November 2017 Articles

RED FLAG WARNING: CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER

 

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Updated December 4, 2017

December 2, 2017 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service in San Diego is warning of prolonged, critical fire conditions in all areas of our county starting Monday morning through the end of the week. 

A red flag alert is in effect for coastal, mountain and valley areas through Thursday due to low humidity, above average temperatures and strong offshore winds.  A high wind warning has also been issued, with Santa Ana winds at 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts up to 55 miles an hour forecast.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS DEC. 1-JAN. 7

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Alpine’s Christmas Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, the North Pole Limited train ride in Campo, Lemon Grove’s holiday bonfire with ice skating and a hayride, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, a Jingle Paws walk for pets, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas on Maine, a Supermoon hike up Volcan Mountain in Julian, a Christmas Cabaret in La Mesa, and live reindeer visits at Grossmont Center.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s Sounds Good holiday concert, a Christmas Carol in Julian, singer Tony Orlando in concert at Sycuan, a big band and jazz concert in Santee, and Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan.

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


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MERCEDES-BENZ OF EL CAJON OFFICIALLY OPENS FOR BUSINESS

 

By Paul Kruze

November 30, 2017 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon welcomed its twelfth new auto dealership on Wednesday night with the grand opening of Mercedes-Benz of El Cajon at its location at Wagner and Marshall Street adjacent to Fletcher Parkway. The new 70,000 square foot dealership, operated by the Ontario-based Oremor Automotive Group, replaces their previous location on El Cajon Blvd.


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CA COUNTIES: SENATE TAX BILL WILL FORCE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAISE FEES, TAXES

 

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

November 30, 2017 (Sacramento) - The people who run many of California's counties are speaking out against the tax bill that is about to go up for a vote in the U.S. Senate. They say they're worried it will eliminate important deductions and force local governments to cut services or raise taxes or fees to compensate.


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SDSU REVEALS STADIUM DETAILS FOR MISSION VALLEY LOCATION

 

Proposed stadium to seat 35,000 spectators

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo and video courtesy goaztecs.com

November 30, 2017 (San Diego) -  San Diego State University has revealed its development plans for a 35,000-seat multi-use stadium at the 166 acre site in Mission Valley currently occupied by SDCCU Stadium and its surrounding parking lot. Today’s announcement comes one day after the University released its detail plan for the entire Mission Valley site. 


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ALPINE CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS AND SNOW FESTIVAL DEC. 1

 

East County News Service

November 30, 2017 (Alpine) -- You’re invited to celebrate a  rural Christmas on Friday, Dec. 1, at the 22nd Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival in Alpine. A parade of glittering lighted entries begins at 6:30 p.m. on Alpine Boulevard, where shops are aglow with holiday lights.

The parade ends at the annual (free!) Snow Festival in the Alpine Creek Town Center complete with sledding on a hill with real snow There will also be children’s activities, entertainment, and a visit by Santa Claus, as well as vendors and food for purchase.


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CPUC BURNS SDG&E EFFORT TO CHARGE RATEPAYERS FOR 2007 WILDFIRES

 

 

“We will vigorously pursue all available avenues to overturn this decision.“ -- Lee Schavrien, SDG&E senior vice president and regulatory officer

By Miriam Raftery

 

 November 30, 2017 (San Diego) – Ten years after the 2007 firestorms, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ruled today that San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) cannot charge ratepayers $379 million for the utility’s uninsured losses due to damages in the 2007 firestorms.  By a unanimous decision, the CPUC ruled that SDG&E did not reasonably manage and operate its equipment, which Cal Fire found caused or contributed to the Witch, Guejito and Rice fires.


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SDSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: FORT'S LATE LAYUP SINKS TOREROS 77-76

 

 

Aztecs snap four-game slide vs. USD

Source:  goaztecs.com

Video courtesy goaztecs.com

November 29, 2017 (San Diego) - Behind McKynzie Fort’s driving layup with eight seconds remaining and Khalia Lark’s game-clinching steal, the San Diego State women’s basketball team defeated the University of San Diego in thrilling fashion Thursday night, 77-76, at Steve Fisher Court.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

 

November 29, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

STATE

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


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

 

November 29, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

Sexual harassment scandals

Other national news

 WORLD

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


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NEW HABITAT OPENS AT LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers and Bears, an exotic animal sanctuary in Alpine, has completed a new multi-acre habitat with creature comforts including a large pond, a waterfall, climbing platforms, natural terrain and large trees.


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FREE CONCERT: A BIG BAND CHRISTMAS FEATURING GASLAMP QUARTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA DEC. 17 IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

November 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra will present a free concert on Sunday, December 17 at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Farragut Circle in El Cajon. The program includes a medley of Christmas music.  Doors open at 3:30 p.m.


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EAST COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES APPEAR AT FORUM SPONSORED BY INDIVISIBLE

 

By Paul Kruze

November 29, 2017 (El Cajon) - With the election scheduled next year, some 200 East County Democratic Party faithful gathered at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in downtown El Cajon for a 50th Congressional District candidate forum moderated by KPBS public radio and television journalist Mark Sauer in early November, sponsored by the progressive group, Indivisible. The candidates appearing at the forum were Patrick Malloy, Ammar Campa-Najjar and Pierre (Pete) Beauregard. Candidate Josh Butner did not appear at the forum due to a scheduling conflict. Gloria Chadwick and Glenn Jensen, who had launched a campaign for the House seat in March, have since suspended their campaigns.


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VIETNAMESE, CAMBODIAN IMMIGRANTS DETENTIONS BY ICE CHALLENGED

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (San Diego) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have raised concerns among Asian communities after rounding up and detaining an estimated 200 Vietnamese and Cambodian immigrants in the Bay Area.


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GAS TAX REPEAL EFFORT LAUNCHED

 

 

East County News Service


November 29, 2017 (San Diego) — A statewide gas tax hike that took effect November 1st under Senate Bill 1 raised gas excise taxes by 12 cents a gallon, also hiking up diesel fuel rates. An increase in vehicle registration fees is also slated to go into effect in January. The money is to be used to fix roads, highways and bridges as well as improving public transit.


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LIBRARY PRIVATIZATION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST ESCONDIDO

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (Escondido) -- Libraries are vital sources of information for students, researchers, and the public.  But now, the city of Escondido has voted to privatize its public library on Kalmia Street by hiring Library Systems, a Maryland-based company, over the objections of the library’s trustees. The city claims it could save $400,000 a year through private operation of the library.


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DONATE A TOY FOR A TOT AT A COUNTY AIRPORT

 

There’s an easy way to feel good this holiday season — just put a smile on the face of a less fortunate kid.

It’s easy to do. Simply drop off a new, unwrapped toy into the Toys for Tots donation box at one of four County airports — Gillespie Field in El Cajon, Ramona Airport in Ramona, McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad or Fallbrook Airpark in Fallbrook. You’ll be helping County airports and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve make sure a bunch of kids have a happier holiday!


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VINEYARD HACIENDA OWNERS SWEPT OVER WATERFALL IN HAWAII

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Tragedy has struck a Spring Valley family after George and Gladys Novinger were swept over the towering Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii over the weekend.  Gladys was found unconscious and taken to a hospital, where she died.  Her husband is presumed dead, though his body has not yet been recovered and may have been washed out to sea, according to Hawaii authorities.


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GROWING GREEN AT COUNTY’S ONLY LEGAL MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY

 

ECM's editor goes undercover to compare illicit pot shop to legally licensed dispensary

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2017 (El Cajon) – As cities grapple with how to regulate marijuana-based businesses, Outliers Collective, the county’s only legally licensed medical cannabis dispensary, provides evidence of advantages to licensing and regulating facilities, including product safety testing for consumers, security for employees, and avoiding problems caused by illegal pot shops such as crime, fire hazards, and products contaminated with pesticides.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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SDSU WOMEN'S SOCCER'S MORAN, UTUSH EARN ALL-WEST REGION HONORS

 

Pair recognized by United Soccer Coaches

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 28, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State women’s soccer seniors Stacie Moran and Aliyah Utush were named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I All-West Region Team. Moran landed on the first team, while Utush was a second-team selection.


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EL CAJON COUNCIL IN HOT SEAT WITH HOMELESS FEEDING BAN

 

 

By Paul Kruze

View video of public comment on homeless feeding ban: https://youtu.be/_jJg7WDx_vw

November 28, 2017 (El Cajon) – Members of the El Cajon City Council and Mayor Bill Wells faced vocal opposition Tuesday over the Council’s recently passed temporary ordinance that makes it illegal to feed homeless individuals in City of El Cajon parks.


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SDSU VOLLEYBALL COLLECTS FOUR ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST HONORS

 

Harris, Pritchard named to all-conference team; Little, Cage receive honorable mention

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Middle blocker Deja Harris picked up her third straight all-conference accolade.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

November 27, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State volleyball team had four players earn all-Mountain West honors as announced Monday by the league office. In a vote of the conference’s 11 head coaches, Deja Harris (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Devyn Pritchard (Temecula, Calif.) were both named to the all-MW team, while and Baylee Little (Gilbert, Ariz.) and Alexis Cage (Newport Beach, Calif.) received honorable mention.


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SDSU'S TARIQ THOMPSON NAMED MW DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

 

True freshman earns first career MW honor

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 27, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State true freshman Tariq Thompson (San Diego/St. Augustine HS) has been named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. It is the first career weekly honor for Thompson.


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SDSU MEN'S BASKETBALL DROPS WOODEN LEGACY TITLE BY FIVE

 

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 27, 2017 (Fullerton) - Finally, the Aztecs men’s basketball team got their first day of rest at the Wooden Legacy.  Tonight, they had another late game, but it was worth staying up for; the title game against Washington State in the two squads’ first meeting since 2006.


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BIRD TALK: THE EAGLE HAS LANDED! BALD EAGLES AT LAKE JENNINGS

 

By Greg Dunne                       

November 26, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The eagle has landed! Bald eagles in the East County? Yes, and if you want to see one of nature’s grand majesties, get out to Lake Jennings in December or January and you might get a glimpse of our National Emblem, the American bald eagle!


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FLU DEATHS RISE

 

East County News Service

November 26, 2017 (San Diego) -- Flu cases in San Diego County are at triple the level over last year, and four people have died so far this season, County Health and Human Services Agency has announced.


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SDSU WOMEN'S HOOPS DEFEATED BY TULANE 80-46

 

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Jenay Bojorquez had six points off the bench on Saturday vs. Tulane.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

November 25, 2017 (Bimini, Bahamas) - The San Diego State women’s basketball team suffered its second straight defeat on Saturday after falling to Tulane by an 80-46 count at the Junkanoo Jam.


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SAVING THOSE WHO SAVE OTHERS: A RETIRED CHIEF AIMS TO STOP FIREFIGHTER SUICIDES

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Last year, 69 firefighters in the U.S. died in the line of duty, the National Fire Protection Association reports. But far more --139–took their own lives.

So far this year, 86 firefighters have been lost through suicide—including Cal Fire Captain Ryan Mitchell, who killed himself at the Pine Valley Bridge in San Diego’s East County earlier this month.

Jeff Dill, CEO and founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (www.ffbha.org) , is determined to save firefighters’ lives  through special workshops designed by a firefighter, for a firefighter.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: JUDICIAL CANDIDATE TIM NADER

Listen to the audio link to hear the full interview, and scroll down for highlights.

"Certainly, I would make sure that I would conduct myself in a way that litigants would know that whatever their background, they are going to be listened to, they are going to get a fair shake, and decisions are going to be made based on the evidence in the case and not based on other factors or biases. I think those are the most important prerequisites for being a good judge." -- Tim Nader

By Miriam Raftery

November 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) –  In an interview originally aired on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio,  San Diego Superior Court Judge candidate Tim Nader discusses his experience and judicial values and views of our criminal justice system. 

Nader has criminal , civil and family law experience. He  worked for the state Attorney General  for many years.  He later served as Mayor and City Councilmember in Chula Vista, as a nonprofit executive director, as a community college board trustee, and  as a child support attorney for the County before returning to the Attorney General’s office.

His opponent, Judge Gary Kreep, was censured by the State Commission on Judicial Performance , which found Kreep engaged in 29 acts of judicial misconduct. demonstrating lack of judicial temperament and ran his courtroom in a manner that suggested bias. Kreep made derogatory comments about women attorneys, minorities and people with cases him, among numerous other controversies.

Audio: 

Interview with Tim Nader, San Diego Superior Court judicial candidate

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