Valley News - February 17, 2023

Council moves to acquire last properties to widen Murrieta Hot Springs Rd.

Staff Writer

The Murrieta City Council moved to approve the acquisition of four pieces of property along Murrieta Hot Springs Road separately as resolutions of necessity, a precursor to the use of eminent domain, to move ahead with the planned widening of the congested main road during its Feb. 7 meeting.

Job fair coming to Promenade Mall

TEMECULA – The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to co-host Temecula Valley’s Premier Job Fair in partnership with the City of Temecula, Visit Temecula Valley, Promenade Temecula, Mt. San Jacinto College, and Riverside County Workforce Development Center. This bi-annual event will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Promenade Temecula Mall located at 40820 Winchester Road in Temecula.

IRS won’t tax most relief payments made by states last year

David

Sharp

Associated Press

The IRS announced Friday, Feb. 10 that most relief checks issued by states last year aren’t subject to federal taxes, providing 11th hour guidance as tax returns start to pour in.

Groundbreaking signals the construction start of the French Valley Parkway Interchange Project Phase 2

Avlin Odviar, Principal Civil Engineer with the city of Temecula discusses the French Valley Parkway Interchange Project Phase ll which will be constructed to ease miles long traffic congestion on northbound Interstate 15 in Temecula. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo I-15/I-215 before Winchester Road where for years traffic congestion slowed traffic to a crawl almost daily, frustrating many commuters

Dignitaries and invited guests celebrated the historic event. The huge construction will be from the Northbound approach to the

Three shot, one dead; suspected shooter identified as father of surviving victim

Julie Reeder Publisher

A mass shooting was reported Friday, Feb. 10 in Fallbrook, shattering the silence in the typically safe and quiet town, known for its scenic green hills of avocado, citrus and flowers, restaurants, golf and equestrian properties. Fallbrook Sheriff’s deputies found three people shot, including one deceased, in response to a radio call of an assault with a firearm at Atkins Nursery.

“All parties involved are employees of Atkins Nursery,” San Diego Sheriff Homicide Lt. Chris Steffen said during a presser later that evening. “As far as motive, we don’t know.” Lt. Steffen reported that when Fallbrook sheriffs arrived,

Temecula’s 11th Annual Jazz Festival dedicated to longtime pianist

Ava Sarnowski

Valley News Intern

In March, the Old Town Temecula Community Theater will be celebrating its 11th Annual Jazz Festival. A variety of Inland Empire musicians will come together for a day devoted to jazz. Before the afternoon concert on the main stage begins, the Jimmie Dykes group will play music in the theater courtyard at 1 p.m. Audience members can listen to music while socializing before the stage doors open at 2 p.m. Among the musicians returning this year is Jeff Stover on bass. Stover was born in Riverside in 1960 and he studied music at California State University, Los Angeles.

“I then lived in Palm Springs for 40 years, where I was lucky to play with many of the finest musi-

cians in the Inland Empire area,” he said. “I got to play shows and concerts for many great acts that came through the area such as Bob Hope, George Burns, Susan Anton, Bobby Vinton, Rich Little, Don Rickles, Frankie Avalon, Il Divo, The Smothers Brothers and more.”

Temecula’s current band, and group of musicians, started under Richard Stover’s leadership. It initially began at Performance Riverside. Across a 30 year time period, they played over 100 different Broadway shows. Following Richard’s retirement as conductor, he helped develop the shows at the Temecula Community Theater. He passed away in 2009, but the band still carries on the legacy and tradition of shows on Temecula’s stage.

Stover shares that they are

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San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez, right, addresses the media at a news conference staged at Crossway Church at the corner of Reche and Stagecoach. Standing with her are NCFPD Chief McReynolds, NCFPD Division Chief Brian MacMillan, Sheriff’s COPPS Deputy Jim Bennetts and Valley Center Lt. Jim Emig. Valley News/AC Investigations photo

Keith Droste

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Tony Ault

Murrieta City Council moves to acquire last properties needed to widen Murrieta Hot Springs Road

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Murrieta City Council moved to approve the acquisition of four pieces of property along Murrieta Hot Springs Road separately as resolutions of necessity, a precursor to the use of eminent domain, to move ahead with the planned widening of the congested main road during its Feb. 7 meeting.

The resolution of necessity on one of the four properties was objected to by its owner during a public hearing on the matter, while purchase of another may have already been approved, but still was included in the decision. The four properties, three on the north side of Murrieta Hot Springs Road and the other on the south side, have to be acquired for the project before it can be completed. Eleven other pieces of property, not large in size, were already purchased by the city to widen the roadway from four to six lanes from Via Princessa to Winchester Road that will reduce traffic congestion at the Winchester Road intersection. Some of the construction requires using small pieces of property bordering the road with most of those already purchased with what is considered

fair compensation to their owners. Motorists have been facing continuous delays at that intersection for several years as business and housing in the area increased. The council approved the widening of the highway earlier this year.

The properties in question initially included Lakeridge Properties, Rhonda Association, Owen Apartments and the Campini Trust who initially rejected the city’s first compensation offers, according to Bob Moehling, public works director. But in January, the city concluded a compensation agreement with Lakeridge Properties and Owens Apartments that will now avoid any moves toward eminent domain.

However, Moehling said they may still be in the initial resolutions along with Campini Trust and Rhonda Association. He said talks with Rhonda have been stalled with a new attorney, and are at an impasse.

During the public hearing, Steve Campini representing the Campini Trust, appeared to seek more compensation, amounting to about $27,000 above the city property appraisal that the city rejected. He did say he still was in favor of the widening project but thought the initial city appraisal made in 2021

was wrong. He said he hired an independent appraiser who came up with a higher property value.

He saw the amount of money in question was a minimum amount and any court judge might see it the same. Any property in an eminent domain decision is taken up in the Superior Court with the judge determining the amount of compensation to be paid. The court proceedings are usually expensive for both parties. “I want to be cooperative, but I want a fair value,” Campini said.

In the council response, Council Me mber Ron Holliday learned from the planning director that even with the resolutions of necessity, negotiations can still continue before it reaches eminent domain.

“I want the public to know any decision of an eminent domain proceeding is a method of last resort…. Yet, it can’t get to the point where we can’t freely do what we need to do.”

He added, “We as a council do not take this lightly. This is not something capricious or something we are cavalier about.”

After more discussion, the full council voted to approve each of the resolutions.

In other business, the council, with Holliday recusing himself as

he owns property in the area, approved an Interagency Financial Cont ribution Agreement with Western Municipal Water District for water and sewer infrastructure in the Innovation Zone Area between Jefferson Avenue and the Interstate 15 on the west side of the city. It will replace wells and septic systems now used in the area. Murrieta’s share of the financial contribution will be $7.4 million in American Rescue Funds of its initial $16.4 million federal ARPA allocation. WMWD will likewise use some of their ARPA monies to forward the project.

The residents and businesses that will be served by WMWD will roughly be along Madison Avenue from Jordan Lane, Jefferson Avenue to Larchmont Lane and Elm Street to Monroe Street and Hoover Street. Residents in these areas have long waited for the infrastructure that will be completed in the next few years. The council expressed pleasure and the combining of ARPA funds to serve people in the area.

Before this occurred, WMWD and Rancho California Water District entered into their own mutual agreement to serve the area with RCWD providing the needed water

to WMWD. The city engineer said these were unique agreements he had never seen before.

Prior to the council’s regular meeting, a workshop was held to discuss an overview of a Citywide User Fee Update. The staff, at an earlier meeting, told the council that the current fees are not covering the actual cost of the city services and needed to be revised. Fees for city services cannot exceed the cost of the services rendered as the city retains a nonprofit basis.

A number of the current fees, which are considerable for different services, were revised slightly upward to secure the actual costs involved. The staff was asked to finalize the fee structure and return it to the council for a public hearing in the future.

The council, in presentations, celebrated Big Brothers and Big Sisters Mentorships during National Mentoring Month, which took place in January. The council, city staff and residents were also praised for taking part in the Susan G. Komen Foundations Partnership walk for breast cancer research that took place in the city last October.

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

Southern California Edison sued over damaging wildfire

Associated Press

HEMET – A city claims in a lawsuit that Southern California Edison equipment ignited a damaging wildfire last fall.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of the city of Hemet claims that the utility did not manage its electri-

INTERCHANGE from page A-1

traveling to and from San Diego and Riverside. It slowed commuting time anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and more with accidents along the route.

At an earlier press conference on Feb. 6, the I-15 FVP Phase 2 project was explained by Avlin R. Odviar, Temecula’s Principal Civil Engineer in the Department of Public Works. In attendance were members of the press and the Temecula Chamber of Commerce; Betsy Lowrey, assistant to the city manager; Christine Damko, Economic Development manager; and other city officials.

Largest Temecula Project

Odviar explained the project will become the largest project in the history of Temecula, including the $66 million construction of the Temecula City Hall in 2020. While the total cost of the FVP Project is $138 million, the construction costs will be $72 million with $62 million going into 10 years of design, engineering, environmental

cal power lines and failed to keep landscape trimmed, Southern California News Group reported Friday, Feb. 10.

The city lost property and suffered damages, the lawsuit claims.

“Our thoughts remain with the people affected by the Fairview

fire,” SoCal Edison spokesperson Reggie Kumar told the news group. “We are reviewing this action and will respond to it through the proper legal channels.” The Fairview fire erupted Sept. 5, 2022 near Hemet, a city of about 90,000 in Riverside County.

The fire scorched more than 44 square miles (114 square kilometers) and destroyed or damaged nearly three dozen homes and other structures. Two residents were killed as they tried to flee and a third was injured. Two firefighters also were injured.

After the fire, SoCal Edison

told state utility regulators that “circuit activity” was reported near where the fire was first reported and that some power poles had signs of damage but that it was not known if that contributed to ignition of the fire.

studies, utility changes, Caltrans approval and land acquisition that is making it possible.

Basically, the huge project will add two or three lanes to Northbound I-15 from Winchester Road to the I-15/I-215 junction, con-

structing a concrete barrier to separate freeway traffic from collector/distributor roads, widening bridges at Santa Gertrudis Creek and Warm Springs Creek and constructing 10 retaining walls and one new bridge. He said the actual construction by FlatIron West Inc. may begin in May after equipment moves in.

Odviar explained how the traffic has been backed up from the Homeland Border Patrol substation to the Interstate 15/215 Interchange for years. “This project should unplug that,” he said.

“The 138 million dollar project in Temecula is by far the largest ever awarded since its incorporation.”

The project itself, while funded mostly by Temecula working with

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federal, state and local monies, is a freeway project and will “one day be turned over to Caltrans.” Caltrans had the final say in approving the project, but everything from the design and engineering of the project, land acquisition, planning and construction is, or has been, done by the City of Temecula.

Total project cost $138,736, 346

The budget and funding was explained with $30,945,598 spent in prior years including: Administration ($2,791,745), construction engineering ($1,279), design and environmental ($18,752, 330), land acquisition ($9,398,251) and utilities ($1,993).

For fiscal year 2021-2022, the city set aside $107,025,748 to

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begin the construction of Phase 2. There was about $770,000 expected to be spent in 2023, 2024 and 2025 in additional expenditures.

Odviar showed most of the money for the project came mostly from developers in the city, the city’s General Fund, Western Riverside County Government TUMF (Regional highways) funds, reimbursements and Measures A and 5. When completed, the project owner will still be the City of Temecula, until it is turned over to Caltrans. The project designer is T.Y. Lin International. The construction contractor will be FlatIron West Inc. The Construction Manager is TBD with oversight by Caltrans.

Christine Damko, PIO and Economic Development Manager with the city of Temecula welcomes members of the press to a meeting for the French Valley Parkway Interchange Project Phase ll at city hall discussing construction of the project scheduled to break ground on Feb. 14.

Members of the press gather for a meeting about the French Valley Parkway Interchange Project Phase ll at city hall discussing construction of the project scheduled to break ground on Feb. 14. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Locals help Arlene Stephenson celebrate her 100th birthday

Temecula resident Arlene Stephenson celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family holding celebratory signs in front of the Temecula Duck Pond. Multiple festive, handmade signs

called for passersby to honk in celebration of her milestone birthday.

Arlene was born Feb. 2, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah and now calls Temecula her home. She has five children, 18 grandchildren

and 44 great grandchildren. She loves Dr. Pepper, the card game Skip-Bo, watching basketball, and of course, her family.

Fire, larceny, theft, traffic accidents, homeless reports discussed at Wildomar City Council

Added illegal fireworks fines put aside

Staff Writer

The Wildomar City Council heard quarterly reports for fire, police, code enforcement and library departments and a mid-year budget report at its Feb. 7 regular meeting. They tabled a first offense $1,000 illegal fireworks fine request.

Riverside Sheriff Lt. Mike Portillo said his deputies, contracted with the city, answered over 4,000 calls during the last quarter of 2022 with most of those dealing with larceny or theft. In other crimes, deputies seized over 500 lbs. of marijuana at five grows. Officers issued 168 traffic citations and responded to one fatal accident. Sheriff’s Outreach teams contacted 11 homeless persons while code enforcement officers took out several homeless camps. He recommended the council consider

hiring another motor deputy to improve traffic safety in the future. He said he recommended residents remember, “If you see something, say something,” and contact the sheriff’s department.

Likewise, the fire department answered 987 calls in that three month time period with 2 structure fires and 60 traffic collisions with the one fatal accident, reported Fire Chief Lonny Olson. Fire inspectors made a total of 1,389 inspections in that time with few citations.

The Wildomar City Library had 13,124 visits and provided 306 new library cards. Many of those visiting took advantage of the library computers and programs. The AARP free tax service is now open by appointment during tax season.

An update from the Public Works Department reported the Palomar Street/Clinton Keith Road street widening is continuing with

Residents invited to learn about Temecula history

Are you interested in Temecula’s history but do not have time for all those dusty history books local librarians ask? Then, stop in on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6 to 7:30 pm, at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library at 30600 Pauba Road for a free presentation on the history of Temecula.

Attendees will be transported to the very beginnings of the Temecula we know and love with the help of Juliana Hanson from the Temecula Valley Museum. Get a

glimpse of the rich history through the years to present, as Temecula has bloomed and prospered, becoming a new home for residents, businesses and new opportunities.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Temecula Libraries, this talk is open to ages 18 and over and no registration is required.

For a full list of programs and offerings at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, please visit TemeculaCA.gov/Library

installation of gutters and curbs with completion seen in March. Bundy Canyon Road at Canyon Ranch Road, is now open but Cherry Street and Oak Canyon Drive at Bundy Canyon is, or will be closed, until the end of the month or early March when the already installed signal lights will be activated. The Public Works Department reported rehabilitation work on Cherry Street itself may begin soon.

Adam Jantz from Wildomar’s administrative services reported there at midyear the General Fund received $613,000 in sales taxes and $200,000 in interest income that will be put into the budget with additional expenses of $385,000 for a new fire contract and $351,000 for a new staff position. He said while the revenues were up for the quarter the revenue could be leveling off in the coming

carrying on the vision created by his father, while also making music with many of his longtime friends and musicians. Some of the band members were previously under his father’s leadership, and he can only see them at these performances.

“We love our work because we get to bring this classic historic music to the audience, where it would usually not be presented or represented at other venues. The Old Town Temecula Community Theater has given us a unique opportunity to keep this music alive, and keep the dream of my father Richard alive. For that, we are truly grateful,” Stover said..

Playing with Stover this year will be vocalist Jonathan Karrant, Andy Fraga on drums, Rick Hills on piano, Jimmie Dykes on keyboards, Doug McDonald on guitar,

quarters of 2023 because of inflation and higher prices.

Using the city’s American Rescue Plan funds of approximately $8.5 million, $6.5 million has been allocated for a new city hall, $1.2 million for new park acquisitions, and $5,800 for enterprise resources. American Rescue money must be spent by 2025.

The council decided to wait on increasing the illegal fireworks fines until a similar $1,000 first offense fine ordinance is exercised by Riverside County authorities and see what results from that. Lt.

Portillo explained that any illegal fireworks ordinances are difficult to enforce because officers must catch the subjects in the act, and it must be on public property. It is also possible to cite those using fireworks on private property, but involves the type of fireworks being set off.

Earlier in the meeting the coun-

and Colin Wenhardt on saxophone. Longtime festival favorites, including saxophonist Don Rice, will also be joining.

Rice is one of Stover’s favorites at the festival in particular, because of his classic sound and knowledge of songs that were written during his time. Rice is currently in his 90s, but playing better than ever. Not only does he enjoy what he does to the fullest, but he has played at many of Temecula’s concerts during the past 15 years. Audiences love him for his energy and talents.

