SNOW JAM!

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: courtesy 10 News

January 2, 2015 (Julian)--This week’s snowstorm transformed much of East County into a winter wonderland.

Nine inches of snow fell in Julian and a full foot blanketed the top of Mount Laguna, with several inches all the way down to Descanso, KNSJ’s home town.

The road to Julian has been ploughed and cleared for travel – but over this holiday weekend, that’s led to traffic jams as snow-loving San Diegans headed to the mountains.


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CACTUS AND CANYONS PHOTO TOUR JAN. 17

 

January 1, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Nature and landscape photographers Ernie and Kati Cowan will lead a Cactus and Canyons photo tour to explore some of the most scenic and secret places of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on Saturday, January 17th. This all day-hike runs from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.


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SAN DIEGO WEATHER EVENTS: YEAR IN REVIEW

 

East County News Service

January 1, 2014 (San Diego) – “The end of 2014 has come and despite the cold air and low snow levels,  the year will end up being the warmest on record,” Alex Tardy, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego says.. “2014 also featured the worse 3 year drought for the state of California. The drought continues, but the year was also full of interesting and impacting weather events across southern California.”


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NEED WORK? SHERIFF IS RECRUITING IN JANUARY

 

January 1, 2014 (San Diego)—The San Diego Sheriff’s office is hiring.

Recruitment for sworn positions will open for ten days in January. It means you can apply on-line for the position and register to take the written exam. The application process is often suspended to process all those that have come in.


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ELDERLY WOMAN KILLED, HUSBAND INJURED IN EL CAJON PEDESTRIAN INCIDENT

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2015 (El Cajon) – New Year’s Eve ended in tragedy for an elderly El Cajon couple. Rosie Mondejar, 80, and her husband, Merlin, were struck by separate vehicles while crossing the street shortly after 8 p.m. in the 300 block of West Washington. Both were transported to a hospital, where Rosie was pronounced dead of serious injuries. Merlin was treated for minor injuries and released.


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OPERATION SANTA CLAUS: EL CAJON POLICE GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE IN NEED-AND REWARD GOOD DEEDS

 

Hear our interview with El Cajon Police Officers Association representatives Travis Howard and Samson Pak: http://kiwi6.com/file/rr5i0levth

January 1, 2015 (El Cajon)—On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, El Cajon Police officers stopped 10 people—but instead of giving them tickets, they handed them  cash—thanks to two anonymous donors who gave the police money to help people in the community—and improve the way the community views law enforcement.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SATELLITE VIEW OF SNOW

 
January 1, 2015 (Southern California)--Alex Tardy with the National Weathersent in this image taken by the Aqua Modis satellite at 2 p.m. on New Year's Eve.  It shows an extensive pack of snow across Southern California, including the lower Inland Empire and southern Santa Ana mountains.  You can see the Salton Sea to the east.

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DOG HOUSES NEEDED FOR RURAL DOGS IN COLD WEATHER

 

 

January 1, 2015 (Boulevard) – Boulevard resident Pam Lawless has launched a drive seeking donations of doghouses or igloo-style shelters for backcountry dogs in her community.


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BILLS BY SAN DIEGO’S SENATOR BLOCK BECOME LAW IN JANUARY

 

Senator’s 2015 agenda includes stopping UC tuition hikes

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2015 (San Diego) – Four bills by State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) become law today.  Two aim to protect the elderly in residential care facilities, a second will protect victims of human trafficking and save the state money by consolidating trials from multiple jurisdictions, and a fourth will speed up testing of beach water quality.

One of his top goals for 2015 will be to keep higher education “accessible and affordable for all of California’s students.”  Block and Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León recently introduced SB 15 which would eliminate tuition increases for the University of California system and provide substantially greater support to all of the state’s public education institutions.


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CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION PRESIDENT JACK SHU SPEAKS OUT ON SANDAG’S DECISION TO APPEAL TRANSPORTATION CASE TO STATE SUPREME COURT

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

Hear our interview with Jack Shu, Cleveland National Forest Foundation president: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au... 

 

 

December 31, 2014 (San Diego)—Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation (CNFF), sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine on KNSJ radio.  CNFF and other environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging the regional transportation plan proposed by the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG) .  California Attorney General Kamala Harris joined the suit in support of environmentalist.

CNFF contends that instead of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as state law requires, SANDAG’s plan will increase them by 700 percent (see chart). 

San Diegans rely 95% on automobiles for transportation and only 3% on transit, yet SANDAG’s plan calls for more freeways instead of expanding transit in the near future.  San Diego also has the seventh worth ozone pollution in the nation as well as serious asthma issues, CNFF argues, yet SANDAG failed to provide a health impact analysis in its plan.

An appellate court and trial court agreed with plaintiffs that SANDAG failed to adequately address air pollution and climate change concerns, yet SANDAG voted 20 to 1 to appeal to the California Supreme Court.

Audio: 


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FLU EPIDEMIC DECLARED

 

December 31, 2014 (San Diego)--The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has declared a flu epidemic following a high number of flu cases diagnosed as well as the deaths of 15 children from influenza.


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MONARCHS MAY BE LISTED AS ENDANGERED SPECIES

 

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Monarch butterflies may warrant protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states.  Monarch populations have dropped up to 90 percent in the last 20 years due to loss of milkweed plants that the butterflies need to lay their eggs and nourish caterpillars that emerge from cocoons.


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HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP SPOKE TO WHITE SUPREMACISTS

 

 

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - The new Republican Whip in Congress, Steve Scalise of Louisiana, is drawing scrutiny amid revelations that he spoke to a white supremacist group in 2002 that was founded by David Duke, a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.


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10 TIPS TO HELP MAKE YOUR RAINY DRIVE SAFE

 

December 31, 2014 (San Diego)--The old song says, “It never rains in Southern California.”

But when we do get rain or snow, like this week’s storm has brought, driving can be an adventure.

To make sure it doesn’t become a mis-adventure, here are some handy driving tips from San Diego County’s Department of Public Works , or  DPW,  that will help make your rainy drive safer.


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NILE SISTERS HONORS ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS AT PORTRAITS OF SUCCESS EVENT

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Nat Roberts and Miriam Raftery

Hear our radio coverage of this event for KNSJ:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

December 29, 2014 (City Heights) – At the Nile Sisters’ 2nd annual community celebration, Portraits of Success, local refugees and immigrants were honored for their achievements and heard inspirational and motivational stories.

“Keep dreaming, keep believing in yourselves,” urged keynote speaker Mark Kabban, a CNN hero and founder of Youth and Leaders Living Actively (YALLA).

Audio: 


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TROUT REOPENER AT SANTEE LAKES JAN. 10-11

 

 

December 31, 2014 (Santee) - If you love to fish, you may want to mark your calendars for the Trout Reopener at Santee Lakes on January 10th and 11th, when the lakes will be stocked with two thousand pounds of rainbow trout.


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PIT BULL ATTACK ON HORSE AND RIDER IN BLOSSOM VALLEY: SECOND ATTACK AT SAME ADDRESS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated December 31, 2014 with link to 10 News story and response from the County Animal Control Department.

December 29, 2014 (Blossom Valley) –For the second time in three years, a pit bull running loose has viciously attacked a horse and rider outside the same Blossom Valley residence.

“Me and my horse were attacked yesterday,” Stacey Russell told East County Magazine.  According to Russell, a bluish-gray pit bull dog seriously injured her horse outside 10937 Quail Canyon – the same address where a similar attack occurred in 2011.


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WINTER WONDERLAND

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A thick blanket of snow has fallen across much of  San Diego’s inland region, transforming the terrain into a winter wonderland this New Year’s Eve. Lindy Klengler sent photos taken at her Hidden Meadows home in Escondido at just 1700 feet elevation, showing snow around her swimming pool and atop palm trees. “Been here 22 years and never had this happen,” she says.

Melody Munoz and Donna Tisdale sent photos from Boulevard, where three to four inches of snow fell overnight and the temperature on New Year’s morning is a chilly 21 degrees. Snow has also blanketed Descanso and coated landmarks in Jacumba.

Julian received 9 inches of snow and on Mt. Palomar, 12 inches—a foot—has fallen, according to the National Weather Service.  ECM  news partner 10 News observes that level “beats Big Bear!”


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HOTTEST TOPICS OF THE YEAR IN 2014

 

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--It’s been a turbulent year around the world and across the nation, when occurrences far away had an impact right here in East County. There were also many major statewide, regional and local issues that hit home right here--including some stories uncovered through our own investigative reporting team.

These are the hot topics of the year that most affected our readers:


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PETER NOONE AND HERMAN'S HERMITS LIVE AT SYCUAN JAN. 17

 

December 30, 2014 (El Cajon) - Herman’s Hermits will be performing with original lead singer Peter Noone in two concerts on January 17 at Sycuan’s Live & Up Close Theatre in El Cajon. Showtimes for the legendary British band are at 6:30 and 8 p.m. For tickets and details, visit www.Sycuan.com.


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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CONCERT IN LEMON GROVE JAN. 17

 

December 30, 2014 (Lemon Grove) - A Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Concert will be held on Saturday, January 17th at 5 p.m. on Lemon Grove’s Main Street Promenade (3443 Main St. in Lemon Grove).


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS & EVENTS JAN. 1-17

 

 

December 30, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has events ranging from a winery concert to a walk up Mount Helix.  Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a concert by the famed British rock band Herman’s Hermits at Sycuan, a photo tour in the Anza Borrego Desert and a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday concert in Lemon Grove.  So stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.


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MAN KILLED BY TASER AT BORDER WAS EL CAJON RESIDENT

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 29, 2014 (San Ysidro) - A man killed by Customs and Border Protection agents at the San Ysidro crossing  on Christmas Eve was an El Cajon resident.  The County Medical Examiner’s office has identified the man as Francisco Manuel Cesena, 40.


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SAN DIEGO SHIP JOINS RECOVERY MISSION FOR AIRASIA FLIGHT

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Updated December 30, 2014

December 29, 2014 (San Diego)--The USS Sampson, a Navy ship homeported in San Diego, has joined the recovery effort for the AirAsia Flight 8501, the Pentagon has announced.  The flight went missing Sunday and  crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia with 162 passengers and crew on board. Debris and bodies found are confirmed to be from the ill-fated flight.


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POPE TO URGE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE--AFTER MEETING WITH A SAN DIEGO SCIENTIST

 

East County News Service

December 29, 2014 (San Diego)—Pope Francis, who has voiced concerns over climate change impacts, is set to issue an edict calling on 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide to take action on climate change—and a San Diego scientist may have played a role in influencing the Pope to take action.


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SNOW AT 1,000 FEET POSSIBLE; UP TO A FOOT OF SNOW FORECAST AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS

 

East County News Service

December 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 4 p.m. Tuesday night until 4 p.m. Wednesday for areas above 2,000 feet in elevation – though a dusting of snow could dip down to just 1,000 feet in some areas.

The storm, originating in Canada with very cold temperatures, could dump up to a foot of snow at elevations over 3,000 feet and 1 to 5 inches between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. Two to seven inches are forecast in high desert regions.


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SCIENCE AND HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

December 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.


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READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: FROM DECEMBER 28, 2014

 

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

Readers

January 2 (Friday, 6:00 pm)Author Bishop O'Connell will sign and talk about his book, The Stolen.

Mysterious Galaxy, 5943 Balboa Ave, Suite 100, San Diego. For additional information, go to http://www.mystgalaxy.com/ or call (858) 268-4747.


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JEB BUSH JUMPS TO TOP OF GOP PRESIDENTIAL POLL PACK

 

By Joe Gandelman, Editor in Chief, The Moderate Voice

Reprinted with permission from The Moderate Voice, a member of the San Diego Online News Association (SDONA)

December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--Yes, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is a contender for the Republican Presidential nomination, even if he has not officially announced. Bigtime. A new poll shows his leaping to the top of the GOP presidential poll pack:


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

 

December 29, 2014 (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 top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

STATE

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


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