Valley News - March 6, 2026

Interview with a Persian American about US Israel attack on Iran and killing of Ayatollah

Ali Khamenei

Julie Reeder Publisher

Editor’s note: The following is an interview with a local Persian-American resident Fred Nasseri, who owns Unicorn Jewelry and Watch Boutique in Rancho Bernardo. He is sharing his personal views on recent developments involving Iran, Israel and the United States. His remarks reflect his own opinions and experiences.

Q: How are you feeling about what’s happening in Iran right now?

CalHFA opens third round of California Dream For All shared appreciation loan program

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has announced the opening of the third round of funding for its California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program, offering new opportunities for eligible firsttime homebuyers across the state.

Murrieta Rotary presents five Vocational Service Awards

the annual

chaired by Murrieta Rotarian Mary Walters was held in the Murrieta Community Center, with city, education, and health care leaders in attendance. Featured speakers for the event were Nyron Mclean Rotary District 5330 Governor and Kirk Effinger, President of the Rotary Club of Murrieta emceed. Nominated by their agencies for distinguished vocational and community service during 2025,

County to revise Temecula Valley Wine Country archway after public feedback on lettering

Valley Editorial Staff

Just months after installation of the new Temecula Valley Wine Country archway along Rancho California Road, Riverside County officials say the gateway monument will undergo modifications following public feedback about the sign’s lettering and spacing.

The metal arch, lifted into place overnight Nov. 24–25 after more than a year of planning and construction, spans Rancho California Road just east of Butterfield Stage Road at the western entrance to Temecula’s winery corridor. The project was intend-

ed to create a prominent gateway to one of Riverside County’s signature tourism destinations.

But soon after installation, residents began raising concerns about the visual spacing of the “Wine Country” lettering beneath the larger “Temecula Valley” text.

“Turns out… spacing matters,” the city of Temecula said in a social media post Tuesday, noting that Riverside County had heard the feedback and would modify the arch. A rendering of the updated design shows the lettering centered more evenly beneath the top line.

County officials said the re-

visions will include improved lettering placement, lighting and additional finishing touches intended to better reflect the region’s identity as a major wine destination.

The archway replaced an earlier pillar-style monument removed during intersection improvements at Rancho California Road and Butterfield Stage Road.

Approved by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in 2024, the project carried a total budget of about $1.11 million covering design, environmental review,

U.S. Supreme Court delivers historic, groundbreaking victory for parental rights Supreme Court rules that California cannot hide children’s gender transitions from parents; landmark decision protects parental rights nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a historic and groundbreaking ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, March 2, granted an emergency application in Mirabelli v. Bonta, holding that secret gender transition policies in schools violate the religious liberty and due process rights of parents. The ruling restores the class action injunction that Thomas More Society had secured against the State of California for parents across the state who object to the state’s directives requiring schools to conceal children’s gender transitions from their own parents, facilitate those transitions without parental knowledge or consent, and compel teachers to actively deceive families.

The landmark 6-3 decision is the most significant parental rights ruling in a generation. The Court found that California’s secret transition regime likely violates parents’ rights under both the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, holding that the state “cut out the primary protectors of children’s best interests: their parents.”

the winners of the Vocational Service Award are Coley Candaele, Brandon Roach, Joseph Dai, Sarah Taylor, and Matt Schmidt. see AWARDS, page A-2 see ARCHWAY, page A-4 see COURT, page A-4

Metropolitan to reopen Wildflower Trail at Diamond Valley Lake

Popular seasonal recreational trail reopened to public Friday, Feb. 27

HEMET – After a burst of early-season rain, spring has arrived ahead of schedule at Diamond Valley Lake — and so have the wildflowers.

Thanks to the late fall and early winter storms, colorful blooms are already dotting the hillsides above the reservoir, prompting the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to reopen its popular Judy Abdo Wildflower Trail on Friday, Feb. 27.

The seasonal trail, which winds along the slopes overlooking Diamond Valley Lake, offers sweeping views of the 4.5-milelong reservoir and a close-up look at Southern California’s spring display of native flowers. Visitors can typically expect to see vibrant California poppies, deep blue arroyo lupines, purple Canterbury bells, yellow rancher’s fiddleneck, delicate white popcorn flowers and pink, red maids.

The Wildflower Trail will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. Trail hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no entry after 3:30 p.m. Beginning March 8, hours will extend to 5:30 p.m. (no entry after 4:30 p.m.). The trails and marina are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The 1.3-mile loop, accessible from the DVL Marina parking lot off Domenigoni and Searl parkways in Hemet, is rated as an easy-to-moderate hike with some rugged terrain. Along the route, visitors are treated not only to seasonal colors but also pan-

oramic views of the Southland’s largest drinking water reservoir.

Dedicated in 2000, Diamond Valley Lake nearly doubled Southern California’s surface water storage capacity and today can hold 264 billion gallons of water.

The reservoir plays a critical role in safeguarding the region against drought and emergencies, allowing Metropolitan to store water supplies when they are available for when they are needed in drought years. Metropolitan has taken advantage of the past few wet winters, and Diamond Valley Lake is currently nearly full.

The Wildflower Trail also offers a window into one of the region’s most significant environmental success stories. It is located within the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve, which Metropolitan helped establish in 1992. The 9,000-acre reserve surrounds Diamond Valley Lake and connects to Lake Skinner, forming part of a broader network of more than 30,000 acres of protected habitat across Southern California that Metropolitan has helped create and continues to help manage through long-standing partnerships. The reserve is home to eight distinct types of habitat and protects more than 30 sensitive, endangered or threatened native California bird, animal, and plant species.

Visitors are reminded to enjoy the blooms responsibly. Wildflowers must not be picked, and guests are asked to remain

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8

Clocks will “spring forward” one hour this Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m., so be sure to set your clocks ahead before going to bed Saturday night. Daylight saving time means later sunsets and more evening

daylight through the spring and summer months. It’s also a good reminder to check smoke detector batteries and review household safety plans while you’re adjusting your clocks.

on designated trails to protect sensitive habitat and wildlife. Rattlesnakes are common in the area, particularly during warmer months, and hikers should remain alert. Pets are not permitted on the DVL property. In addition to hiking, Diamond Valley Lake offers boating, fishing, and biking opportunities, making it a popular outdoor destination throughout the year.

AWARDS from page A-1

Coley Candaele, Murrieta

Valley Unified School District

The Teacher/Coach is recognized for his 31 years in education, including the last 25 years at the Murrieta Valley USD. Coley’s leadership has built programs and traditions beyond the classroom, mentoring students and strengthening community

We create the WOW factor

Parking is $11 ($5 for those 62 years and older, military members, and veterans), and the Wildflower Trail fee is $4 per person. Information on pontoon rentals and fishing is available at dvmarina.com.

For Southern Californians inspired by the early blooms, Metropolitan encourages residents to consider planting native or California Friendly® gardens at home. Replacing thirsty turf with sustainable landscaping not only supports local ecosystems but also helps improve water-use efficiency. Information on plant options and turf-replacement rebates is available at bewaterwise.com.

Submitted by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

connections to foster a unified school experience.

Brandon Roach, Murrieta Fire & Rescue

A Fire Captain with 15 years of service. Brandon developed the Tiller Training program for the department’s new 100-foot tiller ladder truck. He leads three major programs: Technical Rescue, Tiller Training, and Firefighter BBQ Hospitality area (aka Beer Garden).

Joseph Dai, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Murrieta

Lead Physical Therapist with 29 years as a healthcare veteran, Joseph has spent the last 12 years at Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta. He values honest, transparent communication with patients, families, and colleagues, and participates in community health education and initiatives that support underserved populations.

Sarah Taylor, Southwest Healthcare

A Stroke Program Manager with 10 years in healthcare (the last two years at Southwest Healthcare), Sarah has led the stroke program’s growth in patient volume and quality of care.

She advocates stroke awareness, representing Southwest at local

senior event and community gatherings, and educates the public on recognizing stroke symptoms and the appropriate actions to take.

Matt Schmidt, Murrieta Police Department

Sergeant Schmidt, is a 21-year police veteran (the last 8 with Murrieta Police Department).

Matt leads the Community Policing team/CBAT. He contributes to community outreach and youth-focused initiatives and supports programs such as E-Bike safety events, Shop With a Cop, and Coffee With a Cop.

The Rotary Club of Murrieta is honored to recognize these outstanding citizens.

The Rotary Club of Murrieta was chartered on April 28, 1992. In cooperation with Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Murrieta is involved in many community and international projects. Along with Rotary International, the Murrieta club stays true to the Rotary theme “Service Above Self”. The Murrieta club meets every Monday (excepts for Holidays) at Richie’s Real American Diner in Murrieta for lunch at noon.

Submitted by the Rotary Club of Murrieta.

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Lake Elsinore Historical Society to host Jim Hinckley for fourth Ruth Atkins Speaker Series event

LAKE ELSINORE — The Lake Elsinore Historical Society will present the fourth event in its Ruth Atkins Speaker Series on Wednesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Center, 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore.

Featured speaker Jim Hinckley has been sharing America’s story and his inspiring travel adven-

Jim Hinckley. Valley News/Courtesy photo

tures since 1990 through presentations, books and podcasts.

His discussion will focus on his newly published book about the iconic American highway, Route 66, which stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.

Route 66 has played a significant role in American history and culture, symbolizing freedom, mobility and the spirit of exploration. Hinckley’s presentation will explore the highway’s legacy and the stories that have shaped its enduring appeal. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.lakeelsinorehistoricalsociety.org

Riverside and Colorado women found guilty of stalking ICE officer home from work and livestreaming the pursuit on

U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California

LOS ANGELES – Two women – one from the Inland Empire and the other from Colorado – have been found guilty by a jury of a felony stalking charge for following a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer home and livestreaming their pursuit on social media, the Justice Department announced today.

Cynthia Raygoza, 38, of Riverside, and Ashleigh Brown, 38, of Aurora, Colorado, were found guilty late Friday of one count of stalking.

“Justice has been served against two agitators who stalked a federal employee, livestreamed

from page A-1

engineering, construction and contingencies. US Builders and Consultants Inc. was awarded the construction contract.

Constructed entirely of metal, the 75-foot-wide arch is supported by steel pipe columns anchored into reinforced concrete pile foundations. Roadway integration work included pavement widening, asphalt concrete dikes and new curb and gutter.

County staff have described the structure as both infrastructure and branding — a symbolic gateway to Temecula Valley Wine Country, which encompasses about 33,000 acres with roughly 9,000 acres of vineyards and more than 45 wineries across the rolling hills east of the city.

The region attracts an estimated 3.4 million visitors annually and sits within driving distance of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.

Earlier project renderings presented to supervisors included decorative stone pilasters and vine-covered columns flanking the arch. Officials said those elements were always planned as a later phase, along with aesthetic refinements now being incorporated into the lettering update.

City officials framed the changes as a response to community pride in the region’s image.

“The Wine Country arch will be getting modified,” the city said. “Upgrades will better reflect the beauty and prestige of our global wine destination.”

it on social media, and traumatized both the victim and his family,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Our Constitution protects peaceful protest – not political violence and unlawful intimidation.”

According to evidence presented at a four-day trial, on August 28, 2025, the defendants – while dressed in black and concealing their faces with black masks – followed the victim from a federal building in downtown Los Angeles to his personal residence. The victim was heading home to his family for an outing that included a surprise for his sons, ages three and seven.

The defendants livestreamed on their Instagram accounts their pursuit of the victim and provided

directions as they followed the victim home, encouraging their viewers to share the livestream.

The Instagram accounts they used to livestream the event were “ice_out_of_la,” “defendmesoamericanculture,” and “corn_ maiden_design.”

Upon arriving at the victim’s neighborhood, the defendants shouted to bystanders while livestreaming on Instagram that their “neighbor is ICE,” “la migra lives here,” and “ICE lives on your street and you should know.” Raygoza also threatened to “pop” the victim. Both the victim’s wife and a concerned neighbor called 911 in response to the defendants’ actions.

Brown then publicly disclosed on Instagram an address approxi-

social media

mately 100 feet from the victim’s home and told viewers, “Come on down.” In response, several individuals – also wearing masks – appeared outside the victim’s home.

The victim’s wife, whom the defendants targeted with racial slurs, and children witnessed the incident and suffered emotional distress. The increased traffic from onlookers in the ensuing weeks caused the victim and his family to relocate to a different county. The forced move significantly disrupted the education of the victim’s children. The victim’s 3-year-old son, who has a disability, lost several social and health care benefits that were tied to his former county.

United States District Judge

Stephen V. Wilson scheduled a June 8 sentencing hearing, at which time Raygoza and Brown will face up to five years in federal prison.

The jury found Raygoza and Brown not guilty of one count of conspiracy to publicly disclose the personal information of a federal agent. The jury also acquitted Samane Sandra Carmona, 25, of Panorama City, of both charges she faced: conspiracy and stalking.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren E. Border of the General Crimes Section and Clifford D. Mpare of the Major Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.

A timeline for installation of the revised lettering and lighting has not yet been announced.

County officials indicated the arch will remain in place during the update process.

Despite the need for adjustments, local tourism leaders have continued to describe the

monument as an important visual marker for an industry central to the area’s economy and identity.

“The installation of the archway monument across Rancho

COURT from page A-1

“This is a watershed moment for parental rights in America,” said Paul M. Jonna, Special Counsel at Thomas More Society and Partner at LiMandri and Jonna LLP. “The Supreme Court has told California and every state in the nation in no uncertain terms: you cannot secretly transition a child behind a parent’s back. The Court’s landmark reaffirmation of substantive due process, its vindication of religious liberty, and its approval of class-wide relief together set a historic precedent that will dismantle secret gender transition policies across the country.”

Peter Breen, Executive Vice President and Head of Litigation at Thomas More Society, added, “No more can bureaucrats secretly facilitate a child’s gender transition while shutting out parents. California built a wall of secrecy between parents and their own children, and the Su-

California Road will create an improved and inviting gateway,” county staff wrote in earlier reports to supervisors. Once revisions are complete,

preme Court just tore it down. This groundbreaking ruling will protect parents’ rights to raise their children as they see fit for years to come.”

On the First Amendment, the Court declared that California’s “unconsented facilitation of a child’s gender transition” is an even greater intrusion on parents’ rights than the government actions struck down in last year’s Mahmoud v. Taylor. The Court’s forceful reaffirmation of substantive due process sets a landmark precedent for parental rights nationwide, holding that parents, not the state, hold primary authority over “the upbringing and education of children,” including the right not to be “shut out of participation in decisions regarding their children’s mental health.”

The Court also rejected the Ninth Circuit’s attempt to dismantle the class certification, finding that the parents protected by the injunction “very likely

officials aim for the arch to serve as a lasting entrance statement to Southern California’s largest wine region — now refined by public input.

have standing” and that “class certification was likely proper.” This precedent-setting holding ensures that the injunction protects not just the named plaintiffs but entire classes of California parents—effectively shielding teachers as well, since the classwide parental victory prohibits the very policies that teachers were being compelled to enforce.

The ruling reinstates U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez’s December 2025 decision on behalf of a statewide class of parents, finding California’s secret gender transition regime unconstitutional.

Alongside Jonna and Breen, on the petition are Jeff Trissell, Special Counsel at Thomas More Society and Attorney at LiMandri & Jonna LLP; Michael McHale, Senior Counsel at Thomas More Society; and Christopher Galiardo, Staff Counsel at Thomas More Society. Submitted by the Thomas More Society.

New Patient Tower COMING IN MARCH

The seven-floor patient tower will increase the hospital’s capacity from 120 to 202 licensed acute care beds. The new tower will include 18 intensive care and 82 general acute care beds. The expanded space will house crucial inpatient clinical services including:

• Emergency care

• Level II Trauma Center

• Orthopedic and spine care

• Bariatric weight-loss program

• Advanced stroke care

• Cardiac catheterization laboratory

• Occupational therapy services

Outpatient services will include physical therapy, radiology, nuclear medicine, respiratory care and social services.

SOUTHWEST HEALTHCARE INLAND VALLEY HOSPITAL will open a new patient tower in March 2026 to help meet the region’s growing healthcare needs. services.

Interview with a Persian American about US Israel attack on Iran and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Julie Reeder Publisher

Editor’s note: The following is an interview with a local Persian-American resident Fred Nasseri, who owns Unicorn Jewelry and Watch Boutique in Rancho Bernardo. He is sharing his personal views on recent developments involving Iran, Israel and the United States. His remarks reflect his own opinions and experiences.

Q: How are you feeling about what’s happening in Iran right now?

A: What’s happening could be the beginning of a new chapter for Iran — not only for Iranians, but for much of the Muslim world. I believe Iranians may become the first Muslim-majority nation to reject an Islamic ruling system and return to a secular way of life. For many Arab societies, religion still governs daily life. But many Iranians feel “enough is enough.” They want to reconnect with their pre-Islamic roots. Historically, Persians were converted to Islam after losing wars more than 1,400 years ago, often by force. That loss of identity still affects national pride today.

Even after centuries, Persians maintained parts of their ancient culture. For example, Nowruz — the Persian New Year on March 21 — is still celebrated in every Iranian home despite religious restrictions. Over the last three decades of Islamic rule, younger generations have become more aware of their ancient history — figures like Cyrus the Great — and that has drawn them back toward their cultural origins.

Q: Why do you think younger Iranians are pushing back now?

A: The regime tried to impose strict religious control on every aspect of life — what people wear, what they listen to, what they think. But this is the age of the internet and smartphones. Young people can see how the rest of the world lives. Iranian women in particular have been very brave. What we’re seeing is essentially a women-led revolution that began years ago and gained global attention after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. That movement never disappeared — it went underground and kept growing.

Young Iranians have started asking: What was life like before the 1979 revolution? They see that, under the Shah, society was more open — not perfectly free, but far more so than today. Many are angry with the older generation for supporting the revolution that brought the current regime to power.

Q: How do you view the current Iranian government?

A: In my opinion, the regime

has no place in the modern world. I believe it is brutal and repressive. Many Iranians feel it has lost all legitimacy, especially after violent crackdowns on protests. There are widespread reports — from Iranians themselves — of mass arrests, disappearances and killings. People inside the country are deeply opposed to the government now.

Q: What role do you think outside powers play in Iran’s situation?

A: Iran’s government is deeply tied to global geopolitics. It supplies oil to China and supports proxy groups across the Middle East and beyond. Russia also relies on Iran for weapons like drones. So the regime’s survival matters to several world powers.

At the same time, many Iranians differentiate between their government and other nations. Historically, Jews lived relatively comfortably in Iran under the Shah. Today, religious minorities such as Jews and Christians face restrictions and surveillance. Many have emigrated; the Jewish population, for example, has dropped dramatically over the decades.

Q: What do you think could happen now that the current Supreme Leader has fallen?

A: Many Iranians in the diaspora hope for a secular government where religion returns to a private sphere. Some support Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as a transitional figure. I’ve heard him speak — he presents himself not as a future absolute monarch but as a temporary leader who would oversee a democratic transition, similar to constitutional monarchies in Europe. He emphasizes freedom of religion and choice.

He also talks about rebuilding Iran’s infrastructure and even partnering with countries like Israel on issues such as water technology. Iran faces severe water shortages due to decades of mismanagement.

Q: How do Iranians view Israel today?

A: The regime portrays Israel as an enemy, but many ordinary Iranians — especially younger ones — don’t share that hostility. At some protests, you can even see Israeli flags. There’s a sense among some that both nations share ancient historical connections. For example, Cyrus the Great, a Persian king, is remembered in Jewish tradition for allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile.

Q: Are people inside Iran optimistic?

A: They want change very badly. The question is timing. Many believe the regime is weakened, but transitions can be dangerous. There are also fears about instability, regional conflict and economic collapse if change

happens too quickly. Religious minorities and political prisoners are particularly vulnerable in uncertain times.

But overall, many Iranians feel the current system cannot last forever. The younger generation wants freedom — cultural, political and personal. They want Iran to be a normal country again, connected to the world.

Nasseri voiced concern for minorities and regional fallout amid Iran crisis

As tensions surrounding Iran continue to dominate global headlines, members of the Iranian diaspora say fears are rising not only about political change but also about the safety of ordinary citizens — particularly religious minorities — and the broader consequences across the Middle East.

Nasseri said Jewish and Christian communities inside Iran are especially vulnerable during periods of instability.

“Whenever there is conflict involving Israel, Jewish communities in Iran come under pressure,” he said. “There have been arrests and intimidation in the past simply to send a message that the government can act against them at any time.”

Iran’s Jewish population, once estimated at more than 100,000 before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has declined sharply over the decades as many emigrated. Those who remain are officially recognized but live under close state oversight.

Christians, particularly converts from Islam, face even greater risk, he said. “If someone is born Christian, they may be tolerated to a degree. But conversion is treated very harshly. That’s why many worship in secret house churches.”

At the same time, he emphasized that many ordinary Iranians distinguish between faith and state power. “The people themselves are generally tolerant,” he said. “It is the regime that imposes religious control.”

Regional alliances shifting

Nasseri also pointed to what he sees as changing dynamics in the Middle East, including growing alignment among some Arab states and Israel against Iran’s government.

“Several Arab governments view Iran’s leadership as a destabilizing force,” he said. “They are concerned about its influence through regional militias and proxy groups.”

He cited Saudi Arabia in particular as pursuing modernization and seeking stability. “There is a recognition that economic development and technology partnerships — even with former adversaries — are important for the future,” he said.

He also noted reports that neighboring countries such as Jordan have cooperated in regional defense efforts, reflecting shared concerns about escalation.

“These governments are watching closely because instability in Iran affects the entire region,” he said. “Trade routes, energy supplies and security are all connected.”

Diaspora debate over global powers

Nasseri described intense debate within Iranian diaspora communities about the role of major powers — including the United States, Europe, Russia and China — in Iran’s future.

Some believe outside pressure is necessary to weaken the current regime, he said, while others fear foreign intervention could deepen conflict or prolong suffering for civilians.

“Iranians want change, but they also remember history,” he said, referencing past foreign involvement in Iran’s politics. “There is always concern about becoming a battlefield for larger geopolitical struggles.”

He said many diaspora members closely follow international diplomacy and military developments, aware that outcomes could reshape alliances far beyond Iran.

Uncertain path ahead

Despite fears, he said many Iranians — both inside the country and abroad — believe long-term change is inevitable.

“The younger generation does not accept the current system,” he said. “They want personal freedom, cultural expression and connection with the world.”

However, he cautioned that transitions can be volatile. “When a regime weakens, the period before something new emerges can be dangerous. Minorities, prisoners and ordinary civilians often suffer most in that time.”

For diaspora families with relatives still in Iran, the uncertainty is deeply personal.

“People are watching every development,” he said. “They hope for a future where Iran is stable, secular and at peace with its neighbors — but they worry about what comes first.”

Europe’s role in Iran crisis

As conflict involving Iran draws in global powers, some members of the Iranian diaspora are sharply critical of what they view as Europe’s limited influence and inconsistent policies in the Middle East.

Nasseri said he believes European nations such as Britain, France and Germany have lost standing in the region compared with the United States and emerging regional alliances.

“In the Middle East, power and resolve are what earn respect,” he said. “Right now many people in the region see Europe as weak

and divided, and no longer a decisive player.”

He argued that recent geopolitical shifts — including direct U.S. and Israeli military actions and growing cooperation among some Middle Eastern states — have sidelined Europe diplomatically.

“When major decisions are being made about security in the region, Europe is often reacting rather than leading,” he said. “That has reduced its influence.”

Skepticism of European media and policy

Nasseri also voiced distrust of some European governments and media coverage regarding Iran’s internal situation, saying many feel Western European reporting has downplayed repression by Iranian authorities.

“Many Iranians believe European outlets and officials have sometimes portrayed conditions inside Iran more favorably than reality,” he said. “That has created frustration among those who have experienced the system directly.”

He said diaspora communities often rely on personal networks and independent sources to understand events inside the country. “Families still there communicate what is happening,” he said. “That shapes perceptions more than official statements.”

Historical distrust toward Britain

Reflecting a long-standing theme in Iranian political discourse, he said distrust of Britain in particular remains widespread among some Iranians, rooted in historical foreign involvement in Iran’s affairs.

“There is a deep historical memory of outside interference,” he said. “So when Europeans comment on Iran today, many people view it through that lens.”

Historians have documented significant British and Russian influence in Iran during the 19th and early 20th centuries, including involvement in political and economic affairs. Such history continues to shape public narratives among both supporters and critics of Iran’s current government.

View from the diaspora

“Many Iranians abroad feel Europe talks about human rights but has limited leverage on the ground,” he said. “They look instead at regional actors and the United States when thinking about real change.”

He added that opinions vary widely within the diaspora, with some favoring diplomacy and others supporting stronger international pressure.

“What unites most people,” he said, “is the hope that Iran will eventually have a government accountable to its people and at peace with the world.”

The Hemet Museum will present “The Indian Peace Medal Regeneration Project” on Monday, March 9, at the Hemet Historic Theatre. The program, led by Wiggs Mendoza, will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. The theatre is located at 216 E. Florida Ave. Guests may be dropped off in front of the theatre, with parking available along Florida Avenue, Harvard Street, and Carmalita Street. Once worn by tribal leaders,

Indian Peace Medals symbolized promise, power, and survival.

Commissioned historically as diplomatic gifts, the medals carried deep meaning, etched in metal and memory. During the presentation, Mendoza will share insights into the Indian Peace Medal Regeneration Project, a collaborative effort commissioned by a Native American museum to revisit and restore the stories connected to these significant artifacts. The event is free to the public,

www.berry-bellandhall.com

Indian Peace Medal. historically significant and complimentary refreshments will be served. The evening will also include a Hemet Museum update and an opportunity drawing featuring raffle prizes. Organizers will also share information about the museum’s next meeting, scheduled for April 13, and invite community members to volunteer as docents for four-hour weekly shifts.

The program is sponsored by the Hemet Heritage Foundation.

The Hemet Museum, located at the Historic Santa Fe Depot, 100 W. Florida Ave., is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (951) 929-4409, visit thehemetmuseum.org, or find the museum on Facebook.

Mark Joseph is a music and film producer, author, columnist and founder of MJM Entertainment Group, a multi-faceted entertainment company with interests in film, publishing, music, TV production and film consulting. Joseph got his start in television as an anchor for NHK and CNN’s The Entertainment Report in the 1990’s. MJM has produced documentaries and supervised the international release of over a hundred albums by various artists. In addition, Mark oversees a marketing team that has marketed 75 films since 2001. He has served as a producer on 15 films including Max Rose starring Jerry Lewis and The Vessel starring Martin Sheen. Most recently, he produced the film Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid and published the book Making Reagan: A Memoir From the Producer of the Reagan Film. Joseph is the author of four books and has been a regular contributor to publications like Forbes, The Hollywood reporter, Variety, USA Today, The Huffington Post and Foxnews.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

To submit an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, and put “attention events” in the subject line.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

Mar. 12 – 4:30-6 p.m. Planted Creations: Garden Art for teens, grades 7-12 at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Rd., Temecula. Dig in and create your own garden project. Come join us in making beautiful garden art with terracotta pots and paint pens. Register online at https://rivlib.libcal.com/ calendar/rcls.

Mar. 14 – 8:30 a.m. 37th Annual Bunny Hop Family Fun Run at Diamond Valley Lake Community Park, 1801 Angler Ave. Hemet. Tot Run for ages under 3 to 5, 1K run for ages 6 to 12, and two 5K races for children and adults. First 50 people to sign up will get a race t-shirt. For more information, visit gorecreation.org

Mar. 21 – 10 a.m.-1 p.m.Youth Fair at Lazy Creek Park, 26480 Lazy Creek Rd., Menifee. Youth and family are invited to learn about the wide range of youth programs and resources available in our community. Enjoy crafts, activities, info booths, performances, and inflatable jumpers. Free entry. Learn more at www. cityofmenifee.us/youth.

ONGOING – MilVet Jr. is a MilVet program for our youngest heroes in training. Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of the month. Locations will vary between the MilVet office and local venues. Activities that focus on learning teamwork, leadership, and community are geared for ages 5-11, but all children are welcome to join. Limited spots available, so sign up at milvet. org/milvetjr

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Mar. 7 – 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Murrieta Bulky Item Drop-Off & Shredding Event at the Murrieta City Hall back parking lot, 1 Town Square, Murrieta. Please enter the southbound Jefferson into the Police Department parking lot. Residents only so please bring an ID or utility bill. For a list of accepted items, visit https://www.murrietaca.gov/ Calendar.aspx?EID=4534 Mar. 9 – 10-11 a.m. Monday

Morning Flow at the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Rd., Temecula. Start your week off right with our next gentle yoga session. A slow-paced class that blends supportive chair poses with mat work. Registration is now open at the library reception desk or call 951-693-8900.

Mar. 14 – 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wildlife Appreciation at Central Park, 30268 Civic Plaza Dr. in Menifee. Join local and state agencies as they inspire the Stewards of Tomorrow. Meet exotic animals and discover inspiring wildlife conservation efforts. Food available for purchase at event. For more info, call the Community Services Department at 951-7233880 or visit www.cityofmenifee. us/specialevents.

Mar. 19 – MilVet Military Care Packing Event at MilVet HQ, 33040 Antelope Rd., #114 in Murrieta. Help assemble care packages for deployed men and women overseas. Suggested monthly items are beef jerky and deodorant. RSVP required as space is limited. https://milvet. org/donate/p/march2026

Mar. 28 – 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Spring Fest at Centennial Park, 31166 Shire Horse Wy., Menifee. Join us for a family-friendly event with egg hunts, food vendors, bounce houses, games, and more. Different egg hunts for different age ranges, plus an inclusive egg hunt. Bring your own basket! For more information, call 951-7233880 or visit www.cityofmenifee. us/specialevents.

Apr. 18 – 6-9 p.m. Hemet Valley Art Center presents Evening of Art at the Hemet Public Library, 300 E. Latham Ave., Hemet. The evening will include student art and awards, art for sale by Hemet Valley Art Association members, silent auction, demonstrations, gift basket raffle, and hors d’oeuvres and wine. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit hemetvalleyart.com.

ONGOING – Wednesdays, 7 a.m. Grandfathers for Golf is holding weekly fundraiser golf outings at Golden Era Golf Course in San Jacinto (19871 Gilman Springs Road). Cost to play is $25, which includes 18 holes of golf and a golf cart, and supports the Grandfathers for Golf nonprofit that teaches area

children golf for free. NOTE: Golden Era will be closed the month of October for reseeding, but Wednesday golf outings will resume in November and run indefinitely.) Book a tee time at 951-604-1312.

ONGOING – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. The Sun City Farmers Market meets every Saturday at the Sun City Civic Association at 26850 Sun City Blvd., in Sun City, with local vendors and crafts.

ONGOING – Riverside Transportation Commission is offering Park and Ride lots to connect with carpools, vanpools, and transit systems in Beaumont at 600 E. Sixth Street; in San Jacinto at 501 S. San Jacinto Avenue, and in Temecula at Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but not on weekends.

ONGOING – Line dancing classes are held on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Lake Elsinore/Wildomar Elks Lodge, 33700 Mission Trail, in Wildomar, across from the Animal Friends of the Valleys. Classes have a DJ with learning levels beginning to intermediate. $5 per lesson. Contact Joyce Hohenadl at 951-674-2159.

ONGOING – Sun City Civic Association Monthly Square Dance sessions are held on Sundays from 1:30-5 p.m. at 26850 Sun City Boulevard.

ONGOING – If you know a homebound older adult, resources in Menifee are available, including grab-and-go, cooked, and frozen food for pickup. Courtesy pantry items and meals delivered with no contact. Three days of emergency food can be delivered immediately, or restaurant meal delivery for those who don’t qualify for food assistance programs. Call the California Department of Aging at 800-510-2020 for help.

ONGOING – Saturdays and Sundays only, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Winchester Swap Meet continues at 33280 Newport Road in Winchester. The small local swap meet is only 50 cents for entry, and anyone under the age of 10 has free admission. No dogs allowed.

ONGOING – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Sunday, the Murrieta Village Walk Farmers Market is at Village Walk Place in Murrieta.

The Sunday morning farmers’ market at Village Walk Plaza is a place to buy fruits and veggies, gourmet food, and crafts. Come to the center in the northwest corner of Kalmia/Cal Oaks at the Interstate 215 exit in Murrieta.

ONGOING – Temecula’s Farmers Markets are offered in Old Town Temecula on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon, 4100 Main Street in Temecula; at Promenade Temecula, 40640 Winchester Road, outside JCPenney every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Parkway, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Riverside County Public Health orders, the farmers’ markets will be restricted to agricultural products only. Follow the Old Town Temecula Farmers Market on Facebook to stay updated. No pets allowed.

WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

Mar. 5 – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Moreno Valley Regional Job Fair at Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley. This free event is open to the public and veterans. The Moreno Valley Business & Employment Resource Center and Loma Linda VA Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services are partnering with Inland Empire employers to help you find diverse employment opportunities and resources. Enjoy raffle prizes, refreshments, and speed-workshops. Workshops will include resume writing, interview skills, VA benefits 101, apprenticeship opportunities and how to start a small business. Register at https://shorturl.at/ imbuC.

Mar. 9 – 6:30-8 p.m. Hemet Museum to host a presentation on “The Indian Peace Medal Regeneration Project” at the Hemet Historic Theatre, 218 E. Florida Ave. in Hemet. This free program is led by Wiggs Mendoza and will share insights into the Indian Peace Medal Regeneration Project, a collaborative effort commissioned by a Native American museum to revisit and restore the stories connected to these artifacts. Visit thehemetmuseum. org for more information.

Mar. 11 – 5:30-7 p.m. Basic Sales and Use Tax Workshop. This free event is taking place at PNC Bank, 28031 Brandley Rd., Menifee. Learn the essentials every business owner should know about Sales and Use Tax in California. Open to the public.

Mar. 14 – 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Master Composter Training Program at Wildomar City Hall, 23873 Clinton Keith Rd., Wildomar. Trainees will explore various home composting methods and acquire the skills to troubleshoot issues and effectively utilize finished compost. Students must attend all 4 Saturday class sessions (Feb. 28, March 14, 21, and 28), read the course material, and submit online quizzes. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion. Register at https:// rcwaste.org/MCT

ONGOING – 10 a.m. The Temecula Valley Republican Women meet each month at the Wilson Creek Winery, 33960 Rancho California Road, Temecula. For questions, please contact info@ tvrwomen.org

ONGOING – Temecula Valley Genealogical Society hosts the Family History Research Assistance Program for those interested in learning more about their family roots. The society offers free research assistance through this volunteer program. Appointments are available in person or via Zoom. Contact the TVGS Family Research Coordinator at tvgs.research.assist@gmail.com

ONGOING – Temecula’s Path of Honor at the Temecula Duck Pond, 28250 Ynez Road. A program to give a place to remember and honor veterans from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the World War II Merchant Marines with a permanent paver. The pavers cost $185. Orders may be placed year-round and are consolidated, engraved, and placed on the path

annually each November. For more information, visit http:// TemeculaCA.gov/Veterans or contact the Temecula Community Services Department at 951-6946480.

ONGOING – Want to help deployed American troops remotely? Help shop for the most needed items without leaving home, as an easy way to help support deployed men and women by purchasing items remotely and having them delivered to MilVet at designated drop-off locations for packing. All items on the list are special requests from deployed military men and women. MilVet is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly packaging events at different community locations in the area. For dropoff locations and packaging locations, visit www.milvet.org/ military-care-packages

ONGOING – Assistance League of Temecula Valley hosts a meeting for its member volunteers and guests every first Tuesday of the month (dark in July) at their facility at 28720 Via Montezuma, Temecula at 9:30 a.m. social and 10 a.m. meeting. The meeting room is adjacent to the thrift shop. Anyone interested in exploring volunteering or learning more about the organization is welcome to attend. Email altemecula@yahoo.com for more information.

ONGOING – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets on the third Monday of each month at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 Sixth Street, in Temecula from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, email gaugustin206@gmail.com or join the meeting.

ONGOING – Sons of Norway/Scandinavia meets at noon the first Saturday of every month, September to June, at the Heritage Mobile Park Clubhouse, 31130 S. General Kearny Road, in Temecula.

ONGOING – 10-11:30 a.m. Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center and The Elizabeth Hospice host a virtual support meeting for caregivers every second and fourth week of the month via Zoom. Get helpful tips and learn from others who are also dealing with similar challenges. For more information and to register, contact The Elizabeth Hospice Grief Support Services at 833-349-2054.

ONGOING – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia, has meetings throughout the U.S. and the world. Contact 781932-6300, or for local meetings, call 925-321-0170 or visit www. foodaddicts.org

ONGOING – The Murrieta Garden Club meets each month at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper St. Anyone who likes to garden or is interested in plants is welcome. Membership is $10 per year. Find more information about the monthly event or project on Facebook.

ONGOING – Temecula Valley Rose Society meets each month. For more information and new meeting dates and places, visit www.temeculavalleyrosesociety. org

ONGOING – Menifee Toastmasters meets every Thursday at noon for one hour at a designated place to have fun, enhance speaking capabilities, gain self-confidence, and improve social skills. For new dates, call 760-807-1323 or visit www.MenifeeToastmasters.org for more information.

ONGOING – Homeless veterans can receive free help by dialing 877-424-3838 for 24/7 access to the VA’s services for homeless, at-risk veterans. Chat is confidential for veterans and friends. Visit www.va.gov/homeless

ONGOING – The Dorland Scribblers meet on the second Sunday of each month from 1-3 p.m. at 36701 Highway 79 South, Temecula. We welcome fiction, non-fiction, poets, memoirs, and screenwriters. We host writing-craft discussions; attendees may read up to a five-minute excerpt from their work for feedback/critique. RSVP at www.dorlandartscolony.com/ sunday-scribblers.html.

Movie review: ‘Scream 7’

Bob

Garver Contributor

“Scream” is easily my favorite horror franchise. It might be my favorite movie franchise overall, but especially in terms of horror. That’s why it really hurts me to say that “Scream 7” isn’t up to snuff.

It’s not hard to see why this installment falls short, given its troubled production history. The latter half of 2023 saw the departures of both co-directors and both lead actresses from both of the last two installments that had reinvigorated the franchise for the 2020’s. Rather than cancel the project outright, the studio forged ahead with a retooled movie with original star Neve Campbell and original screenwriter Kevin Williamson as director. In theory, this could work, especially with the always-welcome Campbell as the lead, but this film never quite shakes off the passionless stench of someone having to deliver a film to meet an obligation despite the absence of first-choice talent.

The film, as expected, opens with a violent pre-title sequence. A young couple (Jimmy Tatro and Michelle Randolph) check into the old house of original co-killer Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), now a rental property for fans of murder scenes. Spooky surprises are hidden throughout the house, including a robot wearing the iconic Ghostface costume. Eventually a non-robot Ghostface shows up, ready for

some slashing. It’s not a lock that the couple will be killed like so many pre-title sequence characters before them, but… I didn’t see them bucking the trend. We soon rejoin Sidney Prescott (Campbell) trying to live a life out of the media spotlight, despite having found herself as a player in five killing sprees in her lifetime. She’s married to the local chief of police (Joel McHale) and has three children, two of whom are away visiting their grandparents. Her teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May) wants to know some of the juicy details of her past, which she refuses to divulge, but otherwise clashes with her, disobeys her, and wants nothing to do with her, in typical teenage fashion.

One day, Sidney gets a call from someone using the familiar Roger L. Jackson filter. It’s the new killer. But instead of terrorizing Sidney in the Ghostface garb, this killer directs Sidney to a screen, where she’s taunted by none other than Stu Macher (played by Lillard at his current age), who died in the first movie… or so she thinks. Did he somehow survive? Is this an A.I. prank? Either way, “Stu” makes it clear that Sidney and her family are targets for revenge. Potential suspects/victims line up. Sidney works at a coffee shop frequented by her neighbor Jessica (Anna Camp) and her slasher-obsessed son Luke (Asa Germann), as well as creepy wildcard Karl (Kraig Dane).

Tatum’s circle of friends includes boyfriend Ben (Sam Rechner), and besties Hannah (Mckenna Grace) and Chloe (Celeste O’Connor). Shady characters on the periphery include rude drama teacher Mr. Willis (Tim Simons), mental hospital orderly Marco (Ethan Embry), and fame-hungry reporter Robbie Rivers (Mark Consuelos).

Those are the new faces. But because the movie has to use nostalgia as a crutch, it’s not long before longtime ally Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) shows up, flanked by returning characters Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy-Brown), from the fifth and sixth movies, now working as the reporter’s assistants. And as forced as those returns feel, they’re no match for Stu and a gaggle of last-act cameos that serve no purpose other than for the advertising to be able to say that the actors technically appear in the movie.

I found some things to like about “Scream 7.” Campbell hasn’t lost an ounce of Scream Queen credibility, there are some creative kills, and the fight choreographer certainly earned their paycheck. But any scene without Campbell that involves mystery, suspense, emotion, or even the series’ trademark humor is a miss. Save for one, I’m not interested in following any surviving characters to another movie. This movie probably shouldn’t have been made without certain people onboard, and I’ll say that there

shouldn’t be another “Scream” movie until they can come back.

Grade: C “Scream 7” is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, and

language. Its running time is 114 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Community Outreach Ministry celebrates its 25th anniversary

MURRIETA — Community Outreach Ministry (COM) marked its 25th anniversary with its annual Angel Tree Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, bringing together families, youth, community leaders and partners for a morning of celebration, recognition and support at Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta.

COM thanked Pastor Cory Miller and Spanish Pastors Eliel and Renee Morales for use of the sanctuary, parking lot and church volunteers. The ministry also recognized the Angel Tree team: Janice Hare, who maintains year-round contact with families; Johnna Hose, who registers participants; and Ankoma Hose, who distributes gifts.

The event serves children ages 1–18 who have incarcerated parents in Southwest Riverside County. Children are referred to Angel Tree — a Prison Fellowship program — by agencies including Riverside County 211, schools and community partners. Over 25 years, more than 4,000 children have received over 8,000 gifts, delivered on behalf of their incarcerated parents to remind them they are not forgotten while connecting families with encouragement and resources.

“Community Outreach Ministry has been a blessing to many children and families,” said Angel Tree Church Recruitment Manager Karin Arango. “Families need hope, and that happens best when they connect with a local church.”

Support from Riverside County Supervisors Karen Spiegel (2nd District) and Chuck Washington

(3rd District) helped provide warm clothing and food for children. COM said their continued advocacy reflects the county’s commitment to supporting at-risk youth and strengthening community-based solutions that help break cycles of poverty, crime and incarceration.

The morning began outdoors as founders Dr. Mona Davies and Coach Bob Davies welcomed partners and volunteers. Community organizations filled the parking lot with resources and activities. The United States Forest Service, represented by facilitator Kevin Ferris, firefighters and Smokey Bear, was recognized for more than 15 years of mentoring youth about careers and positive life choices.

Riverside County Probation Department Chief Christopher Wright, Southwest Division Director Jason Beam and their team donated Christmas gifts and brought vehicles for children to

tour while officers demonstrated equipment and answered questions.

Healthcare outreach was provided by Vista Community Clinic’s mobile dental unit, led by Dean-Paul Bao, RDH, Director of Dental Operations. Staff explained preventive dental care, screenings and fluoride treatments for children.

Camp Agape representatives Albert and Beth Canul shared information about Prison Fellowship summer camp scholarships for youth ages 7–17. The fourday camp, held over Labor Day weekend, combines recreation, team-building and faith-based learning.

Creative activities were also part of the celebration. Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District provided plants and pots for children to decorate. Sewing Stories founder Cynthia K. Duran guided children in making Christmas cards, while volunteers Hedy

H. Dembowski and Emily Stitt helped decorate cookies.

The indoor program opened with a presentation of colors by Denise Gregory’s Angels, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Coach Davies and the national anthem. Worship leaders Sal Soriano, Susie Irbe and Elvia Bucio led Christmas carols before Janice Hare welcomed families and offered prayer.

A highlight of the program was recognition of youth achievements. Honorees included Jesiyah Lewi s Eugene Neal, a recent graduate now enlisted in the U.S. Army; Theron Ellis, pursuing a mechanical career; Esabella Estrella, studying criminal justice at the University of La Verne; and Darren Cascario, studying electrical engineering at Chapman University. Anthony Neal-Long, a Temescal Canyon High School football player, was recognized for academic and athletic excellence, including the 2025–26 Receiver of the Year award and multiple varsity letters.

Applebee’s Murrieta, led by

Training General Manager Lauren Stephenson, provided burgers and fries for attendees, and longtime sponsor Dalia Smith donated cupcakes.

COM also credited its board — Yolanda Burgess, Denise Ronzello, Norma Brunette and Marilyn Brown — for advancing the mi nistry’s mission. California Sen. Kelly Seyarto presented certificates recognizing COM, its partners and volunteers for 25 years of service supporting at-risk children in Riverside County.

As COM reflects on a quarter-century of outreach, leaders said the Angel Tree celebration demonstrates the impact of sustained partnership among churches, agencies, elected officials and volunt eers working to support children and families.

To support Community Outreach Ministry, visit communityoutreachministry.org , call 951-698-7650 or email info@ communityoutreachministry.org

Submitted by Community Outreach Ministry.

Rams Make History: Murrieta Mesa captures first-ever CIF Southern Section basketball title

JP Raineri Sports Editor

ONTARIO — The destination matters more than the journey, especially when that destination is the history books.

While the final minutes might have been tighter than head coach Chris Featherly preferred, the Murrieta Mesa boys’ basketball team held its ground Saturday afternoon at Toyota Arena, defeating Aliso Niguel 65-58 to claim the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship.

The victory marks a major milestone for the Rams (23-10), who captured the first section title in the program’s history, after winning their first-ever Southwestern League this past season as well.

Jagger Saul paced the Rams’ offense with 18 points on a night where balance and execution defined the first three quarters.

“Today’s game was interesting to say the least,” Featherly told the media afterwards. “We came out hot and then allowed Aliso Niguel to climb into it, but all year these guys have found the answers when it counted, and this afternoon was no exception.”

The Rams’ ability to share the basketball and find open shooters proved vital. Featherly noted that the team’s buy-in was evident in their balanced offensive attack throughout the contest.

The game did not start in Murrieta Mesa’s favor. Aliso Niguel (24-9) opened with a quick 5-0 run in the first two minutes, fueled by a 3-pointer from Wyatt Richmond and a layup from Jayden Mysin.

