Volume 175 | June 8 - 12, 2020
ALL Fireworks are Illegal in Moreno Valley
All fireworks remain illegal in Moreno Valley to prevent injuries, especially to children, such as burns, loss of fingers, hearing and eyesight. The ban is also intended to prevent structure and wild fires and to protect others, including pets. Each year, many dogs and cats go missing due to being frightened by fireworks. 

And many military veterans, sensitive to the sights and sounds of explosions due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dread knowing that fireworks may go off at any time with no warning. 


To report fireworks use, call Moreno Valley Police's non-emergency line at 951-247-8700, option #5.
CVS Store on Iris Ave. Now Offering
Drive-thru Coronavirus Testing
CVS Pharmacy has opened a drive-thru-only coronavirus testing site at its store located in Lakeside Terrace Center at 26180 Iris Ave. Those wanting a test need to make an appointment at www.minuteclinic.com . The test is free and the average turnaround time for results is 3 to 4 days. (This test is for coronavirus infection only, not antibodies.) More information is available at www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing . 

The Riverside County Public Health coronavirus testing site in Moreno Valley is still operating. It's located at  CrossWord Christian Church, 21401 Box Springs Road , and is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Testing at the county-run site is open to anyone, regardless of symptoms, and is free, but you must call and make an appointment: 1-800-945-6171.
The "New Normal" Has Some Benefits
Coronavirus is awful. But as Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez notes in this video , the so-called "new normal" that it has forced on us does have some positive aspects in terms of public health improvements that will help us battle future epidemics.
Library Offers New Park & Pick-up Service
Beginning Monday, June 15, Moreno Valley Public Library patrons will once again be able to borrow hard-copy materials. The new Park & Pick-up service will allow patrons to order their books, audiobooks or DVDs online or by phone and make an appointment to pick them up at a table just outside the library branch.
 
Patrons picking up materials must wear face coverings and maintain at least a six-foot physical distance from others. Library staff will leave borrowed materials on the table and patrons will retrieve them, all without any exposure to each other. Staff will disinfect the table after each transaction. 
 
Books borrowed from either the Main or Mall branch may be returned via the book-return slot at the Main Library only. Returned materials will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being re-shelved.  
Census 2020 Deadline Extended to October 31
The federal Census is conducted just once every 10 years, and it determines how much federal funding Moreno Valley will receive for vital public services, including public safety, schools, and social programs. So it's very important for MoVal to get an accurate count in the 2020 Census. To help make that happen, the City has created a special Census web page to provide information in English and Spanish. The online Census only takes about five minutes to complete.
 
 Important note: T he Census does NOT include a citizenship question and, by federal law, the U.S. Census Bureau must keep all collected information confidential and may NOT share it with any other government agency, law enforcement, immigration officials or landlords.
Cool Center Available to Help Beat the Heat
When temperatures climb to 97 degrees and above, heat-sensitive residents may seek refuge at the City of Moreno Valley's designated cool center, the Cottonwood Golf Center at 13671 Frederick St. Physical-distancing and face coverings are required.
 
"The cool center is available to any resident having trouble dealing with extreme heat," explained Mayor Gutierrez, "but our main concern is caring for our senior citizens and those with health conditions that may be worsened by the excessively hot weather."
 
The cool center is available seven days a week, 7 a.m. to dusk.