Below is what each body had posted as of Saturday morning, Oct. 17. Where an agenda is not up, we say so.

Monday, Oct. 19

Hemet Youth Council, special meeting, 5 p.m.

Hemet Public Library, second floor, 300 E. Latham Ave. Items: continued review of the Youth Council bylaws; the Christmas in the Park event project; and a discussion of an e-bike ordinance “as directed by City Council.” No dollar figures are listed. Online comments are due by 2 p.m. Agenda: Hemet CivicWeb.

Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District board, 5:30 p.m.

District Office, 901 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto. Regular meeting.

• Action, Ordinance 2026-3. Adopt an ordinance authorizing the levy of special taxes in Winchester Community Facilities District Zone 33 (San Pedro Farms). The staff report says the board held the formation hearing and landowner election Sept. 21. The territory is generally north of Holland Road, east of Leon Road, west of Eucalyptus Road and south of Ano Crest Drive in Winchester. The levy would begin in fiscal year 2027-28.
• Action, Ordinance 2026-4. Authorize special taxes in Community Facilities District 2020-1 (Water Quality Management Plan), Annexation No. 14 (Tax Zone No. 15).
• Contracts. Larry Minor Regional Park modular building refurbishment to Unified Modular Corp., $99,577.26; eight bleacher systems from Great Western Recreation, $74,257.57; Diamond Valley Aquatic Center play structure bonding to California Commercial Pools, $91,051; Bill Gray Park accessibility improvements to H L Hitchcock Construction Inc., $70,710.
• Resolution 1480-26. Declare a well site within La Paloma Park in Menifee exempt surplus land and approve its conveyance.

Agenda: Valley-Wide CivicWeb.

Tuesday, Oct. 20

Riverside County Board of Supervisors, 9:30 a.m.

County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside. Items near the valley: Tentative Tract Map 38483, 96 residential lots on 28.22 acres in the Winchester area, with intent to adopt a mitigated negative declaration; a public hearing on the conditional vacation of portions of Leon Road in Winchester (Resolution 2026-187); renewal of the bark-beetle and Golden Spotted Oak Borer emergency for Idyllwild and Pine Cove; and an amended conflict-of-interest code for Valley-Wide. No item names Hemet or San Jacinto. Agenda: county IQM2.

San Jacinto City Council, 5:30 p.m. closed session, 6:30 p.m. open session

Community Center, 625 S. Pico Ave. Regular meeting with two public hearings.

• Public hearing, Item 4.1 / Annexation A (P22-004). Annex 43.68 acres south of Ramona Expressway, between Alessandro and Vernon avenues, subject to approval by the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). The Planning Commission recommends adopting a mitigated negative declaration, Resolution 4151 authorizing the annexation, and Resolution 4152 approving Tentative Tract Map 34271 and Lot Line Adjustment 22-01. The staff report says the map would create 151 single-family lots; the applicant is Cornell Kasbergen.
• Public hearing, Item 4.2 / Annexation B (P22-084). Resolution 4153 authorizing annexation of 143.62 acres, 92 parcels, within the city’s sphere of influence. Staff calls the project exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15183.
• Consent. September warrants and disbursements of $6,629,748.04.
• Closed session. Public employee performance evaluation/appointment/employment: City Manager.

Written comments go to comments@sanjacintoca.gov or the City Clerk, 595 S. San Jacinto Ave., by 3 p.m. the day of the meeting. Live phone comment: (951) 465-7684, conference ID 706 805 861#. Agenda: San Jacinto AgendaLink.

Hemet Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

Council Chambers, 450 E. Latham Ave. Regular meeting.

• Public hearing, Item 9.A / Development Agreement 26-001, Rancho Diamante Tentative Tract Map 36841. A 245.07-acre site south of Stetson Avenue, west of Warren Road and east of the San Diego aqueduct, in the Page Ranch planned community. Property owner: Rancho Diamante Investments LLC. Staff recommends Resolution 2026-015 recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving the agreement, and says no new CEQA review is required under a previously certified supplemental EIR.
• Continued item 8.A / Extension of Time 26-003, Ramona Creek Tentative Tract Map 38309. A requested three-year extension for 219 single-family lots and 114 detached cluster lots on 56.41 acres. Staff recommends opening the hearing, taking testimony and continuing it to Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

Online comments are due by 2 p.m. Zoom webinar ID 161 109 8944, passcode 688013. Agenda: Hemet CivicWeb.

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Eastern Municipal Water District board, 9 a.m.

Board Room, 2270 Trumble Road, Perris. Zoom webinar ID 836 7970 8156, passcode 480797. The district’s events calendar lists the meeting. The agenda had not been posted where the Chronicle could read it as of Saturday morning; the board portal (meeting ID 2376) was behind a security check. Calendar: EMWD.

