By Chris Ernest Nelson 

April 7, 2023 (San Diego) -- It may not be your grandparent’s HIV. It may no longer be a death sentence, but it still poses a potent threat to public health.  The good news is, there has been significant progress in the past 40 years in the treatment and management of this one-time deadly virus. When HIV/AIDS first appeared in our communities, it was most often a death sentence to those infected. But today people with HIV have effective medications that offer them satisfying and productive lives.

The number of new cases of HIV infection have fallen to half in the past decade. Those who are infected have learned how not to spread the virus, and they have access to life-saving medications. When people know the dangers, preventative measures, and availability of treatment, they can be better prepared to avoid infection, or to deal with a HIV diagnosis, and how to guide themselves or loved ones toward getting the treatment they need.

Today, 90 percent of HIV infections are among young men. There are roughly 15,000 local residents living with HIV, and another estimated 1400 people living with an undiagnosed infection. That is why testing is so important in reducing the spread of the virus. HIV testing is easy, it is available without cost, and your identity will remain confidential.

With or without a diagnosis, prevention can be as simple as using a condom. In addition, the use of “PrEP” (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a daily pill, is even more effective at lowering the risk of getting and spreading HIV from sex, and also from intravenous drug use. PrEP is readily available from a professional healthcare provider.

Four “women of distinction” also honored

View video tribute: Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber Honors her Mom, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Nash Weber - YouTube

East County News Service

April 7, 2023 (San Diego) -- Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D., has selected her mother, California Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, as the 79th Assembly district’s Woman of the Year. Dr. Weber previously served as Assemblymember for four terms before becoming Secretary of State.

By Miriam Raftery

April 6, 2023 (La Mesa) – Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber has announced Thursday that she will run for the 39^th State Senate seat held by termed-out Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, after Supervisor Nathan Fletcher dropped out of the race amid accusations of sexual misconduct.  

Today, La Mesa City Councilman Colin Parent announced that he will run for Weber’s 79^th State Assembly seat.  Since Parent’s term on the Council ends in 2024, his announcement also means La Mesans can expect to have a new face on the City Council after the 2024 elections.

Unsealed indictment alleges pay-offs to three people with negative claims about Trump were fraudulently covered up in order to protect his presidential campaign

By Miriam Raftery

View District Attorney Alvin Braggs' press conference after arraignment

View Trump's speech at  Mar-a-Lago after arraignment

April 5, 2023 (New York) – Former President Donald Trump was arrested yesterday in Manhattan and pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of a conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election. 

If convicted, Trump could be sentenced to up to four years for each count, though the court could determine whether terms would be served concurrently or consecutively.  Trump’s lawyers have until August to file motions, with the next court hearing scheduled for December 4.  Barring further delays, a trial could be held early next year, just as the 2024 primaries get underway.

Trump, also a candidate running in the 2024 presidential race, was booked and fingerprinted, but not handcuffed nor was a mugshot taken. After the arraignment, he was released pending trial and returned to his home in Florida, where he gave a blistering speech railing against the prosecutor and judge despite a judicial warning to refrain from rhetoric that could incite violence.

Source:  City of La Mesa

April 5, 2023 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa is developing a Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Plan). The Plan will be a comprehensive effort dedicated to improving parks, recreation programs, and services for La Mesa residents. This year-long effort will help set the framework for future planning, maintenance, development and rehabilitation of City parks and facilities.

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

Photo:  it’s sinking in for Adam Seiko as UConn ends the Aztecs’ NCAA Tournament title hopes. Photo credit: Screen shot, CBS

April 3, 2023 (Houston) - San Diego State’s remarkable run in the NCAA Tournament ended Monday as Connecticut prevailed 76-59 to take the title in Houston.

By Jessyka Heredia 

April 2, 2023 (La Mesa) -- Clear Channel Outdoor Vice President of Public Affairs Layne Lawson gave the La Mesa City Council a presentation on a proposed digital billboard plan during the March 28 Council meeting. The company is proposing that the City enter a development agreement with Clear Channel for two digital billboards that would display advertisements generating an annual development fee payment of $125,000 per new advertising structure for the City, plus a 3% annual increase, starting in the second year. 

Major San Diego nonprofit recognizes longtime philanthropic supporters

April 2, 2023 (San Diego) -- Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) will host its annual Heart & Soul Gala at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Saturday, April 15 at 6 p.m. This year’s annual gala, “Planting for the Future,” will celebrate JFS’s efforts to provide resources and support to San Diegans of all ages and backgrounds, and share stories of success from throughout the year.

This year’s Gala Honorees are Joan and Irwin Jacobs, along with Marie Raftery and Dr. Bob Rubenstein – recognized for their tremendous support and contributions to JFS throughout the years.