However, the Rams responded immediately with a dominant stretch. Murrieta Mesa rattled off nine consecutive points to seize control. Ray Riley connected from deep, Carlito Christian added four points, and Kingston Saul converted a layup to fuel the surge. By the end of the first quarter, the Rams had built a 1912 advantage.

That momentum carried into the second quarter. Fabian Ruiz and Jagger Saul hit back-to-back 3-pointers, and Riley completed a three-point play to cap another 9-0 run. Suddenly, the Rams held a commanding 27-12 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the half.

Murrieta Mesa entered the locker room at halftime up 38-22, having connected on 6 of 14 attempts from beyond the arc. Eight different Rams players scored in the first half, highlighting the depth that has carried them all season.

“It’s definitely frustrating to do all that work to build a big lead and then see it get whittled down like that, but it’s something we just have to keep working on,” Jagger Saul said to members of

the media after the game. “Sharing this road with my brother has been a unique experience that we’ll remember for a lifetime.”

The Rams appeared to put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Leading 42-26, they launched a 7-0 run that extended their advantage to a game-high 23 points at 49-26. Jagger Saul was central to the burst, hitting his second 3-pointer and converting a tough floater in the lane.

But the Wolverines refused to go quietly. Aliso Niguel began chipping away at the deficit late in the third, with Collin Tjin hitting a step-back jumper to make it 5336 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter saw the Rams’ lead shrink as Aliso Niguel mounted a desperate comeback. Wyatt Richmond hit free throws and a layup to cut the lead to 10. A series of free throws brought the Wolverines within nine points with 32 seconds left on the clock. A buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Mysin set the final margin at seven points, but it was too little, too late.

Despite the late pressure, Murrieta Mesa secured the win and the plaque. The Rams finished the night shooting 7 of 21 from 3-point range.

With the section title secured, the season continues for Murrieta Mesa. Both the Rams and Aliso Niguel have qualified for the CIF State tournament.

Other local basketball teams extended their seasons with successful runs as well. Also tipping off State tournament play this week and representing the area are the Murrieta Valley girls, Rancho Christian girls, West Valley girls, San Jacinto girls, Rancho Christian boys, and Cornerstone

Christian boys’ teams. For the complete schedule and additional information, visit www.cifstate. org/basketball Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com.

Soboba tribal member Herrera emerges as standout athlete

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Special to Valley News

Elvis Herrera has been making a name for himself at Vista Murrieta High School for his outstanding athletic prowess. Most recently, the sophomore won the Boys Wrestling JV 150 championship, Feb. 7 at Chaparral High School. Elvis, of Murrieta and the Soboba Reservation, is the son of Elvin Herrera and JoAnna G. Head Wrestling Coach Zack Paterson said that since beginning his wrestling career last season as a freshman, Elvis has demonstrated his commitment to the sport and the team.

“At the conclusion of last season, Elvis was selected for our Freshmen CLASS Award as the freshman wrestler that best represented the five pillars of CLASS (Character, Leadership, Attitude,

Scholarship, Service),” Paterson said. “Elvis continued the work through the Spring and Fall, during which he earned the title of ‘Workhorse.’ This season, the hard work paid off as Elvis earned his varsity letter. Elvis finished the season strong by winning first place in the JV Southwestern League Finals tournament.”

Elvis’ athleticism isn’t confined to one sport. He was also a linebacker for the Vista Murrieta Broncos JV football team. His mother said, “After football season, Elvis surprised me by expressing an interest in wrestling—and even more so by how naturally he took to it. Watching him step into a new challenge with courage and determination has been incredibly meaningful.

He embodies the Native value of being a go-getter: setting intentions, committing fully, and

moving forward with confidence and resilience. I am deeply proud of the young man he is becoming as he continues to honor himself, his family, and his roots.”

He has played sports such as baseball and football since he was eight but decided to stick to football and wrestling recently. Elvis is not the only one in his family to do well in sports. His mother says his siblings are all thriving and continue to walk their own paths with purpose and pride.

His sister Jezebel is a standout performer in winter guard and is currently ranked number one in California with her color guard team—a reflection of discipline, dedication, and the strength passed down through generations. His younger brother Dakota plays football with heart, perseverance, and humility, while his younger sister Jizelle brings

spirit and positivity as part of the cheer team. Each of them carries the values of family, community, and respect as they grow and represent themselves.

“My favorite sport is wrestling,” said Elvis, 16. “I started just last year and instantly excelled at it with my record being 20 wins and 4 losses my freshman year.”

In the recent tournament, Elvis faced opponents from Murrieta Valley and Temecula Valley high schools before heading into the final match against Chaparral’s Maxwell Miles.

“My toughest opponent was in the finals against Max. I had lost

to him a week before the tournament,” Elvis said. “We went through all three periods with a tied score at the end, which led to a sudden victory round that was one minute, and the first person who scored wins the match. My opponent was tired and left an opening for me to take my shot and get a take-down on him, earning me three points, which gave me the victory.” He feels like his extra conditioning alongside his intense practice helped him wrestle to

and gain the upper hand over his opponent when

Bridgeman breaks through at Riviera for first PGA Tour win

JP Raineri Sports Editor

The Genesis Invitational made a triumphant return to its iconic home at Riviera Country Club, and it delivered a finish worthy of its Hollywood-adjacent setting.

Jacob Bridgeman, in a stunning performance, captured his first PGA Tour victory, holding off some of the biggest names in golf to win the 2026 Genesis Invitational. The tournament’s return to Riviera was a welcome sight for Southern California golf fans. The course, a classic jewel, was in perfect condition, especially as much of the country deals with winter weather. After a brief hiatus in 2025 due to the devastating local fires, the energy in the Palisades was electric, with large galleries following the action all week.

Bridgeman took home the $4 million winner’s check and 700 FedEx Cup points, but he had to earn it. He entered the final round in the last group, paired with fourtime major winner Rory McIlroy. The pressure was immense. McIlroy, a fan favorite, played a solid final round. He carded five birdies against a single bogey for a 67, including a dramatic, long birdie putt on the 18th green that put him in a tie for second place.

The roar from the crowd put the spotlight squarely back on Bridgeman, who was standing over his own ball on the final hole.

With a one-shot lead, Bridgeman needed only a par to secure the victory. After a perfect drive and a solid approach shot, he calmly two-putted for par, officially making him a PGA Tour champion.

Joining McIlroy in second place was Kurt Kitayama. The two-time PGA Tour winner made a strong push on Sunday but could not overcome Bridgeman’s steady play. Adam Scott, another tour veteran, also finished near the top of the leaderboard.

Other notable players made their presence felt over the weekend. Jordan Spieth seemed to find his form, shooting four rounds under par, including a final-round 66, to finish tied for 12th. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, after nearly missing the cut, did what he does best. He shot a blistering 11 under par over the weekend to storm up the leaderboard and also finish in a tie for 12th.

The victory gives Bridgeman full exemption status on the PGA Tour. Next week, the tour heads east for the Florida swing, starting with the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.

Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com.

ORN Dirt Lifestyle Expo returns to Temecula with new location

JP Raineri Sports Editor

The ORN Dirt Lifestyle Expo is making its highly anticipated return to Southwest Riverside County, bringing the off-road community together at a new location: The Promenade Temecula. Set for Saturday, June 27, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., this year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, with expanded attractions and activities for all ages.

Known as the epicenter of off-road culture, Temecula is the perfect backdrop for this action-packed day. The Promenade Temecula will transform into a hub for off-road enthusiasts, featuring industry-leading vendors, cutting-edge exhibits, and the latest products hitting the market. Attendees can look forward to an exciting lineup of entertainment, including freestyle motocross and BMX stunt shows, live music throughout the day, and the ever-popular ORN car show. Families will enjoy an expanded kids’ zone, while thrill-seekers can participate in a vendor raffle

and bigger thrills

offering exclusive prizes.

“This event is all about celebrating the off-road lifestyle and bringing the community together,” said Rat Sult, event organizer.

“We’re thrilled to host it at The Promenade Temecula, a location that’s central to so many off-road enthusiasts in the region.”

For businesses looking to connect with this passionate audience, the ORN Dirt Lifestyle Expo offers a prime opportunity. Vendor booths are now available, with early bird specials running through March 6. The event provides a platform for brands to engage directly with off-road fans who are eager to discover new products and services. Applications for vendor booths and the car show are available online at ORNScene.com. Interested sponsors or vendors are encouraged to act quickly to secure their spot at this year’s event. For more information, contact Rat Sult at ratsult@gmail.com or (760) 533-9380. Send local sports tips and info to sports@reedermedia.com.

Grandfathers For Golf to host 16th annual Memorial Tourney

Grandfathers For Golf, a Hemet/San Jacinto-based nonprofit that teaches children to play golf at no cost, will hold its 16th Annual Memorial Tourney on Friday, March 13, at Soboba Springs Golf Course in San Jacinto. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. and will follow a four-person scram-

ble format open to golfers of all skill levels. The cost to participate is $150 per person, or $500 per foursome if payment is received by March 1, 2026. The discounted rate saves participants $100 per team, and entry fees are tax-deductible. see TOURNEY, page A-12

The field is limited to 144 players, and organizers expect the event to sell out.

Entry includes 18 holes of golf, food, and trophies for first-, second-, and third-place teams, as well as Long Drive and Closest to the Pin contests. Women and

seniors age 70 and older will play from the silver senior tees, while all other participants will play from the blue tees. Golfers who do not have a foursome may register individually and will be placed on a team.

Participants may register by calling Jeff Riley, president of Grandfathers For Golf, at 951604-1312 to pay by credit card. Payments may also be made via Zelle to Treasurer Keith Johnson using the phone number (951) 313-0990 or email gfg4kids@ gmail.com. Checks made payable to Grandfathers For Golf may be mailed to P.O. Box 1818, Hemet, CA 92546. Organizers ask that cash not be mailed but note it may

be paid at the event. The Memorial Tournament, formerly known as the Marty Finn Memorial, is the organization’s only annual fundraiser. Grandfathers For Golf operates entirely through volunteers, with no paid staff and no fees charged to participating students. For more than 20 years, the

$1.00

organization has served children in the Hemet and San Jacinto area, providing free golf instruction along with lessons in sportsmanship, etiquette, and teamwork. Each child in the program receives a golf bag, clubs, balls, a uniform, and instruction at no cost.

Hoots in the night: Great Horned Owls patrol the Anza Valley

Diane

Sieker Staff Writer

As dusk falls over the Anza Valley, insistent “whhooo, whooos!” echo through the still air. These are the haunting calls of the male Great Horned Owl.

When residents picture an owl, the Great Horned Owl of-

ten comes to mind. This large, sturdy bird has enormous eyes and two distinct feather tufts on its head that resemble horns.

Great Horned Owls are common throughout California and North America, thriving in deserts, forests, meadows, wetlands, grasslands, and even suburban areas. These powerful raptors hunt

birds and even insects, but prefer mice and other small rodents.

Bubo virginianus, the Great Horned Owl, is the Anza Valley’s most common year-round owl. It inhabits all types of woodlands and open scrublands, and the valley provides ideal habitat.

These fascinating birds are among the earliest nesting species

in North America. Courtship and territorial establishment begin in October and continue through December, with mates typically chosen by December or January.

These owls do not build their own nests. Instead, they take over the abandoned nests of other large birds, such as Common Ravens or Red-tailed and Red-shouldered

Nesting begins in midwinter - sometimes as early as late January - giving them a head start over other species that might reuse the same nests. Their courtship and territorial hoots can be heard throughout the night until dawn.

Artists sought for Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Show in Julian

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The Warner Springs Artisan Guild is inviting artists and craftspeople to take part in its upcoming Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Show, a juried indoor event scheduled for April 11–12 at the Julian Town Hall.

Organizers say the show promises a vibrant weekend celebrating handmade artistry, creativity and community, while offering artisans an opportunity to showcase and sell their original work in a welcoming setting.

The two-day event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Participating artists must be present throughout the show, with setup beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and completed by 9:45 a.m. each day.

Exhibitors are limited to original artwork and hand-crafted items created by the artist. Prints, cards and similar items depicting original artwork are also permitted. Due to space limitations inside the historic venue, selling areas will be modest in size. Artists may choose between two six-foot tables arranged in an L-shape or one eight-foot table with wall or grid space behind it. The participation fee is $40 per artist for non-members of the Warner Springs Artisan Guild, and organizers note

If you have an upcoming community event, email it to valleyeditor@reedermedia.com, put “attention events” in the subject line. Readers should call ahead on some listed events for the latest updates. Please also email us if any of these listings have new or updated information. Thank you!

Regular Happenings

Anza Farmers’ Market – Located at 56333 CA-371, Anza farmers’ market hours are every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. through October. Various farmers, musicians, artisans and food vendors set up weekly. Ample parking in the field and lot to the west and east of the field. The market is operated by the High Country Conservancy, a 501(c)(3), and is a California certified farmers market. Market Manager Annika Knoppel can

JULIE REEDER,

MALINA GUGEL,

Editorial

J.P. RAINERI, Sports Editor

SHANE GIBSON, Staff Photographer

DIANE SIEKER, Staff Writer

JOE NAIMAN, Ind. Contractor

ROGER BODDAERT, Ind. Contractor

Advertising Sales

JOSEPHINE MACKENZIE

CINDY DAVIS

Production

KARINA YOUNG, Art Director

FOREST RHODES, Production Assistant, IT

SAMANTHA GORMAN, Graphic Artist

ANZA EVENTS

be reached at 951-234-1314 or email anzafarmersmarket@ gmail.com

Anza Community Hall Swap Meet - Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. $15 for a spot with membership. $18 for a spot without membership. Vendors wanted. The hall is located at 56630 CA-371 in Anza. See membership information under “Organizations.”

Mobile Food Pantry – Anza Electric Cooperative and F.I.N.D. Food Bank offers a free mobile food pantry the second Saturday of every month at the AEC office, 58470 CA-371, from 8 to 10 a.m. All are welcome. Cal-Fresh application assistance and free community health services are also available. Bring your own reusable bags to take food home. Volunteers welcome. For more information, contact the AEC office at 951-763-4333.

Friends of Anza Valley Community Library – Anza Valley Community Library is located at Hamilton High School, 57430 Mitchell Road. The library is open to the public, but not during school hours. Hours are 4-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday through Wednesday.

Hamilton High School – Find out what is happening using Hamilton’s online calendar at www.hamiltonbobcats.net/apps/ events/calendar.

Hamilton Museum – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays at 39991 Contreras Road in Anza. For more information, call 951-763-1350 or visit www.hamiltonmuseum. org. Find them on Facebook at “Hamilton-Museum-and-RanchFoundation.”

Backcountry Horsemen Redshank Riders – Meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Locations change, so please contact Mike by email at stumblinl55@gmail. com or by calling 951-760-9255.

Health, exercise, resources and recovery meetings Fit after 50 – 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday and Friday mornings at Anza Community Hall. Free. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Call or text instructor Teresa Hoehn at 951751-1462 for more information.

Veterans’ Gathering Mondays – 9-11 a.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 39075 Contreras Road in Anza. Men and women veterans come to share and help each other deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and other difficulties. Call John Sheehan at 951-9236153. If you need an advocate to help with VA benefits, call Ronnie Imel at 951-659-9884.

The Most Excellent Way – A Christ-centered recovery program for all kinds of addiction meets once a week on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. Program is court approved. The group meets at Valley Gospel Chapel, located at 43275 Chapman Road, Anza.

AA Men’s Meeting – 7 p.m. Meetings take place Thursdays at 39551 Kirby Road in Anza,

south of CA-371.

Alcoholics Anonymous – 8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday evenings at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, please email Barbara at chicasita55@gmail.

com

Bereaved Parents of the USA – The Aguanga-Anza Chapter of BPUSA will hold its meetings at 6 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 49109 Lakeshore Blvd. in Aguanga. For more information, contact chapter leader Linda Hardee at 951-551-2826.

