Source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Photo by Miriam Raftery: African elephant in South Africa

August 10,2023 (Escondido)-- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has announced construction is officially underway on what the organization says is the largest and most transformative project in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s 50-year history. The all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will reimagine the heart of the Safari Park, turning the current elephant environment into a “dynamic savanna and a place of exploration,” according to the SDZWA media release.

Elephant Valley will give guests of all ages the opportunity to connect with elephants like never before in hopes of encouraging greater empathy, understanding, and appreciation of this majestic species—and igniting a passion for wildlife. Surrounded by elephants on multiple sides, including from below via an overhead walkway with views of the herd passing through, guests will learn about the crucial role elephants have as ecosystem engineers, and about their intricate social dynamics.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Fire burns Lahaina, Maui; courtesy of the Hawaii Department of Transportation

August 10, 2023 (Lahaina) – Wildfires fanned by a hurricane offshore have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui, killing at least 36 people and leaving thousands homeless. The historic heart of Lahaina in west Maui has been destroyed, with some fleeing into the ocean to escape flames fanned by 80 mile-per-hour winds from  Hurricane Dora south of the island. Two other fires also continue to burn out of control in central Maui, where parts of Kuna remain evacuated.

Fires have also impacted the Big Island, though the largest in the Kohala area is 60% contained.FEMA has provided help, and emergency shelters there have closed.

But on Maui, the Lahaina and Upcountry fires continue to rage as devastation continues. Burn centers are overrun, including some patients who suffered smoke inhalation.

The hurricane knocked out power across fire-stricken Maui, leaving thousands without communications as panicked residents and tourists rushed to evacuate the fast-moving infernos.

With the Governor out of state, Acting Governor Sylvia Luke signed an emergency proclamation, activated the National Guard, and urged visitors to leave the island.  Tourists with reservations on  Maui are urged not to come, in order to free up hotel rooms for displaced residents.   “This is not a safe place to be,” she said at a news conference yesterday.

Update 10 p.m.-- All evacuation orders and warnings are lifted.  The fire has burned 184 acres and is 20% contained. Residents are asked to call 911 if you see a flare-up.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Josh Stotler

August 9, 2023 (Ramona) -- The Sheriff has issued a mandatory evacuation order due to the #BunnieFire in Ramona, which has burned 103 acres in the area of San Vicente Road and Bunnie King Lane in Wildcat Canyon just north of Lakeside.

The shaded areas of this map show the original evacuation area.  A temporary evacuation point is beingset up at Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521  Hanson Lane. This updated map has evacuation warnings and evacuation orders.

The safest evacuation route is heading north on SanVicente Road or South on Barona Road.

By Jacob Pamus

Image: Rendering of a proposed e-billboard in La Mesa

August 8, 2023 (La Mesa) – On July 25, the La Mesa City Council rejected a recommendation of an ad hoc committee known as the “Digital Billboard Ad-hoc Subcommittee.” Councilwoman Patricia Dillard and Councilman Jack Shu are in this subcommittee; its purpose was to issue a request for proposals with billboard companies to build digital billboards in La Mesa.

But ultimately, Shu and Dillard shifted their stances to oppose electronic billboards.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

August 7, 2023 (La Mesa) – A wanted felon was shot and killed yesterday afternoon by La Mesa Police. 

As is protocol,  San Diego Police Department is investigating the shooting. ECM news partner reports that SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski says

According to SDPD, around 4:15, an officer recognized the suspect, 41, who had an active felony warrant.  The officer confronted him in the parking lot of the Cypress Plaza condominiums in the  8000 block of University Avenue.

According to LMPD officers, the man pulled out a handgun during the interaction and fired, striking a passing vehicle, said Lt. Shebloski, 10 News reports.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Cherry Diefenbach: Pine Valley Bridge on Old Highway 80  is among the bridges receiving honorary names.

August 6, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County Supervisors in July unanimously voted to approve honorary naming of four bridges to commemorate pioneering leaders in East County.  The request was made by District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson, in response to requests from community members, petitions signed by at least 100 residents, and approval by each community’s planning group or sponsor group.

By Branda Gorgies

Photos take

n by Branda Gorgies, Miriam Raftery, and Nathan Dumlao via UnSplash

July 11, 2023 (East County) – While there’s always a nearby Starbucks, gas station or convenience store, shopping locally and supporting small businesses is a great contribution to the community.

Although, sometimes it can be difficult to find local coffee shops near you. This article is here to give you a comprehensive list of local brewers that you can support. Click the titles of coffee shops listed  to visit their websites.

