August 7, 2007 by Jeney Kingsbury.

Big Bear, Ca - It was the 58th annual Old Miner’s Day Parade that brought us to the quaint little city in the mountains.  Having a little cheerleader in the family, we as parents get to traverse all over the southland in pursuit of the next parade our princess is marching in.  Last Sunday we made the long, beautiful drive up the mountain to Big Bear Lake.  Parade entrants check in early, so we take that chance to peruse the local eateries.  With parking spots at a premium, we snagged the first spot we saw next to a Starbucks and Village Pizza.

Village Pizza is a family owned and operated restaurant at 40568 Village Drive, Big Bear, Ca.  There is a small arcade just in front of the open kitchen, plenty of tables and booths inside, as well as covered tables on the patio.  We walked in at 11:30am, right when the doors opened, so we were the first in line for pizza.  Village Pizza does not sell pizza by the slice, but a small cheese pizza (10 inch) is only $8.50.  We ordered a small salad ($2.95) and a fresh brewed ice tea ($1.95) to go along with our small pizza.  The salad was typical side salad fare, though it was very fresh and plenty for the two of us to share.  The ice tea was real brewed tea, not fakey imitation crap; real tea gets bonus points from me.  The cheese pizza was delicious.  The crust was light and crispy and cooked to golden perfection.  Underneath the pile real California cheese was a sweet tomato sauce to blend it all together.  Even two hours later the pizza was excellent.

Village Pizza also serves up soups, sandwiches, pastas and side dishes if you are not in the mood for pizza.  Come in before 2pm and take advantage of the lunch special, $5.75 for a personal pan pizza with one topping, a salad and soft drink.  For the grown up in the group, Village Pizza also has wine, Burgundy, Blush or Chablis; and a wide variety of domestic and imported beer on tap and in the bottle.  Next time you are chillin’ in Big Bear, take a break at Village Pizza.  The food is great, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is relaxed.

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August 7, 2007 by Bill Gould, Publisher.

Menifee, California - On Monday, August 6, 2007, at about 7:50 pm, deputies from the Perris Station were dispatched to a robbery at the Walgreens store at 30251 Murrieta Road in Menifee. Employees at the store reported a male subject displayed a simulated black pistol and robbed them of several large bottles of Vicodin and cash.

Sheriff’s Deputies began arriving at the store about a minute later and were told the suspect, later identified as Gustavo Sarabia Vargas, 45 years, of Perris, had just left in a green Nissan SUV. Deputies located the car a short distance away and tried to stop it. After Vargas refused to stop, a vehicle pursuit was initiated. Vargas led deputies on a pursuit at speeds of 60 to 80 miles per hour. During this time, Vargas’ car collided with several traffic signs and eventually became disabled near Amhurst Court and Camden Way in Sun City. Vargas fled the car and was captured a short distance away. The Vicodin, cash and the simulated pistol were found with Vargas.

Vargas was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for 211 PC Robbery. The investigation is continuing and detectives are actively pursuing additional leads in this case. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator Blanck of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Perris Station at 951-210-1000.

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