By Miriam Raftery

Photo: San Miguel Fire Department

Update  6 p.m. -- FAA records indicate the plane was registered to Brian T. Fink of Ramona. His Linked In site indicates he is an engineer with Qualcomm. Epoch Times reports the plane was heading from GIllespie Field to Warner Springs when an engine failed, according to FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer.

September 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – A pilot and his passenger escaped without serious injury after the Piper single-engine plane in which they were traveling crashed onto Second Street at El Rey in front of a church in El Cajon yesterday afternoon.

East County News Service

September 17, 2017 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to join La Mesa Conversations at their next mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27th at La Mesa Wine Works. The mixer topic will be an update to La Mesa's Climate Action Plan.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Christian Chapman finished with 187 yards passing in the Aztecs' upset victory over No. 19/19 Stanford.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

September 17, 2017 (San Diego) - Christian Chapman connected with David Wells on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds remaining to lift San Diego State to a thrilling 20-17 come-from-behind victory over No. 19/19 Stanford in front of 43,040 fans Saturday night at San Diego Stadium.

Source: Caltrans

September 16, 2017 (Ramona) - Caltrans Maintenance crews will close a two-block portion of Maine Street/State Route 67 (SR-67) from Wynola Street to Rotanzi Street in Ramona, Sunday from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for tree pruning and removing dead wood. Signs will be posted directing motorist around the closure.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) - ECM Friday Night Lights stuck around Spring Valley this week to see the Matadors of Mount Miguel square off against a school we don’t get to report on often:  the Wolf Pack of West Hills High.  The kids from Santee left their blue turf this week with a 2-1 record on the young season.  The Matadors are improving, but still in the loss column at 1-2.

Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher bill would protect a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions

East County News Service

September 15, 2017 (Sacramento) -- California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) won final Legislative approval of her bill protecting women from being fired for a pregnancy. The Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act would also prevent an employer for firing or disciplining a woman for making any other decision related to her reproductive health. The bill now heads to the Governor, who has until Oct. 15 to either sign or veto the proposal.

East County News Service

September 15, 2017 (La Mesa) – Miguel Angel Rojas, 54, owner of the La Torta restaurant in La Mesa, died on September 10^th.

“ A husband, father, brother and friend, Miguel, was beloved by many,” states  a GoFundMe page set up by Rojas’ stepdaughter to help his wife, Felicia, and daughters.  “Many people came to know Miguel through his food and friendship.  Unfortunately, Miguel was taken from the Rojas/Reed family very suddenly and without preparation. Any donations received will be used for funeral services, hospital bills and to support Miguel's wife and daughters. Prayers and condolences are appreciated.”

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Assume you were hacked and check your credit report.

September 14, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - The San Diego District Attorney’s Office warned consumers today to consider taking steps to protect their personal identifying information in the wake of a recent data breach at one of the large credit bureaus in the United States, Equifax.   Cybercriminals stole 143 million credit records in the recent hacking scandal at the big-three credit bureau.

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

Photo:  winemaker Micole Moore and co-owner Teri Kerns in the vineyard with ponies Thelma and Louise.

September 14, 2017 (Ramona) — Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery is the first in San Diego County to be designated Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE) as a result of meeting a comprehensive set of standards for “environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources and socially equitable business practices” set by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).

East County News Service

September 14, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine resident Carey Guthrie, a realtor and past president (2015) of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,500-member trade group for San Diego-area realtors, is again organizing PSAR’s sixth annual PSAR Un-Fashion and Variety Show.

By Drum Macomber

September 15, 2017 (El Cajon) -- At Wednesday night's El Cajon City Council meeting, The El Cajon Main Street Flag Program was honored for 15 years of  the flag program, which started on September 2, 2002 after 9-11.

Screenings find heart abnormalities in 1 of 300 teens tested

East County News Service

September 13, 2017 (Lakeside) – Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when a heart unexpectedly stops beating because of an undetected heart abnormality. To combat this syndrome, which is a leading cause of death in people under age 25 and the #1 killer of student athletes, the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation is hosting a free heart screening on Sunday, September 17th from 9 am. to 3 p.m. at El Capitan High School (10410 Ashwood St. Lakeside, CA 92040).

September 13, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Congress sends Trump bill denouncing Charlottesville violence, white Supremacy (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• With an eye on tax reform, President courts Democrats (Christian Science Monitor)
• Nearly 25 Percent of Homes Destroyed in Florida Keys After Hurricane Irma (NPR)
• Florida's Farmers Look at Irma's Damage: 'Probably the Worst We've Seen' (NPR)
• All five living former presidents launch joint Harvey relief effort (The Hill)
• Welcome to the new world of wildfires (Truthout)
• The 48 most revealing lines of Bannon’s 60 Minutes interview (CNN)
• Rand Paul Stages Senatorial Sit-In for Debate on Sunsetting Authorization for Endless War (Reason)
• Sanders will introduce universal healthcare bill, backed by 15 Democrats (Washington Post)
• Fire torches historic national park chalet in Montana (Washington Post)
• American households finally earn more than they did in 1999 (SD Union-Tribune)

WORLD

• Before and After: Satellite Images Show Irma's Caribbean Destruction (NPR)
• Russians flock to Trump properties to give birth to U.S. babies (Daily Beast)
• Israel hits Syrian site said to be linked to chemical weapons (Reuters)
• Death toll from southern Mexico's big earthquake rises to 96 (ABC)
• Apparent 'Ethnic Cleansing' Is Now Unfolding in Myanmar, U.N. Says (NPR)

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

September 13, 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

• County moves closer to investing in affordable housing with $25M fund (Times of San Diego)
• SANDAG Reform Bill Heads to Governor's Desk (KPBS)
• Manufacturing, expo fair coming to East County (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• More Turf Fields Across the District Are Being Replaced or Treated with Gallons of Glue (Voice of San Diego)
• El Cajon official who ran private chamber voted on issues affecting paying member (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Rep. Duncan Hunter’s chief of staff takes job at Pentagon (NBC 7)
• Court orders Darrell Issa to pay Doug Applegate, his campaign, $45,000 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• ‘Torture’: wife of Campo man injured in crash speaks out (10 News)
• Former San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to Run for County Board of Supervisors (KPBS)

STATE

• California’s poverty rate remains nation’s highest (Sacramento Bee)
• California may move up its primary, shaking up presidential race (KPCC)
• Sacramento report: Some bills live and some bills die (Voice of San Diego)
• Earthquake early warning in Mexico reminds CA what it still lacks (SF Chronicle)
• Major Unknowns Remain Just Ahead of Key Votes on Massive Water Project (Voice of San Diego)
• California board grants parole for Manson ex-follower Van Houten (Reuters)

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