February 27, 2023 (Roland) -- A rare hailstorm pelted much of San Diego County on Saturday night. Pat Bennett of Rolando sent in these photos, stating, "I have lived in San Diego for 55 years and have never seen more than a few hailstones fall. Tonight, my garden, deck, patio furniture and roof were covered with it!"
February 27, 2023 (Santa Ysabel)-- The weekend storm brough snow to unusually low levels in San Diego County's mountains. With popular destinations such as Julian, Cuyamaca and Mount Laguna blocked except to residents and chains required in the morning, followed by traffic jams when some highways later opened, ECM's editor and photographer headed to Santa Ysabel instead.
Visitors pulled off alongside the highway were enjoying building a snowman and tossing snowballs, with dogs frolicking in the snow. Several motorists paused to pose for pictures with horses standing just behind a barbed wire fence.
Blue skies,puffy clouds and sunbeams warming the terrain completed this idyllic scene.
February 27, 2023 (Julian, CA) -- We decided to go up the mountain to Julian yesterday because it’s beautiful after a snowstorm. So we woke up bright and early and packed the Jeep for an adventure in the mountains. We also wanted to introduce my service dog to snow. As always, we packed our press passes and camera equipment, the latter because we wanted to take photos of this amazing winter wonderland, and in this, we were not disappointed.
February 27, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Near the end of February San Diego has experienced unusually high amounts of snow, rain, hail, and high winds.
This video by Jacob Pamus for East County Magazine explains what we've had to deal with so far and what is to come this upcoming week.
February 27, 2023 (Ramona) – Looking for wildflowers? You don’t have to go all the way to Anza-Borrego. Henri Migala took these colorful photos of a hillside abloom in orange and yellow daisies along the Old Julian Highway in Ramona yesterday.
If you’ve found a great place to view wildflowers locally this spring, send your photos and the location to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
February 26, 2023 (San Diego) -- Though the heavy rains have subsided, more rain is in the forecast. However, the danger will lurk with mudflow and erosion problems. Make sure you are prepared!
In the next few days, you might find your home and property damaged and you’ll be wondering how do I get this put back together?
February 26, 2023 (San Diego) -- Self-esteem not only impacts how you feel about yourself, but also in your relationship with others. When self esteem is running high, life seems to fall right into place both in your personal and professional life. When your self-esteem tank is running low, it creates the exact opposite. This is why having low self-esteem can be such a serious problem.
February 26, 2023 (San Diego) – Kathi Torres with Freedom from Exploitation, an organization that helps survivors of human trafficking, is also a survivor of sex trafficking. In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine originally aired on KNSJ radio, Torres speaks out on her own experience, how to protect teens from traffickers, and how to get help for victims here in San Diego County, a national hub for human trafficking.
She also calls for repeal of a state law, Senate Bill 357, that decriminalized loitering to solicit prostitution, which she says has cut off the main avenue for victims to get help.
“Because of this new law, police can’t stop, cite or arrest anyone for loitering to solicit prostitution,” including victims as well as men driving around looking to pick up prostitutes. But when police can’t detain trafficking victims, the victims don’t get referred to programs that can help them escape from being trafficked, says Torres, who was also a panelist at a recent presentation of “Stolen,” an NBC San Diego investigative series on trafficking.
February 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa is seeking input from residents to help in the planning of future park, recreation, and library facilities, services, and programming. The results of the survey will be used to establish priorities for improvements to our park and open space system, recreation opportunities and library services.
Aztecs edged by Ohio State 5-4 before falling to Washington 5-0
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
February 25, 2023 (Cathedral City, Calif.) - The San Diego State softball team lost a pair of games Saturday at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. The Aztecs (10-5) were first edged by Ohio State 5-4 before falling to Washington 5-0 in the nightcap.
February 25, 2023 (San Diego) - The lady Wolf Pack of West Hills have fought hard on the pitch to get where they are now. Today, they met the lady Lancers of Carlsbad close to their home turf at Ed Burke Field at Torrey Pines High in pouring rain in the Division I CIF San Diego section girls soccer championships.
February 25, 2023 (San Diego) – A man arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causing an accident that seriously injured a motorcyclist has died in San Diego County’s Central Jail.
Robert Shuey, 67, of San Clemente was arrested in Oceanside shortly before 4 a.m. on Feb. 21 by the Oceanside Police Department. He was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation. After the hospital cleared him medically later that morning, he was booked into the Vista Detention facility and then transferred at 11 a.m. to San Diego Central Jail.
Shortly before 8 p.m., during an hourly safety check, Shuey was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and medical staff immediately responded to the location and began CPR, according to the Sheriff’s department. Paramedics arrived and took over life-saving measures, but despite these efforts, Shuey was pronounced dead before he could be transported to a hospital.
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.
February 24, 2023 (San Diego) -- The City of San Diego today announced that due to weather conditions and “an abundance of caution,” it has closed Mission Trails Regional Park, as well as Los Penasquitos Preserve, Chollas Lake and Maple Canyon parks.
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:
February 24, 2023 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
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:
February 24, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
February 23, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Amber S. Dine sent in this photo of a Cedar Waxwing, taken off her balcony in El Cajon. These migratory birds typically travel in flocks, traveling in search of berries on cedars and other trees. At times they’ve been known to over-indulge, resulting in intoxication!
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.
February 23, 2023 (El Cajon) – An early morning fire damaged URBN pizza and adjacent Creative Creature Brewing Company, according to Heartland Fire and Rescue Dept.
There had been a large party the previous night that kept staff there until midnight, said Derek Carnation of Creative Creature. "The fire started in their kitchen, and we're just next door; it's mainly smoke damage," he told East County Magazine after their establishments were cleared by the Health Department Thursday afternoon for reopening pending City Inspection, he tells ECM.
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.
Photos: Snow in Julian today, courtesy of San Diego Sheriff Media Relations unit
February 23, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Treacherous. Severe. Really dangerous conditions. Those are terms used by National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Tardy in a webinar today to describe a slow-moving atmospheric river, coupled with high winds and frigid temperatures from an arctic jet stream, swooping into San Diego County Friday and Saturday.
The storm could dump a potentially unprecedented three to five feet of snow at elevations above 4,000 feet in some parts of Southern California, with another foot and a half forecast on Mt. Laguna atop considerable snow that's already fallen. Also forecast are debris flows in areas not normally subject to them as snow melts. Blowing and drifting snow will impact major southern California highways, including highway 78 and the eastern portions of Interstate-8 in San Diego County.
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.
February 22, 2023 (Alpine)—Lions, Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine is urgently seeking donations to save the life of Nicholas, a 3-year-old mountain lion injured as a cub in a highway accident on Christmas Day, 2020 that killed his mother. The orphaned mountain lion was raised at a sanctuary in Kern County that has filed for bankruptcy, so all animals must be out by this Saturday.
Nicholas has had numerous surgeries after suffering pelvic fractures and head trauma, and is unable to survive in the wild. Lions, Tigers and Bears hopes to bring him to their facility, but needs funs for his transfer, ongoing veterinary care, as well habitat enhancements such as toys, platforms and a den.
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:
During multi-day operation, task force makes 48 arrests, offers support to 41 individuals, and recovers two firearms
Source: Attorney General Rob Bonta
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 (San Diego) -- As part of a joint investigation through the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF), California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the results of Operation Better Pathways during a press conference in San DIego. The multi-jurisdictional operation, which concluded earlier this month, is part of a broader, regional effort to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation through targeted enforcement, relying both on surveillance of known locations and officers working undercover.
As a result of the multi-day operation, 48 individuals were arrested for alleged human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and other criminal offenses, 41 individuals — including eight children — were offered support services, and two firearms were recovered, including a ghost gun.
February 22, 2023 (Proctor Valley) – There has been an ongoing legal battle between environmental groups like the Sierra Club and others, against developers who want to turn Proctor Valley, a large tract of land between Chula Vista and Jamul, into a housing development. A judge has ruled in favor of the environmental groups that the Village 14 site of Proctor Valley is to not become a housing development, due to severe fire hazard, as ECM previously reported..
Now, Peter Anderson with Sierra Club San Diego has said that he would hopes to see the Proctor Valley site become part of the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, so that it may be protected in perpetuity. He could not divulge details due to ongoing negotiations.
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
Source: City of La Mesa
Aztecs edged by Ohio State 5-4 before falling to Washington 5-0
Story and photos by Liz Alper
By Miriam Raftery
East County farmers and ranchers are among those offering tastes
February 24, 2023 (San Diego) -- The City of San Diego today announced that due to weather conditions and “an abundance of caution,” it has closed Mission Trails Regional Park, as well as Los Penasquitos Preserve, Chollas Lake and Maple Canyon parks.
February 24, 2023 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
By 
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:
February 24, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
East County News Service
Public can also submit comments online, by phone, or by mail
Miriam Raftery and Jonathan Goetz
Courtesy of Cabrillo National Monument
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Source: Attorney General Rob Bonta
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