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

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

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

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

News

DELUGE DOUSES REGION, BUT SUNNY SKIES RETURN

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Robert Gehr, left:  El Cajon Library closed temporarily due to flooding.

December 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Storms over the past two days brought much needed rain to our region, up to 3 inches in some areas.  But the downpour also causing flash flooding in many areas.

Several cars became caught up in rushing water up to four feet in southeast county, where major flooding occurred on Otay Lakes Road by Pio Pico RV Park and also on Highway 94 between the Jamul Casino and Jamul Estates.  Jan Hedlun, a motorist delayed due to the flooding, says  that 45 minutes after Cal Trans closed the highway, “There was no one directing traffic or telling stranded travelers to turn around and find another way home, as there has been during priori events. “No signs were being posted to prevent people from coming down Highway 94.” She asks why CHP or Border Patrol agents were not brought in to assist and why funding has not been allocated to fix the roads/drainage in these two recurring trouble spots.

In El Cajon, the County Library is closed today due to damage inside caused by flooding. 

Thunder, lightning and power outages also occurred across the region due to the storm.


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RAMONA’S HOLIDAY WINE TRAIL CONTINUES NEXT TWO WEEKENDS





By Miriam Raftery



December 6, 2018 (Ramona) – Savor the season along the Holiday Wine Trail in Ramona, which this year features 18 different wineries.

The event continues the next two Saturdays and Sundays, December 8-9 and 15-16.   Some wineries are offering “extras” including live music, arts and crafts for sale, spiced mulled wine and even an appearance by Santa –in a wine cave!

I hit the trail last weekend, stopping by several locations along the tour, each offering a unique and special experience.


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FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS AND WATCHES ISSUED

December 6, 2018 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service has issued flash flood watchings, warnings and advisories across our region. A flash flood warning, the most severe alert, is in effect now through 8:30 p.m. for  Chula Vista, Descanso, El Cajon, National City, La Mesa, Poway, Imperial Beach, Ramona, Coronado, Alpine , portions of the San Diego city  limits, and Mission Valley.  An advisory is in effect for a broader area spanning the entire county from coasts to deserts.

Thunderstorms are producing heavy rain across the warned area.  A half to nearly an inch of rain has already fallen with another inch or more expected. 

Do not attempt to drive across a flooded roadway and stay indoors during thunder and lightning.


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TWISTING IN THE WIND: AS RURAL RESIDENTS COMPLAIN OF WIND ENERGY IMPACTS, CAMPO TRIBE PROPOSES TOWERING NEW PROJECT: SCOPING MEETING DEC. 6

County denies request for health impacts of turbines, even as more are proposed

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: New proposed turbines would be much taller and produce more energy than these older Kumeyaay Wind turbines, also broadening the areas that could be impacted by noise, vibrations, and electromagnetic interefence with devices such as cell phones

December 6, 2018 (Campo) –Tonight, the Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold a scoping meeting on a notice to prepare n environmental impact statement for a proposal to build 60 wind turbines up to 586 feet tall (taller than the highest skyscraper in San Diego) on the Campo Indian reservation. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Campo Tribal Hall, 36190 Church Road (BIA 10) at highway 94 in Campo.  Written comments can also be submitted by December 21st. Find details at www.CampoWind.com.

The new Campo Wind project is proposed for most Campo reservation ridgelines from north of I-8 to the U.S./Mexico border, each 4 megawatts.  Neighbors and the Boulevard Planning Group have raised concerns over the large turbines including noise, sleep disruption, health impacts and lost property values.   View flyer.

Minutes of the Boulevard Planning Group meeting from November 1, 2018 reveal numerous residents’ complaints about problems reportedly associated with similarly large-scale wind turbines recently installed at the Tule Wind project in McCain  Valley as well as turbines at the Kumeyaay Wind facility in Campo. Those complaints range from noise and vibrations to interference with cell phone service, a vital concern in an area prone to wildfires where communication is critical.


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JACK-IN-THE-BOX ROBBED AT GUNPOINT IN LEMON GROVE; SUSPECT FLED IN CREAM SEDAN

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2018 (Lemon Grove) — A man jumped over the county of a Jack-in-the-Box at 7979 Broadway Avenue in Lemon Grove shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday, thenpointed a black pistol at customers and employees, demanding cash.

 

The suspect is described ablack, about 6 ft. 2 in heightwith medium to heavy build, wearing a baseball cap, red flannel shirt, grey hooded sweatshirt with hood pulled up, black gloves, white pants, and a white bandana covering his face.

 


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PAROLE OFFICE PROPOSED ON MT. HELIX DRAWS COMMUNITY OPPOSITION

By Miriam Raftery

December 4, 2018 (La Mesa) – Residents are raising objections over a proposal by the state to open a parole office at the base of Mt. Helix next to the Brigantine Restaurant in a mostly residential neighborhood near Grossmont High School.

The city of La Mesa received notification in a letter dated November 5th from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Division of Adult Parole Operations about plans to lease a building at 9400 Grossmont Summit Drive for use as a parole office. The facility would have 65 staff members, including 52 parole agents meeting with potentially hundreds of parolees a month who served time in state prisons for serious crimes. The building has only 41 parking spaces, according to the city.

A petition opposing the project has been started online at https://www.change.org/p/mr-steve-lamirand-stop-adult-parole-operations-from-opening-in-mt-helix-la-mesa.  So far, 186 people have signed. An analysis (p. 1, p. 2) created by project opponent Daniel Boethin, a real estate consultant at Trifold Properties claims the site is incompatible with allowed uses under current zoning, is incompatible with surrounding residential and business uses, and would endanger minors due to the close proximity to schools.


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OPPONENTS OF SAND MINE PROPOSED AT COTTONWOOD GOLF IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO PACK COMMUNITY MEETING

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Miriam Raftery, Editor, also contributed to this report

Initial public comments deadline is Dec. 19

Hear audio of meeting

December 5, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- If a large contingent of residents in Rancho San Diego and Jamul have their say, a proposed sand mine in their community won’t get built. Over 200 residents opposed to a sand mining project that would replace Cottonwood Golf Course on Willow Glen Road engulfed the meeting room at the Rancho San Diego Library last week, overflowing into the lobby and onto a patio. 

Public comments and a petition

Initial public comments are being accepted until December 19th by the County’s Land Use Environmental Planner, Bronwyn Brown, at Bronwyn.Brown@sdcounty.ca.gov as part of the official scoping process.

Barry Jantz, spokesperson for the opposition, told the crowd that a petition to gather signatures against the project is available for printing and circulating at the website www.StopCottonwoodSandMine.com. The group circulated a flyer and asked that petitions be submitted to the Stop Cottonwood Group by December 15th.


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GROUND BEEF RECALL EXPANDS

 

 

East County News Service

December 4, 2018 (Washington D.C.)  Over 250 people nationwide have fallen ill from salmonella tied to ground beef, including 66 cases in California, the Centers for Disease Control reports.  Over 12 million pounds of ground beef have been recalled, all packaged between July 26 and Sept.7, but health officials warn that some products may still be in consumers freezers.

Following an October recall, a second recall issued this week adds another 5 million pounds of potentially tainted products. The tainted beef was sold at major retailers including Walmart, Sams Club, Sprouts, Ralphs, Food 4 Less and others.  View the retailer list here


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SDG&E FILES REQUEST TO ELIMINATE HIGH USAGE CHARGE TO REDUCE VOLATILITY IN CUSTOMER BILLS

 

 

 

Company seeks to have Commission approval to remove charge prior to next summer  

Source: SDG&E

December 4, 2018 (San Diego)  – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has filed a request with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to eliminate the state-mandated high usage charge, which impacted more than 105,000 customers this past summer. Eliminating the charge for high energy users would minimize bill spikes during months when energy usage is high. 


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SUSPECTED HORSE RAPIST IN BLOSSOM VALLEY: STABLED HORSE FOUND TIED UP

 

 

By Ana Nita

December 4, 2018 (Blossom Valley) -- “When I came down to feed in the morning, I heard this horse, Gretchen, banging on the door and she never does that,” said Marilyn Gramse of El Cajon. She found Gretchen, one of three horses she is boarding at her ranch, tied up inside her stall. “I walked over there and went, oh, my God, she had this rope tied around her right rear leg pulling up and the rope coming around her neck and coming back around by her foot and her tail was up, tied, and attached to one of the bars.” 


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PET SAFETY TIPS AS YOU DECK THE HALLS

 

 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 3, 2018 (San Diego) - Time to deck the halls for the holidays but remember to keep pet safety in mind, so the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t go to the dogs, or rather the vet.


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PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS FILES SUIT AGAINST OPIOID MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS

 

 

Source: Pala Band of Mission Indians

December 3, 2018 (Pala) -- The Pala Band of Mission Indians has filed suit in federal court against an array of pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors seeking to hold the companies accountable for the devastating effects prescription opioids have had on the tribe.


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IT’S TOYS FOR TOTS TIME AT COUNTY AIRPORTS

 

 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 2, 2018 (San Diego) - Santa’s sleigh typically touches down on rooftops, not runways, but four County airports want to help you make that happen—and make this holiday happier for local, less fortunate children.


