Menifee 24/7
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VOL. 1 NO. 9
JUNE 2017
How much safety will $14M buy? By DOUG SPOON Editor
Ron Bradley probably won’t be around when much of the money is spent, but for the time being, he’s in charge of the bank. The 77-year-old interim city manager has decades of experience in city government. He is no stranger to budget-
ing. And even though his recommendations for the 2017-18 fiscal year in the City of Menifee must be approved by the City Council, it certainly is a big opportunity for what could be Bradley’s last hurrah in public office. Simply put, the City of Menifee is expected to receive about $14 million in revenue it didn’t have this fiscal year, when it has
SPECIAL REPORT: Task force seeks solution to homeless problem / B1 faced a $3 million budget deficit. In the span of a few weeks, Menifee was assured a huge income increase because of two pieces of state legislation: -- Senate Bill 1, the 12cent per gallon gas tax hike, which may not be popular with motorists but
will bring Menifee an estimated $500,000 over the next year. -- SB 130, signed by Governor Jerry Brown May 12, which returns to Menifee vehicle license fee revenue it hasn’t had since 2011. That amount for the next fiscal year is
estimated at close to $5 million. And these increases follow last November’s passage by Menifee voters of Measure DD, a 1 percent sales tax increase that will generate an estimated $8.4 million over the next year. According to the ballot language that accompanied Measure DD, that money must be spent on public safety – primarily
police and fire protection and road work. Funds generated through SB 1 are designated for road improvements. The VLF income? That might be the wild card in the hand Bradley has been dealt as he prepares to recommend to the City Council just how much money should be used to increase See SAFETY / A6
Revised Scott Road design ready Menifee 24/7 staff
Referred to by city officials as a project that is “shovel ready”, the Scott Road Interchange project is next on the list of major road improvements in Menifee. Like motorists who must navigate the outdated two-lane bridge over the 215 Freeway, those officials would like the interchange to be completed yesterday. First, of course, it must be started. Once the last funding hurdle is cleared, work will begin on the $57 million project, which has been scaled back from the original design but will make drastic improvements in travel across the freeway in the south part of town. A design that once called for a massive bridge 11 lanes wide has been revised to a more realistic six lanes, with two through lanes each way and two turn lanes. The bridge won’t be quite as wide as the recently completed Newport Road bridge, but it will have two looping ramps, although in a somewhat different configuration than the Newport Interchange. As shown in the attached design map, westbound motorists will take a looping on-ramp to the right to enter the southbound freeway. But unlike Newport, the other loop-
Doug Spoon Always looking back Design map courtesy of City of Menifee Revised design map of the Scott Road Interchange (west direction at the top) shows features similar to the Newport Interchange. Below, a look at traffic on the two-lane Scott Road Bridge as it stands now. ing ramp is an off-ramp for vehicles exiting the northbound freeway and wishing to head west on Scott Road. And like the Newport Road interchange, there will be a traffic signal for eastbound motorists to enter the on-ramp to the northbound freeway. Jonathan Smith, public works director for the City of Menifee, estimates that the project will take about See SCOTT / A4
Museum celebrates anniversary Menifee 24/7 staff
Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon Historical Association board member Betty Bouris (center) welcomes one of many guests who attended the museum’s anniversary event May 21.
Local residents turned out in large numbers to visit the Menifee History Museum during a celebration of the facility’s oneyear anniversary May 21. Members of the Menifee Valley Historical Association were on hand to answer questions and explain to visitors the many artifacts and photos on display. The museum is open from 1-4 p.m. every Sunday in the former Menifee Elementary School, located at 26301 Garbani Road. Through donations from many individuals, grants providing funding and the hard work of
volunteers, the museum includes many exhibits describing the history of the area. Guests can learn about Luther Menifee Wilson; for whom the city is named; the history of mining in the area; Menifee’s agricultural roots; history of local school houses; origins of the Sun City community; and personal effects of many individuals whose descendants still live locally. Guests also had the opportunity to view one of the newest displays in the museum – an exhibit of Native American artifacts found in the area. Canyon Lake resident Paul See MUSEUM / A5
“Don’t live in the past,” they tell you. Well I can’t help it sometimes, because I find the past so darn interesting. I’m not talking about last month, last year or last decade. I’m talking about the kind of history written in dusty books on a shelf, but sometimes brought to life if you care enough. This was brought to mind last week, when I realized one of Menifee’s iconic structures had been torn down. The McGrath house, which could be seen from the northbound lanes of the 215 Freeway just south of the Loma Linda Medical Center on Antelope Road, reportedly was torn down by the owner because of its poor condition and continued intrusion by vandals. In my eyes, there goes another reminder of a bygone era in which people lived without smart phones, the Internet and TV. What a novel concept. How different it must’ve been. And think of what we could learn about how people conducted them-
selves back then.
People think I’m crazy because I spent so much time researching my family history back to the 1500s in Germany. But just imagine the stories that live in those centuries. One of my ancestors fell off a ship and drowned en route from Germany to America in the 1700s. His wife had to work as an indentured See SPOON / A4
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MENIFEE 24/7
June 2017
Menifee sure has the talent Local artists entertain crowd at city’s annual talent show
Menifee 24/7 photos: Kristen Spoon Chelsea Snow, 12-year-old aspiring operatic singer, showed off her beautiful voice for the crowd.
More than 20 local residents sang, danced, played instruments and entertained a large crowd in the Paloma Valley High School theater May 5 at the 5th annual Menifee’s Got Talent performance. Arts Council Menifee sponsors the annual event, in which residents audition, are selected and then perform for the audience. ACM is a non-profit cultural and educational agency dedicated to supporting visual arts, music,
theater, dance and literary arts. On its website, www. artscouncilmenifee.org, event organizers encouraged anyone living, working, or going to school in Menifee to apply. There was no cost to perform, but all acts had to audition either online or attend the live audition. Competitors included a vocal jazz ensemble from Menifee Valley Middle School and a line dancing group, Joyful Feet.
Tyrell Jones performed on the saxophone and Sheila Diggs sang “Natural Woman” at the event.
Cedric Turner had fun entertaining the audience.
Drake Mernick, age 10, performed classical music on the piano at “Menifee’s Got Talent.
Anahi Rodriguez displayed her singing voice.
More talent on display at showcase Residents who braved a hot afternoon in the 90s enjoyed good music, dancing, creative artwork and fun for the kids May 20 at the annual Arts Showcase, held in Countryside Marketplace. The seventh annual event was sponsored by Arts Council Menifee, which encourages participation in all aspects of the arts in the community. Booths were set up throughout the northwest corner of the marketplace, with three stages highlighting performers. Singing acts included Kat Russell singing country tunes; Wayne Orlicki with easy listening; “Big Lee” Mallory Meyer with Motown songs; The Crazy Creek Band; Georgia Cuevas; George Rome with Sinatra tunes; and country guitarist Bob Karwin. Guests also had the opportunity to view and
Bob Karwin on guitar purchase works of art, including paintings by Linda Morrison and glass creations and other artwork by Gayle DuRivage. Children were given paint and brush to make watercolor creations. Shaiann Mares performed Hawaiian dance, while David Liebeck sang with accompaniment of Linda and Frank Jamillo on harmonica. Comedian Jason Barfoot also performed. Jonnie Fox performed songs from the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon Artwork was on display along with the singing and dancing talents of Menifee residents May 20.
MENIFEE 24/7
June 2017
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‘Menifee Better Together’ a success Volunteers help clean community By DOUG SPOON Editor Martha Westcott stood in a yard that had been neatly manicured -- more than a dozen trash bags full of yard clippings from both the front and back yard of her Sun City home sitting in front of her. Standing all around her were 16 young people she will not soon forget. “You wouldn’t believe all they did in that amount of time,” Westcott said, referring to the yard clean-up a group of volunteers had just completed. “It’s amazing what a bunch of like-minded people can accomplish. We could have peace all over the world.” There were smiles all around, several hugs and a few tears shed at what was only one of 36 volunteer sites during the fifth annual Menifee Better Together Event April 22. More than 600 volunteers from local churches, youth groups and other organizations spent their morning clearing weeds, trimming trees and bushes, and performing whatever clean-up assignment was given them. Work was done at 34 homes of seniors in the
Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon Sun City resident Martha Westcott is surrounded by volunteers who cleaned up her yard . Sun City community. Residents who are unable to care for the yards themselves registered and received help through the event, which was coordinated by the City of Menifee, Habitat for Humanity and local churches, with sponsorship and manpower support from local businesses. Other crews worked at Kabian Park in Quail Valley, where members of the Paloma Valley High School NJROTC led an effort that included the recycling of items and disposing of trash brought to the site by area residents.
“It’s an amazing collaboration of people who come together from all walks of life -- all ages, all different backgrounds -- for one common good,” said Tammy Marine, executive director for Habit for Humanity Inland Valley. “I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.” Menifee City Council member Lesa Sobek is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, whose members began the volunteer effort as a service project five years ago. Later, as chair of the Menifee Interfaith Council, she was
instrumental in a partnership between the Interfaith Council, the City of Menifee and Habitat for Humanity to make Menifee Better together a citywide event. “ I saw such a need in our senior community,” said Sobek. “We have such wonderful participation from volunteers, service organizations, non-profits .. but even with all the volunteers, it still takes money to put this on. We’ve had so many wonderful sponsors step up.” Donations came from several sources. A group
of juniors at Santa Rosa Academy raised $1,400 for the event through car washes and garage sales. After volunteers finished the work, they returned to the base at Sun City Civic Association for a barbecue lunch served by employees of Evans-Brown Mortuary and other volunteers. Members of the Lake Menifee Women’s Club served cookies. Jose Luna is a member of the Perris Ward of the LDS Church. He volunteered for the first time through justserve.org, a website designed to facil-
itate such volunteer service projects. When asked about his motivation to perform such service, he quoted scripture. “I feel blessed because like the scriptures say, ‘When you’re in the service of your fellow beings, you’re in the service of your God,’ “ Luna said. “I had a prompting to come, so here I am. My very first time. I’ll be back. It feels great.” Luna was assigned to a team including the Ruffy family, who are members of St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Menifee. They enjoyed lunch together with so many others who shared in the common cause. Back at her Sun City home, Martha Westcott couldn’t stop thanking the volunteers who cleaned up the yard of the residence she has lived in since 1991. That group included volunteers from Paloma Valley High School, Safe Alternatives for Everyone, Habitat for Humanity and the LDS church. Westcott, who turns 90 next month, was asked how it felt to know she could look out her windows to a well-groomed yard. “That part is wonderful, but knowing people have this wonderful feeling in them is more important than the clean-up,” she said.
Food Festival set for June 11
Photo courtesy of James Dunlevey Glenn Daugherty (right) defeated Wiley Doss in the final match of the Sun City Lawn Bowls Club annual Joe and Doris Rahm Mixed Singles Tournament on May 12. Both are previous tournament winners. Since 2009 , the mixed singles event has recognized Joe and Doris Rahm’s many contributions to the club, which was formed in 1962 and is one of 32 lawn bowls clubs in Southern California. The club currently bowls Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. More information is available at www.suncitylawnbowls.com.
The Sun City Civic Association will host a Food Festival featuring a variety of food items June 11 from noon to 2:30 p.m. in North Town Hall at the Civic Center, located at 26850 Sun City Blvd. The event will be served in food court style as an after-church luncheon on that Sunday. There will be the “Best in the West” soups, salad bar, with a sandwich bar and drinks. The dessert bar will feature take-out or eat-in items. Cost of the food items will be determined by the club that is serving each food bar, as every item is different. No reservations are needed. All are welcome to come and enjoy. Emergency committee The Sun City Civic Association’s Emergency Preparedness Advisory
Committee is in need of more volunteers to help the community be ready in case of an emergency. The EPAC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Building 1 of the Sun City Civic Association center on Sun City Boulevard. Volunteers are needed with backgrounds in first aid, radio communications, traffic, light search and rescue and data entry. For more information about the Sun City EPAC, call chairman Gary Barton at 951-244-5830 or email glbarton42@gmail. com.
the lot next to its church building. Tiffin said he was approached by representatives of Verizon about leasing a piece of
the church’s land to build a cell tower there. It took some negotiations between the church, Verizon and the City of Menifee to come up with a more pleasant and appropriate design, Tiffin said. As shown in the photo, the finished product Verizon will construct will look pretty much like a church tower, with stucco sides and three crosses at the top. Meanwhile, the church will receive income from the lease and the neighborhood’s cell phone service will improve. “It’s going to match our building,” said Tiffin about the cell tower.
Cell phone tower features unique style
Menifee 24/7 Staff
The questions started coming in as soon as neighbors noticed the size and shape of a 60-foot structure being built on an open field in the middle of a neighborhood in the Sun City section of Menifee. One resident referred to it as a “mammoth structure that looks like a giant erector set.” Although it might not look like it, the structure is -- or soon will be -- a cell phone tower. Granted, the industrial-looking metal tower appears strangely out of place in a vacant lot next to the Valley Church of
Christ in the 29000 block of Del Monte Drive. Located on a quiet street in one of Menifee’s older residential neighbor-
hoods, it has drawn considerable attention from long-time residents who have never seen such construction in their area.
