Murrieta, CA

Wednesday's weather in Murrieta and French Valley shows highs nearing 99 degrees with strong winds in the afternoon. See your full forecast.

Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff

MURRIETA, CA — An excessive heat warning has been issued for parts of the Inland Empire with dangerously hot conditions and temperatures up to 114, the National Weather Service announced Tuesday.

Cities across both San Bernardino County and Riverside County, including the Coachella Valley and Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Coachella, were under the excessive heat warning from 10 a.m. Wednesday until 8 p.m. Thursday. All other Riverside County Cities were under heat advisories from noon Tuesday until 8 p.m. Thursday, according to the service. Temperatures were expected to reach 98 in areas below 5,000 feet. Much warmer than normal conditions at night will contribute for heat stress, the NWS said.

In Murrieta and French Valley, the NWS forecast high temperatures of 99 degrees Thursday, with a chance of thunderstorms over the weekend and cooling temperatures. Winds were expected to blow in Tuesday through Thursday, with gusts of as much as 25 miles per hour into Wednesday.

For the full Murrieta forecast, visit the National Weather Service:

TuesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday nightPartly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable.

WednesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 99. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Thursday NightMostly clear, with a low around 66.

FridaySunny, with a high near 91.

Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 63.

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The policy requires the district to notify parents if their kids identify by a gender other than what is shown on official records.

|Updated Fri, Aug 11, 2023 at 1:43 pm PT

MURRIETA, CA — The first week of school in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District featured a passionate Board of Education meeting Thursday with a lengthy discussion about a controversial update to the district's parental notification policy.

The meeting also caught the attention of California's top lawmaker.

In a 3-2 vote, the board voted to require the district to quickly notify students' parents if their child wants to be identified by a gender other than what is shown on official records. This includes students who want to use names different from their legal names or use pronouns that don't align with their biological sex per official records.

"This policy is a safeguard to our right to parent," one MVUSD dad said. It was a sentiment shared by those at Thursday's meeting who were on the side of putting the notification in place.

On the other hand, many who attended the meeting called for the district to abandon the policy, claiming it will harm LGBTQ kids — many of whom already feel marginalized.

"It will put children at risk — not just from some parents but the kids' own demons," said an educator, who pointed out an increased risk of suicide among LGBTQ students.

With the vote, the district stepped into unchartered territory that could prove financially costly.

Dina Harris, an attorney for the MVUSD, confirmed that the policy, as drafted, exposes the district to legal risk. She recommended that vagueries in the language be firmed up. Thursday's 3-2 vote included a directive that district staff develop a process on how to roll out the policy.

California school districts have been under watch, and on Friday California Attorney General Rob Bonta denounced the MVUSD policy.

"I am deeply disturbed to learn another school district has put at risk the safety and privacy of transgender and gender nonconforming students by adopting a forced outing policy," Bonta said. "My office remains committed to ensuring school policies do not target or seek to discriminate against California’s most vulnerable communities. California will not stand for violations of our students’ civil rights."

Bonta warned the Chino Hills Unified School District about its decision last month to adopt what the state leader also called an "outing policy."

Bonta sent a letter last month to CVUSD Superintendent Norman Enfield and the district's board, emphasizing "potential infringements" on students' civil and privacy rights and educational opportunities.

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond sent a letter to the board Thursday, imploring trustees to not adopt the policy.

Pardue, a teacher who was elected to the MVUSD board in November after financial backing from the Inland Empire Family PAC led by Pastor Tim Thompson of 412 Church Temecula Valley, bashed the state and said the board policy sends a "strong signal to the community that we stand for parental rights."

The Inland Empire Family PAC works "to stop the indoctrination of our children by placing candidates on school boards who will fight for Christian and Conservative values."

Lunn, whose children attend school in the MVUSD, called the policy a sham, one that has nothing to do with protecting students or parents.

The policy is about "picking a fight with Sacramento, funded by your tax dollars" in an effort to get in front of the state Supreme Court, Lunn said.

The goal is not to win the policy fight but instead "bankrupt public education," Lunn continued. "This board policy is straight out of the clown factory and I want no part of it."

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Because the response to the Friends of the Murrieta Library Overstock Sale at the Town Square Bookstore last year was so wonderful, we are having another great event this year.

The Town Square Bookstore will be having a Summer Overstock Sale on Saturday, August 12th at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Community Room of the Murrieta Library. The public is invited to take advantage of this great opportunity.

Bring the kids and grandkids. It will be cool inside. This is an excellent time to shop and update your reading list. Volunteers will be available to assist you. There are more than 1500 books, both adult and children’s, available, providing a wide range of choices for all. All books are in good-to-excellent condition. Hardbacks are $1.00, Trade Paperbacks are 50¢ and Paperbacks, 25¢. A great selection of CDs and DVDs are also available for purchase at $1.00 each.

The Town Square Book Store will also be open for your convenience on Saturday, August 12th. The book store is staffed entirely by Volunteers of the Friends of the Murrieta Library, a 501(c) (3) organization. All proceeds from this sale will benefit the Murrieta Public Library programs. The mission of the Friends is to support the Murrieta Public Library through fund-raising, advocacy and volunteerism, and to promote awareness of and support for the Library as it serves the informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs of our Community.

Volunteers willing to give of their time and talent are always welcome to join our staff. If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information, please call our bookstores at 600-5724. Book donations are always greatly appreciated! What a great way to recycle books and support a great cause.

