Valley News - May 25, 2023

Mother addresses TVUSD board regarding obscene material

Julie Reeder Publisher

A mother of a Temecula Valley High School student, Mrs. Nolasco, presented to the TVUSD board excerpts from a play that her sophomore daughter was made to read for drama class. She had first sent an email to the drama teacher, Mr. Bailey and TVHS Principal Lione, regarding her concerns with the assignment her daughter was given, to read “Angels in America,” which included obscene material.

Harvey Wainapel to perform with “We LOVE Brazil” and jazz quartet next month

Ava Sarnowski

Intern Writer

This June, saxophonist and clarinetist Harvey Wainapel will be playing at Old Town Temecula’s The Merc. His first show will be with brand new music group, “We LOVE Brazil,” starring Clarice Cast on percussion, Nando Duarte on acoustic seven-string guitar and flutist Rumi Inoue.

Paisley, Evans among stars on Pala Casino Main Stage at Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival

Third Lake Elsinore Storm game postponed following clubhouse explosion

The

May 21, following a natu-

gas explosion in its clubhouse at The Diamond that injured two plumbers installing a dryer.

“Today’s game has been officially postponed,” the Class-A California League team tweeted at 10:32 a.m. on Sunday “For any questions regarding tickets purchased, group outings, or more please call our Box Office which will be receiving calls today until 2 p.m. and Monday-Friday from 11a.m.-4 p.m. Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.”

The San Diego Padres’ affiliate had announced on social media Saturday that the 1:15 p.m. game against the Inland Empire 66ers “was expected to occur as previously scheduled.”

The team has not played since

see DIAMOND, page A-7

Valley News/File photo

‘Wish’ for electric bikes is fulfilled for Murrieta teen

As 15-year-old Gavin Valencia was facing his final round of chemotherapy, he was surprised Tuesday, May 2, with the gift of electric bikes for his entire family thanks to the Make-A-Wish Orange County Inland Empire chapter and Super73. After being diagnosed with leukemia and going through treatments, the Murrieta teen submitted a letter to the nonprofit foundation in December 2022.

“I have always had big dreams and wishes of what I can be and what I can experience,” Valencia said.. “I never would have imagined I would be writing a letter to Make-A-Wish. I still have big dreams and I know that I will accomplish all my goals, I just have to focus on my health in a different way for a while.”

Valencia explained that he

see BIKES, page A-4

Headliner Brad Paisley performs on the Pala Casino Main Stage at the

Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival at Lake Skinner

May 20. See stories and more photos on pages B-1 and B-4.

Country music star Sara Evans sings on the Pala Casino Main Stage at the

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

The Super73 mascot celebrates with Make-A-Wish recipient Gavin Valencia in Irvine Tuesday, May 2, along with his mother Stephanie Paramo and her fiancé Jay Rodriquez. Valley News/Super73 photo

A natural gas explosion in the clubhouse at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore have resulted in three consecutive game postponements.

Murrieta Council approves safer police officer equipment, improved park playgrounds

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Better ways to “Connect With Community” were seen by the Murrieta City Council with their unanimous approval Friday, June 16, to improve seven local park playgrounds, add playground equipment to two of those parks and provide Murrieta police officers with better body cameras and more effective non-lethal taser guns.

The action to make their city’s police officers’ lives and the even the lives of some perpetrators safer during capture came with the city council giving their approval to police Chief Anthony Conrad’s request to renew its contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. with $1,954,993.36 for much better public video surveillance solutions on their police officers’ body cameras that they are required to use on call, and the associated software on their police cars and central dispatch to keep track of their locations and subsequent actions.

Not only will the contract provide improved surveillance equipment but also laser-guided taser guns that provide a more accurate aim and longer range.

The new Axon Taser 10 that officers will use has the capability to fire off at least 10 shots at an accurate laser-guided distance of 45 feet versus their current tasers that have less shots and shorter ranges which provides them with capturing individuals quicker without need of dangerous physical force for both suspect and officer, according to Conrad.

The new body cams officers are required to use in Murrieta since 2019, will now turn themselves on when an officer begins to answer a dispatch call as well as cameras mounted in most of their cars. The response along with their location is also recorded and taped at the police station for use by dispatcher and other officers involved.

Conrad pointed out the recordings of the action and any case brought before the dis trict at -

torney now must be available for the courts which also becomes a key to any prosecutions and the vindication of officer action.

“They are a game changer for us,” one council member said, following the presentation and the positive 5-0 vote.

The on the “more fun,” action, according to Murrieta Mayor Lisa DeForest, was the approval of a purchase order for Landscapes Structure Inc. and Gameline, Michael Baker International, Answer Advisory, in the amount of $1,658,659,09 for the replacement of aging playground equipment in seven city parks and the addition of new playground equipment in two of the parks without any at this time. The purchase will require Community Improvement Program funding and the use of reserves for a total of $2,104,500.

The parks that currently have old and unserviceable playground equipment are Palomar, Oak Terrace, Alta Murrieta, Eastgate, Ra ncho Acacia, Sycamore and Firefighters parks. The equipment

replaced with different themes like a spaceport. pirate ship or firehouse with the current worn out foam base to chipped wood which is termed much safer.

The two parks currently without playground equipment for children are Northstar and Monte Vista parks that will have a brand new playground with new equipment with jungle gyms, slides and other amenities that will include considerations for disabled children. The council learned that once the contracts are signed it will take up to six months to have them installed by the playground firms.

Murrieta currently has 53 parks, some with other playground equipment that is still available without need of repair.

In other business, a third quarter budget update was discussed which included some adjustments and the acceptance of a Senate CalRecycle Bill 1383 Local Assistance Grant to help residents adjust to the new organic waste disposal rule passed down by the

California Legislature. The grant basically provides education for residents of how to properly dispose of organic waste separated from other green waste. The cost of the program is being borne by a small increase in residential refuse bills which was not through any city action but as an unfunded mandate.

There was a Certificate of Recognition to residents Ed and Leslie Chenal who were seen day after day walking and taking the time to pick up trash and other unwanted items on some city streets near a school. They were praised by the city council for their unselfish acts in making the community a better place to live and enjoy.

The council also proclaimed the week as part of the “National Public Works Week” and praised the city service staff for their continuing efforts to keep the city streets and facilities clean and safe. Twelve consent items were approved that can be seen on the city council meeting website.

Menifee outlines 15th anniversary activities, honors outstanding students

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The city of Menifee, beginning to celebrate its 15th year anniversary, brought the city’s Community Services Department before the public to announce the upcoming anniversary plans for its residents to enjoy. The presentation of those plans was announced at the Wednesday, May 17, regular city council meeting.

Planned in preparation of the 15-year anniversary, 2008 to 2023, include 15 large city events, as explained by Mariana Mitchell, Community Services manager. Those events already included a Senior Expo and Wellness Fair and a Menifee Moonlight Market both at Central Park with outstanding attendance.

“This is a very special year for the city of Menifee,” she said.

Mitchell said the future events at city parks will include more Foodie Fridays, June 2 and Nov. 9; More Moonlight Markets, June 15 and July 21; Movies in Park at different parks, June 9, June 30 and July 13; a Go Skate Day, June 21, at AMR SkatePark; The Independence Day Celebration at

Wheatfield Park, June 24; Shakespeare in the Park, June 28, at AMR Park; A National Night Out, Aug. 1; A Clean Air Day, Oct. 7, at Mt. San Jacinto College and the Fall Festival and Birthday Bash, Oct. 21, at MSJC.

Menifee Community Services also brought students from local high schools Youth Leaders of Menifee to explain how many of its students are helping in the community and helping other students achieve their goals through volunteer service.

The Leaders Group is divided into three different teams, the Green Team that helps keep the city clean; the Youth Team that holds Youth Fairs and the Teen Team a coalition of students looking toward the future.

The Community Services also presented the Spring Tean awards for outstanding students in the quarter in their athletic, academic and citizenship. The three for the Spring quarter were announced and given special awards.

The department announced they are still taking reservations for city summer camp programs from preschool to teens at the city website’s summer camps information.

The council heard from city residents in the public comment session about available senior free transportation, need for school crossing guards, a new energy invention and new road construction problems. About a dozen consent items were approved with one being pulled until the next meeting.

In council member updates, Council member Lesa Sobek asked for an update on Fire Department’s station improvements and the progress being made in finding the location for a new station in the eastern unincorporated area of the city that is the center of new housing sales and development.

Fire Captain Lonnie Olsen said Riverside County is still looking for a location to place a new fire station in the east, where the city units have been helping service, but none has yet been found. Improvements needed in local fire stations are continuing with a new medic rescue unit now being manned in the Sun City area.

Earlier, the city honored The 9th Shield security firm for their outstanding services offered to local businesses and assistance to the Menifee Police Department in

many areas helping with Neighborhood Watch to skip tracing bail jumpers. The firm has grown in the city with over 120 employees with

a number volunteering in police and fire department programs. Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

Menifee to commemorate 15-year anniversary with 15 community events

From Menifee Moonlight Markets to Shakespeare in the Park, residents will have numerous opportunities to celebrate Menifee’s 15 years of cityhood and receive exclusive giveaways.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, the City of Menifee will be featuring 15 exciting events leading up to a spectacular Birthday Bash as part of the 2023 Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Mt. San Jacinto College, 28237 La Piedra Rd., starting at 4 p.m.

The Menifee 15 events are sure to entertain, enthuse and excite residents and visitors alike. They range from moonlight markets to foodie affairs and family-friendly favorites. All of the celebrations are free admission to the public and are suitable for all ages.

“We are very excited to share in celebrating this special milestone with the entire Menifee community,” Mayor Bill Zimmerman said. “The City of Menifee has seen a great deal of progress over the last 15 years, and we remain committed to enhancing the quality of life for our residents.”

Come out to one, or all, of the 15 events planned to ring in the next chapter of this thriving city. There will be opportunities to collect unique-themed giveaways and collectible items at each event. Menifee 15 events include:

• June 2: Foodie Friday @ Mt. San Jacinto College from 6-9 p.m.

• June 9: Movies in the Park @ Talavera Park from @ 6-10 p.m.

• June 16: Menifee Moonlight Market @ La Ladera Park from 6-10 p.m.

• June 21: Go Skate Day @ Audie Murphy Ranch Skatepark from noon-8 p.m.

• June 24: Independence Celebration @ Wheatfield Park from 4-9:30 p.m.

• June 30: Movies in the Park @ Remington Park from 6-10 p.m.

• July 13: Movies in the Park @ Nova Park from 6-10 p.m.

• July 21: Menifee Moonlight Market @ Centennial Park from 6-10 p.m.

• July 28: Shakespeare in the Park @ Audie Murphy Ranch from 6-10 p.m.

• Aug. 1: National Night Out @ La Ladera from 5-8 p.m.

• Sept. 1: Foodie Friday @ MSJC from 6-9 p.m.

• Oct. 7: Clean Air Day @ MSJC from 9 a.m.-noon

• Oct. 21: Fall Festival and Birthday Bash @ MSJC from 4-8 p.m.

The City of Menifee was officially established on Oct. 1, 2008. Residents of the Menifee Valley voted to incorporate and form Menifee as Riverside County’s 26th city on June 3, 2008.

Submitted by the City of Menifee.

Menifee|SanJacinto|Temecula

Hemet man to be honored in France for secret service during WWII

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

William “Bill” Becker enlisted in the military in 1944 and at the age of 18, he learned how to fly Liberator bombers for the United States Army Air Corps. He was then assigned duties that aided the French Resistance by dropping supplies over France, Norway, Belgium and Italy.

Becker, now 97, was part of a crew that ran clandestine missions deep inside German-occupied territories. The U.S. Office of Strategic Services, which was a precursor to the CIA, called this effort Operation Carpetbagger. The modified B-24 Liberator aircraft used for the nighttime missions were referred to as “carpetbaggers.” The OSS authorized more than 1,860 missions between England and various points in occupied Europe between January and September of 1944. The topsecret OSS played a pivotal role in destabilizing Nazi Germany.

A sergeant and gunner, Becker said that as the air arm of the OSS, the crew was given missions that included flying agents, weapons, ammunition, explosives and other military supplies to resistance groups, which was done under the cover of darkness. “We gave the resistance the ammunition to stop the Germans,” he said. “We were told that if we didn’t do what we did, the war would have lasted another two years.”

Becker said, “As gunner, my job was protecting the plane. I sat in the top turret where I could see everything.” Agents and crated supplies were dropped by parachute through the opening left by removal of the aircraft’s belly turret. The planes were painted black matte all around to avoid any reflection. All flights were made on moonlit nights so that visual navigation could be made by using rivers, lakes, railroad tracks and towns as checkpoints. On flights to French targets, the aircraft crossed the coast at around 6,000 feet to avoid light anti-aircraft fire, dropping to 500 feet or so to avoid night fighters once inland.

“We were told nothing about what we were doing,” Becker said, adding that only the pilot and navigator knew where they were flying and there was total radio silence once they got in the air. “We didn’t know the agents we dropped off. They got in at the last minute and entered from the back of the plane. We called them Joe or Josephine. We didn’t even know who the members of the other OSS crews were.”

Becker said that even after leaving his military service in 1946, he was not allowed to discuss his OSS activities with anyone. In the 1980s, when information was declassified and Becker was able

to share his stories, he got involved with other “carpetbaggers” who host reunions. He continues to serve as reunion director, treasurer and newsletter editor of the 801st/492nd Bombardment Group Veterans Association. “I’m the only original carpetbagger left but the children of other carpetbaggers help with everything to keep our stories alive,” Becker said.

Carpetbaggers, such as Becker, were instrumental in helping France defeat their enemies. In one of the newsletters that Becker edits, a story explains that the French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and that Resistance cells were small groups of armed men and women who, in addition to their guerrilla warfare activities, were also publishers of underground newspapers, providers of first-hand intelligence information, and maintainers of escape networks that helped Allied soldiers and airmen trapped behind enemy lines. Members came from all economic levels and political leanings of French society and played a significant role in facilitating the Allies’ rapid advance through France following the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and the lesser-known invasion of Provence on August 15, by providing military intelligence on the German defenses. The Resistance also planned, coordinated and executed acts of sabotage on the electrical power grid, transportation facilities and telecommunications networks. It provided the country with an inspiring example of the patriotic fulfillment of a national imperative, countering an existential threat to French nationhood.

On June 6, Becker will return to France for a D-Day ceremony in Normandy. He will leave on Memorial Day, accompanied by Marine Corps Major Eric Fleming. Annual remembrances are held in France to commemorate the summer of 1944, beginning on June 6, when men from around the world were drawn into a bloody conflict that was fought out in Normandy. For the Allies, the issue was the obliteration of Nazi tyranny and for the Western Alliance, a return to freedom.

This will not be the first time Becker has been recognized for his important role with the OSS.

In September of 2013, Axel Cruau, Consul General of France in Los Angeles, presented five American veterans of WWII with the Legion of Honor medal. Becker was among those that participated in the ceremony where he received the highest French decoration. In his speech, the Consul General declared that it was “a privilege to express the gratitude of the people

Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club’s Safety Town

for its 19th year

TEMECULA – Safety Town, sponsored by the Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club, will be held this year at Pauba Valley Elementary School in Temecula. It is the 19th year this program has been offered in the Temecula Valley. A nationally recognized program that began in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1937, it is a safe and interesting learning environment that is set up as a little town with buildings, pedal cars and street lights, simulating an actual town. Classes will be held from Monday through Friday, June 19-23, or June 23-30, from 9-11:30 a.m.

Safety Town is a five-day interactive program designed to introduce and teach five-to-eightyear-old children various aspects of safety. The curriculum focuses on lessons about life safety. In conjunction with the Temecula police and fire departments and other qualified teachers, the children are taught about safety principles and then placed in staged situations involving stranger safety, street safety, fire safety, bike safety and water safety. Other safety topics will be poison and drug prevention, emergency 911, animal and gun safety, electrical safety and disaster preparedness.

returns

“Of all the projects Temecula Sunrise Rotary has for the youth in our community, Safety Town is easily the most important and the most rewarding,” Roger Weber, president of Temecula Sunrise Rotary, said. “We sponsored middle school and high school students to Rotary leadership camps this year, we are giving thousands of dollars in scholarships to local graduating seniors, and we have prizewinning Rotary music competition winners, just to name a few ways we support our local youth. But our club is most proud of our many years of presenting Safety Town. This year’s event definitely is going to be the best yet. Since the registration fees do not begin to cover costs, it is our club’s contribution to the community to help make our children safe.”

The price is only $50 per child, $45 for each sibling and no child will be turned away. Early registration is recommended, as the classes are already filling up. To receive a registration form, call registrar Marti Treckman at 951-698-6116. More information is also available on the club’s Facebook page.

Submitted by Temecula Sunrise Rotary.

not only France, but the whole European continent and defend democracy and human rights.”

On Aug. 1, 2018, Becker was presented the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. The medallion was presented by Rep. Raul

“Sgt. Becker

risked their lives in service to this country. Sgt. Becker is a walking embodiment of American values and heroism.”

Ruiz told him, “Our country is forever indebted to you for your courage and service.”

Becker was the first American Airman to receive the Norwegian Defense Medal. During a ceremony on Feb. 20, 2019, Rear Admiral

Ole M. Sandquist, Norwegian Defense Attaché to the United States, presented him with the medal.

A Hemet resident for several years, Becker was born in The Bronx, New York in 1926. He has also lived in San Diego and Menifee for many years. He has two children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren that he enjoys spending time with.

William “Bill” Becker is a World War II veteran who served the U.S. Office of Strategic Services as a “carpetbagger.” Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

On display at Bill Becker’s residence in Hemet are salutes to his military service. At left, Rep. Raul Ruiz presents him with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2018; Becker is in bottom row and second from left in group photo taken during WWII; Becker in service with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photos

Five American veterans of World War II are presented with Legion of Honor medals by the Consul General of France in Los Angeles Axel Cruau in 2013. From left, Cruau, Capt. Theodore G. Bergman, Capt. Robert H. Meyer, Sgt. William Becker, Sgt. Barney W. Van Noy and Private First Class Dale E. Towers. Valley News/Courtesy photo of France to all the veterans of the second World War.” He said that all these men and women “left their homes to fight and liberate

Ruiz, who said,

and fellow OSS members

Promising new treatment for age-related and neurological diseases to be presented May 26

Editorial Dept. Valley News

FALLBROOK – North County Parkinson’s Support Group (NCPSG) Fallbrook invites all who are interested to join their monthly Parkinson’s Support Group meeting, Friday, May 26, 10 a.m. to noon at the Fallbrook Regional Health and Wellness Center, 1636 E. Mission Road in Fallbrook.

The guest speaker this month is Tom Casey with a talk on “Hope for Age-Related and Neurological Diseases.” Casey is the founder, chairman and CEO of Spectrum Plasma, dba as SpecPlasma, in San Marcos, Texas. It is the world’s first fully accredited blood bank to prescriptively supply blood plasma exclusively for out-ofhospital treatments.

Plasma has been in continuous use since the 1920s and its general safety and efficacy has long

always enjoyed riding dirt bikes with his father and his mother’s fiancé whom he considers to be his stepfather, Jay Rodriquez, adding that his mother, Stephanie Paramo, didn’t like dirt bikes.

“I am not able to control all of that power at this time so I would ask for electric bikes for me and my family,” he said in the letter.

Valencia said he wanted his wish to be something he could experience with all of them, because together they worked as a unit to conquer his cancer

“I know this is mainly my battle, but I couldn’t do it without them,” he said.

Make-A-Wish arranged to fulfill his wish at the Super73 headquarters in Irvine.

“Gavin had absolutely no idea we were going to Super73 or that his wish was being granted,” Paramo said. “He was totally speechless from the surprise.”

Super73 is an American lifestyle adventure brand that develops products to help fuse motorcycle heritage with youth culture. Founded in 2016 via Kickstarter, Super73 has quickly grown into one of the most recognizable electric vehicle brands i n the world with a passionate customer base including A-list celebrities, professional athletes and many others. For more information, visit https://super73.com.

Valencia was told that Rodriquez, who is a DJ, was meeting with a client for an event in Irvine at a family-friendly venue so he wanted the family to tag along. Valencia said he was excited to arrive at the Super73 headquarters, which he immediately recognized from its logo and branded trucks outside the office, but he had no idea what was waiting for him inside.

Many Super73 team members were thrilled to be at his wish reveal. Among them were Super73 co-founders, Michael Cannavo and Aaron Wong; Aratz Pinter, vice president of engineering; Erik Dunshee, vice president of design; Jake Perucca, director of performance marketing; Andrew Palos, director of events and community; Christiana Mullen, public relations and communications manager; Sean Goodwin, events project manager, and content team members Tristan Ervin, Shelby Thompson and Joel Martin Del Campo.

“Gavin lit up our office with his excitement and interest in what we do,” co-founder and chief marketing officer Cannavo said. “Everyone on our team was so excited to get to share what they do with him, and it was clear he had an impact on everyone he spoke to. It’s rare that we get to participate so closely in something like this and it was a moment no one here will soon forget. From watching those doors roll up to unveil his surprise to seeing the excitement on his face as he hit the throttle and took off, Gavin had an impact on everyone that day and we’re so glad to have him riding with us.”

A highlight of the event for Katelynn McDougall Leguizamo, manager of marketing and communications for Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, was watching Valencia take a tour of the Super73 head-

been proven. The use of plasma infusions in the United States is restricted only to the issuance of a prescription by a licensed physician.

Casey entered the IV business after graduating from the University of Connecticut, becoming McGaw Laboratories’ product manager (now B. Braun Medical) for IV, wound and urological irrigation, dialysis, pharm ad-mix, and small volume parenterals.

Casey left McGaw and cofounded the world’s largest compounding pharmacy/home infusion business that came to be known as Caremark. It is now known as CVS Coram and currently administers 20,000 outof-hospital infusions a month. He was also involved in the development of the world’s first pulsatile heart-bypass machine, has served as an officer and director of an infection control division of Kema Nobel, Sweden and president of a

quarters. He was sitting at a table and chatting with Cannavo, who casually asked Valencia what his favorite bike was. Without hesitation, Valencia said it was the Super73-RX Mojave, with no idea that was the exact bike that he was about to receive.

“After the reveal, Gavin made plans for future group rides at other Super73 retailers closer to his house,” McDougall Leguizamo said. “Hearing the hope and positivity he has for the future was so incredible and truly makes my job so enjoyable. I am so glad that Gavin has so much to look forward to as he continues to heal.”

Since Valencia made it clear to his wish granter that he really values quality time with his family and was so thankful for the love and support they have shown him during his treatment, Super73 was willing to accommodate his request for more than one e-bike. The company said e-bikes are great because people can ride farther with less effort; they don’t require a license or registration and are a sustainable alternative to cars for commuters. The RX Mojave retails at $3,995 and they were 100% donated for Gavin’s wish.

McDougall Leguizamo said that the cost of granting any child’s wish has gone up, just like most things have. “Having supporters like Super73 who can help us bring wishes to life by providing in-kind or donations toward wishes ensures that local children don’t wait any unnecessary time for their wishes to be granted,” she said.

Paramo said, “This gift has changed Gavin’s outlook in so many ways. We’ve struggled with Gavin being social because his social life changed so much after his diagnosis, but he’s been riding his new e-bike every day and I’m so proud of him. We as a family are filled with so much joy from this wish. We ride together as a family; we love the outdoors and these bikes were exactly what we needed. Gavin has wanted this bike since before his cancer and we are so grateful to our Make-AWish chapter for making Gavin’s wish come true; a thank you just isn’t enough.”