The answer is provided by Larry Tiffin, minister of the Valley Church of Christ, a non-denominational church that owns
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June 2017
MENIFEE 24/7
Council approves police substation Sun City community location will create a greater presence By DOUG SPOON Editor For the first time, Menifee will have a police facility within its city limits, although a permanent solution to the need for increased police presence is yet to be addressed. The Menifee City Council on May 17 approved a staff request for a five-year lease of storefront property in the Cherry Hills Plaza of the Sun City community for a police substation. The station will be staffed solely by two community service officers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and volunteers in the city’s Crime Watch program. Although no sworn officers will be based at the station, the location provides a place for Menifee residents to conduct police business without having to travel to the Perris Sheriff’s station, from which officers are assigned to Menifee through a contract with
the city. The substation, to be based in the former Ed Coin’s store at 28115 Bradley Road, also will provide more space for the Crime Watch team than it has in its current location across McCall Boulevard on Bradley Road. This action was taken while interim city manager Ron Bradley continues to work on the allocation for public safety in the upcoming budget. City officials are weighing their options for increasing police presence, including paying for more Sheriff’s deputies on a contract basis or considering forming their own police force at some point. “I feel like we’re piecemealing what we’re talking about with a Sheriff’s contract,” said council member Matt Liesemeyer before the council vote, which was unanimous. “I’m a little hesitant without hearing the entire proposal from the Sheriff’s Department. But I do support the idea.” Cost of the substation
over five years will be $58,000, according to the city presentation. It will be funded primarily by funds generated through the Measure DD sales tax increase.. The station will be open six days a week with an after-hours call box. The facility covers 1,299 square feet. It will include work stations for Crime Watch volunteers, interview rooms and plenty of room for storage of police items.
Plans still underway for two Walmarts By DOUG SPOON
on both sites, there still is no timetable for groundbreaking at either one. Plans have long since been approved by the city for a 205,000-square-foot
Walmart to be located in a 240,000-square-foot commercial center at the northeast corner of Scott Road and Haun Road, between Haun and the 215
Freeway. In a 2011 election, 76 percent of Menifee voters approved the construction. Other than the successful defense against
a lawsuit and minor adjustments to the plans, Walmart has done virtually nothing since, however. Wyman said that Walmart officials have indicated they probably will hold off until completion of the Scott Road interchange -- a $57 million bridge expansion project which lacks the final phase of funding. and could take 18 months to complete. “Whether they will actually build it at that point is yet to be determined,” Wyman said. The second Walmart location has been in the City of Menifee application process since 2012.
funds if they choose to do it. The pressure from us is, move as quickly as we can on this.” Smith said the new bridge will be built a few yards to the north of the existing bridge, so traffic on the current bridge can continue during construction. Once the new bridge is completed, the old one will be torn down. Easements have been
acquired from adjacent property owners to accommodate the new position of the bridge, Smith said. The east and west ends of the bridge will angle back to the original Scott Road position at Antelope Road and Haun Road. Three quarters of the surrounding land is part of the City of Menifee. The southeast corner is part
of the City of Murrieta. Smith acknowledged he sent a letter last year to Murrieta officials, citing concerns over whether that city would support the project. He believes that is no longer a problem, however. “Since that letter, we have established very open and honest communication with our counterparts there,” Smith said.
“They are our partners in the project.” Asked whether that means Murrieta is funding part of the project, Bradley replied, “Not necessarily.” The City of Murrieta has plans for a freeway interchange just to the south at Keller Road, to help accommodate the new Kaiser Medical Center being built there.
Editor
Yes, it’s true -- Walmart has plans to build not one, but two stores in Menifee. But questions about whether both sites will become reality and when that might happen remain unanswered. Asked recently by Menifee City Council members for an update and clarification on plans for those Walmart stores, city staff member Jeff Wyman provided a brief update at the May 17 meeting. Yet although it appears Walmart officials plan to move ahead
One of the sites of a planned Walmart is Scott Road and Haun Road.
SCOTT
From Page A1 18 months to complete. Work won’t begin, however, until an additional $8 million in necessary funding is acquired. Interim city manager Ron Bradley said he is confident that will be soon. “I’m talking to two other agencies,” Bradley said about potential revenue sources. “I can’t say how soon they can allocate
SPOON From Page A1
servant for years upon her arrival, just to pay his passage. Then, when set free, she walked from South Carolina to Indiana in search of relatives. Another ancestor, my great great grandfather Henry Spoon, was committed to an Indiana insane asylum several times in the 1800s before falling to his death while trying to escape from a fourth floor window, using bed sheets tied together as a rope. Am I ashamed of that story? No, I wish I knew more. For one thing, I’d like to know who he really was. There’s evidence that he wasn’t really crazy – but an alcoholic and con man. What was his life really like? Those are the kinds of stories that die along with the people who lived them, unless those of us still around today take the time to dig them up – the stories, not the ancestors. I don’t want the story of those Menifee pioneers to die with the destruction of the McGrath house. No, I don’t really want to live in the past. I just want to learn from it. Shouldn’t we all?
