Dignitaries break ground on Lakeland Village Library in Lake Elsinore, B-1
A-1
Close calls and new beginnings for local Olympic athletes, 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 16 – 22, 2024
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Volume 24, Issue 33
Community gathers in Murrieta Menifee City Council upholds for National Night Out approval of new
Local News
hotel despite appeal Tony Ault Staf f Writer
An appeal against the Menifee Planning Commission’s approval of a 106-room, four-story hotel by CARE CA was presented to the Menifee City Council on Wednesday, August 7, during a public hearing. see page A-2
Business 2024 State of the County to draw diverse crowd, topics RIVERSIDE COUNTY - The 2024 County of Riverside State of the County event will bring more than 600 stakeholders together to discuss Riverside County’s diverse opportunities as a highly sought destination for residents, travelers and businesses. see page B-6
Regional News
People meet Murrieta Police K9 Jerry during the annual National Night Out event at Town Square Park, Aug. 6. See more photos on page A-6. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
City of Murrieta announces appointment of new police chief
Palm Springs Airport improvements coming; May affect future highway traffic Tony Ault Staf f Writer Caltrans, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, and local city public works and transportation departments are working on ongoing projects such as the Holland Street Bridge over Interstate 215 in Menifee and the northbound Temecula French Valley Interstate 15/215 Phase 2, which is progressing rapidly. Contractors hope to complete these projects by the end of 2024 or early 2025. see page C-4
INDEX Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1 Business ............................B-6 Business Directory .............B-6 Calendar of Events .............B-2 Classifieds .........................C-5 Education ...................B-1, B-4 Entertainment ...................B-3 Health ...............................B-5 Home & Garden ................B-7 Legal Notices .................... D-6 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-5 Opinion.............................C-5 Regional News ...................C-4 Sports ................................C-1
Matt Henry has been selected as the next Murrieta Police Department Chief of Police. Valley News/Courtesy photo
MURRIETA - The City of Murrieta announces the selection of Captain Matt Henry as the Murrieta Police Department’s next Chief of Police. His appointment will follow Chief Anthony Conrad’s retirement later this year. Captain Henry is the department’s fourth internal promotion to Chief of Police and brings with him 24 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career with the San Diego Police Department in March 2000 and transferred to the Murrieta Police Department in November 2005. Captain Henry has served the community in various special assignments, including Patrol, SWAT, Internal Affairs, and Administration. He spent the last four years as a Police Captain, overseeing both the Operations and Support
divisions of the department. “Captain Henry has a wide range of law enforcement experience within our police department. He has demonstrated his ability to effectively manage and build relationships, not only within the department but also at City Hall. I am confident that Captain Henry will continue to foster those same relationships with the community in his new role as Police Chief,” said City Manager Kim Summers. “As with past police chief selections, being community-focused is a high priority. Our relationship with residents is what we are known for, and I know Captain Henry will ensure Murrieta remains a safe and connected city.” Captain Henry will be sworn in see CHIEF, page A-2
JDS Creative Academy celebrates 10 highly successful years in Temecula Tony Ault Staf f Writer
The nonprofit JDS Creative Academy proudly celebrated its 10th Anniversary Birthday with the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce and a ribbon-cutting ceremony on their expanded facility Thursday, Aug. 8 in Temecula. The anniversary theme was a “Decade of Innovation and Creativity.” The ribbon cutting with the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce commenced at 1:30 p.m. and included a meet and greet of the JDS Creative Academy founders Scott and Diane Strand, the staff, and many of the students both past and present. Tours of their new green room, studio, and stage were included along with refreshments, soft drinks, and wines inside the 10,000-squarefoot facility. As a special treat for the guests, see JDS, page A-4
Diane Strand co-founder of the JDS Creative Academy in Temecula, cuts the ribbon in front of their expanded facility at 28069 Diaz Road, Suites D.E. and F, during the nonprofits’ 10th Birthday, Members of the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce helped host the event. Valley News/Tony Ault photo