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 - 19 of 19
Well, just like everybody else in Fallbrook and surrounding areas, the Village News was forced to evacuate our business, families, animals and all our most prized possessions. While we are still not sure how long we will be away from the comfort of our homes, we are mourning the devastation of our beautiful town and our friends’ lost homes. As the paper staff took turns all day handling business, the other staff members prepared to evacuate. It was like something I’ve never experienced before to find our “important papers,” o... Full story
TEMECULA — The hospitality and lodging industry of the Temecula Valley is reaching out with both hands to help those displaced by the devastating wildfires of Southern California. Assistance ranges from food and makeshift lodging in meeting and convention space, travel services for those seeking airline flights and out of the area rooms to free water, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant for those caught up in this regional disaster that has affected hundreds of thousands of people. "Given the magnitude of this event, i... Full story
For a moment you might have thought you were watching CNN and the war-torn streets of the Middle East, but in fact, National Guard units in Humvees were traveling the roads of Fallbrook on Wednesday for two specific reasons – to protect the residents that remained in the village despite the evacuation order and to protect properties from acts of crime. Sgt. First Class Raul Santana was ordered to bring his unit in from El Centro and says another unit was brought in from another location as well. "We want the people that a... Full story
Do not start any clean up in the unincorporated area of the County until you have been cleared by a County damage assessment team. You could jeopardize your FEMA or insurance claims. For more information please call 211. Residents returning to fire damaged homes need to take many precautions. Hazardous materials as well as structural damage pose serious threats to your health and safety. It is strongly advised you take some basic safety measures when cleaning up your property. Returning to the Fire Zone • Use caution and e...
SAN DIEGO — County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis has provided important consumer advice and assistance to residents dealing with the area’s ongoing wildfires. In order to keep residents from being re-victimized, the DA’s office has offered information on everything from insurance adjusters to charity scams. “Unfortunately, some individuals use this time of crisis to take advantage of others,” said DA Dumanis. “We want people to know the consumer rights and legal protections that are in place as they begin to rebuild...
When James Gordon said goodbye to his girlfriend Nanette Malmstrom last Friday, he had no idea how impossible their reunion would be. Gordon left his girlfriend and her two teenage children at his home in Lake Henshaw to house sit while he went to a friend's country home in Running Springs. His friends had gone on a trip of their own, and they lent him their house so he could have a quiet vacation spot all to himself. Gordon suffers from migraines, and the trip was supposed to help him relax. He lost all hope for that when... Full story
Since residents of Fallbrook were evacuated on Monday due to the severity of the fire conditions, the three phone lines at the Chamber of Commerce office have been a non-stop trio of blinking lights. "Roughly, we have been receiving three calls every thirty seconds," said Chamber Executive Director Bob Leonard. Leonard and Chamber volunteers have been answering those lines and attempting to calm peoples' anxieties. "We have been trying to explain how the emergency workers have been able to do an outstanding job because they...
A handful of local merchants are clearly showing the level of dedication they have to their customers continuing to serve local residents that, for various reasons, did not evacuate due to the fire that began Monday, October 22. Sam Logan, owner of Major Market, kept his store open and was on site with a limited crew, in order to provide food and other necessities to residents in need. Although store hours were reduced, residents openly showed their gratitude to Logan and his staff. "I'm just doing what a group of my... Full story
It’s rare for a reporter to get the chance to write from behind the lines. That typically happens just once or twice in a career for most folk of my occupation and ilk. So I find myself lapsing into war correspondent mode. It might be easy to lapse into hyperbole from the edge of a firestorm. Strangely, though, I feel like I’m part of a war. Fire-fueled winds, blackened sky, orange sun at morning followed by orange moon at night. Afternoon takes on a surreal glow as sunlight illuminates an ashen snowfall. After having my hom... Full story
While escaping much of the devastation, the Temecula area grappled with a crippling freeway closure and waves of wildfire refugees from the south and west who flooded into a string of makeshift Red Cross centers. “We have been on the run from fires for the last two days,” said Manuel Renteria, a bedraggled Ramona resident who fled the massive Witch Fire that roared through much of central San Diego County. Renteria said he had heard that a Temecula evacuation center had opened but he did not know its location. A police off...
My husband and I were awakened at 2:00 a.m. by a reverse 911 call. The old abandoned nursery between East Mission and Gum Tree was on fire 100 yards away, and the flames were heading directly downwind toward us. We were out of the house within five minutes with our two dogs and two cats in two cars. Our Fallbrook Fire crew made short work of that spot fire, so that we were able to return to our home around 6:00 a.m., and pack up a few more surroundings. But the Rice Canyon fire was moving by then and was only two miles from...
Because the recent fire may have impacted the water quality, the California Department of Public Health in conjunction with the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health, and Rainbow Municipal Water District are advising residents of Rainbow Municipal Water District, located north of Highway 76, to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution....
As the mandatory evacuation order is lifted in certain areas of Fallbrook, people returning back to the community have questions regarding their mail service, especially those who have sadly suffered the loss of their homes. “For those people whose homes have been destroyed by the fire, we are having them go to the Fallbrook Community Center right now,” said Dave Webster, Postmaster of the Fallbrook Post Office. The Fallbrook Community Center is located at 341 Heald Lane. Residents can fill out forms which will enable the...
The burning of Red Mountain during the Fallbrook (Rice) Fire cost the Fallbrook Public Utility District the chlorination facility for FPUD's Red Mountain Reservoir, but FPUD is currently using a temporary portable facility provided by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The acquisition of the temporary chlorination facility was a combined effort of FPUD, the Metropolitan Water District, and the San Diego County Water Authority. "The fire went over the Red Mountain Reservoir. They lost their chlorine... Full story
Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/28)link Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/27)link Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/26)link Reader Submitted Photos (Updated 10/26)link Reader Submitted Photoslink These photo slideshows are updated as images come in. Be sure to check back. See Gallery (14)...
The ash created by the various October 2007 fires may contain hazardous chemicals, and San Diego County's public health officer is urging caution when handling ash. "The ash particle's more than just the wood. It's synthetic materials found in people's homes," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public heath officer. "The best measure is to protect yourself from the exposure." Some of those materials may contain chemicals linked to cancer. The quantity and length of exposure would determine the threshold of causing cancer,...
The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce and Legacy Endowment Foundation have established a fund for victims of the Fallbrook (Rice Canyon) Fire. People wishing to contribute to the fund can make checks payable to “Legacy Endowment” and specify their donation is for the Fallbrook Fire Storm 2007. Send checks to the Legacy Endowment Foundation, P. O. Box 2710, Fallbrook CA 92088 or deliver them to the Chamber of Commerce office, 233 E. Mission Road, Fallbrook. Legacy Foundation is trying to focus on Fallbrook, however, con... Full story
FALLBROOK- Employees at Fallbrook Hospital announced Saturday, October 27, that they are working with local and state authorities, and air quality and other specialists to prepare for the reopening of the hospital and Fallbrook Skilled Nursing Facility. The hospital is expected to reopen mid- to late-week after passing a combined survey by the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD.) Hospital officials will then focus on preparations to reopen the skilled... Full story
People needing an update on the impact of the Rice Canyon Fire may call or come into the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, which has become the “voice of the town,” says spokesperson, Eileen Delaney. The chamber is interfacing with the North County Fire Protection District regularly and disseminating information as fast as they get it. Since Monday the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce has fielded 20,000 telephone calls from residents and their relatives and friends out of the area looking for information about the status of the... Full story