If you are new in town, here's your chance to explore the sale as well the Town Square Book Store and, of course, Murrieta’s beautiful Public Library. Remember, The Book Sale will be held in the Library Community Room where it is Air Conditioned. Signs will direct you. The Town Square Bookstore and Library are located 8 Town Square, Murrieta. For more information, please call the Book Store at 600-5724 or visit the Friends website at www.murrietalibraryfriends.org. And, of course, like us on Facebook.

Independence Day celebrations across Riverside County are planned from Saturday through July 4th, 2023.

Patch Staff

MURRIETA, CA — Just because it's still June doesn't mean cities across Riverside County aren't ready to celebrate the 4th of July. Fireworks and parties are planned starting Saturday, ahead of America's 247th birthday.

It begins in Murrieta as the city combines pre-Independence Day festivities with a 32nd "Birthday Bash" for the municipality, which was incorporated in 1991.

Murrieta officials have planned an outdoor concert, food vendors, a kids' play zone and fireworks set to music in the park as nightfall reaches California Oaks Sports Park.

North of the 91 Freeway, the city of Eastvale will also host a fireworks extravaganza Saturday, beginning at 9 p.m., in Community Park on Citrus Street.

On the July 4th weekend, multiple pyrotechnics celebrations are planned from one end of Riverside County to the other.

On the Fourth of July, events are planned at a string of venues countywide.

Beaumont will celebrate the 4th of July at Stewart Park, Ninth Street and Orange Avenue

Corona's traditional "Main Street U.S.A Parade" will begin at about 9 a.m. at Ontario and Main Streets, featuring law enforcement units, fire engines, marching bands, military hardware and show animals. The procession will travel about a mile, concluding at Olive and Main streets around noon. A fireworks show is set for 9 p.m. at Corona's Santana Regional Park.

Lake Elsinore's July 4th extravaganza sets off at Lakepoint Park, 420 Lakeshore Drive.

The parade will run along Old Town Front Street. A fireworks extravaganza is planned later in the day in Ronald Reagan Sports Park after dark.

In addition to the above venues, fireworks shows are scheduled at the following locations, beginning at 9 p.m. on July 4:

Temecula also will see fireworks from Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway.

Riverside will host 4th of July events both at La Sierra Park, 5215 La Sierra Avenue and also at Mount Rubidoux, 4706 Mount Rubidoux Drive.

RULES ABOUT FIREWORKS IN RIVERSIDE NOT AT AN APPROVED CITY EVENT:

In 2020, all but one public Fourth of July fireworks celebration was canceled because of the coronavirus public health lockdowns. The celebrations returned on a scaled-down level in 2021 and were back in full swing last year.

In Riverside County, private parties are prohibited from using fireworks except in Blythe, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Indio, where so-called "safe and sane" fireworks, certified by the state fire marshal, can be sold to the public.

What are "safe and sane" fireworks? The devices are mostly pyrotechnics that don't explode or fly, including sparklers, ground spinners, fountains, snappers and caps.

Under county Ordinance 858, which was amended by the Board of Supervisors in response to an outbreak of blazes in 2020, fines for illegally storing, transporting or setting off fireworks can range from $1,000 to $5,000.

What happens if you start a fire with fireworks?

Any person who triggers a brush fire due to the illegal use of fireworks can be held responsible for all suppression costs. Under the revised ordinance, property owners also face liability.

In the city of Riverside, people can report illegal fireworks by calling the city's hotline at 951-826-5311.

Elsewhere in Riverside County, reports are fielded via the sheriff's non-emergency enforcement line, 1-800-950-2444, or at https://www.riversidesheriff.org.

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A long-duration heat wave will continue to impact Murrieta through at least early next week, and here's when it will be the hottest.

Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff

MURRIETA, CA —The mercury was expected to strike triple digits in Murrieta and across the Inland Empire over the coming weekend, the National Weather Service warned. Meteorologists extended the current Inland Empire heat advisory through Tuesday, July 18 as they urged residents to take precautions when venturing or working outdoors amid skyrocketing temperatures.

This week, SoCal will meet thresholds for "significant heat impacts in the deserts and mountains, as well as portions of the Inland Empire," the NWS said in a statement Monday. "It will be in the 90s each day and potentially hotter ... in the Inland Empire, where a Heat Advisory goes into effect Tuesday."

"Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside," the Weather Service stated. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of the sun."

In the Riverside metropolitan area, the highs from Tuesday to Saturday will peak at or just over 100 degrees, with overnight lows around 65, while in the Temecula Valley, coastal breezes and marine layers will keep the mercury from exceeding 90 for most of the week, with lows falling to around 60, forecasters said.

Sunday, the heat continues, with the hottest temperatures Saturday through Monday. Not only will daytime temperatures be very hot, but overnight low temperatures will be elevated, especially in the low deserts where lows will be 80-90 degrees. In the mountains and High Deserts, lows will only fall to the 70s. Widespread moderate to high heat risk is expected, with locally extreme heat risk in the deserts. Heat risk will be highest Saturday through Monday.

How hot will it get in Murrieta?

The hottest day will likely be Sunday, when temperatures top 100 degrees in Southwest Riverside County, according to the National Weather Service.

WednesdaySunny, with a high near 97. Light southwest wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday nightMostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 96. Light west wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Thursday NightMostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

FridaySunny, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

MondaySunny, with a high near 99.

Monday NightMostly clear, with a low around 70.

TuesdaySunny, with a high near 98.

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