News

CHP SEEKS HIT-AND-RUN VEHICLES THAT FLED FATAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH IN SPRING VALLEY ON SUNDAY

East County News Service

January 22, 2024 (Spring Valley, CA) --- Yesterday at 5:11 a.m., California Highway Patrol received reports of a pedestrian possibly hit by a vehicle at Sweetwater Road near Blossom Lane.  Preliminary investigation determined the pedestrian had been struck by an unknown vehicle while in the southbound lanes of Sweetwater Road before being struck by additional vehicles, several of which fled the scene prior to the arrival of emergency personnel. 

The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene, says Officer Jared Grieshaber.

The California Highway Patrol is currently looking for additional involved vehicles, one of which is believed to be a 2013-2018 Ram 1500 with damage to its left side and/or front, to include a missing driver’s side mirror.


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ASYLUM SEEKERS FACE NEW REQUIREMENT TO FIND THEIR OWN INTERPRETERS

 

by Adriana Gonzalez-Chavez • Cronkite News

A record 2.47 million migrants were encountered at the United States’ southern border in fiscal year 2023, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (File photo by Alexia Faith/Cronkite News)

January 22, 2024 -- Asylum seekers who don’t speak English are once again required to bring their own interpreters to interviews for U.S. immigration services, and some worry it will be a hindrance for those fleeing persecution in their home countries.

The September rule change reverted to a pre-pandemic requirement that put the onus on non-English-speaking migrants to find and pay for an interpreter.


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MEDICAL FUND SET UP TO AID FORMER ALPINE WOMAN WITH BRAIN HEMORRHAGE

By Miriam Raftery

January 21, 2024 (Alpine, CA) – Tamara Newton, a Granite Hills High School alumni and daughter of Alpine resident Carlette Anderson, is hospitalized after suffering a brain hemorrhage from a suspected tumor. She is paralyzed on her left side, cannot walk, and requires full-time care.

“The family has been very generous, but now we need some extra help with her expenses and recovery,” Anderson, founder of CPR PROS,  told  East County Magazine. A GoFundMe account has been setup to help pay for surgery and other medical needs.

The family posted on the site, “There is no doubt that it will be SO much easier for her if you join us in showering her with blessings and support in this time of need. She cannot work at this time, has limited savings and many new expenses. AND all this happened within days of moving from New Jersey to California with her youngest son.”


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FLOOD WATCH ISSUED FOR MONDAY

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

January 21, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all areas of San Diego County tomorrow, Monday January 22, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Widespread moderate to heavy rain is forecast, with scattered thunderstorms.

The heavy rain may occur during morning and evening commutes, with a risk of flash flooding.


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NEW U.S. BORDER PATROL STATION TO OPEN 2025 IN DULZURA


Facility will house migrants,  serve as control center for enforcement  


By Michael Howard

 

An artist rendering of the new Dulzura Border Patrol facility slated to open in September 2024. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Border Patrol

 

January 20, 2024 (Dulzura, CA) –  A new $74 million U.S. Border Patrol station has begun construction and is slated to open in Dulzura next year, spokesperson Michael Scappechio said in an emailed statement this week.

 

“This new station will provide CBP law enforcement personnel with much-needed facilities, technologies, and other infrastructure carefully designed to meet the demands and challenges of an ever-evolving border environment,” Scappechio wrote.

 

The station will be used to process and house migrants short-term, as well as serve as a control center for border patrol enforcement activities. The facility sits on an approximately 9-acre plot of land and will include a helipad for air support, fuel stations, and dog kennels.


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SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE ON HOMELESS CAMPING BANS

By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

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

January 20, 2024 (Sacramento) -- The U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on whether cities can legally ban or limit unhoused people camping in public spaces — a case that could grant California officials more power to sweep homeless camps.

The case, originating from the Oregon city of Grants Pass, could overturn or narrow a five-year-old precedent from a federal appeals court that limited how much cities in Western states could criminalize those who sleep on the streets when there aren’t enough shelter spaces available.


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BE A HERO FOR A HUSKY

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 19, 2024 (San Diego) - Overcrowded shelters are a problem across the nation and in our local communities. Hundreds of shelter dogs need to be adopted or to be fostered temporarily. County Animal Services is asking caring individuals in the community: Can you be a Hero for a Husky?


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TONI ATKINS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN 2026

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

January 19, 2024 (San Diego) -- San Diego’s Toni Atkins yesterday signaled she would run for governor, and several news outlets say her announcement is expected today.

Atkins, 61, a Democrat who rose through the ranks of city politics to become the first gay leader of the state Senate, has filed paperwork to begin raising money for a gubernatorial bid in 2026.


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THUNDERSTORMS, HEAVY RAINS FORECAST

East County News Service

January 18, 2024 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service is forecasting a major storm bringing widespread rain this weekend and early next week countywide, with thunderstorms possible in San Diego’s mountains, valleys and coastal areas. The storm is also expected to bring gusty winds, graupel (similar to hail) and lightning that could pose hazards to those outdoors.


