By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of Governor Newsom’s office

August 19, 2023 (San Diego) – Governor Gavin Newsom signed an emergency declaration today while in San Diego, where he visited National Guard troops that he ordered stationed here to protect our region from Hurricane Hilary’s strong winds and torrential rains forecast to slam our region tomorrow.

“California has thousands of people on the ground working hand-in-hand with federal and local personnel to support communities in Hurricane Hilary’s path with resources, equipment and expertise," Gov. Newsom said. "We’re mobilizing all of government as we prepare and respond to this unprecedented storm.”

Over 7,500 people have been dispatched by the Governor to help San Diego and other Southern California communities.  The Governor indicated he has also been in touch with federal officials in the  Biden administration, including the White House and other agencies, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, East County Magazine Zoom Interview (2021)

August 19, 2023 (San Diego) -- Rep. Sara Jacobs on Wednesday called the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against access to the abortion drug mifepristone a “gross attack on our bodies and freedom.”

East County News Service

August 19, 2023 (Potrero) -- CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire report the Coyote Fire has grown to 466 acres, with 55% containment in the Potrero area.

The Sheriff’s Department is reopening all roads and allowing residents to return home. Drive slowly and carefully and be mindful of firefighters and other emergency personnel working in the area.

The shelter at Mountain Empire High School at 3305 Buckman Springs Road in Pine Valley will close.

Residents are encouraged to fortify their homes in preparation for the incoming storm, Tropical Cyclone Hilary. Sandbags are available at the following locations.

People should call ahead to double-check availability and remember to bring a shovel to fill the bags. Some stations may have a limited supply.

August 18, 2023 (Lakeside,  CA) -- The Sheriff is asking for public help to find 68-year-old Jose Martinez, who is reported missing from a care facility in unincorporated El Cajon. Martinez was last seen at the care facility around 9:00 p.m.last night by staff.

Deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff’s Substation responded to the care facility and began checking the area for the missing man.A Sheriff's Command Post has been established at the Awaken Church located at 950 North Second Ave in El Cajon. The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit has also activated. SAR Volunteers responded and searched the area throughout the night, says Lt.Chris Katra..

Update August 18, 2023 -- The #Coyote Fire has burned 466 acres and is 43% contained. A firefighter injury is reported and two structures were destroyed.

Update 3:45 p.m. -- The fire is 100 acres and threatening homes near Round Potrero Rd. and  Horizon View. Round Potrero Road is closed between Yerba Santa Road to  Potrero Valley. The evacuation order area has broadened;view map: . temporary evacuation center has been set up in the parking lot of the Mountain Empire High School at 3305 Buckman Springs Rd. in Pine Valley. You can take your animals, including livestock, to the @SanDiegoCounty Animal Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita

August 17, 2023 (Potrero) -- Cal Fire is at the scene of a vegetation fire on Coyote Holler Road near Ranch Road in Potrero.

The fire has burned at least five acres and has a dangerous rate of spread, per Cal Fire.

The Sheriff's vehicles now have a hi-low alarm sound.  If you hear it, evacuate immediately.

Mountains and deserts forecast to get 5-7 inches of rain, with winds up to 60 mph

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Hurricane Hilary is barreling toward San DIego County, slated to hit this weekend.

“The storm is going inland, so the strongest winds will be in the mountains,” meteorologist Miguel Miller with the National Weather Service in San Diego told  East County Magazine. “The rainfall, flood potential and winds are actually going to be stronger the more east you go. This will be a really wet and windy storm.”

Currently a category 2 hurricane, Hilary could be upgraded to a category 4 by the time it hits Baja, Mexico, though it will likely be downgraded to a tropical storm once it reaches San Diego County. However, the impacts will still pack a wallop, with thunderstorms, very heavy rains and flooding likely --with the worst in inland areas.

Desert areas are forecast to be soaked with 5-7 inches of rain, with 5-7 inches in the mountains, 2.5 inches in Alpine, and 1.75 inches in El Cajon from Saturday through Monday. The worst of the storm is expected to peak on Sunday.

Wind gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour are expected in the mountains, with 30 to 50 mph winds on the desert floor. West of the mountains, 30 to 40 mph winds are forecast. High surf will occur along the coast.

This isn’t the first time a hurricane has hit our region.

