This December, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce provided an opportunity for members of the community to give back and support military families from Liberty Military Housing at their annual Toy Drive.

At the December 7 meeting, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved receiving more than $5 million in grants for wildfire prevention, suppression, and preparedness, such as creating defensible space and increasing training.

Tofu House SDSU celebrated its Grand Opening on Thursday, Nov. 18 with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the College Area Business District.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, public access to many of the lakes in East County was threatened due to budget cuts. Since the recreational activities at our lakes like fishing, hiking, and boating are naturally "socially distanced" and healthy activities, many in our community were outraged by these closures.

Local American Red Cross volunteers sprung to action this fall and responded to the scene of a burning apartment complex in El Cajon.

The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation brought the community together for an Earth Day celebration on November 6th at their Parks Appreciation Day event.

Cities across San Diego County are paving the way for new shelters to serve their growing homeless populations.

San Diego County Supervisors on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve Supervisor Joel Anderson’s proposal aimed at expanding access to local lakes where hours have been cut back during the pandemic.

San Diego County supervisors were told Wednesday that plans to reduce the region’s carbon emissions to zero by 2035 are achievable, but will require collaboration between local governments and multiple agencies.

County supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved the development of an ordinance, based on a United Nations treaty, to eliminate discrimination against women.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to support a congressional bill aimed at prohibiting new offshore oil drilling in Southern California.

On the morning of Oct. 19, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors began their regular meeting with special virtual guests: first grade students from Myron Green Elementary School in San Carlos. 

When his name was called to vote, Anderson answered, "Sadly, no." He said he strongly condemned the hateful remarks made last week, but that residents, especially rural communities, need more time to review agenda items.

Supervisor Joel Anderson, a member of the San Diego River Conservancy’s governing board, said he wants to ensure that the new consultant will also work on community outreach.

On Tuesday, Supervisors approved a measure introduced by Supervisor Joel Anderson to bring help to homeless people in East County..

In a letter to SANDAG, County Supervisor Joel Anderson, a SANDAG board member who represents East County, said the per-mile fee would unfairly impact many in his district, who have no alternative to driving.

The local beauty salon held a ribbon cutting ceremony this September to celebrate their new membership with the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce as well as their new ownership.  A representative from Supervisor Joel Anderson’s office joined the event and awarded the business with a Certificate of Recognition.

Shelters, safe parking lots, outreach and other services for homeless people could be coming to locations throughout San Diego County under an action unanimously supported by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, prompted by Desmond and Supervisor Joel Anderson, called in March to look for ways to reduce the potential impacts of the shutoffs, including backup power at major intersections.

By a unanimous vote, San Diego County Supervisors adopted a proposal by Supervisor Jim Desmond to oppose all future placements of sexually violent predators in the county until state law is changed to allow participation by local governments – including veto power.

San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson joined ABC 10News anchors Jim Patton and Virginia Cha to discuss the potential of helping Afghanistan refugees resettle in the county and what officials can do to help.

On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to keep SVP placements out of the county.

The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a comprehensive plan for Afghan refugee housing and resettlement Tuesday.

As San Diego County continues tackling the issue of where to place sexually violent predators, Supervisor Joel Anderson, representing District 2, joined KUSI’s Ginger Jeffries on Good Evening San Diego to discuss what action he is taking.

San Diego County District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson (right) presented Serving Seniors President and CEO, Paul Downey with a certificate of recognition in honor of its decades of providing services to low-income and homeless older adults in San Diego County, including in East County communities.

Most of us that live in Alpine have traveled thru the Alpine Blvd./Arnold /West Victoria intersection and the confusing signage if in the left lane on West Victoria that allows a right turn onto Arnold from the left lane. I presented this problem to Supervisor Joel Anderson...

Thursday, September 9, Supervisor Joel Anderson and Vice Chair Nora Vargas hosted a press conference in support of "MEHKOs", or microenterprise home kitchen operations.

Grocery store employees at Stater Bros. Markets in Ramona received a surprise visit from District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson, who honored them for their dedication to the community as essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

For his first initiative as County Supervisor, East County’s representative Joel Anderson established the Transparency Subcommittee to solicit ideas from the public to improve access and participation with their County government. At a recent hearing, over 60 people attended and hundreds sent in comments with “great suggestions to ensure the public’s interest is best served,” says Anderson.

On Aug. 26, Cravory Cookies celebrated the grand opening of their new College Area location with local families, lots of laughs, and gourmet cookies. A representative of County Supervisor Joel Anderson, Mariko Nakawatase, presented the Cravory Cookies team with an official Certificate of Recognition congratulating them on their new business venture.

Plenty of people filled the seats at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors chambers on Tuesday evening.

They had gathered for the first public meeting of the Transparency Committee held by Supervisors Joel Anderson and Nora Vargas.

Late Tuesday evening, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 down party lines to declare “COVID- 19 misinformation” a public health crisis and to adopt a series of recommendations to actively combat it. County Supervisor Joel Anderson, who voted no, discussed his opposition with KUSI’s Matt Prichard on Good Evening San Diego.

With the 3-2 party-line vote, customers in the county would automatically shift to San Diego Community Power’s energy rates unless they opt to stay with SDG&E at an appointed date. Republican Supervisors Jim Desmond and Joel Anderson, who both represent large swaths of rural unincorporated county land, opposed the decision.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night approved a measure declaring medical misinformation a public health crisis. The board voted 3-2 to approve the measure at the end of a 15-hour meeting. All three Democrats on the board voted to approve the measure, and two Republicans voted against it.

The staff at Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel has received special recognition from San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved transferring $4 million in federal funds to independent fire protection districts to help them combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cajon Valley Union School District confirmed that three families stranded in Afghanistan are safely back in El Cajon.

San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson, who last week wrote a letter to President Biden about the gravity of the situation for his constituents, said on Monday that he was relieved to hear that the El Cajon kids returned safely and “are back in school where they belong.”

The beginning of my final quarter at the University of California – San Diego, I was distressed. I had decided that I no longer desired to attend law school and was increasingly anxious that my lack of direction and a resume would leave me unemployed after graduation. Thankfully, a representative of then- California State Senator Joel Anderson came to my class to speak about Anderson’s internship program.

Two more San Diego-area families that were trapped in the Kabul region of Afghanistan have successfully been evacuated from the country, a congressman said Friday, while two Camp Pendleton Marines were identified among the casualties of a deadly suicide bombing.

San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson wrote a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday urging the State Department’s assistance in evacuating the families.

“I’m in a tough spot,” Anderson said. “I absolutely support legal cannabis businesses, but I also have a duty to my constituents, who are rightly and loudly complaining about the harm done to them by these illegal dispensaries. It is affecting quality of life and the safety of their communities.”

The proposal by Supervisor Joel Anderson allows the county to speed up the receivership process, allowing the county to take control of properties whose owners have repeatedly violated the law by illegally selling cannabis.

With hot temperatures and strong winds approaching San Diego County, it’s time for us to prepare for potential wildfires. East County is especially prone to wildfires, so each of us has an individual responsibility to prepare ahead of time and be ready to evacuate. Although the backcountry is typically hit the hardest, it’s not unlikely that a fire could start in the Mission Trails area.

Supervisor Joel Anderson introduced an ordinance that would expedite the receivership process for County Counsel to take control of properties that have repeatedly violated the law by selling cannabis in unincorporated communities.

The new Lakeside Library groundbreaking, held July 29 at its future site on Woodside Avenue, was less about the upcoming construction and more about announcing some of the elements library stakeholders included in an effort to meet community needs.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors July 13 approved spending $2.5 million on roadside vegetation management, followed by a July 16 Wildfire Preparedness bulletin generally warning East County residents: wildfire prevention is being funded but residents have to plan ahead.

San Diego County leaders Wednesday announced several ways for seniors, people with underlying health conditions and residents who are easily affected when temperatures rise to keep cool during heat waves -- including free cool zones, fans, drinking fountains and free transportation.

The regional planning board responsible for the infrastructure needs of San Diego County voted Friday to open negotiations with local labor leaders for an agreement that would ensure construction workers on future projects are paid union wages.

County leaders presented plans Friday for a quick response to wildfires and discussed recent investments in wildfire prevention. During a press conference at Gillespie Field in which they residents were urged to take steps to protect their homes, Supervisors Joel Anderson and Nathan Fletcher were joined by representatives from Cal Fire, the county Fire Protection District, San Diego Sheriff's Department and San Diego Fire-Rescue.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors took steps to resolve regional housing shortages Wednesday by approving amendments to the housing and safety elements of the county’s general plan and by adding a new environmental justice element to it.

