East County News Service

February 4, 2021 (San Diego) -- Wondering what plants make the most sense for San Diego gardens this year? Want to grow magnificent roses and stunning succulents in the same backyard? Tired of losing your fruits and vegetables to bugs and hungry wildlife? Then master the art of gardening San Diego style with the UCCE Master Gardener Program of San Diego County at a virtual Spring Seminar “Learn, Plant, Grow!” on Saturday, March 20, 2021 starting online at 9:00 a.m. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Jonny Victorino, via Anza-Borrego Foundation

February 3, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- As of February 1, camping is now officially open again at California State Parks, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and Palomar Mountain State Park in San Diego’s inland region. State health rules and social distancing guidelines will apply.

Here is what’s open in our local state parks:

East County News Service

February 3, 2021 (Washington D.C.) - Today, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi designated San Diego’s new Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore, presiding over the House session in the Speaker’s absence.

Source:  Caltrans

February 3, 2021 (Sacramento) - The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $571 million to address transportation needs throughout the state, an investment that will help repair highways and bridges and enhance California’s growing network of mass transit, bicycle and pedestrian routes.

Source: City of El Cajon

February 3, 2021 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Teen Coalition is accepting nominations for the 2020 “Youth of the Year” award. The award recognizes outstanding students who went above and beyond to serve the El Cajon community over the past year.

The City Council will present two awards - one to a middle school student and one to a high school student.

The award criteria includes leadership, community service, commitment, and the value and impact of the community service completed during the 2020 calendar year. To be eligible, nominees must live in El Cajon and/or attend an El Cajon school.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Josh Simmons via Pinterest

February 3, 2021 (San Diego) -  San Diego State head football coach Brady Hoke announced the signing Wednesday of two additional players to National Letters of Intent or Offers of Aid. Including the 23 that signed in the early signing period in December a total of 25 athletes will join the Aztecs for the 2021 season.

By Ashley Halsey

February 3, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- COVID-19 has spread across the world in the last year, forcing many people into a lifestyle to which they are unaccustomed. With most people confined to their homes indefinitely due to public health restrictions, the effects of the pandemic are potent and lasting, causing formerly productive, active individuals to succumb to burnout--a quarantine phenomenon known as “pandemic fatigue."

Source:  Soapy Joe's

February 2, 2021 (San Diego) - Beloved San Diego car wash chain Soapy Joe's, known for fun events like the car wash karaoke competition and the Guinness World Record-holding World's Largest Air Freshener, announces today that it is reprising its award-winning Tunnel of Love event with a pandemic-friendly spin.

This year, they are inviting couples to propose at Soapy Joe’s,”Tunnel of Love," share a video and win big. All participating couples will win a year of free car washes -- and one lucky couple will win wedding rings from Honey Jewelry Co. ($3,500 value) plus $10,000 cash to start out married life.   

Source:  San Diego County Water Authority

February 2, 2021 (San Diego) - Addressing the San Diego region’s limited local water supplies with innovative ideas is something the San Diego County Water Authority has become known for. Using expertise gained from decades of successful planning and projects, the Water Authority is developing strategies to reduce the future cost of water that sustains the economy and quality of life across the county.

By Alexa Oslowski and Miriam Raftery

Photo, left by C-Span: Insurrectionists storm Capitol

 February 1, 2021 (La Mesa) – The attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6 entailed a conspiracy among members of far-right militia groups, including some who intended to assassinate elected officials, according to federal charging documents.

According to USA Today, 179 people  were arrested with charges as of February 1.  In addition to coordination among extremist groups, actions of Pentagon officials are under scrutiny. Questions are also being raised over possible involvement of members of Congress and whether any foreign intervention may have occurred. As the FBI investigation continues, the U.S. House of Representatives has opened a separate investigation into the Capitol attack.

East County News Service

January 31, 2021 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police are warning the public about an assault in the 4300 block of Date Ave. near Acacia around 8 p.m. on January 28.   The female victim described the suspect as a tall white-or light-skinned male around 6 feet 2 inches tall with a thin build. 

January 30, 2021 (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

• La Mesa Police Department ill-prepared to respond to May protest-turned-riot, consultants find (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Hundreds attend largely maskless El Cajon concert by controversial religious figure Sean Feucht (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• County distributes COVID patients’ addresses to police agencies (Voice of San Diego)
• El Cajon mayor’s business built on contract with healthcare provider at center of criminal investigation (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• The transition from Trump to Biden is already being felt in San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Two people hospitalized after bar fight in El Cajon(NBC San Diego)
• After years of running elections, Michael Vu, San Diego’s registrar of voters, takes on a new role (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Woman sues City of La Mesa for police projectile injury during protest (10 News)
• La Jolla Salon Operator Sues CA Over COVID-19 Restrictions (Patch)
• State Grant Program Awards Three SD County Tribes Funding for Climate Change (Times of San Diego)
• Coronado Man Arrested And Charged For Taking Part In U.S. Capitol Insurrection (KPBS)

STATE

• Blue Shield will oversee California’s troubled COVID-19 vaccination effort (Los Angeles Times)
• A huge piece of California's Highway 1 near Big Sur collapsed into the ocean (CNN)
• Could a homegrown coronavirus strain be partly to blame for California’s surge? (Los Angeles Times)
• How Joe Biden’s immigration plan works, and what it would mean for California  (Sacramento Bee)
• Poll shows 71% of Californians want to get vaccinated. That may not be enough (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Macy's To Close California Stores In 2021 (Patch)
• Napa man charged with stockpiling weapons may have been targeting Newsom (KTLA)
• ‘Sharp decline’ in COVID cases among L.A. firefighters after vaccinations (Los Angeles Times)

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