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COUNTY PROGRAM HELPS QUALIFYING FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

January 18, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County of San Diego’s Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program helps first-time home buyers whose income is 80 percent or less than the annual area median income, which ranges from $77,200 or less for a single adult, to $110,250 for a family of four and $145,550 for a family of eight. 

The program offers low interest loans with deferred payments. The loans may be as much as 22 percent of the sales price for the down payment and up to $10,000 for closing costs.


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SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR ARSON

Source: San Diego County Sheriff

January 18, 2024 (El Cajon) -- A woman is behind bars on suspicion of starting a fire on January 11 at an apartment complex on E. Bradley Ave. in unincorporated El Cajon. The fire engulfed 14 garages at the complex.


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SENATOR BRIAN JONES SPEAKS OUT ON LOCAL ISSUES IN EXCLUSIVE ECM INTERVIEW

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 18, 2024 (San Diego)—East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery recently sat down for an exclusive interview with state Senator Brian Jones, who represents the 40th district and is also the minority leader in the California State Senate.

Issues discussed included homeowners losing insurance, the need to upgrade aging dams in the district, homelessness, housing, crime, and more.


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JAMUL RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER LOOSE DOGS

By Miriam Raftery

Photos:  Screenshots of loose dog photos posted on Deerhorn Valley social media

January 17, 2024 (Jamul) – Residents of Deerhorn Valley, a Jamul community, are speaking out to warn neighbors about loose dogs posing threats to people, pets and livestock.


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HOMELESS WOMAN WANTED FOR STARTING FIRE THAT BURNED GARAGES IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

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January 16, 2024 (El Cajon) – Authorities are asking for public help to locate Mavis Williams, 43.  She is suspected of setting a fire that burned 14 garages in the 400 block of East Bradley Avenue in unincorporated El Cajon last night.  A warrant has been issued and a $1,000 reward is offered for information leading to her arrest.


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TOBACCO RETAILERS WILL NEED A LICENSE TO SELL IN LA MESA

Story and photo by Michael Howard

Photo: Tobacco retailers like this smoke shop will be subject to licensing later this year. 

January 15, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) - The La Mesa City Council adopted a new ordinance earlier this month that mandates tobacco retailers shall have a license to sell tobacco products.

The ordinance passed unanimously during the January 9,2024 City Council meeting upon Councilmember Jack Shu’s motion to adopt. Shu showed his support of the ordinance by wearing two lapel pins.

“One is ‘I love clean air’ and the other is a lung that was given to me for cleaner lungs by not smoking,” Shu said.


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HEARING FEB. 9 ON PROPOSED RELEASE OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR IN CAMPO

East County News Service

January 14, 2024  (Campo) -- San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Alan Earl James. The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) has recommended placement of Alan James at 1138 Custer Road, Campo, CA 91906. He was convicted of sexual assaults with three minors dating back to 1981 and 1985, and kidnapping a child for sexual molestation.


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CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER SHANE HARRIS TO DELIVER “STATE OF POVERTY” ADDRESS AT MLK DAY BREAKFAST

“Being America’s most expensive city is anti-Dr. King.”—Shane Harris

January 14, 2024  (San Diego) -- Civil rights leader Shane Harris and the People's Association of Justice Advocates  will serve hundreds of unsheltered individuals and low-income families with a free breakfast on Martin Luther King Day, January 15, from 9 a.m.to 11 a.m. at the Living Water Church, 1550 Market Street, San Diego.  Harris will give an MLK Day address announcing new policy efforts to combat poverty, calling new efforts to raise sales taxes in what has already been deemed America's most expensive city 'anti-MLK' as well as calling out San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria for failing to demonstrate dr. King's policies as San Diego further prices out the working class under his leadership 


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WHEN DOES A LANDLORD HAVE TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR A DISABLED TENANT?

By Jared Hernandez, Fair Housing Program Manager, CSA San Diego

January 12,2024 (El Cajon) -- Many tenants are often unaware of their housing rights, contributing to a significant gap in understanding and advocacy. This lack of awareness can leave tenants vulnerable to potential discrimination or hinder their ability to seek necessary adjustments, such as reasonable accommodations for disabilities.


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KARL STRAUSS AND TRADER JOE’S ARE COMING TO SANTEE

 

By Mike Allen

January 12, 2024 (Santee)-- Both Karl Strauss and Trader Joe’s have  announced plans to open retail outlets in Santee, although the latter company isn’t saying much other than its intention to come.


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ENVIRONMENTALISTS SUE TO BLOCK ALPINE COMMUNITY PARK'S SPORTS COMPLEX

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2024 (Alpine) – Two environmental groups filed a lawsuit in Superior  Court on January 5 against San Diego County. The suit filed by Cleveland National Forest Foundation and California Native Plant Society contends that the county failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act when supervisors approved an environmental impact report in December for Alpine’s first community park. The Alpine Community Park, adjacent to Cleveland National Forest and Wright’s Field, would include a sports complex and more.


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WALMART TO CLOSE PARKWAY PLAZA STORE IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2024 (El Cajon) – Wal Mart has announced that it will not renew its lease for the Walmart store in the Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon. The company plans to close the store on February 9.


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COUNTY SUPPORTS FEDERAL INITIATIVE TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT MILITARY FAMILIES

January 8, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs is promoting a federal immigration program that supports immigrant families of U.S. service members.  

The Military Parole in Place (MPIP) program provides some members of U.S. military families temporary permission to remain in the country while seeking permanent residency.  

The temporary immigration status allows spouses, widow(er)s, parents and children of U.S. service members to stay, work and travel freely in the United States. The Board of Supervisors previously approved promoting the program to reaffirm the County’s support for service members and their families. 

“Families can be divided when a loved one serves in the U.S. armed forces,” said Rick Wanne, Director of County Self Sufficiency Services. “This program allows them to be reunited in our country and recognizes our military men and women for their honorable and selfless service.”


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BIDEN’S FIRST CAMPAIGN SPEECH AT VALLEY FORGE WARNS OF THREATS TO DEMOCRACY; TRUMP POSTS MESSIANIC VIDEO

By Miriam Raftery

January 7, 2024 – A day before the anniversary of the deadly Jan.6,2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, President Joe Biden and his likely campaign opponent Donald Trump presented sharply divergent messages.

In a speech near Valley Forge, Biden spoke of General George Washington crossing the Delaware with patriot soldiers in 1777 to defeat the British and win freedom and democracy—the then radical idea that the people could govern themselves, without a king or dictator. “But if democracy fails, we’ll lose that freedom,” the President said.  He warned that Trump has openly announced plans to dismantle our democracy, stating bluntly, “Democracy is on the ballot.  Your freedom is on the ballot.”

Trump meanwhile posted a video on his social media platform that proclaimed “God created Trump” to be a “shepherd to mankind” who would be “willing to go into the den of vipers, call out the fake news for their tongues as sharp as the serpents” as well as “wrestle the deep state” and  “wield a sword.”


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BODY FOUND IN BURNED SPRING VALLEY HOME

East County News Service

January 7, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- A body was found early this morning after a house fire in the 8600 block of Eileen Street in Spring Valley.  No details have been released on the deceased person.


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PARENTS IDENITIFED IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE

East County News Service

January 7, 2023 (El Cajon)—The parents of three children are dead of in an apparent murder-suicide at their home in the 1600 block of Hilton Head Court in unincorporated El Cajon. The deceased have been identified as Jose Benjamin Lopez Valle, 41, and his wife, Brenda Valle, 38.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon and gunshots. Inside the residence, they found the victims with a firearm nearby. Deputies and paramedics provided medical care but could not save the couple. 

“It appears that Jose’s injuries were self-inflicted,” says Lieutenant Joseph Jarjura with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.

They were parents to three children, ages 18, 16 and 11.


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ORDER YOUR 2024 BEAUTIFUL EAST COUNTY CALENDAR!

 

January 5, 2024 -- We still have a few calendars left! Back by popular demand, our "Beautiful East County" calendar for 2024 showcases our region's scenic attractions and wildlife.

The calendars are available as our thank you gift to you, with any tax-deductible donation of $50 or more this month. To donate, please visit www.EastCountyMedia.org/donate.

Your donation will help sustain our independent reporting for San Diego's East County.

We thank you for your generosity, and thanks to our many readers who have already contributed.  


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BODY OF ELDERLY WOMAN FOUND IN FREEZER AT ALLIED GARDENS HOME WAS FORMER KAISER WORKER

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via ECM news partner 10 News

January 5, 2024 (San Diego) – The body of an elderly woman found Dec. 22 in a chest freezer at an Allied Gardens home has been identified as Mary Margaret Haxby-Jones, who formerly lived there. According to Lt. Jud Campbell with San Diego Police, she may have been missing or  dead for as long as nine years and would have been 81 years old if she had survived.


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STAY SAFE! SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE EAST COUNTY WILDFIRE & EMERGENCY ALERTS

Sign up here to receive our free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email.  Our alerts can reach you even if phone lines or cell towers burn down.  We cover wildfires, flash floods, major highway shutdowns, severe weather alerts, gas leaks, and other hazards in our region.  We suggest signing up on all of your emails –home, work, school, and encourage  friends, family members and coworkers to do the same. These alerts save lives!

You can also follow East County Alerts on Twitter.

You can also sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, with top local news and events in East County.  You can choose alerts, or newsletter, or both.


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SDSU FEELS THE FALLOUT FROM ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Adela de la Torre. Photo by SDSU

January 4, 2024 (San Diego) - San Diego State University is under investigation for alleged “Islamophobia” in the wake of SDSU President Adela de la Torre’s condemnation of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and statement of support for impacted members of the campus community.  The U.S. Department of Education has not discussed the merits of the complaint from unidentified complainants, only that the complaint has come under its jurisdiction.

Here, in full, is what President De La Torre said:


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CA FARM ANIMAL CRUELTY LAW TAKES FULL EFFECT

 

By Suzanne Potter, California News Servic

 

January 3, 2024 (Sacramento)-- Pork sold in California will now have to comply with Proposition 12.

The law bans some types of extreme confinement of farm animals, specifically gestation crates -- which are metal cages, often so small sows cannot turn around. Some provisions of the 2018 law have already gone into effect, concerning egg-laying hens and calves raised for veal.


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