Celebration of Life to be held December 28 in  La Mesa

By Ben Perez

Photo of Jim Wieboldt and his pug, Frank The Felon,  courtesy Amanda Allsberry

December 12, 2024 (La Mesa) -- A respected deputy in the San Diego County Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit for more than a dozen years, James “Jim” Warren Wieboldt was much more than just an officer of the law. Wiebolt was a civic and business community leader, serving as founding chairman of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the city’s Parking Commission, and Chair of the La Mesa Centennial Project’s Events and Calendar Committee. He was also active in the La Mesa Village Merchants Association.

Wieboldt died of an unknown cause at his home in Fallon, Nev., on Dec. 7. He was 67.

Guided by faith and spending countless hours as a youth pastor in East County, he was a father figure to countless children and young adults through the years and a devoted parent to the three biological children he raised  in La Mesa with his wife of 42 years and high school sweetheart, Kelly, who preceded him in death four years ago.

Audits to focus on "split ticket" swing states where Trump won while down-ballot Republicans lost; donations sought to support effort

Hear our interview with Ray Lutz, originally aired on KNSJ Radio, on his election audit efforts and potential consequences

File photo:  Ray Lutz, founder of Citizens Oversight Projects

December 8, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Citizens Oversight, a nonprofit based in El Cajon, is launching a series of ballot image audits across key counties in swing states to examine the integrity of the 2024 election outcomes.

The audits will focus on swing states where Donald Trump won over Kamala Harris in the presidential race, while down-ballot Republicans lost.  Initial attention will be on areas such as Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona and North Carolina.

Audits will be only feasible in areas where ballot images and cast vote records are available.

According to Citizens Oversight’s press release,“The effort is grounded in well-documented concerns about vulnerabilities in election systems, including the unauthorized exposure of voting machine software in recent years. This exposure may have allowed malicious actors to exploit weaknesses within the systems. The report from Mesa County, Colorado, revealed a `back door’ in the Dominion election management system (EMS), enabling results to be accessed and altered, raising further alarm about the potential for undetected manipulation. These same concerns were documented in the case DeKalb GOP vs. Raffensperger where the computer security expert Clay Parikh said the Dominion voting system security was `horrible,’ and that no election should be trusted.”

San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council Rallies Community Solidarity to Support Working Families Struggling to Make Ends Meet, Including Striking Workers

East County News Service

December 7, 2024 (San Diego) -- Today, more than 350 San Diego County families received a holiday meal and toys at the United Labor Center in San Diego,  thanks to the generosity of local union workers. Another 150 families in Imperial County will also be helped through the food and toy drive.

Teachers, firefighters, nurses, hotel workers, truck drivers, healthcare providers, janitors, government employees, construction workers, community partners, elected officials, and more are volunteering in solidarity to ensure no family goes without this holiday season.

For over three decades, the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council has organized this annual Food & Toy Drive to support union families facing financial hardships, including many who are on the frontlines of ongoing fights for better wages and working conditions.

Click here to view video full screen, or scroll down:  https://youtu.be/n_au8Pk7gCM

December 5, 2024 (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland interviewed Barona Fire Chief Ken  Kremensky and Cal Fire Division Chief Eric on December 3 during a 160-acre controlled burn on the Barona reservation in Lakeside.

Burning old brush has ecological benefits, also protecting communities from wildfires since it’s far easier to conduct a prescribed burn during winter conditions instead of battling a raging wildfire during high winds and heat when Santa Ana winds can drive hurricane-force gusts.

East County News Service

December 4, 2024 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Concert Band kicks off its 35^th season with the annual holiday concert on December 19 at Joan B. Kroc Theatre at 7 p.m.. Barbara Allen returns as guest vocalist, backed by the band playing special arrangements by local musician, composer/arranger, and music educator Adam Pezdek. 

Tickets are available at the door and on the Band’s website, www.SanDiegoConcertBand.com

“Wonderful Holiday Sounds”

December 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)

Joan B. Kroc Theatre

6611 University Avenue – San Diego

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: screenshot from video by the Aja Project on the Refugee and Immigrant Cultural Hub

December 3, 2024 (San Diego) – A 3-D model of a planned Refugee and Immigrant Cultural Hub (RICH) will be unveiled on December 7 at 5555 University Avenue in San Diego’s mid-city community to serve the diverse needs of San Diego’s large refugee population.

East County News Service

December 3, 2024 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon announces Captain Jeremiah Larson’s promotion to Chief of Police, effective December 18. Larson has served the El Cajon community for over two decades and will succeed the current Chief of Police, Mike Moulton, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2024 (El Cajon) – San Diego Port Commissioners have named Scott Chadwick to serve as the new CEO of the San Diego Port Authority, starting in January. Born and raised in El Cajon,  Chadwick graduated from Valhalla High School and Grossmont College, later obtaining a B.A. in political science from Purdue University. 

Currently he is the city manager for Carlsbad and previously served as the City of San Diego’s chief operating officer, human resources director and labor relations director. Prior to his 20 years of city government intelligence, he served as a U.S. Army intelligence analyst and also worked for AFSCME, a labor union representing state county and municipal employees.

Public service runs in the family.  Chadwick’s mother, Gloria Chadwick, is an elected member of the Grossmont Healthcare District’s board of directors  in district 4.

In an interview with San Diego Business Journal, Scott Chadwick stated, ”As a leader I have always been focusing on continuous improvement and customer service.” He said he is “thrilled” at the opportunity to “serve all who live, work, and play on and around the beautiful and vibrant San Diego Bay waterfront. It is an exciting time at the Port of San Diego."

By Robert Gehr

November 30, 2024 (El Cajon) – A man was taken into custody for smashing windows on an MTS bus on November 26 around 6:30 a.m. He was transported by American Medical Response to a hospital.

East County News Service

November 28, 2024 (El Cajon) – A 28=year-old El Cajon man has died of injuries sustained in a stabbing that occurred on November 28.  El Cajon Police officers responded to the scene in the 500 block of North Mollison around 6 p.m.and found the victim with a life-threatening stab wound.

Paramedics from Heartland Fire transported the victim to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The reporting party and another witness were interviewed at the scene. Two men were taken to the El Cajon Police Department for questioning.

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2024 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick celebrated his 70th birthday on October 26 with a poolside party at his home. 

The guest list read like a who's who of East County, with bipartisan comunity leaders turning out to honor the long-serving East County Councilmember.

East County News Service

November 26, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – This holiday season, you can give the gift of life.  The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting a series of blood drives across East County between December 18 and December 24 in locations including Spring Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon, Lakeside, Alpine and Ramona.  Below are details.

Source:  Office of the Attorney General

November 30, 2024 (Oakland) - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today urged shoppers to be on the lookout for common scams this holiday season and offered tips on how to shop safely. As Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approach, Californians should stay alert and take action to protect themselves and their loved ones from purchases that can cause headaches and heartbreak.   

“As the holiday season approaches and folks look for the best deals, consumers should slow down and check their safety list twice,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.  “I urge Californians to know their rights, familiarize themselves with shopping pitfalls, and report scams and illegal activity to my office and local law enforcement agencies. Happy and safe shopping, California!”

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – There’s a dazzling array of holiday events coming up across our inland region--including synchronized light shows at Camp Christmas in Pine Valley, North Pole Limited Train Rides at the Campo depot, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas,  La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, a holiday bonfire in Lemon Grove, holiday lights on Main in El Cajon, a Snow Day at Lindo Lakes in Lakeside, a Christmas Market in Crest, caroling on Broadway in Lemon Grove, Christmas on Mt Helix, and the German-American Societies Christmas in El Cajon.

Scroll down for full details on these festive events.