Valley News - October 11, 2024

4-way stop at busy intersection discussed by Murrieta City Council

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Murrieta City Council with a light meeting agenda, Tuesday, Oct. 2, spent time discussing the placement of a 4-way stop sign at the Jackson Avenue and Magellan Street intersection on the request of the staff.

Temecula Valley Film Festival returns with an exciting lineup of global and local cinematic films

TEMECULA – Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience as the Temecula Valley Film Festival makes its encore presentation, set for October 11-13 at Temeku Cinemas. In its second year, the festival promises to dazzle audiences with a compelling mix of over 25 films from around the globe, alongside a spotlight on exceptional local talent.

Dog Daze applauds costumed pets at annual event

Volunteer judges Monica Reichl, Breanna Perry and Issiah Mendez had some tough deliberations to determine winners in each cat-

egory based on size. Small dogs, who weigh less than 20 pounds, made up about half of the overall entries. Medium dogs from 21-60

Planned next to the Menifee Library

Tony Ault

Staff Writer

The basic schematic plans and design of the future Menifee Community Center was described by architects during a workshop meeting with the City Council and residents prior to the evening’s regular city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

The workshop meeting presented to the council by representatives from tsk architects, showed three different design concepts with suggested interior and exterior views reviewed by the council members and a small number of interested residents at city hall.

The schematic design workshop is just the beginning of the planning to open a community center adjacent to the Menifee Library located on La Piedra and Menifee roads in the city.

The property was obtained last

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Zephyr and Azula as granny and Little Red Riding Hood take home a trophy at the 10th annual Dog Daze Canine Festival and Costume Contest, presented by Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, Oct. 5. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo

options for the Menifee Community Center were introduced during the workshop meeting on Oct. 2. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Menifee City Council names Vicki Carpenter ‘Citizen of the Month’; Street name changed

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Menifee City Council meeting Wednesday, Oct. 2 was highlighted by a series of proclamations, certificates of appreciation and honoring a nine-year-old Junior Olympian as a hometown hero followed by the renaming of roads in a newer neighborhood.

The meeting began with honoring well known community member Vicki Carpenter who humbly accepted Menifee’s Citizen of the Month. Carpenter is best known for her work as a real estate agent in the city and her leadership and membership to many community nonprofits, as well as the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Directors. She

first moved to the Menifee area in the 1980s and married a wellknown attorney, Tom Carpenter, also a dedicated volunteer.

In accepting the honor, Vicki praised her late husband who offered her encouragement to become a volunteer in the community. “He raised me up,” Carpenter said.

City Council Member Lesa Sobek especially thanked Carpenter for her tireless work in helping the community’s domestic violence shelter. Mayor Bill Zimmerman said she is a member of Menifee’s community and a person “who can make things happen.”

Junior Olympian McKenna Sallie, 9, was honored with a certificate of appreciation and declared a Menifee Hometown Hero by the

city council. She won her silver and gold medals as a runner in the Junior Olympics. The Junior Olympics athlete participates in the AAU Junior Olympics, a multisport event for ages 4-18. Events include everything from running to swimming and many other sports. She thanked her coach, her parents and many of her friends attending the special event at the city hall.

September was proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month; October 4 proclaimed Manufacturing Day; the week of Oct. 6-12 proclaimed Fire Prevention Week and Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week; the month of October is Cybersecurity Awareness and Planning Month, by the city council.

In the limited business that evening, the council approved nine

consent items and there were no public hearings called that night.

In a discussion they learned that a long looping roadway in the city with the same name Heritage Lake Drive was creating a problem with the fire and police departments called to that area to determine just where their service was needed and that another road also had the same name. The staff recommended two scenarios to correct the problem for consideration.

One was to add East and West to the long looping highway with the western highway from east of Menifee Road and northeast of Lindenberger Road; and “West” to precede the portion of Heritage Lake Drive that runs northwest of Lindenberger Road back up to E. Heritage Lake Drive).

The second was to replace the

names (from 5) selected Silverlane on the west and Underwood on the east. The council liked the second option for the staff to pursue. Now the city will send a letter of notification to the facilities affected, providing the date that the city’s maintenance crew would complete the installation of new street signs. The Building Official would submit an address verification document to Menifee Geographic Information System (GIS), Riverside County GIS, 911 Emergency Services, and the United States Post Office (USPS). The three facilities would need to ensure the correct mailing address has been submitted to all service providers and is reflected on all legal documentation. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

Menifee Police Department wear patches to show support for breast cancer and domestic violence awareness

MENIFEE – During October,

the men and women of the Menifee Police Department will be wearing pink or purple patches in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

These causes are deeply significant to law enforcement, and we proudly honor them to show support for those we’ve lost, survivors, and individuals still fighting. The Menifee Police Department will be joining numerous agencies in support of these worthy causes. The public can purchase these patches for $10 each. Proceeds from pink patch sales will go to Michelle’s Place, while proceeds from purple patch sales will be donated to the SAFE Families Justice Centers. For more information on how the Menifee Police Department supports Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness

Month, or to buy a patch, please contact Officer Miller at 951-7231669 or mmiller@menifeepolice.

Valley-Wide offers free Halloween events activities planned In Valle Vista, Winchester and French Valley

Ghosts and goblins, princesses and pirates and costumed characters of all sorts are invited to free Halloween events at three ValleyWide Recreation and Park District facilities this month.

Valley-Wide will kick off the Halloween season at the annual Block Party from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Valle Vista Community Center, 43935 Acacia Ave., Hemet. The event includes a costume contest for children 12 and younger, games, crafts and a Movie in the Park.

The annual Trunk or Treat event at Winchester-Domenigoni Park, 32665 Haddock St., will be from 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. There will be candy, games and a costume contest. The final event will be the annual Halloween Spooktacular at Rancho Bella Vista Community Center, 31757 Browning St., Murrieta, from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. A safe and fun alternative to trick or treating, the center will be filled with chills and thrills with games, candy and lots of fun. For information, call 951-6541505 or visit gorecreation.org.

Children participate in the costume contest during the 2023 Halloween Block Party at Valley-Wide’s Valle Vista Community Center. Valley News/Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District photo

org . Patches are also available for purchase at the police department lobby, located at 29714 Haun Road. Submitted by Menifee Police Department.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

San Jacinto Valley children enjoy free fishing tournament at Golden Era Golf Course in San Jacinto

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Hundreds of youngsters participated in a multi-community free catch and release fishing event held on Golden Era Golf Course’s three lakes in San Jacinto, Saturday, Sept. 28. Both the youngsters and their parents were treated to not only a morning of excellent fishing but a breakfast, lunch and dozens of special prizes all free of charge.

The event, which saw more than 800 participants, including 276 registered children and their families, was a collaborative effort fueled by donations and the support of Community Partners in San Jacinto and Hemet, according to a Golden Era Productions newsletter.

As a result, more than 176 fish

building. Currently the city has set aside $1,250,000 to plan and hopefully begin constructing the building in early summer of 2025. A number of public workshops on what is sought in the facility have been conducted by the architects and the Menifee Planning Commission.

The night’s workshop began at 5 p.m. with tsk architects showing what they have pieced together from the public and commission for the building’s plan with three possible design options presented. Public and council input was sought for ideas and improvements in its final plans.

Four members of the public and a member of the Planning Commission, Joe Long, were heard during the meeting.

The company showed the possible design of the new building that would complement the next door library’s basic architecture. Those interior plans showed a long hallway with a studio administration room, kitchen and a perfor-

were caught, with the winning fish weighing in at 5.1 lbs. caught by a proud and happy fisherman, Logan Anthony Bullin, who was the The Grand Prize Winner of four tickets to Disneyland for catching the largest fish.

The tournament was organized by a committee led by Bass Master Albert Kissinger as president, and Veronica Hawkes the CEO of the Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Contributions for the special event came from businesses, local officials, and volunteers. The children participants enjoyed bags filled with goodies, including weigh-in slips, a tournament t-shirt, free skating passes, Raising Cane’s kids’ meals, and tickets to Boo at the Ramona Bowl for Halloween. They enjoyed a free pancake breakfast courtesy of the

mance area while the other side included three meeting rooms and other facilities. The outside showed a sloping roof to accommodate a stage with a front. The schematic was only proposed.

Commissioner Long said he hoped they might include a rooftop meeting area and a large waiting area with artworks. The other speakers suggested adding storage rooms for nonprofits and other organizations using the building, many trees in the outside area, and murals or other artwork emphasizing the community’s themes and good natural lighting.

The architects said such things could be added in the ongoing planning process.

Counc ilmember Bob Karwin said he liked the idea of a rooftop activity area with an elevator in the building if it wasn’t too costly.

Councilmember Lesa Sobek suggested some type of a wavy roof to show more creative architecture.

Mayor Pro Tem Dean Deines said he did not think a rooftop activity area would be good because of excess noise and neighbors’ privacy.

Counc ilmember Ricky Estrada

Hemet Rotary Club and a hot dog and hamburger lunch from the Hemet Kiwanis and Exchange Club.

San Jacinto Councilmember Crystal Ruiz, who attended for the first time with her four children, one of which won prizes for catching the biggest fish in her age group.

San Jacinto Mayor Phil Ayala, a teacher at the San Jacinto Leadership Academy brought military Explorers to assist with the event. Also attending was Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Vandever, who served as the Master of Ceremonies.

Hemet Mayor Joe Males helped with live streaming of the event, recalling organizing the first tournament years ago.

Hemet Police Explorers, along with Hemet PD officers, assisted with parking, while Hemet PD’s

1954 vintage police car was on display. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife trailer provided fishing poles, bait, and tackle for children without their own equipment.

After the fishing, families gathered for a barbecue lunch and a watermelon-eating contest.

A game area organized by the Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce, featured over 100 children playing various games for small prizes. Captain James Burton of the San Jacinto Sheriff’s station made the adjudication of the winners.

The top 10 winners in each age group received trophies and gift cards, with the grand prize winner taking home a trophy and the four Disneyland tickets, generously donated by Steve DiMemmo, who is a candidate for San Jacinto City Council.

The event concluded with sponsor plaques presented by Mayor Ayala and Mayor Pro Tem Vandever. This event was made possible by a host of sponsors, including Gold Sponsors Soboba Foundation, SCOC Services, The Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce, Arnold Rentals, Kristi DiMemmo, Rotary Club of Hemet, Golden Era Productions and others. For more information or to get involved in future events, please contact the Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce at www.gsjvchamber.com or 951590-0771.

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

the public of the next meetings or workshops. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

liked the idea of the new community room and outside architecture to reflect more of the community The architects and the council

should be

This rendering depicts how the structure would sit among its surrounding buildings. CENTER

Valley News/Courtesy photo

4-way stop at busy Murrieta intersection discussed by Murrieta City Council

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Murrieta City Council with a light meeting agenda, Tuesday, Oct. 2, spent time discussing the placement of a 4-way stop sign at the Jackson Avenue and Magellan Street intersection on the request of the staff.

Bob Moehling, Murrieta City Public Works Director, presented the request to place the all-way stop at the intersection because more traffic has been seen on the busy highway, and the line of sight on that portion of the roadway has been reduced by growing trees and vegetation creating a traffic hazard. He said the proposal is not new and went over the Jackson Avenue changes that have taken place.

He said the staff is recommending the all-way stop be constructed to mitigate the traffic problems and at less cost than other options. However, the staff offered three other alternatives to the request. They included: removing all vegetation from the sight distance corridor; installing a traffic signal or just leaving it as it is.

Each of the four options was discussed with the council at some length. The council questioned the number of vehicles passing that intersection that is adjacent to a housing tract on the east and a major retail business on the west. More than 10,000 cars a day going north and south now pass through that intersection.

The possibility that by removing or cutting the trees and vegetation on that portion of the roadway would help improve the line of sight now hindered by the growth was discussed. It was determined

RivCo Flood Control and Water Conservation District seeks public input for 5-year Capital Improvement Plan

RIVERSIDE COUNTY - The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) is launching its annual update of the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and invites the public to participate in shaping the future of flood control and water conservation projects in their communities.

Community members are encouraged to submit project requests to help the District understand, prioritize, and allocate funding for essential infrastructure improvements. To propose a project, please follow the instructions under “Request a Project” on the District’s website at rcflood.org/ cip.

All project requests must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 18. Additionally, residents are welcome to attend the Public Hearing for their respective Zone. The latest schedule and information on these Hearings is available on the District’s CIP webpage.

For more information or if you have questions about the CIP or the hearing process, please contact Toni Irvin at 951-955-1612.

The District values community input and looks forward to collaborating on important flood control and water conservation initiatives.

Submitted by Riverside County Flood Control.

that could be possible with the permission of the HOA in the housing tract, but the cost of making that removal might be expensive, but not as much as a traffic signal.

The public works staff showed detailed information on how each of the options might work with more questions coming from the council. A proposal to keep clear signs at the intersection was advanced and if it would be difficult to request the HOA remove the vegetation.

Finally, a motion was made by Councilmember Ron Holliday to approve option two and talk to the HOA about the vegetation removal, adding a “keep clear” before the current stop signs and to report back to the council with the result. It was seconded by Mayor Lori Stone. In the vote, Stone, Holliday and Councilmember Lisa DeForest voted yes while Councilmember Jon Levell and Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Warren voted no. The measure passed.

In an earlier portion of the council meeting, Murrieta City Clerk Cristal McDonald outlined her and the registered voters’ responsibilities in voting in the November 5 general and municipal election.

She explained that Murrieta registered voters will soon receive their ballots for both the General election for President and Vice President and a number of state Propositions but a municipal

election will include voting to fill two city council seats for the next four years.

The Municipal Vote includes candidates for Murrieta Council seats for Districts 3 and 4. District 3 candidates include Lisa DeForest (incumbent), and John Nakagawa. District 4 candidates include Lori Stone (incumbent), Frank Madrid and Javier Rubalcaba.

McDonald reminded potential voters aged 16 and 17 in California that they can now pre register to vote and be eligible to actually vote after their 18th birthday while adult voters have until Oct. 21 to register. Voting in person at their designed precincts may begin on Oct. 26 if they wish. They have through Nov. 5 to make or mail in their voting choices. Those ballots mailed on or before Nov. 5 will be counted in the 2024 election.

She said she was more than willing to further explain the election process to residents but is not allowed to discuss issues or candidates with them. “I must remain neutral,” McDonald said. She gave the Murrieta city clerk’s number as 951-461-6030.

Off agenda items were presented to the council by several residents during the public comment session. One Bear Creek resident asked the city code enforcement and fire department to look into the growing trash and debris in a control basin in their private

PUBLIC NOTICE

WHAT’S BEING PLANNED?

community and another argued the placement of a new Murrieta Valley School District school planned on Hayes Street in the community.

During the public comment session on the all-way stop on Jackson and Magellan, resident Kassen Klein said the issue should be discussed in a public meeting or hearing before any action is taken by the council.

The Murrieta Council pro -

claimed the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They recognized the effort in the city to forward the “We are More Than Pink Day” coming to the city on Oct. 15 with more than 4,000 expected to participate, including members of the city council and city staff. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.

Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment available for Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (ELPSE) Announcement of Public Hearing

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), is proposing to extend the tolled express lanes in both directions along Interstate (I ) 15 in Riverside County between the cities of Lake Elsinore and Corona. RCTC is the local Project sponsor and CALTRANS is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). RCTC and CALTRANS have conducted preliminary engineering and environmental studies to support the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the proposed I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (Project). The Project is intended to improve and manage traffic operations, congestion, and travel times along the corridor by extending the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles. The proposed improvements would extend from El Cerrito Road in Corona, through Temescal Valley, to State Route (SR-) 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The Project would also add southbound auxiliary lanes between both the Main Street (post mile [PM] 21.2) Off-Ramp and SR-74 (Central Avenue) On-Ramp (approximately 0.75 mile), and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) Off-Ramp and Nichols Road On-Ramp (PM 23.9) (approximately 1 mile). Other Project features include widening 15 bridges, creating multiple express lane access points, and constructing potential noise barriers, retaining walls, drainage systems, electronic toll collection equipment, ramp meters, and signage that would be located within the Project limits between PM 20.3 and PM 40.1.

Conformity Air Quality Conformity requirements apply only in nonattainment and “maintenance” (former

the conformity process. Conformity requirements do not apply in unclassifiable/attainment areas for NAAQS and do not

of the area. The Project is in an area that is extreme nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone (O3), serious nonattainment for particles of 2.5 micrometers or smaller (PM2.5), and attainment-maintenance for carbon monoxide (CO), particles of 10 micrometers or smaller (PM10), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Therefore, a Project-level air quality conformity analysis was required. The Draft EIR/EA explains the air quality conformity findings.

Not a Project of Air Quality Concern (POAQC).

