March 4, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Kidz Danz Kompany is San Diego’s premier children’s dance company, offering professional dance training in ballet and modern dance in their La Mesa studio, as well as performing 2+ concerts a year. This April, Kidz Danz Kompany is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a medley performance that follows the group through the ages in some timeless classics.
March 4, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With spring fast approaching, many festive and creative events are sprouting up across East County. These include Daffodil Days in Julian, Tomatomania at the Water Conservation Garden, an Earth Day Fair in La Mesa, a plein air art show in Borrego Springs, a junior fair and barbecue in Lakeside, Nature Day on Mt. Helix, Cajon Classic cruises, plus plays, concerts, and a stargazing party.
The definitive tool for making school decisions for children in grades K-12 throughout San Diego County
By Julianne Markow
March 4, 2024 (San Diego) – Voice of San Diego is proud to announce the publication of the 2024 edition of A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools. This is the sixth year of the publication, which provides parents and guardians with the tools to make informed decisions about education options for their children.
ECM breaks down their focuses, qualifications, and endorsements
By Jessyka Heredia and Miriam Raftery
March 2, 2024 (East County) – There are three candidates vying for the 51st Congressional seat that serves several areas in the city of San Diego as well as La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, Spring Valley and Rancho San Diego in East County. View map.
The seat is held by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat. The challengers are El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, and small business owner Stan Caplan, an independent.
By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office
Since 2016, the County has planted over 35,000 trees
March 3, 2024 (San Diego) -- County Supervisors voted this week to expand its robust tree planting program in underserved communities in the unincorporated area.
March 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has two local disaster recovery centers that are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents who had damage from the floods that occurred January 21-23 can visit the centers or register online for federal disaster relief to help pay for repairs, temporary housing and property losses, as well as business loans, now through April 19.
The federal aid comes after President Joe Biden issued a federal disaster declaration for our regionl.
The centers are located at the Spring Valley County Library (836 Kempton St, Spring Valley) and at the Mountain View Community Center (651 South Boundary St., San Diego).
By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
March 2, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Dr. Benjamin Harouni (photo, left), a recent dental school graduate who was murdered Thursday at the dental offices of his father, Dr. Jack Harouni, in El Cajon, was described by members of the Jewish community who knew him as “sweet,” “extremely spiritual,” and “wise beyond his years.”
Many friends of the family are expected at the funeral service, which tentatively has been scheduled for 10 a.m., Sunday, March 3, at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Cayon Road, San Diego.
March 1, 2024 (San Diego) – Eager to roll up their sleeves and dig for a greener future, students from the Julian Union School District (JUSD) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) partnered for a tree-planting event on Feb. 29. The occasion brought together local volunteers from the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, Wild Ones San Diego, Julian Pathways, students, teachers and SDG&E employees with a common purpose: to support local biodiversity and help reduce the risk of wildfires in the community they cherish.
More than 1,100 individuals, businesses & organizations contributed to the fund
Hundreds of flood survivors assisted by nonprofit grantees
With FEMA assistance now available, fund will sunset
March 1, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego Foundation (SDF) Wednesday announced that $1,353,000 has been raised for the San Diego Flood Response Fund, including a second earned match of more than $215,000 from the San Diego Foundation Board of Governors. In total, San Diego Foundation is the largest contributor to the response fund with more than $300,000.
March 1, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s deputies attempting to serve civil process documents Monday morning found a woman unconscious, unresponsive and suffering signs of trauma.
The victim, Pamela Williams, 55, was found at 7:45 a.m.in a residence in the 3900 block of Conrad Drive in Spring Valley, says Lieutenant Joseph Jarjura with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.
Update 7 p.m.: The Medical Examiner has confirmed the death of Benjamin Ariel Harouni, 28, of gunshot wounds.
By Miriam Raftery
March 1, 2024 (El Cajon) – Multiple Jewish media outlets report that the man killed at the Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodonics clinic in El Cajon late yesterday was Dr. Benjamin Harouni, an Orthodox Jew at the clinic run by Harouni and his father. Authorities have not yet confirmed the victim’s identity, however the Jewish publication Yeshiva World News first published his name along with a photo confirming that Misakim members from Los Angeles spent the scene at the scene watching over the body to assure that Jewish law was respected. Jewish News Syndicate has also named Harouni as the fatality victim.
The shooting suspect, Mohammed Abdulkareem,29, was arrested after an intensive manhunt. He has been charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, for two other workers who were injured. El Cajon Police have indicated the suspect was a disgruntled former patient, but an investigation into his motives continues, with speculations raised online over whether these may have been anti-Semitic hate crimes.
Fabienne Perlov, Regional Director of the The Anti-Defamation League in San Diego, has issued a statement indicating that its Center on Extremism "has not identified any extremist or hate-related motivation behind the shootings at this point."
The carnage might have been worse, if not for a swift response by El Cajon Police. After receiving reports of gunshots in the clinic at 4:14 p.m., officers arrived two minutes later and found the three gunshot victims, an ECPD press release indicates. According to Yeshiva, Harouni “was found inside the office as the shooting was still ongoing and was taken outside by officers, where they attempted to perform lifesaving measures,” however he died at the scene.
Update March 1, 2024: Officers and a mobile forensic lab remains on scene. Police have not revealed details, however a city official told ECM that the shooting suspect was a digruntled patient. He has been charged with first degree murder.
Update 10 p.m.: The suspect is in custody, per El Cajon Police post on X.
February 29, 2024 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police seeks public help to locate Mohammed Abdulkareem, 29, who is considered armed and dangerous. He is the suspect in an active shooter event tonight at the Smile Plus dental office in the 400 block of Magnolia Avenue.
He is described as light-skinned, wearing all black clothing. He fled the scene in a white U-haul pickup truck with Arizona license plate AM 14894, last seen heading north on N. Mollison. If you see him or have any information, please call El Cajonj Police at 619 579-3311 or call 911.
February 20, 2024 (San Diego) --On Tuesday, San Diego County Supervisors voted unanimously in support of a proposal that Shane Harris, President of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates, brought forth. Harris issued it to county supervisors on January 25th just three days after the San Diego floods that decimated several neighborhoods throughout southeastern San Diego, Southcrest and Barrio Logan as well.
The proposal requested that County Assessor and Supervisors establish a countywide ordinance that would defer the April 10th property tax delinquent deadline for flood victims, which would further support unincorporated areas like Spring Valley. Property taxes are usually due by April 10th before a delinquent notice is issued.
February 28, 2024 (San Diego) -- A San Diego State University student who intervened to help a victim of domestic violence has suffered injuries including a sprained back and neck, as well as loss of the vehicle he relies on for his livelihood.
February 28, 2024 (Alpine) -- A community workshop on trail improvements at Loveland Reservoir will be held on Thursday, March 14 at the Alpine Women’s Club (2156 Alpine Blvd) in Alpine from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
State Senator Brian Jones convened the workshop along with the Sweetwater Water Authority to hear from residents concerned about trail erosion and limited public access due to erosion caused by severe winter storms in January of last year.
February 28, 2024 (El Cajon) – Four days after being released from jail, a homeless registered sex offender on parole is behind bars again. Samuel Salas, 36, was arrested Feb. 26 after entering a woman’s apartment on South Magnolia in El Cajon.
February 28, 2024 (San Diego) -- The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in areas with disaster declarations designated by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This includes San Diego County residents and businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding that began January 21st.
February 28, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today on how to spend the final $102 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
In 2021, the County got $650 million in ARPA funds from the federal government and adopted a framework for spending it. ARPA is a stimulus bill meant to help the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social impacts.
February 28, 2024 (Riverside) - For the second straight game, San Diego State was undone by the big inning as host UC Riverside scored seven runs in the bottom of the second on Tuesday to fuel a 13-9 victory over the Aztecs at Riverside Sports Complex.
