More than a dozen East County organizations receive funding for ongoing projects

East County News Service

March 12, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) — San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson awarded more than a dozen organizations in East County with funds from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program (NRP) grant at the March 1, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting. These organizations received amounts ranging from $800 to $75,000 for ongoing projects. The goal of the NRP grant is to reinvest taxpayer money into our communities for the benefit of the public.

By Miriam Raftery

March 12, 2022 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department has released body camera video of a baseball bat-wielding suspect who attacked an ECPD officer on March 4 at Parkway Plaza. The man had reportedly committed theft and threatened citizens with the bat. After the officer calmly asked the shoplifting suspect to drop the bat, the suspect can be heard stating, “I want to kill you, bro” as he swung the bat at the officer.

The suspect, Julian Kurko, wo was arrested and charged with attempted murder.  He has a long history of criminal offenses, including convictions for two prior violent assaults on police officers.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Santee Vice Mayor Ronn Hall

March 11, 2022 (Santee) -- While it’s legal to use and even grow marijuana for personal use statewide, the sale of the still-federally prohibited drug is not permitted in Santee.

That could change given the path that the City Council has been on since last year, when it began exploring the potential of allowing some type of marijuana-linked business within its 16.5 square miles.

By Kevork Kurdoghlian, California Urban Forests Council

March 11, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – AMPlifying the Urban Forest is coming to El Cajon and Santee on Saturday, March 12 to empower El Cajon, Santee and 26 municipal agencies and other organizations throughout California to plant nearly 2,000 trees with the help of volunteers. The program is developed and presented by the groundbreaking partnership between the California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC), West Coast Arborists (WCA), Taylor Guitars, Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA) and the Britton Fund.

Tree planting in El Cajon starts at 8 a.m. at Wells Park located at 1153 E Madison Ave, El Cajon, CA 92021.

In Santee, volunteers will start planting trees at 10 a.m. at Woodglen Vista Park located at 10250 Woodglen Vista Dr. Santee, Ca 92071.

By Miriam Raftery

March 11, 2022 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a look ahead at some of the most iconic festivals and events coming up this week, from St. Patrick’s Day fun to springtime celebrations, historical reenactments, wine and food festivals and more.

Scroll down for the full slate of events coming up. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 10, 2022 (Flinn Springs) – What could be more delightful than strolling through the beautiful gardens at Summers Past Farms, then sipping and savoring tastes from over 40 local restaurants, wineries and breweries?  It’s all for a good cause, too, benefitting the Kiwanis Club of Alpine Foundation, which supports services and programs for children in San Diego County.

Documentary co-produced by ECM journalist Mimi Pollack is among finalists.

By Matthew Manosh

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) --The 29th Annual San Diego Latino Festival begins March 10th and runs through March 20th at the Fashion Valley AMC. It will be the first time the festival will be in person since the start of the pandemic.

The festival features over 160 films from Central America and The United States, including local film makers from San Diego. Each day they’ll have art from prominent Latino artists on display, as well as daily live music. The full schedule of the events can be found here.

There are many remarkable films being shown in the 10 days of the festival, including films from film makers from in and around San Diego and East County.

Story and photos by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

(Photo - left - donations given to House of Ukraine)

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) The House of Ukraine, one of the International Cottages in San Diego’s Balboa Park, is spearheading donations for Ukraine. Ukraine is defending itself from an invasion by Russia and is in need of monetary donations, diapers, wipes, particular military items, and more.

The House of Ukraine is accepting monetary (cash only in person) and donations but prefers that diapers, and other donations, be dropped off at 4660 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92115.  The storage site is currently open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily. Additionally, the House of Ukraine’s cottage is open daily as well.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  a County employee conducts contact tracing.

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) - The County is following the national recommendation to reprioritize COVID-19 case investigations to focus on cases reported in people who are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the disease.

East County News Service

March 9, 2022 (Julian) – Julian’s annual “Taste of Julian” celebrates the town’s diverse culinary delights – proving there’s much more here than the community’s famed apples.  The self-guided tour includes a variety of participating restaurants, bakeries, and tasting rooms for wine, beer and cider on April 30 from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

East County News Service

March 9, 2022 (Ramona) – Photographer Scott Lagace was hiking in the Ramona Grasslands Preserve this week when he was fortunate enough to encounter a bobcat basking in the sun that obligingly posed for photos. Though this was one cool cat around the human present, bobcats are normally secretive and solitary. They have been protected species in California since 2020.

Options range from a free gas distribution program locally to suspension of the state’s gas tax

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2022 (San Diego) – Yesterday, President Joe Biden announced a ban on importing Russian oil, gas and coal due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  A poll by Quinnipiac University released Monday found 71% of Americans support  ban on Russian oil even if it causes steep rises in gas prices – including 66% of Republicans, 82% of Democrats, and 70% of independents.

A nonprofit organization has organized funds to help those feeling pain at the pump locally, while political leaders are also calling for relief for consumers.

Pain at the pump is being felt locally. The average price for gas has skyrocketed to $5.60 per gallon, nearly 91 cents higher than a month ago and nearly $1.80 more than a year ago, according to AAA and Oil Price information Service. Gas prices had already risen worldwide as economies emerged from the pandemic and a resumption in travel fueled demand.  But now the war in Ukraine has sent prices soaring for 15 consecutive days, NBC 7 reports.