“Alesia is also involved in a program outside of baseball I co-

founded. Galvanized Global is an online program that helps studentathletes manage stress and achieve success,” he said. For more information, visit http://www.GGLife.org.

The takeaway Johns believes readers will get from his book is the importance of perseverance.

“We are all going to get knocked down in life. Life is difficult. Really difficult. But we need to keep going,” he said. “And if we keep going in pursuit of what we want to achieve, we can become successful.”

Alesia Denby, a shortstop on the Fresno State softball team, sits with Gavin Johns as he signs a copy of his book for a local youth baseball player Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Dynamic Fitness HPK in Murrieta.

Temecula’s

PLAYER from page C-1

JP Raineri

San Antonio

Santa Rosa Academy player Century Castle (24) dives for a loose ball against Desert Christian Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Santa Rosa Academy’s Andrew Aitchison (5) scores following a rebound in a battle for first place in the South Valley League against Desert Christian.

Santa Rosa Academy’s Anthony Garlington (23) drives to the basket for a layup against Desert Christian Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Valley News/Action Captures Media Group photo

After winning the Manager of the Year Award in 2019 with the Storm, Pete Zamora is returning to help the Lake Elsinore Storm defend their 2022 California League Championship. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Area professionals take on Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

In the opening round all eyes were on Jon Rahm, last week’s American Express winner, who struggled to a 1-over 73 at Torrey Pines South, which has become one of his favorite courses. Sam Ryder, Aaron Rai and Brent Grant all shot 8-under 64 on the more forgiving North Course Wednesday, Jan. 25, to tie for the first-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open.

A handful of local professional golfers are representing the area at the Farmers Insurance Open, which is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played in the San Diego area in the early part of the season known as the “West Coast Swing.” To not compete with the NFL Divisional Championship games, it was decided last year to hold the tournament on Wednesday through Saturday.

Rahm, ranked No. 3 in the world, earned his first PGA TOUR victory in 2017 at the municipal courses on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean and then won the U.S. Open on the South Course in 2021. At this year’s tournament he will be trying for his 10th career TOUR win, but after first round action he was tied for 116th with 11 others, including playing partners Tony Finau and Justin Rose.

Ryder, Rai and Grant have never won on TOUR. Ryder is coming off three straight missed cuts. Grant, a Hawaii native who has ties to the Temecula Valley, and is a familiar face at the Dynamic Fitness HPK training facility in Murrieta, has not shot better than a 74 in his last four rounds. Those stats are not holding him back at all.

“This round of golf is not something that I would look at and say – obviously it’s a good round of golf and I may be in the lead with a couple other guys, but again, it’s just day one,” Grant said after his opening round Wednesday.

Grant’s promising round on the first day at this year’s Farmers comes after a difficult time at last week’s The American Express where the 26-year-old finished at the very bottom of the leaderboard in La Quinta.

“Well, finishing dead last is never a great thing, but again, I haven’t changed much,” he said when describing his experience last week.

Including Grant, the three took a one-shot lead over Brendan Steele, who was at 7-under 65, with seven players bunched another shot back at 6-under 66. Defending champion Luke List and Collin Morikawa, ranked No. 8 in the world, were in a group of seven at 5-under 67. The top six finishers

and 13 of the top 18 played the North Course. Players will switch courses Thursday, with stronger wind in the forecast, and play the final two rounds on the South Course.

Of course, there are plenty of other local golfers to be noted, including Murrieta’s standout, Rickie Fowler, and playing in his first-ever PGA event is Murrieta native, Harrison Kingsley. Both also train with the staff at Dynamic Fitness HPK when in town, along with their golf coach, Tony Greco, who was on hand at the event to provide support.

Fowler hit 11 of 18 greens in regulation during his first round at the Farmers Insurance Open, finishing at even, and Kingsley, a senior at the University of San Diego, finished at +2 on the day. Kingsley made it through the PreQualifier at Twin Oak Golf Course Tuesday, Jan. 17, shooting a -5 (66 for T1), and then was 1 of 4 golfers to shoot under par -1 (71) at Bear Creek to qualify for the Farmers Insurance Open last weekend. For more updates on the Farmers Insurance Open, as well as other PGA events, visit http://www. pgatour.com.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com

Soboba family enjoys the demanding sport of rugby

rugby team has another group as well, the backs or back line.

Karnes’s son Brandon Karnes donned his first pair of rugby cleats as a high school freshman. Now a senior at Iowa State University, majoring in business administration, Brandon Karnes lives in Austin, Texas, during the summer to train for rugby.

Soboba Band of Luiseño

Indians

Special to the Valley News

For those that are unfamiliar with the intense sport of rugby, it can best be described as a game of passion that’s full of action, excitement and beauty, as well as unpredictable moments and dramatic resolutions on the field. Rugby is governed by laws, not rules. The laws of the game are designed to produce an entertaining and free-flowing contest for possession in an attempt to score the most points.

Rugby is a close-contact team sport that originated in England in the first half of the 19th century. The game is played between two teams of 15 players each, using an oval-shaped ball on a rectangular field called a pitch.

Dustin Karnes started playing rugby about seven years ago. While coaching soccer, the men’s rugby team Siouxland Swine out of Nebraska were practicing on the field across from his team.

“I knew a few of the players and they kept asking me to come try it out. I was soon on the team,” Karnes of South Dakota said.

“Rugby is not a very popular sport here in the Midwest but you can always find a team to play on.”

Karnes, 43, currently plays the position of prop for the Indigenous Warriors Rugby Club.

Props are part of the group that is collectively referred to as the pack, or the forwards. This group’s main goal is to win possession of the ball. These players are usually the heavyweights of the team, using their bulk and strength to try to overpower their opponents. A

“I have not found it difficult to find a team to play on since I revolve my life around it, but I have noticed how much it has grown at the youth and college level,” Brandon Karnes, 21, said.

Playing tighthead and loosehead prop for the Iowa State University rugby team, he said being fit is an attribute that is necessary to be good in the sport.

“I played football and soccer my entire life and found that rugby is the most physically demanding. You should be able to tackle, pass and communicate on the field –those are the biggest three for the sport,” Brandon Karnes said. “I love the culture the most. I have played many sports growing up but the culture in rugby is by far the best.”

see RUGBY, page C-4

Hometown favorite Xander Schauffele tees off at hole No. 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Wednesday, Jan. 25. Valley News/David Canales photos

Murrieta’s Rickie Fowler waits to start his first round at this year’s Farmers Insurance Open.

Harrison Kingsley of Murrieta is pictured here competing in the Farmers Insurance Open qualifier held at Bear Creek Golf Club last weekend.

Brent Grant, who has been training in the Temecula Valley area for the past five years, shot an 8-under 64 to tie for the first-round lead at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Wednesday, Jan. 25. Valley News/PGA courtesy photo

Valley News/David Canales photos

Valley News/Andrez Imaging

Brandon Karnes, left, and his father Dustin Karnes play with the Indigenous Warriors Rugby Club, as well as other rugby teams. Valley News/ Karnes family photos

Players from many different Native American Nations play with the Indigenous Warriors Rugby Club, including at a December event in Arizona, where Brandon and Dustin Karnes at the far left represented the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.

Brandon Karnes is currently playing rugby at Iowa State University but plays with the travel club every chance he gets.

Voices for Children seeks volunteers to advocate for Riverside County youth living in foster care

SAN DIEGO – Community members can make a life-changing impact on a child by participating in Voices for Children’s inaugural “Your Voice, Their Future” volunteer recruitment campaign. The campaign, taking place through May 1 for National Foster Care Awareness Month, aims to recruit new CASAs to serve 100 local youth in foster care currently on Voices for Children’s waitlist who are in immediate need of a CASA volunteer.

This year, an estimated 4,000 children will spend time in foster care in Riverside County after experiencing abuse or neglect. They are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Once they enter the dependency system, their world includes court hearings, social workers, attorneys, new homes and schools. They need someone to step up and speak up for them during what can be a scary and challenging time.

