Winter storm causes dangerous icy conditions on High Country roads

Isolates Us?” Lee presented her talk to a hushed room whose audience followed strict rules controlling cell phone interruptions, chatter and other distractions for the contestants.

Thursday, Feb. 16. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Judges Kathy Blaie, Betsy Hansen and Ellen Elmore carefully recorded their impressions and these checklists were handed to Nuview Lion Amanda Wilcox and District 4L5 Treasurer and Nuview

Lion Andrea Green for review. Lee was announced the winner to spectator applause. She won a $100 prize and will now progress see WINNER, page D-4

Lake Hemet fishermen land dozens of huge trout

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Lake Hemet has been attracting visitors from near and far recently after word of a huge stocking of rainbow trout circulated in fishing circles across Southern California. Local Anza resident Russell Kitchen has been having great success with fishing in recent weeks.

“Lake Hemet is kicking out solid fish,” Andrew Mack, a longtime fishing expert, reported. He works at Western Outdoor News, writes Mack’s Fish Reports at Angler Chronicles and is the creator of Mack’s Fish Reports. “Russell Kitchen has been putting the smack down on these trout from shore and on a boat. There have been some awesome catches after the first plant of the season went in on Tuesday, Jan. 31. This lake has boat rentals, camping sites and lots of fish swimming around. Definitely a spot to check out. Even the local bald eagles get in on the trout fishing.”

Diane Sieker

Staff Writer

Anza Valley residents were surprised when a quick-moving winter storm blew through the area Wednesday, Feb. 15, leaving snow levels down below 2,500 feet and roads completely iced over by record low temperatures.

Eleni Malandrinos reports that Red Mountain Road just past Sudami and Mesa Drive is covered in dangerous ice with vehicles unable to move without sliding Wednesday, Feb. 15. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo higher elevations in the Valley, received only a few inches of snow from the windy, frigid weather event, while lower elevations received one to two inches. But the real danger with this storm was the record cold temperatures causing water pipes to burst, freezing livestock water tanks see ROADS, page D-4

Certain areas, mainly at the

The recent trout plant in January resulted in 4,000 pounds of fish, many trophy-sized lunkers. And according to fishing reports, they are hungry.

“We will be planting another 4,000 pounds at the end of February, so make your camping reservations now or come up and visit us for the day,” Hemet Lake Campground reported on social media. After a troublesome bout with a destructive algae bloom recently,

Anza resident Russell Kitchen displays a large trout he caught at Lake Hemet Sunday, Feb. 5. the lake has since been pronounced clear and safe.

“The results are in and our water has no detectable toxic algae. Anglers are welcome to keep any fish caught and kayaking has resumed without restriction,” the campground reported.

Trout, bass, bluegill and catfish are stocked at Lake Hemet.

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo see TROUT, page D-2