Riverside County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.

4080 Lemon St., Riverside. No Hemet or San Jacinto items. The agenda includes a three-year extension request for Tentative Tract Map 38263, 135 condominium units in the Belle Terre specific plan (applicant Diamond Valley LLC). Agenda: county IQM2.

Thursday, Oct. 22

Hemet Investment Oversight Committee, 3 p.m.

City Hall, Sister Cities Room. The city’s calendar lists the meeting. Agenda not yet posted as of Saturday morning. Calendar: Hemet CivicWeb.

Hemet’s Development Review Committee meeting for Oct. 22 is cancelled for lack of agenda items; the next is Oct. 29.

Not meeting this week

Hemet City Council’s next regular meeting is Oct. 27. Hemet Unified’s next board meeting on its portal is Nov. 17. San Jacinto Unified had no board meeting posted for this week after its Oct. 8 meeting. San Jacinto’s Planning Commission is listed for Oct. 27. Mt. San Jacinto College’s next board meeting is listed for Nov. 12. Lake Hemet Municipal Water District’s board adjourned to Nov. 19. Riverside LAFCO lists a special meeting Oct. 28.

The Chronicle builds this calendar from agendas and notices each body posts. Meeting times and items can change after publication.

The post Hearings this week: San Jacinto annexations, Rancho Diamante deal, Valley-Wide CFD tax appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

That is the main agenda left in the valley this week. Hemet Unified’s school board meets the same afternoon. Lake Hemet’s water board fills a vacant seat Thursday. Hemet’s Youth Council met Monday evening; that item is off this list. Below is what each body had posted as of Monday morning, Oct. 12. Where a packet is not up, we say so.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

Hemet City Council, 5 p.m. closed session, 6 p.m. open session

Council Chamber, 450 E. Latham Ave. Regular meeting with one public hearing.

• Public hearing, Item 16.A / Ordinance 2084 / Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-005. Introduction and first reading of an ordinance that repeals and restates the manufacturing-zone rules in Chapter 90 and adds a new division for logistics, e-commerce and warehouse uses in the B-P, M-1 and M-2 zones. It sets truck, siting and operating standards and a tiered approval process. A staff banner on the report says the council held a special meeting Oct. 8, heard public comment and gave direction for revisions; staff said revised text would be prepared over the weekend. As of Monday morning, the revised ordinance and the Measure Q committee resolution text still were not on CivicWeb. Request copies by email at clerkstaff@hemetca.gov. The city’s warehouse moratorium expires Dec. 10, 2026, and the staff report says it cannot be extended again. Recommendation language in the packet still refers to scheduling a second reading on Oct. 13; Tuesday is the first reading.
• Consent, Resolution 2026-168. Authorize a supplemental appropriation not to exceed $759,000 from Police Measure U fund balance to restore funding for nine frozen Police Department positions for the rest of fiscal year 2026-27: six full-time police officers, one full-time community services officer, one full-time outreach and engagement specialist, and one temporary part-time civilian investigator. Full-year cost if all nine are filled is estimated at about $1.301 million; ongoing funding would be set in the FY 2027-28 budget. The Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee recommended the use unanimously Sept. 22 on a motion by Vice Chair Clark, seconded by Member Kelly. As of July 1, the preliminary Police Measure U fund balance was about $13.0 million.
• Consent. A resolution establishing a seven-member Measure Q Citizens’ Advisory and Oversight Committee, contingent on voter approval of Measure Q on Nov. 3. Staff says the council directed the committee Oct. 8 and that a separate Measure Q accounting resolution was adopted that day. Staff puts Measure Q at about $16 million a year if it passes, operative about April 1, 2027.
• Business, Resolution 2026-169. Increase the Pacific Hydrotech Corporation agreement for CIP 5717, Wells 15 and 16 treatment plant, by $1,798,643.60; authorize additional construction spending not to exceed $675,300; and appropriate $450,000 from Water Utility Fund 571 fund balance. The staff report puts the estimated total project cost at $7,478,477.40. No General Fund impact is listed.

Written comments are due by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting through the city’s online comment form. A Zoom webinar link is on the agenda (ID 165 587 4595, passcode 745765). Packet: Hemet CivicWeb.

Hemet Unified school board, study session 3 p.m., closed session 4 p.m., open session 5:30 p.m.

Professional Development Service Center boardroom, 1791 W. Acacia Ave. Regular board meeting.