According to Stover, they begin putting the festival together the day it ends the year before, and many of the musicians must travel great distances to be a part of the event. Performers get to select the songs that they would like to play, and then that music is sent to Stover. On the day of the performance, everyone comes

cil honored Eagle Scouts Gavin and Hayden Dalton who received recognition awards for their projects. Gavin Dalton helped build a pickleball court in a city park and Hayden Dalton helped in the restoration of a WWII B-17 Bomber at March Field Museum. Eagle Scout Zane Zander was not present to receive his award.

Retiring Planning Commissioner

John Lloyd was honored for his many years of service to the Wildomar community.

Patrick Ellis from the Murrieta/ Wildomar Chamber of Commerce declared March, 2023 as Restaurant Month, urging residents to visit the city’s local eateries to show their appreciation for dining in the city.

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

together to rehearse and sound check. Following this, the doors open, and those sitting in the audience are treated to their afternoon full of jazz.

The jazz festival is dedicated to Keith Droste, longtime piano player for the band. He passed away on Jan. 15, and played on the Temecula stage for over 15 years. Stover describes how he first met Droste through a Frankie Avalon job, nearly 35 years ago. Stover believed him to be an amazing pianist, someone experienced with the music industry. He strived for excellence, and was praised by the best of musicians. He will be missed by the Temecula theater family.

The performance takes place on March 5. Tickets can be found on the website at https://tickets. temeculatheater.org/ordertickets. asp?p=7612.

Arlene Stephenson turned 100 years old on Feb. 2. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Arlene joins her family at the corner of Ynez and Rancho California roads while sharing birthday signs and excitement to passing motorists.

Tony Ault

JAZZ from page A-1

Lovin life in Fallbrook!

We spent last Wednesday filming our first episode of The American Dream! It was such a fun time and our entire team was involved. We are so proud to be able to showcase some of the community leaders, shops, restaurants and special destinations and expansive views our area has to offer. More episodes will be coming and if you would like your property showcased in one of our segments, give us a call or come by and see us!

We are Lovin Life in Fallbrook and are here for your Real Estate needs!

AT YOUR SERVICE! – Ken

Business Spotlight

JUST LISTED ~ San Luis Rey Community in Bonsall

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From more than 20,000 agents in San Diego County, we have been selected as hosts for The American Dream TV as Lifestyle and Real Estate Experts for our area.

We will be producing our own segments for the show highlighting our community, local businesses and activities as well as our amazing properties offered for sale. As established long time local real estate professionals, we are proud and honored by this new affiliation, and look forward to being our communities voice on this TV show. It will air on Cable TV, as well as several streaming locations.

If you see us filming in the community, please feel free to come and say hello.

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

Fallbr k Animal Sanctuary

Our facility is a safe haven for the animals that find their way to our sanctuary as a result of abandonment, abuse, neglect, or owner surrender. Let us help you find your next best friend! FAS also strives to educate the community regarding spay/neuter, microchipping, and the importance of understanding the emotional needs of all animals.

230 W Aviation Rd, Fallbrook 760-685-3533

www.fallbrookanimalsanctuary.org

Calle De Las Estrellas, Bonsall • $1,098,747

Hemet City officials conduct an informative and positive community meeting

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The City of Hemet has its eye on the sky not only in its economic growth and improved infrastructure plans but in law enforcement and fire rescue services as reported in a special Feb. 9 community meeting at the Grace Fellowship Bible church in Hemet.

The community meeting, one of others planned in the future, brought Mayor Joe Males, Mayor Pro Tem Malcom Lilienthal, Interim Community Development Director Kevin Manning, City Principal Planner Monique Alaniz-Flejter, Interim City Manager and Police Chief Eddie Pust, Fire Chief Eddie Sell and Management Assistant Cynthia Warren together to update residents what is happening in their city.

The sparse audience listened as Males led the conversation by introducing Pust as the Interim City Manager, noting it will only be a few days more when a well-known new city manager, Mark Prestwich, takes the helm at managing the city’s dayto-day business.

Pust gave Hemet’s Strategic Plan Overview that seeks to improve resident’s Quality of Life, Economic Opportunity, Community Engagement, Partnership & Collaboration and Organizational Effectiveness. He said the city has already moved to fulfill many of the strategic plans with changes in the various city departments including his own police department. In his department the fire department and code enforcement team will focus on the new Department of Life Safety that began forming in November of 2022

composed of 13.5 members from different departments. He also said the city is looking to form another committee made up of residents and other important stakeholders in the community to advise them of their greatest concerns in the city.

Looking at his own departments’ progress after the more difficult times in COVID-19 faced by other departments and residents. That time brought significant crime increases, but he said today with the success of the city Flock Camera program, the first in the county, has brought a significant drop in crime with 40 more coming in the future. Other beat and administrative changes have also helped the decrease as shown in the most recent FBI statistics.

Now, he said that a new drone program is being considered that will actually see drones arrive at a crime scene before officers arrive giving them valuable needed information. Many questions were asked about the program with Pust saying it has been very successful in several cities in California like Chula Vista. It would require different highly trained drone pilots in various parts of the city with all FAA and civil rights laws being followed.

Manning and Alaniz-Flejter said there are many new housing developments in the city including new homes by Pulte/Centex, Richmond American, KB Homes, and DR Horton in different areas. A new business development is coming to Stetson Corner at Sanderson with a service station, 7-eleven, drivethru restaurant, and a car wash. The Peppertree gated senior community is under construction, Stoney Moun-

tain Ranch homes, a Hemet Center for Medical Excellence Healthcare and a 5 million sq. ft. industrial development warehouse in the predevelopment stage.

Chief Sell said his Fire Department is currently expecting to increase its firefighting and rescue staff from the current 51 to 70 in the year, including paramedics and a fire prevention officer. He said currently all five of the city’s fire stations now have paramedics assigned to them. He said the improvements to the department in recent years are mostly attributed to Measure U sales tax funds and a generous $11.6 million General Fund. Measure U funds have funded 3 battalion chiefs, 3 captains, Paramedic Squad staffing, an EMS Coordinator’s increased hours, an Emergency Service Coordinator, 2 Public Safety Dispatchers and an additional call taker and an officer specialist1. He said the positions also improved the police and fire coordination. Audience questions ranged from more information on the flooding problems on the west side of the city, the new drone program idea, homelessness and mental health. Pust, Sell and the planning staff said they are aware of the problems and are already taking action on the solutions. They said flooding has always been a major issue in the city because of its very flat character. It also has some advantages for police and fire coverage.

The information for the most part was positive with Pust ending the meeting talk admitting that even with the recent positive news in the city, “We still have to do a better job. We know it’s going to be hard, but as

a city we have to fix these things,” referring to perhaps the city’s efforts to bring in more businesses, reduce crime, solve the homeless problem and flooding issues.

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there were several surviving people on the property who were running from the scene.

The suspect, later identified as 76-year-old Enrique Barajas Gutierrez, was then taken in without incident, processed and questioned in the Fallbrook substation. He was then taken to the Vista jail, booked and charged with first degree murder and two charges of assault with a firearm on a person.

The Fallbrook Sheriff’s deputies

Peripheral Neuropathy Breakthrough!

“My feet feel like they’re on re.” “Each step feels like I’m walking through wet paint.”

“I live in constant fear that I’ll fall.” “I can’t sleep, my hands and feet tingle all night.”

What do all of these people have in common? ey su er from peripheral neuropathy. It’s estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States have peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately this gure may be signi cantly higher as the disease is o en misdiagnosed because of its wide array of symptoms.

Sarika Connor, L.Ac, of Soma Acupuncture & Wellness in Temecula shares this belief. “I’ve been treating neuropathy, in all its various forms, for about a decade now and so o en my patients come to me because of the symptoms, not because of a diagnosis. ey see me on television, or read the testimonial of another patient and say to themselves ‘hey, I feel the same thing’.”

Frankie M. of Murrieta testi ed to this. “I remember my husband driving me to my consultation and I saw a woman running just outside our neighborhood. I was so envious - I just kept thinking ‘I would give anything just to walk again’. My primary care doctor told me my troubles with pain and balance were just symptoms of old age and gave me a prescription. I was so depressed.”

Fortunately Frankie would eventually see Sarika on the local news talking about similar symptoms and how she o ers a real solution at Soma Acupuncture. “I just knew I had to see her. She was my last hope.”

“Almost all of our patients come to us with a story similar to Frankie’s.

ey’ve been everywhere else.

ey’ve been told there’s no hope.

ey’ve been told ‘it’s just part of getting older’.” shares Amanda, a Patient Care Technician at Soma Acupuncture. “It just breaks my heart but I know how much we can help people like Frankie so I’m always so happy when they walk through our door.”

ose diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy o en face a very grim reality; Western medicine declares that there is no solution while most alternative therapies carry large price tags and o er little to no resolve. Which is why Sarika and the sta at Soma Acupuncture pride themselves on being ‘the last resort with the best results.’

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves and this damage is commonly caused by lack of blood ow in the hands and feet. A lack of blood ow results in a lack of nutrients; the nerves then begin to degenerate and die which causes pain ranging from discomfort to debilitation. Because neuropathy is a degenerative condition, once those nerves begin to deteriorate they will continue to do so until they are completely expired, leaving those su ering with crippling balance issues. “In this case, the absence of pain is not necessarily a good thing,” shares Sarika. “ is usually indicates that your nerves are hanging on by a fragile thread.”

So how exactly is Sarika able to reverse the e ects of this degenerative disease? “Acupuncture has been used to increase blood ow for thousands of years which helps to get the necessary nutrients to the a ected nerves. But the real magic happens when I integrate ATP Resonance Bio erapy™. is is tech that was originally developed by NASA to expedite recovering and healing.”

“I just can’t say enough about Soma Acupuncture,” Frankie shared through tears of joy. “My husband and I moved here 3 years ago and he’s gone hiking almost every day. I always stayed home because of the pain and discomfort. Yesterday I walked the trail with him! And next week we’re starting ballroom dancing lessons. I am truly living life these days.”

“According to Frankie’s test results, she has seen a 74% improvement in pain and functionality, which is on par with a majority of our patients.” shares Amanda. “But more important than those test results is the joy she’s expressed being here and hearing

about all the amazing things she’s able to do because she feels great!”

By seamlessly blending the ancient science of acupuncture with modern medical solutions Sarika has achieved a 90% success rate in reversing the e ects of neuropathy. She starts each patient with an initial consultation during which a sensory exam is performed. “ is not only aids in making a proper diagnosis but it helps to de ne just how much nerve damage has occurred” tells the practitioner. “ is is important because if a patient has su ered more than 95% damage, there is little that I can do to help them. I’m familiar with the medical miracle but I know my limits as a practitioner and the limits of my medicine.”

When it comes to treating peripheral neuropathy, regardless of its origin, early detection greatly improves your chances of a full recovery.

If you or someone you love are su ering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling or ‘pins and needles’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options. ere is hope.

Call (951) 597–0488 to schedule an initial consultation or visit SomaAcuWellness.com to read more incredible success stories.

Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

arrived on scene in the 3100 block of Reche Road just before 3 p.m. and found the first two victims just outside a barn on the property. The victims all had gunshot wounds to their upper torsos, according to San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez.

Reche Road in Fallbrook was closed from Gird Road to Old Hwy 395 for several hours while the crime scene was active.

North County Fire Protection District PIO John Choi was able to confirm early on for Valley News’ sister publication Village News, that there was an active crime scene and there were three victims, two transported to Palomar Hospital and one deceased. Choi said, “Two people have been transported.”

One victim was reported by Homicide Lt. Steffen as a 35- to 40-year-old female and believed to be the daughter of the shooter. The other victim was a 65- to 70-yearold male. Both victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Sheriff Martinez, who came to Fallbrook for a press conference earlier in the day, reported, “Both victims are expected to survive.”

Lt. Steffen reported, “As deputies continued their search for a suspect, they located a third victim who was deceased inside the barn. This victim was a male, 55 to 60 years old and appeared to have gunshot wounds to his upper torso.” He continued, “While inside the barn, deputies contacted a subject who was later identified as the shooter in this incident. Gutierrez was arrested and transported to the Fallbrook Sheriff’s station without incident.”

Lt. Steffen reported, “The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation. At this point in the investigation, the identity of the deceased victim is known. We are not releasing that information until the family has been notified. The motivation and circumstances are still under investigation.”

“The two victims in the hospital underwent surgery and are expected to survive. We are still identifying the relationship between Gutierrez and the other victims,” Steffen reported. All the victims were reported to be employees of Atkins Nursery

Lt. Steffen reported that witnesses are still being questioned and a motive hasn’t been identified. The firearm used was believed to be a rifle, but the type and caliber were currently unknown.

The suspect, Gutierrez, was arrested by Fallbrook sheriffs, processed at the Fallbrook Sheriff’s station, and was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on murder charge.

Sheriff Kelly Martinez and Fallbrook Substation Lt. Aldo Hernandez both conveyed their appreciation for multiple local agencies who assisted, including Carlsbad Police Department, Escondido Police Dept., Oceanside Police Dept., California Highway Patrol and North County Fire and the Carlsbad Fire Department.

According to Lt. Steffen, rumors of a second shooter or a second crime scene were unsubstantiated.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330/and after hours at 858-565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

To watch a video of the press conference given by Homicide detective Lt. Steffen, https://fb.watch/ iD8fLOqSxv

To watch a video of the press conference given by San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez, https:// fb.watch/iDAzRKMDT4

Tony

Interim Hemet Community Development Director Kevin Manning cites new housing and industrial developments coming into the Hemet area during a Feb. 9 Hemet Community meeting held at the Grace Fellowship Bible Church. Hemet Fire Chief Eddie Sell listens intently. Valley News/Tony Ault photo

Wildflowers add a splash of color to I-15

Tim O’Leary

Special to the Valley News

How does one function as a storyteller if they cannot speak and their hands and arms twist and turn in an uncontrolled tumult?

They follow the course charted by Sydney Edmond, an autistic poet and painter who has erupted from her dark cocoon and burst into the light of love, discovery and acclaim.

And it was I, a wordsmith who bumps and bumbles in those hal-

lowed halls dominated by MarkTwain and other spinners of yarns, who recently met this master of the word and the brush. It was, of course, in Temecula, the city that President Ronald Reagan once described as a community with a “can do” spirit. Even the most self-absorbed, Harvard-graduated Ph.D. would be hard-pressed to find anyone with a greater can-do spirit than Sydney. I consider myself lucky to have crossed her path and now be blessed to introduce her to you,

Fallbrook Propane Gas Company seeks artists for Art of the Avocado

my dear friends and kind readers. I met her at a one-woman show in January at Temecula’s Merc, a combination art gallery and intimate performance venue and ticket sales booth. The Merc serves as the historic front door to Temecula’s amazing Old Town theater, a sprawling facility whose genesis I covered a lifetime ago. Sydney, it turns out, has had other shows at the Merc and elsewhere. Sydney is 30 years old. She was

Propane Gas Company, sponsor of the “Art of the Avocado” art competition is now calling for entries. This year marks its 17th year. The art competition is part of Fallbrook’s annual Avocado Festival.

Any artistic medium may be submitted, however the only restriction is that an “avocado” must be easily identifiable in all pieces.

Cash prizes will be awarded in

each of the three categories. For 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art: first place, $300; second place, $200 and third place, $150. The photography category cash prizes are: first place, $150; second place, $125 and third place, $100.

Additional cash prize awards are for the Merrill Everett Memorial Award, Holy Guaca-Moly Award, George Bamber Memorial Award,

A large patch of wild flowers splash an embankment with color near the southbound Interstate 15 CHP inspection station at the San Diego County and Riverside County lines, Feb. 7.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook

Writer encounters a rare talent blessed with a ‘can do’ spirit

Sydney Edmond sits in front of one of her paintings.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

The 2022 Fallbrook Chamber’s Pick is “Fresh Fruit” by Dunya Shaw of Fallbrook.

The 2022 Avocado Festival Chairman Award winner is “Untitled” by Gretchen Martin, Fallbrook.

see EDMOND, page B-4

see AVOCADO, page B-4

Valley News/Courtesy photos

How to use diet to combat age-related bodily changes that can affect your health

muscle mass. These changes affect how men and women at or nearing retirement age should approach their diets in recognition of the various ways their nutritional needs change at this point in their lives. Any modifications to a diet should first be discussed with a physician, but the following are some ways aging adults can use diet to combat age-related changes to their bodies.

rally found in many foods, so aging men and women may need to rely on supplementation to ensure their bodies get enough of it. Vitamin D helps with anti-inflammation, immune system support and muscle function, among other benefits. So it’s vital that aging men and women find ways to get sufficient vitamin D.

one of its more remarkable qualities, and those changes never cease, even as individuals near retirement age.

