February 2023 Articles

February 2023 Articles

LOVE YOUR HEART WEEK OF ACTION PROMOTES HEART HEALTH WITH EVENTS, INFORMATION & MORE

 

By Cassie Klapp, County of San Diego Communications Office

 
 
February 8, 2023 (San Diego) - This year, Love Your Heart events and no-cost blood pressure screenings will be available over the course of several days in locations throughout the county and Mexico.

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DRIVER RESCUED, SERIOUSLY INJURED IN SANTEE CRASH CAUGHT ON VIDEO

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot of wreckage from video posted on Facebook

February 8, 2023 (Santee) – The driver of a Ford Focus has been airlifted to a hospital with severe injuries sustained in a crash so violent that the vehicle blew apart, as surveillance video shown on CBS 8 reveals.

According to Sergeant Dwain Washington with the San Diego Sheriff’s department, the silver Ford Focus was traveling south on North Magnolia in Santee shortly before 6 a.m., approaching the Prospect intersection. A white Ford F-350 pickup truck traveling west on Prospect collided with the car, crushing its  front end and sending the engine flying into the roadway.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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CONGRESSMAN ISSA NAMED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY

Source:  Congressman Darrell Issa

February 8, 2023 (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) released the following statement following his appointment to the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.


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STATE DECLARES CITRUS QUARANTINE IN RANCHO BERNARDO

East County News Service

County News Service contributed to this report

Photo: Asian citrus psyllids, which can carry HLB, a disease deadly to citrus trees.

February 8, 2023 (Rancho Bernardo) -- The California Department of Food and Agriculture has declared a new citrus quarantine in a 95 square-mile area of Rancho Bernardo after detecting a potentially threatening citrus tree disease during routine inspections.

The bacterial disease, known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is a major threat to San Diego’s $115 million annual citrus crop. Trees infected with HLB can produce mishappen, bitter fruit and the disease can eventually kill citrus trees such as orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit trees.


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MEXICAN PHARMACIES SELLING PILLS LACED WITH FENTANYL AND METH

71% of pills tested in Tijuana pharmacies tested positive for dangerous illegal drugs

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of San Diego District Attorney’s office

February 8, 2023 (San Diego) – Pharmacies in Tijuana and other Mexican cities are selling counterfeit medicines laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamines, according to investigations conducted by the Los Angeles Times and by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles. The tainted fake drugs ranged from narcotic pain pills to pills often used to treat children with attention deficit disorder.


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PASSAGES: FORMER LEMON GROVE COUNCILMAN TOM CLABBY

East County News Service

February 8, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Former Lemon Grove City Councilman Thomas "Tom" Clabby passed away on January 22 in the company of family and friends. He served on the Lemon Grove City Council for 14 years from 1994 to 2008, after previously serving on the city’s planning commission. He was the city’s appointed representative to Metropolitan Transit System, providing leadership at the agency.


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SANDAG COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS SPARKS RIFT AMONG EAST COUNTY LEADERS

By Miriam Raftery

February 8, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – For years, the mayors of East County’s four cities (El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee) have met informally to recommend who should represent the region on San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) committees. But on January 31, with the mayors at an impasse, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells put forth a proposal for what he called “an equitable process for tie-breaking” that would keep El Cajon represented on SANDAG committees. 

Mayor Wells’ list of proposed appointments would have given every city a primary member on at least one committee.

In the end, newly elected SANDAG Chair Nora Vargas followed SANDAG procedures to break the tie and announce the final appointments, which leave El Cajon with only alternates, no regular members on any SANDAG committee.


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REPORT OF MAN TRYING TO GRAB CHILD IN LAKESIDE WAS "UNFOUNDED", SHERIFF FINDS

Update 5 p.m.:  The Sheriff  has released a statement calling the students' report "unfounded."  Here is the full statement:

After further investigation, Detectives have determined this incident near Lakeside Middle School was unfounded. There is no danger to the community. We thank the public and the media for their cooperation and understanding.

 

East County News Service

February 8, 2022 (Lakeside) – Public help is sought by the San Diego County Sheriff’s department to find a man suspected of trying to grab a child walking to school in Lakeside yesterday around 8 a.m.


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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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VALENTINE AND WINE EVENTS AT SAN PASQUAL WINERY IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

February 8, 2023 (La Mesa) – San Pasqual Winery has Valentine’s week happenings in the Barrel Room at its tasting room in La Mesa’s downtown village.


