FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS ONLINE WORKSHOP MARCH 22

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: EASTER EVENTS, WILDFLOWER WALKS AND MORE SPECIAL SPRING HAPPENINGS

EAST COUNTY EATER: THE BARN HOUSE BBQ BRINGS KANSAS CITY FLAVOR AND FAMILY FUN TO LEMON GROVE

EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE WINS SANTEE CHAMBER FAVORITES AWARD FOR BUSINESS RESOURCES

REFUGE ON THE MOUNTAIN: SURVIVAL AFTER AN APOCALYPTIC DISASTER

SHARP-COLLINS SURPASSES VASQUEZ IN 79TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

WOMAN DIES IN EL CAJON HOUSE FIRE

BEAUTIFUL BORREGO BLOOMS: OUR GUIDE TO WILDFLOWER VIEWING

EARTH DAY 2024 FAIR IN LA MESA

COUNTY APPROVES PLAN TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IN UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES

HISTORIC CEMETERY TOURS IN CAMPO OFFERED

ROMANTIC PLACES TO TAKE YOUR VALENTINE IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Looking for some creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your special someone? East County has some great getaways and romantic rendezvous retreats, winetasting events, adventures to remember and culinary experiences to savor.

CHIEFS CORNER: CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING GOES UP AS TEMPERATURES GO DOWN

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

February 5, 2024 (San Diego) -- We are having a cold spell here and a lot of times during these cold spells, or during the wintertime, we respond to an increased call of natural gas odors in a home. But carbon monoxide is a silent poison. It’s a colorless and odorless gas. You can’t smell it. But there are warning signs if there is a leak in your home.

If you start feeling flu-like symptoms or achy or you just feel very tired, there’s a good chance you may be having carbon monoxide symptoms.  I say that with hesitation because right now is flu season, and we have COVID 19 that’s running and starting to spike a bit. If you start feeling that way, and maybe several people start feeling that way in your house, I would get out of the house, open the house up, air it out and call 911.

However, there are many ways people can prevent these leaks before they happen.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

February 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

STATE

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: HARM REDUCTION COALITION OFFERS HELP AND HOPE FOR THOSE IN THE GRIP OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies

 

February 5, 2024 (San Diego) - Tara Stamos-Buesig hit rock bottom one Sunday night while working the streets on El Cajon Boulevard near Hoover High School. She was a sex worker wearing a mini skirt and fishnet stockings. She was snared in a San Diego Police sting operation in an area notorious for prostitution. It was after she had filled her hypodermic needle with the drugs she recovered off the dirty floor of a fast food restaurant restroom and injected them into her system. That’s when she decided to change her life.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

February 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

SON CHARGED WITH MURDER OF MOM, 77, IN JAMUL

East County News Service

February 5, 2024 (Jamul)—Charges against Travis Bodle, 53, have been upgraded from attempted murder to murder after the victim, his mother, 77-year-old Vicki Bodle, died of her injuries. A memorial for Vicki Bodle will be at the Jamul Community church at 11am on Saturday, February 17.

Deputies responded on January 19 at 1:33 p.m. to the 14400 block of Hillside Estates Drive in Jamul at the request of firefighters because Vicki Bidle showed signs of a physical assault. Shew was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.

GOVERNOR DECLARES EMERGENCY IN 8 COUNTIES INCLUDING SAN DIEGO, CITY ISSUES EVACUATION WARNINGS AS ANOTHER STRONG STORM NEARS

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2024 (San Diego)—A powerful storm fueled by a “Pineapple Express”  atmospheric river is pummeling much of California and is slated to reach San Diego County later today. The Governor has declared an emergency in eight counties including San Diego to support storm response and recovery efforts.  A flood watch for San Diego County issued by the National Weather Service will be in effect starting at 4 p.m. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has issued evacuation warnings for Encanto, Southcrest Mountain View--east San Diego communities along the flood plain.

A new city-run local assistance center for flood victims at the Mountain View Community Center is closed today due to the severe weather and will reopen when weather permits. For updates in the city of San Diego, visit http://sandiego.gov/storm .  For storm recovery in the County, visit https://www.alertsandiego.org/en-us/recovery.html.  

Neither the County nor any East County cities have yet issued evacuation warnings, though residents in low-lying areas especially those that previously flooded should stay vigilant as the heaviest rains and winds hit our region late today, tonight and tomorrow.

SAPS AT SEA PRESENT: 'GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND' FEB. 17

East County News Service

February 4, 2024 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the international Laurel & Hardy fan organization, will host their February meeting, entitled "Good Help is Hard to Find," on February 17 at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.

MORE CALIFORNIANS EARN COLLEGE DEGREES, BUT RACIAL GAPS WIDEN

By Suzanne Potter,  California News Service
 
Photo: Latina college graduate, cc by SA via Bing

February 4, 2024 (Sacramento, CA) -- More and more Californians are going to college, earning an associate degree or higher but racial gaps persist, according to a new report.

Researchers from Georgetown University found degree attainment went up almost 6% between 2010 and 2020 but the gap between white adults and Latino or Black adults getting those degrees widened slightly.

AN EVENT TO HOWL ABOUT: WOLF TOURS FEB. 11 IN JULIAN

East County News Service

February 4, 2024 (Julian) – The California Wolf Center in Julian invites you to book a guided tour of their facility to see their resident wolves and learn about wolf conservation. Various tours are offered each weekend this month at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are required.

The Wolf Conservation and Behavioral Enrichment Tours are both 1 hour in length and offer an unforgettable experience where you will have the opportunity to see critically endangered wild wolves and learn all about them from an expert at the center’s Conservation Facility on KQ Ranch Rd. in Julian. 

LAKESIDE ARTIST WINS FIRST PLACE

East County News Service

 

February 4, 2024 (Lakeside) -- Susan Hewitt, an artist and resident of Lakeside, California, has won the first-place award in the highly competitive February 2024 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) Member’s exhibition “Treasures”, an in-gallery show of the SDWS at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, CA.

 

Hewitt’s painting titled “A Thinking Woman” was selected by prominent Escondido artist Suzanne Nicolaisen for this honor, out of over 250 entries. Nicolaisen said of the painting: “A picture of elegance and grace, kindness and wisdom clearly displayed in this beautifully executed work. The attention to detail is flawless. The limited palette, excellent color choice, composition and design depicts the artist’s ability to share an emotional connection. There is warmth and compassion throughout the creation.”

FIDO FEST: A PUP-ULAR SANTEE EVENT

East County News Service

February 4, 2024 (Santee) -- The City of Santee’s eighth annual Fido Fest will take place Saturday, February 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee 92071. Join the City of Santee for tail-wagging fun at one of San Diego County’s most popular dog events.

This family and dog-friendly event is an opportunity for attendees to view adoptable dogs from about 20 local rescues, shop from various vendors, watch amazing demonstrations, and enjoy giveaways. If walking or shopping through the excitement works up your appetite, 5 food vendors will be serving delectable eats for all to enjoy. There will be a variety of arts and crafts to paw-take in, including: yappy hour, treat finder, doggy tattoos, an off-leash area, fly ball demonstration, an agility course, and a sniff station.

Show off your four-legged friend in costume, size, and trick contests for a chance to win a giveaway item! In addition to the showcase of contest entries, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and Santee Fire Department will demonstrate their canines’ capabilities.

PUBLIC’S HELP NEEDED TO IDENTIFY WOMAN FOUND DEAD NEAR CREEK IN SANTEE AFTER FLOOD

East County News Service

 

Photo, left: Forensic artist PJ Puterbaugh created this sketch of the unidentified woman found in Santee and a tattoo of a winged dolphin and hearts on her leg.

February 3, 2023 (Santee) -- The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office needs assistance identifying a woman found unresponsive in the brush on the southern border of Forester Creek in Santee. Paramedics responded to help on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 22, but she could not be resuscitated.

A forensic sketch artist created this drawing of the woman. Photographs of the tattoo and jewelry are also provided.

COUNTY ANNOUNCES RENTER PROTECTIONS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS IN LEMON GROVE, SPRING VALLEY, CORONADO AND SOME SAN DIEGO ZIP CODES

Source: County News Service

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

February 3, 2023 (San Diego) --  The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 30, 2024, took new actions to help people in communities flooded by the Jan. 22, 2024, torrential rains, including putting into place temporary additional tenant protection measures. The approved ordinance prohibits people who were affected by the floods from being evicted without just cause. The ordinance also restricts certain rent increases on eligible properties from January 22, 2024, to March 30, 2024.

The flood affected areas specified in the ordinance include residential units located in the following ZIP codes: 92102, 92104, 92105, 92111, 92113, 92114, 92115, (San Diego); 91977 (Spring Valley); 91950 (National City);91945 (Lemon Grove); and 92118 (Coronado).

CALIFORNIA FIRE INSURANCE: FAIR PLAN GOING THROUGH GROWING PAINS

By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

File photo: Fire in Grossmont area

February 2, 2024 (California) -- The fire-insurance premium for Bill King’s home has risen 145% since 2017 — from $399 to $979 — under the California FAIR Plan, the state’s last option for homeowners seeking fire insurance.

HOW CAN WE HELP FLOOD VICTIMS?

By Kirsten  Andelman

Photo via CalFire: Firefighters fill sandbags. Sandbags are available at most fire stations countywide.

February 2, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- The mood was one of somber preparation, mixed with some fear – and a palpable lack of optimism.

Around the corner from the Local Assistance Center set up last week for flood survivors at the Spring Valley library branch, firefighters at the San Miguel Fire District station heaved shovels all day last Thursday.  They packed bags with sand, and then delivered them to the long line of cars idling at the corner of Gillespie and Orville Streets.

People searched for ways to prepare for more line, while others stood by to support the many families already impacted by the floods of January 22.

For the displaced people awaiting a fresh deluge of rain the following day, the question had remained the same: “Where can we go?”

THOUSANDS SEEK HELP AT FLOOD ASSISTANCE CENTER IN SPRING VALLEY

 

By Kirsten Andelman

Photo, left: flooded home of the Ford family along Chollas Creek

February 1, 2023 (Spring Valley)-- When 86-year old Bienvenida Ford felt the water on her feet January 22, all she could do was yell for her sleeping daughter, Debbie, who jumped up and called 911.  But by then, the waters rushing in from the swollen Chollas Creek were already up to the women’s calves.

Within 20 minutes, the water in their National Avenue living room was up to Bienvenida’s ribs.  In the nick of time, two rescue workers swam inside and dragged her by her armpits to higher ground. Meanwhile, Debbie Ford, age 50, was fending for herself, half paddling, half floating out the front door and towards higher ground.  Hundreds of yards away she could see their freezer – recently stuffed with homemade lumpia – laying on its side on a neighbor’s property.

GROOVES AT THE WESTIN: A COOL VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT AND STRESS REDUCER

By Sam DiGiovanna

February 6, 2024 (San Diego) -- It’s always difficult to find that right Valentines Day gift. Chocolate and flowers are outdated. Look no further as this is the smoothest and healthiest gift to give this Valentines Day. 

Did you know smooth jazz has certain heath benefits? Along with it reported to lowering blood pressure, it is reported to stimulate the brain, help with chronic pain and illness and not to mention its great music for the soul.  So why wouldn’t you want to give the gift and love and well-being with a romantic weekend get-away at one of the most beautiful places in the Coachella Valley, at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa for you and that special person? Take a well deserved “staycation” with great food, golf, spa, and smooth jazz.

SDAR STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® Reminds Homeowners to Prioritize the Purchase of Flood Insurance

By Greater San Diego Association of Realtors®

File photo: CC by SA-NC via Bing

February 1, 2024 (San Diego) -- As the impact from the unprecedented flooding in San Diego County subsides, the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR) is reminding homeowners of how critical flood insurance is to helping protect your home and valuables. It is key to note that most homeowner insurance options do not cover damage from floods, meaning that individuals are required to purchase an additional coverage option for full flood protection. While basic insurance policies will cover damage from broken appliances or a damaged water pipe, full-scale flood coverage is not included.

Statewide, fewer than 2% of all homeowners have flood insurance on their property, and less than 50% have flood insurance protection in higher risk areas. If an individual is looking to acquire flood insurance, they can purchase it from a state-licensed insurance agent through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

SDG&E PREPARES FOR STORM CONDITIONS

Company provides safety tips to help keep customers safe during winter storm

February 1, 2024 (San Diego) – The safety of its customers, employees and the communities is of the utmost importance for SDG&E, which is why the company is taking proactive steps to prepare for the potential of back-to-back winter storms expected to arrive Thursday morning. 

In anticipation of the forecasted wind and rain, SDG&E is increasing the number of field crews and equipment available to restore power as quickly and safely as possible should power outages occur. The company’s meteorology team is also monitoring weather conditions minute-by-minute to help provide situational awareness to front-line crews working to maintain the infrastructure that serves the region. However, preparedness is a community effort, and the company encourages all its customers to have a plan in place in case of unplanned outages.

To help customers prepare for the upcoming storms, the company is sharing the following safety tips to help keep customers and the region safe:

CITY OF SAN DIEGO ISSUES EVACUATION WARNING, CLOSES ROADS AHEAD OF STORM

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

February 1, 2024 (San Diego) –Mayor Todd Gloria has issued a voluntary evacuation warning for people living in low-lying areas of the city ahead of the new storm moving into the area. The warning was texted to residents in theflood plain areas in Southcrest, Mountain View, Encanto, San Ysidro, Sorrento Valley and Mission Valley.

If the voluntary warning becomes an order,  San Diego Police will go door to door to inform residents.

A shelter has been set up at the municipal gym in Balboa Park. Anyone in the evacuation warning areas who needs a free ride to the shelter can call (619)280-4444 under an agreement between the city and the Ride United app.

The Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties is continuing to provide shelter for people displaced from their homes at the Lincoln High School Gymnasium located at 4777 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92133. The Red Cross San Diego phone number is 858-309-1200. 

Many roads in the city are closed due to potential flooding today. For a current list, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/storm/road-closures.

WEATHERING THE STORM: PETCO PROVIDES ESSENTIAL FLOOD SAFETY TIPS FOR SAN DIEGO'S PETS

East County News Service

January 31, 2024 (San Diego) -- In the wake of recent flooding in San Diego and with more rainy days on the horizon, it's crucial for pet parents to be prepared for emergencies. Just as we keep first aid kits for ourselves, it's vital to have one ready for our pets to provide immediate care until professional help is available.  

COUNTY CREWS HELP REMOVE DEBRIS FOLLOWING STORM

Video by Suzanne Bartole

January 31, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- County crews are helping families clean up debris from the Jan. 22 storm.

Teams visited 40 homes in Spring Valley Monday to help support disposal of household hazardous waste.

More rain is forecast this week. Do not put debris near the curb where it can wash away and cause a hazard. If you live in the unincorporated area and your home was damaged by the recent storm, call 2-1-1 for referrals to resources.

COLD STORM BRINGING WET WEATHER: FLOOD WATCH THURSDAY-FRIDAY

By Miriam Raftery

January 31, 2024 (San Diego)—On the heels of last week’s severe storm, another atmospheric river is moving into our region, bringing widespread rain, mountain snow as low as 3,500 feet, gusty winds, cold temperatures and possible thunderstorms.  A flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Thursday morning through Friday morning for San Diego County’s mountains, deserts and valleys, with potential for flooding in some urban and low-lying areas as well as along rivers and streams.

The NWS has also issued a wind advisory for valley areas, a high surf and small craft advisory for coastal areas where waves could reach 10 feet.

Mountains and foothills have a 60% chance of 2-4 inches, a 10% chance of 4-6 inches, and a 5% chance of over 6 inches of precipitation.  Deserts could receive as much as 2 or more inches of rain, with .5 to 1 inch likely.  Valleys and coastal areas have a50%chance of 1-2 inches, a 40% chance of 2-3 inches,and a 5% chance of over 4 inches.

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