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Michelle’s Place Walk of Hope brings a large crowd of supporters, B-1
Week Nine scores and game notes from around the area, C-1
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES October 27 – November 2, 2023
Local News Menifee celebrates 15 years, State of the City Address Tony Ault Staf f Writer Hundreds of Menifee residents attended the city’s unique combined 15th Anniversary Birthday Celebration and mayor’s State of City Address at the new Mt. San Jacinto College HCN Bank Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 19. It was the first time the Menifee State of the City took place outdoors in the stadium and on the college campus. see page A-8
Entertainment JDS Creative Academy holds annual haunted studio fundraiser
TEMECULA – Local nonprofit JDS Creative Academy is gearing up for their annual Haunted Studio fundraiser. Join JDS Creative Academy Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2728, from 6-9 p.m. at JDS Studios for the Haunted Studio event. There is a $5 door donation requested to enter the Haunted Studio. Also on site is a bake sale to help raise funds for the charity. All proceeds go toward scholarships for the classes at JDS Creative Academy as well as scholarships for higher arts education.
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Volume 23, Issue 43
Human remains found during Search and Rescue Operation for Evan Mueller Jessica Ussher Investigative Journalist Intern On Oct. 21, the San Diego Sheriff’s department, with at least one dog, conducted a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation for 35-year-old missing person Evan Mueller. Mueller was last seen at his home in Fallbrook allegedly on Sept. 13, 2022, one day after his 34th birthday. Sergeant Rich George, coordinator for the San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, confirmed that human remains were found, however, the identity has not been confirmed. A medical examiner arrived on the scene to investigate and take control of the remains. The remains, which were mostly skeletal, were found in the ravine area near Vista Del Lago Drive, Fallbrook. Sergeant George stated that “it is a miracle that the remains were found where they were,” as the area is highly vegetative, and the terrain is difficult to access due to populous poison oak. The SAR team recovered
the remains on foot, despite the steepness of the surrounding area. Clothes were also found in the search area; however, the owners of the items have also not been confirmed. This SAR operation expands on previous searches for Mueller. In 2022, after his disappearance, searches were conducted by volunteers and the San Diego County Sheriff. A year ago, dogs from ‘Southwest Service Dogs’ were reported to have followed Mueller’s scent down to the Santa Margarita River and the surrounding area of the property. It has not been confirmed if the interior of Mueller’s home had ever been searched. Mueller’s family continues to look for him and doesn’t believe that he would have just left and not contacted any of them. If anyone has information about the whereabouts of Evan Mueller, his family is asking them to please call 425-286-7827. See tribute layout for Evan Mueller on page A-6.
Search and Rescue team with a dog search the area near Santa Margarita River valley for Evan Mueller, who has been missing for just over a year. Valley News / Courtesy photo
Date Street road construction completed
see page B-3
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Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1 Business ............................B-7 Business Directory .............B-7 Calendar of Events .............B-2 Classifieds .........................C-5 Entertainment ...................B-3 Faith................................. D-6 Health ...............................B-6 Home & Garden ................B-5 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-5 Opinion............................ D-5 Real Estate ........................B-8 Regional News ...................C-6 Sports ................................C-1
The northern portion of the Date Street road construction in Murrieta between Winchester Creek and Murrieta Hot Springs Roads is completed. Motorists can now use the new section of road on Date Street to connect with Murrieta Hot Springs Road. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
Menifee council places city manager on administrative leave with pay Tony Ault Staf f Writer A substitute Menifee city attorney, who was standing in for city attorney Jeff Melching, announced City Manager Armando Villa has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an internal investigation, following a Menifee City Council closed session meeting Wednesday, Oct. 18. The announcement was made minutes before the Menifee City Council called its third Thursday meeting to order at Menifee City Hall. “By a 3 to 2 vote by council members Karwin, Estrada and Deines in a majority, city manager Villa has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the completion of a comprehensive and internal personnel investigation,” according to the substitute city attorney on Item 3 out of
closed session. “This action is not punitive or disciplinary. It is simply to allow a personnel investigation to be completed.” He said Assistant to the City Manager Rebeckah Kramer was approved as acting city manager, and all business of the city will continue to proceed as normal. Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin, Ricky Estrada, Dean Deines, Lesa Sobek and Mayor Bill Zimmerman were in attendance with the city attorney in a closed session. Nothing was said by the members of the council about the reason for Villa’s being placed on administrative leave during the regular meeting. In closed session meetings, the city’s legal issues are discussed and are private and not subject to public notification except by title and a report out of any action taken. see VILLA, page A-2
Armando Villa is Menifee’s city manager and is on administrative leave with pay. Valley News/Courtesy photo