By Miriam Raftery

April 18, 2018 (Sacramento) – Senate Bill 827, a controversial bill that would have forced cities in California to allow high-rise housing up to 55 feet tall near major transit stops, died in the State Senate’s Transportation and Housing Committee.

East County News Service

April 11, 2018 (Sacramento) -- Legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will help keep California senior, blind and disabled residents in their homes if and when they encounter financial difficulties passed from the Senate Governance and Finance Committee earlier today with strong bipartisan support.

Source:  Fresh Eggs Daily

March 31, 2018 (San Diego) -- Just because your chickens live in a coop doesn’t mean they – and more likely – you, can’t appreciate a few touch ups. Backyard chicken keeping expert Lisa Steele has been sprucing up her coop creating Pinterest-worthy DIY touches you’ll want to copy for your own feathered friends’ humble adobe.

From wallpaper to wooden signs, chandeliers to a fresh coat of chicken safe paint, Steele offers up creative, pin-able décor for the posh flock. These looks will be sure to bring a smile to your face every time you visit the coop. You can find all Steele’s great sprucing ideas on her blog at www.fresheggsdaily.com along with her advice for everything related to backyard chicken keeping.

Steele’s blog, website, TV show and books are the inspiration for flock masters everywhere. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for her upcoming book, 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks, due out in September.

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2018 (Jamul) – At the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group meeting this Tuesday, March 27, county officials will make a presentation on a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a major housing and mixed used development in the  Proctor Valley area about a mile south of Jamul and east of Chula Vista.

Source: Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

March 5, 2018 (Alexandria, VA) -- The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, reminds home owners to keep safety in mind when getting out their spring lawn and garden equipment like lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers and more.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 9, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) - Countless people are heard to utter, “There is nothing like eating a homegrown tomato” at Scott Daigre’s Tomatomania® event every year in March. Tomatomania® returns on March 10^th and 11^th from 9.a.m.  to 3 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.  This famous weekend-long sale features heirloom and hybrid tomato seedlings of every size, shape, color, and taste profile.

Guest speaker:  Marcia Van Loy

East County News Service

January 17, 2018 (La Mesa) — Learn tips for attracting pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden at La Mesa Beautiful’s annual meeting on February 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Nan Couts Cottage, 5045 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

Originally published by Times of San Diego, a San Diego Online News Association member

By Chris Jennewein

Photo, Wikimedia Commons: The historic San Diego County administration building.

December 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- San Diego County residents worried about losing tax deductions may get a little reprieve by paying their full property tax bill before Jan. 1, when the new Republican-sponsored tax reform takes effect.

“We can create at least 6,000 jobs here.” – Pete Beauregard

By Miriam Raftery

November 17, 2017 (Ramona) – Out of the ashes of the 2007 firestorm in Ramona, Casa Aguilar arose.  The home of Pete  Beauregard and his wife, Amy McQuillan, just won the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2017 Innovation Award for zero net energy use. It’s also built to withstand wildfires. 

On October 24, Beauregard, a rancher, veteran, ex-rodeo bullrider and candidate for Congress in the 50^th Congressional district took the bull by the horns and convened a think tank meeting at his visionary home. The event brought together top green industry leaders to brainstorm ideas for bringing green manufacturing and building jobs to East County.

East County News Service

November 15, 2017 (Sacramento) – CalVet Secretary Dr. Vito Imbasciani has issued a stating warning veterans about the impacts of the tax proposal in Congress.

He says, “Former service members living in California could end up on the streets if Congress passes its draft tax proposal. This hasty plan would eliminate tax-exempt bonds, which help us fight homelessness and find affordable housing for California veterans.”

By Kevin Patrick Allen, Public News Service

Photo:  Pollinators such as Monarch butterflies, certain birds and bats are an integral part of the health of natural ecosystems and agriculture. (Bill Barlow/Pixabay)

October 20, 2017 (St. Louis) - If you've ever watched the process of a caterpillar becoming a vividly colorful Monarch butterfly, you probably have an appreciation for a challenge being issued by the National Pollinator Garden Network.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Governor's Office

October 2, 2017 (Sacramento) - Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law 15 bills that aim to ease the state’s affordable housing crisis, but which also restrict the abilities of local governments, environmentalists and neighborhood groups to block projects in their communities.

In a signing statement, the Governor says, “These new laws will help cut red tape and encourage more affordable housing, including shelter for the growing number of homeless in California.”

Here are summaries of the new laws:

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council will take up several hot issues at its meeting on Tuesday, September 26^th at 6 p.m. The Council’s decision could make it easier for developers to increase density and decrease parking, create new marijuana regulations, and declare La Mesa a ‘ferret friendly” city.

A proposed change in meeting time and openings on several boards and commissions are also on the agenda.

By Miriam Raftery

September 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Village Voice, originally founded to halt the Park Station proposed highrise project, has published an editorial on its Facebook page criticizing a proposed apartment project on the site of the former Little Haven convent The editorial also suggests that a proposal to eliminate the city’s design review board would simply clear hurdles for developers in the future. 

The La Mesa Village Voice editorial states in part, "Do you care about development in the Village? If so, you must read this. You may not be aware of the Little Flower Haven Apartment Complex Development that is being proposed at the old covenant on La Mesa Blvd. It may not affect you, it may not interest you, but the way the council responds to the developers pushing it through should – because it’s a window into the future of La Mesa."

Read the full editorial and discussion, including extensive comments by Council members Guy McWhirter and Kristine Alessio (photos, top left):  https://www.facebook.com/LaMesaVillageVoice/posts/1398618196853750 and see highlights below of the editorial and online responses below.

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2017 (La Mesa) – Facing a threat of legal action, on September 12^th, La Mesa’s City Council will reconsider its vote on a proposed apartment complex at the former Little Flower Haven convent site on University Avenue.