Meeting Nov. 12 planned for communities of color concerned about the election outcome
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Estela de los Rios, past victim of a hate crime in El Cajon
November 11, 2016 (San Diego) – Maria, a maid and legal U.S. resident who has raised her daughter here, tearfully put her elderly, frail mother on a plane Wednesday night and said goodbye, perhaps forever. “She is going back to Mexico, before Donald Trump can deport her,” Maria told East Magazine.
President-Elect Trump has vowed to deport all 11 million undocumented immigrants in America—including those brought here as children and the parents of U.S. citizens. Even children who were brought here as babies, who have never known any other home. Even ill and elderly parents such as Maria’s mother, who has survived cancer and suffers from diabetes. Maria fears she is too ill to survive long on her own in Mexico—but the prospect of her mother languishing in a detention camp was even more frightening.
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By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
November 10, 2016 (San Diego) - In honor of Veterans Day, County Animal Services is joining Animals for Armed Forces and waiving adoption fees to military members and their families on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13.
Residents who show a military ID can stop by the County’s three animal care facilities this Saturday and Sunday and choose from the many dogs, cats, rabbits up for adoption. The three locations will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days.
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November 9, 2016 (Jamul) -- This Friday, November 11th on Veteran’s Day Hollywood Casino Jamul is kicking off a military appreciation program that will honor veterans 52 weeks out of the year. Each week on Thank You Thursdays all who served our great country will receive a 20% discount on their meal in any of the eight restaurants at the Hollywood Casino Jamul property as well as 15% off at the gift shop.
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November 8, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – For many Americans, this presidential election poses the most difficult choice ever. Whoever you choose for president—even if you leave the top of the ticket blank – remember that there are many other down ticket races that matter. Recent local elections for school board and fire board have been decided by a single vote.
I can’t tell you who to support for president. But as a news editor, a mother, and a long-time political observer, I can share thoughts on factors to weigh before you cast your vote--an analysis of the pros and cons of the two major candidates and even some third party alternatives.
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November 7, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Lane and ramp closures are taking place along Interstate 8 (I-8) in El Cajon between Johnson Avenue and Lake Jennings Park Road Sundays through Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until mid-December. According to Caltrans, the pavement rehabilitation project will also include lane closures on some adjacent surface streets.
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November 7, 2016 (San Diego) - Listen to San Diego Combat Veterans share their experience fighting for our country at a town hall hosted by Congresswoman Susan Davis at the Balboa Park Club at 2144 Pan American Road in San Diego from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. November 10.
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Photos: Palm tree (right) heavily damaged by South American palm weevil (left); photos courtesy of the Center for Invasive Species Research at UC Riverside
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
November 6, 2016 (San Diego) -- They’re 1 ½ to 2 inches long, jet black, with long snouts and a deadly appetite for one of Southern California’s biggest icons — palm trees.
In September, South American palm weevils were determined to have killed palm trees in San Ysidro.
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November 6, 2016 (El Cajon) — El Cajon’s Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit Wednesday to start construction of the new El Cajon Animal Care Center.
Voters approved a half-cent sales tax increase to fund the $10.5 million shelter under Proposition O back in 2004, which will be more than double the size of the current shelter, with room for expansion. The new shelter at 1351 North Marshall Ave. will be within a block of the old shelter.
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November 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The future of the San Miguel Fire District hangs in the balance. Should San Miguel keep its contract with Cal-Fire or return to being a stand-alone district, as the current board recently voted by a slim margin? We interviewed a representative from each of the two slates running for our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ. Listen now by clicking the orange audio link.
In this heated session, incumbent Bill Kiel, a retired engineer, makes the case for staying with Cal-Fire, while retired fire chief Kim Raddatz argues for giving Cal-Fire the boot and returning to an independent district. Each side claims their position will be best for taxpayers and public safety. One side is backed by Cal-Fire firefighters, the other by leaders of the former San Miguel firefighters.
Audio:
San Miguel Fire interviews: Kim Raddatz and Bill Kiel, candidate slate representatives
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
November 1, 2016 (La Mesa) – Someone with access to confidential files at Helix Water District violated state law and district policy by anonymously mailing part of a board candidate’s personnel file to East County Magazine.
We will not violate privacy rules by publishing the contents. However, we did speak with the candidate, Louis Tejeda, who gave permission for us to disclose the leaking of his confidential record: a notice of proposed disciplinary action sent 21 years ago, when he was an employee of the district.
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By James Kecskes, County of San Diego Communications Office
November 2, 2016 (El Cajon)--County officials and community members broke ground on Gillespie Field Airport’s new Cajon Air Center on October 31st.
The groundbreaking kicked off the first phase of a multi-phase redevelopment project in unincorporated El Cajon.
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On Wednesday, November 2, 2016, Caltrans requested an emergency road closure for bridge repairs to be done on the transition road from southbound I-805 to eastbound SR-52.
Beginning immediately, the transition from southbound I-805 to eastbound SR-52 is closed to allow Caltrans to conduct their work. The transition road is expected to be re-opened tonight around 2000 hours.
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November 2, 2016 (El Cajon) — The father of Alfred Olango, a Ugandan immigrant who was fatally shot last month by an El Cajon Police Officer Richard Gonsalves, has announced plans to establish the Alfred Olango Justice and Unity Foundation for police reform. In addition, Olango’s sister has filed a claim against the City of El Cajon alleging negligence in her brother’s death.
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November 1, 2016 (Lakeside) — Three people have been transported to a hospital following a collision in Lakeside reported at 7:11 p.m. tonight. The crash damaged a home at 13413 Julian Avenue, near the junction with Lakeview Road.
According to the CHP, the collision resulted in two vehicles in the front yard, with a Ford Ranger overturned.
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November 1, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Phased lane closures will occur on Interstate 8 (I-8) just east of Interstate 15 (I-15) starting at 8 p.m. Sunday and continuing through the following week. The closures are needed so that maintenance crews can repair and reinforce the roadway from the effects of a small sinkhole on the shoulder.
The closures will occur on I-8 from just west of Mission Gorge Road/Fairmount Avenue to just west of I-15, as follows:
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November 1, 2016 (Ocotillo Wells) -- Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents rescued a man who was lost in the Ocotillo Wells Desert early Monday morning.
On Sunday, around 6:30 p.m., a ranger with California Department of Parks and Recreation contacted Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint and asked for help to locate a missing man last seen in the Ocotillo Wells Desert. He was reported missing by his family after he failed to return from an ATV ride in the desert.
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November 1, 2016 (Ocotillo Wells) – Poway resident Gary Schultz, 56, was found Sunday morning after a dirt bike crash in Ocotillo Wells and died soon after of injuries.
Authorities believe he was riding his dirt bike when he lost control, hit a sand berm and was ejected. Motorcyclists found him off Split Mountain Road near Old Kane Springs Road.
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October 31,2016 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Police Department has been awarded a $170,000.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries. The El Cajon Police Department will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education, according to a release issued today.
“The El Cajon Police Department is looking forward to working with OTS, our partners in Law Enforcement, and our community stakeholders to reduce injury and death related to traffic collisions,” stated El Cajon Police Lieutenant Randy Soulard. “With an emphasis on the prevention of pedestrian and bicycle-related collisions, we will work collaboratively using a multi-pronged approach in addressing education and enforcement aspects of collision reduction.”
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October 29, 2016 (El Cajon) — Cliff Diamond, former El Cajon Police Chief and past interim Chairman of the East County Chamber of Commerce, died October 25 in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Diamond collapsed while on an RV vacation with his wife, Leslie and despite efforts by paramedics to revive him, was pronounced dead at a nearby medical facility.
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October 28, 2016 (Spring Valley) — The Federal Aviation Administration is hosting a meeting in Spring Valley Tuesday on a proposal to change flight paths to both Lindbergh Field and Brown Field airports, which could sharply increase airliner traffic over East County. The meeting will be at La Presa Middle School, 1001 Leland Street, on November 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.
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October 28, 2016 (El Cajon) — The City of El Cajon is moving forward with plans for a new animal shelter. A public hearing on a proposed conditional use permit for the new facility will be held by the city’s planning commission on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers (200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon).
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October 28, 2016 (San Diego)--Investigative reporter Greg Palast’s Academy Award-nominated documentary, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: A Tale of Billionaires and Ballot Bandits, pulls back the curtain to expose a dark conspiracy to steal votes from millions of minorities across America. A seasoned gumshoe detective turned award-winning investigative reporter, Palast leaves no room for doubt as he masterfully reveals the powerful players behind this insidious scheme.
East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery sat down for an exclusive interview with Palast, in town for the debut of his film in San Diego on Monday. You can hear our interview by clicking the orange audio link, and scroll down to read our review of this must-see documentary.
Audio:
Greg Palast Interview on Best Democracy Money Can Buy
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
October 21, 2016 (La Mesa) -- East County Magazine invites you to our Halloween Eve Masquerade Party!
On Sunday, October 30, 4-8 p.m. our party at a private home in La Mesa will be the “happening haunt” complete with Halloween Eve feast, costume contest, live music with the "Bad Randies" string band & Paul Nichols' variety music (Monster Mash and more!) local ghost stories, a trove of prizes, spooky surprises, & a frightfully good time!
This party is open to our weekly newsletter subscribers, our wildfire alert subscribers, and invited guests age 21 and up. Subscriptions are free! Click here to subscribe.
Cost: $12 and bring a dish to share ($10 for Editor’s Club members/sustaining donors)
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October 27, 2016 (Santee) – A 67-year-old woman crossing the 10500 block of Mission Gorge Road this morning at 9:30 a.m. was struck by a Cadillac driven by an 82-year-old woman. Santee Fire Department and Sheriff’s deputies responded.
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Loans are available to help people with dry wells due to the drought
By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications Office
October 27, 2016 (San Diego) -- Do you own a property with a well in San Diego County? Is it dry due to our prolonged statewide drought? Help is available.
A new emergency water distribution program is offering assistance to residents without access to running water for drinking and sanitation due to a dry well. Residents who qualify can receive low-interest loans to replace individual water well systems and install temporary water tanks. The water assistance is not for landscaping or agricultural needs.
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Delays are expected Thursday night during one-way traffic control operations
Source: Caltrans
October 27, 2016 (San Diego) - Caltrans crews have scheduled lane closures at the intersection of State Route 67 (SR-67) and Dye Road/Highland Valley Road near Ramona on Thursday night from 7 until 5 Friday morning.
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October 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery picked up three awards in San Diego Press Club’s 2016 Excellence in Journalism Awards competition.
Our entry titled “Border Fire Leaves Residents Burned Over Bureaucratic Bungling” won the Wildcard category; this year the wildcard topic was “life on the border.” Our media outlet beat out media in all categories for this prestigious award including TV, radio, newspapers and magazines countywide.
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Update October 26, 2016: Defense Secretary Ash Carter has ordered a halt to this action, so California National Guard members won't have to payback bonuses paid out erroneously years ago. President Barack Obama applauded Carter's decision. Read more.
East County News Service
October 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – California National Guard soldiers have been ordered to pay back reenlistment bonuses paid a decade ago, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The bonuses of $15,000 or more were offered to encourage reenlistment. The Pentagon intended those bonuses to retain experts in intelligence and other high in demand services during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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October 26, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, has received numerous reports around the country of scammers sending a fraudulent CP2000 IRS notice for tax year 2015.
The notice appears to claim a discrepancy between income reported by an employer and the taxpayer’s income tax return.
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October 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Yesterday’s storm dropped only minimal rainfall but over 4,000 lightning strikes occurred across southwestern California. But a new storm Thursday evening through Friday could bring heavier rain, hail, thunderstorms and dangerous lightning, the National Weather Service predicts.
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