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Articles by Gary Warth
Chula Vista declines to declare emergency over trash strike. For now.
A blue crew from Republic Services picks up trash in front of a Chula Vista home Thursday morning. (Gary Warth / The San Diego Union-Tribune) Gary Warth TNS Trash and recycling collection disruptions entered day four in Chula Vista on Monday as Republic Services workers remain off the job in solidarity with strikers on the East Coast. But city leaders do not believe the impacts necessitate declaring a state of emergency, which would redirect city workers to pick up residents' trash.
Chula Vista trash collection disrupted as workers join nationwide strike
A blue crew from Republic Services picks up trash in front of a Chula Vista home Thursday morning. (Gary Warth / The San Diego Union-Tribune) Gary Warth TNS Chula Vista residents and some businesses were without trash and recycling collection on Thursday as Republic Services workers joined a nationwide strike.
La falta de vivienda, la vivienda y el desarrollo económico entre las prioridades de Escondido
Los fondos federales en Escondido durante los próximos cinco años se centrarán en ayudar a las personas vulnerables, crear viviendas asequibles y sacar de la calle a las personas sin hogar, según un plan de prioridades aprobado recientemente por el Ayuntamiento. La Gerente de Vivienda y Servicios Vecinales, Danielle López, afirmó que el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE. UU.
Santee’s former city manager gets a $131K severance amid a vague ‘dispute’
The woman who until very recently managed Santee’s day-to-day affairs is getting a severance payment worth more than $131,000. In return, Marlene Best has agreed not to sue the East County city. But as to the circumstances leading up to her surprise departure? That remains a mystery. The fact that Best, 64, just stepped down as city manager after nearly a decade on the job only became public in late April when council members quietly announced the search for a new leader.
Homelessness, housing, economic development among Escondido priorities
Federal funds in Escondido over the next five years will focus on helping vulnerable people, creating affordable housing and getting homeless people off the street under a priorities plan recently approved by the City Council. Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager Danielle Lopez said U.S. Housing and Urban Development requires cities to present a consolidated plan about needs in their communities every five years.
Cost increases, plans advance for Santee Community Center
After decades of planning and millions of dollars collected for the project, construction of the Santee Community Center is on track to begin in January following the City Council’s decision to use general fund money to cover a shortfall. According to a staff presentation at the council’s April 9 meeting, the cost of the project has increased by $2.5 million and now is projected at $23.5 million. Funding includes a $4.5 million state grant and money from the general fund and American Rescue Plan.
Recall attempt launched again El Cajon Councilmember Ortiz Original
A Latino activist group and some residents of El Cajon are attempting to recall El Cajon City Councilmember Phil Ortiz, saying that he has undermined civil rights protections and supported what they call extremist policies, especially against immigrants. Mairene Branham, president of Recall Phil Ortiz Committee, was one of 24 speakers at Tuesday’s City Council meeting and presented Ortiz with a notice of intent to recall, which she said was signed by 74 people.
La administradora de la ciudad de Santee, Marlene Best, deja su cargo sin indicar el motivo
Marlene Best dejó su cargo como administradora municipal de Santee y el Ayuntamiento busca un reemplazo interino. El sorpresivo acontecimiento se reveló cuando el Ayuntamiento celebró una reunión especial a puerta cerrada el viernes para debatir el nombramiento de un administrador interino. No se anunció ningún nombramiento después de la reunión.
Santee City Manager Marlene Best leaves position, but no reason stated Original
Marlene Best is out as Santee city manager, and the City Council is seeking an interim replacement. The surprise development was revealed when the City Council held a special closed-session meeting on Friday to discuss appointing an interim manager. No appointment was announced after the meeting. Another special meeting was called at the highly unusual time of Easter Sunday night to again discuss appointing an interim city manager, but still no announcement was made.
La biblioteca de Escondido fija fecha de mudanza para el 26 de abril Original
Los usuarios de la Biblioteca Pública de Escondido tienen aproximadamente dos semanas para visitar el edificio y retirar o devolver libros, ya que se acerca la fecha de mudanza de las antiguas instalaciones. La ciudad ha fijado el 26 de abril como el último día de puertas abiertas de la biblioteca antes de su cierre por renovaciones, y el 27 de mayo es la fecha prevista para su reapertura temporal durante aproximadamente un año en la primera planta del North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway.
Paul Downey has helped seniors for 30 years. Now, he’s looking to retire. Original
After 30 years of helping seniors, Paul Downey is joining the ranks of retirees himself. At 65, the East County resident is stepping away from his position as president and CEO of Serving Seniors, with his May 8 retirement marking 30 years to the day that he took the job. Serving Seniors Chief Operating Officer Melinda Forstey has been named the new CEO. “I started May 8, 1995,” Downey said.
Planning Commission hearing on Cottonwood sand mine postponed
A San Diego County Planning Commission hearing originally scheduled for April 17 to consider the proposed Cottonwood Sand Mine has been delayed until later this year. According to Stop Cottonwood Sand Mine, the community group opposing the East County project, county staff members need more time to prepare a written report that will include a large amount of community input and other related material.
Recall attempt against Lemon Grove mayor rejected
An attempt by a Lemon Grove resident to initiative a recall effort against Mayor Alysson Snow failed this week, but he said he intends to try again. Ken King, who is often critical of the City Council, handed Snow a notice of intent to circulate a petition to recall her at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. On Wednesday, however, City Clerk Joel Pabloinformed King he did not have enough signatures and lacked the required full names and addresses of the people who signed.
Escondido tiki artist recovering from costly flood caused by city pipe break
The call from a police officer came at about 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, jarring Escondido resident Bosko Hrnjak awake. “It was funny because she wouldn’t tell me what she’s calling about because she couldn’t pronounce my name,” Hrnjak said. “I said, ‘Don’t worry about. What’s going on?’” Then he heard a sound outside he at first thought was a Santa Ana wind. In his groggy state, he also thought it might have been a vacuum cleaner. “And then it dawned on me,” he said.
Escondido tiki artist recovering from costly flood caused by city pipe break
The call from a police officer came at about 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, jarring Escondido resident Bosko Hrnjak awake. “It was funny because she wouldn’t tell me what she’s calling about because she couldn’t pronounce my name,” Hrnjak said. “I said, ‘Don’t worry about. What’s going on?’” Then he heard a sound outside he at first thought was a Santa Ana wind. In his groggy state, he also thought it might have been a vacuum cleaner. “And then it dawned on me,” he said.
Los centros de atención de El Cajón enfrentarán una tarifa de $565 por cada llamada de asistencia al 911 Original
Los centros de atención en El Cajón que llamen al 911 para solicitar asistencia para levantar a un paciente que se haya caído, pero no esté lesionado, deberán pagar una tarifa de $565 según una nueva normativa que impulsa el Ayuntamiento. La tarifa no afectará a los hogares que llamen si alguien se ha caído, sino solo a los centros de atención que llamen si un paciente o residente se ha caído y no requiere atención médica.
Escondido library sets moving date for April 26 Original
Patrons of the Escondido Public Library have about two weeks to visit the building and check out or return books as moving day for the aging facility approaches. The city has set April 26 as the library’s last open day before it closes for renovations and May 27 is the target date for the library to reopen on a temporary basis for about a year on the first floor of North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway.
Indigenous People’s festival to continue, conflict of interest resolved
An Escondido City Council member revealed a potential conflict of interest a week after voting to fund a festival put on by a group that contributed to her campaign. The revelation could have potentially derailed the Indigenous Culture and Art Festival scheduled for April 19 in Grape Day Park, but council members on Wednesday agreed they did not have to reconsider the previous vote.
‘Molly’ to bring health information to East County residents
The first mobile health library in the county hit the road Monday to bring wellness information and blood-pressure monitors to residents in East County. “Library outreach has happened on horseback, on bicycles, and even by mule,” said Holland Kessinger, head librarian at the Health and Wellness Library in La Mesa.
Calif. care facilities face $565 911 lift-assist fee
By Gary Warth The San Diego Union-Tribune EL CAJON, Calif. — Care facilities in El Cajon that call 911 to get assistance lifting a client who has fallen, but is not injured, will face a $565 fee under a new rule the City Council is pursuing. The fee will not affect households that call if someone has fallen, but only care facilities that call if a patient or resident has fallen and does not require medical attention.
