Moleaer nanobubble technology to help improve Lake Elsinore lakewater quality, A-4
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All-League prep football players announced for teams representing area leagues , C-1
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES December 22 – 28, 2023
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Volume 23, Issue 51
Guests celebrate and skate at grand TVUSD board votes to restrict pervasive opening of Temecula On Ice pornography, erotica, Local News
sexual violence in school materials
Jessica Ussher Valley News Investigative Reporter The Temecula Valley Unified School District board meeting, held Tuesday, Dec. 12, included a motion to revise board policy 6000 which outlines the parameters of the district’s educational program. The original policy was adopted in January 2018. see page A-2
Local News New planned 20-acre passive nature park parking area in Wildomar brings resident questions Tony Ault Staf f Writer What was expected to be routinely discussed at the introduction of a Conceptual Plan for a long-sought new 20-acre park in Wildomar turned out to be more controversial than expected during the Dec. 13 Wildomar City Council meeting. see page A-3
Local News Bonsall woman arrested for nationwide Ulta Beauty shoplifting ring Valley News Staf f
Bonsall resident Michelle Mack was arrested on Dec. 6, when federal agents raided Mack’s residence, arresting her and seizing hundreds of parcels and a large quantity of alleged stolen goods. see page A-5
Temecula city council member Brenden Kalfus participates in a race at Temecula On Ice with other city dignitaries on Friday, Dec. 15. Temecula On Ice is open daily through Jan. 7, 2024. Visit facebook.com/temeculaonice for more information, and see more photos of the event on page B-1. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
TVUSD board member Gonzalez resigns Julie Reeder Publisher
Danny Gonzalez, a member of the Temecula Valley Unified School District board, has resigned from his position, effective Friday, Dec. 15. Gonzalez was one of three conservative members of the board, and his resignation has resulted in the loss of the conservative majority in the school district. Gonzalez cited his work commitments, which require him to move to Texas for a couple of years, as the reason for his resignation. He is moving to a 40-acre ranch in Texas, where he will raise cattle and horses, rather than commute between Texas and California. During his tenure on the board, Gonzalez was part of the conservative majority that kept their campaign promises in Temecula and implemented see GONZALEZ, page A-2
Board Member Danny Gonzalez listens as a pro-recall speaker resorts to name calling, yelling, and hurling insults at the board majority at the board meetings, which has become a common practice during the public comment period. Valley News/Julie Reeder photo
Temecula City Council member Curtis Brown resigns
INDEX Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1 Business ............................B-7 Business Directory .............B-7 Calendar of Events .............B-2 Classifieds .........................C-5 Education ..........................B-6 Entertainment ...................B-1 Health ...............................B-5 Home & Garden ................B-4 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-5 Opinion............................ D-5 Regional News ...................C-4 Sports ................................C-1
Council member Curits Brown has submitted his resignation from the Temecula City Council effective Jan. 1, 2024. Valley News/Courtesy photo
TEMECULA – Temecula officials announced the resignation of Temecula Council member Curtis Brown, effective Monday, Jan. 1. According to a city new release, “After thoughtful consideration, Council Member Brown has made the difficult decision to step down and states, ‘It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation from the Temecula City Council effective January 1, 2024, due to work away from the city that requires my full attention and energy.’” Brown was elected to the Temecula City Council in 2022 and is a 26-year retired veteran of the fire service including service as a former fire chief for Temecula. Brown retired as a deputy director at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in 2023 and is a federal coordinating officer for FEMA. He is currently deployed in Maui for the Lahaina disaster recovery. “I extend my appreciation to
my fellow Temecula residents, mayor/council colleagues, city manager and staff at the city of Temecula, and I am confident the city is in excellent hands and optimistic about Temecula’s bright future,” Brown said. “As a 16-year resident and public servant at heart, my commitment to Temecula extends beyond my time in office, and I will continue to support Temecula and contribute to its progress in any way I can as a private citizen.” Mayor Zak Schwank expressed his gratitude on behalf of the city. “Council member Curtis Brown has worked diligently and has represented Temecula residents and businesses with experienced leadership decisions that support the city’s excellent quality of life,” Schwank said. “His commitment to a lifetime of public service and public safety is highly respected, see BROWN, page A-2