Mountains and deserts forecast to get 5-7 inches of rain, with winds up to 60 mph

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Hurricane Hilary is barreling toward San DIego County, slated to hit this weekend.

“The storm is going inland, so the strongest winds will be in the mountains,” meteorologist Miguel Miller with the National Weather Service in San Diego told  East County Magazine. “The rainfall, flood potential and winds are actually going to be stronger the more east you go. This will be a really wet and windy storm.”

Currently a category 2 hurricane, Hilary could be upgraded to a category 4 by the time it hits Baja, Mexico, though it will likely be downgraded to a tropical storm once it reaches San Diego County. However, the impacts will still pack a wallop, with thunderstorms, very heavy rains and flooding likely --with the worst in inland areas.

Desert areas are forecast to be soaked with 5-7 inches of rain, with 5-7 inches in the mountains, 2.5 inches in Alpine, and 1.75 inches in El Cajon from Saturday through Monday. The worst of the storm is expected to peak on Sunday.

Wind gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour are expected in the mountains, with 30 to 50 mph winds on the desert floor. West of the mountains, 30 to 40 mph winds are forecast. High surf will occur along the coast.

This isn’t the first time a hurricane has hit our region.

Back in September 1976,  Hurricane Kathleen had a similar trajectory. Designate a tropical cyclone by the time it reached our region, it as ECM previously reported on an anniversary of that storm, it caused massive flooding and destruction.

East County News Service

August 16, 2023 (San Diego's East County)—Yesterday the  Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a published opinion vacating as “arbitrary and capricious” the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA) denial of a petition by an environmental organization, Backcountry Against Dumps.

The group sought discretionary review of a plan by Terra-Gen Development Company to construct 72 wind turbines, including 60 that would be 586 feet tall on the crest of the Coast Range on the Campo reservation in the Campo-Boulevard areas of San Diego's East County. The turbines would be roughly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and located within the principal aviation corridor between San Diego, California and Yuma, Arizona.

Backcountry’s petition recognized the vital need for renewable energy to counter climate change, but pointed out that public and environmental safety must also be factored into project reviews.

It cited documentation showing the turbines would pose collision hazards to fixed wing and rotary aircraft, impair radar function, potentially trigger greenhouse gas-emitting wildfires due to wind-induced sparking of power lines, lightning strikes and overheating of rotors, impede aerial firefighting and other emergency response, and force air traffic to fly at higher altitudes more prone to icing hazards to clear these enormous obstructions.

By Jacob Pamus

Photo:  Pastor Rolland Slade speaks out on Council's decision to defund the task force.

Updated August 21 with statements from Bonnie Baranoff, Coordinatorof the East County Homeless  Task Force, disputing the city's assertions and media statements.

August 16, 2023  (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council majority voted to drop its funding for the East County Homeless Task Force.  Ironically El Cajon has the most homeless among East County communities and 16% of the homeless in San Diego County. 

City Manager, Graham Mitchell said during a Council meeting in late July that even though El Cajon’s interests do align with the task force, “Over time, that alignment has been shifting.” Mitchell  noted that initially he was in support of the task force because of how many different perspectives were involved, including law enforcement and business oriented individuals, but now he does not see that.

By Miriam Raftery

August 14, 2023 (El Cajon)—Attorneys representing a woman who was struck by a Waste Management trash truck and seriously injured held a press conference today at a Waste Management dump site in El Cajon to announce a lawsuit against the trash collection and recycling company.

 “On February 5, 2021, Deanna Beck was walking through the parking garage in her apartment complex, in a designated crosswalk, when an employee of Waste Management Cesar Colin skewered her with the metal tines of the garbage truck he was operating in the course and scope of his employment,”  states a press release issued by S. Harris Communications on behalf of her attorneys,  John Gomez and Corey Garrard with Gomez Trial Attorneys.

The lawsuit filed in Superior Court contends that Beck suffered brain trauma, neck injuries and dysautonomia, a disorder of the central nervous system.

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2023 (Washington D.C.)—Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Friday that he has appointed U.S. Attorney David Weiss to serve as a special prosecutor to oversee the probe into Hunter Biden, the son of  President Joe Biden.  Weiss was already overseeing the Justice Department’s investigation of Hunter Biden, but a special prosecutor has more independence to launch a potentially broader probe and report directly to Garland. 

Weiss was nominated by then-President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. Despite this, some  Republican leaders have criticized his appointment as special prosecutor, because Weiss oversaw a plea deal that has since fallen apart.

Suzanne Potter, California News Service

August 11, 2023 (Sacramento) -- Consumer groups are fighting a proposal in Congress which would fast-track installation of 5G high-speed wireless internet equipment by limiting local government input on permitting.

House Resolution 3557 would require local governments to process many permit applications within 60 to 150 days depending on the size of the project. If they don't it would be automatically approved.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Fire burns Lahaina, Maui; courtesy of the Hawaii Department of Transportation

August 10, 2023 (Lahaina) – Wildfires fanned by a hurricane offshore have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui, killing at least 36 people and leaving thousands homeless. The historic heart of Lahaina in west Maui has been destroyed, with some fleeing into the ocean to escape flames fanned by 80 mile-per-hour winds from  Hurricane Dora south of the island. Two other fires also continue to burn out of control in central Maui, where parts of Kuna remain evacuated.

Fires have also impacted the Big Island, though the largest in the Kohala area is 60% contained.FEMA has provided help, and emergency shelters there have closed.

But on Maui, the Lahaina and Upcountry fires continue to rage as devastation continues. Burn centers are overrun, including some patients who suffered smoke inhalation.

The hurricane knocked out power across fire-stricken Maui, leaving thousands without communications as panicked residents and tourists rushed to evacuate the fast-moving infernos.

With the Governor out of state, Acting Governor Sylvia Luke signed an emergency proclamation, activated the National Guard, and urged visitors to leave the island.  Tourists with reservations on  Maui are urged not to come, in order to free up hotel rooms for displaced residents.   “This is not a safe place to be,” she said at a news conference yesterday.

East County News Service

August 8, 2023 (El Cajon) --  A 58-year-old man was found dead in his room at the El Cajon Inn & Suites motel this morning by an employee who called 911.  The worker entered the room to check on the welfare of the guest, who had not been seen for several days.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

August 7, 2023 (La Mesa) – A wanted felon was shot and killed yesterday afternoon by La Mesa Police. 

As is protocol,  San Diego Police Department is investigating the shooting. ECM news partner reports that SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski says

According to SDPD, around 4:15, an officer recognized the suspect, 41, who had an active felony warrant.  The officer confronted him in the parking lot of the Cypress Plaza condominiums in the  8000 block of University Avenue.

According to LMPD officers, the man pulled out a handgun during the interaction and fired, striking a passing vehicle, said Lt. Shebloski, 10 News reports.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Cherry Diefenbach: Pine Valley Bridge on Old Highway 80  is among the bridges receiving honorary names.

August 6, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County Supervisors in July unanimously voted to approve honorary naming of four bridges to commemorate pioneering leaders in East County.  The request was made by District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson, in response to requests from community members, petitions signed by at least 100 residents, and approval by each community’s planning group or sponsor group.

August 4, 2023 – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board Vice President and former General Manager August A. Caires passed away on August 2.

Board President Bill Pommering shares, “Augie served this District and his community with outstanding distinction for nearly 30 years. He was a good friend and colleague to many of us. He will be missed greatly.”

Caires led the District as General Manager from 1993 to 2006 and served on Padre Dam’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2023. He served as Board President in 2009 and 2017 and Vice President in 2008, 2011, 2015-2016 and 2023. Caires served on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program’s Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023. He was also a Veteran of the United States Army.

By Mike Allen

August 4, 2023 (Santee) -- One year into the construction of the $950 million East County Advanced Water Purification Program (AWP_, the largest infrastructure project in the region’s history is starting to take shape.

Huge concrete and steel structures with names such as digesters, headworks, clarifiers, equalization tanks, and aeration basins are sprouting at the end of Fanita Parkway in Santee where the Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Plant used to exist.

The facility that once produced some 2 million gallons of water used for irrigation is being transformed to a far larger entity that will produce some 11.5 million gallons of drinkable water daily for about 500,000 East County residents.

Owner cites financial need, but residents say they're getting a raw deal and seek legal counsel

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Milt Cyphert

August 3, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs, CA) – For nearly three decades, the De Anza Springs Resort in the high desert community of Jacumba Hot Springs has provided a 523-acre haven for naturalists to bare all, as one of the nation’s largest clothing-optional destinations.

But two days ago, residents received stark news:  a letter from the resort’s new management informing them of a decision to become a “textile” park. Starting September 1, clothing will be required in all common areas such as the pool and hiking trails. Then on October 1, nudity will be banned everywhere on the property, including privately owned and leased sites.

The action has laid bare resentments and anger among residents who bought or leased sites specifically for the freedom to be clothes-free,  as well as among frequent visitors who purchased club memberships. Some are seeking legal counsel over what they contend were deceptive marketing practices, as well as concerns over loud concerts and other problems stemming from changes implemented by the new owners.

“We understand that change can sometimes be met with mixed feelings, and we empathize with those who might feel upset or uncertain about the introduction of the new clothing rule,” the owners’ letter states, also encouraging residents with questions to  setup an appointment by emailing Luke Wasyliw, who blames residents for not supporting some events and cites financial needs.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Sheriff's Dept.

August 1, 2023 (Ramona) – Jonathan McDowell, 47, of Ramona died at Scripps Mercy Hospital on July 29, 10 days after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the George Bailey detention facility. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy has concluded that McDowell died of asphyxia due to hanging and that his death was a suicide.

A statement from the Sheriff’s department says,  “We extend our sympathies to the McDowell family and those affected by his death. A Sheriff's Family Liaison Officer will support the family as they deal with the loss of a loved one.”

McDowell was arrested on Feb. 20 on charges of assaulting a peace officer with a gun,  attempted murder, and committing a felony while  on bail or release.