Handle Life Summer Academy delivers elitelevel athlete development for aspiring hoopers, A-9
A-1
French Valley Café celebrates 25-year milestone, A-10
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES June 20 – 26, 2025
Anza Valley Outlook Parade, dance in Minor Park highlight upcoming Anza Days celebration
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Volume 25, Issue 25
Protestors assemble for No Kings demonstrations
Diane Sieker Staf f Writer
Mountain residents are eagerly awaiting the 93rd annual Anza D a y s e v e n t s t h i s y e a r. T h e excitement is electrifying as the fun-filled weekend approaches, with traditional festivities planned for Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28. For decades, this action-packed celebration has been an essential part of the community and its history. see page B-3
Health Temecula resident meets with officials in D.C. to advocate for military and veteran caregivers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of the Month of the Military Caregiver, G.R. Zuniga of Temecula traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to meet with elected leaders about the gaps in support offered to Americans caring for loved ones living with military-connected wounds and illnesses. Zuniga also participated in the Foundation’s National Convening on Military and Veteran Caregiving, which included Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego, U.S. Senator David McCormick, and The Honorable Dina Powell McCormick.
Protestors near the intersection of Florida and Sanderson Avenues in Hemet display signs at passing traffic on Saturday, June 14. Photos of the protest at the Temecula Duck Pond can be found online at myvalleynews.com. Valley News/Diane Sieker photo Diane Sieker Valley News staf f Protesters gathered at the inter-
section of Florida and Sanderson Avenues in Hemet as well as the Duck Pond in Temecula and in Murrieta Saturday afternoon, June
14 for No Kings demonstrations, where participants voiced concerns about immigration policy, recent ICE raids, and expressed
cultural pride. The Hemet crowd was upbeat see PROTEST, page A-4
Construction on the Bradley Road Bridge over Salt Creek to break ground this summer
see page B-5
Education Murrieta area seniors recognized at Student of the Year breakfast Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News
The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce 2024-2025 Student of the Month program culminated in its 30th annual Student of the Year Scholarship and Recognition Breakfast on May 15 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd. Emcee Mary Walters, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, was proud to announce that each of the students will receive a $3,500 scholarship.
This rendering illustrates the planned Bradley Road Bridge to be constructed over Salt Creek in Menifee. MENIFEE – Construction on the Bradley Road Bridge over the Salt Creek Wash is set to begin this summer. The City of Menifee is
building a 365-foot-long bridge on Bradley Road to address historic flooding that regularly forces the road to close during rain events.
INDEX Anza Valley Outlook ..........B-1 Business .......................... A-10 Business Directory ........... A-10 Calendar of Events .............A-6
Classifieds ....................... A-10 Education ..........................B-6 Entertainment ...................A-7 Health ...............................B-5 Legal Notices .....................B-8 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................B-9 Sports ................................A-8
Menifee’s Quality of Life Measure, Federal funds, Riverside see BRIDGE, page A-2
New Murrieta Rotary officers and directors take office
see page B-7
Opinion.............................B-9
The $16 million project is fully funded through a combination of federal, state, county, and local sources, including the City of
Valley News/Courtesy photo
Kirk Effinger will be serving as Murrieta Rotary’s 2025-26 President. Valley News/Courtesy photo
MURRIETA – Realtor Kirk Effinger will become President of the Rotary Club of Murrieta July 1, succeeding Dr. Jim Yanoschik. A self-described “real estate lifer,” Effinger is currently an Associate Broker with Century 21 Affiliated in Temecula. He has over 40 years of diverse experience in the housing industry with roles ranging from construction to lending, project management, and home sales. He is serving as secretary/treasurer of the Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS (SRCAR) and is a director at the California Association of REALTORS. In addition, Effinger is the immediate past chairman of the board of the Palomar Health Foundation in North San Diego County. For several years, he indulged a passion for writing and opining as a columnist for the former North County Times and San Diego Union-Tribune. Effinger and his wife, Kaye, who
is a retired nurse, enjoy time with their two adult children and first grandchild—a toddler granddaughter. Serving with Kirk Effinger on the 2025-26 Murrieta Rotary Board of Directors are: Craig Carper, President-Elect, and Dr. Jim Yanoschik will be the Immediate Past President. Tom Grimes will be the President Nominee. Patsy Orr serves as board secretary, while Lou Ellen Ficke is treasurer. Jan Lunday is the Foundation Chair, and the Club Administration is Aldo Santana. Chandra Smith will serve as Public Relations chair. Club Service Directors are: Vocational Service- Mary Walters; Community Service- Grace Ontiveros; Youth Service-Jeannette Hartmann; Environmental- Rob Shepherd and Membership is Tom see ROTARY, page A-10