Soboba toys bring joy to the community, B-1
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Reflecting on an action-packed year in local sports; Our 2024 most-viewed stories, C-1
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES January 3 – 9, 2025
Local News Kidnapping suspect arrested in Paramount following harrowing attack
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Volume 25, Issue 1
Person jumps from Lilac Bridge, disrupting traffic on I-15
Savannah Ray Reynolds Multilmedia Journalism Intern A Temecula woman narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt on Wednesday, December 17 in an ordeal that left her injured and led to the eventual arrest of the suspect, authorities said. see page A-5
Home & Garden SAGE Society to host presentation ‘Oak Trees Are Keystone Trees’ Join the SAGE Society of Hemet for the presentation, “Oak Trees Are Keystone Trees” on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The presenter will be Jack Easton, a professional biologist, environmental consultant, and land trust staff member. Easton will speak on the importance of our oak trees, covering the ecology of oak trees, the importance of trees and nature to our well-being, and about Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s oak-oriented education program. see page B-8
Regional News New year, new rules: Here are the California laws coming in January Sophie Li The Epoch Times Several new California laws will take effect on Jan. 1, addressing issues ranging from wages and education to housing and artificial intelligence. These measures are part of a batch of bills signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom during his last legislative session, some of which took effect earlier in July. see page C-4
INDEX Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1
Business ............................B-3 Business Directory .............B-3 Calendar of Events .............B-4
Classifieds .........................C-7 Education ..........................B-1 Entertainment ...................B-5 Health ...............................B-6 Home & Garden ................B-8 Legal Notices .................... D-6
Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-5 Opinion............................ D-5
Regional News ...................C-4 Sports ................................C-1
A view of Lilac Bridge from southbound I-15 freeway. Julie Reeder and AC Investigations Staf f Writers An unidentified person jumped from the Lilac Bridge on Saturday night, Dec. 28, causing a grisly
scene that temporarily closed all northbound lanes on Interstate 15. According to Cal Fire Capt. Cornette, at 10:58 p.m. they received a report that a man was down on the northbound lanes of I-15 near West Lilac Rd. He said their
Valley News/AC Investigations photo crews confirmed obvious signs of death and the CHP took over the investigation. Official reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) have not been released as of yet. Eyewitnesses on social media
described a chaotic aftermath, stating the person struck a vehicle traveling below the bridge. The impact reportedly resulted in the body being dragged along the see BRIDGE, page A-2
TVUSD votes to rescind parental rights and flag policies after PERB decision
Julie Reeder Publisher
The Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) board voted unanimously on Tuesday, Dec. 17, to rescind two controversial policies after a ruling from the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) agreed with the teacher’s union that proper procedural process and clarification of policy language was needed. The board’s decision addressed the parental notification policy and flag policy, both of which had garnered significant community attention and were policies that three board members ran their campaigns supporting and won. The two policies also see TVUSD, page A-4
TVUSD Board meeting on Dec. 17, 2024.
Valley News/Youtube Screenshot
Krikorian Theater complex retail pads declared a public nuisance by Menifee City Council Tony Ault Staf f Writer
As the reorganized Menifee City Council met for the first time, a long-awaited decision on what will become the ill-fated Krikorian Movie Theater’s aging retail buildings was made at the December 17 regular meeting. It was the first time newly elected Menifee Mayor Ricky Estrada banged the gavel to open the regular city council meeting with newly elected Dan Temple from District 3 , reelected Bob Karwin from District 1, and continuing council member Dean Deines, District 4, affirming their presence. Absent was a soon-to-be-appointed District 2 council member who see KRIKORIAN, page A-5
The dilapidated walls of what was to be the Krikorian Entertainment Complex in Menifee stands as the city works to begin demolishing the unfinished project. The site is located at the southwest corner of Newport Road and Town Center Drive. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo