December 23, 2021 (Santee) – Each year, residents in an area dubbed “Starlight Circle” decorate their homes elaborately for the holidays, drawing thousands of visitors.
December 15, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Several local venues are planning New Year’s Eve parties on December 31st including Viejas Casino and Resort with a signature ball drop and fireworks, Jamul Casino with a rocking party atop the new Rooftop venue, Courtyard Marriott in El Cajon with dancing at a benefit to help children with cancer, dance bands and more at Pala Casino, plus fishing at Lake Jennings beneath the light of a full moon on New Year’s night, January 1, 2022.
UPDATE: Men's basketball game against San Diego Christian CANCELED
Source: goaztecs.com
Video courtesy goaztecs.com
December 23, 2021 (San Diego) - Four Aztecs scored in double figures led by Nathan Mensah's career-high 19 points as the San Diego State men's basketball team cruised to a 78-57 victory over the UC San Diego Tritons 78-57 on Wednesday night at Viejas Arena.
Photo: the James Webb Space Telescope, the premier space science observatory of the next decade, is targeted for launch Dec. 25 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Courtesy of NASA/Chris Gunn
December 22, 2021 (San Diego) -- Look out Santa! Steer your sleigh carefully. The new Webb Space Telescope, the world’s largest and most powerful space science telescope, is scheduled to launch this Saturday, Christmas morning at 4:20 a.m. California time.
December 21, 2021 (Frisco, Texas) - We’re finally done with the regular season. Now, it’s time to go bowling. The Aztecs and Texas-San Antonio met in Frisco, Texas for the Frisco Bowl today.
Image: final Congressional districts in San Diego County. Courtesy Citizens Redistricting Commission
December 21, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday, California’s independent citizen redistricting commission unanimously approved the state’s new Congressional district maps, which will be certified December 27. Today, two of East County’s Congressional members, Democrat Sara Jacobs and Republican Darrell Issa, announced plans to seek reelection in their new and solidly safe districts.
December 21, 2021 (San Diego) – If you’re traveling this week, be sure to allow extra time and drive with caution. Heavy rain is forecast for Thursday night and Friday, Christmas Eve, the National Weather Service predicts. Cool weather and lighter showers are expected to continue through the holiday weekend into next week.
December 21, 2021 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon City Council tackled several County-level issues at its recent meeting on December 14.
First, City Manager Graham Mitchell spoke about a rare opportunity to temporarily over-staff the police department with 10 new officers drawn laterally from other nearby agencies, in an effort to save the city money over the next three years.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, as many as 160 San Diego police officers may be facing termination in light of the city’s vaccine mandate. Meanwhile, El Cajon does not currently have such a mandate.
December 20, 2021 (Deerhorn Valley) – Tanner Valladares shared these photos he took of a bobcat on December 19 in Deerhorn Valley. The photos were taken with a Samsung s21 Ultra at about 10x zoom.
“The cat was about 75 yards off our back porch,” he says.
December 20, 2021 (El Cajon) –In his State of the City addresson December 14, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells declared the City is in “excellent condition” despite challenges posed by the pandemic and more.
December 19, 2021 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies responding to a report of a vehicle burglary in the 12100 block of State Route 67 in Lakeside yesterday afternoon made a grim discovery. While searching the area, deputies looked into a nearby travel trailer and found a body with signs of rigor mortis, says Lieutenant David Gilmore.
December 19, 2021 (Running Springs) – Numerous enhancements at Snow Valley Mountain Resort await skiers and snowboarders for the 2021-2022 Winter Season in the San Bernardino Mountains. Improvements at Southern California’s longest continuously operating ski area include a new 100-foot moving carpet lift in the Children's Learning Center; expanded snowmaking for the Snow Play sledding area; and new Head rental equipment.
These and other improvements come on top of Snow Valley’s $8 Million investment over the past four winter seasons, including opening Southern California’s only six-person high-speed chairlift, expanded snowmaking, increased access to legendary Slide Peak, a faster equipment rental process, 100% expansion of Snow Play/sledding lanes, and new alfresco drinking and dining options.
Photo, left: Rebecca Branstetter, East County Homeless Task Force, testifies to El Cajon City Council
December 18, 2021 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon City Council addressed several agenda items at its last meeting that had potential to either help or hurt those in the homeless community who rely on cars or RVs.
According to the East County Homeless Task Force (ECHTF), the Cajon Valley Union and Grossmont Union High School Districts serve a known homeless population of over 550 families, at least 30 of which are unsheltered and sometimes living in vehicles.
However, after lengthy discussion, the two pressing items — a Safe Parking Program proposal and a zoning code update on RVs — were pushed off to a future meeting so that City staff could look at them in greater detail. Many who spoke at the meeting hoped to see clear actionable steps and less policy mazes on these issues, but the City Council sought to strike a balance.
December 17, 2021 (Phoenix) - Senior guard Trey Pulliam was one of three Aztecs in double figures and for the eighth time in 10 games San Diego State's men's basketball team limited its opponent to under 40 percent shooting in a 63-53 victory over the Saint Mary's Gaels at the Footprint Center.
December 17, 2021 (El Cajon) - Grossmont Union High School District may be on winter break, but high school sports keep right on chugging. Ready for some basketball, ECM Sports traveled to El Cajon to see a great East County matchup featuring a team we don’t get to cover very often. The Bulldogs traveled down the hill from Ramona to El Cajon to square off against the Eagles of Granite Hills. Both teams are off to a great start to the season; the Granite Hills guys are 8-1 so far and are undefeated (6-0) at home. The Ramona boys have just started their season, but are 2-1 so far.
December 17, 2021 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (6-4) edged out UC San Diego (3-6) 65-57 Friday evening inside Viejas Arena.
SDSU was led by Sophia Ramos and Asia Avinger who combined for 35 points and 17 rebounds. Ramos had 20 points, her 17th career game with at least 20, on 7-for-14 shooting and collected eight rebounds. Avinger had 15 points and a career-high nine rebounds.
December 17, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Effective immediately, some East County residents now have a different County Supervisor. On December 15, the San Diego County Redistricting Commission presented its final redistricting maps to the County Clerk, outlining supervisorial district boundaries for the next ten years.
The biggest change impacting East County is shifting several communities out of District 2, represented by Joel Anderson, into district 4, represented by Nathan Fletcher, the current chair of the County Board of Supervisors. Areas shifted into Fletcher’s district include La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Rancho San Diego, Mount Helix, and parts of Spring Valley. Fletcher’s new district also includes unincorporated areas of the city of San Diego, while he loses coastal areas including La Jolla.
The commission made one last-minute change to keep the city of El Cajon in District 2, after earlier proposing to move it into District 4. However some Chaldeans have objected to splitting their community between Districts 2 and 4, threatening legal action.
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
December 17, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- It is something that I don’t talk about publicly all that often, but I am recovering from a meth addiction. For a period of about 10 years, I used methamphetamine to numb the pain of personal loss, feelings of inadequacy, and chronic depression. Self-medicating was the choice I made instead of seeking the professional help I needed. My illness of addiction and my fear of facing my true shadows led to a trail of personal destruction that included losing multiple jobs, loss of friends and relationships, and health issues that still affect me today.
December 17, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove residents are invited to a drive-through food distribution on Saturday, December 18 from 9 a.m. for as long as supplies last at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center, 3131 School Lane. The Deputy Sheriff’s Association will also be on hand to pass out stockings for children (children must be in the car to receive a stocking).
Be sure your trunk is clear so food can be loaded and stay in the car; no walkups allowed. The first 200 vehicles to arrive will be served and must show proof of Lemon Grove residency.
December 16, 2021 (El Cajon) – Sheriff’s deputies deployed a spike strip on Interstate 8 East in El Cajon Tuesday night to help stop a suspected carjacker who forced an Amazon driver out of a delivery truck in Kearny Mesa. The driver drove a short distance on the shredded tires before he was surrounded by officers and arrested in the parking lot at Shadow Mountain Church on Greenfield Drive in El Cajon around10 p.m.
December 16, 2021 (Spring Valley) – A 39-year-old man surrendered to Sheriff’s deputies at 2 a.m. after barricading himself inside a home near Avocado Street and Bancroft Drive in Spring Valley.
December 16, 2021 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council has approved the La Mesa Village Association’s proposed downtown district sign at this week’s Council meeting.
December 16, 2021 (San Diego) -- For nonprofit organizations like Serving Seniors, the holiday season can determine our ability to provide services and support to San Diegans counting on our help.
Nearly one third of all charitable giving takes place in December and 12% takes place the last three days of the year. One in four nonprofit organizations raise half of all donations for the year during the holidays.
The impulse to help others is among humanity’s greatest purposes, but don’t let your generosity override doing your homework. Two-thirds of the people who make donations don’t do any research at all before giving.
10 volunteers honored with Senate Certificates of Recognition
Source: Senator Brian Jones
Photo: Senator Brian Jones loading food at the drive-thru distribution event and afterwards with Feeding San Diego volunteers (below right)
December 15, 2021 (Santee) – State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) worked alongside “Feeding America” volunteers today during a drive-thru food distribution event held at Grossmont College.
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
December 15, 2021 (El Cajon) - Debbie Justeson has been unanimously selected by her fellow board members to serve as president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board in 2022.
December 15, 2021 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Department of Animal Services needs help sending pets “Home for the Holidays.” So they are holding events at both the Bonita shelter Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the Carlsbad shelter Sunday from Noon to 3 p.m. to adopt out animals before Christmas.
Adoption fees will be waived at both locations December 18th and 19th.
Update December 17, 2021: Burton Kanehailue, who was in the New Mexico/Texas area, contacted El Cajon Police Department arson investigators, indicating he wanted to turn himself in to police. Kanehailue was subsequently taken into custody by the Socorro Police Department in New Mexico without incident. The tow truck stolen by Kanehailue was also recovered. Kanehailue is being held in New Mexico pending extradition to California, where he will face charges of arson and auto theft, says Lt. Randy Soulard with El Cajon Police.
December 15, 2021 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police seek public help to locate Burton Kanehailua, 29, a tow truck driver wanted for allegedly setting fire to C&D Towing before fleeing in a stolen C&D flatbed tow truck, which is a 2016 Dodge Ram 5500. He is also known to drive an older-model white Volvo station wagon.
The suspect weighs about 320 pounds, is 5 feet 9 inches tall, and has brown hair and brown eyes.
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Roger Coppock and Miriam Raftery
By Liz Alper
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
The Aztecs held the Buckeyes 21 points under their season average
By Elijah McKee
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Source: goaztecs.com
Story and photos by Liz Alper
Sophia Ramos led the Aztecs with 20 points
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Paul Downey, CEO, Serving Seniors
10 volunteers honored with Senate Certificates of Recognition
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
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