By Miriam Raftery

March 11, 2020 (San Diego) – The World Health Organization today declared a global pandemic.  More than 115,000 cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 4,200 deaths.

In the U.S., 1,237 people have tested positive for the virus and 37 have died.  The fast-spreading virus has reached 41 states and the district of Columbia, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The COVID-19 crisis has contributed to a stock market crash.The Dow Junes plunged over 1,400 points today, officially into bear territory. The Standard & Poors index has fallen over 600 points in the past three weeks, erasing more than half the gains since Trump became president.

March 3, 2020 (Lemon Grove) - You're invited to our next East County DIning Club Event, which benefits East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.  RSVP now to reserve space and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine on Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m at Giardino’s Neighborhood Cucina in Lemon Grove!  (8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove)

Their chef is from Parma, Italy, the ambience is friendly and the Italian food is delicious!Plus they now have a full liquor license – so you can enjoy drinks such as Mimosas, Lavendar Lemonade with vodka, martinis, whiskey and tequila drinks, full wine list, craft beers, port and other after dinner liqueurs and coffee drinks. 

Win prizes! Our prize drawings will include restaurant gift certificates, wine lover's gifts, whale-watching with Hornblower in San Diego, gift certificates to local stores, gardening gift baskets, a cutlery set, bakeware, cookbooks, and more.  

Giardino’s has prepared a special menu for us at a set price of $35 (tax and tip not included). The feast includes:

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Iconic Hepner Hall at San Diego State University. Photo by Chris Jennewein

March 10, 2020 (San Diego) - San Diego State University will conduct almost all classes online by April 6 in a decision backed Tuesday by the University Senate, the school announced, joining UC San Diego in reacting to the coronavirus risk.

Spiking Prices During a State of an Emergency is a Crime

East County News Service

Photo: Cc by ND via Bing

March 10, 2020 (San Diego) – After California and San Diego County each declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 virus, The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has issued a warning to businesses and scammers not to take advantage of consumers by price gouging.

During a declared state of emergency, it is illegal for a business to increase its prices for essential goods or services by more than 10 percent, unless they can show their own costs have been increased. "The statute would theoretically apply to online retailers as well as brick and mortar—as well as individuals who might be selling on an app like Offer Up,"  says Steve Walker, communications specialist at the District Attorney's office.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California on March 4 and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors extended its countywide state of emergency for an additional 30 days on February 19.

“We want county residents to know that we stand ready to protect their consumer rights under the law,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “We will strictly enforce violations related to price gouging.”

By Patrick Williams, Back Country Land Trust

Photo; Typical Clover Flat OHV trail for closure and restoration:

March 2, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – Mountain Empire residents and others interested in seeing the Clover Flat wildlife preserve near Campo restored can submit comments on the restoration proposal by May 4, 2020.  Below are details on the proposal and how to submit your public comments.

California State Parks  proposes to  restore off-highway vehicle (OHV) including quad and four-wheel drive damaged areas totaling five restoration acres at Clover Flat wildlife preserve. Damaged areas will be secured, then restored with native plant seed, wattles and mulch and signage will be placed to direct riders (mostly accessing the area from the RR access road) to legal OHV Corral Canyon or Lark Canyon riding areas.

State Parks OHV public review and comment instructions:

East County News Service

March 9, 2020 (San Diego) -- Last week, Toyota amended a safety recall involving fuel pumps first announced on January 13, 2020.  Approximately 1.8 million vehicles in total are now involved in this recall due to a risk of fuel pumps that may cease operating, calling the vehicle to stall, not restart, and increase the risk of crashes especially following stalls at high speeds. 

"Human Trafficking is a heartbreaking crime that can destroy lives, families, and communities." – Brian Jones

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Assemblyman Todd Gloria

March 5, 2020 (San Diego) – With 100% of precincts counted but some mail-in ballots remaining to be counted, Democratiic party-endorsed candidates are leading in the San Diego mayoral race and three of the five city council races.  A fourth race has a non-endorsed Democrat on top, while a fifth is currently tied.  The top two contender in each of these races will run off in the November general election.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2020 (San Diego) – Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency yesterday amid news of 53 COVID-19 cases diagnosed in California and the first COVID-19 death in our state.  New cases include an LAX airport screener, cruise ship passengers, a South Korean flight attendant at LAX, and an AT&T store employee in Otay Mesa here in San Diego County.

California health officials are now monitoring 9,400 cases in 49 counties statewide.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2020 (San Diego) – After disappointing results on Super Tuesday, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg have announced they are suspending their campaigns in the Democratic presidential primary.

Bloomberg has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. Warren she wants to take some time to think over whether to endorse another candidate.  

Both had won delegates (Warren 65, Bloomberg 58) who will now be free to vote for any candidate at the Democratic National Convention.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jay Steiger

March 2, 2020 (Casa de Oro) – “This has been an 18-month effort,” Bob Yarris, president of the Casa de Oro Alliance, said at a community visioning workshop held Feb. 25 at the Spring Valley Academy. A half-million dollar grant has been awarded to the Alliance, a 501c3 nonprofit, by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to create design guidelines and revitalize the heart of Casa de Oro.

More than 50 community members saw a presentation by county officials, then had an opportunity to share their ideas in breakout sessions, adding a variety of creative visions.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo: Creative Commons NC-ND via Bing

March 4, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) -- El Cajon and Lakeside voters gave solid thumbs down on Tuesday night to school bond measures put on the ballot by the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD) and by the Lakeside Union School District.

Cajon Valley

Cajon Valley’s ballot measure, which would have issued $220 million dollars in school bonds went down in a major defeat with 100 percent of precinct votes counted and only late mail-in ballots remaining. 12,301 votes were cast against the bond measure (55.65%) with 9,803 (44.35%) votes cast for it. The bond measure required 55% in favor to pass, but throughout the evening, never came close to gaining traction needed for passage.

The district said that the new bond issue was necessary to finance basic infrastructure improvements and to implement installation of advanced security technology at its schools as recommended last year by a County of San Diego Grand Jury report.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: C.J. Mody at Golden Hall, was pleased with his victory.

March 4, 2020 (San Diego) -- Three contested Superior Court judicial races were won outright in yesterday's election, while a fourth will head for a run-off in November in one of the night's closest races.

Michelle Ialeggio trounced Shawn McMillan  76% to 24%, with 100% of precincts reported but mail-in ballots remaining to be counted. McMillan was rated lacking qualifications by the San Diego County Bar Association.

C.J. Mody won his race outright ovre Roberta Winston, 57% to 43%.  

Alan Wong Robinson (52%) defeated Mark Skeels (32%)  and Steve Miller (15%); Miller was also ranked lacking quaifications by the Bar Association.