City Council Approves Alcohol Sales at Fall Festival

August 18, 2016, 2:31 am

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An estimated 5,000 people attended last year's alcohol-free Fall Festival. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Editor's note: The Menifee Fall Festival & Oktoberfest, sponsored by the City of Menifee and Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, should not be confused with the Menifee 24/7 Truck or Treat HallowFest, presented by RE/MAX Diamond. They are separate events with separate sponsors on two different weekends.

The Menifee City Council Wednesday night approved an agreement with the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce on the sharing of revenue from vendors at city-sponsored events, at the same time approving the sale of alcohol at a Beer Garden planned for the Oct. 29 Fall Festival.

Robert Lennox, community services director for the City, told council members that the city was an "unofficial partner" with the Chamber on special events last year and that the proposed Memorandum of Understanding was intended to formalize that partnership. In his presentation, Lennox said that revenue from vendor booth fees at special events would be split, with the Chamber receiving 70 percent and the City 30 percent. At events where alcohol sales are approved, the split would change slightly to 60-40.

Special events included in the partnership would be:

-- Fall Festival in October
-- Christmas Tree Lighting in December
-- Spring Fest in April
-- Music & Arts Festival in May
-- Movies in the Park in July/August
-- Summer Concerts, June through August

The action recommended by staff for council consideration included two parts:

1. The Memorandum of Understanding on revenue sharing.

2. A decision on whether alcohol should be sold and served at city-sponsored special events.

Item No. 1 was unanimously approved with little discussion. The bulk of the discussion centered around the second item regarding alcohol sales.

Three people from the audience spoke in favor of the approval of alcohol sales, speaking specifically about plans already being made for a Beer Garden at the Fall Festival & Oktoberfest. These included Chamber of Commerce board members Karen Nolan and Stu Blaze and Grace Santiago, representing Mason Jar Brewery of Menifee.

"There won't be hard alcohol -- only beer and some wine," Blaze said. "The Beer Garden will be fenced off at the opposite end from where children's activities are. There will be limits on the amount of alcohol sold to each person."

Representing Menifee 24/7, Kristen Spoon told council members that the local news organization's intent when creating a Halloween Festival in 2013 was to provide a family friendly environment with the priority being a children's costume contest and trick or treating. No alcohol was served at the Menifee 24/7-sponsored events in 2013 and 2014, nor last year, when Menifee 24/7 partnered with the City of Menifee and moved the festival from Wheatfield Park to Audie Murphy Sports Park.

Spoon said Menifee 24/7 left its partnership with the City for the 2016 festival after the Chamber of Commerce was allowed into the group and planned the Beer Garden, with approval from the community services department. Citing concerns about having alcohol sold at an event that includes a children's costume contest and trick or treating, Menifee 24/7 has returned its event to Wheatfield Park and has rebranded it as the Truck or Treat HallowFest, in partnership with realtor Cynthia Nemelka of RE/MAX Diamond. That event, which will feature the traditional costume contest, vendor booths and about a dozen food trucks, will take place Oct. 22.

Council member Lesa Sobek spoke out against the idea of alcohol sales at the Fall Festival, saying, "I don't have a problem with alcohol at city events, but I believe it would be a problem at an Easter event or Trick or Treating event. What would you say to the message we would be sending to the youth at a children's event?"

A motion by Sobek to send the item to the Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission for further consideration failed 3-2, primarily because of council members' concerns that the delay would adversely affect plans by the Chamber and City for this year's Fall Festival. Ultimately, the Council voted 4-1 to approve alcohol sales for the Fall Festival and to send the item to the Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission regarding a policy for alcohol sales at other special events. Sobek was the only opposing vote.

"People should have choices," said council member Matt Liesemeyer. "I've thought long and hard about this and the burden it places on my shoulders if a parent doesn't handle this responsibly. But I believe it can be monitored and it's something a large majority of the city would enjoy.

"It's also an opportunity to showcase one of the businesses in the city," he said, referring to Mason Jar Brewery.

Mayor Scott Mann said he was "concerned about having a set policy just for the Fall Festival, but it might be prudent to approach the policy generally by sending it to the Parks Commission. Let's move forward with the Fall Festival as planned and send the rest to the Parks Commission for consideration."

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Carnitas Express Offers Great Discounts!