• Action, Resolution 4193. Authorize layoff of classified vacant positions. The attached resolution lists 26 vacant positions at 15 sites and departments, effective Oct. 14. No named employees. Most are instructional assistants and supervision aides; the list also includes one clerk and other classified vacancies.
• Action. Resolutions 4191, 4194 and 4195 reject claims. A stipulated expulsion item is on the agenda; the Chronicle does not name students in such items.
• Consent highlights. Purchases and encumbrances totaling $12,062,804.08; delegation to approve a site-work agreement with Reed Family Enterprise Inc. for relocatable classrooms at Hamilton High School, not to exceed $1,179,322 (Measure X, developer fees, capital facilities and CFD; two lower bids were non-responsive for lack of prequalification); Alder GSE teacher-residency extension with a 2027-28 CTC Teacher Residency line of $1,600,000 plus HUSD $445,000 and San Jacinto Unified $178,335; California Adult Education Program MOU award of $945,682; TERI Inc. nonpublic school services $327,500.70; 21st Century ASSETs grant $628,589.55; Imagine Learning $118,875; and authority to apply for a Proposition 2 CTE facilities grant. Staff will also give a math adoption presentation.

Speakers get three minutes per Board Bylaw 9323; total public input on each item is limited to 20 minutes. Packet: Hemet Unified meeting portal.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Lake Hemet Municipal Water District board, 3 p.m.

District board room, 26385 Fairview Ave., Hemet. Regular meeting.

• Appointment. Acknowledge the resignation of Director Frank D. “Doug” Marshall III and appoint Donald W. Simpson to the Division 1 seat for the remainder of the unexpired term. The general manager’s report says Simpson was the only applicant after the vacancy notice and the only candidate who filed for the November election.
• Consent. Ratify August and September 2026 expenditures; approve Aug. 20 minutes; Resolution 831 commending Marshall.
• Closed session. Existing litigation, Burgos v. Borden Excavating Inc. (Riverside Superior Court CVME2606834), and a continued general manager performance evaluation.

Public comment is limited to five minutes on agenda items and three minutes on non-agenda items. The board adjourns to Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. Agenda: LHMWD Board page.

Hemet Public Library Board of Trustees, 2 p.m.

Council Chambers, 450 E. Latham Ave. The city’s calendar lists the meeting. No agenda packet had been published as of Monday morning. Calendar: Hemet CivicWeb.

Also Thursday: The city lists a Measure Q open house from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hemet Public Library, 300 E. Latham Ave. (city Measure Q page). Fire Chief Ryon Dierck’s swearing-in is listed for 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber.

Not meeting this week

San Jacinto’s next City Council regular meeting on the AgendaLink calendar is Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m.; the Planning Commission is listed for Oct. 27. Both still show draft status with no posted packet for this week.

Eastern Municipal Water District’s next regular board meeting on its events calendar is Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 9 a.m., Board Room, 2270 Trumble Road, Perris. The board.emwd.org detail page for that date (meeting ID 2376) said the agenda was not available Monday morning. emwd.org itself loads; the board portal sometimes hits a Cloudflare check.

Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District’s next regular board meeting is listed for Monday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m.; the meeting object is not marked published.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors’ next regular meeting on IQM2 is Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 9:30 a.m.; the detail page says the meeting is not available yet. County Planning Commission is listed for Oct. 21; no valley hearing for Oct. 12–18 was confirmed from posted materials.

Mt. San Jacinto College’s board calendar shows its October regular meeting already held Oct. 8; the next listed date is Nov. 12. San Jacinto Unified had no board meeting posted for this week after its Oct. 8 meeting.

Next week

Hemet Planning Commission is on the calendar for Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m.; the meeting is not marked published yet. Hemet City Council’s next regular after Tuesday is Oct. 27. A Tres Cerritos West Resolution of Intention hearing is listed for Oct. 27 on the Oct. 13 agenda.

The Chronicle builds this calendar from agendas and notices each body posts. Meeting times and items can change after publication.

The post Hearings this week: Hemet Measure U police funding, warehouse rules, LHMWD seat appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

SAN JACINTO, CA — September 2026 — For three days, the Golden Era Golf Course in San Jacinto became the setting for some intense—and sometimes very exciting—competition as girls golfers from five Riverside County high schools went head-to-head in the annual San Jacinto High School Girls Golf Match Play Tournament.

The tournament brought together golfers from San Jacinto High School, Perris High School, La Quinta High School, Citrus Hill High School and Paloma Valley High School for a unique competition in which players faced their opponents one-on-one.

Unlike traditional team golf, match play puts the focus squarely on the individual golfer. Every shot matters, and every player has to rely on her own game.

And that is exactly what makes the tournament so valuable to the young athletes.

“The Match Play helps to solidify the game of golf for the girls,” said Chris Baxter, Citrus Hill High School golf coach. “It is comprehensive play and gives the girls a chance to play one-on-one. They see how other players play. It pairs players of different skill levels and makes them work for it. Plus, it is just so much fun. Golden Era Golf Course is so gracious and supportive of the kids.”

Perris High School Coach Aaron Nering agreed.

