SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

WINTER STORM WARNING

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY

East County News Service
 
March 28, 2024 (Julian) -- Julian Dark Sky Network and Julian Library present a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Monday, April 8 starting at 10 a.m. at the Julian Library at 1850 CA-78, Julian, CA 92036.
 
This event is free, including eclipse viewing glasses! View the last solar eclipse visible in North America until 2045. It's a major event to watch and experience!

READER’S EDITORIAL: SB 10 WAS NOT MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING

By Neighbors for a Better San Diego
 
The SB 10 bullet we dodged was peddled as "Missing Middle Housing" by City Hall. It wasn't, and here's why it matters...
 
March 28, 2024 (San Diego) -- In 2023 Mayor Gloria intended San Diego to be the first California city to "opt-in" to Senate Bill 10 (SB 10). Thankfully, he was eventually forced to remove SB 10 from Housing Action Package 2.0 as the details of this irrevocable state law became public.
 
Parroting the Mayor and the Planning Department, building industry proponents argued that SB 10 would deliver "Missing Middle Housing."

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 27, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Get ready for a wet and windy weekend, as an atmospheric river moves into the region. Heavy rain is highly likely Saturday through Monday, so you may want to make alternative plans for outdoor activities such as Easter egg hunts. 
 
The chance of rain on Easter Sunday is around 90% in East County’s mountains, 85% in El Cajon, and 80% in Borrego Springs. Regionwide, all of San Diego County has more than a 75% chance of rain.

INSURANCE NON-RENEWALS CONTINUE EVEN AS COMMISSIONER RICARDO LARA INTRODUCES REGULATIONS FAVORED BY THE INDUSTRY

By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters
 
Photo: State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara speaks during a press conference with Los Angeles labor leaders and advocates in Commerce on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters
 
March 26, 2024 (Sacramento) -- With more California homeowners just discovering their insurance policies are getting canceled —  and hundreds of thousands of others stuck with a pricey option of last resort — state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s efforts to fix the home insurance market can’t come quickly enough.

SOCIAL SECURITY CUTS

"Trump has tried to walk back his support for Social Security and Medicare cuts," said the head of Social Security Works. "This budget is one of many reasons why no one should believe him."
 
 
Defenders of Social Security and Medicare on Wednesday swiftly criticized the biggest caucus of Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives for putting out a budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 that takes aim at the crucial programs.
 
The 180-page "Fiscal Sanity to Save America" plan from the Republican Study Committee (RSC) follows the release of proposals from Democratic President Joe Biden and U.S. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas)—who is leading the fight to create a fiscal commission for the programs that critics call a "death panel" designed to force through cuts.

NEXT STEPS FOR COUNTY EMERGENCY TEMPORARY LODGING PROGRAM

By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
March 26, 2024 (San Diego) -- On March 12, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the Emergency Temporary Lodging Program. 
 
The program, which was launched on Feb. 10, has provided emergency temporary lodging to nearly 900 families who were displaced by flooding from the Jan. 22 storm. 

GLORIA APPOINTS 25-YEAR SAN DIEGO POLICE VETERAN SCOTT WAHL AS NEXT CHIEF

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
 
March 26, 2024 (San Diego) -- Mayor Todd Gloria announced Thursday that he has appointed Assistant Chief Scott Wahl, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, as San Diego’s next chief of police.

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

By Kirsten Andelman

Photo, left to right:  student rep Elizabeth Fox;  trustees Elva Salinas,  Chris Fite, Jim Kelly, Gary Woods, and Robert Shield

March 26, 2024 (El Cajon) --The Grossmont Union High School District Board voted 3-2 earlier this month to issue Reduction in Force notices for 91 full-time staff positions, after about 81 employees received district letters last week warning of looming “pink slips” for the next school year.

Board leaders blamed the state of California for mandating notice of the cuts by a March 15 deadline, as leaders in Sacramento brace for a looming budget deficit of over $31 billion dollars for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

Of the eliminated positions, 53 were “certificated” and/or teacher positions, and 38 were “classified” positions. 

CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

Source: Attorney General Rob Bonta
 
March 25, 2024 (Oakland) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert with tips on filing and preparing taxes safely. As Tax Day approaches, many Californians may seek out assistance with filing their state and federal tax returns. To avoid falling victim to a tax-related scam, Attorney General Bonta advises Californians to file early, take actions to protect themselves online, and learn about free or low-cost tax filing opportunities. Through the IRS Direct File pilot program, eligible California taxpayers can file their 2023 federal taxes directly with the IRS for free.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: KIWANIS HELP CHILDREN AT EAST COUNTY TRANSITIONAL LIVING CENTER

 
March 25, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Shiloh Ireland visited the East County Transitional Living Center to speak with leaders of Kiwanis about their organization’s dedication to helping children. On March 16, Kiwanis members pitched in to help out families transitioning from homelessness at the East County Transitional Living Center.

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

 

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.

FIRST ANNUAL ARTISTS' SHOWCASE PRESENTED BY SISTERHOOD AND MEN'S CLUB

East County News Service
 
March 24, 2024 (San Diego) -- Join Tifereth Israel Synagogue (TIS) for a day of creativity and community at the First Annual Artists’ Showcase. This vibrant event will feature a diverse array of talented artists, craft artisans, and authors connected to the Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
 
Date: Sunday, April 7, 2024 
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
Location: Tifereth Israel Synagogue Social Hall
6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego, CA 92119

WINTER STORM WARNING

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo via Mt. Laguna webcam

March 24, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm alert for San Diego County's mountains, in effect until 11 p.m.  Severe weaather conditions are expected with heavy snow and wind gusts up to 65 or 75 mies per hour. Downed trees and power lines are possible. Some snow has already fallen in Julian, Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna and other mountain communities.

BEE SAFE THIS SPRING; DO NOT GET STUNG

By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
Photo: Bing Copilot
 
March 23, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- During springtime, the flowers bloom and the bees are busy. Here are some simple tips to make sure you don’t get stung. The biggest one is—do not disturb them. And if they’re already disturbed, move away to a safer location!

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

East County News Service
 
March 23, 2024 (El Cajon) – The German American Societies invites you to an Easter brunch followed by an egg hunt with hundreds of colorful eggs for children to find. This event will be held at the group’s headquarters at 1017 S. Mollison Ave. in El Cajon on Saturday, March 30 2024.
 
Brunch will be served from 9 to 11 a.m., with the egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

CHIEF’S CORNER: NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

Too Much On Your Plate?
 
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
 
March 23, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- When you see a fire truck, paramedic unit, ambulance, and police officers at an incident, it’s ‘more than likely’ they are assisting on a medical emergency! The month of March is National Nutritional Month and now is a good time to take of yourself by eating right!
 
Here are a few things we like to eat at the fire station to help keep us healthy– some that may help in preventing anything from heart disease to cancers.

READER’S EDITORIAL: TRUMP IS A DANGER TO OUR DEMOCRACY

By Jean Dittmeyer
 
Photo by Gage Skidmore, cc: Donald Trump at 2020 campaign rally in Arizona
 
March 22, 2024 (San Diego) -- Americans await with baited breath the election corruption trial of Donald Trump in New York. Known his entire life for avoiding accountability and now for attempting a coup to overthrow a legal and legitimate Presidential election, Trump is hoping to avoid accountability again. Meanwhile his Republican supporters in the United States Congress do all they can to promote his hatred for anything supporting democracy.

WILLIAM BURTON SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE SCHOLARSHIP SEEKS DONORS

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 22, 2024 (El Cajon) –William Burton, a Granite Hills High School senior and top athlete in both baseball and football, was known as “Mr. Granite Hills.” Since his tragic death five years ago, a scholarship established by his family has awarded $1,000 to a deserving Granite Hills senior. Now, the family is asking for donations to help sustain the William Barton Spirit of the Eagle Scholarship.

ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF “HOW DOES THE COW SLEEP?” BY NICO WATERS

By Pennell Paugh
 
March 22, 2024 (San Diego)-- How Does the Cow Sleep is a charming children's picture book for ages 1 through 5. San Diego author Nico Waters shows the sleeping positions of a cow, bear, giraffe, lion, bat, rhino, cat, and human baby. 
 
Waters asks how the specific animal sleeps, and then answers with a colorful illustration that shows the animal sleeping in their natural habitat. 

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

Story and photo by Mike Allen
 
March 21, 2024 (Santee) -- Santee firefighters are asking Santee voters to pass a half-cent sales tax increase this November to pay for two new fire stations they say are essential for the protection of both lives and property, and that are long overdue.

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

Source: Building Industry Association
 
March 21, 2024 (San Diego) -- WorkforceConnect and the Building Industry Association of San Diego (BIA-SD) today announced a strategic partnership to help address the construction industry's ongoing workforce shortage. 

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

East County News Service
 
Photo: Bob Gordon and Huxley the Hawk
 
March 21, 2024 (San Diego) -- On Thursday, April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation will welcome a range of park user groups for a free community night at the park. The event will include user group tables, games, light refreshments, and opportunities to learn how members of the public can experience Mission Trails in new ways. Entry is free and open to the public, and attendees will have the opportunity to win Mission Trails merchandise. While the event is free, registration is required through the Mission Trails website: www.mtrp.org

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

East County News Service
 
March 21, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Tanya Tucker, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last October, will be performing live at the Magnolia in El Cajon on May 19.
 
Since her first hit, “Delta Dawn” in 1972, Tucker has rocketed to stardom with a streak of top-10 hits, several albums, and multiple Country Music Association award nominations.  

LA MESA LAUNCHES ANNUAL SLURRY PROJECT

Source: City of La Mesa
 
Slurry project is set to resurface 51 streets
 
March 21, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Starting this week, the City of La Mesa will begin the process of repairing and sealing approximately 2.65 million square feet of roads around the city. They say this project highlights their ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance La Mesa's infrastructure.

184 GUNS TURNED IN AT SHERIFF’S LEMON GROVE GUN SAFETY EVENT

Source: San Diego Sheriff

March 20, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Department teamed up with its law enforcement partners to help get unwanted weapons off our streets through a Gun Safety Event in Lemon Grove on March 4.
 
A total of 184 unwanted firearms were turned in by the public during the event at the First Baptist Church of Lemon Grove.

MISSING HIKER HOSPITALIZED AFTER RESCUE

East County News Service
 
March 20, 2024 (Lakeside) — An all-night search by the Sheriff’s volunteer Search and Rescue unit resulted in safely locating a man who had been missing for over 14 hours in Sycamore Canyon Preserve.
 
The search began after the 57-year-old man failed to return from a hike in Sycamore Canyon. He had begun his hike at 9 a.m. and his family reported him missing at 1 p.m.

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

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.

COURT APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER PROCESSING DELAYS FOR PEOPLE IN IMMIGRATION CUSTODY

Cancino Castellar v. Mayorkas settlement will ensure Immigrants in DHS custody have prompt first appearances before immigration judges 
 
East County News Service
 
March 20, 2024 (San Diego) -- A federal judge on March 14 approved a settlement in a long-running class action lawsuit affirming the constitutional due process rights of people in immigration custody in San Diego and Imperial Counties. 

OPPONENTS OF BOULDER BRUSH SUBSTATION SCORE WIN IN COURT

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.

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