City awaits Council’s next motion

By Rachel Williams

July 14.2024 (El Cajon) -- With online sales taking a bite out of retail traffic, shopping malls across the U.S. are struggling and some have closed down. Seeking to avoid that scenario, the City of El Cajon commissioned a market analysis envisioning redevelopment options for Parkway Plaza,  East County’s largest regional shopping mall.

Council members unanimously favored a motion to move beyond proposed aspirational measures and begin the next step toward transforming Parkway Plaza into a mix of residential, retail, offices, entertainment and community space.

These “Eatertainment” facilities would combine compelling, traditional dining options and immersive sport-centered bars with unique, dynamic lifestyle retail shops, all oriented around a linear park.

Update July 14, 2024--The shooter has been identified as Matthew Cook, 20, a registered  Republican from Pennsylvania.The rifle, an AR-15, was reportedly legally purchased by Cook's father.  Motive for the shooting remains unknown as the investigation continues.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot from NBC video--Secret Agents usher injured former President Trump to safety after shooting.

July 13, 2024 (San Diego) – Gunfire erupted at a Donald Trump rally late today in Pennsylvania, injuring the former President’s ear. One audience member was killed and two others seriously injured, according to the U.S. Secret Service, which killed the gunman.

Video on multiple TV networks showed the presumptive Republican presidential nominee clutching his ear, blood on his face, moments after several shots were heard.Trump dropped to the ground below the podium as the crowd erupted in panic, many ducking for cover.

Secret Service agents huddled around Trump, who raised a fist in the air as agents hustled him our of the open-air venue. He was later treated at a hospital for what his campaign described as a minor injury, assuring that he plans to attend the Republican National Convention which begins  Monday.

A Trump spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said Trump “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” adding that the former president is “fine” and being checked out at a medical facility.

The identity of the gunman, who was atop a nearby building, has not been released. Nor has the identity of the audience member killed or those injured been disclosed.

By Rachel Williams

July 11, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Here’s Why Your Voice Matters, La Mesa.

The La Mesa City Council voted unanimously on July 9 to let residents vote in November on whether to continue the ¾ cent sales tax extension used to fund public services.  Prop L, enacted in 2008, is set to expire in 2029.

According to a city press release sent by the city after the vote, the Prop L sales tax contributes approximately $12 million annually in local funding. Without Prop L funding, the City would need to make significant reductions to public safety services and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, parks, storm drains and other infrastructure, the release states.

By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2024 (San Diego) – Akeel Robinson will turn 2-years-old in August. He’s made remarkable progress since January, when a wrong-way driver plunged off a freeway overpass in El Cajon, sending a chunk of a concrete guardrail crashing into Akeel’s skull. But his family needs help to fund his extensive rehab therapies, particularly since his mother lost her job caring for elderly patients due to putting Akeel’s needs first for his near-daily therapy appointments, and the bills are piling up. 

“He’s going to need help forever,” Akeel’s grandmother, Jennifer Blocker, told ECM. She is asking for donations at a GoFundMe site, now that the projected costs for Akeel’s care have skyrocketed.  “When the accident happened, my daughter was in the process of moving.  She’s finally gotten into a place, but everything seems to keep snowballing.”  She hopes that the public, who gave generously right after the accident, will help her daughter and grandson assure that his therapy sessions can continue, and help them afford other critical needs.

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Rendering of proposed Murray Project in La Mesa, via Enersmart's project website

July 8, 2024 (La Mesa) – A battery fire at the Gateway energy storage facility in Otay Mesa in May forced evacuation of nearby businesses for nearly two weeks.  

Enersmart has proposed building a battery energy storage facility at 8131 El  Paso Street in La Mesa.

After the Otay fire, La Mesa City Manager Greg Humora recently sent an e-mail to the mayor and city councilmembers highlighting key differences between the Otay and La Mesa projects in size, technology, and fire protection plans.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Vincent, lost cast from Del Cerro Reservoir area, is still missing.If you find him, please contact Amanda Everett at abeverett.personal@gmail.com,  or 619-261-4717.

July 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – When Amanda Everett lost her cat, Vincent, she posted notices online in hopes of finding help to locate her missing pet. Instead, she says, thieves tried to scam her into giving them money for emergency surgery on her cat, whom they falsely claimed had been brought to a local shelter. Other scammers sought to trick her into giving our personal information that could be used for identity theft.

Everett posted this warning on social media, which she has given ECM permission to reprint.

July 8, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- 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 unemployment rate drops below national average at 3.6% (KPBS)
• New copper line trolley would bring major changes to East County  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Gang Member Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Killing Spring Valley Mother (Times of San Diego)
• $10M from state for tiny homes in jeopardy after county board kills Spring Valley plan (Times of Diego)
• San Diego County is unprepared for climate disasters (Axios)
• Threats, profanity, accusations skyrocketing at public meetings, KPBS analysis shows (KPBS)
• Controversial plans to urbanize San Diego neighborhoods advance, could soon get City approval  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego Humane Society creates 'Dog Day Out' program (CBS 8)

STATE

• Will Google strike a deal with California news outlets to fund journalism?  (San Jose Mercury News)
• DEA operation exposes growing ties between Mexican drug cartel and Chinese organized crime  (NBC)
• California Democrats agree to delay health care worker minimum wage increase to help balance budget (ABC News)
• California budgets up to $12 million for reparations bills, a milestone in atoning for racist legacy (KPBS)

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

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – There’s more than fireworks and parades happening in July. How about open farm days at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramoma,  Pine Valley Days, outdoor concerts and car shows, Sip of Julian tasting event, the Ramona Country Fair and movies in County parks?

Click here for our 4^th of July festivities in East County. Scroll down for the many other hot happenings coming up throughout July.

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2024 (La  Mesa) – Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents Neil Simon’s classic comedy, The Odd Couple, July 5-28, with a twist. Instead of sloppy Oscar and neatnik Felix, the leads are female roommates​: Olive Madison and Florence Unger.

East County News Service

July 7, 2024 (Ramona) -- Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to open farm days on select Saturdays all summer long. The next open farm day is July 20^th.  Enjoy a camel and bird show, feeding treats to camels, a camel encounter with photos, petting mini-sheep, and more.

You can also take a camel ride and shop for camel milk products such as lotions, soaps and chocolates.