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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINORE , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES May 29, 2026
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Galway Downs Selected to Host Inaugural Championships
Volume 26, Issue 22
Fast-Moving Verona Fire sparks back up in Riverside County, Prompting Mandatory Evacuations
By Kaleigh Collett USEA Staf f
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 champisee GALWAY, page A-7
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Two men stand and watch as the fast moving Verona Fire threatens their properties. Valley News/Brian Briggs Photos By Brian Briggs Story by Kaliegh Murphy A volatile brush fire in Riverside County exploded to approximately 600 acres Tuesday evening after jumping control
lines, forcing a new wave of mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the Hemet and Homeland areas. The Verona Fire is burning at a “critical rate of spread,” according to evening updates from fire
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.
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. see 100, page A-5
Castro sadie’s family celebrates with her as she turns one hundred years old
OPINION
Temecula tourism and wine leaders unite in opposition to proposed SDG&E Powerlink route 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. Media Contact: Norma Marlowe Director of Public Relations Visit Temecula Valley norma@visittemeculavalley.com www.visittemeculavalley.com