Local events cancelled; schools remain open for now

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Story has been updated with corrected information that although classes are cancelled Monday and Tuesday, the MSJC campus will remain open.

City of Menifee events, youth sports leagues, church meetings and other local events were cancelled today, while schools continued to consult with county health officials regarding possible closures because of concerns over the coronavirus.

Officials at Mt. San Jacinto College announced tonight that classes would not be held on Monday and Tuesday and instruction would resume Wednesday in an online format. The campus will remain open, however. Students enrolled in classes that do not lend themselves to an online format will receive email communications regarding their situation, according to an MSJC news release.

The Menifee campus Child Care Center will remain open, but all MSJC public events and other activities will be postponed, modified or cancelled.

Meanwhile, officials of the Menifee Union School District, Romoland School District, Perris Union High School District and Santa Rosa Academy all reported that classes will not be cancelled at this time. All said in statements today that they are following direction from the Riverside County Public Health Department.

An announcement from the Perris Union High School District stated that all extra-curricular activities, including sports events, have been postponed through the end of spring break, April 12. The statement also said that “at this time, there is no recommendation from Riverside County Public Health for any school or school district to close.”

Menifee Union School District said in a statement that it is “considering the alteration of events that include group gatherings and/or travel to limit the possible exposure/transmission of COVID-19 within the community.” Questions about events at individual schools were referred to the school offices. Classes are still scheduled for Friday.

Romoland School District made a similar announcement, adding that it is preparing for the possibility of “home educational opportunities” for students in the event classes are cancelled.

Santa Rosa Academy announced that it is postponing non-essential school activities, including assemblies, pep rallies and field trips. Sports events will be cancelled through April 3. For now, classes will remain in session.

Wednesday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced events of more than 250 people should be cancelled, and that smaller local events should provide six feet of distance between attendees.

Newsom announced that the state has about 8,200 testing kits, which are being distributed to labs throughout the state. Health officials announced that if residents exhibit symptoms, including fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, they should see their doctor before a determination would be made about testing.

Players on the Paloma Valley High School girls basketball team learned this morning that their scheduled state championship game against St. Mary’s in Sacramento Friday has been cancelled. The Wildcats’ best-ever season thus ends with a 34-3 record and the CIF Southern Section and State Southern Regional titles.

Last-minute cancellations were a shock to many of those involved. A robotics team from Heritage High School had just arrived in Del Mar for a championship competition this morning when the organizers of the FIRST robotics event cancelled the competition while following guidance from the World Health Organization. The students immediately headed back home, according to a parent who said, "My daughter is on the team and the kids spent hundreds of hours on the robot since January. Super disappointing all around."

The City of Menifee announced the postponement of three major City events after consultation with county health officials. Those events are the Multicultural Festival, scheduled for March 28; the Music and Arts Festival, scheduled for April 4; and the SpringFest and Centennial Park Grand Opening, set for April 11.

“Based on the latest situational updates, the City plans to evaluate the status of these programs on a weekly basis,” City officials announced in a press release. “In the meantime, other City programs will continue to operate as scheduled while staff follow all protocol and preventative recommendations and procedures, exercising good public health policy in the process.”

Menifee Valley Little League announced it has suspended all practices and games. Matt Stone, MVLL president, said he will be meeting with District 28 administrators and other Little League presidents next week “to discuss the COVID-19 virus and formulate a game plan for the upcoming weeks.”

Menifee Pony Baseball announced on its Facebook page that an emergency meeting was planned tonight to discuss what action to take.

Valley-Wide Recreation and Parks District announced it has postponed all public events of 250 people or more. In addition, all sports leagues, classes and meetings are cancelled until further notice.

The City of Menifee youth basketball league has cancelled its remaining games and season-ending banquet.

Following direction from church headquarters in Salt Lake City, the Menifee Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has temporarily suspended all church meetings. This includes ward worship services, Stake conferences, leadership conferences and all other activities.

"First and foremost, we are so thankful for the tireless efforts on behalf of local and federal officials,” said Menifee Stake President Michael Gray in a statement this afternoon. “Those working with medical professionals and government organizations have sought our personal well-being and we know that this has been at the forefront of their work. We are confident that if we will follow the safety guidelines set for us, we will be OK.

“Though all of our church activities and meetings have been cancelled temporarily, we will continue to reach out to those who are in need of assistance. This happens not only in our congregations but in our communities. At this time, it is even more critical that we keep this desire in our hearts and be mindful of those around us. We hope and pray that at this time of uncertainty, we come to understand that we don't fear and panic and all will be well."

Menifee 24/7 is reaching out to other churches through the Menifee Interfaith Council and will provide updates on any additional church event cancellations.