ECM WINS TWO JOURNALISM AWARDS

GUHSD BOARD FACES MULTIPLE LITIGATION THREATS

LAKESIDE FIRE PANCAKE BREAKFAST JUNE 28

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LOSES SD COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FUNDING

SAN DIEGO RIVER CLEANUP IN SANTEE ON SATURDAY

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP TO DEPORT MIGRANTS TO COUNTRIES THAT AREN'T THEIR HOMES, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS

CITY OF SAN DIEGO BUDGET CUTS WON'T CUT INTO LOCAL LAKES

LEMON GROVE CONCERTS IN THE PARK SERIES OPENS JUNE 26

READER’S EDITORIAL: FEDERALLY FUNDED SCIENCE SHAPES OUR HEALTH, NATURE, TECHNOLOGY AND LOCAL ECONOMY

LA MESA SUNDAYS AT SIX CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY VOTES JUNE 26 WHETHER TO WITHDRAW FROM WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN: PETITION LAUNCHED TO SAVE GARDEN’S FUNDING

READER’s EDITORIAL: SANTEE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING LEGALIZING MARIJUANA: VOICE YOUR CONCERNS AT NEXT WORKSHOP OCTOBER 13

By Erik Wiese, President, Wiese & Associates

September 26, 2021 (Santee) -- The city Councilmembers and staff of Santee should be congratulated on their historical opposition to allowing cannabis dispensaries to open up in our city. For years, they have maintained the health and safety of our citizens as their primary concerns.

ECM PADRES REPORT: BRAVES STONE PADRES' RALLIES TO TAKE SERIES

By Liz Alper
 
Photo via @padres on Twitter 
 
September 26, 2021 (San Diego) - Last night was another wild night in San Diego that of course featured the Padres losing.  They tried to split the series against the Braves today.  Jesse Chavez started for Atlanta against Grossmont High alum Joe Musgrove.

SAN DIEGO RESTARUANT WEEK INCLUDES SEVERAL EAST COUNTY EATERIES

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2021 (San Diego) – The 18th annual San Diego Restaurant Week starts today and runs through October 3.  This year, the 90 participating restaurants include six in East County. La Mesa’s emergence as a dining destination is evidenced in its five options: Antica Trattoria, Farmer’s Table, Oyster & Pearl Bar, Pioneer BBQ, and Smokey & the Brisket.  Lemon Grove’s Giardino Neighborhood Cucina is also included. All have outdoor dining options.

BOIL WATER ORDER IN EFFECT FOR BUTTERFIELD RANCH

Update September 30, 2021 - This order has been lifted.

Source:  San Diego County Emergency Updates

September 25, 2021 (Julian) - The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health and Quality has issued a Boil Water Order for the Butterfield Ranch water system located at 14925 Great Southern Overland, Julian, CA 92036, effective immediately. All affected customers are advised to not drink the water without boiling it first.

HELIX HIGH JUNIOR FOOTBALL PLAYER'S MOTHER RETURNS AFTER 22 MONTHS OVERSEAS

By Liz Alper

Photo via @prepzone on Twitter

September 24, 2021 (Anaheim) - When Helix High School junior tight end Quincy Herron took the bus up to Aneheim to face Servite High School tonight, he had no idea what would be waiting for him in Orange County.

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN TEXAS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST MAN AND WOMAN IN JULIAN

East County News Service

September 24, 2021 (Julian) – A suspect has been arrested for severely beating and tying up a man and woman in Julian on September 19 in a domestic violence case, says Lieutenant Thomas Siever with the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit.

NEWSOM'S CALL NOW: CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE PASSES TOP 21 BILLS OF '21

By CalMatters staff, CalMatters

Photo:  Andre m., CC SA 3.0

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

September 24, 2021 (Sacramento) - The second year of the coronavirus pandemic in California was shaped by two political undercurrents at the state Capitol: a budget awash with cash, thanks to a booming stock market and federal aid, and a looming recall election asking voters to throw Gov. Gavin Newsom out of office.  

REP. JACOBS CASTS LOCAL DELEGATION'S ONLY 'NO' VOTE ON DEFENSE BILL, CITING END OF AFGHAN WAR

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Rep. Sara Jacobs speaks on the House floor this week. Screenshot from video

September 24, 2021 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sara Jacobs was the only member of the San Diego congressional delegation to cast a vote against the 2022 defense funding bill on Thursday, citing the end of the war in Afghanistan.

STATE SEEKS PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR DOUGLAS BADGER IN RANCHO BERNARDO; HEARING OCT. 29

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2021 (Rancho Bernardo) – After two failed attempts to place sexually violent predator Douglas Badger in Campo or the Mt. Helix area, the state of California is now seeking conditional release of Badger at 17936 Frondoso Dr. in San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo community.

MILITARY MEMBER ARRESTED ON CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGES AFTER 9-HOUR STANDOFF NEAR DEHESA

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2021 (El Cajon) – A nine-hour standoff has ended peacefully in rural East County.  The incident began shortly after 1:30 this morning when a woman called 9-11 to report that her husband had a gun and was threatening to hurt himself in front of their children at the family’s home in the 1400 block of Wilson Road in unincorporated El Cajon near Dehesa.

PASSAGES: JULIAN NEWS PUBLISHER MICHAEL HART LOSES BATTLE TO CANCER

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2021 (Julian) – Michael Jon Hart, long-time publisher of the Julian News and past president of the San Diego County Umpires Association, died September 14 after battling brain and lung cancer. His wife, Michelle Harvey, confirmed Hart’s passing on her Facebook page.

“Mike and I have so many friends,” Harvey posted. “I am glad that we spent our lives working to help others.”

The newspaper has been for sale for months; Hart’s death leaves the future of Julian’s newspaper in limbo.  A newspaper listing in July asked $300,000 for the publication, which was described as “highly profitable” despite pandemic lockdowns.

Hart and Harvey acquired the independent weekly newspaper on July 4, 2004; the paper has been the voice of Julian, CA since 1984. It’s been a labor of love for Hart, who covered major news stories ranging from the 2007 Witch Creek Fire that ravaged the region to controversies involved the county’s acquisition of Julian’s formerly all-volunteer fire department. Hart sometimes took heat for his coverage but took pride in covering all sides of community issues, according to Harvey.

NOT VACCINATED? NEW SURVEY FINDS YOU MAY HAVE TROUBLE GETTING HIRED

National survey by ResumeBuilder finds 63% of hiring managers prefer candidates who list vaccine status—and many reject unvaccinated applicants

Source:  ResumeBuilder.com

September 22, 2021 (Seattle, Wash.) – If you’re looking for a job, you may want to roll up your sleeve and get the “jab” first.  A nationwide survey of 1,250 conducted by  ResumeBuilder.com, a resource for professional resume templates, found that one-third of hiring manages will ignore resumes without a COVID-19 vaccine status – and 63% say they prefer candidates who list vaccine status on their resumes.  A growing number of companies are now requiring vaccines and/or giving first preference in hiring to those job-seekers who are fully vaccinated.

ROBIN HENKEL TRIO PERFORMS OCT. 10 AT MISSION TRAILS CHURCH

East County News Service

September 22, 2021 (Allied Gardens) – Robin Henkel is a four-time recipients of the San Diego Music Awards “Best Blues” award.  On Sunday, October 10 at 4 p.m., the Robin Henkel trio will perform at Mission Trails Church, located at 4880 Zion Ave. in the Allied Gardens neighborhood of San Diego.

THE SAPS AT SEA PROUDLY PRESENT 'HALLOSCREAM SAPSTRAVAGANZA' OCT. 16

East County News Service

Photo via Make It Quietly on Tumblr

September 21, 2021 (Spring Valley) - For this year's Halloween show, the Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel and Hardy appreciation society, present "Halloscream Sapstravaganza."  The fun happens on Saturday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive, in Spring Valley.

CALIFORNIA HAS NATION’S LOWEST COVID-19 RATE: CDC CREDITS VACCINES

San Diego’s rate is substantially lower than state – and County has even higher vaccination rates

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2021 (San Diego) – California has the lowest rate of COVID-19 cases of any U.S. state, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control – and San Diego County is faring even better. Both have high vaccination rates, a fact the CDC credits for the dramatic difference between COVID spread in California and other states.

OCOTILLO WIND TURBINE COLLAPSES--AGAIN

By Henri Migala and Miriam Raftery

Photos courtesy of Ocotillo Wind Turbine Destruction on Facebook

September 20, 2021 (Ocotillo) – Residents in Ocotillo are voicing concerns after yet another wind turbine collapse at the Ocotillo Wind Energy facility. There were no injuries or damage to other structures when the 300-foot-tall turbine crashed to the desert floor at the trouble-prone facility on Thursday, September 16. But residents are raising serious questions over public safety at the site, which produces energy to SDG&E to power the San Diego region.

SDSU WOMEN'S SOCCER FALLS 2-0 TO BRUINS

Patrick Henry alum Mia Fishel scored a goal in the ninth minute
 
Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
September 19, 2021 (San Diego) - Last week, ECM Sports was on the SDSU Sports Deck taking in Aztecs men’s soccer defeating CSU Bakersfield to remain undefeated.  This week, the lady Aztecs footballers are in action against UCLA in their non-conference finale at a packed SDSU Sports Deck.  The women aren’t as hot as the men, starting the season with a 2-5 record.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN OCTOBER 2021

By Miriam Raftery

September 19, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes some thrilling and chilling October events, including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Festival of Sunflowers and Bathhouse Bazaar in Jacumba Hot Springs, an Autumn Jubilee in Santa Ysabel, the new El Cajon Foodie Fest, Dinner and Flamenco dancers in Lemon Grove, the Borrego Days parade and festival, the Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Trail of Terror titled “Curse of the French Quarter,” Trick or Treat on Maine in Lakeside, spooky campouts at Lake Jennings, and Haunt Fest on Main in downtown El Cajon.

LA MESA OKTOBERFEST OCT.1-3 FEATURES BEER GARDENS, RIDES, LIVE MUSIC AND MORE

By Miriam Raftery

September 19, 2021 (La Mesa) – The 48th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest returns October 1-3 with all of the event’s traditional activities including three bier gardens, Gluckglich games, Dackeldorft Daschsund Village, a Ferris wheel, Kinder Karneval, craft fair, over 100 vendors, live music including oompah bands, dancing, traditional and international foods and more.

STEVEN PRUSKY, RESCUE TASK FORCE, SPEAKS OUT ON COORDINATOR TRAPPED IN AFGHANISTAN WITH HIS FAMILY

 

September 19, 2021 (San Diego) -- Rescue Task Force (RTF), a nonprofit founded in San Diego's East County and now headquartered in Temecula, provides disaster relief response and medical aid around the world.  They also started schools for girls and women in Afghanistan. But since the U.S. troop withdrawal and Taliban takeover, the RTF team has had to close its schools, dimming hopes of students under the Taliban's brutal regime and endangering the lives of RTF's coordinator and his family, who remain trapped and in hiding inside Afghanistan.

East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery today interviewed Steven Prusky, a director with Rescue Task Force, on the Afghanistan situation as well as other projects around the world in which RTF is currently involved ranging from water purification to disaster relief and more.

Audio: 

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK WRAPS GIANT TREES, STRUCTURES IN FOIL AS FLAMES APPROACH

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2021 (Sequoia National Park) – Two wildfires, the Colony and Paradise fires, have merged into one dubbed the KNP Complex Fire. Estimated at 18,000 acres, the blaze has been burning for a week inside Sequoia National Park and has now reached the edge of a historic grove of ancient giant redwoods. 

I-8/CRESTWOOD ROAD RAMP SIX-WEEK CLOSURE NEAR GOLDEN ACORN CASINO BEGINS MONDAY

Source: Caltrans

September 17, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- Caltrans crews anticipate closures at Interstate 8 (I-8) and Crestwood Road for four to six weeks beginning Monday to replace guardrail systems. The work will require full closures of the westbound I-8/Crestwood Road on-ramp and the eastbound I-8/Crestwood Road off-ramp near the Golden Acorn Casino, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through early November. Advance notification signs have been placed to inform motorists about the closures. See map below for closure areas.

AUTUMN JUBILEE IN SANTA YSABEL SEPT. 18-OCT. 20

East County News Service

September 17, 2021 (Santa Ysabel) – Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures invites you to their 5th annual Autumn Jubilee. The fall festivities happen Saturdays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sundays (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) from Sept. 18 through Oct. 30.

SAN DIEGO STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL NON-CONFERENCE SLATE REVEALED

Six of 11 non-conference games will be played in Viejas Arena and five opponents played in the postseason last year.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 16, 2021 (San Diego) - Having posted an 18-1 record in non-conference contests in the past two seasons, San Diego State men’s basketball program revealed its 2021-22 non-conference schedule on Thursday morning. The slate has a total of 11 games, which includes five teams that participated in the postseason last year. Four competed in the NCAA Tournament and one participated in the NIT.   

SUPERVISORS COOK UP RECIPE FOR SMALL HOME KITCHEN BUSINESSES

East County News Service

Image Credit: Shutterstock 

 

September 15, 2021 (San Diego) -- The County Board of Supervisors voted today to move forward with plans to legalize microenterprise home kitchen operations, or MEHKOs. MEHKOs are defined by California law as a small retail food facility, operated from a private home.

COVID TESTS DOUBLE OVER PAST WEEK; NEARLY ALL HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS LOCALLY ARE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE

77.2% of County residents over age 12 are now fully vaccinated; 87.1% are fully vaccinated

East County News Service

 

September 15, 2021 (San Diego) – Deaths from COVID-19 tripled over the past week (Sept. 8-14) to 59, the highest number during the current surge. Since March, over 96% of hospitalizations were unvaccinated patients and nearly 89% of deaths were people who had not been vaccinated.

MORE AMERICANS FREED FROM AFGHANISTAN, ISSA’S OFFICE CONFIRMS

San Diego couple, both in their 80s, repeatedly blocked by the Taliban

East County News Service

September 15, 2021 (San Diego) - Congressman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego) announced today that his office has facilitated the release of two more American citizens from Afghanistan. The Congressman’s constituents, a couple in their 80s, are on their way home and have officially left Kabul.

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