Dear Readers,

We are the only regional publication dedicated to reporting news that matters here in East County.  Please support our mid-year fundraising drive to help us keep you safe and informed. With several major wildfires already this season, the need for a real-time, online news source in East County is clear. Funds are also needed to sustain our community news reporting, which has won 142 journalism awards.  Give now.

In just the past few weeks, community donations have enabled us to report on many important stories, including:

• Brush fires in Campo, Jamul, Lakeside,  El Cajon and more
• A livestock virus prompting quarantines across East County
• A parole center proposed in La Mesa
• Supreme Court decisions impacting student loans, affirmative action, tribal adoptions, the LGBTQ community and businesses
• A fugitive murder suspect holding elected office in Campo
• Efforts to reopen Loveland Reservoir
• New laws impacting the homeless
• Candidates running for supervisor
• City Council meetings in Lemon Grove, El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee
• Budget priorities in  East County cities and the County
• Tribal members’ cross-country run for clean water
• The MTS bus strike
• Festivals and events, theater and restaurant reviews in East County
• Lamar Odom opening treatment centers in Lemon Grove and El Cajon
• Good works of local service clubs and nonprofits

Many of those were stories that we broke, as well as stories we covered in depth while other media focused on coastal and downtown issues.

We’re your community media – dedicated to telling the stories that matter here in East County! We reflect your interests—the public interests—not special interests.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo; Left, Cottonwood Golf Course pond, before it was drained; right, a sand mining operation

July 5, 2023 (Rancho San Diego) – The County of San Diego has issued a revised draft environmental impact report (EIR) on the proposed Cottonwood sand mine. View documents and details. 

The public has until August 14 at 4 p..m. to submit comments on the revised EIR.

Comments can be sent via email to Christopher.Jacobs@sdcounty.ca.gov.  The County will also hold an in-person public meeting regarding the Recirculated Draft EIR on July 25, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Hillsdale Middle School (1301 Brabham Street, El Cajon).

By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2023 (Santee) – If you’re looking for a cool way to beat the heat, grab your beach towel and head on over to the city of Santee’s Aquatic Center at the Cameron Family YMCA (10123 Riverwalk Drive, Santee).

Their gigantic, twisting three-story water slide reopened today– just in time to make a splash on Independence day and beyond.

The huge, twisting water slide has been closed for three and a half years for repairs.

East County Congressional leaders split in views on the rulings

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Supreme Court website

July 3, 2023 (San Diego) – The Supreme Court on Friday issued two controversial decisions. By a 6-3 vote, the conservative majority found that President Joe Biden lacked authority to forgive student loans. The court also ruled that Christian web designer can refuse to create websites for same-sex couples, an action that eliminates civil rights protections enacted by many states for the LGTBQ community and potentially, other protected groups.

Those cases cap off a week in which justices earlier found affirmative action programs at universities to be unconstitutional, barring preference for racial minorities.

What do local representatives have to say about these decisions, and what might the long-term impacts be for students, the LGTBQ  community, businesses and minorities concerned about discriminatory state laws?

By Miriam Raftery

Mexican sewage has contaminated beaches from South Bay to North County in recent months

July 1, 2023 (San Diego)—Three San Diego Congressional members  have asked President Joe Biden to declare a federal state of  emergency over the Tijuana River sewage crisis that has prompted numerous closures of beaches across  San Diego County in recent months.

By Miriam Raftery

June 29, 2023 (Santee) – SDG&E has advised the city of Santee that Cuyamaca Street will be closed for six to eight weeks between Prospect Ave. and Weld. Blvd.to repair a gas leak in a transmission line. 

The street will be closed in both directions,  the city of Santee posted on social media.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Demonstrators protest on both sides of the affirmative action issue; cc-nc-nd

June 29,2023 (Washington D.C.)—Public colleges nationwide, as well as private colleges that accept federal funds, can no longer consider race  in the admissions process, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today.

In a 6-3 decision split down ideological lines, the conservative majority found affirmative action to be an unconstitutional violation of the 14^th Amendment, which assures equal protection for all Americans.

The court broke with its own precedent set 45 years ago, when justices found that a limited exception to the 14^th Amendment was acceptable for school admissions to counter the impacts of racial discrimination.

Locally and nationally, the ruling prompted strong reactions.

Source:  Helix Water District

Photo:  R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant

June 29, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - Helix Water District’s newly released 2022 Water Quality Report shows that throughout 2022, the district continued to deliver healthy, top-quality drinking water that outperforms federal and state standards.

By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Alex Aguirre

June 28, 2023 (San Diego) - The County is expanding its campaign to help more San Diegans get online.

Fireworks caused over $25 million in property loss last year, fine for illegal use is up to $50,000

June 28, 2023 (San Diego) – Beginning at noon tomorrow, June 28, “Safe and Sane” Fireworks will go on sale in many communities across California and in Mexico.But in San Diego County, all consumer fireworks are illegal to own or use, except those in licensed professional fireworks shows. That includes sparklers,firecrackers, poppers and all others.

The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is reminding everyone to do their part to have a safe holiday and help prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks.

As we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, make sure your festivities are both enjoyable and safe. 

Since 2013, in the State of California, there have been over 20,000 acres burned with fireworks as the ignition source, causing $59.3 million in property loss, with $25.7 million of that total occurring in 2022 alone.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Parole officers visit a residence, by Scorpion, Creative Commons 4.0 license

Updated June 28, 2023 with statement from Mary Xjimenez from the Calif. Dept. of  Corrections and Rehabilitation.

June 27, 2023 (La Mesa) – Should a parole office be allowed in  La Mesa,  just a few hundred feet from elementary schools and a preschool, around the corner from breweries and cannabis dispensaries, also near a senior daycare center and other sensitive uses?

That’s exactly what the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is considering, according to a letter sent to the city dated April 25.

Kristina Khokhobashvili  with the CDCR told ECM that the site, if approved, would serve not only parolees from East County and Chula Vista, but also the parolees who have tracking devices –which includes sexual predators and potentially violent offenders.

Thus far, she said, the state has not signed a lease for the site at 8374-8376 Hercules Street, across the street from  Carl Burger Dodge and Journey Church, which plans to open an elementary school on its property next year. According to Khokhobashvili, the state is still researching locations.

Story and photos by Christianne McCormick

Photo, left: Director of Finance Clay Schoen presents budget breakdown

June 25, 2023 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon’s City Council on June 13 received a presentation on the Preliminary Annual Budget for fiscal year of 2023-2024.  Council also moved forward on a ban on homeless camping on public property that would be similar to the City of San Diego’s new ordinance.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo by Henri Migala

June 24, 2023  (Jamul) – A brush fired dubbed the #ProctorFire is burning along Proctor Valley Road near Jamul.  CalFire reported at 5:37 that a vehicle fire at 12998 Proctor Valley Rd. spread into the brush, had charred a half acre and was burning at a moderate rate of spread.

Since then, scanner traffic indicates a structure threat and that the fire has reached five acres.

Board also approves budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025

Photo courtesy PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay

East County News Service

June 24, 2023 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today approved wholesale water rates for 2024 following a public hearing and approved the recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. The budget and rates support continued work on numerous agency priorities, including capital projects critical for maintaining safe and reliable water supplies. 

East County News Service

June 23, 2022 (El Cajon)—The couple found dead yesterday morning by their daughter in the family’s home have been identified as Eric and Denise Helen Orpinela. According to the Sheriff’s Department, Eric Orpinela shot and killed his wife, then committed suicide.

The couple had three young children. The oldest, who found the couple in their residence on East Bradley Ave. in ElCajon, is 14.