ECM WINS TWO JOURNALISM AWARDS

GUHSD BOARD FACES MULTIPLE LITIGATION THREATS

LAKESIDE FIRE PANCAKE BREAKFAST JUNE 28

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LOSES SD COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FUNDING

SAN DIEGO RIVER CLEANUP IN SANTEE ON SATURDAY

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP TO DEPORT MIGRANTS TO COUNTRIES THAT AREN'T THEIR HOMES, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS

CITY OF SAN DIEGO BUDGET CUTS WON'T CUT INTO LOCAL LAKES

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

LEMON GROVE CONCERTS IN THE PARK SERIES OPENS JUNE 26

READER’S EDITORIAL: FEDERALLY FUNDED SCIENCE SHAPES OUR HEALTH, NATURE, TECHNOLOGY AND LOCAL ECONOMY

LA MESA SUNDAYS AT SIX CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES

COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY VOTES JUNE 26 WHETHER TO WITHDRAW FROM WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN: PETITION LAUNCHED TO SAVE GARDEN’S FUNDING

LA MESA TO HOST MEETING ON COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY APRIL 27

Photo: La Mesa Townhalls in 2018

By Jonathan Goetz

April 16, 2022 (La Mesa) - Building on a unanimous September 10, 2019 decision by this City's Council in California to join a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) with Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach and San Diego, cityoflamesa.us will livecast a forum on April 27 at 6 p.m. 

Representatives from La Mesa, San Diego Gas & Electric and San Diego Community Power will discuss their design to expand cheaper cleaner electricity.

There are two options to participate:

1. Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87079769622)

2. La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center (8450 La Mesa Blvd.)

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: PEOPLE’S CONVOY PASSES THROUGH SAN DIEGO

By Matthew Manosh

April 15, 2022 (San Diego) - On Friday April 8th, the People's Convoy passed through San Diego on its way to Los Angeles. With a motto of “Let freedom roll,” the truckers are on the road to protest proposed vaccination mandates and other COVID-19 related bills in California.

The convoy left Arizona in the morning and arrived at the Golden Acorn Casino on the Campo Indian reservation around 6 p.m., where they were greeted by local supporters of the movement. When the convey first arrived, it parked in the front of the casino but was later moved to the back lot behind the building

SHERIFF’S DEPT. HOSTS COFFEE WITH THE COMMUNITY APRIL 27 IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

April 15, 2022 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego Sheriff’s Rancho San Diego station invites you to Coffee with the Community. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the San Diego Youth Services East Campus auditorium 3845 at Spring Drive in Spring Valley.

For more information, contact crime prevention specialize Nancy Ortiz at (619) 660-7009 or nancy.ortiz@sdsheriff.org.

COLD CASE ARREST FOR 2003 DOUBLE MURDER IN UNINCORPORATED EL CAJON

East County News Service

April 15, 2022 (El Cajon) -- An arrest has been made in a 2003 shooting that killed two people in the unincorporated area of El Cajon. Michael Romero, 45, has been arrested and charged with the murders of Brandon Vigil and Patrick John Greene.

CALIFORNIA BACKS AWAY FROM COVID VACCINE MANDATES FOR KIDS

By Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  Amaya Palestino, 6, receives a COVID-19 vaccine at one of St. John’s Well Child and Family Center mobile health clinics in Los Angeles on March 16, 2022. California is backing away from COVID vaccine mandates for kids. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

April 15, 2022 (Sacramento) - Although more than three-quarters of California adults are vaccinated against COVID-19, opinions are more divided when it comes to vaccinating children. That sentiment played out Thursday when first, the author of a bill that would have mandated vaccines for all children pulled the legislation, and then again when state health officials pushed back the date of their student vaccine mandate.

SPRING VALLEY RISES: COMMUNITY FORUM APRIL 19

East County News Service 

April 15, 2022 (Spring Valley) -- The Spring Valley Community Alliance is working to make Spring Valley greener, cleaner, healthier and safer. The Alliance is hosting a community forum on Tuesday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. featuring two experts on community empowerment and revitalization who will share specific examples and resources that residents can use in Spring Valley and other communities. Folks are invited to attend and learn how to become agents of change in Spring Valley and surrounding communities.

HOMELESSNESS PANEL DISCUSSION APRIL 21 IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

April 15, 2022 (Lemon Grove) - The East County Homeless Task Force and Thrive Lemon Grove are hosting an in-person panel discussion on homelessness on Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane in Lemon Grove.  

SOCAL GROCERY STORE WORKERS OVERWHELMINGLY RATIFY NEW CONTRACT WITH RALPHS & ALBERTSONS/VONS/PAVILIONS

Over 47,000 supermarket employees impacted; deal includes significant wage increases, more hours, improved healthcare benefits and safety

East County News Service

April 14, 2022 (San Diego) -- Grocery store employees represented by seven UFCW Locals in Southern and Central California overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new three-year contract with Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions, averting a strike.

CITY OF LA MESA HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Veteran Public Works czar Michael Throne brings vast experience to the position

Source:  City of La Mesa

April 14, 2022 (La Mesa) - With a commitment to tackling aging infrastructure, the City of La Mesa has tapped Michael Throne to be the new Director of Public Works. Throne, who started on April 11, has more than three decades of experience in reimagining engineering in the public sector.

'APRIL POOLS DAY' AT FLETCHER HILLS POOL APRIL 22

Source:  City of El Cajon

Photo:  cc via Bing

April 14, 2022 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon is hosting a FREE April Pools Day event to help kick off May as National Drowning Prevention Month on Friday, April 22, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Fletcher Hills Pool, located at 2345 Center Place in El Cajon.

“FREEDOM FOR UKRAINE” RALLY SATURDAY IN SAN DIEGO

Source: House of Ukraine

April 14, 2022 (San Diego) – The House of Ukraine invites the public to join in a “Freedom for Ukraine” rally on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. at 1600 North Harbor Drive in San Diego (corner of W. Ash St. and North Harbor Drive).  The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in massive loss of civilians’ life and evidence of war crimes by Russia.

KIDNAPPED GIRL SAFE, MOTHER ARRESTED FOR ABDUCTION AT SCHOOL IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

April 14, 2022 (Spring Valley) – Six-year-old Jolyn Gutierez has been found unharmed.  Her mother, Wendy Gutierez, who does not have custody, has been arrested for kidnapping Jolyn on February 22 from Kempton Elementary School in Spring Valley

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY AFTER CARJACKING EL CAJON POLICE TRUCK WITH SWAT GEAR INSIDE

By Miriam Raftery

April 14, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – A suspect accused of carjacking an El Cajon Police vehicle containing SWAT gear and weapons last night led officers on a high-speed chase across East County before being apprehended in Chula Vista.

An off-duty ECPD officer was leaving a 7-Eleven store in Santee when "a man opened the passenger door of the unmarked pickup truck, got into the vehicle and began yelling incoherently at the driver. At some point, both parties got out of the truck and the carjacker was able to get behind the wheel and drive away," says Sergeant Michael Gonzalez with the Sheriff's department.

The vehicle had SWAT gear, an assault rifle and a pistol locked in a storage locker, according to 10 News.

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WILL NO LONGER INVESTIGATE OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS IN THEIR OWN DEPARTMENTS

East County News Service

April 13, 2022 (San Diego) – Recognizing the need for transparent and independent investigations of officer and deputy-involved shootings, members of the San Diego County Chief's and Sheriff's Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (which establishes a new countywide protocol for the investigation of officer and deputy-involved shootings.  

VACCINE CASH AND MORE: LA MESA APPROVES PHASE TWO ALLOCATION OF ARPA FUNDS

By Elijah McKee

April 13, 2022 (La Mesa) — City of La Mesa employees are now eligible for $500 bonus checks — and if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, they can receive an additional $500. 

TEEN GIRL IS SECOND SAN DIEGO YOUTH TO DIE OF COVID-19

96 children locally have been stricken by Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome caused by COVID

East County News Service

April 13, 2022 (San Diego) - A 15-year-old girl died from COVID-19 and is the second death of someone under the age of 18 in the region during the pandemic, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

JUDGE FINDS LA MESA WAS JUSTIFIED IN FIRING OFFICER MATT DAGES

By Miriam Raftery

April 13, 2022 (La Mesa) – The city of La Mesa’s decision to fire La Mesa Police Officer Matt Dages in 2020 was “supported by the weight of the evidence”, according to a tentative ruling issued by Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal.  According to the Judge, the evidence showed that Dages provided “false and misleading” information in his report on his arrest of Amaurie Johnson.

CBP ADVISES TRAVELING PUBLIC ON EASTER EGG REGULATIONS

Source:  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Photo: a CBP agriculture specialist examines a commercial importation of cascarones

April 13, 2022 (Laredo, Texas) - With the Easter festivities right around the corner, CBP is reminding the traveling public that cascarones (confetti-filled eggshells) are restricted to quantities of 12 per passenger and the shells may be decorated, etched, or painted but they must be clean, dry, and free of any egg residue.  They may contain confetti or other unregulated items.

MISSING WOMAN: NICOLE PARE’S PURSE FOUND IN LA MESA, WHITE AUDI SEEN IN LA MESA AND LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

Update April 14:  Nicole Pare has been found safe, according to SDPD, which did not release details.

April 13, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Police seek help to locate Nicole Marie Paré, 32, a Pacific Beach woman who vanished without picking up a family member at the airport on Monday, April 11. Her white Audi A5 (CA license plate 7VAZ668) was seen Monday in La Mesa and Lemon Grove, and her purse was found in La Mesa.

She is considered at risk due to the circumstances; her family told police she has never gone missing before.

She has blond hair, brown eyes, is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds.

INSPIRED VETERANS HELP CLEAN UP LEMON GROVE

East County News Service
 
April 12, 2022 (Lemon Grove) - Joshua David Klein, a U.S. Naval veteran, and his wife Stephanie became inspired this past year to help their small city, Lemon Grove.  According to Klein, the couple has now picked up 1,200 50-gallon bags of trash along Broadway Avenue, as well as freeway entrances and exits.  “We have also covered more than 500 pieces of graffiti in our public spaces,” he says.

CASA ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY STUDENTS

East County News Service

April 12, 2022 (La Mesa) – Community Action, Service & Advocacy, a substance abuse prevention organization based in East County, is accepting applications for the 2022 ME2WE Scholarship fund. The agency will be awarding multiple scholarships in awards totaling $3,000 to local high school seniors and college students.  

PRODUCE PICKS: EASTER DINNER

By Greg Dunne                                         

April 12th, 2022 (Alpine) -- What are the best veggies For Easter dinner? Well, that of course is a personal preference, but here are some of the more traditional vegetables for the Easter menu. Asparagus tops the list and a few more are green beans, yams, potatoes, carrots, and Brussel sprouts. Here are some great vegetable recipes for your Easter dinner, see below.

CHEERS! HESS BREWING NOW OPEN IN ALPINE, ITS SIXTH LOCAL LOCATION

By Henri Migala

April 12, 2022 (Alpine) -- One of the greatest benefits of living in East County is to be able to enjoy our wide open and natural spaces. The best thing to come out of the pandemic is the move of restaurants to open outdoor eating and drinking areas.

COUNTY LIBRARY BRANCHES EXPAND HOURS

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 12, 2022 (San Diego) - All of the County of San Diego’s 33 community branch libraries are expanding their hours starting Monday, April 11.

The six largest County libraries will now be open seven days a week. That includes the branch libraries in El Cajon, Encinitas, La Mesa, Poway, San Marcos and Vista. All 33 branches will include evening hours.
 
The new hours are posted on signs at each of the libraries and can be found online on sdcl.org.
 
Here’s a list of the new expanded hours at each branch:

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