May 25, 2021 (San Diego) - The Sheriff’s Office has solved a cold-case murder from 17 years ago, where two human legs were found in a dumpster on Hilton Head Way in Ranch San Diego. Authorities used investigative genetic genealogy to identify the victim and track down her killer.
May 25, 2021 (Santee) – Santee resident Kate Pittman posted these startling photos on Facebook with this message today. “This just happened. Fox chased my cat through the doggie door into our office.”
Pittman added that she opened a sliding glass door to let the fox out, which was “growling at me.” She adds, “What a way to start the day!”
May 25, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- The capsizing of a boat filled with undocumented immigrants a few weeks ago off San Diego’s coastline raised questions about immigration policies in Southern California. At least three people died and 23 were injured in the incident. Eight of the migrants were taken in for treatment at the Sharp Healthcare system; some were at Sharp Grossmont in La Mesa.
May 24, 2021 (San Diego) - The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR) received the good news this past week that the California Department of Public Health has updated its guidance on property showings and open houses for REALTORS® and their clients.
May 24, 2021 (San Diego County) -- A COVID-19 related spike in overdose deaths in San Diego County has fueled a behavioral health crisis. In 2020, the County reported 457 fentanyl-related overdose deaths. This is a 202% increase in one year, from 151 recorded deaths in 2019.
Jeff Lowe’s Big Cats Dispersed Among Reputable U.S. Sanctuaries
Story and photo courtesy of Lions, Tigers and Bears
May 23, 2021 (Alpine) – Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego’s only accredited big cat and bear sanctuary, led by Bobbi Brink, worked with several other accredited sanctuaries and the U.S. Department of Justice this week to carry out a large-scale rescue of endangered big cats at Tiger King Park in Thackerville, Oklahoma. In total, 69 big cats – lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids and one jaguar – were removed from Jeff and Lauren Lowe’s facility due to “ongoing Endangered Species Act violations.”
Pastor Joins Forces With Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program to Maximize Facility
May 23, 2021 (Lakeside) -- Case De Oro Bible Church has become part owners in "Faith House," a sober living facility in Lakeside designed to assist those specifically coming out of incarceration or military service and break the cycle of addiction. Pastor Bob Lott has been working with Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program, who assisted with the creation of Faith House and is now facilitating the church's purchase into the project.
"Faith House is an extension of our overall ministry," said Lott. "So many individuals battling addiction also face a crisis of faith and spirituality in their recovery. Becoming more involved with Faith House and elevating the spiritual side of sober living through personal one on one ministry, spiritually-based group activities and increased prayer and faith offerings can give these individuals the boost they need to successfully transition to a sober life," Lott said.
May 23, 2021 (Washington D.C.) -- Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) expressed concern over the prospects of a peace deal in Afghanistan during Tuesday’s House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the US-Afghanistan Relationshipearlier this week. At the hearing, Congresswoman Jacobs directed her questions to The Honorable Zalmay Khalilzad, Special Representative on Afghanistan Reconciliation, U.S. Department of State.
May 23, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – For readers without transportation, getting a COVID-19 vaccine has been challenging. Fortunately, through a partnership forged by the White House under the Biden administration, Uber and Lyft have agreed to provide free rides from now through July 4 for anyone going to get vaccinated.
May 23, 2021 (Santee) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank on Saturday, June 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10052 N Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071 in the parking lot. All participants will receive a San Diego Padres Blood Drive T-shirt. (size subject to availability and while supplies last).
Anyone 17 and older, who weighs at least 114 pounds and is in good health may be eligible to donate blood. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation. We strongly encourage appointments. Photo identification is required. Please call (800) 469-7322 or visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org for more information.
May 23, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Fire season is around the corner and SDG&E wants you and your loved ones to remain safe. Learn what you can do to protect your family and property, as well as gain first-hand safety tips from SDG&E and their regional partners. You'll receive information about stocking an emergency kit, developing an emergency plan, designing or modifying the space around your home to resist wildfire and more.
Due to continued COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, this years' Wildfire Safety Fairs will continue to be drive-thru events that provide preparedness information to some communities most at risk of wildfires. SDG&E is asking participants to please wear protective face coverings or masks to these events.
