March 31, 2023 (Santa  Ysabel, CA) -- East County Magazine interns Jacob Pamus and Daniela Torres visited Julian Farm and Orchard, where a recreation of a Revolutionary War battle was held.  They interviewed participants in both the British and Colonists camps, including General George Washington.

Julian Farm and Orchard is located in Santa  Ysabel, California, just outside of Julian. The farm also celebrated Daffodil Days on March 26, when our team checked out the action.

East County News Service

March 31, 2023 (Santee) – The City of Santee will host “Hop Down the Bunny Trail,” a free family-friendly event on Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Santee Trolley Square, 9850 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.

The fun includes music, kids’ crafts, carnival rides, giveaways, Easter bunny photos, an egg hunt, and more.

March 31, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• San Diego County has seen 20 cases of fungal threat that CDC calls a growing concern  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Federal judge says insurers no longer have to provide some preventive care services, including cancer and heart screenings, at no cost (CNN)
• WHO: New Omicron Subvariant XBB.1.16 Is ‘One to Watch’ (US News)
• Why drugs like Adderall, antibiotics and flu medications are in short supply   (NPR)
• Oklahoma court OK's abortion to preserve mother's life (AP)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 

• Elon Musk and other tech leaders call for pause in ‘out of control’ AI race (CNN)
• It takes a few dollars and 8 minutes to create a deepfake. And that's only the start (NPR)
• NATO bans Tik-Tok on devices (CNN)
• Utah social media law means kids need approval from parents  (AP)

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

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (El Cajon) – Two days ago, El Cajon Police relocated homeless people found camped in drainage canals and warned of flood dangers. The National Weather Service reports that El Cajon received more than an inch of water during the past two-day period.

El Cajon Police posted this warning message and photos on Facebook:

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – Sexually violent predator Douglas Badger will be housed at a residence on Zuni Trail in Borrego Springs starting in May. The placement was approved by Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers, over vocal objections from community residents and officials.

Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital, but he has been approved by the Dept. of State Hospitals for release.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 30, 2023 (San Diego) -- The recent storms proved many were not fully prepared for when disaster strikes. Make sure you have an “all hazards” preparedness plan with supplies in place!

Help spring your home into being safe and organized by following these steps:

By Miriam Raftery

March 29, 2023 (Santee) – East County Magazine has been honored by the Santee Chamber of Commerce for having the best business resources in the Chamber’s annual “Santee Favorites” competition. Winners are selected by votes as “favorites” by Santee residents, Chamber members, as well as businesses’ clients and friends.

East County News Service

March 29, 2023 (Sacramento) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a multistate coalition, secured a court order sanctioning Google for its destruction of evidence in the coalition’s lawsuit against the company filed in 2021.

By Kathy Carpenter

March 28, 2023 (Poway) -- On March 25 at Powpac Theatre in Poway, "The Savannah Sipping Society" opened.  It’s a tale of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. The story follows four women who form a deep bond through a series of unexpected events, helping each other navigate through life's challenges. It is a refreshing take on female friendships that is both hilarious and heartwarming.

Through their weekly meetings, they share laughter, tears, and support each other through their triumphs and struggles. The joy they bring to each other's lives is palpable, and their friendship is a testament to the power of human connection.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2023 (Ramona) – A 56-year-old man from Ramona has died of injuries sustained in a collision with a school bus from Ramona Unified School District on March 24.

The victim was driving a 2003 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck southbound on Mussey Grade Road just south of Foster Truck Trail in Ramona around 4:10 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle in a curve and crossed onto the northbound side of the road, “directly into the path of the oncoming school bus, resulting in a head-on crash,” according to Officer Jared Grieshaber with the California Highway Patrol.

A version of this story by Ken Stone was published at Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association. Edited to add statement from Amy Reichart.

Photo:  Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, shown at earlier event, says he will check into an extended inpatient treatment center for post-traumatic stress, trauma and alcohol abuse. Screenshot via Nathan Fletcher YouTube

March 26, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher says he is quitting his campaign for state Senate to focus on his fight with PTSD tracing to his Marine combat days and childhood.

By Shiloh Ireland

Photo: Kate Richardson, Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen and Talia Klotzkin, Junior Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen

March 26, 2023 (Lakeside) – The journey to be crowned a queen in Lakeside’s Bulls Only Rodeo begins with horsemanship trials and interviews with equestrian judges to the evening of the pageant held at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. Ten young women vied for the title, include five contestants for Junior Miss Bulls and five competing for Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen.

ECM photographed the selection of Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen and Junior Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen and later interviewed these two 2023 Queens. The Bulls Only Rodeo event is sponsored by the Optimist Club of  Lakeside.

East County News Service

March 25, 2023 (San Diego) -- This year’s Brewers Cup of California included 1,306 entries from 191 breweries. There were 83 categories and a total of 37 medals were awarded to breweries within San Diego County, including 13 gold, 8 silver and 16 bronze. The overall total is nearly double the 19 medals collected by local breweries at the 2021 competition. 

East County’s winning brewers include Burning Beard Brewing of El Cajon, Julian Beer Co. and Smoking Cannon Brewery of Ramona. Julian took silver, while Burning Beard and Silver Canyon won both silver and bronze medals. Gold medalists included Mike Hess Brewing of North Park, though Mike Hess also has a brewery in Alpine. 

See below for a full list of San Diego County winners: 

View video of full interview; Hear audio

March 24, 2023 (San Diego) – Earlier this month, East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery interviewed San Diego County’s new Sheriff, Kelly Martinez, for our radio show on KNSJ.  She’s been in law enforcement since 1985, working her way up the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to Undersheriff before winning election as Sheriff last November. She’s also the first woman to serve as San Diego’s top law enforcement officer. In our interview, she spoke about efforts to improve jails and reduce jail deaths, combat human trafficking and fentanyl overdoses, hold deputies accountable for wrongdoing, address homelessness issues, and expand staffing - including some jobs currently open, and more.