East County News Service

March 8, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - Mark Siegmund sent in these photos of California Golden Poppies, our state flower, taken March 7^th near the Lake Barrett reservoir’s exposed aquaduct section.

OurJanuary 2019 radio shows are now online. For links to listen plus an index with full list of topics and interviews in each show, click "read more" and scroll down. (Audio files may take a few moments to load.) We interviewed Daniel and Stephanie Boethin, activists who led efforts to stop a parole office from opening on Mt. Helix, as well as Al Sanati from the War Victims Group and Ramiro Sandoval with Hermanos Unidos Sin Fronteras, on their efforts to help Iraqi refugees and rebuild Iraq. We also reported on top issues including impacts of the federal shutdown, local government actions, winter weather impacts, a controversial sand mind proposal, and top local events.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time but had fewer shows in January due to the station being off-air due to heavy snow that destroyed the transmitter. You can still listen live online via the TuneApp  The station is asking for donations to buy a new transmitter with a cover to protect it from snow and ice. You can donate by clicking here.

 Read more and listen to our January shows.  Click here for the index and scroll down for audio links below.

East County News Service

March 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – On Saturday, April 13, Californians will come together to make a difference in state parks across California for the State Park Service’s annual Earth Day celebration. You’re invited to participate in special volunteer projects focused on climate resiliency, or join in a new family-friendly open house.

By Gail Sparhawk

Photo:  members and guests enjoying lunch together 

March 8, 2019 (El Cajon) -- “This place brings me peace and comfort,” says Nicholas, speaking about the East Corner Clubhouse operated by Community Research Foundation (CRF) at 1060 Estes Street in El Cajon.

If you plan to go view wildflowers in the desert this weekend, be sure to read this and plan an alternate route.

March 8, 2019 (Julian)-- Caltrans crews are preparing to close a six-mile segment of State Route 78 (SR-78) from Wynola Road just east of Julian to Great Southern Overland Stage Route (S-2) later this afternoon for rock scaling activities, according to Caltrans. The emergency closure may extend through the weekend as needed to ensure that the highway slopes are stable.

Residents will be allowed access through the closures as safe to do so.

Motorists on eastbound SR-78 from Ramona toward Banner grade will be detoured onto northbound SR-79 at Santa Ysabel, then directed to turn right onto San Felipe Road (S-2), to eastbound SR-78 towards Ocotillo Wells.

Motorists on westbound SR-78, east of the closure, will be detoured to turn right onto San Felipe Road (S-2) to southbound SR-79, to Santa Ysabel to westbound or eastbound SR-78.

East County News Service

Photo, left: Panoramic view of wildflower south of S22 looking toward Clark Dry Lake 3/7/19

March 8, 2019 (Borrego Springs) – Bob Kutscher visited an area about 10 miles east of Borrego Springs north of S22 and south of Clark Dry Lake, where fields of wildflowers are starting to bloom.  

The blooms so far are not as dramatic as the “super bloom” in 2017, in part due to freezing night temperatures as well as invasive Sahara mustard, which grows larger and blocks sunlight from some native plants.

East County News Service

March 7, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Daylight savings time begins this Sunday, March 10.  Be sure to wind your clocks forward an hour.  

Moving clocks forward is intended to allow more daylight during spring and summer months.  Daylight savings time official begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, but it’s a good idea to change your clocks and watches before going to bed Saturday night.

Source:  Society of Professional Journalists

March 7, 2019 (San Diego) - The San Diego Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is deeply troubled by proposed state legislation that would make it more difficult for journalists and the public to understand how government works and hold officials accountable.

March 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) --- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. 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.

• Manafort gets 47 months in prison for financial fraud (Politico)
• Wetter than ever: Winter 2018-19 was USA's soggiest in recorded history (USA Today)
• Cohen Offers Documents in Bid to Show Trump Lawyers Helped With False Testimony (New York Times)
• Flake, Kobach to take part in GOP debate about Trump (The Hill)
• Thousands of migrant children report that they were sexually assaulted in U.S. custody (USA Today)
• Crime lab scandal rocked Harris' term as San Francisco district attorney (Washington Post)

WORLD

• Can US help resolve Venezuela crisis? The first hurdle is history.  (Christian Science Monitor)
• A snub and a last minute Hail Mary. Trump's tough lesson in North Korean diplomacy (CNN)
• Man who plotted truck attack on London's Oxford St jailed for life (Reuters)
• India builds bunkers to protect families along Pakistan border (Reuters)
• Saudi Arabia strips Osama bin Laden's son of citizenship (Reuters)

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

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

March 6, 2019 (El Cajon) -- In recognition of Women’s History Month, designated by Congress in 1987, both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have a number of events planned that are free and open to the public:

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2019 (San Diego's East County) – This week’s destination East County includes the musical Mary Poppins in Spring Valley, Tomatomania at the Water Conservation Garden, and Quartet Luminosos at Mission Trails.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Baroque, Renaissance and Classical music in El Cajon, Arlo Guthrie performing in Poway, a St. Patrick’s Day lucky adventure at Fort Cross in Santa Ysabel, Hooleyfest and more St. Patrick’s Day activities at Grossmont Center, Sha Na Na at Sycuan, the Danny Green Trio at Cuyamaca College, Les Miserables at Steele Canyon High School,  the 1000 Lights Festival at Santee Lakes, Arbor Day in El Cajon, Latin heart throb Roberto Carlos in concert at SDSU and an Off Broadway Live performance of The Bridge in Santee.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

"Neighbors" aims to reduce crime in neighborhoods by connecting people, security cameras and law enforcement.

Source:  La Mesa Police Department

March 6, 2019 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Police Department today announced that it is joining the Neighbors app by Ring (available via iOS/Android here: https://download.ring.com/lamesa to provide the La Mesa community with real-time, local crime and safety information. The Neighbors network already has millions of users and has been instrumental in catching package thieves, stopping burglaries, and keeping neighborhoods safe.

East County News Service

March 6, 2019 (San Diego) - Summer Safari is returning to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, bringing fun activities and entertainment for the whole family May 25 through September 1. Guests can enjoy an array of activities, live music, arts and crafts, pop-up entertainment for all ages, and more. Guests at the Safari Park will also have the unique opportunity to encounter fascinating animals up-close and enjoy a variety of special evening shows.