Founded in 1980, Voices for Children transforms the lives of children in foster care by providing them with Court Appointed Special Advocates. These community volunteers – trained and supported by Voices for Children – advocate for youth in court, school, medical settings and more to ensure their needs are met. The organization, which serves both Riverside and San Diego Counties, is issuing a call for these special volunteers who often become the most consistent adult in the life of a child in foster care.

Members of the public are encouraged to learn more and take action for local children in foster care by becoming a volunteer or recommending a friend to become a CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers are critically needed to speak for children in court. Learn more about the requirements to become a CASA volunteer by signing up for an information session at https:// www.speakupnow.org/volunteer/.

To recommend someone, fill out the short form at http:// speakupnow.org/recommend.

Founded in 1980, Voices for Children transforms the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties

Voices for Children provides foster youth with Court Appointed Special Advocates that are trained to advocate for youth in court, school, medical settings and more to ensure their needs are being met.

by providing them with trained, volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA volunteers advocate for a child or sibling group in foster care in court, school, and the community to ensure their needs are met. VFC

believes every child deserves a safe and permanent home and strives to provide a CASA volunteer to every child in the foster care system who needs one. Last year, VFC CASAs and staff served more than 3,400 children in foster care across San

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Diego and Riverside Counties. For more information, visit http:// www.speakupnow.org.

Submitted by Voices for Children.

California prison inmates to get some Medicaid care

Seitz

Amanda

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government will allow Medicaid dollars to treat some people in prisons, jails or juvenile detention centers for the first time ever, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday, Jan. 26. CMS will allow California inmates to access limited services, including substance use treatment and mental health diagnoses, 90 days before being released. Since Medicaid was established, federal law has prohibited Medicaid money from being used for people who are in custody, with inmates

Dustin Karnes agreed, saying that you can be super aggressive to the other team’s members for 80 minutes but then after the game, you can sit and have a friendly drink with the opposing team. He said good coordination, including passing, kicking and catching the ball are critical skills to be good at the sport. He played soccer in high school.

Brandon Karnes often joins his father for games with the Indigenous Warriors Rugby Club, which has players from all over the United States and Canada. The club combines its love for rugby with its love of its cultures. Every tournament they attend, the team participates in a cultural exchange that includes food, dancing and singing with the local Tribal Nations. Since players are from all over, this allows them to be in a community with one another.

“The club has played in New York, Mexico and Alaska in the past. We are traveling back to Alaska this June to compete,” Dustin Karnes said.

Rugby season in the Midwest takes place in the fall but at the

having access to their health care coverage suspended.

The move will provide more stability for inmates and juvenile detainees as they exit institutions and reenter the outside world, CMS administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said.

She said the change will allow the state to “make unprecedented advancements for incarcerated individuals who have long been underserved.”

At least 10 other states have asked CMS for exemptions to use Medicaid dollars to treat inmates before they are being released. California could be a model for those states, especially since the program is new territory

professional level, it begins in the spring and goes into the summer. There are currently 12 teams in Major League Rugby scattered across the country.

Brandon Karnes said, “I was recently drafted to the Houston SaberCats and played there during the preseason, but since then, I decided to return to school to get my degree since I was drafted a year early.”

He said he has always wanted to live in Texas so he would be happy to end up on any of the teams there. This past summer, he played in the Collegiate Rugby Shield, a post-season College Rugby AllStar competition held annually at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah, featuring players from every conference.

“I also played for the U-20 national team in the summer of 2021, so becoming a USA Eagle is a dream of mine and being able to represent this country playing the sport I love will be a dream come true,” Brandon Karnes said. Teresa Silvas Seaton and Deatra Manzanilla, who live on the Soboba Indian Reservation, are related to Soboba Tribal members Brandon and Dustin Karnes.

for Medicaid and is expected to be a massive undertaking, Vikki Wachino, who oversees the Health and Reentry Project, said.

California state officials said that they hope some inmates will begin accessing services through Medicaid starting in 2024. Incarcerated people will be screened and assessed for eligibility to access the state’s Medicaid program. If eligible, case workers will help them develop a care plan for reentry. It will take at least two years to roll out the program in all the state’s prisons, Jacey Cooper, the state’s Medicaid director, said.

Millions of people are expected to be affected, with California

releasing nearly half a million inmates from state prisons or county jails every year and roughly 80% of those people qualifying for Medicaid. People who are leaving prison, jail or juvenile detention often don’t know where to start with getting medical care, Wachino said.

“Right now, there is an enormous barrier to care when people leave prison and jail,” Wachino said. “As you know, many times when they’re released, they’ve been left to fend for themselves, with very, very few supports.”

Brandon Karnes is a prop on his college’s rugby team. He has been playing the sport since he was a freshman in high school.

Brandon Karnes, left, and his father Dustin Karnes during an Indigenous Warriors Rugby Club event last month in Arizona. Valley News/ Karnes family photos

RUGBY from page C-3

Highway update

Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks honored by free transit rides

Feb. 4 in Riverside

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Transit agencies across the state announced in honor of Rosa Parks’ fight for civil rights that it will celebrate “Transit Equity Day” Saturday, Feb. 4, by offering free rides on Metrolink, Corona Cruiser, Banning Connect Transit, Riverside County Transit Commission buses and San Bernardo transit services.

The free rides will promote equitable access to transit in the five-county area.

RCTC Caltrans and RCTC crews continue to remove some overhead support structures above westbound US 91 and Interstate 15 connector and continue paving

operations along the highway. Drivers should use extra caution in this area.

Menifee

The SoCal Gas Company project is still closing Matthews Road at Menifee Road for gas line improvements. Matthews Road will be closed during daytime hours. Work is expected to continue for approximately another week. Traffic control will be in place during active construction.

At Murrieta Road and Newport Road, Eastern Municipal Water District has almost completed the construction work. Intermittent traffic control may still be in place as the project completion progresses. Please visit www. emwd.org/MurrietaRoad for additional updates on this project.

Traffic Signal Improvement work is continuing at Garbani and Menifee roads. Temporary traffic control is expected to remain in place as necessary through February.

McCall Square traffic signal work continues on the signal and median at McCall Boulevard and Ranch Road. The construction schedule for the project has been extended and is expected to continue through April. Traffic control will remain in place for the duration of the project.

The City continues removing and replacing ADA ramps throughout the Lazy Creek neighborhood. Traffic control will be in place at various locations as necessary.

SoCal Gas Company also continues the installation of

pipeline infrastructure in the vicinity of Evans Road and Lazy Creek. Lane closures will remain in place for the next several months to support the project.

For questions on the project/ construction updates listed, please contact Philip Southard, Public Information and Legislative Affairs Officer, at 951-746-0654 or at psouthard@cityofmenifee.us

Wildomar In Wildomar, final surface paving is resuming on Bundy Canyon. The city reported that Cherry Street and Canyon Ranch Road will be closed until sometime in February. Alternate access routes are open and available for the work in that community.

The final paving on Palomar and Clinton Keith is underway

California winter storms boost water allocations for cities

Adam Beam Associated Press

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Weeks of historic rainfall in California won’t be enough to end a severe drought, but it will provide public water agencies serving 27 million people with much more water than the suppliers had been told to expect a month ago, state officials announced Thursday, Jan. 26.

The Department of Water Resources said public water agencies will now get 30% of what they had asked for, up from the 5% officials had previously announced in December. That’s because for the first three weeks of January nine atmospheric rivers dumped an estimated 32 trillion gallons of rain and snow on California. It was enough water to increase storage in the state’s two largest reservoirs by a combined 66%.

“We’re not out of drought in California, but this certainly makes a significant dent,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources. California pumps water from its major rivers and streams and stores it in a bunch of reservoirs known as the State Water Project. State

officials then deliver that water to 29 public agencies that supply the state’s major population centers with drinking water and irrigate 1,151 square miles (2,981 square kilometers) of farm land.

Years of drought have depleted many of those reservoirs to dangerously low levels, forcing significant cuts to water agencies across the state. Many agencies imposed mandatory restrictions on customers, and Gov. Gavin Newsom called on people and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15%.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which includes major population centers like Los Angeles and San Diego counties, last month declared a drought emergency for all of its 19 million customers. It has imposed mandatory restrictions on 7 million customers, meaning they can only water their lawns one day per week.

Thursday’s announcement did not automatically end those restrictions.

Adel Hagekhalil, the district’s general manager, said the extra water “will certainly help communities hit hardest by this drought.” But he warned that “Southern California’s water challenges are far from over.”

Supervisor thanks volunteers for sweeping countywide homeless count

City News Service

Special to Valley News

Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel expressed her thanks on Friday, Jan. 27 to the record number of volunteers who dispersed throughout the county this week to conduct the 2023 Point-In-Time Homeless Count, attempting to record accurately the number of people living on the streets.

“This year, I participated in the count in Lake Elsinore, which is now in (my) Second District,” Spiegel said. “Each year that I’ve participated in the count, I’m struck by the different circumstances that lead to someone becoming homeless, which fuels our wraparound services for the homeless.”

“Thank you to the many volunteers who gave of their time to get involved on a cold morning to address homelessness,” she said. The main count was carried out on Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, when more than 1,000 volunteers from civic organizations, church groups, colleges, nonprofit organizations and government agencies departed from 39 sites in 28 municipalities to complete the survey.

“This was the largest number of volunteers ever organized to support the annual PIT count,” according to an Executive Office statement.

Participants sought to identify the status of individuals living in cars, under bridges, in transient encampments, homeless shelters and other locations.

A separate census continued to Friday, Jan. 27, involving roughly 300 volunteers tasked with

specifically finding and counting homeless youth.

“This is a critical issue for our county and not just for us working in local government, but all of our neighbors who recognize that it is a humanitarian issue; it’s a qualityof-life issue,” Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions Director Heidi Marshall said.

“I think that’s why you see the number of volunteers ... so high this year.”

The county Continuum of Care manages the annual outings.

The entity is composed of representatives from civic groups, nonprofits and government.

The 2022 homeless census confirmed that 3,316 people were chronically unsheltered, a 15% increase from two years ago. The 2021 homeless census was severely curtailed, with virtually no canvassing of known transient dwelling spaces because of the coronavirus public health lockdowns. Data was based only on shelter interactions and did not provide an accurate representation of the county’s homeless population.

The January 2020 count found that 2,284 adults and youths were chronically homeless countywide, about a 3% increase from the prior year.

Data from the latest survey will be processed and published in the next three to four months.

The figures are used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine how to distribute federal homeless relief funding, and by policymakers in determining the scope of homelessness nationwide, including what’s working, and what’s not.

The district gets about a third of its water from the State Water Project, a third from the Colorado River and a third from other sources. The Colorado River system has benefited from the recent storms, but not to the same extent as California’s water system. Hagekhalil warned Southern California may “see significant reductions” from the Colorado river beginning next year.

“To replenish local storage and reduce reliance on imported supplies, we must all use water as efficiently as possible,” he said.

The U.S. Drought Monitor said Thursday that severe drought was reduced to moderate drought in most of the San Joaquin Valley and the lowest category — abnormal dryness — has replaced moderate drought on the entire central coast, including Monterey Bay.

Most of the state, however, remains in moderate or severe drought, with only a fraction on the far north coast entirely free of drought.

The worst categories of drought — exceptional and extreme — were eliminated from California earlier this month.

The recent storms have

and should also be completed in February.

Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation continues work to rehabilitate 59 miles of lanes, ramps and drainage systems on Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County. The project spans from Oak Hill Road in Hesperia to just south of Bear Valley Road in Victorville. There will be a traffic switch on this portion of the freeway and motorists should use caution and slow down in this area. There could be possible connector closures at the NB I-15 to NB US 395 during some operations. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reederemedia.com

highlighted how difficult it is to manage water in the West, where long dry spells are often punctuated by intense periods of rain and snow that leave officials scrambling to capture it all before it flows out to the Pacific Ocean. Environmental regulations limit the amount of water state officials can take out of rivers, making sure to protect habitat for endangered species of fish.

But when strong storms hit, like the ones that pummeled the state in January, state officials say they are limited more by outdated infrastructure than they are by environmental rules. The State Water Project has been pumping at maximum capacity the past few weeks, pulling out water at 9,500 cubic feet per second (269 cubic meters per second). Meanwhile, Nemeth said water is running into the ocean at 150,000 cubic feet per second (4,247 cubic meters per second).

California is trying to build seven new water storage projects, paid for in part by a $7.5 billion bond voters approved in 2014. But it has taken those projects nearly a decade to get off the ground amid a long permitting and approval process.

Meanwhile, it has been 17

celebrated at MSJC

years since the State Water Project has delivered 100% of its water allocation. State officials say part of the problem is a climate change that causes more rain to evaporate into the warmer air and seep into the drier ground instead of flowing into the state’s rivers and streams.

State officials said Thursday they’re cautiously optimistic about the rest of this year. California has twice as much snow in the Sierra Nevada compared to its historical average, and Thursday’s water announcement did not include the amount of water it will generate when it melts in the spring.

The intense rainfall has saturated the ground, meaning when the snow melts in the Sierra Nevada this spring less of the water will be absorbed by dry ground and more of it will flow into the state’s reservoirs.

Still, even with the series of intense rainfall, it’s possible California’s water year — which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 — will be average.

“We can have intense dry conditions and intense wet conditions all in the same year,” Nemeth said.

The program began with a keynote address by Brian Hawkins, City of San Jacinto councilmember, ordained minister and social justice advocate, who inspired the crowd with his heartfelt speech. “We all play a big part of this, whether you are black, brown, white, Asian, whatever your ethnicity is we are all stitched into this American fabric,” he said.

This annual MSJC event brings the community together to remember the message and work of Dr. King to promote social justice and equity. Many guests were apparently motivated by the tribute seen today and felt inspired to continue Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by upholding values.

Kevin Baker, director of student life & development, strongly encouraged the community to visit MLKday.gov to learn about how to get involved. “It just takes helping that one person to make a difference,” he said.

Submitted by Mt. San Jacinto College.

Congressman seeks stiffer penalties for mail thieves

City News Service Special to the Valley News Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, is seeking to stiffen federal penalties for mail theft amid ongoing acts of thievery throughout the Inland Empire and elsewhere.

“Americans continue to suffer from dramatic increases in mail theft here and around the country,” Calvert said Tuesday, Jan. 24.

“It’s clear we must send a stronger message and have a more effective deterrent for would-be mail thieves.

That’s why I have introduced the ‘Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act,’ which would double the jail

time for anyone convicted of mail theft.”

The congressman reintroduced House Resolution 446, which had been brought forward but failed to gain traction in Congress’ previous session. Under federal law, the maximum sentence for a person convicted of postal theft is five years behind bars. H.R. 446 would revise that to a 10-year max.

Calvert cited recent instances of theft to emphasize the need for stronger measures, including robberies targeting U.S. Postal Service delivery personnel in Moreno Valley and Riverside and a

series of thefts allegedly committed by two people in Rancho Mirage. Mail thefts have been an ongoing strain on law enforcement resources throughout the area for the last decade or more, often involving repeat identity thieves seeking credit cards and documents in mailboxes to perpetrate financial crimes.

“I am committed to ensuring Americans can rely on the safe and secure delivery of their mail,” Calvert said.

His bill has been assigned to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee for initial consideration.

