MORE SPACE, JUDGES UTILIZED TO ADDRESS BACKLOG
Steps aim to manage glut of cases after more than 1,500 dismissed since Oct.
To pare down the backlog of unresolved cases set for trial and prevent the ongoing cascade of dismissals that critics say pose a risk to public safety, the Riverside County Superior Court has expanded courtrooms available for the disposition of cases, including tasking civil court judges with handling criminal matters, according to officials.
“The court has continued to adjust its operations in response to the
Editor’s note: As coronavirus cases fluctuate, some events may be canceled or moved online. Please check with the event organizers/websites to confirm before attending.
Feb. 18 HEMET Cleanup Day
The city of Hemet and CR&R Inc. are hosting a free community cleanup event for city residents from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Hemet Public Library, 300 E. Latham Ave. Acceptable items include large items such as sofas, chairs, refrigerators and other household items, green waste and electronics. Automotive items, batteries, paint, lumber, commercial and construction debris, and hazardous materials or liquids will not be accepted. For information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5y8ebj3r.
Feb. 19 TEMECULA Sunday Funday at Vail HQ
Vail Headquarters will host its weekly Sunday Funday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local vendors, train and stagecoach rides, family activities and a DJ on the Vail Headquarters Stage. This week’s Sunday Funday will have a petting zoo on hand. Vail Headquarters is at 32115 Temecula Parkway. For information, visit www.vailhq.com.
Feb. 19 LAKE ELSINORE Mornings on Main
The city of Lake Elsinore and Made Local Market hold their weekly Mornings on Main Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at City Park, 184 Main St. Shop for locally sourced produce and handmade treasures at the farmers market, and stroll down Historic Downtown Main Street to take in the antique shops, novelty stores, museum and fine dining. Information: https://tinyurl.com/wdymz34x.
Feb. 20 MURRIETA Dog Tales
The Murrieta Public Library holds its Dog Tales program at 4:30 p.m. Mondays, except holidays. The program, in partnership with Love on a Leash, provides trained reading-education assistance dogs for children ages 3 to 12 to read to. The library is at 8 Town Square.
Feb. 21 TEMECULA Farmers market
The Vail Headquarters Certified Farmers Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at 32115 Temecula Parkway. Vendors offer fresh produce, cut flowers, local honey, specialty foods and more, and there are activities for children. For information, visit https:// www.vailhq.com/farmers-market.
Feb. 23-March 29 SOUTHWEST COUNTY Blood drives
The San Diego Blood Bank is holding blood drives hosted by local businesses in Southwest Riverside County. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. Photo ID is case backlog,” according to a Superior Court Executive Office statement released Feb. 2.
The statement came two days after District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced that more than 1,500 felony and misdemeanor cases had been booted by judges since October, and that between Jan. 25 and Jan. 30, three felony sex cases were vacated.
Those dismissals led to prosecutors immediately re-filing the cases with fresh criminal complaints to prevent the defendants from walking scot-free. The judges who vacated the cases were Helios Hernandez and Jeffrey Prevost at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
Despite prosecutors requesting continuances to prevent the dismissals, required. For information or to make an appointment, call (800) 469-7322 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org.
Feb. 23: Baron’s Market Temecula, 31939 Rancho California Road, Temecula, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 6: Promenade Temecula in the plaza in front of Edwards Theatre, 40820 Winchester Road, Temecula, 1 to 6 p.m.
March 10: Oscar’s Brewing Co., 29375 Rancho California Road, Temecula, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 15: Murrieta Valley High School, 42200 Nighthawk Way, Murrieta, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 29: Temecula Library, 30600 Pauba Road, Temecula, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 24 MENIFEE Art-A-Faire
The city of Menifee will host a free evening of art displays by local artists and live music from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road. In honor of Black History Month, organizers will celebrate artwork that honors notable Black men and women. Artists interested in displaying their works that will honor Black History Month can email culturalarts@cityofmenifee.us or call (951) 723-3880.
Feb. 25 PERRIS Take a Hike series
The city of Perris is hosting a Take a Hike series of challenging hikes to get residents outside and moving. The next hike, Saturday, Feb. 25, kicks off at 8 a.m. and will take hikers to Frank Eaton Memorial Park, 3600 Bradley Road, Perris. the judges cited a lack of available courtrooms for jury selection, because several judges were on training assignments and others were out sick.
“Training is required for new judicial officers as set forth in the California Rules of Court and is an essential part of new judicial officers transitioning to the bench,” the Superior Court stated. “The court has staggered having judges attend training to minimize the impact on the availability of trial courtrooms.”
Officials said efforts to facilitate the resolution of cases by trial have been under way since October, and more recently, the Superior Court has taken additional steps and received additional help.
Four courtrooms were recently
Visit https://tinyurl.com/perrisfeb-hike for more information.
Feb. 28 MURRIETA Coffee talks
The Coffee with the City of Murrieta series continues at 8:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The free events hosted by the city and the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce provide an opportunity for residents to connect with city officials. For more information, visit https:// business.murrietachamber.org/ events/calendar/2022-01-01.
March 3 TEMECULA Coffee Connection
The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce holds its next Coffee Connection networking event from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 3, at The Coffee Shop at the chamber, 26790 Ynez Court, Suite A. Registration is encouraged at https:// members.temecula.org/events.
March 4 MURRIETA SAT prep
Enhanced Prep and the Murrieta Library offer a free full-length SAT practice test at 9 a.m. March 4 at the library, 8 Town Square. Enhanced Prep will provide a detailed score analysis to aid students in their preparation for the official test. For information or to register, visit bit.ly/mursat23.
March 4 LAKE ELSINORE Waste collection
The city of Lake Elsinore will designated for criminal proceedings, and two more will be opened following the appointment last month of two new judicial officers, according to the Superior Court.
Officials said all civil judges at the Riverside Historic Courthouse who are able to hear criminal matters are adding them to their calendars, and since October, 41 cases have been adjudicated there.
The court noted that criminal trials are being called “multiple times per day,” and the court is “assigning criminal trials to a courtroom immediately after it becomes available,” as well as utilizing “every available retired judge through the temporary assigned judges program.”
Last month, the county Board of hold its next household hazardous waste drop-off event for city residents from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at 512 N. Langstaff St., next to the Public Works Yard. Items accepted include automotive chemicals, batteries, electronics, household chemicals and cleaners and paint. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/lewaste-collection-2023.
March 9 MURRIETA/WILDOMAR Networking breakfast
The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly networking breakfast on March 9. Held the second Thursday of the month, the meeting includes networking from 7:30 to 8 a.m. followed by the regular program at 8 a.m. For more information or to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/murrchamber-events.
March 11 MURRIETA History presentation
The Murrieta History Museum will host a presentation by historian Pat Jennings on the legacy of the Yoder family and their farming throughout the Murrieta and Menifee valleys on Saturday, March 11. The free presentation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the museum, 41810 Juniper St., Murrieta. Visit www.murrietahistory.org to RSVP.
March 11 TEMECULA Jazz festival
Old Town Temecula Community Theater will celebrate the 11th annual Jazz Festival from 2 to 4
Supervisors ordered the Executive Office to review the basis for the mass dismissals and return to the board with a report by mid-March listing real world solutions.
“Our system of government does not work without a functioning court system,” Supervisor Karen Spiegel said. “This board needs to engage on the issues and find solutions.”
Figures indicated 93 percent of vacated cases have been misdemeanor filings. DUIs accounted for the highest number of dismissals at 36 percent, followed by domestic violence complaints at 26 percent. Assault filings made up about 5 percent, and sex crimes were near the bottom at 2 percent, according to data. p.m. Sunday, March 5. The afternoon concert will feature Inland Empire musicians including Yve Evans, Keith Droste, Jonathan Karrant, Doug McDonald, and father-son duo Colin and Joel Wenhardt. Tickets cost $25 to $37, with discounts available for seniors, military and students. The concert will be at the theater, 42051 Main St. For tickets or more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ temecula-jazz-2023.
March 14 WILDOMAR Coffee talks
The monthly Wildomar Coffee with the City series returns at 8:30 a.m. March 14. Held the second Tuesday of the month, the free events hosted by the city and the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce provide an opportunity for residents to connect with city officials. Email Rhonda Warner at rwarner@mwcoc.org for more information.
Ongoing VALLEYWIDE Blood donations
Donations of blood and plasma are needed for patients throughout the region. LifeStream hosts mobile blood drives at various locations as well as collections at its regular locations. The Murrieta donation center is at 40365 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, and is open seven days a week; hours vary. For hours or for more information, visit www.lstream.org.
Email community event information at least three weeks in advance to temecula@sduniontribune.com.