Valley News - June 16, 2023

TVUSD board members respond to Newsom regarding Harvey Milk comments

Valley News Staff

During a well attended press conference last week, TVUSD Board President and tenured professor Dr. Joseph Komrosky challenged Gov. Gavin Newsom, as an individual person, “I’ll ask you one simple question, Do you approve of any 33-year-old person, regardless of their gender identity or sexual preference, having a sexual relationship with any 16-year-old child, regardless of their gender identity or sexual preference?”

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All Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve trails now open

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Riverside County Parks and Open Space District recently announced the Santa Rosa Plateau trails are all open at this time after many being closed for almost three years after the devastating Tenaja Fire that burned hundreds of acres on the reserve.

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Commencement ceremonies celebrate graduates throughout the region

Hemet veteran plays key role with cornhole

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

When U.S. Army veteran William Howell isn’t busy with his day job working in the geospatial sector, he organizes, officiates and plays at cornhole tournaments throughout the nation.

The game of cornhole has been called many things – corn toss, bean bag, bean toss, soft horseshoes, Indiana horseshoes. It is described as a game similar to horseshoes except wooden boxes called cornhole platforms and corn bags are used instead of heavy metal horseshoes and metal stakes. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the cornhole platform until a contestant reaches 21 points. A corn bag that goes into the platform’s hole scores three points, while one that lands on the platform scores one point. The game is considered a safe and portable alternative to horseshoes and can provide great fun for an entire family.

Living in Hemet since 2002,

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Vail Headquarters designated as a National Historic Site

After waiting 27 years, the fouracre Vail Headquarters was successfully designated as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior on June 2.

In formative meetings during 1996, members of the Vail Ranch Restoration Association discussed the merits of the location, based on the many significant people who have passed through and the many historic events that took place at the Vail Ranch Headquarters. These include the Native presence, the Mormon Battalion coming through during the Mexican-American War, the hundreds of hopeful people who passed via the Southern Emigrant Trail en route to California Gold in 1849, Helen Hunt Jackson’s visit with Louis and Ramona Wolf, the presence of a Temecula Post Office and General Store in the true old town called Temecula, and the Vails running the massive cattle ranch from the location.

Okezie Achara celebrates graduating with his peers during the Murrieta Mesa High School 2023 graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 1. See more photos and lists of graduating students starting on C-1. Congratulations, graduates! Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

William Howell at a recent American Cornhole Organization event. Valley News/Courtesy

Menifee City Council decides warehouse approval, studies housing tract amendment

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Two major developments reached the Menifee City Council at their regular meeting Wednesday, June 7. After review by the Menifee Planning Commission, one was denied and the other was approved but faces a request for repeal by the neighboring city of Perris.

The Planning Commission questioned the approval of an amendment to add 85 smaller lots to the already approved Riverside County 473 home Golden Meadows Tentative Tract Map with its proposed 259 lots in the Phase 4 build out, which is up from the initially approved 169 lots. Seeing that the increased density of the home addition was not compatible with the rural setting of the area which has many large properties with horses, the commission recommended denying the amendment to the council.

In the other development, two 250,000-square-foot warehouses at Ethanac and Barnett roads, which were approved earlier by the Planning Commission, faced a request by Perris for the Menifee City Council to repeal the project. The request said the project failed to consider serious consequences to the environment in the neighboring city of Perris. The objection focused on the increased truck traffic the project would bring to Ethanac Road at the Barnett and Case road intersections, posing a serious safety hazard along with air quality problems. Ethanac Road borders both cities in their

industrial areas. Both issues brought long discussions from the appellants before the council and a series of public comments.

The Richland Home Golden Meadows development team came to show the benefits they hoped to bring to the area, including the addition of a large water tank servicing more than their future homeowners, a larger neighborhood public park with a recreation center, the paving of Wickard Road, a traffic signal at Wickhard and Haun roads, other neighborhood parks, a large open area between the neighborhood horse farms, equestrian trails and other amenities for use by the residents and the public. They said the development improvements would also help to reduce some of the traffic problems at a nearby school.

The team said they met with a number of local residents about the additional homes and found they were more interested in solving the traffic problems in the community and not in adding the homes in Phase 4.

Public comments

During public comment time, however, many residents who lived near the development footprint took to the podium to voice their views that the additional homes would not help but would instead make the traffic problems worse in the area, did not fit with the rural area and would bring more people and problems to the area. They said although they understood the project was already approved for a fewer number of homes, they had had little say

in the initial plan. The residents strongly objected to adding even more, much smaller homes in the project.

One commenter said, “People want more space outside of their homes, not less,” following the coronavirus pandemic.

When the presentations and public comment time concluded, the council individually responded with their decisions either to uphold the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the additional home amendment or to overrule their denial and allow the added homes to the tract.

City Councilman Ricky Estrada said he would uphold the Planning Commission’s decision because the smaller homes did not meet with the rural neighborhoods in Menifee. Council member Lesa Sobek, however, said she would be hesitant to uphold the Planning Commission’s recommendation without more negotiations with Richland Homes to resolve the issues. Council member Dean Deines said he would go with the Planning Commission’s recommendation, while Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin praised the commission’s work reviewing the amendment and said he agreed with the idea of having the developer return to the table for more negotiations.

More negotiations

He asked city attorney Jeffrey Melching how the council might make it possible without making a final decision that night. The city attorney said it was possible if the council voted to remand the recommendation back to the commission with workshops with

the developer to work out the problems.

After hearing about the possibility to bring the project back to the commission for future negotiations, Mayor Bill Zimmerman called for a vote to remand the issue for an undetermined amount of time as suggested and received a unanimous vote.

The Richland Home developers agreed to continue their negotiations with the Planning Commission.

Continuing the public hearing time to discuss the requested repeal of the Ethanac and Barrett Warehouse Project by the city of Perris, Menifee senior planner Russell Brown said the staff had reviewed the request for repeal letters and questions sent by the city of Perris and found the Menifee Planning Commission had followed the environmental, zoning and other building ordinances and found the project complied with all the necessary items objected to by Perris.

Perris attorney speaks

Perris city attorney John Fox was invited to bring the neighboring city’s objections and reasons for asking for the repeal. He shared the city’s reasoning, in particular how heavy truck traffic from the warehouses would cause traffic backups at the Case and Ethanac intersections and create a serious safety hazard. He cited Perris’s most recent objections which were given to the Menifee staff only a few days before, outlining their objections in more detail with reports by their own traffic consultants.

Menifee staff reviewed the latest

objections and found them not applicable to Menifee’s own studies as presented by the Menifee City Planning Commission who approved of the project.

Approval upheld

The council, after hearing more of the city of Perris’ objections, decided to uphold the commission’s approval of the project that follows all the city guidelines for building a large warehouse in their industrial zones. Estrada, however, voted to accept the repeal because he believed the warehouse was not compatible with the city’s rural flavor.

The council gave their approval to continue the annual community facilities districts to levy special taxes for fiscal year 2023 to 2024 for six districts. The CFD taxes pay the annual costs of the maintenance and servicing of streetlights, parks, parkways, streets, roads and open spaces in those areas.

The CFDs are in the Audie Murphy Ranch area, Hidden Hills, Commerce Pointe and Community Facilities Districts No. 2015.2 and No. 2017-1 (Maintenance). They also approved the formation of CFD 2023.1 in Rockport Ranch for bonded indebtedness and the levy of taxes for maintenance purposes. They gave their approval of 10 consent items without discussion during the meeting that can be reviewed on the Menifee City website at cityof menifee.US in agenda, minutes and videos

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

Menifee street project and construction updates include sidewalk repairs and lane closures

The city of Menifee has project and construction updates to share with the community. For a current list of street projects and construction updates, visit the interactive mobile and web map at www. cityofmenifee.us/traffic

Menifee Union School District began performing sidewalk repairs and street pavement restoration along Audie Murphy Ranch Road Monday, June 12 . Lane closures will be in place in support of the improvement work and flaggers will be present to direct traffic

during the duration of the project. Traffic delays should be expected through the end of June. City Capital Improvement Project. The City is actively performing work related to the Holland Road Overpass project. Holland Road between Hanover Lane and Antelope Road will remain closed for the duration of the project, which is expected to last 17 months.

There will also be alternating lane closures on the I-215 freeway from Newport Road to Scott Road during the week of June 12. Up to

two lanes will be closed and one lane will remain open as work is being completed. The Friday, June 16 expected closure times for southbound I-215 are from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. and northbound I-215 are from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. For additional information and to sign up for project updates, please visit www.hollandoverpass.com.

Southern California Edison continues nighttime work to underground utility lines at the intersection of Newport and Murrieta roads. Night work will be per-

formed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and is expected to continue through June. Lane closures will be in place while this project is active.

Storm drain facilities are currently being installed adjacent to Holland Road as part of the Menifee80 residential housing tract. Work has been temporarily delayed, and updates for this project will be provided when work proceeds. Holland Road is currently open in all traffic directions at this time.

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 June.

Southern California Edison continues trenching new power lines in the right-of-way/shoulder along Menifee Road, from Newport to Holland roads. Work is currently active during daytime hours at the intersection of Newport and Menifee roads. 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 through the middle of June.

Traffic signal, median work and landscape improvements have been completed at McCall Boulevard and Ranch Road as part of the McCall Square project.

Southern California Edison is currently performing utility potholing on Normandy Road between La Ladera and Berea roads. Normandy Road will be reduced to a single travel lane with flaggers present to guide traffic movements through the project area. Work will continue through mid-June. Traffic delays should be expected in the project area.

The roadway improvement project on Murrieta Road began Monday, June 5. Intermittent traffic control will be in place along Murrieta Road from the Salt Creek Chanel to San Quintin Drive to support the construction work. Improvements include road widening, storm drain improvements, pedestrian curb ramps, and a center median. The project is anticipated to be completed in mid-September. Traffic delays should be expected in this area during the project work.

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

Submitted by the City of Menifee.

Car hits school bus in Hemet, injuring students

City News Service Special to Valley News

A school bus was involved in a collision with a sedan whose driver fled the scene on the west end of Hemet, leaving three students injured. The crash happened Friday, June 9 at about 12:30 p.m. on North Cawston Avenue, just off of Highway 74, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The agency said a white Toyota Camry plowed into the Hemet Unified School District bus as it was approaching the highway

The Toyota was apparently fleeing a separate traffic collision in a parking lot on Florida Avenue, which transitions to Highway 74, when it hit the bus, according to the CHP. Officials said that the driver

immediately fled the location.

A description of the suspect was unavailable.

Hemet Fire Department crews reached the scene of the collision roughly 15 minutes later and found three youths aboard the bus with unspecified minor injuries. The bus sustained “moderate damage,” according to a fire captain at the scene. The bus was nearly full.

The victims were taken to a regional trauma center for treatment.

CHP officers and Hemet police officers searched for the hit-andrun driver, while fire personnel and Hemet Unified School District officials were trying to arrange for the children on the damaged bus to be transferred to another one for transportation.

Murrieta is called ‘phenomenal’ in reaching state’s mandated housing program goals

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Murrieta City Council received a report on the city’s progress in meeting its required General Plan Housing Element 2021 to 2029 to build more affordable housing at its Tuesday, June 6, meeting with Council Member Jon Levell absent.

Under the current Regional Housing Needs Assessment as required by state law and provided by Southern California Association of Governments, Murrieta and other cities in California are required to provide affordable housing opportunities for low to moderate income families and have until 2029 to meet those requirements. Murrieta is in its sixth cycle providing those opportunities.

Interim City Planner Carl Stiehl shared with the council that the city “has made significant progress” in reaching the RHNA goals.

When the historic buildings and footprint of the headquarters were threatened with demolition in 1998, nomination as a national historic site was central to the lawsuit to save the property from demolition, and after the settlement of the suit, it was not forgotten. Dick Fox drafted the first nomination for historic status in 2009, but the party in management of the property chose not to sign the nomination, which stopped the procedure. Meanwhile, VaRRA merged with the Temecula Valley Historical Society. In 2020, the historical society attempted nomination for a second time but it was delayed. In January 2022, Jim Sappington, Lisa Woodward and Rebecca Farnbach, members of TVHS’ Research and Preservation Committee, rolled up their sleeves and worked on it again.

He added the addition of the affordable homes, which include multifamily residences, as built or planned have not required any General Plan Zone changes. When asked by the council about the multi-family homes in the city, Stiehl responded, “We have plenty of those.”

Under the RHNA requirements, Murrieta was required to provide 3,043 planned dwelling units spread across four income categories for the housing cycle by the sixth cycle. He gave the following number of those dwelling units built or in progress and their income categories. The very low income dwellings for those making $44,000 or less total 59 of the 1,009 units required. For low income households making up to $70,000 there are 462 units available of the 583 required. Moderate income families with up to $104,000 per year there are 19 units available of the 545 required. Those families in the above mod-

After advisement by Amy Crain of the California State Historic Preservation Office, the nomination was accepted in mid-March and forwarded to the U.S. Department of the Interior with the expectation of success. No announcements were made of the progress in case it would incite a protest against the nomination.

The Temecula Valley Historical Society is now celebrating this success after so long a wait. D arell Farnbach, who was one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit to save the Vail Ranch, and Dick Fox who wrote the first nomination, each died knowing the nomination was coming. The Vail Ranch Restoration Association no longer exists, but the Temecula Valley Historical Society has taken up the challenge. People come and go and organizations change, but the National Historic Site designation will endure.

erate income level of $104,000 or more there are 799 units available of the 906 units required.

Stiehl said the city has reached about one third of its RHNA goal which he saw as “phenomenal” with the city in line to surpass the requirements by 2029 with many new multi-family and other types of residences already planned.

He called upon the council to approve an amendment to the city’s development code that would add a new multi-family residential zone providing 18 to 29 dwelling units per acre to assure meeting the state RHNA by 2029. There were only three multi-family zones, up for approval by the council that would allow up to 29 per acre. He said the amendment was in response to a number of developers expressing interest in building higher numbers of dwelling units per acre, particularly in the downtown area. The amendment was approved.

The council adopted the fiscal

year 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 proposed operating budget of $172,605,264 for fiscal year 20232024 and $180,706,542 for fiscal year 2024-2025. The proposed budget, according to the Finance Director Javier Carcamo, is balanced and “provides the highest level of service to the community.”

The budget also sets aside more money in the city’s reserves that will increase from the current 25% to 30% in the next two fiscal years, placing the city in a much better position than many other cities in the event of emergencies or catastrophes.

A detailed summary of the proposed budget is available on the city’s website in the Murrieta City Council June 6 agenda packet. The final reading of the budget will take place at the June 20 meeting following a public hearing.

The council approved 12 consent items with no comment during the 90-minute meeting and earlier provided five military banner re-

tirements to those servicemen completing their tours of duty or retirement. The banners, with pictures, hang along Washington Ave. in the city to honor those serving in the U.S. military and are turned over to the families after their tours of duty.

Among the consent items, the council approved City Manager Kim Summers to award a construction contract for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project in Town Square Park to the lowest bidder in the amount $367,682.

The submission of a grant application to the County of Riverside Third District Community Improvement Fund Grant Program for $25,893.33 was approved for the Murrieta Library and allowed the city manager to execute an architectural design services contract for the Murrieta Public Library Expansion Program with SVA Architects Inc. for $303,300.

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

We’re looking for a few good members… committed to making a difference.

Vail Headquarters includes historic buildings, shops and space for public events including farmers markets, weekly Sunday Fundays and other community events. Valley News/Courtesy photo For more information, you may contact Rebecca Farnbach at RebFrnbach@aol.com or 951775-6057.

VAIL from page A-1

All Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve trails now open

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Riverside County Parks and Open Space District recently announced the Santa Rosa Plateau trails are all open at this time after many being closed for almost three years after the devastating Tenaja Fire that burned hundreds of acres on the reserve.

A few of the trails are still needing maintenance but are passable in good weather. The more than 9,000-acre reserve, home of many rare plants and trees, some endangered, is open from dawn to dusk through the week.

The trails and their distances are: the Los Santos and Trans Reserve Loop at 4.6 miles; Vernal Pool Trail and Trans Preserve, 3.3 miles; Santa Rosa Plateau Trail to the Monument Hill, 6 miles; to the adobes via the Trans Preserve Trail, 4.6 miles; the popular Granite Loop educational Trail, 1.1 miles; Lomas Trail, 5.1 miles; Los Santos Trail, 2.2 miles; Vista Grande, Monument Hill to the

Howell was introduced to the game by friends and Marine Corps veterans Travis Riffey and Jeremy Geil. “Both of these guys were huge inspirations to this part of my life and Jeremy now works with me to run tournaments and is my local cornhole partner. We are a team with different strengths and are accommodating to one another,” he said.

Howell said that Riffey and Geil, both Hemet residents, used to beat him at the game regularly and finally decided to show him some skills to improve his game. “It’s crazy to think back to then and how much that I have done since,” How-

Lomas Trail, 4.9 miles; Punta Mesa Loop Trail, 7.2 miles; and the Hidden Valley Road Trail, 4.1 miles.

Docents may be on hand to provide visitors with available information when the Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 39400 Clinton Keith Road.

Remember to “Leave No Trash Behind,” stay on the trails and be courteous to other hikers. Bring long pants, close-toed shoes, sun protection, water, hat and jacket. No bicycles are allowed on the main reserve trails but the adjoining Sylvan Meadows Trail is a multipurpose trail with bicycles allowed. There are benches along some of the trails to rest and recoup.

RivCoParks offers a variety of nature education programs at the Plateau. Field trips are available for home schools, middle schools, high schools, Scouts and private groups. Special third grade trips hosted by a Riverside County Parks interpreter, teachers and The Nature Education Foundation at the

ell said. “Both are still extremely close friends of mine, and if we are to play today, the story is a lot different. Like many others, I was cornhole raised in the yard, with a beer in hand and meat on the grill.”

But once the game became a passion for Howell, he began to take it more seriously and got more involved with the sport. He started organizing cornhole tournaments locally in 2013 and became a certified official in 2014. “To become a certified official with the American Cornhole Organization, you must complete a test and have appropriate knowledge of running tournaments to pass it.”

He was appointed the West Coast Conference Commissioner in 2017,

Temecula Valley Elks Lodge No. 2801 honors 2023 Drug Awareness district, state winners

Santa Rosa Plateau are offered. For more information call 951-677-6951

the same year he won the Cochran award for his positive impact in the cornhole community. He played at the professional level from 20202022 and will be traveling to the world championships in July in Owensboro, Kentucky to reestablish his professional status, having missed the cut last year.

“I’ve always been an athlete and I love mini sports. I did get injured in the military, however, I am blessed to have seen the sun rise so many more times than others,” Howell said. “Cornhole brings me comfort with good people all around. I believe that it’s PTSD medicine. There are many veterans that play, and we are all very close. The community reminds me of those everlasting connections that I made in the military.”

He said that as a disabled veteran, he yearned for a connection to like-minded people that are kind, competitive and trusting. “Because I am not able to compete in some of the sports that involve a lot of running, cornhole really captured my attention,” he said.

“Cornhole keeps me young, viable at middle age and it clears my itch to be an extrovert; I love people,” Howell, 45, said. He said he’s never calculated the amount of time he spends for cornhole-related business and play but a conservative estimate would be 25-plus hours per week. In the past 10 years, he has facilitated about 1,500 tournaments.

Besides playing the game, Howell owns and operates LeftCoast Cornhole, an affiliate of the American Cornhole Organization. He assists companies and organizations with events and fundraisers and offers many different types of packages to fit any need. LeftCoast Cornhole can be followed by downloading the Scoreholio app.

“We have the best equipment and are some of the most experienced organizers in the United States,” he said. “I run a variety of local events. My next tournament will be at the Temecula Valley Moose Lodge 261 on June 24. You can sign up on Scoreholio.”

TEMECULA – Earlier this year, the Temecula Valley Elks held their annual Lodge Drug Awareness Awards. The theme for the contest was “One Pill Can Kill.”

The entries were judged on originality, neatness, correct grammar, correct spelling, free of copyright characters and how it related to the theme. The first-place winners of the Lodge Drug Awareness Video Contest were Austin Buckely, Sabrina Thacker, Zion Berhane and Wyatt Conkright. They are eighth-grade students from Van Avery Prep School who entered with guidance from their teacher Theresa Bolton. Their video was

sent onto the Elks’ district level for additional judging. At the Elks Southeast District competition, their video took first place, and they each received a framed certificate and a $50 Visa gift card from the Southeast District.

Their video entry was submitted to the California-Hawaii Elks Association, and the video took third place at the state level. Each student received a framed certificate and a $100 Amazon gift card from the California-Hawaii Elks Association.

Submitted by the Temecula Valley Elks Lodge No. 2801.

From July 12 through Aug. 16, Howell will be helping Soboba Casino Resort with a six-week Soboba Cornhole Summer Series, the first of its kind in the country.

“When it comes to large tournaments, you want multiple people involved,” he said. “I have been on a team that has organized events of greater than 800 players.”

He participates as a player in about 60% of the tournaments that he facilitates as a director. Utilizing Scoreholio tournament organization software which pretty much drives itself, enables him to play. Howell is a lifetime member of the ACO and came up with the idea of getting tattooed for a lifetime membership. He said there are now more than 100 lifetime members across the nation.

Howell and his pro doubles partner Tim Burnett, who lives in Fresno, are co-owners of Pitch Bags, makers of the bags used in the game of cornhole. “An investor approached us in 2022 and wanted to start a new bag manufacturing business with well-known and established folks like us in the business today,” Howell said. The Pitch Bags factory is in Ohio and the American Cornhole Organizationapproved professional cornhole

bags can be purchased online at www.Pitchbags.com

Howell has worked for Yaamavaʹ the past 14 years in the geospatial sector, better known as geospatial information systems. “This is something that I took from the military,” he said. “I was trained as a topographic engineer and have been lucky enough to spend the last 27 years navigating the profession.”

He also shares an active home life with wife Beckie and two children, Grayson, 11, and Naomi, 13. For more information, Howell can be reached at 951-392-4167 or leftcoastcorn@gmail.com for any tournaments, organization, needs or questions. Please visit www. americancornhole.com for information on lifetime memberships and all things cornhole.

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

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

or 800-234-PARK (7275).

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

The Temecula Valley Elks Lodge No. 2801 Drug Awareness Chair Diane Farrens, left, stands with 2023 video contest award winners Sabrina Thacker, Zion Berhane and Wyatt Conkright, right, of Van Avery Prep School. Award winner Austin Buckely was not in the photo, as he was not able to attend the Drug Awareness Awards Ceremony. Valley News/Courtesy photo

HOWELL from page A-1

William Howell explains the cornhole scoring system to Soboba Switch charity tournament participants in March. Valley News/Robert A. Whitehead photo

The stage is set for a cornhole tournament. Valley News/Courtesy photo

William Howell pitches a corn bag during a recent cornhole tournament at the beach. Valley News/Courtesy photo

LOCAL

Financial focus: Do you have enough emergency savings?

sizable percentage of Americans are feeling distinctly unprepared – and that can lead to problems. Consider these survey findings from financial services provider Edward Jones and Morning Consult. Nearly two in five Americans expect that their emergency savings would last no more than a month.

Less than 40% of respondents consider their emergency savings account to be fully funded.

It’s important to have adequate emergency savings for two key reasons. First, when an unexpected financial need arises, such as a major home or car repair, you may well have to act quickly.

And second, if you don’t have the funds readily available to meet this sudden need, you may be forced to dip into your long-term investments, including your IRA and 401(k). It typically isn’t a good move, as taking money early

from these accounts could lead to both taxes and penalties. And even more important, you’d be taking away resources from accounts you will almost certainly need to help provide income for a retirement that could last two, or even three, decades.

So, if you want to be financially prepared for emergencies, how much money should you have available? There’s no one right answer for everyone, but generally speaking, it’s a good idea to keep three to six months’ worth of living expenses – or a full year’s worth, if you’re retired – in a liquid, lowrisk account that’s separate from the financial accounts you might use for everyday spending.

Of course, given the high cost of living, it’s not necessarily easy to put away several months of living expenses – at least, not all at once. That’s why you might want to have a certain amount automatically moved each month from your

checking or savings account into the account you’ve designated for emergency needs. And when you get a financial “windfall,” such as a year-end bonus at work or a tax refund, you might want to use part of this money for your emergency fund, too. You can also use these sources to replenish your emergency fund if you deplete some or all of it.

Here’s something else to remember about an emergency fund: Keep it for emergencies. As mentioned above, you should hold this fund apart from accounts that you draw on for daily expenses –but you’ll also want to avoid the temptation to use the money for other things, such as investment opportunities that may come your way. That’s not to say you

shouldn’t be prepared for these opportunities, but you can do so by keeping some cash or cash equivalents within your portfolio. And, as an additional benefit, the presence of cash can potentially help reduce the impact of market volatility on a portfolio that’s otherwise heavily weighted toward stocks.

Building and maintaining an emergency fund should be an essential part of your overall financial strategy – so, if you haven’t started one yet, there’s no time like the present.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Nima Helmi. He can be reached at 951-972-3071. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

TEMECULA – Many people would agree that preparation is the key to success in many areas of life. Yet, when it comes to being ready for a financial emergency, a

TVUSD board members respond to Gov. Newsom regarding comments Harvey Milk was a pedophile

in which board member Danny Gonzales questioned whether it was appropriate to include K-5 curriculum that had supplemental materials referring to Harvey Milk, because Milk was referred to as an alleged pedophile.

The speakers explained that they were not referring to Milk’s sexuality, but to reports that Milk had alleged multiple relationships with teenage boys.

According to Tom Wait of KCAL News (CBS News Los Angeles), “The Governor says he is ready to fight any school district in the state that tries to ban books that teach about race and sexual orientation.”

TVUSD Board President Dr. Joseph Komrosky addresses the crowd and the media following a letter sent out from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Valley News/File photo Valley News Staff

During a well attended press conference last week, TVUSD Board President and tenured professor Dr. Joseph Komrosky challenged Gov. Gavin Newsom, as an individual person, “I’ll ask you one simple question, Do you approve of any 33-year-old person, regardless of their gender identity or sexual preference, having a sexual relationship with any 16-year-old child, regardless of their gender identity or sexual preference?”

Komrosky and fellow school board member Danny Gonzalez

made it clear they were holding the press conference personally, not representing TVUSD or the 412 church. The press conference was in response to a letter dated June 1, from California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

The letter was addressed to all California County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and School Principals about “Educational Rights and Requests to Remove Instructional Materials.” It was apparently triggered by a TVUSD board meeting,

During the press conference, Trustee Gonzalez and Board President Dr. Komrosky said, “Challenge accepted!” Dr Komrosky said, “I’ve heard the voices of the parents, and I’ll always strive to protect our children in this TVUSD school district, as we want a safe learning environment for all students.

“Regarding our forward-thinking collaborative approach to the curriculum of any kind, we have a lot to fix at the local school board level after state leaders kept schools closed longer than any other state in the nation. Our kids lost more than academics, they lost trust in a public school system that was supposed to protect them. We are thrilled to see these leaders finally take some responsibility for

their mistakes during the pandemic. Choosing a content-rich and robust curriculum that emphasizes unbiased historical knowledge remains one of the highest priorities of the TVUSD board.

“In a competitive era of growth within the private, charter, and homeschool communities, we’re obligated to explore superior materials in a post-pandemic era of learning loss for our students. Parents and families also expect us to include them in the process of selecting instructional materials, and to be diligent in identifying and excluding obscene and hateful material from the curriculum. As provided by California Ed Code 60002, parents and other members of the community are involved. CA Ed Code 51100 emphasizes parental rights. Moreover, CA Ed Code 35160.1 affords us additional flexibility to create our own unique solutions here locally, even if the instructional material hasn’t been adopted by the state, referencing Ed Code 60210.

“Regarding Governor Newsom’s Twitter statement to me, it was never my intention to insult anyone, as it is always my intention to lead with civility. My word choice is based upon facts represented by Mr. Milk, and I don’t believe those facts are a good example for our children to learn about in elementary school.

“Governor Newsom, I’m glad that I have your attention. Now

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.

you have mine, as I’ve received my first death threat after your tweet, and relentless attacks on my job as a well-standing tenured professor. Quite frankly, these attacks are ridiculous and unwarranted. My students will tell you that they are from all walks of life, with many different gender identities/sexual preferences, and I treat them all with love and respect in my classrooms. Moreover, rather than resorting to a Cancel Culture tactic of ad hominin attacks against my character whether it’s you and/ or any other public figure, let’s instead focus on the substance of my arguments, like respectful adults.

“Additionally, I assure you that I am anything but ignorant regarding what you’ve said. If you’re offended by my assertion regarding Harvey Milk, I’ll ask you one simple question, “Do you approve of any 33-year-old person, regardless of their gender identity or sexual preference, having a sexual relationship with any 16-year-old child, regardless of their gender identity or sexual preference?”

“My remarks about Mr. Milk were not based upon him being a homosexual but rather based upon his being an adult having a sexual relationship with a minor. I would express the same sentiments if any adult being offered as an example in K-5 textbooks had admitted to a sexual relationship with a minor. That is the source of my objection to his example to TVUSD K-5 children, not his sexual orientation. The world is waiting to hear your answer.

“While we wait to hear your answer, I’ll let you know, that in this district, God willing, as long as I’m a school board trustee, I will resist any attempts from any and all sexual predators of any kind to harm our innocent children. You should have learned more about the exploitation of young children during the Me Too movement to help you avoid celebrating pederasts and those who would steal our children’s virtue. Or maybe your actions speak for themselves with your signature on a bill that reduces penalties for 24-year-old men to have non-consensual sex with 14-year-old boys (SB 145, Weiner, 2020).

“Even more, I will reject any vulgar, obscene, and pornographic material which offers zero academic merits from our student’s textbooks in K-12. They do not need to be exposed to salacious material that can’t meet longstanding decency laws to be shared on public television or radio. Conversely, we need to stick to the basics of education by focusing on reading, writing, math, science, history, etc., rather than confusing our children with hyper-politicized fads or forcing them to endure a radical culture war experiment. This trajectory is my right as a governing board member, and that is what my constituents voted me in to do, to protect all students in this district.

“Governor, you said it right when you said this isn’t Texas or Florida, as we can be so much better than these states if we had better leadership from the top levels of government who actually believe in the vital significance of public schools to send their own children to those schools. And imagine a world in which millions of families weren’t fleeing this state to find better educational prosperity in other states, but where millions of families were coming to this state because we have the best educational standards. You governor can use your power and influence to help us achieve this end. I am in prayer that you will do the right thing and join us in our efforts to give our students in TVUSD, and all of our other school districts, a safe and excellent education so that they would flourish and be productive and engaged citizens in the great state of California, and the United States overall.

“To all of the parents across this country, stand up and protect your kids. They need you to be brave for them, as you are their last resort,”

JDS provides summer sun and acting opportunity fun

Chelsey Romano

JDS Studios

The countdown to summer has begun and so have all the activities at JDS Studios. Kicking off next week is JDS Creative Academy’s two-week Script-to-Stage Summer Camp for ages 10 and up, followed by JDS Actors Studio’s Industry Showcase and the Academy’s visual and performing arts fall classes.

Script-to-Stage Summer Camp is coming and it will be a hoot! This two-week fun camp will teach participants how to build an entire play from the ground up. Campers will create and devise a story plot, build props and sets,

write scripts, and rehearse over the time they are in camp to culminate to a final play performance. This camp will be a full-on learning experience and encourages teamwork collaboration as well as helping students develop natural leadership skills. While most spots have been filled, there are a couple still available. Call JDS Creative Academy to grab a spot.

Next up under the JDS umbrella: the JDS Actors Studio Industry Showcase. Are you looking to launch your acting career? Need an agent? JDS Actors Studio has you covered. With this showcase, students learn the ins and outs of breaking into the industry, as well as how to land an agent. More-

over, this showcase is where JDS brings opportunity to you. There will be industry SAG Franchised agents and managers attending looking for new amazing talent, and that could be you or your loved one. The five workshop dates are: June 21, June 28, July 5 and July 12 at 6 p.m. and the final Industry Showcase in front of the professionals will be July 15 at 11 a.m. The cost for this event is $325 which includes the workshop dates, the showcase experience, as well as a copy of the best-selling book, Show Business, Breaking into the industry as an actor, written by Master Acting Coach Scott Strand (The Show) and Executive Producer

Diane Strand (The Business) of JDS Actors Studio.

Rounding out the summer and heading into the fall JDSCA has a fun engaging lineup of fall classes. JDS Creative Academy offers visual, performing and digital arts classes beginning the week of August 28. These courses include Scriptwriting, Fashion Design and Musical Theater and Film Making. Those participating in these clas ses will demonstrate their work and/or take part in the staged musical at the Winter Showcase in December. Visual, performing and digital arts classes are a wonderful way to dive into the art world and have students gain self confidence, leadership skills and

Movie review: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’

Bob Garver Special to the Valley News

How wrong I was about 2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” When I saw the first trailer, I remember groaning about starting a fourth big-screen Spider-Man continuity when we were still in the m iddle of the Tom Holland version, hadn’t had a proper conclusion for the Andrew Garfield version and weren’t far enough removed from the Tobey Maguire version. The live-action continuities eventually sorted themselves out, but more importantly, the animated “Spider-Verse” quickly became the best continuity of all. And with “Across the Spider-Verse,” it continues to be the best continuity. The new movie takes place about a year after the original. Miles “Spider-Man” Morales, played by Shameik Moore, and Gwen “Spider-Woman” Stacy, played by Hailee Steinfeld, have not seen each other since returning to their respective universes. Both struggle with family drama, namely the deci-

sion of whether or not to reveal their alter egos to their parents. Miles wants to tell his mother Rio, played by Luna Lauren Velez, and police lieutenant father Jefferson, played by Brian Tyree Henry, but it would mean admitting that he’s been lying and putting himself in danger with no intention of stopping.

Gwen wants to tell her police captain father George, played by Shea Whigham, but it would mean admitting that she’s been lying, endangering herself, and responsible for the death of close friend Peter Parker, who in her universe was The Lizard.

Gwen tries to take her mind off things by joining a band –in an opening sequence that’s equal parts pulse-pounding and head-bobbing – and stopping villains that hop over from other universes. There’s still a big hole in the multiverse that nobody can close, so villains can get through, but so can other Spider-People, like the pregnant Spider-Woman, played by Issa Rae; anarchist Spider-Punk, played by Daniel Kaluuya, and the humorless Spider-Man 2099, played by Oscar Isaac.

The latter is the leader of the Spider-Society, which employs Spider-People across all universes. He reluctantly lets Gwen join the organization, though he’s concerned about her relationship with Miles, who is about to have a very important role to play in the fabric of the multiverse that can’t be compromised.

Mi les is stressed with juggling school, his father’s upcoming promotion to captain, and Spider-Man business. Still, he’s delighted when Gwen pays his universe a visit, even though she’s there for other business and can’t stay for long. Her business ties into a new villain called The Spot, played by Jason Schwartzman, whose gimmick is that he can create portals through space at will. It’s a complex power that he doesn’t quite understand himself, but it makes for a great stream of visual gags. Still, he’s destined to go from bumbler to serious threat in a real hurry, though the SpiderSociety can’t stop him just yet for reasons that tie into that great responsibility for Miles.

I’m just skimming the surface

IINDUSTRY I IN N ND D DU U US S ST T TR R RY Y SHOWCASE S SHHOOW W WC C CAASSE E

of the story, which includes the return of Peter B. Parker, played by Jake Johnson, who is now married with a baby, and a lengthy trip to a universe where NYC and India combine into the city of Mumb-hattan. The action is exciting; the jokes are funny; the animation is stunning and the pace is frantic. Plus there are literally hundreds of secret goodies hiding in every corner of the screen that are easy to miss on a first viewing, but if any movie this year is worth seeing more than once, it’s this one.

The movie ends on a cliffhanger and a setup for a future movie, much like the recent “Fast X.” But unlike that movie, I don’t feel like this movie was “sacrificed” to set up a more exciting movie down the line, it’s an entire feature in and of itself. That said, I’m actually skeptical of the upcoming “Beyond the Spider-Verse” because the ending of this one sets up some twists that represent some of my least-favorite conventions of comic book movies. Across the Spider-Verse” never officially loses its footing, but it ends weirdly, by giving me the

INDUSTRY SHOWCASE

express themselves. JDS Creative Academy can offer scholarships to any student interested in taking a creative arts course thanks to the California Arts Council awarding JDS Creative Academy a $30,000 grant to be used for students who want to further their knowledge and experience in the arts. The next few months at JDS Creative Academy and JDS Actors Studio will be full of opportunities to grow, absorb, learn and launch. To partake in any of the fun or for more information on any of the upcoming events and activities please call 951296-6715.

Valley News/Courtesy photo feeling that this series is about to plummet in quality.

Grade: B

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is rated PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements. Its running time is 140 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Learn the ins-and-outs of breaking Learntheins-and-outsofbreaking into the industry intotheindustry Includes Best Selling Book

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$325.00

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Showcase in front of Showcaseinfrontof SAG SAG Franchised Franchised Agents & Industry Professionals Agents&IndustryProfessionals NEEDAN AGENT? TAKEYOUR CAREERTO THENEXT LEVEL!

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WORKSHOP SHOWCASE

June21st,June28, July5th,&July12th at6:00PM

June21st,June28, July5th,&July12th at6:00PM

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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

Now to July 22 – Find Your Voice Summer Reading Program for children 3 to 18 at the Hemet Public Library at 300 E. Latham Ave., in Hemet. Sign up using http://www.hemetca.beanstack. com.

June 26 – 6-7:30 p.m. Smash Book DIY at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road. Smash books are a creative, low stress and fun way to collect together different thoughts, dreams, feelings and interests. Participants will be provided with examples, blank journals and art supplies to begin their own smash book. Program is for grades 7-12 and limited to 25 participants. Register by calling 951-693-8940

June 30 – 7 p.m.Murrieta Public Library hosts Pinto Bella and her hula hoops at Murrieta Town Square Park and Amphitheater, 1 Town Square, in Murrieta. Get ready to learn about different kinds of hula hoops and movements, watch a performance with multiple hoops and practice your “air hoops.” Pinto Bella is a movement artist, musician, fire performer, visual artist and educator who is currently touring the U.S. this summer.

July 3 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Come compete in Magical Trivia & Pizza at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road. The teen program is for grades 7 through 12. Enjoy a magical evening of themed trivia, games, prizes and pizza. Costumes are welcome. Sponsored by the Temecula Teen Library Council. Registration required, which can be made at the library reference desk or by calling 951-693-8940. Limited to 40 participants. For more information, visit https://TemeculaCA.gov/Library.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Now to July 27 – 7 p.m. Temecula’s Summer Concert Series begins with a great lineup of local bands at the Temecula Amphitheater, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. Gates open Thursdays 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. First concert June 22 features Jumping Jack Flash.

June 17 – 2-8 p.m. The 52nd annual Murrieta Father’s Day Car Show will be held at California

Oaks Sports Park, 40600 California Oaks Road in Murrieta with music, vendors, and free family fun for spectators. No dogs are allowed. To register vehicles, visit http://www. tinyurl.com/fathersdaycarshow23.

June 18 – 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. Attend the 12th annual Microbrew and Chili Cook Off Festival and find the perfect Father’s Day samplings of craft beer, gourmet chili, silent auction and live entertainment at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, in Temecula. Tickets can be purchased at the Pechanga Box Office or online at http://pechanga.com. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

June 24 – 2-9 p.m. Attend the 32nd Murrieta Birthday Bash at California Oaks Sports Park, 40600 California Oaks Road, in Murrieta with vendors, food and music. KTel All Stars is headlining the musical performances with 70s hits. For more information, contact the Murrieta Community Services Dept. at 951-304-7275.

June 30 – 7 p.m. Attend a hula hooping class at Murrieta Town Square Park and Amphitheater in Murrieta. Get ready to twist, twirl and learn tricks with hula hoops. Discover this playful activity for all ages and promises loads of fun. Bring chairs, blankets and hula hoops.

July 4 – 10 a.m. Temecula’s annual Fourth of July Extravaganza begins with a parade, beginning in the south end of Old Town Temecula and traveling from arch to arch.

July 12 to Aug. 23 – 5-9 p.m. Sunset Market every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. The market will feature live entertainment, a gourmet food court and some of the finest artisans and craftspeople in Southern California. The family friendly event is located in Town Square Park in Old Town Temecula.

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 – Line dancing classes are held Wednesdays at Lake Elsinore/Wildomar Elks Lodge, 33700 Mission Trail, in Wildomar across from the Animal Friends of the Valleys. Classes have a DJ with learning levels beginning to intermediate. Have fun and

exercise at the same time at $5 per lesson. Contact Joyce Hohenadl at 951-674-2159.

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 the California Department on Aging at 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 http:// 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

Crossword puzzle: The 1970’s

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

June 24 – 5-8 p.m. Attend the opening night of the Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau’s summer Art Show and Summer 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 http:// www.the-nef.org for details and prices.

June 26 – 6 p.m. Temecula Valley Historical Society Free Presentation by Aditi Wocester. Worcester will present information regarding conducting research at the San Diego County Archives, a collection that holds an estimated 65,000 recorded maps, 250 cubic feet of historic birth, death and marriage records, 600 cubic feet of official records, and an estimated 40,000 rolls of microfilm. Presentation will take place at the Little Temecula History Center, the red barn at the corner of Redhawk Parkway and Wolf Store Road. Questions or info on the presentation may be addressed to Rebecca Farnbach at info@temeculahistory.org.

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 http://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, September 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 http://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 781-9326300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit http://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 http://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 http://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 http:// www.va.gov/homeless.

TNEF Summer Art and Concert Series at the Santa Rosa Plateau opens June 24

The Nature Education Foundation at the Santa Rosa Plateau begins its LIVE! @ The Plateau Summer Art and Concert Series with some of the top tribute bands in the nation taking over its outdoor Pavilion Stage. The 23rd annual Santa Rosa Plateau Art Show will take place opening night, June 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by The Temecula Academy of Ballet Arts.

Elton John, The Early Years, starring Kenny Metcalf, will kick off the concert series on July 1. The annual TNEF fundraising Summer Concerts and Art Shows take place on the outdoor Pavilion Stage behind the Plateau’s Visitor Center at 39400 Clinton Keith Road in Murrieta every Saturday evening through August 5.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and concerts are set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Preceding every performance, the Visitor Center will be open at 5:30 p.m. with an outstanding Art Show of multimedia works from many local and well known artists focusing on the outdoors with some of the sale proceeds helping TNEF in their efforts to “educate and empower youth to appreciate, preserve and protect nature.”

In the first concert, Metcalf, as Elton John on his piano, will sing out the hits “Benny and the Jets,” “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer” and other beloved hits from the flamboyant rocker. Tickets at www. plateauconcertsandart.org are selling fast for this concert.

TNEF will present The Highwayman Show on July 8, featuring Tony Suraci in a tribute to great

country western singers such as Johnny Cash and Wylon Jennings. On July 15, Private Eyes, the premier tribute to Hall & Oates, comes to the stage with some great pop and rock music.

Uptown, a tribute to Motown, soul and R&B, jumps on the stage on July 22 with renditions of “Endless Love,” “Come and Go With Me” and other great hits of Motown’s heyday. It is sure to provide a romantic backdrop for many who attend. Then comes Surf’s Up on July 19, America’s premiere Beach Boys Party Band. Beach-themed attire and straw hats are welcome.

Wrapping up the concert series this year will be a special tribute to the music of the legendary Bee Gees when Bee Gees Gold takes the stage on Aug. 5 and disco becomes popular on the pavilion as the bell-bottomed performers dance and sing.

Buy tickets from $44 to $55 by visiting www.the-nef.org, www. plateauconcertsandart.org or 951319-2988 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online only. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Seating is limited and be sure to bring your own chairs. Refreshments, drinks, craft beer and wine will be available for sale. Guests can bring their own drinks/ food in coolers or containers small enough to fit under their chair(s). However, no outside alcohol is allowed.

Season tickets are available at $112 for TNEF members and $140 for the general public. VIP Tickets are also available which include reserved parking. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

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

Tony Ault Staff Writer

RCTC eyes future highway improvement projects in Riverside County

Tony Ault Staff Writer

With the 2022-2023 fiscal year ending June 30 Riverside County Transportation Commission listed a number of near future (20232024, 2024-2025) highway projects in the pre-construction phases that will affect Riverside County motorists over time.

Those projects in brief include: the Highway 91 eastbound corridor; the Interstate 10 Highland Springs Ave. Interchange (Beaumont); I-15 corridor work; the I-15 southern extension Express Lanes; I-15 Smart Freeway pilot project (Temecula-Murrieta) ; Metrolink

Double Track in the Perris/Moreno Valley; Mid-County Parkway Ramona Expressway (Menifee, San Jacinto Valley); Perris South Metrolink Station and Layover facility; other Metrolink Station Improvements and the Santa Ana River Trail.

The details of these near future

RCTC projects can be found in links on the RCTC website, https:// www.rctc.org/projects for those interested. Some of the projects are in partnership with Caltrans using

federal, state and county highway funding.

Currently RCTC under construction projects include: the Interstate 15/Highway 91 Express Lane Connector; the Highways 71/91 Interchange; the 91 Refresh Project and Riverside Metrolink station improvements. Final minor work on the Highway 60 truck lanes is underway and the Gilman Springs Road improvements from San Jacinto to Moreno Valley.

RCTC also announced all Riverside County Transportation buses now can be ridden with a 25 cent fare that can be dropped in the individual bus coin box or charged through their pre-paid bus tickets until August 30.

It was learned an earlier 25 cent bus transportation fare pilot project brought more county residents to give up some of their auto trips to take the much more economical buses that also helped provide much cleaner air in the area.

San Jacinto

The California Transportation Agency is continuing Its work on the $4 million safety project to construct a median concrete barrier and rumble strips on State

Route 79 (SR 79) near San Jacinto. Weather and temperature dependent. Monday through Friday, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. The remaining work will require inside and outside (alternating) lane closures and shoulder closures for completion of newly installed guardrail system, drainage and installation of rumble strips, both directions. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Use caution. The California Highway Patrol will be on sight 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 complete in Spring of 2023.

Banning, Beaumont, Perris, Palm Springs, Hemet, San Jacinto Caltrans begins work on a $3.7 million bridge upgrade project on State Route 74, State Route 79, State Route 89, State Route 111, State Route 243 , and Interstate 10 (I-10). This project will take place in various locations throughout Riverside County. Construction is scheduled to begin in July. Weath-

er permitting. The project was awarded to Truesdell Corporation of CA, Inc. The project in various locations will include concrete overlay, replacement of joint seals on the bridges, and repair/replace approach slabs. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. One-way traffic control with flagging operations will be in effect at each end of the bridge locations throughout the duration of the project. There will be intermittent traffic breaks with expected delays of 15 to 20 minutes during the construction process.

