East County News Service

March 9, 2017 (Alpine) -- Forbes Travel Guide has  unveiled its annual Star Rating list, naming Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine as a new Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel. Viejas Casino & Resort will be showcased with all of the Star Rating recipients on ForbesTravelGuide.com. Read the Forbes review here:  http://www.forbestravelguide.com/san-diego-california/hotels/viejas-casino-resort.

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2017 (San Diego) — On Wednesday, March 15,  San Diego County Supervisors will consider amending zoning regulations to outlaw all marijuana facilities,  medical and recreational.  At a recent meeting, Supervisors instructed staff to draw up language to ban all facilities including shutting down existing lawfully operating dispensaries. However staff is recommending that existing medical marijuana facilities be allowed to stay open.  County staff also recommended that  Supervisors consider possible zoning ordinance amendments to address regulations permitting cannabis farming in agricultural zones, though thus far Supervisors have voiced opposition to requests from farmers seeking to grow cannabis.

East County News Service

March 9, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A motorcyclist has died at a local hospital after suffering serious injuries in a collision in Lemon Grove.

According to witnesses, the Harley Davidson motorcycle rear-ended a Toyota Corolla car, then struck a parked vehicle on Massachusetts Avenue Sunday night shortly before 7:30 p.m. The motorcyclist was ejected from the vehicle, said Sgt. Jorge Dueno with the Sheriff’s Department.

East County News Service

March 9, 2017 (El Cajon) – A man was killed March 6^th while trying to stop a truck from rolling down a hill at 13220 Aurora Drive in El Cajon. He has been identified as Roy Sterner, 39, of Chula Vista.

Sterner was visiting a friend’s residence to work on the truck, but while he was pushing it to the front of the driveway, the truck began rolling downhill.  Sterner ran after the vehicle and tried to get in through the open window on the driver’s side, with his upper body in the vehicle and his lower body outside.

UPDATE:  Helix will host West High School at 6 p.m. March 11

Does your son or daughter play 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

March 8, 2017 (La Mesa) - In Round I of the Division IV CIF boys basketball playoffs, the Highlanders of Helix faced another set of Highlanders, those from Granada Hills Charter in Granada Hills, a city just north of Santa Monica.  Both team’s colors are green and white.  Both teams’ mascot is a highlander.  Both are charter schools.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: With exclusions around sensitive sites and each other, it appears three dispensaries will open in the western portion of Lemon Grove along Federal Boulevard

March 8, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove City Council held a public hearing Tuesday about the new medical marijuana dispensary application process that opens March 20^th to comply with  Measure V, which Lemon Grove voters approved in November legalizing medical cannabis sales.   

East County News Service

March 8, 2017 (Poway) - San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory (SDYS) presents two inspiring concerts from their talented musicians on Sunday, March 12 at 1pm & 6pm at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

By SDSU News Team

March 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- San Diego State University President Elliot Hirshman announced this morning that he has accepted the presidency of Stevenson University Online in Maryland. His last day at SDSU will be June 30. Hirshman has served as the president of SDSU since 2011.

Honey Festival coming up this Saturday, March 11

Source: Alpine Chamber of Commerce

Photos by Kathy Foster Photography for the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

March 7, 2017 (Alpine) -- The first Queen Bee Tea was a honey of a show on March 5 in Alpine.  Almost 100 guests attended the Honey Festival kick-off event, turning the Alpine Community Center at 1830 Alpine Blvd. into a hive of chatter, fanciful bee bonnets, fashion show, free photo booth, opportunity drawings, contests and special vendors. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 10, 2017 (Ramona) – “We’re crazy about all things local,” say the owners of Ramona Ranch Winery.  Besides offering locally produced wines and cheeses, the winery is now offering customers the opportunity to take home boxes of fresh vegetables from JR Organics.  

Source:  City of El Cajon

March 7, 2017 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon is very pleased to announce that Mr. Graham Mitchell, current City Manager for the City of Escondido and longtime City Manager for the City of Lemon Grove, has accepted an offer to become the City of El Cajon’s next Assistant City Manager.  He will replace Majed Al-Ghafry, who was recently appointed Assistant City Manager for the City of Dallas, Texas.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2017 (San Diego) – President Donald Trump has issued a new, more narrowly crafted executive order restricting refugees’ entry into the U.S. after the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked implementation of his earlier executive order as unconstitutional.  Here’s what the new ban includes:

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

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

Story by Liz Alper

Photo via @Padres on Twitter

March 7, 2017 (Peoria, Ariz.) - Padres spring training continued today with a special exhibition game against the Mexican national team.  Walter Lockett started on the mound for the Padres against Luis Mendoza for Mexico.