“This is really good for the girls,” Nering said. “They learn a lot by playing one-on-one.”

For La Quinta High School Coach Mark Williams, the tournament provides an experience that traditional team competition cannot.

“It is a good experience as it puts more pressure on the girls,” Williams said. “They can’t rely on their team to pull them along. They have to do well on their own.”

THREE DAYS OF COMPETITION

The tournament began with all of the golfers competing in their first-round matches. Based on the results, players moved into either the Championship Bracket or the Black Bracket, giving every golfer an opportunity to continue competing throughout the tournament.

The Championship Bracket featured the golfers who won their opening matches, while the Black Bracket provided continued competition for the other players.

Over the course of the tournament, the girls played a demanding amount of golf. According to San Jacinto High School Coach Jim Stull, the tournament gave the athletes an opportunity to gain valuable experience while playing as many as 36 holes over two days.

“This gives all the girls a chance to play a lot of golf and get ready for more golf,” Stull said.

LA QUINTA DOMINATES THE CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

When the final matches were completed, La Quinta High School golfers captured the top three places in the Championship Bracket.

Championship Bracket Results:

1. Gwen Caress — La Quinta High School
2. Arabella Cordero — La Quinta High School
3. Farah Reagan — La Quinta High School
4. Lila Elliot — San Jacinto High School
5. Mia Flores — San Jacinto High School

The fourth-place finish was particularly meaningful for San Jacinto golfer Lila Elliot, who said the match-play format pushed her game to another level.

“My swing got better,” Elliot said. “In team play, it’s not as important to make every hit count. Here I had to make every swing count. I met new people and it was fun.”

PALOMA VALLEY AND PERRIS LEAD THE BLACK BRACKET

The competition was equally spirited in the Black Bracket.

Black Bracket Results:

1. Jaselle Rodriguez — Paloma Valley High School
2. Alessandra Rodriguez — Perris High School
3. Bianca Benavides — Paloma Valley High School
4. Janelle Rodriguez — Perris High School

A COMMUNITY TRADITION OF SUPPORT

The tournament wasn’t just about golf. It was also an opportunity for the community to come together to support the young athletes.

On the first day of the tournament, the Hemet Sportsman Club provided a hamburger lunch for all of the participating golfers.

Zack Hopper, President of the Hemet Sportsman Club, was among the club members who served lunch to the players.

“We wanted to do this,” Hopper said. “Every one of our members was in sports, and when they did sports they had community service groups supporting them. Some of those groups are gone, so we fill that gap. This is one way we can give back, and we love doing it.”

That spirit of community support is an important part of what makes the tournament possible.

SAN JACINTO GIRLS MAKE THEIR MARK

For San Jacinto High School Coach Jim Stull, this year’s tournament was especially rewarding.

“This is one of the best years we’ve ever had,” Stull said. “San Jacinto High School girls did the best they’ve ever done, making fourth and fifth in the Championship level.”

Stull also expressed his appreciation to Golden Era Golf Course for hosting the tournament.

“We appreciate Golden Era Golf Course letting us have the golf course over three days and everything they do for us,” he said. “Overall, this girls’ match play tournament was a success.”

With five high schools participating, dozens of young golfers competing and local community members stepping up to support them, the tournament demonstrated that high school golf is about much more than keeping score.

It is about competition, confidence, sportsmanship, friendship—and giving young athletes the opportunity to challenge themselves and grow their game.

And for three days in San Jacinto, the girls did exactly that.

The post Girls Golfers Battle It Out In Three-Day Match Play Tournament At Golden Era Golf Course appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

That is the busiest agenda in the valley this week. San Jacinto’s council and the county Board of Supervisors also meet Tuesday. Below is what each body has posted as of Monday morning, Oct. 5. Where a packet is not up, we say so.

Tuesday, Oct. 6

Riverside County Board of Supervisors, 9:30 a.m.

Board Chambers, County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside. Regular meeting with one valley-related public hearing.

• Public hearing, Item 21.1. Resolution 2026-191 would approve tax-exempt bonds issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority, up to $40,550,000, loaned to North County Health Project Inc. The county’s report lists a new health center “in or near” Hemet at up to $5,000,000. No street address is given. Other listed projects include a health center at 23119 Cottonwood Ave. in Moreno Valley ($7,500,000) and a mobile health unit ($1,500,000). The report puts the county’s cost at $0; the bonds are not a county obligation.
• Item 3.22. A $4,000,000 county housing loan, plus $100,000 for staff costs, for Palm Villas at State Phase I, a 109-unit affordable complex at North State Street and West Menlo Avenue in Hemet. Rents for all but the manager’s unit would be held at 30% to 60% of area median income.
• Item 3.19. A three-year lease extension for the county behavioral health clinic at 650 N. State St., Hemet. Rent is $24,768 a month from Feb. 1, 2027. Total cost: $1,038,484.
• Consent Item 2.5. Final Tract Map 38586, 77 home lots on 16.42 acres in the Harvest Valley/Winchester area, by D.R. Horton.
• Item 3.2. Third District discretionary grants, including $12,000 to the Hemet Fire Department for a girls’ fire camp and $1,500 to the Friends of Valley-Wide Foundation for youth scholarships.

