GUIDELINES FOR HOLIDAY RETURNS

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

(Photo credit: CC by NC via Bing.)

Dec. 26, 2021 (East County) Ahh, that all holiday gifts were the perfect size, color, wanted, or worked as well as advertised. Thankfully, grace periods are offered by some retailers. 

Below are  posted holiday return policies, excerpts, for select retailers, according to an article published by DealNews, on 12/22/21, by Allison Martin and contributions by Julie Ramhold.

-Amazon – Deadline is 1/31/22 for almost all items purchased from 10/1/-12/31/21.


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WINTER STORM WARNING: SNOWSTORM AND HIGH WINDS FORECAST MONDAY AND TUESDAY

By Miriam Raftery

December 26, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy snowfall is forecast Monday, along with wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour in San Diego’s mountain areas.  Snow is forecast to blanket local mountain communities including Pine Valley and Julian. Above 4,500 feet, four to eight inches of snow are forecast, with up to 16 inches above 6,500 feet at the highest peaks in San Bernadino and Riverside counties. 


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IT’S THE MOST RECYCLABLE TIME OF THE YEAR!

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit:  Shutterstock 

December 23, 2021 (San Diego) - It’s the most — recyclable — time of the year!


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FDA APPROVES AT-HOME PILL TO TREAT COVID-19: FIRST SUPPLIES TO REACH SAN DIEGO NEXT WEEK

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via U.S. FDA

December 23, 2021 (San Diego) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorizations for two new oral anti-viral medications – the first COVID-19 oral medications for home use. However, the County warns in a press release today, “Supplies of these medications will initially be very limited and San Diegans should continue to mask up this holiday season to prevent infection.

The County expects its first shipment of Pfizer’s Paxlovid in the coming days. A second oral antiviral, Merck’s molnupiravir, is expected to start arriving in the region soon after.


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FLASH FLOODING THREAT TONIGHT AND FRIDAY; WHITE CHRISTMAS IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH SNOW THIS WEEKEND

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

December 23, 2021 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service warns of flash flooding possible tonight and Friday due to heavy rains, with 3-6 inches forecast for mountains and coastal slopes, 2-3 inches in valleys and coastal cities, and 0.5 to 1.5 inches in desert areas. Snow is forecast as low as 4,500 feet, with high winds also predicted. 

Urban and street flooding are possible, as well as flooding at low water crossings, normally dry washes and flood channels.  In recently burned areas, mud and debris flows are also possible. Some streets in Mission Valley are being closed down late today in anticipation of the San Diego River flooding its banks.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

December 23, 2021 (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

STATE


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

December 23, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

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


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ROCK FALL CLOSES BUTTES PASS SLOT CANYON IN ANZA-BORREGO

By Miriam Raftery 

December 23, 2021 (Anza-Borrego) – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park today posted an alert on social media warning that the Buttes Pass Slot Canyon is closed until further notice due to a “difficult rockfall blocking the path.” 


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‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery (a parody based on the poem by Clement Clark Moore)

 

Twas the night before Christmas and all through East County

Not a creature was stirring, from Borrego to El Monte.

Hiking boots were hung by chimneys with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

 

From Barona to Ramona, Jacumba to Jamul

East County residents this 2021 Yule

Celebrate the season with favorite dishes

And send Santa Claus these holiday wishes:


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HOLIDAY PRECAUTIONS URGED AS COVID-19, OMICRON CASES SPIKE UP

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office 

December 23, 2021 (San Diego) -- An increasing number of COVID-19 cases, more upcoming holiday celebrations and the growing spread of the Omicron variant are prompting County health officials to urge San Diegans to do their part to keep the coronavirus spread from increasing even more.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

December 23, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

SCIENCE AND TECH

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


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SANTEE’S STARLIGHT CIRCLE WELCOMES VISITORS TO VIEW HOLIDAY LIGHTS

East County News Service

December 23, 2021 (Santee) – Each year, residents in an area dubbed “Starlight Circle” decorate their homes elaborately for the holidays, drawing thousands of visitors.


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WHERE TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Several local venues are planning New Year’s Eve parties on December 31st including Viejas Casino and Resort with a signature ball drop and fireworks, Jamul Casino with a rocking party atop the new Rooftop venue, Courtyard Marriott in El Cajon with dancing at a benefit to help children with cancer, dance bands and more at Pala Casino, plus fishing at Lake Jennings beneath the light of a full moon on New Year’s night, January 1, 2022.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: EAST COUNTY SHOWS ITS HOLIDAY SPIRIT

By Miriam Raftery

December 23, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – East County residents have decked the halls – and more – to celebrate the holiday season.

At Janet’s Montana Café in Alpine, even the moose head on the wall is adorned with sleighbells, a pine wreath and bow. (Photo by Miriam Raftery)


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SDSU MEN'S BASKETBALL: MENSAH LEADS AZTECS TO VICTORY OVER UCSD

UPDATE:  Men's basketball game against San Diego Christian CANCELED

 

Source:  goaztecs.com

Video courtesy goaztecs.com

December 23, 2021 (San Diego) - Four Aztecs scored in double figures led by Nathan Mensah's career-high 19 points as the San Diego State men's basketball team cruised to a 78-57 victory over the UC San Diego Tritons 78-57 on Wednesday night at Viejas Arena.


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NASA INVITES PUBLIC TO VIEW LAUNCH OF WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL SPACE TELESCOPE DEC. 25

By Roger Coppock and Miriam Raftery

Photo:  the James Webb Space Telescope, the premier space science observatory of the next decade, is targeted for launch Dec. 25 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Courtesy of NASA/Chris Gunn

December 22, 2021 (San Diego) -- Look out Santa! Steer your sleigh carefully.  The new Webb Space Telescope, the world’s largest and most powerful space science telescope, is scheduled to launch this Saturday, Christmas morning at 4:20 a.m. California time.


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SDSU FOOTBALL: STELLAR NIGHT FROM JOHNSON AND MATTHEWS GIVES AZTECS FRISCO BOWL WIN

By Liz Alper
 
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
 
December 21, 2021 (Frisco, Texas) - We’re finally done with the regular season.  Now, it’s time to go bowling.  The Aztecs and Texas-San Antonio met in Frisco, Texas for the Frisco Bowl today.

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ISSA AND JACOBS ANNOUNCE THEY WILL SEEK REELECTION FOR CONGRESS AFTER NEW DISTRICT BOUNDARIES APPROVED

By Miriam Raftery

Image:  final Congressional districts in San Diego County. Courtesy Citizens Redistricting Commission

December 21, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday, California’s independent citizen redistricting commission unanimously approved the state’s new Congressional district maps, which will be certified December 27.  Today, two of East County’s Congressional members, Democrat Sara Jacobs and Republican Darrell Issa, announced plans to seek reelection in their new and solidly safe districts.


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WET AND WILD HOLIDAY WEATHER

By Miriam Raftery

December 21, 2021 (San Diego) – If you’re traveling this week, be sure to allow extra time and drive with caution. Heavy rain is forecast for Thursday night and Friday, Christmas Eve, the National Weather Service predicts. Cool weather and lighter showers are expected to continue through the holiday weekend into next week.


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SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO OHIO STATE 66-54

The Aztecs held the Buckeyes 21 points under their season average

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 21, 2021 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (6-5) fell to No. 24 Ohio State (9-2) 66-54 Tuesday afternoon inside Viejas Arena.

The Buckeyes entered the game top five in the nation in points per game and the Aztecs held them 21 points below their season average.


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EL CAJON COUNCIL APPROVES HIRING MORE POLICE, OPPOSES MILEAGE TAX AND SUPPORTS HOME KITCHENS

By Elijah McKee

December 21, 2021 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon City Council tackled several County-level issues at its recent meeting on December 14.  

First, City Manager Graham Mitchell spoke about a rare opportunity to temporarily over-staff the police department with 10 new officers drawn laterally from other nearby agencies, in an effort to save the city money over the next three years. 

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, as many as 160 San Diego police officers may be facing termination in light of the city’s vaccine mandate. Meanwhile, El Cajon does not currently have such a mandate.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BOBCAT IN DEERHORN VALLEY

East County News Service

December 20, 2021 (Deerhorn Valley) – Tanner Valladares shared these photos he took of a bobcat on December 19 in Deerhorn Valley.  The photos were taken with a Samsung s21 Ultra at about 10x zoom.  

“The cat was about 75 yards off our back porch,” he says.


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IN STATE OF CITY ADDRESS, MAYOR WELLS HIGHLIGHTS PRIORITIES

By Miriam Raftery

December 20, 2021 (El Cajon)  In his State of the City address on December 14, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells declared the City is in “excellent condition” despite challenges posed by the pandemic and more.


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SANTEE FIRE DISPLACES RESIDENTS, ONE SUFFERS SMOKE INHALATION

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Scott Lagace

December 20, 2021 (Santee) – A fire in an upstairs apartment in Santee on Sunday morning displaced eight residents. 


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BODY FOUND IN LAKESIDE TRAILER

By Miriam Raftery

December 19, 2021 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies responding to a report of a vehicle burglary in the 12100 block of State Route 67 in Lakeside yesterday afternoon made a grim discovery. While searching the area, deputies looked into a nearby travel trailer and found a body with signs of rigor mortis, says Lieutenant David Gilmore.


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SNOW VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT IS NOW OPEN FOR WINTER 2021-2022: THERE’S A LOT NEW AT SO CAL’S LONGEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING SKI RESORT, NOW CELEBRATING ITS 84TH SEASON

East County News Service

 

December 19, 2021 (Running Springs) – Numerous enhancements at Snow Valley Mountain Resort await skiers and snowboarders for the 2021-2022 Winter Season in the San Bernardino Mountains. Improvements at Southern California’s longest continuously operating ski area include a new 100-foot moving carpet lift in the Children's Learning Center; expanded snowmaking for the Snow Play sledding area; and new Head rental equipment.

 

These and other improvements come on top of Snow Valley’s $8 Million investment over the past four winter seasons, including opening Southern California’s only six-person high-speed chairlift, expanded snowmaking,  increased access to legendary Slide Peak, a faster equipment rental process, 100% expansion of Snow Play/sledding lanes, and new alfresco drinking and dining options.


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EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL TABLES DISCUSSIONS ON SAFE PARKING PROGRAM AND RV REZONING AMIDST GROWING HOMELESS COMMUNITY

 

By Elijah McKee

 

Photo, left: Rebecca Branstetter, East County Homeless Task Force, testifies to El Cajon City Council

 

December 18, 2021 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon City Council addressed several agenda items at its last meeting that had potential to either help or hurt those in the homeless community who rely on cars or RVs. 

 

According to the East County Homeless Task Force (ECHTF), the Cajon Valley Union and Grossmont Union High School Districts serve a known homeless population of over 550 families, at least 30 of which are unsheltered and sometimes living in vehicles. 

 

However, after lengthy discussion, the two pressing items — a Safe Parking Program proposal and a zoning code update on RVs — were pushed off to a future meeting so that City staff could look at them in greater detail. Many who spoke at the meeting hoped to see clear actionable steps and less policy mazes on these issues, but the City Council sought to strike a balance. 


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MEN'S BASKETBALL: PULLIAM LEADS SDSU TO 63-53 WIN OVER ST. MARY'S

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 17, 2021 (Phoenix) - Senior guard Trey Pulliam was one of three Aztecs in double figures and for the eighth time in 10 games San Diego State's men's basketball team limited its opponent to under 40 percent shooting in a 63-53 victory over the Saint Mary's Gaels at the Footprint Center.


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EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: BULLDOGS HAND EAGLES FIRST HOME LOSS OF SEASON IN CLOSE THRILLER

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
December 17, 2021 (El Cajon) - Grossmont Union High School District may be on winter break, but high school sports keep right on chugging.  Ready for some basketball, ECM Sports traveled to El Cajon to see a great East County matchup featuring a team we don’t get to cover very often.  The Bulldogs traveled down the hill from Ramona to El Cajon to square off against the Eagles of Granite Hills.  Both teams are off to a great start to the season; the Granite Hills guys are 8-1 so far and are undefeated (6-0) at home.  The Ramona boys have just started their season, but are 2-1 so far.

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SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OUTLASTS UC SAN DIEGO 65-57

Sophia Ramos led the Aztecs with 20 points

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 17, 2021 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (6-4) edged out UC San Diego (3-6) 65-57 Friday evening inside Viejas Arena.

SDSU was led by Sophia Ramos and Asia Avinger who combined for 35 points and 17 rebounds. Ramos had 20 points, her 17th career game with at least 20, on 7-for-14 shooting and collected eight rebounds. Avinger had 15 points and a career-high nine rebounds.


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