YMCA closes early due to rallies today, apologizes to teen; Santee School district pledges review of YMCA policies before approving future field trips for students
By Miriam Raftery
Photo by Shiloh Ireland
January 18, 2023 (Santee) The Santee YMCA branch announced it will close early today to protect staff members after an announced rally and counter-protest over a teen girl’s complaint of a transgender person she described as a “naked man.”
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department issued a statement indicated it is aware of the planned protest, adding, “We support the public's right to free speech and assembly. We encourage the peaceful gathering of people. We respect your right to be heard.”
The statement added, “The Sheriff's Department does not condone any acts of violence or intolerance in our communities. We are a county that is welcoming of people from all backgrounds. Our job is to enforce the law. As long as people express themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner, we do not have any lawful authority to intervene.”
January 18, 2023 (Alpine) – Roth Ward, a coach with the Mountain Empire U14 Patriots AYSO Soccer Team, has launched a GoFundMe account to send team members to a championship tournament.
January 17, 2023 (La Mesa) -- February 11 is the monthly meeting of the La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women. Precious Jackson-Hubbard (left) and Mimi Test (below right) will be the featured speakers focusing on MS. Jackson-Hubbard’s upbringing and career and MS. Tests history of Title IX through a coach’s eyes.
Audio:
American Association of University Women mtg announcement El Cajon/La Mesa
January 17, 2023 (Ramona) - County Animal Services officers rescued an 11-year-old dog from an oil-filled mechanic’s well inside a private garage in Ramona. The owner of the shop called the County Department of Animal Services the morning of Jan. 17 saying a dog was trapped.
Photo, left, by Alex Tardy, National Weather Service: car is swept away by floodwaters beneath overpass in Fashion Valley, where the river topped flood stage at 13 feet yesterday morning.
January 17, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Torrential rains that doused our region caused roadway flooding and rockslides, filled reservoirs, and resulted in multiple rescues. Here are photos, provided by our readers, social media users, and public agencies.
January 17, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Due to the winter storm, the Julian Union Elementary School District, Julian Union High School District, Mountain Empire Unified School District, Spencer Valley School District and Warner Unified School District will all be closed today, according to the San Diego County Office of Education.
January 16, 2023 (Lakeside) -- The muddy rodeo grounds as well as the pouring rain did not put a damper on the excitement of the almost two and a half hour annuaMiss Lakeside Pageant filled with excitement and talented Lakeside contestants, parents and local community leaders.
January 16. 2023 (Fort Collins, Colo.) - The San Diego State women’s basketball team (14-5, 4-2) fell at Colorado State (12-5, 5-1) 71-58 Monday evening.
January 14, 2023 (Santee) – A group called SanteeParents4Choice is planning a “rally for women’s and girls’ rights” at the Santee YMCA (10123 Riverwalk Drive, Santee) on January 18 at 6 p.m. Organizers have pledged to hold a non-violent rally to highlight parents' concerns over protecting privacy.
The action is in response to a teen girl who says she became frightened while showering at the YMCA, when she saw a naked trangender person in the women’s locker room. At last week’s Santee City Council meeting, a tearful Rebecca Phillips, 17, testified that two weeks earlier, “As I was showering after my workout, I saw a naked male in the women’s locker room. I immediately went back into the shower, terrified, and hid behind their flimsy excuse for a curtain until he was gone.”
January 16, 2023 (San Diego) -- Tomorrow is the 7th Annual National Day of Racial Healing, which is commemorated every year, always on the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation created the National Day of Racial Healing to promote the idea the journey to racial equity begins with taking steps toward racial healing.
January 16, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Flood watches and warnings are in effect across San Diego County this morning.
Multiple roadways across our region are flooded, with others blocked by mudslides, rocks and debris:
Wildcat Canyon Rd. in Lakeside is blocked by a mudslide/rockslide in the 3000 block. Avoid area.
Lower Honey Springs Rd. in Jamul is flooded at the dip. Do not attempt to cross.
Highway 94 from 188 to Barrett lake road was closed due to a large bolder blocking both lanes. It's now reopened at 188, with opening at Barrett and near Otay Lakes pending.
A boulder and debris are blocking Fuerte Drive at Lemon Ave. on Mt. Helix.
Rock slides are blocking State Route 78 at Wynola Rd. near Julian.
Boulders are across the roadway at State Route 78 and Chihuhua Rd. near Warner Springs.
A wind advisory has been issued on I-8 east of Tavern Rd. in Alpine to the Imperial County line.
The National Weather Service warns to avoid the San Diego River area through Mission Valley and Fashion Valley, which surpassed flood stage this morning as 12.8 feet and is forecast to reach 13.2 feet this afternoon. Roads to avoid include Fashion Valley Rd., Avenida Del Rio, Camio Del Este, Camino Del La Reina and Mission Center Rd. Fashion Valley transit center is closed.
A swiftwater rescue was conducted this morning along Otay Lakes Rd. due to flooding.
January 15, 2023 (El Cajon) - “Now I Know my ABCs.” So sang the five Afghani women in a recent English as a Second Language class in El Cajon at the Regional Center on East Main Street. On this, day the men from Afghanistan were absent, as often happens, since some have one or more jobs. Only two of the students in the class were from Mexico, a reflection of changing demographics.
January 14, 2023 (Casa De Oro) - Fundraising is a constant for artistic endeavors. In order to survive and bring more wholesome creative opportunities in a family oriented and safe environment, last week, Young Actors Theatre in Casa De Oro brought us Nunsense, a unique way to raise money and awareness of YAT. Variety shows don't come around too often these days, but are always fun; Nunsense showcased the many talents of six women. The show had everything you could ask for in a variety show--a fun-filled experience.
January 14, 2023 (Lakeside) – The Preteen Junior Miss Lakeside Scholarship Pageant will be held tonight at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds at 5 p.m., with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. Tomorrow, the Miss Lakeside and Teen Lakeside pageants will be held at the same venue.
The Lakeside Rodeo Grounds hall is located at 12584 Mapleview Street in Lakeside.
The Miss Lakeside Program is a part of the San Diego 678 Pageant System which includes the two sister pageants Miss Ramona and Miss Julian.
January 13, 2023 (San Diego) –Honda has expanded an earlier recall of its 2019, 2020 and 2021 Talon 1000 recreational off-highway vehicles. Honda recalled about 32,000 of the two-seater vehicles in March 2022; the new recall adds 2,000 side-by-side Talons to the recall.
By Cassie Klapp, County of San Diego Communications Office
January 12, 2023 (San Diego) - As Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, thefts continue to happen both locally and throughout the state, people are encouraged to take easy steps to protect their benefits. EBT cards provide monthly funds from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service for people to buy food.
Photo: Daniel Scott Jordan. Courtesy Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
January 12, 2023 (Mt. Helix) – A man who fled the state after his husband was found murdered at their Mt. Helix home was found in Nevada and this week pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
January 12, 2023 (San Diego) – U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has announced a new phone app called CBP One that migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border can use to schedule an appointment. Asylum-seekers currently in central or northern Mexico must enter a photo and biographical details to request an appointment at one of eight ports of entry in California, Arizona and Texas.
Biden opposes phase-out of gas stoves, but many cities are adopting bans
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Gas stove, cc by SA-NC via Bing
January 12, 2023 (San Diego) – Debate over banning gas stoves is heating up.
Dozens of cities have banned some or all natural gas appliances in new construction, including the cities San Francisco, Seattle, New York, San Diego and Los Angeles. Conversely, at least 20 states have passed laws prohibiting cities from banning natural gas, CNN reports.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
January 12, 2023 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to select Supervisor Nora Vargas as the new Chair of the Board for 2023.
January 12, 2023 (San Diego - Local artist Redin Winter will be a featured artist at The Studio Door gallery located in Hillcrest from January 16- 28. There is a special reception at The Studio Door on Saturday, January 21st from 6 to 9 p.m. The reception is open to the public. The Studio Door gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 12 to 7 p.m.
Winter creates inner landscapes that connect our inner worlds with our outer worlds. The paintings capture an essence, a deeper emotional connection i nspired by natural elements through a lens of abstration. A layering process of marks, c olor, brushstrokes, drips and textures infuse depth into the work, leaving specific locations or places absent. Rdein's works entire the viewer with a sense of the famiiar, a touchstone to delve further into the depths of meditation, contemplation, memories and dreams.
By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office
Photo: rendering of Campo Road with proposed changes in place
January 12, 2023 (Campo) - The County Board of Supervisors approved a plan today that will revitalize the main commercial strip and adjacent residential area along Campo Road in Casa de Oro.
January 12, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – The victim who was fatally stabbed in Lemon Grove on January 10 has been identified as Vinson Austin, 49, of El Cajon.
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Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils his budget proposal for the 2023-24 fiscal year during a press briefing at the California Natural Resources Agency in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters
January 12, 2023 (Sacramento) - California will delay some spending commitments, reverse recent steps to shore up its fiscal health and shift funding sources to limit the cuts it must make to close a projected $22.5 billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom said today.
Photos by Mysteri LeMay, courtesy of San Diego River Park Foundation
January 11, 2023 (Descanso) – To save a wildlife corridor and scenic vista from proposed housing construction, the San Diego River Park Foundation announced on December 30 that it has acquired the 80-acre Lillian Hill property. The site is located between Descanso and Pine Hills near Three Sisters Falls. It includes the only section of Sheep Camp Creek that until now was on private land. The site has sweeping 360-degree views overlooking Boulder Creek, headwaters of the San Diego River, as well as Eagle Peak and other scenic vistas.
January 11, 2023 (Alpine) – Multiple injuries occurred in a two-vehicle crash in Alpine last night around 6:30 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports.
January 11, 2023 (Oakland) - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced California has signed onto a $5 billion multistate settlement agreement with CVS to resolve allegations that the company helped fuel the opioid crisis by failing to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at its pharmacies. The settlement is expected to provide up to $469.8 million in funding to California, the vast majority of which will be used to combat the opioid crisis. Today's approval comes on the heels of similar announcements involving Walmartand Walgreens in recent weeks.
January 11, 2023 (San Diego) - Thousands of flights throughout the United States were canceled and delayed Wednesday morning because of the failure of a Federal Aviation Administration computer system.
January 11, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – A man has died of stab wounds received during a fight in Lemon Grove last night.
Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly before 10 p.m. to a report of people fighting in the 7700 block of North Avenue. Arriving on scene, deputies detained several individuals and found a man around 45 to 50 years old with an apparent stab wound in his lower torso.
January 10, 2023 (San Diego) - Matt Bradley had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Lamont Butler added 15 points for No. 23 San Diego State, which beat Nevada 74-65 Tuesday night to take sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Conference.
By Miriam Raftery
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-send-these-kids-to-the-championship?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=poster&utm_term=undefined
East County News Service
By 
East County News Service
By Shiloh Ireland
Abby Prohaska led SDSU with 21 points
By Susan Taylor
By Kathy Carpenter
By Miriam Raftery
By 
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Biden opposes phase-out of gas stoves, but many cities are adopting bans 
By 
By 
East County News Service
By Alexei Koseff, CalMatters
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Source: Office of the Attorney General
By Chris Jennewein, 
By Miriam Raftery
Source: goaztecs.com
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