Cal Fire Law Enforcement announces cause of Nixon Fire
Diane Sieker Staff Writer
Cal Fire Law Enforcement has concluded its investigation into the cause of the recent Nixon Fire, which ignited Monday, July 29 in Aguanga, a rural community in unincorporated RiversideCounty. When the announcement was made Friday, Aug. 2, the fire had burned 5,222 acres.
Paloma Valley High football program seeks community support
MENIFEE - The Paloma Valley High School Football Program is reaching out to local businesses to seek support for the youth in their schools by offering advertising opportunities. The school is offering businesses the chance to purchase advertising space on their facilities, specifically through high-quality banners that will be prominently displayed in the stadium. These banners will be visible to thousands of fans during every home contest throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
Menifee’s newest elementary school to open
students
The
the Sally Buselt family are ready for the school’s ribbon cutting ceremony July 31. The school will open on August 8. Valley News/Tony Ault photo joy to many of her young students in school. There to greet the large audience at 29810 Wickerd Road, Menifee,
Murrieta Chief of Police announces retirement
MURRIETA – Murrieta Police Chief Anthony Conrad has announced his retirement, ending his 30-year notable law enforcement career. He will retire on December 30, 2024. It’s a bittersweet change for Chief Conrad who has served the Murrieta community since 2003 and was sworn in as Police Chief in December 2020.
Chief Conrad started his law enforcement career with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) in February of 1995.
During his time at SDPD he worked in both East San Diego and Clairemont serving as a Field Training Officer and Primary Response Team member on their SWAT team.
As a resident of Southwest Riverside County Chief Conrad knew at some point, he wanted to work closer to home.
In early 2003 his wife brought home a job announcement for a lateral police officer position at the Murrieta Police Department. In November of 2003, Conrad was hired as the 44th officer at Murrieta PD.
Over the last 21 years, Conrad has
worked a number of assignments including Patrol, Investigations, SWAT, Communications, Administration and Operations Captain. In 2011, Conrad helped lead the effort to start the department’s first social media program, known today as producing some of the best social media content by any public safety agency. In August of 2022, Conrad oversaw the 30-year Murrieta PD birthday celebration where he reflected on the department’s strong culture of community policing and law and order. Under Chief Conrad’s leadership, the department successfully navigated through the pandemic and at the same time adopted cutting edge technology to better police the city and connect with residents. Technology that included automated license plate reader cameras, body worn cameras, unmanned aerial drones, Carbyne live video, 5G handheld radios and Live 911.
“Chief Conrad has built a well-respected, community-focused, and forward-
see RETIREMENT, page A-5
Local veteran to pose as 1940s-style pin-up
for a good
cause
CLAREMONT - Awardwinning nonprofit, Pin-Ups For Vets, completed production on its 19th annual calendar that will raise funding to support VA Hospitals, ill and injured veterans, homeless veterans, deployed troops and military spouses.
The 2025 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar features 13 women veterans from across the country with a combined 117 years of military service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, who have traded in their military gear for 1940s era fashions and hairdos. Murrieta resident and US
Marine Corps veteran Shannon Umana is featured in the calendar along with 2 Purple Heart Recipients, a pilot who flew Seahawks in the Navy, and an Army Lt. Colonel who served 39 months total on 3 Iraq deployments.
Umana is a 25-year veteran, serving 21 of those years as active duty and 4 in the reserves. Her interest in the military began in her youth while watching airshows at El Toro Base in Orange County. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1998, fresh from her college soccer see PIN-UP, page A-3
principal of the Sally Buselt Elementary School Stephanie Acosta, MUSD School Superintendent Jennifer Root, members of the MSUD Board and members of
Murrieta Police Chief Anthony Conrad will be retiring at the end of 2024. Valley News/Courtesy photo
Murrieta resident and Marine Corps veteran Shannon Umana will be featured in the PinUps For Vets annual calendar that raises funds for veterans, deployed troops and military spouses. Valley News/Courtesy photo
see SCHOOL, page A-6
New ADA safety approved playground equipment going into Murrieta’s Monte Vista Park
Tony Ault Staff Writer
The traditional first shovelfuls of dirt were made by Murrieta City Council members and staff on Thursday, Aug. 1 to signify the construction of a new Americans with Disabilities Act playground equipment at Monte Vista Community Park located at 29551 Andromedia St., Murrieta.
In attendance at the event were Murrieta Mayor Lori Stone, Council Members Ron Holliday, Cindy Warren, Lisa DeForest, city staff members, community members and contractors from Milsten Enterprises.
The new retro-themed playground equipment will include latest up-to-date ADA certifications and are designed for child safety with soft wood chip blanketed flooring.
Councilman Holliday, who represents those living in the Monte Vista Park district, said the new children’s playground equipment will, “accommodate their physical, cognitive and sensory needs as well as enhance their communica-
tion skills.”
He added, “The City of Murrieta is committed to embracing inclusivity. These improvements are designed to cater to children with all abilities allowing them to fully immerse themselves in play and enjoy all that the parks have to offer.”
He said the new colorful playground equipment at the park is a part of other park improvements in the city. It was nearly a year ago the city council approved a $2 million park playground improvement project. The Monte Vista Park playground is one of the parks completed or soon to be installed in the city. Others include Alta Murrieta Park, Firefighters Park, Rancho Acacias Park, Eastgate Park and Sycamore Park.
Mayor Stone said, “I believe the parks are the hub of our community where it brings families together.”
After comments from other dignitaries, the groundbreaking began.
The new Monte Vista Park playground improvements should be completed by October
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
Fallbrook Village Dental is excited to announce Ortho Day, a special event dedicated to helping patients without dental insurance achieve the beautiful smile they deserve. Scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, Ortho Day o ers an exclusive opportunity for those without orthodontic insurance to receive $500 o their treatment plus free teeth whitening. is special o er is available for patients with no dental insurance, however, existing patients without orthodontic insurance are also welcome.
Space is limited, so appointments are required in advance to make sure we have enough space for everyone.
At Fallbrook Village Dental, we believe everyone deserves a beautiful smile. Ortho Day is a special event aimed at connecting the community, one smile at a time. We are committed to making orthodontic treatment accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to a ord it.
Our patients will have access to state-ofthe-art technology, ensuring they receive the highest quality care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. is initiative re ects our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional dental services and promoting oral health within our community.
Alamos wildfire contained in Murrieta
MURRIETA – Firefighters successfully contained a wildfire that ignited off Los Alamos Road in Murrieta shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2. The blaze burned approximately 72 acres of land.
As a precautionary measure, residents and businesses were evacuated. Murrieta Fire & Rescue received assistance from Cal Fire / Riverside County Fire, Corona Fire, Hemet Fire Department, and Riverside City Fire. Due to the swift response and coordinated efforts of over 250 firefighters, the fire was contained without any reported property damage or injuries.
downgraded, with limited evacuations remaining in place overnight. Approximately 70 homes are without power, but it is expected to be restored before morning. Firefighters will remain on the scene to monitor hot spots overnight and ensure public safety. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Murrieta Fire & Rescue is an all-risk, career fire department committed to providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention education, and community risk reduction programs to the residents and businesses of Murrieta.
Evacuation orders have been
Members of the Murrieta City Council from left, Ron Holliday, Mayor Lori Stone, Cindy Warren and Dr. Lisa DeForest stand in front of a color poster of what the new playground equipment will look like at Monta Vista Community Park.
Valley News/Tony Ault photos
Members of the Murrieta City Council and a staffer break ground for the installation of new ADA safety improvements to be inclusionary for all children playing at Monte Vista Park in Murrieta at 29551 Andromedia St.
Murrieta Council Member Ron Holliday with Mayor Lori Stone greet the spectators at the location of the new Monte Vista Park playground at the event’s groundbreaking ceremony on August 1.
Closer view of what the new all inclusive playground will look like at Monte Vista Park in Murrieta. The park is open to the public.
National Night Out by local law enforcement brings community residents together to prevent crime
Area city council candidates forum to take place in Lake Elsinore
Tony
Ault Staff Writer
Southwest Riverside families with their children turned out to take part in National Night Out programs in six cities to learn about crime prevention and meet with local police, sheriffs, code enforcement and other public safety offices on Tuesday, August 6.
Taking part in the National Night Out were the Menifee Police Department, the Murrieta Police Department, the Hemet Police Department, the Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Canyon Lake Sheriff’s Deputies, resource
officers for the local schools, citizens’s groups and code enforcement members.
The events were held at the city parks and offered free police and sheriff law enforcement methods and demonstrations, police car and law enforcement vehicle equipment and ways to prevent crime in the communities. Children were able to meet and talk with the officers in the community and received little gifts like paper badges and picture books. Many children and adults toured the police SWAT Team vehicles and witnessed the use of air drones and wheeled search robots. Some witnessed
the use of K9s to help apprehend armed and hidden criminals.
Adults were encouraged to start Community Watch Programs in their communities to aid law enforcement in preventing crime and capturing criminals.
The National Night Out Program created by Matt Peskin from Philadelphia in 1984, is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
PIN-UP from page A-1
season.
Umana shares, “Throughout my career, I embarked on critical missions, including a deployment to Egypt in 1999 for Operation Bright Star and a significant role on the USS Tarawa in 2000 with the 13th MEU, where I assisted the USS Cole survivors following their ship’s bombing off the coast of Yemen. These experiences deepened my understanding of the tangible stakes of our duties. My postdeployment period was marked by an honor to represent the Marine Corps on the All-Marine Women’s Soccer Team in 2001, which was slated to play against the Air Force when the tragic events of September 11th unfolded, redirecting our energies from competitive sports to national solidarity.”
Umana concluded her service in 2005 due to the death of her
mother, but was drawn back to serve as a career recruiter, where she mentored potential Marines and attained satisfaction from helping others fulfill their aspirations to serve the country.
“It’s not immediately apparent in photographs, but I am also an arm amputee, a physical testament to the resilience forged during my Marine Corps service,” Umana said. “Being selected to appear in the Pin-Ups For Vets calendar is not just an honor; it’s a dream come true, allowing me to embody the classic and timeless style of the 1940s. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Gina Elise and the entire PinUps For Vets organization for this incredible opportunity to continue serving by giving back to my fellow veterans.”
Pin-Ups For Vets has donated over $120,000 to purchase new rehabilitation equipment for VA Hospitals nationwide, and Pin-
Ups For Vets volunteer Ambassadors have personally visited over 20,000 ill and injured Veterans on their 50-state VA Hospital Tour to deliver gifts of appreciation.
The 2025 calendar can be purchased at: www.PinUpsForVets. com or by check to: Pin-Ups For Vets, PO Box 33, Claremont, CA 91711. Submitted by Pin-Ups for Vets.
LAKE ELSINORE - The NAACP Branch 1034 Southwest Riverside County is hosting a City Council Candidates Forum on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Center. City Council candidates from the cities of Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Norco and Perris will be presenting their platforms and answering audience questions.
With the upcoming election on Nov. 5, this is an opportunity for constituents to meet their candidates and hear from them in person. If there are any questions, please contact the Branch
organizer Mary Venerable at 951443-4551 or the Branch at 951387-8848.
The mission of the NAACP is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.
Please visit the NAACP Branch 1034 website for more information and to join the branch. All are welcome to get involved. naacpbranch1034.org
Shannon Umana enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1998 and served for 25 years. Valley News/Courtesy photos
Umana will be featured in the 2025 Pin-Ups for Vets calendar for the month of November.
Soboba recognized at Chamber gala
Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Special to Valley News
The 2024 Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce
Annual Installation and Awards Gala was held Friday, July 12 at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. A crowd of nearly 300 guests were treated to an elegant night and delicious food.
Cyndi Lemke, who has served as Executive Director for six years, welcomed everyone and let each nominee know how important they are to the community ahead of the announcement of the top winners in each of the 10 categories. Kevin Saunders, HSJVC’s Business Development Representative, served as a co-emcee for the event alongside Lemke.
Nonprofit of the Year was awarded to the Soboba Foundation. Other nominees were EXCEED, Hemet Rotary Club, Historic Hemet Theatre, Soroptimist International of San Jacinto/ Hemet and Valley Community Pantry.
Soboba Foundation President Dondi Silvas said, “Thank you, it’s an honor to receive this award.”
Sponsorship and Higher Education Coordinator Andrew Vallejos also gave thanks for the recognition.
“This is a huge, amazing gift that we have gotten from the community,” he said. “What’s so great about this is the community votes for it and the community sees all that this Tribe and the Foundation does. It has really been great to be part of it from the beginning so thank you all very much.”
The Hemet Beautification of the Year honor went to Rocking K Ranch. Other nominees were City of Hemet, Destinations Smokehouse, Essential Blasting Inc., J&H Automotive Inc. and Mega Bites Pizza.
San Jacinto Beautification of the Year nominees were the City of San Jacinto, San Jacinto Unified School District and Soboba Springs Mobile Estates with SJUSD taking the top honor. Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Carlos Michel of Colt Boots & Western Wear. He was competing with Caleb Wilson of Rapid Wraps, Corey Wilson of Rapid Tires & Automotive, Ed Bush of Memorial Funeral Services and Laura Masters with Masters Medicare.
The award for New Member of the Year went to Airtopia Adventure Park, who were up against Essential Blasting Inc., LegalShield Independent Associate, Michael William Salon, Neighborhood Link, Seniors Helping Seniors Inland Empire and Valle Vista Home Center.
Raising Cane’s was named Restaurant of the Year. Other nominees were J&M Family Restaurant, Los Mareados, Polly’s Pies and Stadium Pizza.
The Male Business Leader of the Year was awarded to Richard Perry of VIP Autos. His competition was Augustin Corona from LCA Metals, Carlos Michel of Colt Boots & Western Wear, Craig Shultz with Valley-Wide Recreation & Park District, Dan Cortese from the Rotary Club of Hemet and Vince Record with the San Jacinto Unified School District.
Sonia Ramos of the Boxing for Christ nonprofit was named Female Business Leader of the Year. Competing with her were Clarisa Sanchez of Farmers Insurance, Cynthia Rodriguez with Cynthia’s
Sweet Treats and Phebe Pang of Alternative Twist Radio.
The Small Business of the Year was the largest category with 10 nominees and Grocery Outlet #100 took home the award. Also nominated were Active Sound, Colt Boots & Western Wear, J&H Automotive Inc., Memorial Funeral Services, Michael William Salon, Rapid Tire & Automotive, Rapid Wraps, Valle Vista Home Center and Vogler Feigen Realty.
Nominees for Large Business of the Year were Altura Credit Union, Gosch Auto Dealerships, PNC Bank, Soboba Casino Resort and The Village Retirement Community. The winner was Soboba Casino Resort and Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Chairman Isaiah Vivanco accepted the award.
“What an honor,” he said after a huge round of applause from the audience. “We couldn’t be happier to accept this award on behalf of the Tribe and on behalf of our team members here at Soboba. They do great work providing this great meal here tonight and just with everything they bring everyday and we appreciate that. We are just honored to be part of the economic engine that drives this valley. We have great leaders at the Hemet and San Jacinto City Council levels that are doing good things – bringing more homes and more business opportunities to the valley. And it takes you guys as well as us to work together to keep this valley going.”
Vivanco said he was proud to say that the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians employs approximately 1,500 people with 70 percent of those coming from the valley. “We want to continue to be a big partner in this valley and help the growth and help you all succeed as one,” he said. “Thank you again for this recognition and this honor; we really appreciate it.”
Prior to the awards and the formal installation of incoming Chairwoman Patricia Scott and the 2024-2025 Board of Directors by Chairman Vivanco, Lemke took a moment to thank outgoing HSJVC Chairman Frank Barrickman from McCrometer Inc. of Hemet.
“Please accept my sincere thanks and admiration for a year well served,” Lemke said. “Your contributions have left an indelible mark on the Chamber and will continue to inspire us in the years to come. I wish you continued success in all your future endeavors and am so thankful you will be advising the Board for another year. Once again, thank you for the support you have given to me, the team, your peers on the Board and the Chamber of Commerce.”
Scott’s first official duty was to share the HSJVC mission which is “to attract, develop, promote and retain local businesses through communication, networking, training and program development; and to influence public policy and advocate legislative issues that promote local business and job growth. She said the chamber welcomed 85 new members in the past year.
“We are working on a new game plan this year to ramp up engagement,” she said. “Over the next 30 days we will be creating a new external vision and map that provides the opportunity for all individuals in the team to go beyond where they’ve gone before with our upcoming Strategic Planning.”
For more information, https:// hemetsanjacintochamber.com.
www.berry-bellandhall.com
The Soboba Foundation is named Nonprofit of the Year at the 2024 HSJVC Installation and Awards Gala, July 12.
From left, Tribal Council Sergeant at Arms Daniel Valdez, Foundation President Dondi Silvas, Foundation Treasurer
Andy Silvas, Foundation Secretary Julie Arrietta-Parcero, Tribal Council Secretary Monica Herrera and Tribal Council
Treasurer Michael Bentiste. Valley News/StylePhotography by Alex Tapia
Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco accepts the award on behalf of the Soboba Casino Resort, which was named Large Business of the Year by the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce at its annual gala.
Incoming HSJVC Chair Patricia Scott accepts the gavel from outgoing Chair Frank Barrickman while members of the Board of Directors applaud her.
Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco swears in the new Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce
Chair Patricia Scott at the annual installation and awards gala at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center, July 12.
Senator
Seyarto legislation supporting charitable organizations signed into law
SACRAMENTO — Senator
Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) announces that SB 1044, which increases the monthly limit on bingo overhead costs to $3,000 per month and makes annual adjustments based on the California Consumer Price Index (CPI), has been signed into law.
Charitable bingo games are a significant source of fundraising for many community organizations. Previously, overhead costs were limited to either 20% of the
thinking department that utilizes new technology and resources to remain trustworthy to residents,” said City Manager, Kim Summers
“I am sad to see Chief Conrad leave, but I thank him for his years of service and ensuring Murrieta remains one of the safest cities in the nation. I wish him the best.”
Additionally, Chief Conrad led the department through a partnership with the Menifee Police Department to dispatch for their
prize money or $2,000 per month, whichever was less. While this cap was considered adequate when it was implemented in 2013, it failed to keep up with escalating costs. Changes made with SB 1044 ensure nonprofits and other community organizations maintain financial stability amid changing economic conditions.
“This legislation will provide long overdue support to our charitable organizations,” said Senator Seyarto. “SB 1044 addresses one
city. The Murrieta Police and Fire Communications Center now dispatches all calls for service for the Menifee Police Department, Murrieta Police Department, and Murrieta Fire & Rescue. Conrad has seen the city grow very rapidly over the last four years and has used his department’s resources wisely. Most recently he spoke about the department’s exceptional crime safety ranking at the annual State of the City address, crediting not only the technology being used by the department to fight crime
of the financial challenges they face, ultimately ensuring they can cover essential expenses and continue supporting our communities.”
Bridgette Moore, Mayor of Wildomar, is active with several nonprofits and suggested this legislative proposal to Senator Seyarto last year. She stated: “The ability of philanthropic organizations to serve their communities through bingo game programs have been threatened due to in-
but also his exceptional officers, dispatchers and professional staff.
Chief Conrad certainly has left a mark on the agency and the city.
Since December of 2020, Conrad has hired almost 90 new police employees and promoted 35 officers and staff. Today, Murrieta PD employs 114 officers and 71 professional staff members, to include 32 police and fire dispatchers. Conrad is the 7th Murrieta Police Chief in the department’s 32-year history. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree
creased overheard cost. SB 1044 turns that around. I want to express my gratitude to Senator Seyarto for championing this crucial and impactful legislation.”
SB 1044 received bipartisan support and no opposition.
Senator Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, represents California’s 32nd Senate District, which includes the cities and communities of Aguanga, Anza, Borrego Springs, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Chino Hills, Corona, Desert Edge, Desert
in Business Management from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. Conrad is also a graduate of the PERF Senior Police Management Course at Boston University. He is married to his wife Dana, a 28-year educator and a recent retiree from the Murrieta Valley School District.
Chief Conrad’s son AJ is a Murrieta Valley Nighthawk alumnus and will graduate with his MBA from Willamette University in the
Hot Springs, El
French Valley, Good
Hemet, Homeland, Idyllwild, Julian,
Lake Elsinore, Lake
Lakeland Village,
Mead Valley, Meadowbrook, Murrieta, Norco, Palm Springs, Sage, Sky Valley, Riverside, Temecula, Temescal Valley, Thousand Palms, Valle Vista, Whitewater, Wildomar, Winchester, Woodcrest, and Yorba Linda
spring. Chief Conrad and his family plan on remaining members of this community and feel blessed to have lived and worked in Murrieta.
Summers will appoint a new Police Chief from within the Captain ranks of the police department’s leadership team. Chief Conrad will work closely with the newly selected Police Chief until his retirement date. That announcement is expected to be made in the near future.
Sobrante,
Hope,
La Cresta,
Mathews,
Menifee,
from page A-1
was the school’s newly appointed principal, Mrs. Stephanie Acosta and Dr. Jennifer Root, MUSD superintendent. Principal Acosta excitedly looked forward to the new school opening its doors to almost 400 Kindergarten through 5th grade students on Aug. 8. Some of those students along with their parents were in attendance as well as some of Sally Buselt’s grown up former students.
Also in attendance were members of the Menifee Union School District Board, MUSD Vice President Jacquelyn Johansen, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez, Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman and members of the Menifee City Council, Jandi Aguilar representing 3rd Dist. County Supervisor Chuck Washington, and many other dignitaries.
The grown children of Sally Buselt, Sarah Winant, Scott Winant and Andy Marshall-Buselt each proudly remembered their mother who spent most of her adult life teaching children how to become productive members of society. Two of her children, Sarah and Andy are teachers themselves, having learned of the rewarding occupation of teaching. They were extremely pleased about MUSD naming the school after their mother.
Dr. Root said the “school of today is the hope of our future students. We are laying the foundation for Perris students for the future.”
Dr. Gomez said he had the pleasure of visiting all the new schools in the county. “It’s always good to celebrate the opening of the schools, and I think it’s really a symbolic representation of the educators, and the community when they open (school) doors for students. They are sharing a message of hope and a vision for prosperity, and I think that is exactly what is happening here.” He said he learned that Sally Buselt “had a heart for students here at Menifee Union” which gave her the honor of being what a teacher should be.
Principal Acosta said it was a profound honor to be standing before the audience of the new Sally Buselt School. “This journey has been nothing but extraordinary, filled with inspiration to fill this
place so every child can flourish.” She praised the late Sally Buselt as a “testament to the passion, creativity, and inclusivity of education. While honoring her legacy we also wanted to start a movement of our own.“ She said she has the most wonderful and dedicated staff that she has ever known speaking of the 17 teachers and custodial staff that will soon begin serving the first 400 students who will walk through the school’s doors. She said they all have a desire to “create a magical place for children.”
It was a special moment for the Sally Buselt children and their family as they gave a testimony of what their mother had taught them and the hundreds of children in the district.
Her youngest son, Andy Marshall-Buselt, now a special education teacher in the Oakland/ Bay area said of his mother, “It is a tremendous honor to share this special day with you all.” He said he actually grew up in her classroom at Menifee Elementary School. He said his mother truly had the heart of a teacher in all she did…her colleagues remembered her as being especially creative and kind, a master of teaching and learning for all students. Her dedication was unwavering. “[She was] an innovator who pushed the limits of all that is possible and always the first to arrive and last to leave campus.”.
Andy Marshall said his mother at one time in the 90s created an evolutionary inclusive children’s program for that time. She brought, “acceptance, compassion, diversity and inclusion into the classrooms,” the younger Buselt said.
The construction of the $17.4 million school on 10 acres was built to suit the surrounding land and hills in the environment around it. Each classroom has large windows to look out over the campus. Sinks and other amenities for the comfort of the children accommodate every age, and new collaborative rooms with the latest of technical equipment are ready for the arrival of the students and in the near future, 3D printers. There are two specially designed classrooms for children with special needs and the necessary equipment needed even for those with severe disabilities.
The outdoor campus has adequate shading and for inclement weather. There are large erasable boards set up on the walls for children to draw their own creative pictures and show off class projects. Students had a special
birthday program where they could participate in the school library. The auditorium is large and spacious with a performing stage and moveable seating. It is an outstanding elementary school for the district. Parents will be enjoying tours of the new school on its opening days.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com
Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr, Edwin Gomez, congratulates the principal and staff at the grand opening of Menifee’s newest school, the Sally Buselt Elementary School at 29810 Wickerd Road, Menifee on July 31, 2024. Valley News/Tony Ault photos
Dr. Jennifer Root MUSD superintendent.of schools introduces the new principal of the Sally Buselt Elementary School in Menifee, Mrs. Stephanie Acosta, during opening ceremonies.
The family of the late teacher Sally Buselt, Sarah Winant, left, Scott Winant and Andy Marshall-Buselt at the microphone speak of their mother and teacher at the opening of the Sally Buselt Elementary School in Menifee.
Sally Buselt Elementary School Principal Stephanie Acosta with a school student admires a poster about the school’s new library program, Page Turning Birthdays.
The new Sally Buselt Elementary School mascot, the Ocelot, is proudly worn by one of the new teachers at the newest Menifee Union School District.
Stephanie Acosta, Sally Buselt Elementary School principal, stands before the photograph of the late Menifee School District Teacher Sally Buselt to honor and remember the innovative teacher who lost her life to an auto accident 23 years ago driving to school.
The Principal of the Sally Buselt Elementary School Stephanie Acosta writes a welcome note for all her new students on this huge child drawing board in a collaborative classroom at the new Menifee school.
SCHOOL
Temecula Valley Historical Society to present program, ‘Riverside County through the lens of Burton Frasher’
TEMECULA -- Steve Lech, a Riverside County author and historian, will present the program “Riverside County Through the Lens of Burton Frasher” to the Temecula Valley Historical Society at the Little Temecula History Museum, the red barn west of Kohls in south Temecula on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. The public is invited at no charge. Burton Frasher was the most prolific postcard photographer in the 1920s through the 1950s.
Many of his postcards of Southern California and Indians of the Southwest are sought by collectors. Lech will discuss the life and work of Frasher, and show many of Frasher’s postcard views from throughout Riverside County. Lech, a native of Riverside, California, has been interested in the history of Riverside County for more than 40 years. He has written or co-written 18 books on various subjects of Riverside County history, including “Along
The miniature golf course at Murrieta Hot Springs is depicted in an old postcard. Valley News/Burton
MENIFEE - Additional officers from the Menifee Police Department will be out on patrol Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
“DUIs are 100% preventable and when somebody makes the bad decision to drive impaired; it can potentially have lifelong effects,” said Chief Chris Karrer. “Driving while under the influence of alcohol, and/or drugs, is dangerous, potentially deadly. It not only affects the driver but so many families and friends too.”
Please arrange for a ride if you plan on drinking or designate a sober driver when going out, otherwise you may get arrested and face legal challenges.
Menifee Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of
marijuana is illegal.
If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home. Driving sober is your safest bet.
Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI will pay a stiff price: an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Joseph P. Allen Special to Valley News
For nearly two years, progressive activists have lobbied the Biden administration to weaken international patent protections on COVID treatments. The political pressure was immense. And at several points, it seemed like some officials were ready to cave.
But fortunately for American innovation — and patients worldwide — the Biden administration recently rejected these requests. At the World Trade Organization meeting that recently wrapped up in Abu Dhabi, the U.S. delegation refused to lend its support to the proposal, effectively killing it for now.
Let’s hope this decision serves as a template for other pending issues that could deal a body blow to our economic development and the well-being of our citizens. The future of America’s innovation economy is literally on the line.
The same voices urging the U.S. to give our COVID therapies away are working to undermine a centerpiece of American innovation, the Bayh-Dole Act, which Congress enacted with support from thenSen. Joe Biden in 1980.
Prior to Bayh-Dole, Washington laid claim to patent rights for all research that received even a penny of federal funding. As such, there was no incentive for businesses to invest the resources necessary to take these discoveries out of the
lab and turn them into useful products benefiting the public here and abroad. Less than 5% of the 28,000 patents held by federal agencies at the time were ever licensed and not a single new drug was developed when the government took the invention away from its creator.
In response, Sen. Birch Bayh, a Democrat of Indiana, and Sen. Bob Dole, a Kansas Republican, devised a revolutionary new approach.
The Bayh-Dole Act, which I had the honor to help draft, awarded universities and small companies control over federally supported discoveries, allowing them to grant licenses for development. It launched a new era in American innovation, generating some $1.9 trillion in gross industrial output, over 6 million new jobs, 17,000 start-up companies, 126,000 patents and 495,000 inventions.
But last December, a working group within the Biden administration put forward a framework that would gut Bayh-Dole. It permits Washington to “march in” to impose artificial price controls whenever someone feels a product’s price is “unreasonable,” a completely undefined term.
That turns the law on its head, putting a target on the back of any company that brings these technologies to market after investing the considerable time and money necessary for development. And under our system, this burden is assumed by small companies which
photo the Old Roads – A History of the Portion of Southern California That Became Riverside County, 1772-1893,” which is considered the definitive history of Riverside County. He co-authors the weekly “Back in the Day” column for the Press-Enterprise newspaper, featuring many aspects of local history throughout western Riv-
take the hit when these efforts fail, as happens more often than not.
The proposed misuse of the law would send us back to the pre-Bayh-Dole era when U.S. industries avoided working with our research universities and federal laboratories. Promising research that may offer cures to global hunger, cancer and climate change would again be immediately imperiled. During the recently closed pub-
erside County. Lech has been a docent at the historic Mission Inn hotel for 35 years, the Director of Docent Training for the Mission Inn Foundation, and the chair of the Riverside County Historical Commission, and past chair of the City of Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board. On Aug. 26, the museum will open at 5:30 p.m. for the presentation. Light refreshments will be served.
TEMECULA – The City of Temecula invites interested residents to apply for the following positions. Community Services Commission – 2 Positions Planning Commission – 2 Positions
Traffic Safety Commission – 1 Position Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission – 2 Positions Old Town Local Advisory Committee – 1 Position (Architect) The City Council will make appointments for these positions at a public meeting in November 2024.
For any questions about this presentation, please contact Rebecca Farnbach at info@temeculahistory.org
The term of each position will be January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
The recruitment period for these positions is August 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024. Applicants may apply online through the City’s website at TemeculaCA.gov. Supporting documents, if any, must be submitted together with the application. Qualified applicants must be a resident of the City of Temecula at the time the application is submitted.
Please contact the City Clerk’s office at 951-694-6444 for additional information.
Biden’s facing a defining moment on U.S. innovation policy
lic comment period, the administration got an earful about the disastrous impact of the proposed framework from universities, small business entrepreneurs, patient groups, venture capital and manufacturers from a wide range of industries. These voices made the case that efforts to turn Bayh-Dole into a price-control mechanism would not lower prices but would inflict immense harm on innovation.
Like the WTO decision but with even greater consequences, this is a matter of life or death to the U.S. economic engine. Let’s hope that once again President Biden chooses the “do no harm” option. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Joseph P. Allen is executive director of the Bayh-Dole Coalition. This piece originally ran in The Hill.
Author and historian Burton Frasher. Valley News/Courtesy photo
Frasher
Children enjoy an escape from the heat during the Murrieta Splash Bash at Town Square Park, Saturday, Aug. 3.
Valley News/Shane Gibson photos
Children slide and splash at the Murrieta Splash Bash.
Children enjoy a variety of water fun during the Murrieta Splash Bash.
Children slide and splash at the Murrieta Splash Bash.
Arthur Roldan, 10, makes a big bubble during the Murrieta Splash Bash.
Children view sea creatures in a traveling tide pool at the Murrieta Splash Bash.Children slide and splash at the Murrieta Splash Bash.
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
Aug. 9 – Noon-1 p.m. Free Summer Food Service Program ends. The Temecula Community Services Department in partnership with the Department of Agriculture hosted a Summer Food Service Program for children aged 18 and younger, and all individuals with disabilities who participate in school programs, at two community park facilities: Margarita Recreation Center, 29119 Margarita Road and at Rotary Park, 28816 Pujol Street.
Aug. 9-29 – 4:45-6 p.m. Miss April’s Dance for children Ages 3 to 10 with varied dance sessions in Ballet to Hip Hop at 29905 Evans Road, Menifee. Cost from $48 for residents and $55.20 for nonresidents. See www.cityofmenifee. us./register. Space is limited.
Please check the webpages for the city you live in for the latest events happening for children and youths in your community this summer. There are many youth sports programs, educational programs, city park entertainment and more to keep children of all ages occupied and interested. ValleyWide Recreation also has many children’s activities. Please visit www.gorecreation.org.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Aug. 9 through October - 5-9
p.m. Foodie Fridays continue at the Mt. San Jacinto College campus, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee, with regional culinary artists, boutique vendors, local makers and live entertainment. See exploremenifee.com/foodiefridays.
Aug. 9-Oct. 13 4-8:30 p.m. Menifee Citizens Academy signups. Visit this link to register: www. menifeebusiness.com/citizensacademy
Aug. 10 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Temecula Culture Days - Philippines, at Temecula Valley Museum, 28314 Mercedes St. Learn about the Philippine culture with arts, entertainment, and activities. For more information, visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org
Aug. 16 - 7 p.m. Valley -Wide Recreation Parks District Movies in the Park “Trolls Ban Together” at Menifee Wheatfield Park, La Piedra Road, Menifee.
Aug. 29 - 6-7:30 p.m. Music
Trivia time at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library 30600 Pauba Road, Temecula. . Adults, 18+ who enjoy music through the ages. can join us for a rockin’ time! Registration is required at the library. Visit https:// temeculaca.gov/445/Ronald-HRoberts-Temecula-Public-Library for more info.
ONGOING – Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Crossword Puzzle Theme: Back to School
to noon. The Sun City Farmers Market meets every Saturday at the Sun City Civic Association at 26850 Sun City Blvd., in Sun City with local vendors and crafts.
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 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. 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 951674-2159.
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 800-510-2020 for help.
ONGOING – Saturdays and Sundays only, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Temecula Winchester Swap Meet continues, 33280 Newport Road in Winchester. The small local swap meet is only 50 cents for entry, and anyone under age 10 is free admission. No dogs allowed.
ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Every Sunday, Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Village Walk Place in Murrieta. The Sunday morning farmers market at Village Walk Plaza is a place to buy fruits and veggies, gourmet food and crafts. Come to the center in the northwest corner of Kalmia/ Cal Oaks at the Interstate 215 exit in Murrieta.
ONGOING – Temecula’s Farmers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Riverside County Public Health orders, the farmers markets will be restricted to agriculture products only. Follow the Old Town Temecula Farmers Market on Facebook to stay updated. No pets allowed.
WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, NOTICES
Now through Aug. 11 - The Temecula Valley Museum offers a new exhibition, “The Aliento a Tequila (The Spirit of Tequila) which explores and celebrates the landscape, culture, and traditions that gave birth to tequila, Mexico’s national drink. Photographer Joel Salcido includes the ancestral ways of making tequila from harvest to bottle at 28314 Mercedes St. in Old Town Temecula
Now through Sept. 6 – 1-3 p.m. Dorland Arts Colony Arts Center Associated Artist’s Exhibit and sale at, 36701 Highway 79 South, Temecula. Public welcome.
Aug. 9 - 10 a.m. Vendors wanted Temecula’s first Annual PetA-Palooza event, hosted by the
Community Services coming on Sat. Oct. 19 at Town Square Park, 21000 Main St., Temecula. Free community wide event to adopt loveable pets.Copntact the Temecula Community Services Dept. through Sept. 14. To view the vendor guidelines and apply, please visit TemeculaCA.gov/Events
Aug. 12 - 10 a.m. to Noon. Coffee on the Deck at the Dorland Mountain Arts facility, 36701 Hwy 79, South Temecula. Hands-on opportunity to meet the Dorland Artists and their works. Public welcome. RSVP a must at www. dorlandartscolony.org or info@ dorlandartscolony.org
Aug. 14 - 5-8 p.m. Military Care Packing Event at the Fairfield Inn, 30140 Town Square Drive, Menifee
Aug. 28 - 6 p.m. City Council Candidates Forum, hosted by NAACP Branch 1034 Southwest Riverside County, at Lake Elsinore Cultural Center, 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore. Candidates from Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Wildomar, Norco, and Perris will be presenting their platforms and answering audience questions. More info at naacpbranch1034.org
Aug. 30 - 8 p.m. Sgt. John Barcellano Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser at the Lake Elsinore Storm stadium, 500 Diamond Driver, Lake Elsinore. Tickets $20. Sales help with scholarship. Aug. 31 - 6- 8:30 p.m. Arts Council Menifee presents ”Hulas and Homicide” a mystery dinner at the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 28005 Bradley Road, Menifee. $50 per person, tickets available at www.artscouncilmenifee.org
ONGOING – 10 a.m. The Temecula Valley Republican Women’s Club meets each month at the Wilson Creek Winery, 33960 Rancho California Road, Temecula. Memberships are now open. For questions, please contact Membership Chair Janine Plano at info@ tvrwomen.org
ONGOING – Temecula Valley Genealogical Society hosts the Family History Research Assistance Program for those interested in learning more about their family roots. The society offers free research assistance through this volunteer program. Appointments are available in person or via Zoom. Contact the TVGS Family Research Coordinator at tvgs. research.assist@gmail.com
ONGOING – Temecula’s Path of Honor at the Temecula Duck Pond, 28250 Ynez Road. A program to give a place to remember and honor veterans from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and the World War II Merchant Marines with a permanent paver. Pavers cost $185. Orders may be placed year-round and are consolidated, engraved and placed on the path annually each November. For more information, visit http://TemeculaCA.gov/ Veterans or contact the Temecula Community Services Department at 951-694-6480.
ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely? Help shop for the most needed items without leaving home as an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing. All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area. For drop-off locations and packaging locations, visit www.milvet.org/ military-care-packages
ONGOING – Assistance League of Temecula Valley hosts a meeting for its member volunteers and guests every first Tuesday of
the month (dark in July) at their facility at 28720 Via Montezuma, Temecula at 9:30 a.m. social and 10 a.m. meeting. The meeting room is adjacent to the thrift shop. Anyone interested in exploring volunteering or learning more about the organization is welcome to attend. Email altemecula@ yahoo.com for more information.
ONGOING – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group 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 fee of $21.95. 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-thewheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-7233880 or visit the city of Menifee to register at www.cityof menifee.us
ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m. Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.
ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit www. foodaddicts.org
ONGOING – The Murrieta Garden Club meets each month at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. Anyone who likes to garden or is interested in plants is welcome. Membership is $10 per year. Find more information about the monthly event or project on Facebook.
ONGOING – Temecula Valley Rose Society meets each month. For more information and new meeting dates and places, visit www.temeculavalleyrosesociety. org
ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information.
ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit www.va.gov/homeless
ONGOING – The Dorland Scribblers meet the second Sunday of each month from 1-3 p.m. at 36701 Highway 79 South, Temecula. We welcome fiction, non-fiction, poets, memoir and screenwriters. We host writingcraft discussions; attendees may read up to a five minute excerpt from their work for feedback/ critique. RSVP at www.dorlandartscolony.com/sunday-scribblers. html.
Women’s connection brunch to include fashion show
ENTERTAINMENT
Movie review: ‘Trap’
Bob Garver Special to Valley News
With “Trap,” writer/ director M. Night Shyamalan has given us a half-decent movie. By which I mean that half of it is… decent. The first half delivers the taut thriller we’ve been promised, and it’s not great or anything, but it’s reasonably suspenseful and enjoyable. And then the movie becomes garbage. Not the unique, crazy garbage that only Shya
malan can deliver, but uncreative garbage that no self-respecting filmmaker wants to deliver.
FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Women’s Connection presents a Summer Fashion show and brunch in the ballroom of the Beverly Mansion at the Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens, Friday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon, doors open at 9:15 a.m. for shopping.
The fashion show will be provided by Norma Camberos, owner of Tatos boutique, a new clothing store in downtown Fallbrook.
Summer designs of clothes, handcrafted handbags and other colorful and cute accessories will be modeled by seven local ladies in two different outfits each.
All are invited to come join the fun and support this new business in Fallbrook . Also stop by her shop located at 139 S. Main Ave..
The guest speaker will be Maria
Valley News/Courtesy photo
Cuenca-Ursu, a retired technology and finance professional who will share “Life is a puzzle until you find the Missing Peace.”
The cost per ticket is $30, cash or check, which includes a delicious brunch prepared by The Grand Tradition, 220 Grand Tradition Way, located at the corner of South Mission Road and Grand Tradition Way near the Econo Lodge.
Free child care will be provided for younger children with reservations which are encouraged. To make a reservation, call Ginny at 760-723-3633 or email Fallbrookcwc@gmail.com. Sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries.
Submitted by Fallbrook Women’s Connection
At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to doting dad Cooper (Josh Hartnett). He’s taking his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert by her favorite pop star, Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan). He learns from oversharing merchandise seller Jamie (Jonathan Langdon) that the FBI is monitoring the concert. They have a hot tip that a serial killer known as The Butcher is in the arena, and with the help of profiler Dr. Josephene Grant (Hayley Mills), they’re go
ing to catch him. This makes Cooper very worried. He starts behaving erratically and evasively, and it certainly looks like he’s The Butcher… because he is The Butcher. Don’t buy into any of those ridiculous fan theories about how, say, preteen daughter Riley is really The Butcher just because “the trailers ‘imply’ Cooper is The Butcher, but they don’t flat-out say it.” I’m flatout saying it. The suspense in this movie comes from whether or not Cooper will be stopped or if he’ll kill anyone along the way. If you come into this movie expecting a mystery about The Butcher’s identity, you’ll be disappointed by more than just the weak sec-
ond half.
The stuff about Cooper trying to weasel his way out of the arena really does work. The well-cast Hartnett is as engaging a lead as this movie could have, and Shyamalan expertly keeps the tension steadily growing. This being a Shyamalan film, it’s also important to note oddball supporting characters like Jamie and the mother (Marnie McPhail) of a girl that doesn’t get along with Riley. These characters effectively add to the suspense, and they’re completely unaware of it. I complained about these types of scene-stealers in my review of “Longlegs” a few weeks back, but this movie isn’t as obnoxious about trying to make everyone quirky.
The good times don’t last. Eventually the action leaves the arena and goes back to Cooper’s house, complete with wife Rachel (Alison Pill) and son Logan (Lachlan Miller). The perspective even shifts from Cooper to someone else for a little while. The venue
change isn’t exactly where things start going downhill for this movie, but it’s soon after. The real turning point is when Cooper has to drop the façade and start behaving like a stereotypical bad guy. I was digging scared, desperate Cooper, but when he’s The Butcher, he’s neither scary nor interesting. Then, of course, there’s that interminable ending. Cooper manages to fool the FBI more than once, which is all the FBI should be permitted. The agents are all dumb as bricks. Cooper should have just taken his chances with being questioned at the concert and he probably would have gotten away. He makes some annoying mistakes too, but I can somewhat chalk those up to mental instability. More problematic than the plausibility of the characters’ decisions is that the timing and energy are all off, like Shyamalan’s inspiration just ran out of gas. I guess he was so dead-set on getting the concert scenes right that he considered everything else expendable.
The pop music of Lady Raven is a good enough metaphor for “Trap.” It isn’t disastrous, like previous efforts from the Shyamalan family. I was relieved when Saleka proved to be a better singer and actress than her nepo-baby credentials would suggest. But at the same time, I couldn’t imagine any of these unmemorable songs becoming major hits. Just like I can’t picture “Trap” being anyone’s favorite thriller or Shyamalan movie. Here’s hoping you can easily get out of the theater.
Grade: C“Trap” is rated PG-13 for some violent content and brief strong language. Its running time is 105 minutes.
Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu.
Norma Camberos, owner of Tatos boutique, a new clothing store in downtown Fallbrook, is providing clothes and accessories for the fashion show at the Fallbrook Women’s Connection brunch.
Valley News/Courtesy photo
The 4 Lads from Liverpool delight audiences at the Santa Rosa Plateau
Tony Ault Staff Writer
The 4 Lads from Liverpool brought back some of the greatest songs of the Beatles from the 1960s pleasing the large number of fans at the last Nature Education Foundation Summer Art Show and Concert Series benefit in 2024 on the Santa Rosa Plateau Saturday, Aug. 3.
The special event, held on the outdoor Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Pavilion Stage, hosted by John and Janet Webb and the NEF saw many concert goers dressed in the 60s tropical shirts, sun glasses and shift dresses to the the dance floor to do a little twisting and twirling, popular in those so-called Hippy Days.
The 4 Lads wearing Beatles wigs, dress shirts and ties in order to look like John Lennon, Paul McCarney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, played and vocalized the
Beatles favorites like “She Loves You,” “You’ll Be MIne,” “I Don’t Know,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
The Four Lads skillfully played on some of the Beatles’ favorite musical instruments like guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, harmonica, drums, and Mellotron, Three of the four played different guitars while “Ringo’s” drum timing backed the musicians.
It was the second appearance for the 4 Lads from Liverpool on the Plateaus’ outdoor, lighted stage among the trees and other flora and fauna found on the 9,000 acre reserve. A cool ocean breeze pleased the happy audience. Garage Brewery craft beers, Plateau Vineyards wines, coffee and soft drinks quenched the visitors’ thirst while Love, Dreams & Pie and Angelos pastas catered to their hunger. Benjamin’s Popcorn and soft drinks by Plateau Views pleased the adults and youngsters
while
on
enjoying the concert.
The 4 Lads from Liverpool concert concluded the summer special
events but upcoming events include Cowboy Jubilee on Sept. 7 held at a working LaCresta Ranch, NERF Teachers forum on Sept. 28, and a Family Wildlife Day on Nov. 2 of this year. The fundraisers, forum and family day will all support the nonprofit Nature Education Foundation’s mission to “educate and empower youth to appreciate, preserve and protect nature.” NEF programs range from bringing thousands of third graders to the plateau each school year,
children from 5 to 14 in a Junior Ranger Program, seed scholarships to high school students along with a special habitat and climate change studies and small science teacher grants.
NEF memberships are always open at the-nef.org for only $35 per year along with many opportunities to volunteer and help with preserving youth nature programs.
Tony Ault can be reached via email at tault@reedermedia.com.
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa announces four performances for Rhythm on the Vine 2024 Concert Series
TEMECULA – South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s popular Rhythm on the Vine Concert Series, presented by the awardwinning winery and produced by Omega Events, announces four concerts of the 2024 season’s performance schedule starting with Elle King on Friday, Aug. 9, followed by Toad the Wet Sprocket with The Verve Pipe on Friday, Aug. 30, John Waite on Thursday, Oct. 3 and 98 Degrees on Thursday, Oct. 24. Tickets are now available.
New this year, the concert series offers Skybox Seating to comfortably accommodate large groups of friends or family with ample room to enjoy the event. Included with a Skybox purchase are two bottles of wine, charcuterie, two complimentary parking spaces and exclusive wine service.
Rhythm on the Vine Concert Series 2024’s exciting line-up features award-winning musicians, singers and bands and takes place in the resort’s outdoor courtyard.
Elle King will be performing Friday, Aug. 9 with doors opening at 6 p.m. and concert beginning at 7 p.m. Elle King is a pop sensation, Grammy nominee vocalist and songwriter. She is a Country
Music Association and Academy of Country Music Award winner and is a multi-platinum winner who has amassed nearly two billion streams worldwide, including 275 million for smash hit “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Miranda Lambert. Her radio No. 1 singles have soared on four different formats – adult pop, adult alternative, alternative songs and country airplay charts.
Toad the Wet Sprocket with The Verve Pipe will be performing Friday, Aug. 30 with doors opening at 6 p.m. and concert beginning at 7 p.m. As part of the Dulcinea 30th Anniversary Tour, the trio of founding members, Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols and Dean Dinning, are still making new music and touring with the same spirit and independence that started over three decades ago with this year marking their 30th anniversary of the 1994 platinum-selling “Dulcinea.” The Verve Pipe, with their reputation for spectacular live performances, is a multi-platinum alternative rock band committed to forward-thinking rock and roll.
John Waite will be performing on Thursday, Oct. 3 with doors opening at 6 p.m. and concert beginning at 7 p.m. British born rock
n’ roll, blues and country songwriter, singer, touring performer
John Waite is known for some of the most listenable, enduring and appreciated popular music. His over five-decade career includes much-loved #1 Billboard hits “Missing You” and “Change,” which garnered heavy rotation on MTV. Waite’s successful career, which began as the frontman for The Babys, has released hits including “Every Time I Think Of You” and “Isn’t It Time.” He then formed the supergroup Bad English with members of Journey, hitting the top of the charts with “When I See You Smile.” In recent years Waite has recorded or toured with Eric Clapton, Alison Krauss, Matchbox 20, and he has been a regular performer during Ringo Starr’s All Starr Tours. His band features Tim Hogan on bass, Mark Ricciardi playing guitar and Alan Childs on drums.
98 Degrees will be performing on Thursday, Oct. 24 with doors opening at 6 p.m. and concert starting at 7 p.m.
98 Degrees is an internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum, multi-award winning and nominated vocal
98 Degrees will be performing at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Justin Jeffre. The group has sold over 15 million albums worldwide with four Top 5 Billboard charting radio singles, including mega-hits such as “The Hardest Thing,” “I Do, Cherish You,” “Because of You” and the number one hit single featuring Mariah Carey called “Thank God I Found You.” 98 Degrees’ albums have reached gold or platinum status in more than 60 countries worldwide. Tickets, starting at $59 per person, can be purchased at https:// rhythmonthevine.com. Preferred parking tickets are available for advance purchase and on the day of the event, subject to availability. Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the shows, with multiple cash bars serving beer, wine and cocktails. Guests with Restaurant Veranda tickets can order from The Vineyard Rose Restaurant dinner menu starting at 6 p.m. Those with Tiered Terrace & Cocktail Table tickets can enhance their experience with an exclusive Wine and Charcuterie Package for two guests. Add-on items must be purchased in advance through the ticketing website.
group comprised of brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and
The 4 Lads from Liverpool perform famous Beatles songs on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Center Pavilion Stage August 3 to benefit the nonprofit Nature Education Foundation at the Plateau. Valley News/Tony Ault photos
Showing off his Beatles Ringo Starr drumming is one of the 4 Lads from Liverpool at the Santa Rosa Plateau.
