County approves tough migrant protections, but Sheriff says state laws should prevail;  El Cajon Council weighs city’s legal and moral obligations

Update:  The letter sent by Mayor Wells to the Attorney General is now available here.The letter states that the City Council is considering a resolution declaring the city's intent to "comply with federal immigration laws and assist federal authorities in their enforcement efforts to the maximum extent possible."

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Right, El Cajon Mayor Wells calls sanctuary policies "stupid and dangerous." He has voiced support for Trump's mass deportation policies but wants clarification on the city's legal obligations.

Left, Councilman Gary Kendrick does not support having police "dragging children out of schools or churches" or aiding in deportation of residents with no criminal records,only those guilty of serious crimes.

December 11, 2024 (San Diego) – Yesterday, San Diego County Supervisors and El Cajon’s City Council held discussions that could determine fates of many immigrant residents—and set the stage for showdowns among federal, state and local authorities. San Diego County has an estimated 169,000 undocumented residents, according to the Migration Policy Institute, based on 2019 data.

The incoming Trump administration has announced plans to deport millions of immigrants nationwide—and demands that local authorities cooperate in mass deportation efforts. But a California law, Senate Bill 54, passed during the last Trump term, prohibits state and local jurisdictions from cooperating with federal authorities on deportation,with notable exceptions for serious crimes. Local authorities are carefully weighing the legal and moral implications of potential actions.

December 10, 2024 (Alpine) --  California Highway Patrol has closed Interstate 8 eastbound, east of East Willows Road in Alpine is currently closed due to multiple overturned big rigs caused by high winds. There is no estimated time for re-opening. Expect significant delays and avoid the area if possible.

View video: https://x.com/i/status/1866556789279559868 

By Miriam Raftery

December 9, 2024 (San Diego) – A 15-year-old San Marcos girl is fighting for her life after suffering serious injuries. After running away from a treatment facility in North County, she was found in Mendocino “on the side of a highway, barely alive, some 600 miles away. Marielynn Watson was the victim of a horrific attack from a pack of off-leash dogs,” says Ron Logan, an East County Magazine photographer and cousin of the injured teen.

Logan, along with Marielynn’s father, David Watson, have started a GoFundMe site to help cover medical expenses for Marielynn, who remains hospitalized after multiple surgeries, with more needed.

“When I first saw her, I almost passed out,” Watson told ECM, adding that he was unemployed at the time of the attack by several pit bull dogs and has no insurance to cover his daughter’s medical bills. In addition to worrying about his daughter’s health, he is concerned that he could face financial ruin as the medical bills mount.

Audits to focus on "split ticket" swing states where Trump won while down-ballot Republicans lost; donations sought to support effort

Hear our interview with Ray Lutz, originally aired on KNSJ Radio, on his election audit efforts and potential consequences

File photo:  Ray Lutz, founder of Citizens Oversight Projects

December 8, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Citizens Oversight, a nonprofit based in El Cajon, is launching a series of ballot image audits across key counties in swing states to examine the integrity of the 2024 election outcomes.

The audits will focus on swing states where Donald Trump won over Kamala Harris in the presidential race, while down-ballot Republicans lost.  Initial attention will be on areas such as Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona and North Carolina.

Audits will be only feasible in areas where ballot images and cast vote records are available.

According to Citizens Oversight’s press release,“The effort is grounded in well-documented concerns about vulnerabilities in election systems, including the unauthorized exposure of voting machine software in recent years. This exposure may have allowed malicious actors to exploit weaknesses within the systems. The report from Mesa County, Colorado, revealed a `back door’ in the Dominion election management system (EMS), enabling results to be accessed and altered, raising further alarm about the potential for undetected manipulation. These same concerns were documented in the case DeKalb GOP vs. Raffensperger where the computer security expert Clay Parikh said the Dominion voting system security was `horrible,’ and that no election should be trusted.”

By Mike Allen

December 6, 2024 (Santee) --Another concession vendor bites the dust at Santee Lakes No. 4.

Angry Pete’s exercised its option not to renew its lease at the scenic decked outpost in the middle of the park last month,  then closed down its window effective Dec.1.

On his Facebook page, Angry Pete’s owner Pete Harbison said his business and himself were stretched too thin to keep the outlet going.

“The hard truth is that like many businesses, we've faced a challenging and rough road. The ever-increasing food and labor costs have made it harder and harder to maintain our business at a break-even level. We don't want to get rich, but we do need to at least break even,” Harbison said. “On top of that, despite pouring all of my time, energy and finances into staying open, I've had to face the reality that I’ve left very little for my own family—in both time & security.”

Webinar on identity theft prevention will detail ways to protect your information

Source:  San Diego County Credit Union

December 4, 2024 (San Diego) - San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), one of San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institutions, is offering free resources and raising awareness regarding identity theft crimes during National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. On Wednesday, December 18 at 12 p.m., SDCCU will be hosting the Identity Theft 101 webinar, in partnership with the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). The webinar will be presented by Mike DiTurno, training and development specialist, for the ITRC.

This webinar will define identity crime, explain how identity thieves obtain and use your information, discuss how to protect yourself from identity theft and what to do if you suspect identity theft.

East County News Service

December 3, 2024 (La Mesa) – The body of Vivian Crowder, a 71-year-old woman with dementia who has been missing since October 29^th was found this morning by workers from  Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol along the onramp from La Mesa Boulevard to eastbound Interstate 8.

By Miriam Raftery

December 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire investigators have arrested a serial arsonist accused of setting nine fires across East County between Nov. 10 and Nov. 30.

Allen Dinoyo, a transient resident of San Diego, will be charged with multiple felonies. He is accused of starting vegetation fires on Nov.10 in Jamul, followed by six fires on Nov. 20 in Rancho San Diego, Jamul, and Dehesa, as well as two more fires on Nov.30 in San Diego and La Mesa.

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2024 (La Mesa) -- A man who reportedly threatened police officers and security officers was arrested this afternoon at Grossmont Center.

According to La Mesa Police Lieutenant Matt Conlon, police were summoned after the suspect caused a commotion in the food court and other stores, also threatening security officers. When La Mesa Police officers arrived, "He threatened our officers and charged at security personnel, resulting in a tussle," Lt. Conlon told ECM.

Source:  Office of the Attorney General

November 30, 2024 (Oakland) - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today urged shoppers to be on the lookout for common scams this holiday season and offered tips on how to shop safely. As Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approach, Californians should stay alert and take action to protect themselves and their loved ones from purchases that can cause headaches and heartbreak.   

“As the holiday season approaches and folks look for the best deals, consumers should slow down and check their safety list twice,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.  “I urge Californians to know their rights, familiarize themselves with shopping pitfalls, and report scams and illegal activity to my office and local law enforcement agencies. Happy and safe shopping, California!”

By Miriam Raftery

November 28, 2024 (La Mesa) – Thanks to all of you who turned out in style at our Roaring ‘20s party on November 17 at Wineworks in La Mesa.  We appreciate your support, which is vital to sustain our independent news reporting as well as our wildfire and emergency alerts.

The event recreated the era of flappers, Great Gatsby, rum runners and Prohibition--including historical highlights of the era right here in East County!

We extend our special appreciation to the following for supporting our "party of the century":

• Wineworks,  for generously donating space and a percentage of all wine sold
• Joseph Luna Duo, for their jazz performance evoking the 1920s Jazz Era
• California Coast Credit Union, for their generous music sponsorship
• Cupid’s Catering, for a delicious feast
• The La Mesa Historical Society and their representative, Kristine Alessio, for educating our guests on local history during Prohibition
• Our raffle and silent auction prize donors:  San Pasqual Winery,  Time and Treasures, Little Roma Italian restaurant, Alvarado Skincare Institute, Amethyst Moon, Maxwell's House of Books, Jackalope, Public Square coffee house and private donors.

If you missed the event, but would like to support our nonprofit community journalism, you can donate at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate .

Here are more photos from East County Media's "Roaring '20s" festivities:

By Miriam Raftery

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council on Tuesday adopted the 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update, a roadmap for reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in La Mesa.

The 2024 CAP Update introduces six comprehensive strategies, an expansion from the five outlined in the original 2018 CAP. These strategies include: 

• Building Energy Efficiency 

• Clean and Renewable Energy 

• Clean and Efficient Transportation 

• Water Efficiency 

• Waste Reduction 

• Urban Natural Environment. 

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Yesterday, sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield was conditionally released from Coalinga State Hospital as a transient.  He has been temporarily placed at a home at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch in Jacumba Hot Springs.

He will have 24-hour supervision by Liberty Healthcare,  a private company contracted by the state. There are several conditions for his release, including that Liberty Healthcare will provide a security employee to accompany Wakefield on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week basis.

Newly released photo shows Vivian Crowder on day she went missing

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) – Vivian Crowder, 71, who has dementia, has been missing for four weeks. La Mesa Police have released a photo of Crowder when shew as last seen on Oct. 29 at 12:14 p.m. walking along the shoulder of state route 125 north, near the I-8 overpass. She was wearing a blue denim jacket, headwrap, floral shirt, black stretch pants and turquoise shoes.

California Highway Patrol received a report of a pedestrian on the freeway and checked the area at the time, but did not locate her.  Lieutenant Katy Lynch with La Mesa Police says, “We are hoping that a good Samaritan picked her up and drove her someplace, and if so, we hope they will contact us and let us know where they took her.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Merle Wakefield, left, and Alvin Quarles, right

November 22, 2024 (San Diego) – Two San Diego judges have ordered “transient releases” to temporary locations for sexually violent predators Alvin Quarles and Merle Wakefield. The decisions came after repeated failed attempts at permanent housing for the men. The exact locations where they will be released have not yet been disclosed, though both are slated to wear ankle monitors and be guarded 24/7 by security or law enforcement personnel.

Quarles has been dubbed the “bolder than most” rapist for a series of sexual assaults in the 1980s committed at knife point, sometimes with the victim’s husband or boyfriend forced to watch. Wakefield has been convicted of rape and lewd acts with a child. Both men served many years in prison and received treatment in a state mental hospital prior to the state authorizing their release.