The Project-level conformity analysis shows that the Project will conform to the State Implementation Plan, including localized impact analysis with interagency consultation for particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and CO required by 40 CFR 93.116 and 93.123. This Project is not considered a Project of Air Quality Concern regarding particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) as defined in 40 CFR 93.123(b)(1). A detailed PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analysis was not completed because Clean Air Act and 40 CFR 93.116 requirements are met without an explicit hot-spot analysis. The Project comes from a conforming RTP and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Comments are requested regarding the Project-level conformity analysis. On September 28, 2021, the Transportation Conformity Working Group (which includes federal [USEPA and Federal Highway Administration], State [California Air Resources Board and CALTRANS], regional [air quality management districts and SCAG], and

commissions] agencies and other stakeholders) confirmed that the proposed I-15 ELPSE is not a POAQC.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE?

You can look at or obtain the Draft EIR/EA at the CALTRANS District Office (The Rosa Parks Memorial Building, 464 West 4th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401) on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

to 6:00 p.m.

• Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This Project, as currently proposed, is included in the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2023 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) under the Project’s FTIP ID, RIV170901 (Amendment #23-16) and fiscally constrained. The Project is also included in the SCAG 2024–2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)/Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) Project List under its RTP ID 3160001 and the Project’s FTIP ID. According to the FTIP, the Project cost is estimated to be $668 million and is proposed to be funded by local agency funds. Construction activities are anticipated to commence in 2026 and be completed by 2030. Construction is planned to last approximately 36 months WHERE

• Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• Closed on holidays Please call the Lake Elsinore Library at (951) 674-4517 to confirm availa-bility of hard copies for review.

WHEN AND WHERE

Corona Public Library 650 South Main Street, Corona, CA 92882

Available for review:

• Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Closed on holidays

Please call the Corona Public Library at (951) 736-2381 to confirm availability of hard copies for review.

CONTACT

pounds and large dogs who weigh 61 pounds or more, rounded out the competition with four trophies awarded in each division. Dogs were chosen for the cutest, scariest, most creative and best human/pet costumes with a Judges’ Choice also presented.

Reichl is a drama teacher at Tahquitz High School in Hemet and serves on the Arts Council Menifee Board of Trustees. This is her sixth year as judge for this contest. “I love doing it because it combines three of my favorite things – costumes, theater and dogs,” she said.

Valley-Wide’s Public Information Officer Craig Shultz hosted the event and introduced Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman to say a few words of welcome to guests at the early morning event. “I want to thank Valley-Wide for doing this for our residents,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see all the participation and to see so many great costumes.”

Vendors shared information and giveaways fit for Fido during the event. Mandy Yarnall and Issiah Mendez represented the Riverside County Department of Animal Services and both work at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. They stressed the importance of pet identification as statistics show that 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime. Microchipping, ID tags on collars and keeping current photos of pets are all encouraged. The local shelter currently houses

305 dogs when it can comfortably house 280. For adoption and further information, please visit https://rcdas.org/

Breanna Perry has been with Kahoots Pet Supply Company since 2005 and currently manages the Menifee location of the familyowned business. Food samples, toys and treats were available at her booth as well as details about the location’s dental clinic for cats and dogs, low-cost vaccinations and pet services such as nail trims and Petlink Microchips. The local store is at 29787 Antelope Road, Suite 103. For more information, 951-566-9940 or https://kahootsfeedandpet.com/pages/kahootsmenifee.

Also sharing messaging about responsible pet ownership were staff members from Haven Pet Center in San Jacinto. One of their current adoptees was there as well as photos about several others that are currently available for adoption. The center is also seeking animal lovers who want to help improve the lives of homeless pets by volunteering their time. For more information, www.HavenPetCenter.org.

Along with visiting the vendor booths prior to the official start of the contest, pets had some friendly interaction with their competitors in several shaded areas of the park. Socialization between dogs and pet parents took place amid the upbeat music that was being played on the loudspeakers.

Ocean Marshall is a teacher and Menifee resident who entered his

Irish Wolfadoodle, Clifford, in the large dog category. “He’s about 100 pounds, which is mostly fluff,” he said of his shaggy best friend who was dressed as an “L.A. Hipster” and took home the Judges’ Choice trophy. Marshall adopted the dog about two years ago from Animal Friends of the Valleys.

Michelle Ignacio and Micah Ocampo take their husky mixes Zephyr and Azula to the Aldergate Dog Park every day, but this was their first time entering the contest. It paid off with a win for the dog duo who were dressed as Little

Red Riding Hood and the wolf disguised as her grandmother.

Mark and Lisa Fulgar’s fouryear-old dog, Magie, was dressed as a workout queen. From her furry head in a headband to her sneakered feet, the wannabe gym rat scored big as Most Creative costumed large dog.

Amanda McIntyre entered her 15-year-old Lovie in the contest once again this year. The pretty-inpink princess was slow to walk for the judges but was wagging when she was presented with the Judges’ Choice trophy for medium dogs.

Small division winners were cutest, Chloe and Teddy as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story; best human/pet costume, Arlo & Winnie as dinosaurs alongside a young boy wearing a furry dino head; scariest, Lucky as Crazy Killer; most creative, Charlie Brown dressed as a Slinky toy; and judges’ choice, Rex as a wizard.

Medium-sized canine winners were cutest, Luna as a pumpkin who was handled by Lahna Tomlinson dressed as a pumpkin spice latte; human/pet costume,

Mochi and Samantha Pagio as Lilo & Stitch; scariest, Hazel as a spider; most creative, cowboy; and judges’ choice, Lovie in her princess costume. The biggest winners, size-wise, were cutest, Luna and Rocky as a fairy bride and tuxedoed groom; best human/pet costume, Zephyr and Azula as Red Riding Hood and granny; scariest, Vader as a werewolf, most creative, Magie as the workout dog; and judges’ choice, Clifford as the L.A. Hipster. Drew Dotinga, Recreation Coordinator for Valley-Wide’s Menifee center, presented trophies to the winners as they were announced. Also on hand for the annual event were Administrative Supervisor Maria Vivanco, marketing assistant Danielle Patterson and Senior Recreation Supervisor and Park Manager in Menifee, Lanay Negrete. There was also a raffle for several prizes provided by the vendors, so the event was an overall win-win for humans and pets. For more information, www. gorecreation.org.

As the event’s emcee, Valley-Wide’s Craig Shultz, right, introduces Magie with leash holder Mark Fulgar during the large dog division of the costume contest.

Ocean Marshall with “L.A. Hipster” Clifford is a Judges’ Choice for large dogs at the 10th annual Dog Daze Canine Festival and Costume Contest in Menifee.

Dachshund Charlie Brown, dressed as a Slinky toy, wins Most Creative costume in the small dog division.

Princess Lovie makes her annual entrance with Amanda McIntyre at Aldergate Park in Menifee during the 10th annual Dog Daze event.

Taking home the trophy for cutest in the small dog division are Teddy and Chloe as the Toy Story couple Woody and Jessie.

From left, judges Issiah Mendez, Breanna Perry and Monica Reichl deliberate during Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District’s 10th annual Dog Daze costume contest, Oct. 5.

NAACP Branch 1034 hosts City Council Candidates Forum at Lake Elsinore

Cultural Center

LAKE ELSINORE - On August 28, the NAACP Branch 1034 Southwest Riverside County held a City Council Candidates Forum at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Center. Candidates were invited from seven of the nine Southwest Riverside County cities which the local NAACP branch represents: Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, Perris and Norco. This event provided candidates an opportunity to speak to their constituents – outlining their values and positions. It also provided an opportunity for citizens to

hear directly from their city council candidates.

Mary Venerable, Political Action Chair for the branch, initiated and led the planning for the event. Known as the Matriarch of the branch, Mary has held numerous officer and chair positions with NAACP Branch 1034 over the decades. She has presided over several candidate forums in that role. As her planning began last winter, she invited each city council candidate who would be on the ballot this November to the August forum. Of those invited, 10 candidates were

able to attend.

On August 28, the community gathered to hear from: Eric Faulkner, Temecula; Sue Evans, Temecula; Dameon Greene, Menifee; Bridget Moore, Mayor of Wildomar; Michael Vargas, Mayor of Perris; Marvin Andrade, Lake Elsinore; Javier Rubalcaba, Murrieta; Veronica Langworthy, Wildomar; Elizabeth Vallejo, Perris and Dillon Wemple, Norco.

Bra nch President Myles Ross welcomed everyone to the event and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Rosie Brady, Branch Secretary,

invited citizens to join the NAACP Branch 1034 as a way to be involved in making a difference in the community. Mary Venerable shared the general format of the evening and introduced Jennifer Palo, Branch Communications Chair, as the moderator for the event.

Each candidate was given five minutes to share their platform. This was followed by a break and a question and answer session in which audience members provided written questions for the candidates which were read and answered. In conclusion, each candidate had a 2-minute slot to share their closing statements. A time of refreshments and connecting followed the successful and informative event.

The NAACP Branch 1034 invites all community members to join our group. We are a nonpartisan organization which aims to further understanding and civility in our public discourse. Please visit the NAACP Branch 1034 website for more information. We represent the communities of Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Corona, Norco, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Menifee and Perris. We welcome

Pet costume photo contest to benefit animal sanctuary

If you think your Fido or Fluffy has what it takes to be number one, consider entering the third annual photo Pet Halloween Costume Contest. Hosted by Kelly Tweedie, pet parents are being encouraged to dress up their furry friends to win prizes and benefit Living Free Animal Sanctuary at the same time.

The first-place winner receives a lifestyle photoshoot with Tara Howard Photo, second place earns a large gift basket, while third place and the costume deemed “most creative” each get a gift card to Petco.

To enter, visit https://donorbox. org/livingfree-halloween24 to donate $25 per pet photo entry. Then email the photo to kellytweedie@ kw.com and be sure to include your pet’s name.

“We have a group of five judges, which includes the Living Free employees, my mom and three other people, to be determined,” Tweedie said. The judges narrow the contestants down to their five favorites by assigning points. Each judge is given five points that can be used however they like. Then the photos of the five pets that receive the most points are put on social media (Instagram and Facebook) and via mail to people in Tweedie’s database so everyone

Authorities searching for suspect in murder of David Montero

SAN JACINTO - On Friday, Sept. 22, at 9:51 p.m., deputies assigned to the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to an assault at a local park in the 500 block of East Main Street, San Jacinto. Upon deputies’ arrival, they located a male, later identified as David Montero, a 40-year-old resident of San Jacinto, suffering from traumatic injuries. Deputies immediately rendered medical aid to Montero and requested paramedics. Montero was transported to a local hospital and received treatment for his injuries. Investigators from the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station responded and assumed the investigation.

Montero remained hospitalized until Monday, Sept. 25, when he was pronounced dead. Based on the circumstances, the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit assumed the investigation. Due to the ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time. Investigators are working to identify the suspect (s) involved and encourage anyone with information related to this case to contact Central Homicide Master Investigator R. Deanne at 951-235–7382 or Investigator J. Newby at 951-347–0679. Submitted by Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

can vote on their favorite. “This creates a lot of exposure for Living Free as during this time we also post videos of the sanctuary and a featured “Pet of the Week” to get as many eyes on the nonprofit organization as possible.”

Tweedie’s mother, Katheleen Tweedie, has been a volunteer at the sanctuary for years so Kelly was happy to work with them to create this annual October fundraiser. They are hoping to exceed last year’s entries of almost 30

contestants. Photos of all types of pets are welcome and creativity is strongly encouraged.

All proceeds from the contest will directly benefit the Mountain Center nonprofit, whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and find loving homes for animals in need of a second chance. Living Free saves dogs and cats whose time is up at public shelters. If one of the rescued animals cannot find a loving forever home, they are free to live out their lives at the sanctuary,

everyone to get involved. naacpbranch1034.org

The mission of the NAACP is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color

Submitted by NAACP Branch 1034 Southwest Riverside County.

in peace and with all the dignity they deserve. Donations, which are accepted at all times, go a long way in helping with the daily needs of the sanctuary. Tweedie said there was a lot of damage to the center during the past few years due to snow and fires so all funds raised will be put to good use where it is needed most. For more information, https:// living-free.org or @livingfreenaimals.

City Council Candidates present: Back row left to right: Eric Faulkner, Temecula; Sue Evans, Temecula; Dameon Greene, Menifee; Bridget Moore, Mayor of Wildomar; Michael Vargas, Mayor of Perris; Marvin Andrade, Lake Elsinore. Front row left to right: Javier Rubalcaba, Murrieta; Veronica Langworthy, Wildomar; Elizabeth Vallejo, Perris; Dillon Wemple, Norco. Valley News/Ric Stallworth photos

Mary Venerable collects audience questions for moderator Jennifer Palo.

Branch President Myles Ross welcomes the candidates and audience.

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Opal, last year’s winner of Living Free Animal Sanctuary’s Pet Halloween Costume Contest, is soft as a lamb. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Ribbon cutting celebrates new northbound I-15 lane between Temecula Parkway and Rancho California Road

owners, their employees and others during public on and off the agenda comments asked the council to consider decreasing the city’s 15% tax down to 7% or lower so they could stay in business in the city. Others criticized the council members for their behavior toward each other and possible domestic crimes. In the three-minute public comments sessions, the council members are not normally allowed to answer questions or respond to the public.

As both the public comment time on the night’s agenda items and other off the agenda items lasted for almost two hours, three Riverside Sheriff’s Deputies carefully watched the proceedings. At least one officer is always assigned to city council meetings offering safety to the council, staff and attendees.

One speaker, Michael, on nonagenda items criticized the council for often “bashing each other” on

the dais (in early September) when they should be considering the issues in the community instead.

“It’s horrendous,” and “get your ____ together.”... You should quit,” he added.

Speaker Eddie George, a local video journalist, alleged Council

Member Brian Hawkins should not be on the council since he is facing previous criminal charges and is awaiting a court date and trial on those matters. He held documents showing that case. He said he had been arrested in 2023 on alleged felony child abuse charges and is going to trial on the matter December 3. Hawkins indicated those charges have been dropped. George said, “He should step down until the court trial is over.”

Several city council candidates introduced themselves to the council and another sought help for her efforts in helping her to house those who are homeless on the streets.

(Living Hope)

The discussion and direction to

staff on the cannabis tax rates was placed at item 4.2 on the agenda that evening. leaving the council to decide on keeping the tax rate of 15% as it is or to take action to reduce it for the four cannabis dispensaries in town.

Erica Gomez, San Jacinto Finance Director, led the discussion with information about how the citizens, about 68%, voted to allow the cultivation of marijuana in the city in 2016. Later they agreed to allow dispensaries for both medical and recreational cannabis sales in the city with a 15% tax rate on each dollar that includes a pro forma clause for three years which was set in June 2019. She showed how much revenue that had come to the city from that 15% tax which increased to nearly $3 million this fiscal year, or an average of about $420,000 per fiscal year. Then she offered how much would be lost if the 15% tax would be reduced from 10% down to about 7%.

Hemet Heritage Foundation and Hemet Museum to present classic photos of Hemet San Jacinto Valley from the Clarence Swift Collection

HEMET - The Hemet Heritage Foundation and Hemet Museum will host a special presentation titled “Classic Photos of Hemet San Jacinto Valley from the Clarence Swift Collection - Part 2.”

The event will be held on Monday, Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Services, located at 1111 S. State St., Hemet (SW corner of State and Stetson). Doors will open at 6 p.m., and complimentary refreshments will be served.

Dave Sisk will showcase historic photographs from early San Jacinto, Hemet, Valle Vista, Winchester, Sage, and other surrounding areas, many of which come from the extensive Clarence Swift Collection and a smaller portion from the Hemet Museum’s archives. The photos, digitized by

Mayor Phil Ayala acknowledged that since then, “Times have changed, costs have changed due to inflation.” He said because of the change the cannabis businesses are suffering.

The city attorney said the rate could be reduced if the dispensaries showed they can no longer operate as a profitable business at this time since the pro forma agreement initially made by the cannabis dispensary owners has expired.

With that information, the discussion continued with more than a dozen dispensary owners, employees, customers and other interested parties looking to have the tax reduced. Four written comments were read with three residents in opposition and one in favor of reducing the tax rate.

Fat ima Rahman, a dispensary owner, presented the council with documents showing how the city’s tax rate was the highest in the state and county and what rates the other cities in the county had, which are

Dave’s father, Gordon Sisk, offer a rare glimpse into the valley’s past.

The Hemet Heritage Foundation and the Hemet Museum extend their gratitude to Ed Bush and Memorial Funeral Services for generously offering their facility for monthly meetings, held on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but donations to support the Hemet Museum’s mission are welcome. Visit www. thehemetmuseum.org or mail contributions to Hemet Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 334, Hemet, CA 92546. For more information, call 951929-4409 or visit the museum Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historic Santa Fe Depot in downtown Hemet.

much lower than San Jacinto’s. Those cities, which have reduced their rates, have prospered even more in their general fund revenues, Rahman explained.

