HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

April 4, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

SCIENCE AND TECH

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


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BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $320 MILLION FOR TRIBAL DOMESTIC WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior
 
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to fund projects for Tribal households or communities that do not have reliable access to clean drinking water and other domestic water supplies
 
April 4, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) — The Department of the Interior Tuesday announced that up to $320 million is available under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda through the Bureau of Reclamation to assist federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations as they plan and construct domestic water infrastructure. 

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EL CAJON POLICE ARREST PAROLED SEX OFFENDER IN POSSESSION OF CHILD PORN AND DRUGS

East County News Service
 
April 4, 2024 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Police have arrested a registered sex offender for possession of child pornography and drugs.
 
Alexander Ingles was homeless and living in his vehicle when officers contacted him on March 20 regarding a vehicle code violation. 

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$378,000 IN GRANTS AWARDED TO 13 FIRE SAFE COUNCILS IN SAN DIEGO RIVER WATERSHED

Alpine Fire Protection District invites public to event April 4

Source:  San Diego Regional Fire Foundation

Photo, left: Alpine Fire Protection District's new wood chipper

April 3, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and the San Diego River Conservancy are pleased to announce $378,958 in funding for 13 Fire Safe Councils in the Conservancy’s watershed area and a new chipper for the Alpine Fire Protection District. 

Alpine Fire Station will host an event April 4 from 11:30 to 1 p.m.  Alpine Fire Protection District will talk about its new chipper that will provide services for free chipping to the communities and will discuss the new fuel break funds that were made possible through a Community Protection grant.  The attendees at the event tomorrow will be  able to be part of the overall collaboration between the San Diego River Conservancy and the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation.saying thankyou for the hard work and commitments we all have made to focus on supporting the communities of Alpine and Viejas. 

.The San Diego River Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has awarded a grant to the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and Fire Safe Councils in San Diego County. These Fire Safe Councils are remarkable organizations that work diligently to make local communities safer by engaging in activities aimed at reducing the risk and intensity of wildfires, said Julia Richards, Executive Officer, San Diego River Conservancy. Their efforts are truly commendable and deserve to be recognized year after year.  We proudly stand behind the Fire Safe Councils and support their vital work.” 


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PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE MONDAY WILL BE VISIBLE IN SAN DIEGO

By Miriam Raftery
 
Image left, solar eclipse courtesy of NASA
 
April 3, 2024 (San Diego) – A partial solar eclipse will  create a celestial spectacle in San Diego’s skies on Monday,  April 8th—the last chance to glimpse a solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for 20 years. But be sure use eclipse safety glasses to protect your eye if you want to view the eclipse live.
 
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth. In San Diego, the eclipse will cover 55 percent of the sun, according to Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater astronomer Lisa Will, Associated Press reports.

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READER’S EDITORIAL: LA MESA OFFICIALS NEED TO DENOUNCE HATE SPEECH, NOT OUTLAW ALL CALLERS DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS

An Open Letter to La Mesa’s Mayor, City Council, City Attorney and City Manager 
 
By Art Madrid, former La Mesa Mayor
 
April 3, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Recently, various racist comments and incidents occurred in two different communities resulting in blatantly, dissimilar outcomes. Coeur d’Alene, and La Mesa were the cities at center stage.  
 
In Coeur d’Alene, the mayor, council, and business community immediately defended the values and standards of their community by condemned the racists who directed their offensive remarks at an ethnically diverse women’s basketball team.   

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“THERE WERE GUYS WITH GUNS, WITH SILENCERS…” - RUSSIAN MIGRANT AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS SPEAK OUT

By Bransen P. Harper

Photos by Bransen P. Harper and Patrick J. Watkins

April 3, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Last week, I took a journey out east to a hotspot along the border where undocumented migrants cross over into the U.S. on a daily basis, near the small town of Jacumba Hot Springs and Desert View Tower. International border crossings here have increased over the last couple of years significantly, although the area has seen prevalent human traffic in prior decades.

Using a Google translation program and translators among the migrants,  program, my associate,  Patrick J. Watkins, and I interviewed and photographed several undocumented migrants, whose stories were interesting and diverse. We also spoke with local volunteers aiding the asylum-seekers.


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SNOW FORECAST AS LOW AS 3,000 FEET; I-8 COULD GET SNOWFALL THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

East County News Service

April 3, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Yet another storm is forecast to bring rain and snow to East County Thursday night and Friday. The snow level is expected to drop down to the 3,000 to 3,500 foot level.

Mt.Laguna could receive 3 to 4 inches of snow, with up to 2 inches in Julian. Interstate 8 east of Alpine could also get snow, so use caution if traveling in this area.  Other areas that may receive snow include Pine Valley, Cuyamaca, and Warner Springs.


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SPECIAL EDITION: BREAKING NEWS APRIL 1, 2024

East County Magazine has the exclusive scoop on some surprising major stories breaking today.

Is truth stranger than fiction? You decide. Click any title  to view a description of each, then click "read more" to view the full story.

Or click here to read the complete April 1, 2024 special edition.

Trust us, you won't want to miss this news!


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THE THREAT AND PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AND ITS CAUSES

 

The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power, by Courtney B. Vance & Robin L. Smith (Hatchette Book Group, New York, NY, 2023, 268 pages).

“Papa was like a shadow that was always hanging over me.”

                                    -CORY MAXSON, FENCES

Book Review by Dennis Moore

How fortuitous and ironic that I would make this book, The Invisible Ache, the last of my more than 400 book reviews written, as I now go into retirement. This spellbinding and historic book co-written by Courtney B. Vance, a member of my church here in Los Angeles, compels me to write this review.

Along with co-author, Dr. Robin L. Smith, The Invisible Ache, pulls back the covers on social taboos, and makes this book a profound and historical commentary on race and mortality, and it resonates with me for so many profound and personal reasons full of ironies.


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COUNTY’S SECOND MEASLES CASE IN 2024 CONFIRMED; LATEST EXPOSURES IN ENCINITAS AND CARLSBAD

Source: County News Service

March 31, 2024 (San Diego)—An adult who contracted measles overseas may have exposed others to measles in late March at multiple locations in Encinitas and Carlsbad, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency announced Sunday.

 

There are measles outbreaks currently in 46 nations and 17 U.S. states.  The Centers for Disease Control recently updated its guidelines for travelers regarding measles.

 

“Measles is a very contagious disease that can be spread easily by coughing, sneezing, or being in the same room with an infected person,” said Ankita Kadakia, M.D., County deputy public health officer. “Anyone who was at any of the specific locations and at the dates and times listed (see below) should watch for symptoms and call their health care provider if they show any signs of the disease.”


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GOFUNDME AIMS TO HELP DAD, SANTANA’S WATER POLO COACH, WATCH HIS SON PLAY IN THE PARIS OLYMPICS

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 31, 2024 (Santee) – Alex Bowen of Santee, former captain of the Santana High School water polo team, is heading to the Paris Olympics with Team USA’s water polo team. His father, Rod Bowen, coaches Santana’s water polo team. Now a GoFundMe page has been set up to help Coach Bowen and his wife, Barb, travel to watch their son at the summer Olympics.
 
The effort was launched by Melissa Harmon, whose three sons have all been mentored by Coach Bowen.  

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HUD ANNOUNCES DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR CA DISASTER SURVIVORS, INCLUDING MORTAGE PROTECTION AND HOUSING AID

Source: U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
 
March 31, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for the State of California to assist supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from January 21 to January 23, 2024. President Biden issued a major disaster declaration to affected individuals in San Diego County.
 
Effective immediately, HUD is:

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY

March 31, 2024 (Lakeside) — Shiloh Ireland snapped this photo of a Swallowtail butterfly at his Lakeside home.

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STORM BRINGS SNOW,FLOODING, ROAD CLOSURES AND FLIGHT DELAYS

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Today’s storm brought a flash flood warning from the National Weather Service in effect through 11:30 a.m.

A SIG ALERT is in effect on Sunrise Highway, where one-way traffic control is in effect amid falling snow, the CHP website indicates. On South Grade Road at Mount Palomar, four inches of snow are covering the road and a snow plow has been requested.

Flooding has prompted closure of several roads. In East County, Quarry Road is closed between State Route 125 to Lakeview Drive in Spring Valley, according to the County Dept. of Public Works.

Shortly after 11 a.m., Gayle Falkenthal provided a photo of the arrivals and departures display board at the San Diego International Airport showing nearly all Southwest Airlines flights cancelled or postponed.


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CHARLENE WADDELL, SERVING COMMUNITY AND SPIRIT: CANCER SURVIVOR SEEKS 70 BLOOD DONORS APRIL 4 FOR HER 70TH BIRTHDAY

Blood drive from 2-4 p.m. April 4 in Treganza Heritage Park, Lemon Grove

By Chris Ernest Nelson

March 29, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- Living in community is humankind’s primary means of survival. Our happiness, our well-being, and our purpose are all sustained by people working together in meaningful sympathy. Long-time San Diego County resident, Mrs. Charlene Waddell, knows from experience the importance of a healthy community, both in our general well-being and in the spirit of sacrifice. In 2006, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Her recovery required multiple surgeries that took parts of her colon, her liver, and her entire appendix. She required a lot of blood to survive. Thanks to the San Diego Blood Bank, which is there to help everyone in need of blood, Charlene got the precious blood she needed, and has made a welcome recovery.


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REVOLUTIONARY WAR REENACTMENT APRIL 20 & 21

East County News Service
 
March 29, 2024 (Julian) -- Julian Farm and Orchard is proud to commemorate the 249th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American War of Independence, with the return of their annual Revolution in the Orchard re-enactment event. Hosted on their 25 acre sustainable farm, come interact with soldiers, merchants and townspeople of colonial America!
 
April 20 & 21
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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SAN DIEGO STATE DISMANTLED BY UCONN, ENDING NCAA TOURNAMENT RUN IN SWEET 16

By Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
 
San Diego State knocked up against a solid brick wall in the form of UConn Thursday, ending their NCAA Tournament run.
 
March 29, 2024 (Boston) -- The Aztecs fell 82-52 in Boston, as the Huskies (34-3) topped them again in the worst defeat a team has suffered in the Sweet 16 since Kansas beat Purdue by 32 seven years ago. Last year, UConn easily handled SDSU in the NCAA championship game, winning by 17.
 
UConn, this year’s overall No. 1 seed, won its ninth straight game in double figures at the tournament, a streak dating back to their 2023 title run. The Huskies will play No. 3 seed Illinois Saturday as they try to reach the Final Four.

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PADRES WIN HOME OPENER 6-4 THANKS TO 4-RUN RALLY IN SEVENTH

By Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
 
Photo: Opening Day started – and ended – sweetly for the Padres. Photo credit: @PetcoPark via X
 
March 29, 2024 (San Diego) -- The Padres won their home opener in comeback style Thursday, scoring four runs in the seventh against the Giants at Petco Park.
 
The 6-4 victory is their second of the year – the Friars began their season in South Korea a week ago, splitting a brief two-game series with the Dodgers.

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GROSSMONT, CUYAMACA COLLEGES GO GREEN WITH ENERGY-SAVING SOLAR PANELS

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
 
March 29, 2024 (El Cajon) – Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are going green with the start-up of solar panels on both campuses that are expected to save $43 million over 20 years for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.
 
The panels located in parking lots at the two East County colleges include storage systems that allow the district to buy power at lower prices in the early morning, then store the power until it is used later in the day when rates are higher. The district has also installed electric vehicle charging stations for students and employees at the Grossmont and Cuyamaca College campuses.

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CPSC WARNS CONSUMERS TO IMMEDIATELY STOP USING ELIDE FIRE EXTINGUISHING BALLS DUE TO FAILURE TO EXTINGUISH FIRES AND RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

East County News Service
 
March 29, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about the risk of burns and smoke inhalation associated with the use of Elide brand fire extinguishing balls. These products can fail to extinguish a fire, which could lead to serious injury and death.

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SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY

East County News Service
 
March 28, 2024 (Julian) -- Julian Dark Sky Network and Julian Library present a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Monday, April 8 starting at 10 a.m. at the Julian Library at 1850 CA-78, Julian, CA 92036.
 
This event is free, including eclipse viewing glasses! View the last solar eclipse visible in North America until 2045. It's a major event to watch and experience!

