News

SNOW TAKES BIG LEAD IN LEMON GROVE MAYORAL RACE; COUNCIL RACES REMAIN CLOSE

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Councilmember Alysson Snow may be poised to oust incumbent Mayor Racquel Vasquez in Lemon Grove, if early election returns hold. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters, Snow has 41.27%,  Vasquez 30.34%, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron  28.39%.


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INCUMBENTS LEAD IN LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL RACES

East County News Service

November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – All five incumbent Congressional members countywide appear cruising to reelection, including East County representatives Darrell Issa and Sara Jacobs.  Below are results for all five San Diego Congressional races with 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters.


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EARLY RESULTS IN EAST COUNTY’S STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES

East County News Service

November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With 844,948 ballots counted out of 1.9 million registered voters in the county, Akilah Weber, a Democrat, appears breezing to a win in the 39th State Senate district with 61.53% of the votes over Republican Bob Divine at 38.47%. 


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SDG&E WARNS POWER SHUTOFFS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO 24,740 CUSTOMERS

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E warns that high fire risk weather conditions amid a red flag warning may result in public safety power shutoffs to prevent fires starting Wed. Nov. 6 at 4 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m.  Communities at risk of power shutoffs are listed below and include 24, 740 customers, or input your address here: https://www.sdge.com/psps-dashboard


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PADRE DAM DIRECTORS FACE CHALLENGERS FOR WATER BOARD SEATS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left to right:  District 4 candidates Kim Hales and Ivan Andujar,  District 2 candidates Robert Lloyd Senior and Suzanne Till

November 2, 2024 (Santee) – Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. The district provides water, including recycled water, to over 100,000 East County residents and businesses.  In division 4, appointed incumbent Ivan Andujar, a facility operations manager at Lions, Tigers and Bears, faces a challenge from biologist Kim Hales.  In division 2, incumbent Suzanne Till , a veteran with a PhD in water resources management, is being challenged by business owner Robert “Bob” Loyd, Sr.  Key issues include water affordability, accessibility, and reliabilty.


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HOULAHAN TAKES ON ISSA OVER PROTECTING DEMOCRACY, WOMEN’S RIGHTS, HEALTHCARE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN 48th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

View video of full interview,  hear audio,  or scroll down for highlights

East County News Service

November 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Stephen Houlahan is a former Santee City Councilman and registered nurse who led successful effforts to block a dangerous liquified natural gas pipeline through the 48th Congressional district that he is now running to represent.  That seat is currently occupied by Rep. Darrell Issa. The contrast is dramatic—and Houlahan says he’s running to restore freedoms, protect our democracy, and bring home federal dollars to underground power lines that have sparked wildfires and caused insurance rates to skyrocket.

The contrast couldn’t be more clear.

  • Issa voted against certifying the 2020 election results and opposed efforts to investigate the Capitol insurrection.  Houlahan says a peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of democracy, and has won endorsement from National Security Leaders of America, a bipartisan group of retired military leaders and cabinet officers.
  • Issa is coauthor of a bill to outlaw abortion nationwide, with no exceptions even to save a mother’s life.  Houlahan wants to restore women’s reproductive freedoms taken away when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
  • Issa voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Houlahan wants to fight to bring home infrastructure dollars to improve storm drainage infrastructure, repair the dangerous El Capitan dam, and improve fire safety.
  • Issa has opposed clean energy investment.  Houlahan  backs rebuilding the energy grid, including undergrounding power lines to protect our backcountry.
  • Issa voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Houlahan wants to protect it and expand Medicare to cover those 55 and up, also adding a MediKids program to cover 4 million uninsured children.
  • Issa, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, has been accused of corruption including most recently failing to timely report hundreds of thousands of dollars in treasury bonds, a potential violation of the Stock Act.  Houlahan says he will stand against corruption and for transparency, calling for tougher penalties on insider trading by members of Congress and a need for honest leadership.

In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine also aired on KNSJ radio,  Houlahan also shared his views on the economy and inflation, immigration and border security NATO, the Israel-Gaza conflict,  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and more.

Audio: 


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PROPOSITION 33: RENT CONTROL INITIATIVE AIMS TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS

 

By Sammie Ann Wicks

November 1, 2024 (San Diego) --The voting public on Tuesday will again weigh in on the housing crisis, as homeless advocates and the real estate industry go head-to- head over a new rent control proposal, Proposition 33. If passed, the measure could change the current housing scenario in California drastically.  While the measure does not mandate rent control, it would enable local cities or counties to enact restrictions on rental rates.


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CAL MATTERS VOTER GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.

November 1, 2024 (Sacramento) -- California voters decided on only one proposition on the March primary ballot — narrowly approving Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health measure, Proposition 1. In November, voters will determine the fate of 10 propositions — including whether to borrow a combined $20 billion for climate programs and school construction, whether to approve three amendments to the state constitution and what direction to take on crime, health care and taxes

The 2024 ballot is still more crowded than in 2022, when there were only seven measures, the fewest in more than a century.

Jump to section, or scroll down to view analysis of all initiatives.



MONTEZUMA FIRE THREATENS HOMES IN COLLEGE AREA

Photo:  view from City Heights.  Photo credit:  Martin Eder

Update 6:45 p.m.-- The #Fairmountfire is 25% contained. Six homes have been damaged. Montezuma Rd will remain closed all night for apparatus access. There are no injuries from the brush fire; a shooting near the SDSU trolley is unrelated to the fire.

Update 4:30 p.m.-- The fire is now called #Fairmount Fire and is 37 acres.  Temporary evacuation point is at Allied Gardens Recreation Center.

Update 2:39 p.m.- Hardy Elementary School is being evacuated; students are being taken to Viejas Arena at SDSU, per SDFD. Parents can use Canyon Crest to access the arena; avoid CollegeAve.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo via UCSD HP web cam, view from Mt. Miguel of #MontezumaFire.

October 31, 2024 (San Diego) -- Evacuations are underway in the SDSU college area due to the #MontezumaFire, which has burned 10-15 acres n both sides of Montezuma east of Fairmont.

Evacuations are in progress along Lila Drive, Collwood Way, Lucille Drive, 49th St. and neighborhoods along Yerba Santa Dr., per Watch Duty. Deputies are going door to door. Structures are threatened; fire is burning at a critical rate of spread, per the Watch Duty App.

Cal Fire reports Montezuma Road is closed in both directions and Aldine is also shut down.

Photo, right, by Carey Thoza.


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LOCAL LEADERS ACROSS POLITICAL SPECTRUM ENDORSE GOP OPPONENT OF REPUBLICAN CARL DEMAIO

By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo: Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Foundation, AFL-CIO, speaks while flanked by Democratic and Republican local leaders.

October 31, 2024 (San Diego) -  Saying he lacks ethics and integrity, local elected officials and community leaders gathered in Scripps Ranch Wednesday to offer an “anti-endorsement” of far-right Republican candidate and AM radio personality Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member and two-time congressional candidate.


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HELP NEEDED TO IDENTIFY MAN KILLED BY CAR IN LAKESIDE ON AUGUST 30

East County News Service

October 28, 2024 (Lakeside) -- San Diego County Medical Examiner’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a man hit by a car on Mapleview Street in Lakeside back on August 30. They want to notify his family of his death. The decedent appears to be a Caucasian or Hispanic male approximately 55 years of age.  He was 5’8 and 205 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes.  He also had a linear scar on the back of his left hand.


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SHERIFF’S VOLUNTEER SEARCH TEAM FINDS WOMAN HIKER LOST FOR TWO DAYS NEAR LAKE MORENA

Source: San Diego Sheriff’s Department

October 27, 2024 (Campo) – The San Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have found and rescued a woman who was lost in San Diego's backcountry for almost two days.


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39 VOTE CENTERS NOW OPEN FOR NOVEMBER 5 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION; 200 MORE TO OPEN NOV. 2

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 27, 2024 (San Diego)-- You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at 39 vote centers that opened Oct. 26 and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. around the county until Election Day, November 5.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, over 200 vote centers will also be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 4. On the final day of voting, Nov. 5, all vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.


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EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE JOURNALISTS TAKE HOME MULTIPLE AWARDS

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 27, 2024 (San Diego)—Four members of East County Magazine’s journalism team won awards at the San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Awards presented on October 22. Their coverage encompassed  public safety issues in La Mesa, the future of the Water Conservation Garden, international migrants in Jacumba, and La Mesa's ban on public comments after anti-Semitic rants.


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PARTY OF THE CENTURY! NOV. 17 AT WINEWORKS: NOW JUST $50, BENEFITS OUR REPORTING AND FIRE ALERTS!

Cost reduced due to a generous sponsor!

East County Magazine invites you to our Roaring '20s Jazz Age Party!

Sunday, November 17  6 p.m.

at Wine Works (8167 Center St., La Mesa, CA 91941)

Benefits East County Media, 501c3 nonprofit supporting East County Magazine local news reporting and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

  • Celebrate the era of Great Gatsby, flappers, gangsters, silent film stars, ragtime. speakeasies and the Jazz Age
  • Savor an elegant dinner and delicious desserts from Cupid’s Catering including charcuterie/appetizers(meats, fruits, cheeses), tri-tip, herbed chicken, portabello mushrooms (on request), ambrosia, salad, cheesecake, lemon marscapone cake
  • Award-winning wines and sparkling wines available from San Pasqual Winery, the winemakers who led La Mesa to roll back its Prohibition-era ban on alcohol production
  • Live jazz by the Joseph Luna duo (piano, sax, and vocal)
  • Silent auction and raffle with amazing prizes
  • Hear about local history during Prohibition from La Mesa Historical Society
  • Dress in your best ‘20s attire or cocktail wear and party the night away
  •  

Cost:  $50

Prepayment is REQUIRED for this special event.  To reserve space:


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MOTORCYCLIST DIES AFTER COLLISION WITH TRUCK IN RAMONA

October 22, 2024 (Ramona) — A Ramona man, 36, died at the scene of a collision on State Route 78 near the Old Julian highway on October 18 shortly before 5 p.m.

 

The victim was riding a 2020 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound when he crossed over the double yellow lines and crashed into a Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by a Ramona woman, 52, according to Officer Jasmine Lopez with the California Highway Patrol.


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COUNTY BREAKS GROUND ON NEW ANIMAL SHELTER

 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Alex Aguirre

October 21, 2024 (Santee) - County officials all stepped aside for Howard the dog to take the first dig at the groundbreaking for the new 23,000-square-foot County animal shelter. When completed in early 2026, it will provide a new standard of care in animal housing for long-term animals as they patiently wait for a new home.

The new shelter in Santee will serve animals and residents in the South and Southeast County with an on-site small animal hospital. It will also serve as a fire evacuation site with animal intake and care during local disasters and will be energy efficient.


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WHAT IS PROJECT 2025—AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR COMMUNITY

Slashing federal disaster relief, privatizing public education, politicizing federal agencies, gutting intelligence bureaus, stripping away rights of protected groups, and ending climate change actions are among the proposals detailed in Project 2025

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Project 2025 is an 887-page blueprint for a second Trump administration, according to its authors. Trump has alternately praised it, claimed never to have read it, and said he disagrees with parts of it; he has denied knowing its authors, even though those authors include 140 top officials and advisors from Trump’s first presidential term, some of whom wrote entire chapters.

ECM has reviewed the entire document and provides this analysis of its most controversial provisions, in summary and detail. Some page citations are provided; citations are available on request for every fact cited.

Project 2025’s  stated mission is to restore family as centerpiece of American life, “dismantle the administrative state” (p 3), defend our nation’s sovereignty and borders against global threats, and secure ”God given individual rights to live freely.”  But if fully implemented, it would dismantle many branches of our federal government, politicize every federal agency,  threaten  our democracy and take away many rights and protections for women, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and our environment.

SUMMARY

Some of its most polarizing proposals include:

Shutting down and privatizing agencies: It aims to close down entirely agencies ranging from the Department of Education (p. 285) to  the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service (p 664) which could charge for weather reports and warnings, also privatizing FEMA  (p. 135), the Federal Emergency Management Agency that provides aid to victims of wildfires, floods and other disasters, privatizing Small Business Administration disaster loans, and privatizing National Flood Insurance. The Transportation and Security Administration, or TSA which was set up to protect us from terrorists after 911 including airport screenings, would be privatized as well. 


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SWEETWATER RIVERBED OUTREACH PROVIDES HOMELESS FRESH START

By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
 
October 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- People experiencing homelessness and living in the Sweetwater Riverbed area have new hope for permanent housing. A state grant for $5.1 million and the collaborative work between the County, the City of Chula Vista, National City and California Department of Transportation has led to greater homeless outreach, increasing numbers of people transitioning into housing and regular clean-up opportunities.

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TWO SLATES OF CANDIDATES FOR LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL OFFERED THEIR VIEWS AND VISIONS IN CANDIDATE FORUM

 

October 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- All four candidates running for Lemon Grove City Council participated in East County Magazine’s candidate forum on Oct.10, which was moderated by editor Miriam Raftery.