Rahman said, in addition to lowering their tax rates, some cities put a cap on how many new dispensaries could locate in their city, which she said should also be considered at a later date. She said the decision the city makes that night, whether to change the current tax rate or reduce it, may cost the city its current dispensaries and result in “having the city get zero revenue or reduce it to the recommended 7%”... to still have some. She said if it is not changed, nearly 275 people employed at the dispensaries, most who live in the city, could be without jobs, also hurting the economy.

Supporting her argument she provided a petition signed by 217 people in just hours who also supported lowering the city’s dispensary tax and set a cap on the number of new dispensaries settling in the city. “We just want to pay our employees; it’s really not a big deal,” she said.

No ting California State Law, (SB1059), Rahman said it was, which was recently signed by Governor Brown, would prevent cities from taxing gross cannabis receipts (over the counter) before the firm’s expenses. The state also receives 15% of cannabis dispensary sales statewide. It was the first time the council heard of the new bill and needed to review it.

Following the long public comment session the council made its decision to direct staff to prepare a resolution to amend the cannabis tax rates to be presented before the end of 2024 when a new city council is sworn in.

In making the decision Mayor Ayala, Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Vandever, Councilmember Hawkins and Councilmember Crystal Ruiz voted in favor of the motion with Councilmember Alonso Ledezma voting against it. Ruiz, before casting her vote, said she was 50-50 on keeping the rate the same but decided to see what the staff proposes in their recommendations and learn more about the issue. Hawkins similarly said more should be researched about the effect on the city budget of dropping the rate and would hear the staff recommendations before making a final decision. Ledezma said he voted against the measure in what he thought was the sentiment of the entire community from past discussions with residents who generally opposed any cannabis dispensaries. In other business, the council approved the plans to construct a $560,000 prefabricated Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant and sewered restroom at Mistletoe Park by Cora Construction Inc., the lowest bidder on the project. There was some discussion about the cost of the restroom by members of the council and several in public comments, but it received the approval of the Improvement Project and will be financed from American Rescue Plans and other grants at little cost to the city.

The council also adopted a number of required development code amendments, mostly minor, as presented by the City Planning Commission.

The council plans to come back with more discussion about how the city mayor is being appointed at the next regular meeting to determine if it should be changed.

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

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Members of the community gather to celebrate the completion of the new auxiliary lane on northbound I-15 through Temecula between Temecula Parkway and Rancho California Road, Oct. 1.

Greek culture comes alive at Temecula Greek Festival

People enjoy the festivities during the Temecula Greek Festival at the Promenade Mall, Oct. 4-6. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Musicians perform live Greek music performances during the Temecula Greek Festival.

Traditional Greek food is sold during the Temecula Greek Festival. Art Joseph prepares meat for gyros during the Temecula Greek Festival.

Panos Douvikas prepares fresh pita bread for guests at the Temecula Greek Festival.

Fresh gyros are served to guests during the Temecula Greek Festival. People enjoy the variety of traditional Greek festivities during the Temecula Greek Festival.

Find something to do!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

Oct. 11 – Youth Leaders of Menifee trip to Knott’s Scary Farm for teens (No school for MUSD or PUHD Oct. 11) CPR and/AED Certified by City of Menifee staff.

Oct. 16-Dec. 11 – 10-11:30 a.m. Mom & Me classes at Valley-Wide Regional Park, 901 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto. This Wednesday morning program is geared for moms, dads, grandparents, caregivers and their children aged 0-5 years. Children and adults can socialize in a safe, fun, learning environment. There are songs, games, arts and crafts, snacks and a special guest each week. $3 per family with $1 for each additional guest. Call 951487-9234.

Oct. 19-31 – 5- 8 p.m ValleyWide Recreation Halloween festivities at Winchester Domenigoni Park (Trunk or Treat 4:30); Rancho Bella Vista Community Center, French Valley (Halloween Spooktacular 5 p.m.) Free. Costumes encouraged. Fun, games, treats. For details, visit https://gorecreation.org

Please check the webpages for the city you live in for the latest events happening for children and youths in your community this summer. There are many youth sports programs, educational programs, city park entertainment and more to keep

children of all ages occupied and interested. Valley-Wide Recreation also has many children’s activities. Please visit www.gorecreation.org

COMMUNITY EVENTS

October – Enter Menifee’s Haunt Your House Halloween Decoration Contest. Prizes in five categories from scariest to Dia de los Muertos. Enter through the Menifee Community Services Dept. website QR Code.

October – “Socktober Collection Drive.” Every Tuesday in October from 4-6 p.m., representatives from 102.5 The Vine FM will be at a different location, asking listeners to stop by and donate socks. Socks are the most requested clothing item at many homeless centers and needsbased nonprofits, and a package of new socks is an affordable item that you can donate to help fill this community need. From newborns and toddlers to men, women, and seniors, there is a need for socks of every size for people in every season of life. For more information, https://1025thevine.org/events

Oct. 10 – 7-10 a.m. 2024 Legislative Summit presented by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, 39405 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta.

Oct. 12 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Temecula History Day event, hosted by the Community Services Department at Sam Hicks Monument Park, 41970 Moreno Road in Old

Crossword Puzzle

Theme: World Series

Town Temecula.

Oct. 12 – 5-8 p.m. Trunk or Treat event at the Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium, 500 Diamond Drive. Free. Contact 951-674-3124 to register your vehicle for the event. 60 spooky trunks brimming with surprises and treats and a variety of food vendors on scene. Dress in costume for the occasion. City of Lake Elsinore Dream Extreme event.

Oct. 13 – 8 a.m. Komen Inland Empire MORE THAN PINK Walk. An opportunity to support neighbors who have been impacted by breast cancer and feel the presence of our ONE community every step of the way. Opening ceremony at 8 a.m. at 11 Town Square Park, Murrieta. More details, visit www.komen. org/iewalk

Oct. 18 – 6-8 p.m. Murrieta Public Library 2nd annual Haunted Library with the entrance at the Garden of Verses, at 8 Town Square, Murrieta. All ages welcome.

Oct. 18 – 6 p.m. Jordan St. Cyr and Stars Go Dim are coming to Awakening Church in Murrieta to headline The Vine FM’s Worship World Tour, presented by Signarama Temecula. VIP $25, General Admission $15. Tickets are on sale now, only at 1025thevine.org

Oct. 19 – 4-8 p.m. Menifee Fall Festival at Mt. San Jacinto College, 28237 La Piedra Road. Community performances, car cruise in, vendors, costume contest, kids zone and trunk or treat opportunities.

Oct. 24 – 5-7:30 p.m. The Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its 15th annual Candy Corner Community Event at Valley-Wide Regional Park, 901 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto. Designed to provide a safe alternative to street trick-or-treating, there will be face painting, entertainment, food, photos, and a free bicycle raffle for children 3-12 years old. For more information, call Veronica Hawkes at 951-590-0771.

Oct. 25 – 5:30-8:30 p.m.Annual City of Temecula Halloween Carnival at the Temecula Civic Center, 41000 Main Street. Grab your ghouls, goblins, friends, and neighbors for a fun night of Fang-tastic games, costume contests, trunk-ortreating with First Responders and a whole lot of Skele-FUN! This event is free and for all ages.

Oct. 26 – 4-8 p.m. Menifee Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos, a Latin American, Mexican tradition to honor those family members who have died with gifts and costumes. Held at Mt. San Jacinto College, 28237 La Piedra Road. Catrina contest, community and individual altars, Los Sucios Car Club, food and crafts.

Oct. 30 – 6-7:30 p.m. Fall Fest, Gateway Church, 23560 Jefferson Ave., Murrieta.

ONGOING – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. The Sun City Farmers Market meets every Saturday at the Sun City Civic Association at 26850 Sun City Blvd., in Sun City with local vendors and crafts.

ONGOING – 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 951-674-2159.

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 800-5102020 for help.

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

ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Sunday, Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Vil-

lage 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

Oct. 11 – 10 a.m. New Temecula Art Mural on “Dia de Los Muertos” now on display at Sam Hicks Monument Park, 28300 Mercedes St., Temecula, through October. The mural showcases the skill of students from Bigfoot Art Classes and Diamond Valley Middle School. Oct. 14 – 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Classic Photos of Hemet San Jacinto Valley from the Clarence Swift Collection, Part 2” at Hemet Heritage Foundation/Hemet Museum by presenter Dave Sisk. Held at Memorial Funeral Services office, 1111 S. State St., Hemet (corner of State and Stetson across from McDonalds).

Oct. 17 – 6-7:30 p.m. Earthquake

Preparedness Seminar. Natural disasters and emergencies do not plan ahead, but you can! Learn the steps to take before, during, and after an earthquake at the Ronald H. Roberts Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road, Temecula. This seminar is for all ages and no registration is required.

Oct. 23 – 10:30 a.m. Luiseño Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution dedication ceremony of the All Veterans Memorial Bench at the Temecula Public Cemetery, 41911 C St. in Temecula

Oct. 28 – Lake Menifee Women’s Club Menifee Fall Teen Awards. Nominations now open for All Star Athlete, Outstanding Citizen, Inspiring Academic teen. For more information and nominations contact www.cityofmenifee.us/YLM or 951-679-8092. Awards presented at a Menifee City Council meeting.

Oct. 28 – 6 p.m. “Presidential Campaign Medals and Buttons: A View into the 19th and 20th Century Presidential Political History”at the Little Temecula History Museum at the corner of Redhawk Parkway and Wolf Store Road, west of Kohls. Presented by Mark Belnap who will show some of the medals dating back centuries. The nonpartisan presentation will also be live-streamed on the society’s Facebook page. For questions about this program, please contact Rebecca Farnbach at info@ temeculahistory.org

ONGOING – 10 a.m. The Temecula Valley Republican Women’s Club meets each month at the Wilson Creek Winery, 33960 Rancho California Road, Temecula. Memberships are now open. For questions, please contact Membership Chair Janine Plano at info@ tvrwomen.org

ONGOING – Temecula Valley Genealogical Society hosts the Family History Research Assistance Program for those interested in learning more about their family roots. The society offers free research assistance through this volunteer program. Appointments are available in person or via Zoom. Contact the TVGS Family Research Coordinator at tvgs.research.assist@gmail.com

ONGOING – Temecula’s Path of Honor at the Temecula Duck Pond, 28250 Ynez Road. A program to give a place to remember and honor veterans from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and the World War II Merchant Marines with a permanent paver. Pavers cost $185. Orders may be placed year-round and are consolidated, engraved and placed on the path annually each November. For more information, visit http://TemeculaCA.gov/Veterans or contact the Temecula Community Services Department at 951-694-6480. ONGOING – Want to help de-

ployed American troops remotely? Help shop for the most needed items without leaving home as an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing. All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area. For drop-off locations and packaging locations, visit www. milvet.org/military-care-packages ONGOING – Assistance League of Temecula Valley hosts a meeting for its member volunteers and guests every first Tuesday of the month (dark in July) at their facility at 28720 Via Montezuma, Temecula at 9:30 a.m. social and 10 a.m. meeting. The meeting room is adjacent to the thrift shop. Anyone interested in exploring volunteering or learning more about the organization is welcome to attend. Email altemecula@ yahoo.com for more information.

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

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

ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a fee of $21.95. The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample tests, licensed instructor available to answer questions, DMV-approved certificate of completion with all lectures and exams completed from home. Designed for students and does not include behind-the-wheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-723-3880 or visit the city of Menifee to register at www. cityof menifee.us

ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m. Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.

ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781-932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-3210170 or visit www.foodaddicts.org

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

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

ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information.

ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit www. va.gov/homeless

ONGOING – The Dorland Scribblers meet the second Sunday of each month from 1-3 p.m. at 36701 Highway 79 South, Temecula. We welcome fiction, non-fiction, poets, memoir and screenwriters. We host writing-craft discussions; attendees may read up to a five-minute excerpt from their work for feedback/ critique. RSVP at www.dorlandartscolony.com/sunday-scribblers. html

Art in the Vines announces 2024 winners as Temecula Valley celebrates wine month

TEMECULA – In celebration of California Wine Month, Visit Temecula Valley and the Temecula Valley Museum hosted a reception celebrating the winners of the second annual Art in the Vines competition.

During the first week of September, 18 local artists transformed Southern California Wine Country into an open-air studio as they painted live amidst the lush vines at 16 participating wineries. After Sept. 9, the artwork was exhibited at the Temecula Valley Museum and the public was invited to cast a vote for their favorite entry.

There were 150 votes received.

First place went to local artist Jo Dee Luna, who painted at Wiens Cellars. Corrine Haig won second place with her painting from BOTTAIA Winery, and third place was awarded to Tamra Gerard for her painting at Danza del Sol Winery.

As a token of appreciation, first place winner Jo Dee Luna was presented with a $100 American Express gift card. All winners received a ribbon and certificate.

“Art in the Vines is a perfect way to celebrate Wine Month,” said Scott A. Wilson, CEO of Visit Temecula Valley. “Visitors and

guests can experience amazing creativity unfolding before their eyes in our beautiful vineyards.

We congratulate the winners and thank all the artists, wineries, and voters who participated this year.”

Participating wineries included BOTTAIA Winery, Chapin Winery, Cougar Winery, Danza del Sol Winery, Doffo Winery, Domaine Chardonnay, Falkner Winery, Frangipani Winery, Gershon Bachus Winery, Lorimar Winery, Mount Palomar Winery, Oak Mountain Winery, Palumbo Winery, Ponte Vineyard Inn, Somerset Winery, and Wiens Cellars.

For more information about this event and to view all the entrees, go to VisitTemeculaValley.com

Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(6) destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism-related businesses including wineries, restaurants, breweries, retail and specialty boutiques, hotels, and more. It is a popular destination that includes Southern California Wine Country, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort Casino. In 2019, Wine Enthusiast named Temecula Valley a 10 Best Wine Travel Destination, in the world.

Jo Dee Luna, right, wins first place at the Art in the Vines competition. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Corrine Haig wins second place at the Art in the Vines competition.

Third place winner of the Art in the Vines competition went to Tamra Gerard.

Winning artists and officials, front row, left to right: Kami Leonard, Katinka Clementsmith, Roxy Rich, Sacha Hope, Corinne Haig, Barb Nelson, Bryant Nelson. Back row, left to right: Gina Wilson, Megan McArthur, Zoey Stevens, Debra Gayle Sut, Tamra Gerard, Michael Irish, Anne Marie Baker.

Temecula Valley Film Festival returns with an exciting lineup of global and local cinematic films

TEMECULA – Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience as the Temecula Valley Film Festival makes its encore presentation, set for October 11-13 at Temeku Cinemas. In its second year, the festival promises to dazzle audiences with a compelling mix of over 25 films from around the globe, alongside a spotlight on exceptional local talent.

The festival kicks off on Oct. 11 with a spine-chilling horror-themed evening. The event starts with five short films designed to send shivers down your spine. The excitement continues with the feature film The Unexpecteds, directed by Alejandro Montoya Marin, a filmmaker handpicked by Robert Rodriguez for his 2018 show Rebel Without a Crew. This film, a thrilling blend of comedy and revenge, follows Gary (Matt Walsh) and his friends as they plot retribution against a social media scammer. Don’t miss the chance to meet some of the creators behind the films during this electrifying opening night.

On Oct. 12, the festival offers an inspiring start with a showcase from The Media Lab, a local film school for adults with disabilities. Experience their innovative stopmotion and live-action works that push the boundaries of creativity. The day continues with five distinct short film showcases featuring works by acclaimed talents such as Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, Zombieland) and Jim Cummings (recent Sundance and SXSW film festival winner). As well as some international works with films from Mexico, Canada, and Chile. Finally, celebrate local artistry with a showcase of short films by emerging filmmakers from the Temecula Valley. The day culminates with an exciting audience awards ceremony and a lively festival party to end the evening.

The festival concludes on Oct. 13 with a morning showcase featuring the best films of the event, giving attendees one final chance to catch the standout works.

The Temecula Valley Film Festival offers filmmakers a unique platform to connect with audiences

and share their stories. This year’s festival promises an engaging and enriching experience, celebrating global cinema and local creativity. Temeku Cinemas is located in Palm Plaza, 26463 Ynez Road, Temecula, CA 9259. For tickets, film schedules, and the latest updates, visit www. temeculavalleyff.com

FRIDAY,

The Temecula Valley Film Festival is a premier annual event celebrating the best in independent cinema from around the world while highlighting the remarkable talent within the local filmmaking community. The festival is dedicated to delivering a culturally

Halloween Bash promises spooktacular night of music, dancing, food, fun and special appearances

Jack Kovic is co-founder of Triple Treat Entertainment

Valley News/Courtesy photo

FALLBROOK – Get ready to dance the night away at the Halloween party of the year! On Oct. 26, the Fallbrook Masonic Lodge, located at 203 Rocky Crest Road, will host a thrilling concert and fundraising event featuring an ensemble of exceptional talent, all under the banner of Triple Treat Entertainment.

The spotlight will be on three dynamic dance bands, each consisting of incredible musicians dressed in full costume, making for a truly unforgettable experience.

I n addition to great music, there will be a full bar, catered food, raffle prizes, silent auction, and nostalgia candy for sale. The three nonprofits to benefit from the event are: The Fallbrook Historical Society, Mentoring for Purpose and the Masonic Cemetery, which is donating a burial plot to the silent auction.

The cost is only a $10 donation with the opportunity to purchase food, drinks and nostalgia candy inside.

Leading the musical charge is

Harry’s

Harlow’s Cocktail Lounge

Jack Kovic, a longtime Fallbrook resident and a figure deeply rooted in the local music scene. Recently retired from his business, Jack’s Music, above Harry’s Pub, he’s been a staple in the community, imparting his musical wisdom to countless students over the years.

Interestingly, Kovic is the younger brother of Ron Kovic, author of the best-selling memoir and Oscar-winning film, “Born on the Fourth of July.”

Reflecting on his early days, Jack Kovic shared, “Back in high school, I played in a band with the guys who became the Stray Cats. Brian Setzer charged me $5 a lesson to learn his guitar licks. We both studied jazz guitar under the renowned Ray Gogarty, who pushed me to read saxophone solos to improve my chops.”

With a decade of service in the Navy and a career as a stockbroker for Washington Mutual, Kovic’s diverse background enriches his musical contributions.

Joining him on stage will be the immensely talented Kenny Marquez, whose career soared with the band Renegade. With a multi-million selling album, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Crazy,” still available on Amazon, Marquez’s music resonates with fans worldwide.

Alongside his wife, Tara B., the couple performs as an acoustic duo known as The Spell, captivating audiences throughout Southern California. Tara B, also a celebrated artist, has made waves with her original music from her album “Supposed To Be,” available on all major streaming platforms.

Marquez and Tara B’s collaborations have garnered acclaim, opening for legends like LA Guns and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Currently recording for Voyage Entertainment Records, they have two new singles – “Smoldered Out” and “Everything I Own” – topping the charts in six countries. “We can’t wait to bring our energy to the Halloween bash,” said Marquez, his excitement palpable. “It’s going to be a night to remember!”

Anchoring the rhythm section is drummer Jolene Smith, whose infectious energy and precision have made her a beloved figure in the Southern California music community. Growing up in Chicago, Smith was immersed in a world of music from an early age thanks to her musician parents.

As co-founder and musical director of the Las Palmas Percussionists, a children’s performance group based in San Clemente, her passion for music education shines through. Her experience spans a multitude of bands across Southern California, and her driving beat will undoubtedly keep the crowd on their feet.

This Halloween concert promises to be an electrifying night filled with captivating music, spectacular performances, and an inviting atmosphere. As attendees don their best costumes and dance the night away, they will also be contributing to a worthy cause, with proceeds from the event supporting local initiatives and community projects.

“Don your dancing shoes and get ready to live the dream this Halloween,” urged Kovic. “We’re ready to make some memories and raise funds for our community!” Tickets for this spooktacular event are expected to sell out quickly. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, contact the Village News directly at 760-723-7319 or email frontdesk@reedermedia.com

Don’t miss out on this chance to witness local legends in an extraordinary performance, all while enjoying the spirit of Halloween. Mark your calendars, grab your friends and family, and prepare for an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and community spirit!

So, whether you’re a lifelong fan of these talented musicians or simply looking for a fantastic way to celebrate Halloween, the concert at the Fallbrook Masonic Lodge is sure to be the highlight of the season. See you there – just don’t forget your costume!

The second annual Temecula Valley Film Festival will take place at Temeku Cinemas. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Health Right Here: Limb preservation to prevent amputation

Devin Zarkowsky, MD Special to Valley News

Limb preservation with revascularization

Vascular surgeons work hard to keep limbs on bodies. Often, folks with diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, or a history of smoking present to us with diminished or absent blood flow to their feet, causing pain in or even wounds on their feet. This disease process is chronic limbthreatening ischemia (CLTI), part of the peripheral arterial disease (PAD) spectrum. Intervening to improve blood flow, relieve pain, and heal wounds is the foundation of limb preservation, along with multi-disciplinary teams, including podiatrists and wound care specialists. Amputation is a last resort; an irrevocable step altering a person’s future when preservation options have been exhausted. Regaining ambulation post-amputation varies significantly by a person’s age, physical health, comorbidities, rehabilitation resources, and support systems.

Age and ambulation outcomes

Figure 1 depicts the influence age exerts on ambulation out -

Percentage of patients ambulating post-major amputation by age group.

specific needs of older patients. These programs often include not just physical therapy, but also psychological support to address issues of depression and anxiety, which are common among older amputees.

Medicare Part B Coverage considerations

comprehensive care they need to facilitate ambulation. This disparity underscores the importance of understanding one’s Medicare options to ensure optimal recovery post-amputation.

Revascularization first

comes following major amputation. A study by Houghton et al. (2019) found that younger patients—those under 65—are significantly more likely to achieve independent ambulation compared to older adults. Specifically, the study reported that over 75% of patients under 65 were able to walk independently within six months, while only 40% of patients aged 65 and older reached the same milestone during that time frame. Rehabilitation and support systems

The rehabilitation process is essential for all age groups but may require more intensive interventions for older adults. A study by Bäuerle. (2020) highlighted the effectiveness of tailored rehabilitation programs that consider the

Ready for open enrollment? 4 tips for choosing the right Medicare plan

With so many Medicare options available, selecting a plan can seem daunting. This year you may be wondering how news of Medicare drug price negotiations, economic uncertainties and other factors may impact your coverage in 2025.

Medicare is the government health insurance program for Americans 65 and older and others who qualify, providing hospital coverage (Part A) and physician visits (Part B) to beneficiaries. Additionally, there are a variety of options that coordinate with original Medicare, such as Medicare Supplement plans and Prescription Drug Plans, or replace original Medicare with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans combined with Prescription Drug Plans.

During this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which takes place between Oct. 15-Dec. 7, 2024, here’s what Cigna Healthcare, which serves millions of Medicare customers nationwide, wants you to know:

1. Check for plan changes: If your current plan is working for you, you can likely keep it. However, it’s a good idea to review your plan every AEP, especially if you’ve experienced major life, health or financial changes. Any changes to your current plan will be outlined in your Medicare plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter, which you can expect to receive in September.

2. Research your coverage:

There are a few key things to watch for when shopping for a plan. One of them is whether your favorite providers and specialists will be in-network. You should also review each plan’s formulary – that is, the list of drugs covered under the plan. You’ll want to find a plan that will cover your current medications and any you

anticipate your doctor prescribing over the course of the year ahead.

Finally, carefully consider your total spend for your prescription drug plan coverage (i.e., premiums plus pharmacy costs) since the maximum out-of-pocket costs for drugs you utilize will be capped at $2,000 in 2025.

3. Look for value: No matter what the economic outlook is, it’s wise to select a plan that provides great value. To that end, you may want to consider an MA plan, which offers quality and affordability. MA plans cover everything original Medicare does, plus more; most also include dental, vision and hearing benefits, prescription drug coverage, and other extras like over-the-counter drugs, transportation to doctor’s visits and pharmacies, healthy grocery purchases, and fitness services. MA plans are often available with $0 premiums, but you’ll also want to check on what your annual out-

of-pocket costs could be based on your health status.

4. Understand your plan: Before enrolling in a particular plan, make sure you understand its ins and outs. Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227) 24/7; TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Or, visit the Medicare Plan Finder website at Medicare.gov/plan-compare For local assistance, refer to the State Health Insurance Assistance Program at www.shiptacenter.org You can also contact individual Medicare plans, including Cigna Healthcare at CignaMedicareInformation.com.

“AEP is your opportunity to assess your budget and your health needs and find an option that will work for you and your lifestyle in 2025,” says Ryan Kocher, chief growth officer for Cigna Healthcare Medicare. Submitted by Statepoint Media.

U.S. Postal Service to continue delivery of millions of at home COVID-19 test kits nationwide

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service will again deliver millions of rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits to households across the nation.

In collaboration with the White House and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USPS will facilitate the distribution of these test kits through COVIDTests.gov, where people can order their kits at no cost.

Test kit ordering began Sept. 26. More than 12 million COVID-19 tests have already been shipped by the USPS with more than 6 million delivered to households across the nation.

This initiative marks the seventh time the Postal Service has played a crucial role in distributing free at-home test kits to Americans.

Since the program began in the winter of 2021, ASPR and USPS have distributed approximately 900 million tests, free of charge, to American households nationwide, with an average of just 1.2 days from shipment to delivery.

“The distribution of these athome test kits is a vital public health initiative from the Department of Health and Human Services,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “We are proud to continue our partnership in ensuring that every household has access to the resources they need to stay safe and healthy.”

USPS delivers more mail than any other post in the world, serving nearly 167 million addresses in the country — covering every state, city and town — and prides itself on going the last mile to deliver the mail. Every U.S. household, includ-

Financial considerations can also affect the likelihood of ambulation post-amputation. Medicare Part B covers outpatient rehabilitation services, including physical therapy and prosthetic fittings. This coverage is crucial for ensuring that patients receive the necessary support to regain mobility. In contrast, Medicare Advantage plans may vary significantly in their coverage of rehabilitation services. Some plans might offer enhanced services, while others may impose restrictions that can limit access to necessary care. Individuals enrolled in Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) under Medicare Advantage may face additional challenges. These plans can have restrictive networks that might limit access to specialized rehabilitation centers or therapists. As a result, patients might not receive the timely or

Revascularization is the first and most important step in limb preservation. The likelihood of regaining ambulation after major amputation due to chronic limb-threatening ischemia is significantly influenced by age. Younger patients generally demonstrate better outcomes compared to older adults, who face additional challenges. Rehabilitation programs tailored to individual needs are essential for improving ambulation rates, particularly for older patients. Furthermore, understanding the nuances of Medicare coverage, especially between Part B and Medicare Advantage plans, can impact access to necessary rehabilitation services and ultimately affect recovery outcomes.

A multidisciplinary vascular care team in Fallbrook is at the ready to prevent amputation. Visit https://www.californiavascularhealthspecialists.com for more information.

First-in-nation law to require overdose reversing nasal spray in all first aid kits signed by governor

SACRAMENTO – In a significant step toward combating the Fentanyl epidemic, AB 1976 has been signed by Governor Newsom. The bill previously has had strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process. AB 1976 would require Cal-OSHA to develop regulations that require first aid kits in all workplaces in California to contain naloxone nasal spray — a lifesaving medication that can completely reverse a deadly opioid overdose by being sprayed in the nostrils.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration more than half of the counterfeit prescription pills being trafficked in communities across the country now contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl.

“If fentanyl continues to be more accessible than naloxone, we’re going to keep seeing an increase in overdose deaths in our communities,” said Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), who chairs the Assembly’s Fentanyl and Opioid Overdose Prevention Committee.

“Until we can cut off the supply

of fentanyl to our state, we have a responsibility to make sure that we’re saving as many lives as possible — especially the lives of our youth.”

All California businesses with employees are currently required to have a first aid kit in the breakroom or common space. AB 1976 will dramatically increase the accessibility of naloxone, making California a world leader in access to the lifesaving medication. Any person that sees someone exhibiting the symptoms of an overdose will know that naloxone is on hand in the first aid kit of the nearest business.

The legislation requires that CalOSHA, who currently is responsible for enforcing employer first aid kits regulations, develop standards and enforcement practices to ensure naloxone is in all first aid kits.

“I’ve heard from hundreds of family members whose loved ones would still be alive if naloxone had been on site,” said Haney. “Naloxone is a miracle drug in many ways. But it can’t perform miracles if it’s not there when you need it.”

ing those in U.S. territories, is eligible to receive these tests. To ensure widespread access, each residential address can request four free tests.

This program aims to provide communities with easy access to rapid at-home COVID-19 tests in the coming weeks, especially when Americans prepare for travel and gatherings through the 2024 holiday season, empowering individuals to test as needed.

When placing an order, customers will have the option to provide an email address for updates, including a confirmation email. Upon shipment, customers will receive an email with an estimated delivery date and a tracking number to monitor their order’s progress on usps.com.

The COVIDTests.gov website has more information, including testing guidance.

Valley News/Courtesy image

Valley News/Kampus Production (pexels.com)

Are you prepared for the big one?

Sam DiGiovanna Special to Valley News

Many scientists believe California is overdue for a major earthquake, and we are! The Southern California swarm of earthquakes lately reminds us to be prepared. Make sure you, your family, and your community are prepared. Follow and share the following tips. What to do before an earthquake First, have a serious discussion with your immediate family members. Things to discuss include: What could happen and what they should do in different scenarios. If the earthquake occurs while your children are at school, what’s your plan for reuniting? If roads or other infrastructure are damaged it could be hours or days before you can be together again. What actions could each of you take in such a scenario?

The possibility that cell phones

might not work. Kids who have never lived without texting may panic if cell phone communication breaks down—something that can happen even if there isn’t widespread destruction. Prepare them now and talk about how you could get messages to one another if you are separated for several days. Family members, especially children, may expect you to be around when disaster strikes. Prepare them now so that they aren’t upset during actual disasters. Next, prepare your house. Things to consider: Keep a fire extinguisher, firstaid kit, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries in an easy-to-access location. Make sure everyone in the house knows where these items are stored.

Always have enough water, food, medicine, and other necessities on hand for at least 72 hours.

Consider how you’ll power devices. Smartphones, tablets,

and other devices have become almost essential to our daily lives. Investing in a generator and an external battery pack for your phone can alleviate some of the stress of dealing with an extended power outage.

Make sure your family members know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity.

Look around your house and imagine a powerful quake. What items are at risk for falling? Is the furniture secure? Although you can’t prevent all damage from happening, you can move heavy objects and anchor furniture to make things safer.

What to do during an earthquake

The most important thing during a quake is to stay calm—easier said than done!

Stay where you are. Many people react to earthquakes by running out of buildings, especially high-rises, because they

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feel unsafe indoors. But you’re more likely to be hit by falling glass or injure yourself on debris or downed power lines.

If you’re indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table).

Don’t use elevators (they can get stuck).

If you’re in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops.

What to do after an earthquake

You probably have a list of actions to take and areas to check following an earthquake. The same goes when you are at work, home or somewhere else:

Check yourself and others for injuries and provide first aid if needed.

Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage (including the smell of natural gas). If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Do not touch any downed lines, and don’t use matches, candles, or

any flame until you’re sure it’s safe. Broken gas lines and fire don’t mix!

Turn on the radio. Don’t use the phone, including your cell phone, unless it’s an emergency.

Stay out of damaged buildings and away from damaged areas. Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep from cutting your feet.

Expect aftershocks.

Take this information and make sure you share earthquake preparedness with your family and neighbors. The more prepared they are the better we will be able to respond safely and effectively. For additional earthquake preparedness information, visit https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes.

Sam DiGiovanna is a 36-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as fire chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale.

New California law will expand products collected by PaintCare

A new California law will expand the range of products managed by the PaintCare program in the state from architectural coatings to a broader array of paint product types. SB 1143, which passed the state legislature with bipartisan approval on Aug. 30, received support from CalRecycle, environmental advocates, and the American Coatings Association (ACA). Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Sept. 29.

PaintCare is a nonprofit organization representing paint companies that plans and operates stewardship programs for leftover architectural coatings in states with stewardship laws. Active in California since 2012, the program provides a network of nearly 800 drop-off sites where households and businesses can take their leftover paint. Sites include paint retailers, local government run waste collection facilities, material reuse stores, recycling centers, and others. PaintCare partners with waste processors to ensure collected paint is reused as-is, recycled into new paint, or put to some other beneficial use whenever possible. The program has managed 35 million gallons of leftover architectural paint to date. With SB 1143, the stewardship program’s covered products will be expanded to include additional nonindustrial coatings and coating-related products. In 2023 another industry supported California law added aerosol coatings to the list of products that PaintCare will manage. Under SB 1143, the timeline for adding aerosol coatings has been merged with the additional coatings product categories and extended to 2028 to streamline regulatory processes and program implementation. Implementation plans are under development and are pending approval by CalRecycle.

“We’re looking forward to making PaintCare a more universal stewardship program for California consumers,” said Mar-

janeh Zarrehparvar, president of PaintCare. “With over a decade of success operating the state’s architectural coatings program, we have a strong foundation and the right partners to manage nearly all leftover paint products in the state.”

