East County News Service

May 10, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - Pacifiers made by Munchkin Inc., a California based company, have been recalled because clips can detach, posting choking hazards to babies.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy Johnmaxmena2 on Wikipedia, Creative Commons attribution

May 9, 2016 (Washington, D.C.) - On Monday, San Diego State graduate and starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg signed a seven year, $175 million extension with the Washington Nationals, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.  The deal includes an opt-out option after the third or fourth year, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.  Bonuses are also included for hitting 180 innings pitched each season.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a madrigal concert, a butterfly festival, a blues fest, Wild in the Country, a Laurel and Hardy Wacky West film night and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Ramona Rodeo, Santee Street Fair, theater performances, a Flag Day Parade and American on Main Street.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

May 9, 2016 (Allied Gardens) – Marie Ostwald, 91, issued a Mother’s Day plea on Facebook asking San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer to stop city workers from cutting down a tree that her husband planted back in 1957.  She included a photo of herself beneath the tree’s expansive shade and invited other mothers to come sit with her today, Monday, to help save her beloved tree.

By Greg Dunne 

May 9, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Birdbrain? No, I’m not talking about my life-long friend Bud Morris and definitely not the Western Scrub Jay.  Make a mistake or do something considered stupid and you might be call a birdbrain by fellow humans. This phase could not be further from the truth. We have really missed the mark on judging and understanding the cognition of the bird kingdom. Memory, tool using, ability to learn, and communication are all skills used by most birds and are far above the rest of the animal kingdom with the exception of dolphins, whales, elephants and great apes.

East County News Service

May 8, 2016 (Julian) -- The California Old Time Fiddlers Association invites you to the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest on Saturday and Sunday, June 4^th and 5^th plus a Saturday night performance by two two-time National Fiddle champions. There’s also a warmup workshop on Friday June 3^rd led by a national Grand Fiddle champions.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 8, 2016 (San Diego) - Today went pretty much the same way as last night went for the Padres, only more painful. On Mother’s Day, of all days.  Andrew Cashner squared off against Matt Harvey for the Mets.

From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

Photo: Tesla's sporty new all-electric Model 3 can go 215 miles per charge and will cost consumers less than $30k after federal tax rebates when it rolls off California production lines in 2017.

May 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Dear EarthTalk: I’m finally ready to make the switch from my old gas guzzler to an electric or plug-in hybrid car. What are the best bang-for-my-buck deals on these newfangled vehicles?

-- Mickey LaMonte, Boston, MA

Butterfly Pavilion Will Be Open through July 31

East County News Service

May 7, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its third-annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, May 14 for an exciting day of activities that will engage all ages with butterflies. The event highlights the important role these insects play in the ecosystem as well as how visitors can attract and support butterflies in their home gardens using drought-tolerant plants. A large selection of native milkweed plants will be on sale.

By Ryan Roper, San Diego

May 7, 2016 (San Diego) -- The triage, treatment and transport emergency medical service practitioners provide can often be the difference between life and death for patients with a medical emergency. The unique nature of emergency medical services is unlike other health care services governed by the Controlled Substances Act.

Update: The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old James Will, a Mountain Empire football star, East County Sports reports.

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2016 (La Posta) — A Campo man driving a 2004 Acura TSX was reported missing yesterday at 12:30 p.m. to the California Highway Patrol and Sheriff  after failing to reach his destination in Pine Valley, where he planned to pick up his great-grandmother at 6 a.m. yesterday morning. 

Agency will send senior official to SONGS meeting on June 22

East County News Service

May 7, 2016 (Washington D.C) -- Congressman Darrell lssa says he is pleased with the Department of Energy's response to a letter he sent earlier this month asking the Department of Energy to hold an additional meeting in Southern California to discuss options for the nation's plan to handle the long-term storage of nuclear waste.

Acknowledging Congressman Issa’s request, the Department of Energy has agreed to send the Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, John F. Kotek, to attend the next SONGS Community Engagement Panel meeting on June 22, where he will be seeking opinions and input from residents, elected officials and community leaders on this important issue. The Congressman encourages members of the public to attend.

East County News Service

May 6, 2016 (Lake Murray) -- It's a lovely time of year to visit Lake Murray, with flowers blooming everywhere. Our editor Miriam Raftery got this shot of boaters whiling away an idyllic springtime afternoon on calm,blue waters.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Left and right: bull atop El Capitan High School and former Pinnacle Peak restaurant

May 6, 2016 (Lakeside) – A popular icon in downtown Lakeside—the bull statue atop the former Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse on Maine Avenue—vanished recently, leaving locals to ponder, where’s the beef?

Fortunately the missing steer statue was found this morning not far away, standing on the roof of El Capitan High School—and that’s no bull.

No one has come forward to fess up to steering the statue to the high school, though a senior prank is rumored.

Honorees, including Lemon Grove resident Alex Eugenio, will be feted for overcoming life-altering injuries

East County News Service

Photo: Alex Eugenio, Lemon Grove resident

May 6, 2016 (San Diego) -- Sharp Rehabilitation and the Sharp HealthCare Foundation’s 2016 “Victories of Spirit” event celebrates the power of rehabilitation and the strength of the human spirit. The 26th annual celebration will begin at 6 p.m., Friday, May 13, at the San Diego Bayfront Hilton. The event, which is sponsored by United Healthcare, will honor the power of rehabilitation and pay tribute to extraordinary individuals and community organizations for their inspirational achievements and contributions to others, including Lemon Grove resident Alex Eugenio form East County.