EDITORIAL: A SAD DAY FOR SAN DIEGO — HELP SAVE LOCAL JOURNALISM
By Miriam Raftery July 10,2023 (San Diego) — Today is a sad day for journalism in San Diego. The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper has been sold to Media News Group, which is owned by Alden Global Capital. Employees have been notified via email of the sale. The new corporate owner has a reputation for “evisceration” of U.S. newspapers,according to NPR. Alden is a “vulture” capital company known for gutting newsrooms, laying off journalists and even closing some newspapers, the Atlantic reports. They also ended reader comments at all of their newspapers, which include many Southern California publications. This is troubling for our region, particularly East County communities that already lack adequate coverage in San Diego County’s largest newspaper. It’s also bad for democracy, with no robust discussion of issues and the focus on profits, not in-depth news such as investigative reporting, Now, the need to maintain and expand — not cut — our coverage at East County Magazine is critical. But we’ve struggled to keep up with our reader’s requests for news coverage amid rising costs– and we urgently need your help. Will you please make a generous donation at www.eastcountymedia.org/donate and consider becoming a sustaining monthly donor? Without more readers committed to saving local journalism, there could someday be no news outlets left to cover news that matters in many local communities nor even important countywide news. We thank you for your past support, and deeply appreciate your help to make sure that community journalism stays alive and thrives in our region. Miriam Raftery, Editor and Founder www.EastCountyMagazine and the East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
ECM PADRES REPORT: MLB DRAFT EDITION – DAY 2
By Liz Alper Photo: Jandaniel Gonzalez via mlb.com screenshot July 10, 2023 (Seattle) – The Padres only had one pick yesterday and they went with an outfielder, which is rare for them. We also saw another rare sight as an Aztec went the highest we’ve ever seen; Cole Carrigg was taken in Competitive Balance Round B, 65th overall by the Rockies. Click the cut to see who the Padres chose in rounds 3-10 and keep an eye out for any East County high school or college kids going pro. ROUND 3, 96TH OVERALL JANDANIEL GONZALEZ, C, ANITA OTERO HERNANDEZ HS (Yabucoa, PR) The Padres go with an international high school prospect for just their second pick of the draft. A lean catcher who didn’t play that much this season due to a knee injury. He has power from the left side, but Combine scouts loved his behind-the-plate talent; he sports a great arm. Committed to Indiana State. ROUND 4, 128TH OVERALL HOMER BUSH JR., OF, GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY (HOMETOWN: Southlake, TX. Photo right via mlb.com screenshot) The Padres go with a familiar foe of the Aztecs for their fourth round pick. His dad played pro ball for seven years and was a World Series champion with the Yankees and his son is built just like him. Bush Jr. fills up the zone and the outfield with a huge physical frame at 6’3”, 200. He can hit, run and field and can be a much-needed asset for the Friars. ROUND 6, 191ST OVERALL JAY BESHEARS, 2B, DUKE (Hometown: Naples, FL. Photo left via mlb.com screenshot) After skipping a round, the Padres start to round out their infield with their sixth round pick. Beshears led the team in batting average with .333 this spring. He was second in the team in home runs and runs scored. He’s a Northwestern transfer that’s a second baseman, but scouts say he might do better in the outfield, specifically left field, but he can be a solid infielder if he quickens up a bit. ROUND 7, 221ST OVERALL TUCKER MUSGROVE, TWO-WAY PLAYER, UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE (Mobile, AL. Hometown: Mobile, AL. Photo right via umobilerams.com) A big, unphysical player at 6’3”, 175. He’s a center fielder, leadoff hitter and closer. His fastball tops out at 95 and sports a decent cutter and slider. He can fool batters with a sneaky delivery and it showed; 23 strikeouts in 18 innings. We could be seeing two Musgroves on the mound in San Diego soon. ROUND 8, 251ST OVERALL KANNON KEMP, P, WEATHERFORD HS (Weatherford, TX. Photo left via mlb.com screenshot) The Padres go back to high school with their eighth round pick. This kid is HUGE. 6’6”, 225 pounds. His pitches keep getting better; his slider has added more velocity, hitting the low 80s and he can sometimes reach 94 on his fastball. Good changeup too. Committed to Oklahoma. ROUND 9, 281ST OVERALL RYAN WILSON, OF, DAVIDSON (NC. Hometown: Durham, NC. Photo right via davidsonwildcats.com) The Padres go back to college with their second-to-last pick of the day and from a school known for basketball. Wilson bat an impressive .387 this spring and drove in 54 RBI in 54 games, driving in a run in every game he played in. He has flash, just like Manny Machado. He’s taken as an outfielder, but shows great defensive prowess at first base and center field, similar to Cody Bellinger. ROUND 10, 311TH OVERALL NIK MCCLAUGHRY, SS, ARIZONA (Hometown: Rocklin, CA. Photo left via arizonawildcats.com) With their last pick of the day, the Padres go with another Aztec foe. Named the 2023 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. The smallest player the Padres have taken so far, at 5’9”, 159. He bat .329 with 35 RBI and 71 runs this spring. He can draw walks too, with 35. UP NEXT The lightning rounds, 11-20, are tomorrow for the final day of the draft at 11 a.m.
PADRE DAM CUSTOMERS COULD BE FACING EVEN HIGHER BILLS
By Mike Allen July 10, 2023 (Santee) — Already paying some of the highest water bills in the nation, customers of Padre Dam Municipal Water District as well as 22 other agencies could see their rates increase even more if two North County water districts secede from the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA). Both the Fallbrook Public Utilities District and the Rainbow Municipal Water District have been trying to leave the CWA because they say the costs for the purchased water is too high, and they can get it cheaper by joining the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County. An independent government agency, the Local Agency Formation Commission of San Diego County, better known as LAFCO, will determine the outcome of this issue, and scheduled to take a vote today. The CWA is opposing the exit of the two agricultural-heavy districts, saying in written letters that should the proposed detachment goes ahead it would cause the remaining 22 agencies and its customers to pay higher bills. The customers would have to assume the agencies’ share of all the long-term investments CWA has made over the past several decades such as the Carlsbad desalination plant, reservoir upgrades, and multi-year agreements with the Imperial Irrigation District to supply water for the region. LAFCO’s staff is proposing that the two districts pay the CWA an exit fee of $4.8 million annually over five years, or $24 million, which CWA says doesn’t come close to making the regional agency whole. In a release this week, CWA said the LAFCO exit fee is based on flawed data and projections that understate the actual losses the agency would sustain by at least 50 percent. LAFCO’s estimates do not reflect inflationary realities or the fact that the financial impacts stemming from the detachment will continue far beyond the five-year horizon, the actual lifespan of the infrastructure as well as the debt obligations to pay for it, according to a press statement (sdcwa.org). To give LAFCO some help in making its decision, CWA conducted its analysis of the potential costs it will bear, which it says is nearly $200 million over 10 years. For Padre Dam customers, those increases translate to nearly $500,000, or $497,792 annually. That’s on top of already paying some of the highest water bills in the state or nation that were increased earlier this month from pass-through charges by the CWA, the San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater division, and San Diego Gas & Electric. All three agencies inflicted increases for their services last year. While Padre Dam froze its water rates over five years to fiscal year 2027, and used funds from a legal settlement to stave off the pass-through rate hikes over the first year, its customers are now seeing the effects on their most recent bills. Padre Dam gave an update on its water and sewer rates with the pass-through costs that were added last year, and appearing on bills after July 1. For an average water user, based on the use of 9 hundred cubic feet monthly, that will push their bill from $111 to $114.60, and for sewer, using an average of 7 hundred cubic feet, it will go from $67.23 to $70.24, according to figures provided by the district. Combined, that will mean the new monthly bill for an average Padre Dam customer is $184.84, compared to prior average bill of $178.23. Padre Dam, along with San Diego County, the city of El Cajon and Helix Water District, are in the midst of constructing an Advanced Water Treatment program that would convert some 15 million gallons of sewage to about 11 million gallons of potable water daily. That would eliminate having to spend money on the transfer of that sewage to the Point Loma treatment plant and reduce the amount of water purchased from CWA. While that would be a cost savings that could reduce bills, the CWA is not refraining from an ongoing trend in hiking its rates. Last month, the board voted to raise the water rate it charges its member agencies by 9.5 percent. That hike takes effect Jan. 1, 2024, and will be passed on to all the water districts, and in turn, the local rate payers.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: CEDAR CREEK FALLS
July 10, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Walt Meyer snapped these idyllic images at Cedar Creek Falls, perhaps the most beautiful place in San Diego’s East County. The towering waterfall is situated in Cleveland National Forest near Julian. “The water was pretty and cold, but refreshing after the hike,” Meyer says. “The falls were beautiful.” A permit is required from the U.S. Forest Service for this very strenuous hike, where many have suffered heat exhaustion or injuries, requiring rescues, and several have perished. Hiking on a clear day in winter, or when temperatures are cooler, is recommended–and be sure to carry plenty of water for the steep, mostly shadeless climb out of this Eden-like oasis. Meyers notes that on his recent hike, “This time, instead of having a ranger at the beginning of the trail, they had one at the end, near the waterfall. People coming down the trail told us he was checking permits and he had yelled at them for jumping off rocks or climbing the face of the waterfall.” Jumping off rocks into the pool is illegal due to past fatalities. The fall plummets a dramatic 80 feet into a pool, accessible via the San Diego River Gorge Trail. In most years, the falls are dry in the summer months. On very hot days, the Forest Service will close the trail. Find more information on Cedar Creek Falls here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=80293&actid=50 To obtain a permit,visit: https://www.recreation.gov/
$25K REWARD TO FIND MOTORISTS WHO STRUCK AND KILLED A LA MESA WOMAN IN SPRING VALLEY
By Miriam Raftery July 10, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—Michele Michalina Lange was a devoted mother and a popular waitress at the Por Favor Restaurant in La Mesa. But on June 22, her ended when she was walking across Jamacha Blvd. near Lamplighters Village Drive in Spring Valley and was struck by two vehicles—a red SUV and a silver sedan. Both fled the scene, and now Michele’s father, Michael Lange, is offering a $25,000 reward to find those drivers and hold them accountable. “I’m lost…I loved my daughter dearly,” he told 10 news, adding, “I want justice.” Half the reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of each hit-and-run driver. A La Mesa resident, she had left Shooters Cocktails shortly before midnight and was walking across the street toward her boyfriend’s home when she was hit by one vehicle, then the next, both heading west. Law enforcement and fire personnel responded to a 911 call, but Michele Lange, 50, was dead at the scene of blunt force injuries to her head, torso and limbs. Michele is survived by her teen son, Noah Steinbach. She had worked at Por Favor in La Mesa for more than 20 years. On social media, customers and friends posted fond memories. Brooke Everhart, a friend of Michele’s, posted on Facebook, “We are completely devastated by her loss. Michele lit up any room she walked into. She was an amazing mother and human who would do anything for her son and people she loved. And she was loved immensely by all the people she touched. The individuals responsible for her death are still at large and we are desperately hoping anyone with any information will do the right thing and come forward. Michele deserves so much more than this…We love you Michele. #justiceformichele If you have any information on this case, please call the California Highway Patrol office in El Cajon at 619-401-2000.
