Photos: Left, by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson, right via San Diego Fire Dept.
Update 7:30 p.m.: New road closures: Vine St. north of Mapleview St. to cul-de-sac, Mapleview St. east from Channel Rd to SR-67, and Lakeside Ave. closed between SR-67 and Channel Rd.
August 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – The #WillowFire in Lakeside has scorched around 4.5 acres after starting in a riverbed near Mapleview Road and State Route 94. State Route 94 is closed in both directions due to heavy smoke.
Some residents nearby have received evacuation warnings for people to prepare to leave if an evacuation order is lifted. The Sheriff’s department advises vulnerable people such as those with disabilities, access or functional needs, or large animals to leave now.
A temporary evacuation point is at the Lakeside Christian Church, 13739 El Monte Road in Lakeside.
Update 10 p.m. The fire is now 4,234 acres and 5% contained. The fire continues to threaten the communities of Barrett, Potrero, and Tecate. Multiple agencies are on scnee fighting fire and protecting structures through the night.
Update 9 p.m.: An ECM reporter on scene tonight reports "explosive" fire behavior. A second ECM reporter on scene witnessed electrical equipment explode. The fire is burning near State Routes 188 and 94, heading north. Scanner traffic indicates several homes burned and two civilians suffered burn injuries; a firefighter had a minor heat-related injury. If you are in the path of this fire, do not wait -- get out now. The Border Patrol is assisting the Sheriff Dept. with evacuations.
Update 8 p.m. : All schools in the Mountain Empire School District will be closed tomorrow due to the fire.
SDG&E reports fire damaged electrical equipment, causing an outage for 309 homes in Dulzura, Potrero and Campo. Restoration is expected by noon tomorrow.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left, by Nadin Abbott, view from Barrett Junction east toward Potrero
August 31, 2022 (San Diego’s East County)—The #BorderFire32 has swelled to 1,600 acres since starting this afternoon near State Route 94 and Barrett Lake Road near Dulzura.
The fire is burning eastward, with zero containment, and has crossed State Route 94 on the eastern portion of the fire. Structures are threatened, at least one has burned, and more than 400 homes have been ordered to evacuate tonight as the fire burns at a critical speed. Mandatory evacuation areas include much of Potrero, Barrett Junction, Dulzura and Tecate.
State Route 94 is closed all the way from Otay Lakes Rd. in Dulzura to Forrest Gate Rd. in Campo. The Tecate border crossing is also shut down.
Evacuation centers have changed from earlier today.
108 Rescued Beagles reach El Cajon animal shelter and prepare for adoption
Story & photos by Josh Stotler
August 31, 2022 (El Cajon) -- As the wheels of the Embraer Brasilia touched down on the runway of Gillespie Field at 1:43 p.m., 108 rescued beagles officially became San Diegans. The dogs, rescued from Envigo, a Virginia-based company that breeds animals for sale to scientific research & testing facilities, arrived on time and in good spirits.
Update 5:07 p.m. -- The fire has swelled to 1,400 acres, per Cal Fire. Camp Lockett in Campo is now accepting large animals from the fire. There are 2 evacuation centers - Jamul Casino and Camp Lockett. Do NOT go to Potrero County Park announced earlier. Coyote Holler is now being evacuated due to shifting winds, a resident has informed ECM.
Update 4:20 p.m. -- A VLAT (very large air tanker) has been ordered. Resources are requested from as far away as Arizona.
Update 3:45 p.m. -- Cal Fire reports the fire has burned 100 to 150 acres and destroyed a structure; it is spreading at a critical rate of speed.
Evacuation centers are being set up at Jamul Casino; if you cannot safely reach there, an alternative evacuation point is at Potrero County Park (24800 Potrero Park Dr.) in Potrero.
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
August 31, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) Cal Fire is at the scene of a vegetation fire near Highway 94 and Barrett Lake Road. The #Border32Fire is 30 acres with immediate structure threat, burning eastward. A type 1 strike team has been requested to be dispatched to Potrero, scanner traffic indicates.
The California Highway Patrol is shutting down State Route 94 between Marron Valley and State Route 188.
