News

Pala Today News – 3/20/25

Written by John Fox on March 20, 2025

The following items are part of the award-winning “Pala Today” newscast heard this day at noon on PALA REZ RADIO™ 91.3 FM in Pala.

In any emergency, knowledge is power. Use our resources to leverage your family’s safety. Email 91.3@palatribe.com to subscribe to our daily M-F e-newsletter. Follow us at www.facebook.com/rezradio and www.twitter.com/rezradioFM. Additional resources at Palatribe.com

LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS

A kitchen fire last evening in French Valley ended with one resident transported to a hospital with an unrelated medical issue. It happened just before 7:15p in the 37500 block of Mojave Rose Court. Quick response by firefighters isolated the damage to the stove. https://patch.com/california/temecula/firefighters-battle-french-valley-kitchen-fire-one-hospitalized

In spite of appeals by two local non-profits, the city of Carlsbad this week passed a ban on people living in their vehicles on public property in that city. A suggestion was made to create safe parking for the homeless at the former Farmers Insurance building at El Camino Real and Faraday Drive. The city purchased it as the possible location for a new civic center. But it’s currently sitting idle. Carlsbad Police Chief Christie Calderwood said the new ordinance is another tool to get homeless people to accept the services they need. But opponents say it will just push those living in vehicles to neighboring cities, Oceanside and Encinitas that already provide safe parking for the homeless. The new Carlsbad ordinance takes effect in 30 days. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/19/last-minute-appeals-fail-to-stop-carlsbads-ban-on-living-in-vehicles/

An affordable apartment complex for seniors has held its grand opening in Carlsbad. The 47-unit Vintage at Marja Acres is a $21m project that offers an alternative for those age 55 and over who were being priced out of living in the increasingly expensive city. https://www.10news.com/marketplace/locally-owned-locally-loved/grand-opening-affordable-apartment-complex-for-seniors-in-carlsbad

North County Transit and San Diego’s MTS announced yesterday that Express Mode payment is now available for customers using Apple Pay with the tap of an iPhone or Apple Watch. You don’t even have to unlock your phone. Just tap near a transit PRONTO validator. The feature works even if the customer’s device needs a charge. Each rider has to pay with a unique and separate Apple device. https://www.kpbs.org/news/quality-of-life/2025/03/19/mts-nctd-expand-payment-options-to-include-touchless-apple-pay

The city of Lake Elsinore has received a $4.7m grant to fund two road projects. Half will go to further improvements on Railroad Canyon Road where almost $50m worth of improvements were completed a couple of years ago. The busy six-lane road is a major commuter route connecting I-215 in Menifee to I-15 in Lake Elsinore. Improvements to the road and traffic signals will ensure better traffic flow. The rest of the money will go to upgrade about 30 intersections in Lake Elsinore including pavement striping and new yellow reflective plates around traffic lights for better visibility. https://www.pressenterprise.com/2025/03/19/lake-elsinore-gets-4-7-million-to-upgrade-railroad-canyon-road-and-30-intersections/

Borrego Springs had a 3.7 magnitude earthquake this morning just at 1:30a. The epicenter was eight miles east of the town and it was weakly to mildly felt throughout San Diego County and the Coachella Valley. That was followed around 3a by a 3.0 magnitude shaker in the same location. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci40904647/executive

At least one lane will be closed on northbound I-15 between Rancho California and Murrieta Hot Springs Roads again tonight from 9p to 6a for construction. https://patch.com/california/temecula/i-15-through-temecula-nighttime-closures-announced

Highs in the mid to upper 70s the rest of this week and at least four days of highs in the 80s in Pala next week. The full forecast is coming up. (below)

Mass at Pala Mission Church is broadcast live on Rez Radio 91.3 and streamed live on the Rez Radio App every Sunday at 8a.

SPORTS

In the NBA – Eleven games last night. The Lakers beat the visiting Nuggets 120-108. Other winners were Indiana, Houston, Detroit, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Utah, Phoenix, Portland and Sacramento.

The Boston Celtics didn’t play yesterday. They too were busy being sold to a group led by Bill Chisholm, who is a managing partner at Symphony Technology Group. At $6.1b, the price is slightly higher than what Josh Harris and his group paid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023, making the Celtics the most valuable franchise in North American sports history. It’s a huge jump over the $4b Mat Ishiba spent to buy the next-most valuable NBA franchise, the Phoenix Suns two years ago. The Celtics current owners bought the team in 2002 for $360m. Today’s sale of the Celtics has been in the works since last June. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44328557/sources-bill-chisholm-agrees-buy-celtics-61-billion

In college hoops – In the NCAA tournament, Xavier and Mount St. Mary’s won the other two First Four games. Round One begins today with a couple of games already completed. 12^th seed UCSD plays 5^th seed Michigan tonight. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracket

In the NIT first round, yesterday’s winners were George Mason, UAB, Dayton, Bradley, North Texas, SMU, UC Irvine, San Francisco, and Loyola Chicago.

In the NHL – Just two games yesterday. Toronto edged Colorado 2-1. And Minnesota shut out the visiting Kraken 4-0 after jumping out to a three-goal lead early in the first period. No team has clinched for the playoffs yet. But San Jose, with just 45 points has already been eliminated from contention. https://www.espn.com/nhl/standings

In minor league hockey – the San Diego Gulls lost 4-0 to the Barracuda last night at San Jose. Their next game is tomorrow at Henderson.

In Major League Baseball – exhibition games, the Angels beat Cleveland 6-3. The Padres didn’t play. The Dodgers are on their way home from their successful season-opener Tokyo series against the Cubs. They won’t play again until the exhibition freeway series against the Angels beginning Sunday. The regular season resumes one week from today.

In Major League Soccer – This Saturday, the Galaxy are at Minnesota Untied, and LAFC is at Sporting Kansas City. San Diego is at Austin on Sunday.

In Lacrosse – The San Diego Seals play at Calgary this Saturday.

In Rugby – The San Diego Legion’s next game is Saturday at USD’s Torero Stadium hosting Miami. https://stats.majorleague.rugby/fixtures/

In golf – The Valspar Championship teed off this morning at Palm Harbor, Florida. With most of the field still on the course, three golfers were in the clubhouse tied for the lead at four-under par. Peter Mainati is the defending champion. He finished today mid-pack at 2 over par. https://www.espn.com/golf/leaderboard

In local high school sports:

Bonsall – baseball at Ocean View Christian at 3p

Great Oak – boys’ golf hosting Vista Murrieta at Temecula Creek at 3p; track & field hosting Murrieta Valley at 3:15p; boys’ tennis against Chaparral at 3:15p, varsity hosting, JV away; swimming & diving at Murrieta Valley at 4p; stunt cheer at Vista Murrieta at 4:30p

Fallbrook – baseball against San Dieguito Academy at 4p, varsity hosting, JV away; girls’ lacrosse hosting Vista and Granite Hills at 4:15p

Valley Center – boys’ golf hosting Fallbrook at Native Oaks at 3p; track & field hosting San Dieguito at 3:30p; boys’ tennis against Rancho Buena Vista at 3:30p, varsity hosting, JV away

BUSINE$$

As of midday trading on Wall Street, stocks were mixed after starting the morning on an up note. The Dow gained over a tenth of a percent, led by Home Depot and Sherwin-Williams. The S&P 500 lost more than a tenth. The Nasdaq was down a quarter percent. Gold was up $2.10 on the Comex, trading at $3,043.30 an ounce. The benchmark West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures were up just over a dollar to $68.20 a barrel.

The European Union is delaying retaliatory tariffs on US goods after President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports earlier this month. The countermeasures were to be phased in beginning April 1 with a 50% tariff on US motorboats and motorcycles. The second phase, two weeks later, was to include tariffs on beer, poultry, beef, and produce. Instead, the EU tariffs will take effect all at once in the middle of next month unless something can be negotiated. https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/20/economy/europe-tariff-delay/index.html

Nearly all Cybertrucks on the road have been recalled because Tesla used the wrong glue on a stainless steel exterior trim piece. That piece could detach while driving, causing a safety issue for that vehicle and others on the road. The EV maker, in its recall filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 46k Cybertrucks built from November 2023 through February of this year are involved. Unlike other Tesla recalls, this one can’t be fixed with a software update. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-recall-over-46000-cybertrucks-nhtsa-says-2025-03-20/

LIFESTYLE / GREEN LIVING

According to the White House, President Trump will sign an executive order today to shut down the US Department of Education, returning education authority to the States. Trump has referred to the department, which was created by Congress, as wasteful and “polluted by liberal ideology”. It will likely take another act of Congress to completely undo it. The Department of Education primarily administers the federal student loan program and oversees policy on educational excellence and equal access. Student loan programs would likely be taken over by the Treasury Department if the DOE does shut down. Less than 14% of California public school funding comes from the federal government. Low income districts would suffer the most if that funding goes away. www.morningbrew.com

The Cheesecake Factory is eliminating more than a dozen menu items as part of a broader chain-wide overhaul. Unless they happen to be one of your favorites, it’s unlikely you’ll notice. Cheesecake Factory’s massive, spiral-bound menu has more than 250 items and already undergoes changes about every six months. And this time around, they’ll be adding more items than they remove. Out are the Everything Flatbread Pizza, White Chicken Chili, and Loaded Mashed Potato Omelet. In are Smash Burgers, Asian Cucumber Salad and some new mocktails. Cheesecake Factory, along with Chili’s is one of the few chains that’s holding its own in the troubled casual dining restaurant sector. https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/20/food/cheesecake-factory-menu-change/index.html

Home maintenance management and repair app, Home Gnome has compiled a list of the 477 largest US cities and ranked which are safest from natural disaster. Rankings are based on a city’s risk in five categories across 18 natural hazards as part of FEMA’s National Risk index. Insurance rates and access to disaster response resources including EMTs, fire stations, and hospitals were also considered. Not surprisingly, half of the cities ranked among the ten least-safe from natural disasters were in California. That’s due in part to California having more cities big enough to make the list, its being in earthquake and wildfire country, and the high cost of living here. The least-safe city was Hemet, followed by South Gate, Miami Gardens Florida, and Compton. The cities considered safest from natural disaster were Lynchburg and Roanoke – both in Virginia. The safest California city was San Francisco at #30. Although known for earthquakes, San Francisco ranked high in services to deal with natural disasters. San Diego ranked #122 safest. Both cities scored high for zero-energy buildings, which increase disaster resilience, as did many California cities. Temecula was #211. Murrieta was #241. Carlsbad, #283. Oceanside, #382. Vista, #413. San Marcos, #424. Escondido, #430. Menifee, #448. https://homegnome.com/blog/studies/safest-cities-natural-disasters/#rankings

A jury has found Greenpeace liable for defamation, trespass and other illegal acts during protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline construction and said it should pay the Texas-based pipeline company, Energy Transfer more than $660m in damages. The jury also said Greenpeace USA should pay $404m of that award, with Greenpeace Fund Inc. and Greenpeace International responsible for about $131m each. The environmental activist organization says it will appeal. During the trial, Greenpeace had said such a verdict would bankrupt it. https://apnews.com/article/greenpeace-dakota-access-pipeline-lawsuit-verdict-5036944c1d2e7d3d7b704437e8110fbb

On this day in music history – March 20,

1960, Elvis Presley went to work in the recording studio for the first time since his discharge from the Army. It was the last time members of his tour band, Scotty Moore and Bill Black worked with him. The 12-hour session produced his next #1 hit, “Stuck on You”.
In 1961, Elvis had his 5^th #1 hit of the young decade with “Surrender”.
In 1964, The Temptations’ debut album was released on the Gordy label. The lineup featured Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and David Ruffin who’d just joined the group. He was so new, the only track he sang on was “The Way You Do The Things You Do”.
In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in Gibraltar and spent their honeymoon in Amsterdam where they staged their “Bed-In” publicity stunt for peace. Another bed-in was planned for America, but they were denied entry. A later one in Montreal was where they recorded their single, “Give Peace a Chance” in their hotel room. Lennon also detailed that time in their lives in The Beatles’ song “The Ballad of John and Yoko”, recorded a month later.
In 1970, David and Angela Bowie were married. Their ten-year marriage produced one son, film director Duncan Jones.
In 1971, Janis Joplin began the first of two weeks at #1 with “Me and Bobby McGee”, a song written by Kris Kristofferson, her lover and friend of several years. Joplin had died of a drug overdose the previous October.
In 1982, Joan Jett began the first of 7 weeks at #1 with “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”. It was a cover of the B-side of a 60’s release by a group called The Arrows.
In 1991, Eric Clapton’s four-year old son, Conor fell to his death from the 53^rd floor of a New York apartment building. A housekeeper had left a window open while cleaning. The tragedy inspired the song “Tears in Heaven”.
In 2017, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” hit #1 in the British charts. It went on to top the charts of 34 countries including the U.S.

Born on this day …

In 1917, British singer, songwriter and actress Vera Lynn. Popular during World War II, her final chart-topping album was released in 2009 when she was 92.
In 1936, musician and producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, one of the people responsible along with Bob Marley for popularizing Jamaican reggae.
In 1937, country singer Jerry Reed.
In 1951, drummer Carl Palmer from Atomic Rooster, Asia, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer
In 1976, Chester Bennington from Linkin Park.

https://www.thisdayinmusic.com/search/?keyword=&date=20&month=3

Other celebrity anniversaries today …

Director and actor Spike Lee is 68
Actress Holley Hunter is 67
Supermodel and occasional actress Kathy Ireland is 62
Among those who’ve passed, Edgar Buchanan, character actor in dozens of movies and best-remembered as Uncle Joe in TV’s “Petticoat Junction” was born in 1903.
Ozzie Nelson, big bandleader known for TV’s “Ozzie and Harriet” was born in 1906.
Wendell Corey, from movies including “Rear Window” and “Holiday Affair” was born in 1914.
Actor and director, Ted Bessell, best remembered as Don on TV’s “That Girl” was born in 1935.
William Hurt from movies including “The Big Chill” and “Broadcast News” was born in 1950

https://www.onthisday.com/film-tv/birthdays.php

Programming on Rez Radio 91.3 is made possible in part by the Pala Band of Mission Indians and donations from listeners like you. Call 760 742 4200 or email 91.3@palatribe.com for details on contributing to community radio in Pala.

Call the Pala Fire Department at 760 742 1632 before starting any open fires to get the day’s Cal Fire and APCD recommendations. Fire Department permits are required for any burning on Pala tribal land.

Pala seniors’ lunch menu for tomorrow (3/21) – fish sandwich, French fries, vegetables and dessert

The Pala Band of Mission Indians has employment opportunities including full time and part time. For a list, go to the Palatribe dot com website.

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A transcript of this newscast will be available at our website, Rez Radio dot FM and on the Rez Radio App an hour or two after broadcast.

WEATHER

Pala Weather – sunny with a high of 76 this afternoon … 79 tomorrow … 77 Saturday … 80 Sunday … 87 Monday … 84 Tuesday … 80 Wednesday … overnight lows, about 45 tonight and tomorrow night … 46 Saturday night … 50 Sunday night … 52 Monday night … 50 Tuesday night

FIRE PERMITS

Call the Pala Fire Department at (760) 742-1632 before starting any open fires to get the day’s Cal Fire and APCD recommendations. Fire Department permits are required for any burning on Pala tribal land.

PALA

The Pala Band of Mission Indians has a number of part-time and full-time employment opportunities.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

The Community Events and Casino Corner portions of this newsletter can be heard three times daily Mon-Sun on Rez Radio, at 7:25a, 12:25p (in Pala Today M-F), and at 5:25p as the “Pala Community Calendar”. Submit items for the calendar to 91.3@palatribe.com at least a week before the event.

You can view the events on the Calendar page.

SHOWS

You can find a wide-range of Pala Rez Radio programming on our Shows page.

RESOURCES

The Pala Band of Mission Indians and Rez Radio gathered this list of resources as a courtesy and offers no guarantee of accuracy. Please contact us if you find an error or if any link needs to be updated.

Check out the list of information on our Resources page.