KALASHOS FAIL TO SHOW UP TO BEGIN JAIL SENTENCE; NEW ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED

MAYOR GLORIA VETOES KEY BUDGET ITEMS, CUTTING ACCESS TO SOME LAKES , FUNDS FOR BRUSH CLEARING, STORMWATER PROJECTS AND MORE

ENVIRONMENTALISTS SOUND ALARM OVER BUDGET AMENDMENT TO SELL OFF PUBLIC LANDS—INCLUDING FOREST LANDS IN EAST COUNTY

MONTE FIRE SCORCHES 350 ACRES, 2 FIREFIGHTERS HOSPITALIZED

EVACUATIONS IN LAKESIDE FIRE

RENOVATED VFW POST TO OPEN SOON IN NEW CAMPO LOCATION

FIRE ALONG BORDER IN CAMPO

SAN DIEGO BISHOP, A FORMER REFUGEE, CALLS ON CLERGY TO ACCOMPANY IMMIGRANTS TO HEARINGS AT COURTHOUSES

60,000+ IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO “NO KINGS” RALLY, THOUSANDS MORE COUNTYWIDE PROTEST AUTHORITARIAN ACTIONS OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

U-T OWNERS BLOCKED EDITORIAL ON ICE PROTESTS SAYS FIRED OPINION EDITOR

COURT RULES TRUMP’S ORDERING NATIONAL GUARD TO L.A. IS ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL

FANITA RANCH GETS GO AHEAD FROM SANTEE CITY COUNCIL--AGAIN

SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL KNOCKS OFF SAN JOSE STATE 77-69

Asia Avinger had 20 points and both Mallory Adams and Kim Villalobos had double-doubles

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (12-13, 6-8) rallied to beat San Jose State (4-21, 1-13) 77-69 inside Viejas Arena Wednesday evening. SDSU trailed by eight points with 8:15 left and then outscored the Spartans 23-7 to come back for the win.

CLASS-ACTION SUIT AGAINST JUSTANSWER SITE COULD ALTER ONLINE BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA

Reprinted with permission from J.W. August, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association  

Photo:  a screenshot of the JustAnswer.com home page.

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The internet offer from JustAnswer is tempting for anyone looking for an expert: If you need medical advice, you can get unlimited conversations with doctors. Sign up for a small fee and a seven-day trial promises “on call experts, 24/7.”

FREE HELMETS AND BIKE DRAWINGS AT KIWANIS’ BIKE RODEO FEB. 21

By Ray Bello

February 16, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- You’re invited to participate in a Bike Rodeo on Monday, February 21st, President’s Day, from 9 a.m. to noon at Our Lady of Grace parking lot at 2766 Navajo Rd.

Free parking will be available at the OLP church upper parking lot.

The Kiwanis Club of Fletcher Hills together with San Diego County Bicycle Coalition are sponsoring this free event open to the public.

Bring your bicycles and helmets.  All ages and skills levels encouraged to attend.  Ride through a series of skill-based challenges designed to enhance both your handling and your knowledge of  your bicycle.

STARGAZING AT MISSION TRAILS MARCH 4

East County News Service

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) — You’re invited to join members from the San Diego Astronomy Association to view the night sky through telescopes at Mission Trails Regional Park on the first Friday of each month at sunset.  The next star party is on March 4 starting around 5:45 p.m.

SDSU FOOTBALL RELEASES 2022 SCHEDULE

Game times, television arrangements and moves to non-Saturdays will be announced at later date

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The San Diego State football team and Mountain West released its 2022 schedule on Wednesday. Game times and television arrangements, including moves to non-Saturdays will be announced at a later date.

SDSU MEN'S BASKETBALL: AZTECS DISPENSE WITH UTAH STATE 75-56

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - Powered by Matt Bradley's game-high 22 points, along with another series of timely runs, opportunistic San Diego State won its fourth game in a row Tuesday after pulling away for a 75-56 victory over Utah State at Viejas Arena.

FRESHWATER SWIMMING LAKE PLANNED FOR NEW PARK IN LAKESIDE

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Lakeside) – Imagine swimming beneath waterfalls alongside fish in a freshwater lake. That dream is all part of the ambitious plans that Lakeside River Park Conservancy has announced for a new park at Channel Road in Lakeside.

ARAB COMMUNITY OBJECTS TO EL CAJON COUNCIL RETAINING DISTRICT LINES

By Elijah McKee
 
“It is unfathomable that a community hasn’t changed in five years.  This is a form of voter suppression, by dividing a community that can and should be kept together.” –Jeanine Erikat, Policy Associate at the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
 
February 15, 2022 (El Cajon) — The City Council of El Cajon unanimously chose its Council districts map last Tuesday night, February 8. The decision, as part of decennial redistricting, determined how the City will elect council members for the next ten years. 
 
Instead of drawing new district lines, the Council voted to keep the same boundaries drawn up in 2017, despite sharp criticism from El Cajon’s large Arab-American community, whose leaders argue that their population has changed since five years ago. They asked for updated districting to create a fair and complete representation of El Cajon. 

NORTH ISLAND BASE BOCKS CAR WITH BOMB-MAKING MATERIAL, HAS 'PERSON OF INTEREST'

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

Photo:  the main gate to NAS North Island on Coronado. Undated Navy photo

February 15, 2022 (San Diego) - A vehicle with bomb-making material was stopped from entering Naval Air Station North Island about 9 a.m. Tuesday, and a “person of interest” was in custody, according to Navy authorities.

LA MESA PASSES ORDINANCE TO LIMIT IMPACTS OF SB 9, NEW STATE LAW INCREASING HOUSING DENSITY

By Elijah McKee

Photo: CC by NC via Bing

February 15, 2022 (La Mesa) — This past September, the State of California passed a pivotal housing law called Senate Bill 9. Now, like many localities around the state, the City of La Mesa is charged with considering how to best implement the legislation with local ordinances — such as the one that passed the City Council last Tuesday night. 

DON DIEGO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION 2022 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE

Source:  Don Diego Scholarship Foundation

February 15, 2022 (Del Mar) - The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation is offering $72,500 in 2022 college scholarships to 25 outstanding and deserving students who reside in the San Diego area and have participated in the San Diego County Fair and/or other activities associated with the Del Mar Fairgrounds in previous years.

WILL PADRE DAM BOARD ADJUST MEETING TIME FOR TEACHER/MEMBER, WHO COULD FACE OUSTER?

 

Update: At their meeting on February 16, Padre Dam's Board of Directors voted to begin the approval process of a time change from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will first research the change, such as impacts on other personnel's schedules and any financial ramifications, before sending it back to the Board of Directors for final approval at a later meeting, as per their rules.

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Santee) – Suzanne Till, a teacher, has asked her colleagues on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board to move meeting times from 3:30 to 4 p.m. since she has repeatedly been late due to the long commute from her job at a Chula Vista school.  But so far, the board has not done so.  The issue of moving the meeting time to later will be on the agenda for the board’s virtual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m., item 12. 

But some fear the board majority, all Republicans, may vote to oust Till, a Democrat, for tardiness in a partisan maneuver rather than accommodate a minor shift in meeting times. Till has fought against water rates, also opposing fines for late payments and water shutoffs during the pandemic. She holds a PhD in water resources geography and is a former Marine Corps Captain.  Her website details her record:  www.suzannetill.com .

HOLY GUACAMOLE! U.S. HALTS IMPORTATION OF MEXICAN AVOCADOS AFTER INSPECTOR THREATENED

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

February 14, 2022 (San Diego) – Your next batch of guacamole may cost a whole lot more.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has banned imports of Mexican avocados, in response to a threat made to an agriculture inspector.

SUPER BOWL REVELER ARRESTED AFTER RAMMING SHERIFF’S VEHICLES, PROMPTING SWAT STANDOFF WITH SON IN VEHICLE

East County News Service

Photo: CC via Bing

February 14, 2022 (Valley Center) – David Salas, Jr. of Valley Center is charged with assaulting Sheriff’s deputies with a deadly weapon after he rammed his Dodge Ram pickup truck into multiple patrol vehicles and dragged one officer.

CHURCH FOOD PANTRY ROBBED IN LEMON GROVE: HELP NEEDED TO FEED PEOPLE IN NEED

Updated Feb. 15 with additional comments from Jennifer Mendoza.

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Thieves broke into the church and  food pantry at St. John’s of the Cross Church at 8086 Broadway in Lemon Grove on February 8 around 3 a.m., vandalizing the property and stealing foods used to feed people in need, according to Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, who manages the church's food pantry.

Councilmember Mendoza says, "We’re at the food pantry every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. till noon. Any donations are much appreciated."

According to Mendoza, two of the perpetrators have been arrested. "The sheriff thinks there may be more. They don't think they were after food but were looking for electronic equipment like TVs, computers, speakers etc. or money. They also broke into the church...They caused a lof of damage to the church and pantry. We need to fix broken windows and doors, replace locks, etc.  We are also thinking we now need a security system."

LINGERIE THEFT SUSPECTS BUSTED BY CHP ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME TASK FORCE

East County News Service

February 14, 2022 (San Diego) -- California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators assigned to Border Division’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) have arrested three suspects believed to be part of an organized retail theft ring. Investigators also recovered thousands of dollars in bras, panties and other merchandise stolen from Victoria’s Secret stores across our region.

ACTING SHERIFF APPROVES CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT MEMBERS TO ACCESS SCENE OF FATAL DEPUTY-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS AND JAIL DEATHS

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2022 (San Diego) – Less than two weeks after the resignation of Sheriff Bill Gore, Acting Sheriff Kelly Martinez has approved a process for trained Citizen's Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) staff to respond to death scenes in county jails as well as deputy-involved shootings that result in a fatality or where death is likely.

