SUPERVISORS TO WEIGH IN ON COTTONWOOD SAND MINE IN SEPTEMBER

THREE-VEHICLE CRASH ON DEHESA ROAD KILLS EL CAJON WOMAN

PEDESTRIAN DEATH IN RAMONA

FANITA RANCH CHALLENGED AGAIN IN NEW LAWSUIT

SANTEE TAKES HIGH ROAD, APPROVES FOUR CANNABIS SHOPS

TRUMP SENDS SUPPLIES TO EUROPEAN ALLIES, WHILE PUTIN INTENDS TO KEEP FIGHTING UKRAINE

MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH KILLS FIVE, LED TO BRUSH FIRE THAT CLOSED STATE ROUTE 67 BOTH DIRECTIONS

SANDAG MEETING FRIDAY ON DRAFT 2025 PLAN

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: MIDSUMMER FUN

MEMORY WEAVERS: AWARD-WINNING NOVEL OF TWO WOMEN BONDED BY TRAUMAS

ANIMAL ADVOCATES CELEBRATE HOUSING COMMISSION DROPPING PROPOSED NEW LIMIT ON PET OWNERSHIP

COUNTY WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS

News

SAN DIEGO FLIGHTS DELAYED AND CANCELED AFTER NATIONWIDE FAA COMPUTER OUTAGE

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

January 11, 2023 (San Diego) - Thousands of flights throughout the United States were canceled and delayed Wednesday morning because of the failure of a Federal Aviation Administration computer system.


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TIPS TO DRIVE SAFELY, AVOID FLOODING IN RAINY CONDITIONS

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 10, 2023 (San Diego) - The San Diego County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) road division and the Office of Emergency Services remind residents to drive safely and be flood ready.


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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HOMELESS COUNT JANUARY 26

East County News Service

Photo via Supervisor Nathan Fletcher: Supervisor Fletcher speaks with a homeless person during 2022 Point-in-Time count

January 9, 2023 (San Diego) – The San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness needs more volunteers to participate in its 2023 Point in Time Count on January 26.  Mandated by the federal government, the count provides data that is critical for securing funding to help reduce homelessness, as well as obtaining information on homeless people’s needs.


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CONSUMER GROUPS: RECALLED AIRBAGS POSE GREATER THREAT IN 2023

Chrysler and Dodge vehicles are latest on recall list

Suzanne Potter, California News Service

January 8, 2023 (San Diego) -- It's a brand-new year, and consumer auto safety groups are hoping to avoid further deaths from faulty Takata air bags by raising awareness about the ongoing recall.


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BECCA TAYLOR POISED TO BECOME SD COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR IN WAKE OF SEX SCANDAL

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Becca Taylor oversaw downtown party celebration of Democrats’ November victories. Photo by Chris Stone

January 5, 2023 (San Diego) - Rebecca “Becca” Taylor was an aviation electrician in the Navy. Now she has the San Diego County Democratic Party wired to become its elected leader.


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CALTRANS ACTIVATES STATEWIDE ELECTRONIC HIGHWAY SIGNS DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER

Source: Caltrans

January 4, 2023 (Sacramento) -- In response to the oncoming powerful storm, this morning Caltrans activated approximately 1,200 electronic highway signs statewide to display urgent safety messaging. 


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MAN ON MOTORIZED SCOOTER HIT BY TRUCK DIES DESPITE VALIANT EFFORTS BY BYSTANDERS

By Miriam Raftery

Update January 15, 2023: The victim has been identified by the County Medical Examiner as Shawn Russell Hill, 57, of El Cajon.

 

January 4, 2023 (El Cajon) – A man on a motorized scooter was hit by a truck this morning in El Cajon and became trapped beneath the vehicle. Good Samaritan bystanders ran over and used floor jacks to lift the truck off the victim, who was unconscious when police arrived. 


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SDG&E HIKES RATES: SOME WILL PAY DOUBLE FOR NATURAL GAS, ELECTRIC RATES ALSO RISE

UCAN denounces rate hikes as unaffordable for consumersSDG&E has assistance programs, energy saving tips

East County News Service

 

January 4, 2023 (San Diego)  Effective January 1, San Diego Gas & Electric is more than doubling natural gas rates. SDG&E is also raising electricity rates, since natural gas generates 40% of electricity in the U.S. The utility cites the rising cost of natural gas nationwide as the main reason for raising rates. The national spike is due in part to record cold across much of the nation that has depleted supplies, as well as the U.S. exporting some natural gas to aid European allies cut off by Russia due to the Ukraine War.


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DANGEROUS STORMS SET TO BUFFET REGION, WEATHER SERVICES ISSUES RARE HIGH SURF ADVISORY

By Miriam Raftery

January 4, 2023 (San Diego) – A series of powerful Pacific Storms and atmospheric rivers are set to douse our region starting tomorrow morning, as well as most other areas of California.  The National Weather Service issued a rare high surf warning; waves up to 13 feet are forecast along San Diego beaches, along with coastal and urban flooding possible.  High tide Thursday will be in the mid-afternoon, when marine hazards will be significant. The public is advised to avoid all area beaches and boaters should stay off the water.

Countywide, heavy rainfall and winds up to 60 miles per hour in mountains and deserts are also forecast, with snow above 6,000 feet, making commutes difficult countywide. The storms are expected to be so severe on Thursday, Jan. 5 that CalTrans has activated freeway signs statewide warning motorists to stay home and avoid driving.  This week’s storms could dump two to five inches of rain in our mountain areas.  A flood watch is in effect for much of California.

But that’s just the beginning – since five atmospheric rivers are slated to hit Southern California through January 9 – and the fifth is forecast to be the most intense.

“This is a prolonged period of rain expected through Mid-January,” says Alex Tardy with the National Weather Service in San Diego.


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IMPORTANT NEW CALIFORNIA LAWS IN 2023

By Miriam Raftery

January 3, 2023 (Sacramento) – Hundreds of new laws take effect in California starting in 2023. Here are some of the most consequential new laws impacting Californians.


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STORIES OF THE YEAR 2022

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s been a tumultuous year, as our region emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic only to face new challenges: drought, the homelessness crisis, wildfires, monkeypox, inflation and rising gas prices, the fentanyl crisis, concerns over sexual predators, human trafficking, and federal dumping of asylum seekers in our region.

 

Elections swept new faces into office from city councils to county sheriff. Development issues raged, from Fanita Ranch in Santee to proposed high rises in La Mesa and a hotel/event center at Jamul CasinoNational and international news sparked local protests and concerns, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the January 6 commission findings, and the Supreme Court’s overturning of abortion rights.  

Here are the top issues and stories we covered in 2022:


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HUNDREDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS DUMPED AT LOCAL TRANSIT STOPS OVER HOLIDAYS

Supervisor Anderson to introduce measure to help those stranded, seek funds from FEMA – and asks public to sign petition in support

By Miriam Raftery

 

View video of interview with Sup. Joel Anderson

Hear audio of our interview aired on KNSJ Radio

 

December 31, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – With extreme cold gripping much of the nation and shelters for asylum-seekers full, the federal government sent hundreds to San Diego County. Border Patrol agents dumped at least 880 asylum seekers off at transit stations, including 140 abandoned at the El Cajon Transit Center last weekend starting on Christmas Eve.

Audio: 


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WINTER STORMS TO CONTINUE IN FIRST WEEK OF NEW YEAR, SNOW TONIGHT IN MOUNTAINS

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. tonight due to a winter storm bringing rain across the county, with snow forecast above 5,500 feet. Ice, snow and fog could make travel difficult at higher elevations. Gusty winds are also forecast.

Stormy weather will continue for most of the week. The National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers each day, with rain likely on Monday night, Tuesday night, and Wednesday night.  Be careful on rain-slicked roads and if traveling at higher mountain elevations, carry chains.


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THREE DEAD IN LAKESIDE MURDER-SUICIDE

East County News Service

December 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – A man fatally shot two women, then killed himself at a home in Lakeside after an argument last night, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports.


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SANDBAGS AVAILABLE FOR UPCOMING STORMS

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 30, 2022 (San Diego) - The County and CAL FIRE are offering sandbags to residents and businesses in the unincorporated areas as another round of storms prepares to hit the region on New Year’s Eve. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and high winds.


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TWO JUVENILES ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING TEEN GIRL IN EL CAJON MOTEL

East County News Service

December 30, 2022 (El Cajon) – Two teen boys, ages 15 and 17, have been arrested for the attempted murder of a 16-year-old girl at an El Cajon motel on Dec. 12. The victim, left alone for hours after being shot, is alive but in critical condition.


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NEW LAWS AFFECTING MOTORISTS AND ROADWAY SAFETY

By Miriam Raftery

December 28, 2022 (San Diego) -- The California Highway Patrol has provided a summary of new laws rolling out in 2023 that will impact drivers, vehicle owners and roadway safety. The new laws include measures aimed at increasing bicycle safety, cracking down on sideshow and high-speed contests, and establishing alerts for missing indigenous persons and for fatal hit and runs. Other new laws aim to address the shortage of peace officers, limit jaywalking tickets, cut down on catalytic converter thefts and make it easier to report stolen items offered for sale online.


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SOUTHWEST'S WINTER MELTDOWN BLAMED ON OUTDATED CREW SCHEDULING TECHNOLOGY

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  San Diego International Airport website shows departing flights status at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

December 28, 2022 (San Diego) - The departure board for San Diego International Airport makes it clear than almost all of the air travel problems now are due to Southwest Airlines‘ operational meltdown.


