CALIFORNIA – An estimated 1,446 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, reflecting a 388 percent increase over the daily average, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked as the second- and third-leading days of the year for home cooking fires.“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday with...
Thanksgiving is a time of giving and remembering those who searched for a new life, voyaging to America and those who shared their bounties with those in need. This special time remains today, with many sharing their Thanksgiving meals with others and helping those who would otherwise have little to share.
Many organizations, service groups and churches are offering Thanksgiving...
Stephanie HolbrookWings of ChangeCalifornia is home to more than 1,600 species of native bees. These small, often unnoticed pollinators keep wildflowers blooming, strengthen food systems, and support the health of entire ecosystems.Unlike honey bees – which are managed livestock raised in hives – native bees are true wildlife. Most live solitary lives, nesting in hollow stems, old wood, or...
A graphic after the Chicago Cubs defeated the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2025 playoffs noted that the five runs the Padres scored in the three games made the 1.67 runs per game the Cubs allowed the third-lowest in a postseason series in the team’s history. The 1907 Cubs who defeated the Detroit Tigers in...
Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District has scheduled several holiday events throughout the region in December.
A tree lighting will be Friday, Dec. 5 at Regional Park, 901 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto. The free event begins at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting around 6, followed by a showing of “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland.” Free cookies, cocoa and coffee will be offered.
Breakfast...
SACRAMENTO – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced on Oct. 29, 2025, that fire departments across the state are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS)—a secure, cloud-based platform built to modernize how emergency incidents are reported and analyzed.Departments across the country are onboarding to NERIS as part of a phased national rollout...
MENIFEE - The Menifee Union School District announced the retirement of James (Jim) Sellers, Director of Facilities, effective November 13, 2025, concluding an extraordinary career spanning 36 years. A lifelong member of the Menifee community, Jim was instrumental in shaping the physical landscape of the district, guiding its infrastructure through periods of unprecedented growth.Jim began his tenure with the...
When it’s cold outside but one still wants to move, there’s one place that offers warm lighting, endless routes, and just enough temptation to keep them going: the mall. And if a shopper is visiting one of the country’s biggest malls? They are in for a serious step count.These massive shopping centers are more than just retail hubs. They...
Members of the Hemet Valley Art Association recently met at the Harvard Street gallery to collaborate in decorating a tree for the 16th annual Soroptimist International San Jacinto-Hemet Valley Club’s Jingle-Mingle, Dec. 4.The nonprofit service club solicits donated decorated trees to be raffled off at their event, with all proceeds going to fund the many projects and programs that...
Soboba Band of Luiseño IndiansSpecial to Valley NewsThe Soboba Tribal TANF program (STTP) is offering cultural activities throughout the month and the turnout from families has been impressive. The kickoff event was Native Cooking with Chef Anita Morillo who led a hands-on workshop cooking rabbit stew as attendees learned about traditional ingredients used.Tony Soares offered a two-part pottery class,...