By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 28, 2019 (San Diego) - It still has not been detected here, but San Diego County officials are urging backyard bird owners to watch for virulent Newcastle disease, a highly contagious, agriculturally dangerous, bird-killing virus, after the state expanded its quarantine in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

February 28, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Hueso, City Attorney Pushing Law to Make Enforcement of Public Records Act Far More Difficult (Voice of San Diego)
• SDCFA Puts Backcountry In Danger, San Diego LAFCO Knows About It Too. (Julian Times)
• Lemon Grove looking at allowing short-term rentals to make money (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• `A new day at SANDAG,’ as agency admits it must cut promised projects (Voice of San Diego)
• La Mesa amends its laws about moving parked cars (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• George Bailey, East County icon, turns 100 (San Diego-Union Tribune)
• Major Shake-Up at San Diego’s Water Department (NBC 7)
• Tribe dips toes into pot trade with dispensary at former Santa Ysabel casino (San Diego Union Tribune)

STATE

• Governor Newsom declares state of emergency from winter storms (Patch.com)
• California lawmaker makes aggressive push against local development restrictions (Los Angeles Times)
• It’s Been Snowing in the Desert and People Are Losing Their Minds (Sunset)
• Saying no to the nurses: California Democrats aren’t pushing government-run health care this year (Sacramento Bee)
• Russian River reaches flood stage — evacuations ordered (San Francisco Chronicle)
• California Almond Growers Feel the Sting After Bee Thieves Abscond With Hives (Fortune)

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

By Maryanne Jackson Real Estate Broker CNE, CPRES.

February 28, 2019 (San Diego’s East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My husband and I purchased a home last year in East County. My husband is currently Active Duty Military and we used his VA benefits to purchase the home. We have a large area in our fenced in rear yard that has been perfect for growing vegetables.

I have an honorable discharge from the military due to an injury, because of this injury I am subject to constant pain. I have been managing the inflammation and pain flare ups with my medical marijuana license that enables me to purchase the amount of vapor inserts that I need. The cost has become staggering to buy the medical marijuana that I need as it is not covered under my TRI CARE health insurance.

Last spring, I decided to take matters into my own hands and planted several marijuana plants. I have a green thumb to say the least. The plants are getting huge and I am planning on using the dried leaves to offset my cost. Upon my husband’s last visit home from sea he was mowing the grass and noticed the plants. He is concerned that he could get arrested or kicked out of the military for the plants growing on our private property.

Do you know where we stand on this? After all, marijuana has been legalized now in California and I do have a medical marijuana license.

A.J. Lakeside, CA.

Sophia Ramos paced the Aztecs with 15 points

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photos by Don De Mars

February 28, 2019 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (10-15, 5-10) suffered a 65-52 defeat to Utah State (13-14, 8-8) Wednesday evening inside Viejas Arena. The Aztecs, who fell behind by 16 points early in the second quarter, were able to pull within one point late in the third, but then saw Utah State finish the game on a 15-3 run.

You can provide your input on the Foundation’s survey on El Cajon Recreational Access Plan at www.sandiegoriver.org/survey.html (available in English, Spanish and Arabic)

By Jonathan Goetz

February 27, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego River Park Foundation held an open house yesterday on proposed parks along Forester Creek and other locations in EL Cajon. The event at the Ronald Reagan Community Center drew nearly 200 people, with multiple stations staffed by the Foundation's volunteers, staff and California Polytechnic State University graduate consultants.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 26, 2019 (Logan, Utah) - Quinn Taylor recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds to lift Utah State to a 70-54 win over San Diego State on Tuesday night.

Sam Merrill had 19 points for Utah State (23-6, 13-3 Mountain West Conference), which earned its fifth consecutive victory. Diogo Brito added 12 points. Justin Bean had 10 points and eight rebounds for the hosts.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

February 26, 2019 (Washington D.C.) -- FEMA Administrator Brock Long announced that the federal cost-share for three major disaster declarations caused by wildfires in 2018 has increased from 75 to 90 percent, including major fire in California.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM  news partner 10 News

February 26, 2019 (Lakeside) – A 1995 red Ford Mustang traveling at a high rate of speed struck a raised curb and rolled over, catching fire around 2:47 a.m.  The occupants of the vehicle had fled the scene by the time emergency responders arrived and it’s unknown who was driving the vehicle.

East County News Service

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

February 25, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A man who fell through ice on Big Laguna Lake while attempting to snow ski on the frozen water yesterday was rescued by a Sheriff’s helicopter.