East County News Service

March 14, 2015 (San Diego) – East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery is among the nominees for the  Women of Influence Awards set to honor women business leaders as well as organizations and individuals championing women in leadership. 

More than 250 nominations were submitted and 137 final nominees will be honored by ConnectedWomenofInfluence.com at the event on March 25th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Valley Hilton.  For tickets and details, visit www.womenofinfluenceawards.com.

March 9,2015 (San Diego’s East County)--On Friday, March 6, 2015 the city of La Mesa and the city of Santee crowned winners in the Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants.  The programs have been traditions in the cities since the late 1960’s and provide mentoring for young women.  Santee Mayor Randy Voepel and La Mesa Vice Mayor Ruth Sterling were in attendance to formally present Miss La Mesa 2015 Tiffany Hoffman, Miss Teen La Mesa 2015 Kaitilyn Mayhue, Miss Santee 2015 Rebecca Hudson and Miss Teen Santee 2015 Heather Cantin.

March 2, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County invites you to the 49^th Annual Children's Ball, Saturday, March 21 at 6:00pm at the Omni San Diego Hotel.  Guests will enjoy the ambiance of our cocktail lounge complete with a combo, designer drinks, silent auction, grand drawing prizes and the ever famous seafood buffet.  In addition admission includes; dinner, a live auction, dancing and an opportunity to meet some very special Club Members.  This year, guests are invited to have a ball for the kids…with a fun and lively spring sports theme.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right: Adam Beardsley and his wife, Megan

Update February 19, 2015 -- Adam Beardsley received a new heart two days ago and is doing very well, a Heartland Fire official announced at last night's La Mesa Chamber of Commerce Salute to Heroes event.

Update February 15, 2015--Rust Accounting has sent us a final tally for the event, which raised over $18,000 from an estimated 1,000 guests who attended.

February 11, 2015 (La Mesa) –Hundreds of community members turned out Sunday at the Bolt Brewery in La Mesa at a fundraiser to help cover expenses for Adam Beardsley, a 33-year-old Heartland Deputy Fire Marshal in need of a heart transplant. 

“He has such as big heart,” Monica Zech, public information officer for the City of El Cajon, said of Beardsley. She added that he remains in good spirits at UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital, where he has been a patient since January 6^th, awaiting a heart donor.  “But he didn’t want this to be just about him,” she said, adding that Beardsley hopes publicity on the shortage of organ donors will ultimately help others, too.

A single organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people. Currently over 110,000 people in the U.S. are on the waiting list for an organ transplant. Nearly 1,600 people are on the waiting list for a organ transplant in San Diego and Imperial Counties. For information about organ donation, click here.

February 9, 2015 (San Diego’s Esat County)--On Friday, March 6, 2015 the cities of La Mesa and Santee will hold one of their most grand traditions, the Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants.  Pageant organizers are currently seeking outgoing residents ages 13-26 to participate in a program that has been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and is an outstanding mentoring program for young women.  The pageants are sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and focus on community service, networking, public speaking and interview skills.  There is no swimsuit competition!

February 1, 2015 (San Diego)--San Diego County’s older adults have new opportunities to stretch, lift weights and help maintain an active lifestyle as the County’s popular Feeling Fit Club expands with three new locations—including two in East County.

Source: County of San Diego

Photo, left: Chance reunited with Lila Tatar

Photo, right: Chance with Lila and Zack Tater before he went missing

January 10, 2015 (El Cajon)--When the Tatar family came home in 2006 to find their dog had been apparently stolen from his outdoor kennel, they posted fliers around their El Cajon neighborhood and checked the local shelters. But there was no trace of their then 4-year-old boxer, Chance.

Hear our interview with El Cajon Police Officers Association representatives Travis Howard and Samson Pak: http://kiwi6.com/file/rr5i0levth

January 1, 2015 (El Cajon)—On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, El Cajon Police officers stopped 10 people—but instead of giving them tickets, they handed them  cash—thanks to two anonymous donors who gave the police money to help people in the community—and improve the way the community views law enforcement.

Source: County News Service

December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency has teamed up with the San Diego Chargers for their annual “Join the Team” Chargers calendar to raise awareness for children waiting to be adopted.  The collaboration has proven to be a winning team, year after year.

Viejas Tribal government staff, Casino & Resort team members and guests helped reach toy drive goal

Link to video from Toy Drive “Big Reveal”:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3c8rQTaZqUCY0J5b0JFT193c0U/view?usp=sharing

December 16, 2014 (Alpine)--One of the biggest annual holiday toys drives in San Diego County just set a new record. The 2014 Viejas Toy Drive to support the local Salvation Army exceeded its goal …raising a total of 14,702 toys.

December 10, 2014 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club will deliver 100 Christmas food baskets on December 20^th starting at 7 a.m.

December 2, 2014 (Chula Vista)--Detectives from the Chula Vista Police Department Crimes of Violence unit are raising donations from fellow officers and Department employees to provide the children of a murder victim some holiday gifts. Leonor Castillo was murdered by her ex-husband (the children's father) when he ran her over in a jealous rage on Friday November 28th on Elm Ave in Chula Vista. The suspect turned himself in at the Mexico border last night and was booked into County Jail on charges of Homicide.

East County News Service

November 28, 2014 (San Diego’s East Coujnty)--Many are wondering how to best respond to the cries for justice coming from communities across the country in the wake of the situation in Ferguson. 

The San Diego Partnership of Churches is asking people in San Diego County to “prayerfully consider making this Black Friday a day of prayer and of participation in the nationwide boycott encouraging  shoppers to not to spend one dime on Black Friday,” says Mary Domb Mikkelson with United Church of Christ in La Mesa. “This is a form of nonviolent protest in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.”

Organizers plan a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 29 at 5:00 p.m. at Mission Hills United Church of Christ, 4070 Jackdaw Street, San Diego, CA 92108, (http://www.missionhillsucc.org/).

East County News Service

November 25, 2014 (San Diego) - On Monday, City Councilmember Marti Emerald and Rabbi Laurie Coskey cooked and delivered a Thanksgiving meal to fast-food worker Nicolas Cervantes and his family.

Story and photos by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

November 17, 2014 (Santee)--The Santee Kiwanis hosted a "Road Side Pride" event in conjunction with the West Hills High School Key Club.  The high school kids were out at 9:00 a.m. on Woodside Avenue on the Santee/Lakeside borderline cleaning up trash on Saturday, November 15th.