VETERINARY RELIEF BILL BACKED BY SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY
State’s two largest animal welfare organizations back effort to address nationwide shortage of veterinarians, ease vet school debt East County News Service February 19, 2023 (Sacramento) — To mitigate the crisis-level shortage of veterinarians in California that is acutely affecting access to care for the most vulnerable companion animals including those in shelters, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris has introduced AB 1237, the California Public Interest Veterinary Debt Relief Act, in Sacramento. AB 1237 is co-sponsored by San Diego Humane Society and San Francisco SPCA. AB 1237 aims to attract existing veterinarians to practice where demand is greatest in California, by providing state and private funding to apply toward their school loans. The new state program will offer payments of up to $150,000 in educational debt relief to licensed California veterinarians who agree to work for a California animal shelter or in underserved communities for at least five years. With private practice veterinarians already struggling to keep up with demand — resulting in weeks-to months-long waits for appointments — the supply of reduced rate veterinary services is now nearly non-existent. California shelters caring for our state’s most vulnerable pets have been hit equally hard and struggle to provide or access veterinary care for their animals. The pandemic coupled with consolidation of veterinary clinics by national chains has exacerbated the shortage of affordable care. In San Diego County, many pet owners have been shocked to find that when an emergency occurs with their pet, very few clinics offer 24-hour service and those that do, often have waits of 6-10 hours or more – a situation that can cost pets’ lives. Residents in rural or mountain areas may have to drive one to two hours to seek emergency veterinary care, and even routine care costs have become prohibitively high for many pet owners. “The veterinary shortage is one of the most serious challenges we face today in animal welfare. We have to take action to attract more veterinarians to practice in California, especially in shelters,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO, San Diego Humane Society. “We also have to think about what this veterinary shortage means for vulnerable pets and their owners throughout the state.” “With veterinary school debt averaging nearly $200,000, it’s no wonder we have a vet shortage,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine). “It’s cruel to allow pets to suffer prolonged illnesses — by alleviating the stress of education debt, we can increase veterinary care access for the nearly 350,000 California shelter animals who are waiting for lifesaving treatment.” “We know that hundreds of thousands of animals in California shelters don’t have access to adequate veterinary care,” said Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, CEO of the SF SPCA. “Inequitable access to veterinary care is the greatest threat to companion animal welfare today. This debt relief legislation would help California animals get the care they need and deserve.” Top three reasons why the California Public Interest Veterinary Debt Relief Act is needed: Veterinarians have the second highest monthly debt-to-income ratio among graduate degree holders. According to an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) survey in 2020, the average veterinary school debt was $188,853. The AVMA reports that educational debt for veterinary graduates is growing by nearly $6000 each year. The debt load for these graduating vets makes it next to impossible for them to choose to practice in the sheltering or community service space. A lack of access to basic care is leading to an increased length of stay for animals in shelters across the state. A recent survey of California animal shelters revealed that less than half can consistently provide treatment for non-routine illness or injury that requires a veterinarian’s assessment, and 40% of shelter respondents are unable to consistently perform lifesaving — and legally required — spay/neuter surgeries. 60% of open shelter veterinary positions remain vacant due to a lack of candidates. Of 111 survey respondents, 73 have full-time veterinary positions open, and 82 have full-time registered veterinary technician positions open.
MISSING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
By Assemblymember Marie Waldron February 19, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) — San Diego County has more tribal governments than any other county in the nation. Since these communities are all located within the 75th Assembly District, tribal issues are very important to me, especially regarding their safety and prosperity. With approximately 110 federally recognized tribes, California is home to more Native American and Alaska Native people than any other state. Four in five Native American and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, and one in 130 Native American children are likely to go missing every year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the murder rate for women living on the nation’s Indian reservations is ten times higher than the national average, making murder the third leading cause of death. Unfortunately, California has the nation’s fifth largest caseload of missing and murdered indigenous women. I have served in the Legislature for over 10 years, and I find it unacceptable that we are still dealing with this crisis. Last year we took an important step by passing AB 1314, which created a new “Feather Alert” system, similar to existing Amber and Silver Alerts for missing children and seniors. Approximately 26 of California’s tribal governments have established law enforcement agencies to maintain public safety on tribal lands, and 22 have established tribal courts, serving 40 different tribes. This session I am supporting AB 44 which will enhance the authority of tribal police to enforce state laws by providing access to the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, and AB 273, which requires social workers and others to immediately notify authorities when a child is absent from foster care, including notifications to tribes. Passage of legislation such as AB 1314 last year, and hopefully, AB 44 and AB 273 this year, will help rein in this ongoing tragedy. Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R-Valley Center, represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the cities of Poway, Santee, portions of the City of San Diego, and most of rural eastern and northern San Diego County. The opinions in this reader’s editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org (link sends e-mail) .
