By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – Sexually violent predator Douglas Badger will be housed at a residence on Zuni Trail in Borrego Springs starting in May. The placement was approved by Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers, over vocal objections from community residents and officials.

Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital, but he has been approved by the Dept. of State Hospitals for release.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 30, 2023 (San Diego) -- The recent storms proved many were not fully prepared for when disaster strikes. Make sure you have an “all hazards” preparedness plan with supplies in place!

Help spring your home into being safe and organized by following these steps:

By Miriam Raftery

March 29, 2023 (Santee) – East County Magazine has been honored by the Santee Chamber of Commerce for having the best business resources in the Chamber’s annual “Santee Favorites” competition. Winners are selected by votes as “favorites” by Santee residents, Chamber members, as well as businesses’ clients and friends.

East County News Service

March 29, 2023 (Sacramento) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a multistate coalition, secured a court order sanctioning Google for its destruction of evidence in the coalition’s lawsuit against the company filed in 2021.

By Kathy Carpenter

March 28, 2023 (Poway) -- On March 25 at Powpac Theatre in Poway, "The Savannah Sipping Society" opened.  It’s a tale of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. The story follows four women who form a deep bond through a series of unexpected events, helping each other navigate through life's challenges. It is a refreshing take on female friendships that is both hilarious and heartwarming.

Through their weekly meetings, they share laughter, tears, and support each other through their triumphs and struggles. The joy they bring to each other's lives is palpable, and their friendship is a testament to the power of human connection.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2023 (Ramona) – A 56-year-old man from Ramona has died of injuries sustained in a collision with a school bus from Ramona Unified School District on March 24.

The victim was driving a 2003 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck southbound on Mussey Grade Road just south of Foster Truck Trail in Ramona around 4:10 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle in a curve and crossed onto the northbound side of the road, “directly into the path of the oncoming school bus, resulting in a head-on crash,” according to Officer Jared Grieshaber with the California Highway Patrol.

A version of this story by Ken Stone was published at Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association. Edited to add statement from Amy Reichart.

Photo:  Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, shown at earlier event, says he will check into an extended inpatient treatment center for post-traumatic stress, trauma and alcohol abuse. Screenshot via Nathan Fletcher YouTube

March 26, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher says he is quitting his campaign for state Senate to focus on his fight with PTSD tracing to his Marine combat days and childhood.

By Shiloh Ireland

Photo: Kate Richardson, Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen and Talia Klotzkin, Junior Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen

March 26, 2023 (Lakeside) – The journey to be crowned a queen in Lakeside’s Bulls Only Rodeo begins with horsemanship trials and interviews with equestrian judges to the evening of the pageant held at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. Ten young women vied for the title, include five contestants for Junior Miss Bulls and five competing for Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen.

ECM photographed the selection of Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen and Junior Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Queen and later interviewed these two 2023 Queens. The Bulls Only Rodeo event is sponsored by the Optimist Club of  Lakeside.

East County News Service

March 25, 2023 (San Diego) -- This year’s Brewers Cup of California included 1,306 entries from 191 breweries. There were 83 categories and a total of 37 medals were awarded to breweries within San Diego County, including 13 gold, 8 silver and 16 bronze. The overall total is nearly double the 19 medals collected by local breweries at the 2021 competition. 

East County’s winning brewers include Burning Beard Brewing of El Cajon, Julian Beer Co. and Smoking Cannon Brewery of Ramona. Julian took silver, while Burning Beard and Silver Canyon won both silver and bronze medals. Gold medalists included Mike Hess Brewing of North Park, though Mike Hess also has a brewery in Alpine. 

See below for a full list of San Diego County winners: 

View video of full interview; Hear audio

March 24, 2023 (San Diego) – Earlier this month, East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery interviewed San Diego County’s new Sheriff, Kelly Martinez, for our radio show on KNSJ.  She’s been in law enforcement since 1985, working her way up the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to Undersheriff before winning election as Sheriff last November. She’s also the first woman to serve as San Diego’s top law enforcement officer. In our interview, she spoke about efforts to improve jails and reduce jail deaths, combat human trafficking and fentanyl overdoses, hold deputies accountable for wrongdoing, address homelessness issues, and expand staffing - including some jobs currently open, and more.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 23, 2023 (Bonita) - County Animal Services shelters are feeling the wealth of dazzling huskies. So, San Diego County, season 2 of Real Huskies is back with this year’s cast of aspiring housedogs who have fabulous personalities, unlike some of those other shows’ casts.

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – There’s a wide assortment of events coming up across San Diego’s East County, including a Revolutionary War reenactment, a supper club show with an SNL comedy star, a butterfly jungle, Easter egg hunts, car shows, Earth Day celebrations, wolf center tours, music festivals, a Western Days parade, a wine and food festival, and a Wild in the Country event at an exotic animal sanctuary.

March 22, 2023 (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland snapped these phots of firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department collecting donations for the annual Boot Drive in March. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Burn Institute.

Council also calls for investigation into price-gouging by motels

By Jessyka Heredia

March 21, 2022 (El Cajon) At a special session meeting Tuesday, El Cajon City Council members voiced outrage over recent crimes happening in hotels involving recipients of the county’s hotel voucher program. These vouchers are intended to help people vulnerable from homelessness find shelter at local hotels. 

Recently it was discovered that two men allegedly molested a 16 year old female victim at a Motel 6 located on Montrose Court in El Cajon and videotaped it. Both men are registered sex offenders and wore ankle monitoring devices. El Cajon Police Department has indicated it believes at least two other underage girls were sexually assaulted by the men.

March 21, 2023  (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

• Biden Meets With UK, Australian PMs In San Diego; Submarine Deal OK'd (Patch)
• Son of scientist fatally shot by law enforcement during confrontation in Little Italy sues city, county  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Former anchor claims victory in her discrimination lawsuit against KUSI (KPBS)
• San Diego County now has overdose reversal drug in vending machines  (KPBS)
• Man pleads guilty to murder for killing ex's twin daughters in Lemon Grove (10 News)
• Woman sentenced nearly 8 years for role in injuring El Cajon Police Officer (Times of San Diego)

STATE

• Newsom loosens rules to allow more floodwater to flow into underground reservoirs (Sacramento Bee)
• Storms end Southern California water restrictions for 7 Million (AP)
• More than 8,000 people in California were evacuated after a levee failed  (NPR)
• California Politics: State GOP starts convention with no prominent Senate candidate (Los Angeles Times)
• No California salmon: Fishery to be shut down this year (KPBS)
• California bill to protect doctors who mail abortion pills (KPBS)
• California will remake San Quentin prison, emphasizing rehab (AP)

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