English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Jurupa Valley, CA

Officials said the State Water Resources Control Board was consulted, leading to additional testing of water samples, "which were negative."

City News Service, News Partner

|Updated Mon, Sep 30, 2024 at 4:10 pm PT

UPDATE 4:06 p.m. 9/30/2024:

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — A drinking water warning posted by the Jurupa Community Services District stemming from traces of E. coli found in a test sample was no longer in effect, after further screening determined water supplies were safe, officials said Monday.

"The water advisory has been lifted," agency spokeswoman Emily Fuentes said.

A positive test sample of the fecal indicator was found Wednesday, according to the district, which serves all of Jurupa Valley and Eastvale.

The agency said in a statement that the E. coli was discovered prior to the standard disinfection process and "was not collected from within JCSD's water distribution or treatment system."

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Nonetheless, JCSD notified the public on Friday of the potential risk, conducted additional testing and distributed over 3,000 cases of bottled water to customers," the agency stated.

Officials said the State Water Resources Control Board was consulted, leading to additional testing of water samples, "which were negative" for the bacteria.

More information can be found at www.jcsd.us.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE POSTED AT 5:34 a.m. 9/30/2024:

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — Authorities in Jurupa Valley have issued a drinking water warning after a positive case of E. Coli was found at a local water source, officials said Saturday.

A positive test sample of the fecal indicator was found Wednesday, according to the Jurupa Community Services District. The sample was found before disinfection took place and was subsequently removed from the water system, authorities said.

The sample was not found in the distribution system nor the treatment system, but in a contained water source, the JCSD said.

Residents in the affected areas were urged to boil their tap water before drinking. The affected areas can be found at jcsd.us/PublicNotice/#iLightbox[gallery_image_2]/0.

The JCSD advise residents that is safe to bathe and wash as long as no one swallows water and if residents don't have weakened immune systems.

The district distributed more than 1,000 cases of bottled water Friday afternoon and was expected to distribute an additional 2,000 cases Saturday at the following locations:

-- The corner of Iberia Court and Space Center Court.-- The northeast corner of Camino Real and Mission Boulevard.-- JCSD headquarters at 11201 Harrel St.

More information can be found at www.jcsd.us.

— City News Service

Jurupa Valley city leaders have approved a development plan that environmentalists say puts California’s longest-living plant in danger.

The Jurupa Oak, located in Jurupa Hills and estimated to be at least 13,000 years old, resembles a bush more than a tree, standing just 3 feet high and sprawling to cover more than 80 feet.

The Jurupa Valley City Council voted 3-2 last week to approve the Rio Vista Specific Plan, which would bring a residential, commercial and industrial development to the area near the oak, leaving a 450-feet buffer around the ancient plant.

The development will span more than 900 acres and include nearly 1,700 residences, an elementary school and several community parks, sports fields and open trails, according to city officials.

During a presentation at the meeting Thursday, Sept. 5, city officials said they would convey the land around the tree to the Kizh Nation, a group of people indigenous to the greater Los Angeles area who run a nonprofit conservation entity, along with a $250,000 endowment.

However, a coalition of environmental advocates argue the oak requires a buffer of at least 550 feet.

The construction of the development, as well as the homes, warehouses and commercial buildings that will be in place once Rio Vista is finished will bring air and water pollution, increased fire risk and off-road vehicle use which could put the oak in harm’s way, according to a statement issued by the coalition Friday.

“It’s shocking and sad to see the city fail to protect an ancient plant that is truly a wonder to behold,” Meredith Stevenson, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in the statement. “Buildings come and go but the Jurupa Oak is a one-of-a-kind gem that can offer lessons about our natural heritage for generations to come. This development plan is no way to treat an international treasure.”

Laura Jaime, a member of the Shiishongna Tongva Nation Corona Band of Gabrielino Indians, said the oak is an important part of her culture.

“The Horuuvunga Oak is not just a tree, it is a living symbol of our ancestral connection to this land, estimated to be between 13,000 and 18,000 years old,” Jaime said in the same statement. “This ancient oak represents our rich cultural heritage and serves as a reminder of the time when our ancestors thrived along the Santa Ana River.”

Many residents and coalition members turned out for last week’s meeting to express concern for the oak’s conservation.

“This issue concerns not only the oak but the entire landscape and ecosystem, many of whose species are rare and endangered and threatened by this development,” resident Alicia Drevdahl said during public comment.

Others, however, supported the development and the economic benefits it could bring to the area.

“This project represents thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars for our city. I want to … support my generation and our future … with this project,” resident Israel Corales said during the public hearing.

City leaders estimated the development would bring in more than $20 million in economic revenue for the city.

This story will no longer be updated, for the latest information on the Airport Fire, click here.

The Airport Fire, which was reported in Trabuco Canyon Monday afternoon, expanded to burn more than 23,000 acres in Orange and Riverside Counties, but dropping temperatures may slow down the blaze, officials said Wednesday.

The Airport Fire, which was 5% contained as of Wednesday night, threatened more than 10,000 structures in both counties, injuring seven people including five firefighters.

Lake Elsinore Unified School District canceled all classes slated for Thursday, Sept. 12.

“The fire did make a run across Ortega Highway last night. It did damage and destroy some structures off the Ortega Highway. We've got damage assessment teams going in today to get a look at what that damage is exactly,” Capt. Paul Holaday with the Orange County Fire Authorities said.

Gov. Newsom, who visited Southern California Wednesday, issued a state of emergency in Orange and Riverside counties as the wildfire fire grew.

Newsom had proclaimed a state of emergency for San Bernardino County for the Line Fire on Monday.

As firefighters attacked the blaze from the air and ground, they may get some relief on Wednesday with a chance in the weather.

“The fire has slowed down for us, so we're able to make more progress on the flanks of the fire,” Holaday said, adding temperatures were down about 15 degrees on Wednesday with higher humidity levels.

But as the wind phenomenon called the Elsinore effect could erratically force wind shifts, authorities continued to urge neighbors to follow the evacuation orders and warnings.

The fire crews and responding agencies were granted more access to fire-suppressing resources as Gov. Gavin Newsom secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cal Fire officials said.

Evacuation orders

Orange County

Riverside County

North of San Diego/Riverside County Line, South of Orange County Line, East of Orange County Line, West of S Main Divide/Grand Ave.

Road closures

Evacuation sites

Orange County

Riverside County

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Riverside County

Following hours of emotional public comment at the Jurupa Valley City Hall last week that divided one of California’s youngest cities into two, council members decided to approve a controversial development project that some argue will lead to the end of one of the oldest living trees on Earth.

On Sept. 5, Jurupa Valley city council members narrowly approved the Rio Vista development plan, voting three to two to allow the massive project to move forward. The development would transform Jurupa Valley, a city in Riverside County that was incorporated in 2011, by turning 918 acres of open land into homes, schools, parks and commercial properties.

During a two-hour public comment period, community members and interest groups were divided on how beneficial the project would be to the community. The Rio Vista plan would create jobs and new opportunities for the budding city, but locals were at loggerheads over what's lost when open space is folded into the city — especially since the project proposes building close to the ancient Palmer's oak, thought to be over 13,000 years old.

“This is a Trojan horse, and you guys know it,” local Robert Ramirez told the city council members. “I come from a long heritage of Hispanic family and it's all about respect, protecting the land. Taking care of it ... what will you destroy by approving this?”

The city council was equally torn over the decision as criticisms turned personal. At one point, council member Armando Carmona began arguing with his council colleague Chris Barajas, one of the most vocal proponents of the development, over attacks he's received about opposing the project.

“Your people are threatening through emails and letters to try to scare our community into submission,” Carmona told Barajas. “We’re not going to allow you to do that. We’re not scared of you.”

The biggest sticking point was over the Palmer’s oak, an environmental anomaly rediscovered in 2009 that is believed to be between 13,000 and 18,000 years old — dating back to the Ice Age. Richland Development has confirmed no construction will happen within 450 feet of the tree, but during the meeting, several speakers pointed out that there’s no way to know how far the tree’s roots have sprawled out.

Some environmentalists claimed that the environmental impact studies were not rigorous enough to ensure the protection of the oak. Dr. Tim Crans raised concerns that the planned areas of development downhill from the Palmer's oak could impact the tree's access to groundwater.

“One can do this project and create all the jobs and still maintain this iconic tree,” Dr. Crans said in the meeting. “This should be on your city emblem.”

Some of the major supporters of the project who present at the meeting were members of the Local 364 Plumbers & Pipefitters Union, the chosen contractor for the project. Other proponents included the the Kizh Nation, more commonly known as the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians, who would become stewards of the land.

The project promises a $250,000 payment to provide environmental protections to conserve the land. Annual homeowners’ fees would continue to fund this initiative.

Council member Leslie Altamirano supported the project and suggested that Rio Vista is an example of the Land Back movement.

“The best part is that we have the opportunity to make precedent here and to give land back to the First Peoples. So I want to make sure that, in my lifetime, I was able to do that,” Altamirano said. “So tonight, I’m going to stand with the Kizh Nation.”

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