12-20-24-TVN

GoFundMe page set up for Hemet Public Works employee recently killed in a DUI accident

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Holiday plants help make your Yule cool but they can have a dark side

CALIFORNIA - Festive plants add to the magic of the holiday season. The bright, cheery colors of poinsettias and the delightful scents of Christmas trees tempt us to bring them into our homes for display and decorations. We often use them as gifts and some, such as mistletoe, play a part in holiday traditions. But, underneath the sparkle and shine, California Poison Control System (CPCS) advises that some holiday plants have a dark side.

Home Depot opens new store in Murrieta

MURRIETA – The Home Depot announces the grand opening of its new location in Murrieta, located at 27738 Clinton Keith Road. Store Manager Mario Pineda and his team welcomed the local community with a celebration featuring food trucks, prizes, giveaways, and more on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Temecula City Council selects Brenden Kalfus as 2025 Mayor and Jessica Alexander as 2025 Mayor Pro Tem top priorities.” Mayor

– On Tuesday, December 10, during the final Temecula City Council meeting of the year, 2024 Mayor Pro Tem Brenden Kalfus was appointed unanimously by the City Council to serve as Mayor of Temecula for 2025. Temecula’s incoming Mayor Brenden Kalfus was first elected to serve on the City Council in 2022. As a Firefighter and Arson Investigator, Kalfus states, “It is an honor and a privilege to be the Mayor of the City I grew up in. Having lived in Temecula for over 33 years, I’ve seen the growth and change Temecula has gone through. I understand what makes our City special, and I also understand the challenges we face as a community. This year, as your Mayor, I will continue to keep public safety, our City’s infrastructure, and community engagement my

Julie Reeder Publisher Marine Corps Sgt. Colton Pavlica, a Las Vegas native and rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division,

Marine Corps Sgt Colton Pavlica and his Marine mates pose with him and Chief McReynolds after Sgt. Pavlica received his standing ovation.

Brenden Kalfus will serve as 2025 Temecula Mayor. Valley News/Courtesy photo Valley News/Courtesy photo was honored by the North County

Protection District on Dec.

Wildomar youth first place winners recognized by the City Council; City employees increased salary/benefit plan approved

Tony Ault Staff Writer

At their meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Wildomar City Council recognized several youth cheer and sports teams that had recently won first-place trophies. The teams, including Pee Wees and Tiny Mights from the Tri-City Gators Cheer program, competed against many others and earned three first-place trophies. Each team member received a certificate of appreciation from the city for their achievements. Additionally, the City Council approved a three-phase plan to increase staff salaries and improve family health benefits over the next year.

A group of Julie Lee Performing Arts Academy students in Wildomar went out of their normal learning efforts in their special studies to take part in a World Sports Backing competition in Los Angeles against many in a speedy sports backing cup contest by stacking the most promotional cups the fastest of any other teams in California. The students demonstrated their skill in the contest to take away the win. They are now planning to compete in a nationwide competition in Michigan this

coming year and are raising funds to make that trip possible.

The council recognized their special efforts.

In regular business, a lengthy discussion took place among the four council members, with member Dustin Nigg on an excused absence, on how to best improve the city staff’s existing pay and health plans to at least be more competitive on the region’s city job opportunities.

A staff report by Emily Wolf from the Administrative Services Department showed overall Wildomar with its current 37,000 residents is only able to pay most of the Wildomar City staff less then the other cities in the same positions including 15 of those below even the median salary and health benefits of the other surrounding cities. Only six city employees are paid just a little above the median salary and health benefit range making it hard for the current staff to stay working for Wildomar or recruiting new needed management positions.

City Manager Daniel York, even with that pay and health benefit issue, said his current city staff, who often work in more than one position, perform exceptionally well serving the community and

reaching the city’s goals.

The reason for the lower pay and benefits is the population of the city is much lower than its surrounding cities, but it is continuing to grow. Every single resident in the City of Wildomar pays about $127 per resident for the city staff members, the third from the lowest of all the other surveyed cities, but that does not include contract workers and those with their own fire and police departments (Jurupa residents in the area pay the lowest per resident).

The administrative staff recommended the council consider a three-phase program to bring the city staff up to at least the median average of $327 per resident of all the surrounding cities in the next year. By doing this the city could stay somewhat competitive in the job market and make it more possible to hire a needed Planning Manager and a Public Works Administrator/Inspector by January, 2025. This would be Phase I in the plan to bring all up to at least the median salary and benefit level by January 1, 2025. Phase II would come into play by July 1, 2025, by bringing all general and management groups up to the median at that time and finally, in Phase III bring all the execu-

tive employees up to the median or about $175,219 a year along with the health benefits for family members who choose to have them (some staff members have their own insurance). All the positions needed, if not filled on the schedule, would have their salary and benefit level carried over into the next year. The changes would not affect the city manager position which is a contract position.

The Phased plan was questioned by Council Member Joseph Morabito at first wanting assurances the city could meet those levels in the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. He was assured by York the new budget coming out by June and under review, possibly as early as February, would be reflected in the proposed salary and benefit increases without hurting the other city programs. (The city has 41 positions to fill)

Several motions made before the original request with a recommended budget increase would still meet if the schedule was approved in a 4 to 0 majority vote.

In the only Public Hearing, the staff presented the 2025-2026 annual $135,000 federal Community Development Block Grant allocation, which this year did not include any nonprofits who

normally could receive 15% of the grant. The reason for that is that no Wildomar nonprofit applied for a portion of the grant, according to the staff. This year the entire grant would be used on the Mission Trail / Sedco sidewalk project Phase II in a low to moderate-income level residential area as required by the federal government, (less administrative fees.)

Also discussed was the 1st Quarter Budget Report which was a little higher then expected, new Planning Commission appointments which will change this year with a new council sworn in, and the list of planned Community Services 2025 Special Events, Partnerships and Activities included with three new events.

Also announced were the winners of this year’s Holiday Home Lighting Contest which can be seen on the city website.

The Dec. 11 Wildomar City Council meeting can be viewed on the city’s website which is being changed to www.Wildomar. gov instead of www.Wildomar. org. to meet new state government requirements, according to City Manager York.

Tony Ault can be reached tault@ reedermedia.com

GoFundMe page set up for Hemet Public Works employee recently killed in a DUI accident

Tony Ault Staff Writer

A GoFundMe page is set up for the family of a Hemet Public Works employee killed by a drunk driver on Thursday, Dec. 5 while he was working at Acacia Avenue just west of Kirby Street.

The DUI driver, Noah Anthony Zapada, 27, was driving a compact car going westbound on Acacia and plowed straight into a municipal truck that was parked at the

intersection, killing Hemet Water Distribution Operator Derek Holt, 40, according to the California Highway Patrol and Hemet Police reports.

A short time later, Zapata was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Mr. Holt was a single father and is survived by his son. The GoFundMe page, https://www.

gofundme.com/f/support-derekholts-family, was set up in his name by his family and friends and has reached over $12,000 toward the $50,000 sought as of Monday, Dec. 16, and is growing.

GoFundMe sponsor T. Holyoak wrote, “Derek was a devoted single father, the sole provider for his beloved son. In this incredibly difficult time, all contributions will go directly to supporting Derek’s family, ensuring they have the assistance they need now and in the years ahead.”

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

Supervisors

approve agreement to repave Rainbow Canyon Road

Joe Naiman Special to Valley News

The City of Temecula will be resurfacing Rainbow Canyon Road, and a Dec 3 Riverside County Board of Supervisors action approved an agreement between the county and the city which will allow the portion of the road in unincorporated Riverside County to be repaved.

The 5-0 vote approved the cooperative agreement with the City of Temecula. That agreement will add approximately 300 feet of the road south of the city boundary to the rehabilitation of the roadway within the City of Temecula.

The city portion of Rainbow Canyon Road will be resurfaced between Pechanga Parkway and the Temecula city limit. The rehabilitation will mill and overlay the existing asphalt with hot mix asphalt. The addition of the 300foot segment south of the bound-

from page A-1

Temecula since birth. He is now raising his five children alongside his wife, whom he met while attending Temecula Valley High School. With a long-term perspective on the City of Temecula and experiences gained from other cities during his college and his professional career, he places a strong emphasis on investing in public safety and maintaining a safe community. He advocates for beautifully maintained parks,

ary between the city and the county will complete a missing gap of resurfacing; in June 2022 the Board of Supervisors awarded ATP General Engineering Contractors the contract to resurface Rainbow Canyon Road. The 300-foot section of roadway south of the city limit will require the resurfacing of approximately 11,000 square feet.

The cooperative agreement establishes the roles and responsibilities of each agency for the construction of the project and obligates the county to fund the full amount of the project within the county’s jurisdictional boundaries. The City of Temecula will be the lead agency for the resurfacing and will provide the necessary administrative, managerial, technical, and support services. The county will review the plans and specifications prepared by the city at no charge to the city. The county will also issue an encroachment permit for activity within county right-of-

streets, and infrastructure, all of which contribute to a high quality of life where families and local businesses can thrive.

Kalfus becomes Mayor effective January 1, 2025, for the calendar year, and adds, “Alongside my colleagues, City staff, and most importantly the community members, I look forward to everything we will accomplish in Temecula, together.”

The Temecula City Council also unanimously selected Council Member Jessica Alexander to

way including surveying, inspection, materials testing, and traffic control as well as construction.

The county will make an initial $38,372.50 deposit for the estimated cost, including a 10 percent contingency, to resurface the county portion of the road. Should unforeseen circumstances result in additional costs the agreement will be amended to cover the costs which will be paid by the county. After the road is repaved the county will be responsible for maintenance of the roadway south of the city limit.

The repaving is expected to begin later this month. The work will be phased to keep the road open during construction as much as possible. Completion of the county segment is expected to take approximately one month.

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

serve as 2025 Mayor Pro Tem assuming mayoral duties in the event of Mayor Kalfus’ absence. Council Member Zak Schwank and 2024 Mayor James Stewart were appointed respectively to serve as 2025 President and Vice President for the Temecula Community Services District. Council Committee and Board assignments are anticipated to occur in January 2025. Submitted by the City of Temecula.

Derek Holt.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

TEMECULA

Old Town Temecula welcomes seasonal ice rink

Christmas,” Mark Sitar, chair of the event, said. “This is not a soup kitchen for the unfortunate, although everyone is welcome. This is for anyone who wants a place to go on Christmas Day. It is a simple concept that touches people throughout our community.

of year,” he said. “Make it extra special and join us for a great meal at no cost. Remember, everyone is welcome. There are no conditions or requirements. Just show up and share some joy with your community.”

TEMECULA - The 29-plus-year tradition of the Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day will continue, as local Rotary clubs, along with the City of Temecula, serve a fully cooked meal of ham, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and dessert. Dinner will be served on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Café at Mt. San Jacinto College, 41888 Motor Car Pkwy, Bldg. A, Temecula (enter from Margarita Rd). Doors open at 11 a.m.

“The Community Christmas Dinner brings people from the community together who want to share the joy and spirit of

“It is the holiday spirit that is important. The warm atmosphere filled with laughter and stories from past years goes around each table. Santa Claus passes out presents to the children and pictures are taken with Santa and the children. Tips are refused, but hugs and handshakes are always welcome,” Sitar said.

To volunteer your help, call Julie Ngo at 619-246-0489. Taxdeductible donations can be made online at https://squareup.com/ store/Community-ChristmasDinner, or send a check made payable to “Community Christmas Dinner” and mail it to P.O. Box 2203, Temecula, CA 92593. Submitted by Rotary Club of Temecula Sunrise.

“Christmas is a special time

MENIFEE – The Menifee Police Department responded to a report of a traffic collision near the intersection of Highway 74 and Menifee Road, involving a motorcycle and two vehicles around 4 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9. Cal Fire arrived and initiated lifesaving measures, however, the rider of the motorcycle was unresponsive and succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the collision. The Menifee Police Traffic Unit arrived on the scene and assumed the investigation. Officers’ preliminary assessment of the incident determined the motorcycle was involved in two separate collisions. The first involved a sedan and the second involved a pick-up truck. Both drivers remained on the scene and were cooperative throughout the investigation. Impairment is not a factor at this time. The cause of the collisions is still under investigation.

The Menifee Police Department is asking anyone who has any information regarding this collision is asked to call Officer Harper at 951-723-1567 or contact the Traffic Unit at 951-723-1690. Submitted by Menifee Police Department.

Temecula Glitz Cheer members perform for guests attending the opening ceremony of the Temecula On Ice at Town Square Park in Old Town, Dec. 13.

Temecula Mayor James “Stew” Stewart participates in a race with other city dignitaries at the grand opening of Temecula On Ice. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Figure skater Timothy Weng, 12, performs during an exhibition at the Temecula On Ice grand opening.

Figure skater Nora Cleary, 15, performs during an exhibition at the Temecula On Ice grand opening.

Figure skater Kira Boyd performs during an exhibition at the Temecula On Ice grand opening.

Gathering of the People celebrates all cultures

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Special to Valley News

In a show of unity, the Four Directions club from San Jacinto High School hosted its third annual Gathering of the People at the campus on Nov. 16. Although the event celebrates Native American Heritage Month, this multicultural event invites all San Jacinto Unified School District students, families and residents to share all the cultural pieces that make up the community.

Food vendors, cultural exhibitions, bird singers and dancers and special guests kept visitors busy during the six-hour event. Students belonging to the Mariachi Club and Black Student Union performed and the Hawaiian dance group Hula Halau o Kealohilani and Folklorico dancers also entertained on the campus’ quad.

Guest speaker Vanessa Brierty was recently named 45th Assembly district director by Assemblymember James C. Ramos. She has served as a senior consultant to the California Native American Legislative Caucus, which Ramos chairs, for the past year. She is an enrolled tribal member from the Pueblo of Laguna and is one of the few Native American staffers serving in the Legislature.

She shared that Ramos has always been an advocate for Native Americans and was able to successfully pass key legislation that led to the desert conservation program for more than 22 million acres spanning six counties in the state, conserving the cultural heritage, the landscape and those traditions for people to enjoy for years to come.

“On the fourth Friday of every September, we celebrate California Native American Day and this year, the governor signed seven of Assemblymember James Ramos’ bills into law,” Brierty said. She added that Ramos knows it’s a community effort and it’s the voices of the people that have to be at the table to ensure that Native Americans are represented accurately.

“He always encourages our youth or anybody to engage in different levels of government,” she said. “At the end of the day, representation does matter.”

Brierty presented members of the Four Directions club with a Certificate of Recognition for its support and dedication to celebrate the diverse culture of the area. It read, in part, “Your vision has created a space of respect and unity while honoring Native American culture and heritage. Your tireless efforts and contributions to San Jacinto High School are appreciated.”

Gerald Clarke is a visual artist, educator, Tribal leader, and cultural practitioner whose family has lived in the Anza Valley for time immemorial. As an enrolled citizen of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, he lives on the Cahuilla Indian Reservation and ove rsees the Clarke family cattle ranch. He is currently a Professor of Ethnic Studies at UCR where he teaches classes in Native American art, history, and culture.

Clarke describes himself as not just a Tribal member but a citizen.

“We have a very special political and legal status in this country that is different than anybody else,” he said. “I’m the first California Indian to be a three-year full professor in the UC system.”

He said he doesn’t make Native American art. “I make Cahuilla art; art that’s relevant to our people,” he said. Clarke ended his talk the same way he ends all of his classes, “Be

well, be safe, be good to each other and be good to the earth.”

One of his two daughters, Emily Clarke, is a poet who shared two of her works with the receptive audience. She graduated from UCR with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. The first was called “Land Acknowledgement” and the second, “Beneath the Oak Trees,” was about basketry. “The Cahuilla people are basket weavers, especially the women,” she shared. The final line was, “This poem is a basket, too. Woven, continual, created to make our carrying easier.”

The Four Directions club is a student-led organization that functions to support public awareness of Native American pride through the sharing of culture and heritage of First Peoples of the region and country. In addition, the group is an advocate for Indigenous students/ peoples’ political, social, and welfare concerns. The club provides its members with an opportunity for camaraderie as well as public service.

Fou r Directions club members who attended the event were President Rhianna Salgado, Soboba Ba nd of Luiseño Indians; VicePresident Moyla Arviso, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians/Cahuilla Band of Indians; Secretary Reese Elliott, Woodsinatee Tlingit; Treasurer Andrew Valazquez, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Memberat-Large Ginger Velazquez, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; and members Raya Salgado, Kimani Sanchez, Su’un Nelson, Roslyn Valenzuella and Ushla Resvaloso, all from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.

“We want to explore all cultures,” Rhianna said. Reese said the club is all about inclusivity and bringing everyone together. “We show appreciation for the cultures all around this area.”

Moyla said she likes how the club is welcoming to others. “Our club is like a family,” she said.

Aside from the cultural performances, the club also held a successful raffle and a cake walk with the numbers in Cahuilla as a way to share the Native language with guests.

The club had hosted bird singers who came out during lunch breaks in November to provide lunch exhibitions at the school. Members have also arranged to have bird singers perform before graduation ceremonies.

“It’s good to have diversity; our club is open to anyone who wants to learn,” Rhianna said.

San Jacinto High School alumna and former club president Su’la Arviso was also on hand, performing Fancy Shawl dances with Tekla Diaz and many of the students Diaz teaches at her bi-monthly classes at Soboba.

Glen Begay led the Bearspring singers and hand drummers for a couple of social songs and also for a healing Round Dance which everyone in attendance was invited to participate. “The drumbeat is like a heartbeat. Native Americans are people of community, we need one another for healing, to pray together, to dance together,” he said. “That’s why we hold hands for this dance; to help each other heal. Take that blessing home with you.”

The Four Directions club receives a lot of assistance from the SJUSD Indian Parent Committee, also known as the Native American Parent Advisory Council. It was established by the district to ensure that planning, development, implementation and evaluation of

dancer from

details about the Indigenous Māori, interpreted through dance.

the operational and supplemental programs for Native American students occur in a consistent and sustained manner.

The advisory council’s next project is a collaboration with the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians to create a Soboba curriculum for district schools.

Soboba Tribal Council Chairwoman Geneva Mojado has served as the committee’s Chairperson since its inception in January of 2022. Other officers are ViceChairperson Melissa Vera-Arviso, Secretary Marie Fonsaco and Tribal Cultural Resource Officer Rhonda Valenzuella and Tribal Community Relations Officer Tara Placencia.

The committee works closely with club members to coordinate the annual Gathering of the People.

“This is a great event that provides cultural awareness and sharing of different cultures,” Mojado said. “It’s also a major fundraiser for the Four Directions Club.”

SJUSD Title VI Liaison Delia Vasquez and club advisor/English teacher Richard Burton work directly with club members on a regular basis. This is the largest event that the club organizes but there are other activities throughout the year.

Vanessa Brierty, on behalf of Assemblymember James Ramos, presents members of the Four Directions club with a certificate of recognition at the third annual Gathering of the People at San Jacinto High School, Nov. 16. Valley News/Rhonda Valenzuella photo

Glen Begay, second from left, with hand drummers during a Round Dance at the Gathering of the People, Nov. 16. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photo

A

Hula Halau o Kealohilani shares

Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photo

Members of San Jacinto High School’s Folkorico dance club perform at the quad on Nov. 16. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photo

Fancy Shawl dancers, from left, Su’la Arviso, Tekla Diaz, and Kimani Sanchez wait for their turn to perform at the Gathering of the People event, Nov. 16. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photo

Tekla Diaz with other Fancy Shawl dancers during the third annual Gathering of the People in San Jacinto. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photo

All are invited to participate in the healing Round Dance, led by Glen Begay and the hand drummers. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photo

LOCAL

Warm Center opens at Temecula’s Mary Phillips Senior Center in coordination with Community Action Partnership

TEMECULA – The Riverside County Community Action Partnership is once again coordinating Warm Centers to provide a safe space for vulnerable individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, and others in need of temporary relief from the cold. The Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 6th Street, serves as a Warm Center now through Friday, Mar. 28, 2025. The Senior Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Warm Centers will be accessible to the public in areas impacted by cold weather whenever a Cold Warning is issued. A Cold Warning is triggered when temperatures are expected to drop below 40°F. Residents can stay informed about

Cold Warnings through local news sources such as TV, radio, social media, and Valley News. At the Warm Centers, visitors can access helpful resources, including information on how to prepare for extreme cold. The resource sheets cover essential tips for preparing your home, dressing for cold weather, safe travel, and recognizing symptoms of cold-related health risks. These services are vital during the winter months when temperatures can be dangerously low.

Cold Weather Safety Tips: Sip warm drinks like hot cider or soup to stay warm Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase the risk of hypothermia

Keep your home warm and ensure your heater is in good working order

• Wear multiple thin layers to trap body heat

• Bring pets inside to protect them from the cold

• Know where the nearest Warm Center is located

• Have your home heating system inspected by a professional

Nev er use outdoor heating devices inside the home, such as charcoal grills

For more information, please contact the Mary Phillips Senior Center at 951-694-6464.

Submitted by the City of Temecula.

County allocates additional funding for Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse improvements

Joe Naiman Special to Valley News

The expected costs for improvements to the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse in Lake Elsinore have increased, so the County of Riverside will fund an additional $400,000 for the project.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Dec. 3, to approve the additional funding. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding will supplement the previous $1,800,000 of ARPA funding for the improvements. The county owns the Alberhill Ranch Community Park land in the 16200 block of Grand Avenue while the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest County has provided programs at the facility, and the December 3 action also included approving amendments to the project and escrow agreements with the Boys and Girls Club.

The Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse encompasses 5,500 square feet. Its past activities provided high-qual-

Pavlica received a standing ovation and a Challenge Coin during the district’s board meeting.

On Nov. 17, 2024, at approximately 2:13 p.m., Pavlica was traveling westbound on E. Mission Road en route to Camp Pendleton for training from his base at 29 Palms. He witnessed the aftermath of a severe collision in front of him and stopped to render aid.

Pavlica first encountered a frantic woman, possibly the driver of the vehicle, but quickly shifted his focus to the critically injured motorcycle rider. The rider was bleeding heavily from a leg injury, and Pavlica, relying on his Marine Corps training, immediately applied a tourniquet he carried as part of his Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK). The tourniquet stopped the bleeding, stabilizing the patient until emergency responders arrived approximately six minutes after the 911 call.

North County Fire Protection District Chief McReynolds praised Pavlica’s actions during the presentation, stating, “A person can bleed out in just a few minutes. Sgt. Pavlica’s quick thinking and application of the tourniquet likely saved this man’s life.” Chief McReynolds was able to update the audience that the man is recovering from his accident.

Public Information Officer John Choi added, “As a trained Marine, he was equipped with a tourniquet,

ity youth development programs and services for children between the ages of 6 and 17 including before-school and after-school care, homework support, educational camps during the school year, and summer camps where healthy and nutritious snacks were provided daily.

In 2017 the clubhouse experienced extensive water intrusion which caused structural damage in multiple locations and created an unsafe condition for the youth members and staff. The clubhouse was closed in 2019 and its members and operations were relocated to Lakeland Village. The lack of access for youth deprived them of productive activities and affected not only the youth and their progress but also parents, including single parents and foster parents, with work responsibilities.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included $362 billion of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocations for eligible state, territorial, tribal, and

local governments. The funding addresses the public health emergency and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic and can be utilized for seven eligible categories: infrastructure, housing and homelessness, economic recovery, county departments response, nonprofit assistance, child care, and revenue backfill. The County of Riverside received $479,874,599 of ARPA funding which must be committed by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.

In January 2023 the county supervisors allocated $1,800,000 of ARPA funding to the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest County for improvements to the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse and directed the county’s Executive Office to initiate the ARPA agreement with the Boys and Girls Club. The ARPA funding for the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse will support the re-opening of the clubhouse after the necessary site and structural improvements are complete. The Boys and Girls Club will continue

which he promptly applied, successfully stopping the bleeding and stabilizing the patient until emer gency responders arrived. Thank you so much Colton for you bravery and quick action in

to operate the facility.

In October 2023 the Board of Supervisors approved the funding agreement with the Boys and Girls Club which included the terms for construction and reimbursement. The funding agreement requires the county and the Boys and Girls Club to establish an escrow account to facilitate the county’s disbursement of the ARPA funding for the construction and completion of the project in approved progress pay disbursements. The county is designated as the escrow owner, the Boys and Girls club is considered a contractor, and Commerce Escrow is the escrow agent. Funds will be approved by the county for distribution on a monthly basis after determination of the cost’s eligibility under the funding agreement. Any funds remaining in escrow after the project is complete will be returned to the county.

A 5-0 Riverside County Board of Supervisors vote June 4 approved the escrow agreement

assisting us.”

Pavlica’s combat training, which includes rigorous instruction in applying tourniquets for traumatic injuries, prepared him to act swiftly and effectively in this high-stress situation.

The Challenge Coin, presented by Chief McReynolds, is a symbol of gratitude and recognition for individuals who perform extraordinary acts of service. Pavlica’s actions earned him a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance.

Reflecting on the significance of such training, McReynolds noted

between the county and the Boys and Girls Club. The escrow agreement stipulates the conditions for establishment, administration, and termination of an interest-bearing escrow account which will be used to fund the improvements.

The initial $1.8 million of funding anticipated $1.5 million for construction with the other $300,000 covering planning and design, specifications review, bid process expenses, permits and fees, and project management. The construction contract bid process increased the anticipated construction cost to $1.9 million. The new agreement also extends the project completion date due to the delays of addressing the cost increase, although the June 30, 2025, construction completion date and the July 31, 2025, administrative closeout and certificate of occupancy date will still meet the APRA expenditure deadline. Joe Naiman can be reached at jnaiman@reedermedia.com.

that the Marine Corps’ emphasis on readiness ensures that Marines like Pavlica carry their skills and calm demeanor into civilian life. Marines are trained to act decisively in emergencies, and Pavlica exemplified those values.

The incident highlights the broader impact of the M arine Corps’ ethos of honor, courage, and commitment, which extends far beyond the battlefield. Pavlica’s preparedness and quick response serve as a reminder of the life-saving potential of such training, whether in combat zones or everyday life.

Give the gift of safe driving: Drive sober

MENIFEE – As the holiday season approaches, the joy of celebration often goes together with travel and gatherings with loved ones. The Menifee Police Department reminds everyone to celebrate responsibly and give the gift of safe driving by committing to drive sober or designating a sober driver.

During the pre-holiday season, December 1st - December 10th, the Menifee Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“We want our community to stay safe and have a joy-filled holiday

season,” said Chief Chris Karrer. “If you plan to go out and celebrate, please choose a sober way to go by designating a sober driver or arranging alternative transportation.”

Drunk driving continues to be a factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holidays. During the 2018-2022 December months, there were 4,759 people killed in alcoholimpaired crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In California, there were 1,479 people killed in alcoholimpaired traffic crashes in 2022. While drunk driving is a significant traffic safety problem, driving while impaired is not just from alcohol.

