SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

WINTER STORM WARNING

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

SDSU MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESS CONFERENCE 1/31: HOME FOR THE MILITARY

 

 

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type “Sports” on the donation line!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story by Liz Alper

Video courtesy goaztecs.com

January 31, 2018 (San Diego) - The Aztecs men's basketball team has had a harrowing couple of weeks, but now they're back home (finally) and ready to face Air Force Saturday night.  Head coach Brian Dutcher and junior guard Jeremy Hemsley sat down with the media this week.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: FEBRUARY 2-MARCH 4

 

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

January 31, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Mean Mary in concert in Santee, a pow-wow at Cuyamaca College, Hawk Watch in Ramona, the Oak Ridge Boys at Sycuan, Inside the Actors’ Process at the Stagehouse Theatre, and a violin and cello concert at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including Cupid and Canines at Grossmont Center, a chamber music concert at the La Mesa Library, open farm day at the Oasis Camel Dairy, a Valentine’s Dinner in Julian, gardening tips and tours, live music at local night spots, the Martin Luther King Choir’s ensemble in Lemon Grove, a star party and a Celtic harp concert at Mission Trails, Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley, and a St. Patrick’s Day half marathon run through El Cajon.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

 

January 31, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

FLU KILLS HUNDREDS HERE, INCLUDING 10-YEAR-OLD BOY

 

East County News Service

January 31, 2018 (San Diego) -- The flu is taking a deadly toll locally. Last week, 32 people died of the flu in San Diego County, including a 10-year-old boy. 

So far this season, 206 flu deaths have been reported, according to County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION HONORS CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

 

By Maridian Broadus

Photo, left:  Honoree Alan Cabrera, Jane Elliott, Rev. Shane Harris, Honoree BAPC State President Dr. William Blair

January 31, 2018 (Lemon Grove) — “Where are we 50 years later?” That is the question posed by Reverend Shane Harris, president of the National Action Network in San Diego, and by keynote speaker, educator and anti-racism activist Jane Elliott at the Martin Luther King Jr. 88th birthday celebration held on Friday, January 19th at Lemon Grove Community Church. NAN is a social justice organization that advocates on behalf of minorities and the disenfranchised. The celebration paid homage to Dr. King and honored local civil rights activists.

ADELA DE LA TORRE APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

 

Adela de la Torre becomes the ninth permanent president of SDSU and the first woman to serve in that role.

Source:  SDSU News Center

January 31, 2018 (San Diego) - The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Adela de la Torre to serve as president of San Diego State University. De la Torre currently serves as vice chancellor, student affairs and campus diversity at the University of California, Davis.

CITIZENS OVERSIGHT SIGNS $873 MILLION SAN ONOFRE SHUTDOWN SETTLEMENT WITH SCE, SDG&E AND OTHER PARTIES

 

Substantial relief to ratepayers: $873 million will not be paid to utilities over the next 5 years, resulting in $775 million reduction

East County News Service

January 31, 2017 (San Diego) – Citizens Oversight, also operating as the “Coalition to Decommission San Onofre,” today signed a settlement agreement with Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and other ratepayer advocates to bring to a close the dispute over the amount ratepayers are obligated to pay for the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station (SONGS).  The nuclear plant was subject to an emergency shutdown on January 31, 2012, and permanently shuttered on June 6, 2013.

LOCAL LEVELS OF OZONE PEAK IN MOUNTAIN AND DESERT AREAS

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – You might be surprised to learn where the highest levels of ozone pollution are in San Diego County. Hint: it’s not urban areas in local cities, but rather, communities in East County’s mountains and desert areas.

DRIVER DIES AFTER CRASHING INTO BUILDING IN EL CAJON

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (El Cajon) --- The driver of a green Ford pickup truck that crashed into a business at 1417 North Cuyamaca Street in El Cajon yesterday afternoon was taken to a hospital, where he later died of severe injuries.  The identity of the victim, a 46-year-old African-American man, is being withheld pending notification of his family.

TAX TIPS AND ALPINE HONORARY MAYOR ON AGENDA FOR “HOT TOPICS” BREAKFAST FEB. 13 AT JANET’S MONTANA CAFÉ

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (Alpine) — You’re invited to get 2018 tax filing tips from Roger Garay, Online Bookkeeping & Tax Service, and hear about the Alpine Honorary Mayor campaign. 

Both are on the agenda for the Alpine-Mountain Empire’s “Hot Topics” breakfast at Janet’s Montana Café, 2506 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The event will be on Feb. 13 from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m.

VALENTINE’S DESSERT AND WINE PAIRING FEB. 14 AT SAN PASQUAL WINERY IN LA MESA

 

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (La Mesa) -- In celebration of Valentine's Day, you’re invited to take your sweetheart, best friend, or even a group of friends to a dessert & wine pairing at San Pasqual Winery tasting room in La Mesa’s downtown village.

TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR DREAMERS

 

By Chris Jennewein

Reprinted with permission by Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  President Trump applauds Congress curing his State of the Union speech. Image from White House video

January 30, 2018 (Washington, D.C.) - President Trump doubled down on his offer of a path to citizenship for California’s estimated 500,000 eligible “Dreamers” Tuesday night in his first State of the Union speech.

The plan, which has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, would include a 12-year path to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants brought to America as children in return for “a great wall on the southern border” and an end to both the visa lottery and chain migration.

CHICK-FIL-A IN LA MESA, SANTEE HOSTING `DADDY-DAUGHTER DATE NIGHT’ ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7TH

 

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (East County) – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the 12 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the restaurants at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee and 8200 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, will host a “Daddy-Daughter Date Night” for fathers and daughters from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7.

EX-PADRES GM PASSES AWAY

 

East County News Service

Photo via @Sweendog9 on Tumblr

January 30, 2018 (San Diego) - Former Padres general manager Kevin Towers has passed away at the age of 56.  Towers, who is most known for putting together the 1998 Padres team who won the National League championship, passed from a rare form of thyroid cancer that he was diagnosed with in December of 2016.

HUMAN SMUGGLING ARRESTS INCLUDE TWO DACA RECIPIENTS AND A U.S. CITIZEN

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (San Diego) – Two immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program have been arrested for involvement in human smuggling in two separate incidents, The U.S. Border Patrol reports.

CLEAR SKIES FORECAST FOR RARE “SUPER BLOOD BLUE MOON” WED. MORNING

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (San Diego) – What’s rarer than once in a blue moon?  A “super blood blue moon” that will be visible shortly before sunrise early Wednesday morning.

The rare astronomical event is actually a full lunar eclipse, with the moon in the shadow of the earth for a “blood moon” effect, meaning the moon will appear reddish-orange.  This blood moon is combined with a “supermoon” that is the closest point in the moon’s orbit to the earth, making it appear to loom large on the horizon.

FREE TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN SAN DIEGO

 

It’s that time of the year again to get your income taxes filed, and you might be able to get them done for free.

The County is once again teaming up with its local partners to help low-income families or individuals prepare their taxes at no cost.

PEDESTRIAN IN LA MESA DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY VEHICLE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – Matthew McConnell, 44, died in a hospital several hours after he was struck by a vehicle Friday night. According to La Mesa Police, he was walking across the intersection at Fletcher Parkway and Nagel Street near Grossmont Center on a red light when the tragedy occurred.

CA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TELLS INSURERS MUDSLIDES IN SANTA BARBARA MUST BE COVERED IF CAUSED BY FIRES

 

Victims encouraged to file claims with insurers

Source: California Insurance Commissioner’s Office

January 29, 2018 (Santa Barbara) -- Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today issued a formal notice to all property and casualty insurance companies reminding them of their duty to cover damages from the recent mudslide and debris flows if it is determined that the ravaging of hillsides and vegetation by the Thomas and other fires was the efficient proximate cause of the mudslides. In general homeowners' insurance policies, excludes flood, mudslide, debris flow and other similar events.

