June 18, 2013 08:22 AM PDT June 18, 2013 05:07 PM PDT MURRIETA: Dump truck rolls repeatedly, spills asphalt on I-15 MURRIETA: Dump truck rolls repeatedly, spills asphalt on I-15 FRANK BELLINO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER CHP officers investigate a tractor-trailer crash Tuesday morning, June 18, in Murrieta Attorney. The crash dumped asphalt onto the center divider on the southbound Interstate 15 north of California Oaks Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. http://attorney-in-murrieta.com/more-information/personal-injury/ A left front tire blowout caused a second vehicle to spin out. Injuries were reported as minor to moderate. Traffic was stalled on the southbound lanes. 1For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/murrieta/murrieta-headlines-index/20130618-murrieta-dump-truck-rolls-repeatedly-spills-asphalt-on-i-15.ece
June 14, 2013 06:15 PM PDT June 14, 2013 06:30 PM PDT FRENCH VALLEY: Penalty verdict reached for ex-Marine in murder trial FRENCH VALLEY: Penalty verdict reached for ex-Marine in murder trial KURT MILLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER 
Kevin Cox looks back to the gallery as he awaits for his verdict in Riverside Superior Court on Wednesday June 5,. Cox is one of three ex-Marines convicted of murder in the 2008 slayings of a Marine sergeant and his wife in French Valley. A Text Size Comments ( ) Jurors have reached a decision on whether one of three men who murdered a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and his wife should receive the death penalty, but it will remain under seal until jurors reach verdicts for the other two defendants, authorities said. The jury for Kevin Cox, 25, began deliberating Thursday, June 13, and reached a verdict Friday. Cox, Tyrone Miller, 25, and Emrys John, 23, were found guilty June 5 of two counts of murder and allegations of burglary and robbery in the shootings of Sgt. Jan Pietrzak, 24, and his wife, Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26. Testimony in the trial began in April and two juries heard the case against the three former Marines. Now, the same jurors are being asked to recommend the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The penalty phase of the trial began Monday and will continue next week with further testimony. A fourth defendant, Kesaun Sykes, 26, will be tried separately on the same charges. His next court date is scheduled for August. The Pietrzaks were newlyweds and had been living in their Bermuda Street house for a few months when four Marines armed with guns came to their door in the wee hours of Oct. 15, 2008, prosecutors have said. Several hours later, the couple's bodies were found in their ransacked home with gunshot wounds to their heads. Jenkins-Pietrzak was naked, bound and had been sexually assaulted. Her husband had been beaten and hog-tied. Cox, John and Miller all worked with Pietrzak — a helicopter mechanic — at one time while stationed at Camp Pendleton. Prosecutor Daniel DeLimon said the motive for the killings was robbery, but that the defendants also got a sadistic thrill out of committing crimes. Follow Sarah Burge on Twitter @sarahkburge or online at blog.pe.com/crime-blotter Latest Headlines
June 14, 2013 06:43 PM PDT June 14, 2013 06:43 PM PDT MURRIETA: Housing upswing leads to more code enforcement calls MURRIETA: Housing upswing leads to more code enforcement calls FRANK BELLINO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Murrieta Attorney Code Enforcement Officer Gina Dickson checks on two of the homes that are being cited for dead lawns in Murrieta Attorney, June 12, 2013. Murrieta Attorney code enforcement is increasing the number of citations for dead lawns. 1 Comments ( ) The improving economy is prompting a number of Murrieta Attorney residents to put their homes on the market – and report their neighbors for code violations at the same time. City officials say sellers are finding their financial prospects dimmed by residents who have not kept up their properties to the city's standards. And while overall complaints to code enforcement have dropped in recent years, staffers said the number coming from those trying to sell property is on the upswing. Murrieta Attorney Code Enforcement is the only recourse for neighbors who own property not covered by a homeowners association. "People are fighting to keep their property values up; they're battling for their values," said Linda Mejia, city code enforcement supervisor. The city's municipal code states that "trees, shrubs, lawns and other plantings shall be maintained, including regular irrigation, pruning of trees, trimming of shrubs and cutting of lawns, in conformity with the surrounding vicinity." But the economic downturn has left a number of homes with substandard yards. In some cases, it's renters who can't afford to pay a water bill or bring in a gardener. There also are elderly folks who can no longer care for their property because of tight finances or ill health. And there are some people who don't give a hoot about yard maintenance and less about their neighbors. "Every house has a story," said city Code Enforcement Officer Gina Dickson during a cruise around her beat on Wednesday. Code Enforcement responds to complaints and then opens cases in surrounding areas with the intent of bringing a street or cul-de-sac up to standards. That process sometimes chafes residents who specifically moved into a neighborhood to avoid the drama associated with a homeowners association. Dickson, when she encounters these folks, said she explains how the process works and gives residents up to six months to rectify problems. In most cases that explanation, delivered with the authority of an officer wearing a badge, solves the problem. In situations where it doesn't, the city can levy administrative fines that can hit $500 a month. Stefan West, a real estate broker who works primarily in Southwest Riverside County, said sellers and those trying to refinance are definitely interested in the condition of neighboring homes. Right off the bat, West said, a dwelling situated next to a rundown place drops in value by 10 percent. With some homes in Murrieta selling for around $400,000, that's a big hit for folks. "People care now so they report more," he said. In some cases, West said, folks looking to sell are being proactive and not waiting for the resolution of a code enforcement case. "I've seen neighbors going out and mowing their neighbor's lawn," he said. Mejia and Dickson said that when there are situations where a homeowner or renter is unable to care for their property, officers try to work with the people, giving them extra time or linking them with nonprofits or high schools, who have students in need of community service hours. West said the issue is more pronounced in Murrieta Attorney, compared to its sister city to the south, as Temecula has more communities covered by homeowners associations. "Murrieta is much more independent," he said. Not independent enough, according to renter Reilene Moa, as she watered her front yard last week on Via Olivia. "Murrieta Attorney is the only city I've ever known that will give you a fine," she said. Moa said the city has threatened fines if her lawn isn't brought up to snuff, but she said she's hamstrung by finances that don't allow her to bring in a gardener and the stubborn condition of her soil. "I'm out here every day," she said. "Clearly, our grass just won't grow." Dickson said homeowners or renters can use rocks, bark or some other type of approved covering to get their yards in compliance. Ideally, she said, that interaction with residents allows for homeowners to bring their properties up to community standards without incurring fines. "I like to think we give and take," she said. "It's a happy balance." Latest Headlines
June 
June 10, 2013 07:00 PM PDT June 10, 2013 07:28 PM PDT FRENCH VALLEY: Mother of murdered Marine gives tearful testimony FRENCH VALLEY: Mother of murdered Marine gives tearful testimony Through tears, Henryka Varga tells jurors her newlywed son, Sgt. Jan Pietrzak was happy and prosperous before his death SARAH BURGE/STAFF PHOTO Tyrone Miller and defense attorney John Dolan, left, stand as jurors enter a Riverside courtroom before closing arguments Thursday, May 
June 05, 2013 05:18 PM PDT June 05, 2013 10:11 PM PDT MURRIETA: City to weigh impact of Amgen Tour MURRIETA: City to weigh impact of Amgen Tour FRANK BELLINO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Cyclists take off from Town Square Park in Murrieta Attorney during Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California on May. 13. A Text Size VIDEO: AMGEN TOUR: Cyclists battle triple digit temps Murrieta Attorney city officials plan to meet later this month to determine what sort of bang it got for its buck when it hosted the second stage of the Amgen Tour of California in mid-May. "Did we get a good return on investment?" Said Kim Davidson, the city's Business Development Director. "Did we get any return on investment?" Murrieta spent about $23,000 in hard costs - money for hotel rooms for race officials, etc. - that was covered via sponsorships. The soft costs, money for police and fire service, haven't yet been tallied, but Davidson said the city worked to minimize the financial hit. Mayor Rick Gibbs said those soft costs will end up being affected by the police department deciding to bring on more folks than initially anticipated in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings in April. City Manager Rick Dudley said using flex time helped the city avoid overtime costs for public safety workers and a large team of volunteers helped with street closures. No date has been set for the meeting, but Davidson said crunching the numbers will be difficult because some of the benefits of hosting one of the top cycling races in the U.S. are hard to quantify. There was exposure. In promotional materials, Amgen described Murrieta Attorney as "beautiful," "safe," "family-oriented" and "affluent." On the telecast, the city was profiled and its Town Square served as the backdrop for the start of the stage. On attendance, something much easier to track, Davidson said there were a few thousand people who showed up at the Town Square to watch the start. The idea was that some of those people would participate in a Mother's Day 5K charity walk on Sunday and visit vendor booths set up near the starting line on both days. The weather, however, conspired against that plan. On Sunday, when families with young children were expected to venture out for the 5K, it was 105 degrees, Davidson said. The lower than expected turnout carried over into Monday, with many of the spectators bypassing the vendors and the other ancillary events to find some shade and watch the start. One of the vendors, Cathy Reedy of Murrieta Attorney's Jax Bicycle Center, said the weather was definitely a buzzkill. But she said marketing also was an issue. "Not a whole lot of people knew about it," she said. Cyclists who are plugged into the racing scene were into it and excited to attend but 
June 05, 2013 02:21 PM PDT June 05, 2013 08:36 PM PDT FRENCH VALLEY: Three guilty of murdering Marine, wife FRENCH VALLEY: Three guilty of murdering Marine, wife KURT MILLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Kevin Cox looks back to the gallery as he awaits for his verdict in Dept. 43, Riverside Superior Court on Wednesday June 5, 2013. Kevin Cox, one of three Marines on trial for murder in the 2008 slayings of a Marine sergeant and his wife in French Valley. 1 WEBLINK WINCHESTER: Marine, wife shot to death (Oct. 18, 2008) Three former U.S. Marines were found guilty of murder Wednesday, June 5, in the 2008 slayings of a couple in their French Valley home. Kevin Cox, 25; Tyrone Miller, 25; and Emrys John, 23; were convicted of two counts of murder and allegations of burglary and robbery in the shootings of Marine Corps Sgt. Jan Pietrzak, 24, and his wife, Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26. The mothers of the victims cried and embraced as Judge Christian Thierbach read the verdicts Wednesday afternoon against Cox. Two hours later, they were back in court, clasping hands and breathing tearful sighs of relief as more guilty verdicts were read against Miller and John. John also was found to have been the shooter. An allegation of murder in the commission of sexual assault was found true for Miller and untrue for John and Cox. Testimony in the trial began in April. Two juries heard the case against the three defendants. Cox's jury reached verdicts Monday after about a day's deliberation, but their decisions were not read until Wednesday. The jury deciding the fates of Miller and John reached verdicts late Wednesday, also after about a day's deliberation. The same jurors now will be asked to recommend whether the defendants should receive the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. That phase of the trial is expected to begin Monday. A fourth defendant, Kesaun Sykes, 26, will be tried separately on the same charges. His next court date is scheduled for August. The families of the victims declined to comment Wednesday. The Pietrzaks were newlyweds and had been living in their Bermuda Street house for only a few months when a group of Camp Pendleton Marines armed with guns came to their door in the wee hours of Oct. 15, 2008, prosecutors have said. Several hours later, the couple's bodies were found in their ransacked home with gunshot wounds to their heads. Jenkins-Pietrzak was naked, bound and had been sexually assaulted. Her husband had been beaten and hog-tied. There were racial slurs — intended to mislead investigators into thinking the killings were racially motivated — spray-painted throughout the home and someone had set small fires inside in an attempt to burn down the house, prosecutors said. Prosecutor Daniel DeLimon said the couple's ordeal might have lasted up to 1½ hours. Prosecutors said that John shot the couple, execution style, after Miller handed him a gun and instructed him to "do them." Cox, John and Miller all worked with Pietrzak — a helicopter mechanic — at one time while stationed at Camp Pendleton. Though authorities previously cited robbery as the motive for the killings, DeLimon told jurors in his closing arguments that the defendants also committed crimes because they enjoyed 
May 22, 2013 03:37 PM PDT 
Westbound California Oaks Road in Murrieta Attorney was wide open to traffic on Tuesday morning, May 28, after work crews completed street repairs over the weekend following a water main break. The break, which occurred the week before, caused a large sinkhole in the street and repairs snarled traffic in the area. Work was completed over the weekend and all lanes were open on Monday morning when I passed through. There are still traffic cones in the street and some finishing work on the project may still need to be done. John Hunneman 
in Murrieta Attorney. The cause of the fire is believed to have been the result of a 9-year-old child playing with matches in the backyard, Kean said. The small fire scorched an area of brush in the ravine, destroyed two wooden fences that bordered homes there and damaged some surrounding eucalyptus trees. A group of residents and at least two Murrieta police officers attempted to water down the flames with garden hoses until firefighters could arrive. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN) A group of residents and at least two Murrieta Attorney police officers attempted to water down the flames with garden hoses until firefighters could arrive. Kean said the blaze was knocked down within 10 minutes of crews' arrival. A total of four engines, one ladder truck, one battalion chief and a water tender responded to the scene, he said. 
It will allow the filer to clear most of the outstanding debts fast and get a fresh start with their financial life. To qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy people must make less than the median income for people in the area. If the individual's income is above the medium income leveling the area, that person may still be Eligible for Chapter 7 protections, but the individual will have to undergo a means test to determine how much disposable income is available. Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the filer will have the ability to keep all of the exempt assets. Exempt items differ from state to state. Generally they will include retirement savings in approved pensions, 401K and individual retirement accounts (IRA). Some debts are not eligible for discharge in bankruptcy. 