Back in September 1976,  Hurricane Kathleen had a similar trajectory. Designate a tropical cyclone by the time it reached our region, it as ECM previously reported on an anniversary of that storm, it caused massive flooding and destruction.

East County News Service

August 16, 2023 (San Diego's East County)—Yesterday the  Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a published opinion vacating as “arbitrary and capricious” the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA) denial of a petition by an environmental organization, Backcountry Against Dumps.

The group sought discretionary review of a plan by Terra-Gen Development Company to construct 72 wind turbines, including 60 that would be 586 feet tall on the crest of the Coast Range on the Campo reservation in the Campo-Boulevard areas of San Diego's East County. The turbines would be roughly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and located within the principal aviation corridor between San Diego, California and Yuma, Arizona.

Backcountry’s petition recognized the vital need for renewable energy to counter climate change, but pointed out that public and environmental safety must also be factored into project reviews.

It cited documentation showing the turbines would pose collision hazards to fixed wing and rotary aircraft, impair radar function, potentially trigger greenhouse gas-emitting wildfires due to wind-induced sparking of power lines, lightning strikes and overheating of rotors, impede aerial firefighting and other emergency response, and force air traffic to fly at higher altitudes more prone to icing hazards to clear these enormous obstructions.

By Jacob Pamus

Photo:  Pastor Rolland Slade speaks out on Council's decision to defund the task force.

Updated August 21 with statements from Bonnie Baranoff, Coordinatorof the East County Homeless  Task Force, disputing the city's assertions and media statements.

August 16, 2023  (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council majority voted to drop its funding for the East County Homeless Task Force.  Ironically El Cajon has the most homeless among East County communities and 16% of the homeless in San Diego County. 

City Manager, Graham Mitchell said during a Council meeting in late July that even though El Cajon’s interests do align with the task force, “Over time, that alignment has been shifting.” Mitchell  noted that initially he was in support of the task force because of how many different perspectives were involved, including law enforcement and business oriented individuals, but now he does not see that.

By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2023 (San Diego) – Early results in the 4^th Supervisorial district special election show San Diego Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, a Democrat, with a strong lead at 40.71%  However the race appears likely to head to a run-off in November, if no candidate receives more than 50%.

Republican Amy Reichert, a small business owner and founder of Reopen  San Diego, is in second place with 28.67%, followed by Marine veteran and veterans’ advocate Janessa Goldbeck at 25.51.  Trailing at a distant fourth is Paul McQuigg, a Republican and advocate for disabled vets. Steppe has 31,418 votes thus far, Reichert 22,126,  Goldbeck 19,681, and McQuigg 3,941.

By: Jessyka Heredia

Photos from City of El Cajon meeting and presentation

August 14, 2023 (El Cajon) – The  El Cajon City Council on Tuesday was given a presentation by the city’s marketing and engagement manager, Chris Berg, about a new farmers market idea that includes a beer garden, farmers, artisan foods and goods plus three concert stages and more. The proposal is much larger in scope than other farmers markets around the county.

The City Manager, Graham Mitchell, also introduced three different proposals to the Council on possible projects to use their remaining ARPA funds on.

By Miriam Raftery

I recently signed up for Social Security.  On Aug. 12, a Saturday, I received an email from DoNotReply@ssa.gov with subject line “Request for Information” that Social Security confirms is a scam. Don’t be fooled into giving scammers info that could be used in an identity theft scheme or to steal benefits—and be sure to report suspected scams to the SSA’s Office of Inspector General at Report.Scam@ssa.gov.

By Miriam Raftery

August 14, 2023 (El Cajon)—Attorneys representing a woman who was struck by a Waste Management trash truck and seriously injured held a press conference today at a Waste Management dump site in El Cajon to announce a lawsuit against the trash collection and recycling company.

 “On February 5, 2021, Deanna Beck was walking through the parking garage in her apartment complex, in a designated crosswalk, when an employee of Waste Management Cesar Colin skewered her with the metal tines of the garbage truck he was operating in the course and scope of his employment,”  states a press release issued by S. Harris Communications on behalf of her attorneys,  John Gomez and Corey Garrard with Gomez Trial Attorneys.

The lawsuit filed in Superior Court contends that Beck suffered brain trauma, neck injuries and dysautonomia, a disorder of the central nervous system.