SDG&E WARNS OF UTILITY SCAM CALLS

Fraudulent, yet sophisticated, robocalls tell customers that their service will be disconnected within the hour and demand immediate payment

Source: SDG&E

February 13, 2022 (San Diego) – SDG&E is warning of a new round of scammers targeting utility customers. The robocalls tell customers that their power will be turned off within the hour and direct them to press “1” to reach customer service, where they demand immediate payment to keep service in place. This scam is troubling because the calls sound professionally produced and claim to connect customers to the billing and collections department. If the scammers do not reach a person on their first call, then they will likely call back or leave a message with the same instructions.

LISTEN NOW: OUR RADIO SHOWS FOR SEPT. THROUGH DEC. 2021 ARE NOW ONLINE

Our radio shows from September through December 2021 are now online.  For links to listen plus an index with full list of topics and interviews in each show, click here or click the "read more" link and scroll down for audio links below the index. (Audio files may take a few moments to load.)  

Highlights included interviews with Steven Prusky of Rescue Task Force on the situation in Afghanistan, Dr. Mark Sawyer of Rady Chidren’s Hospital and Dr. William Tseng of Kaiser Permanente on COVID abd vaccines for kids, Supervisors Jim Desmond on the mileage tax and Joel Anderson on expanding parks access, State Senator Brian Jones on his legislation, and Rick Hall from the El Cajon Historical Society. We also aired a speech by Secretary of State Shirley Weber delivered during our Community Champions Awards and covered many top news stories locally.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. (Note: Due to COVID-19, some show dates aired reruns. Original shows are listed below.) Shows also include station IDs and public service announcements.

Audio: 

WILD WINDS IN ALPINE

By Miriam Raftery

February 13, 2022 (Alpine) – High winds howled through Alpine this week, causing damage to homes over multiple days.

In the Loving Life Alpine group on Facebook, residents posted descriptions and photos, including some also sent to ECM via email.

 

Brandon Hamilton came home on Thursday, February 10th  to find his propane barbecue submerged in his swimming pool. (photo, left)   

His post prompted quips from neighbors who posted quips about a BBQ pool party and a need for snorkels.

 

Elizabeth Livingston wrote, “Lost all of my carport.” Her damage occurred on Sunday, February 6, she told ECM. (photo, right)

 

Lisa Dawn Reese described the scenario as “hurricane force winds.”

PASSAGES: MORRIS CASUTO, 79, DEFENDER OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

February 13, 2022 (San Diego) - Morris Casuto, the Anti-Defamation League regional director who defended San Diego County’s Jewish community against antisemites while forging good relations with other ethnic and religious groups within the county, died from leukemia Friday night, February 11, at the UCSD Jacobs Medical Center.  Graveside funeral services for Casuto, 79, will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at El Camino Memorial Park.

ISSA TACKLES SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS WITH LEGISLATION THAT PASSES THE HOUSE

East County News Service

Photo: Cargo ship, CC-by-SA-NC

February 12, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA-50) issued the following statement on Feb. 7 after passage of his amendment by the House of Representatives. The Issa legislation requires the Department of Commerce to report to Congress within 60 days outlining policy changes that can be implemented within 30 days to address the continuing supply chain crisis.

LOTHIAN SUCCESSFULLY PITCHES PUBLIC ARTS FOCUS ON MURALS IN LA MESA

By Elijah McKee

Photos:  Councilmember Lothian envisions murals, such as this one projected onto a currently blank building wall.

February 12, 2022 (La Mesa) — Ever drive through La Mesa and notice the blank gray side of a building? Councilmember Laura Lothian sure does, and she’d like to change what people see. 

SANTEE INKS AGREEMENT FOR NEW TROLLEY SQUARE HOTEL ON SITE ONCE DESIGNATED FOR LIBRARY

By Mike Allen

February 12, 2022 (Santee) -- Santee’s grand plan to turn part of Trolley Square into an arts and entertainment district took a big step forward on February 9 when the City Council approved the sale of a parcel for a four-story, 89-room hotel.

SCRIPPS RESEARCH DISCOVERY COULD ENABLE BROAD CORONAVIRUS VACCINE

Scientists identified vulnerable site on multiple coronaviruses that could be targeted to prevent future pandemics

 

Watch a video on this research here: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2022/20220210-andrabi-coronavirus-prevent-future-pandemics.html.

 

Source: Scripps Research

 

February 11, 2022 (La Jolla) -- The COVID-causing virus SARS-CoV-2 harbors a vulnerable site at the base of its spike protein that is found also on closely related coronaviruses, according to a new study from Scripps Research. The discovery, published Feb 8 in Science Translational Medicine, could inform the design of broad-acting vaccines and antibody therapies capable of stopping future coronavirus pandemics.

 

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, IAVI, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the San Diego Center for AIDS Research, the John and Mary Tu Foundation, and the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust.

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