T he changes associated with aging include physical transformations but also more subtle shifts the naked eye cannot see. For example, metabolism slows as individuals grow older, and aging also can lead to a decrease in bone density and

Prioritize protein. The authors of a 2010 study published in the journal Current Opinion in Nutrition and Metabolic Care recommended that older adults consume between 25 and 30 grams of protein with each meal. The researchers behind the study concluded that such consumption could limit inactivitymediated losses of muscle mass and function.

Overcome reduced production of vitamin D. WebMD notes that people over 65 typically experience a decrease in natural production of vitamin D. Vitamin D is not natu-

Consume ample dietary fiber. The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging notes that fiber plays an important role in the health of older adults. Fiber has been linked with heart health, healthy digestion, feeling full, and preventing constipation, which the online medical resource Healthline notes is a common health problem among the elderly. Though the NRCNA notes that older adults need slightly less fiber than their younger counterparts, it’s still a vital component of a nutritious diet. The feeling of fullness that fiber consumption can provide also is significant, as it can

ensure adults who aren’t burning as many calories as they used to aren’t overeating in order to feel satisfied. That can make it easier for such adults to maintain a healthy weight. Monitor intake of vitamin B12. The NRCNA notes that vitamin B12 is involved in a host of important functions in the body, including nerve function and the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is most easily found in animal products, which many aging men and women must largely avoid due to other health concerns. In such instances, men and women can discuss supplementation with their physicians as well as alternative food sources of B12, such as fortified cereals, salmon and other items.

Bodily changes related to aging increase the likelihood that men and women will need to alter their diets in order to maintain their overall health.

Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health invites youth to apply for mental health short film contest

RIVERSIDE COUNTY – Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is accepting submissions for the 2023 Directing Change Film Contest. This state-wide competition engages young people in conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.

The competition is open to middle and high school students and young adults ages 14 to 25 who are associated with a college, university, club, program, or community-based organization. Participants are invited to create and submit 60-second videos that raise awareness about suicide prevention and other mental healthrelated topics. Final submissions are due by midnight Wednesday, March 1.

Regional winners advance to

the state-wide award competition for an opportunity to win up to $1,000 in cash prizes. In addition, all Riverside County filmmakers are invited to attend an Academy Awards-style ceremony held at Riverside’s Fox Theater in May.

Jasmine Auge, a Murrieta Valley High School student who won third place in last year’s statewide competition, said at the awards ceremony that she enjoyed making the video with a friend; however, she was also motivated by the serious subject at hand.

“Suicide and suicide prevention are not talked about enough. I wanted to let people know that it is ok to reach out for help or reach out for help for someone else. I hope my video makes an impact with those struggling,” Auge said.

Many of the nation’s youth are

struggling, according to the CDC, which reports that 44% of high school students feel persistently sad or hopeless and 20% have seriously considered suicide.

A 2020 Directing Change outcome report showed that 86% of youth who participated in the program learned the proper response to a friend’s suicide warning signs, and 58% of youth encouraged someone getting through a tough time to seek help, meaning that projects such as Directing Change can make a real impact on the lives of young people struggling with mental health issues.

The film contest serves the dual purpose of getting young people engaged in conversations about mental health and suicide prevention and providing schools and community-based organiza-

tions with powerful educational resources that speak directly to young people. RUHS – Behavioral Health also encourages community members to view the films to reduce stigma around mental health issues and to provide an opportunity to talk about suicide prevention and mental health topics.

To learn more about the 2023

Directing Change Film Contest, visit http://directingchangeca.org/ riversidecounty or contact Myeshia Bobo at M.Bobo@ruhealth. org

Follow Directing Change on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Submitted by Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health.

Tentative employment agreement to raise InHome Supportive Services wages over three years

RIVERSIDE - The Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a tentative employment agreement with United Domestic Workers, AFCSME Local 3930, for three years of wage increases for In-Home Supportive Services. The wage increases will raise the hourly wage for IHSS providers by $2.50 over three years.

IHSS providers deliver in-home care and personal services to lowincome individuals who are either elderly or disabled. The assistance provided by IHSS providers allows elderly or disabled individuals to stay in their homes and avoid skilled nursing placement or hospitalization.

Should the tentative agreement reach approval by union members and the state, it will return to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. If all approvals are met, the hourly wage for IHSS providers will increase to $16.75 later this year, then to $17.50 in January 2024. The final $1 hourly increase in January 2025 will make the hourly wage $18.50. The final $1 increase is contingent upon the state increasing the hourly cap for IHSS providers, as the state partially funds IHSS wages.

“In-home workers perform a critical service to help elderly

and disabled residents safely stay in their homes,” Board of Supervisors Chair Kevin Jeffries said. “This tentative agreement acknowledges the difficult service these providers offer, as well as the need to attract more workers for the thousands of elderly residents currently waiting for a caregiver.”

There are currently 38,000 IHSS providers in Riverside County, with thousands of elderly and disabled clients on the waiting list to be matched up with a provider.

Additional costs associated with this contract include increased contributions to a health insurance fund developed by the county and administered by UDW. The health insurance contributions will be $0.71 per hour, up from $.57 per hour. In addition, life insurance benefits and personal protective equipment will be provided.

The county costs for this fiscal year are more than $9.1 million, $17.4 million for next fiscal year and $29.1 million for the third year. These figures represent the county’s costs, which account for 16% of the entire contract. The federal government will cover 50% of the costs and the state will cover 34%.

Submitted by the County of Riverside.

The human body is a marvel. How the body transforms over the course of an individual’s life is

Valley News/Metro Creative Graphics photo

The new Southwest Healthcare is pleases to invite the community to our 2023 Women’s Health Expo.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023 10:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

Pechanga Resort and Casino Summit Ballroom 45000 Pechanga Parkway Temecula, CA

Discover the wide range of women’s healthcare programs and services provided by Temecula Valley Hospital, Southwest Healthcare Inland Valley Hospital and Southwest Healthcare Rancho Springs Hospital.

At the expo, you can:

 Learn about the hospital services like cardiology, stroke care and gynecology

 Learn from physician speakers about symptoms, risk factors and lifestyle changes

 Get health screenings

 Enjoy a delicious lunch

 Meet our community partners...and more!

We hope to see you at this fun and informative event!

$10 Registration Fee SEATING IS LIMITED

If you plan to attend, please register

Cultivating communities with art

Yanessa Hernandez Special to Valley News

Following the footsteps of prior years, 2023 is off to an artistic and cultural beginning for JDS Creative Academy and the City of Temecula, which JDSCA calls home. The #JDSFamily believes that a community with art is a community with strength. This year, the community can expect the visual, performing and digital arts classes, which are considered a staple to the city, along with many more passion projects that will help facilitate art into the community, and communities across America.

Residents can depend on JDS Creative Academy to provide creative classes for youth through adults with script writing, photography, fashion design, backstage production and musical theater programs. JDSCA is known for bringing the community together by providing a safe space to explore one’s passion for the arts. In the spring and fall, family and friends of students are invited to come together to celebrate their semester of hard work with the spring and winter showcases and to be a part of the JDSCA magic.

AVOCADO from page B-1

Honorary Mayor Award and the Avocado Chairman Award. Awards will be presented at a private reception.

The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce will award a prize for their “Chamber’s Pick” and the winner of this award will be invited to design a piece of artwork that will be used in the 2024 Avocado Festival logo. Entries should be delivered to

The academy also offers community service hours to local high school students so they can earn hours and experience the benefits of the arts.

Diane Strand, co-founder of JDS Creative Academy, has a mission of making the arts more accessible, with the belief that there is a place for everyone in the world of creativity. Through classes and events, such as Haunted Studio and DigiFest Temecula, the community has been able to enjoy and experience creative collaborations.

Thanks to the generosity of the California Arts Council, the #JDSFamily is offering even more scholarships for all its classes, which makes their vision even more accessible for those interested in taking creative visual, performing and digital arts classes. When organizations come together to promote inclusivity, the rest of the community benefits as a result.

This year, JDS Creative Academy also announced that they will be launching ‘Art Across California’ and ‘Art Across America.’ The idea stemmed from the ‘Art in a Box’ donation to Michelle’s Place made by JDSCA last Au-

the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce office, Saturday, March 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., located at 111 South Main Avenue.

The community is invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award during the month of April at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce office as well as the day of the Avocado Festival, Sunday, April 23. The winner will be notified that evening.

To register or request the Rules and Entry Form, contact Anita

gust. The donation was a vision curated by Strand to provide the fellow nonprofit with an arts curriculum and all the necessary materials to facilitate an art class for cancer patients who turn to Michelle’s Place for resources. The same curriculum is ready to blossom into something bigger and widespread with both of the art campaigns kicking off this year.

JDS Creative Academy will be sharing its curriculum with afterschool programs and nonprofit organizations across California and the county to spread the inclusivity and joy that the creative arts bring to communities. Through this initiative, JDSCA says it will be able to foster creativity in communities outside of their own. JDS Creative Academy is always thinking of innovative ways to make art accessible and inclusive. It is their hope to cultivate communities people with pas sion. To keep up with the #JDSFamily, follow them on social media and visit their website at JDSCreativeAcademy.org.

Submitted by JDS Creative Academy.

Kimzey, 714-222-2462 (cell) or fpgcartcompetitions@gmail.com

Rules and Entry Form can also be picked up at Fallbrook Propane Gas Company, Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce office, The Gallery, FAA 300 North Brandon, the Green Art House at Pala Mesa Resort or downloaded from the Chamber of Commerce website: www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org

Submitted by Anita Kimzey, event coordinator.

EDMOND from page B-5

born in Orange County and moved to Temecula in 2002. She lives in the city with her mother. A city press release describes Sydney as an award-winning artist and poet who has autism and apraxia.

Apraxia of speech is a speech sound disorder, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

“It is a neurological disorder that affects the brain pathways involved in planning the sequence of movements involved in producing speech,” according to that group’s website. “The brain knows what to say, but cannot properly plan and sequence the required speech sound movements.”

At the recent show reception, Lisa Edmond gave me a glimpse of how her daughter burst from her cocoon of darkness and despair.

For much of Sydney’s life, she suffered in silence, Lisa said. Sydney’s days were shrouded by confusion. And then, nearly a decade ago, a visit to a San Diego art museum sparked Sydney’s interest in painting. She had previously written poetry.

“It’s fantastic,” Lisa said. “Before she communicated I didn’t know she was in such pain.

“It completely opened her world,” Lisa said of Sydney’s newfound communications skills.

“I learned that I didn’t know her. Now we’ve gotten to know each other … Sometimes she says it’s like a prison escape and afterwards

there was so much joy and happiness.”

I’ll close this humble column now, dear readers, by letting Sydney tell her own story. These words come directly from a flyer Sydney wrote that lists her Facebook page, her email address and the website that sells her art and apparel: I am an artist, a poet and an autistic woman.

I cannot speak verbally. My brain was silenced as a child but it learned to express itself through typing and art.

I learned to paint after pleasingly peering at paintings in an art museum. Light support lent the necessary link to my brain so I could control my movement. Pouring out my unique perspective onto watercolor paper brought me great joy.

I taught myself through trial and error to reveal my pure visualizations. I am loaded with the ability to see intensely because of my autism. This is a blessing and a curse. It pleases me when it can be put to good use such as this.

Please take what you see here as a message, a spark, to rethink how you see and interact with people who cannot speak and struggle with their bodies. All of us need a way to express ourselves. All of us need to look out upon a world where we matter. Load up our lives with love and give us a loud and influential voice in our lives, in our community, in our world.

Amen, Sydney. Thank you ...

A colorful painting by artist Sydney Edmond. Valley News/Courtesy photos

A poem by Sydney Edmond.

Temecula Valley Historical Society announces ‘Ramona’ at 100 presentation

Lori Van Arsdale, formerly the mayor of Hemet, will speak to the Temecula Valley Historical Society about “Ramona” and the upcoming centennial celebration of the longest-running outdoor play in California history on Monday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.

Van Arsdale, also a member of the Ramona Bowl Association Board of Directors, will share the history of the pageant that is closely related to Temecula history. Helen Hunt Jackson, the author of the book “Ramona,” now written as the play, visited Louis and Ramona Wolf at the Wolf Ranch that is now Vail HQ, just a few feet away from the Little Temecula History Center where Van Arsdale will be speaking. Hunt Jackson penned the novel shortly after her visit to Temecula and included several people and locations rec-

an event at Vail HQ June 19, 1999 when the Ramona Pageant Players came to celebrate the shared history. ognizable in the Temecula area. The public is invited to attend the presentation in person at no charge at the Little Temecula His-

tory Center, the red barn at the corner of Wolf Store Road and Redhawk Parkway, or to watch it live streaming on the Temecula

Valley Historical Society Facebook page. Any questions about this program may be addressed to Rebecca

Double feature movie reviews: ‘Knock at the Cabin’ and ‘80 for Brady’

Bob Garver Special to Valley News

This past weekend featured a weird toss-up between two new releases at the domestic box office. Horror thriller “Knock at the Cabin” made slightly more money, with an estimated $14.1 million to its opponent’s $12.5 million, but football comedy “80 for Brady” sold slightly more tickets, with an estimated 1.3 million (many with matinee and senior discounts) to its opponent’s 1.1 million. I’ve decided to give a short review to both films.

“Knock at the Cabin”

Director M. Night Shyamalan returns with this psychological thriller about a family of three (Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Kristen Cui) held hostage at a remote cabin by a kidnapping party of four (Dave Bautista, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quinn, Rupert Grint). The kidnappers claim that unless the family willingly sacrifices the life of one of its own members, the Apocalypse will consume the rest of humanity. The proposal seems preposterous

at first, but evidence in support of the kidnappers’ claims soon starts piling up.

The film is based on a book, and I imagine the premise working much better on the page than it does here. With a book, the reader can stop at their leisure and pontificate on how they would react to the situation given the information at hand, which makes for a lively hypothetical. With the movie, the action and stimuli have to go at a certain pace, so there’s less opportunity for viewers to use their imagination, and I’m sorry to say that the direction chosen for them is pretty unimaginative.

Bautista is certainly a commanding presence as the surprisingly softspoken antagonist, but otherwise the movie is much more predictable and dull than Shyamalan seems to think it is. I’ve never bought into his reputation as a master of twist endings, and the ending here is so aggressively foreshadowed that I don’t know if it even counts as a twist. My advice: stay in your comfy home, don’t venture out to the “Cabin,” and you won’t have to worry about a “Knock.”

Grade: C“Knock at the Cabin” is rated R for violence and language. Its running time is 100 minutes.

“80 for Brady”

“80 for Brady” follows a group of four friends (Sally Field, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Lily Tomlin) – all past or near the age of 80 – as they travel to the 2017 Super Bowl to watch Tom Brady mount the most spectacular comeback in the game’s history. Adventures include a football-throwing contest, a spicy wing-eating contest, a party with recreational drugs, issues with tickets, sneaking into the stadium, impersonating backup dancers and affecting the outcome of the game. More than any one gag, storyline, or scene, the appeal of the film lies in just spending time with these women, all of whom are funny and have effortless chemistry with one another. Just enjoy these four screen veterans playing off each other and it will become increasingly easy to ignore flaws that otherwise make the movie seem cheap and incompetent, like lowbrow humor, dodgy special

effects, and scenes in the stands clearly not taking place at the game.

It helped that I saw the movie with a good crowd that was cheering wildly by the film’s end. That’s the way to see this movie, with a group. It’s a good “compromise” movie that no one person is likely to love, but nobody will be able to truly detest either. The consensus

seems to be that on a scale of 1 to 100, it’s about an “80.”

Grade: B“80 for Brady” is rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some drug content and some suggestive references. Its running time is 98 minutes.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu

Valley News/Rebecca Farnbach photos

All photos: Rebecca Farnbach took these photos during

Farnbach at info@temeculahistory.org

Valley News/Courtesy photos

How labor shortages are affecting agriculture

The agricultural workforce is shrinking, and has been for some time. The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates there are roughly 2.4 million farm jobs that need to be filled annually, but there has been a drastic decline in workers each year.

There are a number of reasons for the shortages. The AFBF says more than 73% of farm workers are immigrants from South America and Mexico. While the United States’ H2-A visa program, which allows employers who meet specific requirements to bring foreign laborers in for temporary work, has increased the number of accepted applications for immigrants to 250,000, this number is still just a drop in the bucket in terms of labor needs.