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June 2017
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Drake family legacy remains here By Menifee Valley Historical Association In 1887, Joseph and Harriett Drake of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania boarded a train with their four children, bound for California. Their final stop was in Elsinore. Shortly after their arrival, the family met George Everitt, who had just finalized a homestead claim of 320 acres in Menifee. Joseph Drake offered Everitt $1,600 in gold coin for a portion of that land. Everitt agreed to sell 80 acres to the Drakes. The property is located on Zeiders Road just north of Keller Road, in the southern portion of Menifee. Upon arriving, the
Drakes got busy with improvements on their newly acquired property. By 1888, they had completed construction of a home and large barn. In 1906, Harriett Drake, then a widow, granted title of the property to her son Lou for $1. Lou had a fiancée in Philadelphia named Lizzie Weldon. The couple had been corresponding by mail for over 25 years, planning their wedding. It had been Lizzie’s duty as the youngest child to remain with her parents until they passed away. In November 1914 at the age of 42, Lizzie arrived as a bride and lent personal touches to her new home in Menifee. She planted lilac she had
brought from her Pennsylvania home, and a rose bed. She had Lou construct a fence around the yard “to show where it came to an end.” From her front porch that faced east, Lizzie could clearly see the children walking along Scott Road to the one-room Antelope schoolhouse. It was so clear in 1914 that she could see the trees on San Jacinto Mountain, and so quiet she could hear the train whistle in Romoland, 10 miles to the north. An unfortunate injury forced Lou to give up wheat farming. He sold his teams of horses and built chicken houses in order to raise fryers and eggs to sell commercial-
ly. Under the house on the north side was their egg cellar, where Lizzie candled and weighed eggs. She would have used an actual candle, as there was no electricity in the valley until 1946. In the cool cellar, Lizzie set pans of milk for the cream to rise so she could make butter. There was an ice box in her kitchen and ice blocks were delivered from Perris. Lizzie was known for baking the best Angel Food cakes, and several times a year she would deliver a cake for the dozen children attending the one-room Antelope schoolhouse. Although she never had children of her own, she was loved
by the children in the valley. She was their Sunday School teacher and held 4-H meetings in her home. Today the Drake home is the residence of Betty Bouris. When Betty and her husband Herk were married in 1950, they knew they wanted to be farmers and live in Menifee. Lizzie Drake offered to sell her place to them. Betty Bouris recalls those days fondly. “I remember hanging linens on the clothes line in 1951. It seemed to me I was standing on the edge of the world,” says Bouris, who serves as a board member on the Menifee Valley Historical Association. “The only thing to stop the eye were
a few farm buildings in clumps of trees scattered a mile or two apart and then the hills and distant mountains beyond miles and miles of wheat.” On the property today, the windmill and well are in their original place, and in Lizzie Drake’s rose bed some of her roses still bloom each year, close to 100 years old. We appreciate the input and narrative provided by Betty Bouris to compose this article. For more information, visit the Menifee History Museum, which is open Sundays from 1-4 p.m. at 26301 Grbani Road. Admission is free. Also visit menifeehistory.com
Photos courtesy of Menifee Valley Historical Association At left: Joseph and Harriet Drake, who settled in the valley in 1887. At right is an aerial view of the Drake (later Bouris) ranch, taken in 1968.
Council approves Highway 395 markers The Menifee City Council approved an expenditure of $500 to help pay for the placement of four signs and street stencils marking the original route of U.S. Historic Highway 395 through Menifee. The funds, which were available in the city’s Public Works Department budget, will support a request by the Menifee Valley Historical Association, whose mission is to preserve the history of Menifee. Signs will be placed and stencils painted on Encanto Road between Ethanac Road
and McCall Road, and on Antelope Road between Newport Road and Scott Road. According to the formal proposal, “U.S. Highway 395 was a scenic stretch of highway that ran through
historic areas in the County of Riverside and provided the only direct route from San Diego to the Lake Tahoe region and to northern Nevada, before heading back into California on its way north to Oregon and eventually to Canada.” The local stretch of Highway 395 was replaced by Interstate 215. Menifee Valley Historical Association members believe these markers will close the connection gap between Perris and Murrieta, where such markers are already in place.
Photo courtesy of City of Menifee Historic U.S. Highway 395 stencils like this will be painted on two streets.
MUSEUM
Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon Many items belonging to early Menifee residents are on display.
From Page A1 Price, who grew up in the area, has devoted years studying the Native American inhabitants of what became Menifee. He was available to answer questions from guests about tools, toys and other items made from natural elements by Native Americans. Display boards and posters depict scenes from the early 1900s, when only a few pioneer families inhabited the area.
There also are albums with many photos donated by local families and catalogued by Historical Association members. In addition, a book about Menifee’s history, written by board members Elinor Martin and Betty Bouris, was available for sale. To commemorate the one-year anniversary, representatives of Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez’s office and Riverside County Supervisor
Marion Ashley’s office presented proclamations to the board members. Historical Association members also take mobile displays to classrooms to educate students about the history of the area. For more information about the museum and services provided by the Menifee Valley Historical Association, gues should visit www.menifeehistory. com.
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June 2017
MENIFEE 24/7
Vandal defaces stores By DOUG SPOON Editor
Photo courtesy of Mt. San Jacinto College More than 80 Mt. San Jacinto College students received scholarships at the college’s annual award luncheon May 10.
MSJC students win scholarships More than 80 students received scholarships totaling more than $106,000 during the annual Mt. San Jacinto College Scholarship Awards luncheon. The event was held May 10 at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula. A total of 84 students received scholarship awards.
Digital Media Award
Students in the MSJC Professional Production class recently produced a video that won the Best Digital Marketing Video award at Digifest, a threeday event that showcases student digital success in the community. The subject of the video was the MSJC mobile app. The class is taught by Alan Marsala. Students, amateurs and professionals in different age groups participated in
COLLEGE NOTEBOOK Digifest in several categories, including film/video, digital media, games and music.
Sonography licensing
Nine students in the school’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography class passed their licensing exams before MSJC’s graduation day on May 26. The fact that every student in the class received their Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer license is a first for the program. The MSJC Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Program. MSJC is one of only three accredited community college programs in Southern California. The accreditation allows students to sit for licensing exams 60 days before graduation. Photography exhibit The MSJC Photography Department hosted an exhibition of advanced student and professional production class photography work on the Menifee Valley campus in mid-May. The exhibit, beginning May 16 and closing May 24, was free and open to the public.
Summer sessions
Summer classes at Mt. San Jacinto College begin June 5. A second session begins June 19. For information, call 951-6395313.
Photo courtesy of MSJC Jalen Lee accepts the Digifest Award for MSJC.
Police on May 6 arrested a woman suspected of causing more than $200,000 in damage to dozens of store fronts in Countryside Marketplace and Town Center Marketplace in Menifee. Alexandrea Stephanie Jensen, 29, was taken into custody after Menifee Police officers discovered and impounded her vehicle, which matched a description of the vehicle used during the crimes on May 4, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release. Jensen was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center with bail set at $200,000. The Menifee Police Department, which serves the city through contract with the Sheriff’s Department Perris Station, began receiving calls at 4:20 a.m. May 4 about vandalism at the shopping centers, located at the corner of Haun Road and Newport Road. Officers arrived to find broken windows and glass entrance doors at more than a dozen businesses. The next day, investigators developed evidence identifying the vehicle used in the crimes, showing it was driven by a white female adult. Officers located the suspect vehicle later that day and impounded it as evidence. Then on the next day, May 6, deputies located Jensen and took her into custody.
SAFETY From Page A1
police presence through a contract renewal with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. How that VLF income is distributed in the budget could determine how much the budget for police protection will increase. This year Menifee budgeted $12.8 million for its police contract – almost 40 percent of the general fund. Brandon Ford, a captain in the Sheriff’s Department who serves as Menifee police chief, said that bought the city 48 police officers, plus 12.5 classified employees. In a city of more than 90,000 people covering 46 square miles with crime increasing, that number is insufficient in the eyes of city officials. The County Board of Supervisors recently approved a 5.14 percent increase for the cost of Sheriff’s Department services. According to Ford, that translates to $168.45 per hour for a full-time deputy, which he says is misleading because that
amount includes the cost of the deputy’s service, his equipment and training, and the related service of non-sworn personnel such as a Community Service Officer and dispatcher. How many more deputies will city officials decide they can afford? That’s the question they are now trying to answer. “Absolutely,” Bradley responded when asked whether the city’s contract with the Sheriff’s Department will be expanded to include more officers. “I guarantee it. I just don’t know how much at this point. That’s a significant amount of money. “I have proposals from both the police and fire departments on what they would like to see going forward. The new funds affect all our transportation wishes, our public safety issues, the reserves, all our departments.” Then there is the matter of road improvements, which comes under the heading of public safety in this context. Bradley
continues to seek the additional $8 million needed to fully fund the Scott Road Interchange. Obviously, SB 1 funds alone won’t cover that. He said he is exploring other sources of revenue for that badly needed project, but will some of it have to come from Measure DD funds and/or VLF income? Those decisions should become public in the next few weeks. Bradley will present his proposed budget to the City Council in June. City officials could also consider the formation of its own police department. A nearby model city is Murrieta, which budgeted $12.3 million this year for a police force that numbers 94 sworn officers and 44 civilian positions, according to police chief Sean Hadden. “The City Council fully recognizes the need to get more boots on the ground,” said council member Matt Liesemeyer. “I’m confident we can do it.”
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Homeless: Searching for solutions Task force is formed to address issue By DOUG SPOON Editor You see them throughout Menifee – at freeway off-ramps, on street corners and pushing shopping carts down sidewalks. And there are places you don’t see – the encampments under local freeway bridges, behind dumpsters and behind trees and bushes. They are the homeless people of Menifee. In the last official count conducted one day this winter in accordance with county requirements, Menifee had 14 homeless individuals. But everyone agrees there are much more than that. “They knew the date that count was happening, so they scattered,” said Lesa Sobek, Menifee City Council member and, along with council member Greg August, a member of the recently created Riverside County Regional Homeless Alliance. It’s difficult to prove when and whether these individuals are breaking the law. Of the many people considered panhandlers, asking for money on local streets or in shopping centers, there is no official count of how many really are homeless and how many simply are taking advantage of the situation. One thing appears certain to city and law
Photo courtesy of City of Menifee It took City of Menifee code enforcement officials and police to remove homeless individuals in this encampment in early April, according to Colin McNie, code enforcement director. enforcement officials, however. They have seen enough proof and heard enough first-hand testimony to know that many of the so-called homeless use at least part of the money given them to buy drugs and alcohol. Many also are considered a danger to residents because of their unpredictable nature and weapons they sometimes carry. “We asked several of these individuals to move from a large homeless encampment recently,” Colin McNie, the city’s code enforcement director, told the City Council at its May 3 meeting. “They refused to leave. They stated to us they had no reason to move because people
Menifee police Chief Brandon Ford said officers work to connect homeless with proper resources.
were donating cash and food items to them every day. Some said they receive from $100 to $200 a day. “We believe this was helping them with their substance abuse problem, so they had no incentive to move.” McNie said the homeless individuals were removed from that camp (seen above) by code enforcement officials and Sheriff’s deputies. He added, however, that new encampments rise up around town as fast as they can be taken down. Residents have contacted Menifee 24/7 with complaints of being harassed by such individuals in public places and
of finding hypodermic needles, used condoms and trash in parking lots and around storefronts. In short, all involved acknowledge there is a problem. Yet many continue to show compassion for those they believe are truly down on their luck. “People have a big heart,” Sobek said. “We have very generous and caring people in Menifee who want to help others. What we’re trying to do is educate people about how to help the homeless. If they really want to make a difference, give to the organizations that know how to do it right.” Sobek was speaking about the Menifee Homeless Task Force, which
Council member Lesa Sobek is one of the leaders of an educational effort directed at residents.
was created this winter under the guidance of the city’s Community Services Department. In its few meetings so far, it has built a growing membership of individuals and business people who are identifying appropriate ways they can help the homeless with housing and provisions, either locally or at authorized county agencies. Members of the task force include representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, Menifee Union School District, Santa Rosa Academy, Mt. San Jacinto College, the American Cancer
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Society, Provident Bank, Cal True Value Hardware, and several churches. Sobek said attendance at the group’s most recent meeting May 24 was its biggest ever. Representatives from Murrieta and Temecula are now attending. “Brian Ambrose (assistant to the city manager in Murrieta) said Menifee should be very proud of itself for taking the lead in this throughout Southwest Riverside County,” Sobek said. It’s too early to determine exactly how the group can best help, but progress is being made through the open communication of city officials and leading citizens in the community. The task force currently is distributing a survey to members to evaluate what services they can offer to those in need. Of course, there are two major factors compounding the problem – lack of police manpower and the continued generosity of residents city officials know are being taken advantage of or are not helping in the best ways. “There was an RN at today’s meeting who said she came because she just wanted to do something,” Sobek said. “She was collecting blankets to give to the homeless. I thanked her for wanting to do something, but I told her we’re trying to educate people to help in the right way. If all we do is keep giving them handouts, it’s See HOMELESS / B4
Rev. Bill Freeman has long been an advocate for the homeless and has housed them at his church.
Photos courtesy of City of Menifee City code enforcement officials spend countless hours breaking up homeless encampments under freeway bridges and in secluded fields.
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June 2017
MENIFEE 24/7
Tello named Paloma football coach By DOUG SPOON Editor
Assistant coach and defensive coordinator Tom Tello, who played a big part in building the successful Heritage High School football program, was hired May 18 as the new head coach at crosstown rival Paloma Valley. Tello was offered the job by Jennifer Thomasian, who is being promoted
from assistant principal to principal at Paloma Valley for next year. Tello replaces Bert Esposito, who was relieved of his duties in April after leading the Wildcat football program for 13 years, compiling an 87-59 record. Esposito remains a teacher at Paloma Valley. “Paloma Valley has always been a good program,” said Tello. “I’m looking at it as a place
where I can come in and help them build off what they’ve done. My philosophy is simple: Go out there, work hard, do the right thing and have fun. “I’m excited to be there. Paloma is a great school. I can’t wait to get started.” Tello has proven himself as a sound football mind and great communicator with students during his time at Heritage. He has worked alongside
head coach Kraig Broach since the school opened in 2007. The Patriots have compiled an 83-9 record over the last season years, including three trips to the CIF championship game and one CIF title. They have never lost a Sunbelt League game. Now Tello will be asked to help the Wildcats end the Patriots’ domination of the league. Paloma Valley has had winning sea-
sons in recent years and was 9-0 last season before losing to Heritage 35-13 in the “Menifee Bowl” rivalry game and losing again in the first round of the CIF playoffs. “Our goal is to move Paloma Valley forward across the board, in everything,” Thomasian said. “I appreciate the way coach Tello approaches the job, the way he looks at the big picture.”
Heritage FFA awards given By Kelsi Cisney Heritage FFA Publicity
NJROTC cadets honored Members of VFW Post 1956 of Menifee attended the annual awards night for cadets in the Paloma Valley High School NJROTC battalion April 28. Cadets were recognized for academic achievement, physical fitness, and outstanding leadership. It was also an opportunity for the corps of cadets to bid farewell to senior class members of the NJROTC. VFW Post 1956 Commander Kenneth Limerick presented the VFW JROTC Recognition Certificate & Medal to c/Chief Petty Officer Rummendo Cortez. VFW Post 1956 members who attended were (from left) Commander Kenneth Limerick, Michael Cano, James D. Wallace, Tom Espinosa and Arthur Allen III.
The Menifee-Heritage High Future Farmers of America held its annual awards banquet and installed new officers on May 22. Club leaders had the opportunity to honor the accomplishments of dedicated members and the hard work they do for the program throughout the year. This year they recognized students who participated in the school’s Supervised Agricultural Experience program, and this year alone the club had over 90 SAE projects. Also highlighted were outstanding Career Development Events members. In addition, selected members of the community were presented Honorary Chapter Degrees. Mr. Frias and Mr. and Mrs. Sumaya are three
very supportive and active members of the community. Through their dedication, they have helped the chapter grow. The annual Star Greenhand award for outstanding achievement was presented to Emilee Woodward. The Star Farmer winner was Anthony Wright, while the Dekalb award went to Faith Baker. After junior officers paid tribute to the graduating seniors, the following new chapter officers were selected: President: Jenna Julson Vice presidents: Michael Sumaya and Jamie Eldredge Secretary: Kelsi Cisney Treasurer: Megan Alexander Reporter: Emilee Woodward Sentinel: Wyatt Wilcox
Menifee men arrested after area police chase Menifee 24/7 staff Two Menifee men identified by authorities as gang members face charges including attempted murder of a peace officer after a police chase through the streets of Murrieta May 5. Fernando Alonso, 26, and Jose Rodriguez, 32, were booked on charges that carry a $1 million bail after a three-hour police pursuit Friday morning in which they are accused of shooting at a patrol vehicle. Alonso was arrested following the car chase. Rodriguez, who remained at large for most of the day, was booked Friday night after being detained by Sheriff’s Department gang unit deputies. The incident began at 2:35 a.m. near Los Alamos Road and Hancock Avenue when a police of-
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ficer noticed a black pickup truck with paper plates matching the description of a suspect vehicle involved in recent auto burglaries. After the truck pulled over and as the officer approached on foot, the driver sped off with the vehicle’s headlights turned off, according to a news release. Quickly joined by other police vehicles, the officer pursued the truck west on Los Alamos Road, north on Jefferson Avenue, then east on Kalmia Street and California Oaks Road. Near the intersection of California Oaks Road and Saradella Court, the driver of the suspect vehicle leaned out while the truck was in motion and fired multiple shots from a handgun at the officers, striking one of the patrol vehicles. The pursuit continued onto Clinton Keith
Road over Interstate 215 to Whitewood Road. At a point where Whitewood Road dead-ends just west of Keller Road, the suspect vehicle crashed through a fence and continued onto Keller Road. Officers lost sight of the truck for a moment and when they located it at the dead end of Keller Road south of Tracey Avenue, the suspects had fled. Officers found a handgun near the vehicle and began a search of the area, with the help of a police dog and a Sheriff’s Department helicopter. At 5:45 a.m., police received reports of someone ringing doorbells in the 29000 block of Goldenstar Way. Responding officers found a suspect, later identified as Alonso, hiding near some trash cans. He was taken into custody .
Letter carrier food drive is huge success Menifee residents donated more than 25,900 pounds of non-perishable food items through a Letter Carriers Food Drive conducted through the Menifee Post Office on May 13, which was recognized nationally as Stamp Out Hunger Day. Residents were asked to leave bags of food items next to personal and community mail boxes for pickup that day. Food was taken to the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard for distribution to those
in need. More than 50 volunteers helped in that process. “There was so much food, the letter carriers had to keep going back to drop off food before they could finish their routes,” said Dawn Smith, director of the Community Cupboard. “It wa the largest response we’ve ever had.” Stamp Out Hunger Day was recognized by members of the Menifee City Council as well during its May 3 meeting at City Hall.
MENIFEE 24/7
June 2017
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By KRISTEN SPOON Associate Editor
Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon This fenced-off, unsightly property that formerly housed a gas station could be home to a fast-food restaurant in the near future.
Another drive-thru? That might be only option for vacant site Menifee 24/7 staff City of Menifee officials are well aware that residents are tired of looking at the abandoned Chevron station on the northeast corner of McCall Boulevard and Bradley Road. The business has been closed for years, weeds grow around the site and the fence around the property is plastered with signs every time an election is coming up. Finding a suitable business for that location hasn’t been easy, however. Prospective tenants
have shown interest over the years but the small size of the lot is prohibitive for many businesses, said Jeff Wyman, previously the city’s economic development director and now assistant city manager. “The owner of that property is processing entitlements for a drive-thru type of operation,” Wyman said recently. “We want to get that corner redeveloped and cleaned up, as everybody else does. It’s a very small lot with limited options. Part of the challenge is to iden-
tify use and a site plan that would work.” Wyman and other city officials spent the week of May 22 in Las Vegas, recruiting potential businesses at the International Council of Shopping Centers. He said he realizes how residents feel about the number of fast-food restaurants already in the city. “Look at it this way,” he said. during a recent interview at City Hall. “We’d rather have a brand new fast-food restaurant there than have it sit the way it is now.”
Relay for Life a success
Photo : Relay for Life Facebook page Volunteers weathered a steady rain to fulfill their promise of staying all night at Paloma Valley High School May 6 for the annual Relay for Life Menifee to raise funds for cancer awareness and treatment.
Well, it’s summer time again. And what to do with our kids? I happen to have 10 grandkids and most of them live right here near me. I love to spend time with them! What a blessing to have them so close. Every year I try to come up with fun things to do with them. Some of their parents work as far away as Irvine and need some help during the summer. That’s how Camp Gigi was born. Now don’t get the wrong idea. I work fulltime and am out and about myself. But the kids are old enough now that I can put them in the car and they can go on my daily adventures with me. We actually have several of our grandkids help us with Menifee 24/7, doing things for the paper. Some
of them organize the office. Some of them actually throw the newspaper. A few of them are learning how to be photographers, and we have one that has written a junior reporter’s online edition. No one gets away from hard work in this household! Ha! We moved to Menifee five and a half years ago. We knew nothing of what’s out here to explore. So that’s when I came up with Camp Gigi. I set up a calendar of things to do with the grandkids. I did a lot of research. Boy, are
1. Skate party 2. Movie madness 3. Alpaca farm 4. Sundae Funday 5. Bowling 6. Beach day 7. Rest 8. Paddle boards 9. Star gazing/camping 10. Visit great grandparents 11. Family potluck 12. Julian adventure day 13. Train to Olvera Street 14. Rest 15. Swim day 16. Santa Rosa Plateau 17. Rest 18. Pancake party 19. Dance contest 20. Beach day 21. Family potluck 22. Temecula Berry Farm 23. City fireworks 24. Train ride 25. Ice Scream party 26. Trabuco Canyon hike 27. Beach day 28. Sprinkler day 29. Ice blocking 30. Dive-in movies 31. Pacific Mammal Center 32. Barbecue
there a lot of things to do. My list changes every single year. I generally mix up my list and try to have home time, craft time, a day away, and one fun day. I tried to put into the calendar a fun get-away and a couple of sleepovers. To tell you the truth, I have done a totally cost-free calendar in the past. The ideas are out there. The Internet is just fabulous for that. This is just this year’s calendar. And we don’t always keep to it. We use it as a guide. Sometimes the kids want to swap items, and that’s totally OK to. I just don’t let them bundle up all the cost-involved things together. So friends, here you go. I hope you enjoy the sun and surf. Go and make those summer time memories and enjoy time with the kids!
33. Picnic in the park 34. Beach bike ride 35. Jacuzzi/pizza party 36. Beach bonfire day 37. Rest 38. Kids pick 39. Water balloons 40. Norco antique shops 41. Beach day 42. Tide pools 43. Myrtle Creek, Fallbrook 44. Skating night 45. Old Town Temecula 46. Family potluck 47. Mystery day 48. Beach day 49. Rest 50. Bike ride 51. Drop Zone movie night 52. Children’s Museum 53. Mormon Battalion 54. Old Town San Diego 55. Sea World 56. Belmont Park, San Diego 57. Drop Zone 58. Camping 59. Camping 60. Jaquzzi party 61. Beach bash 62. Scenic drive 63. Craft day
Students earn medical scholarships Auxiliary recognizes honorees
The Menifee Valley Medical Center Auxiliary presented scholarships to 33 honorees May 18, including local high school and college students planning to pursue a medical career and Medical Center nurses looking to further their education. The annual scholarship luncheon was held at the Menifee Masonic Temple. Each honoree was presented a $2,300 scholarship to be used in pursuing an education in the medical field. Donica Loney, a senior at Santa Rosa Academy, received $2,500 after being named winner of the Darleen Bullock Memorial Award. She plans to attend Cal Baptist University and major in health sciences. Honorees were given
the chance to introduce themselves and tell audience members what school they plan to attend and what their goals in the medical field are. The program was put together by the Auxiliary Scholarship
Committee, made up of Ed Hollowell, Rick Alvarez, Judy Bair, Louise Gallaher, Maria Garcia and Phyllis Hershey. Dan McLaughlin (left), CEO of the Menifee Valley Medical Center, ad-
dressed the honorees as well. “You have chosen a great profession,” McLaughlin told the students, who plan careers as doctors, nurses or medical support staff. “You’re
changing lives. Remember, it’s the people who make it happen. You have such an opportunity to pay it forward through the investment of these dollars “Stay the course; don’t ever give up. The journey
is worth it. If you can just change one life, it’s worth it.” Candidates for the scholarships must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and attend a personal interview.
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Menifee Crossword Puzzle
HOMELESS From Page B1
only a temporary solution.” The Menifee Council recently passed an ordinance prohibiting panhandling that will go into effect next month. Enforcing it may be a problem, however. As city officials prepare to negotiate with the Sheriff’s Department on a new police contract and assess their ability to contract for more officers, deputies do what they can to protect residents while being compassionate about those who truly are in need. “The Menifee Police Department takes the very strict position that homelessness is not a crime,” said Police Chief Brandon Ford, who oversees the city’s police force as a captain out of the Perris Sheriff’s substation. “However, we do expend a great deal of time working with our homeless population to connect them with available resources. “Where there is a criminal element intertwined in our homeless population, we address it with enforcement only as necessary and always on a case by case basis. As it relates to encampments, they are generally addressed by code enforcement. Where the encampment involves crimes like trespassing, and someone makes a private person’s arrest, we can process that lawful arrest for them. “Additionally, part of our very conservative plan for police department growth will include the recommendation that we form a problem oriented policing (POP) unit. The POP unit would include two deputies with responsibility for working with our homeless population as well implementing a number of crime prevention strategies community wide. “ Of course, extra officers cost extra money. In the next month, the City Council will be asked to act upon the recommendations of interim city manager Ron Bradley about increases in funding for public safety. With state vehicle license fee income restored and money coming in from the new 1 percent sales tax increase, city officials are expected to have an
June 2017
MENIFEE 24/7
increase of more than $14 million next fiscal year to spend on public safety. The challenge will be how to give each aspect of public safety its fair share (see A1 story). In addition to police protection, fire protection must be paid for, along with any aspect of public safety that is considered road work. And then there’s the homeless issue. Could a homeless shelter be funded through money designated for public safety? “I would think homelessness is a public safety issue,” said Rev. Bill Freeman of the United Church of Christ in the Sun City community. “I attend the task force meetings and support them. Nobody wants the homeless standing outside an ATM, begging for money. But what do we do between now and then? They still have to eat and sleep someplace.” Freeman made headlines two years ago when a crowd of residents filled City Hall at a council meeting to protest his practice of housing homeless individuals at his church. At the time, homeless individuals were seen using drugs in the parking lot and were being accused of burglaries in the area. Freeman says now that he realizes the problems it created, and he has discontinued the practice. Even so, he wants to ensure compassion for those who really need it. The task force has identified the four biggest issues related to homelessness in Menifee as mental illness, housing affordability, personal hygiene and available resources. Sobek said the city has received a $4,000 grant for a marketing campaign educating residents about the best way they can help those appearing to be in need. “I was talking to Robert Masson (president of the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association),” Sobek said. “He said if we educate people about the panhandlers, a lot of the problems will go away. But there also are the truly homeless that you don’t see – people who hide because they are afraid their children will be taken away. Either way, we’re now acting and not just talking about it.”
