Week of December 19, 2024
Week of December 19, 2024
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas announced her resignation today, Friday, Dec. 20, surprising county officials and staff. Vargas said she would step down at the end of her current term, on January 6, citing personal safety and security concerns. In a statement, Vargas expressed pride in her time on the board, saying her priority had always been the community. "It has been my honor to serve in public office during unprecedented times," she said. "My... Full story
Marine Corps Sgt. Colton Pavlica, a Las Vegas native and rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, was honored by the North County Fire Protection District on Dec. 11 for his decisive and life-saving actions following a motorcycle versus vehicle collision last month. Pavlica received a standing ovation and a Challenge Coin during the district's board meeting. On Nov. 17, at approximately 2:13 p.m., Pavlica was traveling westbound on East...
The Dec. 9 board meeting of the Fallbrook Public Utility District included approval of FPUD rates and other charges for Calendar Year 2025. The board voted 4-0, with Jennifer DeMeo absent, to adopt the 2025 rates and charges for water, recycled water, and wastewater delivery and services. The approximate increase from 2024 is 3.5% for water and 2.5% for recycled water and wastewater. In November 1996, the state's voters passed Proposition 218, which requires a public vote on benefit assessments. Proposition 218 exempts...
FALLBROOK – The Foundation for Senior Care is spreading holiday cheer throughout December with a series of festive activities, charitable initiatives, and a special end-of-year campaign, all aimed at bringing joy and support to local seniors. The festivities began on Friday, Dec. 6, with the foundation's participation in the Fallbrook Community Center Tree Lighting Ceremony, where Joanna Costello, Development Specialist, represented the organization. The following evening,...
Lupe Ruiz was recognized by the North County Fire Protection District during their Dec. 11 board meeting for her swift and courageous actions in extinguishing a fire behind Major Market earlier that morning. Ruiz was presented with a Challenge Coin, a prestigious symbol of gratitude and recognition within the fire service. Ruiz was driving on South Mission when she noticed smoke billowing from a dumpster behind the popular grocery store. Reacting quickly, she pulled into the...
SACRAMENTO – California is boosting battery storage projects across the state – an important part of the state’s transition to 100% clean electricity. California approved a $42 million grant to International Electric Power to build a long-duration energy storage project at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, Dec. 11. The project will provide electricity to the statewide grid and backup power to the base for up to 14 days in the event of power outages. The installation will help enhance the resiliency...
The Vallecitos School District board approved a 4% salary increase for the district’s classified employees. The board voted 3-0 Nov. 12, with Ritsa Chanthabandith absent and one vacant seat, to approve the salary increase for the 2024‑25 school year. The salary increase is retroactive to July 1. “We value their work,” said Vallecitos School District Superintendent Meliton Sanchez, who is also the district’s Chief Business Officer. “We value their support, and this is just our way of showing that appreciation....
The Fallbrook Public Utility District has awarded PK Mechanical Systems the FPUD contract for the Toyon Pump Station pipeline extension project. FPUD’s board voted 4-0 Dec, 9, with Jennifer DeMeo absent, to award PK Mechanical a $350,000 contract for the work. The new pipeline will be approximately 850 linear feet of eight-inch cement mortar lined and coated (CML&C) welded steel pipe. The Toyon Pump Station was built in 1982 and serves 63 accounts in the Toyon Service Area near Red Mountain Reservoir. It has exceeded its...
This story deals with the joy of discovering something new right under your nose. Such discoveries can be lovely finds, especially at Christmas. I thought I had gotten to know Jack and Jeanette Schirner over the decade or so that they've lived in Fallbrook. I first met Jack when he ably served as the board president of the Fallbrook Senior Center. Having served briefly on that board, I realized the amount of work it takes to herd that group of stray cats. Jack still serves on...
The Fallbrook Community Center came alive with festive energy at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event, Dec. 6, drawing crowds of all ages to celebrate the season with excitement and cheer. The air was filled with the sounds of holiday tunes as a live DJ played a mix of Christmas classics and upbeat favorites, setting the perfect soundtrack for the evening. Local families were treated to a variety of activities and entertainment, making it a night to remember. Kids lined...
FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Fire Safe Council is sponsoring another free Chipping Day plus Christmas tree recycle event on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the North County Fire Station 4, 4375 Pala Mesa Dr (along Old Hwy 395). This event is open to all residents in the Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rainbow and DeLuz communities. Material that will be accepted for chipping includes branches, less than six inches in diameter, trimmed brush, palm branches and other cut vegetation. Brush must be free of mud, rocks and... Full story
SAN DIEGO – This holiday season San Diego Humane Society is reminding families planning to get a puppy to start by checking out the amazing variety of cuties available for adoption at local shelters and rescues. Doing so saves lives, and ensures they are not supporting the cruel practices of puppy mills or irresponsible breeders. "We know that bringing a new puppy into the home is a joyous occasion for many families during the holidays. However, it is critical that people...
The Fallbrook Public Utility District will be relining approximately 2,275 linear feet of sewer main in the future, and Sancon Technologies will be the contractor. A 4-0 FPUD board vote Dec. 9, with Jennifer DeMeo absent, approved the contract. Sancon, which is based in Huntington Beach, will be paid $209,107.50. FPUD’s capital improvement program includes improving the reliability of the sewer collections system through strategic rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. The work Sancon will perform will reline 684...
FALLBROOK – Buying your first home is such an exciting milestone, but let’s be real – the process can get a little overwhelming, especially with all the real estate jargon and acronyms thrown around. You don’t want to be caught asking, “Wait, what does that mean?” during your big transaction. We previously shared on our blog some of the common ones and now we’ve rounded up more real estate terms first-time buyers should know to help you feel confident every step of the way! CD – Closing Disclosure This is a...
New state legislation allows speed limits to be lowered an additional 5 mph from what the previous allowance was if a road segment is designated as a safety corridor. The county’s Traffic Advisory Committee has recommended that portions of South Mission Road, East Mission Road, Gopher Canyon Road, and Pala Temecula Road be given that safety corridor designation. The recommendation to designate the roads as safety corridors and lower the speed limits by an additional 5 mph was approved unanimously during the Dec. 6 TAC...
Robert J. Thompson, 91, formerly of Fallbrook, passed away Feb. 2, 2024, in Henderson, Nevada. Bob was born on Sept. 30, 1932, in Clinton, Missouri to Joseph Robert Thompson and Mildred (Mimi) C. Cloutier (McNutt). His family moved to Los Angeles in 1936. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He served on the troop ship USNS Marine Adder. A devoted patriot, he dearly loved his country. After the Navy, he worked in Los Angeles at Harry D. Foster... Full story
Thea J. Phillips Moore was born in Los Angeles, Sept. 23, 1930 and passed away Nov. 14, 2024. Her parents were Theodore Phillips and Mary O'Connell; Thea was raised on an orange grove in Upland, California in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. She attended Chaffey High School and graduated from the Brown School for Girls. She married Marvin Moore and settled in Fallbrook in 1949 to start their family and help develop a new grove of avocados. Thea started work in... Full story
BONSALL – On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Bonsall Elementary School PTA recently brought holiday cheer to families in need with its inaugural "Gently Used Toy Drive," an initiative aimed at spreading joy throughout the community this holiday season. The idea was spearheaded by local parent and PTA member Juliana Hesselgesser, who was inspired while decluttering her children's toys in preparation for the holidays. "I realized we had so many items that were hardly used but no longer...
FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District Leadership Team participates in a monthly initiative known as Learning Walks, where district leaders visit schools across the district to observe classroom environments, engage with staff, and collaborate on both successes and areas for improvement. This initiative is designed to foster open dialogue between district leaders and school staff, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and shared best practices....
SAN MARCOS – For outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to the citizens of San Diego County, County Supervisor Jim Desmond issued a proclamation on behalf of the County Board of Supervisors designating Dec. 10 as Palomar College Rising Scholars Day. The Rising Scholars program helps previously incarcerated and system-impacted individuals adjust to a college campus and successfully begin or resume their higher education. It also serves currently incarcerated veterans in the Vista Detention Facility. Since 2018,...
FALLBROOK – This past weekend, Dec. 14-15, the Fallbrook Villa FC Girls 2011 came out on top as the Cardiff Cup Champions. The girls battled the entire way to stay on top. This tournament had two brackets which meant the girls had to secure their first place spot to guarantee themselves a spot in the finals. Their first game against Cardiff Sockers was a Fallbrook win, 3-1. The second game against Oceanside Breakers ended in another Villa win, 6-0. This helped put the girls...
The first 2024-25 dual meet for Fallbrook High School’s wrestling program was actually a quad meet involving four schools Dec. 3 at Army-Navy Academy. Each school had matches against each of the other three schools, and Fallbrook was 2-1 in those competitions. “I’m really happy,” said Fallbrook coach Tom Brockson. Wrestling has both individual scores and team scores. In each match, a wrestler is given one point for an escape, two points for a takedown, a reversal, or a near fall lasting two to five seconds, and...
Ross Johnson has stepped down as Fallbrook High School’s head football coach. Johnson, who coached the Warriors from 2022 to 2024, made the announcement Nov. 25. “It was a family-related decision,” said Johnson, whose children are 5 and 3. After Troy Everhart, who coached Fallbrook from 2019 to 2021, took a head coach position in Ohio, the Fallbrook Union High School District hired Johnson in March 2022. Everhart resigned in January 2022 to give Fallbrook High School a chance to hire a new coach in time for spring...
My family and I moved to Fallbrook some 40 years ago to add a new horticultural adventure to our lives. I wanted to leave the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and raise my family with clean air, open spaces and practice my horticultural passion of growing trees and flowers. I worked weekends at a top flower shop, Flowers by Michael in Beverly Hills, creating and installing gala events, weddings, and floral displays at flower shows. This exposure to the flower industry gave me...
SAN DIEGO – A growing coalition of land-use leaders and housing advocates are refining a concept to lower the cost of homeownership by building more homes San Diegans can afford. The “small-lot house” is both a traditional approach and a novel idea, more compatible with many of San Diego’s existing communities, and more sustainable and fiscally efficient. The purpose of the initiative is simple: If you can build a home on a smaller lot, it will be cheaper. And San Diego needs more homes. A lot of them. “Buy less...
SACRAMENTO – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing protection for one of the nation’s most beloved species – the monarch butterfly – and is encouraging the public to be part of its recovery. The service is seeking public input on a proposal to list the species as threatened with species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Public comments will be accepted on the proposal until March 12, 2025. The service will then evaluate...
The Fallbrook Public Utility District board ratified an emergency declaration to repair the pipeline on Beavercreek Lane, Josten Way, and West Fallbrook Street. A 4-0 board Dec. 9, with Jennifer DeMeo absent, approved the emergency declaration made by FPUD general manager Jack Bebee. The ratification allows the work order Bebee negotiated to continue. An emergency is defined as an unexpected occurrence which requires immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss of essential public services. In the event of an emergency,...
Dry, itchy skin is often associated with the skin condition called eczema (atopic dermatitis). It is marked by being long lasting and flaring up from time to time. For people who have eczema, their irritated skin will look like a rash that might be swollen. Other symptoms include crusting skin, small bumps, thicker skin, dry/cracked skin, and/or raw skin. Eczema can start in early childhood and continue through adulthood, flaring up from time to time. It is not contagious....
The United States Congress once again proposed cuts to physician reimbursement in 2025 – this time a 2.8% decrease – sparking significant concern among healthcare providers and patients alike. Insurance plans in the United States benchmark their reimbursement relative to Medicare, therefore all physicians would experience the decrease, except those practicing on a cash-only basis. This issue is particularly troubling given the increasing challenges physicians face in...
WASHINGTON – Operation OD Justice is a DEA initiative born out of a critical need to investigate drug poisoning and overdose deaths across the United States. The initiative, launched in 2021 by DEA’s Los Angeles and San Diego Field Divisions, offers training, resources, and poisoning response coordinators to assist state and local law enforcement as they investigate drug poisonings and overdose deaths. In 2022, OD Justice expanded to all 23 DEA domestic field divisions. Since its nationwide expansion, the DEA has...
A one-of-a-kind machine that works twice as fast as current practices when testing for diseases is heading for the County of San Diego’s new Public Health Lab, allowing epidemiologists to more effectively fight the spread of diseases. The County Board of Supervisors approved the spending of $240,000 to acquire a Diasorin Liaison XL and supporting supplies and equipment Dec. 10. The golf cart-sized piece of equipment can test for tuberculosis, chickenpox, shingles, measles, mumps and rubella. The faster testing is...
