By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2023 (El Cajon) – “Prepare to witness an incredible transformation at the corner of Cuyamaca and Weld, as a project initially planned as a 140,000-square-foot Amazon Distribution Center evolves into something even more impressive,” the City of El Cajon posted today on Facebook. The City released photos of grading at the site, which is slated to hold a 386,000-square-foot industrial complex, set to become a hub for multiple companies, catering to the needs of diverse industries.

By Rachel Becker, Cal Matters

The decision about the fossil fuel plants comes despite the state’s mandate for 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by 2045

Photo: CC0 Public Domain

August 16, 2023 (Oxnard) - California officials yesterday agreed to extend operations at three natural gas plants on the Southern California coast in an effort to shore up California’s straining power grid and avoid rolling blackouts.

The controversial and unanimous vote that keeps the plants open came from the State Water Resources Control Board, which oversees the phaseout of natural gas facilities that suck in seawater and kill marine life.

By: Jessyka Heredia

August 14, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- There is a new bistro coming to Lemon Grove in what was formerly the Lemon Grove Bakery. Located at 3308 Main Street, the building has a long history that has  been the center of town ever since and Lemon Grove Bistro will be the next business to keep this historical building alive.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

August 14, 2023 (San Diego) --Starting next year, low and middle-income families in California are expected to be able to apply for up to $14,000 in grants and rebates to make their home more energy-efficient. The U.S. Department of Energy has just released guidelines that allow California to receive $582-million from President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.

August 15, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our radio shows from May through July 2023 are now online. 

Highlights included our two-part forum with Supervisor candidates, our interview with Lilian Serrano from Southern Border Communities Coalition on migrant camps in Jacumba, interviews with several advocates for the homeless, and coverage of top local issues such as the VSV livestock disease outbreak, major wildfires, the controversies over Cottonwood Sand Mine and Loveland Reservoir, and more.

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. Note: Some shows were reruns; original run dates are listed below. Shows also include station IDs and public service announcements.

For links to listen plus an index with topics and interviews in each show, click here or click the "read more" link and scroll down. Audio links are below the index. (Audio files may take a few moments to load.) 

By Miriam Raftery

August 14, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- As summer draws to a close and autumn fast approaches, some of East County’s most anticipated events of the year are coming up including the Mt. Helix Food and Wine Festival, X-Fest in Santee, the Barona and Sycuan powwows, and the Borrego Days Desert Festival. There are also attractions onstage indoors, including Crystal Gayle in concert and comic Paula Poundstone performing.

Scroll down for details on all of these events.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August  12, 2023 (San Diego) – Summer heat can interfere with our power supply in many ways. Hot weather can drive up energy demands, often to power air conditioners, which can overload your electrical grid.  Here are tips to prepare for power outages.

California law seeks to prohibit school districts from banning books

By Branda Gorgies

Images from PEN America and American Library Association

August 13, 2023 (East County) – Recently, book bans have become a hot topic. Some people see them as necessary and others see them as censorship. But if you’re involved in politics, you are more likely than not to have an opinion on book bans.

By Miriam Raftery

August 11, 2023 (San Diego) – Five overdose deaths in San Diego County have been linked to a large animal tranquilizer, Xylazine, known on the streets as Tranq, according to Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert. The drug can cause flesh to rot and in extreme cases, amputation of limbs. It is being laced into street drugs including fentanyl, methamphetamines and heroin, so users are often unaware that they’re consuming Xylazine.

Narcan does not work to reverse a Xylazine overdose because Xylazine is not a narcotic.

East County News Service

August 10, 2023 (San Diego) -- The first bloodhound for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is now on duty. Albert joined the Sheriff's Department in January of 2022 as a 13-week-old puppy. After more than a year of training, he is now serving our communities as

part of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 Unit. His special mission is to help find missing and at-risk people.

Source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Photo by Miriam Raftery: African elephant in South Africa

August 10,2023 (Escondido)-- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has announced construction is officially underway on what the organization says is the largest and most transformative project in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s 50-year history. The all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will reimagine the heart of the Safari Park, turning the current elephant environment into a “dynamic savanna and a place of exploration,” according to the SDZWA media release.

Elephant Valley will give guests of all ages the opportunity to connect with elephants like never before in hopes of encouraging greater empathy, understanding, and appreciation of this majestic species—and igniting a passion for wildlife. Surrounded by elephants on multiple sides, including from below via an overhead walkway with views of the herd passing through, guests will learn about the crucial role elephants have as ecosystem engineers, and about their intricate social dynamics.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Fire burns Lahaina, Maui; courtesy of the Hawaii Department of Transportation

August 10, 2023 (Lahaina) – Wildfires fanned by a hurricane offshore have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui, killing at least 36 people and leaving thousands homeless. The historic heart of Lahaina in west Maui has been destroyed, with some fleeing into the ocean to escape flames fanned by 80 mile-per-hour winds from  Hurricane Dora south of the island. Two other fires also continue to burn out of control in central Maui, where parts of Kuna remain evacuated.

Fires have also impacted the Big Island, though the largest in the Kohala area is 60% contained.FEMA has provided help, and emergency shelters there have closed.

But on Maui, the Lahaina and Upcountry fires continue to rage as devastation continues. Burn centers are overrun, including some patients who suffered smoke inhalation.

The hurricane knocked out power across fire-stricken Maui, leaving thousands without communications as panicked residents and tourists rushed to evacuate the fast-moving infernos.

With the Governor out of state, Acting Governor Sylvia Luke signed an emergency proclamation, activated the National Guard, and urged visitors to leave the island.  Tourists with reservations on  Maui are urged not to come, in order to free up hotel rooms for displaced residents.   “This is not a safe place to be,” she said at a news conference yesterday.

Update 10 p.m.-- All evacuation orders and warnings are lifted.  The fire has burned 184 acres and is 20% contained. Residents are asked to call 911 if you see a flare-up.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Josh Stotler

August 9, 2023 (Ramona) -- The Sheriff has issued a mandatory evacuation order due to the #BunnieFire in Ramona, which has burned 103 acres in the area of San Vicente Road and Bunnie King Lane in Wildcat Canyon just north of Lakeside.

The shaded areas of this map show the original evacuation area.  A temporary evacuation point is beingset up at Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521  Hanson Lane. This updated map has evacuation warnings and evacuation orders.

The safest evacuation route is heading north on SanVicente Road or South on Barona Road.

By Jacob Pamus

Image: Rendering of a proposed e-billboard in La Mesa

August 8, 2023 (La Mesa) – On July 25, the La Mesa City Council rejected a recommendation of an ad hoc committee known as the “Digital Billboard Ad-hoc Subcommittee.” Councilwoman Patricia Dillard and Councilman Jack Shu are in this subcommittee; its purpose was to issue a request for proposals with billboard companies to build digital billboards in La Mesa.

But ultimately, Shu and Dillard shifted their stances to oppose electronic billboards.