By Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2021 (Lakeside) – Since 1932, the Barona Powwow has been an event for Native American tribal members to gather.  The pandemic cancelled last year’s event, but this weekend the powwow returns with the theme “Back to our roots.”

On September 4 and 5, events include gourd dancing from 2-5 p.m. supper from 5-7 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., a parade and social dancing. Activities take place at the Barona Sports Complex on the Barona Indian Reservation in Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2021 (El Cajon) – A campus supervisor at Valhalla High School has been put on paid administrative leave after a video went viral showing him pressing a knee on the neck of an African-American female student. The controversial restraint tactic was used in an effort to break up a fight between two students on August 31.

East County News Service

September 4, 2021 (San Diego) – Supervisors Joel Anderson and Nora Vargas invite you to share your ideas on transparency in county government during a Transparency Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, September 7 from 5 p.m to 6:30 p.m.  both in person at the County Administration Building and online via Zoom.

East County News Service

September 3, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Historical Society invites you to savor a gala dinner with live Flamenco dancers on Saturday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the H. Lee House courtyard, 3205 Olive in Lemon Grove. The event celebrates Treganza Heritage Park, the new name of the cultural landscape that includes H. Lee House and the Parsonage Museum.

East County News Service

September 3, 2021 (El Cajon) -- Foodie Fest aims to reignite the City of El Cajon restaurant/food services industry while celebrating the community’s diversity, supporting a major local non-profit and increasing a presence in Downtown El Cajon. The event will be hosted on Saturday, October 9, 4:00-8:00 p.m.

East County News Service

Photo: creative comments image by NC-ND via Bing

September 3, 2021 (Spring Valley) -- Yesterday around 7;30 a.m., San Diego County Sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant at an illegal marijuana dispensary located at 9966 Dolores Street in Spring Valley.

Source: San Diego Humane Society

East County News Service

September 1, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – Residents of Lemon Grove are invited to dispose of household hazardous waste free on September 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A reservation is required and can be made by calling (619) 287-5696 or email lmhhw@edcodisposal.com.  Two additional household hazardous waste drop-off events are slated for Oct. 23 and Dec. 4.  See flyer for full details.

By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH

September 2, 2021 (San Diego) - As in many other technologically advanced democracies, the U.S. is blessed with highly trained medical personnel and superb facilities. However, we are also by far the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Our taxes fund 65% of the total costs of our healthcare system (Harrison, 2008). More than 30 cents on every dollar goes to large partly unaccountable administrative bureaucracies that, on the whole, do not make a positive contribution to actual health care (Harrison, 2018).

Source: Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

September 1, 2021 (Sacramento) -- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has closed 33 properties that lie within or immediately adjacent to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) boundaries due to extreme fire conditions. Effective immediately, these properties are closed to the public through Friday, Sept. 17.