April 2, 2022 (Santee) - During a recent townhall meeting, Stephen Houlahan, candidate for CA’s 48th Congressional District, discussed the ways Gillespie Field airport negatively impacts adjacent Santee and El Cajon residents. He cited crashes and noise and air pollution, and said, given all the development that has taken place in these East San Diego County cities over the years, the region may not be the right place for an airport anymore.
Photo: outside a federal courthouse in 2019, Rep. Duncan Hunter discusses another case. Photo by Ken Stone
April 2, 2022 (San Diego) - Nearly six years after it received a complaint about then-Rep. Duncan D. Hunter’s suspicious spending, the Federal Election Commission this week took the wraps off its investigation.
Photo by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson, who contributed to this report.
April 2, 2022 (Santee) -- A body was found in the parking lot of the Santee Walmart yesterday afternoon. A spokesperson for the Sheriff's media communications told ECM that the death appears to be a suicide, though an investigation continues.
No other details were provided by law enforcement.
April 1, 2022 (San Diego) – In his State of the County address, Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors cited homelessness as the top challenge to be addressed as the region moves forward out of the pandemic, unveiling a new plan to help local cities help homeless people.
He also unveiled a plan to help families afford activities in county parks, as well as addressing pandemic, the economy, housing needs, childcare, the opioid crisis, wildfire safety and more.
By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office
April 1, 2022 (San Diego) - Close to 1 million San Diegans qualify now for the COVID-19 vaccine booster, yet have still not received their dose, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.
April 1, 2022 (San Diego) – Experts say it costs less than $10 a vial to manufacture insulin, yet the price to consumers with diabetes has skyrocketed to as much as $1,000 per vial, ABC News reports. That’s led to rationing and deaths of some patients. Hoping to save lives, the House voted 232-193 to pass a bill that would cap insulin costs at $35 or 25% of an insurance plan’s negotiated price.
Although 12 Republicans voted with Democrats for the bill, local Republican Congressman Darrel Issa voted against it. San Diego County’s other Congressional representatives voted in favor.
April 1, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Today, a group of Lemon Grove citizens held a press conference in front of the city’s landmark lemon to reveal preliminary plans for a Citrus Festival to fund reopening the community’s recreation center. Here are the juicy details.
“We anticipate sweet success from our Citrus Festival,” said festival organizer Flora Bloom, crowned by a citrus-studded cap. She then listed ideas harvested from community suggestions in meetings and on social media.
April 1, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – First came Uber and Lyft, Now, Hump, a new ride sharing option featuring camels, has been introduced as an option for East County commuters.
“With gas prices soaring and much of East County lacking access to mass transit, this provides an economical alternative to carry rural commuters from their homes to transit stations, colleges, and other major destinations,” says Supervisor Joel Anderson, who took an inaugural ride this morning along with Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
“Camels provide a sustainable form of transportation,” Supervisor Fletcher says. “Each camel can travel up to 30 miles per day, and can traverse up to 100 miles without needing any fossil fuels or even water, since their humps store around 80 pounds of fat.”
April 1, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- Early this morning, at about 1:15 a.m. residents in the sleepy town of Borrego Springs were awakened when a strange sound emitted from the sky. The sound was hard in a five-mile radius from the town. Some of the townsfolks stepped outside hoping for an answer to their disturbed sleep.
Witnesses describe the source of the sound as a strange metal disc with an indent in the center, almost looking like a CD. Others describe it as something out of a science fiction film from the ‘80s. It hovered above the town before zooming out further into the desert. It was gone in an instant, leaving no trace.
During this encounter the residents found that their cellphones, cameras, and other electronic devices around their houses did not work. When the UFO darted out into the desert, the devices started working once again.
March 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s 57th annual Western Days Parade is set to take place on Saturday, April 23. This year’s theme is “Reading – a passport to adventure.”
Supervisor Fletcher pledged in his State of the County speech Tuesday to finally acquire a night-flying helicopter for San Diego County
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Screenshot off Malik Earnest’s Twitter post
March 31, 2022 (Santee) – A brush fire reported shortly before midnight behind the Santee Walmart at 170 Town Center Parkway took over three hours to fully extinguish.
Photo by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson: Las Colinas Detention facility, Santee
March 31, 2022 (Santee) – Brandi McCrystal, 26, has been arrested for felony domestic violence after allegedly severely injuring her partner, a 24-year-old woman.
Deputies responded to a medical aid call on March 29 shortly after 9:30 p.m. in the 8700 block of Graves Ave., Santee. Fire department personnel provided medical aid to the victim, who was transported to a hospital for treatment.
March 31, 2022 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the worldwide Laurel and Hardy fan organization, present their April program, "No Fooling!", on Saturday, April 30 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.
March 30, 2022 (Lemon Grove) — “I’m only helping 120 kids on the weekends — this could help thousands. Everyday,” said Mark Horton, standing in front of the Lemon Grove Recreation Center’s large red gates. “When I lock it up, it’s done.”
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters
Photo by Robert Gehr in El Cajon
March 30, 2022 (Sacramento) - After more than six hours of debate Tuesday, California’s reparations task force voted that only Black Californians who can prove a direct lineage to enslaved ancestors will be eligible for the statewide — and first-in-the nation — initiative to address the harms and enduring legacy of slavery.
March 30, 2022 (Poway) - Soccer moms have come a long way, or have they? Once perceived as the happy all-American family, what secrets lay beneath the happy facade? Find out at PowPac Community Theatre’s production of Secrets of a Soccer Mom, under the direction of Steve Murdock. It’s funny and heartfelt.
Updated 5:30 p.m. with preliminary autopsy results.
March 30, 2022 (San Diego) – Derek Baker, 56, an inmate found beaten in his cell in the San Diego Central Jail on March 12, died today of his injuries. Sheriff’s homicide detectives identified Baker’s cellmate, 28-year-old Patrick Ferncase, as the assailant. The case has been referred to the District Attorney to file charges against Ferncase.
Activities, resources & educational materials focus on ways to invest in our planet
Source: City of La Mesa
March 29, 2022 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa, in partnership with the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation and other sponsors, is ramping up efforts for the annual celebration of Earth Day at MacArthur Park on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event will showcase fun, educational, and sustainable activities, products and services.
Photo: Ukrainian refugees crossing into Poland; Creative Commons image via Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs
March 29, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego County Supervisors have issued statements preparing to welcome Ukrainian refugees, following President Joe Biden’s announcement that the U.S. will admit up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine displaced by the Russian invasion.
Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, issued a statement which reads in part, “Our county has time and again stepped up to help refugees and this time is no different. Together with Los Angeles and Sacramento, we are the largest metropolitan regions in California expected to accept these refugees.”
Fletcher added that the County has also begun helping Ukrainian refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Photo: Former President Donald Trump’s speech shortly before the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Public domain image from Voice of America via Wikipedia
March 28, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - A U.S. federal judge on Monday found that former President Donald Trump and legal adviser John Eastman probably committed felony obstruction in their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
March 28, 2022 (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:
March 28, 2022 (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 by Matt Manosh: Lemon Grove City Clerk Audrey Malone denied attorney Cory Briggs' request to inspect public records the day before a proposed censure motion of Councilmember Liana LeBaron.
March 28, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Attorney Cory Briggs has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the nonprofit Project for Open Government against the city of Lemon Grove. The suit alleges that the city acted illegally in failing to respond to multiple public records requests related to the city’s proposed censure and discplinary actions toward Councilmember Liana LeBaron. The City also denied Briggs access to inspect public records when he came to city hall in person the day before the censure hearing, and has still failed to respond weeks later.
The suit seeks a court order requiring the city to full comply with the California Public Records Act, California Constitution, common law and other applicable laws by disclosing all records requested. Briggs also seeks injunctive relief to inspect and copy public records (or portions allowed by law), as well as attorney fees and legal expenses.
March 28, 2022 (San Diego) -- San Diego Humane Society President Gary Weitzman, DVM, has deployed to Przemyśl, Poland on a 10-day mission to provide veterinary care, help set up a border crossing veterinary clinic and make arrangements for additional San Diego Humane Society veterinarians and animal care staff to support pets impacted by the war in Ukraine. Dr. Weitzman left San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego Campus on Sunday, March 27, 2022 after loading veterinary supplies to bring to the ADA Foundation in Poland. Supplies included antibiotics, paid medication, syringes and gloves.
Mar. 28, 2022 (County of San Diego) The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Anthony Ray as interim sheriff on Tuesday. He will step into the top leadership role through January 2023 when the winner of this year’s election for sheriff takes office.
Ray will be sworn in on April 5. He is currently an assistant sheriff and has served more than 30 years in the department. He will oversee one of the largest sheriff’s departments in the nation, managing nearly 4,700 employees and providing primary law enforcement to nearly one million people.
March 28, 2022 (San Diego) – Continental Mills has recalled Great Value Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix sold at Walmart stores nationwide, due to possible foreign material contamination. Fragments from a cable used to clear the processing line were found in a limited number of products.
The recalled lot has the UPC 078742370828, lot code KX2063, and best by date of 09/01/2023.
March 28, 2022 (San Diego) – The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain was written by Eugene Yelchin, who is a member of the San Diego Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. The topic is relevant at a time when Russia has launched a war in Europe threatening freedom of neighboring Ukraine, rekindling memories of the iron curtain, an invisible barrier which separated free nations from others in Europe until the Soviet Union collapsed.
In Leningrad, Russia, Yevgeny grows up in an apartment. Except for the kitchen and bathroom, each room is occupied by a separate family. One room has a government spy. Every apartment is like this.
March 27, 2022 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Conversations invites you to meet with Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber on Sunday, April 3 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a legislative update and a chance to share your priorities for the City of La Mesa.
The meeting will be at La Mesita Park, located at 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa.Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket for comfortable seating.
By Colleen Cochran
By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Full text of speech
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By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Supervisor Fletcher pledged in his State of the County speech Tuesday to finally acquire a night-flying helicopter for San Diego County
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Elijah McKee
By Lil Kalish, CalMatters
By Kathy Carpenter
By Miriam Raftery
Activities, resources & educational materials focus on ways to invest in our planet
By Brett Wilkins, staff writer, Common Dreams
March 28, 2022 (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:
March 28, 2022 (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:
March 28, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
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Source: San Diego Humane Society
Source: County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
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