By Miriam Raftery

May 4, 2018 (Santee) – The County of San Diego will no longer provide animal services to contracted cities including Santee starting July 1^st. So, the Santee City Council voted last week to have the San Diego Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) take over animal control in Santee starting July 1^st.

By Miriam Raftery

May 4, 2018 (La Mesa) --  I took a trip into La Mesa’s downtown village today to check out opening day of the new Farmer’s Market, which has moved to downtown La Mesa along La Mesa Village.  The market is now operated by the La Mesa Village Association instead of the city, with a new farmer’s market company.

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 3, 2018 (Lake Morena) - Hop on the boat and take a ride around Lake Morena!

Lake Morena County Park is only an hour away from San Diego and a great spot to fish, hike, camp or even take a day trip out with the family. Here are some views from one of the boats you can rent at the lake.

Learn more about our parks and preserves at SDParks.org.

May 3, 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.

• Is the Bill Cosby guilty verdict the first big victory for the Me Too movement? (USA Today)
• Russian from Trump Tower meeting: ‘I am a lawyer, and I am an informant’ (The Hill)
• 10 bipartisan senators push back on Medicaid work requirements for Native Americans (The Hill)
• ICE held an American man in custody for 1,273 days He’s not the only one who had to prove his citizenship. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Judge tosses Manafort lawsuit challenging Mueller’s authority (The Hill)
• Judge puts Stormy Daniels case on hold, citing likelihood Michael Cohen will be indicted (Washington Post)
• Texas teenager charged with plotting IS-inspired shooting at mall (Reuters)
• Seattle Sued Over Law Banning Landlords From Conducting Criminal Background Checks (Reason)

 World

• North and South Korea agree to end Korean War in historic accord (CNN)
• Suicide attackers storm HQ of Libya's election commission, 12 dead (Reuters)
•  Paris attacks suspect jailed for 20 years for Belgian attempted murder (Reuters)
• Brickbat: You Can't Change Your Mind (Reason)
• Two arrests after attempted ramming attack in Jerusalem  (JPost)

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

East County News Service

May 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – The 19th annual East County Senior Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, May 11, at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa. Admission is free. No advance registration is necessary.

Nonprofit plans fundraiser May 19-20

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

May 2, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The Princess Project, an organization that matches up the right high school prom dress with the right high school student for free, came to the County of San Diego-El Cajon Library branch on April 30th.  The nonprofit provides free dresses and accessories to high school students who cannot otherwise afford them.

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2018 (Sacramento) – California announced Tuesday that it will join 16 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Secretary Scott Pruitt from reversing fuel efficiency standards to protect clean air and reduce greenhouse gasses fueling climate change. 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 2, 2018 (San Diego) - If you want to vote in the June 5 gubernatorial primary election, the deadline to register is Monday, May 21. You will need to complete a new registration form if you recently moved or recently changed your name. If you’re not sure about your registration, check your status online at sdvote.com. If you’re not registered or need to change your registration, you’ll find that information there, too.

By Miriam Raftery

May 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the premier of El Cajon’s Dinner and a Concert series, a Dive-In movie at Kroc Center, the La Mesa Beautiful plant sale, Vintage Alpine wine and food tastings, and a production of Sherlock Holmes, the Final Adventure at Grossmont College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Manzanita High Rendezvous in Lake Morena, Salsa and Salsa in Lemon Grove, a Taste of Julian, the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, film nights in the Lemon Grove library, the Ramona Rodeo, La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, and the San Diego Concert Band at La Mesa’s Harry Griffen Park.

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

By Jo Moreland, Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

Photos courtesy of Alpine Elementary School Volunteers and Staff

May 1, 2018 (Alpine) - Students cheered at the grand opening of the new organic garden on April 27 at the Alpine Elementary School in Alpine.  The garden, aimed at teaching students healthy eating, organic gardening and the importance of exercise was put together by students, teachers, parents and an array of businesses and organizations. It is the first such garden in a new Alpine Union School District program.

East County News Service

May 1, 2018 (San Diego) – A New Orleans Casino Night fundraiser on May 18th will benefit La Maestra Community Health Centers’ programs for victims of human trafficking. The programs are offered countywide including at East County locations.

Updated May 2, 2018 with identity of the victim.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by ECM news partner 10 News

May 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Maria Cristina Duran, a 35-year-old mother from Spring Valley, was driving a blue Kia SUV westbound on State Route 94 this morning near the Kenwood Drive exit when she swerved to avoid hitting a Honda Civic that had pulled in front of her. She crashed onto the center divide and the vehicle overturned, CHP reports. 

Duran, who was wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene, says California Highway Patrol Officer Ben Demarest.

Her son, 17, and daughter, 12, both passengers in the Kia, were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

April 30, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Bill Wells, El Cajon Mayor and a Republican challenger to Rep. Duncan Hunter in the 50th  Congressional district,  has appeared on the FOX Business program "Risk and Reward" and FOX News Channel's "FOX and Friends" openly endorsing a growing revolt by Southern California cities against Senate Bill 54.  The mmeasure signed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) last October declared the State of California as a "sanctuary state" for undocumented immigrants. It was passed in response to the Trump administration’s broad crackdown on undocumented immigrants including increased deportations.