By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2024 (El Cajon) – The German-American Societies of San Diego and Dia Rasselbande Preschool invite you to a traditional Christmas Market. This festive event features shopping for handmade gifts, delicious German dishes, holiday beer and Glühwein, choral performances,  kids’ activities, and photos with Santa.

This festive event will be held at the German American Societies’ headquarters at 1017 S. Mollison Avenue in El Cajon on Saturday, December 7 from 2 to 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, December 8 from 2 to 6 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2024 (Alpine) – Nearly two years after a severe storm damaged the floating fishing dock at Loveland Reservoir in Alpine back in January 2023, a restored fishing dock is back.

Recognition highlights the often unspoken, but significant need for compassionate healing and support for those suffering from reproductive grief

East County News Service

November 24, 2024 (La Mesa) -- In recently presenting its more than two dozen "Celebrating Women 2024" awards, San Diego Magazine recognized one individual as "Pioneer of the Year" for her groundbreaking work to support those suffering from the very personal and far-too-often unacknowledged grief that follows reproductive loss. 

Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg, Founder and CEO of Institute of Reproductive Grief Care and long-time La Mesa resident, was honored November 6, following a panel of the magazine's judges reviewing hundreds of Pioneer and Rising Star nominations received in 15 different categories.

By Miriam Raftery

November 24, 2024 (San Diego) – Drug testing on “Polka Dot” labeled chocolate bars seized back in September by narcotics detectives from the Sheriff’s department from a Chula Vista business found that the products had been adulterated with several controlled substances, including Amanita Muscaria mushrooms, better known as “magic mushrooms,” a strong psychedelic drug and hallucinogen.

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

November 22, 2024 (Alpine) - On Thursday, November 21, around 5:30 p.m., the San Diego County Sheriff's Office was notified by the administration of Shadow Hills Elementary School in Alpine about threats made by two students against a group of students and teachers.

November 21, 2024 -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Trump wants to close the Education Department. It's far easier said than done. (USA Today)
• Trump confirms plan to declare national emergency, use military for mass deportations (ABC)
• Trump transition team compiling list of current and former U.S. military officers for possible courts-martial (NBC)
• Trump picks Pam Bondi for US Attorney General after Gaetz withdraws (Reuters)
• Once Again, Donald Trump Misreads the Senate (Time Magazine)
• Republicans retain control of House,  CNN predicts (CNN)
• Special counsel Jack Smith taking steps to wind down federal cases against Trump (NPR)
• Trump advisers contemplating cuts to Medicaid and other welfare programs (Guardian)
• Thune elected Senate majority leader (The Hill)
• Brendan Carr wrote the FCC chapter in ‘Project 2025.’ Now he’s Trump’s pick for the agency (CNN)
• Lawsuit alleges Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education pick, enabled sexual abuse of children (CNN)
• ‘Who the f--k is this guy?’: Defense world reacts to Trump’s surprise Pentagon pick (Politico)
• Health stocks tumble after Kennedy nomination  (Semafor)

INTERNATIONAL

• ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader (Reuters)
• Ukraine fires US-made longer-range missiles into Russia   (CNN)
• Putin lowers the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal after Biden's arms decision for Ukraine          (AP)
• Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports (CNN)
• Mexico’s ex-public security chief sentenced to 38-plus years in US for taking cartel bribes (AP)
• .Iran signals possible change in its nuclear doctrine and says it has the capacity to make nukes (NBC)
• Biden’s final meeting with Xi Jinping reaps agreement on AI and nukes
• China targets critical metal exports in anticipation of further US tech, trade curbs  (Semafor)

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

November 21, 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

• Ex-Granite Hills High teacher convicted of sex charges involving student (10 News)
• Ramona musicians seek solution for outdoor playing at wineries SD Reader)
• Four years after high-profile Borrego Health raid, El Cajon contract dentist is criminally charged (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Increased defense spending adds almost 20,000 San Diego jobs this year, report says (KPBS)
• Imperial Beach residents sue operator of border wastewater treatment plant (KPBS)
• La Mesa clothing shop looking for new space after new building owner more than triples rent (ABC 10”)
• Neighbors in Southeast San Diego demand investigation into 'shocking' footnote in city code (KPBS)

STATE

• New labor laws making changes for California’s workers in 2025 (KUSI)
• Fewer kids are going to California public schools. Is there a right way to close campuses? (CalMatters )
• California storm live updates: Rare high-risk warning for excessive rain issued for these areas (San Jose Mercury News)
• Newsom to Visit California’s Trump Country: ‘Message Received’ (New York Times)
• Nearly half of Muslim students at California universities say they have been harassed, survey finds (Los Angeles Times)

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

Source: CalFire

November 21, 2024 (San Diego's East County) - - The CAL FIRE San Diego Unit is preparing to conduct prescribed burns across San Diego and Imperial Counties as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecosystem health, and protect community safety. These projects are planned during carefully selected weather conditions that meet specific safety and ecological parameters.  A controlled burn is being conducted today in the Campo area.

Each prescribed burn project undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the criteria for environmental benefit, appropriate weather, smoke management, and fire safety. Once a project is approved, trained CAL FIRE personnel will conduct the burns under strict guidelines.

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2024 (Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley) – The #MillarFire has burned 20 acres near State  Route 94/Campo Road and Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley, near the Steele Canyon bridge.  Evacuation orders have been issued for nearby areas including Rancho San Diego, plus evacuation warnings for surrounding areas.  View evacuation map from Alert San Diego: https://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html

 A temporary evacuation point is at Edwards Cinema at 2951 Jamacha Rd.

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2024 (Lakeside) -- Even sunny San Diego can get snow with the assistance of modern technology. You’re invited to Snow Day at Lindo Lake on December 6 from 2 to 5 p.m., as the County turns this popular park into a family-friendly winter wonderland with fresh snow for sledding and snow play.

You can also enjoy games, giveaways, and photos with Santa.

Trump says he won’t require FBI vetting of nominees and wants Congress to adjourn so that he can appoint Cabinet chairs without Senate approval

By Miriam Raftery 

Update November 22, 2024:  Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Attorney General appointment.

Photo: Rep. Matt Gaetz, Attorney General nominee, would oversee the Justice Department. He is accused of paying a trafficker for sex with women, including an underaged teen girl. 

November 19, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – President-elect Donald Trump has announced many of his cabinet appointees, which require Senate confirmation, as well as other key positions in his next administration. While all are Trump loyalists, some nominees have experience and qualifications suited to the position. But other nominees have sparked bipartisan concerns. They include:

• An attorney general nominee who resigned from Congress after an investigation found evidence that he paid a trafficker to have sex with a minor;
• A Secretary of Defense nominee accused of raping a woman and having racist white nationalist beliefs;
• A director of national intelligence with a history of siding with Russia and other authoritarian regimes;
• A Secretary of Energy a fracking company CEO who claims there is no climate crisis
• A Secretary of Health and Human Services who is an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist
  

Update November 22, 2024:  Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Attorney General appointment.

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

November 17, 2024 (San Diego) - Several national Jewish organizations are opposing President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of recently resigned Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida for U.S. attorney general. Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs all came out against Gaetz becoming the leader of the Justice Department which among its other duties prosecutes hate crimes.

East County News Service

November 17, 2024 (Ramona, CA) – Sheriff’s deputies found the body of an unidentified person, along with two deceased dogs, inside a burned trailer home in Ramona yesterday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze in the 18000 block of Cinnamon Rock Road in Ramona and extinguished the fire, after which deputies from the Ramona substation located the victim and dogs.

October 8, 1921 — November 10, 2024

November 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- Adalbert Connor, a beloved family man and cherished friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, at the Veteran’s Home of California Chula Vista, at the age of 103.

Born on October 8, 1921, in Yuma, Arizona, Adalbert’s life was a testament to resilience, warmth, and an unwavering spirit that touched all who knew him.

Adalbert spent his early years in Yuma, attending local schools and graduating from high school in 1941. His passion for learning led him to Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and later to San Diego State University where he graduated in June 1954.

In 1942, Adalbert enlisted in the United States Army. He trained at Camp Roberts, Fort Lewis, and Fort Ord, and served valiantly in World War II, participating in multiple beach landings in the East Indies, including Leyte, Luzon, and Japan. Rising to the rank of sergeant, he returned home in 1946 with immense pride in his service to his country.

He later worked for Money Mutual of New York insurance company for 45 years, and was a resident of Allied Gardens for over 70 years.

East County News Service

November 14, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold storm from the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to bring scattered showers across our region Friday and Saturday, with snow possible in the mountain areas and frost in some areas.

Gusty winds are also forecast, with peak gusts up to 55 miles per hour in mountain and desert areas as early as tonight.