By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Fire burns Lahaina, Maui; courtesy of the Hawaii Department of Transportation

August 10, 2023 (Lahaina) – Wildfires fanned by a hurricane offshore have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui, killing at least 36 people and leaving thousands homeless. The historic heart of Lahaina in west Maui has been destroyed, with some fleeing into the ocean to escape flames fanned by 80 mile-per-hour winds from  Hurricane Dora south of the island. Two other fires also continue to burn out of control in central Maui, where parts of Kuna remain evacuated.

Fires have also impacted the Big Island, though the largest in the Kohala area is 60% contained.FEMA has provided help, and emergency shelters there have closed.

But on Maui, the Lahaina and Upcountry fires continue to rage as devastation continues. Burn centers are overrun, including some patients who suffered smoke inhalation.

The hurricane knocked out power across fire-stricken Maui, leaving thousands without communications as panicked residents and tourists rushed to evacuate the fast-moving infernos.

With the Governor out of state, Acting Governor Sylvia Luke signed an emergency proclamation, activated the National Guard, and urged visitors to leave the island.  Tourists with reservations on  Maui are urged not to come, in order to free up hotel rooms for displaced residents.   “This is not a safe place to be,” she said at a news conference yesterday.

East County News Service

August 8, 2023 (El Cajon) --  A 58-year-old man was found dead in his room at the El Cajon Inn & Suites motel this morning by an employee who called 911.  The worker entered the room to check on the welfare of the guest, who had not been seen for several days.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

August 7, 2023 (La Mesa) – A wanted felon was shot and killed yesterday afternoon by La Mesa Police. 

As is protocol,  San Diego Police Department is investigating the shooting. ECM news partner reports that SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski says

According to SDPD, around 4:15, an officer recognized the suspect, 41, who had an active felony warrant.  The officer confronted him in the parking lot of the Cypress Plaza condominiums in the  8000 block of University Avenue.

According to LMPD officers, the man pulled out a handgun during the interaction and fired, striking a passing vehicle, said Lt. Shebloski, 10 News reports.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Cherry Diefenbach: Pine Valley Bridge on Old Highway 80  is among the bridges receiving honorary names.

August 6, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County Supervisors in July unanimously voted to approve honorary naming of four bridges to commemorate pioneering leaders in East County.  The request was made by District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson, in response to requests from community members, petitions signed by at least 100 residents, and approval by each community’s planning group or sponsor group.

August 4, 2023 – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board Vice President and former General Manager August A. Caires passed away on August 2.

Board President Bill Pommering shares, “Augie served this District and his community with outstanding distinction for nearly 30 years. He was a good friend and colleague to many of us. He will be missed greatly.”

Caires led the District as General Manager from 1993 to 2006 and served on Padre Dam’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2023. He served as Board President in 2009 and 2017 and Vice President in 2008, 2011, 2015-2016 and 2023. Caires served on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program’s Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023. He was also a Veteran of the United States Army.

By Mike Allen

August 4, 2023 (Santee) -- One year into the construction of the $950 million East County Advanced Water Purification Program (AWP_, the largest infrastructure project in the region’s history is starting to take shape.

Huge concrete and steel structures with names such as digesters, headworks, clarifiers, equalization tanks, and aeration basins are sprouting at the end of Fanita Parkway in Santee where the Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Plant used to exist.

The facility that once produced some 2 million gallons of water used for irrigation is being transformed to a far larger entity that will produce some 11.5 million gallons of drinkable water daily for about 500,000 East County residents.

Owner cites financial need, but residents say they're getting a raw deal and seek legal counsel

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Milt Cyphert

August 3, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs, CA) – For nearly three decades, the De Anza Springs Resort in the high desert community of Jacumba Hot Springs has provided a 523-acre haven for naturalists to bare all, as one of the nation’s largest clothing-optional destinations.

But two days ago, residents received stark news:  a letter from the resort’s new management informing them of a decision to become a “textile” park. Starting September 1, clothing will be required in all common areas such as the pool and hiking trails. Then on October 1, nudity will be banned everywhere on the property, including privately owned and leased sites.

The action has laid bare resentments and anger among residents who bought or leased sites specifically for the freedom to be clothes-free,  as well as among frequent visitors who purchased club memberships. Some are seeking legal counsel over what they contend were deceptive marketing practices, as well as concerns over loud concerts and other problems stemming from changes implemented by the new owners.

“We understand that change can sometimes be met with mixed feelings, and we empathize with those who might feel upset or uncertain about the introduction of the new clothing rule,” the owners’ letter states, also encouraging residents with questions to  setup an appointment by emailing Luke Wasyliw, who blames residents for not supporting some events and cites financial needs.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Sheriff's Dept.

August 1, 2023 (Ramona) – Jonathan McDowell, 47, of Ramona died at Scripps Mercy Hospital on July 29, 10 days after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the George Bailey detention facility. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy has concluded that McDowell died of asphyxia due to hanging and that his death was a suicide.

A statement from the Sheriff’s department says,  “We extend our sympathies to the McDowell family and those affected by his death. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer will support the family as they deal with the loss of a loved one.”

McDowell was arrested on Feb. 20 on charges of assaulting a peace officer with a gun,  attempted murder, and committing a felony while  on bail or release.

"Holding Trump accountable for his crimes pulls our democracy back from the precipice and prevents his criminal attempt to overturn an election from being forgotten or normalized," said one watchdog leader.

By Jessica Corbett. at Common Dreams

Aug 01, 2023 (Washington D.C.) --  Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday was indicted by a federal grand jury in Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and incite the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump—now the leading candidate for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination—faces four charges: conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 1, 2023 (San Diego) - Make a difference in a homeless pet’s life by giving them a home, family, and love in August for Clear the Shelters, a monthlong national effort to find caring homes for animals in shelters.

By: Jessyka Heredia

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/EfC-xnCUzmo?feature=share

July 25, 2023 (El Cajon)—Hundreds of residents showed up Tuesday evening to a public meeting held at Hillsdale Middle School, convened by The County of San Diego Planning Commission regarding a revised Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the controversial Cottonwood sand mine proposal.  Those present in the packed room showed solidarity in opposition to the sand mine project currently under consideration by the County of San Diego on a 214 acre section of Cottonwood golf course in El Cajon.

$543,171 in potential refunds available; deadline to file claim is September 21, 2023  

Source:  Treasurer-Tax Collecter, San Diego County

July 29, 2023 (San Diego) - The countdown has started! Go online now to find out if you are owed part of $543,171 in unclaimed money before it is rolled into the County General Fund.    

By Jacob Pamus

Photo, right: Interior of existing library

July 27, 2023 (La Mesa) – In July, 2021, La Mesa created a library task force to decide what changes would be made to the San Diego County Library in La Mesa. On July 25th, three options were presented to the La Mesa City Council. All three would result in approximately the same sized facility, around 16,000 square feet, but with different layouts. Two would entail expanding the existing structure, while the third would have authorizing construction of a new facility.

Update August 3, 2023:All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.

By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2023 (Aguanga, CA) – The #Bonny Fire in Aguanga has grown to 2,069 acres and is threatening 632 structures,  Cal Fire reports this morning. The fire is currently burning in Riverside County, but evacuations have been ordered in Terwilliger Valley including areas north of the San Diego County line, west of Anza Borrego State Park,Southof Bowers,Bailey and Ramsey,and East of Bonny.  View evacuation map: http://linktr.ee/calfirerru

The fire is 5% contained but is burning in extremely rugged, steep terrain. Escalating temperatures today pose challenges for firefighters, and one firefighter injury is reported. A chance of thunderstorms this afternoon heightens risk of erratic fire behavior.

Update July 29, 2023: The evacuation warnings have been lifted.

Update July  28, 2023 8:40 a.m.: The #Border21Fire fire remains four acres in the US, acerage in Mexico is undetermined, Cal Fire reports. Evacuation warnings remain in effect for the area just west of Tecate, CA. Crews will work through the day to minimize the threat of the fire extending any further northwards.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Border 32 Fire on Mount Cuchama, by Robin Brailsford

July 27, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)  -- An evacuation warning, meaning impending danger to property, has been issued due to the #Border21Fire.  The fire is burning in the southeastern part of the county off Grapevine Truck Trail and Tecate Truck Trail.  The evacuation warning is in effect for the Tecate and Potrero area in the shaded areas shown on the map below this story.

A temporary evacuation center has been set up at Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Rd., Spring Valley.

When a warning is given, you should assume an evacuation order will follow, the Sheriff advises.  Start now to gather important items for your family and pets, and if you feel you are in danger, don’t wait—go.

Remember these six “Ps” when preparing to evacuation: