By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

June 2, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego on Wednesday kicked off its 2022 Cool Zones program to help San Diegans beat the heat this summer. Cool Zones are free, air-conditioned locations, available throughout the region, where people can go to escape extreme temperatures.

By Mike Allen

Photo, left to right:  Allen Carlisle, Outgoing General Manager, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Jeremy Bauer, Acting Deputy Director, Tribal, Intergovernmental and Policy Division, U.S. EPA Region 9, Deven Upadhyay, Chief Operating Officer and Assistant General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, David Gibson, Executive Officer at San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, Joel A. Scalzitti, Board Member, Helix Water District, Bill Pommering, Board President, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Steve Goble, Joint Powers Authority Chair, East County Advanced Water Purification Program, San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson, Sandra Kerl, General Manager, San Diego County Water Authority, Jack Simes, Planning Officer, Bureau of Reclamation, Kyle Swanson, Incoming General Manager, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Melissa McChesney, Communications Manager, Padre Dam Municipal Water District.  Photo courtesy East County Advanced Water Purification Program

June 1, 2022 (Santee) -- East County took a huge step toward greater water reliability and affordability today when regional officials broke ground on the $950 million Advanced Water Purification (AWP) project in Santee.

By Kylie Dees

June 1, 2022 (La Mesa) – One of La Mesa’s hidden gems is located in La Mesa’s downtown village and is known for its affordable and trendy ladies resale clothing. Act II is a family owned and operated business owned by Dolores Buller (photo, left)) and her daughter, Deanne Ross (right).

Source: Santee Summer Concerts

May 31, 2022 (Santee) -- The Santee Summer Concerts are back. After 38 years, concerts in Santee have become a tradition that draw crowds to a local park for free live music.

By Miriam Raftery

May 30, 2022 (San Diego) – After the massacre of 19 children and two teachers in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, four of San Diego’s Congressional representatives, all Democrats, called for legislative action to prevent gun violence. But a fourth, Republican Darrell Issa, offered only thoughts and prayers for the victims.

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy will be able to enter a conclave to elect the next pope after Francis dies or retires. Photo by Chris Stone

May 29, 2022 (San Diego) - Bishop Robert McElroy of the San Diego Roman Catholic Diocese was elevated to cardinal Sunday — thus becoming eligible to be elected pope someday.

By Nigel Duara, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  WEE1 Tactical claims their JR-15 .22 caliber long rifle is 20% smaller than a traditional AR-15. Screenshot via YouTube

May 28, 2022 (San Diego) - The man at the gun show lifted a 2.2 pound rifle and pulled back the stock with an audible “chock,” presenting it to the YouTube segment’s host.  

"I'm just tired of the NRA subordinating children's rights for gun rights," said one gun lobby opponent just three days after the school massacre in Uvalde.

By Brett Wilkins, staff writer, Common Dreams

Reprinted under a Creative Commons license from Common Dreams

May 28, 2022 (Uvalde, Texas) - In the wake of Tuesday's massacre of 21 students and staff at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, thousands of people protested angrily in Houston Friday to protest outside the National Rifle Association's annual convention to condemn the gun lobby's deep complicity in the nation's mass shooting epidemic.

Source: TIPS

Photo, left to right:  Linda Loehr, Marilyn Carpenter, Dan Roberts, Malcolm Mitchell.  Not pictured: Jennifer Tabanico

Photo Credit: Brant Bender Photography | www.brantbenderphotography.com 

May 28, 2022 (San Diego) -- During Volunteer Appreciation month, Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego (TIP) honored 5 volunteers who have each served with the organization for 10 - 25 years. TIP is a local non-profit that partners with emergency response agencies throughout San Diego to provide immediate, on scene,  crisis intervention to community members experiencing a tragedy. The commitment of these volunteers, as with all TIP volunteers, has been most crucial to the success of the organization and the healing of individuals in crisis. TIP volunteers continue to respond to a high demand need of crisis intervention requests throughout San Diego County. 

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  a dirt bike race. Photo via Pixabay

May 26, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Legislation by Sen. Brian Jones to save off-road vehicle competitions in California was unanimously approved Wednesday by the state Senate.

By Elijah McKee

Photos, left to right:  Dave Myers, Kelly Martinez, John Hemmerling, Charles Battle, Juan Carlos Mercado, Gundo Gunderson, Jonathan Peck

May 26, 2022 (San Diego's East County) — A seat of power will soon be filled in San Diego County that has not seen turnover since 2009: the Sheriff. 

East County News Service

May 24, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Flag Day Parade salutes “Old Glory” at the 23rd annual event on Saturday, June 4.  The parade begins at 10:00 a.m., marching west through the La Mesa Village along La Mesa Blvd. to Acacia. The parade will be led by the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and Grossmont High School Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard.  This year’s Grand Marshal will be healthcare and essential workers from Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Cheer on marching bands, active and retired military members, service clubs, and youth groups. 

East County News Service

May 24, 2022 (Julian) -- Scott Lagace snapped these inspiring shots of the sun's rays on an early morning hike up Volcan Mountain in Julian.

May 24, 2022 (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.

• 78,000 pounds of infant formula arrives in U.S. (AP)
• The names: 19 children, 2 teachers killed in Uvalde school shooting (AP)
• Active shooter incidents rose 53% last year, FBI says (The Hill)
• Republicans Pressure Biden to Commit to War With China Over Taiwan (Newsweek)
• Supreme Court makes it more difficult for prisoners to argue that they had ineffective counsel (CNN)
• Mike Pence says he could run for president in 2024 even if Trump also runs  (USA Today)
• OAN Finally Admits ‘No Widespread Voter Fraud’ After Settling Defamation Suit (Daily Beast)

WORLD

• A record 100 million people globally have been forced from their homes.  (NPR)
• Russia launches all-out assault to encircle Ukraine troops in east (Reuters)
•  With food prices continuing to climb, the UN is warning of crippling global shortages (KPBS)
• What you need to know about Taiwan-China tensions (CNN)
• After decades of wartime neutrality, Finland now wants to join NATO without delay (NPR)
• Kremlin says Poland might be a source of threat (Reuters)
• Russian soldier jailed for life in first war crimes trial of Ukraine War (Reuters)

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