Drug can cause rotting skin, amputations

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

August 2023 (San Diego’s East County) --Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. But a DEA Public Safety Alert warns that a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine is making the threat even deadlier.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a powerful sedative approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for veterinary use. Not human use. It is commonly used to tranquilize large animals like horses and livestock during medical procedures. It requires a prescription. But it has found its way into the illicit drug market and is being used recreationally by users seeking an intense and dangerous high.

By Jessyka Heredia

Photos provided by Shane O'Garro

August 1, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – On July 18^, Lemon Grove was the fourth city in East County to pass an emergency ordinance that will pave the way to hopefully having more shelter beds in East County and sharing the burden with other East County cities by applying for grant money as a region instead of individual cities The Council voted 4-0 with Liana LeBaron  absent.

By Miguel Leyva

Photo: Farmworkers, CC-NC via Bing

August 4, 2023 (San Diego) -- Systemic racism affects nearly every facet of life for people of color. Across the country, there are serious racial disparities concerning representation, land, and money within the agricultural field. Up to 83% of farmworkers nationwide are Latino, and unlike most workers, they do not benefit from overtime protections. San Diego County is home to California's ninth most lucrative agribusiness sector, generating over $1 billion annually. Furthermore, roughly 90% of its farm revenues are derived from labor-intensive crop industries. Although they provide essential services, Latino farmworkers usually earn low wages and must endure substandard working and living conditions. Approximately 35% of San Diego County's population is Latino, and many of these people work in agriculture.

As one of the most accident-prone industries, agriculture has the highest fatality rate in the country. Farmworkers face countless safety, health, environmental, biological, and respiratory hazards every day.

August 4, 2023  (San Diego) -- 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

• Heavy rainfall makes for high fire risk. But San Diego lagging on removing brush  (KPBS)
• Protesters rally against controversial Senate Bill 10 (CBS 8)
• San Diego Planning Commission votes against Senate Bill 10, major single-family home zone change (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Are these San Diego malls the future of housing? (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• SANDAG's CEO Hasan Ikhrata to resign in December  (10 News)
• 4 Common Assumptions About Homelessness and What the Data Says About Them (Voice of San Diego)
• After six-month delay, jailed La Mesa man gets surgery to remove tumor from his lung (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Trump needed $225 million. A little-known [San Diego] bank came to the rescue.   (Washington Post)

STATE

• Tensions flare as California GOP gives Trump a boost by overhauling state primary rules (Los Angeles Times)
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom offers to help negotiate Hollywood strike (ABC News)
• Musicians deal with stingy streamers and AI threats, too. So why aren’t they on strike? (Los Angeles Times)
• California Democrats ramp up pressure on Hollywood studios over actors’ strike (Los Angeles Times)
• How California is fighting meth with gift cards (Cal Matters)

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

By Jacob Pamus

On July 26, 81-year-old Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly froze mid sentence for around 20 seconds during a press conference, he was escorted away and later returned to finish.It is unknown for sure what the cause of this behavior is, whether it was related to his concussion in March from falling earlier this year.

But the symptoms can also be a sign of a mini-stroke, known as a Trasient Ischemic Attack (TSI) or even a major stroke.. Whether you support Mitch Mconnell,  a Republican, or not it is important to recognize how dangerous a stroke can be, especially for older individuals. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, you need to call 911 immediately for proper treatment since the longer it takes to get treatment, the higher the risk of damage to the brain.

This incident, along with health issues involving California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is 90, also raises concerns over the fitness of some long-serving members of Congress.

Owner cites financial need, but residents say they're getting a raw deal and seek legal counsel

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Milt Cyphert

August 3, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs, CA) – For nearly three decades, the De Anza Springs Resort in the high desert community of Jacumba Hot Springs has provided a 523-acre haven for naturalists to bare all, as one of the nation’s largest clothing-optional destinations.

But two days ago, residents received stark news:  a letter from the resort’s new management informing them of a decision to become a “textile” park. Starting September 1, clothing will be required in all common areas such as the pool and hiking trails. Then on October 1, nudity will be banned everywhere on the property, including privately owned and leased sites.

