May 22, 2023 (El Cajon) - New basketball courts at Wells Park (1153 E Madison Ave, El Cajon) will open on May 25 with a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. The 18-acre park was built in 1953 and is in the middle of the City’s most population-dense residential housing area.
May 22, 2023 (Los Angeles) - The San Diego State softball team homered three times to rally for a 6-3 victory over Liberty Sunday afternoon and claim the NCAA Los Angeles Regional at Easton Stadium. With the win, the Aztecs (38-15) advanced to their first NCAA Super Regionals in program history and will play at No. 15 overall seed Utah next weekend.
May 22, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Concerts, comedy, a Flag Day parade, a musical play, food festivals, a pride walk, and a library fundraiser are all coming up in San Diego’s inland region during late May and June.
Scroll down for full details on these and more festive events coming up.
Update May 23, 2023: Quarantines have been imposed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on 15 properties in San Diego County and 4 in Riverside, Locally, 6 cases have been confirmed and 9 more are suspected.
May 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – A case of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), a viral disease which causes severe blister-like lesions on the mouths and hooves of horses, cattle, pigs, goats, llamas, and other hooved livestock, has been confirmed in San Diego County, according to Dr. Craig Chandler, DVM, at the East County Large and Small Animal Practice. According to Dr. Chandler, testing is underway on samples from several other horses in East County with suspected VSV.
According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, VSV is contagious and debilitating, but rarely life threatening. It can also spread to humans, so safe handling procedures should be followed.
The disease is reportable; livestock should be isolated for 14 days after the last case. The disease takes 2 to 8 days from exposure to appear and usually runs it course in about 2 weeks, though sores can take up to months to resolve. Testing is required to confirm presence of the disease.
Dr. Chandler posted the following information on Facebook and gave permission for ECM to reprint it, along with a photo:
May 21, 2023 (Lakeside) – Ginger Rich, owner of Reflections Salon and Day Spa in Lakeside was once homeless in San Diego. Because of those who believed in her, she is now a successful businesses woman owning the salon for over seven years.
Each year, she’s held Haircuts for the Homeless, an outreach event to help those in need, offering not only haircuts, but also clothing, food, and personal essentials. In addition, several organizations from county to private offered services and resources.
May 21, 2023 (Santee) -- Laura Koval is retiring from her regular job as director of the Santee Lakes park, but says she’s keeping her part-time job on the Santee City Council. In fact, she’s announced she intends to run again for the seat in 2024.
Working has been part of her life since she was a youngster. Beginning at the tender age of 17 as an usher for the San Diego Padres and continuing to her current job that will end next month, Koval has worn many different hats. But one she still wears proudly today has SD on it.
Koval, 58, worked for the Padres for 26 years, including during the team’s only two World Series appearances in 1984 and 1998.
May 21, 2023 (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:
May 21, 2023 (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:
May 21, 2023 (San Diego) – In San Diego author Matt Coyle’s latest crime novel, private investigator Rick Cahill has become a father and husband. Having lived a tough life as an athlete and P.I., Rick’s repeated head traumas are paying their toll. He now has chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease that gives him moments of fugues and moments of out-of-control rage. Treatments are not working out; he hides his disease from his family.
May 21, 2023 (Santee) – Jose Lawrence Ruvalcaba, 29, is in custody for allegedly groping a 12-year-old girl on May 18.
A 12-year-old student from Chett F. Harritt School was walking towards Big Rock Park on Arlette Street on May 18 shortly before 4 p.m. when a man approached her and inappropriately touched her chest, says Lieutenant Anthony O’Boyle with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
According to O’Boyle, a friend who was with the victim tried to intervene by pushing away the suspect. He took off on an electric black and gray scooter.
An employee at the Santee Teen Center, which is also located at Big Rock Park, called the Sheriff's Department on Friday, May 19 just before 6:30 p.m. when he saw a man who matched the all-black clothing description of the suspect and his scooter.
May 21, 2023 (San Diego) -- A Positive Choice Resource & Referral Services LLC is hosting a Walking in Confidence Shoe and Sock Drive in collaboration with Serene Health, We Support U and Monarch School to donate as many shoes and socks in all sizes to the homeless community. New shoes and socks will be accepted until June 22 at the drop off locations around San Diego County, including A Positive Choice’s office at 7614 Lemon Avenue Lemon Grove, CA 91945.
Jeannine Nash, Director of Referrals for A Positive Choice, says, “There are many individuals who are homeless and shoeless. These individuals suffer from a lack of confidence. Shoes will assist in providing individuals with the protection they need from the environment, the shoes will give them a sense of pride and dignity.”
Update: Ford CEO Jim Farley has announced that Ford will reverse its earlier decision to eliminate AM radios and will offer a software program to restore AM access to owners of Ford electric vehicles sold without AM radio, NPR reports.
By Miriam Raftery
May 20, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – Many electric vehicle manufacturers have removed AM radio from their current and future models, claiming interference with electric motors can cause buzzing noises and faded signals. Those that have already removed AM radios from electric vehicles include Tesla, Ford, Mazda, BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, Polestar and Rivian.
May 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – The I-8 pavement replacement and road improvement project from Viejas Creek in Alpine to Pine Valley Creek is 40 percent completed after the first 160 days of work, with completion of the entire project expected in spring 2024.
Seat Belt Safety Campaign Runs Through Memorial Day
May 20, 2023 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department reminds everyone taking a trip to visit friends or family over the Memorial Day Weekend to always buckle up and keep children in child safety seats. This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign is from May 22-June 4.
May 20, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified the victim in a fatal crash that occurred May 2 on Interstate 8 near Lake Jennings Park Road in Flinn Springs.
Aztecs rally from early 6-1 deficit to complete season sweep of Lobos on Senior Day
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
May 20, 2023 (San Diego) - Coinciding with the stubborn marine layer lifting, San Diego State’s fortunes brightened considerably on Saturday, as the Aztecs overcame a 6-1 deficit to defeat New Mexico 8-6 in eight innings and clinch a share of the Mountain West regular-season title.
May 20, 2023 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to join the City of La Mesa in saluting “Old Glory” during the city’s annual Flag Day Parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Memorial Drive, University Ave. and La Mesa Blvd., then heads west through the La Mesa village to Acacia Ave. The Grossmont High School Royal Blue Regiment and the Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard will lead the parade.
May 19, 2023 (San Diego) -- KNSJ, San Diego’s radio network for social justice, announces an open house of its new studio from 10 am-3 pm Saturday, May 20, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon. Lori Saldaña, former Speaker of the California House will be the official ribbon cutter opening up the new studio. Located inside the Employee Rights Center at 4161 Home Avenue in San Diego, the new studio will be open to its friends, listeners and supporters who have helped make KNSJ’s vision a reality, as well as welcoming the general public to the open house. From 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., KNSJ will be broadcasting live, taking calls, serving refreshments, and connecting with its most valuable resource: members of the listening community.
East County Magazine's Radio Show airs on KNSJ and EMC's editor/producer Miriam Raftery will be among those broadcasting live on Saturday from the new studio.
May 20, 2023 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above normal through early next week, with a chance of thunderstorms this weekend.
Temperatures could reach 100 to 104 in the low deserts and 88 to 96 degrees in high desert areas. There is a moderate risk for heat-related illnesses for pets, livestock, and those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration in the desert areas.
May 20, 2023 (Santee) -- Detectives with the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit and the Santee Sheriff's Station want the public's help in identifying and locating a man wanted for groping a child in Santee. The alleged incident occurred on Thursday, May 18 just before 4:00 p.m. near Big Rock Park in the 8100 block of Arlette Street.
“A 12-year-old student from Chett F. Harritt School was walking towards the park when a man approached her,” says Lieutenant Anthony O’Boyle. “The man inappropriately touched her chest. A friend who was with the victim tried to intervene by pushing away the suspect. He took off on an electric black and gray scooter. He was last seen going eastbound towards Mesa Road.”
May 20, 2023 (Escondido) — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has welcomed a new lion to the pride: Bo, a 7-year-old male African lion. On May 17, Bo curiously explored his new home at the Lion Camp habitat, showing confidence as he became comfortable in his new surroundings. Bo will eventually lead his own pride when he is introduced to the three female lions who reside at Lion Camp—Malika, Zuri and Amira.
Bo moved to the Safari Park from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, following a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African lions, which is designed to help maintain a healthy, genetically diverse assurance population of this species.
May 18, 2023 (Santee) -- The Santee United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Pride Walk on June 10 supporting the LGBTQ+ community,diversity and inclusion in Santee.
Update May 27: Sweetwater has announced on its website that it will reopen the reservoir to hiking and birdwatching on May 30, but the district has not yet committed to when or if fish will be restocked.
By Miriam Raftery
May 18, 2023 (Alpine) – Loveland Reservoir in Alpine has been closed since January, after heavy storms caused major erosion to trails left exposed by Sweetwater Water Authority's decision to drain the lake to dead pool status. Though rains have replenished water levels to above the heavily eroded banks, public access has not been restored--much to the consternation of area residents.
Last night, East County residents in support of reopening Loveland packed the hearing room at the Sweetwater Water Authority headquarters in Chula Vista to voice their views.
By David R. Shorey, East CountyProgram Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
May18, 2023 (San Diego) -- Earlier this month, I had the honor of attending the 2023 National Tribal Health Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. The theme of the weeklong event was “Culture Heals, Culture Knows, Culture Leads” and highlighted the importance of grounding substance use prevention and treatment in American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) culture.
May 18, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) —the U.S. Immigration Policy Center (USIPC) at the University of California, San Diego, issued a blistering report accusing Border Patrol of endangering migrants’ lives by depriving them of food, water, shelter, medical care and other necessities. The damning report is titled Lives in Danger: Seeking Asylum Against the Backdrop of Increased Border Enforcement. It was published on May 16, two days after ECM broke the story of some 1,000 to 2,000 migrants in Jacumba Hot Springs who were aided by residents after Border Patrol failed to provide food or shelter.
In addition, the nonprofit humanitarian group Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) has filed a federal complaint with Homeland Security’s Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, alleging mistreatment of the Jacumba asylum-seekers and violations of both U.S. and international law.
Lilian Serrano, director of SBCC, told ECM in an interview for KNSJ radio that volunteers withessed ”families, children, elders waiting outdoors for days without access to food or water.” Regarding filing the complaint, she said, ”Our hope is that we can find out why were there outdoor detention facilities in our area, what was the reasoning behind that, and why were agents in full, clear violation of their policy – but more importantly, what can we do to prevent this from every happening again? Because regardless of your situation, whether you are coming in for asylum or not, basic standards need to be met. We cannot allow another child to go hungry in front of a federal agent.”
May 17, 2023 (San Diego) -- "I hang around with Martha." That's how John King introduces himself when he and Martha take the stage at public events. It proved to be true in a new sense in February, when the Kings were inducted together into Women in Aviation International's Pioneer Hall of Fame earlier this month. John King found himself the first and only man in the company of more than 100 trailblazing women -- the likes of Amelia Earhart, Anne Morrow Lindbergh and astronaut Sally Ride -- who have made their marks in the history of aviation.
May 17, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has released video from a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on April 26 in Spring Valley. The deputy fired several rounds, seriously injuring a man who had charged at deputies with a metal bedframe in his residence in the 3600 block of South Barcelona Street.
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
May 17, 2023 (El Cajon) - Two Cuyamaca College students have each received one of the highest honors available to California community college students.
Mary Hamer and Hannah Renew have been named 2023 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-California award winners. Hamer and Renew are among just 112 community college students statewide to be selected for the All-California Academic First, Second and Third Teams. Hamer was named to the First Team while Renew was named to the Third Team.
Source: City of El Cajon
Update May 23, 2023: Quarantines have been imposed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on 15 properties in San Diego County and 4 in Riverside, Locally, 6 cases have been confirmed and 9 more are suspected. 
May 21, 2023 (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:
May 21, 2023 (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:
East County News Service
Many electric vehicle manufacturers have removed AM radio from their current and future models, claiming interference with electric motors can cause buzzing noises and faded signals. Those that have already removed AM radios from electric vehicles include Tesla, Ford, Mazda, BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, Polestar and Rivian.
The I-8 pavement replacement and road improvement project from Viejas Creek in Alpine to Pine Valley Creek is 40 percent completed after the first 160 days of work, with completion of the entire project expected in spring 2024.
The La Mesa Police Department reminds everyone taking a trip to visit friends or family over the Memorial Day Weekend to always buckle up and keep children in child safety seats. This year’s 
The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified the victim in a fatal crash that occurred May 2 on Interstate 8 near Lake Jennings Park Road in Flinn Springs.
Aztecs rally from early 6-1 deficit to complete season sweep of Lobos on Senior Day
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Source: San Diego Sheriff
Source: San Diego Zoo Safari Park
May 20, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
Maximillian Aguirre, 71, of Spring Valley has died in a hospital while in custody.
East County News Service
By David R. Shorey
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
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