East County News Service

September 21, 2017 (Jamul) --  Debbie Ekhaml snapped this picture perfect portrait of a mule deer buck in Jamul. 

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

East County News Service

September 20, 2017 (La Mesa) – State Senator Joel Anderson will be the featured speaker at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on Wednesday, September 27 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Marie Callendar’s, 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego.

Source: East County Chamber of Commerce

September 20, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will hold the 15th Annual Women In Leadership Luncheon (WILL)  at the Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley on Friday, September 22nd from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. View the list of this year’s  2017 WILL Nominees.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 20, 2017 (Spring Valley) - It was a showdown between two Spring Valley schools in the pool as 7-2 Steele Canyon boys water polo traveled to the other side of Spring Valley to take on the Monarchs, who are 1-2 to start the young season, but 0-1 in conference play, losing to West Hills in August.

Update September 22, 2017:  Tooma has pleaded not guilty, claiming he only owns a smoke shop next door, not Spring Valley Greens, Patch.com reports.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2017 (Spring Valley) – The owner of Spring Valley Greens, an illegal marijuana dispensary also known as the Wax Room, has been arrested.  Steve Tooma, 35, has been charged with opening a drug house, criminal conspiracy, and possession of marijuana for sale at the dispensary located at 9925 Campo Road in the Casa de Oro neighborhood of Spring Valley.

By Ken Stone

Reprinted from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

Photo, left:  Nathan Fletcher said after his endorsement: “Every candidate is going to fight and have their base of support. And what we see as Democrats is we come together, post primary and focus on what we have to do, which is Democrats winning the seat.” Photo via Wikimedia Commons

September 20, 2017 (San Diego) -- Former GOP Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher easily won the San Diego County Democratic Party’s endorsement Tuesday night in his bid to “take back our county government.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Policia Federal Mexico via Twitter

September 20, 2017 (San Diego) – A powerful 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City yesterday, 32 years to the day that a 1985 quake killed 9,500 people and destroyed 100,000 homes in Mexico City.  Since then, the city has made major efforts to improve earthquake safety standards.

By Miriam Raftery

September 19, 2017 (La Mesa) – Bugsy’s Brew Coffee shop ha s closed its doors, five years after opening at the corner of La Mesa Blvd. and Jackson Drive.   A note taped to the door informs customers of the closing over the weekend “with a heavy heart but great memories.”  Owner Dan Moran thanked patrons, adding, “I’m sorry for having to move on, but my family is in need and I just focus on remaining active in my children’s lives! Family first forever.  I will love and miss my time here…let’s stay positive and may our paths cross in the future.”

By Miriam Raftery

“His behavior is extraordinarily irresponsible. A public official should not be in the business of threatening groundless litigation over acts that are things that reporters do every day.”  -- David Snyder, executive director, First Amendment Coalition

September 19, 2017 (San Diego) – El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho sent emails to San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Jeff McDonald repeatedly calling the award-winning journalist a “troll” and threatening legal action after McDonald asked tough questions about Kalasho’s business dealings and apparent conflicts of interests.

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

Story by Liz Alper

Videos courtesy goaztecs.com

For Christian Chapman and Ron Smith’s portion of the press conference, click “read more” and scroll down

September 19, 2017 (San Diego) - With the Pac-12 behind them, SDSU football celebrated two wins against a tough conference and prepared to open Mountain West play against Air Force this Saturday.  Head coach Rocky Long, junior quarterback Christian Chapman and sophomore cornerback Ron Smith took the floor for this week’s press conference.

Source: Stephen Moran, San Miguel Fire District

September 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --  Adrienne Koroly had his Lexus parked outside his home in Morena Valley. On Saturday morning , he drove from Morena Valley to his parents home on San Vicente Blvd in the Casa De Oro area of Spring Valley. When he stepped out, he heard meowing—not a typical engine purr.

Limited space still available! RSVP deadline extended.

September 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – Our next East County Dining Club event on September 21st at 6:30 p.m. just got even better! Sicilian Excellence will be offering tastes of Anticatindari and Buone Sergio Sicilian wines -- along with a delicious Italian special menu feast at Tiramisu Trattoria (8273 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) plus local wine tasting  with the award-winning San Pasqual Winery,  Italian popular songs and arias performed by talented vocalist Valerie Watts, a wealth of prize drawings, and more are all part of the fun! 

We have a few seats left, so you can pay at the door ($28) but please call 619-698-7617 to RSVP or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Cost  includes plated four-course special menu dinner, wine tasting, tax, tip, entertainment, opportunities to meet neighbors and make new friends.

Special menu:  Bruschetta, choice of soup or salad and choice of entrée:  Ravioli Ricotta, Spinaci or Zucca, Melanzana Alla Parmigiana, Pollo Marsala or Picata, Fettucine Bolognsee, Rigotoni Alla Norcina, Cavatelli di Ricotta, and delicious dessert: Tiramisu (plain or strawberry)

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) – Heritage of the Americas Museum invites the public to a special presentation and reception, “Padre Johnson and his Gift of the Global Human Family” on Friday, October 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- According to a California Health Alert Network bulletin, San Diego County’s outbreak of hepatitis A now includes  cases in La Mesa, El Cajon and Santee as well as unincorporated areas of the County, though cases have now been confirmed “in all parts of the County,” the report states.