Update September 22, 2017:  Tooma has pleaded not guilty, claiming he only owns a smoke shop next door, not Spring Valley Greens, Patch.com reports.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2017 (Spring Valley) – The owner of Spring Valley Greens, an illegal marijuana dispensary also known as the Wax Room, has been arrested.  Steve Tooma, 35, has been charged with opening a drug house, criminal conspiracy, and possession of marijuana for sale at the dispensary located at 9925 Campo Road in the Casa de Oro neighborhood of Spring Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Policia Federal Mexico via Twitter

September 20, 2017 (San Diego) – A powerful 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City yesterday, 32 years to the day that a 1985 quake killed 9,500 people and destroyed 100,000 homes in Mexico City.  Since then, the city has made major efforts to improve earthquake safety standards.

Source: Stephen Moran, San Miguel Fire District

September 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --  Adrienne Koroly had his Lexus parked outside his home in Morena Valley. On Saturday morning , he drove from Morena Valley to his parents home on San Vicente Blvd in the Casa De Oro area of Spring Valley. When he stepped out, he heard meowing—not a typical engine purr.

Limited space still available! RSVP deadline extended.

September 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – Our next East County Dining Club event on September 21st at 6:30 p.m. just got even better! Sicilian Excellence will be offering tastes of Anticatindari and Buone Sergio Sicilian wines -- along with a delicious Italian special menu feast at Tiramisu Trattoria (8273 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) plus local wine tasting  with the award-winning San Pasqual Winery,  Italian popular songs and arias performed by talented vocalist Valerie Watts, a wealth of prize drawings, and more are all part of the fun! 

We have a few seats left, so you can pay at the door ($28) but please call 619-698-7617 to RSVP or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Cost  includes plated four-course special menu dinner, wine tasting, tax, tip, entertainment, opportunities to meet neighbors and make new friends.

Special menu:  Bruschetta, choice of soup or salad and choice of entrée:  Ravioli Ricotta, Spinaci or Zucca, Melanzana Alla Parmigiana, Pollo Marsala or Picata, Fettucine Bolognsee, Rigotoni Alla Norcina, Cavatelli di Ricotta, and delicious dessert: Tiramisu (plain or strawberry)

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- According to a California Health Alert Network bulletin, San Diego County’s outbreak of hepatitis A now includes  cases in La Mesa, El Cajon and Santee as well as unincorporated areas of the County, though cases have now been confirmed “in all parts of the County,” the report states.

East County News Service

September 15, 2017 (La Mesa) – Miguel Angel Rojas, 54, owner of the La Torta restaurant in La Mesa, died on September 10^th.

“ A husband, father, brother and friend, Miguel, was beloved by many,” states  a GoFundMe page set up by Rojas’ stepdaughter to help his wife, Felicia, and daughters.  “Many people came to know Miguel through his food and friendship.  Unfortunately, Miguel was taken from the Rojas/Reed family very suddenly and without preparation. Any donations received will be used for funeral services, hospital bills and to support Miguel's wife and daughters. Prayers and condolences are appreciated.”

By Jonathan Goetz

September 14, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council gave the green light to Silvergate’s 130-unit apartment development at the site of the former Little Flower Haven Convent on La Mesa Blvd., reversing their earlier 2-2 deadlock.  The item passed 4-0 with Councilman Colin Parent recused because he lives near the site.

The development sparked mass opposition from neighbors, primarily due to a parking variance that allowed 193 parking spaces under a  State "density bonus" law as opposed to 260 spaces under La Mesa municipal code, because 10% of the project will be affordable housing units.

Council insisted their hands were tied and that they risked jail time if they didn’t approve the development.  The reversal comes after the developer’s lawyer sent a letter threatening to sue the city if Council would not approve the project.

By Paul Kruze

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report.

September 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – With hurricanes in the headlines this week, El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho finds himself in the eye of a storm—or several--yet again.  California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has sent Kalasho a letter of inquiry probing the Miss Middle East Beauty Pageant USA” run by Kalasho. The action follows questions raised by ECM with state regulators over the pageant's nonprofit status.

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

September 10, 2017 (Tecate) – “The history of humanity is the story of people migrating,” French artist JR posted on his Twitter feed.

Drawing attention to the plight of innocent children denied entry to, or facing expulsion from the U.S. under President Donald Trump’s tough policies, JR erected a 70-foot-tall mural titled Kikito. It depicts a one-year-old boy peeking over the border fence in Tecate, visible from the U.S. side of the border in San Diego’s East County.

By Miriam Raftery

September 10, 2017 (San Diego) — Scammers posing as Social Security employees are calling people and trying to con them into giving out personal information that can be used for identity theft, warns the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).  The swindlers claim that recipients are due a cost of living increase in their Social Security benefits, then ask for personal information that could be used to rip off your Social Security payments by changing your address or account information.

By Chris Jennewein

Originally posted at Times of San Diego, a San Diego Online News Association member

September 10, 2017 (San Diego) -- The union representing 10,000 San Diego County employees announced Saturday it has reached agreement on a new contract that will avert a potential strike.

“We now have an agreement that helps to close the wage gap for critical public servants like nurses and social workers which is an essential step in alleviating chronic staff turnover and significant short staffing of services to vulnerable residents of San Diego,” said David Garcias, president of the Service Employees International Union local 221.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo: CalTrans crew fixing dips on State Route 52 eastbound

September 8, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- If you're on the road tonight or this weekend, there are several road closures you should avoid including State Route 125, State Route 52, State Route 67, and Interstate 5.

Tonight, all northbound lanes of State Route 125 is closed in the Navajo Road area due to an officer-involved shooting, the Sheriff's office advises. No deputies were injured and there are no outstanding suspects.

Planned highway closures include:

By Kendra Sitton

Photo:  Patrick Webb presents his arguments.

September 6, 2017 (La Mesa) — After months of delays, a judgement is finally expected for the permanent liquor license of Hollywood Casino in Jamul. Closing arguments were presented by multiple attorneys before an administrative law judge for the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Sept. 6 at Skyline Church in La Mesa in front of a crowd of Jamul residents and tribal members.