By Paul Kruze

December 29, 2017 (Santee) – Santee’s City Council would like nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of El Cajon and lure a large hotel chain to build a business-class hotel in the growing city. But at Council’s December 13th meeting, it became evident that the biggest question these days is not whether the sprawling community could support such an investment, but rather where to put it. So says a San Francisco-consultant firm that was hired by Santee last Spring to develop a feasibility study on what it would take for it to happen in short order.

By Miriam Raftery

December 29, 2017 (Spring Valley) – A gunshot victim found in a vehicle at the intersection of Concepcion Avenue and San Francisco Street in Spring Valley Wednesday night has died of his injuries, says Lieuteuant Rich Williams with the Sheriff’s homicide unit. 

A 17-year-old juvenile suspect has been arrested and charged with murder.  His name has not been released because he is a minor.

By Paul Kruze

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

Read Judge Taylor’s full decision dismissing Kalasho’s cross complaint.

December 27, 2017 (San Diego)--San Diego Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor gave his early Christmas gift Friday to embattled El Cajon City Councilman Ben Kalasho: a proverbial piece of coal.

The judge dismissed a counter suit filed by Kalasho against two beauty pageant contestants and a taco shop owner who are suing Kalasho on serious allegations of abusive behavior including sexual misconduct, fraud, defamation, and cyberharassment.

With Kalasho stoically standing next to his attorney, Judge Taylor found that the countersuit filed by Kalasho, a public figure, met the definition of a SLAPP suit meant to intimidate individuals’ constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of grievances. SLAPP suits are illegal under California law. The judge affirmed that the plaintiffs have a right to redress their grievances against Kalasho in a court of law and to speak about their grievances in the media.

“Lawsuits are public proceedings,” Taylor admonished Kalasho’s attorney, Stephen J. Liosi.

By Miriam Raftery

December 28, 2017 (Descanso) – Acclaimed pianist, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter John Nilsen from the Pacific Northwest will perform a solo piano concert on Saturday, January 13^th at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Hills Community Church, 25153 Viejas Blvd. in Descanso. The concert is free of charge. The church will provide light refreshments, a chance to chat with the artist in a reception after the performance, and his musical CDs will be available for purchase.

According to his bio, Nilsen is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most successful performance and recording artists, with records that have sold well over a million copiesl His love of the outdoors is reflected in many of his works. Chosen a Deering Banjo artist in 2016, he has performed in all 50 states and many foreign countries, also speaking and conducting residencies on songwriting and music performance at schools across the U.S.  He has performed with luminaries such as Jose Feliciano, Jesse Colin Young and Marc Cohn and Kenny G.

East County News Service

December 28, 2017 (Spring Valley)—Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting last night shortly before 7 p.m. last night at the intersection of Concepcion Avenue and San Francisco Street in Spring Valley.  When deputies arrived, they located an adult male victim with traumatic injuries, inside a vehicle.

“The victim was treated and rushed to a local hospital by San Miguel Fire Department. His injuries are life-threatening,” says Lieutenant Rich Williams. “Multiple subjects were seen running from the vehicle at the time of the shooting. Detectives would like to speak to those subjects.”

December 27, 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

• Tunnel would potentially connect trails throughout the county (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Immigrant rights advocates launch San Diego rapid response network (KPBS)
• Cause of Lilac Fire may never be known (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego Universities Look To Expand Amid Growing Student Interest (KPBS)
• Inside the Slow Death of the Neighborhood Market Association (Voice of San Diego)
• Dems tried to kick out Mickey Kasparian months ago, and the party boss said no (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Judge nullifies mini-dorm crackdown near San Diego State (San Diego Union-Tribune)

 STATE

• All Significant California Wildfire Evacuation Orders Lifted (KPBS)
• California man charged with plotting Christmas Day attack in SF ((NBC 7)
• California Salmon Lose Way After Ride Downstream In Drought (KPBS)
• Last Native American village in Yosemite being rebuilt (NBC7)
• Fearing huge liability for wine country fires, PG&E is suspending dividend payments (Los Angeles Times)
• Governor issues holiday pardons, cuts sentences for 150, including 8 from San Diego (Times of San Diego)
• Rat poison found in body of California mountain lion (CBS 8)

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

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s celebrations in Alpine and Jamul, New Year's Day at an Alpaca Farm, plus an art show at the Wieghorst Gallery in El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including Hawk Watch in the Ramona Grasslands, falconry demonstrations at Wynola Pizza, a Star Party at Mission Trails, Sinatra and Friends in Borrego Springs, Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, an ancient Tibetan music concert at Mission Trails, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, pianist John Nilsen in concert in Descanso, and a fingerstyle guitar concert at San Pasqual Winery’s La Mesa tasting room.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 27, 2017 (San Diego) -- New Year’s Eve is a night to have fun and celebrate the coming year. However, safety is a must when participating in New Year’s day festivities and parties.

Make sure you have a plan and follow these safety tips that will help ensure that you’re safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the New Year.

Fans using Compass Cloud ticketing app can bypass Trolley line after the game!

December 27, 2017 (San Diego) - The Metropolitan Transit System will boost Trolley service to accommodate the large crowds expected for both the Holiday Bowl and Holiday Bowl Parade on Thursday, December 28.  The Michigan State Spartans and the Washington State Cougars each bring nationally ranked teams and loyal fan bases to help make this bowl game a live and festive atmosphere.

By Miriam Raftery

December 26, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has rescinded on Obama-administration guideline that advised local courts against imposing excessive fines and fees on poor people. 

Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles

December 26, 2017 (Sacramento) -- With the new year just around the corner, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to inform the public of several new laws or changes to existing law that, unless otherwise noted, take effect January 1, 2018.

By Miriam Raftery

Pope's homily for Christmas Mass during the night: full text

December 25, 2017 (The Vatican) -- In his homily at Christmas Mass in St Peter’s Basilica during the night, Pope Francis drew parallels between Biblical refugees Joseph and Mary and the millions of refugees around the world today who are “driven from their lands” under desperate circumstances, often forced to leave family members behind.

“In many cases,  the Pope observed, “this departure is filled with hope, hope for the future; yet for many others this departure can only have one name: survival. Surviving the Herods of today, who, to impose their power and increase their wealth, see no problem in shedding innocent blood.”

He urged compassion and a welcoming attitude toward refugees, in stark contrast to the harsh policies imposed by the Trump administration, which has sought to restrict admission of refugees and increase deportations, tearing many families apart.

East County News Service

Photo:  Easel used by famed Western artist Olaf Wieghorst

December 24, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon will offer a very special art exhibit and sale featuring local artists now through Thursday, January 4, 2018. Works will be displayed by these talented artists: Gloria Chadwick, Grace Schlesier, Fred Gregory, Val Carson, Ron Dotson, and Peggy Bradshaw Palm. 

The museum is at 131 Rea Avenue in Downtown El Cajon.  For more information, please call (619) 590-3431 or visit www.wieghorstmuseum.org. 

By Ken Stone, originally published in Times of San Diego, a San Diego Online News Association member

December 24, 2017 (San Diego) - Ashley Iverson slowly inhaled. Then she let out a long breath in front of 1,800 mourners with their hearts in their throats.

“Just breathe is what I told one of my best friends when she lost her soulmate at the age of 22,” Iverson said at Saturday’s private memorial service for her firefighter husband Cory at The Rock Church in Liberty Station.

By Miriam Raftery

December 23, 2017 (Alpine) – Bobbi Brink and her rescue team from Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine have spent much of December traveling to several southern states, rescuing five black bears and a white tiger cub. The white tiger cub will soon have a permanent new home at LTB in Alpine.