Source: County News Service

Only 53% of those eligible locally have received boosters, but 88% of hospitalizations are patients who have not had booster shots

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- With masks coming off indoors in many public places for fully vaccinated people, County health officials are urging all eligible San Diegans to get all the recommended COVID-19 doses, including the additional dose and booster shot.

Asia Avinger had 20 points and both Mallory Adams and Kim Villalobos had double-doubles

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (12-13, 6-8) rallied to beat San Jose State (4-21, 1-13) 77-69 inside Viejas Arena Wednesday evening. SDSU trailed by eight points with 8:15 left and then outscored the Spartans 23-7 to come back for the win.

By Ray Bello

February 16, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- You’re invited to participate in a Bike Rodeo on Monday, February 21st, President’s Day, from 9 a.m. to noon at Our Lady of Grace parking lot at 2766 Navajo Rd.

Free parking will be available at the OLP church upper parking lot.

The Kiwanis Club of Fletcher Hills together with San Diego County Bicycle Coalition are sponsoring this free event open to the public.

Bring your bicycles and helmets.  All ages and skills levels encouraged to attend.  Ride through a series of skill-based challenges designed to enhance both your handling and your knowledge of  your bicycle.

Game times, television arrangements and moves to non-Saturdays will be announced at later date

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2022 (San Diego) - The San Diego State football team and Mountain West released its 2022 schedule on Wednesday. Game times and television arrangements, including moves to non-Saturdays will be announced at a later date.

February 16, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. in San Diego County’s mountains and valleys. 

Gust up to 50 miles per hour are forecast.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Lakeside) – Imagine swimming beneath waterfalls alongside fish in a freshwater lake. That dream is all part of the ambitious plans that Lakeside River Park Conservancy has announced for a new park at Channel Road in Lakeside.

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

Photo:  the main gate to NAS North Island on Coronado. Undated Navy photo

February 15, 2022 (San Diego) - A vehicle with bomb-making material was stopped from entering Naval Air Station North Island about 9 a.m. Tuesday, and a “person of interest” was in custody, according to Navy authorities.

By Liz Alper

February 15, 2022 (Pine Valley) - The Mountain Empire under 12 soccer team wrapped up their most successful season to date, finishing with an incredible 17-1 record.  

Update: At their meeting on February 16, Padre Dam's Board of Directors voted to begin the approval process of a time change from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will first research the change, such as impacts on other personnel's schedules and any financial ramifications, before sending it back to the Board of Directors for final approval at a later meeting, as per their rules.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Santee) – Suzanne Till, a teacher, has asked her colleagues on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board to move meeting times from 3:30 to 4 p.m. since she has repeatedly been late due to the long commute from her job at a Chula Vista school.  But so far, the board has not done so.  The issue of moving the meeting time to later will be on the agenda for the board’s virtual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m., item 12. 

But some fear the board majority, all Republicans, may vote to oust Till, a Democrat, for tardiness in a partisan maneuver rather than accommodate a minor shift in meeting times. Till has fought against water rates, also opposing fines for late payments and water shutoffs during the pandemic. She holds a PhD in water resources geography and is a former Marine Corps Captain.  Her website details her record:  www.suzannetill.com .

East County News Service

Photo: CC via Bing

February 14, 2022 (Valley Center) – David Salas, Jr. of Valley Center is charged with assaulting Sheriff’s deputies with a deadly weapon after he rammed his Dodge Ram pickup truck into multiple patrol vehicles and dragged one officer.

East County News Service

February 14, 2022 (San Diego) -- California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators assigned to Border Division’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) have arrested three suspects believed to be part of an organized retail theft ring. Investigators also recovered thousands of dollars in bras, panties and other merchandise stolen from Victoria’s Secret stores across our region.

Fraudulent, yet sophisticated, robocalls tell customers that their service will be disconnected within the hour and demand immediate payment

Source: SDG&E

February 13, 2022 (San Diego) – SDG&E is warning of a new round of scammers targeting utility customers. The robocalls tell customers that their power will be turned off within the hour and direct them to press “1” to reach customer service, where they demand immediate payment to keep service in place. This scam is troubling because the calls sound professionally produced and claim to connect customers to the billing and collections department. If the scammers do not reach a person on their first call, then they will likely call back or leave a message with the same instructions.

By Miriam Raftery

February 13, 2022 (Alpine) – High winds howled through Alpine this week, causing damage to homes over multiple days.

In the Loving Life Alpine group on Facebook, residents posted descriptions and photos, including some also sent to ECM via email.

Brandon Hamilton came home on Thursday, February 10^th  to find his propane barbecue submerged in his swimming pool. (photo, left)   

His post prompted quips from neighbors who posted quips about a BBQ pool party and a need for snorkels.

Elizabeth Livingston wrote, “Lost all of my carport.” Her damage occurred on Sunday, February 6, she told ECM. (photo, right)

Lisa Dawn Reese described the scenario as “hurricane force winds.”

East County News Service

Photo: Cargo ship, CC-by-SA-NC

February 12, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA-50) issued the following statement on Feb. 7 after passage of his amendment by the House of Representatives. The Issa legislation requires the Department of Commerce to report to Congress within 60 days outlining policy changes that can be implemented within 30 days to address the continuing supply chain crisis.