San Diego County District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson, who represents cities and communities in the East County, garnered support from his board colleagues to allocate additional funds in the 20-21 fiscal year budget passed June 29 toward shutting down illegal cannabis dispensaries, or “pot shops.”

Supervisor Joel Anderson underscored the importance of county government to his constituents, many of whom live in unincorporated communities outside of city boundaries and count on the county for public services.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors allocated more than $650 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds, known as ARPA funding on June 8 with the majority of the dollars slated for ongoing COVID-19 response costs, homeless services and small business support.

At the San Diego County Board of Supervisor’s meeting on June 9, the board voted for specific details to staff after giving its 90-day report in providing economic and equity access for the cannabis industry in the county.

A draft plan for spending nearly $650 million in American Rescue Plan funding, with an emphasis on helping San Diego County residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, was approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.

A judge has ruled that a 78-year-old second sexually violent predator recommended for supervised release at a residence in the Mount Helix neighborhood will not be placed at the home.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a transfer of nearly $16.7 million in funding for numerous infrastructure projects, including a bridge in Del Mar and youth center in the Mira Mesa neighborhood.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is set this week to discuss a proposal that would slap new fees on development in car-centric communities, with the goal of incentivizing growth in more urban neighborhoods.

Mount Helix residents are celebrating the first victory in the legal battle to fight the placement of sexually violent predators in their neighborhood.

District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson held a press conference on April 18, condemning the “dumping” of sexually violent predators in East County.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved methods intended to increase public notification about registered sex offenders and placement of sexually violent predators.

On a sunny spring day in El Cajon’s Wells Park, a call for equity from Supervisor Joel Anderson; equity when it comes to the placement of sexually violent predators who’ve done their time, and now must be released.

The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on April 6 to create a centralized Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities that would fall under the larger county department of Health and Human Services.

Elected officials and residents weighed in Tuesday on the proposed placement of a convicted sex offender in a supervised home in the Mount Helix neighborhood.

Those of us who live in San Diego County know that the best way to protect our homes and property from wildfires is by doing whatever can be done, not during or after a crisis, but before an event occurs.

San Diego County is considering adding an environmental justice element to its general plan, updating its safety plans, and adjusting its housing plans to discourage residential development in sites with very high natural hazards.

The county’s efforts to help homeless people will expand beyond the unincorporated area and into cities as part of a new department created by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 6.

The· San Diego County Supervisory Board Late Tuesday night, the county’s unincorporated region takes a step towards joining one of two community selective aggregation programs in the region that act as an alternative to San Diego Gas & Electric for energy contract purchases.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted today to accept nearly $124 million in state funding for with contact tracing, mitigation and other strategies in combating further spread of the coronavirus.

The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted 3-2 to support state and federal legislation that furthers gun safety reforms, including stronger background checks for firearm purchases.

Hello friends. As you may know, I was sworn in on Jan. 4 to represent you on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors after the retirement of former Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who served our community well. I wanted to take a moment and let you know of the ways that my office can be of assistance to you.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a 50-year ground lease for a property near Gillespie Field on Wednesday where a 141,360-square-foot distribution center is planned.

Thanks to work done by San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson, San Diego craft breweries will now be allowed to operate and serve alcohol on their premises without having to serve food; which was a requirement put in place by Gov. Newsom . . .

The California Department of Public Health updated reopening guidance on Thursday to allow for outdoor breweries, wineries and distilleries to operate without having to serve food.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors had planned to roll out a new permitting process for cannabis businesses in six months, but they decided Wednesday to push that back.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of spending $6.4 million to preserve open space, protect habitat and ensure proper cleanup of the El Monte River Valley property it purchased from the Helix Water District last month.

County supervisors Wednesday voted 4-1 to seek more public feedback before approving any policies that would promote economic access and social equity in the cannabis industry in unincorporated communities.

County supervisors Tuesday unanimously voted to end the practice of charging jail inmates for phone calls and video visits. During its virtual meeting, the board also directed Chief Administrative Officer Helen-Robbins Meyer to restructure or terminate the existing contract with Securus Technologies.