Valley News - May 29, 2026

Galway Downs Selected to Host Inaugural Championships

By Kaleigh Collett USEA Staff

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce that Galway Downs in Temecula, California, has been selected to host the first championships in the Western U.S. for the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program and Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) championships. The event, which will be hosted next year in 2027, will provide another opportunity for program members to compete with their peers, in addition to the existing USEA Intercollegiate & IEL Championships at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina on May 7-9, 2027.

“We are honored to have the next generation of event riders coming to Galway Downs for these Championships,” exclaimed Robert Kellerhouse, Galway Downs Equestrian Facility Manager. “Seeing the teams come together at Galway is going to be a blast, and we’re looking forward to giving them the best of what we have for their championships. The addition of the West Coast Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Championships is demonstrative of the commitment the western areas of the U.S. have to developing the future of eventing on the international scale.”

The idea of expanding the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships was originally introduced in 2019, and at the time, the Board challenged the Intercollegiate Eventing Committee to host one team challenge with at least six participating schools in the western U.S. before the request would be approved. Following several successful Intercollegiate and IEL Team Challenges in 2025, the USEA Board of Governors approved the creation of a West Coast champi-

see GALWAY, page A-7

Fast-Moving Verona Fire sparks back up in Riverside County, Prompting Mandatory Evacuations

lines, forcing a new wave of mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the Hemet and Homeland areas.

A volatile brush fire in Riverside County exploded to approximately 600 acres Tuesday evening after jumping control

The Verona Fire is burning at a “critical rate of spread,” according to evening updates from fire

Irma Castro Sada turns 100

Family and friends gathered April 18 at Emilio’s Restaurant in San Jacinto to celebrate the 100th birthday of Irma Castro Sada, honoring the longtime Hemet resident for a century of life, family and community ties.

Born in Eagle Pass, Texas, Sada moved to California in 1951 and lived in several cities before settling in Hemet in the summer of 1963, where she has remained ever since. She worked as a licensed vocational nurse at Hemet Valley Hospital until retiring in 1980.

Family members described the centennial celebration as a tribute to Sada’s enduring strength and devotion to her family.

“What an incredible journey, 100 years young and still shining in our eyes,” family members said. “Her life has been a beautiful story of love, strength and unwavering grace.”

Relatives also praised Sada’s role as the foundation of the family.

officials. The blaze more than doubled in size in less than 20 minutes Tuesday evening, rapidly escalating the threat to life and property. Officials reported that one civilian was affected, sustaining injuries of unknown

severity, though the individual declined further medical care. Additionally, one responding firefighter was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

TEMECULA - Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) and the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA) have issued a joint position opposing the proposed route of San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) 145-mile Golden Pacific Powerlink project, citing irreversible damage to regional tourism, agricultural preservation, and public safety.

The proposed 500-kilovolt overhead transmission line is currently slated to cut directly through iconic Southwest Riverside County corridors, including areas near state Route 79 South, Vail Lake, Galway Downs, and the Temecula Parkway via Temecula Creek. Tourism and wine industry leadership state that the industrial infrastructure will severely degrade the visual appeal

of the destination and introduce heightened wildfire risks into high-severity fire zones.

“Temecula Valley’s economy thrives on its reputation as a premier, scenic destination for wine tourism, outdoor recreation, and resort experiences,” said Chris Baily, Board Chair, Visit Temecula Valley. “Replacing our majestic landscapes with massive industrial towers compromises the very aesthetic that supports thousands of hospitality jobs and local small businesses. Furthermore, bringing high-voltage lines through wildfire-prone wine country presents a significant safety hazard to our residents, visitors, and historic agricultural lands.”

Both organizations emphasize that because the line is designed

purely for regional transmission to other utility territories, Temecula is being asked to bear severe environmental and economic liabilities without receiving any direct local benefit.

“Temecula Valley Wine Country is not only an economic engine for our region, but also a protected agricultural destination that families, visitors, and businesses have invested decades into building,” said Mike Rennie, Board President, Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. “Placing massive transmission infrastructure through the heart of wine country threatens the rural character, scenic beauty, and long-term sustainability that make this region so special. We strongly urge SDG&E and state decision-makers to pursue

alternative routes that protect our wineries, vineyards, residents, visitors, and wildlife from unnecessary environmental and wildfire risks.”

VTV and TVWA are formally calling on state regulators, local officials, and SDG&E to evaluate alternative routing options that bypass the delicate tourist corridors and agricultural heart of the Temecula Valley entirely.

share some of the finer things at Mary Henley Park in Hemet during last year’s

Diane A. Rhodes

Please contact BVOV Executive Director Stephanie Bruce at 916-969-2232 or visit www. blackvoicesofthevalley.org. Juneteenth

Black Voices of the Valley is busy organizing a two-day event to celebrate Juneteenth for guests to gather for a time of

culture and family fun. Family Park Day will be on June 19 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Mary Henley Park, 801 S. Kirby St., in Hemet. There will be a DJ, artists, food, a Kids’ Zone,

plus a beer and wine garden for the adults.

June 20 will feature a Concert in the Park event from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Golden Era Golf Course, 19871 Gilman Springs

Rd., in San Jacinto. Both events have free admission.

BVOV is seeking interested food and retail vendors for the June 19 event and food vendors only for the June 20 event.

2-Alarm Fire in Perris Displaces 3, Leaves Firefighter Injured

Three adults were displaced and a firefighter was injured Tuesday afternoon after a blaze broke out at a Perris home and quickly spread to adjacent buildings.

The fire was reported at 4:33 p.m. in the 300 block of East Third Street. First responders from the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department arrived to find a single-story, single-family dwelling heavily involved in flames.

Due to the intensity of the blaze, the fire quickly extended into a neighboring storage facility and a commercial structure. Officials immediately requested a second alarm to bring additional firefighting resources to the scene.

Crews successfully contained the fire. During the operation, one firefighter sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, according to an official statement from the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department.

Three adults were displaced as a result of the incident. The American Red Cross was requested to the scene to assist the residents with temporary housing and immediate needs. Fire resources were expected to remain on the scene for approximately two hours to ensure all hot spots were fully extinguished.

WILDOMAR

Wildomar approves design contract for Sedco Blvd. safety improvements, funding agreement for Sedco drainage line

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

The Wildomar City Council approved an engineering and design services contract for Sedco Boulevard road safety improvements while also approving a cooperative funding agreement for a phase of a Sedco drainage line.

A 5-0 vote May 13 authorized Wildomar’s city manager to execute a professional services agreement with MNS Engineers, Inc., for the Sedco Boulevard Roadway Safety Improvements Project and to execute the funding cooperative agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the design and construction of Stage 1 of Line C of the Sedco Master Drainage Plan. The contract with MNS

Engineers, which is based in Santa Barbara, is for $580,685 while the flood control district will contribute $1,476,883 for the drainage infrastructure.

Sedco Boulevard has a median along most of its length, and there are sidewalks along the segment between Mission Trail and Wildomar Road. The intersections at Crescent Avenue, Wildomar Road, and Lakeview Terrace are controlled by two-way stops but do not have marked crosswalks. The safety improvements will include adding Class II (striped as designated) bicycle lanes, widening existing sidewalks, adding approximately 325 linear feet of new sidewalk, and installing high-visibility crosswalk. Three roundabouts will be created between Mission Trail and Lakeview Terrace to encourage slower speeds.

In 2021 Congress passed and President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which includes Safe Streets and Roads for All grant funding for local jurisdictions to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries. In September 2022 the City of Wildomar applied for a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, and a grant agreement between the city and the Federal Highway Administration was executed in July 2024. The total grant amount of $2,218,531 covers environmental review, project design, right-of-way, and construction.

The project will also include the construction of the storm drain system. That stage will install approximately 1,000 linear feet of underground storm drain to convey 100-year storm flows and reduce flooding and debris

impacts. The flood control district will fund a portion of costs related to the design, regulatory permits, right-of-way, and construction for the storm drain.

The California Government Code requires professional services agreements to be awarded based on demonstrated competence and the professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required rather on the lowest price. City staff issued a solicitation for proposals October 1. Four fi rms responded by the November 13 deadline.

A review panel evaluated the proposals based on past experience with similar projects, understanding of the proposed work, detailed scope of work, and team qualifi cations. MNS Engineers was determined to be the most qualified firm to

Wildomar City Council approves Road Repair and Accountability Act list

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

The Road Repair and Accountability Act was passed by the state legislature in 2017 and raised the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon while raising annual vehicle registration fees by $25 to $175 based on vehicle value. The stipulations require that local governments submit a list of projects to be funded by Road Repair and Accountability Act revenue to the California Transportation Commission. On May 13 the Wildomar City Council voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution with the list

of projects to be funded by Fiscal Year 2026-27 Road Repair and Accountability Act revenue.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed a pavement condition index which utilizes a specialized vehicle with downward facing cameras to inspect roads and determine road condition. An index of 71 to 100 is considered very good, an index of 51 to 70 is considered good, an index of 26 to 50 is considered poor, and an index of 0 to 25 is considered very poor. The city’s average pavement condition index as of February 2026 was 67. Wildomar’s Public Works

department evaluates streets based on different criteria including pavement condition index, roadway priority, future overlapping projects, public input, and rehabilitation costs to determine which streets should be included in a specific road rehabilitation project for a given year.

The city’s estimated Road Repair and Accountability Act revenue for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is $981,270. The preliminary list includes resurfacing of The Farm Road from 100 feet south of Bundy Canyon Road to Citrus Hill, Harvest Way between Bundy Canyon Road and Citrus

Hill, Lemon Street from Mission Trail to Grape Street, Gruwell Street between Union Street and Grand Avenue, Cherry Street from Baxter Road to Canyon Drive, Almond Street between Canyon Drive and Wesley Street, Grand Avenue from McVicar Street to Jane Court, Raynor Street between Orange Street and the end of the city-maintained road, Wesley Street from Grand Avenue to Union Street, Clinton Keith Road between Hidden Springs Road and the eastern city limits, Bundy Canyon Road from Oak Canyon Drive to The Farm Road, and Mission Trail between

Wildomar to undertake streetlight installation

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

The City of Wildomar will be installing streetlights at various locations.

A 4-0 Wildomar City Council vote May 13, with Dustin Nigg absent, approved a recommendation for Phase 1 of a streetlight program and directed city staff to add the Phase 1 portion of the project to the city’s five-year capital improvement program. Streetlights will be added at 11 intersections and on non-intersection portions of eight streets. City staff have received nu-

100 from page A-1

Sada was joined by her children, Richard Sada and Irene Sada-Acton, along with their spouses, Carol and Scott. Also attending were her grandchildren and their spouses: Heath and Angel Sada, Serrena and Corey Carter, Joe and Denise Sada, Tanya and Scott Hawk, and Christian and Caitlin Sada. Four great-grandchildren — Benjamin

merous requests from residents and other community members for improved street lighting. The city’s Local Roadway Safety Plan identified specific intersections and other locations where the installation of streetlights would best enhance nighttime visibility and safety for motorists and pedestrians. City staff also met with Southern California Edison to understand the costs of the different rates, processes, and time required for coordination and design while also obtaining costs and estimates for the different streetlights being recommended for installation.

Carter and Destiny Rogers, Victoria Hawk, Brianna Sada and Maxwell Sada — also attended, along with numerous friends and neighbors. Jill Miller was unable to attend.

“It was our utmost pleasure to celebrate and honor this magnificent woman,” the family said.

“She is truly the matriarch of the Sada family.” Submitted by the Sada family

perform the services. During subsequent negotiations with MNS Engineers the scope of services was revised to move the bidding and award services, as well as Phase 2 of the storm drain improvements, from the base scope to optional tasks, which reduces the base fee for the Phase 1 design. Phase 2 of the storm drain work includes evaluating feasible alignment alternatives from Lakeview Terrace to the existing California Department of Transportation culverts near Interstate 15 including assessment of environmental permitting requirements, right-of-way acquisition, and potential impacts to Caltrans right-of-way. Phase 2 may be completed at a later date once funding is obtained and is not included in the current contract amount.

Malaga Road and Elberta Road. Road Repair and Accountability Act funding will also be used for chip seal or slurry seal treatment on various residential streets. The California Transportation Commission allows program changes. If the total costs exceed available funds rehabilitation for some streets may be rescheduled to a future fiscal year. Public input may also alter the final list which would be utilized for a construction contract.

Including materials and installation the expected cost range per streetlight is $1,700 to $2,500 for streetlights on existing SCE utility poles, $6,000 to $8,000 for solar-powered streetlights which would be owned by the city, and $10,000 to $12,000 for new streetlights on new utility poles. The analysis led to a staff recommendation and subsequent city council approval of an initial phase with streetlights to be installed on existing SCE utility poles.

Streetlights will be installed at the intersections of Almond Street and Walnut Street, Lemon

Street and Almond Street, Lemon Street and Gafford Road, Lemon Street and Grape Street, Lemon Street and Loquat Street, Lemon Street and Orchard Street, Mission Trail and Waite Street, Waite Street and Almond Street, Waite Street and Amberton Drive, Waite Street and Bonnie Lane, and Waite Street and Mojonnier Way. Streetlights will also be installed on Almond Street between Lemon Street and Waite Street, Almond Street between Canyon Drive and Walnut Street, Almond Street between the 34600 block and Grove Street, Catt Road between Avry Way and

Hidden Springs Road, Clinton Keith Road between Wildomar Trail and Elizabeth Lane, Grand Avenue between Corydon Road and Richard Street, Lemon Street between Mission Trial and Gafford Road, Mission Trail between Cordyon Road and Bundy Canyon Road, Mission Trail between Malaga Road and Corydon Road, Olive Street between Mission Trail and Mountain View Avenue, and Waite Street between Mission Trail and Orange Street.

The estimated cost range for Phase 1 is between $251,000 and $412,000.

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Hemet City Council declares Industrial Avenue property as surplus

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

The Hemet City Council declared a city-owned property in the 3700 block of Industrial Avenue to be surplus.

A 4-0 vote May 12, with Tom Lodge absent, adopted a resolution declaring the 10.00-acre parcel to be surplus land. The declaration does not convey the land to any entity but allows the city and interested parties to negotiate a real property transaction.

The city is exploring disposition options for the Industrial Avenue property along with the adjacent city-owned land at the northwest corner of Stetson Avenue and Sanderson Avenue which has already been declared

surplus. A commercial shopping center is expected.

“We intend for these to be developed as commercial projects,” said city attorney Steven Graham.

The eastern third of the “city yard” on Industrial Avenue is not currently utilized for any municipal purpose, and a transaction to acquire the Stetson/Sanderson property may also include that part of the city yard and potentially the entirety of the city yard.

A transaction may include the purchaser replacing the acquired property with land elsewhere.

“If someone is looking to acquire the property we have to replace the assets,” Graham said.

The option of selling either the entire Industrial Avenue parcel or only part of it provides the city and any buyer with flexibility to

evaluate access, site planning, marketability, replacement asset structuring, and related disposition alternatives. Under Section 54222 of the California Government Code a public agency disposing of surplus land must prior to disposing of that property send to the appropriate jurisdiction a written offer to sell or lease the property for the purpose of developing low-income and moderate-income housing, and a written offer to sell or lease the property must also be sent to a park and recreation department in the jurisdiction offering to sell or lease the land for park and recreational purposes or open space purposes. If the land is suitable for school facilities construction an offer must also be sent to all school

districts whose boundaries include the land. Section 54227 of the California Government Code stipulates that if more than one offer is received the local agency shall give first priority to the entity which agrees to use the site for housing for households of low or moderate income, except that the first priority shall be given to an entity which agrees to use the site for park or recreational purposes if the land being offered is already being used and will continue to be used for park or recreational purposes or if the land is designated for park and recreational use in the local general plan and will be developed for that purpose. (The exemptions in Section 54221 of the California Government Code include lands within 1,000 yards of a historical unit of the State

Hemet City Council adopts Vision Zero Initiative

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

In 2021 Congress passed and President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which includes Safe Streets and Roads for All grant funding for local jurisdictions to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The deadline to apply for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 funding was May 26, and on May 12 the Hemet City Council voted 4-0 with Tom Lodge absent to adopt the Vision Zero Initiative for the city. Applicants for Safe Streets and Roads for All funding must have an eligible action plan. The goal

of an action plan is to develop a well-defined strategy to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries in a locality, Tribal area, or region. A successful action plan includes seven key components: leadership commitment and goal setting, planning structure, safety analysis, engagement and collaboration, policy and process changes, strategy and project selections, and progress and transparency. Vision Zero action plans, local road safety plans, and Tribal transportation safety plans would meet the criteria if all elements are aligned with the U.S. Department of Transportation action plan objectives.

A Vision Zero action plan iden-

tifies priorities for roadway safety while also providing transparency and accountability to the public. The process of developing the plan is supposed to align stakeholders including agency staff and elected and community leaders. Vision Zero action plans should lay out actionable, measurable strategies emphasizing design and policy solutions including designing “complete streets” and lowering speeds for safety. Each strategy should identify the lead agency responsible along with supporting and partner agencies, a projected timeline, and budget needs. Work on the plan and its components should utilize continued community engagement.

The Vision Zero framework emphasizes freedom of choice in transportation modes and encourages residents to walk, bike, use transit, or drive safely while adopting alternative low-impact transportation options.

In April 2025 the city council approved a professional services agreement with Chen Ryan Associates, Inc., to develop a comprehensive citywide roadway safety action plan. An analysis based on data between 2020 and 2024 indicated 1,960 total traffic incidents with 1,670, or 85 percent, involving motor vehicles only while 192, or 10 percent, involved a pedestrian and 99, or 5 percent, included a bicyclist. The

Parks System or lands within 1,000 yards of any property listed on or determined by the State Office of Historic Preservation to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.)

“I sincerely doubt that a city yard in an industrial area will be interesting to affordable housing developers,” Graham said. “State law does not require us to comply with common sense. It requires us to comply with the process they adopt.”

The city council motion included directing city staff to take the necessary actions to comply with the California Surplus Land Act including the required notices and coordinating with the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

collisions included 171 which resulted in fatalities or severe injuries, and approximately 37 percent of those involved pedestrians and bicyclists.

The city’s plan will coordinate engineering, enforcement, and education. The safety enhancements will include reflective backplates on traffic signals and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure. The Vision Zero name reflects a desire to eliminate all traffic facilities, and the City of Hemet goal is to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2031.

Hemet City Council approves additional fire department turnout equipment

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

The Hemet City Council approved additional turnout equipment for the city’s fire department.

The city council’s 4-0 vote May 12, with Tom Lodge absent, approved an increase to the existing purchase order with Allstar Fire Equipment. Although the addi-

GALWAY from page A-1

onship, and the bid process for a host venue was opened in early 2026. The Intercollegiate and IEL programs have seen great success in recent years at the Championships at Stable View, which received over 260 entries this year, further supporting the expansion of offerings.

“The addition of the program championships on the West Coast has been a long time in the making, and I am thrilled to see the vision come to fruition for our Intercollegiate and IEL members,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “Robert Kellerhouse and his team at Galway Downs were fantastic partners for the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships, and we are sure that they will pour the same level of care and enthusiasm into this inaugural event next year.”

With the help of the team at Galway Downs, the camaraderie and traditions that make the Intercollegiate & IEL Championships so special will be introduced to West Coast competitors at next year’s event. Intercollegiate and IEL members that participate in 2027 will have the chance to compete as a team with fellow school-aged eventers for top honors and duel for bragging rights in the coveted Spirit Award competition. Galway Downs is sure to be a fantastic setting for this electric event.

The USEA will be requesting member feedback from all Intercollegiate and IEL members and team representatives in Areas IV, V, VI, VII, IX, and X before determining an ideal date for these championships in 2027.

tional amount is for $31,447.24, purchases exceeding $50,000 with a single vendor within a fiscal year require city council approval and the authorization amended the purchase order to allow up to $81,500 of overall expenditures with Allstar Fire Equipment.

Turnout gear is subject to regular wear and tear and must be

Galway Downs is willing and able to host the championships alongside their spring horse trials on May 14-16 or their fall FEI Eventing Championships on October 28-31 next year. Members can expect to receive a survey to record their feedback via email in June.

Any questions about the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program, the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL), or the upcoming championships in 2027 can be directed to Kaleigh Collett at KCollett@USEventing.com. To learn more about Galway Downs, please visit galwaydownsequestrian.com.

The USEA will continue to keep the membership informed as planning progresses for this exciting event. About the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program was established in 2014 to provide a framework within which eventing teams and individual competitors could flourish at universities and colleges across the country. Many events across the country offer Intercollegiate Team Challenges where collegiate eventers can compete individually or in teams with their fellow students. In Intercollegiate Team Challenges, each rider’s score is multiplied by a coefficient appropriate for their level to account for differences in level difficulty, and then the individual scores are added together to determine the team score. The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship is a capstone event for the program, which is held annually in the spring.

replaced periodically to maintain compliance with safety standards and manufacturer specifications.

“They get too contaminated over time,” said fire chief Cameron Phillips.

The fire department has an ongoing equipment management program which identifies the need to replace turnout gear for fire personnel. The fire department

uses Allstar Fire Equipment, which is based in Arcadia, for the procurement of turnout gear and related items and maintains a purchase order with that company.

Allstar Fire Equipment participates in cooperative purchasing agreements including the Sourcewell cooperative. The affiliation with Sourcewell will allow the city to obtain a 35 percent dis-

count on the turnout gear. The $31,447.24 will cover seven turnout coats and seven belted turnout pants. Seven sets of suspenders are included in the package; six of those will be 44-inch suspenders and one will be a 50-inch pair of suspenders.

The purchase order calls for delivery 60 to 75 days from the approval.

About the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) In August 2020, the USEA Board of Governors approved the creation of the USEA In

terscholastic Eventing League (IEL) as an official program of the USEA. The mission of IEL is to unite junior riders who are in the 5th—12th grade and provide a supportive community through which students can continue to pursue their riding interests. A group of junior members in the 5th—12th grade who share a common bond, such as the same barn, school, Pony Club, or other connection, can register with the USEA as an IEL Club. The USEA would like to

USEA/Veronica Green-Gott photo thank Bates Saddles, Gallagher’s Water, Kerrits, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Aiken Saddlery, AllStar Tents & Events, Horse & Country, Meybohm Realtors – Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt, Powell Asset Protection Agency, Sidelines, U.S. Equestrian, Wendel Mobile Equine, WeRideTogether, World Equestrian Brands, Young Rider Magazine, and 100xEquine for sponsoring the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program.

EVMWD approves support agreement with West Yost for salt and nutrient management plan

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District board approved a support agreement with West Yost for the district’s Elsinore Groundwater Management Zone salt and nutrient management plan.

The board’s 5-0 vote May 14 authorizes a $740,590 professional services contract to provide support for the implementation of the Maximum Benefit Salt and Nutrient Management Plan. The agreement covers support for Calendar Years 2026 through 2030, although post-monitoring activity creates a contract expiration date of July 31, 2031, and the contract includes a one-year option extension.

In 2012 the ambient total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations of the Elsinore Groundwater Management Zone exceeded the TDS objective by 10 milligrams per liter (mg/l), so there was no longer assimilative capacity for total dissolved solids and there never had been assimilative capacity for nitrates. In order to adhere to conditions of the district’s permit for recycled water use the district either needed to begin construction of costly salt offset facilities within two years or prepare a Maximum Benefit Salt and Nutrient Management Plan proposal to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). The proposal sought less stringent maximum benefit objectives for the Elsinore Groundwater

Management Zone which not only created assimilative capacity in the basin but also reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reduced costs without harming the beneficial uses of the basin.

West Yost was Wildermuth Environmental, Inc., in 2015 when the company provided project management, developed draft objectives and commitments, prepared a maximum benefit proposal letter to the RWQCB, initiated negotiations with the RWQCB, and developed a proposal to perform additional groundwater modeling to determine the projected ambient water quality for total dissolved solids. A final package to incorporate the new salt and nutrient management plan was submitted to the RWQCB in January 2020. The RWQCB

approved that plan in December 2021. The Maximum Benefit Salt and Nutrient Management Plan includes a maximum TDS standard of 530 mg/l, which will create 40 mg/l of assimilative capacity. The plan stipulates a nitrate limit of 5 mg/l. The district must prioritize recycled water use to maintain the levels before initiating any indirect potable reuse project, account for salt mitigation requirements from recycled water reuse in the watershed tributary to the Elsinore Groundwater Management Zone, implement the integrated resources plan, implement a salt offset project (which could include indirect potable reuse) to mitigate historical and ongoing salt liabilities, develop and implement a

monitoring and analysis program, and periodically report to the RWQCB. In April 2024 the EVMWD board approved a $254,190 contract with West Yost for the Lake Forest office of the company whose corporate base is in Davis to provide field monitoring, groundwater and surface water monitoring, cooperative data collection, and annual reporting. That contract covered Calendar Year 2024 and Calendar Year 2025.

The services provided in the new five-year contract include groundwater and surface water monitoring programs, the cooperative data collection program, and annual reporting.

Bowers achieves Ron Newman Cup at Frontwave Arena

Joe Naiman for the Valley News

Murrieta resident Sean Bowers is now the executive vice president of sports management for Frontwave Arena, he had been the San Diego Sockers general manager before taking the Frontwave Arena position which also involves the developmental league San Diego Clippers basketball team, and he is also the Sockers’ team president. The Ron Newman Cup is given to the Major Arena Soccer League champion, and the Sockers won the Ron Newman Cup for the first time since the team moved to Frontwave Arena by defeating the Milwaukee Wave in the Ron Newman Cup playoff finals in April.

“Winning our first championship in the new building is very

special,” Bowers said.

The Sockers moved into Frontwave Arena, which is in Oceanside, for the 2024-25 season. The Chihuahua Savage defeated the Sockers in the 2024-25 Ron Newman Cup finals. This year the Sockers won the MASL Shield for the best regular-season record (the MASL standings system gives teams three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime win, and one point for an overtime loss), and that also gave the Sockers a first-round bye in the playoffs along with home field advantage in subsequent rounds. The Sockers won both games against the St. Louis Ambush in the semifinals.

If arena availability permitted and the Ron Newman Cup finals were tied at a game apiece after the first two games a full third game rather than a mini-game

would decide the championship.

The first game of the finals was played April 22 in Milwaukee, and the Sockers won by a 5-4 score. The second game April 24 in Oceanside ended as a 7-2 Wave victory.

The deciding game was played April 27 at Frontwave Arena.

The Sockers never trailed, had leads of 3-1 after the first period and 7-1 at halftime, and won by a 10-3 margin.

“This was very special winning our first championship in Frontwave Arena,” Bowers said. “It’s been a long process.”

Bowers became the general manager of the Sockers in 2016.

The 2016-17, 2017-18, and 201819 teams all finished first in the Pacific Division but lost in the conference finals. The coronavirus outbreak ended the 2019-20 season prior to the playoffs.

The Sockers had no home games for the entire 2020-21 season as California did not allow spectators at events until April 2021. The Sockers won two overtime games in the first round of the playoffs and had two onegoal wins in the semifinals. The Ontario Fury also reached the finals. The first two full games were split, forcing a 15-minute mini-game which ended as a 2-1 Sockers victory for the team’s 15th indoor championship.

The Sockers also reached the 2021-22 Ron Newman Cup finals which began with a 6-3 win in Florida. A 4-3 victory at Pechanga Arena, which was the San Diego Sports Arena when Bowers first began following the Sockers, gave the team their second consecutive Ron Newman Cup. Due to attendance restrictions only 3,105 fans saw that

Sunday night game.

Attendance was not limited during the 2025-26 season other than the Frontwave Arena seating capacity of 5,500 for sporting events, so the 2025-26 Ron Newman Cup was also the first one in the Bowers management era without fan restrictions. “I think it’s kind of a whole new world now,” Bowers said.

The winner-take-all game

April 27 drew 3,860 spectators.

“It was a great crowd on a Monday night,” Bowers said.

“I think it’s a testament to the veterans we have on the team and also having some younger, newer players,” Bowers said of the Ron Newman Cup championship.

“It’s a really good mix of players, coaching staff, front office staff. It really came together at the right time.”

Anza Community Hall to serve as cooling center for June 9 planned power outage

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

The Anza Community Hall will open as a cooling center Tuesday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Anza Electric Cooperative’s planned day-long power outage.

“Southern California Edison has notified us of an outage to complete the work being performed on the feeder which is connected to our system at Mountain Center,” wrote AEC General Manager Kevin Short in a social media, text and email notification. “Their work was extensive, involving their infrastructure that feeds us from their substation. This replacement and reconfiguration work must be performed under an outage.”

The outage is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting until approximately 5 p.m.

During the downtime, the

Hot weather ahead: A little car care goes a

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

With summer heat settling into the region and travel season getting underway, vehicle maintenance becomes more important than ever. Long road trips, soaring temperatures and dusty back roads can put added strain on cars and trucks, making preventative maintenance a smart investment before the hottest months arrive.

Automotive experts say summer can be especially tough on vehicles. High temperatures place extra demands on engines, cooling systems, tires and batteries, while increased travel during vacation season raises the likelihood of breakdowns if routine maintenance is overlooked.

Checking fluids is one of the simplest and most important steps drivers can take. Engine oil; coolant; brake, windshield washer, transmission, clutch and power steering fluids should all be inspected and topped off if needed. Fluids and oils naturally break down over time, and harsh driving conditions can leave vehicles working harder than usual. Fresh oil and clean filters help engines run more efficiently and can improve overall reliability.

According to the National

Diane

Sieker Staff Writer

Cottonwood School in Aguan-

ga held a joyful outdoor bicycle giveaway Monday, May 11, celebrating students who have shown improvement in reading, math, social skills and attendance. The event took place under sunny skies on the school’s courtyard, where three brightly colored bicycles were displayed, ready to be awarded to hardworking youngsters.

Students earned tickets over the past several weeks through positive academic and behavioral achievements. The ticket jars filled quickly, reflecting the effort and enthusiasm Cottonwood students have been putting into their schoolwork. When the winning names were drawn, cheers and applause echoed across the campus from classmates, teachers, visitors and staff.

One moment, however, captured the hearts of everyone pres-

long way

ent. After the assembly ended, a young girl approached her new bicycle slowly, almost afraid to believe it was truly hers. Looking up with wide, hopeful eyes, she asked, “Do I really get to keep it?”

Her joy–pure, surprised and unforgettable–perfectly reflected the spirit of the program. Volunteers from the Jojoba Hills RV Community–who donated one of the brand new bicycles–were honored to witness such a meaningful moment and proud to support Cottonwood’s efforts to encourage student growth, confidence, and kindness.

Cottonwood staff expressed their appreciation for the partnership, noting that the presence of Jojoba Hills volunteers brings warmth, encouragement, and a sense of community connection that the students genuinely feel.

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

WEATHER from page B-1

Blotter

Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, overheating remains one of the leading causes of summer vehicle breakdowns. Drivers are encouraged to inspect radiator hoses and belts for signs of cracking, wear or softness before heading out on long trips. A failed hose or worn belt on a remote highway in triple-digit temperatures can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.

Air conditioning systems should also be checked before summer travel begins. Few things ruin a family trip faster than an AC failure during a drive through the desert heat. Mechanics recommend having the system inspected if cooling performance seems weaker than normal.

Tires deserve close attention as well. Heat causes tire pressure to fluctuate, and underinflated tires

can wear prematurely and reduce fuel efficiency. Motorists should check tire pressure regularly and inspect tread for uneven wear or damage. An alignment inspection may also be worthwhile, especially after a winter of rough roads and potholes that can throw suspension components out of adjustment.

Battery performance can also suffer in extreme temperatures. While many people associate dead batteries with winter weather, summer heat can be just as damaging. Having the battery tested before temperatures climb may help avoid getting stranded later.

