LEGISLATION AIMS TO PROVIDE ALL CALIFORNIANS WITH QUALITY HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE AND GRANTS TO FIRE HARDENING

East County News Service

Photo: CC by SA

February 6, 2022 (Sacramento) -- As homeowners across California continue to find their property insurance policies cancelled or struggle to find affordable, comprehensive property insurance, Assemblymember Marc Levine (D – Marin County) today announced legislation that will require mandatory issuance of homeowners’ insurance and establish a grant program to harden residential properties in areas prone to wildfires.


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SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS AT BOISE STATE 72-63

Sophia Ramos scored 20 or more points for the third straight game

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 5, 2022 (Boise) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (10-12, 4-7) lost at Boise State (8-14, 4-7) Saturday afternoon 72-63 despite 20 points from Sophia Ramos and 15 from Asia Avinger.


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200-FOOT MURAL UNVEILED AT MASSACHUSETTS AVE TROLLEY STATION

By Elijah McKee

February 5, 2022 (Lemon Grove) — “It always feels good to have people ask questions and comment on what I am creating,” says artist Maxx Moses on his personal website. “Most of the time they ask me ‘What is the meaning behind the concept?’ And my response is always…what do you see?”


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TWO ARRESTS FOR “GHOST GUNS," DRUGS IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

February 5, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- Two people have been arrested on weapons and drug charges in Lemon Grove, says Lt. Pat McEvoy with the San Diego Sheriff.


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WARNING: CANDY AND DRIED FRUITS WITH DANGEROUS LEAD LEVELS SOLD IN OUR REGION

East County News Service

February 4, 2022 (San Diego)—California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office has issued an alert warning consumers of dried plum fruit and candies containing “dangerous” levels of lead far above legal limits. His office also sent letters ordering retailers to immediately remove the products, including some marketed to children and several sold in the San Diego region.

Lead-tainted products sold in San Diego County include:

  • El Chavito Saladitos Enchilados Salted Plums W/Chili

  • El Leoncito Ponchin Saladitos con Chile/Dry Salted Plums with Chili

  • El Super Leon Saladitos/Dry Salted Plums with Chili & Chamoy

  • Hola Lobito Fresco Ciruela Salada Sabor Limon/Lemon Flavored Salted Plum

  • La Fiesta Saladitos Con Chile/Salted Plums with Chili.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: WHEN CITY COUNCIL DRAWS THE LINES, EL CAJON IGNORES COMMUNITY INPUT AND REFUSES TO CHANGE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

By Rami Ibrahim

February 4, 2022 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon is wrapping up its redistricting process to determine the boundaries of its Council districts for the next 10 years. But there is a catch. The City Council did not redistrict, and is instead on the precipice of adopting the exact map under which the current Council was elected. By ignoring state law and the voices of underrepresented communities who have been advocating for fair and representative districts, the City Council members revealed they had no intention to change the lines at all.


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KNSJ BACK ON THE AIR AFTER COSTLY STORM REPAIRS, COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE NEEDED

By Elijah McKee

February 4, 2022 (Descanso) - Did you know that East County Magazine produces and airs a show twice a week on the radio? You can hear our daily news coverage and more on KNSJ 89.1, the one and only community public radio station serving East County.


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WINTER IN ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

Anza Borrego Foundation

February 3, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- When you think of the weather in February in the desert, you may think of frigid cold temperatures, wind strong enough to create sandstorms and raging flash floods. While all of this is possible, it is not common. According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric), Borrego Spring's average temperature in February is in the low 50's at night and low/mid 70's in the day; hardly frigid! Winds are generally mellow, averaging just over five mph, and rain, we can always use more rain, averages just around 0.5". 

Near perfect winter weather! 


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ROMANTIC IDEAS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

 

February 3, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for some passionate places to treat your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day?  Here are several sweet spots in East County serving up specials to delight you and your darling.


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JONES INTRODUCES MEASURE TO CRACKDOWN ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT IN CALIFORNIA

 

Supply chain snags, high cost of precious metal leads to increasing thefts with few arrests or prosecutions.

February 3, 2022 (Sacramento) --  Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) this week introduced a measure to crackdown on the growing crime of catalytic converter theft in California. 

 “The crime of stealing catalytic converters in California has skyrocketed in the last several months,” stated Senator Brian W. Jones. “Unfortunately, unless some changes in the law are made it will only get worse. Thieves often face few risks in getting caught or prosecuted, yet the car or truck owner faces thousands of dollars in repairs and the inability to use their vehicle for days or weeks while it’s being repaired. My bill will help discourage, prevent, and prosecute the growing crime of catalytic converter theft in California.”