El Cajon care facilities to face $565 fee for every 911 lift-assist call
Care facilities in El Cajon that call 911 to get assistance lifting a client who has fallen, but is not injured, will face a $565 fee under a new rule the City Council is pursuing. The fee will not affect households that call if someone has fallen, but only care facilities that call if a patient or resident has fallen and does not require medical attention.
Construyen refugio de animales del condado de San Diego en Santee Original
El nuevo Refugio de Animales del Condado de San Diego está en construcción en Santee y se espera que ofrezca una mejor experiencia tanto para animales como para personas cuando abra sus puertas alrededor del verano de 2026. “Será una gran mejora para los animales”, declaró Vaughn Maurice, director del Departamento de Servicios para Animales del Condado, sobre el proyecto de 37 millones de dólares que comenzó a construirse en diciembre en la esquina noroeste de Magnolia Avenue y Riverview Parkway.
Extension granted to El Cajon restaurant, banquet hall threatened with permit loss
After receiving complaints about continued city code violations at The Palms Restaurant and Banquet Hall, the El Cajon Planning Commission was set to discuss revoking the business’ conditional use permit on Tuesday. But it reconsidered after learning new owners had taken over the establishment a week earlier.
Lemon Grove again considers new park restroom
Four years after receiving a state grant to replace aging public restrooms in city parks, the Lemon Grove City Council is getting closer to a decision on how to spend the money. The city received a $400,000 Local Assistance Specified Grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation in October 2021 to replace restrooms at Lemon Grove Park and Berry Street Park.
County Animal Shelter under construction in Santee Original
The newest San Diego County Animal Shelter is under construction in Santee and is expected to offer a better experience for animals and people when it opens around the summer of 2026. “It’ll be a quite the upgrade for the animals,” County Department of Animal Services Director Vaughn Maurice said about the $37 million project that broke ground in December on the northwest corner of Magnolia Avenue and Riverview Parkway.
La Mesa offers e-bike incentive for residents, workers
People who live or work in La Mesa and are at least 18 can receive up to $1,200 to purchase an electric bike as part of a program to promote cycling as a main source of transportation in the city. The program is funded through a $45,000 grant from San Diego Community Power, and applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. April 14. Priority will be given to the first 150 applicants and will be accepted up to the closing date.
Why is El Cajon council weighing in on federal and state issues?
People attend a rally outside of El Cajon City Hall protesting the city councils proposed resolution to allow city police assist ICE agents on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune) K.C. Alfred TNS A vow to allow local police to assist in federal immigration enforcement. A resolution defining antisemitism. A vote to oppose a state bill that would restrict justifiable homicides during home invasions. What does all that have to do with running a city of about 103,000 people?
More cabins for homeless people coming to El Cajon
Three months after agreeing to indefinitely continue a program that provides small cabins for homeless women and children in El Cajon, the City Council is looking into ways to expand the village. Six emergency sleeping cabins have been at Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon since 2020 and so far have served 31 women and 18 children. Amikas, the nonprofit that built the cabins and runs the program, is interested in adding four more cabins.
Inaugural Lemon Grove Incident Day to recognize historic desegregation case Original
One of the first successful legal challenges to school segregation happened in Lemon Grove 94 years ago, and an upcoming event aims to shed light on the historic decision. On March 30, 1931, Superior Court Judge Claude Chambers handed down a decision that the Lemon Grove School Board was wrong to create a separate elementary school for Mexican American students, an early victory against school segregation.
Sinkhole repair to cost El Cajon $700K
A sinkhole and failed storm-drain pipe next to an El Cajon home will cost about $700,000 to repair, the City Council learned Tuesday. The pipe break in a side yard of a house in the 800 block of Brockton Street was discovered at about 10 a.m. March 17 when city public works staff received a report of a sinkhole about 5 feet deep and 3 feet by 4 feet across.
