March 21, 2021 (San Diego) -- Windows are among the first things people notice on a home’s structure. When you have outstanding and high-quality windows, you can easily turn heads and attract potential and eager buyers. Windows can be a lifetime investment, so you will need to make an informed decision before purchasing. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for replacement windows.
March 18, 2021 (Ramona) – If you’re looking for a unique experience after a year in COVID-19 quarantine, Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to “Camel Camp” May 1-2.
Photo, left, via C-Span: President Joe Biden signs the American Recovery Act
March 17,2021 (San Diego) – The American Recovery Act signed into law last week by President Joe Biden will provide $1.9 trillion to aid those impacted by COVID-19 and provide an economic boost.
The measure includes a new round of stimulus checks of up to $1,400 for most Americans, up to $2,800 for couples and additional help for families with children, extension of unemployment benefits just days before benefits would run out, and aid to some business sectors hard-hit by the pandemic. The new law also funds vaccinations, reopening schools, and aid to local, state and tribal governments for COVID-19 related costs.
East County’s Congressional representatives split their votes down party lines, with Democrats Sara Jacobs and Juan Vargas voting in favor, while Republican Darrell Issa voted against the landmark COVID-19 relief bill.
The members each provided statements to justify their votes.
Below are highlights of their remarks, followed by a summary of what the bill includes.
March 17, 2021 (San Diego) – Breweries, wineries and distilleries have been hard-hit by state COVID-19 restrictions. But effective March 13, they can now reopen for outdoor service in counties in the state’s most restrictive purple and red tiers – even if they don’t serve food.
March 16, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego County will move from the purple tier into the less restrictive red tier starting tomorrow. The state notified county officials today of the change, which allows many businesses to reopen or expand capacity, though masks and social distancing are still required. Here are some of the changes:
March 16, 2021 (San Diego) -- Today the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 in support of the Youth Environmental/Recreation Corps, a program aimed to provide youth with skills training and opportunities to develop knowledge, practice skills and gain work experience in the growing sector of green economies. Youth Will has been working closely with Supervisor Lawson-Remer and the Invest in San Diego Families coalition to promote this initiative and ensure the youth voice is represented in improving access to green space and green work opportunities.
Photo, left: Rev Shane Harris held a press conference last week at the San Pasqual Academy
March 16, 2021 (Escondido) – In a win for foster youths, San Diego County Supervisors today voted unanimously to approve a motion asking state officials to grant a reprieve to the San Pasqual Academy, a boarding school for foster youths slated to close later this year.
The school has been a safe haven for foster youths, who found a home at the academy when they were unable to be placed with families as they aged out of the system.
Rev. Shane Harris, president of the People's Association of Justice Advocates, has led efforts to keep the school open. After today's vote, he stated, “I thank the Board of Supervisors for their unanimous support of this motion. Today we have taken a step toward reimagining what foster care can look like in San Diego County and beyond, starting with the nation's first residential educational campus for foster youth, San Pasqual Academy. The fight for a carve out to keep San Pasqual in existence in our nation begins now. Let's reimagine foster care together."
Harris is an alumni of San Pasqual Academy, which he credits with helping him develop leadership skills after years in foster care.
March 16, 2021 (La Mesa) - The five candidates looking to serve as the next 79th District Assembly member came together on February 24 to participate in a candidate forum hosted by Voice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis. The district includes La Mesa, Del Cerro, Lemon Grove, Otay Ranch and East Chula Vista.
March 16, 2021 (El Cajon) --- It takes a village to find a lost diamond. Such is the case with an El Cajon woman, Michelle Marks, who lost a round, one-carat diamond stone valued at $3,000 while walking her dogs in the Fletcher Hills area.
After Marks posted about the loss on a Nextdoor neighborhood forum, 70 people posted comments, some offering help--and one neighbor found the stone. That gifted hunter was Tiffany Johnson.
Johnson doggedly pursued finding the lost diamond that had become dislodged from Marks’ engagement ring--a ring that Marks’ husband, Eddie, had proposed with 27 years ago.
March 15, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – By a 51-40 vote, The U.S. Senate has confirmed Deb Haaland to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the first Native American to lead a federal cabinet agency and only the third woman to head up the Interior Department. Her appointment by President Joe Biden has been hailed by Native American leaders and environmentalists nationwide.
March 15, 2021 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) will host its signature Morning Glory Brunch Frog Race virtually this year. The Virtual Morning Glory Brunch Frog Race will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021 and will be celebrating the event’s 20th anniversary. All proceeds benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which educates and empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to realize their full potential.
The community is encouraged to participate in the frog race by purchasing rubber frogs to be entered in the race. Volunteer “Frogettes” will splash from the end of the pool deck, without touching the frogs, to assist the frogs in reaching the finish line. Winners of the Frog Race will be announced during a live streaming event, and all proceeds from purchased frogs will benefit SMSC’s Garden and Aquatic Programs.
Company filed application in 2018 asking regulators to get rid of state-mandated charge and provide bill relief to customers
Source: SDG&E
March 15, 2021 (San Diego) -- San Diego Gas & Electric customers will no longer have to worry about getting hit with the state-mandated High Usage Charge (HUC) – a substantially higher price for electricity that kicks in for customers once their energy usage exceeds a certain threshold.
March 15, 2021 (Phoenix) - The Padres traveled to Phoenix to face the Brewers today in spring training action. Brett Anderson started for the Brewers against Blake Snell.
Aztecs score six runs in seventh inning to overcome 5-2 deficit
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
March 14, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego State scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday to overcome a 5-2 deficit and defeat UNLV 8-6 in the rubber game of a weekend set at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
March 14, 2021 (Santee) - The ducks are out at Santee Lakes. Santee Lakes is a great place to do some bird watching, get a walk in, or of course do some fishing. And, if you are birding, maybe get a chance to see a Cinnamon Teal.
Of all the lakes out in the East County, I think the one with the largest population of ducks is Santee Lakes--from the Mallards, Northern Shoveler and Wood Ducks, to the American Wigeon. Plus you are guaranteed to always find the American Coots hanging out with the ducks. Santee Lakes is one of my favorite places to bird watch because of the wide diversity of species ranging from Osprey and Peregrine Falcons to Snowy Egrets and Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers as well as Western Kingbirds. An estimate of over 200 species can be seen in a calendar year at Santee Lakes.
Update: The cause of death for Goffeney and his wife was fentanyl addiciton, Goffeney's daughter posted.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Mark Goffeney, Creative Commons image via Wikipedia
March 14, 2021 (El Cajon) – Mark Goffeney, the internationally acclaimed armless musician known as “Big Toe” who inspired people around the world, was found dead on March 2nd in his El Cajon apartment along with his wife, Annmaree. Both were 51. An autopsy will determine their causes of death.
Born without arms in 1969, Goffeney inspired millions with his can-do attitude. He learned to play the guitar and bass with his feet, strumming with his left foot and forming chords with his right. He was nominated in an Emmy award in 1999 for his role in a Fox commercial, “Feet”, which later aired during the Superbowl in 2000 and 2001. He’s performed around the world with many top celebrities, also appearing on an array of TV shows.
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
Photo: a woman is vaccinated at the Sharp super station in Chula Vista. Courtesy County News Center
March 14, 2021 (San Diego) - California on Friday hit a benchmark of delivering 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to underserved communities, triggering a big change that will transform the state’s reopening map from purple to mostly red.
March 14, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego based monthly direct mail publication company Local Umbrella Media (LocalUmbrellaNews.com) announced today they have entered into an agreement with the Towne Post Network (TownePost.com), an Indiana-based cross-platform publishing company.
By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Photo: Graffiti drawn on a residence hall at San Diego State University, March 2021
March 14, 2021 (San Diego) - Earlier this week, an unidentified resident advisor at South Campus Plaza North, a large dormitory serving hundreds of students at San Diego State University, found scrawled on the exterior of the building three swastikas and coded messages often associated with white supremacist philosophy. She immediately got some poster board to cover the offensive messaging, and drew hearts upon the poster board along with the message “Spread Love.” After campus police were called to the scene and photographs taken of the offending material as part of an ongoing investigation, the antisemitic message was eliminated.
March 14, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego State rallied from an 8-0 deficit for a walk-off 9-8 victory over Saint Mary’s in nine innings Sunday afternoon at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (12-5) claimed the series with the victory.
Photo by Miriam Raftery: storm clouds over Spring Valley
March 14, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Very strong, “damaging” winds are forecast for Monday and Tuesday in San Diego’s mountain and desert regions. West winds with gusts of up to 70 miles per hour will create dangerous driving conditions for high-profile vehicles due to strong winds particularly on I-8 near Jacumba Hot Springs, as well as reduced visibility due to blowing dust in desert areas.
March 14, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- A hiking we go, a hiking we will go, it’s a beautiful spring day, a hiking we will go! Hiking on the trails of San Diego County has been a great past time over the last 12 months of the pandemic. Let’s have our trail etiquette boots on when we are out there with our fellow hikers.
The hiking trails have been packed with people the last 12 months. The increase is due to Covid-19. As a regular hiker here in our East County, I would estimate it to be 8 to 10 times as many people and even more than that on the weekend. With more people on the trails, we need to be more diligent out there. So, let’s be conscience of our surroundings.
Don’t be in a hiking daze when on the trail. It’s important we know a few rules of the trail so everyone can enjoy the outdoors. Trail etiquette is needed on the trails when hiking, especially on narrow paths. Always try to stay to your right side when passing hikers along the trail coming from the opposite direction—just as when we are driving in our cars, we drive on the right-hand side of the road. There are a few hikers out there sticking to the left side, maybe they’re used to European trails?
March 14, 2021 (East County Lakes) - The crazy old Coots are out. No, no, no, I’m talking about the American Coot (Fulica americana), also known as the Mud Hen. And yes, that’s where the origin of the affectionate term “old coot” came from. By the 1700s, the term “old coot” was often used for “a harmless, simple person.”
March 13, 2021 (San Diego) - The San Diego Foundation yesterday announced grant funding is available for nonprofit organizations working to support children ages 0-5 and their families with increased access to childcare, a service critical to pandemic and economic recovery in San Diego County.
The 2021 Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) Responsive Grant supports nonprofit organizations addressing emerging needs in the San Diego region. According to the December 2020 report, Roadmap for Resilience: The California Surgeon General’s Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences, Toxic Stress, and Health, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma represent an urgent public health crisis with wide-reaching health and societal impacts. Grant application criteria is informed by this report, as well as by regional data and local stakeholders, and reflects that ACEs is an important issue impacting many children, families and service providers that deliver care in San Diego County.
By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office
March 13, 2021 (San Diego) - County officials Monday discussed the debut of a new County program designed to help people experiencing mental health or substance use crises by dispatching behavioral health experts to emergency calls instead of law enforcement when appropriate.
Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher, County District Attorney Summer Stephan, County behavioral health officials and representatives from Exodus Recovery, Inc. held a socially distanced event outside the County Administration Center to share information about the Mobile Crisis Response Team program (MCRT) that was launched in January.
March 13, 2021 (Las Vegas) - Led by junior Nathan Mensah and senior Trey Pulliam, the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team defeated Utah State in the Mountain West title game 68-57 today at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
March 13, 2021 (San Diego) – Starting Monday, March 15, people ages 16 and up in Tier 1C will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, if they live or work in San Diego County and have certain serious health conditions. The County has sharply expanded the number of health conditions, disabilities, and illnesses on the list that put people at higher risk for COVID-19 serious illness.
In addition, the County has added homeless people and those in congregate living situations such as jails, mental health facilities, or detention centers to the list.
Below is the full list of everyone who is eligible for vaccinations, starting Monday:
Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
Cystic fibrosis
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
Liver disease
Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
Obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2, but < 40 kg/m2)
Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
March 13, 2021 (El Cajon) – A Middle Eastern man in his 20s was struck and killed by a gray Infinity shortly before 10 p.m. last night while crossing South Anza Street to enter his parked car. According to Lt Jason Taub with the El Cajon Police Dept., the victim was thrown approximately 180 feet from the collision site and died at the scene.
The vehicle, a 2020 4-door gray Infinity, was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to witnesses. After hitting the pedestrian, the Infinity collided with a parked car in the 800 block of Anza.
Officers responding to a call reporting the collision with the parked car found the deceased man nearby, lying in an adjacent yard.
March 13, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – On Tuesday, staff members from the City of Lemon Grove hosted a virtual Zoom webinar/workshop open to residents to address the future of housing in the area they call home. Although no Council members attended this workshop, it opened up a platform for the community to express their thoughts on this project.
March 12, 2021 (Spring Valley) – Two shooting victims have been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries resulting from gunfire outside of an illegal marijuana dispensary in Spring Valley Wednesday night.
Sheriff’s detectives from the Rancho San Diego station responded to multiple calls of gunshots at 8:33 p.m. near Dolores Street and South Barcelona in the Casa de Oro neighborhood, an area where numerous illegal dispensaries have previously been raided and shut down.
Deputies found a 22-year-old shooting victim along with evidence of a shooting outside a dispensary at 9966 Dolores Street, unit 107, as well as a firearm, says Sergeant Karen Bloch.
By Martin Whitmore
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Alexa Oslowski
By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson
East County News Service
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By Liz Alper
Aztecs score six runs in seventh inning to overcome 5-2 deficit
By Greg Dunne 
By Ana B. Ibarra and Rachel Becker | CalMatters
Source: Local Umbrella Media
By Donald H. Harrison, 
Aztecs trailed 8-0 after an inning
Story and photos by Greg Dunne
By Greg Dunne 
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
By Angela Kurysh
By Miriam Raftery and Rick Nothano
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