SAN DIEGO STATE SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH OREGON AND UTAH VALLEY
Aztecs edged by Oregon 6-4 before beating Utah Valley 6-1 Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 18, 2023 (San Diego) – San Diego State split a doubleheader on the second day of the 32nd annual Campbell/Cartier Classic Saturday night at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (8-2) had their six-game winning streak snapped in a 6-4 loss to No. 24/24 Oregon in the opener, before rebounding for a 6-1 victory over Utah Valley in the nightcap. In the opener, San Diego State’s late rally came up short in a 6-4 loss to the Ducks (7-2). The Aztecs trailed, 3-0, after five innings and, 6-2, heading into the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t come across with the tying run. UO scored its first run in the top of the fourth inning when Kedre Luschar’s single scored Allee Bunker. In the fifth, Bunker’s one-out single knocked in Kyle Morris and Paige Sinicki. After leaving a runner in scoring position in the third, fourth and fifth innings, SDSU finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth, scoring twice with two outs. Taylor Okada kept the inning alive with a single before Jade Ignacio tripled off the left-center field wall. Macey Keester followed with a single before Raegan Breedlove relieved starting Oregon pitcher Stevie Hansen and struck out Makena Brocki looking. The Ducks answered with three runs in the seventh on four hits and two San Diego State errors. The RBI singles in the inning went to Terra McGowan and KK Humphreys as two of the three runs were earned. San Diego State, however, would not go quietly, as Mac Barbara drilled two-run homer with one out over the left-center field fence. AJ Murphy and Cali Decker followed with singles, but Morgan Scott, who replaced Breedlove after Murphy’s single, got Okada to ground into a double play to third baseman Teyha Bird to end the game. UO edged the Aztecs in total hits, 12-11, but only left five runners on base compared to SDSU’s eight. Decker, Keester and Okada had two hits apiece for San Diego State. Allie Light took the loss despite allowing just one unearned run on five hits over four innings, while striking out two. Light dropped to 1-2 on the season. Dee Dee Hernandez scattered four runs on five hits over 2 1/3 innings, striking out two, while Sara Lehman gave up one unearned run on two hits in 0 2/3 innings. In the nightcap, the Aztecs backed up a stellar pitching outing by Lehman, and Dani Martinez and Light with plenty of offense in an 6-1 victory over the Wolverines (3-6). Playing as the visiting team in the second game, Bella Espinoza led off the game with a single and Barbara followed with a double to left-center field for SDSU’s first run of the game. San Diego State tacked on three more runs in the third as Barbara’s fielder’s choice scored Espinoza and then Jillian Celis homered over the left-center field wall. It was her second of the season. The Aztecs loaded the bases in the fifth with one out on a Barbara walk, Celis single and Jade Ignacio walk. After Alex Bunton struck out swinging, Keester blooped a single to right field to score Barbara. SDSU, however, couldn’t get another run across as Trinity Brandon flied out to center field. UVU got its lone run in the sixth with a leadoff home run by Rylee Thorpe. San Diego State added an insurance run in the seventh when Bunton’s sacrifice fly plated Elianna Reyes. Celis was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run to pace the Aztec offense, while Espinoza (2 R) and Keester added two hits apiece. Barbara (1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 R) and Ignacio also reached twice with a hit and a walk. The SDSU trio of Lehman, Martinez (3-0) and Light were more than enough to silence Utah Valley’s bats. Lehman got the start and allowed one hit and three walks over three scoreless innings, striking out four. Martinez picked up the win after yielding one run on three hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings, striking out three. Light tossed 1 2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts to record her third save of the season. THE NOTE San Diego State is 8-2 through 10 games for a second straight season. Last year the Aztecs finished 39-16 for the second-best record in program history. THE NOTE II RHP Allie Light already has three saves on the season in SDSU’s eight victories, while LHP Dee Dee Hernandez has two. Light is tied for 10th in San Diego State single-season history. Four former Aztecs share the single-year record of six saves, including Maggie Balint (2022), Samantha Beasley (2009), Celena Velasquez (2005) and Bre DeSanta (2002). STAT OF THE DAY 1B/C Mac Barbara homered in the first game against No. 24/24 Oregon, giving her 20 for her career at SDSU in just 65 games. She’s the seventh San Diego State player in program history with at least 20 home runs, joining Lorena Bauer (60 from 2011-13, 2015), Patrice Jackson (46 from 2010, 2012-14), Haley Miles (37 from 2011-12, 2014-15), Jenavee Peres (34 from 2015-17), Shelby Thompson (29 from 2017-21) and Molly Sturdivant (23 from 2016-19). UP NEXT The Aztecs head to the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California next weekend for games against Cal State Fullerton (2:30 p.m.) and No. 17/16 Kentucky (5:30 p.m.) on Thursday, Brigham Young at 8 p.m. on Friday and Ohio State (3 p.m.) and No 12/14 Washington (8 p.m.) on Saturday. Game 1: No. 24/24 Oregon 6, San Diego State 4 Oregon (7-2) 000 120 3 — 6 12 1 San Diego State 000 002 2 — 4 11 3 Hansen, Breedlove (6), Scott (7) and McGowan; Light, Hernandez (5), Lehman (7) and Decker W – Hansen, 3-2; L – Light, 1-2; SV – Scott, 1 HR: San Diego State, Barbara
SDSU MEN’S TENNIS BLANKED BY UTAH 7-0
Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 18, 2023 (Los Angeles) – The San Diego State men’s tennis team played for the second straight day at the LMU Tennis Center on the campus of Loyola Marymount and, on Saturday, the Aztecs struggled to get anything going against a Utah team that has both a ranked singles player and doubles pairing, falling 7-0. The Scarlet and Black fall to 1-4 this season, while Utah improves to 7-2, with their first neutral site victory of the season. “Plenty of close matches and opportunities in both singles and doubles today,” head coach Gene Carswell said after the match. “We need to be better at capitalizing in these moments, otherwise they evaporate.” SDSU fell behind early, dropping the doubles point. On the top court Johannes Seeman and Chikaya Sato battled No. 17 ranked Berk Bugarikj and Patrik Trhac but came up short 6-4. Alexander Mandma and Bora Sengul fell to Franco Capalbo and Geronimo Espin Busleiman 6-3, as the No. 2 duo. On the No. 3 court, Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice and Mathieu Josserand were locked in a 5-5 duel with Francisco Bastias and Bruno Caula when the Utes clinched the doubles point. On the second court, Sato (2-3) claimed the first set 6-2 against Capalbo, but was unable to close out the match, falling 6-1, 6-2 in the final two sets. Sengul (0-4) faced Caula on the No. 4 court and also took an early lead, winning the first set 6-3 but was bested from that point and fell 6-2, 6-2. A steady presence on the No. 1 court for San Diego State this season, Seeman entered the day with a 4-0 record. However, the junior was dropped from the ranks of the undefeated in a 6-0, 6-2 loss to No. 37 Espin Busleiman. On the No. 3 court, Mandma (1-4) lost 6-4, 6-0 to Bastias. Playing on the fifth court, Josserand (0-4) ran out of steam against Trhac in a 7-6, 6-2 defeat. Andre Saleh (1-1) played on the No. 6 court against Bugarikj and made the first set close but fell shy of a win 7-6, 6-4. San Diego State will return to action on Thursday, March 2, when it faces UC Santa Barbara at the Aztec Tennis Center at 1 p.m. PT and then compete in the Pacific Coast Doubles Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in La Jolla, Calif. The tournament lasts four days, March 2 through Sunday, March 5. Utah 7, San Diego State 0 LMU Tennis Center – Los Angeles, Calif. February 18, 2023 Singles Competition 1. No. 37 Geronimo Espin Busleiman (Utah) def. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) 6-0, 6-2 2. Franco Capalbo (Utah) def. Chikaya Sato (SDSU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 3. Francisco Bastias (Utah) def. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) 6-4, 6-0 4. Bruno Caula (Utah) def. Bora Sengul (SDSU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 5. Patrik Trhac (Utah) def. Mathieu Josserand (SDSU) 7-6, 6-2 6. Berk Bugarikj (Utah) def. Andre Saleh (SDSU) 7-6, 6-4 Doubles Competition 1. No. 17 Berk Bugarikj/Patrik Trhac (Utah) def. Johannes Seeman/Chikaya Sato (SDSU) 6-4 2. Franco Capalbo/Geronimo Espin Busleiman (Utah) def. Alexander Mandma/Bora Sengul (SDSU) 6-3 3. Mathieu Josserand/Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (SDSU) faced Francisco Bastias/Bruno Caula (Utah) 5-5 Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (1,3,5,6,2,4)
SDSU BASEBALL FALLS TO ARIZONA STATE 5-3
Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 18, 2023 (Phoenix) – Despite another late comeback, the San Diego State baseball team fell short for the second straight game, as host Arizona State held on for a 5-3 decision on Saturday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Trailing 5-0, the Aztecs (0-2) threatened in the ninth inning with three runs on three hits but could not extend the contest. SDSU loaded the bases when Trevor Fox reached on a fielder’s choice and Drew Giannini singled, with both runners advancing after the throw to second was late on Caden Miller’s grounder to the right side. In the interim, Shauna Montoya struck out; however, Cole Carrigg followed with a solid single to center, which plated Fox to put the Scarlet and Black on the board. Sun Devil reliever Brock Peery spelled Blake Pivaroff at this juncture, but Poncho Ruiz kept the Aztecs alive with a two-run single up the middle, as Giannini and Miller scored, trimming the deficit to 5-3. However, SDSU’s comeback hopes quickly vanished when Peery fanned TJ Fondtain to extinguish record the save. ASU starter Khristian Curtis (1-0) earned the victory after offsetting two hits and three walks with six strikeouts in five scoreless innings before giving way to Matt Tieding. San Diego State countered with Chris Canada (0-1), who shook off two early runs with seven strikeouts in six innings of work. The Aztec left-hander yielded solo home runs to Luke Keaschall and Isaiah Jackson in the first two innings, respectively, but grew stronger as the game progressed, retiring 11 batters in one stretch before walking Keaschall with one out in the sixth. Ricky Tibbett entered and retired side in the seventh but was unable to escape trouble in the eighth when the Sun Devils (2-0) scored three runs on two hits. Jackson was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and moved to third on Wyatt Crenshaw’s ground rule double. Moments later, Luke Hill lifted a sacrifice fly to right, while Nu’u Contrades followed with a run-scoring single to plate Crenshaw. Keaschall stepped to the plate and was hit by a pitch, as Brian Leonhardt was summoned from the bullpen. Following a passed ball, Contrades soon crossed the plate on Ryan Campos’ sacrifice fly to center, giving the hosts a 5-0 advantage. Tibbett was charged with all three runs (two earned), while Eldridge Armstrong III was called upon to get the final out in the inning after Leonhardt issued a pair of walks. The Aztecs, who stranded 10 runners for the game, left the bases loaded in the fifth, squandering their best scoring chance in the game up to that point. Tyler Glowacki led off with a double, while Giannini and Montoya followed with one-out walks. However, Curtis fought himself off the proverbial ropes by getting a popout and a strikeout to end the threat. Fondtain and Crenshaw finished with two hits apiece to lead their respective teams. San Diego State will look to salvage the final game of the weekend series on Sunday, starting at 12:30 p.m. MT/11:30 a.m. PT. Once again, a link to streaming video will be available on GoAztecs.com. Box
