East County News Service

July 2, 2021 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s office has received an unprecedented number of requests for marriage licenses and civil marriage services. To meet the pent-up demand for marriage services caused by COVID-19 interruptions, the office opened more appointments across the County and will be offering no appointment required “Walk-Up Wednesday” marriage services.

Fire officials warn illegal fireworks are not only dangerous, but against the law

Story and photo via CAL FIRE

July 1, 2021 (Sacramento)  – With support from regional fire and law enforcement officials, CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal (CAL FIRE-OSFM) announced Thursday the results of major efforts to curb the illegal importation of dangerous fireworks into California.

Throughout May and June, CAL FIRE-OSFM law enforcement personnel conducted targeted interdiction operations along the California border seizing nearly 80,000 pounds of illegal fireworks.

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2021 (San Diego) – Today, the California  Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced stiff sanctions against Coronado High School in response to tortillas thrown against a predominantly Latino team from Orange Glen High, after Coronado’s basketball team won the regional championship. The incident drew accusations of racism and demands for accountability, as ECM previously reported.

In addition to vacating the championship title, CIF also placed Coronado High School on probation for the next three school years, banned its boys’ basketball team from hosting postseason games for three years, and laid out requirements that must be fulfilled before any other Coronado High athletic teams can host postseason games.

Story and photos by Henri Migala 

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

June 30, 2021 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Imagine moving to a small, quiet, rural community over an hour away from a major metropolitan area to enjoy the quiet solitude of the open backcountry--only to learn that an international investment group is planning on building a massive solar project, six times larger than your entire community, within feet from you house.

Vacant snack shop used for thousands of marriage services during pandemic  

Source: County of San Diego

Photos by Jordan Marks, County of San Diego

June 29, 2021 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Clerk’s Office has been recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with a 2021 NACo Achievement Award for innovative excellence in County Administration of Management. The Clerk’s office was recognized for transforming a vacant snack shop into the “Marriage Hut” in order to continue issuing marriage licenses and perform ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Courtesy of San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association. 

By Donald H. Harrison 

(Photo, left, Chabad Menorah minus lower branch following vandalism. Photo from Chabad SDSU Facebook.) 

June 29, 2021 (SAN DIEGO)  For the second time this year, the Chabad House at San Diego State University has been subjected to hostility — this time in the form of a broken branch of its large outdoor menorah and the ripping of one of its banners.  Last month, youngsters burglarized the combination synagogue and residence hall while students upstairs were asleep.

It was the second time that the large menorah was broken.  In March 2017, it was partially destroyed when students used it one night to do pull-ups.

Source:  Voice of America

Photo:  Wikipedia, public domain

June 28, 2021 (Miami) - Two additional bodies were recovered from the wreckage of a 12-story oceanfront apartment building that partially collapsed last week in Surfside, Florida, near Miami Beach, bringing the current death toll to 11. 

Source:  Best Friends Animal Society

June 28, 2021 (San Diego) - After more than a year of isolation, this July 4th could be one of the most celebrated in recent memory. While the food, fireworks, and festivities that represent Independence Day are fun for most Americans, the same can’t be said for our pets.  

Source:  County of San Diego

June 27, 2021 (San Diego) - The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for San Diego County deserts and mountains until Monday 6/28/21 at 9:00 p.m. More forecast information and updates are available from the  National Weather Service.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 25, 2021 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego’s $7.03 billion recommended budget for fiscal year 2021-22 will go before the Board of Supervisors for deliberations and adoption starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29.

By Mike Allen 

June 24, 2021 (Santee) -- Santee City Council has approved a $50 million operating budget for its 2021-22 fiscal year, including 1.5 percent raises for city staff and the five Council members.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update 10:30 p.m.:  CALFIRE San Diego officials have lifted the evacuation warning for the Mesa Fire and closed temporary evacuation points. State Route 76 is open in both directions. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution due to emergency vehicles which will remain in the area overnight. Fire officials estimate the fire at 350 acres with zero percent containment.

June 23, 2021 (Pala) – A fast-moving brush fire named the #MesaFire has scorched 260 acres and is zero percent contained, per Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire.  State Route 76 is shut down from Horse Creek Ranch to Pala Casino due to the fire which began off highway 76 and Cousier Canyon.

An evacuation warning is in place for those who live near Pala Casino, according to the San Diego sheriff.  The warning is voluntary but be ready to leave when advised to do so.

Temporary evacuation points have been established at Valley Center High School, 31322 Cole Grade Road in Valley Center and at the park and ride at the junction of I-15 and highway 76. (An earlier temporary evacuation location at Pauma Casino is no longer in effect.)

A smoke advisory has been issued.  Smoke impacts are likely in areas near and to the east and northeast of the fire, where fine particulates, or PM2.5 concentrations, may reach unhealthful levels. Winds are expected to remain from the same general direction through Thursday.

By Miriam Raftery

June 23, 2021 (Ramona) – Family and friends are grieving the loss of Anthony Eunice, a 17-year-old Ramona resident who died June 13 from injuries in a car accident. 

Outlines Path Forward on Troubled Legacy of Federal Boarding School Policies in Remarks to National Congress of American Indians

East County News Service

June 22, 2021 (Washington D.C.) -- In remarks to the National Congress of American Indians 2021 Mid Year Conference today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, a comprehensive review of the troubled legacy of federal boarding school policies.

Today’s announcement is accompanied by a secretarial memo in which Secretary Haaland directs the Department to prepare a report detailing available historical records, with an emphasis on cemeteries or potential burial sites, relating to the federal boarding school program in preparation for a future site work. This work will occur under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.