August 18, 2016, 11:58 am

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Council Approves Ballot Language in Favor of Tax Increase

August 19, 2016, 2:44 am

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A large crowd attended the Aug. 3 meeting when a ballot measure proposing a 1 percent sales tax increase was approved. Menifee 24/7 photo

The Menifee City Council Wednesday night unanimously approved language for the argument in favor of a November ballot measure seeking voters' approval of a city-wide 1 percent sales tax to fund public safety and vital city services.

The decision to place such a measure on the Nov. 8 ballot was unanimously approved at the City Council's Aug. 3 meeting. Wednesday night's action approved the actual wording of the argument in favor of Measure DD, as recommended by the public safety committee.

Here is the complete wording of the argument that will published in the Voter Information Guide in favor of Ballot Measure DD, as read by city manager Rob Johnson during Wednesday's meeting:

Vote yes on DD. Protect Menifee’s public safety and vital community services from Sacramento money grabs. Sacramento politicians have taken $21 million from Menifee over the past five years. Stop the money grab.

Yes on DD keeps our taxpayers’ dollars local to address our needs. We live in Menifee because it offers a great quality of life. Yes on DD maintains local services we expect and deserve, requiring every dime to be used for our benefit. None of Measure DD funding can be taken by Sacramento politicians.

Yes on DD keeps funds local. Yes on DD maintains 911 emergency response. Yes on DD maintains local streets and roads and repairs local interchanges and overpasses. Yes on DD improves traffic flow. Yes on DD maintains local police, fire and emergency services.

Here’s what Measure DD won’t do. Measure DD is not a tax on your home or property. Measure DD is not applied to food purchased as groceries or prescription medications.

With crime from surrounding communities increasing, we must maintain police protection and the number of officers on our streets. Yes on DD will keep Menifee safe by restoring the number of police officers we need to be full force. Yes on DD also addresses our street infrastructure and traffic flow. If you’re tired of spending hours stuck in traffic, vote yes on DD to expand interchanges and build overpasses to reduce traffic congestion and make our streets and roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Yes on DD keeps Menifee a desirable place to live, work and visit by ensuring our public safety, roads, parks and other vital services are maintained. Yes on DD includes tough fiscal accountability with independent financial audits and public review, ensuring funds are spent responsibly.

Join a unanimous City Council and Menifee residents in voting yes on DD.

City officials acknowledge that Menifee is far short of the police services needed from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, with which it contracts. Currently, 64 percent of the city's general fund goes to public safety, yet city officials say more funding is needed to maintain and add to the police force.

As the ballot measure language and argument show, however, the sales tax increase would also fund fire and other emergency services as well as maintenance of local streets, freeway interchanges and overpasses.

A staff presentation at the Aug. 3 meeting included a report by Adam Sonenshein of Fairbank, Maslin, Maulin, Metz and Associates, which was contracted by the city to conduct a survey of registered voters regarding the proposed sales tax increase. Approximately 700 registered voters were contacted in a phone survey. According to Sonenshein's report, 72 percent of those polled supported a measure funding "vital city services."

In a survey of nearly 500 readers conducted by Menifee 24/7, the response was nearly the opposite. Of those responding, 62 percent said they would not be in favor of such a sales tax increase.

Fitness 19 Special Deals Last Throughout August

August 19, 2016, 11:32 am

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951-679-0019
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Menifee

Rift Between City, Valley-Wide Starts to Get Nasty

August 19, 2016, 12:34 pm

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Dean Wetter, general manager of Valley-Wide, addresses the Menifee Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission Thursday night. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

On Nov. 10, members of the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission will determine whether Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District will lose its presence as a maintenance organization in Menifee, giving full control to the City.

Referring to the City's preparations to argue its case for such a detachment from Valley-Wide, Menifee mayor Scott Mann asked Community Services Director Robert Lennox at Wednesday's City Council meeting whether he believed the department had satisfied LAFCO's directive to "demonstrate an ability to run our own parks department."

Lennox's response: "Emphatically, yes."

There are those who would beg to differ -- led, understandably, by representatives of Valley-Wide, which has served Menifee residents on the east side of Interstate 215 for 27 years. How emphatic are they in their objection to the way the Community Services Department has conducted business since its creation in 2014? Well, consider the comments made by one Valley-Wide official during Thursday night's meeting of the Menifee Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission.

