By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

ECM file photo, left, of Karas.

Aug. 16, 2021 (La Mesa) Twenty-nine-year-old Zachary Alexander Karas was sentenced to 33 months in Federal custody on Aug. 13, according to court documents, for possessing explosive devices, Molotov cocktails, during the La Mesa riots in May of 2020.

The protests were in response to racial justice and policing issues.

In court documents Karas claimed he made the decision to make Molotov cocktails while he was under the influence of alcohol.

According to the U.S. attorney’s office Karas could have faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. An appeal has already been filed.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

August 15, 2021 (Vista) - Sheriff's Homicide detectives continued their investigation and identified 22-year-old Jheran Beverson as the suspect in the murder of Shannon Betz, who was found by his roommate murdered in the 1100 block of Delpy View Point in Vista on August 8. Beverson was arrested yesterday and booked into Vista Detention Facility for one count of murder. 

The league reverts to an 18-game slate for the eighth time in nine years, after scheduling 20 conference games during the 2020-21 season

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com/Justin Tafoya, Clarkson Creative Photography

August 14, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego State men's basketball released the initial version of its Mountain West Conference schedule for the 2021-22 campaign on Friday, the first phase in the scheduling process. After a year in which teams were scheduled to play two-game series at home against half the league and on the road against the other half, for a total of 20 contests, the format has reverted to 18-games (nine home and nine road games) with each team playing eight opponents twice (home-and-home) and two opponents once.  For the Aztecs, league games begin on Jan. 1 and wrap up on March 5.

Source:  California Highway Patrol

August 13, 2021 (Lakeside) - Today at approximately 11:44 am, a 59-year-old male resident of Mesa, AZ was driving a Buick convertible eastbound on Interstate 8 west of Dunbar Lane. While driving, the driver experienced a medical episode which caused him to become incapacitated and lose positive control of the car. His 58-year-old wife was seated in the right front passenger seat and observed that her husband was in distress. She immediately reached across the center console, grabbed the steering wheel and attempted to maintain control of the car.

While supplies last, backpacks filled with school supplies are still available for pickup at the Herrick Library

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of Grossmont Healthcare District

August 12, 2021 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) supported hundreds of East County San Diego families at their three-day Family End of Summer Palooza event, giving away essentials to prepare for back to school.

By Ken and Chris Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit speaks at the funeral for Dan Walters, a police officer and former San Diego Padres catcher. Image from Facebook

August 11, 2021 (San Diego) - It was important to Dan Walters not to be forgotten.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Jonathan Goetz also contributed to this report

Photo courtesy of Cal Fire

August 11, 2021 (Lawson Valley-East County) - A fire broke out on Tuesday, August 10, around 6 p.m. that destroyed a home on Lyons Creek Lane just east of Jamul.

According to a tweet sent out by Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire they arrived at the scene of a fully involved structure fire that spread to the surrounding vegetation.  The forward rate of spread of the vegetation fire was stopped at one acre. The fire was off Lyons Creek Lane in the community of Lawson Valley.  It was known as the #LyonsFire.

The firefighters stopped the spread by using water and retardant drops using airplanes and helicopters in approximately 40 minutes.

East County Magazine Wildfire & Emergency Alerts broke the story (Twitter: @eastcountyalert) thanks to Nadin Abbott, who issued live updates to our twitter followers. Prompt coverage on fires in Jamul can save lives as many areas have only one way in/out.

No humans or animals were injured. The cause of the fire was not disclosed at this time. 

If you have photos, details, or an eyewitness account on this or any local emergency please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org

Thanks to the Grossmont Healthcare District and San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for their generous sponsorship of our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

"The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk."

By Jake Johnson, Common Dreams, published under a Creative Commons license

Photo: file photo from the 2007 firestorms

August 10, 2021 (San Diego) - A panel of leading scientists convened by the United Nations issued a comprehensive report Monday that contains a stark warning for humanity: The climate crisis is here, some of its most destructive consequences are now inevitable, and only massive and speedy reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can limit the coming disaster.

Volunteers are needed at Meals on Wheels 

No appointments necessary for birth, death & marriage certificates to meet pent-up pandemic & back-to-school demand, and for customers without internet access and/or credit/debit cards

By: Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Grand Opening of Santee location, March 12, 2020 (Photo Credit: Michael Uyeda)

August 10, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego County Recorder's offices will be offering expanded office hours with a Saturday “no appointment necessary” walk-in day on August 14, 2021, to meet pent-up pandemic period demand for birth, death, and marriage certificates (all vital records). Currently, Ernie Dronenburg requires appointments during the week, but this event will not require appointments for what he has dubbed “Vital Records Day.” The special Saturday walk-in services are offered at the County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk's Chula Vista, San Marcos, and Santee locations.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 9, 2021 (San Diego) - More than 2 million San Diegans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, placing the County closer to achieving its vaccination goal.

By Miriam Raftery

August 9, 2021 (Borrego Springs) -- On February 18, Sheriff's deputies responded to Di Giorgio Road and Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs for a report of a battery. Deputies found Martin Baker, 49,  on the side of the road suffering from head trauma.

He was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. Later that day, deputies arrested Eugene Carl Focarelli, 37, for assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm. On Feb. 22, Baker’s condition declined and the Borrego Springs resident died at the hospital. 

East County News Service

August 9, 2021 (Sacramento) -- On Wednesday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and a lineup of public health experts, legendary guests and youth leaders will promote vaccine effectiveness in a Virtual Vaccine Town Hall. The event is designed to capture the interest and engagement of individuals of all ages and across demographic, geographic, and social groups and inform the important conversations around a safe return to in-person learning. The goal of the event is to reach at least one million Californians and have an impact on boosting vaccination rates for the benefit of schools and communities. The Virtual Vaccine Town Hall will include Spanish language and American Sign Language interpretation service and be accessible by teleconference and viewable by Zoom webinar and on the California Department of Education (CDE) Facebook Live.

August 9, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• You asked, we’re answering. Your top questions on COVID-19 and vaccines (CNN)
• “Mask up to keep it up”: Preliminary evidence of the association between erectile dysfunction and COVID‐19 (National Institute of Health)
• Google And Facebook Mandate Vaccines For Employees At U.S. Offices (NPR)
• A CDC Document Gives New Details On Just How Dangerous The Delta Variant Really Is (NPR)
• COVID Symptoms May Linger In Some Vaccinated People Who Get Infected, Study Finds (NPR)
• Goldman Sachs is taking a hard line on employee vaccinations. Other big banks are following its lead (CNN)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• 'Code Red for Humanity': IPCC Report Warns Window for Climate Action Is Closing Fast (Common Dreams)
• The fungus and bacteria tackling plastic waste (BBC)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.