Jones’s Senate Bill 919 would attack the crime of catalytic converter theft in distinct three ways: 


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AS MILITARY BEGINS BOOTING OUT SOLDIERS WHO REFUSE COVID VACCINES, REP. ISSA CALLS FOR HALT TO FUNDS FOR MANDATE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) – All branches of the U.S. armed forces have begun discharging military members who have refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine. In the Army, Air Force and Navy, over 97% of all enlisted members in each service are now fully vaccinated. 

“Unvaccinated soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness,” Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said this week, when the Army announced it had begun booting out soldiers who won’t get vaccinated. She added, “Army readiness depends on Soldiers who are prepared to train, deploy, fight and win our nation's wars.”

Navy Vice Admiral William Merz agrees; he has referred to vaccines as “biological body army” at a Pentagon press conference in January.


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JACUMBA BATHHOUSE BAZAAR FEB. 5TH AND EVERY FIRST SATURDAY

East County News Service 

February 3, 2022 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – You’re invited to a Bathhouse Bazaar at 44450 Old Highway Highway 80 in Jacumba Hot Springs. This Saturday, February 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a Taco Love food truck on site, along with Pine Valley Honey.


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COVID-19 CASE REPORTS DOWN, BUT HOME TESTS AREN’T COUNTED: INCREASED DEATHS ARE REMINDER TO GET VACCINATED, BOOSTED

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock 

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) -- New lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections are beginning to decline in the region, but actual case counts may be higher due to the increasing popularity and availability of home antigen tests, results of which are not reported to the County.


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LA MESA RESIDENT EVELINE WILSON HAS A FAMILY OF 71

By Ray Bello 

Photo: Eveline’s 80th Birthday Party 2011 (partial family photo)

February 3, 2022 (La Mesa) - Imagine having 71 birthdays to remember. Impossible! Eveline Wilson, age 90, has this impossible mission handled. Her son Chuck prepares a calendar for her with each name and birthday. She addresses the envelopes using her Rolodex, personalizes each card and uses lots of x’s and o’s.

 


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STATE AUDITOR SLAMS SD SHERIFF’S DEPT. ON JAIL DEATHS, URGES LEGISLATURE TO FIX ISSUE

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

Photo:  Sheriff Bill Gore, whose retirement is effective Thursday, has pushed back against jail critics in the past. Photo by Ken Stone

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) - On the day San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore retires, a state auditor released a damning report Thursday that calls on state lawmakers to make “meaningful changes” to reduce his agency’s high rate of jail deaths.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

STATE

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


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS


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KAISER PERMANENTE WELCOMES BABY BOY AT 2:22PM ON 2/2/22

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) -- A 31-year-old Carlsbad woman gave birth to an infant boy at 2:22 p.m. at the Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center, making for a very unique birth date and time of 2:22 on 2/2/22.

The parents are Natalie and Angel Hernandez. Their new son is Ramon who weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and is 19 inches long. Ramon is the first child of Natalie and Angel and the 22nd Great Grandchild of Natalie’s Grandmother Josephine.


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ISIS LEADER DEAD AFTER U.S.SPECIAL FORCES RAID, WHITE HOUSE REPORTS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via @WhiteHouse on Twitter: President Biden, Vice President Harris and members of the President’s national security team observe the counterterrorism operation responsible for removing from the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi — the leader of ISIS.

February 3, 2022 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden announced this morning that the leader of ISIS is dead. The terrorist leader detonated a suicide bomb as troops closed in at his home in Syria, killing his own family members rather than be captured, President Joe Biden and White House officials announced.

There were no U.S. casualties, according to the Pentagon. The raid also reportedly killed an ISIS lieutenant, who barricaded himself in a room and engaged in a firefight with U.S. soldiers.


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OAK RIDGE BOYS TO PERFORM DUO CONCERTS AT SYCUAN FEBRUARY 20

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Oak Ridge Boys in 2013, CC by Gage Skidmore

February 2, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – The Oak Ridge Boys, country music stars with gospel music roots, will perform two concerts at Sycuan Casino’s Live & Up Front Casino on February 20 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.


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SANTEE REDRAWING ITS DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

By Mike Allen

Photo:  the current Santee district boundaries

February 2, 2022 (Santee) -- The city of Santee continues the process of redoing the boundaries for its four electoral districts, which will likely result in keeping the lines as they currently are.


