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Volume 20, Issue 23

Hundreds turn out for Temecula protests, 6 arrested

Local Protests inspire hope for justice Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Lamar and Kira Hooper were standing along the fence line at the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday, May 30, with their two young children. Their goal? To show their children the power of protest. see page A-2

Local County adds walkin COVID-19 testing sites Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

As Riverside County closes in on the 120,000 mark for testing of the coronavirus, county health oﬃcials announced that new walkin testing sites were being added in various portions of the county. see page B-5

Protesters chant “Black Lives Matter” in unison during a protest at the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday, May 30.

INDEX

Jeff Pack and Will Fritz STAFF WRITERS

Business ............................... D-4 Business Directory............... C-8 Classiﬁeds ............................ D-7

Crowds as large as 400 people converged on the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday morning, May 30,

to protest systemic police brutality and the death of George Floyd Monday, May 25, in Minnesota. The crowd spent most of the morning screaming chants such as “Say his name … George Floyd!”

and “Black Lives Matter!” mirroring the statements made at protests and rallies all around the country in recent days. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, there was seemingly no destructive

Education ............................ C-6

Hemet protests turn violent

Entertainment ..................... B-1

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Faith ..................................... C-8 Health .................................. C-4 Local ............................ A-1, B-5 National News ...................... C-1 Opinion................................. D-6 Pets ..................................... D-7 Regional News ..................... C-3 Sports ................................... D-1 Wine & Dine ........................ B-4

A group of protesters chanting “Black Lives Matter” took to the streets in Hemet, Sunday, May 31, marching down Florida Avenue to make their voices heard regarding police brutality and the killing of a black man by a police oﬃcer in Minnesota. As the evening wore on, the group, which had shrunk from about 250 protesters to less than 100, became violent, breaking into the Hemet Valley Mall. The protest which began around 4 p.m. in front of the mall had been peaceful up until that point. The group had gathered to stand against police brutality and the killing of a black man by a police oﬃcer in Minnesota. Initially the protest was peaceful, according to Valley News reporter Tony Ault, who was on

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behavior from the crowd in Temecula, aside from some periodic blocking of the intersection and jaywalking. see PROTESTS, page A-6

Protesters in Hemet confront oﬃcers in front of Sprouts grocery store after breaking into the Hemet Valley Mall Sunday, May 31. Valley News/Tony Ault photo

Hundreds attend vigil for George Floyd at Temecula City Hall Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Hundreds of people turned out to Old Town Temecula Sunday evening, May 31, to join a candlelight vigil for George Floyd, the man who died Monday, May 25, after having his neck pinned down by a Minneapolis police officer for more than eight minutes. The vigil, which was peaceful, was held on the front steps of Temecula City Hall just one day after a protest at the Temecula Duck Pond, which was declared an unlawful assembly by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Six people were arrested at that protest, the sheriff’s department said Monday, June 1, though the majority of the demonstrators were allowed to leave of their own

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see HEMET, page A-8

Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

People gather at the Temecula City Hall to honor George Floyd of Minnesota during a vigil organized by the Temecula Valley Democrats Club, May 31. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

see VIGIL, page A-4

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • June 5, 2020

Local

Protests inspire hope in the hearts of attendees

A protester makes a sign at the Temecula Duck Pond during a protest denouncing the death of Minnesotan George Floyd while under arrest last week.

A young protester stands in solidarity with fellow protesters during a protest denouncing police brutality Valley News/Jeﬀ Pack photos toward people of color at the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday, May 30.

A protester holds up a sign and a raised ﬁst during the protest at the Temecula Duck Pond.

A mother and daughter lead the chants during a protest denouncing the death of Minnesotan George Floyd while under arrest last week.

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Lamar and Kira Hooper were standing along the fence line at the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday morning, May 30, with their two young children, wearing masks and chanting along with the throngs of people who came out to protest police brutality in America. The couple said they were there to show their children the power

of protest. “I am shocked that a predominantly white community would do something like this,” Lamar said. “I’m surprised about the support.” “I’m just excited that this is a big turnout for the youth,” Kira said. “They are showing that youth speak when they come in numbers. I’m just glad all the youth are coming out in support, standing up and speaking up for what they believe in. It’s a beautiful thing.” The couple’s young son, Xavier,

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was emotional in being there and also wanted to speak. “I just want equality,” he said. “Justice for George Floyd. I don’t think he deserved to die on that day, and yeah, I just want justice.” Crowds as large as 400 people converged on the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday to protest systemic police brutality and the death of George Floyd earlier in the week in Minnesota. Floyd’s death was caught in a video showing Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing a knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest. After the video went viral and Floyd’s death, Chauvin and three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department a day later. On Friday, Chauvin was arrested and was charged with thirddegree murder and manslaughter. Protests against police brutality started in Minnesota and have surfaced in major metropolitan cities around the country. The issue of the protests has become polarizing with the American public because of looting and rioting taking place in some cities. While there was no such activity reported during the protests in Temecula, six people were arrested, and Riverside County Sheriff’s ultimately deemed the protest an “unlawful gathering.” In a statement posted to social media Sunday morning, Sheriff Chad Bianco referred to the protests as a “peaceful rally.” According to the majority of the people who actually attended the protest, they felt the protest was passionate and emotional, but a positive experience. Camille Lowe said she was driving by the protest and tears came to her eyes. So, she had to get out and join. “The community has come together for this,” she said. “It’s a good thing to show that not all places are bad and not all people are against other races. It’s good to see everyone standing up for humanity.” Melvin and Michelle Brewster were standing in the thick of the protests and were marveling at the turnout. “It’s uplifting to be a part of something like going on here in Temecula,” Melvin Brewster said as he got emotional. “The wife and I have been having serious conversations for years now about these types of issues. This is something

A line of protesters kneel in the crosswalk in front of a line of Riverside County sheriffs during the protest at the Temecula Duck Pond.

that we need. And not just to be part of this demonstration, but actually try and make some change to let people know that this can’t continue to go on. We’re not talking about one race; we’re talking about all people.” “I think it’s encouraging to see people of all races here because I think especially for the black community who feel alone, they see all races out here participating, you feel like maybe change can actually happen,” Michelle Brewster said. “I wasn’t expecting this,” Kevin Debouse said. “I came out just because I was interested in seeing this kind of support against racial injustice. I got here and this whole situation brought me to tears, literally brought me to tears. “Along with everybody else, I’ve been commenting on all the things that have been going on and about what America really is. I got here and I got a chance to see that this is also America and I needed to see that. I had no idea how much I needed to see it, but I needed to see it. This will get me through tomorrow, I don’t know much further, but this will get me through tomorrow,” he said. Lakyra Pharms said she is originally from Indiana, and it was different to see the type of protest she was attending in Temecula. “To come from somewhere where you feel like a lot of the system is built up against you, and you come here and see this outpouring from such a diverse crowd, this is crazy,” she said. “I was just out here walking and I came up on this, and it just blew my mind. “I’m not out here screaming with all of it, but I definitely feel all of it, because this is something I’ve never seen before and it’s blowing my mind to see all these people that are saying black lives matter and they are standing up for someone they don’t even know. This one guy that they don’t even know, and it moved everybody to come out here and demand justice,” Pharms said. Dave and Leann Gaffney were watching the protest from the outer ridges.

“We’re just supporting; it’s time for a change in this country,” Leann Gaffney said. “I think it’s good that the kids are out here and they are going to be ones that make a change,” Dave Gaffney said. “What happened (to Floyd) was ruthless, just a sad, sad day in America.” Tamika Bray and a friend who didn’t want to give her name because it could affect her employment were soaking in the emotion of the event. “It is a blessing; it’s been a long time coming,” Tamika said. “We’ve been here for 27 years, a long time. This is the first time I’ve seen something like this, and I’m grateful because they’re showing that our lives matter. “It’s emotional. I’m in awe. I love the support of the community because the community reflects us. We’re part of the community,” her friend said. “All different colors, this is a reflection of all of us. It’s not just a black thing; it’s an everybody thing. When something happens to one person, it affects the entire community, not just the one person, and this shows that.” Temecula resident Joy Watkins couldn’t sit by and watch while people were out fighting against injustice, she said. “I am the mother of two African American young sons and a stepmom to one, and I have a daughter also, and a whole host of my sons’ friends, young men that are afraid for their lives,” she said. “I’m their mom too. I’m here for every young black American, not just my kids, all the people of color that have to go through this. “It’s so unfair and it’s so sad and I felt like I needed to get out of my house and do something instead of sitting on Facebook or social media. We have to do something to make a change, we cannot sit at home and push buttons. “I’m here for everybody that’s been done wrong, that’s been treated wrong. I am the first one to stand up and say, ‘That’s not right, let’s do something about it.’ This is a wonderful thing, and I had to be a part of it,” Watkins said. Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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accord despite the expiration of several 15-minute warnings to leave the area. Skylar Tempel, president of Temecula Valley Democrats and candidate for Temecula Valley Unified school board, said Jonathan Change, vice president of political action for the Temecula Valley Democrats, pitched the idea of putting together the Sunday night vigil a day after Floyd’s death. Chang served as master of ceremonies for the event. Tempel said his organization wanted to “give a platform to those who don’t have a voice right now.” He said his group was expecting between 20-50 people at first. The turnout at the Sunday vigil was at least several times that number. Among those who spoke at the vigil was the Rev. Willie Oliver of the Lake Elsinore/Southwest Riverside County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “I want you to understand that I am glad we are here for this vigil,” Oliver told those gathered at City Hall. “I am glad we took the time to say, ‘I can’t breathe.’ But if you leave with just an emotion, then he (Floyd) died in vain.” Oliver urged the crowd to shout Floyd’s name and his story “from the rooftop.” “I need you to remember this. Eight minutes and 46 seconds. Let me hear you say it,” he told the crowd, and listened as they repeated it back to him. “Eight minutes and 46 seconds was the amount of time that that cop had his knee on George’s neck. And he died. They watched; they didn’t care about him.” Oliver had a final instruction for those at the vigil. “Leave here and every day you wake up, take eight minutes and 46 seconds to make a change in this world,” he said. Another speaker at the vigil was Christina Laster, an activist and former education chair of NAACP Southwest Riverside County, who asked attendees: “What do you look at when you see me? “Because what you see when you look at me is what you see when you look at my children. When you look at my son. When you look at my parents. And all of my family and friends who look just like me,” she said. “And so I want to talk about that. Talking about moving beyond what you see when you look at someone and actually getting to know them as a human being.” One of the vigil attendees, who asked to be identified as Evette R., said she was excited and impressed by the turnout at the vigil. “Being in the Temecula Valley, we need to come together and recognize that we are a community of people. We are diverse, but we need to be represented,” she said. “And to be here and to show solidarity and to remember and recognize what’s happening.”

The crowds at the weekend’s Temecula Duck Pond protests were diverse but were mostly young people; the City Hall vigil included a higher proportion of people from many different age groups. One woman, who asked only to be identified by her first name, Stacy, because she said she works for a local school district, said she felt compelled to turn out to the vigil after what she described as years of having her previously held viewpoints challenged by her daughter. “I’m 47 years old,” Stacy said. “And our daughter just graduated from college with a sociology degree. She has taught us so much in her years of college and her years of education. And the one thing that I think stands out more than anything is I don’t think we would have ever called ourselves racist, but we weren’t good enough at being not racist. That’s what brought us here. It’s time that we all stand together. It’s time that we all do something because it’s gonna take all of us.” Asia Cureton came to the protest with two of her friends, saying “I feel like if I want to see a change in my community, I want to get my friends out here.” One of her friends, Geetika Sharma, said she was there to show solidarity with the black community and to stand up against racism that she sees in her own community. “I’m here to kind of represent the south Asian community, because there is a lot of racism in the South Asian community. We should come out and we should support,” Sharma said. “We should come out and let the black community know we support them.” Tempel said while the event was initially planned privately by the Temecula Valley Democrats, the city of Temecula contacted the group Friday to offer assistance. “It was at that point city staff reached out saying, ‘Hey, we’d like to organize this with you. Make sure we’re a cooperative partner with you,’” he said. Tempel’s group did push back against what it suggested was behind-the-scenes political posturing from Temecula elected officials Saturday, though it did not refer specifically to any particular city council member. The group later clarified that it believed city staff and the sheriff’s department had been helpful. “It has come to the attention of the Temecula Valley Democrats executive board that any violence or destructive action taken by attendees of our candlelight vigil to honor George Floyd at the Temecula City Hall this evening will be blamed squarely and publicly on the Temecula Valley Democrats organization,” the organization said in a statement provided to Valley News. On Sunday morning, Temecula city manager Aaron Adams denied any such pressure was being put on the organization and said

Many of the protesters who have spent the past few days at the Temecula Duck pond gather at the Temecula City Hall for a vigil to honor the life of George Floyd who died during use of force by Minneapolis police. V a l l e y N e w s/ S h a n e G i b so n p h o t o s

Hundreds of people gather to show their respect for George Floyd of Minnesota and raise awareness about racial injustice and discrimination during a vigil at Temecula City Hall.

Protesters and people attending a vigil for George Floyd of Minnesota raise their ﬁst in solidarity for racial injustice and discrimination during a vigil at Temecula City Hall.

[Left] People attending a vigil for George Floyd of Minnesota listen as a variety of speakers speak about racial injustice and discrimination in honor of Floyd at Temecula City Hall.

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[Right] Protesters and people attending a vigil for George Floyd of Minnesota at the Temecula City Hall raise their ﬁst in solidarity.

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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Hundreds of people gather to show their respect for George Floyd of Minnesota and raise awareness about racial injustice and discrimination during a vigil at Temecula City Hall.

A protester at city hall raises a sign seeking change and raising awareness about racial injustice and discrimination during a vigil at Temecula City Hall.

People gather around Temecula City Hall after the conclusion of a vigil ceremony and continue to honor the life of George Floyd of Minnesota while raising awareness about racial injustice and discrimination.

People attending a vigil for George Floyd of Minnesota listen as a variety of speakers speak about racial injustice and discrimination in honor of Floyd at Temecula City Hall.

Denton Burr, at the Temecula Duck Pond protesting racial injustice, speaks to people attending a vigil honoring George Floyd of Minnesota at Temecula City Hall.

city staff and the sheriff’s department were working with them to provide a safe event. “I am patently denying any such interference with the organization by the Temecula Valley Democrats Club for this evening’s vigil,” Adams said via email after he was provided the statement issued by TVD. “Further, I know firsthand my office has communicated directly with the organizers in a spirit of cooperation and assistance. “In addition, I also know firsthand that sheriff’s personnel has extended the same courtesy. We made this outreach to assure this evening is peaceful and safe for all those who choose to attend,” he said. Tempel made it clear in a phone call Sunday that city staff

Van Avery Prep Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

and the sheriff’s department have been extremely helpful and the organization was not inferring anything to the contrary. “I would like to make abundantly clear that city staff and police officers have been extremely helpful and supportive throughout all of this,” Tempel said. Tempel said Riverside County sheriff’s deputies coordinated with him to ensure a peaceful protest, though he said he urged them not to maintain a heavy presence inside the vigil. Deputies could be seen in an area directly outside where the vigil was taking place and also could be seen staging in a parking lot a few blocks away. Will Fritz can be reached by email at wfritz@reedermedia. com.

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Local PROTESTS from page A-1 Just before 1 p.m., a woman and young child were injured when witnesses said a young driver lost control of his vehicle, launched onto the sidewalk and struck at least a couple of protesters. When the accident occurred, the protest which until then had no stationed police officers directly on the scene was swarmed with roughly a dozen police cars. Deputies, dressed in lightweight riot gear with helmets, exited the vehicles, carrying batons. At least one deputy was armed with what appeared to be a weapon used to deploy rubber bullets. The child was reported as being OK, however the woman, presumably the child’s mother, was taken away in an ambulance. The driver of the vehicle, who remained at the scene and appeared to be a young male, was handcuffed, placed in the backseat of a police cruiser and taken away from the scene as tow truck drivers tried to remove the car from behind the tree where it was lodged. It was unclear whether the driver of the vehicle had been charged with a crime. Upon finishing their investigation, deputies cleared the intersection just before 2 p.m. A march down the eastbound lanes of Rancho California Road toward the Interstate 15 interchange started at 1:45 p.m. The northbound offramp from I-15 and eastbound traffic on Ranch California had already been halted in both directions at that point by officers, and when the group of about 100 protesters reached the peak, they stopped. Local residents Mama Joi and Solona Husband addressed the crowd, which then turned back toward the Ynez Road intersection. Law enforcement returned in force at roughly 2:30 p.m. to take up stations in the intersection at Rancho California and Ynez roads, blocking traffic in all directions. Estimates placed the number of police vehicles on the scene at roughly 75 with more than 100 officers on hand. By 3:15 p.m. Riverside County sheriff’s deputies announced to the crowd that the protest had been deemed “an unlawful gathering” and said protesters had 15 minutes to clear the area or face arrest. Valley News reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for clarification on the orders, and according to Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro of the sheriff’s department’s media information bureau, the orders came from the department and she did not indicate who made the determination to break up the protest. Pecoraro said the orders were made in the best interest and safety of everyone involved. While a significant number of the protesters left the scene, roughly 150 protesters retreated inside the fences of the park. Meanwhile, authorities established a perimeter inside the park with a line of officers blocking protesters from advancing toward the intersection. By 4:30 p.m., it didn’t appear that deputies had made any arrests on individuals within the main grouping of protesters. Periodically, deputies would don gas masks, and deputies were seen carrying gas canisters on their person. As of 5:30 p.m., one of the sheriff’s deputies was interacting with the crowd and answering questions, engaged in a productive discussion as many of the protesters sat listening. Resident Betty Williams stood in front of the crowd and deputies

leading the discussion – at one point even dancing with the deputy. By 6:30 p.m., it appeared the crowd was beginning to disperse, and the situation calmed down. There were unconfirmed reports circulating on social media about a small group of protesters moving into Old Town Temecula, and later, reports of groups attempting to congregate at Promenade Temecula. The city of Temecula reported that a group of roughly 50 protesters had congregated in front of city hall, but according to the sheriff’s department, no incidents were reported at the mall or at Old Town Temecula. There were video reports of at least one confrontation between protesters and people driving through the intersection. Temecula Mayor James “Stew” Stewart shared a report by an adult male involved in the confrontation but then pulled the post down. At 10:50 a.m. Sunday, May 31, the sheriff’s department reported that six individuals had been arrested associated with Saturday’s protest. Five were arrested for resisting arrest and crimes against the public peace and one with an additional count of a crime with intent to commit assault using force that is likely to cause great bodily injury. When the orders to disperse were issued by the sheriff’s department Saturday, Valley News reached out to Temecula city manager Aaron Adams and Stewart via email. Adams said, “Temecula prides itself on allowing for the provision of free speech and assembly. We have a long history of doing so. We are aware of the planned vigil tomorrow evening in Old Town and have made ourselves available to work with the organizers of the vigil to assure a safe and peaceful and respectful event. We would ask for those that plan to attend this or any other organized event in the future to enjoy your freedom while respecting the laws and maintain appropriate civility.” At 11:15 p.m. Saturday, the city released a statement from Stewart. “To the great citizens of Temecula during this very difficult time,” Stewart said. “As mayor, I want to express that the leaders of our city hurt alongside you. We are deeply disturbed at the inexcusable and intolerable acts of brutality that took place in Minnesota and grieve the death of Mr. George Floyd. “I am proud to serve as mayor of a city that respects diversity and values peaceful, constitutional assembly and free speech without violence. Today, an organized protest at the Temecula Duck Pond occurred that rose to an unlawful assembly as determined by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department,” he said. The statement was also posted to the city’s Facebook page and was received with both praise and condemnation. At 9 a.m. Sunday, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco issued a statement that didn’t mention the “unlawful gathering” order, the department’s warnings that arrests were to be made unless the crowd dispersed or threats by deputies that tear gas would be deployed. “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department stands shoulder to shoulder with our community as we all mourn the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd,” Bianco said. “What we saw on that video does not represent the professionalism and pride we have for our profession or the empathy, compassion and respect we have for our communities. “As we all watch the rioting,

Hundreds of protesters gather to protest racial injustice and excessive force at the Temecula Duck Pond, Saturday, May 30, sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Protesters gather at the Temecula Duck Pond in an effort to raise awareness about racial injustice and discrimination sparked by the death of George Floyd from use of force by Minneapolis police oﬃcers Saturday, May 30. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Protesters face Riverside County sheriffs during a rally at the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday, May 30. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

looting, and lawlessness shown on television and our social media pages from around the country, this photo, taken by photographer Scott Padgett, was the culmination of a peaceful rally in Temecula on Saturday. “Throughout our history, protesting has been a part of change. Our laws, and specifically our Constitution, protect the rights of people and allow for peaceful protests in times such as these. The RiverProtesters gather at the Temecula Duck Pond in an effort to raise awareness about racial injustice and discrimination sparked by the death of George Floyd from use of force by Minneapolis police oﬃcers Saturday, May 30. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Betty Williams reacts as she speaks with both protesters and law enforcement during a “Black Lives Matter” rally at the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday, May 30. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo

Protesters voice their feelings about racial injustice and discrimination to Riverside County sheriffs gathered at a protest at the Temecula Duck Pond Valley News/Shane Gibson photo Saturday, May 30.

A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy hugs Betty Williams during a protest at the Temecula Duck Pond Saturday, May 30. Valley News/Scott Padgett/Time Stood Still Photography

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Protesters face Riverside County sheriffs during a rally at the Temecula Duck Pond and express their frustrations against racial injustice and V alley N ews/ Shane G ibson photo discrimination Saturday, May 30.