"Over the past year and a half, I've observed a troubling trend, in my opinion," said Matt Duarte, a Menifee resident and president of the Valley-Wide board of directors, during the public comments portion of the meeting. "During that time, your director, Mr. Lennox, has demonstrated himself capable of accomplishing one singular task -- blaming other people. First he blamed the county, then it was Valley-Wide, then contractors, and now we're back to Valley-Wide.

"The City has a problem with its general fund and wants to raise taxes. How about instead, dissolve Mr. Lennox's department ... we would be better served spending that money on police rather than a department that creates this type of red tape for our community."

The latest source of contention between the City and Valley-Wide was a subject of Thursday night's meeting -- a discussion item regarding the City's decision in early July to issue a notice of violation and Stop Work Order on Valley-Wide's project to retrofit water lines on parkways along Newport Road with recyclable water lines and replace turf with drought tolerant landscaping. That story was reported in Menifee 24/7 on Aug. 9. These parkways, which motorists passing by can't miss because of the dead grass, are one of several areas in which the issue of authority between the City and Valley-Wide is under question.

Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District is an independent special district established by the state legislature, but Valley-Wide general manager Dean Wetter said it is not a branch of state government. The sometimes confusing connection between this special district and a recently incorporated city appears to be clouding the issue. What's even more confusing is trying to figure out whose fault the latest area of contention really is.

Wetter was invited to Thursday night's meeting to present a response to the City's latest requests for modifications to the retrofit project. In his remarks prior to Wetter's comments, Lennox stated that Valley-Wide receives $3.7 million in taxes from local residents in the areas in question and that although Menifee represents only about 1.7 percent of the district's total geographic area in Riverside County, it collects about 40 percent of its total revenue in Menifee.

Getting into specifics of the retrofit project, Lennox said Valley-Wide was slow in responding to the City's second plan check, forcing the City to order the project stopped because of various unapproved work -- all this as grass, trees and plants continue to die, raising the ire of homeowners in the affected Menifee Lakes community.

Lennox cited a disagreement regarding who has authority over what he said is 44,000 square feet of land along those parkways that are Menifee Lakes Master Association property and not Valley-Wide jurisdiction. He said the City's interpretation over which areas of the parkways are actually the HOA's responsibility would shift additional cost to the residents -- an argument Valley-Wide officials believe is simply a tactic to delay the project and make Valley-Wide look bad heading into the LAFCO hearing.

"Some of Mr. Lennox's factuals were a little selective," Wetter told commission members. "About the 40 percent revenue within a district that's representing only a certain small percentage of the total district ... factually, this is correct. Our revenues come from community investment and financing, so where the improvements are is where we spend our time and efforts."

Regarding efforts to resolve the differences regarding the landscape plans, Wetter said, "We've had Valley-Wide's legal counsel reach out directly to the City's legal counsel and to my knowledge, phone calls have not been returned." He mentioned other City requests and actions he considered unnecessary.

"I can't help but deduce that this is a stall tactic to make Valley-Wide look bad during the detachment process," Wetter said.

Commissioner Rick Croy (right) told Wetter he believed "communication on your end to the city has been extremely poor. I know it's a 'he said, she said', but I don't know why we are looking at hundreds of dying trees out there. A responsible organization wouldn't let that happen."

In response to questioning by commissioner Tom Giedroyce about specific areas of contention within the landscape project, Wetter mentioned two plan changes that Valley-Wide has agreed to, leading Giedroyce to say "it sounds like you are making progress in the right direction and that the project should soon be able to move forward."

Wetter said Valley-Wide has been invited to a meeting with the City and Menifee Lakes HOA regarding the financial implications. Lennox said a date for such a meeting has not been set.

In his comments, Duarte suggested as a possible solution that the HOA agree to indemnify the City from any claims resulting from use of the land, creating no additional expense to homeowners. Ultimately, however, commission members chose not to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the Stop Work Order, instead voting to simply take the information as a "receive and file" item.

That was just another example of the way City officials have mismanaged the situation, Duarte told Menifee 24/7 after the meeting.

"It's so frustrating," Duarte said. "We're begging for solutions. For them to just receive and file the item with no recommendation ... that's a 'do nothing' approach."

Duarte said he felt the City's decision to create a Community Services Department in 2014, hire Lennox and build a department that now includes approximately 11 full-time employees with a department budget of about $790,000, according to city documents -- all before the detachment from Valley-Wide was to be considered by LAFCO -- was an inappropriate and costly way to force LAFCO's hand and eventually rule in the City's favor.

"I thought a year and a half ago, when Robert was hired, it was putting the cart before the horse," Duarte said. "They hadn't even decided what they were going to do with that side of the freeway. Then when the council decided to contract with Valley-Wide (on the west side of the freeway; action that was later reversed) ... I don't even know what Robert was doing during that time. This is a path they started down a long time ago, but that doesn't mean you just keep going down that path."

In response to Duarte's comments, Lennox today told Menifee 24/7 "it is the City’s preference to not respond to any personal character attacks as it does not assist with the swift and fair resolution for our residents." He also made reference to a comment made by Commissioner Bill Zimmerman during Thursday's meeting that some of Duarte's personal remarks about Lennox were counterproductive and unprofessional.

"The progress and accomplishments of the Community Services Department speak for themselves," Lennox wrote in an email to Menifee 24/7. "As evidenced in the Department’s recently published Annual Report, Menifee tax dollars are being invested wisely and working to enhance the quality of life for all who live here. The Department’s programs served over 93,000 participants and 1,100 volunteers in fiscal year 2015-16."

Lennox referred to a report made by city manager Rob Johnson during a June public budget workshop, stating that the general fund "only minimally supports the Community Services operations, with the majority of the operations funding coming from restricted special tax district funds."

Lennox also cited various accomplishments by the department over the last year and a half, including the Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government and Helen Putnam Award, recognizing the City's new Youth Advisory Committee; the City's designation as a "Playful City USA"; and a Valley Health Systems Grant for "Living Healthy, Building Community Program."

Further, Lennox said the formation and expansion of the Community Services Department was in response to a LAFCO directive in 2014 to "establish itself as a reliable service provider of park and recreation programs and facilities within its own territory." Lennox said he is satisfied the City has done that.

"Simply put, the efforts of the City and Community Services Department are not a 'ploy', but rather a set of performance measures we have fulfilled as directed by LAFCO," Lennox said.

Rubio's, The Habit Burger Grill Open This Weekend

August 19, 2016, 1:38 pm

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Two more businesses will open in Town Center Marketplace this weekend, with residents invited to check out the food at Rubio's Coastal Grill and The Habit Burger Grill.

Rubio's opens for business on Saturday. The first 50 guests to visit on opening day will receive free Rubio’s merchandise and $50 in Rubio’s gift cards.

Rubio's features Mexican food with a seafood twist. The menu includes seafood burritos, grilled seafood tacos and a variety of salads. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday; and 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

The Habit officially opens on Wednesday, but the public is invited to several pre-opening events.

Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. is Free Burger Day, with the first 200 guests in line receiving a free Charburger, fries and a drink.

Sunday at 11:30 a.m. is Free Habit Day, with the first 200 guests treated to a chargrilled meal from one of The Habit's preset menus.

Sunday from 5-7 p.m. is a fundraising event for Canine Support Teams, Inc. All of the sales revenue will be donated to this group.

Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. is another Free Habit Day, with the first 200 guests in line treated to a chargrilled meal.

Town Center Marketplace is located at the southwest corner of Newport Road and Haun Road in Menifee.

Wee Sprouts Preschool Still Has Openings

August 20, 2016, 2:50 am

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JNG Furniture Offers the Best Factory-Direct Prices

August 20, 2016, 9:40 am

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Shop at JNG Furniture for the best in factory-direct prices. You can save hundreds, even thousands at JNG! To hear all about JNG Furniture, view the attached video commercial:

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Police Seek Help in Locating Kidnapping Suspects

August 21, 2016, 3:01 am

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The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in providing information leading to the capture of a Menifee woman and Fallbrook man who are suspects in a kidnapping in Menifee.

Jacqueline Smith-Perez, 31, of Menifee and Nathan Lopez, also 31, are being sought in connection to an Aug. 9 kidnapping for ransom, according to a news release. On that day, a woman was taken from her residence in the 27000 block of Holland Road in Menifee by two armed suspects, police said. The victim reported she was forced to obtain money to repay a debut and secure her release.

The suspects in that incident were identified as Lopez and Jesse Aaron, 32, also of Fallbrook. Some time later, the victim was returned to safety when a Murrieta Police Department officer conducting a routine traffic stop near the intersection of Antelope Road and Keller Road detained Aaron and discovered the victim in the car. Aaron was booked at Southwest Detention Center for kidnapping and false imprisonment. Lopez remained at large.

On Aug. 18, Sheriff's deputies from the Menifee Police Special Enforcement Team served a search warrant at a reidence in the 1200 block of Juliette Place in Fallbrook, assisted by San Diego Sheriff's deputies and a DEA Narcotics Task Force. Jedediah Shaw, 31, fled the location and was apprehended in a nearby back yard. Kelly Crossmen, 27, was detained in the house. Both were identified as residents of Fallbrook who were complicit in the kidnapping. An illegal firearm and ammunition and 15 ounces of methamphetamine were found in the house. Shaw and Crossmen were booked for kidnapping and drug sales.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office has issued additional arrest warrants for Lopez and Smith-Perez, who also is implicated in the crimes. Information on Smith-Perez's role in the crime was not released by police.

Anyone encountering these suspects is asked to call 911 to report the sighting. Anyone with information can also call Officer Cardinale at 951-210-1000 or by email at PerrisStation@RiversideSheriff.org.

Davis Wojcik Duarte: Legal Expertise Fits Your Needs

August 22, 2016, 5:41 pm

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Check out their website here.

Submission Deadline for Menifee 24/7 Paper is Aug. 24

August 23, 2016, 12:33 pm

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The deadline for reader submissions to the first Menifee 24/7 monthly print edition is Wednesday, Aug. 24.

A supplement to our daily online news coverage, Menifee 24/7 Print Edition will provide additional news, event previews and advertising to readers. This free newspaper will be distributed at local businesses on Sept. 1. A list of locations will be posted on our website and Facebook page next week.

If you have items of interest that you would like to be published in the newspaper, email menifee247info@gmail.com. We accept meeting announcements, club news, school news, etc. You may also submit a letter to the editor.

For information about our newspaper, including ad placement and pricing, call 626-388-7561 or email menifee247info@gmail.com.

(Note: Image shown is a prototype, not an actual reproduction of the Sept. 1 front page).

Menifee Maze 93: We Have a Winner!

August 23, 2016, 2:09 pm

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We had several good guesses on Menifee Maze 93, but only one was correct. Congratulations to David Schell, who correctly identified Menifee Maze 93 as the Paloma Wash and walking trail, as seen from Holland Road looking north alongside Haun Road.

David wins a gift card to Pitstop Pub Bar and Grill, which offers great food, drink and entertainment at its location at 26900 Newport Road.

Get ready for Menifee Maze 94!

European Wax Center Now Open for Reservations

August 24, 2016, 3:21 am

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European Wax Center is now open in Town Center Marketplace. In preparation for their official opening next week, the Wax Center is taking clients during their soft opening this week as well as making reservations for upcoming appointments.

First-time guests receive a free treatment. For details, call 951-301-4400 or:

Visit their website at waxcenter.com

Like them on Facebook.

Menifee Valley Little League Clinic, Registration Aug. 27

August 24, 2016, 2:29 pm

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Youth baseball players ages 5-15 are invited to attend a Players Clinic and register for the fall season of Menifee Valley Little League if they haven't already done so.

The clinic will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 at Wheatfield Park, 30627 Menifee Road, at the following times for the different age groups:





Under 6: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
7-8: 9:45-11 a.m.
9-10: 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
11 and up: 12:45-2 p.m.

Players will have the opportunity to get back in baseball shape and work on baseball fundamentals. Registration will also be accepted at that time. Fall League prices are $50 for those 7 and under and $60 for those 8 and up.

For children with special needs -- physical, mental or emotional -- Menifee Valley Little League and District 28 have a Challenger Division of baseball for children and adults. There are no fees to sign up. See the flier below for information.

For information about Menifee Valley Little League and how to register online, visit their website at menifeevalleylittleleague.org

Arts Council Teams With City for Youth Art Instruction

August 25, 2016, 3:35 am

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Teachers Debby Jimenez, Kathleen Crain, Nicole Greenberg, Kathy Pickett and Program Coordinator Bill Zimmerman with the young artists at summer camp. Photos courtesy of Arts Council Menifee

Contributed by Arts Council Menifee Staff

To children, summer camp is a time for fun. It’s a time to sing, run and play. The City of Menifee Community Services Department offers all of that and more each summer at Lazy Creek Park.

