OUT OF THE COVID CRISIS, BUT CALIFORNIA IS STILL IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY

By Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

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

Photo:  Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses the next phase of the state’s COVID-19 response at a press conference in Fontana on Feb. 17, 2022. The press conference took place in one of many warehouses where PPE supplies are stored. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

February 18, 2022 (Sacramento) - For weeks, Gov. Gavin Newsom teased that California would soon enter a new phase of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, one in which the state shifted its perspective to how to deal with an endemic disease that will likely be a regular part of our lives.


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ASSEMBLYMEMBER WEBER SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Source: Dr. Akilah Weber’s office

February 18, 2022 (San Diego) -- In preparation for Women's History Month, Assemblywoman Akilah Weber invites constituents to submit your nominations bFebruary 25 for women leaders in the following three categories:


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

February 18, 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.

WORLD

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


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS


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SAN DIEGO SHERIFF DOES NOT SHARE RAPE VICTIM’S DNA TO SOLVE OTHER CRIMES

By Miriam Raftery

Image: CC via Bing

February 18, 2022 (San Diego) – After revelations that San Francisco police used DNA collected from rape kits to charge a rape victim with a property crime, San Francisco’s District Attorney Chesa Boudin dismissed the charges and called the police actions a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.

So East County Magazine asked the San Diego Sheriff department whether it has submitted rape victims’ DNA collected at hospitals to a database that could be used to link rape victims to other crimes.

Within hours of our request, Lieutenant Amber Baggs, the Sheriff’s Media Relations Director, sent this response:  “No we do NOT do this.  I read the article as well and checked with our Crime Lab Director. We do not match victim's DNA to other crimes. Thank you for asking so this can be clarified.”


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LEMON GROVE COUNCIL MEETING UNRAVELS, ADJOURNS EARLY

By Elijah McKee

February 17, 2022 — Sixty-two — that is the number of times Mayor Racquel Vasquez hit her gavel during Lemon Grove’s City Council meeting on February 15, 2022. In the end, the meeting was adjourned early and scheduled to resume two days later at 6 p.m.


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LA MESA CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO WELCOME SAN DIEGO LIVING REAL ESTATE AT OPEN HOUSE & RIBBON CUTTING FEB. 23

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

February 17, 2022 (La Mesa) - On Wednesday, February 23rd the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at an open house and ribbon cutting for San Diego Living Real Estate located at 8504 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. The fun begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. with the “official” ribbon cutting taking place at 6:00 p.m.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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FEDERAL CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT SEEKS TO IMPROVE “DANGEROUS, DEADLY” CONDITIONS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JAILS

At least 185 people have died in San Diego County jails from 2006 through 2020 and has the highest death rate among the largest county jails in California

East County News Service

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- Attorneys representing people incarcerated in San Diego County jails have filed an amended complaint in a federal class-action lawsuit against the County of San Diego, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego County Probation Department, and medical and mental health contractors for the San Diego County jails. The complaint challenges the defendants’ collective failure to provide adequate medical and mental health care and living conditions for people incarcerated in county jails, as well as violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the disproportionate overincarceration of people with disabilities and people of color.


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“TACO TUESDAY” MIXER HOSTED BY THOUGHTFUL CREATIONS IN LA MESA FEB. 22

East County News Service

February 17, 2022 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces that Thoughtful Creations, an innovative retailer located at 8270 La Mesa Boulevard, will host a mixer Tuesday, February 22nd between the hours of 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.


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GOT COVID? GET TREATMENT TO RECOVER FASTER

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  a treatment room at the Monoclonal Antibody Regional Center in San Ysidro.

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) - The County Health and Human Services Agency is reminding San Diegans that monoclonal antibody treatment is available for people at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19.


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COUNTY REPORTS SLIGHT UPTICK IN FLU CASES

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  a flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) - The County Health and Human Services Agency is reporting 34 new lab-confirmed influenza cases, a slight uptick from last week when 26 cases were reported.


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THIS SALE ROCKS

East County News Service

February 17, 2022 (Rancho San Diego) – Heritage of the Americas Museum will hold a “Rock Sale” this Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can find rocks, crystals, fossils and more. 


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SHERIFF DEPUTIES FIRE SHOTS, INJURE SUSPECT AND DETECTIVE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via ECM news partner 10 News

February 17, 2022 (El Cajon) – A vehicle theft suspect armed with a knife was shot by San Diego Sheriff’s deputies and injured last night in El Cajon. 

A detective from National City Police Department assigned to the Regional Auto Theft Task Force also sustained a minor gunshot wound.


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WOMAN, 77, DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY CAR IN LAKESIDE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC-by-NC-ND

February 17, 2022 (Lakeside) – A 77-year-old woman was struck by a car while walking east at the intersection of Pino Drive and Lindo Lane in Lakeside this morning. She was taken to Sharp Memorial, where she died of her injuries.

The accident occurred at 6:45 a.m., when a 2000 Honda Accord driving north on Pino Drive hit the pedestrian. The Honda was driven by a Lakeside man, 37, who had a female juvenile passenger.


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BY 3-2 VOTE, SUPERVISORS APPROVE PLAN TO IDENTIFY INFILL AREAS IN UNINCORPRATED AREAS WHERE NEW HOMES WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM VEHICLE MILEAGE TAX

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) – The state’s new Vehicle Miles Traveled Law seeks to reduce greenhouse gases by requiring fees of developers for projects that result in vehicles traveling farther than the regional average.  Projects where drivers travel 15% fewer miles than the regional average, such as infill developments near roads, jobs, and transit, can be built without costly studies and mitigation required of other projects.

So last week, San Diego Supervisors voted 3-2 to attempt to balance housing needs with the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in a two-phase approach.


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COUNTY URGES RESIDENTS TO GET BOOSTER SHOTS, AS MASKS COME OFF

Source: County News Service

Only 53% of those eligible locally have received boosters, but 88% of hospitalizations are patients who have not had booster shots

 

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- With masks coming off indoors in many public places for fully vaccinated people, County health officials are urging all eligible San Diegans to get all the recommended COVID-19 doses, including the additional dose and booster shot.


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SUPERVIORS APPROVE PROPOSAL TO CREATE COUNTY’S FIRST SHALLOW SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK OLDER ADULTS

Source: Serving Seniors

Photo: CC via Bing

Supervisors’ discussion of Item 13 can be viewed about 18 minutes into this videohttps://youtu.be/lDpMKzsFiEs  

 

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- With a unanimous vote of 5-0, San Diego County Supervisors on Feb. 8 passed a proposal introduced by Supervisors Joel Anderson and Terra Lawson-Remer asking County staff to design a new pilot program providing a “shallow subsidy” to low-income, rent-burdened older adults at risk of homelessness.


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SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL KNOCKS OFF SAN JOSE STATE 77-69

Asia Avinger had 20 points and both Mallory Adams and Kim Villalobos had double-doubles

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (12-13, 6-8) rallied to beat San Jose State (4-21, 1-13) 77-69 inside Viejas Arena Wednesday evening. SDSU trailed by eight points with 8:15 left and then outscored the Spartans 23-7 to come back for the win.


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CLASS-ACTION SUIT AGAINST JUSTANSWER SITE COULD ALTER ONLINE BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA

Reprinted with permission from J.W. August, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association  

Photo:  a screenshot of the JustAnswer.com home page.

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The internet offer from JustAnswer is tempting for anyone looking for an expert: If you need medical advice, you can get unlimited conversations with doctors. Sign up for a small fee and a seven-day trial promises “on call experts, 24/7.”


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FREE HELMETS AND BIKE DRAWINGS AT KIWANIS’ BIKE RODEO FEB. 21

By Ray Bello

February 16, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- You’re invited to participate in a Bike Rodeo on Monday, February 21st, President’s Day, from 9 a.m. to noon at Our Lady of Grace parking lot at 2766 Navajo Rd.

Free parking will be available at the OLP church upper parking lot.

The Kiwanis Club of Fletcher Hills together with San Diego County Bicycle Coalition are sponsoring this free event open to the public.

Bring your bicycles and helmets.  All ages and skills levels encouraged to attend.  Ride through a series of skill-based challenges designed to enhance both your handling and your knowledge of  your bicycle.


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STARGAZING AT MISSION TRAILS MARCH 4

East County News Service

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) — You’re invited to join members from the San Diego Astronomy Association to view the night sky through telescopes at Mission Trails Regional Park on the first Friday of each month at sunset.  The next star party is on March 4 starting around 5:45 p.m.


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SDSU FOOTBALL RELEASES 2022 SCHEDULE

Game times, television arrangements and moves to non-Saturdays will be announced at later date

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The San Diego State football team and Mountain West released its 2022 schedule on Wednesday. Game times and television arrangements, including moves to non-Saturdays will be announced at a later date.


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JANIS IAN TO PERFORM AT THE MAGNOLIA MARCH 6

East County News Service

February 16, 2022 (El Cajon) – Famed singer-songwriter Janis Ian will perform live at The Magnolia in El Cajon on March 6 at 8 p.m.  


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HIGH WINDS ADVISORY ISSUED FOR THURSDAY

February 16, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. in San Diego County’s mountains and valleys. 

Gust up to 50 miles per hour are forecast.


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SDSU MEN'S BASKETBALL: AZTECS DISPENSE WITH UTAH STATE 75-56

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - Powered by Matt Bradley's game-high 22 points, along with another series of timely runs, opportunistic San Diego State won its fourth game in a row Tuesday after pulling away for a 75-56 victory over Utah State at Viejas Arena.


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FRESHWATER SWIMMING LAKE PLANNED FOR NEW PARK IN LAKESIDE

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Lakeside) – Imagine swimming beneath waterfalls alongside fish in a freshwater lake. That dream is all part of the ambitious plans that Lakeside River Park Conservancy has announced for a new park at Channel Road in Lakeside.


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ARAB COMMUNITY OBJECTS TO EL CAJON COUNCIL RETAINING DISTRICT LINES

By Elijah McKee
 
“It is unfathomable that a community hasn’t changed in five years.  This is a form of voter suppression, by dividing a community that can and should be kept together.” –Jeanine Erikat, Policy Associate at the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
 
February 15, 2022 (El Cajon) — The City Council of El Cajon unanimously chose its Council districts map last Tuesday night, February 8. The decision, as part of decennial redistricting, determined how the City will elect council members for the next ten years. 
 
Instead of drawing new district lines, the Council voted to keep the same boundaries drawn up in 2017, despite sharp criticism from El Cajon’s large Arab-American community, whose leaders argue that their population has changed since five years ago. They asked for updated districting to create a fair and complete representation of El Cajon. 

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NORTH ISLAND BASE BOCKS CAR WITH BOMB-MAKING MATERIAL, HAS 'PERSON OF INTEREST'

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  the main gate to NAS North Island on Coronado. Undated Navy photo

February 15, 2022 (San Diego) - A vehicle with bomb-making material was stopped from entering Naval Air Station North Island about 9 a.m. Tuesday, and a “person of interest” was in custody, according to Navy authorities.


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LA MESA PASSES ORDINANCE TO LIMIT IMPACTS OF SB 9, NEW STATE LAW INCREASING HOUSING DENSITY

By Elijah McKee

Photo: CC by NC via Bing

February 15, 2022 (La Mesa) — This past September, the State of California passed a pivotal housing law called Senate Bill 9. Now, like many localities around the state, the City of La Mesa is charged with considering how to best implement the legislation with local ordinances — such as the one that passed the City Council last Tuesday night. 


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