March 10, 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

• El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells announces bid for Congress, setting up fight with incumbent Sara Jacobs
• County officials may build small houses for the homeless in Santee. Local leaders are not on board. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Cops willing to jump to El Cajon will get a significantly larger bonus, part of a broader effort to expand law enforcement (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• SDG&E Says $16M in Funds Will Help Struggling Customers With Energy Bills (NBC San Diego)
• Pine Valley businesses benefit from surge in tourists visiting snow (10 News)
• Student at Granite Hills HS arrested after attacking teacher (10 News)
• Settlement reached in Tijuana sewage lawsuit (KPBS)
• Over the past year DOJ's Task Force Kleptocapture has been extremely busy (NPR via Boise State Public Radio)

STATE

• New storm could bring more peril to California rivers already hit by deadly flooding  (Los Angeles Times)
• California’s snow-stranded residents need food, plows, help (AP)
• California bill would eventually ban all tobacco sales (KPBS)
• California's solution to regulations around hazardous waste: send it across state lines  (NPR)

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

By Kathy Carpenter

March 9, 2023 (La Mesa) - Individuality versus conformity is an eternal conflict and in the case of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, man versus institution. More than that, this is a story of people, with a huge, wonderful cast full of characters to connect to and learn from. The play is emotionally impactful and well-acted; you leave Lamplighters theatre with an impression of right or wrong and individuality at all costs. 

East County News Service

March 8, 2023 (Lakeside) -- An East County man has been arrested on multiple  felony charges after he was pulled over by deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff’s substation shortly before 10:30 p.m. last night for driving with an expired registration. A license plate check confirmed that the motorcycle he was driving was stolen. 

March 8, 2023 (Rancho San Diego) -- On May 6, Cuyamaca College is combining several major events for a true springtime extravaganza.

The Water Conservation Garden will host its Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival on May 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Guests can watch butterfly releases and children can join Miss Smarty-Plants and Miss Monarch at a Pollinator Party to hear stories and craft their own Pollinator wings. The Garden will also have specialty vendors, workshops, and food trucks.

In addition, Cuyamaca College’s Ornamental Horticulture Department will hold its largest plant sale of the year in their brand-new nursery. Plus, the Heritage of the America’s Museum will be hosting tours throughout the day.

Caltrans, Officials Celebrate National Register of Historic Places Designation

Source: Caltrans

March 8, 2023 (San Diego) -- The Ramona Tree Trust, elected official representatives and community members joined the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to unveil a set of signs commemorating the historic eucalyptus tree colonnade that has characterized the Main Street of Ramona as well as welcomed travelers into San Diego’s rural backcountry as a physical symbol of the townspeople’s pride in their agricultural community.

The Ramona Tree Trust recently led an initiative to list Ramona’s Main Street Colonnade Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

The colonnade consists of 2 miles of over 300 eucalyptus trees, originally established in 1909 and continues to be maintained and replanted to the present day by the community of Ramona.

El Cajon is second-hardest hit community, losing 752,000 meals, report by San Diego Hunger Coalition finds

East County News Service

March 7, 2023 (San Diego) -- CalFresh pandemic emergency allotments have ended, resulting in a significant hit on the grocery purchasing power of many San Diego households during a time of soaring grocery store prices.

But those affected may be able to increase their monthly benefits amount by updating monthly household expenses on record with County of San Diego—and the San Diego Hunger Coalition can help.

Jury concluded Arambula acted in self defense following conflicting statements by Williams about whether his dispensary application was discussed and how much he drank.

Missing witness, in a deposition, stated under oath that Arambula had history of wanting to "fight" after drinking,  threw a glass against wall, told witness he "beat" Williams and asked witness to destroy photos of plaintiff's injuries. The jury never heard this evidence.

By Jessyka Heredia 

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

March 6, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- On Monday, in day three of the Williams vs. Arambula and City of Lemon Grove civil trial, David Arambula and the City of Lemon Grove were both found not liable by a jury in the assault and battery case filed by Christopher Williams.

The case centered around an evening in July 2017 at Arambula’s home, which ended in violence. A mutual acquaintance, Taisha Brown, set up the meeting, which Williams said was to discuss his pending marijuana dispensary application but which Arambula said he believed was to discuss bringing new business investment to the city. Williams claimed they discussed the dispensary and that Arambula pushed him to bring in a partner, but he refused. Arambula denied those claims. After others left, Williams returned for his cell phone and contended that he was assaulted unprovoked by Arambula, resulting in hospitalization for injuries. Arambula claimed Williams attacked him first and that he acted in self defense.

By Rebecca Person

Photo, left:  Shane Marie - Boulevard

March 7, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - East County’s high desert communities saw a better-than-ever snowfall this winter and many residents have captured scenes unusual to the area in Campo, Jacumba, Live Oak Springs, Boulevard and Bankhead Springs.

The Aztecs, who took their first and only lead, with 47 seconds left, face No. 21/25 UNLV in the semifinals tomorrow

Source:  goaztecs.com

March 6, 2023 (Las Vegas) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (23-9) rallied to beat New Mexico (20-12) 69-68 in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament Monday afternoon.

By Cassie Klapp, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 6, 2023 (San Diego) -- A Behavioral Health Services (BHS) program focused on culturally appropriate programming to strengthen relationships between fathers and their children and bolster fathers’ parenting skills was approved Tuesday by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. This Board approval signals an eight-fold expansion of these services.

“Evidence shows earlier interventions in the lives of young people is the best way to support resilience and wellbeing,” said Dr. Luke Bergmann, director of Behavioral Health Services at the County Health and Human Services Agency. “Parent or caregiver engagement is vital for the mental health development in children.”  

Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs, and toxic stress are associated with nine out of the 10 leading causes of death in the country. These poor health outcomes are passed from generation to generation.