October 26, 2024 (Jamul) -- Mary Cheeks, President and General Manager of Jamul Casino, has received the Excellence in Advocacy Award at the 2024 Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 19. The NAACP San Diego Branch honored Cheeks along with other notable community members for their ongoing engagement with their communities and continued efforts to create a space that offers equality for all.
October 28, 2024 (El Cajon) -- As a 20-year veteran of Grossmont Union High School district (West Hills and Monte Vista High School), I want to strongly urge East County voters to elect Jay Steiger and Chris Fite to the school board.
“Trip to Spain” concert on Nov. 17 will feature music with a Spanish flair
Source: Poway Symphony Orchestra
October 26, 2024 (Poway) – The Poway Symphony Orchestra will open its 21st concert season
with “A Trip to Spain with The Romeros,” presenting a program of lively Spanish-inspired music
and featuring the world-renowned Romeros guitar quartet. The concert will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at the Poway Center for Performing Arts.
October 26, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
October 25, 2024 (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 round-up stories include:
SpaceX pulled off the boldest test flight yet of its enormous Starship rocket on Sunday, catching the returning booster back at the launch pad with mechanical arms.
For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.
East County Magazine invites you to our Roaring '20s Jazz Age Party!
Sunday, November 17 6 p.m.
at Wine Works(8167 Center St., La Mesa, CA 91941)
Benefits East County Media, 501c3 nonprofit supporting East County Magazine local news reporting and our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
Celebrate the era of Great Gatsby, flappers, gangsters, silent film stars, ragtime. speakeasies and the Jazz Age
Savor an elegant dinner and delicious desserts from Cupid’s Catering including charcuterie/appetizers(meats, fruits, cheeses), tri-tip, herbed chicken, portabello mushrooms (on request), ambrosia, salad, cheesecake, lemon marscapone cake
Award-winning wines and sparkling wines available from San Pasqual Winery, the winemakers who led La Mesa to roll back its Prohibition-era ban on alcohol production
Live jazz by the Joseph Luna duo (piano, sax, and vocal)
Silent auction and raffle with amazing prizes
Hear about local history during Prohibition from La Mesa Historical Society
Dress in your best ‘20s attire or cocktail wear and party the night away
Cost: $50
Prepayment is REQUIRED for this special event. To reserve space:
Recalled products distributed at Albertsons, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s and Star Market, Tom Thumb, and Vons stores
East County News Service
October 23, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces a recall by Albertson’s supermarkets of a dozen ReadyMeals and store-made deli item. These foods contain a chicken ingredient by Fresh Creative Foods that was recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogens.
October 22, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- A juvenile has been arrested on suspicion of threatening another student and bringing a replica firearm (BB gun) to an East County magnet school yesterday.
By Seraphina Eberhardt, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
October 22. 2024 (San Diego) -- Alcohol consumption is embedded in our social fabric, often marking celebrations, casual gatherings and daily routines. While moderate drinking is generally accepted, alcohol misuse brings significant social costs that affect our communities at large. Understanding and addressing these impacts helps build a healthier and safer society.
October 22, 2024 (Ramona) — A Ramona man, 36, died at the scene of a collision on State Route 78 near the Old Julian highway on October 18 shortly before 5 p.m.
The victim was riding a 2020 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound when he crossed over the double yellow lines and crashed into a Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by a Ramona woman, 52, according to Officer Jasmine Lopez with the California Highway Patrol.
October 21, 2024 (Santee) - County officials all stepped aside for Howard the dog to take the first dig at the groundbreaking for the new 23,000-square-foot County animal shelter. When completed in early 2026, it will provide a new standard of care in animal housing for long-term animals as they patiently wait for a new home.
The new shelter in Santee will serve animals and residents in the South and Southeast County with an on-site small animal hospital. It will also serve as a fire evacuation site with animal intake and care during local disasters and will be energy efficient.
October 21, 2024 (El Cajon) - The superheroes gathered at The Magnolia in El Cajon for the 2nd annual Haunted Circus. The event was organized by Twisted Orbit Circus Entertainment and included appearances by Captain America, Ghost Rider, Poison Ivy, Wonder Woman, and the duo Harley Quinn and the Joker.
Slashing federal disaster relief, privatizing public education, politicizing federal agencies, gutting intelligence bureaus, stripping away rights of protected groups, and ending climate change actions are among the proposals detailed in Project 2025
By Miriam Raftery
October 7, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Project 2025 is an 887-page blueprint for a second Trump administration, according to its authors. Trump has alternately praised it, claimed never to have read it, and said he disagrees with parts of it; he has denied knowing its authors, even though those authors include 140 top officials and advisors from Trump’s first presidential term, some of whom wrote entire chapters.