McDougall Leguizamo said, “Each wish is so special and unique just like the child who comes up with it. Our organization exists to help wish families take a step back from the challenges they are facing while empowering a child with the chance to choose a wish that’s unique to them, when so much else has been decided for them because of their health needs. In doing so, a wish creates hope for the future, happiness and memories for a whole family to cherish. In fact, in our 2022 Wish Impact Study 95% of wish alumni said they felt more hopeful for their future after their wish.”

Paramo said Valencia’s cancer journey started when he was struggling with fatigue and terrible migraines, which progressed to nosebleeds and bruising all over his body.

“At first, I didn’t think much of the fatigue because he had just started ninth grade and I figured he was growing and exhausted from riding bikes after school with friends. As his symptoms progressed, I wanted to make an

pharmaceutical company.

Additionally, Casey has been twice nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year and served 10 years as a member of the University of California, San Diego Industrial Liaison Committee, and a member of the UCSD Chancellor’s Advisory Council.

In addition to the speaker presentation, Breakout groups held for a time of sharing, coffee and refreshments will follow the program.

Our meeting is held in sup

port of persons with Parkinson’s disease, care partners and people interested in improving the world of those affected by Parkinson’s disease, on the fourth Friday of every month. For more information, call Irene, 760-731-0171 or Lorie, 760-453-3045 or email NCPSGF@gmail.com S ubmitted by the Fallbrook Parkinson’s Support Group

appointment with his primary physician and I knew he needed to be seen in person because of the bruising, but only telehealth appointments were available,” Paramo said. “I trusted my gut and drove him to the closest emergency room to have him looked at.”

Valencia was seen right away, and bloodwork was ordered.

Around 11:30 p.m. that day he was transported to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, and the family received a diagnosis the following afternoon.

“Gavin was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia,” Paramo said. “We spent about a month in the hospital where he received chemotherapy seven days a week for the first 29 days, followed by chemotherapy five days a week which took place at the hospital and at home.”

Since his diagnosis, Valencia has had a lot of procedures including lumbar punctures, a bone marrow procedure, surgery on both eyes, insertion of a PICC line and a port in his chest for chemotherapy.

“With the help of volunteers, donors and supporters, we grant wishes almost every day across

If anyone is looking to get involved or donate to help wish children like Gavin, visit http:// wish.org/ocie.

To visit Gavin’s support Instagram page, follow @gavstrong_.

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This patient received a 1 liter yFFP® plasma exchange four months ago. The outcomes are a home run – aging has slowed 37% and the pace of aging was 1.1 and is now 0.8. Valley News/Courtesy photo

BIKES from page A-1

Jay Rodriquez, Gavin Valencia and Stephanie Paramo try out the Super73 e-bikes that were presented to Gavin during a Make-A-Wish reveal in Irvine. Valley News/Super73 photos

Make-A-Wish team members and supporters celebrate the fulfillment of Gavin Valencia’s wish for e-bikes for his family.

Gavin Valencia is all smiles as he rides his new Super73-RX Mojave e-bike for the first time at the Super73 headquarters in Irvine. Orange County and the Inland Empire,” McDougall Leguizamo said. “Since our chapter’s inception 40 years ago, we have granted 7,879 local wishes for children with critical illnesses.”

High school junior recognized for his citizenship and leadership qualities

Special to Valley News

Donald Downs is a junior at Mountain View High School in San Jacinto. His principal Ken Swanson selected him as the school’s choice for the Good Citizenship Award sponsored by the Riverside County Bar Association as part of its annual Law Day Celebration. The awards were presented in a public ceremony at the Riverside Historic Courthouse on May 4. “I felt like I didn’t deserve the award because I didn’t think I was doing anything special; I was doing what I thought was right,” Donald said. “I don’t feel like I do anything that sets me apart from my peers except maybe that I show everyone respect.”

While there are no specific criteria for the selection, the RCBA said nominated students all share many of the qualities they expect to see from good citizens: “they care, they participate and they make a difference.”

Swanson said Donald’s actions have been noticed and appreciated by many at his school. “Donald is a friend to all. He is welcoming and kind. Donald is involved in multiple school activities such as AP computer science, coding and e-sports clubs and ASB. He was elected to the school site council by his peers and is a voting member. He helps to shape the decisions made on our campus. He is a model student.”

Donald, 16, began attending the alternative Mountain Heights Academy and then Mountain View High School because of COVID. His parents say it has been a good fit for him and he has excelled academically and socially. He has two sisters, Karolina, 22, and Annabelle, 9. His mother, Sarah Downs, said Donald has always been helpful and caring.

“He has a big heart,” his father,

Chris, said. “Unfortunately, he knows what it is like to be bullied, so I believe he never wants anyone to feel like that. We raised him to respect everyone, especially his elders.”

Donald said he tries to help his friends break their bad habits, and he is always there to listen to any problems they want to share.

Sarah said, “We guided Donald in the direction of integrity; he was raised to respect everyone no matter who they are. But I do believe he naturally has a good heart. We have an open-door policy in our house, where if we have a problem or need to talk about anything, we talk about it, no matter what.”

She and Chris were very proud of Donald at the RCBA ceremony, which Sarah admits was very emotional and beautiful. Each student selected from participating high schools received public recognition, a certificate of award, prestige and distinction, and a small cash award from the RCBA and Lawyer Referral Service. In addition to the certificates from RCBA and the Riverside County Superior Court, recipients received certificates from various state and federal representatives.

The Good Citizenship Awards Program was established in 1981. The RCBA has found this event to be an excellent way to celebrate Law Day. Members feel that too often, local outstanding youth fail to receive the recognition they deserve. This is an opportunity to give positive recognition to exemplary student citizens.

Donald was also selected by the San Jacinto Rotary Club to attend RYLA, an acronym for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. It is a three-day camp for high school juniors to interact with other students from their Rotary district in order to realize their potential for leadership. RYLA chair John Norman Sr. organizes the contact with schools, interviews, transportation,

funding and follow-up from the experience.

“The camp is designed to give students the opportunity to embrace who they are, what skills they possess and how to cultivate these skills in developing relationships with others with regard to leading and following,” Norman said. “The reason that juniors are chosen is so they can bring these skills back to their school situation and act on them for the following year.”

Each year the Rotary district that the San Jacinto chapter is part of usually offers two camps during the spring of the school year in the mountains at Thousand Pines Camp, near Lake Arrowhead. This year, due to inclement weather, only one camp was held, which was in April.

“My experience with the Rotary Club was great,” Donald said. “I learned that it’s okay to fail, the only thing that matters is how you bounce back off the fail. I liked the games they had, and the speakers that were there. I feel like from the Rotary Club RYLA camp I was able to do stuff I was too scared to do before.”

Norman said students, both boys and girls, are chosen through a competitive interview process. In some cases, students are chosen as to their potential rather than their accomplishments. “In the inter-

Please

view process, the student’s perceived benefit from the program may outweigh their scholastic achievement, but mostly we look at a well-rounded individual who has potential as well,” he said.

Donald’s plans after high school are to pursue a degree in computer science, his favorite subject at school. He said he likes the struggle and eventual successful results of making an app or game.

Swanson said. “It is important to acknowledge the students who are doing all the right things. We hear about the kids who are doing

all the wrong things on a regular basis. It is nice for the public to know that there are millions of kids who do the right thing every day without being asked. By celebrating our good citizens, we let them know that other people are noticing what they are doing and the positive impact they are having on our community. The more young people we can celebrate, the better off we will be in the future.”

For more information, https:// riversidecountybar.com/foundation/good-citizenship-awards and www.rotary.org.

Diane A. Rhodes

Donald Downs, recipient of the Riverside County Bar Association Good Citizenship Award, inside the Riverside Historic Courthouse on May 4.

All high school juniors honored by the Riverside County Bar Association gather inside a courtroom in Riverside for the Good Citizenship Awards ceremony, May 4. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Donald Downs is one of the recipients of the 2023 Riverside County Bar Association Good Citizenship Award.

Donald Downs outside the Riverside Historic Courthouse after receiving the RCBA Good Citizenship Award on May 4.

Soboba hosts Inter Tribal Sports co-ed softball championships

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Special to Valley News

After eight weeks of intense playing at various reservations, Inter Tribal Sports co-ed softball teams made their way to the Soboba Indian Reservation for the championship tournament on Saturday, May 13. Three age divisions were represented by the A-, B- and C-Leagues. Five teams made up the A-League for 18 and under: Pala, Pauma, Pechanga, San Jacinto (Torres Martinez Tribal T.A.N.F. members) and Soboba. The seven teams in the B-League for 14-U were Cahuilla, Morongo, Pala, Pechanga, San Jacinto, Santa Ysabel and Viejas. Eleven teams of players aged 11-U comprised the C-League; they were Barona, Cahuilla, Morongo, Pala, Pauma, Pechanga, San Jacinto, San Pasqual, Santa Ysabel, Soboba and Viejas.

Bracket play began at 10 a.m. on two fields at the Soboba Sports Complex and four fields at The Oaks, where all the C-League games were played. After all the balls were pitched and hit and all the runs were scored, Pechanga swept all three leagues to take home the first place trophies.

Inter Tribal Sports Inc. Executive Director Isaiah Thompson said there were 524 athletes taking part in the eight-week co-ed softball season this year. He said Soboba offers the most fields to accommodate numerous teams playing at once.

“Historically, we’ve always had our championships at Soboba,” he said. “The tournament was great as it allowed our athletes a place to compete with their Tribe while also celebrating the end of the season.”

Each game was scheduled for 60 minutes, with no new inning allowed to begin past the 50-minute mark. The first game of the entire day matched Pala with San Jacinto, which Pala went on to win and move ahead in the A-League bracket to compete against Pechanga at 11:15 a.m. Pechanga then moved ahead to the final game of the day against Pauma, held at 12:45 p.m. at the Sports Complex’s Field 1.

In B-League action, Pechanga beat Santa Ysabel to advance to a final game against Morongo at 3:15 p.m. Pechanga’s C-League team

beat San Jacinto, then Pala and then Santa Ysabel to end the day with a win against San Pasqual for the final game that began at 3:15 p.m.

Gary Jordan, coach for the San Jacinto team, said it was a fun day that gave his players another expe-

rience and some good outdoor exercise. Players had the opportunity to rotate through positions to find ones they liked best. Pitcher Richard Peralta, 17, said he just got back into playing softball with ITS this year and was enjoying it.

NEEDS

“I like how everyone works together and encourages each other by saying positive things about their play,” Richard said.

Pala’s Raul Martinez, 14, who took his turn at pitching, has been with the ITS program for a while. He pitched several strikes as well as getting runners out at first base with his targeted throwing skills. His mother, Jennifer Trujillo, said she likes the way Inter Tribal Sports is structured.

“I like how they take care of the kids and just let them play,” she said. “They get to know other people from other reservations and learn new skills. It’s nice to see so many of these kids growing up and how they’ve changed and matured over the years.”

Antonia Briones-Venegas was in the stands at Field 2 of the Sports Complex to watch her 14-year-old son Kevin play for the Soboba team. He’s been playing ITS sports since he was six and got in some great hits as well as catches when balls were sent flying to left field by the opposing Pauma team.

“I like that ITS offers sports year-round and all different sports,” Antonia said. “Kevin likes that they added golf. He gets to meet kids from other reservations and they like co-ed because they can play with their girl cousins.”

Coach Mike Durrett led his Soboba team in some great softball action against the undefeated Pauma team, who ended up winning by one point at the end of the time limit.

Pauma Coach Jolene Majel said her team is made up of “just really great players; all can hit, all can field

and they play really well together.”

She said ITS is very family-oriented and most of these athletes have grown up together and playing sports together is a good way for all the kids to gel together.

Along with enforcing the regular rules of the game, ITS umpires kept players in check regarding ITS-specific rules regarding respect and decorum on the field. They also provided positive reinforcements to youths who made an effort to help other players, even those on opposing teams.

Head umpire Ryan Liebengood has been with ITS for 10 years, so he’s known many of the kids in the program almost their entire lives. He said the program is great for kids to have fun playing recreational sports. “They need this in the worst way, especially on the reservations,” he said. “This program has changed a lot of kids’ lives in positive ways. And we have love for these kids –we want to be here. We encourage relationships as well as bond with them ourselves.”

Noah Malina of Temecula is another umpire who has been with ITS for about four years. “I like the competitiveness the sports offer these kids. They get to try everything,” he said. “It’s where fun begins.”

Inter Tribal Sports is a nonprofit organization that started with flag football in 2002 and quickly expanded to add other sports. Currently, basketball (whose signups are closing soon) is the most popular sport with softball a close second. For more information, www. intertribalsports.org

Soboba’s Kevin Venegas gets a base run against Pauma during the Inter Tribal Sports Softball championships on Saturday, May 13.

Raul Martinez pitches for Pala during his team’s first game at the Soboba Sports Complex on Saturday, May 13.

A Pala team member makes a catch during their first game of the ITS Softball championship tournament at the Soboba Sports Complex.

Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Pauma pitcher Geronimo Poling gets ready to catch a ball hit by a Soboba team member during their first game at the Soboba Sports Complex.

The B-League winner of the 2023 Inter Tribal Sports Softball championship at Soboba May 13 is the team from Pechanga. Valley News/ITS courtesy photo

Mother addresses TVUSD board regarding obscene material

Julie Reeder

Publisher

A mother of a Temecula Valley High School student, Mrs. Nolasco, presented to the TVUSD board excerpts from a play that her sophomore daughter was made to read for drama class. She had first sent an email to the drama teacher, Mr. Bailey and TVHS Principal Lione, regarding her concerns with the assignment her daughter was given, to read “Angels in America,” which included obscene material.

Ironically, when she sent her email, because of the explicit content of her message, the email never reached it’s destination because of system filters. So what her 15-yearold daughter was exposed to and made to read, the administrators and the teacher were protected from seeing.

“I believe tha the profane and explicit material found in this literature and the fact that it was assigned to my 15-year -old minor child without my knowledge or consent is unconscionable. My daughter would be unable to attend a rated R movie legally, yet she is assigned

material that is not only sexually explicit, but sexually violent in nature.

In one scene, the dialogue between two of the characters is as follows:

Man: What do you want?

Louis: I want you to f*** me, hurt me, make me bleed.

Man: I want to.

Louis: Yeah?

Man: I want to hurt you.

Louis: F*** me

Man: yeah

Louis: Hard

(They begin to f***)

It goes on in this scene to describe the characters actually having sex. In addressing the board, she mentions that the “F” word is found 109 times in the play and that the men, who are strangers, are having unprotected sex, using hallucinogenic drugs, and this all happens in a public park between strangers.

She goes on to say, “My question to both of you, Mr Bailey and Principal Lione - ‘What is the justification for assigning this material to a minor child in high school?

Sh e makes the point she should have been able to opt her daughter out of such an assignment and that she was 60 pages into it before she

came to her mom, traumatized, and upset. “This is a clear violation of her innocence, as well as Title IX.”

She also made the point that she found federal laws that prevent the distribution of obscene content to minors.

This title was one of 10 the students could choose from. The mother made the point that the description did not include the graphic nature of the play, and it wasn’t the only play with objectionable material.

There have been protests over the last week with adults and students on the corner of Rancho and Yne z with signs supporting the drama teacher, Mr. Bailey, who was reported to have been placed on paid administrative leave while the school investigates the matter.

In the Facebook group Temecula Unity, many of the posters are in support of the drama teacher. One poster, Ian Donley, who identifies as a writer and gay, said the play in his opinion was clearly inappropriate for that age group. He wrote, “I don’t agree with book banning. I agree with being responsible. You wouldn’t put Fifty Shades of Grey

San Jacinto blaze burns over 300 acres

City News Service

Special to the Valley News

As of presstime on Tuesday, May 23, a brush fire that erupted just north of San Jacinto swept over hillsides, scorching roughly 328 acres and threatening homes and agricultural operations and prompting evacuations.

The non-injury blaze was 20% contained, the Riverside County Fire Department announced at 7:50 p.m. on Monday, May 22.

The fire was reported just after 2 p.m.on Monday in the Ramona Expressway and North Warren Road area, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Multiple engine and hand crews were sent to the location and encountered flames burning along barren hillsides, propelled by southwesterly winds.

Several Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters from the nearby Hemet-Ryan Airport made runs on the fire through the afternoon. As the flames moved west, they approached a residential area abutted by dairy farms, leading fire personnel to implement mandatory evacuations in the neighborhood bounded by Cottonwood Avenue to the south, Upperline Avenue to the north, Beech Street to the west and Warren Road to the east.

DIAMOND from page A-1

the explosion, which occurred at about 4:20 p.m. Friday, May 19.

Plumbers were purging a gas line, but the line did not burst and the explosion was not the result of a failure of equipment, Ahmad Solomon, a spokesman for SoCal Gas, told The Press-Enterprise on Saturday.

“While contractors were installing new equipment in the team facility, there was an unfortunate accident related to the work being done,” the team said in a statement issued Saturday. “The contractors assigned to the installation sustained injuries and we are keeping them in our thoughts at this time.

“Thanks in part to the fire safety systems, efficient work of Storm staff and the timeliness of CalFire, the players and staff sustained no injuries and the damages were isolated to a very small area within the new building. CalFire finished their investigation quickly and the City of Lake Elsinore has been out to assess the damages and to ensure that the area is safe,” the statement continued.

Multiple engine crews and other units were sent to the location and found the two victims suffering from moderate burns to different parts of their bodies, the Riverside County Fire Department reported.

Firefighters initially requested a helicopter to transport the patients but decided it would be faster to send them by ambulance to nearby Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment.

The Storm had a scheduled offday Monday, May 22, and is set to begin a six-game series at Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, May 23. Its next scheduled game at The Diamond is May 30.

At 5:45 p.m. on Monday, flames were within 100 feet of houses on Upperline Avenue and Cal Fire air tankers were summoned to drop retardant

and strengthen defensive lines, according to reports from the scene. An evacuation warning was issued to residents and agricultural operators within the area

in a high school library. Angels in America is too explicit for high schoolers. I just put a post in the group and even suggested other plays that could serve as a good middle ground.” Board member Jen Wiersma said, “The greater question is ‘Was there

bounded by Cottonwood to the south, Esplanade Avenue to the north, Beech Street to the west and Warren Road to the east.

Those evacuation orders were

any administrative oversight? Who had purview over allowing for the material to be utilized?’” Mrs. Nolasco’s request to the TVUSD Board of directors was that they “Create policy that will protect from this in the future.”

lifted at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, and residents were permitted to return to their homes, according see BLAZE, page A-8

Peripheral Neuropathy Breakthrough!

“My feet feel like they’re on re.”

“Each step feels like I’m walking through wet paint.”

“I live in constant fear that I’ll fall.”

“I can’t sleep, my hands and feet tingle all night.”

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

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

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

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

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

ey’ve been everywhere else.

ey’ve been told there’s no hope.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Protesters gather at the corner of Rancho California Rd and Ynez in support of the TVHS drama teacher who has been put on paid administrative leave after assigning material deemed obscene by a parent. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Murrieta Police investigating fatal traffic collision

On Thursday, May 18 at 6:31 p.m., Murrieta Police Department Dispatch Center received a report of a traffic collision involving a four-door sedan and a motorcyclist at the intersection of Whitewood Road and Hellebore Street.

Murrieta Police officers and personnel from Murrieta Fire & Rescue arrived on scene at 6:37 p.m. and discovered the male motorcyclist was unresponsive and not breathing. The driver of the sedan, a 17-year-old female, was not injured. Despite lifesaving measures by emergency personnel, the male later identified as

23-year-old Mason Young, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Through witness statements and physical evidence, officers learned the driver of the sedan was making a left turn from Hellebore Street onto the northbound lanes of Whitewood Road. Young, who was traveling south on Whitewood Road, broadsided the sedan at the driver’s side door and front quarter panel. No driver impairment or indicators of speed violations were discovered, and evidence suggests the primary collision factor to be failure to yield the right-of-way.

The Murrieta Police Department

Traffic Bureau is conducting a full investigation. Anyone with information related to this traffic collision who has not been contacted by a Murrieta Police officer or an investigator, is encouraged to contact Murrieta Police Traffic Investigator Anthony Datil at 951-461-6397 or adatil@murrietaca.gov or Traffic Bureau Sergeant Steve Whiddon at 951-461-6323 or swhiddon@ murrietaca.gov

Submitted by Murrieta Police Department

Firefighters extinguish five-acre fire in Lake Elsinore

City News Service Special to Valley News

Firefighters from the Riverside County Fire Department extinguished a brush fire Sunday, May 21, in Lake Elsinore.

The fire was reported just after 1 p.m. near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Strickland Avenue, and was extinguished by about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The fire was initially reported as being approximately one acre in size but grew to five, according to the RCFD.

The road was closed between the intersections of Riverside and Strickland and Riverside and Collier Avenue while firefighters worked.

There were no initial injury reports.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Trial date set for ex-cop who fatally shot mentally impaired

Corona man

City News Service Special to Valley News

An Aug. 23 trial date was confirmed Friday, May 19, for an ex- cop accused of fatally shooting a developmentally disabled man in a Corona Costco, as well as critically wounding the victim’s parents, all of whom were unarmed, in what the former lawman contended was an act of self-defense.

Sanchez is free on a $155,000 bond.

The shooting occurred on the evening of June 14, 2019, inside the Costco at 480 N. McKinley St., where 32-year-old Kenneth French was killed and his parents, Russell and Paola French, all of Corona, were wounded.

gun was Sanchez, according to testimony. Gagnon said he checked the wounded individual — Russell French — to whom the off-duty policeman was motioning, but there was no gun.

ber 2019 took the matter to the 19-member county grand jury, and the panel declined to indict Sanchez, culminating in the California Department of Justice ultimately filing charges.

According to Sanchez’s civil attorney, David Winslow, his client was dazed, and when he saw his son next to him screaming, he “had no choice but to use deadly force.”

Salvador

Alejandro Sanchez, 34, of Corona is charged with voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm resulting in great bodily injury for the 2019 shooting.

During a status hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jason Armand conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding trial scheduling, and the two sides tentatively agreed to be prepared to move forward with proceedings during the last week of August.

A witness at the defendant’s preliminary hearing last August, William Gagnon, testified that he was in the store, searching for items, when he misplaced his keys and went looking for them along the main aisle. He heard shots ring out, resulting in several moments of chaos. The witness said that when things settled down, he went to where he saw four people lying on the floor.

“I saw one guy with a gun in his right hand, pointing it at another person on the ground,” Gagnon testified. “I asked him, ‘Where’s the gun?’ and he said, ‘He still has it in his hand! He still has it in his hand!’”

The person pointing the hand-

Man found dead on Murrieta park bench

City News Service

Special to Valley News

An investigation was underway into the death of a 32-year-old man found slumped over on a Murrieta park bench on Friday, May 19.

Casey Mena of Murrieta was spotted by passersby about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in Town Square Park, raising concerns because he was motionless, according to the Murrieta Police Department.

The agency said patrol officers were sent to investigate and confirmed that Mena had died at the scene.

“The department’s Detective

Bureau is conducting a full investigation,” according to an agency statement.

A possible cause of death could not immediately be ascertained.

An autopsy was pending at the Riverside County Coroner’s Office, police said.

“There are ... no threats to public safety associated with this investigation,” according to the police department.

It was unknown why Mena may have been in the park, other than to rest on the bench.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 951461-6362.

The witness said before walking over to check on Kenneth French, he saw the mortally wounded man’s mother lying on the floor, pleading, “Help me, help me.”

Store employees and other witnesses soon began rendering aid to the wounded husband and wife, while Gagnon knelt beside Kenneth French.

“I stayed with him for five or 10 minutes,” he said. “I took his right hand and tried talking to him, but he didn’t respond. Then he appeared to stop bleeding, and there was no more labored breathing.”

According to Corona police investigators, only Sanchez was armed and fired 10 shots from his off-duty pistol.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office in Septem -

BLAZE from page A-7

to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Warren Road has reopened

In the summer of 2020, the Los Angeles Police Commission determined the Costco shooting reflected unjustifiable use of force, and Sanchez was booted from the Los Angeles Police Department.

The French family filed a lawsuit against the LAPD, the city of Los Angeles and Sanchez at the end of 2019 for negligence and civil rights violations. An L.A. jury in November 2021 ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding them $17 million.

The victims were shopping when they approached a food sample table with sausages, where the defendant was also standing, holding his then-18-month-old son. No one has disputed that, for reasons never determined, Kenneth French shoved the off-duty lawman to the ground.

between the Ramona Expressway and Esplanade Avenue, according to the department. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Tapes from body-worn cameras of Corona police officers who went to the scene captured statements from Sanchez indicating that he initially believed Kenneth French was holding a weapon. But the victim was not armed. Russell and Paola French said they pleaded with Sanchez not to shoot, telling the officer that their son, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was largely nonverbal, was ill.

Store security surveillance tapes showed the victims backing away from Sanchez when he fired. Kenneth French was shot once in the shoulder and three times in the back, while his mother was shot in the back, and her husband was shot in the abdomen, resulting in the loss of a kidney.

Fire personnel protect residential homes being threatened by the San Jacinto fire.

Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The 40th anniversary of the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival kicked off Thursday, May 18, with a special Media Day at the beginning of a much larger festival than ever before.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the event, hosted by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, signaled the beginning of weekend festivities that offered outstanding entertainment, hot air balloon rides, tastes of Temecula Wine Country’s best wines and craft beers, along with dozens of vendors all under the skies at Lake Skinner Recreation Area in Winchester.

Awaiting the expected huge crowds on a beautiful weather weekend were almost 1,300 volunteers, smiling vendors, Chamber officials, public safety personnel, parking attendants and busy hot air balloon pilots, their ground crews and nonprofit representatives.

Food trucks lined the outer perimeter of the festival grounds

with posted menus from Asian and European cuisine to American standard foods. The wine and beer garden showed off many of the best Wine Country wines and craft beer brews for sale to thirsty patrons. The grounds were surrounded with vendor booths offering many kinds of merchandise from Hawaiian clothing to aromatic soaps, vacation trip offers, shiny jewelry, business information, nonprofit and church invitations, entertainment groups and dozens of other attractions.

The Pala Casino Main Stage where one of the top country artists, Brad Paisley, performed Saturday night, was surrounded by beer and wine booths, the VIP Club, and this year’s title sponsor Pala Casino Private Lounge. Other performers during the weekend included on Friday: John Waite, Night Ranger and a special performance by REO Speedwagon; Saturday: Brandon Calhoon, Tenille Arts, Sara Evans; and Sunday: Calhoon again with Callista Clark, Dylan Scott and Scotty McCreery.

On the free Wine Stage, more

than a dozen well-known national and local entertainers were scheduled to delight the crowds in the afternoon and evening. Key entertainers over the weekend on that stage were Colt Ford, The Lacs and The English Beat.

Many colorful and majestic hot air balloons, always the center of attention, hissed as they rose to the cooler skies with delighted first-time and experienced flyers throwing kisses to the wide-eyed crowds below. Tethered balloons brought confidence to the more flight-anxious visitors. Cost for their first time in a lifetime experience was nominal for the memory.

This year there was something very special in the hot air balloon world: the huge 120,000 cubic foot Pala Casino balloon, which gave many disabled visitors a chance to “Reach for the Stars,” as it was designed especially to accommodate wheelchairs. The new balloon, named the “Pala Spirit,” was already seen high in the sky over Temecula by many on April 5 with several special handicapped passengers aboard.

During the festival, Pala Tribal Chairman Robert H. Smith watched as the Pala Spirit lifted off with their first customers May 18.

“This is my first time being here,” Smith said. “It’s amazing.”

Temecula Mayor Pro Tem James Stuart said, “The city is honored to have this festival in our community. It started 40 years ago in

Hot air balloons including the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival main sponsor, Pala Casino balloon prepare to take flight during a media day event. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Ava Sarnowski watches as hot air balloons take flight at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival media day event.

Danielle Brown, 6, helps her family prepare their hot air balloon during the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival media day event.

Hot air balloons take flight with guests during the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival media day event. see FESTIVAL, page B-4

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

May 29 – 8 a.m. Memorial Day 5K, 10K and Kids 1K Run at Diamond Valley Lake, 1901 Angler Lake Road, Hemet to honor those who have fought for our freedoms. Register at https://bit.ly/runmemorialday2023

June 14 to July 22 - Find Your Voice Summer Reading Program for Children 3 to 18 at the Hemet Public Library at 300 E. Latham Ave., Hemet. Sign up using www. hemetca.beanstack.com.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

May 26 – The City of Menifee offers in-city or out-of-city special event vendor applications online or at Menifee City Hall. To apply for signature and other special events, contact Menifee City Hall, 29844 Haun Road at 951-672-6777 or businesslicensing@cityofmenifee. us May 27 – 6:30 a.m. A Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day Observance Concert with Maestro John Mario leading the Temecula Valley Symphony at the Temecula Civic Center, 41000 Main St., Old Town Temecula. Free family friendly event. Lawn chairs and blankets recommended.

May 27 – 8 a.m Memorial Day flags are placed on every grave to honor our military heroes by Honoring Our Fallen at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, 22495 Van Buren Blvd.

May 27 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Birth Choice of Hemet Car and Motorcycle Show at the 412 Church, 1450 W. 7th St., San Jacinto. $35 car registration 951-240-3006.

May 29 – 8 a.m. Murrieta Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at the Town Square Park & Amphitheater. See the Murrieta Veterans Memorial.

May 29 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hemet Heritage Foundation annual

Pioneer-Heritage Memorial Day Picnic at T.H.E. Center Ranch, 27260 Girard St., Hemet. Free. Bring your own picnic or enjoy one of the food items available for purchase. Picnic tables are provided or bring your own chairs. Info at 951-658-7790 or bpolk@ thecenterranch.org

May 29 – 11 a.m. Memorial Day

Motorcycle Ride with West Coast Thunder and concert at the Lake Elsinore Storm Diamond, 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore. Tickets $35. Visit registration.

westcoastthunder.com.

May 29 – 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Memorial Day 5K run to benefit VFW Post 1956 at Central Park, 30268 Civic Plaza Dr. in Menifee.

A Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony will be held, beginning at 10 a.m. to include special presentations, guest speakers, special flyover, wreath laying and a remembrance message. For more information, contact the Community Services Department at 951-723-3880 or visit www. cityofmenifee.us/special events.

May 29 – 8 a.m. Memorial Day 5K, 10K and Kids 1K Run at Diamond Valley Lake, 1901 Angler Lake Road, Hemet to honor those who have fought for our freedoms. Register at https://bit.ly/runmemorial day2023

June 3 - 5:45 p.m. Chansons

Epiques: A vocal recital of epic songs will be performed by baritone John Polhamus and pianist Hollace Jones at the Holy Martyrs Catholic Church, located at 39022 Sky Canyon Dr. in Murrieta. Donations are accepted, but the performance is free. Drinks and appetizers will be provided.

June 15-July 27 – 7 p.m. Temecula’s Summer Concert Series begins with a great line-up of local bands at the Temecula Amphitheater, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the final outdoor concert at Temecula’s Civic Center, 41000 Main Street, starting at 6:30 p.m. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks.

ONGOING – Riverside Transportation Commission is offering Park and Ride lots to connect with carpools, vanpools and transit systems in Beaumont at 600 E. Sixth Street, in San Jacinto at 501 S. San Jacinto Avenue and in Temecula at Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but not on weekends.

ONGOING – Sun City Civic Association Monthly Square Dance sessions are held Sundays from 1:30-5 p.m. at 26850 Sun City Boulevard.

ONGOING – If you know a homebound older adult, resources in Menifee are available, including grab-and-go, cooked and frozen food for pickup. Courtesy Pantry items and meals delivered with no contact. Three days of emergency food can be delivered immediately or restaurant meal delivery for those who don’t qualify for food assistance programs. Call 800-5102020 for help.

ONGOING – The Riverside County COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program is accepting online applications for

business grants up to $10,000 at www.rivercobizhelp.org that can be used for employee retention, working capital, personal protective equipment purchases, rent or mortgage payments and paying vendor notices. Eligible businesses, including nonprofits, must be in Riverside County, with a minimum of one but less than 50 employees and operating for at least one year since March 1. For more information, call Riverside County Business and Community Services at 951-955-0493.

ONGOING – 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Temecula Winchester Swap Meet continues, 33280 Newport Road in Winchester. Saturdays and Sundays only. The small local swap meet is only 50 cents for entry, and anyone under age 10 is free admission. No dogs allowed.

ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Sunday, Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Village Walk Place in Murrieta. The Sunday morning farmers market at Village Walk Plaza is a place to buy fruits and veggies, gourmet food and crafts. Come to the center in the northwest corner of Kalmia/ Cal Oaks at the Interstate 215 exit in Murrieta.

ONGOING – Temecula’s Farmers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Riverside County Public Health orders, the farmers markets will be restricted to agriculture products only. Follow the Old Town Temecula Farmers Market on Facebook to stay updated. No pets allowed.

WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, NOTICES

May 26-31 – Daily Emerging Artist Mural celebrating Mother’s and Father’s Day on display at Monument Park, 23800 Mercedes St., Temecula, presented by the Temecula Community Services Dept. and Temecula Valley Museum. Painted by artist Sarah Ozolins of Bigfoot Art Classes.

May 26 – Temecula’s 13th annual Health & Community Resource Fair. Vendors needed in the fields of health and wellness that can provide free health screenings, community resources, emergency preparedness, public safety awareness and more. The fair will be held

on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Temecula Civic Center and Town Square, 41000 Main Street. For more information, please call 951-694-6464.

May 26 – The California State Fair Home Wine Competition invites people seeking to showcase their winemaking skills and receive professional feedback join the home winemaking contest. To enter, contact State@calexpo.com

The fair will be held in Sacramento, July 14-30, at 1600 Exposition Blvd.

May 25 – 6-7 p.m. Destress with Donuts at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library at 30600 Pauba Road, Temecula. Stressed out by life or finals? Take a moment to slow down and relax our first Destress with Donuts program for adults! 18 or over.

June 3 – 1-6 p.m 1st Annual Temecula Valley Hay Day Reunion at Vail Ranch HQ, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Join with the many “oldtimers” of the Temecula Valley for talks with old friends and see memorabilia from events and businesses before cityhood. Outdoor event. Music and vendors on hand.

June 24 – 5-8 p.m. Opening Night of the Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau’s summer Art Show and Kick-Off with local artists, receptions and no-host wine and craft beers. A youth ballet by Junior Company Showcase highlights the event. Tickets required. See www. the-nef.org for details and prices.

A nonprofit organization.

ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely? Help shop for the most needed items without leaving home as an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing. All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area. For drop-off locations and packaging locations, visit www.milvet.org/ military-care-packages.

ONGOING – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meeting meets the third Monday of each month at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth Street, in Temecula from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, email gaugustin206@ gmail.com or join the meeting.

ONGOING– Sons of Norway/ Scandinavia meets at noon the first Saturday of every month, Septem-

ber to June, at the Heritage Mobile Park Clubhouse, 31130 S. General Kearny Road, in Temecula.

ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a $21.95 fee. The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample tests, licensed instructor available to answer questions, DMV-approved certificate of completion with all lectures and exams completed from home. Designed for students and does not include behind-the-wheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-723-3880 or visit the city of Menifee to register at www. city of menifee.us.

ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m. Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.

ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit www. foodaddicts.org.

ONGOING – The Murrieta Garden Club meets each month at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. Anyone who likes to garden or is interested in plants is welcome. Membership is $10 per year. Find more information about the monthly event or project on Facebook.

ONGOING – Temecula Valley Rose Society meets each month. For more information and new meeting dates and places, visit www.temeculavalleyrosesociety. org

ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information.

ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit www.va.gov/homeless.

Rhythm On The Vine concert series hosts seven jazz performances at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

With their latest album, “Songs From The Swinghouse,” the band explores three cover tunes with seasoned vocalist, Billboard-recognized pop and R&B singer Elliot Yamin. Tizer’s regular collaborators are celebrated in their own right: Chieli Minucci, the threetime Emmy-winning and Grammy nominated guitarist and composer and Grammy award-winning saxophonist Eric Marienthal, who is a permanent member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band.

Gregg Karukas, Adam Hawley and Pamela Williams will be featured Sunday, Aug. 13.

rock with traditional Japanese folk music and instruments. The performance is their only SoCal concert this year.

Michael Paulo will perform with special guests Sunday, Sept. 10.

TEMECULA – South Coast

Winery Resort & Spa’s annual Rhythm on the Vine highly acclaimed jazz concert series returns starting Sunday, July 30, with another roster of performances to delight jazz aficionados. Produced in partnership with Michael Paulo and Apaulo Productions, this series presents world-famous jazz artists – recognized for their innovative jazz musicianship and memorable performances of this much-loved music genre. All concerts will take place in the

resort’s scenic Vintner’s Garden. Dining options include enjoying the food featured at The Vineyard Rose Restaurant, which will extend its hours for concert guests beginning at 5 p.m. – requiring reservations through Open Table. Multiple cash bars will be available during the concerts serving beer, wine and soft drinks and food will be available for purchase during the shows.

Lao Tizer All Stars Band featuring Chieli Minnuchi, Eric Marienthal and Elliot Yamin will perform Sunday, July 30.

Keyboardist, composer and producer Gregg Karukas, a prolific, genre-crossing veteran of smooth jazz, Brazilian, new age and R&B/ pop, is joined by Grammy-winning composer and innovative artist Adam Hawley, known for his groove-oriented approach to contemporary jazz and R&B. They perform with saxophonist Pamela Williams who tours the world electrifying audiences with her dynamic sound, exhibiting a stylish blend of flavors from Latin, jazz and funk to R&B, while working alongside greats such as Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Toni Braxton and others. Hiroshima Band is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27. After more than 30 years in the recording industry and almost four million records sold, Hiroshima creates music and sounds totally unique – with depth, heart and soul. Vibrant, eclectic and truly original, the 2010 Grammy-nominated Hiroshima blends jazz, pop and

Rhythm on the Vine jazz concert series welcomes back Michael Paulo, one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 35 years. His most recent collaboration with Miles Davis reached No. 1 status on the Billboard jazz charts in its first week. Each year he continues his reputation as the No. 1 Asian American jazz artist, collaborating throughout his career with legendary band Hiroshima and pianist Herbie Hancock.

Brian Simpson and Jessy J will be featured Sunday, Sept. 24.

Keyboardist and composer Brian Simpson enjoys worldwide popularity as he continues to perform all over the globe. With writing and performing credits on R&B chart-topping albums and smooth jazz airplay charts, Simpson is the veteran music director of many jazz events. After celebrating over a decade as one of contemporary jazz’s top saxophonists, Jessy J is known for her trademark blend of sensual Latin-tinged powerful horn playing, which garnered 12 top singles and six chart-topping albums.

Kalapana Band will perform Sunday, Oct. 8.

Legendary band Kalapana is a pop-rock/jazz group from Hawai’i, releasing several albums in the 70s and 80s. Opening for bands such

as Earth, Wind & Fire, Batdorf & Rodney and The Moody Blues, they have sold out shows throughout Japan and Hawai’i. With their influence spanning far around the world, they notably received the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts Lifetime Achievement Award.

Steve Oliver and Blake Aaron are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 22.

With a career spanning over 25 years in music, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer Steve Oliver is still being heard around the world. His career has produced multiple No. 1 hits on Billboard charts and countless radio staples. Guitarist Blake Aaron has recently taken the contemporary jazz world by storm with a total of five No. 1 Billboard singles. Named “a genius on the guitar” by the LA Times, he has launched his career as an Los Angeles studio musician/ sideman.

Ticket prices are $65 for general admission, chair seating only; $95 for preferred seating, which includes a table and is situated behind VIP seating; $130 for VIP tickets, which are close to the stage and include a table. Sponsor tables are $250 per seat. Tickets can be purchased at https://www. southcoastwinery.com/activities/ rhythm-concert-series/.

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is located at 34843 Rancho California Road in Temecula. For more information, visit http://www. southcoastwinery.com.

Submitted by South Coast Winery Resort & Spa.

Gregg Karukas will be performing Sunday, Aug. 13, along with Adam Hawey and Pamela Williams. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Harvey Wainapel to perform with “We LOVE Brazil” and jazz quartet next month

that took him under their wing. He would participate in jamming sessions and play gigs, including one with a band that played Brazilian music.

“That was around 1979 or 1980. I started listening, and I got this urge to go to Brazil, and I delayed it for 20 years. I still regret that, but you can’t change the past. In 2000, I finally said ‘I’m going.’

I went to Brazil for two months, spent a month in São Paulo. I spent a month in Rio. I’ve been to Brazil 20 times, at least a month each time.”

Wainapel would gradually add more cities to his itinerary. Across his travels, he would befriend many people. He expresses how Brazilian people are gracious, welcoming and open. Many of which were musicians, world-famous and unknown. His appreciation for Brazilian music, as well as his desire to document these instrumentalists and composers, culminated into two recording projects titled, “Amigos Brasileiros” and “Amigos Brasileiros Vol. 2.”

Wainapel explains that Brazilian and traditional jazz both share serious African roots. He does consider both genres of music as a sort of fruit we are undeserving of, because it is the fruits of slavery. While he agrees that it is a “karmic” thing, he still tries to make the most of it, “the gift we got from Africa.” He also clarifies how

Ava Sarnowski

Writer

Intern

This June, saxophonist and clarinetist Harvey Wainapel will be playing at Old Town Temecula’s The Merc. His first show will be with brand new music group, “We LOVE Brazil,” starring Clarice Cast on percussion, Nando Duarte on acoustic seven-string guitar and flutist Rumi Inoue. Cast and Duarte are both native to Brazil, while Inoue and Wainapel have a grand amount of experience with the country’s music. Wainapel’s second performance will be with a jazz quartet on June 22. Joining him will be pianist Theo Saunders, bassist Darek Oles and drummer David Hocker.

The “We LOVE Brazil” performance will be their first venture into the public eye. Wainapel previously played with Duarte and claimed all three musicians are “fantastic.” Beyond Temecula, they’ll be playing near Long Beach

and North Hollywood. Not only does Wainapel express that he’s familiar with their work and their style, but they are all currently rehearsing to enhance their group chemistry. He’s confident in these “top flight musicians,” and the result. He expresses how renewing it will feel to play in Temecula for the first time, alongside his new partners.

Wainapel is equally as excited to perform with his jazz quartet. They will be presenting their audience with original compositions, and fresh arrangements of standards. The show will be a reunion of sorts for the musicians, as Wainapel used to play gigs with Hocker, with Saunders occasionally joining in. He specifies how both Saunders and Oles are well known in the jazz community, and praises Hocker as an “equally skillful and fantastic musical drummer.”

Wainapel began playing the clarinet as early as third grade. He originally resided in upstate New

York, Hudson Valley. His small town had a humbling population of 4,000 people, and went without a jazz club for the longest time. He credits his older brother for sparking his interest in jazz. Before pursuing a medical career, his brother considered becoming a classical pianist. He would practice and study jazz piano, and buy records to listen to.

Wainapel recalls a time before cable and the internet. The only way he could listen to the jazz FM stations from New York was by placing an antenna in the attic of his home. He attempted to learn jazz entirely by ear, and would return home from school each day to play along to the radio with his clarinet. He hadn’t any idea on what chords were either.

Wainapel would also begin playing the saxophone in his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, and after moving to Philadelphia years later, he met more experienced and older musicians

Pala Casino Spa Resort presents Jake Owen June 23

PALA – Pala Casino Spa Resort will present multiple chart-topping singer and songwriter, Jake Owen, Friday, June 23, performing live outdoors at the Starlight Theater. Jake Owen’s songs have resonated with listeners and audiences everywhere with twice platinum anthem and Most Played Song of the Decade, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” Platinum-certified hits, “Beachin,’” “Anywhere With You,” “Alone With You” and “The One That Got Away” and Gold-certified “American Country Love Song.”

Owen’s sixth studio album, “Greetings From... Jake,” produced three Top 10 singles, in-

Brazil was a Portuguese colony so there’s both Portuguese and Arabic influence, and that Arabs were in Portugal for a long time. Meaning both jazz and Brazilian music are melting pots, a lot of different styles. Wainapel thinks jazz music is more unified.

“Until recently, jazz started exploding into a lot of different segments. If I said ‘jazz,’ most people would understand more or less what I’m saying. Resilient music. The country is about the same size as America, but the music is very regional. There’s many regional variations. Most people think of Bossa Nova and Samba, as the two most well known. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

“We LOVE Brazil” will be playing a few different styles of Brazilian music that most haven’t heard often. Wainapel hopes people will come out to enjoy not only his upcoming performances, but other shows the community has to offer. After learning of a new restaurant seven blocks away from his childhood home, one that plays jazz each week, he reaffirmed his belief in the importance of exposure to arts, especially for a community as populated as Temecula. Tickets for both of Wainapel’s shows can be purchased at https://tickets. temeculatheater.org.

Ava Sarnowski can be reached by email at valleystaff@reedermedia.com.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Temecula to host Juneteenth Celebration

June

10

TEMECULA ─ The city of Temecula will celebrate freedom and perseverance at its Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the Community Services Department, Saturday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Town Square Park, 41000 Main Street, in Old Town Temecula.

“Temecula is honored to host this annual celebration in support of the observance of Juneteenth,” Temecula Mayor Zak Schwank said. “This cultural event presents opportunities to connect with one another, reflect on the important contributions and inventions produced by African Americans throughout history.”

The free, open house-style event will explore the historical journey of freedom for people around the globe marking the legal end of slavery June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. Commemorate this

landmark day by connecting with friends and family while enjoying live entertainment, a variety of vendors, food and children’s fun zone.

“I am grateful and proud to participate in a community that recognizes and celebrates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865,” Eric Faulkner, vice chair of Temecula REDI Commission, said. “This is a perfect time to reflect and rejoice

with family, friends and fellow community members. I hope you will join us to help commemorate the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth Independence Day.”

For more information, visit http://TemeculaCA.gov/Juneteenth. For updates on this event and other Temecula Community Services Department events and programs, follow @TemeculaParksAndRec on Facebook and Instagram. Submitted by city of Temecula.

cluding two No. 1 singles and his current top 30 and climbing “Made For You.” With eight No. 1 songs to his name, “Made For You” follows Owen’s fastest-rising career No. 1 single, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” and most recent No. 1 single, “Homemade.”

Signed to Big Loud Records, Owen is reunited with awardwinning Joey Moi, who helped produce his breakout “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” album, which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and garnered four consecutive No. 1 hits. For tour dates and more information, visit http://www. jakeowen.net.

The show will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets prices are $45, $65 and $135 and are on sale now at the Pala Box Office, http://www.palacasino.com or http://www.etix.com

This show is one of a lineup of headliner and tribute concerts that will be held at the Starlight Theater and Events Center.

Tickets are on sale now, with no service charge, at the Pala Box Office, http://www.palacasino.com and 877-946-7252. Tickets are also available at http://www.etix.com and 800-514-3849. Must be 21 or older to attend.

Submitted by Pala Casino Spa Resort.

Temecula Community Services Department hosts 2023 Summer Concert Series

TEMECULA ─ Temecula’s

Summer Concert Series is back, beginning Thursday, June 15, through Thursday, July 27, with a line-up of local bands.

The community can join the Temecula Community Services Department Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Temecula Amphitheater, 30875 Rancho Vista Road, for five outdoor concerts. The gates open at 5 p.m.

The final outdoor concert will be held at Temecula’s Civic Center, 41000 Main Street, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Remember to bring blankets, lawn chairs and/or snacks. Smoking, alcohol and pets are not allowed at any of the concerts.

“I really look forward to our Summer Concert Series every year,” James “Stew” Stewart, mayor pro tem and president of Temecula Community Services District, said. “While there are

always many fun things to do in Temecula, there is just something extra special about these concerts, and how they bring our community together to experience live music in an outdoor setting with all our friends, neighbors and visitors.”

The June 2023 Summer Concert Series Schedule includes Jumping Jack Flash, June 15; Britain’s Finest, June 22, and Private Affair Band, June 29.

The July 2023 Summer Concert Series Schedule includes The Cheez Whiz Band, July 13; Stone Soul, July 20, and Escape – The Journey Tribute, July 27.

The Summer Concert Series Schedule is also available at http:// TemeculaCA.gov/SummerConcerts. Stay tuned for more Community Service programming and information by following TemeculaParksAndRec.

Submitted by city of Temecula.

Harvey Wainapel poses with a variety of musical instruments. Valley News/Courtesy photos

The lineup for the “We LOVE Brazil” music group, including Clarice Cast, Rumi Inoue, Harvey Wainapel and Nando Duarte.

Jack Owen will perform at the Starlight Theater at Pala Casino Spa Resort Friday, June 23.

FESTIVAL from page B-1

Temecula. I appreciate the fact that it has gotten so large we can no longer contain such an event, and it had to come out to Lake Skinner. It has been a perfect place to have an event like this.” He presented a 40th Anniversary balloon festival plaque to the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce and Riverside County. Riverside County District 3 Supervisor Chuck Washington said the festival, in celebrating 40 years in the city and county, is a milestone and recalled how

the Temecula Wine Country has thrived and continues to bring to its many visitors the annual Balloon and Wine Festival that has found the county-managed Lake Skinner as its home.

Presenting the 40th anniversary of the Balloon & Wine Festival media day were Scott Soares, president of the Board of Directors; Lynn Shaver, vice president; Robert Carter, executive secretary; Doug Nottingham, treasurer and the other Board of Directors members. There were 19 wineries and 10 craft breweries represented and 35

food court vendors. Wine sponsors for the event included Peltzer Farm and Winery, Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards, Ultimate Vineyards and Lorimar Vineyards and Winery. VIP catering sponsors were Sweet Story Co., Ptrain’s California BBQ, Wedding Event Vendors; Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nana’s Tamales, LA Pizzeria Co., Q’s Tacos So Cal, Mexico City Cuisine, The Doughnut Cafe, The Taco Truck and The Rush Coffee. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

Brad Paisley and Sara Evans perform for anniversary of Temecula’s Balloon and Wine Festival on Pala Casino Main Stage

As he took to the stage, many of the audience members rushed in to see him better. Similarly to Evans’ performance, spectators danced along with many songs from his show’s lineup. Paisley looked to be tossing guitar picks into the crowd. All the while, audience members were seen holding out flowers to him, or recording the show with their phones. He also took a moment to honor those in the armed forces by bringing service men to the stage. This is a tradition with each of his performances.

Pais ley switched out guitars in-between each piece, most of which were his original compositions. Some of the songs featured that night included “Waitin’ On A Woman,” and “Riverbank.” Footage from music videos were projected on a massive screen behind Paisley and his band, making them larger than life and feeding the energy for the remainder of the show.

Ava Sarnowski

Intern Writer

This year’s Balloon and Wine Festival marks its 40th anniversary since its inception, and occurred across three days. The headlining musicians drew in a flourishing crowd on Sat. 20, which featured the likes of Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Tenille Arts, Brandon Calhoon, Twisted Gypsy, George Shingleton, Billy Williams, Pulp Vixen, Parade Wave, and The Lacs.

Friday, May 19’s performers included John Waite, Night Ranger, Re d Speedwagon, Kanan Road Band, Moonshine Bandits, and Colt Ford. On Sunday, May 21, Scotty McCreey, Callista Clark, Dylan Scott, Billy Williams, Cassie B, Daring Greatly, and The English Beat, performed, with Calhoon also reappearing.

It was an all-ages crowd for both Evans and Paisley. Families with children, friend groups, and couples young and old were seen enjoying the performances and the festivities.

Shopping booths lined the outskirts of the Pala Casino Main Stage, where many business owners sold apparel and other goods that were purchasable. The aroma of food trucks was also prominent across the festival grounds.

Evans took to the main stage at 7 pm, performing a variety of songs from her recent album, “Copy That,” which was released in 2020. Many songs were covers of previously-established hits, such as “My, Sharona.” She was also seen performing original compositions, and long-time hits, like “Born to Fly.” Evans was communicative with her audience throughout her

entire performance, and took the time to speak before each song. She would provide insight on her song selections, as well as some information pertaining to her career and life. It appeared as though the crowd was engrossed with her performance. Singing alongside her were two background vocalists, one of which being Evans’ daughter Evans shook hands with audience members closest to her, and blew kisses to anyone further away in the crowd. She even signed a hat that was extended out to her, all whilst still singing. Evans also reappeared for an encore. She expressed her gratitude in opening up for Paisley once again, and commented on how great of an audience she had at this festival.

At 8:30 pm, Paisley garnered the immediate attention of thousands.

From left, Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival president Scott Soares introduces Pala tribal chairman Robert Smith, Pala Casino CEO Fred Buro and Pala Casino director of consumer marketing Coley McAvoy during a media event. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Friends enjoy wine offerings and the festivities at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival.

Hundreds of people fill the spectator area in front of the Pala main stage as the gates open for Saturday night entertainment at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival.

Makenzie Hendra, 9, takes the opportunity to take a nap in the shade at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival grounds at Lake Skinner.

Inland Wharf Brewing Co. staff from Murrieta serve their craft brew to guests at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival.

Valley News/Shawna Sarnowski photos

Country artist Sara Evans took to the main stage at 7 pm, performing a variety of songs from her recent album, “Copy That” at the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival on Saturday, May 20.

Brad Paisley finished off the Saturday performances with an energetic set on the Pala Casino Main Stage at the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival.

Classic New York cheesecake suits every holiday

Judith Bell

Food Editor

Our family will be forever indebted to our friend Pat Seitz who shared this recipe with us many years ago. I tasted the real authentic New York-style cheesecake when I took a trip to NYC to visit my fiancé. We drove to NYC on the way to Boston to spend Thanksgiving with my sister Carol and her husband Fred at their home in that wonderful history-filled city.

From that time on, I tried 11 cheesecake recipes trying to replicate what I’d tasted. When I tasted Pat’s cheesecake, I knew it was what I wanted. I’ve not baked a different cheesecake recipe since.

This is one of the recipes you’ll find in the Village News Holiday Cookbook that will be exclusive to people who have a new subscription to Village News or extend their subscription.

If you like NYC-style cheesecake…this may become your favorite recipe, too. Enjoy!

Pat’s NYC Cheesecake

Pastry for bottom of cheesecake:

1 cup flour

¼ cup sugar

• 1 tsp. grated lemon rind

• ½ cup butter

• 1 egg yolk, slightly beaten

• ¼ tsp. vanilla Combine flour, sugar and lemon peel. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Blend well. Pat 1/3 of the mixture on the bottom of an 8- or 9-inch springform pan (sides of pan removed).

Bake in a 400-degree oven for about six minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a rack. When cool

enough to be able to handle, snap sides into place. Press remaining pastry crust mixture around the sides of the pan to reach the top of the pan. Trim as necessary so the crust is even all around.

Cheesecake Filling:

• 5 (8-oz.) pkgs. cream cheese

• 1-¾ cups sugar

• ¼ cup flour

• ¾ tsp. grated lemon rind

• ¼ tsp. salt

• 5 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/4-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (optional)

Using a stand mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Combine sugar,

flour, lemon peel, salt and vanilla. Mix with fork or whisk. Gradually beat into cream cheese. Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each. Whip cream to soft peak stage and fold into mixture.

Turn into a pastry-lined pan smoothing top so it is even.

Bake in a 450-degree oven for about five minutes or until the top edge of the crust is golden brown.

Reduce heat to 250 degrees.

Continue to bake until the cheesecake is well puffed and set (no jiggling).

The longer the baking time, the drier the cheesecake.

For a moist cheesecake, bake for about 1-¼ hours. For a drier cheesecake, bake 2-½ hours. Remove from the oven. Cool on a rack. When cool, refrigerate. The cheesecake is best if allowed to “season” overnight in the refrigerator.

When ready to serve, carefully remove the sides of the pan, using a knife along the crust where it may adhere to the pan. The bottom of the pan is often not separated prior to serving…your choice.

Valley News/Adobe Stock photo

Rancho Water wins 2023 CAPIO Excellence in Public Information & Communications Award

effective efforts in the areas of communication and marketing campaigns, newsletter production, photography, special events, writing, website development and video production.

The EPIC Award was presented to Rancho Water for the Video Production-Series category for its “Journey of Water” series following four water droplets from their origination points – the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Colorado Rockies, the sky and the waste-

water treatment plant – to their final stops in the Rancho Water service area. The videos serve as an educational tool for the district to explain where customers’ water comes from, the importance of water infrastructure and wastewater filtration.

“Rancho Water is pleased to receive this award and we appreciate CAPIO’s recognition of our team’s dedication to excellence in communications and public information,” Robert Grantham,

general manager of Rancho Water, said. “This video series has been a priceless addition to our outreach tools as it encourages our customers to learn about our area’s water sources and the incredible journey every water drop takes to arrive in our service area.”

The full-length video is available on Rancho Water’s YouTube channel or on the district’s Teacher Resources webpage.

Submitted by Rancho California Water District.

TEMECULA – The California Association of Public Information Officials recognized the Rancho California Water District with a 2023 Excellence in Public Information & Communications Award for its “Journey of Water” video series. For the District’s commitment to exceptional communications, Rancho Water was honored at the CAPIO Annual Conference

in Monterey. CAPIO is the leading professional organization dedicated to advancing public communicators through training, resources and networking to strengthen and engage communities. CAPIO’s EPIC awards honor work that makes a lasting impact, transcending innovation and craft. The program recognizes the most creative and

The safety side on Memorial Day

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Special to Valley News

Many of you will be off for the Memorial Day holiday. With temperatures warming up, most places will be crowded with those enjoying Memorial Day weekend. Situational awareness will be key to your safety.

Below are some tips and reminders to keep everyone safe while making it a “Memorable Memorial Day Weekend.” Share them with your family and friends! Travel Safety Buckle up, slow down, and do not drive impaired.

Be well rested, alert and patient; give your full attention to the road. Do not text and drive.

Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive.

Have patience and be a courteous driver.

Water Safety

Paddle board? Jet ski? Surf? It is all harmless fun, right? Fun, certainly. But think before you play. Whatever the activity, observe these three cardinal rules.

Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Let others know when you hit the water and when you plan to return. Swimming pools. Make sure everyone knows how to swim. Do not swim alone or leave children

unattended.

Let someone know where and what time you are leaving and intend on returning.

Barbecue Safety

This fun seasonal ritual has a flip side, though — namely, an onset of injuries and home fires due to careless cooking practices. Here are some tips you can follow to stay safe while enjoying those tasty treats at your cookout.

Never grill indoors or leave a grill unattended – not in your house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.

Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.

Hot grease or ashes could spill from the grill onto the wooden deck or into dry leaves or grass.

Hiking Safety Watch out for rattlesnakes.

Let others know your destination and time of departing and returning.

Bring fluids (water) and stay hydrated.

Wear appropriate clothing.

Wear sunscreen.

The most important thing is always practicing common sense and “situational awareness!”

Sam DiGiovanna is a 35-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as fire chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale.

The “Journey of Water” video series follows water droplet Wade as he journeys through California’s State Water Project.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

MWD awards contract for new Pipeline 3 and Pipeline 5 valves

Joe Naiman Writer

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will be replacing air release/vacuum valves on Pipeline 3 and Pipeline 5 of the San Diego Aqueduct, and the MWD board meeting Tuesday, May 9, approved a procurement contract for new valves.

B&K Valves & Equipment Inc., which is based in Carlsbad, was awarded $1,466,665 to provide 72 valves. MWD staff will replace the valves once they are delivered.

Six MWD pipelines carry water along the San Diego Aqueduct from MWD’s Robert A. Skinner Water Treatment Plant in Temecula. Pipelines 1, 2 and 4 convey treated water while Pipelines 3, 5 and 6 deliver untreated supply. Pipeline 6 currently carries untreated water for seven miles from Lake Skinner to Anza Road and De Portola Road; the southern portion which would serve San Diego County is not expected to be needed in the near future so that part of the project has been deferred. The San Diego Aqueduct conveys water to a delivery point six miles south of the Riverside County line, which allowed MWD and the San Diego County Water Authority to provide equal contributions for the connection between MWD’s Colorado River Aqueduct and the San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside. MMD has been delivering water to San Diego County since 1947.

Pipeline 3 is 75 inches in diameter and consists of pre-cast concrete and welded steel sections. It was completed in 1960 and conveys up to 280 cubic feet per second of untreated water to the Western

Municipal Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority.

Pipeline 5 is 96 inches in diameter with pre-stressed concrete and welded steel pipe sections. It was completed in 1982 and conveys up to 500 cubic feet per second of untreated water to the SDCWA.

Both pipelines use combination air release/vacuum valves located at high points along the pipeline to protect the pipeline and maintain its efficiency. During operation or filling of the pipeline, air must be released when it builds up at high points or flow will be impeded. When the pipeline is dewatered air must be introduced into the pipeline, or a vacuum condition can develop inside the pipe which could cause collapse or buckling.

The 72 valves on the two pipelines range in size from eight to 10 inches in diameter. The existing air release/vacuum valves are original equipment and have been in service for approximately 60 years on Pipeline 3 and 40 years on Pipeline 5. Air release/vacuum valves are normally open to release air or prevent a vacuum within the pipe, and

as water level rises a float shuts off the valve. Failure of an aging float mechanism could lead to an unplanned water discharge.

All 72 valves will be replaced. The valves will be delivered to the Skinner plant where they will be stored in a controlled environment until they are scheduled for installation.

B&K Valves & Equipment submitted the only bid for the valves. MWD staff investigated why only one bid was received and determined that only a limited number of valve manufacturers routinely manufacture valves which meet the specifications required for the project. A survey of vendors provided a budgetary estimate between $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the valves. The B&K Valves & Equipment bid complies with the requirements of the specifications and includes all sales and use taxes imposed by the state of California.

The valves are expected to be delivered in June 2024.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com.

The California Association of Public Information Officials awards the EPIC award to Rancho California Water District for the “Journey of Water” video series.

Supreme Court won’t hear dispute over California law barring sale of foie gras

City News Service Special to Valley News

Gains throughout the regional economy pushed Riverside County’s unemployment rate lower last month, according to figures released Friday, May 19, by the California Employment Development Department.

The countywide jobless rate in April, based on preliminary EDD estimates, was 4.1%, compared to 4.6% in March.

According to figures, the April rate was four-tenths of a percentage point higher than the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment stood at 3.7%.

An estimated 47,300 county residents were recorded as out of work in April, and 1,095,100 were employed, according to EDD.

Mecca had the highest unemployment rate countywide last month at 10.2%, followed by Coachella at 7.6%, Cherry Valley at 7.5%, Rancho Mirage at 5.9% and Hemet at 5.8%.

The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties — the Inland Empire — in April was also 4.1%, down from 4.6% in March, according to figures.

Bi-county data indicated payrolls expanded by the widest margin in the construction sector, which added 4,000 positions.

Additional gains were recorded in the financial services, government, health services, hospitality and professional business services sectors, which altogether grew by an aggregate 4,900 jobs.

Miscellaneous unclassified industries added another 800 positions.

Payrolls declined in the manufacturing and retail trade sectors, which shed a total 2,600 jobs.

The agricultural, information technology and mining sectors were unchanged, according to the EDD.

Data showed that the statewide non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 4.3%.

Jessica Gresko

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it won’t get involved in a dispute over a California animal cruelty law that bars foie gras from being sold in the state, leaving in place a lower court ruling dismissing the case.

Foie gras is made from the enlarged livers of force-fed ducks and geese, and animal welfare groups had supported the law. As is typical, the court did not comment in declining to hear the case, and it was among many the court said Monday it would not hear.

The law doesn’t completely bar

Californians from eating foie gras in the state. Courts have ruled that residents can still order foie gras from out-of-state producers and have it sent to them. Restaurants and retailers are still forbidden from selling it or giving it away, however.

The foie gras case had been on hold at the high court while the justices considered a different case involving another California animal cruelty law, that one governing the sale of pork in the state. In that case, the justices earlier this month backed that law, which requires more space for breeding pigs. The pork industry has said the ruling will lead to higher costs nationwide for pork chops and bacon.

California’s foie gras law, however, predates the pork law and went into effect in July 2012. It says: “A product may not be sold in California if it is the result of force feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size.”

Farmers and producers of poultry products in Canada sued over the law along with New Yorkbased Hudson Valley Foie Gras. The case has been going on since 2012. Most recently, a trial court dismissed the case and a federal appeals court agreed with that outcome. The Supreme Court’s decision not to step in leaves that decision in place.

Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship accepting nominations for Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards

The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship is excited to announce they are now accepting nominations for the 21st Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards. This year’s event will occur on Nov. 15 at the Riverside Convention Center. Guests can expect a memorable evening filled with inspiration and innovation at this black-tie gala as top business

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innovators of Inland Southern California are celebrated.

Nominees are evaluated based on their innovation, leadership, performance, character and entrepreneurial mindset. Self-nominations are highly encouraged.

Referred to as “The Oscars of Business,” the Spirit Awards is a black-tie gala featuring red carpet coverage, cocktail and VIP

networking receptions, awards presentations, and 3-course dining, with highly anticipated, unveiled entertainment.

The deadline for 2023 nominations is Aug. 14.

To learn more about the Spirit of the Entrepreneur, visit SpiritAwardsIE.com

TEMECULA - Banner Bank

employee, Monique Lambert, Vice President and Branch Manager of the Temecula branch has been selected to receive the Banner’s Best award. This represents the highest level of recognition within the company and the award celebrates Banner’s top performing employees. Lambert received the award for surpassing her individual professional goals, demonstrating excellence within her respective profession and consistently delivering outstanding service to the Bank’s clients, communities and her colleagues.

“Our Banner’s Best recipients are an excellent representation of the impressive talent we have here at Banner,” said Mark Grescovich, Banner Bank President and CEO.

“Their exemplary contributions are at the foundation of why Newsweek named us one of the

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Less than four percent of all Banner employees receive this award and recipients are selected by members of executive leadership.

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Banner Bank is part of Banner Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: BANR), a $15.8 billion bank holding company headquartered in Walla Walla, Washington. Visit Banner Bank at www.bannerbank. com.

Submitted by Banner Bank

THRIFT SHOPS ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF TEMECULA VALLEY

Assistance League is a nonprofit service organization of volunteers committed to identifying and serving the needs of the Southwest Riverside communities through philanthropic programs developed and administered by our members.

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Foie gras is made from the enlarged livers of force-fed ducks and geese. Valley News/Adobe Stock photo

County’s jobless rate comes down half a point in April

New report looks at neglected piece of California’s

housing crisis

A new report from California Community Builders examines an often-neglected piece of the housing picture. Multifamily homeownership – condos, co-ops, community land trusts and more –could, with the proper support and attention, help make homeownership possible for millions who can’t afford it now. But CCB’s new report, Multifamily Homeownership: Pathways to Addressing the California Housing Crisis, finds that the field is plagued by both a lack of data and a lack of attention from policymakers.

“Homeownership is the main way American families build wealth, and that door is slammed shut for millions of Californians, especially in communities of color,” CCB CEO Adam Briones said. “Multifamily homeownership isn’t for everyone, but it represents an important pathway to homeownership for working families who now have no chance of owning their own home. But we desperately need more research, and we need policymakers to address both the opportunities and challenges that multifamily homeownership presents.”

The report’s main findings include:

Multifamily homeownership can be more affordable. Condos, for example, generally cost less than single-family homes, but affordable family-sized condos of three or more bedrooms are extremely scarce. Projects designed from the outset to be affordable, including community land trusts, have potential that has not yet been fully realized.

Because of the racial wealth gap, California’s homeownership crisis falls most heavily on communities of color. Communities that can’t afford to buy a home lose access to the wealth-building opportunities that homeownership represents, perpetuating the racial wealth gap. Multifamily homeownership represents one underutilized path toward homeownership for these communities.

Multifamily homeownership can have land-use and environmental benefits. Building more dense, compact and walkable/ bikeable communities can reduce sprawl, traffic and pollution.

Policymakers pay little attention to multifamily homeownership. From the Federal Reserve to state and local authorities, this form of homeownership gets little priority or attention. The state of

Riverside County home prices in April edged up from March

City News Service

Special to Valley News

California should address this by creating an Office of Multifamily Homeownership to coordinate research, analysis and policy support.

We don’t have adequate data. We can’t maximize benefits or minimize risks without understanding what is happening, but huge gaps exist in current data. Data-gathering agencies like the U.S. Census Bureau ask only minimal questions about housing, and some data that does exist is either proprietary or buried deep in the records of public agencies. We urgently need more complete research.

To read the whole report, visit ccbuilders.org.

California Community Builders seeks to close the racial wealth gap by focusing on the core issue of housing and homeownership. Taking a data-driven, outcomesfocused approach, we research and advocate for policies that promote wealth-building and tear down barriers created by redlining, exclusionary zoning and all forms of discrimination.

Submitted by California Community Builders.

Prices of homes in Riverside County edged up in April for the second straight month, but still remained below the prices of a year ago, the California Association of Realtors reported Thursday, May 18.

The median sale price of a single-family home in the county was $615,000 last month, up from $612,000 in March, but down from $630,000 in April 2022, according to the association.

In April, Riverside County’s ratio of new houses for sale to new houses sold was 2.7, a slight rise from 2.6 in March. The ratio in April 2022 was 1.7, according to CAR’s survey. Time on the market last month was 32 days.

Statewide, April’s sales pace was down 4.7% on a monthly basis from 281,050 in March and down

36.1% from a year ago, when a revised 418,970 homes were sold on an annualized basis, the report stated.

Sales of existing single-family homes in California remained below the 300,000-unit pace for the seventh consecutive month in April.

“While home sales declined in April, the market is getting more competitive as we’re seeing time on the market before selling down to 20 days in April from 33 days in January and the share of homes sold above asking price double from one in five at the beginning of the year to more than two in five in April,” CAR President Jennifer Branchini said. “This increase in market competition continued to provide support to the statewide median home price in April, which climbed above $800,000 for the first time in six months.”

North Big Bear Landscape Restoration Project to begin implementation

SAN BERNARDINO — A final decision has been made for the North Big Bear Landscape

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Restoration Project. Objectives of the project include promoting forest health, returning beneficial fire to the landscape, improving the watershed condition, protecting resource values and restoring unauthorized roads and trails that have been created within the project area. The successful implementation of this project will reduce the risk of catastrophic fire which would serve to protect two adjacent communities (Fawnskin, Peter Pan Community of Big Bear City) and the greater Big Bear Valley.

The environmental assessment analyzes the approximate 13,000acre region between the Big Bear Dam and Baldwin Lake.

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Over the past 100 years or more, fire suppression on the SBNF has excluded fire from much of the landscape. Fire is a natural ecosystem process, and the absence of periodic fire has led to unnaturally high tree density and fuel-load conditions throughout the project area. The area includes a variety of habitats that support highly diverse plant and wildlife populations, including bald eagles. A high-intensity wildfire is likely in this area if left untreated and would potentially destroy their little remaining habitat. The anticipated effects of high-intensity wildfires in untreated areas can be observed west of the project area as fire scars, resulting in vegetative type-conversion from a forested landscape into brush and grass with low to no tree cover or signs of natural tree regeneration.

“I am excited to share this final decision and begin implementing this very important project that took over 12 years to develop. Improving forest health and community protection has been a major part of my career and I am very enthusiastic at the outlook of improving the environment within this project area so it can be enjoyed by future generations, while protecting complex natural systems, and the greater community,” Mountaintop District Ranger Freddie Duncan said. “The level of interest and public engagement on this project has clearly demonstrated how much we all value this landscape and do not want to see it lost to a catastrophic wildfire.”

The original analysis also considered up to 41 miles of new mountain bike trail construction and the introduction of electric bikes as a new form of recreational opportunity. This part of the proposed action was removed from the decision with the opportunity to re-evaluate the purpose and need for new trails and e-bikes in the future.

“We understand the desire and value of sustainable recreation in Big Bear and will be taking another look at how mountain bike trails and e-bikes fit into the recreational spectrum on the North Shore,” Duncan said.

The project record, final Environmental Assessment, Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact are available online for public view at https://www.fs.usda. gov/project/?project=58467.

Submitted by the United States Department of Agriculture.

More attention to multifamily homeownership could lower cost barriers, help millions own their own homes

Guachino shuts out Grand Terrace in Great Oak’s CIF-SS championship win

Wolfpack wins first-ever Southern Section softball title

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

IRVINE – The Great Oak softball team competed well enough during the regular season to take second place in the Southwestern League. They came in right behind a dominant Division 1 standout in Murrieta Mesa, who fell last week in the semifinal round to Norco. The Wolfpack, who shared the Southwestern League title with Mesa last year, was not going to let their 2023 league performance dictate how their postseason was going to go.

In what is being described as one of the most dominating performances in CIF Southern Section history by a pitcher, Miali Guachino set the tone early

on defense for Great Oak. The Wolfpack ace sat down at least two batters every inning she pitched. Overall, she allowed just three hits with 18 strikeouts to lead the Wolfpack to an 8-0 victory over Grand Terrace in the Division 2 championship game Saturday, May 20, at Barber Park. It is the first section title in program history for Great Oak.

Adding to her success in the postseason, Guachino tossed a no-hitter with 20 strikeouts in the semifinals last weekend and through their five games in the playoffs reports show that she allowed only one run and 14 hits and sat down 84 batters in her 39 innings of work.

More so, according to MaxPreps, Guachino finished with a 15-4

record this season, a 0.57 ERA and 280 strikeouts in 135 innings. Amazing stats for the junior who is committed to Ole Miss after her high school career is over.

As for their championship shutout, the Wolfpack got things started in the second inning when Ava Galvan drove in one run on a single, but it would be four runs in the fourth inning that gave Great Oak that final boost of confidence to help put the game away. That inning was led by Galvan and Samantha Young, who both knocked in runs for their cause. Guachino then helped her own cause when she tripled in two more runs in the seventh inning. The three hits she allowed from the pitcher’s circle were infield singles.

Liberty wins first-ever CIF title, in second year

Great Oak players and coaches pose with their trophy and CIF patches after an 8-0 win over Grand Terrace in the CIF-SS Division 2 final in Irvine Saturday, May 20. Valley News/Courtesy photo to lead Great Oak. Selena Zuniga took the loss for Grand Terrace. The righthander surrendered eight see WOLFPACK, page C-2

Great Oak racked up 10 hits in the game with Makyia Taylor, Young, Sydney Smith, and Galvan all having success multiple times.

Taylor went 3-for-3 at the plate

Bison stampede their way through Southern Section softball playoff s

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

IRVINE – When a new school opens, there isn’t much of an expectation to come out swinging when building your athletic programs. Liberty High School must not know that. In just their second year as an accredited high school, with the junior class leading the way to be the first

graduating seniors in 2024, Liberty has been putting their name on the sports map throughout the entire school year. Whether it was football, basketball, tennis or wrestling, just to name a few, success seemed to come naturally for the Bison.

Liberty players celebrate after winning the CIF-SS Division 5 softball championship against top-seeded Irvine High School Friday, May 19. Valley News/Morgan Ivy photo to the playoffs. As the last team standing, the Bison claimed the CIF-SS Division 5 championship with a 5-2 victory over top-seeded Irvine (21-11) at Barber Park. Unlike a handful of their recent games, Liberty (22-3-1) jumped out to an early lead, never looking back en route to the first Southern Section championship for the

On Friday, May 19, the Liberty softball team took their success to a whole new level after pulling out all the stops through their first trip

Great Oak’s Miali Guachino pitches during the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Great Oak players celebrate their 8-0 win over Grand Terrace in the CIF-SS Division 2 final in Irvine on Saturday, May 20. Valley News/Courtesy photo

The Liberty softball team with their CIF-SS Division 5 softball championship plaque in Irvine on Friday, May 19. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Liberty’s Haley Kitzerow (1) blasted a three-run home run against Irvine in the CIF-SS Division 5 softball championship at Barber Park Friday, May 19. Valley News/Morgan Ivy photo see LIBERTY, page C-3

Area prep sports teams honored academically at Angels

Stadium

Winners of the 2022-2023 CIF Southern Section – FORD Academic Awards announced

JP Raineri Sports Editor

LOS ALAMITOS – The winners

of the 35th Annual CIF Southern Section – FORD Academic Awards were announced recently, which included teams and student athletes from area high schools inside our coverage area. The team awards, based on a cumulative grade-point average, are awarded in 27 team sports. Entries from 1,902 teams were received this year. Thirty-three different CIF-SS member schools are represented amongst the team winners.

2022-2023 Academic Award Team Champions

3.914 - Temecula Valley Golf, Boys

3.720 - Temecula Valley Lacrosse, Boys

3.789 - Temecula Valley Soccer, Girls

2022-2023 Male & Female Athlete of the Year

Cornerstone Chr./Wildomar, Mai Vo, Soccer, Boys - 4.0

Cornerstone Chr./Wildomar, Tony Li, Basketball, Boys - 4.0

Hemet, Bridget Arnold - Soccer, Girls - 4.0

Hemet, Joshua Dunn, Volleyball; Water Polo, Boys - 4.0

Lakeside/Lake Elsinore, Connor McEvilly, Golf; Water Polo, Boys - 4.0

Lakeside/Lake Elsinore, Jayden Galindo, Softball; Water Polo, Girls - 3.8

San Jacinto Valley Academy, Brandon LuceroAkana, Baseball; Basketball; Football (11 person); Track & Field, Boys - 3.7

San Jacinto Valley Academy, Princess McCauley, Basketball; Track & Field, Girls - 3.6

Temecula Valley, Chase Hammond, Golf, Boys - 4.0

Temecula Valley, Katelyn Kitzerow, Lacrosse, Girls - 4.0

Vista Murrieta, Isabelle Kelling, Track & Field, Girls - 4.0

Vista Murrieta, Luke Files, Football (11 person) -

Swimming

AnzA VAlley

Mention, 3.456 - Temecula Valley

TRACK & FIELD, GIRLS

1st - 3.859 - Citrus Hill

Honorable Mention, 3.650 - San Jacinto Valley Academy

Honorable Mention, 3.601 - Temecula Valley

Honorable Mention, 3.425 - Hemet

TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE CHEER No local teams VOLLEYBALL, BOYS

Honorable Mention, 3.776 - San Jacinto Valley Academy

Honorable Mention, 3.278 - Murrieta Valley

Honorable Mention, 3.181 - Temecula Valley

VOLLEYBALL, GIRLS

3rd - 3.885 - San Jacinto Valley Academy

Honorable Mention, 3.693 - Citrus Hill

Honorable Mention, 3.587 - Hemet

Honorable Mention, 3.545 - Temecula Valley

Honorable Mention, 3.266 - Murrieta Valley

WATER POLO, BOYS

Honorable Mention, 3.549 - Temecula Valley

Honorable Mention, 3.164 - Hemet

WATER POLO, GIRLS

Honorable Mention, 3.701 - Temecula Valley

Honorable Mention, 3.553 - Murrieta Valley

Honorable Mention, 3.267 - Hemet

WRESTLING, BOYS

Honorable Mention, 3.388 - Temecula Valley

Honorable Mention, 3.240 - Citrus Hill

WRESTLING, GIRLS

2nd - 3.600 - Citrus Hill

Honorable Mention, 3.362 - Vista Murrieta

To be considered, teams must have at least five student-athletes with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA average (4.0 scale) in the first semester or first two quarters of the school year. The highest team GPA in each sport category by enrollment determines the winner. Schools are divided into two enrollment categories, 1,500 and above and 1,499 and below. The team with the highest GPA in each enrollment category for each sport receives the award. The first-place teams receive a banner to commemorate their achievement. All teams who participated and qualified received Academic Award certificates for their student-athletes.

Additionally, 251 studentathletes have each been named the individual “Student-Athlete of the Year” by their school. Each CIF-SS member school is entitled to name a male and a female for the award who must be a senior having maintained a minimum of a 3.5 GPA (4.0 scale) over the past three years. Additionally, they need to have earned a letter in at least one varsity sport and participated in extracurricular activities (music, drama, service groups, etc.).

The academic team winners were honored in a pre-game ceremony before the April 24, Los Angeles Angels game versus the Oakland A’s. The annual academic awards program is sponsored by the Southern California FORD Dealers.

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

runs on 10 hits over seven innings, striking out six and walking one.

Kayleese Beach led Grand Terrace with two hits in three at bats and was the only Titan starter who did not strike out in the final game of the Southern Section championship game.

Both teams, if they choose to accept the invitation, will find out what comes next in their season, along with a handful of others that made the semifinals and finals, as the 2023 CIF State Regional Championship Brackets will be made available the afternoon of Sunday, May 28.

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

Great Oak’s Audrey Newell (16) is congratulated by her third base coach following her home run in the semifinal round.

WOLFPACK from page C-1 Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

The Temecula Valley boys’ lacrosse team, represented on the field at Angels Stadium in Anaheim by head coach Chuck Assumma and one of his players, Braden Mesirow, were honored last month at the 35th Annual CIF Southern Section – FORD Academic Awards. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

The Temecula Valley boys’ lacrosse team traveled to Angels Stadium last month for the 35th Annual CIF Southern Section – FORD Academic Awards where they were honored as one of the top 2022-2023 Academic Award Team Champions. Valley News/Courtesy photo

The Temecula Valley girls’ soccer team traveled to Angels Stadium last month for the 35th Annual CIF Southern Section – FORD Academic Awards where they were honored as one of the top 2022-2023 Academic Award Team Champions. Valley News/Courtesy photo TVHS girls’ soccer team, represented on the field at Angels Stadium by head coach Jennifer Guinn and one of her players, Cameron Vehlow, were honored last month as one of the top 2022-2023 CIF-SS Academic Award Team Champions. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Temecula 12-year-old chosen to compete for Team USA National Baseball Team

Jacob Miller competing in World Cup Qualifier in Aguascalientes, Mexico

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

FLOWER MOUND, Texas –

Earlier this month, USA Baseball finalized the 12U National Team roster that will compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. The final 18-man roster was selected following three days of Training Camp and are currently in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to participate in the nine-team tournament which started Friday, May 19 and will take place through Sunday, May 28.

With a top-four finish in the qualifier, Team USA would secure its spot in this summer’s WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup from July 28-Aug. 6 in Tainan, Taiwan.

The U.S. is currently the defending world champion after winning gold at last summer’s tournament with an unbeaten 9-0 record.

“All 24 athletes who competed at Training Camp displayed great talent and character,” 12U National Team Manager David Sharp said. “Deciding a final roster is always a difficult task, but we feel that the 18 athletes who we have selected

to travel to Mexico will represent the United States well both on and off the field. We look forward to competing against some of the best baseball nations in the world.”

Seven players on the roster were originally identified at the 2022 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup in Cary, North Carolina. Those players all came through USA Baseball’s NTIS, which is the organization’s most comprehensive player identification process spanning all six regions of the United States. In addition, seven different states are represented on the 18-man roster. California leads all states with seven representatives on the team, which includes Jacob Miller of Temecula.

The complete 2023 12U National Team Roster is: Colton Byrnes; INF/C/RHP; Truckee, Calif. - Tyler Early; INF/LHP; Ferriday, La. - Kingston George; OF/RHP; Gunter, Texas - Ty Glaus; INF; Del Mar, Calif.Nathan Handley-White; RHP/INF; Bradenton, Fla. - Omar Henriquez; INF; New Milford, N.J. - Leyland Henry; INF; Houston, Texas

- Zaylon Johnson; INF/RHP; Stonewall, La. - Bryant Ju; C/

INF; Cerritos, Calif. - Cooper Knight; OF/LHP; Buda, Texas - Jesse Maddox; LHP/OF; San Diego, Calif. - Maddox McBryde; RHP/C; Tomball, Texas - Jacob Miller; RHP/INF; Temecula, Calif. - Michael Ohman; LHP; South San Francisco, Calif. - Jett Schoolcraft; OF/LHP; Beaverton, Ore. - Ryder Serna; INF; Redlands, Calif. - Boston Targac; C/INF; Flatonia, Texas - Greyson Wuis; INF; Kalamazoo, Mich.

Three-time Team USA coach and world champion manager David Sharp will lead the 12U National Team at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. Sharp is making his second appearance on staff as manager after he led the stars and stripes to a gold medal at the 2017 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. Sharp, who was named the 2017 USA Baseball Developmental Coach of the Year following the 12U National Team’s gold-medal run, also served as an assistant for the program in 2015 and 2016. The former Huntsville (Alabama) High School Head Coach is currently the Deep South Supervisor for Prep Baseball Report Alabama. The 12U National Team has won

five gold medals in international competitions, most recently winning gold at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in 2022. Additionally, the U.S. has medaled in all three WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifiers it has competed in, earning silver medals in 2014 and 2016 before capturing gold in 2018.

Overall; the 12U National Team owns a 23-4 all-time record at WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifiers.

In their first game against Brazil (Friday, May 19), the pitching trio of Jacob Miller, Cooper Knight and Michael Ohman combined for eight strikeouts and no hits while allowing just one run. Team USA won that game 16-1. More game updates will be added to this story online, as they become available.

Founded in 1978, USA Baseball, the governing body for amateur baseball in the United States and a member of the U.S Olympic Committee, organizes the United States national baseball teams every year, and a number of those teams will compete over the summer.

Currently USA Baseball houses a developmental program

which caters to a 12U National Team, players ranging in the 14U-18U category, as well as the Collegiate National Team, the Women’s National Team, and the professional team, which just competed and won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The various teams, composed of youth players, middle and high school aged players as well as college and professional baseball players, have been competing nationally and internationally for years with the objective of competing in the Olympics. The game was last played in the Olympics and in front of the world in 2008, but was voted out before 2012, under the claim that the American-born sport was not as competitive around the world. The World Baseball Classic has certainly proved otherwise. But that’s another story.

To follow Jacob and Team USA, visit www.USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date information or follow @USABaseball and @ USABaseball12U on Twitter.

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

Great Oak grad Gaffney competes at AVP Pro Series Huntington Beach Open

and indoor in college, she became obsessed and fell in love with the game the same year she started.

In her first-ever AVP tournament, Gaffney set an AVP Tour record by becoming the lowest-seeded team (84th) to advance from the Qualifier, achieving the feat in Hermosa Beach in 2018. Jessica’s favorite AVP memories include qualifying for her first Manhattan Beach Open Main Draw in 2019 and winning the Laguna Beach Open in 2021.

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

HUNTINGTON BEACH –

Temecula native Jessica Gaffney, a 2014 graduate of Great Oak High School, competed last weekend for an AVP beach volleyball tournament title. Unfortunately, a first-round challenge took her and partner Carly Kan, out of early contention at the Huntington Beach Open. Gaffney and Kan fell to No. 2 seeded Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss 21-17, 21-19. In their

LIBERTY from page C-1

school, which opened in 2021. A first inning walk was followed by an error in the field, which put two runners on for Haley Kitzerow who went big fly with a three-run shot to center field. Kitzerow had a special day as she drove in all of Liberty’s runs when she added a two-run double in the third.

Bison coach Jeffrey Pena told the media after the game that he felt his team had a good shot in the postseason. “It’s more than just talent that brought this team here. These girls are unselfish, they love the game, and they love

second match, Gaffney and Kan could not find a groove as they dropped both sets to No. 7 seeded Sarah Pavan and Kelly Reeves 21-16, 21-15. After high school Gaffney went on to play collegiately and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2018. Throughout college, she played four years of both beach and indoor volleyball; two at the University of San Francisco and two at UC Berkeley. As soon as she knew it was possible to play beach

to play together. They are a hard team to beat.”

Aside from a run-scoring single to Shelby Crowe, and an RBI double from Harper Vandermolen, Janessa Giugliano did her part to get the win for Liberty. The righty went seven innings in the pitcher’s circle, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out seven. Hyli De Los Santos took the loss for the Vaqueros after allowing nine hits and five runs over six innings, striking out one and walking one.

The Bison tallied nine hits in the game with Kaylee Fraund, Yasmine Lopez and Kitzerow each coming through with multiple hits.

Last weekend’s AVP Pro Series Huntington Beach Open featured 16-team women’s and men’s fields that competed in a doubleelimination bracket across three courts from Friday, May 19, through Sunday May 21. The women’s and men’s brackets each consist of 10 teams automatically entered based on AVP ranking points, two wild cards and four teams who earned entry through Thursday’s open qualifier.

Winners of the event were Orange County natives Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes on the women’s sand court, and topseeded men Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk. Following the AVP Pro Series Huntington Beach Open, the AVP and the Surfrider Foundation partnered up to host a beach cleanup event Tuesday, May

Fraund was the leading hitter with three hits in three at bats and would score twice on the day thanks to Kitzerow.

Both teams will find out what comes next in their season, if they accept the invitation, as the 2023 CIF State Regional Championship Brackets will be made available the afternoon of Sunday, May 28. Special thanks to Liberty High School’s student photographer, Morgan Ivy, for providing photos (more at www.instagram.com/ morgan.ivy.photography).

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

23, which was very successful.

The 2023 AVP Tour schedule includes 12 tournaments across the country, offering more than $1.5 million in prize money. Four Tour Series events feature 16 or 24-team brackets competing over three days for a $10,000 purse, and four Pro Series events each offer a 16-team draw playing for $125,000 over three days of play.

The three AVP Gold Series tournaments are three-day events

with 16- or 32-team brackets and the highest purses of the season at $300,000, and the twoday Championship event invites the top six teams per gender to compete exclusively at the end of the season. To follow all the action, visit the AVP website at www.AVP.com.

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

Twelve-year-old Jacob Miller (23) of Temecula was selected to compete with Team USA in the World Cup Qualifier in Aguascalientes, Mexico..

Jacob Miller, a 12-year-old from Temecula, made the 18-man roster for the Team USA 12U National baseball team, competing in the World Cup Qualifier in Aguascalientes, Mexico from May 19-28. Valley News/USA Baseball photos

2014 Great Oak graduate Jessica Gaffney, and partner Carly Kan, get set to take on the No. 2 seeded team of Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss in the second round of the Huntington Beach Open. Valley News/David Canales photo

Former Wolfpack standout Jessica Gaffney goes up for a kill over Taryn Kloth in last weekend’s AVP Pro Series Huntington Beach Open.

AVP’s Huntington Beach Open got underway with Great Oak standout Jessica Gaffney, pictured here, teaming with Carly Kan from Friday, May 19, through Sunday, May 21.

Tips for protecting kids from predators and some apps they use

Julie Reeder

Publisher

Historically, in our quiet suburban neighborhoods, the summer season would arrive and people would prepare for outdoor barbecues, swimming, fishing and laughter. Children would take advantage of more freedom to enjoy outdoor adventures in the neighborhood and beyond, especially locally, where we have rivers, ponds, groves, etc.. Amidst this excitement, however, parents have always had to be aware of their children’s safety.

Young people are outside less and less with the rise of technology in our lives and culture. Parents have to be concerned far more than ever about not only who is in the neighborhood, but who is influencing your children on devices they may interact with daily, whether it’s their phone, ipad, online games or the TV.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys worldwide experience child sexual abuse before the age of 18. However, these figures might not capture the full extent of the problem due to underreporting. Studies indicate that the majority of child sexual abuse cases involve perpetrators who are known to the child and the family. These individuals can include family members, acquaintances, roommates, or individuals in positions of authority or trust.

Child Protective Services finds evidence every 9 minutes and finds that 93% of victims know the perpetrator. However, it’s important to note that these reports encompass a broad range of online safety concerns, including images and videos, and may not solely represent interactions with predators.

According to groups like the National Children’s Alliance: Nationwide Child Abuse Statistics, 1 in 3 children to 1 in 5 children are solicited and/or sexually exploited while on the Internet before the age of 18.

What can parents do to protect their children?

Monitor their internet apps and activities. Limit their “screen time.”

Encourage outside activities. Here are some helpful tips in general, and then specific apps for parents to watch for that minors can be exploited through by strangers.

Helpful general protective practices

• Establish Open Communication:

Open and honest communication is key to ensuring children’s safety. Encourage kids to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences without judgment, assuring them of your love and support, whether you agree or disagree.

• Educate about Boundaries:

Teaching children about personal boundaries empowers them to recognize inappropriate behavior. Parents can discuss various scenarios, emphasizing the importance of saying “no” and reporting any uncomfortable encounters immediately. Teach how manipulative and dangerous secrets can be, not only from strangers, but people close to them as well.

• Develop Strong Relationships:

Parents can actively build relationships with their children, spending quality time together, and nurturing bonds of trust. This support system makes children more comfortable discussing their daily activities and concerns.

• Foster Online Safety:

In today’s digital era, the internet is a major breeding ground for predators. Parents need to be educated and educate their children about online safety, use privacy settings and warn of the dangers of sharing personal information, and the importance of reporting suspicious online behavior.

• Encourage Buddy System and Stranger Danger: Implement a neighborhood buddy system, encouraging children to move around in pairs or groups. This way, they watch out for one another, reducing the chances of falling victim to potential predators.

Also, teaching about stranger danger is crucial. Teaching kids to be cautious around unfamiliar individuals and strangers may seem unfriendly, but it is essential to maintain a safe distance.

• Empower Intuition:

Recognize the power of intuition. Encourage children to trust their instincts and to immediately seek help or move away from any situation that feels uncomfortable, even if it seems harmless on the surface.

• Establish Check-In Routine: To stay connected throughout the day, parents can establish check-in routines. Children should inform of their whereabouts periodically, ensuring peace of mind and allowing for swift action if necessary.

• Be an Advocate:

Lastly, parents should empower their children by teaching them that they are their own best advocates. Encourage them to speak up, seek help from trusted adults, and report any suspicious activity promptly. By doing so, children become active participants in their own safety.

• Dangerous Apps that Parents Should be Aware of:

It is important to be aware of certain apps that can pose potential risks to children and teenagers. Here are examples of apps that parents should be cautious about:

Whisper: Whisper is an anonymous social networking app that allows users to share their secrets, thoughts and confessions with strangers. While it may seem harmless, the anonymous nature of the app can lead to cyberbullying, inappropriate content and potential interactions with predators.

TikTok:

TikTok is a popular video-sharing app where users can create and share short videos. While it offers creative outlets and entertainment, parents should be aware of potential risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and the possibility of private messages or interactions with strangers.

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Snapchat: Snapchat is known for its disappearing messages and multimedia features. While it may seem appealing, the temporary nature of the content can lead to risky behaviors such as sending inappropriate photos or messages. Moreover, the app has a feature called Snap Map, which allows users to share their location with

friends, but it can also expose their whereabouts to potential predators.

Kik Messenger: Kik Messenger is an instant messaging app that allows users to send messages, photos and videos. It’s popular among teenagers due to its anonymity and the ability to join public group chats. Unfortunately, this app has been associated with cases of online predators targeting young users, as it can be difficult to trace messages back to their source.

Grindr: Grindr is a dating and social networking app primarily targeted towards gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. It’s important for parents to be aware that this app is intended for adults and can potentially expose underage users to explicit content, inappropriate conversations and interactions with adults.

Calculator Apps (Vault Apps):

Some calculator apps serve as a cover for hidden content and files. These apps often have a functioning calculator interface but can also act as secret vaults for storing photos, videos or documents that may be inappropriate or sensitive. Examples of such apps include Secret Calculator, Photo Vault or KeepSafe. It’s important for parents to be vigilant and monitor the apps installed on their children’s devices.

Omegle: Omegle is a chat website and app that pairs users randomly in one-on-one chat sessions. This app poses significant risks as it connects individuals with complete strangers, and there is a high potential for encountering explicit content, cyberbullying or grooming by predators.

Instagram: Instagram is a popular social media platform where users can share photos and videos. While it can be a fun way to connect with friends, it’s important for parents to be aware of potential cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and the pressure to maintain a certain image or appearance.

WhatsApp: WhatsApp is a messaging app that allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share media. It’s important for parents to monitor the contacts and groups their children interact with, as there have been instances of cyberbullying and sharing of explicit content on the platform.

Discord: Discord is a communication

platform primarily used by gamers, but it has gained popularity among teenagers for general chatting as well. Parents should be cautious as it can expose users to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and potentially harmful interactions with strangers.

Yubo:

Formerly known as Yellow, Yubo is a social networking app that allows users to make new friends by swiping right or left, similar to dating apps. It’s important for parents to be aware that this app can facilitate interactions with strangers, potentially leading to unsafe encounters or exposure to explicit content.

LiveMe: LiveMe is a live streaming app where users can broadcast themselves to a global audience. While it may seem harmless, the app can expose children and teenagers to inappropriate content and interactions, as well as privacy concerns if personal information is shared.

Bigo Live: Bigo Live is another live streaming app that allows users to stream their activities and interact with viewers. Parents should be cautious as this app can expose users to explicit content, cyberbullying and potential interactions with strangers.

MeetMe:

MeetMe is a social networking app that facilitates meeting new people in a location-based manner. However, it has been associated with risks such as cyberbullying, sharing of explicit content, and the potential for meeting strangers in real life.

Tinder: Tinder is a dating app designed for adults, but underage users may still attempt to use it. It’s important for parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with the app, including interactions with adults, exposure to explicit content and potential exploitation.

Likee:

Likee is a video creation and sharing app that allows users to create short videos with various effects and filters. Parents should be aware of potential risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and the possibility of interacting with strangers.

Ask.fm:

Ask.fm is a social networking app where users can ask and answer questions. It can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying, as users can ask questions anonymously, leading to hurtful or harmful interactions.

Parents shouldn’t be intimidated to regularly monitor and communicate with their children about potentially dangerous apps. Educating about risks, setting guidelines, and fostering open dialogue will help ensure their online safety which is every parent’s responsibility. By implementing these tips and fostering a culture of vigilance and open communication, we can protect our little ones and encourage a world where they can grow, explore and flourish safely.

Temecula offers free Safer Summer Pool Party during National Water Safety Month

TEMECULA ─ In partnership with Inland Empire Water Safety Task Force and Stop Drowning Now, the city of Temecula Aquatics Division will present a Safer Summer Pool Party at the Community Recreation Center Pool, 30875 Rancho Vista Road, Saturday, May 27, from noon to 2 p.m.

As the weather starts to heat up in Temecula and residents gear up for summer, it is important for all to be water safe. May is National Water Safety Month,

and Temecula said it is committed to providing resources for all residents to be safe when returning to warm weather activities around bodies of water; including pools, oceans and lakes. This free community event is open to all, and guests will have the opportunity to learn water safety practices, interact with Fire Engines and Police Cars, practice in-water swimming skills and enjoy food from Sunshine Hotdogs that will be available for purchase, and anyone who pre-registers will

receive a free Kona Ice at the event. Public swim will be available for free for event participants from 2-5 p.m. To register, visit http:// TemeculaCA.gov/Register and search Safer Summer Pool Party. Register each person attending. For more information, call the Aquatics Office at 951-3086396 and be sure to follow @ TemeculaAquatics on social media.

Submitted by Temecula Community Services Department.

Valley News/Adobe Stock photo

San Jacinto singers hit a high note at choir festival despite some hiccups

Special to Valley News

San Jacinto High School choir director Keith Still was looking forward to his singers repeating their award-winning performance at the Forum Music Festival in Santa Clarita on May 5. But when the group’s long-time accompanist could not continue, he had to spend precious time searching for another in the weeks leading up to the event.

“Anna Bradshaw accompanied my choirs for the last four to five years,” Still said. “She recently accepted a full-time music position and became too busy to work with my singers.”

However, when piano teacher and SJHS alumnus Jean Will heard of the students’ plight, she offered to step in and tinkle the ivories for the choir. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger was definitely evident in her willingness to share her talents in such an impactful way. Just as she was ready to start rehearsing with the singers, Will, 85, had an accident that prevented her from playing.

Reaching out to the local music community, Still was able to enlist the help of Hemet resident Betty Day, who saved the day. Like Will, Day is also well known in the community and accompanies the Harmoneers Chorale, a Hemet based vocal ensemble.

The San Jacinto choir was already scheduled to sing two selections a cappella and began rehearsing their third song that way just in case a pianist was not found in time. Luckily, Day was able to rehearse with the singers four times before the festival and all went well.

“They’re a fabulous group of kids,” Day said. “They are friendly and quite a few like the old songs I grew up with.” Day began playing for her local church when she was only nine years old. Throughout her musical journey, she has played for several musical productions, including San Jacinto High School’s “South Pacific” in 2014. “I’m back on the piano bench at First Presbyterian Church where I play two-minute preludes each Sunday, the congregational singing and sing in the choir,” Day said. She explained the difference between a pianist who accompanies and one who performs.

“An accompanist is in the background. The job is to do whatever is necessary to make the performer sound the very best possible,” Day, 82, said. Due to

school district rules, a current Live Scan fingerprint clearance was required for her to ride the bus with the students and there wasn’t enough time to secure that.

“I rented a cute little sky-blue Spark and drove three or so hours to get there and four to get back,” she said.

It’s obvious the judges didn’t have a clue as to what had transpired in the weeks before the competition as the group captured a Gold Rating once again. Still said, “I am so blessed for these people who are willing to jump in and help out.” Participating in this year’s competition were 11 members of the Advanced Ladies Ensemble and 12 from the Chamber Choir. They joined voices to sing three songs in a row during their time on stage.

Still has taught at San Jacinto High School for the past 14 years and his singers have been attending Forum Music Festivals for 12 years, missing two years of competing due to COVID closures. It is through Forum Music Festivals that the choir has received a Gold Rating for its eighth consecutive year.

How does Still consistently teach his singers to excel? “First and foremost, the students have to want it. Because my advanced choirs are audition-only classes, wanting to be a part of the group and wanting to grow musically is a given,” he said. “Next is getting the singers excited about the music we are planning to compete with. This usually takes some strategy as the kind of music I present to the class for festival is usually not the genre of music they would typically listen to. Next is developing the singers’ ability to hear and sing harmony, and to do so in a balanced and blended way. This involves lots of work on vowel and tone production.”

Still believes that what sets his singers apart from the competition is the fact that he emphasizes the message of the music over the technique of singing. “While I’m a huge proponent of studying the fundamentals of good singing, over-emphasizing technique can make a singer tense and then the musical ‘line’ is lost, the music doesn’t ebb and flow as it should.”

This year the group performed “Sixteen Tons,” “Mary, Did You Know” and “O Love,” a George Mathison work arranged by Elaine Hagenberg. “O Love was my favorite because of the beautiful layering of each vocal part and the tension and release that is created

as a result,” Still said. “It’s slow moving yet has a connective thread that keeps the piece interesting and engaging. It also is a wonderful teaching piece; my students really benefited musically from the experience of practicing and performing the song.”

This is the piece that Day played for and she was not familiar with it. Still said Day did an “amazing job preparing herself at home and then working with the students; she was phenomenal.” He said part of his job is convincing his students to learn songs that will reach the depths of choral expression.

Most of the students enjoyed the opportunity to sing “Mary, Did You Know.” Often associated with Christmas, Still said it is a challenging piece that is definitely of festival caliber. At the competition, singers are graded on seven categories that include stage presence, intonation, phrasing and more. He said the judges are all top-notch university-trained choir instructors who know what to listen for.

“We were the last choral group to perform so the awards ceremony was immediately after our performance,” Still said. “All the students went to Universal Studios afterwards for a fun celebration.”

Still has about five or so officers that are elected to help with logistics for events and projects that happen year-round. He said it allows his senior students to have a voice to stay connected to the group.

Senior Daniel Lopez has been in choir all four years and was elected President of the Advanced Choirs. He said the group has become like a family and because it’s smaller they’ve been able to get closer.

“I know the tone and attitude of everyone,” Daniel said. “I like singing; it feels good.” He used to sing at church but mostly listens to pop and Spanish music. This is the second year he has competed at the Forum Music Festival and said, “It was terrifying; everyone was so worked up.” Vice President Diana “CiCi” Navarrete, also a senior, sings in the high range as a soprano. She said being in the competition was a “stressful process” because of the short amount of time they had to learn all the songs. She enjoys her role of keeping in contact with her classmates, organizing class events and decorating the classroom for holidays. “Everyone calls me the mom of the choir because I take care of everyone,” CiCi said. She enjoys listening to late 90s,

early 2000s rhythm and blues and traditional Mexican music.

Sophomore Kayla Pleasant, 16, has been involved with theater since her freshman year and friends encouraged her to join choir this school year. She likes pop, soul, R&B and funk music. She has a wide singing range and a strong voice and won a Musicianship Award for her solo at the festival during “Mary, Did You Know.”

Jean Albarran is a junior who also joined choir this year and has been in theater since sixth grade. “A friend told me to join because it’s really fun and then I saw them perform and I wanted to be part of it,” he said. “It’s been great and has helped me understand music more and extend my vocal range.” The tenor’s favorite music genres are hip hop and rap. Jean thought the festival was really fun. “I felt I could’ve done better but it was a great experience,” he said. He plans to major in theater in college with a dream job of becoming a Hollywood actor.

Still was recently chosen by his peers as San Jacinto High’s Teacher of the Year and then was selected as one of San Jacinto Unified School District’s Teachers of the Year. This selection is made based on teaching ability, service, community involvement, impact, accomplishments and the ability to be an excellent representative of the district’s vision, according to the district’s personnel department who oversees the selection process.

“Organizing events like the SJHS Fine Arts Festival and the

All-District Mass Choir Concert take up a lot of my time; there is never much down time,” Still said. “I love teaching and serving and being a part of inspiring young people, especially high school students, in a positive and memorable way. The journey is incredibly rewarding.”

Day said, “Keith is an extremely talented musician. He interprets the music, and the kids follow right along with him. He incorporates many things relative to performance in addition to actually singing, such as relaxing, focus, posture, thought process and many more things.”

The San Jacinto High School choir performs at more than 20 community and campus events throughout the year, giving many the opportunity to enjoy their award-winning talents.

“I can always choose to perform and to write, and I do, but I like not having the pressure to do so,” Still said. “However, one day I hope to write and arrange for the choir. Writing a piece of music worthy of singing at graduation has been a longtime goal; it just hasn’t happened yet.”

Still said some of his former students have gone onto professional music careers and one who served as president a couple of years ago is a music major at UCR with plans to become a choir teacher. “That is the biggest honor I could receive; it’s not the gold medals or the accolades but rather students who find value in what a choir teacher does,” he said.

Diane A. Rhodes

The San Jacinto High School Advanced Choir performs at a community event at Valley-Wide Regional Park in San Jacinto, Dec. 1. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

San Jacinto High School Choir Director Keith Still, center, with Advanced Choir President Daniel Lopez and Vice President Diana “CiCi” Navarrete after the group’s Gold Rating at the Forum Music Festival, May 5. Both are four-year students in the choir program.

Choir director Keith Still holding the latest Gold Rating plaque his singers have received for the past eight years at the Forum Music Festivals.

SJHS’s Advanced Choir performing under the direction of Keith Still and accompanied by Betty Day, at left, during the Forum Music Festival. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Several members of the SJHS Advanced Choir sing at the Book of Golden Deeds event at Valley-Wide Regional Park in San Jacinto, Dec. 1. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

Valley News/Courtesy photo

MSJC board approves agreement with San Jacinto Unified on Middle College High School

SAN JACINTO – The Mt. San Jacinto Community College District and the San Jacinto Unified School District announced a partnership to launch the San Jacinto Middle College High School, a program that is intended to provide a seamless pathway for students from high school to community college.

In an agreement approved by the MSJC Board of Trustees Thursday, May 11, the middle college high school will feature a collaborative high school model providing high school students direct access to college-level courses and services at MSJC’s San Jacinto Campus. The courses offered under the middle college high school agreement are English, dance, biology and art. The San

Jacinto Campus will continue to serve the general collegestudent population. The one-year agreement is effective Saturday, July 1.

The program allows students to begin college-level coursework as they are finishing high school and prepare for either a fouryear institution or receive their associate degree and enter the workforce.

Jeremy Brown, vice president of instruction at MSJC, said the middle college high school will benefit the region.

“This is an exciting agreement that enhances our already successful dual enrollment program. We are pleased to partner with the San Jacinto Unified School District and provide this opportunity to

Mt. San Jacinto College awarded two diversity grants

SAN JACINTO – Mt. San Jacinto College was the recipient of two significant grants focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office awarded MSJC the Native American Student Support and Success Program grant and the Culturally Responsive Pedagogy & Practices; Innovative Best Practices grant. MSJC is among the top 20 colleges in California to receive the NASSSP grant and one of 59 to receive the CRPP IBP grant.

The $600,000 NASSSP grant was awarded to MSJC based on two top criteria: high opportunity for the American Indian/Alaska Native population in the college district and a high need to address the equity gaps experienced by AIAN students. The NASSSP grant is especially vital as Native American students often face unique challenges in higher education.

MSJC plans to use the grant funds to achieve four critical objectives: strengthen K-12 pathways for Native American students to pursue higher education, ensure the academic success of Native American students, develop Native American leaders and empower future generations by increasing the number of Native American mentors.

“The NASSSP grant is crucial to MSJC for addressing the unique challenges Native American students face in higher education,” Rebecca Teague, interim vice president of student services, who oversees DEIA initiatives and grants, said. “We

are excited to provide resources and support tailored specifically to the needs of these students, such as counseling, tutoring, and cultural activities. Additionally, the grant will enable MSJC to establish partnerships with local Native American communities and organizations to create a more connected and supportive network for our students.”

MSJC was also awarded the CRPP IBP grant, which provides $297,170 to support the development of innovative DEIAminded and culturally competent professional development training for faculty. The college will develop training on cultural competency, bias awareness and ways to create an inclusive environment. This grant will also help upskill faculty to better serve students of all backgrounds and improve their experiences and outcomes.

“The core goal is to develop DEIA-focused professional development opportunities to create a more welcoming and supportive learning environment for students,” Anna Stirling, associate dean of distance education/professional development, said. “By investing in our faculty’s professional development, we can successfully expand their capabilities to serve our diverse student population.”

Overall, these grants will enable MSJC to continue to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and to support the success of all students.

Submitted by Mt. San Jacinto College.

Three locals initiated into Phi Kappa Phi

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, initiated Danielle Carlson of Wildomar, Daniel Marich of Murrieta and Brittney Teebken of Menifee at California State University San Bernardino recently.

They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one

students,” he said. “The middle college high school concept has shown to raise graduation rates and serves underrepresented populations. It will give high school students a jumpstart on their college coursework.”

Joshua Rivera, president of the MSJC Board of Trustees, represents the Hemet-San Jacinto area. Rivera said he is pleased to see area students have convenient access to MSJC courses.

“This innovative program is exciting for high school students,” Rivera said. “This partnership allows us to work together to ensure more students in our valley are college bound.”

During the past six months, San Jacinto Unified School District held numerous information and

commitment meetings and are currently working with students who have enrolled in the Middle College High School to finalize application and orientation requirements.

David Pyle, superintendent of San Jacinto Unified School District, said he is grateful for this partnership that will continue to evolve for years to come.

“We are delighted that our students will have access to college level courses while pursuing their high school diploma. We are excited to expand program offerings to those who may not have considered higher education a realistic option,” Pyle said. “Our Board of Trustees continue to search for a variety of educational pathways for the SJUSD

community, and the partnership with MSJC adds another option.”

The college district provides a safe learning environment for students through its agreement with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the MSJC Campus Safety Office, and multiple security cameras at the campus. MSJC formed a similar agreement with the Beaumont Unified School District in 2022. MSJC is one of California’s 116 community colleges. It serves about 25,000 people annually throughout its 1,700-square-mile district. MSJC serves the general college-student population from campuses in San Jacinto, Menifee and Temecula. Submitted by Mt. San Jacinto College.

Lorena Morales is named as 2024 Riverside County Teacher of the Year in surprise visit

RIVERSIDE – As the mathematics department chair at La Sierra High School, Lorena Morales was leading her fellow math teachers in a training when an entourage of family, colleagues, Alvord Unified School District administrators and Edwin Gomez, superintendent of schools for Riverside County, descended on her meeting to surprise her with the news that she was named 2024 Riverside County Teacher of the Year.

“Ms. Morales works tirelessly to support all of her students and is especially proud to be the instructional leader for the schools’ national AVID demonstration program,” Gomez said, who also shared comments from colleagues gathered as part of the selection process.

Morales will represent Riverside County in the 2024 California State Teacher of the Year competition later this year. Three more 2024 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be revealed in upcoming surprise visits.

“I take pride in what I do and in my journey,” Lorena said after receiving her award. “I believe in the power of the leadership that takes place in the classroom, it makes a difference for our students.”

that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization’s notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards $1.3 million to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, funding for postbaccalaureate development and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit http://www. phikappaphi.org.

Submitted by Phi Kappa Phi.

M orales started her teaching career in 2007 as an intern at La Sierra High School – the same school she graduated from as valedictorian only three years earlier. Her decision to become an educator was motivated by a desire to make an impact on the lives of the students in the same way teachers made a difference in her life as the first in her family to graduate with a four-year college diploma. Morales teaches mathematics and serves as an Advancement Via Individual Determination teacher preparing students for success beyond the high school campus with everything from lunch-time tutoring to scholarship searches

and college application support. She coordinates community partnerships and projects – like the Big Brothers Sisters connection with next-door Collett Elementary School.

Morales has been a teacher at La Sierra High School ever since she graduated from California State University San Bernardino with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She earned her teaching credential, master’s degree in educational leadership and administration and preliminary administrative service credential, from Chapman University.

Once named, all four teachers of the year will represent Riverside County in the 2024 California

Teacher of the Year competition where at least one Riverside County teacher has been selected as a California Teacher of the Year in eight of the last 10 years.

In 2022, Nichi Aviña of Cielo Vista Charter School of Palm Springs Unified School District was selected. In 2021, Keisa Brown of University Heights Middle School of Riverside Unified School District and Allison Cyr of Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School of Desert Sands Unified School District.

In 2020, Brenda ChavezBarreras of Good Hope Elementary School of Perris Elementary School District. In 2019, Angel Mejico of El Cerrito Middle School of Corona-Norco Unified School District.

In 2018, Brian McDaniel of Painted Hills Middle School of Palm Springs USD; in 2017, Shaun Bunn of Ethan A. Chase Middle School of Romoland School District.

In 2016, Michelle Cherland of Carrillo Ranch Elementary School of Desert Sands USD. In 2014, Jessica Pack of James Workman Middle School pf Palm Springs USD.

The Riverside County Teachers of the Year are selected from nearly 20,000 educators in the county. The rigorous application process requires candidates to spend time reflecting on, and carefully defining, their teaching philosophy. The county teachers of the year are selected on the basis of nominations by teachers, principals and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where a selection committee reviews the applications on each district candidate and selects semi-finalists. The selection committee then conducts interviews and site visits to select the final four candidates before the county superintendent announces the Riverside County Teachers of the Year.

Submitted by Riverside County.

Lorena Morales is awarded 2024 Riverside County Teacher of the Year. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Lorena Morales, left, holds her certificate of recognition, which was presented by Edwin Gomez, right, superintendent of schools for Riverside County. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Caltrans lane closure schedule temporarily pulled back for Memorial Day weekend

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The California Department of Transportation announced that many of its highway projects requiring lane closures will not take place during the Memorial Day weekend due to the large number of motorists expected to travel during the holiday.

Work on other highway and roadway projects in Inland Empire cities may also be halted over the holiday unless emergency work is required.

In San Jacinto, the $4 million safety project constructing a median concrete barrier and rumble strips on Lamb Canyon’s State Route 79 have seen all lanes moved back to their original locations and the left hand turn lanes at the Ramona Expressway have also been opened. In addition, there will be no lane closures Friday, May 26, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday

The remaining work on the project will still require outside lane and shoulder closures, in both directions, for guardrail installation. Motorists are still advised to use caution. CHP will be on site to assist with traffic safety. Watch for signage alerting

motorists of upcoming construction locations and remember to reduce your speed in and surrounding the work zone. The project is expected to be completed this spring.

Menifee

Storm drain construction work and its facilities are currently being installed adjacent to Holland and Bradley roads as part of the Menifee80 residential housing tract. Intermittent traffic control will be in place during construction, which is expected to be complete by the end of May.

The Holland Road Overpass

Menifee Capital Improvement Project still requires Holland Road between Hanover Lane and Antelope Road to remain closed for the duration of the project, which is expected to last 17 months.

Alternating lane closures on the I-215 Freeway from Newport Road to Scott Road were in effect until Thursday, May 25. Up to two lanes were closed and one lane remained open as work was being completed. For more dates and times see www. hollandoverpass.com.

The developer of Cimarron Ridge continues installing underground improvements in the area of Valley Boulevard between McCall Boulevard and Ridgemoor Street. This portion of

Valley Boulevard will be subject to lane closures during this work and traffic delays should be expected in the area through the end of May, except on Memorial Day.

The Menifee’s Capital Improvement Project for roadway improvements on Menifee Road between Holland Road and Camino Cristal is now complete. Traffic lanes are open in all directions.

Southern California Edison’s work, trenching for new power lines on Menifee Road from Newport to Holland roads, will be active during daytime and nighttime hours at the intersection. Traffic control will be in place during project work. Message boards containing contact information for the project will also be placed in the project area. Completion of work in this area is now expected to continue until the end of the month. Traffic signal, median work and landscape improvements continue at McCall Blvd. and Ranch Road as part of the McCall Square project. The construction schedule for this project has been extended and is now expected to be fully completed by June 30. Intermittent traffic control will remain in place for the duration of the project. SoCal Gas Company gas lines for the McCall Square project are

complete and all travel lanes are now open in the areas of Evans and Lazy Creek roads.

For questions on project/ construction updates listed contact Philip Southard, Public Information and Legislative Affairs Officer, at 951-746-0654 or at psouthard@cityofmenifee.us

Hemet Caltrans still continues work on a $1.3 million safety project on State Route 79 in the City of Hemet. The project will modify and upgrade a traffic signal, reconstruct and upgrade sidewalks, curb ramps and driveways to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards at the intersection of E. Latham Avenue and SR-79. Hours of operation, except on Memorial Day, and potential impacts to commuters and pedestrians will include work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

However, major construction activities have been completed.

Minor work is still taking place on the curb construction to meet ADA standards. Temporary pedestrian access will be provided as field conditions allow.

Banning Caltrans continues work on a $2 million project to rehabilitate existing planting, landscaping,

CBP releases April 2023 monthly operational update

WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection released operational statistics for April 2023.

“As part of our planning for the end of the Title 42 public health order, we have surged resources, technology and personnel to safely and orderly manage challenges along the southern border – while at the same time, maintaining a persistent focus on our other missions to ensure national and economic security,” CBP Acting Commissioner Troy A. Miller said. “The CBP workforce – including the U.S. Border Patrol and the Office of Field Operations – have the experience and professionalism to continue to adapt to changing dynamics. Along with the support of personnel from across DHS and across the federal government, we will continue to meet the moment.”

CBP has 211,401 encounters along the southwest border.

CBP’s overall encounters along the southwest border in April 2023 totaled 211,401, up 10% from 191,956 in March 2023. Similarly, U.S. Border Patrol’s 182,114 encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border in April were up 12% over March. The agency said the increase in encounters from March to April is typical; however, in April 2023, southwest border encounter totals for CBP overall and Border Patrol decreased 11% and 10.5% respectively from April 2022.

Among CBP’s 211,401 encounters in April, single adult encounters increased by 5% compared to March, unaccompanied children decreased 7% and family unit individuals increased by 28%.

Over two-thirds, or 67%, of all southwest land border encounters were single adults, with 140,678 encounters in April, a 5% increase compared to March.

Processed for expulsion under Title 42 were 74,027 encounters, 35% of the total; 137,374 encounters were processed under Title 8.

Forty-six percent of all single adult encounters, or 65,406 encounters involving single adults, were processed for expulsion under Title 42, with 75,272 processed under Title 8, which is 54% of all single adult encounters.

Fourteen percent of all family unit individuals, or 8,405 encounters involving family unit individuals, were processed for expulsion under Title 42, with 50,559 processed under Title 8, which is 86% of all family unit individuals.

In April 2023, there were 48,243, or 23%, repeat encounters and 139,369, or 66%, unique encounters. The number of unique individuals encountered in April 2023 was 139,369 compared to 119,053 in March 2023, a 17% increase in the number of unique individuals encountered the previous month.

since Aug 202237%-23%58%33%2%

Unique encounters at the southwest border include persons not previously encountered in the previous 12 months.

Valley News/ Office of Immigration Statistics analysis of CBP data

Of those, 23% involved individuals who had at least one prior encounter in the previous 12 months, compared to an average one-year re-encounter rate of 14% for fiscal year 2014-2019.

Encounters of unaccompanied children decreased 7%, with 11,478 encounters in April compared with 12,361 in March. In April, the average number of unaccompanied children in CBP custody was 500 per day, compared with an average of 464 per day in March.

Encounters of family unit individuals increased by 28% from 45,891 in March to 58,964 in April, which is a 32% decrease from the peak of 86,631 in August 2021.

During April 2023, 28,738

Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, including immediate family members where applicable, were paroled into the country by CBP’s Office of Field Operations through the parole processes established for Venezuelans in October and expanded to the additional nationalities in January. Arrivals of noncitizens via these processes, which include careful vetting and require a supporter present in the United States, are a testament to the benefit of these lawful processes in promoting safe and orderly migration while reducing encounters along the southwest border.

CBP One App

From Jan. 12, when the scheduling function was introduced, over 79,000 individuals have scheduled an appointment via the CBP One mobile application through the end of April. The top nationalities are Mexican, Venezuelan and Haitian.

In April, CBP processed over 22,000 individuals at ports of entry as exceptions to Title 42 based on an individual vulnerability assessment using the newly available functionality in the CBP One app. The high demand for

these appointments has meant that not all individuals seeking appointments have been able to schedule them, but the transition of the exceptions process to CBP One allows more open access and has provided immediate benefits in reducing the exploitation of vulnerable persons seeking to present at ports of entry.

The large number of appointments scheduled via CBP One in recent months was made possible through the identification of process improvements and implementation of a series of software updates that fixed earlier reported technical difficulties.

For example, CBP addressed reported challenges related to geolocation and error messages due to bandwidth issues with a thirdparty software for liveness. CBP One’s undocumented noncitizen scheduling functionality is now available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. It is important, however, for users to approve location services when prompted in the application or they will be unable to schedule an appointment.

Nationwide CBP has 1,816,958 encounters for the fiscal year through April.

CBP continues to enforce U.S. immigration law and apply

consequences to those without a legal basis to remain in the United States. With the Title 42 public health order no longer in place, CBP is processing individuals encountered at the border using its longstanding Title 8 authorities.

Under Title 8, those who attempt to enter the United States without authorization, and who are unable to establish a legal basis to remain in the United States, will be quickly removed. Individuals who have been removed under Title 8 are also subject to additional long-term consequences beyond removal from the United States, including bars to future immigration benefits.

DHS has been executing a comprehensive and deliberate strategy to secure our borders and build a safe, orderly and humane immigration system. The strategy is based on six pillars: surging resources; increasing efficiency to reduce strain on the border; employing an aggressive consequence regime; bolstering the capacity of NGOs and partnering with state and local partners; going after cartels and smugglers and working with our regional partners. This comprehensive plan leverages a whole-of-government approach to prepare for and manage the current and anticipated increases in encounters of noncitizens at our southwest border.

One of CBP’s core mission objectives is to enhance the nation’s economic prosperity, including through the facilitation of lawful trade and travel. CBP continues to protect America’s national and economic security by facilitating legitimate trade while rigorously enforcing U.S. customs laws and regulations.

The Border Patrol tracks traveler numbers and wait times and continuously adjusts as needed to make the travel experience more efficient. Travelers can plan by having a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative document, such as a passport, Trusted Traveler Program card or Enhanced Tribal Card; possessing proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the CDC website; verbally attesting to their travel intent and COVID-19 vaccination status and being prepared to present any documents requested by the CBP officer.

CBP works with the trade

upgrade of irrigation facilities to current water efficient technology and provide erosion control on Interstate 10 at 8th Street in the City of Banning. Crews continue working on landscaping and irrigation facilities in and near the I-10 from .25 miles west of 8th Street to South San Gorgonio Avenue.

But there will be no lane or ramp closures on Friday, May 26, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. There are shoulder closures at the on/off ramps, eastbound and westbound, I-10 at SR-243 at 8th Street.

Palm Springs

Caltrans continues its work on the $5.5 million project to construct and upgrade curb ramps to ADA standards and modify signal and lighting systems on State Route 111 in Palm Springs. Crews continue work at various locations on the highway from Lawrence Crossley Road to West Gateway Drive. A minimum of one lane will be open in each direction at all times. Expect some delays and use caution and reduce your speed. The project is expected to be complete in the summer.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

community and port operators to ensure that merchandise is cleared as efficiently as possible. CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve border security. There are several programs by which CBP works with importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers and manufacturers to advance information about the shipments and expedite the inspection process at the ports of entry. CBP is available to conduct exams and is ready and willing to expand hours of operations if necessary to meet the growing demand for imported goods.

In April 2023, CBP processed more than 2.6 million entry summaries valued at more than $257 billion, identifying estimated duties of nearly $6.5 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. In April, trade via the ocean environment accounted for more than 42% of the total import value, followed by air, truck and rail.

In April 2023, CBP identified 377 shipments valued at more than $159 million for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor, and which may be subject to a Withhold Release Order, Forced Labor Finding, or the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act’s rebuttable presumption, and prohibited importation into the United States under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.

Intellectual property rights violations continue to put America’s innovation economy at risk. Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threaten the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, the livelihoods of American workers and the health and safety of consumers.

In April 2023, CBP seized 1,864 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $2.7 billion.

CBP completed 33 audits that identified $136 million in duties and fees owed to the U.S. government, stemming from goods that had been improperly declared in accordance with U.S. trade laws and customs regulations. CBP collected over $2 million of this identified revenue and from previous fiscal years’ assignments.

In April 2023, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America’s agriculture, natural resources and economic prosperity.

CBP issued 5,422 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States.

CBP conducted 93,470 positive passenger inspections and issued 698 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items.

Drug seizures

CBP’s fentanyl seizures increased 14% in April compared to March. Last month, DHS announced that in its first month, see CBP, page C-8

FBI ignored hundreds of exculpatory statements, pushing TrumpRussia probe: Durham Report

was that Manafort was conspiring with Russia on behalf of the campaign using Page as a conduit.

Halper met with Page again in October 2016, December 2016, and January 2017, gathering an ever-growing list of exculpatory statements.

“During all of his meetings with [Halper], Page never provided any information, evidence, or documentation indicating knowledge of any relationship between the Trump campaign and the Russian government,” Durham’s report said.

Petr

Keeping alive its investigation of supposed collusion between Donald Trump and Russia, the FBI ignored hundreds of exculpatory statements Trump aides made when secretly recorded by FBI informants. In some cases, the FBI spun the utterings to mean the opposite of what was said, according to the final report by special counsel John Durham.

The group running the Trump-Russia probe at the FBI headquarters in 2016 and 2017 went to great lengths to try to elicit statements from various Trump aides that could implicate the campaign, and later the president, in an alleged scheme to collude with Russia to sway the 2016 election.

Again and again, the agents sent informants to talk to people tied to the campaign and slip into conversations questions about Russia helping the campaign.

After months of efforts and dozens of hours of recorded conversations, the bureau came up empty-handed. On the contrary, they collected hundreds of statements denying any collusion with Russia—sometimes indirectly, other times explicitly, Durham’s report details.

The agents and officials running the probe, however, seemed impervious to the deluge of evidence contradicting their premise. In fact, they went as far as to spin clearly exculpatory statements to make them sound incriminating, according to the report. The probe was launched on July 31, 2016, based on a single uncorroborated claim that a campaign aide, George Papadopoulos, “suggested” during a casual talk with an Australian diplomat that the campaign received “some kind of suggestion” that Russia may help it by releasing info damaging to Trump’s opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Durham later learned that Papadopoulos may have never made any such suggestion.

Just days later, one of the agents on the case, Stephen Somma, reached out to a longtime FBI informant he handled, Stefan Halper. Somma and two other agents met with Halper on Aug. 11, 2016. They asked if he knew

CBP from page C-7

Operation Blue Lotus and the complementary Operation Four Horseman seized more than 5,000 pounds of fentanyl.

CBP’s fentanyl seizures have increased more than 400% since fiscal year 2019 and the fiscal year 2023 seizures of fentanyl have already surpassed the fiscal year 2022 seizure total. CBP seized more than 17,000 pounds of fentanyl from October 2022 through April 2023 as compared with about 6,600 pounds from October 2021 through April 2022.

CBP officers, Border Patrol agents and Air and Marine Operations agents continue to interdict the flow of illicit narcotics across the border. Nationwide, drug seizures – cocaine, methamphetamine,

Papadopoulos, but he didn’t. Yet supposedly by sheer luck, Halper knew the two other targets of the probe: Paul Manafort, then-chair of the Trump campaign who was about to get fired for keeping from the campaign his Russian connections, and Carter Page, a junior adviser to the campaign with whom Halper talked at a London security symposium and a subsequent private meeting.

The symposium was overseen by Halper, who vetted its attendants, Durham’s report noted. Page came to it right after returning from a trip to Moscow, where he gave a commencement speech at a university.

Halper also volunteered a false story that insinuated that another Trump campaign adviser, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, had an affair with a Russian-born doctoral student in London several years prior. Somma wrote a report from the meeting with Halper, dating it Aug. 15, 2016. The report already referred to Flynn by a code name, “Crossfire Razor,” even though the agents only opened a case on Flynn on Aug. 16, 2016.

The opening document on Flynn cited Halper’s false story as well as his giving a paid interview at a gala in Moscow held by state-funded Russian TV in 2015.

Halper agreed to talk to and run operations against Papadopoulos and Page. Somma’s report indicates that Halper failed to mention to the FBI his overtures to the Trump campaign. As Durham found, Halper sent an email to the campaign on May 2, 2016, with his resumé and an offer to informally advise the campaign.

The Page Meetings

Halper met with Page on Aug. 20, 2016, surreptitiously recording the conversation. He tried to bait Page into saying something about the campaign colluding with Russia, but Page never did. Page mentioned a “conspiracy theory” that Russia had deleted emails from Clinton’s private server—an allegation that was swirling online and seeping into the media for months without corroboration. But Page explicitly said he didn’t know whether it was true or not. He also denied ever speaking to Manafort. That was important because a month later, agents on the case received the infamous Steele dossier, a collection of baseless claims about TrumpRussia collusion. One of the claims

heroin, fentanyl and marijuana –by weight decreased 35% in April compared to March. More than 90% of fentanyl is trafficked in cars and trucks through Ports of Entry.

Additional CBP drug seizure statistics can be found at https:// www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/ drug-seizure-statistics.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Submitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

either irrelevant or exculpatory, according to Durham’s report.

On Sept. 15, 2016, Halper met twice with Papadopoulos under the pretext of commissioning him to write a paper on energy in Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Russia, and Syria.

During the meeting, Halper tried to tease out the campaign’s supposed cooperation with Russia, but Papadopoulos made no such indication. In fact, he offered a lengthy and explicit denial.

Despite that, FBI leadership, including then-Director James Comey and then-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, pushed for a warrant to spy on Page and blocked case agents from interviewing him. The warrant, obtained in a secret court under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), included false allegations from the Steele dossier that Page met with sanctioned Russian officials during his Moscow trip. Page repeatedly denied the meetings, both publicly and in private, to Halper, but the FBI kept renewing the warrant well into 2017.

Meanwhile, information about the investigation was being leaked to the media, smearing Page and other Trump aides as possibly colluding with Russia.

The FISA warrant application not only omitted Page’s exculpatory statements, but also twisted what he told Halper about the false claims about him in the media.

“Page did not provide any specific details to refute, dispel, or clarify the media reporting [and] he made vague statements that minimized his activities,” the application said.

“This assertion … seriously misrepresents Page’s recorded statements,” Durham’s report commented.

In early September 2016, Halper met with Trump campaign adviser Sam Clovis. Halper again tried to elicit some admission of collusion but without success.

“The tenor of the conversation between [Halper] and the advisor provided no indication of assistance being provided to the campaign by the Russians,” Durham’s report said.

FBI agents were apparently cautious about this meeting. Most of the conversation centered on campaign issues and the recording de facto provided the FBI with intelligence on the Trump campaign.

Durham didn’t find any evidence the FBI used the recording in any way. Not even a transcript was produced, the report said.

The Papadopoulos Meetings Papadopoulos was extensively recorded in secret many times, starting in September 2016.

First, two undercover FBI agents met with him, but all he said was

“As a campaign, of course, we don’t advocate for this type of activity because at the end of the day, it’s, ah, illegal. First and foremost, it compromises the U.S. national security and third it sets a very bad precedence,” he said, according to a transcript of the conversation.

He then doubled and tripled down, saying that “no one does that,” “it’s illegal activity,” and “espionage is, ah, treason.”

“No one’s looking to, um, obviously get into trouble like that and, you know, as far as I understand that’s, no one’s collaborating, there’s been no collusion and it’s going to remain that way,” he said.

The FBI is supposed to include exculpatory information in FISA applications, but in this instance, the agents found a way to dismiss it, according to Durham’s report.

“This was arguably the most significant information the FBI had gathered after approximately six weeks of investigative effort to evaluate the information it had received from Australia,” his report said.

“Yet the FBI chose to discount the information and assessed it to mean the opposite of what was explicitly said.”

Agents described Papadopoulos’s denials as “weird,” “rote,” “canned,” and “rehearsed.” They argued that his “free flowing conversation” with Halper suddenly changed “to almost a canned response,” according to the report.

The bureau’s top brass, up to McCabe, was briefed on the recording, and “the general consensus of the group after

the briefing was that one of the statements made by Papadopoulos in his meeting with [Halper], which would normally be considered exculpatory, was instead assessed as an outlier and intentionally scripted by him to give a false impression,” Durham’s report said, adding, “Our investigators listened very carefully to this recording and did not detect any change in Papadopoulos’ s tone of voice when he made these statements to [Halper].”

Between Oct. 23, 2016, and May 6, 2017, Papadopoulos also met many times with another FBI informant, who was also a longtime acquaintance of his. The two engaged in more than 120 hours of freewheeling conversations sometimes during trips and outings, all recorded.

The informant “challenged Papadopoulos with approximately 200 prompts or baited statements which elicited approximately 174 clearly exculpatory statements from Papadopoulos,” the Durham report said, noting that “Papadopoulos repeatedly denied that he, the Trump campaign, and Russia had some type of cooperative relationship.”

“You don’t think anyone from the Trump campaign hacked her [Clinton’s] emails,” the informant asked in one Oct. 29, 2016, talk.

“No, no,” Papadopoulos replied.

“You don’t think anyone from the Trump campaign had anything to do with [expletive] over at the DNC?” the informant pressed.

“No, I know that for a fact,” said Papadopoulos.

“How do you know that for a fact?” the informant continued.

“Because I have been working for them the last nine months that’s how I know. And all of this stuff has been happening, what, over the last four months?” he replied.

Again, none of the statements were disclosed to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which approved the Page warrants. Reprinted with permission from the Epoch Times. To subscribe to Epoch Times, go to https:// subscribe.theepochtimes.com

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Svab The Epoch Times

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok testifies at the Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on “Oversight and Government Reform Joint Hearing on Oversight of FBI and DOJ Actions Surrounding the 2016 Election” in Washington on July 12, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Special counsel John Durham arrives at federal court in Washington on May 18, 2022. (Teng Chen for The Epoch Times)

Anza horseman assists Matt Perella in Arizona

Diane Sieker

Staff Writer

Longtime Anza icon, musician, cowboy and actor Steve Silkotch, recently moved his family from

who fixes a shoe on Perella’s

his hometown to Snowflake, Arizona. While settling in at his new location, he has kept track of local happenings in and around the Anza Valley via social media. While he took note of veteran

Matt Peralla and his horse Buck arriving in Anza last April during their trek across the country, he never in a million years figured that he would meet him someday. “Funny, I was reading on

Buck is as good as new after having his hoof worked on by Steve Silkotch. have taken to the roads and trails across the United States, walking cross-country to raise awareness for veterans suffering from post

Facebook about Matt passing through my hometown of Anza and he shows up here in Arizona,” Silkotch said.

U.S. Marine Matt Perella and his quarter horse gelding Buck

Anza Valley Outlook/Penny Hayden-Lapp photos

see SILKATCH, page D-3

Local stars shine at Koyote Karaoke and Dinner Escape To Gain Safety class teaches awareness

A class participant practices a head butt at the Escape To Gain Safety class Saturday, May 13 at the Anza Community Hall. Anza Valley Outlook/Amy Procop photo

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Diane Sieker

Staff Writer

Anza’s KOYT 97.1 Community

Fatimah Steffanoff belts out her rendition of “Alone” by Heart at the Koyote Karaoke and Dinner event at the Anza Community Hall Saturday, May 20. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo themed meal, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and a variety of cookies, all the while listening to and taking part in a nonstop musical experience hosted by Johnny Jukebox. Fearless guests took turns singing their favorite rock, blues and country

Radio presented another successful Koyote Karaoke and Dinner fundraiser at the Anza Community Hall Saturday, May 20, to benefit both the radio station and the Hall.

Karaoke fans enjoyed an Italian-

Defense expert Mike Patke offered a free class on women’s self-defense at the Anza Community Hall Saturday, May 13 to a class of several eager participants. The session, dubbed Escape to Gain Safety, focused on situational awareness and simple, yet effective techniques to escape an attack and exit to a safe place. Patke has been teaching martial arts for almost 50 years. He is the founder of N.R.G. Martial Arts and

Well Being. His ChairBoundlessFreedom through Mobility, is a martial arts program for persons in wheelchairs, designed to empower people with handicaps to become ‘handicapable.’ The play on words indicates how effective the selfdefense lessons can truly be.

His Escape to Gain Safety series teaches women how to use their bodies to twist away from an attacker, while poking eyes, throat punching, head butting, kicking shins and kneeing the groin.

have your body to fight back in order to escape to a safe place,” he said. Patke has been featured in the World of Martial Arts magazine, discussing his passion for self-defense and his many accomplishments. His self-defense classes teach valuable skills and participants go away with a better understanding of the power they hold to defend themselves. He has taught his unique classes all across California and beyond.

see KARAOKE, page D-4 see SAFETY, page D-5

“You may not have a weapon, or the time to use one, but you do

Matt Perella, left, becomes fast friends with Steve Silkotch

horse Buck during Perella’s stop in Show Low, Arizona.

ANZA’S UPCOMING EVENTS

If you have an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com put “attention events” in the subject line. Readers should call ahead on some listed events for the latest updates.

Regular Happenings

June 10 – 7 a.m. to noon.

Sage Ladies Auxiliary is hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. Help raise funds for the Sage community while enjoying pancakes, eggs, sausages and grilled potatoes with coffee, tea, milk or orange juice. Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $3 for children 3 to 12 years old. Children 2 and under are free. Cash only, please. Event will take place at Sage Fire Department 28, at 35655 Sage Road, about 8 miles south of Hemet.

June 10 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Summer Reading Program KickOff. Join the Friends of the Anza Valley Community Library at this free, family friendly event that will have music, artists, vendors, food and more. The kick-off is taking place at the Anza Library, located at 57430 Mitchell Road at the high school.

ONGOING – Anza Electric Cooperative and F.I.N.D. Food Bank offers a free mobile food pantry the second Saturday of every month at the AEC office, 58470 Highway 371, from 10:3011:30 a.m. All are welcome. CalFresh application assistance and free community health services are also available. Bring your own reusable bags to take food home. Volunteers welcome. For more information, contact the AEC office at 951-763-4333.

Friends of Anza Valley Community Library – Anza Valley Community Library is located at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road. The library is open to the public, but not during school hours. Hours are 4-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday through Wednesday. Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at www.hamiltonbobcats.net/apps/ events/calendar.

Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit www. hamiltonmuseum.org. Find them on Facebook at “HamiltonMuseum-and-Ranch-Foundation.”

Backcountry Horsemen Redshank Riders – Meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Locations change, so please contact Mike by email at stumblinl55@gmail.com or by calling 951-760-9255.

Health, exercise, resources and recovery meetings

Fit after 50 – 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn at 951751-1462 for more information.

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

Veterans’ Gathering Mondays – 9-11 a.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39075 Contreras Road in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with posttraumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-923-6153. If you need an

advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.

The Most Excellent Way –Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8-10 a.m. Program is court approved; child care is provided. Transportation help is available. The group meets at 58050 Highway 371; the cross street is Kirby Road in Anza.

AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.

Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951763-4226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-5512826. Free Mobile Health Clinic –Open every third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is needed. Uninsured may only be seen in the Anza Community Hall’s parking lot or inside the hall.

Medication Assistance and Treatment for Opioid Dependence – Get treatment for heroin addiction. Transportation to the clinic is provided. For more information, contact Borrego Health’s Anza Community Health Center, 58581 Route 371, Anza. For more information, 951-7634759.

Food ministries

F.U.N. Group weekly food ministry – Deliveries arrive by noon Thursdays at the Anza Community Hall. To order a paid box and help feed those who can’t afford to pay, drop off payment and cash donations by Thursday at 1:30 p.m., to ERA Excel Realty, 56070 Highway 371 in Anza. Pay inside or drop off during the day in the red box outside. To drop it off, put name and request on an envelope with payment inside. A $30 box has about $100 worth of food and feeds six people. Half boxes are available for $15. Food is delivered once a week to those who cannot find a ride. For more information, call Bill Donahue at 951-288-0903.

Living Hope Christian Fellowship Community Dinner – 1 p.m. Dinners are held the last Sunday of the month at the Anza Community Hall. All are welcome. Donations of time, money, etc. are always welcome. Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m. The food bank hands out food the

Upcoming July Elec�on for Anza Electric Board of Directors

Anza Electric Coopera�ve, Inc. is governed by seven directors represen�ng the three districts of the coopera�ve’s service area for both electric and internet services Three seats on the Anza Electric Coopera�ve board of directors will be open for elec�on this July, each for a three-year term.

The following individuals are running for the three open seats.

DISTRICT I

W.A. (Chilli) Ainsworth Steven Leash, Jr.

last Friday of the month until the food is gone. The clothes closet will be open too. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a non-denominational nonprofit. All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-763-5636.

Bible Studies

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Anza’s Sunday Sacrament is at 10 a.m.; Sunday School is 11 a.m. Priesthood/Relief Society meets at noon; Wednesday, Boy Scouts gathers 6 p.m. and Youth Night is 7 p.m. For more information, call Ruiz at 951-445-7180 or Nathan at 760-399-0727. The Wednesday Genealogy/Family History Class, 5-8 p.m., is open to the public at 39075 Contreras Road in Anza.

Native Lighthouse Fellowship – 10 a.m. The group meets the first Saturday of the month, and breakfast is served. All are welcome to fellowship together at the “Tribal Hall” below the casino in Anza. For more information, call Nella Heredia at 951-7630856.

Living Hope Bible Study –8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, Anza. All are welcome. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 951-763-1111.

Anza RV Clubhouse – 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of the Month, Pastor Kevin officiates at 41560 Terwilliger Road in Anza.

Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the fourth Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m. Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.

Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m. Saturday Men’s Study meets weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza. For more information, call 951763-4622.

Anza First Southern Baptist Church – Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6 to 12 grade) meets for games and Bible study. Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School and a Seniors’ Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza. For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www.anzabaptistchurch.com.

Church, 56095 Pena Road, in Anza.

Anza Valley Lions Club –

The Anza Valley Lions Club has been reinstated and is open to all men and women who want to work together for the betterment of the community. The group is working on securing a new venue for meetings. Meetings and events are posted on the Anza Lions Club of Anza Valley Facebook page at www.facebook. com/LionsofAnzaValley. For more information, email president Greg Sandling at President. AnzaLions@gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary.AnzaLions@ gmail.com

Boy Scout Troop 319 – Cub Scouts meet at 6 p.m. every Tuesday, and Boy Scouts meet at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints on Contreras Road, south of state Route 371 in Anza. For more information, call Richard Hotchkiss at 951-551-3154.

Boys Scout Troop 371 – Boy Scouts meet at Lake Riverside Estates. For more information, call Ginny Kinser at 909-702-7902.

Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 59 is looking for new members of all ages. For more information, call squadron commander Maj. Dennis Sheehan from the Anza area at 951-403-4940. To learn more and see the club’s meeting schedule, visit www.squadron59.org

Fire Explorer Program – 6 p.m. The program meets every second, third and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fire Station 29 on state Route 371 in Anza. Call 951763-5611 for information.

Redshank Riders – 7 p.m. Backcountry horsemen meet at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Anza, the second Thursday of each month. Visit www.redshankriders. com or call Carol Schmuhl for membership information at 951663-6763.

Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the first Thursday of the month at Valley Gospel Chapel, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951-763-2884 for more information.

Organizations Terwilliger Community Association – 6 p.m. Second Monday of the month at VFW Post 1873, 59011 Bailey Road, in Anza. Potluck dinner open to all. For more information, call Tonie Ford at 951-763-4560.

From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries – Noon. Monthly luncheon and guest speaker are held the second Saturday of each month. The $5 charge covers lunch at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. From the Heart helps the area’s neediest children and invites all women and men to join in their mission. Donate or help with the rummage sales twice a year to raise funds for the cause or other events. For more information, call president Christi James at 951-595-2400.

DISTRICT II Hope Adams

DISTRICT III

Stephan Lauzier

Since only one pe��on was received for both Districts II and III, incumbent Hope Adams will be seated for District II and incumbent Stephan Lauzier will be seated for District III, each for a three year term, per AEC bylaw, Ar�cle IV, sec�on 4(e).

Annual Mee�ng informa�on, candidate resumes and the Annual Report will be part of the July Currents magazine arriving in mail boxes the first week of July. Elec�on materials will be arriving in member’s mail and e-mails in the coming weeks.

An independent elec�on processor will handle the elec�on and the elec�on results will be announced at the Annual Membership Mee�ng on Saturday, July 15th, 2023.

www.anzaelectric.org • 951-763-4333 58470 Hwy 371/PO Box 391909, Anza, CA 92539

Clubs Anza Valley VFW Post 1873, Capt. John Francis Drivick III Post – The Ladies’ and Men’s Auxiliaries are located at 59011 Bailey Road in Anza. Mail P.O. Box 390433. Request monthly newsletter and or weekly menu by email at vfw1873anzaca@ gmail.com. For more information, call 951-763-4439 or visit http:// vfw1873.org

High Country 4-H Club – 6:30

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

Anza Valley Artists Meetings

– 1 p.m. Meetings are the third Saturday of each month at various locations. Share art, ideas and participate in shows. Guest speakers are always needed. For more information, call president Rosie Grindle at 951-928-1248. Find helpful art tips at www. facebook.com/AnzaValleyArtists Anza Quilter’s Club – 9:30

a.m. to noon. Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran

Anza Community Hall – 7 p.m. General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. Memberships cost $20 per person or $35 per business, and both get one vote. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Voting members receive discounts on hall rentals, swap meet booths and save on propane gas from Ferrellgas. Mail membership to: Anza Community Building Inc. at P.O. Box 390091, Anza, CA 92539. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. Swap meet held each Saturday of the month, weather permitting, early morning to 1 p.m. Vendors wanted. For more information, call 951-2824267.

Anza Civic Improvement League – 9 a.m. meets the first Saturday of each month at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The league maintains Minor Park and the Little Red School House, which are both available to rent for events. No government funds are allowed; the membership pays the bills – $10 a person, $18 family or $35 business membership. For more information, visit www. anzacivic.org.

Ribbonwood Art Guild announces art show June 10 and 11

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Local artisans, unique arts and crafts and fine local wines will be the focus of the day for those attending the Ribbonwood Art Guild Art Show at the Emerald Creek Winery in Warner Springs Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11.

The show will be held in the spacious and comfortable winery tasting room, beginning at 11 a. m. both days.

Local area creatives will be displaying their crafts, acrylic works, watercolor paintings, pen and ink renderings, sculpture, woodwork items and more at the event. Many items will be offered for sale.

The Emerald Creek Winery,

located just past the county line into San Diego county on Highway 79 South, is an up-and-coming hotspot for excellent wines, entertainment and food. Managed by Kathleen Veasey and Joe Cici, the winery is known for hosting the arts and music from local sources.

The hosts greet visitors with warm welcomes and an impressive knowledge of wines, grapes and wine making.

For more information about the Ribbonwood Art Guild, please visit www.facebook.com/ AnzaValleyArtists.

To learn more about Emerald Creek Winery, please visit www. emeraldcreekwinery.com.

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

SILKATCH from page D-1

traumatic stress disorder and raise funds to build The Righteous Life Rescue Ranch in Asheville, North Carolina.

The sight of a rugged cowboy astride a fine, well-bred stocky horse coursing through Fallbrook, Temecula and then Anza had social media and phone lines buzzing last April.

“Ok Anza, remember the veteran who rode through a few weeks ago that all you ladies got hot and bothered over?” Silkotch asked on a Facebook post. “Well, just so happens that he was in my neck of the woods over here in AZ. I had the pleasure to visit with him as well as fix a shoe for his horse Buck. He wanted to give a shout out to my hometown of Anza and a thank you again for all your support and hospitality.”

Perella’s travels landed him in Show Low, Arizona the first week of May with Buck favoring a hoof due to minor soreness.

“We got a call from our good friends Don and Emi Simon, owners of the Rocking C Ranch LLC telling us they needed help for an overnight boarder with a horse that appeared slightly lame,” Penny Hayden-Lapp, whose husband runs the boarding facility, said. “We rushed over to meet Matt who is a retired Marine veteran that is riding across the country to make his mission known. My husband is also a Marine veteran with two tours in Viet Nam.”

Matt had stopped in Show Low for a rest in his travels, finding the ranch to stay for a day or so. David Lapp, a horse trainer for approximately 60 years, examined Buck and discovered nothing severe that was causing the lameness.

“The horse just had some heat in the muscles from work and needed more rest. With hearing Matt’s story David realized

he could use some pointers on handling, usage of his horse such as appropriate miles per day and a better understanding of his equipment. He recognized an issue with the way the horse’s hooves were trimmed and a lack of paring the soles, so we placed a call to Steve Silkotch. He was there to assist within the hour,” HaydenLapp said.

Silkotch gathered up his family and farrier tools and headed over to help.

“Dave is a friend of mine and also a vet and runs a boarding facility, he asked me to come over and take a look at Buck’s front foot,” he said.

It didn’t take long for Silkotch to realize the horse belonged to the handsome cowboy that rode through Anza on April 13, setting social media on fire. They exchanged stories about local Anza people that Perella had met in his travels through the valley.

“Steve was incredible to drop what he was doing on a Saturday and bomb over to where my horse was some 45 minutes away to give him the attention he needed,” Perella said. “It’s extremely hard to get a farrier to come in two weeks, let alone in 45 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. He was very proficient, extremely giving with the knowledge of what he was doing and did a great job refitting a bad shoeing from a previous farrier. He took his time to make sure the job was done right and I was so grateful for it. Steve helped my horse Buck stop tripping by taking his toes way back. It was exactly what my horse needed.”

Perella’s focus is to raise awareness for veterans affected by PTSD, a disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, and prevalent among those veterans that have seen combat.

According to Perella’s The Righteous Life Rescue Ranch website, with his nonprofit project he plans to acquire retired and injured horses that are unwanted or in need of work and retraining. The horses will be put to work and used for equine therapy for special needs people and veterans suffering from PTSD.

The ranch will also focus on homeless or aggressive dogs that would be trained as service dogs for veterans and others.

Perella, who has had his horse Buck for about six years, said that both dogs and horses bring out the best in people. His love of animals became apparent to him when he suffered suicidal thoughts in 2020 and 2021. After being in the Marines from 1999 to 2003, he retired with PTSD. His mission now is to help those who may feel hopeless, through animal therapy.

With his love of animals, good nature and determination to raise the funds for his ranch through donations during his travels, Matt Perella is getting attention.

“He’s a super nice guy, very humble, very grateful and riding for a good cause. I wish him all the best,” Silkotch said.

To donate to The Righteous Life Rescue Ranch, visit https://therlrr. org/donate. To learn more about the project, visit https://therlrr.org

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

Artist Rosie Grindle paints during a Ribbonwood Art Guild show at Emerald Creek Winery in 2021.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Steve Silkotch works on Buck’s front hoof during Matt Perella’s stop in Show Low, Arizona. Anza Valley Outlook/Penny Hayden-Lapp photos

Don Simon, left, Steve Silkotch and David Lapp watch Matt Perella work with Buck.

Buck, Steve and Matt hang out during Perella’s stop in Show Low, Arizona.

KARAOKE from page D-1 hits to peals of encouraging applause and cheers.

“Karaoke at the Community Hall was a super fun night. I really love singing and seeing all my friends,” Jerry Eggering said.

Generous and talented chef Louis Ippilito created a real treat for the palate, including Pollo Perdido (chicken with herbs or broccoli alfredo), Pasta di Tutti (pasta with beans, herbs, spinach, salami, scallions and parmesan cheese) and Insalata Cavolo (creamy cabbage salad and grilled garlic and herb tortilla triangles).

“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” Community Hall board director Pebbles Bartlett-Lewis said. “The Hall belongs to Anza; it now costs $100 to $150 a day to keep it open. So when you come out to these fundraisers, you support the Community Hall and it is so appreciated.”

Several attendees won raffles for Pizza Factory goodies, Once Upon A Thread gift certificates and tickets to the Temecula Wine & Balloon Festival.

“All proceeds will be split between your Anza Community Hall and KOYT Anza Community Broadcasting,” KOYT programming director Erinne Roscoe said. “Both organizations are all-volunteer nonprofit organizations who depend on memberships and donations from community members and businesses just like you to exist.”

Koyote Karaoke and Dinner fundraisers are being planned for each month during the summer.

The Anza Community Building Inc., also known as the Anza Community Hall, was established in 1948 as a nonprofit corporation. The purpose of the Hall is to foster, encourage, promote, manage, supervise and conduct social gatherings and affairs, exhibitions, lectures, games, contests and other similar and or related legitimate forms of entertainment and recreation.

Memberships are $30 per person or $50 per family (with one vote per family or person) and $50 per business (one vote). Cash, PayPal and checks are accepted.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Anza Community Building Inc., can call Pebbles Bartlett-Lewis at 951-760-9244 or visit www.facebook.com/ groups/337754646415866/files/ file

For more information about the Anza Community Hall, visit www.facebook.com/ groups/337754646415866, www. anzacommunitybuilding.org or email achageneral@gmail.com

The mission of the Anza Community Broadcasting KOYT 97.1 LPFM radio is to provide an inclusive public broadcasting forum to educate, inform, and entertain the local community and the general public.

For more information, call 951763-5698, email info@koyt971. org, or visit www.facebook.com/ koyt97.1 or https://koyt971.org

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

John Yarrow croons Elton John’s “Your Song” at the Koyote Karaoke and Dinner event, May 20.

Brandi Lewis Machado and Pebbles Bartlett-Lewis tend bar at the Koyote Karaoke and Dinner event.

Heather Graff, left, Bettina Geissler and Louis Ippolito socialize together at the Koyote Karaoke and Dinner event at the Anza Community Hall.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

The room is crowded with karaoke fans at the Koyote Karaoke and Dinner event at the Anza Community Hall Saturday, May 20.

Louis Ippolito sings a perfect version of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” at the Koyote Karaoke and Dinner event.

Jerry Eggering sings several tunes during the course of the evening at the Anza Community Hall.

A friendly pooch sings the song of his people, howling outside the doors at the Koyote Karaoke and Dinner event at the Anza Community Hall.

SAFETY from page D-1

“National Crime Statistics on rape indicate that one out of three women will be raped in their lifetime and 50% of those will be raped again,” Patke said. “Domestic violence and abuse is one of the most uncertain and dangerous calls law enforcement will be dispatched to, and can be a very volatile and dangerous place to live in. Escape To Gain Safety is not only the main objective in this women’s self-defense program, it’s also an acronym for the most

ANZA LOCAL

sense of self-worth.”

effective offensive targets; EyesThroat-Groin-Shins. If there is ever ‘the best technique’ for selfdefense, it would be awareness.”

Patke took each student and had her practice the various techniques under his guidance, as he explained certain scenarios.

“The real value of martial arts is helping individuals harness their natural strength by the power within the spirit and mind,” Patke said. “Combative and self-defense techniques give the students of martial arts self-confidence in a way that instills their value and

Patke’s Chair Boundless class is held every Monday at 4 p.m. at the Anza Community Hall, as well as in Santa Clarita, Idaho, Korea and Germany. More Escape to Gain Safety classes will be announced. To learn more about the free programs Mike Patke offers, visit www.facebook.com/ chairboundselfdefense or call/ text him at 951-333-9149.

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

Mike Patke teaches a student how to escape an attacker at the Escape To Gain Safety class Saturday, May 13 at the Anza Community Hall. Anza Valley Outlook/Amy Procop photo

OPINION

Finally! Someone is challenging collusive censorship!

Post, the Associated Press, and Reuters, CHD aims to address concerns surrounding collusive censorship and champion the principles of freedom of speech and press. This lawsuit not only seeks to hold the TNI accountable but also provides an opportunity to reevaluate the balance between responsible news reporting and stifling alternative viewpoints.

Defending pluralism and accountability:

Julie Reeder

Publisher

In a landmark legal move, Children’s Health Defense (CHD) is challenging the powerful ‘Trusted News Initiative’ (TNI) through an antitrust lawsuit. By targeting major news organizations like the BBC, The Washington

Letter to the editor

Julie, I wanted you to know that I was late but attended the Fallbrook event yesterday [Thursday, May 18]. I was able to hear most of your sharing about the paper and the importance of it. Especially, to local communities and I wanted you to know that I wholeheartedly concur. You and your staff have done a great job in all areas of reporting. We at the Holocaust Remembrance Foundation of the Valley have been so blessed by

At the heart of CHD’s legal action lies the need to safeguard the principles of democracy and ensure a diverse range of voices in the media landscape. The TNI, a consortium of legacy news organizations and tech giants, has been accused of engaging in a concerted effort to suppress alternative news reporting by dubbing it as “misinformation.” By

doing so, the TNI effectively chokes off access to the dominant social media platforms for publishers whose narratives challenge their established orthodoxy.

Antitrust laws: Protecting rivals and consumer interests:

The foundation of CHD’s lawsuit rests on federal antitrust laws, which prohibit collusion among industry players to deny critical facilities or market access to rivals. Such agreements, commonly known as “group boycotts,” are unequivocally illegal. The TNI’s actions fall under the purview of a massive group boycott, as it has consistently denied market facilities to non-mainstream news publishers whose reporting competes with the TNI’s narrative. Championing the right to alternative perspectives: While combating misinformation is crucial, it is equally important

to protect the freedom of the press and allow for a plurality of perspectives. The TNI’s actions, as alleged in CHD’s lawsuit, raise concerns about monopolistic control over the dissemination of news. This litigation presents an opportunity to reestablish the balance between responsible journalism and the suppression of dissenting voices. By challenging the TNI’s stranglehold on online news reporting, CHD aims to promote the right of the public to access diverse sources of information.

By suppressing accurate reporting on critical topics such as COVID-19, elections, Hunter Biden’s Laptop, the Russia Collusion, etc. the TNI potentially limited public access to information necessary for informed decisionmaking and voting.

Issues such as early COVID-19 treatments, immunity, the lab leak theory, vaccine injuries, and lockdowns/mandates, masking, should have been subjects of rigorous debate rather than being unilaterally labeled as misinformation. CHD’s lawsuit highlights the importance of allowing dissenting voices and fostering a transparent information environment.

CHD’s antitrust lawsuit against the Trusted News Initiative signifies a crucial step towards safeguarding freedom of speech, press, and diverse news reporting. It is vital for a pluralistic society to reassess the balance between combating misinformation and protecting democratic values, ensuring that the power to shape public discourse is not concentrated in the hands of a few.

the paper’s continued reporting on our March as well as our goal of building a Holocaust Memorial in Murrieta.

Sorry, I could not stay to greet you and thank you, but please know that on behalf of our Foundation we are thankful and ask all our supporters to subscribe to the paper. Good job and we look forward to the future articles.

Randy Denham President HRFV

Bill allows mobile pharmacies to dispense opioid addiction treatment to increase access to lifesaving medication

SACRAMENTO –

Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, wrote Assembly Bill 663 that will allow mobile pharmacies to carry and dispense medications used for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder has reached a critical milestone in the legislative process, having passed out of the Assembly and heading to the Senate with bipartisan support. The bill previously passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee 18-0 and the Assembly Appropriations Committee 16-0.

AB 663 will help local efforts to treat opioid use disorder, prevent overdose deaths and further improve access to healthcare for the most vulnerable patients. While deaths are often the most visible manifestation of the overdose crisis, hundreds of thousands of people in California suffer from

opioid use disorder, often referred to as opioid addiction. This illness is often defined by withdrawal symptoms, intense cravings and risky behaviors that can put one’s health and safety at risk; however, opioid use disorder, like other chronic medical conditions, can be effectively treated.

“Mobile pharmacies will play a critical role in expanding access to care, particularly for patients in rural or underserved areas,” Haney said. “We can increase access to life-saving medication for people experiencing an opioid addiction by removing these logistical barriers. We can ensure that patients will receive comprehensive treatment in order to overcome their addiction and achieve long-term recovery.”

Submitted by the office of Assemblymember Matt Haney.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation to sustain outdoor dining across California and help neighborhood restaurants stay afloat passed the California State Assembly 74-0 with strong bipartisan support Thursday, May 18. Written by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Woodland Hills, Assembly Bill 1217 will preserve the current regulatory flexibility related to outdoor, patio and al fresco dining and enable restaurants to continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as they navigate rising costs.

“Neighborhood restaurants are the backbone of communities across California, but too many are barely hanging on by a thread,” Gabriel said. “Outdoor dining has been a critical lifeline that has helped these beloved establishments keep their doors open during these challenging times. AB 1217

preserves important flexibility so that restaurants can maintain outdoor dining in an efficient and affordable manner and continue to serve the communities they call home.”

“Outdoor dining has become an important lifeline for restaurants, and it’s something that we have all come to love and enjoy,” Madelyn Alfano, past chair of the California Restaurant Association Board of Directors and owner of Maria’s Italian Kitchen, a neighborhood Italian restaurant with several locations in the San Fernando Valley, said. “Many restaurant owners have invested lots of money to build beautiful outdoor dining spaces to increase their capacity for private events and recoup some of their losses from these difficult past few years. AB 1217 will help sustain this crucial tool and allow local restaurants

such as my own to continue to provide delicious meals for our communities.”

AB 1217 builds upon Assembly Bill 61, a previous bill written by Gabriel and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021. This measure provided restaurants with regulatory flexibility on a number of key issues, including enabling more outdoor food preparation and service, allowing restaurants to better use their own spaces for increased outdoor dining capacity and extending existing orders allowing for alcohol service on outdoor premises. In light of continued hardships for restaurants across California, AB 1217 extends the regulatory flexibility offered by AB 61 to July 1, 2026.

Submitted by the office of Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel.

This is a great opportunity to show your support for our communities’ graduating classes. Ads are being offered at special discounted rates and will be placed in and around the graduates’ names

California State Assembly advances bill to sustain outdoor dining across California

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