Dedicated to the Men of Engine Company 57

“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was home in Orange County leaving for work in Los Angeles. I could see the large plume of smoke to the east. In a matter of moments it intensified. The plumb expanded and rose quickly into the atmosphere. I knew something went bad. I didn’t think it was this bad… Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna”

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 17, 2016 (San Diego) -- October 26^th 2006, 1:11 a.m. Santa Ana winds stirred across the southland.

A Red Flag warning had been identified and was in effect. A high probability for large fire growth was in effect as conditions were high temperatures, low humidity, and Santa Ana winds.

East County News Service

October 17, 2016 (Crest) — The Crest Fire Safe Council invites you to meet candidates running for San Miguel Fire Board at the Crest Community Clubhouse (113 North Park Road in the Crest community of unincorporated El Cajon) on Wednesday, October 19 at 7 p.m.

Source: Lions, Tigers and Bears

October 16, 2016 (Alpine) -- Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB), a San Diego Big Cat and Exotic Animal Rescue, has sent its rescue team to a sanctuary in South Dakota, which has closed after a recent USDA inspection and tiger mauling last week.  

By Miriam Raftery

October 16,2016 (San Diego)—The state Commission on Judicial Performance has filed 11 counts of judicial misconduct against San Diego Superior Court Judge Gary G. Kreep,  following a preliminary investigation.   View the charges and notice of formal proceedings here.

 Judge Kreep has 20 days from the date of service (October 7, 2016) to file a written response to the charges,  which include conduct while serving as a judge as well as ethical violations during his campaign.  California’s constitution provides remedies that could include removal from the bench, censure, public or private admonishment.

East County News Service

October 16, 2016 (San Diego) — Campus police at San Diego State University have issued an alert warning about a sexual battery that occurred at 2:20 a.m. on Montezuma Road near East Campus Drive. 

According to police, an unknown white man in his mid-30s, wearing a dark shirt and pants, grabbed a female student and touched her inappropriately. The woman was able to fight the man off and run away. She was not injured.

Sycuan returns for twelfth year, joins bakers such as Behind the Scenes Catering and Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.; Sales begin October 10, 2016

East County News Service

October 15, 2016 (San Diego) - Wells Fargo, Walmart, The Original Pancake House of Poway & Temecula, and Sycuan Casino are just a few of the local companies that have pledged their resources a successful upcoming Mama’s Pie in the Sky Thanksgiving Bake Sale. The fundraiser in its twelfth year benefits Mama’s Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritional support at no cost to San Diego men, women and children affected by AIDS or cancer who are vulnerable to hunger. Sales begin October 10 and continue through November 20, 2016. Pie flavors are pumpkin, traditional apple, pecan and Dutch apple, and are available for just $25 each. Pies can be purchased online via www.mamaspies.org or by calling (619) 233-6262.

By Miriam Raftery

October 15,2016 (Borrego)—We sat down for an interview with Mark Jorgensen,  former  Superintendent of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and author of the award-winning book, Desert Bighorn Sheep,  Wilderness Icon. 

He spoke about the progress made to protect these  magnificent animals,  as well as threats to their survival and challenges that remain.  

Listen now by clicking the link to our interview, which originally aired on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM Radio.

Click audio links to hear our 4-part series of interview with GHD candidates

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Art Madrid,  Virginia Hall,  Bob Ayres,  Jimmy Parker, Michael Emerson, Priscilla Schreiber

October 15, 2016 (La Mesa) –In a series of interviews, we caught up with each of the six candidates running for the Grossmont Healthcare District Board, which oversees Grossmont Hospital.   The field is diverse, and each candidate brings their unique perspectives and priorities for the public’s health. 

Topics ranged from easing congestion in the hospital’s busy emergency room to oversight of new construction project,  from protecting patient privacy to preparing for the impacts of ballot measures such as an initiative that could legalize marijuana. 

For more sports stories, visit ECM's Sports section

Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 14, 2016 (La Mesa) - It’s time for conference play.  For this week’s Friday Night Lights, ECM went to Grossmont High School to see the undefeated Foothillers host the Norsemen of Valhalla High. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2016 (Jamul) - A GoFundMe site setup yesterday to help a Jamul woman whose three dogs were bitten by a rattlesnake has raised over $7,000.  She is a single mother who can’t afford the costly care needed to save her dogs’ lives.

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – After the release of a videotape last week on which Republican nominee Donald Trump boasted in crude terms about grabbing women’s genitals and forcing kisses on them in the workplace,  Trump dismissed those claims “as locker room talk” in a presidential debate. When pressed by  CNN’s  Anderson Cooper on whether he did those things,  he claimed he didn’t.  Six women have since come forward to state  he did sexually assault them, including a journalist  and others. In addition, a hearing on alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl by Trump heads to court in December. Dozens of past coworkers of  Trump have also corroborated sexually demeaning remarks in the workplace that amount to sexual harassment.

Many top Republicans have yanked support of Trump as a result.  GOP Chair Rance Priebus ordered the Republican National  Party to cut off all cash to the Trump campaign.  House Speaker Paul Ryan has said he is done defending Trump.  Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State under Republican George W. Bush,  stated,”Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw.”  Former GOP nominees John McCain and Mitt Romney have said they will not support Trump’s candidacy.  Conservative commentator Glen Beck called opposing  Trump the “moral choice” even if Hillary Clinton is elected.

But Congressman Duncan Hunter, a Republican whose district includes  parts of San Diego and East County continues to support  Trump. “We’ve got to keep on fighting to the end,” he said, according to the Washington Post’s article titled “What it’s like to be on the shrinking island of Donald Trump backers.”

By Jonathan Goetz

Miriam Raftery contributed to this story.

October 13, 2016 (El Cajon) — During public comment at Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council hearing, residents voiced a range of opinions on the recent police shooting of Alfred Olango, an African refugee reportedly suffering a mental health crisis when an officer advanced on him, gun drawn, then fired after Olango drew a vaping device resembling a gun out of his pocket and pointed it at the officer.

Here are highlights of public comments on the shooting:

October 13, 2016 (El Cajon )-- Mega Network has created a video montage with highlights from the recent El Cajon candidate forum at Grossmont College.  Seven candidates fielded questions from moderators and the audience on a wide range of issues, from the recent police shooting to reopeningthe East County Performing Arts Center to ideas for strengthening the community

Candidates participating were Stephanie Harper, Ben Kalasho,  Humbert Cabrera,  Steve Goble, George Glover,Joseph Fountain and Vickie Knight Butcher, all challengers. (Photos below) Incumbents Bob McClellan and Star Bales did not attend,nor did challenge Paul Circo.