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Articles written by Christal Gaines-emory


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  • Attempted attack takes place in Fallbrook

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jul 23, 2021

    On Wednesday, July 21, two transient women began arguing on South Pico Avenue, also known as the Pico Promenade, leading to one woman pulling out a knife and attempting to attack the other woman. The attacker did not make contact with the other woman, so the victim was able to escape the attack and call the authorities. The San Diego Sheriff's Department responded to the call at approximately 4:05 p.m. "The two women had a disagreement which led to one of the women jabbing...

  • Miss Fallbrook 2021 and Miss Teen Fallbrook 2021 courts crowned

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jul 23, 2021

    Fallbrook residents, supporters, and spectators flooded into the Bob Burton Performing Arts Center to watch the 84th annual Miss Fallbrook and Miss Teen Fallbrook pageants on July 17. Before beginning the pageants, the 13 contestants and the 2020 Miss Fallbrook and Miss Teen Fallbrook Court participated in a choreographed dance to start off the night and release their nerves. Then, the pageants began. The event consisted of three categories: personality wear, evening wear,...

  • Live Oak Park celebrates turning 101 years old

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jul 23, 2021

    On July 17, Live Oak Park celebrated turning 101 years old. During the celebration, longtime Fallbrook resident and Save Our Forest founder Jackie Heyneman was announced as San Diego County's Parks and Recreation Volunteer of the Year. Village News/Christal Gaines-Emory photo...

  • Ross Lake Lavender Farm hosts intimate open house

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jul 17, 2021

    On July 10, the new Ross Lake Lavender Farm hosted an intimate open house in preparation for the official opening of the Lavender Farm in 2022. Attendees were able to tour the farm, pick fresh flowers, take photos, and enjoy picnics on the property, all for free. In 1959, Ross and Helen Daily bought 2,000 acres of land in De Luz, named it "De Luz Heights'' and also created "Ross Lake,' a large man-made lake on the property. They originally grew avocados, then lime trees. On...

  • 'Bye-Bye Birdie' play opens July 23

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jul 17, 2021

    Christ the King's King Players will be presenting "Bye-Bye Birdie" featuring cast members ages 8-18 beginning July 23 at 7:30 p.m. This production of "Bye-Bye Birdie" is directed by Mary Fry along with Assistant Director Robyn Dahlson, and there are 29 cast members in total. After noticing a need for performing arts in Fallbrook during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fry was inspired to bring young members of the community together through the production of "Bye-Bye Birdie." "Bye-Bye...

  • Fallbrook residents replace high school student's stolen laptop

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jul 10, 2021

    On Tuesday, June 29, John Barous and his daughter, Helena Barous, returned to their car after a shopping trip to find that her new laptop had been stolen. In 2003, John Barous and his wife Lucia Barous traveled to Fallbrook and decided that someday, they would move here and start a family. Lucia got pregnant with their daughter Helena, but Lucia suffered a fatal brain aneurysm and Helena was born premature. “Fallbrook is where we wanted to come and raise our family together,” said John. “So, my daughter Helena and I moved... Full story

  • fireworks

    Sheriff's Dept. encourages Fallbrook residents to report illegal fireworks

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jul 8, 2021

    As the Fourth of July approaches, many Fallbrook residents have noticed an increase in the usage of illegal fireworks, also known as pyrotechnics. According to Patrol Sergeant William Munsch with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, complaints about illegal fireworks are more prominent around holidays. "We typically receive more complaints about illegal fireworks closer to the Fourth of July, but we also receive many complaints around New Year's," said Munsch. With 16...

  • art exhibit

    FAA hosts 'Faces on the Streets of San Diego' art exhibit

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 30, 2021

    On June 26, the Fallbrook Art Association hosted the 'Faces on the Streets of San Diego' art exhibit along with a meet and greet with the artist, Kyle Denning. This exhibit features 27 portraits of homeless people Denning met as he walked along the streets of San Diego. The meet and greet portion of this event allowed the attendees to ask Denning questions about his experiences painting each portrait and getting to know the subjects of his paintings. Denning has enjoyed...

  • residents

    Fallbrook Homeless Advocacy is in search of new transitional living house

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 24, 2021

    The Fallbrook Homeless Advocacy is a nonprofit organization that was established by Brad Fox to serve the homeless population in Fallbrook and surrounding areas. This organization currently runs two different transitional houses for homeless men, the Jesus House and the Refuge House. Fox has a long history of working with people in need. For many years, he has been leading the SonRise youth group on mission trips to Mexico and San Diego to assist homeless people. During one...

  • volunteers

    ProduceGood helps prevent food waste

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 24, 2021

    In 2009, Nita Kurmins Gilson began a program called CropSwap to combat homegrown food being wasted. After noticing a severe need in San Diego County in 2014, Gilson partnered with Alexandra White and Jerilyn White to create a larger, more impactful version of CropSwap called ProduceGood, a nonprofit organization that harvests and donates unused produce to the hungry. ProduceGood encourages farmers to donate their unused produce, and the organization also volunteers to go...

  • Lianna Arnold

    Arnold and Bell named FUHS Valedictorian and Salutatorian

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 17, 2021

    This year, the Fallbrook High School Valedictorian was Lianna Arnold, and the Salutatorian was Grace Bell. Both graduates have lived in Fallbrook their whole lives, and they said they felt very grateful to be recognized for their consistent, hard work over the years. During high school, Arnold achieved a GPA of 4.46, and Bell achieved a GPA of 4.36. They have both taken multiple Advanced Placement courses at Fallbrook High School, and Arnold was also enrolled at Mira Costa...

  • Sydney Breese

    Fallbrook High FFA's Breese wins Don Diego Scholarship

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 17, 2021

    The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to students who participate in activities at the Del Mar Fair, such as showing livestock. One of the Don Diego Scholarship winners this year is Sydney Breese, 2020-2021 Fallbrook FFA vice president. Breese was active in FFA all four years of high school, and she showed consistent leadership skills and dedication to the program. She has raised five market lambs, a market steer, and she...

  • building

    Marijuana dispensary raid conducted in Pauma Valley

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 10, 2021

    The Valley Center Crime Suppression team conducted a raid at The New Life Wellness CBD Supercenter, reported to be an illegal marijuana dispensary in Pauma Valley off of Highway 76 June 2. After receiving multiple citizen complaints, the suppression team conducted a thorough investigation and were granted a search warrant. According to Sergeant Mike Davis with the Valley Center substation of the San Diego Sheriff's Department, the warrant was served on June 2 at 11:05 a.m....

  • Elena Shuldiner

    72 year old graduates 50 years after leaving college

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 9, 2021

    When the COVID-19 pandemic began, 72 year old Elena Shuldiner was inspired to go back to school and finish getting her degree after waiting 50 years. Shuldiner said that she always knew that she wanted to go back to school, but the time was never right. She had previously completed 45 credits towards her degree 50 years ago, but she dropped out due to personal reasons. "I was the only one in my family without a college education, and I just kept putting off going back to...

  • Student experiences apartment fire a week before graduation

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 9, 2021

    An apartment building in Vista suffered a large fire that is currently under investigation, May 29. One of the families affected was the Chrisholms. Jamie Chrisholm had been a Fallbrook resident for 39 years before relocating to Vista last month, but her family has been a part of the community for over 60 years. She has two children, Anthony, 14, and Elliot, 18, who graduated from Fallbrook High on June 3. At 12:30 a.m., the family was awakened suddenly to a neighbor knocking on their door and warning them about the fire on...

  • Ortiz family

    Fallbrook welcomes Winchell's Donut House

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer

    Village News/Christal Gaines-Emory photos Fallbrook's newest donut shop opened to the public on May 26, and the community welcomed Winchell's Donut House with open arms. The new Winchell's Donut House is a family owned business run by Leonel and Reyna Ortiz and their daughter, Diana. Although Winchell's coming to Fallbrook was a surprise to many members of the community, this business plan was over 30 years in the making. The Ortiz family immigrated from Mexico 32 years ago...

  • Film students

    Fallbrook High School hosts first Rodarte Film Festival

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated Jun 2, 2021

    The Fallbrook High School film department held their inaugural Rodarte Film Festival on May 24, honoring the many films the students were able to create during the 2020-2021 school year. The Rodarte Film Festival was named after film student Adam Rodarte because of his dedication in reinstating the program and because of his passion for film. When he was in his sophomore year of high school, Rodarte wanted to be able to continue pursuing his passion for film at school, but...