Brake systems should not be overlooked. Grinding, squealing, vibrations, reduced stopping power or unusual noises can all signal the need for service. Experts recommend having brakes

HOME & GARDEN Sheriff’s

The Sheriff’s Blotter enables residents to know what criminal activity is occurring in their communities. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

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 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

May 16

areas of Anza, Lake Riverside Estates, Cahuilla and Aguanga from May 16 through May 22. 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 WeTip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909)987-5005 or https://wetip. com.

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

Shots fired–06:32 p.m., 5400 *** block Haupert Rd., Anza Vandalism–03:59 p.m., 4100 *** block Gassner Rd., Anza

911 hangup from cellphone–12:02 p.m., 5000 *** block St. Hwy. 371, Cahuilla

Civil dispute, 10:00 a.m., 5100 *** block Kearsarge Rd., Aguanga

Public disturbance–06:17 a.m., 4700 *** block Secret Falls Rd., Aguanga

May 17

Civil dispute–01:38 p.m., 5400 *** block Springs Trl./Indian Rd., Anza

May 18

Suspicious person–11:30 p.m., address undefined, Anza

Civil dispute–07:49 a.m., 5400 *** block Springs Trl./Indian Rd., Anza

Shots fired–04:59 a.m., 5800 *** block Yaw Rd., Anza

May 19

Suspicious vehicle–07:54 p.m., 4200 *** block Rolling Hills Dr., Lake Riverside

Shots fired–05:30 p.m., 6000 *** block Burnt Valley Rd., Anza

Trespassing–03:56 p.m., 3800 *** block Contreras Rd., Anza

Trespassing–02:10 p.m., 3800 *** block Contreras Rd., Anza

Civil dispute–01:45 p.m., 4100 *** block Terwilliger Rd., Anza

May 20

Suspicious person–06:09 p.m., 3800 *** block Bailiff Rd., Anza 911 call–01:00 a.m., 4900 *** block Indian Rock Rd., Lake Riverside

May 21

Grand theft–05:57 p.m., 4000 *** block Apple Ln., Anza, report taken

Incorrigible minor–05:50 p.m., address withheld, Lake Riverside

Suspicious vehicle–09:03 a.m., 5600 *** block Mitchell Rd., Anza

May 22

Unknown trouble–09:48 p.m., 5200 *** block Cahuilla Rd., Cahuilla

Assault w/ deadly weapon–07:20 p.m., 5900 *** block Bailey Rd., Anza, unfounded

Public assist–06:41 p.m., 5100 *** block Kearsarge Rd., Anza Assist other department–05:09 p.m., 4000 *** block Apple Ln., Anza

inspected promptly if any warning signs appear. Another often-forgotten task is cleaning the vehicle’s undercarriage. Mud, dirt and debris that accumulate during wet weather can harden underneath the vehicle and around wheel wells. In some cases, heavy mud buildup can even affect tire balance and create vibrations at highway speeds.

Before setting out on summer vacations, weekend camping trips or long desert drives, motorists are encouraged to give their vehicles a careful inspection or schedule a professional service appointment. A little preventative maintenance now can help ensure dependable transportation during the hottest months of the year.

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

Rose Care FUNdamentals June 2026

by Frank Brines, ARS Master Rosarian

You may have heard that a potentially “super” El Nino is forming in the Pacific this year. There’s no need to get nervous: It’s effects will likely come this winter and next spring, most likely consisting of:

• Above-average rainfall and more frequent storms

• Cooler, cloudier winter periods

• Increased flood-control activity

It’s worthwhile taking steps early to increase your property’s resilience against these potential threats. Most important is providing channels to move excess rainwater away from your home and garden.

Speaking of water, intense summer temperatures and low humidity are likely just around the corner, so ensure that you’re keeping your plants safe from heat damage and water stress. The strategies I will discuss here are:

Delivering water efficiently Keeping water in the soil using mulch

Allowing your roses a summer dormancy period

Delivering Water Efficiently: Installing the most efficient delivery system is one method to conserve water. Learning your garden’s soil type will help you make a decision on which system may work best and how much water to deliver at any one time. (Plants in pots are another story!) Sadly, now that your roses are fully leafed out and dominating your garden, it is difficult to install a new system. Best to do it right after the major pruning in late winter and early spring.

Typical mature, full-size hybrid teas in Southern California require about 6-9 gallons of water a week in moderate temperatures (i.e., 70s). As temperatures rise into the 80s, they require about 9 gallons per week. In the 90s, about 12+ gallons. A rose can hang onto life with much less, but it may become debilitated.

Drip systems are the most efficient way to deliver water because they don’t produce a spray that can be carried away by the breeze, and they deliver water slowly, so it soaks deep rather than running off. If you have a drip system, be sure it’s in good shape before you cover it with mulch! Open each irrigation valve one at a time and repair leaks.

I like Netafim products for their integrated pressure-regulating emitters that can be buried beneath soil or mulch without sucking in debris when the water flow stops. They offer a range of options for emitter spacing and flow rates. Find the information at netafimusa.com.

To estimate how long to run each system, multiply the number of emitters by their delivery rate (e.g., 1 gallon/hour), then divide by the number of roses. For example: if you have 40 emitters, each delivering 1 gal/hr., you deliver 40 gallons per hour. If you have 10 roses, that’s 4 gallons per rose. To deliver 12 gallons per week, run for one hour three times a week. That should work well in a typical loam soil. You want the water to soak down at least 12” for optimal rose health. Loam soil doesn’t allow water to just run through it, so irrigating for an hour at a time can be fairly efficient. On the other hand, if your soil is particularly sandy (water permeates more quickly) an hour may waste water, so run the system twice as often for half as long. You may need to adjust the timing and emitter distribution based on the performance of individual bushes.

Mulch: Mulch moderates the soil temperatures, retains moisture and allows it to spread throughout the root zone, discourages weeds, and (over time) enriches nutrients and biomass. I advocate a 3”–4” layer of mulch.

There are many materials you can use, but I recommend composted mulch, but you might experiment with a variety of materials based on what’s available. For example, some gardeners have access to pine needles. They provide a cool airy barrier and break down slowly to impart a more acidic soil environment which makes mineral nutrients more available to plants. Another material is any size of wood chip specifically intended as mulch; I recommend the finer cut forms. Possible drawbacks: If not specifically manufactured for garden use—as when a neighbor has tree waste chipped up—there is the potential for fungal growth to spread over the surface creating an impermeable mass. Also, as wood breaks down, it tends to rob the soil of nitrogen, meaning you have to feed more. I’m not an

advocate for dyed wood products. Hay presents problems with matting and literally becoming a wet blanket that reduces soil oxygen, something that roots and soil microbes need.

