By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

February 23, 2022 (Santee) – Jeffrey James Sutch, 51, of Santee died today when the United Parcel Service (UPS) vehicle he was driving ran off a rain-slicked highway and struck a eucalyptus tree on Interstate 15  north, near I-8.  He was driving a UPS Freightliner semi-tractor and pulling a semi-trailer when the crash occurred.

February 22, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Due to an impending snowstorm, schools in the following school districts will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 23, the County Office of Education has announced:

• Julian Union Elementary School District
• Julian Union High School District
• Mountain Empire Unified School District
• Spencer Valley School District

Schools in the Julian Union Elementary and Julian Union High school districts will have a late start on Thursday, Feb. 24.

East County News Service

February 22, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- When trauma hits it does not discriminate. It can come in a blink of an eye and can turn your life around like a tornado in a matter of seconds.   Most do not know the steps to move forward from a crisis event, but there are people with hearts two sizes too big who volunteer to be by the side of victims.

In collaboration with the emergency response system, Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego (TIP) provides immediate crisis intervention following a tragedy. TIP volunteers add another dimension to the emergency system compassionate support. Specially trained volunteers provide care and support to citizens who have been traumatized or are in a state of crisis providing service 365 days a year.

By Rachel Becker, CalMatters

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

Photo:  Lake Mendocino in Northern California in late October. Courtesy Department of Natural Resources

February 20, 2022 (San Diego) - The first two months of 2022 are shaping up to be the driest January and February in California history, prompting state officials to warn of dire water conditions ahead. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Alpine Elementary School, site for the future Liberty Charter High School.  Photo courtesy George Barnett

February 20, 2022 (Alpine) – For over 20 years, Alpine residents pined for a high school, even engaging in unsuccessful litigation with the Grossmont Union High School District after the GUHSD reneged on promises to build one due to declining district enrollment.  But in August, Liberty Charter High School will open at the site of the recently closed Alpine Elementary School.

East County News Service

February 18, 2022 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to “find your treasure” at the La Mesa Monthly Market.  The next event is Saturday, February 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 8200 La Mesa Blvd. in the heart of the La Mesa downtown village, organized by Pacific Coast Market.

Test results show the drinking water supply is safe from nitrate contamination

East County News Service

February 18, 2022 (Campo) -- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health and Quality, is advising the public that a Drinking Water Warning has been lifted for Cameron Corners Water System located at 31484 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906. The water system supplies water to 3 service connections, including a convenience store, restaurant, and office retail space.  Following system repairs, water sample results reported February 17, 2022, showed that nitrate levels are non-detect in the drinking water supply.  

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

February 17, 2022 (La Mesa) - On Wednesday, February 23^rd the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at an open house and ribbon cutting for San Diego Living Real Estate located at 8504 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. The fun begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. with the “official” ribbon cutting taking place at 6:00 p.m.

East County News Service

February 17, 2022 (Rancho San Diego) – Heritage of the Americas Museum will hold a “Rock Sale” this Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can find rocks, crystals, fossils and more. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC-by-NC-ND

February 17, 2022 (Lakeside) – A 77-year-old woman was struck by a car while walking east at the intersection of Pino Drive and Lindo Lane in Lakeside this morning. She was taken to Sharp Memorial, where she died of her injuries.

The accident occurred at 6:45 a.m., when a 2000 Honda Accord driving north on Pino Drive hit the pedestrian. The Honda was driven by a Lakeside man, 37, who had a female juvenile passenger.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Lakeside) – Imagine swimming beneath waterfalls alongside fish in a freshwater lake. That dream is all part of the ambitious plans that Lakeside River Park Conservancy has announced for a new park at Channel Road in Lakeside.

By Elijah McKee

Photo: CC by NC via Bing

February 15, 2022 (La Mesa) — This past September, the State of California passed a pivotal housing law called Senate Bill 9. Now, like many localities around the state, the City of La Mesa is charged with considering how to best implement the legislation with local ordinances — such as the one that passed the City Council last Tuesday night. 

Update: At their meeting on February 16, Padre Dam's Board of Directors voted to begin the approval process of a time change from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will first research the change, such as impacts on other personnel's schedules and any financial ramifications, before sending it back to the Board of Directors for final approval at a later meeting, as per their rules.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Santee) – Suzanne Till, a teacher, has asked her colleagues on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board to move meeting times from 3:30 to 4 p.m. since she has repeatedly been late due to the long commute from her job at a Chula Vista school.  But so far, the board has not done so.  The issue of moving the meeting time to later will be on the agenda for the board’s virtual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m., item 12. 

But some fear the board majority, all Republicans, may vote to oust Till, a Democrat, for tardiness in a partisan maneuver rather than accommodate a minor shift in meeting times. Till has fought against water rates, also opposing fines for late payments and water shutoffs during the pandemic. She holds a PhD in water resources geography and is a former Marine Corps Captain.  Her website details her record:  www.suzannetill.com .

Updated Feb. 15 with additional comments from Jennifer Mendoza.

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Thieves broke into the church and  food pantry at St. John’s of the Cross Church at 8086 Broadway in Lemon Grove on February 8 around 3 a.m., vandalizing the property and stealing foods used to feed people in need, according to Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, who manages the church's food pantry.

Councilmember Mendoza says, "We’re at the food pantry every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. till noon. Any donations are much appreciated."

According to Mendoza, two of the perpetrators have been arrested. "The sheriff thinks there may be more. They don't think they were after food but were looking for electronic equipment like TVs, computers, speakers etc. or money. They also broke into the church...They caused a lof of damage to the church and pantry. We need to fix broken windows and doors, replace locks, etc.  We are also thinking we now need a security system."

By Elijah McKee

Photos:  Councilmember Lothian envisions murals, such as this one projected onto a currently blank building wall.

February 12, 2022 (La Mesa) — Ever drive through La Mesa and notice the blank gray side of a building? Councilmember Laura Lothian sure does, and she’d like to change what people see.