Dozens displaced Jan. 22 at Rolando apartment complex that has flooded in the past

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2024 (San Diego) – When a flood control channel next to Donna Ferguson’s townhome on Bonillo Drive in San Diego’s Rolando community,  water  surged through the ground floor, sweeping away everything in its path including furniture, appliances and clothes, also destroying the electric scooter chair that she relies on for mobility. 

East County News Service

February 16, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego Police Department is asking for public help to identify a man who watched women shower through a backyard window in a College area neighborhood in December. The same man was also seen looking through a neighbor’s window the previous night.

A Ring doorbell image taken on Dec. 28 at 1:53.a.m in the 5700 block of Dorothy Drive shows the suspect.  He is described as 30 to 40 years old, with a shaved head and beard. He has a muscular build, with a tattoo on his left forearm and appeared to be wearing stud earrings. He may have been barefoot and appeared to be holding his shoes.

Book by Jennifer Silva Redmond

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

February 15, 2024 (San Diego) -- In 1989-90, Jennifer and Russel Redmond set off from San Diego for Baja California on their 26-foot sloop, Watchfire, shortly after they married. After traveling through the Panama Canal, they sailed all the way to Canada, before turning around to end their honeymoon in New York City. The trip was intended to be an extended honeymoon, a chance to properly get to know each other and settle into married life, but over the months and then years, it became a way of life. However, they did eventually upgrade to the 35-foot Watchfire 2. 

Honeymoon at Sea is written as a travel log much of the time, with the author sharing her thoughts and feelings about the sights and people. Redmond also chronicles details of life at sea, ranging from deep sea diving to catch their next meal, to fixing a blocked toilet, to swimming to get away from sharks.

By Jane Muschenetz

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

February 14, 2024 (San Diego) -- Written with humor as well as heart ache, Jane Muschenetz touches on her raw feelings of becoming a refugee. At the age of 10, during the pandemic and the Russian invasion of her home country, Ukraine, she was transplanted to San Diego. 

Muschenetz reflects on themes that connect to identity. She then shares her growth as she acclimated to her new country, went to MIT, married, and became a mother. 

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 13, 2024 (San Diego) -  San Diego State overcame a 14-point halftime deficit with a dominant second half to beat Colorado State, 71-55, on Tuesday night. It matches the Aztecs' largest deficit overcome in a victory this season.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left to right: Jodi Cleesattle (seat 41), Koryn Sheppard (seat 43), Brian Erickson (seat 41) and Valerie Summer (seat 43).

February 12, 2024 (San Diego) – Two contested judicial seats are on the ballot in the March 5 primary election, with two contenders for each seat.  Seat 41 pits senior assistant attorney general Jodi Cleesattle against deputy district attorney Brian Erickson.  For Seat 43,   family law specialist and law professor Koryn Sheppard is running against prosecutor Valerie Summers.

Judicial candidates aren’t allowed to answer questions about their views on issues, per judicial ethics. However, their experience,  achievements and endorsements can provide voters with guidance.  Below are details on each contender.

East County News Service

February 12, 2024 (Santee) – The San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) has announced that a limited number of appointments are now available for couples to obtain a marriage license and get married in a wedding ceremony on Valentine’s Day, Wed., Feb. 14, at one of five ARCC offices in San Diego County, including the Santee branch office at 10144 Mission Gorge Ave.

By Miriam Raftery 

February 12, 2024 (El Cajon) – A driver and two passengers sustained major injuries when a 2011 Buick Enclave SUV crashed into a home at 9060 Winter Gardens Blvd. in El Cajon shortly after 3 a.m.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Photo: Examples of some recalled products.

Español (Spanish)

February 12, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert warning consumers about a deadly Listeria outbreak tied to queso fresco and cotija cheese products. The outbreak has resulted in 26 illnesses in 11 states, including 8 cases in California, 23 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths.

The cheeses, which have been recalled, include numerous product names and brands. The products include solid and grated cheeses,mealkits,salad dressing, dips, yogurts, saladkits, enchiladas, taco kits, and many more. View a full list of the recalled cheese products:  alert.

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2024 (San Diego) – More than 1,200 San Diegans remain displaced from homes damaged in the Jan. 22 flood, including Beba Zarate, a teacher, and her two sons. The Zarate family helped get neighbors to safety amid rising floodwaters when emergency agencies were overwhelmed. But they had no flood insurance at the time, and lost nearly everything. They have put up a GoFundMe page, but so far only a few hundred dollars has been raised.

“We are hardly getting any help from the county or from the city,” say Zarate, whose home on Osborn Street in San Diego’s Shelltown neighborhood had water four feet deep rush in when a nearby creek flooded. “The only help was cleaning stuff, cleaning the street.  They removed all the trash and furniture.”

Nonprofits provided basic essentials such as clothes, shoes and cleaning supplies. But so far, neither FEMA nor state or local governments have stepped up with the major financial resources needed to help the family rebuild their home and lives.

Their one-story home needs major repairs and nearly all of the family’s belongings need to be replaced, including Zarate’s computer and teaching materials, kitchen appliances, furnishings and more. They also lost items of sentimental value, including family photos damaged by floodwaters that reached four feet deep.