Source: Children’s Nature Retreat

April 6, 2021 (Alpine) -- You’re invited to hop on over to the Children’s Nature Retreat, a 20-acre animal sanctuary in Alpine, to celebrate Easter with the animals and participate in an Easter Egg Hunt. The annual Egg Hunts are a tradition at the Retreat and this year there will be one hunt per day all week, from Monday, April 11 through Sunday, April 17.  

By Pennell Paugh and Miriam Raftery

April 5, 2022 (San Diego) – SDG&E rolled out rate hikes starting January 1 that raised prices around 11% on electricity (7.6% for residential customers), a hike approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. But some consumers have been shocked to find far larger spikes in their bills early this year, a problem compounded by a spike in natural gas prices fueled by cold weather and global supply issues, Voice of San Diego reports.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Jake Rose: Chase Bank in flames during May 30, 2020 riot in downtown La Mesa

April 5, 2022 (La Mesa) – One of several people alleged to have set fires which burned down the Chase Bank in La Mesa following a May 30, 2020 riot has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.  Alexander King, 20, pleaded guilty in February to a felony count of recklessly causing fire of a structure.

By Miriam Raftery

April 5, 2022 (La Mesa) – A prisoner who had a medical emergency during an appearance at the El Cajon Courthouse  yesterday was taken by ambulance to Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. He escaped from the hospital at 6:30 p.m., prompting a helicopter search, and was found in a creek near the trolley tracks a half hour later.

East County News Service

April 5, 2022 (San Diego) - A tentative agreement was reached by the bargaining committee representing seven UFCW Locals across southern California and Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, and Ralphs. 

Photos and story by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

April 4, 2022 (Inglewood, CA) -- Imagine having to “flip the merchandise” in SoFi Stadium’s shops in one day to accommodate a Los Angeles Rams’ game one day, and then the next day --- a Los Angeles Chargers’ game. Hello ram horns; goodbye lightning bolts!

According to a SoFi Stadium tour guide, that is exactly what they do when the football games are back-to-back. Sofi is only one of two facilities that share a pair of NFL teams. The other is MetLife Stadium home to the New York Jets and the New York Giants.

If you are curious to see the sports and entertainment complex where the former San Diego Chargers now play, which opened September 8, 2020, you can buy a ticket to tour SoFi off the stadium’s website. Or the next time El Cajon’s Daytripper Tours offer a trip, you can utilize their company.

Warning: Graphic and disturbing content

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Bucha civilians reportedly massacred by Russians, Ukraine Ministry of Digital Development Mikhail Fedorov post on Twitter

April 4, 2022 (Ukraine) – After Russian troops withdrew from several besieged Ukrainian cities, horrifying evidence of war crimes have emerged. International media, human rights groups, and Ukrainian officials have all provided documentation of atrocities including mass graves, executions of civilians – some with hands bound behind their backs, rapes, murders including children, bodies boobytrapped with bombs, and efforts to cover up war crimes by burning bodies. 

Source:  Treasurer-Tax Collector of San Diego County

April 4, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister reminded property owners today that they have seven days left to pay the second installment of their 2021-2022 property taxes before they are charged a late penalty.  

Source: San Diego County Office of Emergency Services

April 4, 2022 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services is asking County residents to provide feedback for two emergency plans.

The goal is to further protect residents, their property, and the environment. The survey feedback will be incorporated into the Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan and the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Source: U.S. Health and Human Services Dept.

Photo: CC via Bing

 

April 4, 2022 (Washington D.C.) -- The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing today that more than 59 million Americans with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, now have access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, authorized, or cleared over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost.  People with Medicare can get up to eight tests per calendar month from participating pharmacies and health care providers for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

UPDATE:  Padres have officially acquired Sean Manaea and RHP Aaron Holiday in exchange for IF Euribiel Angeles and RHP Adrian Martinez 

East County News Service

Photo:  CC by SA 4.0 by Jrchun on Wikipedia

April 3, 2022 (San Diego) - Hours before he's supposed to start against the Padres in an exhibition game today, the Friars are set to acquire left hander Sean Manaea from the Oakland Athletics, a source told MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand.  The teams have not yet confirmed.