La empresa que revitalizó Little Italy también trabaja en Chula Vista. El Cajón es el siguiente Original
Desde la mesa del patio de un restaurante en la calle principal de El Cajón, Marco Li Mandri ve una gran tienda de colchones, una cafetería y un edificio en construcción al otro lado de la calle. Pero, sobre todo, dijo, ve potencial. “Me fijo en la forma y luego en el contenido”, dijo. “Tiene aceras amplias y excelentes. Tiene un paisajismo excelente. Tiene una excelente infraestructura de iluminación. Tiene todos esos elementos para que algo funcione.
Planning Group rejects proposed East County sand mine Original
After hearing community concerns about noise, potential health risks, traffic and other issues, the Valle de Oro Community Planning Group on Tuesday unanimously opposed plans to convert the closed Cottonwood Golf Course into a sand mine. The group’s strong opposition to the proposal in itself does not the stop the project, which is scheduled to go before the county Planning Commission on April 18 for a major use permit.
El Cajon bans disguised vaping devices Original
In what could be the first of its kind in the nation, a ban against selling vaping devices disguised as pens or other devices was unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday. City Manager Graham Mitchell said the new law, which will be in effect 30 days after its March 11 adoption, could result in fines of $2,500 and the loss of a tobacco retailers license for repeated offenses. There will be an appeal process, he said.
La Mesa to provide rental subsidies to seniors struggling to remain housed Original
Up to 40 La Mesa seniors will begin receiving $500 monthly rental subsidies this year as part of a pilot program the city is launching to help prevent older residents from becoming homeless. The La Mesa City Council approved $300,000 for the program in February 2024, with the money coming from the $10.8 million the city received in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. Last month, the council approved a $70,000 contract with Jewish Family Service of San Diego to run the program.
Santee opens the door for wineries to join breweries Original
Wineries will be allowed in Santee’s industrial zones and funding was allocated to finish the city’s multiple species conservation plan under actions approved Wednesday by the City Council. The decision to allow wineries in light and general industrial zones was proposed because the regulations in those areas already allow breweries, which are considered a similar use. While the action was not controversial, a discussion on the proposal brought out a surprising revelation.
Firm that revitalized Little Italy is also working on Chula Vista. El Cajon is next. Original
From a patio table at a Main Street restaurant in El Cajon, Marco Li Mandri can see a large mattress store, a coffee shop and a building under construction across the street. But most of all, he said, he sees potential. “I look at the form and then the content,” he said. “You have great wide sidewalks. You have really good landscaping. You have a great lighting infrastructure. It’s got all those elements to make something work. “So the form of making everything work is here.
Escondido council brainstorms priorities: a homeless shelter, repairs, a new flag Original
A homeless shelter, traffic improvements, an updated general plan and a rebranding of the city were among the Escondido City Council’s ideas on how to use revenue from a new sales tax. Voters in November passed Measure I to create a one-cent sales tax that is projected to raise $28 million annually for 20 years. During a visioning workshop with the council Wednesday, City Manager Sean McGlynn said the sales tax kicks in April 1, and the city should begin seeing proceeds in mid-summer.
SDG&E worker claims El Cajon police falsely identified him as a prowler Original
A San Diego Gas & Electric Co. employee has filed a claim for damages against the city of El Cajon after the Police Department and a city employee mistakenly identified him in social media posts as a possible prowler. In reality, SDG&E employee James Moore was in the backyard of city employee Chris Berg on April 17 last year to read the meter, according to the claim filed on his behalf by the law firm Stitt Vu Trial Lawyers.
Se abre un estacionamiento seguro en Oceanside y se realizan mejoras en el estacionamiento de El Cajón Original
Se esperaba que los primeros clientes que utilizarían un nuevo estacionamiento seguro para personas sin hogar llegaran a Oceanside el viernes por la noche, mientras que en todo el condado, los equipos de construcción han comenzado a realizar mejoras en otro lote en las afueras de El Cajon.
Los residentes de Lemon Grove se manifiestan en contra de las cabañas para personas sin hogar
Lemon Grove, CA – In a nearly packed auditorium, local residents attend the Lemon Grove City Council meeting about the proposed transitional housing held at Lemon Grove Academy Middle School on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Lemon Grove, CA. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune) Nelvin C.
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