September 9, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Dangerously high winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm have promoted the National Weather Service to issue a high wind warning in effect through midnight tonight. Flash flood warnings are also in effect in mountain and desert areas.
Gusts of 109 miles per hour were recorded on Cuyamaca peak today and Mount Laguna has received 2.94 inches of rain as of 1:15 p.m. Flash flooding is reported in Ocotillo.
Videos posted online show a rockslide on I-8 in East County, trees down near the Julian Post Office and at Lake Cuyamaca, trees or large limbs fallen in Pine Valley, Alpine and Boulevard.
September 9, 2022 (San Diego) - A Better Life Together, Inc. (ABLT) helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to fulfill their desired purpose. On Sept. 17 from 19 a.m to 3 p.m. the agency will host a free employment and community resource fair at 8825 Aero Drive in San Diego.
The agency creates a partnership of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and work in the community and to be valued members of society. ABLT provides supported and independent living services to individuals who want to live in their own home and community based day programs and customized tailored day program services to those who want to work, pursue higher education, start a business or other goals.
September 9, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – High winds, rain and potential for storm damage have led several East County school districts to curtail classes today, the San Diego County of Education has announced. Others are holding minimum days due to the inclement weather.
Mountain Empire Unified School District has closed all schools today.
Spencer Valley School District schools will close at 11:30 a.m., with all after-school activities cancelled this afternoon.
Julian Union High School will follow a minimum day schedule.
Julian Union Elementary Elementary School District also has a minimum day.
Height and density changes currently proposed would “not be in best interest of the city,” planning commissioners found
By Elijah McKee
September 8, 2022 (La Mesa) — Since 2018, Reza Paydar, the property owner of the palm-studded San Diego RV Resort in La Mesa, has been attempting to change the City’s zoning of the land so that apartment buildings can replace the RV park. The buildings would be among the largest La Mesa has ever seen.
Strong support in public meetings and written testimony for requiring insurance companies to provide discounts to consumers under new Safer from Wildfires framework
East County News Service
September 9, 2022 (Sacramento) -- California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has submitted his insurance pricing regulation to the California Office of Administrative Law. If approved, it that would recognize and reward wildfire safety and mitigation efforts made by many homeowners and businesses. The regulation is the first in the nation requiring insurance companies to provide discounts to consumers under the Safer from Wildfires framework created by the California Department of Insurance in partnership with state emergency preparedness agencies.
September 9, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the County of San Diego, invites you to “Shop & Dine La Mesa” to enjoy free family-friendly activities, entertainment, a car show, raffle prizes, live music and more.
The event takes place at The Marketplace at Lake Murray Village (at the corner of Lake Murray Blvd. and Baltimore Drive) in La Mesa on Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo: Queen Elizabeth II visiting NASA in 2007, courtesy of NASA
September 9, 2022 (Washington D.C.) – Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday at age 96, Britain’s longest serving monarch, President Joe Biden has ordered American flags flown at half staff in her honor.
Elizabeth reined for 70 years. Although the U.S. fought a war to declare independence from England in 1776, the two nations have retained friendly relations through the centuries. Queen Elizabeth II visited with every president from Harry Truman to Joe Biden, with the exception of Lyndon Johnson.
In his proclamation, President Biden states, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era.”
September 8, 2022 (Rancho San Diego) -- A small vegetation fire broke out in the thick brush at the corner of Fury Lane and Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego this afternoon. The fire was initially reported at 3:00 and was responded to by several local fire agencies.
September 8, 2022 (San Diego) --The California Highway Patrol (CHP), El Cajon Area, will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver license safety checkpoint on September 9, somewhere within the unincorporated area of San Diego County.
September 8, 2022 (La Mesa) – Richard Lederer, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s language columnist, best-selling language author and former usage editor for the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, will give two humorous presentations at Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa.
September 8, 2022 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) on September 7 issued the following beach management actions for Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
September 8, 2022 (San Diego) -- Methamphetamine use impacts every part of our society. While often viewed as a misuse disorder that affects younger adults, people over the age of 65 are increasingly using methamphetamine in San Diego County and it has definitely become an issue for the Aging and Independence Services Department, according to officials. The rise in meth use is among both chronic users with a history of drug abuse and new users who have been introduced to meth by caregivers in their home.
September 7, 2022 (Lakeside) – A Lakeside resident was startled to see the number 45 and a gun image with flag on a sign outside a Boy Scout meeting house on public property at Lindo Lake County Park.
“It looks like a Trump flag on the back of a pickup truck that’s been tattered,” said the resident, a gun owner who voiced concern that the imagery made a political statement (Trump was the 45th President) and could be construed as promoting violence.
September 7, 2022 (Lakeside) –The Lakeside Fire Protection District invites you to an open house at Fire Station 2, located at 12216 Lakeside Avenue, on September 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be demonstrations, station tours, games, food, drinks and plenty of fire apparatus to check out.
The Aztecs will play Utah State and Air Force just once this year
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
September 7, 2022 (San Diego) - The Mountain West released the San Diego State women’s basketball Wednesday afternoon. The schedule features 18-games (nine home and nine road games) with each team playing eight opponents twice (home-and-home) and two opponents once (Utah State and Air Force). For the Aztecs, league games are scheduled to begin on Dec. 29 and wrap up on Feb. 28.
Story and photo courtesy of Courtesy of Parkway Plaza
September 7, 2022 (El Cajon) -- Parkway Plaza, El Cajon’s premier shopping destination, is hosting the 2022 nationwide beauty summit series, CosmeCon. Celebrating female entrepreneurs, body positivity, self-confidence and owning your glow at Parkway Plaza, the event takes place on Saturday, September 10 from 12-3 p.m.
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
September 7, 2022 (San Diego) - Weather forecasters say a hurricane off the coast of Mexico could indirectly bring high winds with potentially heavy rain to the county this weekend, and County of San Diego and CAL FIRE are offering free sandbags to residents who live in the unincorporated areas.
September 6, 2022 (San Diego) - Consumers are advised to be prepared for possible rotating power outages this afternoon. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued a statewide Flex Alert for Tuesday, September 6, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. calling for increased energy conservation throughout the state.
September 6, 2022 (San Diego) – You’re invited to join SDG&E on Wednesday, September 7 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in a virtual workshop in wildfire safety and public safety power shutoff preparedness. Find out how you can make a difference.
September 6, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is hosting aFall 2022 Virtual Career Expo on Tuesday, September 13. CBP is seeking entry-level and experienced law enforcement professionals who are interested in a challenging and rewarding career serving our country. Interested applicants can discuss career options with CBP recruiters and attend live group presentations to learn more about the hiring process.
September 5, 2022 (El Cajon) – The 10th annual Chaldean American Festival will feature carnival rides, games, live music by multiple entertainers, authentic Chaldean food, local vendors, a petting zoo, raffle and more.
September 5, 2022 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Historical Society and the Maine Avenue Revitalization Association invite the public to a 9-11 Memorial Walk with storyteller Ted Tomaszewicz, who was at his desk on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2001 when the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Center occurred.
“We walk together. We walk to remember. We walk to never forget,” states a flyer for the event. Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Mary’s Donuts, 10101 Maine Ave. in Lakeside. The walk begins at 6 p.m., followed by a program at the Lakeside Historical Society at 9906 Maine Ave., Lakeside.
September 5, 2022 (El Cajon) -- Sunbelt Publications, Inc.which has been located in El Cajon for 38 years, has movedits publishing headquarters and warehouse to Chula Vista. It is under new ownership.
September 5, 2022 (San Diego) - After disappointment in L.A., the Padres returned home for three games with the Diamondbacks, starting with a Labor Day matchup. Ryne Nelson started for Arizona against Blake Snell.
Update September 6, 2022: Cause of the fire was an improperly maintained vehicle, Cal Fire confirms. The #CaesarFire is now 100% ontained at 50 acres; all evacuation orders have been lifted.
Update 7 p.m.: The Sheriff’s Department has lifted most evacuation orders and warnings, though residents in and around the fire perimeter are still under an evacuation order. A map of the remaining evacuation order is available at https://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html.
September 5, 2022 (Ramona) -- The #CaesarFire has charred 50 acres in a blaze that started north of Highway 78 at Ramona Trails Drive in the Witch Creek area east of Ramona, Cal Fire reports. The fire sparked evacuations due to structure threats but forward spread has now been halted.
A temporary evacuation point is set up at Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona. An animal evacuation shelter is open at the Ramona Rodeo Grounds, 421 Aqua Lane in Ramona.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
September 5, 2022 (San Diego) -- The County of San Diego anticipates receiving the new COVID-19 bivalent boosters early this week and beginning vaccinations shortly thereafter.
September 4, 2022 (Los Angeles) - The Padres and Dodgers are taking turns bashing each other. Tonight we saw who bashed harder in the rubber game with Mike Clevinger on the mound against Ryan Pepiot for L.A.
September 4, 2022 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon nonprofit License to Freedom has been counseling nine children in a Syrian refugee family traumatized first by war in their homeland, and now by the death of their mother, who was found shot in the family’s home. In an interview with East County Magazine originally aired on KNSJ radio,
Dilkhwaz Ahmed, founder of License to Freedom, provides an update on the children’s situation, also sharing information on the stresses facing refugee families. The children’s father, Abdulhannan Abdurazaq Al Rawi, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.
“It’s so hard,” Ahmed says, when asked how the children, ages 2-17, are doing. “In a situation like that, the community gets together.” She says other Syrian refugees in the community worked to help the children, as did people in the Sudanese community, since the babysitter is from Sudan. “One of their close friends, a family from Syria, decided to take the kids, and they have seven kids,” Ahmed said. “The wife was best friends with the mom…it’s heartbreaking.”
September 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – The sweltering heat wave, along with elevated fire conditions, will continue this Labor Day weekend through Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, “There is potential for large vertical plume growth with any new fires that develop, especially in the foothills and mountains… Hot weather with breezy afternoons could lead to easier fire starts and rapid growth.”
Thunderstorms are possible over inland mountains, valleys and deserts, with potential for dry lightning strikes which could ignite fires. Gusty winds are also forecast which could cause fires to spread quickly.
Source: A Better Life
Height and density changes currently proposed would “not be in best interest of the city,” planning commissioners found
Strong support in public meetings and written testimony for requiring insurance companies to provide discounts to consumers under new Safer from Wildfires framework 
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Story & Photos by Josh Stotler
Source: California Highway Patrol
East County News Service
Source: County of San Diego
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
East County News Service
East County News Service
The Aztecs will play Utah State and Air Force just once this year
Story and photo courtesy of Courtesy of Parkway Plaza 
By 
East County News Service
East County News Service
Source: Customs and Border Patrol
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Pennell Paugh
By Liz Alper
New vaccines available for everyone age 12 and up
By Liz Alper
By Miriam Raftery
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