How agencies charged with protecting our wildlife continue to betray our trust

By Jim Wiegand

June 13, 2016 (San Diego) - It is difficult to read that word “harvest” without thinking of harvesting crops, grown for the purpose of feeding humanity. In this case, however, we are talking about one of our most iconic species, one of our most magnificent raptors – and the “harvesting” is to be done by “grim reaper” machines: wind turbines.

East County News Service

Photo: Memorial in Hillcrest, posted on Twitter by Shawn Van Diver

June 12, 2016 (San Diego) -- The worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history is being investigated as both a terror attack and a hate crime.  Omar Mateen, 29, a U.S. citizen born to Afghan immigrants, killed 50 people and injured 53 during a gay pride celebration at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida early this morning. 

The gunman called 911 and pledged allegiance to ISIS, the Islamic state before the massacre, the FBI has indicated.

The massacre has prompted outpourings of sympathy across the nation and here in San Diego.

East County News Service

June 12, 2016 (San Diego) — The County of San Diego invites you to trade in your gas-guzzling lawnmower, chainsaw, hedge trimmer or string trimmer for a brand new rechargeable model for just $99.99.  The 17^th annual trade-in event will be held Saturday, June 18 from8 a.m. to 12 noon at Qualcomm stadium. Each household can get up to one of each type of item so you can save some green by cutting green.

Law enforcement urged to exercise extreme caution handling fentanyl. Sold as heroin, it’s 40-50 times stronger than heroin. A small amount can be lethal if absorbed through skin or ingested

East County News Service

June 12, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has released a Roll Call video to all law enforcement nationwide about the dangers of improperly handling fentanyl and its deadly consequences.  Acting Deputy Administrator Jack Riley and two local police detectives from New Jersey appear on the video to urge any law enforcement personnel who come in contact with fentanyl or fentanyl compounds to take the drugs directly to a lab. 

East County News Service

June 12, 2016 (La Mesa) - This month's La Mesa Conversations will be held this Thursday, June 16, at Bolt Brewery, 8179 Center Street in La Mesa from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

East County News Service

View the video: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10201644595153046&id=1724097629

June 12, 2016 (Lakeside) - Billy Ortiz has created a beautiful and moving video of El Monte Valley in Lakeside, which is threatened by a proposed sand mining project. 

June 11, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our March 2016 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in March, click here or scroll down.

Our newsmaker interviews included Mark Umphries and Michelle Curtis from the Helix Water District, Chaldean-American Chamber president Ben Kalasho,  gospel choir director Ken Anderson, citizens and a trustee concerned about Grossmont-Union High School District redistricting, author Rebecca Grant, Heartland Coalition’s Mark Hanson, and more.  We also covered other hot issues including the presidential primary, methane gas leak, Zika virus, efforts to help bee populations, an urban agricultural incentive program,and more.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

East County News Service

June 12, 2016 (Casa de Oro) – Nearly 100 Casa de Oro residents and businesses joined forces yesterday to clean up the Campo Road business corridor and strengthen community engagement in a neighborhood that is turning things around for a better future.  Following the work they celebrated the first-of-its-kind event with a barbecue and raffle, while also thanking the many business sponsors who made the event possible.

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Julian) -- The stars and stripes will move down Main Street in Julian during this year’s Fourth of July parade honoring Independence Day. For over 20 years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers turn out to watch what some call the “the best little town parade in America.” Pre-parade events start at 10:00 a.m. The parade begins at 12 noon and ends around 2:00 p.m.

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon will hold its annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park.  The fun starts at 1 p.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities and live music from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   The fireworks display will be held at 9 p.m.

UPDATE:  THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO ORGANIZERS HELPING WITH FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS. 

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Deerhorn Valley) — Residents of Deerhorn Valley will be holding a true Americana-style parade on Monday, July 4^th starting at 10 a.m.  Residents of this rural community south of Jamul are invited to take a tractor, lasso a llama, hop on a horse, drive a donkey, walk with a wagon, jump aboard a Jeep or just walk on two feet, festooned in patriotic red, white and blue.  The parade will include Clydesdale horses, an antique fire engine and live drumming.  Spectators are encouraged to bring flags, drums, rattles and shakers.

By Liz Alper

Photos in order:  Jack Suwinski, Youtube screenshot, Jared Poché, Youtube screenshot, Chris Mattison, Youtube screenshot

June 11, 2016 (Secaucus, Nj.) - The last 29 rounds of the 2016 MLB Draft were today and the Padres finally remembered that there are other positions besides pitchers.  Scroll down for more info on all of the last 29 Padres picks.

By Liz Alper

Photo by Jeffrey Beall, Wikipedia Commons

June 10, 2016 (San Diego) - Chargers receiver Keenan Allen has been inked to a four-year contract extension worth more than $11 million per season, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A 5.2 earthquake that struck northwest of Borrego Springs in Anza Borrego Desert State Park at 1:03 this morning was felt widely, in part because it was at a shallow depth of just 1 kilometer.  Residents and at least one seismologist jolted by the quake and aftershocks quickly took to social media to report their experiences.

June 10, 2016 (Borrego)—If you felt the earth move under your feet, that’s because a series of earthquakes struck in the Borrego Spring area including a 5.2 quake at 1:03 a.m.at a shallow depth or less than 1 kilometer along theSan Jacinto Fault.  Aftershocks as strong as 3.5 also rattled the area according to the U.S.. Geological Survey.

(Note: The USGS originally reported two strong quakes, 5.1 and 5.2, a minute apart but have since corrected the data to indicate this was just one major quake.)

Rocks are reported blocking the roadway on Montezuma Valley Road, per the CHP site.  There are no reports of serious damage as yet, though items felloff store shelves in La Quinta, a Lakeside resident reported a laptop fell to the ground and the screen broke. As far away as Downey, books reportedly fell off shelves.

We have reports the quakes were felt strongly across the San Diego region and as far away as the San Fernando Valley.  The quakes struck at a shallow depths near major fault lines capable of producing a 7.0 quake or higher. 

If you know of damage, impacts to roadways or other effects of the quake or have photos, contact editor@eastcountymagzine.org. You can also post in our commentsbelow.

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