East County News Service

November 28, 2024 (El Cajon) – A 28=year-old El Cajon man has died of injuries sustained in a stabbing that occurred on November 28.  El Cajon Police officers responded to the scene in the 500 block of North Mollison around 6 p.m.and found the victim with a life-threatening stab wound.

Paramedics from Heartland Fire transported the victim to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The reporting party and another witness were interviewed at the scene. Two men were taken to the El Cajon Police Department for questioning.

Biden hopes to next achieve a cease-fire in Gaza before his term ends, with an agreement for a Palestinian state and security for Israel

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Hezbollah fighters in Southern Lebanon in 2023, via Tasnim News Service

November 28, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – In a historic accord, on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France issued a joint statement announcing that after “weeks of tireless diplomacy,” Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a cease fire that went into effect yesterday.

“The United States and France will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented and enforced,” the statement continued. Though the U.S. has supported Israel including sending war planes used to bomb Hezbollah targets,  U.S. troops will not be sent to the region, the President assured.

The agreement includes assurances that Israel will be secure from threats by Hezbollah, which has been bombing Israel from southern Lebanon, and other terrorist groups.  Hezbollah must move its forces north of the Litani River, about 20 miles from the Blue Line marking the Israel-Lebanon border. 

Over the next six weeks,  stabilization of southern Lebanon is to be provided by the Lebanese army  and State Security Forces will deploy 10,000 troops, under international supervision. The agreement also includes withdrawal of Israeli forces, ultimately allowing residents of both Israel and southern Lebanon to return safely to their homes.

But President Biden made clear in a press conference, “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.”

Team Funded by Statewide “Stop the Hate” Program Supports Those Impacted by Antisemitism

By Miriam Raftery

November 28,2024 (San Diego) – The inaugural cohort of San Diego’s Jewish Community Emergency Response Team (JCERT) is now prepared to respond in the aftermath of a sharp rise in local antisemitic incidents. Team members aim to help strengthen individual recovery and community resilience.

Nineteen Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) team members graduated from the JCERT training program in late October, after completing more than 35 hours of specialized coursework developed by the organization’s Center for Jewish Care on Jewish cultural competency, antisemitism, listening and communication skills, trauma and trauma-informed care.. Future program cohorts will be members of the larger community, including from partner organizations.

Located throughout the county – from Escondido to the border and Alpine to the coast – this first group of responders represents eight spoken languages and several religions. Each is now ready to immediately respond after a hate incident or crime – whether individual or large-scale – against the San Diego Jewish community. Certified in psychological first aid, suicide awareness and prevention, CPR/AED/first aid and food handling, the team is designated to assist victims with compassionate triage, psychological support, and connection with short-, medium-, and/or long-term resources to aid in recovery.

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service in San Diego tweeted today,  “We are thankful for sunny skies across Southern California this Thanksgiving!”

 High temperatures will generally be in the 50s for the mountains, 60s for the coastline, and 70s for inland valleys and deserts.

View video (viewer discretion advised)

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner ABC 10 News

November 27, 2024 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has released video from November 15,  when seven deputies opened fire and killed Victor Rendon, Jr., 34.  Rendon had fired shots inside his ex-girlfriend’s home on Leland Street in Spring Valley and later pointed a gun at deputies, according to the Sheriff’s department. The video appears to show Rendon waving a gun shortly before deputies opened fire.

Deputies responded to a call at 3:18 p.m. from Rendon’s former girlfriend reporting that he was trespassing and behaving erratically, while children were present. He was reportedly suffering from mental issues and under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Deputies removed the children from the home to protect their safety. The suspect then fired his gun several times in the backyard shortly before 5 p.m. with deputies just 15 feet away, though it’s unclear in what direction he was firing, according to a press release from the Sheriff.  An initial report that the suspect fired through the front door, however, was inaccurate. The investigation found that he did, however, throw items including luggage at the front door. When he later came out and raised the gun toward deputies, the deputies fired their weapons, striking the suspect multiple times.

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2024 (Alpine) – Nearly two years after a severe storm damaged the floating fishing dock at Loveland Reservoir in Alpine back in January 2023, a restored fishing dock is back.

November 21, 2024 -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Trump wants to close the Education Department. It's far easier said than done. (USA Today)
• Trump confirms plan to declare national emergency, use military for mass deportations (ABC)
• Trump transition team compiling list of current and former U.S. military officers for possible courts-martial (NBC)
• Trump picks Pam Bondi for US Attorney General after Gaetz withdraws (Reuters)
• Once Again, Donald Trump Misreads the Senate (Time Magazine)
• Republicans retain control of House,  CNN predicts (CNN)
• Special counsel Jack Smith taking steps to wind down federal cases against Trump (NPR)
• Trump advisers contemplating cuts to Medicaid and other welfare programs (Guardian)
• Thune elected Senate majority leader (The Hill)
• Brendan Carr wrote the FCC chapter in ‘Project 2025.’ Now he’s Trump’s pick for the agency (CNN)
• Lawsuit alleges Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education pick, enabled sexual abuse of children (CNN)
• ‘Who the f--k is this guy?’: Defense world reacts to Trump’s surprise Pentagon pick (Politico)
• Health stocks tumble after Kennedy nomination  (Semafor)

INTERNATIONAL

• ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader (Reuters)
• Ukraine fires US-made longer-range missiles into Russia   (CNN)
• Putin lowers the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal after Biden's arms decision for Ukraine          (AP)
• Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports (CNN)
• Mexico’s ex-public security chief sentenced to 38-plus years in US for taking cartel bribes (AP)
• .Iran signals possible change in its nuclear doctrine and says it has the capacity to make nukes (NBC)
• Biden’s final meeting with Xi Jinping reaps agreement on AI and nukes
• China targets critical metal exports in anticipation of further US tech, trade curbs  (Semafor)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Source: CalFire

November 21, 2024 (San Diego's East County) - - The CAL FIRE San Diego Unit is preparing to conduct prescribed burns across San Diego and Imperial Counties as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecosystem health, and protect community safety. These projects are planned during carefully selected weather conditions that meet specific safety and ecological parameters.  A controlled burn is being conducted today in the Campo area.

Each prescribed burn project undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the criteria for environmental benefit, appropriate weather, smoke management, and fire safety. Once a project is approved, trained CAL FIRE personnel will conduct the burns under strict guidelines.

By Miriam Raftery

JulieAnn Chaet with dog, Chloe, in downtown El Cajon

November 20, 2024 (El Cajon) – Members of the El Cajon City Council voiced surprise at Tuesday's meeting to learn that a 1997 ordinance prohibited dogs in the downtown superblock area where popular events are held. So councilmembers voted unanimously to repeal the ban and legalize dog-walking downtown. 

Assistant City Manager Vince DiMaggio explained that the ban was originally approved due to a perception that dogs might pose health hazards and increase maintenance needs.  However, “none of those concerns have materialized,” he said, adding that bringing dogs to public places has since become commonplace, including companion animals as well as service dogs.

“We see dozens of dog walkers daily in Centennial Plaza,” he noted, adding that technically that’s illegal, as is walking dogs in Prescott Promenade and other downtown areas where the public frequently brings dogs on leashes when they dine at outdoor cafes, enjoy outdoor concerts and car shows, or simply exercise their pets along public streets..

Update November 21, 2024 -- Today Judge Campos approved releasing Wakefield as a transient, despite 800 signatures on a petition opposing this release.

By Miriam Raftery

November 18, 2024 (San Diego) —After three failed attempts to place sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield at homes run by Liberty Healthcare in Borrego Springs, Mt. Helix and Poway, the California Department of State Hospitals now proposes to release Wakefield as a transient.

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department

November 17, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Seven sheriff’s deputies opened fire on an armed man who fired shots in the backyard of a home on Leland Street in Spring Valley on Friday evening, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, law enforcement indicated that a woman called report that her boyfriend, armed with a gun, had entered the home and was acting in an erratic manner with four children present. She told authorities that he had mental health issues and was under the influence.

October 8, 1921 — November 10, 2024

November 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- Adalbert Connor, a beloved family man and cherished friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, at the Veteran’s Home of California Chula Vista, at the age of 103.

Born on October 8, 1921, in Yuma, Arizona, Adalbert’s life was a testament to resilience, warmth, and an unwavering spirit that touched all who knew him.

Adalbert spent his early years in Yuma, attending local schools and graduating from high school in 1941. His passion for learning led him to Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and later to San Diego State University where he graduated in June 1954.

In 1942, Adalbert enlisted in the United States Army. He trained at Camp Roberts, Fort Lewis, and Fort Ord, and served valiantly in World War II, participating in multiple beach landings in the East Indies, including Leyte, Luzon, and Japan. Rising to the rank of sergeant, he returned home in 1946 with immense pride in his service to his country.

He later worked for Money Mutual of New York insurance company for 45 years, and was a resident of Allied Gardens for over 70 years.

East County News Service

November 14, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold storm from the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to bring scattered showers across our region Friday and Saturday, with snow possible in the mountain areas and frost in some areas.

Gusty winds are also forecast, with peak gusts up to 55 miles per hour in mountain and desert areas as early as tonight.

East County News Service

November 13, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Grand Jury is accepting applications for grand jurors now through January 10, 2025.  The Grand Jury investigates citizens’ complaints and serves as a watchdog over government agencies, but does not conduct criminal investigations.

Source: County News Service

Proposals from developers due by Dec. 20

November 11, 2024 (San Diego) – Just in time for Veterans’ Day,the County of San Diego has made $11.5 million available to finance the creation of affordable housing to benefit low-income people and unsheltered veterans.  

The notice of funding availability (NOFA) was created from a combination of funds: