November 21, 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

• Ex-Granite Hills High teacher convicted of sex charges involving student (10 News)
• Ramona musicians seek solution for outdoor playing at wineries SD Reader)
• Four years after high-profile Borrego Health raid, El Cajon contract dentist is criminally charged (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Increased defense spending adds almost 20,000 San Diego jobs this year, report says (KPBS)
• Imperial Beach residents sue operator of border wastewater treatment plant (KPBS)
• La Mesa clothing shop looking for new space after new building owner more than triples rent (ABC 10”)
• Neighbors in Southeast San Diego demand investigation into 'shocking' footnote in city code (KPBS)

STATE

• New labor laws making changes for California’s workers in 2025 (KUSI)
• Fewer kids are going to California public schools. Is there a right way to close campuses? (CalMatters )
• California storm live updates: Rare high-risk warning for excessive rain issued for these areas (San Jose Mercury News)
• Newsom to Visit California’s Trump Country: ‘Message Received’ (New York Times)
• Nearly half of Muslim students at California universities say they have been harassed, survey finds (Los Angeles Times)

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

August 5, 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

• Cajon Valley board member questions superintendent's $19,000-a-month credit card bill CBS 8)
• The Learning Curve: Cajon Valley’s Had a Tough Month (Voice of  San Diego)
• 'Zombie snails' have been spotted at a lake in San Diego. Here's what you need to know (CBS 8)
• San Diego American Indian Health Center Will Now Help Newly Arriving Refugees (Times of San Diego)
• MTS Board approves Copper Line trolley segment between Santee and El Cajon (10 News)
• Water Rates Will Rise, But Hurt Less than Expected (Voice of San Diego)
• Border arrests plunge 29% in June to the lowest of Biden's presidency as asylum halt takes hold  (KPBS) 
• Escondido Leaders Say a Proposed State Housing Bill Misses the Mark  (Voice of San Diego)

 STATE

• Newsom’s Encampment Order Is on Everyone’s Mind (Voice of San Diego)
• COVID Levels 'Very High' In California As New Variant Spreads: CDC
• As massive Park fire marches into history books, firefighters face hurdles to slowing it down  (Los Angeles Times)
• California attorney files class action suit against homeowner-insurance provider  (NBC San  Diego)
• California Department of Education plans to develop housing on school district-owned lands (East Bay Times)
• U.S.
• As cartels take a stake in ‘green gold,’ US and Mexico rethink how avocados reach American kitchens (Apple News)

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

June 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

• Lawsuit says homeless people’s belongings are being illegally trashed in East County (San Diego)
• Latest county report shows uptick in COVID cases (KPBS)
• Assembly Candidate Carl DeMaio Keeps Failing at Ballot Initiatives – On Purpose?  (Voice of San Diego)
• La Mesa woman's grocery run ends in road rage attack (10 News)
• Catholic Charities hires armed guards following video posted by alt-right social media influencer (10 News)
• Graduation at stake for some UCSD student protesters (KPBS)
• Times of San Diego Joins Arizona State University Nonprofit to Develop New Model for Local Journalism (Times of San Diego)

STATE

• Invasive species — a threat to wine grapes — shipped to California, officials say (Star-Telegram)
• Newsom to more than double National Guard at ports of entry to combat drugs  (KPBS)
• Why so many California Indians lack the federal recognition given to other Native Americans (Los Angeles Times)
• State Farm: Some Californians can keep home insurance, but something major won't be covered (Fox 11)
• The dirty secret of California’s legal weed (Los Angeles Times)
• Fatal black bear attack on woman in 2023 first in California, officials say (CNN)

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

May 9, 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

• Supervisor Nora Vargas will take medical speaking rest for vocal nodules  (KPBS)
• Supreme Court to hear case claiming CBD product from Vista company got trucker fired (NBC San Diego)
• Assistant Superintendent Named Finalist to Take Helm at Grossmont Union HS District (Times of San Diego)
• MTS hopes new 'Copper Line' can improve trolley system's reliability  (KPBS)
• Fantasy or a New Reality? How This Group Plans to ‘Fire SDG&E’(Voice of San Diego)
• Mayor Gloria Wants to Empty Public Power Piggy Bank (Voice of San Diego)
• A Court Says Agencies Can Delay Records Responses Indefinitely and We Must Fight It (KPBS)
• How Mexico’s historic election will impact the San Diego border region  (KPBS)
• Majority of San Diego County’s largest school districts cutting jobs amid budget shortfalls (inewssource)
• Authorities Reveal How Missing Surfers from U.S. and Australia Found at Bottom of Well in Mexico Died (People)

STATE

• Law that ended single-family zoning is struck down for five Southern California cities (Los Angeles Times)
• Restaurant Service Fees Will Soon Be Illegal In CA (Patch)
• California finally reverses its population-loss streak (Politico)
• At least 16 people died in California after medics sedated them during encounters with police (KPBS)
• RFK, Jr. qualifies for California ballot (The Hill)
• Biden expands 2 national monuments in California significant to tribal nations (KPBS)
• California reports the first increase in groundwater supplies in 4 years  (KPBS)

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

November 17, 2023 (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

• 3 cities (including Santee) face a climate dilemma: to build or not to build homes in risky places (NPR)
• San Diego Selling Back Some Pricey Colorado River Water for Cheaper Met Water (Voice of San Diego)
• What's that smell? Some East County residents complain of strong odor in the air  (10 News)
• San Diego County asks organizations to host ‘sleeping cabins' on their property in homelessness fight (NBC)
•  San Diego residents charged up about high electricity prices (KPBS)
• San Diego Tourism Authority celebrates over $14 billion in visitor spending last year  (KPBS)
• San Diego gets closer to zero waste goal, but is still behind schedule (KPBS)
• How the Union-Tribune’s new owners could impact democracy in San Diego County (KPBS)
• How big will the Cardenas fallout be? (Voice of San Diego)
• San Diego man's car insurance retroactively canceled after he got in an accident (NBC 7)
• The Supposed Volunteers Keeping Major San Diego Venues Staffed Are Often Paid Under the Table and Below Minimum Wage (Voice of San Diego)
• Restoring Cuyamaca’s tree canopy is years away. Some birds may never return. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Thousands Forced To Switch Insurance As Yet Another Provider Leaves CA (Patch)
• Newsom pushes California universities to boost campus safety as protests rage over Mideast war (Politico)
• California's electricity bills could soon be based on how much you make — and some people are furious (Business Insider)

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

November 1, 2023 (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

• Nearly 150 New Housing Units Set for Spring Street Transit Center in La Mesa After MTS Vote (Times of San Diego)
• Ballot Measure Forming to Push Out SDG&E, Create Public Utility  (Voice of San Diego)
• Majority of San Diegans consider moving, citing housing crisis, living costs, survey says  (KPBS)
• Vandalism prompts closure of House of Israel at Balboa Park (KPBS)
• Late addition to energy bill may help develop a pumped storage facility at San Vicente Reservoir (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Expect to see solar panels along San Diego highways per one of the energy bills Newsom has signed into law (San Diego Union-Trbiune)
• US Border Patrol has released thousands of migrants on San Diego’s streets, taxing charities (AP
• Trolley, bus riders may have been exposed to tuberculosis, county says (10 News)
• New San Diego program teaches homeowners about fire defensible space (CBS)
• Tijuana River Valley Project to start in early 2024  (KPBS)
• San Diego-based chipmaker Qualcomm to lay off over 1,200 California workers

State

• Feds designate California as a hydrogen ‘hub’  (KPBS)
• Newsom signs bill to curb spread of child sexual abuse material on social media (Los Angeles Times)
• California homeowners will face new rules for where they can plant shrubs   (NPR)
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill expanding conservatorship law (ABC News/AP)
• Former Dodgers star and Republican Steve Garvey enters U.S. Senate race  (Los Angeles Times)
• Lowriders can soon legally cruise California thanks to a San Diego movement  (KPBS)
• The tax deadline was extended again for most Californians. Here's NOW when your taxes are due(NBC San Diego)

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

September 5, 2023 (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

• Grossmont Union school board reaffirms decision to change mental health provider  (KPBS)
• Supervisors pass policy supporting voter OK for water district departures  (KPBS)
• San Diego’s Eye-Popping Electricity Rates Get National Notoriety (Voice of San Diego)
• America’s Most Wanted fugitive Donald Santini used bankruptcy to finance life on the run  (10 News)
• Rolling in money and talent, San Diego State University is emerging as a major player in science
• Citizen brings to light questionable spending in Ramona cemetery district (KPBS)
• Nathan Fletcher & Lorena Gonzalez sitting on a combined $2.3 million in campaign funds (KUSI)
• Former SDSU football player connected to gang-rape case pleads guilty on child-porn charge (NBC)
• San Diego City Council approves use of 'smart streetlights,' automated license plate readers (10  News)
• Thousands of gallons of sewage spills after South Bay plant pumps fail  (10 News)
• Tijuana's illegal sewer hookups linked to cross-border pollution  (KPBS)
• Venezuelans make way in San Diego, join 1.9 million migrants nationally in legal 'twilight zone'  (KPBS)
• UCSD ranked 3rd, San Diego State at #16 on Forbes' Top 25 Public Colleges list  (10 News)

STATE

• U.S. sues Southern Calif. Edison over 2020 California wildfire (Reuters)
• A new gray wolf pack is found 200 miles south of California's nearest-known pack  (KPBS)
• As California maternity wards close, preterm birth rate rises  (KPBS)
• California aims to introduce more anglers to native warm-water tolerant sunfish as planet heats up (KPBS)
• Closure of 3 Southern California power plants likely to be postponed, state energy officials decide  (KPBS)

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

Dear Readers,

We are the only regional publication dedicated to reporting news that matters here in East County.  Please support our mid-year fundraising drive to help us keep you safe and informed. With several major wildfires already this season, the need for a real-time, online news source in East County is clear. Funds are also needed to sustain our community news reporting, which has won 142 journalism awards.  Give now.

In just the past few weeks, community donations have enabled us to report on many important stories, including:

• Brush fires in Campo, Jamul, Lakeside,  El Cajon and more
• A livestock virus prompting quarantines across East County
• A parole center proposed in La Mesa
• Supreme Court decisions impacting student loans, affirmative action, tribal adoptions, the LGBTQ community and businesses
• A fugitive murder suspect holding elected office in Campo
• Efforts to reopen Loveland Reservoir
• New laws impacting the homeless
• Candidates running for supervisor
• City Council meetings in Lemon Grove, El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee
• Budget priorities in  East County cities and the County
• Tribal members’ cross-country run for clean water
• The MTS bus strike
• Festivals and events, theater and restaurant reviews in East County
• Lamar Odom opening treatment centers in Lemon Grove and El Cajon
• Good works of local service clubs and nonprofits

Many of those were stories that we broke, as well as stories we covered in depth while other media focused on coastal and downtown issues.

We’re your community media – dedicated to telling the stories that matter here in East County! We reflect your interests—the public interests—not special interests.

April 14, 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

• SDG&E proposes adding flat fee to utility bills (KPBS)
• Duncan Hunter Blamed in Friendly Fire Incident That Killed 2 Marines in Fallujah (Times of San Diego)
• Fletcher Resignation: What Are Next Steps for County Supervisors and How Much Will It Cost? (KPBS)
• Proposed ordinance banning homeless from camping in public places sets off fiery debate (10 News)
• Border Patrol: Armed bandits robbed 3 migrant groups in Otay Mountain wilderness (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• three migrants shot and wounded in the same vicinity.
• Supervisors delay vote on sewer rate increase for 8 unincorporated communities (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Julian Man Dies From Flesh-Eating Bacteria After Chasing Dog Into Pond (NBC 7)
• Man surrenders to deputies, taken in for psychiatric evaluation after 7-hour standoff in Dulzura  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Bankruptcy court OKs sale of Borrego Health to DAP Health; regulatory approval pending  (Desert Sun)

STATE

• Feinstein asks for Judiciary replacement after calls for resignation (The Hill)
• Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other major cities could face huge water cuts in feds’ proposed plan to save the Colorado River (CNN)
• California Government Cuts Back In-Person Press Access in Post-COVID Era (Cal Matters)
• Ocean temperatures hit record as El Niño looms (CBS News)
• California’s snowpack is among the deepest ever. Now get ready for the perilous ‘big melt’ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Undocumented California farmworkers would get path to state residency under new proposal (Sacramento Bee)
• Lawsuit seeks to uphold closing California’s last nuke plant (AP)

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

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.

November 13, 2022 (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

• Uptick in flu cases prompts hospitals to put up overflow tents in parking lots to ease ER burden  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Lemon Grove officials say a council member bullied employees. But the city is keeping alleged evidence secret (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Neighbors concerned about 64-unit apartment complex planned for La Mesa Village
• With Tuesday’s runoffs, San Diego Democrats will have a 9-0 City Council majority for the first time (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Republicans Won Big Races in Small Cities and That Could Change Regional Transportation and Development Plans (Voice of San Diego)
• Increased border crossings leads to influx of migrants in San Diego homeless shelters  (KPBS)

STATE

• California lost billions in COVID-related fraud and is trying to get some back  (NPR)
• Pipeline operator agrees to $50M California spill settlement  (AP)
• Audubon California says take down bird feeders to help stop avian flu  (KPBS)
• Congenital syphilis rates soar across California as public health funding dwindles (KPBS)
• Regulators propose $155M fine for PG&E for 2020 wildfire (KPBS)
• California enables sexual assault victims to track rape kits (KPBS)

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

April 11, 2022 (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

• Local firefighter leads mission to help search and rescue efforts in Ukraine (10 News)
• As spring open house season approaches at famed Hubbell art compound in Santa Ysabel, a torch is passed (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• La Mesa will use federal money to aid new businesses amid high vacancy rates (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Other cities have tried sending less serious 911 calls to nurses, not hospitals. Did it work? (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Rise Up Industries in Santee helps former prisoners (10 News)
• Attorneys argue case over ex-La Mesa police officer's firing (KPBS)
• East County asphalt company must improve safety after emissions reach potentially dangerous levels (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego police shoot armed man, 60, in garage of San Carlos home (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Proposed bill would shorten California workweek to 32 hours. Here’s what you need to know (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California Is About to Test Its First Solar Canals (Smithsonian)
• Superblooms of fungus’: Climate change is making valley fever worse (Los Angeles Times)
• California Lawmakers Extend Eviction Ban for Some Renters (NBC San Diego)
• California corporate diversity law ruled unconstitutional (10 News)
• California to pay $55 million for massive wildfires (AP)
• California drought: Sierra snowpack falls to one of lowest levels in 70 years (Mercury News)

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

December 6, 2021 (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

• Trial begins for former La Mesa police officer accused of lying on report (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Arsonist Who Set Fire to Chase Bank in La Mesa Sentenced to Probation (NBC San Diego)
• Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron files complaint against city manager, city attorney (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego’s burrowing owls get new homes at Ramona Grasslands after sprawl drove them away (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• 'Making malicious threats'| CEO of Sullivan Solar Power arrested on felony stalking charges (CBS 8)
• Daniel Sullivan of Sullivan Solar Power a no-show at bail review hearing (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Santana Student Raped Countless Times in Early 1980s by Counselor, Suit Alleges (Times of San Diego)
• Black job applicant in San Diego sues company for discrimination over hairstyle (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Police investigating several flash mob thefts in California (10 News)
• Rain, snow and chill are heading to Southern California this week (Los Angeles Times)
• ‘There is nothing alive on that tree’: Inside a giant sequoia grove scorched by the KNP Complex fire  (Los Angeles Times)
• Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses, dies in California (San Jose Mercury News)

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

November 12, 2021 (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

• Invasion of privacy or crime prevention? Santee considers new camera program (Fox 5)
• Common Cause warns El Cajon it may be violating state election law (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Poway Unified School District received death threats, board meetings now virtual (10 News)
• EXCLUSIVE: Sheriff Deputies’ Survey Airs Concerns, Resistance to Vaccines & Reforms (La Prensa)
• Rural Residents Largely on Their Own Negotiating Over Clean Energy Projects (Times of San Diego)
• La Mesa baker gets called into the spotlight (La Mesa Courier)
• The Pentagon released a new report showing….San Diego County receives more money from the Pentagon than almost any other county in the country.  (KPBS)
• Photographer lost 'entire life' in truck theft outside El Cajon theater (10 News)
• Recall effort launched against Poway Mayor Steve Vaus (10 News)

STATE

• Gavin Newsom reveals why he canceled Scotland trip: His kids staged an ‘intervention’ (Sacramento Bee)
• COVID-19 has cost LAFD $22.5 million in overtime, much of it to cover for sick firefighters (Los Angeles Times)
• Satellites reveal the secrets of water-guzzling farms in California (NPR)
• Can California Tourism Survive Climate Change? (New York Times)

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