By Alexa Oslowski

May 31, 2021 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa City Council is on track to fill  Dr. Akilah Weber’s former seat with a special election, but the date remains uncertain. The vacancy occurred after Dr. Weber won a special election to the state Assembly, filling a vacancy left when her mother, Shirley Weber PhD, was appointed Secretary of State.

The Council has until a June 18 deadline to announce an appointment process or call for an election, under the city charter. But on April 27, the Council meeting ended in no decision after a 2-2 vote, with Mayor Mark Arapostathis and Councilman Bill Baber in favor of an election and Councilmen Jack Shu and Colin Parent in favor of an appointment.  So the Council agreed to postpone its decision until the May 11 Council meeting.

On May 11, a still divided Council agreed to monitor the California Secretary of State's office for announcements of the recall election for Governor Gavin Newsom, since a special election for Dr. Weber’s seat would be less costly if timed to coincide with the statewide recall race and should also generate higher voter turnout.

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, many of East County’s most popular events are coming back this summer including festivals, fairs, car shows, concerts, parades and more.

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

May 31, 2021 (Lemon Grove) - “Art is a voyage of discovery and there is no telling what one might bring home from such a journey.” With those words, Kathleen Strzelecki brings her art to the Lemon Grove Library. 

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Photo by Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2021 (Sacramento) - As the spring gardening season gets into full swing, groups fighting to save bees and other pollinators are asking nurseries and consumers to avoid plants grown with harmful pesticides.

The El Cajon Police Department reminds drivers to be on the lookout for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and to share the road.

By Miriam Raftery

May 30, 2021 (El Cajon) –  A 23-year-old man has died after being struck by a white Chevrolet truck at 8:00 Friday morning in El Cajon. El Cajon Police officers and paramedics from Heartland Fire Department treated the victim at the crash site in the 200 block of North Johnson Avenue but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Aztecs survive Lobos’ late rally to record season-ending win

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

May 29, 2021 (Albuquerque) - San Diego State jumped out to a big lead at New Mexico on Saturday, withstanding a late Lobo rally to record an 11-10 victory in the regular-season finale for both teams at Santa Ana Star Field.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Henri Migala and Miriam Raftery

May 29, 2021 (Jamul) – Thanks to all of you who turned out to celebrate our first East County Dining Club event since before the pandemic lockdowns.  The event sold out, the setting was magical amid the elegance at Chandelier Lounge Cuisine, the wines from Deerhorn Valley Vineyard were divine, and the music was sublime!

In addition to pianist Andy Salmonsen, NRG Music & Productions surprised us by also bringing talented singer Kymm Civetta, her adorable daughter, Lyric, and saxophonist extraordinaire Chris Klich, who all entertained the crowd.  View video from NRG of music at our event.

The music even inspired some impromptu dancing in the aisles as everyone delighted in feeling free at last at our event, where everyone was fully vaccinated or showed proof of a recent COVID test.

Georgina, owner of Chandelier Lounge Cuisine, and her crew cooked up a feast including steak, mahi-mahi, chicken, creamy pasta, vegies and desserts that were both delicious and beautiful.

All proceeds benefit East County Media to support the East County Magazine, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts, and East County Dining Club’s future events.

May 29, 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:

LOCAL

• San Diego launches $10M assessment of aging city dams, including three rated ‘poor’ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Ruling could give new life to San Diego backcountry developments (10 News)
• El Cajon Council is microcosm of vaccination debate (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• As Fewer Unaccompanied Children Cross Border, San Diego Convention Center Workers Reunite Hundreds Of Families (KPBS)
• Sempra shareholders vote down Paris climate proposal  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Officials Say Rental Relief Programs on Track to Leave Millions Unspent (Voice of San Diego)
• Column: Issa remains vague about Cheney’s removal (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Cruise ship crews getting COVID-19 vaccines in San Diego Wednesday (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Newsom proposes $12 billion to help California homeless population  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Gov. Newsom Proposes More $600 COVID Relief Checks Amid Big California Budget Surplus (Times of San Diego)
• Newsom recall rival Kevin Faulconer proposes eliminating state income tax for some Californians (Los Angeles Times)
• Gavin Newsom wants to test guaranteed income programs, give grants to laid-off workers (Sacramento Bee)
• Humane Society Investigating Cox's Use Of Bear On Campaign Trail (Patch.com)
• Ocean Dumpsites Are Leaking Toxins off the California Coast—And It’s Worse Than Originally Thought (Sunset)
• Vandenberg Air Force Base to be renamed Space Force Base (10 News)
• California confirms state will reopen June 15 - no more social distancing, capacity limits  (Los Angeles Times)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

May 28, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- Padre Dam Municipal Water District is currently working on its upcoming Strategic Plan and 5-Year Business Plan. The agency seeks community input during a virtual community workshop on Thursday, June 3^rd.

Three San Diego Entrepreneurs Win Business Grants

Photo: The first place winner of the fourth Union Bank Start-Up Pitch Competition and audience choice awardee, in partnership with CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center, First Gen Scholars Founder and Executive Director Jonathan Burgos (center) and children.

Courtesy of CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center

May 28, 2021 (San Diego) — Yesterday, CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center and Union Bank announced the winners of the fourth Union Bank Start-Up Pitch Competition. In partnership with the City of San Diego, the virtual pitch competition serves as the program culmination for the fourth group of startups who received four months of free business development and mentorship. CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center is the region’s only business accelerator focused on serving low-to-moderate income and diverse founders.

May 28, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• COVID-19 antibody test from UC Irvine team can predict if you'll have severe disease (10 News)
• 0.03% chance: Getting coronavirus after being vaccinated incredibly rare in L.A. County  (Los Angeles Times)
• 'What if it was your kid?': Parents of young children feel forgotten as CDC loosens mask restrictions (USA Today)
• New Coronavirus Detected In Patients At Malaysian Hospital; The Source May Be Dogs (NPR)
• Unvaccinated People Are Most at Risk by Unmasking, C.D.C. Director Says (MSN)
• Car goes up in flames after driver uses hand sanitizer while smoking, officials say (KOMO News)
• Scary 'long haul' symptoms found in many COVID patients, Stanford researchers say (SF Chronicle)
• Coronavirus vaccines may not work in some people. It’s because of their underlying conditions (Washington Post)
• The Pandemic Proved Hospitals Can Deliver Care To Seriously Ill Patients At Home (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• Ford Says Electric F-150 Will Start Under $40,000. It Can Also Power Your Home (NPR)
• Man Who Is Paralyzed Communicates By Imagining Handwriting (NPR)
• Amazon merger with MGM bolsters its Prime ambitions (Washington Post)
• How Your Hot Showers And Toilet Flushes Can Help the Climate (NPR)
• Clearview accused of attempting to move biometric data beyond reach of US law (Biometric update)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

May 27, 2021 (Sacramento) -- Governor Gavin Newsom today launched “Vax for the Win,” a new multi-faceted vaccine incentive program designed to motivate Californians to get their vaccination leading up to the state’s reopening on June 15. The incentives aim to give an extra nudge to those who still need to get vaccinated against COVID-19, especially those in hard-to-reach communities, while also thanking everyone who has already been vaccinated.