September 3, 2021 (San Diego) – After more than 14 hours of heated testimony, San Diego County Supervisors voted 3-2 late Tuesday night to declare medical misinformation a public health crisis.
September 3, 2021 (El Cajon) -- Foodie Fest aims to reignite the City of El Cajon restaurant/food services industry while celebrating the community’s diversity, supporting a major local non-profit and increasing a presence in Downtown El Cajon. The event will be hosted on Saturday, October 9, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
September 3, 2021 (San Diego) – COVID-19 deaths countywide nearly doubled in the past week, with 49 deaths Aug. 25-31, up from 25 the week before, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced on Sept. 1.
September 3, 2021 (Spring Valley) -- Yesterday around 7;30 a.m., San Diego County Sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant at an illegal marijuana dispensary located at 9966 Dolores Street in Spring Valley.
September 2, 2021 (Ramona) — Two orphaned bear cubs in care at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center are doing well, the SDHS reports. The young bears, estimated to be about six months of age, were brought to San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife team by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Aug. 18 after they were captured in Three Rivers area.
September 2, 2021 (Poway) - The Poway Chamber today announced the passing of long-time Chamber member and former Chamber President, Vernard “Vern” Marston. Vern, a 49-year resident of Poway, died with his family at his side on August 24, 2021. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, community banker, retired USAF Lt. Colonel, and dedicated member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce. Vern was often referred to as "Mr. Poway".
September 2, 2021 (San Diego) - For most California residents, the thought of summer conjures many timeless images and traditions: backyard barbecues, warm weather, vacations, and children being out of school- to name a few. Increasingly, however, another image is becoming synonymous with California summers: wildfires.
September 1, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – Residents of Lemon Grove are invited to dispose of household hazardous waste free on September 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A reservation is required and can be made by calling (619) 287-5696 or email lmhhw@edcodisposal.com. Two additional household hazardous waste drop-off events are slated for Oct. 23 and Dec. 4. See flyer for full details.
September 2, 2021 (San Diego) - As in many other technologically advanced democracies, the U.S. is blessed with highly trained medical personnel and superb facilities. However, we are also by far the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Our taxes fund 65% of the total costs of our healthcare system (Harrison, 2008). More than 30 cents on every dollar goes to large partly unaccountable administrative bureaucracies that, on the whole, do not make a positive contribution to actual health care (Harrison, 2018).
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
September 1, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It’s not easy to talk about suicide. It’s often considered a taboo subject and frequently ignored. But according to the latest statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, it is the second leading cause of death in the United States for those under 35 and in the top 10 causes of death for those over 35. Each of us can play a role in preventing deaths by suicide beyond simply raising awareness of the topic. One easy way is to complete an 8 hour course to become a Mental Health First Aid responder.
September 1, 2021 (Sacramento) -- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has closed 33 properties that lie within or immediately adjacent to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) boundaries due to extreme fire conditions. Effective immediately, these properties are closed to the public through Friday, Sept. 17.
September 1, 2021 (La Mesa) – Daniel Corona, 61, of La Mesa was arrested today and charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, a felony. Around 5:30 p.m. July 28, Corona was the driver of an SUV that struck a building at 7373 University Avenue, killing a 40-year-old man inside.
August 31, 2021 (El Cajon) – An inmate found dead in the San Diego Central Jail yesterday has been identified as Glen William Davey, 55, a resident of El Cajon. He had been arrested on August 27 on a parole violation.
August 31, 2021 (In-Ko-Pah) – James Coe, 63, of Arizona, has died after being rescued from a fiery rollover crash shortly after 3 p.m. yesterday on Interstate 8 eastbound at In-Ko-Pah Road in Jacumba, near the San Diego and Imperial County line.
August 31, 2021 (Descanso) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced temporary closure through September 17 at noon of national forests across California, including Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County. The aim is to protect the safety of firefighters and the public during high fire danger conditions, with wildfires raging across much of the state. Locally, the closure includes popular hiking trails such as Cedar Creek Falls and Three Sisters Falls as well as the Hauser and Pine Creek wilderness areas and more.
August 31, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – “Strong thunderstorms east of Borrego and subsequent downdrafts has created a Haboob in Borrego Springs, see progression below over several minutes,” says Bob Kutscher, who sent in these photos. A haboob is an intense dust storm carried on an atmospheric gravity current or weather front; haboobs occur commonly in dry land areas around the world.
Kutscher runs a weather station and is a severe weather spotter for the National Weather Service.
August 31, 2021 (San Diego) – The California Highway Patrol is asking for witnesses to two freeway shootings early this morning by a shooter in a black four-door sedan who remains at large. The shootings injured two motorists.
The first shooting occurred around 2:14 a.m. on north I-805 in Imperial Avenue; the second occurred about 11 minutes later on east State Route 94 east of College Grove Way near Lemon Grove.
August 31, 2021 (El Cajon) -- Reina Menasche, host of East County Magazine's Bookshelf segment on our radio show on KNSJ, was the guest this week. ECM show producer Miriam Raftery interviewed Reina about her new paranormal suspense novel, The Spirit of Shy Moon Lake.
In the interview, Reina talks about how she dreams up her complex characters and creative plot, as well as what it was like to launch and market a book during the pandemic. She also shares insights into her upcoming projects and more.
August 30, 2021 (San Diego) – The Democratic Party is officially advising members to vote no on recalling Newsom and leave the second question – who should replace him – blank. But that could backfire if the recall succeeds, allowing a small minority of mostly conservative voters to pick the next Governor without anything close to a majority. While that may delight Republicans, now that polls show the race is too close to call, a growing number of Democrats who oppose the recall are seeking info on Democrats running, just in case.
August 31, 2021 (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:
August 30, 2021 (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:
Supervisorial district 2 may be split due to population increase; urban and rural residents voice concerns
By Mike Allen
Photo: Ramah Awad of Majdal Center in El Cajon provides comment to the county’s Independent Redistricting Commission.
August 30, 2021 (El Cajon) -- The process of redrawing boundaries for San Diego County’s five supervisorial districts is underway and the independent commission that will determine those lines visited El Cajon Aug. 26 to listen to the public.
August 29, 2021 (San Diego) -- I could write an entire paper just documenting numerous cases where people who thought they were well-insured, discovered all too late they weren’t. The following are just a few examples:
Over 110,000 airlifted out; military also working to remove equipment
East County News Service
Photos via U.S. Dept. of Defense
Update August 30, 2021 with information on civilian casualties from yesterday's drone strike.
AUG. 29, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – Today, U.S. military forces conducted a strike that eliminated a vehicle filled with explosives that posed a threat to Hamad Karzai International airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Capt. Bill Urban, CENTCOM spokesperson, states,
“We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material,” Voice of America reports.
CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department
@CALFIRERRU
****Effective immediately, for all future updates on acreage, containment and Evacuation Orders and Warnings, go to -
@CALFIRESANDIEGO
*****
Update August 29, 2021 9 a.m.: The #ChaparralFire hsa grown to 1,450 acres and is 10% contained. A firefighter was injured and two structures have burned.
CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department reports:
#ChaparralFire Evening Update 8/28/22 9:10 PM - Fire remains 1,200 acres and 0% contained. All Evacuation ORDERS:WARNINGS remain in place overnight & until further notice. Final update tonight unless significant activity occurs.
By Jonathan Goetz
Photo: SDG&E via ECM News Partner 10 News
Saturday, August 28 (San Diego/Riverside) - A fire that started around this afternoon near Cleveland Forest Road and Tenaja Road southwest of Murrieta in San Diego County [33.484721, -117.39309] has burned 1,200 acres and is 0% contained, according to a Cal Fire Incidents report posted 6:23 p.m. Saturday, on the State of California's website.
August 28, 2021 (Washington D.C. ) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced today the deaths of 13 service members in the Marines, Navy and Army who died Aug. 26, 2021, as the result of an attack by an ISIS splinter group, ISIS-K, while supporting evacuation operations at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Those killed include ten who served at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County:
Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Ca.
Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Neb.
Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Ind.
Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Mo.
Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas.
Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyo.
Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.
Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Ca.
Hospitalman Maxton Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio.
“I extend my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the 1st Marine Division servicemen who lost their lives while heroically safeguarding the evacuation of thousands of U.S citizens and faithful allies from Hamid Karzai International Airport,” said Major General Roger Turner Jr., comamnder of the 1st Marine division, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. “Nine Marines and one Sailor paid the ultimate price to defend our nation and extend the reach of freedom beyond our shores."
President Biden has ordered flags flown at half-mast to honor the troops killed and pledge to swiftly hold accountable those responsible. One day later, a U.S.-led airstriked killed at least two ISIS-K leaders, the White House announced.
Below is the full list of fatalities suffered in all three branches of the armed services.
August 27, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – A hearing on the proposed placement of sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield has been posted to February 22, after Liberty Healthcare/CONREP withdrew its request to place him at 1575 Yaqui Road in Borrego Springs.
August 27, 2021 (La Mesa) – A suspect accused of striking an 82-year-old man on the head and carjacking his Jeep Cherokee in La Mesa yesterday morning is under arrest. Tymody Wallace, 29, was arrested in Irvine on unrelated charges.
Update August 31, 2021: One local family with three Children in the Cajon Valley district has been left behind after the U.S. troop withdrawal, 10 News supports. A district spokesperson said they are exploring ways to bring them home. The other Cajon Valley familes have been safely evacuated and some students are now back in school.
Over 104,000 civilians have been evacuated by U.S. in past 10 days; airlifts continue despite bombings as Biden vows retaliations against ISIS
By Miriam Raftery
Photo courtesy of the Pentagon: U.s. Air Force personnel help evacuate Afghan civilians at the Kabul airport on Aug. 24
August 26, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – After today’s deadly terrorist attacks near the Kabul airport, concerns are heightened over the fate of some Cajon Valley Union School District students and their families. Around two dozen students and their families who traveled to visit relatives became trapped in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, the district announced earlier this week.
Today, the San Diego Union-Tribunereports that four of the local families have escaped and two have arrived safely in Southern California. But the whereabouts of five other local families, including 14 children, remains unknown.
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Source: County News Service
East County News Service
Source: San Diego Humane Society
Source: Poway Chamber of Commerce
By Andy Nelson, Owner of 
East County News Service
By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH
By David R. 
Source: Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
August 31, 2021 (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:
August 30, 2021 (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:
August 31, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
Supervisorial district 2 may be split due to population increase; urban and rural residents voice concerns
By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH
Over 110,000 airlifted out; military also working to remove equipment
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
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