By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2019 (Ramona) -- Visitors at the Begent Ranch got hands-on artistic experiences at Ramona’s eclectic new event, the Anomar Arts Festival, last weekend. The festival is the creation of the 2CreateGallery and The Art Center of Ramona, with a goal to help everyone explore the world of art.

East County News Service

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By Ken Stone

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Ammar Campa-Najjar addresses media outside the courtroom after Duncan Hunter motions hearing. Photo by Ken Stone

July 2, 2019 (San Diego) - The pretrial Game of Motions isn’t over in USA v. Hunter et al, but Monday saw the government’s attorneys take a 14-0 lead against Rep. Duncan D. Hunter and his legal team.

In a 33-minute flurry of rulings, federal Judge Thomas J. Whelan handed setback after setback to Hunter lead lawyer Gregory A. Vega, hoping to keep his Republican client out of prison on charges including wire fraud, falsification of records and embezzling campaign contributions. He denies them all.

Source: San Diego Humane Society

July 2, 2019 (San Diego) -  As people plan their July Fourth celebrations, San Diego Humane Society is reminding pet parents to keep their animals in mind, as there is often an increase in lost pets following the holiday. For the safety and protection of pets, SDHS recommends the following:

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Hasan Ikhrata, executive director, SANDAG 

July 2, 2019 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council heard first-hand this week about a massive, high-tech revamp to San Diego County's transportation system, but Council members weren’t impressed.

The Council appeared united in telling a team of three professionals from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the regional transportation planning agency, to keep its hands off any committed funding to expand the key highways to the city.

"Everybody here is excited to hear about bold, new ideas," said Councilwoman Laura Koval. "But we also want you to know that we're still moving forward with our plan...and we're still going after funds to complete our highways."

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: West Fire in Alpine, 2018

July 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Across California, some insurance companies have stopped writing policies for homes in areas at high risk for wildfires, even dropping policies for some long-standing customers, Voice of San Diego reported in mid-June. 

Now, Supervisor Dianne Jacob has written a letter on June 27 to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urging him to take immediate action to “address the heavy-handed, blanket approach that insurance companies are currently utilizing to deny insurance though those who live in areas where wildfires may occur.” She also called on Lara to hold a public hearing in San Diego County on the issue, to allow residents to speak out and share concerns.

Our next East County Dining Club adventure is a wonderful discovery!  Please join us for a midsummer night's feast on Tuesday,  July 9^th at 6 p.m.  at Romeo & Julieta’s Wine Café. The event benefits East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.

Romeo & Julieta's is a treasure tucked into the Talmadge neighborhood just off Fairmont Ave.  about 10 minutes west of La Mesa. Their specialty is Polish and other Eastern European foods such as delicious pierogis, Kasha chicken, Kielbasa sausages and home-made schnitzel. They also have a wide range of other foods including delightful artisan cheese platters, salads, seafood, steaks, sandwiches, burgers, small plates to share and a wonderful selection of wines plus craft beers on tap—and more!

Feast your eyes on the menu:  www.RomeoandJulietaWineCafe.com

This is a small, cozy venue. RSVP  to reserve space -we have just a few spaces left: 619-698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org. (Note: If you need a wheelchair or disabled access table, be sure to let us know)

Prizes:  Hornblower Cruises whalewatching passes,  Gift certificates to Romeo & Julietas Wine Cafe and to Giardino's Italian Cucino, Red wine donated by Romeo & Julieta's, wrought iron wine rack,  Pearson Brothers Saccharo honey wine, Pete's Coffee, Shakespeare book from Maxwell House of Books ,jewelry, woven summer purse, Pike's Place coffee, car sun shades, cookbook, and more.

Dramatic reading:  In honor of San Diego's 250th birthday, actor Victor Crosswaite-Contreras will bring to life his ancestor, the infamous bandito Joaquin Murrieta, for your entertainment.

Full details:

East County News Service

June 30, 2019 (San Diego) – If you’re planning a beach party or surfing over the holiday weekend, wait until after the 4th of July. The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard warning for Tuesday morning through Thursday night, July 2-4 for all south and southwest facing beaches in San Diego and Orange County. The warning is due to elevated surf up to 6 feet high, strong rip currents which can pull swimmers out to sea, and high astronomical tides near 6.7 feet.

By David Willauer

June 30, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Here arethis week's top sports highlights from East County alumni.

June 23

Grossmont High product Ben Brault started on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates as he pitched five innings and gave up six hits, three runs, (three earned), three walks and four strikeout and went 1 for 1 with a single, one, RBI and one run scored as the Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres by a 11-10 score.

Granite Hills Eagles product Travis Taijeron went 2 for 3 with a single along with a solo homer for the Syracuse Mets as they were defeated 5-1 by the Gwinnett Stripers. 

County News Service

Photo: Jeddediah King Cabezuela, 2, from a GoFundMe site set up to help his famliy.

June 28, 2019 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Fair has shut down public access to all animal exhibits and the petting zoo after four children were sickened with E.Coli and 2-year-old Jeddediah King Cabezuela died.

The County’s Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) confirms four pediatric cases of Shiga-toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) linked to contact with animals at the Fair. HHSA Epidemiology Program and the County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) are investigating the cluster of four infections. 

Council passes ordinance regulating lodging establishments’ security and maintenance

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

June 29, 2019 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon’s 20 motels and hotels will be subject to more scrutiny, after passage of a new ordinance that sets minimum standards for cleanliness and security.

In a unanimous vote, the El Cajon City Council on June 11 approved a “Deemed Approved Lodging Establishment” ordinance which gives the city broad powers to regulate the 1,120 motel and hotel rooms in El Cajon. The city gains another 96 rooms when the Hampton Inn by Hilton opens next year. 

By Liz Alper

Photo via @Padres on Twitter

June 28, 2019 (San Diego) - The Padres swept the Orioles and now it was back to Petco Park and to the NL  for the weekend as the Cardinals came to town. Michael Wacha started tonight’s game one for St. Louis against Eric Lauer.

Harris pointed to her personal experience as a child who was "bused to school every day" and slammed Biden's "hurtful" comments on his relationship with senators who built careers on opposition to civil rights

By Jake Johnson

Reprinted from Common Dreams under a creative commons license

Photos:  Kamala Harris, file photo via Ron Logan, and Kalama Harris Facebook page

June 28, 2019 (Miami) - Sen. Kamala Harris directly confronted Joe Biden over his civil rights record during Thursday night's Democratic presidential debate, highlighting the former vice president's opposition to school busing as a senator in the 1970s and his fond recollection of the "civility" of notorious segregationists.

East County News Service 

June 28, 2019 (El Cajon) – A CHP officer who had stopped to aid a disabled motorist in the center divide of Interstate 8 last night at 9:24 p.m. in El Cajon was struck by a Chevrolet Camero driven at a high rate of speed by Richard Chambers, 25.  The accident occurred on I-8 west, just east of West Main Street.