By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2022 (Temecula) – If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway in Southern California, enjoy an idyllic stay at Europa Village Winery Resort in Temecula. Nestled among rolling foothills and vineyards in Temecula’s wine country, Europa Village evokes the ambience of Old World Europe with elements of Spain, France, and coming soon, Italy.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Toxic burn pit, cc via Bing

Update: President Biden has signed this measure into law.

August 5, 2022 (San Diego) – A bill to provide health care and benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxins during their military service has passed the Senate by an overwhelming 86-11 vote, including 37 Republicans as well as all Democrats. The measure earlier passed the House 256-174.

Four of San Diego’s Congressional representatives voted in favor, but Rep. Darrell Issa, a former Army captain, voted against it despite his San Diego County district having one of the nation’s largest populations of active duty military members and veterans.

HR 3967, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, is known as the  PACT Act. It will provide coverage for veterans exposed to burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq, Agent Orange in Vietnam and more.

Update August 9, 2022 -- The victim died August 6 at a hospital.  The autopsy report ruled the death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the head.  A press release from the Sheriff states that at request of family, the department is not releasing the victim's name at this time. He was a Ramona resident.

By Miriam Raftery

August 5, 2022 (Ramona) – The Sheriff’s department has opened a homicide investigation into the shooting of a 59-year-old man in Ramona.

Deputies found the victim on the ground with gunshot wound to his upper torso near the side yard of a home in the 1800 block of La Brea Street in Ramona.

By Michael Odegaard

Reprinted with permission from Indian Voices

Photo: Rotary Club of San Luis Rey President Michael Odegaard awards 2022 Peacebuilder Nominee Mel Vernon.

August 4, 2022 (San Diego) -- Rotary clubs are well known for leaders among the ranks of doctors and lawyers, but one San Diego County Rotary club may have just made history (again) in the recent installation of its first Indian chief: “Captain” of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, Melvin J. Vernon assumed the office of President of the Rotary Club of San Luis Rey (Oceanside) last July 1, accepting the gavel from Native Hawaiian Michael Odegaard who in 2019 qualified the Club as Rotary District 5340’s (San Diego & Imperial County) first “Peacebuilder Club” for teaching the principles of Positive Peacebuilding.

Whereas “negative peace” is simply the absence of violence, “positive peace” represents the cultivation of the values and institutions that create peaceful societies according to the Eight Pillars of Positive Peace proposed by Rotary International’s partner, the often quoted think-tank Institute for Economics & Peace (www.economicsandpeace.org) who annually publishes their peacefulness rankings both of nations and American states.

Source:  Cal Fire

August 3, 2022 (San Diego) - Effective Monday August 1, 2022 the CAL FIRE San Diego Unit will have an exclusive use Type 1 helicopter available for response (N795HT). The helicopter will operate out of the Ramona Airport and be managed by the CAL FIRE San Diego Unit's aviation personnel. This will bolster the fleet of aviation firefighting assets and can be utilized throughout San Diego County for wildfire suppression.

By Liz Alper

August 3, 2022 (San Diego) - With the start of the new season fast approaching, SDSU football head coach Brady Hoke sat down with the media today to answer questions.

East County News Service

August 3, 2022 (Lakeside) – This beautiful peacock named Picasso resides at the ranch home of the owner of Shiloh Ireland Photography.

East County News Service

August 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will host “Dine & Dialogue” with Congressman Darrell Issa on Thursday, August 11 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  The event will be held at the Chamber’s office at 201 S. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon.

Cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers before Aug. 11, $20 at the door.

East County News Service

August 3, 2022 (San Diego) — San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement team is asking for the public’s help in a felony animal cruelty investigation. The case involves a kitten who was allegedly thrown from the passenger side of a moving car in Carmel Mountain Ranch on Sunday, July 31. The grey sedan was reportedly traveling westbound on Camino Del Norte, near Carmel Mountain Rd., at around 7 p.m.

August 3 2022 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

• Wildfire season brings power shutoffs. SDG&E has a plan for San Diego customers (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Monkeypox cases increase in San Diego as state mulls emergency health declaration (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• No payouts so far to people who said they were hurt by Lemon Grove employees, records show (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• La Mesa increases management salaries, cannabis revenue exceeds projections  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Dozens of Cars Involved in Street ‘Takeovers' Seized: San Diego Police (NBC San Diego)
• SDPD has seized 49 cars, with affidavits filed for the seizure of 24 others.
• Man arrested for allegedly bringing children to illegal sideshow (10 News)
• Meet Cute Romance Bookshop and Fizzery Coming Soon to La Mesa (What Now San Diego)

STATE

• Monster Northern California fire explodes, threatens multiple communities (Los Angeles Times)
• California OKs ‘baby bonds’ to help combat child poverty  (AP)
• New batch of CSU records shows professors disciplined for sexual harassment (Ed Source)
• Governor declares emergency over wildfire near Yosemite (AP)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Review by Kathy Carpenter

August 2, 2022 (Poway) - Not as well-known as perhaps some of Agatha Christie's other novels but often considered one of her best, "A Murder is Announced" is presented by Powpac now through August 21.  Novels  featuring detective Hercule Poirot are generally the Christie stories one thinks of first, such as "Murder on The Orient Express” and "Death on the Nile." I actually love sweet-little-old Miss Marple, the sleuth in "A Murder is Announced," which was written in 1950. The mystery, filled with twists and turns, will keep you guessing until the end.

UPDATE:  Head coach Brady Hoke has said that the Aztec football staff will assist with the investigation in any way they can.  He has said that SDSU football will hold the athletes accountable.  

East County News Service

August 2, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego Police and San Diego State University have launched investigations into five Aztec football players, who are accused of raping a 17-year-old girl during an off-campus house party on October 16, 2021.

UPDATE:  Padres also trade Eric Hosmer to Red Sox, Luke Voit, MacKenzie Gore to Nationals as part of Soto deal 

East County News Service

Photo by All-Pro Reels

August 2, 2022 (San Diego) - In a shocking, blockbuster deal, the Padres have traded for All-Star Juan Soto and Josh Bell of the Nationals, a source tells MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  map of permitted cannabis locations in Santee

August 1, 2022 (Santee) -- Santee is the latest city in San Diego County to permit cannabis businesses including sale of marijuana within its borders, following a 3-2 vote at its most recent City Council meeting July 27.