WALMART RECALLING OZARK STAINLESS STELL WATER BOTTLES

LA MESA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES RENOVATIONS FOR GROSSMONT CENTER

SANDAG LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY INPUT; ZOOM MEETING ON JULY 16

LA MESA BECOMES FIRST LOCAL CITY CERTIFIED AS AGE-FRIENDLY EMPLOYER, HELPING JOB SEEKERS AGE 50 AND UP

YOU'RE INVITED! JULY 17 FEAST AT HIMALAYAN CUISINE IN LA MESA WITH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE'S DINING CLUB

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WEST NILE VIRUS SPREAD: COUNTY TO HOLD PROGRAM SATURDAY IN LA MESA

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR WELLS PARK MURDER IN EL CAJON

COUNTY EXTENDING MOSQUITO SPRAYING IN LA MESA EARLY MON. AND TUES.

RAMONA MAN KILLED IN TWO-VEHICLE CRASH

SPRINGS FIRE SPARKS EVACUATIONS IN JAMUL

TODDLER DIES FROM FALL OUT LA MESA WINDOW

LEMON GROVE COUNCILMAN AND HELIX FOOTBALL COACH STEVE FAIAI DIES

TRANSPARENCY CONCERNS PLAGUE LA MESA COUNCIL OVER GRANNY FLAT ORDINANCES

 

 

By Allan Acevedo

 

March 16, 2019 (La Mesa) – What a difference two weeks makes. The La Mesa City Council heard robust public comment from diverse perspectives concerning the approval of two so-called “granny flat” ordinances. On narrowly won passage from a divided Council, while the second passed unanimously.

BLOOMS, BIGHORNS AND BUTTERFLIES





Superbloom season is in full swing



By Miriam Raftery

March 15, 2019 (Borrego Springs) -- What a glorious day in Borrego Springs!  The desert is in full bloom --- a huge contrast to just a few days go, when I last visited and found some early blossoms but not the spectacular flower fields now delighting visitors.  Something about frolicking in a field of flowers elicits pure joy. (Photos left and right, along DiGiorgio Road.)

ONE TO GO; AZTECS MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS NEVADA TO ADVANCE TO MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

 

 

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 15, 2019 (Las Vegas) - Devin Watson  had 20 points and five assists and San Diego State held No. 14 Nevada scoreless for nearly seven minutes late in the Aztecs' 65-56 victory Friday night in the Mountain West Conference semifinals.

INFAMOUS HATE GROUP, WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH TO PICKET EL CAJON VALLEY AND MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOLS MARCH 25

 
 
Westboro has protested funerals of soldiers and slain Sandy Hook elementary students.  Its inflammatory hate speech targets gays and lesbians, Jews, Muslims, Catholics and others.
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
March 13, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Westboro Baptist Church has been designated a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League and by the Southern Poverty Law Center.  The notorious cult-like group has announced on its website plans on March 25 to picket El Cajon Valley High School in El Cajon at 7 a.m. and Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley at 8:50 a.m.

LA MESA POLICE WORKING TO KEEP ROADWAYS SAFE THIS ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH DUI PATROLS

 

 

Source: La Mesa Police

March 14, 2019 (La Mesa) -- St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions across the country, often culminating in parties where drinking is involved. Sadly, this leads to tragedies on our roadways because of drivers who choose to leave parties impaired. This St. Patrick’s Day, the La Mesa Police Department will have additional officers on patrol all weekend, ready to stop and arrest drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

FIERY LEMON GROVE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DRAWS IRE FROM PARENTS OVER ALLEGED FORCED RESIGNATION OF 16 TEACHERS

 

 

By Allan Acevedo

 

March 13, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – The community room at the Lemon Grove Library quickly overfilled last night as parents, students, teachers, and community members gathered to share their united concern for what they collectively referred to as the “firing” of 16 teachers.” With all chairs filled, attendees began congregating against the sides and doors of the room, some standing just outside the door to listen in.