This year, city parks staff desired to offer a well-rounded program that included opportunities for youth campers to be creative. They reached out to Menifee’s non-profit art organization, Arts Council Menifee, to provide art instruction as part of the summer camp’s weekly curriculum.

"The city’s Community Services staff was familiar with our recent successful Summer Youth Art Institute program and asked if we would continue something similar as part of the Lazy Creek Summer Camp," said Bill Zimmerman, who volunteered to coordinate the program for Arts Council Menifee.

One of Arts Council Menifee’s goals is to utilize the North Annex Co-Op building at the Kay Ceniceros Community Center by providing free art classes at the building. ACM members developed an art program for the camp kids at the building.

"It worked out perfectly. The art room is one block from the park, so our counselors could escort all the kids safely down the sidewalk and deliver them to the art teachers," said Jason Hendrix, Menifee community services supervisor.

Each week the summer camp offered a different theme, so the art teachers modeled the children’s projects to match. For example, the children worked together to illustrate a giant poster that depicted action figures during "super hero" week, and made jewel-filled underwater treasure chests using envelopes during "pirate" week.

The best programs for children are often found when public agencies partner with local service organizations. Volunteers that work with youth are often rewarded by the joy that is seen in the eyes of boys and girls who just discovered they have talent.

Although Zimmerman coordinated the summer art program, he gives the credit to the art teachers who provided the instruction.

"It was Debby Jimenez, Kathleen Crain, Nicole Greenberg and Kathy Pickett who really inspired the kids. These teachers are professional level artists who understand how to make learning fun," he said.

With school now back in session, the art organization is making plans to provide supplies and assistance to after-school art programs that will be offered at a few elementary schools in Menifee and Romoland.

For more information, please visit www.artscouncilmenifee.org or call 951-290-ART1.

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Heritage at Home, Paloma Valley on Road in Openers

August 26, 2016, 12:02 pm

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Newcomer Devan Freedland leads his team in practice in preparation for tonight's season opener at Heritage High School. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

A new season begins with a new quarterback at Heritage High School, where the Patriots open their football season tonight at 7 against Great Oak.

Transfer student Devan Freedland takes over at QB for the Patriots, who were 13-1 last season, losing only to Citrus Hill in the CIF championship game. Great Oak was just 5-6 last season, but the Wolfpack is the last team to beat Heritage in a regular-season game, in September 2013.

Paloma Valley opens its season on the road tonight at 7 in Vista against Rancho Buena Vista. Coach Bert Esposito's Wildcats have high hopes for building on last year's 7-4 season. Chance Nolan returns at quarterback after passing for more than 2,000 yards as a sophomore.

Santa Rosa Academy's season opener tonight at California School for the Deaf in Riverside was cancelled. CSDR forfeited because of equipment problems. Santa Rosa is scheduled to play its next game Sept. 10 at Firebaugh High in Lynwood.

Man on Life Support Following Scott Road Accident

August 26, 2016, 4:39 pm

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One man is in grave condition from injuries suffered in a five-vehicle accident on eastbound Scott Road Thursday. Photo by Matt Liesemeyer

Editor's note: The original report that the man died was based on inaccurate information from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. This story updates the victim's condition.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is investigating a five-vehicle collision Thursday on Scott Road that left one man on life support, authorities said today.

The man was one of four people injured in a collision during a traffic back-up eastbound on Scott Road near Howard Way, said Deputy Mike Vasquez. Witnesses first reported the accident to Menifee 24/7 about 4:30 p.m., a time when traffic usually is backed up heading toward the bridge over Interstate 215.

According to Vasquez, the critically injured man was transported to a local hospital, where he remains on life support. His name, age and place of residence has not yet been released. The other three accident victims, who were in other vehicles, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Scott Road was closed throughout the evening as investigators processed the accident scene. No other details are available at this time.

Heritage's Season Takeoff is a Luna Eclipse, 21-0

August 27, 2016, 1:55 am

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Senior linebacker Javier Luna takes down Great Oak quarterback McGwire Bustamante for one of his 6 sacks Friday night. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre

By Tim Sahar
Correspondent

The Heritage High School Patriots kicked off their football season Friday night against the Great Oak Wolfpack at home, winning in dominating fashion, 21-0.

From the opening kickoff, the Patriots never seemed to be threatened by the Wolfpack roster. It all started with the fast-paced defense connecting in every circumstance. Whether it was the defensive line, linebackers, or secondary, each member of the defense found a way to make life real difficult for Great Oak’s quarterback, McGwire Bustamante.

Even though the Patriots’ defense was clicking on all cylinders, nobody on the entire field stood out more than Heritage’s Javier Luna. Luna was seen dominating all over the field, play after play after play. It seemed like Great Oak’s dream solution was to get an extra long leash on Luna to stop him from sacking their quarterback. Still, Luna had 6 total sacks, including 3 momentum-breaking sacks all in a single possession.

Not only was Luna a standout on the defensive end, but he was running the ball up and down the field on offense and was even given a few chances to kick the ball during kickoffs and punts. Luna finished off with 77 total yards rushing, 1 touchdown, and a game-high 6 sacks. He provided intense defensive play as well as stability and control for Heritage’s offense.

When asked about Luna’s breakout performance, Heritage coach Kraig Broach said, "He’s just a football player. He’s a really good football player who adds a lot of versatility to our team."

Another strong factor in the Patriots’ big win over the Wolfpack was the mature quarterback play of Devan Freedland (left, with Broach). Even though Freedland threw for just 74 yards with 1 touchdown pass, he showed what it means to be a solid leader. He played steadily, managed the clock properly, and showed true leadership out on the field.

Even after shutting out Great Oak in their first game, Broach didn’t want to celebrate his team’s victory, claiming, "We’ve got a lot of work to do, especially with a good Los Osos team coming to town next week."

Excitement was at a high level as the Patriots took the field for the first time this season. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre

New starting quarterback Devan Freeland looked good in his debut with Heritage High. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre

Defensive lineman Parker Benner takes down Great Oak quarterback McGwire Bustamante Friday night. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Junior running back Sherod White finds a path to the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Opposition Has No Chance as Nolan Stars for Wildcats

August 28, 2016, 4:05 am

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Paloma Valley High football players raise their helmets in unity after a 55-3 win at Rancho Buena Vista. Photos by Kelli Esposito

Junior quarterback Chance Nolan picked up where he left off last season, passing for five touchdowns Friday night to lead Paloma Valley High School to a 55-3 win at Rancho Buena Vista in the team's football season opener.

Senior running back Corey Maddox ran for two touchdowns and caught a pass for another in helping the Wildcats accumulate 563 yards total offense. Meanwhile, the defense held Rancho Buena Vista to just 144 total yards and a field goal in the first quarter.

It took only two plays for the Wildcats to get on the scoreboard following a big opening kickoff return by Andre Kirkpatrick. Nolan passed 30 yards to Seth Carvalho for a touchdown. Nolan also connected on scoring plays twice to Jayden Lundy (40 yards, 23 yards) and once each to Maddox (11 yards) and Kirkpatrick (34 yards). The Wildcats quarterback completed 11 of 20 pass attempts for 26 yards.

Maddox carried 9 times for 210 yards, 85 of those coming on a touchdown run in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. The Wildcats led 28-3 after the first quarter and never looked back.

Starting as a sophomore last season, Nolan passed for over 2,000 yards.

Next Friday, Paloma Valley plays host to Valley View in its home opener.

Chance Nolan's receivers line up as the Wildcats quarterback prepares to call for the ball Friday night.

Paloma Valley head coach Bert Esposito talks to his players after a 55-3 victory over Rancho Buena Vista.

Menifee Man Dies From Injuries in Scott Road Crash

August 31, 2016, 4:41 am

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Scott Road was closed for several hours Thursday night after this accident, which killed a Menifee man. Photo Matt Liesemeyer

A friend of the family said today that the Menifee man who was in critical condition Thursday night following a traffic accident on Scott Road has died.

Ben Roy, 39, died Sunday morning when he was taken off life support, the source said. He was involved in a five-vehicle crash on eastbound Scott Road about 4:30 on Thursday. The family released the following statement to Menifee 24/7:

"Ben received blunt force trauma from a vehicle accident on Aug. 25. He is survived by his wife May and three children. Ben was a Godly, loving and amazing father, husband, son, and brother who worked hard to support his family. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and care they have received during this time. The family asks for their privacy to be respected. There is an ongoing investigation into the accident."

No other information was released.