The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle - May 19th, 2022

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Gas War: Republican States Sue EPA Over Californian Standards | Page B1

Weather: 85o/54o | Volume IV |

Issue XX

A COMMUNITY

Noli Indian School Prepares Students for a Bright Future

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C

REAL ESTATE | Page C2

Thursday, May 19 - 25, 2022

www.HSJChronicle.com |

B OPINION

STRAIT ON: Why Do We Always Blame The President?

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D

HEALTH | Page D1

| $2.00 (Tax Incl.)

D HEALTH

1M Americans dead as new COVID funds remain tangled in politics

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HEMET, CA

Strange Happenings at Hemet City Council Meeting RUSTY STRAIT | SENIOR REPORTER

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lthough it was previously announced that Police Chief Fust would be the interim City Manager in place of the current City Manager, Chris Lopez, it was Captain Glenn Brock that filled that seat at the recent meeting. The whereabouts of Lopez remain a mystery. However, the Council Meeting got off to a smooth start after coming out of a closed session. The usual pre-meeting procedures took place and thus the public meeting began. A conference with legal counsel on a liability claim was authorized for the full amount requested. The following actions were taken under Work-Study Items: 1. Received the report on the Council Protocols from the

Council Protocols Ad-Hoc Committee with assistance from the City Manager and City Attorney; Review, discuss and revise the Council Protocols as the council deems appropriate; Adopt a Resolution of the City of Hemet, California, Adopting City Council Protocols as amended if applicable. 2. Receive a report and provide direction on a Zoning Code Amendment to establish criteria for pre-fabricated palette shelter homes on public and private property. 3. Receive an informational presentation on the Public Safety Needs and spending plan for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023. RECEIVE AND FILE: 1. Receive and file the City Warrant Registers. Consent Calendar Approved 5-0

DISCUSSIO-ACTION ITEMS: 1. Review the photos in the attached link and identify the top three choices of each Council Member. The top 3 were selected from a variety of photographs submitted. They will be voted on the City’s website, social meeting and a voting platform will be set up for the public’s vote. 2. Review, discuss and give direction regarding the proposed letter of support for the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Project. 3. Review, discuss and give direction regarding the proposed letter of support for the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Project Discretionary Grant Funding Application. Mayor Pro-tem Karlee Meyer Dissented. 4. Review, discuss and give direction regarding the proposed letter of support for additional

Hemet City Council via Zoom; May 10, 2022. | Courtesy Photo of Rusty Strait.

funding allocation from the State of California for the Ii-15 Express Lane Extension Project. PRESENTATIONS: 1. National Police Officers Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day. 2. Asian American & Pacific Islander Month. 3. National Nurses Week. 4. Public Works Week Proclamation. 5. Global Love Day.

All in all, albeit a strange opening, a very passive meeting with a minimal argument among the council people and no serious commentary from the public. Individual Council Member reports went as usual and the meeting was gaveled to a close much earlier than expected and everyone went home to a later dinner. Just sayin’ rustystrait@gmail.com

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

An Interesting Investigation The Defense Team for a Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Accused of Bribery and Other Crimes Claims He Was ‘Railroaded’ KEVIN FITZGERALD | CONTRIBUTED

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID HEMET, CA PERMIT NO. 69 92543-9998

n March 12, 2020, the Riverside County District Attorney announced criminal indictments against some then-current and former members of the Riverside County Sheriff ’s Department. “A Riverside County criminal grand jury on March 11, 2020, returned indictments charging a Riverside County Sheriff ’s Department lieutenant, sergeant, and a former deputy along with a tow truck company owner in a criminal conspiracy case,” the announcement said. Lt. Samuel Flores, Sgt. Robert Christolon and former Deputy Kevin Carpenter were charged, as was Cody Close, the owner of DJ’s Towing. The charges included brib-

ery, conspiracy to commit a crime, and unlawful computer network access. The indictments led to a flurry of media coverage—but in the 26 months since, there has been almost no media coverage, and very little progress has been made in court. Why the delay? Of course, the pandemic has been a major factor. Other reasons have included frequent changes in the prosecuting attorneys handling the case; the misplacement of the grand jury transcripts by the District Attorney’s Office; and the general backlog of cases in the courts. Meanwhile, the defendants wait, and one of those defendants, Lt. Sam Flores—who has since been fired by the Sheriff ’s Department— is frustrated. So much so, in fact,

that two members of his defense team recently reached out to the Independent to express consternation over various aspects of the way in which the case was built by the Sheriff ’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office. In fact, Flores’ team says the evidence they have compiled actually shows he was wrongly accused. The next hearing in the case is set for this Friday, May 20. They hope the court will rule on their motions favorably. Michael Reed, an attorney with the Mastagni Holstedt law firm, specializes in representing first responders and public employees. He is joined on Flores’ defense team by honorably retired Riverside County Sheriff ’s Sgt. Joel Morales, who serves as lead investigator. “Joel Morales and I really believe

SAN JACINTO, CA.

MSJC Student Earns 2022 Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship MSJC | CONTRIBUTED

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t. San Jacinto College (MSJC) business major Enrique Baranda has been awarded a prestigious 2022 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. The Hemet resident has served as the Regional Southeast District Vice President for the Nevada/California Region of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). Baranda, a first-generation college student, has also received the received the PTK Distinguished Chapter Officer Award. Baranda is one of only 100 high-achieving community college students nationwide to receive the highly competitive Cooke Foundation scholarship, which provides students with up to $55,000 a year to complete their bachelor's degrees. He is still finalizing his transfer plans.

Attorney Michael Reed is joined on Flores’ defense team by honorably retired Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joel Morales. | Photos by Kevin Fitzgerald

Retired Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigator Sgt. Joel Morales, who is acting as lead investigator for Lt. Sam Flores’ defense team.

that Sam Flores, as well as (co-defendant) Rob Christolon, are getting railroaded,” Reed said. “It’s really unfortunate what’s happened.” In a lengthy presentation, Reed detailed the extensive body of evidence Flores’ defense has prepared to combat each of the criminal charges filed against Flores. Reed and Morales discussed evidence that refutes alleged instances of Flores accepting bribes. They said they’re ready to provide valuable context to the circumstances

surrounding meetings at which Flores is alleged to have participated in a conspiracy to commit crimes. They explained multiple internal RCSD rules, regulations and business practices which would have deprived Flores of any ability to misuse his position in the department in the ways of which he’s been accused. And they said the court proceedings have raised many questions about the quality of

See INVESTIGATION on page D4

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Local CalRTA Officer Receives State Award GAYLE MATTSON | CONTRIBUTED

S Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) business major Enrique Baranda has been awarded a prestigious 2022 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. | Photo Courtesy of Mt. San Jacinto College

Dr. Roger Schultz, MSJC Superintendent/President, commended Baranda on his successes while at MSJC. "We are so proud of Enrique.

See MSJC on page A4

ue Breyer received the prestigious Ed Ely Award for Communications and Technology, May 14th at the annual CalRTA Convention in Sacramento. Sue serves as Vice President and Newsletter Editor for Division 33, and is the state Communications and Technology Chair. The California Retired Teachers Association with over 35,000 members, presents only two annual awards to outstanding members for their service: The Ruth dePrida Award for community service and the Ed Ely Award. The Ed Ely Award is given to the member who does the best job of communicating the vision and goals of CalRTA to members, legislators, and the general public. In Sue's capacity as state chair, she develops CalRTA webinars and videos;

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EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 31

Sue Breyer, Vice President, CalRTA. | Contributed Photo.

provides tutorials for publishing newsletters and using technology; and creates a monthly Communications and Technology Committee

See CALRTA on page A4


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