2022

Opinion, Public Policy October 11, 2022

SD County supervisor district boundaries a bit of a twist

The Legislature has created commissions to redraw county supervisor districts in five counties after every census. However, unlike the state redistricting commission, these local bodies are stacked in favor of a county’s dominant political party. California once had a history of epic political and legal battles over redrawing legislative and congressional districts after each decennial census. The Legislature, dominated then as now by Democrats, would…

California October 11, 2022

California inflation relief refunds go out to taxpayers

Get that up to $1,050 California direct tax refund today? Fret not, the first direct payments for about 23 million Californians are going in the direct deposit account Friday, state officials said. Part of the $308 billion state budget signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 30, one-time payments known as the Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) will be sent to taxpayers starting Friday, Oct.7…

San Diego October 6, 2022

San Diego named greenest city in America by WalletHub

A study released this month ranked San Diego as the greenest city in America, thanks to copious amounts of renewable energy and an overall healthful environment. San Diego was followed by Portland and Honolulu in the ranking by Washington, DC-based WalletHub, a financial information website. The least green of the 100 largest cities in America were three in the Phoenix suburbs: Gilbert, Glendale and Mesa….

Agriculture, Business, Valley Center October 5, 2022

Move over avos, ornamental trees-shrubs No. 1 crop now

San Diego County has a new number-one crop for the first time in 12 years, other crops racked up double-digit value increases, and agriculture remained a key industry at $1.75 billion in value in the County’s new Crop Report. However, the report, which covers the 2021 growing season, also showed total crop and commodity values fell for the first time from the previous year since…

Escondido September 23, 2022

Gasoline prices see-saw by the Socal sea shore

See-sawing Southern California gasoline prices dropped for 98 days in a row following a sharp increase earlier this year and now are headed back up, according to the latest data cited by analysts on Friday. After declining for 98 consecutive days, the national average reversed course yesterday as fluctuating oil prices and tight supply due to planned and unplanned maintenance work at refineries on the…

Community, Escondido, History, Tourism September 16, 2022

Escondido’s Grape Day Festival stomped through history

Despite the intense heat in Southern California the last few weeks, and the sudden hurricane and rain just one day before, The Grape Day Festival held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 was a complete success. We had perfect weather, comparatively, as the community of Escondido, California came together with our San Diego friends and Southern California visitors. Dating back to the…

Breaking News, San Diego, Weather September 7, 2022

Sandbagging San Diego County for hurricane season, seriously?

Weather forecasters say a hurricane off the coast of Mexico could indirectly bring high winds with potentially heavy rain to the county this weekend, and County of San Diego and CAL FIRE are offering free sandbags to residents who live in the unincorporated areas. Weather forecasters say Hurricane Kay, which is forming off the coast Mexico, will not directly hit San Diego County, but could…

Sports September 7, 2022

Frisbees, er disc golf, away at Welk Resort this week

They may class it up as “disc golf,” but it always be frisbees away for many of us. With that caveat, JC Golf has launched San Diego County’s newest disc golf course with the grand opening at The Welk in Escondido set for this week. The new course is located on The Oaks course, one of two executive golf courses on the resort property. In…

Breaking News, Business, Rancho Santa Fe, Real Estate, Travel March 27, 2022

Historic Inn at Rancho Santa Fe reportedly sold

The historic Inn at Rancho Santa Fe reportedly has been sold with the announcement expected this week, according to sources who did not want to be identified. The sale reportedly will be completed by May 18. Speculation was that all employees would be laid off and have to re-interview for jobs with the current general manager and executive chef leaving the Inn. No further details…

North County, Rancho Santa Fe, Valley Center January 21, 2022

Pastor hikes road to glory with heavy cross

Pastor Wes Mauch took a road less traveled through Valley Center, carrying a 38-pound wooden cross, a well-worn Bible and message all the way to Rancho Santa Fe. Mauch, 66, walked along the side of Cole Grade Road, wooden cross on his shoulder and all, “doing what Jesus asked me to do,” he said while vehicular traffic whizzed by as if he were invisible. When…