760-932-4887 takarahospice.com info@takarahospice.com

Hospice brings a special combination

physical and spiritual support

loved ones. We believe

attention

and services

Prescription drugs, over-thecounter medications, cannabis products and other drugs may also impair. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Mary Phillips Senior Center is serving as a Warm Center for individuals in need of temporary relief from the cold.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

MARINES from page A-1

Marine Corps Sgt. Colton Pavlica receives a Challenge Coin from NCFPD Chief Keith McReynolds. Valley News/Courtesy photo

A house in Murrieta on Juniper Street near Hancock Avenue resembling an igloo draws spectators to its large Christmas light display. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Hundreds of people view the Christmas light display at a house in Murrieta that resembles an igloo. Members of the community enjoy a Christmas light display at a house in Murrieta that resembles an igloo.

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

Please check the web pages 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. ValleyWide Recreation also has many children’s activities. Please visit www.gorecreation.org.

Dec. 20 – 11 to 18-year-olds looking for a fun and safe location for them to spend some time with friends and engage in exciting activities look at the Temecula Teen Zone located at the Ronald J. Parks Community Recreation Center at 30875 Rancho Vista Road. Although there are a variety of great offerings all year round. A lineup of those activities this winter can be found at the park.

Dec. 23 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Holiday Workshop at Lazy Creek

Recreation Center, 26480 Lazy Creek Road. Two sessions $15 for each child: Ages 3-5 for potty trained children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and children ages K-5 at 1 - 4 p.m.Arts and Crafts, cookie decorating, games, gift making, and more. Call 951-679-8092 or see www.cityofmenifee.us/youth programs for reservations.

Jan. 6-10 – 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Winter Break Camp at Lazy Creek Recreation Center, 26480 Lazy Creek Road.$75 for residents and $90 for nonresidents. Arts and crafts, games, sports and more, and an optional trip to Pins and Pockets bowling and recreation center in Menifee. Call 951-679-8092 or see www.cityofmenifee.us/youth programs for reservations.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line. Dec. 20 Winter – Adult Class offerings through the Menifee Community Services at www. cityofmenfiee.us/register for more information. Includes: Ballet

Crossword Puzzle

Theme: At the restaurant

Folklorico, Driving Lessons, Hula Tahitian Dance, piano lessons, Pickleball lessons, and Taekwondo.

Dec. 20 continuing VCC Lake Elsinore offers free lessons on how to take care of your health with cervical cancer screening, diabetes checks, eye exams, Postpartum care, well-child visits, and immunizations. For information call or text 844-308-5003 or www. vcc.org

Dec. 20 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Warm Center at Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 6th St. Temecula is now open through the Riverside Community Action Partnership for a safe place for vulnerable individuals, seniors, people with disabilities and others for temporary relief of the cold. Monday through Friday.

Dec. 20 to Jan 5 – Daily Temecula on Ice with state-of-the-art ice rink, rental skates, Bobby skating aid and its own radio station playing the best ice skating music. Buy tickets online at https:// temeculaonice.simpletix.com. $10 to $21. For questions please email temeculaonice@gmail.com

Dec. 19-20 – 5-8 p.m. Menifee Santa on Wheels will be making neighborhood visits around town. Reservations needed. $40 per 15-minute personalized family visit. Be on the lookout. Contact www.cityofmenifee.us/register Call 951-723-3880 for more informational

Dec. 21 – 7 p.m. Santa’s Holiday Wishes Christmas Show at the Historic Hemet Theater, 216 E. Florida Ave., Hemet. $10 Children, $29 adults. Call 951-658-5950 or HemetTheater.org

Dec. 22 – 7 p.m. Glade Jul 15th annual Christmas Concert presented by Southern California Damekor, a program at Scandinavian Christmas Music at 27649 Commerce Center Drive, Temecula.

Dec. 30 – 5:30-7 p.m. Chanukah Celebration Public Menorah Lighting with music latkes and doughnuts and crafts. Public Welcome at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evens St. Menifee. Presented by Chabad Temecula

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 – Riverside Transportation Commission is offering Park and Ride lots to connect with carpools, vanpools and transit systems in Beaumont at 600 E. Sixth Street; in San Jacinto at 501 S. San Jacinto Avenue and in Temecula at Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but not on weekends.

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 951674-2159.

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 800-510-2020 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 Village 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

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 deployed 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-thewheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-7233880 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 781932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 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 writingcraft discussions; attendees may read up to a five-minute excerpt from their work for feedback/ critique. RSVP at www.dorlandartscolony.com/sunday-scribblers. html.

Harveston home lights up Temecula neighborhood with festive lights

In between the blockbusters of the Thanksgiving season and the blockbusters of the Christmas season comes “Kraven the Hunter,” a movie that was never going to be

a blockbuster in any season. Sergei “Kraven” Kravinoff (Aaron TaylorJohnson) is another one of those Spider-Man villains that’s getting his own movie because Sony still has a piece of the “Spider-Man” franchise and they think fans will mistake it for the Marvel Cinematic

Universe, which is owned by Disney. “Venom,” “Morbius,” and “Madame Web” are all part of the same branch. Supposedly there are (or at least “were”) plans for a big Avengers-style crossover down the line, but these movies keep bombing so badly that fans don’t care if they continue.

Kraven’s origin is that he and his brother Dmitri (Fred Hechinger) were brought up by their imposing Russian gangster father Nikolai (Russell Crowe), who was big on hunting metaphors. After their mother died under mysterious circumstances, Nikolai took the boys on a hunting trip, where Sergei was mauled by a lion. He nearly died, but aspiring voodoo priestess Calypso (eventually played by Ariana DeBose) gave him a magical potion that not only restored his health, but gave him the ability to communicate with animals. Now Kraven is a hunter like his father, but instead of animals, he hunts people. Sometimes this just means tracking people down to talk to them (like Calypso, who’s now a lawyer), but usually, it means killing bad guys.

Kraven spends most of the movie trying to protect Dmitri, whether it’s from their father’s control or from a rival gangster known as The Rhino (Alessandro Nivola).

The Rhino employs an assassin called The Foreigner (Christopher Abbott), whose gimmick is that he can disappear while he counts to three, then pop out somewhere unexpected, usually to kill someone. The moment I met this character, I knew his downfall was going to come in a scene where he disappears for a two-count, then something “surprising” keeps him from reaching three. The movie could have done without the dull

Dance performances to grace the Old Town Temecula Community Theater stage

TEMECULA ─ The Old Town Temecula Community Theater announces a series of breathtaking performances that celebrate the art of dance and expression. Bring in the new year with world-class dance and entertainment.

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at 8 p.m. – Chloé Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies

Experience the groundbreaking mixed media concert featuring an all-female cast celebrating sisterhood and the joy of tap dance. This electrifying show combines dance and storytelling, inspiring audiences to pursue their dreams with courage and determination. Founded by Emmy-nominated choreographer Chloé Arnold, the

Syncopated Ladies have dazzled audiences on platforms like So You Think You Can Dance and The Ellen Show. Free master class on the same day at 1 PM. Learn from the performers, open to all ages and experience levels. Registration is required by calling 1.866.OLD.

TOWN (1-866-653-8696).

Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 8 p.m. – Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, one of America’s premier flamenco companies, will take the stage, promoting flamenco as a vital part of Hispanic heritage. With a mission to entertain, educate, and empower, this performance will

showcase the universal spirit of flamenco through a rich tapestry of cultural influences.

Free master class on the same day at 1 PM. Learn from the performers, open to all ages and experience levels. Registration is required by calling 1.866.OLD. TOWN (1-866-653-8696).

Regular ticket prices for each performance are $25. Seniors 65+, military and groups of 15 or more are $20, and students pay $15. Please call the ticket office for group orders. For tickets and more information, contact the ticket office at 866-OLD-TOWN (866-653-8696) or visit our website at TemeculaTheater.org.

Foreigner since it already has a pretty good surefire villain in The Rhino and a complicated villain in Nikolai. For that matter, the protagonists aren’t bad either. I can actually see Taylor-Johnson, Hechinger, DeBose, Nivola, and Crowe making an effort here. I can see TaylorJohnson turning Kraven into a cool character under different circumstances. I got a few chuckles out of Nivola’s scenery-chewing. But this isn’t a movie that knows how to capitalize on the talent in its ranks. This is a movie that is here to slap together a few smoldering shots for publicity stills, a few action scenes for trailers, and call it a day. Taylor-Johnson is fine when he’s giving a performance, but not when “Kraven” is unconvincingly hopping around a supposed maximum-security prison. Nivola gives his character some engaging personality, but it’s hard to notice when he’s become an ugly (not terrifying, just ugly) CGI Rhino.

“Kraven the Hunter” is just

another in a long line of SpiderMan-adjacent bombs. There’s only one way I see these Sony also-rans having any kind of future: Disney needs to buy them for a song and bring them over for the crossover with the one character that can make them interesting. I’m not talking about Spider-Man, I’m talking about Deadpool! Don’t laugh (or do, I don’t care), he’s helped the public regain interest in the likes of Elektra, Chris Evans’ Human Torch, even himself after his awful 2009 debut. He’s on a roll and I’d love a movie that’s 20% superhero adventure and 80% jokes at the expense of how badly these characters flopped in their own movies. And yes, this movie is such a flop.

Grade: C-

“Kraven the Hunter” is rated R for strong bloody violence, and language. Its running time is 127 minutes.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu.

Movie review: ‘Kraven the Hunter’

Kraven the Hunter. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Bob Garver Contributor

A home Christmas light display in the Harveston community in Temecula extends to the sidewalk and attracts people to take pictures.

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

HOME & GARDEN / REAL ESTATE

Holiday plants help make your Yule cool but they can have a dark side: Important safety information from California Poison Control System

CALIFORNIA - Festive plants add to the magic of the holiday season. The bright, cheery colors of poinsettias and the delightful scents of Christmas trees tempt us to bring them into our homes for display and decorations. We often use them as gifts and some, such as mistletoe, play a part in holiday traditions. But, underneath the sparkle and shine, California Poison Control System (CPCS) advises that some holiday plants have a dark side.

“All too often people don’t realize that plants they bring into their homes for the festive season can be a safety hazard,” says Dr. Rais Vohra, Medical Director for the Fresno/Madera Division of CPCS.

“It’s important to be informed about the plants that you’re considering. This is especially important if there are children and pets in the home because they often explore the world by putting things into their mouth, which can lead to poisoning and choking.”

CPCS offers important information about the most popular plants of the season.

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.): Amaryllis is an exotic plant from tropical America and Africa has brilliant-colored flowers and green strap-shaped leaves. A stomach ache can occur if the bulb is eaten.

Christmas Cactus: Christmas cactus’ arching, drooping branches are made up of flattened, scallopedged, smooth, bright green, spineless joints. Rosy purplish, red flowers appear at Christmas time. This plant is considered non-toxic.

Christmas Trees (Cedar): Cedar trees have scale-like, closely oppressed, glandular leaves. Eating the bark can cause a stomachache. The sap may cause an itchy skin rash.

Christmas Trees (Pine, Spruce & Fir): Pine, spruce and fir trees are all needle-bearing, cone-producing trees. The needles can cause choking but are non-toxic.

Holly Berries (Ilex spp.): Holly berries have bright red berries that are especially attractive to small children. Nibbling on one or two berries will not cause any symptoms. Swallowing more, however, can result in nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea.

Jerusalem Cherry or Winter Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum): The Jerusalem cherry plant has bright orange and dark red berries. Swallowing this ornamental plant can result in vomiting, redness of the skin, drowsiness or restlessness, and hallucinations. In rare cases, seizures may occur.

Mistletoe (Phoradendron spp.): Mistletoe has yellowish flowers, yellowish green leaves, and waxy, white berries. All parts of the plant contain toxic substances and if eaten can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. One to two berries or leaves eaten by a child will NOT result in serious harm. As a precaution when hanging mistletoe in your home, place it in a piece of netting or a plastic sandwich bag.

Poinsettia ( Euphorbia spp .): Poinsettia is a deciduous shrub with large, alternate leaves. The plant contains large brilliant red floral bracts in winter through spring. Eating many leaves may cause mild stomach upset. The sap from the plant may cause skin rash and should be washed off with soap and water. Contrary to earlier beliefs, poinsettias are safe in the home during the holidays.

Pyracantha or Firethorn (Pyracantha spp.): Pyracantha has oblong, shiny leaves, white flowers and a lot of berries during the winter season. This plant is often used in holiday center-piece decorations because of its showy ornamental appearance. If large amounts of berries are eaten, a stomach ache

may result. However, most experts say it is safe for decorating use during the holidays.

Rosary Pea or the Jequirity Bean ( Abrus precatorius ): The jequirity bean, commonly used in Mexico, is often used in jew-

elry making because of its dark red color and black-tipped end. There is no harm if the beans are swallowed whole, but can be lifethreatening if they are chewed prior to swallowing. Vomiting and stomach-ache occurs within a few

hours after swallowing. This is followed by bloody diarrhea. To be safe, always keep plants— the above, as well as others—out of reach of small children and pets. If you have questions about the above plants or any other plants in

your home, call California Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or visit https://calpoison.org. Submitted by California Poison Control System.

you’re vegan?” moments. Amy’s Kitchen offers many delicious options that are gluten-free

and dairy-free, from a Vegetable Jambalaya to a hearty 3 Bean Vegetable Chili. The best part? Guests without dietary restrictions won’t even realize they’re enjoying allergenfree dishes. These alternatives are so delicious that everyone will be too busy savoring the meal to play “spot the substitute.” Offering allergy-friendly options has never been more convenient, as Amy’s Kitchen products are available at virtually every

supermarket near you. Want more inclusive feast ideas? Follow @ amyskitchen on Instagram for your daily dose of food inspiration. Remember that the best holiday gift is everyone getting to eat the food you served. By thinking of dietary needs as a chance to explore new flavors, you can create a holiday spread that goes from “Sorry, you can’t eat that” to “Seconds, anyone?” Submitted by Statepoint Media.

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) Valley News/Eva Bronzini photo (pexels.com) Christmas cactus Valley News/Nadiye Odabasi photo (pexels.com)

Fir Christmas tree Valley News/Nick Collins photo (pexels.com) Holly Berries Valley News/Joerg Mangelsen photo (pexels.com)

Mistletoe

Valley News/Suju photo (pexels.com)

Pyracantha

Valley News/Nati photo (pexels.com)

Poinsettia

Valley News/Karina Young photo Rosary Pea

Valley News/Len Worthington photo (Wikimedia Commons)

Health Right Here: Proposed Medicare cut to physician reimbursement hurts small towns

Devin Zarkowsky Special to Valley News

The United States Congress once again proposed cuts to physician reimbursement in 2025 – this time a 2.8% decrease - sparking significant concern among healthcare providers and patients alike. Insurance plans in the United States benchmark their reimbursement relative to Medicare. Therefore all physicians would experience the decrease, except those practicing on a cash-only basis. This issue is particularly troubling given the increasing challenges physicians face in delivering care in an environment that has seen the rise of administrative overhead and significant changes in the financial dynamics of healthcare.

The expansion of administrators in medicine since 1975

One of the most notable shifts in the healthcare system since 1975 has been the dramatic increase in the number of administrators in medicine. While physicians once enjoyed a relatively high level of autonomy in managing patient care, the healthcare landscape today is shaped by an expanding bureaucracy. Administrative costs in healthcare have skyrocketed, with a growing number of managers, billing specialists, compliance officers, and health insurance staff required to navigate increasingly complex regulations and reimbursement structures.

According to a 2017 study

This graph illustrates growth in healthcare administrators vs. physicians (1975-2010).

published by AthenaHealth, the number of healthcare administrators in the U.S. is expanding exponentially in comparison to the number of physicians. This expansion of non-clinical staff has added substantial costs to the healthcare system and contributed to administrative inefficiencies that ultimately affect patient care. This shift toward administrative growth is driven by several factors, including the increasing complexity of insurance and billing systems, the need for compliance with government regulations, such as MIPS, HIPAA, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the growing presence of managed care organizations that require intricate billing

Loma Linda University

processes. As physicians are faced with these increasing demands, the focus on patient care becomes more fragmented.

Physician pay vs. hospital reimbursement since 1975

Another aspect of the changing healthcare financial landscape i s the disparity between physician compensation and hospital reimbursement over the last five decades. Physician pay has largely stagnated when adjusted for inflation, while hospital reimbursement has surged. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Hospital Association, average physician salaries in real terms (adjusted for inflation) have seen minimal increases since

1970. While nominal wages for physicians have increased, the purchasing power has not kept pace with the rising costs of education, insurance, and practice management. In contrast, hospital reimbursements, particularly for large institutions, have grown significantly. The introduction of Medicare and M edicaid in 1965 and the subsequent development of the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) system in 1983 provided hospitals with more predictable reimbursement models. Over time, hospital networks and larger health systems have been able to secure higher reimbursements due to their bargaining power with insurers and the government. Physicians, by contrast, have no united voice –either via a lobbying organization or union – and have not received the same consideration from their elected representatives.

Medicare cuts to physician reimbursement hurt small towns

Proposed Medicare cuts, combined with the growth of administrative overhead in healthcare and the widening gap between physician pay and hospital reimbursement, highlight significant challenges facing the healthcare system. These issues intersect with the open enrollment period, as patients and physicians alike navigate an increasingly complex insurance e nvironment. Addressing these disparities will require systemic reforms aimed at reducing admin-

istrative waste and ensuring stable compensation for healthcare providers, especially those delivering care to vulnerable populations. By contacting your representatives, you play an essential role in shaping federal healthcare policy and ensuring that physicians, patients, and communities are represented in the decision-making process, especially as Medicare reimbursement rates come under scrutiny yet again.

Contact Information for U.S. Congressional Representatives covering Temecula: Rep. Ken Calvert – Representing Temecula (California’s 42nd District)

Ken Calvert represents California’s 42nd District, which includes the city of Temecula and parts of Riverside County. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Calvert has significant influence over federal funding, including for healthcare programs such as Medicare.

Washington, D.C. Office 2206 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: (202) 225-1986

Fax: (202) 225-2004

Email: https://calvert.house.gov/ contact Website: https://calvert.house.gov District Office Corona 150 N. Washington St., Suite 101 Corona, CA 92880

Phone: (951) 278-9237

Fax: (951) 278-2044

Medical Center–Murrieta named to U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care

LOMA LINDA — U.S. News & World Report has named Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta as a 2025 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care.

This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study.

LLUMC–Murrieta earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as severe unexpected newborn complication rates, birthing-friendly practices, and transparency on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures.

“This recognition honors our labor and delivery team for the outstanding compassion and care they provide for expectant mothers and their newborns right here in Southwest Riverside County,” said Jonathan Jean-Marie, FACHE, ad-

ministrator of LLUMC–Murrieta.

“I am proud of our staff for their commitment to their patients, and this national distinction highlights their ongoing, consistent commitment.”

U.S. News began evaluating maternity care hospitals in 2021, rating hospitals that provide labor and delivery services and submitting detailed data to the publication for analysis. Best Hospitals for Maternity Care assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care team, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity services that best meet their family’s needs.

U.S. News evaluated 817 hospitals from across the United States.

Only half of all hospitals evaluated for U.S. News’ 2025 ratings edition have been recognized as Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

“The hospitals recognized by U.S. News as Best Hospitals for Maternity Care showcase exceptional care for expectant parents,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News. “These hospitals demonstrate significantly lower C-section rates and severe unexpected newborn

complications compared to hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.”

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based on measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates,

birthing-friendly practices and reporting on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures. For more information, visit https://health.usnews.com/ best-hospitals/hospital-ratings/ maternity?src=usn_pr.

Valley News/Courtesy graph

New mom Jerilynn is full of joy after delivering baby Jesse on January 1, 2024 at LLUMC–Murrieta.

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Home Depot opens new store in Murrieta

MURRIETA – The Home Depot announces the grand opening of its new location in Murrieta, located at 27738 Clinton Keith Road. Store Manager Mario Pineda and his team welcomed the local community with a celebration featuring food trucks, prizes, giveaways, and more on Thursday, Dec. 12.

The new store boasts a 106,000 square-foot indoor space, a 28,000 square-foot garden center, and specialty showrooms with innovative merchandising displays and layouts. It also features a full tool rental center offering 275 items, including large equipment rentals, and upgraded storage areas for

Buy Online Pickup in Store orders.

In addition to its cutting-edge amenities, the Murrieta store brings 175 new jobs to the area. Each job at The Home Depot supports more than four additional jobs across the U.S., more than double the retail industry average.

The Home Depot remains committed to serving the Murrieta community with quality products, expert services, and a focus on community engagement.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, please visit https://www.homedepot.com

Coats on ACWA conference panel addressing low-income assistance programs

Joe Naiman Special to Valley News

The Association of California Water Agencies held its 2024 fall conference December 3-5 in Palm Desert, and Rancho California Water District director of government and public affairs Danielle Coats was on a December 4 panel.

Coats participated in the “Moving the Ball Forward on a Water Low Income Rate Assistance Program” session. The panel discussed issues and challenges to implementing a water low-income rate assistance program.

“I think it’s just an interesting opportunity to explore how water districts are similar and different from other utilities,” Coats said. “Water is one of the utilities that does not have an assistance program.”

Other than coronavirus relief measures the State of California has not had a rate assistance program for low-income water users. The consensus that there is a need for such a program has not been matched by an agreement on legislation. The ACWA panel addressed fundamental issues such as efficient enrollment, funding,

and compatibility with Proposition 218 while also discussing potential pathways for success.

Coats was joined on the panel by Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District (Lake County) project manager Hannah Davidson and Best Best & Krieger partner Lutfi Kharuf. The panel was moderated by ACWA Deputy Executive Director Cindy Tuck.

“My role was to speak from more of a statewide policy perspective,” Coats said.

Coats was raised in Canyon Lake and was on the staff of the Western Riverside Council of Governments before joining the water industry. She was with the Eastern Municipal Water District for 11 years and has been with Rancho Water for 2 1/2 years. Coats was thus with Eastern in July 2020 when the EMWD board implemented a low-income customer assistance program in partnership with United Way of the Inland Valleys which provided a $100 credit for qualified customers.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided funding to address the public health emergency and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic; infra-

structure was an eligible use and both Eastern and Rancho Water obtained ARPA funding for projects. A separate Federal program provided $200 in one-time assistance to qualified customers.

“Both Eastern and Rancho were able to take advantage of some of the funding that came through the Federal government,” Coats said.

The State Water Resources Control Board implemented onetime assistance programs, the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program and the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program, which were geared toward addressing water bills many customers could not pay when they were out of work during the coronavirus shutdown.

The California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program provided funding to the water agencies when customers were unable to afford bill payments. “It allowed for the water districts to be full,” Coats said. Proposition 218 was passed by the state’s voters in November 1996 in response to some local governments creating benefit assessment areas to circumvent the public vote requirement to increase property taxes. Proposition 218 requires a public vote on benefit assessments and exempts water and sewer rate increases if a cost of service study shows a relationship between the rates and the agency’s cost to provide water or sewer service. The conditions of that exemption preclude one customer class from subsidizing another. Some water districts throughout California have utilized non-ratepayer revenue such as cell phone tower leases and late payment fees to provide payment assistance to disadvantaged or struggling customers.

Low-income assistance is based on the Federal poverty level, which for a family of four is currently

$31,200. Rate assistance is usually based on an income being below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level, or $62,400. “That’s generally the indicator that we use for identifying a disadvantaged community member,” Coats said. Approximately 34 percent of California’s 38 million residents have incomes below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. Some of those are retired senior citizens who are homeowners and have paid all or most of their mortgage and some have inherited family homes. Many others live in apartment units or in recreational vehicle parks, which creates an-

other obstacle to a successful low-income water rate assistance program.

“Seventy-two percent of those customers statewide do not receive a water bill directly,” Coats said. “Most of the folks that need the program aren’t actually able to take advantage of it.” Coats also noted that implementing a low-income assistance program at the water district level can be costly and many water districts lack a large enough low-income population to make a program feasible to maintain. Joe Naiman can be reached at jnaiman@reedermedia.com.

Answers for puzzle on page B-2

Store Manager Mario Pinedo, center, cuts a wooden board in lieu of a ribbon cutting at the grand opening of the newest Home Depot store in Murrieta, Thursday, Dec. 12. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Danielle Coats, Rancho Water Director of Government and Public Affairs. Valley News/RCWD photo

Consider the value of supporting community journalism

In a world increasingly driven by digital headlines and fleeting trends, independent community newspapers stand as steadfast pillars of truth and connection. For 25 years, this paper has been the trusted voice of our city governments, residents, schools, residents, churches, civic agencies, nonprofits, and sports leagues – chronicling the heartbeat of our community with care and precision. Supporting such a newspaper, The Valley News isn’t just philanthropy; it’s an investment in the very fabric of a vibrant and informed society.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” The founders of this nation recognized

that a free and independent press is essential to a functioning democracy. Community newspapers are a vital extension of this ideal. They offer balanced reporting on local issues, amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard, and ensure accountability from those in power – whether they are school board members, town councils, or civic leaders.

Imagine a community without this newspaper. Who would celebrate the achievements of our students, champion local businesses, or cover the events that bring us together? Who would expose inefficiencies or injustices in local governance? Social media is fleeting.

The disappearance of our local Valley Newspaper would leave our

community in an information void, where rumors replace facts and connection fades into isolation.

As James Madison said, “A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy.”

The paper obviously has been sustained with advertising and subscriptions. In our changing world, there is more that is needed. There are plans to grow our digital business and I would ask that as you consider end-of-the-year donations, that you would consider Valley News. If you prefer a nonprofit, you can donate to Mentoring for Purpose and that will support the work Valley News does with young people learning old-fashioned journalism and

other worthwhile skills. Valley News needs to raise $140,000. I would like to see 12 people each month donate $1,000 dollars for 12 months to Valley News or 12 new advertisers come on board for the same amount. Our community newspaper reports and also educates, inspires, and binds neighbors together in a shared narrative of growth and progress. A $1,000 monthly donation is an opportunity to become a cornerstone in this mission. It ensures the paper can continue to pay experienced journalists, print the stories that matter, and uphold its commitment to ethical, comprehensive reporting. It empowers the paper to remain free from undue influence and to focus solely on serving its readers.

Our family, including myself, has put our heart and soul into the mission of Valley News. This isn’t just a monetary contribution; it’s a declaration of belief in the power of local journalism to enrich lives and strengthen communities. For nearly three decades, this newspaper has shown its commitment to you. Now is a chance for some of you in the community to go above and beyond with your commitment to it – and to the enduring principles of a free and independent press. Together, we can ensure that the next 28 years are as impactful as the last.

Thank you,

Celebrities have best influence when not trying to be political

Joe

Special to Valley News

Many entertainers and athletes are trying to use their celebrity status for political influence, but history indicates that celebrities have their greatest impact on public policy when they are not seeking to be political.

Despite all of the various peace and justice songs which have been recorded, none of those can be considered songs that had a direct political impact. Sammy Hagar recorded “I Can’t Drive 55” in 1984, but the national 55 mph speed limit wasn’t modified until 1987 and states were not allowed to set freeway speed limits higher than 65 mph or non-Interstate

speed limits above 55 mph until 1995. Peter Tosh called for the legalization of marijuana in his 1976 song “Legalize It”, but no state in the United States legalized recreational marijuana until 2012, 25 years after Peter Tosh’s death and more than 35 years after the song was released.

It could be said that the Debby Boone song “You Light Up My Life” had a political impact since its success propelled producer Mike Curb into elected office. However, as California’s lieutenant governor Curb’s only activity of note was as a substitute for Jerry Brown and that four-year term was his only elected position so You Light Up My Life wasn’t the song that had the greatest

political impact.

The one song that had the greatest impact by itself on public policy was “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. Convoy increased the popularity of citizens band radio, and in 1976 the Federal Communications Commission increased the number of citizens band channels from 23 to 40. C.W. McCall wasn’t trying to be political, but his song had more of an impact than the artists who sought to leverage their popularity for political causes.

The 1972 song “All the Young Dudes”, which was written by David Bowie and recorded by Mott the Hoople, had no political intent but can be used as an argument for both socialism and capitalism. Bowie wrote All the Young

Dudes but gave the song to Mott the Hoople, who recorded All the Young Dudes and had a hit with the song. Bowie had more than enough songs to be successful without recording All the Young Dudes himself. From a socialist standpoint, the success of Mott the Hoople is an example of sharing the wealth. Bowie didn’t need a specific additional hit song and was willing to let another band obtain the benefits from that song. The wealth was in fact shared, as Bowie obtained royalties from the sales of the Mott the Hoople song. From a capitalist standpoint what David Bowie did illustrates the controls against hoarding resources. Had Bowie himself recorded All the Young Dudes it would have

Chuck Reeder

been at the expense of one of his other songs, and with more songs than available room on his album he gave his song to someone who needed a hit record and was willing to give Bowie royalty money for the assistance. The song which had no political connotations itself now aids both sides of a political economics argument.

Celebrities have their greatest impact when they focus on what made them celebrities rather than trying to be political activists. They have the right to their opinions, but they will likely be more effective by keeping to their artistic or athletic skills.

A message from Yxstian Gutierrez, District 5 County Supervisor

Sudoku Solution from puzzle on B-3

Dear Residents of District 5, As we get into the holidays, I’d like to take a moment to recognize an important day for our community: National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. This Saturday, Dec. 21, we honor the lives of those we tragically lost to homelessness. Throughout the state and our community, homelessness has remained a pressing issue that has impacted the lives of many.

Today’s

We must remain committed to addressing this issue with compassion and collaboration.

With this in mind, we’ve pushed for greater investments in housing, crisis response, and creating meaningful employment opportunities. For instance, together with National CORE, we are bringing a 48-apartment community that will serve homeless or at-risk residents. This apartment complex will provide free on-site supportive

services, with the goal of residents obtaining self-sufficiency.

We’ve also invested $2 million to increase emergency shelter capacity while launching close to 50 mobile crisis teams, ready to provide assistance. Finally, we launched the Homeless to Work program, which provides employment opportunities and career guidance to homeless individuals. We will continue to honor the lives of those we lost while work-

ing hard to save those who are still here. By working together, we can create a community where everyone can thrive!

Sincerely,

Naiman

Yxstian Gutierrez County Supervisor

December 20 – 26, 2024

Linfield’s Ava Shaff er gets CIF-SS girls’ flag football First Team nod

JP Raineri Sports Editor

TEMECULA – The CIF

Southern Section (CIF-SS) Girls Flag Football Coaches Committee recently announced the All-CIF teams and award winners for the 2024 season, marking another milestone for one of the fastestgrowing high school sports in the nation. Among the honorees was Ava Shaffer, a standout senior from Linfield Christian School, whose stellar season earned her a coveted spot on the All-CIF First Team. Shaffer, a dual-threat player excelling as a wide receiver and defensive back, was pivotal for the Linfield Lions this season. The team finished with a strong 20-8 overall record and secured second place in the Ambassador League with a 6-2 conference record. Their playoff dreams included dominant victories over Anaheim (45-0) and Shadow Hills (39-7). However, the Lions’ playoff run ended in a close

battle against Beckman, falling 25-21 in the CIF-SS quarterfinals.

Individually, Shaffer’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. She registered 22 touchdowns and tallied 83 receptions for 1,381 receiving yards, ranking among the top players nationally, statewide, and within the Southern Section. Her efforts on defense were equally impactful, with three interceptions highlighting her versatility on both sides of the ball. Shaffer’s achievements place her in the top 90 nationally for receiving yards, top 71 in California, and top 29 in the Southern Section. She also had 11 carries for 148 yards as a running back. The 2024 season also saw the sport of girls’ flag football solidify its standing as one of the most exciting and inclusive sports in high school athletics. Officially recognized in the state just last

see LINFIELD, page C-2

Temecula Valley girls start strong, hit a roadblock against Santiago

JP Raineri Sports Editor

TEMECULA – The 2024 season for the Temecula Valley Golden Bears girls’ soccer team is off to a promising yet challenging start. After claiming a commanding victory in their opener against the Fallbrook Warriors, the Golden Bears encountered a setback in their second game of the season, falling to a tough Santiago squad. Fresh off their success as the 2023 CIF Southern Section Division I Academic Champions and boasting an impressive history of championships, including CIF Division I and II titles in recent years, the Golden Bears entered their home opener brimming with high expectations. Tuesday’s match against Fallbrook saw Temecula Valley dominate the field, securing a 3-1 win with an assertive performance. Looking confident and composed on their home turf, it was clear that Temecula Valley was eager to continue their tradition of excellence.

For Fallbrook, who now sits at 0-1-1, the loss marked their second meeting with Temecula Valley in the soccer season—a story that ended similarly to their last encounter. The Warriors struggled to contain Temecula Valley’s offense, which struck early and didn’t look back. The victory gave the Golden Bears their first win of the season, putting them at 1-0

Linfield’s Ava Shaffer (10), pictured here with teammate and fellow co-captain Bella Echagarruga (5), attend a pre-game meeting during the playoffs.

Linfield senior wide receiver and defensive back, Ava Shaffer, was recently announced as a First

Team All-CIF selection.

Ava Shaffer in action, securing a major play for the Linfield Lions during this past CIF-SS girls’ flag football season. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Valley News/Courtesy photos

Temecula Valley’s Kylie Wilkens and Santiago’s Talon Beyer battle for the ball

CIF Southern Section announces 2024 All-CIF Girls Volleyball Teams

Murrieta Valley’s Miley Thunstrom earns CIF Division 2 Player of the Year honors

JP Raineri Sports Editor

The CIF Southern Section has released its All-CIF girls volleyball teams for the 2024 season, recognizing the top talent across divisions. Highlighting this year’s honorees is Murrieta Valley senior Miley Thunstrom, who has been named the CIF Southern Section Division 2 Player of the Year.

The announcement, presented by the LA84 Foundation and selected by the Girls Volleyball Coaches’ Selection Committee, celebrates athletes who made a significant impact in their divisions.

Thunstrom, a 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter, led Murrieta Valley through a remarkable season, culminating in the program’s first-ever CIF Southern Section

championship title. She was instrumental throughout the playoffs, dominating the final three games of Division 2 competition with 72 kills (an average of 5.5 kills per set).

Her crowning moment came during the championship match, where she recorded an astonishing 32 kills to secure the historic win for Murrieta Valley. With her exceptional offensive skills and leadership, Thunstrom will continue her volleyball career at Saint Mary’s.

“I’m incredibly proud of Miley and her contributions this season,” said Murrieta Valley head coach Ann Romero-Parks. “She set the tone for our team’s success and delivered when it mattered most.”

Thunstrom wasn’t the only standout for Murrieta Valley this season. Freshman right-side hitter

Summer Tukua also earned her place on the All-CIF Division 2 team. Tukua’s strong performance throughout the season provided critical support to the team’s championship run, positioning her as a young talent to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Local talent was also represented across other divisions. Temecula Valley’s Madison Snow, a senior outside hitter, was honored on the All-CIF Division 1 team. Snow’s dynamic play and consistent contributions made her one of the top players in Division 1 competition this season.

Other notable honorees include Catalina Loven, a sophomore outside hitter from Liberty/Winchester, who earned a spot on the Division 6 team. Meanwhile, Orange Vista senior Jayla Ross was recognized in Division 7 for her outstanding efforts as an outside hitter. Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com

Year

year, flag football rapidly gained momentum in its second CIF-SS season, with the introduction of playoffs and championship games adding a competitive edge and excitement to the schedule.

Participation continues to grow across the Southern Section, with new teams and players joining each year, reflecting increased opportunities for young athletes at the high school level.

The All-CIF selections prioritize not only individual excellence but also highlight the dedication of players and coaches across the region. More than 60 athletes earned First Team honors this season, celebrating standout performances like Shaffer’s that made a lasting impact on the field. According to the CIF-SS Girls Flag Football Coaches Committee, these honors represent a collective

effort to elevate the sport and provide a platform where high school girls can excel athletically.

However, the growth of girls’ flag football brings challenges alongside opportunities. Conversations surrounding inclusivity and ensuring equitable competition across divisions have gained traction, with coaches and league organizers advocating for ongoing improvements. Looking ahead, the next season

of CIF-SS Girls Flag Football promises even more competitive matchups as teams build on learnings from 2024. Shaffer stands as an inspiring example of the potential for excellence in the sport, and her achievements remind us just how far girls’ flag football has come in such a short time. Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com

and building momentum as they prepared for a tougher test.

That test came later in the week when Temecula Valley traveled to face Santiago High School on Thursday night. Santiago, whose commanding defense has allowed an average of just 0.2 goals per game so far this season, presented a daunting challenge for the Golden Bears’ offensive lineup. The two teams have a history of fierce matchups, with their last meeting ending in favor of Santiago 4-1. Despite that, Temecula Valley’s storied victory over Santiago in February 2022—a 2-0 triumph that crowned them Division I champions after avenging their sole loss of the season—remains a shining memory.

Valley, Thursday’s outing did not echo that memorable win. While the Golden Bears kept pace with Santiago through the first half, their opponents broke away after the break, ultimately securing a 4-1 victory. The loss dropped Temecula Valley’s record to 1-1, leaving them eager to regroup and improve as the season progresses.

Looking ahead, the Golden Bears are set to face the Roosevelt Mustangs in their next match. The last time these two faced off, neither team managed to score, leaving plenty to be settled during their upcoming bout. With both squads motivated to prove their mettle and chase a win, it promises to be an exciting game sure to hold fans’ attention. Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com

Unfortunately for Temecula

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AnzA VAlley OUTLOOK

Murrieta Valley’s Miley Thunstrom delivers a powerful kill during the CIF Division 2 playoffs, where she led her team with 32 kills to secure the championship. Valley News/David Canales photo

Standing at 6-foot-1, Murrieta Valley senior Miley Thunstrom goes up for the kill during her standout season, which earned her CIF Division 2 Player of the

honors. Valley News/David Canales photo

Murrieta Valley freshman right-side hitter, Summer Tukua, celebrates a crucial point in the Division 2 playoffs, where she supported the team’s championship run.

Temecula Valley’s Madison Snow, a senior outside hitter, demonstrates her athleticism during a game this past season. Valley News/David Canales photo Valley News/David Canales photo

LINFIELD from page C-1

SOCCER from page C-1

Bowers now Frontwave Arena executive vice president of sports management

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

Murrieta resident Sean Bowers is now the executive vice president of sports management for Frontwave Arena.

Bowers had been the general manager of the San Diego Sockers since 2016. The Sockers now play at Frontwave Arena, as do the developmental league San Diego Clippers. “I run both sports teams,” Bowers said.

The Sockers’ first game in Frontwave Arena, which is in eastern Oceanside, was Dec. 14. The Sockers and Utica City FC were tied at the end of regulation before Luiz Morales scored 3:38 into the overtime period to give the Sockers a 6-5 victory.

“It was good. There were some new things and some hurdles we had to jump around,” Bowers said. “The staff did a great job.”

The Sockers, who currently play in the Major Arena Soccer League, began indoor play in 1980 with the indoor North American Soccer League and have won 14 indoor season championships. Bowers, who was raised in San Diego and graduated from Mira Mesa High School in 1986, began following the Sockers as a fan. The first five Sockers championships were won when Bowers was in junior high school or high school.

Bowers played soccer at Quincy College in Illinois before becoming affiliated with the Sockers as a player. The Sockers were in the Major Soccer League in 1991, and Bowers was with the team’s training camp prior to the 1991-92 season. He played one regularseason road game in Dallas with the Sockers in 1991 but was assigned to the Sockers’ reserve team prior to the top-level team’s first home game. An agreement was reached for Bowers to play for the Detroit Rockers of the National Professional Soccer League, and that season he was selected as the NPSL rookie of the year.

During the 1990s Bowers also played outdoor soccer with Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards. Bowers later played for the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League, and in 2003 the Blast traded Bowers to the Sockers, who at the time were in the MISL. When Bowers returned to the Sockers he relocated to Murrieta.

Bowers played for the Sockers in 2003-04 and was also with the Sockers for the 2004-05 season, although the MISL terminated the Sockers in December 2004 for non-payment of salaries and other expenses. In 2009 the current Sockers franchise returned to play in the Professional Arena Soccer League. Bowers played for the Sockers in 2009-10, when the Sockers won their eleventh indoor championship, before retiring.

