By Jocelyn Wiener, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

June 22, 2022 (Sacramento) - A group of advocates that has long fought to reform the state’s troubled nursing home licensing system is now attempting to kill legislation it sponsored, calling the amended bill “a step backwards.”

June 22, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Several small brush fires have ignited late this afternoon in East County and San Diego's inland areas, including blazes in McCain Valley near Boulevard, Borrego Springs, and Highland Valley near Ramona and Escondido. Firefighters have contained an earlier blaze near the border.

Here are details on the fires:

East County News Service

June 22, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A judge has lifted a restraining order which had barred Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron from her home due to her husband accusing her of assault. The order was ended after LeBaron’s husband, Timothy Howell, told the judge that the couple had sorted matters out civilly.

East County News Service

June 22, 2022 (San Diego) – The Caregiver Coalition of San Diego and the County of San Diego invite you to a free Lunch and Learn webinar on veterans benefits and caregiver support on Wed., June 29 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

By Elijah McKee 

June 22, 2022 (Alpine) — On the outskirts of Alpine lies something rare in East County — an exceptional opportunity for fishing and other recreation on land that is free to access through an arrangement with the U.S. Forest Service. 

By Mike Allen

June 21, 2022 (Santee) -- Kyle Swanson responds to a question about the safety of the drinking water to be produced at the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) plant in a way that conveys a sure grasp and confidence in the science behind the $950 million project.

By Henri Migala and Miriam Raftery

June 20, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego County Supervisors on June 15 approved a draft resolution for a ballot initiative to tax cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas.  The measure will still need final board approval on June 28 before going before the voters on the November ballot.

Supervisors also voted to have staff report back on a proposal by Supervisor Joel Anderson aimed at reducing disproportionate impacts on unincorporated communities through 16 measures that would enhance public safety, limit locations of cannabis businesses, require education on cannabis negative impacts and drug interactions, and require funds from a cannabis tax be used to benefit communities.

East County News Service

June 19, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A suspect accused of robbing elderly victims inside grocery stores in Lemon Grove was arrested on June 10, thanks to help from the public, says Detective Freddy Herrero of the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s substation.

East County News Service

June 19, 2022 (Mt. Helix) – You’re invited to celebrate the historic nature preserve, native plants, and the wildlife that rely on the native habitat at Mt. Helix Park at a family-friendly Nature Day on Saturday, June 25.  Take a free shuttle to the event from the fire station at 10105 Vivera (corner of Vivera and Mt. Helix Drive) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. since there is no parking on Mt. Helix during the event.

By Henri Migala 

June 19, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A change in the state’s funding formula threatens to force Noah Homes in Spring Valley to evict 40 percent of the residents it houses, all with intellectual and development disabilities (I/DD). Now San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Chairman Nathan Fletcher are joining forces to urge the state to change its policy.

East County News Service

June 18, 2022 (Shelter Valley) – Tina Goff snapped the photos left and below of saucer-shaped clouds at sunset from her home in Julian overlooking Shelter Valley around 8:06 p.m. on June 17.  Goffl quipped,  “They may be coming for us, LOL!”

Carol Birch also took pictures of the same beautiful and bizarre cloud formation. (right)

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency has identified three probable cases of hMPXV, also known as human monkeypox, in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell, April 2022 levels, courtesy Bureau of Reclamation

June 17, 2022 (San Diego) – The U.S. Senate held a hearing this week on dire water shortages in the West, including critically low water shortages at the Colorado River, which provides water to cities across the Southwest including San Diego.  As Senators sought solutions including acceleration of infrastructure projects, one bright spot came in testimony from San Diego County Water Authority’s general manager Sandra L. Kerl, who illustrated how our region’s investment in innovation, conservation and water reclamation have provided sustainable water solutions in a model that could be emulated in other areas.

By Sohel Bahjat

June 16, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- My name is Sohel Bahjat, a former Republican and an active voter in East County, San Diego, CA. Please support the efforts to bring Trump and his enablers to trial --  because the Big Lie and the attack on our democracy on January 6 was a real menace and a threat that was going to end in bloodshed and possible chaos.