ANNUAL FUNDRAISING FESTIVAL COMING TO MT. HELIX PARK

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING ON LONG-TERM GAS SYSTEM PLANNING

UPGRADES TO RAMONA AIR ATTACK BASE PLANNED FOR NEW CAL FIRE TANKER

CONGRESSWOMAN SARA JACOBS HOSTS TOWN HALL JULY 27 IN ESCONDIDO, SINCE ISSA WON’T HOLD LIVE SESSION WITH HIS CONSTITUENTS

SUPERVISORS TO WEIGH IN ON COTTONWOOD SAND MINE IN SEPTEMBER

THREE-VEHICLE CRASH ON DEHESA ROAD KILLS EL CAJON WOMAN

PEDESTRIAN DEATH IN RAMONA

SANTEE TAKES HIGH ROAD, APPROVES FOUR CANNABIS SHOPS

FANITA RANCH CHALLENGED AGAIN IN NEW LAWSUIT

TRUMP SENDS SUPPLIES TO EUROPEAN ALLIES, WHILE PUTIN INTENDS TO KEEP FIGHTING UKRAINE

MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH KILLS FIVE, LED TO BRUSH FIRE THAT CLOSED STATE ROUTE 67 BOTH DIRECTIONS

SANDAG MEETING FRIDAY ON DRAFT 2025 PLAN

56TH BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL SLATED FOR OCTOBER 22-23

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.

EL CAJON PHOTOGRAPHER FOUND GUILTY IN CAPITOL BREACH: FREELANCER SOLD PHOTOS TO ECM IN 2020

By Miriam Raftery

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.

NO CHALLENGERS FOR TWO SANTEE DISTRICTS, SO COUNCIL OPTS TO APPOINT

By Mike Allen

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.

ALLEY CAT ART WALK SET FOR SEPT. 16 IN EL CAJON

East County News Service

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.

SAN DIEGO BISHOP MCELROY INDUCTED AS CARDINAL

East County News Service

Times of San Diego contributed to this report

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.

HISTORY ALIVE KICKS OFF SEASON SEPT. 1

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 7 p.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.

BUFFALO BILLS DROP EX-AZTEC ARAIZA AMID RAPE ALLEGATIONS

By Miriam Raftery

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.

FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: LABOR DAY SAFETY TIPS

For the Love of Labor!
 
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
 
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:

CIVIL SUIT ACCUSES PLAYERS FROM AZTECS AND BUFFALO BILLS OF GANG RAPING GIRL, 17

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.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FORGIVES PARTIAL STUDENT LOANS OF THOSE EARNING UNDER $125,000

White House fires back at critics who had federal loans forgiven too

By Miriam Raftery

August 27. 2022 (Washington D.C.) – If you have a federal student loan and earn less than $125,000 a year, you are eligible to have $10,000 forgiven – or $20,000 if you were a recipient of a Pell Grant awarded to help low-income students attend college.

President Joe Biden announced the plan this week, also extended a pause on student loan repayments until December 31. In addition, Biden’s plan caps future repayments at 5% of your monthly income, down from the current 10% threshold.

An application for the partial student loan forgiveness will be posted later this year; borrowers can sign up at https://www.ed.gov/subscriptions to receive updates on the federal student loans.

SHERIFF ROLLS OUT CHANGES IN JAILS TO REDUCE DRUG DEATHS AFTER ACTION BY SUPERVISORS

By Miriam Raftery

August 27, 2022 (San Diego) -- On August 16, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department announced a series of changes aimed at keeping deadly fentanyl and other drugs out of jails to prevent inmate deaths. The action followed a unanimous vote by County Supervisors the same day to approve funds aimed at reducing jail deaths including purchasing body scanners, staff incentives, wellness teams and access to Naloxone to save inmates who overdosed.  

CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Ben Christopher and Sameea Kamaal, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

August 27, 2022 (Sacramento) - Much is expected of the California voter. 

In any given election year, we may be asked to dust off our labor lawyer hats, brush up on oil and gas regulations, reacquaint ourselves with decades of tax policy, or analyze infrastructure funding. We may have to weigh the moral pros and cons of capital punishment, marriage equality or pig protection and — over and over again — oversee all things dialysis clinic.

ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: MASSACRE IN EL CAJON AS EAGLES SOAR OVER NORSEMEN

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
August 26, 2022 (El Cajon) - Whenever Granite Hills and Valhalla meet up, there’s always drama.  And tonight was gonna be a doozy since both teams have one loss on the season and are hungry for a win.  This year, they met on Norsemen turf in week two.

HONDA DRIVER FROM EL CAJON KILLED BY WRONG-WAY DRIVER

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via ECM news partner KGTV 10 News

 

August 26, 2022 (El Cajon) – A San Diego woman, 23, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after driving the wrong way on State Route 52 that resulted in a crash, killing an El Cajon man, 49.

A TASTE OF THAILAND: THAI THAI RESTAURANT IN SANTEE

On the road with the East County Eater

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

August 26, 2022 (Santee) -- On the road and in Santee-Yesterday I returned to my favorite Thai restaurant. When I have Thai Cuisine, it has to be authentic, fresh and delicious. Thai Thai Restaurant is located at 10251-B, Mast Blvd; Santee. Phone:  619.335.3453. Thai Thai features dine-in and carry-out, offers reservations and has reasonable prices.

What I especially enjoy, too, is the friendliness of staff and willingness to explain or recommend any dish as there are many. I love curries and their yellow, red and green is a pleasant surprise. One month ago, they added a sushi bar to their operation and it looks very popular also. Thai beer is also on the menu.

