Protest planned Saturday downtown

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

Photo: Congressman Juan Vargas, right, and Congresswoman Susan Davis, left, arrive at child detention facility in El Cajon.

June 18, 2018 (El Cajon, CA) – San Diego Congressional members Susan Davis and Juan Vargas joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic members of the Hispanic Caucus in touring three local facilities holding child immigrants, including a fenced facility in EL Cajon with 65 migrant boys, 10 percent of whom were forcibly separated from their parents by the Trump administration’s new “zero tolerance” policy of prosecuting all undocumented parents.  In the past six weeks, the federal government has acknowledged taking away over 2,000 children from parents at the border, including infants and toddlers.

“The United States should have a zero tolerance policy for the immoral treatment of children,” said Rep. Davis (CA-53), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee whose district includes part of El Cajon. “We are a nation of values and we ask our men and women in uniform to defend those values every day. This policy is in no way consistent with those values.”

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2018 (Dulzura) – The pioneer-era Clark Ranch, home of the Dulzura Winery  in Dulzura, California dates back to 1885 and has remained in the Clark family to this day. Once known for its groves of olives and production of pickled figs, the land today is planted in vineyards and the former pickling house has been converted to a wine-tasting room, with a cozy guest cottage upstairs.

It’s an idyllic retreat for a peaceful stay in the country, miles away from city hustle and bustle, along historic Route 94. The name Dulzura means “sweet” in Spanish and may originally have referred to honey grown in the region.  Pioneering in Dulzura, a book written by Dorothy Clark Schmid, offered this picturesque description: “A rugged but sweet land, relaxed as its sun-based hills and deliberate as a prospector’s burro.”

Law will speak today at the El Cajon Library on his Pacific Crest Trail adventure

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Dana Law is a magician, but he’s recently completed a feat that required no magic—just a lot of willpower and walking.  He hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail, from the Mexican border to Canada. The trail runs 2,650 miles – the equivalent of climbing Mt.  Everest 16 and a half times.  He did it in 31 sections over 13 years.  In an interview with East County Magazine aired on KNSJ,  the intrepid local hiker discussed his adventures along the way, also offering advice to those who may wish to tackle the trail.

Click the audio link to listen to our interview, and scroll down for details on today's event, plus links to his blog and Facebook page, where you can find a journal he kept of each stretch along the route.

For Law, his motivation wasn't all about nature, though he has stated, "The trail symbolizes everytihng there is to love--and protect--in the Western States." To him, the real treasure of the trek are the bonds built with friends along the way, and the accomplishment of fulfilling a rigorous physical challenge.

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2018 (Ramona) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) ask your help to identify a man believed responsible for robbing two banks in Ramona and a bank in Mira Mesa over the past week.

Dubbed the “Skinny Bandit”, he is described as a light-skinned black man in his mid 20s to 30s, between 6 ft. and 6 ft. 6 inches tall with a slender build, weighing 140 to 170 pounds.  He claimed to have a weapon and in one robbery, threatened to shoot the teller, but no weapon was seen.

Below are details on each of the three robberies:

East County News Service

June 15, 2016 (Lakeside) – The Shirthouse Band will perform summer bluegrass music this Saturday, June 16^th at 2 p.m.

This free concert will be held at the Lakeside Library, 9839 Vine Street.

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2018 (McCain Valley) – An inmate firefighter last seen in his bunk last Tuesday night at the McCain Valley Conservation Camp in East County was taken into custody Friday night, the California Department of Corrections has announced.

East County News Service

June 15, 2018 (Campo) – Campo Creek Vineyards and Cheeses from the Cave have teamed up to offer a wine and cheese pairing event on Wednesday, June 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Campo Creek Vineyards’ tasting room now located at 13538 Poway Road in Poway.

By Peggy Junker

June 14, 2018 (La Mesa) - With the publication of James Newland’s chronicled history of La Mesa and the Mt. Helix area titled “Around Mt. Helix,” word has gotten out that this community has been an artist’s hub since the turn of the 20^th century.  From the area’s famous film-makers, performers and painters of the past, to today’s galleries and well-known residents, it remains a haven for the arts and art supporters in East County. 

Dan and Roz Oserin, owners of Nainsook Framing + Art, expanded their part in the local art scene last year when the two hosted a juried art show for the heART of Mt. Helix event to benefit Mt. Helix Park.  For the second year, they will host the contest in their Nainsook Gallery along with the artists’ reception on Saturday July 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is open to the public.

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (San Diego) -- New signs have been installed leading into median of State Route 15 (SR-15) between Interstate 805 (I-805) and Interstate 8 (I-8). The signs are aimed to remind motorists, transit riders and other travelers to stay out of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) bus-only lanes.

Hearings planned in San Diego June 26 and 28

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2018 (San Diego) — Ratepayers may be in for an unpleasant shock.  San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for an 11% increase next year and increases of 6.9%, 5.1% and 4.9% in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

East County News Service

June 18, 2018 (La Mesa) -- The Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement at The San Diego Foundation is hosting Clearing the Air: Addressing the Health Impacts of Air Quality in San Diego, to increase dialogue about the effects of poor air quality on the region’s children, families and local economy. The event will be held on June 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (Julian) -- This year Julian’s 4^th of July parade has the theme, “Julian’s Star Spangled 4th,” a salute to the men and women who made our country great, both domestically and militarily.

For more than twenty years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers from all over have lined up at on the town’s main street to wave their flags, cheer the marching bands, salute the Marine Color Guard, and carry a giant American Flag down the thoroughfare. Bands include a bag pipe band, Dixieland jazz, mariachi music and the Gold Drum and Bugle Corps.

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (Ramona) – Ramona Sheriff’s deputies responded to multiple silent robbery alarms at Chase Bank, located at 1467 Main Street in Ramona, on Tuesday, June 12^th shortly before 4 p.m.

A witness told deputies that a man threatened that he had a gun. No one was injured in the robbery, but the suspect fled before deputies arrived.

June 13, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• San Diego Gas & Electric Company proposes 28% rate hike (10 News)
• Sempra hit with a challenge from activist investors (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Hundreds protest outside Otay detention center, calling for release of asylum seekers (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Deaths surge for fentanyl-laced street drugs in San Diego County (KPBS)
• Birth rates fall most where home prices rise fastest (San Diego Reader)
• Sacramento Report: Anderson Looks Beyond the Legislature (Voice of SD)

STATE

• Proposal to split California into three states makes November ballot (10 News)
• Governor, legislative leaders agree on funding boost for higher education (Cal Matters)
• California drinking water tax dies in budget compromise (Sacramento Bee)
• The Mexican Mafia’s Iron Grip on California’s Jails (Daily Beast)
• California's 'Top-Two' Primary Debacle (HuffPost)
• California State Officials Voice Concerns Over a Federal Plan  (PS Mag)
• You can buy this entire ghost town for less than the price of a San Francisco condo (Sacramento Bee)

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

June 13, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Study shows troops at high risk for skin cancer (KPBS)
• Resistance exercise linked to reduced depression syndromes (Reuters)
• Premature birth test being trialed (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• AT&T wins court approval to buy Time Warner over Trump opposition (Reuters)
• A Facebook bug changed the privacy setting to public for 14 million users who thought they were making private posts (Washington Post)

• You’ll Soon Be Able to Manufacture Anything You Want and Governments Will Be Powerless to Stop It (Reason)

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