Week of December 5, 2024
Week of December 5, 2024
The Fallbrook Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7 is the 43rd time the event has been planned, but there is now some uncertainty that it will happen that has nothing to do with the weather. While setting out chairs to save spots has become a tradition in itself, not every sidewalk is wide enough to allow for pedestrian traffic behind the chairs. And that could be a problem. A resident reported to the Village News this afternoon that the Fallbrook Chamber of... Full story
11/07/2024- 3:46pm A vegetation fire is currently in the zulu impact area. This is 3-4 miles west of Fallbrook and poses no danger to... Full story
FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Regional Health District's Community Health & Wellness Center held a Groundbreaking Ceremony, Tuesday, Nov. 25, to kick off a new project which will add solar energy and improvements to the parking lot. This project represents a major step toward sustainability and accessibility for the community. Highlights include: • The installation of a shade structure in preparation for future solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. ...
Two years ago, a spark of inspiration ignited in a garage, where a group of friends came together to form what would become Go Scarlet, an all-female rock band with a vision to break barriers and empower women in music. Starting out as a cover band, they faced the typical growing pains of any fledgling group: finding their sound, balancing life's demands, and navigating lineup changes. But through determination and a shared passion for music, they evolved into a tight-knit...
The San Diego Union Tribune reported that aA former Tri-City Medical Center operating room director was sentenced Monday to four years in state prison after being convicted of burglary and attempting to drug and sexually assault a staff member at her Oceanside apartment. Gary Johnson, 63, was found guilty in August by a Vista Superior Court jury of residential burglary and attempted sexual assault of an unconscious person. Judge Kelly Mok, who delivered the sentence, called the case “shocking and extremely serious” and...
SAN DIEGO – County Fire has developed a proposed plan for addressing the fire and life safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects within the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The Interim Fire Protection Guidelines for BESS Facilities are now available on County Fire’s Engage Website, https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/bess-bestpracticestudy. If directed by the Board of Supervisors, these new fire mitigation, detection, and safety standards by County Fire will serve as interim standards until the...
SAN DIEGO – San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister is reminding San Diego property owners that they have less than a week to pay the first installment of their property taxes, before they are delinquent, and penalties incur. Property tax payments are expected to generate $9.08 billion dollars for the region, a new record. “The deadline to pay the first installment of your property taxes without incurring penalties is days away – Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024!” said McAllister. “The easiest, quickest, and...
The president and vice-president of the Rainbow Municipal Water District board will now be elected at December board meetings. Normally Rainbow’s November and December board meetings are combined, but items related to Rainbow’s detachment from the San Diego County Water Authority and annexation to the Eastern Municipal Water District resulted in a Nov. 19 special meeting which was in addition to the previously scheduled Dec. 10 board meeting. The Nov. 19 meeting included a 5-0 board vote to amend Rainbow’s...
The Fallbrook Public Utility District procurement policy allows the FPUD general manager to delegate certain tasks. FPUD’s procurement policy had specified which positions could be authorized as the designee, but the specific positions were eliminated by an Oct. 28 board action. The 5-0 vote revises the section of FPUD’s Administrative Code relating to definitions for procurement actions. FPUD’s Administrative Code allows the FPUD general manager to delegate tasks, so specific positions are redundant as well as...
The San Diego County Water Authority has approved the weighted vote for 2025 SDCWA meetings. The weighted vote for 2025 was approved by the CWA board Nov. 21. The completion of the detachment of the Rainbow Municipal District from the CWA also resulted in a revision of the weighted vote allocation for the Nov. 21 meeting as well as for any special meetings called in December 2024. The Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton’s weighted vote, which had been 0.077%, was 0.080% for the Nov. 21 meeting and will be 0.077% for calendar...
FALLBROOK – Silvergate Fallbrook has announced the appointment of Janae Orona as its new executive director at the premier retirement community. Orona steps into this leadership role following the departure of the community's previous director who retired after more than 20 years of dedicated service. Orona will be charged with upholding Silvergate's commitment to delivering the finest in senior living care and service. She will oversee all community operations, ensure...