NATIONWIDE PRODUCT RECALLS BY CPSC

Source:  Consumer Product Safety Commission

August 26, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - The Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recalls are posted in cooperation with firms listed below on products ranging from coffee makers to toys, bicycle handlebars, stand-up paddleboards and a rolling chassis for utility vehicles. Recalls can be viewed at www.cpsc.gov.

SHERIFF RELEASES SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF RAMONA BURGLARS

East County News Service

August 26, 2022 (Ramona) – The San Diego Sheriff tweeted a video today seeking public help to identify suspects in a Ramona Crime.  The Tweet states: Do you recognize anyone in this surveillance video? They are suspected in a burglary at a business in the 2000 block of Main Street in Ramona on August 12. If you have any information, call @SDSORamona Detective Sobczak at (760) 738-2488 or @sdcrimestoppers at (888) 580-8477.

View video:  https://twitter.com/i/status/1562935445553500160

FIRE CAUSES MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES AT LA MESA OFFICE DEPOT

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of La Mesa Police via Twitter

August 24, 2022 (La Mesa) – A fire that broke out inside Office Depot in La Mesa today caused over $1 million in damage to the building and its contents, according to Andy McKellar, public information officer for Heartland Fire & Rescue.

LEMON GROVE LIONS CLUB HOSTS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT SEPT. 24 TO BENEFIT FISHER HOUSE AND MORE

East County News Service

August 24, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Lions Club, the nonprofit organization devoted to service and volunteering, is hosting a Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. at the Lemon Grove VFW, 2885 Lemon Grove Ave, Lemon Grove.

BARKS ‘N BLUES CONCERT AUG. 25 BENEFITS LITTLE ANGELS, BRINGING BIG CHANGES TO PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM SEIZURES AND OTHER DISABILITIES

Facility trains therapy dogs for people with epilepsy, autism, hearing impairments, physical and mental disabilities

By Henri Migala

 

August 23, 2022 (Jamul) -- Little Angels Service Dogs, an Assistance Dogs International (A.D.I.) accredited organization based in East County, is entering into a creative and exciting two-year partnership with San Diego-based Neurelis to help people suffering from epileptic seizures obtain life-changing companionship and other benefits provided by service dogs specially trained to care for people suffering from epilepsy.

HUSBAND ARRESTED FOR KILLING EL CAJON MOTHER OF NINE CHILDREN

 

Update:  The suspect's last name as Al Rawi, not Al Wari. The earlier misspelling was provided by El Cajon Police based on a a translation error. Friends of his have voiced shock at his arrest and doubts about the accusations against him, calling him a good father and pillar of the Syrian community locally who has helped other refugees, 10 News reports.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2022 (El Cajon) -- Abdulhannan Abdurazaq Al Rawi is under arrest for allegedly shooting and killing his wife, 37, in the bedroom of their El Cajon home at 1599 Soma Place. The couple's nine children, ages 2 to 17, were in the home at the time, according to Lieutenant Randy Soulard with EL Cajon Police.

Dilkhwaz Ahmed with License to Freedom, an El Cajon social services agency supporting refugees, posted on Facebook tonight “Please pray for these kids who lost their mom today. Out team of therapists and myself stayed with them all day to make sure they have a safe place to go. If you would like to support them, please let me know. They are refugees from Syria.”

BOARD ACCEPTS GRANT FOR A 12-BED ‘ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC UNIT’ IN SANTEE

Approx. $12.4 million will help build unit at Edgemoor Hospital

Source:  Joel Anderson

Image by gyansingh13 from Pixabay

August 22, 2022 (Santee) - San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted today to accept the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP): Round 3 Launch Ready grant that will go towards building a 12-bed Acute Psychiatric Unit at the Edgemoor Hospital in Santee.

VALLEY FIRE BURNING IN PINE VALLEY

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

Photos by Josh Stotler

Update 6:10 p.m. -- Dozers and hand crews will work through the night to make progress on containment. The bulk of the aircraft have been sent back to their bases and only a few will be on scene tomorrow if needed. A radio report from the Incident Commander to USFS indicates fire is 175 to 200 acres.

August 22, 2022 (Pine Valley) --  The #ValleyFire has scorched over 120 acres in the Pine Valley area and is 0% contained as of 4:40 p.m. The blaze began near Pine Creek Road and Noble Canyon. Pine Creek Road is closed while firefighters battle the blaze.

The fire is spreading away from structures and there are no evacuations at this time. The terrain is steep and isolated and conditions are moderately breezy; the fire is spreading at a moderate rate in heavy brush.

ECM reporter Josh Stotler reports that multiple agencies have responded; there are at least four helicopters and five fixed wing tankers currently dropping water and retardant on the fire as hand crews are trying to cut lines to slow the spread.

CA ALCOHOL SERVERS TO TAKE TRAINING BY AUG. 31

New California alcohol law promotes safer service—and indicates future policies

 

Source: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

 

Photo:  CC via Bing

 

August 22, 2022 (Sacramento) -- On July 1, 2022, state Assembly Bill 1221 went into effect. According to this new policy, any individual in California who sells alcohol at a bar or restaurant is required to undergo a state-certified training, known as Responsible Beverage Service (RBS). The training must be completed by Aug. 31, 2022 or risk the legal and financial consequences. Provided by trainers approved through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), RBS training teaches servers about how to serve—and when not to, as the course provides information on avoiding over service and refusing service to already-intoxicated patrons.

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