Arts Council Menifee Offers Free Admission to Fine Art Gallery First Anniversary Celebration

Free Skin Analysis and Samples This Friday at Massage Envy

For more information call (951) 821-3222 or visit their Facebook page here.

Official Says Menifee Road 'Missing Link' to Be Built by Dec. 30

The extension of Menifee Road from Aldergate Road north to Simpson Road is shown in red on this city map.

Although a number of financial, design and scheduling factors prevent the City of Menifee from building a Holland Road overpass at Interstate 215 in less than three years, city officials have found a way to mitigate traffic congestion during the first stages of a multi-phase road improvement plan.

Interim City Manager Rob Johnson told Menifee 24/7 Tuesday that a half-mile stretch of undeveloped land in east Menifee between Aldergate Road and Simpson Road will be turned into a four-lane extension of Menifee Road by Dec. 30. According to Johnson, developer Rancon Group has agreed to begin construction in mid-August, completing the "missing link" in a north-south thoroughfare that could greatly reduce traffic congestion during other nearby road projects.

Local residents have long expressed frustration with the fact that northbound Menifee Road ends at Aldergate Road and southbound Menifee Road dead-ends at Simpson Road (below). It isn't much more than a stone's throw from one end of the missing link to the other, located at the east base of a hillside that precludes alternate routes to the west.

For years, the increasing traffic flow has been forced to detour west on Newport Road and Simpson Road, then travel a parallel route on two-lane Lindenberger Road to continue north-south travel. Visions of increased traffic on this route for motorists trying to avoid the upcoming construction at the Newport Road freeway interchange were fast reaching nightmare proportions.

But now, through a bit of political maneuvering, Menifee officials are prepared to give motorists a viable option.

"Because it was evident we couldn't do Holland Road right away, we asked ourselves what would help alleviate traffic when work begins (estimated in early 2014) on the Newport Interchange," Johnson said after Tuesday night's city council meeting. "Completing Menifee Road redirects drivers in two additional ways to the freeway."

As it stands now, residents in the densely populated areas east of Interstate 215 in the center of town have two access points to the freeway -- Scott Road to the south and Newport Road to the north. A $30 million expansion project beginning early next year will eventually create additional traffic lanes on the Newport Road bridge and improve on- and off-ramps. During the construction, however, that vital east-west thoroughfare will be subject to gridlock.

The extension of Menifee Road will allow motorists to head north to the next freeway access road -- McCall Boulevard -- or proceed even further north on Menifee Road to Highway 74 -- avoiding the eastward detour on the winding, two-lane Lindenberger Road in the process.

The "missing link" project was listed with no start or completion date during an April 30 public works forum that outlined the schedule of road improvements in Menifee. Rancon purchased the land several years ago for its proposed Eldorado housing development but delayed the promised Menifee Road extension when the housing market slowed.

Noting that the bonds issued to finance that project were coming up for renewal, Johnson said city officials told Rancon they would pull the bonds and the city would build that stretch of road if the developer didn't begin the job by mid-August.

"They have to start it before Aug. 17, when the bonds come up again," Johnson said about the Menifee Road projects, which carries a price tag of $4 million. "We can't wait for property values to go up. We just can't wait anymore for that missing link.

"The city is entering into a private/public partnership with Eldorado LLC to get this done. We're trying to show developers that if they put in the infrastructure first, the buyers will come, rather than waiting for the buyers and then putting in the infrastructure."

Johnson said work on the Menifee Road missing link would take place between August and December -- at the same time a stretch of Newport Road to the east of Antelope Road is widened. Thus both projects would be completed before the Newport Interchange construction begins.

"This will improve traffic circulation in a very significant way," said Mayor Scott Mann.

Members of the city council have been the target of public criticism ever since the April 30 public forum, when the schedule for upcoming road projects listed the Holland Road overpass with a 2016 start date. The majority of residents want that additional bridge over the freeway to be built before the Newport Interchange project. (right). Many have directed their anger at Mann and council members Wallace Edgerton and Greg August, who made campaign promises that the Holland overpass would be built first.

"We made those promises that Holland would be built first," Edgerton admitted during Tuesday night's meeting. "We were all under the assumption there was a choice to do so. Since then, it has been made crystal clear to management that bad things might happen if we took the Holland project first."

