Rural communities

FOUR DOGS SHOT AND KILLED IN JAMUL, DUMPED IN SAME PLACE WHERE ANOTHER DOG’S BODY WAS DUMPED

By Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2023 (Jamul) – Is there a serial dog killer in Jamul? The San Diego Sheriff and San Diego County AnimalControlofficer are investigating that chilling possibility.


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QUARANTINES IMPOSED AS VSV LIVESTOCK DISEASE SPREADS ACROSS REGION

Disease can affect all hooved livestock and can also spread to humans

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2023 (San Diego) – Fifteen properties in San Diego County are under quarantine by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, after six cases of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) have been confirmed in San Diego County and testing is underway on another nine suspected local cases, according to the USDA website on the disease. There are also two confirmed cases and two suspected cases in Riverside County, where four properties are quarantined.  These are the only areas in the U.S. with current cases of VSV.

 The first local case in this outbreak occurred May 17 in Ramona, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. While all of the local cases so far are in horses, the disease can also afflict donkeys, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas or other hooved livestock.

The quarantines will  last at least 14 days after the last known case.  However blisters on mouths and hooves can take up to two months to resolve.The quarantines mean no transporting animals to or from the impacted properties will be allowed until a veterinarian has cleared animals for travel.  Some states and livestock events such as horse shows may prohibit animals from the impacted areas from participating even if there is no known exposure, so check with show organizers before traveling to any livestock even


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VESICULAR STOMATITIS VIRUS FOUND IN LOCAL HORSE; MORE CASES SUSPECTED

Update May 23, 2023:  Quarantines have been imposed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on 15 properties in San Diego County and 4 in Riverside,  Locally, 6 cases have been confirmed and 9 more are suspected. 

Read more:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/quarantines-imposed-vsv-livestock-dis...

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) –  A case of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), a viral disease which causes severe blister-like lesions on the mouths and hooves of horses, cattle, pigs, goats, llamas, and other hooved livestock, has been confirmed in San Diego County, according to Dr. Craig Chandler, DVM, at the East County Large and Small Animal Practice. According to Dr. Chandler, testing is underway on samples from several other horses in East County with suspected VSV.

According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, VSV is contagious and debilitating, but rarely life threatening.  It can also spread to humans, so safe handling procedures should be followed.

The disease is reportable; livestock should be isolated for 14 days after the last case.  The disease takes 2 to 8 days from exposure to appear and usually runs it course in about 2 weeks, though sores can take up to months to resolve.  Testing is required to confirm  presence of the disease.

Dr. Chandler posted the following information on Facebook and gave permission for ECM to reprint it, along with a photo:


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AFTER ELECTRIC CAR MAKERS ELIMINATE AM RADIO, CONGRESS INTRODUCES BILL TO MANDATE INCLUSION IN FUTURE

Update:  Ford CEO Jim Farley has announced that  Ford will reverse its earlier decision to eliminate AM radios and will offer a software program to restore AM access to owners of Ford electric vehicles sold without AM radio, NPR reports.

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – Many electric vehicle manufacturers have removed AM radio from their current and future models, claiming interference with electric motors can cause buzzing noises and faded signals. Those that have already removed AM radios from electric vehicles include Tesla, Ford, Mazda, BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, Polestar and Rivian.


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CALTRANS PROVIDES UPDATE ON I-8 PAVEMENT REPLACEMENT AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN EAST COUNTY

East County News Service

May 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – The I-8 pavement replacement and road improvement project from Viejas Creek in Alpine to Pine Valley Creek is 40 percent completed after the first 160 days of work, with completion of the entire project expected in spring 2024.


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SPRING VALLEY SEX OFFENDER SUSPECT DIES IN CUSTODY

East County News Service

May 19, 2023 (Spring Valley) – Maximillian Aguirre, 71, of Spring Valley has died in a hospital while in custody.


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SWEETWATER AIMS TO REOPEN TRAILS AT LOVELAND RESERVOIR IN “WEEKS,” BUT WON’T COMMIT TO WHEN LAKE WILL BE RESTOCKED WITH FISH

 

Update May 27: Sweetwater has announced on its website that it will reopen the reservoir to hiking and birdwatching on May 30, but the district has not yet committed to when or if fish will be restocked.

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2023 (Alpine) – Loveland Reservoir in Alpine has been closed since January,  after heavy storms caused major erosion to trails left exposed by Sweetwater Water Authority's decision to drain the lake to dead pool status. Though rains have replenished water levels to above the heavily eroded banks, public access has not been restored--much to the consternation of area residents.

Last night, East County residents in support of reopening Loveland packed the hearing room at the Sweetwater Water Authority headquarters in Chula Vista to voice their views.


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SHERIFF RELEASES VIDEO OF DEPUTY-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN SPRING VALLEY

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has released video from a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on April 26 in Spring Valley. The deputy fired several rounds, seriously injuring a man who had charged at deputies with a metal bedframe in his residence in the 3600 block of South Barcelona Street.


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LONDON STAGE STAR RETURNS TO MENTOR STEELE CANYON HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE AND MUSIC STUDENTS

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- London West End musical theatre star Dean Chisnall, returned to Steele Canyon Charter High School May 17 through May 20 to instruct and inspire the SC Players and musicians. He shared  his professional practices, experiences and wisdom through workshops, seminars, and discussions. The visit culminates with a live performance by Mr. Chisnall on Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m.in the Steele Canyon HS Theatre.


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GUITAR CONCERT TO BENEFIT CASA DE ORO LIBRARY JUNE 4

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (Casa de Oro) - The Friends of the Casa de Oro Library will hold a benefit concert Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in a private home.

The featured entertainment will be Fred Benedetti (photo) and Robert Wetzel, an award-winning guitar duo. Light refreshments will be served.


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SAN YSIDRO HEALTH HOSTS RURAL HEALTH CELEBRATION LUNCHEON

Event benefits health services in rural East County and honors longtime volunteer and advocate

Source:  San Ysidro Health

May 15, 2023 (San Diego) - On April 18, 2023, 300 community leaders came together to join San Ysidro Health for its 2nd annual Rural Health Celebration Luncheon & Benefit to support the expansion of vital medical, dental and behavioral health services for all in rural East County. San Ysidro Health celebrated and recognized its last living Founding Mother, Mrs. Carmen Martinez, who will be turning 100 years old later this year. San Ysidro Health also recognized Arvilla Johnson, the unofficial Mayor of Campo, the 2023 Volunteer of the Year award for her lifelong commitment to supporting the rural community. Healthcare providers, Dr. Wylie and Nurse Practitioner, Carol Lieber, who provide care at various San Ysidro Health clinics in East County shared their experiences of providing care and challenges faced when working with their patients who live throughout rural East County. The event also honored the passing of well-known community champion and member of the San Ysidro Health External Affairs team, R. Daniel Hernandez.


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USDA OFFERS RURAL DISASTER HOME REPAIR GRANTS FOR DAMAGES FROM JANUARY STORMS

House with tree on it stock photo

 

May 15, 2023 (San Diego) -- Low-income rural homeowners who experienced damages from the winter storms may qualify for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant.

If eligible, rural homeowners could be awarded a grant up to $40,675 to be used for home repairs due to storm damage that occurred between Dec. 27, 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023. Nationwide, $55.7 million of Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant money is available until the funds run out. Homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible since these funds are expected to run out quickly.

To apply, homeowners must first check the Property Eligibility Map to see if their address is located in an eligible area. Click “accept” below the property eligibility disclaimer to proceed.


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SAPS AT SEA PRESENT STAN & OLLIE IN COP TROUBLES JUNE 17

East County News Service

May 11, 2023 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, present their June meeting "Stan & Ollie in Cop Troubles" on June 17 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.  


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JAMUL TO HELP RENOVATE TECATE LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD

May 13 fundraiser will feature a binational little league game, skills training, DJ, dinner and more at Jamul Little League fields

East County News Service

May 9, 2023 (Jamul) - Not long ago, Jamul Little League was losing players in part because of its deteriorating facilities. The community – led by the Jamul Dulzura School District, Jamul Little League, and local businesses – rallied. Funds were raised and all 6 fields were recently renovated ahead of this season, where 150 little leaguers play ball. 


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BALD EAGLE TAKES FLIGHT AT LAKE MORENA

East County News Service

May 2, 2023 (Campo) - Scott Lagace snapped images of a Bald Eagle taking flight at Lake Morena in rural East County.

 

 

 


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WOMAN DIES IN RAMONA TRAILER FIRE

East County News Service

April 23, 2023 (Ramona)-- The Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit is investigating a deadly fire in the unincorporated area of Ramona.

It happened on Saturday, April 22 just after 1 p.m. in the 17000 block of Voorhes Lane. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department received calls about a travel trailer on fire. 

Deputies and firefighters from Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire arrived to find the trailer fully engulfed and soon after unfortunately found a deceased woman inside the trailer.


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VINTAGE ALPINE AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS BENEFITS CHILDREN

East County News Service

April 23, 2023 (Alpine) – You can taste up to 40 wines from 25 wineries, sip beers from a trio of local breweries, as well as savor foods from over 20 local restaurants at Vintage Alpine. The event will take place on May 7 from 1-4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms (15602 Olde Highway 80) in Flinn Springs, which is located between El Cajon and Alpine just off Interstate 8.


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END OF AN ERA: “BACKCOUNTRY WARRIOR” DONNA TISDALE RETIRES AFTER FINAL BATTLE

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2023 (Boulevard) – For more than two decades,  Donna Tisdale has been a champion for residents in San Diego’s backcountry, leading battles against massive energy projects and a dump. She started a nonprofit, Backcountry Against Dumps and chaired the Boulevard Planning Group every year since joining it in 1991. She’s filed countless lawsuits against a seemingly endless array of Goliath-scale projects and organized community opposition after San Diego’s East County was declared an energy corridor by the federal government.


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POTRERO MAN KILED IN HEAD-ON CRASH ON BUCKMAN SPRINGS ROAD

East County News Service
 
April 21, 2023 (Potrero) – A 62-year-old Potrero man died of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Buckman Springs Road north of Coral Canyon Trail in Pine Valley.
 
The victim was driving a Toyota pickup southbound on Buckman Springs Road with his wife in the passenger seat the afternoon of April 7 when another Toyota pickup lost control and crossed the center line, causing a head-on collision.

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CAL FIRE LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE BURN PERMIT APPLICATION, STREAMLINING PROCESS FOR RESIDENTS, LANDOWNERS AND PRESCRIBED FIRE PRACTITIONERS

Source: Cal Fire

April 19, 2023 (Sacramento) – CAL FIRE has launched a new Online Burn Permit application platform that offers the public a user-friendly way to request a burn permit. Burn permits that are available on this platform include the following:


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ASSEMBLYMEMBER WEBER TO SPEAK AT SPRING VALLEY DAY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION APRIL 29

Family friendly event brings together residents, businesses, and local services

 

East County News Service

 

April 17, 2023 (Spring Valley) — You’re invited to join a community celebration at Spring Valley Day in front of Bancroft Elementary School on April 29 from 10a.m. to 3 p.m.  Spring Valley Day is a free, street-fair style event that will feature merchants, arts and crafts, food, live entertainment, Cars and Community car show, free pony rides, free kids’ zone, first responder displays, and multiple San Diego County services.

 


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HORSE RESCUED AFTER 100-FOOT FALL IN JAMUL

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of San Diego Humane Society

April 17, 2023 Jamul)-- An 8 year-old horse named Dobby is safe this afternoon, after falling 100 ft off a trail in Jamul Sunday. San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) was called to assist Cal Fire and the San Diego County Department of Animal Services (DAS) near Honey Springs Ranch Truck trail yesterday afternoon.

“Eight members of our ERT hiked 4-5 miles down to reach the horse, who was standing on an incline,” says Nina Thompson,  San Diego Humane Society’s Director of Public Relations. “They got him across a stream, to get him on flat ground. At approximately 1 a.m., they returned a second time to provide food, water and a blanket, to keep him as comfortable as possible overnight.”


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BASKETBALL STAR ARRESTED FOR FIRING AT CAR IN JAMUL AFTER ARGUMENT

Update April 15, 2023:  The suspect, Mikey WIlliams, has been described as one of the nation's top prep high school players, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Williams "maintains his innocence," according to his attorney.

East County News Service

Photo: Fox Life Visuals, CC-SA-4.0 via Wikipedia

April 14, 2023 (Jamul)--Deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting in Jamul on Monday, March 27 at a house in the 2600 block of Bratton Valley Road just before midnight. According to Lieutenant Jeff Ford, there was a verbal argument over guests being asked to leave the home.

“Five people got into a car and as they were driving away, shots were fired. The car was hit, but no one was hurt,” Lt. Ford says, adding that three of the passengers in the vehicle were minors.


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JAMUL INDIAN VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT CORP. COMPLETES $515 MILLION DEAL TO FUND HOTEL CONSTRUCTION AND REFINANCE EXISTING DEBT

East County News Service

April 14, 2023 (Jamul) -- The Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC), owner and operator of Jamul Casino® and a wholly-owned enterprise of the Jamul Indian Village of California,announce that on March 29, they closed on $515 million of Senior Secured Credit Facilities with a syndicate of commercial banks led by KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.  The other lenders included Western Alliance Bank, Nevada State Bank, U.S. Bank, PNC Bank, CIT Bank, and Columbia State Bank. 

