$10,000 REWARD OFFERED TO SOLVE 2021 MURDER OF SAILOR IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2024 (La Mesa) – La Mesa police seeks public help to solve the murder of 22-year-old Corneilius Donte Brown.  His family is offering a $9,000 reward, in addition to a $1,000 Crimestoppers award, for information leading to the identification and arrest of suspects in his murder, which occurred on April 24, 2021 around 12:26 a.m.


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ENVIRONMENTALISTS SUE TO BLOCK ALPINE COMMUNITY PARK'S SPORTS COMPLEX

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2024 (Alpine) – Two environmental groups filed a lawsuit in Superior  Court on January 5 against San Diego County. The suit filed by Cleveland National Forest Foundation and California Native Plant Society contends that the county failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act when supervisors approved an environmental impact report in December for Alpine’s first community park. The Alpine Community Park, adjacent to Cleveland National Forest and Wright’s Field, would include a sports complex and more.


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MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY GUIDED NATURE WALK AT MISSION TRAILS

East County News Service

January 11, 2024 (San Diego) -- Join a Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Trail Guide on a special Martin Luther King Day nature walk Monday, January 15, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and learn about the plants, animals, geology, history, and ecology of the park on one of these scenic trails:

* The Oak Grove Loop showcasing majestic coast live oaks and rare Engelmann’s oaks. 

* The Visitor Center Loop highlighting coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and riparian woodland habitats. 

* The Riverside Grinding Rocks featuring one of the archaeological sites in the park.


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COUNTY SUPERVISORS REELECT CHAIRWOMAN FOR 2024

January 11, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to select Supervisor Nora Vargas as the chairwoman for 2024.

Chairwoman Vargas served as board chairwoman last year. The chair acts as the voice of the county.

During Tuesday’s organizational meeting, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer was reelected as vice chair and Supervisor Joel Anderson as chair pro tempore.


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NEW PILOT PROGRAM FOR SENIORS APPROVED BY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

January 11, 2024 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday a pilot program to create housemate matches between lower-income older adults and locals with a spare bedroom.  

The two-year pilot program was created to address growing homelessness among older adults. The 2023 Point-in-Time Count revealed the number of older adults aged 55 and older experiencing homelessness increased by 29% from the previous year. 

The program will match a minimum of 50 older adults – people 55 years or older – with appropriate households who sign up and offer to rent out a spare bedroom. Participants also will be offered services to help them stay housed.


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JACUMBA ARTIST FEATURED AT GALLERY GRAND OPENING IN OCOTILLO JANUARY 14

By Rebecca Person 

 

January 10, 2024 (Jacumba) -- Kirk Gilliam, an electrician by trade, is one of ten talented artists represented at the new Gateway Gallery in Ocotillo at 1173 Imperial Highway, which celebrates its grand opening on January 14 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The artists hail mostly from southernmost California towns in the border area - El Centro, Bombay Beach (Salton Sea), Anza-Borrego, Jacumba Hot Springs, San Diego, and on the Mexican side, Mexicali. Gateway Gallery is the realized dream of Mark Silva, resident of the desert hamlet of Ocotillo. Silva bought the house which was to become the future gallery last January and embarked on fulfilling his dream with the participation of fellow artists.


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WALMART TO CLOSE PARKWAY PLAZA STORE IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2024 (El Cajon) – Wal Mart has announced that it will not renew its lease for the Walmart store in the Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon. The company plans to close the store on February 9.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

January 10, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

STATE 

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


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CHIEF’S CORNER: REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 10, 2024 (San Diego) -- Making a New Year’s resolution is one thing. Remaining resolute and seeing them through is quite another. It’s important to make them realistic and obtainable.

Every January we start a new recruit fire academy. The first order of business is to review all academy policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Understanding policies, and training on them repeatedly, provides recruits with a sound foundation in safe and consistent operations before learning basic firefighting skills.

In addition to learning policies, our recruits develop “Integrity Agreements.” Integrity Agreements are like policies but are more personal in nature. The recruits develop them as a team, but they own them as individuals.

Like policies, these agreements hold recruits accountable for actions on and off the training ground. We tell them, “If you don’t live up to the agreements, you have no one to blame but yourself. You own them; they are custom-made by and for you!”


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LA MESA CHAMBER HOSTS FIRST MIXER OF YEAR AT HOOLEY'S JANUARY 17

By Jonathan Goetz

January 10, 2024 (La Mesa)-- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to start 2024 out with a Chamber mixer to mix, mingle and toast to the new year at Hooley's Public House on Wednesday, January 17th for their first mixer of 2024.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will end at 7:00 p.m. at Hooley’s Public House in Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa 91942.


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EAST COUNTY AND SANTEE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE JOINT MIXER JANUARY 31

By Jonathan Goetz

January 9, 2024 (Santee) -- Santee Chamber of Commerce and the East County Chamber of Commerce invite you to a joint mixer hosted by Sportsplex USA Santee 9951 Riverwalk Dr, Santee, CA 92071. Make new and strengthen current connections with other local business representatives. 


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EAST COUNTY CHAMBER HOSTS JANUARY EVENTS AT SURJE COFFEE IN EAST COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION GALLERY

By Jonathan Goetz

January 9, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce is hosting two events at Surje Coffee Co., which is located inside the East County Art Association Gallery in January at 124 E. Main Street, El Cajon CA 92020.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

January 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD 

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


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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MEDI-CAL IMMIGRATION STATUS EXCLUSION ENDS

 

By  Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Suzanne Potter

January 9,2024 (Sacramento) -- Starting January 1st, California became the first state to cover health care for all income-eligible people regardless of their age or immigration status. 


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ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: HEMP PRODUCTS ARE THREATENING YOUTH SAFETY

By David R. Shorey, East County Programs Director, Institute for Public Strategies 

January 8, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- As the landscape of cannabis legalization continues to evolve, a new concern is emerging. It’s the proliferation of hemp-derived Delta 8 and Delta 10 products found in hemp. These derivatives of cannabis, purportedly legal, are skirting regulations and putting our youth at risk. It’s time to shine a light on these products and the dangers they pose to our communities, especially our vulnerable younger generation.

 

Delta 8 and Delta 10, often marketed as "hemp-based" products, are synthetic cannabinoids derived from hemp, claiming to offer a legal high. However, their production and distribution operate in a gray area, exploiting loopholes in existing cannabis laws. While some proponents argue their legality due to their source from hemp, these products deliver psychoactive effects similar to traditional THC, leading to intoxication and potential health hazards.


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CUYAMACA COLLEGE CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

East County News Service

Photo:  CC by SA

January 8, 2024 (El Cajon) – Cuyamaca College in El Cajon’s Rancho San Diego community will host the ECHO Chamber Music series at the Samuel M. Cicatti Theatre.  The concerts will be held on select Thursdays at 7 p.m. from January 11 through May 30.

Below is the schedule of performances:


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OPEN FARM TOURS JANUARY 13 AND 27 AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY

East County News Service

January 8, 2024 (Ramona) -- Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to open farm tours on Saturday, January 13 and January 27 from 12 to 2 p.m.  Enjoy a bird show and camel show, meet and feed camels and lambradoodles, take a camel ride, and enjoy camel milk products such as artisan soaps, lotions, chocolate and camel milk.

Tickets must be purchased online.


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COYOTE MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE HIKE JANUARY 14 IN ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK

East  County News Service

January 4, 2023 (Anza Borrego) – The Anza Borrego Foundation will lead a hike on Coyote Mountain in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park on Sunday, January 14 from 7 a.m.to approximately 4 p.m. Hikers will cljmb Coyote Mountain on an eight-mile route with an elevation gain of about 2,500 feet.


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COUNTY SUPPORTS FEDERAL INITIATIVE TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT MILITARY FAMILIES

January 8, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs is promoting a federal immigration program that supports immigrant families of U.S. service members.  

The Military Parole in Place (MPIP) program provides some members of U.S. military families temporary permission to remain in the country while seeking permanent residency.  

The temporary immigration status allows spouses, widow(er)s, parents and children of U.S. service members to stay, work and travel freely in the United States. The Board of Supervisors previously approved promoting the program to reaffirm the County’s support for service members and their families. 

“Families can be divided when a loved one serves in the U.S. armed forces,” said Rick Wanne, Director of County Self Sufficiency Services. “This program allows them to be reunited in our country and recognizes our military men and women for their honorable and selfless service.”


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BIDEN’S FIRST CAMPAIGN SPEECH AT VALLEY FORGE WARNS OF THREATS TO DEMOCRACY; TRUMP POSTS MESSIANIC VIDEO

By Miriam Raftery

January 7, 2023 – A day before the anniversary of the deadly Jan.6,2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, President Joe Biden and his likely campaign opponent Donald Trump presented sharply divergent messages.

In a speech near Valley Forge, Biden spoke of General George Washington crossing the Delaware with patriot soldiers in 1777 to defeat the British and win freedom and democracy—the then radical idea that the people could govern themselves, without a king or dictator. “But if democracy fails, we’ll lose that freedom,” the President said.  He warned that Trump has openly announced plans to dismantle our democracy, stating bluntly, “Democracy is on the ballot.  Your freedom is on the ballot.”

Trump meanwhile posted a video on his social media platform that proclaimed “God created Trump” to be a “shepherd to mankind” who would be “willing to go into the den of vipers, call out the fake news for their tongues as sharp as the serpents” as well as “wrestle the deep state” and  “wield a sword.”


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BODY FOUND IN BURNED SPRING VALLEY HOME

East County News Service

January 7, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- A body was found early this morning after a house fire in the 8600 block of Eileen Street in Spring Valley.  No details have been released on the deceased person.


