By Jonathan Goetz

Scroll down for complete ballot statements from all candidates

August 23, 2016 (Lemon Grove)-- The Lemon Grove City Council is undergoing some major changes. Mayor Mary Sessom is stepping down. Council members Racquel Vasquez and George Gastil are running for the open mayoral seat, along with Teresa Rosiak, former president of Lemon Grove’s Chamber of Commerce.

Although the races are officially nonpartisan,Gastil has won endorsement from the County Democratic Party, an advantage in Lemon Grove, a heavily Democratic community.  Vasquez is also a registered Democrat,while Rosiak is a Republican. 

Both Gastil and Vasquez have their terms end this year, meaning they are giving up their seats by running for Mayor and there will be no costly special election to fill their seats. Five candidates are hoping to fill those slots.

Below are highlights on all Mayoral and Council candidates' qualifications, along with their full ballot statements submitted to the cities. (Note,  statements are within the public review period which ends August 29; statements may change on official ballots if any information is challenged.)

East County News Service

August 23, 2016 (Sacramento) - Proposition 61, the California Drug Price Relief Act, on the November ballot aims to limit price-gouging on drug prices by pharmaceutical companies.  Some drug prices have skyrocketed for no valid reason, only corporate greed. For instance, the cost of an Epi-pen, which delivers life-saving medication for people suffering severe allergic reactions, has recently gone up 800%.

Photo:A member of the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team work on cleaning up debris on a property burned during the Potrero Fire.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications OfficeAug. 22, 2016 | 9:00 AM

After the Border Fire swept through rural East County in June, it left burned-out, ashen remains of six homes and 12 outbuildings. To help survivors clear debris, the County Office of Emergency Services turned to some veterans of disaster clean-up: the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief organization.

East County News Service

August 19, 2016 (La Mesa) - You're invited to the largest Oktoberfest celebration west of the Mississippi:  La Mesa Oktoberfest from September 30 to October 2, 2016.

The free event is spread out over nearly six blocks in La Mesa Village and features hundreds of exhibitors, family friendly activities, German food, music, dancing, outfits, games and of course, beer.

Former SDSU star captures title at News Sentinel Open in Tennessee

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo courtesy Sdsuaztecfan on Wikipedia

August 22, 2016 (San Diego) - Former San Diego State men’s golf standout J.J. Spaun emerged victorious at the Web.com Tour’s News Sentinel Open presented by Pilot on Sunday after shooting a 5-under-par 66 during the final round at Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn.

East County News Service

August 21, 2016 (Lemon Grove) – Mexican Consul General Rafael Laveaga will hold a Mobile Consulate at the Lemon Grove Library (3002 School Lane, Lemon Grove) on Saturday, August 27^th from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, And Love of My Son Michael Brown, by Lezley McSpadden (Regan Arts, New York, NY, 2013, 254 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

Equal rights, fair play, justice are like the air; we all have it, or none of us has it. That is the truth of it.

• Maya Angelou

August 21, 2016 (San Diego) - I feel honored and privileged to write this review of Lezley McSpadden’s book; Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, and Love of My Son Michael Brown. She and I actually have a lot in common, as we both were born in Missouri, me about 150 miles south of Ferguson in the bootheel, the small town of Charleston. Also, she bears a likeness to my sister Janet, also born in Charleston, mostly through their close set eyes and facial features.

East County News Service

August 21, 2016 (Julian) -- The 47^th Annual Julian Music Festival 2016 to benefit the California Wolf Center will take place Saturday, September 17 from 1 to 7 p.m.(Door opens at noon)  The setting for the festival will be the Menghini Winery located at 1150 Julian Orchards Drive in Julian.  Parking is free.  Tickets may be purchased on the website:  https://julianmusicfestival.com.

By Miriam Raftery

August 21, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – Jailing poor defendants because they can’t afford bail is unconstitutional and violates the 14^th Amendment right to equal protection, the U.S.  Justice Department argued in an amicus brief filed in federal court on Thursday.

Q & A with author of “Raising Ryland”

Source: Foothills United Methodist Church press release

August 21, 2016 (La Mesa) - “When the family dies I’m going to cut my hair so I can be a boy,” said Ryland Whittington when he was just four years old. His family was stunned.

August 20, 2016—Two Sig Alerts have been issued due to separate crashes in East County, both forcing long-term shutdowns of  major roadways.

A fatality accident has shut down State Route 67 in both directions for 8 to10 hours. Southbound 67 is closed at Archie Moore Road.  Northbound SR 67 is closed at Poway Road.   A head-on crash between a silver pickup and black Nissan reportedly occurred  on the highway just north of Cloudy Moon Road after the truck veered across the centerline.

East County News Service

August 20, 2016 (El Cajon) - This Halloween, come to a party like no other at Sycuan Golf Resort.  Stoney's Boo Bash is on Thursday, October 27 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

August 20, 2016 (Alpine) — East County Magazine will be among the “community heroes” honored at the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce’s “Heroes Excellent Leadership Public Service” or “HELPS” awards.

The awards will be presented at a dinner to be held Saturday, August 27^th at the Viejas Casino & Resort, Grand Oak Ballroom.

By Miriam Raftery

August 20, 2016 (Jamul) – Supervisor Dianne Jacob today joined with residents at a press conference to voice concerns over state actions regarding the Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego

August 19, 2016 (Boulevard) -- County Animal Services seized four horses from a property in Boulevard Thursday and Friday after investigating reports of neglect.