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SUPREME COURT RULING ALLOWS SWEEPS OF CAMPS, CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Homeless encampment later swept in unincorporated area, via County of San Diego

June 29, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court, by a 6-3 majority, has ruled that homeless people can be arrested for sleeping in a public place, regardless of whether or not shelter space is available. The decision also allows local governments to authorize ticketing, fines, and arrest of homeless people who violate anti-camping regulations,  even if they have no place safe to go.

Locally, the decision has sparked condemnation from advocates for homeless people, who argue that compassionate treatment and affordable housing are the solutions needed, but has also drawn praise from some city and county leaders aiming to clear homeless camps from parks, streets, sidewalks and other public places.


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EXPERTS SHARE TIPS ON FIRE INSURANCE CHANGES, NEW “ZONE ZERO” REQUIREMENTS IN HIGH-FIRE RISK AREAS

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo: Cal-Fire/San Diego County Fire Authority Captain Thomas Shoots
 
June 27, 2024 (Jamul) – Soaring and often inaccessible fire insurance rates, new defensible space mandates for the five feet closest to structures, and how to form fire-wise communities were among the hot topics discussed at the Jamul-Dulzura Fire Safe Council meeting on June 11. Speakers Sharon Smith, outreach analyst with the Calif. Dept. of Insurance, and Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Captain Thomas Shoots provided insights including:

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PETCO LOCATIONS DOUBLE AS "COOLING CENTERS" FOR PETS

East County News Service
 
Photo courtesy: Jonathan Goetz
 
June 25, 2024 (San Diego) -- As temperatures soar across the country, leashed pets of all breeds, shapes and sizes are welcome at Petco pet care centers nationwide, where they and their families can seek refuge from the extreme heat. They can also stay hydrated with access to fresh, clean and safe water at Petco locations during regular business hours. Water is provided in disposable bowls, which helps limit the risk of disease transmission.  
 
Petco is sharing veterinarian-approved tips to help keep furry friends safe and cool during this time and throughout the summer:   

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HOME OF GUIDING HANDS OPENS PINE HOUSE, A NEW MEDICAL HOME FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Pine House will offer enhanced independence for clients with complex medical needs. 
 
East County News Service
 
June 21, 2024 (El Cajon) — Home of Guiding Hands, a nonprofit organization that provides quality support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is excited to announce the opening of their first medical home, Pine House. This revolutionary establishment marks a significant milestone in providing comprehensive care and fostering independence for their clients with complex medical needs. 

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GROW SOME PAIN RELIEF IN GARDENS AND CONTAINERS

By Melinda Myers
 
Photo courtesy of Melinda Myers: Sage leaves can be brewed into tea to soothe sore, irritated throats.
 
June 18, 2024 (San Diego) -- Ease your way through the busy summer season with the help of some pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory garden produce. Add them to your garden or containers or purchase the produce at your local farmer’s market.
 
Refresh and rejuvenate yourself with a cup of mint-infused tea or ice water. Mint also helps relieve headaches and general aches and pain. Contain this vigorous perennial herb by growing it in a container to prevent it from overtaking your garden beds. Take advantage of these benefits year-round by starting a few plants at the end of the growing season. Root a few cuttings to plant and grow in a sunny window.

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CALIFORNIA PUSHES INSURERS TO COVER MORE HOMES IN SPECIFIC AREAS

California can’t legally require insurers to write either residential or commercial property policies. But the state expects insurers to comply with the options unveiled Wednesday in part because they get something they want in return: catastrophe modeling.
 

By Levi Sumagaysay, Cal Matters
 
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
 
Photo: Firefighters battling a fire in Valley Center, one of the zip codes designated as "high-fire-risk," where officials would encourage more policies to be written, 2010 file photo
 
June 18, 2024 (Sacramento) -- California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara unveiled Wednesday an effort to force insurers to resume writing policies in high-fire-risk areas — part of an overall plan to address the state’s insurance crisis. 
 
It consists of three different ways insurers can meet minimum requirements for writing policies in areas deemed “high risk” or “very high risk” by the department, which aligns with Cal Fire’s identification of hazard zones. Insurance Department regulators said this hybrid approach takes into account the state’s complex geography as well as the different risk levels that big and small insurers can afford to assume. Lara said this should help homeowners who have lost coverage or been forced to turn to the last-resort FAIR Plan.
 
Insurance companies would have these three options:

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NEW PEST POSES THREAT TO WINE INDUSTRY: SPOTTED LANTERNFLY EGG MASSES INTERCEPTED IN CALIFORNIA

By Miriam Raftery
 
June 17, 2024 (Sacramento) – The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is bringing attention to the discovery of 41 Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) egg masses on a shipment of artwork from New York and destined for Sonoma County. 
 
“The invasive pest has the potential to affect the entire winegrape industry,” a press release from CAWG states.
 
The egg masses were intercepted at the Truckee Border Protection Station in late March, the first-ever finding of SLF egg masses in California. If other SLF egg masses have arrived in California undetected, they may produce adults in the coming weeks, with peak populations expected in late summer or early fall.  

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PETS VS. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL DEBATE: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE AND WHY IT MATTERS FOR FAIR HOUSING

Source: CSA San Diego
Photo by Helena Lopes via Pexel
 
June 15, 2024 (San Diego) -- Imagine coming home after a long day, greeted by your loyal companion, who offers you comfort and joy. For many, this scenario involves a beloved pet. But for others, this comes from an emotional support animal (ESA). While pets and ESAs might seem similar at first glance, they play very different roles according to fair housing laws. Understanding this difference is crucial for ensuring equal housing opportunities for all.

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SANTEE GOLF COURSE PROJECT CALLS FOR 243 NEW HOMES ALONG FAIRWAY

Hearing set for June 25; some neighbors are teed off

By Mike Allen

Photo: Augie Scalzitti at his home on Inverness Road looking at the Carlton Oaks Golf Course

June 15, 2024 (Santee) -- Augie Scalzitti is enjoying the good life in Santee, gazing from his deck to a stunning, clear view of the nearby Fortuna peaks and hills at Mission Trails Regional Park.

But that view will be dramatically altered if a proposed residential development for the Carlton Oaks Golf Resort that abuts his house on Inverness Road goes forward.

He points to a fence beneath his deck where trees and shrubs make up the “rough” part of Carlton Oaks’ carefully manicured 18-hole course. “They’re going to have to build that up about 10 feet, and the two-story homes will be another 30 feet above that,” he said. “When it’s done, I’ll be able to see into (future homeowner’s) bathroom.”


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U.S. SENATE PANEL DIVIDED OVER CLIMATE AS CAUSE OF RISING INSURANCE PREMIUMS

 
Photo: Ford's Flooded Home during January 22, 2024 flooding in San Diego, East County Magazine file photo
 
June 10, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) — The U.S. Senate Budget Committee debated the cause of the insurance crisis plaguing homeowners around the country at a Wednesday hearing, with Democrats identifying climate change as the ultimate driving force of rising premiums and Republicans pointing to high government spending and inflation.
 
Homeowners insurance premiums have skyrocketed in recent years, following billions in damages, which has led many insurance companies to drop coverage. An uptick in extreme weather events has been a factor in rising costs.

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DEPT. OF INSURANCE SPEAKER JUNE 11 AT FIRE-SAFE MEETING IN JAMUL

By Miriam Raftery
 
June 8, 2024 (Jamul) – Concerned about losing homeowner’s insurance, fire insurance, or rising rates? The Jamul Fire Safe Council invites you to its meeting on June 11. Sharon Smith, insurance outreach analyst from the Calif. Dept. of Insurance will be on hand to address insurance concerns and provide information on the California Fair Plan.

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SDG&E CONSUMER FRAUD ALERT

East County News Service
 
June 6, 2024 (San Diego) — To protect customers, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is alerting customers to a recently documented text-message utility scam trying to defraud local utility customers. The scheme attempts to exploit SDG&E’s legitimate use of text messages and email notifications to inform residential customers of work orders like meter changes, reads and tests.
 
There is an important distinction between a fraudulent and a legitimate customer communication – the fraudster will route the customer to a fake 1-800 number. Legitimate SDG&E texts will always point the customer to SDG&E’s main Customer Care Center, 1-800-411-7343 (or 1-800-311-7343 for Spanish-speakers). When in doubt, hang up and call SDG&E back at the number listed on SDG&E’s webpage. 

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PET ADOPTION FEES WAIVED SATURDAY AT COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS

 
May 30, 2024 (Bonita) -- Unleash your love and find your new family member on the first annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day. Overcrowding continues to affect the County’s shelters and shelters throughout the United States. In response, we are asking for the community’s support to make a lifesaving impact on the homeless pet population.
 
Adoption fees are waived for all pets adopted on Saturday, June 1 at the County’s two animal shelters in Bonita and in Carlsbad. All pets will be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped.
 
California Adopt-a-Pet Day is more than an annual event; it celebrates the beautiful bond between humans and animals. It’s a day where the possibility of countless moments of laughter and love converge, waiting eagerly for you to be a part of them.

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POINT-IN-TIME COUNT SHOWS KEY SHIFTS IN EAST COUNTY HOMELESS POPULATION

 

“The geographic shifts in populations of people experiencing homelessness to East and South County communities demonstrates the effect of the City of San Diego camping ban.”—Paul Downey, CEO, Serving Seniors

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—The 2024 Point-in-Time Homeless Count reveals some significant changes for East County. East County’s total homeless population dropped by 28% overall from  January 2023 to January 2024, from 1,703 to 1,232.  That’s in sharp contrast to the county overall, which had  the number of homeless people increase by 3% to a total of 10,605,

However, some East County communities had sharp rises, notably in communities closest to San Diego, which recently enacted a ban on encampments:

  • La Mesa’s total homelessness rose 86%, with a 47.2% rise in unsheltered;
  • Lemon Grove’s unsheltered homeless numbers rose 85%

The sharp spikes in La Mesa and Lemon Grove may be due to  the city of San Diego’s ban on homeless encampments, suggests Paul Downey, Chief Executive Officer of Serving Seniors, a nonprofit helping low-income adults age 60 and up.


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COUNTY EXPANDS PILOT SHALLOW RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
May 22, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County is expanding a pilot shallow rental subsidy program for older adults to support an additional 160 older adults at risk of homelessness.  
 
The County of San Diego Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities’ program will provide at-risk San Diego County residents over 55-years-old with a $500 monthly rental subsidy for 18 months. The money will go directly to participants’ landlords. 
 
Applications can be submitted starting today, May 22. The participants will be selected at random. Those selected will join 222 households previously chosen for the original pilot program in early 2023, which was subsequently approved for expansion by the County Board of Supervisors. 

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PASSAGES: FAMED ARCHITECT AND ARTIST JAMES HUBBELL, 1931-2024

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2024 (Santa Ysabel) – The world has lost a creative giant.  Visionary artist and internationally acclaimed architect James Hubbell passed away on May 17 in Chula Vista at age 92, surrounded by family members including his wife, Anne.  

“We’ve lost a great friend, a generous, creative talent, and an extraordinary man,”  reads a statement issued by the Ilan-Lael Foundation, founded by Hubbell to inspire future generations of budding artists, architects and builders. 

Hubbell designed hundreds of public and private artworks. Locally, his creations include the Pacific Portal gazebo and Pacific Rim Park’s Pearl of the Pacific on Shelter Island, the Triton Restaurants in San Diego and Carlsbad, Kuchumaa Passage, a public artwork at Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort and Spa in Tecate, Mexico, and a mosaic foundation at Coronado Ferry Landing.

Internationally,  he headed up efforts to create a series of international peace parks at locations rimming the Pacific Ocean.  He also began a 30-year volunteer project to build Colegio La Esperanza, an elementary school embedded with mosaics to bring hope, education and beauty to students east of Tijuana, Mexico.


