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The county's Health and Human Services Agency has received a $125,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program. The program will promote safe practices for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers' on how to responsibly share roads and paths. The grant program runs through September 2025. "We are excited to receive this grant, it will allow us to significantly expand our bicycle and pedestrian safety program," said...
EL CAJON – The Cal Fire San Diego Unit is preparing to conduct prescribed burns across San Diego and Imperial counties as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecosystem health, and protect community safety. These projects are planned during carefully selected weather conditions that meet specific safety and ecological parameters. Each prescribed burn project undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the criteria for environmental benefit, appropriate weather, smoke management, and fire s...
FALLBROOK – Silvergate Fallbrook hosted a memorable Friendsgiving candlelight dinner on Thursday, Nov. 14 to bring together residents, their families, and friends for an evening of gratitude, connection, and holiday cheer. The event featured a sumptuous Thanksgiving-inspired feast, masterfully prepared by Silvergate's acclaimed Chef and seasoned culinary team. Residents and guests indulged in roasted turkey, prime rib, loaded mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, savory d...
As animal shelters across the country face record numbers of homeless animals, spaying and neutering pets has become more critical than ever. These simple yet powerful procedures offer more than just health benefits for our pets – they are key to preventing unplanned litters and reducing the overwhelming strain on our shelters. By making the choice to spay or neuter, pet owners not only invest in their pets' health, but also support the well-being of their communities. C...
The holidays are the season for – food! And the County of San Diego wants to give you some tips to help make sure you don't waste a single bite. Believe it or not, up to 40% of the total U.S. food supply goes to waste every year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The opportunity to waste food increases during the holidays, as our feasts march from Thanksgiving through New Year's. It's a waste that can also cost you money. The USDA estimates that the a...
Due to the high winds forecast and wildfire potential, County Emergency Services offers this quick checklist of things to do in preparation for any emergency or disaster. 1. Do not attempt to use power tools to clear away brush during a red flag warning because it could spark a fire. Instead, clear away flammable debris by raking or trimming vegetation with hand tools only. 2. In the event of a wildfire, just evacuate if conditions worsen and you feel unsafe. Do not wait for...
December in Southern California might not be as frigid as other parts of the country, but it still brings cooler temperatures and shorter days. While this may seem like a time to take a break from your garden, it’s actually the perfect time to prepare your yard for the coming year. With the right strategies, you can keep your landscape looking vibrant and ensure a thriving garden come spring. Here are some expert tips tailored to our unique Southern California climate: 1. Focus on Winter Pruning • Fruit Trees: This is the ide...
The Fallbrook Public Utility District board awarded NMN Construction the FPUD contract for improvements to the Rattlesnake Reservoir site. The 5-0 vote Oct. 28 approved an $818,000 contract with NMN Construction, whose office is in Tustin. Rattlesnake Reservoir itself is in good condition, but the area around the tank is in need of significant improvements due to erosion and stormwater issues on the Olive Hill area site. Rattlesnake Reservoir was installed in the 1950s. The steel reservoir has a capacity of 3.5 million gallon...
Autumn is a busy season outdoors, with many changes in the landscape and wildlands of nature. Trees are starting to slow down in preparation for the coming cooler season. Deciduous trees are beginning to change the colors of their leaves, adding a splash of fall with the redbuds, gingko, liquidambar, pistachio, poplar, and many stone fruits like peach, apricot, apple, cherry, and more. Birds are flying south, beyond the border, to nest in the warm climates of Mexico, Central...
Want the greenest lawn and garden in the neighborhood? Synthetic pesticides are a quick fix, but they can lead to toxic runoff and harmful algae blooms (Hint: That's not the kind of green we want). For an eco-friendly green, switch to organic pest control options. Organic pesticides are typically more selective than synthetic pesticides, which means your helpful pollinators won't buzz into harm's way. But don't be fooled –– organic doesn't always mean safe. Find out which fiv...
FALLBROOK – While planning for the future of the Fallbrook Community Forest, Save Our Forest, a committee of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy looked back on how they started and the need to solicit volunteers to insure the future. Youth was the answer. Choosing to speak to horticultural classes was logical. They could become the caretakers of the future. Jackie Heyneman of Save Our Forest and Roger Boddaert, the Tree man of Fallbrook, teamed up to make a presentation to the h...
Achieving organic targets may require creating new markets In April, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration announced California will aim to convert 10% of its cropland to organic agriculture by 2030. Those targets could be a heavy lift in light of recent trends in organic acreage. In 2022, the most recent year with data reported, about 4% of the state’s cropland was organic, and after years of expansion, the share of acreage that was organic had declined for two straight years. Some stakeholders are pushing for the state gov...
FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Public Utility District’s Community Benefit Program sent contracts to nine local non-profit organizations for 2025 projects, Jim Mendelson, chairman of the committee, announced Oct. 30. According to Mendelson, the one-year contracts, approved by FPUD’s board of directors, allocate funds to improve several local cultural attractions, recreation venues and community access to popular facilities in the area. Each award, according to Mendelson, will contribute to community improvement within the FPUD servi...
A Cleaner North County, a Fallbrook 501c3 environmental nonprofit, has been here since 2021, making an impact in our community and in the surrounding areas of Fallbrook, Vista, Oceanside, and Bonsall by removing litter and illegal dumping debris. Back in July, 2023, our cumulative weight exceeded 10,000 pounds of litter removed. We are not even at the end of 2024 but as of October, 2024, the cumulative poundage removal has now exceeded 22,800 pounds. Our big project in 2024...
The projected temperature for the first week of November 2024 is near the historical average of mid-70s. If November temperatures turn hot again, Chilli thrips may continue to be a problem. Continue to investigate these pests and treat them if found. They attack new growth, buds, and blooms. Left untreated plants are stressed, often shriveling the end buds, or preventing bud formation. The life cycle of Chilli Thrips is short and includes falling to ground and becoming a grub...
Maven Roofing Company will be repairing the leak on a Sullivan Middle School roof. The Bonsall Unified School District board voted 5-0 October 16 to approve a contract between Maven Roofing Company and the school district for the repairs. The Temecula company will be paid $59,827 for the work. “This is an agreement to provide necessary repairs to our aging facility,” said BUSD superintendent Heather Golly. An inspection determined that several areas of the school have been experiencing leaks which could create sig...
Improving your soil health organically is a sustainable way to boost your garden's productivity without the use of commercial fertilizers. Here are several tips to help you enhance soil fertility and structure naturally: 1. Add Compost Compost is one of the best organic soil amendments. It adds nutrients, improves soil structure, and enhances water retention. You can create your own compost from kitchen scraps (vegetable peelings, eggshells, coffee grounds), garden waste (leaves, grass clippings), and manure. Compost also int...
Monarchs overwinter on the Pacific Coast every year, from Pismo Beach to Baja California including Balboa Park. They travel from as far away as Canada, journeying thousands of miles to reach their overwintering sites. These breathtaking butterflies cluster together in dense groups on trees, creating a vibrant tapestry of orange and black. An innate sense of direction guides this incredible migration, as they navigate using the sun's position and Earth's magnetic fields. Califo...
MISSION VIEJO – A new film about the avocado industry’s success at driving demand nationwide documents the local as well as global impact of the national marketing program led by the Hass Avocado Board since its inception over 20 years ago. Independent researchers from the University of California, Davis found strategic promotion helped drive over 260% growth of U.S. avocado consumption while all fresh fruit consumption only rose by 9% during the same timeframe. Growers in California and the surrounding communities that ben...
The Vallecitos School District had not previously had a contract for monitoring and maintenance of the district’s septic system, but an Oct. 8 board vote approved a contract with McCarley Underground, Inc., for septic services. The board vote was 3-0 with Ritsa Chanthabandith absent due to a family emergency and one vacant seat. The initial agreement is for 12 months, and the agreement may be renewed every 12 months by school district request. “That will keep our systems running for many years to come,” said Vallecitos Schoo...
San Diego County released its 2023 annual Crop Report showing totals and trends in local agriculture. So, what tops the list? Nursery & Cut Flower products were 71% of the total agricultural value, followed by the Fruit & Nuts group that included crops such as avocados and citrus. Bedding Plants, Color, Perennials, Cacti & Succulents continue to reign supreme for the third year in a row, bringing in a total of $396,623,341, which is 24% of the total value of agriculture...
With their orchards, vineyards and high-value crops, California farmers have embraced drip and other forms of micro irrigation, making such systems the leading method used to water their crops. Despite increased adoption of drip, the traditional and more low-tech method of flooding the ground and using gravity to deliver water to crops remains popular in the Golden State – and not just for field crops. Less popular in California are sprinkler systems, even though they remain the most widely used irrigation method in the n...
Making your home and community safer and surviving a wildfire is a process that will be well worth the effort to be prepared. Some projects can be done in a weekend or two, although it is essential to remember that routine maintenance must be a part of any long-term plan to reduce your home's vulnerability from wildfires. Wildfires can be challenging to control, and what is controllable is how you prepare your home and surroundings before fire threatens. A valuable link...