Another factor is a career in agriculture isn’t always easy or lucrative. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, for every dollar spent on food, a farmer receives only 7.6 cents. Farmers were predicted to lose 9.7% of total net income in 2021.

Declining interest in the field has also affected the number of farm workers. As more farm op-

erators reach retirement age, fewer young farmers are replacing them due to volatile pricing, high real estate and land costs, steep initial machinery investment costs, and other factors. The physical demand of the industry also takes its toll. So what does this mean for the agricultural industry?

Many with knowledge of the industry indicate sweeping changes are warranted. Ellen Poeschi, the project director for the National Association of Agricultural Educators Teach Ag campaign, has said that a lack of agricultural education is contributing to the problem. Increasing availability of ag education courses across the country could build interest in the industry. Connecting students to internships or mentors may help, too.

Another option is to rally for greater economic opportunities in agriculture. The ag industry in general needs to find ways to make the economic benefits more competitive to other industries, and improve the working conditions and job flexibility. Agricultural industries currently average only 60% of what other industries offer in salaries. Farm wages have been

Temecula Valley’s premier job fair coming to Promenade Mall

TEMECULA – The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce will co-host Temecula Valley’s Premier Job Fair in partnership with the City of Temecula, Visit Temecula Valley, Promenade Temecula, Mt. San Jacinto College, and Riverside County Workforce Development Center. The bi-annual event will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Promenade Temecula Mall located at 40820 Winchester Road in Temecula.

Can I withdraw funds? Can I convert my account? How can I generate income?

Can I withdraw funds? Can I convert my account? How can I generate income?

To find out options to keep your money working for you, call or email me today.

To find out options to keep your money working for you, call or email me today.

The purpose of the event is to offer an opportunity for local businesses to succeed by retaining jobs locally and providing workforce development resources that meet industry demands; while assisting job seekers in finding gainful employment opportunities within our region. Over 35 employers are scheduled to participate representing various industries such as retail, hospitality, food service, health care professionals & technicians, business services administration,

The agricultural workforce is shrinking, and has been for some time. Valley News/Metro Creative Graphics photo rising due to the H-2A program, which requires farm worker pay to be higher than the state/federal minimum wage. More change is needed, but this may have to come at the federal level or be sparked by efforts on the part of agricultural advocacy groups.

Additional strategies farm operators can employ to combat shortages are: scaling back farm operations; integrating ag technology to reduce labor burdens; pivoting to crops that require fewer laborers; leasing portions of land to have extra money; employing

temporary guest workers; and moving operations abroad. Worker shortages continue to be problematic for the agricultural industry. A greater focus on remedying the issue is needed on a grand scale.

engineering, transportation equipment operators, warehouse workers, as well as marketing professionals and creatives to name a few Businesses are encouraged RSVP by emailing EmployerService@ RivCo.org. Attendees are encouraged to dress to impress and bring plenty of copies of their resumes as some participating employers have been known to give interviews right on the spot.

Submitted by Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce

Aguanga Christian Fellowship, Community Mission of Hope, Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce awarded CID grants

Joe Naiman Writer

The Feb. 7 meeting of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors included the approval of Community Improvement Designation grants to Aguanga Christian Fellowship, Community Mission of Hope and the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The supervisors’ 5-0 vote allocated $51,358 for the Aguanga Christian Fellowship multi-purpose building, $10,000 for Community Mission of Hope which is based in Temecula, and $2,500 to the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce. The funding is from the Third District CID budget. Community Improvement Designation grants can be allocated to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, county departments, or other organizations with programs which serve the social needs of the county’s population. Each county supervisor recommends the allocation of CID funding from his or her district budget, although a majority of the Board of Supervisors is needed to approve

that recommendation. Supervisor Chuck Washington recommended the District 3 allocations.

Aguanga Christian Fellowship provides drug and alcohol counseling, food, and clothing distribution to individuals and families in the Aguanga, Anza and Vail Lake areas. The multi-purpose building is in the 44300 block of Sage Road. The CID funding will assist with mitigation fees and completion of the building.

Community Mission of Hope has a Housing Resource Center which offers employment and housing support to those in need. The organization also provides food, hygiene, and household items to more than 500 at-risk families each month, and the CID allocation will be used for that.

The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce has an annual awards presentation which honors and supports exceptional businesses with strong community involvement in the Temecula area. This year’s Annual Awards Gala will be held March 25 and the CID grant will cover some of the expenses.

Six strategies to get more organized

When a new year arrives, many people focus on changes that can be implemented in the months to come. This time of year is a popular one to make resolutions to clean and organize homes and offices. There are plenty of things that can use a little organizational attention. There’s no ideal way to get organized. Whatever works is a good approach, but the following are six strategies to help individuals clear the clutter.

Utilize to-do lists

People tend to be less productive when they’re storing all of their tasks in their brains. The first step to getting organized is to remove those plans from the head and put them down on paper or in some other tracking tool. A digital to-do list manager, for example, enables you to see all of your tasks, deadlines and due dates in one place so you can get things done more efficiently. Carry around a notepad

or use the digital notes app on a phone to jot down thoughts and needs as they come up.

Corral your “smalls”

Smalls are keys, phones, chargers, wallets, headphones, and other accessories. When these items are grouped together, they’re easier to find so you can stay on track. Invest in an attractive organizer and install it by the front door or another high-traffic area. You’ll cut down on trying to find those smaller items when running errands. Conquer clutter regularly

It’s easy to be put off by cleaning and organizing when clutter has gotten out of control. Instead, by cleaning up items on a daily or weekly basis, it’s much easier to keep ahead of clutter. Treat it like a daily job, including sorting mail and tossing unnecessary items; emptying waste pails; dusting the desk; deleting emails; and putting items back where they belong.

Categorize emails

Utilize the folder creation option from popular email providers to sort your messages. Drop messages that need attention into categories of your choosing, such as school, health and receipts. Then you’ll know which folder to go into when searching for what you need, eliminating the time-consuming task of scrolling through a full inbox.

Give one; toss one

When bringing new items into the home, follow the procedure of giving away or throwing out one item for each new item that is received or purchased. This can help to tame clutter.

Mise en place your life

“Mise en place” is French for “put in place.” It is used in the kitchen to refer to preparing and setting out all ingredients needed in a recipe. The same concept can be used elsewhere. Lay out clothing on the dresser for the next day

The first step to getting organized is to remove those plans from the head and put them down on paper or in some other tracking tool.

Valley News/Metro Creative Graphics photo at work or school. Prep the foyer of a home with items you need, like an umbrella, shoes and paperwork. Organize backpacks so they’re ready for the school day. Establish

RCWD approves Vineyard water supply assessment

Joe Naiman Writer

The Rancho California Water District approved the water supply assessment for the Vineyard project in Murrieta.

The RCWD board voted 6-1

Feb. 9, with John Hoagland opposed, to approve the water supply assessment which addresses whether the projected normal, single dry year, and multiple dry year expected supply over a 20year period can meet the demand for the project along with existing and other planned projects. The water supply assessment will be incorporated into the Environmental Impact Report for the project.

The City of Murrieta is processing a Specific Plan Amendment for the Vineyard project which

is on an undeveloped portion of the Vineyard Specific Plan area.

The land is west of Interstate 15, and the development would connect a gap on Vineyard Parkway between Hayes Avenue and Calle Del Oso Oro. The Vineyard project would subdivide 464 acres into 813 single-family residential units in eight planning areas, and the development would also include a school site and two parks. The single-family lots would range in size from 4,000 to 7,000 square feet. The school site would be 21.8 acres. The two parks would total 8.9 acres.

The Vineyard project is planned to be phased and developed over a 12-year timeframe. When Rancho Water developed its 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, the prediction was that 1,066 residential units would be developed on

the land with about half of those developed by 2025 and the rest developed by 2030. The 1,066 residential units would have utilized 734,424 gallons per day or 823.2 acre-feet per year.

If the Vineyard project is developed as currently planned, the water usage would be 628,017 gallons per day or 704 acre-feet per year, so the water supply assessment indicates that Rancho Water will be able to provide adequate water supplies to meet the projected water demand. Rancho Water has a recycled water distribution line at the Cole Creek Pump Station, so recycled water would be available for the Vineyard project although utilizing recycled water for all landscaped areas might not be possible. Any recycled water usage would reduce the potable demand.

The 2022 potable water demand

for Rancho Water was 53,598 acre-feet. The annual demand is expected to increase to 66,454 acre-feet by 2025, 71,245 acrefeet by 2035 and 75,180 acre-feet by 2045. The 2022 potable water supply total of 54,451 acre-feet is expected to increase even in the case of multiple dry years to 69,645 acre-feet in 2025, 82,345 acre-feet in 2035 and 86,495 acrefeet in 2045.

The City of Murrieta will be the lead agency for the Environmental Impact Report. The land is currently owned by the Greenhill Investment Corporation.

The water supply assessment does not identify infrastructure needs for the development. The specific facilities needed to serve the Vineyard project’s water demands will be addressed in the project’s design conditions phase.

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Review of all things Real Estate: Lot-land build factors

construction then my strongest recommendation is to contact some of our local trusted general contractors and engage in detailed discussions about building your dream home.

Bob Hillery CR Properties

If there aren’t enough resale homes on the market then the next logical discussion involves possibly buying raw land and building a new custom home which meets all your wants and needs.

I represented a great local builder for over 12 years who taught me so much about the concerns of new construction, and I’ll pass along some of the bullet points associated with building new construction in this article.

I will identify wavetop issues and if it whets an appetite within you to consider building new

Financing for new construction is different from residential resale purchases and few lenders have those kinds of programs. Different lenders have different down payment requirements, different draw schedules and different lengths of time to refinance out of the construction loan into the take-out loan (permanent financing). The best advice is to deep dive into the internet because loan programs are different between lenders, so spend time researching the best programs to meet your building needs.

Electrical power is always a prime concern when building. If the project will be within 300 feet of a transformer then it is mostly just a connection fee, but if there is a requirement to install additional power poles or there’s a requirement that the utilities must be underground, then standby for some eye-watering expenses. And no, generators cannot be the primary source of power. Power must be provided by SCE in Southwest Riverside or solar and SDG&E for Northern San Diego County. Generators can only be back-up

power sources. Water: It costs approximately $16,000 to $26,000 to install a water meter with the proviso that there is a water main nearby. If not, then digging a well may be the solution. A new well will cost about $40,000 to drill, case, install the pump and storage tank plus there will need to be electrical power to the pump.

Sewer/septic: If the property is in a sewer district, does the parcel have a sewer reservation to join the district? If not, there must be approval to join. Hooking up to sewer isn’t cheap as the road must be closed for up to two days with accompanying traffic control and subsequent road repair. A sewer lateral from the parcel is required to join the sewer line.

If a septic system is going to handle the sewage requirements, the land must first pass a percolation test (separate expense of approximately $3,200), then the cost to install a traditional septic system is approximately $16,00018,000. A septic system needs to have enough land for 100% of the leach lines plus there needs to be room for a 100% reserve leach field. There are required setbacks for leach fields from property lines and riparian waterways.

Legal access: Just because the parcel abuts a road doesn’t mean

it has legal access from the road to the parcel; check with a title officer. California law allows for the sale of landlocked parcels which means the owner might have to buy easements over adjacent parcels to get to their own property.

Permits and fees, which can be a crazy amount of money, include traffic impact fees, schools impact fees, environmental impact studies plus other fees. My builder once told me they pay up to $80,000 before a shovel of dirt is turned.

Design review is part of permits and fees. If using a previously approved structure design that will fit the lot, some fees are mitigated, if not then factor in architect fees.

Grading and watershed, not all lots can be graded to conform with environmental and fire department requirements (20% gradient is the maximum driveway slope due to county rugged terrain fire engine limitations).

Expense to build new construction is approximately 15% to 25% more than residential resale because the project is starting from unimproved raw dirt.

All dirt is not of equal value. If the parcel price is inexpensive there is a reason. Always consult with a local general contractor before finalizing a land lot purchase to ensure the intended utilizations can be accomplished.

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CIF Southern Section winter sports playoff updates

DIVISION 1

First round Vista Murrieta - 55, Crespi (No.

11) - 44

Linfield Christian (No. 1) - 59, Murrieta Valley - 56

Second round Oxnard - 62, Vista Murrieta - 51

Rancho Verde - 54, Linfield Christian - 49

Quarterfinal round

Rancho Verde at Tesoro (2/14)

DIVISION 2A

First round

Rancho Christian (No. 1) - 59, Norco - 42

Second round

Rancho Christian 76, Palm Desert - 40

Quarterfinal round

Rancho Christian at Aquinas (2/14)

DIVISION 3A

First round

Temescal Canyon (No. 5) - 55, Yorba Linda - 45 Valley Torah (No. 4) - 75, Murrieta Mesa - 59

Second round San Gabriel Academy - 53, Temescal Canyon - 45

DIVISION 4AA

First round Hacienda Heights - 59, Santa Rosa Academy - 55

DIVISION 4A

First round Yucca Valley - 71, Lakeside (No.

15) - 65

Liberty - 83, San Bernardino - 53

Second round Jordan - 76, Liberty - 69

DIVISION 5AA

JP Raineri Sports Editor

Last week was an exciting one for local high school teams that advanced to the winter sports postseason of the CIF Southern Section playoffs. From the basketball courts and soccer fields to the water and wrestling mats, here is a breakdown of what happened so far, and who still has a shot to be the last team standing in their respective division.

On the basketball courts, for the boys’ division, 12 local teams went into the playoffs, and coming into this week, the only team still in it is Rancho Christian in Division 2A. Rancho Verde, who are a semi-local team that knocked off No. 1 seeded Linfield Christian in the second round, are also still in the fight,

representing Division 2AA. Rancho Christian will take on Aquinas this week as they look to get to the semifinal round with a win on the road. Rancho Verde will also travel this week, taking on Tesoro.

For the girls’ teams, 16 local programs advanced, and after a week of play, Rancho Christian is also still standing in Division 3A, as is Murrieta Valley (Div. 3AA), California Lutheran (Div. 4A) and West Valley (Div. 5A).

Here is a complete list of the basketball matchups and scores

thus far:

(Games are scheduled for 7 p.m. but can be subject to change.)

Boys’ Basketball

DIVISION 1

First round No. 4 JSerra - 64, Great Oak - 53

DIVISION 2AA

First round

Temecula Prep - 63, Calvary Chapel Downey - 24

Perris - 66, Loma Linda Academy - 49

Second round

Don Bosco Tech - 85, Temecula Prep - 43

Hillcrest Christian - 63, Perris - 57

DIVISION 5A

First round

San Gorgonio (No. 6) - 101, Cornerstone Christian - 44

Here is the remainder of the playoff calendar

Quarterfinals: Tuesday, Feb. 14

Semifinals: Friday, Feb. 17

Finals: Friday, Feb. 24 or Saturday, Feb. 25

Girls’ Basketball OPEN

DIVISION

No local teams

First round

Marlborough - 54, Vista Murrieta

- 36

DIVISION 2AA/2A

No local teams

DIVISION 3AA

First round

Northwood - 71, Heritage - 46

Murrieta Valley - 59, Yorba Linda

- 54

Second round

Murrieta Valley - 65, Highland

- 64

Quarterfinal round

Murrieta Valley vs. El Dorado

DIVISION 3A

First round

Rancho Christian, bye

South Torrance - 47 at Temescal

Canyon - 42

Great Oak - 76, CSDR - 13

Second round

Rancho Christian - 91, Buena - 58

Chino - 48, Great Oak - 31

Quarterfinal round

Rancho Christian vs. South

Torrance

DIVISION 4AA

First round

Buena Park - 77, Elsinore - 21

La Habra - 58, San Jacinto Valley

Academy - 46

DIVISION 4A

First round

Yeshiva - 41, Orange Vista - 23

California Lutheran - 51, Bethel

Christian - 11

San Jacinto - 62, Banning - 20

Second round

California Lutheran - 38, Avalon

- 36

Notre Dame Academy - 47, San

Jacinto - 45

Quarterfinal round

Cal. Lutheran vs. Notre Dame

Academy (2/15)

DIVISION 5AA No local teams

DIVISION 5A

First round

Tahquitz - 63, Lake Arrowhead

Christian - 26

Riverside Prep - 60, Santa Rosa

Academy - 25

West Valley - 49, Bloomington

- 13

Second round

San Gorgonio - 33, Tahquitz - 25

West Valley - 66, Nogales - 27

Quarterfinal round

West Valley vs. Ramona Convent

Here is the remainder of the playoff calendar

Quarterfinals (Div. 1-5A): Feb. 15, 7 p.m.

