Local News

The new omicron variant took only a few weeks to live up to dire predictions about how hugely contagious it is but scientists don’t yet know if it causes more severe disease even as the world faces exploding cases just before Christmas.

The generosity of the public who donated toys to this year’s Soboba Gives Back! Toy Drive was outstanding but when Soboba Tribal Elders heard the amount was a little short of expectations this year, they decided to support the project by donating 400 toys.

As longtime Hemet San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce Circle of Influence members, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Soboba Casino Resort and Soboba Foundation were happy to host the organization’s 2021 Holiday Mixer again this year. More than 450 guests wined and dined at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center on Dec. 8.

Fifty members and friends of the California Retired Teachers Association Division 33 (Hemet, San Jacinto, and surrounding areas) gathered together December 14th at the Seven Hills Members Club to celebrate the holidays, reconnect with former colleagues and help spread a little holiday cheer and goodwill in the process. With a desire to help fill the great need of local families and struggling seniors in our community, especially over the holidays, Division 33 members donated bags, boxes and wagon loads of food and toys to the Valley Community Pantry in Hemet. As a bonus, Jim Lineberger, Executive Director and CEO of the Valley Community Pantry, was CalRTA’s guest speaker for the event and reflected on the many trials and triumphs the Pantry has experienced over the past 57 years.

Ontario International Airport (ONT) will welcome more than 271,000 airline passengers during the upcoming winter holidays, 93% of the number of passengers who traveled through ONT during the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.