PASSAGES: BILLIE JO JANNEN, CHAIR OF CAMPO-LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP AND FORMER ALPINE SUN EDITOR

Read more...

EL CAJON HOMELESS COUNT FINDINGS ADJUSTED IN RESPONSE TO CITY’S COMPLAINT

Read more...

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: JOURNEY OF YOUR MIND: UNDERSTANDING SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

Read more...

EL CAJON WOMAN, 53, DIES IN CUSTODY AT SANTEE DETENTION FACILITY

Read more...

SOME EVACUATIONS LIFTED IN MONTE FIRE

Read more...

INVESTIGATION INTO CAUSE OF HOUSE FIRE IN RAMONA THAT DAMAGED THREE PROPERTIES

Read more...

MAYOR GLORIA VETOES KEY BUDGET ITEMS, CUTTING ACCESS TO SOME LAKES , FUNDS FOR BRUSH CLEARING, STORMWATER PROJECTS AND MORE

Read more...

KALASHOS FAIL TO SHOW UP TO BEGIN JAIL SENTENCE; NEW ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED

Read more...

ENVIRONMENTALISTS SOUND ALARM OVER BUDGET AMENDMENT TO SELL OFF PUBLIC LANDS—INCLUDING FOREST LANDS IN EAST COUNTY

Read more...

MONTE FIRE SCORCHES 350 ACRES, 2 FIREFIGHTERS HOSPITALIZED

Read more...

EVACUATIONS IN LAKESIDE FIRE

Read more...

RENOVATED VFW POST TO OPEN SOON IN NEW CAMPO LOCATION

Read more...

BIDEN DROPS OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE AMID PRESSURE FROM FELLOW DEMOCRATS

By Jessyka Heredia

July 21, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) – Today Joe Biden released a statement on social media to announce he was dropping out of the Presidential race against former President Trump and his newly announced Vice Presidential running mate JD Vance.

HUNDREDS OF LEMON GROVE RESIDENTS PROTEST SLEEPING CABIN PROJECT DURING COUNTY FORUM

By Jessyka Heredia

Watch full video here

July 20, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – An angry crowd of residents confronted Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe during a community forum in Lemon Grove Thursday night, most opposed to a homeless sleeping cabin project voted on by Supervisors before the community’s voices were heard. The meeting had to be moved to the recreation center’s gymnasium to accommodate the overflow turnout.

Just two days earlier, Supervisors voted 4-0 to move forward on the project, with Chair Nora Vargas absent. The forum, held after the vote, left many residents feeling lied to. as they had believed Thursday's forum was a chance for the community to be heard. The crowd was loud and passionate.

IT GLITCH CAUSED DELAYS IN FLIGHTS, BUSINESS OPERATIONS GLOBALLY

 
July 20, 2024 (Worldwide) -- Air travel, banking, media and hospital systems were just some of the industries affected by a bug in a software update that scrambled business operations for many globally on Friday.
 
Many of those who use Microsoft Windows are likely experiencing a “blue screen of death” or an error page. The issue is due to a single bug in a software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which provides antivirus software for Microsoft users.
 
The company pushed out an update to the software overnight, and at 1:30 a.m. EST, CrowdStrike said its “Falcon Sensor” software was causing Microsoft Windows to crash and display a blue screen, Reuters reported.

FIRE KILLS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS AT DEMLER BROTHERS EGG RANCH, SITE OF 2019 ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATION

East County News Service
 
Photo credit: Maggie Bellah
 
July 20, 2024 (Ramona) – A large barn fire broke out Thursday at Demler Brothers Egg Ranch, a factory egg farm in Ramona that confines approximately two million chickens and supplies eggs to Walmart, Smart & Final, and other chains. Tens of thousands of birds inside the impacted barn burned to death, and animal rights activists who went to the scene were told there were no plans to evacuate birds in the remaining barns, according to Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), an international animal rights group which says Animal Services was not present at the scene. Demler Brothers Egg Ranch was previously investigated by the San Diego chapter of DxE in 2019, when the group’s investigators found tens of thousands of animals in extreme confinement inside the facility, injured birds languishing in trash bins, and corpses on the floor.