In 2014 the MISL and PASL merged to form the Major Arena Soccer League. Bowers joined the Sockers’ ESPN Radio broadcasting team in February 2015 and provided color commentary for home games for the rest of that season and during 2015-16.

Because the MLS and college soccer seasons do not conflict with each other, when Bowers was playing for Kansas City his off-season position was as the William Jewell College head coach. After moving to Murrieta he was on the California Baptist University coaching staff for four years, including the head coach position in 2006. During three of those years he also coached soccer at Vista Murrieta High School, leading the boys for two seasons and the girls for one year. Miramar College initiated women’s soccer in 2007, and Bowers coached the Jets for their first nine seasons.

Bowers also founded 619 Futsal, which has the goal of helping to develop youth soccer players in the San Diego area, in 2011. Futsal differs from indoor soccer in terms of number of players (five on each team), surface (a harder floor), ball

Chaparral Pumas fall

JP Raineri Sports Editor

TEMECULA – The Chaparral Pumas boys’ basketball team came painfully close to victory Monday night, dropping a nail-biter 47-44 to the Moreno Valley Vikings. This marks Chaparral’s closest loss since earlier this year on January 5, 2024, and their lowestscoring game of the season thus far. Despite the defeat, the game was a testament to the defensive intensity displayed by both teams. Moreno Valley executed a balanced offensive attack, with standout performances from Alijah Maloid and Zyetice Hayes, each contributing 10 points to lead their team. Maloid shot an efficient 5-for-10 from the field, while Hayes added critical baskets in key moments. The Vikings’ collaborative performance powered them to their third consecutive win, raising their record to 5-3.

While the Pumas fought hard, they continue to face challenges after a strong start to their season. Since their opening victory over Temecula Prep of the South Valley League, Chaparral has struggled, losing four of their last five games. This recent skid puts their overall season record at 5-5 heading into a series of crucial holiday matchups. Chaparral’s offense, usually a reliable force, seemed to stall

size (smaller), and out-of-bounds designation (lines rather than walls or boards). Bowers played on the United States national futsal team from 1996 to 2004 and was the team captain for the entire time, and he participated in the 1996 and 2004 futsal World Cup tournaments.

John Kentera was the Sockers’ general manager from 2010 to 2016. In July 2016 Kentera accepted an offer to become a talent evaluator and recruiter for sports agent John Boggs and resigned as the Sockers’ general manager. The announcement that Bowers would be the new Sockers’ general manager was made two weeks later. Bowers resigned from both his coaching position at Miramar and from his full-time job as a professor in exercise science.

Bowers had no previous basketball experience prior to taking the Frontwave Arena position which also includes management of the Clippers. “It’s different,” he said.

His past involvement in sports other than soccer was primarily when he was with the Rockers.

One of the Detroit Rockers owners was Mike Ilitch, who also owns baseball’s Detroit Tigers and hockey’s Detroit Red Wings (along with the Little Caesars pizza company, which Ilitch founded). Bowers was made a year-round employee. During the off-season he assisted with sponsorship and marketing. He was in that position for five years.

The San Diego Clippers are a developmental league team of the Los Angeles Clippers, who played in San Diego before problems with the San Diego Sports Arena operator forced the team to move in 1984. The Sockers and the National Basketball Association’s Clippers were both San Diego Sports Arena tenants for four overlapping seasons. That arena is now called Pechanga Arena, and after three seasons at the Del Mar Arena the Sockers moved

to the sports arena in 2012 and played there for 11 seasons (not including 2020-21 when all games were played on the road due to California coronavirus restrictions).

“Everything’s just different a bit,” Bowers said of the transition to Frontwave Arena. Concerts are also held at Frontwave Arena, but Bowers is involved only in the sports events. That includes exhibitions which have taken place at the Oceanside venue.

The Sockers’ first game at Frontwave Arena began when Tavoy Morgan took the opening kickoff and passed to Charlie

Gonzalez. Morales scored the first goal in Frontwave Arena history 13:29 into the game after taking a pass from Christian Gutierrez.

“Sockers win, really good crowd, Opening Night,” Bowers said. “It’s great.”

The seating capacity for Frontwave Arena is approximately 7,500 for concerts and 5,500 for sporting events. The Sockers’ debut at Frontwave Arena drew 4,508 spectators.

“It’s just an amazing night,” Bowers said. “We couldn’t have written a better script.”

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

short in a defensive battle against Moreno Valley

against Moreno Valley’s tough defense. With Monday’s game ranking as their lowest-scoring effort yet, the Pumas will need to refocus as they prepare for their next opponents. “There were missed opportunities on offense,” noted head coach Jordan Searby, “but we have the skill to bounce back.”

Both teams now face important road tests. Chaparral heads to Lakeside next for a highly anticipated holiday clash, while Moreno Valley looks to keep their momentum alive with another matchup on the horizon.

The countdown to Southwestern League play is underway, with Chaparral set to open league competition on January 7, 2025, against Murrieta Mesa. Before then, the team must tackle seven more preseason and tournament games in what promises to be a demanding schedule. This week alone, Chaparral will face Lakeside, Carter, and Corona—all critical games to build confidence ahead of league action.

Meanwhile, Temecula Prep (9-2 overall, 3-1 in South Valley League action) has an exciting week of their own, with upcoming showdowns against Hemet, San Jacinto Valley Academy, and San Jacinto Leadership Academy. Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com

Murrieta resident Sean Bowers is now the executive vice president of sports management for Frontwave Arena. Valley News/Joe Naman photo

Temecula Prep Forward Marcus Collera (10) drives to the hoop in their opening game against Chaparral. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Chaparral’s Drew Marquis (23) drives the ball down court against Temecula Prep in an intense opener Monday, Nov. 18.

Temecula Prep players Gavin MacNeill (1), Cash Radoci (0), and Marcus Collera (10) attempt to defend Chaparral shooting guard Brandon Martin. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Murrieta Valley students honored in November

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program held its November breakfast celebration at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd., Nov. 21. Emcee Mary Walters introduced program founder Sally Myers who welcomed everyone to the event that celebrates and honors outstanding students who make a significant difference in their schools and community.

Myers shared the nonprofit organization’s mission statement for the program that partners closely with the Chamber of Commerce, the Murrieta Unified School District, and the City of Murrieta to provide a local high school recognition program. The purpose is to acknowledge college and trade school-bound seniors for their character, their love of learning, and their commitment to academics in addition to their participation in athletics, school activities, community service or their ability to persevere and overcome difficult life circumstances in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise.

Large tote bags filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

November’s students of the month are Murrieta Canyon Academy’s Emilia Padilla, Murrieta Mesa High School’s Zachary Singh, Murrieta Valley High’s Addison Vaughn, Oak Grove School’s Abigail Habener, Springs Charter School’s Elliott Dahl and Vista Murrieta High School’s Erika Kirk. Emilia Padilla Murrieta Canyon Academy

Principal Matt Bean said educators and administrators are in the “kid industry” and “we’re lucky today to get to meet and honor Emilia.” He explained that the senior had a tough start to her high school experience but since attending MCA at the start of the last school year, she has made an amazing transformation. Emilia said she struggled with online learning and had fallen behind in credits by an entire year before her mother learned about MCA and enrolled her. “At first I was terrified, as it had been almost two years since I

had been in an actual classroom,” Emilia said. “I was really shy and anxious but from my first day at MCA, everything changed. The staff were so welcoming and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was in a place where people cared about me and wanted me to succeed.” She said art has always been her passion and she will be attending college to major in graphic design. Her counselor, Gabriela Arizola, said Emilia inspires and motivates her friends to be the best versions of themselves. “Emilia shared with me that she looks for people who remind her of her old self so she can help them because she understands their struggles and sees the potential that they may not yet see in themselves,” Arizola said.

Zachary Singh Murrieta Mesa Principal Scott Richards said, “Zach understands that every opportunity matters, and he refuses to settle for mediocrity.” He said the young man’s determination was put to the test when during his sophomore year he suffered a severe back injury. A bulging disk that pinched a nerve left him unable to walk or even get out of bed. “For months he endured a long and grueling recovery process, finally regaining his strength,” Richards shared. “His first football game back was a JV matchup against Vista Murrieta High School which he is proud to say he won.” Zachary plays varsity football and is a member of the Football Leadership Council. He has also completed both the Intro to Sports Medicine and Advanced Sports Medicine CTE courses and is in his second year as a Sports Medicine student aide. He plans to follow in his father’s footsteps by attending San Diego State University to study kinesiology and eventually become a physical therapist. “Over these last three years at Murrieta Mesa, there is one life lesson that has stuck with me more than others and that’s the value of pride. Not overconfidence or arrogance but pride, an understanding that to be the best, you set a standard, an expectation for yourself,” Zachary said. His coach Oscar McBride said, “Zach has an incredible combination of selflessness, passion, and pride that we can all learn from.”

Addison Vaughan Murrieta Valley Principal Stephen Diephouse shared that Addison has completed both AP and IB coursework and has served as ASB President for three years. She is a school site council member and is part of the varsity girls water polo team. Addison said, “I believe my biggest contribution is all that I

of the

do with Unified Leadership, a class where students with and without intellectual disabilities come together to have a meaningful high school experience.” She said being involved with the program has taught her many lessons. “Unified Leadership has provided me with so many opportunities, like the Special Olympics Exchange Program that I participated in where a delegation from Mexico came to our school and learned about our Unified program,” Addison said. “Unified has taught me that true success lies in empathy and genuine engagement.” She plans to major in nursing and earn her BSN and then enter a two-year program to become a nurse anesthetist. Karee Mason, her Class Advisor for four years, said, “Addison deserves this award for so many reasons but to me it’s for who she is in her heart and soul as a person. She is a guiding light to anyone who may have lost their way at our school, anyone who needs to be uplifted.”

Abigail Habener Oak Grove School CEO Tammy Wilson said, “Abigail shows up for people in really wonderful ways.” Her mentor Emmanual Sam said, “Her perseverance shines through in how she navigates challenges in class. Abigail stays focused on her goals and shows strength and maturity that is beyond her years. Her loyalty is unwavering, and her imagination allows her to dream big.” She plans to major in psychology and minor in nursing when she attends college. Abigail

said she attended two other schools before enrolling at Oak Grove as she struggled with mental health issues. She has since completed eight in-person courses, eight online courses and two internships. She also hopes to someday work part-time as a Teaching Assistant in elementary school classrooms “to help young children learn healthy habits and boundaries.”

Elliott Dahl River Springs Charter School

Principal Shirley Jones said Elliott has been part of the Journey Homeschool/High School program since kindergarten and is a remarkably well-rounded student who has earned straight As throughout high school and in college courses he has taken. He also took four semesters of college-level German and will graduate with the California State Seal of Biliteracy. Elliott said the school allowed him to customize his education to make his own path through high school. “While I focus on academics a lot to reach my goal of a career in aerospace engineering, violin has been a major part of my journey,” he said. “As part of the Temecula Conservatory of Music Chamber Orchestra, I have been given countless performance opportunities including Carnegie Hall in 2019 and recently in Europe when we traveled to Austria and the Czech Republic.” He made Concert Master this semester and is grateful for the opportunity to lead and mentor younger musicians.

Principal Celeste Scallion introduced Erika as a scholar athlete who possesses a quiet but undeniable leadership style. She is on the track and field and cross-country teams. “Humility is one of her most defining traits,” Scallion said. Erika will be attending Southern Methodist University in Texas on an athletic scholarship where she will major in mathematics so she can become a high school math teacher in the future. Erika said her father taught her many life lessons she will always remember. She said before school each morning, he would tell her to “work hard and have fun.” She said, “When I keep things in perspective, I think it helps me to uplift people around me which is always the goal. Something else he always teaches me is the value of education.” Erika said there are educators on both sides of her family and she looks forward to becoming one herself. Cross Country Coach Karen Candaele has known Erika since she was a freshman. “I’ve been a coach since the school opened and we have had a lot of really successful athletes, but Erika stands out because she puts the team before herself,” she said. For more information or to participate in the program, please contact LouEllen Ficke at 951415-2250 or Sally Myers at 951775-0520.

San Jacinto Unified School District hosts State Of The District event

from

Color

and a quartet from San Jacinto

School who sang the National Anthem were featured at the beginning of the program. Students also assumed behind-the-scenes roles as floral arrangements were provided by San Jacinto High FFA. Refreshments were prepared and served by San Jacinto High Culinary Arts and Board Member video recordings included in the program were produced by San Jacinto High Tiger Media Network. To view the event program, presentation and Board Member videos, please visit https:// www.sanjacinto.k12.ca.us/ StateOfDistrict.

Recipients

Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month award for November are, from left,

Addison Vaughan, Emilia Padilla, Abigail Habener, Elliott Dahl, Erika Kirk and Zachary Singh.

Erika Kirk

Vista Murrieta High School

Valley News/John P. Hess photo

Dr. David Pyle presented the SJUSD State of the District event on Monday, Dec. 2. Valley News/Courtesy photos

A San Jacinto Leadership Academy Color Guard team was featured at the start of the State of the District event.

Jacinto High Culinary Arts prepared refreshments for the State of the District event.

A quartet from San Jacinto High School sang the National Anthem at the event.

California Transportation Commission looks to new $3.8 billion highway construction in the state: some to local governments

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated approximately $3.8 billion for projects to refurbish the state’s transportation infrastructure, enhance safety, and create more options for the traveling public.

The projects will improve coastal rail lines, freight corridors, bridges, highway interchanges, and system enhancements aimed at increasing accessibility for multi-modal users.