These five ladies, from left, Kay Boylan, Anna Dye, Susan Devlahovich, Macy Weatherly and Shirley Broz hold white orchards awarded to them by the NEF for their service in making the 2024 Art Show and Summer Concert Series a success for the organization.
Fans of the Beatles dressed in their best 1960s outfits ready to hear and dance to the 4 Lads of Liverpool performing at the Nature Education Foundation benefit at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.
Playing the harmonica
strumming on the guitar like John Lennon of the Beatles in song is one of the 4 Lads
the outdoor Santa Rosa Plateau Pavilion Stage.
Valley News/Courtesy photo
HEALTH
Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital successfully implants first WATCHMAN FLX Pro LACC Device
– Niraj Parekh, MD, performed Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital’s (TVH) first patient implant of the new WATCHMAN FLX Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device. The Watchman medical technology is designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who seek an alternative to long-term blood thinners. The minimally invasive procedure involves implanting the Watchman device into the heart to prevent blood clots from forming in the left atrial appendage, a common source of strokes in AFib patients.
Built upon the proven safety and procedural performance of the Watchman FLX LAAC Device, the Watchman FLX Pro device features a permanent polymer coating that is designed to reduce the risk of device-related thrombus, visualization markers for enhanced placement and a broader size matrix to treat a wider range of patients.
“We are thrilled with the successful outcomes of our initial Watchman procedures,” said Dr. Niraj Parekh. “This device repre-
sents a significant advancement in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, providing our patients with a safe and effective alternative for stroke prevention.”
“The successful completion of these procedures underscores Temecula Valley Hospital’s commitment to integrating advanced medical technologies and providing high-quality care to our community,” said Darlene Wetton, Group VP Southwest Healthcare. “The introduction of the Watchman procedure is a testament to the hospital’s ongoing efforts to enhance its cardiac care services and improve patient outcomes.”
An estimated seven million Americans are expected to be affected by atrial fibrillation (AF). People with AF have a greater risk of stroke than those with normal heart rhythms. The Watchman FLX Pro device closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the bloodstream and potentially cause a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced to less than one percent,
similar to the reduction of strokes on anticoagulation. The benefit is that after implantation patients can stop taking oral anticoagulants (blood thinners).
The Watchman technology has been implanted to treat more than 300,000 patients worldwide and is completed during a single procedure. This permanent device doesn’t have to be replaced and can’t be seen outside the body. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Some patients may need an overnight stay, but most can be discharged the same day.
Learn more about cardiovascular care at Temecula Valley Hospital: SWHtemeculavalley. com/heart.
Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH), part of Southwest Healthcare, brings advanced technology, innovative programs, patientcentered and family sensitive care to area residents. The hospital features 140 private patient rooms; emergency care; advanced cardiac and stroke care; orthopedics; general and surgical specialties.
TVH is nationally recognized for Patient Safety designated by The
Leapfrog Group as a Top Hospital in both 2017 and 2020 and recently received its 11th A Grade from the Leapfrog Group for Fall 2023. The hospital was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2024-2025 for Heart Attack, Heart Failure, and Stroke.
TVH is a DNV Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and has received eight Women’s Choice Award Achievements as One of America’s Best Hospitals for Stroke Care and One of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety. Other accolades include: the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Mission Lifeline® - STEMI Receiving Center – GOLD PLUS, Mission Lifeline® - NSTEMI –GOLD, Blue Distinction® Center Designation for Quality in Knee and Hip Replacement Surgeries, The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Certification for Hip and Knee Replacement, first hospital in the state of Cali-
fornia to achieve certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service facility, 3 Star Medicare Hospital Compare Rating, the American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation, the honor of the Inland Empire’s Top Workplaces 2017 and 2018, has been designated an Aetna Institute of Quality Cardiac Care Facility for comprehensive heart and vascular treatment-including Cardiac Medical Intervention, Cardiac Rhythm Programs and Cardiac Surgery. For more information, please visit SWHtemeculavalley.com. Southwest Healthcare is a comprehensive network of care with five hospitals and multiple convenient ambulatory locations serving our community. With more than 7,000 skilled and talented care providers across the region, all dedicated to the highest standards, our shared goal is to provide convenient access to a wide range of healthcare services. Learn more at www.SouthwestHealthcare.com
Tips to help children prepare emotionally and mentally for the coming school year
Archana Dubey, MD Chief Medical Officer,
It’s that time of year when families are busy checking off those back-to-school lists, including making sure your student has the right pencils, notebooks, and
backpack. But even more important than school supplies may be making sure your child is feeling emotionally and mentally ready to start the school year. Here are four steps to help reduce stress and help support a healthy start of the school year for students. Create or re-establish routines What time does the family sit down for dinner? When is homework time? What is the limit for screen time? When is “lights out” at night? What time do alarm clocks ring? The answers are important. Sticking to schedules can create consistency at home that may help your child feel more confident, secure, and stable.
Schedule a well-child visit
It’s always a good idea to make sure children 3 years and of age
and older see their provider once a year for an annual routine wellchild visit, even if they don’t feel sick. Pediatricians can assess your child’s physical & emotional health before school starts, setting them up for success for the rest of the year. It’s also a great time to complete their school’s physical forms, check their growth and development to help find and prevent any problems, and give them any needed immunizations. Ask your child’s doctor about what’s driving their physical development, such as diet, exercise, and sleeping habits.
Discuss mental health Bringing up mental health can show your child that it’s okay to start those conversations and that they always have a support network they can rely on. If they do
talk about being scared or nervous, validate their feelings. Help them feel secure and let them know it’s possible to feel better. These can be sensitive topics for your child, so empathy, openness, and patience can go a long way in helping them feel heard and optimistic that they’ll be OK. Focus on your child’s overall disposition — not just what they’re saying — and watch for warning signs of issues, such as persistent sadness, sudden mood changes, or sleep problems.
Help develop independence at home
For younger kids entering preschool or kindergarten, encourage your child to dress themselves, use the bathroom without assistance, wash their hands, and put on their shoes. Your child should know how to wipe their face after lunch and blow their nose without assistance. They should also be comfortable asking an adult for help when needed.
TEMECULA
The Cardiac Cath team at TVH celebrates after the first successful Watchman device implant. Valley News/Courtesy photo
NEWPORT BEACH – SRS Real Estate Partners announced on Aug. 1 that it has completed the $13.3 million sale of a newly developed EoS Fitness property located at 35914 Winchester Road in French Valley. The 38,000-square-foot building is situated on 4.33 acres and has a 20-year an absolute triple net, corporate-guaranteed lease in place. The property, which is anticipated to open its doors late August 2024, is the anchor tenant within French Valley Marketplace, a new 78,400-square-foot shopping center featuring other national brands including Grocery Outlet, McDonald’s, Chipotle, and 7-Eleven, among others.
SRS Capital Markets Managing Principals Matthew Mousavi and Patrick Luther and Vice President Jack Cornell represented the seller, a Southern California-based private developer. The buyer was a Southern California-based private investor who was in a 1031 exchange. The closing cap rate was 6.3% which is a record low cap rate for the EoS brand this year, as well as comparable gym/fitness properties nationwide in 2024 according to CoStar records.
“This new construction property went to market and closed escrow with the new ownership prior to opening its doors. This is a significant accomplishment into today’s challenging market in terms of financing and elevated interest rates,” said Mousavi. “Our SRS team has worked on behalf of the French Valley Marketplace developer to market and sell the center as part of a break-up strategy over the past few years,
selling off parcels individually to maximize overall value for our client.”
Mousavi added that with this transaction, seven assets have now sold valued at more than $30 million. An El Pollo Loco property is currently being marketed with others to be listed over the coming months as the center progresses toward total build-out.
Year to date, SRS Capital Markets has completed approximately $991 million in deal volume comprised of 235 transactions in 45 states. SRS currently has in excess of 659 properties actively on the market with a market value surpassing $3.2 billion.
About SRS Real Estate Partners
Founded in 1986, SRS Real Estate Partners is building upon its retail foundation to provide extensive commercial real estate solutions to tenants, owners, and investors.
Headquartered in Dallas, with 29 offices in the U.S., SRS has grown into one of the industry’s most influential and respected leaders. Our commitment to excellence is strengthened by our Guarantee of Value and our success is measured in the achievement of our clients’ objectives, satisfaction, and trust. For more information, please visit srsre.com.
~ Exterior Professional Workmen! Reasonable Rates, Free Estimates Lic#700305 Fallbrook / North County 760-728-1796 / 760-723-1736 Temecula 951-246-0350 / 951-676-6530 www.woodspainting.com SRS Real Estate Partners completes record-breaking $13.3 million sale of a newly developed EoS Fitness property in French Valley
City of Temecula seeking pet-related vendors for first annual Pet-APalooza event
TEMECULA - The City of Temecula is seeking pet-related vendors for its first annual Pet-A-Palooza event. The event, hosted by the Community Services Department, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Square Park, located at 41000 Main Street in Old Town Temecula. This free, community-wide event will feature a variety of pet products, resources, and services. Participants are encouraged to bring their leashed pets or learn about
B USINESS D IRECTORY
adopting a new four-legged friend. Applications for pet-related vendors and exhibitors are currently being accepted online until Saturday, Sept. 14. To view the vendor guidelines and apply, visit TemeculaCA.gov/Events For information on all upcoming Temecula Community Services Department events, activities, and programs, visit TemeculaCA. gov/TCSD and follow @TemeculaParksandRec on social media for updates.
CA 92028
slimstd@yahoo.com (760) 213-4941
#571121
Temecula’s first annual Pet-A-Palooza is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19.
Valley News/Courtesy photo
Valley News/Courtesy photo
Summer mowing tips for a healthy, lush lawn
Statepoint Media
Special to Valley News
Late summer is a time of year when yards see a lot of foot traffic. Whether you’re hosting parties and events or your kids are running all over the lawn, your grass needs to be in tiptop shape.
In a recent Backyard Life video, the multimedia destination of lawn care equipment manufacturer Exmark, product manager Chris Lamme offers insights for keeping grass healthy and lush all season. He says: “When it comes to maintaining a beautiful lawn, the main factors to consider are the height of your cut and the frequency of cut, and that starts with knowing what type of grass you have.”
According to Lamme, these three strategies can help you cultivate a healthy lawn:
1. Know your grass. Before you start mowing, it’s crucial that you know what grass type you’re working with. Different areas of the country will have grasses specific to their climates. Warmseason grasses, found in southern states, should be cut to a height of 2 to 3.5 inches—on the shorter for Bermuda and Centipede grasses and on the longer side for St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses. Coolseason grasses, found in northern states can be trimmed down to 3
to 4 inches—on the shorter side for Bluegrass and Ryegrass, and on the longer side for Fescues. While moisture, sun exposure and temperatures can vary cut height needs, typically grasses should be mowed to the upper end of their recommended cut heights during the heat of the summer. If you’re not sure of your grass type or you live in the transition zone, stick to the rule of thumb of cutting onethird of the grass’ height.
These guidelines are important, as mowing too short can damage the roots, leaving your grass unable to absorb nutrients from the soil. However, if you let it get too long, you’re going to bog down the mower when you do get around to the task.
2. Don’t over- or under-mow. Over- or under-mowing your lawn can lead to unhealthy grass and bare patches, so consider how regularly you mow. Strive to mow when the height of the grass grows to the point that one-third of its length will be mowed. So, if you’re mowing to a height of two inches, let the grass grow to three inches before mowing. Mulching is also helpful during the summer, as it keeps moisture and nutrients on the lawn, reducing the need to water and fertilize. Pay attention to what your lawn needs, don’t just fall into a strict routine.
3. Change up the direction. Mowing in the same direction or pattern every time can damage your grass. When you mow too often in one direction, it can push the grass down and give you an uneven cut, even leaving ruts in your yard if you’re not careful. Be sure to change up the patterns and
direction of mowing to ensure a nice, even cut quality every time. To view the video as well as to access more tips on all things outdoor life and learn your turf zone, visit exmark.com/backyard. Your Exmark dealer is another good resource for information and can provide the parts and service
you’ll need down the line to keep your mower in good repair for a healthy lawn. Now that you’re armed with these summer lawn care tips, you’re ready to get out there and start mowing.
Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector Matthew Jennings applauds signing of AB 3288
RIVERSIDE - On Monday, July 15, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of AB 3288, a significant legislative step aimed at clarifying the tax sale process and addressing gaps in existing laws. This bill, introduced by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation, revises the deadline for taxing agencies to object to a tax sale on a real estate property and clarifies the procedures for mailing claims for excess proceeds from such sales.
“We extend our gratitude to the California Association of County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s and the Committee on Revenue and Taxation for their support of this crucial legislation, which provides clear
guidelines for the public, tax collectors, and taxing agencies,” said Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector Matthew Jennings. “I am proud of our team's contribution to this bill, enhancing the tax collection process.”
Key provisions of AB 3288 include:
1. Taxing agencies must send any resolutions objecting to a tax sale to the tax collector before the first publication of the notice of intended sale.
2. Claims for excess proceeds from a tax sale must be mailed in a sealed envelope with proper postage or shipped with an IRS-designated or tax collectorapproved independent delivery
service, properly addressed with prepaid fees.
3. The claim is considered received based on the date shown by the post office cancellation mark stamped upon the envelope containing the claim, or the shipment date shown on the delivery service’s packing slip or air bill.
4. If a claim mailed via the United States Postal Service lacks an official postmark, the filing date is the date the county treasurer-tax collector’s office receives it. Jennings emphasized that the successful passage of AB 3288 was a result of collaborative efforts between state and local agencies. “This bill represents the culmination of extensive discussions and
partnerships. We worked closely with various stakeholders to ensure that the legislation addressed practical concerns and provided a fair and transparent process for all involved,” Jennings noted.
“Our commitment to serving the residents of Riverside County and enhancing public trust in the tax collection process remains steadfast.”
AB 3288 is scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2025.
For additional information on the tax sale, visit countytreasurer. org or call the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office at 951-955-3985.
The Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector is responsible for the billing and collection of
property taxes, and, for the receiving, processing, investing and most importantly, safeguarding of public funds, as mandated by the laws of the state of California. The combined office is led by Matthew Jennings, a countywide, publicly elected official serving the fourth largest county in California by landmass and by population. Established May 9, 1893, Riverside County encompasses 7,303 square miles, 28 cities and a population of nearly 2.4 million.
Submitted by Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Padilla announces up to $75 million for California to address drought, conserve water
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement on Friday, Aug. 2 of up to $75 million awarded across five California irrigation districts to support farmers, agricultural commodity production, and water conservation. This funding will help irrigation districts and producers use innovative water savings technologies and farming practices, produce water-saving commodities, and expand and create new, sustainable market opportunities after years of historic drought.
Five California irrigation districts were preliminarily selected to receive up to $15 million each: Corcoran Irrigation District, Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation District, Solano Irrigation District, and Sutter Mutual Water Company. USDA worked to select irrigation districts based on several commodity production and water management-related criteria in order to maximize the ability to achieve program objectives.
“California farmers feed the nation, but long-term Western drought and water supply challenges threaten their livelihoods and, in turn, our agricultural industry,” said Senator Padilla. “These investments in the beating heart
of our rural communities will build resiliency in our agricultural production and fortify California’s water supply through new water-saving technologies and commodities.”
“Agricultural producers are the backbone of rural communities across the West and many of them are struggling under prolonged drought conditions,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA is taking an ‘all hands’ approach to help address this challenge, including these new partnerships with irrigation districts to support producers. We want to scale up the tools available to keep farmers farming, while also voluntarily conserving water and expanding markets for water-saving commodities.”
In total, $400 million will be awarded to at least 18 irrigation districts, and the funding is expected to conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet in water use across 250,000 acres of irrigated land in production.
Producers who participate will receive payments for voluntarily reducing water consumption while maintaining commodity production. The needs of producers will determine the specific strategies for water conservation, including irrigation improvements, shifts in management practices, shifts in cropping systems, and other innovative strategies. USDA will learn from the diversity of strate-
gies used and identify additional opportunities to maintain and expand water-saving commodity production in the future.
