Temecula’s Kelsie Whitmore joins Savannah Bananas, redefining baseball’s limits, A-11
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Old Rose Tattoo Shop connects with community through craft beer club, B-7
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES August 8 – 14, 2025
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Volume 25, Issue 32
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar in Prostitution and anti-human Temecula to close in September trafficking Local News
operation results in arrests
MURRIETA – On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the Murrieta Police Department, in partnership with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce (RCAHT), conducted a proactive enforcement operation that targeted online prostitution and those persons who seek it. Prostitution is a crime, and persons who demand these unlawful activities fuel an illicit underground economy both locally and across the State of California. see page A-2
Home & Garden Tarantula mating season begins across SoCal hillsides Julie Reeder Publisher It’s that time of year again in Southern California: male tarantulas are on the move in search of mates. Late summer through early fall marks the annual mating season for these gentle giants of the spider world, making them a more frequent sight along hiking trails, sidewalks, and suburban backyards—especially in the warmer inland regions.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar at the Temecula Promenade Mall will be closing its doors in early September due to the non-renewal of its lease. After serving the Valley News/Andrew Almazan photo community for more than 15 years, the doors will close and leave residents wondering, “Who let the dogs out?” Andrew Almazan Special to the Valley News Temecula’s beloved Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar at Promenade Temecula is set to close perma-
nently. According to reports on Patch and local chatter on Reddit, the restaurant will sunset operations on September 10, 2025, ending a 15-year run in the community.
A local favorite with a mountain-town vibe Opened in the early 2000s at the west end of Promenade Temecula, Lazy Dog quickly became known for its hand-crafted American
cuisine, ‘mountain lodge’ ambience, dog-friendly policies, indoor and patio seating, and happy hour specials. see LAZY DOG, page A-4
see page B-6
INDEX
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VALLEY NEWS
Anza Valley Outlook ..........B-1 Business ............................B-7 Business Directory .............B-7 Calendar of Events .............A-9 Classifieds ....................... B-10 Education ..........................B-5 Entertainment ...................A-7 Health ...............................A-6 Home & Garden ................B-6 Legal Notices ................... B-10 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................B-9 Opinion........................... B-11 Regional News ...................B-8 Sports .............................. A-10
Hemet Fire Chief Eddie Sell resigns
appeals Mayor Ricky Estrada Trustee TVUSD sexual called to active military harassment investigation to State Education service Department Julie Reeder Publisher
Hemet Fire Chief Eddie Sell is moving on to a new opportunity in Northern California. Valley News/Courtesy photo Julie Reeder Publisher Hemet Fire Chief Eddie Sell has stepped down from his position after nearly four years at the helm of the city’s fire department, according to a resignation letter dated July 11. In his resignation letter, he cited a new opportunity in Northern California as the reason for his departure. “I have been offered an opportunity to take a position in a northern California city where it has always been my dream to end my career and ultimately retire in that area,” Sell wrote in his resignation letter emailed to Hemet City Manager Mark Prestwich. Sell joined the Hemet Fire Department as chief in October 2021, following previous roles with Cal Fire and the Long Beach Fire Department. During his tenure, he oversaw several key initiatives, see SELL, page A-6
Menifee mayor Ricky Estrada is being deployed for six months overseas beginning in October. Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin will assume mayoral duties while Estrada is deployed. Valley News/Courtesy photo MENIFEE – Mayor Ricky Es- God has put us on this earth to trada, who serves as a Reservist show love for one another,” said in the U.S. Air Force, has been Mayor Estrada. “During my decalled to active duty overseas for a ployment, I will continue to comsix-month deployment. Mayor Pro municate with our City leadership Tem Bob Karwin will assume may- and stay updated on local activities. oral duties when Mayor Estrada’s Upon my return in six months, I deployment begins in October. look forward to continuing all the “I love Menifee and America, great momentum our city has acand that is why I have dedicated my life to public service as a Mayor, see ESTRADA, page A-4 Teacher, and Reservist, as I believe
TEMECULA — A formal appeal has been filed with the California Department of Education (CDE) over what is being described as a mishandled investigation by the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) into a sexual harassment complaint made by Trustee Jennifer Wiersma against fellow board member Steven Schwartz. The appeal, submitted July 29 by Davison IP, a Southern California law firm, alleges that TVUSD failed to follow multiple steps required under California’s Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) after Wiersma filed a formal complaint on Jan. 27, 2025. According to the eight-page appeal, TVUSD did not initiate an investigation until after Wiersma publicly disclosed the complaint at a February board meeting. The district is accused of approving the investigation during an improper closed session, completing it more than 60 days late, and failing to provide Wiersma with a copy of the findings until June 26. The district also allegedly failed to notify her of her right to appeal the outcome to the CDE, as required by law. The 54-page investigation report concluded that Wiersma’s complaint may have been filed in bad faith, citing speculation by trustees with known conflicts. The report see TVUSD, page A-2