By Mike Allen

Photos courtesy of Santee Fire Department

May 23, 2024 (Santee)-- A fire that sent large plumes of smoke across East County yesterday was caused when workers at the Advanced Water Purification (AWP) project in Santee were joining together two large pieces of plastic pipe.

Santee Fire Chief Justin Matsushita said while workers were fusing two large pipes that are 42 inches in diameter, the plastic material, called HDPE, caught fire and quickly overwhelmed the workers, prompting their 911 call.

East County News Service

May 22, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – A Lemon Grove family’s trip for a family wedding in New Jersey ended in a double tragedy. 

Ben Canales has started a fundraiser for his friends, Alex and Amber Gasin of Lemon Grove. The couple went to a Mets baseball game and left their 6-month-old son, Micah, with his grandfather. But a storm passed through that night, causing unimaginable devastation to the family.

We deeply appreciate the support of local businesses and nonprofit organizations that have donated to suppport East County Magazine's news reporting in the public interest and/or our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

Please support  these local businesses and organizations -- and let them know you that value their support of community journalism!

Our 1^st quarter 2024 business and organizational donors and sponsors are:

Platinum Level Sponsors ($5,000 or more)

Grossmont  Healthcare District

Gold Level Sponsors ($1,000 to $4,999)

Moon Valley Nurseries

San Diego Chimney Sweeps

San Diego Regional Fire Foundation

Silver Level Sponsors: ($100 to $999)

• Camp Bow-Wow
• CSA San Diego County
• Karen Floyd Portraits
• Lemon Grove Bistro
• Lemon Grove Lions Club
• Local Umbrella Media
• Maxwell’s House of Books
• Roots Real Estate

Bronze Level Sponsors ($25 to $99)

• Barn House Barbecue in Lemon Grove
• Jessyka Heredia hairdresser,  El Cajon
• Purple Owl Cafe in Julian
  

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2024 (Alpine)—Sweetwater Authority has still not replaced or repaired the floating fishing dock that was partially destroyed at Loveland Reservoir in Alpine more than a year ago by heavy storms back in January 2023.  On Wednesday,  agenda item 9.1 asks the board to decide whether or not to authorize buying and installing a replacement fishing platform in the reservoir.

“This is the second time this has been on the agenda since Sweetwater recovered the insurance funds,”says Russell Walsh, a citizens’ advocate who has been calling on Sweetwater to replace the floating fishing dock. According to Walsh, a majority vote is not guaranteed; he urges concerned residents to contact Sweetwater’s general manager, Carlos Quintero, to urge support. Residents can also speak at the meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday in person or remotely.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Shutterstock:  Measles vaccine

May 14,2024 (San Diego) -- County public health officials have confirmed the third case of measles in the region this year in a 13-month-old resident who recently traveled overseas. 

The unimmunized infant may have exposed others at the following times and locations: 

• Children’s Primary Care Medical Group El Cajon located at 844 Jackman St., on May 12, from 9:10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Rady Children’s Emergency Department located at 3020 Children’s Way, 1st Floor in San Diego, on May 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

The County previously confirmed two other cases in the region this year. None of the three cases are linked, but all are associated with international travel. Before 2024, the last confirmed measles case in the County was in 2019. 

County epidemiologists are working with Children’s Primary Care Medical Group El Cajon and Rady Children’s Hospital to identify and follow up with patients and staff to determine if those possibly exposed at these locations have been vaccinated. They will also evaluate their potential for developing measles.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

May 14, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Dozens of union members rallied last week in Sacramento, calling on lawmakers to pass a set of bills called the California Worker Climate Bill of Rights. The bills are intended to integrate worker's rights into the clean-energy transition.

The Climate Resilient Schools Act would create the first master plan to make sure our schools have clean, cool air, adequate shade and energy-efficient buildings and buses.

Update May 14, 2024:  This fire has been extinguished after charring 18 acres and destroying the home where it started.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

May 13, 2024 (Alpine)-- Cal Fire is responding to a brush fire, #Love21C, south of Loveland Reservoir in Alpine. The fire has burned 15 acres and is spreading at a moderate rate of speed, with potential for 100 acres, according to Cal Fire.  

The fire  started at  1900 Sloane Canyon Rd. and Loveland Reservoir and is zero percent contained, per the Watch Duty Ap.

“AT&T failed to demonstrate the availability of replacement providers...Additionally, public commenters at CPUC public forums highlighted the unreliability of voice alternatives such as mobile wireless or VOIP.” –CPUC

May 10, 2024 (Sacramento) – After hearing from consumers across the state and reviewing evidence in the record, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today issued a proposal rejecting AT&T’s request to withdraw as a carrier of last resort (COLR), which would have ended land line service across San Diego County and other areas. The CPUC also indicated that it intends to initiate a new Rulemaking process to address COLR telecommunications service obligations.

The proposal will be on the CPUC’s June 20 Voting Meeting agenda.

AT&T's plan to pull the plug on land line phone service has drawn strong opposition from rural residents in East County and elsewhere in California, as ECM reported in February, as well as from consumer advocates who warn that ending land lines would leave many in rural or remote locations with no reliable phone service at all, since Internet VOIP phone service is not widely available in many places and some areas also lack cell phone connectivity. Even for those with cell service, land lines have proven life-saving options when cell towers have burned down during wildfires in places such as rural Potrero.

By Miriam Raftery

A report has been filed with La Mesa Police by a resident disturbed over anti-Semitic flyers found across her 73^rd Street neighborhood on Sunday morning.

“The police found them throughout at least West La Mesa, where I live, and have collected enough for evidence,” says Jane Peterson, who filed a report.  An officer advised her that “LMPD had already received calls and they were investigating it.” LMPD is interested in viewing any surveillance video community members might have to help identify those distributing the flyers and their vehicle (s),  she adds.  “I hope that La Mesa has a plan in place to stop this in its tracks immediately.”

Source: CSA San Diego County

May 6, 2024 -- Join CSA San Diego County and learn about your rights as a tenant!  This free one-hour presentation will be held Monday, May 20 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the community room at the Lemon Grove Library. Everybody is welcome to join!. RSVP here.

CSA San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is the promotion of social justice and public welfare through programs, services, and advocacy against all forms of discrimination, including advocacy for the eradication of housing discrimination to assure equal housing opportunity for all individuals. CSA can be reached at (619) 444-5700 or at outreach@c4sa.org.

Topics to be discussed in this presentation include: 

- What is Fair Housing? 

- What are protected classes?

- What to do if you have faced housing discrimination.

- What to know before you rent.

- Just cause and no fault evictions.

RSVP to reserve space: Only a few seats are left!

You’re  invited to our next East County Dining Club event! This event benefits East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency alerts. Everyone is welcome to attend our event at this popular new eatery founded by chefs with international experience!

When: Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Where:  Lemon Grove Bistro & Beer Garden, 3308 Main St., Lemon Grove

 RSVP to editor@eastcountymagazine.org or call (619) 698-7617; include your name and the number in our party.

What:  The menu features European and American cuisine, including many delicious dishes such as Spanish paella, Scottish salmon, French-inspired Beef Bourguignon, Greek lemon chicken, pastas, fish, chicken, meatloaf, soups, fisherman’s stew, burger, and vegetarian options such as Cauliflower steak with Chimichurri, a variety of salads, spinach/cheese ravioli, and portabello steak. Plus savor wonderful desserts, beers and wine vintages.

Win prizes!  Our event includes an amazing raffle with many prizes and gift certificates galore donated by local businesses: