PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RACCOONS IN SAN CARLOS

DRIVER CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, DUI IN FATALITY LEMON GROVE CRASH

MARINES NOW STATIONED IN CAMPO AT BORDER; NEWSOM OFFICE: 'DANGER' TO COMMUNITY

INJURED MOUNTAIN LION RETURNS TO WILD; 2 OTHER CUBS CONTINUE REHAB AT RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AT PARKWAY PLAZA

SUPREME COURT LIMITS INJUNCTIONS THAT BLOCKED TRUMP’S PLAN FOR BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

ECM WINS TWO JOURNALISM AWARDS

GUHSD BOARD FACES MULTIPLE LITIGATION THREATS

LAKESIDE FIRE PANCAKE BREAKFAST JUNE 28

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LOSES SD COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FUNDING

SAN DIEGO RIVER CLEANUP IN SANTEE ON SATURDAY

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP TO DEPORT MIGRANTS TO COUNTRIES THAT AREN'T THEIR HOMES, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS

LAKESIDE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT CANDIDATES SPEAK OUT ON EDUCATION ISSUES

By Mike Allen

October 17, 2022 (Lakeside) -- Voters in the unincorporated town of Lakeside will get to vote on four seats of the five-member Lakeside Union School District this November.

The Lakeside district, which covers nearly 75 square miles and has about 5,000 students, consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, a preschool program, a DREAM Academy, and world language programs.

Seven candidates are running for three seats with a full four-year term, and two candidates are running for a shortened term. 

For the three full term seats the candidates are Jim Bennet, Maureen Cruise, Holly Ferrante, Aaron Gordon, Andrew Hayes, Ron Kasper, and Bonnie LaChappa.  For the short-term seat, the two candidates are incumbent Don Whisman, and Autumn Ellenson.

East County Magazine sent questionnaires out to all nine candidates and received four responses, which are published in full below.

PATRICIA DILLARD, LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE: COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE

 

October 16, 2022 (La Mesa) -- East County Magazine recently interviewed Patricia Dillard, one of four La Mesa City Council candidates vying for two seats on the ballot. In our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio, she shares her experience, priorities and goals if elected.

Her  career spans close to 40 years working in business development, customer service, and sales for large and small businesses. She’s also been an active volunteer in community service. 

View the full interview by clicking the video image above and scroll down for highlights.

JULIAN FARM AND ORCHARD RESCUES STRANDED PIGS FROM LOCAL RESERVATION LAND

East County News Service

October 16, 2022 (Julian) - Julian Farm and Orchard has just rescued 17 Pot Belly Pigs from the local Santa Ysabel area. The pigs were rescued in partnership with the Mesa Grande Indian Reservation and the USDA after more than 100 pigs were dumped on the Reservation landJulian Farm and Orchard coordinated with Mesa Grande Tribe to pick up 17 pigs and bring them to their new permanent home on the farm.

“We learned about the plight of the pigs on the Mesa Grande Reservation through Facebook and immediately wanted to help. Working with the Mesa Grande Tribe, we were able to rescue 17 of the pot belly pigs” said Robin Madaffer, owner of Julian Farm and Orchard.

 

Staff will be working diligently to bring the pigs to good health and ensure they have a wonderful life in their new home. Visitors to Julian Farm and Orchard will now be able to visit the pigs along with the other furry friends that reside on the farm.

 

“We are excited to have them as part of our petting zoo family where they will be well-cared for and loved” Madaffer said.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

STATE SENATOR BRIAN JONES SHARES HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND PRIORITIES

 

October 15, 2022 (San Diego) – In an interview with East County Magazine also aired on KNSJ Radio, State Senator Brian Jones talked about his accomplishments in the Legislature and his priorities if reelected.

Senator Jones has served in the California Legislature for the past 12 years, first in the Assembly , and now in the State Senate, where he’s also the Senate Republican Caucus Chair. He has a degree in business administration from San Diego State, and has worked as a government relations consultant and church broker. He’s also a former Santee City Councilman and resident of Santee, along with his wife and their three children.

Click the video link to view the full interview, and scroll down to read highlights.

EAST COUNTY PAC AGREES TO QUIT SENDING MAILERS DECRIED BY DEMS AS MISLEADING

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Both sides of misleading La Mesa voter guide urging support for two La Mesa Republicans.

October 15, 2022 (San Diego) - Local Democrats have been denouncing campaign mailers that depict Republican-endorsed candidates as Democratic-backed progressives in Carlsbad, La Mesa and elsewhere.

ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: SCOTTIES ROLL OVER COUGARS IN FIRST GROSSMONT LEAGUE TILT

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
October 14, 2022 (Spring Valley) - After skipping an uneventful week last week, ECM Sports is back on the gridiron for our first visit to Steele Canyon High School on Senior Night.  Unfortunately, it’s a sad one; the Cougars are having an abysmal season at 1-6.  Tonight, they played host to the Highlanders of Helix, who boast a fairly solid 5-2 record.

BOOK REVIEW: HISTORIC TALES OF LA JOLLA

By Patricia Daly-Lipe

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

October 14, 2022 (La Jolla) -- Location, location, location. This is the mantra for real estate. But it is precisely “location” that helped define La Jolla. Historic Tales of La Jolla tells the story of the place: its name, even its initial creation by natural forces, followed by the people who found and fell in love with it. This is history from a personal perspective. What did La Jolla do for the people who came, and what did these people do for La Jolla and, in many cases, for the rest of the world?

PASSAGES: VIVIAN YUBETA-JACKSON, PROFESSOR OF FORENSIC SCIENCES AND NCIS CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR

October 14, 2022 (El Cajon) – Vivian "Viv" Yubeta-Jackson passed away on September 24, 2022.  The East County native was bset known as a professor of forensic sciences at National University and as a Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) crime scene investigator, as well as a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

Born in El Cajon, CA, on January 2, 1956, Vivian Yubeta graduated in 1974, married her El Cajon Valley High School sweetheart, Kerry Jackson (1956-2007) and attended college while raising two sons.

ASSESSOR/RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK RELEASES OWNER ALERT: A FREE REAL ESTATE FRAUD-FIGHTING NOTIFICATION SERVICE

San Diego property owners are encouraged to sign up

Source:  Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego

October 14, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego County’s Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, led by Chief Deputy Assessor Jordan Marks, is proud to release “OWNER ALERT,” a free real estate fraud notification service.

FORUM ON EL CAJON HOMELESSNESS OCTOBER 22

East County News Service

October 14, 2022 (El Cajon) – Supervisor Joel Anderson will host a forum open to the public on El Cajon homelessness on Saturday, October 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Grossmont College.  This forum will inform you of the impacts of homelessness in El Cajon and existing, collaborative efforts to address it. In addition, El Cajon’s leadership, including the Mayor, City Councilmembers, City Manager, and Police Chief, have been invited to discuss how the County can help address homelessness in El Cajon.

JAMUL INDIAN VILLAGE SERVES BORDER 32 FIRE VICTIMS FLEEING HOMES

By Aarav Pruthi, Legislative Intern, Supervisor Joel Anderson

October 13, 2022 (Jamul) -- “It is in our blood to give back and help and this was just an opportunity to do so,” expressed Erica Pinto, Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman.

Almost immediately after evacuations were ordered for East County communities during the Border 32 Fire, the Jamul Indian Village welcomed fire victims onto their property. Not soon after the site opened, it was temporarily homed by approximately 100 people taking refuge on the site. To coordinate the safety and logistics of the evacuees, Chairwoman Pinto and Tribal Secretary Carlene Chamberlin soon arrived at the site to overlook the necessary arrangements and ensure smooth functioning with the help of the tribe’s security team.

TWO JUDICIAL CANDIDATES SPEAK IN ALPINE

By Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2022 (Alpine) – Voters are often frustrated in trying to get information on judicial candidates since they are prohibited from answering questions on any issues that may come before them in court. But during the Candidates to Constituents forum in Alpine recently, Superior Court judicial candidates Pete Singer and Rebeca Kanter provided details on their backgrounds and experience that provided clear insights into their core values and qualifications.

COUNTY INVESTIGATING SUSPECTED RESPIRATORY OUTBREAK AT PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo via Shutterstock

October 12, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego County Public Health Services is investigating a large, suspected outbreak of respiratory and flu-like symptoms reported among students at Patrick Henry High School.

OBITUARIES: SDSU PRESIDENT EMERITA SALLY ROUSH, 1947-2022

Roush returned in 2017 to lead the university as interim president after more than 30 years as a senior administrator.

By Jeff Ristine, SDSU News Center

October 12, 2022 (San Diego) - Sally Roush, who helped to fashion a sweeping expansion of San Diego State University now underway in Mission Valley during a year as interim president, has died.

LA MESA MAYOR MARK ARAPOSTATHIS SHARES HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS FOR THE CITY IF REELECTED

 

October 12, 2022 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis is a life-long La Mesa resident, a teacher once honored as a County Teacher of the Year, and Director of Theatre Arts at La Mesa Arts Academy.  Known as Dr. A, he holds a doctorate in education from USD and SDSU. He served on the La Mesa City Council and headed up the La Mesa Arts Alliance before becoming mayor, and now he’s running for reelection.

In an interview with East County Magazine also airing on KNSJ radio, he spoke about his accomplishments, key issues and challenges facing the city, and his goals if reelected. View the full interview by clicking the image above, or scroll down to read highlights.

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA COUNCILWOMAN LAURA LOTHIAN SEEKS REELECTION, AIMS TO "CLASS UP" LA MESA

By Henri Migala

View the full interview by clicking the image below, and scroll down to read highlights.

