Enrolled customers who conserved during last heat wave earned more than $11M in bill credits for helping to reduce strain on statewide grid
Source: SDG&E
June 21, 2023 (San Diego) - With today being the first official day of summer, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is sharing summer energy savings tips and encouraging its residential customers to sign up for Power Saver Rewards, an energy savings incentive program that rewards customers with bill credits for reducing their electricity use on days when the statewide grid is stressed by high demand. Enrolled customers who conserved during the summer 2022 heat wave earned more than $11 million in bill credits.
June 21, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- The #Border14Fire is burning in vegetation near Marron Valley Road and Border Road in the Copper Canyon area south of Dulzura.
On the Mexican side of the border, around 20 acres have burned, but thus far the fire has been held to five acres on the U.S. side.
Multiple air tankers and helicopters have been making drops, stopping the forward progress of the flames, Cal Fire reports.
June 21, 2023 (San Diego) -- A desperate race against time to find and save passengers and crew aboard a missing submarine at the Titanic wreckage site is making worldwide news. Knocking sounds have led searchers to believe people are still alive aboard the missing vessel, the Titan. But oxygen will likely run out tomorrow.
The effort evokes memories of a similar story nearly 50 years ago in August 1973, when two San Diegans, Bob Watts and Larry Brady, were involved in the dramatic rescue of two men trapped above a submarine on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.
In September 2021, Reina Menasche interviewed Stephen McGinty, author of the true-story thriller, The Dive: The Untold Story of the World’s Deepest Submarine Rescue during the Bookshelf segment on East County Magazine's radio show. You can listen to the full interview aired on KNSJ, and read highlights below.
June 21, 2023 (San Diego) –Native American tribal members completed a cross-country Run with the Sun, culminating in a Prayer for All Water on June 14, 2023.
The Water Prayer Blessing included the arrival of runners and walkers at the Pacific Beach Pier, the laying down of the staffs used on the run/walk, and waters carried from across the U.S. to be blessed.
After the blessing, everyone was given the opportunity to pour some of the water into the ocean off of the pier.
The run began in Maine in July 12 last year, with runners collecting water vials from tribal members nationwide. The effort was led and inspired by Robert “Bobby” Wallace of Lakeside and supported by the Barona, Viejas and Sycuan tribes to draw attention to the need to protect our water resources.
Update June 23, 2022: The home's owner, Micfhael Perez, in an in-depth interview with ECM, says he's spent years struggling to secure permits from the city of Lemon Grove, and faults delays for the house being left in disrepair. He also voices frustration over the Sheriff's department regarding efforts to keep homeless people from repeatedly breaking into the property. View article with his remarks.
June19, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- A fire broke out early last Tuesday morning at the historic Ebon McGregor house at 3262 Main Street, next to City Hall and the Sheriff’s station.
“This is a tragedy. One of the few buildings in town designed by master architect, Alberto Owen Treganza, is no more,” says Helen Ofield, founder of the Lemon Grove Historical Society.
Photo, left:SDG&E Helitanker 729 makes a water drop on the Wildcat fire as crews cut brush below.
Photo, right:Flames overtake vegetation and paintball barricades on the Barona reservation.
June 20, 2023 (Ramona) -- On a day that saw four vegetation fires in San Diego County, residents can rest assured that firefighters are ready and able to aggressively attack wildfires.
At 4:06 p.m., calls came in to 911 dispatch reporting smoke in the area off Wildcat Canyon Road on the Barona reservation. Crews, most of which were coming off other fires, were sent to the area and confirmed a fire was making its way through the brush of a paintball park.
Crews set up quickly and were familiar with this exact area. Only two short months ago, this place was filled with firetrucks, hand crews and firefighting aircraft, not for a fire, but for the 2023 Multi-Agency Wildland Preparedness Exercise—a three day real world simulation that played out nearly exact to the scenario fire crews faced today.
June 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- Federal, state, and tribal fire departments battled the #Blackwood Fire this afternoon, which threatened homes before crews halted the blaze at 37 acres.
The fire broke out around noon on the Campo Reservation just off interstate 8 on Black Wood Rd and Old Mine Rd. Initial responders confirmed a vegetation fire and immediately upgraded the incident, calling for more ground units as well as air support.
Photo, left: Crews battle the heat and smoke of the Murray fire Tuesday afternoon.
June 20, 2023 (El Cajon)-- A small vegetation fire was sparked off Interstate 8 near Murray Drive and Dennstedt Place in El Cajon this afternoon. While East County crews were battling two other wildland fires, calls came into Heartland Fire & Rescue’s dispatch just after 2:20 p.m. reporting a fire on the hill adjacent to Grossmont High School.
Engines were sent to the scene and Interstate 8 was closed to westbound traffic as crews battled the flames.
June 20, 2023 (El Cajon) -- A brush fire burning between Interstate 8 and Murray Drive has charred several acres, threatening homes. The fire began near Murray Drive and Dennstedt Place, El Cajon.
It is reportedly burning at a slow rate of spread, however some homes are threatened, based on scanner traffic.
CalTrans reports that three lanes of westbound I-8 are closed in the vicinity.
MTS announced that the Green Line trolley cannot travel between Amaya Drive and the El Cajon Transit Center, so a bus bridge will be implemented for riders.
Update 2:50 p.m. --Forward spread has been stopped at 37 acres, Cal Fire reports. One outburning burned. The fire is 10% contained.
June 20, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- An Evacuation Order has been issued northeast of the Manzanita and Los Posta Indian Reservations this afternoon due to the #Blackwood Fire, which has charred over 30 acres and threatens homes..
An Evacuation Order requires immediate movement out of the affected area due to an imminent threat to life, per the County Dept. of Emergency Service. Temporary Evacuation Points are located at the Golden Acorn Casino, 1800 Golden Acre Way, Campo.
The fire began near Blackwood Road and Old Mine Road, north of I-8. It is spreading at a moderate rate of speed. .
SDG&E's camera indicates the fire is burning close to the Campo Wind Farm.
Cal Fire is on scene. Air tankers and a helicopter have been dispatched.
Photo: Hunter Biden during a 2014 meeting with India's prime minister
June 20, 2021 (Washington D.C.) The son of President Joe Biden, has reached a plea bargain deal with the U.S. Department of Justice. Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of filing his 2017 and 2018 taxes late, according to court documents released today, the New York Times reports. A judge must still approve of the plea deal; Biden is expected to appear in federal court in Delaware for arraignment.
Hunter Biden will not be sent to prison or charged for failing to disclose drug use when he purchased a hand gun in 2018, provided he abides by terms of a two-year probation that includes remaining drug-free and agreeing to never own a gun again. This sentence is consistent with how tax and gun registration misdemeanors are customarily handled for other non-violent first-time offenders, though questions remain over whether or not the Justice Department has dropped or is continuing to investigating questions over Hunter Biden's controversial actions while serving on a Ukrainian energy company's board of directors.
President Biden has avoided commenting on his son’s legal issues. A White House spokesman, Ian Sams, issued a statement which reads, “The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment.”
Former President Donald Trump, who is awaiting trial on criminal charges relating to mishandling of classified documents and alleged hush money payments made to a porn star, criticized the deal on social media, claiming, “Our system is BROKEN.”
Update June 21, 2023 -- The Medical has confirmed that the body recoveredis that of the missing hiker,Richard Oliver,28, from Rancho Cucamonga
East County Magazine
File photo of Three Sisters Falls, by MIriam Raftery
June 19, 2023 (Julian) Volunteer divers with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Reserve Unit found a body just before 1:30 p.m. today. The body was recovered underwater in the middle pool of Three Sisters Falls, the same area where a missing hiker was last seen on Friday, June 16.
The man was last seen swimming there went he went underwater and never came up.
“For four days, deputies with the Alpine Sheriff's Station, Julian Sheriff's Substation, Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter, CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service continuously searched for the man,” the Sheriff’s department announced in a press release. “The water current was too dangerous for divers to attempt a search underwater until today.”
June 19, 2023 (Ranchita) -- A single-family home in Ranchita across the street from a Cal Fire station erupted in flames on Saturday.
Cal Fire responded to the fire on Valley View Drive. On Twitter, Cal Fire stated, “There is a single story residential structure that is well-involved in fire.The fire has extended into the vegetation; additional units have been dispatched. #MontezumaIC.”
June 19, 2023 (Jamul) – Cal Fire has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court against the parents of two young children, seeking to recover $675,000 in costs for fighting the Skyline Fire in Jamul three years ago. The suit alleges that parents “negligently” supervised their children while camping at Skyline Truck Trail and that a fire started by their two young children on June 11, 2020 spread into the brush and onto neighboring property.
June 19, 2023 (Santee) -- The Santee Pride Walk on June 10th was met with an outpour of support despite the City’s conservative culture. This pride walk, organized by the Santee United Methodist Church, attracted so many people from all parts of San Diego that attendants could barely fit along the sidewalks. Nearly all came to support diversity and the LGBTQ+ community, though several protesters also turned out.
Car after car honked to show support of the walk, which began on Edgemont Drive, then proceeded to Cuyamaca Street along Mission Gorge. Some supporters held their rainbow pride flags out of their car windows and sunroofs to show support for the marchers. An estimated 300 people were present for this event, far more than the 50 that organizers originally estimated would participate.
June 18, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Windy weather is forecast tonight through Monday in San Diego County’s mountain and desert areas.
The National Weather Service predicts west winds of 25-35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 mph, strongest in mountain passes. This will create hazardous driving conditions for high-profile vehicles. In addition, blowing sand and dust could reduce visibility in the desert.
June 18, 2023 (San Diego) - A agreement has been reached between Transdev and Teamsters Local 683 to operate MTS bus routes in South Bay and East County that had been affected by a work stoppage. All scheduled bus routes for these divisions are anticipated to operate on a normal schedule on Monday, June 19.
June 18, 2023 (Sacramento) – California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a 28th amendment to reduce gun violence. Newsom says, “The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly support — while leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting America’s gun-owning tradition.”
Because Congress lacks enough votes to pass even modest gun reforms, Newsom has called for a constitutional convention to be convened,as allowed under Article V of the Constitution. But that’s never been done. It requires a steep bar: two-thirds of states must call for a constitutional convention, amid a currently divided political landscape.
But even some who might support gun reforms may think twice about potential risks to our democracy that a constitutional convention could pose, since the process could open the door to rewriting other aspects of the Constitution that Americans have long taken for granted as permanent protections for our rights and liberties.
June 18, 2023 (La Mesa) — San Diego Concert Band will have two free performances in the next week locally, with two more next month. This week’s shows are:
June 17, 2023 (San Diego) — C. Hook Theater will present “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” June 21-24 at the Ray & Joan Kroc Performing Arts Theatre (6611 University Ave., San Diego).
The musical is based on the beloved characters created by Charles Shultz in the comic strip “Peanuts.”
June 17, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove celebrated a remarkable milestone on June 3, marking their 8th Anniversary with a captivating night under the stars at the lively Salsa y Salsa Fiesta fundraiser. The event was an unforgettable fusion of entertainment, community spirit, and culinary excellence.
Second tragedy in a week occurs at popular waterfall site
By Miriam Raftery
June 17, 2023 (Julian) -- The U.S. Forest Service has closed the trail to Three Sisters Falls unitl further notice while first responders search for a missing man, 27, who was last seen swimming late yesterday. Helix Water District has shut off water from a dam feeding the falls to aid rescue efforts.
Deputies with the Julian Sheriff's Substation received a call for help on Friday, June 16 just before 5:00 p.m. “Two people were swimming at the middle level of the falls. One went underwater and did not resurface,” says Lieutenant William Amavisca.
Come celebrate the historic accomplishment of 25 community members that answered a social media post to reopen an 85-year-old service club.
On June 20, 2022, now President Jessyka Heredia and Vice President Teresa Rosiak put out a Facebook post asking if people in Lemon Grove and surrounding areas would like to join the 2 women in reopening the club. 50 people replied and 25 people showed up to the very first meeting in the back patio of Giardino, a local Italian restaurant. All 25 attendees ended up signing up and 1 year later the club has 28 members, one of the largest service clubs in Lemon Grove today.
June 16, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- A Juneteenth Jubilee, outdoor concerts, the Mt. Helix Food and Wine festival, a Taste of San Diego East, a Team on a Trek challenge, comedy, the musical Grease onstage, 4tth of July celebrations and fireworks are all coming up in San Diego’s East County in June and July.
Find full details on these and many more hot summertime happenings below.
June 16, 2023 (La Mesa)—You’re invited to celebrate Black culture, history and life while honoring those who fought for freedom and rights. La Mesa’s Juneteenth Celebration will be held Sunday, June 19 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MacArthur Park,4900 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.
“We bring a family oriented celebration with participation from local businesses, educators, writers, churches, community leaders, elected officials, and performers in and around La Mesa. All are welcome as we bring our community together and raise awareness of the Juneteenth jubilee and share its important historical significance,” states the website for the La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation.
June 15, 2023 (Jamul) – Chirping at a Miami airport alerted authorities to a smuggler with 29 parrot eggs inside—including one that had just hatched. Two dozen of the eggs later hatched out, including 21 critically endangered Yellow-Naped Amazon parrots and three Red-Lored Amazons.
June 15, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- The shell of a rock-walled artist’s studio stands charred and quiet among the arid hills outside a small town in the backcountry of East San Diego County.
The house that once stood beside it has been leveled into a pile of blackened charcoal - all that is left of the residence local legend Dennis Ruth had once built his parents out of solid wood timbers; the hardwood flooring is black.
This has been the residence of Ruth’s’ partner, Linda Churchill, since his passing. It’s placed in a harsh boulder-strewn and brush-covered landscape, full of inspiration and vitality, an area that draws outdoors folks, artists, photographers, rockhounds, adventurers.
Update June 19, 2023 --The deceased has been identified as Max Andrew Vizcarra, 26. The Medical Examiner found cause of death to be blunt force injuries and inhaling products of combustion.
By Miriam Raftery
June 15, 2023 (Dulzura) – A 26-year-old San Diego man lost control of the sedan he was driving last night on State Route 94 in Dulzura, causing a fiery collision with a pickup truck. The crash killed the sedan driver and injured the pickup truck’s driver.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the sedan was heading westbound on 94 just west of Cochera Via Drive around 7:10 p.m. when the driver traveled onto the dirt shoulder, then spun counterclockwise and crossed into the eastbound lane. The sedan struck a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup driven by a 26-year-old man from Tecate, Mexico, who was traveling at 55 miles per hour.
“The right side of the sedan struck the front of the Dodge, resulting in the sedan bursting into flames,” says Officer Jared Grieshaber with the CHP. “The driver of the sedan was knocked unconscious during the impact, and the driver of the Dodge attempted to extricate him from the sedan, but was unable to do so.”
June 15, 2023 (Lemon Grove)- At last week’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting, city manager Lydia Romero highlighted the Council’s top priorities for fiscal year 2023/2024 from the priority-setting workshop back in May. Among these priorities are to “engage residents, businesses, and stakeholders on the benefits of passing a sales tax in FY 2024 that will increase revenue to address priority needs,” according to the staff report. Romero said this was voted as the top priority from Council with four votes and three votes from the small handful of residence in attendance at the workshop.
Can the measure succeed after an earlier tax increase ballot initiative narrowly failed to win passage?
June 15, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – By a 7-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court voted this morning to uphold the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) provisions which require that Native Americans be given preference to foster or adopt Native American children.
The law was enacted to keep children in their Tribal community and protect tribal sovereignty, in response to many decades of Indian children being taken away from their families by both state and federal authorities and given to white families to adopt, or winding up in the foster care system, losing cultural identity. The law gives priority to adoption by others in the Tribal community, if parents cannot care for their own children.
“By ruling on the side of children’s health and safety, the U.S. Constitution, and centuries of precedent, the justices have landed on the right side of the law,” reads a statement issued by leaders of four tribes involved in the case – the Cherokee Nation, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians in Southern California, the Oneida Nation, and the Quinault Indian Nation. “With these latest political attacks on ICWA now behind us, we hope we can move forward on focusing on what is best for our children.”
Enrolled customers who conserved during last heat wave earned more than $11M in bill credits for helping to reduce strain on statewide grid
East C
Story and photos by Josh Stotler
Update 2:50 p.m. --Forward spread has been stopped at 37 acres, Cal Fire reports. One outburning burned. The fire is 10% contained.
By Miriam Raftery
Source: MTS
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
Chirping at a Miami airport alerted authorities to a smuggler with 29 parrot eggs inside—including one that had just hatched. Two dozen of the eggs later hatched out, including 21 critically endangered Yellow-Naped Amazon parrots and three Red-Lored Amazons.
By Rebecca Person 
At last week’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting, city manager Lydia Romero highlighted the Council’s 
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