By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Francie Alexander

June 21, 2023  (San Diego) –Native American tribal members completed a cross-country  Run with the Sun, culminating in a Prayer for All Water on June 14, 2023.

The Water Prayer Blessing included the arrival of runners and walkers at the Pacific Beach Pier, the laying down of the staffs used on the run/walk, and waters carried from across the U.S. to be blessed.

After the blessing, everyone was given the opportunity to pour some of the water into the ocean off of the pier.

The run began in Maine in July 12 last year, with runners collecting water vials from tribal members nationwide. The effort was led and inspired by Robert “Bobby” Wallace of Lakeside and supported by the Barona, Viejas and Sycuan tribes to draw attention to the need to protect our water resources.

Story and photos by Josh Stotler

Photo, left:SDG&E Helitanker 729 makes a water drop on the Wildcat fire as crews cut brush below.

Photo, right:Flames overtake vegetation and paintball barricades on the Barona reservation.

June 20, 2023 (Ramona) -- On a day that saw four vegetation fires in San Diego County, residents can rest assured that firefighters are ready and able to aggressively attack wildfires. 

At 4:06 p.m., calls came in to 911 dispatch reporting smoke in the area off Wildcat Canyon Road on the Barona reservation. Crews, most of which were coming off other fires, were sent to the area and confirmed a fire was making its way through the brush of a paintball park.

Crews set up quickly and were familiar with this exact area. Only two short months ago, this place was filled with firetrucks, hand crews and firefighting aircraft, not for a fire, but for the 2023 Multi-Agency Wildland  Preparedness Exercise—a three day real world simulation that played out nearly exact to the scenario fire crews faced today.

Story and photos by Josh Stotler

Photo, left: Crews battle the heat and smoke of the Murray fire Tuesday afternoon.

June 20, 2023 (El Cajon)-- A small vegetation fire was sparked off Interstate 8 near Murray Drive and Dennstedt Place in El Cajon this afternoon. While East County crews were battling two other wildland fires, calls came into Heartland Fire & Rescue’s dispatch just after 2:20 p.m. reporting a fire on the hill adjacent to Grossmont High School.

Engines were sent to the scene and Interstate 8 was closed to westbound traffic as crews battled the flames.

June 20, 2023 (El Cajon) -- A brush fire burning between Interstate 8 and Murray Drive has charred several acres, threatening homes.  The fire began near Murray Drive and Dennstedt Place, El Cajon.

It is reportedly burning at a slow rate of spread, however some homes are threatened, based on scanner traffic.

CalTrans reports that three lanes of westbound I-8 are closed in the vicinity.

MTS announced that the Green Line trolley cannot travel between Amaya Drive and the El Cajon Transit Center, so a bus bridge will be implemented for riders.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Hunter Biden during a 2014 meeting with India's prime minister

June 20, 2021  (Washington D.C.) The son of President Joe Biden, has reached a plea bargain deal with the U.S. Department of Justice. Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of filing his 2017 and 2018 taxes late, according to court documents released today, the New York Times reports.  A judge must still approve of the plea deal; Biden is expected to appear in federal court in Delaware for arraignment.

Hunter Biden will not be sent to prison or charged for failing to disclose drug use when he purchased a hand gun in 2018, provided he abides by terms of a two-year probation that includes remaining drug-free and agreeing to never own a gun again.  This sentence is consistent with how tax and gun registration misdemeanors are customarily handled for other non-violent first-time offenders, though questions remain over whether or not the Justice Department has dropped or is continuing to investigating questions over Hunter Biden's controversial actions while serving on a Ukrainian energy company's board of directors.

President Biden has avoided commenting on his son’s legal issues. A  White House spokesman, Ian Sams, issued a statement which reads, “The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We will have no further comment.”

Former President Donald Trump, who is awaiting trial on criminal charges relating to mishandling of classified documents and alleged hush money payments made to a porn star, criticized the deal on social media, claiming, “Our system is  BROKEN.”

Update June 21, 2023 -- The Medical has confirmed that the body recoveredis that of the missing hiker,Richard Oliver,28, from Rancho Cucamonga

East County Magazine

File photo of Three Sisters Falls, by MIriam Raftery

June 19, 2023 (Julian)  Volunteer divers with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Reserve Unit found a body just before 1:30 p.m. today. The body was recovered underwater in the middle pool of Three Sisters Falls, the same area where a missing hiker was last seen on Friday, June 16.

The man was last seen swimming there went he went underwater and never came up.

“For four days, deputies with the Alpine Sheriff's Station, Julian Sheriff's Substation, Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter, CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service continuously searched for the man,” the Sheriff’s department announced in a press release.  “The water current was too dangerous for divers to attempt a search underwater until today.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Dan Rigger

June 19, 2023 (Jamul) – Cal Fire has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court against the parents of two young children, seeking to recover $675,000 in costs for fighting the Skyline Fire in Jamul three years ago. The suit alleges that parents “negligently” supervised their children while camping at Skyline Truck Trail and that a fire started by their two young children on June 11, 2020 spread into the brush and onto neighboring property.

East County News Service

June 18, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Windy weather is forecast tonight through Monday in San Diego County’s mountain and desert areas.

The National Weather Service predicts west winds of 25-35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 mph, strongest in mountain passes. This will create hazardous driving conditions for high-profile vehicles. In addition, blowing sand and dust could reduce visibility in the desert.

East County News Service

June 18, 2023 (La Mesa) — San Diego Concert Band will have two free performances in the next week locally, with two more next month. This week’s shows are:

Second tragedy in a week occurs at popular waterfall site

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2023 (Julian) --  The U.S. Forest Service has closed the trail to Three Sisters Falls unitl further notice while first responders search for a missing man, 27, who was last seen swimming late  yesterday.  Helix Water District has shut off water from a dam feeding the falls to aid rescue efforts.

Deputies with the Julian Sheriff's Substation received a call for help on Friday, June 16 just before 5:00 p.m. “Two people were swimming at the middle level of the falls. One went underwater and did not resurface,” says Lieutenant William Amavisca.

East County News Service

June 16, 2023 (La Mesa)—You’re invited to celebrate Black culture, history and life while honoring those who fought for freedom and rights.  La Mesa’s Juneteenth Celebration will be held Sunday,  June 19  from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MacArthur Park,4900 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

“We bring a family oriented celebration with participation from local businesses, educators, writers, churches, community leaders, elected officials, and performers in and around La Mesa. All are welcome as we bring our community together and raise awareness of the Juneteenth jubilee and share its important historical significance,” states the website for the La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation.