By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

It’s February, put your Heart into it!

February 2, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Heart disease kills over a half million people every year. It’s no surprise February is Heart Awareness month. Together, we all can prevent and cardiovascular disease (CVD), one step at a time says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

February 2, 2015  (El Cajon) – A tenant at a mobile home park in El Cajon made a grisly discovery at 3.a.m. yesterday, finding the body of an 80-year-old man in a vehicle. According to El Cajon Police Lieutenant Walt Miller, the man had a gunshot wound to his chest and a gun was found beside him, City News Service reports.

Update: Alpine Rentals is open for business, working out of a trailer temporarily, the Alpine Community Network reports.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 1, 2015 (Alpine)--Things were rocking and rolling in Alpine early this morning.

February 1, 2015 (Poway)--The Poway Chamber of Commerce is launching a new networking opportunity, Morning Buzz.  Morning Buzz events will take place on the second Wednesday of every month. The first event will be held at The Hamburger Factory on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 a.m. There is no fee to attend, but attendees are encouraged to purchase breakfast.

February 1, 2015 (San Diego)--Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was elected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in his first year of eligibility. Seau died in 2012.

Seau headlines the 2015 Hall of Fame class, joining running back Jerome Bettis, wide receiver Tim Brown, defensive end Charles Haley, guard Will Shields, center Mick Tinglehoff and former NFL executives Ron Wolf and Bill Polian. The class of ’15 will be officially inducted this summer at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

You're invited to East County Magazine's "Treasures of East County" event to benefit our nonprofit community news and wildfire reporting! 

 Saturday, January 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1625 East Main Street, El Cajon

You can help by shopping (just in time for Valentine's Day) and by donating items for our big event, which features 4 sales in one location!

February 1, 2015 (Lakeside) – The Barona Cultural Center and Museum invites San Diegans to learn the art of Native American beading on Saturday, February 7 at a special class presented by Ancient Spirits Speak, the museum’s public education program.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 30, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - As you Coach and prepare Super Bowl festivities this weekend make sure to be a good sport and keep your ‘Safety’ front and center at all times says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

“I have seen so much evidence of corruption at the CPUC that it is appalling. Judges who appeared sympathetic to the consumer were regularly changed out for those who would do what Peevey wanted, which meant what the utilities wanted” – Susan Brinchman, , La Mesa

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2015 (San Francisco) – Investigators from the California Attorney General’s office reportedly raided the home of former Public Utilities Commission Chairman Michael Peevey this week, seizing computers and smart phones.  State law enforcement officials also seized evidence from the home of Pacific Gas & Electric Company executive Brian Cherry, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

January 30, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has events ranging from  our own East County treasures event to an art show at Mission Trails Regional Park. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Ballet Folklorico dance performance and Circus Vargas bringing its mesmerizing performances to our region. Stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

By Miriam Raftery; Kristin Kjaero contributed to this story

Big changes could soon be coming to Grossmont Center

January 28, 2015 (La Mesa)--At the La Mesa City Council meeting on Tuesday night January 27^th, Steve Cushman  gave a presentation  regarding the future of the regional shopping mall and surrounding properties owned by the Cushman family.

A 50-year lease with developers of the shopping center expired in mid-January and now the shopping mall and adjacent properties are reverting back to the Cushman family.  That includes 125 acres, extending beyond the mall itself to many surrounding sites.

By Hayden Parsley

January 28, 2015 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted this week to implement involuntary treatment for mentally ill patients. The legislation that would allow this is known as Laura’s law. This motion was passed 4 to 1 on Tuesday. Staff now has 90 days to develop a plan to implement the law countywide.

By Hayden Parsley

January 28, 2015 (Washington D.C.) - Leaders of the United States House of Representatives have decided to postpone a vote on the “Secure Our Borders Act.” Otherwise known as H.R. 399, the bill was called for by Republicans and would require the Border Agency to stop all illegal border crossings within five years or be penalized.