By Gayle Lynn Falkenthal

September 11, 2021 (San Diego) -- One in four of San Diego’s homeless adults is over the age of 55. More than 40% are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: World Trade Center burning on September 11, 2001; screenshot from video taken by San Diego County resident Mar Tomic

September 11, 2021 (San Diego) – Twenty years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks claimed thousands of lives in New York, Washington D.C. and  Pennsylvania,  San Diego County residents shared their memories of the tragedy in response to inquiries from East County Magazine and on social media.

Sheriff Bill Gore posted on Twitter, “The images are seared into our memories. We watched in disbelief as passenger planes turned into weapons. It was a time of great pain and heroism. Honor guard members reflect on 9/11 and how it transformed their purpose into a life of service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLuKaoVAH1M “  Many of those in the honor guard spoke of how the attacks inspired them to protect their country."

Others reacted differently. Local resident Mar Tomic was in New York City to witness first hand the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil.  “I had a chance to see it on TV but also from my apartment in Brooklyn. I took my camera and wandered the streets for many days after the tragedy. I edited this video 7 days after 9.11.”  View video:  https://vimeo.com/29079284.   Tomic’s video captured not only the chaos and sorrow in the days following the attacks, but at a time when the nation was gearing up for war to retaliate against Afghanistan for harboring Al Qaeda leader bin Laden, Tomic’s footage also showed some New Yorker’s rallying for peace  even amid candlelight vigils for those lost.

East County News Service

Sign up for #CaliforniansForAll to serve and volunteer in your community

September 11, 2021 (Sacramento) – The 20^th anniversary of September 11^th - an important time for us to reflect, says Josh Fryday, Chief Services Officer for Governor Gavin Newsom.  Fryday is heading up a statewide day of service for Californians to volunteer, a model backed by the Legislature and Governor as a model to build back trust and create a culture of service for our communities.

East County News Service

September 9, 2021 (Sacramento) -- Covered California announced a special-enrollment period for an estimated 138,000 Californians who will soon be losing federal financial help to keep their medical benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, better known as COBRA, which expire September 30.  People who sign up by Sept. 30 with Covered California can potentially save hundreds of dollars a month on health insurance, with coverage starting October 1 – and many will be able to stay with the same brand-name insurance company that they currently have.

East County News Service

September 10, 2021 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police today announced the arrest of Jafet Prieto, 29, of El Cajon for the murder of Tony Montantes back on March 16, 2020.

Sept. 10 kicks off the Ruck March, including America’s finest active duty & former Special Operation Forces alongside NY first responders

East County News Service

Photo:  Master Sergeant Chad Conley, U.S. Army Special Forces

September 8, 2021 (New York) -- To commemorate the 20th anniversary of September 11 and show support for our troops. “50 For the Fallen,” a group of active duty & veteran Special Operation Forces and NY First Responders will ruck march 50 miles around New York City, ending at Ground Zero in honor of 9/11. San Diego-based Maddox Defense is sponsoring the march and matching a portion of proceeds to “50 for the Fallen.”

Source: San Diego Sheriff

September 8, 2021 (San Diego) – “We want our immigrant and refugee neighbors to know the San Diego County Sheriff's Department embraces people of all backgrounds, faiths, cultures and nationalities. We welcome you to the county. You are a valuable part of our communities,” a press release from the San Diego Sheriff states. “We understand it can be challenging to adapt to a new environment and navigate public safety services.”

Action praised by climate activists, criticized by residents fearing increased industrial-scale energy projects in East County to power coastal and urban areas

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – By a 3-2 vote, San Diego County Supervisors voted Tuesday to join San Diego Community Power, a community choice energy program (CCE).  East County’s two representatives, Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond, both voted no, but for differing reasons.

East County News Service

September 4, 2021 (San Diego) – Supervisors Joel Anderson and Nora Vargas invite you to share your ideas on transparency in county government during a Transparency Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, September 7 from 5 p.m to 6:30 p.m.  both in person at the County Administration Building and online via Zoom.

Source: County News Service

September 3, 2021 (San Diego) – COVID-19 deaths countywide nearly doubled in the past week, with 49 deaths Aug. 25-31, up from 25 the week before, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced on Sept. 1.

Source:  Poway Chamber of Commerce

September 2, 2021 (Poway) - The Poway Chamber today announced the passing of long-time Chamber member and former Chamber President, Vernard “Vern” Marston. Vern, a 49-year resident of Poway, died with his family at his side on August 24, 2021. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, community banker, retired USAF Lt. Colonel, and dedicated member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce. Vern was often referred to as "Mr. Poway".

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2021 (In-Ko-Pah) – James Coe, 63, of Arizona, has died after being rescued from a fiery rollover crash shortly after 3 p.m. yesterday on Interstate 8 eastbound at In-Ko-Pah Road in Jacumba, near the San Diego and Imperial County line.

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2021 (San Diego) – The Democratic Party is officially advising members to vote no on recalling Newsom and leave the second question – who should replace him – blank. But that could backfire if the recall succeeds, allowing a small minority of mostly conservative voters to pick the next Governor without anything close to a majority. While that may delight Republicans, now that polls show the race is too close to call, a growing number of Democrats who oppose the recall are seeking info on Democrats running, just in case.

August 31, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• CDC study shows unvaccinated people are 29 times more likely to be hospitalized with Covid (CNBC)
• Covid-19 hospitalization risk doubles with Delta variant, UK study suggests (CNN)
• As Children's COVID Cases Surge, There's Another Virus On The Rise (NPR)
• Judge: Norwegian cruises can require proof of vaccination (ABC)
• Hospitals still not protected from dangerous vulnerabilities (Help Net Security)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• U.N. climate change report sounds 'code red for humanity' (Reuters)
• Computer Models Of Civilization Offer Routes To Ending Global Warming (NPR)
• .Is Amazon heading to shopping malls? Online giant plans to open department stores, reports say (USA Today)
• NHTSA investigating Tesla autopilot crashes, fatalities (Car and Driver)

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