Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 5, 2023 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team has released their 2023-24 non-conference schedule. The 12-game slate features eight games against teams that had winning records last season and six against schools that made the postseason. The Aztecs will face five programs who won at least 20 games last season, including perennial national powerhouse Stanford.

September 5, 2023 (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.

• Impeachment threats and shutdown fears: Congress returns for a chaotic September (NBC News)
• Trump heading to trial in 7 civil and criminal cases: A calendar of dates and what to expect (USA Today)
• US 30-year mortgage rate soars to highest since 2000 (Reuters)
• Idalia’s Aftermath: Floridians Begin Recovery After Hurricane (Forbes)
• Rudy Giuliani defamed former Georgia election workers, federal judge rules (NBC)
• Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in January 6 case (CNN)
• Judge sides with youth in Montana climate change trial  (Daily Montananan)
• More schools that forced American Indian children to assimilate revealed (Washington Post)
• "War on Mexico": Republicans ramp up calls for military action as they blast Democrats as warmongers (Salon)
• Judge: Trump-era rule change allowing logging of old-growth forests violates laws  (NPR)
• Where do the 2024 presidential candidates stand on abortion? (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• White House ramps up war room to battle expected GOP impeachment inquiry (NBC)
• Pittsburgh jury condemns Tree of Life synagogue killer to death (Reuters)
• The plot thickens: The battle over books comes at a cost(NPR)

WORLD

• BRICS invites Saudi, Iran and others to join developing world bloc   (Reuters)
• Russia's Medvedev: We'd have to use a nuclear weapon if Ukrainian offensive was a success (Reuters)
• Russia’s central bank raises interest rates to 12% after the ruble plunges (CNN)
• Warsaw sends troops to border, accusing Belarus of violating its airspace (Guardian)
• Nearly half of those held in Russia's detention centers in Kherson were tortured, rights report finds (CNN)
• Explainer: What are China's 'sponge cities' and why aren't they stopping the floods? (Reuters)
  
  Ukrainian Counteroffensive Pierces Main Russian Defensive Line in Southeast (Wall St.Journal)
• Poland, Baltics will shut Belarus border if 'critical incident' occurs -minister  (Reuters)
• UN warns that hundreds of thousands in Southeast Asia have been roped into online scams  (AP)
• Russia turning to sleeper cells and international agents (Guardian)

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

By Ken Stone,Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney (right) succeeded Walt Vasquez (center) and Matt Nicholass in July 2021. Photo via Twitter

September 3, 2023 (La Mesa) - The announcement came Monday in Facebook.

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 3, 2023 (San Diego) -- Thousands of San Diegans fortified their homes and property with sandbags before the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Hilary. More than 100,000 bags were gathered and used across the county.  But now the storm has passed and clear skies have returned.  That has led many to ask, “What should I do with the sandbags now?”

By: Tracy Defore, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo: Doaa Polus, seen pointing to her map, votes for 3 new parks just north of I-8 in the vicinity of First Street

September 3, 2023 (San Diego) -- The County is looking for input on projects covering a wide range of priorities that may affect you, your neighborhood or the region at large.

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2023 (El Cajon) – The German-American Societies of San Diego will host two weekends of Oktoberfest at their El Cajon headquarters: Sept. 29-Oct. 1 and Oct. 6-8.

And what can be done about it.

By MacKenzie Elmer, Voice of San Diego

Editorial Note: This photo was created by East County Magazine. It was not created by Voice of San Diego. 

September 2, 2023 (San Diego) -- No matter which way you slice it, San Diego has the most expensive electricity in the country. 

And it’s beginning to draw eyes from across the nation. 

East County News Service

September 1, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department is crediting newly installed automated  license plate reading (ALPR) cameras with solving three crimes in three days, according to Lieutenant Jeremiah Larson.  The Flock Safety technology sends ECPD real-time crime alerts when a stolen vehicle, or known wanted vehicle, from a state or national database is detected locally.

By Kathy Carpenter 

September 1, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Silence is rest for the mind," says Masha - a thought that rings true when pondered upon. With any kind of sound, your mind engages in interpretation. Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa is currently staging the uplifting comedy, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." For years, I resisted watching this play due to its seemingly unappealing title. I stand corrected. This production turned out to be uproariously funny and while San Diego hosts numerous humorous shows, not many prompt genuine, laugh-out-loud reactions. "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" is an exception.

East County News Service

August 31, 2023  (El Cajon) -- Pacific Emblem Company, a 35-year-old custom manufacturer of patches, emblems and wristbands, is stepping up in a big way to help raise money for the fire victims on Maui.  The company’s goal is to raise $50,000  or more through its special site, www.MauiStrong.help and donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation (referred to as the Maui Strong Fund). 

100% of the money raised will be donated (after the cost of goods, employees, and shipping, which is free for the public. 

The company has ties and friends on the Hawaiian Islands and wanted to do something to help as much as possible. 

“My heart hurts for all those on Maui who lost their lives, homes, and businesses and I had to do something to raise desperately needed funds for the residents,” said Rich Soergel (aka Dr. Patch) at the helm of Pacific Emblem Company.

Our readers value East County Wildfire and  Emergency Alerts!  Read some of their testimonials below.

You can also support our alerts  with a donation at https://www.EastCountyMedia.org/donate. 

“You guys are fast! Often I get your alerts before I hear from dispatch.  I forward many of your …Wildfire & Emergency alerts to all our people.” – Chief August Ghio, president, San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association (now retired)

“Everyone here should sign up for East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.”—Supervisor Joel Anderson, at a town hall in Julian

“As Executive Director of the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County and President of the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, I would like to commend Ms. Raftery (founder of East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts) for her suggestions for protection of San Diego County's unincorporated and wildland-urban interface areas.” – Marty Leavitt

“Thank you so much for the unexpected yet timely alert regarding the fire yesterday.  We saw the smoke but were left completely uninformed. Then suddenly I rec’d your email!  I’m referring you to many others.” – Ellen Sullivan, reader

Update:  This event has been rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. due to Hurricane Hilary, which is forecast to drop 12 inches of rain this weekend in the mountains. Stay safe and let us know if you are able to attend on Sept. 3!

By Miriam Raftery

August 4, 2023 (Julian) – Please join us to support  the East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and East County Magazine reporting at our next East County Dining Club Event!  We’ll be savoring a delicious vegan feast  on Sunday, August 20 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the brand new Kail’s Garden Café and Juice Bar, 1921 Main Street in Julian.

Please RSVP by Aug.17 by sending your name, the number in your party, and your entrée choices to: editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  Questions? Call 619-698-7617.

Feast your eyes on the menu choices below (entrees pictured at left):

Special menu entrée options: 

1:  Pineapple, cranberry and walnut salad, eggplant/spinach lasagna

2:  Seasoned roasted corn, 3 jackfruit BBQ tacos, mango salsa

3.  Garlic edamame, Yakisoba noodles with tofu, red bell peppers, broccoli

4.  Jackfruit burger with vegan fries

Dessert:  Vegan cheesecake or ube (purple yam) cheesecake

Win prizes! Thanks to our raffle prize donors:  Kali’s Garden, Menghini Winery, Cedar Rio, Purple Owl Café, Jeremy’s on the Hill, Faith’s Embroidery/Julian Toy Chest, Julian Café & Bakery, Julian Mercantile, Zen Mountain Yoga, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, and more!