East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Washington D.C.) -- Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego), Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Military Personnel, included a number of policy provisions to increase benefits available to our men and women in uniform. The Subcommittee approved its portion of the working draft of the National Defense Authorization Act.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Alpine) – You’re invited to a party complete with a rib eye steak dinner, art show, live jazz, blues and swing music by Chet and the Committee—all to benefit revitalization of the Alpine Community Center, which needs help to keep its doors open.

Coordinated system aims to improve travel-time, reliability on I-15

April 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- Officials from SANDAG and Caltrans are activating the final piece of a system designed to guide motorists around major incidents when they occur along the Interstate 15 corridor, providing travel choices and improving travel-time reliability.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Alpine) -- If you want your business, organization or agency to blossom, sign up for the May 18 Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce 2016 Spring Business Festival. There will be marketing opportunities for Chamber members from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Alpine Regional Center’s lobby area at 1620 Alpine Boulevard  in Alpine. The general public is invited to attend free.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Spring Valley) – Howdy, partner! It’s time to travel out West. The San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea Tent, will present Laurel and Hardy – Wacky Western Night on Saturday, May 14^th in Williams Hall at Trinity Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley. Doors open at 6:30 with show time at 7 p.m.  There is a $6 donation per person.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

April 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) -- We’ve all encountered them at one time or another, and never a pleasant experience “snakes!” (and I’m not referring to some of those ‘special’ people in your life or at work). “Snake season usually picks up steam between April and May," says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

By Chris Jennewein

Photo: The owner of a flower shop. Courtesy UC Riverside

April 24, 2016 (San Diego) - If Republican front-runner Donald Trump succeeds in building his border wall, it may choke off the fastest growing source of new businesses in California.

April 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - Several brands of frozen peas, corn and mixed vegetables have been recalled from stores throughout California due to possible contamination with Listeria, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections particularly in young children and the elderly.  The bacteria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, according to the FDA.

Spring Valley foster family hopes to raise awareness about joys of fostering

By Jen Coburn

April 24, 2016 (Spring Valley) -- Not everyone has the energy to care for 16 babies, but Ana and Dale Griffin say they are up to the task. The Spring Valley couple has a secret weapon – pacing. They serve as foster parents for one baby at a time through Angels Foster Family Network, a nonprofit that requires San Diego families devote their full attention to one young child (or sibling set) at a time.

East County News Service

April 23, 2016 (Spring Valley) -- Students and staff at Monte Vista High School know that Mondays are special.  They are faculty work days; classes begin two hours later than usual so students get the chance to sleep in.  But this coming Monday, April 25^th, won’t be a typical one for the Monarch student body.  Instead of sleeping in, more than 200 students and staff members will work with “Stop Hunger Now” to package 40,000 meals for needy children in developing countries.  The students and staff are excited to be a part of this community service event hosted by their school and nearby Foothills United Methodist Church.

April 23, 2016 (San Diego) - Compliments of San Diego Write Way, here is an abundance of events for both readers and writers across San Diego County.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Jon Jay catches up with some of his old teammates.  Courtesy @Cardinals on Twitter

April 23, 2016 (San Diego) - Game two of Cardinals-Padres saw the veteran ace Michael Wacha on the mound for St. Louis and the AA call-up Cesar Vargas pitching for San Diego.

Source: San Diego Sheriff's Department News Release

Photo: Ramona Airport, courtesy County News Center

April 23, 2016 (Ramona) - Earlier today, deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation assisted firefighters with CAL FIRE with a plane crash at Ramona Airport.    

By Liz Alper

Photos by Liz Alper

April 23, 2016 (San Diego) - Chargers fans gathered at the parking lot of 13th and K Streets downtown, the site of the proposed new downtown stadium, to listen to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Chargers chairman Dean Spanos, quarterback Philip Rivers, former Charger LaDainian Tomlinson and other Chargers representatives and players.

By Liz Alper

 

Photo:  Firefighters from the Burn Institute are honored before the game on Firefighter Night.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

 

April 22, 2016 (San Diego) - The Redbirds from St. Louis flew into San Diego and put Adam Wainwright up against Andrew Cashner on the mound.