Chain that began in La Mesa will hold going out of business sale starting Nov. 29
East County News Service
November 23, 2019 (San Diego) – Adventure 16, perhaps best known by its outdoor active customers as A16, announced today that the 57-year-old company plans to close its remaining two stores in San Diego and West Los Angeles. Both mountain shops will be closed Monday, November 25 through Thanksgiving Day to prepare for their Going Out of Business Sale beginning on Black Friday.
Source: Calif. Coast Credit Union and San Diego Food Bank
November 23, 2019 (San Diego) – The first-ever Pack the Pantry food drive to fight student hunger on local college campuses exceeded all expectations, raising enough food and financial donations to provide over 50,000 meals to area students. Results of the two-week food drive were announced on the San Diego Continuing Education campus.
November 23, 2019 (Descanso) -- Artist Duncan McFetridge has found Nirvana at his Descanso home, where he carved this giant sculpture from boulders on his property. He sent in these photos after this week’s storm, stating, “Buddha looks magnificent in rain.”
November 22, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego State let the Long Island Sharks hang around into the second half before putting them away with an impressive closing burst that kept the Aztecs undefeated.
Award presented to park owners at the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo
Contact-person David Basler, ARVC
Photos by Miriam Raftery
November 22, 2019 (Santee) -- The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has named Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, located in Santee, California, its Plan-It-Green Park of the Year at the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), held November 4-7 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
November 22, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Local Jacumba artists exhibited their works in a Pop-Up Show October 5th launching Jacumba’s first ever Festival of Sunflowers at Gilliam Gallery in downtown Jacumba Hot Springs.
Linda Churchill, muralist and mosaic artist, revealed new mosaics and oil paintings of Jacumba’s scenic beauty.
Now the community plans to make this event an annual tradition.
November 22, 2019 (San Diego) -- Kitchen fat, oil and grease (FOG) that’s left over from daily cooking, or after deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey, can be recycled! EDCO has a free, safe and environmentally friendly option for disposing of household FOG.
Residents are asked to simply collect used discarded FOG in a leak-proof container and drop it off free of charge at EDCO’s conveniently located Buyback Center. The FOG will then ultimately be processed, filtered and converted into biofuel by a third-party processor.
It is important that participants do not mix FOG with any other oils, such as motor oil or gear oil, that inhibit the process of converting the FOG into biofuel.
November 22, 2019 (El Cajon) – Always the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the 73rd annual Mother Goose Parade this Sunday at 1 p.m. will draw thousands of spectators lining the parade route along Main Street through downtown El Cajon to see their favorite TV and movie celebrities as well as marching bands, floats, equestrian units, large helium balloons and more. Here are the celebrities lined up:
Jeweler Leo Hamel, Lt. Fred Magana plead guilty to aiding in scheme; gun dealer and El Cajon resident also charged
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Indicted former Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Captain Marco Garmo, courtesy ECM news partner 10 News
November 22, 2019 (San Diego) -- Former Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Captain Marco Garmo was arrested this morning based on a federal grand jury indictment that charges him with operating an illegal firearms trafficking business – at times from his office at the Rancho San Diego Station with the help of others, including a fellow Sheriff’s deputy.
The indictment also charges Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Fred Magana, prominent San Diego jeweler Leo Hamel, firearms dealer Giovanni Tilotta and El Cajon resident Waiel Anton with aiding and abetting Garmo’s illegal firearms business.
Photo, left: President Donald Trump with Ambassador Gordon Sondland, who donated a million dollars to Trump's campaign but provided damning testimony implicating Trump and top officials in illegal activities.
November 22, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – The second week of impeachment hearings before the House Intelligence Committee brought drama and surprises. Below are highlights of key witness testimony and summation statements from the Committee's top Democrat and Republican Senators.
Ambassador Sondland: “Was there a quid pro quo?...The answer is yes…Everyone was in the loop.”
