Leapfrog Saftey Grades give high marks to Loma Linda University Health Loma Linda University Medical Center and East Campus hospitals received their 13th and 14th consecutive “A” safety ratings and Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta received its third consecutive “A” from the Leapfrog Group for Spring 2025 updated twice annually in the spring and fall recognize Loma Linda University Health’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital our consistent achievement of nationally recognized quality indicators reflects the intentional commitment to excellence demonstrated by every member of our team,” said Anthony Hilliard CEO of Loma Linda University Health Hospitals “These Leapfrog awards are a testament to our enduring legacy of prioritizing patient safety and delivering exceptional care.” an independent national watchdog organization assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” safety grades to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and patient harm The organization’s grading system is peer-reviewed Visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org to see the hospital’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital. For more information about Loma Linda University Health services and providers or to schedule an appointment, please visit lluh.org or call 909-558-4000 Give to Support LLUH (KESQ) - Investigators are looking into how an inmate at the Cois M Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta died in custody on Thursday In a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office deputies report that they found 53-year-old Michael Allen Weaver of Lake Elsinore unresponsive inside a housing unit cell Life saving measures were performed by custody staff and jail medical personnel until medics arrived but Weaver was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene The Riverside Sheriff's Office Corrections Central Investigations Unit is handling the investigation News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines KESQ-TV FCC Public File | KPSP-TV FCC Public File | KDFX-TV FCC Public File | EEO Report | FCC Applications | Do Not Sell My Personal Information 2025 at 6:43 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The city of Murrieta (shown) ranked fifth in a Consumer Affairs "Best Places to Live in California for 2025."​ (Toni McAllister/Patch)MURRIETA CA — Nearly half of the top 20 California cities to live in are in the Inland Empire according to researchers at the for-profit Consumer Affairs Earlier this month, Consumer Affairs released its "Best Places to Live in California for 2025." The research team analyzed the state's 75 largest cities to create rankings based on five key factors: affordability Among the top 20 cities were nine spread across Riverside and San Bernardino counties: Murrieta came in at #5 California is a big state and still the most populous in the U.S. meaning it’s worth looking outside big-name cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco," Consumer Affairs reported as part of its April 7 rankings release ranked the #1 best place to move to in California It also has the lowest climate risk among the state's largest cities," according to the rankings No cities in the Los Angeles metro made the top 25 largely due to low affordability and lower economic scores Oakland ranked as the worst place to live in California due to its high crime rates and major challenges in affordability See all the California rankings here including the methodology used in the findings Despite negative media coverage about people leaving California Consumer Affairs reported that the state attracted the third-highest number of out-of-state movers in 2023 — behind only Florida and Texas "California’s diverse scenery, warm weather and strong local economies still make it a popular move-in destination," according to Consumer Affairs. "However, outbound moving remains an issue, as the state’s evident housing and climate challenges contributed to a high number of planned outbound moves in 2024." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 10:57 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}"Don't miss this chance to celebrate community and share in one of the longest-running events in Riverside County," the fire department shared on social media CA—The annual Murrieta Firefighters' BBQ is almost here as well as the department's long and storied history of commitment to the city's public safety The free-to-attend BBQ is planned for Saturday from 12 p.m the Firefighters BBQ is one of Riverside County's longest-running events Attendees can look forward to various exciting activities," spokesperson Dawn Morrison said For vendor applications and general information about the event, please visit www.MFRBBQ.com 2025 at 5:51 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Hands Off many carrying signs like this "Trump Crashing The Economy (Photo Credit: Bryan Giardinelli )MURRIETA CA — Hundreds of Southwest Riverside County residents gathered Saturday for the nationwide Hands Off demonstrations protesting their opinion of how the Trump administration is running the country Nearly 250 protestors gathered at Murrieta Hot Springs and Alta Murrieta to wave signs and encourage cars to honk in support of the "Hands Off!" mission Over 350 more gathered at the Temecula Duck Pond on the corner of Rancho California and Ynez Roads The crowds stood out in the Southwest Riverside County sunshine carrying signs that ranged from comical to confounding as protestors called attention to policies and changes proposed and made by the Trump Administration in recent days many belonging to local social media groups organized and gathered on a Saturday to exercise their constitutional rights Temecula resident Julie Geary was out Saturday and brought her parents "It was a great time out with friends (Saturday) This was the largest protest I've ever seen in Temecula It fills me with hope that people were out supporting these programs." Geary has frequently attended local rallies at the duck pond "This is the largest rally I've seen in the area," she told Patch Senior citizens were holding signs focused on Social Security Many like-minded Facebook groups posted and helped people coordinate their message people just drove past if they didn't agree with the protest There were many more that were supportive and positive." Event organizer and photographer Bryan Giardinelli showing what he felt were the most pivotal scenes of the day in Southwest Riverside County "I travel all over the country with a few notable politicians to work on campaigns and movements similar to this one," Giarinelli told Patch "The biggest goal is to bring the community together under a focused message It brings such pride to see my own community standing tall for what's right." 33 Photos Show Hands Off! Protests Against Trump And Musk Across CA a family-owned business with a legacy of excellence since 2008 is proud to announce the launch of its first franchise location in Murrieta Owned and operated by sisters Kelly Breakall this exciting expansion brings the proven success of San Diego Gymnastics to a new community 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- GForce Gymnastics & Parkour proudly announces the opening of its first franchise location in Murrieta This milestone marks the expansion of a successful gymnastics program that has served Southern California families since 2008 The Murrieta location is owned and operated by sisters Kelly Breakall Inspired by their sister's successful San Diego Gymnastics business model they combined their expertise to create the first GForce franchise bringing their family business beyond San Diego County "Our success throughout San Diego showed us that families everywhere are seeking quality gymnastics and Parkour programs that prioritize both athletic development and community building," Christina Grady owner of San Diego Gymnastics & Parkour "We're excited to bring the proven approach of San Diego Gymnastics & Parkour to Murrieta," says Breakall "As a family-owned business that has served our community for almost two decades GForce Gymnastics Expands: Bringing Quality Fitness Programs to Families Nationwide the company launched its franchise program to share its established business model and family-focused fitness philosophy nationwide "Our success throughout San Diego showed us that families everywhere are seeking quality gymnastics and Parkour programs that prioritize both athletic development and community building," Christina Grady "GForce allows experienced franchise owners to bring this proven concept to their communities." GForce stands out by placing its gyms in convenient shopping centers near schools and neighborhoods providing easy access for parents while their children participate in classes Building on San Diego Gymnastics & Parkour's legacy of excellence since 2009 GForce Gymnastics and Parkour is an up-and-coming national franchise dedicated to helping children develop physical mobility skills and character through safe and high-quality gymnastics and parkour instruction Through a family-focused approach and comprehensive programming GForce creates inclusive environments where children of all abilities can flourish With programs ranging from recreational and competitive gymnastics to summer camps to dedicated classes for children with special needs GForce bridges the gap between elite training and accessibility Kelly Breakall, GForce Gymnastics and Parkour, 1 951-329-9972, [email protected], https://www.gforcegyms.com  Do not sell or share my personal information: 2025 at 10:30 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve in Murrieta CA — As home prices continue to soar across much of California a new ConsumerAffairs report spotlighted 10 cities that stand out as top destinations for first-time homebuyers The report ranked cities based on metrics like housing costs While many of California’s coastal towns have become increasingly out of reach these inland and suburban areas are gaining attention from prospective movers a whopping five are in the Riverside metro area including Southwest Riverside County's Murrieta 5 for having "the best economy" and being dubbed the safest city The community has had the second-highest job growth from 2019 to 2023 Its population has also boomed from a modest 2,200 in 1980 to 112,000 in 2023 Murrieta reportedly has the fourth-lowest violent crime rate (1.72 crimes per 1,000 people) and the fifth-lowest property crime rate (12.59 crimes per 1,000 people) It was dubbed the safest city in the report the city was identified as having the seventh-best affordability ratio the city's median home sale price ($556,334) is just over five times the city’s median income of $109,780 Here are the top 10 best cities to move to in California, according to Consumer Affairs: Oakland ranked as the worst place to move in California since it has the highest crime rates and major challenges in affordability no cities in the Los Angeles metro area made the top 25 To identify the best cities to move to in California the Consumer Affairs Research Team said it evaluated the state’s 75 most populous cities across five weighted categories: affordability Check out the full report here 2025 at 4:04 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A view looking east toward Murrieta and Menifee (Toni McAllister/Patch)SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY CA — Murrieta and Menifee are among California's safest cities In its 2025 "Safest Cities Report" findings the research company designated both Riverside County cities among the state's top 20 safest The report examined data for 153 California cities and the top 20 were extrapolated based exclusively on crime rates calculated from FBI data Some of the data that came out of the report: "This designation is a direct testament to the strong commitment our City Council has made to public safety in our community," Menifee Mayor Ricky Estrada said in a released statement "The City of Menifee has made strategic investments in both our Police and Fire Departments to ensure they have the resources and technology they need to do their jobs effectively and keep our residents "This achievement is a clear reflection of the positive impact our team has made on the Menifee community Being one of only six cities in the state to reduce both violent and property crimes is a remarkable accomplishment It speaks to the dedication and teamwork of everyone here I want to thank our department members for their commitment to making Menifee a safe and thriving place." Read the full Safewise report here 2025 at 7:02 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Over the course of the last five weeks Murrieta City Council has approved the issuance of millions of dollars in bonds for the apartment projects for which the city has no financial or legal obligation to repay CA — Three new affordable housing projects are landing in Murrieta when councilmembers voted 5-0 to approve the issuance of up to $40 million in tax-exempt bonds for the construction of the Kensington Apartments Project near the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and Magnolia Street across the street from Murrieta Valley High School 126-unit Kensington Apartments Project in December 2022 The project includes five apartment buildings at the site and the applicant was Pacific West Communities The bonds are being issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority which was formed under joint-powers authority The CMFA was created to promote and finance housing projects that improve the standard of living across the state The agency does this by assisting local governments and businesses with the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt bonds The CMFA is also issuing up to $70 million in tax-exempt bonds for the construction of the Viscar Terrace Apartments at 40475 Vista Murrieta City Council voted 5-0 to approve the financing The 5.7-acre project approved by the city in June 2024 calls for 172 apartments spread across five buildings occupancy will be restricted to low-income residents The Viscar project is being developed by the same team that funded and built the affordable housing project Monamos Terrace Apartments at 25054 Monroe Avenue City Council also voted 4-0 to OK the issuance of $25 million in additional bonds by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority for phase II of the Oak View Ranch Apartments that are under construction at 24960 Adams Avenue Phase I of the project saw the city's approval in 2023 of the issuance of $40 million in bonds by the CSCDA A total of 200 affordable apartment units are being built at the 6-acre site with the latest financing going toward construction of approximately 80 senior living units the CSCDA assists local governments with the issuance of bonds for projects the city has no financial or legal obligation to repay Councilmember Lisa DeForest recused herself because she has a business within 500 feet of the project Murrieta's recent financing approvals come amid dozens of state laws passed in recent years in response to California's housing crisis and affordability issues are designed to spur housing production and curb local government’s ability to deny housing development Welcome, Mickeymickey@disney.comManage MyDisney AccountLog OutHelicopter crashes near airport in MurrietaThursday 2025Stream Southern California's News Leader and Original Shows 24/7MURRIETA (KABC) -- A helicopter crashed near the French Valley Airport in Murrieta on Thursday The solo occupant in the aircraft was assessed by emergency crews and released at the scene Riverside County Fire Department officials said The crash occurred near the intersection of Auld and Briggs roads just north of the airport shortly before 1:30 p.m and the crash resulted in a small gas leak There appeared to be no damage to nearby structures 2025 at 10:37 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A brawl of 20 to 30 people broke out at a Murrieta In-N-Out over the weekend according to a recent report from the Murrieta Police Department CA — Late at night at the Murrieta In-N-Out burger usually means lines of cars around the block waiting for double-doubles and a side of animal-style fries it became the center of an outright brawl involving possibly dozens according to the Murrieta Police Department Murrieta police officers responded to In-N-Out after receiving calls about a fight involving 20 to 30 people "Our detectives are actively investigating the incident," Garcia told Patch "They have obtained some footage of the incident and are following up on investigative leads and we do not have any video footage that can be released." Arriving officers contacted witnesses and multiple involved parties several of whom said a weapon was fired during the brawl Murrieta Fire Department was also dispatched to the scene told Patch that one person was transported to an area hospital just before 1 a.m The Murrieta Police Department is seeking additional information from the public regarding the incident that may assist in the ongoing investigation. Anyone with details was asked to contact Detective Leitch at 951-461-6353 or rleitch@murrietaca.gov Several residents replied to the social media post claiming that the Murrieta In-N-Out is "packed every night." Some commenters on Murrieta Police's request for information blamed the influx of apartments in the area while others asked for a "step up in police patrols." Patch contacted a Murrieta's In-N-Out franchise spokesperson for a statement about the incident 2025 at 8:34 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A Murrieta house fire extended into surrounding vegetation endangering a community near Fig Street Thursday evening CA — A Murrieta brush fire that ignited Thursday night led to a swift evacuation of homes and businesses in the South Murrieta Business Corridor All evacuations and warning zones were lifted as of 8 a.m according to the most recent update from the Murrieta Police Department The blaze drew firefighters for a fierce house fire battle that extended into the surrounding brush the department reported that the fire's forward progress has stopped Firefighters remained in the area to conduct mop-up operations and ensure no spot fires emerged overnight "There is no immediate risk beyond the evacuation areas," a spokesperson for the police department said Roads remain closed as firefighters do their work "Residents in the evacuation and evacuation warning zones who need immediate resources can call 951-461-6368," according to the police department Flames could be seen by drivers heading along I-15 and I-215 The fire quickly extended into vegetation around the home as winds gusted at over 20 mph and more engines were called to assist with the firefight also warning drone pilots not to fly over the area 2025 at 8:12 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Rep Darrell Issa participates in Murrieta's 20th anniversary Veterans Day Parade in 2022 Issa achieved the rank of captain and completed his service in 1980 CA — The League of Women Voters of California has a beef with the congressman who represents Murrieta and Temecula It began last month when Congressman Darrell Issa (R-48) sued the Golden State in federal court to stop mail-in voting ballots from being counted after Election Day Issa claims the statewide practice provides “an unfair electoral advantage for opponents of Republican congressional incumbents.” Issa’s lawsuit states he intends to run for re-election in 2026 but alleges he “faces a material risk that he may lose future elections due to these unlawful ballots.” California law allows mail-in ballots to be counted up to seven days after Election Day as long as envelopes are postmarked on or before Election Day The suit, filed on Issa’s behalf by conservative advocacy group Judicial Watch argues that counting vote-by-mail ballots that arrive up to seven days after Election Day violates federal law California Secretary of State Shirley Weber is named as the defendant in the suit The League of Women Voters of California is seeking to intervene in Issa's lawsuit the nonprofit organization says the longtime Republican congressman's federal lawsuit "could wrongfully disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of California voters." The organization states in its motion that its mission of boosting voter engagement and preventing voter disenfranchisement would be impeded if Issa is granted an injunction to reject mail-in ballots received after Election Day The group also alleges about 80% of Californians vote using a mail ballot each election Congressman Issa openly admits that he wants to disenfranchise voters simply because they might not vote for him," said Julia Gomez interim managing legal director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties one of several groups representing the League of Women Voters "He is putting his own partisan interests above elections that accurately reflect the will of the people The court is scheduled to hear the League’s intervention motion on May 16 Issa has shown little support for mail-in voting Gavin Newsom over a state directive to send every registered California voter a mail-in ballot for the upcoming November election including the Republican National Committee Issa's 48th Congressional District stretches across Riverside and San Diego counties the district extends across much of the county's eastern reaches —City News Service contributed to this report How to watch California high school boys lacrosse: Vista Murrieta vs April 29Data SkriveThere is an exciting high school game in Murrieta with Vista Murrieta High School hosting Temecula Valley High School How to watch Temecula Valley vs. Vista Murrieta boys lacrosseTemecula Valley and Vista Murrieta will take the field on Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. PT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school lacrosse streaming live plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America Watch Vista Murrieta vs. Temecula Valley on NFHS Network! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU 2025 at 3:53 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}An artist's rendering of the proposed new youth center at Calvary Chapel Murrieta CA — A proposed new 4,680-square-foot youth center at Calvary Chapel Murrieta continues to move forward During Wednesday night's Murrieta Planning Commission meeting a revised conditional use permit will be reviewed The large-congregation Christian church at 24225 Monroe Avenue seeks to erect the youth center in a single-story 18.5-foot-tall metal assembly building on .31 acres at its property site "The proposed building will provide space that will be programmed for spiritual and educational growth by providing the youth who attend a place to have ministry events worship nights and bible teaching for church ministries," according to city documents The proposed youth center will cater to middle- and high-school-aged church members that will also use the building for worship As a condition of approval for the youth center the city is requiring the church to install two EV stations Vehicle access to the facility already exists from Monroe Avenue the youth center is not expected to impact traffic in the area because the new facility is "intended for existing site users since the school would not be adding additional students." the new youth center is not supposed to increase the originally permitted maximum capacity at Calvary Chapel Murrieta which allowed a 960-seat church complex with a 760-student private school The church and school will operate the youth center at different times The church's youth ministries will have access weekdays (intermittently Monday through Friday) from 6 p.m Calvary's existing student population will have access to the youth center Monday through Friday (intermittently) from 8 a.m Wednesday's 6 p.m. Murrieta Planning Commission meeting takes place at 1 Town Square (City Hall). See the full meeting agenda here 2025 at 4:36 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}In March the Murrieta Police Department shared vivid pictures of a crash scene related to a DUI incident they showed high schoolers just how bad it can really get (Murrieta Police Department Photo)MURRIETA and other emergency response agencies want to save your high schooler's life the departments held a dramatic recreation of a DUI crash on the grounds of Vista Murrieta High School this puts high school students in the driver's seat to see firsthand what a DUI crash can do to the lives of those involved Emergency crews recreated a fatal DUI traffic collision on the high school grounds according to School Resource Officer Mark Cuny and senior class students viewed the crash and took part afterward in the mock funeral and ambulance personnel responded to Vista Murrieta High School with lights and sirens before noon and a helicopter from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department landed on the school grounds shortly after noon to airlift one of the 'critically injured' student volunteer actors to a trauma center," he said or staff at the high school will be injured or in any danger during this staged program." Every 15 Minutes concludes with a mock “funeral” presented at a student body assembly for those in attendance Many Murrieta residents vividly recall their "Every 15 Minutes" lesson and several chimed in on the police department social media page "I still remember when our school did this program back in 2000 at Chaparral They had a dozen or so students walking the halls for a couple days with their faces painted black and white to represent they had died in a DUI related accident and they weren't allowed to talk to anyone throughout the day," they wrote "I still remember trying we'd forget and try and talk with them during break and or lunch and them just standing there not responding looking sullen Then at the end of the week they did this scene on campus I wish they still went full out but I suppose just the scene on campus could be as impactful." Others mentioned that if the event saves even one life 2025 at 11:58 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The HRFV team is planning the groundbreaking for the Holocaust Educational Memorial at Murrieta Town Square Park (Photo Courtesy: Holocaust Remembrance Foundation of the Valley)MURRIETA CA — A group of Murrieta residents has worked for ten years to see the groundbreaking of Southwest Riverside County's newest Holocaust Education Memorial a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for the memorial at Murrieta Town Square Park "Join us as we honor history and work together to ensure these lessons endure for future generations," said organizers in a recent social media post is intent on educating and providing truthful education about the Holocaust and issues of antisemitism They have raised over $100,000 toward the memorial's construction and are seeking more supporters according to a report by The Press-Enterprise's Carl Love Love recently shared on the memorial, the foundation, and Southwest Riverside County's rich Jewish history. "Southwest Riverside County has been known as a bastion for Christians and when I moved here in 1988 it was often called the Bible Belt of Southern California," Love wrote helped run the first store in Temecula in the mid-1800s." such as the one in Lake Elsinore's Elsinore Valley Cemetery Read more on the area's Jewish immigrants, the history, and the people behind the Holocaust Memorial 2025 at 11:55 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Firefighters used new technologies to battle the house fire that extended into nearby brush in Murrieta overnight CA — A house fire that grew into a brush fire off I-15 in Murrieta overnight was halted after four hours due to some new technologies and coordinated efforts Murrieta Fire & Rescue spokesperson Dawn Morrison said in a recent news release with one home and multiple outbuildings lost Murrieta firefighters responded to reports of a burning home on Fig Street and Hoover Avenue quickly spreading to surrounding outbuildings and threatening nearby properties resulting in evacuation warnings for nearby residents and businesses "First responders faced challenges such as hazardous wind conditions and limited water supply because residents rely on private wells in this area of the city This means there are not many hydrants in the area yet their coordinated efforts successfully halted the fire’s progress saving numerous structures and preventing further escalation the Murrieta Police Department evacuated the affected area and issued in-person evacuation notices in partnership with Riverside County Emergency Management Department implemented Genasys Alerting Software and delivered geo-targeted alerts across multiple platforms to ensure public awareness "The Murrieta Police Department’s Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was crucial in fire containment efforts Leveraging this new technology in the city resources were able to use overhead thermal imaging technology to determine the fire perimeter spread and identify hotspots This resource guided firefighting crews to residual heat and allowed crews to search for embers that had landed outside the containment line This enhanced situational awareness ensured a thorough mop-up process and prevented further fire spread." this outcome underscores the dedication and skill of the responding agencies and the value of modern technology and interagency collaboration during emergencies "The response to this incident highlights the strength of our regional partnerships in Riverside County With other simultaneous active fire-straining resources countywide the collaboration between Murrieta Fire & Rescue and mutual aid agencies proved instrumental in containing the fire." All evacuation warnings were lifted as of 10 p.m Thursday and all remaining evacuations were lifted as of 8 a.m The cause of the fire remains under investigation Related: Murrieta Fire: Evacuations Lifted, Cause Of Blaze Under Investigation 2025 at 5:50 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The motorcyclist suffered major injuries and was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center CA — A motorcyclist suffered major injuries after a multi- vehicle crash in Murrieta The three-vehicle crash was reported around 3 p.m Friday on the northbound lanes of the Escondido (215) Freeway just south of Clinton Keith Road Witnesses told authorities that a motorcyclist was splitting lanes on northbound I-215 at about 75 mph when he lost control and struck the right rear portion of a Ford F-150 that was towing a utility trailer The rider then struck the right side of the utility trailer ricocheting off and striking the left front tire of a Peterbilt cement mixer The crash ruptured the left front tire of the cement mixer and caused minor damage to the F-150 and utility trailer The motorcycle sustained moderate damage and came to a rest blocking the No The motorcyclist suffered major injuries and was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center The two other drivers involved were uninjured Anyone with additional information regarding the crash was encouraged to contact 951-466-4300 2025 at 3:21 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Murrieta Fire & Rescue with resource support from CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department and the Murrieta Police Department responded to three separate and unrelated structure fires overnight with resource support from Cal Fire/ Riverside County Fire Department and the Murrieta Police Department responded overnight to three separate and unrelated structure fires according to department spokesperson Dawn Morrison The first incident occurred just before midnight on Cholla Court The fire involved a wall and attic of a home currently under renovation Murrieta fire crews were dispatched to a large detached shop fire on Bay Meadows Way Firefighters successfully protected the adjacent residence a fire broke out on Corte Albara in The Colony "One person sustained minor injuries and self-transported to a local hospital and no residents were displaced," she said The causes of all three fires remain under investigation Further details will be released as they become available "The occurrence of three separate structure fires within a short period is not necessarily a regular event and our investigators thoroughly examine each scene to determine the cause," she said "It's crucial to avoid speculation until these investigations are complete "Murrieta Fire & Rescue is committed to ensuring our community's safety and is actively working to understand the circumstances surrounding these three separate and unrelated fire incidents Should our investigations reveal a need to reinforce fire safety practices within the community we will launch a public education campaign This outreach will include community engagement initiatives and targeted messaging across our social media platforms." Murrieta Fire & Rescue thanks the Murrieta Police Department and CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department for their assistance All residents are encouraged to remember the importance of fire safety Murrieta Fire: 2-Acres Burn, 1 House, Sheds Lost To Overnight Blaze Murrieta Fire & Rescue 'Stands Ready' For Wildfire: What To Know 2025 at 7:51 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}There are no as-built records for the bridge according to documents from Temecula-based Michael Baker International CA — Strong winter storms have rendered a bridge in Murrieta "structurally deficient for fire truck access," according to city documents During the March 18 Murrieta City Council meeting the Hayes Avenue Bridge emergency is scheduled to be publicly discussed the bridge that crosses over Miller Canyon Creek between Ivy and B streets was found to have a pothole in its deck 6 discovery was made after winter storms blew through the area The bridge was closed and evaluated by Temecula-based Michael Baker International which determined the overcrossing is "structurally deficient for fire truck access and needs to be replaced." In a draft resolution to be discussed during Tuesday night's council meeting the city seeks to declare an emergency so it can urgently replace the bridge without putting the project out to bid this unexpected occurrence poses a clear and imminent danger requiring immediate action to allow the City to continue providing fire truck access to all of its residents which is an essential public service ...," according to the draft resolution There are no as-built records for the single 15-foot span bridge the general area where the bridge is located is home to some of the region's historic buildings What is known about the bridge is that it's a timber girder superstructure with wood decking supported on a seat-type concrete abutment The existing decking and girders are in poor condition the bridge would still be structurally insufficient to accommodate heavy trucks Michael Baker recommends the complete demolition and replacement of the existing bridge with a Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) or alternative structure," according to city documents The total cost to replace the bridge is unclear though ballpark numbers could be discussed on Tuesday The investigation process has already cost $15,905.92 The price tag for engineering and environmental work — a first step in replacing the bridge — is estimated at approximately $73,675 Once the engineering and environmental work is complete construction could begin as early as late May Tuesday's 6 p.m. City Council meeting takes place at 1 Town Square. See the full meeting agenda here. 2025 at 2:42 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}While some restaurants will be closed for the holiday on April 20 plenty in Southwest Riverside County will be open CA — Whether you're celebrating Easter Sunday with family Murrieta has several brunch options to consider While some restaurants will be closed for the holiday on April 20 plenty in Murrieta and Southwest Riverside County will be open Plus, there are plenty of family-friendly activities going on in Murrieta leading up to and on Easter. On April 5, there's a market and egg hunt at Shivela Middle School from noon to 5 p.m No matter where you land this Easter Sunday be sure to book in advance — these eateries tend to fill up faster than a basket of chocolate eggs In Murrieta, Toast a popular brunch eatery says it's "egg-cited" to take reservations for parties of nine or more on Easter Sunday The restaurant will serve a specialty menu featuring "berry magical" pancakes and festive spring drinks that will be served from Thursday also check out these 20 wineries and restaurants serving brunch that day: Altisima Winery Bolero Restaurante Cougar Vineyard & Winery Corbeaux Wine & Tea House Falkner Winery The Gambling Cowboy Wilson Creek Winery Trattoria Toscana - Temecula The Restaurant at Ponte Small Barn Old Town Gourmet Italia The Cave Restaurant at Oak Mountain Winery Public House Cork Fire Kitchen The Vineyard Rose at South Coast Winery Pinnacle Restaurant Falkner Winery Cafe Champagne Restaurant The Restaurant at Mount Palomar Winery Finch Distillery at Oak Mountain 2025 at 4:15 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The operation began Sunday when law enforcement personnel from Riverside and San Diego counties received notification of a body found near the 17000 block of Calle Delina along the Riverside County/San Diego County border CA — Search and rescue teams have retrieved the body of a man from a remote area just west of Murrieta and Temecula city limits The operation began Sunday when law enforcement personnel from Riverside and San Diego counties received notification of a body found near the 17000 block of Calle Delina San Diego County Public Safety Group communications officer Fallbrook Sheriff's Substation deputies led the investigation working in tandem with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Murrieta Police Department the remains were recovered by a San Diego County sheriff's ASTREA helicopter The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Murrieta Police Department also assisted in the recovery The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the cause manner and date/time of death of the victim No other information was immediately available 2025 at 7:21 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}With few exceptions e-bikes would be prohibited on sidewalks and trails CA — The Board of Supervisors Tuesday tentatively approved an ordinance restricting where electric bicycles can be operated generally prohibiting them from being driven on pedestrian walkways along sidewalks or on nature and equestrian trails in unincorporated communities throughout Riverside County The E-Bike Safety Ordinance was drafted at the request of Supervisor Chuck Washington who first raised the issue of potential conflicts with e-bikes back in September "I've personally witnessed instances of unsafe behavior by riders and those around them," Washington said ahead of the 5-0 vote Tuesday riders have a responsibility to ensure the bikes are used safely and responsibly." which is slated to be formally approved after a second reading on May 6 replicates similar ordinances passed in municipalities and other counties statewide It classifies e-bikes as pedal-driven motorized two-wheelers that generally rely on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for power which kicks in when riders have reached speeds of at least 20 mph aiding the bicyclists in gaining and maintaining momentum along with Supervisors Manuel Perez and Karen Spiegel all observed that the bikes are becoming more and more popular "I see them coming up and down Highway 74," Perez said Washington's initial concern was over the bikes' growing presence on Temecula Valley Wine Country trails as well as outdoor recreational sites favored by horse enthusiasts the ordinance would apply to unincorporated areas countywide signage must be posted on sidewalks and trails notifying entrants of the county prohibition Some usage would be allowed on sidewalks where there are no designated bicycle paths along roadways The only requirement would be that e-bikers obey all traffic laws and ensure safe passage to avoid conflicts with pedestrians Similar restrictions already apply to mopeds and other motor-driven cycles Violators could be issued citations carrying fines of $100 to $500 depending on the number of infractions that occur in a year's time 2025 at 4:42 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Firefighter/Paramedic Antonio Alonso using a snake pole to remove a rattlesnake from a Murrieta yard (Murrieta Fire & Rescue Photo)MURRIETA CA — Murrieta Fire and Rescue is warning residents to watch out for rattlesnakes this week Even though temperatures were slated to drop over the coming week the recent warmer weather brought out rattlesnakes and other desert predators "We responded to two rattlesnake calls in Murrieta in the past week," said spokesperson Dawn Morrison That western part of Murrieta borders on Murrieta Creek and this is where they live," Morrison said noting that rattlesnakes are venomous and can be dangerous to people and pets Murrieta's firefighters undergo rattlesnake training annually and the service is available to all who live in the city the department serves firefighters learn how to pick the rattlers up with a 'snake stick,' place them carefully into a bucket and take them for release away from nearby homes Many residents say they were unaware the fire department offered rattlesnake removal Protect your family and pets by being aware of your surroundings Murrieta is one of the few departments offering this service to Riverside County residents they can go on three to five rattler calls a week In a previous Patch report, Murrieta fire reminded residents that most snakes "will take shelter during the heat of the day under things like plywood wood piles and tree branches or anything that would shade them from the heat of the day and that they should be careful while cleaning up or moving objects that may provide such shelter." note that Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters do not provide snake retrieval services Cal Fire firefighters will always assist where needed and can help contact authorities such as animal control spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa told Patch Other snake retrieval companies are out there Read: Rattlesnake Found Inside La Cresta Home: 'It's Mating Season' The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends avoiding snakes if spotted in the wild Bites are uncommon but can occur if a snake feels threatened Most bites occur between April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors Prevention is key to avoiding unwanted encounters For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov Rattlesnake Found Inside La Cresta Home: 'It's Mating Season' 2025 at 3:53 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Famous PUDN team with actress Renee Zellweger in 2023 CA—Murrieta's Famous PUDN has closed its doors the owners announced in a recent social media post they will sell to the public through farmer's markets and other fairs and possibly reopen another retail outlet in 2026 a local staple from its 24520 Village Walk Place Unit F location "You will only be able to get our PUDN at outdoor events in a city or state near you," they wrote "Our large event schedule has doubled this year It doesn't make good business sense to do both this year." Gift cards will be honored at outdoor events You can still place catering orders online The PUDN has earned numerous local awards and grants. They even served actress Renee Zellweger on Mother's Day in 2023 the plans for the business are ever-evolving Smith started making homemade PUDN in 2004 and the delicious baked dessert is Kosher Certified "We were blessed by a real Rabbi," he said He set up shop in a former Long Beach deli and word got out quickly "I had lines around the street some days," he said Even the mayor of Long Beach proclaimed that they were "putting smiles on people's faces" with a delicious dessert that everyone can relate to regardless of family history or background Life took them away from California for several years It wasn't until 2015 that they moved to Temecula and during the pandemic decided that a family business may be just the way to both work with and leave a legacy for his son the Smith family came up with the mission statement and plan for the shop."My son worked out that PUDN stands for PUDN Unifies Diversity Nationwide," he said They also still strive to carry on the tradition of putting smiles on people's faces every day with the traditional banana pudding to the elaborate flavors and toppings each guest can build themselves and now I'm coaching him in business," he said "We're working together and it feels good to be closer than ever but the business goes on under the new model Be sure to watch social media for their next storefront tentatively planned for 2026 in a "high-traffic location," Smith said "Thank all of you for loving us what we stand for We look forward to seeing you and PUDN smiles on your faces." 2025 at 10:39 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A 13-year-old Murrieta boy died in early February after attempting a "Blackout Challenge." (Photo Credit: Courtesy Nnamdi Ohaeri)MURRIETA CA — A young Murrieta boy died in early February after taking part in a dangerous social media challenge with a celebration of life two days later at a local football field It was a fitting spot to remember for the 13-year-old who loved football "The overwhelming support provided to us from our circle of friends the entire community was and still is beautiful," his mother wrote in a GoFundMe message "Although we wish the circumstances were different and the willingness from those closest to us and from those we don't know to provide us an unrelenting helping hand." As his family opens up about their tragic loss, the community of Murrieta is supporting the family with a GoFundMe fundraiser established by a family friend. It that has raised $75,000 "We don't know how this works or how long to keep the fundraiser going but we are taking a sabbatical from work to pour into the kids and recalibrate our new way forward," the family wrote on the GoFundMe page spoke recently to NBC4 about what happened in the wake of his 13-year-old son's death on the day of the Grammy's his son was found unconscious and unresponsive in his bedroom The family performed CPR and contacted the police for help Initial reports indicated the child had taken his own life the parents learned of a social media game where children "were making themselves pass out." so his parents could only guess he may have learned about it at school or elsewhere They hope that sharing what happened to their son will make other families aware of such dangerous games "We need to be mindful of the influencers," he said "We don't talk about social media trends or playing social media games Read the full story by journalists Shelby Nelson and Vivian Chow on KTLA To support the family, go to their GoFundMe page. The challenge asks people, primarily children, to intentionally choke themselves or others in an attempt to feel a lightheaded euphoria without having to buy alcohol or drugs and awareness was primarily spread through word of mouth It gained traction online in recent years due to the accessibility of social media The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention commissioned a report on the game and found that from 1995 to 2007, 82 people died in the United States because of it Most of the victims were boys between 11 and 16 Taking steps through thigh-deep water is usually pretty straightforward for me But it turns out simple motor skills become a lot harder when the water temperature lingers in the same range as the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Alaska in autumn Every nerve in my body is bracingly alive in the 48-degree water aware of each pebbled contour on the floor and awakened anew as I gingerly step into the next pool I feel enveloped by an unexpected sense of pleasure I’m on the Kneipp Walk at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort a “contrast bathing” experience where practitioners wade through alternating hot and cold pools to supposedly reduce inflammation and jolt the system into a heightened state of awareness I had resisted even bothering with it—I came to the resort to relax So, I thought, what better way to celebrate back-to-school than by recharging at a hot springs resort a nearby Riverside County city where late summer temps average 91 degrees I figured if I couldn’t consciously release the tension I’d held over the past few months I was already familiar with the hot springs resort routine—submerge yourself in murky, steaming pools and let the calcium, boron, potassium, and other silky-soft minerals wash over your now-slippery body in a nourishing bath for the mind and spirit. Drink water. Wear sunscreen. I was ready, with my fellow mom friend Kim along for the ride, who needed a cosmic top-off as much as I did “I just want my spirit to leave my body for a little while,” I texted her the day before we departed for the resort I didn’t realize how prescient my words would become We had an unexpectedly full schedule of activities for our overnight stay—dinner That didn’t even include our own exploration of the property which features a second-story cedar sauna room with panoramic views and pools and hot tubs of all temperatures scattered across the 46-acre Glancing at the itinerary sent a twinge of anxiety rippling down my spine my carefully guarded tendency to stick to what I know and pooh-pooh the unfamiliar I would go with the flow—the carefully tailored I hadn’t signed up for a heart attack at the hot springs, but about five seconds into a hardcore fitness class that kicked off promptly at 7:15 am Thrown into the gauntlet of physical activity my mantra was “Be open to the experience.” I had to keep reminding myself of that as the trainer introduced me to a new special kind of torture: medicine ball burpees I reminded myself when I pushed a sled across the padded floor And I congratulated myself when I managed to limp my way out of the gym and slide into the pool for aqua yoga which is surprisingly demanding on one’s balance and muscles By the end of the session, my face barely cleared the water line in the 101-degree tub. How was it not even 9 a.m. and I was drained of energy and ability, all the looseness of the previous night’s massage evaporating into an all-too-familiar sense of mental and physical fatigue Why did I allow my journey to recenter get commandeered by a to-do list Hadn’t I come to escape that exact pitfall Where did the balance between being flexible and being comfortable fall?  At least my last scheduled activity—the aqua sound bath—required zero physical effort leaned against the back of the tub with Kim and ten other participants our bodies circling around a small collection of singing bowls gently guided by two specialists working in tandem but it was my first time experiencing it in water.  mineral-laden liquid acted as a conduit for the sound waves pulsing through the water in an all-enveloping vibration resounding gutterally through my entire core and shaking me from the tips of my fingers to the backs of my eyes my spirit lost in the reverberations.  I saw my guilt for time away and my desire for more of it my ability to adjust to the unexpected and to hold fast to my own limits I knew who I was and what I was capable of I just needed the space and grace to find myself again more than one person had tears on their face each salty drop adding to the communal waters My catharsis had not arrived the way I’d expected Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine By clicking subscribe you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions Email: [email protected] By clicking Subscribe you’re confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions Email: [email protected] © Copyright 2023 San Diego Magazine 1230 Columbia Street 2025 at 1:36 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}This map of the Fig Fire shows the mandatory evacuation zones in red and the areas under evacuation warning in yellows as of 9 p.m CA — A house fire quickly grew into a brush fire that threatened Murrieta homes and businesses Thursday evening sparked at the intersection of Fig Street and Madison Avenue All evacuations and evacuation warnings for this blaze were removed as of 8 a.m The initial house fire extended from a burning Murrieta home amid gusting winds Thursday The Murrieta Police Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for surrounding areas until further notice Related: Murrieta Fire: Evacuations Reduced As Firefighters Work The Scene 2025 at 4:56 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A recent traffic stop yielded a high-speed chase and then the arrest of this court-dodging offender But it's HOW they said it that counts CA—The Murrieta Police Department is expanding its social media presence appealing to a younger audience with posts about crime has captured their audience's attention in a way not seen in over a year This isn't the department's first attempt at irreverent social media posts a series of Facebook messages obscured criminals' faces with Lego heads a practice that Lego discouraged and ultimately disallowed Murrieta's Social Media team has sought an engaging way to get back into the swing of social storytelling The meat behind the recent messages is clear: if you get caught breaking the law in Murrieta the department shared the arrest of 27-year-old Chandler Fulks of Murrieta on the afternoon of February 16 he was originally held on misdemeanor marijuana sale But when the police department spokesperson tells the story on Social Media, that's when the magic happens Related: John Oliver Roasts Murrieta Cops And Lego In Recent Lego-Head Debacle The department's post compellingly tells the story No court date was currently listed for Fulks the department spokesperson wrote on Facebook: "Fun footnote: In addition to the felony warrant and NEW felony narcotic sales charges the male was evaluated and determined to be driving under the influence (DUI) Let’s hope for his sake that he makes his next court date." Miguel Garcia spoke with Patch about the department's social media posts that have captured the nation's attention "Our department's social media team actively experiments with various writing styles to effectively engage different audiences," he wrote in an email to Patch "We want our content to resonate with various groups and create meaningful connections across our platforms." What do you think about this new irreverent police practice John Oliver Roasts Murrieta Cops And Lego In Recent Lego-Head Debacle Hard 'No' From LEGO: Murrieta Cops Must Stop Usage Of Lego Heads 2025 at 3:54 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}St and if you're looking for a lively Irish pub Southwest Riverside County has a lot to offer and if you're looking for a lively Irish pub The holiday celebrating the foremost patron saint of Ireland but plenty of bars are likely to keep their doors open late From festive parades to green beer specials there's plenty of events and happenings planned across the county for St And while there will be plenty of drinking opportunities local authorities are urging revelers to imbibe safely and to plan ahead by coordinating a sober driver or by using a rideshare app like Uber As far as Irish pubs go, check out O'Hara's Rock & Roll Tavern in Lake Elsinore and The Shamrock Irish Pub in nearby Murrieta Here are several other bars in Southwest Riverside County to check out on Monday: Tavern Grille The Hive Wildomar CJ’S Sports Grill & Turf Club You can also check out these events happening this weekend and Monday: Riverside St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl (March 15) The Three Stags Irish Pub and Restaurant Brunch Bunch (March 17) St Patrick’s Day Reception at the Banning Art Gallery (March 15) Killarney's 20th Anniversary St. Patrick's Day Festival (March 17) 2025 at 3:19 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A helicopter crashed for undetermined reasons Thursday near the French Valley Airport in Murrieta (Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Photo)FRENCH VALLEY CA — A small helicopter carrying only the pilot went down in Murrieta at Auld and Briggs roads Thursday afternoon a Cavalon gyroplane crashed in a field near French Valley Airport in Murrieta according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Donnell Evans Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department responded to the crash scene who declined treatment and refused a trip to the hospital Crews remained at the scene to mitigate a small fuel leak from the aircraft and would stay in the area until after 5 p.m the cause of the crash was under investigation by the FAA was under pending registration by Gyro-Ventures out of Peoria 2025 at 2:35 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;} As a gesture of heartfelt gratitude the destination is offering First Responders Appreciation Packages providing complimentary stays and experiences to help them rest and recharge (Photo Credit: Murrieta Hot Springs Resort)MURRIETA CA — Explore Murrieta is gifting 100 "Relax It's Murrieta" packages to eligible first responders who fought the recent Palisades and Eaton fires To be considered, all area firefighters have until Friday, Feb. 28, to enter exploremurrieta.com First Responders Appreciation Packages include complimentary stays and experiences to help them rest and recharge Each package includes two one-day passes at the newly opened Murrieta Hot Spring Resort and two nights of room accommodations at an Explore Murrieta Member Hotel shared what the power of community means in Murrieta “In Murrieta, we believe in the importance of showing gratitude to those who give so much of themselves,” Ellis said “This is our way of saying thank you and ensuring you know how much your efforts mean to us all We hope this small gesture conveys our deep appreciation for your heroism and dedication.” Managing Director of Comfort Inn & Suites Murrieta and Chairman of the Explore Murrieta Board conveyed on behalf of the local hotel community “While our community was not directly affected by the recent fires we appreciate those who were on the front lines," Wang said "It is our honor to participate in this initiative and provide a well-earned opportunity for these heroes to rest and experience the warm hospitality Murrieta has to offer." The package is open to all first responders directly involved in the recent fire incidents Murrieta Fire Chief Bernard ‘Bernie’ Molloy added his gratitude for the opportunity “Responding to wildfires takes a physical and mental toll and the road to recovery doesn’t end when the flames are out,” Molloy said “We want to thank Explore Murrieta for reminding us that our dedication and efforts as first responders are truly valued