October 7, 2022 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Councilwoman Laura Lothian spoke with ECM via zoom about her run for re-election. Council. The interview also aired on KNSJ radio, 89.1 FM.

Lothian is one of four candidates running (a fifth, Kathleen Brand, has dropped out); ECM will be publishing and airing interviews with all the candidates over the next several days. She aims to "class up" La Mesa, bucking the trend toward high-density housing downtown, while also working to reduce homeless and crime, as well as cut regulations for businesses and homeowners with permit applications for new construction or remodeling.

LAKESIDE FALL FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 5

East County News Service

October 11, 2022 (Lakeside) -- Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church (9908 Channel Road, Lakeside)  will hold a Fall Festival Nov. 5th from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event will raise funds through a silent auction and raffle tickets for Feeding San Diego and The Magic Horse, both non-profit organizations.

REGISTRAR INTRODUCES NEW SECURE, STAND-ALONE BALLOT DROP BOXES

 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Alex Aguirre

October 11, 2022 (San Diego) - Registered voters who received their ballot for the Nov. 8 Statewide General Election can begin returning them Monday at one of the Registrar’s new official stand-alone drop boxes.

JAMUL TRIBE’S PROPOSED 16-STORY HOTEL, EVENT CENTER AND PARKING STRUCTURE IS ON AGENDA OCT. 11 FOR JAMUL-DULZURA PLANNING GROUP

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Rendering of proposed Jamul Casino Hotel and Event Center

October 10, 2022 (Jamul) – The Jamul Indian Village is proposing to expand its Jamul Casino to include a new event center, multi-purpose/bingo hall, a 225-room, 16-story hotel, and a six-story parking structure, with associated infrastructure.

The Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group will discuss the Tribal Environmental Impact Report on the proposed project this Tuesday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m.

The meeting, held virtually, can be accessed online starting at 7:20 p.m. at  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82400516671?pwd=b2ZJM3pzdmtRZ1p3WkdVZHZ5TFMzQT09 .  To participate by phone use either 669-900-6833 or 346-248-7799. When directed, enter the meeting ID: 824 0051 6671, Password: 156353.

SHERIFF FINDS MISSING SPRING VALLEY TEEN

East County News Service

October 10, 2022 (Spring Valley) – Alena “Gracie” Mitchem, a 15-year-old Spring Valley teen missing since September 22, was found yesterday by the San Diego County Sheriff department and is safe. Her family has been notified, according to a media release issued today by the Sheriff.

“Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, as well as the fact that this incident involves a minor, this is all the information that can be released at this time,” says Lieutenant Kevin Ralph at the Sheriff’s Major Crimes division.

The Sheriff’s media statement adds, “The Sheriff's Department would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance. We also want to thank our partner law enforcement agencies for their help in this case.”

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

October 10, 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:

U.S.

WORLD

Ukraine-Russia war

Other international news

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

SENATOR BRIAN JONES INTRODUCES BILL TO LIMIT HOMELESS CAMPS

By Miriam Raftery

View a video report by John Lekven with excerpts of Senator Jones’ press conference by clicking the image below; scroll down to read highlights.

 

October 9, 2022 (Escondido) – State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) held a press conference Sept. 23 to announce a new bill he plans to introduce on the first day of the next legislative session, December 5. The measure would prohibit homeless encampments near sensitive community areas such as schools, parks, libraries, and day-care centers. It would also require enforcement officers to provide information to homeless people about sleeping alternatives, homeless and mental health services, and homeless shelters.

“It’s unfair and dangerous for neighbors, families and children that are near these sensitive areas. Our measure, along with Governor Newsom’s Care Court, will hopefully work together to help end the public camping in these areas, while also compassionately assisting  the homeless with getting treatment for their  mental and health needs and finding a more suitable space to stay.”  He added that he is not seeking to criminalize homelessness. “Every Californian deserves a path off the street, and our bill will help make that happen.”

DECEPTIVE FLYERS TARGET DEMOCRATIC VOTERS IN EAST COUNTY—TOUTING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

East County News Service

October 10, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Flyers headlined “East County  Democratic Voter Guide” have been mailed to homes across East County. But Democratic Party officials warn that the mailers are deceptive – touting Republican candidates, not Democrats endorsed by the party.

ISSA ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL RODEO CAUCUS TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE AMERICAN HERITAGE OF RODEO

East County News Service

October 10, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced the formation of the Congressional Rodeo Caucus, which he will chair alongside his bipartisan colleagues Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16).

BIDEN PARDONS THOSE CONVICTED IN FEDERAL COURTS OF SIMPLE MARIJUANA POSSESSION

President also calls for review of cannabis classification, possible removal as Schedule 1 controlled substance

By Miriam Raftery

October 9, 2022 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden on October 6 issued a proclamation pardoning thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal. 

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