HOW WET AND WINDY WAS IT?
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Jane Moore: downed tree limbs in El Cajon February 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A fierce storm that roared through our region over the weekend toppled trees that killed a woman in Pacific Beach, injured a 10 News crew in Mira Mesa and sent a Santee mom to the hospital. Downed trees destroyed a popular wedding spot at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Winds also toppled trees and patio furniture across East County, our readers report. The storm caused power outages to over 18,000 customers as SDG&E crews worked through the night to restore power. The storm brought wind gusts locally as high as 85 miles per hour at Harrison Park in Julian, 80 mph at Lucky Five Ranch and 72 miles per hour in Julian. Other wind-struck areas include Mission Trails Regional Park at 69 mph, Lake Cuyamaca and Mt. Laguna at 67, Oceanside 60 mph, Alpine, Lyons Peak, Ramona and Boulevard in East County all at 59 mph and La Mesa at 41 mph. View more wind speeds countywide at https://nwschat.weather.gov/p.php?pid=201602010158-KSGX-NOUS46-PNSSGX The storm also dumped heavy rainfall and some snow in mountain areas. Palomar Observatory measured 3.68 inches during the 48 hours ending 4:02 a.m. Monday. During the same time, Lake Cuyamaca got 2.87 inches, July 2.31 inches, Descanso 1.70 inches, and Mounta Laguna 1.69 inches. La Mesa, Santee and Lakeside each got about half an inch, while in Borrego a trace, less than a half inch. View more precipitation totals at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/display_product.php?sid=SGX&pil=RRM
BACK COUNTRY LAND TRUST GETS AUTHORIZATION TO OVERSEE MITIGATION LANDS
East County News Service February 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Founded in 1990, the Back Country Land Trust (BCLT) began working with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 2009 to protect lands in the Long Potrero Valley, located in the historic “Las Californias” region in the south-easternmost part of San Diego County. Most recently, following a detailed review of BCLT’s land management qualifications, CDFW has approved its certification of BCLT as qualified to “hold and manage mitigation lands in San Diego County.” This unique state endorsement considerably bolsters BCLT’s capabilities for land conservation in eastern San Diego County. BCLT’s state certification to own and manage official mitigation lands is a unique, powerful strength to the organization, enabling it partner with exceptional state, federal, military and private organizations in land conservation across San Diego’s East County. With state and federal grants plus private support, along with matching contributions from BCLT, we’ve now secured the southern 600 acres of the Long Potrero Balley, generally north of Potrero Valley Road and west of Harris Ranch Road. Currently, BCLT is under contract with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) to manage the 1,200 northern acres, which are deemed as “official mitigation lands” by the Wildlife Agencies. It is anticipated that as a consequence SDGE will consider conveying the ownership of its 1,200 acres to BCLT. BCLT also owns 320 acres in the adjacent Round Potrero Valley. BCLT has also partnered with state and federal wildlife agencies, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the U.S. Navy in conservation projects in the La Posta area, just east of Campo. These projects are intended to enhance public safety in and around Navy SEALs training facilities in that area by “land buffering;” that is, by removing conflicts between private, public and military land uses, while concurrently conserving exceptional biological resources. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Readiness & The Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) provides funding for such work. In partnership with these organizations, BCLT already owns and manages 310 acres in La Posta and is in process of working with its partners on securing another 1,600 contiguous acres of open-space land for conservation. For more information visit BCLT’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BackCountryLandTrust.
OUR DECEMBER 2015 SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE
Our December 2015 radio shows are now online! You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in December, click here and scroll down. Our newsmaker interviews included climate scientist Jeffrey Severinghaus of Scripps Institute, Assembly candidate Mike Harrison, authors Caitlin Rother (Then No One Can Have Her) and Bill Swank (Christmas in San Diego), geologist Norrie Robbins on her efforts to bring science to kids on Native American reservations, and Jawdat Al Obeidi on a Chaldean youth conference, plus some “best of East County” reruns including some holiday favorites. The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM. The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Audio files to listen to shows are at the bottom of this page, below the index of shows. Friday, December 4, 2015 Intro Climate summit San Diego climate plan San Bernadino shootings – jihad Destination East County Aztecs football victory SDSU Coach Long’s press conference Alpine stalker Wedding thief Tribal Beat: Thousand Voices film Bookshelf: Caitlin Rother, author, on her new book The No One Can Have Her Monday , December 7, 2015 Intro President addresses terror Local government report Military dogs receive safe passage home CA is worst in nation on homelessness (Public News Service) Jimmy Carter is cancer free Green Scene: Wildlife corridor acquisition Sheriff’s holiday safety tips Station ID Aztecs Championship Tribal Beat: 1,000 Voices Hoverboard fires Pearl Harbor: Interview with Ken Hanson, a teen during Pearl Harbor attack (rerun) Sounds of History: Childhood memories, Helen Ofield Friday, December 11, 2015 Intro Newsmaker: Mike Harrison, Assembly candidate Destination East County: top festivals and events Monday, December 14, 2015 Intro Newsmaker: Climate scientist Jeff Severinghaus, Scripps Institute Supreme Court rejects case on CA assault weapons SDSU dorm fire Green Scene: Wildlife corridor acquired California desert monuments Carjacking attempt, chase in El Cajon Chaldean Corner: Jawdat Al Obeidi on youth conference David Dickens reflects on A Christmas Carol Friday, December 18, 2016 Intro Paris Climate Summit agreement Green Scene: San Diego Climate Plan approved La Mesa Shimmers Every Student Succeeds Act signed by President Obama Homeless team launched to help in East County White Chirstmas forecast Inmates to help in El Nino Tribal Beat: Norrie Robbins, hydrology and geology Bookshelf: Bill Swank, aka Santa, on his book Christmas in San Diego Sheriff’s You Are Not Alone (YANA )volunteers help seniors Vines and Wines: Principe winery (rerun) White Christmas forecast Monday, December 21, 2016 Intro Covert Canyon appeal denied by Planning Commission Health: Zika Virus causing birth defects Latino lawsuit over Medi-Cal Sheriff’s holiday safety tips DeAnza Christmas expedition in East County San Diego Festival Chorus performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” Friday, December 25, 2016 Interview with Santa Claus ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in East County Christmas Country, by the U.S. Army Band Sounds of History: Dr. MacGregor remembers, Lemon Grove Christmas past David Dickens on his ancestor’s famous work, A Christmas Carol San Diego Festival Chorus performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” Monday, December 28, 2016 Intro New laws for motorists Capitol Report: Appropriations for San Diego U.C. prison divestment Alpine High School case heads to court CA not spending enough to combat smoking Air ambulance now stationed at Viejas Sports: Hawaii Bowl Vines and Wines: Winery awards Destination East County: festivals and events Bookshelf: Don Harrison, author of Schlepping Across the West: There’s a Jewish Story Everywhere *rerun) Highway holiday deaths Desert monuments proposed Tribal Beat: Norrie Robbins *All shows also include station IDs and public service announcements for East County Magazine
HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH TRUE-CRIME AUTHOR CAITLIN ROTHER
Listen now: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/audio/2016/February/Bookshelf-CaitlinRother2-ThenNoOneCanHaveHer.mp3 East County News Service January 31, 2016 (San Diego) – East County Magazine Show’s Bookshelf host Reina Menasche recently had a fascinating interview with New York Times. bestselling author Caitlin Rother . Also a Pulitzer-nominated journalist formerly with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Rother discussed her latest true-crime book, Then No One Can Have Her. The book chronicles the life and murder of Carol Kennedy, an artist, therapist and mother of two, just weeks after her divorce. Her ex-husband, investment broker Steve DeMocker, was convicted of murdering Kennedy in the small mountain town of Prescott, Arizona, though his family contends he was wrongly convicted. This is the tenth book authored or co-authored by Rother, who draws from decades of experience reporting on a wide range of topics — from addiction, suicide, mental illness and murder to politics and corruption at City Hall and in Congress. A popular speaker, she also helps aspiring authors as a book doctor and writing/research/promotions coach and consultant, and teaches narrative non-fiction, digital journalism, and author branding/promotions at UCSD Extension and San Diego Writers, Ink. You can learn more about Rother and her works by visiting her website at http://caitlinrother.com/
“AROUND MT. HELIX” AUTHOR IN LEMON GROVE FEB. 4
East County News Service February 1, 2016 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Historical Society’s popular “History Alive” lecture series will feature noted historian James D. Newland and his latest book “Around Mt. Helix” on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove. In words and pictures, Newland will describe the story-behind-the-story of Mt. Helix, surely among the most-loved landmarks in East County and all of San Diego County. Along the way, he’ll fold in stories from the Mt. Helix communities of Casa de Oro, La Mesa, Grossmont-Mt. Helix, El Cajon, Lemon Grove and Spring Valley. Newland is the president of the La Mesa Historical Society, a supervising historian and a manager for California State Parks, and author of “Images of America: La Mesa” and a history of the Cleveland National Forest. He earned a B.A. in Social Sciences and an M. A. in Public History from SDSU. “Don’t miss this great evening with a personable walking encyclopedia of regional lore,” says Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society.
JAIL HOUSE CUISINE AUTHOR SPEAKS FEB. 6 IN LEMON GROVE
East County News Service February 1, 2016 (Lemon Grove) – On Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane, the Lemon Grove Historical Society will bring back Louise Mathews, the former 21-year Chief of Food Service for San Diego County Prisons. She’ll bring her book, “Jail House Cuisine: From the Right Side of the Bars” and describe how to produce 40,000 meals a day. “Her stories have to be heard to be believed!” says Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society. “If you missed Mathews’ lecture to a packed house on “History Alive” in January (it was a dark and stormy night, we get it), here’s your chance to hear the whole, unique story from one of the most amazing figures in county government. A 2 p.m. matinee, daylight, free parking — what could be better? See you soon, history lovers!” Videotaping of “History Alive” is made possible by a Community Enhancement Grant from the San Diego Board of Supervisors on the recommendation of Supervisor Dianne Jacob, District 2. Ancillary costs of the series are possible in part by the Mary England Endowment for Education. Lectures are suitable for ages 18 and over.