ECM has reviewed the entire document and provides this analysis of its most controversial provisions, in summary and detail. Some page citations are provided; citations are available on request for every fact cited.
Project 2025’s stated mission is to restore family as centerpiece of American life, “dismantle the administrative state” (p 3), defend our nation’s sovereignty and borders against global threats, and secure ”God given individual rights to live freely.” But if fully implemented, it would dismantle many branches of our federal government, politicize every federal agency, threaten our democracy and take away many rights and protections for women, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and our environment.
SUMMARY
Some of its most polarizing proposals include:
Shutting down and privatizing agencies: It aims to close down entirely agencies ranging from the Department of Education (p. 285) to the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service (p 664) which could charge for weather reports and warnings, also privatizing FEMA (p. 135), the Federal Emergency Management Agency that provides aid to victims of wildfires, floods and other disasters, privatizing Small Business Administration disaster loans, and privatizing National Flood Insurance.The Transportation and Security Administration, or TSA which was set up to protect us from terrorists after 911 including airport screenings, would be privatized as well.
October 20, 2024 (San Diego) -- Victor Crosthwaite Contreras is the founder of Early California Speaks, an organization that provides historical recreations for schools and other locations. East County Magazine recently interviewed him for our radio show on KNSJ, where he spoke about the multicultural programs offered. He also provided a dramatic reading bringing to life a soldier from the first Spanish expedition here.
Early California began in 2019, “direct of my ancestry and working with Old Town San Diego State Park,” Contreras says. He became involved in Old Town through his mother for the 200th anniversary of San Diego, where descendants of those early residents were asked to provide documents and stories and artifacts of early California.
“I’m a retired teacher, so schools are close to my heart, and of course California history is close to my heart because of my ancestry,” he says. Also an accomplished actor, Contreras was the head of the theater department at the school of performing arts in Chula Vista, as well as Cal State San Marcos.
October 22, 2024 (San Diego) - National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday, and the County is encouraging community members to collect their unused and expired medications and take them to a drop off location around the County.
October 25, 2024 (Lemon Grove) - Progress, cooperation, competence, and compassion. In Mayor Racquel Vasquez, those qualities have served Lemon Grove for decades. Through some tough times, and meaningful achievements, she has worked to bring people together and improve the way of life in our special community.
October 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- People experiencing homelessness and living in the Sweetwater Riverbed area have new hope for permanent housing. A state grant for $5.1 million and the collaborative work between the County, the City of Chula Vista, National City and California Department of Transportation has led to greater homeless outreach, increasing numbers of people transitioning into housing and regular clean-up opportunities.
October 17, 2024 (Ramona) -- A Ramona woman is behind bars on numerous weapons charges, says Sergeant Kristy Trampus with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
October 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- All four candidates running for Lemon Grove City Council participated in East County Magazine’s candidate forum on Oct.10, which was moderated by editor Miriam Raftery.
The candidates are Councilman George Gastil, a history professor, Seth Smith, Chair of the Lemon Grove Planning Commission, architectural designer and project manager, high school coach Steve Faiai, and Jessyka Heredia, a small business owner, community volunteer, and reporter who previously covered Lemon Grove issues for our news site.
Candidates fielded questions on issues including infrastructure, housing, homeless, the business community, and increasing access to public meetings through livestreaming and videotaping. See highlights of their responses belone, or click here for video of the complete forum.Listen to audio here, as aired on our radio show on KNSJ, edited slightly for length.
October 17, 2024 (El Cajon) — In the seam of Benedict Ave’s 800 block at around 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 5, a chilly Saturday night two weekends ago, El Cajon police officers responded to a 911 call reporting the stabbing of a 71-year-old man, Steven Barron, who suffered a wound to his torso. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
October 16, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – The Living Room Coffeehouse has opened its third San Diego location in Rancho San Diego, continuing its signature theme of “A European cafe with a Californian flair.”
The cafe offers a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating available. Notable items on the menu include short rib eggs benedict, tamarindo hot wings and club bagels. As for their drinks, they have distinctive options such as a black forest mocha, raspberry white mocha, and pistachio frappes. For those looking for drinks with a kick, they have a bar and serve morning cocktails. Additionally, they have bakery sweets and a selection of gelato for those with a sweet tooth.
October 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- Alex A. Kecskes, a San Diego resident, has written a debut book that mixes science fiction and fantasy with romance.
In 1888, Rene Sakin loses both her parents, falls into depression and is expelled from a prestigious medical college for laudanum abuse. Posing as a nurse, she leaves New York society determined to move medicine into the 20th century using herbs. She heads west to a Tennessee mining town where she meets a mysterious healer — Charles Noble.
Photo, left: Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America
October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,” as is his stated admiration for Adolf Hitler's generals.
