San Diego State University’s sixth president, who steered the institution through a transformative period of growth and expansion, has died.

By SDSU News Team

June 18, 2021 (San Diego) - Thomas B. Day, the sixth president of San Diego State University who began an 18-year-tenure in 1978 and saw the creation of six joint doctoral programs, significantly increased faculty research and led a major expansion of the university. 

Keynote speaker is best-selling author, Emmy award-winning actor, director and producer Henry Winkler

East County News Service

June 18, 2021 (San Diego) -- Local nonprofit San Diego Oasis in collaboration with the County of San Diego’s Aging and Independence Services (AIS), Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and Live Well San Diego, San Diego Oasis will host “Vital Aging 2021: Resilient and Ready!,” an online conference that will provide those 60 and older with information and resources related to aging. The online event will be held Thursday, June 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.  This is a free virtual event.

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2021 (Sacramento) – With case-rates dropping and California now having the third-lowest rate of positive COVID-19 test results in the nation, the state is poised to end its color-coded tiers and lift most restrictions tomorrow. But employers have been in limbo as Cal-OSHA delayed a decision last week on rules to protect workers.

Now, Cal-OSHA is expected to approve new workplace rules proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom this week, which would allow fully vaccinated workers in most workplaces to remove masks and end social distancing requirements starting June 17^th.

That’s a turnaround from an earlier proposal by Cal-OSHA, which would have required all workers to wear masks if anyone in the workplace wasn’t vaccinated but drew objections from employers’ groups.

By Ben Christopher, CalMatters

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

Photo:  Carlos Hernandez holds his mask while getting a haircut by Sarah Cordiey at Spiros Barber Shop in Long Beach on June 9, 2021. "During the pandemic, I got depression and anxiety," said Hernandez, who saw his family for the first time last week in more than one year. "But then when I got [fully] vaccinated I felt a lot better." Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

June 14, 2021 (San Diego) - California’s grand reopening day is almost here, but it comes with a few asterisks. 

By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2021 (Casa De Oro, CA)  - “We are looking for the public’s help in locating this vehicle and driver,” Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol says of a white, two-door Honda Accord that ran over and seriously injured a woman in the early morning hours of June 10 in Casa de Oro. The victim’s identity is also unknown.

The accident occurred around 12:38 a.m., when an unidentified driver heading east on Kenora Drive drove directly over an unidentified woman who for unknown reasons was laying on the roadway on Kenora Drive east of Kenwood Drive.

East County News Service

UPDATE: As of Saturday, June 12 at 11:05 a.m., the precautionary boil water notice has been lifted, reports Ready San Diego.

June 11, 2021 (San Diego) -- The City of San Diego is advising the public to not drink tap water without boiling it first in the Encanto area. This includes the area north of Brooklyn Avenue, south of State Route 94, west of 69th Street and east of Kelton Road, as well as Leppert Court, the 1100-1469 blocks of Watwood Road and the 1000-1400 blocks of Larwood Road

The Boil Water Notice was issued after a construction crew damaged a water main near Imperial Avenue and 65th Street Thursday.The city expects to have the problem resolved by Sunday. Until then, those affected should comply with the notice to avoid potential illness.

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego County is in the final innings of reaching herd immunity, after rallying to reach one of the highest vaccination rates in the state. So now the County is teaming up with the Padres to give a free pair of tickets for a future Padres game and a Padres Hero T-shirt to every fan who gets vaccinated at Petco Park on June 12 or June 26.  (While supplies last; minors must have a parent present.)

By Miriam Raftery

June 8, 2021 (San Diego) – Local businesses and event organizers will get a welcome reprieve from COVID-19 restrictions even earlier than the full reopening set to begin June 15 statewide.  Starting tomorrow, San Diego County will move into the state’s least restrictive Yellow Tier, after two consecutive weeks of less than two COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

June 6, 2021 (Sacramento) - Community activists are urging California lawmakers to reject two bills that would limit local control in order to clear the way for 5G small-cell wireless equipment near homes, schools and businesses.

Source:  Caltrans

June 5, 2021 (Dulzura/Spring Valley) - Caltrans crews continue pavement rehabilitation this week on a nine-mile section of State Route 94 (SR-94) from just west of Arnold Road to State Route 188 in eastern San Diego County.

By Miriam Raftery 

Photos by ECM photojournalists Henri Migala, Jake Rose, Miriam Raftery, Paul Kruze and Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

June 5, 2021 (La Mesa) – A racial justice protest on May 30, 2020 erupted into a tense standoff at the La Mesa Police station followed by a night of looting, vandalism, and the burning down of three buildings in La Mesa’s historic downtown district. The events shocked and terrifed the community. 

What began as a peaceful protest focused on the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis, but also on a controversial stop by a La Mesa Police officer of Amaurie Johnson, a young Black man. two days before the protest and riot. A bystander's video of the Johnson incident went viral and was widely viewed as racial profiling, sparking anger. The ensuing chaos resulted in multiple injuries to protesters and widespread property damage.

One year later, however, the city has made strides toward accountability, healing racial rifts, police reforms, helping businesses that were harmed, and moving forward with rebuilding plans.