Participating producers and irrigation districts will commit to ensuring continued commodity production in the areas where water consumption is reduced. USDA is working to finalize agreements with the preliminarily selected districts, which will include the details of each individual district’s water-saving strategies, commodities to be produced, and specific budgets. Following the finalization of those awards, producers within the participating districts will work directly through their irrigation districts to participate. USDA and the preliminarily selected districts will provide more details on the agreements and opportunities for producers to directly enroll.
In addition to the preliminarily selected districts announced today, USDA also announced a Tribal setaside within the program, targeting up to $40 million in funding for additional awards within Indian Country. USDA will work with the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Tribes, and Tribal producers to reduce water consumption and maintain land in agricultural production — supporting the production of water-saving commodities.
Earlier this year, Senator Padilla and a bipartisan group of colleagues called on U.S. Sen -
ate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry leaders to address long-term drought in the upcoming Farm Bill. Padilla also led a bipartisan coalition of California members in urging the Senate and House Agriculture Committees to incorporate permanent disaster assistance for agricultural producers and communities in the Farm Bill. The letter called for the inclusion of his bipartisan Agricultural Emergency Relief Act, which would create a permanent structure at the USDA to provide relief for farmers who lost crops due to natural disasters. Padilla also recently introduced the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act alongside Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) to provide compensation for farm workers who lose out on work and pay due to
extreme weather, public health emergencies, and other disasters. Previously, Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein urged Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to ensure USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) supports conservation practices that mitigate the impacts of drought while combating climate change. Additionally, following Tropical Storm Hilary damage to California specialty crops last year, Senator Padilla hosted USDA officials alongside local leaders and growers to announce his bipartisan Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act, which would waive the current adjusted gross income restriction that blocks producers from receiving USDA disaster program relief.
Knowing what type of grass you have can determine a recommended height to mow a lawn. Valley News/Courtesy photo
August 9 – 15, 2024
Local Santa Rosa Academy student wins National Taekwondo Titles
JP Raineri Sports Editor
Santa Rosa Academy junior
Joseph Carrillo has recently made headlines by clinching two national titles at the USA National Taekwondo Championships. This remarkable achievement has solidified Joseph’s position as a top contender in the sport, earning him gold medals in both the Junior (55kg) and Senior (54kg) divisions. Consequently, Joseph is now ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in the 54kg division.
Joseph’s success can be attributed to the intensive training and guidance he receives from Master Jef Go at Sparks Taekwondo in Murrieta. Sparks Taekwondo is renowned for its comprehensive and supportive training environment, helping students of all ages and skill levels reach their full potential. His achievements at the USA National Taekwondo Championships are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and exceptional
training environment at Sparks Taekwondo. Carrillo’s story serves as an inspiration to other young athletes and highlights the importance of supportive and structured training programs in achieving success.
Sparks Taekwondo goes beyond teaching martial arts techniques. Their Kids Taekwondo classes aim to build confident, courteous, and successful students. The program is designed to accommodate children from ages six and up, fostering a safe and fun environment where any child can thrive.
The primary focus is on developing real-life skills such as focus, discipline, teamwork, and respect. This holistic approach ensures that students not only excel in martial arts but also grow as individuals. By introducing local children to martial arts, Sparks Taekwondo helps them become the best they can be—both on and off the mats.
Located at 25100 Hancock Avenue #111, Murrieta, Sparks Taekwondo serves the communities
of Murrieta, Menifee, and the surrounding areas. They proudly offer high-quality kids martial arts classes that empower children to be better students, siblings, employees, and leaders. Master Jef Go and his team of professional instructors are dedicated to helping each child grow into a more confident, disciplined, courteous, and respectful individual.
If interested individuals are interested in enrolling your child in their Kids Taekwondo classes, they can contact Sparks Taekwondo at 951-600-1010 or via email at sparks@sparkstaekwondo.com
Witness firsthand how martial arts can make a positive difference in a child’s behavior and performance.
For more information on how you can get a child started on their martial arts journey, visit Sparks Taekwondo and experience their unique and effective approach to teaching and personal development.
Send local sports tips and updates to sports@reedermedia. com
Temecula’s Gavin Fien shines for Team USA in WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier
JP Raineri Sports Editor
PANAMA CITY – Gavin Fien, a standout baseball player for Great Oak High School, had an outstanding day, driving in three runs while Josh Hammond and Dylan Wood’s pitching efforts kept Puerto Rico’s offense at bay, leading Team USA to a 7-3 victory on Sunday afternoon.
The win advances the U.S. to a 2-0 record in Group B play of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.
Puerto Rico (1-2) started strong, scoring two runs in the first inning due to a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and an RBI ground out. However, Team USA quickly leveled the score in the bottom of the inning
before pulling ahead with a fourrun rally in the second that put the game beyond Puerto Rico’s reach.
Eli Willits initiated the comeback by drawing a leadoff walk, followed by Kayson Cunningham’s single to left field, setting the stage for Fien’s two-run double that tied the game at 2-2.
The U.S. then took the lead and extended it when Willits was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, followed by Cunningham’s walk, which plated another run. Fien and Brayden Jaksa each contributed with run-producing ground outs, increasing the lead to 6-2.
After a shaky first inning, Hammond steadied himself and pitched four innings, allowing only the two initial runs. He worked around baserunners in the second
Joseph Carrillo from Menifee proudly displays his gold medals from the USA National Taekwondo Championships. Valley News/Courtesy photo
Temecula’s Gavin Fien connects with the ball, driving in two runs for Team USA. Valley News/USA Baseball photo
Gavin Fien, a senior at Great Oak High School, contributed significantly to Team USA’s 7-3 victory over Puerto Rico. Valley News/USA Baseball photo
Great Oak’s Gavin Fien celebrates with a glance to his teammates during a past USA Baseball event. Valley News/USA Baseball photo and fourth innings, finishing with four hits, two runs, and four strikeouts. Wood took over in the fifth inning, giving up one run, and then retired the last six batters he faced to secure the save.
pitch and an RBI ground out by Jatniel McCloud to take a 2-0 lead. Bottom of the First: Willits and Cunningham reached base, both scoring on Fien’s RBI double to tie the game at 2-2.
Second Inning: Grady Emerson singled, and Brady Murrietta and Slater de Brun drew walks to load the bases. Willits was then hit by a pitch, putting Team USA ahead. Cunningham followed with a bases-loaded walk, and Fien and Jaksa brought in additional runs with RBI ground outs, making it 6-2.
Fourth Inning: Puerto Rico put runners on the corners with see BASEBALL, page C-2
Finger second in Pure Stocks main event – and for memorial lap
Joe Naiman Writer
Murrieta driver Edward Finger was happy that he finished immediately ahead of Ramona’s Chris Evans in the August 3 Pure Stocks main event at Barona Speedway. He was also happy that he was immediately behind Evans on the track earlier in the evening.
Rick Chavez, who lived in Murrieta for several years, died July 24 after a heart attack. The August 3 races were preceded by a memorial for Chavez which included a pair of memorial laps around the quarter-mile dirt oval. Evans, who was a teammate of Chavez and who drives the 1976 Chevrolet Camero owned by Dave Szalay that Chavez used to win the 2021 and 2022 Pure Stocks season championships, was at the front of
the memorial laps. Finger was in the second row behind Evans.
“It was pretty cool,” Finger said.
“I had a lot of respect for Rick, and I wanted to honor him the best way I could.”
When Chavez lived in Murrieta he dated Finger’s mother, Jenny.
“He was involved in my life,” Finger said.
The August 3 Pure Stocks main event was called the Rick Chavez Memorial Race. Finger finished second, behind Julian driver Robby Norris, in both the eight-lap heat race and the 20-lap main event.
Norris and Finger were both in the second Pure Stocks heat race that night. Ramona driver Talon Mulzey began on the pole, Norris started on the outside of the front row, and Finger began on the outside of the third row.
Norris took a lead in turn 3 of the first lap and led thereafter. Finger passed two drivers in the third lap to move into third place and took over second place from Mulzey in the fifth lap.
“Attempted to reel in Robby, but was not successful,” Finger said.
Mulzey finished third.
“It was good. Track was a little dry, slick, on the outside,” Finger said.
Lemon Grove’s Bobby Thomas started the main event on the pole, Norris began on the inside of the second row, Finger took the
original green flag on the inside of the fifth row, and Evans started on the inside of the sixth row. Norris took over the lead at the end of the third lap. In the fifth lap Evans moved into sixth and Finger advanced to seventh.
A yellow flag caution caused a “Delaware restart” in which the leader is by himself, and the other cars are lined up two wide. Evans and Finger each initially gained a position on the restart. Finger then passed Evans to move into fifth place. A broken belt caused El Cajon driver Joe Malone to yield fourth place, and Finger and Evans each gained a position. Finger then
passed Mike Wolfe of El Cajon for third place, and Evans also passed Wolfe.
Another caution and Delaware restart placed Finger alongside Descanso’s Jimmy Villa. Finger gained second during the restated lap. Evans also eventually passed Villa.
“I ran the bottom the whole race,” Finger said.
Finger’s 1979 Chevrolet Caprice is car #83. “I had to hold off the 83.
The 83’s a very fast car, a very fast driver,” Norris said. Finger briefly brought his Caprice underneath Norris’ 1976 Chevrolet Nova. “On the last
restart I saw the nose of the 83 just a little,” Norris said. Norris was able to regain the lead over Finger. “He was quick tonight. He was really fast,” Finger said of Norris.
The August 3 race will be the last of the season for the 18-yearold Norris, who will be studying Motorsports Engineering at Purdue University in Indiana. Evans finished the main event third, Villa was fourth, and Wolfe was the fifth driver across the finish line.
Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com
Lake Elsinore Storm win fifth straight over Rawhide
JP Raineri Sports Editor
The Lake Elsinore Storm continued their home dominance with an 8-6 victory over the Visalia Rawhide, marking their fifth consecutive win. In a season where the playoffs are guaranteed, the series win was already secured, but the Storm showed no signs of letting up.
Isaiah Lowe, with his stable 3.00
BASEBALL from page C-2
AnzA VAlley
no outs but failed to score after Ethan Holliday threw a runner out at home, Murrietta picked off a runner at first, and Hammond struck out a batter to end the threat.
Bottom of the Fourth: Willits scored again on an error, extending Team USA’s lead to 7-2.
Fifth Inning: Puerto Rico chipped into the lead with a run scored on a balk, making it 7-3.
Seventh Inning: Wood retired the side in order on just six pitches, securing the 7-3 victory for Team USA. Notables
ERA, started the game on a high note. He completed five innings, struck out four, and allowed only one earned run. His performance set the stage for the Storm’s offense to shine.
The action started early in the first inning. A walk and a double put two runners in scoring position. Although Jose Sanabria struck out, Jacob Campbell brought in the first run with a groundout. Two more runs followed, then a throwing
Cunningham and Jaksa each drove in a run, leading the tournament with five RBIs each.
Willits scored three times, tying for the tournament lead with four runs scored.
Fien’s two-run double marked his second extra-base hit in two games, placing him second in the tournament with a 1.000 slugging percentage.
Team USA boasts a 1.75 ERA through their first two games of the qualifier.
The United States improved to 6-1 all-time against Puerto Rico at the U-18 level, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record in World Cup
error allowed one to score, and Ryan Wilson’s single brought in another, making it 3-0. The Storm added another run in the third inning, stretching their lead to 4-0. Visalia finally got on the board in the fourth inning with a walk and a double, scoring their first run of the game and the only one against Lowe. The Rawhide then rallied, scoring five unanswered runs against the Storm’s bullpen to take a 6-4 lead heading into the
Qualifier play. “It was a great win today,” said Fien. “We fought hard against a very rowdy and talented Puerto Rico team. I had the situation to do something big early in the game and put a good swing on it to allow my team to score some runs and bounce back from the top of the first. It was a great team win.”
The U.S. returned to WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier action earlier this week on Tuesday against Brazil. Details will be updated online as they come in.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Cary, North
bottom of the eighth inning. In a show of resilience, the Storm fought back. Lamar King Jr. led off the eighth with a walk. A single and another walk loaded the bases with two outs. Sanabria then walked, bringing in a run to make it 6-5. Campbell once again came through in the clutch, singling in the game-tying run. This marked the third consecutive day he contributed either the game-tying or winning run. A wild pitch after a pitching change allowed two more runs to score. Ethan Long took advantage of the situation, making an aggressive slide into home, forcing a bad throw and bringing Sanabria home.
With the score now 8-6, the Storm held on to secure the win. They return to The Lake Elsinore Diamond on Tuesday, August 13th.
Check out the Valley News social media channels for opportunities to win tickets to games and visit www.stormbaseball.com for ticket info, promotions schedules and more. Article contributions made by Storm Multimedia Manager Justin Jett.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com
Carolina, USA Baseball is the national governing body for baseball in the U.S., serving over 15.6 million participants. The organization is committed to supporting the sport through various development initiatives and has won 69 gold medals in international competitions. Learn more at USABaseball. com or USABDevelops.com. Article contributions made by USA Baseball.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com
AnzA VAlley OUTLOOK
Edward Finger (car #83) is behind Chris Evans (car #9) for the memorial laps honoring Rick Chavez. Valley News/Joe Naiman photo
A Lake Elsinore Storm player connects with the ball during an intense game against the Visalia Rawhide.
Valley News/Courtesy photo
McGowan second, Lackey third in Firefighter Demolition Derby
Joe Naiman Writer
Ken McGowan of the Riverside County Fire Department placed second in the Firefighter Demolition Derby which occurred July 7 and was part of the San Diego County Fair while Kyle Lackey of the Murrieta Fire Department was third.
“Another year, same result,” said McGowan, who was also second in last year’s Firefighter Demolition Derby.
“It was tough. It was all the heavy hitters,” said Lackey, who was fourth in the 2023 event.
“I had to drive smart,” Lackey said. “I had to make concentrated hits.”
In 1995 Cajon Speedway, the Burn Institute, and local fire departments collaborated for an annual night which included fundraising and promotions for the Burn Institute and a Firefighters Destruction Derby (which was renamed the Firefighter Demolition Derby in 2017). The Burn Institute and local firefighters also collaborated on an annual exposition at Qualcomm Stadium.
Cajon Speedway closed after the 2004 season and there was no Firefighters Destruction Derby for five years, but in 2010 the Fire and Safety Exposition was moved to the San Diego County Fair although the configuration of the Del Mar Arena necessitated some changes. The 2024 format had two early afternoon heats with the last three running cars in each heat advancing to the final and a last chance qualifier heat in the late afternoon which allowed the final two remaining cars to compete in the main event. The driver from the fire department which raised the most money for the Burn Institute is also allowed to drive in the final if he has an operational car, and if that driver has already qualified for the feature or if his car is not operational the driver from the fire department which raised the second-largest amount is added to the main event.
The Riverside County Fire Department had two cars in this year’s Firefighter Demolition Derby. McGowan and Tyler Wagner are both with Battalion 2 of Station 61 in Wildomar.
Lackey’s twin brother, Brandon, is with the Redondo Beach Fire Department and also drove in the 2024 Firefighter Demolition Derby. Wagner and McGowan are both Temecula Valley High School graduates. Wagner joined the fire service in 2009 with the U.S. Forest Service and has been with the Riverside County Fire Department since 2015. McGowan has been with the fire service for 13 years; he started as a volunteer with the San Diego County Regional Fire Authority (now the San Diego County Fire Protection District) at Station 69 in Warner Springs and has been with the Riverside County Fire Department for four years.
The Lackey twins are both Murrieta Valley High School graduates. Kyle Lackey has been in the fire service for 12 years; he began with the Riverside County Fire Department’s Station 71 in Palm Desert and has been with the Murrieta Fire Department for eight years. Brandon Lackey, who still lives in Menifee, has been with the Redondo Beach Fire Department for his entire ten-year professional fire service career and is a captain with that fire department.
Wagner first drove in the Firefighter Demolition Derby in 2022; he won the last chance qualifier although the front brakes in his Cadillac locked, and the Cadillac’s tires could not go to the competition area for the main event. Last year Valley Wide Towing donated a 1964 Chrysler Imperial to the fire department, which allowed Station 61 to have two cars. Wagner took the Imperial and McGowan, who was part of Wagner’s pit crew in 2022, volunteered to drive the Cadillac. Wagner was the third driver eliminated in his heat and the second driver eliminated in his last chance qualifier, although the Imperial was in good enough condition to be used again this year. The Murrieta Fire Department
had not participated in the Firefighter Demolition Derby prior to 2023; after Kyle Lackey learned of the event a 1993 Buick LeSabre was donated to the fire department. Lackey’s participation meant that his twin brother also learned of the event.
“Last year we tried to do it but didn’t have the resources,” Brandon Lackey said. “We were able to get all the resources to do it this year.”
