Cheers to a day for kids B-4
Palms bugged by bug C-2
Warriors win on road D-2
Village News Fallbrook & Bonsall
a l s o se rv i n g t h e c o m m u n i t i e s o f
FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Regional Health District (FRHD) received confirmation of escrow closing on the $4.5 million sale of the closed Fallbrook Hospital to Crestwood Behavioral Health Inc, Sept 29. The new owners will break ground soon on renovations to reopen as the Fallbrook Healing Center. After nearly three years of searching for a buyer, Crestwood opted to buy the facility that will take patients through county health department referrals. The health district board voted unanimously to sell the vacant building at 624 East Elder to Crestwood and ratified the sale at a special meeting July 28 with an intended close of escrow July 31. However, the health district was notified by the County of San Diego that the property required resolution of a lot line adjustment and a 1989 lien agreement before close of escrow. “The Fallbrook Healing Center will revitalize that building and bring much-needed health care services to our community,” said FRHD board president Gordon Tinker. “We’re excited to work with Crestwood and their exceptional team on the next steps, which will mean investment and added jobs in our community.” The close of escrow comes after several regular and special
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www.VillageNews.com
October 5, 2017
Fallbrook Hospital sale closes escrow
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Volume 21, Issue 39
Reward offered for recovery of stolen Tourmaline pieces
Tourmaline on Quartz from the Tourmaline Queen Mine. 17 cm (6 inches)
Tourmaline from the Cryo-Genie Mine. Approx. 23 cm (9 inches).
Tourmaline and Quartz from the Tourmaline Queen Mine. Measures 8 cm (3.15 inches).
FGMS Tourmaline Display. The museum display case showing the relative specimen sizes.
Tourmaline, Quartz and Lepidolite from the Pala Chief Mine. Approx. 15 cm (6 inches).
Tom Ferrall Staff Writer
after breaking into the society’s museum at approximately 4 a.m. Sept. 10. The burglars broke through a chain-locked wrought iron gate, double glass doors and then smashed four glass cases in a smash-and-grab job that netted them five large Tourmaline
specimens (shown in the photos accompanying this story) that FGMS officials termed “iconic and irreplaceable.” According to Mary Fong/ Walker, a former vice president of the FGMS, the stolen Tourmaline specimens represent highlights of the rich mining history of San
Courtesy photos
see HOSPITAL, page A-10
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The Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society announced that it is offering a “generous reward” for information leading to the recovery of all, or some, of the stolen pieces that thieves absconded with
Accident in Mexico claims life of Fallbrook school bus driver
Village News
USPS Residential Customer
Tom Ferrall Staff Writer
Fallbrook High students who ride the Route 7 De Luz bus and staff members of First Student, the transportation company that provides bus service for Fallbrook High School, are mourning the loss of 13-year driver Norma Hidalgo, who, along with her sister, Heidi Sanchez, died in an automobile accident in Mexico Sept. 25. The sisters were only three days into their vacation when they were killed in an accident in Jalisco, Guadalajara. Hidalgo, 46, was the mother of three and resided in Fallbrook. Sanchez, 38, was the mother of four and resided in Los Angeles. The sudden loss of Hidalgo shocked and crushed the staff at First Student. “We saw her leave and couldn’t wait for her to come back as usual and then you get the word,” said Justin Quinn, location manger for First Student, Inc. “The loss is immeasurable and has affected everyone here. We’re a close knit group and she was family.” Quinn said Hidalgo, who was visiting family during her vacation, was a joyous person who refused to let serious health issues
Tourmaline from the Cryo-Genie Mine. Approx. 23 cm (9 inches). Diego County – spanning more than 60 years of discovery. Fong/ Walker said San Diego County is known worldwide for the extremely fine Tourmaline crystals that have
see REWARD, page A-10
Supervisors’ vote allows for temporary protest area restrictions Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent
Fallbrook resident Norma Hidalgo, who drove the Route Courtesy photo 7 De Luz school bus servicing Fallbrook High, died along with her sister, Heidi Sanchez of Los Angeles, in an automobile accident in Mexico Sept. 25. conquer her. “She was a loving person who lit up a room,” said Quinn. “She was full of energy and very hardworking. She was adored by her students and she adored them. She was also a fighter. She survived Stage 4 breast cancer.” Quinn said the accident – in addition to causing great emotional trauma – has caused financial challenges for the families of Hidalgo and Sanchez as their bodies had to be transferred home
and service arrangements made. Those that would like to help the families can visit a GoFundMe page that has been set up: https:// www.gofundme.com/norma-yheidi-hidalgo. Quinn said the students that Hidalgo drove have worked to raise money for the families by selling T-shirts in her memoriam. “She was so impactful and beyond great to have on the staff,” said Quinn of Hidalgo. “It’s a tremendous loss for all of us.”
In the event of protests in unincorporated San Diego County, the county’s chief administrative officer or the CAO’s designee will have the authority to designate temporary area restrictions which include the prohibition of items which might be used as weapons. The measure was passed as an urgency ordinance Sept. 26, and since four votes are necessary for passage of an urgency ordinance, the Board of Supervisors took the unprecedented step of having Supervisor Greg Cox vote by teleconference. The 4-0 vote reflects Cox’s teleconference vote and the absence of Ron Roberts, who along with Cox, was in Washington, DC, that day. “We want to make sure they’re peaceful demonstrations in conformance with local law,” Cox said. The ordinance only applies to
see PROTESTS, page A-10