Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 56
Being evacuated was rough enough for residents during the Fallbrook (Rice Canyon) Fire, but when some returned to discover their homes had been looted by thieves, it was unspeakable. To date, Detective Sergeant Dave Nemeth says 21 fire-related thefts have been reported since the fire began. “These include residential burglaries and some specific looting charges,” said Nemeth. He adds that the majority of the cases have adequate evidence for officers to begin an investigation, but some don’t. “We are waiting for the return... Full story
The San Diego Air Pollution Control District will be collecting and analyzing data to determine with more accuracy the amount of particulate matter emitted into the air from the smoke of the October fires. “We do have meters that are monitoring for the toxins,” said Air Pollution Control District public information specialist Anita Tinsley. “It will take a while to have that data.” Special canisters are used to sample particulate matter, although less detailed information is also being collected in a quicker fashion. “Fortun... Full story
When disaster struck Fallbrook two weeks ago in the form of the Rice Canyon Fire, the founders of Pacific Coast National Bank, Michael Hahn and Rick Grinyer, immediately moved into action to provide assistance to a community that was vital in the bank’s startup. On Monday, November 5, they opened up a temporary branch office in a portable building at the corner of South Mission Road and Rockycrest Road. “Over one-third of Pacific Coast National Bank’s stockholders are Fallbrook residents or individuals they know,” Grinyer sai...
Some community volunteers are questioning whether Fallbrook’s disaster relief center has been jammed by needy local families instead of the victims of recent firestorms that crisscrossed San Diego County. The volunteers have watched as hundreds of hungry adults and children lined up for hot meals, coffee and grocery bags bulging with snacks and drinks. They looked on as lines formed for free dog food, crates of water, ice coolers and yard tools. They wondered whether many of the people in line were actual disaster victims o... Full story
During the Fallbrook (Rice Canyon) Fire, a flurry of early reports indicated that Pala Mesa Resort on Highway 395 was devastated by the flames. “That was incorrect,” said general manager John Martin. “Every aspect of the resort is back in business.” Thanks to the diligent efforts of the firefighters, the beauty of the resort remains. Following some needed repairs, Pala Mesa officially reopened November 1. “On that day, we opened with breakfast, served lunch and had a whopping dinner,” said Martin. The resort’s Aqua Terra Rest... Full story
Kelly Brower, Maggie Maratsos and Kevin Vandivort of Fallbrook High School and Berenice Perez of Oasis High School were lauded as outstanding students at the Fallbrook Community Student of the Month breakfast held November 1 at Fallbrook Golf Club’s Hukilau Restaurant. Now celebrating its 11th year, the Student of the Month program has honored more than 350 exemplary high school students. Kelly Brower was selected for the honor as a result of a nomination by Fallbrook High teacher Sharon Griener. “Kelly is self-directed, pol...
On Veteran’s Day, November 11, at 11 a.m., the Village Square will be the site of a commemorative program, “Honoring America’s Heroes,” hosted by the VFW. The honored guest will be John R. “Dick” Rossi, who resigned his Navy commission in 1941 to join the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) Command of General Claire Chennault. When the Flying Tigers disbanded in 1942, Rossi joined the China Nation Corporation, flying supplies from India to China. By the end of WWII, he had flown more than 735 trips. Rossi has served... Full story
Eric William Scott and Andrea Bo Conely married after 33 years of friendship, 12 years of courtship and a two-hour engagement. The Fallbrook residents were married in a quiet ceremony at Eric’s bedside on October 3....
The annual Gourd & Pumpkin Festival at Welburn Gourd Farm in De Luz has been rescheduled for Nov. 10 due to the recent fires. A fundraising effort has been incorporated into the event and admission, previously free, has been changed to a $1 donation to local fire relief efforts, with all donations matched by the farm. For more information, call (760) 728-4588 or (760) 728-4271.... Full story
Due to the recent fires, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North County Lead Off-Hitters Luncheon for the “Step Up to the Plate” campaign was cancelled. However, the Yankees have put together a special support party to invite people who are interested in supporting the campaign. The event will be held on Friday, November 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the home of Patrick and Julie Marelly at 4 Golden Meadow Lane in Fallbrook. The party will feature heavy appetizers, refreshments and an opportunity to network with community leaders. To sup... Full story
Patricia Grant and Herman Schertel, both 84 and both (separately) residents of Silvergate Retirement Residence in Fallbrook, have “fallen in love” after each losing their spouses. The marriage, which is the first for the retirement residence, took place on Sunday, November 4, in the Silvergate social hall. Best Man was Phil Leveque, Herman’s brother-in-law, and Nikki Huelsenbeck, daughter of the bride, served as Matron of Honor. Huelsenbeck commented that neither Patricia nor Herman thought they would ever have a chanc... Full story
Governor Schwarzenegger mentioned Fallbrook during a press briefing with the San Diego Association of Governments in San Diego. Tuesday, October 30: “We also want to thank again – and thanks to President Bush we have been granted the request of the declaration of a disaster area here in California, and that helps us again with getting a lot of federal assistance, especially for nurseries, avocado and flower growers that are hit very hard here in this area. They can apply immediately for low-interest federal loans. “I was i...
