May 18, 2018 (San Diego's East County)-- Larry Wilske is a retired Navy Seal, running as a Republican challenger to incumbent Randy Voepel in the 71st Assembly district. Voepel, also a Republican, is facing allegations of "stolen valor" or inflating his military record.

Wilske belives integrity is the core issue in his race against Voepel. In our interview aired originally on KNSJ Radio, Wilske talks about the ethics concerns, as well as his stances on issues impacting California statewide such as education, sanctuary state laws, and healthcare.

A resident of Descanso in San Diego's East County, he also shared his views on rural issues including fire preparedness, water, power shut offs and jobs.  Hear our full interview with Larry Wilske by clicking here.

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2018 (San Diego) – What should consumers know about saving money and choosing a financial institution?  What’s the difference between credit unions and big banks?  When does a home equity line of credit make sense, and what are new options when shopping and financing a car?

These are among the questions East County Magazine asked Jonathan Zide, vice president of Cabrillo Credit Union, which has branches in La Mesa, San Diego and Carlsbad. The local company has been serving our region since 1955, starting out helping federal Border Patrol agents. Today, it’s open to everyone.

Successful litigation and Rate Stabilization Fund benefit ratepayers

Source: County Water Authority

May 17, 2018 (San Diego) -- Water rate increases proposed by the San Diego County Water Authority staff for 2019 are among the smallest in the past 15 years due to financial benefits secured through litigation against the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Water Authority’s planned use of its Rate Stabilization Fund.

Twelve recommendations to protect communities from wildfire, based on science and needs of our families and greatest risk

By the Chaparral Institute

Photo: Devastation of the Fountaingrove II community in Santa Barbara during the 2017 Tubbs fire was predictable. The area had burned in 1964 and the city was warned by its own planning department that the area was too dangerous to build homes in, but development was approved despite not following general plan guidelines.

May 17, 2018 (Escondido) -- The lead purpose of Governor Brown’s Executive Order of May 10, 2018 is to “Protect Communities from Wildfire.” The order emphasizes that “eight of the state’s 20 most destructive fires have occurred in the past four years.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s Deputy Parrot was patrolling on Felicita Avenue in Spring Valley this morning when he saw a man exit the backseat of a parked vehicle and a woman standing nearby. When the Deputy approached, he noticed the woman “silently asking for help,” according to Sergeant. K. Cartie.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – A 16-year-old student walking on the trolley tracks near the Roadway Inn in El Cajon was struck and killed by the trolley  around 8 p.m.Tuesday night.

According to a GoFundMe website set up by a teacher to help the family pay for medical expenses, the victim was a sophomore and captain of the basketball team at Chaparral High School.

El Cajon Police and paramedics responded, but the victim, Harley Groleau, was declared dead at the scene.

Update May 18, 2018: Sajjad Hameed Ismael, 20, driver of 2001 Toyota, has been charged with felony hit and run causing death/injury, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. He was also booked on outstanding warrants.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

May 17, 2018 (San Diego) -- Four lanes of Interstate 8 West at Waring Road in the College area are expected to remain closed this evening for investigation and clean-up following a fatality crash. The multi-vehicle collision that occurred this afternoon killed a passenger in a Toyota Avalon and has prompted a SIG Alert.

According to the Cailfornia  Highway Patrol, the Avalon driver struck a slow-moving vehicle and veered onto a hill, struck several trees and then rolled back down onto the freeway.

Source: City of El Cajon

May 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon has launched the Stay Cool El Cajon campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children and pets in hot cars. Last year in the United States, 43 children died as a result of being left in hot vehicles. Since 1984, 804 children have died from heat-related illnesses in cars.

East County News Service

May 17, 2018 (East County) – The San Diego-area Chick-fil-A restaurants will honor the community’s military personnel and their families with free food and entertainment at its annual Military Appreciation Night on Wednesday, May 23.

By Liz Orient

May 16, 2018 (Ramona) -- The historic town of Ramona is well known for its wineries and breweries. Mom and Pop brewing companies hold a special place in my heart and I love their genuine character. If you are looking for the same experience, look no further than Reds, Whites and Brews in downtown Ramona.

A local take on Humans of New York; book launch event July 19 at Warwick's La Jolla at 7:30 p.m.

By Jennifer Coburn

May 16, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - We’ve all seen how projects like the popular blog and book Humans of New York connects people through photography. Real people are seen through a new lens as they share their life experiences. Snapshots and text serve as a means to share universal truth through unique images.

San Diego artist and photographer Jennifer G. Spencer is adding a new photographic element to this conversation with the release of her new book THE ARTIST PORTRAIT PROJECT: A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMOIR OF PORTRAIT SESSIONS WITH SAN DIEGO ARTISTS (She Writes Press, July 12, 2018). Eleven of the artists live right here in East County, including La Mesa residents: Dottie Korn-Davis, David Beck-Brown, Suda House, Chris Lee, Polly Jacobs Giacchina, Jess Dominguez, and Mary Lynn Dominguez; El Cajon residents Ellen Phillips, Ron Tatro, and Bill Mosley; and Spring Valley resident Kim Knox. 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 16, 2018 (San Diego) - The Registrar of Voters is asking mail ballot voters to check their mail ballot packets for the June 5 Gubernatorial Primary Election. His office has received about a dozen reports of missing mail ballots in the election packets.

Source: Julian Woman’s Club

May 16, 2018 (Julian) – For 27 years, the Julian Woman’s Club Heritage Quilt has showcased the talents of local quilters. This year’s show will feature newly made and heirloom quilts on display. The show runs from June 29th to July 4th in the Julian Town Hall upstairs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Lawsuit alleges tribal development corporation breached contract in cannabis operation

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

May 16, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel has had a troubled history achieving its goal of gaining financial stability and independence for its 300-member tribe near Julian, some 40 miles east of Escondido.  Now, the Santa Ysabel Tribal Development Corporation is in hot water.