Contributed

September 11, 2021 will mark 20 years since that tragic day when a group of terrorist weaponized commercial airliners to attack our country and murder thousands of Americans. In remembrance, valley residents have joined together for a special day of events at the Historic Hemet Theatre.

I often lament my lack of participation in the democratic process in our city, state, and country. I have voted in every election since attaining the age of eligibility to vote but one. There has been participation in unions and some effort to campaign for favored politicians. But has that been enough? How about the issues that can affect the lives of so many and require more research and more action? I now make the time which allows me to become more attentive to the importance of working to strengthen democracy in our country and consider more immediate social issues.

The Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) Art Gallery will present an online Art Talk featuring artist Tulsa Kinney from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. The event is supported by the MSJC Foundation.

The Mt. San Jacinto Community College District Board of Trustees voted on Thursday, Aug. 19, to approve the development and implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination and testing program. The decision, in response to the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the region, authorizes the district to implement a program designed to further protect students, faculty, and staff against COVID-19 and its variants. The program protocols will be discussed at the next Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for Sept. 9, 2021.

During the course of this investigation, three suspects were identified in the murder of victim, Jamon Hampton. The suspects are Maurice Williamson, 31 years of Riverside, Davonte Rowe, 24 years of Riverside, and DaRon Hooks II, 20 years of Riverside.