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THURSDAY LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR COUNTY PROPERTY RE-OFFER AUCTION

East County News Service
 
Bidders must register by May 9 to participate in auction featuring 286 properties
 
May 8, 2024 (San Diego) - San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister reminded those interested in participating in the County’s 2024 online property tax re-offer auction that bidder registration must be completed by May 9. This year’s auction features 286 properties for sale.

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HEAT-TOLERANT BEAUTIES FOR GARDENS AND CONTAINERS

 

By Melinda Myers

Soiree(R) vincas are drought tolerant, thrive in full sun, and add lots of color all summer with an abundance of flowers.

Photo courtesy: Suntory Flowers

May 31, 2024 (San Diego) -- Boost the summer-long beauty and heat tolerance in your gardens and containers with new varieties of annual vinca (Catharanthus). The unique Soiree(R) vinca varieties provide added appeal with their cute, double, and ruffled flowers.


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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A TENANT: FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM MAY 20 IN LEMON GROVE

Source: CSA San Diego County

May 6, 2024 -- Join CSA San Diego County and learn about your rights as a tenant!  This free one-hour presentation will be held Monday, May 20 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the community room at the Lemon Grove Library. Everybody is welcome to join!. RSVP here.

CSA San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is the promotion of social justice and public welfare through programs, services, and advocacy against all forms of discrimination, including advocacy for the eradication of housing discrimination to assure equal housing opportunity for all individuals. CSA can be reached at (619) 444-5700 or at outreach@c4sa.org.

Topics to be discussed in this presentation include: 

- What is Fair Housing? 

- What are protected classes?

- What to do if you have faced housing discrimination.

- What to know before you rent.

- Just cause and no fault evictions.


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COUNTY HOSTS TWO VIRTUAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK ON ITS HOUSING BLUEPRINT PLAN

By Miriam Raftery

April 30, 2024 (San Diego) – You’re invited to participate in virtual community sessions that the County will host its Housing Blueprint plan. The two identical sessions will be held at:

  • Wednesday, May 1 at 6 p.m.:  Zoom Link, or +1 669 444 9171, webinar ID, 897 5769 2737
  • Thursday, May 2 at 12 noon:  Zoom Link, or +1 669 444 9171, webinar ID, 810 8806 7507

To participate, register for a community session on the county’s Engage San Diego County Housing Blueprint webpage.

The plan’s goal is to find ways to build more housing for everyone, create and preserve affordable housing, protect tenants, keep more people in their homes and promote climate-friendly communities. Supervisors are expected to hear the proposed plan this summer.


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WANT FRESH EGGS? TIPS FOR RAISING BACKYARD CHICKENS

By Patrick Watkins
 
Photo: Easter Egger chicken, known for blue eggs
 
April 27, 2024 (Alpine) -- With grocery prices skyrocketing and everyone looking for a way to cut back on costs, a fun and surprisingly low maintenance way to save money is by owning chickens. Now don’t mistake low maintenance for entirely no maintenance. Chickens aren’t just simply egg machines; some initial effort must be made. Here are some basic tips as well as things to avoid if you’re bringing chickens into your own backyard. 
 
My personal experience raising hens started five months ago when the skyrocketing egg prices and avian flu reports made me give into impulse and finally start a flock. I took the longer route of raising them from a young age, and this comes with its own set of pros and cons. A big issue new owners run into is figuring out whether their chicks are male or female, especially with most cities not allowing roosters. Experienced flock owners have methods such as wing shape, but the rest of us are left guessing if Betty is in fact a Bruno until a larger comb develops on boys at about six months.

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PROTECTED CLASSES UNDER FAIR HOUSING ACT

 

By Isabel Dominguez, Outreach Coordinator at CSA San Diego

April 21, 2024 (San Diego) -- Imagine you are in search of affordable housing for yourself, and you come across a home that happens to check all of your boxes. You love the neighborhood, it’s in your price range, and has the perfect amount of room for you. As you become certain about this decision, the housing provider refuses to negotiate and tells you that it is no longer available despite it still being listed. 

