Valley News - April 5, 2024

PETA sets sights on ‘Illegal Roadside Zoo’ and its owner

Temecula Valley Wine Country called “The Wyld Jungle.”

Cancer Help Desk provides answers to those who need it most

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Rebecca Driscoll has co-founded a nonprofit to benefit those affected by cancer regardless of where they live. The virtual Cancer Help Desk utilizes oncology nurses and PhD scientists to help patients and caregivers explore treatment options, especially those who have been told there are no more options. The Cancer Help Desk serves anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis who is in need to learn of treatment options that might be best for their unique situation.

$1.1 billion to help repair and improve state highway projects, many in Riverside County

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on March 26 announced they have allocated $1.1 billion for projects that will repair an d improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. The funding includes more than $300 million for projects across California that will make the system more climate resilient while investing in bike and pedestrian pathways and increasing natural disaster preparedness.

The vernal pool at Santa Rosa Plateau is a protected ecological site where water settles after rain brings water to the area. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo endangered vernal pool wetlands that draw many visitors this time of year.

Kim Harris Special to Valley News

While the chilly winter rains can be a source of complaint and dreary to most, visitors to the Santa Rosa

Plateau Ecological Reserve are for a treat when they take the Vernal Pool Trail to the boardwalk where they can observe lush greenery and full vernal pools to the popular park located just outside of Murrieta city limits. The plateau, at an average elevation of 2,000 feet, is home to six distinct habitats including ancient oak woodlands, rare bunchgrass prairie and

While the pools are at capacity

Temecula Council says ‘no’ to ad hoc committee on development user fees

Split decision leads to secondary motion to refer item to the current fiscal subcommittee

Kim Harris Special to Valley News

Temecula City Council, under the request of council member Jessica Alexander, during its Tuesday, March 26 meeting, considered the possibility of creating an ad hoc committee to explore several issues related to the user fee schedule it had approved earlier this year.

User fees are fees imposed on private development related to services provided by the city. These fees include a wide range of almost 900 planning and development charges. The request came about following the March 12 City Council meeting when resident Bob Quaid, a retired CPA and consultant that has experience with local agencies and user fee studies, addressed the council. During public comments he expressed concerns about user fees approved by the council during its Feb. 27 meeting. Quaid said that the public had been overcharged for certain fees over the last 20 years “anywhere from a few pennies all the way up to see TEMECULA, page A-2

votes to keep transgender policy in place

LOCAL

Temecula Council approves amendments to city code addressing e-bike usage

Kim Harris Special to Valley News

Temecula City Council amended its city code earlier this week to address the use of e-bikes on sidewalks and within public parks.

T he amendment to Sections 10.24.040 and 12.04.050 of the Temecula Municipal Code comes about after the Oct. 26, 2023, Traffic Safety Commission meeting where staff was directed to research ideas centered around e-bike education and enforcement in addition to reviewing and revising city ordinances to address the increase in e-bike usage.

Patrick Thomas, Temecula’s director of public works, addressed the issue with council, saying that the use of e-bikes has increased within the city exponentially over the past few years.

“I think these e-bikes are here to stay,” he said, adding that feedback from the Traffic Safety Commission as well as from the general public were considered before drafting the ordinance.

“The use of e-bikes is not all negative,” Thomas said. “There’s a very positive aspect to the use, e-bikes provide a form of transportation for people and there are positive aspects as well.”

Thomas said that the city just wants to ensure that e-bikes are used in a “safe and proper” manner.

Temecula police Chief Capt. Chris Durham also addressed council, saying that he had been pushing for an education based campaign but that education on e-bike safety should really begin at home.

“Not everyone on an e-bike is a bad actor,” Durham said. “But there is a certain segment of the population, usually adolescent males, probably from 12 to 14, and me, being of that age a long time ago, can relate to their desire to have an e-bike or an e-motorcycle.”

Durham said the department has been working closely with the Temecula Valley Unified School District to implement some steps to address the e-bike safety concerns, including issuing an informational letter to parents regarding e-bike safety and regulations and implemented its new “Caught with your Helmet On” bicycle helmet safety

program which provides positive reinforcement to students wearing helmets. Schools throughout the district have held or are holding assemblies featuring officers from the Sheriff’s Department/Temecula Police Department and Bike Temecula Valley to promote Rules of the Road bicycle safety strategies.

According to Durham, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department/ Temecula Police Department and TVUSD are also implementing a plan that requires school students attend free instructional classes given by the sheriff’s department. This program educates students about the rules of the road, E-bike laws, helmet safety, interaction with vehicles and pedestrians, and more.

Future actions planned to educate the public on the use of e-bikes include some social media outreach on city social media platforms educating citizens on e-bikes and continued examination and recommendations to adjust the ordinance as needed.

“We’ve been pushing for education, but deputies will do enforcement as well,” Durham said. “Oftentimes that leads to citations, that leads to impounding vehicles, so what I am really asking for as a last minute public safety announcement again is that accountability starts at home.”

Durham asked for parents to do their homework and buy their children the proper safety equipment.

Make sure they are wearing their helmets,” he said. “If that accountability doesn’t work there, the deputies will hold them accountable as well.”

Durham also addressed the risk of riding e-bikes unsafely, saying that he wanted to avoid what he called the “third type of accountability.”

“I want to avoid that at all costs and that is if you do dangerous things, life will hold you accountable,” he said. “Whether that be getting hit by a car or doing willie’s down the road not wearing a helmet and hitting your head, those are the kinds of accountabilities that I really, really hope to avoid.”

According to Thomas, the code addresses the use of e-bikes on sidewalks and trails; bicycles are

Temecula City Council amended its city code earlier this week to address the use of e-bikes on sidewalks and within public parks. Valley News/Pexels.com photo

studies every three to five years, but Temecula failed to do so.

formation of the subcommittee to “look into the lack of oversight into the user fee schedule.”

Alexander cited Prop 26, the proposition created in 2010 that addresses regulatory fees at the state and local levels. For more than a decade the city has been possibly overcharging the people in our city and the stakeholders in violation of Prop 26,” she said. “It states that any fee charged above the actual cost of the fee becomes a tax when it exceeds the cost of the service.”

Alexander claimed that the overcharging of fees was actually an unlawful tax since increasing tax revenues requires a majority approval from the voters for local proposals.

Alexander said that 23% or 179 line items of the fees based on the current study conducted by Wohlford Consulting, which analyzed nearly 900 fees of the Building and Safety, Planning, Land Development, Fire Prevention and Police departments, were above the actual cost to perform the task and that “it is likely that the city could find itself in litigation.”

Alexander said the city approved numerous resolutions regarding user fee studies in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2012, but that none checked to see if overcharges were occurring. Typically, cities, including the cities surrounding Temecula, conduct fee

“As city council members we have a fiduciary responsibility and obligation to the people of this city to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work,” she said, adding there was no reason why the matter should not be looked into.

“We have sworn an oath to represent Temeculans and to be their voice, we have a responsibility to be good stewards of their money as it is our duty to be transparent, straightforward and do what is morally and ethically right for the public.”

While Alexander focused on the overcharging of user fees, she stated the study also reported some user fees were below what it cost the city to perform the services. So, the city was subsidizing some fees.

Mayor Pro Tem Brenden Kalfus spoke in favor of forming the ad hoc subcommittee. “The truth is nobody knows if we taxed our citizens without their vote,” he said. “A study has never been done so we can’t know either way if the previous fees we charged were a tax greater than what we should have been charging.”

Kalfus said, to him, it was “not acceptable to not know” if the city had violated state law.

“Nobody knows with a study being conducted,” Kalfus said.

Kalfus said that he thought there were many reasons for a subcommittee and that one would be that it needed to create policy to ensure that a fee study would be completed every three to five years.

“That is the recommended allotted time for the professionals that can conduct the reports, cities around us follow that recommendation,” Kalfus said. “If we do it every three to five years and we don’t wait 20 years, we don’t have these large discrepancies where we are undercharging and we are overcharging.”

Kalfus said that in the 2010 report, which the city chose not to implement due to a recession, it stated that the city “under-recovers approximately 10.5 million per year.”

“What that is saying is that we subsidize the citizens and to those who are paying those development fees we are subsidizing $10.5 million dollars a year which is a lot of money,” he said. “I believe that for decades we have been subsidizing too much … . Not only do we overcharge, we undercharge, and the way it was portrayed (during the Feb. 27 meeting) was if we don’t approve the 2024 user fee study we will essentially be losing $3 million a year.” Both the overcharging and undercharging were serious issues that needed to be considered, Kalfus said.

Councilmember Zak Schwank, who was first elected in 2018, said he was supportive of the idea of conducting a fee study every three to five years, but that he thought the idea of an ad hoc sub-committee was not in the best interest of the city.

As he shared his thoughts on the matter, Schwank was quick to throw previous city council members under the bus for not dealing with the situation when they were in office and called the request to form an ad hoc committee to address the issue “performative.”

“When we talked this through, a lot of fingers have been pointed at staff for not doing this, ‘why did we not do this,’ ‘why did we not do this,” he said. “I think everyone needs to go back and ask the city council members who were here at that time. They decided to not do this, it wasn’t staff, so go back and talk to your city council members that are now retired or who have

passing them with an audible signal and also yield to traffic when entering a roadway. The new language allows for Class One and Class Two e-bikes to be ridden on sidewalks and trails, whereas Class Three ebikes will not be allowed. E-bikes will also not be allowed in parks with the exception of on the roads and in the parking lot unless it is a class One bike trail. Council approved the amendments unanimously.

moved on. They made political decisions at the time to not raise fees.” Interesting to note that both Schwank and the Mayor Stewart were on the previous councils that failed to address this issue.

Schwank said that the undercharging was an issue that needed to be addressed. He also said that he had a problem with how the issue was being presented and some of the things that were being said as he pointed out that Quaid, who also spoke during the public comment portion of the March 26 in favor of forming an ad hoc subcommittee, was Alexander’s campaign treasurer

“In full transparency, I think its important, this feels manufactured,” he said as he pointed out one group in the audience all had signs. “It feels performative to me, in fact it is performative, so I have a problem with that.”

Schwank went on to say that he had a problem with the fact that Alexander had actually voted against the user fee study and corresponding fee schedule. Alexander had previously claimed she did because she felt that the council did not have enough time to review the changes that occurred.

“This is all something that I struggle with because I look around and I see a lot of wanting to tear down institutions, I see a lot of wanting to tear down staff and look around this community, you can’t tell me there is a deficiency … in institutional knowledge in our city,” he said. “Look around. The staff we have here are top notch … .” Schwank said that he believes all that is needed is user fee studies in the future.

“I’m not in support of trying to go back and rehash everything out,” he said. “We did what we needed to do and I am comfortable.“

Mayor James “Stew” Stewart said that the city did their fiduciary duty by acting on the user fees based on the information council was given. After a resident read a Bible Story during her three minutes, Stewart said, “I’m not here as a moral councilman; I’m here as a fiscal councilman.”

“I agree with Zak, I think it’s bad to go back and try to rehash,” he said. “We need to have a policy that says we are going to look at user fees like we do for mitigation fees and all these other fees. We have that trigger already in place, but for some reason user fees never had that trigger.

“I don’t believe creating a new subcommittee is the answer,” Stewart said, adding that the existing Strategic Fiscal Council Subcommittee should be able to handle any items in regards to user fees. The motion by Alexander and seconded by Kalfus to form a new ad hoc subcommittee failed to pass in a split vote with Stewart and Schwank voting against it.

A second motion to refer an item to the existing Strategic Fiscal Council Subcommittee to look at the creation of a policy to go ahead and bring forward a user fee study every three to five years and also have a public workshop and attempt to recover at a higher cost recovery rate which would then be brought before city council to consider and adopt was made by Alexander and seconded by Stewart. That motion passed unanimously.

The questions still remain as to the potential lawsuits that could be filed because the city failed to address the overcharges and the substantial revenue lost over the years due to the unintentional high subsidies that resulted from lack of oversight and updated fees.

TEMECULA from page A-1

A clearer picture of

Area’s first to offer Ion ® robotic bronchoscopy

Early detection is one of the most effective ways to improve lung cancer outcomes. To help catch the disease in its earliest stages, SOUTHWEST HEALTHCARE

TEMECULA VALLEY HOSPITAL has become the first hospital in Southwest Riverside County to perform lung biopsies with the Intuitive® Ion® robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform.

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By accessing previously unreachable parts of the lungs, pulmonologists are able to find cancerous cells sooner and can greatly improve patient outcomes.

To schedule a low-dose CT screening, speak to your primary care provider. For more details, visit SWHtemeculavalley.com/lung

PETA sets sights on ‘Illegal Roadside Zoo’ and its owner

Social media influencer Michael Holston has faced numerous charges in Florida for violations of that state’s fish and wildlife laws

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals targeted a social media influencer who has faced numerous charges in Florida for violations of that state’s fish and wildlife laws and who has opened an exotic animal zoo near Temecula Valley Wine Country called “The Wyld Jungle.”

Owned and operated by Michael Holston, The Wyld Jungle, located at 38831 Pauba Road, is being targeted by PETA due to “continued exhibition of regulated species without a license.”

In a March 27 letter addressed to Roxanne Mullaney, deputy administrator of USDA-APHIS-Animal Care, an attorney representing PETA said that the animal rights group had submitted “two prior complaints to the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting this apparently unlawful activity and yet, to date, the agency has failed to intervene.”

The letter, written by Emily Lively, asked Mullaney to “take aggressive enforcement action to enjoin this unlicensed exhibition before animals or the public are seriously injured.”

Holston, who goes by the name “The Real Tarzan,” opened The Wyld Jungle in February 2023, for private tours and direct encounters.

“The Wyld Jungle does not appear to have an AWA license and could not get one even if it applied,”

cate or other official records.”

MVUSD, Chino Valley, Temecula Valley and Orange unified school districts all approved nearly identical parental notification policies last summer but then the lawsuits began to stack up.

In August, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against Chino Valley while a coalition of students, parents, teachers and a teachers’ union, which was already suing TVUSD for its critical race theory ban, added the district’s policy outing trans students to the existing lawsuit.

In October, a judge granted a preliminary injunction to stop Chino Valley from enforcing parts of its policy, but a similar request to prevent Temecula Valley from enforcing its parental notification policy and critical race theory ban was denied earlier in March.

Riverside County Superior Court

Judge Eric Keen refused to block the TVUSD policies saying that the parental notification policy was not discriminatory because it “applies equally” to cisgender and transgender/gender nonconforming

Lively said in her letter, saying that Holston had “historically shown a flagrant disregard for the law.”

Lively said that Holston has been issued 10 citations by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 2018 for unlawfully selling wildlife without a license – and that history makes him ineligible for an AWA exhibitor license from the USDA.

Michelle Sinnott, PETA foundation director of captive animal law enforcement, said Holston was “a wannabe social media influencer” who has a disregard for the law and “disregard for the suffering of the animals he treats as props.”

“Holston lacks sufficient, if any, experience working with the exotics at The Wyld Jungle and does not appear to have hired experienced personnel to help him care for these animals,” Lively said in her letter. “Holston’s inexperience and reckless behavior [have] created a dangerous environment for the facility’s employees, the animals, and the public who have engaged in direct contact encounters.

“Nearly every video and vlog Holston posts to social media is riddled with AWA violations and concerning behavior,” Lively said in the letter.

View a copy of Lively’s letter at https://www.peta.org/ wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ Redacted-27_03_2024-Requestt o-Investigate-and-Take-Aggressive-Enforcement-Action-Against-

students. Keen called the district’s critical race theory ban “unconstitutionally vague,” writing in part the “claims of harm are conclusory and unfounded.” Keen’s ruling will allow the case to be heard in a trial, but as of press time, no dates have been set.

MVUSD Board members discussed the possibility of removing, amending or keeping the policy, hearing from 19 residents on the issue.

Teacher Francis Burns said he supported the policy as it stands and that he would “feel extremely uncomfortable” and be placed in an “extremely awkward position” if he had the knowledge that one of his students wanted to change their name, use a different pronoun or was considering transgendering.

“I have that knowledge and the parent does not have that knowledge,” he said. “I’m sorry, that is just flat out wrong. And this board policy needs to be upheld and I urge you not to rescind it.”

Eleanor Briggs, a parent with two students currently attending Murrieta Schools said had heard that a biological girl was dressing out in the boys’ locker room at Dorothy

Wyld-Jungle-LLC-.pdf.

Holston’s Instagram page showed numerous photos of him interacting with a variety of wildlife including alligators, snakes, elephants and giraffes, just to name a few.

It is unclear how many animals are housed at The Wyld Jungle.

According to The Wyld Jungle website, tours are available for $499, while private parties for up to 20 people are $4,999 while VIP all-inclusive parties for up to 20 people cost $9,999.

Holston could not be reached for comment about the allegations.

PETA alleged Holston also had ties to the notorious South Carolina-based Tiger King, Bhagavan Doc” Antle, who was convicted in November of wildlife trafficking. Antle pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the federal Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, including animals protected under the Endangered Species Act and conspiracy to launder money Riverside County Code Enforcement is also investigating the zoo, which has not applied for or received a permit from the county according to Code Enforcement spokesperson Felisa Cardona.

“Code Enforcement first received a complaint about illegal grading on the property on October 19, 2022, and a complaint that there was a petting zoo operating there was received on November 10, 2022,” Cardona told Valley News, adding

McElhinny Middle School, so she contacted the school to confirm. She said that she was more concerned about the transparency of the district.

“Why was I as a parent not informed so I could at the minimum prepare my child that they could encounter someone of the opposite sex in their locker room and mentally prepare them and perhaps prepare them if they were uncomfortable for that situation. What to do if that happened,” she said, adding she asked the principal what the school was going to do about it.

“To which the principal replied, ‘My hands are tied’” she said.

Briggs said she didn’t care what people identified as but she the district should have notified parents of the potential of a “very real change in their environment.” She said that the school didn’t notify of the situation or of any of the meetings regarding the district’s policy on transgender students.

“So, we’re there now, we’re here today. We’re here where you’re trying to rescind a policy that will further cause division between my children and myself,” she said adding if the district rescinded the

that Code Enforcement was granted access to inspect the property April 10, 2023.

Cardona said that two days after the inspection operators at the prope rty were given a notice of violation, an order to abate and a notice of intent to inspect.

“The owner came into compliance on the grading issue and that case was closed,” she said, adding that the two cases of an unpermitted business/petting zoo remain open and the operators were directed not to continue an unpermitted use until a permit was approved.

“They have still not secured a permit,” Cardona said. Cardona said that during a follow up inspection Wednesday, March 20, officers found a sign on the premises indicating that the property was a habitat refuge and not open to the public.

“Staff could not gain access at that time and Code Enforcement is continuing to work on next steps in this case,” she said.

Meanwhile

PETA said that Holston “continues to demonstrate that he believes the law does not apply to him, not only by failing to obtain the requisite AWA license, but by operating The Wyld Jungle in violation of Riverside County’s zoning code.” According to Lively’s letter, PETA is urging USDA to consider criminally prosecuting Holston due to what it referred to as The Wyld Jungle’s long-standing “apparent

policy, it would be tying “the hands of the parents to say ‘No, you cannot know fully what is happening with your child.’

“Which leads me to the next question of what else can the district hide from you as a parent,” she asked. “Why are you tying the hands of the parents to be able to parent their own children?”

Several students and teachers who wanted the policy rescinded said it was affecting students in a negative way.

Avery Saucier, a 19-year-old transgender man said he was speaking on behalf of the transgender youth at the Inland Empire and California who did not have a voice in the district.

“This policy does not protect children. It endangers them,” he said. “According to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics titled Disparities in Child Childhood Abuse between transgenders and cisgender adolescents, 73% of trans adolescents reported mental abuse. 39 reported physical abuse and 19 reported sexual abuse. According to L-G-B-T-Q youth found their home to be affirming. Back in 2021, 14% reported that they slept away from care caregivers because they were kicked out or abandoned. 40% stated it was due to their L-GB-T-Q identity.”

Saucier went on to say that transgender youth experiencing homelessness were more than three times as likely to have been physically threatened or abused due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Do these statistics give the impression that trans and gender non-

conforming students are generally in a position where you can safely violate their privacy,” he asked.

“If you could hear these numbers and see no issue, you are part of the problem. Failure to rescind this policy tonight means that our blood is on your hands to all the transgender youth listening. Whether you are here or miles away, you are seen, you are heard, you are loved. Trans rights are human rights.”

Former Murrieta Valley Unified School District student Ruby Secules, 19, said she was there to urge the district to rescind the policy

“Not a single good thing has come of this. No student has been saved because of this policy. No student has been helped because of this policy,” she said. “I’ve not spoken to a single student who supports this policy.”

Secules said that those who support the policy are people who had not set foot in a classroom in many decades.

“To be frank, you don’t understand what goes on in the classroom,” she said. “There is no threat. I am not a threat to your students. I was one of your students. Let me tell you. All I want is to be able to just be myself.”

After public comments, the board, sometimes heatedly, discussed the issue with board member Linda Lunn eventually calling for the vote to rescind the policy, which ultimately failed with Diffley, Pardue and trustee Julie Vandegrift in their votes to retain the policy while board members Lunn and Nancy Young, who seconded the motion voting to rescind it.

Kim Harris Special to Valley News

A screen capture from a recent Instagram video posted by social media influencer Michael Holston appears to show him wrestling a camel at The Wyld

now and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future, eventually the pool will dry up and the area will return to a grassland-like state until the next season where there is enough rainfall to fill it, according to Rob Hicks, a Riverside County parks interpreter who works at the reserve.

“With the winter rain, I imagine they’ll stay with water all the way until the beginning of summer,” Hicks said. “The vernal pools lose about one inch of water per week.”

Hicks said he expects the pools to have water in them into May.

“Then once the pools dry up, that’s when the flowers begin,” he said. “Even if there is no water there is always something to see in a vernal pool just because of the different schedules that the plants and animals have.”

According to Hicks, while the pools look like grasslands when dry, they are still technically wetlands because they will fill with water when conditions are right. “All it needs is a little bit of water for that pool to begin filling,” he said.

It takes about 8 inches of rain to

bring the pools back once they are dry, Hicks said, adding that the biggest of the plateau’s 13 vernal pools is currently up to about 25 acres.

It’s a big pool, but it’s only about one to two feet deep, so it’s very, very shallow,” he said.

According to Hicks, only 5-10% of vernal pools remain in the state, and the vernal pools at the plateau are some of the largest that remain.

One of the more unique things about the Plateau’s vernal pools is that they are known for an endangered species called Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp. The shrimp, which are relatives of lobsters and crabs, live for about six weeks then lay eggs called cysts that can survive for years in the dry soil until rain fills the pools and they hatch.

Dormant embryos can survive and stay viable for centuries.

Hicks said that the plateau is home to two types of fairy shrimp, one of which, the Santa Rosa Fairy Shrimp, can only be found at the vernal pools of the Santa Rosa Plateau.

“They are endemic to the plateau and so are a very, very rare kind of species,” Hicks said. “The vernal pools here at the Santa Rosa Plateau are the only place where they live.

They have probably been isolated for so long that they have adapted to our pools.”

Santa Rosa Fairy Shrimp are a little smaller than Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp, but very similar, Hicks said.

“They are perfectly adapted to this environment,” he said, adding that the pools go through a cycle of complete dryness to filling with water and then drying out again.

“They have been here for a hundred million years so they were probably swimming around in the footprints of dinosaurs and are still doing it with a lot of success,” Hicks said.

For those wishing to visit the vernal pools and see the fairy shrimp in person, there are some important things to keep in mind.

Trails are open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and it’s best to leave furry friends at home since dogs are not allowed on the trails. The cost to enter the reserve is $4 per adult and $3 per child.

Visitors are prohibited from picking wildflowers, collecting, touching or removing animals from the pools or anywhere on the plateau.

Hicks said that he believes that sometimes people get excited to

be out and sometimes get caught up in the moment but that can be a danger to the delicate ecosystem of the plateau.

“They want to really participate and interact with the animals and the plants. I really understand that, and I really appreciate that,” he said, adding that people “often forget about the compounding effects” of their actions, especially when taking the popularity of Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Park into consideration.

“It’s true that one person is not going to affect much because plants are tough, aquatic species are tough, it also doesn’t take much of an imagination to understand how we can compromise the very resource that we are coming to enjoy,” Hicks said. “We end up

destroying what we are coming to enjoy in the end when we don’t understand that compounding effect.”

Hicks said that when people go into the water or scoop up things, they leave behind residue of things they previously touched such as sun block, hand sanitizer and even soap.

“With one person, it will get diluted but with a number of people chemistry and the chemical make up of a very shallow water column can be affected so in order to protect what we’ve come to enjoy, we really have to enjoy it from the height of that boardwalk and just look and not touch,” he said.

For more on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, visit https://rivcoparks.org and click on “Explore RivCo Parks.”

Vernal pools are known for a species called fairy shrimp. The fairy shrimp hatch eggs called cysts that can survive for years during dry spells in the soil. When the vernal pool is filled with water from rain and the weather is cold enough, the fairy shrimp hatch. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

A young hiker walks along a viewing deck over the vernal pool at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Visitors are reminded that the vernal pools are protected and are not allowed to touch the water.

A tadpole swims around the shallow vernal pool at Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

POOLS from page A-1

Fun was the name of the game at Soboba Tribal Preschool fundraiser

News

The second annual Bingo Night Fundraiser to raise money for Soboba Tribal Preschool students to attend a year-end celebration at Legoland was an astounding success. The sold-out event attracted 400 game players to the Soboba Sports Complex Thursday, March 21, to play four games of bingo, each with cash prizes.

After a welcome and heartfelt gratitude from Tribal Executive Officer Steven Estrada, who acknowledged all team members who volunteered their time, the first number was called by sponsorship coordinator Andrew Vallejos, who was being assisted by Loovi Herrera on stage.

The first game ended in a tie and Paul Johnson and Dione Kitchen had to take part in a tiebreaker contest facilitated by Corryn Salgado-Flores. She said it is a trending Tik Tok challenge to see who can get a three-foot-long Fruit Roll-up into their mouth the fastest without using their hands.

Johnson, who emerged victorious, donated half of his $250 winnings back to the preschool while the crowd applauded his generosity.

The second game ended in a three-way tie and the tiebreaker this time had contestants placing an Oreo cookie onto their forehead and without using their hands, working it down into their mouth.

After several attempts, and many replacement cookies being handed out, Janis Ayal from Pechanga was the winner.

Gordon Placencia was the only winner in game 3 and the final Blackout Bingo game resulted in two players participating in two tiebreakers since the cash prize was $500. It was Chanel Zelaya versus preschool student Ignacio “Iggy” Alcala. After Chanel won the Fruit Roll-up challenge, they were both given a chance at an ax throwing contest, using plastic axes. Although they both got one ax on the target, Chanel was given the overall win after combining both contests.

Adding to the anticipation of the night were 80 outstanding raffle prizes, most of them in cellophanewrapped baskets. Those who purchased raffle tickets deposited them into the boxes in front of the gifts they most wanted. There was also a 50/50 drawing that gave one lucky ticket holder $1,089.50 to take home.

But the biggest win of the night

was seeing the community support for the preschool. Vallejos reached out to all the departments and requested volunteers and was pleased with the positive response.

“All these people came together because they wanted to see these children go to their year-end event,” Vallejos said. “I am so proud of these people and the team. This is why I work for Soboba. Unlike any other Tribe, this Tribal government is like a community, and you can count on them.”

From those who work at the preschool to Tribal and non-Tribal community members, each and every one of those who volunteered their time stepped up in a big way.

“It was a huge collaborative effort with a huge goal, and we made it,” Vallejos said. “I would like to thank Andy Silvas and the Parks and Rec team, Human Resources, the Soboba Casino Resort marketing team, Noli students, Soboba Youth Council, parents and grandparents and actually the entire valley for their assistance

and support.” He was also thankful to Estrada and his assistant Karla Valdez, Christian Aceves from the Soboba Tribal Environmental Department, Soboba Casino Resort team members and Soboba Foundation President Dondi Silvas who said she was happy to volunteer her time to the event since she is a “Glamma” whose granddaughter attends the preschool.

“It was just so nice to see such a great turnout,” she said.

Vallejos also thanked the IT department as well as members of Soboba Tribal Council and Noli Indian School students who pitched in. Vice Chair Geneva Mojado enlisted the aid of her two children to help where needed while she assisted with selling 50/50 and raffle tickets.

“Holy Smokes. What a great event,” Mojado said. “It’s great seeing the entire community here and not only those from Soboba. It’s heartwarming to see this kind of support for our youngest Tribal members.” Guests were treated to a delicious Italian dinner courtesy of Chef Anita Morillo and her team, which included Lead Cook Jacob Rivera. It rivaled any fine dining restaurant with three choices of pasta entrees. Added to that were fresh steamed vegetables, a salad and breadsticks. A corner was set aside for parents of preschoolers to host a sweet treats and bake sale, bringing in additional funds.

Carrie Garcia’s son Cygnus is a preschooler and her daughter, Clover, is in kindergarten this year. She was pleased with the turnout and is looking forward to going to Legoland with her children.

“I like to see this type of community support, and getting everything ready for this event it was nice to see the community’s involvement,” she said. “For me, having my children attend Soboba’s preschool is a generational thing. I went there when I was their age, and it means a lot to me to have them be students there.”

Vallejos said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of those that donated raffle prizes. From chamber of commerce members to Tribal administration office employees and the Silvas and Placencia families, the donations added to the excitement of the night as guests decided where to best deposit their tickets.

Hemet Mayor Joe S. Males, who attended with his wife, daughter, son and a dear friend, said his wife was happy to win one of the raffle prizes she wanted. He said they all love playing bingo and he couldn’t think of anything better than to spend time with his family and also support Soboba.

“We had a great time and were amused by all the great ideas for winning tiebreakers; we couldn’t stop laughing and we enjoyed all those who were helping and directing the evening,” Males said. “My overall impression of the event was that it was spectacular. The coordination of all the volunteers was right on and they were all volunteering with a smile. I believe that I had more fun at this Bingo Fundraiser than any other bingo game I’ve attended.”

Vallejos said the coordination of the event was handled like any event for Soboba where they ask people from different departments to participate and get approval from their managers, who sometimes get involved themselves.

“Soboba is known for its community involvement,” Vallejos said. “Here at Soboba, the team is involved in the community, and if you’re invested into this community, you’ll be a lifelong employee of the Tribe.”

Soboba Tribal Elder Rosemary Morillo was impressed with the diversity of support shown at the event.

“I love when our community and surrounding communities support our schools and I love that our preschoolers are benefitting from this event,” she said.

Hemet residents and friends for 25-plus years Rita Neisler and Dora Ramirez had been at a linedancing event before heading to Soboba’s Bingo Night Fundraiser. They like playing bingo and were happy that their fun night out was also supporting a good cause.

“At the end of the night when the guests had left, all the volunteers who were cleaning up were tired but so happy. They were proud of themselves, and deservedly so,” Vallejos said.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Special to Valley

The second annual Soboba Tribal Preschool Bingo Night Fundraiser attracts 400 players to the Soboba Sports Complex, Thursday, March 21. Valley News/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians photos

Among the many volunteers helping to make the night successful are, from left, Geneva Mojado, Christian Aceves and Karla Valdez, who stayed busy selling tickets for raffle prizes and a 50/50 drawing.

Members of the Soboba Youth Council and students from Noli Indian School at the Soboba Reservation volunteer to serve pasta dinners to 400 guests. Janis Ayal from Pechanga is the successful winner of $250 after a tiebreaker contest between three winners of the second bingo game.

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EDUCATION

Murrieta Valley students honored in March

Recipients of the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month award for March are, from left, Katelyn Grochowski, Kemlie Louis, Karley Broe, Ava Alberts and Elina Kuang. Valley News/KC Photography Alberts and Vista Murrieta High School’s Kemlie Louis.

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to Valley News

The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program held its March 14 recognition breakfast at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Road. Emcee Mary Walters, Murrieta Valley Unified School District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, welcomed everyone to the event that celebrates and honors outstanding students who make a significant difference in their schools and community. The nonprofit program was founded 30 years ago by Sally A. Myers. Students are selected based on the organization’s mission statement to provide a local high school recognition program which acknowledges college and trade school bound seniors for their character, their love of learning

and their commitment to academics in addition to their participation in athletics, school activities, community service or their ability to persevere and overcome difficult life circumstances in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise. Large tote bags filled with gifts, certificates of recognition and more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was in-

vited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges, and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries. March’s students of the month are Murrieta Canyon Academy’s Karley Broe, Murrieta Mesa High School’s Elina Kuang, Murrieta Valley High’s Katelyn Grochowski, Springs Charter School’s Ava

Karley Broe Principal Matt Bean said Karley’s road to Murrieta Canyon Academy involves several surgeries, a struggled attempt at independent study and some interpersonal struggles to get through the pandemic. After she realized the small school environment at MCA was

Avijeet Randhawa wins 46th Annual Riverside County Spelling Bee after 19 rounds of competition

The eighth grade student from Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District repeats as champion and will represent Riverside County at Scripps National Spelling Bee in May

RIVERSIDE – The 46th Annual Riverside County Spelling Bee concluded with Avijeet Randhawa, an eighth grade student from Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District, clinching the championship title for the second consecutive year. Avijeet’s victory not only signifies his individual

achievement, but also continues an extraordinary family legacy in Riverside County Spelling Bee competitions. Following in the footsteps of his older sisters, Lara (2021 and 2022 champion), and Aisha (2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 champion), Avijeet’s win represents the family’s eighth consecutive victory

in the Riverside County Spelling Bee. Following his consecutive wins, Avijeet Randhawa will once again represent Riverside County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 26-31 in Maryland.

“I’d like to congratulate all the students who participated in this year’s Riverside County Spelling Bee and wish Avijeet Randhawa

Randhawa’s triumph came after 19 rounds of

competition. In the final round, he secured victory by correctly spelling the word “crescendo.” “I’ve been getting up at 4:30 a.m. every morning and studying for 5-7 hours every day for the last few months in preparation for this event,” Avijeet said. “I’m just gosee STUDENTS, page B-2

Avijeet Randhawa is the 2024 Riverside County Spelling Bee Champion. From left, holding their trophies are the top four finishers at 2024 Riverside County Spelling Bee; were Victoria Michael-Taiwo from Lake Elsinore Unified School District, Kiyara Gunawardena from Temecula Valley Unified School District, Profess Adhikari from River Springs Charter School and winner Avijeet Randhawa from Corona-Norco Unified School District. Valley News/Courtesy photos

EDUCATION

Canyon Lake $1,500 scholarship contest for resident high school seniors now open

Kim Harris Special to Valley News

It’s not too late for Canyon Lake High School Seniors to apply for a $1,500 scholarship being offered by the city.

The annual scholarship essay contest is open until April 18, the city said in a news release about the scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors who reside in the city of Canyon Lake. Only one winner will be selected, the city said, adding that the winner must be able to attend the May 8 Canyon Lake City Council meeting.

To apply, seniors must write an original, unpublished 500–750word essay on one of two topics, How does youth volunteering make the Canyon Lake community stronger or How youth can be Community Leaders? Applicants can also combine both topics into

STUDENTS from page B-1

a perfect fit for her personal and academic growth, she thrived. She is a member of the student leadership class and the Bring Change to Mind club which offers mentoring and positive mental health support on campus. After major foot surgery before her sophomore year, Karley was required to be completely out of school for a few months. It was suggested she transfer to the daily program at MCA that would support her as she rehabilitated, giving her the flexibility she needed. In Feb. 2022, Karley had to have a second surgery as the first one had failed but said she was able to succeed due to the support and caring staff at MCA. She has already been accepted at UCR but may attend one of two other colleges that have offered her scholarships. Karley will major in mechanical engineering and potentially would like to specialize in aerospace engineering.

Elina Kuang

Murrieta Mesa Principal Scott Richards introduced Elina as being in the top 5 of her class and having a genuine thirst for knowledge. She is secretary of Interact and a proactive member of California Scholarship Federation, National Honor Society, Asian Student

Ohio University announces fall 2023 provost’s list

ATHENS, Ohio – Following the completion of each semester, Ohio University recognizes the academic achievements of its students by publishing the president’s, dean’s and provost’s lists. Nicole Rasool and Helen Suarez Zavala, both of Lake Elsinore, achieved the provost’s list recognition.

The provost’s list recognition is shared with high-achieving, part-time undergraduate students who exemplify academic success. Qualifying students must possess a 3.5 or greater GPA and between 6 and 11.99 credit hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate GPA.

In fall semester 2023, approximately 1,800 of Ohio University’s part-time undergraduate students qualified for the provost’s list. A complete listing is available online at https://www.ohio.edu/

news/media/student-academicachievement-lists#provost.

Ohio University strives to be the best student-centered, transformative learning community in America, where students realize their promise, faculty advance knowledge, staff achieve excellence and alumni become global leaders. OHIO is committed to fostering, embracing and celebrating diversity in all its forms. Our Athens Campus offers students a residential learning experience in one of the nation’s most picturesque academic settings. Additional campuses and centers serve students across the state, and online programs further advance the university’s commitment to providing educational access and opportunity. Visit http://www. ohio.edu for more information.

Submitted by Ohio University.

Union and Key Club. She excels at the sport of golf, which she began playing at age 7 and has committed to play for UC, Davis where she has earned a scholarship. She has had three holes-in-one in her career, the first one at age 11. Her father is an 18-year veteran of the U.S. Army and Elina credits her drive for success from the strong military values of doing things correctly with structure and organization. Growing up in the armed forces has also inspired her to help eliminate the negative stigma of mental health in the military culture for those seeking therapy. She plans to be a clinical psychologist and wants to come back to the local area to start her practice. She said, “I want to make sure to never forget who my fight is for: my dad, his voice and the voices of countless other patients.”

Katelyn Grochowski

Principal Ryan Tukua shared that honoring only eight seniors per year demonstrates how special each one is and that the talented and inspirational Katelyn is no exception. He said she was nominated by 11 teachers and her varsity soccer coach. Katelyn said, “I’d like to share with you what I believe to be the moment that changed my life forever. At the ripe age of six years old, I watched The Lord of

the Rings: The Return of the King for the very first time; this led to a profound love for literature and storytelling. It is through books that I have lived 1,000 lives and learned 1,000 lessons.” Katelyn intends to pursue a degree in creative writing with a concentration in English literature and to one day write novels of her own. To her AP Literature teacher Alanna Fields, she said, “The gratitude I have for you and your role not just in my high school journey but in my life, is unfathomable. The compassion, understanding and support you’ve shown me is remarkable. I deeply believe every student has a teacher whose impact will echo in their heart for the remainder of their lifetime – you are mine.”

Ava Alberts

Springs Charter School’s Journey Homeschool High School program Principal Shirley Jones shared that Ava has been a student at the school since kindergarten. Ava currently has 100 units more than the high school graduation requirement, including 27 college credits and has completed CTE pathways in health sciences, digital art and design and cybersecurity while maintaining a 4.25 GPA. “Ava has also been a trailblazer in the first year of the Springs’ apprenticeship program which

From Our Heart to Yours! Thank You. 3030 Publishing’s Educator of the Month Winner

3030 Publishing is proud to honor and spotlight this month’s Educator of the Month, recognizing the exceptional contributions of Trent Pyne from Linfield Christian and Ed Campos from Kings County Office of Education. Their dedication to nurturing both the minds and hearts of students perfectly embodies our belief that a true education transcends academic knowledge alone.

Trent Pyne stands out for his remarkable ability to connect with students on a personal level, leveraging his extensive experience in coaching sports to build relationships that pave the way for academic and personal development. He firmly believes in the power of positive energy and getting to know his students personally, asserting, “If it’s in class or at practice, my students know that I care by the way my energy is always positive. I get to know them before I expect them to get to know what I am teaching for the day.” This approach not only fosters a supportive learning environment but also motivates students to engage more deeply with their education.

value of understanding and caring for one another.” Through Design Thinking sessions and a variety of mindfulness practices, Ed encourages students to find personal strategies for emotional regulation and self-awareness, fostering a nurturing space for individual growth and learning.

Ed Campos

The efforts of Trent and Ed highlight the essence of holistic education, where teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but also about developing the emotional and social skills necessary for students to thrive in life. Their work is a testament to the impactful role educators play in shaping compassionate, resilient, and well-rounded individuals.

3030 Publishing is delighted to celebrate the achievements of Trent Pyne and Ed Campos, whose innovative and empathetic approaches to education serve as an inspiration to all. Their dedication reminds us of the profound difference caring educators can make in the lives of their students.

serves as a bridge for individuals seeking to enter the workforce as an apprentice,” Jones said. Ava said, “When I was younger, I really wanted to be a writer and I didn’t want to attend school and take on responsibilities. I wrote childish stories on scraps of paper, stapled them together and sold them to people for a dime each and that’s really expensive considering the quality of the stories I wrote.” She said she resented high school because it didn’t allow her to daydream, write or sketch but “with my mom’s support, I became a high achiever, focusing on educating myself and taking advantage of wonderful learning opportunities instead of doing the bare minimum.” She also thanked her sister and said she owes a lot to her family. Kemlie Louis Vista Murrieta High School Assistant Principal Rosa Velardez said Kemlie embodies the spirit of service and selflessness. “Her passion for learning, coupled with her determination to succeed, serves as a shining beacon of inspiration for all of us,” she said, adding that Kemlie is an active member of marching band, wind ensemble,

concert band, AVID, Inclusive Peer Mentoring, NHS, CSF and Black Student Union. With a goal of becoming a hospital pharmacist, Kemlie said she will attend college in California. “I desire to work in the healthcare field as I really have a passion for helping others, especially when it can mean giving them more time on this earth,” she said. Playing tenor sax and the marimba, Kemlie said the band program has given her a second home. She said she’s learned a lot of lessons there and the biggest one came from her band director who always said, “today is the first day of the rest of your life.” She said after returning to in-person learning from being online in her freshman year due to COVID, this message reignited her passion for music. “These words have fueled me to grow into the person I am today, and I am forever grateful,” Kemlie said. “It’s never too late to begin again.”

For more information or to participate in the program, please contact LouEllen Ficke at 951415-2250 or Sally Myers at 951775-0520.

Avijeet Randhawa

BEE from page B-1

ing to keep my fingers crossed as I go to the national competition.”

Victoria Michael-Taiwo, a fifthgrade student from Tuscany Hills Elementary School in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, who was the runner-up last year, repeated her runner-up victory

Ed Campos is celebrated for his commitment to empathy, mindfulness, and innovation in the educational process. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in teaching and problem-solving, stating, “First and foremost, I think that modeling empathy as an adult is imperative, showing students and staff the

For those interested in nominating an educator who embodies heart and compassion in their teaching, please visit our website at 3030 Publishing and select “Nominate an Educator.” Let us continue to acknowledge and celebrate the educators who commit themselves to enriching both the intellectual and emotional lives of their students.

takes his turn during round 1 of the spelling bee. Valley News/Courtesy photo this year. Additionally, Kiyara Gunawardena, a fourth-grade student from Abby Reinke Elementary School in the Temecula Valley Unified School District, and Profess Adhikari, a seventh-grade student from River Springs Charter School, secured a tie for third place this year.

HEALTH

Cancer Help Desk provides answers to those who need it most

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

Rebecca Driscoll has co-founded a nonprofit to benefit those affected by cancer regardless of where they live. The virtual Cancer Help Desk utilizes oncology nurses and PhD scientists to help patients and caregivers explore treatment options, especially those who have been told there are no more options. The Cancer Help Desk serves anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis who is in need to learn of treatment options that might be best for their unique situation.

“It is extremely rewarding to see the immediate impact and support we can provide to those dealing with this awful disease,” Driscoll, of Murrieta, said. “We are working on collaborating with local advocates in the Riverside County area as it is the fastest growing county in the United States. And with the limited cancer support we see in the valley, we want to amplify our voices and let people know there is help that they can receive.”

Although newly launched, Cancer Help Desk is backed by more than 20 years of oncology experience. Those who take the calls are there to answer cancer patients’ questions and develop a plan of action throughout the cancer journey.

“We promptly evaluate each case and guide each person through every step necessary to get to the solutions needed,” said oncology nurse Deb Christensen, MS, APRN, co-founder and Chief

Patient Officer for Cancer Help Desk. She is the first point of contact to support each person who calls in. Patients receive a free 2.5-hour consultation with an oncology nurse. There are some further services that have a fee but that is only recommended when an individual might need more extensive support such as contacting clinical trial sites on their behalf. These fees are only to cover the teams’ time beyond the 2.5 hours of support given. Driscoll was quick to note that no one is ever turned away for inability to pay and all the care necessary to get the individual to the resources they need will be provided.

The third co-founder of Cancer Help Desk is Shelley Frisbie, who is serving as Chief Financial Officer for the nonprofit, whose mission is to combine compassion, expert knowledge, and evidencebased science to offer personalized education, resources, and treatment choices to anyone dealing with cancer. Acting as a neutral liaison, they bring together people with cancer, oncology providers and researchers to dynamically improve cancer care. And it is done with urgency, respect and transparency. The team’s goal is to reach one million people in three years to build awareness around testing and treatment options.

“Ultimately, if people can get the most appropriate treatment options sooner, through personalized care, we believe that surviving cancer is more of a reality than it was even 10 years ago,”

Driscoll said. “However, with all of the confusion around some of the newer treatment options, like targeted therapies, people do not know what to ask for. By spreading the word throughout communities, we can better educate people on how to advocate for themselves by just simply knowing what to ask for.”

The nonprofit came about because Driscoll, who is building the technology platform Swellter, found that many people dealing with cancer need a physical person to speak with outside of the doctor ’s office and ones that have training in the field of cancer care.

“I believe the combination of technology and human touch is essential for really helping people get to the best solutions for their unique needs,” she said. “Our goal is to partner with any and all local advocates who are supporting patients and could use our training and expertise to best support the people in their community.”

Driscoll is grateful to have found like-minded individuals who want to help people get to the right medicines and have become part of the Cancer Help Desk team to support them.

“There is no shortage of people who have great knowledge, training and expertise in oncology and who are also willing to volunteer their time,” she said. “They love using their skills to directly help patients in real-time. We are so fortunate to have these people to work with us. Eventually, our goal, through fundraising, is to be able to pay them something for

‘It’s not magic, it’s science:’ Eric’s Story

Eric Rodgers The Brain Energy MovementAdvocacy

Medical Review by Chris Palm-

er, MD

When I was in my 40s and 50s, everything was going well. I had a happy life with my wife and son. My optometry business was successful.

But I wanted to die.

I would ask my psychiatrist again and again: if everything is great, why can’t I appreciate it? I never got a good answer to that question from my doctor. But luckily, I discovered the work of Dr. Chris Palmer, and I began to understand the connection between mental and metabolic health. That’s when my life started to change for the better.

My story of poor metabolic health began in childhood. By third grade, I was overweight and concerned about my appearance. I ate processed food and snacked on junk food. By junior high, kids were teasing me about being fat. In 12th grade, I reached 215 pounds and had an epiphany of sorts. I didn’t want to go to college overweight. I cut out all snacking, lost a lot of weight, and felt better.

The signs that poor metabolic health was affecting my mood also appeared early in my life. I was a worrier. I remember having insomnia as early as 8th grade. I would go days in a row with poor sleep and felt extremely stressed. Though, overall, I had a happy childhood with a great home life and good friends, my underlying anxiety was building.

In my early 20’s I was prescribed medication for high blood pressure. Today, we know that’s a good indicator of metabolic syndrome, but at the time, I was young and a runner. I didn’t suspect my metabolism was impaired.

By the time I was 30, the stress of running an optometry practice contributed to my first bout of depression, which was coupled with severe insomnia. Sleeping pills did provide some relief and I got past that bout of depression mostly unscathed.

Ten years later, I wasn’t as fortunate. I changed my practice location and became the sole owner of a small practice. My anxiety increased. I began training for marathons. The exercise helped with my anxiety. The depression, however, reappeared, and it was worse than ever.

That’s when I started seeing a psychiatrist.

I took Paxil which made me much worse, then switched to Lexapro, which did provide relief,

but only masked symptoms and did nothing helpful for the underlying cause of my depression. I remained on SSRIs from the ages 40-55 with some degree of success, but significant underlying anxiety.

In 2015, a job change triggered a third episode of severe depression. I thought about suicide all the time. I was on a number of psychiatric medications, and was getting worse, not better. I stopped running due to poor mood and sleep. I gained some weight.

My doctor diagnosed me with prediabetes.

Next, she said to me eat less fat and exercise more…

That wrong advice, it turns out, was helpful because it led me to learn about metabolic health. And I started to learn about the role of diet in metabolic disease.

It wasn’t long before I found out about Dr. Palmer’s work with ketogenic diets. I decided to try it and quickly began to lose weight. My mood improved. I was still taking an antidepressant, but I began to feel better and better.

In 2017, a fully ketogenic diet was treating my decades-long severe depression.

I have now been medication-free and depression-free for about 7 years. I’m in a better mood than I was for most of my adult life. I know someone hearing my

story might not believe a diet cured my depression. But it did. And it’s not magic or good luck, it’s science, which is clearly explained in the book, Brain Energy. I also know I’m not alone in my recovery. There’s a growing movement of people who have repaired severe mental disorders with dietary and other metabolic strategies. And I’m sharing my story to tell you that there is hope for healing.

Dr. Palmer and the Brain Energy Movement are a catalyst for change. We’re a community where people from all walks of life come together to prioritize and enhance our metabolic health, which leads to positive transformations in our mental health.

Disclaimer: Although Rodgers was able to adjust his medications and start a ketogenic diet safely on his own, not all people can. There are serious risks with

It is strongly recommend that people work with their healthcare providers to adjust medications and/or start therapeutic/ketogenic diets as a treatment for mental health conditions. The Brain Energy movement is working to educate more healthcare professionals to be able to offer these treatments.

Fire Chief

Sam DiGiovanna

Special to Valley News

You’ve seen it, and you’ve likely even done it. They’ve drifted into your lane, driven right through red lights, blown past you in a hurry only to sit when the light turns green because they’re now texting and distracted. They injure or kill thousands annually.

At any given daylight hour there are over 700,000 drivers using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices in this country. Over one third of drivers admit to texting and driving and three quarters said they regularly see or encounter others doing it.

Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.

Most drivers use smartphones. Unfortunately, the phone may be smart, but the users aren’t as they text and drive and check emails.

“April is Distracted Driver Awareness Month,” Fire Chief

Sam DiGiovanna said. “Now is the time to unplug yourself before

you hurt yourself, others or worse: ‘drive yourself to death.’”

When driving, put your cell phone away. Not where you can see it light up for every notification you receive. Your cell phone should also be on silent mode. Just because your hands aren’t on your phone doesn’t mean the distraction has been eliminated. If a phone call or text message is really important, it’s best to pull over into a safe location – preferably a parking lot – before using your phone.

The same holds true with eating and driving, putting on makeup or fumbling for your smokes. It’s all called “Distracted Driving” and it’s deadly.

Be safe, be civil and be smart, without the phone. Without distraction!

For more information visit

http://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving. Drive safe.

Sam DiGiovanna is a 35-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as fire chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale.

To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

April 11 – 4-5:30 p.m. Join a National Poetry Month celebration for teenagers with Blackout Poetry using old book pages, markers and colored pencils as they create their own poetry art pieces at Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library for grades 7-12. Limited to 25.Visit http://TemeculaCA.gov/Library or follow @TemeculaLibrary on social media for updates.

April 13 – 7 a.m. The 2024 Spring Children’s Fishing Tournament will take place at the three lakes at Golden Era Golf Course, 19871 Gilman Springs Road, in San Jacinto. The tournament after registration begins at 8 a.m. and will continue until 11 a.m. All boys and girls from 6-15 years are invited along with parents. Register at http://alpost53.com Bring fishing gear. The tournament is limited to 200 children. Prizes awarded. Breakfast and hot dogs.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

April 4 – 7:30 p.m. Jazz pianist Ben Rosenblum will appear at The Merc, 42051 Main St., in Temecula. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. Visit https://jazzatthemerc.com/ event/5368701/664984915/benrosenblum-sextet.

April 5 – 5-9 p.m. Foodie Fridays, at Mt. San Jacinto College’s Menifee Campus, 28237 La Piedra Road. The event is presented by Made Local, in “flavorship” with the City of Menifee and Mt. San Jacinto College. It is an incubator for small businesses to gauge the community’s interest in their unique offerings. Foodie Fridays often hosts over 60 food vendors.

April 13 – 5-8 p.m. Loaded Baked Potato Fundraiser sponsored by the Hemet Lions Club. Includes a baked potato, beverage & assorted toppings. $10 per person, $6 for kids 12 and under. Benefits the San Jacinto Valley. Event takes place at St. John’s

Lutheran Church, 26410 Columbia St., Hemet. For more info, call 530-913-4351.

April 13 – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The Menifee Multicultural Festival at Underwood Park, 28251 Rouse Road, in Menifee will feature family friendly dancing exhibitions, children’s activities, food and craft vendors, highlighting cultural diversity and traditional heritage.

April 17 – 5 p.m. Temecula Valley Museum invites art and culture unveiling of a temporary mural recognizing Arab American Heritage in Sam Hicks Monument Park, 41970 Moreno Road, in Temecula, next to the museum. This free reception is open to the public. Guests in attendance will meet the artists, learn more about the mural and enjoy refreshments.

April 27 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Temecula Community Services Expo returns to the Civic Center, 41000 Main Street, in Temecula with entertainment, prizes, giveaways, activities and to meet instructors and staff. It will include a free fun zone, crafts and face painting.

May 18 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In commemoration of World Day for Cultural Awareness, Temecula will host the third annual Temecula CultureFest in Town Square Park, 41902 Main Street, in Temecula. The free event will showcase live music, dancing, special performances and fun activities for the entire family.

ONGOING – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. The Sun City Farmers Market meets every Saturday at the Sun City Civic Association at 26850 Sun City Blvd., in Sun City with local vendors and crafts.

ONGOING – Riverside Transportation Commission is offering Park and Ride lots to connect with carpools, vanpools and transit systems in Beaumont at 600 E. Sixth Street; in San Jacinto at 501 S. San Jacinto Avenue and in Temecula at Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but not on weekends.

ONGOING – Line dancing classes are held Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Lake Elsinore/

Wildomar Elks Lodge, 33700

Mission Trail, in Wildomar across from the Animal Friends of the Valleys. Classes have a DJ with learning levels beginning to intermediate. Have fun and exercise at the same time at $5 per lesson. Contact Joyce Hohenadl at 951674-2159

ONGOING – Sun City Civic Association Monthly Square

Dance sessions are held Sundays from 1:30-5 p.m. at 26850 Sun City Boulevard.

ONGOING – If you know a homebound older adult, resources in Menifee are available, including grab-and-go, cooked and frozen food for pickup. Courtesy pantry items and meals delivered with no contact. Three days of emergency food can be delivered immediately or restaurant meal delivery for those who don’t qualify for food assistance programs. Call the California Department on Aging at 800-510-2020 for help.

ONGOING – 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Temecula Winchester Swap Meet continues, 33280 Newport Road in Winchester. Saturdays and Sundays only. The small local swap meet is only 50 cents for entry, and anyone under age 10 is free admission. No dogs allowed.

ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Sunday, Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Village Walk Place in Murrieta. The Sunday morning farmers market at Village Walk Plaza is a place to buy fruits and veggies, gourmet food and crafts. Come to the center in the northwest corner of Kalmia/ Cal Oaks at the Interstate 215 exit in Murrieta.

ONGOING – Temecula’s

Farmers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

B-8 and

WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, NOTICE

April 6 – 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. STAT Horse Sanctuary presents western line dancing fundraising event at The Cove in Murrieta, 40675 Murrieta Hot Springs Road. All ages are invited for instruction by Nita Dancinfun from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Each brunch purchase brings 20% to nonprofit STAT horse sanctuary. The event is free but donations are appreciated.

April 9 – 9 a.m. Present an Elevator Pitch for innovators who can gain insights into crafting compelling business pitches that enhance their marketing endeavors with marketing strategies, synergizing promotional eff orts and effectively engaging targets as part of Temecula’s Innovative Month activity. Register at https:// bit.ly/42XEIYR. Visit Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange online for more information.

April 10 – 10 a.m. Attend Internet and Home-Based Business Workshop and learn how to obtain a seller’s permit and eligibility as a qualified purchaser or the tax implications for online or homebased businesses. Discover how to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. Register at https://bit. ly/3P3vRPA. Visit Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange online for more information.

April 10 – 3:30-5 p.m. Check out the Authorfest event at Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road, in Temecula and meet authors of children’s books, learn how to become an author, network with other local writers and learn about the intricacies involved in book publishing. All ages are welcome.

April 11 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MSJC Menifee is holding a Career Fair at the Menifee Valley Campus in jobs with internships, apprenticeship opportunities. It’s free and open to the public. See rohill@msjc.edu or call 951-6395352 for information.

April 16 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Southwest Riverside County Quick Pitch Competition is presented by Menifee, Temecula, Riverside, Lake Elsinore and Wildomar partnering with Riverside County Innovation Month at the Storm Stadium-Diamond Taproom, 500 Diamond Drive, in Lake Elsinore with a $1,000 grand prize. Email SAgajanian@ MurrietaCA.gov

April 22 – 4-6 p.m. The Earth Day MSJC presentation will take place at Primal Pastures, 25391 Washington Ave, in Murrieta for a hands-on introduction to Regenerative Systems led by two MSJC associate faculty members, Chef Leah Di Bernardo and regenerative viticulturist Greg Pennyroyal. They will share the power of regenerative systems from the farm to the plate to the glass and beyond. New classes are scheduled. With limited seating, save a seat at communityeducation@msjc.edu

April 26 – Monthly Temecula Arts Night meets on the last Friday of each month at The Lot at The Merc, 42051 Main St., in Old Town Temecula. Visitors can view a variety of artwork for sale from artists exhibiting in multiple mediums and enjoy live music at The Lot. A free reception is held in The Merc each month for the featured artist where guests can enjoy refreshments while admiring the art gallery.

April 27 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts Council Menifee presents the Menifee Arts Showcase at the Menifee Countryside Marketplace, Interstate 15 and Newport Road, in Menifee.

ONGOING – Temecula Valley Genealogical Society hosts the Family History Research Assistance Program for those interested in learning more about your family roots. The society offers free research assistance through this volunteer program. Appointments are available in person or via Zoom. Contact the TVGS Fam-

ily Research Coordinator at tvgs. research.assist@gmail.com

ONGOING – Temecula’s Path of Honor at the Temecula Duck Pond, 28250 Ynez Road. A program to give a place to remember and honor veterans from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and the World War II Merchant Marines who served the country with a permanent paver. Pavers cost $185. Orders may be placed year-round and are consolidated, engraved and placed on the path annually each November. For more information, visit http://TemeculaCA.gov/Veterans or contact the Temecula Community Services Department at 951-694-6480.

ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely? Help shop for the most needed items without leaving home as an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing. All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area. For drop-off locations and packaging locations, visit www. milvet.org/military-care-packages

ONGOING – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meeting meets the third Monday of each month at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth Street, in Temecula from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, email gaugustin206@ gmail.com or join the meeting.

ONGOING – Sons of Norway/ Scandinavia meets at noon the first Saturday of every month, September to June, at the Heritage Mobile Park Clubhouse, 31130 S. General Kearny Road, in Temecula.

ONGOING – Menifee Community Services offers online driver’s education courses for a $21.95 fee. The course includes animated driving scenarios, instructional videos, sample tests, licensed instructor available to answer questions, DMV-approved certificate of completion with all lectures and exams completed from home. Designed for students and does not include behind-the-wheel instruction or a California driver’s permit. Contact 951-723-3880 or visit the city of Menifee to register at www. cityof menifee.us.

ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m. Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.

ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit www. foodaddicts.org.

ONGOING – The Murrieta Garden Club meets each month at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. Anyone who likes to garden or is interested in plants is welcome. Membership is $10 per year. Find more information about the monthly event or project on Facebook.

ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit www.va.gov/homeless.

ONGOING – The Dorland

excerpt from their work for feedback/ critique. RSVP at www.dorlandartscolony.com/sunday-scribblers. html.

Rain does not deter the Easter egg hunt celebration in the San Jacinto Valley

Children’s fishing tournament to come to Golden Era Golf Course lakes

thrown back and registered at locations around the lakes.

2024 Spring Fishing Tournament coming to the three lakes at the Golden Era Golf Course Saturday, April 13, from 8-11 a.m.

The catch and release tournament starts after registration at 8 a.m. but with their registration check-in at 7 a.m., children ages 6 to 15 can enjoy a free pancake breakfast with their parents at the clubhouse. All that is needed is to bring fishing gear and smiles. Some bait may be available. The tournament is limited to 200 boys and girls who must register online through the San Jacinto American Legion Post at http:// www.alpost53.com . There will be official weigh-in results, free raffle prizes and free T-shirts for every child fishing. The caught fish may be weighed first by officials,

Medals and prizes for the top 10 places in each age group from ages 6 to 10 and ages 11 to 15 will be awarded. There will be prizes for the child catching the most fish in their age group.

But the highlight of the tournament will be the award for the biggest fish caught, which will earn the winner four tickets to Disneyland.

The tournament is made possible by contributions from generous sponsors who have the valley’s children in their hearts. Hemet Rotary Club members will be cooking the pre-tournament pancakes for everyone, and the Kiwanis Club will be preparing hamburgers and hot dogs after the tournament. The event promises to be an unforgettable family experience and will take place rain or shine. Tony Ault may be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

It may be painful to think about your funeral, but it doesn’t have to be painful to pay for it.

James Farley photo

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The shift in the polar vortex bringing almost record rains to the San Jacinto Valley during Easter weekend did not deter the Easter Bunny and his friend Lamby from hopping over to a visit with children at Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District’s Diamond Valley Lake Community Park in Hemet. Any child’s disappointment was waived despite very heavy rain and a long wait in their parents’ car that Saturday, March 30 when they each received a portion of the thousands of plastic eggs handed out by smiling Valley-Wide volunteers in front of the park’s Aquatic Center. Due to the rain, the eggs that are traditionally placed in the baseball field were instead handed out by staff. The Easter Bunny and a rare visit by Lamby greeted children, giving out hugs and high-fives. Even the parents, as a prelude to

the joyful Easter to come on Sunday, found delight in hopping out of the car with their children in the pouring rain after nearly an hour of waiting in the slow-moving line of cars to participate in greeting the Easter Bunny and his pal, creating a memorable event.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

A long line of cars in heavy rain at Valley-Wide’s Diamond Valley Lake Community in Hemet on March 30 brings children to pick up colorful Easter eggs for their baskets and to meet the Easter Bunny.

The pouring rain doesn’t stop these parents from taking a phone photo of their children with the Easter Bunny and his friend Lamby on egg patrol at Valley-Wide’s Diamond Valley Lake Community Park Valley News/Tony Ault photos

Valley-Wide volunteers at Diamond Valley Lake Community Park in Hemet are handing out thousands of colorful plastic eggs to children even in the pouring rain, March 30.

‘I can’t believe it, you are really here!’ says this little girl meeting the Easter Bunny with her mother at the Diamond Valley Lake Community Park in the cold pouring rain.

Tony Ault Staff Writer Excitement is growing for boys and girls in the San Jacinto Valley who will be taking part in a special

Redlands Symphony to perform in Fallbrook

FALLBROOK – A symphony

in rural Fallbrook? Fallbrook

Music Society is always evolving and presenting new and exciting programming to the area, and the concert Sunday, April 7, will be no exception.

After a 10-year hiatus, the Redlands Symphony will be back in Fallbrook by popular demand, presenting a performance that pairs Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” with Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.”

“We look forward to sharing this

experience with our community to spark more excitement about classical music,” Bob Freaney, president of Fallbrook Music Society, said. “This concert will be the grand finale of our 47th season as these talented classical musicians play beloved favorite pieces in a casual atmosphere that everyone can, and will, enjoy.”

Antonio Vivaldi’s” The Four Seasons” was completed in 1720 and stands as one of the most celebrated and recognizable works in the baroque repertoire. This

collection of four violin concertos, each representing a different season of the year, showcases Vivaldi’s innovative approach to both musical form and programmatic expression.

Vivaldi’s gift for melody, his vivid imagination, and his ability to convey the characteristics of each season make “The Four Seasons” a timeless and enchanting musical journey.

Astor Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” is a testament to his innovative spirit and his

desire to push the boundaries of traditional genres. By fusing the passionate rhythms of tango with the sophistication of classical music, Piazzolla created a work that transcends cultural boundaries.

The “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” takes listeners on a thrilling journey as they experience the soul and culture of Buenos Aires in a vibrant and emotional dialogue between tradition and innovation.

Canadian-born Lara St. John is a violin soloist and musical maverick. She was described as “a volcanic violinist with a huge, fabulous tone” by The Los Angeles Times and “a high-powered soloist” by The New York Times.

She has performed as a soloist nationally with the orchestras of Cleveland, Philadelphia, Seattle,

San Francisco and the Boston Pops, to name a few, and internationally in Switzerland, France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, among others.St. John owns and performs on the 1779 “ex-Salabue” violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini.

The Redlands Symphony concert will take place Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m. in the Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts, 2400 S. Stage Coach Lane, in Fallbrook. Tickets are $20 adult advance; $25 at the door, and children 18 and under are free. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org. Submitted by Fallbrook Music Society.

Murrieta Fire & Rescue celebrates 77th Anniversary with historic Firefighter’s BBQ

MURRIETA – Murrieta Fire & Rescue (MFR) will once again host its popular annual Firefighter’s BBQ on Saturday, April 13 from 12 to 6 p.m. at Murrieta’s Town Square Park. Attendees can enjoy live music at the Murrieta Town Square Park Amphitheater, participate in various activities throughout the day, and shop at the vendors’ market. This event is one of Riverside County’s longestrunning events. As per tradition, visitors can savor a smoked tri-tip lunch, chill at the beer and wine garden, and engage in a cornhole tournament. The event is free to

attend, and everyone is welcome. One of the highlights of the event is the annual Fire Cadets “Muster” Competition, where fire cadets from all over Southern California compete. The day will be filled with fun, food, and entertainment and is a way for the community to show their support for the dedicated public safety personnel serving at MFR. It is also a way for MFR to show its appreciation for the community it has served the past 77 years. In addition to the traditional barbecue, the event will feature additional food options

and general vendors, live music, and a DJ. Fun for all ages, this is an event the community won’t want to miss.

Attending the event is free and open to the public, with a nominal fee for the barbecue lunch. MFR is currently accepting applications for event vendors. Interested vendors should visit MFRBBQ. com to access the vendor application. The deadline is March 31, 2024. The MFRBBQ.com website also provides general information about the event. And be sure to follow @murrietafire on Instagram and Facebook for

timely updates about this year’s Firefighters BBQ. Murrieta Fire & Rescue officially celebrates its 77th anniversary on April 16. It was on that day in 1947 that the citizens of Murrieta voted to form the Murrieta Fire Protection District. With $1,400 donated by the community, the Fire District purchased a 1941 International 4x4 crash truck. At the toll of a bell atop the Methodist Church, the 10 Fire District volunteers responded to six calls that first year. In 1987, Murrieta Fire & Rescue changed from an all-volunteer fire district to a combined career and volunteerstaffed Fire District. Always on the cutting edge of fire protection, in July 1990, it was the first fire department in Riverside County to implement the Emergency Medical Technician - Defibrillator (EMT-D). In August of 2018, MFR was accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). MFR was the first agency to be accredited in Riverside County and the 18th in the state. Then in 2023, MFR was re-accredited.

Movie review: ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’

“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is really a tale of two movies. No, not a Godzilla movie and a King Kong movie, rather a movie that follows the human characters and a movie that follows what the movie calls “Titans.” The human portion is terrible, as is the human contribution to all American Godzilla movies (and I specify “American” because the human element in the recent Japanese installment “Godzilla Minus One” made it one of the best kaiju movies ever made). But the Titan portion makes for one of the best movies of the year. Let’s get the human portion out of the way. Returning Kong expert Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) notices mysterious signals coming from Hollow Earth, the subterranean world where the giant ape lives. Her adopted daughter Jia (Kaylee Hottle), a confidant of Kong’s that communicates with him through sign language, picks up on a telepathic signal as well, one that tells her that Kong is in

danger. The government allows Kong to pay a rare visit to the surface to have a tooth fixed by adventurous Dr. Trapper (Dan Stevens), provided he’s kept far away from atomic lizard Godzilla, who lives on Earth fighting dangerous “titans” and desperately wants to throw down with Kong in a battle that will undoubtedly cause massive damage. But the hurt tooth doesn’t explain the alarming signals. It’s time for Andrews to pay a visit to Hollow Earth, along with Jia, Trapper, and unofficial expert Bernie (Bryan Tyree Henry) to find out just how worried mankind needs to be.

The humans spout exposition and exchange unfunny banter. The talented Hall is wasted on this stock scientist character. She brings no personality to the action scenes, and the few heartfelt moments with Jia are sincere, but unchallenging. I enjoyed the Trapper character at first, but the movie doesn’t know what to do with Stevens’ effortless charm. Bernie is just plain useless and annoying. The character is supposed to be “comic relief,” but I was far

from relieved knowing that he was allowed to pollute this movie with his painful presence.

Balancing out the humans is Kong. He befriends a young ape (allegedly named “Suko,” though I don’t think anyone ever calls him that) that has been forced to work as a con artist by his master, the Skar King. The Skar King has laid claim to a world beneath even Hollow Earth, where other apes work as his slaves. His power comes from a crystal that allows him to control ice monster Shimo, against whom the apes have no chance. Kong challenges the Skar King for control of his empire, and the battle comes to the surface, where Kong has to recruit Godzilla to fight Shimo if there’s any hope of bringing the villains down. But Kong and Godzilla aren’t over their own differences yet. Will the “x” in the film’s title come to mean “vs.” or “&”? As with many things in life, the answer lies with Mothra.

Almost all of Kong and Godzilla’s scenes play out without human interference, and in fact do not involve dialogue. The fact that the movie can communicate so much without words is highly impressive. As are the anatomy-smashing creature-on-creature action scenes, provided you can turn a blind eye to collateral damage.

It’s such a shame that there’s so much to detract

Fallbrook Music Society presents Redlands Symphony with “The Four Seasons” and “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” featuring violin soloist Lara St John Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m. in Fallbrook’s Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts. Valley News/Courtesy photo

The Redlands Symphony concert will feature Lara St. John, a violin soloist and musical maverick. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org. Valley News/James Farley photo

Bob Garver Special to Valley News

Tradeswomen to teach industrial arts during Women, Wheels & Wine fundraiser event

Real Deal Revolution’s handson workshops in welding, pinstriping and leatherwork on Saturday, April 13 at Doffo Winery to raise funds for women interested in the skilled trades

TEMECULA – Wine enthusiasts, motorcycle riders and locals interested in the skilled trades are invited to Doffo Winery, Temecula Valley’s premier winery

Saturday, April 13, for Women, Wheels & Wine, a charity event presented by Real Deal Revolution, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is revolutionizing the perception of skilled trades and women’s roles in them, and MotoDoffo, a division of the family-owned winery. The event will include handso n, women-led workshops in welding, pinstriping, and leatherwork, award-winning wine, local food and vendors, vineyard views, vintage motorcycles, a silent auction, prizes and presentations and is open to the public for the suggested donation of $10 per ticket.

City of Menifee to commemorate April as Innovation Month

MENIFEE – In commemoration of the annual Riverside County Innovation Month held in April, the City of Menifee is collaborating with neighboring cities and agencies to organize innovationcentered events and meetings. These initiatives aim to honor the entrepreneurial spirit and continue the momentum of innovation within the valley.

Upcoming events in April include: T he Mayor’s Tech Idea Exchange (Tuesday, April 16, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)

In partnership with the Economic Development Coalition, the City of Menifee Economic Development Department will be hosting the Mayor’s Tech Idea Exchange at Menifee City Hall, 29844 Haun Road, Menifee. The event includes a presentation by Mayor Bill Zimmerman, a panel of industry experts, and networking opportunities

with those in the tech field. Those interested in participating in the program can register here.

Southwest Region Quick Pitch Competition (Tuesday, April 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

The Southwest Region Quick Pitch Competition is hosted by the cities of Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Temecula, and Murrieta. This event gives emerging startup businesses five minutes in front of a panel of regional judges with the opportunity to win a grand prize of $1,000. The winner will also be entered into the County Regional competition with an opportunity to win the grand prize at the Riverside County Innovation Month Grand Finale event. The Southwest Region Quick Pitch Competition will be held at the Diamond Taproom at Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium, 500 Diamond Dr., Lake Elsinore. To register, click here to fill out the application & email it to Scott Aga-

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to motorcycle skilledtrade educational programs for women, including internship and apprenticeship opportunities, scholarships and partner sponsorships through Real Deal Revolution. This event is open to the public and family friendly. Workshoppe participation is on a first-come, first-served basis and is available to all attendees. Registration wi ll be completed onsite, but advanced tickets at the suggested donation of $10 per person are highly recommended and can be submitted via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ real-deal-revolution-and-motodoffo-present-women-wheelswine-tickets-820396196107

janian at Sagajanian@MurrietaCA. gov by Tuesday, April 9.

“The City of Menifee is committed to equipping our local businesses with the necessary tools and resources to foster innovation and remain at the forefront of technological advancements,” said City Manager Armando G. Villa. “We are excited to collaborate once more with our partners in southwest Riverside County to champion and celebrate Innovation Month in our region.”

For more information on how the City of Menifee continues to cultivate innovation within the city and with its business community, please contact the Office of Economic Development at EconDev@ ci tyofmenifee.us or visit www. MenifeeBusiness.com.

For additional regional Innovation Month events in Riverside County, please visit www.rivcoinnovation.org.

The fundraiser goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with individual workshop sessions from noon to 1 p.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. Doffo Winery is located at 36083 Sum

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department names new division chief for Menifee

MENIFEE – The city of Menifee welcomed Chief Mark Scoville as the new division chief for Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Division 9, which includes the jurisdictions of Menifee and Perris. He will relieve Division Chief Lonny Olson, who will be returning to his original jurisdictional area of Division 5 and will no longer be overseeing operations in Menifee.

“We appreciate Chief Olson’s hard work and dedication over these last few years ensuring we have the personnel and resources we need to keep our community safe,” City Manager Armando G. Villa said. “Chief Scoville brings a wealth of experience to Menifee and I have no doubt that he will continue to lead our fire department with integrity and expertise.” Scoville started his career as a volunteer firefighter at the El

Cerrito Fire Station in 1994 and has served in several capacities throughout Riverside County, most recently being promoted to battalion chief of San Jacinto in 2018 and has served the Perris Battalion since 2019.

“I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity to lead the fire department here in Menifee and remain committed to upholding the highest standards of service,” Scoville said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with City leadership, staff, and the greater Menifee community to help keep our city safe.” Scoville’s official start date was Friday, March 1. For additional information about the Menifee Fire Department, visit http://www.cityofmenifee.us/ firedepartment

Submitted by Menifee Fire Department.

One of the workshops at the Women, Wheels & Wine fundraiser event will be in leatherwork. Valley News/Courtesy photos

HOME & GARDEN / REAL ESTATE

Rose Care FUNdamentals, April 2024

mentally gentler approach for safe and successful gardening.

Mechanical pest control

March greeted southwest Riverside County with an abundance of fresh new foliage and hopes for beautiful blooms to come. Maybe that’s got you wondering: “How can I get better results this year?” Has doing the same thing year after year lived up to your expectations of good roses?

Gardening is a partnership between you and your plants: How about letting your garden and your roses “speak” to you? Take a daily walk around your garden and get to know all that lives there. For example, take careful note of what’s typical of each variety of rose in your garden. Is the foliage of one variety usually shinier than others? Maybe more purple when young or more green? How about the number, size and length of stems and buds? Do some varieties seem to need more frequent watering than others?

This awareness will help you notice earlier when something is going wrong. For example, you’ll be better at recognizing when a given variety’s foliage is starting to look dull – low water? – or has a white cast – mildew? – or orange spots on the underside of the leaves – rust? You’ll notice insect damage sooner too, such as the yellow or bronze color and distorted or stunted growth caused by chilli thrips, the webs and “graininess” from spider mites or the holes in petals nibbled by hoplia beetles.

Have a plan for what to do when you begin to notice the signs of stress, insect damage or fungal disease. One approach that has become very popular over the past few decades is called “Integrated Pest Management.” It “integrates” mechanical, biological and chemical controls to take an environ-

Answers for puzzle on page B-4

Your first line of defense is also the simplest and cheapest. For rose gardeners, these include early spring pruning that allows more ventilation through the center of the plant and reducing fungal infection; stripping off diseased leaves regularly, picking dead leaves from the garden bed and disposing them in the green waste bin and applying a 3-4 inch layer of composted mulch or other to the entire bed to reduce evaporation and keep the soil moisture and temperature more uniform to avoid water stress and build robust root systems that strengthen the plant overall.

Rinse down foliage to wash away dust and the fungal spores that adhere to it, directing a strong spray of water to the undersides of foliage to blow away spider mites which are usually on lower branches and aphids and thrips which are usually on the ends of stems and buds. Aphids are the first pest in spring, so check for them early and often. Females are born pregnant and reproduce quickly, so every time you spray them away, you prevent hundreds more.

Picking gray/black Hoplia beetles, which are most notable on light colored blooms, from between the petals light colored roses and drowning them in a cup of soapy water.

Watching for “lacy” leaves and manually squishing the tiny rose slugs on the undersides of the leaves.

Biological pest control

Your next line of defense involves marshaling help from your friends in the garden. Birds and insects, such as ladybugs, praying mantises, minute pirate bugs, assassin bugs and fly larvae, all eat some garden pests. Attract more of

them by growing a diverse range of annual plants. Add a water feature such as a birdbath. Buy and release ladybugs and/or praying mantises.

Examine branches you prune off for praying mantis egg cases and setting them aside in a protected spot in the garden where they can mature without being trampled or tossed out.

Chemical pest control

The last line of defense allows the use of pesticides – that is, anything that kills insects – insecticides, mites – miticides or mildew and other fungi – fungicides. First identify and target only that pest. For personal safety and for minimal negative impact to pollinators and the environment, integrated pest management advocates only the least toxic products – those labeled “Caution.” It’s always recommended to spray in the early morning or late in the day when there is no bee activity.

I know gardeners who use pesticides as their first and only defense. This method is costly, time consuming and can backfire by harming the good guys: the pollinators and other beneficials, along with other harmless insects. Not only does regular and exclusive use of powerful pesticides help your pest population develop genetic resistance to the chemicals, it kills off the other insects that would otherwise eat those pests. Also, broad-spectrum insecticides don’t kill mites – so you can create an infestation of spider mites that will be delighted to have their insect predators eliminated. For more on the problems associated with using only pesticides, visit http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/rose.html

Gardeners who prefer to not spray often apply granular allin-one products that combine fungicide, fertilizer and a broadspectrum pesticide. It kills all insects, including pollinators, and it likely kills off beneficial fungi in the roots and soil. In addition, you can’t use any parts of the rose for any edible product for fragrance, cooking or tea.

Rose garden care this month

Now let’s talk about how you can apply many of these techniques this month in your garden.

You might expect that more moisture automatically means more disease especially with fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, downy mildew and rust, but the lower temperatures and the cleansing action of the rain, which washes off dust and spores, may be offsetting that issue. In the next weeks, gardeners may begin to see some powdery mildew and rust.

Under these wet conditions, pay closer attention to the drainage of your soil. Roses like plenty of water but they don’t respond well to soggy soil. If you see pools of water standing in your rose beds for a few hours after a downpour, you might do well to provide a

temporary path for drainage using a hoe or shovel.

Like most people, roses love food – preferably good quality food on a regular basis. Not all fertilizers include all the micro/ macro nutrients needed, so read the label on the packaging. Alternating the major fertilizer with fish emulsion of “Better Than Fish” every two weeks will help provide some of the micro nutrients. Organics are much better for your soil and ultimately for your garden and the environment. I’m told that sprinkling 1/2 cup of Epsom salt –magnesium sulfate – around large size plants, 1/4 cup for smaller plants, once in spring and once in fall can assist in getting new basal breaks, which are new canes from the bud union. I’ve done this many times, but I’m not sure it works. However, recently I’ve read that Epsom salt helps plants assimilate other mineral fertilizers in the soil and assists in “greening” up vegetation.

For general health and aeration, the soil needs a supply of organic material such as humus incorporated into the depths. It isn’t easily accomplished in established gardens, but adding a 3-4 inches of a good composted mulch over the entire garden, leaving a 12 inch diameter circle open around base of each bush will go a long way to enriching your soil overall because over time earthworms help transport that mulch down into the soil where the microbiology is complex and multi-tiered. Adding a handful of worm castings now is a good idea for improving the soil biome.

A healthy garden soil system is teeming with beneficial microbes that inhibit, compete with and consume disease-causing organisms. It creates a sustainable soil “immune system.” In fact, plants grown with organic fertilizers are themselves more resistant to pests and diseases. In addition, when you feed those beneficial organisms, they feed your roses. That’s because they are busy breaking down organic matter and releasing mineral nutrients slowly and reliably. I’ve recently learned that extra phosphate in the fertilizer that you use is most important in assisting in creating a soil environment that aids immensely in helping plants to be resistant to pests and diseases. Also helping plants to develop hardier root systems and larger blooms.

Many gardeners become discouraged when they first experiment with organic treatments while still using chemical fertilizers. It is difficult – in fact, almost impossible – to have it both ways. Chemical fertilizers negatively impact the soil food web by poisoning entire portions of it. The fact is, chemical fertilizers are salts. What gardener hasn’t seen what table salt does to a slug or snail? Salts absorb water and dehydrate

the soil microbes which are the foundation of the soil nutrient system. Once you’ve used chemical fertilizers regularly you must keep adding more because the soil microbiology is weakened and unable to do its job of releasing naturally available nutrients to your plants.

Rains help to leach accumulated soil salts from the soil if there is sufficient drainage. Organic fertilizers and amendments, such as manure, compost or mulch, break down slowly, generally staying where you put them, and don’t contribute to groundwater pollution as long as you prevent runoff into drains. In addition, they improve the soil food web, so in the long run you end up using less product.

Chemical fertilizers are artificial growth stimulants and, in the long run, harm your soil and pollute local waterways because as dissolved salts they quickly leach through the soil becoming unavailable to your plants and enter the groundwater. How about swearing off chemical fertilizers for the rest of the year and starting to use organics? Give it a year. See if your roses don’t reward you. Fish emulsion diluted in water is also a good amendment, applied either foliarly or onto the soil around each bush.

You may have had some blooms already. Prune off the spent blooms. Cut the cane back to an outward facing bud at a three to five leaflet leaf for new growth. Air circulation is important to help prevent fungi diseases. The small spurs growing inside the bush can easily be finger pruned to keep the center of the bush free of extraneous growth.

Giving the bush an early morning shower to rinse off the leaves may help to avoid powdery mildew. Do this early enough that the leaves will dry before the hot sun. It is possible that with night time dew a disease called botrytis can appear as discolored spots on the blooms, especially on blooms with 40 or more petals. Remove these as soon as disease is noticed. Even with great observations and preventive methods, fungi may become a problem and chemical treatment may be needed to keep disease at bay. Make sure to deep water. An extended slow watering is more beneficial than a frequently short application.

The San Diego Rose Society is planning a rose show Saturday, May 4, so plan to attend to see, smell and learn about different varieties and find a new one for your garden. For more information, visit https://www.sandiegorosesociety.com/.

For more ideas, visit TVRS’ Rose Haven Heritage Garden, 30592 Jedediah Smith Road, in Temecula, as well at http://TemeculaValleyRoseSociety.org/index.shtml. Spread the joy of roses.

Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez announces Home Rehabilitation Program for Riverside County Fifth District

RIVERSIDE – Fifth District Riverside County Supervisor Gutierrez announced the Home Rehabilitation Program for residents of Riverside County’s Fifth District. The program offers grants to qualifying income-occupant households of up to $50,000 for labor and materials, with no interest or monthly payments required. The program aids in the interior or exterior maintenance of existing mobile or manufactured homes, as well as addressing potential health and safety hazards in deteriorated housing units. The Home Rehabilitation Program is not limited to landowners. Even if the mobile or manufactured homeowner-occupant does not have land ownership, they can still qualify, effectively extending the recipient pool to include more mobile home park residents. Other qualification criteria include, but are not limited to, total household income not exceeding 65% of the area median based on household size.

Interior repairs or improvements for recipients may include ceiling, flooring, plumbing, accessibility improvements, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and air conditioning repairs or replacements. Exterior repairs or improvements may include, although not limited to, roof repairs, handicap-accessibility improvements, window and screen replacements, door replacements, exterior painting and door repairs or replacements.

Regarding Carmen Marie Pruitt, who was the first recipient of the program, Ana Sandoval, the Banning program coordinator who oversees the city’s senior center, said, “I have been trying to seek assistance for Ms. Pruitt for many years, but many doors have closed in my path. However, this experience goes to show that when the right people come together, great things can truly happen.” “Today… marks a truly special occasion that exemplifies the power of collaboration and collective effort. It was a day filled with

hope and transformation as we met the first recipient of the Home Rehabilitation Program, which we fondly refer to as the Pruitt Program in honor of Ms. Carmen Pruitt,” supervising development specialist Grace Escobar said.

Gutierrez said, “I noticed that we have a lot of seniors that are on fixed income, and unfortunately, they haven’t been receiving any help to fix their homes because they do not own the land. I knew we had to do something to help people like Ms. Pruitt, some of our most vulnerable populations, regardless of whether they own the land.”

Riverside County’s 5th District includes the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Hemet, Moreno Valley and San Jacinto and the unincorporated communities of Cabazon, Cherry Valley, Lakeview, Nuevo, Reche Canyon, San Timoteo Canyon, as well as parts of Valle Vista and Whitewater.

Valley News/Pexels.com photo

Frank Brines, ARS Master Rosarian Special to Valley News

SPORTS

Southwestern League baseball teams clash through second week of conference action

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

Last week was the second week of the Southwestern League’s three-game per week baseball series and there’s really no telling who the strongest team is just yet in this parity driven beginning. Although Murrieta Valley is the sole leader in the standings as of March 28.

The Chaparral Pumas (10-5, 3-3) were the first team to two wins this week after they took a commanding series lead with walk-off heroics. It was the magic swing of Masaki Brey, blasting the ball over the left field fence, which etched the final score of 3-2. Chaparral’s Ethan Udell took the win in the final inning where he delivered a hitless, scoreless inning, striking out two. Temecula

Valley’s Chase Hilt, unfortunately, bore the brunt of the loss despite only allowing a single run.

The following game on Tuesday saw the Pumas exhibit their offensive strength, prevailing 6-4 over the Golden Bears. Mikey Ong emerged as the night’s standout, driving in four crucial runs. His hits in both the second and sixth innings were pivotal in solidifying the Pumas’ grip on the game. While the Golden Bears (8-41, 3-3) found themselves trailing by five runs early on, they made a valiant comeback attempt. Yet Chaparral’s Jonas Ballesteros was a bulldog on the mound, allowing just two runs across almost five innings of work. Though the 12 hits accrued by the Pumas underlined their potent offense, perhaps the most noteworthy performance was that of lead off

hitter Caleb Udell, who achieved an impressive four hits out of four at-bats. Temecula Valley’s offense wasn’t silent either, with Hilt leading their charge, successfully batting in a run, and both Stone Tucker and Taden Krogsgaard securing multiple hits. There would be no series sweep for the Pumas as the Golden Bears pummeled Chaparral’s pitching for 14 hits in their 8-4 game three victory. Connor Christie led Temecula Valley with three hits in four at-bats with 2 RBIs as Cody Liscio picked up the win on the mound with 8 strikeouts and two earned runs in his three innings of pitching.

Rams and Nighthawks try to best each other for top spot

The Murrieta Mesa Rams (11-3, 3-3) and Murrieta Valley Nighthawks (13-5, 4-2) delivered

a riveting set of games by splitting the series before their final showdown.

The suspense hung heavy in the closing moments of the dramatic first face-off as the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks snatched a walkoff victory from the clutches of defeat, edging out the Murrieta Mesa Rams 6-5. The Nighthawks faced a two-run deficit at 5-3 until a seventh-inning rally changed the fate of the game.

Jesiah Generoso of the Nighthawks shone brightly at the plate, going an impeccable four for four, helping to steer his team to victory. Yet, it was Grant Harrison’s crucial single in the seventh that brought the scoreline to a climax, driving in the decisive run to claim victory.

The pitching showdown witnessed Charlie Black of the

Nighthawks and Jameson Minnett of the Rams in a tight duel. Minnett fell to a loss despite a valiant stretch over six innings. Black held strong to secure the win, shutting down Rams hitters in the final decisive inning. Landon Anderson also made headlines for MV, delivering three RBIs from the number seven spot, proving that every position in the lineup can turn the tide in crucial moments.

Seeking redemption, the Murrieta Mesa Rams, who have not lost at home all season, turned the tables on the Nighthawks with a solid 4-0 win, evening out the series on Tuesday. The Rams charged early with a CJ Moran RBI double in the first inning igniting the scoreboard. The Rams continued to build on their lead see BASEBALL, page C-2

Murrieta Mesa’s Dylan Wicks (24) is picked off on the bases in a Southwestern League bout with the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks. Valley News/Andrez Imaging Josiah Giron of Murrieta Mesa picked up the game two win over the Nighthawks with seven shutout innings. Valley News/Andrez Imaging

Temecula Valley’s Stone Tucker slides into second base as Chaparral shortstop Darin Osterloh makes a play in the infield. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Great Oak’s Roy Kim comes in for relief in the Wolfpack’s 4-0 win over Vista Murrieta on Monday, March 25. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Southwestern League soccer All-League awards 2023-2024 season

JP Raineri Sports Editor

It was an exhilarating season for the Southwestern League boys’ soccer teams, culminating in the much-anticipated AllLeague Awards. With a season highlighting remarkable talent and sportsmanship, the annual announcements honored top athletes who dazzled on the field with their skills and dedication.

The awards were hosted by the League Champion school, Great Oak for the boys, and Temecula Valley for the girls, who won their seventh straight league title. Distinguished players from across the league were recognized in multiple categories, shining a light on those who went above and beyond this season.

Mikie Castanon, a 12 from Great Oak, delivered an impeccable defensive performance

Joshua Ellis - Vista Murrieta11 - Left Back

Aiden Karrer - Vista Murrieta12 - Central Midfielder

Jonathan Torres - Vista Murrieta

- 12 - Center Mid

offensive skills with 41 points this season, leading to his prestigious MVP on Offense award. The First Team awardees displayed an array of talents that contributed massively to their teams’ successes. These elite players showed exceptional playmaking, formidable defense, and strike force that made them stand out from their peers.

Isaac Laurelin - Great Oak - 12 - Defender

Nico Powell - Great Oak - 10 - Forward

Ryan Rippel - Great Oak - 11Midfielder

Ethan Rios - Great Oak - 12Midfielder

Matthias Alcaraz - Vista

Murrieta - 12 - Midfielder

Mason Page - Vista Murrieta11 - Center Back

Roman Rodriguez - Vista

Murrieta - 11 - Forward

Angel Razo - Murrieta Valley12 - Defender

Ronaldo Fernandez - Murrieta

Valley - 12 - Midfielder

Lorenzo Galarza - Temecula

Valley - 12 - Defender

Gustavo Ochoa - Chaparral - 12

- Goalkeeper

Naseem Abedsalam - Chaparral12 - Midfielder (Coach Nominated)

The Second Team is composed of players who have performed exceptionally well, proving to be valuable assets for their respective teams.

Noah Rogers - Great Oak - 11

- Defender

Ryan Eddy - Great Oak - 12Defender

Brett Koser - Great Oak - 12Forward

Jack Vasquez - Great Oak - 12 - Forward

with an additional run in the third and two more in the fifth. On the mound, Josiah Giron of Murrieta Mesa had seven shutout innings that saw him relinquish only two hits, leaving the Nighthawks lineup baffled and scoreless. Game three took place at Murrieta Valley, where the Nighthawks were coming off a mid-week non-league loss to El Dorado. That tune changed with a 1-0 victory over the visiting Rams on Thursday. Generoso started the game for Murrieta Valley and recorded 21 outs. He only surrendered three hits over seven innings, striking out seven and walking two. An early lead helped propel the Nighthawks to victory when they scored one run on a single in the second inning.

“Every win is a huge win in our league, and I love the people at Mesa and miss them tremendously,” Murrieta Valley head coach Bryn Wade said. As the former head coach at Murrieta Mesa, who won the Division 1 championship with the Rams in 2016, Wade also says he is blessed to be a part of what is happening

Emmanuel Salazar - Murrieta Valley - 11 - Defender

Jayden Villalobos - Murrieta

Valley - 9 - Midfielder

Sebastian McBride - Temecula Valley - 10 - Midfielder

Patrick Tilley - Chaparral - 12

- Defender

Gavin Lane - Murrieta Mesa -

12 - Defender 2023-2024 All-League girls’

awards

MVP-Offensive: Annika Jost

(33 points) - Temecula Valley (12)

MVP-Defense: Sav SpielmenGreat Oak (12)

First Team Honors

Cassidy Drago - Temecula Valley - 11- Forward

Ashlyn Vaugn - Temecula Valley

- 11- Forward

Tatum Carrillo - Temecula

Valley - 10 - Center Back

Liberty Drago - Temecula Valley

- Freshman - Center Back

Taylor Kessler - Murrieta Valley

- 12 - Center Midfielder

Madison Ford – Murrieta Valley

- 12 - Center Back

Malia Bell - Murrieta Valley -

11- Center Back

Brenna Kelleher - Great Oak -

11- Goalkeeper

Ariel Bolton - Great Oak - 12

- Forward

Maggie Arens - Vista Murrieta

- 12 - Center Back

Kyah Gabel - Murrieta Mesa -

12 - Center Midfielder

Presley Henry - Murrieta Valley

- 10 - Forward

Second Team Honors

Isabelle Jost - Temecula Valley

- 11- Center Midfielder

Arianna Lewis - Temecula

Valley - 12 - Outside Back

Carly Radke - Temecula Valley

- 11- Forward

at MV. “It’s a beautiful thing to see grace given from player to player. It’s also great to see a very difficult day for a player turn into something good.”

Jesse Bustamante took the loss for Murrieta Mesa. He went six innings, giving up one run on four hits, striking out three and walking two. Julian Treadwell led Murrieta Valley with one run batted in. The infielder went 1-for-2 on the day. Bear Bachmeier went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead the Nighthawks in hits.

Broncos reign supreme in series decider

In a week that saw the Great Oak Wolfpack (10-5, 2-4) and Vista Murrieta Broncos (8-5, 3-3) vying to get out of the bottom of the standings, the two teams locked up in a tightly contested series that left fans on the edge of their seats through the final out.

On Monday, the Wolfpack took the series lead with a convincing 4-0 victory over the Broncos.

Right from the get-go, the Wolfpack stamped their authority with Reagan Ricken’s opening single bringing home the first run.

Followed by the powerful swing of Wyatt Toth’s double which

Celia Ramos - Temecula Valley - 10 - Goalkeeper

Payton Henry - Murrieta Valley

- 10 - Center Midfielder

Lily Johnson - Murrieta Valley

- 10 - Forward

Kylie Testi - Murrieta Valley10 - Forward

Anna Arban - Great Oak - 11Defender

Emily Mainwaring - Great Oak

- 12 - Defender

Destiny Cabrera - Vista Murrieta

- 11- Forward

Grace Hamm - Murrieta Mesa11- Defender

Aubree Crump – Chaparral - 12

drove in two more runs, and Jaxon Valenzuela’s skillful single adding another, the Wolfpack set a tone of domination.

Kaysen Raineri commanded the zone for six and two-thirds innings, yielding zero runs and striking out four Vista Murrieta hitters. Toth furthered the Wolfpack’s cause with his 2-for-4 batting output, driving in two crucial runs, complementing Ricken as they gathered two hits each in a day of sturdy offense. Freshman left-hander Roy Kim would come in and complete the game, sealing the victory.

The drama heightened on Tuesday when the Broncos retaliated with a 6-4 win in a game that was a true testament to the unpredictability of sports.

The early innings foreshadowed another close encounter with Great Oak jumping onto the scoreboard due to an error by the Broncos, coupled with Raineri drilling an RBI single. However, the climax of the showdown unfolded in the seventh inning. Critical plays by Brady Luyben, a costly error by the Wolfpack, and DC Ruth’s tactical sacrifice bunt allowed the Broncos to steal the lead and,

- Defender

We proudly congratulate all the incredible athletes who have earned their well-deserved places on the All-League teams. Their outstanding skill, unwavering passion, and commitment to the sport are what propel the Southwestern League to new heights year after year. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of these formidable players and continue to foster the spirit of competition and sportsmanship within our community.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedemedia.com.

ultimately, the game.

Even though Great Oak collected 13 hits to Vista Murrieta’s eight, they still fell 5-3 in their final matchup. Vista Murrieta took the lead in the bottom of the sixth thanks to singles by Ruth and Logan Colmer. The Wolfpack was led by Dylan Fien, Valenzuela, and Toth as they each collected three hits. RJ Holmes led the Broncos with two hits in three at-bats.

Only a few of the SWL teams have non-conference games during Spring Break, although Great Oak and Vista Murrieta appear to have a tournament game scheduled against each other on April 5. Bragging rights and momentum will surely be on the line as all six SWL teams keep looking to leave everything on the field in pursuit of a league title when they get back to league action Monday, April 8. Murrieta Valley will start off at home to take on Vista Murrieta, Murrieta Mesa will travel to Temecula Valley, and Great Oak will be at home for the first game in their series with Chaparral. Send sports updates to sports@ reedermedia.com

Temecula Valley’s Annika Jost was named the Southwestern League MVP on Offensive and Great Oak’s Sav Spielmen was named MVP on Defense. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Great Oak’s Mikie Castanon delivered an impeccable defensive performance this season with 61 saves as a keeper. Valley News/Rob Davis Photography

The MVP on Offense award went to JT Trevino from Great Oak with 41 points on the season. Valley News/Rob Davis Photography

BASEBALL from page C-1

Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and the Triumphant Trio battling type 1 diabetes

JP Raineri Sports Editor

On April 6, during the arduous Ironman 70.3 Oceanside race, a determined team named Dia-BetU-Can’t-Beat-Us refuses to be defined by their condition. Susan Powell, an indomitable cyclist; Tanya Schmidt, a resilient runner; and Brad Williams, an unwavering swimmer; all combatting type 1 diabetes, will be among the sea of athletes. United by spirit and tenacity, these fierce competitors are definitively changing the narrative around living with diabetes.

Having been diagnosed just last year at the age of 56, Susan Powell didn’t allow her diagnosis to dim her competitive drive. She fearlessly competed for Team USA in Spain merely two months postdiagnosis. On race day, she will tackle a 56-mile cycle, powered not only by her muscles but by an unwavering will. In Susan’s own words, type 1 diabetes doesn’t signal an end to one’s passion—it can introduce a challenging yet conquerable turn on their path.

Tanya Schmidt, a registered nurse confronted with the reality of type 1 diabetes during her freshman year of college, has since carved her path as an inspiring figure. A Boston Marathon qualifier, Tanya is set to cover an impressive 13.1 miles with every stride echoing strength and perseverance. Her story stands as testament that the battle against diabetes is fought on two fronts—one on the running tracks and the other within.

Phoenix-based firefighter Brad Williams, who faced his diagnosis in his youth, will cut through the waters of the 1.2-mile swim segment. His resilience extends beyond the flames he encounters in his day job. Brad swims against

the tide of diabetes, proving that condition is not a constraint but a catalyst for courage.

In their quest to confront the physical and emotional demands of both diabetes and the Ironman race, Susan, Tanya, and Brad are not only pushing their limits but also paving the way for many others grappling with similar challenges. Their pursuit is not for accolades but an affirmation to the T1D community that any finish line is reachable.

“I was a triathlete when diagnosed and when I first learned I had type 1 diabetes,” Powell said. “I thought I would never be able to race again. Tanya, a nurse, and a runner told me that it will be harder - yes, but not impossible. We decided to race together to show others the possibilities and we recruited Brad from a Type 1 Diabetic Athletes Facebook page. He was the perfect fit for our threeperson relay team.”

The Role of Advanced Technology

The trio’s relentless dedication to training and excellence is supported by the cutting-edge t:slim X2 insulin pump from Tandem Diabetes Care. This technology, alongside their continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, offers them a semblance of normalcy and control amidst the fluctuations of blood sugar levels during rigorous training. It’s a partnership between their tenacity and technology that assures them the freedom to excel.

“A half Ironman is hard but add type 1 to the mix and it can feel impossible,” Powell said. “It is not impossible. The formula is to find a support system. There are many groups of type 1 athletes who have a wealth of knowledge.”

Powell suggests that users tap into resources like CGMs, smart computers, and of course a continuous insulin delivery pump like Tandem’s t:slim X2. The final part of the formula is courage and grit because there will be good days and bad days.

“You need to pick yourself up and give your best each day of training and believe me, you will do it,” Powell said. “Our name DiaBet-U-Can’t-Beat-Us isn’t about others not beating us, it is about not letting type 1 diabetes beat us. We can still dream big dreams and work hard to accomplish those dreams.”

Susan’s vision to form a team, illustrated by diverse stories and united by a common challenge, invigorates the spirit of those haunted by the word ‘impossible.’ The shared dream, perseverant training, and mutual encouragement echo the reality that when faced with adversity, unity

Hemet Heritage Foundation and Hemet Museum to hold lecture on ‘West Hemet Unveiled: Ostrich Farms, Horse Racing and Hollywood Legends,’ Aimee Edgewood presenting

HEMET – Join Aimee

Edgeworth, an advocate for history and arts and founder of the Pearl Center for Creative Arts, on a journey through West Hemet’s past Monday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hemet Museum, 1111 S. State St. in Hemet. A third-generation Californian, Edgeworth blends local history with artistic expression to enrich Murrieta’s cultural scene, through her Murrieta Train Project.

In her presentation, Edgeworth explores the evolution of West Hemet from the establishment of a 100-acre ostrich farm in 1909,

catering to the fashion industry’s demand for ostrich feathers, to the transformation of the land by the Anderson family into a renowned breeding ground for Hollywood’s elite racehorses. Drawing from her great-grandmother Josie Anderson’s life and cherished family stories, Edgeworth’s narrative unveils the resilience of the land and its people, highlighting Hemet’s unique legacy in fashion, sports and entertainment. The free event will have complimentary refreshments served. Doors open at 6 p.m. To

RSVP, visit https://www.facebook. com/events/787624263255170

Hemet Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit organization that operates the Hemet Museum, presents interesting local history programs at their monthly meetings the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Services in Hemet. The public is invited. Visit http://www.thehemetmuseum.org for more information.

Submitted by the Hemet Heritage Foundation.

All three members of the team are using the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors and t:slim X2 insulin pumps. Additionally, Powell uses a bike computer that syncs with Dexcom so she can see her glucose readings. Tanya and Brad do the same with a smart watch.

“The t:slim X2 insulin pump is key to our ability to do endurance sports because it eliminates the use of long-acting insulin which for me was a constant threat of hypo during exercise,” Powell said. “Before using the t:slim X2 pump, I had three times where I needed EMS intervention. Knock on wood, since using t:slim X2, I have been able to manage my blood sugar independently. I have experienced lows but was able to turn it around and continue training.” t:slim X2 Works

The t:slim X2 works great as you not only use it in activity mode, but also can create different profiles. Powell has one with custom settings for moderate training and one she calls “Race Mode.” These profiles deliver less basal and the carbohydrate to insulin ratio is not as high. They also have the ability to suspend delivery and detach when swimming or to prevent ControlIQ from delivering insulin if their training is going to be intense. Being on a pump as opposed to multiple daily injections has been a game changer, and Powell said they are all incredibly grateful.

‘Dia-Bet-U-Can’t-Beat-Us’ is not a defiance to the competitors but an ode to the fierce determination within each team member — a declaration that dreams do not wither in the wake of type 1 diabetes. This sentiment is rooted deep within the team, and their

advice is simple yet profound: draw from the wells of courage, arm yourself with the appropriate resources, and step forward — one persistent pedal, stride, and stroke at a time.

“We are definitely training hard for this event,” Powell said. “Each of us has our own challenges for sure!”

Managing Diabetes

The three teammates work full time, have families, and have to manage their diabetes while adding training to their schedule. They have been training since July and are slowly ramping it up as the event is getting closer. Brad lives out of state and trains at his local pool and his wife and kids have been his biggest cheerleaders. Tanya belongs to a local running group, and she gets up before sunrise and with a headlamp gets her training runs in. Powell has participated in several group rides with some serious elevation gain to help her prepare for the hills she will encounter during the race. To keep up with their correspondence, they have monthly Zoom calls to check in with each other and they message each other when they have challenges and accomplishments.

Celebrate the Journey

“We created a team pullover to help inspire us and we can’t wait until we finally get to race together,” Powell said. “We really hope to inspire many!”

Join the Valley News in celebrating their remarkable journey, as Susan, Tanya, and Brad represent hope, resilience, and undaunted spirit, proving to all of us that with tenacity, teamwork, and technological support, there are no insurmountable challenges, only new finish lines to cross. Article contributions made by MBoomHealth.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com

Susan Powell of Temecula was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year at 56 years of age and will be cycling 56 miles during the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside race on April 6.

Temecula’s Tanya Schmidt, a registered nurse and type 1 diabetic, will be running 13.1 miles for her leg of the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside race. Valley News/Courtesy photo Valley News/Courtesy photo begets strength, and limitations are surmounted.

Brad Williams, a Phoenix-based firefighter, was diagnosed with diabetes as an adolescent and is teaming up with Tanya Schmidt and Susan Powell to participate in the 1.2-mile swim portion of the course. Valley News/Courtesy photo

The three team members use the t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ Technology by Tandem Diabetes Care. Valley News/Courtesy photo

SPORTS

Chaparral’s Song wins Bulldog Open; Pumas third as team

Joe Naiman Writer

SAN DIEGO – Chaparral High School junior Troy Song had the low score at the second annual Bulldog Open tournament which was played March 25 at the San Vicente Golf Resort in Ramona.

Song had an 18-hole score of 65. The second-lowest score of 70 was shot by Classical Academy (Escondido) freshman Ethan Schramm. The San Vicente course is 6,704 yards from the black tees the Bulldog Open participants used, and the 18-hole par is 72.

“Very exciting,” Song said. “Really proud of myself.”

High school dual matches involve nine-hole rounds; six golfers from each school compete and the high score is discarded while the scores of the other five golfers are added to obtain the team score. The Bulldog Open is an 18-hole tournament; last year five golfers from each team competed with the four best scores being added while this year Ramona High School coach and tournament organizer Craig Powell added an additional golfer while reducing the number of schools. Chaparral was the only school from outside of San Diego County, and the Pumas had a team score of 394 to place third.

“It’s nice to get out here and do these 18-hole matches,” Chaparral Coach Jon Mitchell said.

Chaparral High School had Spring Break the week before Easter. “It’s our first day of vacation,” Mitchell said.

The Pumas entered the 17team Bulldog Open with a 2-0 Southwestern League record.

Chaparral’s home matches are played at The Golf Club at Rancho California, and a March 19 match on that course was a 205-229 Chaparral victory over Murrieta Mesa. A March 21 match at The Legends, which is Temecula Valley High School’s home course, had a 204-205 score in the Pumas’ favor.

“We should be under 200. We’re almost there,” Mitchell said.

The Southwestern League also includes Great Oak, Murrieta Valley, and Vista Murrieta.

“There’s right now four teams that at any time can beat each other,” Mitchell said.

Eight Temecula Valley High School boys, including six seniors, are on this year’s varsity golf team.

“They’re a bunch of good guys. They push each other,” Mitchell said.

No rain occurred at San Vicente on the Monday the Bulldog Open was played, but that was not the case for the previous two days.

“It was dry Friday, but over the weekend it got enough rain to make it be standing water on the course,” Powell said.

The 2023 field consisted of 23 teams from 18 different schools and 122 players. This year La

Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) brought three teams while 14 other schools had one team apiece and a total of 100 golfers participated.

“I’m happy. That’s the number I wanted,” Powell said. “I made sure I capped it at 100 players.”

Fewer players made for a more efficient tournament. “We finished about two hours earlier,” Powell said.

In 2023 Chaparral had a fourplayer team score of 346 to place tenth among the 23 teams. This year Classical Academy was the team champion with a score of 369 and Torrey Pines (San Diego) placed second with the Falcons’ five lowest scores adding to 392.

Hauser’s no hitter leads to a week-long

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

Canyon Crest Academy (San Diego) has the fourth-place score of 401.

Song had a 93-stroke round last year. “I turned it around today,” he said. The 18th hole at San Vicente is 432 yards from the black tee. Song’s second shot on that hole was from 120 yards away. The ball went into the cup for an eagle. The only other eagle of the tournament was shot by Canyon Crest freshman Wesley Sirinian on the par-5 17th hole. Song had birdies on the par-5 first and 11th holes and on the par-4 sixth, tenth, 14th, and 16th holes while bogeying the par-3 15th hole.

shutout showdown

“The sky’s the limit for this man,” Mitchell said. “This has been a good year for him, so hopefully some college coaches start recognizing that.”

Danny Tovar shared 13th place with a round of 79 strokes, a score of 80 gave Chris Ma a share of 15th place, the players with 85-stroke rounds which shared 33rd place include Chase Burton and Conner Thoren, and Tyler Mesere had Chaparral’s discarded score of 86 but still shared 39th place.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com

The Rams began their scoring spree early with Paige Bambarger, a future Oregon State Beaver, singling to notch the first run. Kenzie Farrier and Madi Lardizabal added some zest to the already high-energy game, with Lardizabal’s blow in the sixth inning – a three-run homer to right field – punctuating the Rams’ offensive showcase. In total, Murrieta Mesa amassed an impressive 12 hits, with Prado, Bambarger, Danica Hobbs, and Lardizabal each bagging a

MURRIETA – In an electrifying Southwestern League matchup, the Murrieta Mesa Rams delivered a dominant performance against Murrieta Valley this past week. Lilly Hauser, the ace on the mound, effectively silenced the Nighthawks’ bats, racking up a spectacular 12 strikeouts in their 11-0 game one victory of the week. Hauser’s six innings of work were nothing short of remarkable, maintaining a zero-hit and zerorun game while issuing five walks. On offense, Victoria Prado, an Iowa State softball commit, was a force to be reckoned with, driving in a total of four runs. Her arsenal for game one included a monumental home run to center field in the fourth inning, bringing two runners home, and a crucial single in the first. As well as a sacrifice fly in the third.

pair of hits, contributing to the commanding win.

The power display continued as the Rams maintained their momentum into their next game. Savannah Demary and Hauser combined forces for another shutout, matching the 11-0 score against the Nighthawks from Tuesday. Amidst this powerful ensemble, Madi Lardizabal stood out once again, her three-run blast leading the Rams in RBIs. Maddie Boehm and Taelyn Holley also left their mark with monumental

home runs, rounding up the Rams’ remarkable hitting performance.

Looking at the broader spectrum of the league, Great Oak trails slightly behind in second place at 5-1, while Vista Murrieta keeps pace at third with their 4-1 record. Chaparral sits at 3-6, meanwhile Murrieta Valley (2-6) and Temecula Valley (0-9) are currently working on mobilizing their game play to change the dynamics of the league standings as the season progresses.

The Murrieta Mesa Rams, with their sights set on maintaining their untarnished league record, continue to prove they are a force to be reckoned with on the diamond.

Send sports updates to sports@ reedermedia.com

After spring break, the Southwestern League teams anticipate reigniting their fierce competition on April 9, where every game becomes more and more crucial for postseason play.

Murrieta’s own Tyler Wade shines on Padres Opening Day roster

the

first

America’s favorite pastime. But for the residents of Murrieta, March 20 was more than just a signal of the spring season—it marked a momentous occasion as one of their hometown heroes, Tyler Wade, debuted on the San Diego Padres’ MLB 26-Man roster.

On a day filled with tradition and excitement, where all 30 teams swung into action—with a few weather hitches—Wade’s presence on the Padres’ active roster resonated beyond the typical fanfare. For him, and the community that has watched his meteoric rise, this day was another pinnacle of years of hard work and

as a player to watch. The Murrieta Valley High School standout turned heads, seizing the New York Yankees’ attention in the 2013 draft, foregoing collegiate aspirations for a chance at the big leagues.

From spring training stints see WADE, page C-5

Chaparral junior Troy Song, pictured here with Coach Mitchell, won the 16-school golf tournament in Ramona last week. Valley News/Jow Naiman photo

Lilly Hauser pitched a no-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts in Murrieta Mesa’s 11-0 game one victory this past week against Murrieta Valley.

Paige Bambarger makes the throw from third base. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Murrieta’s Tyler Wade joined the Padres’ Opening Day lineup as an active starter. Valley News/Padres courtesy photo

Murrieta’s Tyler Wade made a solid impression with the Padres to start the season when they opened in Seoul, South Korea last week. Valley News/Padres courtesy photo dedication. Wade’s ascent to major league grandeur weaves a tale of perseverance that mirrors the very spirit of baseball itself. Shaped under Murrieta Valley’s skies, Wade honed his skills with ironclad determination, his talent undoubtedly pegging him early on

Highway Updates

$1.1

billion CTC allocation to help repair and improve state highway projects, many in Riverside County

Tony Ault Staff Writer

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on March 26 announced they have allocated $1.1 billion for projects that will repair an d improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. The funding includes more than $300 million for projects across California that will make the system more climate resilient while investing in bike and pedestrian pathways and increasing natural disaster preparedness.

Fifteen projects, totaling $309 million, are funded through the Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program (LTCAP) and are now in the 2022-2023 state budget to further the state’s ambitious climate goals. The funding will help climatevulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

The $1.1 billion allocation approved includes $323 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and more than $115 million via Senate Bill (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017

Riverside Projects

The CTC approved projects include $3.37 million near Barstow on State Route 247, where they will rehabilitate pavement, replace sign panels, add bike lanes, and upgrade facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); $11.20 million on Interstate 15 and State Route 91, near Chiriaco Summit at three star Ditch Bridge where they will replace existing rock slope, upgrade bridges and

commuter rail and other smaller projects.

The LTCAP provides $400.5 million over five years, with $148 million in state funding and $252.5 million from the federal Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Savi ng Transportation (PROTECT) Formula Program established in the IIJA.

The IIJA, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our energy, water, broadband and transportation systems.

In addition, SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared about equally between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. For more information about California transportation projects funded by IIJA and SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.

Caltrans This past week the California Transportation Department also announced there were no Ceasar Chavez Day and Easter weekend road closures. The heavy rains over the Easter weekend however delayed some other southwest Riverside County projects listed below.

Murrieta/Temecula

Caltrans is alerting the public that construction will be taking place in the cities of Murrieta and Temecula. Daytime operations in

the Murrieta and Temecula area continue Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Commuter

access still remains from the I-15 from SR-79 to Kalmia St. The crews will be working on installing trash capture devices. Watch for signage alerting motorists of upcoming lane closures and construction zones. All work is dependent on the contractor receiving proper materials for each job function and weather factors. It can be changed or canceled at any time.

Wildomar

Caltrans crews in the City of Wildomar remain on the I-15 South offramp from Bundy Canyon Road to the Olive Street bridge with operations Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. That work includes installing a guardrail system and terminal end system along the roadway. Right shoulder will be closed. Watch for signage alerting motorists of upcoming lane closures and construction zones.

Aguanga and Anza

Caltrans continues work on the $5.2 million slurry seal and rumble strips maintenance project on State Route 371 from Aguanga through Anza in Riverside County. Crews continue work in various locations on SR-371 from the junction of State Route 79 and SR-371 to the junction of State Route 74 and SR-371. Work is weather and temperature dependent. This project is expected to be complete by late winter 2024. Hours of operation are MondaySaturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Watch for intermittent short term lane closures throughout the project zone.

Hemet

Caltrans has been delayed because of the weather on the corridor improvement project on SR-74 (Florida Ave.) in Hemet. The project when proceeding will repave and rehabilitate 49 lane miles, install Traffic Management Systems, upgrade curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways to Americans with Disabilities Act standards, enhance bike lane signage and striping, and upgrade 29 bus pads within the project parameters. Weather permitting.

The work zone is in and near Hemet on SR-74 from Winchester Road to Fairview Avenue for the project length of 11.2 miles. Expect delays during nighttime operations. Other work throughout the work zone includes pothole repairs much welcomed by drivers along that highway. Watch for alternate route signage for business access. Regular hours include day and nighttime operations, SundayThursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Lake Elsinore

Caltrans is working on SR74 (Ortega Highway) from the Riverside and Orange County border to Monte Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore. Crews are performing work in various locations throughout the project zone. One-way traffic control with escorts will be in place from 8 p.m. to 9:59 p.m. During the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the route will be closed to through traffic. Residents and commuters will need to utilize the alternate routes to go around the closure each night beginning at 10 p.m. Access through the work zone will be prohibited during the previously stated hours. This area

is mainly patrolled by the CHP. Work will take place nightly, east of the county line on SR-74, Monday-Friday. Weeknight work is weather dependent and subject to change or cancellation at any time.

Banning Caltrans still continues work on the $4.9 million project of the installation of Zero Emissions Vehicle Charging Stations (ZEV) on Interstate 10 near Yucaipa, Banning and Blythe. Weather permitting. No lane or ramp closures are scheduled at this time. Intermittent closures may take place for equipment movement in and around the rest areas. The new ZEV charging stations will utilize a portion of the existing parking lot. Use caution when around the work area.

RCTC Project

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, is continuing its final work on building the truck lanes by widening a 4.5-mile section of Route 60 from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail in the Badlands between Moreno Valley and Beaumont. Some ramp closures may still be possible as this work continues to improve the safety on this highway with CHP standing by to assist.

The project is within mountainous terrain with a curving alignment and steep grades. The project was designed to improve safety and efficiency of travel between the Coachella Valley and western Riverside County.

Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com

The California Inland Empire Council, BSA awards the 2024 Adams Award to Faith Quezada of Riverside for the Sugar Loaf Trail Improvement Project

REDLANDS – The California

Inland Empire Council of Boy Scouts of America recognized this year’s recipient of the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award recipient, Faith Quezada of Riverside, Scout Troop 62. Her project improved an important trail system for those trying to summit Sugarloaf and will be something the community can enjoy for years to come.

This year’s project of the year focused on trail improvements to a section of Riverside County’s Box Springs Mountain Preserve trail system which is widely used by members of the community. The section of the trail, called the Sugarloaf Trail, was in desperate need of steps for hikers, erosion control measures and new signage to keep everyone on the right

path. A quarter of a mile of improvements in total, required 280 service hours. In addition to these conservation efforts and trail improvements, the project also involved trail beautification by painting over graffiti on the surrounding rocks, restoring the trail to its natural beauty.

The National Eagle Scout Association established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, a school, community or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.

In 2023, the California Inland Empire Council recognized 220 Eagle Scouts. Their projects totaled 33,741 hours of service

WADE from page C-4 that saw him bat a stunning .357, through the labyrinth of Triple-A ball, as well as stints with the A’s and Angels, Wade has established himself as not only a versatile player—a “super utility” asset—but also as an exemplar of resilience. A narrative of ascents, minor setbacks, and powerful comebacks has punctuated his career until the Padres welcomed

him in this past offseason, heralding a new chapter for the Southern California native. While social media accounts in Murrieta buzzed with prideful chatter, another local talent, Patrick Wisdom of Chicago Cubs fame, loomed large in the collective conscience, albeit sidelined by injury. Wisdom, another exemplary Murrieta Valley High alumnus, has carved his niche in the echelons of professional baseball, asserting the

town’s significant contribution to the sport.

Opening Day represents more than a calendar event; it is an invitation to witness the unveiling of fresh narratives, to build relationships with the players who will dominate our screens and define summer memories. For Wade, the season launch has been nothing short of enchanting—a blistering .444 batting average in his initial matches, including

the teams’ start in South Korea, a rate that speaks to the infectious enthusiasm and dynamic capability he brings to the Padres. With each swing and sprint, Wade embodies the ideals of his upbringing: energy, authenticity, and an affinity for defying odds. The Padres’ discernment in recognizing Wade’s ability to replace a hurt Kevin Smith speaks volumes, not only about their strategic vision but also

about their appreciation for his intrinsic value and character—a sentiment that echoes the character of the Southwest Riverside County community. Wade’s tale serves as a beacon of hope and determination—an exemplar for aspiring athletes and a nod to the relentless pursuit of excellence.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com

Scout Faith Quezada, center, of Riverside poses for a photo with Mark Schmitt and Eric Boor from Riverside County Parks Department. Valley News/YouTube screenshot

Scout Faith Quezada, seated at bottom center, and her group of volunteers pose with the new signage for Sugarloaf Peak Trail.