Life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Council Member Brian Hawkins inspires the crowd with his touching and personal message in the keynote address. Valley News/Courtesy photo Students, residents, faculty, staff and officials gathered at Mt. San Jacinto College’s San Jacinto campus on Friday, Jan. 27 to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event titled,

“A Day Celebrating the Life and Service of Martin Luther King Jr.” was hosted by MSJC’s Council of Black Leaders Achieving Change, Umoja, A2Mend, Ujima and Sankofa.

Massive demonstrations break out after police allegedly beat, kill black man in Memphis

Tyre Nichols’s interaction with five police black officers, all of whom have been fired, arrested and charged. Two additional Shelby County deputies are under investigation following the release of the footage.

The officers pulled Nichols over during a traffic stop in early January after which a “confrontation occurred.”

Video footage appears to show the officers beating Nichols, injuries which reportedly sent the 29-year-old to the hospital in critical condition. Nichols died three days later.

police in the city beat a black man so badly he died three days later.

Demonstrations began Friday night as Memphis police released bodycam footage of

Protesters have shut down the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, chanting “no justice, no peace,” causing hundreds of cars to stand still for hours at a time. Some stuck in traffic are concerned that the demonstrations will cause injury or death, although they say they support the aim of the protesters.

“I got two babies in the car…I mean no harm…but this right here, come on,” two women said in a video circulating on social media.

Another trucker pled with demonstrators to clear the highway saying, “look, man, holding up traffic don’t do nothing.”

The demonstrators began marching toward the upcoming traffic as the bodycam footage of Nichols’ interaction with police was released, chanting expletive, “...around and find out.”

Tyre Nichols’s mother, RowVaughn Wells, has called on protesters to remain peaceful following the release of the footage.

“But I want each and every one of you to protest in peace. I don’t want us burning up our cities, tearing up the streets because that’s not what my son stood for,”

she said. “And if you guys are here for me and Tyre, you will protest peacefully.”

CNN’s Don Lemon spoke to Wells, her husband Rodney and their attorney, Ben Crump. Wells said Nichols called out for his mom several times, prompting her to become extremely emotional.

“That was my baby, he was a mama’s boy,” Wells said. “That boy loved me to death. He has my name tattooed on his arm. People don’t know what those five police officers did to our family. And they really don’t know what they did to their own families. They have put their own families in harm’s way. They have brought shame to their own families. They have brought shame to the black community. I just feel sorry for — I feel sorry for them. I really do. I really feel sorry for them.”

IRS says millions of Americans don’t realize they’re eligible for tax credit

Tom Ozimek The Epoch Times

The IRS has issued a reminder that millions of Americans are eligible for a tax credit that last year averaged more than $2,000, but 20 percent of those entitled to the money don’t claim it.

“This is an extremely important tax credit that helps millions of hard-working people every year,” IRS Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell said in a Jan. 27 statement. “But each year, many people miss out on the credit because they don’t know about it or don’t realize they’re eligible.”

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was first approved by Congress in 1975, in part to offset the burden of Social Security taxes and to provide an employment incentive.

The tax credit is administered by the IRS, which stated that in 2022, roughly 31 million eligible Americans received about $64 billion in EITC payments. The tax credit amounted to more than $2,000 per eligible person on average. The IRS estimates that about 20 percent of eligible taxpayers don’t claim the EITC. People particularly prone to overlooking the tax credit include those living in nontraditional homes (such as a grandparent raising a grandchild),

those whose earnings declined or whose marital or parental status changed, people living in rural areas, veterans, the self-employed, and those with earnings below the tax return filing requirement.

“In particular, people who have experienced a major life change in the past year—in their job, marital status, a new child or other factors—may qualify for the first time,” O’Donnell said. “The IRS urges people to carefully … review this important credit; we don’t want people to miss out.”

EITC Eligibility

The EITC is considered a tax credit for lower-income filers, although there are a number of variations of income, filing status, and the number of dependents that have an impact on eligibility.

The EITC is for workers whose income didn’t exceed the following limits in 2022:

$53,057 ($59,187 if married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children who have valid Social Security numbers (SSNs).

$49,399 ($55,529 if married filing jointly) with two qualifying children who have valid SSNs.

$43,492 ($49,622 if married filing jointly) with one qualifying child who has a valid SSN.

$16,480 ($22,610 if married filing jointly) with no qualifying children who have valid SSNs.

Investment income must be

$10,300 or less.

Taxpayers who meet the income requirements and have qualifying children can receive a maximum of $6,935.

For taxpayers with no dependents, the maximum EITC is $560.

Married but separated spouses who don’t file a joint tax return may also be eligible if they meet certain qualifications.

In order to qualify, people who don’t earn enough to be obligated to file a tax return must file one in order to claim the credit.

In order to navigate EITC eligibility, the IRS has a tool called the EITC Assistant that people can use to check if they qualify and how much they can expect to receive.

Other Updates

The IRS recently cautioned that many taxpayers should expect a smaller refund this tax season because of tax law changes. This includes the expiration of pandemic-related stimulus payments and changes to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) that would otherwise have boosted refund balances.

The Recovery Rebate Credit was a way for millions of Americans to receive pandemic support if they didn’t receive their full amount via stimulus checks. This credit was available for missing amounts

and 17 in 2021.

Some taxpayers may be eligible for an Additional Child Tax Credit, which would allow them to receive up to $1,500 of the CTC as a refund on their tax return.

Also, a tax credit that working parents can use to help cover child care costs or that people with adult dependents can use for that purpose is lower in 2022.

Adobe Stock photo from the first-, second-, and thirdround stimulus checks and could only be claimed on 2020 and 2021 tax returns. The stimulus checks were discontinued in December 2021 and the missing third-round amounts could only be claimed on a 2021 tax return filed in 2022. However, people who may have missed the opportunity to claim missing third-round stimulus payments can review their 2021 tax return and consider filing an amended return.

The CTC for 2022 tax returns has been reduced to $2,000 per child, down from the expanded amount of $3,600 for children younger than 6 and $3,000 for children between 6

Tom Ozimek is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times. He has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communications, and adult education.

Copyright 2023 - Reprinted with permission from Epoch Times.

Breaking: Federal judge blocks California law punishing doctors for ‘COVID misinformation’

Michael Nevradakis Ph.D.

Children’s Health Defense

California Chapter’s request for a preliminary injunction to block a California law that would have allowed the state’s medical boards to punish doctors for spreading “COVID-19 misinformation.”

In his 30-page opinion, Senior U.S. District Judge William Shubb determined the defendants in the case — California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Medical and Osteopathic Boards — provided “no evidence that ‘scientific consensus’ has any established technical meaning,” and that the law provides “no clarity” on the meaning of the word “misinformation.”

Judge Shubb also found the “plaintiffs have established a likelihood of success on the grounds of their Fourteenth Amendment vagueness challenges.”

The ruling pertains to a lawsuit filed on Dec. 1, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California on behalf of plaintiffs CHD-California Chapter, Dr. LeTrinh Hoang and Physicians for Informed Consent.

The lawsuit was filed after Newsom, on Sept. 30, 2022, signed California Assembly Bill 2098 (AB 2098), which was set to take effect Jan. 1.

AB 2098 bars doctors “from providing ‘treatment or advice’ ‘to a patient’ ‘related to COVID-19’ when that treatment or advice includes (1) ‘false information’ (2) ‘that is contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus’ (3) ‘contrary to the standard of

care.’ If a doctor goes against this ill-defined ‘consensus,’ the doctor is guilty of ‘unprofessional conduct’ and can face disciplinary action.”

Judge Shubb’s ruling prevents enforcement of AB 2098 pending resolution of the lawsuit.

According to lead counsel Rick Jaffe, “Judge Shubb looked at the law and correctly determined that the COVID misinformation was unconstitutionally vague, in large part because the plaintiffs in both cases showed there is no ‘current scientific consensus,’ given the fast-changing pace of the pandemic.”

“The case will now proceed on two tracks,” Jaffe said, adding:

“The parties will continue to litigate the case before Judge Shubb and we will be filing a motion for summary judgment in the not-too-distant future.