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READER’S EDITORIAL: SB 10 WAS NOT MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING

By Neighbors for a Better San Diego
 
The SB 10 bullet we dodged was peddled as "Missing Middle Housing" by City Hall. It wasn't, and here's why it matters...
 
March 28, 2024 (San Diego) -- In 2023 Mayor Gloria intended San Diego to be the first California city to "opt-in" to Senate Bill 10 (SB 10). Thankfully, he was eventually forced to remove SB 10 from Housing Action Package 2.0 as the details of this irrevocable state law became public.
 
Parroting the Mayor and the Planning Department, building industry proponents argued that SB 10 would deliver "Missing Middle Housing."

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ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 27, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Get ready for a wet and windy weekend, as an atmospheric river moves into the region. Heavy rain is highly likely Saturday through Monday, so you may want to make alternative plans for outdoor activities such as Easter egg hunts. 
 
The chance of rain on Easter Sunday is around 90% in East County’s mountains, 85% in El Cajon, and 80% in Borrego Springs. Regionwide, all of San Diego County has more than a 75% chance of rain.

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INSURANCE NON-RENEWALS CONTINUE EVEN AS COMMISSIONER RICARDO LARA INTRODUCES REGULATIONS FAVORED BY THE INDUSTRY

By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters
 
Photo: State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara speaks during a press conference with Los Angeles labor leaders and advocates in Commerce on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters
 
March 26, 2024 (Sacramento) -- With more California homeowners just discovering their insurance policies are getting canceled —  and hundreds of thousands of others stuck with a pricey option of last resort — state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s efforts to fix the home insurance market can’t come quickly enough.

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SOCIAL SECURITY CUTS

"Trump has tried to walk back his support for Social Security and Medicare cuts," said the head of Social Security Works. "This budget is one of many reasons why no one should believe him."
 
 
March 26, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) -- Defenders of Social Security and Medicare on Wednesday swiftly criticized the biggest caucus of Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives for putting out a budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 that takes aim at the crucial programs.
 
The 180-page "Fiscal Sanity to Save America" plan from the Republican Study Committee (RSC) follows the release of proposals from Democratic President Joe Biden and U.S. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas)—who is leading the fight to create a fiscal commission for the programs that critics call a "death panel" designed to force through cuts.

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NEXT STEPS FOR COUNTY EMERGENCY TEMPORARY LODGING PROGRAM

By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
March 26, 2024 (San Diego) -- On March 12, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the Emergency Temporary Lodging Program. 
 
The program, which was launched on Feb. 10, has provided emergency temporary lodging to nearly 900 families who were displaced by flooding from the Jan. 22 storm. 

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GLORIA APPOINTS 25-YEAR SAN DIEGO POLICE VETERAN SCOTT WAHL AS NEXT CHIEF

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
 
March 26, 2024 (San Diego) -- Mayor Todd Gloria announced Thursday that he has appointed Assistant Chief Scott Wahl, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, as San Diego’s next chief of police.

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GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

By Kirsten Andelman

Photo, left to right:  student rep Elizabeth Fox;  trustees Elva Salinas,  Chris Fite, Jim Kelly, Gary Woods, and Robert Shield

March 26, 2024 (El Cajon) --The Grossmont Union High School District Board voted 3-2 earlier this month to issue Reduction in Force notices for 91 full-time staff positions, after about 81 employees received district letters last week warning of looming “pink slips” for the next school year.

Board leaders blamed the state of California for mandating notice of the cuts by a March 15 deadline, as leaders in Sacramento brace for a looming budget deficit of over $31 billion dollars for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

Of the eliminated positions, 53 were “certificated” and/or teacher positions, and 38 were “classified” positions. 


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CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

Source: Attorney General Rob Bonta
 
March 25, 2024 (Oakland) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert with tips on filing and preparing taxes safely. As Tax Day approaches, many Californians may seek out assistance with filing their state and federal tax returns. To avoid falling victim to a tax-related scam, Attorney General Bonta advises Californians to file early, take actions to protect themselves online, and learn about free or low-cost tax filing opportunities. Through the IRS Direct File pilot program, eligible California taxpayers can file their 2023 federal taxes directly with the IRS for free.

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