Nonprofit Horse Rescue Group Challenged Inhumane Experimental Surgery

East County News Service

Photo:  Wild mustangs, Bureau of Land Management

September 9, 2016 (Hines, OR) – Front Range Equine Rescue (FRER), a national nonprofit working to end the abuse and neglect of horses through rescue, advocacy and education, announced today that, just six weeks after a lawsuit filed by FRER, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management has withdrawn its program to perform experimental sterilization of wild mares in Oregon. The BLM’s decision was formally vacated by the Interior Board of Land Appeals this morning.

FRER’s suit contended that the BLM’s intention to conduct surgical experiments on 225 wild horses, many in various stages of pregnancy, and potentially thousands more horses over time, causes harm and suffering in violation of federal law.

East County News Service

September 9, 2016 (Poway) — Cory Withrow, Founder & CEO of The King’s Craft Coffee Co and former offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks, announces the grand opening today of the King’s Craft Coffee Co, Poway’s first specialty coffee shop serving single origin coffees, European pastries, and handcrafted roasted beans.

East County News Service

September 9, 2016 (San Diego) -- In its first campus-close location, Broken Yolk Café is set to offer San Diego State University students a unique experience.  Known for large, shareable portions of scratch cooking, the hometown breakfast and lunch favorite will offer students both traditional and grab-and-go style food in a modified fast casual format when it opens in the new South Campus Plaza development at the corner of College Avenue and Montezuma Road near SDSU.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

September 9, 2016 (El Cajon) - Keep your eyes open the next time you fill up at the gas pump. Someone has been installing scanning devices known as "skimmers" inside credit card readers at gas stations. They can steal your credit or debit card information, including pin numbers, and use it to make fraudulent purchases.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has partnered with local and federal agencies to investigate these crimes, which include thefts at 7-11 stations in El Cajon. Several arrests have already been made. The investigation is ongoing.

Here are things you can do to protect yourself:

Source: Federal Bureau of  Investigation

September 9, 2016 (San Diego’s East  County) - FBI Special Agent in Charge, Eric S. Birnbaum announced three arrests and  filing of a six count federal complaint against a United States Customs and Border Protection Officer and two co-conspirators, as a result of a public corruption and alien smuggling investigation conducted in San Diego.

Santee Chamber celebrates oktOVERfest with OTL and Party in the Park

East County News Service

September 8, 2016 (Santee) - The Santee Chamber of Commerce is bringing an Over-the-Line tournament and Party in the Park to Santee at their inaugural oktOVERfest on October 1.

By Miriam Raftery

September 8, 2016 (San Diego) – Spraying chemicals to kill Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit Zika virus is being done in communities across the nation where returning travelers have been diagnosed with Zika. But a report in South Carolina of massive bee kills from aerial spraying has raised concerns over how to protect bees from poisoning while also protecting public health from the dangerous Zika virus.

East County News Service

Sept, 8, 2016 (El Cajon) -- “Around The World In Eighty Minutes,” a multicultural festival, will be held on Saturday, September 17th, 2016 from 6 p.m to 8:30 p.m. at the El Cajon Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1270 S. Orange Avenue in El Cajon. The event will showcase cultures and countries around the world through food and information booths and performances.

Volleyball falls to UCI in five sets

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo: Deja Harris via goaztecs.com

September 7, 2016 (San Diego) - Trailing two sets to one, San Diego state saw a spirited comeback effort fall just shy of the mark as it dropped a five-set (25-23, 29-31, 14-25, 27-25, 12-15) decision to UC Irvine Wednesday evening on Aztec Court. The result left both side with identical 3-4 records after the first seven matches of the season.

By Miriam Raftery

September 7, 2016 (La Mesa)--La Mesa's first cooperative wine-tasting venture is born.

The Barnyard Cassanovas provided lively music from Johnny Cash to rock 'n' roll at the grand opening of La Mesa Wine Works on August 27th. Winemaker Linda McWilliams, sporting a T-shirt reading "Well behaved women rarely make history" and her husband,Mike, chatted with guests about wines offered up from  San Pasqual Winery and Wyatt Oaks  Winery,  both local ventures. 

East County News Service

September 7, 2016 (San Diego) – Opponents of Measure A, the countywide transportation initiative, have filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court challenging the accuracy of ballot statements filed by Measure A supporters.

Hear our audio version of Destination East County by clicking the orange button above.

East County News Service

September 6, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a chili cook-off, a breakfast for wounded veterans, the Sycuan powwow, and VW Mania at El Cajon’s Classic Car night.

 Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including concerts and music festivals, Julian’s Apple Days, a barbecue competition in Spring Valley, Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, and a hike to the Valley of the Moon.

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

Source:  City of Santee news release

September 6, 2016 (Santee) - Santee’s annual Bluegrass Festival is a wine, beer and food tasting mixed with music and assorted fundraising activities, including a treasure-filled opportunity drawing and silent action.

People come for the fun and frivolity, but they leave behind substantial funds to support valuable ‘I’ community programs such as staffing for the Santee Teen Center.

Mark your calendars for our candidate forum with Helix Water Board candidates and Lemon Grove Mayoral candidates September 21 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Library.

By Miriam Raftery

September 6,2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Mark Gracyk and  Dan McMillan both say they’re running for the Helix Water District Board to stop rate hikes –and roll them back if possible.  Both are running against incumbents (Chuck  Muse and John Linden) who have repeatedly voted for rate hikes. Hear our full interview, aired on KNSJ radio,  by clicking the audio link;  click "read more" and scroll down to read highlights.

Update:  Director John Linden has also done a radio interview with ECM. You can listen to our interview with Director Linden here.

Gracyk,  MicMillan, Director Linden and challenger Aaron Zajak have all agreed to participate in our candidate forum on Sept.21. Director Muse sent regrets as he is out of the country.  Erik Collins, another challenger, has not responded. 

By Liz Alper

Full quotes courtesy Assistant Athletic Director Darin Wong

September 6, 2016 (San Diego) - After a shutout win against the University of New Hampshire last week, Aztecs football head coach Rocky Long, safety Malik Smith and quarterback Christian Chapman regrouped at the Fowler Athletic Center at SDSU to look ahead to this Saturday's game against the Cal Golden Bears.