Valley News - August 25, 2023

Federal court upholds Alabama law limiting gender treatments for minors

Valley News staff

A federal appeals court on Monday, Aug. 21, upheld an Alabama law that designates certain gendertransition treatments for minors as Class C felonies, potentially sending doctors who provide them to prison for up to 10 years.

KPRS Construction building warehouses in Menifee

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

Southbound motorists along Interstate 215 approaching the Clinton Keith offramp may have seen large cranes lifting side panels for a huge building in the past weeks. The project by KPRS Construction will become the largest warehouse in the city of Menifee at its completion by the end of the year.

CA lawmakers push bill to give striking workers unemployment benefits

Will Kessler

Contributor, Daily Caller News Foundation

California lawmakers are planning to introduce a bill that would allow striking workers to collect unemployment, even as California’s unemployment insurance fund remains heavily underfunded, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

Hilary brings record rainfall to the area for August

to a bulletin from the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. Different areas of the Fallbrook/ Bonsall area to Lake Elsinore

received 2.5 to 3.60 inches of rain between Friday afternoon (Aug. 18) and Monday morning (Aug. 21). In Anza, 4.6 inches

Menifee’s new three-story justice center taking shape above the

Town Center

Tony Ault Staff Writer

After nearly two years under construction the new Riverside County Menifee Justice Center is beginning to show its design with nearly all the white siding completed, windows glassed and the final front entrance area being completed.

The 85,010 square-foot, nine courtroom Menifee Justice Center, under construction since January 2022, stands high above the Menifee Town Center off Civic Center Drive with its white walls visible from Newport Road. Clark Construction, LLC Construction is the primary contractor of the three-story $95.2 million structure.

“Clark Construction is proud to be working alongside the Riverside County Superior Court in California and our talented design and trade partners to deliver the

Murrieta to demolish aging Cal Oaks Sports Park pool; seeks new pool design

council at the Tuesday, Aug. 15, meeting in an added item to the night’s agenda.

“Unfortunately our luck has run out,” Ambrose said about the pool that is now only partially filled with green unswimmable water.

rendered unserviceable and will soon have to be demolished.

Brian Ambrose, director of Murrieta’s Community Services department, delivered news to the

He explained to the council that the city has been trying for years to keep the pool safe for swimmers; however, many problems have come up regarding its maintenance and equipment during the more

page

Expanded teenage driver safety programs proposed to Menifee City Council

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Menifee City Council took time to discuss how to provide more valuable resources available outside of the city to residents and better ways to educate teenagers in good driving habits at the Aug. 16 council meeting.

Paul Barbieri, a lieutenant for Menifee Police Department skilled in professional standards and training, appeared before the council to suggest the city expand two of its programs to help educate more teenage drivers who are the number one cause of most fatal traffic accidents, with driving under the influence and reckless driving being the other main causes. “Our g oal is to reduce those injuries and fatalities caused by DUI and reckless driving.”

He said the council might consider expanding the “Every 15 Minutes” and a newer “Impact Teen Driving” program in the local middle and high schools to teach teenagers how to be responsible drivers when they begin driving.

He said the Every 15 Minutes program has been utilized at many schools. The two-day program is very effective teaching teens the

consequences of reckless driving. He said while it is available, it is very expensive to put on and takes the cooperation of the school districts.

Answering a question from Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin, Barbieri said the cost for the Every 15 Minut es program can range between $15,000 to $50,000 depending on how extensive it is. It also takes away from classroom time, but can be done on weekends or after school.

He explained Impact Teen Drivers is a newer program and can be done in the classroom with school resource officers or out of school in other locations. He said it is effective as well because the students in both middle and high schools are more familiar with their resource officer

The city now has three School Resource Officers trained while others can be trained in the same program, said Barbieri. He said the city could work with the school districts to use this newer program that uses slideshows and videos at no financial impact to the city. He said there are grants from the California Highway Patrol and others to bring this program to the schools. It was the CHP and teach-

ers that created the Impact Teen Driver program. While Menifee continues to improve its in-city community outreach with programs like Menifee Matters, Menifee TV and its websites, a question was posed about ways to extend information about other resources available from the county, state and federal government for residents.

Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Manager, introduced the city’s current programs that can also be used to find other resources available outside of the city. She reported The City of Menifee’s website www.cityofmenifee.us is available for residents seeking additional resources with the following web pages dedicated to resources: Mental Health and Wellness: www.cityofmenifee.us/ YouMatter ; Senior Programs at www.cityofmenifee.us/SeniorPrograms; Youth Programs at www. cityofmenifee.us/YouthPrograms and Solid Waste & Recycling at www.cityofmenifee.us/MenifeeRecycles. She also said they could report issues at www.cityofmenifee.us/Report

She explained aside from these local resources, residents also have access to the regional re -

source hotline available through United Way, 2-1-1 day or night.

The 2-1-1 hotline is accessible to all Riverside and San Bernardino County residents for a wide range of county and federal resources and assistance programs ranging from rental assistance to employment.

In the discussion Mayor Bill Zimmerman said he knew that not all Menifee residents have computers in their homes and they would need some other form of communication to have their questions answered. Mitchell said those residents can still seek their answers at the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center and at Lazy Creek community center where computers are available. Help could also be found by stopping by or calling the city hall.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin said most help is already available to low income and senior residents, but was concerned about those in the middle income range who also need to have ways to find resources for themselves. He suggested maybe residents needed some other ways to have answers like how to fix something or answer their questions. He said the city should have a liaison person who could help those residents.

Councilman Ricky Estrada suggested everyone on the staff might be trained to be a liaison person.

Councilman Dean Deines said maybe some kind of manual could be made available on where to find outside help.

Council Member Lesa Sobek said perhaps some cards with answers for questions would be available or a resource guide.

Mitchell said some of the suggestions were possible, but many of the city staff are not full time workers and a full time person to expand the current programs would have to be hired. The suggestions were taken under advisement

Nathalie Gagliano, a strong rescue dog and animal proponent, was honored for her work in saving countless dogs’ lives and was named the Menifee Citizen of the Month by Karwin.

The Menifee Business Spotlight was focused on “Ready, Set. Game” in Sun City, which provides board games and special gaming events for children, adults and seniors that has grown in the past years. The firm has two gaming lounges which actually is attracting a large number of seniors.

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

Menifee police arrest domestic violence suspect

MENIFEE – The Menifee Police Department responded to a call regarding domestic violence on La Prada Way in the early morning of Monday, Aug. 14. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim who had visible injuries to her face and body. The victim reported there was a physical altercation between the victim and the victim’s husband who was later identified as 43-year-old Jimmy Lopez of Los Angeles. Lopez stole the victim’s vehicle and ran her over with it before fleeing the scene. Officers were unable to locate Lopez. The victim sustained severe injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and provided an emergency protection order. Through an extensive investigation, detectives tracked Lopez and the victim’s vehicle to the city of Los Angeles. On Aug. 16, Lopez was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Task Force, Riverside County Gang Impact Team and Menifee detectives without incident.

Lopez was arrested for alleged attempted murder, felony spousal abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, destruction of a wireless communication device, battery with great bodily injury, an active parole violation arrest warrant and a felony no-bail warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lopez is also a documented 18th Street Gang member from Los Angeles. He was booked into custody at Cois M. Byrd Detention Center. The Gang Impact Team is supervised by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation and staffed by agents from the district attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and detectives and resources from the Beaumont, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, Murrieta, Riverside and Menifee police departments. Submitted by Menifee Police Department.

CENTER from page A-1 The courthouse will provide adequate parking facilities and is near the future Menifee City Hall in the Town Center.

justice center for the community,” said Carlos Gonzalez, division president at Clark Construction in an earlier statement.

By early next year the newest justice center in Riverside County will be the home of family traffic and civil case calendars that will include family law mediation, selfhelp and jury services, and very minimal in-custody detention. The building will include a jury assembly and deliberation rooms, a selfhelp center, a children’s waiting room and attorney interview and witness waiting rooms.

The new courthouse will relieve the four judicial officers in the existing 52-year-old five-room Menifee Courthouse which is overcrowded, physically deficient and located on a smaller property which could not be expanded.

Perkins + Will is the architectural/engineering firm. Vanir Construction Manager Agency provided the Clark Construction Group as its contractor.

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

SAGE Society to host service dog presentation

HEMET – Love puppy kisses and cuddles? Want to help a veteran or first responder? The community is invited to come to a presentation by the Custom Canines Service Dog Academy Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Ramona Room behind MillerJones Mortuary, 1501 W. Florida Avenue, in Hemet. Parking is in the rear. Social time begins at 1:30 p.m. and the presentation begins at 2 p.m.

The academy is a nonprofit organization of volunteer professionals and individuals who embrace c reating and supporting lasting partnerships between highly skilled service dogs and the community of mankind with diverse disabilities and impairments, thus greatly enhancing their quality of life.

The academy’s post-traumatic stress service dogs support individuals with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, and the academy ensures that each of their students is teamed with a dog that best suits that person’s capability, lifestyle, mobility, personality and

MURRIETA from page A-1

recent years of its 15 year life.

“The pumps are helping,” Ambrose said, speaking of the filter system that is not working.

More recently, an acid leak was detected that would cost the city from $50,000 to $100,000 to repair.

“It has reached the end of its life cycle,” he said.

He explained that a pool can still be redesigned, but it will take months to accomplish the task and it would be better to demolish it in the meantime.

The department has been working with Murrieta Mesa High School in the meantime, to allow residents to use their pool during the weekends and other open times.

“We need the public’s help on that redesign,” Ambrose said.

The council took the information under advisement and will discuss the pool redesign in future meetings.

The city also is asking skateboarders and other skatepark users to contribute their ideas for rehabilitating the nearby Cal Oaks Skatepark. Workshops are being planned, and the community is asked to watch for those dates and times..

In the public comment time, nearly a dozen concerned residents took to the podium to oppose the new Planned Parenthood facility, which is coming into Murrieta. Most said they were Christians who opposed all abortions, which they saw as killing a human being before birth and creating serious health concerns for the mothers having the abortions. Several speakers said the facility was a safety concern and not a health care facility.

Other residents like Dan Broach said the proposed Planned Parenthood facility was “a dark stain on the city,” and resident and outreach counselor April M. pleaded with the council not to make Murrieta a sanctuary city for abortion clinics.

While many resident comments were made, the council was unable

psychological needs. The academy matches each applicant with the dog that will be their partner, and the power of this partnership transforms both their lives. It is this bond within a working service dog team that makes all of the magic happen. Their mobility assistance dogs act as the arms and legs for someone who is physically disabled. These specially trained dogs can help pull a person’s wheelchair, assist in transferring in and out of a wheelchair and act as a brace for someone with poor balance. Service dogs can carry items in a backpack, pick up objects, retrieve items, open and close doors, help a person get dressed or undressed, turn on and off lights and so much more.

The SAGE Society of Hemet, Search for Adventure in Greater Education, provides a forum for people to engage in programs and activities of intellectual stimulation.

Submitted by SAGE Society of Hemet.

to make any comment on the nonagenda items, which were limited to 30 minutes that evening. Each speaker is allowed a maximum of three minutes. The city clerk said there were additional letters of opposition against the clinic being received following the regular council agenda when additional time for non-agendized public comments was offered. The council meeting was concluded close to the 10 p.m. limit.

In the council discussion items was a request for the city to increase its assistance in its signature Tour de Murrieta bicycle race with another $5,000 grant and with other assistance within the city’s Public Works Department which is reducing its overtime work because of increased costs. Without the city’s help, it would cost event sponsors somewhere near $12,000 to continue these events, according to the request.

Mayor Lisa DeForest, while noting her continued support of the event as a signature event, said she could not see the city adding another $5,000, but she did agree to provide the city’s help with street and traffic control as it has done in the past. A motion to provide the extra $5,000 above the already $10,000 grant made each year for the event was made but died without a second. Another motion was made by De Forest to provide the additional help through the city’s Public Works and law enforcement, which was approved.

Several local business owners appeared during the public comment time in favor of the city’s continued support of the Tour de Murrieta which has continued to bring major economic aid to the businesses in the city for the last 15 years.

In regular business, the council, following a public hearing with no objection, approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 594-23 to approve the boundaries of the Murrieta Hills Specific Plan in District 1.

In another public hearing, the council approved a development fee deferral and loan agreement between the city and Kensington

Affordable Apartment Development. The agreement helps the developer receive a $1.7 million tax credit to continue to build the 126 unit multi-family apartment project on 4.7 acres of land already approved. The project helps Murrieta fulfill the California RHNA requirement to build more affordable housing in the city and state.

The final fiscal year 2023-2024 and 2027-2028 Capital Improvement Plan budget was approved.

A presentation by a representative of the Riverside Trauma Intervention Program was made before the council. The group extends moral and spiritual consultation to those residents who are victims of crimes and assists the police

and fire departments in helping others in need of intervention from natural disasters. More volunteers are needed in the program with training for those interested.

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

The SAGE Society of Hemet is hosting a presentation by the Custom Canines Service Dog Academy Tuesday, Sept. 12. Valley News/Custom Canines Service Dog Academy photo

Marine killed in live-fire training accident identified

Julianna Frieman

Contributor, The Daily Caller

The Marine who died during a live-fire training accident Aug. 17 at Camp Pendleton was identified Friday as Joseph Whaley, according to the Orange County Registrar.

Whaley’s identity was confirmed by Sgt. Blake Inlow, a Columbia-based marine recruiter, according to WSMV 4. The 20-year-old deceased Marine was a Tennessee native who attended the California base’s School of Infantry-West after graduating from high school last year.

Whaley was participating in his fourth week of training at the school’s Basic Reconnais-

Screenshot of Facebook post

sance Course, Maj. Josh Pena, a spokesperson for the Training and Educational Command, said

The course was introduced two years ago to Camp Pendleton. The 13-week program teaches Marines essential individual skills, including weapons manipulation, land navigation and radio communication in its first nine weeks. The remaining four weeks focus on applying new knowledge by working in squads, patrolling complex terrain, firing weapons and practicing maneuver tactics. Whaley was training as an infantryman at the entry-level school. He previously trained as a rifleman at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejune’s School of

Infantry — East in North Carolina. Before that, he was a recruit at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina.

Among Whaley’s awards was the National Medal of Defense.

Camp Pendleton is providing support and condolences to Whaley’s family and friends as an investigation is ongoing.

“The family and loved ones have our deepest condolences as we continue to work with them during this difficult time,” Pena said.

Federal court upholds Alabama law limiting gender treatments for minors

Valley News staff

A federal appeals court on Monday, Aug. 21, upheld an Alabama law that designates certain gendertransition treatments for minors as Class C felonies, potentially sending doctors who provide them to prison for up to 10 years.

Passed by the Alabama legislature in April 2022 and subsequently signed by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, the legislation faced immediate legal challenges. A group of transgender advocates filed a lawsuit against both the governor and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, alleging the law jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of transgender minors and

forces physicians into an untenable position. According to NBC News, the lawsuit claimed that doctors had to “choose between ignoring the medical needs of our patients or risking being sent to prison.”

A federal judge initially halted the law’s enforcement in May 2022. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit lifted the preliminary injunction against the law this week. The court noted in its decision that while parents have the right to make medical decisions for their children, this right doesn’t necessarily extend to providing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormone treatment. The court further stated that the law targets specific medi-

Anza Woman sentenced in pruning shears killings

Valley News staff

ANZA — A 35-year-old Anza woman was sentenced to 26 years to life in state prison for fatally attacking an 89-year-old woman and her 58-year-old daughter with pruning shears in 2020.

Karina Sara Moreno Valdivia originally pleaded not guilty by

reason of insanity but withdrew the plea on July 18, admitting to one count of murder and one count of voluntary manslaughter, according to Amy McKenzie of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. The plea deal, approved by the victims’ families, was a “means to hold Ms. Valdivia accountable for both deaths,” McKenzie stated.

George McCoy, the ex-husband of one victim, detailed the events of March 9, 2020. Valdivia, living roughly 300 feet from the victims on Coyote Canyon Road, threw a rock through their window. This prompted Suzanne Martinez, 89, to investigate on her motorized scooter. Valdivia subsequently attacked Karen McCoy, 58, in

cal procedures for minors without discriminating on any “suspect characteristic” under the Equal Protection Clause.

Responding to the ruling, Attorney General Steve Marshall said the Eleventh Circuit’s decision underscored the state’s authority to prioritize the welfare of minors. He stated that the law prevents doctors from prescribing irreversible sex-modification procedures to minors, celebrating the court’s decision as a “significant victory for our country, for children, and for common sense.”

The law remains one of the nation’s most restrictive regarding transgender medical treatments for minors.

the garage, resulting in her death. Attempting to flee, Martinez was also attacked and later died while in rehab from injuries sustained.

[Right] Karina Sara Moreno Valdivia withdrew a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity before admitting guilt in the deaths of two of her neighbors in Anza in 2020.

(Courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff’s Department)

Barricaded domestic violence suspect taken into custody

On Friday, August 18 at 11:46 a.m., the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a domestic violence incident in the 32400 block of Stoneman Street, city of Lake Elsinore. The night prior, the suspect fled the scene after a domestic violence incident to avoid being apprehended. The suspect was identified as 39-yearold David Bergstrom, a resident of Lake Elsinore. The suspect barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to comply with deputies’ commands to exit and surrender. With the assistance of the Riverside Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau, the suspect was taken into custody.

Bergstrom was booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center for domestic violence and multiple additional felony offenses.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Summersgill of the

David Bergstrom, 39, was taken into custody on Friday, August 18, after a domestic violence incident in Lake Elsinore. Valley News/RivCo Sheriff photo Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951–245–3300.

Submitted by Riverside County Sherrif’s Department.

From left to right, Abel Garcia, Billboard Chris, and Chloe Cole take part in a demonstration in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 8, 2022. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)

Villarreal photo

were recorded. In Hemet and San Jacinto, about 1.5 inches fell. In Pinon Hills, 6.5 inches of rain fell and on Mt. San Jacinto at 8500 ft. Mount San Jacinto reported 11.74 inches. Oceanside Harbor received 2.38 inches, Vista 2.12 inches and Escondido received 2.66 inches.

Mt. Laguna in San Diego County at 6000 ft elevation had 6.88 inches fall.

Los Angeles County and Santa Clarita Valley were hit harder with up to 7 inches of rain recorded in the local mountains.

Tropical Storm Hilary prompted evacuation warnings and cancellation of flights and trains in the region. Residents were asked to remain indoors.

Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency ahead of the storm and San Diego schools closed for Monday, Aug. 21.

Riverside County declared a state of emergency on Monday, Aug. 21, to be ratified at their regular board of supervisors meeting on Aug. 29.

Heavy rainfall in Baja California claimed one life. A man died as he and his family were swept out to sea while crossing a local stream, according to Mexican officials.

Locally, first responders were busy with traffic accidents, in addition to the regular medical calls they work each day.

Chapman photo

Mauricio

Anne

Valley News seeks community investors for expansion

Julie Reeder Publisher

Independent community news is more important than ever. Valley News and its sister papers the Fallbrook Village News and Anza Valley Outlook have shown great resilience over 25 years and are looking for community members who are able to come alongside us and invest in the future of local community news.

The weekly newspapers, annual magazines, and the websites, updated 24/7, have been able to reach millions of people over the years as well as consistently generate over a million dollars annually.

The company has a loyal employ-

Letter to the TVUSD School Board

Dear TVUSD School Board, The school board’s proposed parental notification policy is both a common sense and worthy proposal to what so many voters, parents, and taxpayers want in our school district as well as in society at large; a return to normalcy.

It has long been a normal standard throughout virtually all school districts that parents receive timely and pertinent notifications from school officials for a variety of reasons, including school sponsored field trips, medical, psychological and counseling issues, extracurricular activities, student commendations, as well as disciplinary actions, and the safety and security of the students.

It is only natural and right that parents are fully informed about their minor children in all aspects concerning the education, safety, growth and the raising of their children. In our American tradition, such notions are commonly referred to as natural rights.

Some 100 years ago, the totalitarian Bolshevik Vladimir Lenin i nfamously said “give me your four year olds, and in a generation I will build a socialist state.” Lenin’s cruel policies would go on to decimate the Russian family unit paving the way for mass repression, terror, and genocide within the Soviet system.

The far left fringe activists who are against this policy of parental notification are little more than modern day Bolsheviks seeking to divide and destroy our notions of loving and caring families.

Yet perhaps, there is one aspect to this policy that could be amended in a somewhat Solomonic fashion. To blunt the critiques by these left wing zealots, this board should consider adding a provision or amendment that would allow parents, the few who may vociferously disagree with this policy, to sign a waiver instructing school officials to not notify them as to their students’ personal, medical, and/or

ee base that has also shown great resilience despite recession, fires, floods, a terrorist attack through ransomware, personal tragedy and a global pandemic.

We are returning to our roots. It’s always been locals who have invested in Village and Valley News. We’ve never been bought, invested in, or taken money from outside news organizations or companies, as rumors have alleged on social media through the years.

We started with a group of about 25 local couples who each invested about $2,000. We took that initial investment and built a business that served every sector of our community for the last 25 years. Not just

psychological issues and concerns.

This would allow those few fringe activists to live under a policy that suits their parochial interests, with the added benefit of not mandating their extreme notions upon the majority of parents who just want to be fully and lovingly involved with their children’s lives.

It would be fair to say that such parents who would actually sign such a waiver could very well be so disinterested in their own children’s education and welfare that perhaps it would be better that others take a stronger in loco parentis role for their unfortunate children.

It could also be fair to say that even such a waiver probably would never mollify the most hardened leftwing zealot and union activist. Such personalities, unfortunately, will never be satisfied until everybody agrees with their twisted visions … lock, stock and barrel.

To those hardcore personalities, remember … we Americans, even here in Temecula, still have and

Letter to the Editor Re: Murrieta’s school board decision Aug. 10

Dear Murrieta Valley Unified School District Board, I was impressed when President Paul Diffley welcomed each and every speaker at the contentious Murrieta school board meeting Thursday, Aug. 10. Trustee Diffley’s logic of family, parents and children, along with quoting a 30year European study, was sound. The study concluded minors must not be given puberty blockers, let alone transgender surgery removing healthy body parts because it was “experimental.” He cited several of the 60 side effects from hormone blockers used on transgenders.

I was impressed when Trustee Linda Lunn, who gave a heartfelt speech and bravely detailed how hateful people have treated her and her family because they didn’t agree with her politics or decisions. That must never ever happen. School board trustees take on so much resistance from both sides that I can only imagine what they and their families go through. We must all be respectful.

District 5 podcast

I was impressed when Trustee

Nicolas Pardue questioned the school district’s attorney about federal laws versus state laws protecting parental rights. It was a great, legal point. Which one takes precedence?

I was impressed when Trustee

Julie Vandegrift cited a renowned psychologist to state that many transgenders have multiple comorbidities. Thus, they suffer from other issues besides gender dysphoria.

The point being no one should treat anxiety, ADHD, etc...with puberty blockers or surgery when other treatment is needed.

Chloe Cole, a famous de-transitioner, was an unexpected surprise.

Thank you for sharing your perspective, Ms. Cole. Nobody but people like yourself who have gone through surgery, pain and still suffering can attest to why parents must be informed of any medicalization of their children.

I was impressed that Trustee Nancy Young has had so many transgender children confide in her

over the years. It tells me she has a great heart. She said they all had supportive parents, and I’ll bet she had a lot to do with it. Great job.

I was impressed with your leadership skills, Superintendent Ward Andrus. That board meeting could have turned into a real disaster, but it didn’t. You were proactive, handled every situation with command, control and respect. You allowed each board member to deliberate and guided them on logistics. Good governance.

I attend many school board meetings throughout Southern California fighting for student safety and keep the focus on academics, not politics in classrooms.

Please be assured you are all on the right side of history by passing the parent rights resolution Thursday, Aug. 10, even if your vote did not go as desired. Time will prove you made the right decision by honoring parents’ rights.

Sadly, some parents are ill, regardless of whether or not they have transgender children. Drug and

the residents and readers, but all the nonprofits, all the government agencies, civic groups, sheriff and fire, students in sports, schools, businesses, churches, the arts, theater and cultural community events.

But our focus has always been award-winning local news.

People want news more than ever, but the distribution of it continues to evolve. It’s our challenge to continue to transform our business to meet the challenge of new generations and new platforms.

We are looking for residents who have the means and the desire to come alongside us with no personal or political agenda other than the belief that independent community

cherish our Constitutional republic that is practiced through representative democracy.

On a related note, the 2022 TVUSD school board elections swept into office a new majority, and this majority won with comfortable leads. The Temecula voters who voted you into office are not wild-eyed radicals seeking upheaval. Rather, these voters only seek a reestablishment of their birthrights through recognition of their naturally free agencies, along with due process consideration and respect by the leaders elected to this board.

The voters did not vote to burn it all down … they voted for a return to normalcy. They voted for a board that honors our Constitution and our American heritage of promoting individual liberty and natural rights. They voted to have their local voices heard and represented, despite the corrosive Politburo politics emanating from our state’s and our nation’s dys-

news is as crucial as the founding fathers believed it was to our Republic when they penned the First Amendment.

We are looking for people who are proud that we have our own award-winning community papers and want to support our growth.

We are launching new digital and print products and websites. We have a need for new software, equipment and personnel.

If you are a person who has the financial means to come alongside us with our vision of the future and the community, please call me at 760-723-7319 or email jreeder@ reedermedia.com

Thank you for your support.

functional capitols.

So, whatever this parental notification policy is called, be it a parents’ bill of rights, or some other title, let it proceed and be implemented. To those few, wildeyed, wannabe Bolsheviks with purple-dyed hair making their angry TikTok videos, let them opt out of this policy with a waiver. Not everyone will be 100% happy with this. But at least this could be implemented as a “live and let live” policy in which most everybody comes away from this with something, and no rational person is left feeling like an unwanted political agenda is to be force fed down an unwilling throat. In this way, there is no actual risk of the proverbial baby, or in this case, the student, being cut in half. Thank you for your time and attention.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rick Reiss Temecula

alcohol abuse is a real issue, and I can see why any child would be afraid of those parents. Please do not think that ill parents would be any less harmful if their children were “straight” versus “transgender.”

The answer is for parents to love their children unconditionally.

If children are not ready to tell their parents, then they must not tell their teachers. Teachers do not need to be put in a position of hearing intimate details of their students, then have to create lies of omission to parents.

Personally, I did not “come out” gay until I was in college. I spent my K-12 grades focused on getting good grades because my aunt kept telling me, “College will be some of the best years of your life,” and she was right. It would have been difficult to tell my parents before I left home and wasn’t easy in college either. Eventually, they came to accept me and love my family and I dearly.

Yes, there will be threats from elected officials, possible lawsuits, investigations, etc…But Murrieta’s

school board is brave to stand up for parents’ rights. Parents must know life-changing information about their children so they can support them, just like Chino and Temecula support parents. I am confident suicide rates will drop, not rise with parent involvement. We cannot allow laws to be passed that hide secrets from parents. It will break up loving families and create mistrust in the educational system. There are solutions for dangerous situations, but lying to parents or taking children away from loving families is the worst idea of all. I saw Murrieta’s school board has both smart minds and beautiful hearts. Murrieta’s board and community gave me hope for a better future. Thank you.

Marci Strange

Director of CA Parents Union Pac; member of Gays Against Groomers and a mother

of us, directly or indirectly. The first episode, “What is a County Supervisor?”, was an endeavor to demystify the role and underscore its importance in our day-to-day lives. I am humbled by the feedback and engagement it garnered, reaffirming my belief in the podcast’s potential.

Local author partners with COM for school supply giveaway

Tamika Burgess Author, Educator, Speaker

July 2023 marks the third year

Dear Valley News readers,

There’s something powerful about the medium of voice — it conveys emotion, intimacy, and authenticity in ways few other platforms can. With this in mind, I embarked on a journey to bring our community closer, diving deep into the narratives that shape District 5. That’s why I created the “Thrive in District 5 Podcast.”

My aim with this podcast is multi-dimensional. I strive to shed light on the ins and outs of governance workings, amplify voices that often go unheard, and tackle issues that affect each one

The forthcoming episode, focusing on homelessness, promises to be both enlightening and heartwrenching. With hosts Jacob Ochoa and Lilian Averette guiding the conversation, we hope to not just inform but also inspire collective action and empathy.

