ICE AGENTS SCATTER AS SD BISHOP PHAM, CLERGY VISIT IMMIGRATION COURT

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

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

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

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

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

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SOME EVACUATIONS LIFTED IN MONTE FIRE

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

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

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

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MONTE FIRE SCORCHES 350 ACRES, 2 FIREFIGHTERS HOSPITALIZED

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EVACUATIONS IN LAKESIDE FIRE

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SWEETWATER VOTES TO RESTORE FISHING FLOAT AT LOVELAND

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2024 (Alpine)—By a unanimous vote and without discussion, the Sweetwater Authority board of directors approved restoring the floating fishing dock at Loveland Reservoir in Alpine. Audience members applauded after the votes were cast.

The dock was severely damaged in a January 2023 storm, shortly after the reservoir was drained to dead pool status, an action which left the fishing float on dry land and which also killed off fish, much to the dismay of residents and visitors.

Russell Walsh, who has long advocated for restoration of floating fishing dock, said the vote reflects “a travesty being corrected by persistent citizens and hopefully increasingly willing Sweetwater Directors and upper management.”

LEMON GROVE USES ARPA FUNDS TO REROOF MAIN CITY BUILDINGS

 

By Jessyka Heredia

Watch Full Video Here

 

May 22, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove City Council was presented with a resolution and appropriation by city staff on May 7 to award a contract to Preeman Roofing Inc. for a city-wide roof replacement project. This project was approved by Council back in December of 2023, which gave staff direction to advertise for bids on the construction and allocated a material contract to Garland Company, Inc. for $467,075.46.

FIRE AT SANTEE’S ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION PLANT EXTINGUISHED

By Mike Allen

Photos courtesy of Santee Fire Department

May 23, 2024 (Santee)-- A fire that sent large plumes of smoke across East County yesterday was caused when workers at the Advanced Water Purification (AWP) project in Santee were joining together two large pieces of plastic pipe.

Santee Fire Chief Justin Matsushita said while workers were fusing two large pipes that are 42 inches in diameter, the plastic material, called HDPE, caught fire and quickly overwhelmed the workers, prompting their 911 call.

LA MESA FREEWAY SHOOTER SENTENCED

East County News Service
 
May 23, 2024 (La Mesa) -- A La Mesa man has been sentenced to 50 years to life in state prison for shooting and killing a motorist on State Route 94 near the Kenwood Drive exit on March 5th, 2022.
 
49-year-old Thomas Evans the Third pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Saundralina Williams, a 27-year-old mother of three from Chula Vista.
 
Williams was driving a Ford Edge with two male passengers who were stealing packages from homes in La Mesa, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing, Times of San Diego reports.

COUNTY’S FREE SUMMER MOVIES IN THE PARK SEASON STARTS FRIDAY AT WATERFRONT PARK; MANY SHOWINGS IN EAST COUNTY

East County News Service

May 21, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- The County of San Diego’s free “2024 Summer Movies in the Park” season starts at 6 p.m., Friday, May 24 with an event and sunset showing of the Oscar-winning blockbuster “Barbie” at the Waterfront Park downtown.  The full season includes more than 100 movies at dozens of parks countywide, including many in East County.

To celebrate the opening, there will be a variety of features and free fun for kids and families, including music, games, bounce houses, themed crafts, and other free activities. Although the movie starts at dusk, about 15 minutes past sunset, a host of free activities are expected to begin at 6 p.m. Make sure to bring a chair and blankets to cozy up for a night under the stars.

The first  East County showing will be on June 8, with “The Little Mermaid” 8 at Sweetwater Place Park Spring Valley and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at Dos Picos County Park in Ramona.

East County and inland San Diego locations for future movies now through August include Campo, El Cajon, Escondido, Flinn Springs, Julian, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Pine Valley, Potrero, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Rolando, San Carlos, Skyline, and Spring Valley.

SECURITY CAMERAS SHOW MOUNTAIN LIONS IN LA MESA AND RANCHO SAN DIEGO

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Mountain lions are typically nocturnal and may travel many miles each night.  While rural residents are accustomed to the occasional cougar sighting, discovering that a mountain lion is their neighbor has startled residents in suburban La Mesa and Rancho San Diego over the past week.

On May 14, a video clearly documents a mountain lion in the backyard of a La Mesa home close to Lemon Avenue School near Jackson Drive, just west of State Route 125.

Another video taken on May 15 (screenshot, left) shows a mountain lion (also known as a puma or cougar) strolling along a swimming pool on Brabham Street in Rancho San Diego, not far from the library, ballfields and Cuyamaca College.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

May 23, 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.

BABY FROM LEMON GROVE KILLED BY FALLEN TREE, ALONG WITH HIS GRANDFATHER

East County News Service

May 22, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – A Lemon Grove family’s trip for a family wedding in New Jersey ended in a double tragedy. 

Ben Canales has started a fundraiser for his friends, Alex and Amber Gasin of Lemon Grove. The couple went to a Mets baseball game and left their 6-month-old son, Micah, with his grandfather. But a storm passed through that night, causing unimaginable devastation to the family.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

May 23, 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.

HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

May 23, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

SCIENCE AND TECH

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

COUNTY EXPANDS PILOT SHALLOW RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
May 22, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County is expanding a pilot shallow rental subsidy program for older adults to support an additional 160 older adults at risk of homelessness.  
 
The County of San Diego Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities’ program will provide at-risk San Diego County residents over 55-years-old with a $500 monthly rental subsidy for 18 months. The money will go directly to participants’ landlords. 
 
Applications can be submitted starting today, May 22. The participants will be selected at random. Those selected will join 222 households previously chosen for the original pilot program in early 2023, which was subsequently approved for expansion by the County Board of Supervisors. 

DONORS HALL OF FAME

 

We deeply appreciate the support of local businesses and nonprofit organizations that have donated to suppport East County Magazine's news reporting in the public interest and/or our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

Please support  these local businesses and organizations -- and let them know you that value their support of community journalism!

Our 1st quarter 2024 business and organizational donors and sponsors are:

 

Platinum Level Sponsors ($5,000 or more)

Grossmont  Healthcare District

 

 

 

Gold Level Sponsors ($1,000 to $4,999)

Moon Valley Nurseries

 

 

 

San Diego Chimney Sweeps

 

 

 

 

San Diego Regional Fire Foundation

 

 

 

 

Silver Level Sponsors: ($100 to $999)

Bronze Level Sponsors ($25 to $99)

  • Barn House Barbecue in Lemon Grove
  • Jessyka Heredia hairdresser,  El Cajon
  • Purple Owl Cafe in Julian

MOXIE LOOKS AT PUERTO RICO WITH PERFORMANCES THROUGH MAY 26

By Susan Taylor

May 21, 2024  (San Diego) -- The audience won’t easily remember the title of Moxie Theater’s current play (Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board Members), but the set, characters, costumes, and story won’t soon be forgotten.  Patrons willing to pack a lot into their Memorial Day weekend can still get tickets to see the political drama, which ends on Sunday May 26.  A neat trick is to arrive an hour early for the Saturday or Sunday matinee which begins at 2 p.m.  These box office “rush” tickets go for just $20.

The play is about a young Puerto Rican woman from New York, who is dangerously angry over the historic colonization of Puerto Rico, its massive economic debt, and its version of Wall Street stomp-dancing on the souls of the people.

Actors Christine Carmela and William BJ Robinson are all energy all the time, just the two characters moving and yelling and pleading for 90 minutes, no intermission, as the drama barely slows down to the last words.

SDSU TO HOST MOUNTAIN WEST BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Source: GoAztecs
 
Tickets start at $15 per game, $12 Student/Youth 3-12
 
May 20, 2024 (San Diego) -- San Diego State University will play host to the 2024 Mountain West Baseball Championship, May 23-26, at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
 
After 30 games of conference play, Air Force, New Mexico, San José State and Fresno State have all clinched spots in the four-team double-elimination tournament, which will be held on The Mesa for the sixth time in the league's 25-year history (2001, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2022). The MW did not conduct a postseason baseball championship in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
On Thursday, second-seeded New Mexico (28-24, 17-13 MW) will battle No. 3 seed San José State (22-31, 16-14 MW) in the tournament opener at 1:30 p.m. PT, while regular-season conference champion and No. 1 seed Air Force (26-26, 18-12 MW) will square off against fourth-seeded Fresno State (29-26, 16-14) at 6 p.m.
 
 The complete MW Championship schedule is listed below.

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: REVITALIZING BROADWAY IN LEMON GROVE: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies
 
May 20, 2024 Lemon Grove) -- Community residents who attended recent listening sessions hosted by the Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) expressed concern about Lemon Grove’s main business corridor located along Broadway. Attendees cited graffiti, broken windows, vacant shops, and unkept store fronts creating a less-than welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

BATHHOUSE BAZAAR CONCERT SERIES IN JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS

East County News Service
 
May 20, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Hot summer nights in Jacumba Hot Springs now include a concert series at the Bathhouse Bazaar.
 
