By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2017 (San Diego) – By a unanimous vote, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) board of directors voted Friday to authorize an independent investigation into why SANDAG provided inaccurate revenue projections in the ballot description of Measure A, the regional transportation initiative rejected by voters.                                                                                 

By Mike Allen

Photo, left:  shot of early stage treatment of reclaimed water at PD water recycling plant just north of Santee Lakes.

February 27, 2017 (Santee) -- While the recent rainy weather has improved what was a critical drought situation for much of California, officials at the Padre Dam Municipal Water District continue work on a regional water reclamation program to convert sewage discharge into drinkable water.

East County News Service

February 26, 2017 (Borrego Springs) — The 28^th annual Circle of Art Show and Art Sale celebrating art in the desert will take place Saturday March 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. .and Sunday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christmas Circle in the heart of Borrego Springs.

By Sam Warren © 2017

February 26, 2017 (San Diego) – From author appearances to tips for writers and a writing competition, Sam Warren’s calendar has plenty of events in San Diego and East County for both readers and writers.

Source: San Diego Professional Editors Network

February 26, 2017 (San Diego) — On Thursday, March 16, 2017, three seasoned technical editors and writers—Sara Feldman, Mark Fogg, and Elizabeth Gray—will participate in a panel discussion at the next program meeting of the San Diego Professional Editors Network (SD/PEN). The panel, “Technically Speaking: The Nuts and Bolts on Technical Editing and Writing,” will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the San Diego County Health Services Complex.

East County News Service

SDSU rallies three times from deficits for the win

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo Sydnee Cable had a walk-off sac fly to give San Diego State a come-from-behind 5-4 win over Stanford.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

February 25, 2017 (Cathedral City, Calif.) - The San Diego State softball team rallied three times from one-run deficits to down Stanford, 5-4, Saturday night at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.   

San Diego Republican Darrell Issa calls for independent investigation into Trump-Russia ties

By Miriam Raftery

February 25, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – In a statement reminiscent of   Richard Nixon at the height of the Watergate scandal,  President Donald Trump slammed media reporting on his administration’s ties to Russia adding that media outlets “shouldn’t be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody’s name.”   Yet calls for an independent investigation into Trump’s Russian ties are now coming from some prominent Republicans, including San Diego Congressman Darrell Issa.

East County News Service

February 25, 2017 (Ramona) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) will hold a town hall meeting on March 11, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Ramona Main Stage (626 Main St., Ramona),  NBC 7 reports, citing a Hunter staffer as their source.

The move comes after several hundred protesters gathered  on all four corners outside Hunter’s El Cajon office and on an overpass above State Route 67 to protest his inaccessibility to constituents.

Aztecs down Oklahoma State 17-5 in six innings before falling to No. 1/1 Florida State 6-4

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo:  Jenavee Peres hit for the cycle with a school-record five runs and six RBIs in SDSU's 17-5 win over Oklahoma State.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

February 25, 2017 (Cathedral City, Calif.) - The San Diego State softball team opened up its play in the prestigious Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with a split against a pair of 2016 NCAA tournament teams Friday night in Cathedral City, Calif. The Aztecs (5-5) first run-ruled Oklahoma State 17-5 in six innings before falling to No. 1/1 Florida State 6-4 in the nightcap.

East County News Service

New facility, built in partnership with AES Energy Storage, will enhance regional energy reliability while maximizing renewable energy use,

February 24, 2017 (San Diego) -- Today, SDG&E is showcasing the world’s largest lithium-ion battery energy storage facility in partnership with AES Energy Storage, which will enhance regional energy reliability while maximizing renewable energy use. The 30 megawatt (MW) energy storage facility is capable of storing up to 120 megawatt hours of energy, the energy equivalent of serving 20,000 customers for four hours.

Source: California Highway Patrol

February 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — A tow truck driver assisting a disabled vehicle on the right-hand shoulder of State Route 52 eastbound was hit by a Ford Explorer yesterday at 5:08 p.m.  and died at the scene.

By Miriam Raftery

February 24, 2017 (El Cajon) – An NBC y TV reporter’s car was towed from the parking lot outside Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office yesterday while filming a protest rally on sidewalks nearby that drew several hundred people, NBC 7 news director Greg Dawson told East County Magazine.

Story and photos by Paul Kruze

February 23, 2017 (El Cajon) --Some 300 demonstrators staged a boisterous rally late Thursday afternoon near the El Cajon district office of 50th District U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) on Magnolia and Bradley Avenue. Hunter’s office issued a release earlier stating that his staff would no longer meet with constituents from the group, then shut down the office today in response to the protest rally.

The protestors held up placards representing a mixed array of concerns over his stances on key issues, drawing attention during rush hour traffic, including demonstrators on an overpass visible to motorists on State Route 67.  Their concerns include repeal of the Affordable Care Act, President Trump’s immigration policies, defunding Planned Parenthood, Trump’s election, and an ongoing investigation of Hunter’s alleged improper use of campaign funds.

East County News Service

February 23, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – After Voice of San Diego revealed that SANDAG misled voters on projected revenues for the Measure A transportation initiative (see stories here and here),  seven SANDAG members said they were not informed of the botched forecast and have signed a letter calling for an investigation, VOSD reported.