Source: Caltrans

September 17, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- Caltrans crews anticipate closures at Interstate 8 (I-8) and Crestwood Road for four to six weeks beginning Monday to replace guardrail systems. The work will require full closures of the westbound I-8/Crestwood Road on-ramp and the eastbound I-8/Crestwood Road off-ramp near the Golden Acorn Casino, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through early November. Advance notification signs have been placed to inform motorists about the closures. See map below for closure areas.

East County News Service

Image Credit: Shutterstock 

September 15, 2021 (San Diego) -- The County Board of Supervisors voted today to move forward with plans to legalize microenterprise home kitchen operations, or MEHKOs. MEHKOs are defined by California law as a small retail food facility, operated from a private home.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Gavin Newsom earlier today, via his Twitter feed

September 14, 2021 (San Diego) – Major networks including CNN, CBS and NBC have called California’s gubernatorial recall election, with voters statewide resoundingly rejecting efforts to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. As of 8:30 p.m., the recall is failing by a 67.8% “no” to 32.1% “yes” margin with more than half of all votes tallied.

The recall is losing by wide margins even in conservative counties such as Orange, Riverside, and San Bernadino. In San Diego County, early results show 60.63% voted against recalling Newsom, with 39.37% in favor of the ouster effort.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

September 12, 2021 (Sacramento) --  Advocates for older Americans are working to spread the word about a federal program to cut people's internet bills.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program gives people who qualify a $50 credit on their monthly internet bill and a $100 voucher toward a laptop or other mobile device.

Joe Garbanzos, state president for AARP California, said for tribal communities the program goes further, providing a $75 subsidy per month.

By Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

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

Photo:  John Cox showed off Tag the bear on Harbor Island during his campaign. Photo by Chris Stone

September 12, 2021 (San Diego) - Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts.

Illegal drugs likely destined for unlicensed marijuana dispensaries in region, investigators believe

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: hallucinogenic mushrooms by Arp; Image Number 6514 at Mushroom Observer, a source for mycological images. CC-by SA 3.0 via Wikimedia.

September 11, 2021 (Warner Springs) – A San Diego County Sheriff’s warrant search related to a Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extraction lab early Friday morning at 28519 Highway 79 in Warner Springs also found a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) lab. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 11, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- For his first initiative as County Supervisor, East County’s representative Joel Anderson established the Transparency Subcommittee to solicit ideas from the public to improve access and participation with their County government. At a recent hearing, over 60 people attended and hundreds sent in comments with “great suggestions to ensure the public’s interest is best served,” says Anderson.

He adds,  “I’d love your feedback on the input we have heard so far. Please take this survey and let me know which ideas you support. There’s also room for you to write in your own ideas if you don’t see them listed in the survey,” says Anderson.

Click here to take the survey.

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

September 10, 2021 (El Cajon) -- On a cloudless morning with the San Miguel Fire & Rescue’s massive 70-foot flag serving as a backdrop, the Cuyamaca College campus community and East County firefighters gathered Friday for an early commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

SOLD OUT!

Slide show: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/Pa...

You’re invited to join East County Magazine in rooftop revelry at our “Party in Paradise” on Saturday evening, September 25^th where we will also present Community Champions Awards to honor outstanding community members. View list of finalists for the awards.  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/east-county-magazine-announces-finali...

The event will be held atop the beautiful new, outdoor rooftop shaded deck atop the Jamul Casino, with panoramic 360-degree views! Enjoy a VIP cocktail reception, tropical dinner, live music by Slack Key Ohana, dancing, auction, raffle, and fun galore.

Proceeds benefit East County Media, supporting East County Magazine, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts, and our Community Champions Awards.

To reserve tickets at earlybird rates, click below:

East County News Service

Photo by Dennis Richardson

September 9, 2021 (San Diego) - A statewide Flex Alert has been extended today due to high heat forecast across California and the west through Friday. All California residents are asked to conserve electricity to avoid the need for rolling outages.

“Conserving electricity during the late afternoon and early evening is crucial because that is when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and declining solar energy production,” the ISO reports.

September 2, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine today announced finalists in its Community Champions Awards. Winners will be presented with awards on September 25, 2021 during the nonprofit media outlet’s “Party in Paradise” at the new rooftop venue at Jamul Casino. For tickets, visit  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/tickets-now-sale-our-party-paradise-a....

“We are pleased to recognize these community champions who have done so much to benefit people in our communities, particularly during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says ECM Editor and Founder Miriam Raftery. "Thanks to the many readers who sent in nominations -- the judges had many outstanding entries to choose from in selecting finalists."

The awards categories are healthcare, public safety, environmental and wildlife protection, racial and social justice, and humanitarian, as well as a special community benefactor award. Awards will be presented Sept. 25 at ECM's "Party in Paradise' atop the Jamul Casino. Below are the finalists, as well as information on the event and tickets:

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Powerlines, creative commons image via Bing

September 6, 2021 (San Diego) -- San Diego County Supervisors held a hearing on August 31^st on public safety power shutoffs. Chairman Nathan Fletcher emphasized the importance of this “timely issue” in light of wildfire concerns.

By Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2021 (El Cajon) – A campus supervisor at Valhalla High School has been put on paid administrative leave after a video went viral showing him pressing a knee on the neck of an African-American female student. The controversial restraint tactic was used in an effort to break up a fight between two students on August 31.

By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2021 (San Diego) – After more than 14 hours of heated testimony, San Diego County Supervisors voted 3-2 late Tuesday night to declare medical misinformation a public health crisis. 

East County News Service

Photo: creative comments image by NC-ND via Bing

September 3, 2021 (Spring Valley) -- Yesterday around 7;30 a.m., San Diego County Sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant at an illegal marijuana dispensary located at 9966 Dolores Street in Spring Valley.