Whatever material you choose, I recommend that you not mix different types of mulch in any one garden bed. Also, be careful to NOT apply it on or over the bud union—that’s the place where most commercially available rose varieties are grafted onto “root stock” (it may look like a gnarled fist or bulge.) Leave a clear area around the base of the plant of about 12” diameter. (If you can maintain that distance, as your composted mulch disintegrates it won’t raise the soil level around the bud union and won’t cause the lower canes to develop lots of fibrous superficial roots.) Also, keep foliage pruned to at least 8” above the mulch layer to reduce infestations from pests like spider mites.

Summer Dormancy: Allow your roses to go dormant during the hot summer months to reduce their stress. You won’t miss out much because, when you allow roses to power through the summer, most blooms are of poor quality with burned petals and leaves.

To encourage summer dormancy, stop feeding established roses near the end of June but be sure to water them deeply. For your June feeding program, I suggest using a product with higher phosphate (the middle number if product uses the three N P K system) as it helps grow roots so the plant can better cope with the water demands placed by higher summer temperatures.

As blossoms fade, do not deadhead them: Remove only the petals and let the “hips” form. This suppresses new growth and flower formation, thus reducing demand for water. Remove fallen leaves and discard them along with the petals into your green yard waste bin—don’t compost them unless you know for certain that your compost pile reaches a sufficient temperature to kill pathogens! (It is always good practice to keep the garden clean in order to reduce fungal diseases and insect pests, particularly in hot dry weather.)

Do not remove sunburned see ROSES, page B-8

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

DIANE SIEKER,

JOE NAIMAN, Ind. Contractor

ROGER BODDAERT, Ind. Contractor

Advertising

JOSEPHINE MACKENZIE

CINDY DAVIS

Production FOREST RHODES,

ANZA EVENTS

Annika Knoppel can 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-Ranch-Foundation.”

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 951-923-6153. 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 Mixed Open Discussion Meeting – 6 p.m. Meeting based on AA literature. Thursdays at the Rancho California RV Resort small clubhouse. 45525 CA-79, Aguanga, CA 92536. Make a right turn before the security gate. The small clubhouse is on the right. No need to pass through the security gate.

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 951-763-4937 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 951-282-4267 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.

FICTITIOUS

OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS COPY IS A CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON FILE IN MY OFFICE. PETER ALDANA RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK. LEGAL: 4734

PUBLISHED: May 29, June 5, 12, 19, 2026

Payoff Line: (866) 645-7711 Ext 5318 QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION TS No.: CA-25-1029984-CL IDSPub #0314767 5/15/2026 5/22/2026 5/29/2026

OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER

ENTERTAINMENT

Country/rock musician, Mason Jopes, set to perform

June 6 at ‘Fallbrook Has Talent’

Bella Kent Special to the Village News

Old Country and Classic Rock musician Mason Jopes is scheduled to perform on June 6 at the inaugural Fallbrook Has Talent fundraiser. The event promises to be memorable, featuring four talented performers, delicious local food, and “exceptional drinks for exceptional gatherings.” The event supports two new non-profit organizations. (Go to https:// fallbrookhastalent.org/ or https:// NorthCountyHasTalent.org)

Mason Jopes’ talent is vast. He can play more than ten different instruments, including the guitar, bass, drums, bagpipes, and banjo. He regularly writes and records music, both individually and in a band, and has a passion for using it to connect with audiences and the community.

Jopes said, “I feel like there’s so much negativity in the world, and a lot of things drive people apart. And I feel like the one constant that I’ve seen is music, and that there’s very, very little division when it comes to music and people. Cause there’s something for everyone. It may be different types of music, but it’s all the same thing. It’s all music.”

Fallbrook Has Talent is hosting, alongside Jones, the 4 Keys, Waylon Cash, and Faith Michael Romo. The event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at White Horse Ranch, a beautiful 10-acre private ranch being donated for the worthy cause. While all VIP

CENTER from, page B-1

Community Hall will offer device charging stations, free ConnectAnza Wi-Fi, and a cool place for residents to work, relax or visit with neighbors. Hot dogs, chips, cookies, lemonade and water will also be available for community members throughout the day.

Power service in downtown Anza will not be interrupted.

“Our microgrid system will maintain service to the circuit feeding our downtown business area during this outage, enabling businesses to remain open to service our community,” Short advised. “Please plan ahead, storing water and other supplies for use during the planned outage hours. If you choose to use a standby generator, please be sure to connect it to your loads safely.”

According to Short, this work will greatly improve SCE’s service reliability and capacity for AEC by enabling connectivity to a backup circuit quickly in

tables have been sold out, general admission tickets are still available for $75 while they last. Fallbrook’s own Firehouse Que & Brew is catering the memorable evening. Alcohol is being provided by Bonsall Fine Wine and Spirits and Backdraft, and it’s being served by Rise and Revel.

All ticket sales will close on June 5,but donations will be accepted at any time! Canece & Co., is managing the event and the Village News is also a sponsor.

One of the event beneficiaries is Whiskers & Tails, a local nonprofit boutique dedicated to improving animal welfare and supporting community care. The other is Mentoring for Purpose, a nonprofit that helps students, adults, and veterans discover their unique strengths and develop valuable career skills.

Mentoring for Purpose began with a small group of adults passionate about investing their time and energy into helping students reach their full potential. Through hands-on mentorship and real-world experience in writing, photography, videography, digital marketing, social media, journalism, and other professional skills, participants gain confidence, purpose, and opportunities for future success. Working together as a team, they learn to make meaningful contributions to their community while building lasting relationships with mentors and peers.

By attending this event, guests will not only enjoy an unforget-

the event of equipment issues on their primary feeder to the Cooperative.

Built in 1949, the historic Anza Community Hall continues to serve as both a centerpiece of downtown and a gathering place during emergencies, celebrations and community events. The longtime landmark remains active through the efforts of dedicated volunteers and local nonprofit organizations that help maintain the facility for future generations.

“Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we continue to cooperate with SCE to better serve our members’ needs,” Short said.

The Anza Community Hall is located at 56630 Hwy 371 in downtown Anza. For more information contact Pebbles Lewis at (951)760-9244 or the Anza Electric Cooperative at (951)763-4333.

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

table evening but will also help support two organizations dedicated to changing lives—both human and animal—right here in our community.

Jopes, who was born and raised in Fallbrook, is excited to support the cause. He’s returning from Flagstaff, Ariz., where he attends a school for firefighting, to repay support to the Fallbrook community, which has supported him in the past.