CITIZENS OVERSIGHT FILES PETITION WITH CPUC CALLING FOR INVESTIGATION INTO ALISO CANYON GAS LEAK
East County News Service Photo courtesy SoCalGas January 31, 2016 (San Diego) — “The worst environmental disaster in California history is continuing to occur without any investigation by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC),” says Raymond Lutz, founder of Citizens Oversight in El Cajon. Now, Citizens Oversight has filed a petition along with Consumer Watchdog and Paul E. Hunt, calling on the CPUC to hold an open investigation into the Aliso Canyon/Porter Ranch methane gas leak north of Los Angeles. Former San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre and his law partner, Maria Severson, are handling the case. The attorneys plan a press conference Monday to discuss the petition and how the leak at the site operated by Southern California Gas has been handled “in total secrecy,” according to a Consumer Watchdog press release. Plaintiffs contend that the CPUC is violating state laws that require public agencies to operate in an open and transparent manner when making “life or death decisions.” SoCalGas, owned by Sempra Energy in San Diego, says it is in the “fifth and final” phase of drilling a relief well aimed at halting the leak that began October 23 and has forced evacuation of over 3,000 families. The company anticipates completing the relief well drilling by late February. SoCalGas has set up a website with updates on Aliso Canyon at https://www.alisoupdates.com/main. ECM has sent Sempra an e-mail asking for comments on the consumer watchdog groups’ petition. A January 25 press release from SoCalGas states, “Our top priority remains the safety of those working on the site and the residents of the community. We have developed various contingency plans in case we encounter unexpected developments in the relief well drilling process that could slow our current progress. Our current schedule to control and stop the leak in February is consistent with the plan we have submitted to DOGGR [the State regulating agency, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources].” But Lutz contends that the state’s regulatory watchdog has failed in its oversight role. “History is repeating itself before our eyes. The CPUC has failed to regulate effectively, as demonstrated by the San Bruno gas explosion, which killed 8 people and devastated a neighborhood, the San Onofre failure and $3.3 billion bailout after improper cloak and dagger meetings in Warsaw, Poland, the SDG&E wild fires, and now this massive invisible methane gas leak. We only hope the CPUC will conduct a thorough investigation. Unfortunately, there is little hope that our regulatory agency will do its job,” he concludes.
HIGH WINDS TOPPLE TREES, POWER LINES ACROSS COUNTY
East County News Service Photo by Vanessa Nadeau at Bon Vue Drive, El Cajon. Update: A Santee mother has been injured after a tree fell on her van, but her baby, also in the vehicle, is unharmed, KNSJ reports. January 31, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Powerful winds and rains have resulted in numerous power outages, downed lines and fallen trees on roas and highway across our region in San Diego and East County. Check SDG&E’s outage map for updates on outages in your area and expected restoration times: http://www.sdge.com/safety/outages/outage-map . Here are the latest road hazards and weather condition reports compiled by our staff: One person is dead in Pacific Beach after a tree fell, crushing cars, 10 News reports. Cal Fire reported a tree down in southbound lanes of State Route 67 at Dye Road in Ramona. Another tree is blocking southbound lanes of 67 near Scrub Oaks, where a huge oak fell and nearly hit a vehicle. A tree is blocking westbound lanes of State Route 78 in EL Cajon, CHP reports. At I-8 west near Severin east of Fuerte in La Mesa, a car plunged off an embankment, landing on trolley tracks, CHP site indicates. A tree is blocking eastbound lanes of Montezuma Valley Road/San Felipe Road. Another tree is blocking the entire roadway of Echo Valley Road. Southbound lanes of Riverwood Road in Lakeside are blocked by a eucalyptus treet. In East County, a tree fell on a parked white sedan on Noakes Street, also knocking out a power line, per CHP. Per scanner traffic, a tree is down in the Lexington/Jamacha area of El Cajon. A tree is blocking eastbound lanes of Dehesa and Sloan Canyon roads, CHP site reports. A palm tree is blocking portions of Melody Lane and Granite Hills Drive in unincorporated El Cajon. In La Mesa, a tree split and bell in a backyard at Strawberry Hills condominiums on Baltimore Drive. Eastbound State Route 78 at El Camino will be closed until midnight for SDG&E emergency electrical work. Trees are blocking Rockridge Road completely, where a medic has been stuck waiting for an hour and a half. A wind advisory is in effect in Borrego. The National Weather Service advises that wild weather will continue tomorrow, so be prepared! Sign up for free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts at the top right side of our homepage and you can receive a free weekly newsletter from East County Magazine. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone. We recommend all of the above, since you don’t know what form of communication will work best in a major regional emergency.