Agenda: county IQM2 page.

Hemet Planning Commission, 6 p.m.

Council Chambers, 450 E. Latham Ave. The city posted a revised agenda Oct. 3 with five items.

• Public hearing, Item 8.A, Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-005. Rewrites the city’s manufacturing-zone rules and adds a new section for logistics, e-commerce and warehouse uses in the B-P, M-1 and M-2 zones. It sets truck, siting and operating standards and a tiered approval process. Tier 3 starts at 250,000 square feet. The city says the change carries out state law AB 98 and SB 415. The commission only recommends; the City Council decides. Exhibits in the packet refer to an Oct. 13 council hearing, but no council agenda for that date has been posted.
• Continued hearing, Item 7.A, CUP 26-004. Just 4 Fun LLC wants to move the Unocal 76 at 1111 S. Sanderson Ave. from a beer-and-wine license to one that adds distilled spirits. Staff recommends denial. The commission’s decision is final unless it is appealed to the council within 10 days.
• Continued hearing, Item 7.B, Extension of Time 24-006. FB Montego Bay HMT LLC asks for more time on a 96-unit, three-story apartment project on 4.68 acres north of Sanderson and Devonshire avenues, first approved in October 2022. Staff recommends a three-year extension. The staff narrative also refers to a two-year request; the recommendation says three.
• Item 6.A. A hearing on naming the community garden at 143 S. Juanita St. the Linda Krupa Community Garden, after the mayor. The council has final say.
• Item 6.B. The 2025 Pavement Management Plan, which commissioners would recommend to the council.

Comments can go through the city’s online comment form by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting. The meeting is also on Zoom, webinar ID 161 109 8944, passcode 688013. Packet: Hemet CivicWeb.

San Jacinto City Council, 5:30 p.m. closed session, 6:30 p.m. open session

Community Center, 625 S. Pico Ave. Regular meeting. Closed session lists a city manager evaluation/appointment and one case of anticipated litigation.

The consent calendar includes a $116,439 engineering contract with Inland Foundation Engineering for phase 1 of the Esplanade Avenue widening, Warren Road to Sanderson; Final Tract Map 38509, 27 lots on the north side of Esplanade about 300 feet west of Kirby; four extra work authorizations with Thomsen Group totaling $20,365; $7,000 from reserves for a Rancho Park cleanup event; a revised net energy metering policy that automatically refunds credit balances over $250; the second reading of Ordinance 26-05 on organic waste; and Resolution 4150 updating the conflict-of-interest code.

Written comments are due by 3 p.m. the day of the meeting at comments@sanjacintoca.gov. Packet: San Jacinto AgendaLink.

Wednesday, Oct. 7

Eastern Municipal Water District board, 9 a.m., Board Room, 2270 Trumble Road, Perris. The agenda lists no public hearings. The consent calendar includes a $115,456 design contract with Michael Baker International for preliminary design of the Soboba Tank Rehabilitation Project, with a $185,000 appropriation. The action calendar has $15.8 million in added appropriations for clarifier rehabilitation at the Perris Valley regional water reclamation plant, $7.3 million for rehabilitating three water storage tanks and a $3.45 million Stantec contract to design PFAS treatment for Wells 56 and 57. Closed session covers a real property negotiation over parcel 329-050-048 with General Telephone Company of California, and anticipated litigation.

Public comment is three minutes per speaker, in person or by Zoom (webinar ID 870 6238 6702, passcode 379311, dial-in 669-444-9171). Agenda: Oct. 7 EMWD board agenda.

Correction: An earlier version of this item said EMWD’s agenda portal could not be reached. The agenda was posted and available; an automated check on our end was blocked.

Riverside County Planning Commission, 9 a.m., Board Chambers, 4080 Lemon St. The posted agenda has no Hemet, San Jacinto or Winchester-area hearings.

Thursday, Oct. 8

Hemet City Council special meeting, 2 p.m., City Council Chamber. The city’s calendar lists it, but no agenda had been posted as of Monday morning.

Mt. San Jacinto College board of trustees, 4 p.m., Board Room TA-301, Temecula Valley Campus, 41888 Motor Car Parkway. We did not find a posted agenda.

San Jacinto Unified school board, 6 p.m., District Office board room, 2045 S. San Jacinto Ave. The date is on the district’s 2026-27 schedule; we did not find a posted agenda.

