April Fools Day

SPECIAL EDITION: BREAKING NEWS APRIL 1, 2020

April 1, 2020—East County Magazine has the exclusive scoop on astounding major stories breaking today.

Is truth stranger than fiction? You decide. Click any title  to view a description of each, then click "read more" to view the full story. Or click here to view our complete special April 1st edition.

Trust us, you won't want to miss this news!


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

SEEDS OF CHANGE: ENTREPRENEURSHIP BRINGS REVENUES TO LEMON GROVE

By Seymour Lemmons

April 1, 2020 (Lemon Grove) – After a ballot measure to raise sales tax failed, Lemon Grove community members today announced plans for new revenue streams centered around the city’s core staple: lemons.

“With shortages of hand sanitizers amid COVID-19 concerns, the first product we’re rolling out is a lemon-scented hand sanitizer manufactured by the City of Lemon Grove,” said Mayor Racquel Vasquez, who added that she drew inspiration from New York State, which recently started producing its own brand of hand sanitizers.

 Unlike New York, which is relying on prison labor, Lemon Grove is teaming up with a spirited  local distillery and hiring local residents, creating “good jobs with livable wages” to also put more disposable income into workers’ pockets, the Mayor added, spritizing sanitizer spray into her palms and rubbing them vigorously as the aroma of lemon wafted over the press corps assembled for the announcement.


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

CASA DE ORO UNVEILS VISION FOR THE FUTURE

By Angel Amongus

April 1, 2020 (Spring Valley) – The County of San Diego and Casa de Oro Alliance today announced agreement on a long-awaited revitalization design plan for Casa De Oro, along with revelation of funding provided through a county grant approved by Supervisor Dianne Jacob and a major angel donor: Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs.

“In honor of Supervisor Dianne Jacob, and angel donor Irwin Jacobs, whose support and vision have made this all possible, we have chosen a Jacobian architectural style for the reimagined new heart of our community,” announced Bob Yarris, chair of the alliance. "And if Sara Jacobs wins her run for Congress, we may soon have a trifecta of Jacobs serving East County to honor."

Yarris elaborated, “We believe the richness of the English Jacobean era, which brought us the literary triumphs of Shakespeare and the discoveries of Galileo, are fitting for our vision for Casa de Oro’s future as a community rich in arts, culture, and creativity."


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

POLITICIANS DONATE PIT BULL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT THERAPY DOG TO ECM CONTRIBUTING EDITOR PAUL KRUZE

 

By I.M. Skerd, ECM Special Correspondent

April 1, 2020 (El Cajon) -- A generous group of El Cajon politicians and school board members have come together with donations to the East County animal rescue group RescuingCujo.com to give a pit bull emotional support dog to East County Magazine Contributing Editor Paul Kruze. In addition, a fundraiser for the good cause was held by members of the former Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD).

Kruze, has covered many high-stress stories including the rise and fall of former El Cajon City Councilman Ben Kalasho, controversies in the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD), and a firestorm over takeover of the JCFPD by the County of San Diego Fire Authority, along with other hot local issues.


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

CAJON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES NEW FILM STUDIO DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

Remake of classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film “Kindergarten Cop” to be first project

By M. Holly Wood, Contributing Editor

April 1, 2020 (El Cajon) – To raise revenues and meet challenges of coordinating its 16,000 students back into a learning environment after the COVID-19 emergency ends, CVUSD Superintendent David Miyashiro today announced on Monday that the district is going into the film business. 

With the state facing an unprecedented pandemic and yesterday’s advisory from the state that schools should remain closed for the rest of this school year, the future of state educational funding is uncertain. Cajon Valley Union School District faces a double loss after defeat of its school bond measure, but is rolling out an innovative solution.

Citing its extensive experience producing nearly 250 promotional videos for itself in the past five years, the CVUSD revealed that its new division will be named “CV World of Film.” This will complement its existing “World of Work” curriculum, which the district cites as an outside revenue stream, and will directly utilize CVUSD students in its operations.


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

MYSTERIOUS CREATURE SPOTTED IN JULIAN AREA

By Miss Terry

April 1, 2020 (Julian) – Around the world, as cities and towns shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are reports of wild animals roaming the streets – from cougars in Colorado to coyotes in San Francisco.  Early this morning, several reports have come in of a mysterious creature first spotted in Ranchita and later, lumbering down Main Street through downtown Julian.

“It looked just like that statute of a yeti in front of the Ranchita store, only with long, dark hair,” said Ida Witness, a Ranchita resident who says she heard her dogs howling shortly before dawn when she went outside and saw the towering, shadowy figure.


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

SPECIAL EDITION: BREAKING NEWS APRIL 1, 2019

April 1, 2019—East County Magazine has the exclusive scoop on astounding major stories breaking today.

Is truth stranger than fiction? You decide. Click any title  to view a description of each story, then click "

read more to view full story.  Click here to view  our full special edition.

Trust us, you won't want to miss this news! 

 

 


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

INIITIATIVE TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESS SHELTER ATOP SANTEE’S CITY HALL



By Able Towers

Special report: April 1, 2019 (Santee) – A citizens’ group today announced a ballot initiative titled “Put It All on City Hall” to meet state mandates for low-income housing and shelter the city’s growing homeless population, while improving citizens’ access to city government.

Santee has long grappled with a NIMBY (not in my backyard) attitude opposing such projects in the city’s neighborhoods. When the state of California passed a law requiring every city to build affordable housing, Santee’s City Council responded with proposals to tear down the city’s drive in movie-theatre or raze a historical barn, the city’s oldest structure.

Now, the “Put it All on City Hall” coalition seeks voters’ approval to erect a 25-story tower at the civic center site, putting hundreds of affordable and low-income housing units, as well as a homeless shelter and services, all  atop a revamped City Council chamber.

See details below:


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

LA MESA FINDS LOFTY SOLUTION TO FARMER’S MARKET LOCATION

By Olive Root

Special report April 1, 2019 (La Mesa) –Ever since the La Mesa farmer's market moved last year to downtown on Friday nights, the community has been split between residents and some merchants who love a market in the village core, vs. some restaurant owners who complain that the market has hurt their businesses by taking away parking.

So today, the City of La Mesa and La Mesa Village Association announced an innovative solution: the farmer’s market will be moved into a new sky bridge to be built over the intersection of La Mesa Blvd. and Spring St., much to the surprise and delight of merchants an market vendors.

See their commments below:


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

UCSD RESEARCHERS ANNOUNCE INVENTION OF HIGH-GRADE ARTIFICIAL SAND, ELIMINATING NEED FOR LOCAL SAND MINES

By Halle Lujah

Special report: April 1, 2019 (San Diego) – In a joint announcement today, UCSD researchers and the County of San Diego revealed a major scientific breakthrough.

“Our technology team has developed a superior grade of artificial sand made from recycled products that can replace sand from riverbeds long used in construction of highways and other projects,” said Wei Tugo, lead researcher.

Dianne Jacob, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, announced, “Thanks to this groundbreaking advance, the County of San Diego will no longer be buying sand for use in any of our roadways or other construction projects. Not only will this provide a use for recyclables that currently end up in our landfills, it will also eliminate the need for dredging scenic areas and wildlife habitat across our region to mine sand.”

Owners of properties proposed for sand mine developments at Cottonwood Golf in Rancho San Diego and El Monte Valley in Lakeside stated that due to the lack of a local marketplace for sand, they are abandoning their sand mining plans, said spokesman Rocky Crush. Details below:


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Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.

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