EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

February 24, 2023  (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

• Alpine nursing student severely injured after pushing disabled car off I-8 (10 News)
• Flood Cars Being Sold in San Diego; Here's How to Tell if You're Buying a Flood Car (NBC San Diego)
• San Diego State Investigating Case of Legionnaires' Disease, Which Can Grow in Water Systems (NBC San Diego)
• A Court Found a Teacher Touched a Girl Inappropriately. He Ended Up Back in a Classroom (Voice of San Diego)
• Diocese of San Diego says it may file for bankruptcy as it faces hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits (KPBS)
• No superbloom…we’ll have to wait another year (Borrego Sun)
• Wife of Disgraced Ex-Rep. Hunter Wins Divorce After Deal Averts El Cajon Trial (Times of San Diego)

STATE

• Dianne Feinstein announces she won’t run for reelection in 2024 (CNN)
• Newsom signs order to protect California’s water supply from extreme weather (The Hill)
• Lawsuit targets new law forcing elected officials to recuse on matters involving campaign donors (Silicon Valley)
• Heavy snow closes freeways as Southern California braces for worst of storm (Los Angeles Times)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

LOCAL

Alpine nursing student severely injured after pushing disabled car off I-8 (10 News)

The life of an East County nursing student was changed forever as he stood outside his disabled car on Interstate 8 early Friday morning… A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Johnson with medical and other expenses.

Flood Cars Being Sold in San Diego; Here's How to Tell if You're Buying a Flood Car (NBC San Diego)

Just a few weeks ago, parts of California were experiencing historic flooding. San Diego was also hit by winter storms, causing floods in some areas. Carfax estimates more than 51,000 vehicles were damaged by the floodwaters that ravaged California in January. Many of those cars will be cleaned up and resold. 

San Diego State Investigating Case of Legionnaires' Disease, Which Can Grow in Water Systems (NBC San Diego)

San Diego State University closed its Exercise and Nutritional Sciences building Monday as it investigates a reported case of Legionnaires' disease in a "campus community member." It is unknown where the individual was exposed to Legionella bacteria but "in an abundance of caution, the university is closing the ENS building to perform testing.

A Court Found a Teacher Touched a Girl Inappropriately. He Ended Up Back in a Classroom (Voice of San Diego)

…in 2017 Grossmont Union High School District managed to fire Joshua Allen Barney. .. a physical education teacher, for inappropriately touching and making inappropriate comments to students. Barney appealed his firing at multiple levels — but at each turn his appeals were rejected…The path that brought Barney back to teaching reveals …a rare decision by the state Office of the Attorney General not to revoke his credentials …Sweetwater Union High School District hired Barney late last year to teach at Otay Ranch High School.  

Diocese of San Diego says it may file for bankruptcy as it faces hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits (KPBS)

In 2007, it settled 144 claims for $198 million and said that settling cases now at the same rate would cost over $550 million.

No superbloom…we’ll have to wait another year (Borrego Sun)

Based on vegetation systemics and yearly recorded data, Borrego Anza Desert State Park experts are predicting a "Regular Bloom," not another 2019 Super Bloom.

Wife of Disgraced Ex-Rep. Hunter Wins Divorce After Deal Averts El Cajon Trial (Times of San Diego)

In a near empty courtroom Tuesday, Judge CJ Mody asked Margaret Hunter: “Have irreconcilable differences led to the breakdown of your marriage with Mr. Hunter?”

STATE

Dianne Feinstein announces she won’t run for reelection in 2024 (CNN)

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced on Tuesday that she will not run for reelection in 2024, a major moment for a historic political career as the fight to succeed her is already under way…A number of Democrats have already launched campaigns for Feinstein’s seat in 2024 in what is shaping up to be a competitive primary. Rep. Adam Schiff announced his candidacy in January, joining fellow California Rep. Katie Porter, who has also announced a bid. Feinstein, 89, has been a fixture of California politics for decades… She holds the title of longest-serving female US senator in history. Feinstein broke a number of glass ceilings throughout her life – and her career has been marked by a series of historic firsts.

Newsom signs order to protect California’s water supply from extreme weather (The Hill)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order on Monday to safeguard his state’s water supplies from the effects of extreme weather. The order will help expand California’s capacity to capture storm runoff during wet years by accelerating groundwater recharge projects, according to the governor’s office….Also included in the order are conservation measures that ask officials to evaluate rules on reservoir releases and water diversions — with the goal of enhancing in-stream conditions for wildlife, protecting water pools for salmon and steelhead and improving water quality.

Lawsuit targets new law forcing elected officials to recuse on matters involving campaign donors (Silicon Valley)

Eight trade associations and two Sacramento County politicians are suing to stop a new anti-pay-to-play law that prevents elected officials from voting on matters involving the people and companies who contribute to their campaigns. Senate Bill 1439, in effect since Jan. 1, requires public officeholders — from city councils to school boards, water boards and county supervisors — to recuse themselves from votes and discussions if the official has received more than $250 within 12 months from someone with a financial interest in the decision. Supporters argued the new law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, ends blatant, but until now legal, influence peddling across the state.

Heavy snow closes freeways as Southern California braces for worst of storm (Los Angeles Times)

 A rare winter storm continued to pound California with snow and rain early Friday, shutting down freeways, including Interstate 5 through the Grapevine, as blizzard warnings took effect in the region’s mountains.