“But because we won, and because a judge in the Central District of California denied a similar challenge to AB 2098, the attorney general will certainly appeal and argue that the central district judge was right. So, there is much more to come.”

CHD Chairman and Chief Litigation Counsel Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who also litigated the case, said: “CHD and the California chapter are excited and proud to be a part of this groundbreaking litigation, especially since there are other states also trying to censor physicians for speaking out against the mainstream medical’s position of safety and efficacy while downplaying if not ignoring the harm caused to many who have

taken the COVID shots and every booster.”

Kennedy said CHD’s efforts are not limited to California law. “We are looking into challenging other state laws on the same grounds as we asserted in this case,” he said.

Mary Holland, CHD president and general counsel, also applauded Judge Shubb’s decision:

“This is not only a victory for California doctors, but for professionals and citizens around the world in this battle for freedom. The right to share and receive truthful information, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those currently in power, must remain inviolate.”

Holland singled out this statement in the ruling: “Because the term ‘scientific consensus’ is so ill-defined, physician plaintiffs are unable to determine if their intended conduct contradicts the scientific consensus, and accordingly ‘what is prohibited by the law.’”

Judge Shubb’s ruling technically is limited only to “the plaintiffs, all persons represented by the plaintiffs, and members of the organizations that filed the lawsuits.”

Judge: AB 2098 ‘operates to inhibit exercise of First Amendment freedoms’

AB 2098 was introduced in February 2022, by California Assemblymember Evan Low, who had previously formed the Vaccine Work Group with six other Democratic lawmakers, with the intent of developing legislation promoting COVID-19 vaccines and “battling misinformation.” The bill, which garnered the support of the American Medical

Association for its efforts to address public health “disinformation,” passed the California Assembly in May 2022, and the California Senate in late August 2022, before Newsom signed it into law.

CHD-California’s motion for preliminary injunction included a declaration by Dr. Sanjay Verma, who highlighted numerous examples of public health authorities walking back recommendations that were previously deemed the “consensus” view.

Judge Shubb cited Verma’s declaration in his order, stating that it “explains in detail how the socalled ‘consensus’ has developed and shifted, often within mere months, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Because COVID-19 is such a new and evolving area of scientific study, it may be hard to determine which scientific conclusions are ‘false’ at a given point in time,” Judge Shubb wrote. As a result, “drawing a line between what is true and what is settled by scientific consensus is difficult, if not impossible.”

“Because the term ‘scientific consensus’ is so ill-defined, physician plaintiffs are unable to determine if their intended conduct contradicts the scientific consensus, and accordingly ‘what is prohibited by the law,’” the judge said.

“Vague statutes are particularly objectionable when they ‘involve sensitive areas of First Amendment freedoms’ because ‘they operate to inhibit the exercise of those freedoms,’” he added.

Wednesday’s ruling also raised

questions about who determines what constitutes a “consensus,” and how they make that determination:

“Who determines whether a consensus exists to begin with?

If a consensus does exist, among whom must the consensus exist (for example practicing physicians, or professional organizations, or medical researchers, or public health officials, or perhaps a combination)?

“In which geographic area must the consensus exist (California, or the United States, or the world)?

What level of agreement constitutes a consensus (perhaps a plurality, or a majority, or a supermajority)?

How recently in time must the consensus have been established to be considered ‘contemporary’?

“And what source or sources should physicians consult to determine what the consensus is at any given time (perhaps peer-reviewed scientific articles, or clinical guidelines from professional organizations, or public health recommendations)?

“The statute provides no means of understanding to what ‘scientific consensus’ refers.”

Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D., based in Athens, Greece, is a senior reporter for The Defender and part of the rotation of hosts for CHD. TV’s “Good Morning CHD.”

Sign up for free news and updates from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the Children’s Health Defense. CHD is planning many strategies, including legal, in an effort to defend the health of our children and obtain justice for those already injured. Your support is essential to CHD’s successful mission.

Sarah Weaver The Daily Caller Demonstrations are breaking out in Memphis, Tennessee after

Demonstrators gather at dusk in Shelby Farms Park on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., in response to the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers. Nichols, who had a hobby in photography, frequented the park to photograph sunsets. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Strong Santa Ana wind event wreaks havoc on Anza Valley

An extraordinary Santa Ana wind event pummeled the Anza Valley and most of Southern California Thursday, Jan. 26. Very few properties escaped the harsh gusts that attained speeds of up to almost 50 mph in some local areas. Sill Hill in San Diego County reported a 93 mph gust that day. But closer to home, Palomar Mountain Lookout recorded speeds of 83 mph, Aguanga 39 mph, Anza 45 mph, Anza Southeast 41 mph and Red Mountain at 39 mph.

As the windy day progressed, the US National Weather Service in San Diego posted, “The winds aren’t over yet, everyone. Strong Santa Ana winds will persist through this evening before diminishing overnight. We have seen many reports of downed trees, powerlines and travel disruptions, so use great caution today.”

Many residents of the high country experienced damage from the restless atmosphere. Reports of trees toppling over, large branches crashing down, awnings ripped from their anchors, play equipment smashed into the ground and items blown away never to be seen again, were reported in social media. The severe winds blew ash from the Fairview Fire scar, leading many to believe another fire had started.

According to posts on local

Missing man found dead after intense multi-agency search

Hamilton Elementary School presents Winter Wonderland

Many smiling faces are seen as students ice skate at the Hamilton Elementary School Winter Wonderland event Saturday, Jan. 28. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Hundreds of students, their parents and siblings, school staff and volunteers attended Hamilton Elementary School’s Winter Wonderland festival Saturday, Jan. 28. The event featured DJ Johnny Bones spinning the childrens’ favorite popular tunes while they and their family members enjoyed games, food and even real ice skating.

Attendees could purchase pozole, hot dogs, hamburgers and more as they participated in games, hula hooping, the Limbo dance and ice skating.

The fifth grade class sold hot chocolate, popcorn and cotton candy as a fundraiser for a camp trip.

Free ice skating was the centerpiece of the festival, provided for Hamilton students and their families. After strapping on ice skates, each skating session was 15 minutes long. Peals of laughter rang out as children slipped, twisted, fell and slid as they tried to master the art of the ice.

The four-hour Winter Wonderland was a success, providing fun and great food for

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Deborah Ondrak Casteel sees ancient oak tree topple onto her horse corrals in Chihuahua Valley during the recent Santa Ana winds. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Search and rescue crews are seen on the truck trail on Palomar Mountain seeking the whereabouts of a missing Aguanga man Sunday, January 22. male, using both air and ground resources, but they were not able to locate him.

According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sergeant Wenndy BritoGonzalez, a little after 2 p.m.,

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

see WIND, page D-3 see MISSING, page D-4 see WONDERLAND, page D-4

ANZA’S UPCOMING EVENTS

If you have an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com put “attention events” in the subject line. Readers should call ahead on some listed events for the latest updates.

Regular Happenings

ONGOING – Anza Electric Cooperative and F.I.N.D. Food Bank offers a free mobile food 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.

Hamilton High School – Find

out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at http://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 http:// www.hamiltonmuseum.org. Find them on Facebook at “HamiltonMuseum-and-Ranch-Foundation.”

Backcountry Horsemen

Redshank Riders – Meeting monthly 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 951-751-1462 for more information.

Narcotics Anonymous

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

Veterans’ Gathering Mondays

Food ministries

F.U.N. Group weekly food ministry – Deliveries arrive 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

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

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 (6th to 12th 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 Senior’s 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

more information, call Richard Hotchkiss at 951-551-3154.

Boys Scouts Troop 371 – Boy Scouts meet at Lake Riverside Estates. For more information, call Ginny Kinser at 909-702-7902.

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 http://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 951763-5611 for information.

Redshank Riders – 7 p.m.

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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 posttraumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-923-6153. If you need an advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.