EGG RANCH BURNING IN RAMONA | East County Magazine July 19, 2024

THE GRASS IS GREENER ON CENTER STREET: CANNABIS TESTING SITE TO OPEN

 
Photo: Abhey Schweitzer, the architect behind Center Street Distribution LLC (July 17)
 
July 20, 2024 (La Mesa)—Sprouting along Center Street’s southerly side is a budding industry propagating the cultivation of cannabis products like weeds. The planning commission favored its first marijuana distribution facility last Wednesday.

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: EAST COUNTY OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM FOCUSES ON YOUTH

By David R. Shorey, San Diego County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies
 
July 19, 2024 (San Diego) -- The Institute for Public Strategies recently launched its East County Outdoor Opportunities (EcoOp) program. It is a transformative initiative to expand access to nature for low-income and disadvantaged youth in Lemon Grove, Spring Valley/La Presa, and El Cajon. With a $300,000 grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, IPS will offer enriching outdoor experiences that promote health, wellness, and empowerment and support youth substance use prevention and early intervention.
 
The grant is part of the California Natural Resources Agency’s broader initiative to increase youth access to natural and cultural resources. The funding, totaling nearly $18 million, supports 71 Youth Community Access Program projects across the state. These projects prioritize communities disproportionately affected by past state and federal drug policies, as well as other underserved populations.

For more articles in this column visit: Advancing Healthy Communities | East County Magazine

COUNTY BREAKS GROUND ON EAST COUNTY CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
 
July 19, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The County of San Diego and partner agencies broke ground on the region’s seventh Crisis Stabilization Unit Thursday.
 
The “CSUs” are designed to give many people who are in the midst of a behavioral health crisis a calm and better place to become stable and recover than emergency rooms, hospitals or jails.

COUNTY TO BUILD EAST REGION CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT AND RECOVERY BRIDGE IN EL CAJON | East County Magazine May 9, 2024

SPRING VALLEY COMMUNITY ALLIANCE ICE CREAM SOCIAL JULY 27

East County News Service
 
July 19, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- You are invited for a sweet afternoon at the Spring Valley Community Alliance's (SVCA) Meet and Greet - Ice Cream Social! Discover more about the SVCA and share your community concerns in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors, build relationships, and explore how people can work together to make Spring Valley even better. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 27 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the back parking lot of Spring Valley Community Church at 3310 Bancroft Drive in Spring Valley 91977. Ice cream and lively conversation await!

CRIME STOPPERS: SHOOTING - SPRING VALLEY

Help wanted in finding shooting suspects.
 
East County News Service
 
July 19, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office wants the public’s help in identifying and locating possible suspects in connection with a shooting in Spring Valley.  
 
On November 18, 2023, around 8:00 p.m., deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station responded to a call of a shooting in the 9000 block of Ildica Street. When they arrived, they found five people who had suffered gunshot wounds. Deputies immediately began to render aid. The victims were taken to area hospitals for treatment.  Additionally, two children suffered burn wounds caused by the shooting. The children were taken to Rady Children’s Hospital for treatment. 

EGG RANCH BURNING IN RAMONA

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Tim Glaudini

July 19, 2024 (Ramona) – A fire is burning at  an egg ranch facility in the 25800 block of Highway 78 in Ramona.

The fire is contained to one 25,000 square foot structure that houses approximately 70,000 hens.

FIRE KILLS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS AT DEMLER BROTHERS EGG RANCH, SITE OF 2019 ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATION | East County Magazine July 20, 2024

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

July 18, 2024 (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.

WORLD

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

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

July 18, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- 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:

LOCAL

STATE

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

HOW SAFE ARE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS? GROSSMONT DISTRICT ELIMINATES SCHOOL SAFETY DEPARTMENT

By Kristen Andelman

Photo:Jay Farrington testifiedto board on priorities for the Office of School Safety, which the GUHSD board majority later voted to eliminate.

July 18, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont Union High School District has ousted its School Safety Director Jay Farrington and eliminated the entire school safety department entirely, effective June 30. 

The action is shocking and particularly troubling in a district that survived two mass shootings at Santana and Granite Hills high schools back in 2001.The Santana shooting killed 2 students and injured 13 people; five people were shot and injured at Granite Hills. School shootings are at record levels nationwide today. So far this year, there have been 107 school shootings, killing 29 people and injuring 61.

The decision was made by the GUHSD board on May 11 in a in a 3-2 vote.  Board members Chris Fite and Elva Salinas voted against the cut, while members Robert Shield, Gary Woods and Jim Kelly voted to eliminate student safety.

