East County News Service

March 10, 2021 (San Diego) – Terra American Bistro is offering Passover Seder meals for two or four people to go. Order by March 24 to pick up March 27 from 12-4 p.m.

The Passover feast includes a choice of entrees including grilled salmon, citrus roasted chicken with onions and apricots, brisket, or vegetarian stuffed peppers . All seder plates include charoset (apples, walnuts and spices), matzo, gefilte fish with horseradish, matzo ball soup (vegetarian option available), mixed greens, choice of two side dishes, and flourless chocolate cake/macaroons.

Source: La Mesa Police

March 10, 2021 (La Mesa) -- Early this morning, La Mesa Police officers responded to a collision involving two vehicles near the intersection of Baltimore Drive and Fletcher Parkway. The first officer on scene identified that the driver had overdosed on an opiate and immediately administered NARCAN, saving his life. 

The driver was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. 

Source:  California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Photo by Debbie Merrill

March 10, 2021 (San Diego) - Due to an increase in the number of reported conflicts between humans and coyotes in California, a series of online-based workshops are planned to help local communities and residents understand the reasons for that increase and how to reduce future conflicts.

By Alexa Oslowski

March 9, 2021 (La Mesa) – On January 26, the La Mesa City Council voted unanimously to pass a temporary emergency ordinance placing a cap on commissions that can be charged by delivery apps (Postmates, Uber Eats, etc.) to restaurants.

“People have been using delivery services during the pandemic at higher rates than they have in the past, myself included,” Councilmember Colin Parent said during the City Council meeting. “One of the things I’ve come to understand is some of those apps can charge really exorbitant fees.”

The ordinance, which was proposed by Parent, received overall support in comments by members of the public, which were read in the meeting by City Clerk Megan Wiegelman.

East County News Service

March 8, 2021 (San Diego) -- Dean Nelson, founder and director of the journalism program at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU), will share his favorite writing tips for the San Diego Press Club’s next “Write Better Right Now,” a one-hour, writing improvement webinar from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 16. The free webinar, held over the Zoom video-conferencing platform, is open to the public. To register, visit www.sdpressclub.org.

Spring Into Safety!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 8, 2021 (San Diego) -- March 14th is Daylight Saving Time. Setting the clock forward means it’s time to check the clock and move it forward one hour. But for a spring clean safety check, make your “hot lap” around the home, why not take a little extra time for a short safety checklist?

March 8, 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:

U.S.

• CDC releases highly anticipated guidance for people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (CNN)
• Third Stimulus Check: How You Can Lose Your $1,400 Payment by Filing Taxes Early(Pop Culture)
• Trump rules out third party as he moves to firm up control of GOP (Washington Post)
• Exclusive: Georgia prosecutor probing Trump taps leading racketeering attorney (Reuters)
• Trial of officer accused of killing George Floyd is held up by dispute over third-degree murder charge (Washington Post)

World

• Royal family in crisis after Meghan and Harry allege racism, event in Oprah interview (CNN)
• U.S. proposes power-sharing plan to Afghan and Taliban leaders (Washington Post)
• Pope Francis touches down in Baghdad, hoping to boost an ancient Christian church and a war-torn country (CNN)
• Waiting for Tokyo: How 110,000 Olympic volunteers put their lives on hold (Reuters)
• U.S. says Russian-backed outlets spread COVID-19 vaccine 'disinformation' (Reuters)
• Saudi Crown prince approved operation against Khashoggi: U.S. intelligence  (Reuters)
• At least 20 dead, 600 wounded in Equatorial Guinea blasts (AP)

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

Update March 11, 2021:  President Biden has signed this measure into law.

Read full text of the American Recovery Act 2021

By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – By a 50-49 margin without a single Republican vote, Senate Democrats passed a COVID-19 relief measure that now heads back to the House to approve changes. The House is expected to approve the bill as early as Tuesday, which President Joe Biden has said he will sign into law immediately.

The measure includes a new round of stimulus checks for most Americans and extension of unemployment benefits, but also many less-publicized forms of aid ranging from expansion of child tax credits to relief for restaurants, event venues, and other businesses hardest hit by the pandemic and much more.

One major element removed in the Senate version of the bill is a minimum wage increase, which the Senate Parliamentarian ruled did not fit the rules required to pass the stimulus bill by a simple majority vote needed to avoid a filibuster. The Biden administration is expected to propose a separate bill to address the minimum wage issue in the future.

Here are highlights of what the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill includes:

Jaden Fein finishes 4 for 4 at the plate

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 7, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego State scored five runs in both the third and fifth innings on Sunday to roll past Fresno State 12-7 in the rubber game of a weekend set at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

East County News Service

March 7, 2021 (La Mesa) – Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa will present an encore virtual performance March 12-14 of “The Absolutely Brightness of Leonard Pelkey.”  For tickets, click here.

By Briana Gomez

Photos via Rev. Shane Harris

March 7, 2021 (Escondido) -- Local activist and national civil rights leader Rev. Shane Harris is calling on the state to keep the San Pasqual Academy open, at least until the Dec. 2021 original projected closure date for the foster youth boarding school, and preferably longer. 

San Diego County child welfare officials were alerted by California regulators that the school would be closing by October of this year. 

San Pasqual Academy is a county-run boarding school in Escondido for foster youth, uniquely positioned between supervisorial District 5 and District 2. It is the first of its kind in the nation – the first residential academic home for youth who are dependents of the state. 

East County News Service

Photo: Scales of justice, cc via Bing

March 6, 2021 (San Diego) –The County of San Diego has approved COVID-19 vaccines for judges, prosecutors, public defender attorneys, and court employees. Also covered are criminal defense lawyers representing poor defendants in federal court.

These individuals regularly come in contact with people who have been in prison or county jail, congregate facilities with a high risk of COVID-19.  The County has included them under the “emergency services” category along with police, firefighters, animal control workers and security guards at public facilities.