East County News Service

Photo: Grid Alternatives, a recent recipient of SDG&E’s Environmental Champions grant



April 11, 2018 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) kicked off its ninth annual “Environmental Champions” grant program, which supports non-profit organizations and their missions to improve the environment in San Diego and southern Orange counties.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 11, 2018 (La Mesa) - ECM Sports is bringing you both Santee schools this week, sports played by both genders and two different sports.  Since we last saw the Lady Highlanders of Helix on the lacrosse field, they’ve improved their record to 7-4 overall and 2-1 in league.  The Sultans of Santana paid them a visit tonight, bringing with them a record that leaves a lot to be desired:  2-9 overall and 1-4 in league.

East County News Service

Photo: California National Guard

April 11, 2018 (San Diego)— Governor Jerry Brown has approved a request from President Donald Trump to send National Guard troops to the international border, funded by the federal government to combat “lawlessness,” according to the President’s request.

But in his response to the Trump administration, Brown indicated that the 400 troops sent by California will be utilized not for immigration enforcement, but rather for “new staffing will allow the Guard to do what it does best: support operations targeting transnational criminal gangs, human traffickers and illegal firearm and drug smugglers along the border, the coast and throughout the state,” threats that are priorities for both Democrats and Republicans, including two prior administrations, Brown noted.

East County News Service

April 11, 2018 (Spring Valley) -- Liberty Call Distilling marks four years of crafting award-winning rums, whiskey and gin with its 4^th Anniversary Party on Saturday, April 28. Taking place from 2 to 6 p.m. throughout the distillery in Spring Valley, festivities will include music, food and drink alongside a massive release of new spirits not found anywhere else but the distillery.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (Pala) – If you see smoke emanating from the northeast portion of San Diego County April 25^th through 27^th, be aware that the annual Wildland Fire Preparedness Exercise will be conducted on the Pala Indian reservation in coordination with San Diego County Fire Chiefs and numerous emergency services agencies from across the County.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – House Speaker Paul Ryan has announced that he will not seek reelection, the Washington Post reports. 

Some political pundits have speculated that predictions that Democrats may take back control of Congress after the November mid-term elections could have been a factor in Ryan’s decision.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Kidz Danz Company production of The Constitution, a Warbirds Expo at Gillespie Field, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, the Jamul Hot Rod and Chili Cook-off, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary celebration, a harp recital at Mission Trails, the Cajon Classic Cruise season opener in El Cajon, and a Lilac Festival in Wynola.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a meteor shower watch, a furry friends hike, an antique and crafts show, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days parade, a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, the San Diego Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Renaissance music at Mission Trails, outdoor concerts in El Cajon, and winetasting at Vintage Alpine.

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

By Robert Cooper

Photo by Navid Nader

April 10, 2018 (San Diego) -- On April 14, San Diego’s science supporters will once again join the region’s world-leading scientists in the second annual March For Science! This unique and free event will take place at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy at 10 AM and is aimed at all audiences. It promises something for anyone who likes science, with educational speakers, a family-friendly science expo, and a march full of creative signs and costumes.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

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

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 10, 2018 (El Cajon) - ECM Sports couldn’t forget about prep baseball; it’s our reporter’s favorite spring sport to cover and in our first baseball game of 2018, we headed to El Cajon Valley. The Braves sport a decent .500 (4-4) record coming into league play in today’s game against West Hills.  The Pack, on the other hand, need to get things going heading into league as they’re 4-9 to start the season.  Sophomore Joseph Thrailkill took the mound for the Wolf Pack against senior Jesus Favela for the Braves.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

April 7, 2018 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon City Council members temporarily set aside their differences and got down to work Tuesday in what some say was one of their most productive sessions in recent months.

By Eric Bartl

April 8, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Smiles are returning to the faces of children in El Cajon when they see Stoney’s Neighborhood Park, which reopened Thursday in front of the El Cajon branch of the County library.

The park had been closed since mid-December for a construction/park improvement project.

Aztecs outhit Rebels 11-7 in the loss

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Kelsey Munoz had four hits in SDSU's 3-2 loss at UNLV.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

April 8, 2018 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State softball team fell to UNLV, 3-2, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas. The Aztecs (12-24, 3-6 MW) had won the first two games in the series with the Rebels (22-15, 4-8 MW).

East County News Service

April 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – The citizens group overseeing the spending of millions of dollars in taxpayer-approved bonds for new and improved patient care facilities at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa has issued its 2017 Annual Report to the Community.