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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 2, 2018 (San Diego) - Steele Canyon.  Eastlake.  Spring Valley.  Chula Vista.  Both making the trek to inner city San Diego to Mission Bay High School for the CIF Open Division Championship.  The Cougars finished the season 12-6-6 overall and 3-2-3 in the Grossmont League.  Compare that to the Titans’ 18-5-3 overall record and impressive undefeated 9-0 record in league, and this was sure to be a wild ride.

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: Students testified to GUHSD board on behalf of an Alpine High School, before board reversed its decision to build the school.

March 2, 2018 (Alpine) – In a joint press release, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD), Alpine Union High School District (AUSD) and Alpine Taxpayers for Bound Accountability (ATBA) announced a resolution to end the prolonged legal battle over the never-built Alpine High School.

The AUSD and ATBA have agreed not to appeal to the state Supreme Court, after an appeals court ruled on behalf of Grossmont that an enrollment requirement to build the school had not been met and that therefore, Grossmont is not obligated to build the school.  In exchange, the GUHSD has agreed not to seek recovery of its court costs from the Alpine district or the Alpine taxpayers group.

“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”

By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®, President, Blue Summit Wealth Management

March 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Socially Responsible Investing tenet of "knowing-what-you-own" is adding another layer of reflection to those affected by the recent gun violence in Parkland, Florida.  Educators in Florida may be surprised to learn they’ve been helping fund the firearms industry—including the company that made the gun used during the February 14th shooting.

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2018 (El Cajon) – A search warrant was served this morning at Cloud 9 Wellness, an illegal marijuana dispensary in the 500 block of West Douglas in El Cajon. 

“A large amount of cash and marijuana was seized as evidence,” Lieutenant Walt Miller with the El Cajon Police Department states in a press release. Six employees and three armed security guards working at the business were briefly detained but not arrested. However, Lt. Miller notes, “Although the employees were not arrested today, they and the owner of the business may face charges of allowing the Commercial Sale of Marijuana within the City.”

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit:  PhotoSpin

March 1, 2018 (San Diego) - In response to increasing elder abuse crimes in the region and an impending explosion of the elderly population, County prosecutors, health and aging officials and local law enforcement are committing to a new “blueprint” of goals and coordinated community response to abuse of these vulnerable residents.

By Liz Alper

Photo via Vimeo

March 2, 2018 (San Diego) - I’ve never paid attention to Bruce Willis.  Not since it became a meme to list Die Hard as a Christmas movie (over The Thin Man?  Really?  Die Hard has Christmas in one scene, whereas The Thin Man has Christmas throughout the movie.  Besides, who doesn’t love William Powell’s effortless trolling and drinking?), I’ve semi-boycotted Bruce Willis.  It’s been a while since I willingly watched one of his films. Heck, it’s been a while since I willingly cared about him.  And so it was with slight unease that I walked into the theater for his latest film, Death Wish.  Boy, was I wrong to be nervous.

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2018 (San Diego) – Instant Pot Gem multicookers sold only at Walmart have resulted in 107 reports of overheating including five that caused property damage, 10 News reports.

KTNV in Las Vegas investigated after viewing photos on Facebook posted by an Instant Pot user who said the bottom of the machine melted and burned wires after just four uses.  The station contacted the manufacturer, which confirmed there have been other complaints.

East County News Service

March 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Shawii, or acorn “mush,” was one of the most important foods for Kumeyaay/Diegueño People for thousands of years. The long process for preparing this staple food has been passed down from generation to generation.  On Saturday, April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Martha Rodriquez (San Jose de la Zorra) will teach a class on how to make this rare treat at the Barona Cultural Center and Museum.

March 1, 2018 (Julian) -- Bobbi Zane sent in this video from Deborah J. Kerch of dogs enjoying a frolic in newfallen snow earlier this week in Julian, California.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated 1:30 p.m. with information provided by the Sheriff's department.

February 28, 2018 (Santee) – A student at West Hills High School has been arrested overnight for “making terrorists threats after he posted a photo of a Lego rifle on social media with a threatening message,” Grossmont Union High School District public information officer Catherine Martin stated on Twitter.

By Miriam Raftery

February 28, 2018 (San Diego) — While Congress remains paralyzed over gun control legislation, with the Republican leadership refusing to even allow a vote on measures to ban or restrict sales of military-style assault rifles used in many recent mass shootings, at least one major retailer has taken action on its own.

East County wife and mother says the life-saving devices should be easier to find than a gourmet cup of coffee

 By Lora Watters

February 27, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Something caught Susanne de La Flor's eye as she strolled through Grossmont Center last spring. It was not a display for a best-selling author in the Barnes & Noble window, nor a life-size cardboard cutout promoting a funny animated movie at Reading Cinemas. It was an Automated External Defibrillator on a plain gray stucco wall, between the post office and CVS Pharmacy located adjacent to the popular East County mail.

 Ever since her husband of 26 years, George de la Flor, suffered sudden cardiac arrest and subsequent brain damage in 2011, Susanne has always made note of AED devices in public places. But there was something special about this AED. It was located outside.

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2018 (Alpine) -- Bobbi Brink at Lions, Tigers and Bears posted photos of the exotic wildlife at her rescue sanctuary in Alpine reacting to today's heavy snowfall, including a pair of lions, a white tiger, and a rescued bobcat.

Enjoy the views!

East County News Service

February 27, 2018 (El Cajon) – Learn all about beekeeping at a presentation by local beekeeper Richard Edwords on Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Fletcher Hills Library, 576 Garfield Ave, El Cajon, 92020.

Edwords will bring some of his beekeeping equipment, including a bee box. He will explain how the box works and what is necessary for beginning beekeepers. He will explain the health benefits of using honey over white sugar. Edwords will give a brief history of beekeeping, which became big business in the 1800’s due to Mr. John Harbison’s successful enterprise. The presentation will also include safety tips on what to do if you get attacked by bees.