By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2022 (San Diego) – The FBI San Diego division today announced that it has located at least 17 potential human trafficking victims, including a minor, as part of the nationwide “Operation Cross Country XII” operation. The national FBI-led effort partnered with agencies across the U.S. to recover 141 adult and 84 minor victims of human trafficking, including 37 missing children; the youngest victim was 11 years old.

By J.W. August

August 12, 2022 (San Diego) -- The message must have been  clear to leaders in Sacramento.  Assembly Bill 2790 --- the bill seeking to end reporting of domestic violence to law enforcement--failed in the Senate Appropriations Committee.   The “how” is rarely revealed when a bill doesn’t get out of the appropriations committee.  But the “why” can be explained, says Casey Gwinn, co-founder and president of the Family Justice Center. Gwinn led the effort to create the first and “all under one roof” domestic violence help center and strongly opposed AB2790.

By Shiloh Ireland

August 10, 2022 (El Cajon) – County officials today launched the county’s first “safe parking” lot at the site of a former homeless encampment as 1297 North Magnolia Avenue in unincorporated El Cajon.

Flash Flood Warning for southeastern San Diego County today 8/8/22 4:31 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a Flash Flood Warning for southeastern San Diego County until 7:30 p.m.

• This storm may intensify, monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

Some locations that will experience life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses include: I-8 Between Pine Valley and Boulevard, I-8 Between Boulevard and Imperial County Line, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Pine Valley, Boulevard, Lake Morena, Campo, Hwy S2 Between Agua Caliente and Canebrake, Hwy S2 Between Canebrake and Imperial County Line, Hwy S2 Between Shelter Valley And Agua Caliente, Hwy S1 Between Lake Cuyamaca and Mount Laguna, Hwy S2, Potrero, Descanso, Manzanita Indian Reservation, La Posta Indian Reservation and Live Oak Springs.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Toxic burn pit, cc via Bing

Update: President Biden has signed this measure into law.

August 5, 2022 (San Diego) – A bill to provide health care and benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxins during their military service has passed the Senate by an overwhelming 86-11 vote, including 37 Republicans as well as all Democrats. The measure earlier passed the House 256-174.

Four of San Diego’s Congressional representatives voted in favor, but Rep. Darrell Issa, a former Army captain, voted against it despite his San Diego County district having one of the nation’s largest populations of active duty military members and veterans.

HR 3967, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, is known as the  PACT Act. It will provide coverage for veterans exposed to burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq, Agent Orange in Vietnam and more.

By Miriam Raftery

August 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Would you risk an action that increase your risk of dying 29-fold? 

New data from the Centers for Disease Control reveals that among people over age 50, those who are unvaccinated are:

• 29 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than people the same age who are vaccinated and have had two booster shots, and
• 4 times more likely to die than people the same age who are vaccinated with just one booster shot.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  map of permitted cannabis locations in Santee

August 1, 2022 (Santee) -- Santee is the latest city in San Diego County to permit cannabis businesses including sale of marijuana within its borders, following a 3-2 vote at its most recent City Council meeting July 27.

Update August 14, 2022:  The Medical Examiner's office has identified the 50-year-old man as Thomas Moreno. Moreno's family have been notified of his death. The cause and manner of his death remain under investigation, the Sheriff's office reports.

Updated August 1 at 5 p.m. with additional information from the Sheriff's department.

East County News Service

Photos by Shiloh Ireland Photography

August 1, 2022 (Lakeside) -- The body of a man around 50 years old was found this morning in a pond south of Willow Road near Moreno, east of State Route 67 in Lakeside. The Sheriff's Search and Rescue Dive Team responded to a call and recovered the body.

The man was wearing shorts with no shirt. Authorities indicated there were no obvious signs of trauma. The vicitm may have gone swimming and drowned, though the County Medical Examiner is slated to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

At this point the death is suspicious in nature however, there is no indication of foul play. The circumstances of this incident are still under investigation," says Lieutenant Chris Steffan.

By Elijah McKee

July 29, 2022 (Lemon Grove) — Starting on Saturday, July 30, Lemon Grove residents — many who called for restored public access to the Recreation Center — will see a new step taken in that direction, as the City looks for a fresh start with its recreation offerings. 

For the next six months, the City will run a Recreation Center Open Saturdays pilot program at the facility, during which they will collect data on its usage and either continue, modify, or discontinue the program in January based on what is learned. 

This effort was added to the agenda on the heels of the City Council’s April priority-setting session. According to a staff report, the pilot program will cost $11,328.

East County News Service

July 27, 2022 (Ramona) – Luis Miguel Sanabria Rosas, 34, of Ramona died July 22 at the scene of a solo vehicle crash on eastbound San Pasqual Valley Road.  Rosas’ vehicle plummeted down an embankment, striking a boulder.

A passing motorist saw the accident and called 911.  Law enforcement and paramedics responded; paramedics pronounced him dead without medical intervention due to fatal trauma.

Update July 28, 7 a.m. -- Roads have reopened, but drive carefully and watch for firefighters mopping up hot spots. Evacuation orders have been lifted.  While forward spread is 35% contained with forward spread halted at 180 acres and no homes lost, North County Fire District this morning issued a smoke advisory due to the lingering effects of the #CasnerFire in Ramona.

Update 7 p.m.  Forward spread has been stopped at 180 acres.

Update 2:25 p.m.:  The Casner Fire is now 156 acres and 0% contained, per Cal Fire. The Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) set up for the #CasnerFire has been moved to Olive Peirce Middle School located at 1521 Hanson Lane in Ramona.

View video of fire drop on Golden Eagle Rd. near Witch Creek fire station, taken by Brett Stalbaum: https://youtu.be/hkpqIhOhbtM

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo, right, by Brett Stalbaum

July 27, 2022 (Ramona) -- Evacuation notices have been issued for homes on or near Rancho Ballena Road in the #CasnerFire, which has charred at least 40 acres in Ramona.

The fire began near the junction of Casner and State Route 78, which is closed eastbound at the Old Julian Highway. ECM photographer Brett Stalbaum reports the fire is near the Trumper's fruit stand close to Stage Coach Road and the Cal Fire Witch Creek station.

A temporary evacuation point has been moved to Olive Peirce Middle School at 1521 Hanson Lane.

East County News Service 

July 26, 2022 (El Cajon) – Two El Cajon Police officers suffered fentanyl exposure and had to undergo a decontamination procedure today.

"Trump did what he did—and refused for hours to stop the violence—because it was part of a determined, months-long plan to carry out a coup. This was a crime."

By Jake Johnson, staff writer, Common Dreams

Reprinted under a Creative Commons license from Common Dreams

July 26, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - The House January 6 committee's first series of public hearings came to a close Thursday with a primetime event featuring fresh evidence that former President Donald Trump gave a "green light" to the right-wing mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol last year and ignored pleas to stop the violence.

East County News Service

July 23, 2022 (El Cajon) – The driver of a black 2012 Toyota Prius has died after the vehicle struck a parked SUV.  The man, 38, was transported by paramedics to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.