I invite each one of you to join us on this auditory journey. Whether you’re tuning in during your morning commute, as you wind down in the evening, or during any moment you seek connection and insight, know that the “Thrive in District 5 Podcast” is our shared space — a testament to our commitment, curiosity, and communal spirit.

Warmly, Yxstian Gutierrez County Supervisor, 5th District

I have partnered with Community Outreach Ministry (COM) to provide backpacks and school supplies to children in need. Ensuring children are adequately prepared for school so they don’t fall behind is important to me. By setting these children up for a successful school year, I am able to incorporate something I love, education, with meeting the needs of others.

As a lifelong learner, I understand the importance of being prepared and how it can help you achieve your goal. This happened in my own life when I decided to prepare myself to be an author. Preparation came by working on my writing skills, attending classes and conferences, and reading the writing of authors who I admire. That preparation led to the release of my debut novel, Sincerely Sicily, earlier this year. The book is a captivating and empowering story about Sicily Jordan—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks

her braids with pride—who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected places.

In addition to providing school supplies for children, my book release has given me several opportunities to interact with my community by speaking about my writing career at schools and libraries and showing kids they, too, can follow and achieve their creative desires. I am excited about all the future opportunities to interact with and help children. With this, I am thankful to Community Outreach Ministry for allowing me to play a part in their goal of giving at-risk kids a second chance to be winners and champions.

To learn more about Tamika Burgess, visit her website at https://www.tamikaburgess.com.

The nonprofit ministry welcomes readers to visit its website where donations can also be made at www.communityoutreachministry.org. Checks may also be mailed to the organization and made payable to “Community Outreach

at 951-231-5515.

Author Tamika Burgess, left, and Community Outreach Ministry cofounder Dr. Mona Davies, right, present backpacks to Oscar Rivera’s children Kaiah, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Valley News/Community Outreach Ministry photo Ministry” at 23905 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 114 #116, Wildomar, California 92595. Feel free to contact the Davies via email at info@ communityoutreachministry.org or by phone at 951-698-7650 (office) or via cell phone

August 25 – 31, 2023

TAKE3

Opening Fallbrook Music Society’s new season in style

FALLBROOK – Hailed as

“wonderful musicians who have a bridge to the past and a pathway to the future,” TAKE3 returns to Fallbrook to open the Music Society’s 46th Season Sunday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m. TAKE3 is making Fallbrook the first stop of their upcoming 60-city U.S. tour.

“TAKE3 enjoys getting back to their roots of Classical programming and takes pride in making this music accessible to audiences who may not have the opportunity to hear it,” Bob Freaney, president

of Fallbrook Music Society, said.

“These world-class artists are more than great entertainers, they bring deep expression through their music and connect emotionally with their audiences.”

TAKE3 was created by violinist/ vocalist Lindsay Deutsch, Yanni’s featured violin soloist with whom she has toured throughout most of the seven continents. Deutsch, alongside cellist Mikala Schmitz and pianist Alexa Constantine, left their mark with TAKE3 as they created some of the most exciting

and refreshing pop/rock/classical fusion music to be heard anywhere. No strangers to the stage as individuals, they have made an impact on the music scene as soloists, recording tracks for film and television and appearing in front of several symphony orchestras. TAKE3 makes it their mission to impart their love, passion and joy in music making to all who hear them, using their artistic ability as conduit for great storytelling and infectious on-stage personalities. Deutsch holds a degree from

the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, Schmitz holds degrees from the Oberlin College Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music, Constantine graduated with summa cum laude honors in classical piano from University of California Los Angeles. As a trio they have become known for their eclectic programming, performing everything from the Beatles and Leonard Cohen to Beethoven.

Tickets for this performance in Fallbrook’s Mission Theater are $20 adult in advance, and $25

Temecula Community Services Department to

Temecula ArtFest

TEMECULA ─ Temecula’s Community Services Department will host the 2023 Temecula ArtFest featuring Cartoon-A Paloozah! The event, formerly called the Temecula Art & Street Painting Festival, will be held Friday, Sept. 15, from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Town Square Park, 41902 Main Street, and surrounding event areas in Old Town Temecula. Paintings, ceramics, jewelry

and photography set the stage for a weekend of creativity and talent through the sold-out outdoor art exhibition. A new addition this year is the free fun zone. In lieu of a chalk competition, the fun zone will include a designated chalk art area for young artists to create pavement masterpieces. No registration is required; it is first come first serve.

“Arts & Culture are foundational to quality of life for vibrant and resilient communities,” Tem-

ecula Mayor Zak Schwank said. “Temecula ArtFest is our annual, creative, street fair that showcases various arts, crafts and photography exhibits. We proudly partner annually with Bigfoot Art Classes to present Cartoon-A Paloozah! which is designed for comics and anime fans. Come celebrate our colorful, innovative, and growing Arts & Culture community in Old Town Temecula. We hope to see you engage with and support

after 12 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25.

Children 18 and under are free of charge. Theater doors open for social hour at 1 p.m.; concert hall doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at http:// www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org or http://www.fallbrookmissiontheater.com.

Submitted by Fallbrook Music Society.

host 2023

our local artists and enthusiastic participants.” Temecula’s own mini con, Cartoon-A Paloozah! is back. Fans of anime, cartooning, and comics can come together to represent and support their favorite fandoms.

Cartoon-A Paloozah! will include a sold-out indoor art vendor area, an art contest and a cosplay contest. All contest winners will receive a cash prize. Applications for the contests will close on Friday, Sept.

1. It is a free, in-person event for all ages.

For artist & cosplayer entry forms, visit http://Temeculatoons. com . For more event information, visit http://TemeculaCA.gov/ ArtFest and stay tuned for more Community Service programming information by following @TemeculaParksAndRec on social media. Submitted by Temecula Community Services Department.

Internationally recognized trio TAKE3 with piano, violin and cello, take center stage for Fallbrook Music Society’s dynamic Season Opener, Sunday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Mission Theater, 231 N. Main Ave. Valley News/Courtesy photo

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Aug. 27 – 5- 10 p.m. Starlight Bazaar Summer Carnival at Vail Ranch Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway,presented by In the Loop Temecula. Carnival rides and games with prizes (in the front parking lot), Vendor market, music and photo ops. A traditional family night and a final summer hurrah.

Aug. 30 – 6 p.m. San Jacinto’s Kool Summer Nights concert with a local band, vendors and a beer and wine garden at the at the Estudillo Mansion, 150 Dillion Ave, in San Jacinto.

Sept 1 – 6 - 9 p.m. Menifee

Foodie Friday, San Jacinto College campus, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee

Sept. 2 - 5 - 9 p.m. Mars by

Mya presents the Fall Festival at Vail HQ, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Guests can find a variety of food and craft vendors from all throughout Southern California all while enjoying live performances from local artists. Join us to enjoy family friendly activities and a petting zoo. Free entry!

Sept. 8 - 3 to 8 p.m. – Temecula

Chamber of Commerce presents the Valley Young Professionals Cornhole Tournament to fundraise and support the Valley Young Professionals at Vail HQ, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Enjoy some food, beverages, prizes, entertainment, and friendly competition! Register at Valley Young Professionals - 11th

Annual Cornhole Tournament - Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce

Sept. 9 – 5 - 9 p.m. Lake Menifee’s Woman’s Club 12th Annual PURSuing Purpose Charity

Gala at Fairfield Inn Suites, 30140 Town Center Drive, Menifee. Tickets $75 includes food and beverage. More info at https:// www.joinlmwc.org/.

Sept. 10 - 12 to 5 p.m. – SoCal

Made with Love Market hosting their first ever handcrafted vendor market at Vail HQ in Temecula, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Local petting zoo/pony rides for the children with a DJ and 30 amazing small businesses!

Sept. 16 – 7 - 10 a.m. Wildomar

National Clean-up day begins at the Wildomar Elks Lodge, 33700 Mission Trail. Picking up litter, weeds, graffiti and other trash throughout the city. Join with other Beautification Volunteers for the event.

Sept. 17 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historical Society Event by the Temecula Valley Historical Society event with multiple levels

of interpretation of past people and events of the Vail HQ property, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Many of the Temecula Valley Historical Society will be in historical costumes and will depict past people and events from the past to celebrate the designation of Vail Headquarters, and the Overland Butterfield National Historic Trail as a National Historic Site. There will be activities for everyone to enjoy!

Sept. 20 - 1-5 p.m. MilVet Grand Opening Celebration, 33040 Antelope Road, Murrieta. Snacks, drinks, photos, raffles, fun and more. MilVet.org

Sept. 22 - 5 to 7:30 p.m. Temecula Valley Youth Symphony Performance. 100+ guests expected at the Vail HQ, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula

Sept. 24 – 8 a.m. begin registration for City of Temecula Hosts Annual F.I.T. Fun Color Run at Ronald Reagan Sports Park, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. Be ready to get splashes of color at color stations along the way. Children’s obstacle course. A health focused community event Participants can pre-register online at TemeculaCA.gov/ColorRun to save time on race day!

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

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

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

ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

ONGOING – Temecula’s Farmers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 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

Aug. 30 – 10-11 a.m. Temecula’s Senior Health & Safety Resource Forum with Riverside Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington and Temecula Mayor Zak Schwank at theTemecula Community Center. 28816 Pujol Street.This free forum will cover

budget-friendly emergency preparedness, healthy aging, and wellness. Attendees will receive a free first aid kit and mini phone charger (one per household, while supplies last). Hear from service providers like Temecula Citizen Corps, Temecula’s Office of Emergency Management, HICAP,CARE Team, Riverside County Environmental Health, RUHS, Public Authority, Office on Aging, and IEHP.

Sept. 16 – 12- 1 p.m., Nomads and Neighbors Market Free family and pet friendly event! Vail HQ, 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula. Shop Local Small Businesses. Live Music, brewery Bar & eateries, Yard games/ cornhole, face painting, petting zoo, train rides and photo ops

Sept. 22 – 5-8 p.m. Menifee

Multicultural – Art-A-Faire at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road, Menifee

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

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

ONGOING – Sons of Norway/ Scandinavia meets at noon the first Saturday of every month, September to June, at the Heritage Mobile Park Clubhouse, 31130 S. General Kearny Road, in Temecula.

ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a $21.95 fee. The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample tests,

Crossword Puzzle Theme: Football

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 http://www.city of menifee.us.

ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m.

Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833349-2054.

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 http:// www.foodaddicts.org.

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

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

ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit http://www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information. ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit http://www.va.gov/ homeless.

Soboba Summer Program offers fun and education

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Special to the Valley News

Soboba Parks and Recreation

presented its Summer Program for Tribal and community youth aged 6-11 and more than 50 signed up for the popular program. The five-week program from June 12 through July 17 offered a variety of activities to keep them engaged from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Participants were treated to pool days, arts and crafts projects and lunch, as well as a few off-site field trips. As part of the introduction to the program, all were asked to paint rocks with positive messages and colorful designs that could be used to decorate the pathway leading to the Soboba Sports Complex. With words such as “You’re Unique,” “Have a Nice Day” and “Protect Your Spirit,” they brought a smile to the faces of the visitors.

Several of the days were spent with various Soboba entities for the youths to learn about what they do to support the Tribe and the reservation. Team members at the Soboba Tribal Environmental Department, the Cultural Resource department, Soboba Fire and the Department of Public Safety shared a lot of useful information that elicited many questions from the youngsters. After each visit, they returned to the Sports Complex to write personalized thank you letters to those that took time out of their busy schedules to spend the day with them.

Soboba Parks and Recreation

Activities Director Jennifer Garcia, who has worked there for 11 years, said that for the most part the Sports Complex staff come up with the activities planned for the Summer Program each year.

“We always change it up and ask which departments are willing to host a day for the kids,” she said.

Garcia, Sports Complex staff and four recreational aides who were working as part of this year’s

Soboba Tribal TANF Work Experience through Leadership, Education, Acquirement and Desire summer youth internship program accompanied the youths for a short bus ride to the newly constructed Soboba Indian Health Clinic that has opened near the Soboba Fire Station. Divided into smaller groups, the children received a tour of the facility to show how it serves Tribal members with all the different departments it offers.

Akwaalimay Resvaloso, Luisa and Shawna Rivera and Ashlyn Russell were among the 21 youths who participated in the “W.E. L.E.A.D.” program that is overseen by Soboba Tribal TANF and open to all eligible Native American youth aged 14-21 who are interested in developing job and leadership skills and exploring various career options.

One of several Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc. clinics, the Soboba Indian Health Clinic’s team is dedicated to providing the experience of its primary care and behavioral health clinicians who work together for all patients. During medical, dental or optical visits, integrated care

clinicians offer quick interventions and follow-up to help patients with stress management tools, internal and community referrals, behavioral health concerns, substance use concerns, medical plan adherence support, internal and community resources, suicide assessment/ intervention and much more.

As the young visitors made their way through each area, they were welcomed by personnel who described what their department does and handed out some goodie bags with fun and useful items. Public health nurse Michelle DeLeon and community health representative Margarita Salgado explained that as part of the outreach team they transport patients to and from appointments and make home visits when needed. Youths could choose from various storybooks and other takeaways that were offered at their station.

Viola Sandoval is one of four centralized operators who takes incoming calls for all the clinics. She said the operators’ number one priority is the patient and helping them out in any way they can to get them connected to needed resources.

After working for RSBCIHI for the past 20 years, she said callers will ask for her by name.

“They want that live person there, especially our elders,” Sandoval said. “We’re their first contact; we’re not just routers.”

She felt having the young people visit was important because they will be running the clinic someday.

“The administration is running this place so well – it’s an awesome place to work,” she said.

Radiology supervisor Nicole Jennings interacted with each group and gave fidget spinners and other “prizes” to those that correctly answered questions about radiation, noting that they were all inquisitive no matter their age. She has worked for the clinic for the past 18 years and said everything was moved to the new location from the clinic that was located on Donna Way in San Jacinto for many years.

“We already had state-of-the-art

As part of the Soboba Parks and Recreation Summer Program, enrolled youths share their artistic talent by painting rocks with colorful pictures and uplifting messages.

equipment,” she said.

Many of the young visitors had already been to the new clinic for an appointment or with a family member but were surprised at all the different services it offered. Noyaaykit Silvas enjoyed visiting the dental offices where she got to see one of her friends. Several were surprised at how much larger it is than the previous clinic.

After returning to the Sports Complex, thank you notes were written, and some of the children drew pictures of their favorite part of the visit.

One child said in their card, “Thank you for having us at the clinic. I really liked the gifts you gave us. Thank you.”

A trip to Bowlero in Hemet after the July 4 holiday break and an end-of-program visit to Sea World added to a fun-filled and exciting Summer Program experience for everyone involved.

The Riverside County Workforce Development Board honors 10 youth awardees of the 2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards

RIVERSIDE – The Riverside County Workforce Development Board honored 10 area youths, who joined over 200 individuals Friday, Aug. 4, at the March Field Air Museum to receive the 2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Award. The 18th annual event was hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist and broadcaster Christina Pascucci. The keynote address was given by Col. Amee C. Howard and special remarks were made from Tim Gramling, L.P.D., dean of the School of Business at California Baptist University. Dignitaries in attendance included U.S. Rep. Mark Takano; state Sen. Richard Roth; Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes; Riverside County Supervisors Kevin Jeffries, Karen Spiegel and Yxstian Gutierrez; Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera; Perris Mayor Michael Vargas and Riverside City Councilmember Chuck Conder. This year ’s recipients were Alexia Williams of Indio; Betsabe Esquer Cervantes of Lake Elsinore; Carlos Garcia Aragon of Hemet; Eric Farias of Rubidoux; Juleyssy Barrios-Yaque of Lake Elsinore; Leslye Nunez-Rodriguez of Perris; Manuel Jara-Alvarez of Rubidoux; Mary Zakiya Johnson of Hemet; Mia Byers of Indio and Vashti Martinez of Perris.

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 postsecondary education. Applications for the awards are submitted from the Youth Opportunity Centers on behalf of the youth to the Riverside County Workforce Development Board. Application packets contain biographies, letters of recommendation and any other recognitions or accomplishments.

Application packets are reviewed by a committee that consists of Workforce Development Board members. They are evaluated and scored based on the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

Awardees each received $2,500 educational scholarships, a trophy award, legislative certificates and recognition at the award ceremony.

The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards Program is named after local, state and federal workforce advocate Jamil Dada.

He currently serves as vice chair of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, is a longtime member of the California Workforce Development Board in Sacramento and the National

The Riverside County Workforce Development Board awards 10 youths with the 2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards with Jamil Dada; journalist Christina Pascucci; U.S. Rep. Mark Takano; state Sen. Richard Roth; Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel; Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera; Perris Mayor Michael Vargas; keynote speaker Col. Amee C. Howard, who is vice commander of the 163rd Attack Wing at March Air Reserve Base, and Heidi Marshall, director of Housing and Workforce Solutions with winners. Valley News/Courtesy photo Association of Workforce Boards in Washington. The annual event and youth scholarships are funded through generous contributions from local businesses, community partners, nonprofit agencies and net

ticket sales.

Board, by

Participants in the Soboba Parks and Recreation Summer Program pay a visit to the Soboba Indian Health Clinic Monday, June 26, and leave with lots of goodies and information. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photos

Radiology Supervisor Nicole Jennings explains how X-rays are taken at the Soboba Indian Health Clinic.

Summer Program visitors learn about the responsibilities of the outreach team that serves patients at the Soboba Indian Health Clinic.

Summer Program youths receive goodie bags after hearing about the kinds of tests that can be done at the clinical laboratory.

Behavioral Health resources available for cancer patients and their families

TEMECULA – Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center continues to expand its behavioral health services for cancer patients and their families.

A cancer patient is twice as likely to suffer with mental and emotional distress than the average American. This distress can continue from diagnosis through treatment and well into the survivorship stage. Mental stress and anxiety can affect and prevent the body from fighting disease and recovering from surgeries and treatment.

At Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, 80% of the client’s report stress, depression and anxiety from a diagnosis and unfortunately the family members are also affected mentally and emotionally. The coronavirus pandemic placed a severe strain on the medical industry and finding a mental health provider that can take in a new client has become close to impossible, especially if a patients’ finances are limited.

As a result, Michelle’s Place approached this need with an

innovative solution for their clients and their families to access behavioral health resources. A partnership through Pepperdine University in 2022 made it possible to utilize practicum students who can provide behavioral health services under the supervision of a licensed clinician. This step has opened the doors for many other universities to join hands with Michelle’s Place such as Loma Linda University and Tulane University.

Triple Moon Psychotherapy Collective’s clinical supervisors are all licensed therapists and can provide supervision to practicum students and interns to provide one on one sessions to clients and their family members yearly

at no cost. It also assists the community by infusing new soon to be providers into the network of providers for behavioral health services. Michelle’s Place said it is determined to grow this program and ensure their clients get the resources they need.

Shanda Brennan, MSW, CSW, LCSW, co-founder and CEO of Triple Moon Psychotherapy Collective and director of behavioral health at Michelle’s Place, explained in more detail the importance of this program.

“The psychosocial and psychiatric impact that a cancer-burden brings to an individual and their support partners is often immense and can result in substantial

impact on mental health and wellbeing,” Brennan said. “This also means the long-term impacts of a cancer diagnosis on mental health are being more often realized with upwards of 35% of patients reporting symptoms of depression and/or anxiety postdiagnosis. Mental health during and post-treatment is less prioritized than treating the disease itself due to many influences, including access to care.

“Here at Michelle’s Place, we are pleased to be breaking down these barriers and offering no-cost mental health services to our clients, their families and their support network, provided by licensed therapists and su -

pervised graduate level interns. Through the expansion of our mental health services, we have built upon our mission that ‘No one should face cancer alone,’” she said.

This program is made possible through grant funding from the Fallbrook Regi onal Health District, Kaiser Permanente Foundation, Supervisor Chuck Washington and the Inland Empire Community Foundation, Seraphim Fund.

For more information on Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, visit http://www.michellesplace.org or call 951-699-5455.

Submitted by Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center.

Riverside County reports first human cases of West Nile this year

Two human cases of West Nile virus – the first in Riverside County this year – were confirmed by Riverside University Health System – Public Health the week of Aug. 14, serving as a reminder that residents should take steps to protect against mosquitoes, which transmit the disease.

One of the affected residents, from western Riverside County, has required hospitalization. The other individual, from the San Gorgonio Pass area, is recovering at home. There are no indications that the two cases are related.

The virus is transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Health officials emphasized that the overall risk of serious illness to humans is low. Most individuals who are infected with the virus will not experience any illness. About one in five infected people develop a fever with symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

Most people with a fever due to West Nile virus recover com-

pletely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. Elderly individuals and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness.

“While West Nile is rarely lifethreatening, it can occasionally be serious,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County. “Unlike common respiratory viruses, which are easily transmitted, the West Nile virus can only be spread by mosquito bites, and there are steps to take to reduce your risk of being bitten.”

Here are some ways to protect yourself: Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk, and wear pants, long sleeves, and other protective clothing outdoors. Apply EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, following the instructions on the product label. If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first, then repellent. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

Eliminate all sources of standing water, such as old tires, b uckets, flowerpots, and toys that can support mosquito breeding. Empty and scrub the water sources. Some mosquitoes can even breed in the amount of water in a bottle cap. Anyone who becomes ill after mosquito exposure should contact their healthcare provider. Riverside County’s Disease Control office can be reached at 951.358.5107. Information about mosquito abatement is available online at rivcoeh.org/mosquitosurveillance-and-treatment.

WASHINGTON – The National Partnership for Women & Families released a new analysis that demonstrates how wide the caregiving gap is between men and women across the United States. Through analysis of the recently released 2022 American Time Use Survey, the National Partnership found that men report doing only half as much caregiving of children, other family members and people outside of their home, as women – meaning that women spend an additional 153 hours providing unpaid care each year, or four full work weeks.

Unfortunately, this caregiving gap is clear across Asian women, Black women, white women and Latinas, compared to men overall. Latinas spend the most time caregiving across all groups.

“

It’s clear that care work is valuable labor, but we rarely treat it as such,” Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, said. “The additional unpaid caregiving that women perform, combined with longstanding gender-based pay disparities, mean that too many women are unable to achieve economic stability at a time when mothers are increasingly breadwinners, especially Black and Latina moms. We must focus on equity in our economy and make critical investments in paid leave, child care and other services to support all families and ensure the paid caregivers who are doing these jobs – disproportionately women of color – are fairly paid and have access to essential benefits.”

The caregiving work disproportionately performed by wom en historically has been undervalued, often viewed as women’s responsibility or duty rather than valuable labor. Care workers who provide care for pay are often among the lowest paid workers, despite the important service that they provide to families in times of need.

Yet, even when calculated using the too-low average wages earned by child care workers and home health workers as a measure, the value of women’s addi-

tional time spent on caregiving is

more than $625 billion per year. That amounts to roughly $4,600 of uncompensated caregiving per woman every year. The value of men’s unpaid caregiving time is roughly half that – $2,300 annually per person, more than $300 billion annually as a whole.

“Women in the prime of their careers are more likely to be working than ever, but they are also juggling significant caregiving responsibilities at home,”

Katherine Gallagher Robbins,

Senior Fellow at the National Partnership for Women & Families, said. “Ensuring workers’ c aregiving responsibilities are supported helps not only individual families, but also grows our economy overall.”

Specifically, the new analysis found that men average just over 26 minutes a day on caregiving, while women average just under 52 minutes. Women spend an average of 153 additional hours caregiving per year, equivalent to four full work weeks. The value of unpaid care work is more

Answers for puzzle on page B-2

than $625 billion for women and more than $300 billion for men annually.

Women are more likely to be caregivers than men: more than a quarter of women reported caring for household members, only one in six men reported the same. Asian women, white women, Black women and Latinas all spend more time providing care than men overall, with Latinas spending the most time caregiving across all groups. The caregiving gap is critical evidence that investments in paid leave, child care and home- and community-based services are urgent. The National Partnership for Women & Families supports the FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act – legislation to create a national inclusive paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave policies – as well as legislation to ensure highquality, affordable child care, and bolster support for disabled and LGBTQI+ people and families.

Submitted by National Partnership for Women & Families.

Women spend twice as much time caregiving as men, according to a survey

KPRS Construction building 1.5 million square feet of warehouses in Menifee

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Southbound motorists along Interstate 215 approaching the Clinton Keith offramp may have seen large cranes lifting side panels for a huge building in the past weeks. The project by KPRS

Construction will become the largest warehouse in the city of Menifee at its completion by the end of the year.

The project, located at the Scott Road Commerce Center on the south side end of Scott Road on Zeiders Road and Ciccotti St., includes three separate tilt-up warehouses with more than 1.5 million square feet of space available to industrial tenants and is in its second phase. Currently there are more than 150 construction workers from multiple subcontractors working on the project, according to Jeff Cunningham, project superintendent.

For Menifee and the Southwest Riverside County region it will help answer major distribution companies’ requests for more building space for the huge growing population in Menifee, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore in Southwest Riverside County needing goods.

The project exceeds the current limit on warehousing sizes in the city, but was approved by an earlier Menifee City Council and still fits in the city’s Southern Corridor General Plan where fewer homes are located and borders the

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neighboring city of Murrieta. The three buildings under construction total about 1,543,000 square feet. Building 1 is 740,000 sq. ft; building 2, 525,000 sq. ft. and building three is 270,000 sq. ft.

“The city is excited about the project,” said Cunningham who is coordinating the construction efforts for the parent company located in Brea. He said new tenants will have options for the sizes of the suites when they arrive. He foresees the construction completed by December and open for business.

Two other smaller warehouses adjacent to the new project were completed earlier and are now occupied.

KPRS is a full-service general construction company, building structures and environments all across Southern California. For more information, visit them online at https://www.kprsinc.com. For leasing or sale information, contact Lee & Associates at 951445-4500 or visit https://www. lee-associates.com.

Tony Ault can be reached tault@ reedermedia.com.

THRIFT SHOPS

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF TEMECULA VALLEY

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

One of the three huge tilt up Scott Road Commerce Center warehouse buildings under construction in the far southern area of Menifee off of Zeiders Road and Ciccotti St. in Menifee by KPRS Construction from Brea. Valley News/Tony Ault photos

This sign welcomes potential tenants and passing motorists at the Scott Road Commerce Center on Zeiders Road in Menifee. The project is expected to be completed in late December.

TEMECULA – The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce will present the 17th annual Women in Business Conference at Pechanga Resort & Casino Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The presenters for this year’s conference will share valuable insights into “Reimagining What’s Possible” in a world of new possibilities. At the one-day event, attendees will have access to presentations designed specifically for women; topics covering business psychology, technology and communication

Sponsored by Abbott, this conference will offer networking opportunities, educational speakers, a business expo, a designer handbag raffle and prize drawings. The Women in Business Conference provides an opportunity for business professionals to connect with others who share common goals while fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion.

The Temecula Chamber announced the three keynote speakers. Nikki Achartz, CEO of SNAP Savvy Strategies LLC, will be speaking on maximizing profitability using the psychology of sales.

Unstoppable Auto Group of Temecula acquires Mercedes-Benz of Monterey

MONTEREY – Unstoppable Auto Group, a privately held group of luxury auto dealerships, announced recently that it has acquired Mercedes-Benz of Monterey. The acquisition, which closed Wednesday, Aug. 9, added to their six dealerships in Southern California and became the first in Northern California.

“We are thrilled to include Mercedes-Benz of Monterey to our growing family of dealerships,” Garth Blumenthal, CEO of Unstoppable Auto Group, said. “This dealership is a perfect fit for our group, as it shares our commitment to provide exceptional customer service and significant opportunity for growth. We are excited to build on the dealership’s 65-year history and continue to serve the Monterey Peninsula communities.”

Mercedes-Benz of Monterey is located at 498 Fremont Street in Monterey. The dealership, according to MBUSA records, was the first in the country, opening its doors in 1957. The historic stone Old Town building was originally a Packard dealership when it was constructed in 1928.

After graduating from University in South Africa, Blumenthal emigrated to the United States to continue his passion in the automotive business. It led him to the top management position in the No. 1 Mercedes-Benz dealer in the U.S. for 25 years. After leaving, he founded the Unstoppable Auto Group in 2019. Currently, his portfolio includes Mercedes-Benz of Temecula, Audi Mission Viejo, Volvo Cars Mission Viejo, Polestar Laguna Beach, Polestar South Coast and Polestar San Diego. Blumenthal and his team have big plans for expanding the footprint of the dealership and are looking forward to bringing their five-star, luxury experience to the Monterey Peninsula. Their slogan is a reminder of their commitment to personally serve their customers at the highest level, “Building Relationships One Guest At A Time.” Submitted by Unstoppable Auto Group.