November 22, 2019 (El Cajon) -- East County Magazine’s award-winning Contributing Editor, Paul Kruze, will be one of several celebrity announcers at this year’s iconic “Mother Goose Parade” set to hit the streets of downtown El Cajon on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. on Main Street.
“I’m truly honored to be a part of this classic start to the holiday season,” said Kruze, who has been a part of East County Magazine for nearly a decade. “The best part of my work is when I get to meet so many people who are involved in our community."
November 22, 2019 (Alpine) – To ring in 2020, Viejas Casino & Resort is hosting a Roaring ‘20s themed New Year’s Eve bash that promises to be the resort’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration yet.
You’re invited to don your flapper dress or Gatsby get-up, then choose a package tailored to fit your fortune. Festivities will span the ballrooms, pool bar, park, and beyond.
The invite adds, “See you there, revelers – it will be the bee’s knees!
Governmentcreated secret dossier on journalists, interrogated them at border for information on sources and reporting
Source: ACLU
November 21, 2019 (San Diego) -- Five journalists who were tracked, detained, and interrogated by the Department of Homeland Security in an unprecedented, coordinated attack on the freedom of the press are suing to defend the First Amendment. The journalists were all reporting on conditions at the U.S.-Mexico border. On multiple separate occasions in 2018 and 2019, U.S. border officers targeted the journalists for secondary screening at the border, compelled them to disclose information about their sources and observations as journalists, and even searched through their photos and notes.
Photo: Smugglers cut the old border wall to facilitate an alien smuggling attempt.
November 21, 2019 (Campo) -- U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 16 individuals Wednesday afternoon after smugglers cut the old landing mat border wall to facilitate a vehicle drive-thru human smuggling incident.
CALmatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.
Photo: Residents evacuating from the Holy Fire near Lake Elsinore in 2018. Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG
November 21, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - When a fast-moving wildfire marched toward the town of Paradise more than a year ago, few who lived there were aware of it. Even though the community used the CodeRED automated emergency warning system, less than 40% of residents subscribed to the alerts.
Photo: Alpine residents Sally and Brian Shepherd speaking with Robyn Herrick and Israel Juarez of SDGE.
November 21, 2019 (Alpine) -- East County residents braved the rain Monday evening to attend a community presentation at the Alpine Library titled, "Got Power?" Representatives from KAMPS Propane, SDG&E, and Clayco Electric Inc. Solar answered questions about the Public Safety Power Shutoff program in East County during Santa Ana, high-wind conditions. Chris Whipple, a resident of Flinn Springs, also made a brief presentation about back-up power plans that allow her to use her medical CPAP equipment when the power is out.
November 21, 2019 (Campo) – The North Pole Limited, a special holiday train ride, will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo.
Santa’s elves will sing favorite Christmas carols, read a popular Christmas story to young ones, and pass out cookies and hot chocolate to all passengers. The North Pole Limited will stop at Santa’s Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will visit with all passengers on the train on our way back to the Campo Depot.
November 21, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A woman was struck and killed by a Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) trolley yesterday at 3:42 p.m. The fatal collision occurred at the San Altos Trolley Station on Massachusetts Avenue in Lemon Grove.
November 21, 2019 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (3-3) suffered a 74-48 loss to California (2-2) inside Viejas Arena Thursday evening. The Golden Bears held a lead for the entire game and outrebounded the Aztecs 44-30.
November 21, 2019 (Sacramento) – Schools have been hard hit statewide by utility companies’ repeated power outages intended to prevent lines from sparking wildfires—including rural and mountain school districts in San Diego’s East County. Today, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed steps to remedy the problems, including calling for a $15 billion bond to fund back-up generators and solar panels to keep schools open during unforeseen power outages, as well as other steps.
Future proposals may include rethinking the traditional school calendar and building in makeup days to deal with not only natural disasters but unplanned power outages, according to a press release issued today by the Calif. Dept. of Education.