LEMON GROVE RESIDENTS FEEL DUPED BY COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS ON SLEEPING CABINS PROPOSAL

By Jessyka Heredia

July 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Residents of Lemon Grove were told there would be a community forum tomorrow  to discuss the possibility of bringing 70 sleeping cabins to Lemon Grove to house homeless people. But County Supervisors voted 4-0 yesterday (with Nora Vargas absent) to move forward on the project just two days before the community forum, leaving residents to wonder if their input ever mattered.

The project was to be built with a $10 million dollar grant from the state originally slated for 150 sleeping cabins in Spring Valley, but that project was cancelled after objections from neighbors over proximity to homes and sensitive sites. Vargas said she “heard the concerns of the community” and backed instead building a smaller-scale project in Lemon Grove near the Spring Valley boundary.

You may also be interested in: SUPERVISOR MONTGOMERY-STEPPE TO HOLD PUBLIC FORUM JULY 18 ON PROPOSED SLEEPING CABINS FOR HOMELESS IN LEMON GROVE | East County Magazine

DINNER AND A CONCERT FRIDAY NIGHTS IN DOWNTOWN EL CAJON

By Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery

July 17, 2024 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series continues each Friday night in August from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon.

 

The lineup features Stone Soul on August 2, Ronsatadt Revival on August 9: Ronstadt Revival, Trey Hill Band on August 16: The Heroes August 23, and on August 30, Billy Nation. 

SAN DIEGO COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR REBECCA TAYLOR KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH

East County News Service

July 17, 2024 (San Diego) – Rebecca “Becca” Taylor, Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party, has died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Utah.  She was returning home from a trip when she was hit from behind.

Acting Chair Kyle Krahel-Frolander issued a statement which reads in part: ”Becca made an incalculable impact on so many and moved San Diego toward a brighter future. She was more than just a leader, she was a public servant. Becca was a Navy veteran, an advocate for victims of sexual assault, a member of the OB Town Council,and a volunteer finding resources for asylum seekers. She embodied the best of us.”

FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE UNCONSCIOUS VICTIM FROM BURNING MOBILE HOME IN SANTEE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Scott Lagace

July 17, 2024 (Santee) – Santee firefighters rescued an unconscious woman from a mobile home engulfed in flames this afternoon, also saving numerous cats, though one cat perished.

Crews were  dispatched at 12:07 p.m. to the fire at Hawaiian Village Mobile Home Park, Unit 84 on Buena Vista Avenue in Santee,  arriving five minutes later. Occupants outside reported a potential victim still inside, so fire crews started extinguishing the flames and entered the residence, where they found the unconscious woman.

SUPERVISOR MONTGOMERY-STEPPE TO HOLD PUBLIC FORUM JULY 18 ON PROPOSED SLEEPING CABINS FOR HOMELESS IN LEMON GROVE

 

Board of Supervisors to held hearing July 16 on sleeping cabins, before July 18 community forum in Lemon Grove

 

By Jessyka Heredia

July 10, 2024 (Lemon Grove) — County Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe is holding a community forum July 18 to hear from community members. On a flyer announcing the event, she states, “San Diego County is exploring the possibility of placing 60-70 sleeping cabins at Troy Street and Sweetwater Road in Lemon Grove.”  The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center, 3146 School Lane in Lemon Grove.

HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

July 18, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

Children receive first doses of new malaria vaccine, hailed as major milestone (CNN)

Tampons contain lead, arsenic and potentially toxic chemicals, studies say. Here’s what to know (CNN)

Mystery of Gulf War Syndrome Finally Solved by Immunologists (Newsweek)

SCIENCE AND TECH

Cave discovered on Moon could be home for humans  (BBC) 

'Unprecedented' Sea Level Rise Is Making Earth's Days Longer (Newsweek)

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

CHINA’S SECRET TIES TO ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE, FROM FENTANYL SMUGGLING TO POT FARMING

By Bransen P. Harper and Patrick Watkins

Photo, via Kingfisher County Sheriff:  Oklahoma marijuana farm where four people were murdered by Chinese gangsters, according to ProPublica

July 17, 2024 (San Diego) – Organized crime, including Chinese mafia and Mexican cartels, are increasingly collaborating in the proliferation of drugs inside the U.S.