Palm Springs

Caltrans continues work on a $5.5 million project to construct and upgrade curb ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and modify signal and lighting systems on SR-111 in Palm Springs. Weather and temperature dependent. Crews continue work at various locations from Lawrence Crossley Road to West Gateway Drive. A minimum of one lane will be open in each direction at all times.

Desert Center Caltrans continues operations on

a pavement rehabilitation project from Desert Center (PM 104.9) to west of Wiley’s Well Rest Area (PM 134) on Interstate 10 (I-10). Weather permitting.

Banning, Blythe, Yucaipa Caltrans begins work on a $4.9 million project to install Zero Emissions Vehicle Charging Stations (ZEV) on I-10) near Banning, Blythe and Yucaipa. Weather permitting. The project was awarded to Kanaan Construction, Inc., of Azusa California. Crews will be working in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties at the east and westbound Whitewater rest areas, westbound Wiley’s Well rest area and the eastbound Wildwood rest area on the I-10 Construction begins in July. Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. No lane or ramp closures are expected on a regular basis but may take place intermittently to move equipment into the rest areas. The new ZEV charging stations will utilize a portion of the existing parking lot. Use caution when around the work area.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

Skyview Road pedestrian bridge, Pauba Road improvements funded

Joe Naiman Writer

Unincorporated Communities

Initiative funding will be used for the Skyview Road pedestrian bridge over the French Valley Channel and improvements to Pauba Road between Via Del Monte and Calle Contento.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday, May 23, to transfer $1,398,291 from the Third District’s Unin

corporated Communities Fund to the county’s Transportation Department, providing funding of $500,000 for the Skyview Road

bridge and $898,291 for the Pauba Road improvements. The board action also directed the Transportation Department to initiate work on the projects. A November 2020 county board of supervisors meeting called for the creation of an Unincorporated Communities Initiative to improve the infrastructure and services provided to residents of unincorporated communities with an emphasis on disadvantaged unincorporated communities. The program is funded through the Unincorporated Communities Fund which is allocated during the annual budget process. The fiscal

year 2022-2023 budget includes $10,000,000 for the Unincorporated Communities Fund to be divided evenly between each of the five supervisorial districts. Skyview Road connects state Route 79 and Pourroy Road. It is classified as a collector street. A road gap exists at the French Valley Channel approximately 800 feet east of Highway 79. The circulation element of the county’s general plan does not include a highway bridge over the channel, but the county had determined a need to provide continued pedestrian access on Skyview Road. The pedestrian bridge will also

allow bicyclists to cross the French Valley Channel on Skyview Road and will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to access the new French Valley Library and Susan LaVorgna Elementary School. Since the bridge must be wide enough to have a multi-purpose trail for pedestrian and bicycle traffic the bridge will have a width of 16 feet. The county supervisors awarded a design contract in February 2022. Pauba Road between Via Del Monte and Calle Contento has not been maintained and is currently in substandard condition. The improvement project will improve Pauba Road to county standards

which will allow inclusion in the Circulation Element and enable ongoing maintenance. The project will also correct right-of-way deficiencies.

The board action also allocated $32,000 to the county’s Department of Animal Services to provide pop-up veterinary wellness services in Third District unincorporated communities and directed the Department of Animal Services to initiate work on that activity.

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

County expected to remove underground storage tanks at Hemet fleet building

Joe Naiman Writer

Removal of the underground storage tanks at Riverside County’s Hemet Fleet Services facility has been added to the county’s future projects.

A 5-0 Riverside County Board of Supervisors vote Tuesday, May 23, approved the Hemet Fleet Facility Underground Storage Tank Removal Project in principle, approved the project for inclusion in

the county’s Capital Improvement Program, authorized $334,858 of funding for the project, delegated project management authority to the director of the county’s Facilities Management department or her designee, authorized the county’s Purchasing Agent to execute consultant services agreements of up to $100,000 per pre-qualified consultant and found the project categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review. The Facilities Management

department will pursue the most cost-effective project delivery method and award any contracts in accordance with applicable Board of Supervisors policies.

The Hemet Fleet Services garage is in the 800 block of North State Street. It includes a service parking lot, a maintenance building, and a fuel dispenser island which has a 10,000-gallon underground storage tank and a 15,000-gallon underground storage tank.

The 10,000-gallon underground

storage tank is single-walled and is thus not compliant with State Water Resources Control Board regulations. The tank thus must be removed from the site. The scope of work will include closing and removing the tank in accordance with Riverside County Department of Environmental Health requirements and re-plumbing the fuel site to operate off the 15,000-gallon tank, which complies with state standards and will remain in place. The area of the 10,000-gallon tank

will be backfilled and a concrete slab will be poured to match the surrounding area.

The preliminary budget of $334,858 covers $221,416 for the construction work, $49,470 for design activities, $32,930 for county administration expenses including staf f time, $600 for regulatory permitting and $30,442 for contingency.

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

Outside of Miami court where Trump will appear, media so far outnumber protesters

Joshua Goodman and Sara Burnett Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Hundreds of journalists from around the world were gathered Tuesday outside the courthouse in downtown Miami where former President Donald Trump is scheduled to make his first appearance on criminal charges that he improperly held on to classified documents.

Protests were scheduled for later in the day by Trump backers who have criticized the felony charges, though the number of Trump supporters and those opposing him were a fraction of the crowd compared with the media in attendance Tuesday morning. Journalists from China, the UK, Australia, France, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Germany and Swit-

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communities of Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Menifee, Sun City, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, San Jacinto, and Anza weekly.

zerland were among the hundreds of journalists who have converged on the courthouse. Some of them have spent several days camped out in the muggy heat.

The international attention and anticipated crowds were another sign of the extraordinary nature of the event and the person at the center of it. A criminal defendant like no other, Trump is the first former president to appear before a federal judge on criminal charges. He also is leading the Republican field for the 2024 presidential nomination, and has so far held his status as frontrunner even as he has faced other legal troubles.

Security was tight. A yellowtape police line and about a halfdozen federal police vehicles formed a barricade, keeping people from a palm tree-lined breezeway and the public entrance to the modern, largely glass Wilkie D. Ferguson federal courthouse. A police helicopter passed overhead at times, and about two dozen Miami police officers circled the building’s perimeter on bicycles.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has said the city is ready to handle any protests that occur, and that local law enforcement has experience handling large demonstrations.

The early crowd Tuesday included what is now a staple of a Trump appearance or rally. People selling T-shirts with Trump’s face in a mock mugshot, with large letters reading “NOT GUILTY,” others hawking hats, but also, fitting for Miami, mangoes.

Some had Trump 2024 flags, supporting his bid for president. Another man, who opposes Trump, dressed in black-and-white prison stripes and held a sign reading “LOCK HIM UP.” At times, people shouted past each other with dueling megaphones.

Among those who arrived early were the father-son duo of Florencio and Kevin Rodriguez, who came to the U.S. 15 years ago as asylum seekers fleeing dictatorship in Cuba.

Wearing a shirt that reads “Jesus

is my savior, Trump my president,” the younger Rodriguez, Kevin, said it is possible that Trump is guilty of illegally retaining classified documents.

But he questioned the fairness of the proceedings in light of what he said was prosecutors’ lax attitude toward President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — both of whom have also been accused of mishandling classified intelligence albeit without any intention of hiding their actions.

“Even if he’s guilty, we will still support him,” said Rodriguez as a contingent of Miami police officers rode by on bicycles.

“We never abandon our amigos — those who love this country and our liberty,” he added, highlighting the former president’s staunch opposition to Cuba’s communist government.

Some came to counter the Trump supporters. Jack Kaplan, 68, drove two hours from Ft Pierce, where the judge assigned to the case is based. Toting a copy of the indict-

ment affixed to a clipboard, and a sign reading “Trump is Toast,” the retired car dealer said he’ll celebrate with a $1,400 bottle of Mouton Rothschild red wine if the former president is locked away.

“I’ve already got the bottle sitting in my wine cooler,” said Kaplan as a Trump supporter carrying a sign reading “Keep America Great” walked by. “I’m going to have a big party.”

More Trump supporters were on their way. In a Walmart parking lot in Orlando, about four dozen people dressed in red, white and blue clothing — some wearing T-shirts that said “Donald Trump Did Nothing Wrong” — boarded two buses for the four-hour trip to Miami. They planned to show their support for the former president outside the federal courthouse.

“He has done so much for us. This is what we can do for him. This is what we must do for him,” said Laurie Pettengill, who drove halfway across the state from Homosassa Springs on Florida’s Gulf Coast to go on the trip.

The trip was organized by an organization called the Florida Republican Assembly.

Miriam Ramirez carried a sign adorned with small American flags that said “Puerto Republican Assembly Present for Trump!” She said the federal charges were a continuation of prosecutorial harassment Trump has faced for years.

“This has been going on ever since he became president,” she said.

As the Trump supporters boarded the buses for the trip, which originally had been planned to accommodate four busloads of people, a lone woman, Danette Chialtas, shouted at them, calling them traitors for supporting Trump.

“He’s being tried on espionage charges, and they are enabling it,” Chialtas said, pointing to the buses. Associated Press reporter Michael Schneider contributed from Orlando. Burnett reported from Chicago.

Stellantis recalling over 354,000 Jeeps worldwide; rear coil springs can detach while they’re moving

DETROIT (AP) — Stellantis is recalling more than 354,000 Jeeps worldwide because the rear coil springs can fall off while they’re being driven. The recall covers certain 2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokee and 2021 to 2023 Grand Cherokee L SUVs.

The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the springs may have been installed incorrectly in production. They can detach from the vehicle while it’s moving, increasing the risk of a crash

and possibly creating a hazard for other drivers.

Stellantis says in the documents that it’s aware of 17 warranty claims, two customer assistance reports and two field reports that may be caused by the problem. But as of May 25 it had no reports of crashes

or injuries. Most of the recalled vehicles are in North America. SUVs with air suspensions are not affected. Dealers will inspect the springs and replace the assemblies if necessary. Owners are to be notified by letter starting July 28.

County public safety officials outline needs in 2023-2024 budget

Paul J. Young City News Service

On Monday, June 12, Riverside County public safety officials sought appropriations in the proposed 2023-2024 budget that exceed the Executive Office’s recommendations, while underscoring t heir spending discipline in the current fiscal year, with at least one agency head vowing to end the year with a surplus.

“We started the year with a structural deficit, but we overcame that with major attrition,” Sheriff Chad Bianco told the Board of Supervisors during the first public hearing on the 2023-2024 budget. “We’re on track to end 2022-2023 with a balanced budget.”

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Bianco said the sheriff’s department has netted success on the hiring front, while also saving money, by attracting ever-increasing “lateral hires,” or sworn law enforcement officers from other agencies who require a quarter of the time to prepare for field deployments compared to new recruits. The sheriff said 167 laterals had been added to the ranks in the current fiscal year.

Bianco is seeking $1.022 billion in appropriations, though the Executive Office is recommending that the board limit the sheriff to $1.01 billion in expenditures.

The agency’s current fiscal year budget, adopted last June, totaled $942 million.

The sheriff said among the higher costs built into next year’s budget is an “enhanced management” policy that will put lieutenants in stationbased supervisory roles, ensuring

more sergeants are “out in the field with deputies.” He also wants to establish a permanent “problem-oriented policing” team to handle noise and party complaints, particularly on the weekends, largely in the unincorporated mountain communities and the Temecula Valley, where the majority of short-term rental properties in the county are located. Four deputies would be dedicated to the POP unit.

The sheriff did not request additional funds to fully open the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio, where just under 400 inmate beds are in use, out of a potential 1,600 available at the state-of-theart facility.

Bianco said that recruiting efforts have led to a bumper crop of applicants, to the point they’re now being turned away.

“The sheriff’s department is in a good place,” he said.

District Attorney Mike Hestrin requested $2.5 million more in the agency’s proposed budget than recommended by the executive office, bringing his total ask to $191.14 million.

Hestrin listed a number of challenges weighing on the D.A.’s office, including an ongoing departure of personnel, largely through retirements. The agency is down to 234 prosecutors, the lowest number in the last decade. The average caseload per deputy district attorney is 100. Hestrin said the goal is to cut that in half.

He said the state Legislature’s mandates in recent years have stacked layers of new responsibili-

ties onto D.A.’s offices statewide, a nd Riverside County is among those bearing a heavy burden.

Examples include the California Racial Justice Act, as amended under Assembly Bill 256, which provides avenues for a defendant serving time in prison or jail to petition courts for retrial or resentencing based on even faint evidence of racial bias exhibited by judges, jurors, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and others involved in the original conviction; and Assembly Bill 2169, which permits individuals to petition for nullification of their convictions if they can prove they were victims of human trafficking at the time they committed their nonviolent offense.

“Prosecutors are having to go back and look at these old cases to comply with these legal mandates,” Hestrin said.

He said that he wants to establish a full-time call center to assist members of the community in need of assistance from the D.A.’s office, as well as make 15 temporary employees permanent.

“The workload is overwhelming for our attorneys, and we’ve got to get them some support,” he said.

The agency is on track to end the fiscal year with a $1 million surplus

Fire Chief Bill Weiser originally sought $537 million in appropriations, with the executive office recommending $457.3 million. The current year budget is $443.4 million. Weiser told the board that he could make do with $6.1 million in additional funding.

Some of the budgetary requirements include expansion of the

hazardous materials unit, the ongoing conversion of three fire stations from wildland outposts to municipal stations and bulking up staff at the Cabazon and French Valley stations to ensure a higher level of “surge staffing” is available for Wildfire Season between July and November.

“It’ll add that extra horsepower we’ll probably need to get through fire season,” he told the board.

All of the requests will be entertained between now and the date for tentative adoption of the 2023-2024 budget on June 27.

County CEO Jeff Van Wagenen said the proposed $8.6 billion budget “creates the opportunity to enhance the efforts of our departments providing vital programs for our constituents countywide.”

“While we hold optimism for what lies ahead, it is crucial to acknowledge the ongoing challenges that persist in our path,” he cautioned. “The long-term economic forecast remains unclear, and we are beginning to see local revenue growth slow and flatten.”

The proposed budget is roughly 15% larger than the current year’s budget of $7.45 billion. Close to half of the appropriations are comprised of state and federal “pass-through” funds, over which the board has little to no control.

One of the highlights in the roughly 1,000-page budget report was the projection for reserve funds to reach $555 million by the end of 2023-2024, compared to an estimated $537 million reserve pool at the close of the current fiscal year on June 30.

Journalists line up to be admitted inside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, in Miami.

Former President Donald Trump is making a federal court appearance on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department’s efforts to get the records back. (AP photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Youth fighters excel at USFL Nationals

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

Local youth MMA fighters from Hernandez Kickboxing in Murrieta took to the road late last month traveling to LumColor Arena in Ontario where they competed at the USFL Nationals Saturday, May 20. The group from the Murrieta based kickboxing and MMA training gym had eight fighters competing with seven of them making it to the final podium. Three of those fighters placed first at Nationals.

The USFL tournament helps select the official U.S. Youth team for the 2023 IMMAF World

Youth MMA Championships in Abu Dhabi, Aug 2-5. (World Championship divisions are only for ages 12-17.) The International tournament ranks among the most unique, unforgettable and motivating events on the MMA calendar.

The national title holders were Lariah Gill, now a three-time USFL National Champion and two-time IMMAF World Champion, Uriel Cruz, who had two submission wins by armbars and Zadkiel Cruz, who also had two submission wins by armbars. With their wins, Lariah and Zadkiel punched their tickets to Abu Dhabi for a second consecutive year.

Hernandez Kickboxing also had the following fighters place third : Isabella Campos, Jersie Brodowski who is 13 years old in her first time fighting in a higher age/weight class of 16 years at 160+ pounds, Ethan Barrett and Alyssa Campos (first time fighting).

To find out more about Hernandez Kickboxing, www.facebook. com/HernandezKickboxingFitness or email hernandezkickboxingfitness@yahoo.com

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

The Hernandez Kickboxing team poses with their coaches and Hernandez Kickboxing owner Stephanie Hernandez, right, after their bouts at the USFL Nationals Saturday, May 20.

Lariah Gill, representing Hernandez Kickboxing of Murrieta, stands No. 1 at the podium with her belts after winning at the USFL Nationals Saturday, May 20. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Uriel Cruz, representing Hernandez Kickboxing of Murrieta, stands at the podium after winning at the USFL Nationals Saturday, May 20.

13-year-old Zadkiel Cruz representing Hernandez Kickboxing of Murrieta, stands No. 1 at the podium after winning at the USFL Nationals Saturday, May 20.

Lariah Gill, a three-time USFL National Champion and two-time IMMAF World Champion representing Hernandez Kickboxing of Murrieta stands at the podium after winning at the USFL Nationals Saturday, May 20.

California takes the top spot as the healthiest state in America

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

A new study has revealed that California is the healthiest state in America. Research conducted by online fitness resource Total Shape analyzed data on key health indicators in America such as searches for gym memberships, how many gyms per 100,000 of the population, how many fastfood restaurants per 100,000 of the population, percentage of adult smokers and the obesity rates in each state. This data then gave an indication into which state is the healthiest/unhealthiest.

Boasting the largest number of gyms, Californians clearly are fitness fanatics as they also have one of the lowest percentages of obesity and one of the lowest percentages of smokers. California does have the most fast-food restaurants in America with over 30,000, however with the highest population this is only 77 restaurants per 100,000 people which is only slightly above the national average of 74.

Connecticut comes in second and is the home of the hamburger in America. Since the first burger restaurant in America opened there in 1895, more than 2,500 fast-food restaurants have appeared across the state. However, as well as having many fast-food restaurants, Connecticut has 19 gyms for every 100,000 people, the second highest in this list.

Massachusetts is the third healthiest state, it has one of the

lowest percentages of adult smokers (12%) and obesity rates (25%) in America. With 16 gyms and 74 fast food restaurants per 100,000 people, Bay Staters, despite their diverse choice of restaurants, remain some of the healthiest and most active people in America.

Vermont has 16 gyms per 100,000 people which is four above the national average of 12.

Vermont has the fewest fast-food restaurants with 58 per 100,000 people. This may be the reason that they have a lower obesity rate at 26% and a lower-than-average smoking rate (15%).

New Jersey has been called the ‘diner capital of the world’ due to its large number of restaurants (7,000) in comparison to its landmass. This would make New Jersey one of the unhealthier states, however, the state has 15 gyms per 100,000 people, only 13% of adults smoke and an obesity rate of 27% which helps New Jersey remain in the top five healthiest states in America.

Hawaii has the highest search rates for gym memberships in America but Hawaiians unfortunately don’t have as many to access with only 10 for every 100,000 people. They do however have 102 fast-food restaurants per 100,000 people, the highest in America and over 25 more than average. Although this doesn’t seem to impact much of the population’s health as they have one of the lowest obesity rates at 25%.

A spokesperson from Total Shape provided some commentary

“The fast-food industry in America is worth over $250 bil-

lion and 1 in 4 Americans visit a fast-food restaurant daily. Even in the healthiest states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut there are just over triple the number of fast-food restaurants than gyms. In states such as Kentucky and West Virginia this figure rises to seven times the number of fastfood restaurants to gyms.

“America has the most gym and health facilities in the world and the highest annual revenue from this industry globally, however the average gym member must travel

between 4 and 6 miles to their local gym, whereas the average distance to the closest food establishment is between 2.6 and 3.7 miles.”

Article contributions and research conducted by Total Shape, which is a fitness resource site providing information about workouts, supplements and fitness to help reach your goals. More information can be found at https:// totalshape.com

A new study has revealed that California is the healthiest state in America according to Total Shape magazine. Valley News/Courtesy photo on the findings. “America has a rich culinary history, and each state has vast arrays of different cuisines and delicacies. The temptation lies on every corner in every state. However, Americans also have some of the greatest sports facilities and events in the world that inspire millions to get out and get active. It’s clear from the research that many states have a healthy balance and in doing so maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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

Pechanga Resort Casino names LPGA sponsor, Gabriella Then, as course ambassador

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

TEMECULA – Pechanga Resort

Casino has officially partnered with professional golfer Gabriella Then to act as their Ambassador to the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Bill Anderson, Pechanga Resort Casino’s Chief Marketing Officer, announced the sponsorship at the CM Pro-Am Golf Tournament on Tuesday, April 18. He remarked about Then’s unique story, citing her perseverance as a source of inspiration to young golfers around the world. The partnership serves to support Then’s tour and her efforts as she promotes the sport to young girls and women everywhere.

A Southern California native, Then has shot up the ranks in the women’s golfing community with an impressive record of achievements. Starting tournament golf at nine years old, Then went on to compete in her first U.S. Women’s Open by age 14. She attended the University of Southern California where she played college golf, earning an All-American title before joining the Epson Tour in 2017.

After missing out on advancing to Stage II of LPGA’s Qualifying School in 2019, Then considered giving up the sport entirely to pursue other ventures. She left professional golf for 18 months before reigniting her passion and love for the game. With a newfound sense of purpose and clarity, Then went on to win three times in four months in the Cactus and Women’s All Pro Tours. Then found her stride again.

She won the Ladies European Tour (“LET”) QSchool in 2022 earning her status on LET. In the mid-season, Then tested her once again flourishing golf game on the Epson Tour where she earned her first Epson Tour win in her second start of the season. At the end of the 2022 Epson Tour season, Then finished seventh in the points race, earning her status on the LPGA Tour in 2023.

“Pechanga Resort Casino is thrilled to welcome Gabriella Then to their team and is excited to support her as she continues to showcase her talent and passion for the game,” Anderson said.

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

Murrieta soccer standouts seek support

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

The American Youth Soccer Organization National Games are returning to the place they began at 35 years ago. This year’s event will be hosted in Irvine in July. One of the local teams scheduled to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is the Murrieta 14U Team. AYSO National Games is a week-long celebration bringing together AYSO players, volunteers and parents from across the country. The AYSO National Games

began in the city of Irvine in 1988. The last national games were held in Oahu, Hawaii, however, the last time the games were held in the state of California was in 2014, in the city of Torrance. It is officially making its comeback, where it all started, in Irvine.

More than 3,800 players, making up 328 teams, will come together to play 1,300 games all in one venue at the Orange County Great Park. Fifteen Murrieta 14U AYSO players have been hand selected to represent Southern California at the AYSO National Games. Coached by

Joshua Schwarz and Dean Rush, the team needs the public’s support to meet their goal of raising $7,500 to cover hotel and food costs for a week’s worth of AYSO games, celebrations, and activities. To meet their goal, a GoFundMe page has been created for the team. The AYSO National Games kick off with opening ceremonies on Monday, July 24.

For more information and to donate, www.gofundme.com/f/ help-us-get-to-the-2023-aysonational-games

Valley News/Courtesy photo

LPGA Player Gabriella Then lines up for a putt at Journey at Pechanga.

The Murrieta 14U Team, representing the American Youth Soccer Organization, will be competing in the National Games next month Irvine. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Vista Murrieta’s Brandon Underwood named All-CIF in boys’ volleyball

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

Multisport athletes are a thing of the past, and a thing of the now, especially when it comes to the college recruiting realm. With the pandemic far back in the rearview mirror, the multisport athlete has been gaining momentum. It appears that less and less ‘specializing’ is taking place for studentathletes that are now competing in three, four, five and sometimes six sports per athletic year.

