Public records search by ECM finds 1,805 accidents, including 20 fatalities and 673 injuries from 2018 to the present

By Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – On Sept. 27, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a request for proposals to erect electronic billboards along Interstate 8 and potentially, other areas in the city.  The action reversed a July 25 vote, when Council rejected a similar proposal by a 3-2 vote. But after the measure was amended to assure revenues from billboards would be used primarily to fund police, firefighting and the arts, the Council majority opted to ignore concerns over public safety and approve soliciting proposals for the flashing advertising along the city's busiest freeway.

Supporters argued that the billboards would produce revenues needed by the city.

But Councilman Jack Shu, who cast the lone vote against the proposal, and other opponents argued that these flashing billboards could distract drivers, particularly near the busy interchange of I-8 and State Route 125 near Grossmont Center regional shopping mall.

How dangerous is that area already?  Council and staff failed to do their research.

To find out, East County Magazine (ECM) obtained public records from the California Highway Patrol.  Our editor requested data on accidents along I-8 east and west throughout the city of  La Mesa from  Lake Murray Blvd. on the west to  Chase Ave. in El Cajon,  since one billboard site would be near the La  Mesa/El Cajon boundary.  We also asked for data on accidents on onramps connecting I-8 and SR 125.

The data reveals that from  Jan. 1, 2018 to Oct. 10, 2023, there were 1,805 accidents in those locations.  Those accidents resulted in 20 fatalities and 673 injuries.

By Miriam Raftery

October 12,  2023 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Congressional Representatives Sara Jacobs and Darrell Issa have posted information for constituents impacted by the terrorist attacks in Israel.

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

October 12, 2023 (Santee) -- This is what is left of the home of Rick and Darlene Matthews, who have lived in the home on Ashdale Lane in Santee for 46 years. A Sunday afternoon fire claimed the life of Mrs. Matthews, 80.  Her husband, 78, survived.

East County News Service

October 12, 2023 (La Mesa) – In recognition of Health Literacy Month, the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is hosting a day of learning about the importance of communicating and understanding health information. 

By Rebecca Person

Photos by R. Person and Noah Miller

October 10, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- What began as a trickle of migrant activity at the Mexican border outside small towns in the farthest corner of east San Diego County has surged to a humanitarian crisis - a river, a deluge of hundreds of border crossings here daily. The scene has mirrored and surpassed the crisis last May, when the towns of Jacumba Hot Springs and Boulevard felt a sudden wave of migrants when Title 42 was lifted and Title 8 returned.

Those changes allowed migrants to apply for asylum.  But for those not able to qualify for asylum, crossing the border can lead to formal deportation back to one’s country of origin and possible criminal prosecution if the person makes a second entry within five years. 

Humanitarian groups such as Border Kindness have joined local resident volunteers and some church groups to bring a steady supply of donations - bottled water, blankets, jackets and tarps to migrants camped along the border fence. Also sandwiches, especially the peanut butter kind.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Screenshot of Indigenous People’s Day video posted by San Diego Miramar College on Facebook.

October 10, 2023 (San Diego) -- Indigenous People’s cultural awareness day was celebrated in different ways in San Diego County in 2023. Here are some of the events and activities that took place:

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians hosted an all-day event that included tellings of the tribe’s cultural stories and exhibitions of the tribe’s art and craftsmanship. There were also traditional foods available throughout the park. There was an opening blessing ceremony at 10 a.m., a closing prayer at 4 p.m., and live music performed by members of the San Pasqual band.

At San Diego Miramar College, there was an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with free frybread tacos and a musical performance by the Soaring Eagles of Southern California.

East County News Service

Photo: Brett Sayles (Pexels)

October 10, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Filipino American History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions and achievements of Filipino Americans in the United States. It is also a time to learn about the rich and diverse history and culture of the Philippines and its people.

California and San Diego have a special connection to Filipino American history, as they are the places where the first Filipinos arrived in the continental United States. On October 18, 1587, a group of Filipino sailors landed on what is now Morro Bay, California, aboard the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza1. They were the first modern Asians to set foot on American soil, and they established trade and cultural exchanges with the native Chumash and Obispeño peoples2, according to Bing AI.

By Miriam Raftery

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and the California Senate Republican Caucus have both issued statements supporting Israel in the wake of the deadly Hamas attacks and Israel’s declaration of war on Hamas. The statements voice a rare example of unity in standing behind America’s ally.

“California stands with Israel. What we are witnessing is nothing short of horrific. Women, children — innocent people — being targeted with brutal acts of terrorism by Hamas. All on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War,” Governor Newsom posted on X (formerly Twitter) on October 8.

He continued, “There is simply no justification for this. I stand with Israel and its people in denouncing this horrific act of terrorism. We must demand an end to this violence — now.”

Two days later, the California Senate Republican Caucus issued this statement strongly denouncing the attack as "barbaric."

Click the images left or right for 8-10% of your Halloween costume purchase to benefit East County Magazine

East County News Service

October 9, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Halloween is a night of mystery, magic, and mischief. It is a time when people dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, and go trick-or-treating. But how did this tradition start? And what does it mean to different cultures and religions?

By Miriam Raftery

October 7,2023 (San Diego) --    The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced early this morning, “We are at war,” after Hamas launched attacks targeting Israel cities, killing and capturing civilians.  “Thousands of rockets have been firedto the south and center of Isarel, including at Jerusalem.” The Israeli government accused Palestinian “terrorists” of patrolling streets and “slaughtering innocent civilians” releasing a video that showed bombs igniting fires in urban areas and gunmen in the streets. The post on X added that civilians have been captured, adding, “We will take every measure to protect our citizens and target those who harm them.”  The post said at least 100 Israelis were killed and 900 wounded.

Hamas claimed it fired 5,000 rocket and claims to have captured Israeli soldiers including senior military officers. Hamas spokesman Khaled Qadomi told  Al Jazeera that its goal is for “the international community to stop atrocities in Gaza, against Palestinian people, our holy sites like Al-Aqsa,” a reference to a mosque that has been the site of conflicts between Gaza settlers and Palestinians in recent days.

Film on social media shows a bulldozer apparently breaking down a border fence that separated Israel and Gaza.