Riverside County sheriffs form a line in riot gear in an effort to keep the peace during a protest sparked by the death of George Floyd during use of force by Minneapolis police oﬃcers Saturday, May 30. V alley N ews/ Shane G ibson photo

A woman who was struck by a car that jumped the curb and hit her while she was holding her young daughter receives comfort from bystanders as the driver of the vehicle hangs his head while sitting on Valley News/Jeﬀ Pack photo the curb.

side County Sheriff’s Department will ensure protests are peaceful and meaningful while we protect those attending the rallies. We will not allow criminals, professional rioters and instigators to victimize our communities while painting Riverside County as something we are not,” Bianco said. A request for an interview with Bianco was denied Monday morning. “The sheriff is not able to complete an interview with you,” Pecoraro said in an email. “We appreciate you reaching out to us and requesting the interview but at this time our sheriff, along with the department, is fully dedicated to the safety of our community.” Courtney Sheehan, vice president of communications for Temecula Valley Democrats, who attended the protest for four hours on Saturday, disagreed with the sheriff’s assessment of the protest and the mayor’s statement. “I am dismayed and disturbed by the official response by the city of Temecula and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to the protests for George Floyd that took place in Temecula on Saturday,” Sheehan said. “Both are attempting to polish their public images by making the protests seem like they were an unruly group of people who were looking to cause trouble, however the situation I saw was far different; I saw a peaceful protest by our Temecula high schoolers speaking out against police brutality who were adhering to proper protest procedures but were then encircled and threatened by uniformed officers who donned gas masks and prepared to gas the protesters who wanted nothing other than to voice their concerns in a public forum.” Temecula Valley Democrats also held a candlelight vigil, which was attended by several hundred people, in honor of George Floyd at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in front of Temecula City Hall. By 10 a.m. Sunday, protesters had returned to the Temecula Duck Pond, and deputies were again present. “Sheriff’s deputies will be out in full force over the next several days making sure peaceful protesters are safe and allowed to gather

while at the same time protecting businesses, property, and residents from violence and those promoting destruction,” Bianco said in his statement. “The safety of our deputies, the public and our businesses is a priority.” For much of Sunday morning and afternoon, deputies could be seen driving by the Temecula Duck Pond, apparently monitoring the protest, but no road closures occurred as they did Saturday. “Yesterday it was kind of chaotic,” Amir-Hassan Gates, who was at both protests, said. “We were doing fine, it was peaceful and an incident occurred where there was a wreck with a black woman and her child, and that’s what kind of escalated everything to going south.” The crash did not appear to be intentional, but Gates said tensions rose when police arrived and closed roads. “So with that being said, we tried to make sure everybody was fine, make sure it stayed peaceful, don’t incite anything that shows violence, any acts of violence, aggression, nothing like that,” Gates said. He said compared to Saturday’s protest, Sunday was a lot calmer. “This is exactly what we were trying to accomplish the very first day,” Gates said. “Which, the first day, there was nothing wrong with – I’m not gonna say anything we did was wrong.” Jarie Medley, who was also present for both days of protests, criticized sheriff’s deputies’ use of riot gear and gas masks. “They were trying to prey off some of the other people’s fears,” Medley said. He described one man who he said deputies had described was being confrontational. “They were saying he was really aggressive. He was very passionate because he was taken in the back of a police car and beaten half to death after he was supposed to be arrested,” Medley said. “People like him is where they put those gas masks on and they come out, and they try to make you act out of fear because as soon as you come, then they get their right to do what they want.” Reyna Stuart was present for both days of protests as well. She

said she lives in Los Angeles, but has family and friends in Temecula and heard about the demonstration from them. “I wasn’t aware of the protest that was going on (at first) but I saw it on Twitter and I have a lot of people that live out here,” Stuart said. “And I’m just sick and tired of seeing the same s**t on the news. I’m just so tired of it. It’s just hurtful to keep seeing our people die by the hands of the police, so it’s our time to try to make a change and speak up for injustice, speak up against what’s wrong. And you know, if people don’t like it, that’s on them.” She said that drivers passing by the protest appeared to be about 50/50 for and against the protesters, which she did not expect. “I’m actually surprised because Temecula has a really bad history, but you know, I’m happy that there are people here from different backgrounds,” Stuart said. The protests at the Temecula Duck Pond were organized by young people in the community in response to the death of Floyd and perceived police brutality, according to reports from the protests. Floyd’s death was caught in a viral video showing 44-year-old Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing a knee on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded for air during an arrest. As onlookers begged for the officer to back down, Chauvin continued pinning Floyd for over eight minutes until he became unresponsive, the video showed. Chauvin and three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department Tuesday, May 26. On Friday, Chauvin was arrested. He has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Protests against police brutality have sprung up across the country in response to the killing with looting and rioting taking place in major metropolitan cities. Managing editor Kim Harris and City News Service contributed to this report. Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com. Will Fritz can be reached by email at wfritz@reedermedia.com.

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Protesters stand in a Hemet intersection after breaking into the Hemet Valley Mall. Valley News/Public Safety Incidents Robert Carter photo

Shattered glass from the front door at Hemet Valley Mall litters the sidewalk after protesters broke into the mall. Valley News/Public Safety Incidents Robert Carter photo

Members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in full riot gear arrive at the Hemet Valley Mall aboard one of the department’s tactical vehicles after protestors broke into the mall. Protesters gather in front of the Hemet Valley Mall.

HEMET f r om p ag e A - 1 the scene observing. Some of the protesters threw rocks and other items, eventually smashing through glass doors, according to several videos posted on social media. The protesters entered the mall before being chased out by Hemet police, some carrying items in their arms as they fled the scene. One protester was arrested by Hemet police officers wearing riot gear at the end of one video posted by George Evans Jr. on the Hemet Eye News Facebook page.

Valley News/Public Safety Incidents Robert Carter photo

Valley News/ T ony A ult p h ot o

In another video posted by Robert Carter on the “Public Safety Incidents” Facebook page showed officers from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department assisting Hemet police immediately following the incident. Carter said that it appeared that J.C. Pennys had been broken into. According to Ault, who returned to the scene after the break-in occurred, officers, who actually outnumbered the protesters, were prepared for a skirmish should one occur. “There was more bark from the protesters than bite,” Ault said,

adding that the group of about 50 protesters were yelling at the officers. As of 11 p.m., Ault said the police and sheriff’s deputies remained out in force. “There was no move to break up the protesters, though some at that time were starting to go home,” he said. At 11:45 p.m. when four protesters refused to go home after being asked by officers to disperse, police set off a flashbang near the mall in an attempt to force the remaining protesters to go home as the group of officers fanned

out and marched down Florida Avenue, clearing the streets of any remaining protesters. The group was protesting the Monday, May 25, death of George Floyd, a Minnesota man whose death was caught in a viral video showing 44-year-old Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressing a knee on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded for air during an arrest. As onlookers begged for the officer to back down, Chauvin continued pinning Floyd for over eight minutes until he became unresponsive, the video shows. Chauvin and three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest were

fired from the Minneapolis Police Department Tuesday, May 26. On Friday, Chauvin was arrested. He has been charged with thirddegree murder and manslaughter. Protests against police brutality have sprung up across the country, including in Temecula and Menifee in response to the killing. Looting and rioting occurred in major metropolitan cities. Tony Ault and Jeff Pack contributed to this story. Kim Harris can be reached by email at valleyeditor@reedermedia.com.

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ENTERTAINMENT June 5 – 11, 2020

www.myvalleynews.com

Volume 20, Issue 23

Two zebras make a great escape through Wine Country

Two of Celebrity Ranch’s Zebras, a mare and a 6 month colt, went missing Sunday, May 17.

Lexington Howe STAFF WRITER

Much to the surprise of everyone involved, two zebras recently made a 24-mile trek through Temecula Valley Wine Country. Ellen and Pumpkin are two of five zebras owned by Celebrity Ranch in the unincorporated area of Temecula Valley Wine Country, and their adventure caused the surrounding community to pull together to find them. Celebrity Ranch is a nonprofit, 82-acre camp for underprivileged children, providing them a camp experience no matter the parents’ budget or their situation. Children, groups or families can stay for a weekend for $20 per person. They have a wide range of animals:

bison, camels, yaks, horses, chickens, pigs, donkeys and zebras. Ranch director Jennifer Fuller started calling neighbors when she discovered a few of her zebras went over the back fence. “The ﬁrst people that I called were Karen and Ron Leftidge,” Fuller said. “He’s the retired ﬁre chief out here, and they immediately posted on Facebook for me.” Fuller loaded up the employees into vehicles. “Ron and Karen were already out looking for us,” she said. “They are just such a blessing.” Karen Leftidge, who lives near Celebrity Ranch, initially posted it on the Facebook group Temecula Talk in hopes they might rally some others to help. “We got into our truck and

Valley News/Lexington Howe photos

we drove around for about three hours,” Leftidge said. Fuller then got on Facebook and asked if anyone had a quad or dirt bike that would be able to help with the zebra search. Winchester resident Justin Lamb saw the post on a community page and went out on his dirt bike. I was probably out for three hours,” Lamb said. “It really didn’t seem that long. I just went out probably around 3:30 p.m., and once the sun started setting, I had talked to Jennifer and they were calling it an evening too, so I headed out of there. “It was a great excuse to get out and ride a bit and help where see ZEBRAS, page B-6

Celebrity Ranch is home to around 90 animals and is located in Temecula Valley Wine Country.

Area restaurants rolling with the guidelines to reopen Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Remember when you would stroll into a restaurant, see a couple of empty tables in the distance and know that you would be seated soon? Yep, those days are over for now. When California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday, May 22, that restaurants could reopen to dine-in customers with the socalled “Phase 2.5” shift, it came with it a laundry list of guidelines that restaurants had to hit in order to open their front doors again. Restaurant managers and owners had to be able to show that myriad precautionary measures were put in place, training of all staff, a process for compliance, documentation and correction of deficiencies. And that’s just the first three requirements included in the worksite specific plan that each restaurant is required to be responsible

for and be ready to produce if they are ever visited by health oﬃcials. There is a litany of requirements when it comes to training staff about how to recognize symptoms pertaining to the COVID-19 virus, the proper use of face coverings, symptom screening and temperature checks. L e t ’s t a l k c l e a n i n g a n d disinfecting procedures, or maybe we can dive into physical distancing guidelines? The list goes on and on. That’s why businesses such as Texas Lil’s Mesquite Grill in Old Town Temecula have only recently begun to let customers dine inside the restaurant, easing in slowly, like a soft opening. Owner Pedro Esparza was sitting at one of the tables, chatting with friends and family while talking about opening the restaurant oﬃcially Friday, June 4. “We’re kind of getting our crew trained,” Esparza said. “We’re see GUIDELINES, page B-7

When guests come to visit Devilicious Eatery in Old Town Temecula, they won’t get a menu, instead they can scan the QR codes, shown here in the photo, to view the menus they want to choose from. Valley News/Jeﬀ Pack photo

‘We can do it’ – Rosie the Riveter chalk art sends message of hope Lexington Howe STAFF WRITER

Edna Gomez and her daughter Sylvia Lyden pose for a photo with their chalk drawing of the famous image of Rosie the Riveter wearing a mask in Temecula. Valley News/Courtesy photo

A local Temecula family uses chalk art as a message to the community during diﬃcult times. Sylvia Lyden and her mother Edna Gomez started drawing in chalk a few years ago, when they ﬁrst signed up for Temecula’s Art and Street Painting Festival. “We just signed up one year and we loved it,” Lyden said. Both mother and daughter took an art class together at Mt. San Jacinto College in 2000. They also had a side business doing murals a few years ago. “It’s a hobby,” Gomez said. Their recent chalk art is the well-known picture of Rosie the Riveter from World War II, but she’s wearing a mask. “It just kind of went with the times, like everybody’s doing their share,” Gomez said. “We kind of know that story of Rosie the Riv-

eter, how the men were all at war and the women had to pitch in.” Gomez said that they almost ran out of chalk when creating it. “We ran out of the black and white and the skin color at the nick of time, and I’m glad we had enough,” Gomez said. They had tried going to several stores but found the shelves empty. “We barely made it with the chalk we had,” Gomez said. Lyden took a lot of art classes in college. “I was starting to go for a teaching degree, and I kind of just got sucked into art and didn’t really ﬁnish, and just have been doing a lot of that for fun,” she said. Rosie the Riveter took about ﬁve days to complete. “She measured the space and the dimensions she wanted it to be,” Lyden said of Gomez. “We grid it because of the big size. It’s kind of hard to sketch it freehand,” Gomez said.

“We gridded a picture that we found online and just kind of scaled it to that,” Lyden said. “She (Gomez) initially drew the whole thing, but I just kind of kept erasing so we started doing it as we went instead having it all drawn out beforehand.” They worked on the project in shifts. “I’m a morning person and she’s an afternoon person, so I did like two hours in the morning and she’d do a couple hours in the afternoon,” Gomez said. “We worked a lot when it was shady because it was pretty hot that week, so it took a lot longer than normal,” Lyden said. They said they are currently waiting for this one to fade before they start their next. “We want to do Dorothy, just the ruby slippers where it says ‘there’s no place like home,’ something see CHALK, page B-6

B- 2

V alley N ew s • w w w .myvalleynew s.com • Ju ne 5 , 2 0 2 0

Entertainment

Online events taking place June 5-12 in the Valley Lexington Howe STAFF WRITER

Virtual Summer Stay Camp hosted by the city of Temecula Temecula has created a virtual Summer Stay Camp in which campers will be able to have faceto-face interactions with staﬀ and other campers in a virtual format, with the opportunity to participate in games, activities and crafts. Supplies and materials will be shipped to participants’ homes before beginning their session. This program doesn’t replace child care but allows children to socialize with others and keeps them busy for a few hours. For more information, call (951) 694-6444 or visit http://www. temeculaCA.gov/TCSD. Gino Livestream Show – Captain Trips Concert Series Gino Meregillano and the Lone Gunmen are streaming a live concert series that can be watched from home. Ask questions, send requests or simply dance from the living room. The livestream will take place Tuesday, June 9, from 6-8 p.m. on Facebook Live. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/ginoandthelonegunmen. Virtual Wine Tasting at Wilson Creek Winery, June 11 Wilson Creek Winery is hosting a virtual wine tasting Thursday, June 11, from 4-5 p.m. and will be going over their new 2019

While in-person events are slowly beginning to be scheduled in compliance with county guidelines, Temecula recently entered into Phase 2.5, which has allowed restaurants and some wineries to open for dine-in. While waiting for a table to open up, there are quite a few online events residents can take advantage of right now. Virtual Temecula Art and Street Painting Festival, June 1-7 Temecula has moved its annual Art and Street Painting Festival online this year due to social distancing guidelines. There will be an online art exhibition including the ability to purchase items made by artisans. For more information, call (951) 694-6444 or visit http://www. temeculaCA.gov. Summer Movie Series at home Temecula is providing crafts and activities related to the movie being streamed each week. Disney’s “Tarzan,” which is available on Netﬂix and Disney+ will be paired with a jungle animal handprint craft the week of June 8. For more information, call (951) 694-6444 or visit http://www. temeculaCA.gov.

An artist creates a painting during the 2019 Temecula Art and Street Painting Festival. This year’s festival will be held online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will take place from June 1-7. V alley N ew s/ Shane G ib son photo

Viognier, Venetian, 2017 Family Reserve Zinfandel and 2017 Family Reserve Syrah. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/wilsoncreekwinery. 80s Rom Com Virtual Movie

Trivia through Reading Cinemas Reading Cinemas Cal Oaks 17 is hosting a virtual movie trivia night, Wednesday, June 10, from 6:30-8 p.m., which you can join through Zoom.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/readingcaloaks. Lexington Howe can be reached by email at lhowe@ reedermedia.com.

Movie Review: ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ ﬁlm in my cable provider’s “New and Featured” on demand section that I have not yet reviewed. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” tells the story of reporter Lloyd Vogel, played by Matthew

Bob Garver SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

NOTE: I am reviewing this ﬁlm because it has the highest domestic box oﬃce at $61 million of any

Rhys, who is encouraged to reconcile with his estranged father Jerry, played by Chris Cooper, by interview subject and children’s TV legend Fred Rogers, played by Tom Hanks. Despite Hanksas-Rogers being the focal point of the film’s advertising and award campaigning, and the fact that the film’s very title is a “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” reference, it is not a full-on Fred Rogers movie. The 2018 documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” is a full-on Rogers movie, and seeing that superior film so close to this film’s release made me even more aware of the newer film’s shortcomings. Vogel is a cynical individual who holds a grudge against his father for disappearing from his life when his mother was dying. To distract him from his tumultuous personal life, his editor assigns him to do a fluff piece on “living saint” Rogers. Vogel thinks the assignment is beneath him, save for the possibility that he can expose Rogers as a phony unworthy of his pedestal. He meets Rogers, who takes an interest in him and his family and hardly wants to talk about himself. It’s as if he’s just as caring as his reputation, but that can’t possibly be the case, can it?

Vogel and Rogers meet more and more, and Rogers inserts himself further and further into the situation with Vogel and his father. Soon he’s calling up members of Vogel’s family without his knowledge and possibly showing up in New York when he’s supposed to be in Pittsburgh. The film almost becomes a stalker movie at one point, which is certainly a bold way to depict Mister Rogers. If he were a character on his show, he wouldn’t be himself so much as notoriously intrusive mailman Mr. McFeely. Eventually, of course, Vogel learns to accept the helping hand Rogers is offering him and recognizes that he is about as incorruptible as they come. We’re all here for the Hanks performance, as it seems almost too perfect that the quintessential likable actor is playing the quintessential likable human being. And I’m sorry, but Hanks only ever captures about 98% of Rogers’ sincerity to me. If I had grown up with this version of Rogers, I would be questioning his authenticity just as much as Vogel does. For this performance, Hanks slows down his voice to a level that passes Rogers’ real cadence and comes off as a leftover Forrest Gump bit. There’s undeni-

ably heart in the performance, but I was always aware that it was a performance. But the biggest problem with “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is all the focus on the non-Rogers Vogel storyline. It’s not that Vogel’s journey to forgiveness is a “bad” or uncompelling one, but this movie knows perfectly well that it sold me on Mister Rogers and it needs to focus on delivering Mister Rogers. I suppose it could be argued that this movie makes it clear that Rogers was a humble guy who wouldn’t want to hog the spotlight, not even in his own biopic. To that I say that he put himself front and center on a show with his name in the title, so obviously he had a perfectly understandable craving for the kind of attention this movie should have given him. Grade: C “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is available on demand through online streaming or likely through your local cable provider. The ﬁlm is rated PG for some strong thematic material, a brief fight and some mild language. Its running time is 109 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

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Across 1. Song and dance, e.g. 5. Some bacteria 10. Holes where there are missing teeth 14. Sprightly 15. Traditions 16. Causes trouble 17. Eros, in Rome 18. Arabian capital 19. Title word from 2008 Clint movie 20. Rome 23. Mud bather 24. Brazilian town starter 25. NYSE launch 27. “Roll Over Beethoven” band 28. Canandian prov. 32. Playboy boss 34. Party balloon filler 36. Prefix for a wine specialist 37. Malaysian city 40. River to the Baltic 42. German goalkeeper, first name 43. Suggest 46. Cruel pirate 47. Spanish for two 50. Denver clock setting: Abbr. 51. Long period 53. Alaskan islander 55. Mexican beach resort 60. City in Florida’s Palm Beach County, familiarly 61. Connect 62. Endorse 63. Commodious boats 64. White-tailed birds 65. PTA’s focus 66. Reason for a trip to an ophthalmologist 67. Jockey holds them 68. Russo of the “Lethal Weapon” series Down 1. Combat chopper 2. Forward 3. Excessively, in music 4. Bacon bit

5. Heroine of the Adamson book 6. Burning piece in the fire 7. “Yes ___?” 8. Thumbs through the pages 9. First of the Major Prophets 10. Lady of pop 11. Frequent flier 12. Baby arena 13. Govt. issued ID 21. Put ___ (sail away) 22. Pointe balancing point 26. Rio de ____ 29. Word with told or star 30. Now Thailand 31. Pre Russian revolution class 33. Umpire’s shout 34. In pain 35. Tax-free bond, briefly 37. Derby site

38. Damp ground 39. Foot-operated lever 40. Electrical resistance measurement 41. Amuse oneself 44. Atmospheric beginning 45. Go this way and that 47. Mock 48. Exceed in ﬁre power 49. Attitude 52. Burgundy black 54. Word with pointer or printer 56. Alleviate 57. “___, vidi, vici” (Caesar’s boast) 58. Amenhotep IV’s god 59. Red ink amount 60. Humanities degs. Answ ers on page C- 3

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

B -3

Entertainment Reading Cinemas offers new path for movie theaters ﬁcult time. “Me and my family ate at Reading Cinemas for dinner,” resident Vanessa Grimes said. “The Vegan K burger was delicious.” Along with the concession items being oﬀered for delivery, Reading Cinemas has partnered with Neon to give people the option of renting movies currently in theaters for a small fee. Movies include “Spaceship Earth,” “Jose” and “The Times of Bill Cunningham.” With the help of streaming services, people can now watch movies with food and beverages from Reading Cinemas and replicate the feel of sitting in a movie theater. DeAnn Osborn, a Temecula resident, said, “Reading Cinemas is satisfying the hot buttered popcorn craving when everyone else is shut down.” Many theater owners fear that

Samantha Cox INTERN

Reading Cinemas in Murrieta is oﬀering concession items via delivery with UberEats so people can now watch movies with their food and beverages and replicating the feel of sitting in a movie theater. V al l ey N ew s/ Shane Gibson photo

In mid-March, movie theaters across California were forced to close due to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s new orders regarding COVID-19. Local movie theaters have been struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic, because they have lost their revenue stream. Theaters have been trying to find new ways to create revenue and keep up with their bills. In May, Reading Cinemas in Murrieta began to offer concession items via delivery with UberEats. Their most popular concessions include popcorn, giant pretzels and fresh burgers. They are also offering gift cards for people to purchase online to support the theater business during this dif-

their businesses won’t survive the pandemic. The National Association of Theater Owners has been lobbying Congress and the Trump administration for financial relief, arguing that they have been among the most affected by the virus. The pandemic has caused studios to change the way they do business as well. Universal Pictures announced that “Trolls World Tour” would be released for on demand, April 10, in a decision that may have damaged Universal Pictures relationship with movie theaters. Paramount Pictures canceled the theater release of “The Lovebirds” all together and sold the release to Netflix. Samantha Cox can be reached by email at valleystaff@reedermedia.com.

Art Council Menifee names rapper Josh Brady as its June Artist of the Month Jim T. Gammill SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

Josh Brady was named Arts Council Menifee’s artist of the month for June. Brady, 17, is a lifelong Menifee resident and has been enriching the city’s creative culture for the past several years. Music was something that was always present in his life, he said. He remembers listening to all types of music with his father that would later be very inﬂuential on his creative endeavors. Artists like Sublime, Dr. Dre and countless others planted the seeds of creativity that later blossomed, enriching Brady’s creative expression. The beats of the music that he listened to always spoke to Brady, and in the sixth grade, he decided to start rapping. His father, Josh Brady, and stepmother, Marybeth Manion, were always supportive, he said, and they eventually introduced their son to local music producer, Ben Briggs. “Ben was awesome to work with and showed me how big the world

of music could be, in both creation and production,” Brady recalls. Later in his musical journey, Brady, who is also known by his stage name, Jboogie, began producing his own music. The artist uses professional software to create his own beats and has been cutting his own path in the music industry and in the local creative community. In early 2019, Brady organized a benefit concert for Arts Council Menifee which included a variety of young musical artists. All proceeds were donated to help fund the organization’s efforts to spread art and culture to the local community. “The whole experience was surreal, I got to watch all of the people who were all different ages and races coming together over the music that we were making,” Brady said. After attending Hans Christensen Middle School, he attended Santa Rosa Academy. Brady is a graduating senior with plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College, get a job and save money for studio time and additional musical development. He plans to continue his education

without giving up on his dreams of creating hip-hop. Brady said his mind is focused on the future, and his motivation, mixed with his raw talent, will ensure that Jboogie is a name that hip-hop listeners will become more familiar with in the coming years. Like many artists, Brady uses a mixture of life observations and personal experience to write the content of his songs. His wellcrafted beats are accompanied by lyrics that are taken from the artist’s own struggles and experiences in life, including some turmoil within his own family life. “I always strive to bring back the bond that my family once had and am trying to do that with other people too. I hope that the energy of my music may help to bring people together,” Brady said. Jboogie has tracks available on several streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify. The artist recommends the self-produced “Ashtray” and “Lost Tape,” which was produced by Morning Star, to get an idea of what his music is all about. “Lost Tape” is part of

Josh Brady raps.

V al l ey N ew s/ C ou r tesy photo

an upcoming project entitled “Slime Lord Lost Tapes” that the artist plans to release in summer 2020. Brady helps to enrich the artistic community of Menifee, and his contributions to ACM’s cause,

spreading art to the community, deserves recognition. Look for more to come from this young artist and be sure to check out his music on streaming services.