The City of Redondo Beach donated a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor to the fire department. Approximately six firefighters work to turn the Crown Victoria into a demolition derby car.
This year McGowan drove a 1966 Chrysler Imperial which was obtained in Apple Valley.
Approximately a dozen firefighters converted the car for demolition derby purposes over a period of six to seven months.
West Tow, which is in Perris, provided the 2010 Crown Victoria driven by Kyle Lackey in this year’s Firefighter Demolition Derby. The car was converted into a demolition derby vehicle over a two-month period. Approximately 30 people helped with building the car and with the fundraising which provided approximately $4,200 for the Burn Institute.
Kyle Lackey and McGowan were in the first heat along with Richard Faaborg of the BonitaSunnyside Fire Protection District, Combat Center (Twentynine Palms) firefighter Dylan Hubbard, Escondido firefighter/paramedic
Alex Koji, Keith Naylor of the Lakeside Fire Protection District, and Chris Brunst of the Miramar Fire Department. Lackey, McGowan, and Naylor had the last three running cars. Lakeside utilized two drivers with Cameron Lippitt driving the 1973 Lincoln Mark IV in the main event.
Brandon Lackey and Wagner drove in the second heat with Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District engineer/paramedic
Robert Marcon, Dallas Bain of the Chula Vista Fire Department, North County Fire Protection District (Fallbrook) firefighter/ paramedic Zach Cain, San Marcos Fire Department engineer Brian Meredith, and Adam Smosna of the Santee Fire Department.
Brandon Lackey’s car was stuck on a berm during the heat race.
“The heat race went well. I just tried to protect the plumbing of the car and take the least amount of damage possible so I could be ready to go for the main event,” he said.
Wagner’s flood cable broke during the heat. “It was a great event. I actually really enjoyed this year’s heat,” he said.
Cain, Meredith, and Smosna drove the final three cars in that heat and automatically advanced to the main event. The North County Fire Protection District raised $22,589 and received this year’s Hard Charger Award given to the fire department which raised the most money. The Riverside County Fire Department raised $10,449, which was the secondlargest amount. Because Cain had already qualified for the feature Wagner automatically competed in the main event.
“It was a station group event, the Hard Charger. We all went out,” Wagner said of the amount raised. “The local businesses really helped out.”
Koji and Brunst were the two drivers who advanced from the last chance qualifier. Brandon Lackey did not compete. “It wouldn’t start. We had a mechanical failure,” he said.
Brandon Lackey still had an enjoyable day. “It was fun,” he said of his first demolition derby.
The Redondo Beach fire captain also recognized the purpose of the event. “It’s for the kids,” he said.
Kyle Lackey is two minutes older than his twin brother. Because they drove in different heats and Brandon Lackey did not drive in the main event, they haven’t yet been in the same demolition derby competition. “If he was in that I would have worked him over. I would have given him a good shot,” Kyle Lackey said.
Koji was the first driver in the main event to break his flag. Brunst and Smosna were the next
Ken McGowan with his Firefighter Demolition Derby car and his second-place
two drivers out.
Wagner’s first main event ended when his car’s rear axle broke.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t end as planned,” he said.
Lippitt was then eliminated.
When Cain’s car caught on fire a red flag was thrown and the demolition derby firefighters let the fire suppression crews deal with the Cutlass. Cain exited the vehicle safely and Meredith, McGowan, and Lackey became the three final drivers.
“I got antsy and started using the front of the car, at which point I lost my steering, my radiator, all of the important things,” Lackey said. “I ended up getting third, still,
so it was enough to get me a third place but not first place.”
When Lackey and McGowan were both unable to move McGowan was given second and Lackey was given third.
“I’m excited. That’s a great job,” McGowan said.
“It was intense. I didn’t think I was going to make it that far,” Lackey said. “I just want to thank everyone that backed me.”
The win for Meredith was his
first in five Firefighter Demolition Derby events.
“I just thank the Burn Institute for hosting it and all that they did,” Lackey said.
“At the end of the day we were able to raise a lot of money for the Burn Institute for a good cause,” McGowan said. Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com
Ken McGowan drove this Chrysler Imperial in the Firefighter Demolition Derby. Valley News/Joe Naiman photos
The car Kyle Lackey drove in the Firefighter Demolition Derby.
Kyle Lackey holds his third-place trophy from the Firefighter Demolition Derby.
Tyler Wagner in his car prior to this year’s Firefighter Demolition Derby.
trophy.
RivCo works nonprofit receives endowment to help Riverside County at-risk youth
RIVERSIDE – The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards will be honoring Riverside County youth for many years to come thanks to the creation of an endowment from the event’s namesake Jamil Dada. Jamil currently serves as Vice Chair of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board. Also, a long-time member of the Governor’s California Workforce Development Board and the National Association of Workforce Boards in Washington, D.C.. Jamil formally announced the creation of the endowment last month at the annual youth awards hosted at the March Field Air Museum.
“Every year, we hear incredible stories of youth throughout Riverside County who are overcoming the odds and achieving success at our Youth Opportunity Centers, despite their life situations. It’s great to see lives changed for the better and to know that these workforce programs are making a tangible impact. I truly believe we are making a substantial difference in many lives, and I want to ensure that we can continue this good work in honoring our youth well into the future.” Jamil Dada, Vice Chair, Riverside County Workforce Development Board.
For the past 10 years, the annual youth awards event has celebrated several outstanding youths from the County’s Youth Opportunity Centers who have shown exemplary character while overcoming some of life’s most significant challenges. The 2024
youth awardees were presented with a $2,500 educational scholarship, a trophy award, and legislative certificates. The 2024 awardees included:
Aeon Agundez, Lake Elsinore
Alondra Flores-Perez, Lake Elsinore Virginia Finlayson, Lake Elsinore Alexzander Romero, Perris Fabian Gomez-Robles, Perris Arely Guadalupe Jimenez Mendoza, Jurupa Valley Genesis Thania Gomez Amaya, Jurupa Valley
Penelope Garcia, Jurupa Valley Roberto Villarino, Hemet Neo Middleby, Hemet
In spite of difficult and sometimes tragic situations, these young people have been identified as leaders in their communities, determined to earn a high school diploma, and/or in pursuit of a post-secondary education. After being nominated, a panel of evaluators determined that awardees exemplified two or more of the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
The 2024 award event featured keynote speaker Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency. The event was hosted by Master of Ceremony, Rob McMillan, ABC7 Eyewitness News Inland Empire bureau chief.
The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards Program is named after local, state and federal youth advocate Jamil
Back to school safety tips
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
Special to Valley News
When I was young, I disliked all those back-to-school commercials, school supplies and school clothes shopping. The ticking of the clock on the Sunday 60 minutes show was a reminder to get ready for bed, school was back in session. Ugh!
School is soon starting for many of our schools and one of our first lessons is “School Safety 101,” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. It’s important to use extra caution while driving as excited students will be walking, bicycling, driving, riding buses and may not be paying attention while traveling to and from school. Here are some safety reminders to keep in mind and share with others!
It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. School buses use yellow flashing lights to alert motorists that they are preparing to stop to load or unload children. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off the bus. The area 10 feet around a school bus is where children are in the most danger of being hit. Stop your car far enough from the bus to allow children the necessary space to safely enter and exit the bus. Be alert. Children are unpredictable. Children walking to or from their bus are usually very comfortable with their surroundings. This
makes them more likely to take risks, ignore hazards, or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.
Drivers should not block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn.
Do not stop with a portion of your vehicle over the crosswalk.
In a school zone when a warning flasher or flashers are blinking, you must stop to yield the rightof-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk.
Children are the least predictable pedestrians and the most difficult to see. Take extra care to look out for children not only in school zones, but also in residential areas, playgrounds, and parks. Don’t honk your horn, rev your engine, or do anything to rush or scare a pedestrian in front of your car, even if you have the legal rightof-way.
On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users and often share the same lane, but bicycles can be hard to see. The riders are exposed and easily injured in a collision.
Sam DiGiovanna is a 36-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as fire chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale.
Ruple graduates from United States Merchant Marine Academy
Randall Scott Ruple Jr., son of Dena and Randy Ruple, of Menifee recently graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, NY. Ruple earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the U. S. armed forces. He also earned a Merchant Marine officer license, qualifying him to serve as an officer on any ship in the U.S. flag merchant marine. The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that trains officers for the
Dada. The annual event and youth scholarships are funded through generous contributions from local businesses, community partners, nonprofit agencies, and net proceeds from event tickets sales. According to Mr. Dada, “This is an amazing and
important program that supports youth, particularly those who are disconnected, helping them achieve their educational goals and dreams.”
For more information or to donate to the Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards program,
U.S. Merchant Marine, military, and transportation industry. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree and a Merchant Marine officer’s license, with graduates serving in the maritime industry or military. Established in 1943, the USMMA’s mission includes educating leaders of character for maritime transportation and defense. The academy’s emphasis on leadership, discipline, and academics prepares graduates for crucial roles in national security and global trade.
please contact Riverside County Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, by email at RiversideCountyWorks@ rivco.org Valley News/Courtesy photo
Paloma Valley High School football program seeks community support for upcoming season
MENIFEE - The Paloma Valley High School Football Program is reaching out to local businesses to seek support for the youth in their schools by offering advertising opportunities. The school is offering businesses the chance to purchase advertising space on their facilities, specifically through high-quality banners that will be prominently displayed in the stadium. These banners will be visible to thousands of fans during every home contest throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
The school has outlined various sponsorship options for businesses to consider:
4x8 Banner and full page program ad: $1000
3x5 Banner and half page program ad: $500 2x4 Banner and quarter page program ad: $250 Additional options are available, including larger banners, announcements at games, and coupons on the school’s ticket platform. These tax-deductible donations will help offset the costs of uniforms, shoes, meals, travel expenses, and other necessities, thereby supporting the youth in their extracurricular activities.
The school also welcomes prize donations or smaller gift certificates for other fundraisers and silent auctions. All contributions are taxdeductible, and a tax-exempt letter
will be provided upon request. The success of the Paloma Valley High School Football Program depends significantly on community support. The program aims not only to achieve a winning record but also to develop solid student-athletes and scholars who can pursue higher education. The school hopes that local businesses will consider supporting the organization with a donation. For further questions, interested parties can contact the head coach, Juan Merida, at Paloma Valley High School by calling 951-672-6030 x22245. The program expresses its gratitude for the community’s time and consideration.
Local students graduate from Emerson College in Boston
Emerson
BOSTON, MA
College awarded approximately 1,045 undergraduate degrees to the Class of 2024 during the 144th Commencement at Agganis Arena in Boston, MA on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
During the ceremony, the College honored awardwinning executives, creators, and Emersonians for their contributions and efforts to the arts, communication, and greater humanity.
Randy Barbato ‘82, acclaimed director, producer, and co-founder of World of Wonder, the multiplatform entertainment company behind the Emmy Award-winning show “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, and Emerson Trustees Doug Holloway and Al Jaffe received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees. Barbato ‘82 delivered the commencement address.
“I do want you to take the time to discover yourself in the world. Trust the timing in your life. Things will not turn out how you planned,” said Barbato. “It’s experiences that create the opportunities. It’s the experiences that build your endurance and connections with another and remind you to refine your confidence.”
Scott Herrera from Temecula received a BFA in Comedic Arts.
Lauren Smith from Murrieta received a BA in Writing, Lit & Pub: Publishing. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theatre District, Emerson College educates individuals who will solve problems and change the world through engaged leadership in communication and the arts, a mission informed by liberal learning.
The College has approximately 4,161undergraduates and 554 graduate students from across the United States and nearly 70 countries. Supported by state-ofthe-art facilities and a renowned faculty, students participate in more than 90 student organizations and performance groups. Emerson is known for its experiential learning programs at Emerson Los Angeles, located in Hollywood, and at its 14th-century castle, in the Netherlands. Additionally, there are opportunities to study in Washington, DC, London, China, and the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Greece, France, Ireland, Mexico, Cuba, England, and South Africa. The College has an active network of 51,000+ alumni who hold leadership positions in communication and the arts. For more information, visit emerson.edu.
Bottom Row (left to right): Arely Guadalupe Jimenez Mendoza, Genesis Thania Gomez Amaya, Roberto Villarino, Fabian Gomez-Robles, Alexzander Romero, Neo Middleby, Aeon Agundez, Alondra Flores-Perez, Virginia Finlayson. Back Row: Mark Takano-U.S. Congress, District 39; Michael Vargas, Mayor, City of Perris; Edward Delgado, Chairman of the March JPA & Councilmember, City of Moreno Valley; Jamil Dada, Vice Chair, Riverside County Workforce Development Board; Ulises Cabrera, Mayor, City of Moreno Valley; Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency; Stephanie Adams, Deputy Director, Riverside County Workforce Development; Richard Roth, CA Senate, District 31; Heidi Marshall, Director, Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions; Rob McMillan, Inland Empire Bureau Chief, ABC7 Eyewitness News.
Highway Updates
It is Back to School time: Motorists should watch for children returning to school in school zones
Tony Ault Staff Writer
With many schools in Southwest Riverside County reopening for the 2024/2025 school year this week, the California Highway Patrol, city police, and Riverside Sheriff’s Deputies are all urging motorists to be extremely vigilant in watching for children while traveling through school zones.
Here are several safety tips the CHP gives motorists traveling through the school zones. Follow the 25 mph speed limit and be extra cautious of children. Stop when flashers are blinking and yield to pedestrians crossing the street. Don’t block crosswalks, honk, or rev your engine to scare pedestrians.
When you see a school bus stop if the red lights are flashing and until the red lights are off, maintain a safe following distance. Be especially careful when the bus is loading or unloading children, and watch out for the children darting into the street. The area around the bus is considered a danger zone, extending up to 30 feet from the front bumper, 12 feet from the sides, and 12 feet behind the rear bumper.
The CHP and other law enforcement agencies all warn that any traffic violations in the school zones will bring heavy fines and other serious penalties.
They offer other safety tips to motorists and that is to have an emergency kit in your car, including water, food, a flashlight, first aid supplies, and medications. Stay informed about weather
conditions, as extreme heat can affect roads and cause health issues.
Warnings and other area
highway projects
The Riverside Transportation Commission asks, “Traveling through Corona at night this summer? There are road closures in the works that you should know about. Motorists driving on the eastbound 91 Monday through Wednesday nights should plan ahead for traffic delays.” They report that beginning on July 15, weeknight closures of the eastbound 91 general purpose lanes and Express Lanes are scheduled as part of the 71/91 Interchange Project in Corona. The eastbound Green River Road onramp will also be closed at night.
Closures are as scheduled through August 14.
Yet, the southbound 71 connectors to eastbound and westbound 91 will remain open.
The closures will allow crews to safely remove support structures above the eastbound 91 that were constructed in 2023 and early 2024. These support structures were used to form the foundation of the new connector. The removal process will take place over several weeks, Monday through Wednesday nights.
RCTC also reported that student programs, lower fares, and improved service are just some of the benefits made possible thanks to a funding boost of $7.5 million as part of California’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP). RCTC received an allocation of $6.4
million in LCTOP funding to eligible Riverside County transit operators. An additional $1 million in LCTOP funding is being provided directly to transit operators from the state, for a total funding amount of $7.5 million.
California’s LCTOP program, developed to provide operating and capital assistance for transit agencies, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve mobility with a priority on serving disadvantaged communities. The LCTOP program supports a variety of initiatives, including new or expanded bus or passenger rail services, expansion of intermodal (multiple modes of transportation) transit facilities, equipment acquisition, and more, with each project reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The funds have been allocated toward a variety of approved transit programs, such as Metrolink’s popular Student Adventure Pass Program, which allows any student with a valid student ID to travel anywhere on the Metrolink system free of charge. The program also helps fund Riverside Transit Agency’s (RTA) 25 Cent Fare Program, offering customers rides anywhere RTA buses go for just a quarter. In the Coachella Valley, transit riders will also benefit as a portion of program funds will go toward SunLine Transit Agency’s free fare days.
Temecula
The City of Temecula reports as part of the I-15 Northbound Auxiliary Lane Project from the Temecula Pkwy on-ramp to the Rancho California off-ramp, there
will be some freeway lane and ramp closures through August 8. For details, visit https://temeculaca. gov/1587/I-15-Congestion-ReliefProject.
Menifee
The City of Menifee’s Holland Road Overpass project is moving forward at a rapid pace but Holland Road between Hanover Lane and Antelope Road will remain closed for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed later this year. For additional information and to sign up for project updates, visit www. hollandoverpass.com.
Hemet
Caltrans continues work on State Route 74 (SR-74 and Florida Ave.), in Hemet. The project is repaving and rehabilitating 49 lane miles, Work is occurring both during the day and night. The latest work is in the Valle Vista area to Fairview Ave. on curb ramp and sidewalk construction. Work locations on Florida Ave. (Hwy 74) vary, including., Mountain Ave. (Ramona Expressway) down to Fairview St. Be alert of concrete pours. Some lane closures should be expected. East of Hemet Caltrans crews continuity work on the Strawberry Creek Bridge on SR 74 where traffic narrows to one lane with a temporary signal light installed. The crews have completed pouring the eastbound abutments and retaining wall for the bridge. Other work will include upgrades with slab overlay, new guardrail systems on the bridges, bringing lane and shoulder widths up to current standards.
Murrieta, Menifee and Wildomar
Caltrans plans daytime work from Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on both the southbound and northbound directions of Interstate 215 in these areas. The project aims to improve road surface, update shoulder rumble strips, enhance culverts, upgrade guardrails, stabilize slopes, and boost highway worker safety along the stretch near Murrieta, from 1 mile north of Clinton Keith Road to 1 mile north of Newport Road. This week, construction crews will undertake various tasks including clearing the roadside, enhancing landscaping, replacing chain-link fences, and excavating for rock blankets. Additionally, a lane closure will be required at Scott Road to support rock blanket construction.
Work will also continue on both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-215, stretching from Clinton Keith Road to McCall Boulevard. Commuter access will remain open at all times, even during night time lane closures. Watch for signage alerting motorists of the construction zone. Drivers should anticipate potential traffic delays and plan ahead.
Anza/Aguanga No work is scheduled this week in these areas on R-371 and R-79. Caltrans reports however, more will be coming soon.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com
New conservation strategy released to protect montane forests in Southern California
SAN BERNARDINO –
The Southern Montane Forest Project has unveiled its ClimateAdapted Conservation Strategy for Southern California montane forests. This initiative aims to bolster the resilience of montane –or higher-elevation forests – with climate-informed actions. It offers land managers a thorough guide to enhancing forest and community health with collaborations across different landscapes.
Many of the San Bernardino National Forest’s treasured locations, from Big Bear to the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Wilderness areas, are within sky islands – patches of forest found on mountaintops and higher elevations. They are also some of the most threatened. The ClimateAdapted Conservation Strategy gives land managers the tools they need to tackle threats from wildfire, drought, pollution and invasive species.
Southern California’s montane forests are vital to both humans and wildlife. These forests protect the upper watersheds of major rivers and supply about 40% of the water used downstream for drinking and agriculture. They also support indigenous communities with food, fiber, and medicine and provide recreational opportunities to more than 24 million people. Montane forests even capture carbon, prevent soil erosion, and serve as critical habitats for threatened and endangered wildlife.
Yet these forests are under threat from wildfires, droughts, pollution and invasive species. This new climate-adapted conservation strategy is designed to help land managers tackle these challenges.
“We are losing our montane forests faster than any other part of California,” said Jeff Heys, landscape manager with the USDA Forest Service’s Southern California Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
“Implementing this strategy will ensure future generations in Southern California can still enjoy these forests.”
This conservation strategy has three main components: a customizable decision framework to prioritize forest health; a regional adaptation menu to combat climate stressors, and; a post-fire restoration framework to identify and plan restoration projects.
The Southern Montane Forest Project is a collaboration of the U.S. Geological Survey, the USDA Forest Service, San Diego State University and the Climate Science Alliance. It plays a key role in the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires across the country. Major funding was provided by the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center of the USGS, along with funding from the Joint Fire Science Program and the USDA Forest Service.
In the past four years, the group has worked closely with forest managers, stewardship practitioners, tribal members and diverse community members to create this new roadmap for forest health.
Megan Jennings, Co-Director of the Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management and research scientist at San Diego State University, emphasizes that collaborative development helps the project in “establishing common ground action and supporting the cross-boundary partnerships that will be needed to increase the pace and scale of work to protect our region’s forests.”
For the full strategy and a project overview go to https:// www.climatesciencealliance.org/ southern-forests.
Submitted by San Bernardino National Forest.
Humber Park trail is a montane forest area that is located in Idyllwild and is part of the San Bernardino National Forest. Valley News/Courtesy photos
Another montane forest area is Vivian Creek Trail which takes hikers to San Gorgonio Mountain.
Vice President Kamala Harris selects Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as 2024 running mate
Julie Reeder Publisher
Vice President Kamala Harris announced on August 6 that she has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election. The decision concludes over two weeks of speculation about who would join Harris on the Democratic ticket.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Harris praised Walz, saying, “I am proud to announce that I’ve asked Tim Walz to be my running mate. As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his. It’s great to have him on the team.”
The announcement came just after Harris was officially nominated as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in a virtual roll call. Walz, 60, will accompany Harris on a fourday tour of battleground states, visiting cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit, Raleigh, and Las Vegas. The tour aims to bolster support in crucial swing states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada, although
speculation was that Harris might choose a more centrist running mate which may have swayed voters in the swing states. Walz, who lines up closely with Harris’s political views and policies, expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign in a post on X, calling the vicepresidential opportunity “an honor of a lifetime.” He added, “Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what’s possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school. So, let’s get this done, folks!”
A veteran of the Army National Guard and former high school teacher, Walz first entered Congress in 2006 and served Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District for six terms. He was elected governor in 2018. While Walz’s selection was met with support from many Democrats, some critics question its strategic impact. MSNBC data reporter Steve Kornacki noted that Walz’s 2022 re-election results closely mirrored President Joe Biden’s performance in Minnesota in 2020, suggesting that Walz may not significantly alter the dynamics in key battleground states. Kornacki pointed out that
while Walz performed strongly in urban areas, he struggled in rural regions, reflecting a broader trend seen in recent elections.
Other candidates considered for the vice-presidential spot included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Shapiro expressed his support for the Harris-Walz ticket, stating he will join Harris and Walz at a campaign rally in Philadelphia.
Republicans have criticized Walz, with former President Donald Trump accusing him of supporting policies akin to the Green New Deal and handling the 2020 protests in Minneapolis poorly. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis echoed these concerns, stating that Walz’s record does not align with his vision for the country.
Despite the criticisms, prominent Democrats, including President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama, have endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket. Biden called the selection a “great decision,” while Obama lauded Walz as an “outstanding governor” committed to serving all Americans.
Federal court rules against Google in landmark antitrust case
The court’s findings indicate that Google is a monopolist in the relevant markets and has unlawfully used its dominant position to sustain its monopoly
Chase Smith The Epoch Times
In a landmark legal decision, a federal judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by maintaining its monopoly power in the markets for general search services and general search text advertisements.
The ruling, issued on Aug. 5 by District Judge Amit Mehta, concludes a lengthy legal battle initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of state attorneys general.
“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reached the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly. It has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act,” Mehta’s decision states.
The case against Google,
filed in October 2020, alleged that the tech giant engaged in anti-competitive practices by establishing exclusive agreements with browser developers, mobile device manufacturers, and wireless carriers.
These agreements prohibited partners from pre-installing rival search engines, leading most U.S. devices to come preloaded exclusively with Google, and forcing competitors to find alternative ways to reach users.
In 2021, Google paid more than $26 billion in “revenue share” agreements, based on advertising revenue generated from these default placements.
The court said Google’s conduct allowed the company to charge “supracompetitive prices for general search text ads,” enabling it to earn substantial monopoly profits.
Google argued that its practices
were pro-competitive and justified by the quality of its services, although the court found these justifications insufficient.
Google said in a statement to The Epoch Times that “this decision recognizes that Google offers the best search engine, but concludes that we shouldn’t be allowed to make it easily available.
“Given this, and that people are increasingly looking for information in more and more ways, we plan to appeal,” Kent Walker, president of Google Global Affairs, said in the emailed statement. “As this process continues, we will remain focused on making products that people find helpful and easy to use.”
In recent years, antitrust lawsuits have also been filed against other big tech companies Amazon, Meta, and Apple.
The court is expected to impose measures to restore competitive
Kansas police chief who led raid
conditions in the affected markets.
Closing arguments in the case were presented in early May, about three years after the legal action was initiated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
DOJ prosecutor David Dahlquist argued that Google’s pricing, despite potential quality declines, was characteristic of a monopolist’s behavior.
Meanwhile, Google’s attorney, John Schmidtlein, highlighted the company’s continuous innovation and competition with tech giants such as Meta and TikTok.
A major point of contention was whether Google’s market position allowed it to dominate through default search engine agreements, which shared ad revenue with partners such as Apple.
A University of Chicago professor said at the time that Google shared 36 percent of its search revenue with Apple for the
Safari browser. Schmidtlein contended that the DOJ’s evidence was anecdotal, lacking quantitative analysis, but Dahlquist maintained that Google’s own data showed significant price increases without losing revenue, indicating a monopolistic advantage.
The case is seen as the most significant antitrust trial of the century.
The ruling suggests the possibility of structural relief as a remedy, involving changes to Google’s business operations, such as altering or terminating exclusive agreements that make Google’s search engine the default option.
While the court ruling doesn’t specify breaking up the company, potential remedies will be determined in subsequent proceedings.
Sam Dorman contributed to this report.
of newspaper violated law: Prosecutors
Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody has since resigned
Zachary Stieber
The Epoch Times
Prosecutors hired to investigate the search warrants executed on a Kansas newspaper and the homes of an editor and reporter claim that the police chief who led the operation violated the law by obstructing their investigation.
Former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody induced a witness or informant to withhold or unreasonably delay the production of testimony or information, special prosecutors Marc Bennett and Barry Wilkerson say.
While the prosecutors declined to provide more information, saying details will be included in charging documents when they are filed, Cody has been accused of instructing a local restaurant owner to delete text messages they exchanged before the warrants were executed.
The restaurant owner has said that Cody asked her to delete the messages out of fear that people could get the wrong idea about their relationship, which she said was professional and platonic.
A voicemail seeking comment was left at a cellphone number believed to belong to Cody. It wasn’t clear who might represent him in the potential criminal case, and his attorneys in multiple federal lawsuits related to the raid didn’t return a telephone message.
Cody was placed on leave in September 2023, about a month after the warrants were executed. He resigned in October 2023.
Cody and officers under his command carried out warrants at the Marion County Record, as well as the homes of Eric Meyer, the Record’s editor, and Phyllis Zorn, a Record reporter, based on suspicion that employees of the paper violated state laws when they obtained the driving record of the restaurant owner.
However, Bennett, the district attorney in Sedgwick County, and Wilkerson, the chief prosecutor in Riley County, found that the newspaper employees didn’t violate any laws.
The employees originally obtained the driving record from a source. Meyer instructed Zorn to check with the Kansas Department of Revenue about the record. Zorn was able to access the record on the department’s website, with help from a department employee.
“Phyllis Zorn committed no crime under Kansas law when she obtained the driving record of Kari Newell,” the prosecutors said. They added later that Meyer also committed no criminal acts.
The estranged husband of restaurant owner and Marion County Councilwoman Ruth Herbel, along with a local woman who received the driving record from the estranged husband and sent it to Zorn and Herbel, didn’t violate any laws because the information was publicly accessible, unaltered, and wasn’t used to defraud the owner, according to the prosecutors’ Aug. 5 report. The warrants were the result
of a rushed investigative process that hinged on an apparent misconception by Marion County officers about how the Kansas Department of Revenue website worked, the prosecutors determined. The process included not waiting for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which had been consulted by Cody, to analyze the allegations before seeking and carrying out the warrants.
Prosecutors said there was no evidence that Cody or the officers committed crimes in crafting and executing the warrants because they believed that the law had been broken.
“Put another way, it is not a crime under Kansas law for a law enforcement officer to conduct a poor investigation and reach erroneous conclusions,” they wrote.
But Cody did obstruct justice, they concluded. It wasn’t clear whether Marion County officials planned to charge Cody with a felony or a misdemeanor. Either is possible.
Seth Stern, director of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement that Cody should face other charges in addition to obstruction of justice.
“The raid itself was criminal,” he said. “And Cody is far from the only one at fault here.”
Meyer said he’s grateful that prosecutors found that the newspaper’s staff committed no crimes, though he questioned why it took them a full year. He also expressed frustration that Cody is
the only official expected to face criminal prosecution.
“What I feel is going on here is that he’s been set up as the fall guy,” Meyer said. The newspaper’s parent company, Meyer, and three current or former staffers have filed federal lawsuits against the city of Marion and current and former local officials, including Cody.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Current Minnesota governer Tim Walz was announced as Kamala Harris’ running mate for the upcoming presidential election. Valley News/mn.gov photo
Nixon Fire destroys family’s dream home in Aguanga
charred remains of Victoria Dang’s laundry
Diane Sieker Staff Writer
Jill Roberts, president of the Friends of the Anza Community Library, foreground, with treasurer Nancy Odom scan the original Louise Hamilton watercolor paintings, preparing the images for a soon-tobe-published book of the artwork Wednesday, June 26. Anza Valley Outlook/Jill Roberts photo
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
Anza Community Hall Swap Meet - Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. $15 for a spot with membership. $18 for a spot without membership. Vendors wanted. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. See membership information under “Organizations.”
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.”
JULIE REEDER,
MALINA GUGEL, Ind. Contractor
Editorial
STEPHANIE PARK, Ind. Contractor
J.P. RAINERI, Sports Editor
SHANE GIBSON, Staff Photographer
TONY AULT, Staff Writer
DIANE SIEKER, Staff Writer
JOE NAIMAN, Ind. Contractor
ROGER BODDAERT, Ind. Contractor
Advertising Sales
JOSEPHINE MACKENZIE
ANNA MULLEN
CINDY DAVIS
ANDREW REEDER
Production
KARINA YOUNG, Art Director
FOREST RHODES, Production Assistant, IT
SAMANTHA GORMAN, Graphic Artist
Digital Services
MARIO MORALES
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 – A Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8-10 a.m. Program is court approved; child care is provided. Transportation help is available. The group meets at 58050 Highway 371; the cross street is Kirby Road in Anza.
AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.
Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951763-4226.
Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6
p.m. on the 1st and 3rd 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.
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
Living Hope Christian Fellowship Community Dinner – Dinners at 1 p.m. 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 nondenominational 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 4th Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m. Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.
Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m. Saturday Men’s Study meets
weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza. For more information, call 951763-4622.
Anza First Southern Baptist Church – Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6 to 12 grade) meets for games and Bible study. Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School and a Seniors’ Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza. For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www.anzabaptistchurch.com.
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 – 4 p.m. Meetings are on the third Tuesday 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 – Meetings at 1 p.m. 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 Meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. For more information see our Facebook page or contact Pat Sprint at jpsprint@gmail.com or Ellen Elmore at luvtoquilt2@ gmail.com
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
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.
Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the 1st Thursday of the month at the Anza Community Hall, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951-7632884 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. Single memberships are $30 and include discounts to events for one person and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Family memberships are $50 and include discounts for a family up to 5 members and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Business memberships are $50 and allows an employer to receive discounts for up to 5 people, including themselves, and includes 1 vote on elections and meetings. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. 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. For more information, call 951-282-4267 or email achageneral@gmail.com or visit www.anzacommunitybuilding. org
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.
ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK
Cal Fire Law Enforcement announces cause of Nixon Fire
Diane Sieker Staff Writer
Cal Fire Law Enforcement has concluded its investigation into the cause of the recent Nixon Fire, which ignited Monday, July 29 in Aguanga, a rural community in unincorporated RiversideCounty. When the announcement was made Friday, Aug. 2, the fire had burned 5,222 acres.
“Cal Fire Peace Officers, after an origin and cause investigation, determined that the cause of the fire was electrical and caused by a privately owned electrical panel,” stated Cal Fire Law Enforcement officials.
There was 21% containment and 1,047 personnel actively working to contain and control the incident Friday, Aug. 2. As of Sunday, Aug. 4, the fire was 82% contained.
The blaze has destroyed four structures, and Damage Inspections are ongoing, according to Cal Fire officials.
An evacuation center is open at Hamilton High School daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., located at 57430 Mitchell Rd. in Anza.
Cal Fire law enforcement personnel are peace officers that may be called upon to enforce any of California’s laws. Their primary roles are to: conduct patrols, investigate fires, investigate reports of forest and fire law violations, make arrests, issue
surveillance
and
Sheriff’s Blotter
The Sheriff’s Blotter enables residents to know what criminal activity is occurring in their communities.
The Anza Valley Outlook Sheriff’s Blotter is a list of calls that allows residents to see what law enforcement activity is occurring in their communities. The Sheriff’s Blotter data is obtained from the official calls for service records kept by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. However, calls where the release of the information could cause harm to an individual or jeopardize the investigation of a criminal case are excluded. All calls listed are for service
more information and updates
within the Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction in the unincorporated areas of Anza, Lake Riverside Estates, Cahuilla and Aguanga from July 29 through August 4.
