Temecula Valley News, May 22, 2020

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Local Budget projections bleak for Menifee

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Volume 20, Issue 21

Graduating virtually: Local high schools move ceremonies online

Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

Menifee City Council received sobering proposed budget information for 2020-2021 in a workshop Wednesday, May 13, and subsequent city council meeting Thursday, May 14. Deep revenue losses were projected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of a Measure DD repeal in the November elections. see page A-3

Local County tells Newsom, ‘it’s time to open’ Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

One day after Riverside County Supervisors issued notice to Gov. Gavin Newsom of the desire to reopen, the Riverside County Medical Association issued a statement highly recommending residents and businesses continue to practice social distancing and wear masks. see page A-4

Education LEUSD approves purchase of new buildings Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

In one of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District governing board’s quickest-ever meetings Thursday, May 14, conducted entirely by Zoom, the board approved an agreement to purchase and install two portable classrooms and one portable restroom at Railroad Canyon Elementary School. see page B-5

INDEX

Great Oak High School seniors line up to begin their virtual graduation ceremony process.

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Nobody quite knew what to expect as senior Sachka Almonte stepped onto the Great Oak High

School stadium field on the morning of Wednesday, May 13.

Technically, Almonte was the first-ever Temecula Valley Unified School District student to graduate high school in the new virtual

format the district implemented due to the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent social-distancing restrictions.

Two of her family members watched from behind the fence that

Valley News/Jeff Pack photo

runs alongside the field, as Almonte, dressed in her cap and gown, was directed from a professional photograph session by Studio 94 see CEREMONIES, page A-6

New Menifee police department members get to know people in the community Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

Many Menifee residents from Romoland to Sun City find themselves more surprised than fearful when numerous police cars with red lights and sirens blazing roll into their neighborhoods.

Children run out of their homes and parents stare, but all those fears and concerns quickly turn to smiles and laughter when friendly waves from the police cars’ occupants greet the families. The visit is often a welcome break from the stay-at-home orders and closed schools brought on by the novel coronavirus.

The parade of the shiny black police SUVs sporting Menifee’s new police department’s badge and insignia is a signal to the residents that in only a few weeks the growing city of 92,000 residents will see POLICE, page A-5

Menifee police Chief Pat Walsh shows his badge as he continues in leading the construction of the city’s Valley News/Shane Gibson photo new police department.

Anza Valley Outlook ......AVO-1 Business ............................... B-1 Business Directory............... C-8 Classifieds ............................ C-6 Education ............................ B-5

Melendez wins 28th District senate seat, takes oath of office Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR

Entertainment ..................... B-3 Faith ..................................... C-8 Health .................................. B-4 Local .................................... A-1 National News ...................... C-4 Opinion................................. C-6 Pets ..................................... C-7 Regional News ................AVO-6 Sports ................................... C-1 Wine & Dine ....................... C-3

Sen. Melissa Melendez takes her oath of office to California State Senate’s 28th District with her husband, Cmdr. Nico Melendez at her side.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

With her husband by her side, Sen. Melissa Melendez was sworn in to the California Senate by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco Monday, May 18.

With the swearing in Melendez, the former Assemblywoman for California’s 67th District, is now the official representative for the 28th Senate District, representing most of Riverside County at the state capitol.

With only 1,000 ballots left to count as of press time, Melendez easily defeated Riverside County Board of Education member Elizabeth Romero for the seat by nearly

20,000 votes. Romero conceded the election Sunday, May 17, congratulating Melendez on the win.

“I congratulate Assemblymember Melissa Melendez on her victory and wish her the best in the state Senate,” Romero said in a social media posting. “Looking ahead, I will continue to fight for our values and advancing the issues we brought a voice to during this campaign, issues like access to quality health care, high-quality and affordable child care and education and ensuring a strong economic recovery for our Golden State.”

In a Friday, May 15, phone see MELENDEZ, page A-3

alley ews www.myvalleynews.com

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Local Murrieta’s West falls short of winning ‘American Idol’ Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Murrieta Valley High School alumni Jonny West, 23, was eliminated after advancing to the Top 5 on Season 18 of “American Idol” on ABC Sunday, May 17.

West was eliminated from the Top 2 along with Francisco Martin and Dillon James, leaving Just Sam and Arthur Gunn to battle for the title, which Sam ultimately won.

The road to the finale was long and winding for West, who was quarantined at home in Studio City with his girlfriend and former fellow contestant, Margie Mays.

The last three episodes of the competition featured performances broadcast from each contestant’s home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, singing from his apartment, West performed his original song, “Makin’ Love” in his final performance at the American Idol 2020 Finale.

“You know what’s cool about you is your already thinking about the future right now,” Perry said.

“This is going to be released if you win ‘American Idol’ and it’s your original song, you’re the artist. And I am thinking to myself, man, if he wins ‘American Idol,’ I want like Mark Ronson to produce this song. It’s got soul. I want it to be so big.

“No matter what happens, you are on your way and I am a fan,”

Jonny West performs “Makin’ Love” in the finale of Season 18 of “American Idol.” West advanced to the Top 5 of the competition before being eliminated in the competition for the Top 2. alley ews ourtesy photo

she said.

Judge Luke Bryan agreed.

“Yeah, buddy, that was radioready,” he said. “That was ‘get the artwork done and get it to the people.’ Really, really looking down the road five years from now going, ‘man, I remember when that guy walked into “American Idol” and look at him now,’ so, congrats buddy.”

“You are a singer, songwriter, producer extraordinaire” judge

Lionel Richie said. “I’m talking to you as a songwriter now, my friend. You have a talent that very few people possess. I’m afraid of you if you gain any more confidence, you might come after all of us. You are really quite gifted my friend.

“Take this moment in time, enjoy the ride, we’re so happy for you, Jonny,” he said.

West, in his usual low-key demeanor, thanked all the judges.

“That means a lot, appreciate that,” he said. “This whole thing has been more than I ever could have dreamed of, and I hope to just make you guys proud and make you guys want to play a song of mine in your car or at a birthday party, so yeah.”

At one point in the competition, West was joined by two other local performers, 17-year-old Temecula singer Makayla Phillips and 16-year-old Olivia Ximines of

Menifee. Phillips was eliminated in the Top 11 show, and Ximines didn’t make it through in the Top 20 episode.

West auditioned in Los Angeles, and he performed on piano one of his original songs, which garnered him a unanimous “yes” from the judges.

In the Hollywood Week rounds, he first sang “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, making it through to the next round.

He later performed a duet with his girlfriend and fellow contestant Margie, singing “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor and John Legend. According to the judges, the performance was lacking, but both contestants made it through the next round. He sang another original song for his final solo performance and advanced.

Jonny sang “You Found Me”

by The Fray in the Hawaii round and advanced into the top 20, though his girlfriend Margie did not advance.

The show moved to performances from home where West performed an original rendition of “Faithfully” by Journey in the competition of the Top 20.

After making it through to the next round, West performed his original version of “Amazing Grace” on Mother’s Day. That performance sent him through to the show’s finale.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

Murrieta adds website chat feature MURRIETA – Expanding its capacity to engage with residents and stakeholders, Murrieta has launched a chat feature on its public website, http://www.MurrietaCA.gov. Website users can now chat with available city hall, police, fire, parks and recreation and library staff.

Users can click the yellow chat bar that is located on every page of

the website. Select a department, and an employee with knowledge in that area will respond. If a staff member is not available, there is an option to leave a message and the city will follow up via email.

City manager Kim Summers explained how chat provides an important, real-time tool as the city expands its strategies to engage residents remotely.

“When city closures limited the public’s direct access to staff, we began seeking innovative ways to remain as connected as possible while working behind the scenes.

We anticipate that live chat will continue to provide value to residents seeking information, even after we reopen,” Summers said.

Over the next few months, the city will monitor demand and

make adjustments as departments weave chat response into their daily workflow.

“Whether it’s a road construction update, COVID-19 information or questions on how to participate in a remote council meeting, we want to make it easy for citizens to connect with the people at the city of Murrieta and get the information they need,”

Summers said.

City Hall is seeking feedback from community members who have used its new chat tool. Email rgodfrey@murrietaca.gov with comments or select the “Public Information Office” and send input through chat.

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May 22, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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Menifee City Council hears sobering 2020-2021 fiscal year budget predictions

COVID-19 weighs heavy on budgets; no police department cuts seen Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

Menifee City Council received sobering proposed budget information for 2020-2021 in a workshop Wednesday, May 13, and subsequent city council meeting Thursday, May 14. Deep revenue losses were projected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of a Measure DD repeal in the November elections.

Rochelle Clayton, Menifee deputy city manager, conducted a preliminary 2020-2021 fiscal year budget and capital improvement plan presentation for the council at the workshop and showed the council how the COVID-19 related closures and stay-at-home orders could seriously affect the city’s initial proposed general fund budget and planned capital improvements.

City halts work on initial budget.

Before Clayton’s presentation, city manager Armando Villa said, “We almost had the final budget prepared in April but had to put the breaks on and adjust down the revenues because of the shutdown (COVID-19 orders).”

He said the staff will show the impacts of the coronavirus, but the city was able to keep business going in the city.

“We have not slowed down,” Villa said.

Clayton said the new fiscal year budget assumptions prepared by herself; Wendy Preece, deputy finance director, and Margarita Cornejo beginning in January and finalized in April was seriously modified with anticipated losses in sales and property taxes, transient fees and promised state revenues due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She said the city’s projected general fund revenue for the next fiscal year, before the pandemic, was projected at $53,327,140 and the original Measure DD revenue projected at $11,771,000 for a total of $65,098,140, but the revenue was reduced by $5,411,566 in anticipated losses. The assumption leaves the proposed general fund budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year at $59,686,875.

VLF fee return in doubt.

The preliminary budget presumes the city may not receive its annual vehicle license fees from the state this year because of the state’s predicted $54 billion deficit due to the coronavirus. The vehicle license fees collected by the state and returned to the city this year may exceed nearly $7 million. In the past, the state has kept those fees to balance its own deficit budget.

The other factor concerning the council was an initiative to repeal Measure DD that will be on the

MELENDEZ from page A-1 interview, Valley News took some time with Melendez to discuss her plans for the 28th District during her time in office.

Melendez said her top priority was balancing the state budget.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed $14 billion in cuts recently to offset the loss of state revenues attributed to his shut down of nonessential businesses during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I certainly want to continue what I have been doing in the Assembly, but right now, our most immediate concern is the budget,” Melendez said. “Because of what happened with the coronavirus we have a lot of decisions on our plate with the budget.”

Melendez explained that the rainy-day fund set aside is now depleted due to the coronavirus and that while she understands cuts are going to have to be made, it’s just a question of where within the budget to make those cuts.

“It’s good that we created that fund which we did when I first got to the Assembly, but now that’s gone so we are going to have to fill those holes in the budget,” she said.

“That’s going to mean some cuts somewhere. I don’t know where those are going to be yet, but there are going to have to be cuts.”

Melendez said she knows the governor is hopeful that the Trump administrator will help with bailouts for the western states, but she said she is not “entirely convinced”

November ballot that if passed by the majority of voters could cost the city millions of dollars in the years to come. The ramifications of that possibility were made in the special council meeting Thursday.

No cuts to new police department.

In the preliminary budget presentation, it was noted that even with the potential loss of revenues the city will still be required to present a “balanced budget” for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Because of the predicted revenue losses, the council heard that the reduced general fund budget will require a hiring freeze and program cuts across the board in most departments. The one exception is the needed Measure DD funding for the city’s new police department that will take over citywide law enforcement from the Riverside County Sheriff July 1.

Those suggested cuts, according to the staff and HdL Financial consultants, would require more department reorganization to identify savings and efficiencies; past reorganization of finance and human resources; hiring freeze on noncritical positions; workflow evaluation and restructure in 12 positions with $1.5 million in savings with no impact to the Police Department; defer noncritical projects and programs; Smart City initiatives and system upgrades and expansion plans on hold – new City Hall, Maintenance Ops Center.

It also will require deferring capital projects without critical impacts and review of the Animal Control contracts.

Capital Improvement Programs delayed.

The city’s proposed and ambitious Capital Improvement Plan budget was revised and set at $2,059,400. The presumed revenue losses will delay or defer 21 planned CIPs for the next two fiscal years, according to the report. The CIP, that now derives most of its revenue from Measure DD, is used to leverage other multi-million dollar state and federal grants for projects such as the Holland Road Overpass, the Bradley Bridge, Murrieta Road AC Resurfacing, Scott and Menifee Road sidewalks, Hillpoint Community Street resurfacing and McCall Boulevard improvements from Encanto to Antelope Roads.

Reserve cuts to be made if necessary.

The report also reviewed the city’s more recent Economic Uncertainty Reserve amounting to $5.9 million as a potential CIP funding source in the future if the COVID-19 continues. The staff worked the preliminary budget trying to avoid using that reserve cash for this fiscal year. It will al-

low the city to reevaluate the actual economic impacts of COVID-19 at midyear and allocate those funds “if absolutely necessary.”

The proposed budget also did not include $3 million set aside for the renewal of its Waste Management contract, but recommends taking out $450,000 from it to use for the improvements of the Central Park Amphitheater.

The council took the workshop report under advisement and adjourned until the May 14 special meeting.

Measure DD repeal impacts heard.

In the May 14 special meeting, the council heard a report about how the Measure DD citizen initiative repeal that will appear on the November ballot might impact the residents if it passed.

Staff made it clear that whatever happens in the state budget plans, it may take away the California Vehicle License Fee funds and other revenues from the city because of its COVID-19 losses, the Measure DD 1% sales tax collected stays local cannot be taken away from Menifee since it was voted on by the residents.

“Measure DD funds are required to remain local and are not subject to state takeaways. An independent Citizen Oversight Committee provides review of Measure DD budgets and uses, and makes recommendations to the City Council to ensure the funds are utilized as identified in the measure by the voters. Measure DD funds pay for critical city services, including public safety (Police and Fire services), currently and in the future, infrastructure needs,” according to the report. “If the repeal is enacted, and the estimated annual $12 million in Measure DD funding was eliminated from the city’s budget, it would have far reaching effects on city services given the current fiscal uncertainty and unanticipated revenue loss caused by the COVID-19 crisis.”

Federal emergency funding doubtful.

“The federal government has not yet provided aid directly to local agencies (other than cities over 500,000), and the state of California’s $54 billion budget shortfall means it is unlikely that the city will receive significant relief from the state, and that existing city funding is at risk from being taken from the state again like VLF to close state budget gaps,” according to the report.

City Manager Armando Villa said, “Measure DD funding has helped fortify the city’s financial position. Tough choices will need to be made in the city, if Measure DD is ultimately repealed especially at a time when we need to continue addressing public safety

bailouts would happen.

“We have an entire country that has been suffering and is in lockdown,” she said. “I think the best way for California to recover is to open up for business.”

With more than half of the cuts proposed by Newsom coming from the public school system, Melendez took a firm stand against that proposal.

“My teacher friends are just terrified about what’s going to happen,” she said. “Their funding is always lacking. If you ask a school district, they say they can always use more for what they need to accomplish with their students. I don’t think that the brunt of the burden should be borne by the school districts.”

Melendez said that she thinks California has a spending problem, but the reality is the state needs to deal with the crisis at hand, which is how to cut the budget.

“I’m not going to just sit there and let them slash education funds and keep all the stuff we don’t necessarily need or don’t need to be spending as much money on,” she said. “It’s going to be a battle.

Also on her agenda is the repeal of Assembly Bill 5 which was signed into the law in September 2019 and went into effect earlier this year. AB 5 clarifies who is an employee and who is an independent contractor but is controversial due to the restrictions it placed on independent contractors, limiting their ability to earn a living.

“That law needs to be repealed,”

she said, adding that she knows it’s not going to be an easy task. “I know that author has been trying to mollify the interest groups and make some changes, but it’s just not enough. There are millions of Californians who are suffering because of it.”

Melendez, who earned her stripes in the Assembly, said the most important thing to her is her constituents and representing them in Sacramento in the manner they deserve to be represented. She plans to hold her popular town hall meetings with constituents and increase her social media presence to keep voters informed of goings on at the capitol. She said she was proud that voters put their trust in her and plans to do everything in her power to keep that trust.

“It’s hard these days to put your faith into your elected leaders and the fact that voters put their trust in me and that really does mean a lot to me,” she said. “I’ll tell you, it’s just very humbling.”

Melendez will finish out the term vacated by state Sen. Jeff Stone who resigned in 2019 to accept a presidential appointment as regional director for the Department of Labor. Her seat in the 67th Assembly District will remain vacant until a winner can be decided in the November general election where Democrat Jerry Carlos will face off against Republican Murrieta City Councilmember Kelly Seyarto.

Kim Harris can be reached by email at valleyeditor@reedermedia.com.

and economic development amid the COVID-19 crises.”

Animal Control combines contracted services.

The proposed city animal control budget was another issue brought up by the council. In years past, the city has contracted with Animal Friends of the Valley for its field services and with Riverside County Animal Control for sheltering services. An item on the agenda brought a discussion on whether or not the city should continue its contracts with both AFV and the county shelter in San Jacinto or contract with one or the other service for both services and shelter.

Following that discussion, the city opted to go with AFV for

both services, with or without the AFV Joint Powers Agreement with other surrounding cities and provide residents with the best guaranteed services at the lowest cost. The cost savings has yet to be determined depending on negotiations with the JPA. The council was concerned with the status and continued funding of the San Jacinto County Animal Shelter, since the county is also facing a huge budget deficit because of the coronavirus.

For more information or to read the Measure DD impact report or questions, visit http://www.cityofmenifee.us.

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

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Supervisors tell Newsom, it’s time to reopen Riverside County Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

One day after Riverside County Supervisors issued notice to Gov. Gavin Newsom of the desire to reopen, the Riverside County Medical Association issued a statement highly recommending residents and businesses continue to practice social distancing and wear masks.

The association issued a press release Friday, May 15, saying “Even though current evidence shows progress in suppressing the virus, there is much to consider for the future of Riverside County to protect against a surge now that Riverside County has lifted the health order requiring face coverings and 6-foot social distancing.

RCMA, representing 1,800 physicians, medical residents and medical students, highly recommends the pubic continue the practice of wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing while out in the community and to stay at home if at all possible.”

On Thursday, May 14, the board of supervisors sent a letter to state officials requesting the county be allowed to take the next step in the direction of loosening restrictions and opening up more segments of business within the county.

“Riverside County has notified Gov. Gavin Newsom that it is ready to cautiously and safely open for business based on public health data,” according to a press release.

“Riverside County supervisors said the county has the ability to ‘meet, exceed or plan to achieve’ six of the seven criteria described by the governor to accelerate through the current Stage 2 of the

economic expansion plan into the next level.

“Among the criteria, the county has a plan to protect Stage 1 essential workers; created ample testing capacity; demonstrated the ability to protect vulnerable populations; developed a plan to expand contact tracing capabilities and exceeded a minimum of 35% surge capacity in the county’s health system,” the county said in the news release.

The supervisors voiced opposition to the requirement that there be no COVID-19 deaths for a 14-day period for some time now, saying in the letter, “In our opinion, the metrics are unrealistic for urban counties, and Riverside County in particular, where our geographic size and population make it impossible that no COVID-19 deaths would take place during the 14-day period.”

Instead, the supervisors urged Newsom to allow them to adopt federally epidemiology benchmarks, which they said they are already hitting.

“With a team of full-time epidemiologists and the ability for consistent, real-time epidemiological surveillance, the county of Riverside is better able to identify early triggers, areas for rapid intervention and provide timely contact tracing, as well as testing,” according to the letter from the county.

The board’s letter to Newsom and state officials can be read at https://www.rivcoph.org/Portals/0/Documents/CoronaVirus/ May/GovernorOrders/5.14.20%20 County%20of%20Riverside%20Reopening%20Plan. pdf?ver=2020-05-15-160704617&timestamp=1589584051424.

On Monday, May 18, Newsom announced a relaxation of restrictions that could allow more businesses to reopen more quickly in a majority of the state’s counties.

Newsom also said Monday that if the current trends continue, the state may be able to significantly ease restrictions statewide in the next few weeks, possibly allowing professional sporting events to resume without spectators and hair salons to reopen in June.

Under the newly announced rules, Newsom said roughly 53 of the state’s 58 counties would likely qualify to move deeper into Phase Two of the state’s recovery roadmap.

There was no word on which counties Newsom was referring to at press time.

The number of documented coronavirus infections in Riverside County stood at 6,053 Tuesday night with 270 deaths and 3,871 documented recoveries.

According to the Riverside University Health System, 334 new infections and 19 fatalities were reported over the weekend.

Dr. Geoffrey Leung of Riverside University Health System said Friday, May 15, during a livestreamed news conference that cases locally “are really slowing down.”

“The positivity rate (from tests) has dropped and compared to two or three weeks ago ... the trend line is moving downward for coronavirus-related deaths,” he said.

Leung also cautioned that while caseloads have flattened, COVID-19 diagnoses are still occurring daily. However, data show hospitalizations countywide have dropped by one-fifth compared to

A medical technician readies to administer a COVID-19 test at the Lake Elsinore testing facility at Storm Stadium.

Valley News/Shane Gibson file photo

three weeks ago.

As of Monday evening, more than 86,600 Riverside County residents have been tested for the coronavirus of the county’s population of nearly 2.5 million.

Locally, the county reported Tuesday night, May 19, that Hemet had the highest number of cases in southwest Riverside County with 237 and 18 deaths. The city of Lake Elsinore had 139 cases with eight deaths.

As of press time, Temecula had 128 cases and Canyon Lake reported 12. Neither cities reported any deaths.

Murrieta had 112 cases and seven deaths. Menifee had 139 case with five deaths. San Jacinto had 105, and Wildomar had 60 cases with both reporting that four people had died from the virus.

The county reported number totals for unincorporated areas including French Valley at 42

cases, Anza at six, Winchester at one, Valle Vista at 13, Lakeland Village at 36, and East Hemet with 20 cases. Only Lakeland Village had reported that a resident died from the virus.

The county currently operates drive-up testing sites in Indio, Perris, Riverside and Lake Elsinore.

Appointments are required, along with parent permission for minors.

To make an appointment, call 800-945-6171.

Appointments are also required at the eight state-operated walk-up testing sites which include Hemet, Norco, Perris, Mecca and Desert Hot Springs. Visit https://lhi.care/ covidtesting or call 888-634-1123 to book an appointment at those facilities.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

Rancho Water board approves smaller budget amid COVID-19 TEMECULA – Rancho California Water District’s board of directors unanimously approved a revised 2020-2021 budget. The budget, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, reduces revenues by $1.2 million from what the district originally projected, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The global pandemic is causing major economic impacts including here in the Temecula Valley where many people rely on tourism, agriculture and entertainment for their livelihood,” Jeff Armstrong, general manager of Rancho Water, said. In light of the crisis and its impact on Rancho Water customers, the district’s board decided in March to delay any potential rate increases to January 2021 and to suspend water shut-offs and late payment penalty fees. This action results in a $1.2 million deficit to

the budget, with potentially more budget impacts in the future.

To make up for that loss, the district will cut $439,000 in spending mostly comprised of materials costs, support costs and deferring operational projects. The district also heavily lobbied the Metropolitan Water District to reduce the amount of their proposed rate increases on imported water. These efforts proved successful with MWD approving lower than previously proposed rate increases that further reduced operating expenses by $273,000 in the next fiscal year.

Over half of Rancho Water’s budget goes to buying imported water from MWD. Lastly, the district will use $488,000 in emergency cash reserves.

“The economic impacts from COVID-19 are unknown and difficult to project,” Rick Aragon,

assistant general manager and chief financial officer of Rancho Water, said. “Since we don’t know the timing or extent of recovery, we are focused on monitoring our budget and responding in a thoughtful and practical manner.”

Rancho Water’s years of sound financial planning has positioned them to address these financial challenges with the least possible impacts to customers, he said.