Free Mobile Health Clinic – Open every third Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is needed. Uninsured may only be seen in the Anza Community Hall’s parking lot or inside the hall.

Medication Assistance and Treatment for Opioid Dependence – Get treatment for heroin addiction. Transportation to the clinic is provided. For more information, contact Borrego Health’s Anza Community Health Center, 58581 CA-371, Anza. For more information, 951-763-4759.

Narcotics Anonymous –Tuesday meetings, 8 p.m. at Shepherd of the Valley Church, Anza, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. For more information, please email Barbara at chicasita55@ gmail.com

Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous –Thursdays at 12 noon. Meetings at Shepherd of the Valley Church, 56095 Pena Road in Anza. For more information, please email Barbara at chicasita55@gmail. com

Food ministries

Food for the Faithful – 8 a.m. The food bank hands out food the last Thursday of the month until the food is gone. Emergency food handed out as needed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. FFF is a nondenominational nonprofit. All in need are welcome; call Esther Barragan at 951-763-5636.

Bible studies

Living Hope Thursday Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study – 8 a.m. at 58050 CA-371 in Anza. All are welcome.

Living Hope Christian Fellowship Sunday Service –10 a.m. at the Anza Community Hall, 56630 CA-371 in Anza.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Anza’s Sunday Sacrament is at 10 a.m.; Sunday School is 11 a.m. Priesthood/Relief Society meets at noon; Wednesday, Boy Scouts gathers 6 p.m. and Youth Night is 7 p.m. For more information, call Ruiz at 951-445-7180 or Nathan at 760-399-0727. The Wednesday Genealogy/Family History Class, 5-8 p.m., is open to the public at 39075 Contreras Road in Anza.

Native Lighthouse Fellowship – 10 a.m. The group meets the first Saturday of the month, and breakfast is served. All are welcome to fellowship together at the “Tribal Hall”

below the casino in Anza. For more information, call Nella Heredia at 951-763-0856.

Monthly Christian Men’s Breakfast – 9 a.m. Breakfast takes place the 4th Saturday of each month and rotates to different locations. Contact Jeff Crawley at 951-763-1257 for more information.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church – 10 a.m. Weekly Wednesday Bible study takes place at 56095 Pena Road in Anza. Call 951-763-4226 for more information.

Valley Gospel Chapel – 7 a.m. Saturday Men’s Study meets weekly with breakfast usually served at 43275 Chapman Road in the Terwilliger area of Anza. For more information, call 951763-4622.

Anza Baptist Church - Begin your week with Sunday School for adults at 9 a.m. followed by Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. We have an optional Children’s Church service during the main service. On Sunday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. we have a rotating schedule of Bible Studies, fellowship, and prayer. We also have a prayer circle which meets on Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m. The church office is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 39200 Rolling Hills Road, just off Burnt Valley Road, in Anza. For more information, please contact the church at 951763-4937 or visit https://www. anzabaptistchurch.com

Clubs Anza Valley VFW Post 1873, Capt. John Francis Drivick III Post – The Ladies’ and Men’s Auxiliaries are located at 59011 Bailey Road in Anza. Mail P.O. Box 390433. Request monthly newsletter and or weekly menu by email at vfw1873anzaca@gmail. com. For more information, call 951-763-4439 or visit http:// vfw1873.org.

High Country 4-H Club – 4 p.m. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month, except February, at Anza Community Hall. 4-H Club is for youth 5 to 19 years old offering a variety of projects. High Country 4-H Club is open to children living in the Anza, Aguanga and surrounding areas. For more information, call Allison Renck at 951-663-5452.

Anza Valley Artists Meetings – Meetings at 1 p.m. are the third Saturday of each month at various locations. Share art, ideas and participate in shows. Guest speakers are always needed. For more information, call president Rosie Grindle at 951-928-1248. Find helpful art tips at www.facebook.com/ AnzaValleyArtists. Anza Quilter’s Club –Meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 56095 Pena Road, Anza. For more information see our Facebook page or contact Pat Sprint at jpsprint@gmail.com or Ellen Elmore at luvtoquilt2@ gmail.com Anza Valley Lions Club – The

Anza Valley Lions Club has been reinstated and is open to all men and women who want to work together for the betterment of the community. The group is working on securing a new venue for meetings. Meetings and events are posted on the Anza Lions Club of Anza Valley Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LionsofAnzaValley. For more information, email president Greg Sandling at President. AnzaLions@gmail.com or Chris Skinner at Secretary. AnzaLions@gmail.com

Fire Explorer Program – 6 p.m. The program meets every second, third and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fire Station 29 on CA-371 in Anza. Call 951-7635611 for information.

Anza Thimble Club – The club meets the 1st Thursday of the month at the Anza Community Hall, 56630 CA-371, Anza, CA 92539. The social hour is 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. Contact Carol Wright at 951-7632884 for more information.

Organizations

Terwilliger Community Association – 6 p.m. Second Monday of the month at VFW Post 1873, 59011 Bailey Road, in Anza. Potluck dinner open to all. For more information, call Tonie Ford at 951-763-4560. Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 59 is looking for new members of all ages. For more information, call squadron commander Maj. Dennis Sheehan from the Anza area at 951-403-4940. To learn more and see the club’s meeting schedule, visit www.squadron59. org Anza Community Hall 7 p.m. General membership meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month. Single memberships are $30 and include discounts to events for one person and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Family memberships are $50 and include discounts for a family up to 5 members and 1 vote in elections and meetings. Business memberships are $50 and allows an employer to receive discounts for up to 5 people, including themselves, and includes 1 vote on elections and meetings. No government funds are allocated for the Hall, which pays its bills through memberships and swap meets. Mail membership to: Anza Community Building Inc. at P.O. Box 390091, Anza, CA 92539. The hall is located at 56630 CA-371 in Anza. For more information, call 951-2824267 or email achageneral@ gmail.com or visit www. anzacommunitybuilding.org.

Anza Civic Improvement League – 9 a.m. meets the first Saturday of each month at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The league maintains Minor Park and the Little Red School House, which are both available to rent for events. No government funds are allowed; the membership pays the bills – $10 a person, $18 family or $35 business membership. For more information, visit www. anzacivic.org.

Egg Cleaning Day kicks off preparations for annual Anza Easter celebration

OWLS from page B-1

Local owl educator Dominique Rauton explained, “Great Horned Owls are mostly nocturnal hunters, but will also hunt during the day in winter. They are strictly carnivorous and will eat any creature that moves. They cannot lift more than their body weight, so a four-pound animal is the maximum they can carry. Their wingspan can reach up to an incredible five feet.”

Females are larger than males and pairs mate for life. While the female incubates the eggs, the male provides food and protects both her and the eggs from predators.

Chicks are born nearly naked and completely helpless, receiving devoted care until they fledge and learn to fly. Early hatching allows the young birds to practice flying and hunting when the weather is mild and prey is abundant.

Owls of any species play a vital role in controlling rodents - from squirrels and rats to mice, moles and gophers. Rodent poisons, however, pose a serious threat, as the toxins pass from prey to predator. Dead owls are reported every year after consuming poisoned animals.

“The biggest threat to the local owls is rodenticide poisoning,” said Rauton. “It’s tragic, as these

Legal

Diane

Sieker Staff Writer

Community members are invited to lend a hand during Egg Cleaning Day, set for Saturday, March 7, at the Little Red Schoolhouse at Minor Park in downtown Anza.

The event begins at 9 a.m., when volunteers will gather to clean and sort more than 10,000 plastic Easter eggs in preparation for the annual Community Easter Celebration.

Organizers say community participation is essential to preparing for the popular annual event, which brings together local families for an afternoon of holiday fun.

The Community Easter Celebration will be held Saturday, April 4, at Hamilton High School’s baseball field from noon to 4 p.m. Festivities will include an egg hunt, prizes, games, food and family-friendly activities. Volunteers are needed to help make both the preparation day and the celebration a success. Those interested in assisting or seeking additional information may contact the Anza Civic Improvement League at anzacivic@ gmail.com

Candy and monetary donations are also welcomed to support the event, which is hosted by local nonprofit charitable organizations and made possible through community support.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.

birds are essential for controlling the rodent population and every one is priceless”

Like other nocturnal birds, Great Horned Owls are more likely than daytime species to be struck by cars, so an increase in traffic poses a danger to them. Despite these hazards, their numbers appear to be thriving in the valley. Enjoy the erie hooting in the night, and remember that these fascinating birds are on patrol, helping keep damaging pests in check as they announce their presence under the cover of darkness.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.

Run your legal notices in the Anza Valley Outlook, adjudicated for Riverside County.

To advertise call our office at 760-723-7319 or email legals@reedermedia.com

Sheriff’s Blotter

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The Anza Valley Outlook Sheriff’s Blotter is a list of calls that allows residents to see what law enforcement activity is occurring in their communities.

The Sheriff’s Blotter data is obtained from the official calls for service records kept by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. However, calls where the release of the information

from page B-1

takes no commission on sales.

Artists are responsible for providing their own tables, displays, signage, merchandise and sales materials, as well as handling all transactions and collecting applicable sales tax. Exhibitors

could cause harm to an individual or jeopardize the investigation of a criminal case are excluded.

All calls listed are for service within the Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction in the unincorporated areas of Anza, Lake Riverside Estates, Cahuilla and Aguanga from Feb. 22 through Feb. 28. Feb. 22

Suspicious circumstance -

04:41 p.m., 4100 block Terwilliger Rd., Anza Public disturbance - 03:43

are also expected to maintain professional and engaging displays throughout the event and assist with cleanup at the conclusion of the show.

According to organizers, only a few exhibition spaces remain available. Applications should be submit-

p.m., 5200 block St. Hwy. 371, Cahuilla, report taken

Civil dispute - 01:07 p.m., 000

block Guillermo Ln., Aguanga

Public disturbance - 11:26 a.m., address undefined, Anza

Alarm call - 09:36 a.m., 5600

block St. Hwy. 371, Anza

Public assist - 05:47 a.m., 4900

block Windsong Wy., Anza

Feb. 23

Suspicious vehicle - 10:10 p.m., 4000 block Heller Springs Rd., Anza

ted by email to wsartisanguild@ gmail.com and must include a brief artist biography, description of work, social media links or photos of artwork, prior art show experience, booth size preference and images of previous exhibition displays. Applicants are also asked to describe how they will

Suspicious circumstance04:17 p.m., 5900 block Reynolds Wy., Anza, report taken Assault w/ deadly weapon02:26 p.m., 3800 block Fisher Rd., Anza, report taken Feb. 25

Assist other department - 06:17 p.m., address undefined, Anza Incorrigable minor - 06:06

p.m., address withheld, Anza Assist other department - 05:50 p.m, address undefined Cahuilla

Illegal dumping - 03:42 p.m., address undefined, Anza Miscellaneous criminal - 02:23 p.m., 5900 block Reynolds Wy., Anza

Civil dispute - 01:15 p.m., address undefined, Anza Alarm call - 04:53 a.m., 5600

block St. Hwy. 371, Anza Area check - 04:48 a.m., address undefined, Anza Prowler - 12:42 a.m., 4100

block Terwilliger Rd., Anza Feb. 26

911 call - 04:23 p.m., 5800

block Burnt Valley Rd., Anza

Public disturbance - 12:39

p.m., 5900 block Harma Pl., Anza Civil dispute - 12:07 p.m., 3900

block Contreras Rd., Anza

Suspicious circumstance08:18 a.m., address undefined, Anza Feb. 27

Harrassing phone calls - 12:56 p.m., address withheld, Anza Civil dispute - 09:32 a.m., 4500

help promote the event. Submissions will be reviewed by the guild’s application committee, with responses expected within two weeks.

The Julian Town Hall is located at 2129 Main St. in Julian. The hall will be locked overnight Saturday, allowing artists to leave

block Tule Fire Rd., Anza Alarm call - 08:32 a.m., 4300

block Dale St., Anza

Assist other department - 01:01 a.m., 5800 block La Colina Ln., Anza Feb. 28

Battery - 11:23 p.m., address undefined, Anza Incorrigable minor - 07:39 p.m., address withheld, Anza Battery - 12:57 p.m., 5500

block Cahuilla Rd., Anza, report taken

Trespassing - 09:47 a.m., 3800

block Contreras Rd., Anza Burglary - 07:33 a.m., 5700

block Bailey Rd., Anza, report taken

Public disturbance - 07:21 a.m., address undefined, Anza

Trespassing - 07:15 a.m., address undefined, Anza Shots fired - 12:51 a.m., 6000

block Rim Rock Rd., Anza

No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content provided in the Sheriff’s Blotter.

Residents with information regarding any crimes are encouraged to contact the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at (951) 791-3400. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005 or https://wetip.com. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.

displays in place at their own risk. For more information about the Warner Springs Artisan Guild, visit warnerspringsartisanguild. com or follow the organization on Instagram and Facebook. Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.

Rose Care FUNdamentals

Frank Brines

ARS Master Rosarian

Weather

You may have noticed that gardens in the same general vicinity can have very different micro-climates. It’s too early to tell at this writing, but if the last week of February is any indication, the trend for the first half of March will likely be pleasant with some chance of showers here and there, but nothing like the first half of February. I don’t think you need to worry about frost, although the average date for the last frost is March 15.

After pruning

First, make sure the garden is free of left-over debris and dispose of that in the green garden waste bin – do not compost rose debris: Backyard compos ting doesn’t get hot enough to kill many pathogens. Second, if you didn’t do so when pruning, remove all of last season’s leaves from each bush. This cleanliness will help keep down disease. It’s possible that your garden is well on its way to success!

Clean and sharpen pruners

Depending on how many roses you have and how much pruning you had to do, your pruners may need to be sharpened. Sharp pruners make for clean cuts and the prevention of diseases. When sharpening, use a thin flat file with diamond grit material. (You can purchase such files online or from well stocked agricultural outlets.) This type of file allows easier sharpening for the tight spaces between the cutting blade and bar.

Try to follow the original bevel (angle) of the cutting blade. Felco states that the angle for their pruners is 23 degrees. Clean away heavy deposits of plant “juice” from your pruners using >70% isopropyl alcohol, 0000 steel wool, or a small brass bristle brush. Lubricate the mechanism with a light oil like 3-in-One.

Spraying

If your roses experienced fungal diseases last year and you haven’t yet done so, you might think of applying a copper dormant spray soon – but only if you can be fairly certain it won’t rain for 24 hours. You can mix horticultural oil (available at any big box store) with the dormant spray for better adherence – but read the label to make sure you can mix different sprays. These will reduce the likelihood of early fungal and pest issues.

First, read the spray label completely to ensure the proper strength of the mixture for “growing season instructions” as the new growth has begun.

Second, saturate all canes and the soil surface of the entire bed. Third, keep a minimum of 2” to 4” of organic composted mulch over the entire garden surface to insulate the upper 8” to 12” of the soil zone where most rose roots feed, and to reduce evaporation and conserve water, while still providing sufficient moisture. Compost will in time help change the soil structure and also supply nutrients to build the soil for your roses over the season.

Some rose varieties respond badly to horticultural oil, showing “burns” or discoloration particularly in the leaves. While I do not normally endorse brand name products, I have been impressed by a treatment called “Magic Gardener” which you can purchase online from Amazon and other retailers.

It consists of a bacterium that attacks a wide range of fungal pests, including powdery mildew, downy mildew, and rust. It likely leaves no residue in the environment. You dilute in a conventional garden sprayer and apply it to all surfaces (e.g., tops and bottoms of leaves) until the solution is dripping off. Apply it early before signs of fungal disease.

Feeding Roses love food and water for the best blooms. Generally, it’s time to start feeding when new growth is 2-3 inches long. I suggest an initial feeding that is higher in nitrogen (N) to encourage new stem and leaf growth. In about two weeks, apply fertilizer that is higher in phosphate (P) and potassium (K) to give roots a boost at start of season. New information suggests that continued use of fertilizer higher in P and K will foster greater root development and lead to better growth, disease resistance and healthier plants. Look for fertilizers rated as 8-10-8 that include micro elements for greater results. Also, you can apply worm ca stings (available at garden stores and nurseries).

I highly recommend organic fertilizers vs. inorganic or “chemical” ones. Organics foster better soil development, a richer, livelier, more viable community of soil organisms that break the elements into easily absorbed form and release them slowly. They will “build” soil structure into a healthy component and when used regularly will develop a soil rich in reserve energy, allowing you to use less product with the same results.

I strongly warn against using any product that combines both fertilizer and pesticide and/or is labeled “systemic” because these

can kill off your garden’s beneficial insects including pollinators. Watering Take time now to inspect and make any necessary repairs to your irrigation system while there is little new foliage. Then you’ll be prepared to begin a regular irrigation schedule. Drip systems are the most efficient and they avoid problems created by above-ground sprayers and sprinklers, which waste water and can foster molds (e.g., mildew and rust).

If poss ible, avoid any overspray or misting applied elsewhere in your garden that may

hit your roses; but if you use overhead watering s ystems, avoid doing so when there is any wind to avoid moisture evaporating or collecting on leaves which could result in sunburn or add to conditions favorable for fungal diseases. For best results and efficiency, schedule irrigation so it is complete before the day gets hot (preferably by mid-morning, that is, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.). Avoid afternoon or evening watering to prevent excess ground moisture into night time. Too wet soil can lead to unhappy roots and/or fungal diseases.

Take a break at Rose Haven!

Be sure to visit the Rose Haven Heritage Garden located at 30500 Jedediah Smith Road (the cross street is Cabrillo Avenue) in Temecula, a 3.4-acre rose garden owned and mainta ined by the Temecula Valley Rose Society, a (501c3) organization, supported with donations from kind people like you. (Look for the donation box when you visit!) Thank you so much!

Also, visit www.TemeculaValleyRoseSociety.org regularly for great information and schedule of events! Spread the joy of roses!

MORENO VALLEY – The Riverside County Department of Waste Resources will host a free Backyard Composting class and Make Your Own Worm Bin workshop for the public on Saturday, March 7. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to recycle organic materials, such as yard trimmings, as well as fruit and vegetable waste, into a dark, crumbly, and nutrient-rich soil amendment. The in-person presentation and hands-on segments of the class will teach residents how to maintain their compost bin or pile at home, which will provide rich compost to add in home gardens, house-

plants, and lawns. Resi dents will also learn a convenient and indoor-friendly method of breaking down food and yard waste with the assistance of Red Wiggler worms, through a process known as vermicomposting. The Department’s Certified Master Composter Instructors and Volunteer Master Composters will instruct residents how to set up, build, care for, and harvest worm casting to use as a natural fertilizer!

This free class begins at 9 a.m. at the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources’ Headquarters office located at 14310 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley, CA 92553. The class and subsequent workshop will end by 1 p.m. No registration or sign-up is required! All walk-ins welcome! All present must be at least 14 years old. Low-cost compost bins and worm bin kits will be available for purchase by Riverside Co unty residents (limit three per household). Residents may purchase by cash or Visa, MasterCard, or Discover (credit card service fee will apply). For more information, visit https://rcwaste.org/communityoutreach/composting-education , call (951) 486-3200, or email Waste-CompostingRecycling@rivco.org

for your CITY

EDUCATION

San Jacinto Valley students honored in February

Diane A. Rhodes

Contributor

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course on Feb. 5. Six local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning, and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities. They were also acknowledged for their ability and resiliency in overcoming difficult life challenges, all in a setting that honors God, community, and country. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools, and communities.

Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee

member Karena Zermeno-Leon emceed the event. She also represents program sponsors Karena Zermeno Realtor and Cave Restaurant at Oak Mountain Winery. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past and/or current challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

February’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Aidan DeSanto, Celeste Lopez, Kenia Lupercio Gomez, and Timothy Wisda. San Jacinto Unified honorees for February are Isabelle Millan and Allison Norman. Hemet Unified School District Aidan DeSanto

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes introduced Aidan as an academic scholar who has been in the AVID program for more than four years. “He excels not only academically but he’s got a lot of talents,” Holmes said. “He participates in dance, and this is one of his passions.” English teacher Molly Otis said, “I love Aidan’s ‘I can’ attitude, his imagination, his commitment, his affirmation and the fact that he never gives up.” Aidan said, “I believe that through my experiences as a competitive dancer, four years of AVID, and as the social media manager and Link Crew member, I can inspire students to take every opportunity that is handed to you, no matter how tired or unmotivated you may feel at the time.” He plans to become a teacher so he can inspire kids to learn. Aidan unexpectedly lost his father a year and a half ago, which affected him deeply and in many negative ways. “It helped me realize that none of us truly are promised tomorrow. And to take every moment in and appreciate the people you love and care about the most,” he said. “I would like to close this by saying I hope to be viewed as a light to my community. No matter how hard my days are or what I’m going through, I never want to be the reason someone has a bad day or be viewed as a negative person. I hope to be the reason that someone feels valued or loved because I know love is what the world needs.”

Celeste Lopez Western Center Academy Executive Director Paul Bailey in-

troduced Celeste’s ASB advisor, Maura Trujillo, to talk about her. “Celeste is a remarkable student, leader, and human being,” she said. “She has consistently shown what dedication and discipline look like in action. Celeste leads with heart. Through ASB leadership, National Honor Society, and years of service in her church and community, she has uplifted others, created connections, and made people feel seen. She pours her joy into dance, her compassion into working with children, and her faith into everything she does.” Celeste said her world crumbled after her father left, and she was forced to move. A chaotic home life led her to feel isolated, scared, sad, and betrayed. She chose not to let her situation break her but rather to push her past her limits and force her to grow over time. “I held onto pursuing academics, hobbies, and serving others. Since before high school, I volunteered weekly through dance school and church,” Celeste said. “Giving my time reminded me that even when life feels like it’s falling apart, and you are too, you still have something to give.” She is working towards her dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse with a certification as an ultrasound technician because she wants to “encourage, protect, and care for a new life at the very beginning.”

Timothy Wisda Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez said that due to unforeseen circumstances, Timothy was unable to attend the ceremony. Additionally, his nominating teacher was under the weather and could not be there. Rather than cancel, Sanchez reminded herself of the purpose of the event being about perseverance and getting through unexpected circumstances that are beyond our control. So she came from Anza to offer her congratulations to all the students being honored and to share a little bit about Timothy. “He has been through quite a bit,” she said. “He made some poor choices early on in his high school career but turned that all around. He’s now a three-sport athlete; an active member on our football, wrestling and baseball teams. He’s currently earning all As and Bs, and he is just the most respectful young man.” At a later date Sanchez was able to meet with Timothy and present him with his backpack and Student of the Month trophy. She said he expressed much gratitude and was apologetic that he could not attend the breakfast. “Motivation gets me started, but daily consistency is what has made the difference for me,” Timothy said.

San Jacinto Unified School

District Isabelle Millan

Kenia Lupercio Gomez West Valley High School Principal Cynthia Leon said Kenia is a model student. “In spite of the challenges she’s faced, she continues to persevere and we’re so proud of her,” Leon said. Teacher Valerie Lopez congratulated Kenia on being honored. “You have a 4.0 GPA, you have a job, you are heavily involved with Latinos Unidos on campus, and it has been such a pleasure to see you grow and to see you be a leader,” she said. Kenia said from a young age, she understood that her life was different than those of her classmates. Since the age of three, Kenia’s mother was living in the United States, while she was living in Mexico with her grandmother because her father would not be responsible for her. “When the day finally came to reunite with my mother in the United States, I felt nervous yet hopeful,” Kenia said. Upon arrival, she learned that her mother had begun a new life and a new family. Starting school here without speaking English proved to be another challenge but with a dedicated teacher’s help, she was able to become fluent in six months. However, she went back to Mexico for several years and all this instability took a toll on her mental health, causing anxiety and depression. “I am committed to pursuing higher education, achieving success and proving that obstacles do not define limits, they create strength,” Kenia said. “My end goal is to become a clinical psychologist. I also want to continue with my folklorico dancing career to always remember my roots and embrace my culture.”

Mountain View High School

Principal Ken Swanson introduced Trisha Ochoa, Isabelle’s Social Studies teacher. “Students come to Mountain View with many different paths and experiences,” she said. “What stood out to me about Isabelle was her determination and her willingness to work toward the goals she set for herself no matter the challenges along the way,” Isabelle said people often tell stories about growing up with difficult childhoods. “I wouldn’t say mine was terrible, but like everyone, I experienced hardship that shaped me into who I am today.” She said her mother’s strength, sacrifices and love inspired her. “She showed me what perseverance looked like long before I knew I would need it myself,” Isabelle said. “Growing up, I was a total daddy’s girl. So when my father suddenly got deported, and my parents separated, it felt like my world shattered overnight. I didn’t just lose my dad being around, but I lost a sense of security I had as a child.” Her mental health suffered. She transferred to Mountain View as a senior and said that although it’s different from a traditional high school, different does not mean less. “Behind the label is a school filled with some of the most caring, dedicated, and genuine educators I have ever met,” Isabelle said. “I walked in feeling dumb, ashamed, and like a failure. I walked in thinking I didn’t belong anywhere, but they all changed my life.” She went from thinking she wouldn’t graduate at all to graduating on Dec. 16th, completing her CNA program and being accepted into Grand Canyon University’s pre-nursing program.

Allison Norman San Jacinto High School Principal Lloyd Sheppard congratulated Allison for being a CIF League Champion on the tennis court in November. Education specialist and cheer coach Jennifer Draw said, “Allison has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic excellence throughout her high school years. She has had straight As all four years of high school. She has set a remarkable standard of dedication and perseverance. But Allison is much more than just a stellar student. She is a well-rounded young woman who excels in many areas.” Beyond school, Allison is already positively impacting community youth by giving tennis lessons and working at Charlotte’s Gymnastics. “I played four years of tennis at SJHS, I’ve done cheer for two years, and if that were not enough, I was also in ASB for the past three years,”

Allison said. “ASB made a huge impact on my ability to socialize with others and had given me a sense of accomplishment. Tennis and cheer made it possible to excel in activities related to sports, which all of my family is deeply involved in. All of these things made a direct impact on my schedule both daily and weekly. Balancing my education with all of my activities is very important to me.” She credits her success to the overwhelming support she has always received from her parents and grandparents. During her high school years, both her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with cancer. “Cancer used to frighten me as I did not know much about it, but I quickly learned that treatment is possible. Nevertheless, I was affected by these events,” Allison said. For more information, www. studentofthemonth.net.

BATON ROUGE, LA -- Quan Hancock of Temecula was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at University of Maryland Global Campus. Hancock is among approximately 20,000 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 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent 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 its territories. Its mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

EDUCATION

Lake Elsinore area students honored in January

Diane A. Rhodes Special to Valley News

The Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, honoring students who make a difference in their schools and communities, held its most recent luncheon celebration at the Lakeside High School Lancer Round Table Café on Jan. 20. Lunch was prepared and served by members of the Lakeside Culinary Academy.

Emcee Kim Joseph Cousins, President and CEO of the Chamber, welcomed guests to the event. Fou nded by Sally Myers, the nonprofit program acknowledges and honors college or trade schoolbound seniors for their character, love of learning, and commitment to academics, in addition to participation in athletics, school activities and community service. It also commends those who have persevered through challenging life circumstances, all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community, and free enterprise.

Large tote bags filled with gifts, certificates of recognition, and much more donated by the program’s sponsors, were given to the award recipients. Each student received a commemorative medallion and was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges, and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers, and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

January’s students of the month are Elsinore High School’s Emrii Fuller-Caramico and Ryan Mora, Keith McCarthy Academy’s Jimena Obregon Fuentes, Lakeside High School’s Darius Fields and Julissa Ramirez, and Temescal Canyon High School’s Heaven Hewitt and Aaden Robinson.

Elsinore High School

Emrii Fuller-Caramico was described by Assistant Principal Brandon Stephens as being in sideline cheer, traditional competition cheer, and stunt cheer for three years. “She has often been referred to as the nicest person on campus,” he said. Emrii said she has learned great lessons from her involvement in extracurricular activities and has made some amazing friends. She is president of the Earth Club, which is one of her favorites. “I love that I get to speak out about our earth and help find ways to help it,” Emrii said. “Our school always invites Wildomar Beautification to come to our meetings, and they invite us to their cleanups. We are currently working on a booth for an Earth Day event in April.” After high school, she plans to serve on a church mission for 18 months before enrolling at CSU, Monterey Bay to major in marine science. She has dreamed of being a marine biologist since she was 10. Cheer coach and Earth Club Advisor Crystal Hofmann praised Emrii for her hard work. “All of our Earth Club members graduated last year so I thought the club was going to go away,” she said. “But Emrii volunteered to take over the club and is now the president. It’s just another example that she’s always willing to do what it takes for anyone who needs her without ever asking for anything in return and never seeking attention.”

Ryan Mora was introduced by Assistant Principal Stephens as a member of the marching band, concert band, and jazz band.

“Ryan has been in all three of our bands all four years and is currently in the clarinet section of marching band,” Stephens said. “His current passion project is that he is teaching a classmate who is blind how to play the clarinet so that she can participate fully in our band program.” He plans to attend Cal Poly Pomona, majoring in computer science. “Since first grade, I’ve l oved math and coding,” Ryan said. “The band program has taught me invaluable discipline, leadership, communication, and time management skills that I will carry with me throughout my future.” He believes his greatest contribution to his community was the Eagle Scout project he completed when he was in seventh grade, during the height of the pandemic. “I fundraised, built, and donated first aid kits to Wildomar Little League,” Ryan said. “Being able to give back and help others sparked my passion to pursue a

career in tech to be able to advance medical engineering capabilities and defense for the betterment of the nation.” Band Director Annette Betts said, “We’re very proud of the work Ryan has done as a clarinet section leader. He’s basically in charge of 19 clarinet players. He has taught students who wanted to be in marching band how to play the clarinet.”

Keith McCarthy Academy singled out Jimena Obregon Fuentes as January’s honoree.

Principal Peter Hopping said, “Jimena joined KMA during the second semester of her freshman year, looking for a fresh start and quickly found a learning environment that supported her in being successful.” Jimena said one of her greatest contributions to her school and community has been creating a space where students feel connected and supported through an art club. “I noticed that many students were isolated, especially those who are in independent study where attendance was optional at the time,” Jimena said. “I took the initiative to start an art club. This simple idea turned into a welcoming community where students could express themselves, build friendships, and have fun. Seeing something that I helped create was really meaningful to me.” A significant life lesson she learned is the importance of resiliency. “There was a time when my family experienced homelessness, and I had to balance my responsibilities to support my family,” Jimena said.

