Photo: Hannah Gbeh is the new executive director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau. She considers it to be her dream job.
September 20, 2019 (San Diego) - Hannah Gbeh has taken over at San Diego County Farm Bureau as the new executive director. “This is a dream come true for me. I sat on the Farm Bureau board of directors for three years and often thought how much I would love this job. So when it became available I immediately applied.”
September 20, 2019 – (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez presented a report on citizen police oversight practices at last week's City Council hearing and made suggestions for an 11-member Citizen Public Safety Panel to exchange information for the betterment of public safety in La Mesa. But his panel would lack investigative powers to look into complaints involving the police department.
Public testimony was against the Chief's proposal, and Councilwoman Dr. Akilah Weber grilled Vasquez on whether he adequately canvassed residents for input.
September 20, 2019 (San Diego) - Approximately 200 people packed the United Domestic Workers Union Hall in Rolando in East County on Saturday, to witness San Diego Council President Georgette Gomez kick off her campaign to succeed Congresswoman Susan Davis in the 53rd Congressional District.
Her endorsement list is a who’s who of prominent Democrats and leaders in the Latinx, LGBTQ and environmental justice community including State Senate Speaker Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Congressman Juan Vargas, San Diego City Attorney Mara Eliott, Former Senator Christine Kehoe, Escondido City Councilwoman Olga Diaz, California Air Resources Board member Diane Takvorian, Former Chief Executive of San Diego LGBT Center Delores Jacobs, National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Queen Mother Nicole Murray-Ramirez and former San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Jess Durfee, among others.
September 20, 2019 (San Diego) -- Suicide is on the rise. Regardless of race, gender, age, fame, financial status, it is rising! Having suicidal thoughts does not mean someone is weak or flawed.
September 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” —Major General James Jackson
September 19, 2019 (San Diego) -- It’s been 18 years since United Airlines flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 11 were purposely flown by hijackers into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Shortly thereafter, the Pentagon was severely damaged by the impact of an additional airliner and resulting fire. Hijackers also crashed a fourth plane into a field near Shanksville, Pa., after the passengers and flight crew attempted to regain control of the aircraft.
September 19, 2019 (San Diego) – Police are actively searching for three possible suspects in an armed robbery that occurred at 4:17 p.m. today in the alley north of 5700 Montezuma Road, just off campus near San Diego State University.
85 defendants charged for distributing methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl
East County News Service
September 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Eight indictments were unsealed today in San Diego federal court, charging 85 members of drug distribution networks linked to the Sinaloa Cartel with federal drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms offenses. Authorities are searching for 38 defendants; the rest are in state or federal custody, the U.S. Department of Justice in San Diego announced.
September 19, 2019 (Santee) -- Santee and Carlsbad would seem to be strange bedfellows, given their geographical locations and the latter being twice the size in population. But the cities are moving closer to joining forces to form a new entity to purchase more of their power from renewable sources starting in 2021.
September 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Gusty winds and low humidity this evening in San Diego’s mountains and deserts combine for elevated fire conditions this evening. Wind gusts of 25 to 40 miles per hour are forecast.
September 19, 2019 (San Diego) – Retired Congressman Darrell Issa has said he will run against Rep. Duncan Hunter if his appointment by President Trump to head up the U.S. Trade and Development Agency is not approved by early November. But now, both Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee say that an FBI background file on Issa raises red flags.
September 19, 2019 (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:
September 19, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
“We are one nation, under God, indivisible. But right now, I think that notion is being tested at our deepest core. I think it is time for us to lead with our values again as a nation." -- Ammar Campa-Najjar
September 17, 2019 (Alpine)—At a town hall meeting in Alpine on August 18, some 100 East County residents heard Congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar field questions on a wide range of issues. He offered thoughtful responses, many moderate positions and at times, maverick views on topics such as healthcare, gun violence, climate change, jobs, education, immigration and more.
The Jamul resident and Democratic contender has worked at the national level on both business and labor issues. Now he’s running for the 50th Congressional district seat held by indicted Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, whose federal corruption trial begins in January.
Dressed in a long-sleeved sports shirt and blue jeans, the 30 year-old hopeful emphasized that to win in 2020, he has to attract voters across party lines. The Republican party still holds a substantial registration advantage, but Campa-Najjar came within three percentage points of ousting Hunter in 2018 in what had long been considered a GOP stronghold.
First, Campa-Najjar gave an overview of his platform. Next he answered questions on 10 topics randomly pulled from questions submitted beforehand. Then came live questions posed by audience members at a microphone.
September 18, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – An unidentified man walking north in traffic lanes of State Route 94 east at College Avenue was struck by a 2010 Nissan Altima around 8:45 p.m. The driver, a 27-year-old woman from San Diego, swerved upon seeing the man walking directly into the path of her vehicle in the number three lane, but was unable to avoid hitting him.
September 14, 2019 (Lakeside) -- California Sen. Brian Jones (R-Inland San Diego County) confidently faced a large mostly well-behaved crowd in a packed community room at the Lakeside Community Center on August 22.
September 18, 2019 (San Diego) -- On August 30th, the County of San Diego issued a news release titled “CAL FIRE Prepares To Add New Aerial Attack Plane”. It incorrectly stated, “CAL FIRE plans in the near future to purchase a retardant-dropping C-130 air tanker and the agency’s pilots got a chance to train in the region this month.”
A video did show a pilot training in Ramona, as ECM reported. Cal Fire Captain and Public Information officer Issac Sanchez, in the video, indicated that Cal Fire hoped to have a C-130 permanently stationed in the region within the next couple of years.
However, yesterday ECM received an e-mail from Thomas Dominguez, who says he is a former firefighter. He disputed the County’s statements and indicated that the aircraft in question is to be given, not sold, to Cal Fire by the federal government. He also stated that the aircraft is not currently equipped with a fire retardant system.
CalFire has confirmed that these are truthful statements, and that this process will likely take a couple of years, though will ultimately make our region safer.
CALmatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.
September 18, 2019 (Middletown, Calif.) - Catherine Stone pulled into a packed parking lot at Middletown High School on the hot and excessively windy Saturday of September 12, 2015. A small but fast-growing fire had erupted hours earlier, a dozen miles away on Cobb Mountain. First responders needed an evacuation center and wanted to use Middletown High.
September 18, 2019 (San Diego) -- Cory Briggs has a two decades-long record as an attorney challenging insider power brokers who’ve dominated city hall for decades. He’s been described by Times of San Diego as the “bane of downtown developers” and has filed numerous lawsuits successfully championing taxpayers, voters’ rights, the environment and government transparency. He’s also taught law--including professional ethics.
Now he’s running for San Diego City Attorney against incumbent Mara Elliott, promising to be a taxpayers’ advocate if elected. In our interview originally aired on KNSJ radio, he criticizes Elliott for trying to gut California’s Public Records Act, backing “frivolous” suits thrown out of court, and mishandling allegations of child abuse at the San Diego Junior Theatre, among other issues. Click the audio link to hear the full interview, and scroll down for highlights.
Photo credit for images in banner: Rad Schmidt (left image) and Adam Gordon (star trails, right image)
September 18, 2019 (Borrego Springs) – Anza Borrego Foundation is kicking off the fall season with its fourth annual “Pints 4 the Park” as part of Borrego Days on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
September 18, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – A sell-out crowd turned out for our inaugural Movers, Shakers and Newsmakers event held at the Heritage of the Americas Museum on August 29th, enjoying a summer’s eve reception on the patio followed by a newsworthy array of speakers.
September 18, 2019 (San Diego) – An article published by the London tabloid Daily Mail and cited by some U.S. media outlets falsely suggested an outbreak of leprosy among homeless in Los Angeles to be an eminent threat. The Daily Mail quoted Dr. Marc Siegel as stating, “'Leprosy appearing among the homeless in LA is a sure recipe for instant public panic.”
But Associated Press has debunked the story. The Los Angeles County Health Department confirms that the rate of leprosy has stayed steady for the past decade, averaging only two cases a year – and none of those were transmitted locally, AP reports. This year, only a single case has occurred.
September 18, 2019 (Julian) – SDG&E has announced a planned power outage today from 12 noon to 4 p.m. to protect safety of workers repairing power poles. An estimated 1,600 customers will be affected.
If you are enrolled in SDG&E’s Medical Baseline program and have devices that depend on electricity, the Planned Outage Coordinator to confirm you have received the outage notification and to make any necessary arrangements during the planned outage. The outage coordinator can be reached weekdays between 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at 858-654-1785.
If you need assistance after hours or over the weekend, please call 1-800-211-7343.
CALmatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.
Photo: A man vaping with an e-cigarette. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
September 18, 2019 (Sacramento) - California lawmakers ended the Legislative session without doing much on vaping. Now Gov. Gavin Newsom is stepping in.
On Monday morning, the governor signed an executive order which he said would be “pushing the envelope” to regulate the burgeoning e-cigarette industry despite a lack of new legal authority from the state Assembly and Senate.
Riders can win prizes including free transit for a year. Ditch rush-hour traffic, save gas and take a ride!
By Miriam Raftery
September 17, 2019 (San Diego) – Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD) are offering offer free rides to the public on all three trolley lines and fixed line busses, as well as the Coaster and Sprinter train service on Wednesday, October 2, which is also California Clean Air Day.
September 17, 2019 (Escondido) – For months, officials in East County and North County have assailed as “highway robbery” a plan announced by the San Diego Regional Association of Governments (SANDAG) to cancel some highway projects and instead, spend TransNet extension funds approved by voters in 2004 on transit projects such as high-speed rail and shared electric vehicles instead.
September 17, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- Christian Lopez, 27, has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Jeffrey Quirino, who was stabbed during a fight on May 23, 2016.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a fight in front of 8914 Delrose Ave. in Spring Valley, but learned that a passing motorist had taken the victim to a hospital, where he died of his injuries a week later.
For video of the student-athletes' portion of the press conference, click "read more" and scroll down.
September 17, 2019 (San Diego) - Aztecs football returns home this Saturday to open Mountain West play against Utah State. Head coach Rocky Long and seniors Ryan Agnew and Myles Cheatum sat down with the media today.
September 17, 2019 (San Diego) -- Lillian Palmer has performed in concert at the East County Performing Arts Center, Poway Center for the Performing Arts, and the Center for Performing Arts, Esconndido. She has also appeared at the Old Globe in Balboa Park and the Lawrence Welk Theater. Next up, Second Sunday Concerts will present Palmer in concert at Mission Trails Church, 4880 Zion Ave., San Diego on Oct. 13 from 3-4 p.m.
Test results show elevated nitrates in the drinking water supply
East County News Service
September 17, 2019 (Lake Morena) -- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH), has issued a Do Not Drink Notice and Public Notification effective immediately for Lake Morena Views Mutual Water Company located at29846 Mallard Road, Campo, CA 91906. Recent water sample results showed nitrate levels exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) in the water distribution system. The water system serves a population of approximately 123 residential connections and a general store.
By David Ross, Valley Roadrunner
Suicidal Tendencies?
September 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
East County News Service
85 defendants charged for distributing methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl
By Mike Allen
By Miriam Raftery
September 19, 2019 (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:
September 19, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor and Miriam Raftery, Editor
By Miriam Raftery
By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor
By Ricardo Cano | CALmatters
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
Not a single case of the disease, which is now curable with medications, has been transmitted locally in L.A. in the past 10 years
By Ben Christopher | Calmatters
Riders can win prizes including free transit for a year. Ditch rush-hour traffic, save gas and take a ride!
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Test results show elevated nitrates in the drinking water supply
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