Semifinals (Div. 1-5A): Feb. 18, 7 p.m.

Championship games: Feb. 24-25 (various locations)

On the girls’ soccer fields, 16 local teams began their postseason journey last week, and after firstround action, less than half the teams moved on. The big surprise was Mira Costa, the No. 2 seed out of the Bay League, taking down local powerhouse Temecula Valley, 2-1.

The Mira Costa Mustangs, despite only having two losses this season, had seven draws on the year, five of which came from league opponents. Temecula Valley (20-4-2) did claim their sixth-straight Southwestern League title this year, but a repeat trip to the finals was thwarted by Mya Clarke and Taylor Southey, who scored first-half goals to lead the Mustangs to a big Division 1 upset on the road over the fourthseeded Golden Bears.

“Going 20-4-2 after winning all we did last year is such a huge accomplishment within itself,” Temecula Valley head coach Jennifer Guinn said. “I’m so proud of my entire program and the Golden Bear family. To be 6-peat League champions and ranked in the top 4 in Division 1 makes all of us very proud.”

The Golden Bears absolutely had some noteworthy athletes in goalkeeper Ellie Ludwig, who ended her high school career with some huge saves but mostly with incredible leadership according to Guinn. “Also, my entire returning back line in Zoe Willis, Juliet Thrapp and Chaleigh Depner were strong all season and put under some incredible pressure being the

Mira Costa, the No. 2 seed out of the Bay League, defeated local powerhouse Temecula Valley, 2-1, in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls’ soccer playoffs. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Linfield Christian guard Mike McNair (3) takes the shot against the defense of Rancho Verde guard Trestyne Nguru (10) at Rancho Verde High School. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Great Oak’s Brett Koser kicks in the winning shot six minutes into 2nd OT of the Wolfpack’s CIF-SS Division 4 second-round playoff game against Santa Ana. Valley News/Rob Davis photo

Temescal Canyon’s Amber Morgan (12) gets in the face of a Great Oak opponent in their first round CIF Southern Section Division 4 matchup. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Vista Murrieta freshman Alyson Boyd (14) takes a shot against Marlborough in the opening round of the CIF-SS Division 1 girls’ basketball playoffs. Valley News/Butch Owens photo

Murrieta Valley’s Paula Telles (15) gets the bucket and the foul over Highland player Zaniyah Wyatt during CIF Southern Section Division 3AA playoff action Saturday, Feb. 11. Valley News/Andrez Imaging

Area football players selected to all-star games

JP Raineri

Late last month, local standout prep football players were given the chance to compete in all-star games, to showcase their talents. On Jan. 21, Coach Smolin of Valley View led his team to the win at the Riverside Sheriff’s Association Riverside County All-Star Classic. While the Valley News Sports Department does not have complete rosters for that game, the highlight for the South All-Stars came when Linfield Christian’s Grant Taylor broke loose on a long touchdown run for their only score of the game in a 30-6 loss.

The following weekend, the 215 Classic took place, which featured some of the best Riverside County high school senior football players against some of the best San Bernardino County high school senior football players. The game happened Saturday, Jan. 28 at Norco High School. Riverside County prevailed with a 43-18 win over San Bernardino as MVP honors went to Vincent Holmes of San Jacinto High School.

Linfield Christian’s Grant Taylor (7) breaks loose on a long touchdown run for the South All-Stars in the Riverside Sheriff’s Association Riverside County All-Star Classic Saturday, Jan. 21.

Vincent Holmes of San Jacinto High School, standing here with Fox Sports AM 1350 hosts Brian “Coach B” Arrington and Eddie “Eternal” Talbert Jr., was named MVP of the 215 Classic Saturday, Jan. 28, at Norco High School. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Rajcic uses walkoff chip in to win ASHER Tour Temecula Open

Derryl Trujillo

Sports Writer

TEMECULA – Christian Rajcic,

a member of Murrieta’s Bear Creek Golf Club, started Wednesday, the Feb. 8 final round of the ASHER Tour Temecula Open with a two shot lead. Throughout the final round players were able to put birdies together in bunches but had the runs fizzle out.

From the middle of the pack, Dalan Refioglu shot a final round 66 (-6) and posted -14. He then had to wait to see if it would be good enough to either win the

tournament or enter a playoff.

Forty-five minutes later he found out that it would be one shot short of a playoff.

Rajcic won the title with a walkoff chip in birdie from just over the back of the ninth green of the Creek course (their final hole of the day). It was the culmination of a round full of stellar play around the greens from the former UC Riverside Highlander.

His day started with a six-foot par save at the first after missing that green. Then he added key par saves from greenside bunkers at 12 and 16 which along with birdies

CIF Southern Section spring sports watchlists released

at 2, 5 (from 30 feet), 13 and the aforementioned chip in birdie at hole 18, allowed him to shoot 68 (-4) and win by one.

“I putted terribly yesterday so to see that first one go down really gave me a lot of confidence to start the round,” Rajcic said. “Today was about going out there, playing clean golf and seeing what happened. I didn’t even look at anything scoring wise until somewhere on the back nine.”

Rallies by Jason Li and Charlie Reiter, his playing partners, also fizzled out late.

Li used stellar ball striking to set up four birdies in a five-hole span on the back nine (11,13,14,15) and take a lead after 16 holes. He’d lose the lead with a double bogey seven on the par five 17th hole after pulling his tee shot left and failing to get back into position.

Meanwhile, the long hitting Reiter made three straight birdies to start the round and gave it all back with a bogey at four and a double bogey at the reachable par 4 12th hole after hitting a tee shot out of bounds. He’d make it interesting by going eagle-birdie on the par 5 13th hole and par 4 14th, nearly holing approach shots on both holes. A bogey at 16 dropped him from contention and he’d record a T5 for the week.

Ramona’s Christian Rajcic with his winner’s check after winning the ASHER Tour Temecula Open on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Temecula Creek Inn.

“This prize money gives me some opportunities to try some Korn Ferry Monday qualifiers I might not have among other things,” Rajcic added. “It’s always nice to start the year with a win.”

Other local notable finishers:

T4. Chad Hambright (Canyon Lake), -4 (214)

T11. Josh Anderson (Murrieta), -8 (208)

T16. John Chin (Temecula), -1 (215)

Valley News/Andrez Imaging

T33. Braeden Korn, -2 (214)

The ASHER Tour returns for stops on March 8-10 at Soboba Springs Country Club in San Jacinto, March 27 and 28 at Bear Creek in Murrieta for the Bear Creek Shootout, and April 6-7 for the Soboba Springs Shootout. They visit Bakersfield next week. Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail. com

Cold shooting dooms Lady Wolfpack in CIF-SS Division 3A second round loss

The prep baseball season kicked off this past weekend and while Great Oak did not find themselves on the recently released CIF Southern Section watchlist, they opened their season with a 7-1 win over King.

JP Raineri Sports Editor

The 2022-2023 school year is flying by and as the high school winter sports season sits in the playoff portion of their seasons, the preseason for spring sports is getting underway. With that said, the CIF Southern Section offices released their preseason watchlists for some of the spring sports programs last week and only a handful of local teams find themselves as “teams to be watched.”

On the baseball field, Vista Murrieta (No. 2) find themselves being one of the top teams to beat in Division 2. The current Southwestern League defending champions will be guided this season by interim coach Michael Tousignant, who was an assistant the last few years and is a Vista Murrieta Baseball alum.

Other local teams that have eyes on them as selected by the CIF-SS Baseball Advisory Committee include:

DIVISION 3

No. 5 - Tahquitz

Top 15 - Temescal Canyon

DIVISION 6

No. 3 - Lakeside

DIVISION 7

No. 1 - Cornerstone Christian

Top 15 - Santa Rosa Academy

On the softball diamond, last year’s Southwestern League cochampions, Murrieta Mesa, are definitely a team to watch in Division 1, as are league foes

Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Vista Murrieta, who are Division

2. Great Oak, who split the league title last season, are nowhere to be found in the preseason watchlist, but a handful of other local teams did garner a “team to watch” nod and they are listed below. These teams were selected by the CIFSS Softball Advisory Committee.

DIVISION 3

Orange Vista

Temescal Canyon

DIVISION 4

Elsinore

DIVISION 7

California Lutheran

Tahquitz

On the lacrosse fields, Chaparral (No. 9) is the only local boys’ team with their name on the “watchlist” in Division 2, and for the girls’ teams, the Pumas are also high on the Division 2 list at No. 1, while Murrieta Valley is coming in at No. 5 in the same division.

Last Year’s CIF Southern Section Division 2 runners-up, and backto-back Southwestern League champions, were not on the radar for this release.

As for the new girls’ beach volleyball season, selected by the Girls Beach Volleyball Committee, no local teams have been identified for this release.

The Boys’ volleyball preseason watchlist will be released Monday, Feb. 13, and Track and Field will release a preseason poll Monday, Feb. 20.

Sports tips can be sent to sports@reedermedia.com

Derryl Trujillo

Sports Writer

(No. 14) Chino (22-5): 10-0908-21=48

(No. 3) Great Oak (21-6): 08-0810-05=31

CHINO – During the COVID season of 2021, Great Oak’s girls’ basketball team won just two games and playoff appearances were a dream. Two years later the Wolfpack won a Southwestern League championship and had dreams of a deep run into February.

Unfortunately, a cold shooting night on the road combined with 18 points from Cowboys senior Kimberly Day ended Great Oak’s dream of that run on a chilly Saturday night.

It was a defensive first half as both teams struggled to get shots to find the bottom of the net. After 16 minutes of play the Cowboys held a 19-16 lead.

Great Oak got on the board first with a basket from Bri Thomas

before the Cowboys went on an 8-0 run to lead 8-2 with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. Great Oak then responded by scoring six of the quarter’s final eight points to trail by the two-point margin. The push was culminated by Alyssa Schuetze’s layup on an assist from Payton Curtiss.

“I feel bad for our seniors because even though they get to hang a league championship banner in the gym we thought we could go on a deep run,” Great Oak coach Jared Curtiss remarked. “We took good shots that just didn’t fall tonight and to their credit they hit theirs.”

Schuetze gave the Wolfpack their first lead of the game (11-10) by converting a three-point play a little more than a minute into the second quarter and Curtiss made it a four-point lead by connecting on a three pointer. Day scored the next five Cowboy points, putting back an offensive rebound and connecting on a three pointer to make it 1514 Chino with two minutes to

intermission. Chino took a 19-16 lead to halftime.

“At halftime we said we were doing everything right but just not together. Once we got together it clicked and we were able to find a way to win,” Day said. “Being at home was huge for us. We heard all the support tonight and it definitely made a difference when things got tight.”

Curtiss’ steal led to a Bri Thomas layup which closed Chino’s lead to 23-22 with 4:25 left in the third quarter. However, back-toback baskets from London Gibbs restored a five-point lead at 27-22. The Cowboy lead was one point at 27-26 after three quarters.

Coming out of the third quarter intermission, Chino went on an 8-1 run which stretched the lead to 3527 on Jasmine Santana’s putback with 5:09 left. The Cowboy lead reached ten points on Lyndsey Valverde’s basket with 2:15 left and from there Chino went nine for 13 at the free throw line to seal it.

“Whatever offense we were able to get started with our defense and I was really pleased with our effort on that end tonight,” Cowboys coach Sandra Van Embricqs said. “Offensively we just kept telling them to keep attacking the basket and they’d get shots to fall.”

Chino Scoring

K. Day - 18, L. Valverde - 10, M. Johnson - 9, L. Gibbs - 8, J. Santana 3

Three pointers: Day - 1

Great Oak Scoring

A. Schuetze - 13, P. Curtiss - 11, B. Thomas - 5, A. Smith - 2

Three pointers: Curtiss - 1 Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com

Sports Editor

Valley News/Jerry Soifer photo

Area players on the 215 RivCo roster also included: Caron Taylor, Chaparral; Dereun Dortch, San Jacinto; David Myers, San Jacinto; Nigel Craine, Orange Vista; Mykai Skinner, Elsinore;

Kartell Malepeai, San Jacinto; Devyne Pearson, Chaparral; Gavin Ratnayakage, Paloma Valley; Lucas Irving, Orange Vista; Tevita Tukunga, San Jacinto; Ahlijah Afemata, San Jacinto; Zavier

Swoffer, Elsinore; Jamari Jones, Elsinore; Arturo Nieto, Orange Vista; Stephen Gallegos, Paloma Valley; Jack Trimble, Great Oak; Paogo Enosa, San Jacinto; Eric Lawton, Vista Murrieta; Darius

Holmes, Vista Murrieta; Vincent Perryman, Chaparral; and Darien Jackson, Chaparral. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com

Great Oak’s Kimber Draughon (5) takes a 3-point shot during a recent postseason game. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Lake Elsinore area students honored in January

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

The Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, celebrating its 27th season of honoring students who make a difference, held its most recent recognition on Jan. 17 at the Lakeside High School Lancer Round Table Café. Lunch was prepared and served by members of the Lakeside Culinary Academy.

Program founder Sally Myers welcomed everyone to the local high school recognition program which acknowledges and honors college or trade school bound seniors for their character, their love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to participation in athletics, school activities and community service. It also commends those who have persevered and overcome difficult life circumstances, all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise. Large bags filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and much more donated by the program’s sponsors were given to the award recipients. Each student received a medallion and 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 are Elsinore High School’s Isabel Vega and Jonathan Woodroof, Lakeside High School’s Vallerie Cornejo and James Fields, Ortega High School’s Dorian Fowler and Temescal Canyon High School’s Gianluca Molina and Kailani Rjiejahh.

Elsinore High School

Isabel Vega was chosen to represent Elsinore High School for being a photographer with an amazing eye and an outstanding athlete scholar who is currently ranked fifth in her class with a 4.59 GPA. “The answer to what your small and precious amount of time gets devoted to comes down to what you are going to remember,” Isabel said. “You can’t change what others are going

to remember about you and you can’t change what history is going to remember about you, but you can change what you remember.”

On a CTE pathway, Isabel’s Advanced Photography teacher Ron Kusyanagi said Isabel came to his class highly recommended by her previous teacher. “Her photos were so creative but she also took all the criticism and learned from it. She epitomizes leadership, always trying to lift up others, it’s her heart to help others.”

Principal Robbin Hamilton introduced Jonathan Woodroof as someone who is as fierce on the CIF water polo team as he is in the classroom. With a 4.35 GPA, he also has performed more than 200 hours of community service.

He has received a nomination from Congressman Ken Calvert to the West Point military academy.

“I know I would not be receiving this award if it were not for those around me,” Jonathan said. “I have created and contributed to an environment that loves, supports, motivates, inspires and will always push people to do the very best they can. In everything I have done, from academics to extracurricular activities to community service, I have made it a point to create and emulate that same environment.”

At his church’s Vacation Bible School program, he works to create an atmosphere that the children enjoyed and had fun in while learning about God. “Our city offers amazing programs for high school students such as the Community Emergency Response Team and the Dream Extreme Future Leaders Program. I have been blessed to have participated in both.”

Lakeside High School

Vallerie Cornejo was one of two exceptional Lakeside High School Lancers that principal Henry Romero said “represent the very fabric of being a Lancer and the essence of our character trait, which is RISE: Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence.” She participates in AVID, takes AP classes and is Social Media Manager for the book club. “She is an accomplished actor and recently played a starring role in the production of ‘God of Carnage’ which earned first place at the (California Educational Theatre Association) Festival for Division 4. Moreover, Vallerie and the entire cast of the play were selected to perform on the main stage at the festival and they did an unbelievable job in front of the crowd of nearly 1,000,” Romero said. Vallerie’s performance earned her a variety of awards including Main Stage Lead Actress. She plans to major in English and Creative Writing at college with future plans of becoming a writer and journalist. Vallerie said she was always described as stubborn but learned how to turn “this weakness into something great.” In her junior and senior years, post-pandemic, she found passions that drove her daily and discovered “my weaknesses were just strengths I had yet to divulge in.” She

MUSD awards spelling bee champions

said, “Stubbornness brought me here. I could call it tenacity or determination but to call it that would be kind of a lie to myself.”

Scott Karlan said, “This charming, friendly young lady is everything a theater director wants from a student actor: impressive work ethic, analytical mind, team player, super creative and the astounding ability to put up with me.”

James Fields was unable to attend the ceremony due to illness but Romero said, “James continues to excel in the AP programs that are featured here at Lakeside, having participated in the program since ninth grade. James is a member of the Chess and Mad Scientist clubs and is currently ranked No. 2 in his senior class of 375 with a 4.4 GPA. His future goal is to become a pharmacist. His teachers described James as being “exceptionally smart, hardworking, engaged and always focused on his studies.”

