Witness: Murder suspect argued with victim moments before shooting
MURRIETA, 2:04 p.m. Aug. 19 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
A 29-year-old Good Hope man who spent more than a year on the lam in Mexico while being sought on a murder charge in Riverside County argued with the victim minutes before gunshots rang out at the end of a night of partying, a witness testified Tuesday.
Jonathan Ruiz took the stand on the first day of trial for Balerio Millan Lizarraga, who is accused of fatally shooting Ricardo Lopez about midnight on Jan. 7, 2006, outside a home on F Street in Perris.
More Temecula/Riverside News
AGUANGA, 1:53 p.m. Aug. 19 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Brush fire near Vail Lake fully contained: A brush fire that scorched roughly 100 acres in the southern reaches of Riverside County was 100 percent contained Tuesday, and it was expected to be fully controlled by 6 p.m., authorities said. RIVERSIDE, 2:05 p.m. Aug. 19 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
More first-time buyers able to afford homes: The percentage of first-time buyers able to pay for a median-priced home in Riverside County rose to 59 percent in the second quarter of the year, according to figures released Tuesday.
MORENO VALLEY, 1:27 p.m. Aug. 18 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Stolen SUV found with pet dog dead; thief at large: A woman who stole a couple's sport utility vehicle at a cemetery and later abandoned it, leaving the owners' crippled dog inside to die in sweltering heat, remained at large Monday.
RIVERSIDE, 11:00 a.m. Aug. 18 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Riverside County home sales surge; prices fall: Home sales in Riverside County surged by 48.6 percent in July, compared to the same month a year ago, while prices dropped 34.8 percent, a real estate information service reported Monday. RIVERSIDE, 1:58 p.m. Aug. 18 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
4 Riverside County hospitals fined by state: Four hospitals in Riverside County were fined Monday by the state Department of Public Health for mistakes that threatened the safety of patients, including failure to investigate a sexual abuse claim. RIVERSIDE, 11:54 a.m. Aug. 18 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Police seek shooter in fatal attack: The killer of a 20-year-old Riverside man gunned down in a possible gang-related attack remained at large Monday, police said.
LAKE ELSINORE, 3:37 p.m. Aug. 16 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Man arrested for suspected DUI after hit-and-run: A man was behind bars Saturday on suspicion of drunken driving and hit-and-run, while a female motorcycle passenger he allegedly struck was hospitalized in critical condition, a police sergeant said.
RIVERSIDE, 2:34 a.m. Aug. 16 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Price of gas falls again, nears $4 a gallon: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire dropped for the 40th consecutive day Saturday, having fallen 59.8 cents since hitting a record high nearly eight weeks ago, according to the Oil Price Information Service. MURRIETA, 10:18 p.m. Aug. 15 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Man to stand trial on attempted kidnapping charges: A 41-year-old Temecula man was ordered Friday to stand trial on two counts of attempted kidnapping for allegedly trying to get two girls into his van about a half-hour apart last winter in Temecula. HEMET, 8:17 p.m. Aug. 15 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Elderly woman shoots at intruder: A 93-year-old Hemet woman shot at a suspect who entered her home, but missed and the bullet went through a window and over a neighbor's home, Hemet police said Friday. MURRIETA, 3:43 p.m. Aug. 15 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Man pleads not guilty in slashing attack on former beauty queen: A man whose offhand remark to a 20-year-old former beauty queen allegedly led his girlfriend and three other women to carry out a jealousy-fueled slashing attack on the Banning resident pleaded not guilty Friday to a felony accessory charge.
RIVERSIDE, 12:52 p.m. Aug. 15 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Riverside County jobless rate rises to 9 percent: The jobless rate in Riverside County topped 9 percent last month – for the first time in 11 years – with big declines in farm and government payrolls, state officials reported Friday.
RIVERSIDE, 3:11 a.m. Aug. 15 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
County to step up DUI patrols: As part of a national campaign to reinforce the message that drinking and driving don't mix, law enforcement agencies throughout Riverside County will intensify patrols Friday and for the next two weeks to apprehend intoxicated motorists.
RIVERSIDE, 3:53 a.m. Aug. 15 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Riverside County gas prices fall for eighth straight week: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline fell for the eighth consecutive week in the Inland Empire this week amid continuing declines in the price of crude oil. TEMECULA, 2:59 p.m. Aug. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Outdoor Channel board OKs $5M more for stock buyback: In a move to boost shareholder value, the board of Temecula-based Outdoor Channel Holdings Inc. authorized the addition of $5 million to the company's stock buyback program, it was announced Thursday.
MURRIETA, 12:57 p.m. Aug. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Man suspected in vehicle break-ins arrested in Murrieta: A felon suspected of breaking into vehicles with another man in Murrieta was arrested Thursday by officers who found him sleeping in a back yard.
RIVERSIDE, 4:59 a.m. Aug. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Riverside County foreclosures edge up: The number of Riverside County homes slipping into foreclosure edged up last month, more than doubling compared to the same period a year ago, a real estate tracking firm reported Thursday.
RIVERSIDE, 2:53 a.m. Aug. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Riverside County gas prices edge closer to $4 average: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire dropped for the 38th consecutive day Thursday, having fallen 57.3 cents since hitting a record high more than seven weeks ago, the Oil Price Information Service reported. MURRIETA, 3:07 a.m. Aug. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Arraignment scheduled in slashing case: A fourth woman is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in connection with an attack last month in Banning on a 20-year-old former varsity cheerleader, who was slashed in the face and back with a razor blade.
MURRIETA, 3:28 p.m. Aug. 13 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Felon charged with murder of elderly man: A felon with multiple aliases was charged Wednesday with murdering an 80-year-old Hemet-area resident whose bank accounts were drained of more than $100,000 after his disappearance in late May.
RIVERSIDE, 1:19 p.m. Aug. 13 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Riverside man arrested on drug charges; allegedly grew pot in yard: A 37-year-old Riverside man who allegedly cultivated marijuana in the back yard of a vacant home bordering his own property was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs for sale, police reported Wednesday.
RIVERSIDE, 3:11 p.m. Aug. 12 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
County foreclosure auctions balloon from 2007: The number of foreclosed Riverside County properties auctioned in July jumped 19 percent and was up a whopping 216 percent compared to a year ago, a real estate tracking firm reported Tuesday.
MURRIETA, 1:33 p.m. Aug. 12 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Two in custody after alleged assault in Target lot: Two Quail Valley men were in custody Tuesday for allegedly trying to rob two other men and assaulting one of them at a Target store parking lot in Murrieta, a sergeant said. MURRIETA, 2:31 p.m. Aug. 12 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Prosecutor: Man admitted molesting young relative: A former Menifee resident admitted in a tape-recorded telephone conversation that he molested a female relative when she was a little girl, a prosecutor told jurors Tuesday at the close of the man's trial, but a defense attorney insisted that his client was being falsely accused. RIVERSIDE, 3:23 p.m. Aug. 12 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Prelim postponed for teen in street-racing death case: A preliminary hearing was postponed Tuesday for a Riverside teen accused in the racing-related death of a 14-year-old boy, who died shortly after he was ejected from the defendant's car in a crash.
SAN JACINTO, 3:23 p.m. Aug. 11 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Soboba Band holds forum on law enforcement; sheriff stays away: Some 200 people gathered for Monday's public forum organized by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians to discuss a federal act giving sheriff's deputies the power to enforce laws on reservations in Riverside County – but the sheriff stayed away.
RIVERSIDE, 1:55 p.m. Aug. 11 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Riverside woman convicted of kill her 3-year-old: A Riverside woman was convicted Monday of killing her 3-year-old developmentally disabled son in 2003 by slamming a bedroom door into his head.
CORONA, 9:24 a.m. Aug. 8 (AP)
All 4 dead in car that hit tree in Corona: Four people are dead after their small car crashed into a tree on Highway 91 just west of Corona.
9:08 a.m. Aug. 8 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Lucky seventh week of gas price slides: RIVERSIDE (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline fell for the seventh consecutive week in the Inland Empire this week, pushing prices below $4 at some stations, the Automobile Club of Southern California reported today.
PALM SPRINGS, 9:11 a.m. Aug. 8 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Today's lucky number 8/8/08 draws weddings in droves: More than two dozen couples plan to get married today – 8/8/08 – at Palm Springs City Hall.
SAN JACINTO, 4:05 p.m. Aug. 7 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Sheriff's officials won't attend Soboba forum on law enforcement: Days before a public forum organized by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians to discuss a federal law that gives local authorities the power to enforce laws on reservations, sheriff's officials have reiterated their intention not to attend.
RIVERSIDE, 1:33 p.m. Aug. 7 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)UCR arts outreach project gets $1 million grant: A UC Riverside program dedicated to promoting the arts through community outreach and funding special projects received a $1 million grant to support the program for the next three years, the university announced Thursday.