SDSU WOMEN’S TENNIS SWEEPS LONG BEACH STATE 4-0
Aztecs move to 4-2 to start the season Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 18, 2023 (Long Beach) – San Diego State women’s tennis earned a bounce-back win in a big way on Saturday afternoon, beating Long Beach State 4-0 at the Rhodes Tennis Center in Long Beach, California. The Aztecs (4-2) used the same doubles lineup for the third consecutive match, and it paid off for Peter Mattera’s squad. The No. 1 slot remained the same as Alicia Melosch and Rania Azziz teamed up, Dariya Detkovskaya and Tamara Arnold played together at the two spot, while Andjela Skrobonja and Andreea Velcea were partners for the third time this season at the three slot. The three teams all started off strongly and Melosch and Azziz were able to comfortably win their doubles match 6-2, putting the Aztecs in the driver’s seat for the doubles point. Detkovskaya and Arnold quickly followed suit to earn the Aztecs the doubles point with another 6-2 win on court two. The Aztecs were also ahead on court three 5-2 before the match went unfinished and the Aztecs took a 1-0 lead into singles play. As for singles play, SDSU’s lineup had one change from Thursday’s group that faced Hawai’i, as Morin played at the No. 6 slot in the rotation in place of Velcea. In singles play, the Aztecs continued to dominate the pace of play and were rewarded early and often. Melosch was the first Aztec to earn a win, as she took care of business on court four with a strong straight sets win, 7-6, 6-2 to put the Aztecs up 2-0. The other matches were more back-and-forth action as four of the remaining five matches either went to a third set or finished in three sets. On court one Skrobonja battled with LBSU’s Sarah Medik and fell in the first set 3-6. She recovered strongly to take care of business in the second and third sets and won both 6-2, giving the Aztecs a 3-0 advantage. Azziz completed the sweep for SDSU on court five. She started off strongly, earning a 6-2 win in the first set before losing the second set in a tiebreak 7-6. She responded swiftly with a dominating 6-2 win in the third set to finish off the Aztecs sweep 4-0. Three other Aztecs were in action on Saturday. Arnold was in action on court two in singles play and lost her first set in a tiebreaker 6-7 and was trailing 4-3 in the second set, but it went unfinished due to results elsewhere. Additionally, Datkovaksta and Morin were in action for the Aztecs. Detkovskaya fell in her first set 4-6, won the second 6-4 and was winning in her final set 3-2 when play was stopped. Finally, Morin, who was in the singles lineup for the first time this season on Saturday, battled in each set, falling in the first 4-6 before earning a win in her second set 6-4 and was battling in her final set when play was stopped, due to the Aztec wins on other courts. Up Next: The Aztecs begin the first of four matches against ranked opponents when they travel to the Berkeley, California on Friday, February 24 to take on No. 23 California. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Hellman Tennis Complex. SDSU 4, LBSU 0 Singles Competition Andjela Skrobonja (SDSU) def. Sarah Medik (LBSU) 3-6 6-2 6-2 Mathilde Tranberg (LBSU) vs. Tamara Arnold (SDSU), match was unfinished, 6-7, 4-3 Peppi Ramstedt (LBSU) vs. Dariya Detkovskaya (SDSU), match was unfinished, 6-4, 4-6, 2-3 Alicia Melosch (SDSU) def. Rhona Cook (LBSU), 7-6, 6-2 Rania Azziz (SDSU) def. Justine Dondonay (LBSU) 6-2, 6-7, 6-2 Sheena Masuda (LBSU) vs. Cecile Morin (SDSU), match was unfinished, 6-4, 4-6, 6-5 Doubles Competition Alicia Melosch/Rania Azziz (SDSU) def. Sheena Masuda/Justine Dondonay (LBSU), 6-2 Tamara Arnold/Dariya Detkovskaya (SDSU) def. Peppi Ramstedt/Rhona Cook (LBSU), 6-2 Mathilde Tranberg/Doga Akyurek (LBSU) vs Andjela Skrobonja and Andreea Velcea (SDSU) 5-2, match was unfinished