Inky Johnson motivates ‘mob’ at Murrieta Mesa High School, B-1
Record number of pets adopted during AFV’s for ‘Clear the Shelters’ Day, B-6
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Local National equestrian event expansion seen at Galway Downs in 2018
Volume 17, Issue 34
Partial solar eclipse viewed by hundreds at Marna O’Brien Park
Tony Ault TAULT@REEDERMEDIA.COM
With Galway Downs booking two great country-western singing stars and other major stage and festival events, Galway’s longtime Equestrian Facility Manager Robert Kellerhouse is looking to invite even bigger national and international horse shows. see page A-3
Local City honors Murrieta Police Department for 25 years of service Will Fritz VALLEYSTAFF@REEDERMEDIA.COM
The Murrieta Police Department’s 25th anniversary was recognized with a proclamation at the Tuesday, Aug. 15, city council meeting. MPD is one of the only municipal departments in a group of cities that contract to the county sheriff for police coverage.
Declan Kallberg, 10, views the partial solar eclipse through a solar viewing safe telescope at Marna O’Brien Park in Wildomar, Aug. 21. See more photos on page C-1. Shane Gibson photo
see page A-7
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HEMET, CA PERMIT #234
INDEX Local ................................A-1 Sports ..............................B-1 Health .............................. B-4 Education.........................B-5 Business ...........................B-6 Pets................................... B-6 Entertainment.................C-1 Dining ..............................C-4 Calendar of Events..........C-6 Wine Country .................C-7 Real Estate ......................D-1 Home & Garden..............D-1 Faith.................................D-5 Business Directory..........D-5 Opinion ...........................D-6 Blotter...............................D-6 Classifieds........................D-7
First Hemet Fire Department ‘The Best and The Bravest’ promotion celebration held Tony Ault TAULT@REEDERMEDIA.COM
Hemet Fire Department’s first official “The Best and The Bravest” celebration brought the families of 16 of its best firefighters and paramedics together, Aug. 16, at Salvation Army Headquarters to honor them with promotions for their unselfish service to the community by savings lives and property. The special celebration that included pinning badges, special gifts and congratulations by members of the Hemet City Council, local businessmen, clergy, mothers, fathers, wives and children was a year in the making and for the first time ever, Hemet Fire Chief Scott Brown said. Before introducing the Hemet firefighters and paramedics to the newest newly promoted, Brown thanked the community and civic leaders who for the past three years have come together to support the department referencing the effort to pass Measure U that has set aside
VALLEY NEWS
see FIREFIGHTERS, page A-4
Hemet Fire Department’s 16 newly promoted battalion chiefs, captains, engineers and firefighter paramedics raise their right hands to be sworn to their new duties by Fire Chief Scott Brown at the first HFD “The Best and The Bravest” celebration at the Hemet Salvation Army Headquarters at 340 S. Palm St., Aug. 18. Tony Ault photo
Community comes together for abused 5-year-old boy, couple charged with multiple felonies Stephanie Lai VALLEYSTAFF@REEDERMEDIA.COM
People gather in support at the home of Feno Whitten, 5. He was taken by first responders in Murrieta before his father Benjamin Whitten and live-in-girlfriend Jeryn Johnson were arrested on charges of alleged child abuse and torture, Aug. 15. Neighbors and members of the community tied blue ribbons around the neighborhood in support of the boy who is currently on life support. Courtesy photo
Friends and neighbors of 5-yearold Feno Whitten held a rally Sunday, Aug. 20, hanging blue ribbons throughout the neighborhood and writing notes for the boy who remains in a coma at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. The group hung ribbons and blue balloons and encouraged those in attendance to write notes of support for Feno. The child was found unresponsive at his home on Verdun Lane in Murrieta by Murrieta Fire and Rescue and Murrieta Police, following a call regarding a child in medical distress, Aug. 15. When Feno was found, he had “severe injuries,” according to a Murrieta Police Department press release written by Lt. Tony Conrad.
see ABUSE, page A-7