Source: San Diego Sheriff

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.

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plans called for the substation to also connect to the proposed Torrey Wind project in Campo, but Terra-Gen has since withdrawn its application for that project after a deadline expired.

March 19, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- 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

• City of San Diego proposes new ballot measure for stormwater infrastructure repairs (10 News)
• Battling over San Diego's energy future  (KPBS)
• A SDG&E funded report finds the city’s electric grid could be worth more than $11 billion  (KPBS)
• SDSU Mission Valley river park is officially open  (KPBS)
• Lemon Grove nonprofit provides medical resources for flood victims (KPBS)
• Migrant Drownings in Pacific Spike by 3,200% in Years Following Raised Border Wall   (Times of San Diego)
• San Diego Gas & Electric made nearly $1 billion in profits last year
• (KPBS)
• Here’s how many San Diego customers are behind on their utility bills  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Here's how — and what — assistance FEMA will provide to San Diego flood victims   (NBC 7)
• Concerned about disrespectful behavior at public meetings, San Diego considers civility policy (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• California agrees to long-term cuts of Colorado River water  (Cal Matters)
• A new California bill seeks to bar landlords from banning pets in their rental units (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Powerful California blizzard shuts Tahoe, Mammoth roads; 190 mph winds reported (Los Angeles Times)
• High avalanche danger, winds topping 100 mph as blizzard slams Tahoe, Mammoth, Sierra Nevada (Los Angeles Times)
• California seized enough fentanyl last year to kill everyone in the world ‘nearly twice over’ (Los Angeles Times)
• After heavy storms, Death Valley is now open to kayakers: The return of ghostly Lake Manly (Los Angeles Times)

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

No Excuses – Time for a Screening!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Photo: I dedicate this article to one of my best friends from childhood, Andy Troncale, every year. I know Capt. Troncale (Arcadia Fire Dept. Truck Co. 105) would like you to follow the advice here to help you maintain your wellness.

March 18, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• U.S. measles milestone: 60 cases so far in 2024 — more than all of 2023  (CBS)
• 'Zombie deer disease' cases are rising in the US. Can the disease spread to humans? (USA Today)
• Blood test can detect colorectal cancer early, new study finds  (NPR)
• Teens are getting high on delta-8, or 'weed lite,' an unregulated form of THC  (NPR)
• Overwhelming support for abortion in pregnancy-related emergencies, poll finds  
• (NPR)
• Cancer-causing chemical found in Clinique, Clearasil acne treatments, US lab reports (Reuters)
• The FDA issues an alert for 6 brands of cinnamon due to possibly containing lead   (NPR)
• A Major Source of Toxic PFAS Has Been Eliminated, FDA Says  (Consumer Reports)
• Strength training boosts longevity, mood and metabolism as it builds muscle   (NPR)
• Maternal mortality numbers in the U.S. have been overestimated, study shows  (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• US Supreme Court sets free-speech test for officials who block social media critics (Reuters)
  
  US House passes bill to force ByteDance to divest TikTok or face ban (Reuters)
• Pharmacies nationwide face delays as health-care tech company reports cyberattack (Fox Business)
• Privately built lunar lander makes history with successful moon touchdown (NBC)
• Lockbit cybercrime gang faces global takedown with indictments and arrests (Reuters)
• Microsoft says it hasn't been able to shake Russian state hackers  (AP)
• CEO of Element Biosciences in Sorrento Valley Named to CNBC ‘Changemakers’ List  (Times of San Diego)
• Lockbit cybercrime gang faces global takedown with indictments and arrests (Reuters)
• How sea cucumbers act as little allies for disappearing coral reefs  (NPR)

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

DA has found no cases on San Diego County tribal lands, but nationally, an estimated 40% of women sex trafficking victims are Native Americans.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies

March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery that continues to plague communities worldwide. Tribal Nations are not immune. In the shadows of our society, traffickers exploit vulnerabilities. Among the most vulnerable are those grappling with substance use disorders. The correlation between addiction and trafficking is not merely coincidental but deeply intertwined, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and suffering.

By Jessyka Heredia

March 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) --Are you looking for that perfect spot to eat that the whole family will love? Look no further than The Barn House BBQ in Lemon Grove’s downtown district that is quickly becoming a foodie destination. The Barn House BBQ offers wonderfully smoked in-house meats and traditional sides, craft beers, wine, craft cocktails and even a game room the whole family will enjoy! Come for the food and stay for the fun.

By Michael Howard

Photo: San Diego independent film producer Jennifer Linch (R), stands with actor Eddie Lane during last year's Comic-Con. Photo by Michael Howard

March 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- San Diego’s own Jennifer Linch, the creative force behind the acclaimed comedy action martial arts film "Kung Fu Ghost," has navigated the complex landscape of independent filmmaking in San Diego with determination and passion, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way to end up with a successful title streaming on Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV. 

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

March 16,  2024 (Borrego Springs) – Those heavy winter rains have resulted in one of the most beautiful bloom seasons in recent memory in the Anza-Borrego Desert.  I visited earlier this month, finding the desert floor along Henderson Canyon Road bursting with colorful purple verbena, white primroses and yellow sunflowers.

Many of the most spectacular wildflower fields are not in the Anza-Borrego State Park, but just outside it on the outskirts of Borrego Springs.

Tips for your visit: