Rural communities

IN HEATED ALPINE MEETING, SWEETWATER OFFICIALS PLEDGE TO RESTORE SOME DAMAGE, REOPEN LOVELAND RESERVOIR—BUT WON’T RULE OUT FUTURE EXTREME DRAINING

Restocking with fish could take up to two years;  severe erosion on trails means a bridge may need to be built, district reveals

By Miriam Raftery

View video of hearing:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQW0avdKyE8&t=2165s

April 9, 2023 (Alpine) – A crowd of more than 100 angry residents turned out at the Alpine Community Planning Group hearing on March 23, where Sweetwater Water Authority officials addressed concerns over damage at Loveland Reservoir after SWA drained it to dead pool status. Audience members and planning group members peppered SWA officials with questions in the at times contentious session.


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JAMUL-DULZURA PLANNERS ASK COUNTY STAFF TO TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OVER CASINO HOTEL PROJECT

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2023 (Jamul) – By a unanimous vote, the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group on March 28 approved a letter sent to Mark Slovick, deputy director of San Diego County’s Planning & Development Services.  The letter asks County staff to take action on several concerns to mitigate impacts of  Jamul Casino’s plans to build a hotel and event center.

The planners voice concerns that the tribe’s plans do not adequately address potential traffic, fire safety, environmental and noise concerns.

The recommendations include:


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AG PASS OFFERS HELP DURING DISASTER: COUNTY EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Ramona grasslands

April 5, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - Disasters and wildfires threaten lives and businesses in San Diego County each year.  Often, people are forced to gather up their most important possessions and evacuate to safety.  But commercial livestock operations may be too large to evacuate all their animals immediately and need to return as quickly as possible to care for animals. Farmers also must abandon their operation, leaving crops and critical infrastructure unattended for extended periods.  Now, operators can apply for an Agricultural and Livestock Pass (Ag Pass) program to return to an evacuated area to help when the threat diminishes.


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VIDEO OF THE WEEK: MOUNTAIN LION VS. DEER

 

View video ful frame:  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rLMqpVuZGbo

April 5, 2023 (Alpine) -- Buddy Wilkerson shot this video of a deer in a life-or-death struggle with a mountain lion. It was taken earlier this month along Tavern Road in Alpine, near Dehesa Road in San Diego's East County.

It's rare to spot a mountain lion in broad daylight, let alone hunting along a well-traveled thoroughfare.


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BOULEVARD HEARING APRIL 12 ON PROPOSED 565-ACRE STARLIGHT SOLAR PROJECT

East County News Service

April 1, 2023 (Boulevard) – The Boulevard Community Planning Group will hold a public scoping hearing Wednesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. on the proposed 565-acre Starlight Solar project. County staff will present information and public comments will be accepted at the hearing at the Backcountry Resource Center,39919 Ribbonwood Rd., Boulevard (in the old fire station equipment bay).

It would be located south of I-8 and Old Highway 80 and east of Tierra Del Sol Road.  The project has proposed eight solar array areas with approximately 300,000 PV modules on support structures. It would connect to the Boulevard Substation.

The proposed 100 megawatt industrial-scale solar facility would include a battery energy storage system (BESS), collector substation, transformers, inverters, gen-tie line, and 24’ internal roads, water tanks for fire protection, security fencing, lighting, and signage.


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SAN DIEGO ANIMAL SANCTUARY & FARM HOSTS EASTER EGG HUNTS APRIL 6-9

East County News Service

March 21, 2023 (Alpine) – Hop on over to the San Diego Animal Sanctuary & Farm (formerly called the Children’s Nature Retreat), a 20-acre farm in Alpine, to celebrate Easter with the animals and participate in one of four Easter Egg Hunts. The annual egg hunts are a tradition at the Farm and this year, there will be one hunt per day from Thursday, April 6 through Sunday, April 9.  


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HELPING EAST COUNTY ANIMALS TOGETHER

By Mimi Pollack

Photo courtesy San Diego Animal Sanctuary

March 19, 2023 (Alpine) -- An East County animal sanctuary is in trouble and needs the community’s help. Local humanitarian Agnes Barrelet heads up The San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm in Alpine, a nonprofit, where she and her crew tend to a varied menagerie of animals in need.

Formerly known as the Children's Nature Retreat, this rural 20-acre property in Alpine is a haven for all kinds of animals, including zebras, horses, African cows, camels, mules, donkeys, rabbits, mini horses, mini goats, mini pigs, ostriches, emus, desert tortoises, and more. They have 200 hundred animals with over 95 domesticated livestock, 29 different species and 78 breeds from around the world. There are several animal enclosures, including Barnyard Alley, Tortoise Landing, African Grasslands, and Mini and Big Farms.

