Fatal stabbing suspect booked for murder, A-2
VALLEY
Temecula, Daisen celebrate 20 years of friendship, A-12
First ever ‘Mr. Temecula’ raises money for Dollars for Scholars, B-1 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FALLBROOK, CA PERMIT #499
NEWS
May 23–29, 2014
A
Section
www.myvalleynews.com
Volume 14, Issue 21
Rowdy ‘Western Days’ return to Old Town Temecula
Aerial support drops fire retardant on the Tomahawk Fire aboard Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook near the Fallbrook border on Wed., May 14, 2014.
Debbie Ramsey Staff Writer
Ken Hennell photo
Fire Chief says May fires “worse than 2007”
When Bill Metcalf, chief of North County Fire, called the firestorms that threatened Fallbrook last week “worse than 2007,” it was apparent he had a grim story to tell. Metcalf, who has overseen local firefighting efforts in three critical times for Fallbrook - 2003, 2007, and now, 2014, detailed the experience. “Last week we didn’t have the sheer acreage that burned in 2007, but having nine simultaneous events going on at once made it worse than 2007,” said Metcalf. “It
was a challenge sending resources to the fire area out of their desire to to help at other locations, while watch the fire; they interfered with keeping enough to protect what’s our ability to get resources in to at home. In a normal fire situation, protect the [Fallbrook] line,” said Metcalf. “Every with all of our road we tried to North County “It’s amazing how it all go up, to assess resources, we worked out, thanks to the the situation, can usually was choked overwhelm a fire mutual aid from all the with bystandpretty quickly.” Metcalf said agencies.” – North County ers; people were parking their a separate probFire Chief Bill Metcalf cars and blocklem also created a negative impact on firefighting ing access for the fire engines.” At Fallbrook Airpark, where the efforts in regards to the Tomahawk Fire, which was burning along Fall- fire was burning nearby, Metcalf said the situation was also disbrook’s western boundary. “People were blocking our access couraging.
“It was hard for us to get into the airpark because of the people that were parked there watching the fire,” he said. “Folks need to understand that they are blocking emergency crews when they do that.” “I don’t think the average person understands what danger they are in when they do that stuff,” said Metcalf. “When we ask people to leave and keep roads open, it’s because we are seriously concerned for their safety and the safety of or community. When their actions affect the ability for us to do our
A rowdy bandit faces off with an Old Town law enforcer during Western Days in old Town Temecula on Saturday, May 17, 2014. Shane Gibson photo see more photos on page A-6
Home & Garden
Palms provide feel of the tropics to the Valley Palm trees survive well in the Valley and can be found lining majestic driveways as well as providing a tropical, ornamental touch to a front or back yard landscape.
see FIRES, page A-5
see page B-12
Old Town merchants, city Former POW recounts Mad Madeline’s, officials wary of impacts experience as prisoner during Texas Lil’s come of sewer expansion project World War II presentation together for second car show this year Alex Groves Staff Writer
WWII Army veteran and ex-prisoner of war, Howard Sharpell, retells some of the dramatic moments he experienced while being held by German forces in December 1944 and his escape in April 1945. Shane Gibson photo
Alex Groves Staff Writer
An Eastern Municipal Water District man-hole in Old Town at the intersection of Main and Front St. where the pending new sewer line project will begin later this year. Shane Gibson photo
Tim O’Leary Valley News staff A $13 million public works project will begin soon that could bring noise, dust, traffic congestion and construction clutter to Old Town Temecula. City officials and Old Town merchants are worried about the
potential impacts of the project. But they also concede that growth must stop in the popular business district until its plumbing is fixed. They are cautiously monitoring the regional water district that is overseeing the work and the contractor it hires to install a 15-inch
see SEWER, page A-7
In his backyard, 90-year-old Howard Sharpell flies two flags that are lit by a spotlight; one of them is the American Flag, and the other is a flag honoring Prisoners of War (POWs) and soldiers who are Missing in Action (MIA). The latter flag has a special significance for Sharpell, who himself was a prisoner of war in a German encampment following the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1945. He said he faced great hardship as a prisoner of what was then Called Stalag IV-B, a facility on the east side of Germany near Belgium. The winter was harsh inside the prison and Sharpell and his bunkmates would frequently huddle together and pool their blankets just to maintain some degree of warmth from the bone chilling winter air
and snowfall taking place outside. Food was scarce and packages from the American Red Cross hardly ever made it to the prisoners, who were often forced to rely on watery, grass soup for sustenance. But Howard eventually escaped his captors and lived to tell the tale of how he found himself in a German POW camp; he told a captivated audience of his experiences as a prisoner while also sharing information about his escape during a two hour presentation at West Coast Ammo in Temecula on May 17. The presentation was part of the World War II Experience, a series of informational presentations on World War II as seen through the recollections and perceptions of the people who were actually there. The presentation was led by Linda Dudik, PhD.
see POW, page A-4
Dozens of brightly painted classic cars rolled into Old Town for a special event aimed at raising funds for a good cause while simultaneously supporting local businesses. The Mad Lil’s Car Show took place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 and car enthusiasts and curious visitors alike came to see a wide selection of cars. Some of the vehicles were almost a century old whereas others were new as recently as the 70s and 80s. There were muscle cars, hot rods, customs, low riders and many other
see CAR SHOW, page A-4
thisweek Businesss Directory ������������������� B-13 Business ��������������������������������������B-2 Calendar ����������������������������������� A-13 Classifieds �������������������������������� B-13 Dining Guide �������������������������������B-8 Education ���������������������������������� B-11 Entertainment �������������������������� A-12 Hard News ���������������������������������A-2 Health ........................................ B-10 Home & Garden ��������������������� B-12 Local ..............................................A-3 Pets ............................................. B-12 Real Estate ������������������������������� A-10 Sports �������������������������������������������B-3