RIVERSIDE, 2:21 a.m. Aug. 7 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices drop as demand fades: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire has dropped for 31 consecutive days, falling 45.9 cents since hitting a record high, the Oil Price Information Service reported Thursday.
SAN JACINTO, 9:24 a.m. Aug. 7 (AP)Parolees on Soboba reservation told to leave: California authorities have ordered five paroles living on the Soboba Indian Reservation to leave because of escalating violence between the San Jacinto tribe and law enforcement. WILDOMAR, 4:19 p.m. Aug. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Crews tackle two brush fires in Wildomar: Just as crews were getting a handle Wednesday on a blaze that scorched five acres of bone-dry vegetation in Wildomar, another fire started nearby and quickly blackened 10 acres.
MURRIETA, 3:34 p.m. Aug. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Trial opens in child-molestation case: A former Menifee resident molested a female relative from the time she was 6 until she turned 12, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday, but the defendant's attorney said the girl was sexually curious and made up stories about the man.
LAKE ELSINORE, 11:58 a.m. Aug. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)SUV driver injured in Elsinore rollover: The driver of a sport utility vehicle was injured Wednesday in a rollover crash in Lake Elsinore.
RIVERSIDE, 5:14 p.m. Aug. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Lake Elsinore boy dies from water-borne parasite: The recent death of a Lake Elsinore boy from a water-borne parasite that he apparently ingested while swimming prompted Riverside County health officials Tuesday to advise residents to take precautions when swimming in lakes, ponds and hot springs.
LOS ANGELES, 10:11 a.m. Aug. 6 (AP)
Fireman's widow sues firetruck maker: The widow of a Riverside County fireman killed in a firetruck crash three years ago is suing the manufacturer for negligence.
RIVERSIDE, 2:10 a.m. Aug. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Inland Empire gas prices off 44 cents from peak: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire has dropped for 30 consecutive days and has now fallen 44.1 cents since hitting a record high, the Oil Price Information Service reported Wednesday.
HOME GARDENS, 3:10 p.m. Aug. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Two families realize home-ownership dream in county program: Two houses built under a program to extend homeownership to low-income residents and reduce neighborhood blight were turned over Tuesday to the first two families to realize the dream of owning their own home under the county-run program.
RIVERSIDE, 10:44 a.m. Aug. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Teen mom killed while walking by alleged drunken driver: An 18-year-old woman out for a walk with her husband and son died when an SUV driven by an alleged drunken driver jumped a curb and struck her in Riverside, authorities said Tuesday.
MURRIETA, 2:57 a.m. Aug. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Murrieta mulls taxi fare increase: The Murrieta City Council is expected to adopt a resolution Tuesday night establishing across-the-board rate increases for the cost of riding in a taxi.
RIVERSIDE, 8:08 a.m. Aug. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Riverside County gas prices on a roll: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire dropped Tuesday for the 29th straight day, the Oil Price Information Service reported. RIVERSIDE, 6:04 a.m. Aug. 5 (AP)
Judge: SoCal desert migrant housing at risk: A lack of communication is hurting efforts to improve conditions so an encampment that's home to thousands of migrant workers in the Southern California desert can remain open. PERRIS, 1:03 a.m. Aug. 5 (AP)
SoCal couple dead in apparent murder-suicide: Authorities say a 67-year-old man apparently shot his wife, called for medical assistance, then shot himself inside their home in northwest Riverside County.
TEMECULA, 1:02 p.m. Aug. 4 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
TVWM opening wine-making facility for amateur vintners: A local winery management company announced Monday it is opening a wine-making facility in Temecula that will cater to amateur vintners.
RIVERSIDE, 9:10 a.m. Aug. 4 (AP)
Riverside finance deputy falsely claims he's CPA: The No. 2 official monitoring Riverside County's finances has claimed for years that he's a CPA, but records show Bruce Kincaid doesn't hold a Certified Public Accountant license in California.
RIVERSIDE, 5:21 p.m. Aug. 3 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices continue to fall: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire has fallen 41.2 cents since hitting a record high and has dropped for 27 consecutive days, the Oil Price Information Service reported Sunday.
RIVERSIDE, 4:48 a.m. Aug. 4 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Mistrial arguments in Barbie vs. Bratz case: Arguments over a motion for a mistrial stemming from a juror's misconduct in the civil case pitting toy industry giant Mattel against family-owned MGA Entertainment Inc. are scheduled to be heard Monday in a federal court in Riverside.
NORCO, 11:53 a.m. Aug. 2 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Woman arrested after bomb threat at DMV office: A woman was behind bars Saturday, accused of telling people there was a bomb in her car at a Department of Motor Vehicles office in Norco, Riverside County sheriff's officials said.
TEMECULA, 2:23 p.m. Aug. 2 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)One dead, two hurt in early morning crash: One person was killed and two others were hurt in a one-vehicle crash on a residential street in Temecula Saturday, according to a CalFire spokeswoman. RIVERSIDE, 3:41 a.m. Aug. 2 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices continue near-monthlong slide: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 26th consecutive day, the Oil Price Information Service reported Saturday. TEMECULA, 4:53 p.m. Aug. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Man pleads not guilty to child sex crimes: A 38-year-old Temecula man accused of committing lewd acts with two teenage boys he met on the Internet and two other boys pleaded not guilty Friday to multiple child sex crimes. HEMET, 1:09 p.m. Aug. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Hemet police arrest three suspected prostitutes: Three suspected prostitutes were arrested by Hemet police working undercover, a police lieutenant said Friday. TEMECULA, 12:01 p.m. Aug. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Man arrested under suspicion of committing lewd acts on teens: A 38-year-old Temecula man suspected of committing lewd acts with two teenage boys he met on the Internet was in custody Friday, police said. RIVERSIDE, 2:33 a.m. Aug. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Memorial service set for evangelist killed in collision: A memorial service is scheduled Friday for a 33-year-old Huntington Beach man killed when his car rear-ended a Caltrans dump truck on the Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona.
RIVERSIDE, 2:34 a.m. Aug. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Price of gas dropped sharply this week: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell a record 12.2 cents this week, the Automobile Club of Southern California reported Friday.
TEMECULA, 3:36 p.m. July 31 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Temecula-based Outdoor Channel revenue jumps: Increased advertising on the Outdoor Channel helped push the company's second-quarter gross revenue higher by double digits, the company announced Thursday.
INDIO, 8:01 a.m. July 31 (AP)
Murder conviction for man who crushed toddler: A Perris man has been convicted of murdering a toddler who was crushed in what prosecutors say was a moment of frustration over potty-training.
RIVERSIDE, 9:52 p.m. July 30 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Death penalty to be sought for gang member in fatal shooting: Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a documented Riverside gang member accused of fatally shooting a 23-year-old father of three in front of his home, Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco said Wednesday. HEMET, 12:09 p.m. July 31 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Teens allegedly carrying drugs in stolen car arrested: Two teenagers caught allegedly carrying cocaine and marijuana in a stolen vehicle were arrested on suspicion of drug possession and burglary in connection with heists at Hemet homes, a police lieutenant said Thursday.
RIVERSIDE, 6:30 a.m. July 30 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Riverside County gas prices continue to drop: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 23rd consecutive day, the Oil Price Information Service reported Wednesday.
RIVERSIDE, 1:13 p.m. July 30 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Soboba tribal chairman disputes sheriff's view of law: The head of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Wednesday decried claims that his security officers have been obstructing Riverside County's sheriff deputies, and said he and Sheriff Stan Sniff see federal law differently. RIVERSIDE, 4:30 a.m. July 30 (AP)
Sheriff wants tribal gambling license suspended: The Riverside County Sheriff wants federal authorities to shut down the Soboba Casino, where five tribe members have been shot by his deputies recent months.
MURRIETA, 1:37 p.m. July 29 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Sheriff says Soboba band should lose gaming license: Riverside County Sheriff Stanley Sniff, citing the Soboba band's “propensity to violence” and apparent reluctance to allow deputies on tribal land, said Tuesday that the tribe should have its gaming license pulled.
RIVERSIDE, 1:34 p.m. July 29 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)China Hills quake felt across county, little damage done: A powerful earthquake centered near Chino Hills shook buildings across Riverside County Tuesday, but no injuries or structural damage were immediately reported. RIVERSIDE, 3:25 p.m. July 29 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Supervisors authorize fee hike for documents: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized the Treasurer-Tax Collector to hike fees related to document preparation and other services.
RIVERSIDE, 3:53 p.m. July 28 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
UCR gets grant to fund high-tech methods of classifying ancient atrifacts: Developing high-tech methods of recognizing and classifying ancient Native American artifacts will be the focus of a UC Riverside project financed by a National Science Foundation grant, it was announced Monday.
RIVERSIDE, 7:50 a.m. July 28 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Riverside County gas prices drop to three-week low: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 21st consecutive day, having dropped 30.4 cents since hitting a record high more than a month ago, the Oil Price Information Service reported Monday.