Biden speaks one-on-one with Xi

for first time in months

Reagen Reese

The Daily Caller White House Correspondent

President Joe Biden had a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, the two world leaders’ first conversation since they met in person in November 2023, Chinese media first reported.

During the phone call, Biden and Xi discussed Taiwan, ongoing military communication between the two countries and risks related to Artificial Intelligence, according to a White House readout of the call. The leaders also discussed efforts to address climate change and “counternarcotics cooperation,” the readout said.

“President Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” according to the White House readout. “He raised concerns over the PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] support for Russia’s defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security, and he

emphasized the United States’ enduring commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

The two world leaders have not spoken on the phone since July 2022, an official said on a phone call with reporters. The world leaders previously met in person in November 2023 for their first in-person meeting in a year.

During the in-person meeting between the two leaders in November, Biden and Xi reached an agreement on halting the production of illicit fentanyl and resuming military-to-military communications. The two leaders also discussed tensions between China and Taiwan during their last in-person meeting.

“We have not changed our approach to the PRC, which remains one focused on the framework of invest, align, and compete. Intense competition requires intense diplomacy to manage tensions, address misperceptions, and prevent unintended conflict. And this call is one way to do that,” a senior administration official said in a

Jinping

phone call with reporters.

The president raised concerns to Xi during the Tuesday phone call over the PRC’s trade policies and non-market economic practices, arguing that such efforts are harming American workers and families, the White House readout said. Biden added that the United States was planning to continue to “prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security,” according to the readout. The two leaders also pledged to continue open communication between the countries, the readout said.

“To take it back to that meeting last November, both President Biden and President Xi agreed that they would try to pick up the phone a bit more; use that tool as a means of responsibly managing the relationship, of being in closer touch at the leader level, which is so very critical in the Chinese system, on a more regular basis,” the senior administration reporter told reporters during a call.

Ilan Hulkower The Daily Caller

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District posted several photos Tuesday on Facebook of the underwater wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. “These 3D images show the sheer magnitude of the very difficult and challenging salvage operation ahead,” the Corps said. “Divers are forced to work in virtual darkness, because when lit, their view is similar to driving through a heavy snowfall at night with high-beam headlights on. So murky is the water, divers must be guided via detailed verbal directions from operators in vessels topside who are viewing real-time CODA imagery. No usable underwater video exists of the wreckage, because as one Navy diver stated, ‘there’s no need [to] take video of something you can’t even see,’” the army corps added.

The images are credited to the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea

System Command (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV).

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed March 26 after a container ship hit it. The 984-foot ship previously had hardware issues and was involved in a separate accident back in 2016, according to the maritime tracker VesselFinder. In the aftermath of the tragic accident in March, the Biden administration approved of a $60 million initial emergency fund relief request by Maryland. The Captain of the Port (COTP) in Baltimore announced a plan Sunday to open a temporary alternative channel

ICE to deport 215 illegal immigrants involved in riot at border wall in El Paso

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised the ICE removal operations of the individuals involved in the riot.

Customs officials are working to deport 215 illegal immigrants charged with various offenses in connection with breaking through a razor wire barrier in El Paso County and stampeding through a group of outnumbered Texas National Guard troops.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement on April 2 that agents with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) had lodged immigration detainers on 215 illegal immigrants involved in the March 21 incident.

Dramatic video shared widely on social media showed that on March 21 hundreds of illegal immigrants tore down razor wire along the Rio Grande and rushed troops posted at a nearby border fence, pushing past the outnumbered uniformed men.

The illegal immigrants were later arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety and booked at the El Paso County court.

Dozens of Venezuelan nationals were later charged with riot participation following the incident, according to Border Report, which cited state court records.

Some of the illegal immigrants were released on their own recognizance, according to earlier reporting by The Epoch Times.

The ICE spokesperson told The Epoch Times that, to date, 64 individuals have been taken into ICE custody and are being processed for deportation.

Four of the illegal immigrants involved in the stampede were arrested by ERO deportation officers on March 30 after they were released by the El Paso County Detention Facility on their own recognizance.

Another 60 were released directly to ERO El Paso custody on April 1 after they were processed in the El Paso County Detention Facility, per the spokesperson.

Trump Delivers Remarks on Biden’s ‘Border Bloodbath’ in

“Send them back,” he said in a post on X.

Increased Texas National Guard Presence

Following the March 21 border riot, the Texas National Guard and other local law enforcement officials were sent to El Paso, which is located just across the border from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, according to a March 29 statement issued by the governor’s office.

“Earlier this week, the Texas National Guard surged personnel and resources to ramp up border security activity in El Paso. Approximately 200 soldiers were deployed to support existing ground forces to reinforce existing border barriers and repel illegal crossings,” his office said.

Photos released in local media show troops entering a transport plane and also appearing near the border area.

A spokesperson for the Texas Military Department told KTSMTV that the troops specialize in civil disturbances.

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, a Democrat, said he did not request the National Guard troops.

“You’re talking about the National Guard. It’s something that we didn’t request, and we won’t request from the state of Texas,” he said last week.

The Texas Military Department said in a March 31 update that the Texas National Guard had surged more personnel and equipment to El Paso.

“More than 700 additional Soldiers, including 200 Soldiers of the Texas Tactical Border Force (TTBF), have deployed to El Paso throughout the past week,” the agency said in a post on X.

Texas National Guard engineers have been assigned to special response teams to reinforce multiple points along the border with Mexico, the agency said in an April 2 update, which featured a photo of troops working on installing border fencing.

We do more than just build your business –we help build your BRAND.

If you have an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line. Readers should call ahead on some listed events for the latest updates.

Regular Happenings

Anza Community Hall Swap

Meet - Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. $15 for a spot with membership. $18 for a spot without membership. Vendors wanted. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. See membership information under “Organizations.”

ONGOING – Anza Electric Cooperative and F.I.N.D. Food

office at 951763-4333.

Friends of Anza Valley Community Library – Anza Valley Community Library is located at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road. The library is open to the public, but not during school hours. Hours are 4-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday through Wednesday. Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at www.hamiltonbobcats.net/apps/ events/calendar Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit www.hamiltonmuseum. org. Find them on Facebook at “Hamilton-Museum-and-RanchFoundation.”

Backcountry Horsemen Redshank Riders – Meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Locations change, so please contact Mike by email at stumblinl55@gmail. com or by calling 951-760-9255.

Health, exercise, resources and recovery meetings

Fit after 50 – 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn at 951751-1462 for more information.

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting – 6 p.m. Every Tuesday at Shepherd Of The Valley Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Open participation.

Veterans’ Gathering Mondays – 9-11 a.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 39075 Contreras Road in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with posttraumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-923-6153. If you need an advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.

The Most Excellent Way – A Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8-10 a.m. Program is court approved; child care is provided. Transportation help is available. The group meets at 58050 Highway 371; the cross street is Kirby Road in Anza.

AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza, south of Highway 371.

Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-4226.

Bereaved Parents of the USA

– The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-551-2826.

Free Mobile Health Clinic

– Open every third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is needed. Uninsured may only be seen in the Anza Community Hall’s parking lot or inside the hall.

Medication Assistance and Treatment for Opioid Dependence – Get treatment for heroin addiction. Transportation to the clinic is provided. For more information, contact Borrego Health’s Anza Community Health Center, 58581 Route 371, Anza. For more information, 951-763-4759.

Food ministries

F.U.N. Group weekly food ministry – Deliveries arrive by noon Thursdays at the Anza Community Hall. To order a paid box and help feed those who can’t afford to pay, drop off payment and cash donations by Thursday at 1:30 p.m., to ERA Excel Realty, 56070 Highway 371 in Anza. Pay inside or drop off during the day in the red box outside. To drop it off, put name and request on an envelope with payment inside. A $30 box has about $100 worth of food and feeds six people. Half boxes are available for $15. Food is delivered once a week to those who cannot find a ride. For more information, call Bill Donahue at 951-288-0903.

Living Hope Christian Fellowship Community Dinner – Dinners at 1 p.m. are held the last Sunday of the month at the Anza Community Hall. All are welcome. Donations of time, money, etc. are always welcome. Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m. The food bank hands out food the last Friday of the month until the food is gone. The clothes closet will be open too. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a non-denominational nonprofi t. All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-7635636.

Bible studies

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Anza’s Sunday Sacrament is at 10 a.m.; Sunday School is 11 a.m. Priesthood/Relief Society meets at noon; Wednesday, Boy Scouts gathers 6 p.m. and Youth Night is 7 p.m. For more information, call Ruiz at 951-445-7180 or Nathan at 760-399-0727. The Wednesday Genealogy/Family History Class, 5-8 p.m., is open

to the public at 39075 Contreras Road in Anza. Native Lighthouse Fellowship – 10 a.m. The group meets the first Saturday of the month, and breakfast is served. All are welcome to fellowship together at the “Tribal Hall” below the casino in Anza. For more information, call Nella Heredia at 951-763-0856.

Living Hope Bible Study

8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 58050 Highway 371, Anza. All are welcome. For more information, call Pastor Kevin at 951-763-1111.

Anza RV Clubhouse – 7 p.m., the second Wednesday of the Month, Pastor Kevin officiates at 41560 Terwilliger Road in Anza.

Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the fourth Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m. Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.

Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m.

Saturday Men’s Study meets weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza. For more information, call 951763-4622.

Anza First Southern Baptist Church – Begin your week with Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

On Sunday nights, the church has prayer on the 1st and 4th Sundays from 6-7 p.m. and Bible study on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 6-8 p.m. On Monday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., the youth group (6 to 12 grade) meets for games and Bible study. Anza Baptist Church also offers Men’s and Women’s Ministries, a Homeschool Support Group, Summer Vacation Bible School and a Seniors’ Ministry. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road in Anza. For more information, contact the church at 951-763-4937 or visit www.anzabaptistchurch.com

Clubs

Anza Valley VFW Post 1873, Capt. John Francis Drivick III Post – The Ladies’ and Men’s Auxiliaries are located at 59011 Bailey Road in Anza. Mail P.O. Box 390433. Request monthly newsletter and or weekly menu by email at vfw1873anzaca@gmail. com. For more information, call 951-763-4439 or visit http:// vfw1873.org

High Country 4-H Club – 6:30 p.m. Meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month, except February, at Anza Community Hall. 4-H Club is for youth 5 to 19 years old offering a variety of projects. High Country 4-H Club is open to children living in the Anza, Aguanga and surrounding areas. For more information, call Allison Renck at 951-663-5452.

Anza Valley Artists Meetings – Meetings at 1 p.m. are the third Saturday of each month at various locations. Share art, ideas and participate in shows. Guest speakers are always needed. For more information, call president Rosie Grindle at 951-928-1248. Find helpful art tips at www.facebook.com/ AnzaValleyArtists

Anza Quilter’s Club Meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. For more information see our Facebook page or contact Pat Sprint at jpsprint@gmail.com or Ellen Elmore at luvtoquilt2@gmail. com

Anza Valley Lions Club – The Anza Valley Lions Club has been

reinstated and is open to all men and women who want to work together for the betterment of the community. The group is working on securing a new venue for meetings. Meetings and events are posted on the Anza Lions Club of Anza Valley Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LionsofAnzaValley. For more information, email president Greg Sandling at President. AnzaLions@gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary. AnzaLions@gmail.com

Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 59 is looking for new members of all ages. For more information, call squadron commander Maj. Dennis Sheehan from the Anza area at 951-403-4940. To learn more and see the club’s meeting schedule, visit www.squadron59. org Fire Explorer Program – 6 p.m. The program meets every second, third and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fire Station 29 on state Route 371 in Anza. Call 951-763-5611 for information. Redshank Riders – 7 p.m. Backcountry horsemen meet at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Anza, the second Thursday of each month. Visit www. redshankriders.com or call Carol Schmuhl for membership information at 951-663-6763.

Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the first Thursday of the month at the Anza Community Hall, 43275 Chapman Road in Anza. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951763-2884 for more information.

Organizations Terwilliger Community Association – 6 p.m. Second Monday of the month at VFW Post 1873, 59011 Bailey Road, in Anza. Potluck dinner open to all. For more information, call Tonie Ford at 951-763-4560.

From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries – Noon. Monthly luncheon and guest speaker are held the second Saturday of each month. The $5 charge covers lunch at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. From the Heart helps the area’s neediest children and invites all women and men to join in their mission. Donate or help with the rummage sales twice a year to raise funds for the cause or other events. For more information, call president Christi James at 951-595-2400.

Anza Community Hall –7 p.m. General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. Single memberships are $30 and include discounts to events for one person and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Family memberships are $50 and include discounts for a family up to 5 members and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Business memberships are $50 and allows an employer to receive discounts for up to 5 people, including themselves, and includes 1 vote on elections and meetings. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Mail membership to: Anza Community Building Inc. at P.O. Box 390091, Anza, CA 92539. The hall is located at 56630 Highway 371 in Anza. For more information, call 951-2824267 or email achageneral@ gmail.com or visit www. anzacommunitybuilding.org

Anza Civic Improvement League – 9 a.m. meets the first Saturday of each month at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The league maintains Minor Park and the Little Red School House, which are both available to rent for events. No government funds are allowed; the membership pays the bills – $10 a person, $18 family or $35 business membership. For more information, visit www. anzacivic.org

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The Anza Valley Outlook Sheriff’s Blotter is a list of calls that allows residents to see what law enforcement activity is occurring in their communities.

The Sheriff’s Blotter data is obtained from the official calls for service records kept by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. However, calls where the release of the information could cause harm to an individual or jeopardize the investigation of a criminal case are excluded.

All calls listed are for service within the Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction in the unincorporated areas of Anza, Lake Riverside Estates, Cahuilla and Aguanga from March 25 through 31. March 25 Unknown trouble - 4000 *** block Tumbleweed Trl., Lake Riverside, handled by deputy Fraud - 5200 *** block Mount Rd., Anza, handled by deputy Vehicle theft - 5800 *** block Burnt Valley Rd., Anza, report taken Assist other departmentaddress undefined, Anza, handled by deputy

EASTER from page D-1

Nevills with Anza First Southern Baptist Church and Kevin Watson with Living Hope Anza delivered messages before the Easter egg hunts and games commenced.

Balloon artist GeriLyn Blanton Mellin created balloon animals, the Lions Club of Anza Valley served up free hot dogs and water and For The Love Of It offered professional keepsake photo sessions. Colorful vendor booths were stationed in the high school’s cafeteria and the gym, offering handmade crafts, art, jewelry and food.

“I’m guessing around 200 kids attended, 3-400 people altogether. They came in waves,” said organizer Christi James. “Thank you to all of the many people who donated candy and stuffed eggs and of course the volunteers and vendors.”

Egg hunts were organized by age as the competitors searched for thousands of plastic candy-filled eggs this year.

“The Lions Club of Anza Valley, the Anza Civic Improvement League and From the Heart Christian Women’s Ministries and many more pitched in to make this another memorable Easter egg hunt,” said James. “It really is a community event. We are so grateful to the High School for hosting this, that was amazing. We had great volunteers. It felt like a really big family get-together, and that was the best part.”

Social media came alive with pictures of happy children and praise for the event and organizers.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

The Easter Bunny offers a photo opportunity with 10-month-old Kostini at Anza’s annual Community Easter Egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Anza Valley Outlook/Leslie Price photo

Julie Woods, proprietor of Back Woods Ranch, offers fresh sourdough bread, jams, bagels and cinnamon buns at Anza’s annual Community Easter Egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Toddlers and infants seem overwhelmed by the hundreds of eggs to be collected at Anza’s annual Community Easter Egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Bree Hanson, owner of Kip N Lil Fiber arts, shows off her colorful creations at Anza’s annual Community Easter Egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

Jazmyn McCammon, left, and Leslie Price pose for Easter pictures in Price’s For The Love It photo booth at Anza’s annual Community Easter Egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

provided perfect conditions for the setting sun to illuminate the rocket’s expanding engine plume

sky.

Local social media exploded with posts and pictures of the craft as it ascended into a low earth orbit to discharge its payload of satellites.

The

board.

Learn more about the Vandenberg Space Force Base launch schedule here: https:// www.spacelaunchschedule.com/ category/vandenberg-sfb.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

against the dark

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc with 22 low-orbit Starlink satellites on

LAUNCH from page D-1 According to SpaceX, this was the 10th flight for the first-stage booster supporting the mission. It successfully set down on the “Of Course I Still Love You” drone ship that was positioned in the Pacific Ocean.

Anza Valley resident Adam Hackett captures this image of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch Monday, March 18. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Ashlee Marie snaps a pic of the vehicle’s jellyfish effect against a darkening sky during the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Carletta Stokes’ picture shows the rocket’s plume trail framed by low clouds during the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

David Lee Sr. captures this photo from Terwillger during the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch Monday. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Julie Woods’ view is partially obscured by clouds during the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

Clouds enhance the view on this photo taken by Steve Merritt during the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch Monday. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT that you had Valley News reporting truthful highly-censored information about covid and early treatments a year before the information was widespread?

OR Nonprofits and their crucial work locally? OR the good work of citizens was highlighted and broadcast. Any one of these categories would be worth supporting. We hear weekly how important our work is, but we can’t do it without the support of our community. We’ve got you covered! We’ve got you covered!

OR the whistle-blower documents on how it was started?

OR both sides of government overreach and mandates which now have been found unconstitutional? OR coverage on Critical Race Theory? OR vetted local breaking news including crime, traffic, City council, drought, or elections?

OR coverage of local sports and student achievements?