Warning: Graphic and disturbing content

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Bucha civilians reportedly massacred by Russians, Ukraine Ministry of Digital Development Mikhail Fedorov post on Twitter

April 4, 2022 (Ukraine) – After Russian troops withdrew from several besieged Ukrainian cities, horrifying evidence of war crimes have emerged. International media, human rights groups, and Ukrainian officials have all provided documentation of atrocities including mass graves, executions of civilians – some with hands bound behind their backs, rapes, murders including children, bodies boobytrapped with bombs, and efforts to cover up war crimes by burning bodies. 

Source:  Treasurer-Tax Collector of San Diego County

April 4, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister reminded property owners today that they have seven days left to pay the second installment of their 2021-2022 property taxes before they are charged a late penalty.  

 Note from East County Magazine’s editor:  Although the 80^th District does not currently include East County, with redistricting it soon will include portions of the inland region.  The winner of this special election is expected to run for reelection in November.

By Ben Christopher, CalMatters

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

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

April 4, 2022 (Sacramento) - If you want a vision of California’s political future in 2022, consider San Diego a crystal ball.

Tuesday, the polls close in one of the more contentious of an unusual flurry of special electionsprompted by the “Great Resignation” of state legislators. A south San Diego Assembly seat opened up when progressive Lorena Gonzalez, a one-person factory of state-shaping, headline-grabbing legislation, stepped down in January to take the top job at the California Labor Federation, the state branch of the AFL-CIO.

Aztecs improve to 9-0 in Mountain West play in their 11th straight win

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

April 3, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego State completed another Mountain West series sweep with a 3-1 victory over Nevada Sunday afternoon at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (25-10) have won 11 consecutive games and are now 9-0 in league play.

East County News Service

April 3, 2022 (Mt. Helix) – Live music returns to Mt. Helix Park on Saturday, May 28 at 8 p.m. with a candlelight open air pop concert on strings.  A talented string quartet will take you on a musical journey through the ages, performing pop songs on classical instruments while you savor the stunning outdoor backdrop in a memorable experience.

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

Photo:  outside a federal courthouse in 2019, Rep. Duncan Hunter discusses another case. Photo by Ken Stone

April 2, 2022 (San Diego) - Nearly six years after it received a complaint about then-Rep. Duncan D. Hunter’s suspicious spending, the Federal Election Commission this week took the wraps off its investigation.

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By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2022 (San Diego) – In his State of the County address, Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors cited homelessness as the top challenge to be addressed as the region moves forward out of the pandemic, unveiling a new plan to help local cities help homeless people. 

He also unveiled a plan to help families afford activities in county parks, as well as addressing pandemic, the economy, housing needs, childcare, the opioid crisis, wildfire safety and more.

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2022 (San Diego) – Experts say it costs less than $10 a vial to manufacture insulin, yet the price to consumers with diabetes has skyrocketed to as much as $1,000 per vial, ABC News reports. That’s led to rationing and deaths of some patients. Hoping to save lives, the House voted 232-193 to pass a bill that would cap insulin costs at $35 or 25% of an insurance plan’s negotiated price.

Although 12 Republicans voted with Democrats for the bill, local Republican Congressman Darrel Issa voted against it.  San Diego County’s other Congressional representatives voted in favor.

By E.Z. Ryder

April 1, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – First came Uber and Lyft,  Now, Hump, a new ride sharing option featuring camels, has been introduced as an option for East County commuters.

“With gas prices soaring and much of East County lacking access to mass transit, this provides an economical alternative to carry rural commuters from their homes to transit stations, colleges, and other major destinations,” says Supervisor Joel Anderson, who took an inaugural ride this morning along with Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

“Camels provide a sustainable form of transportation,” Supervisor Fletcher says. “Each camel can travel up to 30 miles per day, and can traverse up to 100 miles without needing any fossil fuels or even water, since their humps store around 80 pounds of fat.”

East County News Service

March 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s 57^th annual Western Days Parade is set to take place on Saturday, April 23.  This year’s theme is “Reading – a passport to adventure.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson: Las Colinas Detention facility, Santee

March 31, 2022 (Santee) – Brandi McCrystal, 26, has been arrested for felony domestic violence after allegedly severely injuring her partner, a 24-year-old woman.

Deputies responded to a medical aid call on March 29 shortly after 9:30 p.m. in the 8700 block of Graves Ave., Santee. Fire department personnel provided medical aid to the victim, who was transported to a hospital for treatment.

East County News Service

March 31, 2022 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the worldwide Laurel and Hardy fan organization, present their April program, "No Fooling!", on Saturday, April 30 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.

By Lil Kalish, CalMatters

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

Photo by Robert Gehr in El Cajon

March 30, 2022 (Sacramento) - After more than six hours of debate Tuesday, California’s reparations task force voted that only Black Californians who can prove a direct lineage to enslaved ancestors will be eligible for the statewide — and first-in-the nation — initiative to address the harms and enduring legacy of slavery. 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated 5:30 p.m. with preliminary autopsy results.

March 30, 2022 (San Diego) – Derek Baker, 56, an inmate found beaten in his cell in the San Diego Central Jail on March 12, died today of his injuries. Sheriff’s homicide detectives identified Baker’s cellmate, 28-year-old Patrick Ferncase, as the assailant. The case has been referred to the District Attorney to file charges against Ferncase.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Ukrainian refugees crossing into Poland; Creative Commons image via Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs

March 29, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego County Supervisors have issued statements preparing to welcome Ukrainian refugees, following President Joe Biden’s announcement that the U.S. will admit up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine displaced by the Russian invasion. 

Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, issued a statement which reads in part, “Our county has time and again stepped up to help refugees and this time is no different. Together with Los Angeles and Sacramento, we are the largest metropolitan regions in California expected to accept these refugees.”

Fletcher added that the County has also begun helping Ukrainian refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border.