Trump told Fox News this week that he would order the National Guard and “if really necessary, the military” to go after “enemies within” on American soil if he is reelected, ABC reports.
He has frequently used the “enemies within” description for his political opponents such as Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment hearing against Trump. Trump has repeatedly threatened retribution against his political enemies, including charging retired generals who have criticized him with treason.
In addition, he has threatened journalists and major news outlets, called for arrest by the military of anyone he deems “radical left lunatics,” aims to build camps to detain tens of millions of immigrants. He has also called for a “single day of violence” to curtail crime, said he would use force to quell protests against him if he wins the election and said Jews will be to blame if he loses.
October 16, 2024 (Ramona, CA) -- The Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival will expand music performances to include live music on four stages, add beer and hard cider tastings, and introduce food and beer for purchase at its 12th annual festival on November 2 at Begent Ranch,18528 Highland Valley Rd., Ramona.
October 16, 2024 (Santee) -- At least four Santee sports groups including the local Pop Warner club, the Ravens, and youth soccer teams will soon get to experience the newly installed synthetic turf fields at Town Center Community Park.
The two new fields that feature lines for both football and soccer and can accommodate lacrosse were recently installed after an unusually long delay from having to wait to be adequately dry after a wet spring.
Stephanie Price, a member of the Santee Park and Recreation Committee (SPARC), was happy to see the brand new turf at the Oct. 10 dedication ceremony that took some six months to install due to the drying out time.
As firefighters, we have seen the spooky side of Halloween — and I am not talking haunted houses. No, it is children out on the streets at night, often wearing costumes that restrict their ability to see and be seen. Its candles being used carelessly in jack-o-lanterns or children carving pumpkins while unsupervised by an adult. It is lots of people traipsing through unfamiliar yards and neighborhoods.
In fact, most kids are killed or injured crossing the street on Halloween than any other night of the year.
In summary: In their only TV face-off before Election Day, U.S. Senate contenders Steve Garvey and Adam Schiff tussle over immigration and other issues.
Photo: U.S. Senate candidates Adam Schiff, left, and Steve Garvey, right; screenshot via C-Span
October 14, 2024 (Glendale, CA) -- The sparks started flying between U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and former L.A. Dodgers star Steve Garvey minutes into their only one-on-one debate on October 8, as both accused each other of failing Californians.
In an hour-long televised forum this evening for the U.S. Senate seat — held by Dianne Feinstein until her death last year — the two traded verbal jabs and clashed over a range of issues, including reproductive rights, gun control and immigration.
Garvey, a Palm Desert Republican, portrayed Schiff as a “career politician” who has done little to serve California residents during his tenure. “This man hasn’t done anything over the last 24 years on any of these things that have given us any consistency in life,” Garvey said.
Schiff, a Burbank Democrat who has served in Congress since 2001, in turn depicted Garvey as a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has experience in professional sports, not politics. “While Mr. Garvey was signing baseballs for the last 37 years, I was seeing presidents of both parties and governors of both parties sign my bills into law,” Schiff said.
October 13, 2024 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat, and El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, gave sharply divergent responses on a host of issues during a 51st Congressional District candidate forum. The event, held at Temple Emanuel last week, was moderated by CBS 8 journalist Heather Myers with questions posed by the audience, plus in a twist, one question posed by each candidate to their opponent.
Wells sought to blame Democrats’ “radical left” policies for problems ranging from inflation to rising homelessness and crime, repeatedly criticizing immigrants while downplaying concerns over abortion. Jacobs sought to portray Wells as out of touch with women’s concerns over losing their reproductive freedoms if Republicans ban abortion at the national level and she denounced immigrant bashing as “dangerous” to Jews as well as immigrants.
Both voiced strong support for the Israeli people, but differed sharply in their views on how to defuse tensions and violence across the Mideast. Wells chided Jacobs for focusing more on reproductive freedoms than economic issues, while Jacobs slammed Wells’ refusal to acknowledge that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. She fired back that such “lies” led to the Capitol attack in which insurrections wearing “team Auschwitz” t-shirts burst into the House Chamber moments before Jacobs, a Jew, was evacuated.“
October 27, 2024 (Mt. Helix) -- Karen Pearlman stopped atop Mt. Helix with her dog, Charli
East County News Service
By Laura Preble, El Cajon
“Trip to Spain” concert on Nov. 17 will feature music with a Spanish flair
October 26, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
October 25, 2024 (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 round-up stories include: 
October 25, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future
Recalled products distributed at Albertsons, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw’s and Star Market, Tom Thumb, and Vons stores 
East County News Service
By Seraphina Eberhardt, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
By Lindsay Elias
By Miriam Raftery
By 
By Joyce Moore
By Lindsay Elias
By 
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