By Miriam Raftery

August 3, 2022 (El Cajon) – Today, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) announced that El Cajon Police have arrested a former district employee on felony and misdemeanor charges, following an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.

East County News Service

August 3, 2022 (El Cajon) – Joshua Lee Martinez, 32, of El Cajon has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a man in the head aboard a trolley near the Marshall Avenue station in El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

August 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Would you risk an action that increase your risk of dying 29-fold? 

New data from the Centers for Disease Control reveals that among people over age 50, those who are unvaccinated are:

• 29 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than people the same age who are vaccinated and have had two booster shots, and
• 4 times more likely to die than people the same age who are vaccinated with just one booster shot.

Good Samaritan asks why law enforcement took so long to rescue the woman

View video by Angel New of the rescue (warning, strong language and partial nudity)

Photo, left: Screenshot of  video by Angel New shows paramedics and deputies working to revive the victim, as Scot Wolfe (right), the heroic citizen who first went into the water to save the woman, looks on.

By Miriam Raftery

Shiloh Ireland  contributed to this report

August 3, 2022 (Lakeside) – A woman was saved from drowning at Lindo Lake yesterday after Scot Wolfe, a bystander, entered the water to save her.  Sheriff’s deputies followed and pulled the woman out of the water and began lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived.

But some Lakeside residents are criticizing deputies and a park ranger for not taking action until a citizen went in first.  A video by Angel New on Facebook shows that at least a minute and forty seconds elapsed before the first deputy went into the water. Several deputies, appearing in no rush, can be seen standing beside the lake, one stating that they must take their equipment off before they can enter the water.

By Sam DiGiovanna

August 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Though we are reaching the peak of summer, it seems like it’s been an “endless summer” as it’s been hot for so long. Many people are spending their time in pools to beat the heat. Unfortunately, there is the dangerous side to summer and swimming pools.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

August 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- More than 9,000 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in California between 2009 and 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. A California law is now in effect that requires bartenders and servers of alcoholic beverages to get proper training, in an effort to reduce instances of overserving intoxicated customers and prevent service to minors. It’s known in the industry as Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training and it’s offered by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Additionally, a voluntary training, called Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs, is offered by the ABC for owners, managers, and staff of liquor stores, corner markets, and any other retail establishment that sells alcohol to consume off-site.

August 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• U.S. kills Al Qaeda chief in Afghan drone strike (International Business Times)
• Trump didn't act and didn't want to, plus 4 other takeaways from Jan. 6 hearing  (NPR)
• Kansas voters protect abortion rights in first major post-Roe test (The Hill)
• GOP Support Among Seniors, a Key Trump Base, Drops Dramatically: Poll (Newsweek)
• Justice Dept. investigating Trump’s actions as part of Jan. 6 criminal probe (Washington Post) 
• At least 37 dead in Kentucky flooding with hundreds unaccounted for  (CBS News)
•  Biden administration task force reunites 400 migrant families separated under Trump (NBC News)
• Election deniers are running to control voting. Here's how they've fared so far (NPR)
• First on CNN: Secret Service identified potential missing text messages on phones of 10 individuals (CNN)
• Half of G.O.P. Voters Ready to Leave Trump Behind, Poll Finds (New York Times)
• Steve Bannon found guilty of contempt of Congress (CNN)

WORLD

• Russia hits Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa in wake of grain deal  (NPR)
• Pope Francis: Pontiff says he is 'deeply sorry' to Canadian residential school survivors (BBC)
• The last 'Arab Spring' democracy is dangling by a thread (CNN)
• China hits Taiwan with trade restrictions after Pelosi visit (CNN)
• Putin Pulling Russia From International Space Station, Cutting One of Last Remaining Ties With U.S. (Newsweek)
• Iraq protests: Sadr's followers pledge an open-ended sit-in at Parliament  (NPR)
• Russian Troops Deserting Posts As Kyiv Makes Use of U.S. Weapons: Pentagon (Newsweek)

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

August 3, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Polio case in New York is the first in the U.S. since 2013  (NPR)
• WHO declares monkeypox a public health emergency  (NPR)
• More people are catching coronavirus a second time, heightening long COVID risk, experts say  (Los Angeles Times)
•  Monkeypox symptoms: Here's what scientists are learning (NPR)
• An Idaho abortion law draws a Justice Department lawsuit  (NPR)
• 3 common myths about the abortion debate that many people get wrong (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• U.S. to plant 1 billion trees as climate change kills forests (AP)
• Cell carrier privacy settings to change now  (Time)

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

East County News Service

August 2, 2022 (Lakeside) - This snowy egret with ruffled feathers was photographed at Lindo Lakes Park in Lakeside by Shiloh Ireland Photography.

Story by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

(Photo at left of Keithan Jones by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson) 

August 2, 2022 (San Diego) -- Keithan Jones, a resident of El Cajon, was celebrated at San Diego International Comic-Con as a featured special guest artist.

He displayed his work, a comic book series titled “Power Knights,” at a booth in Artist Alley in the San Diego Convention Center. Additionally, he appeared on several panels, did multiple interviews, and greeted fans, attendees, and friends during the run of Comic-Con 2022.

How did he get to that celebrated spot? Talent and recognition by an elementary school teacher.

East County News Service

August 1, 2022 (La Mesa) -- On Saturday, agents from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and detectives from the La Mesa Police Department conducted a “shoulder tap” sting operation targeting adults who furnished alcoholic beverages to minors. A decoy contacted several adults throughout the operation and three arrests were made.

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 1, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego was awarded $6 million in Proposition 47 grant funding that will be used to help people returning to their communities after serving time in County jails. The financial support is earmarked for those leaving custody who have a history of behavioral health needs and are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The County will also leverage an additional $4 million for a total program of $10 million.

San Diego’s newest film festival screens nominated features, shorts, documentaries, and music videos

July 5, 2022 (San Diego) -- Celebrating the spirit and achievements of independent filmmakers, the San Diego Movie Awards holds its inaugural festival August 2-5, 2022. The festival highlights films with budgets under $1 million, and seeks to promote the work of independent film makers, not only in San Diego, but across the globe. The three days of screenings will take place in-person at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park. View trailer.

The festival also includes a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association/San Diego and Imperial County on August 2, with a showing of “Not to Forget.”

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Skyler Okerman, USS Constitution Public Affairs

August 1, 2022 (Spring Valley) - Chief Petty Officer Elliott Fabrizio, a Spring Valley, California native, was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal aboard USS Constitution, July 28. Fabrizio currently serves as a mass communication specialist. 

East County News Service

July 31, 2022 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr snapped this dramatic sky image on July 31 from El Cajon, as thunderstorms swept into East County’s mountain areas.