The Most Excellent Way –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 951-7634226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA

– The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of 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 951-5512826.

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, in Anza. For more information, call 951763-4759.

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 951-763-5636.

Bible Studies

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Anza Sunday Sacrament is held 10 a.m.; Sunday School is 11 a.m. Priesthood/Relief Society meets 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 951-763-0856.

Living Hope Bible Study –

8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, in 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.

Clubs High Country Recreation –Second Monday of the month attend committee meetings at ERA Excel Realty in Anza. For more information, call Albert Rodriguez at 951-492-1624 or Robyn Garrison at 805-312-0369.

HCR Bingo fundraisers –6:30-9:30 p.m. second and fourth Fridays at Anza Community Hall.

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

– 1 p.m. Meetings 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 http://www. facebook.com/AnzaValleyArtists/

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

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 https://www.facebook. com/LionsofAnzaValley. For more information, email president Greg Sandling at President.AnzaLions@ gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary.AnzaLions@gmail.com

Boy Scouts Troop 319 – Cub Scouts meet 6 p.m. every Tuesday, and Boy Scouts meet 7 p.m. every Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Contreras Road, south of state Route 371, in Anza. For

Backcountry horsemen meet at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Anza, the second Thursday of each month. Visit http://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 Valley Gospel Chapel, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951-763-2884 for more information.

Organizations Terwilliger Community 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, in 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. Memberships cost $20 per person or $35 per business, and both get one vote. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Voting members receive discounts off hall rentals, swap meet booths and save on propane gas from Ferrellgas. 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. Swap meet held each Saturday of the month, weather permitting, early morning to 1 p.m. Vendors wanted. For more information, call 951-282-4267.

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 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 http://www. anzacivic.org

Anza Electric Cooperative warns of area vandalism

ANZA – Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc. issued a warning to Anza and Aguanga area residents concerning a recent rash of vandalism and theft committed on local customer’s electric panels and equipment.

“We are aware that several of our member’s homes and businesses have been vandalized with the apparent purpose of stealing copper wire to cash in for scrap value,” Kevin Short, general manager of AEC, said.

“We are working closely with local law enforcement to provide as much evidence from each scene as possible.

“AEC members are strongly urged to be alert and aware of any suspicious behavior in their

neighborhoods, and to report such behavior to the Riverside County Sheriff’s office immediately. Further, anyone victimized should not approach the equipment due to the shock and fire hazard. Please contact AEC at any time, and we will dispatch crews immediately to make the damaged equipment safe and, if possible, return service quickly. We also ask that anyone who witnesses such illegal behavior to let us know. If you see something, say something,” Short said.

For more information, contact Anza Electric Cooperative at 951763-4333.

Submitted by Anza Electric Cooperative.

Rifle-armed suspect arrested in Aguanga

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies from the Hemet Station responded to the area of Tule Valley Road and Evening Star Trail in Aguanga in reference to a report of an armed man, Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6:28 a.m.

According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sergeant Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez, an RSO helicopter arrived at the scene and was able to get a visual of the suspect in the 44400 block of Tule Valley Road. The suspect saw the helicopter and pointed a rifle directly at the aircraft, triggering the helicopter to climb altitude. A ground containment was established by additional deputies and the suspect eventually surrendered without incident.

“Spent shell casings, ammunition and a couple of long guns were recovered at the scene,” Brito-Gonzalez said.

The individual was transported to the county jail where he was booked into custody.

The Hemet Sheriff’s Station is committed to the safety of the residents they serve. The goal of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is to keep all citizens

social media groups, power was lost in some areas due to the heavy wind gusts. Crews from the Anza Electric Cooperative quickly repaired the damage.

“Ok, I’m done with this wind, it almost blew me over,” Valerie Young said. “I don’t know where the wind gauge went but I swear it was at least 50 mph or more at my place. I gotta get another gauge so I can measure this miserable wind.”

Southern California is battered annually by the Santa Anas, where powerful, dry winds pummel miles of land and sea. The National Weather Service defines these events as strong down-slope winds that blow through the mountain passes. These winds, which can easily exceed 40 miles per hour with isolated gusts as high as 70 mph or more in narrow passes,

A Riverside County Sheriff’s helicopter orbits over a reported suspect wielding a gun Saturday, Jan. 21 in Aguanga. safe while also improving the quality of life for those residing within the community. Criminal activity negatively impacts the community. The Riverside

County Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses. If you suspect criminal activity in your area, please contact the

Hemet Sheriff’s Station at 951791-3400 or call 911.

Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, 909-

987-5005 or https://wetip.com. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

humidities of the year to affected areas. Combined with a warm, compressionally-heated air mass, plus high wind speeds, this weather can create critical fire weather conditions.

According to Robert Fovell in a paper he wrote for the University of California, Los Angeles in 2002, the Santa Anas are named after Southern California’s Santa Ana Canyon and are a part of local legend and literature. He wrote, “In Raymond Chandler’s story Red Wind, the title being one of the offshore wind’s many nicknames, the Santa Anas were introduced as ‘those hot dry [winds] that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight.’ Local legends associate the hot, dry winds with homicides and earthquakes, but these are myths.”

Another popular misconception, Fovell wrote, is that the winds

are usually warm and dry and can severely exacerbate brush or forest fires, especially under drought conditions.

The NWS explains that Santa Ana winds occur when air from a region of high pressure over the dry, desert region of the southwestern U.S. flows westward toward low pressure located off the California coast. This creates dry winds that flow east to west through the mountain passes in Southern California. These winds are most common during the cooler months of the year, occurring from Sept. through May.

Santa Ana winds typically feel warm or hot because as the cool desert air moves down the side of a mountain, it is compressed, which causes the temperature of the air to rise.

These powerful wind events may also bring the lowest relative

are hot due to their desert origin. Actually, he said, the Santa Anas develop when the desert is relatively cold, and are thus most common during the cool season. High pressure builds over the Great Basin and the cold air there begins to sink. However, this air is forced downslope which compresses and warms it at a rate of about 10 degrees Celsius per kilometer, 29 degrees Fahrenheit per mile, of descent. As its temperature rises, the relative humidity drops; the air starts out dry and ends up at sea level even drier. The air picks up speed as it is channeled through passes and canyons. Beside the lower humidities and winds fanning wildfire flames, Santa Anas often cause a great deal of other damage, including turbulence and vertical wind shear in which winds exhibit substantial change in speed or direction with height, both posing aviation hazards. They can cause massive dust storms, impeding

traffic both in the air and on the ground. Not only can they blow trampolines away and drop trees, they can also pose a threat to high-profile vehicles traveling on the roads.

Prepare for Santa Ana wind events by securing loose outdoor items such as patio furniture and garbage cans, park your automobiles away from trees and power lines, and make sure your trees are trimmed, healthy and away from any structures or power lines. Have your emergency kits ready, with enough food and water for each person in the home in case the power goes out for an extended period of time, safety officials suggest.

While considered a nuisance, the Santa Ana winds are a fact of life in the Anza Valley and residents must do what they can to weather these winds of change.

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

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Cayl Hendricks’ awning is ripped from his roof during the Santa Ana wind event Thursday, Jan. 26.

Violent wind gusts bring down a huge pine tree at the Cahuilla Indian Reservation during the strong Santa Ana winds.

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Dust storms erupt across the I-10, creating dangerous driving conditions during the Santa Ana wind event.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

WIND from page D-1

To learn more about Hamilton Elementary School, visit them at https://hamiltonel.hemetusd.org. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies were informed that San Diego Sheriff’s Office had located the subject in their jurisdiction and they took over the investigation.

MISSING from page D-1 Palomar. He was reported missing Friday and Sunday he was found after a helicopter search was conducted. He didn’t make it. Travis leaves behind a wife and young son,” said family friend Tom McGiffin.

“A helicopter and plane were searching the whole area back and forth most of the day,” said a witness.

