By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra, in 2009 in Santee

July 3, 2020 (El Cajon) – Jimmie Johnson has become the first NASCAR driver to test positive for COVID-19. The seven-time NASCAR champion and El Cajon native will miss this weekend’s INDY doubleheader races in Indianapolis Saturday and Sunday.

Johnson has no symptoms, but took the test after his wife had mild symptoms and tested positive. He will remain sidelined until cleared by a physician, one more setback in what Johnson earlier announced would be the final racing season of his career.

By Miriam Raftery

July 2, 2020 (San Diego) -- Fireworks are illegal in San Diego County. Yet East County experienced a recent fire due to illegal fireworks, says Sonny Saghera, public information officer with Heartland Fire & Rescue.

Fireworks are often used to mark special events and holidays. However, the only safe way to view fireworks is to watch a professional show.

Here’s where to view live fireworks shows in East County and elsewhere in the San DIego region from a safe distance, as well as local online fireworks displays and patriotic shows:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/where-find-fireworks-east-county-july-4th

“With many professional firework shows being canceled this year, it is important to know that fireworks are not safe in the hands of consumers. Fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year,” Saghera notes.

Heartland Fire offers few other ideas to get into the patriotic spirit, without fireworks, a well as some fireworks safety facts:

Watch for increased impaired driving patrols this holiday weekend

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

July 2, 2020 (San Diego) - This Fourth of July will be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the changes to Independence Day celebrations, you should always do the responsible thing and not get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

PREHISTORIC FOSSILS FOUUND AT OTAY CONSTRUCTION ZONE

East County News Service

July 2, 2020 (San Diego) -- Al fossil deposit containing skeletal remains of extinct mammals, including camels, oreodonts, rodents, and possibly a large carnivore, was recently unearthed at the State Route 11/Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project, a joint venture between Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

The fossils are estimated to be 16 to 28 million years old and provide new insights into the region's geologic history.

By Debbie L. Sklar, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego News Association

Photo:  Rep. Susan Davis celebrates her victory at Golden Hall on Nov. 6. Photo by Chris Stone

July 2, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) - The House Armed Services Committee passed new legislation by San Diego Rep. Susan Davis on Wednesday to end military hunger.

By Miriam Raftery

July 2, 2020 (San Diego)—Once the most common butterfly in Southern California, the Quino Checkerspot Butterfly has lost over 70 percent of its habitat.  It’s been listed as a federally endangered species since 1997, but is not on California Endangered Species Act. That could soon change, if a petition filed this week by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Endangered Habitats League is successful.

The butterfly is now found only in San Diego and Riverside Counties. The petition, filed with the California Fish and Game Commission, would make the colorful butterfly an endangered species under state law, giving stronger protections against habitat destruction and fragmentation, climate change, nitrogen pollution, invasive species and enforcement.

By Larry Johnson, President, Mountain Empire Historical Society

July 16, 2020 (San Diego's East County) -- Have you driven down scenic Highway 80 through its eastern stretch of San Diego County and noticed a lone chimney standing like a silent sentinel in a field, or a very old building that appears to date back to a previous era and wondered about their history?

If so, a new book written by historian and author Cherry Diefenbach called Renegades, Rock Houses and Resorts…the Stories of Jacumba Hot Spring and Surrounds may be just the ticket.

This nearly 500-page book provides a comprehensive history of the area using more than 1,200 photos, hundreds of old newspaper articles, and personal accounts from the descendants of early settlers. Many of the photographs have not been published elsewhere.

Finished after nearly five years of research, the book chronicles the colorful history of local mountain and desert comunities including Bankhead Springs, Boulder Park/Desert View Tower, Boulevard/Manzanita, Hipass/Tierra Del Sol, Jacumba Hot Springs, Live Oak Springs, Mountain Springs, and Oasis.

July 2, 2020 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include: 

LOCAL

• County, advocacy group partner to reduce racial disparities in child welfare system (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Seven-Hour Border Backup Opens Up a Can of COVID Worms, Chief Says (Calexico Chronicle)
• Riverside County's ICU beds are 99% occupied. Hospitals moving into surge plan, official says (Desert Sun)
• Police shoot man in downtown San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California cracks down on scofflaw businesses, delays reopenings as coronavirus surges (Los Angeles Times)
• Supervisor Fletcher, Assemblywoman Gonzalez, enter 14-day quarantine (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• SDPD: Investigation Into Controversial Plainclothes Arrest Will Remain Secret (KPBS)

STATE

• 7 more weeks of unemployment in California’s budget plan (Sacramento Bee)
• Here’s how Gov. Newsom plans to enforce his latest coronavirus order (L.A. Daily News)
• Gavin Newsom orders 19 California counties to shut down indoor dining, bars again (Sacramento Bee)
• 'Shocking, Heartbreaking' Coronavirus Outbreak In Calif. Prison Alarms Health Experts (NPR)
• California cities begin embracing cannabis in desperate search for cash (Politico)

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

July 1,  2020 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Global coronavirus cases exceed 10 million (Reuters)
• Coronavirus: Florida and Texas reverse reopening as US cases pass 2.5 million  (BBC)
• Why simple cloth masks without valves are better at fighting the spread of covid-19 (Washington Post)
• Dutch Minks Contract COVID-19 — And Appear To Infect Humans (NPR)
• Harmful Arsenic Level Found in Whole Foods Bottled Water: Consumer Reports (NTD)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• Facebook removes videos targeting public health officials (Los Angeles Times)
• Facebook bans boogaloo groups, but some smaller groups remain  (MSN)
• Exclusive: Facebook ad boycott campaign to go global, organizers say  (Reuters)
• Amazon buys self-driving car firm Zoox, suggesting a future of automated deliveries (Washington Post)

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

By Miriam Raftery

July 2, 2020 (San Diego) – On Sunday, a fire destroyed 40 homes and killed one person in Niland, California, an economically depressed desert town in Imperial County.  Around 130 people in the town of 1,000 were displaced and have been receiving help from the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

The Red Cross has requested donations which can be made at www.RedCross.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Due to COVID-19 and safe handling requirements, the Red Cross is unable to accept donations of goods.

The top priority is to provide shelter, as well as meals, relief and emotional support, as well as recovery planning and other assistance. The Red Cross has also assisted first responders in this fire.

By Melinda Myers

July 1, 2020 (San Diego) - Keep your garden looking its best and reduce your workload by enlisting practices that provide multiple benefits. Your garden will flourish and you’ll have more time to enjoy its beauty.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Woof N' Rose Winery in Ramona wil now be able to remain open, serving wine on an outdoor patio, under the county rule change allowed today.

June 30, 2020 (San Diego) – One day after ordering bars, breweries and wineries to shut down, county health officials today revised that order to allow most to stay open. That’s a big relief to East County wineries, which can now continue to offer winetasting outdoors without food. Wineries, breweries, distilleries and bars with indoor seating can also stay open, provided they serve alcohol with food. Those without food service licenses can team up with a restaurant or food truck.

The changes came after East County Magazine published an article quoting prominent wine owners voicing concern over the future of our region’s wine industry and hours after ECM's editor reached out to Supervisor Dianne Jacob to inform her staff of the winery owners' concerns. ECM's editor also posed a question on this issue during a virtual press conference with county health officials.

Today, the County also imposed a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on all restaurants, bars and other eating/drinking establishments that serve alcohol. Patrons in the door by 10 p.m. may stay until 11 p.m. nightly.  Violators are subject to a $1,000 fine.

By Helen Horvath

Photo, lefft: Dynamite charges set by the US Corps of Engineers

June 30, 2020 (Campo) – Yesterday, at the end of Tierra del Sol Road in the Campo area, a group of Kumeyaay-led people and supporters gathered early in the morning to protest the blasting of Kumeyaay cultural sites.

Many of these protesters, wearing masks due to COVID-19, were members of the Kumeyaay Original Peoples Alliance, American Indian Movement, and Warriors of Awareness. These groups  participated out of concern for the ancestral history and culture of the Kumeyaay tribes.  Black Lives Matter (BLM) and American Friends Service Committee also participated in the protest in a show of solidarity with local Native Americans. (Photo, right)

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – The weather will be warming up over the Fourth of July weekend. But before you head to the beach, be aware that elevated surf is forecast to generate strong rip currents that will be hazardous to swimmers this weekend and next week.

On Sunday and Monday,  breezy winds, warmer conditions and low relative humidity will create elevated fire weather conditions, says meteorologist Casey Oswant with the National Weather Service. The conditions are “favorable for fast-moving grass fires,” Oswant cautions.