By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2022 (La Mesa) -- Each year, a pair of Cooper's Hawks has chicks raised in their nest atop a large ficus tree on our property on Mt. Helix in unincorporated La Mesa. 

Today, one of the fledglings landed on our gate just a few feet from me, unpreturbed by my close proximity, and I snapped this photo of our newest resident bird of prey.

East Count News Service

Image: Mariupol, 22 000 civilians are dead, by Daniil Movchan

June 14, 2022 (San Diego) – Today, San Diego hosts a unique exhibition of Ukrainian artists called “Ukrainian Voice. Your choice!" There are 58 artists from Kyiv, Kharkov, Lvov, Odessa, Mariupol, Bucha, Irpin, Militopol and other Ukrainian cities showcasing their work, telling their war stories through contemporary art.  Each artist is considered a voice of Ukraine to be heard. What is also remarkable is that most of the authors still remain in Ukraine, fighting for the freedom of their homeland.

The art exhibit, “Ukrainian Voice. Your choice!” – which also features video and audio installations – will be held at the “Bread & Salt” gallery in Logan Heights. It illustrates the war from the beginning of the invasion to the present day, telling stories of bravery, sadness, desolation and hope captured in real time as the conflict rages on. The show is free to the public. All funds raised from purchases of artwork and donations will be sent directly to Ukrainian families in need.

East County News Service

Photos: Michael Martinez, sexually violent predator proposed for release in Borrego Springs

June 14, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) has sent a letter to San Diego County Superior Court Judge David Gill asking that sexually violent predator (SVP) Michael Martinez not be paroled out of the State Hospital and into the community of Borrego Springs.

Martinez was convicted between 1979-2004 in four separate cases of child molestation, lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14, and has been designated a sexually violent predator by the state.

Review By Kathy Carpenter

East County News Service

June 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A 15-year-old boy has been arrested for the murder of a teenager and classmate who was found dead with gunshot wounds on June 11.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2022 (Lakeside) – Betty Jean McMillen, 82, passed away in her sleep at her Lakeside home on May 29, 2022. McMillen served five terms as President of the Lakeside Historical Society and has long been a key voice for the organization, still co-chairing publicity and social media for the LHS at the time of her death, along with Billy Ortiz.

"In many ways, Betty was the heart of LHS and she will be missed every day," co-president Gary E. Mitrovich  wrote in the LHS newsletter. "Betty's impact on Lakeside is immeeasurable and exemplary. She was well-known and well-liked by the Lakeside community. She leaves us a tremendous legacy that will not be forgotten," he added.

June 13, 2022 (Barrett Junction ) -- The #Border13Fire east of Marron Valley Road has swelled to 350 acres and is 0% contained, growing swiftly from when it was reported two hours ago at just 30 acres, Cal Fire tweeted. This is a separate fire from the nearby Barrett Fire reported earlier.

 Multiple patients have been rescued from the fire area, Cal Fire reports.

June 13, 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.

• Senators strike bipartisan gun deal, heralding potential breakthrough (Washington Post)
• 31 Patriot Front members were arrested near an Idaho Pride event  (NPR)
• 22 mass shootings. 374 dead. Here’s where the guns came from (AP)
• Biden lays out plan to fight inflation (The Hill)
• U.S. to drop COVID testing for incoming international air travelers (Reuters)
• Texas school shooting victims take action against gun maker (Reuters)
• U.S. marks Memorial Day weekend with at least 11 mass shootings (Washington Post)
• Biden calls on Congress to act on gun control, saying 'too many' schools have become 'killing fields' (NBC)
• Guns overtake cars as leading cause of death for U.S. youth (San Jose Mercury)
• NEW INDICTMENT: Proud Boy leader faces even more serious charges for January 6th coup plot (Washington Press)

WORLD

• Handguns: Canada proposes total freeze on ownership (BBC)
• Russia's war is ravaging Donbas, Ukraine's beleaguered heartland. Here's what the region means to Putin (CNN)
• Violence erupts in Jerusalem during controversial flag march (CNN)
• The EU moves to bar insurance on ships carrying Russian oil. It'd be a big blow (NPR)
• Iran now has enough uranium for nuclear weapon, UN watchdog reportedly says (Forbes)
• Russia has blocked 20 million tons of grain from being exported from Ukraine  (NPR)

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

By Jay Steiger

Photos: San Diego rally to stop gun violence on June 11, 2022

June 12, 2022 (San Diego) -- Enough! How many more will die before action is taken to reduce the ongoing tragedy of gun violence?  The horror at Robb Elementary was the 27th school shooting in 2022 alone. In the past decade, there have been over 900 incidents involving gunfire at schools.  Are we really to the point where, if it's not a mass shooting, we can compartmentalize the fact that gunfire and schools should never mix?

By Miriam Raftery

June 12, 2022 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort has some hot summer nights entertainment lined up at its outdoor Park at Viejas.

The lineup includes some legendary names in rock and roll including Jefferson Starship and Blue Oyster Cult, as well as new wave music by Berlin, a Latino music and dance night with Los Bonadadosos and E Nuevo Acapulco, R&B with En Vogue, and country music singer Billy Currington.

Below is the schedule of events:

East County News Service

June 11, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Village Association invites you to enjoy the La Mesa Classic Car Show running each Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m. throughout June, July and August.  Visitors can stroll down La Mesa Blvd. between 4^th Street and Spring to see beautiful pre-1974 cars, trucks, and vans. Also enjoy live music from local bands that play atop the iconic La Mesa Lumber truck "stage" located at 3rd & La Mesa Blvd., as well as a DJ during the festivities.

East County News Service

June 10, 2022 (La Mesa) – Francine Phillips, an award-winning journalist, editor, writing instructor and communications specialist based in La Mesa, has passed away. Phillips wrote for many local publications, including East County Magazine. She worked as managing editor at the Daily Californian, executive director of California Garden Magazine, and as a freelance copywriter at U-T San Diego, in addition to numerous other communications positions.

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2022 (San Diego) – From campfire programs to star parties and a hike by the light of a full moon, County Parks and Recreation has some creative “Parks After Dark” programs coming up this summer. The fun includes:

By Miriam Raftery

June 9, 2022 (San Diego) – As the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to ban or restrict abortion, San Diego’s State Senator Toni Atkins (D-39) has introduced Senate Constitutional Amendment 10 to protect women’s right to access abortion and contraception in California.

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

June 9, 2022 (San Diego) – The Third Secret by Marco De Sio combines historical fiction and political intrigue. The tale is told through the life of an Italian immigrant, Big Al. His story takes us from a small fishing village in Italy to the United States, through two world wars, and into intrigue within the Vatican that could transform the future of the Catholic Church.