HS Baseball: Two Southwestern League games left to tell the tale of the title, C-1
Street racing the cause of fatal weekend accident, two arrested, D-7
VALLEY
NEWS
May 13 – 19, 2016
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Local
Manzanita Ranch conducts Texas Hold’em event
Volume 16, Issue 20
Country crooners entertain at inaugural Country Music Festival
Tony Ault WRITER
A call to “Feed the Horses” at Manzanita Ranch went out Saturday, May 7, bringing more than 50 area real estate agents, veterans and businessmen at a gallop to the Texas Hold’em and Bunco for Heroes benefit held at the Murrieta Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS. see page A-7
Education
Trifecta takes 3rd in national competition Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR
Two Virtual Enterprise teams, “Trifecta” and “Nocogo” competed in the National Business Plan competition in New York last week with Trifecta placing third in nation. The team’s placement ws the best finish ever for a Murrieta school. see page B-2
Wine Country
Visit Lorimar for perfect food wine pairings Ashley Ludwig STAFF WRITER
Lorimar Vineyards and Winery continues to be a fusion of wine, art, music and now food with the Pairings food truck available on weekends. Their award winning wine is available for tasting inside, outside on the glorious patio, or enjoyed by the glass in delicious harmony with Pairings well rounded menu.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FALLBROOK, CA PERMIT #499
see page B-3
Maddie Salute of the country band “Temecula Road” performs during the inaugural Temecula Country Music Festival at Galway Downs. The three-band concert rans from 6-10 p.m. and took place on the heels of the Galway Downs Scholastic Equestrian League Hunter Jumper Finals May 7. Local Realtor David Serpa Homes and Brian Decker of Guaranteed Rate loans sponsored the free country music concert held at Galway Downs as a love letter to both their clients, and the Operation Silver Star nonprofit, which supports local wounded veterans. See more photos on page A-4. Shane Gibson photo
Temecula’s city clerk named 2016 Clerk of the Year for the state of California TEMECULA – The City Clerks Association of California (CCAC) awarded Randi Johl-Olson with its highest honor as 2016 City Clerk of the Year for California at the annual CCAC conference held in Newport Beach April 28. Johl-Olson joined the City’s Executive Team as the city clerk for the city of Temecula in 2014 after previously serving as city clerk for the cities of Fountain Valley and Lodi and law clerk for Harper & Burns, LLP. Over the past two decades, Randi’s professional accomplishments include a law degree, a Master Municipal Clerk Certification, numerous leadership appointments and positions with
the League of California Cities, the City Clerks Association of California, and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, as well as serving as a liaison to the Fair Political Practices Commission on behalf of city clerks. In her most active role to date, Johl-Olson continues to serve as the statewide Legislative Director for the CCAC. “We knew Randi would bring a high caliber of experience to the city but what we’ve found to be additionally exceptional is her outstanding work ethic, devotion and enthusiasm to serve the community and this is clearly notable statewide,” said Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar. “I am not surprised
she was selected as Clerk of the Year for California.” City Manager Aaron Adams agreed with Naggar’s assessment. “Randi has demonstrated leadership that is more than deserving to be selected as City Clerk of the Year based on her accomplishments, dedication to the profession, extra-curricular city clerk leadership positions, legislative/ lobbying intelligence, exceptional work product, and a high level of energy she brings to her department, colleagues and to the city,” Adams said. Johl-Olson was selected as City
see JOHL-OLSON, page A-3
Randi Johl-Olson was recently named 2016 City Clerk of the Year for California. Courtesy photo
VALLEY NEWS
Murrieta Council denies appeal to stop Old Town restaurant and bar development Tony Ault WRITER
An appeal to halt plans to build a family oriented open air restaurant and bar on Juniper Street in historic old town Murrieta by residents in the neighborhood was denied by the Murrieta City Council at its May 3 meeting. The site development plan and conditional use permit was initially approved by the Murrieta City Planning Commission Dec. 9, 2015. The council heard from more than half dozen Juniper Street residents upset for fear the project would endanger children going to the nearby Murrieta Elementary School. They also expressed concerns regarding traffic and parking problems, deter fire department vehicles on emergency calls and create more problems for the police. The council denied the appeal in a 3 to 1 vote with Councilman Alan Long absent, but with new conditions. The appeal was filed by the residents in February.
see RESTAURANT, page A-5
An open air restaurant and bar is planned for this location on Juniper Street between Washington and Plum Avenues within the Historic Murrieta Specific Plan. Some Juniper Street residents oppose the plan which will include a full service restaurant, non-amplified music, four high end food carts and a wine and beer bar. Tony Ault photo