New York declares statewide emergency after wastewater testing repeatedly finds polio in four counties; man left paralyzed

By Dr. Henri Migala

Photo: Iron lung machines in Downey, CA circa 1953, U.S. FDA

September 22, 2022 (San Diego) -- San Diego County funds wastewater testing in our region for COVID-19 and, more recently, for Monkeypox. But so far, no testing for polio has been authorized locally-- despite a resurgence in the U.S. of polio, the Governor of New York declaring a ‘state of emergency after the detection of polio in multiple counties, paralysis of one patient, and a directive this week from the Centers for Disease Control urging wastewater testing in at-risk communities.

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2022 (El Cajon) Some people placed in El Cajon motels under the County of San Diego’s motel voucher program for the homeless had extensive criminal histories or were fugitives with arrest warrants, according to a statement issued by El Cajon Police Department. ECPD made the discovery after reviewing arrest records tied to the program.

“The number of criminal drug dealers and fugitives using the County’s motel voucher program is disturbing,” Police Chief Mike Moulton said. “Community safety is my primary concern and the El Cajon Police Department is more than willing to assist the County with better ways of vetting those utilizing their program, if that’s what’s needed.”

By Rhea Joshi, EarthTalk

Photo:  Heinz is working with Pulpex to prototype a food-grade bottle made from sustainably-sourced wood pulp that can be recycled and biodegrades if it is thrown away.

September 23, 2022 (San Diego) - Dear EarthTalk: What’s new in food packaging to make it more sustainable?

--E.C. Bern, NC

East County News Service

September 23, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce Announces Additional Endorsements for the 2022 General Election.

Below is the full list of local candidates now endorsed by the board of directors (*newly announced candidates are designated with an asterisk):

September 23, 2022 (Lakeside) – California Highway Patrol seeks witnesses to a hit-and-run accident last night on State Route 67 southbound near Woodside Avenue in Santee. The CHP also needs help to identify the male victim.

A CHP sergeant conducting an enforcement stop of a blue Nissan Altima on Interstate 8 west of Interstate 5 around 12:34 a.m. noticed front end damage from a recent crash.  Bas on information from the enforcement stop, CHP units found the victim on the shoulder of SR 67 around 12:44 a.m. 

He had sustained major injures consistent with being struck by a vehicle.  Medical aid was administered; however, the man was pronounced deceased on scene due to the extent injuries, says Officer Travis Garrow.

East County News Service

September 22, 2022 (San Diego) – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1636, the Patient Protection Act, into law. The measure was authored by Assemblymember Akila Weber, M.D.. (D-San Diego) whose 79th Assembly district includes portions of East County.

“AB 1636 will preserve confidence in the medical profession by ensuring physicians convicted of sexual misconduct with a patient would automatically have their license revoked and cannot acquire or have it reinstated,” said Assemblymember Weber.

“The heinous behavior of abusing patients goes against everything physicians stand for and should not be tolerated. This legislation is essential to protect patients and the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship.”

East County News Service

September 22, 2022 (La Mesa) -- Seven comedians will perform this Friday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Spacebar Café and Wine Bistro in La Mesa.  The café hosts comedy shows on the fourth Friday each month.

By Elijah McKee

September 20, 2022 (Poway) — “This is probably going to be one of the biggest years ever,” said John LoPiccolo, the Poway Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor, as he addressed the August gala floor below him crowded with musicians, supporters, city councilmembers and fans. 

By Shiloh Ireland

September 21, 2022 (Lakeside) -- At 5:45 pm on September 17th, 50 neighbors gathered for a third protest against the placement of five sex offenders in a house in their close-knit family neighborhood.  Their first protest was September 11th... Mayor Wells of El Cajon attended and offered support, though has no jurisdiction over unincorporated El Cajon, but responded to residents’ invitation to come out.  

When asked if he would talk to the supervisors or anyone else, he replied, "I would be happy to meet with them. This an East County problem.” Wells says of the predators, “Why are they placed here and the County is doing nothing to stop it? There are kids all over the place here. East County is where people are sent when people don't want them in their neighborhood."

East County News Service

September 21, 2022 (Julian) – The first day of Fall brings Julian Farm and Orchard’s “Harvest Fest” to ring in the seasonal spirit. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2022 (El Cajon) – A 45-year-old man who was the passenger in a Silverado truck that crashed into a brick wall on September 12 has died, says Lt. Darrin Forster with El Cajon Police.

Around 1:57 a.m. on Sept. 12, police officers and paramedics responded to the crash scene at 1576 Greenfield Drive, where a 2020 black Chevrolet Silverado truck had struck a brick wall at a residence. Both the driver, a 37-year-old woman, and the male passenger were taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. 

The male passenger was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The female driver is expected to survive her injuries, according to Lt. Forster.

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2022 (New York) – Today, New York Attorney General Leticia James filed a civil fraud lawsuit against former president Donald Trump, his family members and the Trump Organization for alleged financial fraud.

“We’re also making a criminal referral to the U.S. Department of Justice,” James announced. On Twitter, she posted, “There aren’t two sets of laws for people in this nation: former presidents must be held to the same standards as everyday Americans.”

Her office has also referred the matter to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York and to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to investigate possible state and federal criminal laws.

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2022 (Lakeside) – Last week, East County Magazine reported on Lakeside residents protesting the secret placement of five sex offenders at a home on Blossom Valley Road in their community. Now, residents have launched a GoFundMe page called “Help Protect Lakeside” to raise funds for legal costs to fight this action.

The page states, “Our Lakeside Community is devastated to find out a home in our small HOA Community is being utilized as a Facility to house up to 6 Registered Sex Offenders at all times. Our small community and surrounding neighborhoods have been blindsided by these events, and we no longer feel safe. The home, aka facility, will continue to be a revolving door for convicted criminals.”