East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - The German-American Societies of San Diego will host their Oktoberfest at their headquarters in El Cajon the last weekend in September and first weekend in October (Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 5-7). 

Our June and July 2018 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews, click here or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

We covered the June primary races, wildfires in East County, efforts to help West Fire survivors, controversies involving El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho, the fight to save the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District, major land use controversies, and more.

Our newsmaker interviews included  Dana Law who hiked the Pacific Coast trail, Rebecca Tasker, a straw bale home builder with Simple Construct, along with homeowners of a straw bale home and SDG&E’s Helen Gao on help for energy efficient building, East County Chamber president Eric Lund on the Passport Through Time event, and more.

September 12, 2018 (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 news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• 10 Million Under Hurricane Watches or Warnings as Hurricane Florence Grows (Time.com)
• Federal deficit soars 32 percent to $895 billion (The Hill)
• U.S. wages growing at fastest rate in 9 years as unemployment stays at 3.9 percent (Washington Post)
• Trump administration took nearly $10 million from FEMA's budget to support ICE, documents show (USA Today)
• Trump calls storm response in Puerto Rico 'incredibly successful' — recent studies show nearly 3,000 died (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• New Bob Woodward book, "Fear," reveals staff dysfunction at Trump White House (CBS)
• Trump signs order to enable sanctions for U.S. election meddling (Reuters)
• Hacking, cyberattacks now the biggest threat to US, Homeland Security chief warns (Washington Post)

INTERNATIONAL

• One killed, 32 missing after quake paralyzes Japan's Hokkaido island (Reuters)
• Japanese nuclear station on emergency power after quake revives Fukushima memories (Reuters)
• Foreigners face online preaching ban in China (Newsweek)
• Russian police detain nearly 300 protesting against pension reform (Reuters)

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

U.S.

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, the Julian Music Festival, Santa Ysabel Mission’s Bicentennial Celebration, a Tom Petty Tribute in El Cajon, and the opening of raspberry picking season  at Julian Farm and Orchard.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Julian’s Old Fashioned Country Fair, Gregory Page and Sky Ladd in concert at Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona, Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, a masquerade ball in El Cajon, spooky camping at Lake Jennings, our East County Dining Club at Fourpenny House in La Mesa, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Pumpkin Express haunted train ride, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and the Borrego Days desert festival.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

September 12, 2018 (El Cajon) - Jon Christopher Clark has been charged with first degree murder after the body of his girlfriend, 19-year-old Kiera Bergman from El Cajon, was found beside a desert highway near Phoenix, Arizona last week.

Battle to save the county's last volunteer fire district now hinges on a protest process that could give voters the final say

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Miriam Raftery, Editor, also contributed to this report.

 

Photo:  Battalion Chief Mike Van Bibber, Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District

September 11, 2018 (Julian) -- A group of Julian area residents fighting fire axes-and-hoses against a county takeover of fire and medical first responder services won a firm victory last Thursday in Superior Court. Judge Timothy Taylor ruled to allow a ballot measure to fund future operations for the Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD).

Backers of the initiative hoped the ruling would curtail the County of San Diego’s efforts to terminate the JCFPD, the region’s last all-volunteer fire department, and shift fire and ambulance services to the County Fire Authority (CFA) in conjunction with Cal Fire.

But despite Judge Taylor’s ruling, yesterday the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted 7-0 to dissolve the district. Residents could still block the takeover through a protest process that’s now been triggered.  Determined opponents of the takeover are gearing up for the fight, arguing that eliminating volunteer firefighters who live in the community will make the area less safe, not safer has had been promised by the CFA.

East County News Service

September 11, 2018 (Santee) – Hannah Gbeh will be the featured speaker at the East County Democratic Club meeting on Thursday. September 20 at Jimmy’s Restaurant in Santee (9635 Mission Gorge Rd.)  Dinner and social hour start at 6 p.m. with the meeting at 7 p.m.

East County News Service

September 11, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is providing one-on-one business advising and training to small business owners to help them obtain capital as well as increase sales and jobs for the East County region.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type “Sports” on the donation line!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

By Liz Alper

Videos courtesy goaztecs.com

For video of Ryan Agnew and Kyree Woods, click "read more" and scroll down.

September 11, 2018 (San Diego) - With a win under their belts, SDSU football head coach Rocky Long and juniors Ryan Agnew and Kyree Woods took the floor on Tuesday afternoon in a much better mood than last week's press conference.

Pregnant Women in Custody Act of 2018 will create a national standard for care of pregnant women in all federal prisons and require Dept. of Justice to collect data on mental and physical health of pregnant women in custody

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (Washington D..C.) - Today, Representatives Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Mia Love (R-Utah) and Catherine Clark (D-Mass.) led the majority of women in both the Democratic and Republican House Caucuses in introducing legislation to provide a national standard of care to address pregnancy-related needs of incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum periods. San Diego Congresswoman Susan Davis is among the cosponsors.

Source:  Grossmont/Cuyamaca Community College District

September 10, 2018 (El Cajon) – Food, music and dance at Cuyamaca College and a visit at Grossmont College by nationally acclaimed poet Yosimar Reyes will highlight a series of special events honoring Latinx Heritage Month at the two East County colleges from mid-September to Nov. 1. All events are free and open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2018 (Jamul) – Unveiling of a new logo, giveaways for guests, and a VIP dinner with Master Chef Ron DeSantis crowned a rebranding celebration last month at the Jamul Casino.

Jamul Indian Village and the Jamul Indian Village Developmemt Corporation hosted a block party after taking back management from Penn Gaming at the facility formerly known as Jamul Hollywood Casino.

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Christopher Truax Jr., a 21-year-old Marine Corps Sergeant, has been identified as the victim fatally shot early Friday in Lemon Grove.  The Sheriff has asked for public help to solve the crime.

Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals

September 11, 2018 (Ramona) -- Check out two utility boxes turned into art at 4^th and Main across from the Ramona Valley Inn by Lourans Mikhail and another at 14^th and Main, facing 14^th  next to Dunkin Donuts, by Marie Bravo.