January 24, 2022 (Lakeside) -- The #CanyonFire that began with a vehicle fire at Wildcat Canyon and Muth Valley roads in Lakeside has forced closure of Wildcat Canyon Road in both directions from Willow to Barona. As of 3:30 p.m., Cal Fire spokesman Frank LaCoco told ECM he anticipates closure for at least two more hours due to equipment on both sides of the road, with firefighters remaining on scene into the evening.
Jan. 24, 2022 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) took a proactive look at where potential homeless sites would be located in La Mesa, while trying to balance compassionate solutions with community safety.
One proposed site is at the Park and Ride near the Rancho San Diego Village Shopping Center at Avocado Blvd. and State Route 94 in unincorporated La Mesa; GMIA asked the county to host an online webinar, which was held January 18.
Due to technical difficulties that knocked some participants offline, a second Zoom meeting has been set for Wed., Jan. 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The link for the Jan. 26th session is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89774215131 . The next session should provide an opportunity for the attendees to further explore potential sites in La Mesa for the homeless.
Update: The deceased has been identified as Ronald Ray McKinney, 59. The death has been ruled a homicide.
East County News Service
January 23, 2022 (Spring Valley) – Hikers found the body of a man shortly after 7 a.m. today off the roadway in the 3500 block of Millar Ranch Road, Spring Valley. According to Sheriff’s Homicide Detective Thomas Seiver, “There was trauma to the body.”
The Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation. More information will be released to the public once the Medical Examiner's Office conducts an autopsy.
January 23, 2022 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, present their February event, "Three Decades of Film Fun," Saturday, February 19 at Trinity Presbytarian Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley.
January 23, 2022 (Dallas) – Seeking to make generic prescription drugs affordable for all, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has launched an online pharmacy that sells medications at wholesale prices to consumers at https://costplusdrugs.com/.
Retail, finance, and information technology are among the most popular industries to start a new business this year
East County News Service
Photo: CC via Bing
January 22, 2022 (San Diego) – Workers are leaving jobs at a record pace amid the pandemic, as CNBC recently reported. Fear of COVID, burnout over job stresses, and a desire to work remotely are likely all factors. But where are those workers going? While some have found jobs elsewhere or dropped out of the workforce, others are starting up their own businesses – a trend that appears poised to accelerate in 2022.
January 22, 2022 (Santee) – Sheriff's deputies responded to the 8800 block of Diamondback Drive in Santee at 7:20 last night after a report that a man had shot another man. Deputies spotted a vehicle matching a description of the suspect’s and conducted a high-risk vehicle stop a block from the residence.
The suspect was alone in the vehicle and did not respond to the deputies' attempts to communicate with him. The deputies approached the vehicle and found the suspect had shot himself. They removed the suspect from the vehicle and performed lifesaving measures until relieved by fire department personnel, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Action is needed to address public safety, Anderson says
East County News Service
January 22, 2022 (San Diego) -- At the January 25 Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Joel Anderson will present a letter to the board urging the County to be prepared to face anticipated upcoming public safety personnel shortages throughout the region as vaccine mandates, retirements, recruitment and retention issues impact staffing levels.
January 21, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A male pedestrian who has not yet been identified was struck and killed tonight at 7:09 p.m. by a Volvo in Spring Valley.
According to Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol, the victim stepped off the sidewalk into the path of the 2010 Volvo XC90, which was traveling north on Sweetwater Road near Saint George Street.
UFCW union members at STIIIZY retail locations in California to vote on historic contract
East County News Service
Photo: screenshot from UFSC Local 135 on Facebook
January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – Newly organized workers at STIIIZY dispensaries throughout California including San Diego County are voting on their first ever contract as members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
January 21, 2022 (La Mesa) - Longtime East County educator Theresa Kemper announced Thursday that she’ll step down in June as superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District after less than two years on the job but 33 in the district.
350 new COVID cases in county jails heightens concerns over lack of vaccination requirements for detention
personnel
East County News Service
(Photo by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson)
January 21, 2022 (Santee) -- With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the nation, San Diego County jails are also seeing a spike in the number of positive cases among incarcerated individuals. Over the past few days, more than 350 people in custody have tested positive for COVID-19 at local detention facilities.
“To ensure the health and well-being of those in our care, as well as deputies and jail staff, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department will be temporarily transferring about 200 male inmates to the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee,” a press release from the Sheriff’s office today states.
January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – Starting tomorrow, all people entering the U.S. at the Mexican or Canadian borders must be fully vaccinated, except for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and U.S. nationals. The new requirement will apply to both essential and non-essential travelers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced.
January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unveiled a proposal on December 13 that would take away most financial incentives for homeowners or businesses to install solar power. But after backlash from outraged consumers and elected officials, the CPUC has postponed action.
Insurance coverage will be available starting February 1st for farm owners, wineries, and other outdoor businesses previously ineligible
East County News Service
January 21, 2022 (Sacramento) -- Acting to address the growing needs for a competitive insurance market for farm owners, wineries, ranchers and other outdoor agricultural businesses, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today approved the FAIR Plan to offer new commercial coverage for farm structure risks starting February 1, 2022. The FAIR Plan is an association made up of all admitted insurance companies to be the state’s property “insurer of last resort.”
By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office
January 21, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is continuing to expand regional COVID-19 testing to meet the increased demand brought on by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. The County has a network of free testing sites, both walk-up and appointment-based.
January 21, 2022 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove City Council moved forward with several key agenda items on Tuesday at their first meeting of the new year.
January 21, 2022 (El Cajon) – A Chula Vista man, 42, driving a 2020 Dodge Challenger eastbound on Willow Glen Drive in unincorporated El Cajon yesterday at 9:21 a.m. missed a curve and went off the edge of the roadway. His vehicle struck a rock and a tree, ejecting the driver.
California Highway Patrol units and fire personnel arrived on scene shortly after the crash.
New policy & procedures aim to preserve remote access to meetings
Source: City of La Mesa
January 21, 2022 (La Mesa) – In an ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in local government, La Mesa City Council adopted a new public comment policy for City Council, Boards, and Commissions meetings. Currently, these meetings are held virtually, but the new policy preserves remote access to these meetings when in-person sessions return.
January 19, 2022 (El Cajon) -- Despite a statewide mask mandate that was declared on December 15 and extended until February 15, Mayor Bill Wells as well as Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz, did not wear their masks at the January 11, City Council meeting. Councilmember Steve Goble removed his mask when he made comments.
January 20, 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:
January 20, 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:
January 20, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
January 19, 2022 (Santa Ysabel) – If you’re looking for some outdoor family fun, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures in Santa Ysabel, just outside of Julian, is offering farm tour adventures each Saturday and Sunday in January and February from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters
Photo: Protestors wave to passerbys, on Sept. 25, 2021 in Yountville, CA, as they make their way towards PlumpJack Winery, owned by Gov. Gavin Newsom, to protest the governor’s veto of bill AB 616. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters
January 19, 2022 (San Diego) - When the nation’s high court effectively forbade union representatives from accessing fields and orchards to recruit workers last June, the United Farm Workers union turned to Sacramento for help.
January 19, 2022 (Reno) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (9-9, 3-4) lost at Nevada (12-4, 4-0) 58-46 Wednesday evening. SDSU shot 50 percent from three but couldn’t overcome poor free throw shooting and turnover issues which led to a season low 46 points.
January 19, 2022 (Sacramento -- The State of California is launching a new program that will pay college students $10,000 to volunteer doing public service work for a year.
Announced on Tuesday, some 6,500 students will be able to join the new Californians for All College Corps and will be required to put in 450 service hours, working on issues such as COVID-19 recovery, climate change and education.
Josh Fryday, chief service officer for the state, said it's a way to help low-income students afford college, earn credits and gain valuable work experience.
Photo: San Diego police headquarters; @sandiegopolicedepartment via Facebook
January 19, 2022 (San Diego) - While the city wrestles with creating a new police review board, the current board, tasked with “holding the fort,” is having a “difficult and stressful” time managing the workload of incoming police cases they need to review.
January 19, 2022 (La Mesa) - Do we need permission? These days it is often touted to give yourself permission to move forward. A lot of people may think the whole plot of this play is hooey. As Nike’s slogan says, "Just Do It." But there is also such a thing as respecting others.
Lamplighters Theatre is presenting "The Cocktail Hour," a play written by A.R. Gurney. The play is based on Gurney and his family, a technique not uncommon in playwrights. The story is set in the northeast United States, many decades ago, with a somewhat affluent white family.
By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson 
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Emily Hoeven, CalMatters
Retail, finance, and information technology are among the most popular industries to start a new business this year
By Miriam Raftery
Action is needed to address public safety, Anderson says
By Miriam Raftery
UFCW union members at STIIIZY retail locations in California to vote on historic contract
350 new COVID cases in county jails heightens concerns over lack of vaccination requirements for detention 
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
Insurance coverage will be available starting February 1st for farm owners, wineries, and other outdoor businesses previously ineligible 
By 
By Elijah McKee
East County News Service
New policy & procedures aim to preserve remote access to meetings
By Henri Migala
January 20, 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:
January 20, 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:
January 20, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
By Miriam Raftery
By Melissa Montalvo and Nigel Duara, CalMatters
Sophia Ramos led the Aztecs with 18 points
By Suzanne Potter, California News Service
By J.W. August
Review by Kathy Carpenter
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