File photo: SWAT team, courtesy of San Diego County Sheriff
June 30, 2024 (Poway) –Travis Bradley Miller, 34,is in custody following a six-hour SWAT standoff at his home in the 13000 block of York Avenue in Poway
His roommate called 9-1-1 around 1:30 p.m. yesterday o report that Miller attacked him with a box cutter.The roommate had abrasions during the altercation with the suspect.
Photo: Homeless encampment later swept in unincorporated area, via County of San Diego
June 29, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court, by a 6-3 majority, has ruled that homeless people can be arrested for sleeping in a public place, regardless of whether or not shelter space is available. The decision also allows local governments to authorize ticketing, fines, and arrest of homeless people who violate anti-camping regulations, even if they have no place safe to go.
Locally, the decision has sparked condemnation from advocates for homeless people, who argue that compassionate treatment and affordable housing are the solutions needed, but has also drawn praise from some city and county leaders aiming to clear homeless camps from parks, streets, sidewalks and other public places.
June 29, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County Supervisors this week approved a balanced budget of $8.5 billion for fiscal year 2024-2025. Among the East County capital projects funded are:
Ramona Fire Station 80 - $250,000
Ramona Sheriff's Substation - $5,000,000
Stowe Trail - $4,400,000
Sycamore Canyon Trails - $3,600,000
Lindo Lake Improvements - $4,000,000
East County Archery Park - $150,000
Keeping Lake Hodges, Lake Sutherland, and El Capitan Reservoirs Open = $59,000
$65.5 million for resurfacing 101 miles in unincorporated areas, including sections of Tavern Road and Japatul Road in Alpine. Report roads that need repairs here.
Supervisor Joel Anderson says, “Our balanced County budget is a huge win for District 2 residents and our shared top priorities of strong public and fire safety, attainable housing, improving homelessness and mental health, and supporting economic development.”
June 29, 2024 (San Diego) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery received three awards in the San Diego Society for Professional Journalists’ journalism contest. The awards recognized Raftery’s investigative report into the Mother Goose Parade’s demise, a profile on “backcountry warrior” Donna Tisdale, and an analysis/timeline of evidence in Espionage Act charges against former President Donald Trump. The wins bring ECM's total journalism awards to 146 since ouri inception 16 years ago.Individually, Raftery has won hundreds of awards in her journalism career spanning four decade.
Read the winning entries, all entered in the Daily Reporting and Writing category:
Denise Kelly, Sharp HospiceCare program coordinator, contributed to this report.
Photo: Joyce Anderson holding her Memory Bears made by Sharp HospiceCare volunteers.
June 28, 2024 (La Mesa) -- A pair of stuffed bears made from the clothing of family members who have passed sit on Joyce Anderson’s dresser. They serve as a tangible reminder of the cherished memories she and her loved ones shared.
Less than two years ago, Joyce's family faced profound loss when their daughter-in-law, Danielle, died after courageously coping with breast cancer. She had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2020 while pregnant with her second child.
Not long after losing Danielle, tragedy struck again when Joyce's mother died on what would have been Danielle’s 37th birthday. Memory Bears, handsewn by Sharp HospiceCare volunteers using clothes worn by Danielle and Joyce’s mother, became a source of comfort for her grieving family.
June 28, 2024 (San Diego) – The largest summertime water event on San Diego Bay — the annual Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Dinner and Regatta — is back! This year’s festivities will be held on Friday, August 23, and Saturday, August 24, 2024. The events are hosted by Sharp HospiceCare, Coronado Yacht Club, and Cortez Racing Association.
June 28, 2024 (El Cajon) – Police are seeking help to identify a man estimated at 50 to 60 years old who was struck and killed by a white Toyota Tacoma last night in El Cajon.
El Cajon Police officers and paramedics responded to a call reporting a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 300 W. Chase last night around 10:52 p.m.. First responders determined that the unidentified pedestrian had died at the scene; he was not transported by medical personnel.
Photo: Cal-Fire/San Diego County Fire Authority Captain Thomas Shoots
June 27, 2024 (Jamul) – Soaring and often inaccessible fire insurance rates, new defensible space mandates for the five feet closest to structures, and how to form fire-wise communities were among the hot topics discussed at the Jamul-Dulzura Fire Safe Council meeting on June 11. Speakers Sharon Smith, outreach analyst with the Calif. Dept. of Insurance, and Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Captain Thomas Shoots provided insights including:
August 27, 2024 (San Diego) – St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host its 46th Annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show on Saturday, August 17th, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in Downtown (1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101).
This year’s theme, “Couture,” pays homage to one of the fashion capitals of the world, Paris. Inspired by a piece from artist and SMSC student Mark Rimland, guests will be taking a day trip to the City of Love. Attendees will be greeted by live Parisian inspired music, fabulous boutique shopping, a silent auction, and free flowing champagne. Once the ballroom doors open, all messieurs and madames will enjoy a delicious Parisian inspired luncheon, special up-lifting performances by SMSC students, live auction, and a one-of-a-kind fashion show produced by the talented Kristi Brooks, who has worked with top designers and styled celebrities around the globe.
June 27, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Tonight's Presidential debate . between Presidents Joe Biden, 81, and Donald Trump, 78, is set for 6 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, hosted by CNN. It will be their first debate in the 2024 cycle as neither participated in debates during their respective primaries. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., 70, did not qualify for the debate per CNN qualifying rules.
Unlike the Superbowl, it will be very easy to tune into the CNN Debates moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash no matter your t.v., streaming, internet or radio routine.
June 26, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) -- Many factors can cause a fire. As temperatures begin to climb and vegetation dries out, the risk of wildfire is all too real to rural San Diegans. A recent vegetation fire was reported along Jamacha Blvd. and Campo Rd. just outside Rancho San Diego on Wednesday, June 19.
The fire was dispatched as a small vegetation fire in medium to heavy fuels with a moderate rate of spread. San Miguel fire was first on scene and confirmed an active brush fire. Units from neighboring agencies including Cal Fire and air support from San Diego Sheriff's ASTREA and Romona Air Attack base were dispatched to the scene.
As ground crews battled the flames the investigative division of Cal-Fire was focusing on the cause of the fire.
June 25, 2024 (El Cajon) — A man accused of ramming his vehicle into a tent occupied by a homeless man in El Cajon, then fleeing from police and ramming a police vehicle into a concrete barrier, has been arrested. Gabriel Quijas, 48, of Spring Valley is charged with assault with a deadly weapon on peace officers, and evading arrest with wanton disregard for safety.
Early yesterday morning at Prescott Promenade, 200 East Main St., El Cajon Police officers learned that the day before, “Quijas deliberately drove his vehicle into a tent occupied by a male homeless individual, following threats made to the victim,” says Lieutenant Will Guerin.
June 25, 2024 (San Diego) – Following an outcry by rural residents and Supervisor Joel Anderson, the City of San Diego has revised its budget to eliminate proposed temporary closures of the reservoir at El Capitan in Lakeside, Lake Sutherland in Ramona, and Lake Hodges in Escondido.
In a post on the Friends of the San Diego Lakes Facebook page today, Supervisor Anderson states, “WE DID IT! WE STOPPED THE CLOSURES of EL CAP, SUTHERLAND AND HODGES IN 2025. LOTSA PEOPLE TO THANK FOR THIS.”
Though located in the County unincorporated areas, the reservoirs are owned by the city of San Diego.
Update: Evacuation orders have been lifted but certain areas remain closed to vehicle traffic.
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News
June 25, 2024 (Del Mar) -- A fire in Del Mar has burned 19 acres, resulting in mandatory evacuations for 2500 people, though firefighters have halted the fire's forward spread. Evacuees are being directed to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, where the San Diego County Fair is underway.
If you are going to the Fair, be aware that traffic and air quality have also been negatively impacted. Del Mar Heights and Carmel Valley Rd. exits are both closed due to the fire. Air quality is impacted as far east as Poway.
June 25, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) has been confirmed in three wild cottontail rabbits in Jamul and Dulzura in May, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirms. The disease, a form of viral hepatitis, is fatal 50 to 100% of the time in wild rabbits and hares, but does not affect humans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The testing comes after East County Magazine reached out to CDFW in April after several residents reported finding dead rabbits in these rural areas, but none had been tested. Following our inquiry and further reports from residents, CDFW acquired several carcasses for testing. View our report in April.
June 25, 2024 (San Diego) -- As temperatures soar across the country, leashed pets of all breeds, shapes and sizes are welcome at Petco pet care centers nationwide, where they and their families can seek refuge from the extreme heat. They can also stay hydrated with access to fresh, clean and safe water at Petco locations during regular business hours. Water is provided in disposable bowls, which helps limit the risk of disease transmission.
Petco is sharing veterinarian-approved tips to help keep furry friends safe and cool during this time and throughout the summer:
Source: Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA)
June 24, 2024 (Mt. Helix) -- County Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe (photo, left) was the keynote speaker at the Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association annual dinner held June 22 at the Cuyamaca College Student Center.
GMIA, with about 1,000 members, is a community organization that has been working to improve the Mt. Helix area since 1938. The organization’s annual events include an Art & Garden Tour, a Succulent Swap, and a Walk to the Top of Mt. Helix. GMIA also advocates and informs the community on issues of concern, and works with local and state elected officials.
Photos courtesy: City of La Mesa. Left: La Mesa Police Department Chief of Police Ray Sweeney address the La Mesa City Council on May 28, 2024.
June 23, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) – La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney reported mixed crime results in his first quarter 2024 crime report to the La Mesa City Council during the May 28 city council meeting.
“We had a slight dip in violent crime, property crime did go up a little bit, and then, the FBI total index is exactly the same as it was this time last year,” the chief reported to the council members.
By slight dip in violent crime, the chief was referring to a 17.5% decrease in 2024 first quarter homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults compared to the same time period last year. In Q1 2023, the La Mesa Police Department responded to 57 crimes in this category, while in Q1 2024, they only responded to 47.
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
June 23, 2024 (Sacramento) -- California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Thursday rejected AT&T’s application to stop providing landlines and other services in areas where there is no other option.