Cal Fire urges people to evacuated from the followin areas (map updateed 4:20 p.m.)
Native health expert says stats are likely an undercount due to poor data collection
Source: Urban Indian Health Institute
August 31, 2022 (Seattle) -- The National Center for Health Statistics, a federal agency under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released a report titled Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2021, which found that the American Indian and Alaska Native population had the steepest decline in life expectancy from 2019 to 2020, dropping from 71.8 to 65.2 years of age. American Indians and Alaska Natives also had the steepest decline from 2020 to 2021, dropping from 67.1 to 65.2 years of age.
August 31, 2022 (San Diego) - In response to a voluntary Flex Alertissued this afternoon by the state grid operator due to high temperatures, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is urging customers to visit its website to learn about simple actions they can take to reduce their energy use while still staying cool.
League play begins with a home opener against Air Force on Dec. 28 and runs until the home finale against Wyoming on March 4
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
August 31, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego State men's basketball released the initial version of its 2022-23 Mountain West Conference schedule on Wednesday: the first phase of a two-part scheduling process. 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. For the Aztecs, league games are scheduled to begin on Dec. 28 and wrap up on March 4.
August 31, 2022 (La Mesa) - One hundred and one years ago on August 26, 1922, women won the right to vote. Fittingly, Aug. 26 was opening night of Lamplighters Theatre’s production of Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson. Disguised as a drama, the show is a gift of history, romance, family connections, and a touch of humor, without the happily-ever-after, depending on how you look at the story. "Simply Marvelous, well-acted, and well-written."
August 31, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- On Friday, Aug. 19, Borrego Health’s administrative offices, individual clinics, and others outside of the organization were notified by the State of California Health and Human Services Agency – Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that the state intends to reimpose its 100% payment suspension on all Borrego Health Medi-Cal services beginning Sept. 29. 2022
August 31, 2022 (Julian) -- Joel Anderson, County Supervisor for District 2, held a Community Coffee Town Hall meeting in Julian on August 11. Approximately 100 residents filled Julian’s historic town hall to discuss issues of concern, ranging from fire safety and road improvements to animal control and the exceptionally high cost of fire insurance, and many other matters of concern to residents.
East County News Service; San Diego County Communications Office contributed to this report
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- A new County department reported Tuesday that in its first year, it secured $30 million to address homelessness, provided housing options for over 4,400 people, held or participated in hundreds of community events to create equitable communities and worked to support immigrants and refugees.
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego County Supervisors voted 4-1 earlier this month for a resolution to support the “My Body, My Data Act” introduced by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat whose 53rd district includes portions of San Diego and East County. The bill, if enacted, would protect the privacy of reproductive health data nationwide.
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued an excessive heat warning due to triple digit temperatures forecast in much of East County and local deserts through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.
August 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – A suspected gang-related shooting in Spring Valley on August 18 led SWAT teams to search homes in Lakeside and Santee today. The search found a stash of weapons and resulted in arrests of four individuals.
Aug. 17, 2022 (Julian) – The Julian Grape Stomp Festa celebrates its 25th anniversary on September 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when guests can continue an Old World tradition of kicking off your shoes, rolling up your pant legs and letting grapes squish beneath your feet. Visitors can also sip samples from local wineries, enjoy food, shopping, live music and even kick up your heels with some extemporaneous dancing.
December 17th is National Wreaths Across America Day and one local program is working hard to honor veterans
East County News Service
August 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- Freedom is often defined as “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, a special few Americans will forgo some of their personal freedoms by choosing to serve their country and its citizens. This selfless sacrifice is what makes every veteran a hero. In addition, when asked why they did it, many will answer simply by saying, “Because it was the right thing to do!”
August 29, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- A long duration and high impact heat wave with triple-digit temperatures is expected to begin Tuesday and last through at least Labor Day weekend, the National Weather Service predicts.
August 29, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego is holding two Mpox (Jynneos) vaccination events this week in the South County in addition to providing 250 vaccinations throughout the week at County clinics.
Event includes expanded entertainment, but no parade this year
East County News Service
August 29, 2022 (Borrego Springs) – The 56th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival offers a weekend filled with activities October 22-23. The festival takes place at Christmas Circle Community Park and Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs.
August 29, 2022 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified a man who was fatally shot on August 16 shortly before 9:30 p.m.near Jamacha Blvd. and Thayer Drive. The victim is Jorkim Rose, 32.
Photo via U.S. Department of Justice: Erik Herrera in Senate Parliamentarian’s office
August 29, 2022 (El Cajon) – Erik Herrera, 34, of El Cajon has been found guilty of felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. News of his arrest and trial came as a shock to this editor, who had hired Herrera for freelance photography work locally just months before.
August 28, 2022 (Santee) -- In a first for the city of Santee, two incumbent members of the City Council were appointed to another four-year term and will avoid the November election, because no challengers in either district filed papers to challenge them.
August 28, 2022 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to Alley Cat Art Walk, a free evening event Friday, September 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Eight art galleries, two art studios, a museum, and other local small businesses will participate, encouraging the public to discover the arts in downtown El Cajon while enjoying fine art, art demonstrations, live music, food and beverages.
Pope Francis urged new cardinals to remember “poor families, migrant and homeless persons.”
Photo: Pope Francis speaks with Cardinal Robert in St. Peter’s Basilica. Screenshot of EWTN
August 28, 2022 (San Diego) – Former San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy was inducted yesterday as the first cardinal from our region. McElroy, 68, along with 18 other new cardinals from five continents, received a scarlet skullcap, gold ring and silk hat from Pope Francis during the consistory ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
By Helen M. Ofield, Treasurer/Historian to the Board, Lemon Grove Historical Society
August 28, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- The 44th season of "History Alive," the signature, free lecture series of the Lemon Grove Historical Society kicks off Sept. 1 at 7p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove. Free parking in Treganza Heritage Park, home of the Society's buildings.
On deck will be Jesus Benayas, charismatic president of the House of Spain, Balboa Park, discussing the case of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore the California coast. Long thought to be Portuguese, Cabrillo is actually Spanish. Dr. Wendy Kramer broke the story after exhaustive research into 16th century Spanish archives. Benayas will display Kramer's books in English and Spanish from the Society's reading room in the H. Lee House.
August 28, 2022 (San Diego) – Days after a civil lawsuit filing accused Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza and two others of gang raping a 17-year-old girl while on the SDSU Aztecs football team last October, the Buffalo Bills have given the boot to the star punter.
“Our culture in Buffalo is more important than winning football games,” Brandon Beane, general manager for the Buffalo Bills, tweeted yesterday in announcing that Araiza has been released from the team.Araiza had been dubbed “Punt God” for the length and accuracy of his kicking.Araiza received the Ray Guy Award last November as the top punter nationwide in college football.
August 27, 2022 (San Diego) – There are no Labor Day discounts when it comes to safety. Labor Day marks the beginning of the end of summer – so for many of us it’s a chance to pack one last fun-filled weekend in, enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
Following are some tips to make the most of Labor Day:
UPDATE AS OF 8/27: Bills have released Matt Araiza following allegations.
By Miriam Raftery
August 25, 2022 (San Diego) – Three current or former San Diego State University Aztecs football players, including one who is now a pro football player with the Buffalo Bills, are accused in a civil lawsuit of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl during an off-campus Halloween party last year.
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
By Miriam Raftery
108 Rescued Beagles reach El Cajon animal shelter and prepare for adoption
Native health expert says stats are likely an undercount due to poor data collection
Source: SDG&E
League play begins with a home opener against Air Force on Dec. 28 and runs until the home finale against Wyoming on March 4
By Kathy Carpenter
Action follows fraud investigation, impacts Borrego Health clinics across East County
By Henri Migala
East County News Service; San Diego County Communications Office contributed to this report
By Miriam Raftery
Source: San Diego County News Service
By 
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
December 17th is National Wreaths Across America Day and one local program is working hard to honor veterans
East County News Service
By 
Source: San Diego County Humane Society
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Mike Allen
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Helen M. Ofield, Treasurer/Historian to the Board, Lemon Grove Historical Society
By Miriam Raftery 
For the Love of Labor!
UPDATE AS OF 8/27: Bills have released Matt Araiza following allegations.
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