February 28, 2024 (San Diego) - Behind Jaedon LeDee's eleventh double-double of the season, San Diego State defeated San Jose State 72-64 on Tuesday night. The victory extends the Aztecs' home winning streak to 20 consecutive wins, the second-longest active streak in the country and third longest in program history.
By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office
February 27, 2024 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego is partnering with UC San Diego to launch Revive & Survive San Diego, a new initiative to help save lives.
February 27, 2024 (San Diego) - A group of conservative activists on Monday launched a fifth effort to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Rescue California accused Newsom of abandoning the state to “advance his Presidential ambitions,” leaving behind a $68 billion budget deficit and a “public safety, immigration and education crisis.”
February 27, 2024 (El Cajon) – Two teenage boys were arrested following a robbery at the Game Stop Store, 318 Broadway in El Cajon yesterday. El Cajon Police are still seeking two additional suspects.
Tomatomania event restored, will take place March 8-9
By Miriam Raftery
Photo,left by Andy Franks: Lauren Magnuson and Tim Townsley are all smiles at entry of reopened Water Conservation Garden.
February 27, 2024 (Rancho San Diego, CA) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College reopened to the public today, after the Garden’s Joint Powers Authority agreed to takeover operations from the financially struggling nonprofit group, Friends of the Water Conservation Garden. Following a brief closure, Interim Executive Director Lauren Magnuson announced that she is “thrilled” that the Garden will be “in bloom again.”
Hours will be limited initially to Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. Education programs such as Ms. Smarty Plants are temporarily paused until the operational transition is completed.
The popular “Tomatomania” event has been restored and will be held as originally scheduled March 8-9.
from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Photo: Stan Caplan holds up a bill he’s proposing for Congress while addressing a Ramona audience. Photo by Ken Stone, Times of San Diego
February 25, 2024 (San Diego) -- In a political landscape marked by extremes, I find myself standing as a beacon of reason and compromise. I ran as the endorsed Republican candidate against Sara Jacobs in the last midterm election, but today I proudly represent the people as an Independent/No Party Preference (NPP) candidate in California’s 51st Congressional District.
My decision to step away from the Republican Party is rooted in a deep sense of disillusionment felt by voters who have grown tired of politicians prioritizing self-interest over the needs of the people.
By JW August, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Photos Courtesy San Diego Police Department. Warning: Photos contain graphic violent content.
February 25, 2024 (San Diego) -- Ten years ago, angry widespread protests erupted after Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, MO. Called the Ferguson uprising, Brown’s death and the aftermath of unrest and anger brought immediate attention to law enforcement methods in Ferguson and in time was seen as an indictment of policing in the country and here in San Diego1.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
February 25, 2024 (San Diego) -- It is not released until May, but the County is already working on the budget for the next fiscal year. And thinking about what to prioritize in a volatile economy.
That’s where you come in. The County wants your help.
You’re invited to fill out a survey on Engage San Diego County to tell us which services are most important to you. Your responses will be considered in balance with other critical factors to set budget priorities for this and future budget cycles.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
Video by José Eli Villanueva: Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas delivers the 2024 State of the County Address at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista
February 25, 2024 (Chula Vista) -- County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas gave her second State of the County address during an evening presentation Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Photo, left: Forensic artist PJ Puterbaugh created this sketch that helped to identify the deceased woman.
February 25, 2024 (Santee) -- A citizen’s tip helped the County Medical Examiner’s Office identify a woman who died in the Jan. 22 storm. The body of Faith Angle, 46, was found in brush along Forester Creek in Santee.
By Jonathan Goetz
By Miriam Raftery
The definitive tool for making school decisions for children in grades K-12 throughout San Diego County
By Jessyka Heredia and Miriam Raftery
By 
By Donald H. Harrison, 
East County News Service
More than 1,100 individuals, businesses & organizations contributed to the fund
East County News Service
Photo by Robert Gehr
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
By 
Highlanders erupt for seven runs in second inning
Source: goaztecs.com
By 
By Chris Jennewein, 
East County News Service
By Stan Caplan
Body-Worn Cameras Ten Years after Ferguson
By 
By Miriam Raftery
Recent comments