The candidates are Councilman George Gastil, a history professor, Seth Smith, Chair of the Lemon Grove Planning Commission, architectural designer and project manager, high school coach Steve Faiai, and Jessyka Heredia, a small business owner, community volunteer, and reporter who previously covered Lemon Grove issues for our news site. 

Candidates fielded questions on issues including infrastructure, housing, homeless, the business community, and increasing access to public meetings through livestreaming and videotaping.  See highlights of their responses belone, or click here for video of the complete forum.  Listen to audio here, as aired on our radio show on KNSJ, edited slightly for length.

Audio: 


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TRUMP CALLS FOR MILITARY TO BE USED ON HIS “ENEMIES WITHIN” ON U.S. SOIL; HIS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN CALLS TRUMP “FASCIST” AND “MOST DANGEROUS PERSON TO THIS COUNTRY”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America

October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,”  as is his stated admiration for Adolf Hitler's generals.

Trump told Fox News this week that he would order the National Guard and “if really necessary, the military” to go after “enemies within” on American soil if he is reelected, ABC reports.

He has frequently used the “enemies within” description for his political opponents such as Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment hearing against Trump. Trump has repeatedly threatened retribution against his political enemies, including charging retired generals who have criticized him with treason.

In addition, he has threatened journalists and major news outlets, called for arrest by the military of anyone he deems “radical left lunatics,” aims to build camps to detain tens of millions of immigrants. He has also called for a “single day of violence” to curtail crime, said he would use force to quell protests against him if he wins the election and said Jews will be to blame if he loses.


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SANTEE’S NEW TURF FIELDS READY FOR ACTION

By Mike Allen

October 16, 2024 (Santee) -- At least four Santee sports groups including the local Pop Warner club, the Ravens, and youth soccer teams will soon get to experience the newly installed synthetic turf fields at Town Center Community Park.

The two new fields that feature lines for both football and soccer and can accommodate lacrosse were recently installed after an unusually long delay from having to wait to be adequately dry after a wet spring.

Stephanie Price, a member of the Santee Park and Recreation Committee (SPARC), was happy to see the brand new turf at the Oct. 10 dedication ceremony that took some six months to install due to the drying out time.


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GARVEY, SCHIFF CLASH ON ABORTION, GUNS AND TRUMP IN ONLY ONE-ON-ONE DEBATE

In summary:  In their only TV face-off before Election Day, U.S. Senate contenders Steve Garvey and Adam Schiff  tussle over immigration and other issues.

By Yue Stella Yu, Cal Matters

View full debate

Photo: U.S. Senate candidates Adam Schiff, left, and Steve Garvey, right; screenshot via C-Span

October 14, 2024 (Glendale, CA) -- The sparks started flying between U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and former L.A. Dodgers star Steve Garvey minutes into their only one-on-one debate on October 8, as both accused each other of failing Californians. 

In an hour-long televised forum this evening for the U.S. Senate seat — held by Dianne Feinstein until her death last year — the two traded verbal jabs and clashed over a range of issues, including reproductive rights, gun control and immigration. 

Garvey, a Palm Desert Republican, portrayed Schiff as a “career politician” who has done little to serve California residents during his tenure. “This man hasn’t done anything over the last 24 years on any of these things that have given us any consistency in life,” Garvey said.

Schiff, a Burbank Democrat who has served in Congress since 2001, in turn depicted Garvey as a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has experience in professional sports, not politics. “While Mr. Garvey was signing baseballs for the last 37 years, I was seeing presidents of both parties and governors of both parties sign my bills into law,” Schiff said.


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WELLS, JACOB CLASH IN FIERY 51ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE FORUM

By Miriam Raftery

October 13, 2024 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat, and El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, gave sharply divergent responses on a host of issues during a 51st Congressional District candidate forum. The event, held at Temple Emanuel last week, was moderated by CBS 8 journalist Heather Myers with questions posed by the audience, plus in a twist, one question posed by each candidate to their opponent.

Wells sought to blame Democrats’ “radical left” policies  for problems ranging from inflation to rising homelessness and crime,  repeatedly criticizing immigrants while downplaying concerns over abortion. Jacobs sought to portray Wells as out of touch with women’s concerns over losing their reproductive freedoms if Republicans ban abortion at the national level and she denounced immigrant bashing as “dangerous” to Jews as well as immigrants.

