Pumphrey (offensive), Kazee (defensive) and Penny (special teams) each named MW preseason players of the year

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo: Damontae Kazee via goaztecs.com

July 26, 2016 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State football team swept the preseason awards and captured all 29 first-place votes en route to being picked to win the West Division of the Mountain West in the 2016 preseason poll, the league announced Tuesday in Las Vegas. The Aztecs became just the second unanimous preseason pick in MW history (TCU in 2010).

East County News Service

July 26, 2016 (Lakeside) – A male pedestrian was struck by a box truck and killed on Interstate 8 west just east of Lake Jennings Park Road yesterday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

By Miriam Raftery

July 25, 2016 (El Cajon) — Citizens Oversight, a nonprofit government watchdog group, has sent a letter to the City of El Cajon objecting to future grants to the East County Transitional Living Center—and calling for the center to reimburse the city for grants that Citizens Oversight claims were “improperly applied to religious purposes.”  The group has asked that its letter and documents be distributed to Council members for the upcoming Council meeting Wednesday that includes community block grants.

By Miriam Raftery

July 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Miguel Fire Protection District board meets Wednesday, July 27^th at the district board room at 2850 Via Orange Way, Spring Valley.  The board will discuss possible action to reestablish discussions with Lakeside Fire District over a possible joint annexation of County Service Area (CSA) 115, a 441-acre parcel that includes the planned Pepper Drive fire station.  The board will also consider halting development of Station 19 at Pepper Drive pending results of discussions with Lakeside Fire District over annexation.

In addition, board members will discuss and may take action to approve recommendations from the Transitional Ad Hoc Committee regarding a contract for a Transitional Consultant and may approve appointment of a Transitional Consultant.  Purchase of a fire prevention vehicle will also be considered.

By Miriam Raftery

July 25, 2016 (Alpine) — Secret Hills Ranch in Alpine is hosting a barbecue, dance and silent auction on August 6^th to help fund medical bills for colon cancer survivor Vicki Halsey, a horse trainer and advocate for children. The deadline for pre-purchasing dinners is August 1.

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

July 25, 2016 (San Diego) — Conrad Prebys, a generous philanthropist who supported numerous San Diego nonprofit organizations, health and education centers, died Sunday, July 24^th of cancer at Scripps Mercy Hospital with his family at his side.

Aztecs to open campaign against UCLA

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo: goaztecs.com

July 25, 2016 (San Diego) - San Diego State women’s soccer head coach Mike Friesen revealed his team’s 2016 schedule on Friday. The Aztecs’ 18-game schedule features eight home games, including the season opener vs. UCLA, and does not include the return of the Mountain West Championship to SDSU Sports Deck in early November.

Regulators seek to prevent another disaster like Aliso Canyon gas leak

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

July 25, 2016 (Sacramento) -- Regulators with the California Air Resources Board (ARB) at a hearing on Thursday removed a major loophole from proposed new rules on oil and natural gas facilities, in an effort to prevent another disaster like the massive gas leak at Aliso Canyon last fall. The proposed rules require more inspections of all surface facilities, existing and new, including those offshore.

28 percent increase from 2015    

Source:  FBI press release

July 24, 2016 (San Diego) - Eric S. Birnbaum, Special Agent In Charge, San Diego FBI Field Office, is releasing bank robbery statistics for the first six months of 2016.  The San Diego FBI Field Office investigates bank robberies occurring in San Diego and Imperial County.  

For the first six months of 2016 (January 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016), there were a total of 25 bank robberies, compared to 18 for this same time period in 2015 (28% increase).  There was a total of 48 bank robberies for calendar year 2015.  Calendar year 2014 totaled 101 bank robberies with 49 occurring in the first six months (January 1, 2014 – June 30, 2014). 

The following is a breakdown of bank robberies by location for January 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016.  

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Toyota and Honda of El Cajon and Wells Fargo Dealer Services presented a $22,700 donation to the YMCA of San Diego County. The donation was made in appreciation of Toyota and Honda of El Cajon’s ongoing community support efforts. The funds will help the YMCA of San Diego’s mission of strengthening its community through offering programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

By Tom H. Hastings

July 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- So, let’s channel the cranky ghost of George Wallace as he justified his 1968 run for the presidency when he noted, “There's not a dime's worth of difference between the Democrat and Republican parties.” What do we know about that in our day, in this election season?

At the presidential level, we might conclude that:

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12.   Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- Law schools that are not accredited by the American Bar Association would be required to post more information about tuition costs, class sizes, number of faculty, bar passage rate and employment outcomes for their students under a bill by Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) and approved this week today by the governor.

Source: Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

Photo by Leon Thompson

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) – From classic cruises to an El Cajon Walks! Meet-up group, museum exhibits, musicals and more, there’s a lot happening this month and next in El Cajon. Plus, nominations are being sought for the Women in Leadership and Veteran of the Year awards.

No filing fees, ballot statement costs  $315 to $360 in smaller trustee districts

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) – For the first time, the Grossmont Union High School District will hold elections in November for individual trustee districts.   There are no filing fees, though modest fees are charged for candidates to publish ballot statements. With smaller districts, the cost for ballot statements is far less than in the past --just $315 in Trustee Area 1 (Lemon Grove/Spring Valley/La Prensa),which is an open seat, and $360 in Trustee Area 2 (La Mesa/Casa de Oro/Mt. Helix and part of Rancho San Diego) currently represented by Jim Stieringer.

The candidate filing period opened July 18 and closes August 12^th.  August 12 is also the deadline for candidates to submit ballot statements, which for the first time will be accepted electronically.