May 22, 2021 (La Mesa) - La Mesa Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to welcome its newest member, Wine Works. The La Mesa winery and tasting room recently reopened to the public after the pandemic shutdown.
May 22, 2021 (Mt. Helix) – Residents on Horizon Hills near Mt. Helix are reveling in a ruling by Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers which blocks the state from placing Douglas Badger, a sexually violent predator (SVP) in the community. Earlier this month, another judge blocked placement of a second SVP, Merle Wakefield, at the same site.
The residents have announced a "Super Victory Party" on May 31 to celebrate keeping their neighborhood safe.
May 22, 2021 (Santee) -- The East County Advanced Water Purification Program (AWP), which will provide about a third of the region’s future water needs, is still in the planning stages and final costs are still being refined.
But this week, according to a report by the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) governing the AWP, the project’s total budget was revealed to be $790.9 million. That is a huge increase over the previous estimate of $642 million made less than a year ago, and the $528 million estimate in 2019.
Deputies, medical staff use Narcan to save inmates from overdosing
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office
May 22, 2021 (Otay Mesa) - Deputies and medical staff assigned to the George Bailey Detention Facility in Otay Mesa used medication to save eight inmates from overdosing on fentanyl.
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
May 22, 2021 (San Diego) - More than half of all San Diegans 12 years old and older — 50.3% — have now been fully vaccinated, County officials announced Thursday in an important milestone.
May 22, 2021 (Jamul) – A tenant asked to move out of a residence on Lyons Valley Road in Jamul in February shot his landlord, then killed himself following an argument. The landlord’s health declined and on May 7th he was readmitted to a
hospital, where he died.
The Medical Examiner has determined that the cause of death was homicide due to complications from the gunshot wound to his torso.
May 22, 2021 (El Cajon) -- Demitri Machhour, 18, left his worksite in El Cajon on May 10 and has been missing ever since. Machhour, a triplet, was last seen leaving for a lunch break from his workplace, East County Pre-Owned Superstore, presumed to be heading to Parkway Plaza shopping mall.
He is 5’8,” 130 lbs., a Moroccan-American with brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a green baseball cap and green pants with a black t-shirt and a black hooded jacket as seen in the picture.
May 22, 2021 (Deerhorn Valley) – Visitors to Deerhorn Valley Vineyards’ tasting room in Jamul over Memorial Day weekend will have the opportunity to sample a wine directly from the barrel, complimentary with any winetasting purchased.
If you visit, please tell them you learned of their event on East County Magazine. Many of our readers had the delightful opportunity to taste their wines at our recent event. For those who missed our festivities, stop by and enjoy a real treat!
The wines are hand-crafted in small batches, with red wines aged in oak. The winery offers a full range of whites, reds, rosés and blends. In addition, you can sample a wide variety of flavored balsamic vinegars and olive oils.
May 22, 2021 (San Diego) – Fifteen months after COVID-19 shut downs began, the state of California will be lifting all capacity limits and color-coded tiers starting June 15, allowing all businesses to reopen at full capacity without physical distancing. Locally, that includes Padres games at full capacity, a return of symphony concerts, festivals and more.
The announcement came Friday from Dr. Mark Ghaly, head of the California Health and Human Services Agency, who indicated the state will largely follow guidelines U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There will, however, be some requirements for mega-indoor events as well as guidelines for massive outdoor events. In addition, rules remain pending for workplaces and some travel limits may be imposed for travelers from nations with high rates of COVID, in accordance with CDC recommendations.
May 21, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – The Baha’is of Lemon Grove invites you to a virtual program in recognition of Race Amity Day on June 13 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by interaction dialogue sessions June 14-18 which will include viewings of short films depicting influential Americans working hand in hand to blur the color line.
May 21, 2021 (Santee) -- Members of the Santee Interfaith Alliance came together on two weekends in April to help the Santee Christian Church repair and upgrade its parking lot.
Virtual workshop kicks off new grant cycle for nonprofits serving East County
East County News Service
May 21, 2021 (La Mesa) - Grossmont Healthcare District has announced a free public grants workshop from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 8, ahead of its upcoming grant cycle opening on July 1, 2021.
Congresswoman Jacobs is lead co-sponsor of Military Child Care Expansion Act, filed by Congresswoman Speier
May 21, 2021 (Washington, D.C.) – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) has joined Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA-14), Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5) in introducing H.R. 3121, the Military Child Care Expansion Act, legislation to address the child care crisis facing military families.
May 21, 2021 (Washington D.C.) -- Congressman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego), the ranking Republican Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, announced last week with his Democratic counterpart, Subcommittee Chairman Hank Johnson (GA), the introduction of the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act, amending the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA).
May 20, 2021 (San Diego) --This week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Education announced the specific relief totals available to state and local governments and postsecondary institutions as part of the American Rescue Plan, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in March.
May 19, 2021 (Santee) -- Students at Santee’s West Hills High School, class of 2021, will be holding their senior prom on a football field. The event is titled: “Under the Stars” and is literally under a canopy of starlight this year.
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many high schools’ senior prom plans. West Hills High School is also switching up their prom to be held this Saturday, May 22, as well. The dance floor will be at the 50-yard line with the stadium decorated with a light tunnel and more. It is undetermined if the football field lights will be dimmed for slow dances.
The event will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Additionally, the night will be capped off with fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
May 19, 2021 (Casa De Oro) – The California Highway Patrol is asking for public help to identify a vehicle that struck a 74-year-old man this morning who was crossing Bancroft Drive in the Casa de Oro community in Spring Valley around 5:53 a.m.
The vehicle was driving from Bancroft Drive onto State Route 94 westbound when it struck the pedestrian, who was within the intersection. He sustained major injuries and was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego for treatment of his injuries.
May 19, 2021 (Campo) – A San Diego man has died after being shot following a pursuit by U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Silvestre Vargas Estrada, 26, was driving a vehicle with two men as passengers during the pursuit on May 14 shortly before 10 p.m. According to Lt. Thomas Seiver with the Sheriff’s homicide unit, “The pursuit ended in a gas station parking lot at the intersection of State Route 94 and Buckman Springs Road in Campo. A confrontation ensued, resulting in three agents discharging their firearms.”
May 19, 2021 (San Diego) – With over two-thirds of Californians now at least partially vaccinated and half fully vaccinated, many people are looking forward to resuming normal activities. But if you haven’t had the COVID-19 vaccine, you may be surprised to learn that you won’t be allowed to go many places.
These include all cruise ships, many colleges and universities, and some sports arenas and stadiums. Nursing homes and other senior care facilities may require vaccinations before admitting new patients or indoor visitors. Some employers are also requiring vaccines. Even some event planners are requiring guests to be vaccinated to attend functions such as weddings.
Not getting the vaccine is a personal choice, but a growing number of places are opting to protect their customers, workers or patients by banning the unvaccinated. Others are allowing unvaccinated people only if they can pass a COVID test. But who really wants to have your nose swabbed every time you go to a Padres game? Similarly, some places are allowing unvaccinated travelers – but only if you both pass a COVID test and quarantine in your hotel room for a number of days after arriving, which can spoil vacation plans unless you have an extended trip.
So where can’t you go, as of now, if you’re not vaccinated?
By Alexa Oslowski
East County News Service
By Briana Gomez
East County News Service 
Jeff Lowe’s Big Cats Dispersed Among Reputable U.S. Sanctuaries
Pastor Joins Forces With Thank You Heroes Home Rebate Program to Maximize Facility
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Mike Allen
Deputies, medical staff use Narcan to save inmates from overdosing
By Miriam Raftery 
By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson
By Miriam Raftery
The wines are hand-crafted in small batches, with red wines aged in oak. The winery offers a full range of whites, reds, rosés and blends. In addition, you can sample a wide variety of flavored balsamic vinegars and olive oils.
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Virtual workshop kicks off new grant cycle for nonprofits serving East County
Congresswoman Jacobs is lead co-sponsor of Military Child Care Expansion Act, filed by Congresswoman Speier
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
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