Knee Deep in the Hoopla, A-3
High School Football: Week 4 , D-1
VALLEY
A
Section
NEWS
October 2 – 8, 2015
Local
Temecula taps resident input Tim O’Leary Writer
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www.myvalleynews.com
Volume 15, Issue 40
VMHS wins Most Spirited School in America
Temecula officials have acknowledged the end of an era – an age in which the fast-growing city reaped sufficient tax revenues to quickly solve its problems, build its infrastructure and expand its services. see page A-5
Local
Mesa teacher placed on administrative leave Kim Harris Managing Editor A teacher at Murrieta Mesa has been placed on administrative leave following a report that he was involved in a physical altercation with a student. see page A-6
VMHS school spirit group Bronco Bleacher Creatures leaders Zach Scheer and Molly Stevens lead a cheer before students were told they had secured the title of Most Spirited School in America. Kim Harris photo
Kim Harris Managing Editor
Entertainment
GFWC to host Mardi Gras themed fundraiser Taryn Murphy Intern Move over February Mardi Gras celebrations – this fall, the Menifee and Sun City chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs plans to bring a little taste of New Orleans to Southern California with a fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 17. see page B-5
Education
Murrieta students of the month announced On Sept. 3, the Murrieta Valley Chamber of Commerce High School Student of the Month Recognition Program was held and five students were recognized for their achievements. see page D-8
Opinion
The titanium lady Jane Chastain Columnist In the last GOP debate, there is a reason Jeb Bush, searching for a suitable woman to put on the $10 bill, came up with Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan’s British partner in the Cold War. It was Bush’s proximity to Carly Fiorina. see page B-3
Thousands of students and administrators, along with representatives from Varsity Brands, gathered in the sunshine infused quad at Vista Murrieta High School last Friday. But temperatures weren’t the only thing rising, noise levels went through the roof
once Varsity Brands announced VMHS was the official winner of the title of Most Spirited High School in America. The announcement was made during a 9 a.m. Pep Rally on Sept. 27 after students were led into the quad by the VMHS marching band who weaved through the halls as students filed out of the classrooms and onto the grassy area.
Following speeches by teachers, cheers, band performances and even a rap by a teacher, the announcement was made and earsplitting cheers erupted from the students. The announcement coincided with National School Spirit Day, which was recognized by Congress last year. “Our students feel connected
to Vista Murrieta and have an ingrained sense of school pride,” Vista Murrieta Principal Mick Wagner said. “The family atmosphere and sense of community is apparent and genuine.” High schools across the country entered the contest, which called for a 90-second video, a 500-word
see SPIRITED, page A-7
New festival draws thousands to Murrieta for family fun and fresh Maine lobster Carlos Bazan-Canabal Writer Imagine having the “World’s Largest Lobster Cooker” pumping out 400 lobsters every 12 minutes while thousands of people wait eagerly in line to sample the delectable delight that is Maine Lobster. That’s exactly what happened in Murrieta this past weekend as residents and visitors alike converged on the city’s Town Square Park for the Murrieta Lobster Festival. Festival goers were able to enjoy a fresh lobster meal, live music, and good family fun during the first lobster fest ever to be held in the valley. Lobsters were cooked to perfection, as every batch coming out of the steamers was announced to the participants through a ringing bell, who then lined up for their own plate. Every meal included an either 1-1/4 or a 2-1/4 already chopped
see LOBSTER, page B-1
Debbie Rivera (left) and Roxy Jouglard have their picture taken in a fun lobster festival themed photo booth. Shane Gibson photo
Temecula kids celebrate Because Nice Matters Week and donate mural to city Shelli DeRobertis Writer TEMECULA – A painted purple school bus and lots of purple T-shirts were some symbols of “Because Nice Matters Week” that kicked off Sept. 21 in observation of Temecula Valley Unified School District’s (TVUSD) 5th annual program that’s observed district wide
on the last full week of September each year. The week’s agenda varied throughout the district’s schools, but they each had ways to share the anti-bullying message and reinforce acts of kindness. The program was spearheaded several years ago by a simple
see NICE, page A-4
[Right] Cristin Ellinger, first grade teacher at Jackson Elementary, looks at the purple school bus with her class on Sept. 22, as they discuss what the painted shoes represent after the bus stopped at their school for part of the annual Because Nice Matters week. Courtesy photo