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

Photo:  Gov. Gavin Newsom was elected governor in 2018 with almost 62% of the vote. Image from video

May 2, 2021 (San Diego) - A Republican-led effort to recall Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has garnered enough valid signatures to make the ballot, California election officials said Monday. Newsom tweeted a video hitting the recall: “Stop the Republican recall. It’s a power grab.”

Update May 3, 2021 7 p.m. All evacuation orders, evacuation warnings, and road closures related to the Southern Fire have been lifted.

Update May 2, 2021 5:50 p.m.  The American Red Cross is providing hotel rooms for persons evacuated from the Southern Fire.  The hotel rooms are located in El Centro, CA.  If you are in need of a hotel room due to being evacuated, contact the American Red Cross at (571) 595-7910.

Update May 2, 2021 3:34 p.m.  The #SouthernFire has swelled to 5,184 acres per Cal Fire. Firefighters are making good progress and the blaze is now 25% contained.

Update May 2, 2021 2 p.m. p.m.  County Fire reports that  aircraft and Copter 129 are on scene; a helitanker and a second copter are en route. Tankers are unable to drop due to the wind. Fire is burning southwest of the Butterfield community. The County has issued a smoke advisory, noting that smoke is blowing southeast of the fire, into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Update May 2, 2021 8:45 a..m.  The Southern Fire is apprxoimately 2900 acres and 0% contained, per Cal Fire San Diego Overnight, strong winds of 40-60 mph were observed; firefighers continue working to build a containment line. Animals evacuated can be sheltered at Vallecito County Park, 37349 Great Southern Overland Stage Route.  

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo via SDG&E webcam

May 1, 2021 (Shelter Valley) -- A fire near Agua Caliente State Park, the "Southern Fire" in the community of Mason Valley, has burned 1,200 acres in two hours late today. (Note, an earlier version of this article stated the fire was in the vicinity of Shelter Valley, based on incorrection information from the County Office of Emergency Services)

Cal Fire reports that three structures have been destroyed. Around 500 people have been evacuated from Butterfield Ranch Campground.

An evacuation center has been set up at Agua Caliente County Park at 39555 Great Southern Overland Stage Route, Julian, CA 92036.

So Cal Air Ops reports that tankers were dispatched but are unable to drop fire retardant due to strong winds.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

April 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

• San Diego County moves to join a community choice energy program (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Group sues El Cajon, county to halt Amazon distribution center (San Diego Union-Tribune) 
• San Diegans reflect on 20 years of service, struggle as America’s longest war nears an end (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• La Mesa City Council says goodbye to Akilah Weber (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Searching for a COVID vaccine appointment? This Facebook group wants to help you (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• More wedding guests allowed after some COVID restrictions lifted (10 News)
• Padres Fans Can Now Fill 33% Of Petco Park (KPBS)

STATE

• California goes from worst to first in virus infections (10 News
• California law requires 5-feet around homes, 100 feet around property for wildfires (10 News)
• Why 30+ Disneyland and California Adventure rides, attractions and shows will remain closed when the parks return (San Jose Mercury News)
• Judge orders L.A. city and county to offer shelter to everyone on skid row by fall (Los Angeles Times)
• Nestlé doesn't have valid rights to water it's been bottling, California officials say (Desert Sun)

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

April 30, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• All about your coronavirus vaccine card (and what to do if you lose it) (Washington Post)
• Study: Regular exercise shielded COVID-19 patients from hospitalization, death (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• In Brazil, an alarmingly high number of babies and children are dying of Covid-19 (NBC)
• So far, 5,800 fully vaccinated people have caught Covid anyway in US, CDC says (CNN)
• COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy begins to fade, but stubborn resistance remains among evangelicals (Orange County Register)

SCIENCE & TECH

• Facebook creates Clubhouse clone Live Audio Rooms (BBC)
• Apple unveils a new iPad Pro, colorful iMacs, AirTag and more (CNN)

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

Source: County New Service

Photo: cc via Bing

April 30, 2021 (San Diego) -- Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks outdoors in public unless they’re in crowded places. This is one of many activities the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now considers safer for people who are fully immunized.

Masks are still necessary in crowded outdoor events, such as concerts or sporting events, as well as for indoor activities, whether you’re vaccinated or not.

East County News Service

Photo: Creative Commons image via Bing

April 30, 2021 (El Cajon) -- On April 27th, the El Cajon City Council voted to allocate a portion of the American Recovery Act funds to support local businesses. $5 million has been designated to the El Cajon Business Grant Program where business owners may select from one of two options and receive up to $15,000 in grant funding.

By Miriam Raftery

April 30, 2021 (Santee) – The city of Santee invites you to bring your furry friend and enjoy Fido Day at Santee Dog Parks on Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for “arfs and crafts” as well as a Paw-caso paw print art and doggie spray tattoos.

April 30, 2021 (Mount Helix)-- East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery snapped this image of a hillside abloom with wildflowers in an idyllic springtime day near her home on Mt. Helix.

The number of daily shots available for people without appointments is limited at each site. You can see a complete list of locations here.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 28, 2021 (San Diego) -- San Diegans wishing to get a COVID-19 shot can now show up at a County-hosted clinic and get vaccinated without an appointment.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost to anyone 16 and up who lives or works in San Diego County. People under 18 years of age need parental consent to make an appointment or must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get vaccinated at a no-appointment site. To make sure you get a shot on a particular date and location, you can make an appointment at www.vaccinationsuperstationsd.com.

East County News Service

April 28, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – You’re invited to participate in a People’s Virtual Forum 4 Justice on Tuesday, May 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  This resident-organized community forum will cover the redistricting process and COVID-19 access for black, indigenous people of color (BIPOC) in East County, including access to quality education for all children during and after the pandemic.

Photo: An employee at the County Psychiatric Hospital gets her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in December

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 28, 2021 (San Diego) -- The County is resuming vaccinations with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after the California Department of Public Health gave the green light to do so over the weekend.

By Duncan McFetridge

Photo:  Duncan McFetridge is a climate activist and artist.  He carved this sculpture to honor the mountain lion, a keystone species in the Cleveland National Forest ecosystem.  The Alpine Plan is a threat to the lion, symbol of the forest, under consideration for threatened species status in Southern California.”

April 28, 2021 (Alpine) -- With a new and improved Board of Supervisors now at the helm of our county government, San Diegans finally have hope that we may make progress on the housing and environmental crisis gripping our region. San Diego County continues to fall far short of its state-mandated housing production goals, especially when it comes to affordable housing. Rents in the area are some of the most expensive in the country, and it takes eight to ten years for applicants to secure federal housing subsidies due to high demand and long waiting lists. It’s clear that San Diego County’s approach to affordable housing is failing.