Rose Marie Peralta works for Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary, 333 N. Vine Street, as a part-time Visitation Coordinator. Her duties over the last two years include being the mortuary point of contact, greeting and supporting family members in their time of loss, assisting with funeral preparations such as floral decorations and taking care of the sound system, and providing other services required to ensure the service runs smoothly. From time to time, she has met with some of her... Full story
Break out your wallets and purses – but protect them too – the holiday shopping season is back! The holiday season is the perfect time to remind everyone to remember to always, always double-check your receipts to make sure you're not accidentally overcharged by faulty cash registers and price scanners. The holidays are definitely the shop-shopping-est time of the year. And even though online buying has gotten huge, most of us are still heading off to our local stores to...
On a crisp Sunday afternoon, Dec. 1, Peppertree Community Park was alive with laughter, creativity, and the sweet aroma of gingerbread. About 20 people of all ages gathered for the neighborhood's beloved annual Gingerbread House-Making event, a holiday tradition lovingly orchestrated by Tracy Daniels. For the past five years, Tracy has transformed this cherished tradition into a heartfelt gift for her friends, family, and neighbors. The preparation begins the day before, as...
Linda Marie Wilson, 64, passed away peacefully at her home in Fallbrook, California, on Nov. 6, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. After a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Linda chose to exercise her right under California's End of Life Option Act, living her final moments on her own terms, as she had always lived her life. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Linda moved to Fallbrook in 2017 with her beloved husband, Peter Wilson. She quickly became a cherished member... Full story
On Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at the age of 87, Virginia Ann Allison ("Ginger"), an incredible wife, mother, sister, and teacher was called home to the loving arms of Jesus. She was born to Andrew Rausch and Veronica O'Farrell in Mandan (Bismarck), North Dakota in 1937 and soon afterward the family moved to Pomona, California when her father got a new job in banking. Ginger had a wonderful childhood with sister Claudia and very supportive parents who adored each other and... Full story
Rex Wayne Jackson went peacefully into the arms of his Savior Nov. 16, 2024, Kalispell, Montana. Born March 4, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Rex grew up with his three brothers working construction jobs with his father, playing football and wrestling at Southport High School. He was accepted into Milligan College, Johnson City, Tennessee, on the word of his high school wrestling coach, "He can do it. Give him a chance." He found a home and another family at Milligan,... Full story
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Roger Lee Kosmerl on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Roger, 86, passed away at home in Fallbrook after a long struggle with Alzheimer's and a stroke. He was the second oldest of four sons born June 10, 1938, to John Kosmerl and Jennie Jerman in Buffalo, New York. The four brothers were each one year apart and they were very close in school and sometimes in a bit of trouble. He grew up in Buffalo and attended the University of New... Full story
FALLBROOK – Monserate Christian Academy, an Acton affiliate, renowned for its learner-driven model, is taking a bold approach to civic education and leadership training by fostering real-world skills and experiences that prepare learners to thrive as active, engaged citizens. Through a unique combination of Town Meetings, studio-based elections, and public exhibitions, Acton Academies provide learners with essential tools to navigate, participate in, and contribute to their...
SAN MARCOS – Bravura, Palomar College's literary magazine, was recognized as the best community college literary magazine in the western region – and the third best in the nation – at a national conference of community college educators. Four student writers for Bravura also received recognition for their contributions to the magazine. "We are so proud of our students and what they are able to do," said Palomar College Associate Professor Stacey Trujillo, who along with...
The Bonsall Community Sponsor Group has recommended that the County of San Diego approve a time extension for the planned Marquart Ranch subdivision. A 5-0 sponsor group vote Nov. 12, with sponsor group chair Steve Norris and vice-chair Larissa Anderson absent, recommended a two-year time extension for the project. The time extension would not change any design or condition of the parcel map. In October 2007, the county’s Planning Commission approved a tentative map to subdivide the 44.2-acre Marquart Ranch property into...
SAN DIEGO – The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the San Diego County Sheriff's Office a $422,000 grant that will fund a year's worth of special operations and campaigns designed to stop drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Impaired driving checkpoints, patrols and distracted driving/traffic enforcement will all be funded by the grant. "We are grateful for the California Office of Traffic Safety's support as we continue our efforts to keep...
Eco-friendly home updates can lessen your impact on the environment, and they typically can save you money on utilities as an added bonus. You don’t even have to make significant updates to reap the rewards. Sometimes, even small or low-cost changes can make a big impact. If you want a more sustainable home, here are some projects you might want to consider. · Switch to LED light bulbs. This is a quick and easy change that can make your household lighting much more...
