East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a presentation by historical author Roger Conlee in Alpine, a British farce onstage in La Mesa, and the San Diego State Writer’s Conference.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Laurel and Hardy night in Spring Valley, a California’ dream series on immigration and migration in Borrego Springs, a mountain bike ride in Mission Trails, a powwow at Cuyamaca College, Valentine’s Teas in Julian, and a Salute to La Mesa’s Local Heroes.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – If you bought milk or other dairy products such as yogurt, half and half or cream anytime since 2003, you may be eligible for a refund through a class action suit that alleges price-fixing by the dairy industry. Claims must be submitted by January 31^st.

Chosen from over 200 nominations, these women represent our community.

Source:  Women's Museum of California

January 18, 2017 (San Diego) - Nominations to honor women of accomplishment from our community have flooded the offices of the Women's Hall of Fame since June. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee identified five women who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of other women and to bring change to their communities.

Photo:  Bonnie Dumanis, after winning reelection in 2014

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2017 (San Diego) — Bonnie Dumanis has served as San Diego’s District Attorney for the past 14 years.  Today, she announced that she will not seek reelection in 2018, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Video, photo and story by Billy Lakeside Ortiz

View video of coyote hunting and howling:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj55X4oHj40

January 17, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Not all coyotes are a nuisance, in fact where there is open land they can thrive without ever setting paw in your yard. If a habitat has all the right elements--grasses, mice, gopher, rabbits and a few other rodent types--the coyote has all it needs to live long and bear young.

Source: State Water Resources Control Board

January 17, 2017 (Sacramento) -- In an effort to further safeguard California’s water quality, K-12 schools in the state can receive free testing for lead under a new initiative announced today by the State Water Resources Control Board.

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!

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

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

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 17, 2017 (Spring Valley) - The struggling Monte Vista Monarchs varsity boys basketball team looked to gain some momentum back against the Foothillers of Grossmont tonight.

East County News Service

January 17, 2017 (Spring Valley) - What better way to kick off 2017 than with Laurel & Hardy?  The Saps at Sea, the local Laurel & Hardy fan club, begins its 39th year with a meeting on Saturday, January 28 at Williams Halls at Trinity Church in Spring Valley.

Editor’s note:  My Genetic Family is a fictional short story authored by ECM reporter Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson.

By Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson ©

January 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - Allen Smithee opened the sealed envelope, glanced at the directions, and proceeded to swab his inside cheek to provide the first of three DNA samples. At the end of the day he finished the last test, sealed the samples into the return envelope and mailed away for his DNA matches.

East County News Service

January 17, 2017 (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 top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Programs let U.S. families welcome Syrian arrivals (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• La Mesa mayor: City takes care of its residents (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Public records are not always readily available in San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Davis, Peters, others speak against repeal of the ACA (Reporting San Diego)
• Local leaders to be honored in San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame (KPBS)
• Souplantation restaurants are sold (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• California single payer health bill passes committee (Healthcare now blog)
• What’s in Brown’s new budget? (Los Angeles Times)
• Officials: Over 40% of California out of drought (10 News)
• Before-and-after photos show California storm's insane impact on water levels (SF Gate)
• Pot still illegal in national parks (Hanford Sentinel)
• California Firefighters Receive Up To 13.8 Percent Raises (KPBS)
• UC Davis: Protests shut down controversial speakers (+video) (CS Monitor)
• Jerry Brown to GOP on Obamacare: Don’t just shift costs onto states (SacramentoBee)

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

East County News Service

January 16, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting-edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• A super cheap, generic alternative to the EpiPen just hit shelves in U.S. (Science Alert)
• Obamacare Plans Don't Always Include Top Cancer Centers (NPR)
• What An Obamacare Repeal Would Mean For Rural Hospitals (NPR)
• Investigators Link Insurer Cyber Breach To Foreign Nation (KPBS)
• Obesity-Linked Diagnoses On The Rise Among Kids And Teens (NPR)
• Cancer spread cut by 75% in tests (BBC)
• Hundreds of cats quarantined in New York City bird flu outbreak  (Reuters)
• Bug resistant to all antibiotics kills woman (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• Iceberg the size of Delaware to break off from Antarctica (CNN)
• Taxi-sharing could end traffic jams, suggests MIT study (BBC)
• Norway to switch off FM radio in risky, unpopular shift to digital (Reuters)
• Why is Uber giving away traffic data? (CS Monitor)
• Devices sprout ears: What do Alexa and Siri mean for privacy? (CS Monitor)
• Netflix users targeted by email scam seeking credit card, account information (Fox 5 San Diego)
• Amazon to add more than 100,000 jobs in U.S. hiring spree Reuters)
• EPA Accuses Fiat Chrysler Of Installing Emissions-Cheating Software (NPR)

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

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

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!

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

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 16, 2017 (El Cajon) - Even though it was Martin Luther King Day, the Valhalla Norsemen varsity girls’ soccer team was in action against the Centurions of University City High.  It was the Norsemen’s last non-conference game before conference play.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 16, 2017 (San Diego) -- More needed rain is forecasted, but some storms may cause serious and dangerous problems. Here are a few tips for preparing for storms, and weathering them safely.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Senator Dianne Feinstein on Meet the Press, courtesy NBC News/William Plowman

January 16, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program yesterday, said that after reviewing classified intelligence briefings as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, she believes Russia definitely interviewed in the U.S. presidential election—and that Russian meddling “altered the outcome” of the race.

East County News Service

January 15, 2017 (Sacramento) -- The California Department of Insurance has issued a Notice of Noncompliance charging State Farm General Insurance Company with refusing to reduce policyholders' rates, as mandated by Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones' order, effective December 8, 2016.