Photo, left: Mayor Wells with Johnson at a Jimmie Johnson Day in El Cajon in 2014; photo courtesy city of El Cajon
November 20, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Jimmie Johnson, who made history after winning a seven NASCAR Sprint championships, has announced he is on track to retire next year. A native of East County honored as a hometown hero locally, Johnson posted a video titled “#Chasing 8 one final time” on his Twitter feed to announce his final season.
In the video, he states, “I’m so thankful for 18 incredible years of racing in NASCAR. The sport has been good to me. It has allowed me to do something I truly love. I showed up chasing a dream and achieved more than I ever thought possible. I’m looking forward to next season and celebrating what will be my last year as a full-time NASCAR Cup driver. I know what this team is capable of, and I hope 2020 is one of the best yet.” View video: https://www.facebook.com/JimmieJohnson/videos/562999694531303/
November 20, 2019 (San Diego) - Senior transfer Yanni Wetzell set career-highs with 20 points and 12 rebounds for San Diego State, which beat crosstown rival San Diego 66-49 Wednesday night to remain undefeated.
Image: rendering of East County Advanced Water Purification Project. Source: Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s ECAWP website.
November 20, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- On November 5, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, city of El Cajon and County of San Diego formed a Joint Powers Authority to serve as the governing body for the East County Advanced Water Purification project. A Helix Water District representative will serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the JPA board.
November 20, 2019 (San Diego) – The first winter storm of the season has dumped snow on Mt. Laguna and Palomar Mountain, also bringing lightning strikes, heavy rainfall and flooding to some parts of San Diego County.
Sheriff Bill Gore tweeted a photo (left) with this message: “Yes there is a bit of snow on Laguna but it is melting fast and the roads are dangerous. This is not the time for your winter outing.”
Photo: Easy-care cyclamen varieties offer plain or ruffled white, pink, rose or lavender flowers. Photo courtesy Melinda Myers
November 20, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Add some unique beauty to your indoor décor or give the gift of low maintenance splendor with the easy-care cyclamen. You’ll enjoy the colorful plain or ruffled white, pink, rose or lavender flowers that look like shooting stars hovering over heart-shaped leaves with silvery highlights.
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
November 19, 2019 (San Diego) - The first rains in months are bearing down on San Diego County, meaning this could be a good time to stock up on free sandbags.
The County of San Diego and CAL FIRE are providing free sand and bags to residents in unincorporated areas at numerous fire stations around the county.
November 19, 2019 (Descanso) – Unique hand-crafted and locally made Christmas gifts will be available at an Arts and Crafts Fair at the historic Descanso Town Hall on Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
November 19, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A woman has been hospitalized after a disturbing outburst in Lemon Grove Sunday shortly before 11 a.m. Several residents called to report the woman was yelling that she had a gun and that someone had stolen her children. She reportedly banged on the door of a stranger’s home in the 2600 block of Mercury Drive.
According to the Sheriff’s media relations department, “When deputies arrived, a 24-year-old transient matching the description of these calls became assaultive towards them. Deputies were forced to use a less lethal bean bag round on the woman to take her into custody. The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment.”
November 18, 2019 (San Diego) -- Thanksgiving signifies the beginning of the holiday season and many of us will be spending more time in the kitchen preparing for the holidays. Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many occurring on Thanksgiving as any other day of the year.
November 19, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The small Book Shoppe operated by the Friends of the El Cajon Library is going to get bigger.
President Connie Smith of the Friends said on Nov. 16 that she is thrilled that the County of San Diego has approved the project to expand the Book Shoppe by using an adjoining conference room. The work is expected to start and end in early 2020.
Chain that began in La Mesa will hold going out of business sale starting Nov. 29
50% of area college students face food insecurity
East County News Service
Source: goaztecs.com
Award presented to park owners at the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo
Source: EDCO
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Government
By Miriam Raftery
By Julie Cart, CALmatters
By Chris Whipple
East County News Service
East County News Service
Mallory Adams led the Aztecs with 17 points
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Source: goaztecs.com
Source: Helix Water 
By
By 
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
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