AGGRESSIVE AIR ATTACK HALTS PARK FIRE AT 64 ACRES
Story and Photos by Josh Stotler July 9, 2023 (Potrero) — At 2:49 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 25850 Potrero Park Dr. for reports of a vegetation fire. Arriving units radioed that the fire was 3-5 acres in heavy fuel with a potential to spread to 50-100 acres. Additional resources were requested, bringing in more air support and ground crews to the scene. Structures were threatened and evacuation warnings were issued for grids 0852 and 0853, the Potrero valley. Due to the unpredictable nature of the fire, the warnings were quickly upgraded to evacuation orders for those two grids. Aggressive air support and a coordinated ground attack quickly stopped the forward progress of the fire around 4:43 p.m. and the air assets were released, leaving the remaining flames and backfire operations to ground crews. Crews from Cal Fire, San Diego County Fire, BLM, United States Forrest Service, and the San Diego Sheriff’s Dept. as well as CDC inmate fire crews worked quickly to keep this fire to only 63 acres, with no structures lost. Crews will remain on scene through the night to advance containment and douse hot spots. Parts of Potrero Valley Road remain closed to through traffic. Josh Stotler is a freelance Photojournalist with over 20 years of fire service experience.
ECM PADRES REPORT: MLB DRAFT EDITION – DAY ONE
By Liz Alper Photo: Cole Carrigg was drafted 65th overall in Competitve Balance Round B by the Colorado Rockies. Photo courtesy goaztecs.com July 9, 2023 (Seattle) – The MLB first year player draft is upon us finally and the Padres are looking to recruit some fresh faces. Click the cut to see who they chose for their only pick of the day and keep an eye out for any East County high school or college kids going pro. ROUND 1, 25TH OVERALL DILLON HEAD, CF, HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR HS (Flossmoor, IL. Photo right via mlb.com screensho) The 18-year-old southpaw outfielder from the Chicago area has power, athleticism and bat control, often compared to Curtis Granderson. He’s not big, topping out at 6’0”, 180 lbs., but has lots of bat speed and can drive the ball to right field. He’s projected to hit 12-15 homers per year. Committed to Clemson. SDSU MENTION: COLE CARRIGG, C, COMPETITIVE BALANCE ROUND B, 65TH OVERALL TO THE COLORADO ROCKIES The Rockies continue their penchant for drafting SDSU players. An outfielder at State, Cole elected to catch at the MLB Draft Combine and it paid off. But he can play all over the field, particularly at outfield, shortstop and catcher. UP NEXT Day two of the draft continues tomorrow at 11 a.m. with rounds 3-10.
SIX-SEAT CESSNA CRASHES IN LA MESA RAVINE; TWO INJURED; POWER WAS BRIEFLY CUT TO 3,300
By Chris Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: a pilot of crashed Cessna (in blue) emerges from scene. Photo by Chris Stone July 9, 2023 (La Mesa) – A pilot and co-pilot of a Cessna A185F suffered moderate injuries Sunday after their plane crashed into a ravine between a church and a residential area in La Mesa. The fixed-wing single engine six-seater clipped multiple power lines as it descended and power was cut to nearly 3,300 customers for about an hour. People were in the nearby Lake Murray Community Church, but no one was injured. No one on the ground was hurt, and the plane didn’t catch fire. Across the street — in the 5700 block of Lake Murray Boulevard — are two assisted living facilities. The plane, registered to John Brasil of Lemon Grove, took off at 2:50 p.m. from Montgomery Field and flew 12 miles before coming down at 3:05 p.m., according to FlightAware. An American Medical Response ambulance was passing by and was first on scene and found two men already out of the airplane, one of them lying on the ground, according to Heartland Fire Capt. Sonny Saghera. Within 40 minutes, the fire department used a rope system to get the pilot up the hill of the raven, but the co-pilot reported back pain and was lifted via a basket and backboard, Saghera said. The pilot suffered cuts and bruises, he said. Both men were taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Photo, right: remnants of crashed plane in La Mesa ravine. Photo by Chris Stone Photo, left: a pilot of crashed plane is examined by medical personnel.