Update from San Diego's Mayor Todd Gloria: "San Diego will participate in the National Memorial to Lives Lost to #COVID19 as organized by @JoeBidenand @KamalaHarris"Tonight, the Convention Center and buildings in #BalboaPark will be illuminated in amber and red, white, and blue to honor those we have lost to the virus."
Jan. 18, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) Part of the inaugural events for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris include a service tomorrow afternoon, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m. eastern standard time. The service will be held at 2:30 p.m. pacific standard time. They encourage all to light a candle in memory of those lost to COVID19 and place it is a window.
On the official Facebook page for the inauguration, the event is described as such:
“On January 19 at 5:30pm (local time- E.S.T.- 2:30 p.m. P.S.T. in California) we invite Americans across the country to come together for a national moment of unity and remembrance to honor the lives lost to COVID-19.
In Washington, D.C., we will host a ceremony with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, featuring the first-ever lighting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to honor and remember those who have died. You can watch live on Biden Inaugural social media channels.
January 18, 2021 (San Diego) - Grossmont High alum Joe Musgrove has been with the Astros, the Pirates and now he's finally coming home to play for his Padres, NBC 7 reports.
January 18, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- The New Year brings more than just champagne and fancy parties — it's also when we start a new fire recruit academy.
January 18, 2021 (El Cajon) - As a young man in his 20s, Steve Goble set a goal to retire from work on his 60th birthday and devote the rest of his life to public service.
January 18, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – The inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is slated to take place this Wednesday, January 19 in front of the Capitol. Washington D.C.is under heavy security following last week’s capitol insurrection, with 25,000 National Guard troops stationed there—five time more than the number of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
Due to threats of violence and the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of guests will be limited to mainly members of Congress and guests. The Capitol mall is closed to the public for security reasons. The event will be live streamed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. You can also watch the inauguration on C-span, CNN and other major networks. Throughout the day and evening, a variety of inaugural events will be held that the public can watch or paticipate in virtually.
January 18, 2021 (Washington, D.C.) - Federal authorities are heavily vetting the tens of thousands of National Guard troops that are heading to Washington, D.C. from around the nation to help secure President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony, additional screening reportedly prompted by fears of a possible "insider attack" on the event by right-wing extremists among the soldiers' ranks.
January 18, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – State Senator Brian Jones has provided an update from the Employment Development Department (EDD) regarding unemployment benefit extensions and suspended payments due to fraud screening
If your EDD account has been suspended‚ please read the following statement regarding the identity validation process here.
Additionally‚ if you have any questions regarding unemployment benefit extensions‚ you can read the most frequently asked questions here.
January 18, 2021 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College invites you to meet award winning landscape designer, author, and San Diego resident, John Beaudry on January 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The author of “Garden Sanctuary,” he creates outdoor living spaces to harmonize the environment. John shares his easy to follow process as featured in his book, along with inspiration to experience your garden as a personal sanctuary.
January 18, 2021 (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 15, 2021 (Mt. Helix) -- Global warming and climate change are affecting growing seasons. ECM editor Miriam Raftery was surprised to find ripe blackberries in mid-January in her backyard on Mt. Helix in unincorporated La Mesa. Blackberries normally ripe in midsummer and go dormant in winter, but this vine never lost its leaves.
Several readers have shared that they were startled by mid-winter harvests of peppers and tomatoes this month.
January 17, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
January 17, 2021 (San Diego) – The FBI is seeking tips from the public to prevent violence locally related to the Capitol siege and potential violence related to the upcoming inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden.
January 16, 2021 (Logan, Utah) - Steven Ashworth scored 17 points off the bench to lift Utah State to a 64-59 win over San Diego State on Saturday, the Aggies' 10th straight victory.
January 16, 2021 (In-Ko-Pah) – Shortly after noon yesterday, California Highway Patrol units and fire personnel responded to a call requesting medical assistance on I-8 west near the Old Highway 80 undercrossing at In-Ko-Pah.
An investigation found that the driver, 54, from El Cajon appeared to have stopped his 2015 Volkswagen Passat on the shoulder after suffering an unknown medical condition. However, he failed to place the vehicle in park before taking his foot off the brake, says Officer Travis Garrow with the CHP. The vehicle drafted left across both freeway lanes into brush in the center media.
Passengers extricated the driver from the vehicle and attempted live-saving procedures. The vehicle caught brush on fire and the Volkswagen was soon fully engulfed.
January 16, 2021 (La Mesa) – Bob Kruse, 62, a La Mesa resident who oversaw over 50 local Goodwill sites as Director of Facilities, has died of COVID-19.
By Juliette Nash, Community Training Coordinator, San Diego Humane Society
Photos courtesy San Diego Humane Society
January 16, 2021 (San Diego) -- Whether you’ve just adopted a puppy during the pandemic or you’re a longtime pet owner, positive reinforcement-based behavioral training is key to a happy, healthy human-animal relationship, especially while everyone is spending more time at home. But with most traditional in-person training classes on hold in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you may feel your options are limited. That is not the case, though — and trainers at San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) have moved many of their training classes online. They have found online training classes, conducted via Zoom or other video chat platforms, can bring tremendous results to pets and families alike.
Supervisor Anderson plans pilot programs for more homeless help in the future
By Miriam Raftery
January 16, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to apply for $12 million in additional state funding for the No Place Like Home program. No Place Like Home provides funding for the creation of affordable housing units for those with serious mental illness who are experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness.
Tuesday’s authorization also provides County behavioral health supportive services for tenants in No Place Like Home units for a period of 20 years.
So far, the County has approved six developments through the No Place Like Home program in in San Diego, the South Bay, and North County – but not East County, even though East County has a large homeless population in places like El Cajon, Spring Valley and Lakeside.The County has previously received some funding through the program and could ultimately qualify for up to $117 million through 2024.
January 15, 2021 (Santee) -- Santee residents will get a chance to vote on the Fanita Ranch project, but will have to wait until November 2022 to do so.
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Santee City Council voted 4-0, with Mayor John Minto absent, to place the controversial 3,000-unit residential development on the next regularly scheduled city election rather than rescinding its earlier approval vote for the project or setting a special election. According to the county Registrar of Voters, a special election would cost the city about $850,000.
This wasn’t what the Council originally intended. In September the board approved a slew of amendments to the Fanita Ranch Specific Plan and approved the project in a 4-1 vote, with former Councilman Stephen Houlahan opposed.
January 15, 2021 (Sacramento) - Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday the deployment of up to 1,000 California National Guard troops to guard the state Capitol in Sacramento amid threats of right-wing violence.
Photo: A man is vaccinated while in his car at the “super station” downtown. Courtesy County News Center
January 15, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego County officials announced plans Wednesday to spend up to $100 million on a mass vaccination program that will target 24,000 people a day beginning Feb. 1.
January 15, 2021 (San Diego) – Santa Ana winds are forecast to roar into our region, bringing high fire danger Friday and Saturday along with soaring temperatures up to 20 degrees above normal.
SDG&E has announced possible public safety power shutoffs to more than 11,000 customers across San Diego County’s mountain and rural communities. For updates, see the outage page at www.SDGE.com.
The National Weather Service warns that “strong, damaging Santa Ana winds” are expected to again be likely Monday through Wednesday—along with likely high fire danger if humidity remains low.
CalMatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.
Image via iStock
January 15, 2021 (Sacramento) - Six million Californians 65 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine — a major shift in strategy that could help accelerate the Golden State’s sluggish vaccine rollout even as some counties say they’re unprepared to handle increased demand.
January 14, 2021 (Ssan Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (4-7, 2-3) rallied to knock off Utah State (4-5, 2-2) 68-60 Thursday evening inside Viejas Arena. SDSU trailed nearly the entire game, but Mercedes Staples and Flo Vinerte scored 20 of SDSU’s 23 fourth quarter points to help the Aztecs complete the comeback.
January 14, 2021 (Sacramento) -- California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Tuesday put tire manufacturers on notice that California wants them to explore alternatives to using zinc, a toxic chemical that harms aquatic life and burdens waterways.
From Howe Street To Accra: My Adventures Working On The Groundbreaking Film Coming To Africa, by Frank James IV (AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2020, 62 pages).
Book Review by Dennis Moore
January 14, 2021 (San Diego) - Coming at a time of the sequel to the iconic movie Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, scheduled for release in December of 2021, Frank James IV has written a memoir, From Howe Street to Accra: My Adventures Working on the Groundbreaking Film Coming To Africa. I actually envy the author for having the opportunity to go to Africa, and then, to film a movie!
Perhaps hoping to capitalize on the upcoming remake of the Eddie Murphy film coming out in December of 2021, the author writes of his experiences in Accra, Ghana. There are many anecdotes throughout this intuitive and thought provoking book that has one feeling as if they were actually there.
January 14, 2021 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon is currently accepting applications for one position on the Personnel Commission and three on the Public Safety Facility Financing Oversight Committee. The filing period is open though Monday, February 1, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.
City Council interviews via Zoom will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Applications are available in the City Clerk's Office and on the City's website. For additional information, please call the City Clerk's Office at (619) 441-1763.
Personnel Commission
Vacancy: One (1) Commissioner
Duration: Four-year term to expire on January 31, 2025
January 14, 2021 (Jamul) – A deadly collision on Otay Lakes Road in Jamul on January 10th shortly before 10 a.m. claimed the lives of a motorcyclist and a bicyclist.
The victims are identified as Jonathan Michael Charbonnet, 43, and Julias Kim G. Cunanan, 40, both of Chula Vista. Charbonnet was riding a motorcycle eastbound when for unknown reasons, he struck Cunanan, who was riding with a group of bicyclists
January 14, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Sheriff’s department seeks public help to locate Matthew Patton, 30. He was last seen on Dec. 10 around 7 p.m. leaving Sycuan Casino Resort in unincorporated El Cajon.
According to the Sheriff’s department, Patton met a friend the day before at Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine. The pair later met up at Sycuan, where Patton reportedly stayed and continued gambling.
Patton was last seen walking toward Dehesa Road. He was wearing a white Nike hoodie and dark jeans.
January 14, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) --Under the authority of the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, the Rancho Helix De Oro is a newly formed fire safe council dedicated to educating and preparing our community in order to avoid devastating fires. The group has created an educational fire-safe flyer (click link to view flyer) with information including tips for fire safety, an evacuation map, who to call during an emergency, and how to get emergency notification for the communities of Rancho San Diego, Mt. Helix and Casa de Oro.
The new group was formed with support from then-County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, the Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association, Valle de Oro Planning Group, Casa De Oro Alliance, and community members in collaboration with San Miguel Fire and Rescue, Cal Fire, San Diego County Sheriff, San Diego Gas & Electric, and the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County.
January 14, 2021 (Washington D.C.) -- Today,, East County's newly elected Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-A-53) will host an informational session on the COVID-19 vaccine featuring local public health experts. The virtual event, entitled “Learn the Facts: COVID-19 Vaccine Truths with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs,” will take place on Thursday, January 14 at 2:00 PM Pacific Time. Members of the public can register to attend the virtual event here.
During the event, Congresswoman Jacobs will talk about her experience receiving the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine as part of the President Policy Directive to maintain continuity of government. She will then be joined by community and public health leaders who will discuss the science behind COVID-19 vaccines, their safety and efficacy, and offer an update on when members of the public can expect to be vaccinated.
By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson
East County News Service
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
By Rick Griffin
January 18, 2021 (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 17, 2021 (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
Source: goaztecs.com
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Juliette Nash, Community Training Coordinator, San Diego Humane Society
By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Some counties low on doses
Mercedes Staples scored a career high 24 points
Source: Calif. Dept. of Toxic Substances Control
From Howe Street To Accra: My Adventures Working On The Groundbreaking Film Coming To Africa, by Frank James IV (AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2020, 62 pages).
Source: City of El Cajon
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
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