By Michael Howard

July 30, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) – As the two democratic candidates for State Assembly District 79 Colin Parent and LaShae Sharp-Collins prepare for the upcoming November 5 election, fundraising in the last three months is crucial.

Heading into the critical August through October time period, Parent has the clear lead in fundraising totals, collecting over double the amount of Sharp-Collins with $401,009 to her $195,824.

What becomes clear when looking at the contributions they’ve received is the difference in occupations of the donors. Setting aside for a moment the majority both campaigns raise through Political Action Committees (PACs), what remains is a clear picture of who are each candidate’s core donors.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – AB 1819, a measure by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) would authorize counties to create special infrastructure financing districts in high or very high fire hazard severity zones.  These districts would fund wildfire mitigation apparatus and infrastructure including new heavy equipment to clear vegetation, create firebreaks, and harden utility infrastructure against wildfires.

 “As climate change progresses, our state is affected by longer, more intense, and increasingly hazardous wildfires. In San Diego alone, almost one-fourth of all wildfires start from the combustion of roadside vegetation by vehicles. It is crucial to have the proper firefighting equipment to prevent wildfires,” a statement by Waldron in the  Senate Floor analysis.“Obtaining funding to increase prevention response and fire-fighting equipment. backcountry areas has been difficult. The creation of an infrastructure financing district for this purpose will raise the necessary funding without the need to raise taxes.”

The bill has passed the Assembly unanimously (with several members absent) and is currently awaiting action in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  All legislative business must be concluded by August 31, the last day of the legislative session.

Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Photo via CNS

August 2, 2024 (San Diego) -- Tenant's rights groups are asking policymakers to move on several fronts to rein in corporate landlords who they said are worsening California's housing crisis.

Advocates said after the private equity firm Blackstone bought 5,600 apartments in the San Diego area in 2021, the company began squeezing out tenants in order to aggressively raise rents.

Amy Schur, campaign director for the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, works with a tenant group called the Blackstone Tenants Union.

Update Aug. 3, 2024: All evacuation warnings have been lifted for the  #Nixon Fire. Cal Fire investigators have found the cause was a privately owned electrical panel.

Update Aug. 2, 2024:The #NixonFire is 21% contained at 5,222 acres.  The cause was a malfunctioning electrical panel at a private residence, Cal Fire reports. The evacuation center at Temecula Valley High School, 31555 Rancho Vista Rd., Temecula, CA 92592 closed today and a reception and care center will open at Hamilton High School in Anza at 9 a.m. today. Operating hours will be at 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. beginning Saturday.

Update Aug. 1, 2024:  The #NixonFire is 14% contained and is now 5,194 acres.  Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.

July 31, 2024  (San Diego's East County) -- An evacuation warning has been issued for parts of San Diego County near Warner Springs due to the fast-moving #NixonFire which started in Riverside County.  Residents should be prepared to evacuate if needed. For fire maps and updated evacuation details, visit alertsandiego.org/en-us.html and shorturl.at/DNmFH, the San Diego Sheriff advises. 

The #NixonFire is 4,941 acres and 5% contained, burning to the south and east in rugged terrain. Overnight,a spot fire briefly crossed the county line into San Diego County,but was extinguished by firefighters.

At least 7 homes have burned in Riverside County, NBC 7 reports.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- August has some amazing events for summertime fun, including the Mt. Helix Food & Wine Festival,  a Dweezil Zappa concert at The Magnolia, Summer Jams at Santee Lakes, live music at Julian Heroes, outdoor concerts in El Cajon, sunset train rides at the historic Campo depot, a summer twilight walk at MIssion Trails Regional Park, and live music at Sycuan including LOCASH and the Jacksons.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Team USA

July 31, 2024 (Santee) – An East County athlete is making a big splash at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Alex Bowen scored three goals in Team USA’s second match, helping lead the team to a 14-8 victory over Romania.  Team USA will compete against Greece next Thursday.

Bowen was a star athlete at Santana High School, where he served as captain of both the water polo and swim teams. He helped lead the teams to several titles and was named most valuable player for the Grossmont North/Valley League in three consecutive years, 2008 through 2010.

After graduating, Bowen played water polo for Stanford University, scoring over 200 goals in four years. He was named a First Team All-American each year at Stanford.He later turned professional, competing in many countries, most recently for Noisy-le-Sec in France.

East County News Service

July 24, 2024 (Alpine) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), one of San Diego’s largest trade associations for San Diego-area realtors, is applauding the volunteer efforts of PSAR member and Alpine resident Jeff Campbell who is collecting new shoes, newborn to size 13, for foster children until August 17.

Photo:  View from Lyons Peak, Jamul, looking south

Update 4 p.m.-- Forward spread of the #Border66Fire has been stopped at 300 acres, per Cal Fire.

July 30, 2024 (Tecate) - The #Border66Fire that started 2.5 miles west of Highway 188, Tecate this afternoon is now 296 acres and has crossed the international border, Cal Fire reports.

The fire has a moderate rate of spread and zero containment thus far. There is potential for extended attack and multiple air tankers have been requestesd.

Update 8:30 p.m.The Nixon Fire has swelled to 3,500 acres, per pilot estimates reported on Watch Duty App.  A helitanker will be working the fire through the night, though some other air drops have been halted overnight. Winds have been shifting and there is no containment as darkness falls.

Per Cal Fire, nearly 2,000 residences are affected by evacuation orders and warnings.  This includes Sunshine Summit in San Diego County, where residents report Sheriff's deputies advising them to evacuate tonight, as well as in Aguanga, Cahuillo and possibly other communities in this rapidly evolving situation.

 

Update 6 p.m.-- The fire is now 1,000, burning into Beauty Mountain Wilderness. Homes remain threatened.  Additional large air tankers and other resources have been requestesd by the incident commander, Watch Duty app reports.

By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2024 (Aguanga, CA) – A fast moving brush fire that started between Aguanga and Anza is threatening numerous homes and has sparked evacuation orders and warnings in Aguanga and on the Cahuilla reservation.  The fire in Riverside County is just over the San Diego County line, a few miles of Warner Springs.

It is burning eastward and per Cal Fire is currently around 295 acres with 0% containment. 

An evacuation center has been opened at Temecula Valley High School (31555 Rancho Vistas Rd., Temecula).  Animal services will be on site to assist with animals.

The fire has a dangerous rate of spread,per the incident commander and news photographers on site.