FALLBROOK – On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Republican Women of California will be celebrating President Trump’s win at their annual Membership Gala along with the installation of their 2025 officers. All are invited to join them on Jan. 10, 2025, when their guest speaker will be Brian Blacher, co-founder of the Shield of David. In 2025, the Republican Women of California-Fallbrook will be celebrating the club’s 75th anniversary. The Republican Women of California is a women-led organization welcoming Republican men and... Full story
FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Garden Club will present Diana Roy, of Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers, as the guest speaker at the Dec. 10 general meeting. The holiday season is a great time to explore the wonderful world of protea and learn how to use these amazing botanicals to create unique and elegant arrangements. It's the time to embrace the beauty of the season and transform ordinary holiday décor into something extraordinary. Roy was born and raised in Southern California... Full story
Fallbrook High School's girls placed 11th among Division II schools at the CIF San Diego Section cross country meet Nov. 16 at Morley Field in San Diego. Cross country team scores add the positions of a school's first five finishers; the sixth and seventh runners from each team are not scored but can add points to opponents' totals. Fallbrook had 323 points, edging 12th-place Central Union (El Centro) by one point. Bonita Vista had the 10th-place score of 312 points. Sixteen...
Three Fallbrook High School 12th-grade boys concluded their high school cross country careers at the CIF San Diego Section meet Nov. 16 at Morley Field in San Diego. Xavier Charland finished 92nd in the Division II boys race; Alex Lugo had the 106th-place time, and Cruz Arroyo was the 118th runner across the finish line. "The guys that showed up gave me their best effort," said Fallbrook head coach Marco Arias. "Everyone ran to their ability today." The CIF San Diego Section...
Gardeners have increasingly been experiencing diseases and critters never before seen in our region. Many are caused by invasive pests hitching rides on planes and ships from faraway regions, often with disastrous results. The changing weather patterns are also contributing to this problem. The Asian Chilli thrip was fostered by unseasonably high fall temperatures – a consequence of our changing climate. This was a problem in my garden which I was only able to minimally...
Turn your landscape into a hive of buzzing busybodies with our advice on how to attract bees to your garden. In return, you'll get more flowers, fruits, and veggies on your plants – with the added bonus of doing your part to save some of Earth's most important pollinators. 6 tips to attract bees to your garden When bees bumble around, the main thing they're looking for is food: pollen and nectar, which they get from flowers. They also need water and shelter to live. Provide...
It's the "ship-shipping-est time of the year!" And you want to make sure you're not sending someone you love something nobody wants – a harmful pest. The holiday season is back. It's the time when many of us are personally mailing and shipping packages and gifts to faraway family and friends. Or maybe even traveling to deliver presents and bring back home gifts in return. Just remember – don't pack a pest! It can happen. The gifts you send or receive could be carrying...
Farm sanctuaries are reshaping how people view and interact with farmed animals, emerging as places that offer safety, care, and advocacy for those animals rescued from industrial farms. Originally established as safe havens for animals in need, sanctuaries like Farm Sanctuary have grown into beacons of compassion, challenging traditional perspectives and advancing humane treatment. Through rescue and rehabilitation, these sanctuaries provide animals with safe, dignified...
FALLBROOK – Michelle's Place provides a range of no-cost comfort and support services to individuals and families impacted by all types of cancers. Michelle's Place Cancer Resource Center provides a wide range of supportive services to enhance its clients' wellbeing during their cancer journey. From behavioral health support and diverse support groups to rejuvenating practices like Reiki, Yoga, and Tai Chi, it also offers engaging creative arts, sewing, and crafting...
The County Department of the Medical Examiner received a $600,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to enhance toxicology data reporting for cases involving motor-vehicle related deaths. The grant program runs through September 2025. Grant funds will pay for toxicologist training as well as method development and validation for newly purchased toxicology equipment. This equipment will be used for the analysis and identification of alcohol and drugs in postmortem specimens from cases involving motor-vehicle...
The Nov. 4 meeting of San Diego County’s Local Agency Formation Commission included an update on the municipal service reviews for the county’s four healthcare districts. The update was a non-voting item. LAFCO consultant Adam Wilson gave the presentation. The last municipal service review and sphere of influence update for the Fallbrook, Grossmont, Palomar, and Tri-City healthcare districts was approved by the LAFCO board in May 2015, and that approval also designated special study areas for possible future action. The...