As Johnson explained, the Newport Interchange project is ready to begin early next year for several reasons. The designs are completed, in addition to the legally required Environmental Impact Report -- a process that would take up to two years for the Holland Road overpass. In addition, he said, Riverside County has committed $12 million to the project and Menifee will be reimbursed for its $17 million share because the project was approved through the TUMF network.

Road projects approved by the county for the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee program receive funds generated through fees paid by local developers. According to Johnson, the county approved the Newport Interchange project because Newport Road is a vital connector road from Hemet west to Interstate 215 and 15. The proposed Holland Road overpass does not meet those requirements and thus is considered ineligible for TUMF funding.

Mann was a proponent of funding the Holland Road overpass project during his first term on city council from 2008-10. He said it was his belief that after he was voted off the council in 2010, the project had qualified for TUMF funding. That, he said, led to his confidence in promising the Holland Road overpass as top priority during the election campaign last fall.

"Based on what had happened when I was on council before, I thought the Holland overpass project was proceeding along its natural course," Mann said. "Nobody monitored it after that. I made that a campaign promise and it was a major goal. Then when we were preparing for the public workshop, we realized it isn't nearly that far along."

Johnson said that work on the design and funding of the Holland Road project has already begun. However, because of the time involved in completing designs, getting an EIR and finding sufficient funding, there is simply no way to move up the 2016 timetable. In fact, he said, if Menifee took the $17 million for which it will be reimbursed for work on the Newport Interchange and diverted it to the Holland overpass, the city would not only be ineligible for reimbursement, it would likely lose the county's $12 million commitment to Newport -- and the Holland project would still take three years.

"If you choose to put money into Holland from the (county) financing, Newport will not get built and neither will Holland for the next several years," Johnson said. "Do we know the traffic is bad? Yes. We're finally putting all the pieces together to address the situation. That wasn't done before."

Cooking Class Coming to Elevate Fitness Studio on June 25

For more information call (951) 301-4499 or visit their Facebook page here.

PostalAnnex+, Shipping Experts You Can Trust

Advertorial supplement:

Postal Annex+ in Menifee takes in offering a plethora of amenities at affordable rates, all while providing quality, honest service.

When it comes to selecting a shipping service, Postal Annex can help you compare shipping rates and costs among UPS, FedEx and the USPS so you can choose the most efficient and price conscious delivery method. If you need to purchase a box, their shipping and packing experts will determine the correct size to keep your packages securely protected and shipping rates low.

Should you need to ship something large, heavy, and/ or fragile, you can entrust your valuables to be shipped with care using their freight shipping service.

Postal Annex also provides the services of a commissioned and insured Notary Public, appointed by the state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. They oversee the signing of any document that an originator needs to ensure integrity and identity of the signer. The Notary will verify the identity of the signer, and certify that they are knowingly and willingly signing to help deter any fraudulent execution of documents.

The notary will professionally ensure accurate and honest signing of real estate deeds, contracts, loan documents, affidavits, deeds of trust, warranty deeds, mortgage notes, certification of trusts and escrow information. In addition they can also offer mobile notary services to travel to off-site locations to notarize documents at your home, a hospital, or place of business.

Newport at Murrieta
26100 Newport Road
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-7070

Mon- Fri, 8 - 6
Sat, 9 - 4
Sun, Closed

Newport at Antelope
30141 Antelope Road
Menifee, CA 92585
(951) 679-2600

Mon- Fri, 9 - 6
Sat, 9 - 4
Sun, 10 - 4

Like them on Facebook!

Challenge Your Mental Fitness with the Life Meetings at Rilynn Professional Building

                                              For more information call (951) 309-1032

                                                               or visit them here.

Does a Mermaid Really Know How to Get Rid of Sharks?

A note from the Junior Editor:

I like this story by Andreese because it's about Ariel the mermaid. I like her shows. But I don't like that she had to swim away from three sharks. I hope I never see a shark when I go to the beach.

I never thought of making waves to get rid of a shark. Are they really afraid of waves?

It's fun to see kids from first grade at Mesa View turn in these stories. I wish other kids would turn in stuff too.

-- Kaylee

There are two ways to submit content for Menifee 24/7 Kids Edition.

One, items may be mailed to this address:
Menifee 24/7 Kids Edition 
31026 Fair Hill Court
Menifee, CA 92584

Two, submissions may be emailed to menifee247kids@gmail.com.

If your child drew something, scan it or take a picture of it and attach it to the email. If your child wrote something, we'd prefer to receive it in the original handwritten form. If it is typed into the email by the child, let us know it's their original work. If a parent retypes the work, assure us that your child dictated the content or wrote it out first. Please have your child keep written submissions brief. Include the child's first name only, and his or her age.

City Council to Consider Approval of Budget for 2013-14

The Menifee City Council tonight will consider approval of the city's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as the appointment of several ad hoc committees for economic development.

A balanced budget of $22.6 million was presented to council members during a public study session on June 4. The council will be asked to approve that budget tonight, as well as an agreement with Riverside County Fire to continue contract fire services.

Budget figures presented at the public study session show fire services for the coming year at a cost of $7.2 million, or approximately 32 percent of the city's budget.

Ad hoc committees will be appointed for the following economic development projects:

-- Sun City/Romoland economic development

-- Newport Road (west)/Haun Road corridor economic development

-- Newport Road (east) corridor economic development

-- Scott Road/Rural Development corridor economic development

This is part of Mayor Scott Mann's plan to address key issues in the city's general plan for development in the coming years.

An extension of the moratorium on an ordinance regarding metal shipping containers on residential property also will be considered.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 29714 Haun Road.

Karaoke Contest Tonight at Pitstop Pub

For more information call (951) 679-0869 or visit their Facebook page here.

Mayor Scott Mann to Deliver State of City Address Wednesday

Menifee Mayor Scott Mann will give an overview of the first five years of the city's incorporation and discuss plans for continued growth during his State of the City address this Wednesday, June 19.

Mann's speech is part of a breakfast event to be held at Menifee Lakes Country Club, 29875 Menifee Lakes Drive, from 8:30-11 a.m.

Elaborating on the theme "Celebrating our past, creating our future," Mann will discuss highlights of past accomplishments and the city's financial position, including plans to restore vehicle license fees previously taken away by the state. He will also discuss the recently approved five-year capital improvement program designed to alleviate traffic problems in the city, in addition to the economic development push to attract restaurants, retail outlets and other amenities to Menifee.

Mann, a two-time Menifee City Council member, served on the inaugural city council and was elected to a two-year term as mayor in 2012. A retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, he owns and operates Mann Consulting, a business services consulting firm.

Tickets for the State of the City event are $35 per person, including breakfast, and may be purchased at the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce by calling 951-672-1991.

Menifee Police Provide Reminders About Home Safety

The Menifee Police Department reminds residents to be aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity -- especially as summer begins and there are more people on the streets at night.

Police acknowledge that when schools dismiss for the summer, mischievous and criminal activity typically increase. One activity that is becoming more common is referred to as "power boxing."

One such incident was reported in Sun City Sunday night. The resident told Menifee 24/7 that the home's power went out about 11:30 p.m. A check outside the property showed that the door to the electrical panel was open and the circuit break had been shut off. No one was in sight.

The resident said she called police and suggested that neighbors put locks on the cover of their outside electrical panel. Lt. Charlie Wilhite of the Menifee Police Department said this is a good idea.

"We recommend a padlock on the cover," Wilhite said. "If Edison needs to get in, they can get in through the bottom panel.

"We have received a few of these calls about power boxing, but not an extraordinary amount recently. Of course, being summer, these types of things go up. School is out and teenagers stay out later."

Wilhite said there have been reports in other cities of thieves turning off a resident's power, then accosting the occupants when they come outside to check and robbing the house. He said he can't recall that type of assault or robbery happening in Menifee, although one is never sure what the suspect's intent is when no one is found outside.

"I'd say 99 percent of the time, it's kids," Wilhite said. "They turn off the master breaker and run away. It's kind of like "ding dong ditch."

Wilhite recommends that in addition to locking the electrical panel, residents stay inside if the power goes out and call Southern California Edison to find out whether it is a system-wide outage. He cautions that if residents see or hear anything suspicious, stay inside and call police.

Fire West of Wildomar Spreads to About 30 Acres; Grand Closed

Update at 8:30 p.m.: Fire is 100 percent contained and roads are open.

Riverside County firefighters have responded to a wildfire west of Wildomar that has burned an estimated 25 to 30 acres since it was reported at 5:12 p.m. today.

Firefighters reported the fire 50 percent contained at 6:35 p.m. Full containment is expected by 8 p.m. No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged or are threatened, said fire officials.

Wildomar police have shut down Grand Avenue between Wesley and Central for the safety of motorists and firefighters. More than 160 firefighters are on the scene. The cause of the fire is not known.

Summer Food & Fun at Provecho Grill

Advertorial supplement:

Summer is in full swing at Provecho Grill. With live music every week and a menu that’s always fresh and fun, this authentic Mexican eatery located in the Sun City section of Menifee is ready to make your summer even better.

Margarita Monday

Monday’s menu is influenced by Mexican street fare favorites and reflects recipes from the region of Mexico City. Street tacos and huaranches are just of the two menu items to look for. Margaritas are just $3 all day long.

Taco Tuesday

The infamous Taco Tuesday offers up delicious Provecho style ground beef tacos for only $1. Using certified Angus beef, fresh tomato, and queso fresco their tacos are piled high with quality ingredients for a taco that’s mouth-watering good to the last bite.

Try one of their specialty summer inspired tacos including grilled fish or shrimp. The grilled fish taco is topped with mango pineapple salsa and a cilantro lime dressing that is fresh and festive to celebrate summer.

Wine Down Wednesday

Get over the midweek hump with a date night at Provecho. Every Wednesday dinner for two is just $19.95, and includes your choice of chicken, steak, or combo fajitas with side salads for two and dessert to share. Enjoy sangria for only $4.75 and house wines for just $4.

Thursday Entertainment

Start the weekend off early on Thursday nights with live music by an array of awesome local bands from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dinner and drink specials are available too.

Weekend Brunch

Every Saturday and Sunday Provecho serves up a scrumptious brunch. Feast on fresh fruit, Mexican pastries, your choice of entrees, and bottomless mimosas for only $12.95. Try their house special menudo, and other Mexican favorites including crab benedicto and the Mexican quesadilla.


26862 Cherry Hills Blvd.
Menifee, CA 92586
(951) 246-3200

Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Website: Provecho Grill
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Menifee 24/7 Classified Ad Listings

PARTY RENTALS
Whatever your party needs, we have what you're looking for. Tables and chair rentals, decorations, catering, event planning. Call Party Envy at 951-234-2402 or visit our website at www.bethepartyenvy.com.


WEDDING PLANNING
We are a full-service wedding planning business with 15 years of experience. Lots of vendor contacts in the IE. We'll help plan your wedding from start to finish and we have all the supplies. Call The Wedding Ladies at 626-388-7562.



 
ITEMS FOR SALE

UniFlame gas BBQ with side burner. Works great. Comes with propane tank. $20 OBO. Call 951-234-2402 and leave a message.



BABYSITTER
Babysitting services offered in Menifee. I am 14 years old and have lots of experience and references. I will babysit any children 6 months and up. I have my own transportation. Call 760-898-4318.


DOG WALKER
Help me earn money and learn responsibility. I love dogs and they love me. My name is Caleb and I'm 11. I want to earn money and pay for my penny board. $2 each dog per walk. Call 909-210-9146.

DoTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS
Now you can be in control of your family's health. DoTerra -- naturally safe, purely effective essential oils. Contact Megan at 951-301-5284 for more info.


For information or to submit your classified ad, email menifee247info@gmail.com or call us at 951-345-5648.

Menifee DUI Checkpoint Results in 5 DUI-Alcohol Arrests

Five drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and 18 others were cited or arrested in a DUI-Driver's License checkpoint conducted in Menifee late last night and early this morning.

The checkpoint was conducted by the Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit at Newport Road and Laguna Vista Drive between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. According to police, checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

Results of the checkpoint reported by police:

-- 2,051 Vehicles Screened
-- 132 Vehicles sent to secondary inspection
-- 15 Field sobriety tests administered
-- 5 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested
-- 10 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed
-- 8 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle while suspended/revoked
-- 10 Vehicles towed
-- 1 Arrested for an outstanding warrant

Menifee PD will conduct another DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint on Friday, June 21 at an undisclosed location.