HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH SHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ

ISSA COAUTHORS LEGISLATION TO RECOGNIZE WOMEN SOLDIERS WHO ASSISTED SPECIAL FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS MARCH 25-MAY 20

LAW ENFORCEMENT, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS CALL FOR REPEAL OF LAW HINDERING ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS

EL CAJON SEEKS OPTIONS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST COUNTY MOTEL VOUCHER PROGRAM AFTER MINORS ASSAULTED BY PARTICIPANTS

LAWSUIT CHALLENGES CARE COURT PROGRAM AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

LA MESA COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD ON PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT, FORMS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER TOBACCO ORDINANCE

NEWSOM ANNOUNCES CONTRACT TO PRODUCE INSULIN IN CALIFORNIA, COST TO CONSUMERS WILL BE $30 PER VIAL

JULIAN FARM TO HOST REVOLUTIONARY WAR REENACTMENT MARCH 25-26

LAKESIDE'S NEW LIBRARY, A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY, HOLDS GRAND OPENING MARCH 25

EL CAJON TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 21 ON HOW TO STOP CRIMES AT MOTELS HOUSING HOMELESS

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH SHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ

View video of full interview; Hear audio

March 24, 2023 (San Diego) – Earlier this month, East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery interviewed San Diego County’s new Sheriff, Kelly Martinez, for our radio show on KNSJ.  She’s been in law enforcement since 1985, working her way up the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to Undersheriff before winning election as Sheriff last November. She’s also the first woman to serve as San Diego’s top law enforcement officer. In our interview, she spoke about efforts to improve jails and reduce jail deaths, combat human trafficking and fentanyl overdoses, hold deputies accountable for wrongdoing, address homelessness issues, and expand staffing - including some jobs currently open, and more.

Audio: 

ISSA COAUTHORS LEGISLATION TO RECOGNIZE WOMEN SOLDIERS WHO ASSISTED SPECIAL FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

East County News Service

Photo: Dept. of Defense

March 23, 2023 (San Diego) --  Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) today was joined by House colleagues Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Jason Crow (CO-06) to introduce the bipartisan Jax Act, which will amend the military records of women veterans deployed alongside Special Forces soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq – but were never recognized for their service. This has led to the denial of rank, benefits, and critical health care services.

THE REAL HUSKIES OF BONITA MAY HAVE THE SHOW DOG OF YOUR DREAMS

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 23, 2023 (Bonita) - County Animal Services shelters are feeling the wealth of dazzling huskies. So, San Diego County, season 2 of Real Huskies is back with this year’s cast of aspiring housedogs who have fabulous personalities, unlike some of those other shows’ casts.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS MARCH 25-MAY 20

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – There’s a wide assortment of events coming up across San Diego’s East County, including a Revolutionary War reenactment, a supper club show with an SNL comedy star, a butterfly jungle, Easter egg hunts, car shows, Earth Day celebrations, wolf center tours, music festivals, a Western Days parade, a wine and food festival, and more.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

March 22, 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.

WORLD

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

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BOOT DRIVE FOR BURN INSTITUTE

March 22, 2023 (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland snapped these phots of firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department collecting donations for the annual Boot Drive in March. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Burn Institute.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS CALL FOR REPEAL OF LAW HINDERING ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS

East County News Service

PHOTO: Shane Harris, President of the People's Association of Justice Advocates, speaks out as National City Police Chief Jose Tellez, anti-human trafficking advocate Marisa Ugarte, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, National City Mayor Ron Morrison and Abdur Rahim Hameed, President of the National Black Contractors Association, look on.

 

March 22, 2023 (San Diego) – Civic leaders are urging Governor Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature to repeal Senate Bill 357, a recent law which decriminalized loitering with the intent to sell sex.  Elected officials, police chiefs and civil rights leaders say that far from protecting victims of sex trafficking, the law has created opportunities for perpetrators to exploit vulnerable minors.

 

At a press conference in late February in San Diego, officials including California Attorney General Bonta, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit, National City, CA Police Chief Jose Tellez and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan discussed how this law has made it even more difficult to address human trafficking. 

EL CAJON SEEKS OPTIONS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST COUNTY MOTEL VOUCHER PROGRAM AFTER MINORS ASSAULTED BY PARTICIPANTS

Council also calls for investigation into price-gouging by motels

By Jessyka Heredia

March 21, 2022 (El Cajon) At a special session meeting Tuesday, El Cajon City Council members voiced outrage over recent crimes happening in hotels involving recipients of the county’s hotel voucher program. These vouchers are intended to help people vulnerable from homelessness find shelter at local hotels. 

Recently it was discovered that two men allegedly molested a 16 year old female victim at a Motel 6 located on Montrose Court in El Cajon and videotaped it. Both men are registered sex offenders and wore ankle monitoring devices. El Cajon Police Department has indicated it believes at least two other underage girls were sexually assaulted by the men.

LAWSUIT CHALLENGES CARE COURT PROGRAM AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

By Daniela Torres

Jacob Pamus also contributed to this article

March 21, 2023 (San Diego) – A lawsuit has been filed seeking to block implementation of California’s CARE Courts program.  Disability Rights California, Western Center on Law and Poverty, and the Public Interest Law Project have filed a petition at the CA Supreme Court because they believe that the program is unconstitutional.

Gov. Gavin Newsom designed, championed and signed this into law last year to mandate care for people with severe mental illness, primarily those who are homeless and refusing care.

But the human rights groups believe the program could strip away people’s autonomy and that affordable housing should be what needs to be at the front and center.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

LA MESA COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD ON PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT, FORMS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER TOBACCO ORDINANCE

City also lifts pandemic emergency declaration, proposes enforcement of affordable housing rules

By Jessyka Heredia

March 21,2023 (La Mesa) -- At Tuesday’s meeting, the La Mesa City Council voted to have staff draft a project labor agreement, form a subcommittee to consider stricter regulation of tobacco sales, and create fees for monitoring compliance with affordable housing in the city, among other items.

NEWSOM ANNOUNCES CONTRACT TO PRODUCE INSULIN IN CALIFORNIA, COST TO CONSUMERS WILL BE $30 PER VIAL

 

Naloxone is next medication California aims to manufacture

East County News Service

March 21, 2023 (Sacramento) --  Governor Gavin Newsom announced on March 18 that CalRx has secured a contract with the manufacturer CIVICA to make $30 insulin available to all who need it.  The action will bring down the price of insulin by about 90%, saving cash-paying patients between $2,000 and $4,000 annually.

Right Care Alliance, a patients and providers coalition, has documented  deaths of at least 14 diabetic Americans who’ve died due to rationing insulin since 2017, when prices skyrocketed.

“People should not be forced to go into debt to get life saving prescriptions,” Governor Newsom said. “Through CalRx, Californians will have access to some of the most inexpensive insulin available, helping them save thousands each year. But we’re not stopping there – California will seek to make our own Naloxone as part of our plan to fight the fentanyl crisis.”

SAVOR A CULINARY TOUR OF FRANCE AT BLEU BOHEME DURING RESTAURANT WEEK

East County News Service

March 21, 2023 (San Diego) – “We have magnifique news for you - we are taking part in San Diego Restaurant Week,” announces Bleu Bohème, a  French eatery in San Diego’s Kensington community. A culinary tour of France includes a three-course menu, priced at $65 per person and available exclusively Tuesday, March 28 through Saturday, April 1.

The prix fixe dinner includes petit plats such as gnocchi à la Parisienne, crab croquettes, French onion soup and more. For the main course, a choice of boeuf bourguignon, cassoulet of Hudson Valley Muscovy duck leg confit, Shiitake and oyster mushroom raviolis and more. To finish, a choice between rich dark Callebaut chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, gingerbread or brioche bread pudding. The full San Diego Restaurant Week menu is available here.

JULIAN FARM TO HOST REVOLUTIONARY WAR REENACTMENT MARCH 25-26

East County News Service

March 21, 2021 (Julian) —Julian Farm and Orchard is going back in time for “Revolution in the Orchard,” a Revolutionary War reenactment set to coincide with Daffodil Days. On March 25 and 26, the farm will be transformed into the scene of the War of Independence. This family friendly event will feature dozens of historical interpreters representing the soldiers and civilians of the American Revolution.

The 25-acre farm will be completely taken over by the reenactment. Both the British and Patriot camps will be prominent with battle fields and activity stations open for exploration. Guests will also get an up-close look into civilian and military life during the war.

LAKESIDE'S NEW LIBRARY, A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY, HOLDS GRAND OPENING MARCH 25

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

March 21, 2023 (Lakeside) -- Lakeside has a new state of the art library. ECM took a preview tour of the 16,000 square foot facility on March 1 during a soft opening, also interviewing librarian Mary Elder. The grand opening is scheduled for March 25th.

ECM has conducted a photographic and drone history since ground-breaking of this new addition to Lakeside. As part of the San Diego County public library system, it is open to all residents of the county to utilize its services and check out materials.

The library offers a spacious environment with a teen room, children's section with a cave and large screen computer screens, large print section, DVD area, outdoor patio, state of the art computer check-out machine, attractive artwork, Lakeside Friends of the Library’s room that offers books for sale and much more.

GUNTOPIA REVIEW: THIS ISN’T DISNEYLAND

By Kathy Carpenter

March 21, 2023 (La Mesa) - The Roustabouts may be small, but their shows pack a powerful punch. With a mission to deliver more than just a theatrical experience, but something that audiences can take home and incorporate into their lives, The Roustabouts bring you the World Premiere of Will Cooper’s gUnTOPIA at the Moxie Theatre. This Twilight Zone-esque production is fresh and awesome, offering a thought-provoking commentary on gun control and social issues in our society.

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.  

DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHAL AT LAKESIDE WESTERN DAYS PARADE

East County News Service

March 20, 2023 (Lakeside) – The theme of this year’s Western Days Parade in Lakeside will be “Fighting for Justice.” District Attorney Summer Stephan will service as grand marshal of the parade on Saturday, April 29.

EL CAJON TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 21 ON HOW TO STOP CRIMES AT MOTELS HOUSING HOMELESS

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council will convene a special session on Tuesday, March 21 at 2:15 p.m. to weigh proposed regulations aimed at reducing crimes associated with individuals placed in local motels under the county’s homeless voucher program. An open session will be followed by a closed door session, for the Council to weigh legal options.

The action follows El Cajon Police Department’s announcement earlier today that two registered sex offenders staying at Motel 6 in El Cajon under the voucher program have been arrested and admitted sexually assaulting, molesting and videotaping their actions with an underaged girl; police have also indicated they believe at least two more young girls may also have been sexually assaulted by the men, who were both wearing ankle monitors as convicted sex offenders.

FROZEN STRAWBERRIES AND OTHER FRUITS RECALLED DUE TO HEPATITIS A; SOME PRODUCTS WERE MADE BY SAN DIEGO COMPANY

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2023 (San Diego) – Frozen strawberry and tropical fruit products have been recalled due to a hepatitis A outbreak, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced. The recalled products were sold at major retailers including Costco, Aldi and Trader Joe’s. 

The recalled products include Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Strawberries made by San Diego-based California Splendor and sold in Costco.  In addition, Scenic Fruit Company of Oregon has recalled its Simply Nature brand frozen organic strawberries sold in Aldi stores and an organic tropical fruit blend sold in Trader Joe’s.

EL CAJON POLICE SEEKS HELP TO FIND GIRLS WHO WERE ASSAULTED AT MOTEL BY TWO HOMELESS SEX OFFENDERS

East County News Service

Updated March 21 with additional details.

March 20, 2023 (El Cajon) – Two registered sex offenders have been arrested after admitting to sexual acts with underage girls at the Motel 6 in El Cajon, where one of the offenders had been placed by an organization that assists homeless people.

El Cajon Police Department has identified one victim, a 16-year-old girl.  ECPD is asking for public help to identify multiple young girls whom the men have reportedly admitted to sexually assaulting during the past week at the same motel.

These crimes validate concerns repeatedly raised by the city of El Cajon over County placement of homeless individuals in motels without vetting for criminal backgrounds, as ECM has reported.

FATAL SHOOTING AT LEMON GROVE VFW; NO SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY

Story and photos by Jessyka Heredia

View video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdVCRQW1ORk

Update March 22, 2023 -- The victim has been identified as Gregory Moore, 39, of San Diego.  An autopsy confirmed the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the death has been ruled a homicide.

March 19,2023 (Lemon Grove) A fatal shooting occurred at local VFW Post 2082 in Lemon Grove late Saturday night at 2885 Lemon Grove Ave. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting the shooting shortly before 10 p.m. and found a man, 39, unconscious in a vehicle at the intersection of Lemon Grove and San Miguel Avenues, according to Lieutenant Chris Steffen with the San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide unit.

“As the deputies were taking the unconscious man out of the vehicle, they noticed he had gunshot wounds to his upper leg and torso. Deputies applied a tourniquet to the victim’s leg as the paramedics arrived,” Lt. Steffen said in media release.

PENTAGON RELEASES VIDEO OF DRONE TAKEN DOWN BY RUSSIAN JET

 

By Jacob Pamus

On March 14,  a United States drone flying over the Black Sea was downed by a Russian jet, according to the Pentagon. Remains of the drone, which was  built  Poway by General Atomics, have not yet been recovered.

Russia denied causing the crash, however video released by the Pentagon shows that the Russian jet was flying close to the drone and dumping fuel onto it. The Pentagon believes that the fuel was being dumped in order to damage surveillance technology on the drone, and that  the jet accidentally clipped the propeller of the drone, causing it to crash. The video shows that the Russian jet clearly damaged the propeller of the drone.

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.

SPRING HARP FEST BRINGS NATIONAL BLUES HARMONICA STARS TO LA MESA APRIL 8

East County News Service

Photos courtesy Steve Covault, rockmusicphotos.com

March 3, 2023 (La Mesa) – Local and national stars will be playing American blues harmonica music at Spring Harp Fest. The family-fun event, which raises funds to benefit music education countywide, will be held April 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street in La Mesa.

Since 1999, the Spring Harp Fest has introduced local musicians and music lovers to the great American art of Blues Harmonica. The unique once-yearly showcase includes local jams, competition among unknown players, and some of the best professional players in the music scene.

SDSU SOFTBALL EDGED AT COLORADO STATE 3-2

SDSU loses first MW series since 2021

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 19, 2023 (Fort Collins, Colo.) - The San Diego State softball team was edged, 3-2, at Colorado State in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Ram Field in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Aztecs fell to 16-9 overall and 1-2 in Mountain West play, while the Rams improved to 16-8 and 2-1.

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