August 31, 2022 (La Mesa) - One hundred and one years ago on August 26, 1922, women won the right to vote. Fittingly, Aug. 26 was opening night of Lamplighters Theatre’s production of Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson. Disguised as a drama, the show is a gift of history, romance, family connections, and a touch of humor, without the happily-ever-after, depending on how you look at the story. "Simply Marvelous, well-acted, and well-written."
August 31, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- On Friday, Aug. 19, Borrego Health’s administrative offices, individual clinics, and others outside of the organization were notified by the State of California Health and Human Services Agency – Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that the state intends to reimpose its 100% payment suspension on all Borrego Health Medi-Cal services beginning Sept. 29. 2022
August 31, 2022 (Julian) -- Joel Anderson, County Supervisor for District 2, held a Community Coffee Town Hall meeting in Julian on August 11. Approximately 100 residents filled Julian’s historic town hall to discuss issues of concern, ranging from fire safety and road improvements to animal control and the exceptionally high cost of fire insurance, and many other matters of concern to residents.
East County News Service; San Diego County Communications Office contributed to this report
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- A new County department reported Tuesday that in its first year, it secured $30 million to address homelessness, provided housing options for over 4,400 people, held or participated in hundreds of community events to create equitable communities and worked to support immigrants and refugees.
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego County Supervisors voted 4-1 earlier this month for a resolution to support the “My Body, My Data Act” introduced by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat whose 53rd district includes portions of San Diego and East County. The bill, if enacted, would protect the privacy of reproductive health data nationwide.
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued an excessive heat warning due to triple digit temperatures forecast in much of East County and local deserts through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.
August 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – A suspected gang-related shooting in Spring Valley on August 18 led SWAT teams to search homes in Lakeside and Santee today. The search found a stash of weapons and resulted in arrests of four individuals.
Aug. 17, 2022 (Julian) – The Julian Grape Stomp Festa celebrates its 25th anniversary on September 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when guests can continue an Old World tradition of kicking off your shoes, rolling up your pant legs and letting grapes squish beneath your feet. Visitors can also sip samples from local wineries, enjoy food, shopping, live music and even kick up your heels with some extemporaneous dancing.
December 17th is National Wreaths Across America Day and one local program is working hard to honor veterans
East County News Service
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- Freedom is often defined as “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, a special few Americans will forgo some of their personal freedoms by choosing to serve their country and its citizens. This selfless sacrifice is what makes every veteran a hero. In addition, when asked why they did it, many will answer simply by saying, “Because it was the right thing to do!”
August 29, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- A long duration and high impact heat wave with triple-digit temperatures is expected to begin Tuesday and last through at least Labor Day weekend, the National Weather Service predicts.
August 29, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego is holding two Mpox (Jynneos) vaccination events this week in the South County in addition to providing 250 vaccinations throughout the week at County clinics.
Event includes expanded entertainment, but no parade this year
East County News Service
August 29, 2022 (Borrego Springs) – The 56th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival offers a weekend filled with activities October 22-23. The festival takes place at Christmas Circle Community Park and Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs.
August 29, 2022 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified a man who was fatally shot on August 16 shortly before 9:30 p.m.near Jamacha Blvd. and Thayer Drive. The victim is Jorkim Rose, 32.
Photo via U.S. Department of Justice: Erik Herrera in Senate Parliamentarian’s office
August 29, 2022 (El Cajon) – Erik Herrera, 34, of El Cajon has been found guilty of felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. News of his arrest and trial came as a shock to this editor, who had hired Herrera for freelance photography work locally just months before.
August 28, 2022 (Santee) -- In a first for the city of Santee, two incumbent members of the City Council were appointed to another four-year term and will avoid the November election, because no challengers in either district filed papers to challenge them.
August 28, 2022 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to Alley Cat Art Walk, a free evening event Friday, September 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Eight art galleries, two art studios, a museum, and other local small businesses will participate, encouraging the public to discover the arts in downtown El Cajon while enjoying fine art, art demonstrations, live music, food and beverages.
Pope Francis urged new cardinals to remember “poor families, migrant and homeless persons.”
Photo: Pope Francis speaks with Cardinal Robert in St. Peter’s Basilica. Screenshot of EWTN
August 28, 2022 (San Diego) – Former San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy was inducted yesterday as the first cardinal from our region. McElroy, 68, along with 18 other new cardinals from five continents, received a scarlet skullcap, gold ring and silk hat from Pope Francis during the consistory ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
By Helen M. Ofield, Treasurer/Historian to the Board, Lemon Grove Historical Society
August 28, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- The 44th season of "History Alive," the signature, free lecture series of the Lemon Grove Historical Society kicks off Sept. 1 at 7p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove. Free parking in Treganza Heritage Park, home of the Society's buildings.
On deck will be Jesus Benayas, charismatic president of the House of Spain, Balboa Park, discussing the case of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore the California coast. Long thought to be Portuguese, Cabrillo is actually Spanish. Dr. Wendy Kramer broke the story after exhaustive research into 16th century Spanish archives. Benayas will display Kramer's books in English and Spanish from the Society's reading room in the H. Lee House.
August 28, 2022 (San Diego) – Days after a civil lawsuit filing accused Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza and two others of gang raping a 17-year-old girl while on the SDSU Aztecs football team last October, the Buffalo Bills have given the boot to the star punter.
“Our culture in Buffalo is more important than winning football games,” Brandon Beane, general manager for the Buffalo Bills, tweeted yesterday in announcing that Araiza has been released from the team.Araiza had been dubbed “Punt God” for the length and accuracy of his kicking.Araiza received the Ray Guy Award last November as the top punter nationwide in college football.
August 27, 2022 (San Diego) – There are no Labor Day discounts when it comes to safety. Labor Day marks the beginning of the end of summer – so for many of us it’s a chance to pack one last fun-filled weekend in, enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
Following are some tips to make the most of Labor Day:
UPDATE AS OF 8/27: Bills have released Matt Araiza following allegations.
By Miriam Raftery
August 25, 2022 (San Diego) – Three current or former San Diego State University Aztecs football players, including one who is now a pro football player with the Buffalo Bills, are accused in a civil lawsuit of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl during an off-campus Halloween party last year.
August 27, 2022 (San Diego) – Reset, a romantic science fiction story by San Diego author Sarina Dahlan, is thought-provoking. Reset will make you cherish your life’s loves and losses—allowing them to give your life deep meaning and purpose.
White House fires back at critics who had federal loans forgiven too
By Miriam Raftery
August 27. 2022 (Washington D.C.) – If you have a federal student loan and earn less than $125,000 a year, you are eligible to have $10,000 forgiven – or $20,000 if you were a recipient of a Pell Grant awarded to help low-income students attend college.
President Joe Biden announced the plan this week, also extended a pause on student loan repayments until December 31. In addition, Biden’s plan caps future repayments at 5% of your monthly income, down from the current 10% threshold.
An application for the partial student loan forgiveness will be posted later this year; borrowers can sign up at https://www.ed.gov/subscriptions to receive updates on the federal student loans.
August 27, 2022 (San Diego) -- On August 16, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department announced a series of changes aimed at keeping deadly fentanyl and other drugs out of jails to prevent inmate deaths. The action followed a unanimous vote by County Supervisors the same day to approve funds aimed at reducing jail deaths including purchasing body scanners, staff incentives, wellness teams and access to Naloxone to save inmates who overdosed.
August 27, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove sent a tweet out on Aug. 25 which states, “Looking for a few talented professionals to join our team. Click here to find your fit.”
August 26, 2022 (El Cajon) - Whenever Granite Hills and Valhalla meet up, there’s always drama. And tonight was gonna be a doozy since both teams have one loss on the season and are hungry for a win. This year, they met on Norsemen turf in week two.
August 26, 2022 (El Cajon) – A San Diego woman, 23, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after driving the wrong way on State Route 52 that resulted in a crash, killing an El Cajon man, 49.
By Kathy Carpenter
Action follows fraud investigation, impacts Borrego Health clinics across East County
By Henri Migala
East County News Service; San Diego County Communications Office contributed to this report
By Miriam Raftery
Source: San Diego County News Service
By 
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
December 17th is National Wreaths Across America Day and one local program is working hard to honor veterans
East County News Service
By 
Source: San Diego County Humane Society
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Mike Allen
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Helen M. Ofield, Treasurer/Historian to the Board, Lemon Grove Historical Society
By Miriam Raftery 
For the Love of Labor!
UPDATE AS OF 8/27: Bills have released Matt Araiza following allegations.
Review by Pennell Paugh
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Ben Christopher and Sameea Kamaal, CalMatters
East County News Service
Story and photos by Liz Alper
By Miriam Raftery
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