October 9, 2022 (Mesa Grande Reservation, Calif.) – In the middle of the night last week, someone dumped off over a hundred pet pigs on the Mesa Grande tribal reservation near Santa Ysabel. Several have been struck by vehicles, leading animal rescue groups and residents to try and aid the animals.
October 9, 2022 (El Cajon) – On October 2nd, another peaceful protest was held next to a sex offender’s home at 9107 Sesi Lane, where sex offenders have been placed. At this time, the six offenders housed have been reduced to four, as two moved to another part of East County.
By Miriam Raftery, based on interview by Henri Migala
October 6, 2022 (La Mesa) – In an interview with East County Magazine’s Henri Migala originally aired on KNSJ radio, La Mesa City Council candidate Mejgan Afshan shared her experience as a civil rights leader and her goals to build a more equitable La Mesa if elected. She is one of four candidates running (a fifth, Kathleen Brand, has dropped out); ECM will be publishing interviews with all of the candidates over the next several days.
October 9, 2022 (La Mesa) -- Long-time La Mesa resident Garry Armacost, a Vietnam veteran, will be flown to Washington D.C. on November 4 aboard an Honor Flight to be hailed as a hero. He will spend two days in our nation’s capital, where he will visit war memorials.
October 8, 2022 (San Diego) - The 2-3 (0-1 in the Mountain West) Aztecs host Hawaii tonight at Snapdragon Stadium.
The first half was scoreless until the end of the second when West Hills alum Jack Browning nailed a 45-yard field goal to put the Aztecs up 3-0 at the half.
October 8, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa History Center is teaming up with Grossmont High School and Museum to present the 16h annual Home Tour on November 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme will be “Fabulous Foothillers.”
October 7, 2022 (La Mesa) – A mudslinging flyer in the La Mesa mayoral race sent by Kristine Alessio’s campaign contains numerous false and misleading statements regarding Mayor Mark Arapostathis.
In a phone call today regarding the mailer’s claims, Arapostathis told ECM, “None of these things are true.” ECM has fact-checked many of the statements and found numerous deceptions in Alessio’s claims.
Most blatantly false, the flyer falsely states that Alessio is “The clear choice for La Mesa Democrats.” While the race is nonpartisan, Mayor Arapostathis is endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party and Alessio, a registered Republican, is endorsed by the San Diego County Republican Party.
Update Nov. 15, 2022: A federal appeals court has blocked the student loan forgiveness plan. The Biden Administration is likely to appeal the decision.
By Miriam Raftery
October 7, 2022 (San Diego) – Congressman Darrell Issa has been sharply critical of President Joe Biden for cancelling a small percentage (10-20%) of student loan debts. But Greene Properties in Vista, for which Issa is listed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), pocketed $151,313 in federal loan forgiveness on a Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s website had since gone dark, offline for at least the past several weeks.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
October 7, 2022 (San Diego) - A new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows that the Biden Administration’s historic vaccination program, which has gotten over 90 percent of seniors fully vaccinated and over 70 percent of seniors a booster shot, is linked to more than 650,000 fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations and more than 300,000 fewer deaths among seniors and other Americans enrolled in Medicare. The study, which was conducted by researchers with HHS's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), underscores the importance of Americans – particularly seniors and others at high-risk of serious outcomes – getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall.
October 7, 2022 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Police Department encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class October 12, 2022. “Walk and Roll to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families, and caregivers.
October 7, 2022 (San Diego) - In accordance to Public Law 107-51, the American flag should be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, October 9, 2022 from sunrise to sunset in observance of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
October 6, 2022 (San Diego) – If you’re looking for a weekend dip at the beach, be sure to take a look at the count’s list of beach closures, warnings and advisories which include beaches from the international border north as far as La Jolla, though not every shoreline is impacted. The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) has issued the following beach management actions for Thursday, October 6, 2022:
October 6, 2022 (San Diego) - Today in a historic meeting of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the San Diego City Council, by a vote of 12-0, voted to pass a resolution to align their efforts to remove barriers to housing production, work to build 10,000 units of housing on government-owned land, leverage available funds for housing and explore housing densification options.
SR-78 reduced to one lane with one-way traffic control
East County News Service
October 6, 2022 (Ramona) - Maintenance crews continue brush removal efforts on a 4-mile stretch of State Route 78 (SR-78) from Ramona Highlands Road to State Route 67 in Ramona from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 14, according to Caltrans. Crews will reduce SR-78 to one lane—one mile at a time—to minimize the impact to commuter traffic.
Photo: Assemblymember and medical doctor Akilah Weber, author of AB 2343
October 6, 2022 (San Diego) – Ignoring recommendations of the State Auditor, Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Assembly Bill 2343, the Saving Lives in Custody Act. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. of San Diego in respond to the disturbingly high rate of deaths occurring in San Diego County’s jails.
October 6, 2022 (El Cajon) - Heartland Fire & Rescue invites you to an open house on Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Fire Station 6, 100 East Lexington Avenue in El Cajon.
Jones’s Senate Bill 1421 on homelessness also signed into law
East County News Service
October 6, 2022 (San Francisco) – Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) and several other legislators held a bill signing ceremony in San Francisco at a senior community under construction earlier this week to announce enactment of several housing and homelessness-related measures.
Photo: Ammar Campa-Najjar with Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas at a Chula Vista Police Foundation event in September. Campaign photo
October 6, 2022 (San Diego) - The San Diego Republican Party claimed last week that Chula Vista mayoral candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar doesn’t live in the South Bay city, an accusation he described as “desperate” politics.
October 5, 2022 (Butterfield Ranch, Calif.) -- After convening a community meeting with constituents in the San Diego County community of Butterfield Ranch, Congressman Darrell Issa and his senior California-based staff also provided a significant supply of more than 7,000 bottles of water for the residents, who have endured a “boil water” order since May of this year. The desert community is located east of Julian and west of Borrego Springs in San Diego’s East County.
October 5, 2022 (Lakeside) -- On August 1, 2022, Thomas “Bogi” Moreno's body was found in the pond at Willow Road and Moreno Road, Lakeside. He was 50 years old. This investigative reporter has followed up with conversations with his sister, Rosa Moreno of Los Angeles, and with a San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide investigator, to learn more about the victim’s life and the circumstances surrounding his death.
October 5, 2022 (San Diego) - Dear EarthTalk: I’d like to upgrade the energy efficiency of my condo but can’t afford the up-front cost of new equipment and materials. Are there any federal or other programs designed to help working people afford to make such transitions? —Paul B., Monroe, NY
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
October 5, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego released its Annual Report Tuesday calling on San Diegans to “Connect With Us” to build “a just, sustainable and resilient future.”
October 5, 2022 (Alpine) – California’s 40th State Senate District race is one of the most competitive legislative races in the state, Cal Matters reports. A former Marine Corps captain, Navy veteran and military prosecutor, Joseph Rocha is running against incumbent Brian Jones. During the Candidates to Constituents forum in Alpine, Rocha spoke about what motivated him to run—and drew clear battle lines on issues separating him from his opponent.
“I’m running because I saw the fabric of this country falling apart,” Rocha said. He says he stands for opportunities for everyone. “I learned the value of hard work, and one of the reasons I’m running is to make sure that hard work still stands for something....“This race is about working for you,” he told the audience.. He promised that if elected, he’ll be “fighting for workers, not special interests.”
He told voters that his opponent, Jones, “regularly votes against giving others a leg up and said that Jones’ largest funders including "big oil" as well as the pharmaceutical industry. (Fact check: the pharmaceutical and oil industries are among the top 10 industries supporting Jones, according to Vote Smart.)
October 2, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Many family-friendly Halloween events are popping up throughout East County and will be available all throughout the month of October.
Festivities include a spooky campover, costume contests for people and pets, a haunted train ride, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, a haunted amusement park, a fall celebration, safe trick-or-treating for children at a local shopping mall, and Haunt Fest, a family-friendly Halloween festival.
October 5, 2022 (Jamul) – After a homeowner reported seeing a plane in distress yesterday, a Sheriff’s helicopter crew spotted debris from a plane crash and human remains on Lyons Peak in Jamul, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
October 4, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- There is an opioid epidemic in the United States that stretches into California and San Diego County. People who use drugs are dying from overdoses in record numbers, including 12 kids under the age of 18 who died in San Diego County from opioid overdoses in 2021. A proven strategy to address the rising opioid overdose deaths is through widespread naloxone distribution in our communities which should include local school campuses for grades 6-12. Even one child using drugs and putting their life in jeopardy is one too many.
October 4, 2022 (La Mesa) – Candidates for La Mesa Mayor and City Council will participate in a forum at the La Mesa United Methodist Church this Wednesday, October 5 at 7 p.m.
View videos of our interview by clicking the video image at left.
Kristine Alessio is running in hopes of becoming La Mesa’s first woman mayor, challenging the current Mayor, Dr. Mark Arapostathis. She is a former La Mesa Councilwoman with a background in land use, law, business and community service. She holds degrees in philosophy and law, and she’s a La Mesa native who raised her daughter here. As a former City councilmember, she says she spearheaded some local initiatives including Term Limits, the Climate Action Plan, pension liability paydown plan, Smoke Free La Mesa ordinance and an Affordable Homes Bonus program.
La Mesa is changing from a sleepy small town and is now facing challenges that larger cities face. Alessio says the city needs a dynamic mayor with leadership that she hopes to provide. In an interview with East County Magazine originally aired on KNSJ Radio, she spoke about her goals if elected. Click the links to view videos or hear audio, or scroll down to read highlights.
October 4, 2022 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr shot this dramatic photo of a massive flag hanging off El Cajon City Hall in memory of the 911 attacks, against the backdrop of the sunrise.
October 4, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Amy Reichert is running for the 4th Supervisorial District seat currently held by board chairman Nathan Fletcher. She is a licensed investigator and pastor who founded Reopen San Diego, a nonprofit that fought against shutdowns of schools and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as vaccine mandates. She’s married with two sons. and calls herself a “Mom on a mission.”
Her top issues include homelessness, cost of living, and increased crime. View her full interview with East County Magazine, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the image on the left, or hear the audio at the audio link, or scroll down to read highlights.
East County News Service
By Shiloh Ireland
East County News Service
By Liz Alper
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Update Nov. 15, 2022: A federal appeals court has 
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Source: City of La Mesa 
Source: American Flag and Flagpole Company
East County News Service
Source: Chair Nathan Fletcher
SR-78 reduced to one lane with one-way traffic control
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Jones’s Senate Bill 1421 on homelessness also signed into law
By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
East County News Service
By Shiloh Ireland
By Anagha Iyer, EarthTalk
By 
East County News Service
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
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