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INDEX Business .......................... Business Directory......... ........ D-4 ......... D-8 Calendar of Events ................. C-2 Classiﬁeds .......................... ..... D-7 Crimes & Courts ................... D-6 Education ......................... ...... C-8 Entertainment ........................ C-1 Faith .......................... .............. C-5 Health .......................... ........... B-5 Home & Garden ..................... B-1 Local ......................... .............. A-1 National News ......................... B-7 Opinion............ ........................ D-7 Pets .......................... ............... Real Estate .......................... C-5 ... B-2 Regional News ........................ B-7 Sports .......................... ............ D-1 Wine & Dine .......................... C-6

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Although the public closed, the Menifee hearing was City Council was hesitant at its to decide whetherNov. 6 meeting deny a proposed to approve or high, $1 million AT& T 7 0-foot Wheatﬁeld Park. cell tower in see page A-2

Local Wunderlich takes oath of oﬃce for Murrieta Council Lexington Howe INTERN

California Rep. Duncan Hunter gave up his yearlong federal corruption ﬁght against charges and pleaded guilty Tuesday, Dec. to misusing his 3, campaign funds, paving the way People Republican to for the six-term page gather for Temecula’s 30th anniversary step down. C-1. of cityhood

Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

San Jacinto Mayor Russ Utz praised the city staﬀ for the city’s recent and manager growth in retail development and creating environment more attractive an businesses and to residents during the past year. His message to residents and the retail and commercial community came during the 201 9 State of the City address Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. He said since mayor a series he had become of ma

I t was a full house at the Nov. 5 Murrieta City Council when Gene Wunderlich meeting appeared in front of the council to take his oath of oﬃce. see page A-3

U.S. Army veteran celebration at

the Temecula

Civic Center,

Dec. 1. See story

Education

Locals mourn lost Candlelight Tribu loved ones at Community te

lac rida season

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Some sleepy eyes and cranky faces appeared on but the thousands Black Friday, of residents at local stores and malls were hitting on savings and deals – instead hitting each other of – for the most part. Late Friday, video surfaced of two men ﬁghting inside the Murrieta Walmart location, apparently over what one of sidered to be the the men conelderly woman. disrespect of an I n the video posted by Ryan Kimberly Mountain, the two men – one a Marine retired Marine and the other a – were standing a checkout line in Thanksgiving night when an elderly woman allegedly and repeatedly bumped into on o

and more photos

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Hall to V al l ey N ew s/ Shane Gibson photo

More than 1 00 people turned up for the annual Community Candlelight Tribute Saturday, Nov. 30, in front of Temecula member their lovedCity Hall to reones The event, founded who died. by Linda Mejia, who lost her son more than 20 years ago, featured music, stories, words of encourageme nt and support for the families and friends in attendance. Before taking the podium, Faith Zember played a recorded by her song that was daughter Lily Harrison, a Murrieta 1 5-year-old who was killed earlier this year by a DUI driver in Temecula. “Like many of season has foreveryou, the holiday been changed,” Zember said. “They will forever be altered, diﬀ erent The years of family and revised. traditions and fond memories are now unable be furthered in to the same ways that see V IG IL, page A-8

ic s o shorte ed holida sho

MSJC shares information on future developments at ‘State of the College’

Ed Hustad waves

to guests attending

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Day Parade. See

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Murrieta’s 11th tribute to those annual Field of Honor pays who serve

on page C-1.

Shane Gibson

Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR

Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Members of the community gather remember loved for the 19th annual ones who have Temecula Community died, N ov. 30. Candlelight

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Local business ernment officials owners and govcommemorate the retirement d of who has led the Alice Sullivan Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce as long as Temecula for almost has been an incorporated city VALLEY STAFF tion at the Pechangawith a celebraResort Casino Grand Ballroom Monday, Sept. Murrieta high 30. Sullivan announced school students will tour two manufacturing in May that she planned to retire after servfacilities and the city’s ing the Friday, Oct. 4, innovation center almost Temecula community for as part of the city’s 30 years – she has led the Manufacturing chamber since Day event. May 1 9 9 0, just few months after a incorporated in the city officially December 1 9 89 see page D-5 . And she’s made known over those her presence decades, showing nearly three every city council up to almost meeting during that time, launching local shopping initiatives, chamber’s tourismspinning off the committee into fter years leading the emecula is celebrated see RET IRIN Valley Chamber during a party G , page A-2 of Commerce with members retiring President of the community Business

Crimes & Courts

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Crimes & Courts Rep. Duncan Hunter pleads guilty in campaig misappropriationn case

of several sh ood Environment Lake Elsinore survey studies and nfrastructure City Council apat the lake in proved an agreement olutions helps an effort to improve Kim Harris with sh netting water and sh Work Action Group with Social MANAGING from the shore habitat uality clad in T-shirts at Lake Elsinore EDITOR for shing and cil’s Tuesday, Sept. at the counduring recreation along the Lake and hip waders 24, meeting to The Lake Elsinore Shane Gibson provide street Elsinore shoreline. photo Fish Survey, outreach The water quality homeless individuals services to sticky morning dawned hot and Their goal? To catch, measure, consisting of three fish-capturing in tag and release Tuesday, Sept. both within events, was designed troubled lake. the sometimesthe city limits and fi 24, to help Lake The surveys, in the surround- slew of volunteers and when a namesake lake sh in the city’s Elsinore the first Sept. ing area. and San scientists conservation. all in the name of sheds Authority Jacinto Water- and a third 4, a second Sept. 24, identify both short with a date yet and long-term to be projects improve see page A-4 see S U RV EY , page A-5

Murrieta to host 10 0 teens for ‘Manufacturin g Day’ event

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A winter storm dropped more than 2 inches of rain in some places and even left local mountains heavy snow on over the Thanksgiving holiday. The storm moved in Wednesday, Nov. Friday had poured 27 , and by as much as two-and-a-half inches of rain on Beaumont and Murrieta, which were tied for receiving the most rain in Riverside County.

The Hemet City Council approved a request city’s contracted from CR& R, the trash collector, add a 67 -cent “Recycling to Materials Fee,” due to the cutoﬀ of China’s recyclables purchases in recent months.

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The Murrieta paying tribute Field of Honor, to who served or heroes – those are serving in the United Mt. San Jacinto College shared enforcement,States military, law news about various fire and other new suc- responder first cesses, initiatives, programs and heroes – posts, plus personal new building projects opened to the public SatState of the College, at its annual urday, Nov. 9 . More MSJC’s Menifee held Friday at Valley Campus. 5-foot than 2,000 3-foot by American flags are on display at Murrieta’s Town Square see page D-4 Park, all recognizing those who served along with personal heroes. The field features sections for Medal of Honor heroes who have recipients, local for this country given their lives since 2003, historical flags, a flag dedicated to those who perished in and a patriotic 9 11, state flags chalk walk. Presented as a vice by the Rotarycommunity serrieta in partnership Club of Murwith the city of Jeff Pack

Crimes & Courts San Jacinto man charged for MSJC gun threat

STAFF WRITER

According to authorities, a 26-year-old San Jacinto man threatened Mt. San Jacinto College students with a gun before ﬂeeing the campus Wednesday, Nov. 6. see page D-8

INDEX Business .......................... Business Directory......... ........ D-5 ......... D-7 Calendar of Events ................. C-2 Classiﬁeds .......................... ..... D-6 Crimes & Courts ................... C-8 Education .......................... ..... D-4 Entertainment ........................ C-1 Faith .......................... .............. C-4 Health .......................... ........... B-3 Home & Garden ..................... B-6 Local .......................... ............. A-1 National News ......................... B-1 Opinion............ ........................ D-6 Pets .......................... ............... C-5 Real Estate ..............

see FIELD, page

A-3

ubree Middleton the Murrieta Field

runs and plays amongst the of Honor.

merican ags on display

at own

Murrieta break improvements s ground on Town Square Park

uare Park in

Shane Gibson

photo

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Murrieta City Council members, staff and dignitaries tried to find shade under the Murrieta-branded canopies and underneath trees to escape the heat Town Square on the existing Park ing a groundbreaki stage durWednesday, Nov. ng ceremony 6. A year from now, if all goes to plan, a visit to the same spot will be well shaded and newly upgraded as the ceremony Wednesday served as the offi cial ing of improvements groundbreakTown Square Park. to be made at The expansive property that sits at the heart of

photo

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Wine & Dine

This week in Temecula Valley Wine Country Lexington Howe STAFF WRITER

While many people have been cooped up inside during the pandemic, there are some wineries that are beginning to open back up to the public with a variety of dine-in options. Bel Vino reopens As of May 27, Bel Vino Winery is open – soup is oﬀered for sale

with purchase of wine by the glass and by the bottle during the week – Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a dine-in restaurant, with safety guidelines. Wine tasting is currently not available at this time. Masks are recommended but not required. Space due to social distancing guidelines is limited. They will oﬀer Compass Tacos Catering June 6 -7, and starting

Wine Country Events Calendar FRIDAY, JUNE 5 6-9 p.m.

Live Music, Mrs. Jones’ Revenge, Lorimar Winery SATURDAY, JUNE 6

12:30-3 p.m. 6-9 p.m.

The charcuterie plate at Cougar Vineyards & Winery is just one of many choices diners can enjoy at Sangio’s Deli. Valley N ews/ K im H arris photo

Live Music, Charles Sacayan, Carol’s Restaruant at Baily Winery

[Left] Bel Vino Winery brings in Compass Tacos Catering May 31 as part of their reopening.

Live Music, Big Truth, Lorimar Winery SUNDAY, JUNE 7

Valley N ews/ L exi ngton H owe photo

11:30 a.m. to Dog Day Sundays, Carol’s Restaurant at Baily 2:30 p.m. Winery UPCOMING June 11 is Wilson Creek Winery’s Virtual Wine Tasting from 4-6 p.m. June 26 is Lorimar Winery’s Smoke and Wine, an evening of cigars and wine from 7-9 p.m. ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS WITH THE VALLEY NEWS and get exposure to over 140,000 readers! (only $25 per event, calendar items due Friday noon of the week before print)

Live Bands • Bistro • Wine & Beer Bistro Hours Friday to Sunday 11am-4pm

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New Daily Hours In this ever changing COVID-19 life, we at Cougar have decided to pivot again.

New Daily Hours for the Tasting Room & Deli 12-5pm We are Open For: • Wine Club Pick Ups • Bottle Sales • Deli To-Go Orders

Curbside Delivery If you do not want to come inside the winery or forgot your mask, we are happy to oﬀer curbside delivery. Call 951-767-8595 when you are in the parking lot.

39870 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92592 (951) 491-0825 www.CougarVineyards.com

[Right] Europa Village staﬀ is seen with masks and gloves as they cater to guests during their reopening of Prelude starting May 29. Valley N ews/ L exi ngton H owe photo

June 13, they will have a limited Bel Vino Bistro menu available. Bel Vino Winery is located at 33515 Rancho California Road in Temecula. Call 951-676-6414 or visit http://www.belvinowinery. com. Peltzer Winery reopens In an Instagram post, Peltzer Winery announced that they are back and open for glass and bottle sales, with food truck eats available daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At this time, they’re currently only allowing 21 and older visitors and are following social distancing guidelines. Peltzer Winery is located at 40275 Calle Contento in Temecula. Call 951-888-2008 or visit http:// www.peltzerwinery.com. Europa Prelude reopens Following county guidelines, Europa Village reopened Prelude May 29 that will provide guests and members the opportunity to enjoy wine and menu options. Starting June 12, Bolero at Europa Village has its opening debut, welcoming Société wine club members and guests to wine and dine at the new restaurant and village. For more information, visit https://www. europavillage.com/bolero. Europa Village is located at 33475 La Serena Way in Temecula. Call 951-506-1818 or visit http:// www.europavillage.com. Lorimar Vineyards & Winery Reopens Lorimar Vineyards and Winery reopened as a dine-in restaurant

with food truck. Lorimar Winery has reopened its doors to the public and is scheduling live music for guests to enjoy while they eat. Tables are limited and they currently are not open for wine tasting or standing room. Lorimar Winery is located at 39990 Anza Road in Temecula. For more information, call 951-694-6699 or visit http://www.lorimarwinery. com. Cougar Vineyards & Winery reopens An update, as of May 22, informed guests that they would be reopening their dine-in restaurant, Sangio’s Deli, to the public. While staying in compliance with county guidelines they aren’t oﬀering wine tasting at this time, but wine can be purchased with a meal. Staﬀ recommends reserving seating for tables, as space is limited. Cougar Winery is located at 39870 De Portola Road in Temecula. Call 951-491-0825 or visit http://www.cougarvineyards. com for more information. To submit a reservation request, email deli@cougarvineyards.com. Callaway Vineyard and Winery reopened to the public May 30.

Callaway dine in reopens Callaway Winery reopened to the public for dine-in May 30, following safety guidelines. They are open Friday and Saturday noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and do have conditions of entry. Callaway Vineyard and Winery is located at 32720 Rancho California Road in Temecula. Call 951-676-4001 or visit http://www. callawaywinery.com for more information. Falkner Winery Pinnacle reopens Falkner Winery’s Pinnacle Restaurant reopened Friday, June 5, while following guidelines put in place by the county. They will also be oﬀering outdoor seating with premium tasting combined with an item from their made-to-order picnic menu. Falkner Winery is located at 40620 Calle Contento in Temecula. For more information, call 951-676-8231 or visit http://www. falknerwinery.com. Lexington Howe can be reached by email at lhowe@reedermedia. com.

Wine Country map courtesy of Temecula Valley Winegrowers

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y alley ews co

Valley News

Local

County adds walk-in COVID-19 testing sites Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

tinues Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There are also eight state-run, walk-in testing sites located throughout Riverside County including the new location in Temecula. Testing at any of these locations is open to anyone, whether they have symptoms or not, and there are no out-of-pocket costs to individuals. Participants will be asked to provide information about their health insurance, but they will not be charged any costs or copay and will be allowed to get tested even if they do not provide insurance information. Appointments are required at all locations to get tested. To make an appointment, visit http://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus/testing. County health oﬃcials also announced recently that 51 patients stricken with the coronavirus have recently been transferred into Riverside County hospitals from Imperial County hospitals and another 12 patients originating from Imperial County have walked into county hospitals. Bruce Barton, director of the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, said the jump in the number of COVID-19 cases landing in Riverside County hospitals is due to the fact that there are only two hospitals in Imperial County and both have reached capacity. Temecula Valley Hospital issued a statement Thursday, May 28, regarding the issue. “Temecula Valley Hospital has

As Riverside County closes in on the 120,000 mark for testing of the coronavirus, county health ofﬁcials announced that new walk-in testing sites were being added in various portions of the county in hopes of getting more people to be tested and thus acquire more data on the virus. “I am very pleased to see more testing sites open in western Riverside County. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms,” Vice Chair Karen Spiegel, 2nd District supervisor, said. “Increased testing is an important aspect of being able to reopen our businesses and region faster.” The new walk-in testing sites were opened in Corona and San Jacinto and the Mead Valley state testing site was moved to Temecula Testing at Corona Senior Citizens Center, 921 S. Belle Ave., in Corona and at 790 S. State St. in San Jacinto started Tuesday, May 26, and the site will continue testing Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Four other sites are drive-up locations in Indio, Lake Elsinore, Perris and Riverside. A state-run testing site that previously operated at the Mead Valley Community Center moved to the Grace Mellman Library at 41000 County Center Drive in Temecula. Testing started at that site Tuesday, May 26, and con-

opened its doors to treat patients in the region,” hospital CEO Darlene Wetton said in a social media statement. “We are safe, trusted, ready and will help others whenever we can. We are all in this together.” The county’s news release indicated that hospitals in neighboring counties have pitched in as well by receiving patients. On Tuesday morning, June 2, the county reported that 119,824 people have been tested and there have been 7,982 conﬁrmed cases. There are 195 people hospitalized countywide and 62 of those are in intensive care units. In total, 331 county residents have died from the virus and 4,725 have recovered. Locally, the county reported Monday that Hemet had the highest number of cases in southwest Riverside County with 279 and 21 deaths. The city of Lake Elsinore had 177 cases with eight deaths. Murrieta had 132 cases and seven deaths, Menifee had 76 and six deaths, San Jacinto had 133 cases and ﬁve deaths, while Wildomar

One person injured in crash with tanker truck in Wildomar City News Service SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

the Riverside County Fire Department said. The driver was freed from the wreckage and taken to a hospital with critical injuries, ﬁre oﬃcials reported. The tanker trailer was not breached by the crash and did not leak any hazardous materials, according to authorities.

The driver of a vehicle that slammed into the back of a tanker truck was seriously injured Sunday, May 31. The crash was reported at 1:35 p.m. at Bundy Canyon Road and Orange Street, near Interstate 15,

has 65 cases with four deaths. As of press time Tuesday, Temecula had 146 cases and Canyon Lake reported 13, but neither city has suffered a death caused by the virus. The county reported number totals for unincorporated areas including French Valley at 46 cases, Anza at six, Winchester at one, Valle Vista at 25, Lakeland Village at 38, and East Hemet with 29 cases. Only Lakeland Village had reported that a resident died from the virus. On Saturday, May 30, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced the death of a correctional officer who worked at the state prison in Norco and recently tested positive for COVID-19. Danny Mendoza, 53, died Saturday, according to a CDCR statement issued that did not specify whether he died at a hospital. An exact cause of death will be determined by the Riverside County coroner’s office. The county also announced that business owners would be able

to apply individual grants of up to $10,000 each beginning this week, thanks to $45 million in federal money now available to small Riverside County businesses impacted by coronavirus-related public health shutdowns. “Ninety-six percent of businesses in Riverside County are small businesses – 50 employees or less. These grants can be used for job retention, economic preservation, payroll, working capital, to buy personal protective equipment,” Spiegel said. “This is to alleviate the hardship experienced by private for-proﬁt businesses located in Riverside County.” The board of supervisors was to formally vote on the process of awarding grants during its meeting Tuesday, but a website has already been established for interested parties to gather information on the requirements to apply for funds at http://www.rivcobizhelp.org. City News Service contributed to this report. Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

Upscale Thrift Shop Proceeds Benefit Children of our Valley

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Due to the continued COVID-19 conditions our thrift shop will remain closed until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

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dropped more A winter storm rain in some of than 2 inches on left heavy snow places and even over the Thankslocal mountains The storm moved giving holiday. by Nov. 27 , and in Wednesday, as much as Friday had poured of rain on inches two-and-a-half Murrieta, which Beaumont and receiving the most were tied for County. rain in Riverside 3

Council apThe Hemet City CR& R, the from to proved a request trash collector, city’s contracted Materials add a 67 -cent “Recycling cutoﬀ of China’s Fee,” due to the in recent recyclables purchases

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Prestifilippo, Mirella “Mimi” Temecula and in who once lived I taly, has only now resides in advice for Amerione piece of D-1 9 , the staycans. Take COVI all warnings and at-home order seriously.

see page A- 2

see page A-

Local Peace Corps volunteers sent home without COVID-19 say screenings, some

Crimes & Courts Rep. Duncan Hunter plead s guilty in campaign misappropriation case

Local Lake Elsinore approv es new agreement with homeless outreach group

during at ake lsinore photo from the shore Shane Gib son with fish netting Solutions helps fishing and recreation. Watson and Infrastructure and fish habitat uality for in the sometimes- Julie ood nvironment water quality the ASSOCIATED PRESS improve water ate uckley of The surveys, Fish Survey, in an effort to A uatic scientist survey studies at the lake The Lake Elsinorefish-capturing troubled lake.a second Sept. 24, fish Duncan Hunter 4, hip waders one of several California Rep. consisting of three in T-shirts and yet to be Lake first Sept. ght against

clad Elsinore shoreline. along the Lake catch, measure, Harris City Council ap- Kim EDITOR Their goal? To sh in the city’s Lake Elsinore with Social MANAGING ﬁ tag and release proved an agreement at the counname of dawned hot and namesake lake all in the The morning a Work Action Group24, meeting to Sept. 24, when to sticky Tuesday, cil’s Tuesday, Sept. scientists conservation. outreach services volunteers and provide street both within slew of homeless individuals in the surroundthe city limits and ing area.

to help events, was designed Jacinto WaterElsinore and San identify both short sheds Authority projects improve and long-term

a date and a third with

see SURVEY,

ecula alley o retiring e City leaders sendent with celeb ration Chamb er presid

ﬁ gave up his yearlong charges and 3, page A- 5 federal corruption Tuesday, Dec. pleaded guilty campaign funds, to misusing his for the six-term paving the way down. step Republican to see page D- 6

INDEX

owners and govLocal business commemorated ernment officials Alice Sullivan of the retirement Temecula Valley who has led the for almost Chamber of Commercehas been an as long as Temecula with a celebraincorporated city Resort Casino tion at the Pechanga 30. Monday, Sept. Grand Ballroom in May that Sullivan announced after servVALLEY STAFF planned to retire school students she the Temecula community for Murrieta high facili- ing – she has led the a almost 30 years will tour two manufacturing innovation center May 1 9 9 0, just ties and the city’s part of the city’s chamber since the city officially as . few months after Friday, Oct. 4, December 1 9 89 Day event. incorporated in Manufacturing her presence And she’s made nearly three see page D- 5 known over those up to almost decades, showingmeeting during every city council local shopthat time, launching spinning off the initiatives, ping committee into chamber’s tourism page A- 2 see RETIRING,

M urrieta to host 10 0 teens for ‘ M anufacturing Day’ ev ent

TEMECULA INDEX

Classiﬁeds ...............................

C O Alice Sullivan retiring resident Sept. 30. of Commerce, esort Casino, Valley Chamber photo at echanga Shane Gib son leading the Temecula of the community After 9 years with members during a party is celebrated

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Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

Russ Utz San Jacinto Mayor staﬀ and manager praised the city growth in refor the city’s recent and creating an to tail development more attractive environment residents during businesses and the past year. residents and the His message to community retail and commercial9 State of the 201 came during the Sept. 26, City address Thursday, Resort Event in the Soboba Casino

D-6

................... D-8 Crimes & Courts B-4 Ed ucation ...............................

Lexington Howe INTERN time, the Peace For the first home more than Corps has sent globally due to outside the emergencya Controlled a triage tent setup helmets called 7 ,000 volunteers prepares to enter Gib son photo tent wear respirator outbreak. While Greg Davidson the screening V alley News/ Shane the coronavirus physician assistant volunteers staff working in emergency room tests are conducted. TVH and airborne particulates. working hard and they’ve been sending and they weren’t Temecula Valley Hospital against aerosolized staff at TVH are precautions to COVID-19 screenings to protect themselves patients, the back, some said for COVI D-1 9 necessary department where in treating day-to-day their taking or CAPR for short, they serve exactly screened takes a look at hospital has changed some of back to the Air Purifying Respirator, keep the community is ties, Valley News upon their arrival effort to combat safe in these trying times. Valley Hospital protocols in an threat how Temecula states. Shane Gibson the scenes to keep and respond to the growing page A- 5 at working behind see page A- 7 PHOTOJOURNALIST see HOSPITAL, 9 virus. While and the comof the COVI D-1 of the virus, to patients, caregiverssafe. cases continue the front line response munity as a whole As COVI D-1 9 fully operational the Temecula While TVH is increase throughout communiValley and surrounding people turned up More than 1 00 Candlefor the annual Community Nov. 30, in light Tribute Saturday, ......AVO-1 City Hall to reAnza Valley Outlook front of Temecula ones who died. B-1, B-2 Business ....................... member their loved B-4 by Linda founded event, Directory............... The Business C-7 her son more than Jeff Pack Mejia, who lost Classifieds ............................ A-8 music, stoSTAFF WRITER List ..... 20 years ago, featured and COVID-19 Resource Old Town B-5 ries, words of encouragement As you drive throughthe silence families and friends Education ............................ C-4 days, support for the these ..................... Temecula Entertainment downright eerie. in attendance. ..... C-6 podium, Faith and emptiness are it: a parking lot Before taking the Faith ................................ .. B-6 Then you see a song that was chairs spaced Zember played daughter Lily Health ................................ A-1 with tables andapart in front of .... recorded by her 1 5-year-old Local ................................ out about 6 feet burger joint Harrison, a Murrieta this year by .................AVO-7 longtime Temecula earlier National News Grill. who was killed .......C-6, C-7 , favorite, Mad Madeline’s Temecula. Opinion.................. tables taped off a DUI driver in you, the holiday ..... C-6 “We do have the table, which Pets ................................ “Like many of other been changed,” and it’s every ................AVO-6 8 feet apart and season has forever will forever Regional News ... C-1 is at least 6 feet, the bar,” owner on Zember said. “They and revised. Sports ................................ C-5 the same thing erent said. “We allow be altered, diff ....................... traditions and Wine & Dine Sid Hamilton the eight to 1 0 on The years of family now unable to anywhere from f it’s any more are I fond memories same ways that patio at a time. the we have to direct be furthered in A- 8 than eight or 1 0, I f they would see VIGIL, page at City Hall to them to the tables. at the tables Candlelight Vigil Grill, which has son photo there Mad Madeline’s News/Jeff Pack photo Temecula Community V alley News/ Shane Gib like to wait out they want to eat Valley Old Town Temecula’s for the 1 9 th annual if parking lot at and delivery food. community gather or they choose tape sit in the N ov. 3 0 . serving takeout died, M embers of the have Tables and caution crew to continue ones w ho page A- 3 stayed open with a skeleton remember loved see BUSINESSES,

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on and more photos Dec. 1 . S ee story News/ Shane Gib son photos V alley

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

INDEX

Local businesses

y shopping

holida s o shortened lac riday ic season

Schools await learning

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

and cranky Some sleepy eyesBlack Friday, on faces appeared of residents at but the thousands malls were hitting of local stores and deals – instead on savings and – for the most hitting each other

do what they can

to survive

e for distance reopening, prepar Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

districts first When local school closures as announced temporary the coroagainst part of the fight they expected navirus pandemic,only last until to the closures month. sometime next County Southwest Riverside variously anschool districts dates spanning nounced reopeningMarch to midof from the end Riverside Univer-, April, until the March 1 7 sity Health System,in the county ordered all schools April 30. The until to remain shut Gov. Gavin same day, California uncertain if it was Newsom said be able to reopen schools would current school the before at all but he issued year ends in June, no official order. page A- 6 see SCHOOLS,

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B-6 en ..................... Home & G ard ..... A-1 Local .................................. B-1 ......................... National News

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C-6

a bright uss Ut paints San acinto Mayor Address. State of the City

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Center. he had become He said since of major retail mayor a series have been stores, restaurants, road improveopened and many place. He thanked ments had taken his Rob Johnson, City Manager of the Soboba staff, members I ndians and the o Band of Luiseñ page A- 6 see SAN JACINTO,

part. surfaced of Late Friday, video inside the Murtwo men ﬁghting apparently rieta Walmart location, of the men conover what one disrespect of an sidered to be the elderly woman. posted by Ryan I n the video the two men a Kimberly Mountain, and the other in – one a Marine – were standing retired Marine Thanksgiving night a checkout line woman allegedly when an elderly bumped into one and repeatedly of the men. made a comment When the man see FRIDAY,

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Hemet City Council agrees to ‘ Recycling M aterials Fee’

JACINTO EMET, SAN WILDOMAR , H

of rates 3 0 years Temecula celeb storm d umps rain, cityhood on SoCal

December 6

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B-6

Local Wildomar approves cannabis-related business in city Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

After almost four hours of discussion, the Wildomar City Council approved an amendment to the city’s municipal code establishing the adoption of a CEQA statutory exemption for the zoning, use, and licensing regulations of cannabis businesses in the city Thursday, May 28. The motion passed 3-2 with Mayor Dustin Nigg and councilmembers Ben Benoit and Joseph Morabito in favor with Mayor Pro Tem Bridgette Moore and councilmember Marsha Swanson voting no. Later, the council voted unanimously to establish application and regulatory fees for cannabis businesses in the city. The council first directed staff to research the idea of a cannabis order in the city May 8, 2019, and June 12, 2019, an ad hoc subcommittee was formed led by Nigg and Moore. Two weeks later, the council approved the spending of $50,000 to prepare the amendment for land use, zoning, licensing procedures and regulations. As presented by city planning director Matthew Bassi, the amendment prohibits cannabis consumption and alcohol or tobacco sales on the premises. It also places security requirements on the businesses, including the mandatory notification of law enforcement in the instance of suspected theft. Cannabis-related businesses may also only do business with other cannabis businesses.

The amendment as proposed restricts those businesses to be limited to locations within the city’s two commercial zones and placed restrictions on where the businesses could be located, not within 600 feet of public or private schools, commercial day care centers, youth centers or parks. Later in the evening, the council added that the businesses could not be located within 150-feet of a residential unit. The businesses will also be subjected to unannounced inspections. After several public comments from residents and business owners, councilmembers had an opportunity to speak. “Thank you to the callers who said we’re in a tough position because we are,” Moore said. “It really is a polarizing subject, and it is 50ish one way or the other.” “We’re forced to deal with California, and all the ﬂaws that we’ve seen in the last few months, we’re dealing with California,” Nigg said. “I’m not a fan of (Gov.) Newsom right now, by any means. But this is what was passed statewide and my thinking is for us as a city, how do we do it responsibly?” Nigg said he believes the public is “going to do what they’re going to do.” “I would prefer they don’t buy drugs from a drug dealer,” he said, adding that he hoped he could sway some councilmembers. “You have not swayed me,” Swanson said. “I am voting the way I am voting because I was elected to listen to my constituents, and 60% of mine said ‘no.’ So, that’s where I am coming from. “I don’t have a strong feeling

The Wildomar City Council narrowly approves an amendment Thursday, May 28, that would allow cannabis businesses to set up shop within the city. They also approved unanimously the fee structure associated with the amendment. Valley News/Courtesy photo

either way, but my constituents do,” she said. Moore asked for a 1,000-foot sensitive area buﬀer for the businesses. Nigg and Morabito had an issue with extending it for the sake of compromise if it meant treating cannabis differently than other businesses. “You have a lot of opposition, you have emails, you have a lot of opposition,” Moore said. “Like I said earlier, if you’re going to shove it down our residents’ throat, then let’s give them a little bit more, a thousand. I understand that it’s a business, but it’s a new category that’s never been here before, it is diﬀerent.”

“Let’s not confuse a couple of dozen people with a big public outrage, though I know this is bigger,” Morabito said. “I would like to have seen a larger outpouring from the community than what we actually did get.” Once the amendment allowing cannabis businesses into the city, the council heard a staff report about the application fee process. The local license application is $20,000, another $20,000 for a conditional use permit deposit, and a developmental agreement deposit of $12,000. After the license is approved, a regulatory, non-refundable fee of more than $70,000 is due. After

two years, an initial deposit fee of $10,000 is required. The numbers were based on an estimated 10 cannabis businesses coming into the city, including a task force required to monitor the businesses. Moore pointed out that neighboring Lake Elsinore only has two cannabis businesses and questioned whether it was reasonable to believe Wildomar would have more applications. Staff said that council could adjust items in the amendment to account for costs associated with city expenditures. Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

Temecula City Council approves amendment to allow four-story hotels in Old Town Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Temecula City Council approved a change to the city’s Old Town Speciﬁc Plan, March 26, that

will allow four-story hotels to be developed in the Old Town area. Previously, a 2010 amendment to the speciﬁc plan mandated that four-story buildings could only be allowed when at least one ﬂoor

of residential use is provided. The specific plan separately allows four-story buildings when one floor of office space is provided. The 2010 specific plan amendment allows three-story hotels throughout the Old Town area and allows up to eight stories for a full service hotel with conference facilities, restaurants and other guest services. According to a report presented to the council by city staff, multiple hotel developers have reported to staff that “the ability to construct four-story hotels in the downtown core is necessary for new hotels to be economically feasible.” No three-story hotels have been constructed in Old Town since the passage of the 2010 specific plan amendment, city staff said, and staff reached out to the consultant

that prepared the market study which eventually led to the 2010 amendment to confirm developers’ statements on the economic feasibility of new hotels. While the 2010 amendment and the original specific plan make allowances for larger buildings when residential and office uses are provided on the basis that people living and working in Old Town will patronize nearby businesses and stimulate the local economy, city staff said it’s likely the construction of additional hotel rooms in Old Town will provide even greater support for businesses. The 2010 specific plan amendment assumed construction of an additional 499 hotel rooms in Old Town. Of those, 343 rooms have been built or approved in the intervening decade, leaving a balance

of 156 rooms. Future projects that push the number of hotel rooms over that amount will be require to prepare additional California Environmental Quality Act documentation, according to city staﬀ. A proposal to draft a new amendment was presented to the council’s Old Town Steering Committee in November, where staﬀ were given direction to proceed. The proposed amendment was presented in April to the Old Town Review Board and in May to the city’s planning commission – both of which gave their approval – before being brought to the city council. The council approved the new amendment unanimously. Will Fritz can be reached by email at wfritz@reedermedia.com.

Fireworks illegal in the city of Menifee This chalk art drawing is Rosie the Riveter with the actual poster. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Edna Gomez and Sylvia Lynden’s completed chalk art is Rosie the Riveter wearing a facemask.

CHALK from page B-1 like that,” Gomez said. “Being here at home you’ve gotta find things to keep you busy, you know something more productive than watching TV.” There is another reason they drew it, however. “It inspires other people,” Gomez said. “I know one of our neighbors that did a little heart that said thank you, and I took my two grandchildren for a walk and I said this is a thank you for the ﬁrst

responders and the nurses.” While they don’t have their mural business anymore, Lyden said she would like to possibly pick it up again one day. To see some of their previous artwork, visit their Facebook page, Starving Artists Murals. “It would be fun to make some money doing something that we love,” she said. Lexington Howe can be reached by email at lhowe@reedermedia. com.

MENIFEE – Menifee would like to remind everyone that it is illegal to possess, discharge or sell fireworks in Riverside County, which includes the city of Menifee. Every year, people are seriously injured, property is damaged and the risk of fires increases due to the illegal use of fireworks. The county’s extremely dry conditions create a greater potential for fires caused by fireworks. Public safety officers spend an extraordinary amount of time and resources responding to firework related incidents that can negatively affect the response times for other serious emergencies, according

to the city. “Public safety is, and will always be, the top priority for the city of Menifee. We strive to meet our residents’ public safety expectations, and we ask that residents please celebrate responsibly and leave the fireworks to the professionals,” Mayor Bill Zimmerman said. In addition to the threat of fire and bodily injury, fireworks can also trigger episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder in some veterans and cause extreme distress for pets. Menifee residents are urged to extend courtesy to one another by adhering to the municipal

and county codes and refraining from illegal ﬁrework use. With Menifee being a patriotic city and in light of the cancellation of many activities and events due to COVID-19, the Menifee City Council approved the Independence Day ﬁreworks display Saturday, June 27, at 9 p.m. and encouraged residents to enjoy the display in a safe and responsible way. More details of the display will be forthcoming including parking maps for residents for optimal viewing. Submitted by city of Menifee.

ZEBRAS from page B-1

copter,” she said, adding that the helicopter comment at ﬁrst was sarcastic but ended up being really helpful. “The guy called up SCE (Southern California Edison) and reported it on their website, so the helicopter went out,” Fuller said. They had to call it a night Sunday. The next morning they ended up with four drones and San Diego Equine Rescue came out on horseback. “We went down to the KOA at Vail Lake because in my mind these zebras are following water,” Fuller said. “She’s 10 miles that way anyways already down in the creek beds; we did get one real sighting so we knew she was headed to Vail Lake.” Fuller divided everyone up to go out and search in diﬀerent directions. “At the end of Monday, our last two places that we stopped to talk to people I literally stood on the peak of the vista right there and was barking for them with my best

zebra bark,” Fuller said, laughing. Fuller had returned to her home in Riverside when she received a call from her boss that some people had spotted them. Fuller called in to her staﬀ and asked that they grab a big bucket of water and place it 10-20 feet inside. She told them to throw two ﬂakes of alfalfa and wait to see if she came home. After a lot of searching, the zebras returned back home. “Wouldn’t you know it – the next morning she was standing outside of her pasture waiting to go in for breakfast,” Fuller said. Fuller was grateful for the community’s support. “Everybody in the community came out,” she said. And the zebra who spearheaded the adventure? “She just took freedom by the reins and ran with it,” Fuller said. Lexington Howe can be reached by email at lhowe@reedermedia. com.

I could,” Lamb said. John Stewart, a resident who lives near Celebrity Ranch ﬁrst read the post on Facebook and took his brother in their Razor to go search for them. “I’ve been out there for a while so I kind of know every little dirt road and little canyon so I felt like I could help a lot,” Stewart said. “I went down one pretty messed up road and we spotted them, so I called her right away and we raced over but they were gone by the time that we got back,” Stewart said. “It was kind of cool seeing them all the way down this little canyon on top of this mountain, I felt like I was in Africa or something,” he said, laughing. It all happened between Sunday, May 17, to Tuesday, May 19. “Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. everybody in this valley had started looking and reaching out,” Fuller said. “People oﬀered drones, a heli-

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

B-7

Local CHP pedestrian safety enforcement operation leads to safety improvements

Undercover CHP Sgt. Baer uses a crosswalk numerous times at the intersection of Winchester and Benton Roads during a pedestrian safety operation.

Undercover CHP oﬃcer Robertson reacts as a motorist failed to yield the right of way during a pedestrian safety operation at the intersection of Winchester and Benton Roads, May 27. The three-hour operation netted 17 citations and 11 warnings were issued. Valley News/Shane Gibson photos

Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR

It was just like any other day for drivers Wednesday, May 27, as they made their way up Winchester Road to the unincorporated area of Murrieta. The sun shone brightly as the stop light at the intersection at Benton Road turned first yellow, then red, halting the flow of traffic. As the “walk” sign on the stoplight pole indicated it was safe to cross the street, an unassuming man in T-shirt, shorts and flip flops, carrying nothing but his drink and a phone, stepped off the curb and began to make his way across the crosswalk. As he began to progress across the busy intersection, a car pulled up into the crosswalk nearly hitting the man, who reacted with an incredulous look at the driver. The man continued on his way, but for the unsuspecting driver, the incident which is commonly observed on many streets throughout the valley, was only just beginning. Immediately after the encounter, the driver was directed by a California Highway Patrol officer, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, to pull over. The stunned driver obeyed the officer’s orders and ultimately learned that unassuming pedestrian in the T-shirt, shorts and flip flops was not really a pedestrian, but Officer Robertson, an undercover CHP officer who played a major part in the California Highway Patrol’s pedestrian safety enforcement operation focusing on motorists and pedestrians who failed to yield the right of way. That driver was one of many that day who learned all about pedes-

trian safety from the CHP officers who conducted the operation. “Pedestrian safety is a key issue in our community, and the CHP is committed to upholding pedestrian safety laws to protect our citizens,” CHP Temecula Area Officer Mike Lassig, a representative for the law enforcement agency, said. According to Lassig, 17 citations were issued, 11 warnings were issued and an untold number of citizens were educated on the importance of pedestrian safety during the three hour period officers conducted the operation, which focused on drivers and pedestrians who were violating the right of way laws. “The Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation was successful,” Lassig said. “Every contact the CHP made was an educational experience for the motorist. Our local media has assisted us in our efforts to spread the word of pedestrian safety allowing a large number of the community to understand the importance for both motorists and pedestrians that may travel through a crosswalk.” According to Lassig, some rules of the road and basic safety practices shared with both drivers and pedestrians included the following. Drivers should be on the lookout for and yield the right of way to pedestrians and should slow down when in an area where pedestrians are likely to be. Drivers should never pass a car stopped for pedestrians. It is against the law and highly dangerous for those crossing the street. Pedestrians are not above the law either, Lassig said, adding that

pedestrians should always cross at the corner, at crosswalks or intersections wherever possible since those locations are where drivers expect to see pedestrians. Pedestrians should also look both ways for traffic before crossing, make eye contact with the driver and make certain cars are yielding before crossing. Having the right of way does not prevent a pedestrian from being seriously injured by a driver who is not paying attention. Remember, pedestrians don’t have armor. Pedestrians should also wear bright colored, reflective clothing and use a flashlight when walking during hours of darkness so drivers can see them. Lassig said that while operations such as this one are held sporadically as funding is made available he hopes that everyone involved walked away with a greater understanding of rules of the road for both drivers and pedestrians. “The CHP’s goal is to educate the community and the motoring public on the importance of pedestrian and crosswalk safety,” Lassig said. “Our goal is to reduce the number of automobile and pedestrian traffic collisions. Laws are set in place to prevent people from getting injured or killed.” Funding for the pedestrian safety enforcement operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “The CHP is committed to doing our part to keep the community safe. We urge every member of the community to be safe and follow the rules of the road. Traffic safety

Coronavirus has murky impact on crime Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The coronavirus pandemic has had an unclear impact on crime rates. The California Highway Patrol, which oversees highways and all roads in unincorporated areas, has reported issuing far more tickets for speeding over 100 mph amid pandemic-related stay-at-home orders, which have resulted in less traffic. According to preliminary data from the agency’s traffic records, 4,000 tickets for speeding over 100 mph were issued between March 19 and April 30, which is more than double the rate seen last year during that same period. At the exact same time, the number of crashes statewide has declined about 75% from last year, and there has been an 88% reduction in the number of people killed in crashes. That’s a statewide statistic, however – Temecula Area CHP Officer Mike Lassig said data was not immediately available for local enforcement of speeding laws. It does appear though, that DUI arrests are actually down in the Temecula Valley during the pandemic. There were 63 DUI arrests in the CHP’s Temecula Area from March through May 20, according to Lassig, compared to 155 during

the same time last year. “With the various types of drinking establishments closed due to the stay at home order, we have fewer DUI arrests,” Lassig said. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department declined to provide recent data for call volumes and arrests. Officials in nearby San Diego County, however, said there haven’t been any obvious trends in crime incidents. Lt. Arnold Aldana, who oversees the Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation, said there were very slight increases in reports of some crimes from March to April, but they were not significant and regardless, it would be impossible to tell whether they were coronavirus-related. “For instance, DVs (domestic violence reports) from March to April has a slight increase, and then this month it went down,” he said. Statistics provided by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department last showed the department responded to 20 reports of domestic violence incidents March 14, and to 15 reports March 19, the day the statewide stay-at-home order went into effect. That was more than the five to 10 domestic violence calls the sheriff’s department had been averaging before the stay-at-home order, but not

significantly more than an earlier peak of 15 domestic violence calls in February. The pandemic has, however, had a clear impact on the number of reports made to child abuse hotlines in both Riverside and San Diego counties. In Riverside County, there was a 49% reduction in calls to the county’s child abuse hotline in the week of April 11 compared to the week of March 7. The sharpest decline in call volume was between the second and third weeks of March, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services representative Gene Kennedy said in April. But that doesn’t mean child abuse has gone up or down – it means children who experience abuse are not in as much contact with people who are in a position to report abuse. “It’s definitely a thing that calls are down, because you’ve got children who are not in school and you’ve got educators who are mandated reporters,” Kennedy said at the time. So while the pandemic has had some clear impact on crashes and vehicle-related offenses, its effect on the frequency of non-vehiclerelated crimes is much murkier. Will Fritz can be reached by email at wfritz@reedermedia.com.

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CHP oﬃcer Godinez educates a driver on how to properly yield to pedestrians using a crosswalk.

CHP oﬃcer Mike Lassig issues a citation to a motorist for failing to yield the right of way to undercover CHP oﬃcer serving as pedestrians in a crosswalk during a pedestrian safety operation in French Valley.

is everyone’s responsibility,” the CHP said in an emailed statement to Valley News. For additional information, contact the CHP Temecula Area’s GUIDELINES from page B-1 finding that most of our customers don’t want to mess with wearing masks, so we’re not going to require it, but all of our servers will wear masks. Our cooks and back end staff will wear masks and gloves.” Esparza and his restaurant have been closed for three months, though they did take the time to make some improvements and spruce the place up a bit. He was “mostly excited” about getting closer to reopening. “Mostly excited,” he said. “I’d like to be able to do a little more because there are some restrictions on the bar now with the 6-foot seating. “A problem we have is that with every other seating it limits your seating, but you still have the same operating expenses as before and the payroll is still the same.” Finch in Wildomar was reopening Thursday to guests for the first time during the 5 p.m. hour and manager Sarah Inlow was ready to go. “I went over the CDC guidelines, OSHA, all of the information, even if it was true or not to, get as much information as I possibly could to make sure that my staff and guests were safe,” she said. “This includes spacing tables out, which is removing tables from the restaurant altogether, supplying gloves and masks for our staff, hand sanitizer practically everywhere around the restaurant. Really just educating our staff on the California guidelines, not necessarily going along with what everyone else is doing, but just making sure that no matter what we’re going along with the rules.” According to Inlow, all the hard work was about making guests and employees feel comfortable coming back to work. “At the end of the day everyone’s nerves are a little bit racked,” she said. “It’s kind of like religion, you don’t necessarily want to talk about it. But at the end, I just want to make sure that everyone is com-

Public Information Officer Mike Lassig at (951) 506-2000. Kim Harris can be reached by email at valleyeditor@reedermedia.com. fortable coming back to work and that our guests tell their friends that Finch is a safe and comfortable place to eat.” She said the restaurant hasn’t had an issue with employees wanting to stay on unemployment and that they are eager to get back to work. “Everyone was very happy when they left, they were very happy with the jobs that they had,” Inlow said. “We did have a few nervous people. We had some serious conversations with some employees who had been affected by coronavirus within their families or friends. “We’re starting out with a really small staff and everyone is on board and ready to work and ready to get back to their life basically,” she said. At Devilicious Eatery in Old Town Temecula, diners were spaced out with tables alternating. As one table gets filled, they adjust a card on the tables near it that they are not available, that way the hostess won’t seat someone too close. “One of the biggest things that are new for us, obviously the masks and all of the servers are in gloves too, but we are not doing any menus,” a manager said. “We’re not handing them out. We have QR codes for everything. For our menu, for our drinks, for beer, so people are just scanning it, and it opens up on their phone.” They also plan on continuing to provide to-go food as they have been for the past few weeks. “We have been so grateful that the community has been so good to us the whole time,” she said. “We were actually closed for a full month. We just started doing takeout about three, four weeks ago. We did that for a few weeks and then just opened for sitting inside this past Tuesday. We’re gonna keep doing (takeout) as long as the community wants it. We still see that that’s about half of our sales right now.” Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

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Section

NATIONAL June 5 – 11, 2020

www.myvalleynews.com

Volume 20, Issue 23

Standing on the spot where George Floyd died, his brother urges calm Aaron Morrison THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

George Floyd’s brother pleaded for peace in the streets Monday, June 1, saying destruction is “not going to bring my brother back at all.” Terrence Floyd’s emotional plea came as the United States braced for another night of violence in response to Floyd’s killing a week ago. Chants of “What’s his name? George Floyd!” filled the air as a large crowd gathered at the spot where the black man who became the latest symbol of racial injustice in America lay handcuffed and dying as a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck. Wearing a face mask with Floyd’s image on it, his brother dropped to his knees at the storefront that has been turned into a memorial covered with flowers and signs. As he kneeled silently, many who were around him joined him on the ground. The memorial site was a space of calm compared to the devastation left in the wake of fires and violence that paralyzed the city for days last week before it spread nationwide. “I understand y’all are upset. I doubt y’all are half as upset as I am,” Terrence Floyd, who lives in New York, said. “So if I’m not over here blowing up stuff, if I’m not over here messing up my community, then what are y’all doing? What are y’all doing? Y’all doing

nothing. Because that’s not going to bring my brother back at all.” George Floyd, 46, died after he was arrested in Minneapolis, accused of using a forged $20 bill to pay for goods at a grocery store. The white officer, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with murder. Terrence Floyd took several minutes sitting in the spot where the officer pinned his brother, and he sobbed. Addressing the crowd, he said he did not understand why the other three police officers who arrested Floyd and were fired with Chauvin have not been charged. Still, he said, the Floyd family, which he described as “peaceful” and “God-fearing,” wants calm protests at this time with hopes that justice will follow. “In every case of police brutality, the same thing has been happening. Y’all protest, y’all destroy stuff. ... Let’s do this another way,” he said, encouraging the crowd to vote and to educate themselves. “Let’s switch it up, y’all.” In contrast to the peaceful message, President Donald Trump took a tough tone later in the day in the White House Rose Garden, threatening to mobilize “thousands and thousands” of U.S. soldiers if state governors don’t deploy the National Guard to “dominate the streets” and halt the protests. As he spoke, tear gas canisters could be heard exploding just a block away as police and National Guard soldiers worked to force people protesting the death of Floyd back.