The Fair Housing Act protects various classes of individuals from facing discrimination from a housing provider. This act prevents landlords and real estate companies from being discriminatory towards a person’s race, color, national origin, familial status, sex, religion, or disability. It protects them in all aspects of housing whether it be renting, buying, seeking housing assistance, or getting a mortgage.


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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A TENANT: FAIR HOUSING PRESENTATION MAY 1 IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

April 21, 2024 (San Diego)-- CSA San Diego County invites you to learn about your rights as a tenant at a Fair Housing presentation on May 1 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Spring Valley Library(836 Kempton St., Spring Valley, CA 91977).  RSVP here for the Spring Valley  Fair Housing Presentation

 CSA San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is the promotion of social justice and public welfare through programs, services, and advocacy against all forms of discrimination, including advocacy for the eradication of housing discrimination to assure equal housing opportunity for all individuals. CSA can be reached at (619) 444-5700 or at outreach@c4sa.org.

Topics to be discussed in this presentation include: 

- What is Fair Housing? 

- What are protected classes?

- What to do if you have faced housing discrimination.

- What to know before you rent.

- Just cause and no-fault evictions.


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HUD ANNOUNCES DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR CA DISASTER SURVIVORS, INCLUDING MORTAGE PROTECTION AND HOUSING AID

Source: U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
 
March 31, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for the State of California to assist supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from January 21 to January 23, 2024. President Biden issued a major disaster declaration to affected individuals in San Diego County.
 
Effective immediately, HUD is:

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READER’S EDITORIAL: SB 10 WAS NOT MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING

By Neighbors for a Better San Diego
 
The SB 10 bullet we dodged was peddled as "Missing Middle Housing" by City Hall. It wasn't, and here's why it matters...
 
March 28, 2024 (San Diego) -- In 2023 Mayor Gloria intended San Diego to be the first California city to "opt-in" to Senate Bill 10 (SB 10). Thankfully, he was eventually forced to remove SB 10 from Housing Action Package 2.0 as the details of this irrevocable state law became public.
 
Parroting the Mayor and the Planning Department, building industry proponents argued that SB 10 would deliver "Missing Middle Housing."

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FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS ONLINE WORKSHOP MARCH 22

East County News Service

March 13, 2024 (El Cajon) — CSA San Diego, a nonprofit based in El Cajon, will host  “Home Sweet Home,” an online workshop for first-time homebuyers.  The free online workshop will be held on Friday, March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.


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COUNTY APPROVES 17 SAFE RV PARKING SITES FOR HOMELESS IN LAKESIDE

East County News Service
 
Photo courtesy: Google Maps
 
March 17, 2024 (Lakeside) -- Supervisors Wednesday approved construction of the Willow Recreational Vehicle (RV) Senior and Family Parking site in a County-owned site located in the unincorporated Lakeside community at the intersection of Willow Road and Ashwood Street. A concept design has been prepared showing 17 safe RV parking sites, an office space, storage, and restrooms. 

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COUNTY EXTENDS EMERGENCY TEMPORARY LODGING PROGRAM FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

East County News Service

March 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to extend the Emergency Temporary Lodging Program.

The program, which was launched on Feb. 10, has provided safe and secure lodging for more than 840 families who were displaced by flooding from the Jan. 22 storm. 

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EARTH DAY 2024 FAIR IN LA MESA

By Jonathan Goetz
 
March 16, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is inviting residents, visitors, sponsors and vendors to join its family-friendly Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at MacArthur Park, 4900 Memorial Drive, La Mesa CA 91942. The festival is a celebration of the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and a showcase of local businesses that offer eco-friendly products and services.


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COUNTY HOLDS HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS AND ELECTRONIC WASTE COLLECTION EVENT MARCH 30 IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service
 
March 15, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- I Love a Clean San Diego announces the upcoming Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Event organized by the County of San Diego for unincorporated residents. This event provides an excellent opportunity for you to safely dispose of hazardous materials and electronic waste from your home.
 
Here are the event details:
 
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024
Location: Steele Canyon High School – Back Parking Lot
Address: 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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