July 1, 2016 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News
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Hemet Sheriff’s Explorer Post takes 1st overall in Las Vegas competition Trevor Montgomery WRITER
Hemet’s Sheriff’s Explorer Post No. 378 competed at the Las Vegas Ex-Con Explorer Competition hosted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, June 11. The Explorer Post took six Explorers and five advisers to the competition finishing first in the overall competition. “Explorer Post No. 378 did extremely well for this being their second competition,” according to Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy Stephen Enochs. They placed third in pedes-
trian check, placed fifth in crime scene investigation, taking first overall in the competition. During the competition, Explorers competed in several physically and emotionally challenging events and scenarios. The events’ competitions included competing in an active shooter scenario, handling unknown risk traffic stops, conducting pedestrian checks, crime scene investigation, handling an officer down situation, airsoft shooting scenarios, competing in an obstacle course, a patrol bicycle course, participating in a force op-
tions simulator, maneuvering through “Hogan’s Alley” a shoot or don’t shoot scenario and a team challenge involving a rock wall, The competition was held at Veterans Tribute High School, in Las Vegas. Explorer Post No. 378 was one of 46 teams from five different states, including Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, and California that came to Las Vegas to participate in the annual competition. The Explorers who competed this year were Jillian Edwards, Richard Schweitzer, Alexandra Mota, Cole Akkerman, Austin Barron and Bren-
ton Daughtery. The advisers that attended were Deputy Stephen Enochs, Officer Connie Duke, Deputy Antonio Soto, Corporal Maurice Daugherty and Officer Cassie Rivera. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station started Explorer Post No. 378 in November 2014. The Explorer program is designed for local youth between the ages of 14 and 21 who are interested in a career in law enforcement. The Explorer program is governed by the Boy Scouts of America. Explorer Post No. 378 currently has 14 active members.
“The Sheriff’s Department and the Hemet Station are very proud of Explorer Post No. 378 for their hard work and dedication to the program and for a job well done at the competition this past weekend, Enochs explained. “We look forward to upcoming competitions and the opportunity to represent the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department once again.” Anyone interested in learning more about the Sheriff’s Explorer Program is encouraged to contact Deputy Enochs or Officer Duke at the Hemet Station at (951) 791-3400.
Temecula residents win homemade wine classes at San Diego Fair Joe Naiman SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS
Four Temecula winemakers won first place in their bottle’s class at the San Diego County Fair’s homemade wine contest. Jeff Sanders took first place in the Blended Red Bordeaux Varietals category, Jacquie Shallow won the top head-to-head honor in the Malbec class, Brian DeClerk received a
first-place ribbon for his Mourvedre bottle, and Dirk Uys had the designated premier Riesling Dry entry. Since 2011 the San Diego County Fair has provided both head-to-head place awards and gold, silver, and bronze medals based on the Davis 20-point scale. Sanders and Shallow received gold medals for their firstplace entries while DeClerk and Uys were given silver medals in addition to their first-place honors.
Two other Temecula residents were given gold medals for wines which did not win first place. John Vigliotti of Temecula entered a bottle of Sangiovese which took second place in its class and was scored high enough for a gold medal. Daniel Kozak received a gold medal score for his cabernet sauvignon bottle which placed third in its category. Sanders took third place in the Tempranillo category, although that
Murrieta launches Volunteer Connection MURRIETA – The city of Murrieta, recently launched an online volunteer network portal known as the Volunteer Connection. “The city’s vision was to bridge the gap between the need for volunteers and the community’s desire to give back to their community,” explained Murrieta’s Assistant City Manager Kim Summers. “Volunteer opportunities will range from assisting with City sponsored special events to getting involved with a local nonprofit organization as well as student and internship projects.” The city and local nonprofits rely heavily on volunteer help and before implementing the Volunteer Connection, the matching of those looking to help and those needing help was very inefficient, according to the city. The tools to manage the events were not specific to the tasks and organizations had to spend precious time advertising, manually compiling email lists, creating volunteer rosters, and mak-
ing contact to coordinate volunteers. Murrieta needed a web-based volunteer recruitment tool that would better serve the community and increase efficiency for the city. As the first step in implementing a centralized online volunteer recruitment tool, staff reviewed several software solutions based on functionality, ease of use and cost. The city of Murrieta wanted a software program that would expand access to volunteers for local events, recurring programs and special projects initiated by the community. Staff selected a web-based software solution that enhances efficiency through robust communication and reporting tools, and online day-of-the-event registration and sign-in. The software also works with Murrieta’s community-based organizations by assigning them registration and login privileges to post and manage their events. This saves city staff time and allows those running
the event to better organize their volunteers. Murrieta gives businesses, nonprofits, and service organizations, which are an integral part of Murrieta’s community, a way to recruit and manage volunteers. Volunteer opportunities will now reach a wider audience through promotions on the city’s newly redesigned website, event outreach booths and annual city publications. Local nonprofit organizations can expand their search for volunteers by using the Volunteer Connection website at www.MurrietaCA.gov/ volunteerconnection. “Residents with a strong community spirit and a willingness to give are what helps make Murrieta the unique and special place that it is,” said Mayor Randon Lane. “This new program will simplify the process of volunteering and help get the needed resources to those who need them most.”
wine did not win a medal. Sanders also entered a Syrah which received a silver medal and a cabernet sauvignon which was given a bronze medal, although neither of those placed. Shallow was awarded silver medals for a bottle of Cabernet Franc and a bottle of Blended Red Bordeaux Varietals, although neither of them placed. DeClerk entered two different Blended Red Rhone Varietals bottles which did not place but were deemed worthy of bronze medals.
Three additional Temecula vintners did not place but were judged worthy of medals. Jeremiah Prough entered three bottles of Fruit Nonstone Sweet wine and won medals for all three with one receiving enough points for a silver medal and the other two being given bronze medals. Daniel Murphy entered a Blended Red Miscellaneous Varietals Dry wine which was awarded a bronze medal. Richard Patterson won a bronze medal for his bottle of merlot.
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