An emotional Terrence Floyd is comforted as he sits at the spot at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, Monday, June 1, where his brother George Floyd encountered police and AP photo/Bebeto Matthews photo died while in their custody, May 25.

Before his death, George Floyd – like millions of Americans during the coronavirus pandemic – was out of work and looking for a new job. He and some friends moved to Minneapolis from his native Houston around 2014 to ﬁnd work and start a new life, his lifelong friend Christopher Harris has said. But he was laid oﬀ when Minnesota shut down restaurants as part of a stay-at-home order.

“My brother moved here from Houston. He loved it here,” Terrence Floyd said Monday. “So I know he would not want y’all to be doing this.” He said he appreciates the show of support and love for his brother and their family. Civil rights leader Rev. Kevin McCall of New York, said he brought Terrence Floyd, community members and others out to the memorial site in Minneapolis

to urge calm. “We’re sending a message to people all over the country,” he said. “Stop the looting and throw up the peace sign. Don’t stop protesting, but throw up the peace sign.” At the end of his remarks, Terrence Floyd led the crowd in more chants. “What’s his name?” he said. “George Floyd!” the crowd answered back.

George Floyd protests turn violent again, Trump vows tougher response to riots

President Donald Trump walks from the gates of the White House to visit St. John’s Church across Lafayette Park in Washington, June 1. AP photo/Patrick Semansky photo

Tom Ozimek THE EPOCH TIMES

Peaceful protests sparked by anger over the police custody death of George Floyd again descended into furious riots after nightfall Monday, June 1, in several U.S. cities, while the Trump administration vowed to mount a more forceful response to contain the chaos. “We must never give in to anger or hatred. If malice or violence reigns, then none of us is free,” President Donald Trump said at a Monday news conference, at which he urged mayors and governors to “establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled.” The death of Floyd, a black man who died after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest, May 25, sparked widespread outrage. Chauvin was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder, though that did little to temper the anger.

In New York City, nonviolent demonstrations were punctuated by people smashing storefront windows near Rockefeller Center and breaching the doors into the storied Macy’s store on 34th Street, littering parts of Manhattan with broken glass. A vehicle plowed through a group of law enforcement officers at a demonstration in Buffalo, New York, injuring at least two. Demonstrations erupted in Philadelphia, where hundreds of protesters spilled onto a highway in the heart of the city; Nashville, Tennessee, where more than 60 National Guard soldiers put down their riot shields at the request of peaceful protesters who had gathered in front of Tennessee’s state Capitol to honor Floyd; and Atlanta, where police fired tear gas at demonstrators. Legendary civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat who represents Georgia’s 5th Congressional District that lies at the heart of Metro Atlanta, urged demonstrators to protest in a non-violent way. “To the rioters here in Atlanta and across the country: I see you,

and I hear you. I know your pain, your rage, your sense of despair and hopelessness,” Lewis said in a May 30 statement, but insisted that “rioting, looting and burning

is not the way. “Be constructive, not destructive. History has proven time and again that non-violent, peaceful protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that we all deserve,” he said in a statement. Trump, in his remarks Monday, said that if local authorities were unable to quell the violence, federal troops might be brought in to restore order. “If a city or a state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them,” Trump said. “Right now, America needs creation, not destruction; cooperation, not contempt; security, not anarchy,” Trump said in a speech Saturday. “And there will be no anarchy. Civilization must be cherished, defended and protected,” he said. According to a count compiled by The Associated Press, as of Monday, at least 4,400 people have been arrested nationwide in connection with the unrest that was sparked by Floyd’s death.

The several thousand arrests have been for such oﬀenses as blocking highways, theft and assault. The initially peaceful protests, expressing grief and anger over police brutality, have in many cases devolved into riots. Protests continued June 1 in dozens of cities around the nation, including Atlanta, Buﬀalo, Detroit, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, with occasional looting, arson and vandalizing. The unrest in Minneapolis, where Floyd died during an arrest, seemed to stabilize Monday, the same day his brother made an impassioned plea for peace, saying destruction is “not going to bring my brother back at all.” The Minneapolis National Guard posted a late-night message on Twitter, saying “It was a quiet night for our service members. Thank you to everyone who peacefully protested and stayed safe at home.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reprinted with permission of The Epoch Times.

Protesters at Washington Square Park in New York take part in a demonstration. AP photo/Craig Ruttle photo

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V al l ey N ew s • w w w . m yva l l eynew s. co m

• Ju ne 5 , 2 0 2 0

National News

Flynn judge asks higher court to allow more time for decision Petr Svab THE EPOCH TIMES

The federal judge presiding over the case of former Trump adviser retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn has told the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals it should stay out of his decision to prolong the case even after the Department of Justice dropped the case against Flynn almost a month ago. Beth Wilkinson, lawyer for District Judge Emmet Sullivan, said the DOJ motion to dismiss the case “does not conclusively establish that it ‘acted properly’” in seeking the dismissal. Because Sullivan hasn’t yet decided whether to accept the dismissal, Flynn isn’t entitled to a higher court’s intervention, she argued in a June 1 response to the appeals court’s order. Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor and lawyer for Flynn, said Wilkinson’s response “ignores the true facts and the applicable law,” in a response emailed to The Epoch Times. Sullivan hired Wilkinson after the higher court took the rare move of ordering him May 21, to respond within 10 days about why he hasn’t approved the motion to drop the Flynn case.

Flynn, a former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency during the Obama administration and former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty in 2017 to one count of lying during an FBI interview. In January, he disavowed the plea and asked the court to allow him to withdraw it. The DOJ moved to drop Flynn’s case May 7, saying the FBI interview wasn’t based on a properly predicated investigation and “seems to have been undertaken only to elicit those very false statements and thereby criminalize Mr. Flynn.” Sullivan has so far refused to afﬁrm the dismissal and has instead laid out a schedule that would prolong the case for possibly months. He’s appointed former federal Judge John Gleeson as an amicus curiae or friend of the court “to present arguments in opposition to the government’s motion to dismiss,” as well as to “address” whether the court should make the defense explain why “Flynn should not be held in criminal contempt for perjury.” He’s also signaled he may allow more amici to join the case. Flynn’s lawyers, led by Powell, ﬁled a petition May 19, for a writ of mandamus – a request to the higher court to order Sullivan to accept the

case dismissal, cancel the Gleeson appointment and assign the case to another judge. Wilkinson is arguing that the DOJ motion to dismiss is so unusual, the judge needs more information to evaluate it. Among her arguments, she said that the motion included no “affidavits or declarations,” was “signed by the Acting U.S. Attorney alone, with no line prosecutors joining,” and didn’t address other allegedly false statements of Flynn’s included in his statement of offense. Missing from Wilkinson’s argument is any mention of the documents the DOJ cited as a reason for dismissing the case. The documents were revealed by Jeffrey Jensen, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, who was directed in January by Attorney General William Barr to perform a review of the case. The documents showed the FBI was closing the Flynn investigation Jan. 4, 2017 – nearly three weeks before agents came to interview him. A number of FBI and DOJ officials involved at the time, all of whom have since left their posts, were interviewed by Congress and the FBI about the Flynn case, but none of them could articulate

why exactly was the FBI still investigating Flynn at the time of the interview. “The government cannot explain, much less prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, how (Flynn’s) false statements are ‘material’ to an investigation,” the DOJ motion to dismiss said. Wilkinson further focused on the fact that Flynn reiterated his guilty plea multiple times and that Sullivan should be allowed to “conduct investigations as necessary” into whether Flynn should be held in contempt of court for disavowing the plea. But “a motion to withdraw a guilty plea cannot be grounds for contempt, as the district court’s own rules allow it,” appellate attorney John Reeves, former assistant Missouri attorney general, said in an email to The Epoch Times. Moreover, the plea is legally irrelevant to the case dismissal, according to Powell, because Flynn was in no position to say what was and wasn’t material to a legitimate FBI investigation. “He had to accept on faith that the questions (the FBI asked him) were ‘material,’” she said in the petition. Powell has argued the judge doesn’t have a legal authority to

delay accepting the dismissal. His role is merely “ministerial” and mainly in place as a safeguard from prosecutorial harassment, where the government dismisses a case that doesn’t go well for it only to charge the person again later. That’s not the case here, because the DOJ moved to dismiss with prejudice, meaning the case can’t be brought again. Wilkinson argued that the judge also needs to consider whether the dismissal “adequately protects the public interest,” citing the 1974 case of United States of America v. Robert Louis Ammidown. In that case, however, the ruling was non-binding and the court has since ruled in a way that “has effectively discarded” it, Reeves said in a May 29 amicus brief to the appeals court. He also rebutted Wilkinson’s argument that Sullivan has more say in the case because it was already in the sentencing stage. “The government has complete control over the case until the court enters a ‘ﬁnal judgment,’ and a ‘ﬁnal judgment’ does not occur until the court imposes a sentence, which it has not done in this case,” he said. Reprinted with permission of The Epoch Times.

High court declines to take up Sanders supporters’ lawsuit THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Supreme Court is declining to revive a lawsuit by supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders who sued the Democratic National Committee in 2016 over claims oﬃcials improperly tipped the scales for Hillary Clinton during the nominating process. The justices said Monday, June 1, they would not take up the lawsuit. As is usual, the court did not comment in turning away the case. The lawsuit was filed after leaked DNC emails suggested Democratic party officials had

favored Clinton over the Vermont senator during the primaries. The emails were posted on the document disclosure website WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks did not say who provided the material, but 12 Russian military intelligence ofﬁcers were ultimately indicted in connection with the DNC hack and hacking of the Clinton presidential campaign. According to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, the release was part of a sweeping conspiracy by Russia to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election. DNC chairwoman Debbie Was-

serman Schultz announced her resignation following the leaks. The lawsuit by Sanders supporters was dismissed at an early stage and an appeals court had upheld the dismissal.

In this Oct. 19, 2019, ﬁle photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks to supporters during a rally in New York. A P p hoto/ E duardo M unoz A l v arez p hoto

Trump says Antifa to be designated a terrorist organization Bowen Xiao THE EPOCH TIMES

President Donald Trump said his administration would be designating Antifa as a terrorist organization, after nearly a week of widespread looting and riots following the death of an unarmed black man while in police custody in Minneapolis. Before making the announcement, Trump commended the National Guard for shutting down the chaos in

Minneapolis that he said was steered by “ANTIFA led anarchists, among others.” What started as peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd, who said multiple times he couldn’t breathe and became non-responsive while a police oﬃcer knelt on his neck, has turned into violent chaos, which federal officials said was spurred by outside agitators and radicals. Trump said the majority of people

rioting over the past few days in Minneapolis were from out of state and that they were “harming businesses (especially African American small businesses).” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has pointed to estimations that show 80% of the rioters Friday, May 29, came from outside Minnesota, with the remaining 20% being actual Minnesotans. Attorney general William Barr echoed the president in a statement soon after the move was

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declared. Barr called the violence carried out by Antifa in connection with the rioting “domestic terrorism” and noted that it would be “treated accordingly.” “It is time to stop watching the violence and to confront and stop it,” Barr said. “The continued violence and destruction of property endangers the lives and livelihoods of others, and interferes with the rights of peaceful protestors as well as all other citizens.” Federal law enforcement will be used to apprehend and charge “violent radical agitators,” the attorney general said. It isn’t known how many Antifa members were taking part in the protests across the United States. In an earlier statement Saturday, May 30, Barr said that the violence within the protests appears to have been “planned, organized and driven” by groups of outside radicals and agitators. Dozens of cities across the country braced for another night of unrest Sunday, May 31, as newly added curfews in some areas still failed to quell confrontations between protesters and police. In recent days, violence has rocked Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Denver, Cincinnati and New York, as well as Portland, Oregon, and Louisville, Kentucky, among others. Richard Mack, a former sheriff in Arizona and founder of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, said he agreed with the president’s designation, calling it a “move in the right direction.” “If Antifa is calling for violence and are promoting violence, then they deserve the terrorist designation that President Trump has given them,” Mack told The Epoch Times. “Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Hate cannot drive out hate’ and ‘Violence multiplies violence.’ We agree with Martin Luther King, and as the CSPOA, we call for peace,” he said. “If the American people reject all violence, then our national security will benefit even more. “Liberty is still the answer, and peace is still the solution.” The firing and arrest of Derek Chauvin, the police officer filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck, on charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter has failed to satisfy protesters. Three officers who stood by during the incident have yet to be charged.

Trump has warned that crossing state lines to incite violence is a federal crime, and previously called for governors and mayors to get “tougher” on the riots. It’s also not the first time Trump has talked about designating Antifa as a terrorist group. In July last year, Trump said his administration was considering whether to declare the group “a major organization of terror.” At the time, Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, proposed a resolution in the Senate to condemn the acts of violence carried out by members of Antifa and to label the group as a domestic terrorist organization. The senators proposed the resolution following Antifa members’ assault on independent journalist Andy Ngo, who is known for extensively documenting Antifa violence. He was punched in the face, kicked and had cups of a white substance thrown at him while he was covering one of the group’s protests in Portland, Oregon. Portland police later said the cups contained quick-drying cement mixed into milkshakes. Ngo, in a Twitter response to Trump’s latest announcement, said, “Federal investigative authorities must dismantle the networks & hundreds of Antifa cells across the U.S. who radicalize, train & carry out organized extremist violence. “They also have international links to affinity cells in Western Europe,” Ngo said. “It is domestic & international terrorism.” Meanwhile, in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, national security adviser Robert O’Brien accused the group of using organized and violent tactics, asking what the FBI has been doing about it. “The president and the attorney general want to know from FBI Director Wray what the FBI has been doing to track and dismantle, and surveil and prosecute Antifa,” O’Brien said, May 31. “And if that hasn’t been happening, we want to know what the plan is going forward. These Antifa militant radicals who come into our cities and cross state lines, they are organized and use Molotov cocktails and fireworks and gas to burn down our cities.” Epoch Times reporter Janita Kan, and Reuters contributed to this report. Reprinted by permission of The Epoch Times.

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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Regional News

Anti-police protest in Riverside at first peaceful, then confrontational Paul J. Young CITY NEWS SERVICE

More than 4,000 people converged on downtown Riverside Monday, June 1, to protest police brutality and march in remembrance of a man killed while being arrested recently by a Minneapolis policeman, raising chants and taking over city blocks in a demonstration that turned confrontational, culminating in arrests. At least a half-dozen people were taken into custody at the end of the protest, which involved Riverside County sheriff’s deputies firing anti-personnel rounds, possibly rubber bullets, to disperse the crowd at Orange and 10th streets about 7 p.m. According to reports from the scene, the demonstration was largely contained until that time, when some of the participants may have started lighting fireworks and casting them in the direction of deputies and Riverside police officers manning a skirmish line along 10th Street. Echoes of what sounded like shotgun blasts reverberated throughout the downtown space between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., as protesters were pushed back.

It was unclear whether anyone was hurt. Deputies and police officers formed defensive perimeters at 10th and Lemon streets, as well as Orange and 10th streets, gradually advancing to the east and north to clear demonstrators from the area. Dozens of activists fled the location ahead of the advancing riot squad members. California Highway Patrol officers were summoned to assist, and seven patrol units fanned out in the area of Lemon Street and University Avenue about 7:45 p.m. Sheriff’s officials said that by 8:15 p.m., most of the demonstrators had vacated the downtown space. A trash bin fire near the historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa and several broken windows along Orange Street were reported but no other vandalism or break-ins. Riverside police helicopter Star Nine was in a constant hover over the area from 4-8:30 p.m., and law enforcement agencies additionally sent up camera-equipped drones to monitor developments. The demonstration got underway just before 4 p.m. at the closed Main Library, across from the Mission Inn at Orange Street and

Mission Inn Avenue. Black Lives Matter and the Brown Berets were among the organizers. As a large crowd massed around the library’s front entrance, throngs of people gravitated to the location, building up numbers as diﬀerent speakers led the demonstrators in chants that included “Black lives matter; blue lives murder,” “No justice, no peace” and “I can’t breathe.” Like similar demonstrations that burgeoned in cities across the nation recently, the one in Riverside was predicated on the death of 46-year-old George Floyd, a black man who died during what Minneapolis police said was an act of resisting arrest. Officers Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and Derek Chauvin have been dismissed because of the death and what has been alleged by Hennepin County authorities as excessive force and a deliberate act of violence. Chauvin is under arrest, facing murder and manslaughter charges. The Riverside protest was replete with derogatory outcries, with some participants repeatedly shouting “(expletive) the police,” but at no time in the ﬁrst 2 1/2 hours of the protest did there appear to be acts of aggression,

Newsom welcomes protest rage; decries violence and theft Brian Melley and Kathleen Ronayne THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES – Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday, June 1, he welcomed the rage of protesters as long as they are peaceful, but denounced unnamed groups of anarchists and others who used the demonstrations to tag graffiti on buildings, burn banks, shatter store windows and run off with armloads of goods. “The looting, the violence, the threats against fellow human beings, that has no place in this state and in this nation,” Newsom said. “Those that want to express themselves and have: Thank you. God bless you. Keep doing it. Your rage is real, express it so that we can hear it, let’s not let others drown out that rage.” Newsom has called up 4,500 National Guard troops to supplement overwhelmed police in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Monica following a weekend of violence that erupted around passionate protests over the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died in handcuffs after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck until he stopped breathing. Protests were held across the state Monday, but were generally smaller and not accompanied with the scale of vandalism and theft seen over the weekend. As a large group of demonstrators marched through Hollywood, people broke into businesses in a strip mall, including a Starbucks, a kebab restaurant and a Rite Aid pharmacy that was ransacked. Police quickly showed up and chased some of those who stole and caused damage. When a group of men with axes began smashing windows at nearby Walgreens drugstore, demonstrators stepped in and blocked them and the would-be thieves left in cars. “Don’t be dumb,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned people thinking of taking part in crimes. “Don’t make a mistake that lasts much more than today but that can stay with you for months and years in your life. Don’t do it.” As evening curfews took hold, police and sheriff’s deputies in Los

Angeles, Riverside and elsewhere moved in and arrested dozens of protesters who refused to leave. Those arrests were mainly peaceful. Over the weekend, some protesters tossed rocks and bottles at police in riot gear, officers fired nonlethal rounds and tear gas and sent crowds running, military vehicles rolled through normally placid beachfront cities and black smoke rose from torched police cars and smoldering shops. More cities imposed curfews Monday as merchants and volunteers cleaned up broken glass, boarded up shattered storefronts, and scrubbed spray-painted slurs off buildings. Attorney Alex Rose clutched a garbage-picker as he joined hundreds of other volunteers sweeping and mopping up downtown Sacramento, where there were hundreds of broken windows and graffiti from a night of mayhem. “There’s a very clear distinction between protesters and the looters,” Rose, who protested during the day Sunday, said. “I went home last night, and that’s when the criminals came out.” Many of the trashed businesses had recently been allowed to reopen following about two months of closures because of the coronavirus outbreak. Actor Jamie Foxx joined San Francisco Mayor London Breed and church leaders during a “kneel in” on city hall steps to protest the police killings of Floyd – the Minneapolis man – and other African Americans. Foxx told the hundreds of people gathered that police need to know there will be consequences for taking the life of a black person. “They have to be worried that, ‘I could go to jail for this,’” he said. “They have to respect us. They have to love us. That man cried out for his mom.” San Diego police Chief David Nisleit said Floyd’s death had prompted him to revisit department policy and stop using a controversial neck restraint. Youth-led protests were held Monday in San Diego and in Oakland, where an estimated 15,000 people gathered at a technical high school. Protesters blocked traffic on

U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Rosa, in Northern California’s wine country. Hundreds of miles to the south, a group temporarily stopped the flow of traffic on Interstate 405 near the campus of the University of California Los Angeles, hours ahead of a citywide curfew. In the Van Nuys section of the city, thefts were reported at a phone store and a pharmacy near a protest of about 500 people. Television reports also showed firefighters dousing a burning car blocks from the demonstration and later fighting a fire at a looted strip mall. Over the weekend, thieves ran roughshod in more than 20 cities – emerging with stolen sneakers, clothes and electronics. Some stopped to change into their newly acquired attire before running away. In some cities, police were nowhere to be seen as scores of people jumped through broken windows in broad daylight. In Long Beach, officers stood by as a group of thieves broke out of a boarded up storefront and ran away with fistfuls of clothes. San Francisco police Chief Bill Scott said it was almost unprecedented to have a second night of curfew Monday, but he said it helped keep order Sunday after a small group of “defiant individuals” refused to leave after about 5,000 people had marched peacefully before an 8 p.m. curfew. “There were individuals who came to this city with crowbars, bolt cutter, tools that were designed specifically to get into businesses, to take property and loot,” Scott said. He didn’t say where they came from. Oakland’s acting police chief said organized looters had traveled more than 100 miles from cities in the agricultural Central Valley. “Fifteen, 20, 30 cars at a time, hitting as you’ve seen different shopping malls, different areas,” Chief Susan Manheimer said. Ronayne reported from Sacramento. The Associated Press journalists Olga Rodriguez and Janie Har in San Francisco, Cuneyt Dil and Adam Beam in Sacramento, Robert Jablon and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Riverside County sites resume hazardous waste collection operations City News Service SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

After more than two months of closures, Riverside County Department of Waste Resources facilities that handle household chemicals, electronics and bulk waste that residents wish to discard resumed operations Monday, June 1. According to the agency, waste collection sites in Riverside, Lake Elsinore and Palm Springs were open for business, but restrictions

will be in place because of ongoing coronavirus concerns. The household hazardous waste program was suspended March 17, following county public health orders that prohibited crowding and established protocols for interactions aimed at virus containment. Drop-oﬀ events were also canceled through April and May. Department of Waste Resources oﬃcials said residents are welcome to return to agency facilities to discard unwanted or spent household chemicals, including

bottles of cleansers and insect repellant, as well as paints, batteries, motor oils, computers and medications. Residents will be asked to remain in their cars when they drive up to a site and have their trunks unlocked and ready for attendants to access. County workers will not reach inside a vehicle cabin or open doors to retrieve items. More information is available via http://www.rcwaste.org, or by calling 951-486-3200.

physical violence or intimidation, as has been witnessed in Los Angeles, Dallas, New York City and other locations. As a precaution, the windows on most of the businesses in the immediate vicinity of the protest zone were boarded up. At the Main Library site, protesters spilled into the streets by 4:20 p.m., and with a crowd of supportive motorists honking and slowing, the marchers formed a loose train that initially went north on Mission Inn, then east on Market Street, south on Fifth Street and back west on Orange Street, where the demonstrators reassembled before continuing along Orange Street toward the Riverside Historic Courthouse and Robert Presley Detention Center, three blocks to the west. At the intersection of Orange and 10th streets, sheriff’s deputies and Riverside police officers clad in riot gear deployed in a skirmish line backed by mobile barriers and tactical vehicles. Sheriff Chad Bianco arrived within a few minutes to supervise, as the protesters massed at the intersection in front of the closed district attorney’s office about 4:50 p.m. The chanting resumed, while

participants waving signs that read “Justice for George,” “Get off my neck” and “Abolish all prisons” paced in front of the riot squad. Only a few attendees turned belligerent, hurling profanities and shaking their fists at the law enforcement officers. Several organizers called on the aggressors to back off, and tensions were defused. On several occasions, the protesters were asked to kneel on the street, apparently in honor of Floyd and others who died in police custody. A counter-demonstration of sorts took place overhead, as a single-engine airplane towing a banner circled the protesters in three-minute intervals. The banner read: “We love the police. USA thanks you.” A red heart symbol was at the tail end of the message. By 5:45 p.m., the core protest began to fizzle and small groups splintered, with people going in different directions. The city of Riverside ordered a 6 p.m. curfew, declaring that all non-emergency and nonessential activity was to end on the streets. The protesters who stayed at 10th and Orange streets were in violation.