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PARENTS IDENITIFED IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE

East County News Service

January 7, 2023 (El Cajon)—The parents of three children are dead of in an apparent murder-suicide at their home in the 1600 block of Hilton Head Court in unincorporated El Cajon. The deceased have been identified as Jose Benjamin Lopez Valle, 41, and his wife, Brenda Valle, 38.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon and gunshots. Inside the residence, they found the victims with a firearm nearby. Deputies and paramedics provided medical care but could not save the couple. 

“It appears that Jose’s injuries were self-inflicted,” says Lieutenant Joseph Jarjura with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.

They were parents to three children, ages 18, 16 and 11.


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ORDER YOUR 2024 BEAUTIFUL EAST COUNTY CALENDAR!

 

January 5, 2024 -- We still have a few calendars left! Back by popular demand, our "Beautiful East County" calendar for 2024 showcases our region's scenic attractions and wildlife.

The calendars are available as our thank you gift to you, with any tax-deductible donation of $50 or more this month. To donate, please visit www.EastCountyMedia.org/donate.

Your donation will help sustain our independent reporting for San Diego's East County.

We thank you for your generosity, and thanks to our many readers who have already contributed.  


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READER’S EDITORIAL: WE MUST TAKE TRUMP’S THREAT TO DEMOCRACY SERIOUSLY

By C. Jones

 

January 6, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- Three years ago, we all witnessed a violent mob descend on the Capitol, costing people their lives, because one man—Donald Trump—spread lies about a ‘stolen’ election.

 

The January 6 insurrection was an attack on our democracy and our freedom to vote. Our nation came dangerously close to a coup orchestrated from within the Oval Office and the halls of Congress by President Trump and his allies.

But it didn’t end there. Trump and his allies are laying the groundwork for a second presidency even more extreme and authoritarian than the last.

Should he win the 2024 presidential election, Trump is already planning to pardon himself and his allies of crimes committed on January 6th, purge the federal government of officials who disagree with him, use the Department of Justice to exact political revenge, and even unleash the military on civilians exercising their first amendment rights.


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MENDOZA ORDERED TO PAY $32,000 IN LEGAL FEES AFTER LOSING ANTI-SLAPP SUIT AWARDED TO LEBARON

By Jessyka Heredia

 

January 5, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Tuesday during a hearing over Zoom, Superior Court Judge Peter A. Lynch ruled that Lemon Grove Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza must pay fellow Councilmember Liana LeBaron’s $32,000 in legal fees from an anti SLAPP suit filed by LeBaron.


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BODY OF ELDERLY WOMAN FOUND IN FREEZER AT ALLIED GARDENS HOME WAS FORMER KAISER WORKER

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via ECM news partner 10 News

January 5, 2024 (San Diego) – The body of an elderly woman found Dec. 22 in a chest freezer at an Allied Gardens home has been identified as Mary Margaret Haxby-Jones, who formerly lived there. According to Lt. Jud Campbell with San Diego Police, she may have been missing or  dead for as long as nine years and would have been 81 years old if she had survived.


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MISSION TRAILS HOSTS BIRDING BASICS CLASS JANUARY 27

East County News Service

Photo: Orioles, by Greg Dunne

 

January 5, 2024 (San Diego) – Mission Trails Regional Park invites you to a birding basics class on Saturday, January 27 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.


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STAY SAFE! SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE EAST COUNTY WILDFIRE & EMERGENCY ALERTS

Sign up here to receive our free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email.  Our alerts can reach you even if phone lines or cell towers burn down.  We cover wildfires, flash floods, major highway shutdowns, severe weather alerts, gas leaks, and other hazards in our region.  We suggest signing up on all of your emails –home, work, school, and encourage  friends, family members and coworkers to do the same. These alerts save lives!

You can also follow East County Alerts on Twitter.

You can also sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, with top local news and events in East County.  You can choose alerts, or newsletter, or both.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: TRUMP MUST BE STOPPED

By Jeanne Fleetwood

 

Photo: C-Span screenshot of Donald Trump rallying supporters at the Capitol ellipse, moments before they marched to attack the Capitol.

 

January 6, 2023 (El Cajon) -- As we mark the third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, it’s important to remember how we got to that moment and who was responsible for it. Donald Trump and his allies engaged in a months-long criminal conspiracy after the 2020 election. They spread lies about voter fraud and used those lies to put pressure on state officials to illegally overturn election results. When their scheme to interfere with Congress’ certification of the 2020 election results failed, Trump and his co-conspirators incited a violent mob to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

 

MAGA Republicans nationwide have continued this assault on our democracy by introducing radical voter suppression bills in Congress and state legislatures, spreading false election conspiracy theories, and threatening to overturn election results they disagree with.

 

Now, Trump is running for president again and he and his allies are planning for a second term that is even more extreme and authoritarian than the last one. If he is re-elected, he plans to pardon himself and his supporters, use the Department of Justice to exact revenge on his enemies, and purge the federal government of anyone who doesn’t agree with him until there’s no one left to say no.


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