By Miriam Raftery

September 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Undercover officers with the San Diego Regional Auto Theft Task Force infiltrated organized auto theft rings locally, says CHP Captain Charles Leonard. Through a sting operation at a storefront in East County, suspects were caught on video selling stolen vehicles, guns, ammunition and narcotic drugs to undercover detectives.

On August 31, the task force announced that Operation Sunrise has resulted in recovery of stolen vehicles worth an estimated $3.3 million.  Fifty suspects have been indicted on crimes including auto theft, identity theft, illegal firearms possession and selling drugs.  Officers also seized  narcotics and 14 firearms, including several untraceable and illegal ghost guns.

La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney, who serves as the task force's Executive Chair, said cracking down on auto thefts is important because stolen cars are often used to commit other crimes, 10 News reports.

By Mike Allen

September 1, 2023 (Santee) -- The owner of the Santee Drive-In Theater said the outdoor movie complex that opened in 1958 will shut down in January. In a press statement, Susan Boyd, a member of the Forte Family, said the business “is no longer economically viable.”

“We are facing loss of customers, higher costs, equipment obsolescence, competition from streaming services, and the inability to show some of the newly released films.  Like movie theaters across the country, we can’t afford to stay open,” she said.

Instead of letting the property sit vacant, the family selected North Palisade Partners of Los Angeles as buyers in a sale that’s expected to occur in 2024, according to the recent press statement.

This news confirms what East County Magazine reported in early May, based on several reliable sources.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of Governor Newsom’s office

August 19, 2023 (San Diego) – Governor Gavin Newsom signed an emergency declaration today while in San Diego, where he visited National Guard troops that he ordered stationed here to protect our region from Hurricane Hilary’s strong winds and torrential rains forecast to slam our region tomorrow.

“California has thousands of people on the ground working hand-in-hand with federal and local personnel to support communities in Hurricane Hilary’s path with resources, equipment and expertise," Gov. Newsom said. "We’re mobilizing all of government as we prepare and respond to this unprecedented storm.”

Over 7,500 people have been dispatched by the Governor to help San Diego and other Southern California communities.  The Governor indicated he has also been in touch with federal officials in the  Biden administration, including the White House and other agencies, ECM news partner 10 News reports.