Its 4-0 vote came after a judge determined the application by AT&T California was “fatally flawed.”
June 23, 2024 (Del Mar) -- On Sunday, June 30, the San Diego County Fair is holding a Pow Wow for the first time in history with Native American drumming, dancing, food and arts and crafts. The event provides an opportunity for community members to celebrate the diversity and contributions of the Native American community.
The San Diego County Fair and the SDC Fair Pow Wow Committee will hold its inaugural pow wow honoring Native American traditions and celebrating the spirit of unity and diversity that defines our community.
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
June 22, 2024 (Sacramento) -- The California Supreme Court sided with Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders in the Legislature on the constitutionality of a sweeping anti-tax measure, ruling Thursday that it cannot go before voters in November.
June 22, 2024 (Santee) -- The City of Santee is proud to work with Waste Management to bring the 2024 Peterbuilt 520 Electric Side Loader Collection Truck into service. Santee will be the first city in San Diego County to use an electric vehicle in its waste collection services.
Update: As of 6:52 p.m. 6/23 the #border58fire on Otay Mountain is still at 137 acres and 80% contained.
By Jonathan Goetz
June 22, 2024 (San Diego) -- Cal-fire is making full use of air resources today in remote hard to reach areas first in Pala, in North County, and then in South Bay approximately five miles southeast of Otay Lakes, the latter of which is still only partially contained.
The #Border58Fire approximately near Otay Truck Trail that burned 137 acres as of 5:55 p.m., but most of that burned within the first two and a half hours of the fire and rotor wing aircraft making significant progress before the blaze was able to get out of control. The fire is 5% contained as of 7:19 p.m. per Cal-Fire on X.
June 21, 2024 (Santee) -- At the end of Santee Councilwoman Laura Koval’s District 3 town hall on June 18, she opened it up to questions, but there were no takers. Perhaps that’s a sign of satisfaction about the direction the all -Republican City Council has steered Santee over the past decade, or maybe it’s a lack of interest among residents.
She then tried to coax the assembly of about 30 people, mostly city staffers, and got this: “Tell us a fun Padres story.”
The former director of ticket sales for the Padres obliged, telling a story involving the team’s first World Series and the late Raiders defensive star Lyle Alzado. But she wasn’t challenged about any of the decisions she and her colleagues in the City Council have made in the past several years.
June 21, 2024 (Julian) – The Julian Community Heritage Foundation will host the 3rd annual Julian Town Square Music Festival, described as “an electrifying musical event aimed at supporting the continued renovation of the Julian Town Square,” a community park & outdoor entertainment space in the heart of the historic mountain town.
The concert, set to take place on Saturday, June 29, from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Julian Town Square, promises an exciting day of music, food, and community fun. Julian Town Square, in the center of town, is envisioned as an epicenter of art, theater & community gatherings: a dynamic space for residents and visitors alike to gather, connect, and celebrate the rich heritage of San Diego’s East County.
June 21, 2024 (San Diego) -- The Emergency Temporary Lodging Program to support those impacted by the January flooding ends today. The program is a cooperative effort between the County of San Diego, City of San Diego and other local cities and community partners to provide safe housing options to residents whose homes were damaged. With the end of the program, those residents will be moving back home or making other arrangements with their local housing authorities.
June 21, 2024 (Lakeside) — In honor of National Canoe and Kayak Day, Lake Jennings in Lakeside is offering guided kayak tours on Wednesday, June 26 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The hour-and-a-half tour costs $30 per person and includes a kayak rental. Learn about the lake’s history, biodiversity, conservation efforts and operations. Reserve space by calling (619) 596-1306.
June 21, 2024 (El Cajon) – Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. El Cajon Police officers were alerted to a stolen Mazda 3 by automated license plate reader cameras as the vehicle entered El Cajon. The vehicle was reported stolen out of San Diego a little over one week ago.
Officers were able to find the vehicle parked near Emerald Avenue and Laguna Avenue and after a short foot pursuit, arrested two people from the stolen car.
June 21, 2024 (Ramona) -- A couple of weeks ago, I went paintballing with a friend in a fun day-out at Giant Paintball Park in Ramona, celebrating the return of spring to the San Diego backcountry. Paintballing is a fun experience for all ages, an activity in which everyone can have fun shooting the opposing teammates while running around and breaking a sweat.
June 29, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County Supervisors this week approved a balanced budget of $8.5 billion for fiscal year 2024-2025. Among the East County capital projects funded are:
East County News Service
By 
Source: 
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Jonathan Goetz
By 
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Source: Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA)
By Michael Howard
By slight dip in violent crime, the chief was referring to a 17.5% decrease in 2024 first quarter homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults compared to the same time period last year. In Q1 2023, the La Mesa Police Department responded to 57 crimes in this category, while in Q1 2024, they only responded to 47.
“If we didn’t have a copper landline we would’ve not known about the extremely serious fire.” - Steve Hogle
By 
East County News Service
Update: As of 6:52 p.m. 6/23 the #border58fire on Otay Mountain is still at 137 acres and 80% contained.
East County News Service
By 
East County News Service
Source: El Cajon Police
By Bransen P. Harper
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