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STATE AND COUNTY TO END COVID-19 EMERGENCY FEB. 28, THOUGH OUTBREAKS REMAIN

 

As federal emergency also ends, Medicaid recipients could lose benefits if they don’t re-enroll by March 31

Federal funds for free COVID testing and vaccines will also come to an end

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2023 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego will end the nearly 3-year-old COVID-19 emergency on February 28, the same date that the state of California’s emergency declaration ends. The federal government will halt the national public health emergency on May 11.

But outbreaks remain a threat locally and elsewhere. While vaccines and treatments have sharply reduced the death rate from the early days of the pandemic, 12 people died locally in the week ending February 2, when more than 1,800 cases were confirmed and 300 people were hospitalized from the coronavirus.

Over the past three years, more than 976,000 San Diegans have laboratory confirmed positive tests for COVID-19, more than 38,500 have been hospitalized and 5,728 died.

Local health officials urge residents to get the new booster vaccines for protection against recent variants. Nearly 2.7 million San Diegans have received the primary series of one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines and more than 560,000 have received a bivalent booster vaccine.


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1,500 SHARP GROSSMONT HOSPITAL WORKERS UNIONIZE UNDER SEIU-UHW

Fourth healthcare facility in San Diego area to unionize in 2023

East County News Service

February 7, 2023 (La Mesa) -- Healthcare workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital have voted to join SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), a union of more than 100,000 healthcare workers across California. The election took place February 1-3 and covers 1,500 frontline workers at the facility, making it among the largest number of workers at a California hospital to go union in a decade.


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LISTENING SESSIONS SCHEDULED TO ENSURE LOCAL ACCESS TO NEW CLAIM SERVICES

By Cassie Klapp, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 7, 2023 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is hosting two community listening sessions to review new services for Medi-Cal members with complex health and social needs and gather community input on how those services should be implemented. 


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AIR TURBULENCE AT POWPAC: COPING WITH IN FLIGHT BUMPS

By Kathy Carpenter

February 6, 2023 (Poway) - Does air turbulence scare you? Take a ride with a plane full of awkward characters facing both metaphysical turbulence and unpredictable aircraft motions. PowPac presents “Air Turbulence," a new comedy by local playwright Daniel Watts. Engaging characters tickle your funny bones as you are sucked into the airborne experience in this amusing perspective of a rough flight.


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HOT HAPPENINGS IN JACUMBA

East County News Service

February 5, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs)  - From bathhouse bazaars to a candlelight concert and organized hikes, Jacumba Hot Springs has something for everyone coming up.


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SDSU SWIM & DIVE: VALENTINA LOPEZ AREVALO WINS PLATFORM EVENT AT NAU MEET

Aztec sophomore defends event crown from a year ago

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 5, 2023 (Flagstaff) - San Diego State’s Valentina Lopez Arevalo emerged triumphant in the platform event on Sunday to lead the Aztecs during the final wave of competition at the Lumberjack Diving Invitational hosted by Northern Arizona.


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AZTEC WATER POLO CLOSES TRITON INVITE WITH A WIN OVER CSUN

San Diego State took an early lead and never looked back in its 9-7 win over the Matadors

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 5, 2023 (La Jolla) - The No. 21 San Diego State water polo team put five goals in the cage in the first quarter and never looked back in a 9-7 victory against the No. 24 CSUN Matadors on Sunday morning at the final day of the 2023 Triton Invitational.


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AZTEC TRACK & FIELD WRAPS UP COMPETITON AT WSU OPEN AND COMBINED EVENTS

Aztecs finish second indoor meet

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 4, 2023 (Spokane) - The Aztec track and field team competed for the final day at the WSU Open and Combined Events meet at The Podium in Spokane, Washington.


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AZTECS WATER POLO DOWNED BY UC DAVIS AT TRITON INVITE

Struggling to score in the second half, San Diego State fell to UC Davis on day two at the Triton Invitational.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 4, 2023 (La Jolla) - No. 21 San Diego State water polo, after surrendering a combined 20 goals in the first half of its two Friday games in the 2023 Triton Invitational, limited the No. 12 UC Davis Aggies to just four in the first 16 minutes on Saturday. But struggling to score in the second half, SDSU lost to UC Daivs 11-5 at the Canyonview Pool on the campus of UC San Diego.  


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SDSU WOMEN'S TENNIS SWEEPS UC SAN DIEGO 7-0

Aztecs improve to 2-1 on the season

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 4, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego State women’s tennis swept crosstown foe UC San Diego, 7-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Aztec Tennis Center. All six Aztecs won their singles matches and five of them won in straight sets Saturday.


