March 15, 2022 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff’s Rancho San Diego station will host a coffee with the community on Wednesday, March 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Spring Valley Community Center at 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley.
March 15, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove residents with proof of residency are invited to a drive-through food distribution this Saturday, March 19 at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center at 3131 School Lane. The distribution starts at 9 a.m. and will continue while supplies last.
Please stay in your car and make sure your truck is clear so food and be loaded. No walk-ups are allowed.
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
Photo courtesy Marijuana Prevention Initiative
March 14, 2022 (San Diego) -- When Proposition 215 was passed in 1996 legalizing “Medical Use of Marijuana” and Proposition 64 was passed in 2016 legalizing recreational use, medical professionals provided arguments in support. The California Medical Association endorsed Proposition 215 “…because it incorporates best practices.” Such endorsements presented the image that the positive medical impacts of cannabis outweighed any negative ones. Unfortunately, seven years after full legalization, we are seeing an impact that wasn’t discussed either in the ballot arguments in favor of legalization nor in the anecdotal stories used to advance each measure.
Childcare, library funding and local ADA access among earmarks added by Sara Jacobs
East County News Service
March 14, 2022 (San Diego) -- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2471, consisting of all 12 Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills plus supplemental funding to support Ukraine. The legislation has $13.6 billion in emergency security and humanitarian funding for Ukraine, including $1.4 billion for Migration and Refugee Assistance and $2.65 billion in International Disaster Assistance funding for emergency food, health care and other humanitarian assistance in the region.
March 14, 2022 (San Diego) – The Biden administration has announced a 120-day pilot program in Houston and Baltimore to test placing migrants into house arrest as an alternative to detention facilities while they await immigration hearings. The home curfew program would cost only $6 to $8 a day per person, far less than the $142 per day for detention in a facility, Reuters reports.
March 14, 2022 (Ramona) – Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will host a hands-on “Camel Camp” April 29-May 1 for adults age 18 and up. Enjoy midnight at the Oasis – and the rest of the time, too. The fun starts with a meet and greet at the dairy on Friday, April 29, to meet fellow campers, staff and camels while enjoying camel milk chocolate s’mores and other snacks.
March 14, 2022 (San Diego) - The current crisis in Eastern Europe underscores the need to strengthen the international security system. This approach to building a more peaceful world goes back decades and continues to demand our attention today.
March 14, 2022 (Descanso, CA) -- Ana Lilia sent in this video of a mountain lion spotted in the backyard of her home in Descanso, a rural community in San Diego's backcountry. “I love how the last shot of him/her is just as he passed by our statue of St. Francis of Assisi -- the patron Saint of Ecology & Animals," she says.
Photo: Actor Pepe Serna, center, with other film festival luminaries on opening night
March 14, 2022 (San Diego)-- The Latino Film Festival officially kicked off with an opening event on March 10, with several producers and directors of films present. Among them was Luis Reyes, who directed the film Pepe Serna Life is Art, a documentary film which premiered at the festival.
March 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Attorney Cory Briggs, on behalf of the Project for Open Government, has sent a letter to Lemon Grove’s elected officials demanding that the City cure and correct alleged violations of the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s open government law. The letter, dated March 10, also announces an intent to sue the City over actions that Briggs claims deprive Councilmember Liana LeBaron of rights to express herself and represent her constituents.
Specifically, Briggs contends that several actions taken to penalize LeBaron should have been on the Council agenda, but were not. These include:
Prohibiting LeBaron and other Councilmembers from interacting with staff regarding city services, except through the City Manager
Revoking Councilmembers’ access codes to City Hall
March 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- On Wednesday, March 16, 2022,
starting at 1:30 p.m., I Love to Glean will be providing a monthly drive through food distribution with food provided by Feeding San Diego. This will be their fifth consecutive month of distributing food to families at the VFW located at 2885 Lemon Grove Avenue, Lemon Grove.
Rebels score six runs in eighth inning to complete weekend sweep
Source: goaztecs.com
Video courtesy goaztecs.com
March 13, 2022 (San Diego) - Despite a season-high 13 hits, San Diego was unable to avoid a weekend sweep, as UNLV rallied with six runs in the eighth inning to escape with a 10-8 victory on Sunday in the series finale at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
March 13, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego State scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to rally past San Diego 4-3 on the final day of the Torero Classic Sunday afternoon at USD Softball Complex. The Aztecs (16-10) improved to 58-6 all-time against the Toreros (11-16), including pair of victories this season.
March 13, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
March 12, 2022 (Julian) — Already famous for its autumn apple harvest, the rustic mountain mining town of Julian is developing a new reputation for its spring daffodil season.
This year all eyes are on Julian Farm and Orchard, where more than 50,000 daffodil bulbs have already begun to explode in bright yellow color just days before the start of the first annual “Daffodil Days” event. The 25-acre family-friendly farm and orchard will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays beginning March 19 through May 1 for “you-pick” daffodil harvesting as well as hayrides, a petting zoo experience, and axe throwing.
March 12, 2022 (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:
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.
March 12, 2022 (San Diego) – The San Diego Concert Band will perform its 33rd annual Spring Celebration Concert, “A Bouquet of Music” April 5-7 at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre for the Performing Arts.
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.
March 12, 2022 (Spring Valley) -- Not far away in the kingdom of Young Actors Theatre in Spring Valley, a young spoiled prince threw out an old crone and was cursed. The Prince became The Beast and they both became objects. The spell would be broken only if the prince could find love and be loved in return before the last petal of the enchanted rose the crone gives the prince falls. Time is running out.
March 11, 2022 (Las Vegas) - The Aztecs made it through the quarterfinals by the skin on their necks. But they made it. Somehow. Now it was time to face Colorado State in the semis.
March 11, 2022 (San Diego) -- Feeling gas pains? If you haven’t felt it, you will soon! With gas prices climbing once again, the last thing anyone wants is to find their gas tank unexpectedly empty. But it’s happening. Gas thieves are starting to siphon gasoline from vehicles.
Any time there is a short supply, the demand goes up. When demand goes up, and supply gets low, crime goes up. Look out for thieves possibly looking to score free fuel at your expense.
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.
March 11, 2022 (San Diego) – The Postal Service Reform Act has passed the U.S. Senate by an overwhelming 79-12 vote, after earlier passing the House 342-92.
Four of San Diego County’s representatives voted in favor, as did both California Senators. But Congressman Darrell Issa voted no.
The Postal Service has been losing money in recent years, primarily because it is the only federal agency required to pre-pay retirees’ health benefits. Officials warned Congress that if this bill did not pass, the Post Office would run out of money by 2024.
The bill now heads to President Joe Biden, who has pledged to sign it into law. Here’s what the bill will do:
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.
Council backs off censure of Councilmember LeBaron after her supporters weigh in and an attorney questions legality of proposed action
By Elijah McKee
March 10, 2022 (Lemon Grove) — “It’s a sad day in Lemon Grove. We’re better than this,” expressed Mayor Raquel Vasquez near the end of her remarks during Lemon Grove’s special City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
"This brings me no joy,” echoed Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, though the two voted on opposite sides over whether to censure Councilmember Liana LeBaron.
The meeting was held for one reason only — to debate a resolution that would have formally condemned LeBaron’s behavior. The severity of the resolution was evident by its verbs, which included condemn, reject, admonish, refrain, cease and desist. (See ECM’s prior coverage of the proposed censure resolution.)
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.
March 11, 2022 (La Mesa) - “It is important that the commuting public is always mindful of the increase in children in and around our neighborhoods before and after school,” Sergeant Tim Purdy said.
El Capitan High School counselor recognized in surprise ceremony during National School Counselor Week
Source: Grossmont Union High School District
March 10, 2022 (Lakeside) - Grossmont Union School District (GUHSD)’s “School Counselor of the Year” is El Capitan High School’s Kristina Moya. GUHSD Superintendent Theresa Kemper, Principal Scott Goergens, district leaders and dozens of El Capitan High School staff and students surprised Moya with the announcement as part of National School Counselor Week.
East County News Service
East County News Service
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
Childcare, library funding and local ADA access among earmarks added by Sara Jacobs
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Bob Flax
By Matthew Manosh
Source: I Love to Glean and Senior Gleaners
SDSU improves to 58-6 all-time against USD
March 13, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
By Kyle Alderman
March 12, 2022 (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:
March 
More than a dozen East County organizations receive funding for ongoing projects
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Kathy Carpenter
By Sam DiGiovanna
By Mike Allen
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
Source: City of La Mesa
El Capitan High School counselor recognized in surprise ceremony during National School Counselor Week
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