By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left by Miriam Raftery: bridge construction in Montana

November 5, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – The House of Representatives tonight approved the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a 228-206 vote. The landmark bill previously approved by the Senate 69-30 now heads to President Joe Biden, who has pledged to sign it into law.

The bill marks the most significant investment in the nation’s infrastructure (including roads, bridges, railways, power grid and internet upgrades, disaster responses, and replacing lead water pipes), since Roosevelt’s New Deal after the Depression in the 1930s.  It will fund major infrastructure projects – also putting people to work – in all 50 states.

Specifically, it includes:

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

November 5, 2021 (El Cajon) - The Grossmont College Dance Department will stage its annual student-choreographed dance concert in the new Performing and Visual Arts Center (PVAC) on November 18, 19 and 20.

East County News Service

Photo: CC by NC via Bing

November 5, 2021 (Los Angeles) -- California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued the following statement after three insurance companies complied with his order to submit additional data to the Department of Insurance about auto premium refunds they provided to consumers during the pandemic and as a result of state and local public health “stay at home” orders. On October 5, he ordered Allstate, CSAA, and Mercury to respond within 30 days or face legal action.

Update November 5, 2021: The vote on this bill has been postponed until November 15.

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2021 (San Diego) – The House of Representatives is expected to vote this Friday on the Build Back Better Act, President Joe Biden’s economic package aimed at rebuilding what the White House refers to as “the backbone of the country” – the middle class.” 

Update 8 p.m. -- The victim has been identified as Arnolfo Quintero, 26, of Spring Valley.  The Medical Examiner has determined the death was a homicide caused by the shooting.

East County News Service

November 4, 2021 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff’s homicide unit is investigating the  death of a man who was shot in Spring Valley late last night.  

Deputies responded to multiple calls around 12:22 p.m. reporting the shooting in the 8700 block of Troy Street. Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station arrived and learned that the victim was taken to a hospital by three concerned citizens, but despite treatment at the hospital, he did not survive. 

Source:  Grossmont College

November 4, 2021 (El Cajon) - Grossmont College has been named a 2021 Champion of Higher Education for its exemplary work in implementing the Associate Degree for Transfer program that provides a streamlined pathway between California’s community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. 

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

Photo:  Jason Robo in one of his YouTube channel videos, which mostly get very light traffic.

November 4, 2021 (San Diego) - Comedian Jason Robo on Wednesday apparently lost his 5-year-old unpaid radio gig in Humboldt County a day after his crude rant against three county supervisors and racist attack on the county’s public health officer.

By Miriam Raftery

November 3, 2021 (Alpine) – A rollover crash in Alpine shortly at 12:03 a.m. killed the driver, a 32-year-old El Cajon man, and seriously injured his passenger, a 40-year-old woman from Escondido.

The first COVID vaccines for children have arrived at Rady Children's Hospital and are quickly rolling out to locations across the region

By Miriam Raftery

Photo; CC by ND via Bing

November 3, 2021 (San Diego) – The nation’s top health official is urging parents to have children vaccinated against COVID-19 in time for the holidays, after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control approved the Pfizer COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11.  The federal action will make the shots available to 28 million children nationwide.

“This is another major milestone in our efforts to protect more children, their families, and our communities as we work to end the pandemic,” says Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We are following the data and science, and after a thorough review by FDA and CDC, we are ready to get millions of children vaccinated. Thanks to their rigorous, comprehensive and independent review of the data, we know that vaccination of younger children against COVID-19 proved to be safe and effective.”

East County News Service

Nov. 2, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – You’re invited to submit your best photos of the unique and natural beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park by December 7. There are six categories to enter your photos – and the Best of Show winner will receive a 2.5 hour private tour for two with California Overland Desert Excursions.

The contest is presented by the Anza Borrego Foundation in partnership with the Borrego Art Institute and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Firefighter Paramedic Brenton Rowell from the Mt. Laguna County Fire Station is completing his morning checks of the Advanced Life Support gear.

November 2, 2021 (San Diego's East County) - The County is moving forward with a Community Health and Injury Prevention Initiative to expand health services and community education to areas that lack health care facilities and transportation.

East County News Service

November 2, 2021 (Santee) -- The City of Santee’s annual Holiday Lighting Celebration returns this year, and will provide the community with the traditional elements they have come to expect when celebrating the holiday season. The event will take place Friday, November 19 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Santee Trolley Square.

By Henri Migala

November 2, 2021 (Escondido) -- I can’t believe that I have lived in San Diego for over 20 years and have only now discovered the magic and fun of the Renaissance Fair in Escondido! I’m really sorry I never took my children there when they were little. I’m sure they would have loved at least as much as I did.

East County News Service

November 2, 2021 (Pala) -- Bipartisan legislation to facilitate the Pala Band of Mission Indians’ work to protect a sacred San Diego County site passed in the House of Representatives today.  H.R. 1975 – The Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2021 – was authored by Congressman Darrel Issa (CA-50)  and cosponsored by Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51). 

The legislation will authorize the Secretary of the Interior to transfer approximately 720 acres of land – which includes a sacred site known locally as Gregory Mountain or Chokla– that was acquired by the Pala into trust for the benefit of the tribe and its members.

The action ends a two-decade battle by the tribe to prevent the Gregory Canyon Landfill.  In 2016, the land was purchased by the Pala Band of Mission Indians to prevent construction of a landfill on the mountain, a site of tremendous cultural significance to Pala tribal members. 

Sophia Ramos finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 1, 2021 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team defeated Biola 79-52 in an exhibition Monday evening inside Viejas Arena. SDSU poured in 56 points in the first half and at one point led by as much as 38 points.