Jopes said Fallbrook gave him his start as a musician, stating, “It really kind of opened doors that, like, I was just some kid who played the guitar and sang a little bit, and it was good enough to play at a little small town bar. And through that, it just completely exploded.” He’s performed at village favorites including Harry’s Sports Bar, Casa Estrellas,

the Red Eye, Vineyard 1924, Ringers, and more.

For Mason Jopes, his hometown performance represents community, career growth, and the opportunity to give back to both old and new audiences. To participate, go to https:// FallbrookHasTalent.org or https://NorthCountyHasTalent. org

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Bob Garver Special to the Valley News

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” is coming at an interesting time in the history of “Star Wars.” It is a test to see if the franchise’s recent success on the small screen can translate to blockbuster status on the big screen. I have not seen “The Mandalorian” streaming series on Disney+, though I know of its massive success. I could even imagine a world where a “Mandalorian” movie makes enough money to have a legitimate place alongside classic installments like “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” That world just isn’t this one, not with this movie that nearly put me to sleep.

The movie follows Din “The Mandalorian” Djarin (voiced and played in “face scenes” by Pedro Pascal), a helmeted human bounty hunter who resembles, but is not related to, beloved franchise character Boba Fett. His young apprentice is Grogu, a non-speaking alien who resembles, but is not related to, beloved franchise character Yoda. I’m sure the origin of the team-up is explained in the series, but for now all I need to know is that that they are a team.

The opening moments of the movie follow The Mandalorian and Grogu as they take out a leftover Empire loyalist (Hemky Madera) running a protection racket. The sequence is filled with action, comedy, and visual spectacle on a level that the rest of the film lacks. I’ve heard some critics saying that this film could have been a few episodes of television, I’m saying that everything after this sequence could have been cut and the whole thing could have been a short that plays in front of another Disney feature. I know it’s wishful thinking, but it could have added some much-needed incentive to see a fledgling effort like… “Wish,” come to think of it.

The rest of the story follows the team as they’re sent on a mission by their employer (Sigourney Weaver) to capture another Empire henchman who has thus far escaped justice. This person’s identity is known only to the deplorable Hutt family, and Jabba’s twin siblings won’t give up the information for free. Mando and Grogu first have to rescue Jabba’s son Rotta (Jeremy Allen White) and return him to his aunt and uncle. It turns out that Rotta has carved out a nice little life for himself on another planet as a gladiator of sorts fighting for unscrupulous promoter Janu Coin (Jonny… Coyne is the actor’s name), and he doesn’t want to leave. The “rescue” mission is going to have to be more of a “capture.”

At first I liked the adorable, Force-enabled Grogu so much that I wondered if the movie even needed The Mandalorian. Around the two-thirds mark, I got my answer when Mando was incapacitated for a stretch. The answer is that yes, the movie very much

leaves because they provide shade for the cane which can be damaged or killed by sunburn!

(See the images of sun and heat damaged blooms and leaves.)

In summary, during July and August:

Do not feed

Make sure your water delivery system is operating efficiently

Apply 4” of mulch over the entire bed

Remove petals as flowers mature

• Do not prune or cut back: Allow hips to form

• Leave burned leaves on the plant

Potted plants will require more diligent attention to what they are experiencing during this period. Learn to listen to your plants and observe their reaction to the elements.

Summer Pests: Summer heat brings with it a host of diseases. This is perfect weather for rust, the spores that form on the undersides of leaves and looks like rust on metal (as its name implies). Since it begins on the lower leaves it can go undetected before you discover it is present. Remove each leaf by cutting it off close to the cane to minimize the spores falling onto other leaves and the ground. Spores on the ground can easily be splashed back upon the leaves if irrigating

needs The Mandalorian, because with just Grogu, this movie fell apart. Bless the writers for trying to give him a solo arc and the puppeteers for trying to make him sympathetic, but he just does not have a mode other than “cute.” He works in small, scene-stealing doses, but anything more than that is a mistake.

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” is every action movie you’ve ever seen about a shady hero dealing with shadier secondary players, including, but not limited to, other “Star Wars” movies. Except it doesn’t quite have the ambition of other “Star Wars” movies. There’s too much blandness to the settings and periphery characters. I can see where Disney thinks this property is “too big”

with other than a drip system. Giving your roses a strong blast of water from below can help rinse off rust spores before they can germinate and infect the plant. This can also reduce spider mite populations. Western Thrips continue to be a terrible problem. These tiny insects love to get inside the blooms and suck the juice out of the petals, beginning on the outside petals, causing them to lose substance and preventing blooms from opening. Damage is easy to see on light-colored roses: small brown spots on petals and/or edges. Open an affected blossom: Thrips look like tiny hopping fleas running around inside. Clip off and promptly dispose of infested and spent blooms, as well as litter on the ground. The dreaded Chile Thrip is even smaller and more damaging. It attacks blooms and tender foliage and has been detected on other plants as well. Immediately cut out stunted, distorted, deformed, and/or “bronzed” new foliage, buds, blooms, and fallen leaves. There are available products for treating; read the labels carefully so you buy the product you need for the problem. I cannot endorse products here.

[insert my photo, “Chili thrip damage 2.jpg”]

As if all of the above isn’t enough, spider mites are a major

destructive pest. They are not insects but more closely related to spiders. They are hard-to-see because they live on the underside of leaves and rasp the tissue. Left alone they can quickly defoliate a bush. Heat increases their reproduction. Look for loss of color on tender green leaves in the middle part of the leaf, webbing, and purplish yellow on more mature leaves and in severe cases. Because spider mites over-winter in soil and migrate to the undersides of the lower leaves, an infestation may often go unnoticed until severe damage has been done. A quick light brushing of the underside of the leaf with your finger will readily support your suspicions: The surface will feel like it’s covered with a fine grit. As mentioned earlier, a strong spray of water from underneath and a water shower from above to rinse off the dislodged mites may be sufficient to correct the problem—if the population isn’t too large. To help prevent a complete infestation, remove all leaves within 8”–10” of the soil surface.

Note: I’ve also experienced Botritis (a fungal disease caused by moisture usually on the bud of blossoms) causing blossoms to not develop. The main symptom is red spots or splotches on the blossoms. Sadly, the best control option is to cut off the affected

for television, but I can’t say this movie is theater-worthy, at least on the level that a “Star Wars” movie should be. It’s stuck awkwardly between the two tiers of entertainment hierarchy. I’m sure there will be another movie, and I encourage the creative team to step up their efforts (it won’t take much, just a few extra flourishes) so that film can unmistakably belong in theaters.

Grade: C

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action. Its running time is 132 minutes.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.