Kandyce Smith, a fourth grade teacher at La Paloma, took photos of two military policemen in the Albertsons parking lot. They are from Los Alamitos in the LA area. Smith asked them for permission to print their picture in the Village News. Here is their response. Hello, my name is Christopher Henderson. You took a picture of me and my buddy Marco Allen earlier this morning at the store! I just wanted to say thank you for all the hospitality and support you and all of Fallbrook have shown for me and my fellow soldiers. As an... Full story
One of the most amazing outcomes of the Rice Canyon Fire is the world response to our plight. Within two days of the evacuation, our answering machine was full with frantic calls from England, Germany, Canada and even one from Namibia in darkest Africa, where an English friend had been vacationing! Those who had visited us knew exactly where Fallbrook was: in the thick of the Rice Canyon Fire. It was a wonderful comfort to us, evacuated as we were like many others to Orange County, to get these calls and e-mail communiqués....
The staff of Zoofari safely and successfully evacuated and returned home 110 animals at their zoo in Bonsall, including an endangered African cheetah. The Zoofari staff now knows how Noah felt. Two by two, owl monkeys, Siberian lynx, African servals, porcupines, bushbabies and more were evacuated from the Fallbrook/Bonsall area due to the Rice Canyon fire. Instead of a boat, however, an entourage of eight vehicles and staff, plus volunteers, evacuated to three safe havens in Vista. Evacuations were lifted, the compound...
Thanks to one of Fallbrook’s heroes I want to express my thanks to the Village News and community volunteer Matthew Downey. My family has a relative, Mike Breining, who lives in Fallbrook. We heard from Mike the day the fires were so very bad. He told my aunt he was waiting to evacuate, but we didn’t hear from him for two days after that. Mike doesn’t see well, and we didn’t know if he had someone to drive him out. Worried, I tried to find out where I could get more information by e-mailing the Village News. I got a prompt... Full story
Dear Mr. Conibear, I agree that having to be away from my home for a whole week was frustrating; however, it was a precaution that was necessary. The firefighters needed to be sure that the fire would not travel further into town and put anyone in harm’s way. If they let residents return to their homes right away they would just have one more thing to worry about. The fire was also making the air quality horrible to people’s health. That was also a big factor in the length of the evacuation. You know the saying “Rather be sa...
My husband and I were visiting friends in Arizona when the fires started. To find out what was happening in Fallbrook, where we live, after first checking the Web sites of CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and CNN, we tried SignOnSanDiego, the North County Times and various fire agency sites. Finally, we checked the Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News, for whom I freelance as a feature writer. The managing editor, Debbie Ramsey, did not evacuate with the majority of community residents but stayed at her computer, constantly updating the status... Full story
Is your heart touched when you see “Thanks to our Heroes” signs displayed around town? As Fallbrook grieves with their fellow townsmen who lost homes in the recent fire, one can’t help but look around and be amazed at the homes that didn’t burn. Melted fences and charred trees surround houses untouched by fire; intact homes on burned hilltops give testimony to the skill and determination of the firefighters. On that fateful Monday afternoon, as the flames marched toward Fallbrook, citizens surveyed their belongings, trying...
As Washington, DC, struggles to set standards for school improvement, let’s give them some help. No Child Left Behind (Football version) 1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all must win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship, their footballs and equipment will be taken away until they do win the championship. 2. All kids will be expected to have the s...
Early Tuesday, October 23, Zion Lutheran School Principal Nancy Swanlund and teacher Dan Fischer contacted the Chamber of Commerce and offered the use of our facilities. We ended up with five firefighters from Arizona on Tuesday evening. Beginning Wednesday we hosted an average of 90 firefighters and 170 National Guard and Air Force troops. The firefighters were gone by Saturday morning but the Guard stayed through the evening of Monday, October 29. During that time, we conservatively estimate that more than 2,500 meals were...
We hear all the bad news about defaults on mortgages. Lenders really do not want to take your property back in this kind of falling market. Repossessing homes and holding them months on end makes them no money, so they are trying to work out deals with homeowners before they default. In many cases they actually forgive part of the debt. If a mortgage lender forgives debt as part of a short sale or foreclosure or what have you, they send the IRS a 1099 with the amount forgiven. At tax time you are obligated to report this...
I am not aware that America participated in WWI. My father, a Scot, served in WWI and lost a lung due to poisonous gases. I served in WWII. I enlisted in the Navy and served on a minesweeper, which on D-Day participated in the high casualty landing of American troops at France’s Cherbourg Peninsula. It is obvious Mr. Monday has never been involved in a kill-or-be-killed military war and is a shameful ultra-liberal Democrat. Our “enlisted” Marines are youngsters just out of high school averaging in age from 19 to 24. They... Full story
On Monday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. the Fallbrook Camera Club will present a photo show about Japan. The program will be given by guest photographer Bruce Mason. In May, Mason toured Japan from Tokyo to Nagasaki. His 15-day adventure included trips to two resort towns, a castle and Kyoto and Nara. He also visited the famous Torii at Miyajima Island. Mason is a member of the Photographic Society of America and an award-winning, multi-starred international salon exhibitor specializing in landscape photography. All are welcome...
The Fallbrook Women’s Connection invites ladies to treat the special men in their lives to hear a “Top Gun’s” experiences and enjoy a delightful brunch on Friday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Guest speaker will be Russell O’Quinn, an internationally known test pilot and aircraft engineer, who will take the audience from his rebellious teens to a career as a “Top Gun.” Special music will be provided by Art Blodgett, director of the Fallbrook Chorale. The event will be held at the Grand Tradition, 1602 South Mission... Full story