  • Nicole Benitez

    'Chicksneyland' project beautifies a local chicken coop

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer

    When the pandemic first began, many local residents started working on large home improvement and beautification projects to occupy their time. Among these residents was Nicole Benitez, the creator of a Disneyland-inspired chicken coop for her chickens to enjoy. Benitez works as a talent agent out of Los Angeles and, last year, work came to a halt in Hollywood because of COVID-19. She was eager to begin a new, productive project to distract her from the pandemic, and this...

  • Sue Slater

    Local woman celebrates 66th birthday by completing a fitness challenge

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated May 26, 2021

    Last year, Sue Slater and her husband, Steven Schindler, relocated to Fallbrook from Glendale, California, and Slater is now working as a part time fitness instructor at California Bodies. Slater said that she has been passionate about fitness for over 40 years. "When I was younger, I wasn't in good physical condition," she said. "Then when I was 23, I took a fitness class at Truman college, and the class was taught by a marathon runner. That class sparked my interest." She be...

  • Ashlynn Craven

    FUHS girls volleyball athletes awarded CIF Hall of Champions honor

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated May 26, 2021

    The 2020-2021 school year was an extremely stressful time for all students, including athletes who had their seasons pushed back or cancelled. Savannah (Annie) Riley was not expecting to be able to compete in volleyball this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so she said she was pleasantly surprised when the Fallbrook High School girls volleyball team was able to play. Although the girls volleyball season had been pushed back and cut short, Riley and varsity volleyball c...

  • Film students win awards at the Montclair Film Festival

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated May 19, 2021

    This year, Fallbrook High School film students submitted multiple movies to the 2021 Montclair Film Festival in New Jersey, and four of those films won in the "Emerging Filmmakers" category. The Montclair Film Festival is a large festival on the East Coast that normally attracts more than 15,000 attendees, all eager to watch the films from up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world. The films that are shown during the festival are handpicked by a group of judges....

  • Western town front

    Fallbrook resident creates Western town front at home

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer

    At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fallbrook resident Mike Routh had extra time on his hands, so he decided to begin a project to occupy his time. Routh has been a collision tech for 40 years, and he works at Caliber Collision in Fallbrook. He has lived in Fallbrook since 2000, and he loves being a part of the community. "I love it here," said Routh. "It's so green, it's very different from where I lived before." When the COVID-19 shutdown occurred, Routh was only working...

  • mural

    Former student creates a mural at Bonsall West Elementary School

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated May 12, 2021

    Former Bonsall West Elementary school student Colin Ericson began his Eagle Scout project April 2 by planning and installing a new mural at the elementary school based on the "Leader in Me" program. A member of Troop 789, Ericson spent a total of 56 hours working on completing this project, and he also enlisted the help of multiple volunteers from Boy Scouts to help. The project took Ericson and his volunteers a total of 155 hours to complete. After Ericson's former teacher,...

  • Fallbrook Chapter Officers

    Fallbrook FFA hosts the 87th annual awards banquet

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated May 12, 2021

    Fallbrook FFA virtually hosted its annual awards banquet via YouTube Live Friday, April 30. The banquet consisted of many different award announcements, recognition of achievements, and a virtual scrapbook presentation documenting the 2020-2021 school year. The banquet was led by Chapter officers Madi Golden, Sydney Breese, Damon Gallegos, Cassidy Boulanger, Emily Schmierer, Kassidy Ewig, Skye Kressin, Carl Maier and Veronica Romero with assistance from FFA advisors Margaret...

  • boy in cap and gown

    FUESD holds second 'Portrait of a Graduate' meeting

    Christal Gaines-Emory, Writer|Updated May 5, 2021

    On April 28, the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District held the second in a series of Zoom meetings in order to discuss what skills the community believes eighth grade students need to possess in order to achieve success. The meeting was led by Stephen Fuji and Erica Siddle from Battelle for Kids, a non-profit dedicated to helping school districts all over the country transform their school systems for success. Battelle for Kids has helped to identify goals for school...

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