A WET NEW YEAR’S WEEK: MORE RAIN COMING
By Miriam Raftery January 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – You may want to keep your umbrella handy. Light showers are forecast for late Wednesday through Thursday, with heavier rainfall expected starting Saturday and continuing until Monday in a wet start to the New Year. This storm is not expected to bring more snow to San Diego County mountains, according to National Weather Service forecasters Stephen Harrison and Joe Dandrea. The last three months of 2016 proved wetter than normal across southern California, particularly during December. San Diego’s international airport received 1.79 inches more than normal from October to December, while the Ramona Airport in East County got 2.88 inches more than normal during the same time period.
WEDDING BELLS RING FOR LOCAL POLITICIANS LORENA GONZALEZ AND NATHAN FLETCHER
By Miriam Raftery January 2, 2017 (San Diego) – On New Year’s Day, two prominent San Diego politicians posted a wedding announcement on Twitter. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, former head of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, married former Assemblyman and ex-mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher in Balboa Park. The happy couple then celebrated a reception with 200 friends invited to what they thought would be a surprise birthday party for Fletcher—but instead, it was the guests who were surprised by the joyful news. Fletcher Tweeted, “Happy New Year! A day of new beginnings 1/1/17 will always be a special-day I married @LorenaSGonzalez I’m the luckiest guy alive! #GoFletch” Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher tweeted, “I did say it was a surprise party, right? “ Gonzalez has been a passionate advocate for working people and immigrants. Fletcher, since leaving office, has devoted himself to veterans’ issues, including spending time over the holidays to fight for deported veterans. Together, the two will undoubtedly be a powerhouse couple in our region.
HELP SOUGHT TO SAVE ABALONE
By Miriam Raftery Photo 1: White Abalone, by Geographer, Wikimedia Commons Photo 2: Black Abalone, by James St. John, Wikimedia Commons January 2, 2017 (San Diego) – The National Marine Fisheries Service is asking for public help to save black and white abalone from disappearing forever along the coast of California and Baja Mexico—the only places in the world where they are found. If you’ve seen black and white abalone offshore, or if you know of any threats to these protected mollusks, you’re asked to please report this information by calling Melissa Neuman, abalone recovery coordinator at 562-980-4155. You can also report sightings or tips at www.Regulations.gov. The National Marine Fisheries Service has published its five-year status review of the black and white abalone. The public has until Feb. 21 to add comments. Abalone are not only tasty to eat, they also control algae and provide food for sea lions and sea stars. It is currently illegal to catch or eat them, due to their endangered species status since 2001. White abalone were hunted to near extinction in the 1970s. Black abalone, though also hunted, also fell prey to a bacterial wasting disease that decimated their population, so they were added to the endangered species list in 2009. The goal of the federal review is to determine whether the abalone are still endangered. But information gleaned during the monitoring of their existing wild communities, threats and successful recoveries also will be used to save them. Scientists believe that the few known colonies of these abalone are too small to reproduce fast enough to save these species. So researchers at UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory have been propagating abalone in tanks and hope to someday release them into the wild. But they need genetic diversification—so they’re hoping the public may report previously unknown colonies. Recently abalone have been found farther north than in the past, typically at rocky places along the coast. Black abalone eat kelp, so they are most often found in the intertidal zone. White abalone, by contrast, eat algae and are found in rocky areas farther offshore.
WINTER GARDEN CARE: LEARN PROPER PRUNING JAN. 14
Source: Water Conservation Garden January 2, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) – Caring for your landscape in winter leads to thriving spring gardens. On Saturday, January 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will offer a class titled “Winter Garden Care: Proper Pruning Practices.” Join Andrea Doonan, landscape designer, arborist and horticulturist to learn proper maintenance techniques of native, Mediterranean, and desert plants. Students will also participate in a hands-on review of garden care including pruning, soil, integrated pest management, and plant selection. Garden members free, non-members $10. Pre-registration is required. Register online or call 619-660-0614 x10.
EL CAJON POLICE OFFICER SHOOTS KNIFE-WIELDING SUSPECT
East County News Service January 2, 2017 (El Cajon) – A man wielding a knife was shot last night shortly after 9 p.m. by an El Cajon Police officer and is being treated at a local trauma center for the gunshot injury. According to Lieutenant Randy Soulard with ECPD’s special enforcement division, the officer was wearing a body camera and footage has been retained as evidence. Officers responded to calls reporting a disturbance near Second Street and Oakdale Avenue at 9:03 p.m. They found the suspect, a white man in his 60s, in the roadway armed with a knife, according to Lt. Soulard. “The suspect was non-compliant with the officers and attempts to take him into custody were unsuccessful,” says Lt. Soulard. 10 News reports that officers twice fired tasers at the suspect, who pulled the barbs out of his skin and then lunged at officers with a knife. The responding officer shot the suspect at Second Street and Madison Avenue. Paramedics responded immediately and began treating the suspect at the scene. He was then transported to a local trauma center. He is expected to survive, 10 News reports. Names of the officer and suspect have not yet been released. This investigation is in the very early stages, and more information will be released when it becomes available, said Lt. Soulard.
BRING IN THE BIRDS FOR WINTER BEAUTY AND ENTERTAINMENT
By Melinda Myers Photo credit: Gardener’s Supply Company January 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Brighten your winter days by inviting birds into your landscape. Their beauty and motion help enliven the garden and lighten your spirit. Not only do they provide entertainment, but also an opportunity for all ages to stay involved with nature year-round. Increase the number of visitors to your yard by including all the essentials these winged visitors need; food, shelter and water. Plants are the easiest way to bring birds into your landscape. These natural feeders provide seasonal food and shelter for the birds. Take a walk through your yard and look for trees, shrubs and perennials that provide food and evergreens that provide year-round shelter. Plan on adding a few of their favorites that provide food and shelter and seasonal beauty you can enjoy. In the meantime, add a few feeders. This is a great way to increase the number and diversity of birds visiting your garden. Place feeders in a quiet, sheltered location where you can easily watch these visitors come and go. Avoid placing feeders too close to plants that provide easy places for squirrels to jump onto the feeders and cats to hide while hunting for a meal. Select feeders to attract the type of birds you want to bring into the garden. Tube feeders with metal ports keep the seeds fairly clean and dry and are somewhat squirrel resistant. Feeders with short perches attract small birds like chickadees, titmice, and finches. Those with the perches above the feeding port are suitable for birds like goldfinches, chickadees and pine siskins that can feed upside down. Thistle feeders and socks have extra small openings designed to hold the small seeds of thistle. You’ll find small songbirds like finches feeding at these. Suet feeders hold blocks of high energy food made of animal fat filled with seeds and berries. They attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, jays and starlings. Platform feeders attract the greatest variety of birds, but give squirrels easy access to the seed. Plus, the open environment subjects the seeds to spoilage from damp weather and droppings from feeding birds. Enclosed hopper or house feeders are attractive to most birds, but once again the seed can be exposed to the weather and spoil. Be sure to thoroughly clean the feeders monthly to avoid the spread of disease. Cover droppings and spoiled seed on the ground with a fresh layer of mulch. Add additional feeding stations by dressing up your evergreens with bird-friendly ornaments. You can purchase seed coated ornaments or make your own. Roll an evergreen cone in peanut butter or suet and coat with birdseed. Coat a stale bagel with peanut butter and seed. Hang these on the tree with colorful yarn. Add a few orange slices and strings of cranberries for added food and color. And once the holidays are over move a discarded holiday tree into your bird feeding station. It provides shelter from cold winter winds and makes another place to hang a few edible ornaments. Keep the birds coming by adding a birdbath for a constant supply of water for drinking and bathing. Shallow birdbaths with sloping sides and a maximum depth of two inches in the center provide easy access for all birds. Keep the water flowing despite cold temperatures with the help of an immersion heater designed for birdbaths or purchase a birdbath with a built-in thermostatically controlled heater. And once you create a bird-friendly environment you’ll be enjoying them year-round. Listen for their songs, watch them raise their young and thank them for helping keep garden pests under control. Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site is www.melindamyers.com.
LAKESIDE PLANNING GROUP MEETS JANUARY 4: AGENDA INCLUDES SEWER RATE HIKE, PROPOSED STARBIUCKS, PROPOSED PARKS CHANGES AND AND MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING
East County News Service January 2, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group will meet on Wednseday, January 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center (9841 Vine St., Lakeside). This week’s agenda includes a presentation by the County and possible vote on a local park planning area realignment and consideration of a sewer rate increase. There will also be a public hearing on a proposed Starbucks at Los Coches and Camino Canada. In addition, the planning group will hold hearings on a discretional permit for tentative parcel map for five dwelling units at 9145 Wintergardens Blvd. and for a discretional administrative permit to convert a structure into a second dwelling unit at 12654 Willow Rd. Subcommittees will also submit reports . To view the full agenda, click here.
CHARGERS END SEASON (AND TIME IN SAN DIEGO?) WITH LOSS TO CHIEFS; CUT TIES WITH MCCOY
By Liz Alper Photos by Cris Rangel January 1, 2017 (San Diego) – In potentially their last game in San Diego, the Chargers squared off against the team they lost to in overtime in week one, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday. Josh Lambo kicked a field goal in the first quarter for the Chargers to take a 3-0 lead. Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos tied the game with a field goal of his own and the score was 3-3. The Chargers reclaimed the lead in the second with Philip Rivers’ pass to Antonio Gates and the lead was 10-3. The Chiefs got that one back easily. After a big gain on a pass play to Albert Wilson, quarterback Alex Smith ran it in himself to tie the game at 10. Kansas City took their first lead with six minutes left with an easy little pass from Smith to Charcandrick West for the touchdown. Kansas City led 17-10. They added three more and went to the locker room up 20-10. In the second half, the Chargers struck back in a big way. An interception by Jahleel Addae returned for a 90-yard pick six brought the Chargers back to within three at 20-17. Smith found West again, however, and the Chiefs were back up by 10, 27-17. The Chargers thought that was bad enough, but Tyreek Hill made it worse with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 34-17 Kansas City lead. The Chargers added three to make the score 34-20 in the fourth. A field goal gave Kansas City a 37-20 lead. The Chargers gave it one last hurrah with a touchdown pass from Rivers to Hunter Henry, but the Chiefs ultimately won what was potentially the Chargers’ last game in San Diego 37-27. In other news, the Chargers have fired head coach Mike McCoy. “Mike McCoy is a man of high character, and we thank him for his dedication to the Chargers,” said Chargers President of Football Operations John Spanos. “The decision to dismiss Mike was made in the best interests of our franchise. Our team’s disappointing performance has not matched this team’s potential and has fallen short of the demanding standards that we seek to impose throughout our organization. Our comprehensive search for a new head coach begins immediately.” “I want to thank Mike for his tireless work and commitment to this organization,” said General Manager Tom Telesco. “He instilled a culture of work ethic and togetherness that we can build on for years to come.” Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s Sports section!
MINIMUM WAGE RISES TO $10.50 FOR MANY EMPLOYERS IN CALIFORNIA
By Miriam Raftery January 1, 2017 (San Diego) — As of January 1st, the minimum wage in California has gone up to $10.50 an hour for all businesses with more than 25 employees. Employers with fewer employees will have an extra year, until 2018, to comply. In the city of San Diego, workers got an even bigger wage hike to a minimum of $11.50 an hour. The city’s ordinance applies to all businesses, regardless of size. The ordinance does not affect other areas of the County outside the city limits. The raises put some extra holiday jingle in the pockets of minimum wage workers, but some employers face added economic challenges due to their rising costs. The Union-Tribune reports that some major restaurants in San Diego County are responding by adding a surcharge of about 3% onto dining customers’ bills, rather than raise praises on meals or eliminate tipping, both unpopular options with restaurant patrons. Both the city and state minimum wages will continue to gradually rise, up to a maximum of $15 an hour statewide by 2022.
MAN DIES AFTER ARSON FIRE AT LAKESIDE HOME; DOG SAVED BY FIREFIGHTERS
East County News Service January 1, 2017 (Lakeside) – A man found in a burned home this morning on Woodland Vista in Lakeside has died. Firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department rescued and revived a Labrador retriever dog, using a special pet oxygen mask. “There are no outstanding suspects and the fire appears intentional,” says Sergeant Greg Hampton with the Sheriff’s Department. Deputies responded to the blaze around 7:55 a.m. this New Year’s day and extinguished the fire that engulfed the living room and extended into the attic. The victim, who was the only human occupant in the home, was transported to UCSD Medical Center’s burn unit, where he later died. An investigation is continuing. The cause and manner of death will be determined by an autopsy.