Update: The hearing has been postponed until April 3, 2023.

By Miriam Raftery

File photos:  Councilmembers Liana LeBaron, left, and Jennifer Mendoza, right

February 25, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – A judge has granted a temporary restraining order requiring Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron to stay at least 100 yards away from fellow Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, as well as Mendoza’s home and vehicle, pending a March 6 hearing. The order further orders LeBaron to avoid harassing or intimidating Mendoza, and prohibits LeBaron from owning firearms.

“I’m filing this request because I’m afraid that LeBaron’s stalking and harassing of me is escalating,” Mendoza states in a description detailing a pattern of alleged harassment. She adds, “I am concerned about my safety.” 

East County farmers and ranchers are among those offering tastes

East County News Service

February 24, 2023 (Carlsbad) -- Are you interested in the farm-to-table food movement, preserving urban-facing agriculture, and knowing your local farmers, including those in East County? If you would enjoy tasting locally sourced bites and beverages while learning more about agriculture in San Diego County, then GRAZE at the Fields is the event for you. On Thursday, April 13, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the San Diego County Farm Bureau will be hosting a one-of-a-kind tasting and education event at the world-renowned Carlsbad Flower Fields.

East County News Service

February 24, 2023 (Cuyamaca) – With lots of snow already on the ground and a major new storm set to bring the heaviest snowfall in recent memory, Rancho Cuyamaca State Park today announced that the park is closed.

California State Park Service posted on Facebook, “The park is expected to reopen sometime on Sunday. PLEASE DO NOT COME UP TO THE PARK TOMORROW (Saturday). The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning through Saturday, February 25th.” The Park Service urges people to avoid the mountain areas until after the storm, and urges would-be visitors to keep these things in mind:

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo: Migrants wait in line while California border activists organize  group to enter  U.S. and seek asylum through  Chaparral entryway in Tijuana. Photo by Carlos A. Moreno for CalMatters

February 24, 2023 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Rapid Response Network issued a condemnation Wednesday of the Biden Administration’s proposed new restrictions on refugees seeking asylum in the United States.

The coalition of human-rights organizations, led by Jewish Family Service of San Diego, operates local migrant shelters funded by state government and private donors.

February 25,  2023 (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.

• White House announces additional Russia sanctions, Ukraine aid on anniversary of invasion (The Hill)
• Georgia grand jury recommended indictments for more than a dozen people in Trump probe, foreperson says (NBC)
• Biden declares ‘Kyiv stands’ in surprise visit to Ukraine (AP)
• Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Subpoenaed in Jan. 6 Investigation (New York Times)
• Train that derailed in Ohio highlights cost-cutting strategy in rail industry  (CBS News)
• What we know so far about the Chinese spy balloon and the other objects the U.S. shot down (CBS)
• US says China balloon could collect intelligence signals (AP)
• Off camera, Fox hosts doubted 2020 election fraud claims (AP)
• Police identify MSU shooting suspect, say all victims were students (NBC)
• Nikki Haley announces run for president, challenging Trump (AP)
• Students walk out after told to limit Black History program (AP)
• Trump: I Was Right to Trust Putin Over US Intelligence Officials (Hill Reporter)
• Governor's office in Pennsylvania makes a criminal referral in Ohio train derailment   (NPR)
• Former Arizona AG sat on records, refuting election fraud  (AP)

WORLD

• Russia is suspending its participation in New START nuclear weapons treaty, Putin says (CNN)
• Russian lawmakers endorse suspension of nuclear pact with US  (AP)
• Earthquake death toll tops 33,000; Turkey starts legal action (Reuters)
• No tents, no aid, nothing: Why Syrians feel forgotten (BBC)
• Russia has 97% of army deployed in Ukraine: UK (Newsweek)
• US renews warning it'll defend Philippines after China spat (AP)
• Nicaragua's vote to strip opponents of citizenship (AP)
• Indian tax authorities raid BBC after critical Modi documentary  (NPR)

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

Public can also submit comments online, by phone, or by mail

February 23, 2023 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has applied for a general rate increase starting in 2024.  SDG&E wants to grow revenues by $449 million (17.6%) in 2024. This application also includes requested increases of 10.5% in 2025, (9.2% in 2026, and another 7.7% in 2027.

