Dental Implants Near Lake Elsinore, CA

Drive sober or get pulled over. See what happened during the DUI checkpoint in Wildomar, led by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff

WILDOMAR, CA — A recent Driving Under the Influence and Driver License checkpoint in Wildomar resulted in numerous citations and a few arrests, according to officers.

At the checkpoint, held on Saturday, June 7, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station conducted a checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Palomar Street and Harwood Lane in Wildomar.

The checkpoint yielded the following:

Funding for this checkpoint is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to “Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1–1.”

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

During the checkpoint, deputies look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and, or drugs. The safety of our community is and always will be our mission. Driving under the influence is dangerous and puts a further strain on critical resources.

"The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving," Sgt. Brad Foster said in a recent news release.

Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about “driving” or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a vehicle. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal, Foster reminded.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to “Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.”

As rent prices outpace income growth, a new Zillow report reveals that many Californians now need six-figure salaries just to afford rent.

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — It’s no secret that California is an expensive place to live, but just how much income does it take to rent comfortably these days?

With mortgage rates hovering near record highs and rents continuing to climb, a new report from Zillow finds that renters nationwide now need to earn at least $80,000 annually to afford a modest apartment — up from $60,000 five years ago.

In California, the bar is even higher. Renters in major cities, coastal towns, and wine country communities must often make six figures to get by, according to the Zillow report, released earlier this month.

In Lake Elsinore, for example, the average rent in 2025 is $2,643 per month, according to Zillow. That translates to an annual income of roughly $105,704 to meet the standard affordability guideline — spending no more than 30 percent of one’s income on housing.

But that’s far from the reality for many. A household would need to make $100,000 a year to comfortably afford a $2,500 monthly rental, a threshold many renters struggle to meet.

Since April 2020, the national median rent has increased 28.7 percent to $1,858, while median household income has only risen 22.5 percent, now sitting at around $82,000.

“House costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages,” said Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow. “This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home.”

Zillow identified eight major metro areas where renters must make at least $100,000 to afford a typical apartment:

In six of these cities, median-income renters would have to spend more than 30 percent of their earnings on rent. But in San Jose and San Francisco, wages have kept pace better. A typical San Jose household would spend 25 percent of its income on rent; in San Francisco, 28 percent.On the flip side, Zillow identified some of California’s most affordable rental markets:

To help renters estimate what they can afford, Zillow offers a rent affordability calculator.

'Kids' Ride Into Nature Antique and Classic Car Show' will feature vehicles from the 1800s to 1976, for car enthusiasts or history buffs.

Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff

WILDOMAR, CA — A classic car show designed for kids and car afficianados is coming to Wildomar. The inaugural ‘Kids’ Ride Into Nature Antique and Classic Car Show’ will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marna O’Brien Sports Park, 20505 Palomar Street, Wildomar.

This free event brings pre- and post-WWII antique and classic vehicles together in one location. From carriages, Model Ts and As, trucks, and classics from the 1800s to 1976, all under the beautiful California skies. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for a fun day outdoors, this show has something for everyone.

The event benefits The Nature Education Foundation and is hosted by the City of Wildomar. This show is a celebration of automotive history and “first car memories.”

Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with numerous activities, food vendors, a special Kids’ Zone, specialty vendors, music, and car awards at 2 p.m. For extra fun, guests are invited to come in period dress for a free photo at the Kids’ Ride photo booth, a spokesperson for the event shared.

"There will also be a silent auction and raffle featuring exciting prizes such as a Kawasaki gift package, a custom photo shoot for a personal vehicle, Nickerson Law estate planning valued at $5,000, Lake Elsinore Storm package with nine games, and so much more."

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Nature Education Foundation partners with RivCo Parks to ensure funding for children’s nature education programs for grades 3-12 at the Reserve, which include Third Grade Education, elementary and middle school, Trout-in-the-Classroom, high school “Citizen Scientist” Phenology and Air Quality programs, and an environmental studies scholarship for graduating seniors. Serving ten school districts and 8,000 students per school year, TNEF’s mission is to educate and empower youth to appreciate, protect, and preserve nature.

Learn more about vehicle registration online at www.antiqueclassiccars.org, and event information: www.the-nef.org.

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June 24 is Election Day. Polls close at 8 p.m.

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Voters in Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, and some communities to the north are urged to cast their ballots in the Assembly District 63 Special Primary Election.

Six vote centers opened on June 14, and an additional six opened on June 21. Residents can vote in person or return their completed vote-by-mail ballot. Ballots must be received by the Registrar of Voters by Election Day or postmarked on Election Day and received within seven days (July 1, 2025).

Voters can cast their ballots at any of the voting centers. For voters who wish to return their vote-by-mail ballots at a drop box location, the Registrar of Voters has 22 official ballot drop-off locations throughout Assembly District 63. Drop boxes have been available since May 27 and will remain through 8 p.m. on June 24 (Election Day).

A list with dates and hours of operation, as well as a map of vote centers and ballot drop-off locations, is available at voteinfo.net.

Four candidates vying for the 63rd Assembly District seat are on the Special Election ballot. The candidates are listed as:

California's 63rd Assembly District seat has been vacant since April after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Assemblyman Bill Essayli to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.

The 63rd Assembly District includes the cities of Canyon Lake, Corona, Eastvale, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Norco, Riverside, and the unincorporated communities of Temescal Valley and Woodcrest.

In a special vacancy election, like the one in Assembly District 63, if no candidate receives 50% +1 vote of the total votes cast (a simple majority), then a runoff election between the top two candidates will be scheduled for an August 26 Special General Election.

Keep up with election results here after polls close Tuesday night. Want to track your ballot? Register at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

"Firefighters continue to work diligently to strengthen containment lines," fire officials said.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — All evacuation warnings were lifted Tuesday near the 755-acre Juniper Fire burn area in Mead Valley, as containment of the blaze reached 60%.

The Juniper Fire was reported at 11:20 a.m. Monday south of Ann Way and Juniper Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said numerous engine and hand crews from the county, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other agencies were sent to the location, encountering flames moving at a moderate rate in light brush to the southeast. Crews managed to stop the fire's forward progress and begin establishing containment lines.

The fire was listed as 30% contained as of Tuesday morning, but by early afternoon that figure jumped to 60%.

"Firefighters continue to work diligently to strengthen containment lines," fire officials said.

There were 165 people battling the fire, including six hand crews, 15 engines, four water tenders and two bulldozers.

Mandatory evacuations were declared north of Rocky Hills Road, south of Orange Avenue, west of Forrest Road and east of El Nido Road before they were lifted later Monday.

Evacuation warnings were posted for surrounding locations south of Idaleona Road and north of Santa Rosa Mine Road. A care and reception center was established at Citrus Hill High School, 18150 Wood Road in Perris. All those warnings were lifted Tuesday afternoon.

Two outbuildings were reportedly consumed by the flames, but no houses. One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, the fire split in two, with both heads pushing to the southeast, crossing into Good Hope, amid winds blowing 10 to 15 mph, gusting to 20 mph, according to officials.

However, by 4 p.m., the entire blaze's forward rate of spread had been stopped.

All five Cal Fire air tankers departed the area by 4:30 p.m. Two water- dropping helicopters remained overhead, making targeted drops, mostly on minor spot fires that were cropping up outside the primary blaze.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

—City News Service