Category Archives: Eastvale Front Page

Breaking News Stories from Eastvale and surrounding communities.

Elderly Victim Robbed In Eastvale

Courtesy: Riverside County Sheriff Dept.; Pictured: Gratiela Stoian

Staff Reports

Eastvale – On August 7, two suspects distracted an elderly victim and robbed him at a business in The Station.

The two suspects “lured an elderly victim toward them to have a conversation,” according to a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department news release. “During the interaction, the suspects distracted the victim and robbed him of jewelry he was wearing. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle” and were later identified as Petre Alexandru, 27, and Gratiela Stoian, 22, both residents of Romania.

Courtesy: Riverside County Sheriff Dept.; Pictured: Petre Alexandru

Deputies assigned to the city of Eastvale Special Enforcement Team (SET) responded to the scene and met the victim in a parking lot of a business located in the 5000 block of Hamner Avenue, in Eastvale.

“Through several investigative means, SET deputies learned the couple was responsible for a similar incident in Vancouver, Canada,” stated the news release. “Deputies identified both suspects and the vehicle used in the crime. Deputies coordinated an apprehension of the suspects with the Palm Springs Police Department.” Both suspects were arrested in Palm Springs and deputies found other jewelry in their vehicle, including multiple necklaces, rings, watches and bracelets that possibly belonged to other unidentified victims.

Both suspects were subsequently transported and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for robbery, elder abuse, and conspiracy to commit a crime. “Alexandru and Stoian are currently pending a $500,000.00 bail,” according to the new release.

Anyone with information on this case or who may have been a victim to these suspects is encouraged to call Deputy Morris at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling 951-955-6006.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the community that “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.

Here We Grow

Eastvale Updates

Staff Reports

Courtesy: City of Eastvale; pictured: The mass grade of Eastvale’s future Downtown and Civic Center site is officially complete. In this picture, you may be able to see three internal backbone streets are visible and you’ll see in the bottom corner the area our civic center will live.

Eastvale – There are new construction updates and awards are always happening in the City.

Mass grading of Eastvale’s future Downtown and Civic Center site is officially complete! The civic center will welcome a brand-new City Hall, library and innovation center, police station, and more. For more information regarding the space, visit www.eastvaleca.gov.

Also in the works is the JCSD’s annual Tree Trimming Project. There are more than 9,000 trees in the public landscape frontages within Eastvale, all of which are trimmed annually between July 1-October 31. “Doing so keeps Eastvale beautiful!” says JCSD.

Some new additions to Eastvale include the new City’s Monthly Business Walks. Every fourth Tuesday of the month, the Eastvale Economic Development team will visit businesses to answer questions and hear their concerns. The team also drops off a special gift, thanking each business for their contribution to the community and local economy. The next business walk will take place July 25 at Hamner Place, Hamner and Riverboat, Allen Square, The Ranch, Providence Business Park, LogistiCenter, and Goodman. If you have any questions about these walks, please email economicdevelopment@eastvaleca.gov. 

The community is also celebrating that Public Safety Commissioner Herbert Cirilo recently won a Senior Legacy Award at Supervisor Karen Spiegel’s first-ever Senior Legacy Awards banquet. He was awarded for his dedication to the Public Safety Commission and the City’s Community Volunteer Program. “We appreciate all he’s done for our community and can’t imagine anyone more deserving of this award!” said the City.

More congratulations goes out to the Chair of Eastvale’s Planning Commission, Kevin Mensen, who was recently selected as the City of Chino’s new Chief of Police on July 5. “Congratulations Kevin and thank you for all that you do for both communities!” stated the City.

If you know an individual or a group that is making a significant impact in the City of Eastvale, then you can nominate them for the City’s Community Honoree Awards. Winners will be honored at the City’s annual State of the City on October 5, 2023 at Vantage Point Church.

For more information, please visit www.eastvaleca.gov.

Visit Riverside Christian Alliance Church

Riverside Christian Alliance Church meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Visit www.riversidecma.org for more information

Staff Reports

Jurupa Valley – If you’re looking for a new home church, consider Riverside Christian Alliance Church in Jurupa Valley. Their core values are centered on family, love, the Word of God, and missions.

Reverend Wayne Chu is the Pastor of Riverside Christian Alliance Church. He has 14 years of experience in this field and has a MDiv from Alliance Theological Seminary of C&MA.

Reverend Chu says their church mission is to “glorify God as a Christ-centered family by loving God and others, proclaiming the Good News, cultivating faithful living through teaching God’s Word, and reaching the lost in our local and global communities.”

Reverend Chu said he received the calling from God to pastor this church. He fulfills this calling by pastoring the people of the church through his teachings and preaching. But he also provides spiritual care to them, including Pastoral counseling, prayer, in person visits, and community work.

Riverside Christian Alliance Church is “commissioned by God to serve the community,” said Reverend Chu. “We love to meet people and provide resources to help the others,” he added.

The church hosts a 10:30 a.m. family service every Sunday, where both adults and children can sit together. Reverend Chu says the majority of the church are ethnic Chinese, so they offer a bilingual service in both English and Mandarin. However, he said there are people of different ethnicities that attend their service as well. Many of the congregants live in Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and Riverside.

Riverside Christian Alliance Church also organizes various events like a Lunar New Year celebration, mid-Autumn festival celebration, a Thanksgiving gathering, and a Christmas program. All events are free and offer good food too! In addition, Riverside Christian Alliance has different fellowship groups for all ages that meet throughout the week.

Come visit Riverside Christian Alliance Church this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.! New visitors of the church will enjoy a free snack or lunch after Sunday worship.

“We love to get to know newcomers, neighbors, and friends.  We welcome everyone coming to visit us and joining our events.”

Visit Riverside Christian Alliance Church of C&MA at 9640 Jurupa Road, in Jurupa Valley. If you have any questions, you can call them at 951-360-0113 or visit https://www.riversidecma.org/.

Combating Eastvale Crime

Courtesy: Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Depart; Pictured: Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Deputies arrest suspects in an Eastvale shopping center.

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Crime in the area has been a popular subject on social media as residents have reported Police activity throughout the city on various Eastvale Facebook group pages. However, the community can work alongside the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station to combat this Eastvale crime. 

Although social media can be used as a place for residents to express their concern of crime, it can also be used to help prevent it or make the community aware of it. Social media allows residents to have immediate access to what’s going in the community as it is happening, it provides updates for any potential dangers such suspects in the area or fires, and it allows the community to be aware of suspicious activity in their neighborhood.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages the “See Something, Say Something” philosophy and stresses how critical it is to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department states they are committed to safeguarding the communities they proudly serve. But the smallest details the community provides can be extremely helpful to law enforcement and should be reported at once by calling 911 or the non-emergency line at (951) 955-2600.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has also provided the tips below that you can do to help keep you, your family, and your property safe.

Target Hardening

Understand the importance of ‘target hardening’, a mindset of looking for potential weaknesses and denying suspects access. Simple steps can be taken to ensure the safety of our homes while maintaining the aesthetic beauty of our homes. 

Here are a few ways to maintain a secure, but attractive home:

  • Consider using thorny plants that are naturally appealing but create a deterrent to unwanted entry
  • Ensure shrubs are neatly manicured and allow unobstructed views of vulnerable doors and windows from the street and sidewalks
  • Lawn and porch lighting particularly in shaded areas
  • Strong deadbolt locks and sliding window locks

Protecting Your Property

  • Mark valuable items with your California Drivers License number. Televisions, stereos, etc, are items a thief is likely to steal. Keep a list of these items, along with their serial numbers, in a safe place.
  • Secure patio doors. A steel or wooden rod in the guide channel will work. A pin type lock may also be used for added security.
  • Keep your garage door down and locked. This helps protect property stored inside. While you are away, electric doors should be disconnected and padlocked.
  • Make an inventory of items in your home. Take photos of valuable items. Keep one copy for yourself and give the other to your insurance company. Video record your entire home and all rooms containing your property and valuables.

Protecting Your Vehicle

  • Don’t leave your car running unattended.
  • Don’t leave keys in the car or ignition.
  • Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, even for a minute. It is not only unsafe, it is against the law.
  • While shopping, please leave pets at home, not in the car. Roll up your windows and lock the car.
  • Don’t leave valuables or purchases in plain sight.
  • Park in high-traffic and well-lighted areas when possible.
  • Don’t leave mail, personal identification or other important documents in your vehicle.
  • If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately.
  • Be alert to your surroundings at all times. Check for suspicious activity or people loitering before you park and exit your car.

When You are Away

  • Leave drapes and shades open. Closed drapes and shades indicate an unoccupied house.
  • Have your lawn taken care of. Dry uncut grass says that you’re away.
  • Never leave a note on your door saying that you are not home.
  • Take care with your keys… Don’t leave a key under a doormat, flower pot or on a ledge. Burglars look in these locations first.
  • Get to know your neighbors. Consider enjoying your front yard for picnics, potlucks and sharing friendly conversation with neighbors. An active neighborhood with engaged residents serves as a deterrent to crooks.
  • Ask your local police to check your home periodically when you will be gone for an extended period. Also, talk to them about Neighborhood Watch Programs.
  • Leave a radio on. Turn it to a talk radio station, if possible, and turn the volume loud enough to be heard outside. This indicates that someone is home. Turn you phone ringer or bell down so that a prowler can’t hear the phone ringing.
  • Don’t keep expensive jewelry at home unless you have a secure safe. All valuables and important documents should be kept in a safe or a safe deposit box.
  • Ask a neighbor to use your garbage cans. Empty cans can be a tip off that you are away.
  • Ask someone to park in your driveway. This gives the illusion that someone is home.

When You Are Home

  • Put peepholes in front doors. Those with magnifying glass lens are best. You can see who’s outside without opening the door. Consider door chains too.
  • Light the outside of your home. Exterior lights should illuminate doors, dark spots and yards. Put interior lights on timers to simulate that someone is home.
  • Never leave an ignition key in your car and never put a house key on your ignition key ring.
  • If you have a dog or an alarm system, display “beware” signs. These deter thieves.
  • Look into an alarm system. There are hundreds of different systems on the market in all price ranges.
  • Consult a reputable locksmith. He can give you advice on the best type of locks for your home.
  • Keep shrubbery trimmed. Thick or tall shrubbery can hide windows/doors. This gives a thief a place to work unseen.
  • Remain alert to strangers in the neighborhood. Do not hesitate to call your police department to report suspicious persons or activities.

When You’re Shopping

  • At night, park in a well-lit area and as close to the stores as possible. Hold your keys in your hand, ready to use, when you return to your car
  • When returning to your car, look around to see if anyone is following you or standing near your car. If you see anything suspicious, return to the store and notify the manager or call the police.
  • Avoid ATM machines at night unless they are inside a store, and avoid carrying a lot of cash.
  • If you become separated from your children while shopping, notify the store security officer, the store manager, and call the police as soon as possible. Be prepared to give police a complete description of what your child was wearing. Teach your children to never leave the store with anyone but you, and to contact a store employee at a cash register if they get lost or separated from you while shopping.

If you are interested in being a part of the Eastvale Neighborhood Watch Program, visit https://www.eastvaleca.gov/community/neighborhood-watch-program.

Upcoming Summer Events

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Throughout the summer, there are fun filled events for your whole family! Mark your calendars for these events below.

Eastvale Collective Market

When: Every Monday from 4 pm to 9 pm

Location: 7155 Hamner Avenue, Eastvale

Details: Stop by for a quick bite, fun games, and some amazing craft vendors!

65th Street Live Summer Concerts in the Park

When: Fridays, July 21st through August 11th, 2023 from 7:30 pm to 9 pm

Location: Harada Heritage Park

Details: Join us for live music, good food, and fun times!

July 21: No DUH, No Doubt & Gwen Stefani Tribute Band

July 28: Paperback Writer, Beatles Tribute Band

Aug. 4: Bruno & The Hooligans, Bruno Mars Tribute Band

Aug. 11: The Pettybreakers, Tom Petty Tribute Band

More info: Contact JCSD

Mid-Autumn Festival

When: Saturday, Sept. 29th

Details: Contact Riverside Christian Alliance Church www.riversidecma.org

National Night Out
When: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 6 pm to 8 pm

Location: SilverLakes, 5555 Hamner Ave., Norco

Cost: FREE

Details: Every year the Cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and Norco alternate hosting National Night Out for our combined communities, which are all serviced by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station, and CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department. This event will include meet and greets, law enforcement demonstrations, k9 teams, a helicopter, food trucks, interactive vendor booths, giveaways, and kids activities.

More info: contact the City of Eastvale at info@eastvaleca.gov

Rotary Club Street Festival

When: August 5 from 9 am to 2 pm

Location: 6608 Hellman Avenue, Eastvale

Details: Food trucks, vendors, activities

Movies in the Park

When: August 12 at dusk

Location: McCune Family Park

Cost: FREE

Details: Hosted by JCSD Parks & Recreation. Follow JCSD on Facebook for more information about the movie that will be playing. 

The Drive-Thru Food Distribution

When: August 22, 2023 from 9 am to 10 am (or until supplies last)

Location: Eastvale Community Park, 12750 Citrus St., Eastvale

Details: This is a free service provided every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Proof of residency and pre-registration is NOT required. This is sponsored by Feeding America and JCSD.

More info: feedingamericaie.org/get-help.

Hackers are Targeting Your Home

By Mike Nava

Eastvale – The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live in many ways. One of the most significant changes is that more people work from home. This means that our homes are now used for work, school, and entertainment, which makes them more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Hackers are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Their thinking is, it’s much easier to hack a home user with a basic router than it is a large enterprise with multiple security layers, and they are correct. Which is wise to have multiple security layers, NOT just an anti-virus.

In 2020, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) found that the number of cyberattacks targeting residential users increased by 60%. This is likely because more people are adding devices to their network, and not adding additional network security, for example, DNS Filtering.

Anti-virus software used to be the only protection you needed from cyberattacks. However, anti-virus software is often the first and last line of defense today. If it fails, is not kept updated, or has expired, your devices and network are exposed.

That’s why it’s essential to take steps to protect your home from cyberattacks. Here are a few tips:

  • Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
  • Keep your anti-virus software up to date.
  • Be careful about what links you click on and what files you download.
  • Use a firewall to protect your network from unauthorized access.

By taking these steps, you can help protect your home from cyberattacks.

If you’re concerned about the security of your home network, you can also consider hiring a professional to help you. At Eastvale Computer Services, we can help you identify and fix any security vulnerabilities in your network.

In addition to the tips above, we offer various services to help you stay safe online. These services include:

  • Managed Services: Managed Services lets us handle your system’s maintenance, backup, and anti-virus management. All done silently in the background, keeping your machine clean and error-free. Quick Remote Support is included in case issues arise.
  • DNS Filtering – Filtering out the bad stuff before it hits your network. Enterprises all have DNS Filtering to keep bad things off their network. We are bringing this managed service to our users for as low as $20 per month for the ENTIRE household or business. Filtering bad sites and ads before they load on your network is a highly effective way to extend your security to your family and guests who connect to your Wi-Fi. Parental controls, scheduling, and Ad-blocking features are also included.

We still perform other computer services such as cleanups, repairs, and maintenance. However, as the technical challenge and security concerns are mounting, we want to stay ahead of our client’s needs.

If you want to learn more about our services, please contact us today at 951-733-6916. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you choose the best service for your needs. You can also visit our website at www.eastvalecomputer.com.

Here We Grow

New Additions To Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – There are exciting new additions and new updates in Eastvale!

Courtesy: City of Eastavle; Crumbl Cookies had their grand opening.

First, the City of Eastvale and the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce welcomed Crumbl Cookies to Eastvale and attended their grand opening ceremony last month. “We are incredibly excited to welcome this sweet treat to the community,” stated the City on their Facebook page. Stop by Crumbl Cookies at 4916 Hamner Avenue, Suite 130.

Other additions to the City are ten new Military banners. “The banners honor Eastvale residents or their immediate family members who are currently serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces,” states the City. “The City takes pride in showcasing its deep respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by our military personnel.” For more information on military banner installation, email svasquez@eastvaleca.gov.

Also, the City of Eastvale has now opened applications for their State of the City Community Honoree Awards. The Community Honoree Awards “recognize the meaningful contributions individuals and groups have made to the Eastvale community through volunteerism, acts of kindness, and active community participation, within the past twelve months,” states the City. The honoree will be recognized at the City’s State of the City event on October 5, 2023, held at Vantage Point Church.

If you know an individual or group that should win a Community Honoree Award, nominate them by August 28th. To fill out an application, please visit https://www.eastvaleca.gov/government/community-honoree-awards

Lastly, the City announced that the Public Works Department was recently approved to receive the Measure A Regional Arterial (MARA) funds from the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC). The total amount they will receive will be $13,500,000 to use towards the Limonite Gap Closure project. “A huge thank you and congratulations to our Public Works team for this accomplishment!” stated the City.

Crime Recap

Staff Reports

Eastvale –  In the last month, several crimes took place in the City of Eastvale, Norco, and Jurupa Valley. The information listed below is courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Incident: Homicide

Date: June 17, 2023

Location: Norco

Courtesy: Riverside County Sheriff; Jaziel Valdez

Details: On June 17, 2023, at about 7:04 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a report of an assault at a residence in the 300 block of Sixth St., Norco. Upon arrival, deputies were directed to a male subject at the side of the residence. The subject had traumatic injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies secured the area as a crime scene and investigators from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff Station responded. The Central Homicide Unit also responded and assumed the investigation. The deceased victim’s identity will not be released pending notification to next of kin.

This investigation is currently on-going and no further information will be released at this time.

Update: The victim in this case was identified as Gabriel Diaz, 40-year-old resident of Norco. During the course of the investigation, several witnesses were interviewed and the scene was processed for evidence. The homicide occurred at Diaz’ residence. Investigators identified the suspect as Jaziel Valdez, 17-year-old resident of Norco. Valdez also uses an alias of Ivan Camacho. After the homicide occurred, Valdez stole a gray Chevrolet Silverado truck, CA license 6E80093, from Diaz’ residence.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator V. Ramirez at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff Station at 951-955-2600 or Investigator G. Castaneda with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.

Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

Incident: Fatal Traffic Collision

Date: June 17, 2023

Location: Jurupa Valley

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, about 2:35 a.m., deputies from the Riverside Sheriff’s Jurupa Valley Station, responded to the report of a vehicle vs. pedestrian hit and run traffic collision at Market Street and 24th Street, in the city of Jurupa Valley. Deputies and Cal Fire arrived on-scene and located the victim on the northbound shoulder of Market Street. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Jurupa Valley Traffic Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation. There is no suspect in custody and it is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the collision.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Petersen at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951-955-2600.

Incident: Shoplifters Arrested

Date: May 28, 2023

Location: Eastvale

Details: Per the Jurupa Valley Station social media page, on May 28, 2023, Eastvale SET deputies conducted an enforcement operation at a retail location in the 12000 block of Limonite Ave., in the City of Eastvale. In a six hour span, six different offenders attempted to flee the retail store with stolen merchandise. All thieves were quickly apprehended and arrested.

Eastvale Ranked #7 Best Place In Nation

Courtesy: City of Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale was recently ranked the seventh best place to live in the nation and was the only California state to be listed in Fortune’s 2023 ranking of the “50 Best Places to Live for Families.”

Fortune evaluated nearly 1,900 “cities, towns, suburbs, exurbs, villages, and townships that had between 25,000 and 750,000 residents across all 50 states in the U.S.” stated the City.

In Fortune’s article, they discussed how the pandemic increased loneliness in the country and increased mental health strain. Therefore, they concluded that families are looking for a place to live that can offer support systems and community. 

“In our analysis of nearly 1,900 cities across the country, the best places to live scored high on assets like health care, education, and resources for seniors—all of which can help fight isolation and build social ties,” stated Fortune.  

“For the first time, this year’s list highlights the best place to live in each of the 50 states,” they continued.

“We factored in data like affordability, walkability, and a city’s well-being index, which can correlate strongly with community connectedness. Fortune’s analysis resulted in a ranking of cities where people can weave themselves into the fabric of the community by accessing a myriad of resources in the town and surrounding areas. Beyond being a factor in longevity, feeling socially connected builds resilience, reduces stress, and can give people purpose as they age.”

“We are beyond excited for this ranking,” said Eastvale Mayor Todd Rigby. “It speaks to our community’s commitment to growth and innovation, and we are proud that Fortune recognizes our efforts.”

