B
DeniAntoinette Mazingo | Page B1
C
REAL ESTATE - Property Guide| Page C5
Weather: 90o/57o | Volume 01 | Issue 07
Friday, July 19 -25, 2019
B POLITICS
D
Dennis Caplinger at DVAC | Page D1
www.HSJChronicle.com |
D THE 7 ARTS
C VALLEY BEAT
Mayor Bonnie Wright
Two Hard Rock Tributes
Profile in Service
Growing up hillbilly Chapter IX-Poor Little Boys
Historic Hemet Theatre
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NORCO 80
One of the nation’s worst bank robberies has its story told in print
| $1.00 (Tax Incl.)
UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS
Sheriff Chad Bianco shows up at 360 X Self-Defense MARK LENTINE | STAFF WRITER
"I am a strong supporter of both parts of the Second Amendment: the Right To Keep and The Right To Bear Arms. I believe that every law-abiding citizen, properly-vetted, should be allowed to carry a concealed firearm if they so choose," said Sheriff Chad Bianco this past Saturday at 360 X Self-Defense in Hemet. The event was part of the grand kick-off for the Riverside County Gun Owners PAC. Bianco is seen by gun own-
ers as a shift from the previous Sheriff 's administration, which did little to aid gun owners who wished to carry firearms legally. "As a gun owner myself, I've spoken with many gun owners who believed that the relationship between the previous Sheriff Stan Sniff and the NRA didn't truly seem to be fostering a supportive stance toward their rights. Honest, law-abiding citizens had to wait, in some cases, two years or longer to get their licenses. That's not justice delayed, it's justice de-
See BIANCO on page A2
In reference to concealed carry laws, I’m simply allowing our investigators to do their jobs”
MARK LENTINE | STAFF WRITER
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID HEMET, CA PERMIT NO. 69 92543-9998
"It seemed like a pretty normal day. I had just pulled into the Sears parking lot at the Brea Mall to fix my mirror. I saw the three Hispanic men...and they were watching me, so to be safe, I went around to the back of my van to secure it. When I turned around and saw the three men and their guns pointing at me, I realized that the day was about to get much more complicated," said Hemet's Gary Hakala. "They garroted Gary, tied him up, and threw him into a homemade cabinet in his van. Then, for the next five-and-ahalf hours, they pistol-whipped him and threatened him with
a knife, while bullets whizzed past his face and crashed into his van," said Peter Houlahan, author or "Norco 80," the first book which chronicles the botched bank robbery cum kidnapping, cum murder. Gary Halaka was the hostage in what has been called, "The most spectacular bank robbery in American history." There are so many twists and turns in this book that only a skilled writer, writing with a scalpel could pull it off. Author Peter Houlahan pulls it off and then some. The book gives a detailed description of the background of the men involved, but it could easily have focused on the Hitchcock-like innocence of "everyman" Gary Hakala's being tossed into his own van and going through an ordeal few could fathom. Hakala fought to remain calm, though he was in terrific pain. The cabinetry used in Hakala's van was secured by nails which were now tearing into his flesh. "I couldn't move. I could feel them cutting into my skin. They tied me up and forced me into the
small cabinet in my van. My feet and hands were numb, and my shoulder was about to pop out from the way I was twisted." Manny Delgado, his brother Billy, the Harven Brothers and George Smith didn't seem to care. "Before they decided to go ahead and rob the bank, I could hear them matter-of-factly discussing if they would kill me then, or if it would be better to wait. In that situation, you can either choose fear or anger. I figured, "If I'm gonna die, I'll be damned if my last moments are going to be spent begging for my life." I chose to get mad." Getting mad may have saved Hakala's life. After an hour of waiting for a supposed diversionary tactic, which had literally fizzled out... the group decided to attempt the robbery anyway. Hakala could hear as leader George Smith hollered out, "Go go go
CHAD BIANCO
SHERIFF OF THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY
60 FREE WAY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Another massive construction project is coming Routes to get in and out of town are going to be more crowded than ever KYLE HEADLEE | STAFF WRITER
S
everal projects have started on the 60 freeway in both directions cause a mass amount of traffic on an already reasonably crowded highway. Projects started at the beginning of July and are
estimated to last until November. It is possible that the construction projects will lead into the next year and probably be finished sometime around January or February depending on how much rain we get this fall. Many people are already
See FREEWAY on page A8
SOBOBA BAND OF LUISEÑO INDIANS
Soboba Sports Complex shines MIKE HILES | CONTRIBUTED
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fter a six-month renovation, the grounds of the Soboba Sports Complex were reopened to tribal members for an Independence Day Celebration on July 5. A full day of activities included softball games, a horseshoe tournament, tug-of-war
contests and lots of food to accompany the unveiling of the Parks and Recreation Department’s updated facilities. Hundreds of visitors of all ages started arriving when the gates opened at 11 a.m. and stayed until after dark when a fireworks show was presented for their enjoyment.
See SOBOBA on page A5
TOWARD MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE
Partnerships are a win-win for individuals with disabilities and local businesses GINGER COHEN | PRESS RELEASE
HEMET, CA., July 17, 2019 – First established in 1981 in San Diego, Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) launched their services for Hemet and San Jacinto via their Temecula office in April 2008 and has since grown to serve more than 260 clients
with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, throughout Riverside County. "We value the Hemet and San Jacinto communities," said TMI Executive Director Rachel Harris. "Our clients love it there, and the community partnerships we have established are helping us to
Gala Awards:
Richard Perry receiving the award for “Small business of the year” at last Fridays Gala Awards at the Soboba Event Center put on by the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce. From left to right: Bambi Perry, Richard Perry, Melinda Johnson, Cyndi Lemke & Lakshman Koka.
make a meaningful difference in their lives." The TMI Employment Solutions program seeks to assist their clients with finding employment if they desire and/or help them integrate into the community by volunteering at local businesses in order to be contributing members of society. Their Riverside County programs are funded by
Inland Regional Center (IRC). Currently, TMI has 15 workgroups volunteering throughout Hemet and San Jacinto at 40 local businesses. One such group is Corey, Michael and Stephen, who volunteers at the Bread Basket Food Bank in Hemet with the support of their TMI Job Coach
See TMI on page A8