It’s one thing to talk about living a healthy lifestyle, but do your daily habits align and contribute to good health? Quiz It’s one thing to talk about living a healthy lifestyle, but do your daily habits align and contribute to good health? Let’s put it to the test. Answer the following questions honestly and check your results below to see how your habits impact your health. Do you smoke? A. Yes B. Sometimes C. No How often do you consume alcohol? A. Every day B. A few times a week C. On special occasions or never...
County Public Health officials are asking people to throw away organic carrots tied to a nationwide E. coli outbreak. The implicated carrots are organic, whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold under multiple brands by Grimmway Farms. One person in San Diego who consumed the carrots became ill from the same strain of Shiga Toxin producing E. Coli (STEC) that is part of a multi-state outbreak. Thirty-nine people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been...
WASHINGTON – PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) released Nov. 20 its seventh Semi-Annual Hospital Price Transparency report, which examines 2,000 hospitals’ compliance with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule. The new report revealed that just 21% of hospitals in California are fully complying with the federal rule, which took effect nearly four years ago. Despite recent polling revealing that 98% of Americans support healthcare price transparency, this new report found compliance in California to be down from 32%...
Taking a page from the successful "Contract with America" 30 years ago, today I'm unveiling our Contract to Reform California – a 10-point agenda that offers bold proposals to fix the state's pressing problems. The Contract with America was a plan advanced by Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and House Republicans in the 1994 midterm election, which promised specific legislation on government reform and gave Republicans control of the House for the first time in 40 years.... Full story
I wanted to share an update on the issue of Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs) being released into San Diego County. Last week, a judge ruled that Merle Wakefield, a convicted Sexually Violent Predator, will be conditionally "transiently" released. This marks the first time an SVP in San Diego will be designated as transient – a terrible precedent. Wakefield’s criminal history is horrific. He was convicted of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14 and rape by force,... Full story
Through the power of advertising, I contacted our television provider to get our ‘free*’ device. I called to order this unit not really understanding what it was because my only motivation to order it was the one word “free” that kept appearing whenever I tapped the pause button on pre-recorded shows. A curious customer, I called and the service rep assured me that it was indeed ‘free” for us. Furthermore, once this dandy new device is installed, as I understood... Full story
Years ago, I was having a discussion with a political writer and the conversation included dual citizenship. Her thought was that those with dual citizenship could vote in the elections of both countries, so dual citizenship was bad. My thought was that dual citizens could compete in the Olympics for either country, which would be good. Now that one of my own descendants has dual citizenship, an anti-American aspect, albeit a temporary one, of dual citizenship has occurred to me. My granddaughter could eventually compete in... Full story
I believe President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for federal crimes, is deeper and more sweeping than what has been reported. Why the pardon two months before he leaves office instead of his last day in office? And, why pardon him for any possible crimes he may have committed between 2014 and 2024? Remember when during the process of convicting him, the Justice Department tried to slip a plea deal for Hunter without scrutiny for any crimes that... Full story
FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Women's Connection invites all men, women and children to attend a Holiday Brunch in the ballroom of the Beverly Mansion at Grand Tradition Estates and Gardens, Friday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, doors open at 9:15 a.m. for shopping. The program will be "Jingle Bell Jukebox" performed by the Neighbor Tones Youth Show Choir which will sing and dance to holiday hits featured in the Jingle Bell Jukebox. It's a show within a show. Meet the happy soda...
FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Newcomers Club offers a variety of fun and engaging social events and activities designed to foster friendship and enjoy shared interests, as well as the opportunity to explore new and interesting venues and attractions. A highlight of several enjoyable fall activities includes the following: On Oct. 14, the Newcomers Club members visited Julian during the monthly Out and About activity led by Activity Chair Karen Scarpace. The Newcomers enjoyed the...
TEMECULA – The Southern California Damekor presents Glade Jul, an annual concert of beloved Christmas music from Scandinavia, at two different locations this year. On Saturday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m., the group will perform at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 580 Hilltop Dr., Chula Vista, 91910. (619-427-5515). On Sunday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m., the performance is at Temecula Music Teacher, 27649 Commerce Center Dr., Temecula. The program begins with the traditional Lucia procession and...
The Old Town Temecula Community Theater came alive with holiday magic as the Temecula Ballet Company presented its enchanting rendition of The Nutcracker on November 22, 23, and 24. Under the direction of the esteemed Artistic Director and Founder Svetlana Minardi, the performance captivated audiences and filled the theater to capacity. From the moment the curtains rose, it was clear that this year's production was a labor of love. The classic tale, set to Tchaikovsky's...
