Wildomar News

Rabbits eat more than carrotsA Wildomar man invents a humane way to discourage landscape-devouring pests. Miller is the inventor of Tagbak, a system that activates sprinklers by infrared sensors, which discourages graffiti at monuments, vulnerable walls and other locations by, in a sense, “tagging back,” the taggers, he said.
Parks could reopen in the springThe mere prospect of public parks was tantalizing to Wildomar resident Bridgette Moore. It's no longer a prospect: In late August, residents approved a yearly upkeep fee allowing three parks to reopen, six years after they were closed by the county. The fee, which will be up to $45 annually, also will cover costs for a fourth park, which is being built.
Lake Elsinore loses in championship gameFloyd Berger used to play football at Elsinore High School when it was pretty much the only show in town. On Friday nights, everyone would cram into the small bleachers at the football stadium on the school's original campus on Lakeshore Drive.
Christmas in MiniatureOlga Covelli came to the United States from Italy more than 40 years ago, bringing with her the love of Christmas and all things miniature.
Bell project brings Wildomar togetherThe bell in front of Wildomar Elementary School has been silent for almost half a century. On Saturday, it will ring to life again during a ceremony marking the community's restoration of the 120-year-old relic.
Coming to AmericaElsinore's Tibrea found a home on the basketball court! As the high school basketball season tips off this week, Eliza Tibrea is one local player who might feel compelled to reflect on where she's been before, considering where she and her teammates might be heading.
Residents unite against proposalDEVELOPMENT: Murrieta and Wildomar homeowners say it would not suit the secluded area.
Scouts earn top prize Cub Scout Pack 332 from Wildomar placed first in the San Diego Zoo's annual Cans for Critters program.
Wildomar volunteers recognized for sacrifice, determination Six community volunteers were honored by First District Supervisor Bob Buster at the Wildomar Municipal Advisory Council (WMAC) Town Hall meeting on November 18.
Wildomar girls lose heartbreaker to Big BearAWildomar Youth Soccer Association Girls U-18 competed against Big Bear in the championship finals at the California Youth Soccer Association’s All-Star/Open Cup competition in Rialto November 18-19. The Wildomar All-Star team earned 18 points on Saturday in two shut-out games to earn the coveted spot at the finals. They lost in the finals 4-1 against Big Bear.
Private Christian school under scrutiny over campus conditions, corporal punishmentA claim that a preschooler was hit with a stick as a form of corporal punishment at Bundy Canyon Christian School has prompted an investigation of the private campus by social service workers and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, officials said Monday.
Official: No progress made in proposed supportive housing center Over the last month, the county has made little progress in its plan for a transitional housing center that had been intended for homeless and low-income families headed by single parents, an official told more than 60 residents Monday night.
125 acres charred; evacuations urgedResidents of a Lakeland Village neighborhood were encouraged to evacuate Sunday evening as a 125-acre brush fire burned along a ridgeline about 650 feet above their custom homes and then downhill and into some of their yards.
Wildomar Historical Society on the Move(MS Word Document)Did you know there was a historical society in Wildomar? There is a lot of history here, since this area has been continuously settled since 1886.
Clean-up nets 40 tons of illegal trashWhat's full of rats and mildew, weighs 40 tons and creeps - under the cover of darkness - into that vacant lot across the street? Find out here!
Genealogical society to meetGena Philibert Ortega will speak about cemeteries and their secrets when the Lake Elsinore Genealogical Society meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 11.
About 200 volunteers expected to participate in annual cleanup of watershedThe times may change, but the trash stays the same. For the 12th year, volunteers will come together for a massive, one-day cleanup of the Santa Margarita River watershed. This year's event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14.
Water district forum set for Tuesday 10/3 The community will get its first chance to meet the six water board candidates next week at a forum being hosted by the Friends of the Forest and Santa Rosa Plateau and the Lakeland Village Neighborhood Association.
Elks planning chili cookoff The Lake Elsinore Elks Lodge is seeking cooks to compete in a chili cookoff at noon Oct. 21. Cooks will compete for cash prizes and sell their completed product.
Resident challenges yearly parks feesOne month after voters approved an annual parks assessment, a Wildomar man is suing to prevent it from being imposed on homeowners in his community.
Charter school seeks board applicantsSanta Rosa Academy, a charter school sponsored by the Menifee Union School District, is seeking applicants for an open school board seat.
