January 27, 2022 (San Diego) -- With around 64% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but the omicron variant on the rise, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the Safest States During COVID-19, along with accompanying videos and audio files. California is ranked the second safest overall, after Hawaii, an island state. California also has the highest vaccination rate in the nation.
January 27, 2022 (Logan, Utah) - Matt Bradley led all scorers with 19 points and Chad Baker-Mazara had his best offensive night as an Aztec, but the Utah State Aggies shot better than any team had against the San Diego State and pulled away in the second half for a 75-57 victory in a Mountain West game on Wednesday night.
New research findings released by the U.S. Centers for Disease control shows that COVID-19 vaccine boosters are effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalizations.
The boosters reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations by 94%, and reduced the death rate by 90% compared to patients who had not received booster shots.
January 26, 2022 (Campo) -- The County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health and Quality today advised the public that a Drinking Water Warning has been issued effective immediately for Cameron Corners Water Systemat 31484 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906. The water system supplies water to a convenience store, restaurant, and office retail space.
Republished with permission from Local Umbrella Media
January 25, 2022 (Alpine) -- Among the many jobs she had in the food service industry, Bobbi Brink once worked at a waitress for a San Diego restaurant known as “Hungry Hunter” and another one called “Hungry Tiger.”
January 25, 2022 (San Diego) – Fears that Russia aims to invade the Ukraine have grown in recent weeks, after Russia sent an estimated 100,000 troops to the Ukrainian border, staged military exercises and demanded that NATO deny admission to the former Soviet-bloc nation. The U.S. has sent arms to the Ukraine and has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of severe sanctions if he orders an attack on the Ukraine, which U.S. President Joe Biden says would be “the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world.”
Update January 26: The Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as Judith Terrebonne Anderson, 79. The preliminary cause of death was sharp force injuries, and the manner of death is homicide. Judith Anderson is the mother of Arleigh Clifford Anderson, who was arrested for her murder. The motive is still under investigation.
By Miriam Raftery
January 25, 2022 (Lakeside) -- Arleigh Clifford Anderson, 50, has been arrested and charged with murder of a 79-year old woman in Lakeside.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting a battery yesterday afternoon at 1:18 p.m. at a home in the 9400 block of Riverview Drive. They detained Anderson while deputies entered the home.
January 25, 2022 (San Diego) -- Today is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, and counties across California and nationwide are looking to hire.
Between the pandemic and the retirement of thousands of older people who have served as poll workers, the situation is grim for ensuring there will be enough people for midterm elections.
January 24, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Supervisor Joel Anderson’s staff has compiled an extensive and diverse list of scholarship opportunities to help students attain their higher education goals. Note: some have deadlines just days away, while others are later in the year. Scholarships are listed in chronological order by deadline dates.
“As school season is starting back up, I am aware of the financial barriers that many parents or students face. Having three children go through this process, I understand the value behind scholarship opportunities and the importance behind financial assistance,” Supervisor Anderson states in an email to constituents.
January 24, 2022 (Santee) – The Medical Examiner has identified Wesley DeVault, 36, as the victim of a murder-suicide Friday night in Santee. A healthcare worker and father of a 6-year-old son, DeVault was shot and killed by his girlfriend’s estranged husband, Daniel Wayne Isaac, who later committed suicide.
January 24, 2022 (Alpine) – Marc Anthony Halcon, a firearms expert who owned shooting centers and the former Covert Canyon paramilitary training camp in Alpine, died of COVID-19 complications on January 14 at age 68.
With project’s completion, 30% of electric infrastructure in San Diego’s backcountry has been fire-hardened
East County News Service
Photo by Miriam Raftery: new power poles in Pine Valley
January 24, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and the Cleveland National Forest announced today the completion of the Cleveland National Forest Fire Hardening and Safety (CNF) Project, a cornerstone of the San Diego region’s community fire safety and electric system-hardening efforts.
January 24, 2022 (San Diego) -- Primior, a leading real estate development and asset management firm, has donated 1 million K95 masks to the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC) who represent more than 57,000 members across Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado.
January 24, 2022 (Lakeside) -- The #CanyonFire that began with a vehicle fire at Wildcat Canyon and Muth Valley roads in Lakeside has forced closure of Wildcat Canyon Road in both directions from Willow to Barona. As of 3:30 p.m., Cal Fire spokesman Frank LaCoco told ECM he anticipates closure for at least two more hours due to equipment on both sides of the road, with firefighters remaining on scene into the evening.
Jan. 24, 2022 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) took a proactive look at where potential homeless sites would be located in La Mesa, while trying to balance compassionate solutions with community safety.
One proposed site is at the Park and Ride near the Rancho San Diego Village Shopping Center at Avocado Blvd. and State Route 94 in unincorporated La Mesa; GMIA asked the county to host an online webinar, which was held January 18.
Due to technical difficulties that knocked some participants offline, a second Zoom meeting has been set for Wed., Jan. 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The link for the Jan. 26th session is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89774215131 . The next session should provide an opportunity for the attendees to further explore potential sites in La Mesa for the homeless.
Update: The deceased has been identified as Ronald Ray McKinney, 59. The death has been ruled a homicide.
East County News Service
January 23, 2022 (Spring Valley) – Hikers found the body of a man shortly after 7 a.m. today off the roadway in the 3500 block of Millar Ranch Road, Spring Valley. According to Sheriff’s Homicide Detective Thomas Seiver, “There was trauma to the body.”
The Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation. More information will be released to the public once the Medical Examiner's Office conducts an autopsy.
January 23, 2022 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, present their February event, "Three Decades of Film Fun," Saturday, February 19 at Trinity Presbytarian Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley.
January 23, 2022 (Dallas) – Seeking to make generic prescription drugs affordable for all, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has launched an online pharmacy that sells medications at wholesale prices to consumers at https://costplusdrugs.com/.
Retail, finance, and information technology are among the most popular industries to start a new business this year
East County News Service
Photo: CC via Bing
January 22, 2022 (San Diego) – Workers are leaving jobs at a record pace amid the pandemic, as CNBC recently reported. Fear of COVID, burnout over job stresses, and a desire to work remotely are likely all factors. But where are those workers going? While some have found jobs elsewhere or dropped out of the workforce, others are starting up their own businesses – a trend that appears poised to accelerate in 2022.
January 22, 2022 (Santee) – Sheriff's deputies responded to the 8800 block of Diamondback Drive in Santee at 7:20 last night after a report that a man had shot another man. Deputies spotted a vehicle matching a description of the suspect’s and conducted a high-risk vehicle stop a block from the residence.
The suspect was alone in the vehicle and did not respond to the deputies' attempts to communicate with him. The deputies approached the vehicle and found the suspect had shot himself. They removed the suspect from the vehicle and performed lifesaving measures until relieved by fire department personnel, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Action is needed to address public safety, Anderson says
East County News Service
January 22, 2022 (San Diego) -- At the January 25 Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Joel Anderson will present a letter to the board urging the County to be prepared to face anticipated upcoming public safety personnel shortages throughout the region as vaccine mandates, retirements, recruitment and retention issues impact staffing levels.
January 21, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A male pedestrian who has not yet been identified was struck and killed tonight at 7:09 p.m. by a Volvo in Spring Valley.
According to Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol, the victim stepped off the sidewalk into the path of the 2010 Volvo XC90, which was traveling north on Sweetwater Road near Saint George Street.
UFCW union members at STIIIZY retail locations in California to vote on historic contract
East County News Service
Photo: screenshot from UFSC Local 135 on Facebook
January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – Newly organized workers at STIIIZY dispensaries throughout California including San Diego County are voting on their first ever contract as members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
January 21, 2022 (La Mesa) - Longtime East County educator Theresa Kemper announced Thursday that she’ll step down in June as superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District after less than two years on the job but 33 in the district.
350 new COVID cases in county jails heightens concerns over lack of vaccination requirements for detention
personnel
East County News Service
(Photo by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson)
January 21, 2022 (Santee) -- With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the nation, San Diego County jails are also seeing a spike in the number of positive cases among incarcerated individuals. Over the past few days, more than 350 people in custody have tested positive for COVID-19 at local detention facilities.
“To ensure the health and well-being of those in our care, as well as deputies and jail staff, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department will be temporarily transferring about 200 male inmates to the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee,” a press release from the Sheriff’s office today states.
January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – Starting tomorrow, all people entering the U.S. at the Mexican or Canadian borders must be fully vaccinated, except for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and U.S. nationals. The new requirement will apply to both essential and non-essential travelers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced.
January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unveiled a proposal on December 13 that would take away most financial incentives for homeowners or businesses to install solar power. But after backlash from outraged consumers and elected officials, the CPUC has postponed action.
Insurance coverage will be available starting February 1st for farm owners, wineries, and other outdoor businesses previously ineligible
East County News Service
January 21, 2022 (Sacramento) -- Acting to address the growing needs for a competitive insurance market for farm owners, wineries, ranchers and other outdoor agricultural businesses, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today approved the FAIR Plan to offer new commercial coverage for farm structure risks starting February 1, 2022. The FAIR Plan is an association made up of all admitted insurance companies to be the state’s property “insurer of last resort.”
Navy opportunities take Philippines native around the world
East County News Service
East County News Service
Do not drink tap water in the affected area
By Karen Pearlman
By Miriam Raftery
By Suzanne Potter, California News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
With project’s completion, 30% of electric infrastructure in San Diego’s backcountry has been fire-hardened
East County News Service
By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson 
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Emily Hoeven, CalMatters
Retail, finance, and information technology are among the most popular industries to start a new business this year
By Miriam Raftery
Action is needed to address public safety, Anderson says
By Miriam Raftery
UFCW union members at STIIIZY retail locations in California to vote on historic contract
350 new COVID cases in county jails heightens concerns over lack of vaccination requirements for detention 
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
Insurance coverage will be available starting February 1st for farm owners, wineries, and other outdoor businesses previously ineligible 
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