ISSA BILL WILL INCENTIVIZE WILDFIRE PREVENTION THROUGH TARGETED TAX RELIEF

EL CAJON POLICE ARREST PAROLEE IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM, NARCOTICS AND AMMUNITION

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RACCOONS IN SAN CARLOS

DRIVER CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, DUI IN FATALITY LEMON GROVE CRASH

MARINES NOW STATIONED IN CAMPO AT BORDER; NEWSOM OFFICE: 'DANGER' TO COMMUNITY

INJURED MOUNTAIN LION RETURNS TO WILD; 2 OTHER CUBS CONTINUE REHAB AT RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AT PARKWAY PLAZA

SUPREME COURT LIMITS INJUNCTIONS THAT BLOCKED TRUMP’S PLAN FOR BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

ECM WINS TWO JOURNALISM AWARDS

GUHSD BOARD FACES MULTIPLE LITIGATION THREATS

LAKESIDE FIRE PANCAKE BREAKFAST JUNE 28

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LOSES SD COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FUNDING

SUPERVISORS APPROVE ANDERSON MEASURE TO IMPROVE NOTIFICATIONS TO COMMUNITIES REGARDING SEX OFFENDERS

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a measure to increase public notification regarding locations of registered sex offenders and proposed placements of sexually violent predators in communities. Supervisor Joel Anderson introduced the measure, which was amended at the request of Supervisor Jim Desmond to also include Native American communities.

Anderson says that existing notifications “do not provide adequate notice to communities where sex offenders will be located.” In a written statement to the board, Anderson indicated that after sending questions to the District Attorney and Sheriff regarding the placement process and notification procedures, “there are inconsistencies and omissions in the answers we received.”

SDSU SOFTBALL FALLS AT COLORADO STATE 3-2

SDSU has six-game winning streak snapped in Fort Collins

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

May 8, 2021 (Fort Collins, Colo.) - The San Diego State softball team had its six-game winning streak snapped in a 2-0 loss at Colorado State Sunday afternoon at Ram Field. The Aztecs (27-14, 12-9 MW) have still won 13 of its last 16 games.

FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE TREE TRIMMER TRAPPED ATOP PALM IN SPRING VALLEY

By Miriam Raftery

 

Photo via San Miguel Fire on Instagram

 

May 9, 2021 (Spring Valley) - Crews from San Miguel and Heartland Fire Rescue rescued a tree trimmer Friday.  “Units arrived on scene to find the worker pinned to the tree approximately 75 feet up. His rigging, harness, and legs were compressed by the weight of the heavy skirt of dead fronds which had given way,” San Miguel posted on Instagram.

SUPERVISORS VOTE 4-1 TO REPEAL “RACIST” LAW AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR TRIBES TO BUY BACK ANCESTRAL LANDS

“It is time to get rid of this racist law against Indians in San Diego.” – Bo Mazzetti, Chair, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians (photo, left)
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
May 6, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego County Supervisors voted 4-1 yesterday to repeal a 1994 board resolution which required blanket opposition to all tribal requests to add land to their reservations under the federal fee-to-trust process.

SUPERVISORS SPLIT ON SUPPORT OF GEORGE FLOYD POLICE REFORM BILL

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left, by Henri Migala:  protest in La Mesa on May 30 called for justice for George Floyd

May 7, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to endorse the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a federal police reform measure aimed at improving law enforcement accountability and addressing racial disparities. Supervisors split 3-2 on the issue, with East County Supervisors Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson opposed while Supervisors Nathan Fletcher, Terra Lawson-Remer and Nora Vargas supported the action.

FUNDRAISERS PLANNED TO HELP VALENZUELA FAMLY THAT LOST HOME IN SOUTHERN FIRE

East County News Service

May 7, 2021 (San Diego's East County) - The Southern Fire burned some 5200 acres May 1st through 3rd, forcing evacuations and destroying three structures, including Eduardo (Eddie) and Priscilla Valenzuela’s ranch home near Butterfield Ranch

VALLEY CENTER TEACHER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED SEX CRIMES WITH MINORS

By Miriam Raftery
 
Image via Valley Center Elementary School website
 
May 6, 2021 (Valley Center) – Kyle Puette, 37, a third and fifth grade teacher at Valley Center Elementary School, has been arrested on charges of sending harmful matter to seduce minors and communicating with minors to commit a sexual offense.
 
The alleged criminal offenses offered in Bakersfield, where Puette was formerly employed as a fifth grade teacher at Louse Sandrini Elementary School from 2013 to 2017. Two juvenile teenage victims have been identified thus far, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. 

JOHN COX, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, SLAMMED FOR BRINGING LIVE BEAR ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photos via Cox campaign
Updated May 10 with statement/action alert from Bobbi Brinks, founder of Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine
 
May 6, 2021 (San Diego) – California gubernatorial recalls have long been likened to circuses. Now Republican candidate John Cox from San Diego’s north county has added to the circus-like atmosphere and drawn criticism from animal rights activists for hauling a Kodiak brown bear along on his campaign trail.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES IN THE ER

By Ariana Longley, chief operating officer at the Patient Safety Movement Foundation

 

Image via Pixabay

 

May 6, 2021 (San Diego) - The emergency room (ER) can be a stressful place – whether it’s you or a loved one seeking care. While most visits to the ER are unexpected, that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BIRDS NEST THISTLES

May 9, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Birds' nest thistles are among the more unusual wildflowers now in bloom in meadows along Sunrise Highway en route to Mount Laguna from Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. Miriam Raftery snapped these images.

The first photo, left, shows the characteristic nest-snaped plant before it's bloomed. The spiny appendages have a cactus-like appearance and are sharp to the touch.

GRANT TRIPLES COVID-19 ESSAY AWARDS, 1ST PLACE NOW $1,000

Source: East County Leadership Council

May 6, 2021 (El Cajon) - East County Leadership Council’s grant has allowed it to triple the prize money for its COVID-19 essay contest. ECLC has also extended the deadline for entries to May 29 to allow broader participation.

The goal of the essay contest is to better understand how COVID-19 has affected young people academically, in their college plans, and in their career choices. This contest is open to east county high school juniors, seniors, and college freshman. 

EVENING COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS COMING TO NORTH, EAST, SOUTH COUNTY

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

May 6, 2021 (San Diego's East County) - Starting, Thurs., May 6, three County COVID-19 vaccination sites in North, East and South County will start offering evening hours for San Diegans.

BUTTERFLY RELEASES RETURN TO WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN IN MAY AND JUNE

East County News Service

May 5, 2021 (El Cajon) – Butterfly season is back.  The Water Conservation Garden invites you to release your very own butterfly each Saturday in May and June from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at its Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion and Native Habitat Garden.

FIRES BROKE OUT IN SANTEE ON CINCO DE MAYO

Photos and story by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

(Pictured Santee Fire Department's Deputy Fire Chief Justin Matsushita) 

May 5, 2021 (Santee) Two fires broke out in Santee today, the afternoon of Cinco de Mayo. Santee Fire Department’s  Deputy Fire Chief Justin Matsushita (photo), interviewed near the corners of Meadow Way and Riverview Parkway near the San Diego River, said his department got a call on the riverbed fire at 1:10 p.m. and had the fire extinguished in 45 minutes.

HISTORIC SITES TO SEE IN LEMON GROVE FOR NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH

Source: Lemon Grove Historical Society

 

May 5, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – May is National Preservation Month. The Lemon Grove Historical Society invites you to take a stroll around town to visit Lemon Grove’s beloved preserved historic structures.

REGAL RESUMES THEATRE OPERATIONS AT ADDITIONAL SAN DIEGO LOCATIONS

East County News Service

May 5, 2021 (San Diego) - Regal announced that it will reopen additional movie theaters locally on Friday, May 7.  East County locations include Regal Parkway Plaza & Imax as well as Regal Edwards Rancho San Diego.  Others are Regal Escondido & Imax, Regal Rancho Del Ray in Chula Vista, and Regal Mission Marketplace & RPX in Oceanside.

WEEKEND GETAWAY: MOTHER’S DAY AT CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDS

Update: The Flower Fields will be open an additional week ending May 16th. Tickets will be available at a discounted rate for a limited time only, while supplies last.  Tickets go on sale Monday, May 10th at 8 a.m.

Story and video by Briana Gomez

View video:  https://youtu.be/xra1kCSymCM

May 4, 2021 (Carlsbad) - It’s the last week to visit the beautiful Carlsbad Flower Fields. The fields will finish off their season on Mother’s Day this upcoming Sunday. but there’s still time to buy tickets.

JONES’S MEASURE TO PROTECT FOSTER KIDS FROM CHILD LABOR TRAFFICKING UNANIMOUSLY PASSES SENATE

Source: Senator Brian W. Jones
 
May 4, 2021 (Sacramento) -- A measure authored by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee), based on recommendations of the California Little Hoover Commission and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, was approved unanimously by the State Senate. 

COUNTY CONDUCTS FIRST LARVICIDE DROP; REMINDS PUBLIC ABOUT MOSQUITO PREVENTION

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 4, 2021 (San Diego) - With temperatures rising and summer coming, the County’s Vector Control Program is scheduled to conduct its first routine mosquito-fighting aerial larvicide drop this week on dozens of waterways to help stop mosquitoes from potentially spreading diseases like West Nile virus.

POST-PANDEMIC LIFE FOR SENIORS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THAT CAN BE A GOOD THING

By Simona Valanciute, President and CEO, San Diego Oasis

May 4, 2021 (San Diego) - Seniors have been hit hard by the pandemic. Highly effective COVID-19 vaccines now offer hope of a return to a more normal life, but many of our institutions might be changed forever.

RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FOOD AND ALCOHOL VENUES CAN NOW APPLY FOR RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUNDS UNDER AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

East County News Service

 

May 4, 2021 (San Diego) – Applications can now be submitted for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to offset losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To apply, visit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s application portal.  The fund is part of the American Rescue Plan and is open not only to restaurants, but also caters, bars, bakeries, wineries, breweries, food carts, inns and certain other businesses where food sales provided a major source of revenues.

SPRING VALLEY DISPENSARY RAID FINDS COUNTERFEIT CANDY AND CHIPS CONTAINING MARIJUANA

East County News Service
 
May 4, 2021 (Spring Valley) -- Two people are under arrest after an illegal marijuana dispensary was shut down by Sheriff's Deputies in Spring Valley. Among the items seized were candy and chips containing marijuana, with counterfeit labels resembling major brand names.

STUDY FINDS ANTIBODIES DISAPPEAR QUICKLY IN PATIENTS WHO HAD COVID, BUT LAST LONGER IN VACCINATED PEOPLE

By Miriam Raftery

 

May 3, 2021 (Milpitas, Calif.) – If you’ve had COVID and have not yet been vaccinated, here’s an important fact to consider. A new study published in BioMed Central (BMC) found that fewer than half of COVID positive patients retained their disease fighting antibodies more than 100 days after infection. This revelation comes as health experts assess how long natural immunity against the coronavirus disease lasts.

ISSA SLAMS PENTAGON DECISION DENYING PERMIT FOR “ROLLING TO REMEMBER” VETERANS’ RIDE ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Annual motorcycle ride honoring veterans in our nation’s capital; Creative Commons image by Cristiano Del Riccio via Wikipedia

May 3, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – Veterans’ groups and members of Congress are criticizing the Department of Defense for denying a permit request to use the Pentagon parking lot as a staging area for the annual “Rolling to Remember” motorcycle ride. The ride organized by AMVETS, a veterans’ organization, honors fallen American soldiers, prisoners of war and those missing in action, as well as calling attention to the crisis of veteran suicides.  

SANTEE GETS ITS OWN TV CHANNEL, ANNOUNCES SUMMER EVENTS AND GRAPPLES WITH NEW STATE ORGANICS RECYCLING LAW

By Mike Allen
 
All photos from concerts in 2019
 
May 3, 2021 (Santee) -- Santee is creating its own television station, one that will provide viewers with round-the-clock content on all things Santee related.  The Council also voted to boost the city’s budget by up to $25,000 at its most recent City Council meeting.

STARVED PUPPY, ABANDONED IN CRATE, DIES: HUMANE SOCIETY ASKS FOR PUBLIC HELP

Crimestoppers offers reward for information leading to arrest in felony animal cruelty case.

 

Source: San Diego Humane Society

 

May 3, 2021 (San Diego) — San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement is asking for the public’s help in a felony animal cruelty case, involving a severely emaciated puppy who was found dead in a crate on a residential sidewalk in Encanto.

ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE CHRISTIAN WALLIS SELECTED AS NEW CEO OF THE GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT

East County News Service

May 3, 2021 (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District announced today that Christian Wallis of the Chicago area has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer for the public agency supporting health related programs and services in East San Diego County.

HHS LAUNCHES NEW REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR COVID-19 VACCINE ADMINISTRATION FEES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE

Source:  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

May 3, 2021 (San Diego) - Today, the US Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is announcing a new program covering costs of administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients enrolled in health plans that either do not cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing. Since providers cannot bill patients for COVID-19 vaccination fees, this new program, the COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund (CAF), addresses an outstanding compensation need for providers on the front lines vaccinating underinsured patients.

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