VISTA – Vista Community Clinic reminds individuals and families to prioritize their health by scheduling an annual physical before the year ends. Regular checkups are an important part of staying healthy and catching potential health concerns early. “Annual physicals are for everyone, no matter their age,” said Dr. Sarah Fatland, Chief Medical Officer at VCC. “This visit helps patients establish care, connect with their clinician, and ensure they’re on track with their health goals.” Annual physicals are covered...
In a world increasingly driven by digital headlines and fleeting trends, independent community newspapers stand as steadfast pillars of truth and connection. For 28 years, this paper has been the trusted voice of our schools, residents, churches, civic agencies, nonprofits, and sports leagues – chronicling the heartbeat of our community with care and precision. Supporting such a newspaper, The Village News, isn’t just philanthropy; it’s an investment in the very fabric of a vibrant and informed society. Thomas... Full story
There is no greater proof that we live in a democracy when half the nation’s people voted for a former president who is a convicted felon, found liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Encouraging a mob of his supporters to riot, assault Capital police force, destroy property and send members of Congress and their staff into hiding in offices and bunkers. One protester died when shot by police and four others died of medical problems. Approximately 140 members of law enforcement were assaulted. For several hours, rioters... Full story
North County Transit District could do a better job maintaining bus stop infrastructure. A few years ago, there was a crash at South Mission and Green Canyon that demolished the bus bench/shelter. More recently, major SDG&E work to upgrade transmission poles eliminated the bench/shelter at South Mission and Via Encinos. Neither of these locations have had benches/shelters replaced. There are likely other locations in town. Those that use the bus deserve a more thoughtful consideration from NCTD. The benches and shelters... Full story
In Joe Naiman’s article there are several inaccuracies that need to be restated: 1. The Fallbrook Regional Health District (FRHD) does not include a service area within the Camp Pendleton area, but does provide support to residents in De Luz. 2. The 2015 LAFCO Municipal Service Review (MSR) did identify an area that was more appropriately situated with the Tri-City District, and that separation was completed sometime before 2019. 3. The Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Palomar was initiated in 2014 when FRHD was looking... Full story
Statement from Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez The Dec. 10 board action seeking to expand the San Diego County Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board's (CLERB) oversight abilities is something CLERB has been insisting upon for years. CLERB is citing the 2022 State Audit Report to justify this request, along with the belief that they don't have a complete picture if they can't investigate medical staff and contractors. CLERB has also suggested that the Sheriff's Office will not implement their recommendations. I have taken every... Full story
It turns out, we’re gonna be okay as a country. Even though we have a few weeks until #47 takes back the Oval Office, Americans can finally “turn the page.” This new year offers each citizen the same Constitutional rights. No one gets privilege above the law like Hunter. After Jan. 20, 2025, sanity will return to the United States of America. We tried the other way. Over the past four years, every self-appointed group has had a run at winning over public opinion. As it... Full story
The safety of our community should always be the government’s top priority. Last week, I was disheartened when the Board of Supervisors, in a 3-1 decision, voted to designate San Diego as a “Super” Sanctuary County. I was the lone dissenting vote, and I believe this policy is both reckless and dangerous. To be clear, this is not about mass deportations or separating families. It is about ensuring that individuals who are in our country illegally and have committed... Full story
FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Artists Association has been in the Fallbrook community for roughly 50 years and believes in the power of art to beautify, uplift, and build better communities. Its mission is to provide an environment for visual artists of all abilities and backgrounds to connect, grow, and thrive. So, FAA invites all those residents interested in art to join in its activities. As part of its community outreach, the club supports art for children and provides...
Escondido city officials declared a local emergency on Sunday, Dec. 15, in response to a growing homeless encampment along Escondido Creek, citing elevated bacteria levels in recent water quality tests. The announcement comes after months of complaints from residents and a series of failed clean-up efforts. The encampment, located near Citracado Parkway and Harmony Grove, has become a point of concern due to both environmental and public health risks. According to city officials, recent tests revealed bacteria levels in the...
SACRAMENTO – Transformative infrastructure projects are making California communities safer, cleaner and healthier. Guided by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda, the state is projected to invest $180 billion in state and federal funds over the next 10 years. Projects span broadband, clean energy, transportation, environmental restoration, hydrogen, semiconductors, water, zero-emission vehicles and other areas to improve the lives of all Californians. A newly revamped...