“We’re continually looking for innovative ways to strengthen Rancho Water’s financial position and to operate as efficiently as possible,” Armstrong said. “Rancho Water’s board and staff are committed to continuing that goal as we all deal with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.”

Each year, Rancho Water board of directors approves a budget that lays out how the district plans to

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maintain and improve the water system on behalf of its customers.

The budget provides a framework for combining district goals, operating plans and infrastructure projects into one comprehensive document. Once approved by the board, the district continues to closely monitor projects, expenditures and revenues throughout the year to ensure the integrity and

quality of its operation.

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Several EVMWD wells go online to meet warm weather demands, provide enough water for annually 11,000 homes ing the wells back into service for the summer, EVMWD has taken steps to ensure that the water meets all state and federal water quality standards.

The water from these wells will be blended with additional local water supplies and customers may notice a slight difference in the taste of their water and experience additional air bubbles in the water during the transition. Air bubbles often make the water appear milky white and will dissipate after just a few minutes. These changes are temporary and normal and do not cause a health or safety risk.

EVMWD relies on local groundwater whenever possible. Utilizing these wells provides customers with a local source of drinking water, minimizing the need for purchasing more costly imported water.

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Submitted by Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District.

LAKE ELSINORE – Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is bringing several of its local wells online to meet the increased water demands created by the region’s warm weather and dry conditions. Located in the Lake Elsinore and the Temescal Valley, this series of drinking water wells will go online over the next three weeks, beginning May 15, and will provide enough water for more than 11,000 households in the EVMWD service area.

“A large amount of the water we provide to our customers is from our local groundwater sources,” Greg Thomas, general manager for EVMWD, said. “We are excited these wells have been rehabilitated and are back online to provide our customers with the much-needed, local, high-quality water to meet warm weather demands.”

The wells are operated seasonally and EVMWD restores service when demand for water is high in the warmer months. Before bring-

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May 22, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

A-5

Local POLICE from page A-1 have their own police officers to protect and help them.

Menifee police Chief Pat Walsh sees the ongoing police car parades driven by the newly hired, mostly young, police officers coming from all over the nation both as a way to acquaint his officers with the community and to familiarize them with the neighborhoods they will be patrolling after July 1.

The new field officers in the new cruisers often will be riding with a sergeant who will give pointers on where to look for problems or hazards in the neighborhood when they begin patrols.

“Having our officers go out in the community to meet people before the department opens has been hampered by the coronavirus,” Walsh said. “But someone asked if we couldn’t do a parade for a kid’s birthday party.”

He said he thought that was a great idea and sent some his officers driving the new police SUVs to bring a happy birthday to the child, much to the child’s and the family’s delight.

“The officers went out with about 30 other cars and three to nine of our police cars blowing sirens and flashing lights. Then we pulled up to the front (of the house) and sang happy birthday,” Walsh said.

The police officers have been out, doing other parades every week, sometimes just going through the neighborhoods with lights and sirens bringing people out to their yards waving.

“They love it,” he said.

The difficulties with the coronavirus stay-at-home orders not only have hampered new hires from getting to know local residents but have also given Walsh’s command officers and background check companies difficulties with everything from background checks and interviews to doctor’s exams for police officer candidates.

“You know (with the coronavirus) you can’t just walk into a police department to check an officer’s records,” Walsh said. “All of them have had to revamp how they do stuff. We are doing a lot with Zoom and other things.

“We really do have a good bunch of folks (recruits and new hires). There’s no ego. They’ve come in, and they are excited about being in a creative culture.

It’s really neat. They are always getting together and it’s fun to watch,” Walsh said of the officers already hired.

Part of the new camaraderie was observed as the officers put on old work clothes and put together the shelving and framing for the evidence lock up at the back of the new police station. The project is now almost complete, and when the officers are not putting something together in the police station on Hahn Road where the old city hall used to be, they are participating in training sessions.

Walsh said the new officers are being trained by experts in many law enforcement fields and are taking some classes that had never taught before in any police station.

“Ours is the first department to have a doctor come to teach us about moral injuries. He is a combat veteran who has studied post-traumatic stress syndrome, personal injury and trauma,” Walsh said. “Maybe with this training one of the guys might save someone’s life someday.”

The special training the officers are receiving includes some intensive tactical and leadership training from experts and sergeants already hired. He said the supervision given the field officers is coming from a place of a “strength-based leadership.”

“We don’t want to go out there together and be the Keystone Cops. We want to go out there and do a great job,” Walsh said, extolling the training regimen given the officers.

Officers are coming from many other departments as far away as New York and Utah.

“Some of the officers are already buying homes here. They want to live here and work here,” Walsh said with a smile.

Walsh said the new all-silver badges have been purchased for Menifee police officers which will be worn on their traditional blue uniforms when they begin patrolling. Those officers who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or

in the reserves will be able to wear a separate small pin above their badges signifying what branch of service they served.

“I think it’s important if you served (in the armed forces) or are still in the reserves. You ought to be able to put the pin on and say you are proud of those folks. They served their country twice.”

He said the pin will become a conversation piece with other veterans.

“They will walk up and boom!

You’re having a conversation, and if you have kind of a troubled teenager, you tell them how it was in the Marines or which branch.”

He said such a conversation could have some “good consequences.”

While the picture remains bright for the department scheduled to hit the streets July 1, there are some concerns expressed about the police and fire department’s future on top of the COVID-19 projected revenue losses in the coming year’s fiscal year budget.

One concern comes from a requirement for the city to place a citizen’s initiative to repeal Measure DD, a 1% sales tax measure on the Novmeber ballot. Measure DD was passed by voters to be used for the formation of the city’s public safety departments including fire and police. The majority of the 2020-2021 Measure DD funds is budgeted for the new police department and continuing fire protection contracts with Riverside County and Cal Fire.

“It makes sense to keep our Measure DD,” Walsh said. “We are very prudent about the way we spend it. We have an oversight committee … . It is a communitybased watchdog, and they are paying attention.

“Two thousand three hundred people put in for 77 jobs in my police department, and that is unheard of in this time and age. But it’s people who want to come here and make a difference and work in the place they live. They notice Measure DD. They know that this community supports public safety.

That matters to us so far as law enforcement goes,” he said.

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

New Menifee police badge design as preparations are currently underway for the launch of the city’s new police department.

Menifee police officer Matt Harper has a lunch break as he and his colleagues continue in helping build the new Menifee Police Department.

Menifee police Sgt. Corey Cox sorts a shipment of guns to be issued to officers in the city’s new police department.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • May 22, 2020

CEREMONIES from page A-1 beside a 2020 sign to a series of school administrators, teachers and staff members who showed her where to go next.

She was directed to the front of one of three stages set up by Great Oak for graduating seniors, where she held up a sign with her name on it for video and still cameras, then picked up a diploma case and entered the stage.

She was met there by school Principal Aimee Ricken, who from a distance of 6 feet, congratulated her and showed Almonte where to stand and pose as the video recorder captured the announcement of her name over the stadium’s loudspeakers.

After a few more photos from a still camera, she headed off the stage where she would rejoin her parents for more candid photos next to the school’s S.P.I.R.I.T. sign. The letters stand for scholarship, passion, integrity, reflection, involvement and teamwork.

Then it was over – Almonte had completed her virtual graduation from Great Oak High School – to be aired a later date.

For the administration at Great Oak High School, it meant one down, 700-plus seniors to go – but it worked as well as it could have.

Ricken estimated that it took her team 85-95 hours spent to come up

with the plan to have seniors walk through the graduation process.

From brainstorming sessions to communication with seniors and parents, finding vendors to document the entire thing, editing, staging, set up and more, it proved to be a huge undertaking.

In all, there were five sessions, with seniors showing up at scheduled times before going through the entire process, while more than two dozen Great Oak staff members volunteered for the event helped them along the way.

They started Wednesday morning and finished Friday evening. In between, school student leadership, valedictorian and salutatorians recorded their speeches which will be weaved into the finished product and broadcast on a dedicated webpage devoted to the graduating seniors.

By the end of it, Herschel Ramirez, the athletic administrator and the man tasked with directing the entire event, said 706 of 751 graduates walked over the three days.

While nobody, Ricken included, would say Great Oak’s virtual graduation ceremony was equal to the real thing, she said she is proud of how it turned out.

“I think it went amazing,” Ricken said. “So much hard work was put into the plan by our leadership team and staff and because they showed up to help us execute this concept

of a live walk across the stage that we could safely film and add to our video production. I think we pulled off a safe, intimate and celebratory feeling for each senior and their two family members.”

Senior salutatorian Raymond Lee acknowledged just how different his graduation would be compared to those who came before him, but in the end, he was pleased with the result.

“I think at the end of the day, it was still cool to have the experience,” he said. “I had set my expectations really low. When you compare it to that baseline, I do think that what the Great Oak administration has pulled off is pretty incredible. We could see that they were stressed out behind the scenes.

“It definitely sucks that we weren’t able to graduate like we usually would, but we are grateful to the people that still made this possible,” he said.

Valedictorian Emika Saito also praised the administration for going the extra mile to support the students, mentioning the way the administrators drove around to each of the honored students’ houses to announce their awards.

“Honestly, I am very glad that we’re having a ceremony in the first place, and it’s great that it’s virtual because a lot of my family lives in a different country and it’s just me

Senior Anthony Arreola holds up a sign with his name on it for video identification purposes before going up onstage to graduate officially.

Valley News/Jeff Pack photo

and my parents here in the U.S.,” she said.

“Compared to the alternative of straight-up not having graduation, while this isn’t what a lot of the seniors were hoping for their entire lives, it’s definitely a lot better than what it could be,” salutatorian Madeline Young said. “With the video, we all still get to watch each other.

Even though it’s not in person, it’s still a way that we can capture the moment.

“I think it’s great that the school is trying to make it as good as they can for us,” she said.

Earlier this week, after press time, other high schools in the Temecula school district and schools in Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, and Perris will conduct similar virtual graduation ceremonies.

Since every school was tasked with creating a graduation ceremony that best represents each school based on guidelines sent down from district leadership, it is likely each will be different in their own way.

In talking with people at the Great Oak event, nobody seemed to know exactly what other schools were going to do or how they were going to do it.

Uncertainty was a theme of conversation that seemed to permeate most of the conversations being had by people all across the country and world.

While they were unsure, nervous and somewhat shell-shocked by what they were experiencing – Ricken insisted that her seniors all handled it very well.

“I think once they arrived at the stadium and saw in real time what we were doing, they became more excited about the concept of virtual graduation,” she said. “We played ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ for about 19 hours over three days. I dream in ‘Pomp and Circumstance.’ The song created the graduation feel, the staff created energy for our seniors to feed off. No matter which senior was being filmed crossing the stage, everyone present clapped and cheered for that graduate.

“We have received amazing feedback from students and parents thanking us for the environment we created for them in the stadium,” she said.

As each student came onstage, they smiled, looked around, posed for the camera with peace signs and fist-pumps, just like they would at a “normal” graduation.

According to Ramirez, that atmosphere was what they were hoping

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to accomplish.

“What we’ve tried to do from the very beginning was the vision of giving our students as close to a traditional ceremony as possible,” he said. “The elements you’re seeing right now are a result of staying as close to the program as possible from previous years. All we’ve done is taken those pieces of what would have been done in front of an entire crowd and condensing it.”

Ramirez said that when the finished product is ready for viewing in June, it will be an interactive experience of a sort.

“What was also important for us was the delivery method of putting it on a webpage that’s user friendly, you’re not sitting there looking through five hours of video. That’s not attractive,” he said. “For us, the deal was, if you could put it on a webpage and you could click and allow the user to pick what they want to see, it allowed us to have freedom within that delivery method to add things that were special to us.”

“We can’t wait to see the finished product,” Ricken said. “I’m sure it will be awesome.”

There will be some surprises in the presentation that seniors will not be expecting. It’s a way for the staff and administration to express how much they appreciate their students.

“This class, more than any other that I’ve seen, has tried to unify and break lines amongst the different grades and groups – seniors bringing along juniors, making the freshman feel a part of the high school experience,” Ramirez said. “When you look at what these kids have gone through, this is about recognizing how different they are. During this time, when we’ve needed that selfless kind of leadership from them and they’ve given it, how can I not ask our administrators and teachers to serve and lead just like our seniors have?”

Ricken said she was proud of how her staff responded.

“I am incredibly blessed to lead the staff at Great Oak High School,” she said. “I don’t think there’s anything they won’t do for students.

We put our plan out to the staff, and as soon as we organized what we would need in the stadium to pull this off, they signed up. We had a backup waiting list of volunteers to fill in if someone couldn’t make it.

We were careful to only allow so many volunteers into the stadium to maintain safe social distancing.”

Ricken, along with other administrators, and TVUSD school board member Dr. Kristi Rutz-Robbins wore robes and suits throughout the ceremonies over the three warm days.

Ricken said she had to stand on the corner of the stage, wear a mask when off the stage and was unable to shake the hand or hug any of the students. That, she said was difficult, but “having the opportunity to see our seniors smile again was worth any discomfort of wearing a mask for hours and hours,” she said.

Toward the end of the last day of ceremonies, the school held a special memorial celebration for a member of the senior class, Kaleb Dunlap, who died in December.

“Me and Kaleb, we’d wake up every morning and go in early to meet with our math teachers before school,” Dunlap’s best friend, Colby Warrick, said. “We really, really tried hard this year to graduate, because we’ve struggled with school and with life and stuff and this was really a dream come true of ours to finally graduate.”

Standing just outside the gates of Great Oak’s stadium with his parents, Warrick held a framed photo of his friend and two diplomas.

“It’s sad that he’s not here, but I know he’s here in spirit with me right now,” Warrick said. “To accept this award and to get through it, finally.

“I felt him with me, I really felt like a strong sense in my heart that we were doing right by him and I felt him here,” he said.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

May 22, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

A-7

Local Hemet City Council eyes future commercial cannabis business regulations in the city Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

Hemet City Council, after nearly a year of prohibiting any form of commercial cannabis cultivation, sales or testing in the city, held a workshop to discuss an ordinance permitting limited medical cannabis business operations.

Hemet city manager Chris Lopez, following the direction of the council from Jan. 14, presented a study from city staff and a consultant on the types and number of cannabis businesses which could be permitted in the city; which restrictions will be required and which permit processes should be implemented.

HdL Companies was contracted to provide cannabis consulting services, which included the development of a cannabis ordinance and regulatory management program.

Lopez outlined four questions to be answered by the council, which would help determine how an ordinance can be implemented.

The questions he asked the council included: What types of cannabis businesses should the city of Hemet allow? How many of each type should be allowed? What restrictions should be established? What type of application process should be developed?

With each question, the consultant made recommendations about their effect on the community and the application process required.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the council directed the city manager to create an ordinance that would allow four sustainable retail cannabis outlets and no more than 10 wholesale outlets with all of them located in a designated industrial zoned area and buffered from anywhere children might congregate like parks, schools, playgrounds and gyms, none in the residential or commercial areas.

Cannabis businesses will be required go through the same application process as other businesses in the city with conditional use permits that could be revoked with any violations. The applicants would be approved by merit or favorable history.

The proposed ordinance will be brought back to the council for further discussion and final approval.

Following the workshop, the council convened its regular meeting with an update on the coronavirus emergency declaration receiving the greatest attention.

Lopez told the council that he joined a conference call hosted

by Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington, May 7, which provided input and recommendations for reopening businesses within the county. He said the county is gathering opinions from all the surrounding cities on when, if and how all businesses could open safely in light of the coronavirus. He said most cities

and counties have decided that parts of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Phase 2 coronavirus reopening plan are completely unattainable, particularly the requirement for “No new coronavirus cases for 14 days.”

Yet, Lopez said the county is allowing some “nonessential” businesses to open, provided they stick to storefront pickups only as approved in Phase 2, require customers to wear masks and keep the 6-foot social distancing measures in place.

Lopez asked the council to collectively provide its preference and thoughts on reopening, and he asked what the council would like to see when the region begins to reopen. Earlier, the council did agree to retain the Riverside County health officer as the city’s health officer and observe the county’s quarantine regulations, order and other rules. Several members of the council suggested the city hire or name its own health officer but that was rejected by the majority because of costs.

Councilmember Michael Perciful, on a teleconference, made a motion to have the city reject the county health officer’s orders and open all businesses, respecting the social distancing edict.

He said the governor’s Phase 2 plan was “despicable.

“It is time for the city of Hemet to take a stand against the state of California. Everyone should have

the right to do what they want to do,” Perciful said.

He said the city should make a decision to open all businesses to avoid even more financial problems than businesses and the city already faces.

In a later discussion, he argued the resulting coronavirus action taken by the Congress in shutting down all “nonessential” businesses in the nation thus far.

“Is the most un-American thing that has happened in the United States ever,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Linda Krupa said she didn’t think the county rescinded any of the state’s Phase 2 requirements for fear of losing state bailout money the city might receive. She also said defying the state and county orders could hurt businesses even more.

“I don’t want our local businesses to get fined or lose their licenses,” Krupa said. “We can’t take away his (the governor’s) authority.”

Councilmember Karlee Meyer, while agreeing the state and county Phase 2 was unsustainable for local businesses, said they still “have to take the responsibility” in reopening early. She suggested that every city in the area should take the time to write their own letters appealing for changes in the Phase 2 requirements. Currently, the mayors of most Inland Empire cities have written a joint letter to the governor, asking him to revise

his Phase 2 orders.

“Sending a letter is not going to do anything,” Perciful said.

Councilmember Bonnie Wright said she feared any action to contradict the state and county coronavirus orders could put any compensation funding for the city’s coronavirus costs in jeopardy for the city.

Mayor Russ Brown said, “Going on as we are is unsustainable and unattainable...I think the state is going about it the wrong way. I hope our message is getting there (Sacramento).”

Lopez was told to keep the council informed of the state and county mandates and to message the county with their views. No official action by the council was taken to rescind the county health department orders.

The council also chose to change its insurance authority over to the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority and to execute an agreement with the new firm that will delegate the tort liability claims when they are made. The CJPIAEIA pools the city’s workers’ compensation coverage funding with other cities and counties on the same program. The council saw greater insurance coverage benefits from the CJPIA-EIAS over its longtime carrier the CSAC-EIA. Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

Temecula appoints John Crater as fire chief

John Crater is the newly appointed division fire chief for Temecula, as of May 11. Valley News/Courtesy photo

TEMECULA ─ Temecula Mayor James “Stew” Stewart, Temecula city manager Aaron Adams and Cal Fire/Riverside County fire Chief Shawn Newman welcomed John Crater as the newly appointed division fire chief for Temecula, effective May 11, Crater replaces Interim Division Chief Bill Weiser who stepped in to temporarily serve Temecula.

Weiser will transition with Crater and resume his post again as division chief for Bautista/San Jacinto.

“Although the COVID-19 pandemic is on everyone’s mind, we have not lost sight that fire safety and protection from wildland fires remain a critical priority for our region, and I’m pleased to announce Chief Crater brings 26 years of front-line public safety expertise to Temecula,” Stewart said.

Crater started his firefighting career in November 1994 as a volunteer firefighter at Station 9 Good Meadow in Riverside County. Crater was hired in 1999 by Cal Fire

San Diego as a seasonal firefighter in De Luz. In 2001, he was hired as a permanent firefighter for the Riverside unit in the Lake Elsinore battalion. He also worked in Battalions 2 and 13 as a fire apparatus engineer.

In 2008, Crater was promoted to fire captain again in the Lake Elsinore battalion and worked at Stations 11 and 61 and with Truck 97. In 2017, Crater accepted a promotion to battalion chief working in Desert Hot Springs

and Lake Elsinore.

City manager Aaron Adams said the decision came after careful consideration.

“This position is key for us as an organization and as a community.

I am confident that Chief Crater’s leadership style and long history of experience within southwest Riverside County will be an asset to the city of Temecula,” Adams said.

Crater and his family reside in southwest Riverside County.

Submitted by city of Temecula.

Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • May 22, 2020

A-8

Local

Temecula mayor juggles running business and city It’s not easy during a pandemic, he says Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

James Stewart wears a couple of different hats. “Stew,” as he prefers to be referred to, is the mayor of Temecula, of course.

But he’s also a small-town barbershop owner.

Well, if we’re being honest, “small” might not mean what it used to mean in Temecula – for one, the traffic Temecula experiences during non-pandemic times makes it clear that its small-town days are long gone, and for another, Stews Barber Shop is a full-fledged local chain, with four locations between Redhawk and downtown Lake Elsinore, plus another one in Ladera Ranch.

And that has, of course, colored his perception of the coronavirus emergency. In addition to being the mayor, he also knows what it’s like to be running a business right now.

“Running,” of course, doesn’t mean a whole lot right now – barbershops are not considered essential.

“The state shut down barbershops, all nonessential, so there is no business,” Stew said.

Most of what Stew has been doing over the last weeks and months has involved trying to get his rent paid.

“My landlords are giving me no forgiveness at all,” he said.

Fortunately, Stew’s chain qualifies for paycheck protection program funds from the federal government, and he can use 25% of that money for rent in addition to keeping his employees on payroll for the time being.

As grateful as he is for the paycheck protection program, he also said he’s unhappy with the federal government for another

decision – the $600 increase in unemployment benefits during the pandemic crisis.

“The federal government came in with this huge CARES Act, so basically I got a bunch of money to put all of my people on payroll … and they’re making more money on unemployment,” he said. “(Employees) making $250 or $350 a week, and they’re making $850 now, so you can see the problem I have.

“It’s been difficult – literally I have had to match what they were making on unemployment, which is not what it was designed to do, it’s designed to match their salary,” he said.

It’s worth noting that the $600 unemployment benefit increase was designed to match the salary of an average worker, and Stew acknowledged it was supposed to help.

“It’s kind of like good intentions, bad execution,” he said.

“That $600 has really screwed up a lot of us who took the PPE money.

That’s my complaint right now is the federal government cannot keep adding to this unemployment paycheck because it disincentives anybody even when we do get the green light.”

Right now, it’s certainly unclear whether or not that will actually happen. The increase in unemployment benefits runs out at the end of July. If Stew’s business is allowed to reopen before that, then it’s true there could be an incentive for some workers to continue collecting unemployment benefits. State law indicated that those collecting unemployment cannot refuse “suitable” work, but workers who can prove they are in a higher-risk category or live with someone who does have some leeway in refusing

to return to work.

In a “frequently asked questions” sheet posted to the California Employment Department’s website, the state said individuals will continue to qualify for unemployment benefits if they “choose to stay at home from work due to underlying health conditions and concerns about exposure to the virus.”

But again, the increased unemployment benefits only last until July 31, meaning the incentive to stay home will be temporary.

Still, it’s something that Stew thinks about.

Another concern that he said weighs on his mind is the threat of businesses being shut down again.

If businesses are allowed to reopen and then are shut down again, it could “crush a small business with no real explanation other than we’re nonessential,” Stew said.

“What does that mean? I mean, I’m very essential to everyone who walks in that door. I probably never have any more than five or six people in my space.”

Still, asked if he’s concerned about a second wave of infections caused by businesses reopening and gatherings allowed to continue, Stew said he’s not worried at all.

“I’m not afraid of a second wave, because the first wave was nonexistent,” he said.

Stew is correct that the impacts in Temecula have been limited. No deaths have been reported in Temecula during the pandemic crisis, at all. But Temecula also fell under California’s statewide stay-home order before the virus had a chance to take hold in Riverside County.

Stew said he doesn’t buy that argument.

“I believe that all the models

Temecula Mayor James Stewart, owner of Stews Barber Shops seen standing inside one of his Temecula shops, is advocating for COVID-19 restrictions on businesses to be lifted as the threat of a negative longterm impact on the economy looms from lockdowns Valley News/Shane Gibson photo continuing to be enforced.

that they’re using were based on a high-density population like New York City, and that’s why it’s never transpired in California,” Stew said. “I believe the government – the state, the county and even the federal (government) modeled this thing wrong, and I believe there’s so much more damage that took place other than human life and I know businesses right now that will not open back up just because

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they were completely decimated.

Three months ago, we had the lowest unemployment in history, we were on track to probably a $1, $2 or $3 billion economy here in Temecula and that’s all been stopped, and even when we reopen it’s gonna be a slow roll to normalcy.”

Will Fritz can be reached by email at wfritz@reedermedia.com.

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Section

BUSINESS May 22 – 28, 2020

www.myvalleynews.com

Volume 20, Issue 21

Stores open doors as shoppers return to the streets

Sage Boutique & Specialty Produce co-owner Dana Crittenden, left, and employee Carsyn Emerson serve customers in downtown Murrieta as retail restrictions are eased in Riverside County.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR

Businesses throughout the Temecula Valley have opened their doors and are welcoming back customers after a nearly twomonthlong restriction on businesses due to COVID-19 was lifted May 8.

Shoppers can be found at a variety of locations throughout the valley visiting their favorite

locally owned stores, boutiques, antique malls and specialty shops as life slowly begins the return to normal.

At the newly opened Sage Boutique & Specialty Produce next to the post office on Washington Street in downtown Murrieta, shoppers wandered into the store, browsing before carefully selecting their purchases, Saturday, May 16.

Business was much the same

Sage Boutique & Specialty Produce co-owner Dana Crittenden welcomes customers to the new shop in downtown Murrieta after their grand opening May 9.

at the many antique stores in Murrieta and Lake Elsinore that also reopened following the state mandated shutdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom relaxed county reopening criteria Monday, May 18, a move he said will allow most of the state’s 58 counties to begin allowing dining in restaurants and other services, The Associated Press reported.

The new criteria he outlined

Shoppers look at antiques for sale at Reborn Treasures in downtown Murrieta as retail restrictions are eased in Riverside County.

applies to counties that want to reopen faster than the state and eliminates requirements that a county have zero deaths and no more than one case per 10,000 residents over a two-week period.

Instead, counties must have no more than 25 cases per 100,000 residents or no higher than an 8% positive rate among people testing for the coronavirus.

Other requirements include not having an increase in hospitaliza-

tions of over 5% for a seven-day period or less than 20 hospitalizations total over 14 days.

Newsom also said counties will soon be able to allow shopping in stores and hair salons to reopen.

The Associated Press contributed to this report Kim Harris can be reached by email at valleyeditor@reedermedia.com.

People walk in Historic Downtown Main Street in Lake Elsinore as a variety of small retail businesses open after restrictions are eased in Riverside County.

Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber cancels June MEGA Mixer Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR

The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce announced the cancellation of the June 2020 AllChamber MEGA Mixer due to the threat posed by the coronavirus.

“It is with deepest regret that we

must announce the cancellation of the June 2020 MEGA Mixer,” the chamber said in an email dated May 8. “This decision was not made lightly, and many hours were spent on discussing safety protocols, layouts and logistics and more to reduce exposure of COVID-19 during the event and

we have decided that based on all information available canceling the event is the best course of action.”

While the cancellation was not unexpected, the chamber said it is still committed to supporting its members by providing “various avenues to safely connect with

other businesses and the community virtually.”

The chamber is continuing to “plan programming with our members’ best interests in mind,” and thanked its sponsors for their support. Sponsors typically receive a table at the MEGA Mixer but will be featured virtually by the

chamber as a thank you for their support to the now canceled event.

The next MEGA mixer is being planned for January 2021.

Kim Harris can be reached by email at valleyeditor@reedermedia.com.

The Press Espresso opens 3rd location Samantha Cox INTERN

The Press Espresso opened their third cafe location at 32115 Temecula Parkway in Vail Headquarters in Temecula Tuesday, May 5.

Their other locations are at 28601 Old Town Front St., Suite F, in Old Town Temecula and at 24619 Washington Ave., Suite 102, in downtown Murrieta.

The Vail Headquarters location occupies the space that was previously Augie’s Coffee and A La Minute. The shop’s relaxing atmosphere features lots of greenery to keep customers feeling cool, calm and collected.

The Press Espresso also features work from local artists such as The Sivan Collection, Lazy Daisy Pies, Fire and Mud Studios and custom merchandise such as shirts, hats and bandanas at all three of their locations.

The Press Espresso’s Instagram account shared a photo to remind the cafe’s customers of the new location’s “grand” opening.

“It might not be super grand,” according to the post’s caption. “But that’s OK, we look forward to serving you in this new space.”

The company has also relaunched its banana foster latte, a popular spring-inspired latte featuring a housemade syrup consisting of banana, brown sugar and rum.

The new location is next to the cookhouse,

retail stores and a pottery studio, making for a great picnic spot or shopping date with friends. The Tuesday farmers market has been on hold since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, along with many other festivals and gatherings.

“My favorite part is the community surrounding Vail Headquarters. I am so excited to be by my favorite restaurants, especially vegan tacos from Amo Nakatl Asada,” Rocky Norris, a barista at The Press Espresso, said. “Plus, new chapters are always exciting.”

Opening a new business during a global pandemic comes with its challenges. The owners of the Press Espresso said they are grateful for their customers, artists and staff who have made it worthwhile.

Noah Lopez, founder of The Sivan Collection, said he is excited for the future of The Press Espresso.

“Each segment of the store tells its own story from when you order till when you get your drink. The shop is an open canvas,” Lopez said.

Lopez’s candles are carefully curated to capture the scents of the most popular drinks served at The Press Espresso, which are for sale at all three locations along with many new scents coming soon. He also creates hand sanitizers and room sprays.

The Press Espresso opens a new location inside the historic Wolf Store adobe at Vail Headquarters in Temecula.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

The Press Espresso currently serves a wide variety of coffee, tea, pastries and smallbites, including options for those who are vegan or gluten-free.

The Press Espresso management expressed their gratitude on Instagram, saying,

“It’s just a little harder to communicate with our masks on and for you to see us smile, we want you to know we value having you drop by.”

Samantha Cox can be reached by email at valleystaff@reedermedia.com.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • May 22, 2020

Business

Get back into the swing of things: Driving, accidents and what to do if you’re in one

Andrew Zucker Attorney at Law, The Zucker Law Firm SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

For many people, the past few months have felt like people’s lives have been turned upside down.

They barely recall the days stuck in traffic, sitting at red lights, hours spent day and night in cars heading to work, school or errands. On the other hand, people are more aware of that routine than ever as restrictions lift, and they get back

out into the world. While society reimagines “the new normal,” one thing they can’t avoid is their commute.

California has some of the most prominent commuter cities in the United States, and cars are the primary mode of transportation.

The more people drive, the higher the risk of accident or injury.

Alongside the usual worries, add in the fact people are now “out of practice.” Whatever actions they take to protect themselves while driving, things happen that they can’t always control. If people do find themselves in an accident, here are three points to remember to move things along – so they can get back to their normal.

Get a medical exam. Health and safety should always come first but in the heat of the moment, people are not always thinking clear. Their desire to get back to their day can make them rush the process at the scene thinking, “It’s not that serious.” And they may, in fact, feel fine at the time. Adrenaline is

powerful, and when an accident happens, it can make them ignore signs of injury that crop up later.

It’s worth having medical personnel give the drivers and passengers a check to identify potential trauma. If they decline at the time, seek an exam as soon as possible afterward. It sounds inconvenient in a world of “there’s no time,” yet makes a huge difference in getting life back to normal. People don’t want to be left reeling with discomfort, medical bills and no recourse – see a doctor.

Create documentation. Briefly forget the cellphone stigma and use it as the valuable tool it is. Call emergency services, snap photos and take notes. The priority should be getting medics and police to the accident scene, followed by documenting the area as possible with safety in mind, and taking notes of the situation as they occur.

The records created in the period directly after an accident provides beneficial information to piece together events that seem blurry

in hindsight.

Consult an attorney. Don’t wait for months while medical bills grow and insurance pushes back on a claim to seek a professional opinion. A consultation is not a contractual agreement to use the attorney’s services, but it provides specialized insight on a unique situation and options to ease the burden. Many attorneys will provide a free telephonic consultation to discuss options at no cost or obligation to use their services in the future.

Whether people are going back to work now, will be in the coming weeks or are just finally making those trips to the grocery store they never thought they would miss, Californians are getting back on the roads and traffic is going to increase. They should keep the above three tips in mind if they’re in an accident and it will set them up for success – and getting back to their “new normal.”

Andrew Zucker of The Zucker Law Firm in Temecula is a trial at-

torney that specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

In 1993, Zucker started his legal career in the Riverside District Attorney’s Office as a deputy district attorney. As a prosecutor, Zucker refined his trial skills handling serious and violent felony’s including rape and murder cases. His trial skills and success resulted in him being recognized by the California State Assembly and the Riverside District Attorney’s office as the felony prosecutor of the year in 1998. Zucker has been practicing in Temecula for over 20 years and has represented many police officers, sheriff deputies and firemen injured or killed in the line of duty.

Zucker is honored to have prosecuted one of the largest wrongful death judgments in the history of California resulting in an award of $50,000,000. The Zucker Law Firm is located at 43434 Business Park Drive in Temecula. For more information or an appointment, call 951-699-2100 or visit https:// www.thezuckerlawfirm.com.

Menifee’s Economic Development Department and Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce recognize May as Small Business Month MENIFEE – To show support for small businesses, Menifee’s Economic Development Department and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce are recognizing May as “Small Business

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cal businesses, as they continue to face immense challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Currently, there are 30.2 billion small businesses in the United States, which account for 99.9% of all businesses. These small businesses make up 55% of the American workforce, and 57% of them rely on personal savings to start off. The city and chamber recognize this entrepreneurial spirit within the community, and honor all small businesses and entrepreneurs who play a pivotal role in strengthening the local economy – and as Menifee matures assists with its diversification.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the city has created a carve-out for Economic Development policies and programs. As part of the business relief program, the city’s Economic Development Department has rolled-out a new rewards program, hashtag #MeniFREEwards, to encourage patrons to shop locally and to support Menifee’s eateries who have been hit financially hard by the pandemic.

When a patron orders takeout or delivery from a Menifee eatery, and they can share it on Facebook with the hashtag, the Menifee Economic Development Department will reward 20 winners daily with a $10 #MeniFREEward for every $10 spent on each order. The maxi-

mum reward is $30 each. For more information, visit https://www. menifeebusiness.com/rewards.

Showing additional business support, the Economic Development Department within the city of Menifee has published a website, http://menifeebusiness.com, which is dedicated to all business improvement, growth, expansion, retention and attraction needs, as well as an “Entrepreneur, Startup and Small Business Resource Guide” with information and resources for small-business needs, including how to start a business, checklists and contacts for all their business needs.

The Economic Development Department and Chamber of Commerce also have created a “Menifee CARES” webpage, as part of the city’s Recovery Resource Initiative which includes a business resource toolkit with a variety of resources to help assist small businesses during COVID-19. For more information, visit https://www.menifeebusiness. com/menifee-cares.

Additionally, through the city’s Building Better Businesses program, a partnership with the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center provides additional resource assistance to small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Furthermore, SBDC virtual business consulting sessions are available at no cost and have been made available Monday through Friday, as well as daily virtual webinars at 3 p.m. as it relates to their business needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the opportunity to ask the SBDC any additional questions

or advice. The SBDC strives to provide solutions and opportunities for all small businesses to become successful, and their hope is to be the go-to resource for all small business-related information. For more information, visit https://inlandempiresbdc.org/, or call the Chamber of Commerce at 951-672-1991 or email the city Economic Development Department at econdev@cityofmenifee. us.

As part of the overall Small Business Month celebration, the city’s Economic Development Department and Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce have created yard signs reading “I Support Menifee Businesses #ShopLocal” as a way to raise awareness of showing support of small businesses and shopping local. The signs are available on a first come first serve basis starting Monday, May 18, and are available for pick up at the chamber office located at 29737 New Hub Drive, Suite 102, in Menifee. For more information regarding how to pick up a sign, contact the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce at 951-672-1991 or email tony@ menifeevalleychamber.com, or the Economic Development Department at econdev@cityofmenifee. us.

For more information regarding small business support and resources within Menifee, visit www.menifeebusiness.com or www.menifevalleychamber.com or send any additional businessrelated questions to EconDev@ cityofmenifee.us.

Submitted by city of Menifee.

Fake letter targets customers receiving benefits RIVERSIDE COUNTY – State and county public social services officials are warning about a fake letter circulating on social media that falsely claims customers must be tested for COVID-19 to continue receiving benefits such as cash aid, CalFresh and Medi-Cal. The letter bearing the seal of the California Department of Social Services also falsely claims that children will be removed from

parents who test positive for COVID-19 and placed into foster care. Riverside County, state and county health services departments will never ask about health status in connection to an application for benefits. Children will not be removed from parents who happen to test positive for the coronavirus or COVID-19. see LETTER, page B-3

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Entertainment

Temecula Clay gives artists a creative outlet Samantha Cox INTERN

Jennie Soderquist, owner of Temecula Clay reopened her doors Monday, May 4, at 32127 Temecula Parkway, at Vail Headquarters in Temecula.

When the safer-at-home order was put into place mid-March, Temecula Clay was forced to close its doors to the public to help ensure the safety of California residents.

Keeping the business afloat, Temecula Clay offered painting to-go services. Customers could shop online for pottery pieces to purchase in a kit along with painting supplies.

Once finished, customers could bring in their pieces to be fired in the kiln.

Soderquist said her goal in re-

opening was to “give our community hope that we will recover, the economy will restart and that we can create a safe environment for kids to feel ‘normal.’”

Deborah Martinez, an essential worker in Temecula, said she has been struggling to keep her young daughter occupied during a time where it’s not safe to go to many places.

“It’s been very difficult to keep my daughter entertained. She likes to play at the park with her friends, and she’s been very upset that she can’t,” Martinez said.

Because America is beginning the process of reopening, Temecula Clay can now give artists a place to explore their creativity. On May 1, Temecula Clay announced via Instagram that they would begin

to slowly open over the week by allowing a few painting groups in at a time and properly sanitizing supplies and work stations. People responding on Instagram said they were thrilled to hear that their favorite art studio would be opening once again.

“We are making sure that customers have their space while painting, and cleaning brush handles and tables with an all-natural cleaning product that kills 99.9% of bacteria that is safe for children,” she said.

Temecula Clay is a pottery painting studio where people of all ages can go to paint, to learn new techniques and to make their own pieces by hand. Customers can either take home pottery to paint or paint in small groups in the studio.

Temecula Clay also offers classes

Brothers Henry (left), 7, and Jack, 4, paint ceramic figures at Temecula Clay in Vail Headquarters.

V alley New s/ Sh an e G ib son p h oto

and workshops in ceramics.

“I love my community, and I love my studio,” Soderquist said.

Samantha Cox can be reached by email at valleystaff@reedermedia. com.

abomination after another.

And yet, if you can get past the hideous character designs, which is impossible; the unfunny “comedy,” which is equally impossible; all the obnoxious Jellical stuff in the dialogue, which is also impossible, and the creepy pseudosexual dancing, which I haven’t mentioned much, but is really impossible, “Cats” isn’t too bad of a movie. No matter what went wrong in post-production, the musical numbers clearly took talent and dedication, and the cast is admirably giving this project their all. Give me a high-flying disaster

like this film over a lazy effort like “A Madea Family Funeral,” which should have been named Worst Picture of 2019, any day. I recommend this movie as highly as I can recommend any undeniably bad movie.

Grade: C “Cats” is available On Demand through streaming services and likely through the local cable company.

The film is rated PG for some rude and suggestive humor. Its running time is 110 minutes.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu.

Movie Review: ‘Cats’ Bob Garver SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

Since I reviewed the most recent winner of the Oscar for Best Picture in “Parasite” recently, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the most recent winner of the Razzie for Worst Picture in “Cats.”

Like many people, I knew this movie had the award in the bag from the moment I saw the first trailer in July 2019. The trailer played on an IMAX screen, in a theater sold out for “The Lion King,” and I swear I could feel a chill from all the joy being immediately sucked out of the room.

There on the screen were some of the most hideously constructed CGI characters ever to vex the human eye. The relatively stoic cats played

by Judi Dench and Ian McKellen were bad enough, but the physically active ones played by James Corden and Rebel Wilson were disturbing on many more levels thanks to their nauseatingly rendered movements.

The film was released in December, and its special effects were criticized so heavily that the existing prints had to be replaced with an “improved” version of the film

two days later. The film bombed, of course, taking in only $27 million at the domestic box office, with much of the take attributed to people watching the film ironically, daring themselves to experience the train wreck and live to tell the tale. So, what do I think of this movie that is by all conceivable standards high in the running for Worst Picture of All Time? I say it’s bad, but it could be worse.

The story follows the newly abandoned Victoria, played by Razzie nominee Francesca Hayward, as she is taken in by the “Jellical” cats of London, particularly wannabe magician Mister Mistoffelees, played by Laurie Davidson, and interacts with their various eccentric personalities.

The movie never makes it clear what a Jellical Cat is, exactly, but my guess is that it means cats that sing and dance and are basically humans with whiskers instead of anything resembling an actual cat. The Jellicals are all striving to be named Jellical Choice by leader Old Deuteronomy, Razzie nominee Dench, which means they’re allowed to die and be born again. Contenders include taskmaster of weaker species Jennyanydots, played by

Razzie winner Wilson; peacocking Rum Tug Tugger, played by Jason Derulo; food scavenger Bustopher Jones, played by Razzie winner Corden; disgraced outcast Grizabella, played by Jennifer Hudson; stage veteran Asparagus, played by McKellen, and the villainous Macavity, played by Idris Elba, who is trying to cheat to win with help from henchwoman Bombalurina, played

by Taylor Swift.

Everything about the story is a big silly mess, but I can’t fault the movie too much for it since I know the whole thing is cribbed from the stage musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. I cannot extend the same forgiveness to the way this movie looks. Human faces are pasted unconvincingly onto slinky, fluffy bodies that I would never identify as cats save for the tails that are being shoved in my face by the gyrating cast at every opportunity.

The limitations of stage costumes are one thing – though they do make emotional musical numbers like the standout “Memories” hard to take seriously – but this film’s special effects team had the opportunity to create smooth, intricate character designs, and what we get is one

LETTER f rom p ag e B- 2 “At a time when thousands of Riverside County residents are reaching out for help from our public benefits system, for someone to prey on their fears and uncertainties is outrageous,” Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of the Riverside County DPSS’ Self Sufficiency Division, said. “We hope this fake letter doesn’t frighten those in need of support away from the critical programs and services DPSS offers.”

CDSS has alerted the appropriate authorities to investigate. Anyone

“

with helpful information about the source of the letter is asked to contact CDSS at 916-651-8848 or piar@dss.ca.gov.

Residents of Riverside County are urged to disregard the scam letter and not to share it on social media.

Riverside County residents who need to apply for benefits such as cash, food and medical assistance are encouraged to do so online at https://C4Yourself.com or by calling the Department of Public Social Services Customer Service Center at 877-410-8827.

Submitted by Riverside County.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • May 22, 2020

Health

U.S. Air Force offers high-flying thank you to hospitals and essential workers

Temecula Valley Hospital registered nurse Ryan Coburn records a video as his wife, U.S. Air Force 452nd Air Mobility Wing Brigadier General Melissa Coburn pilots the C-17 Globemaster III as it makes its approach over the hospital.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Members of the Temecula Valley Hospital leadership team, Temecula city dignitaries and winners of the hospital’s “Caught in the Act of Caring” gather on the building’s roof to watch an U.S. Air Force flyover, May 14. The flyovers of several Riverside County hospitals symbolize appreciation to health care workers and Valley News/Shane Gibson photo first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III banks a turn over Temecula Valley and heads to its next hospital flyover destination in appreciation Valley News/Shane Gibson photo of health care workers.

U.S. Air Force’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing Brigadier General Melissa Coburn pilots the C-17 Globemaster III and dips the wing as a gesture of appreciation to health care workers during a flyover at Temecula Valley News/Shane Gibson photo Valley Hospital.

Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR

Temecula Valley Hospital health care workers react after an U.S. Air Force flyover in appreciation for their patient care and continued efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

ers throughout Riverside County Thursday, May 14.

Based out of March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley, the aircraft participated in the #AirForceSalutes portion of #America Strong, which honors local health care workers, essential employees and other first

The U.S. Air Force’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing, Air Force Reserve Command took to the skies for a high-flying thank you flight recognizing hospital work-

responders on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19.

Much to the joy of those gathered to watch, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane piloted by 452nd Air Mobility Wing Brigadier General Melissa Coburn and a K-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft’s flight

First responders stand atop Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta to watch an appreciation flyover by the U.S. Air Force’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing.

Valley News/Gary Johnson photo

path took the two planes over Menifee Global Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Murrieta, Loma Linda Medical Center Murrieta, Temecula Valley Hospital, Rancho Springs Medical Center, Inland Valley Regional Medical Center and Lake Elsinore Family Care

Center before heading northeast into Riverside where they flew over 12 other hospitals throughout the Inland Empire.

Kim Harris can be reached by email at valleyeditor@reedermedia.com.

Medical residents add to Temecula’s COVID-19 response team TEMECULA – The first group of medical residents graduated at Temecula Valley Hospital recently.

Unlike residents before them, they are learning in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. They are gaining skills, treatments and medical regimes that no one has ever performed before.

As the crisis began, program leaders created an elective in disaster response to allow residents to be on the front lines of pandemic response.

“We modeled after another program’s plan to involve residents in responding to the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California,” Dr. Joel Trambley, director of the internal medicine program, said. “Our goal is to have residents learn how to treat COVID-19 patients safely and effectively, but also to learn how to respond to other disasters that could happen in the future.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unfortunate and devastating event in which most clinicians have had no formalized education or experience in managing,” Dr. Derek Schultz, the first internal medicine resident on the elective, said. “The disaster elective at Temecula Valley Hospital has allowed the future generation of physicians to get hands-on experience and training, in managing these types of community health care emergencies.”

Residents in the family medicine program work in the emergency department in their first year and can participate in the disaster elective.

“Like all health care workers, our residents have concerns about their health and their families.

We are proud that they continue to work to treat patients in Riverside County,” Dr. Carrie Bacon, program director for the family

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medicine program, said. “Community health is at the heart of every family medicine program.”

The family medicine program has six residents per year, while internal medicine has 20. Both programs filled all their positions for the academic year 2020-2021 through the National Residency Matching Program, and by their third year, plan to have 18 and 60 residents respectively.

The residency programs are sponsored by the Universal Health Services Southern California Medical Education Consortium, which includes Temecula Valley Hospital, Inland Valley Medical Center, Rancho Springs Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center and Palmdale Regional Medical Center.

“Part of our mission is to help address the shortage of health care providers in Riverside County. We are proud of our first 26 residents and excited about next year’s class. We continue to look at adding more trainees and programs,” Dr. Michael Nduati, who oversees the training programs as the designated institutional official/chief academic officer, said.

“The disaster elective has given me hands-on experience in learning how to manage disasters at the local, regional and national levels,” Schultz said. “This experience has helped me become better prepared, for helping and serving the community in the future.”

Temecula Valley Hospital, with a 5-star Medicare Hospital Compare rating, brings advanced technology, innovative programs, patient-centered and family sensitive care to area residents featuring 140 private patient rooms. It is the first Universal Health Services Hospital Emergency Department in the country to achieve accreditation from the American College

Temecula Valley Hospital doctors stand for a photo, including from left, Dr. Michael Nduati; Dr. Joel Trambley; Dr. Sean Anand; Dr. Derek Schultz, second from the right, a family medicine resident who also participated in the disaster elective rotation with Internal Medicine resident and Dr. Carrie Bacon.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

of Emergency Physicians as a geriatric emergency department.

Temecula Valley Hospital specializes in advanced cardiac services, stroke care, general and surgical specialties, and orthopedics as a recent Blue Distinction Center Designation for Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement Sur-

geries. It is nationally recognized for patient safety by the Leapfrog Group, with a 2017 Top Hospital Award and seven “A” grades for patient safety. For more information, visit https://www.temeculavalleyhospital.com/about/news.

Submitted Temecula Valley Hospital.

M ay 22, 2020 • w w w .my va lleyn ew s.com • V alley N ew s

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Education

Top students named valedictorians and salutatorians of Hemet and San Jacinto high schools Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

High achieving students, popular with their classmates and excelling in academics, have been named as the valedictorians and salutatorians of the nine Hemet/ San Jacinto Valley high schools.

The students will lead their classmates and graduating seniors in the upcoming commencement exercises with encouraging words for their success in the future years. The 2020-2021 graduating classes will be held by drive-up or virtually, because of the stay-athome orders due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hemet Unified School District Hemet High School recognized Jason Ng as its valedictorian. Ng has a 4.63 GPA and SAT score of 1360. He has been actively involved with the school’s mock trial program as well as Key Club, Habitat for Humanity, Friday Night Live, Math League, Art History Club and Boys State. On top of these extracurricular activities, he is also a member of the tennis team. He completed 26 Advanced Placement, dual enrollment and concurrent courses at Hemet High School. Ng will attend Cornell University to study Dyson Applied Economic and Management as well as the Wharton School of Business.

Hemet High School’s salutatorian is Marco Baeza with a GPA of 4.55 and a SAT score of 1390.

Baeza completed 26 AP, dual enrollment and concurrent courses in high school. Baeza is also involved in Mock Trial, Habitat for Humanity, Key Club and Art History Club.

He competes on the tennis and wrestling teams. Baeza will attend Stanford University, and he wishes to pursue a career in public policy.

Helen Hunt Jackson College Prep High School recognized, out of a senior class of 70, Heather Richards as its valedictorian with a GPA of 4.29 and an SAT score of 1280. She has attended the high school since the beginning of her sophomore year. Being actively involved in her school community, Richards participated in the Associated Student Body Government during her senior year. She played tennis for Hemet High and also privately. Richards completed 10 AP credits in her freshman year as well as 19 college units through dual and concurrent enrollment with Mt San Jacinto Community College, earning As in every course. She earned a scholarship from Concordia University and will study science to become a physical therapist.

Helen Hunt Jackson College Prep High recognized Thaes Retana as their salutatorian with a GPA of 3.96 and an SAT score of 950. She has attended Helen Hunt Jackson CPHS since the beginning of her freshman year and attended Family Tree Learning Center for eighth grade. Retana began working as a cross-age tutor for Family Tree in the fall of her junior year; she has been a huge help to the student’s in the Family Tree Program, according to her teachers. She has earned 12 college credits through dual and concurrent enrollment at Mt San Jacinto Community College. Retana will attend Mt. San Jacinto Community College in the fall to complete her degree in early childhood studies.

Tahquitz High School announced Edgar Gutierrez as its

valedictorian for 2020 out of 356 seniors. He has a 4.3699 GPA and an SAT score of 1400. He will complete eight AP courses and two dual enrollment courses. He is a member of the Debate Club and the Riverside County Mock Trial, the Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band and Advanced Jazz Ensemble. His teachers said Guiterrez is a family-oriented student and is very appreciative and talented.

After high school, Edgar said he hopes to attend California Baptist University and become a lawyer.

Tahquitz High recognized Katrina Isabelle Pagdayunan as the class of 2020 salutatorian. Pagdayunan earned a 4.375 GPA and a SAT score of 1200. She earned dual enrollment credit for four courses and completed seven AP courses. Pagdayunan has been a member of ASB for three years and has served as secretary as a senior.

After high school, she plans to attend either the University of California Los Angeles, University of California San Diego or University of California Irvine and pursue a career in the medical field.

West Valley High School recognized William Hora as this year’s valedictorian. Hora was chosen out of 392 seniors and led the class of 2020 with an overall GPA of 4.45 combined with an SAT score of 1260. He will have completed 10 AP, five dual enrollment and three concurrent courses. Hora is involved in his school community, participating in band as a drum major, The Link Crew and the California Scholarship Federation. Aside from school, he is also active in his local community by acting as a Mustang Mentor and volunteering at Diamond Valley Middle School assisting with their music program. Hora’s top three choices for college are University of California San Diego, University of California Los Angeles and University of California Berkeley.

He would like to become a professor in a science, technology, engineering or math field.

Dalton Feldhut is this year’s salutatorian for West Valley. Feldhut earned an overall GPA of 4.49 and an SAT score of 1360. He completed 15 AP, dual enrollment and concurrent courses. Feldhut joined the swim team and ASB. He was a student tutor at Harmony Elementary School. Feldhut plans to attend the University of California Los Angeles and pursue a career in business administration.

Western Center Academy’s announced Sara Oike as the graduating class valedictorian. Oike has earned a GPA of 4.71 and a SAT score of 1560. Never one to rest on her laurels, Oike has challenged herself by taking 13 AP courses and completed 17 college courses.

She was the vice president of ASB, president of the Youth Advisory Council, president of the Junior State of America, vice president of the Assistance League of Temecula, president of UNICEF club, president of the Intergenerational Training Program, head coach of the Oakhill Middle School debate team and the prosecuting attorney for the Southwest Valley Youth Court. After high school, Oike plans to attend Stanford University or University of Southern California and study public health.

Crystal Chen is the salutatorian for the class of 2018 at Western Center Academy. Chen has a total weighted GPA of 4.69 and an SAT score of 1490. She has taken 15

Lake Elsinore Unified approves purchase of new buildings at Railroad Canyon Elementary Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

In one of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District governing board’s quickest-ever meetings Thursday, May 14, conducted entirely by Zoom, the board approved an agreement to purchase and install two portable classrooms and one portable restroom at Railroad Canyon Elementary School.

The approximately $255,000 project will accommodate population growth at the elementary school in central Lake Elsinore, according to an agenda report prepared by district staff.

The two 24-foot by 40-foot modular classrooms are being purchased at a price of about $71,000 each, while the 12-foot by 40-foot modular restroom will cost about $79,000. Installation is about an additional $4,500 for each structure.

The three modular buildings are procured through a piggyback agreement with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District in Northern California, allowing Lake Elsinore Unified to be extended the same pricing and contract terms entered into by that district.

Will Fritz can be reached by email at wfritz@reedermedia.com.

Ysabel Ibarca is Mountain Heights Academy’s valedictorian for the class of 2020.

Jason Millhiser is San Jacinto High School’s valedictorian for 2020. V alley N ew s/ Courtesy p hotos

Olutoyin Oyefeso is Mountain View High School’s 2020 valedictorian.

college classes and 12 AP courses.

Aside from academics, Chen is the vice president of UNICEF, a member of the National Honor Society and a competitor in Academic Decathlon and Science Olympiad.

She has participated in Chemistry Club, Marine Mammoths Club and Debate Club. Chen has volunteered about 500 hours at Hemet Valley Medical Center, West Covina Pharmacy, Western Science Center and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda. She plans to attend Stanford University to study human biology and pursue a career in the medical field, specifically

neuroscience or anesthesiology.

Hamilton High School recognized Megan Necochea as the 2019-2020 valedictorian. She earned a GPA of 4.2619 and a SAT score of 1360. Nechohea has been actively involved in the Interact Club, National Honor Society, Pre Health Club, Mathletes and the California Scholarship Federation. She played soccer for four years in high school. Necochea will complete six AP and three concurrent courses. She plans to attend Seattle Pacific University and major in English, focusing on creative writing.

Hamilton High’s salutatorian is Taylor Ludwig with a GPA of 4.1395 and a SAT score of 1110.

Ludwig will complete six AP and two concurrent courses in her tenure at Hamilton High. She has also been an active member of the Interact Club, National Honor Society and Pre-Health Club and the volleyball team. Ludwig plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College and transfer to University of California Irvine or San Diego State University to study business.

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

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Honor Our Graduates

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C

Section

SPORTS May 22 – 28, 2020

www.myvalleynews.com

Volume 20, Issue 21

BASEBALL Murrieta Pony Baseball seeking public help amid coronavirus crisis with equipment theft JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

When the coronavirus crisis hit, it is safe to say that the youth recreation sports leagues were left in the dust without a plan of action when it comes to how to handle an immediate halting to their seasons.

Most are nonprofit organizations, and they count on their families and communities to support the funding for operations, as well as the many volunteers it takes to make a season run as smoothly as possible.

The Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball league is one of those leagues, and of course, they never saw this pandemic coming. Adding to the list of things they were not expecting, the league was recently hit with even more bad news when a thief stole thousands of dollars of equipment.

A break-in Monday, May 4, resulted in the theft of equipment that is now bringing with it a bill which is going to be hard to cover without funds flowing through the books, so they are looking to the community and its supporters for help.

“The COVID-19 lockdown has hurt our league financially to the point of being in survival mode,” a league administrator said. “We have been able to defer the rental of the property for a few months, but we still have maintenance and utilities to pay. With no income from our snack bar and tournaments, we are not sure how the league will survive the current shutdown.

On top of that, someone decided it was OK to steal a trailer with some of our equipment from our locked complex. We are applying for SBA Disaster Relief, but we all know that may not surface in time to aid us in our imminent needs.

We were graciously able to raise $10,000 from an incredibly supportive single benefactor, but we need to stay afloat and need help.”

Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball is unique in that they have their own complex with six fields that they lease and maintain. Most leagues use city fields, so they have no ongoing monthly expenses. It costs the league about $360,000 to operate over a normal fiscal year, and they have an annual expense of $100,000 to maintain and operate the fields and facility, exclusive of major repairs. Needless to say, the league is running out of funds and will need to fundraise aggressively to stay out of a negative position. The income sources impacted

A white male, in a black or dark blue early 2000s truck with a white or silver toolbox, is seen driving away with thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment stolen from the Murrieta Pony fields Monday, May 4, around 7:45 p.m.

Players from the Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball league anxiously await the restart of their season once the state of California allows it.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

from the suspended season are snack bar sales, ongoing weekly tournament donations, Storm Night fundraiser, their Summer Pony Classic tournament and collection of fall dues in the spring.

In a message to the league’s families that was sent out earlier this month, Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball said they were not canceling the 2020 season, merely pausing it.

“The board has a plan in place to continue the 2020 season, as soon as, the governor’s order is lifted,” league president Cas Lombardo said. “The season may be a little different due to social distancing, governing ordinances, etc. and of course, the possibility that the season may and will spill over into the summer months, but our sincere hope at MVPB is that parents will be cheering for their favorite player(s) soon enough. Our goal is to strive to put our community and passion back on track for our youth, our families and local businesses.”

The league will be working with community partners in the city of Murrieta, surrounding cities and the Riverside County Department of Public Health to ensure proper health guidelines that are and will be set forth are adhered to in order to protect their members to the best of their ability.

The loss from the COVID-19 crisis has the potential to be financially devastating to the point

of nonexistence for many sports leagues, if they do not start to fundraise heavily or acquire a regular source of income.

“We are still hoping to complete an abridged version of the suspended season by end of summer,” Lombardo said. “The financial loss may be in upward of $100,000 or more dependent on restart. We have applied for EIDL through SBA and only received a $1,000 grant so far. Hopefully, a working capital loan of up to $150,000 is approved but no guarantees yet or offer has been provided by the SBA portal.”

Regarding the theft, Lombardo said he is working diligently with Murrieta police department as well as board members like Rich Hunter and Rob Glaser, who have a detailed list of the items stolen.

The league has reason to believe the same person that attempted to break in and cut the fence twice in April is the same person that stole the items earlier this month. They are looking daily at social media posts to see if anyone has leads or is posting similar items for sale online. Included in the search is their Sundowner enclosed trailer, a Cub Cadet lawn tractor with bagger, hoses, a coupler valve key, fire hose nozzles, a wheelbarrow and their solar-powered motion security light. Right now, all remaining equipment has been moved off-site.

Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball will try to get the $10,000 theft and

A black or dark blue early 2000s truck with a white or silver toolbox is seen here driving away with a Sundowner enclosed trailer, containing thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment from the Murrieta Pony fields.

physical damage covered from insurance if coverage exists.

Southern California Gas Company is working to send the league a donation, and Miguel’s Jr. is also stepping up to the plate with a fundraiser as well, he said.

“We did have a single benefactor from the Los Angeles area donate $10,000, but I want to keep them anonymous for now until we can thank them personally,” Lombardo said.

If anyone has information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect or was around the area of the Murrieta Pony Fields at Fig Street and Jefferson Avenue Monday, May 4, around 7:45 p.m., contact the Murrieta Police Department at 951-304-2677. The suspect is a white male, approximately 5-foot6 to 5-foot-9. He drove a black or

dark blue, early 2000s truck that was possibly a Ford or Chevy with a white or silver toolbox in bed and large sticker in rear window.

Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball has been a Protect Our Nation’s Youth Baseball Inc. affiliated organization since its inception in 1994 and is seeking donations.

A GoFundMe link was set up by league treasurer Kim Pyle and will be available online at http://www. myvalleynews.com. For more information about the league, visit http://www.mvpb.org.

“Thank you in advance for your contribution to this because it means so much to all of us,” Lombardo said.

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

Murrieta Surf among top youth soccer clubs to join MLS elite player development platform NEW YORK – Major League Soccer announced recently that 65 former U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs will join the league’s existing club academies to create a partnership that will transform youth player development in the United States and Canada.

The 65 youth clubs, including local club, Murrieta Surf, will join the MLS academies as founding members of MLS’ elite player development platform. The new platform, which will include more than 8,000 players throughout the U.S. and Canada, will consist of elite year-round competition, as well as player identification initiatives, coaching education opportunities and additional programming to create the premier player development environment.

“We are delighted and honored to be named a founding member of this new elite youth development initiative which will bring the opportunity of playing at the highest level in the country to young elite soccer players in our area. Major League Soccer, a world recognized global brand which has seen incredible growth and success at

the professional level, can now also help change the landscape of all youth soccer development programs in a way that will truly revolutionize youth development all over the USA,” Steve Myles, former MLS coach and director of operations for Murrieta Surf Academy, said.

The platform will operate with a groundbreaking governance structure that promotes collaboration, innovation and input across all areas of the soccer landscape.

Within the structure, technical working groups will provide recommendations on the platform’s strategic objectives and standards, outline competition guidelines and formats, as well as introduce platform programming. By unifying the elite player development landscape and creating a collaborative structure, the new platform will accelerate and enhance player development in North America.

With a focus on maximizing each player’s potential, the new development platform will not only provide high-level, year-round see SOCCER, page C-2

The Murrieta Surf Soccer Club is among the 65 youth clubs nationwide that will join the MLS academies as founding members of their new elite player development platform.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • May 22, 2020

Sports

Murrieta Mesa recognizes senior student athletes playing at next level

Murrieta Mesa High School’s Craig Hunter, who was a Second Team All-Southwestern League selection and who was recently named the 2020 Athlete of the Year for the school, will play football at the University of Redlands.

JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

Senior student athletes who will be graduating from Murrieta Mesa High School and playing next level athletics, took part in virtual signing day ceremony recently, hosted by athletic director John Broussard.

These high school seniors signed a binding national letter of intent with a college associated with National Collegiate Athletics Association, National Christian College Athletics Association or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and committed to attend that school in exchange for financial aid. For the 2020 graduates, the Valley News Sports Department is also recognizing any seniors who will be playing sports at the junior college level as well Here is a look at the colleges and universities to which these student athletes will be taking their talents. If you know of a student athlete who is playing at the next level and their high school did not yet recognize them, especially during these uncertain times, send more information to sports@reedermedia. com.

Tyler Martin, a 2020 graduate of Murrieta Mesa High School, will play football at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

Track and Field Ivana Hill – University of California Riverside; Kiana Kain – Point Loma Nazarene College; Cole Havins – Utah Valley University; Caitlin Dawson – Northern Arizona University; Reno Vazquez – California State University San Marcos Softball Lauren Randle – California State University Bakersfield; Presleigh Pilon – Louisiana State University Basketball Maitland Kingsley – California State University San Marcos (Women’s Basketball); DeMorian Lowe – California State University Dominguez Hills Football Craig Hunter – University of Redlands; Tyler Martin – Southwest Minnesota State University; Damian Thompson – Dixie State University; Dillon Nilsen – Palomar College Swim Liberty Gilbert – Ohio State University Water Polo Kaylee Platt – Ottawa University Volleyball Jackie Kincaid – Southern Utah University; Charlyn Miller – Tus-

Murrieta Mesa High School senior, Ivana Hill, will take her track and field talents to the University of California Riverside after graduation.

Kiana Kain of Murrieta Mesa High School, is headed to Point Loma Nazarene College to compete in track and field.

culum University Mountain Biking Ethan Sanchez – Milligan College JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

Murrieta Mesa High School’s Ethan Sanchez will join the mountain biking team at Milligan College.

Kids in the Game announces name change to Every Kid Sports JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

Kids in the Game, a leading national nonprofit organization providing the financial support to low-income families that enables children to participate in after school sports, has announced that they will begin operating under the new name – Every Kid Sports – effective immediately.

Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, and founded in 2009, Every Kid Sports is a national nonprofit organization with local ties to southwest Riverside County that has worked to provide a variety of sportsrelated opportunities designed to remove the financial barriers that typically prevent children from being active through sports. The program has been recognized by The Aspen Institute as a 2019 Project Play Champion, as well as a recipient of the 2019 Beyond Sports Collective Impact Award for Reduced Inequalities. Partners in their work have included Nike, TMobile, Little League International and the National Basketball Players

Association.

The new name is intended to reflect the organization’s vision more accurately – that every child, regardless of economics, gender or ability, should have the opportunity to realize the many benefits achieved through participation in sports.

“The intention is for the new name to better identify us as the ‘go-to’ program that families turn to when they need help with registration fees for their kid’s sports’ programs,” Natalie Hummel, executive director of Every Kid Sports, said. “Regardless of financial situation, we want every kid to be able to play every sport they wish.”

Every Kid Sports will continue to offer their signature program, The Every Kid Sports Pass, which provides qualified families funding up to four times a year, per child, for participation in the sports of their child’s choice. Every Kid Sports encourages sports sampling, as research shows that playing multiple sports exposes children to greater physical literacy, better socialization, and greater enjoyment

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in being physically and emotionally active. It prepares them for a lifetime of activity, connection and positive experiences.

“In light of the current pandemic, once the lockdown is lifted, we want our families to know they can rest assured that our organization will continue to provides funds for families that would otherwise be unable to have their kids participate in after-school sports programs,” Bob Trygg, strategic initiatives for Every Kid Sports, said. “Kids have been kept away from the sports they so desperately want and need, and we know the demand for financial assistance will be greater than ever.

Kids will be able to join the sports of their choice; despite any financial hardship the families might be experiencing.”

SOCCER from page C-1 competition for players but will provide important programming, education and innovation in the key areas of player development: player identification, coaching, environment, personal growth and community outreach.

“There is strong positive momentum and excitement among MLS club academies and elite academy clubs to co-create a platform that will deliver an unparalleled experience for the nation’s top players and clubs,” Fred Lipka, vice president and technical director of MLS player development, said. “The development of professional and elite players requires a comprehensive and integrated approach, beyond just the competition format, and we are having daily conversations with academy clubs across the country who are committed to building that environment with us.”

Since launching the MLS club academy initiative in 2007, Major League Soccer has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the development of top-level professional players in the United States and Canada, including an investment of more than $70 million last season alone. This investment has produced more than 250 homegrown players that have become professional and national team

Every Kid Sports will continue to offer their signature program, The Every Kid Sports Pass, which provides qualified families funding up to four times a year.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

For more information on the name change or to learn more about Every Kid Sports, visit http://www. everykidsports.org. To get in con-

tact with Bob Trygg, email bob@ everykidsports.org.

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

Major League Soccer and many top elite academy clubs are looking to develop a culture that supports and inspires players throughout the Valley News/Courtesy photo countries.

players, including recent standout players such as Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas, Solar Soccer Club), James Sands (New York City FC academy, New York Soccer Club) and Matt Real (Philadelphia Union, FC Delco).

The elite academy clubs that are founding members of the new platform have also been leaders in the development of players for college, MLS and the national teams.

Combined, MLS Academies and the elite academies joining the platform have produced more than 90% of the U.S. Youth National Team players in the last year, making the new platform the top desti-

nation for the best young players in North America.

With the launch of this new platform, MLS and the elite academy clubs will not only continue to develop world class players but will create a world class soccer development culture that supports and inspires elite players throughout the countries. Applications for additional clubs to join will be available in the coming weeks.

More information about the competition structure as well as the platform’s official brand will be available at www.MLSsoccer.com.

Submitted by Murrieta Surf Soccer Club.

M ay 22, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley N ews

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Wine & Dine

South Coast’s McPherson embraces virtual tastings, continues work amid pandemic

South Coast Winery’s master winemaker Jon McPherson is shown here in a screen shot of one of the virtual tasting videos that he makes periodically to educate consumers on the wine they sell.

Valley N ews/ Courtesy photo

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Contrary to what people might think about what winemakers are doing while the COVID-19 pandemic has stifled wine tasting activities in Temecula Wine Country, South Coast Winery’s master winemaker Jon McPherson is as busy as ever.

“We’ve got, I think I added up the other day about 40,000 gallons worth of wine that I’ve got to get bottled between now and the first of August,” McPherson said on a phone interview from his laboratory. “We’re working on it. Every week we got something that we do. But I’ve still got a little bit of May and all of June and July, and then for sure harvest will be here again.”

McPherson isn’t complaining, he said. He’s doing what he loves and is happy to still be working when many others are not. He also said he realizes that if he was not working, this pandemic could be a disaster for the winery.

“I know most of the other guys in the valley, they’re all in that same boat,” he said. “We didn’t plan on any of this beyond once it started happening and you realize real quick, ‘Wow, I’ve still got bottling, and I still got all these wines that I’ve got to take care of and barrel.’

“If we were physically not able to be at the winery, I mean, there’s potential for some loss there for sure,” he said.

While South Coast has remained closed, for the most part, with limited opening times for wine club pickups, they have seen quite an uptick in online sales.

“Our online store was, it was OK (before COVID-19),” McPherson said. “But it never did anything like what we would do out the front door. I could make up numbers, but we were probably 20 to one in respect to what we sold out the front door to what we were selling online.

“But now, all of that kind of flipped. It’s more like, you know, we’re selling 20 online to every

one that we’re selling out the front door. We’ve had a great reception as far as people buying things online.”

The winery has been taking some of the proceeds from its online sales and putting it into a fund for furloughed and laid-off employees.

“Jeff Carter initiated that and part of the online sales proceeds are going to our employees in the form of food donations and things that we were buying to help them,” McPherson said. “I know that it helped us being able to pass food out to our employees.”

With the online marketplace ramping up, McPherson has been hosting some virtual wine tastings and videos, something the winery hasn’t done much in the past but is a way to reach out to customers.

“I like that it allows us to convey information,” he said. “When I do these little things, they’re always telling me, ‘Keep it simple. Don’t do more than three minutes, five minutes.’ I did one the other day; it was like 15 minutes. They don’t

want you to oversaturate everybody with information and, as you know, I can talk about wine all day.”

But he thinks the virtual space is a good place to be because even when McPherson is waxing poetic on a varietal, the consumer can rewind and come back to finer points of his conversation.

“You probably can confuse people a lot with things that you say because they don’t understand,” McPherson said. “But they do have that ability to go back and watch it again or say, ‘Hey, wait a minute, what did he say? I didn’t catch that.’ People have the ability to go back and actually taste.”

South Coast’s program included creating packages of wine to coincide with the virtual tastings, so consumers could follow along.

But by having the videos accessible to everyone online, they can live a little longer, adding value to the consumer that may have questions that can’t e answered in an online transaction.

“If they have questions, they have the ability to ask,” McPherson said. “Sometimes people might buy something and they didn’t get a chance to try it, and they ask a question like, ‘I wonder if I put that in oak? I wonder what kind, was it French or American?’

When you have these online things, you have the ability to send in questions.”

McPherson knows South Coast Winery isn’t the only one doing this type of outreach.

“Marketing has realized, and

they’re not alone in this, the data is out there from Silicon Valley Bank to Joe Blow, they’re all talking about the fact that everybody’s doing a bit more on social media and looking at their computers or phones a lot more because there’s not much else to do,” he said. “I think wineries kind of figured out real quick that posting virtual tastings or if you get the wines in front of people and talk about them, that the people are sitting there at home … and they’ll order that wine online.”

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

South Coast Winery’s master winemaker Jon McPherson is shown here in a screen shot of one of his videos he makes explaining the winemaking process at the winery. Valley News/Courtesy photo

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Try refreshing cocktail recipes to welcome summer from Temecula Valley Wine Country Annette Brown , Visit Temecula Valley SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country shares how to make some of its top-selling summer cocktails. Though its swim up bars, poolside cabanas and hopping night life is closed right now, residents over the age of 21 can still enjoy their popular drinks from the comfort and safety of home. From Old Town Temecula to Temecula Valley Wine Country to Pechanga Resort Casino, “cheers” until everyone can meet again.

Mac’s Mule from 1909 • 1.5 ounce vodka • 0.5 ounce agave syrup • 0.5 ounce lime juice • Approximately four or five muddles (smashed up) raspberries • Top the drink with ginger beer.

Barrel Aged Boulevardier from Cork|Fire Kitchen at Temecula Creek Inn This is a nouveau take on the Old Fashioned that is smooth, slightly sweet and hits all the right notes.

• 1 ounce whiskey • 1 ounce Campari • 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth Build in mixing glass 3 oz. pour over large cube in rocks glass. Expressed orange peel garnish.

Lavender Martini from Avensole Winery Restaurant • 1 ounce gin (grape based) • 0.5 ounce Sweet & Sour • 0.5 ounce lavender syrup • 3 dashes Bitters • Lemon slice for garnish Place ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and shake until cold. Carefully pour cocktail from

New Daily Hours Mermaid Water is a cocktail from The Cove at Pechanga Resort Casino.

Valley N ews/ Courtesy photo

the shaker into a cocktail glass, garnish with lemon slice.

Lemon Aventini from Avensole Winery Restaurant • 1.5 ounce vodka (grape based) • Half lemon, juiced • 0.25 ounce dry vermouth • Sugar for rim of cocktail glass • Lemon slice garnish Place vodka, lemon juice and dry vermouth in cocktail shaker with ice and shake until cold. Moisten rim of glass with a small amount of water. Turn glass upside down and dip into sugar on a small plate to line the rim of the glass. Carefully pour the cocktail from the shaker into the glass, add lemon slice garnish.

Mermaid Water from The Cove at Pechanga Resort Casino Even though Pechanga Resort Casino’s tropical, 4.5-acre pool complex, The Cove, remains closed, these refreshing cocktails can help kick off summer vibes.

Fill cocktail glass with solid ice cubes • 1 ounce coconut rum • 1 ounce coconut spiced rum crème • 1 ounce lime juice • Fill remainder of glass with

pineapple juice • Top with 1/4 ounce Blue Curacao Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Banana Colada (blended) from The Cove at Pechanga Combine the following in a blender: • 3 ounces ice cubes • 1 ounce banana rum • 1 ounce banana creme rum • 3 ounces pina colada mix Blend these, then pour in 1/4 ounce Blue Curacao and gently mix once more. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Temecula Valley is preparing to welcome visitors again. The community is creating strict cleaning and safety protocols above and beyond Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regulations to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort because visitors and employees are priority.

Visit Temecula Valley is the region’s official tourism marketing organization and resource for visitors. The Visitors Center is located in Old Town Temecula. For visitor information and assistance, call 888-363-2852 or visit http:// VisitTemeculaValley.com.

In this ever changing COVID-19 life, we at Cougar have decided to pivot again.

New Daily Hours for the Tasting Room & Deli 12-5pm We are Open For: • Wine Club Pick Ups • Bottle Sales • Deli To-Go Orders

Curbside Delivery If you do not want to come inside the winery or forgot your mask, we are happy to offer curbside delivery.

Call 951-767-8595 when you are in the parking lot.

39870 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592 (951) 491-0825 www.CougarVineyards.com

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • May 22, 2020

National News

Despite FBI denials, dossier may have influenced Russia probe opening, growing evidence indicates Petr Svab THE EPOCH TIMES

The FBI team that ran the Russia investigation in 2016 may have known of the infamous Steele dossier months earlier than when they acknowledged receiving it, several pieces of evidence indicated. They may have even known before they opened the investigation.

The FBI officials involved, most of whom have since left the bureau, said that they first received the dossier Sept. 19, 2016. They have maintained that the dossier, which is full of unsubstantiated claims of collusion between Russia and the Trump 2016 election campaign, played no role in their opening a probe into virtually the same allegation July 31, 2016.

One after another, pieces of evidence have emerged that put the FBI’s claim in question.

The dossier was supposedly written by Christopher Steele, a former British spy. He was paid through intermediaries by the Democratic National Committee and the presidential campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Steele and his employers had for months peddled the dossier to the media, the FBI, the State Department, the Justice Department and Congress.

The first installment of the dossier was dated June 20, 2016.

Victoria Nuland, former assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, publicly said during an interview in 2018 that the dossier was first provided to the State Department in early July 2016. She said her view was that the material should be handled by the FBI. Steele was an FBI informant.

His handler at the time was Michael Gaeta, who was the assistant legal attaché at the United States Embassy in Rome in 2016.

In early July 2016, Gaeta received a call from Steele, who asked him to come to London to urgently see something, Gaeta told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Dec. 20, 2017, according to a recently released transcript of the interview.

“So this was somebody who I viewed as credible, professional, you know, worthy of a response, when he says, ‘I need to see you tomorrow,’ that I get on a plane and I go see him,” Gaeta said.

The transcript keeps the interviewee’s name redacted, but he can be clearly identified from the

context as Gaeta.

The meeting in London took place July 5, 2016, and was authorized by Nuland, who then obtained the first part of the dossier, marked as report No. 80.

This information clashes with the account of Luke Harding of The Guardian, who wrote that Steele, already in June, went to Rome to brief his FBI contact – Gaeta – on the dossier.

In any case, the dossier was wholly uncorroborated, Gaeta said.

“Is there any independent corroboration, information that you have? Is there a videotape? Is there an audiotape? Do you have anything else?” he said he asked Steele. “And the answer was no.”

Gaeta wanted to pass it on to somebody within the bureau who could look more into it, he said.

“I couldn’t just sweep it under the rug, couldn’t discount it just on its face because it was an established source,” he said.

His concern was to pass it on “in a manner that was completely discreet” because he didn’t want it to be spread around widely within the bureau, he said.

On July 13, 2016, Gaeta reached out to the assistant special agent in charge of public corruption at the New York field office. He knew the person and described to him the dossier’s contents.

On July 28, 2016, as Gaeta remembered it, the ASAC called back and told him to send over the documents. The ASAC forwarded the dossier to his supervisor, the special agent in charge, according to a report by the Justice Department’s inspector general on the Russia investigation.

The inspector general’s report said that Gaeta actually sent over two of the dossier reports, No. 80 and No. 94.

Also, July 28, Gaeta sent an email to an unspecified “FBI supervisor” saying that according to Steele, reports No. 80 and No. 94 “may already be circulating at a ‘high level’ in Washington D.C.,” the inspector general’s report said.

“Within a day or a couple of days,” Gaeta said, the New York ASAC got back to him. He gave Gaeta further instructions to send the dossier to FBI attorneys in the New York office.

“And then he adds, he goes, also, so you know, executive management – this is on maybe the first of August, right around then, either the 31st of July, first of August,

right around then – executive management at FBI New York, meaning the SAC and the assistant director in charge, are aware of the reports and have seen the reports, and EAD level at headquarters is aware of the reports,” Gaeta said.

If correct, Gaeta’s testimony indicated that between July 28, 2016, and Aug. 1, 2016, the dossier information reached at least one of the FBI’s executive assistant directors.

There are six executive assistant directors but given the nature of the dossier, only two were relevant: Randall Coleman, who headed the criminal, cyber, response and services branch, and Michael Steinbach, who headed the national security branch.

Directly under Steinbach was Bill Priestap, former head of counterintelligence and “a central figure” in the discussions between July 28, 2016, and July 31, 2016, on whether to open the Russia investigation, according to the inspector general’s report.

Aside from talking to some of his subordinates and FBI lawyers, Priestap told the inspector general “that he also discussed the matter with either then-deputy director Andrew McCabe or then-executive assistant Director Michael Steinbach.”

Based on what Priestap, McCabe, former FBI Director James Comey and others told the inspector general and Congress, the Russia probe was opened based on information from a foreign friendly government that a foreign ambassador said that a Trump campaign aide, George Papadopoulos, “suggested” that Russia “suggested” that it had information “damaging” to Trump’s opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and that Russia may release the information to help Trump.

The foreign ambassador mentioned, former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, recalled the conversation with Papadopoulos in multiple media interviews. He acknowledged the part about “damaging” information but never mentioned anything about Russia’s suggesting it would help Trump.

The FBI officials told the inspector general they received the foreign friendly government information July 28, 2016, and that the probe, dubbed “Crossfire Hurricane,” was opened three days later, solely on this information.

Former MI6 official Christopher Steele is seen in this file photo.

Valley News/AP photo

On Aug. 1, 2016, Peter Strzok, former chief of the counterespionage section under Priestap, and Supervisory Special Agent Joe Pientka flew to London to talk to Downer.

It was only after that that the Russia probe team determined that “the initial investigative objective of Crossfire Hurricane was to determine which individuals associated with the Trump campaign may have been in a position to have received the alleged offer of assistance from Russia,” the inspector general said. “After conducting preliminary open source and FBI database inquiries, intelligence analysts on the Crossfire Hurricane team identified three individuals – Carter Page, Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn – associated with the Trump campaign with either ties to Russia or a history of travel to Russia.”

On Aug. 10, 2016, the team opened cases on Page, Manafort and Papadopoulos, and Aug. 16, 2016, the team opened a case on Flynn.

But there’s a problem.

“McCabe’s contemporaneous notes reflect that the FFG information, Carter Page, and Manafort, were discussed on July 29, (2016), after a regularly scheduled morning meeting of senior FBI leadership with the director,” the inspector general said.

Why were the officials discussing Page and Manafort before even opening the probe? The inspector general’s report is silent on this question, but the dossier could provide an answer.

The dossier’s installment No. 94, sent to New York by Gaeta, included allegations that Page, a volunteer Trump campaign adviser, secretly met with two associates of Russian President Vladimir

Putin – Rosneft oil executive Igor Sechin and senior government official Igor Divyekin – during a July 2016 trip to Russia. There’s no evidence such meetings occurred.

Page denied them both publicly and in a private conversation with an FBI informant.

The mention of Manafort adds more to the puzzle.

The dossier parts Gaeta sent to New York, according to the inspector general, didn’t mention Manafort. But Manafort is featured prominently in another report, No. 95, dated July 28, 2016, according to the inspector general report.

No. 95 showed, in part: “Speaking in confidence to a compatriot in late July 2016, Source E, an ethnic Russian close associate of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, admitted that there was a well-developed conspiracy of cooperation between them and the Russian leadership.

This was managed on the Trump side by the Republican candidate’s campaign manager, Paul Manafort, who was using foreign policy adviser, Carter Page, and others as intermediaries.”

The unsubstantiated claim of a “well-developed conspiracy” was used by the FBI verbatim in its October 2016 spying warrant on Page. The warrant was deeply flawed, the inspector general concluded, and the FBI has since acknowledged that the warrant’s last two renewals in 2017 were invalid, resulting in illegal surveillance.

Gaeta made no mention of sending this part of the dossier to New York July 28, 2016. The previous report, No. 94, was dated July 19, 2016, and that was also the day Gaeta received it.

Reprinted with permission of The Epoch Times.

Obama White House kept key officials in dark about Brennan’s Russia intel Ivan Pentchoukov THE EPOCH TIMES

Former President Barack Obama’s White House kept three key officials in the dark about bombshell Russia intelligence received in early August 2016 from CIA director John Brennan until after the presidential election in November.

The three officials held the top roles focusing on Russia, cybersecurity and intelligence programs at the National Security Council.

Their exclusion is likely to raise new questions about the Obama administration’s involvement in the origins of the investigation of the Trump campaign that evolved into the probe by special counsel Robert Mueller.

The Obama administration coor-

dinated a series of so-called “small group” meetings in response to Brennan’s intelligence, but excluded three officials who would usually be involved in high-profile work on the topics: Michael Daniel, the White House cybersecurity coordinator; Celeste Wallander, senior director for Russia and Eurasia, and Brett Holmgren, senior director for intelligence programs.

The exclusion of the officials was first documented in the third volume of the Russia report by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which noted that “several NSC officials who would normally be included in discussions of importance … were neither included in the discussions nor exposed to the sensitive intelligence until after the election.”

Holmgren, the senior director

for intelligence programs, told the Senate intelligence committee that he was excluded “due to the sensitivity of the intelligence reporting.” He said the “reports were briefed verbally, oftentimes

by Director Brennan. So I didn’t get access to a lot of those reports until the November or December time frame.”

According to the Senate intelligence committee’s report, the Obama administration was not concerned with interference in the 2016 presidential election until Brennan provided a series of secretive briefings. The intelligence Brennan relayed purportedly served as the wake-up call, triggering a series of high-level meetings to coordinate a response.

Little is known about the content of Brennan’s briefings. In public

testimony, he said the content was similar to the findings in the Intelligence Community Assessment which was released to the public Jan. 5, 2017.

“The substance of those briefings was entirely consistent with the main judgments contained in the January classified and unclassified assessments namely, that Russia’s goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton and harm her electability and potential presidency and help President Trump’s election chances,” Brennan told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence May 23, 2017.

After the briefings at the White House, Brennan briefed the intelligence to members of the congressional Gang of Eight in a series

of one-on-one meetings. Brennan briefed three of the Democrats before informing any of the Republicans. The sequence and format of the briefings were a departure from typical Gang of Eight procedures, whereas the intelligence is briefed to all of the eight members at once.

Public knowledge of the finer details of the briefings is limited to anonymously sourced media reports, which claim that the intelligence came from a highly placed CIA source within the Kremlin.

One of the media articles included reporting questioning the credibility of the source, including raising suspicions that he was a doubleagent for Russia.

Reprinted with permission of The Epoch Times.

Fed’s Powell says new lending programs to launch by June 1 Christopher Rugaber and Martin Crutsinger AP ECONOMICS WRITERS

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday, May 19, that the Fed’s lending programs for medium-sized businesses and state and local governments would begin operating by the end of this month.

Powell said that while the Fed has received a “good deal of interest” in those programs, if not enough companies or state and local governments seek to borrow the Fed would consider changes to them. It could include expanding their eligibility.

The chairman’s comments came before the Senate Banking, Hous-

ing and Urban Affairs Committee, which held an oversight hearing on the $2 trillion federal relief package approved in late March.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who also testified, came under sharp questioning from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who charged that he wasn’t doing enough to force companies that receive aid from the joint FedTreasury program to keep workers on their payrolls.

“Will you require companies that receive money from this halfa-trillion-dollar slush fund to keep people on the payroll?” Warren asked the Treasury secretary.

The senator pressed Mnuchin to ensure that the loans include that requirement. When Mnuchin

declined to commit to that change, Warren said, “You’re boosting your Wall Street buddies.”

Mnuchin told Warren that the legislation that provides the government aid includes restrictions on top executive pay and on company dividends and stock buybacks.

The Fed’s Main Street Lending program, announced in March, will extend up to $600 billion in loans to companies with up to 15,000 employees. The Treasury has provided $75 billion to offset any losses from the loans, drawn from $454 billion that Congress provided Treasury to support Fed loans in the relief package.

Mnuchin said his department would accept losses from any Fed

loans that would come out of that $454 billion. Mnuchin had previously said that the administration expected to recover all those funds. That observation had raised concerns that the Fed would adopt a cautious approach that would provide less financial support.

Under sharp questioning, Mnuchin also defended the administration’s support for reopening the economy in many states, which he said would be done safely.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, charged that the Trump administration was risking the lives of poorer workers in its efforts to boost the economy and financial markets.

Brown asserted that the Trump administration hasn’t done enough

to protect lower-paid front-line workers – by, for example, ramping up viral testing – even as most states start allowing restaurants, stores and gyms to reopen.

“The administration wants to put more workers at risk to boost the stock market,” Brown said.

“Your characterization is unfair,” Mnuchin responded.

The Treasury secretary also noted that prolonged shutdowns of the economy would risk widespread business bankruptcies and long-term unemployment.

“There is risk of permanent damage,” Mnuchin said. “We are conscious of the health issues, and we will do this in a safe way.”

M ay 22, 20 20 • w w w . m y va l l eyn ew s. co m

• V al l ey N ew s

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National News Barr says he doesn’t envision investigations of Biden, Obama

In this Feb. 10, 2020, file photo, attorney general William Barr speaks at the National Sheriffs’ Association Winter Legislative and Technology AP photo/Susan Walsh, file photo Conference in Washington.

Eric Tucker THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Attorney general William Barr said Monday, May 18, that he did not expect an investigation into the origins of the FBI’s Russia investigation to lead to criminal probes of either President Donald Trump’s Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, or former President Barack Obama.

Trump has said without evidence that he believes Obama committed unspecified crimes as president,

repeatedly tweeting, “OBAMAGATE!” The claims have become a rallying cry among Trump supporters, while Democrats view it as a desperate attempt to shift the focus from the president’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak and the nation’s soaring unemployment.

Barr, speaking Monday at an unrelated news conference and responding to a question about Trump’s allegations, insisted that the Justice Department would not be swayed by political pressure to

investigate the president’s opponents and that the “criminal justice system will not be used for partisan political ends.”

Barr’s comments come as Democrats and some former law enforcement officials have accused the attorney general of politicizing decisions and doing Trump’s bidding at the Justice Department. That criticism was stepped up two weeks ago when the department moved to dismiss charges against Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. “We live in a very divided country right now, and I think that it is critical that we have an election where the American people are allowed to make a decision, a choice, between President Trump and Vice President Biden based on a robust debate of policy issues,” Barr said.

“And we cannot allow this process to be hijacked by efforts to drum up criminal investigations of either candidate.”

Barr repeated his belief that “what happened to the president” as a result of the FBI’s investigation into whether his 2016 campaign conspired with Russia was “abhorrent” and a “grave injustice.” He has appointed John Durham, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, to

investigate whether crimes were committed as intelligence and law enforcement officials examined Russian election interference.

But his comments Monday seemed designed at least in part to temper expectations among some Trump supporters that the investigation could ensnare Biden or Obama.

He also pointedly noted that, as attorney general, he must approve any effort to pursue a criminal investigation of a presidential candidate, and that the U.S. Supreme Court held just this month that not all abuses of power are criminal in nature.

“Whatever their level of involvement, based on the information I have today, I don’t expect Mr. Durham’s work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man,” Barr said, referring to Obama and Biden.

“Our concern over potential criminality is focused on others.”

He added, “This cannot be and it will not be a tit-for-tat exercise. We are not going to lower the standards just to achieve a result.”

Demands by Trump allies for investigations into Biden and Obama escalated in the last week after the president’s top intelligence official declassified a list related to the Flynn investigation. The list showed requests from Biden and other senior Obama administration officials

to disclose to them the identity of an American whose name had been concealed in intelligence reports documenting surveillance of foreign targets. That American was revealed to be Flynn.

Trump supporters have cast the requests, known as unmaskings, as evidence of criminal conduct. But umaskings are a common procedure, done when officials believe that receiving the concealed identity is vital to understanding the intelligence report. Thousands of requests are made each year, and the first few years of Trump’s administration have featured more requests than the final stretch of Obama’s tenure.

Asked later about Barr’s comments about Obama and Biden, Trump told reporters he was surprised because he believed the men “knew everything that was happening” and were involved in the “takedown of a president.”

“He’s a great, honorable man and he’s going to do a very honorable job,” Trump said of Barr, “But I am surprised only in that I have no doubt. Personally, I have no doubt.

But he may have another feeling.

I have no doubt that they were involved in it.”

The Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

Feds urge ‘extreme caution’ for reopening nursing homes Candice Choi THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Federal authorities are urging governors to use “extreme caution” in deciding when to resume visits at nursing homes, saying it shouldn’t come before all residents and staff have tested negative for the coronavirus for at least 28 days.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ criteria for relaxing restrictions at nursing homes come more than two months after the agency ordered homes to ban visitors. Instead of firm dates, it lists a variety of factors state and local officials should consider, such as adequate staffing levels at homes and the ability to regularly test all

residents and workers.

“We’re urging governors to proceed with extreme caution because these are the most vulnerable citizens. We know that nursing homes have struggled,” Seema Verma, head of CMS, told The Associated Press.

Already, outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities have claimed more than 33,000 lives, more than a third of all coronavirus deaths in the U.S., according to a count by the AP. The recommendations bolster the Trump administration’s broader guidelines that say older adult care facilities should be among the last in a community to reopen, given the vulnerability of their residents.

And they noted that some homes

quently, Inouye said.

For weeks, nursing homes have been calling on local and federal officials for help accessing tests and personal protective equipment.

Mark Parkinson, president of the American Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes and assisted living facilities, said the testing of residents and staff should be possible within a few weeks with the federal government making access for homes more of a priority.

The Associated Press investigative researcher Randy Herschaft in New York and reporter Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar in the District of Columbia contributed to this report.

mentally, physically – in every conceivable way,” Edelman said.

Dr. Sharon Inouye, a professor of geriatrics at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said it’s been distressing to watch her mother cope with the isolation.

“She got pretty depressed initially. She kept calling me and sometimes she’d be crying, ‘I’m so lonely,’” Inouye said, who had to cancel plans to fly out and see her mother at an assisted living facility in the San Francisco area.

Inouye’s sister, who lives closer to the home, was only able to see their mother from a distance twice.

The in-person encounters between family members and residents by the home’s entrance are difficult for staff to coordinate more fre-

may have to wait even longer than 28 days from the last negative test if they have had problems with infection controls, staffing or other issues.

Once visits resume, family members and others should still wear face coverings and practice social distancing, CMS said.

Although the ban on visitors is intended to keep residents safe, Toby Edelman of the Center for Medicare Advocacy said the prolonged isolation could have negative consequences, since family members often act as an extra set of eyes to ensure their loved ones are being properly cared for.

“It’s been necessary but it takes its toll on residents and family members, psychologically,

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San Jacinto Mayor Russ Utz praised the city staff for the city’s recent and manager growth in retail development and creating environment more attractive an businesses and to residents during the past year.

His message to residents and the retail and commercial community came during the 2019 City address Thursday,State of the Sept. 26, in the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center.

He said since mayor a series he had become of ma

It was a full house at the Nov. 5 Murrieta City Council when Gene Wunderlich meeting appeared in front of the council to take his oath of office. see page A-3

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Some sleepy eyes and cranky faces appeared on but the thousands Black Friday, of residents at local stores and malls were hitting on savings and deals – instead hitting each other of – for the most part.

Late Friday, video surfaced of two men fighting inside the Murrieta Walmart location, apparently over what one of sidered to be the the men conelderly woman. disrespect of an In the video posted by Ryan Kimberly Mountain, the two men – one a Marine retired Marine and the other a – were standing a checkout line in Thanksgiving night when an elderly woman allegedly and repeatedly bumped into on o

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More than 100 people turned up for the annual Community Candlelight Tribute Saturday, Nov. 30, in front of Temecula member their lovedCity Hall to reones The event, founded who died.

by Linda Mejia, who lost her son more than 20 years ago, featured music, stories, words of encourageme nt and support for the families and friends in attendance.

Before taking the podium, Faith Zember played a recorded by her song that was daughter Lily Harrison, a Murrieta 15-year-old who was killed earlier this year by a DUI driver in Temecula.

“Like many of season has foreveryou, the holiday been changed,” Zember said. “They will forever be altered, diff erent The years of family and revised. traditions and fond memories are now unable be furthered in to the same ways that see V IG IL, page A-8

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Murrieta high 30.

Sullivan announced school students will tour two manufacturing in May that she planned to retire after servfacilities and the city’s ing the Friday, Oct. 4, innovation center almost Temecula community for as part of the city’s 30 years – she has led the Manufacturing chamber since Day event.

May 1990, just few months after a incorporated in the city officially December 1989. see page D-5 And she’s made known over those her presence decades, showing nearly three every city council up to almost meeting during that time, launching local shopping initiatives, chamber’s tourismspinning off the committee into After 29 years leading the Temecula is celebrated see RET IRIN alley Chamber during a party G , page A-2 of Commerce, with members retiring of

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Wood Environment of several fish Lake Elsinore survey studies and Infrastructure City Council apat the lake in proved an agreement Solutions helps an effort to improve Kim Harris with fish netting water and fish Work Action Group with Social MANAGING from the shore habitat quality clad in T-shirts at Lake Elsinore EDITOR for fishing and cil’s Tuesday, Sept. at the counduring recreation. along the Lake and hip waders 24, meeting to The Lake Elsinore Shane Gibson provide street Elsinore shoreline. photo Fish Survey, outreach The water quality homeless individuals services to sticky morning dawned hot and Their goal? To catch, measure, consisting of three fish-capturing in tag and release Tuesday, Sept. both within events, was designed troubled lake. the sometimesthe city limits and fi 24, to help Lake The surveys, in the surround- slew of volunteers and when a namesake lake sh in the city’s Elsinore the first Sept. ing area. and San scientists conservation. all in the name of sheds Authority Jacinto Water- and a third 4, a second Sept. 24, identify both short with a date yet and long-term to be projects improve see page A-4 see S U RV EY , page A-5

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The Hemet City Council approved a request city’s contracted from CR&R, the trash collector, add a 67-cent “Recycling to Materials Fee,” due to the cutoff of China’s recyclables purchases in recent months.

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The Murrieta paying tribute Field of Honor, to who served or heroes – those are serving in the United Mt. San Jacinto College shared enforcement,States military, law news about various fire and other new suc- responder first cesses, initiatives, programs and heroes – posts, plus personal new building projects opened to the public SatState of the College, at its annual urday, Nov. 9.

More MSJC’s Menifee held Friday at Valley Campus. 5-foot than 2,000 3-foot by American flags are on display at Murrieta’s see page D-4 Park, all recogniz Town Square served along with ing those who personal heroes.

The field features sections for Medal of Honor heroes who have recipients, local for this country given their lives since 2003, historical flags, a flag dedicated to those who perished in and a patriotic 9/11, state flags chalk walk.

Presented as a vice by the Rotarycommunity serrieta in partnership Club of Murwith the city of Jeff Pack

Crimes & Courts San Jacinto man charged for MSJC gun threat

STAFF WRITER

According to authorities, a 26-year-old San Jacinto man threatened Mt. San Jacinto College students with a gun before fleeing the campus Wednesday, Nov. 6. see page D-8

INDEX Business ..........................

Business Directory......... ........ D-5 ......... D-7 Calendar of Events ................. C-2 Classifieds .......................... ..... D-6 Crimes & Courts ................... C-8 Education .......................... ..... D-4 Entertainment ........................

C-1 Faith .......................... .............. C-4 Health .......................... ........... B-3 Home & Garden ..................... B-6 Local .......................... ............. A-1 National News .........................

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Aubree Middleton, the Murrieta Field 6, runs and plays amongst the 2,019 American of Honor.

ags on display

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Murrieta break improvements s ground on Town Square Park

Park in

Shane Gibson

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Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Murrieta City Council members, staff and dignitaries tried to find shade under the Murrieta-branded canopies and underneath trees to escape the heat Town Square on the existing Park ing a groundbreaki stage durWednesday, Nov. ng ceremony 6.

A year from now, if all goes to plan, a visit to the same spot will be well shaded and newly upgraded as the ceremony Wednesday served as the offi cial ing of improvements groundbreakTown Square Park. to be made at The expansive property that sits at the heart of

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EDITORIAL

The controversy over HR 6666, the COVID-19 Testing, Reaching and Contacting Everyone Act

Julie Reeder PUBLISHER

There is a lot of conversation and controversy over House Resolution 6666 introduced by Democrat Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois with 58 cosponsors.

H.R. 6666 is the “COVID-19 Testing, Reaching and Contacting Everyone Act.” Tracing is not a new idea, but it has been a hot topic on social media and radio talk shows in the last week. Opponents said it’s likely unconstitutional and violates the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth and Ninth Amendments.

The bill itself is short, but it has two sentences which are vague that worry opponents.

The bill grants $100 billion to entities around the country “to trace and monitor the contacts of infected individuals and to support the quarantine of such contacts.” It would do this through mobile health units “at individuals’ residences” and provide “services related to testing and quarantines” and “for other purposes.” Priority for funding would go to “hot spots” and “medically underserved communities.”

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would oversee and send the funds

to health clinics, schools, high schools, universities, churches or basically any other entity the CDC chose. One hundred billion dollars in funding would be for fiscal year 2020 and “such sums as may be necessary” for fiscal year 2021 and any year thereafter when the emergency continues.

The opposition has cited violation of HIPAA and privacy, forced vaccinations and fear that it gives the authorities the right to come into homes and separate family members, including taking children if someone in the home tests positive for COVID-19. The bill clearly does not include verbiage for forced vaccinations or separations, the fear is the vague language will lead to these outcomes. This concern was fueled by at least two items made public.

One was an advertisement that appeared for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families on a Washington state social services job board advertising for workers for child centers, suggesting that child separation for quarantine was already in the works and even giving the addresses of sites where the children would be held.

The DCYF later posted a clarification on the job posting, stating that it was intended only for foster children who had tested positive for COVID-19 or who had been exposed and had no placement available. They furthermore clarified that the addresses they posted were proposed, but they hadn’t received previous permission.

A second item was a video circulating on social media which showed Dr. Robert Levin, the director of Ventura County Public

Health, speaking before the board of supervisors about a plan to hire up to 50 new “contact tracing investigators” to “find people who have COVID-19 and immediately isolate them, find every one of their contacts, make sure they stay quarantined and check in with them every day.”

Levin admitted his “poor messaging” during a news conference the next day, stressing those who test positive or who are identified by officials as having come in contact with an infected person would not be forcibly removed from their homes.

While Levin walked back his “poor messaging,” it’s undeniable that he did say it. The incident fueled important public discussion right now as to how influential employees like health officials should be as it pertains to policy decisions, laws or edicts, limiting citizens’ rights to leave their home, separate or work in their own business. And again, while citizens typically have complied voluntarily, boundaries are being tested as to how constitutional is it for mayors, county supervisors and governors to limit citizen’s movements freedoms and their ability to work or be free from forced injections.

There are a couple of petitions on Change.org, a website for activism, addressing HR 6666. One of them states, “House proposal HR 6666, The TRACE Act ...violates the very idea of a civil society. And, it is also a massive waste of $100 billion – allocated for 2020 alone.

HR 6666 violates inalienable rights to one’s person, home and property, to one’s life, freedoms, privacy and security. It is a violation of the Fourth Amendment, as

well as the First, Fifth, Eighth and Ninth Amendments of the Bill of Rights. an invasion into our local communities.”

Public health officials have also been hoping for technology to help alert them to potential new infections and map the pandemic’s spread with the help of tech companies. Apple and Google announced in April a joint effort to track the coronavirus by smartphone. This idea also sparked a wave of fear on social media and excitement.

The tech giants have said that their apps would alert someone who had been exposed; however, it wouldn’t alert health officials or tell where the meeting took place, making it less helpful than health officials hoped.

While HR 6666 clearly does not include language directly for forced vaccinations, it is another public fear that governors will force the vaccination that President Donald Trump has discussed may be available in the next six to 12 months.

In deciding the constitutionality of a law, there are two ways to challenge them. One is to challenge the law “on its face,” which could strike the law in its entirety. The other way is to challenge the law “as applied” to a particular person. For example, a person with health disabilities might challenge the restriction that is preventing them from going outside for needed exercise.

A court could uphold an “as applied” challenge where a restriction is enforced so rigidly that it creates a harmful outcome in a particular case. While the government must act forcefully to protect public health, it’s best if restrictions are enforced flexibly, allowing for more personal physical freedom.

Strong government action, with due respect for the government’s constitutional limitations and some flexibility in enforcement, seems to be the best approach.

In conclusion, while tracing is not a new idea or action, one of the problems with this contract tracing program is that it is only helpful very early in an epidemic or pandemic. At the stage we are at in the U.S., it is almost useless because we are so far into it and so many people have already been exposed to the virus. As shown by the Stanford University Santa Clara County study and Bakersfield clinics, much of the population here already has antibodies. But Congress wants to spend an additional $100 billion for this program, creating a huge surveillance system and overreaching program not based on science, and many people disagree with offering money to individuals and groups who agree to monitor their neighbors. The bill is vague on what the outcomes would be for people who have been exposed.

Just like global warming, animal rights, free speech, forced vaccinations, religion, politics, gun rights and myriad other topics, no matter what side people are on, it is most important that they are free to discuss and voice their opinion openly without blatant censorship, such as what is currently happening on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media networks.

Our forefathers wrote the First Amendment covering free speech, knowing that it was paramount for the protection of all the other amendments. We must protect our unique American inalienable rights.

Julie Reeder can be reached by email at jreedermedia.com.

Tort reform will give California a better chance to recover Maryann Marino CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE

The coronavirus is crushing small businesses, forcing most to close and placing millions of

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the jobs they have created. We need to give our economy and business owners a chance to survive and rebuild. One important way to do that is through tort reform so the economy can regain its strength.

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse released a hopeful new report, “The Economic Benefits of Tort Reform in California.” The report explains how laws to reform torts, which are defined as an act or omission that harms another person either intentionally or through negligence, can lead to economic benefits, innovation, productivity and employment. Reformed laws will help provide protection and relief for business owners from abusive shakedown lawsuits – and CALA believes these same reforms may provide relief to struggling businesses trying to recover from the crisis.

That’s why Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is calling on the Legislature and governor to enact meaningful tort reforms.

But even before the coronavirus pandemic hit, CALA’s Economic Benefits of Tort Reform 2020 Report in California, conducted in November, had cited how an overly aggressive tort environment was already a drain on the economy.

California was recently named by CALA as the second highest “judicial hellhole” in the country. The California governor and Legislature had further compounded the problem by recently enacting more laws that will increase class-action lawsuit abuse.

Aggressive abusive lawsuits cost

California’s economy $23.6 billion in annual output in gross product 2019, according to the report.

These lawsuits further resulted in an estimated loss of 242,761 jobs and a tort tax of $594.71 per person. Locally, in San Diego, excessive tort litigation costs the economy $1.580 billion in annual output (gross product). These lawsuits also cost 18,712 jobs and a tort tax of $468.33 per person each year. Abuse of the legal system has shown that workers are not getting paid and that, in turn, do not have sufficient earnings.

California businesses already suffer from being attacked with unwarranted lawsuits all based on technical violations related to the Private Attorney General Act, or PAGA, wage and hour lawsuits, Americans with Disability Act lawsuits and Proposition 65 lawsuits, among others. We need a break from lawsuit abuse and contentious litigation, especially now since the state, like others, is in crisis mode.

We implore the plaintiffs’ bar to refrain from filing abusive suits.

For example, does failure to place the beginning date and ending date of the pay period on a check stub, even though the check cleared the bank, the reason a business should be sued for tens of thousands of dollars?”

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature are debating several reforms of bills proposed or passed last year, including Assembly Bill 5, the bill that redefines the definition of an employee versus independent contractor. The bill

places the employer at risk for a class-action lawsuit going back four years even though they were acting within the law at the time.

The debate also extends to the California Consumer Privacy Act that will allow a plaintiff to sue on behalf of all involved in a data breach because they believe their information was violated. Tort reform, or refraining from enacting more bills that allow for the PAGA right of action, should be added to the list of reform measures this year.

The report, written by the Perryman Group, an economic analysis firm, also said that legal reform that decreases exposure to liability lawsuits has been shown to enhance innovation and increase productivity and employment. It also improves access to health care through lower costs. Tort reform, without doubt, can lead to substantial economic benefits – and states that have implemented such reforms have seen improved judicial efficiency and better economic performance.

California businesses were hurting due to abusive lawsuits before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Now, they’re barely hanging on. If this state is to protect its economic vitality, our lawmakers must act now on tort reform. Bad lawsuits cost good jobs, and good jobs are may be in short supply for a long time.

Maryann Marino is the regional director of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.

Increase funding for Alzheimer’s disease research

Your LOCAL Source for NEWS my

.com TemeculaValleyNews

@TheValleyNews

Today, more than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease – a number expected to nearly triple by 2050, including 690,000 in California. As someone who has experienced the impact of Alzheimer’s disease firsthand when I lost my mother to the disease last year, I understand the damage it can do to a family. I have been involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for a few years and became involved with the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement in 2019 to advocate for increased

programs and funding to combat Alzheimer’s disease.

Thankfully, Sen. Ken Calvert can play an important role in addressing this critical issue.

By increasing funding for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health by $354 million and by supporting $20 million to implement the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, Calvert has the opportunity to provide millions of Americans like me with a sense of hope.

This funding will provide re-

searchers with the resources they need to make discoveries that can lead to a treatment or a cure.

I am asking you to please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in encouraging Calvert to lead in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease by supporting critical funding. It is only through increased research funding that we will discover new ways to treat and eventually prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Thank you.

Aaron Manley Lake Elsinore resident

May 22, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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Opinion Editor’s Note: Opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Valley News staff. We invite opinions on all sides of an issue. If you have an opinion, please send it as an e-mail to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, or fax us at (760) 723-9606.

Maximum word count 500. All letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number. The Valley News reserves the right to edit letters as necessary to fit the publication’s format.

The people must take California back

Finally, we have a pathway back to law and order in California: “The Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2020.”

This initiative will appear on the November ballot and is supported

by every major law enforcement organization in the state. This initiative seeks to repair the massive damage to our criminal justice system perpetrated by Propositions 47, The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act of 2014, and Proposition 57, The Public Safety Rehabilitation Act of 2016.

Proposition 47 reclassified drug and theft crimes from felonies to misdemeanors and allowed those already incarcerated for those crimes to petition the court for a new sentence or outright release.

How safe is that?

Proposition 57 was an additional loosening to those seeking parole with the real goal of lowering the state’s prison population. What about the rehabilitation?

These two measures misclassified serious crimes as nonviolent and lead to the release of dangerous individuals and allowed them to return to our neighborhoods and in many cases, continue with their career pursuit of criminal activity.

And with the new sentencing laws, these habitual criminals could not have their records used as part of the sentencing process, further exacerbating the problem. It put an end to the three strikes law, which many credit with reducing crime while filling up our prisons.

This new act – which has yet to receive an official Proposition Number – seeks to undo the damage done by these previous acts and allow our law enforcement professionals to do their jobs and

protect the 99% of the population that do not commit crimes.

Specifically, the initiative will: Reclassify formerly “nonviolent” crimes like rape of an unconscious person, pimping a child, domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon as “violent” crimes under California law; removes the $950 misdemeanor theft limit by making a third or serial theft in excess of $250 a felony; restores the ability to collect DNA for crimes previously reclassified to misdemeanors and resumes the ability to consider an inmate’s entire criminal history when deciding parole to ensure that career violent offenders do not qualify for early release.

The current laws allow for serial criminals to commit crimes against

us with little or no punishment, while businesses are forced to take more aggressive theft prevention measures and must pass these costs on to their customers. And victims of domestic violence and rape are no longer protected from their aggressor, which is just wrong.

As a civilized society, we have an obligation to protect the populous from those who would seek to enforce their will using physical aggression or threat of bodily harm. The Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2020 is a great step forward toward taking back California.

to help make up this shortfall and support public safety, local governments, schools, hospitals and Medi-Cal. Unlike the federal government, California cannot print its own money. State tax revenues have decreased, while the demand for state services, including unemployment insurance, has increased exponentially.

Safety is essential. We’ve learned a lot over the past months, and protocols like social distancing have allowed essential businesses to remain open. Thousands of customers safely visit local big box-stores each week; there’s no reason those same protocols can’t

be used by smaller businesses with far fewer customers.

A regional approach is best as local county health authorities should make the call. Many businesses have learned to think outside the box, and they should be given the chance to open safely.

We’ve been saying we’re all in this together, but in thousands of cases, small businesses have been forced to carry the heaviest burden.

From public safety – fire season is upon us – to education, from highway funding and Medi-Cal to programs for the elderly and the disabled, all state programs

are facing disastrous cuts. The social costs of allowing our shutdown to become a depression are incalculable. By using caution and the lessons we’ve all learned, California’s economy can safely reopen.

Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Bonsall, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hidden Meadows, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Rainbow, San Marcos, Temecula, Valley Center and Vista.

Robert “Bob” Magee Mayor Pro Tem Lake Elsinore

Open for business?

Assemblymember Marie Waldron SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May revised budget projection for the coming fiscal year shows that the $21 billion surplus we had has become a $54 billion deficit in our state budget.

The economic activity that generates tax revenues supporting state programs has collapsed because of COVID-19. We are now in a serious recession, with unemployment levels greater than those of the Great Depression. It is imperative that we safely open up our economy to reduce the hit

on our economic outlook and help Californians recover.

I’ve joined a group of western state leaders asking the federal government to provide funding

Pets Neglected animals receive second chance amid global pandemic Samantha Cox INTERN

Animal shelters from across the country have seen their shelters become nearly empty in March and April due to stay-at-home orders put in place by state and local officials. Many people who are forced to stay home due to the pandemic have adopted or fostered a new pet.

During the month of March, Animal Friends of the Valley in Wildomar provided homes for 94 cats and 172 dogs. In addition to those adopted, 56 pets have been taken to rescue organizations.

Pets that are taken in by a rescue are able to get more socialization and specialized care depending on their needs.

“We are so blessed to have a community that cares so deeply for the pets in need in our valleys.

We truly could not do the work that we do without support of Animal Friends like you,” Animal Friends of the Valley said in their newsletter recently.

While those interested in adopting can still visit in person, Animal Friends of the Valley has implemented social distancing guidelines mandated by the state. All adoptable pets are listed on their website at http://animalfriendsofthevalleys.com, where potential owners and fosters can complete an adoption application before visiting the shelter. Those who are unable to adopt are encouraged to foster animals and provide them with the socialization and exercise they need.

It is tempting for residents to foster or adopt a pet when they have extra time available; however, it’s important for new pet owners to be aware of the respon-

Pets of the Week

sibility they are taking on when bringing in a pet.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals explained that pets that are available to foster often require extra attention that the shelter staff is not able to provide. ASPCA recommended that pet parents should be educated on how to feed them according to size and weight, to exercise the pet according to its energy levels and to provide positive socialization to help them thrive in a future, permanent home.

Foster parents can apply online at https://animalfriendsofthevalleys.com, in a process similar to the adoption process. Upon being accepted, foster parents will be given essential items to care for their pet such as bedding and food. Because California is under a stay-at-home order, foster pet parents are urged to send photos and

Animal Friends of the Valleys Hi! I’m Scout, a 3-year-old female Pitbull mix. I’m a loving and loyal lady, who is well trained and loves people.

I would like to be the only dog in the home, and I’ve never been around cats. Let’s meet! Intake Number: 526914

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Website: www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com 33751 Mission Trail, Wildomar, CA 92595 • Phone: (951) 674-0618 Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ramona Humane Society Jett is a 4-year-old male Pitbull mix. This handsome male is a happy boy who loves being outdoors and playing with a ball.

Come meet him today and head out on an adventure with this active fellow! Intake Number: 173073 / R238121

Hi! I’m Pumkin Spice, a 4-yearold Tortoiseshell female kitty. I am sweet girl, who just wants to feel safe and loved. If you give me some TLC, I will love you back a hundredfold. I’m looking for a good home and a second chance. Intake Number: 173175 / R238296

videos for staff at Animal Friends of the Valley to post on their adoption page. Photos and videos often display the unique personality of animals that may not otherwise be seen in a shelter environment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it is rare for animals to transmit the coronavirus to humans.

Dr. Hukabee, a wildlife veterinarian for Progressive Animal Welfare Society said that, “good hygiene practices are essential to prevent spread and to protect your health and that of your pets. This includes frequent hand-washing before and after interacting with your pet and not touching your face during and after interactions.”

New pet owners and foster caregivers should be aware that many things that they would traditionally do with a pet may not be possible due to the pandemic. Dog parks

have been closed to promote the social distancing orders mandated by the state. Vet visits, grooming, training and more may be impacted by the pandemic. Technology has allowed some training and veterinary visits to continue.

Trainers can often provide training and guidance over the phone and via video conference.

The ASPCA discussed the importance of fostering pets in a recent newsletter, urging those who are able to foster during this time. With kitten season quickly approaching, the shelters could benefit from a few extra hands, the organization said.

“Dogs and cats of all ages benefit from fostering,” the ASPCA said in its newsletter.

Samantha Cox can be reached by email at valleystaff@reedermedia.com.

Living Free Animal Sanctuary

Hi! I’m Dillon, a 2-year-old French Bulldog. I need to be an only dog, as I can be very bossy with other dogs and need time to warm up to strangers. I love to take walks on a leash. Could we be friends? Let’s meet!

For more great pets up for adoption, visit Retrievers and Friends of Southern California at www.retrieversandfriends.com.

Living Free Animal Sanctuary The shelter is only open from Monday to Friday by appointment only. For more great pets available for adoption, contact the Ramona Humane Society at (951) 6548002 or visit www. ramonahumanesociety. org.

Brokk, a male Terrier mix, is almost 3 years old. He’s a dashing, brighteyed dog, who greets new people by wagging his tail so vigorously that his whole body moves with it.

He loves to go on walks and play fetch. He’s also a sensitive boy and needs to be the only dog in the home. Come meet him today!

Hi! I’m Dolce, a 4-year-old female kitty. I’m a sweet and free-spirited young girl looking for my forever home. I love to lounge around on comfy cat beds while getting backscratches and cat treats. If you’re looking for a mellow sweetheart with a fun side, I’m the purrfect choice!

For more information on Brokk, Dolce and other pets up for adoption at Living Free Animal Sanctuary, call the kennel at (951) 321-9982, the cattery at (951) 491-1898 or visit https:// living-free.org.

Courtesy photos

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • May 22, 2020

Faith

Learn from Congregation B’nai Chaim: A hidden lesson for new beginnings

Hefsiba Jen Cohen SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

There’s a season for everything, and right now, we are in what seems to be the season of counting. We are counting the Omer, the seven-week countdown from Passover to Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks.

How fitting it is that, during this count, we have been reading the scripture portion from Leviticus 25 about the counting of seven years, Shmitah, the land’s rest when all fields were to be left fallow – unfarmed and unharvested, and also

the Yovel or Jubilee year, after 49 years, when all land holdings were reestablished.

While the tragedies of COVID-19 have been unspeakable, much of the world has had a short rest, and it has already brought amazing results.

Smog has lessened, less-traveled water canals have revealed more wildlife, seismologists have reported less earth tremors due to less traffic and nature everywhere seems to have had a bit of a breather.

Despite this analogy, biblical mandates of fallow land and a release of land holdings still seem like confusing issues that don’t really pertain to us in 21st century America, but a beautiful lesson is hidden in this text.

The Torah never disappoints, and a curious placement of texts invites us

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Zachary Elliot SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

“I hate you and everyone hates you. No one likes you!” Those are the words I heard screamed some years ago from a neighboring backyard. It was followed by sobs, more screams and, from what I could tell, lots of hurt.

