Children beat the heat at Murrieta Splash Bash, B-1
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Local Santa Rosa Academy student wins National Taekwondo Titles, C-1
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES August 9 – 15, 2024
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Anza Cal Fire Law Enforcement announces cause of Nixon Fire
Volume 24, Issue 32
Menifee’s newest elementary school to open for 400 students
Diane Sieker Staf f Writer Cal Fire Law Enforcement has concluded its investigation into the cause of the recent Nixon Fire, which ignited Monday, July 29 in Aguanga, a rural community in unincorporated RiversideCounty. When the announcement was made Friday, Aug. 2, the fire had burned 5,222 acres. see page D-3
Education Paloma Valley High football program seeks community support
MENIFEE - The Paloma Valley High School Football Program is reaching out to local businesses to seek support for the youth in their schools by offering advertising opportunities. The school is offering businesses the chance to purchase advertising space on their facilities, specifically through high-quality banners that will be prominently displayed in the stadium. These banners will be visible to thousands of fans during every home contest throughout the 2024-2025 school year. see page C-5
The principal of the Sally Buselt Elementary School Stephanie Acosta, MUSD School Superintendent Jennifer Root, members of the MSUD Board and members of the Sally Buselt family are ready for the school’s ribbon cutting ceremony July 31. The school will open on August 8. Valley News/Tony Ault photo Tony Ault Staf f Writer The official ribbon-cutting and opening of Menifee Union School District’s new Sally Buselt El-
ementary School brought more than 150 special guests including members of the Buselt family to honor the dedicated teacher Wednesday, July 31. Three of Sally Buselt’s adult
children spoke fondly in remembrance of their mother, who died tragically in a traffic accident 23 years ago. Buselt spent many years teaching in the growing school district bringing innovation and
joy to many of her young students in school. There to greet the large audience at 29810 Wickerd Road, Menifee, see SCHOOL, page A-6
Murrieta Chief of Police announces retirement
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Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1 Business ............................B-6 Business Directory .............B-6 Calendar of Events .............B-2 Classifieds .........................C-7 Education ..........................C-5 Entertainment ...................B-1 Health ...............................B-5 Home & Garden ................B-7 Legal Notices .................... D-6 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-7 Opinion.............................A-7 Regional News ...................C-6 Sports ................................C-1
MURRIETA – Murrieta Police Chief Anthony Conrad has announced his retirement, ending his 30-year notable law enforcement career. He will retire on December 30, 2024. It’s a bittersweet change for Chief Conrad who has served the Murrieta community since 2003 and was sworn in as Police Chief in December 2020. Chief Conrad started his law enforcement career with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) in February of 1995. During his time at SDPD he worked in both East San Diego and Clairemont serving as a Field Training Officer and Primary Response Team member on their SWAT team. As a resident of Southwest Riverside County Chief Conrad knew at some point, he wanted to work closer to home. In early 2003 his wife brought home a job announcement for a lateral police officer position at the Murrieta Police Department. In November of 2003, Conrad was hired as the 44th officer at Murrieta PD. Over the last 21 years, Conrad has
worked a number of assignments including Patrol, Investigations, SWAT, Communications, Administration and Operations Captain. In 2011, Conrad helped lead the effort to start the department’s first social media program, known today as producing some of the best social media content by any public safety agency. In August of 2022, Conrad oversaw the 30-year Murrieta PD birthday celebration where he reflected on the department’s strong culture of community policing and law and order. Under Chief Conrad’s leadership, the department successfully navigated through the pandemic and at the same time adopted cutting edge technology to better police the city and connect with residents. Technology that included automated license plate reader cameras, body worn cameras, unmanned aerial drones, Carbyne live video, 5G handheld radios and Live 911. “Chief Conrad has built a well-respected, community-focused, and forwardsee RETIREMENT, page A-5
Murrieta Police Chief Anthony Conrad will be retiring at the end of 2024. Valley News/Courtesy photo
Local veteran to pose as 1940s-style pin-up for a good cause
CLAREMONT - Awardwinning nonprofit, Pin-Ups For Vets, completed production on its 19th annual calendar that will raise funding to support VA Hospitals, ill and injured veterans, homeless veterans, deployed troops and military spouses. The 2025 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar features 13 women veterans from across the country with a combined 117 years of military service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, who have traded in their military gear for 1940s era fashions and hairdos. Murrieta resident and US
Marine Corps veteran Shannon Umana is featured in the calendar along with 2 Purple Heart Recipients, a pilot who flew Seahawks in the Navy, and an Army Lt. Colonel who served 39 months total on 3 Iraq deployments. Umana is a 25-year veteran, serving 21 of those years as active duty and 4 in the reserves. Her interest in the military began in her youth while watching airshows at El Toro Base in Orange County. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1998, fresh from her college soccer see PIN-UP, page A-3
Murrieta resident and Marine Corps veteran Shannon Umana will be featured in the PinUps For Vets annual calendar that raises funds for veterans, deployed troops and military spouses. Valley News/Courtesy photo