By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 12, 2019 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors today voted to allow the Health and Human Services Agency to apply for and receive about $125 million to help people with serious mental illness and who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

East County News Service

February 12, 2019 (La Mesa) – “Toby is on the hunt for a Valentine date. The rumor is that he has his eye on a cute velociraptor,” says Jeff Phair, developer of La Mesa Summit Estates.

Phair and his wife purchased the whimsical sculptor last August and installed it at the site of the future residential project in September. Since then, Toby the T-Rex has been spotted garbed in a variety of holiday wear, also attracting artwork created by local children. 

Mayor promises more community forums; mandates City Council members to reach out to constituents with similar community forums

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Audio: tinyurl.com/ECM-012019BillWellsTownHall

February 12, 2019 (El Cajon) - El Cajon Mayor Bill Well faced a mostly friendly crowd of some 250 people at a community town hall meeting on January 20th in the Sports Plex facility at Cajon Valley High School. While the Mayor touched on various topics during the two-hour meeting, El Cajon’s chronic homeless problem and crimes perpetrated by homeless individuals took center stage.

“Our office has been receiving calls from constituents indicating that they are receiving calls with messages indicating their Social Security number has been suspended,”  Michael Harrison, District Chief of Staff/Communications Director for Hunter states in an email sent today. “Please let your groups know that this is a scam and a fraud to obtain private information and can lead to identity theft.  Do not participate in these calls.  Your Social Security number is never suspended and the Social Security Administration does not contact people by phone, only by mail.  The same is true for the IRS. 

Update February 13, 2019: Judge Whitney has issued a final ruling keeping the City of Lemon Grove as a defendant in this case.

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A witness has disputed a key claim made by Lemon Grove Councilman David Arambula in a civil suit filed by marijuana dispensary applicant Christopher Williams against Arambula and Lemon Grove.  Williams alleges that he Arambula cut his face with a beer bottle, bit, choked and punched him after a meeting at Arambula’s home regarding the dispensary application.

By Miriam Raftery

February 10, 2019 (Sacramento) – How much money are candidates in your city or county getting in campaign contributions—and from whom?  A new bill could soon require local governments to post this information online, instead of requiring members of the public to travel to a governmental office and look up hard copies—an option often not available to people who work full-time.  

Source: Cuyamaca College

February 10, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- A wide assortment of musicians ranging from a San Diego mariachi band that has played at the Super Bowl to one of the most in-demand French hornists in the country will be performing in this year’s Spring Concert Series at Cuyamaca College beginning Feb. 28.

All performances, except the Coyote Music Festival, will be held at the Samuel M. Ciccati Theatre in the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center. The annual Coyote Music Festival will be held at Cuyamaca College’s Grand Lawn.

On tap for the Spring Concert Series:

By Miriam Raftery

February 8, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Light rain is possible late tonight through the weekend and Monday. While Tuesday should be clear, another “atmospheric river” will arrive Wednesday through Friday, bringing heavy rains, says National Weather Service forecaster James Brotherton.  Moderate to major flooding could occur Wednesday and Thursday, with minor flooding earlier in the week in some areas.

Several inches of snow are possible above 3,500 feet.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – Roberto Inchaurregui III, 27, of Spring Valley was arrested Feb. 7 for a stabbing that occurred Feb. 2 at the Arco AM/PM Mini Mart in Spring Valley.

Sheriff’s detectives from Rancho San Diego and the Crime Suppression Team arrested Inchaurregui at his parole agent’s office, then served a search warrant on the suspect’s home, where they recovered other items further linking Inchaurregui to the crime, says Sgt. Matt Cook II.

He was booked into the San Diego County Jail.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

February 8, 2019 (San Diego) - It’s February – the time of year when our attention turns to matters of the heart. What better time to get your blood pressure checked?

On Thursday, Feb. 14, people can get their blood pressure checked for free at any of nearly 300 locations across the U.S. and Mexico for Love Your Heart Day. Many faith-based organizations are getting in on the action by hosting blood pressure checks this weekend on Feb. 9 and 10.

Published since 2008. Copyright 2019 by Sam Warren, SDWriteWay@gmail.com

"Words are things; and a small drop of ink falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." --Lord Byron (1788-1824)

SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

February 7, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now presenting its Winter Art Exhibit featuring 15 paintings by 10-year-old Mia Bruso of  Alpine. The exhibit runs through the end of March. Kathy Quinn, Herrick Library director, said it is the first time since the library opened in 2002 that the featured artist for the quarterly art exhibit is a child.

East County News Service

February 7, 2019 (El Cajon) – The California housing market will continue soft in 2019 as prices remain flat and sales pull back because buyers are expected to remain on the sidelines throughout the year, according to California Association of Realtors (CAR) senior economist Oscar Wei.

Shawcroft one of eight players added to finish Aztecs’ 22-member class

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 7, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego State head football coach Rocky Long announced the signing Wednesday of eight additional players to National Letters of Intent or Offers of Aid. Including the 14 that signed in the early signing period in December a total of 22 athletes will join the Aztecs for the 2019 season. 

SDSU’s signing class now includes 11 on defense, nine on offense and two athletes. The 22-member class also features 14 from the state of California, three from Texas, two from Arizona, one apiece from Georgia, Hawaii and Washington. Additionally, 18 are high schools and four are college transfers. 

The eight new additions to the class today include two on offense - quarterback Jordon Brookshire (Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman HS/Laney CC) and offensive lineman Jacob Jimenez (Pflugerville, Texas/Pflugerville HS/Brigham Young) - five on defense - defensive linemen Jeffrey Blake (Norcross, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian HS), Liloa Kapiko (Honolulu, Hawaii/St. Louis HS) and Jonah Tavai (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS/El Camino College), and defensive backs Patrick McMorris (Santa Ana, Calif./Santa Ana HS) and Eric Wilson (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino HS/Riverside City College), and one athlete in Noah Tumblin (San Diego/Mira Mesa HS).

A full list of the signees is below.