July 29
Suspicious person - 5300 block
St. Hwy. 371, Anza, handled by deputy
Public assist - 4500 block Terwilliger Rd., Anza, handled by deputy
Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy
Suspect info - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy Alarm call - 5700 block Mitchell Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Public disturbance - 5500 block Cahuilla Rd., Anza, handled by deputy
August 3
Suspicious vehicle - 3900 block Tamscott Dr., Anza, handled by deputy Area check - 5600 block St. Hwy. 371, Anza, handled by deputy Recovery of stolen vehicle5400 block Cave Rock Rd., Anza, report taken
Check the welfare - 4900 block
Lichen Wy., Anza, handled by deputy Battery - 5800 block Redshank Rd., Anza, report taken
Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy
Attempt warrant serviceaddress withheld, Anza, warrant August 4 Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Suspicious vehicle - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Danger to self/other - 5000 block Bradford Rd., Anza, report taken Area check - 4300 block Terwilliger Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Assist other department - 5300 block Cave Rock Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Suspicious person - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Area check - 4300 block Terwilliger Rd., Anza, handled by deputy No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content provided in the Sheriff’s Blotter. Residents with information regarding any crimes are encouraged to contact the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at (951)791-3400. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909)987-5005 or https://wetip.com. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
Hundreds of personnel from several different fire agencies battle the Nixon Fire which ignited Monday, July 29 in Aguanga, caused by a privately owned electrical panel, according to Cal Fire.
Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo citations, conduct
operations, collect
preserve evidence and testify in court.
Sieker
Diane Sieker Staff Writer
Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
p.m. Tuesday. Chief Andrew Bennett, Operations Section Chief for the Riverside County Fire Department explained some firefighting strategies, such as utilizing bulldozers and coordinating with the helicopter crews.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Bryan DeLoss spoke briefly about law enforcement role with the fire.
“Chief Bennett and I were on duty Monday when the fire started,” he said. “We were at the initial scene. Your Sheriff’s Department partnered with Cal Fire and other fire entities in order to start quick and swift evacuations and warnings. There are several teams consisting of five to six deputies per team that are here around the clock.”
According to DeLoss, the Sheriff’s Department partnered with Cal Fire and developed a unit unified command.
“We basically get their advice as far as evacuations and orders,” he said. “After the initial evacuations, we provided extensive security patrols within the burn area to prevent and identify any criminal acts that may have occurred in that area. We have had no reported crimes from that area at this time. We will continue patrols 24/7 until the mission is complete and the operation ceases.”
Shane Reichardt, Public Information Officer for the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department spoke of programs available to those impacted by the fire.
“With the improved fire situation we were able to work with our county Department of Social Services, and with the Red Cross to move the evacuation shelter into this community, so it is now at Hamilton High School,” he announced. “Damage Assessment crews are working currently and the Emergency Management Department is working to identify if any disaster declarations are necessary.”
No disaster declarations?
“Currently there are no local state or federal disaster declarations,” he said. “With those comes disaster assistance. We don’t have any available at this time. If those come available, we will notify the public.”
He said that Riverside County Animal Services will continue to be available in the community to assist with pets and livestock.
“Please make sure that you are registered to receive local emergency alerts at our website https://rivcoready.org/alert-rivco,” he said.
Kevin Short, General Manager of the Anza Electric Cooperative gave a report on the progress and timeline to have full restoration of power to the area.
“At the beginning of the event on Monday, we disconnected the circuits feeding the area over to the west and to the south, which resulted in an outage of about 269 members. I am happy to report that as of this morning, we’ve got that reduced down to 29 homes that are without power in the area,” he said. “We’re busy repairing poles - we’ve got about 14 crew members in the field 14 to 16 hours per day, including a team from our generation/transmission provider in Arizona that just got here to help us out. So we’re moving as quickly as we can.”
He thanked fire department officials for letting Cooperative crews into the fire area early, so the work assessing and repairing damage was started Monday afternoon, Power back soon
“So our goal is to have every home that’s still standing and is able to receive service from us back on as soon as possible. We’re aiming for about the middle of next week for complete restoration of the system,” Short added. Todd Hopkins, Incident Commander for Cal Fire for Riverside County Fire Department updated the gathering on fire containment progress and the techniques used to battle the blaze.
“Firefighters have been working nonstop with fires over California. Our resources are spread pretty thin. We knew that we’re going to be short on resources, but thanks to the type of system we have in place in California, we’re able to mobilize resources from all over the state,” he said. “We were able to get our Cal Fire resources, Riverside County resources and all those other resources in here. And that’s what really helped stop this
wind-driven fire.”
“Unfortunately, we did lose some structures during the firefight. That’s something that always impacts the firefighters. I know it impacts the community but we take it to heart anytime we see structures that are being damaged and kind of as a failure on us because we want to try to protect everything and all your assets that you have. I know some of you want to get back into your homes. We go through multiple times looking at when we can get you back in your homes,” Hopkins said.
Safety assurance must
But lifting the evacuation orders requires many steps to insure safety.
“We bring in the sheriff and they look to make sure that there’s no missing persons. As the firefighters are mopping up, we’re looking for anything that’s hazardous. We also have these meetings every day. We bring in our infrastructure people and they’ll say when they feel it’s safe to get people back in their homes. So that’s why it takes a little bit but we look at this process multiple times a day. Our team observed 46 structures and they got about 40% of the inspections done,” he explained. “Most of us that are in uniform have been here for the last three fires up in this area. We know what a burden has been for all of you guys, and we want to promise to you that we’re doing our best.”
It was revealed that Cal Fire Prevention officers sent investigators that determined the cause of the fire. They released information that afternoon stating that the blaze resulted from an electrical fire from an electrical panel at a home that malfunctioned and ignited the fire.
“We put out requests for air resources,” said Hopkins. “Depending on where that aircraft is, because they’re all contracts, they can be anywhere inside the state or they can even be out of the state. We also have our Black Hawk helicopter that we have at Hemet Ryan Airport. We also have what we call exclusive use.
We call a Type One helicopter, which is one of the sky crane type - a 3,000-gallon water dropping helicopter. So what happens is if there’s a new fire start in this county, we automatically send aircraft and if there’s no life safety measures going on and we do what’s called a no divert on aircraft, then those aircraft can
leave to the new fire.”
“If you watch the aircraft,” he explained, “you’ll see the little plane that’s flying above the other aircraft. We call that our Air Attack - the air supervisor. When we get on scene we’ll turn it over to the air supervisor and we’ll have them start placing orders for the aircraft that they think they need for the fire. It’s just like the ground resources driving out. It takes a little bit of reflex time to get those aircraft in place and we did put the divert for life safety on those aircraft once they got here.”
Victoria Dang, who lost her home in the blaze, spoke about her devastation.
Fire victim’s concern
“My heart is broken because my home is gone,” she said. “But they do not call it a disaster because it’s not like hundreds of people got damaged. It seemed like only a couple of people next to my house did. So FEMA will not help because it’s not a big disaster. I’m the only one who lost, because I could not get the insurance. The insurance lady did not insure me when she said and I ended up with no insurance. I have nothing and I lose my house. Monday I threw in my towel because I feel like I have nothing but this loving community.”
“Most of the times once a structure becomes involved with fire, we don’t have the water resources to put it out,” said Hopkins. “I can’t speak for your house because I wasn’t there. But especially in a wind driven fire, it’s hard to get in front of the flames. I’m sorry, I’m not going to kill any of my firefighters for a house. What we have to do is what we call a perimeter control and get to the structures. Try to get materials away from the house. Then we have to go on to the next house before that house catches on fire. Unfortunately, sometimes they will reburn or there might be something smoldering in a woodpile. There’s all kinds of different things but we don’t just go and say we’re not going to do anything about that house. We always say if there’s an evacuation order, we want you to get out because your life is more important than your house. If you choose to stay we can’t physically remove you from your house. We’re trying to try to be here for you before the fire, in the fire and then after the fire.”
Deployment questions
Questions from the audience focused on aircraft deployment
Anza Community Hall and water acquisition, among other things.
“I have heard that in certain circumstances, the fire department cannot connect to our mandated fire tanks,” said one resident. “I would like to get the specifications of what you need from us in the community to be able to use our tanks.”
Fire tank need Officials said that there are several different tank attachments available on the trucks and they can hook up using standard National Hose fittings. They can also draft from pools but not always from the tops of tanks due to the rigidity of the pumping hoses.
ICS 256 placards were discussed. This is a method that the fire department uses to evaluate
a property for such things as water availability, truck access and risks.
Posting blue reflective tape at a resident’s gate will indicate a reliable water source for firefighters in case of an emergency.
The fire department does need permission from federal authorities to enter government lands to fight a fire. A large portion of the Nixon fire was in these areas and agencies granted permission for access by hand crews and air assets, according to officials.
The meeting benefitted both officials and residents, as they learned a great deal from each other.
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
Volunteers prepare and serve a spaghetti dinner, desserts and beverages at the Nixon Fire town hall meeting at the Anza Community Hall Friday, August 2. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Bryan DeLoss explains his organization’s role during the wildfire at the Nixon Fire town hall meeting at the Anza Community Hall Friday, August 2.
Shane Reichardt, Public Information Officer for the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department spoke of programs available to those impacted by the fire at the Nixon Fire town hall meeting at the Anza Community Hall.
Anza Electric Cooperative general manager Kevin Short gives an update on repairs to the electrical system damaged in the fire at the Nixon Fire town hall meeting at the
Victoria Dang, who lost her home to the blaze, tearfully asks officials why her house was not spared at the Nixon Fire town hall meeting at the Anza Community Hall Friday, August 2.
community.”
D-1 consultant work in helping religious organizations.
A political refugee from Vietnam living in Utah, Dang, along with her husband Dinh Nyuyen, wished to retire in California. They found the affordable Aguanga property and spent three years building their dream home. Three months ago it was finally finished and Dang moved her possessions in from Utah. The house sat upon a slight rise, with spectacular views of the canyons and mountain preserves. She planted orchards and a zen garden. The peacefulness of the property had a profound effect on her.
Dang is an interpreter who speaks five languages, a community activist, and a cultural connection for the Vietnamese and Buddhist community.
“My heart is broken because my home is gone,” she said. “But they do not call it a disaster because it’s not like hundreds of people got damaged. It seemed like only a couple of people next to my house did. So FEMA will not help because it’s not a big disaster.
“Currently there are no local, state or federal disaster declarations,” said Shane Reichardt, Public Information Officer for the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department. “With those comes disaster assistance. We don’t have any available at this time. If those come available, we will notify the public.”
Dang can hardly bear to look at what is left of her life savings. But her Buddhist teaching says she needs to lean into fear and must go and see the rubble. The house was a three bedroom, two bath, two patio home with a guest house for her mother. She also lost a motorhome and her husband’s tool shed with an extensive tool collection that took years to acquire.
Food truck operator
Known locally for having an Asian/Vietnamese Fusion food truck, Dang gives back to her new community, participating in festivals and outdoor events. Now she is accepting assistance from that same community, whose members are anxious to help.
Christi James with the From The Heart Christian Women’s Ministries, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Anza, has pledged to help Dang rebuild.
“ I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now,” James said. “We are committed to help any way we can.”
Dang is Vietnamese, born in Laos. In 1979, she moved to Utah at age 16. In 1989, she moved to Orange County, later relocating to Utah, where she became active in the Buddhist Community there.
She is a licensed insurance/ life policy advisor, marketplace Healthcare navigator and does FIRE
“Victoria Dang’s life is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the power of community,” said longtime friend and associate Steven Roosa. “Victoria’s early life was marked by the turmoil of the Vietnam War. In the 1970s, she arrived in the United States as a political refugee, seeking safety and a new beginning. She speaks five languages which she uses as a tool for community work and advancement.”
Recognizing the unique struggles faced by fellow refugees and immigrants, she became an advocate for the Asian American community, particularly focusing on the Laotian, Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese populations.
“Over her 40 years of public service, Victoria made remarkable contributions to the cultural and economic fabric of our community,” said Roosa.
She founded the Vietnamese American Chamber of Utah and organized numerous cultural events that have become cornerstones of the Utah community, including Asian festivals, music and art festivals, and the Vietnamese yearly annual festival.
$150,000 home damage According to Roosa, Dang’s total structural disaster loss is estimated at $150,000. He is reaching out to the Utah Buddhist community for donations to help.
“Our community is profoundly moved by the devastating loss experienced by the Dang family due to the recent California fire,” said Roosa. “As a way to offer spiritual support and comfort, we are planning a blessing ceremony at the Buddhist temple, where our community will come together to pray for the family’s well-being and recovery. We are organizing a fundraiser to provide financial assistance to Victoria for essential needs such as food, lodging, temporary shelter, clothing, and relocation. The funds raised will also help her cover bills and begin the long process of rebuilding her life.”
Seeking to stay
Dang is touched by the support and well wishes, but she is still shocked at the complete devastation.
“I want to give up now, can I rise up? Where do I start? I’m tired. I have no place to rest,” she said. “But I love this community and we will stay.”
To learn more about the From The Heart Christian Women’s Ministries or donate, write to: From The Heart Christian Women’s Ministries, PO Box 391224, Anza, CA 92539, or email Anzafromtheheart@gmail.com
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
Victoria Dang and her husband Dinh Nyuyen stand among the rubble of their dream home, destroyed by the Nixon Fire Monday, July 29. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos
Victoria Dang’s motor home is completely destroyed by the Nixon Fire Monday, July 29.
Everything in Victoria Dang’s zen garden is burned by the Nixon Fire except for her Buddha statue.
Among the burned remains of Victoria Dang’s property, these seedlings survived the Nixon Fire .
Quads, generators and yard tools are a total loss as Victoria Dang’s property is set aflame by the Nixon Fire.
Twisted metal is all that remains of Victoria Dang’s home after being consumed by the Nixon Fire Monday, July 29.
Victoria Dang wanders among the destruction of her home as a result of the Nixon Fire.
have been on display at the Anza Community Library for many years but needed reframing.
FOAL volunteers and a representative from the Hamilton Museum met Wednesday, June 26 to scan, reframe and catalog 27 original watercolor paintings by Louise Hamilton. The reframed art was given back to the museum for future exhibitions.
Louise Hamilton was a local artist who lived in Anza from 1940 to 1960. Her history is closely tied to the Hamilton Museum and Ranch Foundation in Anza. The museum is dedicated to the conservation, education and preservation of the history and artifacts of the Anza Valley and surrounding areas.
“Preserving Louise Hamilton’s original watercolors is a tribute to Anza’s history and a contribution to the local art scene,” said Jill Roberts, president of the Friends of the Anza Community Library.
The Friends of the Anza Community Library is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that supports the Anza Community Library through fundraising, promotions and advocacy. FOAL raised the funds necessary to scan and reframe the watercolors thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individuals.
The Friends of the Anza Library’s annual membership is only $10. FOAL welcomes volunteers to participate in local activities to promote the library. Visit https:// www.friendsofanzalibrary.org and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ FriendsofAnzaLibrary or email friendsofanzalibrary@gmail.
com The Anza Valley Library is a joint-use public library, located inside Hamilton High School, but a completely separate entity. It is part of the Riverside County Library System, located at 57430
Road, Anza.
The library’s hours are Thursday and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Staff may be reached by calling 951763-4216.
To learn more about the Anza Valley Community Library, visit https://www.facebook.com/ AnzaLibrary. Don’t have a library card? Go to www.rivlib.net to sign up online for free.
The Hamilton Museum is
located at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza and operates as a nonprofit organization showcasing a range of historical artifacts and exhibits, highlighting the rich history of the area, including the contributions of the Hamilton family and the legacy of Louise Hamilton. For more information on the museum, visit https://www.hamiltonmuseum. org/. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com
Anza Community Library, prepares brunch for the volunteers as they work on the Louise Hamilton watercolor painting restoration project at Jill Roberts’s home in Anza Wednesday, June 26.
YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4170 PUBLISHED: July 19, 26, August 2, 9,
THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4171 PUBLISHED: July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File Number: R-202408729 The following person(s)
Alison Renke, volunteer for the Hamilton Museum with Stephen Meritt, a board member for the Friends of the Anza Community Library catalog the original Louise Hamilton watercolors during the reframing event Wednesday, June 26. Anza Valley Outlook/Jill Roberts photos
James Wyatt, director of the Anza Community Library and the Idyllwild Community Library, left; Nancy Yarrow, historian; Nancy Odom, treasurer and Christine Dodge, member at large for the Friends of the Anza Community Library, work together cutting mats and reframing the Louise Hamilton watercolor paintings Wednesday, June 26.
Mitchell
Cameron Brainard, a volunteer for Friends of the
DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS
OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4184 PUBLISHED: August 9, 16, 23, 30, 2024
Anza Valley Outlook can run your legal announcements. For more information, call (760) 723-7319 or email legals@reedermedia.com
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