“I learned to stay focused on my future while facing uncertainty in my present. School became my safe place and my pathway to a better future.” She hopes to attend UC San Diego to earn her degree in civil engineering. “My longterm goal is to use my education to help build resilient, eco-friendly, and inclusive communities and turn my ideas into real solutions.” Lakeside High School Darius Fields was introduced by Principal Jason Eldridge as an active student involved in tennis, science fair, and robotics. “Both my brothers received this same award in 2019 and 2022. Seeing the impact they made in our community inspired me to work just as hard to be standing here today,” Darius said. His goal is to study natural science and engineering, a culmination of all his interests. He has always been fascinated by learning about the chemistry behind cooking. “At Lakeside,

I’ve served as Executive Chef of our culinary program, president of the robotics team, and founder

of the science research program,” Darius said. “I’ve also served as the vice president of the Trailblazers Club, which focuses on educational opportunities, worked as a camp counselor, mentored elementary robotics teams working for LUSD, and starting today, I’m an afterschool assistant at Lake Elsinore Middle School.” All these experiences have inspired him to become a research professor so he can explore research education and create opportunities for other students who have ambitions but few avenues to explore them. Teacher Becky Peterson said Darius was a pioneer in Lakeside’s science research program and was the first student to compete in a science fair at Lakeside.

Julissa Ramirez was described by Principal Eldridge as “being involved in so many things that make a difference and set the culture and the tone of our school.”

She wants to study kinesiology and become a physical therapist. She has already been accepted to Cal State Fullerton. “Growing up, I was always playing a sport and through that I’ve gained confidence and strength,” Julissa said. “I want to help someone regain that same confidence after an injury or setback.” She was part of AVID even before high school and said it has helped her stay organized, especially when juggling ac ademics and participating in soccer and cross country, which taught her discipline, teamwork and perseverance. “I’m currently enrolled in the ED Rising program, where I’ve been able to explore the field of education and its importance,” Julissa said. Her previous involvement in Spanish Club allowed her to stay connected to her culture and school community. “All these clubs and programs have added value to my high school experience,” she said. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that everything happens in its own time. My future isn’t a race and I’m building my own timeline.”

Temescal Canyon High School

Heaven Hewitt was described by Temescal Canyon Principal Joshua Hill as a member of the leadership program who has served as class president as a freshman and sophomore, has been ASB vice president and is president this year. She is a four-year varsity cheerleader on a three-time CIF Championship team. “Heaven also helped start a flag football program at our school last year, so she was a two-year varsity member of our flag football

team,” Hill said. Heaven plans to become licensed as a paramedic and earn her bachelor’s degree before starting her career as a firefighter. “One of my greatest contributions to my community has been my commitment to leadership and service throughout high school,” Heaven said. “I learned early what it means to listen. I learned that leadership is not about being in charge; it’s about being reliable, supportive and willing to step up when others won’t. It has shown me how much one person can make a difference when they truly care about their community.”

She said firefighting represents everything she values: service, courage, teamwork, and protecting others. ASB teacher Cari Strange said, “What Heaven truly cares about is making our community great for all of our students. She believes in inclusion, listening to the democracy of our campus, and her heart is truly about service to others. I couldn’t ask for a better person to represent my program.”

Aaden Robinson was introduced by Principal Hill as a strong member of the Titan Engineering & Technology Academy, a member of the academic decathlon and debate teams and the Rubik’s Cube Club, as well as being a 1st-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Aaden said, “Ever since ninth grade, I’ve been interested in the field of computer science, particularly

because I love coding and I want to become a software engineer in the future. I’ve expanded my skills through the digital classroom as well as on my own projects.” One of those was a modification, or plugin, to the popular video game Minecraft. “This program essentially changed the game’s way of generating the world to one that creates floating sky block islands unlike the usual terrain with mountains and valleys,” Aaden said. “I loved designing this project, particularly because of the trial-and-error process involved.”

After three years of training and receiving his 1st-degree black belt in May 2025, Aaden was offered the opportunity to be a training instructor for younger students at the studio, which he gladly accepted. He feels this has been his greatest contribution to the community as many of his students have looked to him as a role model and have continued their training. Titan Engineering & Technology Academy Director Robert Parks said Aaden has an outstanding GPA of 4.667 but more importantly, he challenges Parks to be a better person because of his kindness and positivity.

For more information on the program, please contact Kim Joseph Cousins at 951-245-8848 or Donna Romo at Donnajromo@ aol.com

The evolving role of the insurance professional: Why it matters now more than ever

Marc Sigmon, MBA Contributor

There was a time when the role of an insurance agent was simple and transactional: provide a quote, submit an application and deliver a policy. That definition no longer reflects the reality of the profession. Today, the role has evolved into something more meaningful — a trusted insurance professional who provides guidance, anticipates risk, corrects misconceptions and safeguards the intent behind every policy. This evolution reflects growing financial complexity and the increasing cost of misunderstanding risk. National research supports this concern. Studies by LIMRA show nearly half of American households would face financial hardship within six months if a primary wage earner died. At the same time, Life Happens research indicates many consum-

ers overestimate life insurance costs by as much as three times. Together, these realities reveal a troubling pattern: families are vulnerable yet delay planning because they believe protection is unaffordable. That delay is usually rooted in misinformation, which becomes financial exposure when left uncorrected. Insurance is not simply a product; it is a legal contract that responds to documentation, not assumptions. I recently reviewed a life insurance policy for a local family who believed everything was in order. Coverage appeared appropriate and premiums were current. During a routine review, however, we discovered the beneficiary designation had not been updated after a major life change years earlier. Had a claim occurred, the proceeds would have gone somewhere unintended. No new policy or premium was required; the solution was correcting paperwork. Yet that paperwork determined the outcome. A transactional interaction would not have uncovered the oversight. A trusted professional relationship did. This evolution is especially evident in healthcare coverage. Families navigating Medi-Cal, Covered California and private plans often find themselves caught between agencies, verification systems and carrier requirements. A small income fluctuation can trigger a shift to Medi-Cal. A delayed document upload can suspend coverage. System errors can create du-

plicate accounts or incorrect eligibility.

When clients attempt to resolve these issues alone, they are often transferred between departments, placed on hold or given incomplete information. The frustration — and instability — is real. Coverage gaps, delayed prescriptions and out-of-network providers can result.

In these moments, the insurance professional becomes the consistent point of contact who understands the full picture and can communicate with the marketplace, carrier and client. Stability in healthcare coverage requires oversight, documentation and persistence. A trusted insurance professional serves as the central advocate when systems intersect.

Medicare planning presents similar risks. I worked with a veteran approaching 65 who believed VA healthcare eliminated the need for Medicare enrollment. That belief is common and costly. Medicare windows are strict, and late penalties can last a lifetime. After review, we ensured timely enrollment, proper prescription coverage and coordination of benefits. Veterans often want clarity, not complexity. Preparation eliminates risks before they become irreversible.

Covered California coverage also requires monitoring. Income estimates must stay within guidelines, and plan networks and formularies change annually. During a recent renewal cycle, concerns arose that many Californians could lose coverage or face

tax liabilities due to inaccurate reporting. Within my client base, each renewal was reviewed individually. Income changes were discussed, plans evaluated and coverage confirmed intentionally. Without monitoring, subsidy discrepancies and network misunderstandings can lead to unexpected costs.

Consumer questions have also evolved. In the past, many asked, “What is the cheapest option?” Today, families ask whether coverage amounts are correct, what happens if income stops, how long-term care affects retirement and whether beneficiaries are current. This reflects growing awareness that insurance is not about price alone but alignment with life circumstances. A trusted insurance professional focuses on maintaining appropriate protection over time. Integrity, not compensation, must guide recommendations.

Technology has improved insurance efficiency. Quotes can be generated quickly and plans compared instantly. But judgment remains essential. Technology cannot interpret hesitation, confusion or overlooked risk. Insurance decisions affect real families. The professional role is to interpret and apply information responsibly.

This evolution matters because the stakes are higher. Healthcare costs rise, people live longer and regulations shift. Without guidance, complexity becomes vulnerability. The title “trusted insurance professional” reflects a commitment to reviewing

policies, updating beneficiaries, monitoring changes and preparing families before emergencies. These risks remain quiet until a claim — when correction is impossible.

Consumers should be intentional in choosing guidance. Seek ethical professionals who explain rather than pressure, prioritize education and remain consistent after enrollment. Credentials, experience and advocacy are indicators of professionalism. Financial protection is too important to leave to chance. Insurance, at its core, is about promises — that premiums paid today provide protection tomorrow. The role has changed because the responsibility has grown. Many people are not seeking a quote; they seek someone who will explain, advocate and stand behind guidance. That is stewardship. About the Author Marc Sigmon, MBA, is founder of the Marc Sigmon Insurance Agency, a veteran-owned agency in Fallbrook. He has worked in Medicare and health insurance for more than a decade helping individuals, families and veterans understand coverage. Sigmon is a two-time NAIFA Quality Award recipient (2024–2025), a graduate of the BBB Empower by GoDaddy Accelerator and a 2025 San Diego Business Journal Veteran Leaders of Influence honoree. He is active in veteran advocacy, small-business support and health-insurance education throughout North County San Diego.

Manufactured homes: An affordable path to homeownership

Does homeownership feel out of reach? A manufactured home is an affordable alternative that you may not have considered before. What is a Manufactured Home?

Rather than building on site, a manufactured home is built in a factory on a permanent steel frame and transported to your property, where it will be affixed to a permanent foundation.

A new category of factory-built homes blends the affordability of manufactured housing with the appearance and financing advantages of site-built homes. They are nearly indistinguishable from site-built homes aesthetically and are constructed using the same building materials. Safety and quality are top priorities in their construction; they are inspected to meet or exceed U.S. Depart-

ment of Housing and Urban Development Code in such areas as durability, energy efficiency, thermal and electrical systems and fire resistance. Offering Affordability

A manufactured home may make homeownership possible for more American families.

The average price of a new, single-section factory-built home today is around $200,000, including the land, versus more than $500,000 for a new site-built home.

Fortunately, this affordability does not come at the cost of quality. The process of building manufactured homes in a factory is quick, efficient and cost-effective, which accounts for their relatively low cost. It also does not come at the cost of long-term pay-off. According to the U.S. Federal Housing House Price Index, a manufactured home appreciates in value similarly to

a site-built home.

Titling Considerations

Depending on who owns the land you live on, you can title your home as real property or personal property (also called chattel or home-only). Real property, often called real estate, refers to land and any structures affixed to the land. Personal property is a broader category that covers any property you own that is movable, such as vehicles, tools, furniture, and other belongings. If you are buying a manufactured home to install on land that you already own or are planning to purchase, it can be titled as real property once the home is affixed to the land. If you are renting a site in a manufactured housing community or leasing on private land, you will likely need to title the home as personal property.

While titling the home as personal property can be quicker and save you money on real estate taxes, it’s important to know that some lenders will only provide financing for the purchase of real property. To widen your financing options and improve your chances of landing a better interest rate, loan terms, and protections in the face of hardships (such as following natural disasters or changes in your financial situation), consider a manufactured home as real property.

There are mortgage products specifically designed for buyers of manufactured homes, including some low-down payment options. For example, Freddie

Mac’s CHOICEHome loans offer financing for factory-built homes titled as real property with a down payment as low as 3% of the purchase price. Speak with your lender about which financing option best suits your circumstances.

To learn more about manufac-

tured homes and for additional insights into making homebuying more affordable, visit myhome. freddiemac.com.

While often overlooked, manufactured homes offer both quality and value, and may be an affordable option to get you into a home of your own.

CalHFA opens third round of California Dream For All shared appreciation loan program

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has announced the opening of the third round of funding for its California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program, offering new opportunities for eligible firsttime homebuyers across the state.

The program is designed to make homeownership more attainable by providing financial assistance for down payments and closing costs. Through a shared appreciation loan, selected applicants may receive up to 20 percent of the home’s purchase price or appraised value — whichever is less — with a maximum award of $150,000.

B USINESS D IRECTORY

The initiative specifically supports first-generation homebuyers. To qualify, at least one borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer, meaning neither the borrower nor their parents have owned a home in the United States. All borrowers must also meet the definition of first-time homebuyers, and household income must fall within CalHFA’s established limits for the county in which the home will be purchased.

By reducing upfront costs, the program aims to help families and individuals secure stable housing and build long-term financial security through homeownership.

More information about eligibility requirements and application details is available online at https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/dream or by calling (877) 922-5432.

Registration for the upcoming funding round will be open from February 24 through March 16, 2026. Interested applicants must register during this window to be entered into a randomized lottery process. Those selected will receive a voucher that can be applied toward the purchase of a home in California.

OPINION

Editorial: After the strikes on Iran, what comes next?

Julie Reeder Publisher

I spoke to a few Iranian Americans on Saturday who were rejoicing that the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. Saturday may be remembered as one of the most consequential days in modern Middle East history. Coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes, described as Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile systems, naval assets, and senior leadership, including reports of the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. For many watching around the world, particularly among the Persian/Iranian diaspora, the moment brought elation and long-held hope. People are again out in the streets in Iran, cheering both for and against the decision.

For those who supported President Trump because he avoided new wars in his first term, this is unsettling.

Apparently, Iran was again working to build its nuclear weapons as well as its traditional missiles, reportedly with assis-

tance from Russia and China, both of whom were also affected by the removal of Venezuela’s strongman, Maduro, last month.

After the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was not planning further invasions beyond Ukraine if Russia was treated with respect. One hopes this also discourages China from moving against Taiwan.

But history cautions that the end of a military phase is often the beginning of a far more complex political one. The essential question now is not what was destroyed, but what follows.

The strikes appear to have achieved significant tactical objectives: degrading nuclear breakout capacity, suppressing air defenses, and severing key command nodes of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Yet even as celebrations broke out in some diaspora communities, Iran retaliated within hours using ballistic missiles and drones against Israel and U.S. regional bases, with some impacts affecting civilian hotels, airports, and other infrastructure in neighboring countries.

Iran knew the U.S. and Israel did not act alone. It is being reported that Israel and Saudi Arabia coordinated militarily for this attack, an unprecedented development. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may also have provided intelligence support. Jordan intercepted some of the counter-missile strikes against Israel. It will be interesting to see whether this conflict ultimately works to unite parts of the Middle East.

Prior to the strike, President Trump invited 62 nations to join

his Peace Board, and 49 came to Washington, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Hungary, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. At least 30 joined or expressed strong support. While the group is primarily focused on rebuilding Gaza, participation also signaled strategic alignment with the United States. Iran has long been viewed as destabilizing among its neighbors, many of whom seek greater regional stability. Economic investment commitments from partner nations may also influence U.S. strategic priorities.

However, although many Iranian citizens have taken to the streets asking the U.S. to intervene, this moment demands sober clarity. Military success does not automatically produce political stability. Airpower can shatter regimes; it rarely builds successors.

Three broad paths now stand before Iran — none clean, none guaranteed, but each possible.

The first is regime survival through recalibration. Surviving clerical and IRGC elements could consolidate around a new figurehead and seek sanctions relief in exchange for concessions on nuclear and missile programs. Such an outcome would leave the theocratic system battered but intact — more cautious, perhaps more pragmatic, but fundamentally unchanged.

The second — and most hopeful — is internal collapse leading to transition. Sustained military degradation combined with mass defections and popular uprisings could overwhelm the Islamic Republic after 46 years of rule.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahla-

vi has outlined a transitional framework centered on reconciliation, economic stabilization, ballot boxes, and internationally supervised elections. If realized, it could open the door to a secular, democratic Iran reintegrated into the global community as it was before Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini led the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

The third is prolonged fragmentation: partial collapse without coherent leadership, spawning militias, insurgency, and regional destabilization. History offers sobering precedents — Libya after 2011 most notably — where regime decapitation did not yield national renewal but chronic conflict.

For many Iranians who fled the revolution, the current moment carries profound emotional weight. One Iranian-born resident who now lives locally and runs a successful business described watching events unfold overnight with a mixture of exhaustion and hope.

“I haven’t slept since it started,” he said. “Excited to see what happens. … Hopefully Iran gets back to a democracy and people can choose who they want.”