James prepared a speech that was delivered by his father in which he said that throughout much of his life, he chased after big and grand goals. “I lived for the big moments, the great accomplishments and the happiness that came with them and as a result I wasn’t enjoying things as much as I should have,” James wrote. “The most significant life lesson I want to take with me to college is enjoying the little things in life and not only finding happiness from the goals that I have.” Lakeside teacher and athletic trainer Alyssa Adele Messih said, “I chose to nominate James because a student who has accomplished so much deserves to be recognized. James is a brilliant, humble, mature and kind young man and it has been an absolute pleasure to have him as a student.”

Ortega High School

Dorian Fowler was singled out for this month’s honor and was described by Principal Greg Cleave as a “quiet leader on campus.” Dorian, on track to finish school early and leave Ortega in March

as a third quarter graduate, plans to attend college in Virginia to earn a degree in anthropology. “Maturity gifted me with my first epiphany,” Dorian said. “Change is the vehicle through which we evolve. It should not be feared. For example, my most recent and impactful transition was becoming a student at Ortega. I was vehemently against the change. I had friends at my home school, which was a familiar campus. Transformation is the opportunity to grow and I mustn’t squander it. This lesson will follow me through college, my careers and the rest of my life.” English teacher Jennifer Wharton said, “Dorian is an excellent student and an excellent writer” who is part of the yearbook staff and several clubs and always jumps in to help when and where needed on campus.

Temescal Canyon High School

Gianluca Molina was introduced by Temescal Canyon High principal Joshua Hill as an outstanding member of the school’s Medical and Health Careers Academy who also participates on the water polo and swim teams and volunteers in the community. He plans to study psychology and biology while continuing to play water polo at the college level. His future goals are “to look for ways to exceed boundaries, achieve what others haven’t, and never stop looking for ways to improve himself.” Gianluca feels his greatest contribution to his community is his involvement with Lake Elsinore’s Dream Center, especially its Saturday Adopt-ABlock program. Working with all age groups, volunteers interact with residents to help identify needs and offer resources. “I get to know what Lake Elsinore truly is and how I can help,” Gianluca said, adding that being bilingual offers yet another advantage to his volunteerism. “I feel that I can personally find new ways to introduce positivity to myself and the people around me,” he said. He credits his health career mentor

Charles “Lee” Lovingood with providing him with the important life lesson of being the change you wish to see in the world. Lovingood explained that Gianluca was the only male student to apply to become a Health Academy Ambassador where he gets to practice compassionate leadership every day. He also applied to be the Buddy Program Coordinator to help incoming freshmen get accustomed to the school and the academy program. “He saw a need that needed to be filled and he filled it,” Lovingood said.

Kailani Rjiejahh has made an impact at the school by being captain of the varsity cheer and stunt team, serving as the Leadership Program’s publicity commissioner and being involved in National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation and Athletic Council. She has committed to California Baptist University where she will major in biochemistry and minor in pharmaceutical science as she continues cheering. Principal Hill said, “She would like to work to make food healthier and is interested in a career with the Food and Drug Administration.” Kailani said she feels that without the help of her community she would not be anywhere near where she is today. “My greatest contribution to my community is to be as reliable and accessible as it has been for me,” she said. “As a youth voice in the community, I feel that it’s terribly important to help our adults connect with us as we can only create change together.” She was nominated by her AP Human Geography teacher Kevin Quint who said Kailani demonstrates great leadership. “Normally, you have a leader who is a good organizer or is vocal or leads by example, and Kai does all three of those better than anyone on our campus.” For more information on the program, please contact Kim Joseph Cousins at 951-245-8848.

Michelle’s Place offers Patricia Deroeux Scholarship

TEMECULA – Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, in partnership with the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, offers the Patricia Deroeux Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to two individuals within the city of Temecula who are full-time students and in need of financial assistance due to the death of a parent because of

cancer. The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce remembered “the impactful presence and generous spirit of Patricia “Pattie” Deroeux, who served as a beloved staff member” for many years. Pattie was diagnosed with cancer in December 2002 and died in May 2003. The chamber said it was honored to “keep her legacy alive

At the Governing Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Menifee Union School District recognized two students for their incredible achievement at the 2023 District Spelling Bee. The Grand Champion was Aden Bundand, representing Chester W. Morrison Elementary and First Runner-up was Elijah Andrew Decano, representing Southshore Elementary School.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, the district held its annual spelling bee at Menifee Valley Middle School. There were 38 students on the competition stage, representing each school in the district, and their families were in the audience

cheering them on. After eight vigorous rounds, Aden and Elijah came through victoriously, demonstrating not only their spelling proficiency but their resilience under pressure as well.

The championship word was “clandestine.”

“We are incredibly proud of Aden and Elijah,” Superintendent Jennifer Root said. “Their accomplishments are a testament to the hard work and dedication of both our students and teachers.”

Aden will move on to represent the Menifee Union School District at the Riverside County Spelling Bee on March 23.

in such a meaningful and impactful way.”

Applications are open online until Tuesday, Feb. 28. To learn more or apply, visit https:// michellesplace.org/educationalscholarships/.

Submitted by Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center

Human Relations Council calls for Black History Month essay contest entries

HEMET – The Human Relations Council of the Greater Hemet, San Jacinto and Menifee region is calling for entries for the 19th annual Black History Month essay contest. The contest is open to all middle school, high school and college students in the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley and Menifee Valley. Public school, private school, parochial school, charter school and home-schooled students are all encouraged to enter.

The essay topic is to select a person of color who illustrates the

triumph of the human spirit over circumstances and prejudice to build a life of accomplishment. The essay length for middle school students, grades 6-8, is 300-500 words. For high school students from grades 9 to 12, essay length is 500-1,000 words. For college students, undergraduate only, essay length is 1,000-2,000 words. Essays that are too short or long will be eliminated from consideration. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20. Submit

essays by email at marymorse@ humanrelationscouncil.com

A presentation of the winning essays will take place at the Black History Month Awards Ceremony taking place Friday, March 10, at the Center for Spiritual Living, 40450 Stetson Ave., in Hemet.

To view more in depth essay contest guidelines, visit https:// humanrelationscouncil.com/blackhistory-month-essay-contest/.

Submitted by The Human Relations Council of the Greater Hemet, San Jacinto and Menifee

Recipients of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month award for January are, standing from left, Gianluca Molina and Jonathan Woodroof; and seated from left, Vallerie Cornejo, Kailani Rjiejahh, Dorian Fowler and Isabel Vega. Not pictured: James Fields. Valley News/John P. Hess photo

James Fields is a Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month for January but was unable to attend the recognition ceremony due to illness.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Grand Champion Aden Bunband from Chester W. Morrison Elementary shows off his trophy, medal and certificate.

First Runner-up Elijah Decanto from Southshore Elementary holds up his trophy, medal and certificate. Valley News/MUSD photos

Highway Update

Long-awaited Holland overpass work in Menifee requiring road closure

Tony Ault Staff Writer

MENIFEE

The City of Menifee began in earnest Feb. 14 construction on the Holland Road Overpass, a longawaited Capital Improvement Project now fully funded requiring a hard road closure. The closure between Holland and Antelope roads will be closed for 18 months as the overpass construction continues.

Residents and motorists can obtain additional information and signup for project updates at the Menifee website www. hollandoverpass.com.

Another new City Capital Improvement Project on Menifee Road between Holland Road and Camino Cristal is currently in active construction. Work on the medians is expected to begin this week. Traffic control will be in place during construction, however travel will be open in all directions.

Cherry Hills Boulevard Communications Utility Work by Mediacom will be working within the roadway on Cherry Hills Blvd. between Bradley Road and Sun City Blvd. Work is expected to be completed by mid-February. Traffic control will be in place during this project and delays should be expected.

Eastern Municipal Water District’s water transmission line project at Murrieta and Newport roads has been completed.

Traffic signal improvement work continues at Garbani and Menifee roads and McCall Square.

Temporary traffic control at McCall Boulevard and Ranch Road is expected to remain in place as necessary through April and will remain in place for the duration of these projects.

The Lazy Creek and Sun City Boulevard Pedestrian Improvement Project has been completed by the city in the neighborhood but the Sun City Boulevard work is expected to continue through the end of this month. Traffic control will be in place at various locations as necessary.

The SoCal Gas Company’s Gas Line Installation Project will continue in the vicinity of Evans Road and Lazy Creek. Lane closures will remain in place for the next several months to support the project in the daytime hours. Work is expected to continue through mid-March. Traffic control will be in place during active construction.

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

SAN JACINTO

The California Department of Transportation continues work on the $4 million safety project to construct a median concrete barrier and rumble strips on State Route 79 near San Jacinto. The project is weather and temperature dependent and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. All work will take place in the median behind the k-rails. Crews will perform trench paving operations. Work may include sawcutting, breaking existing asphalt, and excavating for the installation of a new drainage pipe. CHP will be on site to assist with traffic safety.

HEMET

State Route 79 signals, sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades will soon begin as part of a $1.3 million safety project on State Route 79 in the City of Hemet. The project will modify and upgrade a traffic signal, reconstruct and upgrade sidewalks, curb ramps and driveways to ADA standards at the intersection of E. Latham Avenue and SR-79. The project was awarded to Crosstown Electrical and Data Inc. of Irwindale.

BANNING

Caltrans is continuing its work on a $2 million project to rehabilitate existing landscaping, upgrade irrigation facilities to

current water efficient technology and provide erosion control on Interstate 10 at 8th Street in the city of Banning. Crews will also continue working on landscaping and irrigation facilities in and near the I-10 a quarter-mile west of 8th Street to South San Gorgonio Avenue. Weather may affect work schedules. February hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

PALM SPRINGS

Interstate 10 striping in Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City by Caltrans is part of the $2.5 million project to place new pavement markings and striping at the on and off ramps on Interstate 10 and upgrade sign panels, in and near these cities, weather permitting. Crews will be working on the shoulders, east and west bound. Watch for signage alerting motorists of upcoming construction locations and remember to reduce your speed in and around the work zone. The project is expected to be complete in late winter.

Caltrans is also working on a $5.5 million project to construct and upgrade curb ramps to ADA standards and modify signal and lighting systems on State Route 111 in Palm Springs from Lawrence Crossley Road to West Gateway Drive. A minimum of one lane will be open in each

direction at all times.

SAN BERNARDINO

Caltrans 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, weather permitting. Work hours are Monday through Saturday through Feb. 18. The weekend schedule is subject to change. In the event of significant rain, northbound and southbound lanes No. 1 and No. 2 will be closed due to potential flooding.

Additionally, new lane configuration is in place: lanes 1 and 2, northbound and southbound, shift inward toward the newly configured center median, splitting from the three adjacent lanes, with k-rail on both sides for approximately one mile. Big rigs, trucks and trailers should not use lanes 1 and 2.

Be alert for work trucks entering and exiting from the center median.

To avoid delays, use SR-138 to SR-18 in Phelan back to I-15 as a detour. Please use caution and remember to reduce your speed when approaching and driving through construction zones.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

Voices for Children appoints Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS as President & CEO

financial strength and stability for the organization, and led the implementation of a new Strategic Plan which provides a holistic framework for Voices for Children’s strength and success in the years to come.

Voices for Children through the ever-changing landscape during the pandemic, building on our financial health, community support, and advocacy for vulnerable children in San Diego and Riverside Counties.”

Jessica Muñoz,

RIVERSIDE — Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS has been named President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Voices for Children, the regional nonprofit organization designated by the San Diego and Riverside County Superior Courts to recruit, train, and support Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers.

CASAs serve as consistent, caring adults for children who are in foster care after experiencing abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In addition, CASAs advocate on behalf of children in foster care by providing critical information

to judges making decisions about the children’s futures. Muñoz has been with the organization since January 2016 as the Executive Director for the Riverside County program and more recently as the Executive Vice President for the entire organization. She succeeds Kelly Capen Douglas, Esq. who has served as President & CEO since October 2019 and has been named the next General Counsel at Santa Clara University.

During her term as President & CEO, Douglas guided Voices for Children through the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, created

Chair of the Voices for Children Board of Directors, Annette Bradbury, said, “The board is delighted to promote Jessica to the role of President & CEO of Voices for Children. Her appointment is a natural progression in a career she has devoted to vulnerable children, youth, and families affected by legal systems. During her seven years leading the Riverside County program Jessica has developed authentic, long-lasting relationships with community leaders, child welfare partners, and supporters leading to year-on-year growth in the number of children served and revenue. She has demonstrated her extraordinary ability to inspire others to embrace our mission by becoming CASA volunteers, investing in Voices for Children, and providing platforms to tell our story.”

“We would also like to express our profound gratitude to Kelly Capen Douglas for her leadership, dedication, and strategic vision over the last three and a half years. Kelly has successfully guided

Muñoz is an attorney and practiced for more than seven years, including four years as a trial attorney in juvenile dependency courts in both Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. Prior to joining Voices for Children, she developed and coordinated a program at UC San Diego to provide support services to students who are undocumented. In addition to her law degree, she holds a Master of Forensic Science degree and a professional certificate in nonprofit management. Muñoz is a past chair of the County of San Diego Juvenile Justice Commission and served on the board of the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet. Her professional affiliations include the State Bar of California, the Riverside County Bar Association, Leadership Riverside, and the Fieldstone Leadership Network. Muñoz was named the 2022 Juvenile Law Attorney of the Year by the Riverside County Bar Association. She is a resident of Fallbrook.

“I am grateful for and humbled

California 2024 US Senate contest kicks off at furious pace

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s U.S. Senate race is unfolding at a furious pace, with candidates reporting seven-figure fundraising and holding competing rallies and campaign events more than a year before the 2024 primary election.

The fight for the safely Democratic seat held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who at 89 is the oldest member of Congress, is shaping up as a marquee match-up between nationally known rivals and is likely to become one of the most expensive Senate races in the country next year.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, who rose to prominence as the lead prosecutor in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, gathered hundreds of supporters in a union hall parking lot for a rally in his hometown of Burbank where he implored the cheering crowd, “Let’s go win this thing.”

Schiff, who announced his candidacy last month, said he was running for Senate after two decades in Congress “to build an economy that works for everyone, a democracy that will last for all

time and a planet that doesn’t melt beneath our feet.”

A day earlier, Democratic U.S. Rep. Katie Porter brought her Senate campaign to Los Angeles, where she met with local leaders to discuss pollution in lowerincome neighborhoods. She said such areas are often overlooked in Washington and Sacramento, where residents’ complaints about unhealthy conditions go unheard.

Porter, a leader in Congress’ progressive wing, built a reputation for her tough questioning of CEOs and other witnesses at congressional hearings, often using a whiteboard to break down information.

Other potential contenders for the seat include Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. If she runs and is elected, Lee would be the only Black woman in the Senate.

Feinstein has yet to say if she will seek a seventh term. In recent years, questions have arisen about her cognitive health and memory, though she has defended her effectiveness. However, her reticence about her future has created a publicly awkward dynamic — the race to replace her is rapidly taking shape, even as the senator remains unclear about her intentions.

Schiff’s rally, held on a nippy, mostly overcast morning, marked the start of a two-week statewide tour, with stops to include San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno and San Francisco.

He was joined by his wife Eve, one of his two children, Alexa, and David McMillan, whom the congressman mentored as a youth and considers part of his family.

After recounting his career as a federal prosecutor, state legislator and member of Congress, Schiff made clear he would anchor his campaign to his role as impeachment manager and Trump’s chief antagonist in Congress. He has been a frequent target of conservatives — Trump in particular — since the then-GOPled House Intelligence Committee he served on started investigating Trump’s ties to Russia in the 2016 election.

He mentioned “democracy” more than a half-dozen times in the speech. He’s selling T-shirts and coffee mugs on his campaign website, with the slogan “Democracy Matters.” He called Trump, who has announced his 2024 campaign for the presidency, “a demagogue bent on destroying our democracy.” “We investigated Trump. We

impeached him. We held him accountable and then we defeated him at the ballot box,” Schiff said to cheers. “And we will defeat him again, if the GOP is foolish enough to nominate him. He will never see the inside of the Oval Office, never again.”

Trump was impeached in December 2019 on charges he abused the power of the presidency to investigate rival Joe Biden (accusations which were later verified by son Hunter Biden’s laptop) and obstructed Congress’ investigation. The Republican-led Senate acquitted Trump of both charges. In 2021, he became the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice, this time for inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol after he lost the 2020 election. He was again acquitted by the Senate.

Schiff’s other foundational issues include fighting climate change and improving the economy.

“Too many people are working multiple jobs but cannot pay the rent, afford groceries or pay for life saving medication,” he said. “Too many children are growing up in poverty and hungry.”

Schiff and Porter, both prolific small-dollar fundraisers, already are dueling over campaign dollars

by this opportunity to be of greater service to our CASA volunteers, Board of Directors, staff, community stakeholders, and - most importantly - the children who count on us every day,” Muñoz said. “I’m excited to continue working alongside my colleagues at Voices for Children to make the advocacy CASA volunteers provide possible for children across San Diego and Riverside Counties.”

“It has been an incredible honor to lead Voices for Children,” Douglas said. “Working in collaboration with our staff, CASAs, board members, court and community partners, and philanthropic supporters, I am very proud of all that we have accomplished to provide our region’s most vulnerable children with the advocacy, care, and dignity that they deserve. I will continue to be a strong supporter of Voices for Children, and I am thrilled that the Board of Directors has selected Jessica to lead the organization into the future.” Douglas and Muñoz will work closely during the transition. Muñoz will be responsible for leading the entire organization beginning March 1.

California since 2006, and the past two Senate elections had only Democrats on the November ballot.

Michael R. Blood

Esq., MFS. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Adam Schiff announced his candidacy for US Senate in January. Valley News/Courtesy photo and endorsements. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco is backing Schiff, providing Feinstein retires, and Porter is supported by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Democrats are expected to dominate the contest in the famously liberal state — a Republican hasn’t won a statewide race in

IRS won’t tax most relief payments made by states last year

David Sharp

Associated Press

The IRS announced Friday, Feb. 10 that most relief checks issued by states last year aren’t subject to federal taxes, providing 11th hour guidance as tax returns start to pour in.

A week after telling payment recipients to delay filing returns, the IRS said it won’t challenge the taxability of payments related to general welfare and disaster, meaning taxpayers who received those checks won’t have to pay federal taxes on those payments. All told, the IRS said special payments were made by 21 states in 2022.

“The IRS appreciates the

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patience of taxpayers, tax professionals, software companies and state tax administrators as the IRS and Treasury worked to resolve this unique and complex situation,” the IRS said in a statement.

The states where the relief checks do not have to be reported by taxpayers are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. That also applies to energy relief payments in Alaska that were in addition to the annual Permanent Fund Dividend, the IRS said.

In addition, many taxpayers in Georgia, Massachusetts, South

Carolina and Virginia also avoid federal taxes on state payments if they meet certain requirements, the IRS said.

In California, most residents got a “middle class tax refund” last year, a payment of up to $1,050 depending on their income, filing status and whether they had children. The Democraticcontrolled state Legislature approved the payments to help offset record high gas prices, which peaked at a high of $6.44 per gallon in June according to AAA.

A key question was whether the federal government would count those payments as income and require Californians to pay taxes on it. Many California

taxpayers had delayed filing their 2022 returns while waiting for an answer. The IRS said on Friday, Feb. 10 it would not tax the refund.

Maine was another example of states where the IRS stance had created confusion. More than 100,000 tax returns had already been filed as of Thursday, Feb. 9, many of them submitted before the IRS urged residents to delay filing their returns.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills pressed for the $850 pandemic relief checks last year for most Mainers to help make ends meet as a budget surplus ballooned.

Her administration designed the relief program to conform with federal tax code to avoid being subject to federal taxes or included

in federal adjusted gross income calculations, Sharon Huntley, spokesperson for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, said.

Senate President Troy Jackson called the confusion caused by the IRS “harmful and irresponsible.”

“Democrats and Republicans worked together to create a program that would comply with federal tax laws and deliver for more than 800,000 Mainers,” the Democrat from Allagash said in a statement Friday, Feb. 10. Sharp reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press writer Adam Beam in Sacramento contributed to this report.

US says China balloon could collect intelligence signals

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Matthew Lee and Eric Tucker Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The China balloon shot down by the U.S. was equipped to detect and collect intelligence signals as part of a huge, military-linked aerial surveillance program that targeted more than 40 countries, the Biden administration declared Thursday, Feb. 9, citing imagery from American U-2 spy planes.

A fleet of balloons operates under the direction of the People’s Liberation Army and is used specifically for spying, outfitted with high-tech equipment designed to gather sensitive information from targets across the globe, the U.S. said. Similar balloons have sailed over five continents, according to the administration.

A statement from a senior State Department official offered the most detail to date linking China’s military to the balloon that was shot down by the U.S. over the Atlantic Ocean. The public details outlining the program’s scope and capabilities were meant to refute China’s persistent denials that the balloon was used for spying, including a claim on Feb. 9 that U.S. accusations about the balloon amount to “information warfare.”

President Joe Biden defended the U.S. action.

And, asked in an interview with Spanish language Telemundo Noticias whether the balloon episode represented a major security breach, he said no.

“Look, the total amount of intelligence gathering that’s going on by every country around the world is overwhelming,” he said.

“Anyway, it’s not a major breach. I mean, look ... it’s a violation of international law. It’s our airspace. And once it comes into our space, we can do what we want with it.”

On Capitol Hill, the House voted unanimously to condemn

China for a “brazen violation” of U.S. sovereignty and efforts to “deceive the international community through false claims about its intelligence collection campaigns.” Republicans have criticized Biden for not acting sooner to down the balloon, but both parties’ lawmakers came together on the vote, 419-0.

In Beijing, before the U.S. offered its new information, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeated her nation’s insistence that the large unmanned balloon was a civilian meteorological airship that had blown off course and that the U.S. had “overreacted” by shooting it down.

“It is irresponsible,” Mao said. The latest accusations, she said, “may be part of the U.S. side’s information warfare against China.”

Underscoring the tensions, China’s defense minister refused to take a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the balloon issue on Saturday, the Pentagon said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a planned weekend trip to Beijing.

The U.S. flatly contradicted China’s version of events, saying that imagery of the balloon collected by American U-2 spy planes as it crossed the country showed that it was “capable of conducting signals intelligence collection” with multiple antennas and other equipment designed to upload sensitive information and solar panels to power them.

Jedidiah Royal, the U.S. assistant defense secretary for the Indo-Pacific, told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that the military has “some very good guesses” about what intelligence China was seeking. More information was expected to be provided in a classified setting.

Senior FBI officials who briefed reporters on the condition of

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anonymity under ground rules set by the bureau said just a few pieces of the balloon had arrived at the FBI’s Quantico, Virginia, lab for investigation. So far, investigators have parts of the balloon canopy, wiring, and what one official called “a very small amount of electronics.” The official said it was “very early for us to assess what the intent was and how the device was operating.”

According to two U.S. officials, the balloon recovery efforts were temporarily suspended on Thursday, Feb. 9, due to high seas. They said some balloon debris was intact on the ocean floor and divers had recovered potentially highvalue equipment over the past day and a half. Another official said that some of the recovered equipment components had English writing or markings on them but it wasn’t clear if they were American parts or from another English speaking country. The official said the more highly technical parts recovered did not have any overt markings.

Much of the debris is concentrated in two separate sections of an area 15 football fields long and 15 fields across, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the collection process.

The State Department official, providing details to reporters by email, also on condition of anonymity, said an analysis of the balloon debris was “inconsistent” with China’s explanation that it was a weather balloon that went off course. The U.S. is reaching out to countries that have also been targeted, the official said.

The U.S. has confidence that the manufacturer of the balloon shot down on Saturday, Feb. 4, has “a direct relationship with China’s military and is an approved vendor of the” army, the official said, citing an official PLA procurement portal as evidence.

State Department spokesman Ned Price would not identify the other countries the U.S. says have also been targeted. Nor would he reveal how the U.S. knows there have been Chinese incursions over those countries’ territory, saying to do so could compromise intelligence sources and methods.

The release of new information appeared part of a coordinated administration response, with multiple officials appearing before congressional committees to face questions about the balloon.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said officials had taken “all necessary steps to protect sensitive information” and had been able to study and scrutinize the balloon and its equipment.

“We will continue to answer the dangers posed by the PRC with determination and resolve,” Sherman said, referring to the People’s Republic of China. “We will make clear to the PRC that violations of our sovereignty and the sovereignty of other countries are unacceptable.”

At a separate Senate subcommittee hearing, lawmakers repeatedly pressed administration officials, including Pentagon military leaders, about why the balloon was not shot down over sparsely populated areas of Alaska. And they questioned whether allowing the balloon to transit such a large area set a precedent for future spying efforts by China and others.

“It defies belief that there was not a single opportunity to safely shoot this spy balloon prior to the coast of South Carolina,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said. “By the administration’s logic we would allow the Chinese to fly surveillance balloons over the Pentagon or other sensitive sites and populated areas.”

Melissa Dalton, assistant defense secretary of Homeland Defense, and Lt. Gen. Doug Sims, director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. wanted to avoid any injuries or deaths from the debris field if the balloon was shot down over Alaska.

And they added that shooting it down over the frigid, icy waters in that region would have made it more difficult and dangerous to recover the pieces for more analysis.

“We thought before we shot,” Sims said. This is not the first time the U.S. government has publicly called out alleged activities of the People’s Liberation Army. In a first-of-its-kind prosecution in 2014, the Obama administration Justice Department indicted five accused PLA hackers of breaking into the computer networks of major American corporations in an effort to steal trade secrets.

Associated Press writers Nomaan Merchant and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

may be painful to think about your funeral, but it doesn’t have to be painful to pay for it.

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 approaches the well deck of the Harpers Ferry-Class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), as the search for debris from the Chinese high altitude balloon continues off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 7, 2023.

In this image provided by the FBI, FBI special agents assigned to the evidence response team process material recovered from the high altitude balloon recovered off the coast of South Carolina, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Va.,

(Jerry Ireland/U.S. Navy via AP) (FBI via AP)

Aguanga artist and teacher seeking help in fighting cancer battle

Artist Sacha Hope is known for her popular Paint and Sip art classes held at various venues over the years.

Diane Sieker

Staff Writer

Aguanga artist and teacher Sacha

Hope is known for her outrageous sense of humor, contagious smile,

entertaining classes and popular Paint and Sip parties, where groups of adult students learn to paint a picture while enjoying snacks and wine. Her bubbly personality is legendary, but she has been forced

Hamilton Elementary’s Father/Daughter Dance provides fun and excitement

to slow down by the disease she has been fighting since a cancer diagnosis in 2020. Her brilliant red hair locks may be gone due to chemotherapy, but her presence is as inspiring as it ever has been, to

her students and friends.She has shared every step of her personal journey on her Facebook page with an honesty and rawness that is to viewers both awe-inspiring and sometimes brutally painful.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Hope is battling an aggressive form of breast cancer called infiltrating ductal carcinoma. She has undergone two lumpectomies,

dancing, music, food and games for students and their families at the Father/Daughter Dance Friday, Feb. 10. It was a colorful and fun night enjoyed by dozens

Sacred Heart Women’s Guild hosts dinner and bake sale to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Women’s Guild celebrated St. Valentine’s Day early with their annual dinner and bake sale Saturday, Feb. 11. Brownies, homemade jams, cheesecakes, cookies, candies and even white chocolate-covered strawberries were offered at the bake sale. A prepared tri-tip dinner was served with all the

extras. The women decorated the tables with Valentine-themed centerpieces to add to the festive social event.

“Sacred Heart Women’s Guild would like to thank everyone who helped and supported this heartfelt event,” organizer Aggie McGowan said.

Father Kien Kieu oversaw the preparations, mostly staying clear of the activity as the ladies made sure everything was perfect for their guests.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Women’s Guild collects charitable funds for the church’s and Guild’s good works in the Anza Valley, including the donation of money to From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries and Food for the Faithful. Both the church and the community benefit from the ladies’ hard work organizing rummage sales and other see GUILD, page D-3

see HOPE, page D-4 see DANCE, page D-5

Diane Sieker Staff Writer Hamilton Elementary School’s Parent, Teacher, Student Association organized, decorated and managed a magical evening of

Sacred Heart Women’s Guild members, from left, Sharon Vaccarino, Bobbie Wellman, Jackie Anderson, Deb Zimmerman, Marta Spencer and Aggie McGowan organize the sweet treats and menu items at their St. Valentine’s dinner and bake sale Saturday, Feb. 11. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Josh Mitchell and Evie smile for the camera at Hamilton Elementary School’s Father/Daughter Dance. Anza Valley Outlook/Joanne Salazar photo

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 951751-1462 for more information.

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

Veterans’ Gathering Mondays

9-11 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39075 Contreras Road, in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with 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 951763-4226.

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 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.

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 951-7630856.

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.

Legal Advertising

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.

Clubs Anza Valley VFW Post 1873

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

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

Anza Valley Artists Meetings – 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 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. 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 951-2824267.

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.

Girl Scout cookie sales season begins in Anza

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Girl Scout cookies have arrived and supporting residents in Anza are searching out the many varieties. Local Girl Scout Troop 1805 is filling the many orders. The hardworking young ladies and their leaders can be seen in person in decorated booths at various locations throughout downtown Anza, including the Dollar General Store. Places and times are shared on social media groups to alert the buyers of the cookie availability.

Cookie season began in January and will go through April. The starting price for cookies is $5 per box, with some specialty flavors offered at $6 a box. Proceeds from the sales of the sweets go to the Girl Scout organization.

Money earned through the sale of the cookies stays local. Different marketing techniques teach the girls skills they can use to be successful as they mature. Interacting with customers, making change, offering products with a smile, answering questions and dedication are all valuable lessons to be learned.

The confections are a special treat with limited availability. Everyone has their treasured special flavors.

For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts have offered the cookies for sale as a fundraising event. The sale of cookies as a way to finance troop activities began about 1917, in the beginning years of the Girl

Scouts. The simple sugar cookies were originally baked by Scouts and other helpers and sold by the girls door to door.

By 1922, cookies could be purchased for 25 cents a dozen, wrapped in wax paper and sealed with a sticker.

In 1935, the sale of commercially

baked cookies was developed, and the words “Girl Scout Cookies” on the box was first made available. In 1936, the national Girl Scout organization started the process of licensing the first commercial bakers to produce cookies that could be sold nationwide. By 1937, over 125 Girl Scout councils

had cookie sales.

During WWII, because of food shortages, the Girl Scouts sold calendars instead of cookies, but after the war, cookie sales boomed. By 1948, 29 bakers were licensed to make Girl Scout cookies.

In 1951, Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints were offered

and by 1966, Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies were added, along with more varieties and produced by about 14 bakers.

In 1978, four bakers produced the cookies, and all cookie boxes had the same designs depicting scenes of Girl Scouts hiking and canoeing. In 1979, the brand-new Girl Scout logo appeared on the packages.

Choices during the 1970s included Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do-si-dos®, Shortbread/Trefoils® and four additional flavors.

In the 1990s, three licensed bakers supplied eight varieties of cookies, and in the 2000s, the bakers were reduced to two. The youngest Girl Scout Daisies were also allowed to help market the cookies.

Today the Scouts are offering the treats at malls, door-to-door in their neighborhoods, at sporting events and over social media and online. Families and troop parents help the girls with transport and coordination. Sales are brisk and the money raised helps these girls enjoy educational and fun activities for memories that will last a lifetime. To learn more about local Girl Scout Troop 1805, visit them at www.facebook.com/groups/ girlscouttroop1805.

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

GUILD from page D-1

fundraising activities.

“Ladies, you are welcome to join us! We work hard but have a lot of fun. We are all sisters in Christ,” member Marta Spencer told the guests.

To learn more about the Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Women’s Guild, visit www. facebook.com/Sacred-Heart-ofAnza-172200349497797

Sacred Heart Catholic Church is located at 56250 Highway 371, Anza, across from the Sinclair Gas station.

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

Homemade

Anza Girl Scout Troop 1805 co-leader Vera Bailey, left, Deanna Bailey and Rylie Daraban peddle delicious Girl Scout cookies outside the Dollar General Store Saturday, Feb. 11.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

dessert creations are as pretty as they are delicious at the Sacred Heart Women’s Guild’s St. Valentine’s dinner and bake sale Saturday, Feb. 11. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

The table overflows with all kinds of desserts at the Sacred Heart Women’s Guild’s dinner and bake sale.

Festive tables are set in anticipation of guests’ arrival at the St. Valentine’s dinner and bake sale.

two full rounds of chemotherapy and a flesh-searing 30 doses of radiation. All of these procedures were done during the first wave of COVID-19. At that time, not even family members were allowed to be with her during any of her doctor visits, scans or treatments. She never saw a comforting smile as she endured the procedures, because the doctors’ and staff’s faces were all covered up by masks. Hope was hospitalized twice during this time due to the side effects of it all.

Following the 15 months of treatment, the anticipation of being cured was stolen as another lump was found in November 2021. So began another two full courses of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy in July of 2022.

Since that time she has suffered a litany of side effects that required more hospitalizations to get them under control. In January she was dealt another blow and had to have her gallbladder removed due to damage from all of the medications she has had to take.

Despite all of this, Hope continues to donate her art for fundraisers at Michelle’s Place, a cancer resource center in Temecula. She paints when she has the energy but is unable to teach classes or attend events to sell her paintings, which has had a financial impact on the family. The hardest blow was when her insurance provider was changed in January, which nearly doubled all of the family’s expected contributions and copays.

“Sacha still has another six months of chemotherapy ahead of her as well as two more surgeries expected in 2023,” family friend Diane Lieser Jones said. “This has used every penny of savings and emergency funds the family had. They need help and they need it now.”

Hope voluntarily taught art class at Cottonwood Elementary School and shared her talent and creativity with hundreds of children who otherwise would have not had the opportunity to learn about art and art history, according to her husband Trond Hildahl. “Many have seen her painting at a local winery, beach or park,” he said.

“She’s had exhibits at The Merc in Old Town Temecula, Middle Ridge Winery and Art Gallery in Idyllwild and a current show at Dorland Arts Colony. She even has her art on display on one of the painted electrical boxes around Old Town.”

Hope’s medical challenges have been ongoing. She developed an abscess that will not heal due to chemotherapy’s damage. No more radiation treatment is possible, as the site could not tolerate any more of the brutal rays. Final pathology from her removed lymph nodes indicate cancer is still there.

“Which means, nothing and everything,” Hildahl explained. “There’s no active tumor detected. But it’s somewhere in the lymphatic system. Cancer pathologies are graded from 1-3 on three tests, and the grades added together. This results in a score between 3 and 9, with 9 being the most aggressive – being apt to metastasize, or spread, within the body. Sacha came back as an 8. Pathology also looks for two particular hormones and one protein that cancers commonly have receptors for. Medical research has come up with many drugs and treatments for any of these three. Fifteen percent of breast cancer patients, however, are negative for all three, meaning the only treatments available are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Sacha is triplenegative.”

Many helping hands have come through for Hope during

this ordeal. Dozens of friends, neighbors and well wishers gathered in a scenic location in Aguanga for an emotional parade to show support for her in 2020. The gathering, organized by Susan Thompson and Leanne Lien, was a complete surprise to Hope. Her husband arranged to have her present and she was completely overcome with emotion and awe for the outpouring of support.

Others provided meal trains during chemo courses. Many over-the-top gifts, including a five-foot tall rainbow unicorn sprinkler and a Dammit Doll have been generously given to Hope. A #SocksForSacha campaign was organized, flooding social media with people wearing colorful socks to show support for her on Chemo Fridays.

“Two people wrote songs for her,” Hildahl added. “Seven members of a group she volunteered with 20 years ago flew out in October (2022) from five different states and another country to spend time with her. They performed a short musical comedy act gratis at Temecula Valley Hospital. There have been innumerable meals and snacks, gift cards, thoughtful presents, and most recently a large-scale GodFundMe campaign that is already half-fulfilled.”

The new year brought with it more disappointments. Hope was hospitalized for pancreatitis, and had her gall bladder removed during a five-day stay. Only six days after discharge, she was forced to return to the hospital in February and remained for 10 days. She is still facing six months of chemotherapy, a second abscess surgery and a central venous port removal surgery in the coming months.

“We’ve been friends for 14 years,” Jones said. “She is a loving wife, mother of two teenage boys, friend to many, artist, teacher and all around the funniest British woman you could ever know. I met her at Cottonwood School where she was the volunteer art teacher. She’s an absolute inspiration to me and one of the most passionate people I know. Her family and her art are everything to her. She is a light everywhere she goes and her ability to put a smile on faces is absolutely awe-inspiring. Her husband has been a fierce warrior through it all. Her two boys, Painter and Kai, have been

Animals are a favorite subject in works displayed at Sacha Hope’s solo art show opening at the Gallery at Warner Springs in 2019.

absolutely incredible for what they’ve had to witness and endure. Sacha has walked this lonely, scary road with grace, honesty, empathy and even humor. So true to her name and through it all, Sacha Hope has never given up hope. Please open your hearts and pocketbooks and make a difference

for someone who has made such a difference in so many lives.”

To contribute to the fundraiser, please visit www.gofundme.com/f/ hope-for-sacha-hope.

To follow Sacha Hope’s art, please visit her online gallery at www.facebook.com/ ArtistSachaHope.

Another way to support her and her family is to purchase an original piece of art from her at https://sachahope.com/originalsgallery-shop.

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

Overcome with emotion, cancer warrior Sacha Hope leans into her husband Trond Hildahl at an intimate parade in her honor in 2020. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

Sacha Hope and her good friend Susan Blankfeld show off artwork created by children inspired by the two women at Sacha Hope’s solo art show opening at the Gallery at Warner Springs in 2019.

of father/daughter couples. The children expressed many levels of liveliness, with squeals of delight and boundless, non-stop socializing.

The dance featured the latest tunes spun by DJ Bones. Black light LED strips adorned the ceiling, creating a surreal glow from white clothing and decorations when the lights were dimmed. Glow stick necklaces and other glowing trinkets added to the black light experience. The multimedia room abounded with happy children and their patient fathers as the music set the stage for dancing and celebrating.

According to the PTSA, this dance was for any father figure. Many students brought their mothers, grandfathers, uncles and brothers to share in the special evening. Organizers went all out to guarantee a great time for the girls and their chosen partners.

PTSA member Joanne Salazar praised school staff and fellow parents for helping make it a night to remember. “Teresa Castro planned everything with the help of Brenda Campos, Alex McKee, Wendy Cable, Monica Arellano, Cindy Llamas, Alex Daraban, Vera and Deanna Bailey, Kimberly Nieto, Dana Jenson, Brandi Shipley, Joenie Mires and of course my husband Don,” she said. Professional photographs were taken by Joanne Salazar and printed out. The families received the perfect keepsakes to remember the evening. The opportunity to dress up and show off their family members was irresistible to the girls.

“The event was a great success, being the most attended dance so far for the school. It was one of the best we have had since I have been involved with the PTSA. We seem to always top the previous year’s dance,” Don Salazar said. “But

this is our last one, as our daughter Sophia is moving to middle school at the high school next year.”

The tradition of the Father/ Daughter Dance will continue and is already being planned for the next school year.

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

Amanda Kratz and her daughter Lillith pose perfectly for their photo op at Hamilton Elementary School’s Father/Daughter Dance, Friday, Feb. 10. Anza Valley Outlook/Joanne Salazar photos

Bertini Nieto and daughter Darla take a break from the dance floor to get their pictures taken at the Father/Daughter Dance.

John Dinnyes and daughter Kylah create the perfect picture at Hamilton Elementary School’s Father/Daughter Dance.

Aria Ruiz is having the time of her life at Hamilton Elementary School’s Father/Daughter Dance.

Aurora Perez, left, Jessica Brenner, Allisa King and Cindy Llamas happily supervise the festivities at Hamilton Elementary School’s Father/Daughter Dance.

Don Salazar and Sophia goof around on the dance floor at the Father/ Daughter Dance.

Yogi Ruiz dances with his girls at the Father/Daughter Dance.

Christian Lanik and Emily take their picture in matching outfits at the Father/Daughter Dance.

Little Rylie Daraban’s excitement shows at Hamilton Elementary School’s Father/Daughter Dance on Friday, Feb. 10.

Steven Merems and Inara thoroughly enjoy their time together at Hamilton Elementary School’s Father/Daughter Dance.

Our kids are our greatest natural resource

Julie Reeder Publisher

Our greatest natural resource is our people. All kinds, colors, and backgrounds. And especially our children. We know this locally as people, mostly volunteers, make our town great and our kids are our future, literally and completely.

I was reminded of it Monday night at the Fallbrook High School board meeting. Parents and educators were both voicing their concerns about books that some parents were saying needed to not only be removed from the library, but the books in question needed to have access removed from students’

Chromebooks unless their parents opted in.

Or, the students can get them from other places. Other speakers, against banning the books, said that it was parents and groups with far-right ideologies, censorship, book burning, who may also want to burn the classics like Mark Twain ànd the Scarlet Letter, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

But those people that were mischaracterizing and slandering don’t want to ban any of those books. That’s another crowd.

The classics aren’t the problem.

I think the hope is that the students are good enough readers to be able to read the classics.

I agree that the conversation is

worth having though. Certainly, our kids are worth the effort. We worry so much about what is going on all over the world in Ukraine, China, Turkey, and Syria. We focus on spy balloons and the missteps of our political leaders, and how our taxes are being spent.

It’s all very important, I agree, but overwhelmingly the priority is our most precious natural resource – our children – our country’s literal future. Our hearts, our priority, our commitment and investment of time and resources.

It’s uncomfortable, and for some parents maddening to read out loud what some of these books for kids have in them.

Honestly, I couldn’t reprint what

I’ve read in these books because they are too graphic and especially when they involve little children.

I have to believe that some people advocating for these books haven’t actually read them.

If a grown man gave your child some of these books, with sexually explicit descriptions of sex and even drawings, they may be arrested. When is it considered indoctrination, grooming or sexual harassment?

How far is too far? It’s a fair question.

Why is it ok for the school to offer them these books but not a grown man?

Are we not supposed to use good judgment when choosing what students should be exposed to?

Should people you don’t know be able to introduce your child to anything? Any topic? Any ideology?

Again, how far is too far?

Let’s talk about it and try to come to a consensus. Both sides may not see eye to eye, but maybe there is a middle ground somewhere if we really hear each other and the priority is the children.

I know some of the people on both sides. Neither hates kids. Neither is a criminal.

I wonder what could happen?

I’m putting together a roundtable. If you are interested in participating and you can stay calm and reasonable, contact me at jreeder@ reedermedia.com and just put “roundtable” in the subject line.

Substance abuse treatment center, county sued over patient’s fentanyl death

Paul J. Young City News Service

RIVERSIDE - A substance abuse treatment center and the Riverside County Behavioral Health Department are jointly targeted in a lawsuit filed by the mother of a 24-year-old woman who took a fatal dose of fentanyl while she was allegedly left unsupervised at the facility for an extended period, according to the plaintiffs.

Karri Ryder, mother of Melissa Monique Bauman of Riverside, filed the wrongful death suit in Riverside Superior Court Thursday, Feb. 9, alleging negligence of a dependent adult, breach of professional duties and other acts against MFI Recovery Center and the county.

“The plaintiffs allege that whether it was a matter of choice or indifference, and despite knowing that an individual like Ms. Bauman would be particularly vulnerable to custodial neglect and needed to be protected from matters which could pose a hazard to her health

and safety, MFI failed to assign staff, personnel and security sufficient to properly monitor her behavior while she was a resident,” according to the suit.

Attorney Elan Zekster told City News Service that the county “was aware of numerous complaints at the Arlington Recovery Center ... (but) they allowed the facility to continue being run by MFI, knowing that they were not taking care of their patients.”

The county Department of Behavioral Health released a statement to City News Service Friday, Feb. 10, stating that the Arlington Recovery Center, for which MFI had the contract to operate on County Farm Road, was investigated last year by the California Department of Health Care Services, resulting in citations for “deficiencies.”

“Their provisional license was subsequently revoked,” according to the statement. “Behavioral Health terminated its contract for the ARC with MFI on Dec. 8, 2022. While the Riverside University Health System works to swiftly

Man suspected of molesting Elsinore child

City News Service

Special to Valley News

A 51-year-old man suspected of molesting a Lake Elsinore girl was being held Friday, Feb. 10 on $500,000 bail.

Victor Saragusa Morones of Temecula was arrested and booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta Thursday, Feb. 9 on suspicion of lewd acts on a child under 14 years old and annoying a minor.

According to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Jeff Reese, deputies initiated an investigation in November after receiving

information that Morones had allegedly engaged in illicit acts involving the victim, whose identity was not released.

Sufficient evidence was ultimately gathered to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect, who was taken into custody without incident in the 28000 block of Old Town Front Street in Temecula, Thursday morning, Feb. 9, Reese said.

The circumstances behind the alleged molestation, including Morones’ relationship, if any, to the child were not disclosed.

Background information on the suspect also was unavailable.

acquire a new contractor for the ARC and apply for licensure for services, the ARC will remain closed.”

There was no direct response to the civil suit, which county officials said they had not yet received.

MFI CEO Jonathan Delgado released a statement acknowledging “there is nothing more tragic to a family and the recovery community than a death of one of our own. It is an unfortunate event for any family, community and agency. We at MFI support the family in their wishes to improve patient care.”

Delgado said that “all of the MFI employees” who worked at the ARC have since been terminated.

“(We have) brought on new leadership and have implemented innovative technology beyond the status quo utilized in the industry,” according to the company, which continues to operate private outpatient treatment facilities in Banning, Hemet, Murrieta and a separate location in Riverside. “We are committed to restoring lives and giving hope, and we stand and mourn with all those impacted by

the tragic outcomes of addiction.”

According to the plaintiffs’ filing, Bauman had a history of substance abuse but realized a need for help and willingly checked into the ARC with her mother’s assistance on July 24, 2022.

The suit alleges that the defendants “should have known ... Bauman’s prior history of abuse and recurring conditions,” with a predisposition to trying to “use drugs or alcohol” at every opportunity.

“MFI staff needed to check on Bauman every 30 minutes to ensure that she was in stable condition, especially since she was in the early stages of her detox,” according to the filing.

The suit alleges that an investigation later conducted by Riverside police uncovered instances where checkups, which were supposed to be conducted every 30 minutes to ensure the patient’s welfare, were instead done tardily, on more than 20 occasions.

“Surveillance clearly showed that MFI Recovery Center had

falsified the check logs,” according to the suit. “Despite logs indicating MFI employees checked on plaintiff at 3:38 a.m. and 4:59 a.m., video evidence clearly showed this to be false. Bauman was then found deceased at 5:58 am. (on July 26).”

It was unclear where she had obtained the fentanyl and why it had not been detected when she entered the treatment facility.

Zekster further alleges that none of the ARC staff attempted to administer “Narcan, epinephrine or any other type of opioid overdose treatment to Bauman to attempt to resuscitate her prior to arrival of emergency personnel.”

She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

According to the suit, the county had “received various complaints from other individuals who had received treatment at the ARC,” but failed to take decisive action. The damage award sought by the plaintiffs exceeds $10 million. No hearings have been set yet in the case.

DUI enforcement nets arrest and citations

MENIFEE – The Menifee Police Department arrested a driver on suspicion of DUI while conducting DUI enforcement patrol on Monday, Feb. 6, between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. The driver was observed in the area of Newport Rd and Menifee Rd stopped in the #2 lane: impeding vehicle traffic thus causing a hazard and potentially a traffic collision. Additionally, 11 citations were issued for various vehicle code violations observed by other drivers. One driver was stopped and cited for driving 104 mph at Domenigoni Pkwy and Lindenberger Rd.

The residents of Menifee can rest assured the Menifee Police Department is committed to

keeping our streets safe from dangerous drivers and conducting patrols such as this shows our commitment to public safety.

“Driving under the influence is dangerous, illegal and puts every person driving on the roads at risk. Drivers need to understand the dangers of driving impaired,” Sergeant Matthew Bloch said. “We are out there and will not hesitate to stop drivers who drive impaired.”

Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Menifee Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications

or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or ”operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. The Menifee Police Department will be holding a series of DUI enforcement patrols throughout the year to keep roadways safe.

Funding for this DUI Patrol was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Submitted by Menifee Police Department

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PARTNERSHIP

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac is proud to have a partnership with KTM and sponsor their riders at the 2023 AMA Supercross!

Paradise is honored to support Animal Friends of the Valley's new low cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic.

President/Owner of Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac, Terry Gilmore and his wife Cindy Gilmore, made a generous donation to help build Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) new low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic. This generous donation was made in memory of their dog Bentley. What a better way to leave a legacy in Bentley’s honor.

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac has matched their donation. Paradise has been continuous supporters of AFV since the beginning in 1987.

“In memory of our Golden Retriever, Bentley, Cindy and I wanted to support Animal Friends of the Valley both personally and from our business, Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac,” says Terry Gilmore.

Pictured left to right: Marvin Musquin, Cooper Webb, Aaron Plessinger.

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.