Trash and recycling services delayed one day in observance of Labor Day

Source:  Waste Management

August 22, 2018 (San Diego) - Waste Management of San Diego’s curbside residential and commercial trash and recycling pick-up schedule will be delayed by one day throughout the week of Sept. 3, in observance of Labor Day. In addition, all Waste Management operations will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3, with normal operations resuming on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

East County News Service

August 22, 2018 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Department of State Hospitals has proposed the release of Alvin Quarles, a sexually violent predator, at 43050 Desert Rose Ranch Road in Jacumba Hot Springs.  A serial rapist, Quarles attacked victims at knifepoint while they were sleeping in their homes or hotel rooms. He sometimes raped women in front of their husbands or boyfriends, and at times forced them to have sex while he watched.  Investigators suspect he was responsible for over a dozen assaults in San Diego County during the 1980s. In 1989, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison under a plea bargain.

East County News Service

August 22, 2018 (La Mesa) – Following several successful events at local restaurants aimed at encouraging people to put down cell phones and enjoy interacting with others during dinners out, Unplugged Dining announces a Sept. 18 “Control Your Tech” workshop as well as “Tech Break Tuesday” events at local restaurants on Sept. 25. See below for details.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2018 (El Cajon) — A hiker on the Sycuan reservation came upon the scene of a fatality accident at 8 a.m. and notified authorities. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Councilman Kalasho's Facebook followers have shrunk to just 21 people following his numerous ethical and legal controversies.

August 17, 2018 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Councilman Bessmon "Ben" Kalasho tried to reregister as a member of the Federalist Party earlier this week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. However, the Federalist Party is not recognized in California, so Kalasho is now officially a “decline to state party affiliation” voter.

Originally the party of founding fathers Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, the Federalist Party advocated for a strong federal government but dissolved in the 1820s.  In 2016, a new Federalist Party formed with a polar opposite view, touting smaller government.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  A forensic sketch of a young woman who was killed Aug. 9 but remains unidentified. Investigators are seeking the public's help to identify her.

August 21, 2018 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office is asking the public to help identify a young woman who was struck and killed by a vehicle Aug. 9 while trying to run across the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 just south of the San Clemente Border Patrol Station checkpoint.

By Miriam Raftery

August 21, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Police are searching for a gray Toyota sedan that pulled alongside a Toyota Corolla and opened fire Sunday night at 9:53 p.m. on westbound highway 94 near College Avenue in Lemon Grove.  

By Miriam Raftery

August 19, 2018 (Alpine) – “Your life can change at the drop of dime,” Lisa Ford told a standing-room only crowd of more than 400 people packed the Alpine Community Center last night for a fundraiser to help survivors of the West Fire.

These are just some of the nearly $10,000 in prizes at East County Fest, our "Party of the Decade" celebrating our 10th anniversary on Saturday, August 25 from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails  Regional Park's beautiful visitors center. Get tickets.

By Miriam Raftery

Want to win a video production about your company or organization created by Raul Sandelin Films--a $1,200 value? 

Take home sports memorabilia from NBA superstar Bill Walton’s personal collection?

Get poker lessons from Richard Lederer, who taught his two children and they became world and national poker champions? 

Savor happy hour with friends at Hatfield Creek vineyard?  Or a vacation at an adobe inn at a winery? Or take home a barbecue for a cookout in your own backyard.

Wouldn't you love to win a beautiful pearl and silver ring and earrings set, baskets of wines, autographed books, restaurant gift certificates, San Diego Zoo passes, dance concert tickets, or tickets to a concert featuring a well-known performer at SDSU’s Cal Coast Open Air Theater?

East County News Service

August 18, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The critically-acclaimed and award-winning Kidz Danz Kompany, San Diego’s premier children’s dance company, presents “The Red Cloak," a re-telling of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood at Greenfield Middle School Theater (1495 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA, 92021) on September 7-8, 2018 @ 7 p.m. 

Fundraiser tonight

By Jo Moreland

August 18, 2018 (Alpine) -- Alpine has moved from emergency relief to recovery since the July 6 West Fire destroyed and damaged dozens of homes and other buildings.

That’s the assessment of authorities still working to help about 55 families displaced after flames blazed through the eastern edges of the foothills community of about 16,000 people.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

August 18, 2018 (Santee) - It’s finally back.  You’ve waited all winter, spring and summer for it.  ECM Friday Night Lights has returned and it’s back and better than ever.  Our first stop is to Santana High, where we also got our first glimpse of not only the 2018 Sultans, but also of the Red Hawks, who made the journey in from Mountain Empire High School in Pine Valley.

Despite positive changes, budget clouds loom as city draws on reserves for operating expenses

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

August 16, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- Members of the Lemon Grove City Council and other city officials are grappling with concerns about a major budget deficit poised to sour the city’s future. The problem has led to media speculation that Lemon Grove might give up cityhood and become part of the County’s unincorporated area.

Yet, to a packed-to-the-rafters community room, recently-elected Mayor Raquel Vasquez painted a positive picture about the city’s many accomplishments in the past year and its challenges in the coming year. During her first State of the City address last week, the Mayor did raise the city’s financial dilemma, but not seeds for solutions over the long term.