That hope is rooted in decades of exile and watching a homeland transformed. “These are all Islamists … that came there and brutalized the country and robbed the country,” the individual said of the ruling system. “That’s what we are hoping for — that people can choose.”

The diaspora’s optimism is matched by deep distrust of state narratives and information control inside Iran. “There was

a blackout on the internet,” the person said. “People don’t know what to believe.”

Such uncertainty underscores a core strategic truth: the decisive phase ahead will not be military but societal. External strikes can create opportunity — they cannot determine legitimacy.

U.S. messaging has emphasized that Iranians themselves must shape their country’s future. That principle is strategically sound. Durable change in Iran, if it comes, will arise from internal consent, not foreign imposition. No U.S. ground invasion is planned or politically feasible, and history suggests it would likely be counterproductive. Euphoria is understandable. For many, this moment feels like the first crack in a system long seen as immovable. But adrenaline fades. The enduring work begins afterward: governance, reconciliation, economic repair, and institution-building in a traumatized society.

Whether this moment becomes liberation, recalibration, or chaos will not be decided in Washington or Jerusalem. It will be decided in Tehran — and in the choices of millions of Iranians who have lived under the Islamic Republic and now face the possibility, however uncertain, of something beyond it. Tens of thousands have died. Many are still missing. History often rewards bold action. It favors even more those who plan for the day after. Hopefully, Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi can help lead a transition while elections are organized and the Iranian people choose a leader who will usher in freedom.

Recent Likud electoral success shows value of newspapers

Joe Naiman Special to Valley News

It is ironic that people are criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on social media.

I used the word ironic, not hypocritical. People have the right to criticize Netanyahu and Israel’s Likud government, whether that be orally, in print, or through social media. The irony is that the Likud government has recently been successful due to the benefits of less advanced technologies used by the political right.

I will spare the explanation of why Israeli Jews aren’t as predominantly politically liberal as their American counterparts. But when the Israeli political right became upset with the liberal media a right-of-center daily newspaper called Yisrael Hayom, which translates to Israel Today, was founded. Yisrael Hayom was founded in 2007, when daily newspapers were supposedly in

decline, and is still being published.

Israel’s Knesset, or parliament, tends to have coalition governments since no party tends to win an outright majority. Since the founding of Yisrael Hayom there have been instances in which no political party has been able to form a majority coalition and the office of prime minister is rotated during the four-year term – although in a parliamentary government a vote of no confidence results in new elections and the later prime minister doesn’t necessarily serve the full two years in that office – but Likud prime ministers have been in office for all but six months since the first election after the creation of Yisrael Hayom.

One must type in a specific Website to access an Internet media outlet. A political social media post must appear in the recipient’s feed to be read. Newspapers can be shared and distributed. Based on Israeli election results, Yisrael

Hayom seems to be more effective than digital political appeals due to a greater outreach potential for print media.

It is appropriate that mobile phones with Internet access are called smart phones since what we now call cell phones were something we laughed about on Get Smart reruns. Get Smart originally aired during the Presidential administrations of both Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon, so Maxwell Smart’s fictitious intelligence agency wasn’t a political statement.

In one Get Smart episode the intelligence agency’s office was bugged. The recording device was found in a dead plant. Maxwell Smart remarked that the bugging device was the reason the plant died, since it was a radio microphone. When asked to explain, he said: “Everyone knows that radio is dead.”

Maxwell Smart missed it by that much.

By the time Get Smart aired,

television had replaced radio as the primary airwave source of entertainment shows. Those who were already home and not listening to their car radios were utilizing television newscasts rather than radio news. That reduced radio dominance to music, radio talk shows, and sports broadcasts. Various elements of FM radio allowed those bandwidths to become more suitable for post-1960 music than AM radio. Music kept radio alive after television had taken over entertainment and evening newscasts.

America’s political right believes that many daily newspapers and television networks are biased. With AM radio having lost music to FM radio as well as having lost entertainment and nightly news to television, the AM stations turned to talk radio. The conservative talk radio shows became the preferred media outlet for the politically incorrect while providing listeners for the AM radio stations.

REGIONAL NEWS

Joe Naiman Special to Valley News

A 1,393-acre DeLuz area just north of the border of San Diego County and Riverside County is legally within the Western Municipal Water District service area, but Western has no infrastructure to serve the Rock Mountain Service Area properties. A Fallbrook Public Utility District waterline runs across the southwest corner of the Rock Mountain Service Area, and a temporary service agreement between FPUD and Western has allowed FPUD to provide service to one of the properties. Five other properties in the Rock Mountain Service Area are served by the Rancho California Water District rather than by Western directly due to a wheeling agreement between Western and Rancho Water.

FPUD is the most logical agency to serve the Rock Mountain Service Area properties, but in the past, the San Diego County Water Author-

ity, which has never included any land in Riverside County, provided wholesale water to FPUD. Now that the Eastern Municipal Water District is FPUD’s wholesaler, a reorganization in which FPUD would be the service provider to the Rock Mountain Service Area is less complicated. The various water districts have worked together on a solution, and on February 23 the FPUD board voted 5-0 to authorize FPUD general manager Jack Bebee to issue a letter of support for the reorganization, which would include detaching the Rock Mountain Service Area from Western and annexing the area into FPUD and Eastern.

In July 2023, San Diego County’s Local Agency Formation Commission approved a reorganization for FPUD and the Rainbow Municipal Water District to detach from the San Diego County Water Authority and join the Eastern Municipal Wa ter District contingent upon approval by the FPUD and Rainbow voters, who ratified those reorgani-

zations in November 2023. After the LAFCO decision, the SDCWA filed a lawsuit against LAFCO, FPUD, and Rainbow. The four agencies agreed to a settlement in December 2023. FPUD’s detachment from the CWA and annexation to Eastern became effective January 1, 2024. The Rainbow detachment could not be completed until after new pump stations allowed all Rainbow water to be taken from turnouts north of the delivery point, where the CWA takes over operation of the San Diego Aqueduct from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Those facilities have now been completed, and the Rainbow detachment was effective November 1, 2024. The Western Municipal Water District has a service area of 527 square miles and is a wholesale agency as well as a retail agency. In addition to providing water directly to retail accounts, Western also uses its MWD membership to provide imported water to the

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, the Rancho California Water District, the Temescal Valley Water District, the cities of Corona, Norco, and Riverside, the Jurupa Community Services District, and the Eagle Valley and Box Springs mutual water companies. Western serves customers directly in Eagle Valley, El Sobrante, Lake Mathews, Mission Grove, Orangecrest, Temescal Canyon, and Woodcrest, and portions of Mead Valley and Perris. In addition to the wholesale service to FPUD and Rainbow, the Eastern Municipal Water District provides retail service to Hemet, Menifee, Murrieta, Perris, Romoland, San Jacinto, Temecula, and Winchester. Eastern encompasses 682 square miles, including the FPUD and Rainbow wholesale areas.

Western, Rancho Water, Eastern, and FPUD worked together to identify the best way to provide service to the Rock Mountain Service Area. The four agencies agreed at a staff

Although one must specifically tune into a radio station to hear the commentary or other material, one can come across a station by movi ng the tuning knob to find another station. The ability to discover a talk radio show thus requires less initiation than accessing a specific Website or social media feed post.

When no outreach is involved, political argument functions as a debating society rather than as advocacy. The political right both in the United States and in Israel, has benefited from outlets not as modern as social media or Websites but with greater outreach potential.

The success of Yisrael Hayom when American mainstream media daily newspapers and even weekly magazines are shutting down shows that print media is not necessarily on the decline. The success of the Likud coalition in Israeli elections shows the value of newspapers even in the Internet and social media era.

level that the best option would be a reorganization detaching the area from Western and annexing the area into FPUD and Eastern.

A county’s LAFCO must approve any boundary changes, including annexations and detachments. San Diego County’s LAFCO and Riverside County’s LAFCO have agreed that Riverside County LAFCO will process the proposed reorganization. Eastern will be the lead applicant for the LAFCO reorganization process, while a subsequent agreement to cover processing costs may include FPUD funding a portion. The FPUD expenses will also include staff time, although the additional water service will likely recover all of FPUD’s costs for the reorganization. The Rock Mountain Service Area land is already within the MWD service area, so no MWD action will be required.

Joe Naiman can be reached at jnaiman@reedermedia.com.

‘I had a lot to live for’: Cancer survivor reflects on 60 years of resilience

Julie Reeder Publisher

For most, the teenage years are defined by a search for identity, but for Fallbrook resident Della Howarth, they were defined by a fight for survival. Howarth, now in her 70s, recently shared her lifelong journey of resilience, beginning with a devastating diagnosis at age 13 that would lead to decades of medical challenges and a unique outlook on the “joy of life.”

The odyssey began with a diagnosis of fibrosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. “It started when I was a kid, and I had cancer at age 13,” Howarth said. “I was diagnosed with a tumor. At first, they weren’t sure it was malignant, but it turned out to be.”

Over the next seven years, Howarth underwent seven major surgeries. The cancer returned three times, eventually necessitating a severe amputation. At age 14, she lost her leg below the knee, but by age 19, the cancer had spread to her hip and pelvis.

“They had to amputate all the way up past the hip and pelvis,” Howarth recalled, describing the procedure that removed her hip bone and pelvic structure to save her life. Despite being given only a 50% chance of survival at 19, she remained undeterred. “I said, ‘I’m 19 years old, and you’re offering me a chance to save my life? I mean, what are you waiting for? Let’s get busy.’”

Howarth’s medical history is what many would consider a series of miracles. Despite the aggressive nature of her surgeries and the loss of a limb, she became an avid swimmer and traveler. She spent 58 years using crutches – a feat she was told is nearly unheard of, as most users face physical burnout after 20 years.

in Fallbrook with her daughter.

“I’ve always amazed the doctors,” Howarth said. “’I’ve seen her X-ray, is that woman still active?’ And they’d say, ‘Yeah, she’s in the next room.’”

Her motivation was largely fueled by her daughter, Phaedra, whom she had shortly after her major surgeries, despite doctors believing a pregnancy was impossible given her physical condition. “She’s really all the kids I’ve got,” Howarth said. “I had a lot to live for.”

Howarth eventually moved from Los Angeles to Escondido’s

Redwood Terrace before settling in Fallbrook a year ago to live on her daughter’s ranch. Her professional life was as active as her personal one; she spent years as an English teacher and a tutor in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. A woman of deep faith, she remains an active member of the local church community in Fallbrook, often seen in the front rows of the First Christian Church. She views her survival and her disability as a platform to inspire others.

“There’s a reason why everything happens,” Howarth reflected, recounting a time she free-handed a steep climb in Yosemite to prove to onlookers what was possible. “I figured it was to deal with, you know, showing people that if I can do it, you can do it.”

Phaedra Kunze said of her mother, “She is a very courageous woman, and I’m glad to have her as my mom.”

While recent years have brought new challenges, including scoliosis resulting from her

initial surgeries and the transition to a wheelchair, Howarth’s spirit remains fixed on the positive. She is currently preparing to share a letter she wrote at age 19, titled “Journey to a Workshop,” which captures her mindset on the eve of the surgery that changed her life forever.

“I would only speak about the joy of life and the gift we have,” Howarth said. “Life is not easy. We all have trials. But if we realize we’re not really alone... we’ve all got to stick together.”

Daylight Saving Time returns: How the time change can disrupt your health

Dr. Kendra Becker, sleep medicine specialist

Kaiser

Permanente Southern California

In early March, most of the country will “spring forward,” moving clocks ahead one hour at 2 a.m. to mark the start of daylight saving time (DST). The shift brings longer daylight in the evenings, but the change may also have real effects on health and daily functioning.

In fact, even a one-hour disruption can throw off your internal clock, leaving many feeling sluggish, unfocused, and irritable in the days that follow. Research has also linked the transition into DST with several short-term health and safety concerns to be mindful of:

Disrupted Sleep Patterns: The sudden one-hour shift can interfere with your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep or wake up on time. Many people experience grogginess, reduced

concentration, and slower reaction times.

Increased Cardiovascular Risks: Studies have found a temporary rise in heart attacks and strokes for some people in the days immediately following the switch to DST. The stress of sleep loss and circadian misalignment may contribute to inflammation and cardiovascular strain.

Higher Accident Rates: Fatigue and reduced alertness can lead to more traffic collisions. Research shows a roughly 6% increase in fatal car accidents in the days after the springtime change.

Impact on Mental Health: DST can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety, particularly for those already sensitive to sleep disruptions. Mood changes and irritability are also common.

Reduced Performance and Productivity: The adjustment period often brings general fatigue, slower cognitive processing, and decreased productivity at work or school.

How to Prepare for the Time Change

To help ease the transition, it helps to take proactive steps in the days leading up to the switch:

Shift Your Sleep Gradually: If feasible, try going to bed 10–15 minutes earlier each night for a few days before DST begins. This slow adjustment helps your body adapt more naturally.

Keep a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day — weekends included. Consistency reinforces your internal clock.

Get Morning Sunlight: Exposure to natural light early in the day helps reset your circadian rhythm and makes waking up easier.

Reduce Evening Light: Limit screen time and bright indoor lighting before bed. Dimmer light signals your body that it’s time to wind down.

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Blackout

OAKLAND — Adolescents who use cannabis could face a significantly higher risk of developing serious psychiatric disorders by young adulthood, according to a large new study published today in JAMA Health Forum. The longitudinal study followed 463,396 adolescents ages 13 to 17 through age 26 and found that past-year cannabis use during adolescence was associated with a significantly higher risk of incident psychotic (doubled), bipolar (doubled), depressive and anxiety disorders. The study was conducted by researchers from Kaiser Permanente, the Public Health Institute’s Getting it Right from the Start, the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Southern California, and was funded by a grant

from NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The study analyzed electronic health record data from routine pediatric visits between 2016 and 2023. Cannabis use preceded psychiatric diagnoses by an average of 1.7 to 2.3 years. The study’s longitudinal design strengthens evidence that adolescent cannabis exposure is a potential risk factor for developing mental illness.

“As cannabis becomes more potent and aggressively marketed, this study indicates that adolescent cannabis use is associated with double the risk of incident psychotic and bipolar disorders, two of the most serious mental health conditions,” said Lynn Silver, M.D., program director of the Getting it Right from the Start, a program of the Public Health

Institute, and a study co-author. “The evidence increasingly points to the need for an urgent public health response — one that reduces product potency, prioritizes prevention, limits youth exposure and marketing, and treats adolescent cannabis use as a serious health issue, not a benign behavior.”

Cannabis is the most used illicit drug among U.S. adolescents.

The Monitoring the Future study shows use rising with grade level — from about 8% in 8th grade to 26% in 12th grade — and according to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 10% of all U.S. teens aged 12 to 17 report past-year use. At the same time, average THC levels in California cannabis flower now exceed 20%, far higher than

in previous decades, and concentrates can exceed 95% THC.

Unlike many prior studies, the research examined any self-reported past-year cannabis use, with universal screening of teens, rather than focusing only on heavy use or cannabis use disorder.

“Even after accounting for prior mental health conditions and other substance use, adolescents who reported cannabis use had a substantially higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders — particularly psychotic and bipolar disorders,” said Kelly Young-Wolff, Ph.D., lead author of the study and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. “This study adds to the growing body of evidence that cannabis use

during adolescence could have potentially detrimental, long-term health effects. It’s imperative that parents and their children have accurate, trusted, and evidence-based information about the risks of adolescent cannabis use.”

The study also found that cannabis use was more common among adolescents enrolled in Medicaid and those living in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods, raising concerns that expanding cannabis commercialization may exacerbate existing mental health disparities.

Submitted by the Public Health Institute and Getting it Right from the Start. For more information, visit www.phi.org