By Kathy Carpenter 

Activities, resources & educational materials focus on ways to invest in our planet

Source:  City of La Mesa

March 29, 2022 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa, in partnership with the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation and other sponsors, is ramping up efforts for the annual celebration of Earth Day at MacArthur Park on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event will showcase fun, educational, and sustainable activities, products and services.

By Brett Wilkins, staff writer, Common Dreams

Reprinted under a Creative Commons license from Common Dreams

Photo:  Former President Donald Trump’s speech shortly before the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.  Public domain image from Voice of America via Wikipedia

March 28, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - A U.S. federal judge on Monday found that former President Donald Trump and legal adviser John Eastman probably committed felony obstruction in their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

March 28, 2022 (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

• Why Your Energy Bill Spiked This Year (Voice of San Diego) 
• Early COVID-19 indicators hint that the virus’ transmission is growing in San Diego. (KPBS)
• La Mesa city workers will get bonuses for vaccinations under new spending plan (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Realtor Brett Combs Is Ushering In a New Frontier in San Diego's Backcountry (San Diego Magazine)
• Work starts on controversial solar farm in Jacumba Hot Springs (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Pedestrian-friendly upgrades are set to start in Downtown Ramona (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Small plane crashes in East County; no injuries reported (Fox 5)
• ‘Humanitarian Parole’: U.S. Lets Ukrainians Fleeing War into United States from Tijuana (Reuters)
• Community gathers donations bound for Ukraine (East County Californian)
• San Diego Shrunk Last Year Because of Negative Domestic Migration (Voice of San Diego)
• Tire slashed in early morning road rage on a Santee highway (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Six-year sentence for driver in fiery fatal crash near Jamul (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Newsom’s ambitious new plan for court-ordered treatment aims to help stem homelessness  (Los Angeles Times)
• COVID-19 variants in California: What is BA.2 or ‘stealth omicron’ and when did it arrive?  (Sacramento Bee)
• Biden giving millions to battle the opioid epidemic. How will it help California? (Sacramento Bee)
• Newsom signs bill to prevent health insurance companies, plans from charging abortion co-pays, fees  (AP)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Matt Manosh: Lemon Grove City Clerk Audrey Malone denied attorney Cory Briggs' request to inspect public records the day before a proposed censure motion of Councilmember Liana LeBaron.

March 28, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Attorney Cory Briggs has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the nonprofit Project for Open Government against the city of Lemon Grove. The suit alleges that the city acted illegally in failing to respond to multiple public records requests related to the city’s proposed censure and discplinary actions toward Councilmember Liana LeBaron. The City also denied Briggs access to inspect public records when he came to city hall in person the day before the censure hearing, and has still failed to respond weeks later.

The suit seeks a court order requiring the city to full comply with the California Public Records Act, California Constitution, common law and other applicable laws by disclosing all records requested. Briggs also seeks injunctive relief to inspect and copy public records (or portions allowed by law), as well as attorney fees and legal expenses.

Source: County News Service

Mar. 28, 2022 (County of San Diego) The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Anthony Ray as interim sheriff on Tuesday. He will step into the top leadership role through January 2023 when the winner of this year’s election for sheriff takes office.

Ray will be sworn in on April 5. He is currently an assistant sheriff and has served more than 30 years in the department. He will oversee one of the largest sheriff’s departments in the nation, managing nearly 4,700 employees and providing primary law enforcement to nearly one million people.

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

March 28, 2022 (San Diego) – The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain was written by Eugene Yelchin, who is a member of the San Diego Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. The topic is relevant at a time when Russia has launched a war in Europe threatening freedom of neighboring Ukraine, rekindling memories of the iron curtain, an invisible barrier which separated free nations from others in Europe until the Soviet Union collapsed.

In Leningrad, Russia, Yevgeny grows up in an apartment. Except for the kitchen and bathroom, each room is occupied by a separate family. One room has a government spy. Every apartment is like this.

44 students from 22 local East County high schools were awarded scholarships at the March 18 board meeting 

East County News Service

March 27, 2022 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) awarded $111,100 in scholarships to 44 local high school students who have expressed interest in a career as a healthcare professional.

Four Aztec pitchers combine on a three-hitter in the loss

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 27, 2022 (San Diego) - Despite four pitchers combining on a three-hitter, San Diego State could not generate enough offense of its own in a 4-0 setback to Fresno State on Sunday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

March 27, 2022 (El Cajon) - Looking for a quick, affordable and flexible way to earn college credits, obtain critical work skills, or expand your academic horizons?

By Mike Allen 

March 27, 2022 (Santee) -- One of the more controversial powers government agencies wield is eminent domain, the ability to acquire private property even without the owner’s consent for a project determined to be the public’s best interest.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Screenshot via ECM news partner 10 News

Photos below by Robert Gehr

March 26, 2022 (El Cajon) – Jesse Nunez, a bail bondsman was shot in the face while attempting to find a wanted man yesterday afternoon at an abandoned building at 333 West Lexington Avenue in El Cajon. The shooter was not the person sought by the bail bondsman, says Lieutenant Will Guerin with the El Cajon Police, who added that squatters were occupying the building and two men ultimately surrendered after a brief stand-off.

The wanted fugitive, Jesse D. Tansey, remains at large, 619 news reports. He was being sought for failing to appear in court on charges that included drug dealing and possession of a firearms.

An ECM photographer says he repeatedly called ECPD to report break-ins at the property, as well as apparent drug sales.

By SJ Miller

Photo:  Matt Lieurance with rescue Diamond.  Photo courtesy Farm Animal Refuge

March 24, 2022 (Campo) — When Jordan Russo and Matt Lieurance met working at Chili’s 14 years ago, they had no idea they would eventually become close friends, roommates, and co-founders of an animal sanctuary in Campo.

East County News Service

March 23, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced his office will host a free webinar on April 5 at 10 A.M. PT with industry experts to discuss best practices and the various services of each section of the Medicare Program.