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ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT ARRESTED IN LA MESA

February 2, 2022 (La Mesa) – A man who attempted to rob Cabrillo Credit Union at 7900 El Cajon Blvd. in La Mesa yesterday passed a demand note to the teller, but fled before receiving any money.  
 
He fled on foot, heading west on El Cajon Blvd.  La Mesa Police officers searched the area.  Within seven minutes of the initial call, an officer spotted a man matching the suspect’s description on Guava Avenue, says Lt. Katy Lynch.

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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT RECEIVES $47,117 IN COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING FROM STATE

Funds will be used to assist in the distribution of free COVID-19 at-home test kits 

Source:  Grossmont Healthcare district

Photo: District employees prepare boxes of at-home COVID-19 test kits for distribution to the community through partners and its Library (Courtesy of Grossmont Healthcare District) 

February 2, 2022 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District announced it has received $47,117 in State funding for COVID-19 relief, which it plans to reinvest into the community by supplementing the nationwide effort to provide the public with free COVID-19 at-home test kits.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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CONGRESSWOMAN JACOBS TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

East County News Service

February 2, 2022 (San Diego) -- Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) announced that she tested positive today for COVID-19. 

“I have been testing daily – and tested negative as recently as 6pm last night – but tested positive on an antigen test this morning,” a statement sent to media advises. “Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated and boosted and am only experiencing mild symptoms. I will be isolating and working remotely in accordance with public health guidance. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated, get boosted, test regularly, and stay safe.”


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GROUNDHOG DAY 2022: SIX MORE WEEKS TO STAY HEALHTY AND ACTIVE

By Kori Hudson, MedStar Health

Photo: CC via Bing

 

February 2, 2022 (San Diego) -- Punxsutawney Phil has spoken - we can expect six more weeks of  winter! It’s true - cold and dark days mean you’re more likely to spend time hibernating in bed instead of going on an early run - but a good workout session is always a good idea. Exercise helps release endorphins and maintains muscle mass. The benefits are especially noticeable for those who suffer from SAD; exercise has been shown to help alleviate symptoms during these dark, cold months

 

Here are a few tips from MedStar Health Sports Medicine Physician Kori Hudson.


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LICENSED SKILLED NURSING HOMES VS ADVOCATERS, WHO WILL WIN?

Both sides of issue have rare agreement: California does a poor job

By J.W. August

Photo: Microsoft clip art

February 1, 2022 (San Diego) -- The approval this past week by the California Assembly of new state legislation has the potential to significantly alter the oversight of skilled nursing facilities statewide that are home to some 400,000 patients.

Assembly Bill 1502 cleared the Assembly on a 55-15 vote, with only Republican legislators casting no votes, including the minority leader Republican Maria Waldron representing part of North County. Whether this far-reaching bill becomes law depends on whether the legislation will survive review by the California Senate. The first stop is at the Senate Health Committee.


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MIKE HESS BREWING ACQUIRES ALPINE BEER COMPANY’S OUTPOST, SAVES JOBS

By Miriam Raftery

February 1, 2022 (Alpine) – Beer lovers in East County will soon have more to cheer about.  Mike Hess Brewing of San Diego (www.mikehessbrewing.com) is expanding through their acquisition of Alpine Beer Company’s Outpost. The announcement comes after Alpine Beer Co. sold its Green Flash and Alpine brands in late December to Canada’s Tilray.


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JUNIOR SEAU'S BROTHER KILLED IN HEAD-ON CRASH WITH HELIX WATER DUMP TRUCK

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Savaii Seau and his wife, Megan, on their wedding day, courtesy of the Seau family

Updated 8:30 with information on Seau's wife, Megan, the passenger in his vehicle.

February 2, 2022 (Lakeside) –  Savaii Seau, the brother of former Chargers' linebaker Junior Seau, has died of injuries sustained when the 2005 Audi A6 he was driving crossed the center line on Los Coches Road in Lakeside yesterday and struck a Helix Water District dump truck head on.

His wife, Megan, was a passenger in Seau's vehicle and remains hospitalized in stable condition, a family member told ECM.


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JONES INTRODUCES BILL TO SAVE OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE COMPETITIONS IN CALIFORNIA

East County News Service

February 1, 2022 (Sacramento) – State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) today introduced a measure to save off-highway vehicle (OHV) competitions in California. Senate Bill 894 is the third OHV competition bill Jones has authored in the last three years, with the two previous measures easily clearing the Senate only to become stalled in the Assembly.


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