August 13, 2015 (San Diego's East County) – The Pala Band of Mission Indians announced today that it has donated $10,000 to the San Diego Reach Out and Read program. The funds will be used to support Reach Out and Read’s education and literacy efforts throughout the region including at the four Native American clinics that the program operates.

August 14, 2015 (Santee) - Smokey and the Bandit will be the featured outdoor film on Friday, August 21^st at Santee Lakes.  Showtime starts at 8 p.m.  The film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason is rated PG-13 and this special showing will also include a beer garden.

By Jaime Mirman

August 13, 2015 (Rancho San Diego)--The San Diego Concert Band and The Water Conservation Garden presented An Evening of Music in the Garden last July 26th. Coincidentally, the Band is celebrating its 26th season this year, and their program immersed the listeners into an exciting display of treasured songs, rousing marches and gripping contemporary pieces.

The annual event took place for the third year at the amphitheater in the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, which proved to be a visually and acoustically effective environment for the performance. As expected, San Diego Concert Band delivered its interpretations with gusto, thunder and finesse. Their care and dedication succeed as a most welcome musical contribution to our community.

East County News Service

August 14, 2015 (San Diego)—Fruits, nuts, and other crops including some sold as organic have been grown using irrigation from oil fracking wastewater laced with toxins in drought-stricken California.

Now some consumer advocacy groups including Food & Water Watch are calling for a halt to the practice.  Courage Campaign has launched a petition for consumers to pledge that they won’t buy food products grown with oil wastewater, or what Courage Campaign calls “toxic sludge.”

 A shocking investigation by Mother Jones magazine reveals that oil wastewater has reportedly been sold to 90 landowners in Southern California, including Bee Sweet Citrus and  Halos, a citrus company which has the slogan “pure goodness” and Sunview, which sells grapes and raisins including some certified as organic.  Another company reportedly irrigating with oil wastewater is Trinchero Family Estates, which supplies grapes for winemakers including Sutter Home.

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for San Diego County deserts and a heat advisory for mountain and valley areas. 

The warning and advisory are in effect from Friday at 1 p.m. to Monday at 9 p.m. Temperatures are forecast to reach 116 in Borrego Springs, 105 in Campo, 104 in Ramona, 102 in Alpine and 100 in El Cajon, shattering prior records.

August 12, 2015 (Santee)--The twang of banjos and fiddles will again fill the air, while delicious food and beverages fill appetites, at the 6th Annual Santee Bluegrass Festival on Sept. 12.

East County News Service

August 12, 2015 (Otay)—The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that an immigration judge has ordered that 12 of the 27 Iraqi detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention facility be deported.

East County News Service

August 11, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to support state and federal bills creating penalties for flying hobby drones where they could interfere with aerial firefighting operations.

Listen to the podcast of Destination East County, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

August 12, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features dancing under the stars, a star party at a Julian winery and a rocking outdoor concert. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Native American pow-wow, Julian’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival, the Nudestock music festival, and Descanso’s Deep Pit BBQ. So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

August 8, 2015 (San Diego)--Thinking about getting a pet? Mark Saturday, Aug. 15 on your calendar. County Animal Services is among more than a dozen local organizations taking part in “Clear the Shelters,” a one-day, all-out push in cities around the country aimed at getting every shelter animal into homes. For that day only, County Animal Services is waiving all adoption fees on its pets for qualified applicants, and that includes a spay or neuter, vaccinations, a microchip and a free veterinary exam.

August 12, 2015 (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

• Animal rescue struggles after major benefactor dies (Ramona Sentinel)
• Iraqi refugees to be deported, ICE says (U-T)
• State Agency Asks To Overturn San Onofre Settlement (KPBS)
• http://www.10news.com/news/skimming-devices-found-in-local-gas-pumps (10 News)
• Lilac Hills hearing draws big crowd (San Diego Union-Tribune)
•  Cell tower law prompts outcry (San Diego Union-Tribune)
•  Airport Must Encourage People Not to Use New Parking Garage (Voice of San Diego)
• Environmentalist Wants to Save an East County River Basin – by Mining it (Voice of SD)
• How Your Water Bill Helps Subsidize Golf Courses (Voice of SD)

STATE

• Pilots’ families say Cal-Fire owes them death benefits (Sacramento Bee)
• Toxic algae blooms along west coast likely largest on record (Al Jazeera)
• State stonewalls on English learners’ progress (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• LA Rolls Out Water-Saving 'Shade Balls' (NPR)
• California motor vehicle employees took bribes to grant licenses: FBI (Reuters

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

East County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hosts First Fundraising Event

August 11, 2015 (Rancho San Diego)--The East County Chamber of Commerce Foundation is hosting a first annual Wine & Beer Garden Fundraiser on Thursday, August 20 at The Water Conservation Garden from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

his premiere social event will help raise funds for some of the Foundation’s flagship business development and education programs, including the Ethics in Business Program, the East County Business Incubator Program, East County Business Resource Center, Business College Student Scholarships, and much more.   The event will feature several local restaurants, breweries and wineries, as well as Garden tours and a silent auction.

August 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - The 8^th annual HeART of Mt. Helix will be held on August 15^th from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the amphitheatre atop Mt. Helix. This festive event includes live music on two stages, dancing under the stars, and food samples from local restaurants, and artists creating works live.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated August 11, 2015 with a statement from the Metropolitan Water Authority.

August 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – More than 3 million gallons of toxic waters contaminated with heavy metals from the King Gold Mine in Colorado were accidentally released by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency employees working at the site.   The spill has turned clean waterways in three slates a sickly mustard color from a flow moving at four to five miles per hour.

The toxic plume has flowed into major rivers in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico and is expected to soon reach Arizona, where it could potentially taint Lake Powell, the second largest reservoir in the United States and a major source of drinking water for San Diego, California as well as Las Vegas, Nevada. However the Metropolitan Water District has issued a statement indicating it does not anticipate an impact on local districts' water supplies in our region.