View video of interview, which also aired on KNSJ radio: https://youtu.be/6CG6xMtEY8U

March 25, 2024 (La Mesa) East County Magazine recently interviewed La Mesa activists Janet Castaños, PhD, and Gene Carpenter, who raise concerns over La Mesa City Council’s Feb. 27 decision to end remote public comments.  The action came after anti-Semitic comments were made by several callers at the previous meeting, though the city’s stated reason for ending the public’s ability to call in with comments was that the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Castaños calls the vote a “knee jerk” reaction without public input.  “We had built greater community activity, greater engagement in our City Council with our Zoom and call-in options,” noting that people who were sick or had childcare issues could call in from home.  She objects to the decision made “without even taking the time to look at a variety of options that are used by the City of San Diego City  Council or the Board of Supervisors...”

“It affects all boards and commissions for the city of La Mesa...You have to physically be there if you want to make a comment on anything on the agenda,” she added.

Source: San Diego Sheriff

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego Registrar of Voters this evening released unofficial results from the primary election. Final results will be certified by 5 p.m. on April 4.  

The only ballots not yet counted countywide are 3,750 mail-in ballots returned with a missing or non-matching signature. Those voters were mailed letters giving them until April 2 to provide signatures. Once verified, these “cured” ballots will then be tallied. It is unclear how many of those ballots will be cured and counted, and how many are in any given district.

Below is an update on close races in East County, where flips in two key Assembly races since election night appear to have held.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Campo tribe's original wind project; the tribe hopes to build a new project connected to the substation challenged by rural activists.

March 20, 2024 (Campo) — An Appellate Court has found that a trial court wrongfully dismissed a lawsuit against San Diego County challenging Supervisors’ approval of Terra-Gen’s Boulder Brush substation in rural East County. The substation would connect to Terra-Gen’s Campo Wind project on Campo tribal land. 

Earlier plans called for the substation to also connect to the proposed Torrey Wind project in Campo, but Terra-Gen has since withdrawn its application for that project after a deadline expired.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  ECM Editor MIriam Raftery with Santee Favorites award

March 17, 2024 (Santee) – East County Magazine received a “Santee’s Favorites” award for best business resources at the Santee Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Awards Night on March 7 at Sycuan Casino Resort’s Heritage Event Center.

East County Magazine offers affordable sponsorship opportunities on our news site, which averages 5-10 million hits and a quarter million visits each month.  Our news coverage includes highlighting East County businesses, business news and events.. Next up,  ECM is planning to add a business directory, to help our readers easily locate business services in San Diego’s inland region.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Santee Chamber as the favorite for Business Resources, an award chosen by popular vote,” says East County Magazine editor and founder Miriam Raftery.  “We are constantly striving to find more ways to help local businesses. We welcome tips and story ideas, which can be sent to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.”  For sponsorship information, businesses owners and nonprofits can call (619)698-7617.

Sycuan was the  title sponsor of the event. Santee Chamber President/CEO, Kristen Dare, alongside past Board Chair, Eddie Vandiver, co-hosted onstage as the organization welcomed over 250 guests.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Storm drain, San Diego County Dept. of Public Works

March 13, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – County Supervisors, at a Flood Control District meeting today, approved continuation of storm drain emergency repairs in several unincorporated communities, following catastrophic flooding on January 22 that overwhelmed county stormwater drains.

By Chris Berg, marketing and engagement manager, city of El Cajon

March 13, 2024 (El Cajon) —The city of El Cajon is inviting experienced and innovative event planners and organizations to submit proposals for the management of the newly conceived East County Market Nights. This weekly event, set to transform downtown El Cajon every Thursday evening, combines a certified Farmers Market with a dynamic nightlife experience, including live music, gourmet food trucks, and a beer and wine garden. Video Preview

By Miriam Raftery

Image courtesy of the City of El Cajon

March 12, 2024 (El Cajon) -- “The Wall That Heals”, a ¾-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with a Mobile Education Center, will be at Wells Park in El Cajon March 21-24. Volunteers are needed to help make this amazing educational opportunity happen.