One area prep athlete took his competitive nature to the Vista Murrieta High School soccer fields over the winter sports season and then turned around and helped the Broncos win a Southwestern League boys volleyball title in their recent spring season.

Not only was 6-foot-6 senior Brandon Underwood a standout goal keeper for the boys varsity soccer team, he set the bar as a middle blocker for Vista Murrieta

on the volleyball courts as well. The Broncos went 10-0 in league, were 20-5 overall, and made their way to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs. A 3-2 loss to El Segundo wrapped up their season in early May. With his successful season behind him, and now a recent 2023 graduate of the school, Underwood was also recently selected as First Team All-CIF in Division 3. He was the only local area athlete from this past boys’ volleyball season to get the selection. With coaches being more and more open to having their student athletes play multiple sports in one season, and having their athletic directors on board as well, expect to see more athletes like Underwood excel across the board in the coming years. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

Kaiser Permanente facitilites support inclusion in Special Olympics So Cal with Law Enforcement Torch Run as a Health Partner

Kaiser Permanente lights the way alongside law enforcement officers to launch Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games

PASADENA – As the Official Health Partner for Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) for the sixth consecutive year, Kaiser Permanente joined forces with law enforcement agencies across Southern California in support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), held to kick off the upcoming SOSC Summer Games. As a symbol of its commitment, select Kaiser Permanente facilities served as significant waypoints along the torch-run route, reinforcing the organization’s dedication to fostering inclusive communities and health equity.

“Kaiser Permanente is proud to support Special Olympics Southern California as The Official Health Partner and honored to stand alongside law enforcement agencies and team members to escort the Special Olympics torch through our local communities,” said Dr. Ramin Zolfagari, Kaiser Permanente Physician who serves on the Special Olympics Southern California Board of Directors. “We aim to provide medical sideline care and comprehensive health support by promoting health equity to exceptional athletes involved in the upcoming Summer Games. It is part of our duty to uplift, support and empower one another to foster an inclusive society where all individuals are embraced with open arms.”

This impactful event hosted over 2,000 law enforcement officers, preceding the SOSC Summer Games in ten days. The torch run begun on May 30, 2023, and the route led runners through numerous cities across Southern California. The route included three participating Kaiser Permanente facilities in Chino Hills, West Los Angeles, and Woodland Hills.

Employees joined SOSC athletes, families and supporters to cheer on runners to escort the symbolic torch to its finish line.

At the Summer Games, which took place at California State University Long Beach on Saturday, June 10, Kaiser Permanente provided medical support to more than 900 extraordinary athletes as their Official Health Partner. Participants competed for gold, silver and bronze medals during the event, which included sports competitions, live music, games and sponsor booths.

For more information about SOSC and the Summer Games, please visit https://sosc.org.

About Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of healthcare. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

Brandon Underwood (12), a 6-foot-6 senior middle blocker for Vista Murrieta on the volleyball courts, was named as a First Team All-CIF selection in Division 3. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Officers from various Southern California police and sheriff’s departments participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, preceeding the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games. Chino Hills was one of three participating Kaiser Permanente facilities that welcomed the torch.

A Chino Hills Kaiser Permanente facility serves as one of the torch hand off locations in May.

Sen. Seyarto selects Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy as the 32nd district 2023 Nonprofit of the Year

seemed unattainable before. They were the clear choice for the 2023 Nonprofit of the Year.”

Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy works in cooperation with Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy to serve children and individuals from the Inland Empire and North Orange County communities. Occupational, physical and speech therapists who specialize in pediatrics implement interactive horse-centered programs and activities, including hippotherapy, adaptive riding, horsemanship camps and sibling support. These therapies can rapidly and vastly improve functional skills, helping the children become physically independent on a greater scale.

“We feel incredibly honored to receive this recognition and distinction. Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy was born as a grassroots effort to fill a gaping lack of much needed therapy services for the disabled children and adults of the Inland Empire,” Cassandra SandersHolly, CEO and founder of Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy, said. “One child at a time, our goal is nothing short of improving their quality of life and helping them reach their goals. We are rewarded daily, watching children overcome their obstacles, however, this honor exceeds anything we could have imagined. It truly validates the efforts of so

many individuals who have come together to collectively make a difference in the life of a child. We are grateful for each and every one of our supporters who have worked alongside us, and especially to Sen. Seyarto and his team for recognizing our efforts to make our community a better place.”

This year, California Nonprofits Day was Wednesday, June 7. The California Association of Nonprofits hosted an awards luncheon in Sacramento where Seyarto honored Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy. Submitted by the office of state Sen. Kelly Seyarto.

Video games can help boost military morale

MURRIETA – Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, announced he has selected Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy in Norco as the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year for the 32nd Senate District. Each year, in honor of California Nonprofits Day legislators from across the state highlight a nonprofit from their district that has provided exemplary service to their community.

“Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy shows what can be accomplished when community comes together to support those who are in need,” Seyarto said. “The founders noticed a lack of access to therapy services for children with disabilities and took action. Because of them, those children are now able to work toward reaching their physical functioning goals that may have

and family.

For these reasons, video games have had a place in USO centers over the past four decades – from the early days of standup arcade games and pinball machines, to today’s modern video game consoles and livestreaming. In fact, the USO has taken its gaming initiative to the next level by outfitting more of its locations with dedicated gaming spaces, equipped with all the latest technology, as well as by hosting in-person and online video game events . Here are the top ways these initiatives benefit service members.

Combat isolation.

In recent surveys, time away from family because of military service is a top concern within the military community. Through gaming, military members can connect with loved ones back home.

Provide stress relief.

About half of military and veteran video gamers specifically play video games in order to deal with military-related stress. Research conducted by the Department of Veteran Affairs shows that gaming can improve mental health b y helping veterans cope with combat-induced trauma, by alleviating stress and by providing opportunities to bond with others.

Build camaraderie.

Gaming often encourages collaboration and can be an important way to socialize and make friends with fellow service members. USO locations are outfitted with a variety of gaming equipment and consoles designed specifically so that groups of service members can play together. This companionship

is significant, as studies show that playing video games on teams and with others can improve teamwork in daily life.

Break barriers.

Gaming allows service members of all ranks to step away from the chain of command and be on equal footing as they compete against and alongside one another. And thanks to dedicated spaces at USO centers around the world, such as the 2,500 square-foot facility gaming center on Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida, service members and their families can enjoy state-of-the-art systems and games at no cost.

Engage with the community.

In addition to local gaming events at its individual centers, the USO hosts larger online gaming competitions, which are often livestreamed via Twitch. These competitions, which are occasionally open to the public and sometimes feature high-profile professional gamers, serve as a means for active military to engage with members of the community, bridging the civilian-military divide.

“Gaming’s ability to give service members a break from the pressure and responsibility of their daily missions, while building community and strengthening bonds, goes straight to the heart of our mission,” Callum Fletcher, USO director of Global Gaming Operations, said. “Although video games are, in fact, games, for America’s military, they can be so much more.”

Submitted by StatePoint Media.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto, right, of California’s 32 District poses with Cassandra Sanders-Holly, CEO and founder of Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy of Norco.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Rancho Water awarded nearly $12 million in grant funding for regional water conservation projects

Projects will benefit customers in Riverside & San Diego Counties

The California Department of Water Resources has announced grant awards for their 2022 Urban Community Drought Relief Funding program, with Rancho California Water District receiving nearly $12 million for projects. Expansions of the District’s groundwater storage and agricultural CropSWAP program will increase water reliability for the region, saving up to three billion gallons of water and decreasing the need for costly imported water.

The groundwater storage expansion project was awarded $6.8 million to build a 40-acre recharge pond which will allow Rancho Water to purchase and store less expensive raw water during wet

years, and then withdraw it from the groundwater basin when needed. Rancho Water is involved in a number of groundwater recharge projects to help mitigate the effects of future drought conditions and take advantage of the times when there is heavy local rainfall or when there is the availability of excess imported water. The 40acre pond will store approximately 10,000 acre-feet of water per year, increasing the availability of local water supplies for Rancho Water customers.

The second project included in the grant awards is the Regional Agricultural Drought Response Program, an expansion of Rancho Water’s successful CropSWAP

program which has converted more than 160 acres of crops from high water-intensive plants to lower water-using and climateappropriate crops. The DWR grant for $5 million will allow the expansion of this program to water districts serving farming communities in Riverside and north San Diego counties. The program will provide financial incentives at a rate of $750 per acre-foot of water savings and will implement water demand reduction activities. Typical crop conversions in this program include avocado-to-wine grape or citrus, citrus-to-wine grape and avocado rootstock upgrades. The program is expected to save approximately

8,888 acre-feet of water, increasing water availability for urban use and creating water sustainability for future years.

“We appreciate the Department of Water Resources’ support of projects that increase drought resiliency and stress the importance of continued water conservation,”

Rancho Water General Manager Robert Grantham said. “The District’s groundwater banking program is creating a lasting benefit for our community and helps to advance the state’s water storage objectives. In addition, I am particularly excited to expand our CropSWAP program which supports local growers in southwest Riverside County and north San

Diego County, helping to preserve the agricultural nature of our community.”

The 2022 Urban Community Drought Relief Funding program allocated $510 million in financial assistance to advance water conservation in California’s communities and help water agencies and farmers prepare for California’s hotter and drier future. For more information about the DWR grant program, visit water.ca.gov. For further information about Rancho Water’s CropSWAP program and other District projects, please visit RanchoWater.com

Submitted by Rancho California Water District.

Riverside County Department of Animal Services has the highest number of pets killed of any shelter in the U.S.

KANAB, Utah — Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in shelters by 2025, recently released its annual data report which gives the most accurate and comprehensive national overview of the number of dogs and cats that enter and exit shelters in a given year. California continued to hold one of the top spots in the country for pet shelter deaths.

While dog lifesaving is an increasing need across the country and in Riverside and San B ernardino counties, more than 12,500 kittens are brought into animal shelters throughout the greater Inland Empire area traditionally during the time between March and October. Underage kittens continue to be the area’s most vulnerable populations in our area shelters. Area residents can visit bestfriends.org/kittens to learn more about how to best help kittens in their community and at local shelters.

“The increase in dogs and underage kittens entering Inland Empire shelters are reflected in all the shelters across the county, including Riverside County Department of Animal Services, which ranked number one in the top agencies na-

tionwide with the highest numbers of dogs and cats killed in 2022,” Kaylee Hawkins, Pacific Regional Director, Best Friends Animal Society, said. “We urge the community to support Riverside, or their most local shelter, by adopting or fostering an adult dog or underage kittens to provide the direct relief needed at shelters in order to save lives.”

California remains the number two state with the greatest number of dogs and cats needlessly dying in the country. Five of the top six shelters with the greatest increase in dogs and cats into the shelter system were in California, while two of the top five shelters with the most pets unnecessarily killed were in the state as well.

California reflected what the data shows nationally: the number of dogs and cats killed in U.S. shelters had a setback, with an increase from 355,000 to around 378,000. This was largely due to shelters experiencing higher intakes and lower adoptions. Targeted programming proven to save more lives, including partnerships between no-kill and not yet no-kill shelters, as well as shelters and rescue groups, Best Friends staff embeds, cat and bigdog-focused initiatives, and advocacy work can help fix the problem.

Individuals can help save lives by choosing to adopt from a shelter or rescue group instead of purchasing from a breeder or store, spay or neuter their pets, foster kittens or an adult dog, volunteer, donate, and advocate for proven lifesaving programming for pets.

About the data

For the past seven years, Best Friends has spearheaded a one-ofa-kind extensive data collection process that involves coordinated outreach to every shelter in America followed by additional research, data analysis and technology development. The dataset is the most comprehensive on U.S. sheltered animals, and is based on data collected directly from shelters, state and local coalitions, government websites, and FOIA requests. From this, 95% of the animal intake in U.S. shelters is known, 5% is estimated. Best Friends has the most recently available annual data for 85% of shelters nationwide.

About Best F riends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce

the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 378,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,200

EMWD modifies Accelerated Retrofit Program

Joe Naiman

Writer

The Eastern Municipal Water District board has approved a modification to the EMWD Recycled Water Accelerated Retrofit Program.

T he program helps fund customer conversion to recycled water infrastructure. A 4-0 EMWD board vote May 17, with Randy Record absent, approved the changes which increase the standard maximum to $7,500 per acre-foot and up to $10,000 per acre-foot on an individual project basis and increase the payback period to up to 13 years. The board action also authorized an agreement with the Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District for up to $1,932,606.38 in advance costs including $10,000 per annual acre-foot demand with a 13-year payback term.

Eastern created the Recycled

Water Accelerated Retrofit Program in 2016 as an opportunity to assist customers such as parks and schools which are adjacent to recycled water infrastructure but are still using potable water. Although the customers, rather than the district, are financially responsible for the connecting infrastructure, the cost is incorporated into the customers’ water rates until the expense is paid off. Eastern provides the up-front funding of the infrastructure extension; the initial rate for those customers is higher than the standard recycled water rate but lower than the potable water rate. After the capital costs are paid off, the customer receives the standard recycled water rate. Eastern provides the lead on planning, permitting and design matters for the retrofits. The customers provide in-kind services such as construction drawings of existing facilities and coordination assistance for

the on-site work. The program’s participation criteria includes being adjacent or in proximity to an existing recycled water pipeline, being a current EMWD potable water landscape customer, and a willingness to complete a retrofit on an accelerated timeline.

Phase I converted 24 sites to recycled water. Those customers included the Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, the Menifee Union School District, the Hemet Unified School District, the City of Hemet, the City of San Jacinto, Mt. San Jacinto Community College, the Oasis Community Homeowners Association and the Menifee Valley Medical Center. Recycled flow for all of the Phase I sites began during 2016. Phase II converted 21 sites and also incorporated turf conversion. The sites converted to date have reduced annual potable water demand by approximately 1,200 acre-feet.

One acre-foot of potable water provides the annual needs of approximately 2-1/2 households, so the program has reduced potable water demand by approximately 3,000 households.

Phase III had some modifications from the previous phases, although the eligibility criteria was not changed. The maximum funding was increased from $5,000 to $7,500 per acre-foot and the repayment term was increased from eight to 10 years. Retrofit sites totaling approximately 420 acre-feet of annual potable water reduction were identified for Phase III including the Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, the cities of Menifee and Moreno Valley, and the Hemet, Murrieta, Temecula,

animal welfare and shelter partners and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org

Submitted by Best Friends Animal Society

Romoland and Moreno Valley school districts.

The costs for Phase III projects have increased, so the increased maximum will allow funding of those retrofits. Due to the difference between the existing potable and recycled water system pressures, most of the sites require a new irrigation booster pump which will create additional costs. The repayment term will remain 10 years for standard agreements and increase to 13 years for projects approved for $10,000 per acre-foot.

The agreement with the ValleyWide Recreation and Park District will provide up-front funding to reduce potable water demand by approximately 196.7 acre-feet annually.

Noli Indian School salutes 14 seniors as they graduate

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Special to the Valley News

Noli Indian School on the Soboba Indian Reservation held its class of 2023 commencement ceremony at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center Tuesday, May 30. The room was filled with family, friends, teachers, staff and other well-wishers who showed their support of the 14 graduates with applause, cheers, confetti, flowers and oversized balloons.

After the students entered the room, they paused in the aisle. Then, one at a time, they walked to the stage to be seated as a prerecorded introduction they had prepared was played. In their own words, each thanked their loved ones, teachers and others for their support along with sharing a favorite quote or school memory. Twelve have already committed to a fouryear university, two-year college or trade school, and many shared their future plans.

Sienna Goff recited a quote from Chief Joseph: “It does not require many words to speak the truth.” She is headed to the University of Redlands to major in business administration. Faith Vega will also attend the University of Redlands to study nursing.

“I know it will be difficult but I’m up for the challenge,” she said. Her favorite quote is one by Eminem: “Dealing with backstabbers, there was one thing I learned. They’re only powerful when you’ve got your back turned.”

Once all the students were seated, Principal Donovan Post welcomed everyone and explained the memory chair that had been placed in front of the stage, draped in white and adorned with flowers.

He said the classmates of Beto Arres wanted to take time to remember a friend who is not forgotten. Beto, who was part of the class of 2023, died as a freshman. A framed photograph sat on the chair in his place. Post asked for a moment of silence before introducing members of the Soboba Tribal Co uncil and Noli School Board who were on hand to congratulate each student as they received their diploma.

Damon J. Miranda Jr. provided a blessing before guest speaker Richard Moreno took to the podium. A former teacher at Noli Indian School, which serves grades 6-12, Moreno had taught many of the graduates who have been attending the school since sixth grade, the year he began teaching there. When he left at the end of last year, he told the students he would return to celebrate their graduation.

“This is a momentous day for me as an educator to see the true value

of the work we do on a day-to-day basis in our classrooms,” Moreno said. “It was a sincere privilege to stand before you to present a lesson to you each day. Think big, dream big and don’t forget, you are somebody.”

Sisters Iyana Briones and Tatianna Briones were this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Their mother, Tracy Briones, said the girls are 11 months apart in age and only became competitive toward the end of high school. Both enjoyed some of the same activities, such as serving on the Soboba Youth Council and being part of the Beading Club.

“Iyana is very social and likes to help and be involved, sharing what she knows,” Tracy Briones said.

Iyana Briones, 18, has received a full scholarship to the University of Hawaii where she will major in business administration. Her mother said she mentioned possibly returning to the reservation to serve as Soboba Tribal chairperson one day.

“Tatianna likes to do her own thing, her own way,” her mother said.

Both have expressed a desire to go places and try new things and Tatianna Briones, 17, will be attending San Joaquin Valley College to study in its dental hygiene program.

Iyana and Tatianna Briones grew up with 13 older siblings, and Tracy Briones said now that they are the last ones to graduate from high school, she and her husband Julian are looking forward to traveling and continuing to enjoy life to the fullest.

In her speech, Tatianna Briones, who goes by “Roo,” congratulated her fellow classmates.

“Remember what J-Cool said: ‘There’s beauty in the struggle and ugliness in the success,’” she said.

Iyana Briones, known as “Tot,” said she was grateful to be Noli’s valedictorian.

“I am proud of the hard work that was put in, like earning honor roll throughout high school,” she said. She thanked those who have helped her on her academic journey.

“I encourage all my peers that will walk across this stage tonight to live in the moment and live your

best life to the fullest,” she said. “Let’s go make the best of our lives. J-Cool once said, ‘There’s no such thing as a life that’s better than yours’ and that is just a simple reminder to never compare your life to anyone else’s. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon; they both shine when it’s their time. Class of 2023 – our time to shine is right now.”

Graduates, with their Tribal affiliations, are Iyana Briones, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; John M. Briones, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Tatianna Briones, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Debra

Chapparosa, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla Indians; Anthony Contreras, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla Indians; Sienna May Goff, Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians; Angelo Leivas, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe; Addis Martin, Morongo Band of Mission Indians; Javier Martinez, Cahuilla Band of Indians; Ciara Ramos, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Isabella Resvaloso, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Nasha shuk Resvaloso, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Francisca Rivera, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; and Faith Vega, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.

Vista Murrieta High School awarded the 2023 Most Spirited High School in America

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — Varsity Brands, the market leader in sport, spirit and achievement, announced that its signature school pride event, the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards, presented by BSN SPORTS, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones, has named the winners for the 2023 program on June 8, at the virtual awards show. Vista Murrieta High School is among the winners, making it the third time achieving the honor. The Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards honors the standouts of America’s high schools by recognizing exemplary

Answers for puzzle on page A-8

schools, organizations and individuals that go above and beyond to build school pride, student engagement and community spirit.

On the 20th anniversary of Vista Murrieta High School, the Broncos continue to keep school spirit at the heart of their mission as a school.

Every Bronco commits himself or herself to a motto of CLASS: Character, Leadership, Attitude, Scholarship and Service. Within 101 clubs and organizations on campus, Broncos look inward to determine how their passions can serve VMHS.

When they see where they can make

an impact, they aim to serve. From the Bleacher Creatures at athletic events, to the Link Crew on campus, to community blood drives, to campus-wide efforts of hand making blankets for Project Linus, Bronco students strive to not be an institution; they strive to be an energy, a pulse, a firing electric spark inhabiting every soul on campus. Vista Murrieta High School is not just an educational institution. It is an essential part of its community and the essence of spirit.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award,” Vista Murrieta Principal Celeste Scallion said. “Our students have worked exceptionally hard to make sure everyone has a seat at the table. This award is amazing for our community, it demonstrates our commitment to having meaningful experiences and activities for all students.”

Varsity Brands released a study revealing the powerful link between school spirit, involvement, achievement and self-confidence. It was found that students with higher levels of spirit perform better academically, are more involved, and feel happier and more connected to their schools and communities. Inspired by these findings, the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards were created.

“Varsity Brands is thrilled to honor the 2023 Varsity Brands School Spirit Award winners and recognize the unsung heroes that are absolutely essential to reinforcing the strong correlation between school spirit, involvement and achievement,”

Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands, said. “The demonstration of leadership, innovation and commitment displayed by this group of winners is inspirational and evident

of the positive impact it can have on schools and student performance. We are honored to celebrate the motivated, engaged and passionate individuals who ensure that school spirit remains a priority in schools and communities.”

A total of $70,000 was awarded across 15 categories, including a $25,000 Grand Prize for America’s Most Spirited High School. America’s Most Spirited High School was determined by an online voting process at varsitybrands. com. Vista Murrieta High School from Murrieta was the school that received the most votes for their 90-second school spirit video and will receive $25,000 in awards from Varsity Brands.Visit https:// youtu.be/7NDvJBIWFy0 to view Vista Murrieta’s video submission on YouTube.

Booth-Drenk named to University of Dubuque for spring semester dean’s list

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque congratulated Callan Booth-Drenk of Temecula on being appointed to the spring semester 2023 academic dean’s list.

Full-time students in good academic standing – registered for and having earned 12 or more letter grade credits for the term – who earn a term GPA of 3.5 or above

and who do not have any grades of incomplete for the term are named to the dean’s list. Once grades have been submitted for any incompletes, the Office of Academic Affairs will review eligibility again for possible placement on the dean’s list for the given term.

Dean’s list is awarded for the fall and spring semesters only and may be awarded retroactively.

The University of Dubuque is a private, coed university founded in 1852 that offers undergraduate, graduate and theological seminary degrees as well as other educational opportunities with the intention of educating and forming the whole person. To learn more, visit https://www.dbq.edu/ Submitted by University of Dubuque.

Noli Indian School seniors begin their commencement ceremony Tuesday, May 30, at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center.

Iyana “Tot” Briones gives her valedictorian speech at the Noli Indian School commencement ceremony. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photos

Class of 2023 salutatorian Tatianna “Roo” Briones is laden with flowers and gifts after receiving her diploma.

Noli Indian School seniors prepare to enter the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center to receive their diplomas.

ARPA funding approved for Lake Skinner boat launch repair, Santa Rosa Plateau broadband

Joe Naiman

Writer

The May 23 meeting of the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District included the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding for repair of the Lake Skinner Recreation Area boat launch facility and for broadband service at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors members are also the board members of the Riverside County Regional Park and OpenSpace District. The supervisors’ 5-0 vote authorized $3,000,000 from the county’s ARPA Economic Recovery/Tourism allocation to be

used for the Lake Skinner Recreation Area boat launch repair and $100,000 from the county’s Infrastructure allocation for the Santa Rosa Plateau broadband. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included $350 billion of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocations for eligible state, territorial, Tribal and local governments. The funding addresses the public health emergency and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic and can be utilized for four eligible categories: mitigation of negative economic impacts, premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work, provision of government services lost revenue would

have eliminated, and necessary infrastructure investments including water, sewer and broadband. The Board of Supervisors approved $82 million of ARPA funding for infrastructure projects and another $36 million for economic recovery programs. The $82 million for infrastructure provides for $15 million per supervisorial district and $7 million for the Broadband Affordability Program.

More than 5,000 boats are launched from the Lake Skinner Recreation Area each year. The coronavirus shutdown redirected Californians to outdoor areas for safe recreation, and the Lake Skinner Recreation Area had a significant increase in campers

which increased the burden on the infrastructure including the boat launch facilities at the site. The outdoor activities at Lake Skinner include campgrounds, day use areas, playgrounds, a splash pad, a camp store and vehicle storage as well as the boat launch facilities and the fish cleaning facility.

The ARPA funding will allow for the repair of the two most heavilyimpacted lanes located at Boat Launch No. 1, the installation of a new restroom meeting Americans with Disabilities Act standards and renovated day-use amenities including benches and picnic tables.

The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve is a wildlife area frequented by hikers, bird watch-

ers, and other nature lovers. The preserve has trails and a Nature Center which is often a destination for school field trips. Internet and cell phone service at the site has been inconsistent if not outright unavailable, which is not only an inconvenience but also a significant safety concern. The ARPAfunded project would install fiber optic broadband at the preserve to provide a reliable means for emergency communication. Because ARPA funding is being used the projects must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Business growth prompts SDV West Coast office relocation in Temecula

TEMECULA – Saxe Doernberger & Vita P.C. opened its doors in 1996 with three lawyers in a small office in New Haven, Connecticut. Twenty-seven years later, SDV is a “boutique” national insurance coverage law firm with four offices located in Connecticut, California, Florida and New Jersey. This year, the West Coast

office in Temecula will celebrate seven years of business growth and expansion.

SDV’s West Coast office first opened its doors in Temecula in December 2016. The office has grown and boasts a team of experienced legal professionals.

“The continued success of our office is about sharing the vi -

MSJC adopts tentative 2023-2024 budget

The Mt. San Jacinto Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a Tentative 2023-2024 Budget during its meeting on Thursday, June 8.

The tentative budget calls for an unrestricted general fund of $154,719,365.

The Governor’s budget plan contains risks due to the political and economic conditions at the federal and state levels. Although a recession is not assumed, a mild or moderate recession would cre-

ate additional shortfalls.

The District will continue to monitor the state budget for future updates and guidelines, bringing any new opportunities, challenges or issues to its stakeholders.

The MSJC Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing and consider approving the Final 2023-2024 Budget at the Sept. 14 Regular Board Meeting, to ensure all pertinent information and assumptions are considered.

sion and values of our founding Partners with the next generation of lawyers,” Jeremiah Welch, managing partner at SDV West Coast, said. “I am fortunate to be surrounded in our office by some of the most talented and effective future leaders in our profession. To me, this practice is about helping our clients solve critical

problems through the application of analytical thinking, creativity, and tenacity.”

Offering significant value to client and partner relationships is the core of SDV’s success. Strong relationships with like-minded individuals help SDV thrive and earn the respect of its clients and colleagues. The firm has stayed

true to that model to this day.

SDV is located at 1 BetterWorld Circle, Suite 300, in Temecula. For more information, visit https:// www.sdvlaw.com/ Submitted by Saxe Doernberger & Vita P.C.

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Review of all things Real Estate

Home improvement experts say consumers are becoming increasingly jittery about the economy and are moving from large-scale remodels to smaller, cheaper projects – or scrapping their renovation plans altogether. Consumers have a case of the “home improvement blues,” Neil Saunders, a retail expert and managing director at Global Data, reportedly said this week.

Bob Hillery CR Properties

Presents: The end of the remodeling boom?

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

A slowdown in renovation projects is settling in after a pandemicfueled boom, but there are plenty of reasons why the pullback may not last long.

During the pandemic, Americans became ultra-focused on upgrading their homes, taking on remodeling and DIY projects in record numbers. But as recession fears mount, more homeowners are putting on the brakes and showing less willingness to dole out large amounts of money on home improvement projects.

Despite several possible reasons for the remodeling slowdown, it won’t be a bust. One reason is that homeowners often remodel in preparation for and/or after moving. As home sales appear slow this spring, there may be fewer new homeowners to make these remodeling changes; at least for now, said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of REALTORS®.

Elevated materials prices also may be causing homeowners to back away from remodeling, as the median price for a home improvement project surged to $22,000 in 2022, a record high and a 22% jump from 2021, according to the 2023 U.S. Houzz & Home Study.

Labor shortages are continuing to drive up renovation costs and timelines, according to the secondquarter reading of the responses from about 1,500 home improvement firms. Ninety percent of survey respondents reported ongoing delays for cabinetry, indoor furniture, windows, and lighting fixtures.

As we come out of the pandemic, people have more activities to engage in outside the home, removing some of the urgency to remodel that owners felt when they were stuck at home. The pandemic-fueled remodeling boom “seems to be settling as people have more time and the ability to travel and go to dinner versus picking up a paint brush or hammer and reinventing their home,” Lautz said.

She views the remodeling slowdown as short-lived because homeowners who locked in lower mortgage rates in recent years are likely to stay put rather than trade up at a higher rate. “As these homeowners stay put, they may need to invest in improvements or want to reimagine their space to fit their changing needs,” Lautz adds.

Why remodeling should remain strong long-term

A Houzz survey earlier this year found that more than half of homeowners say they intend to renovate in 2023. The U.S. debt ceiling crisis and a fragile economy may have an impact on renovation activity, but there are some factors that may keep the remodeling sector strong in the long run.

· Low inventory. Faced with few housing options on the market, many homeowners may feel stuck and wary of today’s higher mortgage rates and home prices. As they stay in place, they may desire to upgrade their current home to accommodate their lifestyle and needs for longer than they intended.

· Aging homes. The median age of a home in the U.S. is 39 years old. As homes age, they often need repairs or updates to maintain their value. Nearly 30% of homeowners updated their plumbing, followed by electrical and home automation upgrades, according to a recent Houzz survey. Homes enter their prime remodeling years when they are between 20 to 29 years old, and an additional 2.9 million homes will be entering that age range by 2027, according to data from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

· Boost value. Sixty-two percent of homeowners say their main motivation for taking on a recent renovation was to increase their home’s value, according to a survey conducted by Cinch Home Services, a home warranty company. Homeowner’s express

concerns about selling their home in its current state, citing concerns their home is in need of too many repairs (65%); has an outdated interior (60%); lacks trendy fixtures (38%); or lacks curb appeal (33%), the survey notes.

Bottom line, people are wedded to their low mortgage interest rates and intimidated by current high prices with incumbent higher property taxes; so, unless they would be moving out of state, a remodel, even with a tax reassessment, can make sense for people who want more out of their home living conditions.

Just some food for thought because these are some additional facets of “all things real estate.”

Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine

Supervisors approve French Valley parcel rezone

Joe Naiman Writer

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a rezone for a 4.88-acre French Valley parcel.

The supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday, May 23, to change the zoning of the land from Industrial Park to Manufacturing-Service Commercial. The board action found

Pool Home Coming Soon

that the rezone itself, which does not change the property’s Business Park land use designation, is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review.

The parcel is in the 36600 block of Penfield Lane approximately 660 feet west of Leon Road and approximately 1,600 feet east of Briggs Road. The site includes an industrial building which was constructed in 2008 and 2009 and has been used since then. The plot plan was approved for the site in 2007, and that also approved a change of zone from Rural Residential to Industrial Park.

A new tenant desires to manufacture prefabricated building modules. The I-P zoning does not clearly permit such a use. The M-SC zone can accommodate the tenant under the “lumber and wood products” category and “fabrication of wood buildings and structures” use. The west portion of the building will be used for the building module manufacturing; the tenant would utilize the entire current building and replace any tenants occupying the building.

Turnkey Senior Home

a well designed floor plan that includes both formal living & dining rooms w/vaulted ceilings and a comfortable, spacious kitchen and family room that all open out onto the covered backyard patio, perfect for entertaining. Buyers may opt into Seven Hills Members Club that includes amenities such as a pool, spa, gym, clubhouse.

Offered at $430,000

The manufacturing of prefabricated building modules is covered by the previous plot plan approval. The prior use permitted in the plot plan and the new use are conforming uses as they are both generally industrial uses with generally similar intensities and impacts to the surrounding area, the new use will not require the construction of a new building or the reconstruction or expansion of the existing building, the new use would be adequately served by existing parking on the site and would continue to comply with the landscaping requirements, and the site has adequate road and other improvements to serve the new use. If any future development is proposed for the site a separate application will be submitted to the county’s Planning Department for review and evaluated against all applicable ordinances.

The April 19 meeting of the county’s Planning Commission included a 5-0 vote to recommend approval of the rezone.

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

Chaparral High School • Temecula, CA

Abano, Hans Cajlel Lastimosa

Aboulhosn, Malak Brandon

Abriam, Esabel Noelle

Aguilar, Mia Rafferty

Aguirre, Elyan Adrian

Aitken, Isaac Patrick

Akanno, Chinyere Sarah Chinaza

Al-Abbadi, Rema Murad

Aldrete, Kyla Ysabel

Alexander, Connor Wayne Alford, Jajuan Mateo

Algendones Alvarado, Amy Gabriel

Alkhatib, Andrew Eyad

Alvarado, Alilah Jaylee

Alvarez, Taylor Mckenzie

Amen, Daniel Anthony

Amezola, Ignacio Junior

Amin, Lania Barry Amundson, Lucas Eron

Anderson, Tristan Jay

Andrews, Stephanie Elizabeth

Antonio, Christina Maganti

Arce, Annegel Bianca Juquiana

Ardoin, Elijah Christian

Asbury, Madison Taylor

Atteberry, Christopher Neal

Aughenbaugh, Tyler Michael

Avel, Grant Corbin

Avila, Hugo Alexander

Awad, Hanaa Taysir Abdelkader

Ayres, Colby James

Aziz, Klara Salih

Bagby, Ilana Scot

Baldwin, Madeleine Sophia Baltazar, Jason Allen Lumabas

Baluyot, Leah Marie Hondo

Bamfield, Shania Brianna

Bandola, Mariejoanne Martinez

Banuelos, Kaitlyn Brooke

Bariring, Irene Navarro

Barit, Marella Kate Barrios, Nathan Jeffrey

Basabe, Celeste Jaylene

Bautista, Carol Bazard, Ronald Antoine

Bell, Gavin Gil

Beltran Santos, Ashley Mayrim

Benedict, Mallory Deborah

Bernal, Adianna Renee

Bernal, Kaylah Nicole

Besanson IV, Robert Alfred

Bice, Kennedy Elise

Billan, Noah Phillip

Billie-Fletcher, Joiee Eslynne Naaki

Bingham, Austin Tylor

Blankenship, Jack Douglas Allen

Bluhm, Jenesis Summer

Boden, Ariel Satine

Bolando, Jack Bracks Morris

Bonar, Abigail Kathleen

Bouffard, Madison Grace

Bradshaw, Audrey Mae

Branch, Caroline Darleen

Bravo, Jake Anthony

Brehm, Isabelle Sofia Del Carmen

Bridges, Alexander Hale

Britton, Jacob Lee

Brown, Madison Marie

Bruen, Jacob Michael

Buchholz, Chloe Leigh

Buckingham, Bradley Timothy

Buhac, Carlee Ann

Bulacan, Miko Burrow, Zachary Trey Caballero, Joshua Caipo, Jayden Christopher

Calhoun JR, Tony Gonzales

Calloway, Bradley Jack

Canela, Gabriel Ramon

Caputto, Jayden Marie

Carpio, LindaJoy Saria

Carrel, Orion Patrick Carrillo, Natalia Lilian

Castaneda, Isabelle Danielle

Castaneda, Olivia Rose

Castellon, Andrew Jacob

Cea Castro, Mario Alberto

Cecena, Ayleen

Celebrado, Cedric Ibarrientos

Cervantes, Enrique Allen

Chaidez, Pedro Chang, Angela

Chanthavong, Alexander Chapman, Jacob James

Chase-Davila, Damian Andrew Chavez JR, Enrique

Cheek, Dillon Scott

Choi, Andrew Sunny

Choi, Dylan Tyrus

Choi, Ruby Heesoo

Chopitea, Ian Tracy Sieja

Christensen, Naomy Nahtasha

Clemens, Connor Nicholas

Clements, Logan Michael

Coba, Kevin Rider

Cobian, Cynthia Naarai

Cocchiaro, Hayden Lee

Coloma, Anjhela Xyr Tomacas

Comstock, Megan Rose

Conn, Ethan Lee

Constante, Christopher Dean

Cooper, Connor Donald

Corcino, Kaylee Joy Villanueva

Corona, Emiliano

Cowan, Jessica Lynn

Cox, Kamryn Lynn

Crawford, Nicholas Don

Crilly, Collin Joseph

Cross, Savannah Grace

Crowder, Marissa Celeste

Cruz, Brayden Joseph

Cullen, Joseph Terrance

Cuttrell, Carson Charles

Dalrymple, Angelina Mei

Dalton, Sophia Laura

DaPrato, Jonathan Michael

Davila, Gianna Victoria

Davila, Jesse James

Davis, Alexander James Lee

Davis, Mikenzie Elizabeth

De La Rosa, Makayla Elizabeth

De La Rosa, Paola

De La Torre, Jocelynn Olivia

DeCristofaro, Emilio

Deeble, Christian Thomas

Deinlein, Alexxis Marie

Delgadillo, Michael Christian

Delgado, Jacob Jose

Diaz, Damian Larry

Diaz, Nathan Alexander

Diaz, Tania Diaz JR, Javier

Dick, Miranda Starr

Dimaano, Mathias Reimund

Dinsenbacher, Kristiana Kotone

Doe, Daniella Rebeka

Dofelmire JR, Jesse Dylan

Donaldson, Ashley Nicole

Drink, Masen Colin

Duarte, Emily Rheanne

Dunbar, Jacob Immanuel

Eagleton, Aaron Thomas

Edwards, Madison Brynn

Edwards, Mikael Ryan

Elias, Andrew Thomas

Ellingworth, Dillon Robert

Emanuel, Jody Joseph

Emeses, Siannamari Mercado

Erese, Elijah Osakporlor Esguerra, Dames Anthony Torres Esparza, Noah James Espinal, Amanda DeeMaria Blas

Estrada, Maily Ciara

Evans, Natalie Lynn

Fa’anunu, Emily Elisabeth Fafard, Savannah Danielle Farley-Doyle, Cambria Jade Farnham, Kylie Danielle Fathi, Maral Fernandez, Aaron James Fierro Gomez, Ryan Daniel Finnegan, Allison Melba Fisher, Kaden Kenneth Fliear, Derrick Jude Flores, Jeremy Christopher Flores Gallegos, Evelyn Fonbuena, Anthony Marcelino

Ford, Elizabeth Breann

Ford, Makai Pualeiala

Forhane, Evan Cameron Forhane, Sean Patrick Fowler, Sensi Jolee-Northington

Fox, Lucas Owen Fox, Rowan Matthew Frakes, Amberlee Avarey Franco, Dylyn Rose Frasso, Nolan Robert Frazier, Ty Michael Frias, Adrian Alejandro Friend, James Ilya Frye, Chayce Alec Beronilla Fuentes, Nathaly Alice Fuentes Guzman, Dany Alexander Galindo, Bianca Galindo, Talia Emilie Galvan, Sofia Galvez, Zachary Alexander Ganal, Bianca Samantha Tomas Garcia, Anjo Arcinue Garcia, Brandon Garcia, Kayden Alyse Garcia Corona, Romulo Emilio Gauna, Makenna Rebecca Giambra-Johnston, Desiree Nicole Gillette, Charissa-Irene Norbert Godfrey, Leland Jackson Goebel, Cayden Christopher Goffman, Samantha Catherine Goggins, Mason Jovan Gonzales, John Elmar Zabala Gonzalez, Briannah Victoria Gourgue, Elisa Rose Grembowiec, Michael Alexander-Yoshito Griebe, Cailyn Mackenzie Griffin-Spratling, Isaiah Jordan Griffis, Summer Marie Gromko II, Adam Andrew Guevara, Natalie Gutierrez, Christian Michael Ha, Grace Eunbi Habazi, Lamees Emad Khaleel Handford, Malachi Riley Haro, Naomie Marilyn Harwood, Kaylee Ann Haskins, Jacob Tanner Hassan, Ahmed Hany Talaat Hayes, Breaunna Nohelle Heffernan, Elijah Thomas Hellawell, Cheyenne May Henderson, Keeyon Joel Herman, Chloe Emilia Herman, Isabella Maria Hernandez, Cortney Lexy Hernandez, Emilia Janet Herrera, Justin Hugo Hess JR, Robert Dornan Hill-Wilkinson, Caiden Charles

Hodges, Kaelynn Analyse Holmgren, Linnea Marie Hong, Kendall Chanteah Hooper, Kaiya Malay Hopfner, Giselle Andrea Hougland, James Riley

Hougland, Justin Benson Houx, Leyla Debra Howard JR, Ethan Allen Huckabey, Ella Ashley Huerta JR, Adrian Huff, Nathan Anthony Hutchins, Kylie Lynn Huxoll, Nicolas Alastor Isorena, Angela Bundalian Jamison, Jacob Christian Janis, Cole Michael Jara, Ryan Alexander

Jarrell, Addyson Rae Jefferson, Cedric Josiah

Jenkins, Ayanna Shawn Jimenez, David Jimenez Gonzalez, Karolina Victoria Johnson, Amaya Nicole Johnson, Mackenzie Lynne Johnson, Sophia Rose Johnson JR, Andre Kalonji Jones, Trent Mykell Josey, Kaelynn Jordan Jovel, Oliver Joya, Autumn Monet Juarez, Aidan Andres Jurado, Alexandra Kaldis, Robert James

Kantee, A-thidapa Kellum, Mariah Adetomi Keo, Alisa Tatiya

Khuu, Eric Kolb, Gwenyth Laneah

Kuan, Jada Kim Kunze, Kaitlyn Pamela La Cross, Elijah Patrick Lackey, Evan Anthony Ladera, Oliver Joshua Sayson Lal, Khaden Akaash Larios, Luis Leonardo Larsen, Audrie Mikayla Lasorsa, Nicolas Paul Latham, Joseph Thomas Lauper, James Martin Laureles, Kylei Jae Le, Sean A Leal, Ashley Antonela Lebedev, Egor Lecca Romero, Romina Nicole Lee, Adrien Marveles Lee, Sihyun Lemus Flores, Akiles Alexander Leon, Benjamin Bryant Leon, Marcelo Andres Levine, Adam McCann Lewis, Mason Quinn Libert, Christopher Robert Lindsey, Sean Matthew Lira Ceballos, Cesar Alejandro Lising, Alexandra Nicole Cortez Lizarraga, Johana Lohrman, Liam Joseph Long, Zesen Long JR, Thomas Fredrick Lopez, Angelina Marie Lopez, Angelina Meilani Lopez, Derek Camron Lopez, Roman Isaac Lorberter, Onelo Cristobal Lozano, Fatima Luna, Mateo Vincent Ly JR, Robert Hoang Macam, Sarah Archeta

MacFarlane, Skylar Jade Macias, Mya Celeste Madarang, Cameron Kosal Madrigal, Isaac Enrique Magbagbeola, David Oluwabukunmi Magbagbeola, Esther Oyinkansola Magee, Darlene Reyes Makarem, Rani Matthew Manalo, Christian Matthew Fabunan Mangrobang, Elaine Santiago Maniaci, Brendan James Manuel, Melanie Ny’Ann Marston, Emily Nicole Martin, Myles Gregory Martinez, Alan Martinez, Anthony Moises Martinez, Ricardo Lazaro Martinez, Trinity Thy Martinez Camberos, Enrique Andres Martinez Gama, Edward Riley Martinez-Lazarte, Samantha Matias-Ventura, Aylin Maxwell, Cristina Madison Maze, Walker Albert McAllister Stebbing, Robert Ryan McCafferty, Tarik William McCulloch, Ryan David McIntyre, Johnathon James McMahon, David Evan Meador, Jacob Louis Mendez JR, Pakko Nadado Mendiola, Kiana Mia Mendoza, Dylan Isaiah Mendoza, Evelyn Mendoza, Samuel Ethan Metsker, Kyle Edward Miao, Yifei Mikha, Bella Milkovits, Keaton Frank Miller, Giselle Kay Mink, Gabriella Grace Miramontes JR, Eric Mixon, Damarion Dewayne Moeller, Ethan Fox Molinaro, Karissa Lynn Monnartz, Emily Sara Monsalud, Janelle Mikhaela Montenegro, Gabriyel Angelo Soriano Montoya, Alyssa Marie Mooney, Liam Ronan Moore, Nerissa Kartini Morales, Madison Julissa Moran, Emily Flor Moreira, Noah Shaun Morrison, Vivienne Louise Morrow, Krista Marie Muncal, Leeroi Dwayne Cabral Munoa, Ava Diane Munoz, Isabela Murakami, Tatsuya Murillo, Lariah Edith Myers, Peter Andrew Nafzgar, Shannon Lee Ann Najarro III, Reynaldo Dagoberto Nambounmy, Tyson Boston Narciso, Kalia Calix Navarro, Destiny Martha Neilson, Kyle J Neri, Anissa Amanda New, Peyton Alyse Newbold, Victoria Jean Newman, Enzo Emanuele Ng, Katelynn Anna Ng, Samantha Monica Nguyen, Lyana Nielsen, Hunter Matthew Nolet, Riley Joe Nunes, Lucca Dias Nyema, Nalia Saya

Ocasio, Isabel Marie Ochoa, Alana Nicole Ochoa JR, David Joseph Offor, Kaylee Teyana Olds, Ava Marie Olivarez, Aiden Daniel Oliveira Neiva, Kaylee Annmarie Olson, Jakob Kristoffer Omar, Mohammed Ihab O’Neil, Hannah Rose Ong, Ryan Vincent San Pedro Ontiveros, Antonio Daniel Ontiveros, Rosalyn Angelique

Ortiz, Ethan Angelo Pacho, Isabel Angelina Padilla, Jasmine Laura Page, Avery Grace Pahoa, Makai Christian-Keawe Palomino, Matthew Felipe Paniagua, Angel Parker, Kyra Suzanne Parra, Angel Fernando Pasarilla, Alyssa Lynn Patterson, Dalilah Rayne Paulino, Kailani Ann Pavon-Anton, Anthony Francisco

Pearson, Devyne Lee Peebles, Katelyn Gabrielle Pelicot, Owen Hunter Penserga, Giselle Lucas Peralta, Christina Marie Pereira, Anabella Marie

Perez, Sofia Elyse Perez Bussane, Rodrigo Ian Perez Vilches, Brad Jam Peri, Taylor Lauren Perryman JR, Vincent Lee

Peterson, Cambelle Reese Peterson, Concordia Henrietta Apostol

Phillips, Ryan Jonathan Pico, Garrison-Kai Primero

Pineda, Katie Valerie Pollard, Priscilla Zaira

Potter, Jylian Rose

Proffitt, James Michael

Pulido, Emily Renee

Punsalang, Donovan Elijah

Quick, Drea Elizabeth Quijas, Morgan Alysa Quiroz JR, Cesar

Quitoriano Martinez, Nevaeh Christine

Rakouki, Farah

Ramirez, Andrew Alexander

Ramirez, Isabella

Ramirez, Marvin Isaiah

Ramirez, Nahely

Ramos, Anaiya Skye

Ramos, Benedict Domagas

Ramos, Jairus Allen

Ramos, Ysabella Sophia

Randall, Madison Grace

Rangel, Betheny

Rashidi, Summer Henna

Rashott, Hunter Stephen

Rasmussen, Cooper Ethan Rathbone, Nalani Lee

Ream, Andrew Michael Rehnquist, Karlee Nicole

Reid, Darius Avante

Reilly, Gilah Shalvah

Reis, Ricardo Jacob

Resendiz, Daniel Angel Reyna, James Scott

Riboni, Lauryn Giuliana

Richardson, Joshua Malik

Rickman, Abbigail Marie Riesenberg, Lana Jane

Rini, Alessandra Risbrudt, Elle Makenzie

Rittenberg, Bella Mia

Rivas, Izaiah Nicolas Rivas, Krystal Mariah

Rivas, Laney Reese

Rivera, Arcadia Anastacia

Robirds, Breckon John Gregory

Roche, Julianna Angelina

Rochon, Benjamin Douglas Maxwell

Rodriguez, Anthony Ray

Rodriguez, Damian Rodriguez Amezola Maruffo, Aiden Raziel

Rogers, Emme Lou

Rojas, Jairhiz Shane Santiago

Roldan, Samantha Christine

Romano, Derrick

Romero, Francys Leigh Abangan

Romero, Gabriel

Romero-Flores, Izariah Zackaria

Roripaugh, Cody Nicolino

Rosen, Liam Patrik

Ross, Chelsea Lynn

Ross, Joseph Nathan Ross, Kylie Samia

Rudd, Evan Jonathan

Ruiz, Joleen

Ruiz, Yesenia Aide

Salas, Anthony Ezequiel

Salas, Evan Alberto

Salas, Rachel Cheresse

Salas Park, Lainey Marie

Salazar, Andres Orlando

Salazar, Autumn Marie

Salcedo, Kamryn Alexis

Salcedo, Mya Victoria

Salgado, Lacey Elizabeth

Yabut

Salinas Cazco, Bruno Sebastian

Salinas-Flores, Alexander Jayden

Salzwedel, Kallie Ann

Sameer, Jaafar Ammar

Samson, William Mathew Del Rosario

Sanchez, Adrian Lorenzo

Sanchez, Alexander Axel

Sanchez, Isabella Aaliyah

Sanchez, Jade Destiny

Sanchez, Mia Bella

Sanchez, Peter Gabriel

Sandoval, Dallas Rose

Santa Romana, Lynnei Kaylie Almario

Santana Jr, Anthony

Santos, Sofia Beatriz

Sanz, Ana-Lynne Maya Catindig

Saunders JR, Demetris Montrel

Schumsky, Paige Noel

Scranton, Mia Nicole

Shauan, Chloe Loretta

Shearer, Andrew Brian

Sheldon, Marinne Elyse

Sheley, Troy Brent

Shin, Gina Goh

Shupe, Giselle Ava Marie

Simon, Bron Orion

Simpson, Armstrong Cao Anh

Sipra, Elizabeth Samina

Skallerud, Andrew Damien

Sloane, Logan Edward

Slojkowski, Mason Aaron

Smith, Abigail Mae

Smith, Anaiya Elise Ellison

Smith, Andrew Dominic

Smith, Ian Thomas

Smith, Morgan Shelby

Smith, Nathaniel Anthony

Smith, Ty Eugene

Steele, Nathaniel Andrew

Smith

Snoke, Jacob Michael Thomas Sorensen, Jacob Brian Souriolle, Izaiah Douglas

Spurlock, Riley Clayton

Stairs, Colin Elijah

Steging, Jakob Vincent

Stein, Emily Juliette Strejc, Riannah Mikayla Studt, Elizabeth Melek

Sullivan, Cadence Elizabeth Sullivan, Isabell Marcela

Sullivan-Douglass, Benjamin Aodh

Swarthout, Avery Chea

Tamayo, Matthew Isaiah

Tayco, Jayden Alec

Taylor, Donovan Javon Keith

Taylor, Nickolas Aidan

Taylor, Vaughn Cortez

Teachout, Bryce James Tehrani, Parsa Nima

Thackeray, Marc Simon

Thomas, Erynn Renae

Thurmond, Jordan Blake Tibbs, MiKaylin Aiyanna Tiffany, Julia Bella

Tinh, Audrey Quynh

Tiscareno, Samantha Danielle Toney, Keith Jacob Torres, Hannah Tovar Zuniga, Evan Jacob Tran, Tony Phat Trejo, Mykayla Maria Tyler, Caron Joseph Ulery, Meagan Paige Umali, Rainand Jen Anonuevo

Underwood, Jake Dalton

Ung, Takoda Raines

Uresti, Logan Glen

Valencia, Raymond Hector Van Gaale, Saylor Renee

Vargas, Jonathan Giovanni

Vaughn, Amaya Symone

Vaughn, Cameron Christopher Vehring, Veronica Lynn Velasco, Ardina Ahid Ventura, Celeste Mayalena

Vick, Heaven Tamara

Villamil, Cassidy Marie Mendoza Villegas, Jaydin Marisa

Vinas, Amber De La Cerna

Vinson, Sydney Ann

Vivanco-Clavel, Leilani Beatriz

Vongphakdy, Dawson Somvanh

Vu, Kai Hoang

Wagner, Gracie Evelyn

Walker, DeShawn Tyrell Francisco

Walker, Kori Komenia Wang, Qingyu Wang, Yujie Ward, Makayla Madison Weaver, Camden Leigh Weeg, Luke David Wessels, Andrew Allan Weydemuller, Haydan Creed Weydemuller, Kieran Patrick Weydemuller, Presley Katherine Wheaton, Bryce Allen Whelan, Daniel John White, Emma Whitehead, Jake Robert Widman, Malia Renae Wiersma, Aiden Russell Wilson, Ethan Lee Wilson, Kameron Jamal Wilson, Mirakle Grace Winn, Athena Nicole Woodland, Jamie Ann York, Brandon Joseph Zamudio, Milo Antonio Zapot Chagala, Dayanara Jada Zentner, Jalen Sapphire Zhang, Kairui Zhang, Xinxin Zhang, Yu Shan

Rancho Christian High School

Yujie Wang plays “Arabesque No.1” on the piano to start the commencement ceremony at Chaparral High School on Thursday, June 8. Valley News/David Canales photos

Jaydin Villegas sings “The Star Spangled Banner” as JROTC Commanding Officer Aaron Matheson salutes the flag.

Chaparral Principal Tina Miller listens as ASB President Summer Rashidi addresses the class of 2023.

Chapparal 2023 Valedictorian Dylan Choi speaks to his graduating classmates.

Great Oak High School • Temecula, CA

Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography photos

Great Oak High School graduates participate in the commencement ceremony at the school’s stadium on Thursday, June 8.

Iris Canko glances toward the stands for familiar faces while filing into Great Oak stadium.

Principal Aimee Ricken addresses the crowd at Great Oak High School stadium.

Nick Pogue smiles for the camera at the commencement ceremony at Great Oak High School.

Murrieta Mesa High School class of 2023 graduate Samuel Amador waves to loved ones during the high school’s graduation ceremony, June 1.

CongratulationsCLASS OF 2023 Gisel Hernandez Israel Hernandez Emmanuel Hernandez Oaxaca Felipe Herrera Ethan Hersh Michael Hickey Emersyn Hidalgo Estrella Higuera Rivera Amari Hodges Anne Holub Jayden Hood Alexander Huard Bianca Huezo Robert Hughes Alexander Huppi Martha Ibraheam Christiana Imperati Ethan In Justine Isom Michael Israel Jaxson Ivar Rybeccah Jahraus Calvin Jamison Amare January Ashley Jimenez Casey Johnson David Johnson Marcos Johnson Matthew Johnson Douglas Jones Mikaylah Jones Kalea Kama Cameron Katalinas Andrew Kauss Christopher Keller Alyssa Kelley Serena Kelley Noelle Kennedy McKayla Kennedy Descoteau Cayden Kenny Madison Kephart Connor Kerns Ryan Kreyling Mattias Lanfranco Carcamo Maliya Lassnig Gwyneth Lawler Jesse Lawrence Rylee Lawrence Bronson Layton Donovan Leanio Jaimie Lerma Kaylah Lewis Carson Little

Savannah Llado Ava LoBaugh Benjamin Loeffler Aili Lopez Emiliano Lopez Ayala Darion Lozier Aiden Lubin John Lujan Emerson Lyons Kirsten Maag Emily Magallanes McKenna Magana Dominic Maliksi Owen Mamian Skylar Manes Angelisse Mantilla Hunter Martinez Priscilla Martinez Padilla Robert Matthews Stella McCall Xavier McCallum Kaitlyn McDaniel Tyler McMillan Joey McMullen Chance McPike Jailah Means Brandall Medina Axel Medina Morales Grady Melan Levi Melara Samantha Melecio Josephine Mellado Valerie Mendoza Stephanie MensahYawson Derrick Menter Gabriel Mercado Eve Mesa Alexander James Millora Ian Montoya Allyson Moore Eric Moore Brandon Mora Yasmin Morales Guerrero Avery Moreno Mehron Morford Lloyd Morgan Jada Muhammad Isaac Munoz Matthew Munoz Tucker Murphy Jacob Murray Savannah Murrietta Faisal Nabizada Daisy Narvaez

Arielle Natal Rachel Nathanson Mark Nelson Alex Nguyen Sophia Nguyen Madeleine Nielsen Grace Norman Erica Norrid Amber Nunez Elise Nunez Tiara Nunez Dylan Nunn Alexis O’Connell Kaylee Oh Lamari Oliver Lillian Olsen Nathen Olvera Devin Ordonez Erik Orozco Christopher Orta Adrian Ortega Emily Ortiz Ryan Ortiz Thomas Ortiz Samantha Padilla Valeria Padilla Aubree Painter Minji Pak Gianna Palumbo Jay Parker Carlos Parra-Ochoa Zander Patterson Gavyn Paul Ciera Peart Alexander Pena Manuel Perez Ximena Perez Jacob Pettis Carmen Carolina Pfeil Breanna Phyakeo Hope Pollock Ryan Powell Keanu Quach Jaiden Quintero Parkerson Caylea Rains-Campbell Amanda Ramirez Annelise Ramirez Dylan Ramirez Jeremiah Ramirez Robert Ready Jr. Mason Reda Ajani Reid Akina Reid Evan Reiner Arath Rendon Garcia

Bernard Renfroe Sariah Renfroe Destiny Resendez Valerie Rios Madison Ritchie Ottilie Ritchie Kyle Rivas Nathan Rivera Nathan Rivera Shelly Roach Hailey Robison Celestine Rocha Cesar Rocha Monica Rocha Aleah Rodriguez Giselle Rodriguez Luis Rodriguez Fayth Ronzello Bailey Rosalez Christian Ross Tobias Roth Trevor Roth Tristan Rowzee Lauren Rubalcaba Joaquin Rueda Sanam Sabernia Ryley Sabol Nadia Sadek Adrian Salandra Gordon Carmen Salazar Miah Salazar Ahmad Saleh Aseel Samara Isabela Sanchez Jason Sanchez Ojany Santiago Karen Santos Camryn Saunders Reem Sayed Aidan Schmidt Ryan Schmidt Danielle Gabrielle See Ivan Seideman Jacob Seoane Alyssa Serna Alexander Serrao Nicholas Sforzini Kaedence Sheffield Finley Sheridan Mia Silva Gurutej Singh Donald Skibiski Andrew Smith Brady Smith Derek Smith

Xavier McCallum walks with his peers at the Murrieta Mesa High School graduation ceremony.

Morgan Smith Savannah Sollie Hans Soriano Aidan Sosa Donovan Souvannaphong Gavyn Sproul Elisa Stanga Chloe Starks Alyssa Stevenson Ryland Stoeckel Kathleen Storey Bailee Taylor Kedrick Taylor Dan Terlouw Christian Tew Salena Thomas Drew Thompson Lainey Thompson Quinton Thompson Micah Thrower

April Tiaokhiao Narruhn Tolliver Nhurran Tolliver Erika Tong Jayden Tongko Ethan Torres Jazmin Torres Joshwa Torres Sophia Tresvan Valentino Tristan Ethan True Katelyn Tung Micah Tungcab Lennard Umali Samantha Uribe Sebastian Uribe Kaitlyn Urrutia Eric Valdez Rick Valdez Ysabella Valerio

Aidan Vallejo Kaiden VanCleave Tommaso Vasconi Ana Vega Julian Velasquez Jordan Velena Kimberly Villamar Abrahan Villasante River Von Ranzow Elizabeth Wang Katlynn Ward Parker Ward Gloria Warren Thomas Watson Sierra Weigelt Skyler Welke Logan White Travis White-Joseph Riley Whiteman Jose Wiarco

Kira Williams Olivia Williams Jonathan Williams Johnson Kahleel Willis Lauren Wilson Sophia Wilson Jordan Winborne Nicholas Wu Christopher Wylie-Darrah Christine Yang Kameron Yarbrough Timothy Yeon Devon Young Jessy Youssef Kamyla Zamon Jonathan Zamora Katrina Zamora Yan Zhou

Murrieta Mesa High School graduate Sunshine Bland gathers with her peers during the high school’s graduation ceremony.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Murrieta

High School • Murrieta, CA

Murrieta Canyon Academy • Murrieta,

The Murrieta Valley High School class of 2023 gather for their graduation ceremony, June 1. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Murrieta Valley High School class of 2023 graduates walk to receive their diplomas.

Murrieta Valley High School class of 2023 valedictorian Sanjay Krishna speaks during the high school’s graduation ceremony.

Eliane Moenho smiles after receiving her diploma during the Murrieta Valley High School graduation ceremony.

Isaiah Rodriguez waves to loved ones in the stands at Storm Stadium during the graduation ceremony.

Elsinore High School class of 2023 graduates walk with their peers as they enter Storm Stadium for their graduation ceremony.

Elsinore High School class of 2023 graduates gather for their graduation ceremony at Storm Stadium.

Elsinore High School class of 2023 graduates Elizabeth Shumaker (left) and Lauren Rogers celebrate their graduation at Storm Stadium.

Elsinore High School graduate Braydon Mantooth smiles as he walks with his peers during their graduation ceremony.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Paloma Valley High School • Menifee, CA

Perris High School • Perris, CA

Perris Lake High School • Perris, CA

Scholar+ Online Learning Academy Perris, CA

California Military Academy • Perris, CA

Mt. San Jacinto College celebrates the class of 2023

Irene Blanco doesn’t let a challenge stand in her way. She came to the U.S. five years ago, unable to speak English. On Thursday, May 25, she served as a student speaker at Mt. San Jacinto College’s 2023 commencement, where she received her associate degree.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams,” Blanco told her fellow graduates.

“Today, I am here to tell you that everything is possible!”

Blanco, of Menifee, was one of 2,078 graduates in MSJC’s Class of 2023. During two commencement ceremonies held at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, MSJC awarded a total of 2,881 degrees and certificates. The Class of 2023 earned 2,514 associate degrees and 367 certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate or a combination.

This year’s commencement theme was “Together: We Live. We Dream. We Transform.”

Blanco, who served as the speaker for the morning ceremony, said she signed up for English as a Second Language classes at MSJC and expressed interest in pursuing nursing. Despite warnings it would be tough, she enrolled in prerequisite math and science courses and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She was accepted into several universities and chose the nursing program at Cal State, San Marcos.

Kennidy Martin, of Cherry Valley, soared both on the court and in the classroom as captain of the volleyball team and a scholar with an impressive GPA. While at MSJC, she developed an incredible connection in the Umoja program.

Umoja (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a learning community dedicated to the academic success, personal growth, and self-actualization of African American and other students.

“Umoja provided me with a community of students with similar interests and goals. I’m sure to stay connected with many of them,” Martin said.

Nearly 900 graduates participated in one of the two graduation ceremonies. The Class of 2023 includes graduates from 17 years old to 69 years young.

Dalton Denis, of Murrieta, a former Marine, earned his degree in just a year and a half.

“Hands down, Veterans Center (MSJC) is the main reason my transition to college and now transfer went smoothly,” Denis said. “They helped me through the VA process, assisted with paying bills, and guided me through my education. It truly is a community and valuable resource.”

Diego Martinez, of Hemet, served as president of the Student Government Association during the 2022-2023 academic year and actively represented MSJC students

not only on campus, but throughout the state.

“I am grateful for the experience I had at MSJC,” Martinez said. “It provided me with a strong academic foundation, valuable leadership skills and a sense of community that I will carry with me.”

Glenda Dixson served as student

speaker during the afternoon graduation ceremony. Dixson, a management and supervision major from Hemet, plans to combine her management degree with teaching credentials.

“We are graduates today celebrating our achievements here at MSJC,” Dixson told the

Vazquez

Ivan Vazquez

David Vega Barrientos

Jennifer Velazquez

Karina Velazquez-Ramirez

KeVon Nicholas Williams

Jonathan Antonio Zaleta, Jr.

Itzel Zamayoa-Torres

Angela Zuniga

Fatima

Class of 2023. “This is just the beginning of a transformation of professionals, who have soared like the Eagles that we are. Because we never gave up on our dreams, never gave up learning, we are transforming education into real life accomplishments.”

Elba Irene Blanco, of Menifee, is one of two student speakers for Mt. San Jacinto College’s graduation on Thursday, May 25. Two commencement ceremonies were held at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula for a total of 2,078 MSJC graduates.

Dalton Denis, of Murrieta, earned his associate degree from Mt. San Jacinto College on May 25, during one of two commencement ceremonies held at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula.

Kennidy Martin, of Cherry Valley, soared both on the court and in the classroom at Mt. San Jacinto College as captain of the volleyball team and a scholar with an impressive GPA.

Graduate Emily Bianchi, far left, and Diego Martinez, far right, smile as graduates Glenda Dixson, center left, and Camryn Castro, center right, high five each other during commencement

Valley News/MSJC photos

Hemet High School • Hemet, CA

Venegas, Aida Arana, Cassandra Arce, Adrian Arce, Nadia

Archuleta, Bridget Arechiga, Julious Arellano, Jesus Arenas Hernandez, Lesly Armstrong, Daisy Arnold, Bridget Arnold, Natalie Arribas, Luisa Arroyo, Dulce Arroyo Garcia, Marco Avelino, Christopher Avila, Adrian Marc Awad, Nardeen Baca, Fernando Baca, Jace Baez, Dominic Baeza, Andres Bah, Athena Baiza Varela, Brandon Baja, Briana Balderas, Sunny Balleza, Josue Barlow, Nathan Barrientos, Gabriel Batson, Quincy Baugh, Aerial Becerra, Rebekah Belcher, Collin Beltran, Michael Benson, Kyle Bentrum, Katelyn Berry, Amanda Blackmon, Christopher Bo, Danisha Bollinger, Chace Bonanno, Andrew Bond Murillo, Xavier Bravo, Zackery Buitrago, Genesis Burch, Aeden Burk, Carter Caballero, Alexander Cabral, Richard

Calderon, Nevaeh Calloway, Kaleb Camacho, Cesar Cannon, Kaya Carbajal, Rene Carbullido, Vianney Cardenas, Melissa Cardenas Hermosillo, Ranferi Carrasco, Chloe Carreno, Nahomi Caruso, Kylie Carvajal, Sofia Castetter, Trevor Castillo, Samuel Castro, Alexandra Castro, Alyssa Castro, David Cerverizzo Sanford, Lawrence Chapman, Connor Charlton, Laura Charro Carranza, Ana Chavez, Fabian Chavez, Joshua Chavez, Nathan Chavez Mendoza, Heide Chennault, Elissa Chesser, Jake Christoph Hernandez, Caleb Colacchio Hathaway, Richard Colon, Arianna Colstock Horn, Ashley Conchas, Jessica Conner, Doris Cook, Anthony Corona, Raymundo Coronado, Austin Corral, Hugo Corrales, Joel Corrales, Lizeth Corvera, Alexander Crawford, Drake Cristobal Mejia, Emmanuel Cruz, Avery Cruz Javier, Leslie

Cubias, Karol Dagnall, Geneva De Leon, Joeie Degante, Steven Delgado, Dulce Dewar, Da’Shaun Diaz, Austen Diaz, Fabian Doering, Christian Dondiego, Miguel Drummer, Elisabeth Duarte, Angel Dunham, Abagail Dunn, Joshua Earsley, K’Mya Elizalde, Helen Emerson, Silas Ennen, Levi Enriquez, Gustavo Equihua Lopez, Paulina Ertmer, Alyssa Escobedo, Alexis Esparza, Anthony Esquilin, Viktor Estanislao, Kennedy Estavillo, Hailey Evans, Avalina Evans, Brandon Evans, Dillon Evariz, Javier Everett, Kayla Fabela, Ulisses Fahie, Jaylen Fattarini, Serena Feltis, Gracelynn Fernandez, Gabriel Fernandez, Tomas Figueroa, Juan Figueroa Monroy, Karla Flatt, Brent Flores, Sheila Flores Platero, Yennifer Florian, Arianna Folden, Julia Foley, Alexia Forgerson McCoy, Mariah Formica, Adam Franks, Audrey

Frausto, Cherry Freeman, Ryan Fuentes, Jasmine

Fye, Tabitha Galletta, McKenna Gamboa, Miguel Garcia, Alondra Garcia, Brenda Garcia, Christian Garcia, David Garcia, Esteban Garcia, Gabriel Garcia, Haley Garcia, Lizette Garcia, Sivoney Garcia, Tirsa Gardner, Jacob Gardner, Tristin Gaspar, Alfredo Gehres, Natalia Gomez, Alfonso Gomez, Deyly Gonzalez, Denencin Gonzalez, Isaiah Gonzalez, Jessika Gonzalez, Maria Gonzalez Sanchez, Yahira Grant, Jacob Griffith, Lindsay Gutierrez, Aldo Gutierrez, Edward Gutierrez, Makeyla Gutierrez, Rodrigo Gutierrez Ayon, Virginia Gutierrez Ornelas, Katelyn Gutierrez Ramos, Leslye Hahn, James Halderman, Kira Hall, Damarion Hankins, Tyler Harnit, Kaidynce Harrison, Jade Haynes, Skyler Herman, Vidi Hernandez, Abraham Hernandez, Alexandra Hernandez, Alvaro Hernandez, Emily

Hernandez, Joash Hernandez, Mirella Hernandez Garcia, Bryan Herrera, Lilah Hickman, Robert Horner Thomason, Ryder Hostetter, Matthew House, James Howard, Emily Hubbard, Kylie Hudson, Orion Hulberg, Lindsey Hunter, Rachel Hunter, Tracy Hurtado, Chable Iglesias, Nathan Jeremiah Ignacio, Rhoneil Shean Iversen, Mathew Jaramillo, Daniel Jaramillo, Jairo Jarvis, Nyree Jimenez, Alejandro Jimenez, Brooke Johnson, Israel Johnson, Thorin Jones, Erik Kamura, Ruby Kaspar, Ethan Keene, Jazmine Kepford, Ty Kershaw, Brianna Kim, John LaChappa, Dylan LaLanne, Brooke Lanier, Ainsley Laskowski, Abby Lavin, Elizabeth Laxson, Kaia Lee, Josai Lemus, Melanie Lemus Sanchez, Andrew Leon, Ashley Lively, Jasmine Lolomatauama, Tiale Long, Evan Lopez, Aaliyah Lopez, Alexys Lopez, Juliette

Lopez, Kaylee Lopez, Matthew Lopez, Melanie Lopez, Nayla Lorenzo, Jonathan Lott, Raymond Lozoya, Emiliano Luna, Yasmin Macedonio, Neftali Macias, Joey Maldonado, Jessica Maldonado Alvarez, Fernando Manzo Diaz, Jose Mapstead, Elias Marino, Kat Marron Moreno, Victor Marshall, Malija Martin, David Martinez, Adan Martinez, Adrian Martinez, Andrew Martinez, Anthony Martinez, Enrique Martinez, Izabella Martinez, Karol Martinez, Mayte Martinez, Miranda Martinez Villarreal, Diego Martinez-Ballin, Diego Mata, Emily Mayorga Perez, Ivan McKelvey, John McKinley, Kaylah McLean, Joslynn McLean, Meilange McLean, Milan Medina, Marcus Medrano, Adrian Melendez, Ernie Melendrez, Hailey Mendez, Natalia Mendoza, Kimberly Mendoza, Lisa Mendoza, Raymond Meyers, Damien Monarrez, Adrianna Mondragon, Yvette

Monteon, Lisette Montoya Renteria, Joel Moore, Albert Moore, Alma Mora, Christian Moreno, Arial Morgan, Cody Munoz Valenzuela, Angel Munsinger, Cade Munsinger, Liam Najera, Andre Navarrete, Harley Navarro, Robert Nelson Phillips, Lillian Nieves, Danielle Nochez, Emely Northern, Raelynn Nunez, Andrew Nunez, Ranger Obeid, Adam Obmina Josue, Renee Ochoa, Julia Olds, Kalil Olguin, Dennis Olivo, Zacarias Ondracek, Izabella O’Neal, Makenna Ordaniel, Ernie Organ, Emma Orozco, Karen Ortiz, Anthony Ortiz Cuellar, Carlos Owens, Noah Ozaeta, Shaelene Pacheco Barajas, Kevin Palos, Erika Pardo, Desirae Parsons, Jakob Pena, Kaitlyn Pennington, Austin Perales, Alexander Peraza, Thomas Perez, Aubrie Perez, Carlos Perez Estrada, Brianna Perez Martindelcampo, Felipe Perez Redrujo, Darlene

Phillips, Mia Plata, Raul Pomares, Erik Ponce, Jesus Ponce Lopez, Lennette Ponce Lucatero, Valerie Powers, Camden Purnell, Jasmine Quintero, Jaimie Ramirez, Aaron Ramirez, Brandon Ramos, Samantha Rathbone Jr, Derrick Raymond, Kaylb Read, Kylie Reed, Marissa Reinbolt, Kayla Reyes Ramirez, Andres Reyes Ruiz, Aileen Reyes Sotelo, Hakire Reyes Vizcarra, Marie Reyna Valdes, Star Riestra, Jasmine Rios, Terrian Rivera, Ivan Rivera, Yohan Rizo Olivarria, Hancel Roark, Jacob Rocha, Preciouz Rocha Godinez, Jonathan Rodriguez, Alyssa Rodriguez, Andrew Rodriguez, Jonathon Rodriguez, Julian Rodriguez, Tanner Rodriguez Torrez, Jonatan Rogers, Taylor Romero, Kailyn Romo-Lozano, Alma Roquemore, Jeremiah Rubalcava, Gema Ruiz, Manuel Salazar Lopez, Luis Salcedo, Natalia Saldana, Isaiah Salgado, Juan Sanchez, Daniel Sanchez, Rebecca

Sanchez, Teresa Sanchez Jr, Robert Sanchez Martinez, Edgar Sandoval, Angel Satcherwhite, Darian Sauceda, Briana Saucedo Ambriz, Marco Antonio Scholtens, Kali Scott, Bron Searl, Presley Sendejas, Daniel Serna, Hailey Serratos, Josiah Sheets, Brooke Shrout, Angelica Siebold, Natalie Silva, Andres Smith, Ah’nessa Smith, Elgin

Smith, Gabriel Solis, Ximena Soliz, Lucio Springer, Josephine Stewart, Gavin Straight, Christopher Strain, Brigit Stubblefield, Lourdes

Suarez, Harley Surrett, Eliana Swanson, Nolan

Taylor, Guage Tellez, Estela Terrazas, James Thomas, Theodan

Thomson, Chad

Tilton, Joshua Torres, Camila Torres, Eduardo Torres, Kaelyn Torres, Leonardo Torres, Oscar Tripp, Caleb Tukumoeatu, Alekisanita Uribe, Olivia Valenzuela, Aiden Valenzuela, David

Hemet High School valedictorian Andres Antonio Baeza addresses his fellow students during his speech at the Hemet High School Commencement ceremony at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater in Hemet, Wednesday, May 31.

Hemet Unified Superintendent Dr. Christi Barrett makes remarks during the Hemet High School Commencement ceremony at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Noli Indian School • San Jacinto, CA

Addis Martin (Morongo Band of Mission Indians), left, and Javier Martinez (Cahuilla Band of Indians) with a memory chair that honors classmate Beto Arres (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians), who passed away in

Tahquitz High School • Hemet, CA

Abdulnour, Tony

Aguilar Castaneda, Samantha

Aguilar, Eriez Gabriel

Al Awad, Rachel Alejo, Andres Algara, Valerie Alvarez, Andrea Alvarez, Edwin Alvarez, Maynor

Alvarez, Misty Alvarez, Natalie Alvarez, Valerie Amparo Araux, Antonio Anaya Cruz, Ashley

Anderson, Leland Andres Antonio, Eliseo

Angulo, Chris Aragon, Cesar

Arboleda, Fabiana

Ascencio Lopez, Pablo

Avellaneda, Itzel

Aviles Ochoa, William

Ayala Hernandez, Carlos Ayala, Micah

Balcazar, Genesis Ballesteros, Aleczander

Banh, Josephine Barajas, Valerie Barba, Andrew Barragan Gracian, Rafael Barragan, Jasmin

Barranco, Marcos Barrera, Andre

Barron, Mario Jr Batres, Betsabe Bautista, Diego Becerra, Gisele Benavides, Emily Benitez, Carlos Bethley, Diaminae Bidinger, Jenavieve Blazevich, Kyler

Bundy, Sydney Burke, April Calibo Davis, Mary Calibo, Jazmine Cardenas Isidro, Rey Cardenas, Juan Cardenas, Lewis

Cardenas, Samantha Cardona, Aiden

Cardona, Manuel Carrillo Martinez, David Carrillo, Anthony Carrillo, Arissa Castaneda, Issabella Castillo, Andrew Castillo, Jesus

Castro, Connor

Castro, John Castro, Valerie Catalan, Crystal Charro Rodriguez, Stephanie Charro, Isaac Charro, Jesse Chavez, Pedro

Chiman Hernandez, Osvaldo

Chiman Saldivar, Manuel Cisneros, Lizette Clemons Carter, Lorenzo Jamarcus Colburn, Matthew Corral, Alondra Crawford Campbell, Aidan Cruz-Moras, Sara Cruz, Anthony Cruz, Ariela Cruz, Karime Cruz, Mariah

Dagnan, Shane Davis, Charles De Jesus, Santiago Delgado Bazaldua, David Emiliano

Diaz, Miranda Dimalanta, Francheska Jae Dinwiddie, Brennan Dorame, Nathaniel Douglas, Prescilla Duarte, Ricardo Duarte, Rosalie Dunn, Mikhi Duran, Angelina Escamilla Casas, Andryck Escareno, Wendy Espinoza, Jayden Estanislao, Isaac Estrada, Jesse Estrada, Xavier Evans Hamilton, Sierra

Faatauu’u, Tomumu Farias, Ayrana Featherstone, Brett Flores, Jesus Flores, Nathanial Ford, Roman Fuentes, Isaac Fullylove, Alexandria Garcia Aguirre, Arianna Garcia, Brian Garcia, Fernando Garcia, Isaiah Garcia, James Gardea, Antonio Gibson, Lauren Gil, Jennifer Gomes, Stacey

Gomez, Laysha Gomez, Miguel Gomez, Precilla

Gomez, Raymond Gonzales, Xavier Gonzalez Bucio, Litzy

Gonzalez Gomez, Stepheny

Gonzalez, Cesar

Gonzalez, Nebra Gonzalez, Zaira

Gordoa, Natalie Gracian Medina, Anthony Guerrero, Deborah Gurrola, Eddielyna Gutierrez, Christen Gutierrez, Mauricio

West Valley High School • Hemet, CA

Abayon, Armando

Abernathy, Rylee

Adame Landa, Angel

Aguilar Penaloza, Liset

Aguilar, Dannie Aguirre, Estevan

Alamillo, Jesse

Alas, Valerie Allen, Adrian

Allen, Adriannah

Amado, Richard Amezquita Rivera, Celine

Aparicio, Aziza

Arellano, Cynthia Arriaga Bello, Yenni

Arroyo, Noah Arteaga, Ruby

Aszterbaum, Ellison

Avena, Gabriela

Avila Gutierrez, Hedmark

Avila, Jose Bahena, Joanna Barajas, Maximus

Bautista, Claudia Bedolla Becerra, Michael Bernardino Mares, Edwynn Blakley, Haley Bonecutter, Charles Boone, Tamora Borunda, Leah Bracamonte, Graciela Bridwell, Westin Brooks Hendricks, Kaleb

Burgueno, Ginell Burns, Jakobe Cabral, Alexis Cabrera Llanes, Andy

Cabrera, Michelle Cadiz, Gia Cagle, Michael Cairel, Jude Rainard Caldejon, Gabriel Calvillo, Maria

Carbajal Rico, Jose Cardiel, Carynna

Cardiel, Kayla Carlen, Belle Carroll, Sabrina Casas, Sophia Casco, Matthew Castellanos, Natalie Cayton, Violet Cazares Estrada, Fernando Cazares, Valerie Cervantes, Jonathan Chaires, Jonathan Chavez Duenas, Allison

Chavez, Ebany Chavez, Robert Chavis, Kirsten Chhoeum, Constance Chiman, Ashley Chuidian, Ryan Cliff, Luke Colbert, Kaden Colomo, Anthony Conriquez, Jacob Cornejo, Rosalina Coronado, Angelina Cowan, Jamie Crowe, Dylan Cruz, Christina Daily, Evan Dawson, Riley

De La Torre, Javier De Leon, Ashley Delgado, Leonel Dennis, Jaylyn Devlin, Katie Diaz Dominguez, Brian Diaz Lizarraga, Ariana Diaz, Emilio Diazbarriga Medina, Gerardo Dimapasoc, Reah Marie Dolley, Aniyah Dominguez, Brianna Dow, Gage Dubon, Thomas

Eliseo, Liliana Escobar Puga, Angela Esperanza, Kealani Espinosa, Eduardo Espinosa, John Esquivel, Kenneth Esquivel, Nathan Estrada, Jasmine Estrella, Nalani Evans, Tyreon Felix, Erika Ference III, Fred Fernandez Meza, Yael Fernandez, Jocelyne Fisher, Lily Flores, Angelic

Flores, Daisy Flores, Joshua Floyd, Christopher Fowler Jr, Lakion Fragoso, Estrella Frampton Foster, Aaron Franco Jones, Noah

Fuentes Merino, Stephanie Gallardo, Naima Gallegos Burgos, Sergio Garcia Perez, Samuelle Garcia, Andrew Garcia, Enrique Garcia, Evelyn Garcia, Salvador Garcia, Samuel Garrett, Jayson Garza, Robert Gilbert, Rubbie Gilman, Madeline Gipson, George Giron, Eduardo Goldbach, Haily Gomez, Angel Gonzales, Viridiana Gonzalez Espinoza, Veronica Gonzalez Hernandez, Axel Gonzalez Hernandez, Khotan Gonzalez Villeda, Eduardo Gonzalez, Angel Gonzalez, Isabella Gonzalez, Kaylena Brianna Goodwin, Shane Grado, Abigail Graham, Kristyn Graves, MyKayla Griffin, Ashanti Grosman, Sophie Guerra, Alexis Guillermo Evaristo, Zuleima Gutierrez Hernandez, Yareli Gutierrez Villa, Guadalupe Gutierrez, Esperanza Hall, Michael

Guysi, Mason Hang, Rinaly Heredia, Zaida Hernandez Lima, Jose Hernandez Perez, Nidia Hernandez, Alexandro Hernandez, Ashley Hernandez, Breanna Hernandez, Everlynn Herrera, David Hillidge, Gabriel Hillidge, Nathan Hofstetter, Sienna Hoxie, Capucine Hughes, Marcus Infante, Andrea Infante, Jessie Iniguez, Alyssa Jacobo, Jacob Jacobs, Matthew Jimenez Ballesteros, Seth Jimenez, Yasmine Jite, Sharon Johnson, Jamai Johnson, Karleena Jones, Matthew Juarez, Angel Juarez, Jessica Karmozd Sanchez, Deanna Kerby, Terry Khader, Layla Knight, Montez La Rue, Mackayla

Laguna, Kaya Laivanakorn, Alison Lamas, Ricardo Lannon, Elliette Lawler, Caleb Layral, Nevaeh Leffler, Carolyn Levingston, Dorion Leyva Morquecho, Henry Licona, Raina Lopez Gonzalez, Marco Lopez Lavenant, Ivan Losa, Alondra Lowe, Abigayle Loya, Juilianna Loyola, Luis Lozano, Veronica Macedo, Lindsey Maciel, Precious Madrigal, Brianette Magallanes Banuelos, Andres Magana, Emily Maiden, Terron Maldonado, Elizabeth Marin Pulido, Daisy Marmolejo, Angelica Marquez, Nevynn Leila Martinez Rodriguez, Ulises Martinez Sotelo, Alexis Martinez Tello, Giovanni Martinez Tello, Jocelyn Martinez, Avril Martinez, David

Martinez, Michael Mata Moses, Desiree Mayer, Jasmin McCall, Heavenly McCollough Brizuela, Michelle McGee, Davian McGinnis, Aspen McGirt, Taylor Medina, Dylan Medina, Kaylony Mejia, Morelia Melvin, Jayvion Mendiola, Abigail Mendoza, Alexander Meyer, Garin Milazzo, Zakara Miller Thomas, Cailah Mireles, Marcos Montesinos, Jose Montiel, Alexander Montoya Serrano, Ana Mora Barragan, Karen Morales Colin, Giovanni Moreno, Ralphie Morris, Andres Muniz Cardenas, Jessica Navarro, Gavin Nolasco Alcantar, Crystal Nuno, Isaac Olvera, Betzy Ordonez, Arturo Ortuno Soto, Alexander

Oviedo, Angel Pacheco, Anthony Paz Revoredo, Luis Pedro Velasquez, Gerardo Pena Franco, Anthony Pena Garcia, Ivan Pena, Miguel Perales, Kevin Peralta Liera, Mia

Perez, Amanda

Perez, Giselle Pineda, Matthew Pizana Osornio, Roberto Ponce, Gabriel

Power, Logan Puente, Uziel Quintero, Vanessa

Ramirez Galvan, Oziel

Ramirez, Bryan Ramirez, Giovanni

Redd, Michael Remus, Sumer Resura Gordillo, Brianne

Reynoso, Lesly

Rice, Kallista

Ripley, Roxanna Rivas, Diego Rocha, Suhay Rodriguez, Andre

Rodriguez, Camila

Rodriguez, Kevin Rodriguez, Nolan Rodriguez, Samuel

Rodriguez, Susana Rojas, Grace Romo, Sophia Roquemore, Jayda Rosas, Vanessa Ruiz, Monserrat Salcedo, Noah

Salgado Rodriguez, Johanna Salinas, Juan Salinas, Paul Sanchez Garcia, Joselyn Sanchez, Emily Sanchez, Leonardo

Sanchez, Marissa Sandoval Garcia, Vanessa Santana, Matthew Schaeffer, Samyra Schembri, Aaiden

Serrano Jacob, Nadia Shamblin Hall, Jason

Smith, Davonja Solanki, Anjali

Soto Anguiano, Evelyn

Soto, Jocelyn Stanch, Tyana

Stockton, Sarah Swenson, Brayden

Tchonda, Cynthia

Torres Valdez, Selena

Torres, Ivy Torres, Jocelyn Torres, William

Trainer, Luke

Travis, Christy Valdez Cantor, Sarah Valdez, Alicia Valdez, Walter Vandoorn, Shanel Vargas, Alexia Vargas, Ayiana Vasquez, Raquel Vega, Millie Velarde, Joshua Velazquez, Julia Ventura, Reanna Verde, Jessica Villalobos, Jesus Villalobos, Vanessa Villanueva, Jovanni Villarreal Alcala, Yuliana Villegas Rodriguez, Carolina Volk, Karlee Wade, Dontae Walton, Billiesha Webb, Gavin Weir, Elijah West, Ashley Willson, Jayden Wilson, Savannah Worman, Nathan Yanez, Blake Yentz, Elizabeth Ypina, Isaac Zamora, Aaliyah

Zamora, Steven Zavala, Erik

Hampton, Jayden Harper, SynCere Harris, Davion Harris, Suraya Hernandez Garcia, Omar Hernandez Martinez, Lorenzo Hernandez Muro, Yahir Hernandez Ornelas, Yvette Hernandez Pablo, Yahaira Hernandez, Damian Hernandez, Edgar Hernandez, Ingrid Hernandez, Lev Hill, Alana Hornsby, Troy Huerta Bautista, Esteban Huerta Garcia, Anahi Hughes Martinez, Adrian Ignacio, Janis Inda, Ashley Monique Izquierdo, Camille Jackson, Aubrie Jackson, Nyla Jackson, Omari Jacquez Hale, Cristian James, Jordan Jesse, Sage Jimenez Quiroz, Angelica Jimenez, Leonardo Johnsen, Michael Johnson, Auliya Johnson, Jayden Jones, Anaijah Jones, Angelise Joya, Malachi Juarez, Angel Jury, Alayja

Western Center Academy • Hemet, CA

Abalos, Abigail Abdelrahman, Yasmeen

Akin, Lily Alejandrino, Jacqueline Alfaro, Jacob

Andrews, Trinity Nevaeh

Arave, Fallon Armendariz, Juliet Bailey, Camryn Bailey, Dara Bailey, Kaelyn Barrera, Laisha Beatriz, Mario Bunnell, Alanah Buri, Siena

Carvalho, Zubin Cervantes Horta, Yair Chamberland, Jacob Dana Urbaniak, Bryton Decker, Evan Derla, Natalie Diaz, Aelan Dieges, Jakob Dodge, Aden Doval, Franco Eskin, Isabella Espinoza Leon, Elvi Evans, Brandon Farlow, Heather Ferrara, Onyx

Finch, Chelsea Fuentes, Sean Garcia, Luis Garg, Arjun

Gonzalez, Ariana

Gonzalez, Maximillian Gonzalez Avila, Ambar

Haider, Khadija

Hamby, Mystik

Hortman, Nova Johansen, Jarrett Johnson, Reyna

Johnson, William Jones, Chase Keys, Maya

Khemmanivong, Evan Koeller, Spencer Kumakaw, Nathanael Landin, Angel Lara, Laila Lavaki, Elisha John Leal, Daisy Ledbetter, Vanessa Ledda, Lillian Lenton, Emma Leomiti, Luavalu Lewis, George Leyva, Brealynn Li, Jolene Lizotte, Alyssa Llamas, Ilene Lockhart, Kaylynne Loebel, Allison Lopez, Edgar Lopez, Eduardo Lopez, Jacob Lopez, Pedro Lopez, Peter Love, Hayley Lozano, Jocelyn Lozano, Mikayla Magallanes, Amelia Magana, Arnelov Antonio Mahan, Lillian Maldonado, Miguel Maramba, Mashka Janelle Martinez Bonilla, Belen Martinez Cruz, Adrian Martinez Leyva, Julio Martinez Morones, Juan Martinez, Abel Martinez, Antonio

Martinez, Brandy Martinez, Quentin Martinez, Raymond Martinez, Sarah Marvel, Robert Matos, Natalie Maynard, Cholby Maynard, Christine Mederos Sagastume, Kevin Medina, Samarah Mendez Cisneros, Naidelyn Mendez, Julian Mendoza Valentin, Alejandro Mendoza, Jasmine Meraz Gutierrez, Marlene Miranda, Esteban Mitchell, Sophia Molano, Irene Moore, Aaron Moore, Jacen Morales Cortez, Lesly Morales, Andrew Morris, Nevaeh Morrison, DeAyra Mosqueda, Daniel Mosqueda, Daniella Mulder, Katelynn Munoz Estrada, Samantha Navarrete, Brandon Navarro, Lindzy Newborn, Owen Nguyen, Steven Nieto, Angel Nogales Aguirre, Gildardo O’Neal, Blakeslee Olguin, Jolinda Oliver, Conner

Ornelas Lopez, Ramon Padilla Castro, Rayza Padilla Espinoza, Rosbely

Parts Fragata, Eliana Paulino, Seth Perez, Angel Perez, Jose Perez, Raul

Peters, Erika

Petri DeSantiago, Ethan Phanngam, Emma Pina, Desiree Pina, James Pitchford, Kee Eso

Ponce Jr, Jesus Pope, NyGee Pope, NyJai Porter, Makayla

Priest, Douglas Quezada, Anthony Quezada, Ashley Quezada, Michaela Quiroz Flores, Joel Ramirez Carbajal, Cesia Ramirez, Alek Ramirez, Andrew Ramirez, Britney Ramirez, Christopher Ramirez, Kevin Ramirez, Roberto Ramos Lopez, Osias Ramos Segoviano, Liliana Ramos, Sienna Razo, Ariana Resendez Cano, Priscilla Resendiz Cruz, David Reyes, Rafael

Riopelle, Destiny Rios, Trinity Riveral, Jazmine Lou Rodriguez Armenta, Brandon Rodriguez Orosco, Ximena Rodriguez Ramirez, Arwin Rodriguez Ramirez, Edwin Rodriguez, Breanna Rodriguez, Daisy Rodriguez, Faith Rodriguez, Leilanie Rodriguez, Maribel Romero, Natalia Rosas, Mia Rubrecht, Logan Ruiz, Carlos Ruiz, Diego Salas, Michelle Saldivar, Luis Enrique Sanchez De Leon, Carlos Sanchez, Anneth Sanchez, Eric Sanchez, Killian Sauceda Arias, Kimberly Sauceda, Eddie Sauceda, Joe Saucedo, Isabel Schwendinger, Isaac Sepulveda, Gabriel Shields, Teanna Shumaker, Eric Simpkins, Lamari Smith, Genuine Solares, April Sorenson, Dana Stephens, Teri Stephens, Tori

Suarez Jr, Jose Sullivan, Chloe Summons, Maria Swick, Vanessa Taljy, Joshua Tapia Ceron, Axel Tatum, Anyk Tavera, Juan Teasley, Aaron Tracy Ambrocio, Dustin Trejo, Maria Trentacoste, Tristan Turner, Kaitlyn Valencia, Allen Valencia, Guadalupe Valenzuela, Breaden Vargas, Nevaeh Vasquez, Mariah Velediaz Roldan, Leslie Vides, Dayanara Villalobos, Christian Villalta, Frank Villanueva, Hailie Washington, Aveen Weidner, Natasha White, Jacob Wideman, Simone Wilcox, Andrea Williams, Abygayle Williams, Jennika Woods, Malachi Zarazua de Santiago, Janet Zhen, Elaine

Kotyuk, Andrew Kultawanich, Skye

Lawrence, Ryan

Leon, Ashley Lietz, Lily Looper, Rylee

Luke, Aileen Mainhart, Thomas Martin, Tatiyana Martinez, Ariana Martinez, Omar Martinez, Roy McClymont, Corey Montgomery, Kyra Montoya, Luis

Academy of Innovation • Hemet, CA

Addison, Lorne

Aden, Faith Albino, Jocelyn Alvarez, Clara Archer, Samuel Baillargeon, Grace Barrios Medina, David Bowman, Dwayne Buckley, Joaquin Carne, Rayse Carne, Ryan Chaplin, Caitlyn

Collier, Destiny Corente, Adriana Day, Jacob Donan Sotelo, Jesus Edgerson, Takaija Elliott Hunsucker, Jamesyn Far, Yasmine Fellows, Ashlyn Flores, Valerie Galarza, Juan Gandara, Alyssa Garcia, Emily

Garcia, Jocelyn Gomez, Sara Hall, Robert Hand, Michael Hebets, Madison Heredia, Molly Hernandez, Iram Hernandez, Nevaeh Hernandez Soto, Nora Yuridia Hilker, Aurora Inoway Mann, Chamisa Jacinto Villalobos, Alfredo

James, Rebecca Johnson, Dorian Johnson, Johmilliah Johnson, Shealeon Kirkconnell, Abigail Landin, Linda Lopez, Fatima Lopez, Melanie Louis, Akiah Macedo, Sarah Martin, Thomas Martinez, Cassandra

Alessandro High School • Hemet, CA

Moore, Braydon Morrow, Jamison Mousa, Pierre Muhammad, Hooriya Muhammad, Ibraheem Parker, Arianna Payne, Kyalin Pilapil, Roxsana Kai Reams, Jolie Ressler, Jake Ruiz, Diego Scott, Sienna Shahzad, Zain Shumaker, Eric Snell, Macallan

Molina Alvarez, Julia Mullin, Kaydence Navarrete, Serena Navarro, Adrian O’Connell Bronzino, Vincent Page, Aaliyah Perez, Trinity Pino, Preston Plancarte Gonzalez, Miguel Portillo, Ericarmen Robles, Carlos Rocha, Jaqueline

Snell, Morgan Stigall, Juliette Sullivan, Jadon Tapia, Kelly Tayag, Juleana Therese Thomas, Aden Ugarte, Valerie Woods, Margaret Zavala, Joel Zhen, Elaine

Rodriguez, Jazille Roman, Michelle Sandoval, Joshua Sedillo, Isaiah Simpson, James Torralba Edwards, Robert Ulrich, Laycee Vargas, Melody Vargas Wren, Emeli Williams, Jaida Woodard, David

High Country Recreation Little League closing ceremonies recognizes players, coaches, sponsors

Players each receive a trophy at the Anza High Country Recreation Little League closing ceremonies Saturday, June 3.

Diane Sieker

Staff Writer

High Country Recreation wound up another exciting Little League season as it hosted closing ceremonies Saturday, June 3.

Crowds of family members, friends and fans cheered loudly as the teams accepted trophies and posed for team pictures.

HCR secretary Monica Parsons and vice president JoRen Dulaney invited the teams, coaches, managers and sponsors to come

forward and accept their awards.

“My littles finished their season,” mother Elizabeth Greene said. “They had so much fun. Thank you to all the volunteers that worked so hard to make this such a successful season.”

The following teams were recognized for the 2023 season:

T-Ball Division Braves - Coach Jasce Sanders, Manager Jasper Filanc, Sponsor Anza Valley Auto Giants - Coach Jeremiah Cardenas, Manager Taylor Perluss,

Sponsor Anza Gas

Pirates - Coach Leonard Machado, Manager Adam Machado, Sponsor Wicker Well Service

Yankees - Coach Ian Evans, Sponsor Rod Bourgeois Pump Service

Minors Division

Athletics - Coach Dalton Rabas, Manager John Dinnyes, Sponsor Western Hills Plumbing Cardinals - Coach Monica Parsons, Manager Esther Wilson, Sponsor Anza True Value

Hardware Store Cubs - Coach Shanicey Sego, Manager Lizbeth Nunez, Sponsor Anza Pizza Factory

Rockies - Coach and Manager Alex Daraban, Sponsor Lions Club of Anza Valley Intermediate Division

Angels - Coaches Michael and Ashlyn Rozzo, Manager CJ Rozzo, Sponsor Lanik Enterprises

Dodgers - Coach Johnny Slevcove, Manager Lonny Kanouse, Sponsor Wicker Water Well

Discover the High Country 4-H Club June 16

Staff Writer

Anza’s High Country 4-H Club will be hosting a potluck and officer installation event Friday, June 16 at Hurkey Creek Park in Mountain Center, starting at 4:30 p.m. The public is welcome and invited to bring a side dish to share with 4-H members, leaders and families.

The youngsters have completed a very busy and rewarding year.

Members Ariania and Racheal Madrid worked hard to move forward with their service learning project, a memorial wall under construction at Minor Park in Anza. The wall is a memorial to all those killed on local highways SR 371 and SR 79. The young ladies began this project two years ago and have had the help of the entire 4-H club. They have learned about design, construction, created a presentation about the project and contacted the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans to obtain information on the number of deaths in the local area. The wall stands partially completed at Minor Park as they determine the type of stone they want to use on the outside of the block.

The 4-H office board of directors completed a good year, running business meetings and learning their officer positions. Bladen Kinzenbaw, new to 4-H, took on

Padres - Coach Rapha Marquez, Manager Taylor Perluss, Sponsor Anza Electric Cooperative/ ConnectAnza

The HCR wishes to extend special thanks to all the umpires, snack shack volunteers, team parents and Craig Scudder (for field maintenance).

High Country Recreation board members are Taylor Perluss, president; JoRen Dulaney, vice president; Monica Parsons,

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Diane Sieker

ANZA’S UPCOMING EVENTS

If you have an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com put “attention events” in the subject line. Readers should call ahead on some listed events for the latest updates.

Regular Happenings

ONGOING – Anza Electric

Cooperative and F.I.N.D. Food Bank offers a free mobile food pantry the second Saturday of every month at the AEC office, 58470 Highway 371, from 10:3011:30 a.m. All are welcome. CalFresh application assistance and free community health services are also available. Bring your own reusable bags to take food home. Volunteers welcome. For more information, contact the AEC office at 951-763-4333.

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 “Hamilton-Museum-and-RanchFoundation.”

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 951-763-4226.

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 951-551-2826.

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.

the secretary position and became well educated on keeping complete minutes for the club records. Austin

Butchart was the healthy living officer and he helped the members learn about the benefits of exercise, eating well and oral hygiene with many fun activities and games.

Daphne and Ronin Wentz took on the pie booth chairmanship for the Halloween Hobo event at the Lions arena last October and developed delicious six-inch pie recipes that the club sold at the event. The club also helped throughout the event and had a great time.

Robert Doran volunteered to be chairperson for the club Christmas party and developed one of the best club parties in years. He had a gingerbread house contest, cookie decorating activity and a Dress the Best Snowman contest. The whole club had a Christmas ornament making table at the Community Hall for the Anza Christmas Celebration and there was glitter everywhere. The 4-H members participated

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 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.

in many fairs and shows. They showed animals they raised, which included rabbits, cavies, sheep and horses. They also exhibited their projects from sewing and fiber arts. Five members from the sewing project modeled their aprons that they made in the sewing project at Riverside County Home Arts Day that was held in Hemet this year.

Carter, Robert and Aleksander Doran all did well thought out presentations for the club about things that they like to do. They presented these at county presentation day in Riverside and received participation seals, with Carter receiving a gold seal.

Club members in the radio broadcasting project developed a play for the radio and recorded it for airplay, with guidance from Anza Community Broadcasting KOYT staff. These speaking skills may help the 4-H members in the future as they learn to communicate well.

According to leader Allison Rencke, the California 4-H program is a part of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, a statewide

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.

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 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

network of the University of California. Led by research-driven programming from UC ANR, 4-H is a youth development program for youth ages 5-19 that promotes hands-on, experiential learning. Youth and adult volunteers from all backgrounds and locations in California are welcome.

The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development opportunities that enable youth to reach their full potential as competent and confident leaders of character who contribute and are connected to their communities. They encourage leadership and responsibility and teach life skills and community involvement while the youth try new experiences.

For children and teens, 4-H is about making friends, having fun and trying new things. Youth and adult volunteers in Community Clubs meet regularly and have a planned program that is carried out through all or most of the year. 4-H clubs usually meet once a month in the evenings or on weekends for the club meeting. The youth run the club and decide how to spend

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.

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.

club funds, what events the club will hold and take part in and what rules they will have or change. The group is all about belonging to the community and giving back to our community, so clubs participate in community service.

The projects available are limited to having adult volunteers willing to lead those projects. All adult volunteers have been fingerprinted and background checked and trained. They offer their time and experience to help members explore and learn new things.

As the 4-H year comes to a close, the 4-H members are excited about the new activities and projects they will tackle next year. But most of all they always welcome new members joining the club.

For more information about High Country 4-H or to RSVP for the potluck, please call or text Debbi Vesey at 951-764-4296. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/ Highcountry4H.

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

4-H from page D-1

Lake Riverside resident plays ‘Taps’ to honor fallen soldiers for Memorial Day

Memorial Day.”

Thudium played to a small crowd of LRE neighbors and friends, the notes heard throughout the community.

“I started playing the cornet in the fall of fifth grade,” he explained. “This is how many young students start their musical career all over the U.S. My older brother played that very same cornet before he graduated to a new trumpet our parents bought him. A cornet is simply a shorter version of the trumpet that is lighter and easier for young students. My brother did not play beyond high school, so I eventually took over his trumpet. I played it for many years, took about 16 years off and started again. Recently, I gifted myself with a shiny new silver trumpet.”

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the earliest official reference to the mandatory use of “Taps” at military funeral ceremonies is found in the U.S. Army Infantry Drill Regulations for 1891, although it had doubtless been used unofficially long before that time, under its former designation, “Extinguish Lights.” The first use of “Taps” at a funeral was during the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. Captain John C. Tidball of Battery A, 2nd Artillery ordered it played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action. Because the enemy was close, he worried that the traditional three volleys would renew fighting. The origin of the word Taps is thought to have come from the Dutch word for tattoo, taptoe. More than likely, Taps comes from the three drum taps that were beat as a signal for Extinguish Lights when a bugle was not used.

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Lake Riverside Estates resident Scott Thudium ceremonially lifted his trumpet and engaged in a

LEAGUE from page D-1

secretary; and Lorraine Elmore, treasurer. Heather Holzer is Player Agent, Amber Kanouse is Manager-in-Chief and Micheal Wheeler, Umpire-in-Chief. Anyone interested in learning more about HCR and their sports programs or want to volunteer or simply donate funds, please contact HCR at www.facebook. com/HCRecreation, www. AnzaHCR.com or Monica Parsons at 760-609-8904.

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

rendition of “Taps” to honor fallen soldiers as part of the Taps Across America event held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.

“My good friend John, who is a phenomenal Temecula trumpet

player, told me about the program,” he said. “I thought it would be great to be a part of an event that invites thousands of musicians to play ‘Taps’ at exactly 3 p.m. local time across America each

“I do not have a military background, but so honor those that do,” he said. “I, like many others, could have joined but chose not to. I have regretted that decision many times.”

Thudium has been on standby for military ceremonies in the past but was not called. Since he lives in LRE and there are not many local military cemeteries, he has played “Taps” in the rural community for the last five years. He and other musicians make themselves available to play at military burials. It saddens them when the military burial ceremonies utilize a plastic electronic trumpet playing “Taps” when the performers could have played it live, he explained.

“All of us are committed to offer our services to play free of charge at any military burial. The best performance I had was where I played ‘Taps’ at my own father’s Navy military burial in Florida. That was my greatest honor,” he said. “I guess playing trumpet is my small way of giving my thanks back.”

Thudium’s wife Christina accompanies and supports him at almost every performance. He loves his musical endeavors and encourages others to follow their dreams.

“To all of you that played an instrument in school, I bet you loved it and miss it,” he said. “It is never too late to start again. There is always a local adult concert band for you to play in. Encourage the young graduating music students to at least minor in music in college. Never miss a school concert with your band children. It means more than you know. I want to motivate any graduating high school musical seniors to consider the military bands. It’s a good career or the start of one of those that want to play professionally after graduation.”

To learn more about Taps Across America, www.tapsacrossamerica. org

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

Lake Riverside Estates resident Scott Thudium plays “Taps” to honor fallen soldiers Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. Anza Valley Outlook/Christina Thudium photo

Coaches and managers hand out trophies to the young athletes at the Anza High Country Recreation Little League closing ceremonies Saturday, June 3. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photoss

Teams proudly pose for pictures at the Anza High Country Recreation Little League closing ceremonies.

Miss Anza Days pageant coming on June 22

The popular Miss Anza Days pageant will be held at the bandshell in Minor Park in Anza, Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m.

Sponsored by the Anza Civic

Improvement League and Lorraine’s Pet Supply, the muchanticipated event will follow the Anza Days Down Home Country theme. The pageant, celebrating girls of all ages, is a tradition preceding the Anza Days celebrations.

“We are excited to present this event again this year,” organizer Lorraine Elmore said.

Winners will receive special sashes, tiaras and prizes and be featured during Anza Days festivities Saturday, July 1.

The Miss Anza contest is open

to all girls from newborn to adult, divided into six divisions.

For more information or to enter, call Lorraine Elmore at 951763-0033. For more information on ACIL events, please visit them at www.facebook.com/ AnzaCivicImprovementLeague

or http://anzacivic.org.

Minor Park is located at Highway 371 and Contreras Road in Anza.

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

Living Free Animal Sanctuary dog of the week: Meet Jasper

Jasper is a charismatic 3-yearold Rottweiler mix. He is lively, friendly and curious. Jasper loves going on walks and exploring new places. He especially enjoys going to the dog park and playing with his kennel mate, Fiona. He gets along with other dogs and loves being around people.

Jasper would make a great adventure companion. He is athletic, smart and ready to join a family on their next hike or camping trip.

Living Free is a nonprofit animal sanctuary whose primary mission is to rescue dogs and cats whose time is up at public shelters. Living Free Animal Sanctuary is located

on 155 acres in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild. The sanctuary is home to a kennelin-the-round, Give Life Park, catteries and protected open-air “catios,” mountain scenery and wide open fields for the wild mustangs and rescued burros to run free.

For dog adoptions, 951-3219982; for cat adoptions, 951491-1898; for all other inquiries, 951- 659-4687. To book a tour, visit www. living-free.org/visit-us . Living Free is located at 54250 Keen Camp Road in Mountain Center. Open by appointment only.

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

2022 Ms. Anza Days Jasmine Ruby Rose, left, Lil’ Miss Anza Days Paisley Thein, Wee Miss Anza Days Evelyn Duke, Teen Miss Anza Days Kera Thein, Miss Anza Days Alexa Stafford, Junior Miss Anza Days Marcy Budrovic and America’s Pre-Teen Miss California and Bobcat cheerleader Sky Vollan, are introduced to the cheering crowd at the Miss Anza Days pageant last year. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Oh the ironies of a two-tier system of justice

collect and catalog information for its law enforcement and national security work.”

I remember during the Trump impeachment hearings when exUkrainian Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch testified that there were deals going on with the Bidens and she was told to just ignore them by the Obama administration. Ironic, isn’t it?

The whistle blower that is working with the House Oversight Committee said that all the investigations of the Biden family, including Hunter, have been “slow walked” for years now.

Julie Reeder Publisher

Ironically, former President Donald Trump was indicted again (likely to keep him from winning in 2024) on the very same day that the House Oversight Committee viewed the FBI document 1023 form with allegations that President Joe Biden took bribes in exchange for actions as Vice President. The 1023 form came to light from a credible FBI whistleblower who knew of its existence as well as many others.

The FBI defines an FD-1023 as “one of many forms the FBI uses to

Its also ironic that the crimes that Trump is being indicted on, or accused of, are the same crimes Hillery Clinton was actually guilty of. However, she was not the President and did not have the legal ability to declassify any documents she had at home. Remember she had 33,000 emails on her personal server at home which she tried to destroy.

Ultimately she wasn’t prosecuted because she was running for president (and they wanted her to win). They said it just wasn’t that big of a deal. Ironic, I’d say.

This week the House oversight

committee members reported that the 1023 form details an alleged $10 million payment to Joe and Hunter from the corrupt Ukrainian Burisma executive. The executive apparently said that he would route the payments through so many shell companies that the transfer would take at least 10 years to uncover. What did this Burisma executive want in exchange for that money?

He wanted to halt an investigation into his company (and Hunter Biden on his board) by a prosecutor in Ukraine.

Next, remember the video of Biden bragging that he leveraged $1 Billion taxpayer money to get the Ukrainian prosecutor, Victor Shokin, fired? It was an outright quid pro quo while, ironically, Trump was being impeached for his “perfect” phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and being accused of what Biden had openly admitted to.

Joe gave the Ukraine six hours and they complied. As it turns out, the Ukrainian investigator was also investigating Hunter Biden.

Next Hunter Biden did an interview on GMA and admitted

he had no experience in energy, oil, gas, coal, or Ukraine. But there was no interest in an investigation by the CIA or DOJ or FBI. Or into the millions of dollars that the Bidens were receiving from China, Kazakhstan, and anywhere Joe had responsibility. Why would a widow of the mayor of Moscow send $3 million to Hunter Biden?

None of this is new information, it’s just that the form 1023 proves that the government knew what was going on and was ignoring it. We have been reporting on these crimes for years. It’s so corrupt. It’s sad and it’s embarrassing.

If you belong to the right party, you are excused. If you are a Republican, especially one that isn’t part of the uniparty, you have every agency in the government weaponized against you for eight years.

What does it tell you when the FBI leadership insisted that the IRS disband the team that was looking into the money for the Bidens?

If you are a Biden or a Clinton and run a crime syndicate worldwide, or have classified files in your garage – no problem. In your Corvette? No problem. Thousands

of boxes of classified documents in university storage? No problem. No indictments, no raids, no bad press. It just all goes away. And how much money did the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania get from the Chinese for taking care of the Bidens? And the University of Pennsylvania got two ambassadorships out of the deal. And there were 10 Biden administration senior people being paid by the University of Pennsylvania with money that likely came directly from Communist China. Fair is fair. Let’s see some impeachments and indictments for the Bidens.

America can not stand with a two tier system of government, in addition to the censorship of this information and the collusion of the news media.

Lastly, while we are talking about ironies, it’s ironic that this week is the anniversary of the publication of George Orwell’s 1984 and what we’re seeing is exactly the use of state power that Orwell warned us against.

102.5-FM The Vine celebrates five years of broadcast ministry

HEMET – Local Christian radio station KGGN, which launched in 2018, celebrated five years of broadcast ministry in southwest Riverside County. KGGN-FM, known as 102.5-FM The Vine, is a non-commercial, nonprofit broadcast ministry licensed to Cornerstone Church in Hemet and funded by local supporters, both business and individual. Local radio veteran Chris Thompson has served as the general manager of 102.5-FM The Vine since September 2020.

“We are thankful for God’s hand of providence over this ministry, our community and those who have been blessed over the last five years through The Vine,” Thompson said.

As part of its continuing mission to serve southwest Riverside County, 102.5-FM The Vine regularly holds communitywide events that promote giving and a caring spirit in its listener area.

“Over the air, through our app and our various streaming platforms, anyone can be touched by the hope and encouragement heard in every song we play,” Thompson said.

“Our local mission to serve our community compels us to partner with our listeners to serve people they don’t know.”

The radio station holds three large-scale, communitywide service events per year. Their most recent event, the $25,000 Gift Card Giveaway, partnered with listeners who provided one $25 gift card each. The Vine gave the gift cards to local nonprofits, who used them to serve their clients who needed transportation, groceries and clothing. The Vine has also held diaper drives, collections for school supplies, provided food to local food pantries and collected water bottles for our homeless population, cooling centers and first responders.

Jason Baker is an dlder at Cornerstone Church in Hemet and has been involved with The Vine for over five years.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of starting up a Christian radio station that is specific to southwest Riverside County,” Baker said. “The stories of how the radio station has encouraged, uplifted, and

spiritually enriched people are a true blessing. We are thankful for the incredible support of this wonderful community, including all listeners and underwriters.”

The current team of 102.5-FM

The Vine is one of the many teams that have served at The Vine since the beginning.

“There were others before us who set the foundation of this radio broadcast ministry, and we are thankful that the Lord blessed them as they worked diligently and with a deep dedication to accomplish the decade-long goal of bringing a local community Christian radio to southwest Riverside County,” Thompson said. “It’s not easy, but those who came before us made it happen, and we are deeply thankful for their efforts.”

The radio station is the local home of announcers Kevin and Amy in the mornings from 6-10 a.m. Doug Hanna hosts middays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the afternoon drive, Lisa Berry takes the studio’s reins from 3-8 p.m. Andy Youso speaks to listeners from 8-11 p.m. The lineup

of air talent is deeply dedicated to their faith and craft.

“Radio is changing,” Thompson said. “And the people you listen to on the radio must be able to connect with today’s listener. We are thankful that our lineup does just that. They connect with our listeners, but most importantly, they share faith, hope and love.”

Financial supporters of 102.5-FM

The Vine are referred to as Vine Branch Partners.

“Our business Vine Branch Partners are thanked on air through announcements,” Thompson said.

“But our individual Vine Branch Partners are typically people you never see. These are listeners who have committed to a monthly gift. Sometimes it’s $25 a month and sometimes $50. All of our individual Vine Branch Partners give what they feel the Lord has put on their hearts to give.

“The Vine relies only on local funding. We don’t have donors in Denver, Detroit or Dallas. The Vine is an example of the local community supporting the local

community,” he said.

Jennifer Perez is a business partnership manager who began serving at The Vine in 2021. She works with local businesses and nonprofit partners who support the station through donations.

“I enjoy serving local businesses to connect them to one of the most loyal audiences on the radio,” Perez said. “Our listener base truly wants to support local businesses. I am blessed by the faith stories of local business owners and managers and how they allow God into their worklife balance.”

Over the next five years, 102.5FM The Vine plans to expand digital offerings and deepen its ability to pivot as the industry grows and transforms. The Vine has also pledged to continue working with local nonprofits to assist them in strengthening the local community. For more information, visit https://1025thevine.org/ or follow them on social media.

Submitted by 102.5-FM The Vine.

A 102.5-FM The Vine listener hands a $25 gift card to general manager Chris Thompson as she donates to the $25,000 Gift Card Giveaway.

Jason Baker, an elder at Cornerstone Church Hemet, stands with donated baby items at The Inland Empire’s Largest Baby Shower. Valley News/Courtesy photos

You are notified that a petition has been filed in the office of the clerk of this court naming you as the respondent in the action. A copy of the petition (and any documents filed with it) is attached to this notice. The name and address of Petitioner’s attorneys are Laura R Luetje and William C. Stang, 210 NE Delaware Ave STE 200 Ankeny, Iowa 50021. The attorneys’ phone number is 515-964-8777 and facsimile number is 515-964-8796.

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Date issued: 04/28/2023

District Clerk of Court or/by Clerk’s Designee of Polk County Courtney Pagel

3891

June 9,

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