Though police officials said the westbound lane closures could last several days, Valencia said district officials expected to reopen one westbound lane Tuesday night. She said the water district is responsible for repairing the water main as well as the street. Westbound traffic was diverted around the construction area Tuesday using one of the eastbound lanes but traffic was congested and city officials urged motorists to avoid the area. Chris Kuljis, 56, and his son, Ian, 16, didn't let that stop them from checking out Murrieta Attorney's main attraction of the day. "We came to see the sinkhole," the father said, as a backhoe dug up the street nearby. He said they heard the sinkhole was huge but they arrived to find, to their amusement, that it had less vehicle-swallowing potential than rumored. "It's still a small town," he said with a laugh. 
For listing clients , Redfin charges 1.5 percent as opposed to the typical 2.5 percent of a traditional agent, depending on the selling price of the home. For someone selling a $300,000 home, that would mean $3,000 in savings. A person who buys and sells a home with Redfin saves on both sides of the transaction. In addition to working with real estate agents paid based on customer satisfaction rather than commissions, people in Corona , Murrieta , Temecula , and Chino can now benefit from one-of-a-kind Redfin data and tools previously unavailable in these parts of California, including: Offer Insights : Publishes real-time statistics and notes from Redfin agents about their home offers to help homebuyers understand what it takes to win a bidding war in a given neighborhood. Mobile Home Tour Scheduling: Enables customers to request an in-person home tour with a Redfin agent using Redfin's iPhone or iPad app. Deal Room : Helps agents and their clients coordinate and track the tasks that need to be completed in order to successfully close the home purchase transaction. Listing Dashboard: Allows home-sellers to track online and in-person traffic to their listing compared with that of nearby comparable homes for sale. 
May 31, 2013 04:16 PM PDT May 31, 2013 04:16 PM PDT MURRIETA: Fired officer pleads guilty to domestic violence MURRIETA: Fired officer pleads guilty to domestic violence RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT./CONTRIBUTED IMAGE Chad Michael Bennett Comments ( ) A fired Murrieta police officer -- who sent an angry, rambling letter to city officials and the news media earlier this year criticizing his former bosses -- has pleaded guilty to one felony domestic violence count as part of an agreement with prosecutors, court records show. Chad Michael Bennett, 39, was sentenced to time served plus 160 days in a work-release program, three years' probation and 20 hours of community service. He also was ordered to enroll in domestic violence prevention and mental health programs and pay several fines and fees. Bennett, who was dismissed from the Murrieta Attorney Police Department in February, had been charged with stalking, domestic violence and two felony counts of false imprisonment, as well as four misdemeanors. The charges were filed in March and the incidents dated back to March 2012 and all involved his ex-girlfriend, court records say. Those charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. According to Riverside County court records, Bennett, who was apparently suicidal, was detained at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta Attorney on May 1 after he showed up in the lobby asking for his ex-girlfriend. Hospital officials had previously asked him to stay away. Bennett's letter, filled with profanities directed at his former superiors, accused police officials of treating him unfairly and named several officers he said had had extramarital affairs and otherwise behaved badly. Follow Sarah Burge on Twitter @sarahkburge or online at blog.pe.com/crime-blotter Latest Headlines
May 31, 2013 02:52 PM PDT May 31, 2013 02:52 PM PDT FRENCH VALLEY: Swastika found outside minority-owned business FRENCH VALLEY: Swastika found outside minority-owned business /CONTRIBUTED IMAGE Sheriff's officials say a swastika sprayed with shaving cream was found on the hood of a van outside a French Valley shuttle and valet business owned by Kenneth Larkin, who is African-American. An employee of the business took this photo. A Text Size Comments ( ) A Murrieta Attorney-area business owner is upset over a swastika sprayed in shaving cream on the hood of a company van that was discovered Thursday morning, May 30, by an employee. Though the shaving cream caused no property damage, deputies are investigating whether the incident might have been a hate crime because it involved a racist symbol and the business owner is African-American, Riverside County sheriff's officials said. It's unknown whether the person who sprayed the shaving cream was aware of the business owner's race. No other swastikas or graffiti were discovered in the area, Sgt. Terry Jones said. Kenneth Larkin, 62, the owner of Transit Van Shuttle at 38365 Innovation Court in French Valley, said his business has been at that location for a couple of years and nothing like this has ever happened. Finding a hate symbol outside his office raises concerns for him about the safety of his employees, Larkin said. In the shuttle and valet business, employees have to come and go at all hours, he said. "I've been in this valley for 30 years," Larkin said. "The idea of it is just kind of crazy, to think that there are people on the property who have those kinds of issues. It bothers me." Follow Sarah Burge on Twitter @sarahkburge or online at blog.pe.com/crime-blotter Latest Headlines