MT. HELIX PARK, FOOD AND WINE FEST NOW A TWO-DAY EVENT

By Jonathan Goetz
 
 
July 17, 2024 (La Mesa/Mt. Helix) -- Join Mount Helix Park Association at the Mt. Helix Food & Wine Festival, Friday, August 16th (limited capacity sit-down dinner) and Saturday, August 17th (main festival) 6 p.m. - 1 p.m. (Friday), 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Saturday) at Mt. Helix Park, the crown jewel of East County.

SIERRA CLUB SUES TO BLOCK GREENHILLS RANCH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN LAKESIDE OVER WILDFIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

By Miriam Raftery
 
July 17, 2024 (Lakeside) – After San Diego County Supervisors unanimously approved the Greenhills Ranch housing development in Lakeside near Lake Jennings, the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit against the County and Atlas Real Estate seeking to block the project.

SHERIFF'S PROGRAMS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION

 
Awards honor excellence in effective public service.
 
July 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is celebrating three awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

ROUNDABOUTS FOR LAKESIDE? COUNTY HOSTS OPEN HOUSE JULY 24

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2024 (Lakeside) – The County is in the early stages of design for the proposed roundabouts, which proposes to construct two new roundabouts in Lakeside, one along Riverford Road, and the other between North Woodside Avenue.

San Diego County’s Public Works Department invites residents to a community open house on July 24 from 5-8 p.m. to ask questions and learn about the proposed Riverford Road Roundabouts capital improvement project. The meeting will be held at the Lakeside Library, 12428 Woodside Ave. in Lakeside.

According to the County, key benefits include:

SOUND THERAPY JULY 23 AT JULIAN LIBRARY

By Jonathan Goetz
 
July 16, 2024 (Julian) -- Join Liz Myers for a transformative sound therapy experience in Julian. This unique session combines relaxed breathing, a variety of percussion instruments, and Liz’s ethereal voice. Here are the details:
 
Date and Time: Tuesday, July 23, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Julian Library (1850 CA-78, Julian 92036)
What to Bring: Consider bringing a yoga mat or blanket, and anything else you may need for your comfort during the session. Chairs will also be available if you prefer to be seated.

ATTORNEY ODAY YOUSIF RUNS FOR CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD TO RESTORE CORE EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND COMBAT EXTREMISM

By Miriam Raftery
 
July 16, 2024 (El Cajon) – Oday Yousif, a consumer attorney endorsed by prominent educators in East County, is the third candidate to announce he is running for the Cajon Valley Union School District in Trustee Area 5. 
 
“With a passion for education and years of proven public service, I am running to refocus the district’s values on uplifting the community and creating strong public schools that prioritize educational achievement and student safety,” says Oday Yousif, an attorney and Chair of the Valle de Oro Community Planning Group. Yousif says he aims to refocus the district’s values on core educational principles and moving the district away from “right-wing extremist policies that have harmed district morale,” a press release announcing his candidacy.

WATER BOARD MEMBER SAVED BY FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIAL

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2014 (Santee)—Suzanne Till, a member of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District, survived a harrowing incident during  a luncheon today, when her life was saved by the quick actions of Otay Water District Board member Jose Lopez, who is also the former Assistant Fire Marshall at San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

According to Mark Robak, Lopez was seated immediately behind Till at the Butcher Shop Steakhouse, when she “stood up choking from a piece of meat lodged in her throat.  Without even saying anything, he immediately gave her the Heimlich maneuver!”

BILLS PROPOSE ADDING 172 ACRES IN TRUST FOR JAMUL INDIAN VILLAGE

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2024 (Jamul)—The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs heard impassioned testimony on July 11 from  Jamul tribal chairwoman Erica Pinto, speaking in favor of S. 3857,the Jamul Indian Land Transfer Act authored by California Senator Alex Padilla. The measure would place in trust four land parcels totaling 172 acres into the Jamul Indian Village reservation, lands that the tribal chairwoman says are needed for tribal members' housing, reuniiting a scattered community, protecting cultural resources, and providing services for tribal members,such as healthcare and education.

The bill is identical to H.R. 6443, Rep. Darrell Issa’s bill which has already passed the House of Representatives.

But the measures have drawn opposition from the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group, which was not consulted about the measures and was not allowed to present testimony at the July 11 hearing. THE JDCPG Chair sent a letter to the Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman and the authors of both bills outlining the planning group's concerns including whether commercial development could occur, as well as objections over the land transfer process bypassing local input.

Pages

Weddings in East County

Hot Coupons