East County News Service

November 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Sunday night’s storm brought heavy rains to much of drought-stricken San Diego County.

Descanso and Cuyamaca received more than an inch of rain and over an inch and a half fell on Palomar Mountain. Ramona and Julian received just under an inch, while Santee, Campo and Boulevard all got about a half inch of rain, though less than a quarter of an inch was received at San Diego’s Lindbergh Field.

For more sports coverage, visit ECM's Sports section

Source: NASCAR.com

Cover photo:  Creative Commons under Nascarking (Wikipedia).  Newsflasher photo:  Creative Commons under Flickr upload bot

November 20, 2016 (Miami) - Jimmie Johnson today won his seventh Sprint Cup championship and his first in three years at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami.  The 41-year-old and El Cajon native is now tied with Dale Earnardt and Richard Petty as a seven-time premiere series champion.

Source: Newcomers’ Collaborative

November 20, 2016 (El Cajon) -- On Saturday, November 5^th, 2016, 91 Spanish Speakers and at least 24 children attended a resource event coordinated by the Newcomers’ Collaborative, a workgroup of the El Cajon Collaborative. The event provided an opportunity for newcomers to browse local resources and attend workshops on navigating the education system, immigration and civic engagement, Child Welfare Services, domestic violence, equal housing rights and employment. Attendees were also able to apply for public benefits such as Cal-Fresh and Medi-Cal on-site, or ask questions regarding their eligibility or specific case.         

East County News Service

November 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service is forecasting a winter-like storm system will arrive Sunday and continue through the day on Monday. The brunt of this storm system will come after dark Sunday evening, and continue through Monday morning.  A wind advisory is also in effect for mountain and desert areas in San Diego County, where gusts up to 55 miles per hour may occur.

By Miriam Raftery

November 19, 2016 (El Cajon) — A man who prompted a SWAT standoff after firing shots and taking his 7-year-old son hostage last night is dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.  According to Lieutenant Royal Bates, the child exited the residence in the 800 block of Grape Street unharmed shortly before the gunshot was heard.

East County News Service

November 18, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Help is needed to recover two golf carts stolen overnight from the Tir Na Nog horse rescue center east of Alpine or purchase replacements.

The owner posted this message on Facebook:

Horses of Tir Na Nog

Source: County of San Diego

November 18, 2016 (Campo) - The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Lake Morena County Park water system located at 2550 Lake Morena Drive in Campo, CA 91906, effective immediately. The water system is designed to provide potable water for a campground with 86 camper sites, ranger office, 4 fulltime residents, 7 volunteer RV pads and 2 public restrooms.

By Miriam Raftery

November 18, 2016 (San Diego)—A  decades-long battle over the proposed Gregory landfill has ended. Yesterday,  the Pala Band of Mission Indians announced the tribe has complete purchase of more than 700 acres of  the property—including most of Gregory Canyon and Gregory Mountain, a sacred site known as Chokla.

Shasta Gaughen with the Pala Indians called the news  “amazing,” adding in an e-mail, ”This means that a dump in Gregory Canyon will never happen. Chokla,  Medicine Rock, and other spiritual and cultural sites on the property will now be protected forever.  Critical wildlife habitat, endangered species, and the San Luis Rey River will be spared the threat posed by millions of tons of polluting garbage.”

San Diego State hosts Loyola Marymount Sunday at 2 p.m.

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 17, 2016 (San Diego) - San Diego State women’s basketball was unable to get past a University of San Diego team that shot 65 percent (37-for-57) and fell to its crosstown rival, 91-53, in a non-conference game Thursday night. 

With the loss, SDSU falls to 1-2 on the season, while USD improves to 3-0. It was the Aztecs’ worst margin of defeat since an 89-38 defeat by No. 2/3 South Carolina on Nov. 23, 2014.

In the first half, San Diego State had to contend with a Torero team that shot an outstanding 70 percent (19-for-27) compared to SDSU’s 29 percent (9-for-31).

After McKynzie Fort and Kymberly Ellison made a trio of free throws to start the game, Fort got the Aztecs’ first two field goals. Her short jumper put the game within one point at 6-5 2:44 into the game. Three-and-a-half minutes later, she drove the basket, hooked right and threw in the 16-7 shot.

East County News Service

November 17, 2016 (Alpine) - Join Lions, Tigers & Bears, San Diego's only big cat and exotic animal rescue, for the 2016 Christmas fundraiser on Saturday, December 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  There will be a VIP reception from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.  You can do holiday shopping and watch your furry friends open Christmas presents!

Also enjoy a visit with Santa,food trucks and plenty of festive fun.

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Escondido) — The California Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings January 9, 2017 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s application for authorization to recover costs related to the 2007 Southern California wildfires recorded in the Wildfire Expense Memorandum Account (WEBA). 

California Senator Dianne Feinstein today released this statement on reports that President-elect Donald Trump will hire Steve Bannon as senior advisor:

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Washington D.C.) — “I became mayor of San Francisco when my predecessor was assassinated—I know how fear can tear apart a community. Today we’re again seeing the spread of fear, this time caused by a series of racist and xenophobic attacks.

“In the last week, Muslim university students were attacked for their faith, Latino students humiliated by peers who say they’ll be deported, Confederate flags and racist slurs used to intimidate African-Americans, and swastikas and Nazi propaganda spray painted on buildings. That’s not the America I know.

Source: Ramona Valley Vineyard Association press release

November 16, 2016 (Ramona) - Participating wineries from the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) will be holding a Holiday Wine Trail in the heart of San Diego Wine Country on Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11, from noon until 5:00 p.m.

East County News Service

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Alpine) -- Sheriff's Sexual Assault Detectives are investigating a sexual assault at the Ma-Tar-Awa Viejas RV Park, 25 Browns Road, Alpine, CA 91901, on the Viejas Indian Reservation.

According to Lt. Dan Brislin, a 30-year-old woman walked into the campground restroom at 5:30 a.m. yesterday and saw a man facing away from her in a stall. She entered a stall and that same man approached her from behind, said "Hey" and proceeded to sexually assault her. As the assault progressed, she asked him to not hurt her. Immediately after she said this, he stopped and fled the scene.