“The changes to PaintCare’s program under SB 1143 are the result of collaboration with lawmakers, stakeholders, and all those interested in ensuring all coatings and related products can be properly managed through PaintCare’s existing network,” said ACA president and CEO Andy Doyle. “This new law is a win-win: it will help to protect the environment and provide convenient end-of-life management access for consumers.”

About ACA

The American Coatings Association is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers, distributors, and technical professionals. ACA serves as an advocate and ally for members on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues, and provides forums for the advancement and promotion of the industry through educational and professional development services.

About PaintCare

PaintCare is committed to making it easy and convenient for households, businesses, and institutions to recycle postconsumer (leftover) paint in states with paint stewardship laws. A nonprofit organization created by paint manufacturers, PaintCare sets up drop-off locations for leftover paint, arranges for recycling and proper disposal, and conducts public education. More than 70 million gallons of paint, stain, and varnish have been managed by PaintCare in 10 states and the District of Columbia. For additional information, visit www.paintcare.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram @WeRecyclePaint.

Award for 2024.

“It’s a very significant honor for us to be recognized by the EPA three years in a row. This award highlights our ongoing commitment to water conservation and efficiency in the communities that we serve,” said RCWD water resource planner Kyle Jeffries.

WaterSense certification requires a water use decrease of at least 20% without the loss of any function. The items involved in the Rancho Water campaign include residential and commercial toilets, shower heads, irrigation controllers, spray and sprinkler bodies, and faucets. In May 2023 Rancho Water held a Sprinkler Spruce-Up virtual workshop which highlighted ways to promote healthy landscapes and see AWARD, page B-7

D1 Training introduces premier athletic-based fitness concept to Temecula

Local entrepreneurs open state-of-the-art fitness facility for youth and adult athletes

– D1 Training, a leading fitness concept utilizing the five core tenets of athleticbased training, opened a new location in Temecula at 40820 Winchester Road on September 23. The group fitness facility employs a sports-science backed training regimen led by certified trainers to help people of all ages achieve their sport and fitness goals.

Mike Kim will join a roster of existing franchisees and owners which include professional athletes such as Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, Tim Tebow and Michael Oher. A resident of the Temecula area for more than 20 years, Kim has spent his time serving the community as a firefighter and paramedic. Originally wanting to open a gym of his own, he found D1 Training as an option in the

franchising space and felt it was a perfect fit to work with area youth to help them grow and avoid injuries.

“As someone who has always had a passion for fitness, especially with youth development, joining the D1 Training family was a nobrainer as I looked to open my own fitness concept,” said Kim. “I am excited to be able to work with local youth to not only help their development, but also set them up to avoid injuries as they pursue their athletic endeavors.”

D1 Training offers four agebased programs including Rookie (ages 7-11), Developmental (ages 12-14), Prep (ages 15-18) and D1 Adult. Each fitness program is based on the five athletic-based tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength program, core and conditioning, and cool down. Outside of group workouts, D1 Training offers one-on-one training with world-class coaches. The goal is simple: to continue to train athletes who are dedicated to their sport or their fitness goals, regardless of age or athletic background.

“Mike is the ideal candidate to bring the D1 Training experience to Temecula,” said the brand’s Chief Operating Officer, Dan Murphy. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the D1 family and are confident in his ability to show the Temecula area what they’ve been missing out on. D1 is a one-of-a-

Valley Young Professionals Educational Summit to ignite ambitions in young leaders

TEMECULA – On Tuesday, October 22, the Valley Young Professionals (VYP) will host their highly anticipated Educational Summit at the MSJC Temecula Campus from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is designed to equip young professionals and entrepreneurs with actionable strategies and knowledge, empowering them to excel in any professional setting. The event is proudly sponsored by the Law Offices of Rosenstein & Associates, further emphasizing their commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.

The VYP Educational Summit will feature a lineup of industry leaders who are actively reshaping

AWARD from page B-6

reduce water waste outdoors. The district distributed the WaterSense Jump Into Pool Water Efficiency Guide to swimming pool contractors and homeowners. Rancho Water’s “Be a Water Hero” campaign encouraged both indoor and outdoor conservation through Website and social media postings along with two pairs of 30-second commercials with each commercial having messages in both English and Spanish. Collaborative efforts included private and public partnerships to promote WaterSense products. The district partnered with Lowe’s Home Improvement on a video promoting WaterSense-labeled products and water conservation information and shared that video on social media. Partnerships with the Riverside County Flood

their fields. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights from Walter Carter, Jim Toth, K. Elle Jones, and Bryan Visser. Walter Carter, Director of Hospitality at Danza Del Sol Winery and Masia de la Vinya Winery, will share his expertise in creating unique customer experiences. Jim Toth, President and Owner/ Operator of Chick-fil-A Temecula, is renowned for his leadership in business development and community engagement. K. Elle Jones, Career Services Program Liaison/Navigator at MSJC, will offer guidance on career advancement and personal branding.

Control and Water Conservation District and with Blue Watchdog Conservation, Inc., have promoted efficient irrigation practices. Rancho Water and the Murrieta public library collaborated to designate a section of the library for Fix a Leak Week with various materials such as children’s activities focusing on leak detection, bath hacks, bookmarks, and Fix a Leak at Home activity. The district has a Temecula Murrieta In Bloom demonstration garden, and a Web page for that garden has provided information on water-efficient landscaping practices and sustainable gardening. Rancho Water worked with the California Water Efficiency Partnership to distribute 200-WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controllers and partnered with Southern California Gas Company on a direct install program to

Bryan Visser, Chief Operating Officer at Temecula Valley Hospital is known for his strategic vision and operational excellence in healthcare management.

This summit is an ideal platform for young professionals eager to enhance their careers, entrepreneurs seeking a community of likeminded leaders, and businesses investing in the development of their promising young talent.

Seating is limited. To reserve your seat or learn more about the Educational Summit, please visit https://bit.ly/3ZR1Wka or call 951-676-5090.

provide free WaterSense-labeled shower heads and other water-efficient appliances to disadvantaged communities. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has a regional rebate program which includes WaterSense-labeled sprinkler nozzles, and although Rancho Water is not a direct MWD member (the Western Municipal Water District is not only a retail agency but also a wholesale agency providing retail water sales of MWD supply to the Rancho California Water District and the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District) Rancho Water participated in that regional rebate program.

“It’s really the community and our board that allowed us to win this award, and we’re proud of it,” Jeffries said.

Joe Naiman can be reached at jnaiman@reedermedia.com.

kind fitness experience that’s built around the individual and meant to help people meet their appropriate edge. Our strong network of franchisees embodies our core values to bring the D1 Training vision to life, and we know Mike will do just that in Temecula and its surrounding communities.”

Strategically expanding across the nation through franchising, D1 Training has more than 100 performance centers open with over 150 additional locations in various stages of development. The brand is currently seeking qualified and active community members to expand its footprint and help more people meet their fitness goals. For more information on D1 Training Temecula, please visit https://www.d1training.com/temecula/ or 951-228-7598. About D1 Training

Founded in 2001 by former NFL player Will Bartholomew, and based in Nashville, D1 Train-

ing began franchising in 2017. The brand has grown to over 100 locations currently open, with over 150 additional locations in various stages of development. The brand was recently ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500, was named a Top 30 Gym in America by Men’s Health Magazine, and also made an appearance on The Inc. 5000 which ranks the fastest growing private companies in the nation. D1 Training has been endorsed by the NFL Players Association as an approved training facility and is a preferred partner of the National Academy of Sports Medicine. D1 Training is actively seeking qualified, communityminded franchisees with a passion for the fitness industry to continue its growth through single and multi-unit franchise deals. For more information on D1 Training and franchise opportunities, please visit https://www.d1franchise. com.

B USINESS D IRECTORY

TEMECULA

Valley News/Courtesy photo

October 11 – 17, 2024

Pumas dominate Vista Murrieta 55-28 in Big West Upper Division opener

JP Raineri Sports Editor

MURRIETA – The Chaparral Pumas delivered a standout performance at Broncos Stadium, securing a decisive 55-28 victory over the Vista Murrieta Broncos on

“Pink Nite.” This event on October 4th marked the beginning of the Big West Upper Division play, and Chaparral wasted no time in setting the tone from the start. Chaparral’s dominance became evident early in the game when linebacker Logan Coleman

intercepted a pass from Vista Murrieta’s quarterback Bryson Beaver on the first play. Coleman returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, sparking enthusiasm and momentum for the Pumas. The team’s aggressive defense continued to shine, with another

turnover leading to a touchdown in the second quarter. Chaparral built a commanding 35-21 lead by halftime, and a 20-0 run in the third quarter put the game out of reach.

After years of struggles against Vista Murrieta, boasting a 1-8 record in their last nine encounters,

Chaparral defied history with an impressive victory. Their performance last Friday night showcased the Pumas’ growing potential, as they’ve consistently dominated opponents this season,

Rancho Christian volleyball claims victory in

Game

JP Raineri Sports Editor

TEMECULA – In a thrilling display of athleticism and teamwork, the Rancho Christian volleyball team dominated their annual “Pink” game, held the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Eagles gym in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Eagles flew past the Hillcrest Trojans with a decisive 3-0 victory, pushing their impressive record

to 17-4. The match started strong for Rancho Christian, who entered the game riding a wave of momentum with four consecutive wins. The Eagles, led by standout performances from Madison Pulsipher and team captains Aubrey Tobias and Brighton Richards, avenged their previous loss to Hillcrest with prowess that left spectators in awe. Pulsipher was a force to be reckoned with, delivering 11

aces, while Tobias orchestrated the team’s offense with precision, clocking in 34 assists. Richards, who has been on a remarkable defensive streak, added 17 digs to her tally, maintaining her streak of 10 or more digs in eight consecutive games. Despite the sweeping victory, the Eagles faced a nail-biting challenge in the third set as Hillcrest fought back, making the

Madison Pulsipher leads Rancho

Madison Pulsipher puts on a serving clinic as she dishes up 11 aces for the Eagles.

Malachi Sayles and the Vista Murrieta Broncos open Big West Upper Division play by hosting the Chaparral Pumas.

Chaparral’s defense holds Sean McCoullough (10) and the Broncos in check as they beat Vista Murrieta 55-28.

Sean McCoullough (10) halls in a TD pass from QB Bryson Beaver.

Chaparral QB Dane Weber leads the Pumas to a 55-28 win over Vista Murrieta.

Valley News/David Canales photos

see PUMAS, page C-3

Murrieta Valley Nighthawks maintain winning streak with 42-27 triumph over Norco Cougars

OUTLOOK

JP Raineri Sports Editor

Murrieta Valley’s football team extended its winning streak with a decisive 42-27 victory over the Norco Cougars on Thursday, Oct. 3. The Nighthawks, ranked 17th in California by MaxPreps, displayed their dominance against the 111th ranked Norco, continuing their impressive performance this season. With three consecutive wins leading up to this game, Murrieta Valley was riding high and carried that momentum into the match, outscoring their opponents by an average of 36 points.

Running back Dorian Hoze was once again a standout player for the Nighthawks, rushing for 163 yards and scoring two touchdowns with an average of 7.4 yards per carry. This game marked his third consecutive outing with at least 130 rushing yards, further solidifying his role as a key player for the team. Not far behind in the spotlight was freshman quarterback Ty Isaia, who has stepped in admirably this season for the injured Bear Bachmeier. Isaia completed 9 of his 14 passes for 139 yards, delivering three touchdowns to three different receivers.

Murrieta Valley’s ground game was relentless, racking up a total of 247 rushing yards. This performance was in line with their recent games, as they have consistently rushed for at least 168 yards in their last four matchups.

Isaia’s targets were senior Jacob Alvarez, who caught a 15-yard touchdown pass, junior Julian Treadwell with two catches for 40 yards and a score, and senior Kurelle Thomas, who also notched a 40-yard touchdown reception.

Despite the loss, Norco had moments of brilliance. Trevor Schneider contributed significantly with 124 total yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Joseph Stoffel was also in fine form,

PINK from page C-1

score an intense 25-22. However, Rancho Christian’s determination and tactical finesse secured them the win, completing the sweep with set scores of 25-10, 25-20, and 25-22. The victory marked Rancho Christian’s 13th consecutive home win, a testament to their dominance and strategic play on their home court.

With this win, Rancho Christian holds the first position in the Ivy league standings with a 6-1 league record and an 18-4 overall standing. With three regular season matches remaining at home against Hemet on Oct. 8, away at Poly on Oct. 10, and home again to wrap up the season against Paloma Valley on Oct. 14, the Eagles have already clinched a playoff spot, setting their sights on further glory. Fans can anticipate the CIF Southern Section Girls’ Volleyball playoff brackets announcement on Oct. 19 at 10 am on the CIF-SS website. Send local sports tips and updates to sports@reedermedia. com

Valley’s

Friday, Oct. 3. throwing for 169 yards and three touchdowns while completing 75% of his passes. Blake Wong was a top target, gathering 104 receiving yards and a touchdown.

With this victory, the Nighthawks now boast a record of 5-1. They are set to face Chaparral next in a Big West - Upper division matchup on Friday, October 11. Chaparral, coming off a 55-28 win

over Vista Murrieta, also holds a 5-1 record, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash. Murrieta Valley’s offense has been on a roll, putting up at least 31 points in their last four games, which could prove advantageous in their upcoming contest.

Norco, on the other hand, fell to 2-4 with this defeat. They will host Roosevelt (Eastvale) on the

same day, with the Mustangs entering this match with a similar 2-4 record after a heavy loss to Centennial. Both teams will be looking for redemption and a much-needed win to improve their standings.

Send local sports tips and updates to sports@reedermedia. com

Tuesday, Oct. 1,

AnzA VAlley

AnzA VAlley

Murrieta Valley LB Abelardo Leos (48) pursues Norco QB Joseph Stoffel (1) Friday, Oct. 3. Valley News/Andrez Imaging

Murrieta Valley DB, Gabriel Lomeli (7), cuts off a Norco Running Back during their Big West Upper Division matchup last week.

Murrieta

Dorian Hoze is shielded by OL Austin Russell (78) during their first league game of the season,

Rancho Christian’s Janiah Burrage goes over the Hillcrest defense for one of her 18 kills. Valley News/David Canales photos

On

Rancho Christian honored October as Breast Cancer Awareness month

Great Oak Wolfpack’s offensive surge overwhelms Corona Panthers

Oak’s record to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in league play, offering a fresh start as they aim to climb the standings. In contrast, the loss was a setback for Corona, dropping them to an identical 2-4 overall record and are now 0-1 in league action.

TEMECULA

– The Great Oak Wolfpack roared back to life with a powerful 50-0 victory over the Corona Panthers on Thursday, marking their highest-scoring game of the season. This triumph at home was particularly sweet for the Wolfpack, who were shut out in their previous contest, but this time they left no room for doubt.

Under the bright lights, senior quarterback Reagan Ricken showcased precision and poise, completing five of six passes for 111 yards and tossing two touchdowns. His first scoring strike landed in the hands of senior wide receiver Tristan Pugal, who made an impressive catch that added prime the Wolfpack’s tally. The second was caught by junior Ryder Parks, further cementing Great Oak’s dominant performance.

But it was junior running back Ryder Smith who stole the offensive spotlight, charging through the Panthers’ defense

winning four games by margins of 21 points or more.

The Pumas’ success was fueled by sophomore quarterback Dane Weber’s stellar play. Weber rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries and threw for 234 yards and another score. His longest run, a 69-yard dash, highlighted his exceptional athleticism. Running back Jayce Venable also contributed with 105 rushing yards, further bolstering the offensive attack, which amassed 280 rushing yards overall—their highest since October 2023.

Chaparral’s defense was relentless, intercepting two passes courtesy of Logan Coleman and Camren Williams, while also forcing a fumble that led to a touchdown. Pumas head coach Andrew Ramer praised his team’s ability to establish control early, emphasizing the importance of JP Raineri Sports Editor

for 58 yards and crossing the goal line three times. Smith’s versatility didn’t end there; he also contributed significantly on defense, recording a sack alongside teammates Connor Smith and Ryan Bitton, the latter of whom tallied two sacks in a commanding defensive effort.

The special teams play was no less thrilling, with junior Mikey Vasquez electrifying the crowd with two punt return touchdowns.

The first came in the first quarter, a 50-yard dash down the field that set the tone for the game. His second, a 55-yard return in the fourth quarter, put the exclamation point on a dynamic performance.

Great Oak’s defense was relentless, stifling Corona’s attempts to gain any momentum. They forced two crucial fumbles, thanks to strategic plays from Kade Prosser and Dylan Keith, and Carson Wight anchored the defense with nine tackles, three of which resulted in losses for the Panthers.

This victory in the Big West Lower Division propelled Great

improving as they face tougher challenges in the coming weeks.

