FARM TOUR DAY RETURNS JUNE 28

PASSAGES: ART MADRID, FORMER LA MESA MAYOR WHO SERVED THE CITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS

SANTEE REPLACES LOW-INCOME APARTMENTS WITH CONDO PROJECT

'EVERYBODY STOOD UP': WHY A UNION LEADER'S ARREST GALVANIZED CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS ON IMMIGRATION

CALIFORNIA COMPANY'S EGGS RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA OUTBREAK

LATINOS EN ACCION HELPING THEIR COMMUNITY

CONCERNS LEAD JEWISH COMMUNITY TO PULL SUPPORT OF SD PRIDE

COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST TO LAUNCH YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM

LOCAL AUTHOR’S NOVEL, IN HARM’S WAY, BRINGS REVOLUTIONARY WAR NAVAL BATTLES TO LIFE

TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES COMING TO CAMPO ROAD IN CASA DE ORO

PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER IN LA MESA

MT MIGUEL HS FOUNDATION HOSTING QUARTERMANIA FUNDRAISER

CHEERS! HESS BREWING NOW OPEN IN ALPINE, ITS SIXTH LOCAL LOCATION

By Henri Migala

April 12, 2022 (Alpine) -- One of the greatest benefits of living in East County is to be able to enjoy our wide open and natural spaces. The best thing to come out of the pandemic is the move of restaurants to open outdoor eating and drinking areas.

COUNTY LIBRARY BRANCHES EXPAND HOURS

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 12, 2022 (San Diego) - All of the County of San Diego’s 33 community branch libraries are expanding their hours starting Monday, April 11.

The six largest County libraries will now be open seven days a week. That includes the branch libraries in El Cajon, Encinitas, La Mesa, Poway, San Marcos and Vista. All 33 branches will include evening hours.
 
The new hours are posted on signs at each of the libraries and can be found online on sdcl.org.
 
Here’s a list of the new expanded hours at each branch:

DRAMATIC MAKEOVER OF CAMPO ROAD CORRIDOR IN CASA DE ORO SET FOR COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING APRIL 22

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2022 (Casa de Oro) – A dramatic transformation of the Campo Road Corridor through Casa de Oro in Spring Valley is planned to create a Main Street ambience in the heart of the community.  On April 22, the County Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the proposed Campo Road Revitalization specific plan.

A central plaza for outdoor community activites, roundabouts, bike and pedestrian friendly changes, trees, outdoor seating, a center median, new street parking, and housing up to four-stories high are all in the revitalization plan. It covers 60 acres centered on Campo Road from Rodgers Rd. to Granada Ave. to be completed in three phases aimed at attracting private investors and enhancing the community. The plan would also seek grants and governmental funding, as well as potentially a planned business improvement district (PBID).

View the Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan here, which includes many photos and illustrations of possible prototypes in other cities.The hearing will be both in person and online. The agenda and details will be posted under the “upcoming meetings” listing within 3 days of the April 22 hearing. Here are details on how to stream County Planning Commission meetings to watch from home or participate. Scroll down for details.

JUDGE TELLS SANTEE TO RESCIND FANITA RANCH VOTES DUE TO FIRE DANGER

By Mike Allen

April 12, 2022 (Santee) -- Fanita Ranch, the 3,000 unit housing project that was approved by the city of Santee two years ago, received another setback last week when a San Diego judge ruled the City must rescind all the legal permits for the construction.

The judgement by Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal made last month and filed April 6, calls on the city to vacate a series of resolutions that gave Fanita Ranch the green light in September 2020. Bacal faulted the city and its contracted experts for creating an inadequate environmental report about all the impacts from the project, particularly the lack of safe evacuation routes in the wake of an emergency such as a major wildfire.

CA MORTGAGE RELIEF WEBINAR APRIL 26

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2022 (San Diego) – Many Californians are unaware that the state is offering help for those struggling to pay their mortgages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  On April 26 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., a free online webinar will be held on the California Mortgage Relief program, jointly hosted by the California Mortgage Relief Program, Urban League of San Diego County, and Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber.

LAMPLIGHTERS PRESENTS NEIL SIMON'S "RUMORS"

By Kathy Carpenter
 
April 12, 2022 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters'  "Rumors" is a classic farce.  A farce is defined as a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd and improbable. With lots of doors, comings and goings and people impersonating other people. An evening of fun and laughter. 

JACOBS’ BILL AIMS TO PREVENT U.S. WEAPONS FROM BEING USED TO COMMIT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

Values in Arms Export Act would create more oversight for arms sales, bar arms sales to nations that repeatedly commit violations

East County News Service

CC photo by Felton Davis:  New York protest in 2017 over U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of war crimes in Yemen

April 11, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) --  San Diego Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) has introduced legislation that aims to prevent U.S. weapons from being used to commit human rights abuses.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

April 11, 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.

Misc. national news

January 6 investigation

WORLD

Ukraine war

Other world news

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

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

April 11, 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:

LOCAL

STATE

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

CA UPDATES CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY IN WAKE OF NEW IPCC REPORT

International Scientists Warn: Time to Fight Climate Change is Now

By Suzanne Potter

Story and photo from California News Service, originally published April 5, 2022

April 11, 2022 (Sacramento) --State and international reports on the effects of climate change are out this week, urging government efforts fighting climate change to speed up significantly if the world is to avoid the worst effects, from megafires and drought, to sea level rise and floods.

In a report released April 4, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said countries need to cut carbon emissions by 43% in the next eight years.

Lauren Sanchez, senior climate adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom, said California is taking a "whole-of-government approach."

"The world's leading climate scientists have made it clear," Sanchez asserted. "Our window to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis is narrowing faster than expected, and success requires unprecedented collective effort and transformational change."

EARTH DAY IN COUNTY PARKS APRIL 22-24

Source: County Parks and Recreation

April 10, 2022 (San Diego) -- San Diego is a biodiversity hotspot, and the daily actions of the County Parks and Recreation team help to safeguard our region's native plants and trees, air and water quality, and unique habitats for hundreds of species.

Earth Day provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate these efforts and connect residents to the public spaces where wildlife thrives. The theme this year is Committed to Caring for Our Earth.  Below are Earth Day events in county parks, including several in East County.

EGG-CITING EVENTS IN COUNTY PARKS: FIND EGGS, PLAY GAMES, EAT CAKES AND MEET BUNNIES

East County News Service

April 10, 2022 (San Diego) -- Are you looking for springtime activities to get the family outdoors? “Chick” out County Parks and Recreation, which has several “Egg-citing” Spring events lined up to help you celebrate the new season.

Take a peep below:

SDSU SOFTBALL DOWNS UNLV 7-6 IN 11 INNINGS TO CLAIM WEEKEND SERIES

 

Aztecs remain in first place in the Mountain West standings at 11-1

Source:  goaztecs.com

Video courtesy goaztecs.com

April 10, 2022 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State softball team downed UNLV 7-6 in 11 innings to capture the weekend series Sunday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas. The Aztecs improved to 27-11 on the season and remain in first place in the Mountain West standings at 11-1, while the Rebels dropped to 28-9 and 6-3. 

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: ORCHID TREE BLOOMING IN BORREGO

April 10, 2022 (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) -- Though there wasn't enough rain for a superbloom season in the Anza Borrego Desert this year, you can still see examples flowering desert plants and trees in a demonstration garden at the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association center.

This orchid tree blossom was among the most striking examples during a recent visit by our editor, Miriam Raftery, who snapped this photo of the beautiful bloom resembling those found in the tropics, but thriving in the local desert.

FDA ADVISES RESTAURANTS AND RETAILERS NOT TO SERVE OR SELL POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED RAW OYSTERS FROM CANADA

Source:  FDA                                      

April 10, 2022 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Canadian authorities, state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Norovirus illnesses linked to raw oysters that were widely distributed, including in California.

LEARN HOW TO CREATE A SAFE HAVEN FOR MONARCH BUTTERFLIES APRIL 30 IN ALPINE

East County News Service

Photo by Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2022 (Alpine) -- Would you like to be part of creating your own special garden where Monarch Butterflies can thrive? You’re invited to learn more on Saturday April 30th at 1 p.m. at the Alpine Town Hall (Alpine Woman’s Club), 2156 Alpine Blvd in Alpine.

READER'S EDITORIAL: CARBON TAX NEEDED NOW

By Matthew Maichen, San Marcos

Photo: CC by NC via Bing

April 10, 2022 (San Diego) -- As an English teacher, I find it so immensely frustrating that the kids that I teach are going to bearing the brunt of this climate emergency and its long-term effects even more than I am. It's so frustrating that we have the technology, but not the will, to make the change. And I worry that by the time we decide to do anything, it'll be too late.

HORROR NOVELIST MARK Z. DANIELEWSKI AT USD ON APRIL 11

By Matthew Manosh

Photo: Mark Z. Danielewski, from his website

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) -- On Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m., A Conversation with Mark Z. Danielewski will be held in the IPJ Theatre at the University of San Diego. The event will be free and open to the public. Mark Z. Danielewski is known most for his horror novel House of Leaves. Other books he has written are the Familiar series, The Little Blue Kite and The Fifty Year Sword.

FREE TREES AND DONUTS APRIL 23 AT THE GARDEN

East County News Service

April 9, 2022 (Rancho San Diego) – In honor of San Diego Tree Week, the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego will be giving away free trees and donuts on a first-come, first-serve basis.

SDSU SOFTBALL'S RALLY COMES UP SHORT IN 8-7 LOSS AT UNLV

Aztecs score six in the sixth but see 12-game winning streak snapped

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

April 9, 2022 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State softball team scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning but couldn’t get the tying run across the plate in an 8-7 loss to UNLV Saturday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas. The Aztecs (26-11, 10-1 MW) lost for the first time in Mountain West play and had their 12-game winning streak snapped.

READER’S EDITORIAL: LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL

By Greg Dunne

Photo: CC by ND via Bing

April 9th, 2022 (Alpine) -- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced the following Nominees for the 2022 induction. You can vote for your favorite singer or band online at vote.rockhall.com by April 29th. The Nominees this year are Beck, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, DEVO, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls, Dolly Parton, Rage Against the Machine, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, A Tribe Called Quest, Dionne Warwick.

MIGRANT EXPULSIONS UNDER TITLE 42 COVID RESTRICTIONS TO END MAY 23 AS HEALTH CRISIS EASES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Border fence, cc by ND

Update April 23, 2022: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the lifting of Title 42 restrictions.

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) – At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Trump administration began expelling migrants without access to asylum hearings under Title 42.  Now, after lifting of most other pandemic mandates, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control director has announced that suspending migrants’ rights is “no longer necessary” after “considering current public health conditions and an increased availability of tools to fight COVID-19, such as highly effective vaccines and therapeutics,” the CDC announced in a statement.

BIDEN SIGNS BILL TO STABILIZE POST OFFICE, RESTORE SERVICES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Pixabay

April 9, 2022 (Washington D.C.) –  “This bill recognizes the Postal Service as a public service and we’re ensuring that it can continue to serve all Americans for generations to come,” said President Joe Biden, signing into law the Postal Service Reform Act this week.  The bill to financially stabilize the Postal Service and restore postal delivery to six days a week passed Congress overwhelmingly, supported by four of our region’s representatives, though Congressman Darrell Issa voted against it.

COUNTY NEEDS FOSTER FAMILIES AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS TO HELP FOSTER YOUTHS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, cc by SA

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) – “Every child deserves a loving family, and for many that will not be with their biological parents. Fostering or adopting children can be one of the most rewarding things to do so children can have the loving home they deserve,” says Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “Foster families are a vital way for these children to be supported and cared for in a chosen family,” he said in the Sate of the County address.

The County’s Faith in Motion program right now works with 19 local congregations to help youth in the foster system find families. But Fletcher, who has two adopted children, says, “We’re looking for more.” You can  schedule a presentation for your congregation on the Faith in Motion program by calling 1-877-792-KIDS (5437) or visit them online.

FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: WHOSE FAULT IS IT? APRIL IS EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Whose fault is it? We all own a bit of it!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

April 9, 2022 (San Diego) -- Let’s Rock! The month of April is declared “Earthquake Preparedness Month” by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services according to Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. We are “way” over-due for an earthquake. Now is the time to prepare, not afterwards says Chief DiGiovanna!

MAKE A SPLASH: APRIL 18 MEETING TO BRING TWO SWIMMING POOLS AND A CLUBHOUSE TO JACUMBA

By Miriam Raftery

April 9, 2022 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Jacumba is known for its hot springs. But now the Jacumba Community Service District wants to build two swimming pools and a clubhouse at a community park for residents and guests to stay cool on those sweltering hot days.  The community is urged to attend a meeting April 18 at 6 p.m. in the Highland Senior Citizens Center to show support for this proposal.

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