and appreciated I strongly encourage my fellow first responders to take advantage of this opportunity to breathe 2025 at 5:02 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Customers can get two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult entrée CA — Turn family mealtime into an Easter egg-stravaganza and celebrate Easter with free kids' meals at Applebee's restaurant in Murrieta In celebration of the holiday, Applebee's locations owned and operated by Flynn Group will offer a "Kids Eat Free" special on Sunday Customers can get two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult entrée The dine-in only deal is limited to two children Kids can choose from a variety of entrées from the Applebee's kids' menu accompanied by their choice of a side dish The Murrieta location is at 24872 Madison Ave 2025 at 1:26 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Where can you go in Temecula or Murrieta on Ash Wednesday CA — Temecula and Murrieta churches are hosting Ash Wednesday services marking day one of Lent and 40 days until Easter Sunday in 2025 "In 2025, like in every year, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, falling six and a half weeks before Easter," according to Hallow.com. While not considered a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic or other churches, it is regarded as a day of reflection and repentance for Christians anyone can approach the altar for ashes pressed to their foreheads The ashes are typically from Palm Sunday palm fronds Not only do Catholic churches celebrate Ash Wednesday note that non-Catholics can appear at a Catholic church to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday Hope Lutheran Church St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church St. Thomas Episcopal Church Temecula United Methodist Church St. Martha Catholic Church many give up a favorite food or activity as a symbolic fasting gesture Several churches mentioned above offer Friday Fish Frys or soup dinners during the Lent season Catholics may find the day more somber this year due to the Pope's failing health "Christians around the world continue to pray for him as he battles serious health issues that have kept him in critical condition The pope was not expected to give Ash Wednesday services in 2025." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 11:06 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}One woman found by the Murrieta Police was among the 177 victims rescued in a statewide sting in partnership with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force conducted a proactive enforcement operation that targeted online prostitution and those persons who seek it and those who seek these illegal activities contribute to an illicit underground economy both locally and throughout the State of California," according to a department statement The operation focused on rescuing victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking and disrupting demand for these vulnerable victims During the Murrieta operation, one female was identified as a human trafficking victim and accepted outreach and diversion services. Her name was removed from the below list. She was one of the 177 victims rescued in the California statewide law enforcement operation where547 were arrested and 177 people were freed from sex slavery. nine males were arrested for solicitation of prostitution and one male was arrested for pimping Arrested during the operation for solicitation of prostitution were: Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world," according to a Murrieta Police Department spokesperson "Ninety-five percent of sex trafficking victims are women or children Those victimized by commercial sexual exploitation frequently have long histories of emotional and/or sexual abuse or trauma in their backgrounds "The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates 1 in 6 endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking Sex trafficking victims are often subjected to severe forms of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker they are also frequently physically and sexually assaulted by those who solicit them for prostitution." CA Trafficking Sting Nets 547; 11 Children Among 177 Victims Rescued 2025 at 9:40 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Traffic was slowed on the Southbound I-215 north of Murrieta Hot Springs Wednesday morning CA — All lanes of the I-215 southbound were reopened north of Murrieta Hot Springs Wednesday morning after a lane-splitting motorcycle crash according to California Highway Patrol officers The rider was taken to a nearby hospital for injuries sustained in that crash and traffic was at a standstill for about an hour a motorcycle was splitting lanes when it struck a BMW just north of the Murrieta Hot Springs exit The Menifee motorcyclist was riding a 2024 Yamaha RX street bike heading southbound at approximately 75 miles per hour splitting lanes at about 70 to 75 miles per hour while traffic was flowing at about 40 mph when the motorcyclist chose to split lanes "Due to the motorcyclist's unsafe speed at the time of the crash he was unable to avoid the BMW," Lassig said The force of the crash flung the rider from the bike into a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup in the #2 lane driven by a 40-year-old woman from Moreno Valley Murrieta Fire & Rescue was called to the scene and medics took the motorcyclist to Inland Valley Hospital with minor to moderate injuries the vehicle drivers were not injured in the crash including the motorcyclist,was wearing their proper safety equipment." Both the #1 and #2 lanes were closed for about an hour to see to the victims and remove the disabled motorcycle from the roadway Officer Lassig offered a safety message for highway drivers and motorcyclists who choose to lane-split traffic "All drivers should use the three-second rule when following other traffic and motorcyclists are advised to drive no faster than the flow of traffic or five to ten miles per hour ahead of traffic if they choose to split lanes," Lassig told Patch "We encourage motorcyclists to drive at a safe speed preventing such collisions "Vehicle drivers are encouraged to look twice for motorcyclists and use turn signals before lane changing." 2025 at 11:19 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}How much rain will we get CA — Say farewell to the Santa Ana winds and hello to colder wet winter weather through early next week Humidity returns to the region throughout Friday and Saturday when rain and mountain snow are expected The National Weather Service placed the mountain areas under Winter Storm Watches: The San Bernardino County Mountains from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning and the Riverside County Mountains from Sunday morning through Tuesday morning “A return of onshore flow will spread higher coastal humidity inland beginning later today through the weekend Stronger onshore flow will bring stronger and gusty southwest-to-west winds for the mountains and deserts for Saturday afternoon through Saturday night with gusts to 45 to 55 mph and isolated gusts to 70 mph," the NWS said "Not much has changed with the timing and track of the closed low-pressure system from the north for the weekend into early next week. The center of that closed upper-level low-pressure system is expected to move to near Point Conception late in the day on Sunday then move slowly eastward across southern California on Monday There will be increasing chances for showers on Saturday night into Sunday The snow level will fall to around 4500 feet on Saturday night and around 5000 feet on Sunday your forecast for the next seven days is as follows: North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible Sunday NightShowers and possibly a thunderstorm 2025 at 4:18 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Wiggles Tuffy and Sassy are pets who appear to have passed away decades ago CA — Police believe a recently recovered pet headstone was stolen from a location in Murrieta or Temecula I’m sure the owner of these pets intended to remember them," the Murrieta Police Department wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday The three pets passed away in 1986 and 1990 the department's community policing team conducted a large encampment cleanup at the south end of Murrieta where officers found a headstone that did not belong in that area "We would really like to get it back to the owner," police said If this headstone belongs to you or you have any information about its owner the department urges you to contact Sergeant Schmidt at mschmidt@murrietaca.com 2025 at 4:11 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A pair of storm systems brought much needed rain to bone dry Southern California this week CA — A pair of storm systems passed through the Southland this week bringing much needed precipitation to the bone dry region Southern California has already experienced two storm systems this week with one bringing light rain on Sunday and Monday and the latest system delivering heavier showers on Wednesday and Thursday just under three quarters of an inch fell over the past seven days according to the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District The city also received measurable rainfall in the past 24 hours — about one third of an inch — during the second and more powerful storm system But Murrieta will need to be visited by many more storms this year to catch up to its annual average of 15 inches this stormy pattern is expected to continue as more wet weather is forecast to return next week While the region is expected to get a reprieve from the rain on Saturday and Sunday another pair of storm systems are expected to move in next week bringing chances for rain every day through Friday stronger westerly winds and the potential for gusts of up to 55 to 65 mph The forecast comes as Southern California is emerging from the driest start to a normal rainy season in the area's history Although a handful of atmospheric rivers and small storm systems arrived in February the region has plunged back into varying degrees of drought forecasters say there's still hope for significant rain to fall in March which is typically one of the wettest months of the year Peter Murrieta is an esteemed Emmy-winning writer and Deputy Director at the Sidney Poitier New American Film School He is the mastermind behind two highly successful and beloved shows Iglesias" on Netflix and "Wizards of Waverly Place" on Disney played a pivotal role in catapulting the young and talented Selena Gomez into the global spotlight setting the stage for her rise to superstardom Murrieta has produced 300+ hours of television content Each project reflects his commitment to creating shows that not only achieve mainstream success but also serve as platforms for talented LatinX actors to shine Murrieta's acclaimed series "Greetings from Tucson," holds the distinction of being one of the first shows to feature a diverse the show offered a fresh and authentic perspective If this page is outdated contact mediarelations@asu.edu Search for ASU experts 2025 at 2:18 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The case has been on the docket since the summer of 2019 delayed mainly due to the defense's efforts to have Lepe declared mentally incompetent 20 trial date was confirmed Thursday for a probationer accused of killing a 71-year-old relative in Murrieta is charged with murder for the 2019 death of Vilma A During a pretrial hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta Thursday Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Monterosso conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding scheduling and both sides agreed to be prepared to move forward with trial proceedings at the end of February The case has been on the docket since the summer of 2019 delayed mainly due to the defense's efforts to have Lepe declared mentally incompetent The defendant has undergone a series of psychiatric evaluations Lepe is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center a domestic squabble erupted at the defendant's family home in the 23000 block of Abury Avenue The lieutenant alleged that Lepe was "being aggressive toward relatives," who feared for their safety Reid said one of the occupants left the property and called 911 The police spokesman said that when patrol officers arrived they found the defendant adjacent to the house "covered in blood" and standing over Lopez though the exact connection was not disclosed The victim was pronounced dead at the scene Reid alleged that Lepe refused officers' orders to drop to his knees and surrender peacefully He has a misdemeanor conviction from 2017 for driving under the influence of drugs 2025 at 10:54 am PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Three people are suspected in a Murrieta Cois Byrd Detention Center drug smuggling operation CA — Two men and a woman suspected of smuggling drugs into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta were behind bars Friday along with 41-year-old Juan Briseno of Murrieta were arrested Thursday following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation Gall and Garcia were each booked into the Murrieta jail on suspicion of conspiracy and selling controlled substances within a correctional facility while Briseno was formally booked on suspicion of conspiracy possession of controlled substances in jail and identity theft He was already in custody at the Byrd Detention Center awaiting disposition of an assault and domestic violence case when deputies notified him of the additional allegations Briseno's next court date was planned for May 13 at the Riverside Hall of Justice Garcia was not listed in the Riverside County Jail database Spencer Rustad's released statement says the Corrections Investigations Bureau initiated a probe in December after uncovering evidence of a drug trafficking ring within the correctional system Deputies seized an undisclosed quantity of fentanyl at the Murrieta jail culminating in the identification of the alleged conspirators in the smuggling ring Search warrants were obtained and served at a residence on Katrina Avenue in Moreno Valley resulting "in the seizure of methamphetamine items used in the smuggling operation and evidence of credit and identity fraud," he said coordinated and attempted to smuggle fentanyl into the detention center." The arrests stemmed from an "ongoing mission to prevent narcotics from entering our correctional facilities "The diligence of our deputies during searches implementation of the nonintrusive sensor and scanning device known as the 'Tek-84,' and comprehensive criminal investigations such as this are among several measures the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has taken to combat the supply of narcotics into our jail system," Rustad said "Inmate education is a priority within our jails and inmates are furnished with educational material and classes about the dangers of narcotics provided by the Detention Health Services Division of the Riverside University Health System." Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Investigator Franklin Enochs at 951–955–7076 or C Deputy Philip Diefenderfer at 951–696–3465 2025 at 3:59 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Murrieta Fire & Rescue remains at the ready as Santa Ana winds continue to blow through our region CA — As fires rage across the Los Angeles basin Murrieta Fire Chief Bernard Molloy wanted residents to know that local personnel are ready to work for area residents at any given moment Chief Molloy shared his thoughts in a lengthy but important statement to residents in this recent message "Murrieta Fire & Rescue is committed to our city and stands ready when wildfire strikes our community "With the current Santa Ana winds and unprecedented dry winter this year Murrieta Fire is and will continue supporting firefighting efforts across the state as we have for many years we are up-staffing our personnel in response to predicted winds we have already taken steps to reduce our wildfire risk Our Community Risk Reduction division worked tirelessly to obtain the Fire Risk Reduction Community status for our city This recognition demonstrates the high level of fire prevention efforts in our city and an attempt to lower insurance rates for our residents "We pride ourselves on working closely with property owners and educating them on property inspections and vegetation management to remove potentially dangerous dry vegetation from their property to minimize fire and the spread of wildfire." Molloy also addressed the Public Safety Power Shutoff that has impacted so many residents some for over 36 hours in the most recent Santa Ana Weather event many have been impacted by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) These PSPS events are crucial for public safety but we know what an impact they have on our residents," he wrote "We are working closely with Southern California Edison to understand better the process and messaging they deliver when they enact these shutoffs SCE has informed the City that the PSPS events have prevented over 50 incidents of damage to power lines and equipment from igniting fires in the southern California region "We ask that all residents be prepared for potential power outages and have backup plans for essential needs like lighting "Our city also works closely with our water districts to coordinate any fire suppression responses and to ensure we have a water system that matches the growing footprint of our city," he said In response to the LA County wildfires in both Pacific Palisades "In the tragic events of the wildfires in Los Angeles County we as a community must take defensible space Murrieta Fire & Rescue suggests all residents take a moment to review evacuation plans gather essentials for a 72-hour emergency kit and download apps to stay properly informed 2025 at 3:14 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Marvin Ulloa pleaded not guilty last week during an arraignment before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark who scheduled a bail review hearing for Feb 7 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta CA — A 63-year-old Murrieta daycare operator accused of molesting a young girl several times over a three-year span will ask a judge on Friday to reduce his bail so he can get out of jail 28 following a weeks-long Murrieta Police Department investigation Ulloa is charged with lewd acts on a minor and two counts of forced oral copulation of a child under 10 years old He pleaded not guilty last week during an arraignment before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark 7 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta to consider a defense motion for a reduction of the current $1 million bond requirement The motion is based on the defendant's lack of prior criminal history He's being held at the Byrd Detention Center 7 regarding possible molestation perpetrated by the defendant on a girl identified in court documents only as "C.F." The alleged acts occurred at Ulloa Family Daycare operated out of a residence in the 27700 block of Hackberry Street Court papers allege the girl was targeted between July 2020 and July 2023 was particularly vulnerable," according to the criminal complaint "It is alleged (the defendant) took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the crimes." Detectives spent several weeks investigating the matter before gathering sufficient details to obtain and serve an arrest warrant at Ulloa's home on Jan There was no record of registration for the daycare with the California Department of Social Services The defendant has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.