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Solve the Menifee Crossword Puzzle by finding the answers to these clues. This is our hardest one yet. Fold over the page to hide the answers on page B5. ACROSS
DOWN
1. Join with a blowtorch 5. Sidekick who rode Scout 10. Again 14. Again 15. Standoffish 16. Apple or pear 17. Like paraffin 18. Stupefy with drink 19. Coup d’____ 20. Land for a trail bike 23. Block house? 26. French writer 27. Daring aviator 31. Desert mounds 32. Put turf on 33. Big Apple school 34. Electricians, often 35. Truckee River’s source 38. Rubs clean 41. Stranded cell stuff 42. Poehler of “Sisters” 45. Ex-Sec. of State Rice, informally 46. Followed one’s own rules 49. Erte’s genre 51. Mini Nano and Shuffle 52. Local of a plane’s aileron 56. Civil wrong 57. Long, hard look 58. Must-have 62. Actress Falco 63. Filmdom’s Farrell 64. Hard on the eyes 65. Speed wagons, e.g. 66. First stage 67. Nose (around)
1. “Holy moly!” 2. Argentina’s Peron 3. Villain Luthor 4. Timber decay 5. Perfume brand since 1931 6. Cassini of fahion 7. Light bite 8. Warn with a honk 9. Again and again 10. What a camera’s f-stop sets 11. Zilch 12. AOL user, often 13. Moisture 21. “Alley ___” 22. Ham’s medium 23. With 42-Down, “We have the OK” 24. Prefix with “caching” 25. Dr. Leary’s drug 28. Tattoo parlor supply 29. Sodium hydroxide 30. Startlingly unusual 34. “Excuse me?” 35. Eschewers of high-tech things 36. The Little Mermaid’s name 37. Journalist Curry 38. Disperse 39. Eat away at 40. So Cal airport 42. See 23-Down 44. “Gladly!” 46. Stuffed Chinese dumpling 47. Fix, as fight 48. Share inner feelings 50. “The ___ Kid” (TV series) 53. Young misses 54. ____ Canal 55. Car ding 59. Sense of self 60. Bugling animal 61. L’Oreal product
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June 2017
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Photos from local residents...
HelloMenifee.com Menifee in Pictures Calendar of Events -- June/July 2017
6/15 People’s State of the City 2017 8:00 am (Menifee Lakes Country Club) 6/16 FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS - Sing 27587 La Piedra)
(Santa Rosa Academy -
6/23 Menifee Chamber – Ruby Jubilee 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Diamond Club @ Storm Stadium) 6/23 FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS - Secret Life of Pets (E.L. Pete Peterson Park - 29621 Park City) 6/22 LAFCO Detachment Meeting 9:30 am – 11:30 am (4080 Lemon St. - Board of Sup Mtg Rm) 7/1 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION 4:00 – 9:00 pm (Wheatfield Park)
Photo by Cindy Wolff
7/7 FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS – The Sandlot - (Audie Murphy Ranch Sports Park) 7/14 FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS – Moana – (La Ladera Park) ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS City Council Meetings on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of every month (29714 Haun Rd.) Farmer’s Market @ Wickerd Farm– Sundays 2:00 pm (26852 Scott Rd.)
9:00 am –
Sun City Farmer’s Market – Fridays 8:30 am - 1:30 pm (26701 McCall Bld.) Menifee Historical Museum – Open Sundays 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (26301 Garbani Rd. ) FOR DETAILS, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR OUR WEBSITE PAGE: HelloMenifee.com
Photo by Richard Davies
We will post YOUR Menifee Community events for FREE ! Email event details to: HelloMenifee@gmail.com
Answers for this month’s Woman crossword puzzle gets 2 DUIs ACROSS DOWN in 5 days 1. Weld 5. Tonto 10. Anew 14. Over 15. Aloof 16. Pome 17. Waxy 18. Besot 19. Etat 20. Roughterrain 23. Igloo 26. Anatole 27. Testpilot 31. Dunes 32. Sod 33. NYU 34. Wirers 35. Laketahoe 38. Scours 41. RNA 42. Amy 45. Condi 46. Wentrogue 49. Artdeco 51. IPods 52. Trailingedge 56. Tort 57. Stare 58. Need 62. Edie 63. Colin 64. Ugly 65. REOs 66. Onset 67. Poke
1. Wow 2. Eva 3. Lex 4. Dryrot 5. Tabu 6. Oleg 7. Nosh 8. Tootat 9. Often 10. Aperture 11. Notaone 12. Emailer 13. Wetness 21. Oop 22. Radio 23. Its 24. Geo 25. LSD 28. Inks 29. Lye 30. Outre 34. What 35. Luddites 36. Ariel 37. Ann 38. Scatter 39. Corrode 40. Ontario 42. Ago 43. Mud 44. Yes 46. Wonton 47. Rig 48. Openup 50. Cisco 53. Gals 54. Erie 55. Dent 59. Ego 60. Elk 61. Dye
A Menifee woman was released on bail May 22 while awaiting a July court date for a felony DUI charge -- her second DUI arrest within five days. Suzanne Wersbe, 55, was first booked on a misdemeanor DUI charge May 17, after police say she drove a vehicle into the back yard of a residence on El Rancho Road near Griffith Drive in the Sun City community in Menifee. An investigation revealed she was impaired by alcohol and drove through the back yard of a residential property, colliding with the back of the house. No one inside the house was injured. Wersbe was cited and released. Then on Sunday, May 21, police say Wersbe drove a white 2009 Chevy Malibu into a parked Nissan Versa into which a 50-year-old male was loading groceries in the Stater Bros. parking lot at 27160 Sun City Blvd. The impact forced the Nissan backward and the open hatchback door struck the male, causing minor injury. Wersbe was booked for felony DUI in that case because of the injury related collision, said Captain Brandon Ford. Wersbe was booked into Southwest Detention Center for felony DUI on May 21, with bail set at $250,000. She posted bail
on May 22.
Photo by Shanda Brennan
Photo by Gavin Lowe
Menifee 24/7 EDITOR Doug Spoon ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kristen Spoon Editorial phone: 951-729-9865 Advertising phone: 951-729-9875 Website: www.menifee247.com Facebook page: Menifee 24/7 General info: menifee247info@gmail.com Menifee 24/7 Print Edition is a free publication distributed monthly by Premier Media Group. For a list of distribution sites, see menifee247. com. All content in this publication is Copyright 2017, Menifee 24/7.
Newspaper delivery is expanding The Menifee 24/7 newspaper is available at more than 130 locations, including restaurants, stores, libraries, other businesses and City Hall. Meanwhile, we are receiving an increasing number of requests for delivery at home. We are experimenting with free home delivery of the newspaper in selected areas to further preview our product. This may lead to an expanded subscription service.
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MENIFEE 24/7
June 2017
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