The victim was located and found dead at the scene. He was later identified as Travis James Richards, 43, of Aguanga.

“My young friend Travis went out on his side-by-side Polaris Friday up a dirt road alone on

The approximately 24 mile long Palomar Divide Road 9S07 is a popular truck trail used by mountain bikers, hikers and offroaders.

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

The search for a missing Aguanga man took place on the Palomar Divide Road 9S07 area Sunday, January 22.

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Hamilton Elementary students, families, volunteers and staff.

WONDERLAND from page D-1

DJ Johnny Bones keeps popular tunes spinning at Hamilton Elementary School’s Winter Wonderland festival Saturday, Jan. 28.

Bowling is a popular game at the Winter Wonderland event.

Belinda Blanco, left, and Sandra Merems enjoy the kids and the fun at Hamilton Elementary School’s Winter Wonderland.

Cotton candy is a crowd favorite at the Hamilton Elementary School Winter Wonderland event.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

Volunteer students tend to the popcorn machine at Hamilton Elementary School.

Falls on the skating rink are met with peals of laughter at Hamilton Elementary School’s Winter Wonderland festival.

Children dance to the music under the limbo bar at the Hamilton Elementary School Winter Wonderland event Saturday, Jan. 28.

Jacob, with father Adi Nahsohn, is excited to share the day with his fellow students at the Winter Wonderland event.

Washington Youth Tour contest winners announced

Hamilton High School students

Hosanna Guerrero, Olivia Lopez, Jasmine Moralez and Ashlynn Rozzo are the winners in Anza Electric Cooperative’s Washington Youth Tour contest.

The Washington Youth Tour

brings together 1,800 high school juniors from across the country to experience the nation’s capital and further develop their leadership skills.

Each fall, Anza Electric Cooperative sponsor a contest for

four high school juniors to travel to the nation’s capital the following June and represent AEC in the Washington Youth Tour. This year, students were asked to write an essay on an idea that would improve our town or bring

more jobs to the area. Thirteen students took up the challenge.

The AEC board of directors also interviewed the students, asking questions about themselves, their future plans and electric cooperatives. Once the scores

COURTS & CRIMES

Investigation underway into death of woman found near Lake Mathews

City News Service

Special to Valley News

Riverside County sheriff’s homicide detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify the person or persons responsible for the death of a 27-year-old woman found on a roadside near Lake Mathews.

The remains of Kenia Valenzuela of Perris were found in the area of El Nido Road and Santa Rosa Mine Road at about 7:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, according to sheriff’s

Sgt. Ed Baeza.

He said patrol deputies were sent to the location after witnesses came across Valenzuela’s body “lying next to the dirt road.”

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Baeza said that Central Homicide Unit detectives took over the investigation and have since been actively seeking witnesses and trying to develop leads.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the unit at 951-955-2777.

Authorities investigate arson fire that damaged Menifee Target store

City News Service

Special to the Valley News

An investigation continues into an act of arson at a Target store in Menifee that led to extensive damage in part of the store.

Menifee police Lt. Denise Keith said that the fire was intentionally set about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, inside the outlet, which is located at 30340 Haun Road, west of Interstate 215.

Keith said the blaze occurred in one section of the store and did not spread, thanks to actions by employees, who

subsequently evacuated and were not injured.

“The fire and fire suppression system caused a considerable amount of damage,” the police representative said, adding that operations at the business have been temporarily impacted.

Keith said that Menifee police detectives are coordinating with Cal Fire arson investigators to determine who ignited the fire and why.

Anyone with information was urged to contact Cal Fire at 951-943-4970.

were tallied, the winners were announced.

AEC extends congratulations to this year’s winners, and wishes them a rewarding trip.

Submitted by Anza Electric Cooperative Inc.

Felon arrested for alleged weapons possession in Lake Elsinore

identified the suspect as Diego Ramirez.

City

News

Service Special to Valley News

A 39-year-old Lake Elsinore resident was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition, prohibited weapon and large capacity magazines, authorities said Saturday, Jan. 28.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Lake Elsinore station responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon on Monday, Jan. 23, and

On Friday, Jan. 27, members of the Lake Elsinore station’s Special Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on Ramirez and detained him pending further investigation. SET members served a search warrant at Ramirez’s residence, where they allegedly found a California non-compliant rifle, a handgun and several hundred rounds of miscellaneous caliber ammunition.

Anyone with additional information about the case is encouraged to contact Deputy Noel at 951-245-3300.

Woman arrested in Menifee on suspicion of attempted murder

City News Service Special to Valley News

A woman was arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder a man in Menifee, authorities said.

Officers from the Menifee Police Department responded to the 29000 block of Farbo Court at around 6:20 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 to a report of a man who said he had been shot in the arm. They located the suspect, Jobana Machuca, near the residence and she was detained.

Officers and Cal Fire Riverside personnel also located the man inside the residence “suffering from a single gunshot wound to

Four things to remember about God

always forget things. I’m guessing you’re in the same boat. We forget our keys, where we are going, people’s names, and what someone said two minutes ago.

In all the forgetting we do in life, it’s paramount that we remember what God does. It gives us hope that he will do it again.

Here are four things to remember about God.

God chose you, and you are his.

Zachary Elliott

Special

to Valley News

Does an elephant ever forget?

No one knows. But they do have exceptional memories when it comes to finding places, and they can pass that knowledge down to their offspring. Even if it’s a great distance away, they can find things without a maps app.

Well, I’m no elephant, and I

The Bible says, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Have you ever seen a group of people at the zoo or Disneyland, and they’re all wearing the same shirt? It might even have the family

name or a slogan on it. That’s kind of what happens when you come to know Jesus. Except your shirt would be cool, and it would say something like: Chosen by God, Out of Darkness, or God’s Special Person. And you’re never embarrassed to wear it.

God is the only one who can save.

Have you ever thought if you try harder, God will love you more, and maybe he will let you into heaven?

So many people feel that way. But it’s not God’s way.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians

2:8-10)

Do you know what that means? It means you can’t save yourself. Only God can do that.

“He has saved you and called you to a holy life — not because of

the left side of his upper torso,” the Menifee Police Department reported. That man was rushed to a hospital with stable vital signs, authorities said.

Detectives found that the man and woman knew each other, and it was an isolated incident, officials said. Machuca was arrested on suspicion of several felony charges including attempted murder. No further information was immediately available.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact detective Onye Agbodike at oagbodike@menifeepolice. org

anything you have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2

Timothy 1:9-10)

God’s purpose is the one that wins.

Raise your hand if your life has turned out exactly as you planned. I didn’t think so.

The Bible says, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21)

You should never forget that “the plans of the Lord stand firm forever the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:11) Ask for his purpose to be fulfilled in your life.

God is the one who makes things grow.

If we’re not careful, we can try and one-up each other and take the credit when we don’t really deserve it. God does.

The Bible says, “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are coworkers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)

As we serve God, let’s always remember that he’s the only one who can bring fruit out of our service to him. So, let’s give Him the glory and not ourselves.

Zachary Elliott is the lead pastor of Fusion Christian Church in Temecula. For more information, visit www.fusionchristianchurch. com, www.encouragementtoday.tv or on Instagram.

Jehovah’s Witnesses return to the PGA Farmers Insurance Open event

SAN DIEGO – For more than 70 years, San Diego has hosted a PGA Tour event. This year’s Farmers Insurance Open welcomed back travelers and spectators the world over to Torrey Pines Golf Course. Often called a “golfer’s paradise,” the course is framed by panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, towering cliffs and mountains. Add the warm Southern California sunshine in the winter, and there is no wonder the event draws crowds upwards of 100,000 yearly.

It is also time for the return of another tradition in the tournament area. Jehovah’s Witnesses accompanied their mobile display carts for the first time in two years, offering a message of hope.