The action has laid bare resentments and anger among residents who bought or leased sites specifically for the freedom to be clothes-free,  as well as among frequent visitors who purchased club memberships. Some are seeking legal counsel over what they contend were deceptive marketing practices, as well as concerns over loud concerts and other problems stemming from changes implemented by the new owners.

“We understand that change can sometimes be met with mixed feelings, and we empathize with those who might feel upset or uncertain about the introduction of the new clothing rule,” the owners’ letter states, also encouraging residents with questions to  setup an appointment by emailing Luke Wasyliw, who blames residents for not supporting some events and cites financial needs.

East County News Service

August 3, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- A suspect was arrested on August 1 for a July 4 shooting that killed one man and injured another in Spring Valley. The suspect is  a gang member with a criminal record.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on July 4, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting a shooting in the 2700 block of Central Avenue. Fernardo Kevin Villegas, 25, was found in the street with several gunshot wounds to his torso. Despite medical aid provided by deputies and medical personnel, he died of his injuries.

A second victim, Kaulana “Dustin” Hernandez Liu, arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm; he was treated and released.

Specialist only player to land on the watch list for the Ray Guy Award (punter) and Lou Groza Award (kicker)

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

August 3, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego State senior specialist and West Hills High School alum Jack Browning landed on a pair of 2023 national watch lists, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Wednesday morning. Browning made the Ray Guy Award Watch List, which goes out to the best collegiate punter, and the Lou Groza Award Watch List for the top placekicker.

Cedar Fire survivor and widow of famed pilot adventurer needs community’s help

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2023  (Crest) – Leysl  Muñoz, 87, was well-known to residents in rural Crest, where she regularly drove around in her golf cart with her Burmese Mountain Dog, Rebby.  But on Friday, July 28, she was “critically injured when an EDCO trash truck backed over her while she was sitting in her golf cart,” according to a GoFundMe post set up by her neighbor, Rich Robinson.

“Leysl is confronting a long and difficult road to get back on her feet,” he states. “This GoFundMe effort is being established by her East County friends who want to help her get back on her feet and in a new golf car with Rebby.

Charlie’s Notes: a memoir: By Cherie Kerr (ExecuProv Press, Santa Ana, CA., 2004, 367 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

August 2, 2023 (San Diego) - There is nothing like a daughter’s love for her father, and in this memoir written by Cherie Kerr, Charlie’s Notes, there is a profound love for her father throughout this well written and touching book that pulls at your heart strings. As the singer and song writer John Mayer says in his song (Daughters); “Fathers be good to your daughters”, this comes out throughout this book, and it resonates with me throughout for some very personal and profound reasons. Clearly, and in talking to Kerr, Charlie was good to his daughter!

In a recent telephone conversation between the author and me, we both shared thoughts of family life, with Kerr professing her undying love for her father, and indicating that she was the apple of his eye. That is certainly understandable. 

The author, Cherie Kerr, touches on her Italian heritage by emphasizing her father’s roots, and the family’s evolution in the jazz revolution in this country, particularly her father’s.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Sheriff's Dept.

August 1, 2023 (Ramona) – Jonathan McDowell, 47, of Ramona died at Scripps Mercy Hospital on July 29, 10 days after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the George Bailey detention facility. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy has concluded that McDowell died of asphyxia due to hanging and that his death was a suicide.

A statement from the Sheriff’s department says,  “We extend our sympathies to the McDowell family and those affected by his death. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer will support the family as they deal with the loss of a loved one.”

McDowell was arrested on Feb. 20 on charges of assaulting a peace officer with a gun,  attempted murder, and committing a felony while  on bail or release.

"Holding Trump accountable for his crimes pulls our democracy back from the precipice and prevents his criminal attempt to overturn an election from being forgotten or normalized," said one watchdog leader.

By Jessica Corbett. at Common Dreams

Aug 01, 2023 (Washington D.C.) --  Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday was indicted by a federal grand jury in Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and incite the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump—now the leading candidate for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination—faces four charges: conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

All Credit Union branches accepting book donations for San Diego elementary school students

Source:  North Island Credit Union

August 1, 2023 (San Diego) - North Island Credit Union has launched a book drive to help ensure children in low-income households have access to books outside the classroom. In the second year of the partnership, the book drive is being conducted with the Scripps Howard Fund and ABC 10News as part of its “If You Give a Child a Book . . .” childhood literacy campaign.