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SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS AT NEW MEXICO 83-78

The Aztecs remain in second place in the Mountain West

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 4, 2023 (Albuquerque) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (18-7, 8-4) fell at New Mexico 83-78 (14-10, 6-5) Saturday afternoon. With the loss, SDSU drops into a three-way tie for second place in the Mountain West along with Colorado State and Wyoming.


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LAKESIDE ARTIST WINS BEST OF THEME AWARD

Source:  San Diego Watercolor Society

Photo:  Neptune’s Fountain” by Susan Hewitt.  Watercolor18 x 30.  Image courtesy of San Diego Watercolor Society

 

February 4, 2023 (Lakeside) - Lakeside artist Susan Hewitt has won the Best of Theme awardin the February Members Show Rendezvous With Paint” on display in the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) gallery at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego. Susan’spainting entitled Neptune’s Fountain was selected by nationally known local juror Nancy Oleksa for this honor, out of 214 entriesOleksa said of  the painting, “This painting is a celebration of the medium of watercolor. The components of the painting, its space division, use of texture, and choice of palette, have come together to evoke a sense of majesty.


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DEPUTY ARRESTED FOR DRUGS FOUND IN VEHICLE AT COUNTY JAIL FACILITY

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 4. 2023 (San Diego) -- Detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department conducted an investigation and arrested Deputy Allen Wereski for bringing drugs onto jail property, after suspected cocaine was located inside his vehicle. He has been booked into the Central Jail.

Wereski has been suspended without pay from the Sheriff's Department. It is unclear what prompted the seasrch of his vehicle, and whether the suspected drug stash was for Wereski’s personal use, illicit sale or smuggling into the jail.


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SHERIFF UNVEILS SWEEPING CHANGES TO REDUCE JAIL DEATHS, IMPROVE HEALTH AND SAFETY IN COUNTY DETENTION FACILITIES

East County News Service

February 4, 2023 (San Diego) -- San Diego County jails have in recent years had the highest number of jail deaths of any major county in California. Many of those deaths have been due to drug overdoses, including Fentanyl. That’s prompted an investigation by the state auditor and calls for reforms from politicians.

Now, newly elected Sheriff Kelly Martinez (photo) has announced numerous changes aimed at improvement the health and safety of people in custody.  Those changes include:


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AZTECS MEN'S BASKETBALL CRUISES TO 72-52 WIN OVER BOISE STATE

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 3, 2023 (San Diego) -  Nathan Mensah scored 17 points as No. 22 San Diego State raced past Boise State 72-52 Friday night in a showdown of the Mountain West Conference's top two teams despite an off night by Aztecs' leading scorers Matt Bradley and Darrion Trammell.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS FEB. 10-FEB. 28

By Miriam Raftery and Jonathan Goetz

February 3, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s destination East County features events in mid-to late February across San Diego’s inland region.

Hot happenings include a tribute to Michael Jackson at Sycuan, a candlelight concert in Jacumba, Valentine teas in Julian, black history month events at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, new moon fishing at Lake Jennings, Laurel and Hardy night in Spring Valley, birdwatching classes at Mission Trails, Fido Fest in Santee, Touch-a-Truck in Lakeside, and Hawkwatch in Ramona.


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GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX IN DOWNTOWN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

Photo and artwork credits: City of La Mesa and La Mesa Chamber of Comemrce.

February 3, 2023 (La Mesa) – The site of La Mesa’s former police station will soon be home to 147 affordable apartment homes. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site at 8181 Allison Avenue on January 24.


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GIMME SHELTER: MTS NOW MAPPING PLANS FOR SHELTERED BUS STOPS IN EAST COUNTY

By J.W. August

 

Photo: covered bus stop on Balboa Ave. in San Diego by Tolar Shelter

 

February 2, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- Whether it's a downpour or the burning sun, covered bus benches are a respite for bus riders -- and hopefully the impetus to get more people to use public transit.


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PINE VALLEY MOTORCYCLIST DIES IN BORREGO CRASH

East County News Service

February 2, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – A Pine Valley man, 68, died January 25 in a crash that occurred around 3 p.m. in Borrego Springs.

He was driving a 2015 Indian Roadmaster motorcycle south on Great Overland Stage Route north of Agua Caliente Springs Road when he missed a curve and crossed over the double yellow lines, then onto a field on the opposite side of the roadway.


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