By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2018 (El Cajon) – A search warrant was served this morning at Cloud 9 Wellness, an illegal marijuana dispensary in the 500 block of West Douglas in El Cajon. 

“A large amount of cash and marijuana was seized as evidence,” Lieutenant Walt Miller with the El Cajon Police Department states in a press release. Six employees and three armed security guards working at the business were briefly detained but not arrested. However, Lt. Miller notes, “Although the employees were not arrested today, they and the owner of the business may face charges of allowing the Commercial Sale of Marijuana within the City.”

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit:  PhotoSpin

March 1, 2018 (San Diego) - In response to increasing elder abuse crimes in the region and an impending explosion of the elderly population, County prosecutors, health and aging officials and local law enforcement are committing to a new “blueprint” of goals and coordinated community response to abuse of these vulnerable residents.

By Liz Alper

Photo via Vimeo

March 2, 2018 (San Diego) - I’ve never paid attention to Bruce Willis.  Not since it became a meme to list Die Hard as a Christmas movie (over The Thin Man?  Really?  Die Hard has Christmas in one scene, whereas The Thin Man has Christmas throughout the movie.  Besides, who doesn’t love William Powell’s effortless trolling and drinking?), I’ve semi-boycotted Bruce Willis.  It’s been a while since I willingly watched one of his films. Heck, it’s been a while since I willingly cared about him.  And so it was with slight unease that I walked into the theater for his latest film, Death Wish.  Boy, was I wrong to be nervous.

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2018 (San Diego) – Instant Pot Gem multicookers sold only at Walmart have resulted in 107 reports of overheating including five that caused property damage, 10 News reports.

KTNV in Las Vegas investigated after viewing photos on Facebook posted by an Instant Pot user who said the bottom of the machine melted and burned wires after just four uses.  The station contacted the manufacturer, which confirmed there have been other complaints.

East County News Service

March 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Shawii, or acorn “mush,” was one of the most important foods for Kumeyaay/Diegueño People for thousands of years. The long process for preparing this staple food has been passed down from generation to generation.  On Saturday, April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Martha Rodriquez (San Jose de la Zorra) will teach a class on how to make this rare treat at the Barona Cultural Center and Museum.

March 1, 2018 (Julian) -- Bobbi Zane sent in this video from Deborah J. Kerch of dogs enjoying a frolic in newfallen snow earlier this week in Julian, California.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated 1:30 p.m. with information provided by the Sheriff's department.

February 28, 2018 (Santee) – A student at West Hills High School has been arrested overnight for “making terrorists threats after he posted a photo of a Lego rifle on social media with a threatening message,” Grossmont Union High School District public information officer Catherine Martin stated on Twitter.

By Miriam Raftery

February 28, 2018 (San Diego) — While Congress remains paralyzed over gun control legislation, with the Republican leadership refusing to even allow a vote on measures to ban or restrict sales of military-style assault rifles used in many recent mass shootings, at least one major retailer has taken action on its own.

East County wife and mother says the life-saving devices should be easier to find than a gourmet cup of coffee

 By Lora Watters

February 27, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Something caught Susanne de La Flor's eye as she strolled through Grossmont Center last spring. It was not a display for a best-selling author in the Barnes & Noble window, nor a life-size cardboard cutout promoting a funny animated movie at Reading Cinemas. It was an Automated External Defibrillator on a plain gray stucco wall, between the post office and CVS Pharmacy located adjacent to the popular East County mail.

 Ever since her husband of 26 years, George de la Flor, suffered sudden cardiac arrest and subsequent brain damage in 2011, Susanne has always made note of AED devices in public places. But there was something special about this AED. It was located outside.

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2018 (Alpine) -- Bobbi Brink at Lions, Tigers and Bears posted photos of the exotic wildlife at her rescue sanctuary in Alpine reacting to today's heavy snowfall, including a pair of lions, a white tiger, and a rescued bobcat.

Enjoy the views!

East County News Service

February 27, 2018 (El Cajon) – Learn all about beekeeping at a presentation by local beekeeper Richard Edwords on Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Fletcher Hills Library, 576 Garfield Ave, El Cajon, 92020.

Edwords will bring some of his beekeeping equipment, including a bee box. He will explain how the box works and what is necessary for beginning beekeepers. He will explain the health benefits of using honey over white sugar. Edwords will give a brief history of beekeeping, which became big business in the 1800’s due to Mr. John Harbison’s successful enterprise. The presentation will also include safety tips on what to do if you get attacked by bees.

February 27, 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

• El Cajon Councilman accused of bogus property filings (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• End of the line for Depot Springs (La Mesa Courier)
• La Mesa poised to award license to first medical pot dispensary (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Interactive map shows school expulsions, suspensions for weapons in San Diego County (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego students likely won’t face suspensions for school walkouts against gun violence  (KPBS)
• School district looks to bring back popular sixth-grade camp (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego celebrates new freeway-level transit stations (NBC 7)
• Yes, Duncan Hunter was there for some of the improper charges he has repaid to his campaign (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego Water Payments Fund a Slaughterhouse and Lots of Other Stuff in Imperial County (Voice of San Diego)
• San Onofre settlement would put millions in customers' pockets but leave key questions unanswered (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Watch Democrats running for Governor debate ahead of state party convention (Los Angeles Times)
• California Democratic party offers no endorsement in Senate, Governor’s races (Los Angeles Times)
• California’s recurring nightmare: Nearly half the state is back in drought (KQED)
• California is losing low-income folks but gaining wealthy ones, report says (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Tribes cut out of California’s legal pot market might grow their own (AP)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Ammar Campa-Najjar with supporters at state Democratic convention, via his Facebook page

February 26, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – At the California Democratic Convention held in San Diego over the weekend, an overwhelming 97 percent of delegates voted to endorse Ammar Campa-Najjar in the June primary race for the 50^th Congressional District seat held by Congressman Duncan Hunter.  Campa-Najjar, a former Labor Department official with many local Democratic club endorsements, won the endorsement over former Navy Seal Josh Butner. 

Campa-Najjar, Butner and other contenders will face El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, as well as embattled Congressman Hunter and potentially other challenges, with the filing deadling fast appraoching on March 9th. Hunter is viewed as vulnerable by many political experts due to the federal criminal investigation into allegations of misusing campaign funds for personal use and other controversies.

Why is library omitted from the plan?

By Dr. Anthony McIvor

February 27, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Tonight the City Council agenda includes a returning item: engagement of an urban planning firm to update feasibility tests for the Civic Center site. Included are the introduction of market-rate housing, as well as office and/or governmental use, park and parking uses in combination with another civic building.

And once again we see a baffling omission.  Surrounding cities – from Alpine to IB – are proudly opening – and winning awards with – new town libraries. Just yesterday, San Diego Mayor Faulconer lauded libraries as “…hubs for inspiration, discovery and opportunity.” But in La Mesa, the long-delayed new library continues to get the crickets treatment at City Hall.

Why?

East County News Service

February 27, 2018 (Ramona) --  Indivisible Ramona invites the public to attend an evening of presentations on the “Changing Faces of Agricultures”, including farm labor, and its impact on the economy of San Diego County tonight, Tuesday, February 27, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Ramona Library Community Room, 1275 Main St., Ramona, CA 92065. 

Attendees will hear from two expert speakers and Congressional candidates about San Diego County agriculture productions of more than $1.7 billion and agricultural exports from and through the county at more than $18 billion and how immigration, housing, NAFTA and other key issues could have an impact. Both Republican and Democratic candidates running for Congress in District 50 have been invited to participate and offer comments.