Photo right courtesy San Diego Animal Sanctary

Barrelet is known for rescuing animals in need, but that is something she is not going to be able to do anymore without the community’s help.


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CAMPO TEEN DIES IN PINE VALLEY ROLLOVER

By Miriam Raftery

March 16, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Joshua Spirz, 18, of Campo died Monday night after a solo vehicle crash on Old Highway 80 at Sunrise Highway. He was driving home from his job at Descanso Junction, which has started a fundraiser to help his family.


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SAPS AT SEA PROUDLY PRESENT 'A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT' APRIL 15

East County News Service

March 11, 2023 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, will host its April gathering, "A Very Special Night," on April 15 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.


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COMEDY LEGEND DARRELL HAMMOND TO PERFORM AT JAMUL CASINO APRIL 1

SNL Star Brings Comedy Brilliance to East San Diego County’s Top Destination for Entertainment and Fun

March10, 2023 (Jamul)  – On Saturday, April 1, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Jamul Casino will welcome Darrell Hammond to The Rooftop for a one-of-a-kind dinner and comedy show.  Widely recognized for his sharp humor and masterful impressions of politicians, celebrities and newsmakers on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Hammond has been keeping audiences laughing for nearly three decades. 

He comes to Jamul Casino as part of its Supper Club at The Rooftop series, which pairs “outstanding entertainment with exceptional cuisine at Jamul Casino's spacious outdoor event venue.  The show demonstrates Jamul Casino’s commitment to offering its guests world-class entertainment, food, and fun,” according to a press release from Jamul Casino.


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LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST COUNTY OVER DECARBONIZATION PLAN

 

Hearing April 5 for County Supervisors to weigh the Regional Decarbonization Framework

Public urged to speak at meeting and submit comments by March 31 deadline at project website

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview with Bill Powers, Protect Our Communities Foundation, recorded four days before the nonprofit group filed a lawsuit against the County.  The interview originally aired on KNSJ radio. View video of  interview.

March 8, 2023 (San Diego) – The Protect Our Communities Foundation (POCF) has filed a lawsuit against the County of San Diego contending that the County hired a  biased utility industry consultant direct the County’s Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF) and that the RDF’s conclusions are skewed toward utilities’ interests over consumers’ interests based on flawed data. The suit also names the University of California as a defendant, contending that UCSD concealed researcher David Victor’s financial ties to the utility industry when it won a no-bid contract from the County to prepare the report that Victor co-authored.  

In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine aired on KNSJ radio four days before the suit was filed in late February, Bill Powers, an engineer and board member on the Protect Our Communities Foundation, discussed why the organization is taking a stand against the RDF. He contends that if approved by Supervisors as written, it could result in fast-tracking industrial-scale wind and solar projects in our backcountry, even waiving environmental impact reviews, when it would be more economical to build rooftop and parking lot solar in urban areas – without harm to local communities and environmental habitats.

Audio: 


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ALPINE PLANNING GROUP TO HEAR LOVELAND RESERVOIR CONCERNS MARCH 23; COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT

By Miriam Raftery

March 3, 2023 (Alpine) –  Loveland Reservoir near Alpine remains closed to public access for fishing, hiking and recreation since storms in January destroyed the floating fishing dock and caused severe erosion. The damage occurred after Sweetwater Water Authority drained the lake to an unprecedented dead pool status, killing off fish and destroying habitat. Even after January’s heavy rains, Sweetwater again drained the reservoir – angering recreational enthusiasts and environmentalists.

On Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m., the Alpine Community Planning Group will hear a presentation by Sweetwater on the current and future state of Loveland Reservoir.

Friends of Loveland Reservoir, a group formed to advocate for restoring the lake, states, “We desperately need community members to show up and calmly and professionally share the importance of the Reservoir. If Sweetwater does not hear from us, they will understandably believe this matter is not important to us and will continue down their chosen path.”


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: EAST COUNTY SNOW

By Rebecca Person

Photo, left:  Shane Marie - Boulevard

March 7, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - East County’s high desert communities saw a better-than-ever snowfall this winter and many residents have captured scenes unusual to the area in Campo, Jacumba, Live Oak Springs, Boulevard and Bankhead Springs.


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DRIVER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR JAMUL CRASH: BOAT TRAILER CAME UNHITCHED, KILLED MOTHER OF TWO

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Jennifer and Kirk Nichols, courtesy of Dignity Memorial

March 4, 2023 (Jamul) – Robert Keith Thomas, 30, pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter and has been sentenced to four years in state prison, CBS 8 reports. He was driving a pickup truck on State Route 94 on Feb. 25, 2022 when a boat trailer he was towing came unhitched and slid across the highway.

 It struck a vehicle driven by Jennifer Nichols, 49, wife of then-interim San Diego Harbor Police Chief Kirk Nichols. She later died in a hospital. Her husband, who was a passenger, had minor injuries.

Thomas also faces a civil suit filed by Nichols’ husband and their two sons, Times of San Diego reports.


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“MAJOR, UNPRECEDENTED STORM” TO BRING HEAVY SNOW TO LOCAL MOUNTAINS, FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Snow in Julian today, courtesy of San Diego Sheriff Media Relations unit

February 23, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Treacherous. Severe. Really dangerous conditions. Those are terms used by National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Tardy in a webinar today to describe  a slow-moving atmospheric river, coupled with high winds and frigid temperatures from an arctic jet stream, swooping into San Diego County Friday and Saturday.

The storm could dump a potentially unprecedented three to five feet of snow at elevations above 4,000 feet in some parts of Southern California, with another foot and a half forecast on Mt. Laguna atop considerable snow that's already fallen.  Also forecast are debris flows in areas not normally subject to them as snow melts. Blowing and drifting snow will impact major southern California highways, including highway 78 and the eastern portions of Interstate-8 in San Diego County.


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FUNDS NEEDED BY SATURDAY TO SAVE ORPHANED MOUNTAIN LION

By Miriam Raftery

February 22, 2023 (Alpine)—Lions, Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine is urgently seeking donations to save the life of Nicholas, a 3-year-old mountain lion injured as a cub in a highway accident on Christmas Day, 2020 that killed his mother. The orphaned mountain lion was raised at a sanctuary in Kern County that has filed for bankruptcy, so all animals must be out by this Saturday.

Nicholas has had numerous surgeries after suffering pelvic fractures and head trauma, and is unable to survive in the wild. Lions, Tigers and Bears hopes to bring him to their facility, but needs funs for his transfer, ongoing veterinary care, as well habitat enhancements such as toys, platforms and a den.


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PROCTOR VALLEY SITE PROPOSED AS NATURE PRESERVE

 

By Jacob Pamus

February 22, 2023 (Proctor Valley) – There has been an ongoing legal battle between environmental groups like the Sierra Club and others, against developers who want to turn Proctor Valley, a large tract of land between Chula Vista and Jamul, into a housing development. A judge has ruled in favor of the environmental groups that the Village 14 site of Proctor Valley is to not become a housing development, due to severe fire hazard, as ECM previously reported..

Now, Peter Anderson with Sierra Club San Diego has said that he would hopes to see the Proctor Valley site become part of the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, so that it may be protected in perpetuity. He could not divulge details due to ongoing negotiations.


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THE JAMUL INDIAN VILLAGE AND JAMUL CASINO® CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Tribe and Casino Have Made Diversity and Inclusion Cornerstones to Business Practices Since Founding

Source: Jamul Indian Village and Jamul Casino

February 20, 2023 (Jamul) – The Jamul Indian Village of California (JIV) Tribe and Jamul Casino invite San Diego to join them in observing Black History Month, a time for all of us to celebrate the rich history, culture and contributions of Black Americans.  With a number of events and initiatives scheduled throughout February, the JIV and Jamul Casino are joining the celebration by amplifying Black voices and highlighting the significance of the historical contributions of Black Americans as well as the ongoing struggles.


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DRIVER KILLED IN COLLISION OF TWO SEMI-TRUCKS IN ALPINE

East County News Service

Photo via ECM news partner 10 News

February 15, 2023 (Alpine) – A Kenworth tractor pulling an enclosed trailer rear-ended a Peterbuilt truck with car carrier on Interstate 8 west of Tavern Road on Feb. 13 at 6:31 p.m. The Kenworth truck caught fire and the driver died at the scene.

The collision caused shut-down of I-8 east for several hours, until 1:08 a.m. Feb. 14. Due to possible fire damage, the Tavern Road overpass remained closed until CalTrans could inspect it, reopening around 11 p.m. on Feb. 14.


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KNSJ RADIO’S ANTENNA DAMAGED IN ICE STORM, NEEDS FUNDS TO GET BACK ON THE AIR

By Miriam Raftery 

February 14, 2023 (Descanso) – KNSJ radio needs the community to show some love this Valentine’s Day and help get the station back on the air.  The January 29 ice storm caused significant damage to the station’s transmission tower that was struck by a 35-pound block of ice which fell from a T-Mobile tower above. 


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MOTORCYCLIST SERIOUSLY INJURED IN JAMUL CRASH

East County News Service

February 13, 2023 (Jamul) – A San Diego man, 40, sustained major injuries in a crash on February 10 in Jamul while attempting to pass another vehicle on State Route 94.