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MOTORCYCLIST SUSTAINS MAJOR INJURIES IN EL CAJON COLLISION

East County News Service

December 27, 2022 (El Cajon) – Two people were injured when a motorcycle rear-ended a Volkswagen on Christmas Eve in El Cajon.

The motorcyclist, a 62-year-old El Cajon man, was riding a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on Broadley Avenue over State Route 67 when he struck a 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan that was stopped at a red light, directly in front of the motorcycle, according to Officer Matthew Baranowski with the California Highway Patrol.


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CITY OF EL CAJON LAUNCHES NEW NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP PROGRAM IN 2023

Source:  City of El Cajon

December 27, 2022 (El Cajon) - Beginning January 1, 2023, the City of El Cajon will debut a new program designed to encourage clean neighborhoods and community pride.


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ANDERSON RAISES CONCERNS OVER COUNTY’S PROPOSAL FOR CANNABIS BUSINESSES IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS

East County News Service

December 27, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- In early 2021, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors directed staff to develop a "socially equitable" cannabis program as the first step towards implementing commercial cannabis at the County level. The County contracted Womxn’s Work Consulting to create a report called the "Social Equity Assessment for Commercial Cannabis."


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PASSAGES: REMEMBERING LIVES LOST IN 2022


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EL CAJON WOMAN KILLED IN MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH ON HIGHWAY 94

By Miriam Raftery

December 26, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Leslie Nunez Rosas, 25, died Friday morning in a multi-vehicle collision on State Route 94 near the College Avenue exit in Lemon Grove.


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LEMON GROVE WOMAN KILLED IN EL CAJON CRASH

East County News Service

December 26, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Lemon Grove resident Nancy Annette Lisa Benson, 32, died Dec. 18 in a collision on Interstate 8 East in El Cajon.


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CHRISTMAS DAY APARTMENT FIRE DISPLACES SIX IN LA MESA

East County News Service

Photo via San Miguel Fire Dept. on Facebook

December 26, 2022 (La Mesa) – A blaze that may have begun in a Christmas tree yesterday damaged four units at a La Mesa apartment complex, displacing six people and killing a dog. 


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ONLY REP. ISSA IN SAN DIEGO DELEGATION VOTES AGAINST FUNDING GOVERNMENT, UKRAINE AID

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  U.S. Capitol, cc by SA

December 24, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Friday passed a $1.66 trillion government funding bill that provides record military spending and sends emergency aid to Ukraine, hours before a midnight shutdown deadline.


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SMALL PLANE LANDS SAFELY AFTER EMERGENCY OVER GILLESPIE FIELD

By Miriam Raftery

December 24, 2022 (El Cajon) – A small plane experienced an emergency over Gillespie Field in El Cajon last night, when its landing gear failed to lock into place.  Heartland Fire Department responded in preparation for a potential emergency landing while the plane, which had an hour and a half of fuel, circled repeatedly over the area for nearly an hour looping left to right, struggling to manually lower the landing gear. 


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A BEAUTIFUL CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TRADITION

By Assemblymember Marie Waldron

December 24, 2022 (Sacramento) - Holiday celebrations began in the State Capitol in1869. Though the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington DC is well-known, many may not be aware that a similar ceremony continues to take place each December in Sacramento at our State Capitol.

 

Past Governors decorated the Capitol with wreaths and their offices with trees, but in 1931 the tree was moved from the Governor’s office to the Rotunda and later to a spot near the Lt. Governor’s office, where it remained until 1984. Concerns about fire safety resulted in the tree being moved outside, where it has remained ever since. Despite a brief hiatus as a `Holiday Tree’ under former Governor Gray Davis, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who succeeded Davis, decided the tree was indeed a `Christmas Tree,’ and so it remains.

 

On December 1st, Governor Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom hosted the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the State Capitol’s West Steps. This year’s tree is a 65-foot white fir donated by the U.S. Forest Service from Camino California, which is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in El Dorado County. 


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SAFA'S STORY

 

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by José Eli Villanueva

December 21, 2022 (San Diego) - The San Diego County K-12 Youth Services Community Grant Program awarded $6.4 Million in grants to more than 40 local organizations to offer services like tutoring, after-school programs, business development and anti-bullying campaigns.  The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office recovered millions of dollars as part of a public corruption case to be used to care for children by reducing inequities and improve opportunities for local students. The interactive play, Safa’s Story, is one project benefitting from the grant.

For more information on the K-12 Youth Services Community Grant Program and a list of organizations awarded grants, see our website.

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SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFERS TIPS FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL AMID AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION

Source:  San Diego International Airport

December 20, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego International Airport (SAN) wants those who will be traveling during the holiday season to be prepared before they arrive at the airport. Due to the New T1 project, much of the airport’s campus is under construction. SAN is offering the following travel tips:   


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