East County News Service

March 28, 2018 (San Diego) - All westbound lanes of Interstate 8 (I-8) from State Route 163 (SR-163) will close Wednesday at 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday for the I-8/Interstate 5 (I-5) Interchange Improvement Project.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – The attorneys generals of Maryland and Washington D.C. have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, alleging that he is violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution.  The emoluments clause prohibits federal official from becoming personally enriched by accepting gifts, titles or emoluments from any “King, Prince or foreign state.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A boy alleged to have stolen his family’s pickup truck led police on a chase that ended in a crash into a Spring Valley gas station, igniting a fire that caused $200,000 worth of damage.

Patch.com reports that the incident started around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday when a Sheriff’s deputy tried to stop a green Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driving without headlights on Jamacha Boulevard.  The driver refused to stop and sped off, losing control as he turned onto Sweetwater Springs Boulevard.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, a comedy film night in Spring Valley, Hawk Talk at Mission Trails, a Lilac Festival in Santa Ysabel, and jazz great Chuck McPherson at Cuyamaca College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including an event honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest, Meet the Winemakers Weekend, a dance presentation of the Constitution, Sweet Pea Days at Summers Past Farms, Cajon Classic Cruises season opener, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary celebration, an antique and crafts fair, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

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

East County News Service

March 27, 2018 (La Mesa) – Maxwell House of Books, an independent, used book retail book store in La Mesa, will host a book signing and lecture featuring La Mesa historian and author Jim Newland discussing his latest book on the history of Grossmont Hospital. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 29. Maxwell House of Books is located at 8285 La Mesa Blvd., in the heart of the historic La Mesa Downtown Village. According to Craig Maxwell, book store owner, proceeds from books sold that evening will be donated to the La Mesa Historical Socie ty.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated March 31 with Councilman Jones' comments.

March 26, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- Last week, many Lemon Grove residents were surprised to hear a citizen speaking during public comment at a City Council meeting reveal that the city had settled a case  filed by a former contracted city worker.  The worker alleged that Councilman Jerry Jones and City Manager Lydia Romero violated his free speech rights and retaliated against him for comments he’d posted on social media criticizing Jones.

East County Magazine has obtained a copy of the settlement and release agreement from the city in response to a public records request.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

Photo:  Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture students and their instructor, Donald Schultz, (top right) celebrate their wins in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.

March 26, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) - The Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture program is turning heads after yet another standout performance at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.

Nine students took part in the 42nd annual event, and their average score topped the average scores for students at any of the 62 colleges and universities taking part in the competition at Alamance Community College in North Carolina. Competing against major institutions such as Brigham Young University, Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia, Cuyamaca College was the only school with three students finishing among the top 25 in total points.

East County News Service

March 26, 2018 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino and Resort in partnership with Goldenvoice today unveiled its 2018  Viejas Concerts in the Park lineup. This summer’s performers will include Wynonna Judd, Loverboy, Three Dog Night, Little River Band, Los Tigres Del Norte, Jeff Foxworthy, Eddie Money, Jeff Dunham, Peter Cetera, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and King of the Cage, with more performers to be announced soon.

Source: Cuyamaca College; photo by Laurent Kramer

March 26, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- Here’s music to the ears of jazz fans: legendary jazz saxophonist Charles McPherson will give a free talk and music demonstration April 5 at Cuyamaca College.

“Conversations with a Legend: Charles McPherson,” organized by communication instructor Lindy Brazil as part of her class, “Arts and Culture in San Diego,” is set for 11:30 a.m.- 12:50 p.m. Thursday, April 5 in Cuyamaca College’s Digital Theater, Room B-101. The event is open to the public.

By Mary England, Councilmember 2000-2012 retired

March 25, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- It seems that several of the current Lemon Grove Council members and the City Manager do not believe in “leading by example.”  The recent lawsuits, one that was settled for thousands and thousands of dollars, as well as the recent one just filed against a Councilmember and the City, with the Mayor being a person of interest, will undoubtedly cost more money.

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2018 (Jamul) – At the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group meeting this Tuesday, March 27, county officials will make a presentation on a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a major housing and mixed used development in the  Proctor Valley area about a mile south of Jamul and east of Chula Vista.