The hospital’s parent company, Southwest Healthcare, announced that the new seven-story tower began receiving patients on Monday. The project, which cost about $400 million, adds a 217,444-square-foot advanced acute care facility at the hospital’s campus on Inland Valley Drive.

With the addition of the new tower, Inland Valley Hospital increases its licensed acute care bed count from 120 to 202 — a jump aimed at keeping pace with the region’s rapid population growth and rising demand for medical services.

Hospital officials say the expansion strengthens services already offered at the facility, including Level II trauma care, a certified primary stroke center, and an advanced total joint replacement program. Inland Valley is also known for its nationally recognized weight-loss surgery program.

Even before the expansion, the hospital handled a high volume of patients, performing more than 4,000 surgeries annually and seeing roughly 4,000 visits each month in its emergency department.

“This is an important and exciting moment for our organization and the communities we serve,” said Jared Giles, CEO of Southwest Healthcare Inland Valley Hospital and Rancho Springs Hospital. He noted that the new tower opened following approval from the California Department of Public Health and credited staff for managing the complex transition into the new space.

The project has been years in the making. Ground was first broken on Oct. 7, 2021, in a ceremony that also marked the start of expansion work at nearby Rancho Springs Hospital in Murrieta.

The investment in both facilities represents the largest financial commitment to date by Universal Health Services, the Pennsylvania-based company that operates Southwest Healthcare hospitals across the region.

Inland Valley Hospital itself has been serving the area since it first opened its doors in 1987.

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The store is being built at the northeast corner of Monte Vista Drive and Bundy Canyon Road, just east of Interstate 15. Plans call for a 185,682-square-foot retail center that is expected to bring expanded shopping options to local residents, including groceries, pharmacy services, household essentials and other everyday items.

The project has been in the works for years. Although the site received approval back in 2015, development did not move forward at the time and the project faced the possibility of losing its entitlements. Over the last year, city officials said efforts were made to work with the property owner and developer to help move the long-delayed project toward construction.

City leaders are describing the new store as one of the most significant private investments in Wildomar to date. In addition to adding retail services, the development is expected to generate hundreds of construction and permanent jobs while helping strengthen the city’s tax base.

Wildomar has seen steady growth since officially incorporating in 2008. Once a smaller community with limited retail and commercial development, the city has expanded considerably over the years. Recent Census estimates show the population has grown substantially since cityhood, while the local landscape has continued to add more businesses, medical services and commercial centers.

Officials say the Walmart project fits into broader efforts to support economic development and improve access to shopping opportunities within the city. Its location along the Monte Vista Drive and Bundy Canyon Road corridor is also seen as important, as the area serves as a key entry point into Wildomar and has been the focus of ongoing infrastructure and transportation improvements.

No official completion date for the new store has been announced.

If you want, I can also make this more “front page newspaper” style with a stronger headline and tighter local-news tone.

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The victim’s identity was not released as of Tuesday afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at approximately 1:46 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Grape and Olive streets.

Both drivers were trapped in their vehicles and had to be extricated by Cal Fire crews before being transported to a local hospital. Each victim was in critical condition, according to the sheriff’s department.

“One of the drivers ultimately succumbed to their injuries,” the law enforcement agency said.

An update on the other victim was unavailable.

No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though traffic investigators with the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station reported that alcohol was not a crash factor.

No arrests were announced.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Keyser at 951-245-3000 or the Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099.

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“The Wildomar City Council and former City Manager Dan York have agreed to York’s retirement commencing on May 9, 2025,” according to the brief city statement. “York will receive a severance payment in the amount of $44,026.66, which is equivalent to 2 months’ of his pay.

“York has served as City Manager since 2/1/2022,” the statement continued. “The City Council appreciates York’s service to the Wildomar community and wishes him a happy retirement.”

York was officially placed on paid administrative leave following unanimous votes by the City Council on April 11. The three separate votes, which took place during a closed-door meeting, resulted in York 1) being placed on leave effective immediately; 2) authorization for the city attorney to draft a mutual separation agreement featuring early retirement for York; 3) City Clerk Janet Morales being appointed interim city manager.

In a late-night follow-up news release announcing York’s leave, the city stated that its City Council “will move quickly” to find a permanent city manager.

According to an email from York to City Council that was sent the morning of the closed-door meeting, the city leader expressed gratitude.

“I understand the decision you are about to take this evening,” York began in the email, which was made public by Third District Wildomar City Councilmember Joseph Morabito. “I am very appreciative and honored to have served the city faithfully the last dozen years. I recall 4 years ago talking to many that there is a season for everything, including the City Manager assignment. Thank you for allowing me to exercise my strengths of fiscal and operational management during my term as your City Manager.”

York continued in the message, “Today I feel accomplished. We achieved financial health and have built a cohesive city team. I feel you and the community are well poised to define and execute the next season. I truly wish full success. Some day in the future, I look forward to reminiscing our past victories and celebrating the completion of your goals.”

York concluded, “I am confident that Tom and I will easily navigate the completion of the Separation Agreement next week. In sincere gratitude, Dan.”

There was nothing in York’s email message that alluded to why City Council was voting on his leave.

In an online post, Morabito said the public “‘why’ will never be gotten into detail; legally, it can’t be. I hate how these things work, but I don’t write the rules, and the rules most certainly apply to me and my big mouth as much as anyone else.”

Morabito said the April 11 closed-session City Council meeting was two hours long, and York did not attend it.

York began serving as Wildomar City Manager following the planned retirement of City Manager Gary Nordquist. Before his appointment, York served as Wildomar Assistant City Manager.

According to city documents dated January 2025, York’s annual salary was $264,100.

City managers take on the role of chief executive officers of city government, but serve at the pleasure of City Councils. More details about the search for York’s replacement are expected at upcoming Wildomar City Council meetings.

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The Mizzou team finished third at the NCAA Championship Final on Saturday, securing the best finish and best postseason finish in school history. Celestine was a big part of that, according to the release.

The 2025 season was the most successful year of Missouri gymnastics, ending with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championship Final. The Tigers’ final ranking of No. 3 marked the highest of any Mizzou women’s sports team in school history, according to the school. During the season, Amari Celestine was named WCGA South Central Gymnast of the Year and a Second Team WCGA Second Team All-Around Member and a Second Team WCGA Regular Season Second Team All-Around and Floor Member.

“Amari Celestine of Wildomar scored 39.5375 in the all-around, her fifth time this year to reach 39.5000 and the fourth-best all-around score on the day,” they said.

Celestine is majoring in Sport Management and is a graduate of Vista Murrieta High School.

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On Sunday, August 2, 2020, at 4:25 PM, Wildomar deputies responded to a missing person call in the 21000 block of Pumice Lane, Wildomar.  Deputies discovered Clyde Waynick, 81 years-old, voluntarily left his residence on August 2, 2020, about 7:00 AM.  

Mr. Waynick is described as a white male, five feet ten inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds.  He has white hair and blue eyes.  Mr. Waynick was last seen wearing a red shirt, blue jeans, and white shoes.  According to his family, Mr. Waynick suffers from dementia.  He is believed to be driving a dark green 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII 2 door, Arizona license plate CPP7006.    

An extensive search was completed for Mr. Waynick, but he was not located.  The search is continuing.  The California Highway Patrol was contacted, and a Silver Alert was activated.  Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Waynick is urged to call the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, by calling (951) 245-3300, or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099

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