The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, by way of its Soboba Economic Development Corporation, has begun construction for the Sovovatum Village, a retail center that will serve as a gateway to greet all visitors to the Soboba Casino Resort and the reservation. Located at the southeast corner of Lake Park Drive and Soboba Road, the 19+ acre center will feature 60,000 square feet of retail space. A groundbreaking ceremony for phase one – a gas station and convenience store – was held on August 13.
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians held an Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony to celebrate its outstanding students from the 2020-2021 school year. Some of the recent graduates will pursue higher education while the middle- and high-school honorees will be starting back to school in a few short weeks.
Soboba Tribal Executive Officer and emcee, Steven Estrada, welcomed all guests and offered a blessing for the students. Chairman Isaiah Vivanco introduced fellow council members Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado, Secretary Sally Moreno-Ortiz, Treasurer Daniel Valdez and Sergeant at Arms Kelli Hurtado.
About a dozen dedicated young people recently completed a five-part course in Financial Literacy 101 taught by Soboba Tribal Administration’s Financial Analyst Lenell Carter. The most important lesson they learned is that you are never too young to learn about how to create a healthy financial future.
After a 10 a.m. Memorial Day Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at the Soboba Reservation, visitors made their way to the Veterans Memorial at the far end of the Soboba Cemetery to pay their respects during a Memorial Day Flag Raising ceremony on May 31. Dedicated “to the memory of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and non-tribal members who gave their all for us” the shrine was decorated with a wreath and potted flowers in patriotic colors.
Soboba’s Department of Public Safety recently welcomed Mikayla Mendoza to its newly created position of Emergency Services Coordinator. Under the supervision of DPS Director Brian Herritt and Soboba Fire Chief Glenn Patterson, she will plan, develop and coordinate multi-hazard emergency response and recovery activities in support of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.