California schools chief calls for new plan on racism, bias

In this Oct. 31, 2019, ﬁle photo, Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public instruction, answers a reporter’s question during a visit with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, seen in the background, to Blue Oak Elementary School in Cameron Park. AP photo/Rich Pedroncelli ﬁle photo

The Associated Press SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

California’s education chief said Monday, June 1, he plans to lead an effort focusing on racism in public schools during emotional remarks about George Floyd, whose killing has left him struggling to answer his own children who asked, “Why did this happen?” “Now is the time to address racism and implicit bias in education,” Tony Thurmond said, blinking back tears during a livestream Monday. “We must not let this moment go unnoticed.” Thurmond is the only elected state official who is African American. Thurmond said that he has reached out to state superintendents around the country and will initiate conversations with California educational leaders, parents and students but also go beyond the education sphere and work with elected officials, police chiefs and government agencies. “We have to deal with racism and bias in every sector of our community,” Thurmond said. “We have to go beyond education, because racism is taught.” Answers from puzzle on page B-2

The conversations will focus on how schools can provide more training for staff and students on implicit bias, building empathy and tolerance. They will also examine legislation and inequalities in California schools, where black and brown students are more likely to be suspended, pushed out of school and into the criminal justice system, he said. Thurmond said that he has been haunted by Floyd’s killing while in police custody last week in Minnesota and struggled with it as an elected official, as a black man “who every day thinks about the impacts of race,” and as a father. “It has been difficult for me to make sense for how a man could beg and plead for his life and still have his life snuffed out,” he said. “It has been difficult for me as a parent raising African American children to know what to say, how to answer their questions when they ask me, ‘Dad why did this happen?’ ... (and) could this happen to them, and that I may not be able to keep them safe.” Thurmond said he appreciated protesters raising their voices but urged them to demonstrate peacefully.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • June 5, 2020

Health

Rancho Water throws surprise parade for employee fighting cancer

Rancho Water employee John Olmos shakes the hand of an employee during a drive-by parade in his honor, May 19.

Rancho Water employee John Olmos wipes away tears as his co-workers drive by oﬀering words of encouragement and strength to him as he is dealing with a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. The employee parade was organized by the employees. Valley News/Courtesy photos

Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

Rancho California Water District employees came together Tuesday, May 19, to perform a surprise parade for a longtime district employee, John Olmos, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. “To know John is to instantly love him,” Jeﬀ Armstrong, general manager at Rancho Water, said. “He has always been a hardworking employee whose smile is infectious. John will give you the shirt oﬀ his back if you needed it. That is just the type of guy he is. This is devastating news to Rancho and to me personally. “We wish nothing but the best for John, his wife and kids. John has done so much for our community and for our district and we wanted to give back in a big way. To be able to mobilize over 100 people in such a short time was incredible to witness. Even more incredible was the reaction on John’s face. We can’t wait to see him back at Rancho Water soon,” he said. According to Grace Cardenas, public information officer for Rancho Water, Olmos has been with the district for more than 20 years. He’s spent the majority of his career in the construction department, helping to ensure the community receives water every

Rancho Water employees oﬀer encouragement to co-worker John Olmos who is ﬁghting stage 4 cancer.

A group of Rancho Water employees shout words of encouragement and display signs for John Olmos who is ﬁghting cancer.

day by performing all types of infrastructure maintenance and water line repairs. The parade passed in front of the Olmos home in Winchester with more than 50 cars and 100 Rancho Water employees and family members in attendance. Many participated in the parade during their lunch break or on their own time. As they drove by, waving, honking and holding signs of encouragement, Olmos was seen wiping away tears while standing in his driveway with his wife Adriana and his two children. All the cars and trucks had the hashtag, #OlmosStrong, written and taped to the sides of their

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vehicles. “The amount of love and support we got today for my dad’s ﬁght with cancer is unreal,” daughter Kiana Olmos said. “Big thank you to his co-workers and company, Rancho Water, for the drive-by.” Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

Overflow coronavirus patients transferred to Riverside County hospitals Jeff Pack STAFF WRITER

According to county emergency oﬃcials, 51 patients stricken with the coronavirus have recently been transferred into Riverside County hospitals from Imperial County hospitals. Another 12 patients originating from Imperial County have walked into county hospitals as well. Bruce Barton, director of the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, said the jump in the number of COVID-19 cases landing in Riverside County hospitals is due to the fact that there are only two hospitals in Imperial County and both have reached capacity. “Riverside County and Imperial County have a long history of working together on the Salton Sea, agriculture, education, and we are partners in the ﬁght against this pandemic,” V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County board chair and 4th District supervisor, said in a news release issued by the county.

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Rancho Water employee John Olmos holds up a sign, bearing the hashtag #RanchoWaterStrong, after the drive-by parade by his co-workers.

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“It is fortunate that we have the hospital space to assist our neighbors in Imperial County. It shows how important these hospital beds are and how we need to keep our hospital space available for surges that could come.” Approximately 180,000 people live in Imperial County, which is home to seven cities – Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial and Westmorland – and eight unincorporated communities, Bombay Beach, Heber, Niland, Ocotillo, Palo Verde, Salton City, Seeley and Winterhaven. Barton said he and the EMD are closely monitoring the system, and while the county’s hospital system has been impacted by the Imperial County transfers, they are still well within the capacity of the health system. “The goal of the state’s regional distribution plan is to assure these patients receive needed care and are appropriately distributed across Southern California hospitals so that no single county is

disproportionately impacted,” Barton said. Temecula Valley Hospital issued a statement Thursday, May 28, regarding the issue. “Temecula Valley Hospital has opened its doors to treat patients in the region,” Darlene Wetton, CEO of TVH, said in a social media statement. “We are safe, trusted, ready and will help others whenever we can. We are all in this together.” The county’s news release indicated that hospitals throughout Riverside County have received the Imperial County patients and hospitals in neighboring counties have pitched in as well by receiving patients. As of Tuesday evening, May 26, there were 193 coronavirus patients in Riverside County, including 63 in the intensive care unit. There have been 7,139 conﬁrmed cases and 303 coronavirus deaths in Riverside County. Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.

Inter Valley Health Plan free online class explains Medicare step by step Kim Harris MANAGING EDITOR

Those who need to sign up for Medicare are invited to attend an online class where they can get answers about the program in real time. Scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 17, at 12:30 p.m., participants will learn how Medicare works from the safety of their home before signing up for the program. Oﬀered by Inter Valley Health Plan, the class will feature a live Medicare specialist who will explain the beneﬁts of Medicare and the deadlines of how and when to enroll in clear, concise and easy to understand language anyone can

understand. Classes are oﬀered each month in June, July and August on every ﬁrst and third Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and every second Tuesday at 5:50 p.m., according to a press release issued by Inland Valley Health Plan. For a detailed list of class dates and times, visit http://www.ivhp. com/step-by-step. RSVP is required to receive login information and can be made online at https:/www.ivhp. com/step-by-step or by calling 800-886-447 or TTY 711, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Kim Harris can be reached by email at valleyeditor@reedermedia.com.

June 5 , 2 0 2 0 • www.myva lleynews.com • Valley N ews

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Health

‘A year’s worth of suicide attempts in four weeks’: The unintended consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns Jon Miltimore FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION

The costs of the government responses to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic have been severe. New evidence suggests they could be even worse than we imagined. An ABC aﬃliate in California reports that doctors at John Muir Medical Center tell them they have seen more deaths by suicide than COVID-19 during the quarantine. “The numbers are unprecedented,” Dr. Michael DeBoisblanc said, referring to the spike in suicides. “We’ve never seen numbers like this, in such a short period of time,” DeBoisblanc added. “I mean we’ve seen a year’s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.” Kacey Hansen, a trauma nurse who has spent 33 years at the hospital, said she has never witnessed self-inflicted attacks on such a scale. “What I have seen recently, I have never seen before,” Hansen said. “I have never seen so much intentional injury.” To date, there is little evidence that lockdowns have reduced the spread of COVID-19. But even if there were compelling

evidence that lockdowns were saving lives, it would be a mistake to ignore the manifold unintended consequences of stay-at-home orders. As economist Antony Davies and political scientist James Harrigan explains, “every human action has both intended and unintended consequences. Human beings react to every rule, regulation and order governments impose, and their reactions result in outcomes that can be quite diﬀerent than the outcomes lawmakers intended.” The problem with negative unintended consequences is twofold. First, as Ludwig von Mises observed, every government intervention in markets creates unintended consequences, which often lead to more calls for government interventions which have more unintended consequences, and so on. Second, as Frédéric Bastiat pointed out, we tend to focus our attention more on the intended consequences than the unintended ones. Think of government assistance and the poverty trap. The unintended consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been severe. Most of the attention, however, has been focused on the economic consequences. Forty

million U.S. jobs lost. A looming recession. Hundreds of thousands of businesses wiped out and retirements destroyed. The psychological and physiological unintended consequences of stay-at-home orders have received less attention. Media have been largely transﬁxed on COVID-19, reporting daily death tolls and rising case numbers in states easing lockdown restrictions, while failing to note that COVID cases are rising because of expanded testing. To be sure, measuring the impact on mental health is trickier than measuring COVID-19 fatalities or job losses. But that is no reason to discount the psychological and physical impact of lockdowns, especially when evidence suggests the toll is severe. A recent Wall Street Journal report shows a surge in the number of people taking drugs for anxiety and insomnia, prompting physicians to warn about the long-term risks of increased prescriptions, which include drug addiction and abuse. Stay-at-home orders may seem relatively benign, but they are not. Science shows that human beings struggle mightily in isolation from one another.

As The New York Times reported in 2016, social isolation isn’t just harmful, it’s quite deadly. A wave of new research suggests social separation is bad for us. Individuals with less social connection have disrupted sleep patterns, altered immune systems, more inflammation and higher levels of stress hormones. One recent study found that isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%. Another analysis that pooled data from 70 studies and 3.4 million people found that socially isolated individuals had a 30% higher risk of dying in the next seven years, and that this eﬀect was largest in middle age. Loneliness can accelerate cognitive decline in older adults, and isolated individuals are twice as likely to die prematurely as those with more robust social interactions. These effects start early: Socially isolated children have significantly poorer health 20 years later, even after controlling for other factors. All told, loneliness is as important a risk factor for early death as obesity and smoking. Anecdotal evidence, like the testimony of doctors at John Muir Medical Center and reported

surges in calls to suicide hotlines around the country, suggest the mental toll of lockdowns could be as great as the material costs. Indeed, they likely go hand in hand. We’ll have months if not years to debate whether the lockdowns were effective or the right thing to do. What’s important to remember is the stay-at-home orders come with a host of unintended consequences that we have not yet even begun to measure or understand. For his part, Dr. DeBoisblanc has seen enough to convince him that it’s time to lift stay-at-home orders and let people return to their communities. “Personally, I think it’s time,” he said. “I think, originally, this was put in place to flatten the curve and to make sure hospitals have the resources to take care of COVID patients. We have the current resources to do that, and our other community health is suffering.” Jonathan Miltimore is the managing editor of FEE.org. His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in Time magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, Fox News and the Star Tribune. Reprinted with permission.

Kaiser Permanente extends COVID-19 cost waiver through Dec. 31, 2020 PASADENA – Kaiser Permanente announced that it will extend its waiver for most member outof-pocket costs for inpatient and outpatient services related to the treatment of COVID-19 through Dec. 31. This waiver, put into eﬀect April 1 and originally set to expire May 31, is intended to alleviate the cost burden and stress on impacted members of paying for care, allowing them to focus on recovery.

“Kaiser Permanente understands the ﬁnancial impact that COVID-19 has had on our members and the communities we serve and is committed to ensuring they have access to the care they need during this time of crisis,” Greg Adams, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, said. “This move aims to alleviate any stress about paying for care, as well as any hesitancy to seek needed care. The path forward through this

pandemic must include identifying, treating and tracing as many cases of COVID-19 as possible as we work to suppress this virus.” Kaiser Permanente’s elimination of member out-of-pocket costs applies to all fully insured beneﬁt plans, in all markets, unless prohibited or modified by law or regulation. It will apply for all dates of service from April 1 through Dec. 31, unless superseded by government action or

extended by Kaiser Permanente. This waiver does not automatically apply to self-funded customers who directly administer health beneﬁts to their employees. Kaiser Permanente has encouraged selffunded customers to adopt this change. Kaiser Permanente suspended all terminations for non-payment of premium or out of pocket expenses from March 15 through May 31. In May, Kaiser Perman-

ente further extended terminations for non-payment through June 30 for Kaiser Permanente individuals and family and small group members. This waiver does not automatically apply to non-urgent or emergent out-of-network claims for tiered beneﬁt product customers. Submitted by Kaiser Permanente.

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V alley N ew s • w w w .myva lleyn ew s.com • Ju ne 5, 2020

Education

Chaparral High School seniors plan ‘Sail Away’ prom this summer Samantha Cox INTERN

Graduating seniors at Chaparral High School have planned a private prom, since the Temecula Valley Unified School District canceled all school events due state and county orders concerning the coronavirus pandemic. The senior “Sail Away” prom will take place Friday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. aboard the Hornblower yacht in San Diego. Temecula Valley Union School District began distance learning April 6 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As teachers and students navigated a new way of learning toward the end of the school year, they realized that many important events would have to be put on hold, including graduation, yearbook signing, senior movie night and senior sunset and prom. Chaparral High School held a virtual graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of Chaparral seniors. Temecula Valley Union School District said in a statement, “While we realize it’s difficult to conceptualize anything other than traditional graduation, we want to go into more depth about how unique the virtual ceremony can be.” While graduation was not a traditional ceremony, it happened nonetheless. Prom, however, came with challenges of its own, as per county order, schools and buildings have to remain closed through June 19. “We had all just finished applying for college, and the acceptances were just starting to come in,” Taylor Silva, graduate and Associated Student Body representative, said. “It was an exciting time and this was supposed to be the beginning of the exciting part of our senior year. I wish that I was able to sign my friends’ yearbooks and be with them more.” Silva wanted to give her senior

Seniors from Chaparral High School invite their classmates to attend the “Sail Away” private prom, Friday, Aug. 7, in San Diego.

Taylor Silva, along with her friends in ASB have planned a private prom for Chaparral High School’s 2020 graduates.

V alley N ew s/ Courtesy p hotos

class a night to remember. She brought up the idea of planning a private prom with her friends in ASB. They liked the idea and agreed to help make it happen, she said. They formed a planning committee which included herself, Morgan Stebens, Vincenzo Montesano and Kaylean Huynh. While they are saddened that they missed out on many events due to the pandemic such as yearbook signing, senior movie night and senior sunset, they

said they were excited to be able to have a prom of their own. “I really wanted to make sure seniors got the opportunity to say goodbye to each other,” Silva said. “We have watched and waited since freshman year to reap the rewards of our senior year.” For more information, call 951375-7558. Samantha Cox can be reached by email at valleystaﬀ@reedermedia. com.

Taylor Silva, left, and Morgan Stebens are part of the committee that planned a private prom to be held on the Hornblower in San Diego.

Honor Our Graduates

Area students named to University of Jamestown spring 2020 dean’s list

Class of

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Area students have been named to the University of Jamestown spring semester dean’s list for maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or better, including Penelope Hoppe of Temecula, Makaylah Lane Adams of Menifee and Claire Struble of Murrieta. The University of Jamestown is a community dedicated to the development of wholeness in their students. The university adheres to a curriculum of academic excellence which blends the liberal arts with sound professional preparation. It’s commitment to the Christian faith encourages an atmosphere of self-discipline, responsibility and concern for the continuing growth of the individual. University of Jamestown was established in 1883 and was named a 2020 Best Regional College in The Princeton Review. Submitted by University of Jamestown.

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Dettmer graduates from Troy University TROY, Ala. – Brian Dettmer of Temecula graduated from Troy University during Term 3 of the 2019-2020 academic year. Dettmer graduated with the master’s degree in management while attending Troy University online. Term 3 includes students at TROY’s campuses in Dothan, Phenix City and Montgomery, Ala., along with teaching sites outside of Alabama and online. Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose the university for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty and flexible inclass and online class offerings. Students on campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online. Submitted by Troy University.

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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Education The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi inducts new members BATON ROUGE, La. – Yessenia Peralta of Nuevo at California State University San Bernardino and LaKisha Robinson of Murrieta at California State University Chico were initiated recently into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. They are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify,

as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit http://www. phikappaphi.org. Submitted by Phi Kappa Phi.

Temecula resident makes SRU spring 2020 dean’s list SLIPPERY ROCK, Penn. – Slippery Rock University has announced its dean’s list for the spring 2020 semester, including Kyle Bowser from Temecula. The dean’s list consists of undergraduate students who earned an adjusted semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, based on a schedule of at least 12 newly attempted and earned credits. Slippery Rock University, founded in 1889, is a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The university is shaped by its normal school heritage and characterized by its commitment to intellectual development, leadership and civic responsibility. Slippery Rock University provides students with

a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that will help them succeed in their lives, professional careers and be engaged citizens. Today, the university is a fouryear, public, coeducational, comprehensive university oﬀering a broad array of undergraduate and select graduate programs to more than 8,800 students. The university has earned full institutional accreditation through the Middle State Commission on Higher Learning and discipline speciﬁc accreditations. Submitted by Slippery Rock University.

Jacob Kandola of Murrieta named to honor roll at Army and Navy Academy CARLSBAD – Army and Navy Academy announced that Jacob Kandola of Murrieta has been named to the honor roll for the ﬁfth grading period of the 20192020 school year. Kandola is from the class of 2022. Students with a GPA of 3.50 or higher are named to the honor roll. The academy’s college preparatory curriculum is challenging and includes a required leadership course in addition to the core subjects. “Congratulations on your academic success,” Ethan Segovia, dean of academics, said. “Keep

working hard and striving for excellence.” Founded in 1910, the Army and Navy Academy is a private notfor-proﬁt institution that provides an academically robust, characterbased education for young men, grades 7 through 12. It is the only private boarding school in San Diego County and the only private military academy for high schoolage students in California and surrounding states. Learn more at https://armyandnavyacademy. org. Submitted by Army and Navy Academy.

MSJC announces selection of vice president of instruction Will Fritz ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Mt. San Jacinto College hired its interim vice president of instruction to ﬁll the position permanently, the college said Friday, May 29. Jeremy Brown was selected after what MSJC called “a rigorous search that resulted in a highly competitive ﬁeld of candidates.” Brown has served in the interim vice president position since 2018, when the previous holder of the position, Rudolph Besikof, left to take the same job at Lane College in Oakland. “Dr. Brown has done an outstanding job as an interim VPI, and I am proud to have him on my executive cabinet,” Roger Schultz, superintendent and president of MSJC, said. “Jeremy worked tirelessly with faculty to transition classes online quickly so our students could continue with their education during the COVID-19 closures. He keeps student success at the forefront of his decisions. His experience as a faculty member and department chair means he understands the classroom experience and the needs of instructors. He is an advocate for faculty and is well-poised to move us through the coming issues we will face in the

Jeremy Brown has been selected to serve as Mt. San Jacinto College’s vice president of instruction after ﬁlling the position on an interim basis since 2018, the college announced. Valley News/Mt. San Jacinto College photo

wake of the COVID-19 closure.” Brown has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Baylor University, as well as a master’s degree in music and a doctorate in musical arts, both with an emphasis in jazz percussion performance from the University of Texas, Austin, according to MSJC.

Brown has been at MSJC since 2007, when he began teaching as a music instructor. He later served as music department chair at MSJC’s Menifee Valley Campus, before taking over the position of dean of arts, humanities and social sciences in 2015. “I am honored to serve as the chief instructional officer for our college,” Brown said. “MSJC is my home. From the first day I set foot on our campus, this community sparked a passion in me for community college teaching and service. I look forward to continuing to build upon the many gains we are making to support students as they achieve their goals.” According to MSJC, Brown is still active in music performance and education in the region. “He is called on regularly to clinic and adjudicate at music festivals, and performs as a guest artist for various programs,” the college said. Brown’s official start date as the permanent vice president of instruction was May 26. The MSJC board of trustees will be asked to confirm his new contract during a meeting in June. Will Fritz can be reached by email at wfritz@reedermedia.com.

Dixie State University honors largest graduating class in its history ST. GEORGE, Utah – Dixie State University recognized its largest-ever graduating class during this unprecedented year, awarding 2,388 degrees to 2,021 graduates. Local graduates include Hayley Alvarado of Menifee, who earned an associate degree; Arlene Avalos of Temecula, who earned an associate degree in applied science; Alyssa De Long of Murrieta, who earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing; Diana Gonzalez of Murrieta, who earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing; Avery Hoskins of Lake Elsinore, who earned an associate degree; Bryn Jones of Murrieta, who earned an associate degree; Emily Lowitz of Murrieta, who earned an associate degree; Sean Reid of Murrieta, who earned a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies and Hayden Rowe of Canyon Lake, who earned an associate degree. “The university is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our largest graduating class in DSU’s history,” Dixie State University president Richard B. Williams said. “I am conﬁdent these graduates will continue to carry on DSU’s tradition of excellence as they leave our great university well prepared and poised for success.”

D i x i e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y ’s 109th graduating class includes 17 master’s candidates, 860 baccalaureate candidates, 943 associate candidates and 568 certiﬁcate candidates. Of these graduates, the majority – 63% – are female and students range in age from 17 to 68 years. Although the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the university’s initial commencement ceremony plans, originally scheduled for May 1, this graduating class will still be honored with a traditional commencement. Based on feedback provided from the graduating students, an in-person ceremony will be held Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in the M. Anthony Burns Arena on campus, dependent on no social distancing guidelines being in effect at that time. “Commencement signifies a great accomplishment and a milestone for our graduates. It is the celebration of their completed journey at Dixie State and the beginning of forging their own path,” Dixie State University Provost Michael Lacourse said. “Although we are not physically celebrating commencement May 1, we are doing everything we can to ensure our Trailblazer graduates know how proud we are of them

until we can congratulate them in person when we host our oﬃcial Commencement Ceremony Dec. 11.” Dixie State University is a premier open-enrollment teaching institution that oﬀers more than 200 academic programs at one of the lowest tuition costs in the Western United States. The university was built upon a rich tradition of determination and generosity that is still embraced by the campus community today. With the motto “Active learning. Active life.” Dixie State University provides personalized and engaged learning experiences that prepare students for rewarding careers and enriched lives. Outside of the classroom, students have the opportunity to enjoy the unparalleled opportunities for an active life that accompany the university’s location in beautiful Southern Utah. To learn more about Dixie State University visit https:// dixie.edu and for details about Dixie State University’s 109th Commencement Ceremony, visit https://dixie.edu/commencement. Submitted by Dixie State University.

Sara Scott of Canyon Lake named to University of Mississippi Alma College’s winter 2020 dean’s list celebrates class of 2020 ALMA, Mich. – Alma College carrying a minimum of 13 credits, collaboration with dedicated faculty. OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi celebrated more than 5,400 candidates for graduation in the class of 2020 during a live, virtual celebratory event, Saturday, May 9. The following local students graduated. Soﬁa Rosaria Seraﬁn of Menifee earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Gabriela Alexandra Alvarez of Lake Elsinore earned a bachelor’s degree in multi-disciplinary studies. “While we aren’t able to gather in the Grove and at other beautiful venues on our campus right now for traditional pomp and circumstance, we could not let our originally scheduled commencement day pass without recognizing the incredible achievements, character and spirit of this class of graduates,” Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce said. “The university remains committed to doing all it can to honor our graduates in person when it is safe for us to come together as a university community.” As part of the virtual celebra-

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tion, students – including December 2019 graduates and May and August 2020 candidates for graduation – received an official cap and tassel from the university, along with other celebratory items. The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the state’s flagship university. Included in the elite group of R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. With more than 23,000 students, Ole Miss is the state’s largest university and is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions. Its 16 academic divisions include a major medical school, nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy and an Honors College acclaimed for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community action. Submitted by University of Mississippi.

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has released the dean’s list for those students who achieved outstanding academic performance during the 2020 winter term. Sara Scott, a junior from Canyon Lake, earned dean’s list honors. Scott is a graduate of Temescal Canyon High School. Students who achieve a 3.5 or better GPA during a term, while

at least eight of which are evaluative grades, are named to the dean’s list. Alma College, founded in 1886, is a four-year residential liberal arts college located in the heart of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. A deep regard for students as individuals is fundamental to an Alma education, with small classes and many opportunities for one-on-one

Alma College’s academic programs encourage students to put the ideas and theories they discuss in the classroom to work in real world settings through internships, research, campus leadership, study abroad and service to others. For more information, visit http:// www.alma.edu. Submitted by Alma College.

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• Concord Lutheran Academy is a private school in Temecula. • We teach grades K-8 from a biblical, Christian world view. • Our tuition and fees are affordable for most familes. To learn more visit www.concordlutheran.com or Call (951) 777-4CLA We help parents build their children into strong, Christian adults.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • June 5, 2020

Faith

Once upon a time…

Zachary Elliott SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

“Once upon a time” is the wonderful beginning to just about every classic fairy tale. For generations those words have captivated the hearts and imaginations of countless readers.

The first line of any great book can be some of the most memorable and significant words the author will ever write. It’s these first few words that can set the tone for the entire story. It captivates the reader and makes the story come to life. Every great story starts with an unforgettable beginning. That’s exactly why God, the great author of the Bible, chose to pen his very first words with care, significance and with unforgettable power. “In the beginning God…” from Genesis 1:1 is the greatest opening line of any book in the history of the world, but it’s no fairytale. It introduces the reader

to the most signiﬁcant character of all time: God. Forget about saving the best for last. God starts his book of good news with the prime character of importance, himself. As if to say to us, “If you get anything out of this book as you read it, I want it to start and end with me. I want you to get me out of this.” When you think about it, isn’t God really the greatest beginning to everything? Every one of our lives is a story. The question is what are the ﬁrst four words to your story? Is it God? Is he the beginning and the end of your life? If not, you’re missing the best character in your book. You’re missing the hero.

The wonderful thing about a hero is that they stay consistent throughout the story, never wavering in their character or their mission for good until they are ﬁnally standing at the end as the great conqueror who has vanquished the dragon. Jesus is that hero. Just as God began the history of the world with himself, he ends it with his son Jesus as the supreme victor. As Jesus said, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the

right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city,” in Revelation 22:12-14. No matter what chapter your book is in, it’s never too late to bring in the most important character. It’s never too late for a new beginning. Give your story to God, and let him start a new chapter with “In the beginning God,” so you can end it with “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” from Revelation 22:20. Zachary Elliott is the lead pastor of Fusion Christian Church in Temecula. For more information, visit https://www.fusionchristianchurch.com, https://fourminutefaithbuilder.com or ﬁnd them on Instagram.

neither shall he drink anything in which grapes have been steeped, nor eat grapes fresh or dried.” The Nazarite vow is used to set oneself apart for God. Maybe you have met someone who has taken the Nazarite vow; this is common with those of the Rastafari religion whose adherents do not cut their hair according to Leviticus 21:5 and follow the precepts of Numbers 6:2-3. Historically, the Nazarite vow could be made for a short period, such as 30 days or even long-term, such as seven years or for life. So, what is a Nazarite then? The term “nazir” is also used in juxtaposition with Nazarite or Nazirite. Most of the understanding regarding the rules surrounding the nazir is found in the Mishnah. The Nazarite “năzˈərīt, (Hebrew) nazir is defined as someone who is consecrated, in the Bible, a person dedicated to God.” The vow is to God, and the person making the vow encompasses separation unto God.

It usually is accompanied by abstinence from grapes, alcohol and hair cutting. What is the diﬀerence between oaths and vows? Someone who undertook a Nazarite vow such as Samson did so by making the vow conditional on his performance of or abstention from a certain act, thereby using it as an assurance for his word. The Talmud distinguishes between shevu’ah, generally translated as “oath,” and neder, usually translated as “vow.” A shevu’sh is a statement that invokes God as surety for its veracity. A subcategory of shevu’ah consists of a promise that one will do something or not do something. A shevu’ah of this kind, therefore, restricts an individual. I have often met people in life who ask God to answer a prayer, and they promise not to do an act like smoking. A barter with God, in essence. Josephus explained that the Essenes refused to take

oaths with unneeded speech; thus, they protected their integrity as always truthful. Christianity teaches that Jesus taught similarly in Matthew 5:33-37. A neder, by contrast, restricts an object. It is a declaration that the use of the benefit of a particular object is forbidden to oneself. This example would be Sampson, who could not have intoxicant or cut his hair. The difference in Christian and Jewish interpretations. The Western Church developed a school of thought termed the “Holiness School.” The concept is that holiness is achieved primarily through behavioral, even ethical means, rather than through ritual. Holiness is a standard in which the votive has goals to attain. It happens when people feel they must do something to have God’s love. This concept is that holiness is not a preexisting state but something to be attained. In Jewish tradition, originating from Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2, 21, the Chosen People are holy because they are separate. In the Hebrew Bible, the Nazarite was a person who was set aside for God. Personal sacrifice is being made for this relationship, often for Sampson or Samuel, by the abstention of grapes, which represented joy. The ancient Israelites did not have to “earn” God’s approval to become set apart. The vow was a symbol of the relationship that God honored. If you are not in a personal relationship with God, now is the time to begin that journey. You may not want to take a vow or oath yet; however, a committed heart is the first step. Roger Cohen is a military veteran and a university lecturer in Southern California, specializing in ethics, religious studies and political science. Follow him at http://www.facebook.com/ProfessorRoger. Congregation B’nai Chaim offers services to Jewish and interfaith families and is located at 29500 Via Princesa in Murrieta. For more information, visit http:// www.bnaichaim.com.

What is the Nazarite vow?

Roger Cohen SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

Everyone should dedicate themselves to God and how we do that is different for each person. The Nazarite vow is important because a person chooses to dedicate themselves to God for a particular purpose and time. The Hebrew Bible presents prolific characters who are Nazarites. Sampson in Judges 13 was a Nazarite. Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:11 is the story of becoming a Nazarite when Hannah pleads with God, and she finally has a

child who adheres to a Nazarite vow. The Christian Bible tells of Paul possibly taking the Nazarite vow in Acts 18:18, as well as four other members of the Jerusalem community who took a Nazarite vow. In fact, the place and purpose of people who chose to separate themselves for the dedication and service to God in the Second Temple were so important that the Second Temple courtyard had a dedicated area set aside for Nazarites. Deciding to dedicate yourself to God in service and action is a solemn choice a person makes. This week’s study in the Bible presents the premise for the Nazarite vow in Numbers 6:2-3, which states: “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: If anyone, man or woman, explicitly utters a Nazirite’s vow, to set himself apart for the LORD, he shall abstain from wine and any other intoxicant; he shall not drink vinegar of wine or of any other intoxicant,

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Section

SPORTS June 5 – 11, 2020

www.myvalleynews.com

Volume 20, Issue 23

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL Local standouts named to CalHiSports. com State teams JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

CalHiSports.com, which is one of the top informative websites for California high school sports, released its annual state boys’ and girls’ basketball award winners, which included many local standouts. Topping the list is Rancho Christian High School’s Evan Mobley, a ﬁve-star recruit and one of the three best players in the 2020 recruiting class. Mobley, who was chosen to the CalHiSports.com Open Division/Division 1 boys’ team, is committed to play college basketball for University of Southern California. Also, from Rancho Christian, is Dominick Harris, who was selected to the Open Division/ Division 1 Third team. Linﬁeld

Christian High School’s Donovan Cox, a First-team pick in Division 5, was the only other player from the area to be selected on the boys’ front. For the girls’ CalHiSports.com State basketball team, Paloma Valley High School’s Mya Pierfax and Sydney Woodley were First-team choices in Division 3, and San Jacinto Valley Academy’s Princess McCauley was the ﬁnal girl selected, a Division 5 First-team selection. To keep up with weekly state rankings, recruiting info and record keeping for all high school sports, visit http://www.CalHiSports.com. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

Paloma Valley High School’s Mya Pierfax was one of two Lady Wildcats selected to the CalHiSports.com First-team in Division 3.

Rancho Christian High School’s Evan Mobley, who will be playing at University of Southern California next season, is a CalHiSports.com Open Division/Division 1 boys’ team selection. Valley News/Andrez Imaging photo

Valley News/Courtesy photo

Linﬁeld Christian High School’s Donovan Cox (10), a First-team CalHiSports.com pick in Division 5. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Rancho Christian High School’s Dominick Harris (2) was selected to the CalHiSports.com Open Division/Division 1 Third team. Valley News/Andrez Imaging photo

BASEBALL

Former Murrieta Mesa baseball standout, Andy Thomas, earns Big 12 postgraduate scholarship JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

Baylor University awarded Andy Thomas, a former Murrieta Mesa High School baseball standout, the prestigious 2019-2020 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship. Thomas is the ﬁfth Baylor University baseball student-athlete to earn the scholarship and one of two selected from the school. The two Baylor University selections were among 20 honorees, with each of the conference’s member institutions awarding two scholarships, one male and one female. The scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staﬀ member and student services’ pioneer who died in March 2005. The list of all-time recipients has grown to 461 since the inception of the league in 1996-1997. Starting

Andy Thomas, a former Murrieta Mesa baseball standout, is awarded the prestigious 2019-2020 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship by Baylor University.

in 2002-2003, additional funding increased scholarship award winners to two per member institution. A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Bears,

Thomas will return to the ﬁeld, igniting his ﬁfth season in 2021, taking advantage an extra year of eligibility given due to the coronavirus pandemic. A career .323

Former Murrieta Mesa baseball standout, Andy Thomas, is only the the ﬁfth Baylor University baseball player ever to earn the Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship. Valley News/Courtesy photos

hitter, he has driven in 81 runs in his career with eight home runs, 33 doubles and two triples as he has shown versatility playing multiple roles for the Bears. He was named

to the 2019 All-Big 12 First Team and was a Preseason All-Big 12 pick in 2020. He also earned see THOMAS, page D-2

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • June 5, 2020

Sports

HS Football: New playoff divisions approved as questions of a fall season remain JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

High school football fans remain hopeful that a season will take place in the 2020-2021 school year as a new playoﬀ system for football divisions gained final approval from the CIF Southern Section Council recently. The future of football and other fall sports was addressed during the council’s teleconference meeting and the outlook was understandably uncertain because of the coronavirus pandemic. “All options are on the table for fall sports,” Rob Wigod, CIF-SS commissioner, said. “We are going to continue to explore options that we can bring back fall sports in the way that we expect them to be brought back. We are not in any haste to take things oﬀ the board or to cancel things or to end our w w w . m y v a l l e y n e w s . c o m

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season as we had to do so terribly (in the) spring. “Officials at the CIF are trying to keep as many different options open and available for them to bring some normalcy back. “Once (schools) are open and begin the academic year, they are also going to have decisions to make about when to bring practices back for their athletic teams,” Wigod said. “Our task, and our huge challenge, will be to keep track of that, to monitor that throughout our section, so that at some point, we would be able to implement a calendar that would have regular season and championship competition.” For the next football season, the council overwhelming approved a plan to establish playoff divisions based on the current season’s results. At the end of the regular season, power rankings from CalPreps.com will be used to place all automatic qualifiers and potential at-large entries across 14 divisions. The brackets would continue to feature 16 teams and would be seeded according to the power rankings, regardless of league affiliation or league finish. The proposal passed Thursday, May 28, by an 80-4-6 vote and continued the section’s movement toward injecting competitive equity into the playoffs. But will football teams experience the new playoff format in the fall or perhaps later in the school year? Many Orange County school districts have set start dates for school to open in August, according to the Orange County Department of Education. The decision on whether to open with students on campus or to continue with distance learning will be made by the districts, Ian Hanigan, chief communications officer for the department, said. “My hunch is that we’re not playing anytime soon,” Cypress football coach Rick Feldman said Thursday. “The hope, and the prayer, is that we can play as soon as possible.” The council also approved to set divisions in swimming based on NISCA power points. Boys’ and girls’ teams could be placed in different divisions. In other action by the council,

The CIF Southern Section Council met recently to approve a plan to establish playoﬀ divisions based on the current season’s results. Valley News/David Canales photo

During the recent CIF Southern Section Council teleconference meeting, the future of football and other fall sports was addressed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Valley News/AC Sports photo

the section’s proposed budget for 2020-2021 was approved by a near unanimous vote. The only dissenting vote came from the Trinity League, which also voted not to support the proposed CIF State

City News Service SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club announced it plans to start its racing season Friday, July 10, pending the approval of the California Horse Racing Board. The state’s Horse Racing Board will decide at its June 11 meeting whether to approve the Del Mar racetrack’s plan, which would employ a Friday through Sunday race schedule. The track will operate without spectators for the foreseeable future, according to track officials. Originally scheduled to open July 18, the track’s operators proposed moving up the start date to fit its usual number of races in, despite an abbreviated schedule. “We want to begin the meet earlier and offer horsemen the same number of opportunities to run as

we have for the last several summer seasons,” Tom Robbins, executive vice president of racing for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, said. “And because the San Diego Fair was canceled this year, our track maintenance team will be preparing our racing surfaces earlier and we’ll be able to have horses on-site sooner than in the past.” The proposed schedule called for 291 races over nine weeks. The track ran 297 races over its eightweek summer program in 2019. The track would offer 10-race cards Fridays and Sundays and 11-race cards Saturdays, with the summer racing schedule set to close with a four-day week ending Sept. 7. Wagering on Del Mar’s races will continue remotely via online platforms like TVG and at oﬀ-track betting locations. The first daily post throughout the summer will be at 2 p.m.

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to $75 from $65. For more information visit http://www.cifss.org. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

Del Mar racetrack proposes opening date of July 10

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budget for 2020-2021. The section and state budgets called for small pay raises to be considered by the economic climate. The Southern Section also is slightly increasing sports fees

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THOMAS from page D-1 Second Team All-Big 12 honors in 2018 as a sophomore. “I am thrilled and honored to receive this award,” Thomas said. “It means the world to me to be eligible and receive this. I couldn’t have done it without the support and love from my coaches, academic advisers, teammates and family and I can’t wait to make the university proud and take on a master’s program.” Criteria for the awards includes a cumulative GPA of at least 3.200 on a 4.000 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee’s respective institution. The studentathletes must graduate from their respective member institutions and enroll in graduate or professional school of their choice within 15 months of their selection of the postgraduate scholarship. Thomas is also a three-time Firstteam Academic All-Big 12 honoree, completed his undergraduate degree in marketing and plans to return to graduate school in either law or sport management. He was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 Team in 2019.

At Murrieta Mesa, Thomas led his 2016 team to the CIF-SS Division 1 Baseball Championship and was a three-year letterwinner. He was the 2016 Rawlings High School Gold Glove winner at the catcher position, received the 2016 Rawlings/Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American award, was a 2016 Perfect Game second-team All-California Region selection, received All-league honorable mention as junior, was a 2015 Perfect Game Underclass honorable mention, Second-team all-league as sophomore and posted a career average of .336 with 46 runs, 87 hits, 42 RBI, 20 doubles, four triples and six home runs in 88 games. To date, the Big 12 has provided over $3.5 million for postgraduate education. The individual grants began at $2,500 in 1996-1997, were raised to $5,000 in 1999 and increased to $6,900 for 2004-2005. The awards climbed to $7,500 in 2006-2007, moved to $9,000 in 2011-2012 and have been at $10,000 since 2013-2014. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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Sports Competitive cheerleading sparks strong CIF Southern Section debate

A proposal to the CIF Southern Section is asking that schools housing traditional competitive cheer teams be able to compete Sundays in the National High School Cheerleading Championships. Valley News/AC Sports photos

JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

At May 28’s ﬁnal CIF Southern Section meeting of the school year, a very heated debate came about, and it had nothing to do with proposed changes to the football playoﬀ divisions. Traditional competitive cheerleading was the sport at the center of the debate and was the topic that had many athletic directors and administrators scratching their heads. A proposal that was submitted by the Del Rio League asking the CIF-SS to allow schools to compete Sundays in the National High School Cheerleading Championships, which are held annually in Florida. Unfortunately, CIF does not allow teams to practice or compete Sundays, so the proposal sought an exemption for cheerleading teams to compete one Sunday a year in the national championship event. After much debate, opponents of the proposal said the exception would lead to other sports seeking exceptions to the rule, resulting in the CIF-SS Council voting 46-395 in support of the proposal. It still needs to be passed by other sections in the state before it becomes

a state rule. According to the Del Rio League proposal, cheerleaders do not participate in traditional head-to-head competition in their leagues like other sports do. It also said that national-level competitions have provided wonderful opportunities for these high school athletes to compete and be seen by college recruiters. These athletes could miss the important opportunities that they have had before CIF inclusion and asking these competitions to move away from their Sunday spot is diﬃcult as they require large venues. La Serna cheerleading coach, Elena Klock, who has been coaching for 18 years, is one of the coaches at the forefront of the debate and has been advocating for this proposal for several years. “I think the average person that doesn’t know what competitive cheerleading is about doesn’t have the perspective needed,” Klock said. “It’s been frustrating, but many have tried to put us in a box and then shut the door. What people need to understand is that we didn’t ask for the sport to be part of the section, (CIF) brought it on us.” READING Five years ago, California As-

semblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, brought legislation to the state assembly floor that would require the CIF State oﬃce to add competitive cheerleading as a sport. The bill passed 71-3 and was signed into law by former Gov. Jerry Brown. “Cheerleaders are athletes, and it’s time the CIF recognizes competition cheer as an oﬃcial sport,” Gonzalez said. The transition to becoming a CIF-SS-sanctioned sport hasn’t been easy, and the support the sport has seen the past several seasons at its sectional championships has been mixed. Thom Simmons, assistant commissioner of CIF Southern Section, said after this year’s championships that the number of teams that participated were “pretty much identical to what they were last year.” A main reason attributed to the lack of growth, according to many coaches, is that CIF-SS rules wouldn’t allow teams to compete Sundays, which means they couldn’t take part in the top national events. The National High School Cheerleading Championships lure many college programs to recruit the best cheerleaders and gains

The lack of growth in traditional competitive cheerleading might be attributed to the fact that teams cannot compete Sundays, which means they can’t take part in top national events.

valuable exposure through a television deal with ESPN. It is also recognized as a national championship by the National Federation of High School Associations. “It is a dream for our girls to be at nationals,” Klock said. “When you are at this event, you are competing against 800 of the best cheerleaders in the country. These girls have trained their entire life to get a chance to compete at this event. It’s not fair to the kids, parents and coaches to not be able to compete at this event because the last day is on a Sunday.” Opponents to the legislation pointed out that by allowing one sport to compete Sunday, it would open the ﬂoodgates to other sports to request exemptions, too. “It puts us on a very, very slippery slope,” James Perry, president-elect of the CIF Southern Section’s executive committee, said. “We constantly hear about

how unique and special different sports are.” Klock strongly pushed back against Perry’s statement. “We are part of the governing body,” Klock said. “He is right…our sport is unique, and it is special. To lump us together with other sports like baseball and basketball is not fair. I was glad that (outgoing CIF-SS Executive Director Dr. Monica Colunga) said that our section’s leadership should be able to work with sports that are different. That is what a federation does.” The legislation will have a final vote by the CIF State Federated Council in October. If it is passed, the legislation will be implemented for the 2021-2022 athletic season. For more information visit http://www.cifss.org. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

California Fastpitch League to provide collegiate-type event structure Great Oak’s Dave Mercado named as regional director

Organizations who will participate in the new California Fastpitch League include Athletics – Mercado, as well as the Batbusters, Firecrackers, Corona Angels and So Cal A’s, among others. Valley News/Courtesy photo

JP Raineri SPORTS EDITOR

The Texas FastPitch League ignited a ﬁre for softball players, and within the last week, many have followed in their footsteps. Programs like the Heart of America Elite Fastpitch League, the Gulf Coast Fastpitch League and the Copper State Summer League are joining up with a powerful new league that will begin playing this fall in California. As announced on their website, top California fastpitch clubs have banded together to form the California Fastpitch League, it was announced Monday, June 1, after months of discussion and work putting the new league together. “Softball has a history of working together across organizations to improve the sport,” Mike Stith, CFL commissioner, who heads the Batbuster organization, said. “This is an exciting next step that will allow us to enhance further the state

of play for all players and teams.” The CFL is a collaboration of leading organizations in the California softball industry to promote competitive play and enhancement of the sport. Working together, the CFL has created a postseason “collegiate-type” event structure and championship series to add purpose of play, excitement and equal opportunities for all. The league will be divided into regions from Northern California to San Diego, and teams will be ranked by region and by state level. Two nine-week sessions will begin in September with the ﬁrst championship to be held in January. CFL league games will take place within existing California tournaments. All California tournament directors are encouraged to have their events included in the CFL points structure. The goal is to include as many quality tournaments as possible throughout the state. “Our mission is to bring an

enhanced level of play and equal opportunity to all teams and players within California,” Tony Rico, deputy commissioner and president of Firecracker Softball Inc., said. “We are excited to kick off this new chapter with the cooperation of the top organizations in the state.” Athletics – Mercado’s Brian Tidd will serve as the director of analytics and team data, and the program’s head, long time Great Oak High School head coach, Dave Mercado, will act as a CFL adviser and regional director. Information will be coming soon from Sean Brashear, director of CFL Championship and Communications, on how those interested in registering teams or events can do so through the new league’s website at http://www. cflfastpitch.com. Organizations that have committed to participate in this league so far include such high-profile and championship-winning programs

Long time Great Oak High School softball head coach, Dave Mercado, who runs the Athletics – Mercado softball program, will also act as the new California Fastpitch League adviser and regional director. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

as the OC Batbusters, Firecrackers, Athletics – Mercado, Corona Angels and So Cal Athletics. The CFL is also joining forces with BLAST and AthletesGoLive to provide the latest technology in online player performance

NEWS for your city TEMECULA MURRIETA

statistics and viewing. The CFL is also exploring opportunities with Wilson, New Balance and other top sponsors. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com.

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • June 5, 2020

Business

Stage 2.5 business reopenings hold promise for economic recovery in ‘new normal’ Tony Ault STAFF WRITER

Party City in Menifee sees plenty of business Saturday, May 30, following its Stage 2 coronavirus reopening allowed by the state and county health oﬃcers. Valley News/Tony Ault photos

Signs, like this one in the Menifee PetSmart, dot almost every store and business, warning customers to keep their social distance and wear masks when they shop.

