View video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Shc-5Og5pc

Note: This interview was recorded in early February.

March 22, 2022 (San Diego) – Joseph Rocha, the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate in the newly redrawn 40^th State Senate district currently represented by Republican Brian Jones, recently sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine that originally aired on KNSJ radio.  He’s running to focus on jobs, housing, infrastructure, veterans and climate change among other important issues. The interview addressed these topics and more.

Rocha is a veteran of both the Navy and Marine Corps. He served as a bomb dog handler in the Persian Gulf and later, after obtaining his law degree, as a Marine Corps captain and prosecutor. He’s also a former intern at East County Magazine, where in 2008 he gained interest in politics while interview candidates for Congress and City Council. 

“I think the adversity in my life has given me the passion for service,” he says.  “I’m second generation Mexican-American,” he says. His mother was a grocery store worker who struggled with addiction; his father worked as a truck driver, raising five children. “These bread and butter, working class issues of the middle class have been a core passion of mine since I can remember," Rocha says.

By Matthew Manosh

Photos:  finalists Diego Lynch, Mimi Pollack and Bettina Hanna created films set in San Diego’s East County.

March 21, 2022 (San Diego) – Migrant stories from around the world were poignantly displayed at the San Diego Latino Film Festival on March 15, when finalists in the fourth annual Migrant Voices Today Challenge were presented. The finalists included East County producers and directors as well as stories set in East County.

Iconic Diane Powers restaurant honored by San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce 

East County News Service

March 21, 2022 (La Mesa) - Diane Powers’ Mexican restaurant Casa de Pico has been named the “Best Restaurant in East County” by the members of the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce, awarded during the chamber’s 110th annual East County Honors ceremony on February 27.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2022 (San Diego) – Today the California Highway Patrol announced the arrest of Thomas Evans III, 47 of La Mesa. He is charged with the murder of Saundralina Williams, 27, who was shot while driving her white SUV on State Route 94 in Spring Valley on March 5 near the Kenwood Drive exit. 

Williams was the mother of three young children and a resident of National City. 

Source:  Senator Brian Jones

March 18, 2022 (San Diego) - Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee), San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy held a press conference this morning in which they viewed a demonstration of how quickly and easily catalytic converters can be stolen and pending legislation to help prevent those thefts. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Robert Gehr

March 17, 2022 (El Cajon) – A driver who ran a red light caused a collision around 7:25 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the intersection of Douglas and Magnolia in downtown El Cajon, according to Lieutenant Randy Soulard with the El Cajon Police department. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 16, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Looking for plants to enhance your yard?  Need info on gardening or homesteading?  Bring cuttings or other items from your garden to swap with neighbors  to find all of these things and more at the Lemon Grove Garden and Nature Club’s swap event this Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Treganza Heritage Park, 3200 Main Street in Lemon Grove.

By Miriam Raftery

March 16, 2022 (Washington D.C.) – Following an emotional appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the U.S. Congress today seeking more aid, President Joe Biden announced in a White House address that the U.S. will send antiaircraft systems, shoulder mounted missiles and more to help the Ukrainians defend their air space against Russian attacks.

By Miriam Raftery

March 16, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A 13-year-old girl has reported that a man grabbed her from behind and inappropriately touched her on Friday, March 11 around 4 p.m. at the intersection of Conrad Drive and Campo Road in Spring Valley as she was walking home from Spring Valley Academy. Other students yelled at the man, who walked away toward Conrad, and the student went home.