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SUNSHINE MILLS, INC. ISSUES VOLUNTARY RECALL OF DRY DOG FOOD DUE TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LEVELS OF VITAMIN D

 

 

East County News Service 

December 1, 2018 (San Diego) - Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of select products of Evolve® Puppy, Sportsman’s Pride® Large Breed Puppy and Triumph® Chicken and Rice Dog Food (reference below) due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D, which can cause kidney failure and other serious health harm to dogs. The recalled products are:


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FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH, GLOBAL LEADER AMID TURBULENT TIMES, DIES AT 94

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Former President George H.W. Bush and his late wife, Barbara, U.S. Defense Dept.

December 1, 2018 (Houston) – George Herbert Walker Bush, the oldest living former president in U.S. history, died yesterday at his home in Houston at age 94. 

The Republican president led the nation through globally turbulent times that included the fall of the Berlin Wall, breakup of the Soviet Union leaving the U.S. as the only global superpower, an end to the cold war nuclear threat, and military success in the short-lived Persian Gulf War. Controversies of his presidency included a military invasion of Panama, a taxpayer bail-out of the failed savings and loan industry, and the pardoning of key figures in the Iran-Contra scandal of the Reagan administration.

President Trump has declared Wednesday, December 5th a national day of mourning and announced that a state funeral will be held; flags have been ordered flown at half mast for a month at the White House and at federal facilities worldwide. Most federal agencies will be closed Wedneday, though some related to national security will remain open.


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BEN AND JESSICA KALASHO SLATED TO APPEAR DEC. 7 AT JUDGMENT DEBTOR’S EXAM IN FRAUD AND SEXUAL HARRASMENT CASE

Judge orders bench warrant with $5000 bail to compel Jessica Kalasho to appear after no-show; Kalashos reportedly take post-election vacation, loaned failed campaign $10,000, vow to drop social media

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo, left: Councilman Ben Kalasho and his attorney, James Finigan

November 30, 2018 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon City Councilman Ben Kalasho and his wife, Jessica, are slated to return to Judge Kenneth Medel’s San Diego Superior Court room next week for yet another judgment debtor examination, a proceeding used by judgment creditors to find ways to collect a judgment from a defendant. What will be different this time is that Jessica Kalasho may be arrested by the Sheriff’s Department (with bail set at $5000) should she not follow Medel’s order to appear.

The hearing, coincidentally, is set to take place on the U.S.’s “Day of Infamy,” Dec. 7th, the 77th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by Imperial Japan upon the United States which caused the United States to enter World War II. Ominously, Kalasho received a warning from Medel not to rile the judge's "dark side" at the close of the proceeding.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

November 30, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) --- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a  variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

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


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THREE DEAD FROM CRASH IN BOULEVARD AFTER BORDER PATROL PURSUIT

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2018 (Boulevard) – Three people died and eight others sustained injuries in a crash at 4:30 a.m. yesterday on I-8 near Crestwood, following  pursuit of a white Chevrolet Silverado by U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Agents tried to conduct an enforcement stop near the border in East County, but the driver instead led agents onto I-8 and a high-speed chase ensued. Border Patrol agents deployed a spike strip.  As a result, the driver of the Silverado lost control on I-8 east of Crestwood, went up an embankment and became airborne, then rolled down the embankment back onto the main lanes of I-8 west.  The vehicle came to rest on its left side, blocking one lane of traffic, says Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol.


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ATM CUSTOMER ROBBED, SHOT IN LEMON GROVE

 

 

East County News Service

November 29, 2018 (Lemon Grove) — The Sheriffs Department seeks public help to locate a masked man who robbed, then shot a 62-year-old man in Lemon Grove.  


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CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN ERIC BAUMAN RESIGNS AMID ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

 

Update November 30, 2018:  Bauman has now resigned, stating, "I have made the realization that in order for those to whom I may have caused pain and who need to heal, for my own health, and in the best interest of the Party that I love and to which I have dedicated myself for more than 25 years, it is in everyone’s best interest for me to resign my position as chair of the California Democratic Party."

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2018 (Sacramento) – Prominent Democrats including San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Jessica Hayes are calling for the resignation of state party chairman Eric Bauman after a Los Angeles Times investigation revealed credible and serious sexual harassment allegations made by 10 party staffers and activists.


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BOY HIT BY CAR IN EL CAJON CREDITS BIKE HELMET WITH SAVING HIS LIFE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 28, 2018 (El Cajon) -- boy who suffered serious injuries due to a hit and run driver in El Cajon credits a bicycle helmet with saving his life.


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RUNAWAYS, SEXUAL ABUSE AND MEDICAL NEGLECT OF IMMIGRANT CHILDREN AT U.S.-RUN FACILITIES RAISE CONCERNS

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: federal shelter for migrant children in El Cajon, where five runaways remain unaccounted for

November 28, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Concerns over the safety and well-being of migrant children are rising amid disturbing reports of sexual abuse and medical neglect at federal detention centers in Arizona and Texas, as well as runaways from an El Cajon shelter who remain unaccounted for.


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FIRST STORM OF SEASON ON THE WAY, COUNTY’S GOT FREE SANDBAGS

 

 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 28, 2018 (San Diego) - The National Weather Service is predicting that San Diego County’s first significant storm of the season will arrive Wednesday night and Thursday, with more rain possible on the weekend.


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CAMP FIRE EXTINGUISHED AS RELIEF EFFORTS CONTINUE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2018 (San Diego) -- The deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history is finally fully contained. The Camp Fire scorched over 153,000 acres and destroying 18,000 structures, including 14,000 homes. At least 85 people died and around 250 remain missing, though thats far fewer than the over 1,000 listed as missing in the fireimmediate aftermath.


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BUSINESSES HURT BY BORDER CLOSURE; MORE CHAOS COULD LIE AHEAD

 

 

Las Americas Premium Outlets was forced to close on the busiest shopping weekends of the year, as a sky made hazy by tear gas bit at customers’ throats and eyes

By Kendra Sitton

 

Photos by Philip Ballew

 

Updated November 30, 2018 with figures from a Reuters news report on economic losses to hotels in our region due to the border conflict

 

November 26, 2018 (San Diego) — In a Monday tweet, President Trump threatened to shut down the border if Mexico does not remove the Central American migrants, thousands of whom are still arriving in Tijuana over the next week. He has made similar threats before, but this time Trump said he would close the ports of entry permanently if need be. 


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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT SHIFTS TO DISTRICT ELECTIONS: HEARING DEC. 3

 

 

Source: Grossmont Healthcare District

November 26, 2018 (La Mesa)  The public is invited to provide input during a public hearing December 3, 2018 at 6 p.m. on the Grossmont Healthcare District’s transition to a new system for electing its board members.


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HEAVY RAINS AND SNOW FORECAST LATER THIS WEEK

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2018 (San Diego’s East County)  The first substantial winter storm of the season is predicted for this week. The National Weather Service is forecasting rainfall of up to two inches and snow in the mountains Wednesday through Sunday, with the heaviest precipitation likely on Thursday.


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TEENS RECRUIT THEIR PEERS TO SMUGGLE DRUGS ACROSS THE BORDER

 
 
Drug cartels are using teens to transport millions of dollars’ worth of drugs across the border

Source: San Diego Countywide Media Advocacy Project

Photo by David Larivière on Unsplash

November 25, 2018 (San Diego) - Drug cartels are using teens to smuggle a variety of contraband across the border. But once a teen has been caught at the border smuggling drugs and is on the law enforcement radar, drug cartels use them for another illegal purpose: recruiting.


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U.S. SHUTS DOWN BORDER AT SAN YSIDRO, TEAR GASSES MIGRANTS INCLUDING CHILDREN

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot off CBS 8 live feed

Update November 26, 2018 with comments from Congresswoman Susan Davis.

Update 5:30 p.m.: Border Patrol has reopened northbound and southbound lanes.

November 25, 2018 (San Diego)—U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has shut down the international border at San Ysidro in both directions today, also closing major highways and roads nearby including portions of I-5, I-805, and state route 905.  A trolley line and pedestrian crossing that closed temporarily have since reopened.

When some members of a migrant caravan from Central America attempted to cross into the U.S., agents repelled them with tear gas. Reuters reports children and babies were screaming after the attack. There are also eyewitness reports that a loud sound device was deployed, possibly a flash-bang device or a sonic weapon.

The border shutdown on a busy holiday weekend inconvenienced vacationers on both sides of the border seeking to return home.  Border crossers were forced to detour and endure hours-long waits to crossings at Otay or Tecate.


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SAND MINE PROPOSED AT COTTONWOOD GOLF CLUB SITE: RESIDENTS OPPOSED SET COMMUNITY MEETING NOV. 28

By Miriam Raftery

November 25, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The new owner of Cottonwood Golf Club wants to turn the site into a sand mine along the Sweetwater River in Jamacha Valley over the next 10 years.  If approved, the project in the Rancho San Diego area of unincorporated El Cajon would mine an estimated 5.8 million tons of sand from 198 acres of the 280-acre site.


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