College still pushing for Wildomar campus Three months after a judge ruled that Mt. San Jacinto College can't build a campus on 78 acres of open space in Wildomar without voter consent or the approval of state legislators, no election has been scheduled.
Bill gives fire agency new, simpler name Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that will let people refer to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as "Cal-Fire," starting Jan. 1.
Wildomar making progress Little Wildomar is growing up! With that growth, the Wildomar Chamber of Commerce is growing by leaps and bounds.
Council questions homeless shelter localeThe proposed location for a transitional homeless shelter raised a slew of questions at Monday's meeting of the Wildomar Municipal Advisory Council, particularly whether the site on Mission Trail is suitable for the regional facility.
Code enforcement beefed up; Board of Supervisors creates new department Fed up with what one supervisor called an "avalanche of junk" dumped throughout the county on a day-to-day basis, as well as other regular daily violations of local laws, the county Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday to shake things up at the code enforcement office.
Cancer society offers makeoversWomen undergoing cancer treatment can get a free boost of self-esteem thanks to the "Look Good ---- Feel Better" program offered by the American Cancer Society.
Cub Scouts give back to community A group of boys from Cub Scout Pack 332 learned Saturday morning that there is more to scouting than fun, games, camping trips, hikes, racing Pinewood Derby cars and earning merit badges.
County trashed over illegal dumpGARBAGE: Residents say the area is a breeding ground for crime and vermin.
"Tear Down This Gate" award ...to property owners in Wildomar, who voted this month to tax themselves in order to reopen three parks that had been shuttered for six years and to maintain a fourth that will be built by a developer.
Dance lessons offered at lodgeDance lessons will be held at the Lake Elsinore Elk Lodge, 33700 Mission Trail, in Wildomar. Easy beginning level for fox trot, waltz, swing, Latin and country.
WYSA Opening Day welcomes new season Seven-year-old Trevor Nakatal bounded to his mom with a huge grin on his face after taking off the army helmet and giving the remote control panel to the helmet back to Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Guerrero.
9/11 to be remembered at special service As a nation, and a church, Cornerstone Community Church wishes to pay respect to a group of volunteers, firefighters, law enforcement personnel and so many others who have sacrificed, served and lived through some of the toughest moments of this decade.
Volunteers work to restore Wildomar school bellThe 120-year-old bell at the one-room Wildomar school chimed for its K-eighth grade students during the school hours three times a day while hanging in the nearby tower. It was silenced in June 1958 when it was removed when a new school was built. Local volunteers are working to refurbish the landmark artifact and put it back to work.
Historic Brown family residence saved from bulldozers, will house community’s historyThe future looked bleak for the 120-year-old Brown family residence a year ago. The childhood home of a local middle school namesake and pioneer family’s ranch faced certain destruction when the Riverside County Planning Commission approved a developer’s plans to build 108 homes on the 35-acre property.
Property owners vote to pay for upkeep of parks Six years after the community's three parks were closed, a majority of voting Wildomar property owners have agreed to pay a yearly upkeep fee allowing the parks to reopen and a fourth site to operate.
Cemetery districts resist proposal for their mergerSTUDY: The consolidation is considered by LAFCO to streamline operations and reduce costs.
Worker run over by dump truck diesA construction worker was killed Monday when he was run over by a fully loaded asphalt dump truck at a road paving site, authorities said. The Riverside County coroner's office identified the man as Ruben Payan Beltran, 51, of Escondido.
CPR & 1st Aid Classes(Word Doc)CPR & 1st Aid Classes Available.
Play ball! The Wildomar Little League Fall Ball season begins in September and will finish up in November. This is for players 5 to 15 years old. To sign up or for more information visit www.wildomarlittleleague.org or call (951) 375-1570.
County shifts gears on homeless shelterUnable to make things work at the north Lake Elsinore site they tabbed last year for a transitional homeless shelter for women and children, county officials are now looking to build the facility somewhere off Mission Trail in Wildomar.
Merge of cemetery districts inches forward As a proposal to merge a couple of local cemetery districts moves forward, officials with the two agencies said this week they will continue to oppose consolidation because they see no benefit to it.
Wildomar Little League Looks To The FutureFor the first time in over six years, there’s a home field and a flagpole to hang the spoils of victory of the Wildomar Little League (WLL). Wildomar’s AAA division Devil Rays were happy to oblige.
Hydro plant foe enters raceWildomar resident John Lloyd will be challenging incumbent Kris Anderson for the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District's Division 5 seat in the Nov. 6 election.
Hospital moves to keep its coolPatients and employees in Inland Valley Medical Center's emergency wing have had to sweat out at least four muggy days after an air-conditioning system failed.
Planners: Zoning rules not yet readyChanges to Riverside County's 60-year-old zoning ordinance stalled in the Planning Commission on Wednesday, mostly over concerns that the 325-page proposal did not spell out the minimum lot size in areas where high-density development is allowed.
The WIN Committee would like to express their condolences to the Reeves FamilySkyler John Reeves, 6, died of cancer, Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, at Inland Valley Medical Center.
6-year-old boy loses battle with cancerFor all of his six years, Skyler Reeves struggled with what most would consider a grown-up fight. On Monday, he lost his battle. He died of a rare form of cancer found in soft tissue and another cancer found in transplant patients.
Charter-school approval soughtTouting a teaching philosophy that emphasizes small group discussions, individual attention and a focus on language and phonetics, a group of local educators is seeking to open a charter school in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District.
Teens sought for advisory boardCounty Supervisor Bob Buster is recruiting high school students to join the 1st District Youth Advisory Council for the upcoming school year.
Californian says "Yes!"Our view: One of the first questions many newcomers to the fast-growing community of Wildomar often have is why the area's parks are padlocked, with weeds and trash choking the once-verdant fields and playgrounds. Why do we have to take our kids to Murrieta or Lake Elsinore to play Little League or soccer, they ask?
Special Note on Parks:Residents will only be charged $28.00 a year for the park assessment UNTIL the 4th park is built. The 4th park will be on the East side of the freeway and is titled right now as "Wildomar Park East." So the ballot will still say 45.00 but on our property taxes we will only be charged 28.00 until the 4th park is ready.
We are still voting YES for 45.00 but we are just getting a break on the cost until the 4th park is ready.
Any questions, please call Parks at 951-222-3716.
Cooling Center Locations InformationClick for information and locations of cool zones or cooling centers. People can call 2-1-1 and provide their zip code. The operator will provide the closest location. Hours of operation on the line are 24-7.
Press Enterprise supports YES on Parks! (Editorial) The quality of life suffers when a community has no public parks. But maintaining playgrounds and ball fields requires money and community support. And if Wildomar residents want functioning parks, they will have to help shoulder the cost.
Toiling for Parks It might be 100 degrees and he might be about to drop, but Wildomar volunteer John Lloyd isn't about to stop now -- not after doing this for six years. He's chasing down parks for Wildomar, as well as customers at the local Stater Bros. Market, on Clinton Keith Road.
Quest for ActionWhat's it like to live in a community without parks? Just ask 15-year-old Alex Tyrrell. She and other neighborhood kids lost their hangout when Wildomar's parks began shutting down nearly a decade ago. No one goes outside anymore, she said.
Goose deaths rattle residentsBobbing atop the calm waters of a community lake in northern Wildomar is a baby goose cloaked in soft yellow fuzz. The gosling is the sole survivor of a mysterious calamity that recently ended the life of six other newly hatched birds.
History buffs eye school bell for time capuslesThe historical society is looking to the future with its latest project: a time capsule, or series of time capsules, stored in the housing of the Wildomar Elementary School Bell.
Cemetery officials oppose proposed mergeOfficials with a couple of local cemetery districts are still resisting a proposal to consolidate the two agencies ---- more than a year after it was first suggested by a county boundary-setting board.
Note: The Economic Development Agency (EDA) has mailed a Wildomar Landscape Maintenace (LMD) fact sheet to all residential, property owners within the Wildomar Park boundaries. It is in a white envelope with red lettering "SPECIAL ELECTION INFORMATION" on the outside.
Residents rally for parks fundsResidents hit the streets Saturday to draw attention to an upcoming mail-in election some say may hold the community's only hope for reviving three parks.
Wildomar prepares for parks vote This community used to have parks, and recreation classes there. Wildomar also used to have a parks district: the Ortega Trails Recreation and Park District.
Residents rally to promote parks measure The last of three skydivers from Skydive Elsinore spiraled down to the rocky field Saturday morning, a long poster affixed to his right ankle: "Vote Yes for Parks."
Parks committee looking for volunteers to promote maintenance feeResidents attending a presentation Monday on proposed future parks in Wildomar generally agreed the community needs to approve a vote coming this summer on a $45 parks maintenance fee.
Emergency callers have alternativesWhen Roanna Glynn dialed 911 on her cell phone for a problem in her neighborhood, she didn't expect to be put on hold. Calling from her home in the unincorporated area of Lakeland Village, Glynn was worried when she saw a neighbor throwing some belongings into the street.
Hayman to hoedown at Knott'sWhile most of the students at Jean Hayman Elementary School are too young to know who Johnny Cash was, they were hootin' and hoe-downing to one of his songs Wednesday as they rehearsed for their pioneer performance Tuesday at Knott's Berry Farm.
Students host prom for special needs pupils Initially, the prom seemed familiar: Under crisscrossing rainbows of balloons, suddenly woman-like teenybopper girls, dressed in the requisite gowns and heels, danced with boys resembling young Sinatras and Martins in their tuxedos.
Parks fee headed to ballot Voters will be asked this summer to approve a $45 per household fee to maintain four parks in Wildomar, a community that has not had parks for about six years, organizers say.
Fourth Annual Wildomar Casino Night raises cityhood funds barometer by $11,000Poker chips and a Lake Elsinore Storm baseball game were the winning combination for a successful Wildomar Casino Night on May 6. An infusion of $11,000 was collected for the cityhood drive coffers, which was raised to $48,000. An estimated $100,000 is required to pay for the unincorporated community’s pursuit to become a city.
Teacher uses songs to teach math, English The children's tunes are familiar, but the words are new. Instead of singing about saints marching in, Tim Bedley's third-grade students sing about plurals.
Bicyclist killed in Wildomar crashA man was killed Sunday when a pickup truck hit the bicycle on which he was riding, county coroner's officials said. The coroner's office identified the man as Pieter Van De Bovenkamp, 60, of Wildomar. WIN would like to express their condolences to the Van De Bovenkamp family. Pieter was a past Chamber President, MAC member and supporter of the Wildomar community.
Citizens of the Year to be AnnouncedThe Friends of the Mission Trail Library will hold a Citizen of the Year awards ceremony at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 24, for the students at David A. Brown Middle School who were nominated for the honor.
Wildomar woman compiles best 50 fudge recipes into cookbookFudge lovers rejoice! Recipes for every type of fudge that you can imagine are now in one cookbook, “The Best 50 Fudge Recipes.”
Students win essay contestTwo Ronald Reagan Elementary School fifth-graders were the winners in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Luiseno Chapter, essay contest.
Local students receive award Sean Foster and Astinne Twamley, students at David A. Brown Middle School in Wildomar, received the Marian Huhn Award from the California Junior Scholarship Federation as the most outstanding students from the local chapter.
Children reel in fish and funKeenan Hardy sat in a tiny neon-green beach chair as he slowly turned the handle on his fishing reel. The young fisherman had already caught one fish and wasn't in any hurry to catch another one. He was enjoying his time on the beach with his family.
Bees take over carport in Wildomar home A displaced swarm of bees found a new home over the weekend ---- the carport of a tract home in Wildomar.
Device douses vandals who try to deface targeted walls Richard Miller hates graffiti -- he says it makes him wince -- but when his own quiet subdivision in Wildomar got tagged last year, Miller decided to do something.
Knitting ministry seeks members Cornerstone Community Church is seeking volunteers for its Knitting Ministry. The group meets weekly and creates hats, scarves and gloves for the homeless of Lake Elsinore and surrounding areas.
Study: Project to impact canyonA federal report examines potential environmental effects of a proposed power plant.
Mt. San Jacinto board to place $720 million bond measure on June ballot Voters in June will consider a $720 million bond to help fund an expansion of Mt. San Jacinto College's two campuses and the construction of two satellite sites, including one in Wildomar.
Woman named postmasterA 49-year-old Temecula woman has been promoted to Wildomar postmaster, a task she has performed for years while her predecessor was on assignment in San Diego, Postal Service officials said Thursday.
Church plans to move againFresh from a move into a larger sanctuary, Mountain View Community Church in Temecula is making new plans to head for Wildomar, to an 80-acre site that could be ready for worship by 2011, senior pastor John W. Wells Jr. said this week.
Wildomar opens new Little League fields on opening day Both fields are almost too perfect. Soft, burnt-orange clay infields envelope shiny green baseball diamonds. The outfields aren't sloped and there are no divots; they're precisely-graded and well-groomed. And the fields' beautiful backdrop of tree-covered mountains and high blue skies rivals that of The Diamond, Lake Elsinore's minor-league baseball stadium.
Students take show on roadA fire forces a production of "Sweet Charity" to move to Elsinore High. Students in Chaparral High School's production of "Sweet Charity" are learning that the show literally must go on.
Wildomar's shining diamond The can-do spirit is alive today in Wildomar, where community members have picked up shovels and laid down sod to build two very much needed baseball fields.
Carjacking suspect shot during chase A man led sheriff's deputies on a high-speed chase for about 16 miles after being shot during a freeway carjacking Friday afternoon, before finally stopping on Bundy Canyon Road, authorities said.
Cornerstone collects donated goods During the five weekends in January, volunteers from Cornerstone Community Church spent countless hours sorting, folding and bagging piles of donated clothes, toys and accessories, which will support local organizations.
A conversation with Gary Andre, chairman of the Butterfield Trails Committee It started as lines drawn on paper awaiting the final approval stamp from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, but now the nearly four-year-old vision of the Wildomar/Lakeland Village Butterfield Trails system is slowly taking shape along miles of the unincorporated communities’ roadside setbacks.
Fields to get sodThe Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to give $12,000 to the Wildomar Little League to help sod ball fields
Superlocks - Stylist gets creative with racers' hair Jake Zemke, Honda's great young hope in U.S. street bike racing, never sports fewer than three colors in his locks.
Initial animal shelter plans get green light A new home for the valley’s temporarily unwanted dog and cat population took a step closer to reality on January 12 with the approval of initial plans for the future Wildomar animal shelter.
Lake Elsinore Elks raise funds with Christmas Tree LaneA stroll along the Lake Elsinore Elks #2591 Seventh Annual Christmas Tree Lane brought visions of a winning raffle ticket on December 11. Fourteen themed trees went to the lucky winners while the Elks Lodge scholarship funds reaped the rewards.
Wildomar Little League secures its temporary Field of DreamsWildomar Little League (WLL) will finally have its own home turf after leading a vagabond existence since 1999. All of Wildomar’s parks were closed more than five years ago when residents voted to terminate funding of the Ortega Trails Park and Recreation District amidst allegations of financial mismanagement.
Wildomar Pack 332 wins again in San Diego Zoo’s Cans for Critters programWhile learning about recycling and the precarious status of endangered species, Wildomar Pack 332 won second place for top group out of 340 competing scout groups in the San Diego Zoo’s Cans for Critters program.
Breakfast with Santa brings in the bacon for Wildomar causesLike a scene out of Frank Capra’s holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Wildomar’s Fourth Annual Breakfast with Santa on December 17 drew crowds of local residents for a visit with the Jolly Old Elf while raising money for worthy causes.
A family tries to outdo Vegas with at least 300,000 holiday lightsYes, 300,000 lights. It's not quite Vegas alit at night, but the home, like Sin City, is still visible from Interstate 15. Not surprisingly, Clete and Aspen Wendler, Cypress' parents, have their electrician on speed-dial.
New post office may be delayedPlans for the future of new post offices in Wildomar and Redhawk are being re-evaluated and may be delayed, officials say. Postal officials say the new post offices are still going to be built, they just may be smaller than originally expected.
Little League to get two temporary fieldsLittle Leaguers who have been without local baseball fields since 1999 will have fields in Wildomar this spring, a league official said Friday.
Marionettes coming to libraryA holiday puppet show will be presented at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Mission Trail Community Library. Franklin Haynes Marionettes will perform "Santa's New Sleigh." The free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Trail Community Library. It's suggested that guests arrive early, as seating is limited. The library is at 34303 Mission Trail. For information, call 471-3855.
Toy run to benefit childrentA motorcycle toy run to benefit Polinsky Children's Center in San Diego will begin in Wildomar on Saturday. Riders will depart Cornerstone Church, 34570 Monte Vista Drive at 10 a.m. The cost to participate is an unwrapped toy or a gift for a teenager.
Scouts place second in contestCub Scout Pack 332 from Wildomar placed second in the San Diego Zoo's annual Cans for Critters program.