YOUR VOICE HAS POWER: GROUP SEEKS TO STOP RELEASE OF SEXUALLY VIOLENCE PREDATORS INTO EAST COUNTY

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A new citizens’ group, Your Voice Has Power, has been formed to oppose the continuing release of sexually violent predators into East County communities. The group will meet on Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m. at Tio Lio’s, 5302 Napa St. in San Diego. Organizers are calling for a public forum and encourage community leaders, impacted citizens and survivors of sexually violent predators to attend and speak out.  The group also urges the public to attend two hearings next week on the proposed release of two sexually violent predators into Jacumba Hot Springs.

EAST COUNTY ARTISTS WIN AWARDS

 

 

By Judy Edelblute, Coordinator of St. Mark's Art Shows

Photo:  “The Ballerina” oil painting by Carlos Meneses

March 14, 2019 (San Diego) - Three East County artists have won awards in the 56th annual Lenten Art Show at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, San Diego.  Carlos Meneses, Paradise Hills, won first place, Jenny K. Ferrone, El Cajon, won second place and Sandra Seckington, Lakeside, received an Honorable Mention Award. There are a total of 56 art works by 30 artists in the show.

RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL ON MEASURE A FROM CAL-FIRE FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 2881 VICE-PRESIDENT PATRICK WALKER

By William T. Everett, Board Member, Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District

March 14, 2019 (Julian) -- Union Vice-President Patrick Walker believes that the Julian Cuyamaca "volunteer fire station is inefficient and unable to provide adequate fire and life safety services in comparison to full time." He goes on to tout his experience and career as the reason he is credible. Yet, numerous Fire Chiefs and career firefighters throughout California, with far more experience than Walker, strongly disagree with his conclusion. What is the difference between Walker and the others? It is simple. Walker works for the Cal-Fire union and his primary responsibility is to promote the union and help create more union jobs. 

It appears that Walker's primary argument in favor of dissolving the Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District is his claim that full-time firefighters are better for the community than part-time (i.e., volunteers). What Mr. Walker either doesn't know or doesn't want the public to know is that the Julian fire station is now staffed full-time with 60  firefighters (volunteers) that are as highly trained and qualified as any "professional" firefighters in the United States.

READER’S EDITORIAL: MEASURE A AND THE FUTURE OF FIRE SERVICES IN JULIAN AND CUYAMACA

By Patrick Walker, Vice President, CAL FIRE Firefighters Local #2881 – San Diego District

"It is my belief that the volunteer only fire station is inefficient and unable to provide adequate fire and life safety services in comparison to full time."

March 12, 2019 (Julian-Cuyamaca) -- I want to start by clarifying my comments within this editorial are not representative of CAL FIRE, but of my position as the 10th District Vice President within CAL FIRE Firefighters Local #2881, the labor organization that represents the Professional Firefighters of CAL FIRE in San Diego County. 

I will begin with information about my Fire Department and Labor background, as I believe in absolute transparency.  At 16 years old I began as a Fire Explorer with the San Pasqual Fire Department as well as the Ramona Fire Department.  I graduated High School in Ramona, went into the US Army and upon return became a firefighter with CAL FIRE in 1997.  I have worked in the counties of:  San Diego, Riverside, Santa Clara, Amador and El Dorado in my 20-year employment with CAL FIRE.  I have held the ranks for Volunteer Firefighter, Volunteer Fire Engine Operator, Volunteer Fire Captain, and with CAL FIRE I have worked as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Engineer, Fire Captain and currently hold the rank of Battalion Chief working in South San Diego County.  I am married with children and reside in the City of San Diego.

CALLING ALL K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS TO GET A SLICE OF THE PI THROUGH SDG&E’S MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM

 

 

In honor of Pi Day, SDG&E announces donation to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classroom projects

Source:  SDG&E

March 14, 2019 (San Diego) - In honor of Pi Day and in support of local teachers, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is launching a $314,159 matching grant program to enable K-12 public schools in the region to provide more classroom learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

MARCH BREAKFAST MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AKILAH WEBER IS PITCH PERFECT

 

 

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Photo courtesy Sandra Small

March 14, 2019 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce held their second breakfast meeting of the year on Wednesday, March 6th. There was an overwhelming crowd that gathered to meet La Mesa’s newest elected Council Member, Dr. Akilah Weber. There were many new faces in the crowd, including new members that joined us on this special morning. Dr. Weber was elected to the La Mesa City Council in November 2018. Dr. Weber is a board-Certified obstetrician/gynecologist and the Director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. Dr. Weber shared her commitment to listening to members of the community and encouraged people to email her on any issue that they wish addressed. To reinforce that commitment, Dr. Weber shared that she is launching her “Community Chat with Your Councilmember” on Saturday, May 4th. She invited everyone to attend and be a part of the dialogue on any subject they wish. This first community chat will be held at Sylvan Learning, 8366 Parkway Drive in La Mesa at 7:00 a.m. Dr. Weber discussed items that have recently been on the Council agenda and took questions from the audience.

HOOLEYFEST RETURNS, PLUS MORE ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN LA MESA MARCH 16-17

March 13, 2019 (Hooleys) -- Several St. Patrick’s Day activities are planned in La Mesa this weekend. Hooley’s Public House is celebrating 20 years in East County with the return of Hooleyfest on Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17 at Hooley’s Grossmont Center location. The hours Saturday are 5 p.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Ticket are available in advance at Hooleys or at the door.

On Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on March 17th, Grossmont Center kicks off a St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Run, followed by a kids’ concert from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

March 14, 2019 (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 top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

STATE

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

TRUMP BUDGET SLASHES SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IN VIOLATION OF CAMPAIGN PROMISES

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – In direct contradiction to his campaign trail promises not to cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, President Donald Trump has proposed a budget that would deeply slash all of these programs—programs which help the elderly, the poor and the disabled.

“I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid,” Trump tweeted on May 7, 2015, adding, “Huckabee copied me.”  He repeated that pledge in media interviews and at rallies.

His proposed new budget, however, would cut trillions of dollars from Medicaid and Medicare. Social Security would also be slashed by $25 million over the next 10 years, including whacking $10 billion from the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for people who are unable work.

The administration claims it will make up for these deep cuts in Social Security,Medicare and Medicaid programs by finding waste, fraud and abuse. But if not enough waste, fraud or abuse is found--and there have been years of efforts to do--benefits to recipients could be reduced reduced and some poor, disabled and elderly Americans might be denied medical or disability coverage completely.

NOSHING WITH SANDI - ALFORON

 

 

By Sandi Masori

Reprinted with permission by San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association:

March 14, 2019 (San Diego) - A block from the intersection of College Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard, you’ll find a charming Lebanese restaurant nestled between a smoke shop and a Japanese restaurant. Alforon is what the Middle East should be if we could set aside politics and just enjoy good food and good people. Inside the restaurant were a diverse group of people ranging from Muslims in their hijabs, to Jews, to Anglo-Americans. The owner/ hostess/ waitress Sami seemed to know everyone by name.  She would pull up a chair in order to tell them what they wanted to order. Yes, you read that right, she was not shy about making (great) recommendations. It seemed to me that many of the customers had been there before and had brought a friend new to the restaurant with them. Such was the case for me, but in my case it was my dad who brought me.

STEELE CANYON THEATER STUDENTS DREAMS COME TRUE WITH STAR OF THE LONDON PRODUCTION OF LES MISÉRABLES

 

 

By Jennifer Doucet

Photos courtesy of Steele Canyon Players

 

March 13, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- London stage actor, Dean Chisnall, visited Steele Canyon Charter High School March 7 through March 9 to help prepare the school’s theatre and music departments for their own production of the award-winning hit, Les Misérables, premiering March 20th.  Over two and a half days, Chisnall worked closely with SCHS Theatre Director, Nicole LaBella and Music Director, Heather Luck to coach the cast, crew and orchestra.

MIGRATORY BUTTERFLIES FLUTTER ACROSS REGION

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2019 (Borrego Springs) – This year’s super bloom season has brought an added bonus.  “Butterflies are gracing us with even more color,” says photographer Bob Kutscher, who snapped this image south of Clark Lake in the Anza-Borrego desert.  Swarms of the Painted Lady butterflies on their migratory path from Mexico are being reported across Southern California.