Hemet Unified had no October board meeting listed on its portal as of Friday.

Next week

Hemet’s calendar shows a regular City Council meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. No agenda has been posted.

The Chronicle builds this calendar from agendas and notices each body posts. Meeting times and items can change after publication.

The post Hearings this week: Hemet warehouse rules, Unocal 76 liquor permit, county bonds for Hemet clinic appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a comprehensive program for grades 6–12 that bridges the gap between students’ aspirations and their readiness for college and careers. Its mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.

At Noli’s recent event, four of the current 29 AVID students shared the impact that this program has had on their future goals. Sophomore Victoria Boiso was joined by three seniors who were chosen to attend College Horizons’ Summer Workshops for High School Students this past summer—Eric Hampton, Jeffrey Arres, and Nevaeh Ochoa.

College Horizons is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage and facilitate the education of Native American young people. Each summer, it hosts 200-300 college-bound Native high school students from around the country to attend a five-day pre-college program that aligns perfectly with the goals of AVID.

Workshops are held at different university host sites. The Noli seniors were joined by Duran, who also teaches Spanish, to visit the UC, Berkeley campus in June. They learned about a variety of colleges and universities by connecting with College Horizons’ partner colleges.

Eric, who is also in the GATE program and was recently honored as a Hemet-San Jacinto Student of the Month, said his favorite part of the summer event was getting to know people from across the country.

“It was an absolute delight to walk through the city and get to experience the campus in person, giving a better insight on college life,” he said. “I gained a better understanding on how college operates, mostly with how busy I am going to be. It also gave me an idea on how college life should be.” Eric wants to be a writer or work in the entertainment industry as a career and said attending College Horizons helped him understand the process.

After meeting with the counselors and advisors, he is confident navigating his senior year as it is now easier for him to understand what he should and shouldn’t do. He is excited to apply for college and further his education. “I never took into consideration the various opportunities and programs I am given as a Native American, so going to College Horizons and being shown what I can have really opened my eyes,” Eric said. “I really don’t think I would be as ambitious as I am right now if I had not attended.”

Jeffrey is also in the GATE program as well as a member of the basketball team. His favorite part of the College Horizons program was interacting with other people, especially the group he was assigned to. “It gave me a glimpse of the possible relationships I can make,” he said. “It was pretty much a big family with the advisors. For someone like me, I highly value being social and it was an amazing fit for me.”

The program allowed him to explore college/career goals. His first choice for colleges would be within the University of California or California State University systems. He is hoping to major in business administration, environmental management, or environmental/political science. He learned what he needs to know to complete the different applications, especially the one for FAFSA, adding, “They definitely showed me what I should be expecting throughout the year.”

Jeffrey said his first trip to Northern California was “nothing short of great.” He said the weather was amazing. “The scenery was perfect as the coast was right there as well as the Berkeley trees surrounding us,” he said. “Then being in a college town was fun; all sorts of things to do, great places to eat, going to the beach. It pretty much was a vacation, outside of the work part.”

Nevaeh is serving as ASB president this year and is a member of the volleyball team and Beading Club. She enjoyed her College Horizons experience because it pushed her out of her comfort zone and allowed her to try something new. “I learned so much about what colleges are looking for when it comes to picking students for their schools,” she said. “Aside from what I learned about college, I believe the program helped me learn a lot about myself.”

She said the program was helpful in providing her with the opportunity to explore different career paths and has decided on psychology and Native American Studies. Nevaeh said the experience was a huge help in getting over being nervous about completing the college application process.

“I had never been to Northern California before; it was even my first time on a plane, and it was so great. I loved the weather out there and I would definitely love to go back,” she said. “I believe that this program is such a good motivation and helping hand for my senior year and something I definitely recommend to my underclassmen.”

Sabrina Smith, who also teaches science at Noli, said the AVID Family Night went well for being the first one and despite an unexpected thunderstorm that hampered some of the planned activities. She said the current AVID students who participated in a question-and-answer panel also shared what they love about AVID, how they feel it has prepared them for college, and the opportunities that AVID has provided them with.

“We gave families information about upcoming AVID college trips and things that are happening in the classroom, such as tutorials, college research, and focused notetaking,” Smith said. “We also explained to families the higher expectations we have for AVID students regarding their GPA and the expectation to take more challenging classes.”

For more information, https://collegehorizons.org/about and www.avid.org.

The post Students and parents learn about college opportunities appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

A city press release dated Sept. 29 says the council unanimously approved an employment agreement. Reyna, assistant city manager in Perris, is expected to start Nov. 2, 2026. The term runs through Dec. 31, 2031. The annual base salary is $330,000.

In open session, the city attorney named Reyna and Reyna introduced himself. The closed-session appointment, reported then, was 5-0. Mayor Krupa made the motion. Councilmember Howard-Clark seconded it.

