The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle - October 20th, 2022

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Who Let The Dog Out – Woof | Page B2

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Wellness program teaches healthy habits to Soboba youngsters| Page C2

Weather: 89o/58o | Volume IV | Issue XXXVII

Thursday, October 20 - 26, 2022

B POLITICS

A FAITH

Biden vows abortion legislation as top priority next year

The Voice

See more on page A4

See more on page B1

www.HSJChronicle.com |

CALIFORNIA | Page D1

| $2.00 (Tax Incl.)

D CALIFORNIA

Gov Newsom to end the COVID-19 State of Emergency See more on page D1

Many remain critical of state of US democracy GARY FIELDS AND CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY | AP NEWS

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any Americans remain pessimistic about the state of U.S. democracy and the way elected officials are chosen -- nearly two years after a divisive presidential election spurred false claims of widespread fraud and a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. Only about half of Americans have high confidence that votes in the upcoming midterm elections will be counted accurately, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, though that’s an improvement from about 4 in 10 saying that just before the 2020 presidential election. Just 9% of U.S. adults think democracy is working “extremely” or “very well,” while 52% say it’s not working well. In a reversal from two years

ago, Republicans are now more likely than Democrats to say democracy is not working well. This year, 68% of Republicans feel this way compared with 32% two years ago. The share of Democrats with a sour outlook on how democracy is functioning in the U.S. dropped from 63% to 40%. Ronald McGraw Sr., 67, of Indianapolis, is a retired construction worker who recently registered to vote and intends to cast a ballot for the first time this year. “I thought I’d let everybody else put their vote in and just go with the flow, but this whole thing is at stake now,” he said, referring to democracy, the economy, ”everything, how the whole country runs.” McGraw, who is Black and considers himself a moderate, said a big concern is the political turmoil in the country and the fact that he sees too many self-serving politicians concerned with power,

especially those who work against the interest of minorities. He said he registered as a Republican but did not give any thought to party platforms or stances at the time. “I am paying attention now,” he said. After every presidential election, members of the losing candidate’s party can experience a letdown. The fallout from the 2020 election has been deeper, fueled by the lies from former President Donald Trump and his allies that Democrats stole the election. There is no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines. Exhaustive reviews in key states upheld Democrat Joe Biden’s win, while judges — including some appointed by Trump — dismissed numerous lawsuits challenging the outcome. Trump’s own attorney general, William Barr, called the claims bogus. The general despair over de-

DEMOCRACY: Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. A new poll shows that many Americans remain pessimistic about the state of their democracy and the way elected officials are chosen | Courtesy Photo of Shutterstock

mocracy comes after decades of increasing polarization nationwide, from the presidential and congressional races down to local contests such as races for school boards.

Overall, just a quarter of U.S. adults — including similar percentages of Republicans and Democrats — say they are opti-

See DEMOCRACY on page A4

Short-Term rental ordinance adopted across RivCo: What to know CNS | CONTRIBUTED

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he Board of Supervisors Tuesday formally adopted new regulations for shortterm rental properties in unincorporated areas of Riverside County, establishing fees, occupancy limitations and other requirements for owners to obtain and retain permits. However, the board scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 25 to consider whether to extend a moratorium on the issuance of new short-term rental permits in the unincorporated Temecula Valley, as well as the mountain communities around Idyllwild. Read more: Temecula Wine Country, Idyllwild Vacation Rentals Remain In Limbo "We're moving in the right direction, taking steps we need," Supervisor Chuck Washington said ahead of the 5-0 vote in favor of the overhauled Short-Term

Rental Ordinance, No. 927. "(My) Third District has a good chunk of short-term rentals in the county, and 90% are run by people who are ... neighborly. My priority is peace and quiet for neighborhoods." The board held three prior hearings to consider the revamped ordinance and was set to adopt the new framework on Oct. 4, but the addition of several minor modifications delayed adoption. The modifications were connected to occupancy limitations. Under the revised "tier" system, a maximum of 10 people will be permitted to stay in a short-term rental residence that occupies a half-acre or less. For residences on lots that are a half-acre to two acres, up to 16 guests will be permitted. Acreage above that amount will mean up to 20 people may stay in a short-term rental in a given period. Higher tiers and larger spaces,

such as ranch-style properties, will enable short-term rental operators to accommodate even larger groups, pending approval by county officials. The Transportation & Land Management Agency had previously inserted a regulation that caused numerous property owners concern, leaving open the possibility that residences in higher tiers might have to install fire sprinkler systems costing between $30,000 and $100,000 in order to receive a yearlong short-term rental permit. During the Sept. 13 hearing, Supervisors Kevin Jeffries and Karen Spiegel objected, and sprinklers became optional under the new regulatory regime. The board agreed to keep a provision for outdoor noise monitors, which will need to be installed to ensure disturbances are minimized. The county's "quiet time" rules, specifying no loud noises

REGULATIONS: The county supervisors will decide on such things as higher tiers and larger spaces, such as ranch-style properties, would enable short-term rental operators to accommodate even larger groups, pending approval by county officials | Courtesy Photo of Shutterstock

between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., will additionally need to be observed. Rental operators whose lots occupy less than five acres will have to notify neighbors within 300 feet that a property will be available for rotating rentals, and signage will have to be posted on the exterior

of a property with the contact information for operators in case of problems. The revised ordinance will mandate that a "responsible operator" be designated before a short-term

See RIVCO on page A2

HOLLYWOOD HAS COME TO MORONGO

Film star Mark Wahlberg makes surprise visit to Wahlburgers at Morongo MORONGO CASINO & SPA| CONTRIBUTED

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ollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg added plenty of lunchtime sizzle to his family’s namesake fast-casual restaurant at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa on Monday, Oct. 17, dropping by to mingle with diners at Wahlburgers and check out the popular eatery. Wahlberg chatted with starstruck Morongo guests, sharing stories and laughs as he took selfies with excited patrons and Wahlburgers’ team members. “It’s such a treat to me to turn on the radio and hear our family business being associated with such a great organization like Morongo Casino. It’s absolutely amazing, ” Wahlberg told the crowd. “I don’t get starstruck that often but when I hear the commercials, it really tickles me.”

VISIT: Hollywood superstar known for such films as Boogie Nights, The Other Guys and Lone Survivor dazzles guests at the popular restaurant inside the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa. | Courtesy Photos of Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Wahlberg is no stranger to Morongo, which served as the backdrop for some of the casino scenes in his 2014 film, “The

Gambler.” “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Mr. Wahlberg back to Morongo to visit the first and

only tribal casino in the nation offering the amazing Wahl-

See MORONGO on page D4

4th Nov, 2022 | 6:00 PM | Hemet Public Library


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