Proceeds from the Credit Facilities will be used to refinance existing debt, fund hotel construction, and pay transaction-related fees and expenses.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: PUBLIC CRIES FOUL OVER DENIAL OF RIGHTS TO ENJOY NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE FACILITY

By Carolyn McGavock

April 11, 2023 (Alpine) -- The closure of the Loveland Fishing Access in Alpine has the public at odds with the Sweetwater Authority. Recently, SWA drained Loveland Reservoir to deadpool, killing the fish population and the fishing program which was established jointly with the national forest service. Hiking and bird watching along the shoreline are also enjoyed there. When the reservoir was empty, Sweetwater claimed the resulting erosion had created a hazard. Since then, rain has refilled the reservoir and covered the erosion leaving the public area as safe for hiking and bird watching as it had been during the 25-year history of the recreational program. However, SWA’s public relations officer, Gwyneth Shoecraft, recently reported, “At this point we do not know the timeframe for restoring access.”

Some advocates suspect that the lake is closed to hide the fact that the fish population was killed and the publicly purchased fishing pier is in pieces. Advocates fear that SWA plans to exclude them permanently and are appealing to public officials in the forest service for representation.


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IN HEATED ALPINE MEETING, SWEETWATER OFFICIALS PLEDGE TO RESTORE SOME DAMAGE, REOPEN LOVELAND RESERVOIR—BUT WON’T RULE OUT FUTURE EXTREME DRAINING

Restocking with fish could take up to two years;  severe erosion on trails means a bridge may need to be built, district reveals

By Miriam Raftery

View video of hearing:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQW0avdKyE8&t=2165s

April 9, 2023 (Alpine) – A crowd of more than 100 angry residents turned out at the Alpine Community Planning Group hearing on March 23, where Sweetwater Water Authority officials addressed concerns over damage at Loveland Reservoir after SWA drained it to dead pool status. Audience members and planning group members peppered SWA officials with questions in the at times contentious session.


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JAMUL-DULZURA PLANNERS ASK COUNTY STAFF TO TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OVER CASINO HOTEL PROJECT

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2023 (Jamul) – By a unanimous vote, the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group on March 28 approved a letter sent to Mark Slovick, deputy director of San Diego County’s Planning & Development Services.  The letter asks County staff to take action on several concerns to mitigate impacts of  Jamul Casino’s plans to build a hotel and event center.

The planners voice concerns that the tribe’s plans do not adequately address potential traffic, fire safety, environmental and noise concerns.

The recommendations include:


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AG PASS OFFERS HELP DURING DISASTER: COUNTY EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Ramona grasslands

April 5, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - Disasters and wildfires threaten lives and businesses in San Diego County each year.  Often, people are forced to gather up their most important possessions and evacuate to safety.  But commercial livestock operations may be too large to evacuate all their animals immediately and need to return as quickly as possible to care for animals. Farmers also must abandon their operation, leaving crops and critical infrastructure unattended for extended periods.  Now, operators can apply for an Agricultural and Livestock Pass (Ag Pass) program to return to an evacuated area to help when the threat diminishes.


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VIDEO OF THE WEEK: MOUNTAIN LION VS. DEER

 

View video ful frame:  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rLMqpVuZGbo

April 5, 2023 (Alpine) -- Buddy Wilkerson shot this video of a deer in a life-or-death struggle with a mountain lion. It was taken earlier this month along Tavern Road in Alpine, near Dehesa Road in San Diego's East County.

It's rare to spot a mountain lion in broad daylight, let alone hunting along a well-traveled thoroughfare.


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BOULEVARD HEARING APRIL 12 ON PROPOSED 565-ACRE STARLIGHT SOLAR PROJECT

East County News Service

April 1, 2023 (Boulevard) – The Boulevard Community Planning Group will hold a public scoping hearing Wednesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. on the proposed 565-acre Starlight Solar project. County staff will present information and public comments will be accepted at the hearing at the Backcountry Resource Center,39919 Ribbonwood Rd., Boulevard (in the old fire station equipment bay).

It would be located south of I-8 and Old Highway 80 and east of Tierra Del Sol Road.  The project has proposed eight solar array areas with approximately 300,000 PV modules on support structures. It would connect to the Boulevard Substation.

The proposed 100 megawatt industrial-scale solar facility would include a battery energy storage system (BESS), collector substation, transformers, inverters, gen-tie line, and 24’ internal roads, water tanks for fire protection, security fencing, lighting, and signage.


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