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Although the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the county health office recently announced the county has reached Stage 2.5 in the coronavirus pandemic, with hospitalizations decreasing, limited nonessential businesses may now open but must limit the number of customers inside a business, maintaining 6-foot social distance and wearing masks. Even before the county and state medical officers decided to ease restrictions, some retail, businesses, bars and houses of worship defied the restrictions prohibiting large gatherings and continued to conduct business as usual much to the dismay of health officials, knowing that Riverside County law enforcement would not intervene. Now that those restrictions have been eased, not many of those “nonessential” businesses have reopened, fearing the number of coronavirus cases could still spike and lead to a reappearance of the disease. The business owners feared that any spike in the coronavirus hospital admissions and deaths could lead to even stricter restrictions by county, state and federal health officials and increased code and law enforcement. Caution is the word for the nonessential business world, while the remaining businesses, like the big box food, goods, service stores and commercial services initially, deemed “essential” in the first phase of the pandemic, are still reaping record profits. The owners and managers of nonessential businesses in Hemet, San Jacinto and Menifee who have chosen to reopen under the new Phase 2 requirements have displayed both hope and determination that their stores will return to profitability in the coming months. Others have opened with the knowledge that if they don’t soon, they will have to close forever and put them and their employees out of work for the long term. Others have found they are busier than ever before. Caution is best explained by Teresa Sanchez, manager of Don Roberto Jewelers in the Hemet Valley Mall, who had just opened her story Friday, May 29, for the first time in two months. “It was really sad we had to worry about ourselves but our employees as well. I was glad they drew unemployment. I’m really excited to bring our girls back to work,” she said of the reopening. “But you have to be cautious now, both for our customers and employees.”

Menifee resident Rafael Rivera waits his turn for a long-sought haircut from his favorite barbershop, Sports Clips Haircuts in Menifee, since the nonessential businesses in the community are able to reopen in the Coronavirus pandemic.

Menifee’s Best Buy store, like other Best Buy electronic stores in southwest Riverside County are now allowing customers inside to shop with an appointment required and social distancing still being required in the coronavirus pandemic. Curb service is still available for customers.

Her employees were busy wiping each of the glass jewelry cases and carefully placing the items in the case wearing gloves. In another part of the mall at 2000 W. Florida Ave. in Hemet, a merchant in the Men’s Trendz clothing store wearing gloves was wiping down the clothes racks inside the still locked business, hoping to open his store Monday, June 1. Other stores, except for the anchor stores of Hobby Lobby, Sprint and other jewelry and clock stores, were still closed with the anticipated full mall store opening soon. Entering Hobby Lobby, customers were greeted by an employee holding an iPad, keeping count of each customer coming in and leaving to be sure the store never had more than the coronavirus health mandated 25% occupancy at any one time. Every customer was required to wear a mask and keep 6 feet away from other customers. At 3:30 p.m. Friday, the store occupancy was at 177, well below the maximum 220 allowed, but it very busy with customers. The comfort chairs in the mall’s center walkway were wrapped with yellow caution tape and could not be used. The food tables were set 6-10 feet apart in the center of the mall, but no customers were sitting with the restaurant, Subway and snack bars still closed. In East Hemet, Ramon Alvarado, owner of UR Nxt Barber Shop at 2123 Florida Ave., was all smiles as his barbers clipped their first customer’s hair in almost three months. He said he and his workers managed to get by during closing of his “nonessential” business due to the coronavirus. “We felt trapped every minute,” he said. “We had to do something instead of just laying down. I think we should have been an “essential” business for my boys.” He said he is happy it is over. “Now that we are busy, I’m tired,” he said. “We’ve got to get back on our feet. We don’t feel trapped anymore. Hopefully we will stay open.” Traﬃc on the overpass at Interstate 215 and Newport Road was once again extremely heavy Saturday, May 30, with residents heading to the Countryside Marketplace and other locations. The Party City store at 30115 Countryside Marketplace, oﬀ Haun Road, was open and bustling with activity with shoppers coming in and out of the store with strings of balloons and party goods for

high school and college graduation parties. Gavin Nichols, the store’s assistant manager, took a quick minute away and said, “We’re even busier than before especially with the curbside pickups still going.” For their 10 employees the reopening came just in time, he said. Up the block, Rafael Raviera, wearing a mask, waited for his name to be called at Sports Clips Haircuts, 30155 Countryside Marketplace. “It’s been a couple of months since I got my mop cut. I was surprised when the shop opened,” he said. He said he had to make an appointment to get his haircut because the shop that normally boasts “walk-ins welcome” was so busy. “I gotta get rid of this mop,” he said in some desperation. But a hairdresser came out, calling his name and begging him to come back in another hour because they were so busy. Niki Nails next door was still closed due to the coronavirus orders, and its opening was still undetermined. Across Haun Road, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse customers lined up outside on the patio, awaiting their reservation times. Dining in was oﬀered only by reservation at the popular restaurant, but the bar remained closed for now. Best Buy, the major electronics retailer in the center, was also only allowing customers who called for an appointment to enter the store. The curbside pickup remained busy. Other Menifee stores, like Salon Creations off Bradley Road, are now open, along with many other restaurants like Provecho Grill and Zesty Shawarma, which were working to expand their dining options according to the current public health orders. The Hemet Sizzler Restaurant, 4762 W. Florida Ave., is following strict in-house dining orders, seating every other dining booth. Customers must enter the building with masks on until they receive their food. The waitresses are careful to keep their distance from customers while serving and will make salads and soups to customers’ orders since the salad bar is no longer self-serve. The “new normal” has begun as nonessential business reopen. Until the state reaches Stage 4, citizens and businesses may have to take precautions to keep the coronavirus from returning. Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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Business Reopening to meet your needs

Andrew Zucker SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

It’s oﬃcial. On Monday, May 18, Gov. Gavin Newsom conceded to most California counties

seeking to enter Phase 2 – or some modiﬁed version of it – allowing some steps forward. It means a gradual progression toward the reopening of businesses and the revival of local economies. It means more of that “getting back to normal” that has struck headlines across the country and become highly sought after the longer everyone has been cooped up and stuck at home. It means the opportunity to get back out into the world and take control of some things that might have fallen by the wayside in the past few months – that have felt like years. What does it mean for you? Well, for Zucker Law Firm, it means reaching out to the local

community and to the individuals that put some things on the back burner simply because other matters became more pressing and lodged at the forefront of their minds. Like many small and community-based businesses, we closed our doors for the safety of our staﬀ, families and community. It didn’t mean we stopped working; in fact, we continued case management for our existing clients via digital means: internet, telephone and email. It was inconceivable we’d let the shelterin-place impact the commitment we made to our clients, and we continued to meet deadlines and ensure case progression for our clients’ satisfaction and beneﬁt.

Riverside County’s jobless rate hits record high City News Service SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

The unemployment rate in Riverside County was 15.3% in April – the highest level recorded in the California Employment Development Department’s electronic database going back three decades, according to ﬁgures released Friday, May 22. The jobless rate in April, based on preliminary estimates, exceeded March’s rate by roughly 10 percentage points, before the full impact of the government public health orders stemming from the coronavirus emergency took effect, according to EDD data. The April rate was nearly 12 percentage points higher than the year-ago level, when countywide unemployment stood at 3.7%. The EDD’s online database, which supplies regional metrics that begin in January 1990, indicate that the last time the jobless rate was close to the current high mark was in July 2010, when 14.5% of the county workforce was unemployed at the tail end of the Great Recession. About 168,800 residents were out of work in April, and 931,300 were employed, according to the EDD. The surge in unemployment

claims countywide coincides with a wave of increases throughout the country, with over 30 million jobless filings in the last eight weeks, as businesses rolled back or shuttered operations because of COVID-19 mitigation measures, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Inland Empire Business Activity Index, published earlier in May by the University of California Riverside Center for Economic Forecasting, showed private sector output plummeted to an annualized rate of negative 0.2% in the first quarter of the year, compared to a healthy 2% growth rate in the final quarter of 2019. The stunning drop-off was a direct result of small, medium and large businesses going into lockdown mode, according to economists. Los Angeles based Beacon Economics said last month there are expectations for a dramatic rebound in business activity and productivity nationwide when states end restrictions. “Just how long the region’s business activity remains suppressed depends on when stay-at-home orders and business closures are relaxed, but for the short term, it’s clear the second quarter will look worse than the first,” Adam

Fowler, research director of the Center for Economic Forecasting, said. Locally, Desert Hot Springs and East Hemet shared the highest unemployment rate countywide at 22.6%, followed by the unincorporated community of Highgrove at 22.3% and Coachella at 21.5%. The combined unemployment rate for Riverside and San Bernardino counties in April was 14.4%, up from 5.2% in March. Bi-county data indicated payrolls shrank by the widest margin last month in the leisure and hospitality industry, which shed 53,800 positions. Additional losses were recorded in the agricultural, business services, retail trade, construction, manufacturing, health services, information services, ﬁnancial services and public sectors, which altogether lost 84,300 jobs. Further, miscellaneous unclassiﬁed industries contracted by about 10,100 positions, according to the EDD. Even the mining industry, which rarely shows any changes on EDD datasheets, posted a loss of 100 – the smallest of any Inland Empire sector. There were no payroll expansions. The state’s jobless rate in April was 16.1%, according to the EDD.

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District lobby reopened June 1 LAKE ELSINORE – Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District reopened its lobby to the public starting June 1. As traditional business operations are gradually restored, EVMWD is taking additional precautions to ensure the safety of customers. Regular cleanings of the lobby will increase in frequency, with particular attention to high-contact surfaces and heavily trafficked areas. Customers are strongly encouraged to cover their faces and will see this recommendation displayed upon entering the building. “We are excited to once again assist our customers in person,” Greg Thomas, general manager for Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, said. “Our staﬀ is

available to discuss resources and areas of assistance with customers who may be struggling financially. As our communities continue to experience hardship related to COVID-19, we are here to serve.” Special payment arrangements and financial assistance, including the Rate Assistance for Residents of Elsinore Valley program, are available to help individuals who meet qualifications. Customers can discuss these options with representatives at EVMWD headquarters or via phone at 951-674-3146. Those who prefer to avoid inperson transactions may still pay bills online at http://www.onlinebiller.com/evmwd or via phone at 951-674-3146. Information on additional payment methods can

In the wake of the shelter-inplace easements, we are oﬀering free, half-hour teleconference consultations to better discuss your unique situation and concerns and let us utilize our experience to lay out the best course of action for you. This consultation doesn’t translate to a contractual obligation and provides you the relaxed environment to consider your options. In our postlockdown society, you can take control of an uncertain situation by contacting us to help you settle on a path forward in at least one lane of your life.

EVMWD delays rate increase, extends freeze on service shut-offs to support community during pandemic LAKE ELSINORE – To further protect public health and assist customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District announced it will continue to defer disconnections for non-payment, postpone a pending rate increase and reopen lobby services. Suspension of water service shut-offs for delinquent bills has been extended through Sept. 30, continuing an action taken by the district in March. EVMWD was one of the first adopters of such a policy to assist customers struggling financially because of the crisis, before a statewide order to suspend shut-offs. The district continues to bill for water service, so customers in need are encouraged to make payment arrangements by calling 951-674-3146. EVMWD also offers low-income rate assistance to qualifying customers through its RARE program. On Thursday, May 28, the EVMWD board of directors voted unanimously to delay a previously approved rate increase for July 1 that was intended to cover the rising costs of imported water, energy, treatment, preventative

maintenance and capital improvement projects. Now, Elsinore Division water rates will not increase until Jan. 1, 2021. Sewer rates will not change. Temescal division and recycled water rates will maintain the slight increase adopted by the board in August 2019, effective July 1. “We know this is a difficult time for many people in our community. At EVMWD, we are committed to doing what we can to help them by minimizing economic hardships and continuing to provide safe, clean drinking water without interruption,” Andy Morris, president of the district’s board of directors, said. The EVMWD lobby reopened to the public June 1. In concert with health department guidelines, social distancing and masks will be strongly encouraged and increased sanitizing by district staff will be implemented. Customers are encouraged and may continue to pay bills online at http://www.onlinebiller.com/evmwd or via phone at 951-674-3146. Information on additional ways to pay is available at http://www.evmwd.com. Submitted by Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District.

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be found at http://www.evmwd. com. EVMWD is committed to protecting the safety of customers while also ensuring that they have access to quality service and ﬁnancial assistance. EVMWD provides service to more than 155,000 water and wastewater customers in a 97-square-mile area in western Riverside County. The district is a sub-agency of the Western Municipal Water District and a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Visit the EVMWD website at http://www.evmwd. com for additional information. Submitted by Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District.

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Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Building 26790 Ynez Court, Suite B Temecula, CA 92591

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Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • June 5, 2020

Opinion Editor’s Note: Opinions do not necessarily reﬂect the views of the Valley News staff. We invite opinions on all sides of an issue. If you have an opinion, please send it as an e-mail to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, or fax us at (760) 723-9606. Maximum word count 500. All letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number. The Valley News reserves the right to edit letters as necessary to ﬁt the publication’s format.

Will rioters listen to George Floyd’s brother?

Julie Reeder PUBLISHER

This week has been horriﬁc and unforgettable for everyone, starting with George Floyd’s family. With the nation in upheaval over the wrongful and murderous death of Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman, tensions and emotions are high. Very sadly, people have used this man’s death as an excuse to murder, loot, destroy and set their cities on ﬁre, hurt local business owners and beat up senior citizens. Nine people have died so far. Those being hurt are not

to blame, even if they are white people, unless they are participating in the criminal behavior too. Let’s have the courage to speak that truth. George Floyd’s brother spoke to a crowd recently asking for peaceful protest and to put an end to the violence. “If I’m not blowing up stuﬀ, messing up my community, then what are y’all doin?” he said. “You’re doing nothing, because that is not going to bring my brother back. My family is a peaceful family, a God fearing family. “Let’s do this another way. Let’s stop thinking our voice doesn’t matter and vote! Educate yourself. Don’t wait for someone to tell you who is who, educate yourself and know who you are voting for. It’s a lot of us, and we still are going to do this peacefully,” he said. They ended the protest by chanting, “Peace on the left, justice on the right.” On behalf of the Floyd family, thank you for the love and the ﬂowers. While it seems that many just

want a peaceful protest, activist groups are fueling the violence with organizing race-baiting, looting, rioting and blaming riots on anyone but the looters who are actually committing the crimes. And we wonder why lawlessness grows? The truth remains that this country has made terrible mistakes in the past, which it has paid dearly for, and we continue to make mistakes for we are human. History is full of people mistreating others. People of all races have enslaved and mistreated each other, including Europeans, Irish, Chinese, etc. Even African slavery at the hands of other African people. It’s all abhorrent, and our country has gone to deadly ends to right the wrongs of slavery, including thousands of white people who fought and died in the Civil War. People of all colors stood side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. African Americans have prospered as leaders in America, becoming mayors, police chiefs, congressmen, judges, Supreme Court Justices, top paid entertain-

ers, sports figures, business owners, and we voted for President Barack Obama twice! If we were a racist nation, millions of white people would not have voted for Obama. We have tried to right the wrongs with affirmative action and the abolition of Jim Crow laws. If anyone is fired or suffers a crime and racism is suspected, there is a zero tolerance. If you doubt it, how do you explain all the reactions across the nation this week? We are a nation of free people, no matter our skin color, with inalienable rights given to us by God alone and justice for all. We hate injustice as a culture. Does that mean racism doesn’t exist? No. Are we finished? No. But should we riot and loot and hurt people? No. The answer is tolerance, kindness, supporting the rule of law and transparency. We need to keep listening to each other and keep moving forward. And we need to root out the wrongs and have the courage to call it out when we see it.

Whether it is bad cops in Minneapolis or elsewhere in the country, the rule of law has to be upheld from our communities all the way to the leadership in our top law enforcement agencies. Why didn’t one of the cops near George Floyd stop what was happening? We will likely not know the answer to that question until these oﬃcers appear in court, but the only way our democratic republic can continue to work is with the participation of good people at all levels who are honest and willing to confront wrongs at every level. We need good mothers, fathers, teachers, cops, judges, journalists, business leaders, pastors and honest politicians. Criminal anarchy by political groups does not help the situation, it only hurts everyone involved. My hope is that people listen to George Floyd’s brother. Their voices and their votes are powerful. Julie Reeder can be reached by email at jreeder@reedermedia. com.

revenues falling and spending for programs like unemployment insurance increasing, our $21 billion surplus of just three months ago is now a projected $54.3 billion deﬁcit. Our constitution requires passage of a balanced budget by June 15. Normally, there would be months of Budget Committee hearings to go over spending for every state agency and program. Though we had endless Zoom and conference calls during the recess, we couldn’t conduct oﬃcial hearings. Since the new budget projections include massive spending cuts to many vital state programs,

the Committee of the Whole was called to quickly get the facts out to all lawmakers, and to allow each member a chance to make a brief statement. Obviously, a speedy recovery that generates jobs and more tax revenues would go a long way toward solving our current budget problems. But future budget shortfalls are likely, and the Legislature will need to seriously reevaluate some of its spending priorities. My takeaway from all this is simple. We can get through this time, but we’ll need to prioritize funding that supports essential

services for our communities including public safety, care for the disabled, the sick, the elderly and education. There’s no alternative – we must get our economy back on track. Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Bonsall, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hidden Meadows, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Rainbow, San Marcos, Temecula, Valley Center and Vista.

Committee of the Whole? Assemblymember Marie Waldron SPECIAL TO VALLEY NEWS

This week the California Assembly convened a historic meeting; one that has not happened in 25 years. Called the “Committee of the Whole,” it is when the entire Assembly comes together to serve as an 80-member budget committee to address this deﬁcit budget cycle. Committee of the Whole meetings are rare and only occur during a crisis. In 1995, the last time it happened, the Legislature was considering the financial fallout from Orange County’s

bankruptcy. This time of course, we are facing a huge budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus-induced recession. With tax

Melissa Melendez wins state Senate seat, but is the California Republican Party ready for the road ahead Former Navy Veteran and newly sworn in state Sen. Melissa Melendez will take over the 28th district after former Sen. Jeﬀ Stone, R-La Quinta, left for a position in the Trump administration. She previously held the 67th Assembly district which is being pursued by Democrat Jerry Carlos and Republican Kelly Seyarto. Both candidates came out as the top 2 after the March 3 primary results. Carlos gained 32.9% of the vote, while Seyarto received 29.1%. Both districts are historically

held by Republicans, but the area has seen a minor resurgence for the Democrats. It is only a small bump, but it is majorly attributed to the number of Republicans running on the ballot. The race in Assembly’s 67th district is similar to the one ran in California’s 50th congressional district in the March 8 primary. The race consisted of Carl DeMaio, former U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa and state Sen. Brian Jones. A few others ran as well, but they only chipped away at the percentage of votes gained. The 50th district was a tough

race with Republicans Issa and DeMaio throwing the heaviest blows. The Democratic candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar only had to keep silent to slowly move up to the top percentage of votes. However, come November for both districts, votes that were dispersed out to numerous Republican candidates will ﬁle into one. For example, Seyarto held 29%. The next Republican, Jeremy Smith got 18%; Steve Manos with 14.5% and lastly Nick Pardue with 5.5%. With the others faded out of

contention, Seyarto will have a voting majority if supporters aren’t – too loyal – to their candidate. In regards to the 50th Congressional District, the same could be said, but the rivalry between Issa and DeMaio was much more meanspirited and uglier. Polls also indicated voters were disgusted with the ads and discourse playing out on television or in general. Melendez will provide a fresh perspective to the state Senate and also a strong candidate for further growth within the Republican Party. On paper, she has a good

track record, being both the Lake Elsinore mayor and as a Navy veteran. The California Republican Party at large has been in decline. Strongholds in Orange County were breached and ﬂipped over to the Democrats. The party’s survival hinges on internal and abroad changes to their philosophies and principled approaches toward policy. Old ways will need to be mixed in with the new, needless to say. Troy Chavez

Proving I’m not scared requires your commitment Joe Naiman WRITER

When and under what conditions to reopen businesses is a matter of risk tolerance. I have a greater risk tolerance than most people. My father is a doctor, so I was a victim of zero risk policy. I wasn’t allowed to play Pop Warner football, and I wasn’t allowed to have a skateboard. While many parents encouraged their children to follow their dreams, my parents wanted me to pursue something more reasonable. Playing it safe didn’t work out for me. It may explain why I’m a medical atheist who uses bartenders instead of doctors. It may also explain why I am no more concerned about catching the coronavirus than I am of falling into a vat of Corona beer. Although I have no qualms about returning to the restaurants and bars once they reopen, I will not do so immediately for the same reason I avoid shopping malls the

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day after Thanksgiving. Once the lines subside and I can obtain a seat without waiting, I will return to the restaurants and bars. There’s a simple way to determine whether I’m actually afraid of going to restaurants and bars with the coronavirus still being transmitted or if I merely want to avoid waiting. Anybody who wants to test me on this theory is welcome to secure me a seat upon my arrival. It would prove that I’m not scared, so anybody who questions my reluctance is welcome to make the arrangements to verify that. If such seating accommodations are in a restaurant or bar which is not economically competitive with my other alternatives, it would also require your commitment to pay for my meal and beverages. There are things I am outright unwilling to do and there are things I am willing to do on other people’s money. Years ago, I went to Las Vegas with my brother Allan and my

cousin Marc. On the way back they wanted to ride the rollercoaster in Stateline which has a 180-foot vertical drop. It was during early April, and property tax payments are due April 10. I pay my own property taxes. Allan and Marc don’t own their residences and don’t pay property taxes. After I initially declined to ride the rollercoaster, they offered to pay and I went with them. Some years later, I was at the San Diego County Fair with someone who wanted to go on the skyride, which at the time was $3 one way and $4.50 for a round trip. I declined for the same reason I used to walk to the corner mailbox when those existed rather than take a taxi. The other person offered to pay for the ride and I went. I have been to Six Flags amusement parks in three different states. I have been on the bungee jump at the county fair. I have been in a hot air balloon and an open cockpit biplane. I don’t need to spend my

own money to prove that I’m not scared of heights. The height ride I would pay to go on is the railway to the summit of Pikes Peak, and I’d also like to ride the narrow gage railroad between Durango and Silverton, Colorado, on the other side of the state. If someone wants to test me on this challenge, we can split expenses for the trip to Colorado. Given where we’d be going and the fact that sharing a car costs less than individual airline tickets, we would be driving to Colorado rather than flying. Some people claim I’m afraid of air travel because I always travel by ground. The only time I was scared in the open cockpit biplane was when I was piloting it, and that was also the case when I flew in a Piper out of Gillespie Field in El Cajon. Air travel itself doesn’t bother me. Testing that claim would require not only paying for the airline ticket but also paying for my passport. I couldn’t find my birth

certificate when I renewed my driver’s license, so it’s not Real ID compliant. I found my original passport, and the passport office said I could use that instead of a birth certificate to obtain a new passport. I could fly on an airline with a passport, but I don’t need to fly to travel within the continental United States and I don’t need a passport for such travel. There’s no reason for me to pay for a passport at this time. Determining whether someone else is actually afraid or just reluctant for other reasons requires your own commitment. Assessing somebody else’s risk tolerance means that you must not be scared to make the necessary commitments to prove the reason for reluctance. Joe Naiman can be reached by email at jnaiman@reedermedia. com.

Working for increased Alzheimer’s disease research funding Congressman Ken Calvert U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

I appreciate Aaron Manley writing in [Increase funding for Alzheimer’s disease research, May 21, 2020] to advocate for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research funding. The heartbreaking loss he suﬀered with the loss of his mother to Alzheimer’s disease

is something far too many families have had to endure. I completely agree with Manley that funding is essential to ﬁnding cures and treatment. That’s why I am a member of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to the powerful advocacy of individuals like Manley and the leadership of the task force, Congress approved a $350

million increase – $2.8 billion in total funding – for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health in December. I am also a co-sponsor of the Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Act, H.R. 1903, which would allow individuals under 60 years of age diagnosed with Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s disease to be eligible

to access programs in the Older Americans Act, including nutritional and other programs providing temporary relief to caregivers. I will continue to be a champion for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research and stand side-byside with people, like Manley, who are ﬁghting for cures, treatments and hope for those aﬄicted with this terrible disease.

June 5, 2020 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News

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