In fact, it made me hurt. I was so sad as the person who was on the receiving end of such hate. I determined then and there that I would never speak to someone that way for as long as I lived.

Sadly, we can be really good at finding reasons to dislike someone.

We are often experts of the critical eye. And we figure that our dislike of a person is justified because they’re obnoxious, nerdy, stuck up, serious, funny, not stylish enough, too ugly or even too pretty. Need I go on?

Do you know why we really

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in describing the land to “return” in the Jubilee year. This idea parallels our own spiritual “returning,” or “teshuva,” for restoration and new beginnings.

Suddenly, it all makes sense. The Day of Atonement reminds us of righting wrongs and restoring relationships with God and humanity – a chance for new beginnings – and if God sees fit to give the land restoration, how much more should there be restoration for us too?

Hefsiba Jen Cohen is a student rabbi and co-principal of the Lamad Academy Religious School.

Congregation B’nai Chaim is located at 29500 Via Princesa in Murrieta. For more information, visit them on Facebook for at http://www. bnaichaim.com.

struggle with loving people? It’s because of our sinful nature. It always wants to put us in a place of pride and superiority.

That’s why we have to fight for godly love in our relationships.

God, in his word, makes it clear that Christ-like love is a must for people who call themselves Christians.

Here are God’s three reasons why we should love people: God loves people.

No one loves people more than God does. He proved his love for us by sending us Jesus according to John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Let’s apply this verse directly to someone you dislike.

“God so loved (the person you can’t stand) that he sent his one and only Son, that if they believe in him they will not perish but have everlasting life.”

This perspective changes everything.

It was God’s demonstration of his great love for people according to Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates

his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God commands us to love people.

Jesus couldn’t have given it to us any simpler than he did when responding to a question from one of the Jewish leaders of his day in Matthew 22:36-40, “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

Did you catch that? Loving God and loving people go hand in hand.

You cannot truly understand what it means to love your neighbor if you don’t love Jesus first.

There is nothing in your life more important than these two commands.

Why? Because they help us fulfill all of the other commands. That position makes loving people extremely important.

Loving people shows the world we belong to Jesus.

Question: If you were to evaluate your life right now by the way you

love people what would it show?

According to 1 John 4:7-8, if we love people the way Jesus commanded us to, it shows that we are children of God: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

The only reason we know how to love each other is because God teaches it to us through the life of his son Jesus. He is the only reason we know what true love really is. It’s in that true love that we prove to the world that we are followers of Jesus, according to John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Think about it this way, the way you treat people and the way you love them is like a giant billboard on the side of the highway. It either says “I follow Jesus” or “I hate people.”

What does your billboard say?

The best time to start loving people is right now.

Zachary Elliott is the lead pastor of Fusion Christian Church in Temecula. For more information, visit https://www.fusionchristianchurch. com, https://fourminutefaithbuilder. com or find them on Instagram.

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do with their land, short of selling it to other nations, but after 49 years, the land was required to go back to its original holders – thus the Jubilee was a total “reset” button. A family who may have lost their lands to pay debts had a chance to start over.

So, why is the Day of Atonement of verse 9 inserted “smack in the middle” of a sentence about the Jubilee? The Torah reminds us of the importance of renewal and new beginnings as it invites us to make the parallel between the land and ourselves. If a literal renewal and return is important for a holy land, how much more important is renewal and return for what was to be a holy people?

The Torah uses the word, “teshuvo” from the root word, “shuv,”

Why you should love people

w w w . m y v a l l e y n e w s . c o m

VALLEY

to look deeper into what is going on as we read of the Jubilee year: Leviticus 25:8 commanded Israel to count 49 years. Verse 10 seamlessly continues that the 50th year is to be celebrated as a jubilee.

Those two verses look seamless in concept, but out of nowhere, as if “cut and pasted,” in the middle of these, however, is verse 9 which commands that the ram’s horn or shofar is to be sounded on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Why talk of the Day of Atonement, literally, in the middle of the instructions for counting Jubilee years?

Let’s examine the concept of Jubilee for a clue as to what is going on. Ancient Israel had roughly half a century to do what they wanted to

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Local

Deputies arrest sexual offender in Anza

Volume 20, Issue 21

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Hamilton High School honors 2020 graduates

Diane Sieker STAFF WRITER

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Hemet Station responded to the 40000 block of Apple Road in Anza, Friday, May 15, regarding a sexual offender who had been out of compliance with his registration requirements since March 2020. see page AVO-2

Local

Motorists should slow down to save lives City News Service SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

Motorists who punch their accelerators because there are fewer vehicles on freeways amid the coronavirus emergency should remember they’re putting lives at risk in construction zones in Riverside County, and they will face consequences, officials said Friday, May 15. see page AVO-3

Local

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Donahue offers sermon at Anza Community Hall Diane Sieker STAFF WRITER

Temecula business assists Anza residents Diane Sieker STAFF WRITER

Every aspect of life in California has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Residents seeking the services of the California Department of Motor Vehicles have been especially hard hit and bewildered by the unprecedented changes in service availability.

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Seniors stage at 6-foot intervals at the special drive-up Hamilton High School Graduation Commencement. See more photos on page AVO-4.

In defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 19 stay at home order, Bill Donahue organized a gathering at the Community Hall in Anza Sunday, May 10.

Social media erupted with support as well as harsh criticism for his plan when Donahue posted his intentions on Facebook recently.

Donahue attended the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meetings Tuesday, May 5, and Friday, May 8, speaking before the representatives regarding the lack of scientific verification for the use of masks. He also touched upon the unfairness of many social distancing requirements due to the coronavirus pandemic, such as no gatherings of more than 10 people and the ban on church assemblies.

He questioned the constitutionality of the orders.

About 20 people were in attendance at the sermon Sunday.

They did not wear a mask and were eager to hear Donahue’s message.

He offered his analysis of Romans 13:1-7 in relation to tyrannical governments.

“All of you must obey the government rulers,” he said, quoting the chapter. “Everyone who rules

Amy Procop sings during Bill Donahue’s sermon at the Anza Community Hall Sunday, May 10.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

was given the power to rule by God. And all those who rule now were given that power by God. So anyone who is against the government is really against something God has commanded. Those who

are against the government bring punishment on themselves. People who do right don’t have to fear the rulers. But those who do wrong must fear them.

“Do you want to be free from

fearing them? Then do only what is right, and they will praise you.

Rulers are God’s servants to help you. But if you do wrong, you have see SERMON, page AVO-5

Delisa Mannix photographs LRE wildflowers Diane Sieker STAFF WRITER

Delisa Mannix, professional photographer and nature lover, snapped some photos of the vibrant explosion of flowers covering her neighborhood in Lake Riverside Estates.

With subjects ranging from trees and blossoms to dainty fungus, she shared her images with the Anza Valley Outlook.

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

A close-up of an anemone blossom captures the delicate structure of the petals. See more photos on page AVO-3.

Anza Valley Outlook/ Delisa Mannix photos

AVO-2

Anza Valley Outlook • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • May 22, 2020

Anza Local

Deputies arrest sexual offender in Anza

Anza residents share their COVID-19 opinions

“It’s bull,” says Lance Alexander, referring to some of the coronavirus quarantine mandates.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

A suspect is arrested for being out of compliance with his sexual offender registration requirements Friday, May 15, in Anza.

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Diane Sieker STAFF WRITER

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff ’s Department’s Hemet Station responded to the 40000 block of Apple Road in Anza, Friday, May 15, regarding a sexual offender who had been out of compliance with his registration requirements since March 2020.

Deputies contacted 52-year-old Anza resident Thomas Shuffield, who also failed to comply with the terms of his parole and had a felony parole revocation warrant issued for his arrest. While at the home, deputies also contacted 55-year-old Anza resident Maureen Donnelly, who had a narcotics-related warrant issued for her arrest.

Shuffield and Donnelly were arrested and booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department conducts sexual offender compliance checks and quality of life enforcement regularly. The use of illegal drugs affects not only the individual, but also the community as illicit drug use is the root cause of many of the crimes that affect residents, according to the department.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses.

If you suspect drug or criminal activity in your area, contact the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at 951791-3400.

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

David Apodaca says, “I think everybody should do what they want to in regards to masks. If you want to wear one, wear one – if you don’t, then don’t. The most important thing is to stay safe the best way that is good for you.”

Diane Sieker STAFF WRITER

The coronavirus pandemic has seriously affected the lives of residents of the Anza Valley. With the historical measures being taken to slow its spread, the virus has forever changed the rural mountain community.

A good number of people have taken to social media questioning the state and county stay-at-home, social distancing and mask-wearing mandates.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Friday, May 8, to direct public health officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser to rescind and amend some of the local public health orders that are stricter than California’s statewide pandemic directives.

Part of this decision directed Kaiser to rescind the orders that mandated face-coverings in public throughout Riverside county, replacing it with a “strong recommendation” to social distance and wear face coverings to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Mask-shaming” and public ridicule for failure to observe social distancing suggestions is becoming more common. The confusion regarding the state versus county mandates and recommendations only add to the debate.

“It’s bull,” Lance Alexander said.

Working as a cashier at the Cahuilla Mountain Market, he said he is aware of the severity of the outbreak and is keeping up on the latest developments. But he is ready for things to get back to as

close as possible to the way they were. Alexander said he prefers not to wear a mask in public unless absolutely required.

David Apodaca wears his mask when out and about, he said.

“I think everybody should do what they want to in regards to masks. If you want to wear one, wear one – if you don’t, then don’t. The most important thing is to stay safe the best way that is good for you.”

“I’ve worked this drive-thru all throughout the quarantine,” Graffiti Coffee employee Justin Thillins said. “Honestly, as long as our medical facilities are prepared, we are ready to open this economy up.”

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

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“I’ve worked this drive-thru all throughout the quarantine,” Graffiti Coffee employee Justin Thillins says.

“Honestly, as long as our medical facilities are prepared, we are ready to open this economy up.”

Stay up-to-date with all news about COVID-19 at www.myvalleynews.com And find all Anza news at www.anzavalleyoutlook.com

May 22, 2020 • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • Anza Valley Outlook

AVO-3

Anza Local Motorists need to slow down to protect road crews, save lives, officials say City News Service SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

Motorists who punch their accelerators because there are fewer vehicles on freeways amid the coronavirus emergency should remember they’re putting lives at risk in construction zones in Riverside County, and they will face consequences, officials said Friday, May 15.

“We will continue enforcement action for anyone driving in an unsafe manner,” California Highway Patrol Capt. Mike Alvarez said.

“Special attention is being paid to roadway construction zones Those will be heavily enforced.”

Alvarez, who heads the CHP’s San Gorgonio office in Beaumont, said his officers have issued 44 speeding citations to drivers going in excess of 100 mph since March 19.

He noted that over the same period statewide, CHP patrol zones as a whole recorded an 87% jump in tickets for speeding 100 mph or more.

In the San Gorgonio area, 133 driving under the influence arrests have been made since March 19, when Gov. Gavin Newsom issued his “stay-at-home” executive order as part of a slate of coronavirusrelated regulations.

Alvarez said a worrying sign is that the average blood alcohol level of arrestees is 0.16, compared to 0.14 during the same period in 2019. The legal limit threshold beyond which a DUI can be charged is 0.08.

“We need to ensure motorists’ safety and construction workers’ safety,” the CHP commander said.

Caltrans District 8 Director Mike Beauchamp addressed the same topic, saying excessive speed and unsafe driving have sharply increased since the governor’s mandate took many drivers off the road, with agency statistics showing as much as a 35% drop

in traffic volumes statewide.

“If you travel, please do not speed,” Beauchamp said. “Slow down. It’s not worth a ticket or a life.”

Beauchamp, Alvarez and Wildomar City Councilmember Ben Benoit, who is vice chair of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, were part of the same virtual news briefing hosted

by Caltrans.

“Riverside County is an important part of the national economy,” Benoit said. “We need drivers to slow down and keep crews safe to keep our economy going in the county.”

Benoit said the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project, involving the addition of two toll lanes on the north- and southbound sides of I-15 from Route 60, the Pomona Freeway, in Jurupa Valley to the north side of Lake Elsinore, had been impacted by speeders, one of whom narrowly missed plowing into a road crew last month in Norco.

“We added a CHP officer in the construction zone, and that has made a difference,” Benoit said.

“Over 20 drivers have received citations.”

He said road crews are also at risk in construction zones for the Route 60 Truck Lanes Project between Beaumont and Moreno Valley, as well as the Interstate 10 Tuneup between the Coachella Valley and Banning Pass. This summer, the Railroad Canyon Interchange Project in Lake Elsinore will be an additional concern.

The officials emphasized that penalties double for motorists caught speeding through construction zones.

Caltrans has activated overhead message signs warning motorists to reduce their speeds, and the officials said paying heed to the signs could save not only money but prevent injuries or deaths.

WILDFLOWERS from page AVO-1

Black locust trees are in full bloom, and photographer Delisa Mannix captures the vibrant clusters.

Anza Valley Outlook/Delisa Mannix photos

Locust tree flowers frame a tranquil scene.

Petite mushrooms emerge next to a lily sprout.

Pink plum tree blossoms encrust a twig.

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AV O- 4

Anza V alley Outlook • www.anza valleyoutlook.com • M ay 2 2 , 2 02 0

California Auto Registration Service assists Anza residents with DMV services

California Auto Registration Service in Temecula continues to provide California Department of Motor Vehicles services during the coronavirus pandemic.

Anza V alley Outlook/ D iane Sieker photo

Diane Sieker STAFF WRITER

Every aspect of life in California has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Residents seeking the services of the California Department of Motor Vehicles have been

especially hard hit and bewildered by the unprecedented changes in service availability.

California Auto Registration Service in Temecula is open and ready to assist motorists with most DMV transactions.

The DMV does offer Californians

essential services online to continue processing critical transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Field offices were closed to the public statewide beginning Friday, March 27, and reopened virtually, Thursday, April 2. All in-office appointments were canceled. Customers were encouraged to check the http://dmv.ca.gov website for future appointment availability.

Motorists were able to take care of many tasks at the hundreds of kiosks throughout the state or through available local business partners such as CARS. As far as convenience and the ease of completion of necessary DMV transactions, the company offers a refreshing alternative to the online experience.

CARS started off as a mobile service for auto dealers that did not want to deal with the hassle of going through the DMV for their registration needs. Founder Nancy Whitaker, a previous DMV employee, offered her extensive knowledge of registration processing to the dealers. She and her husband David

started the business, and it grew quickly. The decision was soon made to open as a brick and mortar enterprise in Temecula in 1998.

The company provides a wide range of services from renewals, transfers, out-of-state transactions, lien sales, VIN verifications and more. They specialize in classic vehicles, offering crediting records, waiving back fees and re-registering vintage license plates.

“I used CARS to take my SUV from nonoperational status to current registration,” one customer said. “I was a bit intimidated by the new online DMV procedures, and it was much better to work with a live, smiling and helpful person.

Vanessa answered my questions and efficiently and quickly completed my paperwork. Their fees are more than reasonable, too.”

Nancy Whitaker died in April 2017, but CARS continues to be operated by her husband David Whitaker and their longtime employees: manager Elizabeth, and Jessica, Vanessa and their newest addition, Edna.

Like most businesses, changes had to be made on how to process paperwork while maintaining proper social distancing protocol to avoid exposure and keep both clients and service providers safe.

David Whitaker made sure that by being open to the public, both employees and customers would feel comfortable.

The office is closed, but transactions may take place partly online and partly through a letter slot.

For instance, a moving permit or proof of insurance may be sent via email, while titles, registrations and other documents may be exchanged through the slot for expert handling.

The employees are patient, courteous and have extensive familiarity with DMV requirements for difficult transactions.

California Auto Registration Service is located at 27625 Jefferson Ave., Suite 105B, in Temecula.

They can be contacted by phone at 951-694-4331.

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

GRADUATION from page AV O- 1

Decorated cars deliver graduating seniors to the special drive-up Hamilton High School Graduation Commencement Friday, May 15.

Andrew David Hotchkiss poses for his picture at the special drive-up Hamilton High School Graduation Commencement.

Balloons and window art adorn this car at the special driveup Hamilton High School Graduation Commencement.

Anza V alley Outlook/ D iane Sieker photos

[Left] Face masks are required until seniors walk across the stage at the special driveup Hamilton High School Graduation Commencement.

[Right] It is an exciting day for seniors at the special driveup Hamilton High School Graduation Commencement.

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M ay 22, 2020 • w w w .anza va lleyo utlook. com • Anza V alley O utlook

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Anza Local SE R M O N

from p age AV O - 1

reason to be afraid. They have the power to punish, and they will use it. They are God’s servants to punish those who do wrong. So you must obey the government, not just because you might be punished, but because you know it is the right thing to do. And this is why you pay taxes, too. Those rulers are working for God, and they give all their time to the work of ruling. Give everyone what you owe them. If you owe them any kind of tax, then pay it.

Show respect to those you should respect. And show honor to those you should honor,” he said.

Many biblical scholars have interpreted Romans 13 as teaching that Christians should honor the institution of government, but not necessarily the individuals in power.

Donahue said that many preachers before the American Revolution claimed that when these passages were considered in that

Mike Patke performs musical accompaniment during Bill Donahue’s sermon at the Anza Community Hall.

Anza V alley O utlook/ D iane S ieke r p hotos

context, that it did not indicate that they should submit to tyrannical leaders.

“The colonists argued that it was the king of England who was in violation of Scripture,” Donahue said. “Therefore, it was a Christian’s duty to resist him. As Mayhew said in 1750, ‘Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.’” People claimed that Donahue

was encouraging people to attend the sermon with firearms, and he responded to that claim when asked.

“While I am engaged in peaceful civil disobedience, I have spoken out against those who are calling for an armed revolt,” he said.

“As Christians we are not duty bound to submit to tyranny,” he said. “We have those in our own

Bill Donahue speaks of Romans 13, tyrannical governments and a Christian’s responsibility in these matters at his sermon at the Anza Community Hall.

culture who almost worship government and its power. They look to it as their provider, caretaker, protector, etc. It is a cultlike worship similar to the Cult of Caesar, in Paul’s day. Yet Paul spoke boldly against the worship of anything but God. Therefore, his words cannot be used to support the idea that we should submit to tyranny.”

Anza Opinion

Since the stay-at-home order was issued to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the state, more than 4 million people have been out of work in California. Currently, California is beginning the process of opening back up in stages. The phase that could reopen salons, gyms, movie theaters and in-person church services could be months away.

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

Editor’s Note: Opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Anza Valley Outlook staff. We invite opinions on all sides of an issue. If you have an opinion, please send it as an email to anzaeditor@reedermedia.com, or fax us at (760) 723- 9606. M aximum w ord count 250. All letters must include the author’ s name, address and p hone number. The Valley News/Anza Valley Outlook reserves the right to edit letters as necessary to fit the publication’s format.

Greenhouse Effect: A Technical Review” at https://insideclimatenews.org/sites/default/files/ documents/1982%20Exxon%20 Primer%20on%20CO2%20 Greenhouse%20Effect.pdf.

In a 1978 presentation to Exxon management, company science adviser J.F. Black warned that an increase in global temperature of 2 degrees Celsius would be likely to affect the distribution of the world’s rainfall. According to Black, “Some countries would benefit, but others could have their agricultural output reduced or destroyed.” Read more from James F. Black at https://insideclimatenews. org/sites/default/files/documents/ James%20Black%201977%20

Presentation.pdf.

Also check out “Exxon: The Road Not Taken” at https://www. pulitzer.org/finalists/insideclimate-news.

These are the types of climate impacts that world hunger organizations like Bread for the World and Christian Aid are observing today. Christian Aid’s position on climate can be found at https:// www.christianaid.org.uk/campaigns/climate-change-campaign.

Information on Bread for the World and climate change can be found at http://www.bread.org/ climate-change.

Consistent with these concerns, the 2019 World Wide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence

Community stated that climate hazards like heat waves, droughts and floods “are increasing water and food insecurity around the world,” heightening the risk of social unrest and migration in places like the Middle East.

View the 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment at https://www.dni. gov/files/ODNI/documents/2019ATA-SFR---SSCI.pdf.

Our common values like national security and caring for “the least of these” should unify Americans on this issue. Let’s urge our politicians and business leaders to work together and find a path to slow climate change.

Terry Hansen Hales Corners, Wisconsin

F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E ST AT E M E N T File N umb er: R - 202004544 T he follow ing p erson(s) is (are) doing b usiness as: “N O O B J E CT I O N ” L E G AL P R O CE SS SE R V I CE 32707 W illow va il Cir., T emecula, CA 92592 County: R ive rside R odney Hermann R ichter, 32707 W illow va il Cir., T emecula, CA 92592 T his b usiness is conducted b y an Indivi dual R egistrant has not ye t b egun to transact b usiness under the fictitious name listed above I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant w ho declares as true any material matter p ursuant to S ection 17913 of the B usiness and Professions Code that the registrant k now s to b e false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1, 000).)

R egistrant: R odney Hermann R ichter Statement was filed with the County Clerk of R ive rside County on 04/ 27/ 2020 N O T ICE — IN ACCO R D AN CE W IT H S U B D IV IS IO N (a) O F S E CT IO N 17920, A FICT IT IO U S N AM E S T AT E M E N T G E N E R AL L Y E X PIR E S AT T HE E N D O F FIV E Y E AR S FR O M T HE D AT E O N W HICH IT W AS FIL E D IN T HE O FFICE O F T HE CO U N T Y CL E R K , E X CE PT , AS PR O V ID E D IN S U B D IV IS IO N (b ) O F S E CT IO N 17920, W HE R E IT E X PIR E S 40 D AY S AFT E R AN Y CHAN G E IN T HE FACT S S E T FO R T H IN T HE S T AT E M E N T PU R S U AN T T O S E CT IO N 17913 O T HE R T HAN A CHAN G E IN T HE R E S ID E N CE AD D R E S S O F A R E G IS T E R E D O W N E R . A N E W FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E S T AT E M E N T M U S T B E FIL E D B E FO R E T HE E X PIR AT IO N .

T HE FIL IN G O F T HIS S T AT E M E N T D O E S N O T O F IT S E L F AU T HO R IZ E T HE U S E IN T HIS S T AT E O F A FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E IN V IO L AT IO N O F T HE R IG HT S O F AN O T HE R U N D E R FE D E R AL , S T AT E , O R CO M M O N L AW (S E E S E CT IO N 14411 E T S E Q., B U S IN E S S AN D PR O FE S S IO N S CO D E ). I HE R E B Y CE R T IFY T HAT T HIS CO PY IS A CO R R E CT CO PY O F T HE O R IG IN AL S T AT E M E N T O N FIL E IN M Y O FFICE .

PE T E R AL D AN A R IV E R S ID E CO U N T Y CL E R K .

L E G AL : 3 1 6 9 P U B L I SH E D : M a y 8 , 1 5 , 2 2 , 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E ST AT E M E N T File N umb er: R - 201916181 T he follow ing p erson(s) is (are) doing b usiness as: N SJ R E F E R R AL SE R V I CE S 7481 S p indlew ood D r., E astva le, CA 92880 County: R ive rside M arisela L eticia G omez, 7481 S p indlew ood D r., E astva le, CA 92880 T his b usiness is conducted b y an Indivi dual R egistrant commenced to transact b usiness under the fictitious name listed above on 05/1/2019 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant w ho declares as true any material matter p ursuant to S ection 17913 of the B usiness and Professions Code that the registrant kn ow s to b e false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1, 000).)

R egistrant: M arisela L eticia G omez Statement was filed with the County Clerk of R ive rside County on 12/ 13/ 2019 N O T ICE —I N ACCO R D AN CE W IT H S U B D IV IS IO N (a) O F S E CT IO N 17920, A FICT IT IO U S N AM E S T AT E M E N T G E N E R AL L Y E X PIR E S AT T HE E N D O F FIV E Y E AR S FR O M T HE D AT E O N W HICH IT W AS FIL E D IN T HE O FFICE O F T HE CO U N T Y CL E R K , E X CE PT , AS PR O V ID E D IN S U B D IV IS IO N (b ) O F S E CT IO N 17920, W HE R E IT E X PIR E S 40 D AY S AFT E R AN Y CHAN G E IN T HE FACT S S E T FO R T H IN T HE S T AT E M E N T PU R S U AN T T O S E CT IO N 17913 O T HE R T HAN A CHAN G E IN T HE R E S ID E N CE AD D R E S S O F A R E G IS T E R E D O W N E R . A N E W FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E S T AT E M E N T M U S T B E FIL E D B E FO R E T HE E X PIR AT IO N .

T HE FIL IN G O F T HIS S T AT E M E N T D O E S N O T O F IT S E L F AU T HO R IZ E T HE U S E IN T HIS S T AT E O F A FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E IN V IO L AT IO N O F T HE R IG HT S O F AN O T HE R U N D E R FE D E R AL , S T AT E , O R CO M M O N L AW (S E E S E CT IO N 14411 E T S E Q., B U S IN E S S AN D PR O FE S S IO N S CO D E ). I HE R E B Y CE R T IFY T HAT T HIS CO PY IS A CO R R E CT CO PY O F T HE O R IG IN AL S T AT E M E N T O N FIL E IN M Y O FFICE .

PE T E R AL D AN A R IV E R S ID E CO U N T Y CL E R K .

L E G AL : 3 0 9 4 P U B L I SH E D : M a r c h 6 , 1 3 , 2 0 , 2 7 , 2 0 2 0 Republished: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020 Address of Registrant is not the same as shown on the fictitious statement Address of Business is not the same as shown on the fictitious statement..

. a n za v a l l ey ou tl ook . c om

ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK

F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E ST AT E M E N T File N umb er: R - 202002610 T he follow ing p erson(s) is (are) doing b usiness as: SAM AN T H A M I R E L E S 377 W 1st S treet, Perris, CA 92570 M ailing address: PO B ox 827, L ake E lsinore, CA 92531 County: R iv erside S amantha Anais M ireles, 377 W 1st S t, Perris, CA 92570 T his b usiness is conducted b y an Indivi dual R egistrant has not ye t b egun to transact b usiness under the fictitious name listed above I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant w ho declares as true any material matter p ursuant to S ection 17913 of the B usiness and Professions Code that the registrant kn ow s to b e false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1, 000).)

R egistrant: S amantha Anais M ireles Statement was filed with the County Clerk of R ive rside County on 02/ 19/ 2020 N O T ICE —I N ACCO R D AN CE W IT H S U B D IV IS IO N (a) O F S E CT IO N 17920, A FICT IT IO U S N AM E S T AT E M E N T G E N E R AL L Y E X PIR E S AT T HE E N D O F FIV E Y E AR S FR O M T HE D AT E O N W HICH IT W AS FIL E D IN T HE O FFICE O F T HE CO U N T Y CL E R K , E X CE PT , AS PR O V ID E D IN S U B D IV IS IO N (b ) O F S E CT IO N 17920, W HE R E IT E X PIR E S 40 D AY S AFT E R AN Y CHAN G E IN T HE FACT S S E T FO R T H IN T HE S T AT E M E N T PU R S U AN T T O S E CT IO N 17913 O T HE R T HAN A CHAN G E IN T HE R E S ID E N CE AD D R E S S O F A R E G IS T E R E D O W N E R . A N E W FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E S T AT E M E N T M U S T B E FIL E D B E FO R E T HE E X PIR AT IO N .

T HE FIL IN G O F T HIS S T AT E M E N T D O E S N O T O F IT S E L F AU T HO R IZ E T HE U S E IN T HIS S T AT E O F A FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E IN V IO L AT IO N O F T HE R IG HT S O F AN O T HE R U N D E R FE D E R AL , S T AT E , O R CO M M O N L AW (S E E S E CT IO N 14411 E T S E Q., B U S IN E S S AN D PR O FE S S IO N S CO D E ). I HE R E B Y CE R T IFY T HAT T HIS CO PY IS A CO R R E CT CO PY O F T HE O R IG IN AL S T AT E M E N T O N FIL E IN M Y O FFICE .

PE T E R AL D AN A R IV E R S ID E CO U N T Y CL E R K .

L E G AL : 3 1 4 4 P U B L I SH E D : M a r c h 6 , 1 3 , 2 0 , 2 7 , 2 0 2 0 Republished: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020 Address of Registrant is not the same as shown on the fictitious statement.

F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E ST AT E M E N T File N umb er: R - 202004727 T he follow ing p erson(s) is (are) doing b usiness as: 1 . SN AP SH O T 3 SI X T Y 2 . 3 SI X T Y H O M E I N SP E CT I O N S 3 . 3 6 0 H O M E I N SP E CT I O N S 31219 D ogw ood Cir, W inchester, CA 92596 M ailing address: 6373 Haz el S t, E astv ale, CA 92880 County: R ive rside D aryl Chris Arq uero, 31219 D ogw ood Cir, W inchester, CA 92596 T his b usiness is conducted b y an Indivi dual R egistrant commenced to transact b usiness under the fictitious name listed above on JULY 2018 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant w ho declares as true any material matter p ursuant to S ection 17913 of the B usiness and Professions Code that the registrant k now s to b e false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1, 000).)

R egistrant: D aryl Chris Arq uero Statement was filed with the County Clerk of R ive rside County on 05/ 07/ 2020 N O T ICE —I N ACCO R D AN CE W IT H S U B D IV IS IO N (a) O F S E CT IO N 17920, A FICT IT IO U S N AM E S T AT E M E N T G E N E R AL L Y E X PIR E S AT T HE E N D O F FIV E Y E AR S FR O M T HE D AT E O N W HICH IT W AS FIL E D IN T HE O FFICE O F T HE CO U N T Y CL E R K , E X CE PT , AS PR O V ID E D IN S U B D IV IS IO N (b ) O F S E CT IO N 17920, W HE R E IT E X PIR E S 40 D AY S AFT E R AN Y CHAN G E IN T HE FACT S S E T FO R T H IN T HE S T AT E M E N T PU R S U AN T T O S E CT IO N 17913 O T HE R T HAN A CHAN G E IN T HE R E S ID E N CE AD D R E S S O F A R E G IS T E R E D O W N E R . A N E W FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E S T AT E M E N T M U S T B E FIL E D B E FO R E T HE E X PIR AT IO N .

T HE FIL IN G O F T HIS S T AT E M E N T D O E S N O T O F IT S E L F AU T HO R IZ E T HE U S E IN T HIS S T AT E O F A FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E IN V IO L AT IO N O F T HE R IG HT S O F AN O T HE R U N D E R FE D E R AL , S T AT E , O R CO M M O N L AW (S E E S E CT IO N 14411 E T S E Q., B U S IN E S S AN D PR O FE S S IO N S CO D E ). I HE R E B Y CE R T IFY T HAT T HIS CO PY IS A CO R R E CT CO PY O F T HE O R IG IN AL S T AT E M E N T O N FIL E IN M Y O FFICE .

PE T E R AL D AN A R IV E R S ID E CO U N T Y CL E R K .

L E G AL : 3 1 7 0 P U B L I SH E D : M a y 1 5 , 2 2 , 2 9 , J u n e5 , 2 0 2 0

F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E ST AT E M E N T File N umb er: R - 202004865 T he follow ing p erson(s) is (are) doing b usiness as: 1 . SM M L 2 . T H AN D I E CU P CAK E 3 . N O R T H E R N IT E S 4 . SQ U AR E B ACK S 5 . SH I P W E ST 6 . AL K AL I N E K I D S 29641 B arton B anks S treet, M enifee, CA 92584 County: R ive rside N orthern L egacy Consultants L L C, 29641 B arton B anks S treet, M enifee, CA 92584 T his b usiness is conducted b y a L imited L iab ility Comp any T his L L C is registered in the state of California R egistrant has not ye t b egun to transact b usiness under the fictitious name listed above I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant w ho declares as true any material matter p ursuant to S ection 17913 of the B usiness and Professions Code that the registrant kn ow s to b e false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1, 000).)

R egistrant: K ameron N orthern, CE O Statement was filed with the County Clerk of R ive rside County on 05/ 13/ 2020 N O T ICE —I N ACCO R D AN CE W IT H S U B D IV IS IO N (a) O F S E CT IO N 17920, A FICT IT IO U S N AM E S T AT E M E N T G E N E R AL L Y E X PIR E S AT T HE E N D O F FIV E Y E AR S FR O M T HE D AT E O N W HICH IT W AS FIL E D IN T HE O FFICE O F T HE CO U N T Y CL E R K , E X CE PT , AS PR O V ID E D IN S U B D IV IS IO N (b ) O F S E CT IO N 17920, W HE R E IT E X PIR E S 40 D AY S AFT E R AN Y CHAN G E IN T HE FACT S S E T FO R T H IN T HE S T AT E M E N T PU R S U AN T T O S E CT IO N 17913 O T HE R T HAN A CHAN G E IN T HE R E S ID E N CE AD D R E S S O F A R E G IS T E R E D O W N E R . A N E W FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E S T AT E M E N T M U S T B E FIL E D B E FO R E T HE E X PIR AT IO N .

T HE FIL IN G O F T HIS S T AT E M E N T D O E S N O T O F IT S E L F AU T HO R IZ E T HE U S E IN T HIS S T AT E O F A FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E IN V IO L AT IO N O F T HE R IG HT S O F AN O T HE R U N D E R FE D E R AL , S T AT E , O R CO M M O N L AW (S E E S E CT IO N 14411 E T S E Q., B U S IN E S S AN D PR O FE S S IO N S CO D E ). I HE R E B Y CE R T IFY T HAT T HIS CO PY IS A CO R R E CT CO PY O F T HE O R IG IN AL S T AT E M E N T O N FIL E IN M Y O FFICE .

PE T E R AL D AN A R IV E R S ID E CO U N T Y CL E R K .

L E G AL : 3 1 7 1 P U B L I SH E D : M a y 2 2 , 2 9 , J u n e5 , 1 2 , 2 0 2 0

F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E ST AT E M E N T File N umb er: R - 202004882 T he follow ing p erson(s) is (are) doing b usiness as: B AR B AR AS SE N I O R SE R V I CE S 13076 Camino D el V alle, Pow ay , CA 92064 County: S an D iego B arb ara Ann G erszt yn , 13076 Camino D el V alle, Pow ay , CA 92064 T his b usiness is conducted b y an Indivi dual R egistrant has not ye t b egun to transact b usiness under the fictitious name listed above I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant w ho declares as true any material matter p ursuant to S ection 17913 of the B usiness and Professions Code that the registrant kn ow s to b e false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1, 000).)

R egistrant: B arb ara G erszt yn Statement was filed with the County Clerk of R ive rside County on 05/ 13/ 2020 N O T ICE —I N ACCO R D AN CE W IT H S U B D IV IS IO N (a) O F S E CT IO N 17920, A FICT IT IO U S N AM E S T AT E M E N T G E N E R AL L Y E X PIR E S AT T HE E N D O F FIV E Y E AR S FR O M T HE D AT E O N W HICH IT W AS FIL E D IN T HE O FFICE O F T HE CO U N T Y CL E R K , E X CE PT , AS PR O V ID E D IN S U B D IV IS IO N (b ) O F S E CT IO N 17920, W HE R E IT E X PIR E S 40 D AY S AFT E R AN Y CHAN G E IN T HE FACT S S E T FO R T H IN T HE S T AT E M E N T PU R S U AN T T O S E CT IO N 17913 O T HE R T HAN A CHAN G E IN T HE R E S ID E N CE AD D R E S S O F A R E G IS T E R E D O W N E R . A N E W FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E S T AT E M E N T M U S T B E FIL E D B E FO R E T HE E X PIR AT IO N .

T HE FIL IN G O F T HIS S T AT E M E N T D O E S N O T O F IT S E L F AU T HO R IZ E T HE U S E IN T HIS S T AT E O F A FICT IT IO U S B U S IN E S S N AM E IN V IO L AT IO N O F T HE R IG HT S O F AN O T HE R U N D E R FE D E R AL , S T AT E , O R CO M M O N L AW (S E E S E CT IO N 14411 E T S E Q., B U S IN E S S AN D PR O FE S S IO N S CO D E ). I HE R E B Y CE R T IFY T HAT T HIS CO PY IS A CO R R E CT CO PY O F T HE O R IG IN AL S T AT E M E N T O N FIL E IN M Y O FFICE .

PE T E R AL D AN A R IV E R S ID E CO U N T Y CL E R K .

L E G AL : 3 1 7 2 P U B L I SH E D : M a y 2 2 , 2 9 , J u n e5 , 1 2 , 2 0 2 0

Honor Our Graduates

Class of

2020 ANZA VALLEY

OUTLOOK Special Grad Issue Pricing:

Ad Size Columns x Inches

JULIE REEDER, Publisher

E ditor ia l

KIM HARRIS, Valley News Managing Editor WILL FRITZ, Associate Editor J.P. RAINERI, Sports Editor SHANE GIBSON, Staff Photographer TONY AULT, Staff Writer DIANE SIEKER, Staff Writer JOE NAIMAN, Writer JEFF PACK, Writer ROGER BODDAERT, Writer STEPHANIE PARK, Copy Editor HALLE KOWALEWSKI, Intern LEXINGTON HOWE, Intern

Adv er tisin g Sa l es

MICHELE HOWARD JOSEPHINE MACKENZIE ANNA MULLEN TAMMY BIRMINGHAM CINDY DAVIS BONITA CUMMINS CINDY LANGLOIS LYNDA MESTAS

P r odu c tion

ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK LEGAL NOTICES F I CT I T I O U S B U SI N E SS N AM E

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Serving Anza, Aguanga, Garner Valley, Sage, and surrounding Southwest Riverside County communities.

Research climate change In his recent column, Harold Pease promotes a common myth – that there has been a nefarious shift in terminology from “global warming” to “climate change.”

However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was founded – by that name – in 1988, and the scientific journal Climatic Change started in the late 1970s.

Also, a recent IPCC report, released in October 2018, is titled “Global Warming of 1.5 C.” For more information, visit https:// www.ipcc.ch/about.

Climate change denotes that climate involves not only temperature, but also other surface variables, such as precipitation and wind patterns. Read “CO2

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KEEPSAKE GRADUATION SPECIAL EDITION MAY 29TH This is a great opportunity

Cost to show your support All Ads in Full Color

2x2.5 (3.9” x 2.5”) ................................. $45.00 2x3 (3.9” x 3”) ........................................ $65.00 2x4 (3.9” x 4”) ........................................ $85.00 3x5 (5.933” x 5”) ................................. $125.00 Quarter Page 3x8.5 (5.933” x 8.5”) $280.00 Half Page 5x10.5 (10” x 10.5”) ....... $425.00 Full Page 5x20.75 (10” x 20.75”) .... $800.00

for our communities’ graduating classes. Ads are being offered at special discounted rates and will be placed in and around the graduates’ names and stories. Ads can be from businesses, parents, grandparents, etc. Ad can include photos and ad design included in the price.

CALL 951-763-5510 TO RESERVE YOUR AD OR EMAIL Classof2020@reedermedia.com

KARINA RAMOS YOUNG, Art Director FOREST RHODES, Production Assistant SAMANTHA GORMAN, Graphic Artist

D ig ita l Ser v ic es SHELBY COKELEY MARIO MORALES

ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 391353, Anza, CA 92539 PHONE: (760) 723-7319 PHONE: (951) 763-5510 FAX: (760) 723-9606 ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK (ISSN 08836124) is a legally adjudicated paper, AKA AMERICAN OUTLOOK, is published weekly by the The Village News, Inc., 1588 S. Mission Rd. #200, Fallbrook, CA 92028.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Anza Valley Outlook, P.O. Box 391353, Anza, CA 92539.

ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CORRECTNESS OF OPINIONS OR INFORMATION OR ERRORS PRINTED IN THIS PAPER, OR FOR ANY JOB, SERVICE OR SALES ITEM. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK OUT ALL ADS. Anza Valley Outlook is a newspaper of general circulation printed and published weekly in the City of Anza, County of Riverside, and which newspaper has been adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by the Superior Court of the County of Riverside, State of California, March 14, 1986; Case Number 176045.

Cop yr ight V alley N ew s, 2020 A V illage N ew s Inc. p ub lication Ju lie R eeder, President T he op inions exp ressed in V alley N ew s do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Valley News staff.

Advertising Policy: Acceptance of an advertisement by Valley News does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of its sponsors or the products offered. We will not knowingly publish advertisements that are fraudulent, libelous, misleading or contrary to the policies of Valley News. We reserve the right to reject any advertisement we find unsuitable.

Please direct all advertising inquiries and correspondence to the address below.

Letters to the Editor: Please submit all correspondence to our corporate office by e-mail to anzaeditor@reedermedia.com or by fax to (760) 723-9606. All correspondence must be dated, signed and include the writer’s full address and phone number in order to be considered for publication. All letters are submitted to editing to fit the the publication’s format.

Back Issues Available: A limited number of previous issues of Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook (prior to current week) are available for $1.50 each, plus $1.00 postage and handling ($2.50 total cost). Call (760) 723-7319 to order.

Anza Valley Outlook and Valley News Published weekly Mail to Corporate Office 111 W. Alvarado St. Fallbrook, CA 92028 (951) 763-5510 FAX (760) 723-9606 Corporate Office: (760) 723-7319 OUR E-MAIL ADDRESSES: anzaeditor@reedermedia.com info@reedermedia.com sales@reedermedia.com circulation@reedermedia.com

AVO-6

Anza Valley Outlook • www.anzavalleyoutlook.com • May 22, 2020

Regional News

Billions in cuts proposed as California revenue plunges Adam Beam THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed $14 billion in budget cuts Thursday, May 14, because of the coronavirus, with more than half coming at the expense of public schools already struggling to educate children from afar during a pandemic.

The cuts are part of a plan to cover the $54 billion budget deficit caused by plummeting state revenues after a mandatory, statewide stay-at-home order forced most businesses to close and put more than 4.7 million people out of work.

Newsom proposed to fill that hole Thursday through a combination of cuts, tax increases, canceled spending, internal borrowing and tapping the state’s reserves. It also includes a 10% pay cut for all state workers, including the governor himself. Overall, the $203 billion spending plan is about 5% lower than the budget lawmakers approved last year.

“Nothing breaks my heart more than having to make budget cuts,” he said. “There’s a human being behind every single number.”

Newsom said all of those cuts could be avoided if the federal government approves a $1 trillion aid package for state and local governments. The state would need that money before July 1 to avoid the cuts, a daunting task considering the partisan divide between Democrats who control

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes $14 billion in budget cuts due to decreased state revenue from the coronavirus.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

the U.S. House of Representatives and the Republicans in charge of the U.S. Senate.

“Depending on the federal government is not going to be a solution,” Republican Sen. J i m N i e l s e n o f R e d B l u ff .

Public education, which accounts for 40% of all state general fund spending, was the hardest hit.

School districts get money based on a formula outlined in the state constitution that is based on revenues, per capita personal income and school attendance.

That guarantee dropped by $19 billion. But Newsom added a bunch

of money to offset those losses.

He said he wants to temporarily eliminate some business tax deductions to create $4.5 billion in new revenue. Plus, he wants to give school districts $4 billion from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Even with those changes, schools are looking at a loss of $7.5 billion compared to the budget Newsom proposed in January.

“They will be the single largest cuts public schools have ever had in California history,” Kevin Gordon, a lobbyist who represents most public school districts, said. “Public school officials do not know where to start when it comes to trying to reopen with so much less money to work with.”

The 10% pay cut for the more than 233,000 state workers would save about $2.8 billion and includes firefighters and health care workers.

The lowest-paid workers would still get planned raises, however, to bring them up to the state’s $15 per hour minimum wage law.

The pay cut proposal is just the starting point for a negotiation with public-sector labor unions. The Service Employees International Union, which represents about 96,000 state workers, plans to try to negotiate an alternative.

“We could put our head in the sand and say, ‘Let’s take it,’” Yvonne Walker, president of Service Employees International Union Local 1000, said. “But you know what Local 1000? We’re not headin-the-sand people.”

Just four months ago, Newsom proposed a $222.2 billion spending plan that included a nearly $6 billion surplus and a host of new programs. Nearly all of that new spending disappeared Thursday.

It included eliminating plans to give government-funded health insurance to low-income adults 65 and older living in the country illegally, and it canceled a plan to make more older adults eligible for Medicaid.

“These potential cuts will be a body blow to the health care system we all rely on, at the very time we need it funded more than ever, in the middle of a pandemic,” Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a statewide health care consumer advocacy group, said.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon called the state’s budget picture grim but said it was too soon to know which of Newsom’s proposed cuts his Democratic caucus would support. He said education and the social safety net must be priorities, and he, like Newsom, said the state needs the federal government’s help. “ We h a v e w e l l - p l a c e d Republicans from California in Congress, and we’re going to obviously appeal to them and make sure they remember, obviously, where they got elected from,” Rendon said.

California’s financial downturn is cushioned by a $16 billion rainyday fund set aside during the good

times. Newsom’s budget, which now must be negotiated with the state Legislature by June 15, calls for spending the rainy-day fund down over the next three years, starting with roughly $8 billion in the upcoming year. He’s also tapping two other reserve funds for another $1 billion.

The state would also spend more than $200 million to boost the state’s preparations for looming wildfires and other disasters, including hiring another 500 firefighters and 100 support personnel to help make up for the loss of dozens of inmate firefighters who were paroled to ease the risk of coronavirus outbreaks.

Nothing was safe from the cuts, including funding to combat homelessness, a topic that Newsom devoted his entire “State of the State” speech to in February. He had planned to give $750 million in state funding to local governments and other groups to pay for homeless services. Instead, that money will be replaced by federal money and used to buy hotels and motels to house the homeless during the pandemic.

“I am deeply concerned that we are shifting away from addressing our housing and homelessness crises,” Democratic Assemblyman David Chiu of San Francisco said.

“I am disappointed to see funding for cities to address homelessness eliminated.”

The Associated Press writers Cuneyt Dil, Kathleen Ronayne and Don Thompson in Sacramento contributed to this report.

RCOE Foundation launches campaign to bridge digital divide in Riverside County schools RIVERSIDE – While students and parents anxiously await the reopening of public schools in Riverside County, educators are adapting and modifying plans for what school will look like in the “new normal” – including a likelihood that some elements of remote learning will still be necessary. However, without additional support, many students will have the virtual doors to school closed on them without regular,

reliable access to a computer or the internet.

The Riverside County Office of Education Foundation is aiming to bridge that digital divide with the launch of “All For One,” a giving campaign centered on raising funds to provide computers, tablets and mobile hot spot devices to students and families to ensure consistent access to remote learning.

Challenges preventing universal access to remote learning include:

families with multiple students sharing one computer to access online learning resources and geographic diversity of Riverside County where families live outside of areas with traditional internet services.

“Our hope is that organizations and community leaders will consider ways they can help bridge the divide between students and their access to reaching their dreams through education,” Ed

Lewis, director of RCOEF, said.

“RCOEF has primarily been focused on raising funds for scholarships and implementing programs that complement core RCOE services, and the ‘All For One’ campaign furthers that focus on this immediate need faced by students and families in our school districts.”

More information on supporting the “All For One” campaign is available from the RCOE

Foundation at http://www.rcoe. us/foundation/all-for-one. Taxdeductible donations can be made on the RCOEF “All For One” GoFundMe page at http://charity. gofundme.com/all-for-one-rcoef or by sending a check to Riverside County Office of Education Foundation, Attention: Ed Lewis, Foundation Director, P.O. Box 868, Riverside, CA 92502-0868.

Submitted by Riverside County Office of Education.

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