Communities

LA MESA WEIGHS LEGALIZING ADULT-USE CANNABIS SALES AND MANUFACTURING SEPT. 10: HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMAN BABER

Hear our interview with Councilman Bill Baber

By Miriam Raftery

September 1, 2019 (La Mesa) – After years of battling illegal marijuana dispensaries and recently licensing the city’s first legal medicinal cannabis dispensary, La Mesa is considering an ordinance to legalize recreational adult-use sales and manufacturing. 

Councilman Bill Baber and Mayor Mark Arapostathis served on a subcommittee that recently held a meeting with cannabis industry representatives. Next up, staff is preparing ordinance language for the City Council to consider on September 10th, when the public can weigh in with comments.

We sat down for an interview with Councilman Baber that originally aired on KNSJ radio.  You can hear the full interview by clicking the audio link, or scroll down for details.

Baber says if the measure is approved Sept. 10 and at a second reading Sept. 24, La Mesa could see its first legal recreational cannabis sales starting as early as January 2020. The first sales of recreational marijuana would be through dispensaries already approved for medical marijuana sales, providing they have operated without significant complaints or legal issues.

Audio: 


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VIRULENT NEWCASTLE DISEASE CASE CONFIRMED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY: MANDATORY EUTHANASIA OF EXPOSED AND INFECTED BIRDS

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2019 (San Diego) – Tonight, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced on its Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND) page on Facebook that  a new case was confirmed yesterday at a property in central San Diego County.  

The CDFA has not yet confirmed the exact location, however multiple East County residents have posted on Facebook that veterinarians have advised them that the new case is in Ramona. Some Ramona residents have also posted that state officials visited this weekend to test their birds, advising them that Newcastle was found at a neighbor’s property.

VND response team members from the CDFA and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) “are working though the holiday weekend to establish control measures including restriction of bird movement, mandatory euthanasia of infected and exposed birds, and surveillance testing near the property where infection was detected,” the CDFA announcement states.


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ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: KEGAN BAKER SHOW LEADS VALHALLA COMEBACK OVER WEST HILLS

Story by Liz Alper

 

Photos by Don De Mars

 

Photo: Senior running back Kegan Baker racked up 203 yards, 24 carries and scored three touchdowns.

 

August 31, 2019 (Santee) - We missed the start of the season last week, but this week, ECM Friday Night Lights is back and we’ve got a good one to kick things off.  It’s Valhalla and West HIlls from the Land of Blue Turf in Santee. The Norsemen are coming off a big win against University City last week, while the Wolf Pack are also 1-0 after beating Southwest El Centro.


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DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO APPEAL RELEASE OF PREDATOR QUARLES

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 30, 2019 (San Diego) – Deputy District Jessico Coto announced today that her office will appeal Superior Court Judge David Gill’s decision to release sexually violent predator Alvin Quarles, known as the “Bolder than Most” rapist.

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SANTEE OPTS FOR COMMUNITY CHOICE, BUT DELAYS CHOOSING A PARTNER

By Mike Allen

August 30, 2019 (Santee) -- The Santee City Council agreed to adopt a community choice model for purchasing its future electricity but isn’t sure yet what the model will look like.


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CAL FIRE AIMS TO BUY C-130 AIR ATTACK TANKER TO FIGHT FIRES LOCALLY

 

East County News Service

 

Update September 18, 2019:   Cal Fire has issued corrections on inacccurate information provided in a County press release and video. This plane and others are set to be given to Cal Fire by the federal government, not sold.  The planes are not yet equipped with fire retardant and are not slated to arrive in Califiornia likely for a couple of years, according to Cal Fire Captain and Public Information Officer Issac Sanchez. See our full update:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/cal-fire-issues-corrections-c-130-pla....

 

August 30, 2019 (Ramona) -- A C-130 air tanker on loan in Ramona has been used to train additional pilots this past week. Ultimately, Cal Fire’s goal is to purchase a C-130 to permanently base in our region, says Cal Fire spokesman Isaac Sanchez.


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MEAN MARY IN CONCERT SEPT. 21 IN SANTEE

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2019 (Santee) - International touring musician Mean Mary (James) will be performing in Santee on September 21 at 7 p.m. in the Summit UU Fellowship (8778 Cottonwood Ave.). Known internationally for her lightning-fast fingers and raw, unmistakable vocal sound (The Amplifier calls it “sexy, vulnerable and yet as powerful as any man’s.”), Mean Mary’s songs travel the genres of roots, bluegrass, blues, and folk rock—story songs, fast songs, sad songs, songs to make your feet tap.


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EAST COUNTY BRINGS MANUFACTURING TO MAIN STREET WITH EXPO OCT. 1 IN EL CAJON

San Diego’s largest manufacturing expo is a unique opportunity to inspire students 

 

August 28, 2019 (El Cajon) – The East County Economic Development Council’s (EDC) Manufacturing Expo is right around the corner, and more manufacturers are registering by the day to exhibit their companies and products. On October 1, the fourth annual event will bring manufacturing to Main Street. The Expo will be held in downtown El Cajon at Prescott Promenade from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and expects to bring in over 500 attendees. 


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MAN FOUND DEAD IN VALLEY CENTER DIED OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 28, 2019 (Valley Center) – Yesterday, Sheriff’s deputies responded to conduct a welfare check on a resident in Valley Center found a man’s body inside with trauma to his upper body.  The Medical Examiner has concluded an autopsy and determined that the victim, Andrew Billeci, died of gunshot wounds inflicted in a homicide.

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LEMON GROVE HOME INVASION SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR MURDER

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 28, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A home invasion robbery that went awry in February led to a struggle between the home’s occupants and two suspects. The homeowner’s son was shot and wounded, resulting in the homeowner firing back, killing a teenage suspect. 

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HIGH HEAT AND THUNDERSTORMS FORECAST

East County News Service

August 28, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Hot weather is here again. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch from Friday morning through Saturday in San Diego’s desert areas. Temperatures could reach 115 in the low deserts and 105 in the low deserts.


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ARMED ROBBERY AT LA MESA STORE

East County News Service

August 28, 2019 (La Mesa) – The PowerTech Wireless Store on University Avenue in La Mesa was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon around 2:25 p.m.


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GOT BITES? INVASIVE MOSQUITOS PLAGUE LOCAL RESIDENTS

County asks public’s help to report and eradicate invasive mosquitos that can transmit dangerous diseases including Yellow Fever and Zika

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2019 (San Diego) – Lakeside resident Dennis Richardson was appalled to discover that “thousands” of Yellow Fever mosquitos were breeding in water dishes under potted plants at his home.  His grandfather was a sanitation engineer who worked to eradicate Yellow Fever so that Americans could build the Panama canal and later battled a Yellow Fever epidemic in Peru. Richardson says, “This work was deadly for most who did the work, as most got yellow fever.”


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THRIVE REAL ESTATE IN EAST COUNTY CHANGES FROM INDEPENDENT TO AFFILIATE OF COMPASS, BECOMES COMPASS LA MESA

East County News Service

August 29, 2019 (La Mesa) – Thrive Real Estate, an independent real estate brokerage in the East County, has announced it is now affiliated with Compass, Inc., one of the fastest growing real estate brokerages in the U.S.


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THREAT OF VIOLENCE AT WEST HILLS HIGH

East County News Service
 
Photo via Wikimedia Commons by SomeWikiStuff
 
August 27, 2019 (Santee) – Late yesterday afternoon, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and West Hills High School administration were notified about a student’s remark about a possible act of violence.

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NEWS HELICOPTER HAS FIERY LANDING IN EL CAJON, INJURING PASSENGER

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine
 
Photo by Jill Barto
 
August 27, 2019 (El Cajon) – A news helicopter rolled over during a landing at Gillespie Field in El Cajon and caught fire this afternoon,  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman Ian McGregor told ECM news partner 10 News.

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CHP SEEKS WITNESSES TO SHOOTING ON I-8 IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 27, 2019 (La Mesa) – California Highway Patrol is seeking the identity of a shooter who opened fire from a white or silver SUV on eastbound Interstate 8 near State Route 125 at 9:30 last night.  The gunshots  injured a man and woman in a Nissan Sentra car.

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JACUMBA HIKERS HIT THE TRAIL WITH HIKES SEPT. 21-OCT. 26

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – As fall and cooler weather approaches, the Jacumba Hikers have released a schedule of upcoming hikes from Sept. 21 through Oct. 26. The hikes range from easy to hard to destinations that include peaks in Anza Borrego, Kitchen Creek Falls, Jacumba’s fall festival, Valley of the Moon, Devil’s Canyon and Carrizo Creek. Below is the full schedule with details, and be sure to read the group’s safety tips


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LA MESA PARENTS CHARGED WITH MURDER OF BABY BOY

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

August 26, 2019 (La Mesa)   Parents in La Mesa are charged with murdering their infant son, as well as assault and child abuse. Joel Dwayne Rodriguez-Brownell and Jalena Robin Rodriguez were arrested August 18th after their 8-month-old son, also named Joel, suffered life-threatening injuries. Murder charges were added after the child died a day later.


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CHEERS TO 10 YEARS: SANTEE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES A DECADE OF FUNDRAISING

Source: City of Santee

 

August 26, 2019 (Santee) -- The City of Santee Parks & Recreation Committee’s annual Bluegrass Festival, a fundraiser for people, parks, and programs, is scheduled for Sept. 14 at Town Center Community Park. This year’s event marks a decade in existence for the festival.


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STOMPERS AND SWABBERS—CHALLENGE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THE THIRD ANNUAL RAMONA GRAPE STOMP

East County News Service

 

August 26, 2019 (Ramona) — It’s time for stompers and swabbers to create their two-person teams to challenge brother, sister, classmates, boss, colleague or best friend to win the  title of “Ramona Grape Stomp Champion” at the third annual Ramona Grape Stomp on Saturday, September 14 at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (ROCC) from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event offers fun for the entire family—children’s activities, wine tasting, competitive and fun stomping, music, line dancing, food, and shopping. 


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CALVARY CHAPEL SANTEE TO DEBUT NEW BUILDING THIS FALL

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson
 
August 26, 2019 (Santee) - Calvary Chapel Santee, located on Summit Avenue, will debut its new building in early fall. The new church, which will seat 350 in the main auditorium, is scheduled to host their dedication Oct. 13, 2019 barring any construction delays. 

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SYCUAN BUYS FORMER VOLUNTEER FIRE STATION IN DEHESA

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo via Cal Fire:  Cal Fire doused a brush fire in Dehesa in July, operating out of a Cal Fire station. 
 
August 25, 2019 (Dehesa) – Going, going, gone.  A county auction sold off the former Dehesa fire station as surplus property on August 6th. The buyer is the Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation, which purchase the site for $650,000.  

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ARREST IN SANTEE FOR SELLING ALCOHOL TO TEEN

East County News Service

August 25, 2019 (Santee) – Minor decoys tried to buy liquor at eight stores in Santee and also asked adults outside four locations to purchase alcohol for them on August 23rd.


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DUI CHECKPOINT IN LA MESA TONIGHT, EXTRA PATROLS THROUGH LABOR DAY

East County News Service

August 24, 2019 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police Department’s traffic unit will conduct a DUI checkpoint tonight in the 4900 block of Spring Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.  LMPD will also have extra officer on the road now through Sept. 2 over Labor Day weekend looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Department is partnering with law enforcement agencies nationwide in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign over Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day Weekend remains one of the deadliest times of year for alcohol-involved crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 376 deadly crashes nationwide during the 2017 Labor Day holiday period (Sept. 1 to Sept. 5). Among those crashes, more than one-third (36%) involved a drunk driver. Last year, two people were killed, and 31 others injured in California on Labor Day alone.


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ALBERT, RESCUE GRIZZLY BEAR AT ALPINE SANCTUARY, EUTHANIZED DUE TO CANCER-RELATED BREATHING OBSTRUCTION

East County News Service
 
August 24, 2019 (Alpine) – Albert, a rescued grizzly bear, won hearts and made headlines when he arrived at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine along with his sister, Cherry Bomb and two Himalayan black bears in 2014.  
 
But yesterday, the bear was euthanized after an examination by veterinarians under anesthesia for evaluation of a rapidly progressing upper airway disease found infiltration of his nasal passages and sinuses consistent with destructive cancer.  

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“HOLY SMOKE BBQ” SEPT. 1 TO BENEFIT RURAL PARISH IN DESCANSO

East County News Service

August 23, 2019 (Descanso) -- Sunday, Sept. 1 will mark the 82nd Our Lady of Light Catholic Parish Deep Pit BBQ and community event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The pit will be ignited, 1,500 pounds of local beef will be seasoned and prepared to be cooked in a special Deep Pit in the hills of Descanso.  This year’s theme:  “Holy Smoke!”


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XANADU REVIEW - MEET THE MUSES AT YAT THROUGH AUG. 25

By Kathy Carpenter

August 23, 2019 (Spring Valley) – Watching Xanadu is like stepping into a time warp. The musical is based on the Universal film starring Olivia Newton-John. Yes, I saw the movie way back when and loved it--the music, the romance, the innocent kind of fun. It's what we did back in 1980. But I haven't seen the movie since.

 


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POLICE NAB PURSUIT SUSPECT ON ROOFTOP IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery
 
 
August 23, 2019 (El Cajon) – When deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff substation tried to make an enforcement stop on a Mitsubishi in El Cajon yesterday at 1:30 a.m., a passenger fled on food and the car drove away.  
 

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THREE ILLEGAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES SHUT DOWN IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

August 22, 2019 (Spring Valley) – As a direct result of numerous complaints from concerned citizens, three illegal marijuana dispensaries in Spring Valley and Casa de Oro were searched and shut down by law enforcement and one arrest was made.


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