Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

December 15, 2021 (El Cajon) - Debbie Justeson has been unanimously selected by her fellow board members to serve as president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board in 2022.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

Update December 17, 2021:  Burton Kanehailue, who was in the New Mexico/Texas area, contacted El Cajon Police Department arson investigators, indicating he wanted to turn himself in to police. Kanehailue was subsequently taken into custody by the Socorro Police Department in New Mexico without incident. The tow truck stolen by Kanehailue was also recovered. Kanehailue is being held in New Mexico pending extradition to California, where he will face charges of arson and auto theft, says Lt. Randy Soulard with El Cajon Police.

December 15, 2021 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police seek public help to locate Burton Kanehailua, 29, a tow truck driver wanted for allegedly setting fire to C&D Towing before fleeing in a stolen C&D flatbed tow truck, which is a 2016 Dodge Ram 5500.  He is also known to drive an older-model white Volvo station wagon.

The suspect weighs about 320 pounds, is 5 feet 9 inches tall, and has brown hair and brown eyes.

By Miriam Raftery

December 14, 2021 (San Diego) – A powerful storm moving down from Orange and San Bernadino Counties into the San Diego region has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a high wind warning for San Diego County’s mountain and desert aeras, with gusts up to 70 miles per hour. A wind advisory is in effect for inland valleys. Along the coast, a gale warning and high surf advisory have been issued locally.

Snow is forecast late today and tonight down to 3,500 feet which could include areas such as Pine Valley and Descanso in addition to places at higher elevations such as Julian, Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna, and Palomar Mountain. If you must travel in the mountains, carry chains and be aware of hazardous conditions.

Flash floods are also possible late today and tomorrow as heavy rains pelt our region. Cleveland National Forest reminds drivers to turn around and don’t drive across flooded roadways, since even shallow swift-moving water can quickly sweep a vehicle downstream to deeper waters.

East County News Service

December 13, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Mountain Empire Unified School District today announced that due to high winds forecast, all district schools will have minimum days tomorrow, letting out at noon for middle schools, 12:10 p.m. for high schools, and 1 p.m. for elementary schools. All after school programs are cancelled for Tuesday.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via County of San Diego

December 13, 2021 (San Diego) – Starting Wednesday, all Californians will be required to wear a mask at indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, under a mandate announced today by the state’s Department of Public Health.  The new rule will remain in place until at least January 15 and follows a 47% rise in cases since Thanksgiving, as well as a 14% increase in hospitalizations.

In addition, the state has changed the rules for people attending mega events to require a negative PCR test 48 hours before the event or an antigen test 24 hours before the event.

The state is also recommending, though not requiring, that travelers to California get a COVID-19 test three to five days after their arrival

By Daniel Smiechowski

December 13, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- Last week, the County’s governing board called SANDAG made up of prominent elected officials voted for a long-range transportation plan and in so doing gave East County residents the shaft. Along party lines, they voted to possibly place an absurd gas tax, increase bike lanes and of course their favorite pie in the sky being the belief that residents in this County are suddenly going to flood public transit like locusts in the Western Sahara and walk everywhere while ditching their cars. 

East County News Service

December 11, 2021 (Spring Valley) – Shortly after 11 p.m. last night, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting a shooting in the 8900 block of Delrose Avenue in Spring Valley. Deputies found a man had been shot inside an apartment.

They provided lifesaving measures until relieved by fire department personnel, but were unable to save the victim, who died at the scene, says Lieutenant Thomas Siever. 

By Kiki Skagen Munshi

December 11, 2021 (Julian) – ‘Tis the season to bundle up and head to Julian, East County’s charming and historic mountain town. Among the shopping options to discover are five new retail outlets that opened during 2020 and 2021 – offering delightful gift items such as locally made goat soaps, pet products, sports memorabilia, gems, jewelry and geodes. 

Supporting local businesses also helps keep your tax dollars in our region – as well as providing unique holiday gifts for those on your list. 

East County News Service

December 11, 2021 (San Diego) – Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore will host an in-store book discussion and signing on December 12 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. with award-winning author Reina Menasche, host of the “Bookshelf” program on East County Magazine’s radio show. Her newest book, The Spirit of Shy Moon Lake, has received a rave review from San Diego Writers and Editors Guild:

“This novel casts a spell. It’s mystery grabs a reader by the spirit and does not leg to. An ordinary family: a teacher, a poet and a curious son, expect summer vacation, but then enter a deep mental, emotional and spiritual struggle. Be ready for a novel that effectively disrupts the peace with its power to contemplate historical accounts that unsettle us…”

East County News Service

Photo: CC via Bing

December 10, 2021 (San Diego) – More than six months after Lester Marroquin, 35, was found dead in his cell at San Diego Central Jail on May 30, the Medical Examiner’s autopsy has determined an unusual cause of death: ingesting a deadly amount of water.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 10, 2021 (San Diego) - With potentially heavy rains expected around the county early next week, the County of San Diego and CAL FIRE are offering free sandbags to residents who live in the unincorporated areas.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 10, 2021 (San Diego) - A man in his 30s is believed to have contracted the Omicron COVID-19 variant locally, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

(Photo—(L) Pine Valley PO – Postmaster Jessie Rose Hoffman. Depicting & shot by Jessie Rose Hoffman)

December 10, 2021 (Pine Valley) -- Pine Valley Postmaster Jessie Rose Hoffman brings holiday cheer to her community. She is Pine Valley’s postal “Elf”, delivering seasonal joy to all and most likely working harder than any elf in Santa’s workshop.

By Miriam Raftery

December 9, 2021 (Ocotillo, Calif.) – All turbines at the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility have been offline in a since September 20, when a massive wind turbine collapsed, as ECM reported. The California ISO’s Dec. 8  Curtailed and Non-Operational Generator report, the shutdown of more than three months is listed as “forced.”

East County News Service

December 9, 2021 (Pine Valley) – A dozen passengers in the back of a pickup truck were ejected and suffered moderate to major injuries on December 7 after a pursuit from Border Patrol agents ended in a crash. None of the passengers were wearing seatbelts; only the driver was restrained.