By Cecilie Shamanow 

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE https://youtu.be/6cpLhfRzn1E?si=sHaKaOP2VCIITChb

October 28, 2023 (El Cajon) --- In a forum held Oct. 18 at Cuyamaca College, District 4 supervisorial candidates Monica Montgomery Steppe, a Democrat, and Republican Amy Reichert answered questions from the public ranging on health care, homelessness, housing, highway improvements, and diversity.

East County News Service

October 27, 2023 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department and the San Diego Sheriff’s department invite the public to a pancake breakfast on November 11 from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The event will be held at 8950 Cottonwood Ave, Santee.  Tickets are $5.

For information, call 619-258-3038.

By Shiloh Ireland

October 12, 2023 (Poway) -- On September 23-24; Poway held its annual rodeo and celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of this action- packed event. Rodeo Chairman Murray Bankhead, the rodeo’s board and many volunteers made this event a success with a large turnout, talented performers, and a family-friendly environment. ECM found smiling faces, helpful volunteers and vendors with a variety of merchandise. But, the action was in the arena, where a variety of disciplines were witnessed by a positive and cheering crowd.

Performers and athletes from across the US. and Canada engaged the audience with roping, trick riders, bulls, bucking broncos, mutton busting, barrels and more. Rodeo queens from Poway, Lakeside and Ramona were present, supporting the rodeo.

By Jessyka Heredia

Photo, left:  The late Ed and Sandy Burr

October 27, 2023 (La Mesa)— San Diego’s East County has lost one of its most beloved philanthropists and local business owners, Sandy Burr. Burr passed away at Sharp Grossmont Hospital on October 11, 2023, at 84. Sandra Burr and her late husband, Edward “Ed” Gene Burr, founded EDCO, creating a legacy of giving back and engaging with East County that shaped the way EDCO is viewed today as a company for the customers they serve.

By Miriam Raftery

October 27, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine journalists Rebecca Person and Miriam Raftery picked up awards in San Diego Press Club’s  Excellence in Journalism Competition earlier this month. ECM has won 146 major journalism awards since its inception 15 years ago.

Rebecca Person received third place in the breaking news category for her article, “Jacumba Hot Springs community stunned by arrival of hundreds of migrants.” Person described efforts by local residents to aid migrants left without food, water, shade or shelter in sweltering desert heat.  Her coverage prompted an investigation by a human rights organization and filing of a federal complaint accusing Border Patrol agents of violating U.S. and international laws.

ECM editor Miriam Raftery received third place in the Radio interviews category for her interview on KNSJ Radio with Kathi Torres, a sex trafficking survivor who now works with Freedom from Exploitation, an organization that helps survivors of human trafficking.

To report suspicious activity in the San Diego area, contact FBI San Diego at 858-320-1800, or submit a tip to tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL FBI.

East County News Service

October 27, 2023 (San Diego) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in San Diego has asked media outlets to  alert the public to threats associated with the Israel-HAMAS conflict. The FBI and the Dept. Of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint public service announcement on Oct. 25. The agencies are also asking the public to report any suspicious activity.

“The FBI is continuing to monitor threats associated with the Israel-HAMAS conflict, both in the United States and overseas. As the conflict continues, the FBI has seen an increase in reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions, raising our concern that violent extremists and lone offenders motivated by or reacting to ongoing events could target these communities,” the FBI announcement states. “We take all potential threats seriously and are working closely with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate investigative action.”

By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photos by Bing AI (prompt: Jonathan Goetz with East County Magazine)

October 25, 2023 (San Diego) -- San Diego’s new Crop Report covering the County’s 2022 growing season shows production was higher than last year at $1.78 billion in value, making it the seventh year in the past 10 years in which the region has seen an increase.

By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 24, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego County doctors share the top 6 tips to help you fight winter viruses and stay healthy.

By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo by PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay

October 22, 2023 (San Diego) -- Are you seeing more urban coyotes in your neighborhood? If so, don’t panic! The County’s Department of Animal Services (DAS) has some tips to keep them away and help you, your family and pets stay safe.

By Miriam Raftery

October 19, 2023 (El Cajon) – Mark Lewis, who served El Cajon as mayor and city councilman for 25 years overseeing major changes the community, has died of complications from a stroke suffered last year.  His family members were with him  at a hospice center, where he passed away on October 12, 2023 at age 75.

“He loved El Cajon and everyone in it,” his wife, Sarah Christine “Chris” Lewis, told East County Magazine.

He led the city through a recession and a centennial, leading efforts to revitalize downtown, bring "fun" to city residents and create a cleaner, greener community for future generations.

The affable mayor, known for his sense of humor and commitment to a clean environment,  also served as the County of San Diego’s waste management coordinator, chaired SANDAG’s public safety board, was foreman of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Grand Jury, served on the Draft Board and on the Indian Gaming Commission.

A complex, larger-than-life figure, Lewis also wrote poetry and authored a book of Haiku dedicated to mankind "in the hope that those who read it,will act in some way,as to improve the existence of man." In his younger days,he enjoyed  stints as a stand-up comedian.

But he was most proud of leading efforts to revitalize downtown El Cajon and implement green programs that cleaned up the city’s air pollution.

East County News Service

October 19, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – Today, the US State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory. “Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.”

The State Department advises that U.S. citizens should stay alert in locations frequented by tourists; enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)) to receive security updates and make it easier to locate you in an emergency; and follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

There is also currently a do not travel advisory for Gaza and Lebanon, and a reconsider travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank.

The U.S. government has authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel on a case-by-case basis from Mission Israel and Lebanon. 

CITY OF LA MESA HOSTS COMMUNITY DISASTER PLANNING SEMINAR

October 19, 2023 (La Mesa) – In observance of National Preparedness Month, the City of La Mesa, in collaboration with the City’s Community Relations and Veterans Commission, Heartland Fire & Rescue, and the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, will host the upcoming Livable La Mesa Community Conversation. This event aims to educate La Mesa residents on creating a ‘personal disaster plan’ and effectively assisting friends and family with disabilities or unique access needs during emergencies.

By Jessyka Heredia

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

October 16, 2023 (Lemon Grove)—Earlier this month the Lemon Grove City Council voted to approve adding additional revenue to an already existing contract with Rick Engineering Company for a sewer rehabilitation project that was previously approved with a winning bid from Rick Engineering not to exceed $508,694 even after a buffer of $25,306 in contingency funds was included.

 East County News Service

October 18, 2023 (Sacramento, CA) -- Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. announces that Governor Gavin Newsom has finished taking action on all of her bills. “I am grateful to the Governor and all my colleagues in the Legislature for recognizing the importance of these bills. I look forward to engaging with the administration and stakeholders on the implementation of these new laws over the next several months,” said Assemblymember Weber (D- La Mesa).

Many of the bills that were signed positively impact public health, education and equity in California and can serve as a model for other states, according to Weber’s office. The bills that were signed are as follows:

East County News Service

October 17, 2023 (Santee) - Every ghoul is welcome at Santee Lakes’ first-ever Spooktacular and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This will be a ghoulish day of games, a giant Halloween maze, face painting, creepy crafts, photo opportunities, and much more.