Both voiced strong support for the Israeli people, but differed sharply in their views on how to defuse tensions and violence across the Mideast.  Wells chided Jacobs for focusing more on reproductive freedoms than economic issues, while Jacobs slammed Wells’ refusal to acknowledge that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. She fired back that such “lies” led to the Capitol attack in which insurrections wearing “team Auschwitz” t-shirts burst into the House Chamber moments before Jacobs, a Jew, was evacuated.


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LEMON GROVE MAYORAL CANDIDATES SHARE VIEWS AND VISIONS FOR CITY IN ECM FORUM

 

View video of full Lemon Grove mayoral candidate forum

Hear audio version aired on radio (edited slightly for length)

By Miriam Raftery

October 13, 2024 (Lemon Grove)—All three candidates for Lemon Grove mayor fielded questions on issues ranging from housing and homelessness to infrastructure, the business community, and the city’s sales tax measure during a forum moderated by East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on Oct. 10.  The candidates are Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Councilmember Alysson Snow, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron.

Scroll down for highlights, or click the link above to view the complete one-hour forum.

Audio: 

Radio show with Lemon Grove Candidates Forum

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LEMON GROVE CANDIDATES FORUMS TONIGHT

 

October 10, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – East County Magazine will host two candidate forums tonight on Zoom.  The Lemon Grove mayoral  candidates’ forum will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the Lemon Grove City Council candidates’ forum  at 7 p.m.

You can watch live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyMagazine/.  The forum will also be posted later on our homepage at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org.

All candidates have agreed to participate.


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PADRES TIE PLAYOFF SERIES AGAINST DODGERS IN WILD 10-2 WIN WITH SIX HOMERUNS

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2024 (San Diego) – After winning the wildcard playoffs, the Padres have tied up the National League Division West  series, trouncing the Dodgers in a 10-2 victory last night at Dodger Stadium. The Padres became the first team in Major League history to slam six home runs in a post-season playoff game.

Game three takes place tonight at Petco Park in San Diego.


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EVACUATIONS IN POSTA 3 FIRE AT CAMPO

Update Oct. 8, 2024 9:15 p.m. -- All evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted.

Update 10 p.m.: The following roads are closed:  Old Highway 80 from Kitchen Creek Road to Crestwood Road, and  tate Route 94 from La Posta Road to Old Highway 80. Families can drop off large animals at the San Diego County Animal Shelter located at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita. For more information, call County Animal Services at 619-236-2341.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Casey Shoemaker

October 7, 2024 (Campo) -- Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect in the Campo area due to the #Posta3Fire, which has burned 350 acres. The fire began this afternoon in the 3100 block of La Posta Rd.at Old Highway 80 in Campo. View the evacuation map at Genasys Protect:

https://protect.genasys.com/hazards/1899163d-428a-4120-98f3-f147f8098a86?z=14&latlon=32.724867%2C-116.426334

This fire has a rapid rate of spread.  A temporary evacuation center is at Golden Acorn Casino.


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PASSAGES: ROBERT “BOB” SCHULZE, RETIRED BORDER PATROL AGENT AND COFOUNDER OF OFF BROADWAY LIVE IN SANTEE

Celebration of Life set for October 26

October 7, 2024 (Santee) -- Bob Schulze, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, passed away peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack on August 30, 2024. Born June 23, 1966 in Huntington, Long Island, New York, Bob moved to California at the age of three, living in Garden Grove and spending most of his adult life in Santee.  

Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1984 to 1987 and dedicated over 30 years to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, from which he recently retired. He was passionate about keeping his country safe and prosperous, serving both at home and abroad.

Bob’s true passions extended beyond his professional career. He was a gifted singer and actor, with a love for the stage and making people laugh. Bob was the co-founder of Off Broadway Live musical theater in Santee, where his larger-than-life personality, joy for entertaining, and bringing smiles to others was a gift he shared with all.


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS

 

View forum:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7V44cS5UCY

A version of this forum, edited slightly for length,also aired on the East County Radio Show on KNSJ.  Hear audio.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2024 (La Mesa) – All four candidates vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council spoke out on their goals and priorities if elected during an Oct. 3 forum on Zoom moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. They addressed issues including housing and homelessness, restoring remote public comments, policing and public safety, district elections and campaign finance reform, and infrastructure to protect against extreme storms such as January’s floods.

Candidates opened with introductions, experience and top goals if elected.

Audio: 


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