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SWEETWATER DRAINS LOVELAND RESERVOIR AGAIN, CLOSES LAKE TO RECREATION

 

District disputes statements by residents criticizing its actions

By Miriam Raftery

February 10, 2023 (Alpine) – Despite heavy rains in January that have alleviated severe drought concerns, Sweetwater Water Authority on January 26 announced that it has initiated a new transfer of water from Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir. The new transfer comes after a controversial transfer begun in November drained Loveland down to dead pool status for the first time in the district’s history, raising concerns over negative impacts on wildlife, firefighting resources, and loss of recreational use including fishing. 

Last month, heavy rains caused major damage to a floating fishing dock, as well as substantial erosion, as ECM reported. Now, the district has announced that “due to safety concerns, the Recreation Program at Loveland Reservoir is closed until further notice. Recent rains caused significant erosion in the Recreation Program area at Loveland Reservoir. For the safety of the community, the program will remain closed until further notice. Sweetwater Authority staff will be assessing the damage and evaluating options for repairs in the coming months.”  For the latest updates, visit www.sweetwater.org/recreation.

Darlene Cosso, board member and spokesperson for the newly formed Friends of Loveland Reservoir,  told ECM, “Friends of Loveland Reservoir would like to collaborate with Sweetwater Authority to propose solutions to the repeated draining of the lake. We believe we have various options which will benefit community members, the environment, wildlife that depends on Loveland, and Sweetwater Authority and its customers.”

Friends of Loveland Reservoir posted the following call to action on its Facebook page, for residents upset over the closure and repeated draining:


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EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS WATER POLO: COUGARS ELIMINATED IN FIRST ROUND BY HARD-SHOOTING JAGUARS

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
February 9, 2023 (Spring Valley) - CIF Playoffs for girls water polo are upon us and tonight, the lady Cougars of Steele Canyon stayed in their home water and hosted the Jaguars of Valley Center.

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EAST COUNTY PREP SOCCER: LATE FIRST HALF GOAL GIVES EAGLES WIN

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
February 8, 2023 (Spring Valley) - Prep soccer is almost coming to an end and tonight, in the second-to-last game of the regular season, the Granite Hills Eagles headed out to Spring Valley to face Mount Miguel.  The Matadors are barely staying above water, at 9-9-3 overall and 3-2-1 in the Grossmont Valley League.  The Eagles aren’t doing much better; they’re 3-2-1 too in the Grossmont Hills League, but 6-9-3 overall.

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DEER MOUSE WITH HANTAVIRUS FOUND IN CAMPO

East County News Service

Information and photo courtesy of County News Service

February 8, 2023 (Campo) -- A deer mouse collected from an open nature area in Campo during routine monitoring has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus.

This is the first case confirmed this year in San Diego County. Finding hantavirus in wild rodents is not uncommon in San Diego County, last year there were 11 cases locally.


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JAMUL-DULZURA PLANNING GROUP PUSHES BACK ON COUNTY DECARBONIZATION FRAMEWORK AND SANDAG REPRESENTATION

By Miriam Raftery and Jonathan Goetz

Watch the meeting

Photo, left: Chairman Preston Brown

February 2, 2023 (Jamul) – Multiple agenda items on the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group meeting on January 24 shared a common theme: lack of empowerment of backcountry communities over decisions ranging from big energy projects to transportation and major land use projects. One planner commented, “We’re getting used to being treated like a forgotten stepchild” by the County.


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SNOW AT LOW LEVELS IN MOUNTAINS; RAIN, WINDS AND COLD WEATHER FORECAST ACROSS COUNTY

East County News Service

File photo: Snow at Pine Valley bridge, by Julie Salmons

January 29, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy snow is forecast in East County’s mountain areas today through Tuesday morning, dropping as low as 3,500 feet in elevation by Monday morning.  Strong winds, particularly in mountain and desert areas, are also predicted through Monday, along with widespread rain at lower elevations over the next two days.

The National Weather Service predicts the following snow levels in San Diego County mountains:


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SAPS AT SEA PRESENT 'MARVELOUS MAE BUSCH' FEB. 18

East County News Service

January 28, 2023 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, kicks off their 45th year with their February program on Saturday, February 18 dedicated to the actress Mae Busch.


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SPRING VALLEY VEGETATION FIRE DOUSED

Story and Photos by Josh Stotler

 

January 27, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- A single vehicle collision into a power pole ignited a small vegetation fire off of Elevator Road in Spring valley today. The reports of smoke came in to Heartland Fire Dispatch just before noon and units from Heartland, Cal Fire and air support from the San Diego Sheriffs dept. we’re quickly on the scene.


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OTAY WATER DISTRICT BOARD ELECTS MARK ROBAK AS 2023 BOARD PRESIDENT

Jose Lopez elected as Vice President and Ryan Keyes as Treasurer

East County News Service

Photo:  Mark Robak

January 26, 2023 (Spring Valley) - At its January meeting, the Otay Water District board of directors elected new officers to lead the District's board for 2023.


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