The City of Eastvale has a population of 69,324 and a median household income of $132,622. It also has the median home sale price of $861,764.

To see all 50 rankings and read the entire article, visit Fortune.com or check out their latest edition of Fortune magazine.

New City ZIP Code Sent To Governor

Staff Reports

Eastvale –City and government officials have actively been trying to get the City of Eastvale its own ZIP code and have recently made big strides towards that goal.

On June 13, “Senator Richard Roth’s Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 3, which urges Congress and the President to give the City of Eastvale its own ZIP code, passed both houses of the State Legislature and made its way to the Governor’s desk,” stated the City. Assemblymembers Sabrina Cervantes and Bill Essayli also showed their support by co-sponsoring the bill.

“We hope this sends a strong, unified message to Congress and the White House for swift action to address this important community issue!” stated the City.

The City of Eastvale currently shares two ZIP codes: 91752 and 92880. “ZIP code 91752 represents the former Mira Loma unincorporated community that is shared between the Cities of Eastvale and Jurupa Valley; however, Mira Loma no longer exists as an unincorporated area after both cities incorporated,” stated a City news release. “ZIP Code 92880 is currently shared between the Cities of Chino, Eastvale, Ontario, and Norco.”

The City of Eastvale conducted a comprehensive outreach campaign over the last several months, successfully gathering over 1,100 letters of support from business owners, stakeholders, and community members. A resolution was also collected from its “respective County Board of Supervisors that expresses support for Eastvale in having an independent ZIP code,” stated the City news release. “As of June 13, Senator Richard Roth’s resolution advanced to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.”

Senator Richard Roth shared that “multiple shared ZIP codes have burdened Eastvale residents with mail delivery disruptions, miscalculated insurance rates, business recruitment challenges and it may potentially lead to emergency service delays in the event of a disaster,” stated the City’s news release.

“Receiving a new and independent ZIP code would rectify issues that have plagued our community for over 13 years” stated Eastvale’s Mayor, Todd Rigby. “Having multiple ZIP codes that do not match our municipal boundaries has a real-world impact on our residents and businesses in our community—including challenges with emergency management, public safety, business attraction, mail delivery, and insurance policies. The Eastvale City Council appreciates the leadership of Senator Roth and Assemblymembers Cervantes and Essayli. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Legislature for their overwhelming support of SJR 3. We hope this sends a strong, unified message to Congress and the White House for swift action to address this important community issue.”

For more information, visit www.eastvaleca.gov.

Sell Your Casa With Gil Rivera

Staff Reports

Southern California – What does 4% opposed to 6% really mean? If you’re selling your home, you’ll pay a 6% commission to the realtors. But with Gil Rivera from SellYourCasa.com you’ll only pay 4% for the SAME AMOUNT OF WORK! So if your home sells for $500,000, at 6% you’ll fork over $30,000 for commission. With Gil Rivera you’ll only pay $20,000 for both realtors to split. That’s a savings of $10,000!!

Rivera’s Sellers love the fact that he offers a discounted commission, but with full service.  Rivera’s offer of 4% Total Commission for Sellers includes 2.5% to the Buyer’s Agent and 1.5% to Rivera’s office.  Most Realtors negotiate a 6% commission because they have to split the fees with their brokerage. But, as Rivera is the Broker, he passes on the savings to the Seller. This will save Sellers thousands of dollars in commission fees.  His team offers full service for that discounted rate including high quality flyers, professional photos, open houses (as allowable by Seller), and extended advertising coverage on the Internet and social media.

Now, more about what you’re getting from Gil Rivera at SellYourCasa.com: It’s important to know all aspects of your business.  For Gil Rivera from SellYourCasa.com, he absolutely knows every aspect of buying and selling a home.  He is a reliable, experienced, and an affordable Realtor, Broker, and Certified Appraiser.

Rivera sells houses, condos, and two to four unit investment properties in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange counties. He just recently sold another home in Eastvale last month. He also does real estate appraisals for banks, estates, trusts, divorces, attorneys, refinances, home purchases, and probate/inheritance for tax purposes. In addition, Rivera has assistants that work with him who are fluent in Spanish and Chinese, helping to reach people of different dialects all over Southern California. 

Rivera’s philosophy is to “treat my clients the way I want to be treated.” In fact, Rivera said that he became a Realtor because he did not like the way his Realtor treated him when he was buying his home. Rivera shows respect for his clients at all times. He listens to what they say, so that he can better serve them.

Rivera also does not push his Buyers into a sale. Rivera said, “I always tell Buyers: ‘You will know right away when we walk into the house that’s meant for you’.  Whether it takes a week or months, my Buyers will always be satisfied with their purchase and never pressured into it.”

Rivera’s current promotion is, “We will SELL your house in four weeks at highest value! We only request a listing period of four weeks, while most other Realtors ask for a six month listing.” Rivera says that “Buyers need to know that they do not need to pay their Realtor any fees for representing them on a purchase. The Buyer’s agent is paid by the Seller, not the Buyer.

Check out Rivera’s website at http://www.SellYourCasa.com to see how many different cities Rivera has sold in and for additional information about his company. You can also call the toll free number at (877) 888-SOLD (7653), or cell phone number (909) 967-4525. He also currently has large freeway billboard signs throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire.Call today for a free market evaluation. 

Eastvale Recognitions

Courtesy: City of Eastvale; Rosa Parks Elementary School Teacher, Michelle Torres was recognized for her heroic actions of saving the life of one of her students.

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Several people in local schools and programs were recently recognized in the City of Eastvale.

At the last City Council meeting, Rosa Parks Elementary School Teacher, Michelle Torres, was recognized for her heroic actions of saving the life of one of her students. In class, her student accidentally swallowed a water bottle cap when trying to drink his water, and she conducted the Heimlich maneuver several times to save his life. “Thank you Ms. Torres for your heroism and being a positive example for your students and the Eastvale Community!” stated the City.

Participants of Eastvale’s Volunteer Program were also recognized at our most recent Public Safety Commission Meeting. “It was wonderful to meet the community members serving our city!” stated a City news release. “The great part about the Volunteer Program is that it encourages volunteers to serve in the capacity that they’d like. Some prefer monitoring streets and shopping centers while others prefer volunteering at an event. Wherever you’d like to serve is where we’d love to have you!”

If you’d be interested in learning more about the Eastvale Volunteer program, visit https://www.eastvaleca.gov/…/communit…/volunteer-program.

Lastly, the Eastvale Planning Division recently won an Award of Merit from the Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association for their Eastvale Civic Center and Downtown Plan. The Planning Division team has shown dedication and passion for the future civic center and downtown area.

Recently, they even welcomed 17 community members to City Hall to kick off a Civic Center and Downtown Community Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of volunteers who share ideas and perspectives regarding the design of the future downtown and civic center. “Feedback provided at these meetings will be heard and considered by the City Council as they make decisions,” stated the City. “Key words mentioned by the committee included clean, safe, growth, community, diversity, economic hub, and multi-functional. A big thank you to our residents for dedicating their time to this monumental project!”

Thefts at Eastvale Businesses

Courtesy: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Several thefts have taken place at nearby Eastvale businesses. However, the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team (SET) has done a great job investigating these incidents and arresting suspects.

In late 2022, Eastvale SET deputies began investigating a grand theft from a business located in the 12000 block of Limonite Avenue of Eastvale.

The suspect “walked into the store and grabbed as many items as she could and left the store with approximately $1,000 worth of product without paying,” stated a Riverside County Sheriff’s news release. For several months, “SET deputies tracked retail thefts and identified the unknown suspect to commit several grand thefts throughout the Inland Empire.”

SET deputies later identified the suspect as Gardenia Herrera, 31-year-old resident of Perris, and arrested her on March 5, 2023. Herrera was subsequently convicted and is serving a 4-year sentence.

Eastvale SET deputies continued this investigation working with local agencies and retail loss prevention members. They discovered several suspects linked to organized retail thefts throughout the Inland Empire. One of those suspects was Veronica Damian Estrada, a 39-year-old resident of Moreno Valley. Eastvale SET deputies arrested Estrada on April 26 in Moreno Valley.

Upon arrest, deputies located “several thousand dollars worth of stolen items in her vehicle,” stated a news release. “Deputies served a search warrant at Estrada’s residence and located thousands of stolen retail items estimated at $40,000 dollars in retail value. Estrada was subsequently booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for several felony charges related to organized retail theft.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the community that “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.

Family Fun At The Renaissance Festival

Staff Reports

Corona – If you’re looking for a family fun day, you do not want to miss the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival in Corona. This annual festival will take place for 5 weekends, starting May 27th.

The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival is one of the only permanently built Renaissance Festivals in Southern California, and is the most interactive Renaissance experience around! They offer tremendous audience-participation content, giving you plenty to do and opportunities to learn about 1450-1600 A.D. history. The festival will have live performers, interactive demonstrations and games, music, German-inspired food, shopping of unique handmade items, and much more!

This festival has been around for 25 years, with the first festival taking place in 1998. “Entertaining families and friends for such a long time is a true privilege and a testament of our fantastic vendors, entertainers, and staff,” according to their website.

The Koroneburg Festival is a themed event that traditionally celebrates the artistic and cultural advancements made in Renaissance Europe. “Most festivals focus on England and Queen Elizabeth, but we do things a little differently at Koroneburg,” stated their website. “In honor of Johannesburg Gutenberg who made literacy and education accessible to all people with the movable type printing press, our event is set on the Rhine river on the border of France and Germany between 1450-1600.”

At this festival, you and your family will be welcomed by a community of people who are “passionate about entertaining, educating and creating amazing experiences that you can’t get anywhere else.” It is also not a requirement to dress in a costume, but some will dress up to join in on the fun!

The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival will be held at 14600 Baron Drive in Corona.

They will be open on the following dates:

  • May 27-29: Military Appreciation Weekend – This weekend is dedicated to recognizing current and retired members of the military. On this weekend, there will be a service member flag presentation, staff and organized by veterans in our community. On Memorial Day, Military & Veterans get in for FREE
  • June 3-4: Market Mayhem – Spend $150 at Participating Vendors & receive four tickets to return to the festival (earn 4 tickets for every $150 spent)
  • June 10-11: Pirate Weekend – Dress up as a Pirate & get $5 Off your Single Day Pass (Cannot be combined with other coupons or offers)
  • June 17-18: Celtic & Norse Weekend – Dress up in Celtic, Viking or Norse Costumes & get $5 Off your Single Day Pass (Cannot be combined with other coupons or offers)
  • June 24-25: Baron’s 67th Birthday Celebration-Come out and give him a big “OOMPHAA” to Celebrate!  

To purchase your tickets for the event, please visit renfestcorona.com

Local Events

Staff Reports

Eastvale – There are several upcoming events coming to Eastvale and the surrounding cities.

The International Food Festival will be held on May 20 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and May 21 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 7447 Scholar Way, Eastvale. Parking and admission are FREE and everyone is welcome to attend.

The food festival will have more than 50 food vendors and 20 craft booths. They’ll have every type of food including burgers, hotdogs, Caribbean food, BBQ, tacos, donuts, kettle corn, soul food, and more. The festival will also have children’s activities, a beer garden, and entertainment. On May 20, an Armed Forces Tribute will take place at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony will include a special military plane flyover and tribute by a guest U.S. Military Veteran. “We are proud to support our Armed Forces and encourage attendees to join us at this special tribute,” stated the City. “A very special thank you also goes to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Explorers and Eastvale Boy Scout Troop 251 for their help with the ceremony.”

Another event coming up is the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival in Corona. This annual festival will take place for 5 weekends, starting May 27th. The festival will be held at 14600 Baron Drive in Corona and will have a theme with different discounts each weekend. For more information, read the article on page 1 or visit renfestcorona.com. Also check out their ad on page 7 for a $5 off coupon!

An additional event that we have been waiting for is the Mulch & Compost Giveaway. This event has been postponed twice due to unforeseen circumstances, but it is now expected to take place on Saturday, June 3 at 13200 Citrus Street. Eastvale residents can visit from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to receive FREE mulch and compost. Residents are asked to bring shovels and bags as those will not be provided and asked to keep in mind of the ½ yard limit.

One more festival coming up is the EATSvale Food Truck Festival on Friday, June 9 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. This will take place at the New Day Christian Church parking lot, located at 7155 Hamner Avenue in Eastvale. Each EATSvale festival usually has food trucks, food booths, craft-retail booths, live music performances, a mini-beer garden, and children’s activities.

If you’re looking for a great time with good people, the Riverside Christian Alliance Church is having FREE Boba and lunch after their Father’s Day service on June 18. Their service is at 10:30 a.m. then a Bible Study follows at 11:30 a.m. The lunch will begin at 12:15 p.m. Check out their ad on page 8 for more information and to sign up your kids for their summer VBS program.  

Lastly, the City of Eastvale will be partnering with the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce to host their 13th Annual State of the City on Thursday, October 5. This event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at VantagePoint Church, 8500 Archibald Avenue. This year’s theme is “Community, Pride, Prosperity.” These three words are listed at the bottom of the City’s seal. “Those three words represent the foundation of our city, and we’re excited to spend the night focusing on our roots and sharing how we’ll continue to prioritize those values,” stated the City in a news release. After the program, the Taste of Eastvale event will take place and feature the best food in Eastvale.

Here We Grow

What’s New In Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – New businesses open, new awards, new contests, and possibly a new zip code! Read more to find out what’s happening in Eastvale!

Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale

La Bufadora Baja Grill is now officially open, ready for you to taste their fresh food and experience their comfortable atmosphere. La Bufadora has authentic Mexican food, including street tacos, quesadillas, asada fries, ceviche, and cocktails. They are located at 14135 Limonite Avenue, Eastvale, CA 92880.

Eastvale residents are also waiting for the new future Civic Center and Downtown to come to town. As you wait for construction to start, you can share your suggestions on what you think the name of the Civic Center and Downtown should be. Take the short survey to provide your name suggestion and you will be entered into a raffle to win a special Eastvale gift basket. The survey is at https://bit.ly/3L9PHr7 and will be available until April 24.

The City also recently received an Award of Excellence from the California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS) for the Marketing and Communication of last year’s International Food Festival. “This is a huge win for our Community Services and Communications teams,” stated the Ctiy. “Congratulations everyone and thank you to CPRS for selecting us!”

In addition, the City will be hosting another photo contest! Community members are encouraged to share a “shot of Eastvale” on their social media, tag the City’s page, and use #ShotofEastvale for a chance to win some special Eastvale merch. Winners will be announced on May 8. The photo contest categories are: 1) Love.Shop.Dine.Eastvale 2) Eastvale Landscape or 3) Faces of Eastvale.

Lastly, on March 29, Mayor Todd Rigby visited Sacramento to provide an in-person testimony regarding Senate Joint Resolution-3 The City of Eastvale: ZIP Code. “SJR-3 was introduced by Senator Roth and coauthored by Assembly Members Sabrina Cervantes and Bill Essayli,” stated the City. “The City of Corona was also kind enough to submit a testimony in support of the resolution. The Mayor’s comments were well received by the committee and the committee unanimously supported the measure! SJR-3 will now be placed on the Senate’s consent calendar. A big thank you to Mayor Rigby, Senator Roth, and Assembly Members Cervantes and Essayli for helping us with this ongoing endeavor!”

Laws Enforced Near School Zones

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Parents have made several complaints to our local sheriff’s department and City regarding unsafe driving in school zones, specifically on Scholar Way. In response to these complaints, the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station conducted traffic enforcement around the schools in the City of Eastvale. On the week of March 20th, deputies also educated the public in traffic laws and overall safety.

On April 13, the Eastvale Traffic Team and School Resource Deputies from Eleanor Roosevelt High School partnered up to remind motorists to use wise judgment when operating a motor vehicle in school zones.

“We understand the frustration of picking up and dropping off your kids,” stated a Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Department news release. “However, the attempts to hurry up the process of dropping off or picking up your kids should not overshadow the need to keep safety and courtesy in mind. The safety of everyone in the school zones is of upmost importance for all those in the area. With your help, we can make the process a safe one and everyone can make it home safely.”

The Sheriff’s Department wanted to remind residents to obey all traffic laws at all times and remember the following:

-Do not speed

-Do not block intersections

-Do not park on the red curbs

-Make a complete stop at all stop signs

-Do not allow your child to get out of your vehicle while in the middle of the street.

“Together, we can keep all children safe.”

New Catalytic Converter Ordinance

Staff Reports

Eastvale – At the last City Council Meeting on April 12, the City Council introduced a Catalytic Converter Unlawful Possession Ordinance.

This ordinance was created to combat the catalytic converter theft that is happening across cities in California. The new ordinance “requires anyone who is not a licensed recycler found in possession of a catalytic converter to provide proof of ownership to law enforcement,” stated a City news release.

“As a City, we are taking a firm stance against crime and catalytic converter theft and want our policies and practices to reflect that,” stated a news release.

“It is important for the City Council to support the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in their fight against catalytic converter theft” said Mayor Todd Rigby. “Providing an additional tool like this helps them combat and prosecute these crimes and I’m glad we’re introducing the ordinance.”

The Catalytic Converter Unlawful Possession Ordinance will officially go into effect May 26, 2023.

Visit Riverside Christian Alliance Church

Staff Reports

Jurupa Valley – If you’re looking for a new home church, consider Riverside Christian Alliance Church in Jurupa Valley. Their core values are centered on family, love, the Word of God, and missions.

Reverend Wayne Chu is the Pastor of Riverside Christian Alliance Church. He has 14 years of experience in this field and has a MDiv from Alliance Theological Seminary of C&MA.

Reverend Chu says their church mission is to “glorify God as a Christ-centered family by loving God and others, proclaiming the Good News, cultivating faithful living through teaching God’s Word, and reaching the lost in our local and global communities.”

Reverend Chu said he received the calling from God to pastor this church. He fulfills this calling by pastoring the people of the church through his teachings and preaching. But he also provides spiritual care to them, including Pastoral counseling, prayer, in person visits, and community work.

Riverside Christian Alliance Church is “commissioned by God to serve the community,” said Reverend Chu. “We love to meet people and provide resources to help the others,” he added.

The church hosts a 10:30 a.m. family service every Sunday, where both adults and children can sit together. Reverend Chu says the majority of the church are ethnic Chinese, so they offer a bilingual service in both English and Mandarin. However, he said there are people of different ethnicities that attend their service as well. Many of the congregants live in Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and Riverside.

Riverside Christian Alliance Church also organizes various events like a Lunar New Year celebration, mid-Autumn festival celebration, a Thanksgiving gathering, and a Christmas program. All events are free and offer good food too! In addition, Riverside Christian Alliance has different fellowship groups for all ages that meet throughout the week.

Come visit Riverside Christian Alliance Church this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.! New visitors of the church will enjoy a free snack or lunch after Sunday worship.

“We love to get to know newcomers, neighbors, and friends.  We welcome everyone coming to visit us and joining our events.”

Visit Riverside Christian Alliance Church of C&MA at 9640 Jurupa Road, in Jurupa Valley. If you have any questions, you can call them at 951-360-0113 or visit https://www.riversidecma.org/.

Learn More About Medicare with Lizeth

Staff Reports

Riverside/San Bernardino Counties – If you have Medicare and need help finding the best insurance coverage that fits your needs, then you need to call Lizeth Ocana from Gallardo Premium Insurance Services. With 9 years of experience in this field, Lizeth is an insurance agent that genuinely cares for her clients.

“I provide excellent customer service and help my clients use their benefits all year long. I’m always available to answer any questions,” said Ocana.  

Lizeth’s business philosophy is to help people as if they were her family. She continues in this field because she is passionate about helping people understand Medicare. “It’s a complex topic and every year, there are changes,” said Ocana.

Lizeth can help guide you understand all the areas of Medicare so you can find the best coverage. She can explain what Medicare covers, what Medicare Advantage and Supplement are, what you should do when you turn 65, and she can go into depth about Medicare part A, B, C and D.

Lizeth also speaks Spanish and she does not charge for her services!

“Feel free to call and ask any questions regarding Medicare insurance plans,” said Lizeth. “You do not have to sign up for anything and there is no charge to review and compare your current coverage.” Call 800-240-1183 for more information today!

Gallardo Premium Insurance Services is located at 14252 Schleisman Rd Suite 201 in Eastvale. The building is at the corner of Schleisman and Archibald Avenue in the Vista Medical Plaza at the Marketplace at the Enclave.