By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A home invasion turned deadly after two men armed with pistols broke into a home on Edding Drive in Lemon Grove shortly before 2 a.m. 

One of the intruders shot and injured Francisco Suarez, Jr., 22.  His father, Francisco Suarez, 44, fired back and killed one of the gunmen, who died at the scene.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – In today’s polarized Congress, it’s rare for anything to pass with unanimous support. But the Email Privacy Act, which would require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before searching or accessing Americans’ emails, has passed the House with no votes in opposition.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (La Mesa) — “Gardening with nature—birds and butterflies and bats and bees” will be the topic discussed by guest speaker Connie Beck at the La Mesa Beautiful Annual Meeting on February 19 at 4 p.m.  The event will be held in Nan Couts Cottage at 5045 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.  The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

February 7, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Granite Hills Eagles girls’ basketball team are 1-4 in conference play and 8-11 overall.  Luckily for them, the Steele Canyon Lady Cougars have not won a single game in conference play; they are 0-7 against Grossmont League teams and 9-12 on the season.  The two squads faced off tonight.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (East County) –  The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) has awarded a $10,000 grant to License to Freedom, an El Cajon-based nonprofit that assists Middle Eastern refugees and immigrants with cultural assimilation and health education.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2017 (Sacramento) -- California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) yesterday proposed that workers who have been locked out by their employer or who go on strike against their employer should be eligible to file for unemployment insurance benefits for the duration of their work stoppage.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (San Diego) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County will present its 51st annual Conrad’s Supper Club, formerly called the Children’s Ball, a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Omni San Diego Hotel, 675 “L” St., Downtown San Diego. Reception will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner beginning at 7 p.m. and live auction at 8:30 p.m.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Robin Rierdan with the Lakeside Rive Park Conservancy will lead a series of four beautiful hikes through Lakeside. The first is this Friday, February 10^th along the Flume Trail in El Monte Valley.  Space is limited and registration is required by Thursday. Register here.

By Miriam Raftery

February 6, 2017 (San Diego) – The 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals on Saturday refused to halt refugees and citizens from 7 Muslim nations from entering the U.S., CNN reports.  The action follows a decision Friday by federal judge James Robart in Washington State that blocked President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 6, 2017 (San Diego) - High school graduation is a rite of passage for many but sometimes circumstances prevent students from getting a diploma.

By Victor Contreros

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

February 6, 2017 (San Diego) -- Did you know there are over 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year resulting in 800,000 deaths and even more depilating injuries?

Valentine’s Day is coming up, so besides the chocolate and flowers, consider the best gift you can give someone this year is a commitment to a healthy heart! This is a great gift to give (and receive) to any loved ones in your life. I promise, they want YOU more than candy or flowers!

By Liz Alper

Photo via @Patriots on Twitter

February 5, 2017 (Houston) - An NFL MVP and a four-time Super Bowl champion looking for his fifth ring and the NFL’s top offense made up Super Bowl LI.  Guess which team the MVP and the top offense were on.  Hint:  it wasn’t the Patriots.

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Assistant City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry has accepted a position as Assistant City Manager for Dallas, Texas.  A Syrian immigrant who came to the U.S. as a child, Al-Ghafry previously worked in Texas and has over 28 years of experience in municipal government.

 “He’s been a real asset to this city,”  El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick told ECM, adding that Al-Ghafry speaks Arabic and has been helpful in translating and explaining city ordinances to immigrants from the Middle East. 

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

Residents asked to report all storm damage: County has not reached level yet to get help for individuals or businesses

By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

February 5, 2017 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency Friday, due to damage caused by the severe winter storms that hit the region late last month.