By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2017 (Sacramento) -- In a sweeping victory for consumers, the California Supreme Court, in a 7-0 decision, upheld Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ authority to require that insurers’ replacement cost estimates must actually reflect the complete cost of rebuilding a policyholder’s home after a fire.

Do you have a son or daughter that plays a sport at a level other than varsity?  Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 25, 2017 (La Mesa) - The Helix High varsity boys soccer team is off to a decent start in conference play with only one tie.  The 6-2-4 overall Highlanders stayed at home today and faced El Capitan.  The Vaqueros are 0-1 in league play and 5-5-1 overall.

By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2017 (San Diego) – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to cancel the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact with 12 Pacific Rim nations.

The action is being hailed by even many Trump opponents who did not support the trade deal, but has drawn criticism from others, particularly in the business community.

By Mimi Pollack

January 24, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- In her 80 years, Janet Gastil has worn many hats and is a true Renaissance woman. She has been a wife and mother, teacher, musician, realtor, and politician.  Her son, George, has followed in Janet’s footsteps, dedicating himself to teaching and public service, as well as raising his family. 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Spring Valley) – San Miguel Fire District’s board meets Wednesday, January 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the District’s board room (2850 Via Orange way in Spring Valley).  The hot agenda item is a proposal to shift dispatch services from CAL FIRE to Heartland Communications, by joining Heartland’s Joint Powers Agremeent along with the cities of El Cajon, Lemon Grove,  La Mesa and Santee as well as fire districts in Alpine and Lakeside.

Do you have a son or daughter that plays a sport at a level other than varsity?  Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

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

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 24, 2017 (El Cajon) - Deep in the heart of conference play, the El Cajon Valley High School Braves varsity boys basketball team looked to improve their 0-2 record in conference play against the Matadors of Mount Miguel.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Crestwood summit on I-8 by Don Lumb

January 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – “I was nearly killed by a large boulder on Friday night,” a reader told ECM, adding that multiple rock slides occurred along the highway to Ramona along the San Pasqual grade.  “The County needs to evaluate that road right now before people are killed by the boulders.”

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Photo credit:  Joe McHugh, California Highway Patrol

January 24, 2017 (San Diego) -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today delivered his State of the State address, departing with the traditional practice of listing every issue and priority to instead address the "broader context of our country and its challenges."



The Governor vowed to "defend everybody - every man, woman and child - who has come here...and has contributed to the well-being of our state" and committed to protecting the state's gains on immigration, health care and climate change, guided by the principles that make California "the Great Exception" - truth, civility and perseverance.

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Helix Water Talks is the Helix Water District’s new series of facility tours and panel discussions to give customers an inside look at how it provides a safe and reliable water supply – from the science and engineering to the policies and operations. The series begins with “On Demand: How We Deliver Water” on January 28 in El Cajon.

See below for details:

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- The Trump Administration has not yet announced if it will roll back a rule imposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) during the Obama Administration that effective yesterday, imposes $125 million in new costs on propane consumers, according to a press release issued by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) last week. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) - In his book, 1984, George Orwell wrote, “The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history.”

Recent actions by the Trump administration to discredit journalists over truthful reports and stifle public comments have alarmed First Amendment supporters, constitutional scholars, journalists, and government watchdog groups.

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council will hear an Affordable homes Bonus Program proposed by Councilmembers Kristine Alessio and Colin Parent at tonight’s  meeting at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers (8130 Allison Ave., La Mesa.) View details: http://ca-lamesa3.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1472?fileID=2801

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Santee) – The San Diego County Gun Owners (SDCGO), a Santee-based political action committee promoting Second Amendment rights, reports it has signed up more than 500 members in its first full year of operation.

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Santee) -- The Start Smart Program is an opportunity for new drivers and their parents/guardians to clearly understand their responsibilities when a teen starts to drive. “If you are a teen or know a teen who can benefit from this class please click on the following link for more information http://sdsheriff.net/co_startsmart.html,” says Martha Miramontes, Crime Prevention Specialist with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept.