Menifee 24/7
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AUG. 15, 2018
VOL. 2, NO. 17
Menifee firefighters answer the call Locals play crucial roles vs. Holy Fire By DOUG SPOON Editor Although the air was thick with smoke that closed local schools for two days and shrouded the area in gray, one could say that Menifee was not directly affected by the massive Holy Fire. Tell that to the fire personnel based in Menifee who have spent long, hot days fighting the fire, protecting structures and filling key management positions. Menifee has two Battalion 13 fire chiefs who serve the four local stations under the authority of the Riverside County Fire Department. In their primary responsibilities, Chiefs Josh Bischof and Ty Davis supervise County Fire Stations 5 (Quail Valley), 7 (Sun City), 68 (Murrieta Road) and 76 (Menifee Lakes). They report to Chief Geoff Pemberton, Riverside County Southwest Division Chief, who serves as Menifee’s fire chief as well. In the last week, these fire chiefs have fulfilled important leadership tasks as the wildfire burned over the Santa Ana Mountain range from Orange County into Riverside County, threatening homes in nearby Lake Elsinore. As Southwest Division Chief, Pemberton served as incident commander on the Riverside County side of the mountain, directing operations of the Riverside County Fire and Cal Fire departments. He worked collaboratively with officials from the U.S. Forest Service, Orange County Fire Department and other agencies,
including the Riverside County and Orange County Sheriff’s Departments. In addition, fire engine crews from Menifee stations fought to save Lake Elsinore hillside homes from severe fire damage as well as guarding structures threatened by fire. Thanks to the efforts of these firefighters and more than 1,500 others, damage to Riverside County structures was minimal. “We’ve had people right at the houses, fighting flames that came up to the back fence,” Pemberton said by phone from the command post. “Some homes were lost on the Orange County side, but while we’re still doing damage assessment in Riverside County, it appears no homes were lost in the Lake Elsinore area. Some received minor damage. “The fact that no homes See FIRE / A6
Top photo by Erika Loera. Bottom photo courtesy of Geoff Pemberton It has taken more than 1,500 firefighters to handle the huge Holy Fire that reached the edge of the Lake Elsinore community. Three top management supervisors in the effort represent Menifee. From left, they are Incident Commander Geoff Pemberton and Battalion 13 Chiefs Josh Bischof and Ty Davis.
Sanchez, Deines run for council District 4 Incumbent Liesemeyer runs unopposed for District 2 seat By DOUG SPOON Editor Barring a last-minute entry, it will be a two-candidate race for the Menifee City Council District 4 seat being vacated by John Denver. Longtime Menifee residents Gloria Sanchez and Dean Deines qualified
for the Nov. 6 ballot in that district. It covers the northeast portion of the city, including the Heritage Lake community and Romoland. Denver, who has served on the City Council since the city’s incorporation in 2008, is leaving office because of term limits. Sanchez ran against
Dean Deines, Gloria Sanchez, Matt Liesemeyer Denver in 2014. She is a 17-year resident of Menifee and has served in many capacities. A resident of The Oasis senior community, Sanchez serves as chair of the Menifee Se-
nior Advisory Committee and the Menifee Citizens Advisory Committee. She also serves the public through the Menifee Interfaith Council, Menifee Better Together, the an-
nual Thanksgiving Dinner event, the city’s Homeless Task Force and the City Senior Health Fair. Deines is a 12-year Menifee resident who lives in the Heritage Lake community. An Army veteran, he retired from a 28year career with the County of Riverside, where he helped managed the County’s short-term and long-term debt, financing county facilities including the county hospital,
See COUNCIL / A3
School board president Ulibarri dies at age 65 Ron Ulibarri, longtime Menifee resident and president of the Menifee Union School board, died Aug. 12 at the age of 65. The following is an obituary submitted by his family:
The first day of many local schools was postponed because of poor air quality, but all students are back in school now. Here Blake and Meadow Williams are ready for their first day at Southshore. For more photos, see pages A4-5.
Southwest Justice Center and the Southwest Communities Animal Center. He was a candidate for the original Menifee City Council in 2008. Although the application process for city council seats ended Aug. 10, the deadline in District 4 was extended because the incumbent is not up for re-election. It is possible another candidate could
Ronald J. Ulibarri born on July 11, 1953 and returned to the Lord on Aug. 12, 2018. Ronald, the eldest son of Delfin and Canda Ulibarri, was a talented athlete in baseball, football and basketball as well as a first-rate scholar and salutatorian of his all-boys Catholic School. Ronald lived his life with absolute passion. His love of sports began at a young age. He started coaching when he was 16 years old and was connected to assisting the
youth in their journey through life. His positive example inspired many young men and women to be their best and to live a stronger and more
meaningful life. Nicknamed “The Bull”, “Mr. U” and to some “Brother U”, Ronald was a living example of generosity, compassion, and the power of change. . His wonderful wife and love of his life, Rachel Ulibarri, said “he lived his life as an See ULIBARRI / A2