El CAJON POLICE ADVICE FOR SUPER BOWL SUNDAY: DON’T FUMBLE! TACKLE IMPAIRED DRIVING BEFORE THE CLOCK STARTS

 

By Sergeant Kevin Maxwell, El Cajon Police Dept. Traffic Unit

January 29, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Kickoff on America’s favorite past time is just about ready to start. For many football fans, when it’s time for Super Bowl LII, everyone’s a fan…and Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. The California Office of Traffic Safety, Police, Sheriff and the CHP are huddling up for a special designated driver reminder to urge football fans across the nation not to drop the ball on this issue. 

SALVATION ARMY GETS $50 MILLION RADY DONATION TO HELP SAN DIEGO HOMELESS

 

By Chris Jennewein, credit to Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

Photo:  Ernest and Evelyn Rady at the Salvation Army’s Door of Hope in Linda Vista. Photo by Chris Jennewein

January 29, 2018 (San Diego) - Philanthropists Ernest and Evelyn Rady announced Monday an unprecedented $50 million donation to The Salvation Army to help homeless individuals and families in San Diego.

JIMMY PARKER, LA MESA CPA, JOINS GROSSMONT HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION MONITORING CITIZENS GROUP

 

East County News Service

January 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – The volunteer citizens group monitoring the spending of millions of dollars in public funds for new and improved patient care facilities at Sharp Grossmont Hospital has a new member. Jimmy Parker, a certified public accountant (CPA), has joined the Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC). The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), the public agency managing the bond-financed construction at the hospital, recently approved the appointment of Parker to the ICBOC.

LA MESA RESIDENTS INVITED TO TOWNHALLS JAN. 30 AND FEB. 6

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa invites residents to attend two upcoming town hall meetings, where elected officials and city staff will be on hand to answer residents’ questions and hear concerns.  The forums will be held Tuesday, January 30 at the La Mesa Arts Academy (4200 Parks Ave.) and Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Northmont Elementary School (9045 Gregory Street), both from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis and City Council members Kristine Alessio, Bill Baber, Guy McWhirter and Colin Parent are expected to participate, as well as Police Chief Walt Vasquez, Heartland Fire & Rescue Chief Colin Stowell, City Manager Yvonne Garrett, City Attorney Gleen Sabine, and staffers from La Mesa’s departments of public works, finance, and community development.

OFFICE OF RATEPAYER ADVOCATES RECOMMENDS CPUC DENY SDG&E APPLICATION FOR REHEARING ON WILDFIRE COSTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2018 (San Diego) – The Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA) has issued a recommendation urging the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to deny a request by three utility companies for a rehearing, after the CPUC ruled that San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) cannot charge ratepayers for its uninsured losses from the 2007 Witch, Guejito and Rice wildfires.

CAMPA-NAJJAR WINS KEY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSEMENT IN 50TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

 

East County News Service

January 28, 2018 (San Diego) -- The California Democratic Party's Region 18 this week endorsed Ammar Campa-Najjar for Congress in the 50th district at its pre-endorsement conference, which included delegates from East County and San Diego. 

Campa-Najjar received 97% of the delegate vote in a four-way contest with candidate Josh Butner and potential candidates Patrick Malloy and Larry Tract. Since Campa-Najjar exceeded the threshold of 70% of the vote, the party's state convention is expected to ratify the region's recommendation on February 25th, which would give a major boost to Campa-Najjar in his effort to win the June primary and square off against incumbent Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter in November.

"I am humbled to have earned this endorsement by such a wide margin," said Campa-Najjar, who has raised over half a million dollars to date for his campaign.  He adds that during his campaign, he has been meeting people across the district at farms and rodeos, bars and diners, churches, mosques, synagogues, college campuses and senior centers, VFW halls and memorials, libraries, city halls, rallies, backyards, living rooms and dining rooms.

MAN JUMPS TO DEATH OFF PINE VALLEY BRIDGE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2018 (Pine Valley) -- A man committed suicide by jumping off the Pine Valley bridge off of Interstate 8 tonight. The tragedy was reported shortly after 5 p.m.   The victim has not been identified, but a white Toyota sedan was parked at the scene. 

Pages