View video of interview and scroll down for transcript.

December 12, 2023 (San Diego) -- East County Magazine recently interviewed Cailey Underhill,  Advocacy and Development Director for the Solar Rights Alliance, on our radio show aired on KNSJ. The topic was AB 205, which the Legislature passed to create what supporters called a fixed charge for utility rates,  but which opponents call a utility tax. It’s poised to become the largest utility tax in the nation. 

Solar Rights Alliance say this will be unfair to consumers—and they’re fighting to get the utility tax repealed. They are urging ratepayers to ask legislators to repeal the utiliity tax provision of AB 205 in January when the Legislature returns to session in Sacramento.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

December 11, 2023 (Ramona) – A Ramona man, 59, suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a 2023 Nissan Altima yesterday morning around 6:15 a.m.  According to the California Highway Patrol, the man was crossing State Route 67, also known as Main Street near the intersection of 14th street in Ramona against the “don’t walk” illuminated sign.

East County News Service

December 11, 2023 (La Mesa) – After La Mesa Police responded to a call reporting a burglary in a vacant apartment in the 8500 block of Chloe Avenue, the suspect barricaded the door and claimed to have a hostage inside.

“The suspect was known to officers and was known to have an outstanding felony arrest warrant for a theft-related charge,” says Lieutenant Katy Lynch.

Residents of adjacent apartments were evacuated and additional resources were requested, including the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Response Team, the San Diego Sheriff Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team, and a K9 from the San Diego Police Department.

Source: Christopher Pierce, Chair,  Spring Valley Community Planning Group 

December 10, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- The Spring Valley Community Planning Group advises San Diego County regarding planning and land use matters. The group’s responsibilities include discussion, voting, and advising the County on decisions regarding construction projects or just changes to commercial and residential properties. 

East County News Service

December 9, 2023 (La Mesa) - In partnership with the FBI San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, the FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Alumni Association and the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation’s Senior Center Coalition will host a series of one-hour elder fraud information sessions for seniors, caregivers and neighbors. 

By Miriam Raftery

December 13, 2023 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Mayor Mark  Arapostathis and Vice Mayor Laura Lothian introduced a motion at the Dec. 12 City Council meeting directing staff to terminate the request for proposals  (RFP)  for electronic billboards. By a unanimous vote, the City Council voted to reject electronic billboards and end the RFP,  following an ECM investigation that found a history of many serious traffic accidents where the billboards were proposed to be installed.

“After considering substantial citizen commentary and careful evaluation regarding this matter, we believe that the placement and installation of digital billboards in La Mesa is inappropriate at this time,” the agenda attachment for item 8.1 stated. “Therefore, rather than expend valuable staff time, resources, and effort processing the RFP, we request that the Council immediately (at this meeting) redirect staff to terminate the RFP and all related actions.”

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office

By Mike Atkinson

December 8, 2023 (La Mesa) - As a Texas BBQ aficionado, I've been anxious to try the newly-opened Papalo Sonoran-Style BBQ in La Mesa Village. Chef Drew Bent has a legendary pedigree, most recently the founding chef behind San Diego's Michelin-recognized Lola 55 modern taqueria. 

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2023 (Ramona) – Angel Jauregui, 35, of  Ramona has been identified as the victim of a deadly shooting that occurred on December 5th. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call around 11:24 p.m. reporting gunshots and found Jauregui  at the intersection of State Route 78 and Haverford Road in Ramona.

Adryana Quezada led the Aztecs with 18 points and nine rebounds

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 7, 2023 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (6-4) knocked off San Diego (3-6) 67-63 inside the Jenny Craig Pavilion Thursday evening.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

Photo courtesy USDOJ

December 7, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- There's no denying the urgency of addressing the opioid and fentanyl epidemic, which has claimed the lives of countless Americans. In the shadows of this crisis, another equally destructive menace is still lurking: methamphetamine abuse. We must continue to recognize that the methamphetamine crisis is very much alive, and we can't allow our focus on opioids to divert our attention from this problem that continues to claim lives and ruin communities.

By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 6, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego County public health officials are raising awareness of a disease known as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever following the death of a San Diego resident who traveled to the Baja California region before becoming ill.  

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

By Jessyka Heredia

An earlier version of this artile mistakenly reported the Council voted 5-0. The vote was 4-1with LeBaron voting no.

December 6, 2023 (Lemon Grove) —Yesterday the Lemon Grove City Council unanimously voted to move forward with installing all new playground structures at Lemon Grove Park, thanks to the Proposition 68 Per Capita Grant Program. This non-competitive grant program provides funding to local government agencies to support the rehabilitation, creation and improvement of local parks and to address deficiencies in neighborhoods lacking access to outdoor recreation facilities. Lemon Grove currently only has two parks with playground equipment and a recreation center that lost all funding over 12 years ago.

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2023 (La Mesa) --  A representative from District Attorney Summer Stephan's office and the La Mesa Police Dept. invite community members to a hate crimes forum with Q&A session on Dec.14 at 5:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Police Dept., 8085  University Ave., La Mesa.

The forum comes on the heels of anti-Semitic flyers repeatedly disseminated in La Mesa and the nearby San Diego communities of Del Cerro,  San Carlos and Allied Gardens in recent months, among other neighborhoods targeted. Some flyers blamed Jews for 9-11 attacks, among other false claims.

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

December 3, 2023 (Washington, D.C.) - Indicted Republican George Santos’ brief career in the House of Representatives came to an end Friday, when fellow lawmakers voted to expel the New Yorker over criminal corruption charges and accusations of misspending campaign money.