Governor Newsom signs Senator Weber Pierson’s first-in-the-nation reparative justice bill

La Mesa aims to have new city hall by 2029, but library expansion remains stalled

Dia De Los Muertos Open House at Horses of Tir Na Nog

Gov. Newsom signs bills to stop the 'Puppy Mill Pipeline' in California

Governor Newsom signs groundbreaking bills expanding access to veterinary care in California

Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Oct. 13

The art and spirit of Borrego Springs in downtown San Diego

California State Parks photo contest deadline extended through Oct. 23

Linchpin encourages people to find their value in the workplace

GUHSD agenda tonight includes restricting protests outside school board meetings, allowing prayers and other controversial measures

Evacuations lifted in Rancho Fire

San Diego Humane Society urging adoptions during overcrowding crisis

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.  

CALIFORNIA TRIBAL BUSINESS ALLIANCE ADVOCATES FOR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

East County News Service

May 10, 2023 (Sacramento) - The California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA) joined other tribal leaders at the California State Assembly to support the first annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Week from May 1 to May 5.

GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA MUSIC ALLIANCE HOSTS STUDENT BENEFIT CONCERT MAY 25

East County News Service

May 10, 2023 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to an evening of musical celebration to bridge the gap between student success and equity, raising funds for students studying musical arts.  Nationally renowned musical artists will join students from Grossmont and Cuyamaca Community colleges and other local musicians at this inaugural event on Thursday, May 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center at Cuyamaca College.

VIOLENT CRIME RATE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY RISES 2% TO HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 2012

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego(link is external), a member of the San Diego Online News Association

May 10, 2023 (San Diego) - Violent crimes in San Diego County rose by2% in the first half of 2022 to the highest level in 10 years, but property crime continued to trend down, SANDAG reported on Thursday.

2023 WILDFIRE SAFETY FAIRS HELPING COMMUNITIES PREPARE AHEAD OF PEAK WILDFIRE SEASON

Source:  SDG&E

May 9, 2023 (San Diego) - SDG&E is inviting community members to attend this year’s in-person Wildfire Safety Fairs, organized by SDG&E for the fifth year in a row.  There are five fairs scheduled in late May,  June, and August.
 
Attendees will gather information about Public Safety Power Shutoffs, emergency preparedness, and learn what SDG&E is doing to help keep the region safe as we enter peak wildfire season.

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. 

WARNER SPRINGS WINE & ART TRAIL MAY 20-21

By Miriam Raftery

\May 9, 2023 (Warner Springs) -- You’re invited to enjoy a self-guided driving tour through San Diego’s beautiful backcountry, savoring vintages from award-winning local wineries and discovering unique works by talented artists and artisans. The festivities include live art demos, fine arts and crafts, wine tasting, craft beer, picnicking, hiking and live music.

READER'S EDITORIALS: COMMERCIAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: THE BATTLE AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

By Yusef Miller

May 7, 2023 (San Diego) - Sex Trafficking is an insidious crime, which is found throughout our county, consuming our women and girls mostly, but men and boys are also vulnerable. Sex trafficking, a form of sexual exploitation that uses force, fraud or coercion to trap a person into a seemingly endless state of abuse and terror.  It is not consensual, though it may appear to be on the surface; for survival sake.

ACCUSATIONS OF RETALIATION CONTINUE TO HAUNT THE CITY OF LEMON GROVE

By Jessyka Heredia

May 7, 2023 (Lemon Grove)- On Tuesday, the Lemon Grove City Council approved two different dispensaries Conditional Use Permits (CUP) while at the same time hearing a prior applicant speak during public comment saying that he has been retaliated against and falsely accused of bribery.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE

East County News Service

May 7, 2023 (El Cajon) - ‘Tis the merry month of May, and Shakespeare’s hilarious fairytale about the fickleness of love comes to life in the Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre just in time for spring. Spend the evening in an enchanted forest filled with fairies, a quartet of confused royals, and a troupe of actors desperately trying to put on a play for the king. 

2023 COUNTY WILDLAND EXERCISE PREPS FIREFIGHTERS FOR FORECASTED ONE OF WORST FIRE SEASONS ON RECORD

Story & photos by Josh Stotler

May 3, 2023 (San Diego) - As the State of California kicks off wildfire preparedness week, San Diego County firefighters are also gearing up for what is forecasted to be one of the worst fire seasons on record, a trend that fire authorities know all too well. The 2023 Multi-Agency Wildland Preparedness Exercise took place May 1st through 3rd. This extensive training event celebrated its 20th evolution this year and has provided thousands of firefighters and fire officers with crucial real-world training in wildland firefighting.

EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS LACROSSE: TWO HAT TRICKS FOR EAGLES IN END-OF-SEASON WIN

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
May 3, 2023 (El Cajon) - Last night, ECM Sports took in the boys on the lacrosse pitch, so tonight, we checked in on the ladies as we went to El Cajon to take in the lady Eagles as they hosted the lady Vaqueros from El Capitan in the last game of the regular season.  Both squads are having outstanding seasons; the Eagles are 12-4 overall with a 9-2 record in the Grossmont League.  The Vaqueros are an incredible 14-4 overall and 10-3 in league.

EAST COUNTY PREP LACROSSE: PACK WIN OT THRILLER

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
May 2, 2023 (Santee) - With spring sports winding down, ECM Sports finally caught a game tonight as Highlanders boys lacrosse traveled to Santee to take on the Wolf Pack of West Hills on the Pack’s Senior Night. The Wolf Pack are in good shape at an 11-7 record overall and 3-1 in league.  The Scottie dogs sport a 7-4 record overall, but are 0-1 in league play.

SPRING VALLEY DAY HAD AN IMPRESSIVE 1,500 ATTENDEES FOR ITS FIRST YEAR

By Jessyka Heredia

May 2, 2023 (Spring Valley) - On Saturday April 29th the Spring Valley Community Alliance (SVCA) put on its first annual Spring Valley Day with great attendance and lots of things to see and do once inside.

FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 1, 2023 (San Diego) - It’s not a matter of if, But when. Southern California already experiences about 30 earthquakes everyday. While most of them are too small to be felt, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates a serious chance of being struck with a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in the next couple of decades.

LA MESA CHAMBER HOSTS MIXER, RIBBON CUTTING AT CASA GABRIELA RESTAURANT MAY 17

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

April 30, 2023 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber invites you to join in welcoming Casa Gabriela to the business community at a fun-filled evening on Wednesday, May 17. 

SANTEE APPROVES HOTEL AT TROLLEY SQUARE, GRANTS DEVELOPER $2.5M IN SUBSIDIES

By Mike Allen

April 29, 2023 (Santee) - Santee’s City Council unanimously approved a four-story, 97-room hotel at the Trolley Square Shopping Center to be operated by either the Hilton or Marriott chains at its April 26 meeting.

DAYTIME RAMP CLOSURES PLANNED ON I-8 IN EAST COUNTY

Source:  Caltrans

April 27, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - Caltrans construction crews will close a series of off-ramps in East County, beginning Friday, April 28 through Thursday, May 3 for wrong-way driver pavement marking configuration, including recessed markers, according to Caltrans.

The following ramps will be impacted:

GI FILM FESTIVAL SAN DIEGO OPENS MAY 15 WITH TRIO OF LOCAL DOCUMENTARIES

East County News Service

April 26, 2023 (San Diego) -- The 2023 GI Film Festival San Diego opens Monday, May 15 starting at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park, and runs through Saturday, May 20. Opening Night will feature a trio of local films, as well as a reception where festival guests can socialize over small bites and refreshments. Tickets for Opening Night cost $25 for general admission and $20 for military, veterans or KPBS members. All tickets can be purchased online now at GIFilmFestivalSD.org.

HONKY TONK ANGELS: SASS, CLASS AND COUNTRY MUSIC DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR HEART

By Kathy Carpenter

April 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - Honky Tonk Angels delivers an electrifying dose of pure country energy with a powerhouse cast and a playlist of iconic hits that will have you singing along and cheering for these fierce, flawed and unforgettable women. Written by Ted Swindle, directed by Jonathan Sturch and with Jerrica Ignacio as music director, this musical revue is a must-see for fans of classic country music and the stories that come with it.

FOLLOWING UNPRECEDENTED WINTER RAINS, EL CAJON LAUNCHES POTHOLE CHALLENGE

East County News Service 

April 24, 2023 (El Cajon) - After record rainfalls across Southern California this winter, potholes are a massive issue for commuters everywhere. The City of El Cajon is taking on the issue of potholes head-on. Last week, the City challenged residents and businesses through a social media video to track down and report as many potholes as possible using the My El Cajon app. This week, the City is keeping up with its commitment to its residents by addressing every reported issue and filling hundreds of potholes across the city streets. 

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.

LA MESA VILLAGE ASSOCIATION HAS ANNOUNCED THEY ARE READY FOR THE PUBLIC TO PAINT TILES FOR THE NEW DOWNTOWN SIGN

 By Jessyka Heredia

April 19, 2023 (La Mesa) -- On Thursday afternoon, the La Mesa Village Association (LMVA) announced that it has reached full funding for the new La Mesa Downtown District sign and will enter the next phase of the project – tile painting. 

“We are truly grateful to the community for helping us raise the funds necessary for this project,” says Theresa Favro, LMVA President. “We know everyone is very excited to start painting their tiles and see them proudly displayed for years to come!” 

WILDFLOWERS- JEWELS OF THE BACKCOUNTRY: JULIAN WOMAN’S CLUB PRESENTS 97TH ANNUAL WILDFLOWER SHOW

By Patricia Haley

April 23, 2023 (Julian) -- The Julian Woman’s Club will present The 96th Annual Wildflower Show at the Clubhouse of the Julian Women’s Club (2607 C Street Julian) on Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6, from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. both days.

For two days, club members collect specimens from the over 850 plant species in the area surrounding Julian. The plant display ranges from desert cacti to high mountain dogwood gathered in a 15 mile radius from the historic old mining town of Julian. Permission to collect is obtained from private property owners.

Each year flowers vary depending on weather and rainfall. The display is always colorful and informative as plants are labeled and arranged by area of origin.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

April  23, 2023  (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

STATE

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

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

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