Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
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I wanted to take a moment to recognize some exceptional residents in North County whose dedication, resilience, and service have enriched our community. These individuals and groups have made North County an extraordinary place to live, and we are proud to present the 2024 State of North County award winners. Eric Weirather, the band director for Rancho Buena Vista High School, has been a guiding force in music education for 28 years. Eric’s unwavering commitment continues to... Full story
Two letters in the June 27 issue of the Village News opinion section were remarkable for their similarities. Both rehashed the usual theme of Donald Trump being a convicted felon who will end "our democracy" and take away our freedom to vote – nothing new there. One letter is authored by "Todd Musto," the second letter's author is "Maria Goodrich." These two letters are so alike in length, verbiage, and left-wing cliches that if I didn't know better, one could be the rough draft of the other. Some examples of the coincidences... Full story
In a significant legal move, the National Rifle Association has chosen to challenge the state of California's newly imposed excise tax on guns and ammunition. This action, led by the NRA, is not just a matter of contesting a financial imposition but a vital stand for upholding our Second Amendment rights. The excise tax in question places an undue financial burden on law-abiding gun owners and enthusiasts, effectively penalizing responsible citizens who are exercising their constitutional freedoms. These financial strains... Full story
California is a state that never legalized slavery. Gov. Newsom and his supermajority have approved $12 million in a budget with a $50 Billion deficit for reparations. I may be wrong, but this seems to me to be a decision that is not only historically misplaced but also financially irresponsible, considering the state’s dire economic situation. First, I think it’s important to acknowledge that California never practiced slavery. While there has been injustice in the past every... Full story
I keep thinking of Kipling’s poem “If” and have come to admire it more each year. Because in my lifetime I’ve witnessed some things that are amazing and others that are downright immoral. And every time I think I’ve seen it all, something proves me wrong. It seems corruption has become the new normal. I’ve lived through tragedies like the death of my son, watched the execution of JFK followed by his brother Robert, and then Martin Luther King, Jr. I’ve watched in horror whi... Full story
July the Fourth: certainly a day to celebrate. But it also is a day that warrants some contemplation of our rights and responsibilities. And in that regard I've been thinking about our Pledge of Allegiance. When we are called to military duty or military support duty, we are contractually bound to obey. That is the price of the safety, security, and rights we receive in return. But I'm also looking at the part that says: "with liberty and justice for all". That is still only an ideal: we have plenty left to do. For some time... Full story
SACRAMENTO – Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) issued the following statement, June 28, applauding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (Grants Pass), which found that the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, may enforce its ordinances prohibiting camping on public property and fining violators: "Today’s decision rightly empowers state and local officials to compassionately clear encampments. Californians should not have to tolerate the encampments that have taken over our com... Full story
Last week our tractor got stuck while mowing weeds. My husband took our truck down to pull it out. The truck got stuck in an animal burrow, about 150 feet down our side yard from the street. We called AAA as we have a Premier membership; Fallbrook Quality Towing arrived. We were told AAA only pays for off-roadway towing up to 100 feet. We were shocked when the price quoted to pull the truck up 150 feet was $450. We paid the amount as we needed the truck out. Of course we expected to pay for the service, no one works for... Full story
With our modern-day 24/7 news cycle, with one story after another usurping the headlines every month, week, day, and even hour, coupled with our massive societal “Attention Deficit Disorder,” the sleight-of-hand maneuvers the media plays upon us are simply too easy to perform. As a society, we are overwhelmed with news and our attention span is horrifically weak – and so we get played, over and over and over again. Julie Reeder’s article on how information within the news often goes unvetted, and how it plays into the han... Full story
The recent Supreme Court decision to strike down the "Chevron deference" doctrine marks another pivotal shift towards restoring democratic rulemaking. Most people will be unaware of how important this decision is for America. When people complain about the “permanent Washington class” ruling us instead of the representatives we vote for, this is part of what they are referring to. This Supreme Court 6 to 3 ruling turns around the way that agencies, who may be politically or...
Last week's Supreme Court decision affirming cities' authority to ban camping on public sidewalks marks a significant victory for common sense. This ruling is paramount for the safety and well-being of our community and for restoring the lives of those suffering. It's time for the city and county to restrict all sleeping on sidewalks. Enabling addicts to continue using is not compassionate. We wouldn't allow our friends or family members to spiral into addiction without...
San Diegans know how expensive life has become. Whether you live in Coastal San Diego or North County, prices seem to rise daily. News reports describe our county as “impossibly unaffordable.” While San Diegans do our best to fight against inflation and provide for our families, we could use some more help from our politicians to cut irresponsible spending and the inflationary consequences that follow. It simply does not have to be this way. Better policies and San Diego’s proud history show a brighter future can and must... Full story
For years, the two political parties were practically indistinguishable from one another, except for eight glorious years when the expansion of government came to a grinding halt. But when Reagan's second term ended, the administrative state found its footing and slowly slithered back into our lives. Seven years later, despite Clinton's predictions and prognostications, the era of big government was far from over. In the ensuing years, the administrative state's tentacles would encroach on our lives in unimaginable ways that... Full story
The main state budget bill passed prior to the June 15 constitutional deadline, and the Governor had until June 30 to sign it into law (and use his line item veto pen). But many trailer bills that fund specific state programs were still being voted on last week. Trailers that passed last week included a bill that will establish a permanent foster care provider rate structure based on the needs of the child. Rates will follow the child, not the placement location. Legislation... Full story
In the past 50 years, have you gained some weight, lost some hair, added some wrinkles, lost some agility, and graduated from the FUHS Class of 74? We know exactly where you can go and be with people just like you. The FUHS 50th Reunion for the Class of ’74 is happening on Aug. 3, with some special pre- and post-events in the works. Let’s get together and reconnect with old friends, share our stories, have dinner together, listen to our music and dance the night away at the Pala Mesa Resort. The last day to register is Jul... Full story
It’s official: After making secret hush money payments to an adult film star 11 days before the 2016 election and falsifying official filings to hide the truth from the public, Donald Trump has been found guilty by a New York jury. Trump’s conviction in New York should remind us all that no one – including a former president – is above the law. It should also remind us of the danger that Trump still poses to our democracy. In the final weeks of the 2016 election, Trump covered up his affair with Stormy Daniels to dupe vo... Full story
Donald Trump was found guilty by a jury of everyday Americans on 34 felony counts. He is finally being held accountable for one of his many illegal schemes to gain and hold onto power. His conviction is a reminder that no one – including a former president – is above the law. And it’s another reminder that Trump still poses a major threat to our democracy. When he was President, Trump attacked our fundamental freedoms, from our freedom to vote in 2020 when he attempted to overturn the will of the people, to appointing three... Full story
For over 10,000 years, the Luiseño people have lived in the San Luis Rey Valley. Historically, their villages extended along the coastline, and inland along the San Luis Rey River. The largest recorded village was known as Topomai, located in what is now U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Other historic villages to the east included Páume (Pauma) and Palé (Pala). The current route of Highway 76 was the main path the Luiseños used during their seasonal migrations back and f... Full story
Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks and an Australian journalist, has entered into a plea agreement with the United States, according to court filings. It's a deal that allows him to sidestep additional prison time, after fighting extradition to the U.S. and living for seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He then spent five years in a UK prison, HMP Belmarsh, described by some as "the Guantanamo Bay of Britain." Under the terms of the agreement disclosed... Full story
You have to laugh when a scam organization is so dumb (or brazen) as to send a mailed request for money and say that “the Fallbrook City Council Members need to hear from you." Obviously it’s the same scam organization that pollutes the phone lines with fake requests for money. I couldn't resist using their prepaid envelope to send an appropriate reply. Perhaps others in our Friendly Village have received the same solicitation and I hope that they also use the opportunity to send a little note that highlights the fact tha... Full story
A few weeks ago, I stood shoulder to shoulder with small business leaders and parents, united with the same message: the gas tax must be stopped. On July 1, the gas tax is set to increase by an additional 2 cents per gallon, bringing the total tax burden to a staggering 59.6 cents per gallon. We are already grappling with the highest gas prices in the nation, rising utility costs, skyrocketing housing expenses and an overall escalating cost of living. Government should be... Full story
The Republican Party’s position regarding human reproduction is that a life begins at the moment of conception. Actually, it’s not a “moment”: it may take up to 24 hours for the egg to accept the sperm, completing the conception. That is representative of the Party’s profound science ignorance. However, when they say a “life,” they mean a person. They say all human life begins at conception. Well, every person on this earth or ever was on this earth did begin as a fertilized egg. True, but irrelevant. What is relevant, and... Full story
Last week, we held our State of the North County event, and it was great to see so many people who make our region unique. For those who couldn't attend, I'd like to share the key points from my address, which outlined our shared vision for a prosperous and thriving North County. This vision isn't just an aspiration; it's a collective mission that requires each of us to contribute our unique talents. Together, we are a powerful force for positive change. Our potential is... Full story
Last week, the Legislature passed the Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 -2025. The Governor will have until June 30 to sign the budget, which goes into effect July 1. Over the coming weeks/months, a series of trailer bills to fund specific programs must be passed, and since the Governor has line-item veto powers, additional programs may still be cut. The state’s constitution mandates a balanced budget. This budget eliminates the $45 billion deficit for FY 2024-2025, along w... Full story
Last week, the government used the Hunter Biden laptop as evidence against him as they prosecuted him for gun crimes related to the paperwork he turned in. The irony is that there was a larger coverup with intelligence agency employees, leaders, and former associates in the attempt to interfere in the election between Biden and Trump by saying the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian Disinformation. It later was found that the laptop was indeed genuine and had all kinds of... Full story