Despite the loss, several Vista Murrieta players had strong performances. Ryland Duson rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown, setting a personal best, while Sean McCullough recorded 88 receiving yards. However, Vista Murrieta’s offensive prowess, averaging 42.3 points per game, wasn’t enough to overcome Chaparral’s tenacity.

With this victory, Chaparral’s record improves to 5-1, while Vista Murrieta falls to 4-2. Both teams are now preparing for significant matchups. Chaparral will host Murrieta Valley, who has been averaging over 31 points in their recent games, while Vista Murrieta will welcome Centennial, the No. 2 ranked team in the state by MaxPreps.com. Send local sports tips and updates to sports@reedermedia. com

Looking ahead, the Wolfpack are set to hit the road for a face-off against Murrieta Mesa on Friday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, the Panthers will return home to confront King on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m., eager to snap a five-game losing streak dating back to last season.

With this decisive win, Great Oak has sent a clear message that they are a force to be reckoned with as they continue their league play. Send local sports tips and updates to sports@reedermedia. com

Great Oak’s Mikey Vasquez (1) goes up for a catch, spotting the ball deep into Wolfpack territory.

Great Oak senior, Tristan Pugal (9), catches a pass for a Wolfpack touchdown.

Valley News/Rob Davis Photography

Junior RB Ryder Smith (2) leaves a trail of opponents on his way to 1 of 3 touchdowns.

[Right] Great Oak senior, Sal Zuniga (50), clears a running path for his teammate.

Vista Murrieta’s BBC (Bronco Bleacher Creatures) wear’s Pink to show support for Breast Cancer awareness. Valley News/David Canales photo

Sophomore QB Dane Weber (6) scrambles out of the pocket against Vista Murrieta. Senior RB Devin Leonard makes a spin move to gain extra yardage against Chaparral defenders.

PUMAS from page C-1

Aztecs triumph in nail-biter against Hawaii, 27-24

JP Raineri Sports Editor

SAN

DIEGO

—

In a Mountain

West Conference opener that kept college football fans on the edge of their seats, San Diego State managed to clinch a narrow victory over Hawaii with a final score of 27-24. Marquez Cooper was the star of the night, leading the charge with 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 2-yard run that concluded an impressive 87-yard drive with just over seven minutes to go. The match was a battle of strategy and endurance. Hawaii faced a critical fourth-and-2 situation at the Aztec 31-yard line. Quarterback Brayden Schager attempted a pass to Pofele Ashlock, but the play ended in a 2-yard loss, effectively stifling Hawaii’s comeback hopes with just over a minute left on the clock. Despite forcing a three-and-out in the subsequent series, the Rainbow Warriors found themselves deep in their own territory with only four seconds remaining, unable to make a final push.

Danny O’Neil played a pivotal role for San Diego State, completing 24 of 34 passes for 224 yards, including a touchdown. His partnership with Nate Bennett proved effective, as Bennett led the team’s receiving efforts with 74 yards on four catches. Cooper’s consistent performance on the ground was complemented by O’Neil’s tactical play, ensuring that the Aztecs maintained control throughout crucial moments of the game. Schager had a commendable performance for Hawaii, completing 26 of 44 passes for 272 yards. He added three touchdowns

to his season tally but also threw an interception. Hawaii’s offensive efforts were supported by Ashlock, who recorded eight receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Nick Cenacle also contributed with a touchdown catch, adding to Hawaii’s competitive edge.

Several players from the area were also hoping to make significant contributions. AJ Duffy, a sophomore quarterback that once lived in Murrieta, who recently transferred to San Diego State

from Florida State, is on the roster. Freshman linebacker Jake Sinz and sophomore safety Josh Hunter, both hailing from Temecula, also made their presence felt. Hunter, in particular, was notable on defense with three tackles, two of which were solo efforts.

after playing at Riverside City College.

The participation of local athletes highlights the growing talent pool in the region and their impact on college football. San Diego State’s victory

For Hawaii, Christian Perry, a junior from Temecula Valley High School, brings his local flair to the Rainbow Warriors

San Diego State’s QB Danny O’Neil roams the backfield looking for an open receiver. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Aztec WR Louis Brown IV (4) turns up field after completing a catch during their game versus Hawaii at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego Saturday, Oct. 5.

roster

FEMA is insolvent and hurricane survivors help each other

Julie Reeder Publisher

Breaking news surrounding Hurricane Helene has sparked widespread controversy, with polarizing rumors and unsettling facts dominating the internet and airwaves. Questions have arisen about FEMA’s response, financial state, and potential involvement in blocking recovery efforts, all while the catastrophic hurricane continued its destructive path.

Other people reported that FEMA was trying to manage privately purchased supplies going into the hurricane affected areas so they could claim the items came from FEMA.

Elon Musk provided internet to the area with his Starlink system,

as he did when Ukraine first was attacked and was without cell service.

FEMA was not to be seen days after people and their homes were being washed away. Is that from a lack of leadership? Budget? Locals were asking why the military wasn’t being organized to help with supplies or search and rescue.

When a news media person asked President Biden about the disaster, he seemed to not know there was a storm going on at all. He recovered after and just said the people are being taken care of.

Something that disaster victims would strongly refute.

The U.S. national debt is over $35 trillion, we spend $150 billion dollars annually we don’t have on illegal immigrants (debit cards, hotels, plane/bus rides, etc), over $61 billion has been spent on Ukraine, and $20 billion for Israel to fight Hamas.

Now, Homeland Security

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the agency tasked with helping communities recover from Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters does not have enough money to make it through the hurricane season. Well that’s not surprising, but last June he announced that FEMA was ready for any upcoming disaster.

Apparently that wasn’t true.

Other FEMA leaders reported that their resources were being stretched thin already at the border processing people coming into the country illegally and they couldn’t spare them for the disaster.

The reports are that the area hasn’t seen a storm like Helene since 1916. The storm hit with unprecedented force, covering a 500-mile stretch from Florida to the southern Appalachians, leaving devastation in its wake.

The death toll has risen to over 300 with at least 600 still missing and some estimates are that the dead could be thousands as rescue workers still struggle to reach affected areas. Entire communities across six states have been ravaged, with power outages affecting nearly 4 million homes at one point and many still without basic services like water, electricity and gas.

As reports flood in about FEMA’s role in the aftermath, skepticism mounts regarding its efficiency. FEMA claims it has $110 million in federal aid available, but that they do not have enough money for hurricane season.

Some argue this amounts to a mere $27.50 per affected person when considering the millions impacted. Meanwhile, reports accuse FEMA of not reaching

certain areas, such as Tennessee and Virginia, while prioritizing others like North Carolina and Florida. One of the more serious allegations is that FEMA blocked shipments of critical goods to disaster-stricken regions. Eyewitness accounts, including those from high-profile figures like Elon Musk, suggest that private rescue efforts have been hindered by bureaucratic roadblocks, preventing necessary aid from reaching those in dire need.

Speculation around hurricane manipulation has also gained traction, with theories of government experiments like “hurricane seeding” dating back decades. Although there’s no definitive proof that the trajectory of Hurricane Helene was intentionally altered, the existence of patents, testimonies and past projects raises questions about what the government might be capable of in terms of weather modification. The fact that the states affected are red states and an election is looming just makes people more leery.

Other residents have expressed fears of government or wealthy people wanting to come in and buy their properties for pennies on the dollar because the area is rich with uranium and quartz mines, materials

needed for semiconductors and electric vehicles.

As another storm looms on the horizon, expected to hit Florida, the conversation has shifted toward the preparedness of both the government and the public. The positive stories coming out involve churches, communities and people like the Cajon Army organizing to take care of their own. People are depending on their government less and less and on each other more and more.

While many Americans are left questioning whether FEMA has the financial resources or even cares enough to deal with their own citizens’ disasters, others are focused on the immediate need for advanced planning, transparency and accountability in disaster management on the local level, state and federal.

It’s a good time to make sure you have at least a week, or a month’s supply of water, food, gasoline, batteries, a generator and any needed medicines and supplies for babies, the elderly, etc.

Here is a link to FEMA for supplies they suggest in case of disaster: https://www.fema. gov/press-release/20210318/howbuild-kit-emergencies

Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week: It’s time to put an end to a new breed of frivolous suits

Victor Gomez, Executive Director California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

You have to just love how using websites can make life so easy. You no longer have to leave the house to shop for a new car or dress. Instead, the internet has also become the breeding ground for those targeting small business owners for technical website violations, suing them with American Disability Act lawsuits.

The technical law allows anyone wanting to scam the system to sit in front of a computer at the kitchen table in the middle of North Dakota, look for technical violations, and file as many ADA website lawsuits against businesses anywhere in the country, seeking to disrupt the livelihood of small

business owners for their financial gain. These individuals have realized it’s much easier to file digital complaints; it greatly expands their targets, and they are no longer regionally tied to justify barriers. We all pay the price for higher goods and services, lost jobs, and closed businesses when small businesses get sued for technical violations when no one experienced actual harm. Many business owners have told me those abusing the system do not care about actually buying something online from the store, as their purpose is only to send costly demand letters to thousands of business owners with the hopes that many of the defendants will just send the money to make these suits go away. Sadly, many do, fearing defending themselves would cost even more.

Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week is October7-11, 2024. Let’s do something to protect small business owners from unscrupulous plaintiffs scouring websites in search of faults to pursue lawsuits against businesses. In California, penalties for website violations are much higher due to the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which provides for a fine of $4,000 per violation, a fine that other states do not have, plus attorneys’ fees.

Often, these so-called “violations” are color contract issues or visual issues that do not have proper programmatic labeling. This malicious legal activity is also known as drive-by lawsuits.

Like most lawsuits, it’s far too easy to sue a business for website violations. Attorneys can utilize automated technology to scan websites, and if they come up with a certain number of arbitrary violations on a website, they find a plaintiff and sue. Easy as that. It doesn’t take too many infractions to file a claim, either. It’s much too easy for those wishing to game the system to troll websites looking for minor violations actively, even if these violations may not impair access. They aim to “stack” these minor violations to force the defendant to pay a large settlement.

California is also seeing a jump in website accessibility lawsuits, with 359 filings in 2021 compared to 223 in 2020. Website accessibility filings have increased by more than 3,000% since 2018.

Serial plaintiffs specifically target California hotels, alleging that the accessibility information provided on reservation websites is not sufficiently detailed for the plaintiffs to decide whether the hotel meets their accessibility needs. Among the details the

Even transit funding is misspent

Joe Naiman Special to Valley News

The debate about using transportation funding for roads or for transit should also include whether the funding is spent well or misspent. Transit funding should be spent in ways which can best increase transit use. Construction of a light rail or commuter rail line, extending bus or rail service hours, or adding a new line which makes transit use more convenient for specific residents or workers tends to produce the greatest increase in transit use.

I must commend San Diego County’s Metropolitan Transit System for the new Copper Line commencing service. The Copper Line is essentially a shuttle between the Santee and El Cajon Transit Center stations. Riders can transfer to or from the Green Line or the Orange Line at El Cajon. The Copper Line allows later service to the Gillespie Field and Santee stations. The Copper Line is beneficial but wouldn’t have been needed if

the TransNet sales tax money had been spent wisely. Only one track was built at the end of the line. This prevented both the Green Line and the Orange Line from connecting to and from Santee once the Green Line was extended in 2005. Had two tracks been constructed both lines could have accessed Santee and the last trolley to Santee likely would have arrived later than 11:18 p.m., allowing for more usage by commuters who work swing shifts and who attend evening events.

Earlier this year I took a La Mesa resident to the Amtrak station so that she could visit her parents in Los Angeles County. Mass transit was ideal for that situation. Not only did that save 200 miles of driving, but nobody who doesn’t live in Los Angeles County had to drive in the Los Angeles area.

Obtaining an Amtrak ticket online requires a credit card as well as the ability to navigate through the purchasing process. Since she had to buy a ticket, I needed to take her to an Amtrak station where she could purchase one. From La Mesa

the Amtrak station in Old Town is closer, and I picked her up from that station when she returned. The Old Town station does not sell Amtrak tickets, so I had to drive her to the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego. Not only did the need to buy a ticket Downtown San Diego rather than in Old Town increase the number of miles driven, but it added to Downtown traffic congestion. The Old Town transit station has an automated ticket purchase machine for the Coaster commuter rail line as well as machines to buy tickets for the light rail trolley system. Spending transit money on a machine which would allow Amtrak purchases at the Old Town station would reduce vehicle miles driven more than increasing frequency in urban areas which already have sufficient transit.

If transit funding is not spent wisely it should be spent on roads or kept by the taxpayers and not spent at all by the government.

Joe Naiman can be reached at jnaiman@reedermedia.com

lawsuit claims should include are the dimensions of space under desks and sinks. The Department of Justice, however, has made it clear that “a reservation system is not intended to be an accessibility survey.”

This Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week, let’s push our state lawmakers to address the abusive Americans with Disability Act lawsuit crisis impacting California businesses. Unwarranted ADA brick-and-mortar lawsuits are down because abusive website suits are rising. It’s time to end both.

Lawmakers have to stand up and put an end to meritless lawsuits against small business owners, waged in the name of the ADA

against both brick-and-mortar and website owners, where the plaintiff really hasn’t been harmed. Serial litigants file hundreds of these suits a month.

It’s only fair for business owners to have time to correct technical issues before being outright sued. Let’s push to make stores more accessible rather than being cash cows for those trying to abuse the system. Our economy is already struggling with high taxes and inflation; we cannot afford to punish small businesses that can least afford this internet robbery! Let’s use the internet to call on lawmakers to fix the problem of abusive ADA lawsuits once and for all.

Reps. Calvert and Kim lead letter questioning Cleveland National Forest sta ng

shortfall

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Young Kim (CA-40) led a bipartisan letter on Friday, Sept. 27, along with Reps. Darrell Issa (CA-48), Mike Levin (CA-49) and Lou Correa (CA-46) to the Supervisor of the Cleveland National Forest (CNF) about staffing shortfalls. The letter expresses serious concerns about the CNF managements’ decision not to accept staffing assistance offered by the Orange County Fire Authority earlier this year. On September 9, 2024, the Airport Fire started on the Orange County side of the CNF before burning 23,526 acres, including 160 structures destroyed and 24 structures damaged.

“It is critical that we have Forest Service fire personnel and resources in place during wildfire season,” said Rep. Calvert. “My colleagues and I need a better understanding of the extent of the staffing shortfall at the CNF and why offers of assistance were not accepted. There are a number of factors that have led to a drop in

hiring federal wildland firefighters, including pay disparities with state and local firefighters. By getting answers to these questions we can work together to ensure the necessary firefighting personnel are available to protect our communities.”

“As first responders work around the clock to contain the Airport Fire that spread over tens of thousands of acres, I was concerned to learn that U.S. Forest Service refused additional support staff from OCFA – that would have come at no additional cost to USFS – to address staff shortages ahead of wildfire season,” said Rep. Young Kim. “Their decision makes no sense and looks even more reckless given the deadly wildfires spreading across our communities. We need transparency, which is why Rep. Ken Calvert and I are leading the bipartisan charge for answers.”

Submitted by Representative Ken Calvert, serving California’s 41st District.

Adjacent highways to the

project open again Holland Road Overpass still closed

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The Holland Road Overpass project in Menifee this past week has seen a number of changes as its opening draws closer in the hopes the heavy traffic on Newport Road will be reduced for those driving to and from work during the week.

The street improvements on eastern Holland Road and Hanover Lane at the start of the westbound overpass have been completed. Still, temporary traffic control will be in place until the overpass is open.

Creating the continuing traffic control until later in the month include off street and overpass landscaping and installing the necessary utilities across the 215 Interstate, according to city authorities in updating the Capital Improvement Project.

Part of that work was taking place by the Eastern Municipal Water District who announced that work is completed in making water delivery improvements on Holland Road and Haun Roads west of the Overpass project. All lanes and the Paloma Wash Trail on the west side between Holland Road and La Piedra Road are now open.

Caltrans Projects

Caltrans last week temporarily closed Highway 60 in Moreno Valley when a large crane passing under the Indian Street bridge knocked down some of the cement under the structure. Structural engineers quickly responded and in a short time had the highway open again. Investigation is still underway of the accident, but no one was injured by the falling concrete pieces at the time. This week however, Highway 60 running through Jurupa will have some changes. Caltrans reports from Wineville Road to State Route 60, State Route 91, and Interstate 215 the westbound SR 60 entrance ramp at Market Street will undergo two separate 12-day closures for improvements. The first closure began on Sept. 29, and will continue until 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. The full westbound ramp closure will remain in effect during this time.

Menifee and Murrieta

Caltrans contracted construction crews will be in the Menifee and Murrieta area along Interstate 215 in both directions to improve road surface, update shoulder rumble strips, enhance culverts, upgrade guardrails, stabilize slopes, and boost highway worker safety along the stretch near Murrieta, from 1

CLASSIFIEDS

Menifee Holland Road Overpass

mile north of Clinton Keith Road to 1 mile north of Newport Road in Menifee. Daytime shoulder closures will take place without interrupting the traffic flow, but at night the work may occasionally restrict access for commuters.

This week, construction crews will concentrate on landscaping, rock blanket installation, and other related activities. Northbound I-215 will have closures on the right-hand shoulder and the No. 2 lane at the Scott Road Loop Off Ramp due to rock blanket installation. Additionally, work will be conducted on both northbound and southbound I-215 between Clinton Keith Road and McCall Boulevard

Temecula

The Temecula I-15/French Valley parkway Improvements

Project Phase II continues east along the northbound I-15 that will remain within the next one to two years which includes a flyway over the freeway onto Murrieta Hot Springs Road to the west. Still morning and evening traffic delays can still be expected due the heavy commuter traffic coming from San Diego north to Riverside and Los Angeles. Slow down and be extremely careful in those congested areas.

Hemet Caltrans crews continue work day and night along Florida Ave. (CA-74), from Warren Road in west Hemet to Valle Vista in the east with paving operations underway and the finishing of curbing and sidewalks.The highway still remains open with occasional one-lane closures. Flagging operations will primarily take place at night.

Asphalt removal from Lyon Avenue to Yale Street will be taking place with flagging operations possible. This will be a layered paving operation which takes several weeks to complete. Work timelines are subject to change dependent on weather and material availability.

Radar detection signs will be in place. Expect delays of up to 15 minutes. There will be intermittent, short-term closures for equipment relocation and construction staging. Work timelines are subject to change depending on weather and material availability. Other work throughout the zone includes electrical and pothole repairs.

Lake Elsinore Caltrans work on State Route 74 (SR-74) from Riverside County to the Orange County border beginning from Monte

Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore following the Airport Fire continues. Nightly flagging operations may occur Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Through access will remain, but delays are expected in both directions of traffic. Please adhere to all signage and slow your speed in the construction zone. Work will be occurring at various locations from County Line to the Candy Store location. Be advised, you will experience long waits and delays due to construction operations. Please wait for the designated pilot to guide you through current construction zones. Please obey all posted signs and traffi c instructions as CHP will be on location and citing any offenders. This is an ACTIVE construction zone! The contractor may be changing locations, which will affect the time of travel through the construction zone. It is advised to use an alternate route to avoid delays such as SR-91, I-15, and I-5. Remember to reduce your speed in and surrounding the work zone!

Aguanga and Anza No scheduled work in this area this week.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

Senator Seyarto’s legislation on budget transparency signed into law

SACRAMENTO – Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) announces that his bill making the state budget more accessible has been signed into law.

Senate Bill 978 enhances government transparency by requiring the Department of Finance to provide access to the state budget in a machine-readable format on its website. This new law addresses shortcomings in the Financial Information System

SACRAMENTO

– Senator

for California (FI$Cal), which has been criticized by the State Auditor for failing to meet expectations.

By making the budget more accessible, this legislation ensures Californians can better understand how their tax dollars are being spent.

“California’s several hundred billion dollar budget is notoriously complex, even for experts. Our taxpayers deserve clarity,” said Senator Seyarto. “I’m proud to

champion a solution that not only promotes transparency but also preserves the budget’s historical significance for future generations.”

SB 978 passed through the legislature with bipartisan support and no opposition.

Senator Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, represents California’s 32nd Senate District.

Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) announces that his legislation supporting the education of military families has officially been signed into law.

Senate Bill 920 ensures the continuation of the Purple Star School Program, currently overseen by the California Department of Education, by formally establishing it as state law.

Purple Star Schools provide military families with specialized support, such as dedicated staff, transition programs, militaryrelated resources, staff training,

and social-emotional support, to help military children navigate the challenges of frequent relocations and deployments. Military children typically relocate six to nine times between kindergarten and 12th grade.

“Purple Star schools are a lifeline for military families, offering the stability and support their children need to succeed,” said Senator Seyarto. “Military children face unique challenges, from frequent relocations to disrupted support systems. Formalizing and expanding this program ensures access to the specialized care they deserve while honoring the

sacrifices made by their families in service to our country.”

This legislation builds upon ACR 53, which established the program in 2021. Purple Star Schools earn their designation by meeting the standards set by the Military Child Education Coalition. More than 90 schools across California have proudly earned the Purple Star School designation.

SB 920 received bipartisan support and faced no opposition in the legislature.

Senator Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, represents California’s 32nd Senate District.

SAN FRANCISCO –

This is a simple fix that will have resounding impacts on our public safety.”

Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D- San Francisco) AB 2741 was signed by Governor Newsom. AB 2741 improves public safety outcomes by addressing the rising rates of stolen rental cars that are linked to serious crimes like theft, trafficking, and home invasions. The bill passed out of the California Legislature with unanimous bipartisan support in both the California State Senate and the Assembly.

“This is all about stopping crime before it’s too late,” said Haney. “Criminals have figured out that there’s a loophole in current California law that allows them to use rental cars as a getaway vehicle to commit heinous crimes.

Rental car companies have reported that individuals will pick up a vehicle with what appears to be a valid ID and credit card.

The individual will then use that vehicle for a crime, or in some cases, sell the car and ship it out of the country. Under current law, the rental car company has to wait 72 hours before activating their vehicle tracking systems. By that time, the system often shows that the car’s last known location is outside of the United States. Additionally, cars that are eventually recovered are often severely damaged and abandoned – or contain stolen goods, mail and packages inside.

“The SFPD welcomes any new tools to assist our officers,” said SFPD Chief Bill Scott. “Stolen vehicles — including rental cars — are used in many crimes in our city and across California. Having accurate and timely information about stolen rental cars will help us continue to drive down crime and hold perpetrators accountable.”

AB 2741 shortens the time that rental car companies have to wait to activate their vehicle tracking system after a vehicle fails to return on time, from 72 to 24 hours. By shortening the window, criminals can be stopped before they use the rental car to commit more serious crimes or leave the country.

‘It’s our Hurricane Katrina’: Asheville, N.C. residents describe death, destruction, danger after Hurricane Helene

Asheville residents have no running water and electricity, homeless shelters are full with waitlists, and authorities are warning of crime and lootings.

Arjun Singh The Epoch Times

ASHEVILLE. N.C.—Tunnel

Road is a major thoroughfare between Asheville and the Swannanoa Valley in western North Carolina. Before Hurricane Helene, hundreds of cars would cross a bridge en route to Downtown Asheville, cottages in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or Interstate 40 headed East or West.

That bridge is now blocked. The wreckage of an entire house is on top of it, deposited by the swell of flooding.

“You see a house on top of a bridge. That picture speaks a thousand words,” said U.S. Army physician Col. Alan Queen, an assistant incident commander of military personnel deployed for disaster relief, at the scene of the bridge.

Queen, whose hometown is Asheville, told The Epoch Times that the floods caused by Hurricane Helene were the worst in more than 100 years. “Even the Great Flood of 1916, which killed 80 people, was not as bad as this.”

The bridge is just one of many scenes of destruction visible in Western North Carolina— storefronts have been blasted open as if from an explosion, cars are upturned in ditches of muddy water, and tractor-trailers are mangled across roads and railways.

Helene, a major Category 4 hurricane, dumped 40 trillion gallons of water on several southern states between Sept. 24 and 29, with wind speeds reaching 140 miles per hour. There is no clear fatality count, though it has reached more than 200, with hundreds of people still missing.

In most places, the floodwater is gone, leaving large brown spots on the ground, but the suffering it brought persists. The community faces a cascade of problems for which there is no simple solution.

The water shortage

Perhaps the greatest irony of Helene is the dire lack of potable water after the floods. The storm completely destroyed Asheville’s water supply system. Water mains and underground pipes were swept away as the ground itself was removed by the torrent. Not a single building in town can access running water, and citizens survive by the thousands of gallons of water being shipped in every day.

“We need portable water ... nobody can flush their toilets, nobody can take a shower, nobody can do laundry. We have no water and the infrastructure for that water is totally destroyed,” Dr. Carly Brown, a primary care physician in Asheville’s River Arts District, told The Epoch Times.

“I haven’t had a shower since last Wednesday. I’m hearing horrible things about [others],” Wendy Feinberg, a 77-year-old retired schoolteacher in Asheville, told The Epoch Times.

“There’s no running water in all of Asheville,” Ryan Austin, an

Asheville local and disaster relief worker, told The Epoch Times. “Plenty of people are bringing in bottled water for drinking but there’s no way to use water for [anything else].”

The lack of water has been particularly dire at hospitals and shelters, where many injured and homeless citizens are taking refuge. Mission Hospital, a level-2 trauma center with 1,200 beds in downtown Asheville, was reportedly digging wells to find water for essential services, Brown said.

“There was feces piled up in the toilets, and people had buckets next to their rooms, and they were flushing their toilets that way... [Doctors] couldn’t do procedures because there was no way to clean their utensils,” Brown said.

Access to water is the top demand from Asheville’s citizens.

“The biggest thing right now is that we definitely need to fix the infrastructure for the water. Water is the major need here,” said Rev. Micheal Woods, the pastor of Western Carolina Rescue Ministries in Asheville, whose facilities have become a staging point to accept donations and distribute them to the community.

Woods told The Epoch Times he wants President Joe Biden and Gov. Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) to make water restoration their top priority.

“I’m down to four water bottles,” said Yoshida Mills, a resident of Asheville who came to collect free water bottles and supplies at a community center. “Give me everything.”

Crime and looting

The post-flood destruction has birthed another fear: crime.

Several citizens reported incidents of looting to The Epoch Times, claiming that looters are targeting damaged and/or abandoned properties—motivated by desperation amid shortages, and opportunity, given many residents have fled.

Many fear they will be victims of a home invasion and are taking steps to defend themselves.

“I actually own a gun. I have it loaded and sitting by my bed, and I have a butcher knife and a can of wasp spray. I am afraid at night,” said Feinberg, the retired schoolteacher. “It’s totally dark, and nobody’s around, so just in case the looters decide to venture out, I’m there ... We’re a little nervous about looting.”

“We have heard there was looting in Swannanoa and Black Mountain,” said Brown, referring to nearby towns around Asheville.

Many who say they’re residents of the area have claimed on social media that looting is ongoing.

Local authorities are cognizant of looting and have issued public messages against it. “We understand that times are tough, but looting is never the answer.

We urge everyone to stay calm and patient as resources are on the way to assist those in need,” wrote the

public safety. “We’re working closely with local and state partners to distribute supplies and restore order.”

Authorities have surged the police and military presence in Asheville to deter looting, with armed peace officers coming from across the country to provide assistance. Police officers from Louisiana were present in the area, The Epoch Times observed.

“We’re here to keep people out of the unsafe areas and to try to be a deterrent for looting,” said Officer C. Kostel, a North Carolina Probation Officer, who was deployed at Tunnel Road. “They pulled in everyone from the other coast, all the way through.”

Queen described the U.S. military presence in the area as “a combination of search, rescue, and avoidance of people doing stupid stuff, like looting.”

Beyond looting, authorities have warned affected residents to be wary of disaster relief scams, where they may be prompted to pay for emergency services that do not come.

“False websites have been identified as circulating throughout the county. Please vet websites before you provide your information,” read a public safety alert broadcast to phones in Burke County, North Carolina, on Oct. 3.

The newly homeless

After the flooding, many citizens returned to Asheville to find that they had lost everything—homes, cars, and all possessions. Many businesses remain closed; their employees suddenly out of work. Many people are now living with friends and relatives as they process the new reality.

“My son and his wife, they lost everything. My mother-in-law lost everything,” said Sharon Parton, a motel operator in Asheville, who has several relatives now living with her. “For the first time in years, I have a full house,” she told The Epoch Times.

“[My grandmother’s] house is condemned. It’s got a big ‘X’ on the side,” said Queen, indicating that the property has been declared dangerous and legally uninhabitable.

The region’s homeless population has grown, and they are relying upon temporary shelters, food banks, and clothes drives to survive. The American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter for the unhoused at AshevilleBuncombe Technical College.

Randy Stay, a Red Cross volunteer from Arizona, told The Epoch Times that high demand has pushed such facilities to the limit of their capacity.

“It’s full. There’s a waiting list,” Stay said of the Red Cross facility.

“We’ve got homeless people from encampments [and] people from houses that aren’t, you know, in the best shape.”

Some community leaders are raising concerns about the latter group of people, who have no previous experience with homelessness. Once shelters close, they say the lack of experience by the newly homeless will increase their suffering.

“This is what most people are not thinking about or seeing. There were people who were

housed—they weren’t considered homeless—but they were on the fringe and, now, have lost their housing ... those people are now thrust into the unhoused community,” Woods said.

“That creates a whole different segment of people. That comes with a different mindset ... those that [were homeless] understand how to navigate it ... We’re not set up here locally to handle that [new] segment of the population.”

For now, relief efforts are working to ease that adjustment.

“We are distributing 25,000 meals a day,” volunteer with World Central Kitchen Maria Mora, a food relief organization created by celebrity chef José Andrés, told The Epoch Times.

“We’re going out into the communities and serving them,” her colleague, Erica Burke, said.

The Red Cross facility is providing approximately 200 people with cots, meals, and clothes until longer-term living arrangements can be obtained.

“I imagine [we’ll be here] for a couple of weeks. They’re working on trying to get us a place to stay,” said Robin Gilstrap, a veteran who lives at the shelter after evacuating a facility for homeless veterans. He spoke positively of the shelter, though reported that some residents had been kicked out for drug use.

“They’re giving us hot meals ... Churches are cooking 24 hours a day to feed all these shelters,” said John Carbone, another veteran living at the Red Cross facility.

Rising death toll

Asheville’s homeless population, in particular, has been the worst affected demographic and makes up a sizable share of the deaths.

“There were bodies here in the trees. There were eight bodies they pulled out the other day,” Brown said. “We had a homeless population who lived along the railroad and along the river, and most people had nowhere to go,” she said.

“They have a lot of mobile morgues in town, and they’re filled with bodies, and they haven’t been able to report those numbers yet. Those numbers are not part of the death toll, and that will go up by thousands,” she said.

“They’re [still] pulling bodies out of the river,” said Jan Brinkley, a relief worker at Woods’s church. Search and rescue operations are still underway across the region’s rural communities, with many people still unaccounted for by authorities. Those efforts are taking precedence before concerted efforts to rebuild get underway.

“Displaced individuals are in the thousands,” said Queen.

“What [we’ve] worked on for the past three days is making sure all the staff are safe,” said Kim Fink Adams, a volunteer and teacher at an Asheville-area school. “We’re going to start, just like we did in COVID, accounting for our students [and] tracking them down.”

Just as the death toll rises, the full scale of devastation in Asheville—a popular vacation town for visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains—is yet to be determined. Almost everyone whom The Epoch Times interviewed predicted that rebuilding will cost “billions of dollars,” which must come from federal aid and will likely reshape the region’s identity.

“It’s our Hurricane Katrina,” Brown said. “[We’ll] never totally recover.”

The floods completely destroyed a large homeless encampment along the French Broad River in Asheville, with many corpses being found.

A wrecked car near the Swannanoa River, N.C., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Oct. 3, 2024. Richard Moore/The Epoch Times City of Asheville on its website regarding

Pastor Micheal Woods of the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries leans on a stack of donated drinking water in Asheville, N.C., on Oct. 3, 2024. Richard Moore/The Epoch Times

The remains of a house atop Tunnel Road Bridge in Asheville, N.C. on Oct. 3, 2024. (Bottom) A sign reads “No Public Showers” outside an American Red Cross Relief Shelter in Asheville, N.C., on Oct. 3, 2024. Arjun Singh/The Epoch Times

An abandoned home in Asheville, N.C. on Oct. 3, 2024 after the flooding of Hurricane Helene. Arjun Singh/The Epoch Times

Anza Thimble Club begins annual coat drive

Family fun is the goal for Anza’s

Diane Sieker Staff

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. Please also email us if any of these listings have new or updated information. Thank you!

Regular Happenings

Anza Farmers’ Market

– Located at 56333 CA 371, Anza farmers’ market hours are every Thursday from 4pm to 8pm through October. Various farmers, musicians, artisans and food vendors set up weekly. Ample parking in the field and lot to the west and east of the field. The market is operated by the High Country Conservancy, a 501 c 3, and is a CA certified

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Editorial

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farmers market. Market Manager Annika Knoppel can be reached at 951-234-1314 or email anzafarmersmarket@gmail.com

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.”

Mobile Food Pantry – Anza Electric Cooperative and F.I.N.D. Food Bank offers a free mobile food pantry the second Saturday of every month at the AEC office, 58470 Highway 371, from 10:3011:30 a.m. All are welcome. CalFresh application assistance and free community health services are also available. Bring your own reusable bags to take food home. Volunteers welcome. For more information, contact the AEC office at 951-763-4333.