“People would walk past on multiple occasions and say, ‘We are so glad to see you guys here,’” Jacob Arevalo, who assists in organizing the yearly volunteer event for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said.

Out of concern for the health and safety of the community, Jehovah’s Witnesses suspended their public ministry in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In September 2022, the Witnesses resumed their activity, including offering a positive message to attendees at events such as the

PGA tournament.

“We love people, and especially enjoy connecting and having conversations in person,” Shem Bostick, a local representative for Jehovah’s Witnesses in California, said.

Nearly 150 volunteer participants stood beside mobile display carts welcoming the diverse crowd.

“We were eager to follow the joy of sharing good conversations with people in a beautiful, picturesque setting on a beautiful San Diego day,” Joel Frager said.

The featured website, http:// jw.org is available in more than 1,070 languages, including sign language and some nearly extinct indigenous languages.

“Since this event draws such an international crowd, it is fitting that we have the most widely translated website in the world.

We’re excited to be able to give people a positive message to take home,” Bostick said.

Visitors can disconnect from the daily stresses of life and business concerns and take in the natural surroundings.

“People were very energized,” Cindy Frager, a volunteer in previous years from Oceanside, said.

scientists caused deaths by misleading public on COVID, Newsweek op-ed author says

In an op-ed published in Newsweek, Kevin Bass, M.S., an M.D./Ph.D. student, blasted the elitism of the scientific community and called on it to take responsibility for the deadly consequences of misleading the public about COVID-19.

Brenda Baletti, Ph.D.

An op-ed in Newsweek today blasted the elitism of the scientific community and called on it to take responsibility for the deadly consequences of misleading the public about COVID-19.

“I was wrong,” wrote Kevin Bass, M.S., a 7th-year M.D./Ph.D. student at a Texas medical school. “We in the scientific community were wrong. And it cost lives.”

Like many medical students and researchers, Bass said he initially believed the information put out by public health authorities. He advocated for lockdowns, vaccines and boosters.

But now it is clear the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration “repeatedly overstated the evidence and misled the public” about a wide range of topics — including but not limited to natural immunity, the need for school closures, the effectiveness of masks and vaccine safety and effectiveness, Bass said.

The biggest mistake of all, he argued, was made by a scientific community that fell in lockstep

behind these institutions without concern for the needs of the broader public.

“We created policy based on our preferences, then justified it using data,” Bass wrote. “And then we portrayed those opposing our efforts as misguided, ignorant, selfish, and evil.”

This approach abandoned the principles of science and created an “us versus them” mindset in public health that fractured society and exacerbated existing health and economic disparities.

The “emotional response and ingrained partisanship” of the scientific community led it to minimize the downsides of systematically imposed interventions.

“We violated the autonomy of those who would be most negatively impacted by our policies: the poor, the working class, small business owners, Blacks and Latinos, and children” who were already marginalized in society, Bass said.

And not only did most scientists fail to support alternative scientific voices — like those of Dr. John Ioannidis, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Ph.D., Dr. Scott Atlas, Vinay Prasad M.D., MPH and Dr. Monica Gandhi, MPH — he said, they worked to disparage and suppress them.

By dismissing valid critiques by former President Trump as “buffoonery” and treating dissenters with similar scorn, the scientific community also alienated large segments of the

public and opened space for “conspiracy theories” on social media, he added.

The government then used the presence of some uninformed analyses as justification to conspire with Big Tech to “aggressively suppress” so-called “misinformation” and erase opponents’ valid concerns.

The privileged elite who made these policies — members of academia, government, medicine, journalism, tech and public health — failed to understand that critics from outside of their social class could possibly hold a valid point of view, he said.

The outcome of their approach to policymaking is a “massive and ongoing loss of life” due to loss of faith in the healthcare system, spiking rates of mental illness, increased suicide and gun violence, a catastrophic loss of education disproportionately experienced by the poor, and a loss of trust in healthcare, scientific authorities and political leaders, he said.

“We crafted policy for the people without consulting them,” Bass wrote. “If our public health officials had led with less hubris, the course of the pandemic in the United States might have had a very different outcome, with far fewer lost lives,” he concluded.

Bass joins experts speaking out in mainstream media and beyond Bass, a medical student with a master’s degree in immunology, keeps the institution where he

studies private out of concern for his professional security.

In addition to his studies, he runs a website called The Diet Wars dedicated to exploring the effects of nutrition and treatments on health.

Bass first made his shifting position on COVID-19 policies public to his almost 60,000 Twitter followers last month: He joined a number of health professionals and experts calling for a re-examination of the policies imposed in the name of mitigating the effects of COVID-19.

Some mainstream media outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Associated Press and Newsweek, have begun to publish similar concerns.

Earlier this month, in a live television appearance on the BBC, cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra took the network by surprise when he made the “unprompted” suggestion that mRNA vaccines, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, pose a cardiovascular risk.

Malhotra was one of the first to take the Pfizer vaccine and he publicly promoted the vaccines on TV. But once he thoroughly reviewed the scientific safety data, he became convinced the vaccines pose unprecedented harm, he told Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., chairman and chief litigation counsel for Children’s Health Defense (CHD), in an October 2022 interview.

Late Sunday night, Retsef Levi, Ph.D., with the Massachusetts

Senator Seyarto introduced veterans bill package

SACRAMENTO – Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) has introduced his Veterans bill package for the 2023 legislative year, offering some common sense solutions to assist California’s Veterans.

SB 73 would establish the “Voluntary Veterans’ Preference Employment Policy Act,” allowing a private employer to establish hiring policies that give Veteran preference without violating antidiscrimination laws.

Both California and the federal government give point preferences for hiring Veteran applicants for government jobs and tax benefits to private businesses that hire Veterans.

“SB 73 allows businesses to establish Veteran-friendly hiring practices without fear of legal action and empowers them to give back to those who have sacrificed so much in service of our nation,” said Senator Seyarto. “California is home to approximately 31%

of our nation’s homeless Veteran population, the highest in the country. We need to pass practical policies that help our heroes.”

The second bill, SB 82, establishes universal standards between counties on document requirements for the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption. Veterans who have suffered injuries in their service and are rated as totally disabled by the Veterans Administration (VA) qualify for a property tax

exemption. However, county assessors currently have their own standards when determining the proof of VA awarded disability which has caused confusion and acted as a barrier to Veterans accessing this benefit.

“Our disabled Veterans have earned a property tax exemption, and this bill will remove some of the hurdles they face in collecting this benefit,” said Seyarto. “SB 82 is a simple fix that assists our Veterans and cuts through

Institute of Technology, posted a video on Twitter calling for an end to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Levi said the vaccines failed to deliver the promised efficacy, and that based on his risk analysis, the vaccines “cause unprecedented levels of harm, including the death of young people and children.”

“This is clearly the most failing medical product in the history of medical products both in terms of efficacy and safety,” he said.

This weekend, Prasad announced he was joining the campaign by Bass and a number of doctors, researchers who are swearing not to take any more vaccines without randomized controlled trials (RCT).

Prasad wrote on his Substack:

“The issue with perpetual COVID-19 boosters is what evidence is needed to justify their push? The answer has to be randomized trials powered for reductions in severe disease, hospitalization and death.

“Yet the FDA seems to be moving in the opposite direction, thinking mouse antibody data is good enough. Now a number of doctors, researchers are swearing: no more boosters till RCT.”

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Children’s Health Defense.

Brenda Baletti, Ph.D. is a reporter at The Defender.

bureaucratic red tape.”

In addition to these two bills, Senator Seyarto will also introduce a resolution to recognize August 7, 2023, as Purple Heart Day in California in honor of the many service members and Veterans injured or killed by enemy actions in service to our country.

Senator Kelly Seyarto is proud to serve California’s 32nd District, home to one of California’s largest Veteran populations.

‘Elite’

Thank

With

Instead

You

We

Any one of these categories would be worth supporting. We hear weekly how important our work is, but we can’t do it without the support of our community.