The $3.5 billion investment is funded through the landmark federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). More than 75 % of that allocation will be sent to approximately 600 local governments and regional transportation authorities to replace bridges, reduce travel times for commuters, address planet-warming pollution, improve highway and rail safety and efficiency and provide new transportation services.

Another approximately $330 million in funding comes from Senate Bill (SB)1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“These projects will create safer and more equitable and climate-resilient transportation options for all Californians,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

“Investments made possible since IIJA was enacted are establishing a legacy that will benefit all people who use and rely on our vast transportation system for employment and educational opportunities, access to goods and services, and connection to recreational attractions.

Among the projects approved today include improvements for locations along the coastal LOSSAN (Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo) rail corridor, four hydrogen fueling stations near the I-215/SR-60 interchange, a freeway-to-freeway connector linking southbound SR-99 to westbound SR-58 in Bakersfield, a Class 4 bikeway in Redding and a bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing in Berkeley.

Other nearby projects include $5.1 million for a safety improvements project underway in San Bernardino County on I-210 in the city of Upland. The project spans from 0.3 miles west of Mountain Avenue Overcrossing to 0.1 miles east of Mountain Avenue Overcrossing. It includes reconstructing lanes 2 and 3, the outside shoulder of westbound SR-210, and adding an additional inlet on the westbound Mountain Avenue on-ramp.

This IIJA “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” is intended to improve the nation’s infrastructure in the sustainability and

resiliency effort of our country’s energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. California has received more than $46 billion in federal infrastructure funding since IIJA’s passage in November 2021. The funding alone has already created more than 87,000 jobs that are annually split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. Find projects that are building California’s climate-friendly future at Build.ca.gov and Rebuildca.ca.gov

The California Department of Transportation said there will be “no lane closures Friday, Dec. 20 from 6 a.m. through Thursday, Jan. 20, 12 a.m. due to Holidays (Christmas and New Year’s)

Hemet/San Jacinto

Fifth District Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez reported in last week’s community meeting that the Riverside County Transportation Commission will soon close a portion of Gilman Springs Road that runs from San Jacinto to Moreno Valley, relieving some of the local traffic from using Highway 60 in Beaumont. to Moreno Valley. He said Gilman Springs Road between Bridge Street and Highway 79 (Sanderson

Ave.) would be closed for more road improvements adding to many already added to that busy highway. The date of the closure will be announced early next year.

Caltrans is still working on the $51.6 M corridor improvement project on State Route 74 (Floriday Ave.) in Hemet. This project will repave and rehabilitate 49 lane miles, install Traffic Management Systems (TMS), upgrade curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways to (Americans with Disabilities Act standards, enhance bike lane signage and striping, and upgrade 56 bus pads within the project parameters.

However, they will not be working from Dec. 20 to Jan. 2 because of the holidays.

Menifee/Murrieta

Caltrans continues its work in improving Interstate 215 in the Menifee and Murrieta areas to improve the freeway on both the South-Bound and NorthBound directions. The project aims 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 mile north of Clinton Keith Road to 1 mile north of Newport Road.

Caltrans crews on this project will also not be working from Dec. 20 to Jan. 2 because of the holidays.

Perris Caltrans continues its work Pavement Rehabilitation Project to Enhance Safety and Improve Ride Quality on I-215 through the City of Perris. This project will continue until fall 2026 on Interstate 215 with the repair work on the 6.2 mile stretch of roadway on both the northbound and southbound directions between San Jacinto River Bridge and the Ramona Expressway in Perris. This $27.5 million Roadway Improvement Project is funded through Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The project will refurbish the existing roads with new pavement, enhance safety, and improve accessibility on the well-traveled thoroughfare in Riverside County However this week there will be no lane closures along this freeway from Dec. 20 through Jan. 2 because of the holidays. Aguanga/Anza/Lake Elsinore and other areas

Caltrans tells motorists to be aware of some future projects in the following areas; SR -74 Airport Fire Repair work in the area of Lake Elsinore and shoulder widening on SR-79 in Aguanga and SR -111 pavement rehab work in the Palm Springs area.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

Supervisor Gutierrez brings second chance to young adults

RIVERSIDE – Fifth District

County of Riverside Supervisor

Yxstian Gutierrez launched the 2nd Chance program for justiceinvolved young adults in District 5. This program will help these individuals obtain employment while reducing recidivism within the County of Riverside.

This program is funded by $1.25 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which Supervisor Gutierrez approved during the April 30, 2024 Board of Supervisors meeting. The 2nd Chance program will be administered by the Department of

Housing and Workforce Solutions (HWS) in partnership with the California Family Life Center (CFLC), and Riverside County Probation.

CFLC is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping vulnerable youth who suffer from abuse and abandonment. They have helped youth within the County of Riverside gain paid work experience, educational assistance, and vital resources for their development.

The 2nd Chance program will incentivize employers to hire formerly incarcerated or justice-

involved individuals from ages 1624 by subsidizing wages for up to 90 days. During this time, participants will work for $16 per hour, 20 hours per week. Participants will also have mentors who will help them navigate challenges and reach self-sufficiency, job training, and wrap-around services tailored to their specific needs.

CFLC Executive Director Mary Jo Ramirez said, “California Family Life Center is excited to be a part of the Fifth District’s 2nd Chance program being offered to youth and young adults that are justice-involved. The 2nd chance

program will offer a variety of support including work experience that will guide youth to a career pathway.”

“I believe that with the right mentorship and support, our misguided youth can rewrite their story for the better,”

Supervisor Gutierrez remarked.

“By empowering justice-involved youth with opportunities for employment and reintegration into society we can show them that their past does not decide their future. We can not only help them change their lives, but also improve the safety and resilience

of our communities.”

For more information about the 2nd Chance Program, please contact the Office of County Supervisor Gutierrez. Riverside County’s 5th District includes the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Hemet, Moreno Valley and San Jacinto and the unincorporated communities of Cabazon, Cherry Valley, Lakeview, Nuevo, Reche Canyon, San Timoteo Canyon, as well as parts of Valle Vista and Whitewater.

Landowner of unlicensed cannabis grow site to pay $410,000 for failure to comply with cleanup order

Unauthorized activities include excavation, burying trash necessary to protect our water resources and environment as a whole and should serve as a reminder that we will continue to take enforcement action to discourage these types of egregious behaviors.”

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board on Wednesday ordered Olivia Yutang Liu, the landowner of an unlicensed cannabis cultivation site, to pay approximately $410,000 for repeatedly disregarding required actions and deadlines to resolve ongoing waste discharge violations at a 38-acre property near Anza Borrego State Park. During four site inspections conducted between November 2019 and May 2021, San Diego Water Board Cannabis Program staff uncovered the following unauthorized activities: grading and construction of greenhouses within the channel of an ephemeral stream that diverted its natural course; excavation and burial of trash and debris into multiple pits, some more than 10-feet deep; and discharges of cultivation wastewater, which may contain pesticides and concentrated fertilizers, directly into the stream channel and discharging to neighboring properties.

The landowner repeatedly

ignored staff’s attempts to contact her to resolve the matter. In February and June 2021, Liu disregarded violation notices directing her to stop cultivating and to remediate the environmental damage on the property. She also failed to comply with the board’s August 2021 Cleanup and Abatement Order that required her to submit a restoration and monitoring plan by Oct. 15, 2021. Per the order, she was directed to assess and restore the stream channel and riparian environment, analyze the sediment on the property for contamination, and dispose of all the debris and trash dumped and buried on the property. Additionally, the landowner failed to implement the corrective actions by Oct. 1, 2022.

“The environmental harm that has occurred and is still ongoing at the site, coupled with the landowner’s lack of response to our repeated efforts to provide compliance assistance and to the subsequent cleanup order, is unacceptable,” said David Gibson, the regional board’s executive officer. “Today’s decision is

This week’s action directs Liu to pay the fine within 30 days. If the full amount is not paid, the board

could seek a judgment for the unpaid liability from the superior court, which could then be used to attach a lien to the property.

The San Diego region stretches 85 miles of scenic coastline from Laguna Beach to the Mexican border and extends 50 miles inland to the crest of the coastal mountain range. The growing population

enjoys a mild climate and many water-related activities. However, due to the lack of precipitation, the region imports about 90% of its water from northern California and the Colorado River.

Submitted by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

NATIONAL NEWS

FBI urges New Jersey residents not to shoot unidentified drones

Mariane Angela News Reporter

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned residents of New Jersey on Monday against shooting down drones they cannot identify and pointed out potential legal repercussions and safety hazards.

The FBI and New Jersey State Police issued a warning to the public about the dangers of using lasers against unmanned aircraft. Authorities also warned the public against mistakenly firing at what are presumed to be unmanned aerial systems.

“FBI Newark and New Jersey State Police want to warn the public about an increase in pilots of manned aircraft being hit in the eyes with lasers because people on the ground think they see an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). There is also a concern with people possibly firing weapons at what they believe to be a UAS but could be a manned aircraft,” the press release stated.

“FBI Newark, NJSP, and dozens of other agencies and law enforcement partners have been out every night for several weeks to legally track down operators acting illegally or with nefarious

intent and using every available tool and piece of equipment to find the answers the public is seeking. However, there could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as UAS,” the press release added.

The White House provided its most comprehensive briefing yet concerning a spate of drone sightings across the Northeast, CNN reported. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby informed reporters that the observed phenomena likely include a mix of legally operated commercial and hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, manned aircraft, helicopters, and even celestial bodies mistaken for drones.

“We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircrafts, helicopters, and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones,” Kirby said, according to CNN.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas discussed the issue on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” and dismissed the threat posed by these

drones. Mayorkas downplayed these sightings and said people are just “misidentifying them.”

“There very well may be drones in the sky, of course, but those are commercially available. One can go into a convenience store and buy a small drone. There are also commercial drones as well, but we know of no threat or nefarious activity,” Mayorkas said.

President-elect Donald Trump also commented on the issue and believes that the government is well aware of what’s happening.

“The government knows what is happening. Look, our military knows where they took off from. If it’s a garage, they can go right into that garage. They know where it came from and where it went. And for some reason, they don’t want to comment. And I think they’d be better off saying what it is. Our military knows, and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense,” Trump said, CBS News reported.

Washington Township Mayor Matthew Murello also expressed his concerns about mysterious drone activities and slammed the federal authorities for their silence. He pointed out the potential threats posed by drones and noted their capabilities to carry payloads and be utilized aggressively.

“I’m not trying to stir anything up, but we all know — if you just turn on the television — that drones can be used in an aggressive fashion,” Murello said, ABC News reported. “They can carry payloads. They can be used for all kinds of really aggressivetype things.” All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@ dailycallernewsfoundation.org

Los Angeles Times journalists fume at owner over plans to implement ‘bias meter’ for their coverage

Jason Cohen Contributor

Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong revealed Wednesday that he intends to implement a “bias meter” in January for the publication’s news and opinion coverage, sparking backlash from his staff the following day, The New York Times reported. Soon-Shiong said he had grown

CLASSIFIEDS

had become “an echo chamber and not a trusted source” during a Wednesday appearance on CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings’ “Flyover Country” podcast. In response, the L.A. Times Guild issued a Thursday statement criticizing Soon-Shiong for implying the journalists it represents are biased, with one of its columnists resigning the same day, according to the NYT. “We speak truth to power, regardless of which party is in power. Recently, the newspaper’s owner has publicly suggested his staff harbors bias, without offering evidence or examples,” the guild wrote. “The statements came after the owner blocked a presidential endorsement by the newspaper’s editorial board, then unfairly blamed editorial board staffers for his decision. The statements of Dr. Soon-Shiong in the press and on social media reflect his own opinions and do not shape reporting by our member journalists.”

“Our members — and all Times staffers — abide by a

Valley News Staff

In a high-profile event on Monday, President-elect Donald Trump and SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son revealed plans for a massive $100 billion investment in the United States. The announcement, made at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, promises to create 100,000 new jobs over the next four years, focusing on industries like artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Masayoshi Son credited Trump’s election victory for boosting his confidence in the U.S. economy.

“I want to celebrate President Trump’s remarkable success,” Son said. “His win has given me strong confidence in the economic future of the United States. Because of that, I’m excited to commit $100 billion in investments and create 100,000 jobs for the American people.”

Trump, introducing Son, pointed to SoftBank’s history of delivering on similar promises. Following Trump’s first presidential win in 2016, SoftBank pledged $50 billion and 50,000 jobs in the U.S.

“They did it,” Trump stated, “and

strict set of ethics guidelines, which call for fairness, precision, transparency, vigilance against bias, and an earnest search to understand all sides of an issue,” it continued. “Those longstanding principles will continue guiding our work. The Guild has secured strong ethics protections for our members, including the right to withhold one’s byline, and we will firmly guard against any effort to improperly or unfairly alter our reporting.”

Los Angeles Times opinion section senior legal affairs columnist Harry Litman also announced his resignation from the outlet Thursday as a “protest” against Soon-Shiong’s “conduct” in his “Talking Feds” Substack.

“Soon-Shiong has made several moves to force the paper, over the forceful objections of his staff, into a posture more sympathetic to [President-elect] Donald Trump,” Litman wrote.

The Los Angeles Times owner said on Jennings’ podcast that he had been developing the “bias meter” with artificial intelligence

technology that he had been making for his healthcare businesses, according to the NYT.

“You have a bias meter so somebody could understand, as they read it, that the source of the article has some level of bias,” he said. “And what we need to do is not have what we call confirmation bias, and then that story automatically — the reader can press a button and get both sides of that exact same story based on that story, and then give comments.”

The Los Angeles Times also did not make a presidential endorsement in 2024 for the first time in two decades at the direction of Soon-Shiong, according to Semafor. The outlet’s board reportedly intended to follow tradition by endorsing the Democratic nominee for president, Vice President Kamala Harris, until Soon-Shiong told them not to make a presidential endorsement, two individuals familiar with the matter told Semafor.

Jennings recently joined the Los Angeles Times editorial board in

the aftermath of senior staffers resigning over the board’s decision not to endorse Harris.

Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong X message (formerly Twitter) @ DrPatSoonShiong’s said, “That’s why I want Scott on our new editorial board!!! Growing the board with experts who have thoughtful balanced views and new candidates are accepting the challenge to join us! Way to go Scott and thanks for accepting @ latimes @ScottJenningsKY Stay tuned we are making this happen.” Americans’ trust in the mass media plunged to a record low leading up to the November election, according to an October Gallup survey. Around 36% asserted that they have “no trust at all” in the mass media, while only 31% expressed a “great deal” or “fair amount” of confidence and 33% expressed “not very much” confidence.

The Los Angeles Times and L.A. Times Guild did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

they fulfilled that commitment in every way.”

In a characteristic exchange, Trump pressed Son further, suggesting, “Why not make it $200 billion?” The SoftBank CEO laughed, initially reaffirming the $100 billion commitment but adding, “I’ll try for $200 billion.”

Trump smiled and called him “a great negotiator.”

Following the event, Trump’s team was quick to highlight the announcement as a win for the incoming administration. A statement attributed the news to what campaign officials dubbed the “Trump Effect,” crediting Trump’s pro-business and “Made in America” agenda for driving confidence among investors.

“President Trump is already making good on his promise to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and technology sectors,” the statement read. “This investment ensures that the industries of tomorrow, including AI and next-generation tech, will be created and expanded in the United States.”

Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank, has built a global reputation as a bold yet polarizing

investor. Since launching SoftBank in 1981, Son has overseen a string of blockbuster successes alongside significant losses. His $20 million investment in the then-unknown Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba turned into a staggering $58 billion windfall when Alibaba went public in 2014.

However, Son’s portfolio hasn’t always been foolproof. SoftBank faced steep losses from the failure of WeWork and other underperforming ventures. Despite announcing his retirement from public life in 2022, Son re-emerged in 2023 when SoftBank’s ARM Holdings debuted on the U.S. stock market, securing a valuation of $54.5 billion.

According to analysts, Son’s announcement signals more than just financial strategy — it reflects SoftBank’s alignment with Western markets amid growing tensions with China. Lionel Barber, author of Son’s biography, emphasized this shift.

“Masayoshi Son has made a clear choice,” Barber explained. “In the past, SoftBank invested heavily in both China and the U.S. But given today’s geopolitical landscape and

decoupling between China and the West, Son has decided to back America.”

Barber added that Son’s presence at Mar-a-Lago underscores his intent to deepen ties with the U.S. and the Trump administration. “This move isn’t just about investments; it’s about choosing sides. Son is signaling his commitment to the West.”

While the $100 billion pledge is headline-grabbing, specific details on where and how the funds will be allocated remain unclear. Critics point to past foreign investment pledges that didn’t fully materialize. For example, Foxconn’s 2017 promise to invest $10 billion in a Wisconsin plant was later significantly scaled back.

Even SoftBank’s 2016 promise of $50 billion raised questions, as part of that figure may have included earlier investments made years prior.

Barber expressed cautious optimism, saying, “Finding $100 billion in viable U.S. projects won’t be easy. However, you can’t underestimate Son’s talent for making seemingly impossible deals a reality.”

Anza Community Hall annual Christmas Tree Lighting deemed best in years

Diane Sieker

Staff Writer

The Anza Community Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting took place Saturday, Dec. 7, marking the start of the yuletide season in the Valley. The event attracted hundreds of residents, and was the most attended Lighting in recent memory, according to organizers.

The culmination of the hard work and fine-tuned organizational talents of many non-profit charitable organizations created a winter wonderland of entertainment and fun at the Hall.

Vendors offered holiday-themed wares, free snacks were served, arts and crafts were created and Christmas decor twinkled within the warm building. KOYT 97.1

LPFM Community Radio program

director Erinne Roscoe entertained the crowds with seasonal music and announcements. The Cottonwood/ Hamilton Elementary schools choir performed Christmas music, while the CYSC cheerleading squad performed exciting routines. Santa and Mrs. Claus listened intently to youngster’s Christmas wishes and posed for photo ops.

The two old cedar trees exploded into a festive glow when they were

lit, as onlookers cheered below.

“The Anza Community Hall would like to thank Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Hamilton/Cottonwood Elementary schools choir, the CYSC Cheerleaders, everyone that helped in the kitchen and the people that stuck around and helped clean up,” said Anza Community Hall director and event organizer Pebbles Lewis.

“I’m glad so many families came

out and made it the great night that it was.”

Crews from the Anza Electric Cooperative refurbished the trees’ lights the week before the celebration, replacing strings of lights damaged from age and weather.

The Anza Community Hall succeeds with the support of the

Anza Baptist Church pastor inspires Olivet University with sermon on humility

Nevills reflected on Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, written during Paul’s imprisonment. He explored the letter’s overarching theme of unity in the faith community, explaining that true humility is not about diminishing oneself but about recognizing and valuing the worth of others, especially in service to the Gospel.

“Humility requires a conscious decision to prioritize others’ needs,” Nevills said, encouraging students to be attentive to the spiritual needs of their peers and to embrace the role of co-workers in the Gospel.

The Wednesday preaching series at Olivet University began last month, with the aim of fostering stronger connections between the local Christian community and the university. Through these events, students, staff and faculty engage with local church leaders, not only to deepen their understanding of scripture but also to explore practical ways to serve the Anza community effectively.

“We are deeply grateful to the local pastors who dedicate their time to inspire and guide our students,” said Olivet University president Dr. Jonathan Park. “Their messages bring fresh perspectives on Christian leadership and service, which resonates strongly with our mission.”

The Cottonwood/Hamilton Elementary school choir sings Christmas songs at the Anza Community Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 7. Anza Valley Outlook/Enji Zuo photo

As part of an ongoing preaching series hosted at Olivet University, Pastor Matthew Nevills

Pastor Matthew Nevills of the Anza Baptist Church delivers a sermon to an audience of undergraduate and graduate students at Olivet University Wednesday, Dec. 11. Anza Valley Outlook/Enji Zuo photo

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 SR 371, Anza farmers’ market hours are every Thursday from 4 p.m. 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 California

JULIE REEDER,

MALINA GUGEL,

Editorial

J.P. RAINERI,

SHANE GIBSON, Staff Photographer

TONY AULT, Staff Writer

DIANE SIEKER, Staff Writer

JOE NAIMAN, Ind. Contractor

ROGER BODDAERT, Ind. Contractor

Advertising Sales

JOSEPHINE MACKENZIE

ANNA MULLEN

CINDY DAVIS

ANDREW REEDER

Production

KARINA YOUNG, Art Director FOREST RHODES, Production Assistant, IT

SAMANTHA GORMAN, Graphic Artist

certified 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 SR 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 SR 371, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. All are welcome. Cal-Fresh 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 951763-4333.

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 Road, Anza.

AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of SR 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 SR 371, Anza. For more information, 951-763-4759.

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 Hwy 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 SR 371 in Anza. Call 951-7635611 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.

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 Hwy 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

Anza Baptist Church to present Christmas Eve Service

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Members of the Anza First Southern Baptist Church will present a special Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 6:00 p m. until 7:30 p m..

The free event will be held at the church, illustrating and celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus, lead by Pastor Matthew Nevills.

“Join us as we celebrate the birth of the Savior through Scripture reading, song and a children’s nativity presentation,” said organizer Julie Nevills. “We will conclude our service with candle lighting and Christmas cookies.”

For more information about the Anza First Southern Baptist Church, please visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ anzabaptistchurch. To reach them by phone, please call (951)7634937.

The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza.

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

The birth of Christ will be celebrated at the Anza Baptist Church Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker

PASTOR from page D-1

Nevills concluded his sermon with heartfelt blessings, urging students to make Christ’s humility the foundation of their spiritual growth, particularly during the Christmas season. He called on the congregation to approach life with a humble heart, spreading the love and unity of the Gospel to every corner of the world.

The preaching series continues to strengthen the bond between Olivet University and the broader Anza faith community, fostering a shared commitment to Gospelcentered living and service. Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., the Olivet students, faculty, and staff gather in the campus chapel for worship. These services feature sermons from faculty members and guest preachers. From November through January, pastors from churches in Anza are invited to share God’s word during the Wednesday Chapel, fostering fellowship in Christ and strengthening the community’s shared mission and faith. Contributed content.

The “Angel Tree Program” comes to Anza

ANZA - Meridian Cooperative’s “Angel Tree” program donates Christmas gifts to cooperative member families who could use a little extra cheer during the holidays. Meridian Cooperative, formerly known as the Southeastern Data Collective (SEDC), is a software and technology provider for Anza Electric Cooperative. Nicole Engelmann, Meridian Cooperative Vice President of Corporate Affairs, selected three local families to provide warm clothing, toys, games and more for each family. Says Engelmann,

“This is such a successful program we would like to contribute to the Anza community next year as well.”

AEC Key Accounts Executive Betsy Hansen adds, “This program adds a bit of holiday happiness to our members’ lives, and we are grateful to Meridian for helping out. We look forward to working with them in the future.”

For further information, visit www.anzaelectric.org or call 951763-4333.

Submitted by Anza Electric Cooperative.

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Olivet University pastors join Pastor Matthew Nevills, center, his wife Julie and their children in prayer after his sermon at Olivet University Wednesday, Dec. 11. Anza Valley Outlook/Enji Zuo photo

Students perform worship music during Pastor Matthew Nevills’ sermon at Olivet University Wednesday, Dec. 11. Anza Valley Outlook/Enji Zuo photo

Sheriff’s Blotter

Diane

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

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Estates, Cahuilla and Aguanga from Dec. 7 through Dec. 14. Dec. 7 Petty theft - 5600 block Volkmann Rd., Anza, unfounded

Suspicious circumstance5300 block Old Stage Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Shots fired - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Dec. 8 911 call - 4900 block Black Mountain Ct., Lake Riverside, handled by deputy

Suspicious circumstance - 5000 block Bradford Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Dec. 9 Civil dispute - 5600 BLOCK Volkmann Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Area check - 5800 block Mica Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Suspicious circumstance4900 block Shoshone Ct., Lake Riverside, handled by deputy

Canyon Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Assist other department - 5900 block Upper Tule Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Assist other department - 5800 block Mica Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Public assist - 3900 block Valarie Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Dec. 12

Suspicious vehicle - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Unknown trouble - 4900 block Shoshone Ct., Lake Riverside, handled by deputy Public disturbance - address undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Grand theft - 4400 block Cary Rd., Anza, report taken Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Dec. 13

Deadline: Fridays at 3pm for following week’s publication. Run your legal notices in the Anza Valley Outlook, adjudicated for Riverside County.

Suspicious circumstance - 4300 block Nicholson Springs Rd./ Bradford Bailey Rd., Anza, arrest made Public assist - 4900 block Bradford Rd., Lake Riverside, handled by deputy

Danger to self/others - 3900 block Valarie Rd., Anza, unfounded

Suspicious circumstanceaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy Dec. 10

Suspicious circumstance - 5400 block Cave Rock Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Follow-up - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy Follow-up - address withheld, Lake Riverside, handled by deputy Vicious dog - 5000 block Hernley Rd., Anza, handled by deputy

Emergency notification - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy Trespassing - 6000 block Rim Rock Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Follow-up - address withheld, Anza, handled by deputy Check the welfare - 4100 block Jay Dee Ln., Anza, handled by deputy Dec. 14

Assist other department - 5300 block Robin Ln., Anza, handled by deputy Noise complaint - 4100 block Terwilliger Rd., Anza, handled by deputy No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content provided in the Sheriff’s Blotter.

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Area check - 5900 block Rim Rock Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Alarm call - 4800 block Sunnybrook CI., Lake Riverside, handled by deputy

Suspicious person - 5300 block St. Hwy. 371, Anza, handled by deputy Dec. 11

Area check - 5900 block Coyote

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

Sieker Staff Writer

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

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

community. Hall board meetings are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend. Members of the Anza Community Hall enjoy event discounts and support the Hall with their dues and ticket purchases. There are three ways to join: An individual membership at $35 annually, with all discounts applying to one individual. A family annual membership costs $50 and provides discounts for a group of up to five related individuals. An annual business membership is $50 and provides discounts for up to 4 individuals. Cash, PayPal and checks are accepted as payment.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Anza Community Hall, or to discover upcoming events can call Pebbles Lewis at (951)760-9244, email ACHAGeneral@gmail. com , visit the Hall’s website at https://anzacommunitybuilding. org/ or their Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/337754646415866

To donate, please click https:// anzacommunitybuilding.org/ donations/.

The Anza Community Building, Inc. is located at 56630 CA-371 in Anza.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com CHRISTMAS from page D-1

Volunteers Tammy Marana, foreground, Christi James and Barbara Keller serve up holiday cookies at the Anza Community Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 7. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Children decorate cookies at the Anza Community Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 7.

Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for pictures with local children at the Anza Community Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 7.

People applaud as the two old cedar trees come to life covered with lights at the Anza Community Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 7. Anza Valley Outlook/Enji Zuo photo

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Parents cheer performances by the Cottonwood/Hamilton Elementary school choir at the Anza Community Hall’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 7. Anza Valley Outlook/Enji Zuo photo

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