Source:A Positive Choice

May 21, 2023 (San Diego) -- A Positive Choice Resource & Referral Services LLC is hosting a Walking in Confidence Shoe and Sock Drive in collaboration with Serene Health, We Support U and Monarch School to donate as many shoes and socks in all sizes to the homeless community. New shoes and socks will be accepted until June 22 at the drop off locations around San Diego County, including A Positive Choice’s office at 7614 Lemon Avenue Lemon Grove, CA 91945.

Jeannine Nash,  Director of Referrals for A Positive Choice,  says, “There are many individuals who are homeless and shoeless. These individuals suffer from a lack of confidence. Shoes will assist in providing individuals with the protection they need from the environment, the shoes will give them a sense of pride and dignity.”

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.

East County News Service

May 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified the victim in a fatal crash that occurred May 2 on Interstate 8 near Lake Jennings Park Road in Flinn Springs.

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2023 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above normal through early next week, with a chance of thunderstorms this weekend.

Temperatures could reach 100 to 104 in the low deserts and 88 to 96 degrees in high desert areas.  There is a moderate risk for heat-related illnesses for pets, livestock, and those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration in the desert areas.

Source: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Photos:Ken Bohr, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

May 20, 2023 (Escondido) — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has welcomed a new lion to the pride: Bo, a 7-year-old male African lion. On May 17, Bo curiously explored his new home at the Lion Camp habitat, showing confidence as he became comfortable in his new surroundings. Bo will eventually lead his own pride when he is introduced to the three female lions who reside at Lion Camp—Malika, Zuri and Amira.

Bo moved to the Safari Park from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, following a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African lions, which is designed to help maintain a healthy, genetically diverse assurance population of this species.

East County News Service

May 18, 2023 (Santee) -- The Santee United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Pride Walk on June 10 supporting the LGBTQ+ community, diversity and inclusion in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Lilian Serrano, Director, Southern Border Communities Coalition

May 18, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) —the U.S. Immigration Policy Center (USIPC) at the University of California, San Diego, issued a blistering report accusing Border Patrol of endangering migrants’ lives by depriving them of food, water, shelter, medical care and other necessities. The damning report is titled Lives in Danger:  Seeking Asylum Against the Backdrop of Increased Border Enforcement. It was published on May 16, two days after ECM broke the story of some 1,000 to 2,000 migrants in Jacumba Hot Springs who were aided by residents after Border Patrol failed to provide food or shelter.

In addition, the nonprofit humanitarian group Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) has filed a federal complaint with Homeland Security’s Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, alleging mistreatment of the Jacumba asylum-seekers and violations of both U.S. and international law.

Lilian Serrano, director of SBCC, told ECM in an interview for KNSJ radio that volunteers withessed ”families, children, elders waiting outdoors for days without access to food or water.”  Regarding filing the complaint, she said, ”Our hope is that we can find out why were there outdoor detention facilities in our area, what was the reasoning behind that, and why were agents in full, clear violation of their policy – but more importantly, what can we do to prevent this from every happening again? Because regardless of your situation, whether you are coming in for asylum or not, basic standards need to be met. We cannot allow another child to go hungry in front of a federal agent.”

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.

Parkway Plaza continues to be a community staple for shopping and retail in El Cajon

East County News Service

May 16, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Parkway Plaza, El Cajon’s regional shopping mall, announces the addition of ALDI to their store directory. The new grocery option is 23,693 square feet, located near Home Goods and Best Buy. The enclosed shopping center currently houses over 130 retailers featuring a balanced mix of popular retailers like H&M and ULTA, as well as specialty shops and local businesses. 

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (Santee) – Patricia Louise Adamson, 63,  died May 3 at the Las Colinas Detention Facility.  Homeless in San Diego, she was arrested Feb. 13 by San Diego Police Department on a vandalism charge.

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.

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) - San Pasqual Winery recently received a total of seven awards at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and 2023 Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition.  

San Pasqual Winery received the following awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Gold for their 2022 Riesling (San Diego County), Silver for their 2022 Albariño (San Diego County), and Silver for their 2018 Right Bank Blend (San Diego County). 

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, started in 1983 as the Cloverdale Citrus Wine Competition, is the largest and most well known in North America. This year, there were over sixty judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries. 

San Pasqual Winery received four Silver awards at this year’s Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition, including: the 2022 Albariño (San Diego County), 2018 Right Bank Blend (San Diego County), 2018 Left Bank Blend (San Diego County) and 2016 Teroldego (Clarksburg).  

“We’re especially proud of our 2022 Riesling for receiving a Gold this year!” says winemaker, Linda McWilliams. “We have recently shipped a supply of Riesling to Germany for our wine & river cruise that we are hosting so that our participants can taste the differences and similarities between our Riesling and the ones they’ll discover there!”

East County News Service

May 15, 2023 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual popular “foodie” event is set for Monday, June 26 from 4:30 to  p.m. at the newly renovated Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley. The popularity and crowd of this annual event has outgrown the La Mesa Community Center, where it was held for the first 10 years.

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.

Lemon Grove Lions Club celebrates eighth anniversary with night under the stars at their Salsa y Salsa Fiesta

May 15, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Lions Club is pleased to announce its upcoming Salsa y Salsa Fiesta, which will take place on Saturday, June 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 3205 Olive Street in Lemon Grove. The event will celebrate the Lions Club's 8th anniversary and raise funds for local service projects. Tickets are available for $35, and attendees can expect an evening of fun and entertainment, including a no host bar, raffles, silent auction, salsa contest, DJ, and a performance by the Fabulous Five Dancers-SD Forever Lions Club. The event will be catered by Big Boz Taco Cart, ensuring that attendees will enjoy delicious food throughout the evening.