Penfold’s Cafe is Temecula’s Old Town gem, B-6
A-1
Golden Bears win 7th consecutive Southwestern League girls’ soccer title, C-1
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES February 9 – 15, 2024
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Volume 24, Issue 6
Aguanga residents who lost homes in Highland Fire await final word on fire’s cause
Local News Lowe’s Heroes make a stop in San Jacinto Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News The Lowe’s Heroes program is designed to reflect the company’s focus on building and improving the communities where team members live and work. It has partnered with EXCEED, a nonprofit organization that has been providing services to adults with disabilities since 1981. Along with community employment services and training center programs, EXCEED also has a 14-bed residential facility in San Jacinto that provides long-term housing, care, and training for adults with developmental disabilities. see page A-6
INDEX Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1 Business ............................B-6 Business Directory .............B-6 Calendar of Events .............B-4 Classifieds .........................C-7 Education ..........................B-1 Entertainment ...................B-5 Health ...............................B-7 Home & Garden ................C-5 Legal Notices .................... D-6 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-7 Opinion.............................C-6 Regional News .................. D-4
Tony Ault Staf f Writer It’s been more than three months since the Highland Fire swept through much of Aguanga north
of Highway 79 to Sage Monday, Oct. 30. More than a dozen people lost their homes and are living at friends’ homes or in RVs without commercial power and amenities. The exact cause of the fire is
under investigation by Cal Fire inspectors, and until that report is completed, those who had insurance will receive little compensation, which also isn’t guaranteed. Adding to their problems are coun-
ty ordinances that prohibit living in RVs without proper permits for an extended length of time. In addition to the lost homes, see FIRE, page A-2
Murrieta Hot Springs receives guests at grand opening
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Sports ................................C-1
Michael Bradley looks over wreckage left by the Highland Fire in Aguanga which destroyed the home of his employee and neighbor Cody McCormick and at his fifth-wheel RV that McCormick and his family now live in. It was cited recently for a Riverside County Code violation. Valley News/Tony Ault photo
People tour the newly opened Murrieta Hot Springs Resort. The historic resort first opened over 100 years ago. See more photos on page A-7. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
“I will represent your best interests as County Supervisor” As a small businessman, I understand the challenges families face. As Mayor, I supported law enforcement, attracted local well-paying jobs and improved infrastructure to reduce commutes. Paid for by Ingram for Supervisor FPPC 1449957