MOST EVACUATIONS LIFTED IN STEELE FIRE; DRONE HAMPERED FIREFIGHTERS

COTTONWOOD SAND MINE BACKERS FAIL TO DREDGE UP ENOUGH VOTES, AS PLANNERS DEADLOCK

OVER 4,700 UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS FROM STEELE FIRE

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

COUNTY TO SPRAY FOR MOSQUITOS IN ROLANDO AREAS OF LA MESA AND SAN DIEGO TO REDUCE RISK OF WEST NILE VIRUS

RAMONA ROBBERY VICTIM SPOTS SUSPECT AT BANK, LEADING TO ARREST

ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ: A FLORIDA `CONCENTRATION CAMP’

OWNER IDENTIFIED IN DOG-DRAGGING CASE; ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES TO BE FILED

TRUMP SIGNS BUDGET BILL ON JULY 4 THAT INFLATES DEFICIT, CUTS SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICANS AND MAKES TAX CUTS FOR WEALTHY PERMANENT

READER’S EDITORIAL: THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER BEFORE

HAUTE WITH HEART FASHION SHOW AUG. 2 BENEFITS ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE’S CENTER

A LAVENDER AND CAMEL OASIS IN RAMONA

FIRST ANNUAL ARTISTS' SHOWCASE PRESENTED BY SISTERHOOD AND MEN'S CLUB

East County News Service
 
March 24, 2024 (San Diego) -- Join Tifereth Israel Synagogue (TIS) for a day of creativity and community at the First Annual Artists’ Showcase. This vibrant event will feature a diverse array of talented artists, craft artisans, and authors connected to the Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
 
Date: Sunday, April 7, 2024 
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
Location: Tifereth Israel Synagogue Social Hall
6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego, CA 92119

WINTER STORM WARNING

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo via Mt. Laguna webcam

March 24, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm alert for San Diego County's mountains, in effect until 11 p.m.  Severe weaather conditions are expected with heavy snow and wind gusts up to 65 or 75 mies per hour. Downed trees and power lines are possible. Some snow has already fallen in Julian, Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna and other mountain communities.

BEE SAFE THIS SPRING; DO NOT GET STUNG

By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
Photo: Bing Copilot
 
March 23, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- During springtime, the flowers bloom and the bees are busy. Here are some simple tips to make sure you don’t get stung. The biggest one is—do not disturb them. And if they’re already disturbed, move away to a safer location!

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

East County News Service
 
March 23, 2024 (El Cajon) – The German American Societies invites you to an Easter brunch followed by an egg hunt with hundreds of colorful eggs for children to find. This event will be held at the group’s headquarters at 1017 S. Mollison Ave. in El Cajon on Saturday, March 30 2024.
 
Brunch will be served from 9 to 11 a.m., with the egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

CHIEF’S CORNER: NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

Too Much On Your Plate?
 
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
 
March 23, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- When you see a fire truck, paramedic unit, ambulance, and police officers at an incident, it’s ‘more than likely’ they are assisting on a medical emergency! The month of March is National Nutritional Month and now is a good time to take of yourself by eating right!
 
Here are a few things we like to eat at the fire station to help keep us healthy– some that may help in preventing anything from heart disease to cancers.

READER’S EDITORIAL: TRUMP IS A DANGER TO OUR DEMOCRACY

By Jean Dittmeyer
 
Photo by Gage Skidmore, cc: Donald Trump at 2020 campaign rally in Arizona
 
March 22, 2024 (San Diego) -- Americans await with baited breath the election corruption trial of Donald Trump in New York. Known his entire life for avoiding accountability and now for attempting a coup to overthrow a legal and legitimate Presidential election, Trump is hoping to avoid accountability again. Meanwhile his Republican supporters in the United States Congress do all they can to promote his hatred for anything supporting democracy.

WILLIAM BURTON SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE SCHOLARSHIP SEEKS DONORS

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 22, 2024 (El Cajon) –William Burton, a Granite Hills High School senior and top athlete in both baseball and football, was known as “Mr. Granite Hills.” Since his tragic death five years ago, a scholarship established by his family has awarded $1,000 to a deserving Granite Hills senior. Now, the family is asking for donations to help sustain the William Barton Spirit of the Eagle Scholarship.

ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF “HOW DOES THE COW SLEEP?” BY NICO WATERS

By Pennell Paugh
 
March 22, 2024 (San Diego)-- How Does the Cow Sleep is a charming children's picture book for ages 1 through 5. San Diego author Nico Waters shows the sleeping positions of a cow, bear, giraffe, lion, bat, rhino, cat, and human baby. 
 
Waters asks how the specific animal sleeps, and then answers with a colorful illustration that shows the animal sleeping in their natural habitat. 

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

Story and photo by Mike Allen
 
March 21, 2024 (Santee) -- Santee firefighters are asking Santee voters to pass a half-cent sales tax increase this November to pay for two new fire stations they say are essential for the protection of both lives and property, and that are long overdue.

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

Source: Building Industry Association
 
March 21, 2024 (San Diego) -- WorkforceConnect and the Building Industry Association of San Diego (BIA-SD) today announced a strategic partnership to help address the construction industry's ongoing workforce shortage. 

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

East County News Service
 
Photo: Bob Gordon and Huxley the Hawk
 
March 21, 2024 (San Diego) -- On Thursday, April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation will welcome a range of park user groups for a free community night at the park. The event will include user group tables, games, light refreshments, and opportunities to learn how members of the public can experience Mission Trails in new ways. Entry is free and open to the public, and attendees will have the opportunity to win Mission Trails merchandise. While the event is free, registration is required through the Mission Trails website: www.mtrp.org

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

East County News Service
 
March 21, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Tanya Tucker, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last October, will be performing live at the Magnolia in El Cajon on May 19.
 
Since her first hit, “Delta Dawn” in 1972, Tucker has rocketed to stardom with a streak of top-10 hits, several albums, and multiple Country Music Association award nominations.  

LA MESA LAUNCHES ANNUAL SLURRY PROJECT

Source: City of La Mesa
 
Slurry project is set to resurface 51 streets
 
March 21, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Starting this week, the City of La Mesa will begin the process of repairing and sealing approximately 2.65 million square feet of roads around the city. They say this project highlights their ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance La Mesa's infrastructure.

184 GUNS TURNED IN AT SHERIFF’S LEMON GROVE GUN SAFETY EVENT

Source: San Diego Sheriff

March 20, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Department teamed up with its law enforcement partners to help get unwanted weapons off our streets through a Gun Safety Event in Lemon Grove on March 4.
 
A total of 184 unwanted firearms were turned in by the public during the event at the First Baptist Church of Lemon Grove.

MISSING HIKER HOSPITALIZED AFTER RESCUE

East County News Service
 
March 20, 2024 (Lakeside) — An all-night search by the Sheriff’s volunteer Search and Rescue unit resulted in safely locating a man who had been missing for over 14 hours in Sycamore Canyon Preserve.
 
The search began after the 57-year-old man failed to return from a hike in Sycamore Canyon. He had begun his hike at 9 a.m. and his family reported him missing at 1 p.m.

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego Registrar of Voters this evening released unofficial results from the primary election. Final results will be certified by 5 p.m. on April 4.  

The only ballots not yet counted countywide are 3,750 mail-in ballots returned with a missing or non-matching signature. Those voters were mailed letters giving them until April 2 to provide signatures. Once verified, these “cured” ballots will then be tallied. It is unclear how many of those ballots will be cured and counted, and how many are in any given district.

Below is an update on close races in East County, where flips in two key Assembly races since election night appear to have held.

COURT APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER PROCESSING DELAYS FOR PEOPLE IN IMMIGRATION CUSTODY

Cancino Castellar v. Mayorkas settlement will ensure Immigrants in DHS custody have prompt first appearances before immigration judges 
 
East County News Service
 
March 20, 2024 (San Diego) -- A federal judge on March 14 approved a settlement in a long-running class action lawsuit affirming the constitutional due process rights of people in immigration custody in San Diego and Imperial Counties. 

OPPONENTS OF BOULDER BRUSH SUBSTATION SCORE WIN IN COURT

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Campo tribe's original wind project; the tribe hopes to build a new project connected to the substation challenged by rural activists.

March 20, 2024 (Campo) — An Appellate Court has found that a trial court wrongfully dismissed a lawsuit against San Diego County challenging Supervisors’ approval of Terra-Gen’s Boulder Brush substation in rural East County. The substation would connect to Terra-Gen’s Campo Wind project on Campo tribal land. 

Earlier plans called for the substation to also connect to the proposed Torrey Wind project in Campo, but Terra-Gen has since withdrawn its application for that project after a deadline expired.

PASSAGES: STEPHEN L. WEBER, FORMER SDSU PRESIDENT, DIES AT AGE 82

By Weber Family
 
Known as a visionary educator and philosopher during his 15-year tenure as president, Weber leaves a legacy of academic excellence and service.
 
Photo: SDSU led the country in improved graduation rates during Stephen Weber's 15-year tenure. (SDSU)
 
March 20, 2024 (Jersey City, NJ) -- Stephen Lewis Weber died March 17 surrounded by family at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey.
 
Weber was born on St. Patrick’s Day, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts. After the death of his father, when Weber was 9 years old, his mother moved Weber and his two younger brothers, John and Roger, to her hometown of Stony Ridge, Ohio. She built a home next to Weber’s grandparent’s farm. They would prove to be excellent role models, along with Weber’s three uncles and their families. 

8-HOUR TIME-RESTRICTED EATING LINKED TO A 91% HIGHER RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEATH

Source: American Heart Association
 
Photo:  CC by NC via Bing
 
March 19, 2024 (Chicago, IL)  — An analysis of over 20,000 U.S. adults found that people who limited their eating across less than 8 hours per day, a time-restricted diet, were 91% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to people who ate across 12-16 hours per day, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, March 18- 21, in Chicago. 

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

March 19, 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.

CHILI COOK-OFF FUNDRAISER IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service
 
March 19, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- Are you a fan of cooking or eating delicious chili? Then this announcement is for you! Join the Lemon Grove Lions Club and Lemon Grove Forward Club for a Chili Cook-Off event. If you're confident in your chili-making skills, this is your opportunity to showcase them by participating in their contest. For those who simply love savoring tasty chili, there will be plenty available for sampling! 
 
Join the fun event Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at St. John of the Cross Parish Hall, located at 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. All proceeds will go toward Lemon Grove Charities. The fun event will feature a chili tasting contest, where you get to help pick the best chili in Lemon Grove, music, cash bar, a raffle and silent auction.

CHIEF’S CORNER: MARCH IS HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

No Excuses – Time for a Screening!

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

 

Photo: I dedicate this article to one of my best friends from childhood, Andy Troncale, every year. I know Capt. Troncale (Arcadia Fire Dept. Truck Co. 105) would like you to follow the advice here to help you maintain your wellness.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: EASTER EVENTS, WILDFLOWER WALKS AND MORE SPECIAL SPRING HAPPENINGS

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s a beautiful season to get outside and enjoy beautiful East County. This week’s Destination East County includes desert wildflower walks, Easter egg hunts in El Cajon and at Lake Jennings, Daffodil Days in Julian, a star party at Mission Trails, La Mesa’s Earth Day Fair, Cajon Classic Cruises, the Ramona Open Studios art tour, and a Lyle Lovett concert at the Magnolia. 

HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

March 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

SCIENCE AND TECH

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

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

March 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.

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: TRIBAL NATIONS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

DA has found no cases on San Diego County tribal lands, but nationally, an estimated 40% of women sex trafficking victims are Native Americans.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies

March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery that continues to plague communities worldwide. Tribal Nations are not immune. In the shadows of our society, traffickers exploit vulnerabilities. Among the most vulnerable are those grappling with substance use disorders. The correlation between addiction and trafficking is not merely coincidental but deeply intertwined, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and suffering.

COUNTY APPROVES 17 SAFE RV PARKING SITES FOR HOMELESS IN LAKESIDE

East County News Service
 
Photo courtesy: Google Maps
 
March 17, 2024 (Lakeside) -- Supervisors Wednesday approved construction of the Willow Recreational Vehicle (RV) Senior and Family Parking site in a County-owned site located in the unincorporated Lakeside community at the intersection of Willow Road and Ashwood Street. A concept design has been prepared showing 17 safe RV parking sites, an office space, storage, and restrooms. 

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