The roll call on the employment agreement was also 5-0: Howard-Clark, Lodge, Peterson, Males, and Mayor Krupa. The recording does not identify who moved or seconded that vote.

On the recording, the city attorney described 2 percent annual increases, subject to salary-compaction and fiscal-emergency provisions. That was spoken in the meeting. It is not in the press release.

The release says the agreement is available with the Sept. 29 agenda. The agreement text was not posted on the public agenda page. That page still shows only the agenda.

Council adjourned to Oct. 13.

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Twelve drivers were cited for hands-free cell phone violations, and 16 others were cited for dangerous driving behaviors. The operation ran from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the hands-free cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” Sergeant Matt Chavez said. “Our ultimate goal is to change behaviors that help make our roads safer.”

California has had distracted driving laws on the books since 2008. Under current law, drivers may not hold a phone or other electronic device while driving, including while talking, texting or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. A second violation of the hands-free law within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense adds a point to the driver’s record.

Anyone with an important phone call, or who needs to program directions, should pull over to a safe parking spot, the release said. Before driving, either silence the phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

A grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, funded the program.

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Coroner file No. 2026-07100 names Reese Whitney, 21, of Hemet. The release lists the date of death as Sept. 25, 2026, with time of death found at 6:39 a.m. Next of kin have been notified.

Death was recorded on McCall Park Road, about 1,531 feet north of Vista Way in Mountain Center. The injury location is listed a short distance from that mark on the same road, about 1,563 feet north of Vista Way. The time of injury is listed as unknown.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating under Log No. 9655. The coroner’s office refers all inquiries to the investigating agency. No CHP news release was located as of Monday morning.

McCall Park Road runs through the Mountain Center area on the western fringe of the Idyllwild country, above the San Jacinto Valley.

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Deputies from the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station responded at 2:24 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2026, according to a station newsflash, file No. I262680007. They found the vehicle with collision damage. The driver, the sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office later identified him as Alex Mancia-Caceres, 54, of Hemet. Coroner file No. 2026-07093 lists the date of death as Sept. 25, 2026, with time of death found at 2:30 a.m. Next of kin have been notified. The station had withheld the driver’s name pending that notice.

The San Jacinto Station’s Traffic Reconstruction Team assumed the investigation. The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Ramona Expressway was closed between E Main Street and E Seventh Street while deputies worked the scene. The road has since reopened.

The coroner’s release refers all inquiries to the investigating agency. Anyone with information can contact Deputy Bunn at the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station at (951) 654–2702.

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In the 20-plus years Soboba has been hosting the annual N.I.A.A. event, it has gotten bigger and better each year with an increase in teams, vendors and sponsorships. This year they welcomed 18 men’s teams and 17 women’s teams at both the Sports Complex and The Oaks.

Before the first games got underway at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Tournament Chair, Soboba Vice Chairwoman and Soboba Women’s team pitcher Geneva Mojado conducted the opening ceremonies. This included presentations of two honorariums and introductions of Soboba Tribal Council members, staff, volunteers, and tournament committee members who were all thanked for their involvement.

Chairman Isaiah Vivanco said he was a tournament participant for many years. “I respect the competitiveness and I always enjoy coming out to watch. We appreciate the sportsmanship that happens here. We want to be sure your experience at the tournament and here at Soboba is great and that you will want to come back next year.”

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians stepped up to the plate as a Grand Slam sponsor and several other Tribes were Home Run sponsors. All were thanked and appreciated for their support.

Thomas “Tommy Wong” Melendez Jr. was honored for a lifetime of memories. “Today, we celebrate a man who has spent more than five decades doing something he truly loves,” said Rhonda Valenzuella as Melendez was surrounded by family, friends and past teammates. Tommy’s love for the game started when he was just six years old, playing baseball in first grade. At age 12, he discovered fastpitch softball. From that moment on, softball wasn’t just a sport, it became a part of who he was. He played for countless teams and traveled to tournaments around the country, collecting something far more valuable than trophies—friendships and memories. “Tommy is an incredible dad and a devoted grandfather to seven grandchildren,” Valenzuella said. “Today, some of his greatest joy comes from watching those grandchildren play sports. After spending more than 50 years on the field himself, he now gets to sit in the stands, cheer them on, encourage them, and share with them the same love of sports that has been such a big part of his own life and that is where Tommy’s true legacy lives. The softball career may be retiring but the legend of ‘Tommy Wong’ never will.”

Melendez threw out a ceremonial first pitch for the men’s teams with his son Steven serving as catcher. This was followed by applause from spectators in the bleachers and players on teams that were about to take the field.

