By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2018 (Sacramento) – The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against California, as well as the state’s governor and attorney general. The suit claims that three specific “sanctuary” laws aimed at protecting some undocumented immigrants are unconstitutional.

The three targeted laws, KPPC reports, are:

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 7, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont-Helix rivalry may not be as strong in lacrosse as it is in other sports, but the hate was still there as the boys from both schools took the field tonight in the first conference matchup of the season.  The Highlanders are 2-1 overall and undefeated (1-0) in league, while the Foothillers remain undefeated at 1-0 in each category coming into tonight.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Greg Eichelberger, former editor of the East County Californian and East County Herald newspapers, passed away March 2^nd.   The writer known for his acerbic wit penned his own obituary, in which he wrote that he died of complications from heart disease, diabetes, an irregular heartbeat and “being a fat slob.”

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Four patients were transported via air and ground ambulances following a crash near I-8 and Japatul Valley Road this morning, according to Cal Fire. 

The collision occurred shortly before 11 a.m. after Border Patrol agents attempted to stop a Ford Expedition traveling west on I-8 near Buckman Springs Road. The driver sped off at a high rate of speed and lost control as he encountered slowed traffic, becoming airborne, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2018 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to join the La Mesa Conversations leadership and your neighbors to discuss upcoming events including panels on healthcare, homeless and education—and hear your ideas.

Enjoy no-host cocktail or food and stimulating conversations at this event on Sunday, March 11 from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Hooley's Irish Pub and Grill, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr #247 (near Macy's and Chuze Fitness), La Mesa in the Guinness Room.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 6, 2018 (San Diego) - After a 22-2 rout of Presbyterian on Monday afternoon, SDSU lacrosse returned to the field on Tuesday night to face Nigara.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 6, 2018 (Tuscon) - The San Diego State baseball team suffered a 13-4 setback to Arizona at Hi Corbett Field. The No. 25 Aztecs fall to 8-4 on the year, while Arizona evens its record to 6-6.

The Aztecs swung the bat well in the early stages of the game, scoring a pair of first-inning runs in thanks to a Jordan Verdon double scoring David Hensley and Julian Escobedo. An inning later, the Aztecs built that lead to 3-0 with leadoff hitter Matt Rudick bringing home Escobedo on a single through the left side of the inning.

Aztecs drop 95-84 decision to Wolf Pack

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 5, 2018 (Las Vegas) - Tenth-seeded San Diego State rallied from an 11-point first-half deficit and took the lead in the fourth quarter, but could not hold on as the Aztecs fell in overtime to seventh-seeded Nevada 95-84 in the first round of the Mountain West Championship on Monday afternoon.

Source: Monica Zech, City of El Cajon

March 5, 2018 (El Cajon) -- There are lots of activities and opportunities coming up in El Cajon, from this month’s Antique and Collectible Show and Arbor Day celebration, to youth of the year nominations and applications for the Miss El Cajon Pageant. Plus find a preview of events in April and May, including America on Main Street, a Weighorst gallery reunion, El Cajon Lions’ Gunsmoke event,  spring break camps, Kids Night Out and more.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- An impressive lineup of musical performances are coming up with Cuyamaca College’s annual Spring Concert Series, which opened in February and continues with many upcoming shows.

“The Spring Concert Series includes some very exciting events, including some new and repeat performers,” said Taylor Smith, Performing Arts chair at Cuyamaca College. “I am especially excited about the new ECHO Chamber Music series, which will feature world-renown instrumentalists. Each semester, we try to provide an educational and entertaining series with a wide variety of musical styles. This semester we are presenting music from Beethoven to the Beatles and everything in between. Where else in San Diego can you go to see such a variety?”      

All but the Coyote Music Festival take place at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets to all other shows is $8, or $5 for students unless otherwise noted.

East County News Service

March 5, 2018 (Spring Valley) -- As part of its ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety in Spring Valley, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), will be conducting a pedestrian safety enforcement operation that will focus on motorists and pedestrians who fail to yield the right-of-way or who take unsafe and illegal actions.  The enforcement operation will take place on March 8 at Troy Street west of Central Avenue in Spring Valley.

East County News Service

March 5, 2018 (Santee) – The Santee Chamber of Commerce, currently celebrating its 63rd anniversary, recently announced recipients of its 2017 annual awards. Honorees included community members and local businesses. Recipient of community awards included: Dustin Trotter, owner, TDT Construction, 2017 Person of the Year; Santee Young Professionals, Special Chairman’s Award; Robert “Bob” Lloyd, Sr., owner, Lloyds Collision & Paint Center, Chairman’s Award; Kathryn Ducharme, Santee School District, Educator of the Year; Elana Levens-Craig, Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club, Rotarian of the Year; Paul Stevens, Kiwanis Club of Santee, Kiwanian of the Year; William Chisum, Rancho Santee Lions, Lion of the Year; Deputy Daniel Psomas, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy of the Year; Captain Chris Thompson, Santee Fire Department, Firefighter of the Year.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2018 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group meets Wednesday, March 7^th at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street. The agenda includes discussion of homeless encampments in the riverbed, county road maintenance priorities, proposed cell sites and a request for exemption from undergrounding powerlines, among other items.

View the full agenda here.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 4, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State softball was originally supposed to play Boston University at 7:00 p.m. last night and ECM was supposed to cover the last game of the San Diego Classic against UCLA today, but due to scheduling changes and rain, SDSU’s only game today is against the Terriers of BU.  Freshman Cali Dolfi started on the hill for BU against sophomore Marissa Moreno for the Aztecs.