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2023 (San Diego) – Last night, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher announced that he will resign his District 4 seat at the end of his medical leave for treatment of PTSD and alcohol abuse.

The announcement comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed March 28 against Fletcher and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) by an MTS worker who claims Fletcher harassed and sexually assaulted her on MTS property, and that she was fired by MTS as a result.

Fletcher has called the relationship “consensual’ and a “mistake” but denies harassing or assaulting the plaintiff, Grecia Figueroa, a former TV journalist and MTS spokesperson. Fletcher’s attorney, Danielle Hultenius Moore, alleges that Figueroa tried to extort Fletcher before filing a suit and that Fletcher’s team will be “pursuing our own legal response.

By Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Miriam Raftery and Clovis Honore

April 1, 2023 (San Diego) – In an interview with ECM aired on KNSJ, GRID Alternatives senior outreach coordinator Clovis Honore discussed the importance of signing up for solar now, before a mid-April statewide rate change kicks in. He also discussed options for free solar available to low-income homeowners in some communities.

Honore has spent much time speaking before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which gives him an informed view on the new net energy metering 3.0 rates for solar that take effect April 14, although applications submitted by that date will be grandfathered in.

GRID Alternatives provides free solar on low-income homes. The government determines where they can locate free solar and their San Diego office serves a small area around Gillespie Field in El Cajon, an area around the freeway in Lemon Grove, a coastal area around National City and Chula Vista.

When asked if solar installations are going to make sense to add after the new rates, he responds, “Absolutely. Absolutely… For our clients it’s always going to be good, because it’s free. For folks who have to invest in solar it’s going to take them longer to recoup their investment.”

Photo by Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2023 (Spring Valley) – With Aztecs men’s basketball advancing to the “final four” for the first time in the team’s history, Aztec players Nate Mensah (left) and Matt Bradley (right) stopped by Valley Farms Market in Spring Valley earlier this week to meet shoppers and pose for pictures with fans, as well as with the store’s owner, Derek Marso (center).

April 1, 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

• Here's how Fletcher's seat on the Board of Supervisors could be filled (KPBS)
• Second Woman Accuses Nathan Fletcher of Improper Behavior (NBC San Diego)
• Latest storm creates rare tornado warning in San Diego (KPBS)
• San Diegans decry proposed SDG&E revenue, rate increase requests  (KPBS)
• Santee eyes spending surge for fire department after report says some response times are too long (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego Police Officer Staffing Impacting Emergency Response Times (NBC San Diego)
• San Diego hospitals have a need for more health care workers, especially experienced nurses   (KPBS)
• Lemon Grove to install all-way stop outside elementary school amid speeding concerns (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Newsom relaxes California water restrictions, but says drought situation is still ‘complicated’ (Yahoo! News)
• Newsom touts Imperial County's 'Lithium Valley' as future in green energy (KPBS)
• Federal judge blocks key parts of California handgun law (KPBS)
• 7 CHP Officers Charged In Death Of Man Captured On Video (Patch)

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

By Ben Badd

April 1, 2023 (San Diego) – A quartet of former elected officials who left office amid scandals held a press conference today to announce formation of their new “Reboot & Rehab” foundation for recovering politicians. The organization was founded by former Congressmen Duncan D. Hunter and Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who both left office after being convicted on criminal charges, in partnership with ex-Mayor Bob Filner and Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, who both faced sex scandals that drove them from office.

“We believe everyone deserves a second chance, including politicians,” said Fletcher, speaking remotely from an undisclosed rehab facility after announcing his resignation following a lawsuit filed by an MTS employee alleging sexual misconduct. “There are programs to help recovering drug addicts and prisoners with reentry, but no programs tailored specifically to the needs of recovering former officials.”

By Holly Wood

April 1, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – A new reality show called “Harmony” has announced plans to feature Lemon Grove’s City Councilmembers in its debut episode.

Producer Kanya Diggit said, “The concept of our show is to take dysfunctional groups and take them to a deserted island to vie for prizes.  Unlike “Survivor” and other shows, ours will be based not on competitors vying against each other, but on rewarding them for working together under extreme circumstances to achieve key goals.”

March 31, 2023 (Santa  Ysabel, CA) -- East County Magazine interns Jacob Pamus and Daniela Torres visited Julian Farm and Orchard, where a recreation of a Revolutionary War battle was held.  They interviewed participants in both the British and Colonists camps, including General George Washington.

Julian Farm and Orchard is located in Santa  Ysabel, California, just outside of Julian. The farm also celebrated Daffodil Days on March 26, when our team checked out the action.