Gary and Tina Placencia were also honored and Mojado shared background about them during the presentation. “What began as a love for softball became one of the most meaningful parts of Gary’s life,” she said. He played with the Beer Nuts for many years, where many friendships were formed, creating bonds that stretched far beyond the softball field. In the early 1980s, he was asked to help coach the Soboba Women’s fastpitch team, a role he would return to on and off for decades. He was patient, encouraging, dependable, and steady. Through decades of games, tournaments, practices, and road trips, Gary became a constant presence in the lives of so many people. “This honor recognizes more than Gary’s years of participation in softball; it recognizes a lifetime of dedication, friendship, mentorship, and service to others,” Mojado said. “His impact will never be measured by wins and losses, but by the love, respect, and gratitude that remain long after he’s gone.” Tina was one of Gary’s greatest supporters, traveling with him and supporting the Soboba Women’s softball team through countless games and tournaments. But Tina made her own lasting contribution, volunteering with NIAA registration and wherever she was needed for many years. “Gary and Tina shared a love for this softball family and gave so much of themselves to it,” Mojado said. “Although they are both no longer with us, we know their presence and their legacy remain. We like to think they are watching over us from above and smiling as the tradition they helped support continues.

Gary’s brother Glen threw out the ceremonial first pitch, surrounded by many members of the Placencia family and close friends and teammates.

Before the blessing and birdsongs by the Inter-Tribal Birdsingers, who gathered near the pitcher’s mound, Wayne Nelson said, “Our songs are social to bring everyone together so you are all welcome to come join us.”

Each team was guaranteed three games which lasted 80 minutes or seven innings, whichever came first. For the first time, all four fields were utilized at The Oaks and some of the men’s games were played there. Bracket play determined who would be included in the final games, played at the Soboba Sports Complex on Sunday.

Taking home top honors for the men were Randy’s A’s from Canada with Scott Leiph (T’Sou-ke First Nation) chosen as MVP Pitcher. Second place was won by Cali Reds and Vincent Nelson (Rincon) was named MVP Player. Third place was the MMC (Morongo Men’s Club) and Hostilez placed fourth.

All-tournament honors for best-performing individual men’s players went to Wade Kewageshig (Saugeen FN), Ethan Lans Adams Lake FN), and Gus Wilson from Randy’s A’s Heiltsuk FN); Orrin Murphy (Pechanga) and Mike Calac (Rincon) from Cali Reds; Steven Normand (Peguis FN) and John Silvas (Soboba) with MMC; Lefty from the Hostilez; and Bradly Guachino from Baad Medicine.

The Morongo Women’s team topped the women’s division, as they did last year. Kali Sargent (Washoe Tribe) was named MVP Pitcher. The Misfits took second with Alex Hernandez (San Pasqual Tribe) chosen as MVP Player.  The Youngins were third and fourth place went to Rezilience. Receiving all-tournament honors for best-performing women’s players went to Vernita “Nita” Filmore (Washoe) and Aaliyah Gibson (Oklahoma) from the Morongo Women’s team; Marisa Muse-Gabrielleno (Tongva) and Danielle Magante-Jones (La Jolla Band), from the Misfits; Moyla Devers (Pauma Band) and Paàila Devers (Pauma Band), with the Youngins; Arlene Stone (Bishop Paiute) and Jessica Manuelito (Bishop Paiute), from Rezilience; and Morgan Belone (Navajo) with the New Mexico Dream Catchers.

Noel “Kimo” Alvarez is captain of the Beernuts men’s team, which he has played on since he was 15. His position is third base and pitcher. He said the team participates in various tournaments, so they don’t have designated practices. The were in Lemoore, near Fresno, just a few weeks ago. The first game of the weekend pitted them against the Banning Renegades.

Captain John-Robert Sibole has been on the Banning team for 30 years and said there are lots of family members on the team as well. They last played at the Morongo Cultural Heritage Days at the end of August. “I like the culture, having fun, and just rez ball itself,” Sibole said. “The best part about this tournament is that it’s all-Native.”

Vendors offered a variety of foods, clothing, jewelry, hats and other accessories. Shay Arviso of Hemet was there for the first time with “The Stacked Joint” sandwich booth as well as general snack bar fare. She typically sets up weekly at the San Jacinto Farmers Market. “I’m a (San Diego) Padres’ fan so this worked out great,” she said.

A fundraiser for the Soboba Men’s Fastpitch team was taking place at the concessions stand at the Sports Complex Field 1. Iyana and Antiana Briones stayed busy serving up tacos, burritos, nachos and hot dogs. Derrek Cervantes, who plays second base and left field for the team, said it is made up of mostly Soboba Tribal members led by coach Phill Basquez. Money raised during the weekend will help offset costs of traveling to softball tournaments.

Next year’s N.I.A.A. tournament will be held on the third weekend in September, which is Sept. 17-19 and the committee has promised there will be some special surprises.

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