East County News Service

October 21, 2015 (San Diego) - A stretch of Interstate 15 through Poway has been renamed in honor of Tony Gwynn, the former San Diego Padres Hall of Famer who died of cancer in 2007.

By Ed Barrena

April 11, 2015 (San Diego)--On April 5^th the San Diego Padres traded Outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin away to the Atlanta Braves along with another outfielder and pitcher, in exchange for The National Leagues leading closer Craig Kimbrel, and Outfielder, Melvin Upton Jr, who is also the brother of another offseason trade from Atlanta, Justin Upton.

Aztecs Coach succumbs to cancer

Public memorial set for June 26

By Trevor Hill and Stevon Marshall

June 17, 2014 (San Diego)--Baseball legend Tony Gwynn passed away on Monday, June 16th at the age of 54. The former San Diego Padre and Aztecs baseball coach lost his long battle with cancer after years of fighting.

Gwynn was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in February of 2007 after being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

In 2001, Gwynn, properly nicknamed “Mr. Padre,” retired from the major leagues having been awarded eight National League batting titles and five Gold Glove awards, as well as having a statue of his likeness erected at Petco Park. In addition, according to the Union Tribune, Gwynn, a 15-time All-Star, “holds the Padre career record in virtually every non-slugging category, including 2,000 more hits in a San Diego uniform than anybody else and 19 straight seasons with an average of .300.” He also took the Padres to their only two World Series appearances in the history of the team.

Update March 30, 2014:  All four of these individuals made Saturday's cut and are now in the top 30 finalists. 

By David Dickens

 March 29, 2014 (San Diego)--The San Diego Padres have been holding announcer try-outs for the last several weeks. Almost 800 candidates were given a shot.  It looked as if American Idol was in town. All contestants received a script as judges listened in an undisclosed location in Petco Park. Deamers, professional broadcasters, and writers were in the mix to try and become the new voice of the San Diego Padres.

The top 50 contestants have been notified and this will be cut down to 30 later today. The final announcement of the winner and new voice of the San Diego Padres will be announced on April 18, 2014 when the Friars take on the San Francisco Giants.

Many  success stories have come through  East County, including professional ball players, actors-- and now four lucky contestants who made the top 50 from our own East County: Allen Wilde, Doug Herman, and Patrick Connor. of El Cajon and Randy Mann of La Mesa.

April 23, 2013 (Poway) -- Members of the business community are invited to attend the Poway Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Mixer at Business Copier Solutions at 13750 Danielson Street, Poway, CA 92064 on Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 5:30 -7:30pm. 

Free refreshments and entertainment will be provided and a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held during the Mixer.  Business Copier Solutions will also host an Open House from 1:00 to 7:30pm. During the open house, a surprise Padres Player will be on-hand for pictures and autographs. Attendees will also have the chance to enter opportunity drawings.

By Miriam Raftery

September 27, 2012 (El Cajon ) – It was the hottest party in town last night at the El Cajon Brewing Company, where a “Beer Bash Benefit” was held to raise funds for East County Magazine’s wildfire reporting and to encourage the public to sign up for ECM's free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.

The event raised nearly $3,500, including a generous $2,500 donation from the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians.  Charlie Brown, director of Community Relations for Viejas, and Chief Don Butz of Viejas Fire were on hand to make the presentation.