REAL ESTATE REALITY: THE SOLAR REVOLUTION—INVESTING IN SUNSHINE

 

 

By Maryanne Jackson. Real Estate Broker CNE, CPRES.

March 13, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -

Dear Maryanne,

My spouse and I will be getting a substantial refund this year from our income taxes.

We both agree that the refund should go into improving our home. We really want to install a solar system. Is this an improvement that would get us a good return on our investment?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

--Jannine S. Crest, CA.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

 

 

March 13, 2019 (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.

LARGE CROWD SHARES CONCERNS AT RANCHO SAN DIEGO SHERIFF’S COFFEE WITH COMMUNITY

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2019 (Spring Valley) – Area residents packed into Butler’s Coffee Shop in Spring Valley this morning to share concerns over alleged drug houses, homeless camps, traffic concerns and more.  Interim Sheriff’s Station Captain Charles Cinnamo was on hand to answer questions, along with California Highway Patrol Commander Jason Penner and District Attorney community partnership prosecutor Monique Myers, who handles the East County region.

SDSU SOFTBALL BLANKED BY UC RIVERSIDE 6-0

 
 
Story and photos by Liz Alper 
 
March 13, 2019 (San Diego) - In their last non-conference game of the season, San Diego State softball hosted UC Riverside.  Junior Jacy Boles started on the hill for UCR against freshman M.J. James for the Aztecs.
 

TWO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS AWARDED $3 MILLION TO INCREASE FIRE RESILIENCY THROUGHOUT THE REGION

 

 

Source:  RFFC

March 13, 2019 (San Diego) -- The Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) of Greater San Diego County (RCDGSDC) and Inland Empire (IERCD) were each awarded $1.5 million by the California Natural Resources Agency and the Department of Conservation to improve forest health and increase fire resiliency throughout key segments of San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

COUNTY STRENGTHENS OVERSIGHT OF CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM

 

 

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo via Shutterstock

March 13, 2019 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved creating a new board to enhance the ability of the County to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect on Tuesday.

The action dissolved the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council and replaces that body with a new Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board that will have broad oversight of the County’s child welfare system.

SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS IN MW SEMIFINAL TO WYOMING 75-70 (OT)

 

 

Aztecs' season ends with overtime loss in MW semifinal game

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 13, 2019 (Las Vegas) - Freshman guard Sophia Ramos totaled 16 points and junior center Zayn Dornstauder had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in San Diego State’s 75-70 loss to No. 3 seed Wyoming in Tuesday’s semifinal of the MW Championship. The Aztecs led by as many as three points in the game and had a two-point advantage heading into the last 19 seconds of regulation, but two free throws by the Cowgirls pushed the game into extra minutes.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE: YAT’S MARY POPPINS RUNS THROUGH MARCH 17

 

 

Review By Kathy Carpenter

March 12, 2019 (Spring Valley) - Anything is possible if you let it happen. That’s the message that Mary Poppins provides to her charges in this whimsical, delightful adaption.  Joe Dionisio and the Young Actors' Theatre team continue to work their magic bringing us top-notch youth productions.

DAYTIME ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL ON HIGHWAY 94 IN DULZURA STARTS WEDNESDAY

Source: Caltrans

March 12, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- Caltrans  crews will reduce a quarter-mile section of State Route 94 (SR-94) to one lane just east of Freezer Road in Dulzura (south of Jamul) weekdays, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, according to Caltrans.

The lane reduction is needed for work along the north side of the highway as part of the SR-94 Curve Realignment Project.

SDSU BASEBALL TAKES DOWN CSUN 11-5

 

 

Aztecs score a season-high 11 runs with multi-RBI games from Chad Bible and Julian Escobedo

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 12, 2019 (Northridge) - Behind multi-RBI performance by Chad Bible and Julian Escobedo, the San Diego State baseball team scored a season-high 11 runs in an 11-5 win over CSUN at Matador Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Aztecs jump above .500 at 8-7, while the Matadors fall to 9-8 on the year. 

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