East County News Service

August 5, 2023 (Lakeside) – Lakeside Fire Protection District Director and former Fire Chief Mark Thomas Baker died July 10 after complications following a medical procedure for a heart issue.

“He was dedicated to his work to ensure the success of the Lakeside Fire District and the safety of the residents he served,” says a statement from the district on Facebook, which voiced “great sadness” at his passing.

The California Fire Chiefs Association issued a statement recalling Chief Baker as not only “a dedicated professional, but he was also a kind-hearted individual with a great sense of humor. He brought joy to those around him and always had a smile on his face.  He will be greatly missed by all those in the fire service that not only knew him, but also looked to him as a leader and mentor."

Drug can cause rotting skin, amputations

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

August 2023 (San Diego’s East County) --Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. But a DEA Public Safety Alert warns that a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine is making the threat even deadlier.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a powerful sedative approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for veterinary use. Not human use. It is commonly used to tranquilize large animals like horses and livestock during medical procedures. It requires a prescription. But it has found its way into the illicit drug market and is being used recreationally by users seeking an intense and dangerous high.

By Jessyka Heredia

Photos provided by Shane O'Garro

August 1, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – On July 18^, Lemon Grove was the fourth city in East County to pass an emergency ordinance that will pave the way to hopefully having more shelter beds in East County and sharing the burden with other East County cities by applying for grant money as a region instead of individual cities The Council voted 4-0 with Liana LeBaron  absent.

By Mike Allen

August 4, 2023 (Santee) -- One year into the construction of the $950 million East County Advanced Water Purification Program (AWP_, the largest infrastructure project in the region’s history is starting to take shape.

Huge concrete and steel structures with names such as digesters, headworks, clarifiers, equalization tanks, and aeration basins are sprouting at the end of Fanita Parkway in Santee where the Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Plant used to exist.

The facility that once produced some 2 million gallons of water used for irrigation is being transformed to a far larger entity that will produce some 11.5 million gallons of drinkable water daily for about 500,000 East County residents.

By Miguel Leyva

Photo by Marine Corporal J.R Heins

August 4, 2023 (San Diego) --Working as a firefighter entails numerous dangers, from smoke inhalation to crush injuries from collapsing structures. Still, a more insidious health threat these courageous people face is toxic exposure, as a fire can release many hazardous agents, including carbon monoxide, benzene, asbestos, hydrogen cyanide, particulates, and sulphur dioxide. Even if they wear the maximum feasible protective equipment, firefighters are inevitably exposed to these substances to a significant extent. Because of occupational toxic exposure, cancer is the leading cause of death in firefighters. They have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% greater risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. 

Unfortunately, military firefighters are no exception, as they encounter the same health hazards on the job, if not more.

August 3, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• 3 signs the US economy is set to zoom past growth expectations (Business Insider)
• U.S. economy will avoid a recession , CBO forecasts (Bloomberg)
• Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges in 2020 election probe  (CBS News)
• Trump charged with additional counts in Mar-a-Lago documents case   (NPR)
• Biden signs executive order to help sexual assault victims in military(10  News)
• DOJ sues Texas Gov. Abbott over Rio Grande buoy barrier (Axios)
• Agriculture appropriations bill in jeopardy amid GOP divisions (The Hill)
• Judge Puts Hunter Biden’s Plea Deal on Hold (New York Times)
• Devon Archer debate focuses on Hunter Biden ‘illusion of access (The Hill)
• States lose federal water funds as lawmakers redirect money to pet projects  (Washington Post)

WORLD

• The Middle East Is Becoming Literally Uninhabitable (Foreign Policy)
• Americans will need a visa to visit Europe starting in 2024. Here's what you should know. (Yahoo News)
• Trying to make the world starve’: Russian drones destroy grain warehouses at Ukraine ports (Guardian)
• Ukraine has recaptured 50% of the territory that Russia seized, Blinken says (Reuters)
• Insight: For migrants, the Darién Gap is hell; for adventure tourists, it's a magnet (Reuters)
  
  
  
  For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

August 3, 2023 (Boulevard, CA) -- A new fire is burning in Mexico south of Boulevard. Eileen Martinezx provided this photo to ECM around 3:30 p.m.

Cal Fire's Mike Cornette confirms that the fire is about 4 miles from the border.

East County News Service

August 2, 2023 (San Diego) – A man who fired shots at a person in the Mesa College area later shot a police dog.  A San Diego  Police officer shot the suspect, who later died.