Rival schools unite behind Tristan, A-10
‘Terror in the Oaks’ at Vail Lake Resort, A-12
Great Oak Girls Golf wedges out Chaparral, B-10
VALLEY
A
Section
NEWS
October 24 – 30, 2014
www.myvalleynews.com
Health
Volume 14, Issue 43
Olivia Newton-John helps thousands ‘get physical’ in Race for a Cure
Is Riverside County ready for Ebola? Debbie Ramsey Staff Writer Healthcare facilities in Riverside County are preparing for a worstcase scenario – receiving a patient with the Ebola virus. Dr. Cameron Kaiser, public health officer for the Riverside County Dept. of Public Health, confirmed no cases have been received in the region but said, “Even one case in Riverside County would be devastating.” see page B-12
Education
Murrieta school awarded Red Ribbon certification Laura Rathbun Special to the Valley News Tovashal Elementary School in Murrieta celebrated receiving Red Ribbon certification on Oct. 20 with a morning event attended by over 1,000 people. see page B-13
thisweek Business ����������������������������������� B-14 Business Directory ��������������������� B-15 Calendar ����������������������������������� A-14
Participants take off at the start of the 5K run/walk during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Temecula on Oct. 19.
Michelle Mears-Gerst Special to the Valley News A crowd of more than 10,000 people clad in various shades of pink took to the streets in Temecula for the 16th annual Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure on Oct. 19. At 9 a.m. the 5K run/walk be-
gan with a stretch and warmup behind the starting line to the tune of “Physical.” The song was a Billboard award-winning single in 1981 and guest of honor, four-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Olivia Newton-John’s best-selling single. The crowd of breast cancer survi-
vors and supporters were energized as Newton-John not only started the race, but also participated with her husband and daughter. NewtonJohn is a 22-year breast cancer survivor, who in 1992 underwent a partial radical mastectomy and eight months of chemotherapy. “We are thrivers,” said Newton-
Shane Gibson photo
John to the Temecula crowd. “Temecula has an attitude of gratitude,” said Mayor Mary Edwards at the starting line. “I love the energy here today. Live, love, thrive today.” In the first half mile of the race,
see RACE, page A-6
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Long resigns, continues city council election bid
Murrieta Rod Run revs up Old Town
Mayor Alan Long announces his resignation from city council and as mayor during a press conference Monday, Oct. 20. Long stated he is continuing his election race for city council and believes once the legal Kim Harris photo process is complete he will be exonerated.
Liz Cissell’s 1940 Ford Woodie.
Kim Harris Special to the Valley News
Michelle Mears-Gerst Special to the Valley News
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Murrieta Mayor Alan Long announced his resignation during a press conference held at Murrieta City Hall Monday, Oct. 20, citing distractions from the recent accident and DUI allegations against him and concern for the city as the reasons for stepping down. Long stood before a crowd of about 30 reporters, cameras and citizens and gave his verbal resignation saying that he was aware of the distractions that the high-profile accident put on the city. “I am well aware that being involved in such a high profile accident and my position as mayor and as a member of city council will be a distraction. Because I love and care for this city and community, I cannot in good conscience allow that to continue. Therefore, effective immediately, I am resigning as your mayor and as a member of the council for this current term,” Long said. The embattled former mayor is no stranger to controversy, making
national headlines in late June and early July when he took a tough stance on immigration laws and the busing of illegal immigrants to Murrieta for processing that resulted in protests at the Murrieta Border Patrol Detention Center. During the press conference Monday, Long said his stepping down would prevent any improprieties in the investigation of the crash that injured four Murrieta Valley High School students on Thursday, Oct. 16. Long did not go into specifics of the accident but did express concern for the victims. “But I do want to express once again my concern for the wellbeing of those injured in the accident and how sorry I am that it occurred.” Long was booked on suspicion of DUI following the accident, but according to a press release issued by his attorney Virginia M. Blumenthal on Friday, his blood alcohol was well below the legal limit. A field sobriety test was conducted at the scene and according
see LONG, page A-3
Murrieta’s second annual Rod Run held Oct. 17 - 18 was a big success. Event organizers estimate 20,000 visitors flocked to downtown Murrieta to check under the hood and admire the craftsmanship of classic car owners from around Southern California. This year, visitors had more than 450 cars to view over the two-day event. Festivities kicked off with engines purring or revving on a Friday Night Cruise through Old Town Murrieta. On Saturday, the cars lined up along a five-block stretch of Washington Avenue for the Show and Shine. Murrieta is only in its second year of hosting a Rod Run and already is catching up in popularity with neighboring Temecula, which has held Rod Runs for years. In March, Temecula had close to 700 cars registered for viewing and competing in awards. Pat Vesey, the founder of the Drifters Car Club of Southern California, used to help with the Tem-
Michelle Mears-Gerst photo
ecula Rod Run and now is helping Murrieta’s grow. The Rod Run also helps raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County. Murrieta resident Gary Greene with Axle Draggers enjoyed Saturday afternoon talking to friends and making new ones over his candy apple red 1929 Ford Roadster. Axle Draggers is a car club with 470 members. Greene jokes that his roadster is a Mustang in disguise, “I put a 302 Mustang engine in this vehicle, and it has a five-speed 1988 Mustang transmission, a Mustang rear end and a Mustang front clip.” In 1929, Greene’s roadster ran on four cylinders; today it runs on eight and has two mufflers. “I get about 18 miles to the gallon,” said Greene, who built most of the roadster in his garage. Liz Cissell from Temecula is a single woman and proud classic car owner. “I am one of the few women owners. When people see me out cleaning my car, I get comments about what a good wife I am doing
see ROD RUN, page A-5