 If approved, the first year increase alone would hike the average monthly electric bill by $9 a month and gas by $9.60 a month, or $18.60/mo. total. Combined, that’s over $220 a year for the average ratepayer – with some homeowners and businesses paying far more. By 2027, the average ratepayers would pay $285.91 more per year than today.

Three hearings are slated on the proposed price hikes, conducted by an administrative law judge for the Calif.Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The first two are virtual on March 6 and 15, the third is in-person in San Diego on March 23 in both afternoon and evening.

Coming on the heels of a doubling of natural gas prices locally in January, on top of utility rates that are already among the highest in the nation, SDG&E’s proposal has sparked outrage. Of 395 public comments received so far on the CPUC website, all voiced anger and 100% are opposed to raising rates.

SDG&E says it wants its customers to help pay for infrastructure projects including putting power lines underground to prevent fires, building more electric vehicle charging stations, and modernizing the electric grid.  SDG&E bases its rate increase proposal on the assumption that energy use will double by 2045.

Courtesy of Cabrillo National Monument

Photo: Dignitaries including California’s Governor rode the flume across East County, from Lake Cuyamaca to Lake Murray.

February 23, 2023 (San Diego) -- 134 years ago, the San Diego Flume opened. Today, the word flume is often used to describe a type of theme park ride in which users get splashed while riding in a wooden roller coaster. While such a thing would be ahead of its time in the 1880s, the San Diego Flume was far more significant, because it provided something essential to the residents of the small but growing city of San Diego than any thrill ride could: abundant water. 

The Flume’s construction began in 1886 with the goal of bringing a reliable and plentiful water supply to the residents of the growing city and county of San Diego. The Flume project dammed the San Diego River's waters at the bottom of the Cuyamaca Mountains and then through a 35 mile complex of wooden chutes, trestles, and tunnels delivered it to a reservoir in La Mesa. From there, water was conveyed to places across San Diego where residents could reliably irrigate their farms and gardens and enjoy plentiful drinking water. 

This event has been postponed to March 4 due to rain.

East County News Service

February 25, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove’s Black History Celebration 2023 will take place on March 4, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Treganza Heritage Park (3200 Main Street, Lemon Grove). The event has been rescheduled from Feb. 25 due to rain.

The celebration will include spoken word, drumming, African dancers, music artists, art, youth activities, steppers, soul food vendors, food trucks and special community recognition of local black businesses and organizations.

The annual event is hosted by Thrive Lemon Grove, a non-profit community organization dedicated to advancing public health and safety initiatives through collaborations to elevate the quality of life in Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

February 22, 2023 – The storm has caused power outages amid frigid weather in some parts of East County. While power has been restored in most areas, power went down in parts of Borrego Springs last night due to weather affecting SDG&E equipment, and is not expected to be restored until this evening.  Borrego resident Nikki Symington posted on Facebook, “I am freezing. No electricity since 9 last night."

According to SDG&E, “Last night at its peak 11,000 SDG&E customers were without power during the night, in addition to momentary outages caused by high winds. Crews have made significant progress in restoring thousands of customers and are working to restore remaining customers as quickly and safely as possible.”

The utility states that to protect the safety of its customers, employees and communities, the company has taken proactive steps to prepare for winter storms this week, with the strongest storm due this weekend. A news release from SDG&E states, “In anticipation of these storms, SDG&E increased the number of field crews and equipment available to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. The company’s meteorology team is also monitoring weather conditions minute-by-minute to help provide situational awareness to crews working hard to maintain the infrastructure that serves our communities. However, preparedness is a community effort, and the company encourages all of its customers to have a plan in place in case of unplanned outages.”

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