By Jonathan Goetz

Photos courtesy: City of Santee

January 20, 2024 (Santee) -- You're invited to Walker Preserve Saturday, January 27th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Santee Discovery Day, part of Santee Discovery Month, encouraging people to visit Santee's beautiful and plentiful family friendly trails (click for Citywide trail map). In addition to food available for purchase, there will be a rock wall, nature exploration booths, opportunity drawing and more, making this the signature event of January's public awareness campaign.

Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Photo courtesy of CNS

January 23, 2024 (Washington D.C.)--California tribes headed to the White House Tribal Nations Summit in December, where they asked Congress and the Biden administration to create or expand several national monuments.

The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla tribe in the Coachella Valley would like the president to establish a new Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park.

East County News Service

January 19, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Comedians Gene Levin and Carol Johnson produce 4th Friday Comedy every month at SpaceBar Cafe & Wine Bistro, 7454 University Avenue, La Mesa from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The monthly show is one of longest running free comedy shows in our region.

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

January 19, 2024 (San Diego) -- San Diego’s Toni Atkins yesterday signaled she would run for governor, and several news outlets say her announcement is expected today.

Atkins, 61, a Democrat who rose through the ranks of city politics to become the first gay leader of the state Senate, has filed paperwork to begin raising money for a gubernatorial bid in 2026.

East County News Service

January 17, 2024 (San Diego)—Brandon Andrew Yates, 24, died in custody yesterday at San Diego County Jail. Deputies conducting a safety check found him unresponsive and displaying signs of distress around 1:36 p.m.

All dogs that have been in a County shelter for more than 30 days will have adoption fees waived.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 18, 2024 (Bonita) -- County animal shelters in Bonita and Carlsbad are looking for adoptive and foster families to address a problem affecting shelters throughout the United States, and that’s overcrowding. County shelters have too many pets, especially dogs.  

A variety of factors led to overcrowding, including a challenging economy and housing shortages for many families. This has forced some people to make the difficult decision to abandon or relinquish their beloved dogs.  The rising cost of food and veterinary care is also a factor for some families. 

“More dogs are coming into the shelter this year than there were last year, and fewer dogs in the shelters are being adopted or reclaimed by their owners,” said San Diego County Animal Services Director Kelly Campbell. “We don’t want to run out of room and need the community’s help.  Adopting or fostering makes a huge difference for the animals in our care and has great benefits for those fostering or adopting.”  

A scientific study by the American Heart Association in 2019 showed that dog owners live longer and healthier lives than people without a dog. This was often due to an increase in physical activity from daily walks. Dogs also help people improve mental health by reducing daily stress or anxiety, according to a 1991 study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 18, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County of San Diego’s Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program helps first-time home buyers whose income is 80 percent or less than the annual area median income, which ranges from $77,200 or less for a single adult, to $110,250 for a family of four and $145,550 for a family of eight. 

The program offers low interest loans with deferred payments. The loans may be as much as 22 percent of the sales price for the down payment and up to $10,000 for closing costs.

By Miriam Raftery

January 18, 2024 (San Diego)—East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery recently sat down for an exclusive interview with state Senator Brian Jones, who represents the 40^th district and is also the minority leader in the California State Senate.

Issues discussed included homeowners losing insurance, the need to upgrade aging dams in the district, homelessness, housing, crime, and more.

East County News Service

By Duke Gonzalez, Strategic Communications Specialist, U.S. Postal Service

January 16, 2024 (Pine Valley) – A  ‘Pony Express’ recently rode again in Pine Valley, California. But this time, it delivered heroism and community service rather than the mail. 

January 16, 2024 – Residents countywide are warned to be vigilant for imposter water agency “workers” knocking on doors and requesting entry to homes to test water quality or making sales pitches, the San Diego Coiunty Water Authority warns.

Similar scams pop up every few years. A spate of incidents has been reported by several water agencies across the region in recent weeks, including in the City of San Diego, South County and East County.

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2024 (San Diego) – Tim and Susan Taylor sent in these photos from this weekend’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in San Diego. Participants carried messages in support of Reverend. King’s goals including freedom, equality, peace, and love triumphing over hate.

Others called for an end to gun violence.

Participants came from across San Diego County, including students San Diego State University and Gompers Preparatory Academy, shown below.

East County News Service

January 14, 2024  (Campo) -- San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Alan Earl James. The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) has recommended placement of Alan James at 1138 Custer Road, Campo, CA 91906. He was convicted of sexual assaults with three minors dating back to 1981 and 1985, and kidnapping a child for sexual molestation.

Source:  Mounarath-Powell Dance

January 13, 2024 (La Mesa) - Visionary Dance Theatre, an award-winning dance company and school for the performing arts in the heart of La Mesa, is thrilled to announce a rebranding initiative to celebrate its 15th anniversary and the long-standing partnership of its founders, Spencer John Powell and Mickey Mounarath.

Cooked vs. Uncooked Spaghetti, by Dr. Tania Hormozi, PSYD, LMFT (Made in the USA, Muncie, IL., July, 2023, 137 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 12, 2024 (San Diego) - Dr. Tania Hormozi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in San Diego, California for over 10 years. She holds a Doctorate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University and a Master’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is in private practice and provides therapy to individuals and mostly couples. She helps clients gain perspective, understanding, and identify solutions to problems using their own strengths and skills.

With those credentials one would think that she could have saved my marriage. After reading this book(s), you will have a better understanding of the differences between men and women, how to listen, how to express feelings, and be supportive emotionally, mentally, and physically for your female and/or male partners, and reconnect on a different level. You will have the tools to understand and truly connect with your partner. Wishful thinking!