Misty Kerrigan, an intentional living expert mindset and manifestation mentor, will be speaking on mastering workplace communication across the multigenerations.

Megan Miller, co-founder and chief creative officer of BirdsEye VR, will be speaking on making the most of business technology.

This event will include a raffle with items donated by the business community, food prepared by Pechanga’s award-winning chef, and a designer handbag opportunity drawing.

Tickets for TVCC members are $95 per person or $800 for a corporate table of 10. Tickets for non-members are $125 per person or $1,100 for a corporate table of 10. Reservations made after Monday, Sept. 11, pay an additional $15 per person.

Expo table reservations are available. They include one event admittance, a 6-8 foot table with linens and two chairs. Tables for TVCC members are $225 and non-members pay $275.

Sponsorship opportunities for Women in Business are also available. Registration and sponsorship opportunities can be found at https://www.temecula.

TEMECULA – Ford and Elm, a home goods store previously located in Old Town Temecula, moved recently to a new location at 41735 Rider Way, Suite A, in Temecula.

The move reflects the brand’s commitment to the community and dedication to curating a selection of quality products made by Temecula-area artists, according to Ford and Elm. Offering creations

from over 15 local artisans, the store serves as a retail location and a showcase of the community’s artistry.

“Our mission has always been to bring people together in a beautiful way,” Porsche Poltl, owner at Ford and Elm, said. “We have always believed that local artisans are the backbone of any community, and by giving their work a celebrated space at Ford and Elm, we aim

to create a sustainable ecosystem for them.” Ford and Elm also houses a selection of vintage furniture from around the world. The store offers something unique for everyone, reflecting craftsmanship and an eye for detail. Whether shoppers are on the hunt for an art piece that speaks to them or a piece of furniture with a rich history, Ford and Elm invited the community to

check out their new location.

The store is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. and Mondays by appointment only. For more information, call 951- 7194685, email fordandelm@icloud. com or visit http://fordandelm. com.

Submitted by Ford and Elm.

Review of all things Real Estate: How to lower fire insurance costs

sionals, sellers, and buyers comply with various fire zone mandates.

This report is not based on general hazard modeling; its analysis focuses on a specific property and its surroundings. Results will vary from home to home.

Is this report required? The report itself is not required, however certain elements of the report are required in a real estate transaction. The laws in this area are complex, overlapping, and evolving. The WFDR can help all parties understand and meet their obligations, and stay ahead of requirements.

Bob Hillery CR Properties

In my very first article I informed the readership that this weekly column would be about information and education regarding selling anything. In view of skyrocketing fire insurance rates, the below article, courtesy of SNAP Natural Hazard Disclosure Company, provides information about a new product that may contribute to lower fire insurance costs.

What is the Wildfire Disclosure Report? The Wildfire Disclosure Report (WFDR) was developed by FortressFire to assess wildfire characteristics of a property, provide mitigation recommendations, and help property owners better understand the vulnerability of their home to wildfires. It helps real estate profes-

Isn’t this information already in the Natural Hazard Disclosure report? No. Although a few elements of the Wildfire Disclosure Report are touched on in the Natural Hazard Disclosure Report, the WFDR is significantly more detailed, provides mitigation recommendations, may aid in securing insurance, and ultimately helps property owners better understand the vulnerability of the home to wildfires.

Can this report help me get homeowners insurance, or get a better rate? Each insurance carrier defines their own underwriting criteria for homes in wildfireexposed areas. The WFDR was designed to integrate into carrier underwriting processes. While WFDR-recommended mitigations improve a home’s insurability and wildfire survivability, carriers are not required to offer insurance

based on these mitigations.

Who orders the WFDR report? Anybody can order the Wildfire Disclosure Report, at any time. It was designed for home sellers, home buyers, and their real estate agents, brokers, and escrow agents.

How can WFDR help in a real estate transaction? There is no fire insurance contingency in the California Residential Purchase Agreement, buyers need to do their own due diligence. If there is a loan contingency, failure to obtain fire insurance and secure a loan after the offer is accepted would not excuse the loan contingency.

The information in the Wildfire Disclosure Report can help avoid fire insurance complications and delays in a transaction and lead to better informed negotiations.

Does someone go out and inspect the property? No. The Wildfire Disclosure Report is compiled using satellite imagery, public record, and proprietary technology. FortressFire does not walk the property though optional on-site inspections will be available later this year.

How much does it cost? How do I pay for it? The Wildfire Disclosure Report has a suggested retail price of $140, but actual pricing may vary with each distribution partner. Payment can be deferred to escrow or paid-up front via credit card.

How do I order the WFDR?

FortressFire has partnered with

Snap NHD to distribute the Wildfire Disclosure Report for the initial launch of the program.

When should I order this report and what is the turnaround time? The Wildfire Disclosure Report can be ordered at any time, it does not have to be a part of a property sale or purchase. Imagine having this information on hand when renewing homeowners’ insurance or even incorporating it into the maintenance strategy for a property. A PDF version of the report is emailed to the purchaser within 48 hours (about two days) of ordering.

How long is the WFDR valid?

Like a home inspection report, the Wildfire Disclosure Report is valid for several months. The vulnerability of a property to wildfire evolves over time due to changes in structural materials, modifications, addition/removal of adjacent structures, or vegetation types and density.

How do I implement the mitigation services recommended in the WFDR assessment? Recommended mitigations may be implemented by the homeowner. Qualified service providers can deliver these services across the state.

Who is FortressFire? Why should I rely on their Wildfire Disclosure Report? FortressFire brings together a diverse group of scientists, technologists, insurance experts, service operations leaders, and fire management professionals dedicated to protecting homes and

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businesses from the devastation of wildfire. FortressFire worked closely with the California Association of REALTORS® to develop the Wildfire Risk Report.

The sister company of FortressFire developed and distributes a proprietary, eco-sensitive, and sustainable fire retardant, currently used by Cal Fire to combat wildfires in California. FortressFire also collaborates with Cal Fire, Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and California Department of Insurance (DOI).

Cal Fire conducts inspections. IBHS sets the national standard for resilient construction. DOI sets the insurance standard. Wildfire management expertise and a commitment to mitigation and protection is FortressFire’s mission.

Commissioner Lara issues insurance alert for recent tropical storm

LOS ANGELES — With Hurricane Hilary, downgraded to a tropical storm, in the rear view mirror, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is urging Californians to understand how their property insurance covers damage from wind, rain, and flooding.

Most homeowners’ and commercial insurance policies include wind and storm damage. Damage caused from fallen trees also is generally covered under all standard homeowner policies.

Many people may not be aware that homeowners’ and commercial insurance policies typically exclude flood, mudslide, debris flow, and other similar disasters, unless they are directly or indirectly caused by a recent wildfire or another peril covered by the applicable insurance policy. The Department of Insurance has posted a fact sheet for consumers, found at https://www.insurance. ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/upload/FloodMudslideLandslideSinkholeFactSheet01242018_2.pdf, to answer questions about what their policies cover.

Commissioner Lara issued a formal notice to insurance companies earlier this year reminding them of their legal duty to cover damage from any future mudslide or similar disaster that is caused by recent wildfires that weakened hillsides.

“This once in a lifetime storm could bring extreme rainfall and wind damage, so now is the time to prepare and understand your insurance coverage,” said Commissioner Lara. “I have alerted insurance companies to follow California law requiring they cover any mudslide, debris flow, or other damage caused by our recent wildfires so that people can recover quickly.”

Auto insurance policy may cover a vehicle if it is damaged in a flood comprehensive coverage was purchased. While only liability coverage is required by law, individuals should consider comprehensive coverage to protect their vehicle in case of storm damage.

The California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, currently does not cover any storm-related damage unless a consumer has purchased a supplemental “difference in conditions” (DIC) policy from another insurance company.

With any storm damage, you should call your insurance company to report it and take pictures and keep records of all clean up and repair costs.

Commissioner Lara also advises consumers to prepare for potential disaster by using their smartphone to perform a home inventory to create a record of their belongings and store scans of important documents that they can easily and remotely access after a disaster.

Visit insurance.ca.gov to find more information or to get help in filing an insurance claim.

Submitted by the California Department of Insurance.

Zero Week kicks off prep football frenzy

Sports Editor

Thursday, Aug. 17, marked the start of prep football in the Southwest Riverside County region, which is both exciting and stressful for everyone involved. As for our sports department, all

Zero Week eyes were keyed in on what would take place in Temecula as the Big West Division, now in its sophomore season, kicked things off with a battle between the co-champs from the Lower Division, Great Oak, who took on Upper Division powerhouse, Vista Murrieta.

This was the return game for head coach Coley Candaele, who founded the Vista Murrieta program when the school opened in the fall of 2003. After a quick seven-year hiatus, Candaele wasted no time making his return a triumphant one. A strong passing attack from Bryson Beaver was a

huge factor as he threw for 285 yards and four touchdowns en route to a 34-10 win over Great Oak.

It was a tight first half between the two former Southwestern League foes with Vista Murrieta jumping ahead first when Sebastian Stapleton drilled a 43-yard field goal with 3:22 left in the opening quarter. Great Oak would go ahead for the only time in the game when they answered back immediately after Cole Vasquez hit Jake Schuck for a 14-yard TD late in the first quarter.

Beaver would connect with Brody Guinn on an 18-yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes remaining in the first half to help give the Broncos a 10-7 lead, but the Wolfpack tied things up before halftime with a 32-yard field goal by Alejandro Colina.

Things looked good for the home team coming out of the break, until Vista Murrieta’s A.J. Jones not only returned the second half kickoff to the middle of the field, but then caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Beaver to help Vista Murrieta regain the lead and never look back. A series of turnovers would leave Great Oak scratching their heads as Vista Murrieta would score 24 unanswered points on their way to victory. Guinn had eight catches for 133 yards, while Jones and Sean McCullough each hauled in four passes for a combined 88 yards. Vasquez threw for 192 yards, and J.T. Trevino had eight catches for 95 yards.

Other Zero Week wins came from Elsinore, Orange Vista, Perris, CMI, Rancho Christian, Tahquitz, Paloma Valley, Liberty, and Linfield Christian. The Lions took out Maranatha with Braden Sotis, Micah Little, Marcus Dylke and Jeremy Maloney all being selected players of the game.

Here are the Week Zero scores of high school football games involving area teams:

Thursday 8/17

Nonleague Elsinore - 29, Grand Terrace - 6

Orange Vista - 27, Lakewood - 20

Vista Murrieta - 34, Great Oak - 10

Friday 8/18

Nonleague California Military Institute15, Hamilton - 14

San Clemente - 20, Chaparral

- 10 Redlands - 42, Citrus Hill - 0

Linfield Christian - 42, Maranatha Christian - 7

Summit - 33, Los Osos - 13

Maranatha - 24, Lakeside - 10

Perris - 29, Morningside - 0

Ocean View - 45, Nuview Bridge - 12

West Valley - 48, Pacific - 0

Rancho Christian - 31, Layton Christian Academy - 28

Rancho Cucamonga - 29, Murrieta Valley - 27

Rancho Mirage - 28, Hemet - 25

Beaumont - 34, San Jacinto - 17

Steele Canyon - 45, Heritage - 3

Tahquitz - 40, Chaffey - 16

Charter Oak - 24, Temecula Valley - 14

Paloma Valley - 28, Temescal Canyon - 17

Tesoro - 27, Murrieta Mesa - 7

Liberty - 53, Valley View - 0

Saturday 8/19

Nonleague

Santa Rosa Academy - 42, San Jacinto Valley Academy - 6 (game played at Mt. San Jacinto College)

This season the Valley News Sports Department will be teaming up with Inland Sports and will be on the sidelines at as many games as we can be, but due to print space and manpower, it may be in more of a limited coverage area. If your team is not getting the coverage they deserve, please share photos and stats by utilizing the contact information at the end of this article.

Week One schedules (August 24-26. Dates, sites, and times subject to change)

Thursday 8/24 (Games at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted)

Nonleague

Desert Christian at California Military Institute, 8 p.m. Hilltop at Temescal Canyon

Paloma Valley at Moreno Valley

Rubidoux at Citrus Hill

West Valley at Maranatha, 6:30 p.m.

Yucca Valley at Rancho

Christian

Friday 8/25 (Games at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted)

Nonleague Apple Valley at Chaparral Cornerstone Christian at Sherman Oaks CES

Culver City at San Jacinto

Fallbrook at Linfield Christian

La Quinta at Heritage

Lakeside at Tahquitz

Murrieta Mesa at Vista Murrieta

Murrieta Valley at Great Oak

Orange Vista at Cajon Perris at Miller

see FOOTBALL, page C-2

Rubdiel Baez (4) blocks the extra point attempt during Orange Vista’s Zero Week game against Lakewood.

Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Vista Murrieta’s AJ Jones scampers downfield in Zero Week action against Great Oak Thursday, Aug. 18. Valley News/Butch Owens photo

Great Oak senior, Cole Walker (75), eyes the ball at the line of scrimmage against Vista Murrieta Thursday, Aug. 18. Valley News/Rob Davis Photography

JP Raineri

Inland Sports BOOST Top-25 prep football poll

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

With the first official week of high school football in California behind us, it is time to look at the Inland Sports prep football polls in the Southwest Riverside County region. As Week One settles in, we will check in with Pep Fernandez and the crew from Inland Sports to see which teams are making moves in the polls. Even though they lost, Centennial maintains the No. 1 spot, but the most recent BOOST Top-25 and coaches preseason polls still have five of the top 10 teams hailing from right here in our own backyard.

The biggest drop of the week was San Jacinto after falling nine spots to No. 15. The best bump of the week was made by Liberty as they moved up two spots, cracking the top 10. Of the top 25, ten are schools from the surrounding Valley News coverage area.

This week’s polls (records included, plus movement from last

week is noted):

Centennial (1-0, same)

Cajon (1-0, up 2 spots)

Murrieta Valley (0-1, same)

Chaparral (0-1, down 2 spots)

Orange Vista (1-0, same)

Roosevelt (1-0, up four spots)

Vista Murrieta (1-0, up two spots)

Citrus Valley (0-0, same)

Aquinas (0-1, down 2 spots)

Liberty (1-0, up 2 spots)

Yucaipa (1-0, up 3 spots)

Beaumont (1-0, up five spots)

Rancho Verde (1-0, up 2 spots)

Norco (0-1, down 3 spots)

San Jacinto (0-1, down 9 spots)

Norte Vista (0-1, down 3 spots)

Murrieta Mesa (0-1, up 2 spots)

Summit (1-0, up 2 spots)

Great Oak (0-1, down 3 spots)

Elsinore (1-0, new this week)

Kaiser (1-0, new this week)

King (0-1, down 4 spots)

Paloma Valley (1-0, down 1 spot)

Jurupa Hills (0-0, down 1 spot)

JW North (1-0, new this week)

Temecula Valley (No. 25 last week), Ramona (No 24 last week), and Grand Terrace (No. 21 last week) all fell off the polls this week.

This week’s Inland Sports and Ken’s Sporting Goods “Must See Game” is the Orange Vista Coyotes versus the Cajon Cowboys.

“These are two highly ranked

AnzA VAlley OUTLOOK

St. Jeanne de Lestonnac at Hamilton Sultana at Liberty Temecula Valley at Elsinore Tri-City Christian at Temecula Prep Saturday 8/26

Santa Rosa Academy at Nuview Bridge

*All stats, schedules, photos, and scores are supplied by local high school athletic directors, MaxPreps, CIF-SS offices, contributing writers/photographers and countless fans of the games via social media. Is your team’s score missing? Let us know if your school is inside our coverage area and would like to be mentioned.

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

teams going head-to-head early in the season,” says Fernandez. Continue to look for plenty of updates as the Valley News sports department will be linking up with Inland Sports throughout the school year to provide even better coverage of what’s going on in the world of prep sports in our area,

and beyond. Inland Sports news can be followed online at www. inlandsports.wordpress.com and the Inland Sports show can be viewed weekly on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.

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

Drew Files holds the ball for Sebastian Stapleton, who hit all four of his point-after-attempts and made both field goals on the night for Vista Murrieta. Valley News/Butch Owens photo

FOOTBALL from page C-1

The Heritage Cheer Squad performs during halftime of their Week Zero game. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Josiah Smith finds room to run during Week Zero action for the Heritage Patriots. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

In their Zero Week bout, the Tesoro defense kept Daniel Ritchie and Murrieta Mesa in check.

Orange Vista’s Zayshawn Washington (16) returns the kickoff during their Zero Week game. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group Valley News/David Canales photo

Anthony Ruelas (6) tracks down the ball carrier in Liberty’s Week Zero win over Valley View. With their win, the Bison cracked the top 10 of the Inland Sports BOOST Top-25 Coaches Polls this week. Valley News/Morgan Ivy photo

The Inland Sports BOOST Top-25 prep football poll after Week Zero games. Valley News/Inland Sports photo

Prep Volleyball news and notes; Week ending 8/19

Derryl Trujillo

Sports Writer

Opening week of the high school volleyball season has come and gone across the area and while a few teams have not yet seen the floor this season, most have.

Wildcats open with big win over Big VIII tri champion Sharks

If there’s one thing Paloma Valley girls volleyball coach Stephen Kaas does well with his schedule it’s that he gives his teams a look at a variety of different teams before league play begins. In opening the 2023 campaign he challenged his team with a matchup at Big VIII League defending tri champion Corona Santiago. It was a matchup that took five sets but saw Paloma Valley win by scores of 19-25, 2522, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9. Mia Rosas led the Wildcats with 17 kills and 9 digs in that win. They proceeded to split their next two matches falling in a sweep against Temecula Valley and sweeping JW North to finish week one.

Rosas also earned Player of the Week honors for her performance in the win against Santiago.

Eagles defend United Christian Academy tournament title

Coming off a CIF-SS division six quarterfinal appearance and undefeated Sunbelt League championship in 2022 the Rancho Christian girls volleyball team earned their Ivy League spot.

They opened the 2023 campaign on Saturday, August 19 at the United Christian Academy tournament in Upland and for a second straight year brought home a tournament title, defeating Woodcrest Christian in that final match. Junior outside hitter Savannah Thomas earned MVP honors for the Eagles.

“I feel super proud that our program has made it to the top (Ivy) league,” Villafana said. “Losing players like Mariah and Ellie is definitely big but these ladies have been working hard this summer to compete against these upper echelon programs. I

am also proud that we have grown in numbers to the point where we have added a JV team which gives us an opportunity to compete against these schools.”

Rancho Christian opens the home part of their schedule against Santa Rosa Academy on Tuesday and visits Horizon Prep of the San Diego Section on Thursday.

Joining Villafana on the Rancho Christian bench this year is former Linfield Christian standout Paige Willams, a member of the Lions 2018 and 2019 CIF-SS championship teams.

Matches to watch:

Tuesday 8/22

Temecula Prep at Hemet West Valley 5 p.m.

Both programs reached the quarterfinals a season ago with Temecula Prep earning their spot in division eight and West Valley reaching a division seven round of eight.

Vista Murrieta at Marymount 5:30 p.m.

Vista Murrieta, last year’s CIFSS division two champion, opens the year at state power Marymount as they prepare to defend their streak of Southwestern League championships.

Thursday 8/24 Santiago at Chaparral 5:30 p.m. This match is a tale of two teams off to totally polar opposite starts in 2023. Chaparral has not missed a beat under first year head coach Gretchen Johnson and is 6-0 so far with an AB Miller Steeltown Classic title plus non-league win against Corona Centennial. They also were finalists at the Queens Court end of summer preseason tournament before falling to Corona Del Mar. Meanwhile the Sharks, who shared a Big VIII League title last year with King and Roosevelt, have yet to record a preseason win.

Derryl Trujillo can be reached via email at socaltrekkie@gmail. com

With Whitmore, Team USA finishes World Cup play undefeated

End week with perfect 5-0 record

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

THUNDER BAY, Ontario – Last week, in their final game Naomi Ryan went 2-for-2 with two RBI singles to lead the USA Baseball Women’s National Team to a 2-0 win over Mexico in its final game of Group A play at the 2023 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Baseball World Cup at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario. With the victory, Team USA finished Group A play with an undefeated 5-0 record.

How it happened

In typical form, Alex Hugo got the USA offense going early as she doubled down the left field line for the first hit of the game. Ryan then stepped to the plate and drove Hugo in with a base hit that gave the U.S. the early 1-0 lead.

Team USA starting pitcher Elise Berger recorded three strikeouts across the next two innings as she continued to hold off the Mexico offense.

The U.S. put its second run of the game on the board in the bottom of the third when Ryan picked up her second single of the day, once again allowing Hugo to cross the plate

to make it 2-0 in favor of the stars and stripes.

After a scoreless fourth, Niki Eckert took the mound for Team USA and struck out one batter while continuing to hold off any Mexico offensive threat.

Olivia Pichardo made a oneinning relief appearance in the sixth and punched out consecutive batters to end the top-half of the frame.

Veteran reliever Meggie Meidlinger entered in the seventh and struck out two in a three up, three down inning to seal the 2-0 victory for the red, white and blue.

Notable stats Hugo went a perfect 2-for-2 with a single, double, and two runs scored.

Remi Schaber added a double for the Team USA offense.

Temecula native, Kelsie Whitmore, tallied two stolen bases and a walk for the U.S. Berger, Eckert, Meidlinger, and Pichardo combined to allow just one hit in the shutout victory.

Team USA produced a shutout in each of its last four games, only allowing two runs in the entire week.

On deck

This concludes Group A play at the 2023 WBSC Women’s Baseball

Paloma Valley’s Mia Rosas, seen here in action against Temecula Valley last week, earned Player of the Week honors for her performance in the Wildcats win against Santiago on Tuesday, August 15. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Paloma Valley’s Mia Rosas keeps the ball alive against Temecula Valley Tuesday, August 15. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Temecula Valley’s Zoe Fiala (10) sets the volleyball as her teammates get ready to counter a block from Paloma Valley. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Rancho Christian’s Savannah Thomas earned tournament MVP honors as the Eagles claimed their second straight United Christian Academy tournament title.

Rancho Christian players, along with head coach Luci Villafana and assistant Paige Williams, take a picture with United Christian Academy’s tournament trophy on Saturday, August 19 in Upland. Valley News/Courtesy photo Valley News/Courtesy photo

Temecula’s Kelsie Whitmore, holding Team USA’s “Ticket Punched” card, has made 7 appearances on a USA Baseball national team over her career. Valley News/USA Baseball courtesy photo World Cup. Team USA will return to

Highway Updates

Effects of Hilary Tropical Storm may affect ongoing Caltrans projects in

the Valley area

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

The past weekend weather that brought Hurricane Hilary down to a tropical storm in the Valley brought some flooding and highway damage to some state highways. Those highways may require additional work in those areas by California Department of Transportation and contract crews. The result may cause some weather related delays to some locally planned projects in the area and some temporary road closures due to flooding and rock slides.

The following Caltrans projects that may be affected by the weather conditions include those in Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta, Hemet, Anza and Aguanga. The latest following projects were reported as of Saturday, August 19. Those schedules may change.

Murrieta and Wildomar

Caltrans is alerting the public that construction work will be taking place near Murrieta and Wildomar from Murrieta Hot Springs Road to Bundy Canyon Road. If the weather permits.

The daytime work will occur Tuesday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nighttime work will occur Thursday through Friday, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Work will end Saturday morning. The work performed will include upgrading facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Work will also include curb and gutter. Please note, various lane and ramp closures will occur in the project zone.

Aguanga and Anza

Caltrans will continue work on the $5.2 million slurry seal and rumble strips maintenance project on State Route 371 (SR371) from Aguanga through Anza. This project involves dig outs, slurry seal operations, striping, and installation of safety rumble strips on the inside and outside of the lanes in both directions. Again weather permitting. Crews will be working from the junction of State Route 79) and SR 371 at postmaker 56.4 to the junction of State Route 74 and SR-371 at postmarker 77.1.

The project length is 20.67 miles.

Hours of operation: Mondays

through Fridays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. There may be occasional weekend work. Traffic control: SR-371 will remain open for the duration of the project. One way traffic control with flagging and pilot vehicles will be in place.

Hemet

The Caltrans $51.6 million corridor improvement project on State Route 74 (Florida Ave), in Hemet will repave and rehabilitate 49 lane miles, install Traffic Management Systems, upgrade curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways to ADA standards enhance bike lane signage and striping, and upgrade 29 bus pads within the project parameters. Weather permitting. The project was awarded to Griffith Company of Brea, California. Crews will be working in and near Hemet from Winchester Road to Fairview Avenue with a project length of 11.2 miles.

Palm Springs Caltrans continues work on a $5.5 million project to construct and upgrade curb ramps to ADA standards and modify signal and

lighting systems on State Route 111 (SR-111) in Palm Springs. Weather may definitely be a concern to crews on this project as heavy rain damage was expected there and in Palm Springs being subjected to flooding.

Crews will try to wrap up the project with minor work taking place at various locations on SR111 from Lawrence Crossley Road to West Gateway Drive. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. No lane closures were expected at this time for final work. But, because of the recent rains motorists are urged to continue to use caution and reduce speeds when approaching and passing through all work zones and workers at all times and watch for equipment movement.

Lake Elsinore

Again the recent weather on State Route 74 (SR-74) in Riverside County from the Riverside and Orange County border to Monte Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore may delay Caltrans work in various locations throughout the project zone. Weeknight full

closures with one-way traffic control with escorts will be in place from 8 p.m. to 9:59 p.m. During the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the route will be closed to through traffic. Residents and commuters will need to utilize the alternate routes to go around the closure each night from 10 p.m. Access through the work zone will be prohibited during the previously stated hours. Work will take place nightly, east of the County line on SR-74, Monday through Friday.

Keep up to date

Know before you go! To stay on top of roadwork in the Inland Empire go to https://dot.ca.gov/ caltrans-near-me/district-8 and sign up for commuter alerts. Follow Caltrans for the latest information on Facebook and Twitter. To assist in planning commutes, Caltrans shows live traffic conditions on QuickMap and planned lane closures.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

Riverside County declares local emergency due to Hurricane Hilarydriven storms

Valley News Staff

A local state of emergency was declared Monday, Aug. 21, by the County Executive Officer and Director of Emergency Services, Jeff Van Wagenen, in response to severe weather threats posed by the remnants of Hilary.

The proclamation comes in light of the National Weather Service’s recent warnings: a Tropical Storm Warning on August 18, a series of Flood Watches between August 19 and August 22, and multiple Flash Flood Warnings on

August 19 and 20. These warnings indicate substantial dangers to both individuals and properties within Riverside County.

In preparation for the anticipated threats, the county has already initiated proactive measures, positioning essential resources like swift water rescue teams, mass care resources, transportation crews, and flood control professionals. The situation is further exacerbated by existing burn scars from previous wildfires, including the Apple/El Dorado, Fairview, Bonny, Reche, and Sunset fires.

These scars heighten the risk for catastrophic flooding, mudslides, and debris flows, leading to the necessary issuance of evacuation orders for communities situated below these vulnerable areas.

The storm system propelled by Hurricane Hilary has already inflicted considerable damage across Riverside, causing extensive flooding, road blockages, and harm to vital infrastructure. This widespread damage threatens to place a significant economic strain on affected communities. However, work has begun to

cleanup and open the damaged roads.

In acknowledgment of the severity of the situation, the Governor of the State of California had already proclaimed a State of Emergency on August 19.

Furthermore, two cities within Riverside County, La Quinta and Palm Desert, have independently submitted their local emergency proclamations, which Riverside County will forward to the State.

This local emergency is set to remain in effect for the next seven days. Any extension beyond this

California lawmakers push bill to give striking workers unemployment benefits

Will Kessler

Contributor, Daily Caller News Foundation

California lawmakers are planning to introduce a bill that would allow striking workers to collect unemployment, even as California’s unemployment insurance fund remains heavily underfunded, according to the Washington Free Beacon. The bill, which could be introduced by Democratic lawmakers this week, proposes tapping into the state’s unemployment insurance fund to give benefits to striking workers, according to the Beacon. The California Labor Federation, a powerful labor union conglomerate that covers 1,200 unions with

a combined total of 2.1 million members, is one of the primary backers of the bill.

“I am working closely with the California Labor Federation in an effort to make striking workers eligible for unemployment benefits,” Democratic California state Sen. Anthony Portantino, lead author of the bill, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “As we come out of the pandemic, it seems prudent to have the hardworking women and men in our labor force with a seat at the table.”

“We currently have writers, actors and hotel workers on strike and one day actions by city and county workers,” Portantino continued. “Respect is hard to legislate but helping people pay

their rent and feed their kids during these unprecedented times will lead to a better economic outcome for all. It’s my hope to have something in print this week and on the Governor’s desk before the end of this session.”

Two major California unions, the Writers Guild of America, which covers writers for shows and movies, and SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 actors, are both currently on strike.

The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund paid out a historic $27 billion in 2020, consuming all of the $3.3 billion held in

reserve and bringing the fund to $18 billion in debt, according to California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO).

The state was projected to run a $25 billion budget deficit in 2023-2024, following tax revenue being $41 billion below previous projections. California ran a budget surplus for the fiscal year 2022-2023 of $52 billion.

Lawmakers introduced a similar bill in 2019, which passed the legislature but was vetoed by Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to the Beacon.

The governor vetoed the bill

period will necessitate ratification from the Board of Supervisors. Until its conclusion, the Director of Emergency Services and the County’s Emergency Management Organization will exercise their powers as prescribed by state law and local Riverside County regulations to alleviate the repercussions of this emergency. Lastly, the County has made a formal request to the Governor of California to solicit all eligible State and Federal financial aid for both the County and the impacted local jurisdictions.

on the basis it would force the state to borrow from the federal government to pay the costs. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@ dailycallernewsfoundation.org

CHP ramps up efforts to disrupt retail theft rings statewide

SACRAMENTO – In a significant blow to organized retail theft, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), along with partner law enforcement agencies, arrested more than 50 people and recovered more than $60,000 and merchandise in Central Valley over the Aug. 12 weekend. The CHP conducted several operations as part of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF), which was formed in 2019 by Governor Newsom. The ORCTF has worked tirelessly since that time to help recover $30.7 million in stolen merchandise, returning the goods to impacted retailers throughout California.

With ramped up law enforcement cooperation and activities across California, the CHP seeks to disrupt criminal operations of this nature across the state, sending a strong message that these illicit activities will not be tolerated.

“Through increased collaborative efforts, retailers and

law enforcement have become more efficient and effective in our fight against organized retail crime,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “As a result, the number of statewide investigations and arrests by the task force have increased year over year – keeping more Californians safe.”

“Organized retail theft is simply unacceptable,” said Governor Newsom. “No state is investing more to tackle this type of crime –– and I’m incredibly proud of the CHP, and our law enforcement and retail partners, for doubling down to keep our businesses and families safe.”

Since the inception of the ORCTF, there have been more than 1,850 investigations into retail crimes in California that have resulted in over 1,250 arrests. One key to the ORCTF’s success is the partnership with retailers, local law enforcement, and district attorneys, to effectively disrupt organized retail theft rings and

prosecute organized retail crimes.

A press conference held on Aug. 16 highlighted the results from last weekend’s “Blitz” operations conducted by the CHP Central Division’s ORCTF in which more than 50 suspects were arrested for various violations including organized retail crime, shoplifting, grand theft, petty theft, criminal conspiracy, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools and possession of a stolen vehicle. Over the course of the two-day operation, nearly 700 assets were recovered and returned to the victims.

“The CHP is committed to investigating these reprehensible crimes,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our investigators throughout the state work countless hours to identify, apprehend, and submit for prosecution those individuals who are victimizing our communities.”

Submitted by the California Highway Patrol.

Biden visits Hawaii as wildfire rescue efforts continue; 850 people still missing

Emel Akan

The Epoch Times Valley News editorial note: There is concern that the 850 may include many children, as there are reports that the school released the children to go home as the fire approached.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 21 to assess the damage caused by deadly wildfires that ravaged the island earlier this month.

Nearly two weeks have passed since the island was hit by the devastating fire, which is believed to be the deadliest in the United States in more than a century.

The president and first lady took an aerial flyover of the fire wreckage and a walking tour of the historic town of Lahaina to see the damage firsthand. They also spoke with survivors and first responders.

“For as long as it takes, we’re going to be with you, the whole country will be with you,” Mr. Biden said during a speech in Maui. “We’re going to rebuild the way the people of Maui want to build.”

The president is visiting at a time when emotions are running high on the island, with the death

toll reaching at least 114 and criticism mounting over the Biden Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced on Facebook on Aug. 21 that 850 people are still missing as search and rescue efforts continue.

“We are both saddened and relieved about these numbers,”

Mr. Bissen said. “As we continue the recovery process, the number identified will rise, and the number of missing may decrease. But there will be daily fluctuations in the numbers as family members are added and removed from the list.”

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the search for remains in Maui County was 78 percent complete as of Aug. 20.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green voiced concern about recovering the bodies of those who were killed in the fires during an interview with CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Aug. 20.

“We do have extreme concerns that, because of the temperature of the fire, the remains of those who have died, in some cases, may be impossible to recover meaningfully,” Mr. Green said. “So there are going to be people that are lost forever.”

More than 1,000 federal

personnel are on the ground in Maui, providing critical support, including search and rescue operations, victim identification, and distribution of essential supplies, according to the White House.

So far, the Biden administration has approved more than $8 million in assistance for nearly 2,500 households on the island, including about $3 million in initial rental assistance.

“My heart, my prayers, and my focus are on the victims of the Maui wildfires and their families,” Mr. Biden said on Aug. 20 in a statement issued in advance of his travel.

“I know how profoundly loss can impact a family and a community and I know nothing can replace the loss of life. I will do everything in my power to help Maui recover and rebuild from this tragedy. And throughout our efforts, we are focused on respecting sacred lands, cultures, and traditions.”

As part of the administration’s response efforts, Mr. Biden named FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton as the chief federal response coordinator for Maui to oversee the long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The wildfires, which started on

Aug. 8, have left communities reeling from shock and grief, as well as doubts about the effectiveness of response measures.

“We’re not very political people. We really don’t go one way or the other, but Biden has really failed us,” Mike Cicchino, one of the Hawaii residents, told NewsNation

The government, he argued, must be more transparent.

Mr. Cicchino and his wife leaped into the water and spent more than three hours amid crashing waves to escape the fire in Lahaina.

“FEMA is giving some people $700. We didn’t get $700, and we’re not complaining about that. But giving people just $700 to survive when they just lost everything, their clothes, their family members, is insulting. People need more help,” he added. The fires have sparked concerns about accountability and disaster response methods.

The Biden administration has promised billions to help Hawaii rebuild. However, it hasn’t yet committed to a federal investigation into the causes of the disaster, despite repeated calls for accountability.

The state’s emergency management agency refused to

activate the numerous warning sirens installed around the island to inform Lahaina residents about the fire that ravaged their communities. Additionally, a state official’s decision to withhold water until it was too late hampered firefighting efforts.

Hawaiian utility companies have also come under fire for neglecting to take appropriate measures and inadequately investing in fire prevention, despite prior warnings.

The power providers in Hawaii are currently the target of a classaction lawsuit because of their failure to deactivate the island’s power grid despite warnings about high winds from Hurricane Dora.

The president and first lady took a break from their vacation in Lake Tahoe this week to fly to Maui. They’re staying at a residence owned by Tom Steyer, the billionaire climate advocate who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 but lost to Mr. Biden.

Accompanying them are several family members, including the president’s son, Hunter Biden. Reprinted with permission from the EpochTimes. To subscribe, go to: subscribe.theepochtimes.com.

Expert claims U.S. households shoulder estimated $900 each for Ukraine aid

Valley Editorial Staff

Richard Stern, a budget specialist from The Heritage Foundation, stated that Congresssanctioned assistance to Ukraine equates to roughly $900 for every American household. He shared that the authorized aid amounts to about $113 billion, which also adds to the national debt. Over the next 10 years, this could mean more than $300 in interest costs for each household.

Since Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in February 2022, the

U.S. has approved over $113 billion for “aid and military assistance” to support Ukraine and its allies, as reported by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, expressed concerns about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the transparency of U.S. involvement. “If Congress can’t address the key issues of our nation’s strategy, oversight, and citizens’ concerns, then further funding should be reconsidered,” he mentioned.

In the fiscal year 2022, the Congressional Budget Office cited around 127.9 million American households. Based on the approved aid, the average cost per household is approximately $884.

Recent news reveals that the Biden administration intends to request additional funds for Ukraine. However, post-recess, Congressional members are deliberating on combining this aid with U.S. hurricane relief funds.

The projected request by the administration is speculated to

be anywhere between $10 billion to $70 billion. The uncertainty surrounding this figure and its usage is concerning, stated Victoria Coates, national security expert at The Heritage Foundation.

Amidst the discussions about Ukraine aid, Ryan Walker, acting director of Heritage Action for America, highlighted the economic strains Americans currently face, such as inflation. He stressed the need for transparency, clear strategy, and considering the financial stability of the American families before committing to

further international aid.

Polls released recently showed mixed sentiments among voters. A majority of Republican and independent voters oppose further aid for Ukraine. Among Republicans, 54% are against additional funding for Ukraine, while 56% of independents share the same view. However, Democrats are split, with 59% in favor and 24% against more aid. Reported with contributions from Rob Bluey.

Memphis CBP, HSI repatriates cultural artifacts to Mexico

assistance from HSI agents and the Government of Mexico officials who identified the products to be cultural artifacts of Mexico.

These nine shipments of artifacts included Olmec statue, Olmec figures, tubular beads, zoomorphic amulet, body adornments, bowls, ear flares, human head amulet, temple effigy, prismatic blades, basalt grinding stone, tripod glass with lid, hand grinding stone, flint projectile points, carved obsidian, clay anthropomorphic figurines, clay and stone earmuffs, metallic ring string, stone spindle, clay winch, jars, sea snail shell fragments and vase and copper rattle.

Most countries have laws that protect their cultural property, such as art, artifacts, antiquities or other archeological and ethnological material. These laws include export controls and national ownership of cultural property.

These bilateral agreements protect cultural property by restricting U.S. import of certain categories of archeological and ethnological material, thus reducing incentive for looting at heritage sites.

Therefore, although they do not necessarily confer ownership, consignees or importers must have documents such as export permits and receipts when importing such items into the United States.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – U.S.

Customs and Border Protection officers and Homeland Security Investigations special agents repatriated cultural artifacts, some dating back to 900 B.C., to the Government of Mexico recently at CBP’s Area Port of Memphis, Tennessee.

During the repatriation ceremony, CBP Area Port Director Michael Neipert presented 281 pieces of Mexican artifacts to Ambassador Carlos GiraltCabrales of the Consulate of

Mexico in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations in Memphis participated in the repatriation. CBP partners with HSI in the detection, interception, investigation and repatriation of cultural property.

The seven shipments arrived from Mexico between 2016-2021, and they were destined to addresses in California, South Carolina and Florida. CBP officers suspected the products to be cultural artifacts and detained them. Officers solicited

Working with CBP’s Office of International Affairs and the Government of Mexico, CBP Area Port Director Neipert’s staff initiated the repatriation process, which led to Wednesday’s ceremony.

“On behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I am honored to return these priceless national treasures to the government and citizens of Mexico,” Michael Neipert, CBP’s area port director in Memphis, said. “Customs and Border Protection will continue to use our border authority to identify, rescue and return precious antiquities being smuggled by those who profit on the theft of another country’s historical and cultural property.”

Dershowitz cites Trump-Raffensperger call as key defense evidence

Valley News staff

Former Harvard Law professor, Alan Dershowitz, in an interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, pointed to former President Donald Trump’s call with Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, as the “most exculpatory piece of evidence” in the case against Trump. This follows the August 14 indictments from a Fulton County grand jury which charged Trump and several associates over

attempts to challenge the 2020 Georgia election results.

Dershowitz said, “If I were a defense lawyer in this case, I would start with that phone call.”

He further emphasized that the term ‘find’ as used in the call had clear dictionary definitions and was not criminal in intent.

The probe into Trump’s efforts was initiated in 2021 by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who by April hinted at a possible indictment for Trump. Drawing parallels, Dershowitz

mentioned how lawyers for thenVice President Al Gore also sought additional votes during the contested 2000 election. He added, “There was possibly more that could be done but in any event you don’t make it a crime if it is a matter of degree.”

He concluded by warning against the criminalization of such matters, suggesting that the ultimate check and balance is in the voters’ hands.

CBP’s border security mission is led at our nation’s ports of entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo and searches for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds and pests and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses and the nation’s safety and economic vitality.

Learn more about CBP at http://www.CBP.gov. Follow the Director of CBP’s New Orleans Field Office on Twitter at @ DFONewOrleans for breaking

news, current events, human interest stories and photos and CBP’s Office of Field Operations on Instagram at @cbpfieldops.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of the nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Submitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

From left to right, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Keith Hale, Mexico Deputy Consul Jose Aguilar, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Supervisory Officer Jack Bader, Mexico Ambassador Carlos GiraltCabrales and CBP Area Port Director Michael Neipert look over the Mexican repatriated cultural artifacts in Memphis, Tennessee.

Some of the Mexican repatriated cultural artifacts date back to around 900 B.C. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Hamilton High School Bobcat football team starts 2023 season with a bang

Sieker Staff Writer

The Hamilton High School Bobcats varsity football team opened their season to an exciting,

yet heartbreaking loss when they played the California Military Institute Rough Riders Friday, August 18. The 14-15 loss made for a thrilling game for both players and fans.

“There were huge performances throughout the night on both sides of the ball,” said Patrick McGowan, head coach. “Offensively, the standout star was junior Seth Aanestad (23). He had 7 receptions

Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce installs rearing horse statues in downtown Anza

for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns.”

Bobcats square up against the California Military Institute Rough Riders at the Hamilton High School football home game Friday, August 18. Anza Valley Outlook/Adrian Campos photo 4 receptions for 52 yards, and junior Luis Manzanarez (10) had 52 yards rushing. Defensively, the Bobcats looked

Senior quarterback, Painter Hildahl (5) threw for 239 yards, made 2 touchdowns and he ran in for the lone 2 point score.

Senior Nathaniel Dinnyes (3) had

see BOBCATS, page D-4

Anza students enjoy first day back to school

The Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce announced the installation of two rearing metal horse statues at the corner of Contreras Road, across from Minor Park and Fire Station 29 in Anza. The project, planned for some time, became a reality Wednesday, August 16.

“The Chamber purchased and

donated these statues for the town of Anza,” said Chamber president Tish Clark. “This project had been delayed due to the lack of a proper, protected and visible location. Finally we were ready to move forward.”

According to Clark, the Chamber purchased the statues many years ago from a store called Silverado Antiques located in Rainbow. The horses were set in reinforced concrete and decorated with metal

cactus sculptures and decorative rock. This is the Chamber’s third Anza beautification project to be accomplished under the direction of Clark. The first project was the cleanup of the western motif and hitch at the Once Upon a Thread thrift store on State Hwy. 371. The second endeavor was the Temecula, Hemet and Idyllwild

see STATUES, page D-3

Rex Terracino, left, begins first grade while his brother Maximus starts third grade homeschooled by their mother Coral. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Children from the Anza Valley woke up early and dressed their best to attend 2023-24 classes at the local Hemet Unified School District schools. Home-schooled pupils also got in on the action Monday, August 14.

Teachers and staff were ready with open arms to welcome students and families to the Hamilton High School and Elementary School campuses. New adventures for the children are on the horizon for the new school year. Social media was flooded with see SCHOOL, page D-5

Diane

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce’s rearing horse statues are installed at the corner of State Highway 371 and Contreras Road Wednesday, August 16. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy 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 10:30-11:30 a.m. All are welcome. Cal-Fresh 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 951763-4333.

Friends of Anza Valley Community Library – Anza Valley Community Library is located at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road. The library is open to the public, but not during school hours. Hours are 4-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday through Wednesday.

Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at www.hamiltonbobcats.net/apps/ events/calendar.

Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit www.hamiltonmuseum. org. Find them on Facebook at “Hamilton-Museum-and-RanchFoundation.”

Backcountry Horsemen Redshank Riders – Meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Locations change, so please contact Mike by email at stumblinl55@gmail. com or by calling 951-760-9255.

Health, exercise, resources and recovery meetings

Fit after 50 – 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn at 951751-1462 for more information.

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting – 6 p.m. Every Tuesday at Shepherd Of The Valley Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Open participation.

Veterans’ Gathering

Mondays – 9-11 a.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 39075 Contreras Road in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with posttraumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-923-6153. If you need an advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.

The Most Excellent Way – Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8-10 a.m. Program is court approved; child care is provided. Transportation help is available. The group meets at 58050 Highway 371; the cross street is Kirby Road in Anza. AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.

Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-4226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-551-2826.

Free Mobile Health Clinic

– Open every third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is needed. Uninsured may only be seen in the Anza Community Hall’s parking lot or inside the hall.

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, 951-763-4759.

Food ministries

F.U.N. Group weekly food ministry – Deliveries arrive by noon Thursdays at the Anza Community Hall. To order a paid box and help feed those who can’t afford to pay, drop off payment and cash donations by Thursday at 1:30 p.m., to ERA Excel Realty, 56070 Highway 371 in Anza. Pay inside or drop off during the day in the red box outside. To drop it off, put name and request on an envelope with payment inside. A $30 box has about $100 worth of food and feeds six people. Half boxes are available for $15. Food is delivered once a week to those who cannot find a ride. For more information, call Bill Donahue at 951-288-0903.

Living Hope Christian Fellowship Community Dinner – 1 p.m. Dinners are held the last Sunday of the month at the Anza Community Hall. All are welcome. Donations of time, money, etc. are always welcome.

Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m. The food bank hands out food the last Friday of the month until the food is gone. The clothes closet will be open too. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a non-denominational nonprofit. All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-7635636.

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 951-763-0856.

Living Hope Bible Study –8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, Anza. All are welcome. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 951-763-1111. Anza RV Clubhouse – 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of the Month, Pastor Kevin officiates at 41560 Terwilliger Road in Anza. Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the fourth Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for

more information.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m. Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.

Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m. Saturday Men’s Study meets weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza. For more information, call 951763-4622.

Anza First Southern Baptist Church – Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6 to 12 grade) meets for games and Bible study.

Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School and a Seniors’ Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza. For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www.anzabaptistchurch. com.

Clubs Anza Valley VFW Post 1873, Capt. John Francis Drivick III Post – The Ladies’ and Men’s Auxiliaries are located at 59011 Bailey Road in Anza. Mail P.O. Box 390433. Request monthly newsletter and or weekly menu by email at vfw1873anzaca@gmail. com. For more information, call 951-763-4439 or visit http:// vfw1873.org.

High Country 4-H Club

– 6:30 p.m. Meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month, except February, at Anza Community Hall. 4-H Club is for youth 5 to 19 years old offering a variety of projects. High Country 4-H Club is open to children living in the Anza, Aguanga and surrounding areas. For more information, call Allison Renck at 951-663-5452.

Anza Valley Artists Meetings

– 1 p.m. Meetings are the third Saturday of each month at various locations. Share art, ideas and participate in shows. Guest speakers are always needed. For more information, call president Rosie Grindle at 951-928-1248. Find helpful art tips at www.facebook.com/ AnzaValleyArtists.

Anza Quilter’s Club – 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, in Anza.

Anza Valley Lions Club – The Anza Valley Lions Club has been reinstated and is open to all men and women who want to work together for the betterment of the community. The group is working on securing a new venue for meetings. Meetings and events are posted on the Anza Lions Club of Anza Valley Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LionsofAnzaValley. For more information, email president Greg Sandling at President. AnzaLions@gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary.

AnzaLions@gmail.com

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 951-763-5611 for information. Redshank Riders – 7 p.m. Backcountry horsemen meet at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Anza, the second Thursday of each month. Visit www. redshankriders.com or call Carol Schmuhl for membership information at 951-663-6763.

Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the first Thursday of the month at Valley Gospel Chapel, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951763-2884 for more information.

Organizations Terwilliger Community Association – 6 p.m. Second Monday of the month at VFW Post 1873, 59011 Bailey Road, in Anza. Potluck dinner open to all. For more information, call Tonie Ford at 951-763-4560.

From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries – Noon. Monthly luncheon and guest speaker are held the second Saturday of each month. The $5 charge covers lunch at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. From the Heart helps the area’s neediest children and invites all women and men to join in their mission. Donate or help with the rummage sales twice a year to raise funds for the cause or other events. For more information, call president Christi James at 951-595-2400.

Anza Community Hall –7 p.m. General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. 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 951-2824267 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.

Aguanga resident rescues owlet

Diane Sieker

Staff Writer

A barn owl fledgling that fell from her nest was rescued by Aguanga resident Dominique Leard Rauton Saturday, August 12. The diminutive raptor was in much worse shape than originally thought when first discovered on an Anza Valley ranch.

“This beautiful owlet was found in the bushes beneath her owl box,” said Rauton. “Her family was intently watching us as we went to check her out. When we picked her up, we found she was terribly emaciated.”

The owlet had no apparent injuries and it was unknown just why she had fallen from the nest in the owl box. Routon took the bird to her home until she could find a wildlife rehabilitator to take over her care.

“Since she couldn’t wait any longer for food, I started slowly feeding her bits of chicken liver, followed by pinky mice every two hours. That night she was active and quite vocal in her crate, another good sign,” she said.

Rauton contacted a wildlife rehabilitator and met up with her in Hemet the following day.

“I checked later to see how the owlet was doing and she was doing well,” Rauton said. “I called her a ‘spicy sky angel’ and if you know barn owls, you know what that means - it’s a good thing. The bird will stay with the rehabilitator for the duration of her recovery, then we will release her back home to her owl family.”

She gave a report and updates about the owlet on social media, but was disappointed with some of the comments.

“People were commenting on the post saying that it’s natural for

them to be on the ground and to put her back in the box. She was far too young and weak to ever compete with healthy siblings for food. That’s why I feel strongly about going and doing a basic evaluation before considering intervention. I am not an expert, but I have enough experience to know when to intervene and when to leave them be. Many times they are fledglings and their parents are nearby. It takes a village to help them, and I love this village,” Rauton explained.

In recent weeks she received two separate owl calls. One bird was very close to fledging, but was extremely thin and on the ground unable to fly due to weakness. Rauton fed it and it regained enough strength to be released back to its family several weeks later.

“It was really cool as her parents were right there in the trees near the owl box to greet their youngster,” she reported.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the word raptor is the term used for a group of birds consisting of hawks, falcons, kites, eagles, vultures and owls. Raptors, also referred to as birds of prey, are protected under State law. There are over 30 species of raptors that inhabit California at some point in their life cycle.

“It will be at least a month before the owlet is able to be returned to her family,” said Rauton. “We will handle the pick up and release when that day comes. I’m grateful for the opportunities to help these angels get back to the life intended for them. Owls well that ends well.”

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

STATUES from page D-1

mileage signs with a propane pig and steel wheel that sits in front of Anza Gas Co., also on Hwy. 371.

Security cameras and lights are in place and in working order to help keep an eye on the artistic equine creations.

The statues pay homage to Anza’s history and western heritage. According to Clark, it has taken the cooperation of several notable people to make sure this project moved forward.

“I would also like to thank the other members of the Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce - Joyce Stone, Caren Smith and Phil Canaday, for their encouragement and approval of this project. The Chamber would also like to thank

Heritage Well Service for the safekeeping of the metal horses without charge to the Chamber. I also wish to thank Kathy Agostino, whose property the horses have been installed upon, and last but not least, a hearty thank you to Cuco’s Landscaping for the dedication to see this project come to fruition.”

The Chamber welcomes any ideas from the public for future beautification projects. Those interested in joining the Anza Chamber of Commerce may visit their new website at https:// anzavalleychamberofcommerce. org/.

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

A barn owl fledgling is rescued by an Aguanga woman Saturday, August 12. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Crews prepare the footings for the rearing horse statues installed by the Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, August 16. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photos

The Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce’s rearing horse statues are set in the concrete form before the cement is poured around their bases during their installation.

BOBCATS from page D-1

solid and physical with several big performances as well. Sophomore

Joey Rayas (22) had 2 fumble recoveries, caused one fumble, and had a sack. Junior Dylan Smith (13) had 3 tackles for losses. Junior Ryan Stafford (33) had 2 forced fumbles and one tackle for losses.

Junior Cole Haley (70) was solid on both sides of the line with big blocks and 2 tackles for losses.

Junior William Hamlett (7) had 15 total tackles for the night and a forced fumble.

“There were several notable performances from others on the team, as it was clearly a full team effort,” said McGowan. “These Bobcats are fired up for this season and not letting this loss bring them down. They have another home game versus St. Jeanne’s Friday, August 25 at 7 p.m.”

To follow Hamilton High School football, visit https:// www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064257600400 and at MaxPreps on the web at https:// www.maxpreps.com/ca/anza/ hamilton-bobcats/football/.

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

The crowds cheer with every play at the Hamilton High School football home game Friday, August 18. Anza Valley Outlook/Adrian Campos photos

The Bobcats are eager to get their game on at the Hamilton High School football home game.

Bobcat senior Nathaniel Dinnyes (3) intercepts a California Military Institute player at the Hamilton High School football home game.

Coaches give instructions to the players at the Hamilton High School football home game.

A huddle ensues at the Hamilton High School football home game.

Bobcats stand ready on the sidelines at the Hamilton High School football home game Friday, August 18.

SCHOOL from page D-1

back-to-school photos posted by proud family members.

The excitement of returning to school to meet new friends and even new teachers is a childhood highlight. The Anza Hamilton schools are ready to create and foster a great start to the school year.

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

What are you sowing and reaping?

you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit,” in Galatians 6:7-8.

Simply put, the way you live determines the fruit that comes out of your life. The results are abysmal if you live for yourself and do things contrary to God’s commands. Death and decay are the fruits you will produce.

Zachary Elliott

Special to the Valley News

I have a box of vegetable seeds sitting in my shed. But since I’ve never planted and watered them, they have never grown to give me a single vegetable. And until I plant and water them, they will never produce anything.

But soon, I am going to plant those seeds. And I intend to plant them in good soil, with good water, so that they might bear good fruit through God’s design.

In your life, you are planting seeds producing one of two kinds of fruit. And there are only two kinds, living fruit and dead fruit.

Like any fruit, living fruit starts with a little bud on a branch and grows to a healthy, plump size as it’s watered and cared for until it’s ripe for harvest. Then it’s eaten, and the seed from that fruit produces more fruit. And that one seed of righteousness can yield a hundred-fold.

It’s a delicious process.

On the other hand, dead fruit doesn’t produce anything but a bad smell, gnats and rotten death. It’s good for nothing. And just like the rotten fruit in your pantry, it’s thrown out.

The Bible said, “Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what

The good news is you don’t have to have that kind of fruit come out of your life. You can choose a good godly seed. If you begin sowing seeds to please the Holy Spirit, you will reap a life-giving harvest.

Who doesn’t want that?

Galatians 5:19-23 said, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things.”

Maybe you’ve been planting some lousy seed in your life, and the fruit is very evident. Your attitude stinks, your marriage is a wreck, your emotions are out of control, you’re living in deliberate sin or whatever it is.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I would suggest you start planting godly seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.

And sow these seeds in abundance.

“Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop,” in 2 Corinthians 9:6. You

won’t ever regret reaping the fruit from these seeds.

And you’ll find that your life and relationships will change for the better.

Zachary Elliott is the lead pastor of Fusion Christian

Church in Temecula. For more information, visit http://www. fusionchristianchurch.com, http:// www.encouragementtoday.tv or find them on Instagram.

Charlotte Greene, left, and best friend Arabella Daniels are excited to begin school Monday, August 14.

Anthony Pinaud is dressed in his best and ready for his first day of school. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photos

Second grade teacher Monica Parsons is ready for her students with a thumb up.Home-schooled Austin Butchart starts eleventh grade on opening day.

We’re

Paradise

63rd Annual Awards Celebration

September 23, 2023 murrietachamber.org

Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac proudly supports the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce

17th Annual Women in Business

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

This conference is designed to inspire, motivate and equip business professionals to succeed. Extraordinary speakers will share their experiences and guests will receive practical tools to flourish in today’s business world. For more information and tickets visit Temecula.org or call (951) 676-5090.