June’s lineup includes swing music with Petunia and the Vipers on June 1, the Clinton Davis String Band on June 8 with folk, hillbilly, jug band and ballads, This Lonesome Paradise performing cowboy noir music on June 21, and Nick Pagan’s “new-wop” on June 22. 

FLOATING FISHING DOCK REPAIRS ON AGENDA FOR SWEEWATER AUTHORITY ON WEDNESDAY

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2024 (Alpine)—Sweetwater Authority has still not replaced or repaired the floating fishing dock that was partially destroyed at Loveland Reservoir in Alpine more than a year ago by heavy storms back in January 2023.  On Wednesday,  agenda item 9.1 asks the board to decide whether or not to authorize buying and installing a replacement fishing platform in the reservoir.

“This is the second time this has been on the agenda since Sweetwater recovered the insurance funds,”says Russell Walsh, a citizens’ advocate who has been calling on Sweetwater to replace the floating fishing dock. According to Walsh, a majority vote is not guaranteed; he urges concerned residents to contact Sweetwater’s general manager, Carlos Quintero, to urge support. Residents can also speak at the meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday in person or remotely.

PASSAGES: FAMED ARCHITECT AND ARTIST JAMES HUBBELL, 1931-2024

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2024 (Santa Ysabel) – The world has lost a creative giant.  Visionary artist and internationally acclaimed architect James Hubbell passed away on May 17 in Chula Vista at age 92, surrounded by family members including his wife, Anne.  

“We’ve lost a great friend, a generous, creative talent, and an extraordinary man,”  reads a statement issued by the Ilan-Lael Foundation, founded by Hubbell to inspire future generations of budding artists, architects and builders. 

Hubbell designed hundreds of public and private artworks. Locally, his creations include the Pacific Portal gazebo and Pacific Rim Park’s Pearl of the Pacific on Shelter Island, the Triton Restaurants in San Diego and Carlsbad, Kuchumaa Passage, a public artwork at Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort and Spa in Tecate, Mexico, and a mosaic foundation at Coronado Ferry Landing.

Internationally,  he headed up efforts to create a series of international peace parks at locations rimming the Pacific Ocean.  He also began a 30-year volunteer project to build Colegio La Esperanza, an elementary school embedded with mosaics to bring hope, education and beauty to students east of Tijuana, Mexico.

SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR APPROVED FOR SUPERVISED RELEASE IN JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS

East County News Service
 
May 19, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Albert Carder, 57, a state-designated sexually violent predator, has been approved by a Superior Court judge for conditional release. He is slated to be placed in a home at 45612 Old Highway 80 in Jacumba Hot Springs by June 26.

THE CASE OF THE ZOMBIE NINJAS: DOTTY MORGAN SUPERNATURAL SLEUTH BOOK TWO

By Erik Christopher Martin

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

May 19, 2024 (San Diego) –In San Diego author Erik Christopher Martin’s latest book, The Case of the Zombie Ninjas, the Sato Corporation moves to Elderton, Dotty Morgan’s home town. It also funds Waverly Perchance Memorial Garden, a project organized by 12-year-old Dotty.

Sato Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Sato, takes an interest in Dotty and helps her realize her dream of owning and operating a Supernatural Sleuthing Agency. However, there is a dark side to Mr. Sato’s generosity.

Below is an excerpt:

LA MESA CLASSIC CAR SHOW & LIVE MUSIC EVENT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN DOWNTOWN LA MESA THIS SUMMER

Source: The La Mesa Village Association
 
Photos courtesy: CeCe Canton Photography
 
May 19, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The 30th Annual La Mesa Classic Car Show & Music Event kicks off Thursday, June 6th, 2024, from 5 – 8 p.m. in the heart of downtown La Mesa. This beloved summer tradition features a variety of classic cars, trucks and vans for the community to admire along La Mesa Blvd as well as live bands and a DJ every week (except June 13th and July 4th – no car show). To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Classic Car Show, we will have commemorative 30th anniversary hats, plus three theme nights throughout the summer, including:

CHIEF’S CORNER: WIND SAFETY

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
 
More Than Just Dust in the Wind!
 
May 19, 2024 (San Diego) -- From the desert to the sea, many communities are seeing wind gusts that are causing problems and concern. Fire danger is not the only hazard we have to concern ourselves with during high winds. Strong winds can cause considerable damage on their own, even without fires. Please follow the below safety tips:

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SOUL MUSIC CONCERT IN JACUMBA MAY 26

East County News Service

May 18, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs)—The Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel will host an evening of soulful tunes by Lady Dottie & The Diamonds with Rey.Wolf, DJs Roger Mars and Rick Barzell  on May 26 at the hotel’s ritual pool.  These award-winning musicians have their roots in blues, gospel and jazz.

Come for the day: The Ritual Pool is open from 9 a.m. – 12 a.m. Day Passes are $45. Entrance to the event is included for Hotel and Guest House accommodations and/or Day Passes. Purchase a Day Pass here

The event starts at 5 p.m. $15 advance tickets or $20 at the door. Tickets include access to the Ritual Pool starting at 5 p.m. Purchase a Ticket here

*Entrance to the pool and event is included with hotel and guest house accommodations and/or day passes.

LITTLE HOOVER COMMISSION HEARING ON CALIFORNIA’S HOME INSURANCE CHALLENGES HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO REDUCE WILDFIRE THREATS BY ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

East County News Service
 
Photo: The Little Hoover Commission, formally known as the Milton Marks “Little Hoover” Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy, is an independent state oversight agency created in 1962.
 
May 17, 2024 (Sacramento) -- In a stark warning at a Little Hoover Commission hearing on California’s homeowners insurance market, former California Insurance Commissioner and Director of UC Berkeley’s Climate Risk Initiative Dave Jones voiced concerns over the future availability of homeowners insurance in California’s fire-prone regions.

GLOBAL CO2 INCREASE SETS NEW ALL-TIME RECORD

By Olivia Rosane, staff writer for Common Dreams
 
May 17, 2024 (Hawaii) -- The average monthly concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere jumped by a record 4.7 parts per million between March 2023 and March 2024, according to new data from NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.
 
The spike, reported by the University of California, San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography on Wednesday, reveals "the increasing pace of CO2 addition to the atmosphere by human activities," the university said.

ARRESTS LINKED TO ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFTS AND DRUG SALES OPERATION TARGETING HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS

Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Ammo, and Stolen Merchandise Confiscated
 
East County News Service
 
May 17, 2024 (El Cajon) -- A two-month-long investigation by the El Cajon Police Department Special Investigations Unit uncovered an operation that involved selling fentanyl to homeless residents in exchange for stolen merchandise. The investigation ended in two arrests, says Lieutenant Will Guerin, including 44-year-old Jeremy Ketchum of Santee.

FIRE AT OTAY BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY PROMPTS EVACUATION WARNINGS, SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDER FOR DONOVAN PRISON

Update May 28, 2024 -- All evacuation orders have been lifted, though firefighters remain on scene.

Update 9:30 p.m. --The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has issued an Evacuation Order. An Evacuation Order requires immediate movement out of the affected area due to an imminent threat to life. All persons in the impacted area should prepare to evacuate. Evacuation Order means there is extreme danger in your area.  You must leave now; do not wait. Contact your neighbors and share information.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2024 (Otay Mesa) – The #CaminoFire at Gateway Energy Storage, a lithium battery storage facility  in Otay Mesa, flared up overnight and prompted county officials to issue an evacuation warning for businesses in the surrounding area due to the potential for release of toxic gasses.

The fire has also resulted in a shelter-in-place order for nearby Donovan State Prison. A road closure is in effect at Camino de la Fuente and Paseo de la Fuente.

According to Cal Fire’s incident update this morning, firefighters continue to battle the  thermal runaway fire involving lithium ion batteries.

The harmful gasses are “making access an issue for firefighters,” Cal Fire advises.”The building’s sprinkler system is currently being supplemented with the use of the existing standpipe system and the fire is still contained to the building of origin."

MUSIC RETURNS TO RAMONA TOWN HALL WITH ASHLEY E. NORTON CONCERTS JUNE 8-9

By Miriam Raftery
 
May 17, 2024 (Ramona) – Amid renovations of Ramona’s historic town hall, the venue will host its first live music concerts in 40 years on June 8 and 9. Ashley E. Norton will perform songs from her newest album, “Call of the Void” along with a song called “Whiskey in the Walls” written specifically about Ramona’s Town Hall. The singer/songwriter will also debut a music video at the event, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the town hall renovations.

SUPERVISORS APPROVE ADDING “MIDDLE EASTERN OR NORTH AFRICAN” CATEGORY TO COUNTY FORMS

By Miriam Raftery
 
May 16, 2024 (San Diego) – Arab-Americans have long been excluded from being counted on government forms, from the U.S. census to state and county documents. But that’s changing here in San Diego County, which has one of the state’s largest populations of people of Middle Eastern or North African descent.
 
By a unanimous vote, San Diego County Supervisors on May 1 became the first jurisdiction in California to approve creating a “Middle Eastern or North African” (MENA) category on County forms for individuals to self-identify as MENA.

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