September 28, 2023 (Jamul) -- Connie Nierodzinski will be celebrating 90 years of life in December. She and her late husband, Joe, celebrated 61 years together and were long-time residents in Jamul since 1963. She and Joe established their home in the back country hills of Lawson Valley, where they raised eight children. Connie was a long-time member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church and participated in many church-sponsored parades and gymkhanas.

 In 1991, Connie was nominated by Bud and Blossom Snively and honored by the community and County Supervisor Diane Jacobs as Woman of the Year for her 25 years of leadership at the helm of the robust Jamul Chaparros 4-H Club founded in 1970. The youth organization flourished and was well recognized over the years throughout San Diego County.  

Connie inspired volunteerism, community, and hard work. As a mother of a busy household and leader of a very active youth organization, her skills as a teacher, seamstress, homemaker, medic, goose whisperer, chicken-feather plucker, goat catcher, pig wrangler, hair braider, cheese maker, tortilla roller, food preservationist, driver of the big red truck, farmer and gardener were always at the ready.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Carol Kim, general manager,  San Diego Building and Constructionj Trades, thanks La Mesa for adopting a PLA

September 28, 2023 (La Mesa)—By a unanimous bipartisan 5-0 vote, the La Mesa Cit Council last night voted to become the first city in San Diego County to adopt a Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions. The PLA would apply to public construction  projects in  La Mesa with a construction value of at least $1 million.

Councilmember Colin Parent proposed approval of the PLA agreement drafted by staff after negotiations with the unions. “We’re making sure we’ll be delivering projects on time and on budget, so taxpayers get the kind of infrastructure they deserve,” said Parent, who also thanked staff and workers who showed up to testify for “standing up for your families, for each other and for working people.”

East County News Service

September 27, 2023 (El Cajon) -- On Friday, October 20, 2023, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 21st Annual Women in Leadership event at Sycuan Casino Resort.

In 2003 the first Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) was launched with the idea of honoring women who excel professionally and as community leaders. The successful women of San Diego County, along with our inspirational keynote speakers, keep WILL growing year after year.

East County News  Service

September 26, 2023 (Dulzura) – A motorcyclist  missed a curve and was ejected onto State Route 94 just east of Roma Road at 10:49 Saturday morning. He was transported by air ambulance to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

The 28-year-old Chula Vista man was driving a 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R motorcycle westbound on 94 when the crash occurred.

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2023 (La  Mesa) –On Sept. 25, the La Mesa City Council will consider a staff recommendation to adopt a draft Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions. The PLA would apply to public projects in  La Mesa with a construction value of at least $1 million.

PLAs are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements negotiated between construction unions and construction contractors that establish terms and conditions of employment for construction projects.

According to the U.S.Dept. of Labor’s PLA Resource Guide, PLAs are an effective tool to ensure timely completion of projects at or under budget,  provide employers with a reliable source of highly skilled workers,increase diversity and support equitable workforce development, and improve worker health and safety on the job.

Opponents of project labor agreements have argued that PLAs may increase cost by mandating union wages and restricting competition, are unfair to nonunion contractors and nonunion workers, and hinder use of employer training programs that are not union apprenticeships.

East County News Service

September 21, 2023 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy fan organization, present their October "Pre-Halloween Spectacular" meeting October 21 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley.

Story and photos by Branda Gorgies

The Steele Canyon High School governing board recently held a meeting to approve final decisions regarding salaries of the teachers.

The special meeting was on Monday at 3:45 p.m. in the school library. It was only about five minutes long, but the board members approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as well as the new salary schedules and extended curricular salaries. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2023 (El  Cajon) – A homeless man with an extensive criminal record has been arrested for attempting to rob a 73-year-old man. The victim was jogging near Mollison Ave. and Greenfield Dr. on Sept.15 at 11:09 a.m.  when the suspect demanded five dollars. He then “threatened to “tase” the man, grabbed onto his arm, and reached for his wallet,” says Lieutenant Jeremiah Larson, public information officer with El Cajon Police.

The man fought off his attacker and ran toward an apartment complex yelling for help.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and his all-star band will revisit pop and soul classics in a concert to benefit the East County Transitional Living Center, a facility which helps homeless individuals and families transition off the streets and transform their lives.

By Kyle Alderman

September 19, 2023 (Julian) – Julian Farm and Orchard is a winner in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Apple Orchard in the USA. The farm was nominated by an expert panel from the publication that includes editors and relevant contributors. The nominees were then voted on by the public and the farm placed among the top 10, representing the only location in California.

Julian Farm and Orchard was recognized for its vast apple orchard that boasts over 1,400 trees and covers a large portion of the 25-acre property. The panel also considered other factors including their activities and other Autumn offerings.

September 14, 2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you its 14th annual  Salute to Local Heroes dinner on Thursday,  October 5 at  Sycuan Casino Resort.

“This evening is our opportunity to come together and honor those that are dedicated to the citizens of La Mesa and our community,” says La Mesa Chamber President Mary England. “The pandemic has given us a great opportunity to see our local heroes in action. We are celebrating those that serve our community in extraordinary ways from: the La Mesa Police Department, Heartland Fire & Rescue – La Mesa, AMR Paramedics, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. During this evening we will also install our Board of Directors.”

The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. in Sycuan Casino Resort’s Heritage Ballroom at5485 Casino Way,  El Cajon 92019.

This year’s rodeo provides more ways to enjoy the excitement than ever before, including big-screen video, VIP seating, and special activities just for kids

Story and photos courtesy of Poway Rodeo

September 11, 2023 (Poway) -- The Poway Rodeo returns for its 50^th year of bringing the very best in action-packed entertainment to its centrally located north San Diego location. This year’s rodeo promises more ways than ever before to enjoy all the excitement, with big-screen video projection, VIP seating opportunities, and special adventures for even the youngest cowpokes.

Visitors can choose from three performances: one on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m., and two on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. VIP ticketholders enjoy exclusive extras like preferred seating, excellent arena views, personal service, and included food and drinks.

By Shiloh Ireland

Photo:  L-R: Stella Erb, 2023 Miss Junior Rodeo, Jordan Smith, 2024 Junior Miss Rodeo, Kaety Kotterman, 2024 Miss Rodeo and Emily Cullins, 2023 Miss Rodeo.