By Mike Allen

Photo, top left to lower right:  Carl DeMaio, Andrew Hayes, Kevin Juza, Jack Fernandes, Joy Frew, Christie Dougherty

February 10, 2024 (Santee) -- Politics makes strange bedfellows. This is certainly proving true in the 75th Assembly race, which has attracted a field of six candidates, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.  Incumbent Marie Waldron is termed out this year, making this an open seat.

In the last few weeks, television viewers have seen ads for the most recognizable and funded candidate, Republican Carl DeMaio, at his most combative, railing about the mess at the southwest border. It closes with pictures of him alongside one of Democrat Kevin Juza, who has the endorsement of the state’s Democratic party and big labor backing.

“I have no connection to (the ad) at all,” Juza said. “He’s chosen me to run against in the primary….As my grandmother always said, ‘Watch out what you wish for.’”

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 9, 2024 (Bonita) -- February is Valentine’s season and if you’re looking for true love, the San Diego County Department of Animal Services has lots of cuddly and cute contenders for your heart.

In the department’s “You Make My Heart Spin” campaign, you just let love take the wheel! Spin the department’s Wheel of Love to discover your adoption fee at the Bonita and Carlsbad shelters from now through Wednesday, Feb. 14. All adoptions are $20 or less.

East County News Service

February 9, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon aims to break the world record for the “Most Dogs to Attend a Film Screening.” A family-friendly screening of the movie “Beethoven” will take place at Wells Park, located at 1153 East Madison Avenue, on Saturday, February 24. Dog owners and their furry friends are invited to be part of this historic attempt .

To participate in this record-setting endeavor, dog owners are required to arrive for check-in at 1:00 PM, with the movie screening to commence shortly after. The current record stands at 219 dogs, and El Cajon is eager to surpass this number. This event is not only a chance to make history but also an opportunity for the community and their dogs to enjoy an afternoon full of entertainment and fun.

East County News Service

February 9, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) -- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan was honored at a ceremony Wednesday with the United States Attorney General's Award for Meritorious Public Service - the top public service award granted by the U.S. Department of Justice. It is designed to recognize the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations in support of justice.

East County News Service

Update February 9, 2024:  The Marine Corps has identified those who died in the helicopter crash as Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, Capt. Jack Casey, Sgt. Alec Langen, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, and Capt. Miguel Nava, all in their 20s, with the 3rdMarine Aircraft Wing.

February 8, 2024 (Pine Valley) – The U.S. Marine Corps has confirmed that all five Marines aboard yesterday’s crash of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter in Pine Valley during Tuesday night’s storm have died.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2024 (Oceanside) - A dozen constituents of Congressmember Mike Levin (CA-49) staged a sit-in at his Oceanside office this morning, demanding that he call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. military funding to Israel. The action comes three days after Levin voted for an additional $17.6 billion in military funding to Israel in a measure that ultimately failed to pass the house. 

By Miriam Raftery

Image: CC via Bing

February 8, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – AT&T has filed an application asking the California Public Utilities Commission to end AT&T’s obligation to serve as a carrier of last resort (COLR) and cease maintaining land line telephone service. A map indicates this would include the entire San Diego region. If the CPUC approves the request,  land line service could end as early as six months later.

There are no in-person hearings in San Diego County, but you can voice your opinion in a virtual hearing March 19 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. or post online comments here.  

"If approved by the CPUC, over 580,000 affected AT&T customers would be left with fewer options in terms of choice, quality, and affordability," warns the Rural County Representatives of California. "Alternative services, such as VoIP and wireless, have no obligation to serve a customer or to provide equivalent services to AT&T landline customers, including no obligation to provide reliable access to 911 or Lifeline program discounts."

The proposal has drawn strong opposition from rural residents in East County and elsewhere in California, as well as consumer advocates who warn that ending land lines would leave many in rural or remote locations with no reliable phone service at all, since Internet VOIP phone service is not widely available in many places and some areas also lack cell phone connectivity. Even for those with cell service, land lines have proven life-saving options when cell towers have burned down during wildfires in places such as rural Potrero.

Updated Feb. 24 with information on fundraising effort to help toddler critically injured in crash

By Miriam Raftery

February 8, 2024 (El Cajon) – A woman who died January 28 in a fiery El Cajon crash has been identified as Katalina “Katy” Frausto Aguilar, 43, of El Cajon. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help her widow and their children.

A separate GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to pay medical bills of Akeel, a 17-monthh-old toddler who suffered serious head and neck injuries in the crash. Akeel was asleep in his father's SUV parked at a stoplight when Aguilar lost control of her vehicle while driving the wrong direction on I-8. View article with latest updates on Akeel's condition.

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo: CC-By-SA via Bing

February 7, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) -- A standalone bill to provide $17.6 billion in emergency aid to Israel amid its fight with Hamas failed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with mixed support from the San Diego Delegation.

Democrats Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters opposed it, while Democrats Mike Levin and Juan Vargas joined Republic Darrell Issa in voting for it.

East County News Service

February 7, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Guess Who is at The Magnolia this Friday? The Guess Who! A few tickets to the 6:30 p.m. show are still available and start at $55.

The Guess Who is a legendary Canadian band that enjoyed chart-topping hits in the late '60s and early '70s with an impressive catalog of songs including “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” and “No Time.” During the course of its career, the band has released 11 studio albums and charted 14 Top 40 hit singles, 2 of which went to number one in the United States. The Guess Who is best known internationally for its 1970 album, American Woman, which hit number one in Canada and number nine in the United States, with five other albums also hitting the top ten in Canada.

Their fan base spans multiple generations. Very few bands have survived numerous member changes — let alone having smash hits with each lineup — but The Guess Who’s motto is “the music is the message.”