January 8, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
LOCAL
- Man sentenced 35 years to life for sex offenses with teen at El Cajon motel (10 News)
- Scripps Health Now Out-of-Network for Anthem Blue Cross Policyholders (Times of San Diego)
- Judge rules Humane Society should not send domesticated cats back outside (KPBS)
- La Mesa man saves passenger of burning car crash in his front yard (10 News)
- Nathan Fletcher’s Accuser Drops Sexual Assault Claim — for Now (Voice of San Diego)
- Spring Valley man faces federal charges over El Cajon bank robbery (10 News)
- Parents sue Grossmont hospital alleging negligence in death of 4-year-old son (San Diego Union-Tribune)
STATE
- Hundreds of new laws in California take effect this year. Here's what to know for 2025. (CBS 8)
- Minimum car insurance coverage requirements are going up in California (KPBS)
- 2 dead and more than 1,000 homes, businesses, other buildings destroyed in fires (Los Angeles Times)
- California 2025: The Next Wave of New Employer Compliance Obligations Is About to Hit (National Law Review)
For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.
LOCAL
Man sentenced 35 years to life for sex offenses with teen at El Cajon motel (10 News)
A 71-year-old registered sex offender who engaged in sex acts with a 16-year-old girl at an El Cajon motel was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years to life in state prison. Michael Inman was convicted by an El Cajon jury of four felony sex offenses, including sexual penetration of a person under 18 and possession of child pornography for the March 2023 encounter with the minor at the Motel 6 on Montrose Court.
Scripps Health Now Out-of-Network for Anthem Blue Cross Policyholders (Times of San Diego)
After months of negotiations to keep the health system in-network, the contract between Scripps Health and Anthem Blue Cross officially ended Jan. 1, it was announced Wednesday. / The termination impacts all Anthem commercial and Covered California plans, though emergency care remains in-network and Medicare supplemental plans are unaffected, according to the health system.
Judge rules Humane Society should not send domesticated cats back outside (KPBS)
A judge has ruled that the San Diego Humane Society’s policy of releasing some outdoor, domesticated cats without a caretaker is unlawful. / The Community Cats program spays or neuters outdoor cats, vaccinates them, and then releases them back to where they were found. The goal is to keep the population healthy and shrink it over time. There are more than 300,000 unowned, free-roaming cats in San Diego County, according to the Humane Society…. / [The Judge] said the court considered things like the definition of animal abandonment and the Humane Society’s contract with the county.
La Mesa man saves passenger of burning car crash in his front yard (10 News)
Downed trees, the smell of smoke, and a burned car and house are what one La Mesa homeowner saw on his front yard after a car crash in his yard earlier Thursday morning. "Just before 1 in the morning, my wife and I heard a very loud boom, and so we came running downstairs, and we looked out the window, and my wife just screamed, 'It's a car accident, and it's on fire!" said Kerry Campbell, who lives on Baltimore Drive in La Mesa.
Nathan Fletcher’s Accuser Drops Sexual Assault Claim — for Now (Voice of San Diego)
The former Metropolitan Transit System employee who accused ex-county supervisor and MTS chair Nathan Fletcher of sexual harassment and assault has dismissed her most serious allegation against him – at least for now.
Spring Valley man faces federal charges over El Cajon bank robbery (10 News)
A Spring Valley man accused of robbing an El Cajon bank at gunpoint last week is facing federal charges. Maurice Carter is accused of entering the Wells Fargo branch on Fletcher Parkway on Dec. 10, brandishing a handgun, and fleeing with just over $9,000 in cash.
Parents sue Grossmont hospital alleging negligence in death of 4-year-old son (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Suit accuses hospital of failing to properly diagnose young patient’s condition after positive COVID test. A recently filed lawsuit accuses Sharp Grossmont Hospital of negligent care that led to the death of a 4-year-old boy from Canada who visited San Diego with his parents in August 2023.
STATE
Hundreds of new laws in California take effect this year. Here's what to know for 2025. (CBS 8)
Scores of new California laws are going into effect in 2025 after Gov. Gavin Newsom took action on hundreds of bills that crossed his desk last year. Among the legislation Newsom signed into law were bills to crack down on retail crime and property theft; to address homelessness; and new protections for consumers and patients... Here's what to know about California's most notable new laws and how they'll affect you.
Minimum car insurance coverage requirements are going up in California (KPBS)
KPBS - Starting January 1st, the minimum car insurance coverage for California drivers is doubling. / Under Senate Bill 1107, the Protect California Drivers Act, the new coverage minimums are: $30,000 for injury/death to one person. $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person. $15,000 for damage to property. / Insurance carriers may have already adjusted the coverage that goes into effect January 1st, but drivers should confirm with their insurance carrier.
2 dead and more than 1,000 homes, businesses, other buildings destroyed in fires (Los Angeles Times)
More than 1,000 homes, businesses and other buildings have burned and at least two people are dead in wildfires burning across L.A. County, making this one of the most destructive firestorms to hit the region in memory.
California 2025: The Next Wave of New Employer Compliance Obligations Is About to Hit (National Law Review)
The California Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom have again enacted a number of laws that will affect California employers. This Insight summarizes the significant changes to California employment laws taking effect in 2025. Unless otherwise indicated, the laws discussed below will take effect on January 1, 2025.