Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 3477
In my last writings on the art of firescaping, I gave a broad overview of some basic concepts to this vital subject for you and yours to consider around your home, and phase II will expand on that. In years past, we would think of the autumn months as the most important time of year to be aware of fires after a hot and dry summer. This is no longer the case for the fire season has extended throughout the year's calendar due to the unique climate and weather changes occurring...
An Oct. 22 hearing has been set to increase the per diem pay given to North County Fire Protection District board members for attending meetings. The NCPFD board voted 5-0 Sept. 25 to set the hearing date. If the increase is passed that day, the board members’ per diem pay, which is currently $100, will be $105. “The increase is only $5 per meeting. It’s not a lot,” said NCFPD Fire Chief Keith McReynolds. NCFPD board members receive per diem pay for each regular or special board meeting attended, each regular or special...
SAN DIEGO – A new California law will expand the range of products managed by the PaintCare program in the state from architectural coatings to a broader array of paint product types. SB 1143, which passed the state legislature with bipartisan approval on Aug. 30, received support from CalRecycle, environmental advocates, and the American Coatings Association (ACA). Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Sept. 29. PaintCare is a nonprofit organization representing paint companies that plans and operates s...
This article was originally published in October 2020. The American West is ablaze. Wildfires are raging in every state along the West Coast and in almost every state from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains. Land, homes, lives and whole communities are lost. As my pen brings these thoughts together, over 3 1/2 million acres have burned to date, more than any other year, and now millions of people are breathing toxic air from these fires. It is not just that entire weather...
OCEANSIDE – Wildfires raging across California have forced thousands to evacuate, with forecasters predicting record-breaking heat in the West in the coming days. In fact, California is currently battling 14 active wildfires and Governor Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. As such, it is critical for residents to prep their homes ahead of what’s expected for the remainder of the week. ServiceMaster Restore’s disaster preparedness expert Peter Duncanson offered home preparedness tips with some...
I always enjoy looking back to last year's care column for the month. According to https://weathercurrents.com/, the "normal" (multi-year average) for October in Temecula is 82o/54o, but we've all seen some real scorchers every now and then, even this late in the year. So, the watchword is "vigilance" – watch the forecast and make sure to adjust your watering program to be neither stingy nor wasteful. (Your roses will reward you for it!) On that same note, mid-season p...
LAKESIDE – Students from five local high schools worked side-by-side with professional tradesmen to build six moveable tiny houses in the first-ever Tiny Houses Build Day, Sept. 18. The event showcased how the community can provide affordable, permanent housing solutions to homeless and underserved communities, while also providing tremendous career opportunities to the next generation of home builders. The Warrior Village Project, San Diego County Office of Education, and W...
The county’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice (OSEJ) is looking for people who would like to be part of a new Environmental Justice Workgroup. Participation in the Workgroup is an opportunity to help shape sustainability policies, programs and services with a social equity focus. The group will advise County of San Diego departments, along with other jurisdictions on climate justice topics like air quality, healthy food, and access to safe, clean and green outdoor spaces. This group is intended to give a...
The county’s Board of Supervisors adopted Wednesday, Sept.12, the 2024 Climate Action Plan (2024 CAP), a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the unincorporated area and at county facilities to reach net zero emissions by 2045. The document features 70 actions that reduce GHG emissions. These features also protect the public’s health and safety, support the environment and improves the quality of life for all residents. The 2024 CAP is a community-driven plan that includes measurable performance out...
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorized the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to EDCO Disposal Corporation. A 4-0 vote Sept. 10, with Jim Desmond absent, approved a resolution authorizing the California Enterprise Development Authority to issue up to $63,500,000 of revenue bonds for EDCO. The maximum authorized amount includes $16,000,000 for the EDCO facility in the 400 block of West Aviation Road. The California Enterprise Development Authority is a joint powers authority which issues private activity bonds for the...
The county has a new tool to help people find affordable housing. An interactive website and map is now available to search for affordable housing developments built with the help of county funds. At https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdhcd.html, the County-Restricted Affordable Housing Map shows existing developments and those under construction. People can search by location and learn details about each property like income limits and the eligible population served...
FALLBROOK – Sept. 4 provided a unique birding experience for Fallbrook residents Diane and Doug Walkley. That day, they were in Los Jilgueros Preserve for a mere half-hour. Yet, with just five minutes left on their walk, they both see a bird and say to themselves: "Cuckoo!" They tried to turn it into something local, like a Brown Creeper or California Thrasher, but couldn't. He was 10 feet away from them when they were able to glass him for a good 15 seconds as he ate i...
As the heat of summer fades and cooler autumn breezes sweep in, September is an ideal time to revamp your Southern California garden. Fall not only offers relief from the intense heat but also provides the perfect opportunity to prepare your garden for a vibrant winter and spring season. Here's how to redesign your garden beds, make smart plant selections, and optimize your space for Southern California's unique climate. 1. Evaluate and refresh garden beds Start by assessing...
When planting trees, review the area and see if the installation of a root barrier would be beneficial and save you thousands of dollars down the road. Tree roots grow where they are happy and especially seek out moist and wet soils. Roots are the lifeline to absorb water and minerals from the soil and help in the dispersal of them throughout the trees. Roots can grow shallow or deep, depending on the tree species and the soil conditions. Ficus trees for example have invasive...
Two 5-0 votes during the Aug. 27 North County Fire Protection District board meeting approved guaranteed maximum price agreements for work at Station 3 in Rainbow. One action approved a contract amendment with TELACU Construction Management (TCM) for the construction work to renovate Station 3. The other contract amendment with TCM is for the dozer barn at Station 3. The NCFPD was created in 1986 when the Fallbrook Fire Protection District merged with the county service area which provided fire protection to Rainbow and...
The County of San Diego has authorized the bid process for a construction contract to reduce stormwater runoff along South Mission Road between Grand Tradition Way and Pepper Tree Lane. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Aug. 28 to authorize the director of the county’s Department of Purchasing and Contracting to take the necessary actions to advertise the contract for bid and to award a construction contract. The action also designated the director of the county’s Department of Public Works as the cou...
Rainbow Municipal Water District staff performed emergency repairs July 26 after a water main broke at the intersection of Gopher Canyon Road and Rue Margaux. The leak indicated pipeline vulnerability elsewhere, and on August 27 the Rainbow board approved emergency waterline and paving repairs. The board’s 4-0 vote, with Cari Dale absent, added the Gopher Canyon Mainline Repair project to the 2024-25 capital budget. The $600,000 budget covers $465,000 for paving, $50,000 for materials, $31,000 for labor including benefit c...
A Rainbow Municipal Water District customer may request a reduction in the property’s meter size. The decision whether or not to grant that reduction had been based on whether capacity for a smaller meter would be exceeded over a 12-month average, but the Aug. 27 Rainbow board meeting changed the district’s Administrative Code to require that usage during all 12 months not exceed capacity limitations. The change passed on a 3-0-1 board vote. Hayden Hamilton, Julie Johnson, and Michael Mack supported the motion. Patti Tow...
FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Land Conservancy's annual dinner event focused on "Celebrating Local," recognized longtime volunteers and supporters, and paid homage to Los Jilgueros Preserve, the first property acquired by the organization to be protected as open space. Held at the home of Wallace and Beverly Tucker, the July event drew more than 85 guests, who enjoyed local food, wine and live music. The evening also raised funds towards an endowment for the management of Los J...
SAN DIEGO – Nine orphaned coyotes are back in the wild where they belong after being raised at San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center. Project Wildlife's staff released the coyotes on the Eagle Peak Preserve near Julian, in collaboration with the San Diego River Park Foundation, Aug. 26. The coyotes are about six months old. They all came in at different times between March and May, when they were approximately 4-6 weeks old. San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildl...
New development pays capacity charges to cover the project’s share of the existing infrastructure system, and water and sewer capacity fees are based on equivalent dwelling units. What was once a senior assisted living facility in the 1700 block of South Mission Road is being converted into a complex of senior apartments, and the change of use will require an additional $413,315 in sewer capacity fees. The Aug. 26 Fallbrook Public Utility District board meeting approved a financing agreement for the additional capacity f...