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

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

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

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

Health, exercise, resources and recovery meetings Fit after 50 – 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn at 951751-1462 for more information.

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

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

The Most Excellent Way – A Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets once a week on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. Program is court approved. The group meets at Valley Gospel Chapel, located at 43275 Chapman Rd, Anza.

AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at

39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.

Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951763-4226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-551-2826.

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

Medication Assistance and Treatment for Opioid Dependence – Get treatment for heroin addiction. Transportation to the clinic is provided. For more information, contact Borrego Health’s Anza Community Health Center, 58581 Route 371, Anza. For more information, 951-7634759.

Food ministries

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

Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m. The food bank hands out food the last Friday of the month until the food is gone. The clothes closet will be open too. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a nondenominational nonprofit. All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-763-5636.

Bible studies The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Anza’s Sunday Sacrament is at 10 a.m.; Sunday School is 11 a.m. Priesthood/Relief Society meets at noon; Wednesday, Boy Scouts gathers 6 p.m. and Youth Night is 7 p.m. For more information, call Ruiz at 951-445-7180 or Nathan at 760-399-0727. The Wednesday Genealogy/Family History Class, 5-8 p.m., is open to the public at 39075 Contreras Road in Anza.

Native Lighthouse Fellowship – 10 a.m. The group meets the first Saturday of the month, and breakfast is served. All are welcome to fellowship together at the “Tribal Hall” below the casino in Anza. For more information, call Nella Heredia at 951-7630856.

Living Hope Bible Study –8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, Anza. All are welcome. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 951-763-1111.

Anza RV Clubhouse – 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of the Month, Pastor Kevin officiates at 41560 Terwilliger Road in Anza.

Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the 4th Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.

Shepherd of the Valley

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

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

Anza First Southern Baptist Church – Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6 to 12 grade) meets for games and Bible study. Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School and a Seniors’ Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza. For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www.anzabaptistchurch.com.

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

High Country 4-H Club – 4 p.m. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month, except February, at Anza Community Hall. 4-H Club is for youth 5 to 19 years old offering a variety of projects. High Country 4-H Club is open to children living in the Anza, Aguanga and surrounding areas. For more information, call Allison Renck at 951-663-5452. Anza Valley Artists Meetings – Meetings at 1 p.m. are the third Saturday of each month at various locations. Share art, ideas and participate in shows. Guest speakers are always needed. For more information, call president Rosie Grindle at 951-928-1248. Find helpful art tips at www. facebook.com/AnzaValleyArtists

Anza Quilter’s Club –Meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. For more information see our Facebook page or contact Pat Sprint at jpsprint@gmail.com or Ellen Elmore at luvtoquilt2@ gmail.com

Anza Valley Lions Club

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

AnzaLions@gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary.AnzaLions@ gmail.com

Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 59 is looking for new members of all ages. For more information, call squadron commander Maj. Dennis Sheehan from the Anza area at 951-403-4940. To learn more and see the club’s meeting schedule, visit www.squadron59.org

Fire Explorer Program – 6 p.m. The program meets every second, third and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fire Station 29 on state Route 371 in Anza. Call 951763-5611 for information.

Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the 1st Thursday of the month at the Anza Community Hall, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951-7632884 for more information.

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

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

Anza Community Hall – 7 p.m. General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. Single memberships are $30 and include discounts to events for one person and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Family memberships are $50 and include discounts for a family up to 5 members and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Business memberships are $50 and allows an employer to receive discounts for up to 5 people, including themselves, and includes 1 vote on elections and meetings. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Mail membership to: Anza Community Building Inc. at P.O. Box 390091, Anza, CA 92539. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. For more information, call 951-282-4267 or email achageneral@gmail.com or visit www.anzacommunitybuilding. org

Anza Civic Improvement League – 9 a.m. meets the first Saturday of each month at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The league maintains Minor Park and the Little Red School House, which are both available to rent for events. No government funds are allowed; the membership pays the bills – $10 a person, $18 family or $35 business membership. For more information, visit www. anzacivic.org

ANZA VALLEY OUTLOOK

Wolf hybrids find sanctuary in Arizona

RIVERSIDE COUNTY - Ten unique dogs are taking a road trip on Friday, Oct. 4 to a sanctuary in Arizona.

The dogs, described as wolf hybrids, were part of an animal cruelty investigation in Aguanga in early August. Riverside County Animal Services impounded the dogs and networked them for placement with rescue organizations.

Animal Services senior counselor Ashley Rodriguez reached out to several rescue organizations specializing in wolf hybrids. Longtime Coachella Valley resident and wildlife conservationist Kele Younger listened to the call for help and she found a suitable home with one of her contacts in the exotic sanctuary world.

Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said he appreciates this unique opportunity to save dogs that are very difficult to place.

“Kele Younger is an example of a champion for the exotic pets of the world and we can’t thank her enough for helping facilitate this rescue transfer,” Supervisor Perez said. “This is exactly the type of help we need right now.”

The dogs will be heading to the Keepers of the Wild in Valentine, Ariz. Loading up will occur at about 6 a.m. Friday at the county’s San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 N. Grand Ave. A team will use two of the county’s roomy, transport vans for the approximate five-hour drive.

“We wanted to help, but we just didn’t have the habitat,” said Younger, who operates Wild

California at the Magic Jungle Wildlife Preserve near Yucca Valley. “Now these little hybrids, against all odds, have endured and survived and are heading to a new, forever home.”

Younger works closely with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to assist with rehabilitation and care for animals such as panthers, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes and bobcats. Her nonprofit sanctuary is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

“Approximately 90% of wolf hybrids are euthanized,” Younger said. “It’s hard enough to place one or two, let alone 10. The big problem is that they are too wolfy to be a pet and they’re not wolfy enough to be in a commercial facility, such as a zoo.”

Younger said many wolf hybrid sanctuaries are full. “I just loved how Riverside County jumped right in – and stayed in,” she said.

All of the dogs (six females, four males) received spay and neuter surgeries, respectively. They were all vaccinated and interstate health certificates were produced for the transfer to Arizona.

“This is one example of how our teams work tirelessly with rescue partners, locally and out of state, to find homes for the animals in our care,” said Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “We couldn’t do this work without rescue groups.”

The animal cruelty case involving the hybrids has not been adjudicated yet.

Submitted by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

[Right] Wolf hybrids found after an animal cruelty investigation at a location in Aguanga have found a home at an animal sanctuary in Arizona.

Valley News/Courtesy photos

COATS from page D-1

of Foreign Wars Post 1873 will also be accepting items at 59011 Bailey Road, Anza, Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Anza Thimble Club, established in 1912, is the oldest service club in the Anza Valley. It was created by several ladies who used the excuse of doing their mending to get together for a visit. This turned into monthly meetings and dues were a penny.

During World War II, the handy

women made bandages for the Red Cross as a meaningful activity.

Since then, they have become a well-loved and respected charitable organization donating much-needed funds back into the community of Anza.

For more information regarding the coat drive, please call Betsy Hansen at the Cooperative, 951763-4333.

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

• the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Centers in San Jacinto and Menifee

• Named #1 “Best of Inland Empire 2024: Best Career College/Nursing School” by Press-Enterprise readers8/25/24

ANZA LOCAL

Gopher snakes prepare for winter

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

As temperatures cool off and the days get shorter, local reptiles begin feeding in earnest, preparing to shelter during the winter months ahead.

Local gopher snakes, commonly seen sunning along Anza’s dirt roads, are no exception to cold weather prep. When the mercury dips low, these and other snake species will find safe havens and enter a semi-dormant stage called brumation. Packing on the calories helps them survive until warmer days return in the spring.

Residents are reporting an uptick in gopher snake encounters as the animals step up their hunting activities, according to social media posts.

Gopher snakes are one of the best forms of natural rodent control that exists in the Anza Valley. With their stealthy manner and lightning quick strikes, mice, rats, squirrels and even rabbits are on high alert when the serpents are on the prowl.

The reptile’s common name, gopher snake, refers to their taste for subterranean gophers. They also target eggs, much to the chagrin of poultry keepers as they discover the snakes swallowing their birds’ eggs right out of the nest.

The local gopher snake species, Pituophis catenifer, can grow quite large, averaging an adult length of 48 to 66 inches. They are white, yellow, or light gray with brown, dark or red blotches and stripes. This coloration helps hide them in the grass and shrubbery where they hunt. Their varied patterns also cause people to mistake them for rattlesnakes.

However, gopher snakes are usually longer and thinner than rattlesnakes and the head is narrow

and rounded, not triangular like a rattler’s. Like most nonvenomous snakes in the United States, gopher snakes have round pupils, not vertical like the pupils of rattlesnakes.

Gopher snakes also do not display the heat-sensing facial pits that rattlers and other pit vipers possess, and definitely do not have rattles on the end of their tails.

Despite the differences, many gopher snakes want curious people and animals to think they are the much more dangerous rattlesnake, so they mimic them when threatened by rapidly vibrating their tails, puffing, coiling and hissing loudly.

The gopher snake is one of the most widespread snake species in North America, adapting well to a wide variety of habitats, such as deserts, prairies, brushlands, and forests. They hunt small mammals, birds, insects and eggs. Gopher snakes are nonvenomous constrictors, coiling tightly around their prey to subdue it.

In June and August, several females will lay their large eggs in the same communal nest in a sheltered location such as under a log. Eggs hatch after around 64 to 79 days and the hatchlings are on their own to begin hunting small prey. The young snakes are already 13 to 17 inches long when they emerge from the egg.

Gopher snakes can be intimidating because of their size and threat displays, but there’s little to fear. They are important to keeping the rodent population in check and maintaining local ecosystems, according to Stanford University.

Foxes, hawks, roadrunners and coyotes are the most common predators of gopher snakes. King snakes will also prey on them.

Gopher snakes are usually active

also extremely beneficial to have around the ranch, helping to control damaging rats, mice and other rodents. At a time when poisons are greatly discouraged as a form of rodent control, the lowly

HALLOWEEN from page D-1 very best in costumes, goodies and down-home spooktacular fun. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

or treat, with hot dogs, photo ops, crafts, candy, movies, lemonade and hot cocoa available.”

Anza loves Halloween and this year promises to bring out the

A young gopher snake goes for a ride, relocated to a safe place after being caught in the road. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo during the day. They are good climbers and burrowers, creeping down rodent holes seeking their small prey. These interesting serpents may be dramatic, but they are

gopher snake excels at its job, especially as it prepares for winter. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

Superheroes will take to the streets for Anza’s Halloween celebrations Oct. 31.

Spooky costumes are town favorites for Anza’s Halloween celebrations Oct. 31.

Evil trick or treaters will descend upon downtown businesses for Anza’s Halloween celebrations Oct. 31.

[Left] Trunk or Treat exhibits show off hellish props for Anza’s Halloween celebrations Oct. 31. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photos

Sheriff’s Blotter

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The Anza Valley Outlook Sheriff’s Blotter is a list of calls that allows residents to see what law enforcement activity is occurring in their communities.

The Sheriff’s Blotter data is obtained from the official calls for service records kept by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. However, calls where the release of the information could cause harm to an individual or jeopardize the investigation of a criminal case are excluded.

All calls listed are for service within the Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction in the unincorporated areas of Anza, Lake Riverside Estates, Cahuilla and Aguanga from Sept. 30 through Oct. 6. Sept. 30

Check the welfare - 5000 block Bradford Rd./Tule Valley Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Oct. 1

Alarm call - 5600 block St. Hwy. 371, Anza, handled by deputy

Trespassing - 5700 block Mitchell Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Suspicious vehicle - 5900 block Coyote Canyon Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Trespassing - 5600 block St. Hwy. 371, Anza, report taken Unlawful entry - 4100 block Rolling Hills Dr., Lake Riverside, handled by deputy Civil dispute - 5200 block Paui Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Barking dog - 3800 block Whitmore Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Oct. 2

Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Follow-up - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy Battery - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Public disturbance - 3900 block Anza Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Unattended death - address withheld, Anza, report taken Suspicious person - 5600 block St. Hwy. 371, Anza, handled by

deputy Lost property - 5200 block Cahuilla, Cahuilla, report taken

Recovery of stolen vehicle5700 block Forestry Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Suspicious circumstance - 5700 block Mitchell Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Oct. 3

Suspicious person - address undefined, Aguanga, handled by deputy Area check - 5400 block Cave Rock Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Shots fired - 3900 block Holt Ln., Anza, handled by deputy Follow-up - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy

Follow-up - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy Oct. 4

Vicious dog - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Assist other department - 5400 block Ayers Wy., Anza, handled by deputy Alarm call - 3900 block Contreras Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Follow-up - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy Petty theft - 4000 block Lake Riverside Dr., Lake Riverside, unfounded Alarm call - 3900 block Contreras Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Public disturbance - 5600 block Cahuilla Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Suspicious vehicle - 5600 block St. Hwy. 371, Anza, handled by deputy Oct. 5

Public disturbance - 3800 block Contreras Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Check the welfare - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Area check - 5600 block St. Hwy. 371, Anza, handled by deputy

Suspicious circumstance - 6000 block Burnt Valley Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Check the welfare - 5300 block Cave Rock Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Burglary - 4400 block Cary Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Oct. 6

Danger to self/other - 6100 block High Country Trl., Anza, handled by deputy Area check - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Public disturbance - 3800 block Contreras Rd., Anza, handled by deputy No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content provided in the Sheriff’s Blotter. Residents with information regarding any crimes are encouraged to contact the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at 951-791-3400. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, 909-987-5005 or https://wetip.com Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

The Sheriff’s Blotter enables residents to know what criminal activity is occurring in their communities.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Movie review: ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’

Bob

Garver Special to Valley News

Back in 2019, “Joker” managed to make over $1 billion at the global box office and earn itself 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and a Best Actor win for Joaquin Phoenix. I recall respecting the movie for Phoenix’s performance and the inspired idea to paint him as a Scorsese-style antihero, but I also recall not really “enjoying” the film in the traditional sense where I laughed or was thrilled very much. The film took a very realistic, mental-health heavy approach to the origin of the beloved Batman baddie, and I couldn’t help but feel that a movie that combined an evil clown with the world of standup comedy shouldn’t feel so grounded. In other words, “Why So Serious?”

Five years later, Phoenix and director Todd Phillips are back and have added some much-needed outrageous elements. Arthur “Joker” Fleck (Phoenix) is on trial for the crimes he committed in the first movie. His lawyer Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener) can save him from the death penalty if she can convince the court that Joker is a separate personality from Arthur that can be subdued. The prosecutor is none other than Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey), and of course fans are already licking their chops at the deliciousness of the character that is to become known as Two-Face arguing against a fellow Batman adversary having a split personality. It won’t be much of a surprise to say that Arthur isn’t going to follow his lawyer’s by-the-book counsel, and will instead use the televised trial as a forum to give the unhinged performance of a lifetime.

But Dent isn’t the only new member of Batman’s rogues gallery in the mix. The movie throws in a new take on Harley Quinn, played by the notoriouslyaudacious Lady Gaga. Arthur meets Harley while touring another part of Arkham Asylum, and a sadistic guard (Brendan Gleeson) lets them spend some time together, probably just so he can hurt Arthur by taking her away from him later. As if it weren’t enough for Gaga to be Phoenix’s figurative dance partner, she’s his actual dance partner too, because this movie is a musical! Over 20 song and/or dance numbers are performed throughout the film.

Musical numbers still not enough?

Okay, there’s also animation – a cartoon opens the movie. There shouldn’t be a single dull moment onscreen. And yet… this sequel is even more boring than the original. How did this happen? I’ll start with the scenes of dialogue. There’s too much pausing and talking slowly. For all the talk of humor, these characters don’t have a great sense of timing. The musical numbers are all just dreary renditions of songs that make allusions to things that are comedy-related, but don’t have the energy to match. I guess Phillips thought he was onto something with that “Send in the Clowns” scene from the first movie, but that scene was only memorable because it was so unbelievable that a random stockbroker would know all the words to that song. As for action scenes, there isn’t much besides guards abusing their power, a non-fatal fire, and some admittedly good stuff toward the

end that makes for too little, too late.

I get that “Joker: Folie à Deux” isn’t trying to be one of the zanier Batman movies, and it’s not like I don’t see an effort being made with the passionate performances. But to take characters as wild and chaotic as The Joker and Harley Quinn (not to mention the musical genre) and make them this lifeless is just a bad idea that should have been revised into something more palatable. The movie itself may even realize that this continuity has no future, as it seemingly passes up a perfect opportunity to set up a third installment. This film squanders so much promise… it’s laughable.

Grade: C-

“Joker: Folie à Deux” is rated R for some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity. Its running time is 138 minutes.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu

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Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov) en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www. sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): Riverside County Superior Court, 30755-D Auld Road, Murrieta, CA 92563 The

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