Source: CalFire

November 21, 2024 (San Diego's East County) - - The CAL FIRE San Diego Unit is preparing to conduct prescribed burns across San Diego and Imperial Counties as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecosystem health, and protect community safety. These projects are planned during carefully selected weather conditions that meet specific safety and ecological parameters.  A controlled burn is being conducted today in the Campo area.

Each prescribed burn project undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the criteria for environmental benefit, appropriate weather, smoke management, and fire safety. Once a project is approved, trained CAL FIRE personnel will conduct the burns under strict guidelines.

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2024 (Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley) – The #MillarFire has burned 20 acres near State  Route 94/Campo Road and Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley, near the Steele Canyon bridge.  Evacuation orders have been issued for nearby areas including Rancho San Diego, plus evacuation warnings for surrounding areas.  View evacuation map from Alert San Diego: https://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html

 A temporary evacuation point is at Edwards Cinema at 2951 Jamacha Rd.

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2024 (Lakeside) -- Even sunny San Diego can get snow with the assistance of modern technology. You’re invited to Snow Day at Lindo Lake on December 6 from 2 to 5 p.m., as the County turns this popular park into a family-friendly winter wonderland with fresh snow for sledding and snow play.

You can also enjoy games, giveaways, and photos with Santa.

Trump says he won’t require FBI vetting of nominees and wants Congress to adjourn so that he can appoint Cabinet chairs without Senate approval

By Miriam Raftery 

Update November 22, 2024:  Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Attorney General appointment.

Photo: Rep. Matt Gaetz, Attorney General nominee, would oversee the Justice Department. He is accused of paying a trafficker for sex with women, including an underaged teen girl. 

November 19, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – President-elect Donald Trump has announced many of his cabinet appointees, which require Senate confirmation, as well as other key positions in his next administration. While all are Trump loyalists, some nominees have experience and qualifications suited to the position. But other nominees have sparked bipartisan concerns. They include:

• An attorney general nominee who resigned from Congress after an investigation found evidence that he paid a trafficker to have sex with a minor;
• A Secretary of Defense nominee accused of raping a woman and having racist white nationalist beliefs;
• A director of national intelligence with a history of siding with Russia and other authoritarian regimes;
• A Secretary of Energy a fracking company CEO who claims there is no climate crisis
• A Secretary of Health and Human Services who is an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist
  

Update November 22, 2024:  Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Attorney General appointment.

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

November 17, 2024 (San Diego) - Several national Jewish organizations are opposing President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of recently resigned Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida for U.S. attorney general. Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs all came out against Gaetz becoming the leader of the Justice Department which among its other duties prosecutes hate crimes.

East County News Service

November 17, 2024 (Ramona, CA) – Sheriff’s deputies found the body of an unidentified person, along with two deceased dogs, inside a burned trailer home in Ramona yesterday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze in the 18000 block of Cinnamon Rock Road in Ramona and extinguished the fire, after which deputies from the Ramona substation located the victim and dogs.

October 8, 1921 — November 10, 2024

November 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- Adalbert Connor, a beloved family man and cherished friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, at the Veteran’s Home of California Chula Vista, at the age of 103.

Born on October 8, 1921, in Yuma, Arizona, Adalbert’s life was a testament to resilience, warmth, and an unwavering spirit that touched all who knew him.

Adalbert spent his early years in Yuma, attending local schools and graduating from high school in 1941. His passion for learning led him to Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and later to San Diego State University where he graduated in June 1954.

In 1942, Adalbert enlisted in the United States Army. He trained at Camp Roberts, Fort Lewis, and Fort Ord, and served valiantly in World War II, participating in multiple beach landings in the East Indies, including Leyte, Luzon, and Japan. Rising to the rank of sergeant, he returned home in 1946 with immense pride in his service to his country.

He later worked for Money Mutual of New York insurance company for 45 years, and was a resident of Allied Gardens for over 70 years.

East County News Service

November 14, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold storm from the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to bring scattered showers across our region Friday and Saturday, with snow possible in the mountain areas and frost in some areas.

Gusty winds are also forecast, with peak gusts up to 55 miles per hour in mountain and desert areas as early as tonight.

East County News Service

November 13, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove invites you to the city’s annual community bonfire on Friday, December 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Treganza Heritage Park, 3200 Main St. in Lemon Grove.

Enjoy visits with Santa, music with a live band, a game truck, crafts, inflatables, free cookies, hot chocolate and popcorn, more foods for purchase, welcoming remarks from the mayor, an ugly sweater contest and more.

Hear our interview with Sierra Club Conservation Chair Ron Askeland and Loveland advocate Russell Walsh, aired on KNSJ

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2024 (Alpine) – Supporters of Loveland Reservoir are urging the public to attend a community workshop hosted by Sweetwater Water Authority tonight on trail improvements at Loveland Reservoir.  The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd.in Alpine.

Sweetwater will offer an update on Loveland trails improvements at the meeting, the third in a series of public workshops.   The meeting comes after Sweetwater received a $750,000 state grant at the request of Senator Brian Jones for improvements at Loveland, and public input is sought on how to allocate those funds.

Source: County News Service

Proposals from developers due by Dec. 20

November 11, 2024 (San Diego) – Just in time for Veterans’ Day,the County of San Diego has made $11.5 million available to finance the creation of affordable housing to benefit low-income people and unsheltered veterans.  

The notice of funding availability (NOFA) was created from a combination of funds:

View a 3-D video tour by Wow Media

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Wow Media and Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) -- The home that I grew up in is filled with warm memories—and now, a fully remodeled interior and exterior with open floorplan and a wealth of amenities -- ready for new homeowners to create memories of their own.

My brother and I inherited our childhood home at 5810 Marengo Avenue in La Mesa’s Lake Murray neighborhood. Our parents were the original owners when the house was built back in 1956; Eisenhower was president, sock hops were all the rage and Elvis Presley had just released his first gold album.

Since we each have homes of our own, my brother and I decided to sell the house we grew up in and fully remodel it, creating an open floorplan and modern conveniences while retaining elements of vintage charm that respect the home’s mid-century heritage.

November 8, 2024 San Diego) --Firefighters are battling three brush fires locally.  The largest is the Garden Fire at 47.9 acres, which has sparked evacuations in Fallbrook.  The blaze started east of  Gird Rd. and Pala Mesa Drive; it is 10% contained. View the evacuation map.

The Resort Fire has burned 2 acres  along highway 79 west west of Warner Springs Rd. in Warner Springs. It is burning at a rapid rate of spread,  per incident command. 15 additional engines have been requested.

In Escondido, the Pasqual 4 Fire has charred half an acre in the 1400 block of San Pasqual Valley Rd.

By Miriam Raftery

November 6, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Sitivi “Steve” Faia has pulled ahead of Councilman George Gastil in the Lemon Grove City Council race, where four candidates are vying for two seats.  Jessyka Heredia remains in the lead with 28.86% of the votes counted, followed by Faia, a youth sports coach, with 25.40% and 2,410 votes. Gastil, at 25.16% trails Faia by just 23 votes, leaving open the potential for yet another shift as more votes are tallied.

Planning Commission Chair Seth Smith is in fourth place with 20.58% and 1,952 votes.